Hotel D – Geneva

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Hotelchain: Diana Hotel Collection
Location: Geneva – Switzerland
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official websitehoteld-geneva.ch

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I have been to Geneva several times and stayed in several hotels, but hotel D was definitely one of the best experiences I have had so far! First of all: location! It is perfectly positioned right in an interesting part of Geneva. When you leave the hotel, you will see the grand fountain from a distance which is probably the most famous attraction in Geneva. It really is just a 7 minute walk before you reach Leman Lake. Also, other all other attractions are nearby. I always take to train from the airport to the center and the main train station is only a few steps away. Very convenient! A big bonus: hotel D offers complimentary transport tickets to the guests which are useable in the city. Very nice gesture!

But it’s not only the location that makes this hotel so special, also the decoration and service are of a high level. Hotel D is an upper class 4 four boutique hotel with only 57 rooms. That’s why they are able to offer personalized service. Right from the moment I entered the hotel, I was pleasantly surprised.

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The staff is so friendly and welcoming- always hospitable and asking if we needed anything- always smiling and ready to help. The décor is beautiful with fancy decorations. Hotel D was designed by famous interior designer Sybille de Margerie.

The suite I stayed in was beautifully decorated with a gorgeous bathroom, nice wooden floors and a large bed. The room was impeccably clean. It felt like we were the first guests of the room. The decoration team did a great job here. It really is all about the details. The comfortable couches were great to relax and unwind. The walk-in closet was a treat! A Nespresso machine is available as well as unlimited access to Press Reader.

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The highlight of the suite was the most amazing bathroom one could wish for with a gorgeous free standing bath tub offering panoramic views. Each bathroom is provided with L’Occitane toiletries, love them. I should also mention that the shower was one of the best showers I have ever experienced. The gigantic rain shower head is mind blowing as are the views from this bathroom. I loved to watch the ‘Jet d’Eau’ from up here, one of world’s most famous fountains.

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I must note each room – not only the suites – at Hotel D are luxuriously appointed and decorated with high quality materials.

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Hotel D offers a Fitness Studio with the latest Technology Equipment. I was impressed with the high tech equipment and was happy to hear the studio is opened 24 hrs.

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In the morning, a great breakfast buffet with many options began our day more than satisfied. Again, the breakfast area is beautifully decorated. The buffet has plenty of fresh products. A must try is their Bircher muesli and the cheeses (you are in Switzerland right? 😊 ). Service was top notch and nothing was asked for too much.

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We hated to leave Hotel D but look forward again to our special getaway in beautiful Geneva! From the gorgeous decors to the most wonderful staff, I loved it all! Highly recommended!

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Warwick Brussels

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Hotelchain: Warwick
Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official websitewarwickhotels.com/warwick-brussels

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Warwick Brussels is a top notch five star hotel right in the city center of Brussels. You really can’t beat its location as it is close to the most important and interesting attractions in Brussels. It is a classic five star property and soon as I entered the hotel, I felt at home.

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After an efficient check-in, I went upstairs and explored our amazing Signature Executive Suite. At 50m², the suite had a great size and had all the amenities I expect from a high end hotel. The room actually felt like a small apartment with a separate living and sleeping area. The two televisions were very convenient as well. Warwick Brussels has a high comfort and service level. Turn down service was provided every night. As said before, I appreciated the overall style of the room, it had all the amenities one could ask for.

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The marble bathroom was to die for, it had a separate bath tub and shower unit. All premium deluxe rooms and suites offer premium Bulgari toiletries (a big plus!!).

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Be sure to check out the fitness facility. It is located on -1, right behind the reception desk. I did a work out and relaxed in the sauna afterwards. I was in Brussels for some shopping and it was great to relax in the sauna after a hectic day. For me, cleanliness is very important. At Warwick Brussels every inch was spotlessly clean.

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After the shopping, working out and relaxing it was time to check out the on-site restaurant Chutney’s. This Victorian styled restaurant kind of made me feel like an upscale Irish pub offers great food and excellent service. I am told that this is one of the favorite restaurants in Brussels and I can easily see why. We thoroughly enjoyed one of their signature dishes: Trio Belge … this dish contains three typical Belgian specialties such as a huge meat ball from Liège, beef carbonade and vol au vent. Of course, the Belgian fries are served with this dish as well. Make sure you book a table here right when you check in as I can imagine it can get pretty busy here especially during the weekends.

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We also enjoyed some after dinner drinks at the Secret Rooftop bar. This bar offers amazing views over the center of Brussels. Do try one the cocktails, they are delicious!

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After a great night in the most wonderful bed, it was time for breakfast. Breakfast at Warwick Brussels is served at the Salon Grand Place. The buffet style breakfast is good and offers a good variety. I especially liked the old fashioned homemade bread pudding… again a Belgian specialty.

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Warwick Brussels is one of the better hotels in Brussels. It offers comfortable accommodations with a five star service. You can have the most luxurious building, but without a terrific staff it is not working. At Warwick, each staff member approached and served me in a very professional way without being over the top. I could be myself and I loved it. Together with its prime locations, it is one of my favorite picks in Brussels! Highly recommended and I can’t wait to explore more Warwick properties in the future!

Hotel De Castillion – Bruges

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Hotelchain: Small Elegant Hotels
Location: Bruges – Belgium
Classification: 4 star deluxe
Official websitecastillion.be

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Hotel De Castillion is a top notch four star boutique hotel located in the center of Bruges. You can’t beat the location. All the main attractions in this gorgeous city are within walking distance. The surrounding areas are just gorgeous: small authentic streets, carriages, etc. I immediately fell in love with the hotel when I saw the building. It was built in the 16th century and it used to be a residence of Bruges’ 15th bishop. A fun fact: a part of the hotel is a listed heritage site.

Although this family owned and managed hotel is located in the center of Bruges. When I entered the hotel I appreciated the peaceful and quiet atmosphere.

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Hotel De Castillion is very stylish and cozy decorated. The intimate reception area just beautiful and gives an excellent first impression of the hotel: luxurious chandeliers, high end furniture and most importantly: I was welcomed by the most friendly manager. This is Belgian hospitality and I love it! He gave me a map of Bruges which was very useful and I was surprised the map was designed for the hotel. So this is not a standard map of Bruges, no, at Hotel De Castillion you will receive a city map with pictures of the hotel, the hotel location and several walks.

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After I received my room key, I couldn’t wait to explore this unique boutique hotel. Walking around in the hotel feels like walking around in a small castle. The authentic atmosphere throughout the hotel is impressive and much appreciated.

Room 103 I stayed in was absolutely stunning! What a great fairytale room this was! The wooden floors and grand chandelier add extra coziness. The room had all the facilities I expect from a four star hotel such as the Nespresso coffee machine, a very comfortable bed and a cozy sitting area with comfortable couches. This is how every room in Bruges should look like. Loved it!

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Bathroom was spacious and featured a bathtub with shower. Fluffy towels and high end toiletries are available as well.

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Hotel De Castillion has a total of 20 rooms. As a small hotel they can offer a very personal service. It feels like a home away from home where you are treated as a royal. Speaking of rooms, there are several room types. The room I stayed in is a deluxe room. I did visit some other rooms such as the classic room and junior suites. I must admit that each room I saw was different but all were ultra luxurious and decorated with the best materials and with an eye for attention.

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There is a nice stylish bar and golden art deco salon where you can also order snacks. The salon is a must visit when you stay at Hotel De Castillion. You will love the design!

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After a wonderful night in my romantic room (still in love with that room…), I was ready for breakfast. Having breakfast at Hotel De Castillion is something to look forward to! It is served in the unique and historic cellar. The buffet is very large and the overall quality of the food is outstanding. Salmon, fresh fruit, etc. It is all there.

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Hotel Castillion is definitely the place to stay when you are looking for an ultra stylish boutique hotel right in the center of Bruges. Check it out yourself and experience the Castillion experience! Highly recommended for a romantic getaway!

Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf

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Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Düsseldorf – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: hyatt.com/…hyatt-regency-dusseldorf/dusse

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I visited several hotels in Düsseldorf and I was excited to stay at the Hyatt Regency as I heard great things about the hotel. First of all, the hotel is beautifully located near the harbor of Düsseldorf. It offers great views of the city and the center is only a 15 minute walk next to the river. The walk is just gorgeous, I really appreciate this part of Düsseldorf. Although not in the busy city center, it is reachable within walking distance. We actually used the electronic steps by Tier which we found to be very convenient. Try it out yourself, you will love it! It’s really fun.

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Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf definitely is one of the best hotels in the city, as soon as I entered, I loved the trendy and classy atmosphere. This is a hotel of a true five star level. From the soft lounge music playing in the lobby to the most friendly welcome, the arrival at the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf was great! I liked the lobby lounge, the furniture is totally up to date and in a great state. The check-in staff told us everything we needed to know about the hotel and surrounding areas.

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We stayed in a deluxe room and luxurious it was! We had a lot of space, the rooms have a great size… And I loved the overall lay-out and decoration of the room. It has a semi open bathroom with separate tub and (rain) shower. Amenities I appreciated particularly were the Nespresso coffee machine and high quality toiletries. The view we had of Düsseldorf was amazing! You really can’t beat the view!

The quality of the rooms at the Hyatt Regency is of a high standard, that’s for sure. One of the best hotel rooms I have ever had in Düsseldorf.

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At night, we had dinner at their restaurant, DOX. Before we went to dinner we had a pre-dinner cocktail which we enjoyed thoroughly. Dinner itself was outstanding at DOX. We had a three course menu and found the quality of the food of a very high standard and we loved every single bite. From the sushi to the yummie dessert, it was delicious! The products the chef used were fresh and he certainly did a great job!

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After a great night (the beds are heavenly!), we went downstairs again for breakfast. I am not lying if I tell you that the breakfast at the Hyatt Regency is one of the finest breakfast I have ever had. The products were fresh and the choices are unlimited! From the sparkling wine to the most wonderful prepared eggs, we enjoyed it! Fun fact, do try their hot chocolate… I ordered it each morning. Just delicious.

We finished our visit at the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf by visiting the Rive Spa area… Maybe this was the best surprise about this hotel. This place is so peaceful … so beautiful … and immaculately clean! Every staff member greeted us with a smile. They make you feel special and at ease here as soon as you enter the spa area. The changing rooms were very clean and had everything I needed to prepare myself before it was time for ultimate relaxation. I went down to relax in the huge jacuzzi. It actually is a small pool with different lightning themes. There’s also a sauna and steam room. Again, the whole place was so clean!

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As mentioned before, I did stay at a lot of different high class hotels in Düsseldorf and the Hyatt Regency definitely is one of the very best hotels I have stayed at! Every staff member I met when I was there, was friendly, professional and accommodating. Do not hesitate to book a room here when you’re planning a trip to beautiful Düsseldorf, you won’t be disappointed!