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Falkenstein Grand Kempinski

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Hotelchain: Kempinski
Location: Frankfurt – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: kempinski.com/…rankfurt/falkenstein-grand

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Falkenstein Grand Kempinski is a very exclusive five star hotel near Frankfurt. In 1909 it was a military sanatorium and later became a hospital. Today it is a gracious hotel that offers all the facilities of a high class hotel. From the moment I entered the hotel, I felt home.

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Location

Location truly is spectacular. Falkenstein Grand Kempinski is located on a hill in a small village called Königstein. I was blown away when I saw the garden with the most amazing views over the skyline of Frankfurt. Especially at night, the view is gorgeous, I could sit outside looking out all night long.

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The center of Frankfurt is reachable in about 30 minutes. As mentioned, Königstein is a small village with a relaxing atmosphere. No busy roads here. Nice thing to know: the hotel has a free on-site parking.

Wonderful rooms

Falkenstein Grand Kempinski has 112 luxuriously appointed rooms. I was surprised to see how large the room was. There was a cozy couch and large wooden desk (excellent for doing some work). The king sized bed was enormous! Marbled bathroom had double sinks and lovely walk-in (rain)shower. I loved the decoration, since this hotel has its history, I appreciated the fact that they respect the more traditional look of the entire hotel. True, rooms aren’t the most modern rooms, but all of them are classy and comfortably appointed.

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What I liked most about the room was the view from our large balcony. Falkenstein Grand Kempinski is located in a large park and most of the rooms face the green surrounding areas, just beautiful and oh so peaceful.

Top notch restaurant

The onsite restaurant Landgut Falkenstein is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We had dinner here and as the weather was really sweet, we were seated outside on the beautiful terrace with panoramic views. After some delicious cocktails, we were ready to experience the kitchen. The chef didn’t disappoint us, in fact we were pleasantly surprised with each dish. We started with a summer salad with vine-ripened tomatoes and scallops, followed by Atlantic halibut with (yummie!) apricot-chanterelle vegetables and puree of baby peas. The braised beef roulade with red onion jam, glazed carrots and brioche dumplings as a main course made me feel in heaven. And no dinner without a dessert J We thoroughly enjoyed a duet of chocolate and passionfruit with fruit ragout. On top of that, it came with lime sorbet. One word: heaven!

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Relaxing Spa Facilities

It would be pretty difficult (let’s say, impossible) to get bored at Falkenstein Grand Kempinski! Their Ascara Fitness and Spa Club is a must visit while staying here! I must say I have experienced one of the best spa treatments in my life! The therapist was very talented and handled my neck issues in a very good way! Just what I needed … (I wish I lived closer to Frankfurt!) Book a treatment here, you won’t be disappointed!

The large fitness club is great too. All staff members I met were the most accommodating and caring people one could wish for. They gave me detailed information about the equipment. Sauna and relaxation rooms are available as well at no additional charges.

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Another cool thing I like about this hotel are the tunnels. The tunnels connect all the separate buildings (the hotel has 7 different buildings/villa’s) which are connected with the tunnels. From the spa area, you can walk through the tunnel to the other spa area which is located in the main building. From here, you have access to the all-year-opened outdoor pool. As all of you know, I love pools and I was very pleased with this one. An indoor jacuzzi and two sauna’s are available too. I appreciated the fact that everything was very well maintained.

Turndown service is provided every night. The good-night-tissue was a nice touch and unseen at any hotel.

The next morning, I had one of the best wake-up calls I have ever experienced! After the call, a heard a gentle knock-knock on the door and the very friendly lady brought us some nice cappuccino’s. We enjoyed them while sitting outside with the amazing view. What a great way to start our day!

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Yummie breakfast

Breakfast is served at Landgut Falkenstein and I couldn’t have asked for more… The buffet is something to look forward to. Every product is fresh and of a good quality. Also, do not forget to try their à la carte options! They are excellent in preparing the eggs exactly the way you want and I definitely should highlight the bacon which was the best bacon I have eaten at any hotel! Oh, and the waffles with vanilla sauce are a must try!

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Falkenstein Grand Kempinski is one of a kind, I love everything about this hotel… from the most comfortable rooms to the best staff making my stay truly unforgettable! Can’t wait to return to this wonderful hotel!

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates – Dubai

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Hotelchain: Kempinski
Location: Dubai – UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: kempinski.com/…dubai/mall-of-the-emirates

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Since I am a huge Kempinski fan, I had to explore Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, one of the top rated hotels in Dubai! Sun or snow? Kempinski Mall of the Emirates has it all 🙂

Location

The hotel is located between business bay and Dubai Marina and offers stunning Burj Al Arab views. Although the hotel has been here for a few years, it looks brand new. Dubai Marina and Burj Khalifa are reachable with the metro within just minutes. On top of that, Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is directly connected to the Mall of the Emirates. We went shopping and entering the mall without going outside (it was so hot!) was very convenient for us!

Lobby area is gorgeous, they used a lot of marble and everything has been decorated in a very stylish way. We were welcomed and everything we needed to know about the hotel and its facilities were told in a kind way.

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The rooms

Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is a pretty large hotel offering 393 rooms and suites including 15 chalets with views over the indoor Ski Dubai.

We stayed in grand deluxe rooms and luxurious they really are. I actually wouldn’t call it just a room, but a junior suite instead. The way they combined all the furniture is just amazing. There’s a small dining/living area with the most comfortable couches. The separate bedroom is luxurious featuring a king sized bed. Marble bathroom both has bath tub and shower. Loved the room, I could easily spend a week here.

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I did visit the three bedroom chalet which blew me away! While it was almost 40 degrees outside, it was so cool to see snow while looking through the windows. Did you know, by the way, that there logo represents the combination of snow and sun? The chalets are designed in mountain style and definitely have the WoW-factor.

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Pool area

The pool area at Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is the best place to hang out after a busy day in Dubai. It felt like a small paradise with two large pools and the most comfortable loungers one could wish for. Pool service was great. Complimentary water is offered during the day.

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The spa

For total relaxation, the Spa area is the place to be! I experienced the Thai Compress Massage and the therapist did an excellent job. This long lasting treatment began with a 40 minute aromatherapy massage (I had to choose my favorite scent, loved it!) followed by a blissful Thai herbal compress massage. How could one be not relaxed after 75 minutes of pure relaxation? My sister experienced the 75 minutes luminous “C” & “Sea” facial mask treatment and enjoyed every second! Her skin was pampered and protected with high tech medically formulated Vitamin C. This facial hydrates, nourishes and protects the skin with its vitamin enriched, anti-oxidant formulation. It would rate the facilities with five stars!

Restaurants/bars

One of the things l like most of Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is their Tapas restaurant Salero Tapas & Bodega. Honestly, I have eaten at many Dubai restaurants, but this lunch was the best I have ever experienced at any place in Dubai. We ordered several small tapas and each of them were delicious. From the patatas bravas to the Cantabrian anchovies, from the homemade chicken and mushroom croquettes to their signature paella, every bite was divine. Go check out yourself, you will love it! I love the food sharing concept and will be back, that’s for sure!

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We had dinner at Olea with a Levantine cuisine. Again, the food was amazing and service was top notch. I loved the decoration and set up of this restaurant. There’s an open kitchen so you can actually see the chefs preparing your food. We enjoyed several mezze and the Arabian mixed grill. El Homos and Fatoush which are seasonal fresh vegetables marinated with sumac were so good. The mixed grill with lamb kebabs, lamb kofta, shish tawook and lamb chops were among the best I have experienced. The chef definitely knows how to please the guests. What a wonderful night we had in a unique setting!

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After a great night (the beds are among the best I have slept in!) we had breakfast which is served at Olea. Again, I can’t imagine a better breakfast buffet. So many healthy options. They even prepared a fresh smoothie for me with the ingredients I selected myself. Don’t worry, there are less healthy but yummie other choices too such as freshly made pastries etc.

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We were sad to leave! Kempinski Mall of the Emirates is a top notch five star property! The fancy rooms and high end restaurants will please anyone! I would return in a heartbeat!

Gstaad Palace

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Location: Gstaad – Switzerland
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: palace.ch

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Gstaad Palace probably is one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe and I can’t say enough good things about this place. First of all, Gstaad is a famous ski resort in Switzerland and definitely one of the most attractive holiday regions in the Swiss Alps for luxurious getaways. It has several ultra luxurious five star properties and the town itself is a very cozy and trendy place with a lot of high end boutiques and shops.

Gstaad Palace is one of the leading hotels of the world and I can easily see why … Right from the moment I stepped in, I felt the grandeur of this place. The lobby are is just stunning and although this hotel has been open for over a hundred years, it is totally up to date and offers the most comfortable rooms and facilities one could wish for. There are pictures all over the hotel which represent the history of the hotel.

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I was welcomed with a big smile and the front desk staff told us everything we needed to know about the hotel. Our keys were handed in just seconds and I couldn’t wait any longer to explore our beautiful deluxe room. One of the staff members took us to our room, located on the 3rd floor. Even walking through the hallways is an experience and made me feel like royalty 🙂

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We stayed in a deluxe room with a south view and I must say the view was just amazing… The weather was just beautiful and the surrounding mountains are magical. The room itself was just great and was decorated with high quality materials. All of the mountain style rooms are of a true five star (plus!) level featuring a comfortable couch, working desk and a heavenly bed. At 46m², it had a great size and a small balcony with a table and two chairs to enjoy the views. Bathroom featured double sinks, separate (rain)shower and an oversized tub. Once again, everything in the room was very well maintained (the rooms are made up twice a day) and I was in love with the overall interior designs.

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After inspecting the room, I went down to explore the entire palace! Right next to the check-in area is a large bar / lobby with open plan fire place. At night, they play live music and everybody was dressed up. I couldn’t imagine any more magical place to enjoy an aperitif before enjoying the most wonderful dinner.

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Gstaad Palace has five restaurants. The first night we had dinner at Gildo’s Ristorante, their Italian restaurant. The food was outstanding! I thoroughly enjoyed the salmon as a starter and the sea bass as a main course. As you would expect, the staff was Italian and I actually had the feeling of being in Italy for a few times. Loved the atmosphere here! There’s always room for desert, and I enjoyed every single bite of my apfelstrudel … A must try!

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After a wonderful night I was ready to explore the slopes of Gstaad. Gstaad Palace offers a complimentary shuttle service to/from the slopes. It even has a ski shop within the hotel which was very practical for us to rent our ski equipment. I love the fact that the hotel arranges everything for you: ski passes, etc. so there’s no need to queue at counters near the slopes, etc. Very convenient! The ski area itself is pretty large and well connected. The weather was beautiful, I couldn’t stop making pictures of the surrounding areas.

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After a day of skiing, it was time to relax! Gstaad Palace has a fantastic wellness area. This is the place to be after a day in the mountains. It has a large indoor pool, a large outdoor jacuzzi and several relaxing areas. The comfortable couches around the fireplace were my favorite. I also enjoyed the sauna and steam room which are separated for males/females. In summer, an olympic outdoor pool is available as well as a few tennis courts.

As most of you know, I love spa treatments and experienced one of their signature treatments, Jardin des Monts Energising massage . The 50 minutes that followed were pure relaxation. I must say it was one the best massages I ever experienced! It’s not a traditional massage, beside the most wonderful hands of the therapist, she also used smooth wooden rollers which made me feel so relaxed… I never experienced such a treatment and loved every second!

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After all the relaxation, it was time to explore another restaurant at Gstaad Palace. Since we were in Switzerland, we had to try La Fromagerie. There’s an interesting story about this place. During World War II, the hotel housed treasures: owing to its isolated location on the upper mountainside, the Swiss government hid a large portion of the country’s gold reserves in a two-storey bunker. Today it is a restaurant with Swiss specialties. The cheese champagne fondue and raclette were amazing… Definitely worth a visit while you’re staying at Gstaad Palace, you won’t regret 🙂

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The next morning we had breakfast again at the Le Grand Restaurant where we enjoyed another gourmet breakfast. There’s a large buffet with fresh ingredients and lots of fruit. There are also several à la carte options. I should highlight the Laurent Perrier champagne… is there a better way to start your day?

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I was sad to leave, but was smiling all the way back to Belgium … Gstaad Palace is a top notch hotel and is one of the better five star properties I have experienced. From the service, friendliness of the staff to the delicious food and gorgeous interiors … Gstaad Palace has it all and is one of a kind. I recommend everyone to stay here at least once in your life!

Banks Mansion Amsterdam

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Hotelchain: Carlton
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: banksmansion.com

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Banks Mansion is rated as one of the best four star hotels in Amsterdam and I can easily see why! This small boutique hotel has everything for a comfortable stay in the middle of the city!

Location

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You really can’t beat the location. Banks Mansion is located near the Herengracht. This is the area where all the shops and restaurants are. All major sights are within walking distance. Very convenient! For example, the flower market is just a few steps away and the Anne Frank House is only one mile away. Of all the hotels I stayed at in Amsterdam, Banks Mansion has one of the best locations I have experienced!

Banks Mansion isn’t one of the large hotels, I talked with several guests of different nationalities and they all appreciated the fact that this hotel feels like a ‘local’ hotel and not like a ‘large chain’ hotel. Pretty interesting and very true, the hotel feels pretty easy going and there’s this cool vibe around the place which you feel as soon as you enter. Banks Mansion is an all inclusive hotel which I will tell you more about later!

Front desk staff was very accommodating and welcomed us with a smile! They gave us some brief information about their living room and facilities.

The rooms

The room we stayed in was comfortable and although it was not large, it had all the amenities I would expect from a four star hotel. Some things I liked: Nespresso coffee machine, comfy couch to hang out and play with your Ipad and the comfortable queen sized bed. Every room offers a complimentary mini bar with soft drinks, water and beer. Also gin, whisky and cognac are provided for every guest at no additional charge. Loved it! Bathroom was spotlessly clean and featured walk-in shower.

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The living room

The lobby area at Banks Mansion is called the living room. Part of their all inclusive formula are the complimentary drinks and light bites 24 hrs. That is right, there’s a free bar downstairs where guests can enjoy their favorite drinks. I was pretty surprised that they offer a lot of alcoholic drinks as well. Do not miss their wine & cheese buffet from 5pm – 7pm. This is why I love Banks Mansion so much… Guests come downstairs and enjoy meeting and chatting with their fellow travelers. We met several guests and it was interesting to talk to them while enjoying several drinks and snacks!

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Restaurant

Do note that there’s no on site restaurant at Banks Mansion. However, there’s a full American breakfast buffet included in the rate. The overall quality of the food and service was outstanding! I also appreciated the omelet and pancake station where the chef prepares your egg the way you want it.

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Banks Mansion is a top notch hotel in the center of Amsterdam. Staff is excellent and nothing is asked for too much. I love their concept and am sure that it will please anyone! Highly recommended for a comfortable stay in Amsterdam!

Accents at InterContinental Dubai Marina

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Restaurant: Accents
Hotel: InterContinental Dubai Marina
Website: ihg.com/…ls/nl/nl/dubai/dxbpl/hoteldetail

Accents

My sister and I were shopping in the mall and after all the shopping we were hungry and decided to try out Accents at the InterContinental Dubai Marina… And we were not disappointed! I would rate Accents as one of the best restaurants in the area. Location is excellent as the hotel is located in the middle of Dubai Marina. At arrival, the friendly staff asked us if we wanted to dine in- or outside. It was dark already and opted to enjoy the stunning outdoor views. I immediately noticed how well maintained this place is. It all looked brand new and smelled amazing.

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The most accommodating waiter asked us what we wanted to drink and I asked if they have any non-alcoholic cocktails and boy – they definitely have them! Honestly, one of the best Virgin Mojito I have ever tried. It was just delicious and so refreshing! My sister is a pinacolada fan and thoroughly enjoyed hers. We don’t drink alcohol frequently and it is always nice to see that a place offers a good selection of non-alcoholic versions of the usual cocktails. What a great start of our evening 🙂

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The food itself was just delicious. As a starter I tried their raw mango salad and absolutely loved it! The salad came with grilled chicken, peanuts, a lovely tapenade and balsamic caviar. It was not too large so excellent as a starter! For the main course I thoroughly enjoyed the corn fed chicken breast. The home made croquets and mushroom puree were to die for! I could eat this every day 🙂 And of course, every great dinner should be finished with a delicious dessert. And since I am a chocolate lover, I enjoyed their chocolate dessert which came with some caramel and peanuts. Loved it!

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Accent at InterContinental Dubai Marina is a top notch restaurant with a great ambiance and excellent service. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a perfect lunch or dinner with one of the best views one could wish for! Loved it!

Airline review: Emirates

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Recently i flew from Brussels to Dubai with Emirates. They are currently one of my favorite airlines to fly with. Let me tell you why …

The flight staff are amazing! They are genuinely happy and friendly. They seem to be continually offering you a service, but not obtrusively.
They think of things before you do. Like , offering you a drink, more food, collecting your rubbish, taking away your tray! No sitting with an annoying tray blocking your exit from your seat or restricting your movement for hours! They even remember what you drink. They warned me that my food choice could be spicy and if I was ok with that. Pretty amazing.

The long flight was enjoyable and I caught up on some great movies and slept well. Did you know that they even entertain kids while flying? That is so cool. They take polaroid pictures and girls can even put on the cool hats of the flight attendants.

Economy Class: Great seats with plenty of space. The economy seats were among the best economy seats I have experienced at any airline. Every seat has its own personal screen with on demand movies and music. They even provide sleeping masks, ear plugs and a pillow for each passenger. From the moment you step in, you’ll be pampered with hot towels, welcome drinks and ice cream.

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Business Class: Business Class seats are pretty amazing. The oversized seats are among the best you could wish for. Cabin crew was outstanding. Each of them did their upmost best to serve the passengers in an excellent way. They even prepared the bed as we had an early morning flight. Maybe that was the best things about this flight, being able to actually catch a sleep on those flat-bed seats. Food was excellent and of course even more delicious compared to the economy class. Business seats on Emirates flight even have their personal minibar and oversized entertainment screen.

Emirates A380 Business Class Review - Lounge, Seats, Dining, Amenities

Emirates Business Class Amenity kit is amazing and I was happily surprised to find out that they provide Bulgari products. As most of you know, I truly am a huge fan of Bulgari products… Love the smell and overall quality of the product. The fragrance is packaged in a box, while the lotion and after-shave balms came slotted in the side mesh pockets on the inside wall of the wash bag. It also contains a dental kit that now comes in a reusable case. Finally, they also substituted the deodorant stick with a spray. The small Bulgari leather bag is yours. Love it!

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I must also highlight the Business Class bathroom. It truly sets the tone when it comes to style when they even offer a classy bathroom high up in the air. The first class bathroom even has its own shower!

Emirates Refreshes Its A380 First, Business & Economy Class Cabins

Flying with Emirates was fun! We took off and landed on time, every time. Staff was very professional, efficient and nothing was asked for too much! Their planes are of a very good standard, even the economy seats are excellent and the business seats do add extra comfort and luxury. Do check their website on frequently to book the best deals at emirates.com.

Westin Al Habtoor City – Dubai

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Hotelchain: Westin
Location: Dubai – UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: westindubaialhabtoorcity.com

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The Westin Dubai Al Habtoor City is one of the newest five star properties of Dubai and I was really excited to explore this beautiful property. Al Habtoor City is a huge project in Dubai with three world-class five star hotels. World-famous designers did an excellent job working together with architects on the three hotels (St. Regis Dubai, W Dubai and Westin Al Habtoor City) in a totally new neighbourhood representing famous hospitality brands.

The location

Westin Al Habtoor City is the perfect hotel for both leisure and business travelers. You really can’t beat the location, Burj Khalifa is only a 10 minute taxi drive away. Dubai Marina can be reached in 15 minutes. Love the location of the hotel! As said before, there are three hotels within the same building, Westin Al Habtoor City is the largest of the three and is located in a huge 41-storey tower. This actually is the second Westin hotel in Dubai, the other Westin is a beach resort near Dubai Marina.

Entering Westin Al Habtoor City is entering a world full of luxury and eye for details. I was pretty impressed when I entered the hotel, all the marble and friendliness of the staff made a good first impression. A big smile and asking how we are doing made us feel welcome. The hotel is extremely well kept, the staff is courteous – even when they’re dealing with other guests.

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Rooms

The hotel is huge and has 1004 rooms and suites. I stayed in a room on one of the top floors and loved every inch! As usual, the Westin Heavenly Bed was outstanding and really comfortable! The view was breathtaking, we had a full Business Bay view and could see Burj Khalifa – it was such a treat to wake up with such a stunning view!

Bathroom is luxurious featuring an amazing free standing bath tub, separate walk-in shower and toilet.

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Pool area

The pool area at Westin Al Habtoor City is not finished yet, they will be opening their pools in the coming months. I did saw some pictures and it will be beautiful. For now, guests can use the pools at W and St. Regis. Once again, so convenient that all three hotels are connected so you don’t have to leave the hotel to make use of the pools.

The Spa

Westin’s Heavenly Spa is a haven of tranquility inspired by traditional practices used in Asian cultures. The place is huge and luxuriously appointed. This is definitely the place to unwind after a busy day or stressful moments. I experienced their signature massage and I can honestly say that it was one of the best treatments I had in Dubai. The therapist was an expert and did such an excellent job that I felt reborn after the treatment. He applied the right amount of pressure for my liking. Loved it! Highly recommend to book a treatment here, you won’t be sorry!

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Restaurants/bars

Currently, there are five operating restaurants at Westin Al Habtoor City. I had lunch at Seasonal Tastes and both my sister and I were blown away when we saw the buffet! Westin promotes a healthy life style and we can tell … the buffet consisted of a varied spread of healthy food and a lot of vegetables. I loved their soups! The restaurant itself is just stunning. Very spacious and marble everywhere.

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At night we had dinner at Cook Hall, an American themed restaurant. First of all, I was pleasantly surprised when I entered the restaurant. You wouldn’t tell that you’re still within the same building as Cook Hall is totally different when it comes to design. I was (and still am!) in love with the overall décor and atmosphere. We had such an amazing night here! We started with one of their signature cocktails and then tried the “Dribbler”, a mega Wagyu burger with a molten cheese bap, maple-glazed onion, veal bacon, mashed toms and a friend hen’s egg. On the side I tried their cheesy fries! Trust me, I enjoyed every single bite… Dinner or lunch at Cook Hall is a must! Food is delicious and service is top notch!

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Westin Al Habtoor City is a top notch five star hotel with all the facilities one could wish for. I had high expectations but still was blown away. Loved my stay and hope to return soon…

Viceroy Dubai

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Hotelchain: Viceroy
Location: Dubai – UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/dubai

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Viceroy Dubai is one of the newest five star beach resorts in Dubai and I got the chance to check it out! Since it is a Viceroy hotel my expectations were pretty high and I’m glad to say (or write!) that I was blown away by this property.

Location

Viceroy Dubai has a prime location on Palm Jumeirah, right at the beginning of The Palm. Dubai Marine is reachable in just 10 minutes. We visited Atlantis too which was only a 10 minute taxi drive away. Very convenient location!

The building itself is unique… so beautiful and not your typical Dubai building. This hotel stands out due to the beautiful design and architecture. As you could see on the pictures, every inch of Viceroy has been decorated with eye for details. I would describe it as contemporary and the colors made me feel relaxed. You enter the hotel in a huge glass cube, actually the first of its kind glass cube (the biggest glass cube in the world by the way!) which connects the two main buildings. The iconic cube seemingly floats in front of the hotel, allowing natural light to flood in and provides a direct view through to the resort’s runway like 60-meter pool, the ocean and Dubai Marina. I loved all the marble and gold… the lobby area truly gives a great first impression!

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We had a late flight and arrived at the hotel at 2:30am. Still we were welcomed with a smile and our keys were handed after the usual registration.

The rooms

Viceroy Palm Jumeirah Dubai is home to 477 rooms and suites, including 352 guestrooms, 85 suites and 40 hotel apartments located across 16 floors. All rooms at Viceroy are very luxurious and bright. Everything was so clean and smelled brand new. I loved the fact that they used many natural materials, neutral colors and stand out furniture. The best part was the large balcony overlooking the sea and the skyline of Dubai Marina. I recommend to stay in one of those rooms! Of course, if you are in Dubai for business purposes, you probably don’t care about the view, beside the view the rooms are identical. Some details I would like to highlight: I appreciated the cocktail making facilities and lightning in the room (relaxed atmosphere, etc.).

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Fancy bathrooms are very exclusive featuring a free standing golden bath tub which is just gorgeous and made me feel like a king! A separate walk-in shower and toilet are available too.

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Pool/beach Area

A lot of things to do here! The pool area is amazing… Viceroy Dubai has a large pool with direct sea views. Plenty of comfortable loungers. I especially liked the loungers which are located in the pool themselves… When it was too hot (I was in Dubai in May), I could just jump into the pool from my lounger. So cool! Kids have their own large pool and (complimentary) kids club.

There’s a private beach area. Again, with the best views one could wish for. Service was excellent, they serve drinks all day long. Watersport facilities are available too.

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Restaurants/bars

Dining options are endless at Viceroy Dubai. We thoroughly enjoyed lunch at BLVD on One, located on the ground floor next to the pool area. This all day vibrant, global brasserie led by executive chef Robert Nilsson offers an international cuisine which will please anyone. I ordered a Caesar Salad with grilled chicken and honestly, it was delicious and as a Caesar Salad should be with the best dressing, anchovies and parmesan cheese. Breakfast is served here too. The buffet style breakfast is something to look forward to each morning! So many choices and such a good quality of the food and service. Nothing really is asked for too much! Loved it!

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Other dining facilities are Maiden Shanghai, offering a contemporary and authentic Chinese cuisine, Quattro Passi is their signature Italian restaurant led by two Michelin-starred chef Antonio Mellino and the Delisserrie is a cafe styled restaurant/bar offering light meals such as Danish open-faced sandwiches and modern high tea. Make sure to check out their cool bars such as Elevate which is located on the ‘bridge’ on the 13th floor offering stunning views over Dubai Marina. Cocktails are fantastic!

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The Spa

Honestly, I was blown away by the spa facilities at Viceroy Dubai! This place is just beautiful … and oh so peaceful. They have 14 treatment rooms (some outdoor), a relaxing outdoor spa pool and a spa cafe. I visited the treatment rooms for couples as well and each treatment room has been decorated with high class materials and marble everywhere. The staff was very professional and made me feel at ease in just seconds.

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I got to experience the Viceroy Desert Sensory Treatment, their signature treatment. This treatment begins with a meditation followed by an amazing treatment designed to stimulate touch, smell and hearing. The bed was the best I have ever experienced, hands down. It was a MLX Quartz Bed which uses warm sand and an innovative adjustable air cells to create wave-like motion in the sand to promote total physical and mental relaxation. I felt reborn afterwards! Highly recommended to book this treatment!

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Viceroy Dubai is a top notch five star property with a Miami beach vibe around the place. I could easily spend a week here without getting bored. Behind every corner a new surprise is waiting for you. On top of that the hotel offers the best dining options one could wish for. Every staff member I met served us with a smile and nothing was asked for too much! I loved my stay here, from the beginning to the end. Five stars all the way!

Tangla Hotel Brussels

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Hotelchain: Tangla Hotels
Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: tanglabrussels.com

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Location

Tangla Hotel Brussels is one of the latest five star properties in our capital, Brussels and it didn’t disappoint! The hotel opened only one year ago and I read excellent things about the hotel so I was really looking forward to experiencing this beautiful place!

‘Tangla’ originates from the mystical legend of the Tanggula, a paradise nestled in the tranquil Qingzhang highlands blessed by the patron saint of the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains. That is true, Tangla Hotel Brussels is a high end oriental designed five star property located only 15 mins from the city center and Brussels International Airport. The green surrounding area around the hotel is fantastic and you wouldn’t tell that this hotel is located near the airport. I didn’t hear a thing while staying here.

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I was welcomed with a great smile and felt at ease right from the beginning. The lobby area is bright and stylish. Everything I needed to know about the hotel and its facilities were explained in a very kind way. I was escorted to the elevators and couldn’t wait to see our suite. Tangla Hotel Brussels has 187 rooms, all decorated in a very stylish way. The oriental theme is noticeable everywhere and I was really impressed by the overall decoration. Behind every corner, a new surprise was waiting for me. For example, the bells they used at a Chinese monastery are so beautiful … I wish I could take one for my home 🙂

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The rooms & suites

To add the Chinese theme even more, they call the rooms ‘fáng’ (Chinese for room) and ‘Tàofáng’ (Chinese for suite). We stayed in a Tàofáng and were so excited when we entered. The suite was decorated in soft pastel colors and wooden panels. At 50m² the suite was large and offered all the amenities I would expect of a high end hotel. The suite came with a separate living and sleeping area. The luxuriously appointed marble bathroom had a bathtub and oversized walk-in rainshower. I especially appreciated the lightning in the rooms. Pretty impressive and controllable with panels. Even the drapes are electronically controlled for your convenience. Things such as a Nespresso machine, bathrobes and LED smartTV’s are available as well. I did visit their standard rooms and top suites as well and trust me, they’re all very tastefully designed with eye for detail.

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Spa facilities

Tangla Hotel Brussels will open a brand new spa area in the next couple of weeks (end of May 2017) to their guests. I got the chance to explore it and loved it! The spa area is huge at 1200m². The indoor pool is large and the perfect place to unwind after a long flight or busy day in Brussels. You can relax in the oversized sauna too. The fitness area is one the best I have seen in any hotel, offering the latest technology equipment. They will even add a spa menu in the upcoming months and will write about that on a next occasion. The spa area will be the new highlight at Tangla Hotel Brussels! You will love too!

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Restaurants/bars

We enjoyed dinner at Le Cinq, but first tried some cocktails at TLounge. This bar specializes in the finest whiskies, sourced from all corners of the world and a great selection of Newby teas. This definitely is the perfect place for an aperitif or after dinner drinks. Le Cinq is currently the only operating restaurant at Tangla Hotel Brussels (they will be opening Tang Dynasty pretty soon offering fancy Cantonese gastronomic experiences – I did had a sneak preview of the restaurant and was blown away only by the interior and will review this restaurant on a later occasion). Le Cinq is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a buffet styled restaurant and will please anyone. Dinner was great offering high quality products both Oriental and Western. There’s a live cooking station where you can order beef, shrimp, etc. The food was excellent, as was the service. Breakfast is something to look forward to as well. From the freshly prepared smoothies to the made to order eggs, I loved it!

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Tangla Hotel Brussels is a top notch five star property in Brussels. To me, it definitely is one the better hotels in Belgium and would return in a heartbeat. Do note that the hotel offers shuttle service to the airport (7,5 EUR each way) and will be offering complimentary shuttle service to the airport soon. Even for business purposes, this is the hotel to choose as they have several excellent meeting/board rooms. The grand ballroom is impressive and took my breath away… Thumbs up, Tangla Hotel Brussels! Highly recommended for a luxurious oriental getaway!

The Hotel – Brussels

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Location: Brussels – Belgium
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: thehotel-brussels.be

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Situated on the Avenue Louise, The Hotel is literally in the middle of it all and within walking distance of the major attractions in Brussels. This beautiful refurnished 4 star hotel has 421 rooms, a restaurant, bar and a large spa area with fitness center, sauna and a steam room. It is a pretty large building and the surrounding views are amazing! Although I have been to Brussels many times, I was pretty impressed with the views.

As I entered The Hotel, I was welcomed by very friendly front desk staff. Service at The Hotel is always with a smile which is absolutely pleasant. The lobby area is pretty large and I loved the decoration: quite trendy, but not over the top… It is classy with a modern touch, just the way I like it! The fashion theme is noticeable all over the place. One small (but important!) detail: lots of elevators! I didn’t have to wait more than 20 seconds to go up or down! Very convenient!

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I stayed at one of their “Panoramic Deluxe rooms” on the 22nd floor and boy, the room did have a fantastic view of Brussels! The room itself was very nicely laid out with a queen bed, open bathroom with a very good rainshower and all the nice amenities to go with the room. I was in love with the shampoo and body lotion, they smell great. There is a large couch in front of the window, a Nespresso machine, safe and there is a panel next to the bed allowing you to control all the lights and drapery.. Although the rooms are too large, they were sufficient for my needs.

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Fitness area is large and has great equipment! Complimentary drinks are offered to their guests and as it is located on the 23rd floor, I enjoyed the view of Brussels while I was working out! Next to the fitness area is the Spa featuring a panoramic sauna and a hamam. You should definitely check and try it out yourself. You won’t be disappointed and you will relax, I promise! Bathrobes and slippers can be found in your room.

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Staying in a Panoramic Deluxe room allows you to enjoy the Panoramic Lounge offering complimentary drinks and snacks all day long. As it is located on the 24th floor the lounge has impressive views out of Brussels. There are some small bites, but I was most impressed with the drinks. They even have champagne at no additional charges. Loved it!

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Breakfast is served either in the restaurant downstairs or guests staying in the Panoramic Deluxe rooms or suites can have breakfast in the Panoramic Lounge as well. Both are buffet style breakfasts with enough choices of hot and cold food items. I believe the breakfast downstairs would be a better choice as the buffet was pretty good. The decoration of the restaurant was trendy yet cozy.

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The Hotel Brussels is a unique hotel with outstanding facilities centrally located in the heart of Brussels. This was just a great overall experience, which I can thoroughly recommend!