Anantara Eastern Mangroves – Abu Dhabi

24 February 2016HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Anantara
Location: Abu Dhabi– UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: abu-dhabi.anantara.com

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The Anantara Eastern Mangroves is beautifully located near the only National Park of Abu Dhabi, the Mangroves. I read good things about this hotel and was excited to experience this hotel. This five star palace truly has the most stunning views all over the mangroves and Abu Dhabi. The views all over the hotel are just amazing and the service they provide is of a very high level. They made it quite personal and attention to details was appreciated.

Check-in went smoothly and we were welcomed with tea and cold towels. What a great start! The check-in staff was very professional and kind. You actually ‘feel’ the Thai hospitality all over the place making this hotel one of the best in the area! We checked in pretty early and our room wasn’t ready yet, so we were immediately escorted to the Kasara executive lounge where we could still enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee and tea while looking outside… enjoying the stunning views! The staff at the lounge was very nice and told us all the things we needed to know about the lounge and other facilities of the hotel. Complimentary (soft) drinks and hot drinks are offered here all day long, at night from 5pm-7pm alcoholic drinks and pre-dinner snacks are included.

The room we stayed in was very nicely appointed and had the amenities I expect from a 5 star hotel. It was spacious enough and beds are heavenly! Bathroom has separate bath tub and (rain) shower and separate toilet. The room was very clean and well maintained. The thing I liked most about the room was the balcony overlooking the mangroves and Abu Dhabi. I could have sit on that balcony all day long. I still had some work to do and appreciated the oversized desk. A small thing I appreciated were the typical orchid flowers on the bed.

Getting bored here would be very difficult. There are so many things to do. First of all, the swimming pool (an infinity pool) is gorgeous offering direct views of the mangroves. The surrounding tanning areas are great and loungers were comfortable. The outdoor bar has been beautifully integrated. To me it was a very relaxing place without the hectic city center of Abu Dhabi. I could hear to sound of birds… loved it! I also saw some small boat floating near the Mangroves. It looked like a lot of fun…

The Anantara Eastern Mangroves has a full spa center and I thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Turkish Hammam experience… and let me tell you … an experience it was! One of the very best I have ever had in any spa area. This 60 minute signature treatment of the Anantara Eastern Mangroves is amazing and made me feel reborn. Highly recommended! I should also mention that the interior of the spa area is stunning. It was so nice to relax after the treatment and enjoy a cup of ginger tea and Turkish sweets.

There are several restaurants at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves and we had dinner at Pachalyen, a Thai restaurant with excellent food and top service! The food was delicious… we enjoyed a three course menu and enjoyed the experience! As a starter we tried the Deep fried prawns cake with a sweet chili dip. The wok fried beef tenderloin fllet with leeks and black pepper sauce and spicy chicken was delicious as was the homemade water chestnuts cooked and boiled with tapioca flour with coconut ice cream. It actually was the best meal we had while we were in Abu Dhabi so thumbs up for the chef and staff! The other restaurant is Ingredients, the all-day dining buffet with specialities all over the world.

I highly recommend staying at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves when you are looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi! This hotel is a true jewel and I love the attention to detail and overall level of service. There’s an eastern vibe around the place and although this was my first experience at an Anantara property, I am keened to experience more.

InterContinental – Abu Dhabi

24 February 2016HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Intercontinental
Location: Abu Dhabi– UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: ihg.com/…l/nl/abu-dhabi/auhha/hoteldetail

As you know, I am a fan of InterContinental hotels and after having stayed at several, I was excited to explore the InterContinental Abu Dhabi! Actually, this hotel was one of the first hotels in Abu Dhabi build back in the 90’s. Of course, the hotel has undergone several renovations after years and now has all the facilities you would expect of a five star hotel.

The lobby area is stunning and I loved the interior designs. From the crystal chandeliers to the comfortable seating areas, it is just gorgeous and has the five star look. Bell staf were very friendly upon arrival and check-in was efficient. We were escorted to the elevators in just minutes. Although it just takes a few seconds for the staff, it does make a difference to me when they guide you to the elevators. Very nice touch!

Rooms at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi are nice. We stayed in a queen bedroom and although not overly large, it had all the amenities we needed for a comfortable stay. The bathroom had a separate bath tub and shower, separate toilet and single sink.

The best thing I like about the InterContinental is the beach area. It actually is one of the few hotels in Abu Dhabi center with a private beach area. The whole place is large and besides the private beach, there’s a large outdoor pool and full fitness center. The surrounding views of the Etihad Towers are spectacular and together with the palm trees, I experienced the ultimate holiday feeling! Another pool area is directly connected to the hotel. The beach area is just a 5 minute walk through the marina. Be sure to check it out when you’re there, you will love it too! I worked out at the fitness center and appreciated the latest technology equipment.

The surrounding areas of the InterContinental Abu Dhabi are very nice and clean. It is so nice to walk around and explore the marina before heading to bed. When we got back to the hotel after our walk, I was surprised by how large this hotel is. There are several restaurants and bars so no need to leave the hotel to have a bite. We had breakfast at Selections. The buffet style breakfast was of a good quality and there was a good variety of several hot and cold dishes.

The InterContinental is a great five star property in a very interesting area of Abu Dhabi! The surrounding views are amazing and the proximity of the small harbor will give you the feeling of total relaxation! The beach area is one of the nicest I have seen throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai!

Hilton Berlin

17 February 2016HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Hilton
Location: Berlin – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: www3.hilton.com/…in/hilton-berlin-BERHITW

Located in the ‘middle of it all’, the Hilton Berlin is a top five star hotel which I thoroughly enjoyed… I was ‘wowed’ when I entered this grand hotel! The lobby area truly is spectacular and has the most comfortable seating areas all over the place. It felt really good hanging out here during the day and night as the place was well maintained, trendy and ultra luxurious! What a great start!

Check-in was very efficient and the check-in staff was professional and friendly without being over the top… just the way I like it and the way it should be! Our keys were handed in seconds and we were curious on how the room will look like.

The room we stayed in, an executive deluxe room with a direct view of the dome, was very classy and comfortable! As you may expect of a Hilton hotel, it had all the amenities and facilities of a five star hotel. The trendy couch was perfect for reading or surfing on my iPad! I still had some work to do and appreciated the large desk with the most comfortable seat. Plenty of sockets as well which is a bonus J The bathroom had a tub/shower combination, toilet and single sink. The typical Hilton toiletries were great.

Since we had an executive room, we had access to the executive lounge which is located on the ground floor next to the reception area. It was one of the better executive lounges I have experienced! A small breakfast buffet is offered during the morning, an afternoon cake buffet in the afternoon and at night (from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) a selection of alcoholic drinks (including some spirits) and a buffet with light bites. You don’t have to leave the hotel to eat when you have access to the executive lounge! From soup to (hot)sandwiches, vegetables, etc. They have it all! Highly recommended to upgrade your stay with lounge access!

The spa area here is just gorgeous! The Hilton Berlin has an indoor pool which had a good size by the way! Not one of those small hotel pools, you can actually swim in this one J Next to the pool, is a full fitness center with the latest technology equipment. I should mention the lovely staff! They were all great and every request has been fulfilled with a smile, thumbs up!

There are several dining options here, from à la carte restaurants and fancy lobby bars to a buffet style restaurant. We had dinner at their restaurant Mark Brandenburg, a classic Berlin restaurant right at the Gendarmenmarkt. They offer a great menu and I tried the traditional schnitzel which was absolutely delicious! Definitely a must try when you are there! Staff was wonderful… Breakfast is served at restaurant Beletage offering the most amazing views out of the Gendarmenmarkt. Really spectacular and so was the buffet… the food really good and plenty of choice!

I can not say a bad word about the Hilton Berlin! One of the better hotels I have stayed at in Berlin and definitely worth staying here if you are looking for a full five star experience!

Rosa Alpina – San Cassiano

6 February 2016HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Relais & Châteaux
Location: San Cassiano – Italy
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: rosalpina.it

Peacefully located in a small town named San Cassiano, the beautiful Rosa Alpina (part of the Relais & Châteaux chain) is a gorgeous five star hotel with the most wonderful staff one could wish for!

First of all, let me tell you something more about the village. San Cassiano is small town in the middle of the Dolomites, located 1500m above sea level. People are amazingly friendly over here and the ski area of Alta Badia is right here. There’s a complimentary shuttle service for Rosa Alpina guests to/from the ski slopes. In just 3 minutes they will bring you there (I did time J).

Entering the Rosa Alpina is entering a world full of luxury and attention to details. The most wonderful staff checked us in and gave us all the information about the hotel and surrounding areas that we needed to know.

We were escorted to our wonderful room and were pleasantly surprised by how large and beautifully decorated our room was! Wooden floors, a comfy couch, an oversized king bed and large bathroom … our room had it all! Housekeeping did a terrific job here, twice a day our room was completely made up and turn down service was offered every night.

The staff at the Rosa Alpina is one to remember. Not too formal yet professional… just the way I like it! Every request was taken care of in a very friendly way. We met the owner of the hotel, Hugo Pizzinini, and loved the way he talked about San Cassiano and the hotel. His passion truly reflects the high standards of the Rosa Alpina. It is a hotel with a great history and tradition. There are pictures all over the hotel, showing you the evolution of the hotel. Very impressive!

Recently, they added a new part of the hotel with several rooms, a gym and a spa area for adults. The spa area was just amazing. It was so nice to relax here after a full day on the slopes. A Finnish sauna, bio sauna, a steam room and (cold) dip pool can be used at no additional charge. I also have to mention that the place was immaculately clean!

Besides this adults-only area, there’s another relaxation area with indoor pool and jacuzzi. Oh, the lounge seats around the pool are one of the best I have ever seen! So soft … so comfortable… Kids are welcome too at the Rosa Alpina! There’s even a special play area for them where they can play and just be kids J

After our first night and lovely breakfast (I will tell you more about the breakfast later – it is just delicious), we were ready to ski! We thoroughly enjoyed our day at the Alta Badia Super Ski area. Featuring 130 km of ski slopes, it is huge! Most slopes and ski lifts are connected to each other and one could easily ski here for a week without skiing on the same slope! On top of that, they’re directly linked with other ski areas featuring another 500 km of slopes. We liked the overall quality of slopes and ski lifts. Everything is well maintained and prices at the restaurants and bars are fair. This part of the Dolomites has many advantages: first of all – 300 days of sun per year! And we could tell … The sun was shining all day long! Secondly, it offers stunning mountain views and it was nice to see how the Italian villages are integrated in the area.

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This ski area will please anyone, from beginners to experts… there are slopes for just everyone! For more information, visit their official website: altabadia.org.

There are two restaurants at the Rosa Alpina, one fine dining culinary restaurant rated with 2 Michelin stars – St. Hubertus and the more casual and traditional restaurant Fondue Stuben . The first night we had dinner at Fondue Stuben and started with a great appetizer and had a pizza (of course – we are in Italy!). The food was outstanding as was the service! Dishes at St. Hubertus are like paintings. Everything here is done with style and absolute eye for details. The high level of service reflects all over the place.

Every morning, a large breakfast buffet is waiting for you! It is the perfect start of the day with plenty of healthy and freshly made food options. The chef will prepare several egg dishes for you. The restaurant itself is very nicely decorated with a mountain theme. I particularly liked the freshly squeezed orange juice!

The Rosa Alpina is a true five star hotel with a high level of comfort and service. It is the perfect hotel for a luxurious getaway in the mountains. It is run by an exceptional staff and a special mention to Stefania Bellé – the resident hotel manager – and Hugo Pizzinini. They did an incredible job, making our stay at the Alpina Rosa one will we never forget!

Grand Hyatt Berlin

3 February 2016HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Berlin – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: berlin.grand.hyatt.com

Rated as one of the top hotels in Berlin, the Grand Hyatt Berlin is perfectly located in the center of Berlin Mitte. The Potsdamer Platz is closeby, the Brandenburg Gate is only a 15 minute walk away and the Gendarmenmarkt can be reached in just 20 minutes by foot . One thing I didn’t know that the Grand Hyatt Berlin is actually an art hotel with art work all over the place. It is quite impressive and noticeable as soon as you enter the lobby. On every floor, art work can be found with information about the work and artist. Never seen before and really interesting, it was like walking in a museum! The ‘donut’ on our level was my favorite! The hotel was designed by Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo and Swiss interior designer Hannes Wettstein.

The lobby is spacious, airy and has a trendy design. Comfortable couches, nice colours and (most important!) friendly and professional staff, it is all there! Our room keys were handed in just seconds… I was ready to explore and experience this Grand Hyatt Hotel! One thing I appreciated about this hotel is the fact that there are 342 rooms, but I never had the feeling of staying at such a large hotel.

The room I stayed in was very nicely decorated and had all the amenities of a five star hotel room. Honestly, one of the best beds ever! They were so soft and the linen used were of a very good quality! The marble bathroom had separate shower area and bath tub, separate toilet, single sink and a television. I had some work to do while I was in Berlin and appreciated the oversized desk in the room! It was just perfect! Oh… and the views over Berlin were amazing! Overall, rooms are great here and they have some sort of Asian look.

The spa area is the highlight of the Grand Hyatt Berlin! In most hotels, spa areas are located in the basement but at the Grand Hyatt Berlin the indoor pool, fitness and full spa area are on the top floor offering stunning views all over Berlin. It is gorgeous! The pool is one of the best pools I have seen in Berlin and the whole place was immaculately clean! Do note that in most hotels in Berlin there’s an extra charge to use the sauna and steam room, but at the Grand Hyatt Berlin the use of sauna and steam room are offered at no additional charges. Comfortable (soft!) bathrobes and slippers are available in your room.

Hungry after working out? There are several dining options, from brasserie style to fine dining. They have it all! We had dinner at VOX, a grill and sushi restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed our dishes here! We started with a great appetizer. The salad I had as a starter was very nice and the steak was excellent! The lovely staff was very professional and proposed excellent wine choices. They serve traditionally prepared sushi as well and the dishes looked amazing.

All dishes at VOX are prepared in front of the guests´ eyes. This restaurant shines in so many ways over the other restaurants we’ve visited in Berlin. Not only is the food wonderful but so is the service. Their menu is diverse and their attention to quality food is obvious. Breakfast is served here too, by the way. It is a buffet style breakfast with high quality food options. Do try their omelets, they are yummie! Truly, the breakfast is outstanding!

The Grand Hyatt Berlin definitely deserves its good name! It is one of the better hotels in the area and you can’t go wrong by booking a room here. And do not forget to visit the spa area on the top floor, you will love it!

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Month: February 2016