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California Sunset
In June, 2008, The City of West Hollywood and the Los Angeles County Register-Recorder Clerk began to issue marriage licenses and carry out civil ceremonies for same-sex couples. Home to Southern California’s largest gay and lesbian population, West Hollywood offers Los Angeles’ most popular gay nightclubs and 14 gay-friendly hotels including The Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood, The Le Parc Suites Hotel, and The Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas. The West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau promotes West Hollywood as a travel destination that is “Living Forward” in lifestyle, thought, and attitude.
“West Hollywood’s numerous venues, activities and resources for gay visitors, along with the City’s long-standing commitment to LGBT rights, make us an ideal destination for gay marriages and honeymoons,” said Amy Anderson, Director of Communications for the West Hollywood Marketing & Visitors Bureau. “The embracing energy of the city will contribute to making a couples’ marriage and memories very special, and fun.”
Three West Hollywood hotels offer gay marriage packages:
The Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood
Honeymoon Special
- 2-night stay
- Upgrade to a newly renovated Loft Suite
- Complimentary Bottle of Champagne
- Complimentary Parking
- Complimentary Wireless Internet
- Complimentary Newspaper delivered to your room daily
- $599.00 + Tax
Honeymoon Special
- 1-night stay
- King size suite
- Bottle of Champagne upon arrival
- Breakfast in bed for two
- Late check out of 1:00pm
- $399.00 including tax & parking
The Sunset Marquis Hotel & Villas
The Romance Package
- 2-night stay
- Deluxe one-bedroom suite or one bedroom villa
- Fresh Flowers
- Special welcome amenity
- Bottle of chilled Champagne
- Special four-course dinner for two paired with appropriate wines
- Continental breakfast each morning
- Complimentary valet parking and internet access
- Two plus Sunset Marquis bath robes
- Deluxe One-bedroom Suite, $620 per night (plus 14 percent tax)
- One-bedroom Villa, $1,275 per night (plus 14 percent tax)
- Available for wedding ceremony and reception
- Wedding rehearsal dinner accommodations available
- Group rates for friends and family of the couple
For more information or hotel bookings, visit West Hollywood’s gay-focused visitor web site GoGayWestHollywood.com
Summer’s heating up and it’s not too late to think about where to chill out over the 4th of July weekend. Portland, Oregon, is the perfect place!
Take a leisurely stroll or ride in this pedestrian and bike-friendly city, kick back with a beer in one of the city’s many microbreweries, or enjoy the great outdoors along the mighty Columbia River.
Here are a few Portland hotel deals you can find currently on Hotwire:
4 Star, Greater Downtown Portland Area, $134
3.5 Star, Greater Downtown Portland Area, $108
3 Star, Downtown Portland - Convention Center, $69
Also, don’t miss a vegetarian meal at one of Portland’s many veggie-friendly restaurants.
Not only Sex and The City’s Mr Big sees the attractiveness of Napa Valley. Set to open early fall 2008 in Downtown Napa, condominium-hotel Westin Verasa captures the latest trend in real estate with its luxurious accommodations, striking architecture and upscale amenities.
Ownership of a luxury property within the Westin Verasa Napa Residences is an exceptional opportunity to own resort real estate with all the services of an intimate hotel.
As the central point of Downtown Napa, Westin Verasa will represent all that people like about Napa - good food, wine, provincial architecture and an outdoor lifestyle. Located near COPIA, The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, the 180-suite hotel condo can offers its guests one of America’s most highly praised restaurants - La Toque.
Thanks to Chef Ken Frank, who moves his award-winning restaurant from Rutherford to The Westin Verasa, the property establishes itself as a culinary hotspot of Napa Valley wine country.
“I’ve watched Napa evolve to the point where it’s really ready to take center stage in the valley,” said Frank. “I’m very excited about all the development and the positive things that are happening in downtown Napa. With Oxbow, COPIA and a bunch of little wine bars downtown, Napa is going to become the go to destination in Napa Valley in the next 10 years.”
La Toque prides itself in using organic ingredients and offers guests a warm atmosphere, a luxurious dining room and a patio where foodies can enjoy Napa’s mild weather.
Owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., Westin Hotels & Resorts consists of more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories. For more information about Westin Verasa, visit www.VerasaNapa.com.
The Nautilus Undersea Suite at The Poseidon Resort
As a follow up to 10 Of The Coolest Hotel Suites in The World, the ProTraveller blog recently published 15 (More) Of The Coolest Hotel Suites In The World including Bangkok’s Eugenia Hotel, Hotel Murano Urban Resort in Paris, The Erotic Suite in Las Vegas, and other luxurious suites where we wouldn’t mind spending a night or two.
The video above shows the undersea resort that The Poseidon Resort plans to open in 2010. A stay in one of the 24 underwater suites located next to a coral reef can be yours for the hefty sum of $15,000 USD per night.
Also, don’t miss 10 Amazing Hotels With Ultra Stylish Minimalist Designs featuring “…some of the most modern, sleek, and stylish looking hotels in the world. A hotel designed around the idea of minimalism is more than just a hotel, it’s a piece of art.”
The Laguna Resort & Spa, Nusa Dua, Bali
Thanks to a new partnership with Luggage Forward and Newspaper Direct, guests at The Luxury Collection’s hotels and resorts will now enjoy luggage free travel and having access to more than 600 newspapers and publications.
The Luxury Collection consists of the world’s finest hotels and resorts, including Laguna Resort & Spa, Bali; Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, Arizona; Grande Bregtagne, Athens; The Phoenician, Scottsdale; and Hotel Imperial, Kuala Lumpur.
“We define The Luxury Collection by our guests and the experiences and services they demand and expect. Nothing less than an exceptional level of service, perfect location and indigenous personal offerings will do,” said Ross Klein, President of Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group. “We are proud to launch the brand’s first global partnerships in our continued effort to offer our guests a portal to the world’s most enriching experiences found only within The Luxury Collection.”
Through the exclusive partnership with Luggage Forward, The Luxury Collection offers the brand’s newest service Luxury Collection Luggage Liaison. Imagine having booked a stay at one of The Luxury Collection’s hotels. Prior to departure, Luggage Forward’s door-to-door luggage delivery service will retrieve your baggage and send it to the hotel to be placed in your room. If you wish, they can also unpack your luggage before you arrive.
Picture how good it would feel when you don’t need to worry about your luggage and can travel with a peace of mind - knowing that your belongings will wait for you in your hotel room. No need to carry bags to and from the airport, stand in long check-in lines, or hang around the baggage claim.
You can also use the Luggage Liaison service for your return trip. Just pack your bags and let The Luxury Collection do the rest - including delivery of any purchases you made during the trip.
“Luggage Forward has fundamentally changed the travel experience by providing a global luggage delivery service that offers convenience, service and unparalleled reliability by circumventing the airline process”, said Aaron Kirley, Co-Founder of Luggage Forward. “We are pleased to be working with a brand as respected as The Luxury Collection that has taken the innovative step of adding Luggage Forward as one of the brand’s first global partners.”
For more information on Luggage Liaison, visit www.luxurycollection.com/luggage.
Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa, Arizona
Through The Luxury Collection’s partnership with NewspaperDirect, the world leader in multi-channel newspaper and magazine content distribution, you can receive the same-day editions of your favourite magazines from home. Choose from more than 600 newspapers and magazines from 77 countries and have them delivered to your room during your stay. You can also select and purchase publications.
”NewspaperDirect is honored to partner with the Luxury Collection,” said Alex Kroogman, CEO of NewspaperDirect. “Luxury Collection’s prominence and stature within the hospitality industry is a testament to its dedication to fulfilling the needs of every guest. We strongly believe that the ND Press service will be a great fit for this prestigious brand and will be a distinctive amenity for guests who need more than just a local newspaper.”
The Luxury Collection’s new partnerships surely put the company on the forefront of guest hospitality. With Luggage Liaison and NewspaperDirect’s services, you can expect a truly blissful stay at your chosen destination.
For more information on The Luxury Collection, visit http://www.luxurycollection.com/
Celebrating its grand debut at the end of April, The St. Regis Singapore is the first significant hotel opening in Singapore in the past 11 years. Located in the downtown embassy district near the posh boutiques on Orchard Street, the hotel features 299 luxurious guestrooms and suites at one of the most prestigious addresses in the city.
“The St. Regis Singapore boasts a strategic location on Tanglin Road, a stone’s throw from Orchard Road, which is for Singapore what the Champs Elysees is for Paris,” said Miguel Ko, President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific.
Thanks to St. Regis first-class Butler Service, each guest can expect a stay customized to his or her specific preferences. The hotel’s lavishly decorated and spacious guest rooms and suites were designed by internationally acclaimed architects Wilson & Associates. Guest rooms offer excellent views of Singapore’s downtown and stunning interiors complete with full silk-shaded chandeliers, state-of-the-art technologies and exclusive bath amenities and spa toiletries by Laboratoire Remède.
“We define St. Regis by our guests and the experiences and services they demand and expect. Nothing less than an unrivaled dimension of luxury and bespoke service - from arrival to departure, and beyond - will do,” said Ross Klein, President, Starwood’s Luxury Brands Group. “From Singapore to Shanghai, Bora Bora to Buenos Aires, St. Regis is committed to designing custom-tailored guest experiences in the best addresses around the world.”
With modern French cuisine at Les Saveurs and delicate Cantonese dishes at the contemporary Yan Ting, dining at The St. Regis Singapore is a stylish affair. The trendy Mediterranean terrace restaurant La Brezza serves flavorful recipes from across the Mediterranean region, while the Astor Bar offers a relaxing venue for the famous St. Regis Bloody Mary. Rare and prestigious vintages are served at the elegant Decanter that houses over 1,500 labels and 3,000 bottles of fine wine.
Recently included in Condé Nast Traveler “Hot List”, St. Regis Singapore also offers one of the finest private art collections in the region with more than 40 original paintings and sculptures by world famous artists such as Chinese modernist pioneer Gu Gan, French painters Fernand Léger and Marc Chagall, Columbian artist Fernando Botero, and American architect Frank Gehry.
Also, in Asia’s First Remède Spa guests can enjoy revitalizing treatments inspired by the finest ancient rituals of the bathing art, aromatherapy multi-chamber steam rooms, wet treatment rooms with built-in infra red heated marble and cedar wood sauna.
Additional facilities at St. Regis Singapore include more than 16,000 square feet of meeting and event space, the country’s first ballroom that features two skylights, an outdoor swimming pool, Fitness Club, indoor air-conditioned tennis court and an outdoor court.
For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, visit http://stregis.com/Singapore.
About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts:
Combining timeless sophistication with modern luxury, the St. Regis brand is uncompromising in its commitment to excellence. Founded by John Jacob Astor with the landmark St. Regis Hotel, New York over a century ago, St. Regis is known for delivering bespoke service and refined elegance at the best addresses in the world. For more information on St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.stregis.com.
If you’re aiming for optimal weather conditions, spring is a great time to visit Chicago. Check the lay of the land from the Sears Tower Skydeck, explore various museums along South Lake Shore Drive, or cheer on the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
Here’s a sample of Chicago the deals you can find on Hotwire:
4.5-star hotel in the Magnificent Mile Area - Streeterville for $129 a night
4-star hotel in North Michigan Avenue - Water Tower - Gold Coast for $139 a night
4-star hotel in Museum Campus - McCormick Place - Soldier Field for $169 a night
Throughout the year, Hotwire’s business of unsold inventory consistently delivers deals you can’t find on the other travel sites.
Have you ever been disappointed by a hotel room that didn’t live up to your expectations? Or found it difficult knowing which hotel to pick, because of lack of visuals and sufficient information? Thanks to nearly 5000 videos at the new travel site TVtrip.com, travelers can see their hotel before they book.
“The great reaction to our site has helped lead to our phenomenal growth in Europe and now in the U.S. and Asia,” said Founder and Chief Executive officer Marc Ruff after TVtrip’s expansion last year. “When other hotels see how travelers respond to our videos and to our web site, they want to become part of TVtrip.com and we are happy to have them.”
Launched in May 2007, TVtrip.com is the first website to enable hotel searches using online videos. The leading videoguide covers hotels in more than 100 worldwide destinations: New York, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, London, Paris, Venice, Barcelona, the list goes on. No need to worry about whether you chose the right hotel because TVtrip provides you with unbiased professionally shot videos, hotel descriptions and informative guest reviews.
For more information, visit www.tvtrip.com
In case you visit London this spring, don’t miss the latest offer Hop into Spring from Maybourne Hotel Group. A hotel stay at Claridge’s or The Berkeley will definitely not disappoint.
If you prefer design hotels, check out Morgan Hotel Group’s Spring Has Sprung. Their St Martins Lane hotel in the heart of Covent Garden has the friendliest staff I have ever met, stylish minimalist rooms and delicious food at the Asia de Cuba restaurant.
Thanks to Hoosta luxury News, I heard about Hotel des Académies et des Arts, a three-star boutique hotel owned by Charlotte and Laurent Inchauspé. It’s located in the Montparnasse district just opposite the famous art school Atelier de la Grande Chaumiére.
After having watched the youtube video by TV “Intérieurs” above, I know exactly which hotel to choose for my next stay in Paris.
In November 2007, Design Hotels released its 2008 edition of the Design HotelsTM Yearbook featuring almost 40 new members. The 15 years anniversary issue includes over 650 pages of outstanding photography and comprehensive articles on design and architecture. The theme “Looking Forward” mirrors the company’s objective to encourage a new time in hotel design. Nine selected hoteliers and designers share their ideas for the future.
Design HotelsTM portfolio is improved with a selection of some of the best newly built design hotels in the world. Below, you can see the member hotels opening in 2008.
Europe
Belgium-Genk: Carbon Hotel - April
Germany-Frankfurt: Roomers - September
Germany-Hamburg: The George - August
Hungary-Budapest: Hotel Rosslyn - November
Norway-Oslo: Grims Grenka - January
Switzerland-Laax: The Rocks - February
UK-London: The Franklin Hotel - February
UK-London: Sanctum Soho Hotel - May
UK-Southport: Vincent - March
Asia/Pacific
Indonesia-Bali: Alila Villas Uluwatu - June
Maldives-South Male: Alila Villas Hadahaa - June
Maldives-South Male: Alila Villas Lonudhua - June
Apart from in selected member hotels and retailers, The Design HotelsTM Yearbook 08 is available online at www.designhotels.com/shop at a cost of 39 Euros.
The latest opened member hotel was Alila Cha-Am, a modern beachside resort only two hours south of Bangkok.
Design HotelsTM member hotels are united by a dedication to individualism and progressive design. The company has its headquarter in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali and Tokyo.
If you are in London next week and wish to spend Valentine’s in style, do check out the latest offer Truly Madly Deeply… from Maybourne Hotel Group.
Pamper yourselves with an exclusive Valentine’s stay at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, the finest address in London. Arrive to a flower adorned room and indulge in a glass of Dom Perignon with your loved one before having afternoon tea in the elegant Park Room. The skilled Chef offers various delicious treats such as heart-shaped cup-cakes, mille-feiulles or rich, dark chocolate cake.
A romantic promenade in Hyde Park might be just what you need before taking a seat in the sumptuous Red Bar where you can sip cocktails and enjoy each other’s company, a perfect Valentine’s delight.
Later you can order an appetising course from room service and spend the evening in privacy in the comfort of your own hotel room.
The Valentine’s package costs £1,200 (excluding VAT) and can be booked through reservations on +44(0)20 7399 8008. Full payment in advance is required and rooms are subject to availability.
After serving as a private home for the Grosvenor family, Grosvenor House opened to the public in May 1929 and quickly became the hotel for a high-profile circle. Its current four year multi-million pound renovation finishes this year when Grosvenor House will acquire the status as the European flagship for the JW Marriott brand.
For more information about the hotel, visit Grosvenor House.
The prestigious Maybourne Hotel Group members Claridge’s and The Berkeley start out the new year with their exclusive Suite Heaven offer. When staying in a Knightsbridge Suite at The Berkeley or one of the Superior Junior Suites, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast each morning of your stay (from £400 per night). Alternatively, book one of Claridge’s Deluxe Junior Suites or a Mayfair Suite (from £480 per night including English breakfast.)
For more information about the offer, visit Suite Heaven.
Who doesn’t enjoy good views? The first thing I do when I come to a new hotel is checking out the view. The ocean view from Aparthotel Green Beach in Arguineguin on Gran Canaria is my favourite so far.
When it comes to city views, nothing has beaten Milford Plaza in New York City’s theatre district. The room we had booked from Expedia was somewhere around the tenth floor, but thanks to my friend’s verbal skills the male receptionist agreed to give us a room on a higher floor. We ended up on the second highest floor and got an amazing view over Manhattan.
Below are a few different views from my recent hotel stays in London.
London Marriott Hotel West India Quay
InterContinental London Park Lane
Ramada Hotel and Suites London Docklands
Each hotel view is special in its own way. The ultimate hotel view for me would be of the ocean, a snow-covered Mountain massif, or a city at night.
I just found this great program that offers discounted hotel rooms in New York City the night between Sunday and Monday. Room rates are reduced by 20-30% combined with upgrades to a better room category, complimentary breakfast and more.
Visit NYC Sunday Stays for more information.
Inn at Mulberry Grove in Savannah, Georgia, might be the world’s first budget boutique hotel. Launched by the British born and educated hotelier Andy Morar, the hotel provides comfortable, affordable yet luxurious accommodation for smart and price-conscious Savannah travellers. The inn, situated along Georgia I-95 in Port Wentworth, Exit 109, offers an easy stop for Florida- or South Carolina-bound travellers and outdoes all other lodging establishments in the area.
I doubt the timing could have been better for a bargain model like Inn at Mulberry Grove. But the success didn’t happen overnight - Andy Morar built his first Port Wentworth hotel, Savannah Inn, in 1997. Rather than imitating the brand hotels, he decided to do something unique and with improvements as boutique wines, exclusive beers, and fresh waffles for breakfast his guests can expect to be well treated.
Address: Inn at Mulberry Grove, 101 O’Leary Road @ I95 Exit 109, Port Wentworth, Georgia 31407
Upcoming events in Savannah
Southern Lights, a Savannah Holiday celebration, December - January 1, with parades, concerts, tree lightings, and cultural festivals.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Friday, March 14, 2008.
Savannah Music Festival, March 20 through April 5, 2008, is Georgia’s largest musical arts festival.
On December 1, 2007, the five star luxury Pragelato Village Resort & Spa, will be taken over by Kempinski Hotels as Kempinski Pragelato Village. The property which is located one hour from Turin International Airport in Pragelato in the Italian Alps is the group’s second resort in Italy, after Kempinski Hotel Giardino di Costanza on Sicily.
Kempinski Pragelato Village is a new type of European ski destination offering all the luxuries seasoned travelers require. Pragelato is attractive in both winter and summer and its location in the Piedmontese Alps makes it a perfect starting point for sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoe hiking, pony trekking, climbing, canoeing and hiking.
No, I’m not going to write about Mr & Mrs Smith with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The online hotel directory Mr & Mrs Smith actually chose the name long before the movie. Apparently because they are all about romantic getaways with your other half. Their directory includes the best hand-picked boutique and luxury hotels in the world and the hotel search on their website makes it easy to find the ultimate option. Whether your ideal destination is Spain, South Africa, Sweden or Sydney, you can rely on Mr & Mrs Smith.
If I could choose any of their hotels, my preferred pick would be La Suite in Rio de Janeiro. First of all I feel attracted to the energetic and laid-back lifestyle in Rio. Secondly, the hotel’s Black Suite with views of the ocean, the mountains and the city doesn’t sound like anything else than heaven to me.
Imperial Wharf, adjacent to Chelsea Harbour in south west London, has earned the status as the city’s premier riverside destination. For interested investors, I would recommend the area’s stunning Riverview & Parkside Apartments. Temporary visitors can enjoy their stay at Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour, London’s only five star all-suite hotel.
The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway. Click here for a map.
Riverside Apartments
Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour
Hotel Clarion Sign will open in Stockholm in February 2008. Apart from 558 rooms, the hotel boasts spa facilities and a heated outdoor pool. The buildings of the hotel started in 2005.
For over 60 years, more than two-thirds of Vieques in the Caribbean was used by the US Navy for military exercises. Since 2003 the island has been left to the US Fish and Wildlife service to become the largest and most ecologically-diverse National Wildlife Refuge in the Caribbean.
For obvious reasons Vieques has - apart from other Caribbean Islands - not been an attractive travel destination. But that will change when W Hotels opens W Retreat & Spa, Vieques, the 10th December 2008. The hotel is one of 14 upcoming W Hotels in the world.
One of the best things with Vieques is that no matter where you live, the nearest beach is never more than fifteen minutes away.
From the 15th to 25th November, Stockholm International Film Festival will show more than 170 films from over 40 countries. The festival has been arranged since 1990 and attracts visitors from both Sweden and abroad. A membership to the festival for 200 SEK gives access to the festival and includes offers such as pre-shows of upcoming movies.
If you like the idea of bumping into a famous actor or director, stay at Scandic Anglais by Stureplan.
Today, Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva reopened its doors after two years of renovation. The hotel with 423 rooms including 43 suites is located at the shores of Lake Geneva and offers stylish modern accommodation. Rates start from €270. A comforting stay is best combined with a fresh dinner at ”FLOORTWO“, a work out in the fitness center, a relaxing massage, some laps in the indoor saltwater swimming pool and a visit to the shopping arcade on the ground floor of the hotel. Grand Hotel Kempinski Geneva also boasts the largest in-house conference facilities in the city.
Kempinski Hotels is a member of the Global Hotel Alliance and celebrates its 110th anniversary this year.
Baglioni Hotel & Rácz Thermal Spa, a luxurious 5 star boutique hotel, opens its doors in Budapest during the Spring 2008. The hotel is located in a park in the center of Buda close to the well-known Castle district. With 35 deluxe rooms, 8 executive rooms and 20 suites including the 168 sqm Presidential Suite, guests can expect nothing but the best in comfort and style. The exclusive Rácz Thermal Spa, the elegant Brunello Restaurant & Bar and the Italian Brasserie offering modern Italian dishes will make Baglioni Hotel the new hot spot in the Hungarian capital.
Later in 2008 Baglioni will open a new hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The Dominican in Brussels, Belgium’s first member of Design Hotels, opens in the end of October. The hotel with interior by the Dutch duo FG Stijl is located behind La Monnaie, a well-known theatre and opera house. Apart from 150 individually designed guestrooms and suites, a gym with a Turkish steam bath and a Finnish sauna, the Dominican boasts a stylish Lounge Bar and The Grand Lounge restaurant.
The Dominican is owned by Carlton Hotel Collection including nine luxury hotels in United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
Click here to read the whole press release.
La Petite France © Claudia Meyer
1. Stay at Hotel Le 21 at 21-23 rue du Fossé des Tanneurs. This small 2-star budget hotel is situated in the heart of the city near Place Kleber, a perfect location for sightseeing, shopping and Strasbourg’s annual Christmas market. All rooms have shower, WC, internet access and a small television. Breakfast is available for an additional fee and the ground floor level has a public Internet café and bar. The facilities and the service aren’t perfect, but I doubt you can find a better located hotel to a lower price than Hotel Le 21’s average rate of €51 per night.
2. Rent a bike. The best way to discover Strasbourg is from the saddle of a bicycle, the city has over 400 km of cycle tracks. The cycle shop at 10 rue des Bouchers near the train station is the best in the city in terms of friendly and helpful staff.
3. See Strasbourg from the Ill River. Boats depart regularly from the Palais de Rohan and a 75-minute cruise includes a recorded commentary in six languages.
4. Take a walk in Le Petite France. The most charming part of Strasbourg, Le Petite France, is an island surrounded by canals, pedestrian bridges and old timbered houses.
5. Shop at La Place des Halles. This two floor shopping mall offers everything from grocery stores to fashion from Mango, ZARA and H&M.
6. Go bar hopping. The best bars in Strasbourg are located around Place de la Cathedrale, rue des Soeurs, rue des Freres and rue de la Croix.
7. Admire Modern Art. Musee d’Art Moderne at 1 place Jean-Heans Arp, in the middle of La Petite France has a great collection of modern art from the 1870s.
8. Pick up a free map at Office de Tourisme de Strasbourg at 17 place de la Cathedrale.
Saying goodbye to Salzburg was difficult because I hadn’t seen everything I wanted to see. But when you get that feeling it’s easy to remind yourself the place will still be there and you can return in the future. Apart from the cloudy and rainy weather, my stopover in Mozart’s birth city was even better than I expected, partly because of a water leak. I will get to that later.
A lot in Salzburg revolve around Mozart, you can even visit the house where he lived and see the piano he played. House of Mozart’s Birth, a big house with several floors, is located at Getreidegasse 9 and attracts curious tourists all year round. Except for boasting one of the most famous birth houses in the world, Getreidegasse is also an exceptionally pretty shopping street lined with boutiques, cozy cafés and beautiful arcades.
Another Mozart feature is the Mozartkuegeln, a delicious candy made of fine chocolate, hazelnut nougat, hazelnuts, marzipan and a caramel-resembling substance. Each Mozartkuegel is wrapped in foil and has a portrait of Mozart on the front. Just make sure you get the real deal and not some cheap fake version.
One of the most appreciated parts of Salzburg is Mirabell Gardens where Sound of Music was shot, but the old town (a ten minutes walk via one of the bridges) offers many great sights as well. I saw the Cathedral at the Cathedral Square, St Peter’s Abby with the Benedictine monastery at St-Peter-Bezirk, the Mozart Square and the fortress at Mönchberg above the city center. After a day of sightseeing in Salzburg, don’t miss Franz-Josef Kai along the river because this area is especially pretty in the evening. And the restaurant near the river is one of the best in Salzburg for a tasty dinner.
As for the water leak, it happened to take place in the room I had booked at the family run Atel Hotel Lasserhof. The young receptionist kindly explained he had both good and bad news.
“Bad news first,” I said. “Always bad news first.”
The receptionist took a deep breath.”As we are fully booked we can’t offer you another room at our hotel tonight.”
“And the good news?”
He smiled. “The good news is that we have booked you a room at a nearby 4-star hotel we cooperate with, at no extra cost.”
Hotel StieglBräu was located at Rainerstraße 14 and one of the best Best Western’s I have ever stayed at. Warm and welcoming with friendly and helpful service, spacious rooms, an extremely comfortable bed and a terrific location near Mirabell Gardens only ten minutes from the old town.
Sacré coeur © Claudia Meyer
Even though strolling down the streets is probably the best way to discover Paris, the Metro is a perfect alternative for longer distances. You can buy ten tickets at a time and go as far as you like on one ticket. If you plan to travel a lot, buy the Metro card “Paris Visite” which allows up to five days of unlimited traveling. The Metro is quick, easy, punctual and a great way to get around. A plus is the beautiful Metro stations spread out across the city. Apart from metro stations in other European cities, many of the Parisian ones have “class”.
One of my favorite sights in Paris is the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Place du Parvis-Notre-Dame, on Ile de la Cite, near Métro Cité. Some people say Notre-Dame is best appreciated from a boat on the Seine late at night, but the interior is actually even more impressive and the calm atmosphere makes wonder for your mood.
Another much loved sight is the one from the Eiffel Tower in the evening and the observation platform is usually not as crowded as during the day. Those wishing to see Paris wake up should head to Sacré Coeur in Montmartre. An early morning here will stay in your memory forever.
Paris clearly has its share of luxurious accommodation, but to make the most of your stay in the French capital you don’t necessarily have to choose an expensive hotel. One of the best budget hotels in the city is Hotel Plessis in the Marais district not far from Gar de´l Est. With only two blocks to Place de la République and less than two hundred meters from two Metro stations, this two-star hotel has a perfect location.
For an average rate of €72 a night you will get a clean, comfortable and rather spacious (in European measurements) double room with bathroom, TV, telephone and heating. All rooms are non-smoking and continental breakfast is included in the price. I can’t think of any other hotel in Paris that can beat Hotel Plessis’ terrific location and service to a better price. If you do, let me know. Hotel Plessis is located at 25 Rue du Grand Prieuré.
You might have seen Vienna in Richard Linklater’s “Before Sunrise” with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The city is most famous for its café culture, the cafés are for the people what the pubs are for the British.
People gather at cafés to do business, read the newspaper and catch up with friends. Experience the café culture from one of the city’s many meeting places. Café Sacher at Philharmonikerstrasse 4 near the Karlsplatz Metro is the best choice for a delicious Sacher cake, one favourite delicacy among the inhabitants. The service-minded staff at Café Sacher is keen to assist with most things, except for the recipe to their famous sacher cake - that’s a secret.
For overnights stays in the city, Clima Cityhotel at Theresianumgasse 21a will not make you disappointed. This must be one of the best hotels in the Vienna in terms of look and location. The hotel is situated between the main railway station and the old city in a safe and quiet part of Vienna. The nearest underground station (U-bahn) is only five minutes away. Clima Cityhotel is a newly renovated modern three-star hotel. They don’t label the hotel as a design hotel, but that was the feeling I got when I walked into the air-conditioned stylish lounge bar.
If you choose to stay at Clima, don’t miss Belvedere Palace which is a few minutes walk from the hotel. And try to get a room at one of the higher floors because the view over Vienna at night is terrific.
Design hotels, can you do anything else than love them? A company that gives them the attention they deserve is design hotels AG who represents and markets more than 150 top-quality hotels in over 40 countries.
The ultimate choice for a comforting New York stay is the elegant CHAMBERS, at 56th Street near Fifth Avenue, whilst the quiet Zen-influenced THE SETAI just off Ocean’s Drive appeals to Miami visitors.
Three popular picks among Asia travelers are PARK HOTEL TOKYO in Japan, THE LIBRARY on Koh Samui and UNITED HOTEL in Tapei, Tawain.
For tourists and business travelers in Scandinavia I can recommend the Swedish NORDIC LIGHT HOTEL in Stockholm, HOTEL SKT PETRI in Copenhagen, KLAUS K in Helsinki and GRIMS GRENKA in Oslo, Norway.
Thailand’s capital boasts several top-notch hotels. One of the most desirable is The Sukhothai at 13/3 South Sathorn Road in the heart of Bangkok not far from Lumpini Park. This residence offers comfort accommodation ranging from over 100 Superior Rooms to the elegant Sukhothai suite. Facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a Health Club and a luxurious Spa with various beauty and massage treatments. The Sukhothai also features the chic Pool Terrace Café & Bar, Lobby Salons with afternoon tea, a private dining room, the stylish The Bar, and three restaurants serving Thai, Italian and Japanese cuisine.
Another sought-after hotel on South Sathorn Road is The Metropolitan Bangkok. Its funky east meets west interiour creates a peaceful atmosphere enticing business travellers and tourists alike. All the Oriental inspired rooms and suites provide modern tech as broadband and wireless Internet access. In Como Shambhala, guests unwind with calming treatments, private yoga lessons or a few laps in the outdoor pool. During the evening, the nutritious food at Glow and Cy´an’s Mediterranean influenced menu ensure an excellent gourmet experience.
Row of Sun Palapas on a sandy beach in Mexico.
Residing in a design hotel with a hip ambience and a sophisticated feel will give you a remarkable vacation experience. These six coveted Mexican hotels are a safe bet.
ESENCIA
A sumptuous heaven set at the tropical Caribbean seaside on the Yucatan Peninsula. Wake up for a cooling swim in the pool, a session of yoga, an organic Spa treatment or an ocean dive with skilled scuba instructors. If needed, multilingual nannies can provide baby