travel

Bulgari Hotel Milano

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Hotelchain: Bulgari
Location: Milan – Italy
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: https://www.bulgarihotels.com/



Bulgari Hotel Milan is the most luxurious hotel in Milan situated in the heart of the city. The hotel has 58 rooms and suites, designed in a contemporary style that is both elegant and luxurious. The hotel is known for its amazing spa, which offers a range of services and treatments, as well as its attention to detail when it comes to its staff. As soon as you enter the Bulgari Hotel Milan you enter a world full of luxury. The lobby feels like a stylish living room with complimentary candies and cookies.





We all know Bulgari as a luxury brand but few know that they have several hotels all over the world. Service is unseen. As soon as you arrive they will remember your name and make sure you are treated as royalty. Our room wasn’t ready and we were taken to Il Bar to start our Bulgari experience. When I ordered the Bulgari cocktail I knew that this was the beginning of a fairytale. The name of the hotel written on top of the cocktail was an amazing surprise. Loved it.





Each room at Bulgari Milan is unique. What they do have in common: they’re all ultra luxuriously appointed. Each material is of a great quality. From the linen to the drapes, you can tell they didn’t save on money nor effort to make this hotel to be a true jewel. The design is awesome and so is the bed. One of the best I have experienced at any hotel. We had a very large balcony with several seating areas.





Bathroom was pretty fancy offering a separate walk-in shower and bath tub. Separate toilet is always a bonus.



What surprised me most was – again – attention to detail. I don’t know how they do it but they clean the room several times a day and we almost didn’t saw a staff member. Each time we were out of the room and came back, there was a surprise waiting: from taking care of our phone chargers with a small Bulgari holder, to fresh flowers, sleep well tea, cakes, etc. Very nice and hardly seen at any hotel world wide.

One of the highlights of this hotel: the Bulgari Spa – a true oasis of relaxation and wellness. The spa offers a wide range of services, including massages, facials, body treatments, and more. The spa also has a sauna, steam room, and indoor swimming pool, all of which are designed to help guests relax and rejuvenate. The swimming pool is an eye catcher, it’s the place to relax and unwind in a stylish environment.

The spa’s therapists are highly trained professionals who are dedicated to providing personalized service to each guest. They are knowledgeable about the latest techniques and products in the spa industry and are committed to ensuring that each guest has a unique and unforgettable experience.

Another highlight: breakfast. Not a buffet style breakfast here, but an à la carte 24 hour breakfast. That is right, here you can have breakfast 24 hours. The à la carte options did blow me away. Each dish is prepared with care and each request had been taken care of.

 

I would like to highlight once again that the hallmarks of the Bulgari Hotel Milan is its attention to detail when it comes to its staff. The hotel’s staff is friendly, professional, and attentive to guests’ needs. From the moment guests arrive at the hotel until they leave, the level of personalized service that is unmatched.

The staff is well-trained and knowledgeable about the hotel’s amenities, as well as the surrounding area. I was out for a run and the front desk staff pointed out several routes. They are always available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and ensure that guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay.

In conclusion, the Bulgari Hotel Milan is an exceptional hotel that offers guests an unforgettable experience. The hotel’s spa is a true sanctuary of relaxation and wellness, while its staff’s attention to detail ensures that guests are always well-cared for. If you are looking for a luxurious and unforgettable experience in Milan, the Bulgari Hotel Milan is the perfect choice.

Four Seasons Astir Palace

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Chain: Four Seasons Hotels
Location: Athens – Greece
Classification: 5 star hotel
Official website: fourseasons.com/athens

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Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens is a five star luxury hotel located on the beautiful Athens Riviera. Location is excellent, the hotel is the ideal place to stay when you are looking for both relaxation near the coast and for visiting Athens. The city center of Athens can be reached in just 25 minutes.

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When I entered Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens I immediately knew that this would be a great stay. The luxurious lobby definitely is an eye-catcher with its beautiful furniture and relax atmosphere. The contemporary design is impressive and the large windows offer stunning views over the surrounding areas. Loved it!

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Let’s talk about rooms… Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens has a total of 303 rooms which are all luxuriously appointed and decorated in a very stylish way.  Rooms are spread over 2 buildings: The Nafsika and the Arion Building. The room I stayed in at the Nafsika building was absolutely stunning and the view over the sea was just incredible. The room had upscale furniture and a very comfortable living area and separate sleeping area with the most comfortable bed. At 44m² it was very spacious. The large windows offered panoramic views over the Aegean Sea and it was nice to hang out on the private furnished balcony. As usual at any Four Seasons, the bed was heavenly. It was like sleeping on a cloud.

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The large full marble bathroom was like a dream coming true. This bathroom is among the most beautiful bathroom I have ever seen. The free standing designer bathtub was top notch. The oversized excellent separate (rain)shower couldn’t be better. Oh, and I should definitely mention the Le Labo toiletries! A first time for me, but hopefully not the last. They smell a-m-a-z-i-n-g. Everything in the room was very well maintained. The room was cleaned several times a day and – of course – turndown service is provided each night.

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Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens offer a lot of facilities to their guests. The spa center is a must visit when you are staying here. The relaxing treatments and facilities of the CBE Wellness area are designed to make you feel relaxed and reborn. Each morning, I started my day with a nice swim in the indoor pool. Their marble indoor pool is very impressive. That is right, even the pools at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens are eye catchers. The large outdoor pool located right next to the beach is THE place to hang out when you’re looking for ultimate relaxation.

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After hanging out at the pool, I went down to see the beach. Even walking on the board walk to get to the beach is truly pleasant!

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Other facilities are the separate male/female Finnish sauna, Moroccan hammam for men and Rhassoul for women. The fitness area is up to date with great furniture and Pilates studio. For total relaxation after the work-out, the Silent Duvet Room is a treat! Several body treatments and facials are offered as well as private spa suites. I loved the semi outdoor terrace with plenty of loungers. It was sunny when I was in Lausanne and it was divine to rest here and reading a good book.

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There are several dining options at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. We had dinner at Mercato, their stylish Italian trattoria. The restaurant is located near the beach and we were lucky enough with the good weather, having dinner outside is always a good idea. . It made our evening even more pleasant. The food was delicious and the best thing was the view. Watching the sunset from here was heavenly!

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Service throughout the entire evening was excellent. Every request has been taken care of with a smile. The service here was out of this world, very nice, easy going and certainly not snobby or anything.

The hotel offers more casual restaurants such as Taverna 37 – a beachfront bistro with a Greek cuisine and Helios – their Latin American grill restaurant.

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If you are looking for a more formal fine dining experience, make sure to book your table at Pelagos, Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens signature restaurant. It specializes in sophisticated Greek seafood. Although I didn’t eat here myself, I did had a look at the restaurant and was impressed.

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

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What a nice hotel to stay near Athens. This is a high class hotel with charm and a relaxed atmosphere. When you are in the area either for business or leisure, this hotel will do. I loved the overall service level and many facilities. Four seasons stands for high standard and that definitely was the case at Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens. From the moment I stepped in until we left, I enjoyed every second here and can’t wait to return!

Skáld Hotel Akureyri

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Chain: Curio Collection by Hilton
Location: Akureyri – Iceland
Classification: 4 star superior hotel
Official website: https://skaldhotel.is/


Some hotels simply offer a place to sleep. Others create a world you want to step into.

Skáld Hotel Akureyri belongs firmly in the second category.

Officially opened on June 26, 2026, this new luxury boutique hotel feels deeply connected to Icelandic culture. Its name refers to the poets and storytellers of Old Norse tradition, and that inspiration is woven throughout the entire property. The hotel is conveniently located near the city center of Akureyri with many shops and restaurants.

From the moment I entered, Skáld Hotel Akureyri felt like a beautifully illustrated Icelandic story. The interiors are artistic, atmospheric and full of unexpected details. Every hallway, corner and public space invites you to slow down and look more closely.

Poetry is not simply part of the decoration at Skáld Hotel Akureyri. It shapes the identity of the hotel.

That concept feels especially fitting in Iceland, a country where nature itself often seems poetic. Dramatic mountains, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and endless summer light all find their echo in the hotel’s interiors. The design is luxurious without feeling cold and artistic without becoming pretentious. It combines Nordic elegance with rich textures, statement pieces and a warm atmosphere. Although Skáld Hotel has 71 luxury rooms, it still feels intimate. It has the personality of a boutique hotel rather than the anonymity of a large property.

The lobby is one of the hotel’s most memorable spaces. Rather than functioning only as a reception area, it feels like a contemporary art gallery and an elegant living room combined. Unique artworks, sculptural furniture and carefully chosen objects give the space real personality. It is the kind of lobby where you want to linger with a drink, take photographs or simply admire the details. It feels like the creative heart of the hotel.

Check-in was great! Very personal and professional. It is always nice to be welcomed with a smile.

Rooms and Luxury Apartments

The rooms continue the calm, refined atmosphere of the hotel. They feel comfortable, stylish and cocoon-like—ideal after a day of exploring northern Iceland. I was in love with all the details. Did you know that the entire hotel is furnished with unique pieces designed exclusively for Skáld? That attention to detail is visible everywhere.

The junior suite we stayed in was truly breathtaking. It was so tastefully decorated that I felt at home the moment I walked through the door. Every element felt carefully considered, from the high-end finishes to the beautiful custom-made furniture.

The writing desk is the centrepiece of the room, perfectly reflecting the hotel’s literary theme and inviting guests to sit down and write their own stories. Each room is designed as a peaceful retreat, with a comfortable sitting area that is ideal for reading, relaxing or simply unwinding after a day of exploring.

The bathrooms are equally luxurious, featuring spacious rain showers, excellent water pressure and high-quality toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. Our bathroom also included a large bathtub, which was perfect for relaxing after our whale-watching trip. It was exactly what we needed after a long day out on the water. And the towels deserve a special mention. They are oversized, incredibly fluffy and wonderfully indulgent.

The hotel also offers apartments that feel more like spacious luxury suites. They are particularly well suited to families, groups of friends or travellers looking for more space and privacy. These apartments do not feel like a practical alternative to a hotel room. They feel like a private residence with the services and design of a luxury hotel. Do note that those apartments are directly connected to the hotel.

Restaurant Abba-labba-lá

The hotel restaurant, Abba-labba-lá, is just as memorable as its name. The atmosphere is stylish but not overly formal, and the food easily matches the creative surroundings. I ordered the steak, and it was genuinely one of the best steaks I have ever had.

It was perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavor. Every element on the plate complemented the meat without distracting from it. It became one of the standout dining moments of my trip through Iceland.

Breakfast is another highlight. It is served at Abba-labba-lá (LOVE that name, by the way). The selection includes everything one could ask for from a luxury hotel breakfast: fresh salmon, local pastries, savoury dishes, sweet options, fruit and plenty of choices for both a light and a more substantial start to the day. The quality and presentation are excellent, but the atmosphere remains relaxed. It is easy to sit a little longer, enjoy another coffee and plan the day ahead.

A New Luxury Address in Akureyri

Skáld Hotel Akureyri gives travellers another reason to stay longer in Akureyri. What makes it special is not one single feature, but the way everything works together: the Icelandic poetry, the art, the beautiful rooms, the spacious apartments, the generous breakfast and the unforgettable dinner at Abba-labba-lá. And don’t forget to visit the lounge on the 4th floor. It is amazing to sit, relax and enjoy a wonderful cocktail! And last but not least, I must praise the attentive staf members! Everybody at Skáld Hotel Akureyri is working with a smile and nothing is asked for too much! A true gem!

Skáld Hotel Akureyri may be new, but it already has a clear identity. It is imaginative, luxurious and full of character—a hotel where every detail tells part of a larger story.

And just like a good poem, it stays with you long after the final line.