FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - 2018 Luxury Hotel Highs and Lows
View Single Post
Old Dec 29, 2018 | 5:19 pm
  #24  
SanDiego1K
Community Director Emerita
50 Countries Visited
80 Nights
5M
100 Countries Visited
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 35,507
We do a lot of travel for the destination and not the hotel. Thus, we end up in the best of what there is but not ones to recommend here. My list is going to be relatively short.

Great
Andaz Papagayo, Costa Rica - had a beautiful huge suite. There were interesting activities, some free, some paid.
Lima Limo Lodge, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia - beautiful setting overlooking the Simien Mountains with an occasional gelada monkey stopping by.
Juvet Landscape, Norway - stunning setting, a truly unique property. You are in the landscape.
Waldorf Astoria Ras al Kaimah - upgrade to a beautiful huge junior suite. Great treatment.
Chinzombo Lodge, Zambia - beautiful lodge at the entrance to Luangwa National Park
Lion Camp, Zambia - furthest camp inside Luangwa National Park, freshly rebuilt and beautiful
Anabezi, Zambia - had the feel of an old African camp. Very comfortable.
Marriott Skopje, Former Republic of Macedonia - paid 1/10 the price of the Aman where we spent the prior night. Service at the Marriott far outstripped the Aman.
Saffire, Tasmania, Australia - wow, just wow. Fantastic in every way.
Hong Kong Intercontinental - I know I'm an outlier, but I'm going to own that I loved our December stay. We book a specific category of junior suite and get an outstanding view over the harbor. Service was impeccable, both at the hotel and delivery to and from the airport.

Good
Storfjord, Alesund, Norway - solid property
Sofia Intercontinental, Bulgaria - upgraded to a beautiful suite

Disappointing
Aman Sveti Stefan,
Montenegro- service was deplorable. We had to ask repeatedly for anything. We were at the end of the season and most employees there seemed to be short term college students. And yet, Saffire managed to take a team of transient employees and deliver extraordinary service.
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills - service was sound but the room was bland. I expected something more interesting at the price point.
SanDiego1K is offline