Where are you going next?
Jun 10, 2019, 2:21 pm
#3811
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 76
- Il Sereno, Lake Como
- Bill and Coo coast, Mykonos
- Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf
- Soho House, Berlin
- Badrutt's Palace, StM
- Villa Feltrinelli
- Cap Rocat, Mallorca
- 7pines, Ibiza
- Hotel Goldfinger, Ibiza (albeit it being a boat!)
- Rosewood, Bangkok
- Amanoi
- MO, Munich
- Bill and Coo coast, Mykonos
- Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf
- Soho House, Berlin
- Badrutt's Palace, StM
- Villa Feltrinelli
- Cap Rocat, Mallorca
- 7pines, Ibiza
- Hotel Goldfinger, Ibiza (albeit it being a boat!)
- Rosewood, Bangkok
- Amanoi
- MO, Munich
Last edited by DonJ; Jun 10, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Jun 10, 2019, 2:42 pm
#3812
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
- Il Sereno, Lake Como
- Bill and Coo coast, Mykonos
- Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf
- Soho House, Berlin
- Badrutt's Palace, StM
- Villa Feltrinelli
- Cap Rocat, Mallorca
- 7pines, Ibiza
- Hotel Goldfinger, Ibiza (albeit it being a boat!)
- Rosewood, Bangkok
- Amanoi
- MO, Munich
- Bill and Coo coast, Mykonos
- Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf
- Soho House, Berlin
- Badrutt's Palace, StM
- Villa Feltrinelli
- Cap Rocat, Mallorca
- 7pines, Ibiza
- Hotel Goldfinger, Ibiza (albeit it being a boat!)
- Rosewood, Bangkok
- Amanoi
- MO, Munich
Hope your stay at Il Sereno will be great. But it's not been great in my experience.
Jun 10, 2019, 11:09 pm
#3813
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 676
Recently finished a trip to Kyoto
Tawaraya: wanted to try one of the old ryokans and really wanted to like this one. Check in started off poorly as I was right behind another guest and they seem somewhat confused. Taka was one of their largest rooms and could fit 4 persons comfortably. It is really two rooms with a small space in between. Certainly too large for a party of two unless each wanted their own room. Nice setting over looking the garden. Hardware was nice and up to a luxury ryokan standard. The little study alcove where the owner used to use was also nice to see. Have read up ahead of time and got a feel for all the little details they go to from the wooden bath to the soaps which are all from the best suppliers. Dinner was good but not great. Service falls short though. Maybe part of it was communication issues but I asked the futon to be set up in one room but she did it in another. Eventually I have to move the futon myself. For breakfast, they didn’t move the table back to original position so I wind up eating facing a wall rather than the garden. While I have stayed in a number of luxury ryokan and really wanted to like this grand dame, it just didn’t do it for me and don’t think I would go back.
RC Kyoto: concierge team was very responsive and helpful in securing restaurants reservations. Luxury room is reasonably spacious. All the amenities are there from Nespresso to electronic bidets. This has become my go to hotel in Kyoto mostly due to its location. Easy walking distance to most restaurants, Gion, Nishiki market, old palace and with Kamo river right in front. Jogging in the palace compound or along Kamo river are very convenient. Have always liked their Pierre Hermès bakery goods at breakfast and tried their Japanese breakfast for the first time. Easily better than Tawaraya’s breakfast. Another new discovery is the little stream between the hotel and Kamo river heading towards the direction of the old palace which has quite a number of fireflies at night. Am planning to be back in Aug and Dec
Tawaraya: wanted to try one of the old ryokans and really wanted to like this one. Check in started off poorly as I was right behind another guest and they seem somewhat confused. Taka was one of their largest rooms and could fit 4 persons comfortably. It is really two rooms with a small space in between. Certainly too large for a party of two unless each wanted their own room. Nice setting over looking the garden. Hardware was nice and up to a luxury ryokan standard. The little study alcove where the owner used to use was also nice to see. Have read up ahead of time and got a feel for all the little details they go to from the wooden bath to the soaps which are all from the best suppliers. Dinner was good but not great. Service falls short though. Maybe part of it was communication issues but I asked the futon to be set up in one room but she did it in another. Eventually I have to move the futon myself. For breakfast, they didn’t move the table back to original position so I wind up eating facing a wall rather than the garden. While I have stayed in a number of luxury ryokan and really wanted to like this grand dame, it just didn’t do it for me and don’t think I would go back.
RC Kyoto: concierge team was very responsive and helpful in securing restaurants reservations. Luxury room is reasonably spacious. All the amenities are there from Nespresso to electronic bidets. This has become my go to hotel in Kyoto mostly due to its location. Easy walking distance to most restaurants, Gion, Nishiki market, old palace and with Kamo river right in front. Jogging in the palace compound or along Kamo river are very convenient. Have always liked their Pierre Hermès bakery goods at breakfast and tried their Japanese breakfast for the first time. Easily better than Tawaraya’s breakfast. Another new discovery is the little stream between the hotel and Kamo river heading towards the direction of the old palace which has quite a number of fireflies at night. Am planning to be back in Aug and Dec
Jun 10, 2019, 11:17 pm
#3814
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 676
Am typing this from The Siam. Very photogenic hotel and a nice relaxing setting. Not really close to shopping or other sites but great as an urban retreat. Pool Villa with river view looks like an old house with very tall ceilings. Pool inside villa is a dipping pool and the villa is not that large. More like a room with a garden and a terrace over looking the river. Nick, the manager, was here for a meet-and-greet during check in and great service so far. Massage in spa was good. Have yet to try the restaurants though. Good stay so far and thank you Chinmoy in helping to arrange the stay and the confirmed upgrade at booking!
Jun 28, 2019, 10:20 am
#3816
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
I might recommend trying a future stay across town at the Suiran in Arashiyama at some point, too. We loved it even a bit more than the RC.
Jun 29, 2019, 3:49 am
#3819
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 404
August:
4 nights at Connaught
4 nights at Park Hyatt Paris
2 nights at MO Dubai
November / December:
4 nights at Rosewood HK
1 night TBD in Bangkok (waiting on FS...)
7 nights at Amankora
5 nights at Park Hyatt Saigon
we loved the 4S as well - impeccable hard and soft product. The hot tub next to the pool was so nice after hiking around town all day.
Sushi Wakon was meh IMO, their uni was really poor quality that day and they didnt serve it as part of the omakase so I ordered a piece a la carte. They shouldnt have served it but did anyway and charged $40 for that piece!
4 nights at Connaught
4 nights at Park Hyatt Paris
2 nights at MO Dubai
November / December:
4 nights at Rosewood HK
1 night TBD in Bangkok (waiting on FS...)
7 nights at Amankora
5 nights at Park Hyatt Saigon
Sushi Wakon was meh IMO, their uni was really poor quality that day and they didnt serve it as part of the omakase so I ordered a piece a la carte. They shouldnt have served it but did anyway and charged $40 for that piece!
Last edited by RichardInSF; Jun 29, 2019 at 7:16 am Reason: consecutive pposts by same member
Jun 29, 2019, 10:38 am
#3820
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
To placate @FlyerEC, here are our future stays:
April (leaving today, in fact, for our 9th wedding anniversary!):
Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara
Ventana Big Sur, Alila
May:
Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Calistoga Ranch, Auberge
St Regis San Francisco
June:
Ritz-Carlton Washington or Georgetown
Ritz-Carlton Boston
July:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Sept:
21c Museum Louisville
Oct:
Hotel D'Angleterre Copenhagen
Grand Bretagne Athens, Luxury Collection
Mystique Santorini, Luxury Collection
Prince de Galles Paris, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
Nov:
Palace San Francisco, Luxury Collection
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
St Regis San Francisco
Dec:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
St Regis Mexico City
Jan 2020::
Chable Yucatan (my 50th bday)
Hotel Esencia Tulum (my 50th bday)
Feb 2020:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Mar 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
Ritz-Carlton Washington
Ritz-Carlton Boston
April 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Boston
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown or Washington
Scotland 10th anniversary trip to include:
Boath House Nairn (where we got engaged)
Kinloch Lodge Skye
Gleneagles Hotel Perth
Glasgow hotel TBD
Edinburgh hotel TBD
April (leaving today, in fact, for our 9th wedding anniversary!):
Ritz-Carlton Bacara Santa Barbara
Ventana Big Sur, Alila
May:
Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Calistoga Ranch, Auberge
St Regis San Francisco
June:
Ritz-Carlton Washington or Georgetown
Ritz-Carlton Boston
July:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Sept:
21c Museum Louisville
Oct:
Hotel D'Angleterre Copenhagen
Grand Bretagne Athens, Luxury Collection
Mystique Santorini, Luxury Collection
Prince de Galles Paris, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
Nov:
Palace San Francisco, Luxury Collection
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
St Regis San Francisco
Dec:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
St Regis Mexico City
Jan 2020::
Chable Yucatan (my 50th bday)
Hotel Esencia Tulum (my 50th bday)
Feb 2020:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Mar 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
Ritz-Carlton Washington
Ritz-Carlton Boston
April 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Boston
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown or Washington
Scotland 10th anniversary trip to include:
Boath House Nairn (where we got engaged)
Kinloch Lodge Skye
Gleneagles Hotel Perth
Glasgow hotel TBD
Edinburgh hotel TBD
July:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Sept:
St Regis San Francisco
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Peninsula Beverly Hills
Oct:
Grand Bretagne Athens, Luxury Collection
Mystique Santorini, Luxury Collection
Prince de Galles Paris, Luxury Collection
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
Nov:
Palace San Francisco, Luxury Collection
Ritz-Carlton San Francisco
St Regis San Francisco
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
Peninsula Beverly Hills (Thanksgiving)
Dec:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Christmas)
Jan 2020::
Chable Yucatan (my 50th bday)
Hotel Esencia Tulum (my 50th bday)
Feb 2020:
SLS Beverly Hills, Luxury Collection
St Regis San Francisco
Mar 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown
Ritz-Carlton Washington
Ritz-Carlton Boston
April 2020:
Ritz-Carlton Boston
Ritz-Carlton Georgetown/Washington
Ritz-Carlton St. Louis
April/May 2020 10th wedding anniversary trip:
The Glasshouse Edinburgh, Autograph Collection
Boath House Nairn (where we got engaged)
The Torridon, Wester Ross
Three Chimneys House Over-By, Skye
Kinloch Lodge, Skye
Inverlochy Castle Hotel Ft. William
Isle of Eriska Hotel Oban
Cameron House Loch Lomond (if renovation completed) or Hotel du Vin Glasgow
A total of 14 nights in the Scottish Highlands without air con. Talk about my husband being brave.
Jun 30, 2019, 9:05 am
#3821
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Germany
Programs: Some
Posts: 11,521
Jul 2, 2019, 2:39 pm
#3822
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
We loved the Manor House! We stayed last night for just one night. Castle Combe gets quite few tourists but it's not a tourist trap. The hotel stands in gorgeous grounds and is a lovely building. We were offered their top suite at a bargain rate but we liked the idea of a room in their row of cottages, so we had Longlands, one of their 'plush rooms.' It was charming, quaint, creaky with a thoroughly modern bathroom . . . and just what you want here. We had a fabulous dinner at the The Bybrook restaurant - we went a la carte, not a tasting menu. Only five tables on a Monday night but that got us wonderful service from all the team. With wine it cost £260 and was worth it, we thought.
We are now at Lucknam Park. Lucked out? Decidedly not. So many service lapses and seriously disappointing rooms, including our top-level suite. They are doing their best to recover.
We are now at Lucknam Park. Lucked out? Decidedly not. So many service lapses and seriously disappointing rooms, including our top-level suite. They are doing their best to recover.
Last edited by Pausanias; Jul 2, 2019 at 11:52 pm
Jul 4, 2019, 2:36 pm
#3823
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Lets see what sticks, but for now:
January: St Regis Deer Valley
February: Paris - Shangri-la has a 3-for-2 special so will likely end up there now
March: W Scottsdale (not really luxury), TBD in NYC
May: Mayfair hotel in London
July: Villa d'este (should I switch to the new Mandarin Oriental?) and Cala di Volpe
August: FS Bogota
October: Belmond Charleston
November: Amanpulo, Sofitel Hanoi
December: TBD in SE Asia (thank you CF X mistake fare)
January: St Regis Deer Valley
February: Paris - Shangri-la has a 3-for-2 special so will likely end up there now
March: W Scottsdale (not really luxury), TBD in NYC
May: Mayfair hotel in London
July: Villa d'este (should I switch to the new Mandarin Oriental?) and Cala di Volpe
August: FS Bogota
October: Belmond Charleston
November: Amanpulo, Sofitel Hanoi
December: TBD in SE Asia (thank you CF X mistake fare)
As for the rest of the year:
July - Last minute travel changes mean that our Italy trip is now Romazzino (currently en route) and Belmond Caruso, Il San Pietro and Le Sirenuse; Como will have to wait for another year
August - Mansion in Turtle Creek in Dallas instead of Bogota
October - Belmond Charleston
November - Keeping Amanpulo, but doing Singapore instead of Hanoi. will probably go with the Raffles to see the new updates
December - Ended up deciding to do Vana Belle in Samui and then Amansara
2020 (early plans):
January: St Regis Deer Valley
February: Aman Venice
April: Hilton Tel Aviv and Kind David Jerusalem
Jul 4, 2019, 2:46 pm
#3824
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
We had a very nice stay at the King David, but we also were impressed with the more modern Mamilla nearby. I'd also recommend the new Jaffa Luxury Collection property in Tel Aviv.
Jul 4, 2019, 6:31 pm
#3825
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Re Venice: the Gritt is actually more expensive than the Aman for the weekend we are looking, and my understanding is that the base rooms are smaller at the Gritti than the Aman.
Re Israel: The Jaffa has certainly invested a lot in PR and the pictures look nice, but the location is very inconvenient for me. Jerusalem was not my decision but my wife would second your recommendation of Mamilla.
Re Israel: The Jaffa has certainly invested a lot in PR and the pictures look nice, but the location is very inconvenient for me. Jerusalem was not my decision but my wife would second your recommendation of Mamilla.