Location: Zermatt – Switzerland
Classification: 4 star superior hotel
Official website: https://www.hotel-mirabeau.ch/en

All of you know that I’m a huge fan of Zermatt! I was so excited to visit and stay at Le Mireau, one of the top rated hotels in this wonderful town. This upscale four star superior hotel has a prime location within Zermatt. Although the hotel has its age, they recently renovated the entire hotel. It’s totally up to date with wonderful decorations all over the hotel.

The building itself gave me this grand feeling right upon arrival. The lobby area is luxurious, well maintained and gave me a good first impression. Check-in staff was among the best I have ever met. A big smile, asking how the journey was while arranging our keys was a lovely experience. After I was told that we would be staying in one of their Alpine Junior Suites with a magnificent Matterhorn view, I could not wait any longer and wanted to see it myself.

I can easily see why our room is called a Alpine Junior Suite. Decorated in a very stylish way, the room absolutely had everything I would expect from a four star superior property. The wooden details in our room were wonderful. The sitting area with two comfortable couches was great for lounging and relaxing. The bed was extremely comfortable. And probably the best thing about the room was the wonderful view of the Matterhorn. It actually is one of my favorite mountains, I could look at it all day long 😊

Bathroom featured a bath tub, an oversized walk-in shower, toilet and oversized sink. Turn down service was provided every night, always a bonus!

You could never get bored here! I was happy to find out that the hotel has a large beautiful indoor new built pool. It is a very large pool for hotel standards and has the ideal water temperature. The adjoining jacuzzi is great to relax. The Alpine spa area is a must visit when you stay at Le Mirabeau offering several relaxing areas with waterbeds (probably the most comfortable loungers I have experienced at any hotel), several kinds of sauna’s (including a Valaison wood sauna and a mountain herb-scented sauna), a mountain crystal steam bath and a glacier shower (which is a treat after a session in a hot sauna). There are also several treatment rooms and a (small) fitness room. I just loved the spa area and recommend you to experience the same!

There are several dining options at the hotel as there are two on-site restaurants. Restaurant Veranda is the main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I must say that breakfast at Le Mirabeau is a top notch gourmet breakfast… One of the better I have ever experienced in Zermatt with everything one could wish for. The extensive buffet has to offer something for anybody. Sparkling wine was a bonus! Do note that they offer several à la carte options as well. Restaurant Veranda has been awarded with 14 Gault Millau points. The tasting menu we enjoyed at night was delicious. From the beef carpaccio to the wonderful veal, it all not only tasted great, the presentation was also perfect. Service was great.

Marie’s Deli is located right at the entrance of the hotel. I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant, it offers local traditional specialties and French delicacies. Besides the restaurants, the hotel has a cosy bar where they serve fancy cocktails in a classy environment.

I loved my stay at Le Mirabeau and definitely recommend staying here when you are in Zermatt. Every staff member I met was friendly, professional and did everything to make sure I had a great time. Highly recommended!

Hotelchain: Rotana
Location: Amman – Jordan
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: https://www.rotana.com/rotanahotelandresorts/jordan/amman/ammanrotana

Amman Rotana, Amman’s tallest tower, is a top notch five star luxury hotel. Guests are pampered here and the staff will make sure you thoroughly enjoy your stay! It definitely is one of the best hotels in town… let me tell you why…

First of all, location is great! The district of Al-Abdali is an upscale are in Amman. Also, several shopping malls are nearby. The hotel itself is quite huge with 412 rooms and suites. When I arrived, I immediately fell in love with the colorful and playful interior designs. Trendy details and the most friendly staff made me feel at ease. I wanted to look behind every corner because they know how to surprise their guests here. I did notice a lot of interesting modern art work as well. Amman Rotana is a true definition of a design hotel with colorful themes all over the place.





Check-in was very efficient and the Jordan hospitality made the check-in procedure even more pleasant. Our keys to the room were handed in just seconds and they gave us enough information about the hotel and its facilities without giving too much information, great! Everybody here seems to work with great pleasure and are proud to work for Amman Rotana. Always nice to notice as a guest.

The premium room we stayed in, was spectacular indeed! The design theme is noticeable in the rooms too. It had a good size at 44m², an amazing king sized bed and a large working desk. The view from up here is spectacular. Being Amman first tower hotel, make sure you get a room on one of the higher floors. You won’t regret! Watching the city life from the comfy chair is a must do when you stay here 😊




The bathroom had separate bath tub and walk-in rain. Toiletries are provided and are one of the best I have seen in any hotel.



After exploring the stunning room, I started to explore Amman Rotana a bit more. The hotel has a great pool area during the summer months. If you are more into working out, Amman Rotana offers a full size fitness facility with up to date equipment. Again, the place is designed in such a good way. At most hotels, the fitness facility is located in some sort of basement. At Amman Rotana, even the fitness facility does look luxurious.



Right next to the gym is the Health Club. Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club is the place to relax and unwind after a full day exploring beautiful Amman.

The hotel offers several dining options, ranging from casual to more formal. We had dinner at Rodeo Grill and honestly, I ordered one of the best steaks ever! I loved the funny elements such as the giant bulls. It are those elements that make Amman Rotana such a special place. The food here is just delicious. This must be one of Amman’s best steak houses. All steaks are cooked in their signature Josper wood fired oven and do taste amazing. Make sure to check them out yourself! I must also highlight the staff, they are wonderful and make sure you will have a great night.






If you are more into Italian food, make sure to book your table at Gusto Italian Restaurant. The open kitchen is entertaining and the chef definitely knows how to offer tasty food. Threesixty All Day Dining is a buffet style restaurant with an international kitchen. This is also the place where breakfast is served. Breakfast at Amman Rotana is something to look forward to! The food choices are endless. It truly is a five star breakfast.



Another highlight during my stay was the High Tea experience at the Club Rotana Lounge which is located on the 42^nd floor, the highest floor of the hotel offering the most stunning panoramic views over Amman. It is just beautiful. Staff was very attentive and kind.




Amman Rotana is not a standard five star hotel, it is a destination on itself with unique and trendy features and facilities. From the stylish decorated rooms to the most fantastic dining options and wonderful staff, I am sure that this hotel will please even the most desiring guests! I expected much of this hotel and they surpassed my expectations! Thumbs up, Amman Rotana!

Hotelchain: Mövenpick
Location: Dead Sea – Jordan
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: https://www.movenpick.com/en/middle-east/jordan/dead-sea/resort-dead-sea/overview/

Situated right at the Dead Sea, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is one of the top beach resorts in this area. This luxurious five star resort has been set up as a village. Walking around this resort is like walking on a movie set. Although the resort has opened many years ago, it still looks up to date. The entire resort is maintained in an excellent way!

The gorgeous entrance truly is spectacular. You enter the beautiful lobby area and immediately notice the fantastic view all over the resort. The floor to ceiling windows feature amazing views of the turquoise blue colored Dead Sea! I couldn’t believe my eyes, it is so beautiful… so peaceful and oh so romantic. When I think of a luxury resort, this is exactly what I would expect. Check-in was very efficient and personal.



The brand is well known for its service and overall quality. When I entered the hotel, everything felt right here. After check-in we were escorted to our beautiful Premium Room. The room we stayed in was very spacious and I loved the contemporary and modern design. The beds truly were among the best I have experienced! The comfy couches were great. I also appreciated the large balcony with the perfect lounge chairs to relax. Our Premium Room had access to the private pool area. That’s right, Premium Rooms have their own adults only pool. It is the perfect spot for relaxing.




Bathroom with marble furnishings was also super nice with separate bath and a great walk-in shower and large sink. Fancy toiletries with Dead Sea minerals were a treat! Bathrobes and slippers are provided for your convenience.



There is so much to do here and even just walking around the resort is so much fun. It is almost unbelievable how well maintained this place is. I saw staff working and maintaining the gardens every time of the day. There are several main pools located right at the beach. The infinity pools are large and very clean and offer amazing panoramic views. There’s a great laid back ambiance around the pool and beach area with a lot of comfortable loungers. No need to put your towels here to ‘reserve’ your spot in the sun. Pool service was great too, they greet you as soon as you approach the pool area and make sure you’ll have everything you need.





Make sure to take a swim in the Dead Sea! The salty water make you float around. Oh and don’t forget to use the mud afterwards. It is great for your skin.

There are several secrets spots to be discovered at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea. Let me share some secrets: there’s a super nice Wellness & Spa area. This is the place to book relaxing spa treatments. There’s also a sauna and steam room available and a fully equipped fitness center.

Breakfast at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is something to look forward to each morning. At Gaia, a gourmet breakfast buffet was waiting for us each morning. The freshly prepared omelets and waffles are a must try! They are sooooo yummie! I also appreciated the fresh and unique contemporary design of this restaurant. The food was amazing, each item we tried was fresh and tasted excellent. The panoramic views are fantastic!



At night, we had dinner at Luigi’s, their signature Italian restaurant. The food and service were outstanding.  Service was so friendly… They will make sure you are enjoying your time here and every single request has been taken care of with a smile! The pizza was outstanding!
There was even live music and a belly dancer when we were there which made our evening even more perfect! Did you know that Mövenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea is the only hotel in the area with live entertainment?



Another great dining option would be Almyra Beach House for delicious sushi. I love the location of this place. In the large semi open area right at the beach, it’s great to hang out and soak up the stunning views. There are other stylish bars and restaurants all over the resort.



Our Mövenpick experience was amazing! From the beginning to the end, everything felt right here! Highly recommended for a romantic getaway near the Dead Sea!

Hotelchain: Relais & Châteaux
Location: Lanaken – Belgium
Classification: 5 star Superior Hotel – La Source Restaurant (Michelin **)
Official website: labutteauxbois.be

One of the best five star hotels in Belgium, la Butte aux Bois is nestled in peaceful Lanaken. As you approach this unique hotel, you’ll hear the sounds of birds and notice the beautiful surroundings. The hotel used to be a great manor house built in 1924. When the Bullens family moved into the manor, they opened a restaurant in 1986. A few years later, they opened the hotel. La Butte aux Bois has undergone several renovations and is one of the very best hotels in Belgium and a member of Relais & Châteaux. 2 years ago, a completely new building has been added with 20 gorgeous rooms and a brand new wellness center, La Forêt.

As soon as you enter the hotel, you’ll feel a sense of luxury and details. The contemporary décor made a great first impression. There are designer elements all over the place. The wooden details match perfectly with the dark designer floors. The young woman behind the front desk made us feel very welcome and offered a glass of sparkling wine, always a good start! I knew this was going to be a great experience, this place truly has character. Sometimes you immediately feel at home and at La Butte aux Bois they welcome you with a great smile.

We stayed in a brand new La Forêt room and we were very pleased when we entered the room. Again, the wood and designer elements are just gorgeous. The room had a great size and was built and decorated with eye for detail. The very comfortable couch was perfect for relaxing. I hate to lay on bed when reading a book, so I did appreciate the large couch. On top of that, each La Forêt room has amazing views over the forest. 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. 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.

The comfortable and modern bathroom had a tub and separate rainshower. They provide La Forêt toiletries and trust me, they do smell amazing! I must highlight the soft towels!

La Butte aux Bois has 2 restaurants: Le Bistrot and La Source. We experienced La Source, a gastronomic Michelin rated (**) restaurant and we were blown away by the food. We thoroughly enjoyed our 8 course meal with wine pairing. Do believe me, I have been to many restaurants and I can honestly say that La Source is one of the best places I have ever been. Head chef Ralf Berendsen is an artist. He knows how to combine fresh ingredients. It seemed as if the courses would never stop coming. My favorite courses were the monkfish which came with Iberico Belotta, artichoke, basil and foie gras. Also, the Anjou pigeon was just delicious. Every course we had the most magnificent flavors you could possibly imagine. The pictures will speak for themselves.

The service was almost unmatched and they really made you feel warm and cozy. Our La Source experience was the exhibition of art in food preparation and presentation. I loved every second of being there.

The next morning, I visited the spa area. I could spend here a whole day. Did you know that you can even visit the spa for a day without actually staying at the hotel. That is right, they have a day spa with a luxurious lounge with fruit and drinks. The relaxation area is absolutely gorgeous and so relaxing. They do offer the most magnificent spa treatments in the most comfortable spa suites. On top of that, the large indoor swimming pool is large enough for actually lap swimming and I’ve found the water temperature to be pretty pleasant. Next to the pool, guests can use a large Finnish sauna, infrared sauna and a large steamroom. The outdoor terrace is perfect for tanning. The outdoor jacuzzi is a treat. I spent a lot of time in there 😊

Breakfast is served at Le Bistrot and as soon as you enter the restaurant they offer a delicious smoothy and fresh orange juice. The buffet-style breakfast offers a large selection of both hot and cold items and all products are of a good quality. Several à la carte options are available. Sparkling wine is offered to the guests as well. Very nice!

La Butte aux Bois is a one of the few five star superior hotels in Belgium and I can honestly say I was blown away here. Everything they do, they’ll do it in style. Without being over the top. I could be me and again, I enjoyed each moment in this jewel. Highly recommended for a luxurious getaway!

Hotelchain: Jumeirah
Location: Dubai – UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel deluxe (some say world’s only 7 star hotel)
Official website: http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab/

Internationally renowned as world’s most luxurious hotel, I had the opportunity to experience the famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai. It is located on a man-made island, 280 meters from the Jumeirah beach. It is the flagship of the Jumeirah hotel group.  Only hotel guests (or guests with a reservation in one of the restaurants) can enter the hotel, so there is no sightseeing here.  This is a good thing, as I saw a number of people at the front gate taking pictures of the hotel.

Location

Located at Jumeirah beach, Burj Al Arab is located between Dubai Marina and Business Bay. There’s a holiday vibe around the area.

When I approached the entrance, I was impressed with the height of the hotel… 321 meters above sea level… Trust me, it is HUGE!  As soon as you enter the Burj Al Arab, you will enter in a completely different world.  I truly was blown away… Gold everywhere.  It is reportedly the only 7 star hotel in the world and I can easily understand why.  After taking the escalator — with a huge aquarium – you can look up 200 meters. A lot of looking up!  Did you know that the Statue of Liberty would fit inside?  Also, there are dancing fountains all over the place with tons of different programs, so you’ll never get bored when watching!

The suites

There are no rooms in the Burj al Arab, only suites. Starting at 170m² (1,829 sq. ft.), all of the rooms are duplex suites, each with the highest level of comfort one could wish for.  The Burj has 1600 staff members looking over “only” 202 suites.  So that’s… eight members for each suite? Yep! There is a private check-in and butler service for each suite. No waiting times here at the reception. They explain everything you need to know and will do anything you ask — like making reservations in one of the restaurants, booking day trips to the city, making sure you will get the dessert you want, etc.

Every suite in the Burj Al Arab is beautifully decorated. Although the hotel opened back in 1999, the suites look very up to date and brand new. From the marble entrance with large staircase to the oversized living rooms, you will feel like a king or queen while walking around. They have the world’s most expensive mattresses, which can be adapted to customer needs and preferences. These things are making this hotel truly unique; returning guests are assured they will have a wonderful night.

The bathrooms are huge — they used Italian marble – and you will be so relaxed after spending some time in the oversized jacuzzi.  Oh, a great thing: did you know that Hermès produced a special edition of perfume for the Burj Al Arab?  That is right, full-size Hermès Burj Al Arab amenities (female + male) are offered to guests at no additional charge. Of course, you could take them home as a souvenir.

Spa facilities

A full spa – the Talise Spa – is located on one of the top floors. I was not able to take pictures of the spa area, but there is an indoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness, etc. Several treatments are offered and after a relaxing massage you can relax in the spa resting area, accessible for guests only, of course. From there, you can look straight down (200 meters!) to the ground level. Very impressive and not recommended when afraid of heights 🙂

Spa treatments are excellent! They exactly know how to make you feel at ease and so relaxed. Just tell them which pressure you prefer and you will enjoy every single minute. The soft music all over the place made it even more relaxing.

There is also an outdoor pool area — and the Burj has its own beach across the bridge. The recently opened Terrace is stunning! For water fun, there is complimentary access to the Wild Wadi Waterpark, which is located across the bridge.

The famous Burj Al Arab hotel is one of Dubai’s highlights and one of world’s best hotels… The hotel’s immaculate reputation is well earned and you will be impressed with every aspect of your stay!

Hotelchain: Mandarin Oriental
Location: Bangkok – Thailand
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: mandarinoriental.com/bangkok

The famous Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the flagship of the prestigious Mandarin Oriental Group. The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok was the first hotel in Thailand and is more than 140 years old, it was built in 1876. Today it is still one of world’s best hotels. Actually, it has been rated as world’s best hotel for 10 years and I can easily understand why. I was so fortunate to stay here and truly was and still am blown away by the service and comfort they provide.

Location

You can’t beat the location, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is located right next to the Chao Phraya River and the most popular tourist sites are nearby. The public boat will take you to the Grand Palace in just about 15 minutes.

This ultra-luxurious five star hotel offers 324 rooms and 44 suites, a world-class spa and several high end restaurants which I will tell you more about later.

As soon as I entered this palace, I noticed the attention to details. The way they combined the elegant Thai style with seductive modern touches is just wonderful. Mandarin Oriental hotels are known for their hospitality and service. Several staff members actually remembered my name. Those are small things, but they make a world difference. Every single staff member I met, greeted me with a smile and took care of every request in a very kind and professional way. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a traditional Thai flower hand garland.

Rooms/suites

We stayed in a deluxe room and luxurious it definitely was. They decorated the rooms in a very elegant and very classy way. The leather couch was great for watching television. I could have spent here all day long 🙂 The view over the river and Bangkok’s surroundings was great. I watched the long tail boats floating by while enjoying some drinks. This is what a perfect hotel room looks like. Even the marble bathroom was an eye catcher featuring a separate bath tub and walk-in shower. The silk bathrobes were amazing. Another feature I appreciated very much was the in-room interactive entertainment system which allows iPod/MP3 integration. The high quality audio system was of a very good quality. All rooms at the Mandarin Oriental come with Butler Service, always a bonus! Did you know that the Mandarin Oriental has one of the highest staff to guest room ratio in the entire hotel industry (3 staff per guest room)!

The recently redecorated rooms at the Author’s Wing are very stylish and the Royal Suite which I visited was the best and most luxurious suite I have ever seen, hands down!

Restaurants/bars

At night we had dinner at Sala Rim Naam offering an authentic Thai cuisine, but first we had some cocktails at the Bamboo bar. It was pretty hard to choose from the extensive cocktail menu but the very knowledgeable bartender gave us some good recommendations.   While we were enjoying the delicious Thai food (I LOVE Thai food!), we were enjoying a classical Thai dance show. We were in Bangkok for just a few days and this was the perfect evening to experience the true Thai tradition and hospitality. I thoroughly likes the Mussamun Nuea, the southern style beef curry with sweet potato and onion. The menu was prepared in an excellent way and service was top notch! Although there’s a smart casual dress code where they kindly request guests to wear elegant attire, the atmosphere was very relaxed and easy going.

Pool area

The next morning I started my day with a swim in the stunning pool. There are two pools, a wading pool which is perfect for leisure and a 25 metre long pool which is ideal for swimming laps. As soon as I approached the pool area, staff member greeted me and gave me some plush towels and some water. Although the Mandarin Oriental is right in the middle of Bangkok, it felt like a hidden gem here. It was so quiet here… fantastic way to start my day! Beside the pools, a full fitness center is available 24 hrs. They offer complimentary fitness classes… After your work out you can relax in the sauna, steam room or jacuzzi. And if you are into tennis and/or squash, the Mandarin Oriental has two outdoor tennis courts and one squash court.

Spa facilities

If you just want to relax make sure you visit the Spa facilities which are located in a separate building across the river. The spa of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is one of Asia’s leading spa center offering several beautifully decorated treatment rooms and steam facilities. They even have a few ‘specialty suites’ for couples with private steam showers and vitality pools.

I enjoyed a after-jet-lag treatment and absolutely loved it! After selecting my favorite scent I felt so relaxed and almost fell asleep which is a huge compliment. Just take a look at their spa menu as they offer several kind of treatments.

Then it was time for breakfast! Breakfast is served at the Riverside Terrace and believe me, having breakfast here with such a stunning view is just awesome! Quality of the food was outstanding! The riverside terrace offers stunning views. I enjoyed the long tail boats passing by. Service was great, never was asked for too much. Do try their home made yoghurt and pastries!

No wonder the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is well known for its service and overall facilities! The high reputation is well deserved and I can easily understand why this hotel is one of world’s leading hotels! From the personal printed writing paper with your name on it to the fresh flowers all over the room… The Thai hospitality is amazing and I can’t say enough good things about this hotel! Six stars all the way!

Location: Krakow – Poland
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: https://www.hotelunicuspalace.pl/

Hotel Unicus Palace is one the newest five star hotels in the heart of Krakow. You really can’t beat the location, the hotel is located on one of the most stunning places in Krakow, in the historic city center. Make sure to walk along one of Krakow’s most prestigious promenade. A must see is the famous Market Square, Europe’s largest medieval market square. It’s really impressive and only a few steps away from the hotel.

The historic building is gorgeous and is considered as a historic monument. It used to be a townhouse and is beautifully renovated. Once you enter Hotel Unicus Palace, you enter a top notch five star 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.




Hotel Unicus Palace has 60 luxuriously appointed rooms in different categories. We stayed in a deluxe room which I liked very much. For city hotel 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 Hotel Unicus Palace 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 Hotel Unicus Palace has several apartments with the same contemporary décors and features? Those apartments are perfect for families and friends when visiting beautiful Krakow! 

For me, one of the key features of Hotel Unicus Palace is the SPA Zone. This is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. The spa area is located on the lower floor of the hotel and the ceilings are pretty amazing. The indoor pool is pretty large for a city hotel 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 Hotel Unicus Palace is The Unique Taste restaurant. Although we didn’t have dinner there, this restaurant receives lovely reviews and comments. I must highlight the beautiful décor and high quality furniture.



After a great peaceful night, we were hungry again and couldn’t wait to explore breakfast. After our wonderful experiences at Hotel Unicus Palace, 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. Make sure to try the crêpes, they are delicious!!

 
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 Krakow! Amenities at Hotel Unicus Palace truly are impeccable! I loved every single aspect of our stay!