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Hyatt Regency Amsterdam

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Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: amsterdam.regency.hyatt.com/…n/hotel/home

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Hyatt Regency recently opened a hotel in Amsterdam. Of course, after staying at the Andaz Prinsengracht, I needed to explore this brand new Hyatt hotel as well and it didn’t disappoint!

This five star hotel is located near the city center of Amsterdam, it is just a 15 minute walk to all the major attractions beautiful Amsterdam has to offer! Hyatt Regency Amsterdam is located near the beautiful Plantage district. The Tropenmuseum – a ethnographic museum – is only a short walk. The historic canal area is just 15 minutes away by foot.

Entering this hotel is entering a contemporary styled luxury hotel with all the comfort one could wish for. The lobby area is spacious and their ‘living’ green wall definitely is an eye catcher. Check-in staff was very helpful and accommodating and after some useful information, they handed us the keys for our room.

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They integrated the whole ‘green’ theme throughout the entire hotel, the wallpaper in the rooms has botanical illustrations on it, even in the hallways. Very nice!

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All rooms at Hyatt Regency Amsterdam are luxuriously appointed and have decent sizes compared to other hotels in Amsterdam. I love the design and lay-out of the rooms particularly the oversized desk and (ultra comfortable!) cozy couch.

The bathroom had one of the best walk-in showers I have experienced so far. I should definitely highlight the pharmacopeia toiletries. They smell amazing!

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We had access to the Regency Club Lounge – a very nice and relaxing area! I was pretty impressed with this lounge, the décor is – again – contemporary and I loved the fact that they have some beautiful artwork here. The Regency Club Lounge offers some pastries in the morning and all day complimentary soft and hot beverages. In the evening, a very large selection of small bites are offered as well as several types of wine and spirits. A must try are the home-made apple crumble with vanilla sauce. Very yummie!

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After exploring the room and Regency Club Lounge, I went down for a work out. The onsite fitness center is excellent and pretty large for a hotel. Working out while watching television is the perfect combination.

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After burning calories, it was time to enjoy wonderful meal. Mama Makan is their fine dining restaurant, located on the ground floor next to the lobby area. This Indonesian styled restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy an Indonesian meal prepared by the Indonesian lady chef Rosmina Napitupulu. The restaurant is beautifully designed and staff was super friendly and knowledgeable about each dish and drink.

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We ordered the chef’s Rosima’s rijsttafel (rice table). This definitely is their signature choice! The rice table consists of an exciting variety of dishes – or let’s call them tapas – from all over Indonesia. The food truly was outstanding. I particularly liked the Sate Ayam Daging Dan Lilit as a starter, the Tongseng Kambing and Terung Sambal Balado as main course. The dessert, a selection of home-made ice cream and sorbet along with fresh fruit, was a treat! We loved the rice table, the small portions were excellent and each bite was divine!

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Hyatt Regency Amsterdam is a brand new top notch five star hotel near the center of Amsterdam. I felt great here and can recommend this hotel for your next trip to Amsterdam! Be sure to check out Mama Makan too when you’re there, you won’t be disappointed! J

Hilton Paris Opéra

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Hotelchain: Hilton
Location: Paris – France
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: www3.hilton.com/…/hilton-paris-opera-PAROPHI

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Hilton Paris Opéra is one of the best four star hotels I have stayed at in the city of lights. This upscale hotel has a prime location in Paris and offers the most comfortable rooms one could wish for. I was surprised with this hotel, let me tell you why…

Although, Hilton Paris Opéra is located within a historic building, when I entered this hotel I was blown away by how they managed to combine a contemporary style without eliminating the historic touches. The grand lobby area is gorgeous with large chandeliers and comfortable couches. Again, the well-designed bar is an eye-catcher and definitely a must-visit! Their cocktails are delicious – check it out yourself 🙂

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Check-in went smoothly and in just seconds, we were ready to explore our room. Every room at Hilton Paris Opéra is luxuriously appointed and the fact that almost every room has a different shape does add some charm to this place. No ordinary, boring rooms here … all rooms are decorated in a very stylish way. Although I was in the middle of Paris, the room had a descent size. I had plenty of room to work, relax and sleep. Perfect!

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Bathrooms are impressive and again, large. Each bathroom is equipped with a walk-in shower and marble sinks.

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As every Hilton, this hotel also has an executive lounge. For an additional charge, guests are able to relax, work, eat and drink in a private lounge located on the first floor. Some lounges at hotels are pretty boring, but the one at Hilton Paris Opéra is definitely worth the upgrade. From candies to afternoon treats, they have it all here. Guests can enjoy complimentary soft and hot drinks throughout the day. During the evening hours (6pm-8pm), complimentary wine and spirits are offered as well as light bites. Breakfast is served here as well and is included when you have access to the executive lounge so once again, definitely worth the price!

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Each morning, a large breakfast buffet is available next to the executive lounge. The food was outstanding with several hot à la carte items which are included in the rate.

Hilton Paris Opéra is a top notch four star hotel in the center of Paris. The grand boutique feeling is noticeable throughout the entire hotel! Loved it!

 

Sofitel Frankfurt Opera

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Hotelchain: Sofitel
Location: Frankfurt – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: sofitel.com/…-frankfurt-opera/index.shtml

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Do you know the feeling when you walk into a hotel and immediately feel at home? I had this feeling at Sofitel Frankfurt Opera! This top notch five star hotel only opened one year ago and definitely is one of my favorite hotels in Frankfurt! The hotel is located on one of the prime locations in the city, on the iconic Opernplatz. I explored the neighborhood and noticed the fancy luxury shops around the hotel. All major things you should visit in Frankfurt are within walking distance. The friendly concierge gave me a map and some helpful tips on things I needed to see.

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As mentioned before, I was impressed with this hotel right from the beginning. The intimate lobby area is impressive with all its art work. Sofitel worked together with several interior designers such as the Parisian designer Nicholas Adnet and Berlin designer Frank Stüve. Everything is translated in the feel of 17th and 18th century Parisian hotels. Trust me, this is not just an ordinary hotel, behind every corner, a new surprise is waiting for you! Let me share some pictures of the beautiful art work I noticed at the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera.

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The Junior Suite I stayed in was very large and luxuriously appointed. All the amenities I would expect from a five star luxury hotel were there such as coffee making facilities, mirror television and (of course!) Sofitel’s MyBed… Still one of my favorite beds! The suite also had a nice sitting area with the most comfortable couches and a nice working desk with designer touches such as the fancy designer phone (it is ALL about details!).

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Bathroom was very large featuring a bathtub, a large walk-in (rain)shower and fancy Hermes toiletries. Some highlights of the bathroom were the Skinjay shower capsules and the Japanese toilet with electrical control elements. Skinjay capsules revolutionize the shower experience, delivering nutrients straight to your skin. It is a true in-room spa experience! They have different capsules for you to experience. I tried several and recommend the ‘Pschhht’ capsule with a Cola (!) smell. Truly surprising! I need to point out that only suites have the capsules and electronic toilet (request for an upgrade upon arrival, if they have any suites available they might upgrade you for a small surcharge).

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Sofitel Frankfurt Opera has on site spa facilities. The hotel has a partnership with the neighboring Fitness First and guests of the hotel can use the (large) indoor pool and sauna/hammam facilities at no additional charge. Do note that the hotel has its own (small) gym.

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The hotel offers several beauty treatments. I thoroughly enjoyed the Skin-Body-Mind treatment by Decleor. A treatment that incorporates the body and face through the products used by Decleor. The therapist was a true professional! She first showed me around the spa facilities. I was pleasantly surprised by the size and facilities. The place is just beautiful and peacefully decorated. This is the perfect place to unwind. She explained what she was going to do and I do appreciate that as some people just start a treatment without any explanation. The 90’ that followed were true relaxing. The pressure was perfect as requested. I must highlight the Decleor product which are high quality products. Highly recommend to book a treatment here! You won’t be disappointed!

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Another highlight at the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera is the Schönemann restaurant and Lili’s wine bar. Both are named after the first great love of famed German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was born in Frankfurt in 1749. Dinner at the Schönemann restaurant was delicious! I started with the freshly sliced yellow fin tuna tartar with wasabi cream and coriander, one of the best I’ve ever had! The dry aged rib-eye from butcher Ludwig as a main course was to die for and prepared just the way I asked for. I always have some space for dessert, the crème brûlée cake of Bourbon vanilla was fantastic! Yes, it was a cake with some fresh fruit and some crème brûlée on the top.

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This is also the place where they serve breakfast. Breakfast at Sofitel Frankfurt Opera is something to look forward to! It consists of an extensive buffet and several à la carte options. A bonus is the complimentary sparkling wine! A must try is the apple crumble pie… Loved it!

I can’t say enough good things about the Sofitel Frankfurt Opera. This well designed hotel is one of the most luxurious hotels in Frankfurt with an intimate yet stylish design. This is not a hotel just for business travelers, also leisure travelers will appreciate the unique prime location and facilities. Can’t wait to return to this jewel!

Grandhotel Hessischer Hof

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Location: Frankfurt – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: grandhotel-hessischerhof.com

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Grand Hessischer Hof in Frankfurt is known as one of the best hotel in Frankfurt. I just had to explore and experience this hotel myself and I can definitely say that it deserves its good reputation. Making part of the Leading hotels of the World, Grand Hessischer hof offers a very high quality level. The hotel is located in the city center, near the central train station. Whether you are in Frankfurt for shopping, sightseeing or businesses purposes, everything is nearby… Very convenient! Did you know by the way that the nearby famous Frankfurt Messe is the third-largest trade fair in the world? The Grandhotel Hessischer Hof is located directly across the trade fair grounds. I stayed in many hotels in Frankfurt already, but this one definitely has one of the better locations!

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When I entered the hotel, I immediately knew that our stay here would be a great one. The hotel has a great history. Did you know that the hotel is owned by the Hessian princely family? The grand lobby is stylish with beautiful art works and furnishings. Staff made us feel welcome right from the beginning. From the comfortable seating areas to the efficient check-in procedure, everything went smoothly and ultra friendly right from the beginning. With a total of 121 rooms and suites, the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof isn’t a very large hotel which is why they offer a very personal service to each guest.

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The superior room we stayed in was large and ultra luxurious. All rooms are decorated with high quality materials. The lines on the king sized bed were great! The room actually felt like a junior suite to me with an entrée, nice couch and large desk. Other highlights in the room are the complimentary minibar and complimentary shoeshine service!

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The marble bathroom was very comfortable featuring bath tub and separate shower. Grand Hessischer Hof’s toiletries were a plus! Love those…

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The Grandhotel Hessischer Hof has a spa area with sauna, steam room and a complete fitness center. Always nice to be able to make use of those facilities after a day in busy Frankfurt. The place was immaculately clean and staff was, again, very professional and kind. In most hotels, fitness centers are located in the basement of the hotel, but at Grand Hessischer Hof you can enjoy impressive panoramic views over Frankfurt. They even have a large terrace overlooking the surrounding areas.

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The hotel offers several dining options such as Jimmy’s Bar. This traditional bar is fun to hang out and is a Frankfurt instituation for more than 50 years with live piano music in the evenings and the most delicious cocktails. This is the place to be for a nice aperitif before enjoying a delicious meal at Restaurant Sèvres which is one the best restaurants in Frankfurt. This is also the place where they serve breakfast. Having breakfast at the Grandhotel Hessischer Hof is something to look forward to. The extensive buffet truly offers something for just everybody! Some highlights I experienced were the fancy à la carte options (a must try is their cheese-omelette, loved those!) and of course, a glass of champagne is the perfect start of the day!

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Grandhotel Hessischer Hof is one of a kind! I love every aspect of this place. It truly is a ‘grandhotel’ and staying here is a guarantee of a flawless stay in an ultra luxurious environment. You will love it!

Le Méridien Frankfurt

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Hotelchain: Méridien
Location: Frankfurt – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: lemeridienfrankfurt.com

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Le Méridien Frankfurt is a five star hotel in the center of Frankfurt. The hotel is located just a few steps from Frankfurt’s main train station and all major shopping districts are within walking distance. I love the fact that Le Méridien Frankfurt is located within two buildings which obviously are connected to each other. There’s a more traditional building and a contemporary styled building. I visited both sides and must say there both totally different but each with its own charm.

The main areas of the hotel are modern and decorated in a modern yet cozy style. It is great to hang out here and I had the feeling of being at a brand new hotel. Every staff member I met was super friendly and greeted us with a smile! Thumbs up!

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As mentioned before, le Méridien Frankfurt has two different ‘styles’ of rooms. The Chic Palais rooms are located in the historic Palais section. 80 guestrooms are located here and each boast beautiful high ceilings and a warm and intimate ambiance. I recommend those rooms for romantic getaways. The oversized working desk, nice sitting area and comfortable bed look very appealing. Bathrooms feature bathtub, large single sink and toilet.

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The Legacy Wing offers 220 recently renovated rooms. I really like the modern design and layout of the deluxe rooms. They are spacious and offer all the comfort one could wish for. Modern bathrooms have walk-in (rain) showers and oversized sinks.

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The Skyline suite was absolutely mind blowing! It looked like a large city apartment with stunning panoramic views over the skyline of Frankfurt. Beautiful! Marble bathroom was to die for…

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Le Méridien Frankfurt has a fitness center with the latest equipment. The fact that the spa facilities are located on one of the higher floors has a lot of advantages such as the views and outdoor terrace which is the perfect place to cool down after a session in the sauna.

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Definitely a highlight of Le Méridien Frankfurt is their restaurant, Legacy. This restaurant is known for its spare ribs and steaks. We thoroughly enjoyed the overall atmosphere and had a great time here. We started with some signature cocktails followed by the most delicious meal. We started with the smoked juicy spare ribs St. Louis Cut and tender pulled pork. Did you know that their meat rest 24 hours in a barbecue marinade to develop their delicate taste? All I can say is try it yourself, you will love it too! As a main course, we ordered the US Black Angus Filet and loved every single bite. Definitely one of the best steaks I have ever eaten! It came with leaf spinach and steak fries with (of course!) truffle mayonnaise. To finish, we couldn’t resist some dessert which were presented in a very funny way. Loved the presentation! I must highlight the excellent service! Staff was ultra friendly, fun and easy going! Great job!

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Le Méridien is a great five star hotel in Frankfurt which I can totally recommend!

Swiss Luxury Apartments – Geneva

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Location: Geneva – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star aparthotel
Official website: swiss-luxury-apartments.ch

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Swiss Luxury apartments is a top notch five star apartment hotel right in the center of beautiful Geneva! I flew to Geneva and took a train to the city center. From the Cornavin train station, it is only a 5 minute walk to the hotel. Very conventient! You can’t beat the location! This hotel is located in a historical building and on one of the most central spots in the city. All major attractions are within walking distance. The lake with the majestic waterjet is only 2 minutes away from the hotel. By the way, did you know that they offer complimentary tickets for public transportation? I do recommend you to take the boat to cross the lake. The fountain views are amazing!

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Right upon arrival, we were welcomed by the most accommodating and kind staff! The lobby itself is very appealing and I liked the contemporary design. Swiss Luxury Apartments is a small hotel with 24 apartments but they do offer all the amenities for a most comfortable stay.

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Right next to the lobby area is a comfortable relaxing lounge where guests can unwind and enjoy complimentary drinks (coffee, tea, soft drinks, etc.).

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They offer several types of apartments each with either one, two or three bedrooms. All are pretty spacious and designed in a very stylish way. I should definitely highlight the wine refrigerator and complimentary soft drinks and snacks. That is right, at Swiss Luxury Apartments, they offer local products (honey, chocolate and much more) to their guests to enjoy. Our living room had great couches and a dining table. Once again, more than enough room for all four of us!

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Other things I liked about the rooms were the three televisions and the many possibilities to connect and charge your mobile devices. My favorite feature of the room was the Handy mobile phone which you can take with you wherever you are in Geneva. That is right, you can browse the internet, look for great places to go, etc. Never saw that before at any hotel! I took it with me the whole time I was out! Loved it!

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Each bedroom had a comfortable king sized bed and their own bathroom with bathtub and shower. One bathroom even had its own walk-in shower. Spa toiletries are offered and my mother loved the hairdryer! Although this hotel is an all apartment place, they do offer housekeeping services such as daily cleaning and replacement of towels. The whole place is maintained in an excellent way! By the way, I do need to mention the complimentary laundry services! You can go down and request if they can wash and dry your clothes and within 24 hours, they will bring them back to your room – clean! How amazing is that?

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After a wonderful night (loved the beds), we were ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast. I highly recommend to add breakfast to your stay. There’s no on site restaurant, but they do serve breakfast in your apartment. It contains of several types of bread (including a croissant), typical local Swiss gruyere cheese, sliced grison meat, orange juice, Swiss fruit yoghurt (I ate that together with the cereals – a must try!), a selection of Swiss made jams and fresh fruit. Each apartment has a Nespresso coffee machine, so you can enjoy your cup of coffee while having breakfast.

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Swiss Luxury Apartments is an excellent place to stay while in Geneva! I loved the home away from home facilities such as a small kitchen, living room, etc. I appreciated the easy going atmosphere here at Swiss Luxury Apartments and staff member will do anything to make your stay enjoyable! The gift I got when we left, raclette cheese, was a treat! The high service level was appreciated and I recommend this place for anyone looking for a most comfortable stay in the center of this beautiful city. What a great time we had here at Luxury Suites Geneva!

Kimpton De Witt – Amsterdam

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Hotelchain: Kimpton
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: kimptondewitthotel.com

Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam is the first Kimpton hotel in Europe and I heard amazing things about this brand so I was really happy to experience it myself. First of all, you can’t beat the location! Kimpton De Witt is located in the middle of it all, all major attractions Amsterdam has to offer are within walking distance. If you are traveling by train, the central station is only a few steps away. Very convenient!

Although the outside building isn’t really appealing as it was built in the 80’s, I was very surprised with the interior design. The contemporary designed lobby is beautiful and I loved the typical Dutch touches such as the white/blue Delft inspired tiles. The hotel opened in May 2017 and of course everything still looked brand new.

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I appreciated their ‘living room’, filled with cozy sitting areas all over the place. Just stunning! By the way, every night from 5pm-6pm they serve complimentary wine in the living room. The perfect place to meet and chat with international travelers all over the world. Not into wine? All day complimentary tea is available as well. It are those small touches that makes Kimpton De Witt one of the best hotels in Amsterdam!

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Check-in was very efficient and professional. Check-in staff guide their guests to the elevators which is very accommodating and kind.

I stayed in a beautiful decorated deluxe room. The room had a great size and smelled amazing! I should definitely highlight the amazing bed… honestly, one of the best beds I’ve ever slept in! Other things I liked about the room were the small golden blue tooth speaker and designer furniture such as the colorful chair. Even the bird-shaped bedside lights are fun to watch. It’s all about details, right?

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Bathroom, again with the white/blue tiles, featured bathtub with rainshower and single sink. The local Marie-Stella-Maris toiletries were great! Kimpton De Witt loves to work with local products and producers.

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After exploring the room, I went down to explore more about this hotel. I noticed a small city garden right in the middle of the hotel. Just stunning! Too bad the weather wasn’t too great, I can imagine that surfing on my iPad or reading a book here in the middle of the summer would be fantastic! The small garden with swings truly is a hidden gem of this great hotel!

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The House Bar is the main bar of Kimpton De Witt. Amazing how they kept the original elements and combined them with modern contemporary touched and furniture. This is the best place to enjoy fancy cocktails. I liked the overall ambiance. The menu is varied and quality of drinks are good. Make sure to order some typical Dutch specialties like the ‘Bitterballen’.

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Kimpton De Witt has its own on site restaurant, Wyers with an American styled cuisine. The place is beautifully decorated. This is also where they serve breakfast. Did you know that Kimpton De Witt does not offer a buffet style breakfast? That is right, only à la carte options. I liked it, it makes it more personal and it gave this extra little touch to the breakfast. The home made granola with Greek yoghurt and honey was to die for. As a main course I ordered some fried eggs with bacon and loved every single bite! Breakfast at Kimpton De Witt is something to look forward to!

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After breakfast I went down to the gym which has a great size and offers all the necessary equipment. By the way, each guest can rent a bike to explore Amsterdam at no additional cost. Trust me, there’s no better way to explore this beautiful city by bike! Next to the fitness center is a small business center with complimentary printing facilities.

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I love love love Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam! There’s something special about this place and I felt great throughout my stay. Highly recommended!

Park Hotel Vitznau

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Location: Vitznau – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel superior
Official website: parkhotel-vitznau.ch

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Genuine, unique and authentic. These are just some of the word I can use to describe my stay at the legendary Park Hotel Vitznau, often rated among Europe’s best hotels. I have hardly ever experienced a hotel with such unparalleled service and character. The hotel itself, their staff and overall facilities made my stay unforgettable… Let me tell you why…

The hotel is located within a huge luxurious lakeside villa near the small village of Vitznau. The views of Lake Lucerne took my breath away. Words cannot describe how beautiful the scenery here is. The surrounding Swiss mountains made me feel small and relaxed at the same time. The surrounding views kind of inspired me, I could sit on their terrace all day long.

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Right upon arrival, I felt the personal service they provide here at Park Hotel Vitznau. After staying at among the best hotels worldwide, I was impressed with the personal touch and service here. Every guest is treated as a true guest where nothing is asked for too much. Lobby area is bright and I appreciated the luxurious but not too formal atmosphere.

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After a very nice check-in, my room keys were handed. For some hotels, check-in is just some administration that has to be done. At Park Hotel Vitznau, they take their time to get to know you and make sure you feel at ease at any moment.

And then it was time to explore our room. At Park Hotel Vitznau there are no regular rooms, just junior suites, suites and residences, each decorated differently with an eye for details. The in room facilities at the rooms are more than what I expect of a luxury five star hotel! For example, the door of our room opened automatically when we approached the room. It is so convenient when you just have the key card in your pocket, you can enter your room without actually using the key. Although I wouldn’t call the room we stayed in a (junior) suite, the room was comfortable and had all the amenities of a five star hotel.

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Large luxurious granite bathroom featured large and amazing jacuzzi bathtub and huge walk-in (rain) shower. As one would expect from an ultra-luxurious hotel like this, plenty of Molton Brown toiletries are provided.

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The use of the minibar is included with a great selection of soft drinks and wine. Other room facilities I liked were the use of an iPad, Blueray player and Nespresso coffee machine.

There’s a lot to do at Park Hotel Vitznau. Be sure to check out their spa facilities with unparallelled lake and mountain views. The indoor and outdoor pools are perfect to relax and enjoy the surrounding areas. Several saunas are available too at no additional charges. The hotel even has its own ice cave with icy walls, very cool and the perfect spot to cool down after a sauna visit!

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For ultimate relaxation, guests can book one of their signature La Prairie treatments. I experienced the La Prairie men‘s facial which was outstanding. The facial began with a detailed consultation of my skin. This facial is specifically tailored to clean and relax the skin. It was also very relaxing as the therapist massaged my legs and arm while I had a facial mask. The therapist and Spa Manager Meryem was a true professional. At the end, she gave me advice and tips to achieve the best possible results.

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The two restaurants at the Park Hotel Vitznau constitute an undeniable lure to all food lovers. Both restaurants have Michelin stars. Restaurant Focus has two Michelin stars and offers a modern Swiss cuisine. Their chef, Nenad Mlinarevic, was named chef of the year by Gault & Millau in 2016! Their other restaurant, PRISMA, has one Michelin star and an outstanding 16/20 score by Gault & Millau. This is where I had dinner and can’t say enough good things about this restaurant.

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The culinary journey I made here was flawless. Every bite of every course was an adventure of flavors and we wanted more of everything! The food was beautifully presented and tasted even better.  From the crispy pork belly with scallop, homemade kimchi and radish to the apricotsorbet with yoghurt, almond and lime, every single dish was divine!

The timing between the courses was perfectly measured which made me feel that we had not eaten that much. The service was very kind, professional and attentive.

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After a wonderful night (the beds are amazing!) we were ready for breakfast. Honestly, it was the best breakfast I have ever experienced at any hotel. There’s a small buffet with a great selection of fresh fruit, pastries, etc. There’s even a small kids buffet with candies (and even Kinder chocolate eggs…). The all included à la carte options are endless and there’s something for everyone including some delicious egg dishes and pancakes. Some highlights for me were the caviar specialties slices of Grand Cru ham and truffle brie. They also serve some more healthy options such as the vegan quinoa-chia pudding with raisons or the avocado with herbal salad, cottage cheese and pumpernickel. I loved the fresh juices, especially the ‘Vital Boost’ with orange, apple, ginger and beetroot.

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I should also highlight the hotel’s wine collection! They have around 35,000 bottles of wine spread over 6 wine cellars. Wine tasting is possible… very impressive collection, unseen!

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Incredible how they were able to exceed my expectations at Park Hotel Vitznau. It’s all about the small things to life by taking the personal service to heart, making my stay here memorable, unique and truly authentic!

The Chedi Andermatt

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Hotelchain: Chedi
Location: Andermatt – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel superior
Official website: thechediandermatt.com

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Named as the hotel of the year 2017 by Gault Millau, the renowned Chedi Andermatt is an ultra-luxurious five star located near Andermatt, a quiet cozy Swiss mountain village. Chic, authentic and exclusive … this is a real paradise for seekers of rest and relaxation both in winter and summer. As part of the Leading hotels of the world, the Chedi Andermatt offers only the best of the best! I was very impressed with my stay, let me tell you why…

The lobby made a perfect first impression, the overall design is very elegant and is a beautiful combination of cozy mountain design and Asian touches. Truly impressive.

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Upon arrival, I was welcomed by the most friendly front desk staff. They know how to welcome their guests in the most accommodating way! After some useful information about the hotel and its facilities, I was totally ready to explore their beautiful rooms.

The rooms at the Chedi Andermatt artfully mix the Modern Asian style with contemporary design. They embody a sense of warmth and character often lacking in other hotels. The very large and luxurious deluxe suite I stayed in had wooden walls with subtle lighting, a built-in fireplace, rich dark wood furnishings, granite-top vanities and bedside tables. The beds feature pillow top mattresses with leather headboards and fluffy comforters. Lights, doors, music and the fire place are controlled by an in-room iPad. The iPad is user friendly so no complicated maneuvers to control the lights etc. 🙂 I should also mention the mini bar with complimentary soft drinks and the Bose surround system which was a nice touch!

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The bathrooms feature convenient touches such as lots of storage cubicles and chrome fixtures. The free standing bathtub was gorgeous and relaxing after a day in the mountains. Separate toilet and rain shower were great. Premium Acqua di Parma toiletries are provided in every room.

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I was blown away with the spa area here… On 2,400 square metres, the place is huge and ultra luxurious appointed! I truly was impressed with this peace of heaven. There are two pools here to enjoy, one outdoor and one indoor pool. Both are large and in an unique setting. I enjoyed several types of saunas and a steam room as well as some very cozy relaxing areas. The whole spa area is just gorgeous and very exclusive. I could easily spend a full day here. Several body treatments are provided for guests to enjoy an indulgent, relaxing interlude after a day of sightseeing and walking outdoors.

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There are two main restaurants at the Chedi Andermatt, a Japanese Restaurant and ‘The Restaurant’.  The Japanese restaurant with executive chef Dietmar Sawyere offers authentic Japanese fine dining dishes and is specialized in sushi. It has the most extensive sake selection in Switzerland and was awarded 16 GaultMillau points. Very impressive. Decoration is Asian design and reminded me of an exclusive fine dining restaurant in the middle of Hong Kong. Do note that this restaurant is only open during the winter season.

The Restaurant is a more international cuisine restaurant with 15 GaultMillau points. The luxurious cozy mountain style pleased me. I had dinner here and was pretty impressed with the food and overall service. The friendly and courteous staff made us feel welcome and were very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. We started with their crisp Chinese Dim Sum, followed by a delicious prawn Won Ton Noodle soup. The stir-fried black pepper beef fillet with roasted garlic, peppers and shallots as a main course was excellent and to end we enjoyed the coconut panna cotta with mango, lychee and ginger granita… Loved it!

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Every morning, they serve The Chedi Grand Breakfast Buffet and ‘grand’ it was! Several local specialties such as the Swiss cheeses, salami, etc. it is all there. The buffet is rich and plentiful and definitely beats all superlatives. Do not forget to visit their cheese tower!

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Words cannot describe how beautiful this hotel is. I loved the Chedi’s contemporary spirit and combination of elegance with understated luxury. No wonder this hotel is rated among the best hotels in Switzerland! Highly recommended!

Lausanne Palace

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Hotelchain: Sandoz hotels
Location: Lausanne – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel deluxe
Official website: lausanne-palace.com

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Lausanne Palace is a five star luxury palace right in the center of Lausanne, making part of the Leading hotels of the world. Location is excellent, the palace is located near the Esplanade of Montbenon and the views of Lake Geneva are just gorgeous! The hotel was built in 1915 and is representing an important part of the historical heritage of Lausanne.

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When I entered Lausanne Palace I immediately knew that this would be a great stay. The luxurious lobby definitely is an eye-catcher with its beautiful furniture and relax atmosphere. The tree makes it even more special. Loved it!

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Let’s talk about rooms… Lausanne Palace has 138 rooms which are all decorated in a very stylish way.  The suite I stayed in was absolutely stunning and the view over Lake Geneva was just unbelievable. The suite had upscale furniture and a very comfortable living area and separate sleeping area with the most comfortable bed. A nice detail: every room comes with a complimentary minibar… Yep, that’s right, drinks in the minibar are included in the rate. The décor was contemporary and very stylish. Although the hotel has its age, the suite and rooms are recently renovated and all offer five star facilities! My favorite place in the suite definitely was the small balcony with the gorgeous panoramic views! I do recommend to book a room with a lake view, you won’t be sorry!

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Two bathrooms in the suite! One with double sink and bathtub, the other one with walk-in shower. Penhaligon’s toiletries are a plus! The suite had two toilets. Everything in the room was very well maintained.

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Lausanne Palace offer a lot of facilities to their guests. The spa center is a must visit when you are staying here. The relaxing treatments and facilities of the CBE Wellness area are designed to make you feel relaxed and reborn. Each morning, I started my day with a nice swim in the indoor pool. After that I relaxed in the jacuzzi before I enjoyed my breakfast. Other facilities are the separate male/female Finnish sauna, Moroccan hammam for men and Rhassoul for women. The fitness area is up to date with great furniture and Pilates studio. For total relaxation after the work-out, the Silent Duvet Room is a treat! Several body treatments and facials are offered as well as private spa suites. I loved the semi outdoor terrace with plenty of loungers. It was sunny when I was in Lausanne and it was divine to rest here and reading a good book.

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There are several restaurants at Lausanne Palace. La Table d’Edgard is their signature restaurant with one Michelin star and 18 points by the Gault Millau guide.

The hotel also offers more casual – but still fine dining – options. Côté Jardin for example is a very nice restaurant with a Mediterranean cuisine. We had dinner here and enjoyed it very much. Staff was excellent and sommelier was very knowledgeable about the wines. The food was very good. The antipasti buffet prepared by Chef Edgard Bovier as a starterwas a great choice! From the buffalo mozzarella to the tasty selections of meat and fish, every dish was prepared in an excellent way. The grilled sea bass with artichokes and an olive tapenade was one the best I have ever had! And at the end, we couldn’t resist the dessert buffet with pastries, fruit, cheese, etc. choices are endless! A must try is their merengue with cream… As the weather was nice, we had dinner outside with a view of the lake. It made our evening even more pleasant. The service here was out of this world, very nice, easy going and certainly not snobby or anything.

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If you are into sushi, the Palace Sushi Zen is the place to be. For more local dishes, the Brasserie du Grand Chêne is a great alternative. Of course, the hotel has several outdoor terraces where guests can enjoy their dishes while enjoying the sun and outdoor views.

Breakfast was outstanding! A nice buffet is offered with a lot of choices to start your day healthy. My favorite drink was the smoothie with ginger and freshly squeezed orange juice. So refreshing and healthy at the same time. Loved the fact that we were able to sit outside.

What a nice hotel to stay at in Lausanne. This is a high class hotel with charm and history. I loved the overall service level and many facilities. No wonder this hotel is rated among the best hotels in this town! It truly is a palace! Thumbs up, Lausanne Palace!