Shangri-La – Toronto

7 August 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Shangri-La
Location: Toronto – Canada
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: http://www.shangri-la.com/toronto/shangrila/

Most of you already know that I am a huge fan of the Shangri-La hotel chain! When I was visiting Toronto, I was happy to find out they have a Shangri-La hotel! This is one of the very best Toronto has to offer! The Shangri-La Toronto is a brand new hotel which opened only 2 years ago. Valet parking is available and as soon as you enter the hotel, you will be entering a world of true luxury and attention to details.

The lobby is spectacular with comfy couches and fireplaces. It is one of those lobby areas where I could spend hours enjoying good drinks while listening to live music. They used a lot of marble here, absolutely loved it!

Check-in went smoothly; we were welcomed with a smile and they gave us all the information we needed. They do take their time here, which is appreciated. I loved the personal approach, they called me by my name, etc. These are small things, but they make this hotel special!

All rooms at the Shangri-La Toronto have iPads and are equipped with the latest technology, such as electronicly controlled lights, drapes and temperature. We stayed in one of their one bedroom suites which was elegantly decorated… It had a separate living room and bedroom. The living room had a nice little saloon and full sized desk. I appreciated the Nespresso coffee machine and housekeeping provided pads every day. Sleeping in the bed was like sleeping on a cloud! It felt so good! The bathroom was one of the nicest bathrooms I have ever seen! They are very large and luxurious with double sink, separate shower, oversized bathtub and I loved the mirror television. Toiletries were of a very good quality and we had plenty of them in our room.

The Shangri-La Toronto has a lot to offer! There is a full size spa area with a large and very up-to-date fitness center, large indoor swimming pool and oversized jacuzzi. I had a nap in one of their private cabannas which are all equipped with their own televisions. Everybody can use them at no additional charge. Every morning I went swimming and relaxing at the pool area… What a great way to start off the day! Again, the service was top notch. They remembered my name and did their utmost best to serve me in a very professional way! For example, when I was working out they handed me a cold towel, which was a great touch… It kept me going and going… Never seen before! Besides all of this, a sauna and steam room are available too!

After working out, it was time for dinner at Bosk, their signature restaurant. We had a 3 course menu and found the menu very reasonably priced given the overall quality of the food and service. The trout we had as a starter was so yummy… The steak we had as main course was delicious and the chocolate dessert was to die for! I asked for a fruity sweet wine and they recommended the Bricco Quaglia Moscato d’Asti which was perfect! I am not a wine drinker, but this one blew me away!

And then we went off to bed. While we were there, the Pan Am games were going on in Toronto. The view we had was amazing! We could even see the fireworks while we were in bed! Magical!

The next morning, after the most wonderful night, we had breakfast at Bosk. No buffet style breakfast here; they offer different breakfasts, which are served at your table. I do need to mention that the cappuccinos are one of the best I have ever had! So creamy… Still figuring out how they do that…

We did visit Toronto (by bike – a must do) and the concierge provided us with very clear and detailed information, such as where to rent bikes, most popular attractions, etc.

After visiting several Shangri-La hotels, my expectations were high and the Shangri-la Toronto didn’t disappoint! It is a top class 5 star hotel where guests are treated in a very professional way. Nothing is asked for too much and everybody will make sure that you have a great time in a luxurious setting. Highly recommended!

EB Hotel – Miami

7 August 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Eurobuilding hotels
Location: Miami – USA
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: http://www.ebhotelmiami.com/

The EB Hotel Miami is a luxurious four star hotel in Miami. It is only 2 years old and is very conveniently located near the international airport. As soon as you enter the EB Hotel Miami, you will feel at home! The reception staff was very friendly and accommodating! They will do everything to make your stay perfect! I love the spacious lobby with the most comfy couches and bar. There even is a small waterfall, nice feature! This hotel is definitely worth its four stars, the place is immaculately clean and every staff member I met greeted me with a smile, loved it!

We stayed in a deluxe suite and at 700 sq. ft. this room was huge! The bathroom was one of the nicest I have seen with an oversized (rain) shower (2 people could easily fit in!), separate toilet and bidet. The adjustable king sized bed was enormous and it felt like sleeping on a cloud. I actually never saw this before, the bed can be adjusted to your personal definition of comfort… How cool is that? There was also a living area with a very comfortable oversized couch. A Keurig coffee machine is available too, always a bonus. The rooms even have 3D emulated surround sound systems! I have stayed in five star hotels with less comfortable rooms than rooms at the EB Hotel Miami… Walking through the spacious hallways was pleasant, I still remember the nice smell throughout the hotel! They seem to clean this place all day long!

It could be very hot in Miami, so we appreciated the outdoor pool. It never was too crowded when we were there and could always easily find a chair. It is great to relax there after a day in Miami! If you want to work out, LED lights could be turned on to create a swimming lane. There is a small bar, the Terrace Café, near the pool for refreshments. Drinks are reasonably priced! The fitness facility was well equipped with the latest technology treadmills, etc.

The EB Hotel Miami also has its own restaurant, Miranda, offering light bites such as Caesar salads, different soups, etc. In the evening, you could enjoy several international dishes and they have a great wine list! And don’t forget to order a fancy cocktail at the lobby bar!

I am in love with the EB Hotel Miami… it is all about the small details. From the friendliest reception staff to the cleanest and most spacious rooms, everything feel right here and the hotel offers a lot of facilities which could easily compete with other high end properties in the Miami area. Downtown Miami is only 15 minutes away. I should also mention that the hotel offers complimentary on-site parking and 24 hours complimentary shuttle service to/from the International Airport of Miami! Very very very pleased with the EB Hotel Miami, it deserves five stars all the way!

The Library Hotel – New York

7 August 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Library hotel collection
Location: New York City – USA
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: http://www.libraryhotel.com/

Rated as one of the top hotels in New York City, I was so excited and lucky to experience the Library Hotel. This boutique style hotel “only” has 60 rooms and that is why they are able to treat everyone staying at this hotel as a true guest. It is conveniently located on Madison Ave, only a few steps away from the Public Library. I walked to Times Square in about 12 minutes and also Grand Central Station is only 1 block away.

Check-in went smoothly, staff was very professional, accommodating and not too formal. They gave us all the information we needed to know and told us we would be staying in the Dinosaurs room (best room they could give us, I loved dinosaurs so much as a kid!). Most hotel rooms in New York are small, but the room we stayed in had a very good size and had all the amenities you would expect from a superior four star hotel. The bed was heavenly and the bathroom featured a bath tub (rare in New York, but oh-so-nice after a day in this hectic city! Every room has its own theme, we had 76 (I did count them!) books about dinosaurs in our room. So cool! It was unexpectedly quiet, by the way, despite being in midtown Manhattan.

The rooftop bar Bookmarks is a fun place to hang out. We thoroughly enjoyed our signature cocktails and the views out of New York. There is an outdoor and indoor sitting area. I could imagine cozy evenings in winter… You should definitely visit their rooftop bar when you’re in New York. There is a cool vibe around the place, I liked it.

They also have the Reading Room with all day complimentary coffee, tea and cookies. A big bonus of the Library Hotel is the complimentary wine and cheese reception which is offered every day from 5:00pm – 8:00pm. We enjoyed some wines and soft drinks and light bites are offered too. The wine and cheese reception is a great bonus! The complimentary breakfast is served here too. I appreciated the freshly made fruit salad and the relaxed atmosphere at the library! It’s a great way to start your day!

The Library hotel is such a great hotel! Because it is a small property, the staff recognized us all the time which gave us a special feeling and kind of made us feel at home… That’s why I like the Library Hotel that much. It is all about service, all the staff will do their upmost best to accommodate all the requests of their guests. On top of that, the decoration is very classy and you can’t beat the location. Highly recommended!

Disneyland Paris

21 July 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Can dreams come true? Definitely! A fairytale starring Emilie, my little niece and myself! Once upon a time …

Disneyland Paris is one of the most visited, famous and magical theme parks of Europe! Only 32 kilometers from Paris, Disneyland Paris is positioned in an ideal location. Over the last years they have been renovating the parks and hotels. We got the chance to visit and experience the true Disney magic and loved every single minute of our magical stay!

Let me first tell you some facts about the resort, Disneyland Paris opened back in april 1992. There are 6 Disney hotels on site and 2 theme parks: the magical Disneyland Park and the fun Walt Disney Studios. The Disneyland Park is the largest park and is dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters. With more than 10 million visitors each year, it is the most visited theme park in Europe! The icon castle is replica of the castle seen in Sleeping Beauty. I took my little niece Emilie with me on this trip and she was in love with the castle… It is so nice!

The Disneyland Park is divided into 5 themed areas: Mainstreet USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Discoveryland and of course Fantasyland. While we were there, the theme was Frozen Summer Fun with shows and parades based on Disney’s Frozen. It is so nice to see the faces of the kids when they finally meet their favorite Disney characters!

Although we liked all the attractions, I would like to highlight the Princess Pavilion! Located in a beautiful corner of Fantasyland, young royals can meet and have a photo taken with a real Disney princess. A truly magical moment which will be remembered for a very long time! You do need to make an appointment with the princesses so be sure to be there on time!

The 2^nd Disney Park, the Walt Disney Studios, opened in 2002. It is a world of cinema and entertainment and is more a teenager park with some thrill rides such as a Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith.

As mentioned before, Disneyland Paris has 6 hotels on site and the David Crockett Ranch where guests can stay in a Disney’s log cabin in the heart of nature, located only a few kilometers from the Disney Parks.

We stayed in the Disneyland Paris’ flagship hotel, the famous 5 star Disneyland Hotel. Truly unique is the fact that this hotel is located right at the entrance of the Disneyland Park! Literally a few steps from the gates, this Victorian Castle is the best Disney could offer! The building itself is spectacular… It looks like a castle featuring in a Disney movie! Complimentary valet parking and a warm welcome was appreciated! As soon as you enter this hotel, you will glide into a magical life of luxury. The grand lobby is so beautiful and majestic… Emilie felt like a princess (and I actually felt like a king too when I descent the stairs J).

We got a room in the Castle Club, this is a private area within the Disneyland Hotel. It actually felt like a “hotel in a hotel”. This very exclusive area offers a private check-in, separate elevators and a very personal service. Guests staying here are treated as VIP guests. Firstly, there’s a separate elevator with direct access to the entrance of the Disneyland Park. So convenient! Staying at the Castle Club means you will receive VIP Fastpasses which will give you direct access to the Fastpass line (a service that can save you time by reducing the time you spend in line for attractions). On top of that, free drinks and an afternoon tea is offered as well. I do recommend staying at the Castle Club as you will be able to have breakfast with the Disney Characters! Absolutely amazing and kids will LOVE it!

The Disneyland Hotel has an indoor pool which is great to hang out after a day in the parks. There’s a fitness room, a full spa and play area for the kids!

The rooms of the Disneyland hotel are of a very high level. They are luxurious appointed with some magical touches such as Peter Pan drawings on the drawer, Tinkerbell on the doorknob, etc. Rooms at the Castle Club have a Nespresso machine and a dvd player. We even had a small balcony with a unobstructed view of the Disneyland Park! But once again, what I like most about the Castle Club is the personal approach. Every staff member will make sure you will be treated as VIP guests. By the way, even the cappuccino they serve in the Castle Club Lounge featured Tinkerbell J You see what I mean? It’s all about the Disney Magic…

We were sad to leave, but were heading home with the most magical memories which will last a lifetime!

Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport – Schiphol

27 February 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Park Plaza
Location: Amsterdam – Schiphol
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: http://www.parkplaza.com/lijnden-hotel-nl-1175-rm/netairp

The Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport is a large and luxurious 4 star hotel located near Schiphol. It is a very large hotel but they make you feel at home as soon as you enter! It offers free shuttle service from/to the airport of Schiphol.

The reception area is very spacious and nicely decorated. I especially loved the cozy open fire place near the bar.

I found the check-in very efficient and friendly. Everything was done with a smile!

We stayed in an executive room which was pretty large. It even had a little couch. The spacious bathroom had a large shower, single sink and toilet. Our room had a view of the little lake in front of the hotel. All the furniture in the room was well kept. The bed was of a good quality and we both had a good night’s sleep.

The Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport offers a full fitness center and spa area. Although I did not use their facilities, I did went down to have a look at the place. I would love to relax in the sauna and/or steam room after a long flight! And the spa looked so clean… Bathrobes and slippers are provided in the room.

Guests staying in an executive room have access to the executive lounge located on the main floor. To be honest, it was one of the nicest executive lounges I have ever seen! It felt trendy, yet warm especially with the open fireplace in the middle of the lounge. It even has a private “living room” with the most comfortable couches and a large television. Guests can enjoy complimentary alcoholic + non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks. I do recommend to upgrade to an executive room, it is well worth the extra money!

At night, we had dinner at their restaurant. Before we went to dinner we had a few pre-dinner cocktails which we enjoyed thoroughly. Dinner itself was maybe the best surprise of our stay at the Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport! The quality of the food was of a very high standard and we loved every single bite. The products the chef used were fresh and he certainly did a great job! Service was very good too, not too stiff, not too casual.

I do recommend staying at the Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport. It is a great hotel of a very good quality in a very convenient location!

AlpenPalace hotel – San Giovanni/South Tyrol

25 February 2015HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Location: San Giovanni/South Tyrol – Italy
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: http://www.alpenpalace.com

How to start describing this hidden jewel in the South of Tyrol, Italy, at the heart of the Ahrntal Valley?

We already knew from the beginning this would be a vacation to never forget.

The lobby is spacious and has a warm yet trendy feeling. Everything is designed with character and the overall feeling is very luxurious. The staff welcomed us on a very professional yet friendly way, making us feel at home immediately.

Before going to our room we sat down and enjoyed a cocktail, taking in all impressions like e.g. the beautifully designed bar, the fire place, the warm interior etc.

We were then guided to our room the “AlpenPalace Suite ” and our first impression was confirmed. The beautiful room was spacious, warm, comfortable and elegant. It felt more like a luxurious apartment than a hotel room. There is a living area where you can relax in the sofa or at the table. You then have a separate bedroom with a luxurious bed and with plenty of closet space. There are two flat screens in the room and on top of that we also had two(!) spacious balconies with beautiful views on the mountains.

The bathroom has a luxurious whirlpool, a shower and a separate toilet with bidet. There even was a TV in the bathroom. Everything was spotlessly clean!

And just when we thought things couldn’t get better, we went to spa. Never did we see such a luxurious spa. The facilities they offer here are beyond your wildest dreams: an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, an outdoor whirlpool, a traditional sauna, an herbal sauna, a steam bath and much more. Truly one of the best spa’s you can find! You could easily spend your days here and never leave the hotel.

Besides the above mentioned facilities you can also enjoy some wonderful treatments from very professional staff (a must do!!!). They even have a sauna “master”.

The AlpenPalace is located between two ski areas, Klausberg and Speikboden where every type of skier can find something (from beginner to professional) and where the views are just amazing. Kindly find the map of the ski area below.

Knipsel

Ski pass rates are reasonably priced here! Oh, do try the „Alpine Coaster“ – The coaster hurtles down for 1,800 metres, travelling at speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour. The ski area of Klausberg has:

7 cable cars from 1,050 to 2,510 m above sea level
30 kilometersof ski runs: 14 km blue runs, 12 km red runs, 4 km black runs
Absolute certainty of snow as a result of extensive snowmaking facilities

For more information, do visit their website: http://www.kronplatz.com/en/klausberg.

The hotel offers a free shuttle to and from the slopes. Just give them a call at what time you want to leave or get back. Very well organized!

Skiing is however not the only thing this area has to offer. Walking in the summer, mountain biking, golf, etc … You could easily spend weeks here and never get bored (especially not with that spa).

The dinner & breakfast at AlpenPalace are of very high quality. You can see that they spend a lot of time in working out the menus and love working with local products. Also one of the main assets here is the professional and very friendly staff. They will guide you through the menu and suggest very good & local wines.

I can already say that we will return to his home away from home to enjoy all the luxury it has to offer and I highly recommend for you to do the same!

The Langham – London

17 December 2014HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Hotelchain: Langham hotels
Location: London – UK
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: http://london.langhamhotels.co.uk

I have travelled all over the world and have found the Langham London to be one of the most exquisite boutique grand hotels in my experience. The Langham London is a historic 5 star hotel and is well located on the famous Regent street. Regent’s Park is only a few steps away. We were welcomed by a very courteous bellman who parked our car and escorted us into the beautiful lobby. I immediately realized why this is one of the top rated hotels in London. It is actually the place to be for all kinds of celebrities visiting this beautiful city. Further, we were greeted by an exceptionally great front desk staff. Check-in went smoothly and the staff were just extremely professional, going to extraordinary lengths to make everybody’s stay pleasurable. They even remember your names.

All the guestrooms at the Langham are unique and very tastefully decorated. It’s all about the details and to be honest, the bed was one the best I have ever experienced! It felt like sleeping on a cloud, it was so soft… The bathroom was quite spacious, featuring a separate tub and shower, large sink and separate toilet. Toiletries were amazing! The room was opulent and charming at the same time, perfectly appointed and completely functional. I loved the 2 comfy couches and large desk. I had a few requests and everyone, from housekeeping to room service or the food and beverage servers, makes it their goal to treat all their guests like VIPs.

It would be very difficult to get bored at the Langham London as it offers a fully equipped hotel gym and fitness facilities and we did relax at the spa area. We tried everything: the vitality pool, salt sauna and steam room. One nice detail I had never seen before: a swimwear dryer. The relaxing areas are just beautiful. There is a large swimming pool as well, but unfortunately it was closed so I cannot comment on that. Everything was very clean.

The next day we had breakfast at the Palm Court. The breakfast selection and service were amazing and they had my favorite fruit, muffins and excellent coffee. The large buffet was leisurely and good with great hot food choices. All in all, an excellent breakfast that set us up for the day. It is quite expensive though, but I do recommend a bed and breakfast rate as it is quite an experience having breakfast in such a special place. We also had a drink at the Artesian, voted “World’s best bar 2014” by Drinks International. Their other restaurant “Roux at The Landau” looked amazing too, but we didn’t eat there so I can’t comment on the food. I did talk with guests who ate there and they all loved the food.

The Langham London is a destination hotel for those travelers that are looking for a truly wonderful experience! This grand hotel and its staff exceeds customer service in every possible way!

Me, myself and I

19 May 2014HotelAdvisor Leave a comment

Having a passion for hotels and exploring new cultures. Giving advice to future guests is invaluable. In this blog, I will be writing reviews about quality hotels and I will be adding some pictures and videos. I will comment on the overall atmosphere, the architecture and the interior. A hotel is more than just a room to stay in: amenities such as the bar, the restaurant and the spa services are equally important. Everyone has their own opinion, but I will provide you with an objective impression to give you a general and clear idea of what is awaiting you.

Enjoy reading and travelling!

Christophe Delcroix

Christophe.Delcroix@gmail.com

Hotel Advisor Consultant

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Shangri-La – Toronto

EB Hotel – Miami

The Library Hotel – New York

Disneyland Paris

Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport – Schiphol

AlpenPalace hotel – San Giovanni/South Tyrol

The Langham – London

Me, myself and I