Author: HotelAdvisor

HotelAdvisor Welcome to my luxurious journey through the enchanting world of high-end travel, where elegance, opulence, and extraordinary experiences await at every turn. In this blog, I invite you to embark on a captivating exploration of luxury hotels. My fascination with luxury hotels stems from his unwavering pursuit of perfection. I believe that true luxury lies in the meticulous attention to detail, impeccable service, and an ambiance that leaves a lasting impression. With an insatiable desire to seek out the extraordinary, I have traveled the world, staying in some of the most prestigious and breathtaking properties ever created.

HUUS Gstaad

19 August 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Location: Gstaad, Switzerland
Classification: 4 star superior hotel
Official website: huusgstaad.com/en

HUUS is a special four star superior hotel in the gorgeous Gstaad area! This is not your average hotel! Inside this wooden chalet is another world waiting for you! The hotel invites you to cross the line into an extraordinary world where lovely design and service are top priority. I was so surprised… let me tell you why!

This hotel used to be a Steigenberger hotel but is completely transformed into a trendy hotel. It opened its doors again in 2016 and now is a picture perfect hotel. As soon as you enter, a gorgeous lobby area awaits you with a lot of designer elements. They call it their living room and I can easily see why. It actually reminded me of our living room at home as I noticed some elements which I would buy myself. Front desk staff was efficient and handed our keys in seconds.

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I loved my room here! Each room design at HUUS is unique and all feature a trendy cozy mountain theme. The bed was very comfortable. Although the rooms aren’t too large, the lay out is excellent. It really reminds you of being in Switzerland with all the gorgeous designer elements. Do note that each room has its own Mammut backpacks for you to use while staying there. Also, a tablet can be used during your stay with daily newspapers, etc. Loved it! The comfy seating area as well as the large balcony with stunning views were heavenly.

Bathroom featured a very nice and trendy walk-in shower, single sink and toilet. HUUS shampoo and body lotion are the best!!

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I recharged myself at one of the most stylish spa areas in town. This is the place to relax, unwind and refresh yourself after an active day in the mountains. The indoor pool is a treat and feels very relaxing. Other facilities I enjoyed were the steam room and sauna, both very well maintained and so relaxing after a day in the mountains! They even have a kids spa where kids can be kids as they have their own place to relax and play. Never seen before!

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Speaking of facilities and services, there’s a lot to do here! HUUS offers a range of services included in their rates such as river rafting, family canyoning, climbing lessons, rental of mountain bikes, etc. All complimentary! They even organize daily guided mountain hikes. We actually did a hike with mountain guide Thomas. He is the best guide one could wish for: very knowledgeable and a great storyteller! Oh, and I should definitely mention the two HUUSdogs: Piet and Charly. Loved them and I took them out for a short hike in the beautiful hotel garden.

HUUS has a partnership with Range Rover and I fell in love with their hotel cars…

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HUUS has several restaurants for you to explore and each morning, a delicious breakfast is served. The large breakfast buffet offers a lot of food and drinks. I especially liked their freshly prepared crepes! They were so yummie!

HUUS Gstaad is one of a kind and one of the better four star hotels in the area. Loved my stay here and I highly recommend to book a room at HUUS while staying in the Gstaad area.

Crans Ambassador

16 August 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Location: Crans-Montana, Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: cransambassador.ch/en

Located in the fancy town of Crans Montana, Crans Ambassador is a top notch five star hotel with fairytale surroundings. This prestigious hotel has an excellent reputation and I can only say that it definitely deserves its fantastic ratings. Crans Ambassador recently underwent a complete make over and opened back its doors in December 2013. Every single aspect in this hotel has been developed with attention to detail. It is all about “well-being” here and I can only say that we loved every single second of our stay here.

Crans Ambassador is designed in a luxurious contemporary mountain style. This is the kind of hotel where a surprise is waiting for you behind every corner. The comfortable seating areas all over the hotel are excellent for meet up with family and friends. It all felt ‘right’ from the moment I stepped in to Crans Ambassador to the moment I checked out.

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Lobby area is just gorgeous and decorated in luxurious way. Front desk staff was ultra friendly and everything we needed to know about the hotel was explained in a very professional (and kind!) way. I couldn’t wait to explore the rooms as soon as I got the key… Note that Crans Ambassador offers different kind of rooms. I stayed in an Alpina Prestige room. At 30m² it had a great size. I immediately fell in love with the large south-facing terrace overlooking the Swiss mountains. What a gorgeous room! It had a very thoughtful floor plan and beautiful furnishings. I appreciated the separate small living area with its comfy couches and other five star amenities such as coffee making facilities and the amazingly designed bathroom with wooden fittings to emphasize the mountain feeling even more. Molton Brown toiletries were a bonus! Trust me, all rooms here are in a class of their own, offering exceptional comfort and tranquility with enough place to ensure complete relaxation!

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A must visit while staying at Crans Ambassador, is a visit to their wellness center, Spa Nescens. Spread over 1,300 m² it is HUGE! From the moment you step in, every sensation invites you to unwind. The 17-metre pool is one of a kind and offers surrounding views. This is the place to swim in style with gentle sounds of the water. A luxurious sauna and steam room are available as well. If you are into working out, the nice fitness center is the place for you with high tech equipment. I loved the floor to ceiling windows with panoramic views over the Swiss Alps! Just beautiful!

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I totally enjoyed a ‘De-stressing’ massage with gentle pressing motions that are combined with targeted stretchings. It felt so good… this kind of treatment releases accumulated tension (where I’m suffering of) and even improves quality of sleep. The therapist used essential oils and excellent massage techniques to make me feel completely relaxed and energized at the same time. Can’t say enough good things about Spa Nescens! This is a place where time seems to stand still and every moment is devoted to tranquility.

After the treatment I was ready to explore the restaurants at Crans Ambassador. The first night, we totally enjoyed a delicious dinner at La Terrasse. As a starter I ordered the royal sea bream tartar accompanied with passion fruits and crunchy vegetables. What a great start 😊 The pan fried Swiss Black Angus beef Entrecote with a pepper condiment was one of the best I have ever had! This dish came with mashed sweet potatoes, grilled Pak Choi and sweet chili eggplants. Trust me, you will LOVE it as much as I did! And I always keep some space for dessert – the Swiss chocolate soft heart cake was a treat! La Terrasse is a superb restaurant with an excellent menu!

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The second night, we had dinner at Le Carnotzet, a typically Swiss restaurant where they serve local dishes such as Cheese fondue and Raclette. I must admit the champagne fondue and raclette with two local cheeses were sooooo yummie! Service was top notch as well! Every request was dealt with in a very kind and professional way! A must-try is the meringues with double cream from Gruyeres and exotic fruits. I loved every single bite and I’m sure you will too.

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Breakfast is something to look forward to at Crans Ambassador! Each morning, a delicious breakfast is waiting for you offering fresh ingredients and many healthy options for an excellent start of the day!

Crans Amabassador is a great luxury hotel with the best atmosphere one could wish for! From the moment I stepped in until I checked out, I felt at home here and can’t wait to return! I truly loved every single aspect of this place.

Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport

6 August 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Steigenberger
Location: Frankfurt Airport
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: steigenberger.com/…/steigenberger-airport-hotel-frankfurt

Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport is one of the best airport hotels I have stayed at. This hotel is only 1km away from the airport of Frankfurt (the hotel offers complimentary shuttle service from/to the airport) and only offers the best to the guests. Did you know that Steigenberger Frankfurt is the only hotel in the airport area with an indoor pool? But there’s much more to tell about this place…

I could easily recommend this hotel for both leisure and business. Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport has 40 (!) meeting rooms for up to 1000 delegates which makes it ideal for business purposes. Of course, traveling from/to the airport of Frankfurt can be exhausting. Trust me, a stay at Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport will be a relaxing one. From the moment I entered the hotel, I was welcomed by the most friendly staff. Although the building may look kind of old from the outside, I was surprised by how modern and up to day it looked from the inside.

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This is a pretty large hotel and I can happily tell you that even though there are 550 rooms, they still offer a personalized service which was appreciated very much. There are different kind of rooms and I stayed at a business room. The fresh contemporary design was very appealing. The lounge chair was so relaxing… I could have spent hours in this chair reading a book or playing with my iPad. Bathroom featured single sink and a great walk-in shower. Other amenities I liked in the room: a coffee machine and high quality bathrobes. Also, many plug-ins and USB ports. Very convenient!

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One of the highlights at Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport is the spa area ‘Open Sky’ which won the World Luxury Spa Award again this year. Usually, spa areas are located on the ground or lower floor. At Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport Open Sky is located on their top floor offering amazing views of the airport. It was great to work out while watching the planes fly by. The indoor pool is top notch and the best thing: Open Sky is open 24/7. Right next to pool is a sauna and steam available, again at no extra cost for hotel guests. I must highlight the fitness facility as well as it is pretty large for a hotel and has high quality equipment (and you can’t beat the views!!).

For ultimate relaxation, make sure to book a spa treatment. They offer a great menu with many treatments. I thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing massage with warm oils… It alleviated muscle fatigue and tension. I suffer from neck tension from time to time and the therapist did an excellent job by massaging my neck in a very professional way. The aromatic fragrances stimulated all my senses… I left in a state of absolute well-being! Make sure to book your appointment on time as it seemed pretty busy.

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Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport has 3 restaurants, so there is something for everybody! If you like a more casual dinner, choose Con.nex.ion… It is located in the lobby area and offers small bites such as hamburgers, pasta, etc. They have a great bar by the way with fancy cocktails. If you are into a more classy dinner, Restaurant Faces is the place to be. The chef will spoil you with his creative dishes from all over the world. I had dinner at Restaurant Unterschweinstiege, this typical authentic German restaurant is located at the back of the hotel and offers regional specialties. As it was pretty hot outside, I enjoyed my dinner on the huge terrace surrounded by beautiful gardens. What a hidden gem! The food was out of this world! As a starter I thoroughly enjoyed the green asparagus served in paper with baked beef tongue. This dish also came with mozzarella, tomato relish, shallots, lemon grass and aged balsamic syrup. I enjoyed each bite… The steak I ordered for the main course was excellent but the highlight of the night definitely was the dessert: a red fruit compote trifle served in a glass with berries, mascarpone crème, crumble of cookies, mountain milk and yoghurt ice cream topped with lemon cress. I would drive to Frankfurt only for this dessert!

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Each morning I enjoyed breakfast at Five Continents. This is the place where you will find a large breakfast buffet with fresh ingredients and different kinds of bread. Make sure to order your favorite egg specialty as they were really yummie!

As you can read, I’m a fan of Steigenberger Frankfurt Airport. This upscale hotel offers a great level of hospitality. The staff will do anything to make your stay unforgettable. From the heavenly wellness facilities, the great dining options to the convenient location nearby the airport of Frankfurt, I loved it all. Highly recommended!

Hilton Amsterdam Airport – Schiphol

30 July 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Hilton
Location: Amsterdam airport Schiphol – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel de luxe
Official website: amsterdamairportschiphol.hilton.com

Directly connected to Schiphol Airport, the brand new Hilton Schiphol truly has everything you would expect from a luxurious airport hotel. When I stayed at this Hilton, it only opened 2,5 years ago. This hotel is huge and has 433 comfortable rooms. When I entered the hotel, I was blown away by the gorgeous lobby. The open-plan atrium is the center of the hotel with a very cozy yet trendy bar and sitting areas. Do visit the lobby at night and look up to the sky, all the small lights look like stars, it is just stunning! By the way, the outfits of the staff members are fun and reminded me immediately that this is Amsterdam 🙂

Check-in went smoothly and the staff made me feel at ease in seconds. Everything I needed to know has been explained in a very professional, not too formal way.

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My room was on the top floor and as soon as the elevator door opened, I was “wowed” again by the beautiful and spectacular atrium. Ok, time to check out my room… Rooms at the Hilton Schiphol are very nicely decorated in a contemporary style: strong lines, smooth forms and minimal accessories — with room for rule breaking. I loved the funny shaped garbage bin! Each bathroom has a huge walk-in shower, single sink and toilet. My room had a view of the airport which was fun! Bed was great, nota bene…

I had access to the executive lounge and this was one of the best executive lounges I have experienced. Most lounges I have been to, were not that cozy and offered not many advantages. The lounge at the Hilton Schiphol definitely is worth the upgrade! Complimentary soft drinks and snacks throughout the day, alcoholic beverages (including some spirits) and light bites at night… Perfect! On top of that, I appreciated the tranquil atmosphere, comfortable décor and friendliness of the staff.

After some drinks and snacks, it was time for a work out. The Hilton Schiphol has a full fitness center and spa area. I used the spa area the next day and tell me … is there a better way to start your day in a jacuzzi? The spa area is worth a visit! Besides the jacuzzi, there’s a sauna and steam room as well which can be used at no additional charge. I can imagine that – after a long flight – you will feel reborn after your visit to this spa! Before heading to bed, I thoroughly enjoyed a relaxing massage. The therapist did an excellent job and provided the perfect pressure on my body as I requested. While listening to relaxing music, this definitely was the perfect way to end my day at Hilton Schiphol.

One of the highlights at Hilton Schiphol is definitely their signature Bowery Restaurant. This is the place to enjoy a delicious meal in a trendy environment. We were welcomed by the most friendly and accommodating staff dressed up in a lovely Dutch way, loved it! They have several different kind of kitchens such as grill and Asian dishes. There’s something for just anyone! The open style kitchen is a bonus, I always love the fact that a kitchen has nothing to hide and watching the chefs preparing the food, is entertaining!

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I must admit that the food was heavenly! Let me share some of my favorite dishes: the oysters we started with were out of this world accompanied with some delicious champagne (of course!). The Dutch lamb with king bolete, polenta, radish and lamb gravy was great as was the Cod accompanied with Dutch langoustine, asparagus, potato and lobster foam… sounds delicious huh? Well, it was 😊 The unbaked cheese cake with strawberry, pistachio and rose wine was the perfect way to end this unforgettable night! Thumbs up, Browery Restaurant! Loved every second at this place! Non-hotel guests are also invited and enjoy complimentary parking arrangements!

The next morning I had breakfast at Bowery Restaurant. The buffet style breakfast was great with excellent choices of both hot and cold dishes. A buffet is also available at the executive lounge.

The Hilton Schiphol is very conveniently located at the airport of Amsterdam Schiphol. The hotel is directly connected with the airport with a covered walkway and it only takes 5 minutes by foot to the main terminal. Highly recommended!

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside

6 July 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Pestana hotels
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: pestana.com/…/pestana-amsterdam-riverside

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is one the newest five star hotels in the heart of Amsterdam. You really can’t beat the location, the hotel is located on one of the most stunning places in Amsterdam, near the Amstel. The historic building is gorgeous and is considered as a national monument. It used to be a suburban town hall. Once you enter Pestana Amsterdam Riverside, you enter a top notch hotel with great interior designer elements and attention to details whether I’m writing about service or rooms.

The lobby area is beautiful and gives an excellent first impression. It felt like an ultra luxurious boutique lobby with high ceilings and white interior designer elements. Welcome staff is attentive to your entrance and departure and always willing to provide a hand or transport assistance. Our room keys were handed in seconds while they explained everything we needed to know in a very friendly and accommodating way.

Pestana Amsterdam Riverside has 154 luxuriously appointed rooms in different categories. We stayed in an executive room which I liked very much. For Amsterdam standards, the room had a great size and I could spend a whole day in the room without leaving. No bright colors nor shoddy elements … Every room at Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is tastefully decorated with high quality materials. I loved the bed! It felt like sleeping on a cloud… Our room had everything I’d expect from a five star hotel including high quality toiletries, a Nespresso coffee machine and a luxurious bathroom with excellent (rain)shower.

Did you know that Pestana Amsterdam Riverside has several apartments with the same contemporary décors and features? Those apartments are perfect for families and friends when visiting beautiful Amsterdam!

For me, one of the key features of Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is the spa area. This is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. The indoor pool is pretty large for a city hotel (3m x 12,5m) and water temperature was just perfect for me (not too cold, nor too hot). On top of that, there’s a traditional sauna and steam room. The whole place is immaculately clean and staff was very kind and informative. Do note that several treatments can be booked here. The gym is well equipped with all the latest technology facilities.

Another highlight of Pestana Amsterdam Riverside is ARC. This fine dining restaurant with leading Chef Peter Lute blew me away! The unique and young décor of the hotel is very appealing. Again, they did an incredible job decorating the place in a very minimalistic yet stylish way. Food was out of this world, each dish was divine and tasted fantastic! The amuse they served was just delicious and each dish that followed looked like pictures. The first cours – Cod accompanied with pear, kaffir lime and purslane was excellent. Incredible how the chef combines unique products… I loved the smokey entrecote (thin loin) with portobello, bear leak foam and rose hip as a main course. As usual, there’s always room for dessert: they served us forest fruit and pansy sorbet, tarragon and fennel… Loved each bite! As the weather was sweet, we had dinner at the wonderful terrace. Can’t say enough good things about ARC. Make sure to book your table before arrival as it is usually pretty busy here (no wonder why!!).

After a great peaceful night, we were hungry again and couldn’t wait to explore breakfast. After our wonderful experience at ARC the night before, our expectations were high and I’m happy to write they were met in a every single way. The buffet style breakfast is large and offers a great selection of fresh ingredients, breads, pastries and fruit.

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It would be simple to say the defining factor was having the spa and fine dining restaurant available, but that would not do justice to the other elements which I found of the highest standard. To recap – the location is superb. Service is unbeatable and food is outstanding. This definitely is one of my favorite picks in Amsterdam! Amenities at Pestana Amsterdam Riverside truly are impeccable! Loved it!

Stanhope Brussels

3 July 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Thon hotels
Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: thonhotels.be/…gie/brussel/stanhope-hotel

OK, let me tell you a little secret: if you are looking for a hidden gem right in the middle of Brussels… Stop looking! I found it for you! Stanhope hotel is the place to stay at! This five star hotel is located within walking distance of several cultural highlights in Brussels. By the way, the Stanhope hotel was the first five star hotel in Brussels and still is an up to date hotel while they kept the original elements of the building. When I entered the hotel, it felt like entering a palace…

The lobby are is bright and spacious. I could spend hours here, reading a book or browsing on my iPad. It is such a relaxing area where guests can enjoy a drink in the authentic library bar. Check-in was a breeze and I was warmly welcomed with a smile. I was so ready to explore this hotel! J

Firstly I was wowed by the elevator which looks like a mini library with several books showing names of former workers who used to work at the Stanhope hotel. And this is just one of the special touches at the Stanhope hotel. After every corner a new surprise is waiting. It truly is a magical place with a lot of history. Some parts of the hotel are classified.

I stayed in a gorgeous room. Actually, the most luxurious hotel room I stayed at in Brussels. It was decorated by interior designer Pieter Porters with the motto “more is more”. The room itself felt more like a small fancy New York apartment to me. The adjoining dressing room was very convenient. Other five star amenities: Nespresso coffee machine, bathrobes and good quality toiletries. They seriously think about the environment protection here and the hotel is awarded with both the eco-dynamic enterprise and Green Key label. They encourage guests to reduce waste and energy consumption which is great!

Later that night we had dinner at their signature restaurant Brighton, labeled by Michelin with 3 red forks. It is like going back in time, the décor is classy and sophisticated. The three course menu was delicious! As a starter I had the Roma tomatoes and mozzarella ‘di buffala’ with a coulis of pesto with rocket salad. The grilled lamb chops that followed were to die for! Service was flawless! The overall quality of the food was great and I definitely recommend you to have dinner here. You won’t be sorry!

The next morning, I worked out at the intimate fitness center. Although not too large, it has high quality equipment which is ideal to start your day! There’s a sauna as well. Great for relaxing after a busy day.

And then I was totally ready to enjoy the most wonderful breakfast. Breakfast at the Stanhope hotel is not just an ordinary breakfast, it is an impressive buffet with several cold and hot items. I appreciated the pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. It was the perfect start of the day! Again, products were of a great quality and I noticed the fact that there were no individual portions to avoid food and plastic waste. If the weather permits, you can even sit outside peacefully!

The Stanhope hotel has amazed me and not only for its gorgeous rooms. There is so much more to do in this hotel. Also, several up to date meeting rooms are available. Most rooms look different from each other but all of them are decorated in a very nice and comfortable way! Five stars all the way!

Hyatt Regency Mainz

8 June 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Mainz – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: mainz.regency.hyatt.com

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As most of you know, I’m a huge Hyatt fan! That’s why I was really looking forward to exploring and experiencing Hyatt Regency Mainz! Upon arrival, I was warmly welcomed by the staff. They were helpful and friendly with great hospitality. I just knew right from the beginning that this would be a great stay.

The location is great, it is located right in the center of Mainz, a typical German town with an authentic historic city center. It’s only a short walk to the main shopping area and restaurants. The hotel itself is beautiful from the inside and outside. It is directly connected to an old Fort (Malakoff). The interior designers have sought to create a hotel that functions exceptionally well whilst also providing a homely experience. Pretty impressive! The reception area is pretty large and gives a good first impression of the hotel. Check-in staff was efficient and friendly.

Let’s explore the rooms…

The room I stayed in was very comfortable and had all the amenities I’d expect from a luxurious hotel. The room was suburb on every level. To start, it is worth mentioning the generous space of the room itself which was a very nice surprise, this factor really did make me feel more comfortable and added to the sense of prestige. Everything in the room is incredibly well finished from the furnishings to the art, styling and décor. I was amazed by the overall quality and feel of the room. The bed was very comfortable which enabled an excellent night’s sleep and added this, top of the line amenities are provided and immaculate cleanliness.

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Bathroom – again, great size – featured a bath tub and large walk-in (rain) shower. Luxurious toiletries by Pharmacopia are provided. Love those, they smell amazing!

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My room came with access to the Regency Club Lounge. The lounge is comfortable and offers stunning views over the river Rhine. In the private atmosphere, I enjoyed some drinks while doing some work. A daily evening cocktail hour is included as well. That is right, alcoholic drinks are there for you to enjoy. There’s even a small buffet with small bites and appetizers which I enjoyed very much, especially the carrot cocos soup… Delicious! An upgrade to a room with access to the Regency Club Lounge is definitely worth the money! Did you know that even breakfast in the lounge is included when you have access to the lounge?

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Club Olympus Spa & Fitness is the on-site relaxing area at Hyatt Regency Mainz. The indoor pool is definitely a great advantage for the hotel. I love swimming in the morning before having breakfast. To add even more relaxation options, a sauna is available as well and can be used at no additional costs. Treatments can be booked too. A modern gym is available as well.
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Each morning, a great breakfast awaits you. I checked out both breakfast options: one day I went downstairs to the Bellpepper Restaurant and one morning at the Regency Club Lounge. While the buffet downstairs seems endless – love love love the food options there, the private atmosphere at the Regency Club Lounge was appreciated as well. So both options are great to start your day. Also for lunch and dinner, there are several options for you to enjoy. Besides Bellpepper Restaurant, there’s Chef’s Table which offers a family style menu and features an open kitchen. Small bites and delicious cocktails can be ordered at the M-Lounge & Bar. Malakoff Bar is also worth a visit. This gorgeous bar is located at Fort Malakoff and has an classically elegant atmosphere with an adjoining terrace. Make sure to check out Fort Malakoff, it is directly connected to the hotel and I was pretty impressed with the authentic yet cozy interiors.

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I had dinner at Bellpepper and absolutely loved the experience! The weather was gorgeous and I enjoyed their beautiful terrace with stunning Rhine views. I must highlight the friendly staff which made me feel at ease right from the beginning. The menu at Bellpepper offers dishes for anyone. As a starter I ordered green asparagus accompanied by goat’s burd, honey with pomace, millet and wild herbs. This was my favorite dish and I recommend it to anyone! The gigantic 450g Black Angus Beef Ribeye steak was to die for… one of the best steaks I have ever had! Oh, and save the best for last… the crème brûlée which came with fresh berries and a blueberry basil sorbet was heavenly. Do yourself a favor and make sure to check out Bellpepper while you are in Mainz! You won’t be disappointed!

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Hyatt Regency Mainz is the number 1 rated hotel in Mainz and I can easily see why. From the comfortable rooms, convenient location and personalized service, I loved every second of my stay here and can’t wait to return!

Château St. Gerlach

25 May 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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Hotelchain: Oostwegel Collection
Location: Valkenburg – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: oostwegelcollection.nl/…/chateau-st-gerlach

Château St. Gerlach (making part of the Oostwegel collection and Relais & Châteaux) is a top notch four star château-hotel located between Maastricht and Valkenburg. From what I had heard from friends, this hotel is a jewel and it truly is…

You can’t beat the location. The surrounding areas are just gorgeous. I fell in love with the domain the hotel is located on. The gardens are so well maintained and it is oh so peaceful. We walked around the property and couldn’t hear a thing, except the birds. There’s some interesting art work all over the property. It’s great to be able to walk around, enjoy the beautiful nature and exploring all the gorgeous art work.

Maastricht is just a 15 minute drive from the hotel which is an excellent city for shopping and sightseeing. Château St. Gerlach offers free shuttle service from/to Maastricht and Valkenburg! Great service!

The château itself is very stylish and cozy decorated. We were welcomed by the most friendly front desk staff. This is Dutch hospitality and we love it! They gave us a map of the property which was very useful as the Château St. Gerlach consists of several buildings each maintained in an excellent way. Walking around in the hotel feels like walking around in a castle. The authentic atmosphere throughout the hotel is impressive and much appreciated.

Room 140 we stayed in was absolutely stunning! What a great fairytale room this was! The wooden floors and ceilings 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 the best feature: a complimentary minibar with water, soft drinks and beer.

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Bathroom was spacious and featured a bathtub with shower. Fluffy bathrobes and towels are available as well. Separate toilet was a bonus!

Château St. Gerlach has 3 restaurants. Restaurant Château St. Gerlach and Bistrot de Liège are their two fine dining restaurants. The locations and interiors of both places looked stunning and based on the comments of guests, the food (both taste and presentation) must be excellent here! Because both restaurants were fully booked at the time we were staying at the hotel, we were not able to try it out ourselves… A reason to come back! We did try out Burgemeester Quicx, Coffee é More and were blown away by the food. The Lamb stew with pearl barley, nameko mushrooms, zucchini and cerise tomato was to die for. Highly recommended! Again, interesting art work such as paintings etc. can be found here. Very impressive!

Another highlight is the spa area. Located under the arched of the estate’s ancient cellar, this place is perfect for unwinding and relaxing. Kids are welcome as well, but between several hours the Spa & Wellness St. Gerlach is exclusively for adults only. The Roman-style swimming pool is gorgeous and pretty large! Next to the swimming pool is another area for relaxing with a steam room and traditional sauna.

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After a wonderful night in our romantic room (still in love with that room…), we were ready for breakfast. Having breakfast at Château St. Gerlach is something to look forward to! The buffet is very large and the overall quality of the food is outstanding. Salmon, fresh fruit, etc. It is all there.

I was very impressed with Château St. Gerlach and highly recommend staying there for a romantic getaway. You actually don’t have to leave the hotel, there’s so much to do. I will be back for sure!

Le Blanc Cancun

22 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Palace Resorts
Location: Cancun – Mexico
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: leblancsparesort.com/en

Le Blanc Cancun is the number 1 rated hotel in Cancun and I couldn’t wait to explore this amazing five diamond all inclusive resort. What is so unique about Le Blanc Cancun is the personal touch. Every single element seems like it has been curated and vetted to the extent that every experience there seems like you are in a pillow of comfort, midst of tranquility, and bathed in design.

As soon as you walk into Le Blanc Cancun, you are welcomed with wonderful smiles. Staff made us feel home in just seconds and gave us all the information we needed to know about the hotel. I just couldn’t wait to explore and experience this place. The lobby area itself is spacious and very appealing. I love the fact that they do take their time to check-in their guests. There is no large check-in desk here, but separate desks where guests are welcomed in a very personal way. This definitely is the highlight at Le Blanc Cancun – the high level of personalized service! Each room comes with a personal butler.

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Let’s start with the rooms.

Le Blanc Cancun is an all suite hotel so there no regular rooms here, just wonderful suites… Our junior suite was superbly comfortable, very clean and filled with all the right amenities for a relaxing holiday. All suites are of a very high standard and offer views of the beach or lagoon. The king sized beds are among the best I experienced. Another thing I really appreciated was the Apple TV with Netflix. The jacuzzi right in front of the French balcony blew me away… The views of the Caribbean sea are just to die for. This is paradise!

The bathroom was beautifully tiled and contained many amenities, including a separate large walk in shower for two. A mirror television is always nice, I love brushing my teeth while watching the news. Fancy Bulgari toiletries were a bonus, I am in love with those products. I even requested a specific aroma and they were glad to provide the right products… I guess it is all about the details and every single requested was suited. Just amazing!

Each suite has a fully stocked minibar and since this is an all inclusive hotel, all drinks and snacks are included. They refill the minibar each day. On top of that, each suite has its own liquor dispenser. Yep, that is right, you can enjoy Tequila (we are in Mexico after all), Absolute Vodka, Johnny Walker Black and Bacardi.

Again, do note that on each floor, there are two dedicated butlers who will make sure you will have a great time. Really nothing is asked for too much! We needed some extra hangers for our clothes – for example – and they brought some in just minutes and helped us unpacking. Great! Your butler will provide you with any amenity you can imagine… For example, there are specific in room aromas you can request via their mobile app. The service level truly is out of this world!

Every space of this hotel is clean, engaging and inspires you to focus on your well being. The spa is fantastic and is located on the ground floor of the hotel. The place is huge.

The beach has beautiful white sand and the water of the Caribbean ocean has this amazing blue color. It does look like paradise here! Le Blanc Cancun has two pools, one in front of the ocean and one at the lagoon. We enjoyed both pools. By the way, use the pool at the lagoon in the afternoon as there will be plenty of sunshine to enjoy.

Regarding the food and drinks, choices here are endless! Let’s start with the bars.

Le Blanc Cancun offers a wide variety of bar settings from casual at the beach to more formal for the evenings. I loved the Blancstage bar on the third floor and the Blancluna – a pool bar with the best cocktails one could wish for! I do enjoy one or two cocktails per day, but I’m not a huge fan of alcohol and I was glad to find out that the hotel offers many mocktails – non alcoholic cocktails – and soft drinks too. Most of the drinks are included so not to worry about spending extra money, etc. Pure luxury and relaxation!

Food here is outstanding and will not disappoint! There are several restaurants at the resort and they’re all great! At most all inclusive resorts, the food gets somehow boring after a few days, but at Le Blanc Spa, you have a wide selection of options including fine dining Italian cuisine, delicious snacks, soups, salads, the best desserts, etc. and the best thing is that it’s all available 24 hours!

The first night we choose to have dinner at Blancitalia, their Italian restaurant. What a gorgeous place! The appetizer – garlic bread with cherry tomatoes – was a great start. I must admit that the Roast tomato and goat’s cheese duet cream soup that followed was one the best I’ve ever had! I enjoyed it that much that I wanted to ask for another one (but I didn’t, too many great choices on the menu here!). The beef filet mignon as a main course was excellent and prepared just the way I requested. There was no room for dessert any more, but I did order a cappuccino (we are in an Italian cuisine restaurant right?) and liked it very much.

The second night we had dinner at Lumière, their French-Fusion inspired restaurant. For me, this is the most beautiful restaurant at the hotel. Décor is luxurious and the white chairs were very comfortable. Again, the food was out of this world! The coquilles Saint-Jacques will please anyone… I could eat this every day. The most friendly waiter suggested the saumon for the main course: a grilled salmon fillet, bergamot air with a delicious lime beurre blanc, some braised asparagus and cauliflower purée, can’t be bad right? I just loved it. This time I just had to try one of their desserts and ordered the chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream which was yummy!

The last night we had dinner at Blancasia. This elegant oriental restaurant offers the best Asian food. Here you just have to order some Sushi and Maki. I loved every single bite and the way they present the food is impressive. I love Thai food so I was happy to find out that they have Tom Kha Gai soup on their menu, a Thai style soup with coconut milk (a must try!). The pork belly in Japanese curry sauce and rice noodles were top notch!

Blancinternational is their international buffet style restaurant. This is also the place where they serve breakfast. Breakfast at Le Blanc Cancun is something to look forward to. One of the best buffets I have ever seen (and I’ve seen many!). I particularly enjoyed the cheese omelets and freshly baked pastries. This restaurant is also open for lunch. Blancinternational actually is an all day dining restaurant. Whether it is for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner… you will find something to eat here all day long. Loved it!

I am in love with Le Blanc Cancun! The biggest factor for me are the people who work at the resort. Much of our evenings started with cocktails and the bartenders never failed to deliver perfectly balanced cocktails. Most of the staff even remembered our names and our signature cocktails. How cool is that? Le Blanc Cancun is on par with some of the best hotels in the world which I have been fortunate enough to stay at. My senses were completely satisfied beyond anything I could imagine. We were treated like royalty here and cannot wait to return one day. A perfect place indeed!

Oh, and the best news: there’s another Le Blanc Resort!

Palace Resorts, the company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort accommodations – recently opened Le Blanc Resort Los Cabos. I saw some pictures and the resort looks absolutely stunning. The interiors of the 374 guest rooms and suites were designed with a tranquil color palette with cool shades of white and plush furnishings. Also at Le Blanc Resort Los Cabos, guests can enjoy personal butler service, a nightly aromatherapy menu, a selection of lavish pillows from our pillow menu and the most luxurious of in-room amenities. The resort offers an extensive array of gourmet restaurants sure to please even the most discerning palettes. Can’t wait to experience this resort myself and i’m sure that it is one of the best resorts in the area.

The Ritz-Carlton Cancun

22 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Ritz-Carlton
Location: Cancun – Mexico
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/mexico/cancun

Ritz Carlton Cancun is one of the best rated hotels in Cancun and I couldn’t wait to explore this ultra luxurious resort myself! After staying at the Ritz Carlton Bali I had some high expectations and all were exceeded with this resort. Let’s start with arriving at the airport of Cancun. A very friendly Ritz Carlton staff member waited us for us at the airport and took us to the hotel. The drive to the hotel took about 20 minutes.

Once we arrived at the hotel, we were greeted by the most accommodating front desk staff. They do know how to welcome their guests, we both felt at home in just seconds. They made sure everything we needed was taken care of immediately. The lobby area is just gorgeous… the pictures speak for themselves…

The Ocean View Room we stayed in was absolutely gorgeous! All rooms at Ritz Carlton Cancun underwent a complete renovation and all have private balconies. Our room had a great king sized featherbed, a comfortable couch and offered the most amazing ocean views. The housekeeping staff is at the top of their game and visited our room multiple times to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed upon our return to the room. They would even leave surprises, like some chocolates.

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I was in love with the bathroom! The large marble baths and separate rain-shower were a treat! Double sinks were very convenient and the plush towels and bathrobes were top notch! Oh and not to forget: luxurious Asprey bath amenities… You will love them as much as I do!

After exploring our room, we were ready to explore the rest of this beach palace! In terms of the pools and common areas: the pools were well kept with plenty of towels and loungers for guests to use. Walking around this place is like walking around in paradise as there are many palm trees and the views over the beautiful blue Caribbean ocean even add more magic to it! We had a lot of fun just hanging out by the pool during the pool.

The beach area in front of the hotel is amazing. We experienced their VIP service at the beach in one of their private Beach Villas. This exclusive cabana featured a wooden floor, the most comfortable lounge chairs you could wish for, a hammock and some extra amenities such as some soft drinks and tacos. I highly recommend to rent a beach villa! The high level of personalized service was much appreciated!

The Ritz-Carlton Spa is a must visit when staying at the hotel. The whole spa area is well maintained and a quiet retreat from the rest of the resort. This is the best place to relax and have some me-time. We enjoyed a 50 minute couple’s Mayan Sanctuary Ritual. This exotic massage experience made us feel in heaven! This massage is performed with seashells in a very nice couple’s suite… The treatment starts with a Mayan energetic cleaning using medicinal herbs and copal like old Mayan travelers experienced in their journeys. This was not an ordinary massage, but one we will both never forget!

After the treatment, we were pretty hungry and were happy to find out that there are several dining options at Ritz Carlton Cancun, all offering only the best food and a very high level of personalized service. Really nothing is asked for too much. We had dinner at Casitas restaurant and I can only say good things about this restaurant… What a treat it was! This restaurant is located on the beach and offers a unique experience while you are in Cancun. The private cabanas on the beach are transformed into private dining rooms with the most unique views you could imagine. Having dinner while enjoying ocean views is something we will never forget! So romantic… The food was delicious, I particularly liked their grilled specialties. Both meat and fish lovers will be very pleased here. From fresh sea food to steaks, they have it all. We started our dinner with delicious rib eye tacos (we are in Mexico…) and what a great start it was… we just loved it! The Filet mignon was one of the best I’ve ever had. The Brownie we ordered for dessert was excellent.

After a wonderful night we were ready for breakfast served at El Café Mexicano. This casual restaurant features an inventive menu and we thoroughly enjoyed a great breakfast. A must try are the Motuleña Eggs: two eggs sunny side up on a crispy corn tortilla, cheese, tomato sauce, turkey ham and much more. We had breakfast on the beautiful outdoor terrace with stunning ocean views.

I must highlight the staff, everyone always had a smile and were very attentive. Most notable is the cleanliness of the hotel and grounds. Everywhere I looked, I saw someone cleaning floors and windows. The outstanding accommodations, extraordinary service and the most magical location are the highlights of Ritz Carlton Cancun! Totally in love with this hotel and I can easily see why this is one of the top rated resorts in Cancun! Highly recommended!

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