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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/
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.
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!
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
Definitely one of the coolest hotels and bars in the world let alone Edinburgh. Small and intimate, stylish, and with a fantastic restaurant, this is a must for anyone visiting Edinburgh.
www.ricksedinburgh.co.uk
55a Frederick Street, Edinburgh EH2 1LH
+44(0)131 622 7800
Google map: bit.ly/qJVOif
This boutique hotel near San Luis is an oasis, a calm and elegant place where time stands still for you to relax and be pampered. The décor is soft and stylish, the gardens fragrant and peaceful. The main pool has a delightful small bar for a lunchtime snack and later, when lit by candles it is a cool place to watch the night sky and enjoy the scent from the garden. Dining at Biniarroca is a gastronomic delight. The Matre De and his team will ensure that your evening is an experience to remember. The food is a delightful mix of French and Mediterranean prepared to the highest standards of perfection and taste. A destination for couples and the single traveler who enjoy peace, quiet and fine dining.
biniarroca.com
Cami Vell 57, Sant Lluis, Menorca 07710
+34 971 150059
Google map: bit.ly/mAjbO6
Boutique B&B: 30 minutes drive into the hills from Malaga airport. It was the perfect place to decompress before embarking on our tour of Andalucia. Lots of private perches to take in the panoramic views, stylish decor and luxury where it counts - beds and showers. Stunning food too and gay friendly hosts with joie de vivre.
www.tapaluz.com/
Montes De Malaga, Colmenar, Solano
+34 622 51 50 88
Indulgence Divine is a beautiful boutique house in the heart of pretty, sleepy Birgu - a short water taxi from the capital Valetta. The house is immaculately presented, with care and thought put into every detail - don't miss the roof terrace on sunny mornings and the secret room (!) A quirky treat, excellently managed by Aldo based in the UK and his father based in Malta, who went to great lengths to help us from picking us up at the airport to recommending restaurants via email and generally being lovely to deal with. Five stars!
www.indulgencedivine.com/
Pope Alexander VII Street, Birgu, Malta
+356 7981 5145
Google map: bit.ly/kTHmCz
We didn’t have enough time to do everything that the Brecks in mid Norfolk had to offer for a mid week break in August. Using Strattons Hotel in Swaffham (featured in the ITV hit series “Kingdom”, staring Stephen Fry) as our base was perfect, just a short drive to the coast, forestry, cities Norwich and Cambridge, historic buildings Oxborough Hall and Saint Marys Chapel, the Queens estate Sandringham and more as I will divulge. For our 5 day break we tried to do something active each day, having cycles delivered to the hotel from Bike art at High Lodge, we picked up Peddars way just 1 mile east from Swaffham. The Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast, which we would highly recommend. For day 2 we decided to take it a little easier and so visited Historic Hall Oxborough before returning to hotel for a walk via the beloved Waitrose to Castle acre. The magic of the Norfolk country side is that you can see for miles with its flat landscape not obscuring your view and as Stephen Fry has been quoted when describing his favour place in the world Norfolk has the biggest sky’s. Castle acre is a great place to lose an afternoon, with its Priory, church, castle, local pub and tea rooms, it was a real hit with us! After such a relaxing day we once again decided to turn up the volume by visiting Go-Ape high wire adventure at High Lodge Thetford forest. Now this isn’t for the faint hearted, a high level tree course set out across Thetford forest taking around 3 hours with a few breaks to catch your breath from the 3 G swing. A must do for the dare devils amongst us. Another day in the City, just 30 minutes east from Strattons we found the charming Norfolk city of Norwich. Mixing culture with shopping we roamed the Cathedrals grounds which I would die to own one of the ancient dwellings, and the surround area of Tombland. As a shopping adventure Norwich comes top, antique and art galleries, a market and the usual high street facades, a full day’s trading.
In summary, would we go again? We have already booked! Using Strattons as a base couldn’t have been more ideal and although we didn’t make it to the much written about North Norfolk coast it is just 30 minutes in the car or a few hours by cycle and will defiantly be on the agenda next time along with the Queens estate Sandringham.
www.strattonshotel.co.uk
01760 723845
Ash Close, Swaffham, Norfolk, PE37 7NH
Google map: bit.ly/duhnxf
Elegant boutique guesthouse and restaurant in the most unspoiled part of Turkey. The interior design is exquisite, rooms are comfortable and the food rivals that in any of the best restaurants I have eaten at in Paris, London, Istanbul, Melbourne or New York. The price is very reasonable considering the excellent quality.
Peebles is a market town in the Scottish Borders. Located approximately 25 miles south of Edinburgh it's a great place to visit for a leisurely day out.
Dander down the high street browsing the variety of shops and boutiques. Pop into the Tontine Hotel for a coffee or a bite of lunch. Walk by the river. Take your kids to the swing park or local swimming pool.
If you're feeling slightly more energetic put on your walking boots and take a walk up some of the surrounding hills ... or head to Glentress for a spot of mountain biking.
For more info check out www.visitscotland.com and search under Peebles.
Peebles is approximately 25 miles south of Edinburgh (45 mins by car).
It's also possible to get there by public transport with First Buses - No 65.
It's a hotel based on natural, artisanal and handmade furnitures. The atmosphere in the hotel was really peaceful, with linen curtains and sheets, natural coconut fibers bed and wooden parquet flooring. The breakfast was amazing, full of organic products and very tasty.
28 rue de l'Arc de Triomphe, 75017 Paris
+33 1 40 55 03 57
www.hidden-hotel.com
Google map: bit.ly/lZHnvB
A very romantic hotel with starry lights in the room,very friendly and helpfull staff, I recommend it for lovers. This design boutique hotel is very famous in Paris.You can even choose the fragrance of the room and the color of the lights.
3, rue Flatters, 75005 Paris
+33 1 4331 7421
www.thefivehotel.com
Google map: bit.ly/kuO3Mk
5 minutes walk from "rue Mouffetard"
This is one of the best places I have stayed in the world, the make you feel at home, but at the same time in a boutique hotel. Superb design, super central location and amazing breakfast.
Hotel Poem is a lovely, economical boutique hotel in the heart of Sultanahmet.
I think it's ideal for people travelling on a middling budget who would like comfort, cleanliness, character, charm and location without breaking the bank. People who prefer five-star luxury and facilities should expect to pay accordingly and would do better at the nearby Four Seasons (the ab fab refurbished prison in which Midnight Express was set).
The Hotel Poem however is set in a refurbished traditional 19th century Ottoman house. It's located in a quiet side street just off a characterful road lined with many shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. A few doors down from the hotel there is a wonderful traditional bakery - the smell of fresh bread is gorgeous and the taste even better.
It's a very short walk away from all the main sites (Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar etc) & handy for the city hop-on-off tour bus stop. The Poem is just around the corner from the Fez bus office (if you happen to be hopping on and off buses all around Turkey).
The Poem is a quiet oasis from the bustling city. It has a shady little garden terrace where you can eat a decent buffet breakfast or sit with a drink. There's also a lovely roof terrace that looks out to the nearby sea - great for catching the breeze with a cold drink on a hot summer evening.
The 17 rooms are named after traditional Turkish poems rather than numbered. I was travelling with two others and noted the rooms varied in size from large with balcony to a bit small and cramped - our bathroom was very small but everything was clean and worked fine.
Overall the Hotel Poem had everything we needed. It was charming, comfortable and clean, the staff were hospitable and the location fantastic. I would stay there again and recommend it as a great base from which to visit the exciting city of Istanbul.
www.hotelpoem.com
By Post: Akbıyık Caddesi, Terbıyık Sokak No:12, Sultanahmet 34400 İstanbul, Turkey
By Telephone
+90.212.638 97 44
+90.212.638 95 53
+90.212.458 17 92
info@hotelpoem.com, hotelpoem@superonline.com
The hotel's website says: The distance between Poem Hotel and the Ataturk International Airport is 18 kilometres (a 20 minute drive).
When you exit the customs area you may easily find a taxi since drivers are waiting outside of the arrival floor. If you ordered a pick-up service you will meet us at the exit of the customs area. If you experience any problem please dial 24 hours 0090 (212) 638 97 44 to contact our reception.
Its an eight-bedroomed boutique hotel in a quiet residential road just a minute's walk from the lovely seafront, and a brisk walk to Gunwharf Quays for shopping. I've stayed at The Clarence on two occassisons and it just gets better and better. The first time I stayed in the Luella Cherry Room with massive whirlpool bath complete with a TV in the bathroom. Stayed again last week in the Wild at Heart Room which has a bath in the room so Hubby and I can chat even when I'm lounging in the bath! The service is top notch with room service 24 hours a day and a breakfast menu that is the best I've ever seen - so much choice. And the best thing? No children allowed so it's an adult's haven from other people's 'little darlings'
Clarence Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2LQ www.theclarencehotel.co.uk
Google map: tinyurl.com/ye8cjrm
I never wanted to leave Casa Colvale. A large house turned into a boutique hotel, you feel like you're staying at a fabulous friend's estate.
I cherished my riverside meals on the deck: the chef prepares dishes to order and the scene is unparalleled. Loved the live sitar players.
I never grew bored: the owner and staff were outgoing and the property offered multiple activities, including canoe rides, speedboat trips to nearby beaches, spa treatments, fishing, etc.
I especially enjoyed how conducive this property is to meeting other people.
Super-friendly owner and staff.
www.casacolvale.com/home.html
+91 9960605416/ +91 8322416737
Google map: tinyurl.com/yhu5aq2
Beautifully designed hotel in the city centre. Stayed there earlier this year - it's designed along the lines of a monastery and is a peaceful and stylish hotel to be in. Great pool, interesting library, lovely rooms and lots of open spaces for sitting around, lounging. It's quite small, about 20 rooms or something so is very quiet and calm.
www.rachamankha.com
6 Rachamankha 9, Phra Singh, Chiang Mai, 50200, Thailand.
Tel: 66-0-5390-4111
Google map: tinyurl.com/yadq5wm
It's a boutique bed and breakfast located in a posh neighborhood with well trained staff, clean and hygienic surroundings.
Urban Ashram D-12 Hauz Khas New Delhi -110016.
+91-11-46151818, +91-9999977377 www.myurbanashram.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/ycyepm2
Trendy hotel for budget travellers. Designy, but not expensive. Cool location, just round the corner from the excellent Guthrie Theater. Friendly staff, but really the design's the star.
Metrodome station, 2 stops from down-town. 900 Washington Av South. 2 blocks from the mighty Mississippi.
www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels
Google map: tinyurl.com/yhhpy62
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