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!

Hyatt Regency Mexico City

22 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

16 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 15^th 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!

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!

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.

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

16 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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!

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.

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.

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 39^th 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.

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!

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