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Comfortable rooms, superb beds, hotel facilities were above average. The continental breakfast was fresh of good quality and variety. The staff were extremely helpful. The hotel bar has terrific views over the old Istanbul looking onto the Bosphorus in the distance.
The hotel is based in a superb location and extremely central for all tram lines and tourist attractions such as the Topkapi palace, the Blue Mosque, Hadgi Sophia, the Grand Bazaar and so on. Walking distance for the Bosphorus ferry.
One criticism: because of its central situation by Taksim Square, the noise of traffic can be heard in the mornings. Overall a comfortable, central hotel, absolutely perfect for business, but especially for a city break.
Sıraselviler Caddesi No:45/1 Taksim 34437 ISTANBUL / TURKEY
www.starhotelsgroup.com/grand/index.htm
This is a really special hotel with a very strong emphasis on environmental matters, e.g they do not sell bottled water and all the food is organic.
The breakfast is to die for. Not your "Full Irish" (or English). I don't believe I have met such genuinely friendly and helpful staff in any hotel, not just something out of the customer service manual.
The hotel is very central, close to the Tivoli Gardens, Rail Station and the pedestrianised shopping street. One negative - a little close to the red light district. And it's not cheap.
Helgolandsgade 7
DK 1653 CPH V
Phone +45-3331-3266
url - www.hotelguldsmeden.com
One of the best sleek hotels on the Croisette. The room with balcony was immaculate. The service was great. The only slight disappointment was the food, which I found overpriced for the offerings.
www.hotel-martinez
04 92 98 73 00
A glorious spa hotel in the heart of the Swiss Alps. It was almost empty when we were there (early June), meaning we had the entire spa, featuring infinity pool falling away into a valley panorama with snow-capped mountains in the distance, all to ourselves.
We had booked a room without a view, but were upgraded on arrival, and thank goodness we were- the view was breathtaking. Considering it's unlikely to be fully booked in the summer, I would recommend doing the same, and paying for an upgrade if it's not provided.
Not exorbitantly priced- our bill came to just over £200 including decent supper and bar tab.
One other tip- while the map makes it look like the journey from Lake Geneva to the hotel is a quick jaunt, it is actually straight up and down some fairly perilous mountains- the motorway via Bern is far quicker!
With new management, this has become a lovely, cheery apres ski bar with live acoustic music, good vin chaud and a crackling fire, filling a much needed gap for a nice bar in Les Praz. It's perfect for coming down from Flegere in winter and has a relaxing terrace and of course the Boulodrome for summer nights. The rooms are very good value too.
www.lesrhododendrons.com/
100 route des tines 74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc
Tél: (33) 450-530-639
Staff are very friendly and the travel counter persons are excellent. However don't forget to ask and demand what is promised eg daily amenities -t ooth brush, shaving kit etc. I would say our stay was very good.
Food at Crown India - just 400ft from the Crown Plaza is excellent and very reasonably priced. They also offer a free drop at falls.
Needless to say Niagra Falls is a divine experience. Also don't forget to experience the wondeful aquarium with your family.
Go via Buffalo Niagara Airport and ask the hotel in advance to book a taxi so you save. Crown Plaza has website and you may do advance booking.
Spent three nights here with five girlfriends for a 'big birthday' in May 2009 and could not have been happier with the location, rooms, reception, cleanliness and atmosphere.
The hotel is in an old building and has an impressive huge carved wooden door, but inside all is modern and minimalist. The garden area behind reception is pretty with lots of steps to reach all the levels.
We didn't try the bar as there are loads of bars and cafes nearby. Helpful staff and loads of leaflets at reception.
We chose 'room only' as it is far cheaper to get a breakfast of anywhere choice in the city (Cafe de L'Opera round the corner is divine). Each of the three rooms we had were spacious and spotless, with big bathrooms and walk-in showers. Ours had a small balcony and all windows had blackout curtains as well as voiles. Like most hotels, it didn't have many hangers but that would be my only gripe. Each of the rooms had the facility to be turned into a family room, but the beds were discreetly folded up against the wall in all the rooms, sometimes behind a wardrobe area.
There was free internet access and a laptop in each room which was useful once we discovered how to get @ on a Spanish keyboard (Alt/Gr plus the @ key).
I'd stayed right on the Ramblas once before, but this was just far away enough to avoid the late night noise (except on the night when Barcelona beat Chelsea, ha!). Being so central the hotel is just near the Liceu metro station and within easy stretch of all the sights and shopping.
The street outside the hotel is pedestrianised, but is only about 25 yards from Las Ramblas, so not far to walk if you have luggage.
C/ La Boqueria 10
Junto A Ramblas 78
Barcelona 08002
Metro: Liceu
Lovely food. Not to much of a walk from the port. The staff are great - make sure you get a sea view table. Nice and relaxing.
Port el Kantaoui
Ultra stylish newly built hotel - offers top quality accomodation at very reasonable prices probably because it is a few miles from city centre.
Fantastic reception team who really wanted to help.
www.abadesnevadapalace.com/en/
www.abadesnevadapalace.com/en/
This hotel is very convenient and very friendly. I stayed there when I went to Paris for a concert and wanted to stay near the venue. The hotel is near La Cigale and the Elysée Montmartre concert venues and a few steps aways from main Paris attractive sites.
If you don't know where to book your hotel in Paris. I suggest you to visit a blog that I found, it's very helpful.
www.originalstayinparis.com/blog/where-to-go/how-to-choose-your-hotel-in-paris
The worst thing about misc eatdrinksleep? That name - which makes it sound like some kind of capsule hotel or backpacker hostel, rather than what it is - a wonderfully individual, romantic hotel right in the centre of Amsterdam. Rooms are delightful, individually decorated and overlooking either canal or garden. All are equipped with good coffeemaker, toiletries, robes, big comfortable bed, good lighting and a gratis minibar - no alcohol (a small bar downstairs provides that) but chocolate, snacks and soft drinks, all included in the room price - a first for me, but typical of the way the place is run. The owners are friendly and extremely helpful without being in any way overpowering - all in all the place is a perfect example of what 'customer focus' should really mean (and very rarely does).
Downsides? Some people might find the canalside rooms a little noisy - if so, then ask for a garden room. And the stairs are very steep and narrow, but this is a traditional Amsterdam house and that's the way they work. I can't comment on the breakfast as I was leaving too early in the morning, but if the plate of fruit, bread and local cheese that was left in my room was any guide, I'm guessing it would be better than acceptable.
Getting here from the airport - unless you're laden down with luggage, don't waste money on a taxi. Fast train is 20 minutes and a few euros, the walk from Dam Square to the hotel is interesting and takes between 10 and 15 minutes. Note that although the hotel is on the edge of the red light area, you need never know it, and the Niewmarket square which it sits on is great for a couple of beers and a spot of peoplewatching. Plenty of cafes and restaurants around too.
Kloveniersburgwal 20 | (formerly Zosa Hotel), Amsterdam 1012 CV www.misceatdrinksleep.com/
Extreme friendly and efficient staff, non smoking, great rooms, modern. Not like most AMS hotels - old and stuffy. We had city view, and a really great time.
Rated 9.1 at www.hotels.com, and excellent also in www.tripadvisor.com and www.holidaycheck.de At last a modern well organized place in Amsterdam.
Excellent east/west style cuisine, nice bar. What else you want? We had free internet, executive floor, Nespresso machine in the room, sprinkler system, the best breakfast, bathrobes, slippers, fruits, covered parking, a canal boat in front, Tram transport next to the hotel - and just 20 minutes from the airport and five minutes from central station.
www.moevenpick-amsterdam.com,,
water side, next to Cruise Terminal, city centre
A beauiful, family run chateau close to the famous gardens and chateau of Chaumont sur Loire.
Chateau des Tertes offers traditionally decorated rooms in the main building or modern themes in the annex for under 100 euros.
Friendly personal service, nested in the countryside with views of the Loire Valley from the terrace.
Hôtel Château des Tertres -11, Rue de Meuves - 41150 - ONZAIN - France
Easily the best hostel in San Jose. Bekuo has amenities that you can't find at any other hostels in Central America, like: A Wii for the guests, private rooms with their own desktops and internet, a REAL kitchen, and an awesome staff.
Located near the University of Costa Rica, the best bars, a huge grocery store, a block from the main street in San Jose, and too much more to list.
325 metros oeste de Spoon Los Yoses,
Los Yoses, San Jose, Costa Rica
Phone: 506-2234-1091
www.hostelbekuo.com
When times are hard and friends are few, an affordable, yet stylish bolt hole may be the answer.
We’ve just stayed in a hotel in the Hautes Pyrenees in the south west of France that was just that, so much so, that the clientele - some 70% French, come back year after year telling only their closest family and friends.
The secret is that this service orientated business is run not by the French, but by an English couple, and that despite original art and ceramics on show, and very stylish decor both in the rooms and the rest of this lovely hotel, the prices are ‘budget’.
Less than 50 euros per night for half board, this hotel may be in the ‘Rough Guide’ as a selected place to stay and eat, but rough is the last thing it is - yet the label ‘smooth’ isn’t the ticket either.
www.lesrochershotel.com
00 33 5 62 97 09 52
Bray, in Berkshire, was thought to have been Bibriocum to the Romans, but this place never existed and was made up by the cartographic forger, Richard of Cirencester. It is now home to two of the top restaurants in the county - the Roux's 3 Michelin starred: The Waterside Inn and The Fat Duck, also 3 Michelin Stars, owned by the renowned chef Heston Blumenthal.
If you are visiting Bray for an evening out, then an overnight stay is a must. And what could be better that a cosy cottage for two nestled on the banks of the Thames. We were lucky enough to stay at Bray Cottages' latest acquisition, Clematis Cottage, and ex-ferryman's home situated directly opposite The Waterside Inn.
Luxuriously decorated in dark purples and aubergines the cottage oozes a quiet sophistication with its decadent crystal chandeliers and romantic lighting. Throw in a smart Bang and Olufsen TV and open fire (gas luckily!) and relax amidst an abundance of comfy cushions with a glass of delicious sloe gin for an afternoon of peace and tranquility.
Both The Fat Duck and The Waterside Inn are easily accessible on foot, as are the local pubs: one of which also belongs to Mr Blumenthal. One former guest had written in the guest book that their Sunday morning lie-in had been interrupted by the close proximity to the restaurant and the associated comings and goings. However, this was not our experience at all. Far from it: we actually slept much later than normal!
Bray Cottages are both charming and elegant and provide an informal yet decadent stay for a peaceful, romantic evening.
Boutique hostel right in the centre of Moscow. Walking distance from all the main sites. In a city with crazy hotel prices, this is a great little option. It's in a converted communal apartment (but with all mod cons) so you feel like you're staying in the 'real' Moscow rather than a soulless chain hotel. V friendly and helpful staff complete the homely experience.
Petrovka Street 17/2, Moscow, www.petrovkaloft.com
This is a great, well-priced hotel offering a modern boutique look, young and friendly staff and lots of thoughtful little touches, like the loan of i-pods charged with Berlin music. Not to be confused with it's sister the Circus Hostel, just across the road, although it's run by the same team.
The Fabisch restaurant serves modern German cooking with locally sourced ingredients, has comfy leather chairs and a great bar area - we enjoyed the cocktails. Breakfast was included and was excellent - a choice of continental croissants, healthy cereals or Berlin style with cold meats and cheese.
We booked a 2 bedroom apartment which had an up-market Ikea look, well equiped kitchen and two shower rooms, overlooking the inner courtyard. We also had a twin room which was stylish and contemporary with modern shower room.
There was wifi throughout and the staff were exceptionally helpful when I asked for restaurant recommendations and advice.
It's in the central trendy neighbourhood of Mitte, with plenty of restaurants and nightlife nearby, train station right outside and a 15 min walk to Hackesche Höfe, Alexanderplatz and Museum Island.
Definitely a great choice if you're after a boutique hotel on a budget.
Circus Hotel, Rosenthaler Strasse 1, 10119, Berlin
www.circus-berlin.de/
This is a holiday of a life time. They rebuild the hotel every November and it melts each April. I would suggest spending one night in the actual Ice Hotel and ask for a double sleeping bag. So you can cuddle up to your partner. The hiring of the hot tub for a night is a must. You have to put your drink in the water to stop it from melting and to chill under the clear night with a sky full of stars is a night I will never forget. I was able to see the Northern Lights which is something I do hope to repeat some day.
About 15 mins from the airport. the company should provide either a bus or dog sled for transfer.
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