How about an additional question, while we're at it: what is the best hotel (or top three) that you have always wanted / been curious to stay in, but have never managed to yet?
Mine are:
1) Hotel Riffelalp, Zermatt. It sits halfway up mountain with its own railway stop, it has a perfect terrace overlooking the Zermatt and the Matterhorn where you can sit with a rug over your knees and drink hot chocolate and it just looks like a precision Swiss watch. Every time I skied past it badly, I wished I was staying there rather than down in the town.
2) Hotel Cipriani, Venice. It has a lot of scathing reviews for being tired and over-priced but what a location!
3) The hotel in Morocco where Churchill like to paint the view of the High Atlas. I can't remember its name, though!
3) The hotel in Morocco where Churchill like to paint the view of the High Atlas. I can't remember its name, though!
La Mamounia in Marrakech. Churchill wintered there during retirement. I stayed there once, in 1975. The Churchill Suite was USD$135/night at that time. We (being freshly minted college graduates) didn't stay in the suite, but it was empty while we were there, and management graciously gave us a tour. The hotel is currently closed for renovations, and expected to open later this year, but re-opening date has not yet been determined.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kered
I wish it were a list of 4 hotels, as I’d really like to add…..
The Landmark – London to my list
(oh look I’ve just added it )
I did CPR on a man by the side of the swimming pool in the Landmark...
And I live just along the road from it too... VERY nice hotel indeed!
I can not say which is my favorite hotels, as they are all Crew hotels, and not able to say names... and I am not going to say cities either as it may become obvious where we stay... But I have my favorites too!
1. Hotel de Crillon, Paris. An old palace, but with superb service and the kind of old world magic that's practiced in this city better than anywhere else.
2. Mollie's, Auckland, New Zealand. The most wonderfully eclectic and sumptuous boutique hotel I've ever stayed in -- a glorious surprise.
3. Grootbos Lodge, Gansbaai, South Africa. Not a wildlife safari experience, but a gastronomic eco-tourist delight in extraordinary comfort.
Runners up would be the Ventana Inn and the Hotel Bel Air in my native California, Claridge's in London, the Sacher in Vienna, the Sukhothai in Bangkok, the Mt. Nelson in Cape Town.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raffles
Mandarin Oriental Chiang Mai, Thailand
We've been here twice. The Four Seasons is arguably better overall but the MO is a lot nearer the city. Until you go here you cannot even begin to understand the astounding level of craftsmanship in the architecture and the amazing working paddy fields throughout the estate. We've also had good upgrades on both visits when booking through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts into the huge villas - far, far bigger than our house, including a grand piano last time! I could happily go back here once every couple of years - shame its so far away.
Amen - to give it it's correct title: Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai.
Raffles - you didn't mention the Spa or the Cookery School - both great experiences, as was planting rice in the paddy fields (and riding what must be the world's most-pampered water buffalo).
I was even safely able to recommend the place to that master of style and good taste - VC10 Boy.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kered
Ha !
I could dropped in for tea.
“Mrs Kered” & myself were over there for a weekend in January
No! If you were staying in the Langham, I would be dropping in for tea at your Hotel, not the other way around! (And signed to your room, obviously...!)
The Bel-Air in Beverly Hills. Perfect old-world Hollywood charm with gracious and discreet service - a world away from brash LA. The location is a totally hidden paradise in the Hollywood hills and yet you can get to meetings in town very easily. The staff there always remember me, often provide complimentary upgrades and gifts as well as sending a car to LAX as a matter of course.
The Condesa DF Hotel in Mexico City is a boutique hotel (though it is on the big side) with a young vibe (as opposed to the Bel-Air!) but the service is spot on and the roof terrace is amazing.
Estancia El Ombu near Buenos Aires... if you're into horse riding!
2. Mount Nelson, Cape Town http://www.mountnelson.co.za/
It's maybe a bit faded but the gardens are amazing and you can only be in Cape Town. In 3 weeks time I'll be here again!
3. Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe http://www.lhw.com/property.aspx?id=...imbabwe_Hotels
For still managing to maintain their standards despite the trouble in Zim. Great grounds with monkeys etc. And it's the perfect location for seeing the falls (which will be deserted on the Zim side). It was a bit eccentric to upgrade me to the Honeymoon Suite (when I was on my own..) - but appreciated.
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Not that I could ever claim to have stayed in the world's finest hotels but here is a selection that I found to be rather special:
The Love Your Bum Award (sponsored by Andrex) goes to Hotel Silken Puerta America, Madrid. The Arata Isosaki floor gets this award for its delicate design and thoughtful palette of materials and fittings. The jet black bog-roll is an unusual, if not curious touch.
The Which Window Would It Be? It's The Round Window Award (sponsored by Brian Cant) to The Maritime Hotel, New York. Fabulous toiletries, a thoughtful minibar selection and yep, the rooms feature a round window.
The Most Fabulously Camp, If I Wasn't Such A Fantastically Crap Interior Designer Award (sponsored by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen) to The Mondrian, Scottsdale. Taking net curtains to a whole new level of loveliness, and you've got to admire the stuffed animals in the lobby.
The Ernst Stavro Blofeld Award (sponsored by Ken Adams) goes to Hotel Hisperia Tower, Barcelona. Unashamedly hi-tech property. Pity my room was missing the pirana pool and chrome plated bridge.
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