What are some of your favorite "non-obvious" luxury hotels?
Dec 9, 2019, 2:43 pm
#16
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I'm not sure about the Kämp. I've stayed there many times, and I think it fails the test of the premise of this thread on two fronts. Firstly, it is the only obvious upscale choice in Helsinki. Secondly, I'm not sure I would bestow the luxury moniker on it. It is a nice business hotel, the bar is decent, I agree, but the rooms are pretty four-star average in my opinion, and could do with a complete refurbishment. I do enjoy lunch in the restaurant, particularly in the 'conservatory.'
Dec 9, 2019, 2:47 pm
#17
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Firmdale Hotels probably for the bill here too, but as a matter of policy refuse to stay there. Too many service lapses and the chain is filled with cheapskates. For $800/night I know I can do a lot better.
Dec 9, 2019, 5:14 pm
#18
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On Ett Hem:
edit: service depends on where you are in the hotel and how well the staff knows you. The restaurant tends to be good and they’ve become a bit warmer since I’m a regular. The laddershed service is cold as ever. Biggest turn off of the whole joint. And hotel service is very warm.
edit: service depends on where you are in the hotel and how well the staff knows you. The restaurant tends to be good and they’ve become a bit warmer since I’m a regular. The laddershed service is cold as ever. Biggest turn off of the whole joint. And hotel service is very warm.
At least I get to pet the dog at the Lydmar.
Dec 9, 2019, 6:52 pm
#19
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Just to throw one out there, I will go with Riad el Fenn in Marrakesh. Not a virtuoso hotel or member of other "luxury hotel collections" or chains. Had a great stay there and would consider it a luxury hotel.
Dec 10, 2019, 12:38 am
#20
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cool story bro
Dec 10, 2019, 2:19 am
#21
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honestly the main beach (Lighthouse Beach) is NOT nice. If not for the charming lighthouse at one end it would be a dirty, small and not particularly appealing beach in front of a very unappealing town. Varkala beach set in front of the cliffs was much prettier. India isn’t the best beach location though and Kerala in general is VERY laid back, so don’t expect a party. I read a review from a disappointed FlyerTalker that expected Kovalam to be “the St. Tropez of India” and lol’d to myself at how far off base that was and in general at the idea of there being anything like St. Tropez in India. The Taj doesn’t have it’s own beach but 2-3 days in a pool suite with visits to surrounding beaches and a backwater tour would be good.
Dec 10, 2019, 2:21 am
#22
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honestly the main beach (Lighthouse Beach) is NOT nice. If not for the charming lighthouse at one end it would be a dirty, small and not particularly appealing beach in front of a very unappealing town. Varkala beach set in front of the cliffs was much prettier. India isn’t the best beach location though and Kerala in general is VERY laid back, so don’t expect a party. I read a review from a disappointed FlyerTalker that expected Kovalam to be “the St. Tropez of India” and lol’d to myself at how far off base that was and in general at the idea of there being anything like St. Tropez in India. The Taj doesn’t have it’s own beach but 2-3 days in a pool suite with visits to surrounding beaches and a backwater tour would be good.
Dec 10, 2019, 2:21 am
#23
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Do NOT. Stockholm is a ghost town during midsommer, everyone goes out of the city to celebrate on the seaside or in the countryside literally no Swedes will stay in central Stockholm then.
Dec 10, 2019, 2:24 am
#24
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I know, I’ve done it before. We plan to also stay at a friends house in the archipelago as well for a party. I just love midsummers because of the sunlight hours, as sunlight is very important to me.
Dec 10, 2019, 2:25 am
#25
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I'm not sure about the Kämp. I've stayed there many times, and I think it fails the test of the premise of this thread on two fronts. Firstly, it is the only obvious upscale choice in Helsinki. Secondly, I'm not sure I would bestow the luxury moniker on it. It is a nice business hotel, the bar is decent, I agree, but the rooms are pretty four-star average in my opinion, and could do with a complete refurbishment. I do enjoy lunch in the restaurant, particularly in the 'conservatory.'
Dec 11, 2019, 11:28 am
#27
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The large non-North American upscale chains like Shangri-La, Taj, Oberoi, Kempinski, and Jumeirah might qualify. All of these (with the exception of Oberoi perhaps) punch below their weight on FlyerTalk -- they don't have dedicated forums and aren't talked about that much on the Luxury Hotels forum. At their top end they all offer some legitimate luxury venues, even if many or most of them are more typical five-star properties.
Dec 11, 2019, 1:04 pm
#28
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Casa Palacio Maria Luisa in Jerez, Spain. Truly outstanding.
Dec 11, 2019, 1:23 pm
#29
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Adding in Villa la Coste. Doesn't get a lot of play on these forums... which I actually kind of like as I don't think it's well advertised. They lost their on-property michelin star restaurant last year so hopefully they'll find a replacement.