InterContinental Amstel Amsterdam

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Intercontinental
Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: amsterdam.intercontinental.com

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The famous five star Intercontinental Amstel is one of the very best hotels Amsterdam has to offer! When we arrived, we were wowed by the beautiful building. It is such an amazing building… Since its opening in 1867, the hotel has been the most prestigious hotel in town and probably in the whole Netherlands and I can tell you why …

When they open the door for you, you will be amazed by the most amazing lobby area. Although the InterContinental Amsterdam is quite small with only 79 rooms and suites, you wouldn’t tell when you see such a stunning lobby. Did you know that originally the hotel would have been a lot bigger with some extra wings? Luckily, the hotel is now relatively small. It does have this grand feeling and we were welcomed as royalties. What a great start! To be honest, I experienced one of the best check-in’s ever! The staff was so accommodating and professional. No impersonal check-in here, they do take their time to explain everything while we were enjoying a glass of Prosecco. We were escorted to the room where they explained everything in a very professional yet no snobby way.

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We stayed in an executive suite and trust me, they are amazingly decorated with plenty of space! It has a separate living area with comfy couches and oversized desk. The bedroom had the best bed ever and had another popping-up television, very fun! The marble bathroom was very large and featured bath tub, large separate toilet and shower with rain head and oversized single sink. Great toiletries here as well and plenty including dental and saving kit. Loved it!

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One thing I truly appreciated about this place is that they kept almost every detail of the past, such as the beautiful grand staircase in the lobby. It has been there since the opening of the hotel, 150 years ago.

On the lower level there is a full spa center with gym. The indoor pool is just gorgeous and right at the same level of the Amstel river. It was like swimming in the river when I was looking outside, enjoying the pool. Right next to the pool, a sauna and steam room can be used as well. The (cold) dipping pool was great after a sauna session.

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From the moment we walked in the door, until we stepped into our car heading home, everything was perfect here at the InterContinental Amsterdam Amstel! Highly recommended for a luxurious getaway in Amsterdam!

Rosewood Abu Dhabi

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Knipsel         

Hotelchain: Rosewood hotels
Location: Abu Dhabi– UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: rosewoodhotels.com/en/abu-dhabi

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The Rosewood hotel Abu Dhabi is one of the top rated hotels in the city. It was the first time I got the chance to explore a Rosewood Collection hotel and truly was blown away with this property. The 34-storey building itself is ultra modern and huge, but the Rosewood hotel has ‘only’ 189 rooms and truly has a boutique feeling. The Rosewood Abu Dhabi opened in 2013 and is ideally located on the waterfront of Sowwah Square. It is directly connected with the largest luxury shopping mall of Abu Dhabi, The Galleria.

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This ultra luxurious hotel is not just a ‘hotel’, to me it is a destination… Let me tell you why…

Upon arrival we were greeted warmly and we were really overwhelmed by the design of the lobby area. Very tastefully and attention to details. We couldn’t have felt more welcomed by the staff. The check-in staff were absolutely excellent, they could not have been more friendly and helpful. Check-in was seamless with zero wait.

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The room we stayed in was absolutely breathtaking. It was spacious to the point that we felt we had an apartment. We declared that we could just live here. The quality of furnishing was excellent. The bathroom was one of the nicest bathroom I have seen in any hotel. I took a bath in the most wonderful bath tub ever and enjoyed every single second of it! Standard amenities were of a very high standard. Everything in the room such a lighting, drapes, etc. is electronically controlled with an iPad. I just can’t say enough good things about the rooms at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi! You really have to experience it yourself! By the way, the views were amazing (as you could see on the second picture – just stunning!)

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The outdoor pool area is stunning with a the nicest swimming pool I have seen in Abu Dhabi. Sun loungers are of a very good quality and they provide complimentary water, sun cream and a refreshing facial spray. Top service! There’s a separate tanning area where you can enjoy sunshine all day long.

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The Rosewood Abu Dhabi has 9 dining options, from lounges to fine dining restaurants… they have it all! Breakfast is serves at Aqua and as you could expect from such a luxurious hotel, the quality of the food was excellent. The lobby lounge is a perfect place for hanging out, relaxing and reading a book. I should also mention the cleanness of the entire hotel. If you told me that the hotel opened just a few days ago, I would have believed it!

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We had dinner at Sambusek with a Lebanese cuisine. Sambusek delights seafood lovers with the quality and freshness of its ingredients from the local fish market. The atmosphere was so nice here, we were sitting outside and enjoyed the cool vibe around the place. Do try the hot mezzeh ‘Cheese Sambusek’ as a starter… a fried dough stuffed with feta and akkawi cheese, it is just delicious! As a main course I enjoyed the traditional kebab and enjoyed every bite. As said, the atmosphere is great and live music was sooo nice.

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I was sad to leave the Rosewood Abu Dhabi as I felt at home here! Can’t wait to visit this hotel again! Highly recommended!

Suite Novotel – The Hague

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Hotelchain: Suite Novotel
Location: The Hague – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: novotel.com/…haag-city-centre/index.shtml

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Located in the center of The Hague, the Suite Novotel is a centrally located 4 star hotel. I must say that this beautiful city is great for shopping and this hotel is right in the middle of it all. The Suite Novotel The Hague is a brand new hotel and the concept is fairly new as well. No regular rooms here, just suites which I will write more about later. There’s a young and cool vibe throughout the hotel and the design is quite trendy. The reception area is bright and airy, I saw several people actually working in the lounge area socializing with other guests, great! The reception is not located on the ground floor, you first have to take the elevator to access the hotel’s reception. Complimentary hot drinks such as coffee, tea, etc. are offered all day long here. The home made cake was yummy too, by the way! A must try!

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As I told before, this is an all-suite hotel. The suites are pretty spacious offering a small sitting area with comfy couch, small kitchenette and comfy bed. The bathroom has both a bathtub and (rain)shower. I felt quite at ease here, they used neutral colors and trendy furniture. I truly appreciated the comfy couch! It was so nice to relax after a full day of shopping, watching a great movie in this great couch. I wanted some light bites and luckily there’s a small shop in the lobby area where you can buy some snacks and drinks at fair prices.

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There’s a fitness center available and although the place wasn’t huge, the equipment was great. By the way, they give free (!) massages on thursday nights, how cool is that? This hotel even has an ironing room.

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The next day we had breakfast and what a great start of the day it was! There was plenty of choice and the overall quality of the food was excellent! The freshly squeezed orange juice was delicious!

The Suite Novotel The Hague is an excellent four star hotel with great service and outstanding suites! All the main shopping malls and restaurants are within walking distance. Highly recommended for a short getaway!

 

Hotel Veenendaal

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Hotelchain: Van der Valk
Location: Veenendaal – The Netherlands
Classification: 4 star hotel
Official website: hotelveenendaal.com

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I have had good experiences with the Van der Valk hotel chain and was excited to visit their hotel in Veenendaal! From the outside, the hotel looks quite special and unique. And as soon as you enter the Van der Valk Veenendaal, you will experience a full service four star hotel.

Check-in was very efficient and super friendly! Always so nice to be welcomed with a great smile! The lobby area is spacious and you immediately notice the nice décor and decorations. They used warm colors and cozy furniture which results in a classy place. Thumbs up!

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We stayed in one of their luxuriously appointed wellness suites! What a gorgeous room it was! At 60m², this suite is huge featuring several wellness facilities which we appreciated very much! There’s a free standing jacuzzi, a (double) steam shower and infra-red sauna. I could not imagine any better room to feel at ease and relax. Again, warm natural colors have been used. Other standard four star amenities in the room are a Nespresso coffee machine, bathrobes and good quality (Ritual) toiletries.

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All guests staying at the Van der Valk Veenendaal enjoy complimentary access to the spa area which is located at the 2nd floor. There’s a Finish sauna, steam room and a relax area with comfy lounge chairs. A full fitness center is also available with the latest technology equipment. I must say the whole place was immaculately clean!

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The restaurant and bar are located on the ground floor and are very large. Throughout the whole hotel, the used the same style and atmosphere. Very cool! It was pretty busy while we were there, but service was top notch! Within minutes, we were brought to our seats and enjoyed a great aperitif. They offer a great selection of Gins! The menu is varied and they use several local ingredients. From the starter with mushrooms to the perfectly baked salmon… we thoroughly enjoyed every dish! Oh, and the dessert was to die for 🙂

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The next morning we had breakfast. The buffet was great with plenty of choices. What a great start of the day!

The Van der Valk Veenendaal is a very good hotel, no wonder it gets such good comments! From the beautiful rooms to the professional service… I loved every second of my stay here! Highly recommended!

Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri – Abu Dhabi

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Shangri-La
Location: Abu Dhabi – UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: shangri-la.com/abudhabi/shangrila

Located near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri is one of best five star hotels in the Abu Dhabi area and prides itself in the quality and attention given to every detail of your stay! The hotel has a modern Arabic style with amenities of the highest level which will please everyone. The location is just stunning. All over the hotel you can see the Grand Mosque giving you the true Middle East feeling and experience. I have so many good experiences with other Shangri-la hotels and was so excited to experience this one!

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When I entered the hotel, I was just blown away by the most stunning lobby area. Gold and marble all over the place… It is such a gorgeous place and we were welcomed by the most friendly staff ever which is something Shangri-la is known for… hospitality in a very kind and professional way. They offered Arabic tea and a cold towel before checking us in. Throughout our stay, reception staff was always helpful and goes the extra mile.

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The room I stayed in was very luxurious and perfectly set up. It is all about details here: fresh flowers, mood lighting, etc. It is just perfect. Everything is very well kept and housekeeping will do their upmost best to maintain the entire hotel. The quality of furniture is of a very high standard as you could expect. I particularly liked the marble they used in the bathrooms. The bathroom featured a separate bath tub and (rain)shower, also fresh plushy towels and bathrobes are provided. The room had a good size and the balcony overlooking the mosque was great to hang out and enjoy the stunning surrounding views. The little touches that catch my attention: housekeeping noticed my personal toothpaste was almost gone and left me a new small tube and leaving chocolates, bottles of water and glasses next to the bed at turndown. We had access to the Horizon Club with complimentary soft and hot drinks during the day. Alcoholic drinks and light bites are offered every night from 6pm – 8pm. As always, personalized services was outstanding.

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The pool and ‘chill out’ areas of this Shangri-La are spectacular. Again, with stunning views of the Mosque. It does look like paradise and I couldn’t imagine any better place to read a book, relax and enjoy life.

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There are several fine dining options here. The first night we had dinner at Shang Palace, the Chinese restaurant which almost every Shangri-la property has. The food was great as was the service. From the spicy chicken salad to the lamb… we liked it all! The restaurant was very nicely decorated too. The second evening we experienced p&c, their beach side restaurant with famous (rated with 2 Michelin stars) chef Sergi Arola. I was surprised by this ‘kind’ of restaurant and didn’t expect to find it here, the design was very hip and modern. Very classy and totally different than the rest of the hotel. The food was delicious! Chef Arola has taken the concept of tapas and you won’t be disappointed having dinner here! Other fine dining options are Bord Eaux with a French cuisine, Hoi an with a Vietnamese cuise and Sofra Bld. One day we had lunch at Sofra Bld and were thoroughly blown away by the buffet. The food options were endless… Asian and Arabic cuisine… It is all there and the quality of the food was outstanding! It actually is a buffet style restaurant with multiple live cooking stations. Highly recommend to have lunch here, the restaurant itself is beautifully decorated with the grand staircase in the middle. Breakfast is served here too and was one of the best buffets ever experienced! I appreciated the fresh juices a lot!

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When you are staying at the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, there are 2 things you should definitely check out: a boat ride throughout the resort and a visit to their CHI spa center.
The boat ride – and not just a boat, it’s called an ‘abras’, a traditional Arabic boat – takes you to the hotel’s souk. On your way you can enjoy a fun and romantic ride on winding waterways. We were surprised by how large this complex is…

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CHI, the spa area of the Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri hotel is a stunning place for totally relaxation! All massages and treatments they offer are based on authentic natural healing methods found in traditional well-being practices shared by many Asian cultures. I totally enjoyed my 90 minute treatment, they took care of me in a very professional, warm way. I was able to relax and rejuvenate both my body and mind. I definitely recommend booking a massage here.

The Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri has it all and no wonder it is rated as one of the best hotels in Abu Dhabi. Part of the magic of their attention to service is that you actually don’t see it. You just experience it. I’m a (huge) fan and can’t wait to go back some da

Anantara Eastern Mangroves – Abu Dhabi

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Anantara
Location: Abu Dhabi– UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel 
Official website: abu-dhabi.anantara.com

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The Anantara Eastern Mangroves is beautifully located near the only National Park of Abu Dhabi, the Mangroves. I read good things about this hotel and was excited to experience this hotel. This five star palace truly has the most stunning views all over the mangroves and Abu Dhabi. The views all over the hotel are just amazing and the service they provide is of a very high level. They made it quite personal and attention to details was appreciated.

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Check-in went smoothly and we were welcomed with tea and cold towels. What a great start! The check-in staff was very professional and kind. You actually ‘feel’ the Thai hospitality all over the place making this hotel one of the best in the area! We checked in pretty early and our room wasn’t ready yet, so we were immediately escorted to the Kasara executive lounge where we could still enjoy breakfast and a cup of coffee and tea while looking outside… enjoying the stunning views! The staff at the lounge was very nice and told us all the things we needed to know about the lounge and other facilities of the hotel. Complimentary (soft) drinks and hot drinks are offered here all day long, at night from 5pm-7pm alcoholic drinks and pre-dinner snacks are included.

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The room we stayed in was very nicely appointed and had the amenities I expect from a 5 star hotel. It was spacious enough and beds are heavenly! Bathroom has separate bath tub and (rain) shower and separate toilet. The room was very clean and well maintained. The thing I liked most about the room was the balcony overlooking the mangroves and Abu Dhabi. I could have sit on that balcony all day long. I still had some work to do and appreciated the oversized desk. A small thing I appreciated were the typical orchid flowers on the bed.

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Getting bored here would be very difficult. There are so many things to do. First of all, the swimming pool (an infinity pool) is gorgeous offering direct views of the mangroves. The surrounding tanning areas are great and loungers were comfortable. The outdoor bar has been beautifully integrated. To me it was a very relaxing place without the hectic city center of Abu Dhabi. I could hear to sound of birds… loved it! I also saw some small boat floating near the Mangroves. It looked like a lot of fun…

The Anantara Eastern Mangroves has a full spa center and I thoroughly enjoyed the traditional Turkish Hammam experience… and let me tell you … an experience it was! One of the very best I have ever had in any spa area. This 60 minute signature treatment of the Anantara Eastern Mangroves is amazing and made me feel reborn. Highly recommended! I should also mention that the interior of the spa area is stunning. It was so nice to relax after the treatment and enjoy a cup of ginger tea and Turkish sweets.

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There are several restaurants at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves and we had dinner at Pachalyen, a Thai restaurant with excellent food and top service! The food was delicious… we enjoyed a three course menu and enjoyed the experience! As a starter we tried the Deep fried prawns cake with a sweet chili dip. The wok fried beef tenderloin fllet with leeks and black pepper sauce and spicy chicken was delicious as was the homemade water chestnuts cooked and boiled with tapioca flour with coconut ice cream. It actually was the best meal we had while we were in Abu Dhabi so thumbs up for the chef and staff! The other restaurant is Ingredients, the all-day dining buffet with specialities all over the world.

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I highly recommend staying at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves when you are looking for a hotel in Abu Dhabi! This hotel is a true jewel and I love the attention to detail and overall level of service. There’s an eastern vibe around the place and although this was my first experience at an Anantara property, I am keened to experience more.

InterContinental – Abu Dhabi

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Hotelchain: Intercontinental
Location: Abu Dhabi– UAE
Classification: 5 star hotel 
Official website: ihg.com/…l/nl/abu-dhabi/auhha/hoteldetail

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As you know, I am a fan of InterContinental hotels and after having stayed at several, I was excited to explore the InterContinental Abu Dhabi! Actually, this hotel was one of the first hotels in Abu Dhabi build back in the 90’s. Of course, the hotel has undergone several renovations after years and now has all the facilities you would expect of a five star hotel.

The lobby area is stunning and I loved the interior designs. From the crystal chandeliers to the comfortable seating areas, it is just gorgeous and has the five star look. Bell staf were very friendly upon arrival and check-in was efficient. We were escorted to the elevators in just minutes. Although it just takes a few seconds for the staff, it does make a difference to me when they guide you to the elevators. Very nice touch!

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Rooms at the InterContinental Abu Dhabi are nice. We stayed in a queen bedroom and although not overly large, it had all the amenities we needed for a comfortable stay. The bathroom had a separate bath tub and shower, separate toilet and single sink.

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The best thing I like about the InterContinental is the beach area. It actually is one of the few hotels in Abu Dhabi center with a private beach area. The whole place is large and besides the private beach, there’s a large outdoor pool and full fitness center. The surrounding views of the Etihad Towers are spectacular and together with the palm trees, I experienced the ultimate holiday feeling! Another pool area is directly connected to the hotel. The beach area is just a 5 minute walk through the marina. Be sure to check it out when you’re there, you will love it too! I worked out at the fitness center and appreciated the latest technology equipment.

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The surrounding areas of the InterContinental Abu Dhabi are very nice and clean. It is so nice to walk around and explore the marina before heading to bed. When we got back to the hotel after our walk, I was surprised by how large this hotel is. There are several restaurants and bars so no need to leave the hotel to have a bite. We had breakfast at Selections. The buffet style breakfast was of a good quality and there was a good variety of several hot and cold dishes.

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The InterContinental is a great five star property in a very interesting area of Abu Dhabi! The surrounding views are amazing and the proximity of the small harbor will give you the feeling of total relaxation! The beach area is one of the nicest I have seen throughout Abu Dhabi and Dubai!

Hilton Berlin

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Hilton
Location: Berlin – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: www3.hilton.com/…in/hilton-berlin-BERHITW

Located in the ‘middle of it all’, the Hilton Berlin is a top five star hotel which I thoroughly enjoyed… I was ‘wowed’ when I entered this grand hotel! The lobby area truly is spectacular and has the most comfortable seating areas all over the place. It felt really good hanging out here during the day and night as the place was well maintained, trendy and ultra luxurious! What a great start!

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Check-in was very efficient and the check-in staff was professional and friendly without being over the top… just the way I like it and the way it should be! Our keys were handed in seconds and we were curious on how the room will look like.

The room we stayed in, an executive deluxe room with a direct view of the dome, was very classy and comfortable! As you may expect of a Hilton hotel, it had all the amenities and facilities of a five star hotel. The trendy couch was perfect for reading or surfing on my iPad! I still had some work to do and appreciated the large desk with the most comfortable seat. Plenty of sockets as well which is a bonus J The bathroom had a tub/shower combination, toilet and single sink. The typical Hilton toiletries were great.

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Since we had an executive room, we had access to the executive lounge which is located on the ground floor next to the reception area. It was one of the better executive lounges I have experienced! A small breakfast buffet is offered during the morning, an afternoon cake buffet in the afternoon and at night (from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm) a selection of alcoholic drinks (including some spirits) and a buffet with light bites. You don’t have to leave the hotel to eat when you have access to the executive lounge! From soup to (hot)sandwiches, vegetables, etc. They have it all! Highly recommended to upgrade your stay with lounge access!

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The spa area here is just gorgeous! The Hilton Berlin has an indoor pool which had a good size by the way! Not one of those small hotel pools, you can actually swim in this one J Next to the pool, is a full fitness center with the latest technology equipment. I should mention the lovely staff! They were all great and every request has been fulfilled with a smile, thumbs up!

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There are several dining options here, from à la carte restaurants and fancy lobby bars to a buffet style restaurant. We had dinner at their restaurant Mark Brandenburg, a classic Berlin restaurant right at the Gendarmenmarkt. They offer a great menu and I tried the traditional schnitzel which was absolutely delicious! Definitely a must try when you are there! Staff was wonderful… Breakfast is served at restaurant Beletage offering the most amazing views out of the Gendarmenmarkt. Really spectacular and so was the buffet… the food really good and plenty of choice!

I can not say a bad word about the Hilton Berlin! One of the better hotels I have stayed at in Berlin and definitely worth staying here if you are looking for a full five star experience!

Rosa Alpina – San Cassiano

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Relais & Châteaux
Location: San Cassiano – Italy
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: rosalpina.it

Peacefully located in a small town named San Cassiano, the beautiful Rosa Alpina (part of the Relais & Châteaux chain) is a gorgeous five star hotel with the most wonderful staff one could wish for!

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First of all, let me tell you something more about the village. San Cassiano is small town in the middle of the Dolomites, located 1500m above sea level. People are amazingly friendly over here and the ski area of Alta Badia is right here. There’s a complimentary shuttle service for Rosa Alpina guests to/from the ski slopes. In just 3 minutes they will bring you there (I did time J).

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Entering the Rosa Alpina is entering a world full of luxury and attention to details. The most wonderful staff checked us in and gave us all the information about the hotel and surrounding areas that we needed to know.

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We were escorted to our wonderful room and were pleasantly surprised by how large and beautifully decorated our room was! Wooden floors, a comfy couch, an oversized king bed and large bathroom … our room had it all! Housekeeping did a terrific job here, twice a day our room was completely made up and turn down service was offered every night.

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The staff at the Rosa Alpina is one to remember. Not too formal yet professional… just the way I like it! Every request was taken care of in a very friendly way. We met the owner of the hotel, Hugo Pizzinini, and loved the way he talked about San Cassiano and the hotel. His passion truly reflects the high standards of the Rosa Alpina. It is a hotel with a great history and tradition. There are pictures all over the hotel, showing you the evolution of the hotel. Very impressive!

Recently, they added a new part of the hotel with several rooms, a gym and a spa area for adults. The spa area was just amazing. It was so nice to relax here after a full day on the slopes. A Finnish sauna, bio sauna, a steam room and (cold) dip pool can be used at no additional charge. I also have to mention that the place was immaculately clean!

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Besides this adults-only area, there’s another relaxation area with indoor pool and jacuzzi. Oh, the lounge seats around the pool are one of the best I have ever seen! So soft … so comfortable… Kids are welcome too at the Rosa Alpina! There’s even a special play area for them where they can play and just be kids J

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After our first night and lovely breakfast (I will tell you more about the breakfast later – it is just delicious), we were ready to ski! We thoroughly enjoyed our day at the Alta Badia Super Ski area. Featuring 130 km of ski slopes, it is huge! Most slopes and ski lifts are connected to each other and one could easily ski here for a week without skiing on the same slope! On top of that, they’re directly linked with other ski areas featuring another 500 km of slopes. We liked the overall quality of slopes and ski lifts. Everything is well maintained and prices at the restaurants and bars are fair. This part of the Dolomites has many advantages: first of all – 300 days of sun per year! And we could tell … The sun was shining all day long! Secondly, it offers stunning mountain views and it was nice to see how the Italian villages are integrated in the area.

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This ski area will please anyone, from beginners to experts… there are slopes for just everyone! For more information, visit their official website: altabadia.org.

There are two restaurants at the Rosa Alpina, one fine dining culinary restaurant rated with 2 Michelin stars – St. Hubertus and the more casual and traditional restaurant Fondue Stuben . The first night we had dinner at Fondue Stuben and started with a great appetizer and had a pizza (of course – we are in Italy!). The food was outstanding as was the service! Dishes at St. Hubertus are like paintings. Everything here is done with style and absolute eye for details. The high level of service reflects all over the place.

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Every morning, a large breakfast buffet is waiting for you! It is the perfect start of the day with plenty of healthy and freshly made food options. The chef will prepare several egg dishes for you. The restaurant itself is very nicely decorated with a mountain theme. I particularly liked the freshly squeezed orange juice!

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The Rosa Alpina is a true five star hotel with a high level of comfort and service. It is the perfect hotel for a luxurious getaway in the mountains. It is run by an exceptional staff and a special mention to Stefania Bellé – the resident hotel manager – and Hugo Pizzinini. They did an incredible job, making our stay at the Alpina Rosa one will we never forget!

Grand Hyatt Berlin

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Knipsel

Hotelchain: Hyatt
Location: Berlin – Germany
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: berlin.grand.hyatt.com

Rated as one of the top hotels in Berlin, the Grand Hyatt Berlin is perfectly located in the center of Berlin Mitte. The Potsdamer Platz is closeby, the Brandenburg Gate is only a 15 minute walk away and the Gendarmenmarkt can be reached in just 20 minutes by foot . One thing I didn’t know that the Grand Hyatt Berlin is actually an art hotel with art work all over the place. It is quite impressive and noticeable as soon as you enter the lobby. On every floor, art work can be found with information about the work and artist. Never seen before and really interesting, it was like walking in a museum! The ‘donut’ on our level was my favorite! The hotel was designed by Spanish architect José Rafael Moneo and Swiss interior designer Hannes Wettstein.

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The lobby is spacious, airy and has a trendy design. Comfortable couches, nice colours and (most important!) friendly and professional staff, it is all there! Our room keys were handed in just seconds… I was ready to explore and experience this Grand Hyatt Hotel! One thing I appreciated about this hotel is the fact that there are 342 rooms, but I never had the feeling of staying at such a large hotel.

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The room I stayed in was very nicely decorated and had all the amenities of a five star hotel room. Honestly, one of the best beds ever! They were so soft and the linen used were of a very good quality! The marble bathroom had separate shower area and bath tub, separate toilet, single sink and a television. I had some work to do while I was in Berlin and appreciated the oversized desk in the room! It was just perfect! Oh… and the views over Berlin were amazing! Overall, rooms are great here and they have some sort of Asian look.

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The spa area is the highlight of the Grand Hyatt Berlin! In most hotels, spa areas are located in the basement but at the Grand Hyatt Berlin the indoor pool, fitness and full spa area are on the top floor offering stunning views all over Berlin. It is gorgeous! The pool is one of the best pools I have seen in Berlin and the whole place was immaculately clean! Do note that in most hotels in Berlin there’s an extra charge to use the sauna and steam room, but at the Grand Hyatt Berlin the use of sauna and steam room are offered at no additional charges. Comfortable (soft!) bathrobes and slippers are available in your room.

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Hungry after working out? There are several dining options, from brasserie style to fine dining. They have it all! We had dinner at VOX, a grill and sushi restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed our dishes here! We started with a great appetizer. The salad I had as a starter was very nice and the steak was excellent! The lovely staff was very professional and proposed excellent wine choices. They serve traditionally prepared sushi as well and the dishes looked amazing.

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All dishes at VOX are prepared  in front of the guests´ eyes. This restaurant shines in so many ways over the other restaurants we’ve visited in Berlin. Not only is the food wonderful but so is the service. Their menu is diverse and their attention to quality food is obvious. Breakfast is served here too, by the way. It is a buffet style breakfast with high quality food options. Do try their omelets, they are yummie! Truly, the breakfast is outstanding!

The Grand Hyatt Berlin definitely deserves its good name! It is one of the better hotels in the area and you can’t go wrong by booking a room here. And do not forget to visit the spa area on the top floor, you will love it!