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Escape to the heart of Dubai…

Nassima Royal Hotel is located in the heart of Dubai, very close to many of Dubai’s top attractions. There are also many shops and restaurants within walking distance, including the Dubai Metro.

What an unforgettable stay, the architecture of the hotel is beautiful, and the service was exceptional throughout our stay.

We stayed in two executive rooms on the 45th floor which had amazing views of Dubai. The rooms were spacious, each had a big bath overlooking Dubai. The amenities in the room were great and they provided the most comfortable bath robes and towels.

The swimming pool was one of the best I’ve ever seen, it overlooks the Persian Gulf and many high-rise buildings. The pool bar had the most delicious cocktails and pizzas and the lounge chairs were very comfortable.

There were numerous restaurants and bars in the hotel which had a big variety of food. The breakfast was delicious, the chef made the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had. The staff were friendly and gave world class service.

The concierge staff were very knowledgeable and assisted us with booking our restaurants and excursions. For our transportation they offered us their hotel car which was so comfortable and stylish.

This hotel is definitely on my list of top hotels in Dubai and is a must visit hotel when in the city. Truly great hospitality.

Reviewed By Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book follow the link below

nassimaroyalhotel.com

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Tulia Zanzibar, a piece of heaven …

We arrived at this amazing resort on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We were warmly welcomed by the amazing staff who were ready to assist us with smiles on their faces.

 

We were checked into the lovely Deluxe Garden Bungalow which with its stone walls and thatch roof really gave the feel of being away from reality. The beds where so comfortable and the décor was stunning. The room opens up onto the beautifully designed garden where you can hear the birds singing in the morning. Such an amazing way to wake up in this paradise.

The resort stay included a wonderful 1 hour massage for both of us and a complimentary bottle of wine which was a fantastic start to our stay.

Tulia Zanzibar is an all-inclusive resort and we were treated to a true dining experience. Fresh Fish and local produce is sourced daily which means the menu is never boring and constantly changing. For breakfast we enjoyed the local fruit spreads and freshly baked produce. We even got to enjoy our breakfast on the beautiful private beach. The flavours of the food where exquisite and compliments to the amazing restaurant staff and chefs who made this experience perfect.

We really enjoyed the local activities at the resort especially the lovely pool bar and the complimentary kayaks that we used to explore the serene blue ocean.

Leaving this beautiful piece of paradise was so sad but we left feeling refreshed and like cherished family of the team. A special thank you to the staff and the owners of this stunning resort, we hope to return again someday soon.

If I have to use one word to describe Tulia it would have to be “perfection”.

To book this stunning resort go to www.tuliazanzibar.com

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Paradise in Cannes

Nestled in the heart of Cannes, the Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Spa provides 133 modern rooms, a panoramic Restaurant and an amazing rooftop terrace facing the Mediterranean Sea and the bay of Cannes.

Upon arriving at the Radisson Blu 1825 Hotel and Spa you are immediately struck by how beautiful the hotel is and the feeling of magic it evokes in you. We had an absolutely fantastic time at the beautiful Radisson Blu 1825 Hotel and Spa and were treated like royalty from the second we arrived. The location of the hotel is perfect with beautiful views of the ocean and within walking distance to the Old Harbour area, restaurants and shopping which is ideal for daily exploring. The staff were also extremely friendly and helpful with anything we needed

.

We were treated to a magnificent Harbour View (Mediterranean) suite with stunning harbour and ocean views. We immediately felt at home in the elegantly decorated suite with every amenity you can think of available to us.

Dinner at the famous Le 360° was amazing. The food is quite simply out of this world and is highly recommended.

With beautiful views, the perfect location and friendly, service oriented staff; our stay was spectacular and we definitely recommend Radisson Blu 1835 Hotel & Spa to all who visit Cannes.

Luxury at its finest!

Reviewed By World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

To book this beautiful Hotel Click Below

https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-cannes

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W Amsterdam – The Jewel of Amsterdam

What can one say about Amsterdam in the summertime… it is a place like no other. Warm days, cool evenings, bustling streets, hundreds of bicycles zipping past in amongst the cars and people, yet everything runs like clockwork. The city is modern yet the buildings that remain are historic, giving you that all-round “I’m in Europe” feeling. It is a truly magical destination. In the heart of Amsterdam city lies the W Amsterdam, and its story is one to behold.

Split across two unique buildings, a former telephone exchange building and an old bank, W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary style. This hotel holds back on nothing. It is a funky, modern, upmarket establishment that boasts an elegant restaurant, a stunning bar known as the W Lounge with a rooftop pool, super cool styled rooms and of course, the best in service excellence. We stayed in stunning rooms overlooking the canals which was a real treat to watch the boats go by as the sun set, and one of our favourite features of the rooms, apart from the hip and unique artwork in each, is the Marshall Bluetooth speaker set on the headrest… awesome, we have our own music at a touch!

Dining at The Duchess for breakfast each morning was a delight. The perfectly optioned a-la-carte menu is accompanied by a wonderous selection of pastries, juices and smoothies and gets your body ready for an energetic day walking the streets of Amsterdam. Although dining at a restaurant is always a great experience, the W Amsterdam offers something quirky in terms of its in-room dining, and nothing like what you would think you are going receive when ordering room service from a five star hotel. Instead of the usual silver domed plate and large trolley, room service is offered like a take away, delivered on a tray in a branded brown paper bag; you can simply sit on your bed in front of the TV eating your food out of paper boxes. We absolutely loved this feature of this hotel, as small as it may seem to some, it was a highlight for us! And of course, the food was absolutely fabulous as well.

The AWAY Spa simply had to make our schedule. I have always loved the look of this spa from its photos, however experiencing it is something quite extraordinary. Deep down in what was the old bank vault lies luxury, relaxation, sophistication and a very much required time-out. Lighting in this spa is everything; candles dancing in the slight breeze lead you down long and dark stair cases, yellow lighting in the hot tubs and pools make you feel as though you are swimming in liquid gold, and of course well-placed fireplaces add to the ambiance of the AWAY Spa at the W Amsterdam. The original vault doors are still in place as well as one of the gold smelting pots, now an ice water dip tub.

On 14 July 2018 at the World Luxury Spa Awards gala celebration, a week before our visit, this magnificent property took away, amongst other awards, the Best Unique Experience Spa award globally and upon arrival it was not hard to see why. The reception, X-bar (drinks and light snacks), Beauty Bar and hair salon are enough to entice your senses into what lies ahead, but finally getting down into that wet area is sublime, an experience like no other. Floating in the lap pool one can see oneself in the low placed mirror ceiling above whilst you can hear the music gently playing under the water.

Our stay at this phenomenal hotel will not soon be forgotten, and anyone visiting Amsterdam could safely pick this hotel as their accommodation preference and we can personally guarantee you will not be let down.

Reviewed by Joanna Evans- World Luxury Spa Awards Executive Manager

To view more of this beautiful hotel click the link below

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/amswh-w-amsterdam/

 

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Mid-week relaxation in Copenhagens Absalon Hotel

After a highly successful yet demanding working weekend, I was blessed to be whisked off for some mid-week relaxation and exploration in Copenhagen, staying at the Absalon Hotel.

The hotel is very stylish and modern yet still holds the charm of yesteryear; we had a warm welcome that helped us to easily find our way to the hidden elevator which is cleverly disguised as bookshelves! We found ourselves on the top floor in the most gorgeous, colourful, spacious and comfortable room, with fabulous views of the surrounding city.

Absalon Hotel is perfectly located for taking a short walk to the fabulous Tivoli Gardens which is a hub of activity including an amusement park, entertainment, beautiful gardens and more, in the heart of the city. In fact we could even see the heart-stopping “Golden Tower” ride of Tivoli from our hotel window! For areas a bit further afield there are plenty of bicycles available for hire from the hotel as cycling is a popular and fun way to experience this intriguing city.

After a busy day of sight-seeing there was nothing better than returning to our room at the Absalon Hotel, sinking into the comfort of that wonderful bed with such perfect pillows is still fresh in my memory. Breakfast was another pleasure to enjoy – an extensive Continental Breakfast buffet with great coffee, juices and plenty of choices of breads, pastries, cheeses, meats and more.

The staff were all friendly and engaging and truly made our stay all the more memorable, thank you, especially to those who took some time to chat during our visit and really went out of their way make us feel at home.

To book or view more of this fantastic hotel click the link below

Welcome to Absalon Hotel

Reviewed By Linda Cooper- World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

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Power Relax at Powerscourt Hotel…

Warm smiles, a friendly welcome, seamless check-in and a jaw dropping lobby; these are the first impressions you will have of Powerscourt Hotel when you arrive.
Located a mere 30 minutes outside of Dublin in the beautiful countryside village of Enniskerry, this hotel not only boasts and incredibly impressive exterior – quite like something out of a fairytale wedding – but the interior itself is stunning. You can’t help but be drawn to the large front-facing windows past The Sugar Loaf Lounge that look over the extensive garden and fountain just ahead of you as you enter the reception area. Beautiful lighting compliments the elegant design of this open and magnificent space.

We were treated to a suite on the 5th floor, overlooking the wide spread forest and gardens with Sugar Loaf Mountain peaking in the distance. The rooms are spacious, well laid out and provide more than enough space for two people to comfortably move around and get on with their own business. I especially loved the bathroom, the TV in the mirror was a surprising find and lazing around in the large tub for an hour watching a movie was just what the doctor ordered after a 4 hour drive and a morning of hard work.

There are three dining options in the hotel, apart from in-room service, a favourite for us which was McGill’s, a charming Irish pub located below the reception level of the hotel. Guinness on tap, professional and service driven staff, delicious pub-style food and a friendly and cheery environment all add to the charm and warmly lit ambiance of the restaurant. Breakfast is served in Sika Restaurant, and we would strongly suggest, weather permitting, that you make use of the outside terrace area to dine. It is a peaceful experience to say the least.

Apart from the above, there is always my favourite part of any hotel to experience…. the spa… oh and what a spa it is. ESPA and Powerscourt have outdone themselves with this space. A highlight of my entire trip was being treated to the 2 hour Powerscourt Signature Ritual, starting with a purifying salt and oil scrub followed by an indulgent massage using a combination of essential oils that you select yourself to your preference. And lastly, a therapeutic scalp massage using Rose Quartz Crystals finishes the experience. After this bliss I was left in the serenity room overlooking the gardens and fountain and given a soothing mango sorbet. Time for a powernap!

The wet area is sublime. A large indoor lap pool with an adjoining hot tub, a sauna, steam room, plunge pools and conveniently placed showers will keep you relaxing for hours if you are not there for a treatment.

The lunch at the spa is also a delight. Different courses decadently styled in a Bento box in a chic and elegant café style dining area, and as always, served with a smile. It is the perfect way to end a treatment or even time in the wet area.

Overall, our stay at this hotel was a pleasure. From the door lady to the housekeeping, start to finish, we knew we were in an establishment that was proud to deliver service excellence from its every corner, and we can only hope to once again experience its beauty.

Reviewed By Joanna Evans -World Luxury Awards Representative

To view more of this beautiful hotel follow the link below

www.powerscourthotel.com 

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Relaxation and wonderful Thai hospitality at the Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas…

The Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas is situated in the centre of the busy town of Patong in Phuket. The hotel is within walking distance of the beach,shops and restaurants.

We received a Thai purple drink and a filled pastry with purple icing on top as a welcome treat and a cold towel to fight off the heat. We felt very welcome and all the staff were friendly.

We stayed two nights in a one-bedroom pool villa, which was gorgeous! A beautiful bath and a big lounge area. Our private splash pool was so great, and the pool chair was very comfortable.

There is a high tea lounge for VIP guests which offers complimentary beverages and snacks every day from 11:00am to 17:00pm which was delicious.

The swimming pool was heated and there were many poolside chairs available.  Most of the ground floor pool facing rooms are adjacent to the swimming pool so guests can just jump in from their terrace. The pool bar had daily specials on their cocktails which guests can enjoy on the chairs inside the pool.

The buffet breakfast was delicious, there was an Asian corner as well as an assortment of Indian and western food.

There was even sushi for breakfast and also a stand where you could make your own iced coffee or chocolate milk which was great.

Our entire stay including the amazing staff made our trip unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who plans on visiting Phuket.

To book this magnificent property or get more details follow the link below

http://grandmercurephuketpatong.com

 

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

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Hotel TWENTY EIGHT brings innovation, comfort and fun to the luxury hotel concept.

 As you enter the hotel lobby you are met with bright colours, contemporary art and elegant décor . The hotel staff dress in funky but relaxed uniforms that compliment the hotels unique style.

The lobby, lounge, bar and reception are open 24-hours a day and the lobby is perfect for meeting other travellers over a drink, or opening your laptop and catching up on work. This is a hip and happening space with flair.

Located on 260 Stadionplein, Oud Zuid of Amsterdam. The metro station is located 300 meters from the hotel and the tram is located just opposite the hotel. This makes site seeing in Amsterdam a breeze, as all the major tourist attractions like Museum Square, Vondelpark and the City Centre are merely a short tram ride away.

The hotel offers comfortable design apartments combined with the service and facilities of a luxury hotel. All the apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with a spacious seating area and a luxurious bathroom equipped with a rain shower. The rooms also feature climate control, a flat-screen TV and high-speed WiFi. The rooms are beautifully decorated with great attention to detail and a touch of Dutch heritage.

The property also offers an on-site restaurant, a sauna and fitness facilities as well as underground parking.

The level of service, apartments and hotel facilities make Hotel TWENTY EIGHT the perfect choice for business and leisure guests, both for short and long term stays.

Guests have the option to cook in their own apartment as well as make use of the self-service laundry room. This is exceptionally helpful for travellers that have been on the road for a while and want to relax and recuperate with privacy. Hotel TWENTY EIGHT feels like your home away from home.

When you do feel like going out for a meal the on site restaurant the Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal is a must. This modern restaurant offers delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire family. Walking through the restaurant doors, the walls are decorated with vintage portraits of previous Olympic Games.

The staff are friendly, attentive and extremely helpful with anything that guests require. This is extremely helpful for foreigners visiting Amsterdam for the first time.

Hotel TWENTY EIGHT made my trip to Amsterdam exceptional and I would recommend this property to any traveller.

To book this hotel click here www.twentyeight.nl

Michelle Snyman – Brand Manager of Word Luxury Hotel Awards

Missing Amsterdam already!

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A luxurious art escape in the heart of Amsterdam…

The Conservatorium Hotel is located right in the heart of Museum Square in Amsterdam. The entrance of the hotel looks upon the Stedelijk Museum showcasing the latest expedition of modern art, which in this case was linen hanging from the windows. The central location of the hotel is a dream for foreigners visiting the hotel for the first time. The Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark and Amsterdam’s most indulgent shopping district are literally at your doorstep.

Once you enter the lobby of Conservatorium Hotel you are immediately struck by the beautiful and dramatic architecture. The height of the celling, the glass fixtures, the marriage between a landmark heritage building and modern contemporary design are beautiful to behold. The hotel is known for it’s Art Nouveau interiors created by the award-winning designer Piero Lissoni.

Originally this landmark building was a bank. The heritage and historic significance has been carefully preserved and incorporated in the design. Traces of this beautiful history can easily be spotted on the vintage floors.

The bank building was later converted into a music school and thus the reason for the hotels name today, Conservatorium. The impact of the classical music has also been incorporated in the design with magnificent art ; for example a spectacular violin centre piece.

The hotel features three restaurant dining options; Brasserie, Taiko Restaurant as well as Tunes Bar.

The Brasserie is located in the beautiful lobby and has a greenhouse atmosphere with the glass and plant features. This is perfect for a breakfast, lunch or just relaxing at leisure on the terrace. Do not be surprised if you spot a celebrity or public figures, for the Conservatorium is the preferred choice for high profile guests.

Taiko Restaurant provided contemporary Asian cuisine and is beautifully decorated with traditional Asian features. There is however a design twist as the hallway walls leading to the Taiko restaurant are decorated with photo’s of legendary artists and musicians visiting Amsterdam.

Tunes Bar is perfect to start your Friday night with a hip and elegant bar lounge experience. Tunes Bar offers exotic cocktails with chic food parings.

The rooms of the hotel are extremely spacious. Clever design has folded and hidden the bathroom as closet space and guests are pleasantly surprised when the size of the entire room is actually revealed. The rooms feature beautiful use of natural light, calming colours and minimalistic décor, but with overwhelming comfort and quality features.

The hotel also features the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre which is divided into four different areas corresponding with the elements of nature. The centre promises restoration and rejuvenation.

The Conservatorium Hotel is the essence of elegance and luxury, but it is also a playful environment as it is filled with unexpected fun and colourful art.

Activity options for guests are endless, if guests become tired of sight-seeing, guests can also enjoy shopping at leisure at some of the beautiful boutique shops available on sight. Here guests can buy anything from diamonds to cigars.

A trip to Amsterdam is not complete without staying at the Conservatorium. 

Click below to book or see more of this extravagant hotel.

www.conservatoriumhotel.com

 

Michelle Snyman – Brand Manager of World Luxury Hotel Awards

 

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Wildlife and luxury create harmony at the 57 Waterberg Lodge

What a wonderful surprise…after our long drive, we were greeted at the gate by our very own game-ranger with ice-cold champagne, served in silver goblets. The calm of the bush immediately settled over me as we made our way over the rocky terrain of the Waterberg Mountains to the lodge. An African welcome song and a glass of sherry completed our warm welcome upon arrival at the main lodge.

Beautifully furnished rooms, crisp white linen, snug fires and our own outdoor Jacuzzi overlooking the bush filled my soul with thankfulness.

The game drives were informative and well worth the effort as we saw herds of elephant complete with little ones. The reserve is known for its conservation of white rhinos, of which we had a view close-up and personal.

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The superb 3-course dinner and service was truly of world-class standard and accompanied by excellent vintages. I could return just for that!

It was with a lingering sense of loss but a conviction that I will return one day that we left this piece of heaven.

 

Reviewed By Marna Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book this wildlife experience follow the link below

Click Here