Hyatt Place Amsterdam Airport

16 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

Knipsel2

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!

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.

image1 (1)

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.

image4 (1)

image3 (1)

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! 😊

image5 (1)

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.

image6 (1)
photo (3)

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

16 April 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

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!

image5 (1)

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

photo (3)

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!

image3 (1)

One of the highlights of the hotel – literally and figuratively – is their restaurant Floor17, located surprisingly on the 17^th 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.

image1 (1)

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.

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.

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

26 March 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

photo (3)

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.

photo (2) 999

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.

777

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!

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

12 March 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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!

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.

image7 (1)

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.

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).

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.

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!

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

23 January 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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!

photo (22)

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.

photo (10)
photo (9)

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.

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.

IMG_1531 (1)
photo (12)
photo (17)
photo (18) photo (19).jpg

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.

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!

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…

photo (23)
photo (26)
photo (27) photo (28)
photo (24)

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!

photo (16)
photo (13) photo (14)
photo (15)

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

photo (21)

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.

photo (20)
photo (29)

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

22 January 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

image18 (3)
image5 (60)

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!

image22 (2)
image15 (12)
image14 (18) image13 (20)

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!

photo (10) photo (9)

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!

image8 (53)
image2 (84)
image12 (21) image1 (88)
image19 (4)

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!

image7 (56)
image9 (50)

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…

image4 (66)
image3 (70)
image17 (6)

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

19 January 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

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

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.

image2 (84)
image8 (53)
image4 (66) image12 (21)

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!

image15 (12)
image3 (70)

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!

image6 (56)
image13 (20)
image14 (18)

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…

image10 (46)

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!

image11 (20)

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!

Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe – Brussels

1 January 2018HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Pillows Hotels
Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: pillowshotels.com/brussels

image1 (85)

Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is one of the best four star boutique hotel I know in our beautiful capital of Brussels. This hotel recently had a complete make over and I loved loved loved my stay here! The location is excellent, the beautiful city center with the spectacular Grand Place is only a 10 minute walk away. On your way to the city center, you will pass the famous Manneken Pis.

With only 43 rooms, Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is a small hotel which is why they are able to treat their guests in a very personal way. Right upon arrival, we were welcomed with a smile and everything we needed to know about the hotel was told in a very kind way. Checking in while enjoying a welcome drink is always a nice start! I immediately noticed the most comfortable and trendy couches in the lobby area which they call the ‘Living’ – and I can easily see why… this is a perfect place to work, unwind or reading while meeting fellow travelers all over the world. I must highlight the beautiful art work and soft colors they used to decorate the hotel.

image1 (84)
image3 (70)
image9 (50)

After the wonderful check-in, we were ready to check out the rooms. The room we stayed in was very comfortable and featured one of the best beds I have slept in! They are wonderful! The room looked brand new and had a descent size. I enjoyed the French balcony with picture perfect views over Place Rouppe. Other things I appreciated was the Nespresso coffee machine and separate toilet. Bathroom had walk-in shower and single sink. The Pillows toiletries smelled amazing! Every night, turn down service is offered which is seldom at a four star hotel… another advantage of this great hotel!

image7 (56)
image6 (56) image4 (64)

The hotel opened a couple of months ago and they are about to open a brand new spa area which will be opened in the first quarter of 2018. Guests will be able to use a brand new fitness facility, a sauna and steam room. Spa treatments will be offered as well. Do note that only a few hotels in Brussels offer wellness facilities, especially right in the center of Brussels!

What I liked most about our stay, was their restaurant The Living Room’s Domestic Kitchen which is headed by Chef Trung Hoang. He is an excellent chef and worked at The Dorchester in London (***), Va Doux Vent (*) in Uccle and La Durrée (**) in Izegem. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the staff was very professional and knowledgeable about each dish. The whole dining experience took 2 hours and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. This showed that this restaurant and the management is progressive and strived to make a better dining experience. As a starter we enjoyed an asparagus soup followed by salmon … An exceptional dish of autumn colors and flavors with the salmon dressed with radicchio. The duck – as a main course – was absolutely delicious and was the best duck I have ever eaten, hands down! The merengue which we had for dessert was yummie… I could eat this every single day J Make sure to book your table here, you won’t be disappointed!

103
102 101

After a great night, we were ready for breakfast! After our dining experience of the previous evening, our expectations were high and I’m happy to point out they were met again! What a wonderful breakfast they serve at Pillows Grand Hotel Place. This definitely is not a standard breakfast… it is an à la carte breakfast in combination with a (small) buffet with high quality products. The Greek Yoghurt with granola and honey was to die for. Again, service was top notch!

image8 (53)
100

Pillows Grand Hotel Place Rouppe is a one of the best rated hotels in Brussels and I can easily see why. The location is very convenient, the rooms are wonderful, the food is delicious and the service is outstanding! I loved every minute of my stay here and can’t wait to return!

Airport Hotel: Ramada Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

30 December 2017HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Knipsel2

Hotelchain: Ramada
Location: Amsterdam Schiphol
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: wyndhamhotels.com/…iphol-airport/overview

Located near the airport of Schiphol Amsterdam, Ramada Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a great four star hotel with excellent amenities.

Ramada Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is one of the better options if you are looking for a hotel near the airport. I find it very convenient to stay at a comfortable hotel before catching a plane the next morning. Your holiday starts even before you are at your destination! Right upon arrival, I was welcomed with a smile and the front desk staff told me everything I needed to know about the hotel and the facilities. I was happy to find out about the recent renovations the hotel has been undergone. The interior is totally up to date and I immediately liked the contemporary design of the hotel.

image2 (79)

All rooms at Ramada Amsterdam Schiphol Airport are comfortably appointed with all the facilities you’d expect of a four star hotel. Our room was beautifully decorated and very spacious! I appreciated the comfy chairs, couch and excellent bed! Bathroom featured a bath tub and single sink. I was happy to find bathrobes in the bathroom as well, always a bonus! Once again, all rooms at this Ramada hotel are recently renovated. They all look brand new! Another great touch in the rooms is the ‘Handy’ phone, your ‘travel buddy’ to take with you during your stay. This ‘smart phone’ is very convenient and a real advantage! Never worry about roaming charges or getting lost. You can make unlimited local and international calls and browse the internet wherever and whenever you want! Love it!

image4 (64)
image3 (70) image5 (60)
I should definitely mention the onsite indoor pool. Although it is not the newest pool I have seen, it is great to be able to swim after a long flight. Guests can even use the sauna and hammam at no additional charge. Body treatments can be booked here too.

image1 (84)

Their onsite restaurant, de Dam, offers an international cuisine. I really like the contemporary and modern décor of the restaurant. We had dinner here and I must admit the food is outstanding as is the service. We enjoyed a wonderful beef entrecote served with café de Paris butter and green asparagus. A must try is the typical Dutch dessert, the Stroopwafel Ice Cake, I could eat that every single day! Additionally, they have the Damrak Lounge. They call it their ‘living room’ and I can easily see why… this is the place to hang out with your family and friends while enjoying a drink or small bites.

photo (10)
image6 (56)
photo (9)

Each morning, they serve breakfast at de Dam, but since we had to catch a plane pretty early in the morning, I cannot comment on the buffet breakfast … I saw pictures though and it looked great!

Ramada Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a great hotel with a very convenient location near the airport of Amsterdam Schiphol. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service from/to the hotel on a regularly basis. Highly recommended to stay here before or after a flight from Amsterdam Schiphol!

Pulitzer Barcelona

26 November 2017HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Pulitzer
Location: Barcelona – Spain
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: hotelpulitzer.es

Pulitzer Barcelona is a great four star hotel in the center of Barcelona. You can’t beat the location, you are in the middle of it all. The famous Ramblas is only a few minutes away! This is a very convenient location to explore all the major attractions Barcelona has to offer!

They kept the façade of the old historic building which is exactly what they needed to do because it is just stunning and gives the hotel a ‘grand’ feeling! Once inside, i was surprised that the hotel is modern and totally up to date. It looks like a new hotel and you wouldn’t expect that from the outside. The reception staff was friendly and Everything we needed to know about the hotel and its facilities were explained in a very kind way.

image10 (46)

I love the large bar at Pulitzer Barcelona right next to the check in area. Several cozy sitting areas can be found here with plush sofas and amazing drinks at affordable prices! This is the perfect spot to chat with friends and have a great time! It was great to find out that a lot of local people were enjoying themselves in the hotel as well. It is the place where local people and guests merge!

image5 (60)
image4 (64)

The rooms at Pulitzer hotel are of a four star level and although not too large, they do offer all the comfort you’d need for an upmost comfortable stay. I loved the ‘blue themed’ bathroom with bath tub. It was so nice to relax and unwind after a day of exploring this beautiful city! Bathrobes and slippers as well as complimentary water can be found in every room. I must highlight the small balcony which added even more comfort. Always nice to be able to sit outside and watch the everyday life!

image6 (56) image8 (53)
image2 (81)
image2 (79) image1 (82)

Their restaurant, the Greenhouse, offers delightful dishes with a lot of healthy options. Decoration is wonderful, they used a lot of wooden furniture and there are plants all over the place.

image11 (20)
image12 (21)

At night, we thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful dinner here. The chef definitely knows how to combine ingredients, flavors were amazing! As a starter, the micro vegetables with green peas and Pestle bread with maple syrup and butter were delicious. The duck as a main course was outstanding! And we always have some room for dessert, the churros was one of the best I have had in my life! I must mention that each plate was beautifully presented! Service was easy going yet professional – Top!

image14 (18) image13 (20)

The Greenhouse is also the place where they serve breakfast. The Mediterranean buffet consists of several cheeses and meat such as chorizo. Most of you know I love eggs and they do know how to prepare the eggs just the way I prefer! Thumbs up! Each morning guests can enjoy homemade quiches with spinage, definitely a must-try!

As mentioned before, the large bar downstairs is the perfect place to relax and hang out. If the weather is great, a rooftop bar is great option. They have the best cocktails there, be sure to check out the Vermut, I’m sure you will love it as much as I did!

Pulitzer Barcelona is a perfect hotel to visit Barcelona! Each time I entered the hotel, I felt like coming home which is quite unique! Can’t wait to return to this beautiful place with the most convenient location and accommodating staff.

Hotel Advisor Consultant

Elevate your hotel experiences

Menu

Widgets

Search

Z