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.

Hyatt Regency Mexico City

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Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Mexico City
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: mexicocity.regency.hyatt.com/…/hotel/home

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The Hyatt Regency Mexico City is a luxurious five star hotel in the city center of Mexico City. This upscale hotel offers chic, sophisticated and elegant rooms and an impeccable service. The views of the surrounding areas are just stunning! Absolutely loved my stay here, let me tell you why!

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When I entered the Hyatt Regency Mexico City, I immediately fell in love with the many designer element you will find in the entire hotel. It provides just the right design touches you expect at a luxurious city hotel without it being too flashy. This is an expansive lobby area you want to hang out in. Check-in staff were very friendly and informative. Actually, I have found the entire staff at the Hyatt Regency Mexico City incredibly pleasant.

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The executive suite we stayed in was ultra luxurious! I was just blown away… The suite was enormous (87sqm!), it almost felt like an apartment. Our suite had a separate dining and sitting area. The bedroom – again luxuriously appointed – had a great king sized bed. I loved the marble floors and designer furniture.

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I loved the bathroom! It was just stunning with a gorgeous separate bath tub and rain shower. Double sinks and separate toilet were lovely. I took a bath and it almost felt like I was relaxing in my private spa area. Great!

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Hyatt Regency Mexico City has a lot to offer! There’s a large indoor swimming pool for guests to enjoy. As most of you know, I love hotel pools so I was happy to find out that this hotel has a great pool. Next to the pool area is a large outdoor terrace which is ideal for tanning. The adjoining fitness center is large and offers the best equipment for a good work out.

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After the work out, I was ready to relax. The Spa area is the perfect place to unwind and forget all the stress. I had the pleasure to enjoy a fantastic aromatic relaxation massage. Honestly, this was one of the best treatments I have ever had. The therapist was just amazing… First I had to choose one of the signature scents of the organic massage oil… After that the treatment started and I immediately knew that she was a professional. I experienced a deep sense of total relation and I felt reborn afterwards.

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At night, we had dinner at one of their signature restaurant, Yoshimi. From the moment I entered the restaurant, I was impressed by the design and atmosphere… I must admit the sushi we ordered was one the best I have ever had. The sea bass “Miso Zuke”, a marinated Chilean sea bass with miso paste was just delicious! The dessert, a typical Japanese one, with chocolate and vanilla ice cream was to die for! I can easily see why Yoshimi is known as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Mexico City!

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The next morning, we had breakfast at the Regency Club. Of course, a full breakfast buffet is available downstairs, but I loved the possibility of having breakfast at the executive lounge. It’s much more quiet here, the relaxation atmosphere was much appreciated especially during the morning. The breakfast buffet here was of an excellent quality and offers something for everyone. On top of that, the service was very personal and efficient. At night, appetizers and small bites as well as alcoholic drinks are available as well. Definitely worth to upgrade your room with access to the Regency Club as it offers many advantages.

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Hyatt Regency is a one of kind hotel in the posh Polanco area of Mexico City. From the modern rooms with an elegant design, the relaxing pool area to the excellent restaurant and top notch service, Hyatt Regency Mexico City is a great choice for your next trip to Mexico City! Loved every second of my stay here!

St. Regis Mexico City

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Hotelchain: St. Regis
Location: Mexico City
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: stregismexicocity.com

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Known as one the best five star hotels in Mexico City, the St. Regis hotel Mexico City only offers the best… The hotel has an amazing location near trendy shops and restaurants yet remains pretty calming.  It is impeccably decorated and the service was five star indeed. Once you enter the St. Regis Mexico City, you enter a world full of luxury, attention to detail and an incredible high level of hospitality.

The lobby area is luxurious and gave me this WoW-feeling! Actually, all areas in this hotel are just gorgeous. Check-in staff was exceptionally friendly and informative. At St. Regis guests are treated in a very personal way. Many of the staff members remembered our names and asked if they could do anything to make our stay one to remember. The grand lobby surely made an impression on me. Check-in is located on the third floor.

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We stayed at an amazingly designed and luxurious Grand Deluxe room. I could spend a whole day here without leaving the hotel. At 50 square meters the room was huge and offered only the best! This is what I would call a true five star hotel room, it just had all the amenities I could wish for. On top of that, I was (and still am) in love with the decoration. There was a large comfortable sitting area with a great couch. The room felt like a luxurious studio in the middle of the city. As you would expect, the beds are heavenly. The sleep quality was excellent due to the comfortable bed and high quality sheets and pillows.

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Marble bathroom was fancy and featured both a large walk-in shower and separate bath tub. The double sinks were very convenient and I loved the HD mirror television. The plush bathrobes and towels were top notch and something to look forward to after taking a relaxing bath in the evening.

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As usual at any St. Regis hotel, this hotel offers butler service too. St. Regis Butler Service has remained one of the hotel’s signature offerings. Each room comes with a butler and they will ensure that each guest is treated in a very personal way. My unique preferences were known and understood, loved it! For example, they knew I love cappuccino’s and brought me one at turn down service. What a great touch! By the way, the coffee and tea they bring to the room, is free of charge.

The St. Regis Mexico City offers several dining options. From casual dining at The Atrium to fine dining at La Table Krug. King Cole Bar welcomes several acclaimed guest mixologists, including Leslie Cofresi and Carlos Irizarry and many more.

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We had the most delicious lunch at Diana. I can’t say enough good things about this restaurant. We had lunch on their outdoor terrace with stunning views over the city. The Mexican cuisine blew us away. The food was exquisite, every course was explained and savoured, sight, smell, taste – what an incredible experience. A must try is the tuna… I could eat this every single day! The whole lunch was a delight for the senses. Add to the wonderful food, the ambiance and the service were the best. The whole staff were warm, friendly and welcoming, and made the experience unforgettable.

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Remède Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day in hectic Mexico City! The spa area is located on the 15th floor, offering stunning panoramic views over the city. After completing a form, I was totally ready to enjoy a prehispanic treatment with Copal products. The therapist did an excellent job and all my preferences such as the soft/medium pressure were met. There was soft relaxing lounge music playing all over the place which made me feel even more relaxed!

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There’s also a fully equipped fitness room and a very nice indoor pool with great views! Be sure to check out the pool especially at night. The views are really nice! You will love it too!

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Before we left the St. Regis Mexico City, we totally enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at Diana. The international buffet was excellent and I loved the Mexican specialties such as the burritos.

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St. Regis Mexico City is one the best hotels in the capital of Mexico and the best thing is that the hotel is not trying to be. It just is. The staff really stood out. Can’t say enough good things about this wonderful five star hotel! Definitely one of the “go to” hotels in Mexico City!

Presidente InterContinental Mexico City

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Hotelchain: InterContinental
Location: Mexico City
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: ihg.com/…s/nl/nl/mexico/mexha/hoteldetail

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Presidente InterContinental Mexico City is a top notch five star hotel on a very central spot in beautiful Mexico City. The hotel overlooks Chapultepec Park, the views of this park from the hotel are amazing. Although the hotel was built in 1977, it had a complete make over in 2015 and it does look like a modern property today. With 700 rooms, this hotel is huge! It mainly is a business oriented hotel, but I did appreciate the hotel as well as a non business traveler. This hotel is very suitable for tourists too. For example, the Museo Nacional de Antropologia is reachable within walking distance.

As you would expect from a large hotel like this, the lobby area is spacious and has some interesting art work. I would describe the style as contemporary and modern. Check-in staff was very accommodating and professional. Our keys were handed in just seconds… We were ready to explore our beautiful room!

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The Club Kingsize room we stayed in was very comfortable and had a fantastic king size bed. After a long flight it was great to relax in a comfy couch while watching some television. The room also has an oversized desk which is perfect for doing some business and work. There’s also a Nespresso coffee machine and minibar.  The art work in the room was beautiful and reminded us being in Mexico.

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The modern bathroom had a great walk-in shower, single sink and toilet. The comfortable bathrobes and scale were a bonus!

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There is a full service spa center – Hela Spa which means ‘complete’ in Swedish – with some nice plunge pools, relaxing areas and a large fitness center with the newest equipment. Several treatments are offered as well at reasonable rates.

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The hotel has 6 restaurants (Mexican, French, Chinese and Italian cuisine), all offering high quality menus. Although I didn’t have dinner myself, I’m sure that there’s something for everybody. Our room came with access to the Club Intercontinental. This club lounge is located on the 39th floor offering stunning views over the surrounding areas. It is definitely worth an upgrade as there are many extra services included such as breakfast. Each day, breakfast is served here at the lounge from 6:30am – 11:00m. I’ve been to many lounges but the breakfast they serve at the executive lounge at Presidente InterContinental Mexico City is one of the best I have experienced. It even has its own omelet station. In the evening they serve “snacks” from 6:00pm– 9:00pm and I wouldn’t actually call them snacks, we didn’t had to leave the hotel for dinner as the small buffet was enough for us to enjoy a delicious meal. They offer a nice selection of cheese, meat, sandwiches, etc. Even alcoholic drinks are included from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. There’s also a small business center at the lounge with some computers and printers. The club lounge is a very nice place to relax and meet up with your fellow travelers.

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Presidente InterContinental Mexico City is an upscale hotel with great amenities. You can’t beat the location as the hotel is located in the Polanco neighborhood right next to Chapultepec park. Highly recommended!

Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport

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Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: amsterdamairport.place.hyatt.com/…el/home

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Hyatt Place Amsterdam is a fantastic hotel near the airport of Schiphol! I never heard about the Hyatt Place concept before, but was pleasantly surprised! The service specifically was great – from the front desk to the driver (they offer free airport shuttle service from/to the airport) – all employees were super to deal with. Most of the staff members are what they call “hosts”. They can check you in and serve you at the bar a few minutes later. How cool is that? Although the hotel is relatively close to the airport, you can’t hear the planes taking off or landing (but you can see the planes – always nice to look at planes right??).

For European standards the reception area is large and well appointed. You can relax in one of the cozy corners, have a drink at the bar or eat something in the restaurant. The bright lobby area has a fun set up and everything is available within one place: check-in, restaurant, bar and small shop. Although the hotel opened several years ago, everything still looked brand new! Check-in staff were super friendly and informative. We were offered a drink upon arrival which was a very nice touch and a great start of our excellent stay at the Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport!

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Loved the small business center corner with iMacs… Always nice to be able to print your boarding passes. The departures and arrivals at Amsterdam Airport can also be consulted there.

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The huge room we stayed in was excellent! It had a sitting area with most comfortable couches, 2 televisions and a full bathroom with a great shower! The king sized bed was heaven! I should also mention the fantastic quality of their HD televisions! I was pretty Impressed by the size and quality of the room.

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Working out is possible in the large fitness center. The equipment is excellent, up to date and very convenient. Free water and fruit is offered. I love running before or after a flight… It gives me a relaxed feeling. I love the location of the fitness facility, you are looking at a pretty busy road. Watching cars and people make you forget you are working out! 😊

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Looking for business meetings? No problem at the Hyatt Place Schiphol! They have several meeting rooms in the hotel with the best facilities one could wish for.

Food and drinks, available in a wide variety, are at top level. Whether you are looking for a small bite or a full diner, everything is possible at Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport. We had dinner at the Gallery Café where we enjoyed a delicious dinner! The menu is varied and it was hard to choose what to order as I wanted to try it all 😊 As a starter I ordered pata negra accompanied with arugula, shallots and balsamic vinegar. The pata negra was of a very high quality! The roasted rib eye was to die for and prepared just the way I requested. The portions are enormous and I that’s why I didn’t order dessert, but looking at the menu… they have plenty! As mentioned before, even if you are not looking for a full dinner, you can still get salads and sandwiches at the 24/7 Gallery Market.

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Breakfast was very good and varied and there was something for most tastes and allowed you to explore different styles. Oh and you should definitely try out their omelet station. Since you are in Amsterdam, cheese is a must item on the buffet. Several cheeses are offered, all of a very good quality.

I would definitely recommend the Hyatt Place when you are looking for a hotel near Schiphol and would consider this concept for sure when traveling in the US (or elsewhere). The location near the airport is very convenient and their complimentary transportation to/from the airport is very easy to use. This is Hospitality with a very big “H” that Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport offers here!.

Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre

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Hotelchain: Ramada
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: apollohotels.nl/apollo-hotel-amsterdam-rembrandtpark

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Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre is a four star hotel near the center of Amsterdam. This upscale hotel offers comfortable rooms and friendly service! I was pretty surprised by this hotel, let me tell why…

First of all, the location is pretty convenient. Not too far from the center of beautiful Amsterdam as well as not too far from the airport of Schiphol. It only took about 20 minutes of walking to reach the center Amsterdam. The hotel offers a shuttle service from/to the airport. Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre is located right at the Rembrandtpark, a beautiful park for walking, jogging or just relaxing and watching people walking by.

Although the hotel was build several years ago, the lobby area of the hotel looked up to date, modern and I immediately felt the fun ambiance of the hotel. Staff made us feel welcome right from the start and handed the keys for our beautiful room.

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Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre has several room types, all comfortably appointed. The executive room we stayed in was located on one of the higher floors of the hotel offering great views over the surrounding areas of Amsterdam. Just beautiful… The room itself was quite large and offered all the amenities for a comfortable stay. The king sized bed was great and I loved the cozy couch in the room. The HD television can be turned so you can actually watch television while in the couch as well as lying in bed. Whether you are here for business or leisure, the room will suit everybody! I still had some work to do and therefor appreciated the large working desk. It definitely was one of the largest rooms I have stayed at in Amsterdam!

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Bathroom – again, pretty spacious – featured both a bath tub and separate walk-in (rain)shower.

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As most of you know, I love working out and unfortunately the weather was pretty bad while we were in Amsterdam so it was not impossible to work out at the Rembrandtpark. I can imagine that jogging around the park is just beautiful. Fortunately, Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre has a large fully equipped fitness center with some great amenities. After working out, I enjoyed the infra-red sauna which can be used at no additional charges. Loved it!

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One of the highlights of the hotel – literally and figuratively – is their restaurant Floor17, located surprisingly on the 17th floor. A great feature of this place is their outdoor terrace offering fabulous views over Amsterdam. It truly is gorgeous! Of course we had dinner here and thoroughly enjoyed our evening here. The open kitchen is an eye catcher. The food blew us away! From the fresh salmon tartare as an appetizer to the sea bass and yummy dessert. Every bite was divine and the chef definitely knows how to combine flavors.

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The service was outstanding! Very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about everything. Did you know that when you are not staying at the hotel, you can go up, enjoy a fantastic dinner and park your car for free for up to three hours while you are at the hotel? How cool is that! Oh and do order a cocktail at the bar before enjoying dinner.

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Floor17 is also the place where they serve a delicious breakfast each morning. The buffet was enormous offering something for everyone! The products they offer are fresh and tasted very good.

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Ramada Apollo Amsterdam Centre is a very nice four star hotel near the center of Amsterdam and Schiphol. I was impressed with the overall service and facilities. Make sure to get up and enjoy the amazing surrounding views over Amsterdam. You will love it as much as I did!

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht

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Hotelchain: Oostwegel Collection
Location: Maastricht – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: kruisherenhotel.nl

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A gothic church and a monastery that have been transformed into a hotel, how cool is that? Kruisherenhotel is a top notch five star hotel in the city center of Maastricht. The design and layout of this beautiful hotel blew me away right from the start… The contemporary style which they combined with modern design without ignoring the historic elements is impressive. That is right, the late medieval architecture with designer elements is the perfect match for a five star hotel like this.

The location is perfect. Maastricht is a very nice town in the southeast of the Netherlands with excellent shopping facilities and restaurants. Kruisherenhotel is only a few steps away from the main shopping streets.

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As soon as I entered the hotel, I was impressed and immediately noticed that this truly is a unique place to stay… The lobby are is just gorgeous. Again, the extreme contrasts between history and designer elements took my breath away. The exquisite detailing and decor of the original structure were retained wherever possible. There are several cozy sitting areas in the lobby area for relaxing meet ups with friends.

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Check-in was very efficient and friendly. Service level of this hotel seems to be pretty good. Every staff member I met was friendly and informative. Our keys were handed and we couldn’t wait to explore more of this beautiful place.

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Kruisherenhotel isn’t a very large hotel, it has 60 rooms – all very comfortable and up to date. The Deluxe room we stayed in had a good size and had all the facilities I would expect of a five star hotel such as a very comfortable bed, designer elements and a Nespresso coffee machine. The room has a nice and comfortable couch and a good sized working desk.

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Bathroom had – again –  a good size and featured a nice bath tub and good quality bathrobes and slippers. Do note that each room at Kruisherenhotel is different in lay out which makes this hotel unique.

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Kruisherenhotel does not offer spa facilities. However, guests can use the wellness facilities (indoor pool, steam room and sauna) at their partnering hotel Château St. Gerlach located only 15 minutes of the hotel. We didn’t make use of these facilities as there are enough things to do in Maastricht. You really are in the city center which is very convenient. Did you know that the shops are open on sunday?

At night, we had dinner at Kruisherenrestaurant, a fine dining restaurant located in the main part of the church. I can’t imagine a better place at this hotel for a restaurant… The decor is impressive (as was the food and service!).  Bram Haenen – the leading chef the cuisine of the restaurant – does know how to combine ingredients and how to pamper the guests.

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Only the best local products are used to prepare each dish. The food and service truly are out of this world! The appetizers were well presented and tasted amazing… We started our wonderful dinner with lobster accompanied with avocado, yoghurt, feta, almonds and vadouvan oil. Right from this point I knew that this would be a evening not to forget! The entrecôte “grain fed” served with red union, garlic and gnocchi as a main course was just delicious… And there’s always room for dessert. The combination of sweet and sour was just perfect. I must highlight the service as well! Not too formal, yet professional: top! Our waitress had excellent knowledge about each dish and the accompanying wines!

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After spending a wonderful night, we were ready for breakfast. The buffet style breakfast will please anyone. From several kinds of cheeses to freshly baked pastries, they have it all. I particularly liked the fresh orange juice machine.

Kruisherenhotel is a unique hotel with five star comfort. I was impressed with the design and overall service level. Highly recommended for a romantic getaway with your loved ones!

Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch

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Hotelchain: Pillows hotels
Location: Zwolle – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: pillowshotels.com/zwolle/nl

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After my stay at Pillows Brussels, I fell in love with Pillows hotels and I always wanted to explore Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch in Zwolle. I finally got to stay here when visiting this charming small city in the Netherlands. The location is perfect, the hotel is located in a residential area with not too much traffic. The building is just gorgeous and has been renovated in a very stylish way.

From the moment you arrive you know you have stepped into a classy stylish establishment with designer elements all over the place. We were swiftly checked in to our room & the service from all the hotel staff was impeccable from start to finish. Their warm welcome made it feel like coming home. No ordinary check in here (as usual at any Pillows hotel) – they use their tablet to check you in while you can enjoy a complimentary welcome drink while seated in one of the most comfortable couches. Always a good start!

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The deluxe room we had was both picturesquely beautiful and wonderfully cozy, with all the luxuries I’d expect from a fine hotel and a few more on top such as the Bluetooth streaming Tivoli speakers. The two comfortable chairs were excellent for reading a book. Everything was spotlessly clean and maintained to a very high standard. All linens were fresh, bright and clean. The bed was very comfortable. A bonus and rare for a four star hotel: turndown service! That is right, they will do anything to make sure you will have a great night.

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Bathroom had a good size and featured a walk-in shower, single sink and toilet. Pillows toiletries are provided (and I LOVE them: they smell amazing!). Bathrobes and slippers can be found in every room.

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After exploring the room, we explored the rest of the hotel and we found out that there’s a compact gym on the first floor. Although not too large, the equipment is up to date. I went jogging outside after spending some time at the gym. The location is perfect for an outdoor work-out! For ultimate relaxation, Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch has two infrared saunas which can be used at an additional charge (15 EUR / hour).

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We had dinner at the Coperto Restobar which is located in the new-build conservatory. It was a delightful occasion. The staff were attentive and good humored. The was food beautiful with generous servings, the wine list unbelievably diverse and excellent. I definitely enjoyed the ‘just fucking good wine’ which tasted absolutely amazing. Again, the overall quality of the food was outstanding! As a starter, I thoroughly enjoyed a steak tartare from Ijssel beef with some grape mustard, brittle wafer and cauliflower (I could eat this every day!). The smoked trout in combination with organic carrot, prawn crisps and herring roe was just delicious! And there’s always room for dessert: cheesecake with marinated pineapple and Bastogne caramel biscuits were to die for…The service was quick and efficient but there was no sense of being rushed during the dinner.

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Breakfast is something to look forward to at Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch! As usual, they serve breakfast at table and will make you will have a great start of the day. The homemade granola with Greek yoghurt was outstanding! The à la carte items – which are all included – are of a very good standard… on top of that, you can enjoy several cheeses, meet and fish… Again, all of a very good quality! The freshly baked bread from the local bakery was a bonus!

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The service at Pillows Grand Hotel Ter Borch is impeccable. It’s all in the details and the hotel is well aware of that. The rooms are well appointed and the staff are super friendly and helpful. Everything felt right here! Highly recommended!

Tschuggen Grand Hotel – Arosa

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Hotelchain: Tschuggen Hotel Group
Location: Arosa – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star superior hotel
Official website: tschuggen.ch

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Rated as one of the best hotels in Arosa, Tschuggen Grand Hotel is one of a kind and only offers the best. This top notch five star hotel makes part of the Leading Hotels of the World, so my expectations were high and were met in every single way.

You can’t beat the location, it is not far from the center of the village and the ski slopes are nearby as well. Did you know that they have their own private ‘ski coaster’? That’s right, Tschuggen Grand Hotel has its own private little train, the Tschuggen Express, that brings you directly to the slopes. Very cool!

Front desk staff was very professional and kind. For most people, a quick check in is a must. For me, a check in gives an important first impression of the hotel and its employees. It is the moment to let them know what is important to you. Everything we needed to know about the hotel and the facilities were explained in a very professional yet charming way. What a great start at this gorgeous place!

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Tschuggen Grand Hotel is a pretty large hotel with 128 rooms and suites, all luxuriously appointed and decorated with high quality furniture. Our large suite had some pleasant features such as a large working space with the most amazing view one could wish for! The king sized bed was heavenly… Do you know the feeling when it is freezing outside and you are sleeping in the most comfortable bed with the finest linen? I just LOVE that feeling! The separate cozy sitting area was a bonus and perfect for some browsing on my iPad while enjoying the stunning surrounding mountain views. All amenities in the room were top brand products even the teabags.

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The suite had 2 bathrooms… The main marble bathroom had a great size and both featured a walk-in (rain) shower and bath tub. Luxury toiletries by Asprey by London were a plus! As mentioned before, only the best is offered here. The bathroom was comfortably spacious with enough drawers. Of course, plush bathrobes and plenty of fluffy towels are provided too.

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After exploring the room, I went down to the spa area. I heard great things about this place and couldn’t wait to see it myself. I was WoWed indeed! What a gorgeous place, it is HUGE (5000 sqm). The indoor pool is just beautiful and although the hotel was about fully booked, it never felt crowded. I always appreciate an outdoor pool too, especially with those mountains around you, it makes it even more special. Several saunas and a steam room are available too. The impressive spa at Tschuggen Grand Hotel is the best place to relax and unwind after a day in the mountains.

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Several beauty treatments are offered. I got the chance to experience their signature body treatment. This one hour massage is one of a kind! I have forgotten all my stress from the workload. The therapist was a professional and made me feel at ease from the very first minutes. She also noticed some muscle tension and did her best to relieve it.

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The large fitness area is equipped with the latest machines. Personal coaching is available too as they are working together with the renowned R1 Sportsclub. Talking about sport… The village of Arosa is the perfect place to ski. As most of you know, I love skiing and the ski area of Arosa is beautiful with well connected slopes. As mentioned before, the Tschuggen Express is a little private train that brings you directly to the slopes! It’s a very fun and unique way to get to the slopes! Unfortunately I did not had the change to ride the Tschuggen Express as it was snowing like crazy while I was there… The ski area itself has slopes for everybody, from very easy to scary difficult 🙂 Tschuggen Grand Hotel has its own ski rental shop and ski passes can be bought directly at the hotel, very convenient! If you are not into skiing, cross country skiing or winter hikes are organized too! As the Tschuggen Express wasn’t operating, the brand new Tschuggen Tesla took us directly to the slopes!

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If you are hungry after all the skiing, be sure to check out Restaurant Alpenblick! This chalet styled restaurant is located right on the slopes at a height of 1951 metres! Since the weather was pretty bad for skiing during our stay, we walked to the restaurant. The walk was the perfect way to explore Arosa a little bit more and we had some amazing views. Alpenblick is a 45 minute walk from the hotel. The restaurant itself is very authentic and cozy. Staff was just wonderful and knowledgeable about each dish. As a starter, I ordered the Bünder Gertesuppä – a local barley soup. Loved it (who wouldn’t enjoy a nice cup of soup while snowing outside??). The Wiener schnitzel with a potato salad was the perfect main dish and the home made fried apple dessert was to die for! The vanilla sauce made it even more yummie…

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The hotel offers several dining options. Their Michelin starred signature restaurant La Vetta is the perfect spot for fancy culinary journeys. The restaurant was closed when I was there, but I saw pictures of the dishes and it all looked pretty amazing. We had dinner at The Basement and thoroughly enjoyed every single bite here! This restaurant offers fancy ‘fast food’ inspired dishes. The creations look great and taste even better. The crispy chicken burger Caesar style was to die for and prepared exactly the way I wanted! I also recommend to try the roasted potatoes with bacon and onions… Every excellent dinner ends with a yummie dessert: the frozen yoghurt with several toppings to choose from is a must try! You won’t be disappointed! I LOVE their two bowling lanes in the restaurant itself… We played several games and the lovely staff even gave us some tips, it was the perfect end of our lovely day!

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Breakfast is served at the Grand Restaurant. Breakfast at Tschuggen Grand Hotel is something to look forward to each morning! The buffet is great…. From Swiss cheeses, meat and several kinds of bread to home made fruit crumble with vanilla sauce, they have it all! Do note that a large selections of à la carte options are included such as the ginger power shot, eggs, etc. Each morning, I ordered the granola trifle with berry compote and Arosa curd. Try it yourself, you will love it too J

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At night, guests can enjoy a delicious international dinner here, prepared with only the best ingredients.

For a more casual dinner, La Collina is the best choice. La Collina means hill and true, views from this restaurant are beautiful. Although I didn’t eat here myself, I did look at the menu and everybody will find something to enjoy at reasonable prices.

The Tschuggen Bar is a great place to hang out and meet up with family and friends! I appreciated the live music each night and small aperitif bites before having dinner.

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Tschuggen Grand Hotel is fantastic, rooms are very comfortable, food is delicious and most importantly, the level of hospitality we received from every employee we encountered was remarkable. Everyone I chatted to was wonderful and friendly and made you feel so welcome. We very much look forward to our return and would like to send heartfelt gratitude for looking after us. Actually, at Tschuggen Grand Hotel, everyone is a star! Loved my stay here!

Valsana hotel & appartments

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Hotelchain: Tschuggen Hotel Group
Location: Arosa – Switzerland
Classification: 4 star superior hotel
Official website: valsana.ch

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Valsana hotel & appartments is the newest hotel in the beautiful town of Arosa and of course I had to experience it myself! This is the first hotel in Switzerland to be heated by geothermal probes and an ultra-modern ice battery. How cool is that? The mountain styled hotel has a prime location in the village. The hotel building is stunning, one of the most beautiful buildings in Arosa. From the moment I stepped in, I just knew our stay at this classy four star superior hotel would be flawless…

The most accommodating staff made us feel welcome right from the beginning.

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The rooms are all very comfortably and trendy appointed. I stayed in less beautiful rooms at many five star hotels! The Junior Suite was huge and had a comfortable bed, large bath, work table and a TV I could figure out. There was a spacious sitting area with the most comfortable couches. The parquet flooring adds even more cozy feelings. Good to know that the room even has severak USB ports and chargers which came to be quite useful as Switzerland sometimes has different plugs as we are used to. The bed and linens are absolutely delicious, encouraging one to stay there all day long, which we almost did after our long drive from Belgium. I enjoyed the in-room Samsung tablet for browsing the internet and reading the e-newspapers. The record player was a bonus! Our balcony had superb mountain views. I could sit there all day long! Another good thing to know: a mini bar with complimentary soft drinks in each room!

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Bathroom has a good size and offers spacious rainforest walk-in shower, nice bath tub and single sink. FAIR CosmEthics toiletries were new to me and LOVE LOVE LOVE them! The bath salt was a nice touch!

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Do note that Valsana Hotel has several appartments too. Those appartments are the perfect places to stay with the whole family. Again, all of them are spacious, comfortable and nicely appointed each with their own fireplace. Guests staying in the appartments can, of course, use all the facilities of the hotel.

The hotel has a nice spa area (800 sqm) with an indoor pool. I would call it a ‘pool with a view’ as I enjoyed the views while relaxing in the pool. Two saunas and steam room are available as well. The relaxation area with panoramic views are wonderful. Oh, and I love the swing chairs… they are so relaxing!

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Valsana Hotel & Appartments even has a partnership with the R1 Sportsclub which is specialized in the personal training segment. Their on-site personal trainer Julian gave me customized advice at the gym. He’s a wonderful guy and definitely knows how to motivate people to go the extra mile! They charge for the private personal fitness training, but it is definitely worth the money!

At night, we had dinner at Restaurant Twist – the hotel’s restaurant. The decoration is wonderful, I especially liked the carpets on the walls… they are beautiful! Loved the vibe of this place and although the hotel is brand new, staff treated us in a very professional way and no one would tell they opened only a few weeks ago.  The menu was interesting, varied and well balanced. In terms of the food, the starters were really high quality. We opted for the pasta bowls which were yummie. The pasta, broccoli pesto, oven veggies and toasted sunflower seeds were delicious. The Alpstein chicken and Swiss cheese reminded me of being in Switzerland. I liked the glazed lamp as a main course very much… it came with wild broccoli, mustard fruits and chestnut. Room for dessert? Of course! The homemade ice cream is a must try!

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Twist is also the place where they serve breakfast. This is not your usual breakfast buffet at Valsana hotel & apartments. There are a lot of healthy food which was appreciated! Try their smoothies or order an omelet just the way you like it…

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Valsana hotel & appartments is a trendy and unique hotel. It has a wonderful staff who are tremendously helpful. I am reserving my highest praise for the people who work there. The atmosphere, décor, service are unparalleled. The staff really always go above and beyond to make you feel at home. The hotel itself is first class, the furniture selected with thought and displayed with passion and pride. Arosa has a new jewel in town, this definitely is one of the best four star superior properties in the (large) area! This place is outstanding in all senses of the word. Highly recommended!

Pillows Anna van den Vondel

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Pillows hotels
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: pillowshotels.com/amsterdam-vondel

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Pillows Anna van den Vondel is a fine boutique hotel near the Vondelpark, the largest city park in Amsterdam and one of the most famous parks in the Netherlands! The hotel is centrally placed south of the Leidseplein and near the Van Gogh Museum which is only a 12 minute walk away. Pillows Anna van den Vondel recently got a complete make over and is one of the best four star hotels I have stayed at in Amsterdam!

As every Pillows hotel, the central place to meet people is their Living Room. I just love their ‘feeling home’ concept and with only 31 rooms, this hotel definitely treats their guests in a very personal yet professional way. The decoration is beautiful and I spotted nice artwork all over the place. The welcome drink upon arrival is always a good start! The staff genuinely cared about us. Each time we went through the Lobby we were acknowledged with a smile or a welcome back or a few words on how our trip was going which is what sets a great hotel from an okay hotel. Whenever we came across the housekeeping staff in the corridors they always greeted us with a smile and a quick hello.

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All rooms at Pillows Anna van den Vondel are of a four star level. The room we stayed in was compact, but had all the amenities one could wish for. The bedding and lines were top notch! Our room was as you would expect, spotlessly clean and turndown service was provided. Some items I liked particularly were the Bluetooth streaming Tivoli audio system as well as the smart control system for lights, air conditioning and door locking.  Bathroom featured single sink, toilet and a walk-in shower. It was a great room to hang out and unwind!

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After a wonderful night, we were ready for breakfast! As usaual, breakfast at a Pillows hotel is something to look forward to! The combination of à la carte and buffet style is the perfect match for me. The homemade granola is a must try! Once again, the service was excellent and nothing was asked for too much!

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By the way, the Living Room is the perfect place to enjoy some light bites and drinks. From Monday – Thursday, the open ‘domestic kitchen’ is open and the chef will prepare a daily changing menu prepared with local ingredients. The Table d’Hotes concept is great and although I did not experience it myself, I’m sure the food here is delicious…

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Pillows Anna van den Vondel is a a top notch four star boutique hotel. Although I could stay in the hotel all day long, make sure to go out and explore the Vondelpark. It is a gorgeous park and is full of people who are enjoying a sunny day, dog-walking, jogging, listening to music and even some people watching (I just love doing that… 🙂 ). Do note that Pillows Anna van de Vondel has its own private garden. I can imagine that during summer, this is a very nice spot to enjoy the sun while reading a book!

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I loved my stay at Pillows Anna van den Vondel, incredible how they manage to make you feel at home from the very first minute. That’s what Pillows hotels is standing for, their service level is high and unseen at any four star hotel in Amsterdam. Highly recommended!