Category — Hotels
Autumn in Wine Country
While there is never an unpleasant season for weather in Napa Valley, fall is a particularly lovely time to visit. It is only this time of year in which those prized plants that are worshiped for their grapes also draw attention for their vibrant gold, red, and orange leaves. In addition to vineyard tours, another great way to witness the splendor of the season is on a bicycle. Smooth, winding roads roll over hills, forests, vineyards and meadows all sporting their flashiest colors right now. As an autumn cyclist you will not fall prey to the masses of tourists that are a serious summer hazard in the most popular areas of the valley. Still, if you are seeking seclusion on a bike regions such as the Pope Valley offer a wide range of leisurely to strenuous trails, all featuring privacy and peace. If you prefer your own two feet, Howell Mountain is a beautiful and challenging hike, eased by spectacular lookouts and opportunities for vineyard visits along the way.
In addition to a rich array of fall foliage hues, the bounteous farmer’s markets carry their own spread of autumnal tastes. The multitude of organic restaurants in the area also dress for the season, flavoring their sophisticated cuisine with freshness, health, and a culinary festiveness from ingredients that most certainly taste best in the season and scene of their origin. Terra, of nearby St. Helena, serves the local cuisine with a Tuscan aesthetic. Dessert and a nightcap are inevitable with the elegant Bounty Hunter wine bar just down the street. Further, a community of sophisticated lodging and spa options assures the thoroughness of your pampering.
If it is your intention to be eased into winter with gourmet meals, luxurious spas, scenic bike rides, and world class wine, there is no better destination than Napa Valley, California.
November 29, 2007 No Comments
Full Body Relaxation
As winter draws near our minds drift toward warmer, sunnier places. Lounging on beaches, swimming in the ocean, and slowly sipping cocktails all likely come to mind. While these are all activities it would be difficult to not enjoy, it could pay to consider alternative forms of relaxation as well. Why not try the ultimate exercise in seeking bodily and spiritual peace while in a naturally peaceful setting? This is the logic behind the private island resort of Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. A wide range of yogic breathing therapy sessions will either introduce beginners or immerse those well acquainted with pranayama, a form of yoga which focuses on controlled breathing techniques as a way of fully releasing tension. Located on its own secluded island, Parrot Cay resort offers a way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Turks and Caicos far from the rowdy vacationers that flood its beaches during the peak season. In addition to offering privacy and serenity, this resort is extremely chic, creating an environment of simplicity yet indulgence. Comfortable yet minimalist beachside villas offer verandas and pools for luxurious relaxation and the ability to keep a clear mind. The resort’s top quality restaurant maintains the presence of nature on a wide wooden deck overlooking an infinity pool, and the airy bar allows the simultaneous enjoyment of drinks and the soft ocean breezes. The most enticing feature, however, may be the Shambala Spa. In addition to yoga and pilates retreats, this facility offers a wide range of decadent Asian-inspired treatments that are sure to chip away at your layers of accumulated stress. This award-winning resort provides an experience that is both of the highest quality and sophistication as well as a unique approach to relaxation in nature, which is sure to stand out against all those typical beach vacations.
November 15, 2007 No Comments
Before it’s too windy…
Now is a great time to visit all those colder locales before they become unbearably bitter. If you’ve been thinking about visiting Chicago, taking advantage of this mild autumn before it swiftly develops into a beast of a winter (as it always seems to do too quickly) might make an experience of this great city much more pleasant. There are deals at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile for several days in late November and early December. At $109 per night, this is a difficult-to-turn-down 45% discount from the usual rates for this time of year. The hotel itself has an excellent location in the heart of Chicago’s “Mag Mile,” known for its chic nightlife, shopping, and dining, as well as several impressive architectural landmarks. Additionally, the hotel is also close to Navy Pier, the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Shedd Aquarium, offering an educational break from the indulgence of shopping and nights out. At a 46-story height, the hotel has many beautiful views of the city to the outside and modern, luxurious accommodations on the inside. This is just one option of many for exploring the Windy City, but visiting while the current crisp fall weather is an attraction and not a force to be reckoned with something to keep in mind.
November 1, 2007 No Comments
Wild Adventure Made Doable
For many the idea of traveling around Africa seeing multiple cultural centers, wildlife and natural attractions, and partaking in spontaneous adventures has never passed the imagination phase. For such a distant, inaccessible destination the idea of coordinating multiple excursions in one trip is daunting and may even seem utterly impossible. If only all of these things could be coordinated for us! Well they have been, and affordably so. The Shongololo Good Hope Express, snaking through South Africa, provides a luxurious and exciting way to hit all the desired destinations without renegotiating lodging after each one. In addition to convenience, this setup makes the trip much more affordable as well. Seventeen days of life on the train with more than six exciting destinations, meals twice a day, and a fleet of mini-vans available daily for sightseeing excursions comes to just $2,670 per person (including tax). Among the highlights of the trip are a panoramic route through the province of Mpumalanga (also known as “Land of the Rising Sun”), views of wildlife and natural landscapes in Kruger National Park, a Kingdom of Swaziland tour, a tour of the Cango Caves, Cape Town, and a tour of the Winelands, among others. This trip is available in all parts of the year (although cheapest in March, August, and November) so your call to the wild can be returned whenever it comes. For those of us who enjoy following our spirit of adventure, as chosen from a set of safe and numerous options, this private train trip is an answer that fits within your schedule and your budget.
October 25, 2007 No Comments
Bed and breakfast: Coziness of home away from home
It hasn’t been long since I stayed in a bed and breakfast for the first time myself, but ever since I did, B&B has become my favorite type of accommodation while traveling. Staying at a bed and breakfast is a very enjoyable experience, but it is also quite different from staying in a hotel. Here are some B&B basics that first time B&B goers might find useful to remember:
1. Things in the house are not easily replaceable
Before anything else, it is important to realize that the majority of B&Bs are family-run or owner-operated. This means that the furniture is antique and that fine linens and beddings offered are usually family heirlooms. This is what makes staying at B&B so special, but also makes the items a lot more difficult to replace than in a hotel. Also, unlike in a hotel, there is usually no front desk with an at-all-time available staff at a bed and breakfast.
2. B&B is not very suitable for children
Unless a special family room is offered, taking very young children with you to a bed and breakfast is not advisable. While there are some B&Bs that accept babies and little children, most don’t. This is because many of the bed and breakfast guests prefer peace and quiet, and because the rooms are rarely child-proof. On the other hand, bed and breakfast is an ideal place to stay for women traveling alone.
3. Have special dietary needs? Ask in advance.
The menu usually consists of culinary specialties cooked by the innkeepers and is the same for all. If you have any special dietary needs, ask about them while making a reservation. This is when you should also discuss your breakfast preferences. Many B&B owners will try to accommodate your requests.
4. Eating in the rooms is not always allowed
While complimentary refreshments alongside with a fridge to keep things cold are commonly provided, many bed and breakfast owners don’t allow eating in the bedrooms. Also, you shouldn’t expect a TV set or a telephone in every room. Check with the owner what is permitted and what facilities are available prior to your arrival.
5. Ask the host
The attention you will receive in a bed and breakfast is at a much more personal level than it would be in a hotel. The innkeeper will tell you all he or she knows about the history of the place you are visiting and will happily recommend where to go and what to see. If you are wondering which restaurant to pick or which castle is open to public when, ask the host.
6. Before bringing your own stuff, check what’s available
Things like bikes, beach chairs, ski, or towels are often available at B&B. Asking prior to the arrival can save you carrying equipment you may not need.
7. Use guidebook certificates
Many guidebooks contain buy-one-get-one-free certificates. The money saved using them can add up to several hundreds of dollars.
8. Cancellation periods may be long
Before booking a room at B&B, make sure you know what the cancellation policy states. The cancellation period in bed and breakfast is usually longer than for hotels or motels. During the high season, it may be as long as 45 days.
July 20, 2007 No Comments
Top 15 Australia/Pacific Hotels for 2006
The Rialto Hotel takes the crown for top hotel in the Australia/Pacific region. This 5-star, 244 European style bedroom hotel is situated in the center of Melbourne and only a short stroll from the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, Telstra Dome, theatres and well-known shopping areas. 
- Rialto Hotel on Collins, Melbourne 94.2
- Park Hyatt, Sydney 92.5
- Lilianfels Blue Mountains, Katoomba, Australia 91.1
- The George, Christchurch, New Zealand 90.9
- Langham Hotel, Melbourne 89.7
- Huka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand 89.3
- The Westin, Sydney 88.9
- The InterContinental, Sydney 87.4
- The Millennium Hotel, Christchurch, New Zealand 86.7
- Four Seasons, Sydney 86.6
- The Observatory, Sydney 86.1
- Grand Hyatt, Melbourne 85.9
- Sheraton on the Park, Sydney 85.1
- The Westin, Melbourne 84.7
- Kilauea Lodge, Big Island 82.4
November 30, 2006 No Comments
Top 25 British Isles Hotels for 2006
Not a surprise that nearly half the British Isles’ top hotel properties are located in London. However, the number one pick is Buckland Manor settled in the Cotswolds. The hotel dates back to the thirteenth century and is set in glorious grounds featuring immaculate gardens with running stream, small waterfalls, croquet lawns and tennis courts. Golfing guests can enjoy the private putting green and there’s an 18-hole course in nearby Broadway. Top British Isles hotels are:
- Buckland Manor, The Cotswolds 98.9
- Gidleigh Park, Devon 93.5
- Madarin Oriental Hyde park, London 92.2
- Four Seasons, London 91.1
- Claridge’s, London 90.6
- The Dorchester, London 89.4
- The Lanesborough, London 88.7
- The Merrion, Dublin 88.3
- Lygon Arms, The Cotswolds, 88.0
- The Connaught, London 87.8
- The Balmoral, Edinburgh 87.7
- The Savoy, London 87.7
- The Ritz, London 87.4
- One Aldwych, London 86.5
- Four Seasons, Dublin 85.4
- Killarney park Hotel, Co. Kerry 85.1
- Cashel House Hotel, Co. Galway 84.9
- Cotswold House, Cotswold 84.7
- The Westin, Dublin 83.3
- Royal Crescent, Bath 82.6
- The Berkeley, London 82.4
- Covent Garden Hotel, London 82.2
- Dukes Hotel, London 81.9
- Royal Hourseguards, London 81.9
- Conrad, Dublin 81.5
November 22, 2006 1 Comment
Top 75 Asia Hotels for 2006
Asia has bloomed this year to house 75 world class properties, led by the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore with a rating of 96.6. The Fullerton is located in the heart of Singapore’s arts and financial districts, a 25 minute drive from Singapore Changi Airport. The 400-room award winning hotel, built in 1928, successfully blends the old and new to give an unsurpassed five-star accommodation experience for business and leisure travellers.
Hong Kong tops the list of cities that host the best hotels in Asia with 12. And the top 75 hotels in Asia are:
- Fullerton Hotel, Singapore 96.6
- Amandari, Bali 96.5
- The Peninsula, Bangkok 96.4
- The Oriental, Bangkok 96.3
- Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India 96.0
- The Peninsula, Hong Kong 96.0
- Oberoi Amervilas, Agra, India 94.9
- Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India 94.6
- Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong 94.5
- Ritz-Carlton, Millenia, Singapore 94.5
- The Four Seasons, Bangkok 93.8
- The Peninsula, Manila 93.7
- The InterContinental, Hong Kong 93.6
- Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore 93.4
- Grand Hyatt, Singapore 93.0
- Ritz-Carlton, Osaka 93.0
- Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India 92.2
- Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok 91.9
- Four Seasons, Singapore 91.7
- Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia 91.7
- Four Seasons, Hong Kong 91.1
- Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong 90.8
- Governor’s Residence, Rangoon 90.7
- Sofitel Royal Angkor, Siem Reap, Cambodia 90.6
- Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong 90.4
- The Peninsula, Beijing 90.4
- Banyan Tree, Bangkok 90.2
- Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai 90.1
- Rafles Hotel Le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia 90.1
- Park Hyatt, Tokyo 90.0
- Grand Hyatt, Tokyo 89.9
- The Imperial, New Delhi 89.8
- Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur 89.6
- Imperial Hotel, Tokyo 89.3
- Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong 89.3
- Conrad, Hong Kong 89.3
- Raffles Hotel, Singapore 88.9
- The Regent, Singapore 88.7
- Grand Hyatt, Hong Kong 88.4
- JW Marriott, Hong Kong 87.2
- JW Marriott, Shanghai 87.2
- Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong 87.0
- Royal Orchid Sheraton, Bangkok 87.0
- China World Hotel, Beijing 86.6
- Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India 86.6
- Four Seasons, Shanghai 86.4
- The Sukhothai, Bangkok
- Conrad, Bangkok 86.1
- The Oriental, Singapore 86.1
- Raffles The Plaza, Singapore 86.0
- The Westin, Shanghai 86.0
- Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur 85.9
- Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi 85.7
- JW Marriott, Seoul 85.6
- Sheraton Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City 85.6
- St. Regis, Beijing 85.4
- St. Regis, Shanghai 85.0
- Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai 85.0
- Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai 84.8
- The Strand, Rangoon 84.6
- Grand Hyatt, Shanghai 83.5
- Hilton Hanoi Opera, Hanoi 83.4
- The Shilla, Seoul 82.9
- Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok 82.7
- Makati Shangra-La, Manila 82.5
- Grand Hyatt, Beijing 82.4
- Grand Hotel, Beijing 82.1
- New Otani, Osaka 82.0
- Shangri-La, Kuala Lumpur 81.9
- Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India 81.9
- Angkor Palace Resort, Siem Reap, Cambodia 80.9
- The Oberoi, New Delhi 80.9
- InterContinental Grand Standford, Hong Kong 80.7
- Shanghai JC Mandarin, Shanghai 80.6
- Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi 80.2
November 22, 2006 No Comments
Top 75 Europe Hotels for 2006
Planning to travel to Europe in style? Conde Nast recently published their Reader’s Choice Top 100 “The Best in the World”. The segment rates the best of the best for Cruises, Hotels, Airlines, Islands, and Cities on a scale of 1-100. This will be the first of a series of posts. We will start with hotels. The categories in which they are rated are:
- Food/Dining
- Location
- Overall Design
- Rooms
- Service
The following list does not contain hotels in the British Isles. The Four Seasons makes the list six times. Both Paris and Rome are home to six hotels that make the list. And the top European Hotels are:
- Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest 98.8
- Chateau Les Crayeres, Reims 97.8
- Four Seasons George V, Paris 97.4
- Palazzo Sasso, Ravello 96.6
- Four Seasons, Istanbul 96.4
- Ritz Carlton, Istanbul 93.1
- Il San Pietro di Positano, 95.3
- La Bastide de Moustiers, Provence 95.3
- Villa San Michele, Tuscany 95.0
- Palace Luzern, Lucrene 94.9
- Chateau de la Chevre d’Or, Cote d’Azur 94.7
- Le Meurice, Paris 94.1
- Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, Paris 94.1
- Hotel Taschenbergpalais, Dresden 93.9
- Beau-Rivage Palace, Lausanne 93.8
- Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, Cote d’Azur 93.7
- Ciragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul 93.2
- Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento 93.1
- Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo 93.1
- Hotel Plaza Athenee, Paris 92.6
- Katikies Hotel, Santorini 92.3
- Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi 92.2
- Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo 92.2
- Hotel d’Europe, Avignon 92.1
- Hotel Cipriani, Venice 92.0
- Chateau de Bagnols, Beaujolais 91.8
- Le Sirenuse, Positano 91.8
- Four Seasons, Milan 91.6
- Grand Hotel de la Minerve, Rome 91.6
- Hotel Savoy, Florence 91.5
- King George II, Atens 91.5
- La Reserve de Beaulieu, Cote d’Azur 91.5
- Londra Palace, Venice 91.3
- Ritz-Carlton, Berlin 91.3
- Domaine des Hauts de Loire, Onzain 91.2
- Luna Hotel Baglioni, Venice 91.2
- La Colombe d’Or, Provence 91.1
- Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel, Interlaken 91.1
- Hotel Imperial, Vienna 90.8
- Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal, Venice 90.8
- Hotel Ritz, Madrid 90.8
- Chateau Eza, Cote d’Azur 90.4
- Mandarin Oriental, Munich 90.4
- Raffles Hotel vier Jahreszeiten, Hamburg 90.2
- Westin Excelsior, Florence 89.9
- Beau Rivage, Geneva 89.8
- Hotel Hassler, Rome 89.7
- San Domenico Palace, Sicily 89.7
- Baur au Lac, Zurich 89.6
- Tivoli Palacio de Seteais, Sintra, Portugal 89.5
- Four Seasons, Prague 89.4
- Hotel Ritz, Paris 89.4
- Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville 89.1
- Hotel Lungarno, Florence 88.9
- Hotel Goldener Hirsch, Salzburg 88.8
- Hotel Gritti Palace, Venice 88.8
- Marriott Hotel, Berlin 88.4
- Trianon Palace, Versailles 88.4
- Hotel de Crillon, Paris 88.3
- Grand Hyatt, Berlin 88.2
- Hotel Bauer & Bauer II Palazzo, Venice 88.0
- Hotel de Russie, Rome 87.8
- Grand Hotel Quisisana, Capri 87.7
- Hotel Kamp, Helsinki 87.4
- Le Meridien, Vienna 87.3
- Grand Hotel, Florence 87.2
- Palais de la Mediterranee, Nice 87.2
- Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, Budapest 87.1
- Four Seasons Hotel Ritz, Lisbon 87.0
- Hotel Arts, Barcelona 86.9
- St. Regis Grand Hotel, Rome 86.7
- The Grand Amsterdam, Amsterdam 86.6
- Westin Palace, Madrid 86.6
- Principe di Savoia, Milan 86.5
- Hotel Sacher, Salzburg 86.2
November 21, 2006 3 Comments
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