Extraordinary Hotels
 

Do you have experience with really great hotels - not from a miles/cost perspective, but with regards to a totally fantastic service and location.

One of my own favorites would be the “The Point” in the Adirondacks, a property managed by Ralph Lauren travel.

I’m planning a great trip for my family and your views are needed! Thanks.

Give me a weekend anytime at the Inn at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach.

The Point is terrific. I would add, in no particular order, Soneva Fushi Resort in the Maldives, Hotel Palmilla in Cabo San Lucas, The Carlyle in NYC, the Ritz-Carlton Palm Springs, and La Samanna in St. Martin.

The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland is fantastic if you like excellent food, drink, service and enjoy sporting / country pursuits.

Golf, Off Road Driving Courses (very good indeed !!) Falconry and Riding.

There is a health suite and pool etc etc.

I can highly recommend it. I have stayed there 3 times (I wish it could be more)

I really like Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, the Peninsula in Beverly Hills and the Dorchester in London.

Le Crillon in Paris

Thanks guys!
Any more suggestions welcomed.

The Merrion in Dublin, especially the premium rooms in the original historic townhouses.

Still going on this thread? Not like I have a ton of experience here but a couple of hotels I've stayed at with memorable service and setting are the Four Seasons Tokyo, tucked away in Chinzan-so Gardens, and the Scottsdale Princess (now Fairmont Scottsdale Princess if you're looking for info but no reason to believe there has been any major change in service level) which somehow managed to cool down even the early September Arizona heat. If family means younger ones, it is the latter that would more sense (particularly if you're in the US, of course :-).

The new RItz Carlton at Key Biscayne is very good - especially service wise.. the food is also very good. THe beach was not quite as nice as I had imagined, but the pool is nice

let's see...

The Elliot Hotel in Boston is very nice and "tradtional," plus a great location by Newbury St. on Comm Ave.

The Marriot Marquis in NYC is fantastic for the location overlooking Times Square and the glass elevators.

The Hyatt in Maui was fantastic as well...but it's been a while since I was there.

The Princeville Hotel on Kauai.

My favorites hotels are the Aman resorts even though I have only been to a few. I would say the Amandari in Ubud, Bali takes the cake as a truly special hotel. Just think of what the $800 dollar a night bill does to my UA Visa... ahh

[This message has been edited by CTANK (edited 08-22-2001).]

For views, the Banff Springs Hotel and Chateau Lake Louise are world-class.

Ritz Carlton Naples (every room has a balcony with a view of the Gulf of Mexico; brunch in the main dining room was the best morning meal EVER)

Ritz Carlton Laguna Niguel

The Breakers, Palm Beach

If resorts count,

Hayman Island Resort, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Lizard Island Resort, Great Barrier Reef,
Australia

Horned Dorset Primavera Hotel, Rincon, Puerto Rico

Tokyo Westin (Yebisu) was my finest hotel stay yet. Can't think of a single feature that wasn't superb.

Vista Palace Hotel near Monaco is a spectacular facility

I agree the Banff Springs is soooo nice!

But, I don't get to visit Alberta often.

However, I recently found myself treated well beyond expectations at the Four Points Sheraton, Washington, DC, Downtown

I found much better attention than at many Westins I've stayed at.

The W Tuscany in NYC also treated me well even though my stay was free.

Welcome to FT PhoebeSnow!!

first time on this post
if I were in nyc the carlyle would be a choice but the Mark just around the corner is also a great place to hide away from the mid town crowds.

we skiied in
banff a few years ago and were at the jchateau but found it over priced and a bit in deen of upgrades maybe with the fairmont groug now involved they will see to it that it is up to 2001 for the price

jd

My favorite down under is Bedarra Island. Everything is included in the price inclusive all the booze you can drink!!!!

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Nobbi

Chateau De Sureau - Oakhurst, CA (south of Yosemite). Has what might be the best restaurant in California, Erna's Elderberry House.

loads of ideas now, the Banff Springs seems like a great place.

I would add the Amanjena in Marrakech, if you're visiting North Africa it is probably one of two/three exceptional places (Mamounia or Royal Mansour close seconds).

Have dined here a few times before going into Yosemite (and the food is terrific), but have never stayed here. How are the rooms?


[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 08-30-2001).]

Cala di Volpe, Costa Smeralda/Sardinia

Ritz Carlton, Naples/Florida (they open a second one in a couple of month)

Sweet Willie--when we stayed at Chateau du Sureau, I only saw the room we were in (which was in the then-recently added additional house); it was very decorated but quite lovely.

1) Kempinski Ciragan Palace..Istanbul
2) Ritz Carlton...Rancho Mirage
3) Grand Arabella..Frankfurt
4) Venetian ......Las Vegas
5) Marriott Marquis...NYC
6) Stein Ericksen Lodge..Deer Valley
7) Boca Raton Resort..Boca Raton
8) Westin...........San Francisco
9) Shelbourne ......Dublin
10)Mansion @ TC ....Dallas

1. Dolder Grand, Zurich
2. Steigenberger Belvedere, Davos, CH
3. Badrutt's Palace, St Moritz, CH
4. Suvretta House, St Moritz, CH
5. Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
6. Sacher, Vienna, Austria
7. Raffles, Singapore
8. Raffles Montreux Palace, Montreux, CH
9. Des Beurges, Geneva, CH
10. President Wilson, Geneva, CH

i guess i just like switzerland...

767

In no particular order:

The Pitcher Inn - Warren, VT
Lake Palace Hotel - Udaipur, India
The Sukhothai - Bankgok, Thailand

Although I haven't stayed at any of them yet, the Aman Resorts that I've seen in Bali are fabulous.

I've eaten at Erna's, and while good, I didn't think it was great. Maybe it was an off night, but I much prefer Manka's in Inverness and French Laundry in Yountville over Erna's.

Rhinochaser

[This message has been edited by rhinochaser (edited 07-23-2002).]

The Palace in Montreux, CH

I am normaly more the youth hostel traveller, so in that category
The Youth Hostel in
Montreux, CH
and in
Regensburg, D, lol http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

I'll second the recommendation up above for the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ. I was there earlier this month and I'd describe both the complex and the service as "magnificent".

And to add another hostel recommendation at the other end of the price range I'll mention the Margaret River Lodge in the middle of Western Australia's Margaret River wine country. Cheap dorm living, but also inexpensive private rooms, friendly people, good wine and a big swimming pool.

Four Season George V - Paris
Mandarin Oriental - London
The Dorchester - London
Hayman Island Resort - Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Ritz Carlton Millenia - Singapore
Hotel De Paris - Monte Carlo

We just returned from a stay at The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. I won't tell you that I got an unbelievable deal purchasing it from a luxury website where it is no longer available. I will tell you of our experience there. I didn't know what to expect, not knowing if I had gotten a great deal or been taken for a ride. I quickly found out. We arrived at the property and did not immediately know where the main building was. This is a resort with individual casitas and we wanted to check in. We drove up the desert road and saw a gentleman. We stopped to ask where to check in. He asked our names and suggested we just leave the car and to our right, down a few steps was the lobby. He accompanied us down and as we arrived at the desk the woman already had our names and in moments, calling us by name, welcomed us and handed us our keys. Charles, our escort, suggested taking my husband, who is somewhat handicapped, by golf cart and suggested I follow with the car so as to see where our casita was. We agreed. I followed him to what seemed like a small house. He opened the doors and took us on a tour of our accommodations. A huge living room with a fireplace, a 32 inch TV, huge dining room that had two walls with shutters that opened up to a full view of Camelback Mountain. There was a full kitchen with coffee maker and refrig and a magnificent patio with lounges and chairs overlooking the mountainside off of the bedroom. We were duly impressed. He then took the car keys, brought in our luggage and advised us he had turned the car around so that if we drove out the car would be facing in the right direction! He proceeded to go get us a bucket of ice and then went to retrieve my husband's rental scooter which was at the main lobby. This welcome lasted about 30 minutes. After unpacking, we decided to go see the pool. This too was an experience. Each lounge at the pool is already covered with a plush lounge cover and has a rolled towel on it. Each lounge had an umbrella opened next to it. By the time you reach a lounge and take off your beach coverup, a waiter arrives with glasses of ice water with lemon. The pool was one of three pools and was an infinity that was beautiful. There was a jacuzzi a few feet from the pool. The property was magnificent. Strolling through the grounds you experienced the pure natural beauty of desert blooms and boulders, soft lights guiding you around the property. Lots of privacy and a lot of personal attention to everything. While out for dinner, turndown service was provided in addition to fresh towels and a cleanup and lit candles providing fresh scents. The stay included breakfast in their restaurant and I thought "well breakfast is breakfast!" I was wrong. I ordered sour cream peach pancakes that were served with Blackberry butter and I have never tasted anything quite like it. Having already said all the food was exquisite, I will tell you that three people doted on you in the restaurant and every morning you were greeted by name and you ate while viewing the beauty of the area through glass walls. All in all I was quite impressed with the peacefulness, the beauty and most importantly the service at this resort. It is a "must try once" hotel.

Hotel Sofitel on W44th St, NYC

Stayed here in May - surpassed all my expectations (and I usually have a few!!)

Fabulous suite, great service, central to everything. Couldn't fault it.

Al Bustan Palace - Muscat
Gleneagles - Scotland
The Ritz - Paris

Bahia Principe Akumal in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico, is a great resort, and you can get it for cheap by going through a vacation package.

If you really are interested in a vacation, PM me the details ie Ages of travelers, departure city, theme (romance, family fun, winter fun, adventure travel, ect), dates (2 weeks? What month?), and what hotel/resort details are important to you (ie food, rooms, service, pools, activities...).

So, PM me if you're interested.

Thanks.

Canada Flyer

If you were to go to the Rockies, the FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT would be a best-bet. I was there about 2 weeks ago, actually, and it was very nice. I'd recomend it over Banff.

CANADAflyer

Duke's Hotel London
Chateau d'Audrieu Normandy France
Hyatt Newport Rhode Island Spectacular views, but Hyatt could do more with this property
Borgo San Felice near Sienna Italy
Kempinski Munich Airport best service ever in an airport hotel

I'm intrigued that you rate it so highly. I stayed at Bahia Principe in Dec 1999 and found it to be pretty average -- though certainly cheap as well. It was all-inclusive (except for alcoholic drinks, IIRC), and the food quality was mediocre as a result. I found much better value for money elsewhere in the Yucatan.

Of course, this was just over six years ago, so perhaps things have changed substantially. Has anyone stayed there recently?

- Michael