Located in an impressive old building in the center of the Saint-Germain-des-Pres, the Hotel Saint Vincent is a charming 3-star hotel with a beautiful character. Classic with a touch of contemporary, the room was lovely with a large comfortable bed, a small desk and a little balcony. We had a fantastic time in Paris, we loved the quarter, the hotel, everything.
hotelsaintvincentparis.com
5 rue du Pré aux Clercs 75007 Paris
Just a block from the Grands Boulevards, Hotel Aston is in an elegant part of the 9th arrondissement of Paris. The Opera, the Madeleine, the Moulin Rouge or the Sacré-Coeur are all within walking distance, and there are many excellent restaurants, cafés and bars right in the quarter.
Originally a residential town house, the building has been tastefully transformed into a classy contemporary 3-star designer hotel. The lounge area is elegant in a classic way, the rooms, however, represent a different style. Very bright with white walls and a few coloured items - a red curtain and lamps, a contemporary painting - giving it a charming character. As far as design concerned it is a good example of "less is more." Equipped with all the modern amenities the room we had was very comfortable and spotlessly clean.
And all this came at a very reasonable price - not only is Hotel Aston a great hotel, but also very good value!
Hotel Aston
12, cité Bergère - 75009 - Paris
aston-hotel-paris.com/
It's a simple but quite nice budget hotel in a very lively Parisian area - the Oberkampf quarter. Very cheap with Parisian standards and the area is really great. It's a youthful hotel in a youthful quarter, with friendly and helpful staff.
15, rue de Malte
75010 Paris
www.marys-paris-hotel.com/
It is a nice budget hotel in a prestigious neighborhood in the center of Paris, between Bd Haussmann (the Printemps etc) the Madeleine and the Opera. It's a 2-star hotel so don't expect anything extra, but our room was comfortable and spacious, and it actually had a quite charming character with the exposed timber beams. Staff, same as the hotel, were nice in general but nothing to rave about. The reason to choose this place is for its location and the good price.
5, rue de Castellane 75008 Paris
paris-hotel-royalopera.com/
We've stayed at Hotel Airport in the Italian town of Florence quite some time ago, but we still have fond memories. I just came across their website again, and they have some great deals at the moment - maybe it's time to revisit this wonderful place.
www.hotelairportflorence.it/
39, via Perosi Don Lorenzo
50127 Florence – Italie
Tel. . +39 055 430 256
Fax . +39 055 413 619
A contemporary and trendy designer hotel in a youthful and busy area, the Marais district. Close to all the action of the area, but luckily it is in a quiet little street. Tasteful design, ambient colours and comfy beds. On the downside, the room wasn't that big. But that's pretty much how it is in the historic parts of the city. It was a great base to explore Paris, very convenient with many of the sights - Notre Dame, Pompidou Centre, Ile Saint Louis, the Bastille etc - are within easy walking distance. But the charming district, with its cute streets and cafés, is the real attraction.
Everytime I go to Barcelona I rent my accommodation from
www.barcelona-home.com
It is modern and economic :)
Luxury and class in every detail - Hotel Belfast stands out not in its size but charm and elegance. It's a 3-star hotel, but deserves more as far as quality and service are concerned. And what about the location? It's right at the Arc de Triomphe, only a few meters. Best of all, there is a view on it and there is also a little balcony.
The room we had was comfortable and elegant. Only the upper rooms have a balcony, and it is worth that little extra. There is lift, so that shouldn't be a problem. It was great to have a coffee in the morning out on the balcony and a late night drink. It's a busy area, but traffic noise didn't bother us at night.
The receptionists were attentive and friendly, they gave valuable advice. We had a great time and we were happy with everything. Even the rate was very reasonable, you get value for your money.
Website: www.hotelbelfastparis.com/
10 avenue Carnot Paris 75017
While the Right Bank of Paris has a certain character, across the Seine there are also some very lively and interesting districts - it's good to see a bit of every face of the city. Montparnasse is a great location as we found out, a very vibrant place with mostly a local middle-age and middle-class crowd. Lot of fancy cafés and bars, cabarets and excellent restaurants. We stayed at Hotel Edouard VI, right in the center, and it was an elegant, quiet little boutique hotel at a very good price.
Hotel Edouard VI
61 Boulevard du Montparnasse 75006 Paris
hoteledouard6.com/
The Trocadero is a great location, being equally close to the Eifffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees and some other sights, and it's an elegant and lively location. Hotel Etoile Trocadero is a lovely 3-star boutique in the district, at a great price. The hotel is classic and our room was comfortable and charming. The staff we met were friendly and knowledgeable. Good value!
Hotel Etoile Trocadero
21, rue Saint-Didier 75016 Paris
www.paris-hotel-trocadero.com/
A city with a big heart, from home made chocolate snowballs at The University Cafe (a Glaswegian institution that hasn’t changed since it opened in 1918) on Byres Road, a stroll round the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, lunch in the Merchant City, a peruse down the ‘style mile’ in the afternoon and a candle lit dinner at night. This is a city you can enjoy being lost in. But, ultimately, it’s the people that make Glasgow - even in the rain they have a smile for everyone. I would absolutely recommend No.1 Devonshire Gardens, an indulgent experience, where they will do their best to upgrade your room for free. My boyfriend doesn’t believe in Valentines Day - he says I hoodwinked him into it, but I know this city will always hold a special place in our hearts - may even move there one day.
Hotel
www.hotelduvin.com/hotels/glasgow/glasgow.aspx
Restaurant
www.guysrestaurant.co.uk/
Now is the best time to go to southern Egypt – the weather is perfect and the locals will be particularly pleased to see you after a lean year. The Winter Palace’s grander rooms and elegant late 19th century façade overlook the Nile, and conceal from the bustle of the Corniche a lush and well tended garden. You can relax with a drink or a swim after a day exploring the sights, and watch the desert sun turn even the drabbest building to gold as the sound of the muezzin rises from mosques all around. For a romantic dinner, albeit without alcohol, go to the atmospheric Sofra , where delicious mezze are served on round brass tables under hand-blown glass chandeliers.
www.sofitel.com, H1661@sofitel.com, tel +20 95 238 0425
www.sofra.com.eg, Mohammed Farid St, tel +20 95 235 9752
The great thing about the Republique area is that prices tend to be cheaper than in the touristy districts - hotels, restaurants, bars etc - while it's still a very central location. And it's a trendy quarter, very lively, popular with locals. The Meslay Hotel is a romantic cutie in the district, it's affordable and stylish. We loved it!
Il Ngwesi is a beautiful eco-lodge run by the local Laikipiak Maasai tribe in the breathtaking Savannah north of Mount Kenya. It is very remote. We went for our silver wedding anniversary and flew in over Treetops Lodge in a three-seater plane. We were the only ones staying and were met on the air strip and taken to our accommodation, the Prince William Banda, overlooking a waterhole. It was open plan in every sense, including the toilet and shower! We did sleep under the thatched roof the first night, but after that it was under the stars. We were superbly looked after by the Maasai; the walking safaris, sundowners and bush breakfasts were superb and the horizon pool looking over the savannah and back drop of hills was divine. A truly romantic place as I am sure the previous residents, William Wales and Kate Middleton, would concur.
www.ilngwesi.com
+254 (0) 020 20 33 122
Google map: bit.ly/wFySI6
We had not been abroad for holidays because I was scared of flying and don't travel well. But it was going to be our 30th wedding anniversary and I wanted to do something special for my husband so we choose Porec, Croatia and it was the most wonderful place. The hotel was on its own little island, a five-minute boat ride from the mainland and had incredible views. It was lovely and clean and with little coves and beaches around with beautiful clear blue sea and we would just sit in the sea and watch the fish swim around us. The hotel was clean and the staff really friendly and food was lovely and catered for all. We often walked around the island on the warm evenings or there were boats to take you into the town on the mainland which was lovely because it was not commercialised and quite Italian in style with friendly people. The weather was hot but the place was so romantic and we will remember our 30th wedding anniversary for the rest of our lives.
52440, Poreč, Croatia 794 m W
+385 52 465 000
Google map: bit.ly/w6feBu
Hotel Ares Eiffel is located in a quiet little street just 5 minutes away from the Eiffel Tower and the Champ de Mars in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. The 4 star boutique hotel is absolutely amazing, it really is a luxury place; the furnitures are made by an Italian designer, there are Versace tilings in the bathroom, the TV's are the best I've ever seen in a hotel, there is free wi-fi in every room and free internet in the lobby. We stayed in a double room on the 3rd floor which was top notch, beautifully decorated, clean, bright and big enough, the bathroom was spotlessly clean and lovely as well. The staff are friendly and helpful, the neighborhood is loaded with some of the finest restaurants, bars, bistros, bakeries and antique shops. Public transportation is absolutely great, there are 3 metro lines within 5 minutes which makes getting around easy and convenient. Hotel Ares Eiffel is not a budget accommodation, a night starts from around 250 Euro, but if one can afford it I am totally convinced that the person won't be sorry about the extra money spent.
www.ares-paris-hotel.com/
7 RUE DU GÉNÉRAL DE LARMINAT
75015 PARIS
+33 1 47 34 74 04
You may need directions to find it as it looks like any other house on the street, But step in through the Gate of the walled garden and its like entering a secret garden full of artistic magic (hence the name), because everywhere you look (and I mean everywhere) there is something to make you say "look at that", and almost everything is for sale, from paintings and drawings to sculptures. It's not just thrown around like an old brick-a-brack shop but placed to make you look and look around some more, around every corner and in every alcove there is something to see. You can watch Jan D'esopo (the owner) and her team create right in front of you and you're welcome to get involved, even if its only as an artists model! A truly relaxing place to just sit around and look at things, you could almost be in any colonial house in any part of the world. Or you could take a dip in the unique pool, which is tucked away in the garden. In the evening you can join Jan and guests for a drinks reception or even go to the music room to listen to some live music! there are five different types of room (22 in all) all individually named and decorated, no two the same. I didn't see a single TV and there is an honour bar which was nice. It's the perfect stopover for somewhere different, or to start/finish a cruise. I don't think it would appeal to everyone, however, give it a go you maybe surprised. There is one thing: PLEASE, don't tell anyone as it's a secret!
www.thegalleryinn.com
204-206 Norzagary, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
+1 787 722 1808
Google map: bit.ly/wn5L97
So, you’ve sampled all that the Alps can offer and you’re looking for new vistas…well, why not head for Parnassos? Just two hours drive from Athens on the E75 route and you will be in Arachova, which is an enticing little village clinging to the southern slopes of Mount Parnassos. Accommodation in this traditional settlement ranges from the delightful and simple Maria Rooms, to the five-star Santa Marina Spa. The ski area will be unfamiliar to many, having only opened in 1976 (with no further development until the early nineties). While you won’t be tormented by too many perilous black runs, part of its charm comes from the close proximity of major sites of antiquity, such as Delphi (12 Kms), and the Corinthian Gulf, a further 15kms.
www.aroundparnassos.com
Google map: bit.ly/y9iFUI
www.mariarooms.com/
Arachova, Αράχωβα, Arachova 32004, Greece
+30 22670 31803
Google map: bit.ly/yKqNVn
Affordable and stylish, the 3-star Hotel Massena is in one of the most prestigious districts, near the Opera, Place Vendome, the big department stores and luxury boutiqes. It's a shopper's paradise - even if you only window-shop - but also convenient for sightseeing. The Madeleine is a short stroll, and the Tuileries Garden, the Louvre museum and other sights aren't that far either.
We loved the place, it's a cute gem of a boutique hotel, with a very ambient and trendy atmosphere. Our room was modern and classy, with a big comfy bed and spotlessly clean bathroom.
Considering the location and class the prices seem moderate with Paris standards. We certainly believe it's worth it, Hotel Massena is one of those lovely places that make a visit to Paris even more memorable.
www.paris-hotel-massena.com/
16 rue Tronchet
75008 Paris
No, seriously, it can be done! The Belgian Ardennes is a beautiful region that so many people just drive by without a thought. Several towns have their own small downhill slope and there are miles of cross-country trails through the forests. While the snow is never guaranteed, when it comes it can be in prodigious quantities and of a quality that would stand up to scrutiny anywhere. Just don't expect groomed pistes, and ski early in the day before the Dutch arrive from across the border. When there's no snow, enjoy the walks on the moors (the 'Hautes Fagnes'), sampling the mineral springs, watching the wildlife and trying the local food (often the same thing).
Stay in the eponymous Spa, with its curative waters, and try Thiers des Rexhons www.skispa.be/
Route de Berinzenne - Thier des Rexhons
B- 4900 SPA
+32 90)87 77 30 28
Google map: bit.ly/yjDqA2
Or Mont des Brumes
www.montdesbrumes.be/fr/index.html
+32 80 78 54 13