This Park Lane institution was closed for over 2 years whilst a major overhaul took place. Its hard to believe that the 'new' Four Seasons Park Lane has been open almost 2 years and wow what a makeover it was. I was lucky enough to experience the hotel earlier this summer - OK we were spoilt with a 2 bedroom apartment and a terrace big enough to hold a tennis court. It was tough to leave - or even to venture out. The technology, the beds, the small attentions to detail that are Four Seasons hallmarks are all in place so whether you are on a lightning fast business trip or a leisurely London tourist jaunt, do what you can to stay here. At least once. To me, one of the signs of a great hotel is that feeling of not wanting to leave the room..or at least to look forward to returning. 

Camps Bay is THE beach in Cape Town. Just keep driving south from central Cape Town through Sea Point and Bantry Bay and suddenly you turn the corner to find the stunning backdrop of the jagged rocky peaks that sweep down to a stunning beach. Apartments and houses gradually give way to a strip of bars, restaurants, shops and a surprisingly average collection of hotels. Apart from POD that is. Set just back from the main road, and therefore the beach, POD was created by owner/architect Paul O'Donnell after a series of other successful projects, both hotel and residential, in the Camps Bay area. They couldn't come up with a name until, I suppose, one day they looked out to see a pod of dolphins frolicking in the waves, as I did. Just pretty relieved to see it wasn't a ? of sharks..

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The Welcome 

Nestled on the outskirts of Manuel Antonio, the smallest of Costa Rica's national parks, Arenas Del Mar is a masterpiece of design. Built to blend in with the forest, everything about the hotel is aimed at impacting the local environment as little as possible. A brilliant result of this eco-friendly camouflage is that the hotel grounds are always full of exotic animals, and guests often wake up to find that their balcony has been colonised by a family of monkeys overnight.

The Service

Arenas Del Mar boasts some of the friendliest staff around. All the employees are hired from Quepos, so they know everything there is to know about the local area and are always delighted to pass on their knowledge about their beloved country. Most of the staff speak excellent English, and the few who do not are in the process of learning. Any problems or complaints mentioned to a member of staff are instantly radioed in to reception and workmen are usually along to fix things within minutes.

The Rooms

All rooms are outfitted with amenities including wifi, air conditioning, cable TV, DVD players, and fridges with a selection of complementary local snacks and the larger suites have balcony jacuzzis. Depending on which suite you choose, you may have an ocean, beach, or rainforest view, but regardless of what you see from your balcony, rest assured that it will be beautiful.

The Dining

In addition to the selection of local restaurants and bars, Arenas offers two on-site restaurants, El Mirador and Playitas, and an extensive room service. Lovingly thought-out menus combine local specialities with gourmet world cuisine, all cooked using the freshest local produce available.

Activities

Arenas Del Mar offers something for everyone, from a beautiful spa overlooking the ocean, to zipwire tours in the treetops and night-time jungle walks. The range of wildlife to see in the National Park is incredible and all of the guides are extremely experienced. Even if the hotel does not offer a specific activity, the staff at reception will help guests to find somewhere to take part.

What used to be a scandalous nudist beach has now been revamped as the hotel’s private beach, with a full-time lifeguard, body boards and sun loungers available for guests. For those who would rather not brave the ocean tides, the hotel also has two gorgeous swimming pools with views over the sea.

Information

http://www.arenasdelmar.com/index.html

 We would love to hear from you on any relevant subjects to travel, be it on business or leisure, and particularly relating to your hotel experiences around the world. For many of us, staying in hotels is an integral part of what we do and sadly as a result we either get jaded or bored with the experience of being away from home. On the other hand hotels are a wonderful way of escaping our everyday lives and the routine of home or the office. We hope this blog will become a useful source of information and ideas, tips on how to travel smart and in some cases how to save money in these challenging times; how to find the best hotels and how to find the best rooms in the best hotels. Please share your travel secrets with us and in so doing I hope you will also pick up some useful tips and advise that will help you travel better. And safely.

Set amid the dramatic beauty of the Pyrenees and nestled between two former noble family houses, high in the traditional town of Tramacastilla de Tena, this luxury oasis has been lovingly transformed from its original 12th Century Abbey beginnings. The masterful integration of the best in contemporary facilities and familial decor blends so naturally with the traditional stone and architectural detailing that an overall sense of timeless, easy elegance pervades throughout.

Arriving at the tucked away entrance immeditaly brings a sense of elegant yet low-key grandeur, as beneath the magnificent stone detailed facade the homely patio with cosy seating and magnificent rock garden welcome you to relax, enjoy and be at home. Step inside and be treated to the legendary Spanish hospitality from Anabel, Juan and their discretely attentive team for whom nothing is too much trouble.



Choose from a generous selection of luxury-appointed rooms, junior and superior suites, all furnished to impeccable standards and offering breathtaking views of the stunning backdrop of limestone peaks and forests or the delightful village houses and friendly bustle of this quaint mountain town. Rustic charm meets sumptuous sophistication in the thoughtfully designed furnishings and decor. With luxury toiletries, duvet-esque bathrobes and towels and several suites including private jacuzzis and spa baths, the opportunity to pamper yourself cannot be missed. The chance to take this a step further however is a real must-do; enjoy a speciality massage treatment or simply relax with a Turkish Bath, Pediluvio or thermic chair experience.






Once unpacked, you may choose well to recline on the sublime sofas, gaze out at the incredible views and leaf through the wonderful selection of local magazines brochures and then place them all back where you found them for El Privelegio de Tena truly is too good to leave. With a full compliment of services that will sate your every need and desire, a magnificent eaterie in the Salon Gourmet Restaurant that you will wish was on your doorstep and the atmospheric lounge bar, it's a fight you won't win - relax and enjoy the best in this charming Spanish idyll.



 

The welcome

Gracious, iconic and friendly. From the 24, hundred year old King palm trees that line the driveway to the white pillared colonial buildings – the scene is elegant and has oodles of old-style charm. Often referred to as ‘India’s museum hotel’ – just a quick wander around it’s fabled corridors will show you why.

The neighbourhood

Located on Janpath, the hotel is convenient as it is within close proximity to the shops and restaurants of Connaught Place and is only a short taxi ride to Khan Market – a must for shoppers.

The service

Nothing is too much trouble, everything is done with efficiency and with customarily warm Indian hospitality. There is a high staff-guest ratio which ensures a quick solution to any question or issue. If you have time, ask for the Front Desk Manager who can arrange a tour, free of charge, of the hotel’s incredible art collection.

The rooms

When staying at The Imperial, book a Heritage Suite which, at 550 square feet, comes with wonderfully high ceilings and colonial-era furniture. Grand and spacious, these suites offer separate bedroom and living room with a seating area for 5 to 6 guests. The bathrooms are roomy with monogrammed towels and Fragonard amenities. In addition, the suites feature an electronic in-room safe, tea/coffee maker, dual line phone with data port and voice mail, high speed Wireless Internet as well as a DVD player, Bang & Olufsen TV and exclusive linen from Porthault . Opt for a room in the northwest wing for ultimate peace and quiet.

The dining

‘1911’ celebrates Indian cuisine and showcases the melting pot of culture and gastronomy –it is spread over three areas - the 1911 Brasserie, the bar and the verandah lounge which overlooks the impressive lawns. Noted as one of the top ten restaurants in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, The Spice Route reflects the voyage of spices from the Malabar Coast in Kerala through Sri Lanka, and onto South-East Asia. The incredible interiors also reflect this astonishing Asian medley.

The scene

With lots more buzz than many of the city’s chain hotels – expect to see some of the country’s hoi-polloi, visiting dignitaries, celebrities as well as some seriously well-heeled globetrotters. Find time to explore the corridors, there are over 3,000 artefacts and artworks in all housed in the hotel. Of ‘British Art on India’ you may see works from Thomas and William Daniells, William Simpson, William Hodges, John Zollony, James Ferguson, J.B. Fraser, Emily Eden, Charles D’Oyly, among others.

The verdict

Fantastic. The Imperial is a legendary hotel, not just in Asia – but worldwide. It offers a unique experience both in terms of hospitality and the overall experience but uniquely, it also offers an insight into aspects of India’s rich history.

Info

1 Janpath, New Delhi, India

Tel: + 91 11 23341234

www.theimperialindia.com

Those travelers or business people who eschew the stuffiness of traditional hotels but demand 5 Star quality need to know about this gem in the “golden triangle” of the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

A short walk from the bright lights of the Champs Elysées, the Hotel de Sers is witness to the transformation of a traditional and imposing Parisian building into a chic, bright and fresh, luxury hotel displaying all the benefits of savvy design, spaciousness all around and staff that exude a desire to please.




The name of the hotel is a handover from the original owner of the eight-storey house, the Marquis de Sers who inhabited the splendid premises prior to their conversion to a hotel.  Today, traditional style lives alongside cutting edge design; as soon as one steps though the entrance on avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, off the venerable avenue Georges V, a long line of imposing 19th century portraits line the long foyer wall leading to the bar, restaurant and outside terrace.  Alongside each of them, a slick guest armchair and minimally designed coffee tables.  It is this fusion of styles that defines this hotel, together with the burgundy and purple hues of the soft furnishings giving the place a feeling of cutting edge Parisian chic.





Guests in the Hotel de Sers’s 52 spacious rooms (including an apartment suite, four junior suites and two panoramic suites with views of the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre which are the stuff of romantic cinema) can breakfast, wine and dine at the S’ Bar and the Restaurant le Sers, work out at the Fitness Centre or sip a drink on the splendid Terrasse in the central courtyard which is open all year round; covered and heated in winter and opened to the air in spring and summer.




And… if variety is what you seek and the magnetism of Parisian life pulls you, we can happily say that de Sers is at the epicentre of party life, with the notoriously fashionable restaurants of L’Avenue and Pershing Hall a stroll away, not to mention the remodeled L’Arc nightclub on the Etoile.  Before I forget, Le Blitz, the most secretive of Parisian bars with a select and underground clientèle, is right opposite the de Sers … see if you can get past the doorman next time you stay.  A room at the hotel may help you with your credibility!

The welcome

The welcome is efficient, graceful and attentive – as soon as you check in here it is immediately obvious that you’re in good hands. The atmosphere is exciting, but at the same time highly refined. After the hotel’s 2005 $115 million US dollar renovation, the hotel has retained it’s original look and feel – Italian marble for the walls and pillars, dramatic chandeliers in public spaces, but there are also dashes of modern brilliance – the new Krug room, for example, has oak floors made of champagne barrels and Hermes plates hang suspended as light fittings.

The neighbourhood

Walking distance to unmatched shopping - Harvey Nichols, Anya Hindmarch, Chanel cosmetics, Diane von Furstenberg and Jimmy Choo. The Star Ferry is a short 10 minute walk away, which allows a watery trip across the harbour with views of the receding island which is especially dramatic at night. From the airport take the Express train which takes 30 minutes, then spend 5 minutes in a cab to the hotel. ‘Central’, the closest MTR (mass transit railway), is a minute’s walk away, (note – there are 10 exits).

The service

Nothing is too much trouble, everything is done with efficiency and intuition.

The rooms

Of the 501 guestrooms the ‘Veranda’ rooms are ideal for a leisure stay – cool shades of olive, pewter and white contrast with walnut walls and ceilings, while negligee drapes curtain off the work area, where pencil street-scene sketches hang above a low-slung mini-sofa by the wall-to-wall windows - a perfect spot for making use of the supplied binoculars to scan the harbour and Kowloon beyond. I-pod dock, flat screen television and even a secret valet box all come as standard.

The best rooms are code-named ‘the 26 Series’, which is 1026 on the 10^th floor and 626 on the 6^th. Both are located at the corner facing both Central and Victoria harbour, so from the living room you can enjoy both views, especially at night. The bathrooms from these rooms have incredible harbour views.

The dining

For fine dining and modern French flavours, go to Pierre on the 25^th floor, which is run by Michelin-starred Pierre Gagnaire - one of the finest chefs alive and Head Chef at Sketch in London. If available, try the Terra Sienna fried monkfish or the lamb fricassée with plums.

At the M Bar try Kuei Hua Chen Chiew - a Chinese vintage wine and match it with Cantonese tapas.

 

The scene

Past notable guests include Kate Moss, Anna Sui and Princess Diana. The lobby is buzzy and busy with business people, leisure travellers and locals.

The verdict

The oldest hotel on Hong Kong island, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, continues to wow all guests who are lucky enough to sashay through it’s famous doors.

Info

Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2522 0111

www.mandarinoriental.com