Month: June 2019

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The Taj Cape Town – an oasis of calm in Cape Town City Centre…

Situated in the bustling Cape Town City Centre, The Taj hotel is within close distance to all local attractions.  We arrived at the Taj on a rainy Friday afternoon. The Staff warmly greeted us with umbrellas and took care of parking our vehicle. Entering the Taj is like entering another era; the grandeur and splendour of the lobby area simply takes your breath away.

After a smooth check in we were escorted to our room. We stayed in a Luxury Room in the King Tower wing with a view of Table Mountain and the bustling streets below. We were greeted with a welcoming snack of nuts and fruit, a bottle of white wine and note from the General Manager. The room was spacious with elegant designs and finishes. The bathroom for me was simply stunning with the perfect layout and marble finishes.

After settling in we headed to the lobby to enjoy an afternoon tea and snack while listening to the rain fall outside.

The fitness centre at The TAJ hotel is one of the best I have experienced. State of the art equipment including free weights and stretching equipment made for an intense training session. Fresh towels and water are available at each machine. There is also an indoor heated swimming pool if you wish to get in a few laps.

Dinner at Mint Restaurant was absolutely fantastic. Friendly staff, efficient service and a menu that will satisfy any craving made for the perfect evening. There was also live jazz music which added to the ambiance.

After a good nights rest in the King size bed we enjoyed a Buffet Breakfast which was incredible. From every cereal imaginable and English breakfast options to sushi and a variety of pastries we had it all!

Jiva Spa was the absolute highlight of our stay. We were treated to a 60minute couples Indian Aromatherapy massage. This was an amazing and relaxing experience from start to finish. A special thank you to Bianca who was my therapist – she has magic hands!

Overall my experience at the TAJ Cape Town was incredible. From Check in to check out everything was perfect. The staff are friendly and welcoming, the facilities are world class and the food is superb. I left thoroughly refreshed and would highly recommend the TAJ Cape Town to anyone visiting South Africa and hope to visit again soon – one night is just to short!

Reviewed by Tanique Echardt – Executive Manager of the World Luxury Hotel Awards

To book a stay at this incredible Hotel:

www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/taj-cape-town/

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Pine Cliffs, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve – A piece of heaven in Portugal…

Pine Cliffs resort is located in the Algarve with one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. When you drive through the resort you feel like you’re driving through a beautiful little town.

Upon check in, we were greeted by friendly staff and promptly taken to our room. We stayed in a deluxe room on the 2nd floor, with a balcony overlooking the Resort. The bed was very comfortable, and the interior of the room was beautifully designed.

There are multiple swimming pools at the hotel and the gym and indoor pool overlooks the Resort grounds. To get to the beach, you need to take an elevator from the hotel down to ground level.

On the pathway to the beach you are surrounded by the most beautiful and unique red cliffs. On the beach there are complimentary lounger chairs and towels. There is also a boathouse with many water activities including jet skis.

The beach restaurant called Mare, was a great dining experience. The food was delicious, and you have a great view of the ocean and beach. For sun downers we went to the Mirador champagne bar. When the sun hits the red cliffs its almost like they glow, it was a breathtaking view.

Dinner at Yakuza was amazing, it is a Japanese inspired restaurant. I would eat there every night if I could. We had two breakfast options every morning and both were great. A huge selection of food is on offer along with great service.

Overall Pine Cliffs was an amazing experience, we wish we never had to leave the Resort because they literally have everything you want inside the resort. Highly recommended and I would love to visit again soon.

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a stay in paradise:

www.pinecliffs.com

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The Level at Melia Barcelona Sky – The perfect City Escape

The Level at Melia Barcelona Sky is located in the El Poblenou neighborhood and within walking distance of the metro station. The metro connects the entire city which was extremely convenient.

The level reception is located on the 25th floor of the building and we were checked in by Marta. Check in was done smoothly and Marta gave us all the information we needed. I would like to give a special thank you to Marta for helping us with all our bookings and transfers. She was amazing.

We stayed in a spacious suite on the 27th floor of the hotel which gave us amazing views of the city. The room had a big lounge area and a separate area for luggage storage. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the bathroom had a double shower as well as a bath.

View from our room:

The pool area was great, with many lounge chairs and a few double loungers which were very comfortable. The weather was also perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Breakfast was served on the 24th floor with seating areas on both sides of the building so you had a choice of a city or ocean view. There was a huge variety of food and drinks at breakfast and very high quality, it was delicious.

On the 25th floor there was a special dining and lounge area only for selected guests. Complimentary food and drinks were served throughout the day. Tapas and sun downers were also served every evening around sunset.

What an amazing experience, I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Barcelona and I hope to visit again soon.

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a stay at this incredible hotel

https://www.melia.com/es/hoteles/espana/barcelona/the-level-at-melia-barcelona-sky/

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EPIC SANA Algarve – Paradise found …

EPIC SANA Algarve is located on Falésia Beach, which is one of the longest, and most beautiful beaches in Portugal. We were checked in by Stefanie, who showed us all the hotel facilities on our way to the room.  She also helped us with restaurant bookings throughout out trip.

We stayed in a Grand Deluxe Garden Duplex Suite. The balcony overlooks a beautiful garden and over the trees you can see the ocean. Downstairs we had a big lounge area and a fully equipped kitchenette. We were also given a complimentary bottle of wine and a platter of chocolates upon turn down.

The gym is open 24 hours and has all the necessary equipment. It is right next to the indoor heated pool which is also open 24 hours. The spa is beautiful and also has a separate heated pool and a relaxation room.

Breakfast was great, all the food was so fresh and delicious. The chef made really good omelets. We also had a choice of sitting inside or outside in the sun, which was great. The Manager came to check on us every morning, it was great to have such personalized service and hospitality.

Every night in the main restaurant there was a buffet dinner and the cuisine changes each evening. The hotel is also located within walking distance of many local restaurants and shops.

There is a beautiful wooden pathway leading to the beach with amazing views. There is also a “love tree” in their garden which is great for couples. There you can hang up a wooden heart and write your personal message on it and leave it to hang on one of the tree’s branches.

The hotel has two outdoor swimming pools and one is for adults only. So, it’s great if you want some peace and quiet. And if you’re with kids you can relax at the family pool.  There is also a nice restaurant next to the pool which is open for lunch and dinner.

The hotel is so peaceful and relaxing, we really enjoyed every moment at the hotel and hope to visit again soon. A huge thank you to the EPIC SANA team for making us feel so relaxed and at home.

Reviewed By: Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a stay at this stunning Property

www.algarve.epic.sanahotels.com:

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Diamante Beach Spa Hotel & Convention Centre – The perfect spot for a business or leisure Holiday…

Diamante Beach Spa Hotel & Convention Centre is located in the small coastal town of Calpe in Spain. The hotel is perfectly located just a street up from the beach which has many shops and restaurants.

What a welcoming hotel, the staff made us feel instantly at home. We were checked in promptly and the staff were so friendly. Our room was on the top floor which gave us a great view of the ocean.

The beds were very comfortable, and the bathroom had all the amenities we needed and more. The view from our room’s terrace was just amazing. We were given a special fruit platter upon arrival which was delicious.

There are two pools with a kids pool and many lounge chairs for sunbathing. The spa was an experience on its own. A heated pool and many different showers and baths around it. Definitely one of the best spas I’ve visited.

Breakfast was delicious, many different food stations with a big variety. The coffee was great, and the service was friendly and attentive. A great way to start my day.

Audrey’s is a Michelin star restaurant located in the hotel. We had a special lunch and wine pairing. Chef Rafa greeted us personally and it was a culinary experience that I will remember for the rest of my life.

I would like to thank the entire team of Diamante Beach Spa Hotel & Convention Centre for making my stay unforgettable. Thank you for spoiling us and showing us what true hospitality is.

Reviewed By: Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a stay at this beautiful hotel:
www.diamantebeach.com

 

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Le Petit Bijou Boutique Apartments- what a treat!

My husband and I were privileged enough to enjoy a stay at this lovely property as part of our honeymoon. It was the perfect, peaceful and relaxing break we were looking forward to after our wedding.

This establishment consist of 4 spacious and luxurious self-catering apartments, either a two bedroom or a one-bedroom apartment that features all the latest in-house amenities as well as a beautiful kitchen with washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, espresso machine, WiFi, and DSTV. Small touches, like a heated towel-rail, underfloor heating, multiple-setting shower head and one of the most comfortable baths either of us have ever used set Le Petit Bijou apart from the average accommodation establishment.

Guests can also enjoy a swim in the communal seasonal solar heated pool and the pleasure of sunbathing or reading a good book on a recliner located in the outside courtyard relaxing area.

As the town of Franschhoek is in the heart of the Cape Winelands, the views of the breath-taking Franschhoek mountains really stood out for us, complimented further by the fact that it could be enjoyed from the tranquil balcony that our room had.

Continuing with the theme, these 5 star apartments are situated just off the main road in the heart of the Franschhoek village between all the famous art galleries, shops, great restaurants and close to the tourist centre where one can hop onto a bus or wine tram to explore the surrounding vineyards.

We would highly recommend Le Petit Bijou Boutique Apartments to anyone looking for a relaxing break away or if you are just wanting to explore the surrounding wine vineyards with a comfortable, and luxurious stay.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative Jana Vos

To book this stunning property for a getaway:

www.lepetitbijou.co.za