We are a couple in our early 40’s. We like chic luxury places. We enjoy travelling and we would like to share our comments on the hotels we stayed, the restaurants we eat and more...
Europe
Italy
Venise : Bauer Il palazzo *****L
Febuary 2006lSan Marco 1413/d, Venise 30124, Italie
http://www.ilpalazzovenezia.com/iflash.htm
Rooms : 75
« Totally Venetian opulent with a state of the art service »
We have stayed twice in this Palazzo for the Carnival. We had a room with view of the grand canal , which is magic. The room was spacious , decorated with fine fabric , in a perfect Venetian opulent style (exactly what we are looking for in Venice). The service , is the service of a Luxury Italian Palace, the best you can find. The restaurant is very good.
You have to go through the other hotel (not as nice) , along a corridor to get to the room, which is not great , however , the rest is such a great experience , that you should close your eyes and wait for the opulence and grandeur , that awaits when you
arrive in the room.
Venise : Cipriani Hotel and Palazzo
Giudecca 10, Venise 30133, Italie
Rooms: 104
Wow , private Island , boat to take you back and forth to the hustle and bustle of Venice .
Enormous suite in the gardens. From the shower the view is one of the best in Europe, looking over the water to Venice... . Sunday lunch is a must .
Shopping: La Coupole women wear
Museum: Guggenheim museum, Palazzo Grassi
Rome : Hotel de Russie *****
Via Del Babuino 9, Rome 00187, Italie
http://www.hotelderussie.it/
Deluxe Double : Euro 780
Rooms : 129
May 2006
“Wahoo...excellent hotel”
Vacations are about expectation , at Hotel de Russie , you get even more than you expected.
The location is perfect in the heart of the shopping district of Rome.
The room is spacious well decorated , as is the entire hotel.
The hotel is well managed and the staff very helpful. The concierge provided us with an excellent recommendation for restaurant.
We had a small problem in the bar with seating , as the location is so great that it attracts numerous , chic external clients as well as hotel guests , which meant it was difficult to sit , the difficulty was resolved with style.
Restaurants: La Pergola, Dal Bolognese, Terrazza Dell Eden
Shopping: Gente, several shops (Dsquared2.....), Degli Effetti ....
Florence : JK Place Boutique Hotel
Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 7, Florence 50123, Italie
http://www.jkplace.com/index2.htm
Double Deluxe € 390 to € 470
Rooms 20
Avril 2004
« One of the best boutique hotel, should book a suite »
Nicely furnish, good service, a delightul place. Very Boutique hotel. My only complaint was that the room was very small. Downstairs , there is a wonderful library , full of art , which was super for a glass of champagne
Shopping: Florence is surounded by outlets do not miss them.....
THE MALL: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod's, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 e Yves Saint Laurent、Emilio Pucci
PRADA: Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Prada Sport, Jil Sander DOLCE & GABBANA: D&G, Dolce & Gabbana
VICTORIA: Prada, Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Versace
Sardaigne : Cala de Volpe *****
Porto Cervo, Sardaigne 07020, Italy
Rooms : 125
May 2006
“Too big for us”
The hotel feels much too big for us. The overall atmosphere is more of a "vacation club" then a cosy Luxury hotel. The worst is the breakfast room, you really feel you are in a "Club Med". However, the restaurant for lunch, of course outside only, is excellent (small, very good, with an excellent service at it should be).
Shopping: Piazza de Porto Cervo and Pisseggiata, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Gucci, Cavalli, Dsquared2...
Sicile, Taormina : Mazzaro Sea Palace
Via Nazionale 147, Taormina, Sicile 98030, Italie
Rooms : 87
October 2003
Beautiful room overlooking the bay below Taormina , two minutes from the romantic funicular ride to the splendid village . Where there is great shopping . The hotel is nice , but could do with a make over . The beach is not wonderful . However , there is a gorgeous bar between the pool and the sea , that is lovely at the end of the day .
Dining : Palazzo San Domenico Restaurant Les Bougainvilliés, fantastic place, fine cuisine. Very romantic restaurant. The hotel is on my list for your next trip. La Giara, La Baronessa, Maffei's
lake Como : Villa D’Este
Via Regina, 40 Cernobbio, Como 22012, Italie
Rooms 161
August 2006
We have stayed at this beautiful Italian Palace , with the lake lapping against its outstanding gardens , three times . We have experienced a gorgeous suite overlooking the lake and a couple of less exciting rooms . Service is exemplary , the two restaurants excellent . The swimming pool on a platform on the lake is super .
Take the time to hire a boat and captain for a few hours around the lake , romantic and wonderful .
Shopping in Como: Tessabit, A total of 3 of 4 shops men, woman, shoes....Dsquared2, Prada, Dolce & Gabana...
Lake Como, Ballagio : Villa Serbelloni
Via Roma 1, Bellagio 22021, Italie
Rooms :85
September 2005
As we love Como , we took the time to spend a couple of nights on the other side of the lake from our normal haunt of Villa D Este . Serbelloni is also a beautiful Palace , Bellagio is a pretty , windy street village . We suffered from the fog in September , despite having a super suite looking over the lake , we only saw it when we arrived , until the mist fell ….. Two days of not being able to see your hand in front of your face . Remember also , that if men want to eat , either here or in Villa D Este , you have to wear a tie and a jacket.
The internal swimming pool has a strange jungle theme , the external is great .
Shopping: 15 mms drive from Como in Mendrisio Switzerland spend couple of hours in Foxtown. All the chic brands for less: Prada, Gucci, Dolce Gabanna, Belstaff, Etro, Frette, Missoni, Yves Saint Laurent...
Sorento : Grand Hotel Sorrento
August 2004
We stayed for one night , on the way to Capri . Great Italian Palace , amazing suit overlooking the Bay of Naples , set in great gardens , with a very nice swimming pool . Lift down to the port for convenience to get to Capri .
Capri : Capri Palace
August 2004
October 2006
Via Capodimonte 2B, Anacapri, Capri 80071, Italie
Rooms : 81
August 2004
Capri is magical , particularly at night when the day trippers leave and the Island is again chic . Hotel is amazing , great art in the bar , Michelin star restaurant and wonderful swimming pool and pool restaurant .
Room was not as chic as the public rooms of the hotel . The suite we had with a private pool the second time we stayed was amazing
Restaurant: Cantinella
Shopping: Grey Flanel, Dsquared2....men and women
Positano : Siraneuse
August 2004
October 2006
Perched on a cliff , overlooking Positano and the bay . Great service , traditional Palace room . Swimming pool is beautiful , but cramped . Most romantic bar in Italy , great lounge music and champagne . The restaurantis excellent too.
Restaurant: Palazzo Sasso, Ravello
Milan : The Gray
Very nice Boutique Hotel located in the heart of Milano. Interesting interior design.
Milan : Four seasons
August 2006
Very well located in the heart of Milano. 2mm from the Dome. Very conveniant parking. Good restaurant , excellent service.
A shopping paradise just around the hotel . Via Spiga: Gucci, Prada, Dolce&Gabanna...
DaaD Dantone (Dsquared2, and much more) women and men, Located in Santo Spirito 24 and Matteoti 20.
Santa Margherita di Ligure, Portofino : Grand Miramare
May 2005
Just near Portofino. We where both surprise by the size of this famous resort : small, small. To stay in San Margherita was a good choice as a result.Garda Lake : Villa Feltrinelli
Beautiful hotel , set in amazing gardens refurbished in spectacular style , with a spectacular price for the room that goes with it . Laundry is complimentary . The memory of the view from the window of the suite lingers . Garda is not as pretty as Como .
Courmayeur :
Very nice ski resort, can visit it from Chamonix (15 mm's drive)
Lunch: Ermitage, nice mountain restaurant, they serve mainly Courmayeur's speciality: Polenta
Dinner: enjoy a special experience at Fillipo in Entreves.
Lunch on the slope: Chiecco, hippy chic place, amazing fresh food, super ambiance, incredibly friendly management.
Shopping: Azzurra (men and women Dsquared2), Spasioemme (Prada, Gucci, Chloé, Dolce&Gabana)
Cervinia/Zermatt (Swiss)
Cervinia is absolutly not a pretty place. However, the ski is interesting while you can ski there and in Zermatt. The last run to go back to your car from the top is amazing 1800 m, around 50 minutes.
Lunch on the slope Chalet Etoile
France
St Tropez : La Bastide des Salins ***
www.labastidedessalins.com/index.html
Route des Salins St Tropez
Rooms : 14
July 2006
« Wow »
An absolutely amazing Hotel, a few minutes outside of the town , set in amazing Provence parkland , offering a peaceful break from the hectic fun of St Tropez . Wonderful room and a garden from paradise . You wake up in dreamland every day, you could not be made more welcome
Day time:
We go to St Tropez often from April to end of October. I drive there and pick up my husband at the Nice Airport on the way.
We try a lot of places. We will recommend "la plage des Palmiers" if you are looking for a Chic
beach. The food is very good, the service top. And the beach is very well maintain.
If you want to test the special vibe of St Tropez go to "La voile Rouge" : excellent music, good simple expensive food, People, fashion show, pretty woman, people dancing on the table, flashing Champagne every where....We love it...Only in St Tropez.
"Nikki Beach" we will suggest to stop there for a drink around 5 pm like a lot of people do. This is also a very party ambiance, load music, pretty peoples...this is the only beach which actually as no beach access but a swimming pool!
Evening: Start with a Rossini at "La maison Blanche". For dinner : "Yacca" for the maitre de, the Pasta flambée in Parmesan and of course the lovely patio. An other very nice place is "Joseph l'Escale" : Brigitte Bardot framed on the wall, sand on the floor. Make such you book for the first sitting otherwise you might have to wait for your table a couple of hours. Latest news: just reopened with a bigger lounge . La Marine is now own by Joseph, it is a meet restaurant as l'Escale is white La Marine is Black, black sand on the floor......
Salama marocain style restaurant
After dinner our favorite place is "l'Octave Café". This is a piano bar, with life music. Small place with Great ambiance. If you prefer night club "Cave du Roy" is still the best, good music, beautiful people.
Shopping : Patch (3 shops, men and women, Dsquared2, Chloe, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gauthier... Dolce& Gabbana Boutique
Quintessence for differente home furniture. They give a second life to objet, they also change the initial use than the one they were made for. Interesting. For example, we bought for our chalet a raw material train wagon as a café table. Nathalie Duchayne Art gallery, photos, painting, scupture...impressive pieces.
Cannes : Carlton
Carlton restaurant on the beach is great , the hotel is a French Palace Europe
Italy
Venise : Bauer Il palazzo *****L
Febuary 2006lSan Marco 1413/d, Venise 30124, Italiehttp://www.ilpalazzovenezia.com/iflash.htm
Rooms : 75
« Totally Venetian opulent with a state of the art service »
We have stayed twice in this Palazzo for the Carnival. We had a room with view of the grand canal , which is magic. The room was spacious , decorated with fine fabric , in a perfect Venetian opulent style (exactly what we are looking for in Venice). The service , is the service of a Luxury Italian Palace, the best you can find. The restaurant is very good.
You have to go through the other hotel (not as nice) , along a corridor to get to the room, which is not great , however , the rest is such a great experience , that you should close your eyes and wait for the opulence and grandeur , that awaits when you
arrive in the room.
Venise : Cipriani Hotel and Palazzo
Giudecca 10, Venise 30133, Italie
Rooms: 104
Wow , private Island , boat to take you back and forth to the hustle and bustle of Venice .
Enormous suite in the gardens. From the shower the view is one of the best in Europe, looking over the water to Venice... . Sunday lunch is a must .
Shopping: La Coupole women wear
Museum: Guggenheim museum, Palazzo Grassi
Rome : Hotel de Russie *****Via Del Babuino 9, Rome 00187, Italie
http://www.hotelderussie.it/
Deluxe Double : Euro 780
Rooms : 129
May 2006
“Wahoo...excellent hotel”
Vacations are about expectation , at Hotel de Russie , you get even more than you expected.
The location is perfect in the heart of the shopping district of Rome.
The room is spacious well decorated , as is the entire hotel.
The hotel is well managed and the staff very helpful. The concierge provided us with an excellent recommendation for restaurant.
We had a small problem in the bar with seating , as the location is so great that it attracts numerous , chic external clients as well as hotel guests , which meant it was difficult to sit , the difficulty was resolved with style.
Restaurants: La Pergola, Dal Bolognese, Terrazza Dell Eden
Shopping: Gente, several shops (Dsquared2.....), Degli Effetti ....
Florence : JK Place Boutique Hotel
Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 7, Florence 50123, Italie
http://www.jkplace.com/index2.htm
Double Deluxe € 390 to € 470
Rooms 20
Avril 2004
« One of the best boutique hotel, should book a suite »
Nicely furnish, good service, a delightul place. Very Boutique hotel. My only complaint was that the room was very small. Downstairs , there is a wonderful library , full of art , which was super for a glass of champagne
Shopping: Florence is surounded by outlets do not miss them.....
THE MALL: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod's, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 e Yves Saint Laurent、Emilio Pucci
PRADA: Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Prada Sport, Jil Sander DOLCE & GABBANA: D&G, Dolce & Gabbana
VICTORIA: Prada, Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Versace
Sardaigne : Cala de Volpe *****
Porto Cervo, Sardaigne 07020, Italy
Rooms : 125
May 2006
“Too big for us”
The hotel feels much too big for us. The overall atmosphere is more of a "vacation club" then a cosy Luxury hotel. The worst is the breakfast room, you really feel you are in a "Club Med". However, the restaurant for lunch, of course outside only, is excellent (small, very good, with an excellent service at it should be).
Shopping: Piazza de Porto Cervo and Pisseggiata, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Gucci, Cavalli, Dsquared2...
Sicile, Taormina : Mazzaro Sea Palace
Via Nazionale 147, Taormina, Sicile 98030, Italie
Rooms : 87
October 2003
Beautiful room overlooking the bay below Taormina , two minutes from the romantic funicular ride to the splendid village . Where there is great shopping . The hotel is nice , but could do with a make over . The beach is not wonderful . However , there is a gorgeous bar between the pool and the sea , that is lovely at the end of the day .
Dining : Palazzo San Domenico Restaurant Les Bougainvilliés, fantastic place, fine cuisine. Very romantic restaurant. The hotel is on my list for your next trip. La Giara, La Baronessa, Maffei's
lake Como : Villa D’EsteVia Regina, 40 Cernobbio, Como 22012, Italie
Rooms 161
August 2006
We have stayed at this beautiful Italian Palace , with the lake lapping against its outstanding gardens , three times . We have experienced a gorgeous suite overlooking the lake and a couple of less exciting rooms . Service is exemplary , the two restaurants excellent . The swimming pool on a platform on the lake is super .
Take the time to hire a boat and captain for a few hours around the lake , romantic and wonderful .
Shopping in Como: Tessabit, A total of 3 of 4 shops men, woman, shoes....Dsquared2, Prada, Dolce & Gabana...
Lake Como, Ballagio : Villa Serbelloni
Via Roma 1, Bellagio 22021, Italie
Rooms :85
September 2005
As we love Como , we took the time to spend a couple of nights on the other side of the lake from our normal haunt of Villa D Este . Serbelloni is also a beautiful Palace , Bellagio is a pretty , windy street village . We suffered from the fog in September , despite having a super suite looking over the lake , we only saw it when we arrived , until the mist fell ….. Two days of not being able to see your hand in front of your face . Remember also , that if men want to eat , either here or in Villa D Este , you have to wear a tie and a jacket.The internal swimming pool has a strange jungle theme , the external is great .
Shopping: 15 mms drive from Como in Mendrisio Switzerland spend couple of hours in Foxtown. All the chic brands for less: Prada, Gucci, Dolce Gabanna, Belstaff, Etro, Frette, Missoni, Yves Saint Laurent...
Sorento : Grand Hotel Sorrento
August 2004
We stayed for one night , on the way to Capri . Great Italian Palace , amazing suit overlooking the Bay of Naples , set in great gardens , with a very nice swimming pool . Lift down to the port for convenience to get to Capri .
Capri : Capri Palace
August 2004
October 2006
Via Capodimonte 2B, Anacapri, Capri 80071, Italie
Rooms : 81
August 2004
Capri is magical , particularly at night when the day trippers leave and the Island is again chic . Hotel is amazing , great art in the bar , Michelin star restaurant and wonderful swimming pool and pool restaurant .
Room was not as chic as the public rooms of the hotel . The suite we had with a private pool the second time we stayed was amazing
Restaurant: Cantinella
Shopping: Grey Flanel, Dsquared2....men and women
Positano : Siraneuse
August 2004
October 2006
Perched on a cliff , overlooking Positano and the bay . Great service , traditional Palace room . Swimming pool is beautiful , but cramped . Most romantic bar in Italy , great lounge music and champagne . The restaurantis excellent too.
Restaurant: Palazzo Sasso, RavelloMilan : The Gray
Very nice Boutique Hotel located in the heart of Milano. Interesting interior design.
Milan : Four seasons
August 2006
Very well located in the heart of Milano. 2mm from the Dome. Very conveniant parking. Good restaurant , excellent service.
A shopping paradise just around the hotel . Via Spiga: Gucci, Prada, Dolce&Gabanna...
DaaD Dantone (Dsquared2, and much more) women and men, Located in Santo Spirito 24 and Matteoti 20.
Santa Margherita di Ligure, Portofino : Grand Miramare
May 2005
Just near Portofino. We where both surprise by the size of this famous resort : small, small. To stay in San Margherita was a good choice as a result.Garda Lake : Villa Feltrinelli
Beautiful hotel , set in amazing gardens refurbished in spectacular style , with a spectacular price for the room that goes with it . Laundry is complimentary . The memory of the view from the window of the suite lingers . Garda is not as pretty as Como .
Courmayeur :
Very nice ski resort, can visit it from Chamonix (15 mm's drive)
Lunch: Ermitage, nice mountain restaurant, they serve mainly Courmayeur's speciality: Polenta
Dinner: enjoy a special experience at Fillipo in Entreves.
Lunch on the slope: Chiecco, hippy chic place, amazing fresh food, super ambiance, incredibly friendly management.
Shopping: Azzurra (men and women Dsquared2), Spasioemme (Prada, Gucci, Chloé, Dolce&Gabana)
Cervinia/Zermatt (Swiss)
Cervinia is absolutly not a pretty place. However, the ski is interesting while you can ski there and in Zermatt. The last run to go back to your car from the top is amazing 1800 m, around 50 minutes.
Lunch on the slope Chalet Etoile
France
St Tropez : La Bastide des Salins ***
www.labastidedessalins.com/index.html
Route des Salins St TropezRooms : 14
July 2006
« Wow »
An absolutely amazing Hotel, a few minutes outside of the town , set in amazing Provence parkland , offering a peaceful break from the hectic fun of St Tropez . Wonderful room and a garden from paradise . You wake up in dreamland every day, you could not be made more welcome
Day time:We go to St Tropez often from April to end of October. I drive there and pick up my husband at the Nice Airport on the way.
We try a lot of places. We will recommend "la plage des Palmiers" if you are looking for a Chic
beach. The food is very good, the service top. And the beach is very well maintain.
If you want to test the special vibe of St Tropez go to "La voile Rouge" : excellent music, good simple expensive food, People, fashion show, pretty woman, people dancing on the table, flashing Champagne every where....We love it...Only in St Tropez.
"Nikki Beach" we will suggest to stop there for a drink around 5 pm like a lot of people do. This is also a very party ambiance, load music, pretty peoples...this is the only beach which actually as no beach access but a swimming pool!
Evening: Start with a Rossini at "La maison Blanche". For dinner : "Yacca" for the maitre de, the Pasta flambée in Parmesan and of course the lovely patio. An other very nice place is "Joseph l'Escale" : Brigitte Bardot framed on the wall, sand on the floor. Make such you book for the first sitting otherwise you might have to wait for your table a couple of hours. Latest news: just reopened with a bigger lounge . La Marine is now own by Joseph, it is a meet restaurant as l'Escale is white La Marine is Black, black sand on the floor......
Salama marocain style restaurant
After dinner our favorite place is "l'Octave Café". This is a piano bar, with life music. Small place with Great ambiance. If you prefer night club "Cave du Roy" is still the best, good music, beautiful people.
Shopping : Patch (3 shops, men and women, Dsquared2, Chloe, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gauthier... Dolce& Gabbana Boutique
Quintessence for differente home furniture. They give a second life to objet, they also change the initial use than the one they were made for. Interesting. For example, we bought for our chalet a raw material train wagon as a café table. Nathalie Duchayne Art gallery, photos, painting, scupture...impressive pieces.
Cannes : Carlton
Shopping: Cannes is a shopping paradis, all the big designer brand have a shop there on la Croisette, Avenue d'ANtibes is also a good shopping street . Some shop to go to: 51 Montaigne, 55 Croisette, Petit Bazar, Boutique Dsquared2 for men (located ina very small street in front of the Palais des Festival).
Maeght Foundation : amazing art collection (Chagall...)in St Paul de Vence
Cap d’Antibes : Eden Roc
August 2006
“A real Palace “
Wonderful setting and park.. A great French Palace
Shopping : Idol, Dsquared2....Corse, Porto-Vecchio: Hotel Casadelmar: ****LRoute De Palombaggia BP 93, Porto-Vecchio, Corse 20137, France
Rooms : 20
End of July 2006
"Beautiful hotel however the room is not amazing for the price"
The hotel is beautiful, very well located on the Porto Vecchio bay. However, the rooms have no interest. The staff are excellent. The swimming pool is fantastic it can turn into A nightmare if you are a couple with no kids.
Luberon, Domaine des Andeols
Saint-Saturnin-lés-Apts, 84490, France
Rooms : 18
May 2006
“Chic and Arty”
The Hotel is a piece of Art by itself. You find modern Art every where, inside the guest house and outside in the park. This is unique. Each “maison” is different. We stayed in “maison du voyageur”. The house is more than 100m2, 2 rooms and bathrooms all in African style. Each piece of furniture is
amazing. There is even a Tiger. I absolutely adore the place. The restaurant is delicious (Alain Ducasse Auberge).Unfortunately, we want there after spending a week end in St Tropez and in May , when the all region is very very quiet. The landscape is nice but can be a bit boring.
I recommend the place for people looking for a quiet place to relax
Veyrier du Lac : Auberge de L’Eridan
“The room do not meet the expectation”
May 2006
Marc Veyrat is one of the best Chefs. I suggest to go once. As I am concern afterhaving in all is restaurants and in total 7 times I decide I have enough.
We had dinner there and stayed for the night. We did not like the style of the room at all. The location is fantastic , right on the Annecy Lake. But , I was not expecting to spend the night in a small room , with farm decorations ( it is so well done , or over done , I would say , you are on the edge to expect a mouse running on your bed, or falling from the ceiling.)
Like sleeping in a grain store , if this is the intention , the hotel succeeds
The breakfast is the best I ever had. It is served outside, with the view on the lake. They bring you 2 baskets of wonderful products to enjoy. Every think is of course "Veyrat" made.
Latest news: Anyway Veyrat is planning to refurblish all his place. "La Ferme de mon père" in Megeve has been sold
Lyon : Villa Florentine
25, montée Saint-Barthélémy -69005 LYON
Decembre 2005
Very nice hotel
Excellent restaurant
Shopping: Marion (Dsquared2, Jean Paul Gauthier)
Paris : Murano Urban resort ****13 boulevard du Temple, Paris 75003, France
Rooms : 60
January 2005
« Uber Chic, Uber design, perfect »
My husband took me there for my birthday. I have a wonderful husband. We had a Junior Suite. Wow, the room opens with finger print recognition. The hotel is decorated with a lot of taste , very modern with out being cold. I love it. Restaurant and bar very agreeable. Excellent service. Probably one of my favourite hotels , but I do not like the location, you need a taxi to escape this “quartier”
Paris : Sezz Boutique Hotel6, avenue Fremiet, Paris 75016, France
Rooms : 27
September 2005
« Good hotel, one bad experience »
My husband had to work in Paris, so we have been to the Sezz 5 or 6 times. We really enjoyed the hotel , regarding the architecture and design its great, very masculine. The owner is a very nice and interesting guy. The guests can be classified in the young international pretty people.
the hotel boasts butler service for its guests .
I highly recommand to go to an amazing restaurant "Bacarrat" for the cuisine and for the setting. The place is the showroom of Bacarrat... the decoration is from Starck, what a magic place! You have to reserved a long time in advance , it is small.
Paris : Hotel A Boutique Hotel
4, Rue d'Artois, Paris 75008, France
December 2004
“Disappointing “
This hotel was in the top 100 list of new openings in Condè Naste. So of course I wanted to go. The room was the size of a pocket tissue. Nothing exciting about this place. The competition is hard in Paris and there is a lot of very nice newly open design Boutique hotels, I won’t recommend this one.
Paris: Pershing Hall
Very good location. Excellent bar and restaurant. Chic and trendy crowd.
For a Glass of Champagne: Pershing Hall Lounge , Murano Lounge,
Restaurant: for lunch Avenue for the chic and beautiful people, the Market for it delicious fusion food, Zebra Square .
Dinner at Cristal RooM at Baccarat for the cuisine and of course for the place itself manificient Baccarat collection and fabulous interior design . Restaurant of the Murano .
Late drink at Sir Winston.
Shopping: Do not miss the 2 very nice shops which will give you a very good French feeling: Ladurée for their Macaron ( a very Parisian little cake), Marige Frères for Thé, both in St Germains des prés.
For clothes : Kabuki (25 etienne Marcel Paris 01). 2 shops, one for men one for women. Dsquared2, Mui Mui, Chloé..... Maria Luisa rue Mt Thabor. Chanel Rue Cambon. Departement Store : Les Galleries Lafayette, Le Printemps
Best Shopping district : Avenue Montaigne, Rue St Honoré, Faubourg Saint Honoré
Museum : Palais de Tokyo , Beaubourg ,
Chamonix Valley (Argentière, Chamonix, Les Houches)
Not much snow , so we did a Safari Ski Tour with Patrice a ski instructor http://www.patriceorganisation.com/. We skied in les Comtamines, Megeve, Courmayeur, Zermatt, Cervina going to those places in the morning comming back after ski. Maximum driving one way 1H30. Fantastic, you discover a differente place everyday.
I recommand to stay at " Hameau Carrier/Albert 1er" this is a 4 star hotel, which as been redone recently.Concerning restaurants, there is a lot of choice, our favorite are:
L'Atmosphere this restaurant is open all year round, fine dining, the ambiance is the best in Chamonix, not only for tourists, the locals go there to.
L'Impossible mountain eclectic interior design with a twist, mixture of fine dining and local dishes. La Cabane which just re-opened mid December after it has completely burnt down this summer, under new management, the fantastic terrace on the golf course and a amazing view of the Mont Blanc, mountain chic interior design. Mixture of fine dining and local dishes L'Albert 1er, outstanding gastronomic french cuisine using local ingredients
Le Bistrot, food is far more then bistrot..best for lunch
For something a bit different, very local , mountain feeling, Cremerie d'Argentiere. The speciality is cheese on toast. You can get there for lunch if you ski at Lognan in Argentiere. One of the rare nice restaurants on the slope is Refuge de Lognan. You will find simple family french cuisine.
An other good recommandation for lunch on slope is located in Les Houches : Les Vieilles Luges, family food, sitting in a an old farm.Shopping : Chanel Boutique, the people are lovely in this shop, which is not always the case in Boutique in France. Big Boss (Gucci, Pucci, Satore), Blue Link(Ralph Lauren, Paul&Jo) . Reve d'Hiver , Mariage thé, candles, home decoration.
Megeve
Next to Chamonix this is a very pretty village (20 mm's drive). If you ski there or if you don't mind to take the lift have a lunch at "l'Alpette" good food, very chic montain atmosphere (fireplace..) so nice. Le Cintra right in the village, we prefer to eat it the bar since they just refurblish it, lovely oysters and seafood plate.
For dinner, here is one of our favorite restaurant "Flocon de sel" a very surprising gastronomic place. Outstanding. Excellent service.
"Les Jumeaux" for the Ambiance. For a late drink "Les Cinq Rues".
Concerning shopping have a look at : Mahé for woman (Chloé, Joseph, Barbara Bui, Free Lance, seven), Avenue Montagne for men and woman (Prada, Marc Jacob, Notify). They both have a very good selection and you will be always welcome.
Peak Performance, for ski outfits. Astrid Maillet-Contoz & Squaw Valley, a very good selection of Home products, linen from Frette....amazing furniture (3 shops, 3 differents style) We specially love the chic modern mountain one. Cremerie Gaiddon: for the Brie with Truffle
Greece
Athenes : Semiramis
August 2005
48 Charilaou Trikoupi Str. Kefalari-Kifissia, Athènes 14562, Grèce
Rooms 52
“Too trendy, too bright”
We are big fans of design hotels. However, this one is not what we like.
I will recommend visiting the hotel for those who are interested in interior design. You should see it , but not stay in it . The bright colours are too much after a couple of hours, especially in the restaurant …..it almost made me feel sick .
Athenes : Twentyone Boutique hotel
21 Kolokotroni Street Kifissia, Athènes 14562, Grèce
Rooms : 21
August 2005
“Great for the price, fantastic location, not for vaccation”
The overall atmosphere is clean, cold, clinical. You feel trapped inside, with no external light. A shame for a hotel in one of the sunniest city in Europe. Not what I expected.
Mykonos : Ostraco Suites Boutique Hotel
August 2005
“Great”
Love the hotel. Well managed friendly staff. Had a lot of fun at the bar . Just outside the town , good sized rooms . Great to be accepted on a gay island and be told by the staff “ we are straight friendly “ super people and a great time .
Santorin : Katikies *****
August 2005
Oia, Santorini, Cyclades 84702, Grèce
Its perched on a cliff top in the pretty village of Oia . Pretty , but overated . Fisherman cottage , style rooms …. Good restaurant , no room to sit by the swimming pool , which is hard when its that hot
United Kingdom
London : Blakes Hotel Boutique Hotel
33 Roland Gardens, Londres SW7 3PF, Angleterre
Rooms :51
December 2005
“Could be better for the price charged”
I adore the Colonial style of this Boutique hotel; decorated in style with expensive and gorgeous furniture. You can tell it is a woman who did it, she thinks about all the little details. The room was great, may have been a bit dark, the bathroom however need a serious update. The restaurant is excellent and the lounge bar also. The service at the reception is average for this type of hotel. It was freezing cold in the reception , did not stop Victoria Beckham hanging about with no jacket or tights !
London : Malmaison
18-21 Charterhouse Square, Londres ECIM 6AH, Angleterre
Chamber : 97
Like all Malmaisons , you get a good sized suite , decorated in a fashionable style . Good spot for the city , nice bar
London : SOHO Hotel
October 2006Probably my favourite hotel in London. I have been very lucky also; my husband booked a Penthouse Suite. Incredible, huge, very well decorated, fantastic view on Soho roofs.
The hotel is decorated in a very eclectic style. Absolutely adore the enormous BOTTERO cat in the entrance. .
November 2006This time we spend the week end of the 11. We had a 2 bed rooms appartment, very spacious. Decorated in Pop art colors, exellent!
Lets talk about restaurants, I have to admit, difficult as I am French, that the best place on the planet to eat are now London and New York (both very expensive).
I recommendmany of the restaurants we have been to recently. It is absolutly necessary to book a week in advance for all of them.
St Alban : the new place to be. Excellent Italian restaurant. Very comptemporant Italian design.
Ceccini's: for breakfast, a very Italian ambiance. A new place but it has the ambience of an institutional restaurant. Well done.
Cipriani : for lunch, you feel like you are in Venise. The service is impeccable
The Square: excellent
The Caprice: for Sunday Lunch, I love it
Zuma: excellent asian food. Same owner as Roka which is good too (more for lunch I will suggest). Make sure you are sitted at the cooking bar
Sketch : interesting decoration ..specially the restroom. The best egg I have eaten so far (in the small restaurant have not been to the gastro one) .
Fish Market: oyster bar
Club Gascon : French fine cuisine. Excellent service. Great atmosphere.
The River Café: Italien Restaurant. Very nice terrace.
Mango Tree : Thai Restaurant. Delicious
The Ivy: a London institution
The Wolseley : Nice for lunch
Gordon Ramsay : Petrus, Boxwood Café. , Gordon Ramsay at the Hospital ."The Chef" ...love like a Rock star by the Brit..
La Trompette : French fine cuisine
Conrad restaurants : Bibendum : excellent oyster bar, in a great shopping district. Blue Bird. Floridita, Cuban restaurant, good vibe. Coq d'Argent , Le Pont de la Tour
Yauatcha : Chinese restaurant
Hakkasan : Chinese restaurant
China Tang at the Dorcester : Chinese restaurant. Impressive Pekin Duck cut at the table
Nobu : I wanted to go for years and in fact what a disappointment...no atmosphere...food less than average...price over the top...I won't go back.
Some more on the list : Le Gavroche, Blakes Restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, Locanda Restaurant, Aurora , Terminus Gt Eastern Hotel, Bleeding Heart ,
Shoreditch is very trendy district full of restaurants, shops, art galeries. :Cube&Star, Cuban restaurant. .Rivington deli for breakfeast, Rivington Grill . Tabernacle Grill . Great Estern Dinning Room , Asian . Pizza Express . Eyre Brothes, Portugese restaurant. Home, ).
Richmond, a bit outside London, on the river bank: excellent restaurants and shops.
Place for a drink : GE club, Blue Bar , Ronny Scott best Jazz in town, N°1 Cavendish very conveniente before theater. The Bar at the Soho Hotel.
Shopping: my favorite department store in London is Harvey Nichols ( try also their sushi bar on the top floor). Selfridges is also very nice. . Harrods only for the food floor.
The 3 Boutiques Start in Shoreditch for their selection (Alberta Feretti, London designers, hipe jeans...) women, men, cosmetics.
Best shopping place : Bond Street, Sloane Street (Cartier, Gucci, Joseph, Dolce&Gabbana, Prada...), Flora Street in Covent garden district (Paul Smith, Maharashi), Portobello for antiques.
Have a tour of Richmond park to see the dears keep in total freedom, this is amazing and Kew garden for the botanic garden.
Museum: Tate modern, National Portrait Gallery, White Cube Gallery
Cowley : Cowley Manor
Cowley is a hip destination , great spa and swimming pool. Love the art pieces on the wall in the pool room . Public rooms are fashionable and chic …. Bedrooms are better at Babbington House
Brighton : Blanch House
The hotel is as boutique hotels were supposed to be . Individually designed rooms and a great bar and restaurant , attracting a trendy Brighton crowd .
Has a sexy weekend away by the sea feel . Try the Perrier Jouet room
Henley : Hotel du vin
Very nice room , we were there for the Henley Festival . Good value and trendy bar , in the center of this pretty town
Suisse
Geneve : La Reserve
Chic public rooms , that look better in the dark …. Otherwise a bit Disney . Excellent spa and good service from the concierge . Rooms are a little bit airport chain . The Chinese restaurant is my favorite, I love it.
We suggest also an other restaurant for lunch right near the lac. The Italian restaurant of the ' Four Seasons " hotel. Delicious pasta.
Senso , Italian restaurant right in the heart of Geneva. Located in a very old bulding all refurblish in mordern style. Closed on week end.
The "Lion d'Or" in the Cologny district. Interesting menu, nice ambiance, view of the lac.
Shopping: Don't miss Drake, a great shop for both men and women: Dsquared2, Dolce Gabanna, Etro, Marni, Dior....For food delicatessen Globus bassement is a must, mummm try the cheese "brie with truffle" and the English blue cheese with Porto. In Bon Genie department store you will find the best choice.
Lugano : Hotel Dellago
“Run away”
We were seduced by the website. What a disappointment when we arrived….Welcome, reception room awful. The room was located in a crappy house on the other side of the road not at all in the Hotel. We did not stay.
Verbier
The hotel in Verbier are a bit run down. We forget the one we have been to. It was depressing anyway.
Lates news: Sir Richard Branson is planning to open a Boutique Hotel Winter 2008....soon the place to stay in Verbier.
Best place for lunch on the slope: Le Carrefour, excellent food, great terrace, make sure you book. Cabane Montfort for a more mountain experience.
Zermatt
We skied there coming from Cervinia Italy. Lots of nice restaurants on the slope. We tried chez Tony and Franky, excellent Rosti.
Very chic resort. Excellent modern ski lift. Super view from the highest lift at 3800 meter.
Spain
Barcelone : Hotel Gran Florida*****Ctra. Vallvidrera al Tibidabo 83-89, Barcelone 08035, Espagne
Rooms : 74
May 2006
"Amazing view over Barcelona, spectacular swimming pool"
The hotel view over Barcelona is amazing. The pool is the best we had see so far. The room was nice, spacious, with a big bathroom. The hotel is a design hotel, recently refurbished. . However, the service can be improved, feels like it is under staffed
Restaurant was super for a la carte , not great for the buffet .
Abac is one of the favorite restaurant of my husband. Probably a bit of the El Bulli taste in a moderate version.
Seville : Alphonso XVI
A palace in the true sense of the word . Trapped in time in the centre of Seville . Lovely big suite , good concierge , great Tapas and Flamenco .
I don't really recommand Bull Fighting....it is very violent and blooding. However we happen to be there during the Procession this is quiet interesting.
Portugal
Lisbonne : Lapa Palace
May 2006
Lisbon is lovely , full of flowers and very original . Gorgeous suite in traditional style , bathroom was a bit seventies . The new part of the hotel by the swimming pool , is not as attractive
Restaurants: Eleven, Doca Peixe
America
USA
Florida, Keys Little : Palm island ****L
28500 Overseas Highway, Little Torch Key 33042
Rooms: 30
May 2005
“What a place”
Difficult to find more romantic. The hotel is on a small private island. The room is a big “hutte” with a terrace in a Caribbean colonial style with a four poster bed . The deer come to see you all the time (yes yes wild deer amazing, they swim to the island). The dinner is served on the beach, the deer are never far.
You can ride a boat for a small tour; we had a lot of fun.
Florida, South Beach : Delano
December 2004
The first and still the best …… small rooms , even when you pay for a suite …. Amazing public rooms , great pool side bar at night . Very peculiar booking policy on sitting by the pool . Excellent restaurants
Florida , South Beach : Shore Club
January 2004
We have visited South Beach a few times , Shore Club was billed as at the same level as Delano , its not .
Rooms as they are all on this coast are small . The bar restaurant seems to be in all the magazines as hip and trendy , no idea why , feels like its stuck together cheaply . Stick with Delano . Nice shop in the reception Scoop .
New York: Soho House boutique hotel29-35 9th Avenue, New York 10014Rooms : 29
June 2006
"Excellent boutique hotel"
My husband and I travel all around the world in the best hotels and I would describe the Soho house as being at the top of the boutique
hotels , we have stayed. The room was fantastic, we loved the eclectic style. The location of the hotel is in hip district, the Meat Market, full of good restaurants. The lounge bar on the roof top , is great in summer. The only thing I disliked , was that the swimming pool is invaded by mums and noisy kids who are members of the club and non residents of the hotelNew York : Royalton
May 2006Royalton has chic entrance , although now needs updating ….. rooms are boring and need the same .
Restaurant : Le Cirque : very up town atmosphere, chic chic Aroma . Megu one of the best Japanese restaurant I have been so far, amazing experience, the food was delicious and they pay attention to detail. The wasabi is fresh, a discover is was a root . Del Posto . Buddakhan : spectacular interior design. Cipriani
Shopping: Soho. Jeffrey, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue
Museum: MoMa, Guggenheim Museum
West Hampton : Dune&Deck beach motel
June 2006Dune Deck Hotel, Westhampton Beach 11978
"Awful"
For more than 500 dollars per night our expectation were not to be in a bad motel “ 6 “ with no service, a worn out bathroom. No restaurant open for breakfast. Sadly there is no choice. It seems the only hotel that is vaguely acceptable for Europeans in the Hampton’s is on Shelter Island. Refurbish the hotel or charge cheap motel prices….. EVEN BETTER , close it , sell it to someone else who will update it .
Carrabean Island
Harbour Island : Romora Bay
January 2004
Trendy room , good size and Harbour Island is a great destination , you bump into Richard Gere in the restaurants and Elle Macpherson who has a house on the island. Hotel is super , disorganised at breakfast . Take a boat for the day , watch the tide as you can get stuck in the sand .
Dining : The Landing, Rock House , Romora Bay,Blue Bar
France DOM TOM : St Barth, La Banane Boutique hotel
Rooms: 9
January 2005
“Very chic retreat boutique hotel”
I like the room decorated in a Caribbean Colonial style, with a large bathroom.
I like the ambiance of the place: serenity, calm, voluptuous.
I like the staff, helpful and friendly
I did not like the location of the hotel no view, no beach, just behind a shopping center.
I did not like the fact that that they charge us the all 10 days we stayed , six months before we got there.
St Barth Le Serano
January 2007
Open one year ago, this hotel is on all the magazine.Located on a beautiful spot right on a beach. Gorgeous green stone swimming pool. Lovely front Beach suite. Very friendly and hepful staff. For sure the best
hotel on the island. Make sure you book a suite on the beach. The one with a garden are very very small, should be rename room in state of suite.Restaurants, the ones we enjoy :
For lunch :Eden Roc, Restaurant les Pecheurs at Serrano, Indigo at Guanahani, Sushi at Nikki Beach
For dinner:Le Gaiac at Hotel Le Toiny, Bartolomeo at Guanahani, Restaurant des pecheurs at Sereno , La Marine, La Vela, Jao, La Mandala
For a drink after: le Petit St Barth execellent party ambiance, you can dance on the table if you fancy doing it!
What we did not like, the service and rudeness at La Plage. The run down deck chair at Nikki Beach. The food at the Trends. The camping table at Maya's. The interior desing of the Carl Gustav Hotel restaurant. Suite 10 at the Sereno which is a small room with the price of a Suite.
What to do : absolutly rent a car...the convertible Smart is a good choice. Kite surf, surf, windsurf or just enjoy watching them. Swimming of course...diving, snorkling, look for the turtle and langouste. Walk on the beach (around 20 on the island). Take some Yoga classes with Diana Bourel. Shopping in Gustavia
Shopping: Vanita Rosa, See by Chloé and Vintage boutique (collector Vuitton bag, Chanel, Dior, Dolce Gabbana pieces from last season almost not worn. Edgar, for men's wear : Dsquared2, Galiano...Calypso : for women Chloé, Missoni...always carry the hottest luxury names. Donalé collection of unique silk top and dress. The House magnificient piece of fourniture, a mixte of mytic modern pieces with imported pieces from Indonesia, China.... Art Gallery, B art. And much more
South Africa
Singita Private Game Reserve
Boulders Safari LodgeRooms: 9
Lebombo Lodge
Rooms: 15
January 2006
"fantastic amazing"
We stay at Boulders and Lebombo lodge. Both are amazing and both are different. The rooms are gorgeous. The
service impeccable even if we thought that Boulders was much better managed and the service much more over the top
Boulders is one of the best rooms we have seen , private pool and colonial service , we saw the “ big five “ in two days . Difficult to beat , reassuringly expensive .
Lebombo is very modern , a lot of insects ….. Crocodiles , hanging around outside the room, well not really near actually but it is true you can see them
Sweni Lodge This lodge is located 5 minutes by 4x4 to Lebombo. We had a very nice dinner there. In fact we prefer the style of this one to the Lebombo. More cosy.
Ebony Lodge Located walking distance from Boulders Lodge. Nice for a drink
Cape town, Kensington Place Boutique Hotel
January 2006
38 Kensington Crescent, Cape Town 8001, Afrique du SudRooms: 8
"A boutique hotel as it should be"
The room was spacious, the service impeccable. We loved the decoration of the place. Well done
Cape Town, Twelve Apostles
January 2006Victoria Road Oudekrall Bay Camps Bay, Cape Town 8001, Afrique du Sud
Rooms: 70
Beautiful spot but a far from Capetown. Big room very old fashion South African style, nice bar and restaurant , however a bit impersonal.
Cape Town, Ellerman House
January 2006
Some other friends had stayed here before us and recommended it highly , the restaurant we found to be mediocre , the room big with a great view, ….. not really our style
Asia
Singapore
Raffles Hotel*****
July 2004
1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673, Singapour
Rooms :103
“Best of the world”
We stayed in this magnificent British colonial style Palace during our honeymoon trip. For this special occasion, the room’s floor, bed, bath was covered with rose’s petals. The service was immaculate; you have a buttler for yourself. This hotel is an overall wonderful experience, we highly recommend it.
Malaysia
Pangor Laut
July 2004
A remote island with just a luxury resort. Magnificient suite bangaloo on the sea. Gorgeous swimming pool, excellent spa, service as you get it in Asia. Perfect for honeymoon or romantic escape.
Kuala Lumpur, Mandarin Oriental
Juy 2004
Restaurant : Carcosa Seri Negara, beautifull setting in a colonial house nested in a park, excellente cuisine.