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A grand stay at Waldhaus Sils Hotel…

The drive down to Sils was breathtaking as we descended into the verdant Engadin valley. The Waldhaus (“forest house”) is majestically perched in a forest above the delightful village of Sils, overlooking the valley and its many lakes.  As the hotel is at 1800m altitude, the air is crisp and warm, devoid of the coastal mugginess at this time of year.

On arrival, we were received with a friendly welcome from the family management and were presented with a beautiful book chronicling the fascinating history of the hotel and family since 1908.

The décor of the hotel has been purposely preserved as it was many years ago and exudes an old-world charm in the best tradition of luxury hotels of that era.

Our room consisted of a lounge with bathroom on level 1 and a spacious bedroom en-suite accessible via a quaint spiral staircase. Bathroom fittings were of a classic look and of top quality. The accommodation was scrupulously clean and maintained.

Guests can choose a variety of room genre furnishings and decorations eg contemporary, historic, classical etc. Indeed, some returning guests specify the genre of their choice when rebooking at the Waldhaus.

We were treated to a very special fine dining multi course dinner in the original wood paneled a la carte dining room. The enthusiastic sommelier let us experience a few of the excellent wines from the region drawn from their huge cellar selection while guiding us for food matching as a delicate compliment to the fine cuisine that was presented to us. A most enjoyable candle lit evening overlooking the forests stretching out before us.

After a peacefully silent sleep, we awoke at dawn and were greeted by a spectacular view from our windows of the valley and its lakes stretching to the far mountains in the distance.

The spectacular view from our room.

A special tour of the hotel was conducted by the family’s general manager and co-owner, a descendent of the original creator of the hotel, wherein he enlightened us of the rich history of the hotel.

Of great interest was the “live” ghost that lives in a suitcase in the underground museum surrounded by artifacts of a bygone era. The hotel also features one of the first synchronised clocks system to be installed in a hotel at that time. Who knew?!

In contrast to the classic décor of the hotel, the new spa is ultra-modern and has been tastefully designed to complement the hotel. We enjoyed massage treatments by professional therapists who were friendly and extremely knowledgeable about all wellness matters – superb!

Breakfast was a classic affair in the stately high ceiling dining room with a vast variety of tasty items together with the option of a la carte menu. Eggs were perfectly presented and the cappuccino was delicious.

Later in the day we were treated to an exhilarating cable car ride up to the 3300m peak of Corvatsch from where we could see the Waldhaus overlooking Sils valley.

We had an incredibly special and memorable stay. If you are looking for a grand country hotel of days gone by but beautifully preserved, look no further than the Waldhaus Sils hotel.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards representative Marianne Cauvin-Vaz.

To book a stay at this spectacular property: https://waldhaus-sils.ch/en/

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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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This Lakeside city hotel in Hanoi is a treat for business and leisure..

The InterContinental Hanoi Westlake is located on the largest lake in the city of Hanoi and is situated just minutes from the Old Quarter. Guests can look forward to experiencing space and relaxation in this elegant haven. The hotel is a pleasant escape from the buzz of the busy city.

Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure this hotel offers the best of both worlds. For business travellers, the hotel offers exclusive meeting rooms and privacy for high profile businessmen and heads of state. The facilities of InterContinental Hanoi Westlake range from larger than life conference halls to very exclusive dining rooms meant for the elite.

As a leisure guest, the hotel offers resort like features, from a lavish pool to the ultra-trendy Sunset Bar. The Sunset Bar is the place to be for cocktails, offering an experience that is unmatched anywhere else in Hanoi. Situated between the three pavilions in a stunning lakeside setting, the bar is reached via a stroll across a torch-lit bridge. Discover the city’s best-kept secret as the renowned team makes guests the perfect cocktail for any occasion.

True to the InterContinental brand the hotel offers the best in a variety of food and beverage options. The hotel offers 6 dining options that range from fine dining gourmet to comfort food such as Italian favourites. Experience a traditional Bamboo Village, an elegant glimpse of authentic Vietnamese culture, or explore the diverse culinary flavours of the Mediterranean region, exclusively prepared by French Executive Chef Jerremy Lassarre.

The 293 elegantly appointed guestrooms and suites are cloaked in a tranquil residential setting. Of these rooms, 132 are located on two unique Island Pavilions set just above the picturesque waters of West Lake. Contemporary Vietnamese design meets spacious intimacy with cream coloured walls and dark timber floors and furniture, complemented by rich textures and vibrant colours. Each room and suite features a private balcony with a superb view of either West Lake or the Hanoi skyline.

My favourite item in the room was a petit four boat that introduces the traditional floating market. The floating market is an integral part of daily life throughout all of Vietnam’s waterways and features locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as traditional dishes usually starts at 4 or 5 in the morning and ends before the heat of mid-morning at 10.

Whether you are hosting a big wedding event, taking up residence for a long-term business deal or experiencing Hanoi as a tourist, you would be lucky to book and stay at InterContinental Hanoi Westlake.

Michelle Snyman – Brand Manager

To book this hotel go to their website: click here

Or email them: here

To view more reviews click here

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Luxurious Suites in Singapore City

 

After having spent many hours travelling, we were warmly welcomed by this magnificent and serene luxury hotel the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road situated right in the heart of bustling Singapore. We were wrapped up in style and gracious hospitality – the perfect landing spot for our jetlagged selves. The 6 am early morning arrival was met with sunny smiles, efficient and professional staff.

Stepping into our luxurious contemporary styled suite, we were blown away by the most exquisite views sprawling the urban landscape.

The Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay and the world-famous giant Ferris wheel, Singapore Flyer, can be seen in the distance, delighting its passengers. We stayed in the in the Deluxe King Suite, which boasts every luxurious amenity discerning guests would want, whether for business or leisure.

The hot Singapore sunshine drew us straight up to the rim-flow rooftop swimming pool for a refreshing dip while we gazed at the city below. This was our ‘go-to’ spot especially after a day of island exploration and discovery – sensational!

The on-site gym is well appointed and a very inviting space to workout, which we did only once as our leisurely pursuits kept us indulging in more relaxing and laid-back activity. Speaking of laid-back… the buffet breakfasts are an absolute feast and highlight of our day – expertly prepared and beautifully presented. A truly exceptional experience that ticked all the boxes and delivered well beyond our expectations, the Pan Pacific Serviced Suites in Beach Road is highly recommended!

Pan Pacific Serviced Suites Beach Road is my first stop when visiting the busy island of Singapore.

Guest – Jana Stoman

www.panpacific.com reserve this beautiful hotel via enquiry.ppssbr@panpacific.com

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What Makes Armani Hotel Dubai The World’s Most Luxurious Hotel?

What does it take to become the world’s most luxurious hotel?

Does it involve outrageous amenities such as in-room 24 karat gold iPads, private jet and butler services, or even pet psychics for your pooches?

According to Anton Perold, Managing Director of the World Luxury Hotel Awards, true luxury is defined by “a team of highly dedicated staff willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that no request goes unanswered,” he said. But since luxury can mean different things to different people, every year The World Luxury Hotel Awards takes on a new focus to select the new winner.

Armani Amal Terrace (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai) Armani Amal Terrace (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

For 2016, the ten-year organization shifts the focus on supreme style and unique elegance, and named Armani Hotel Dubai the winner.

Opened since 2010, the ten-story hotel with 160 rooms and suites is the first hotel by fashion designer Giorgio Armani. Bearing all the Armani signature details in the carefully curated space with Eramose stone floors, zebrawood panels, and custom-made furnishings, it’s no surprise that everything here is tastefully designed.

One of only two hotels (the other one is in Milan) launched by the legendary designer, much of Armani Hotel Dubai’s appeal is also defined by its location. Situated at Burj Khalifa—world’s tallest tower—in Downtown Dubai, the world’s most luxurious hotel boasts stunning views of the city, convenient access to the city’s best shops, restaurants and cultural attractions, plus a dedicated entrance to the tower.

Burj Khalifa (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)Burj Khalifa (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

With all the amenities one would normally expect—Award-winning restaurants, lounge, deluxe spa and various Armani goods, what really sets this hotel apart is the “warm, Italian-style service” noted by Mark Kirby—General Manager of Armani Hotel Dubai.

Armani Ristorante (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)Armani Ristorante (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

For instance, each guest is assigned a personal Lifestyle Manager who handles everything from arranging childcare to landing difficult bookings of the hottest restaurants and events out there. The idea of it is to provide guests with a “‘home-away-from-home experience,” said Kirby.

(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

As a former guest of the Armani Hotel, Milton Pedraza—CEO of the Luxury Institute—believes that one of the most remarkable strengths of Armani is his ability in creating an understated style of luxury that’s completely serene. “It’s a paradoxical concept few could pull off. And when done properly (which Armani certainly has), it makes guests feel pampered and peaceful at the same time,” he noted.

All the books in this study at the Armani Dubai Suite are personally selected by the designer himself. (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

All the books in this study at the Armani Dubai Suite are personally selected by the designer himself. (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

This ability not only reflects on the fashion legend’s renowned aesthetics, but also his personality and values. According to the luxury expert, there’s something about the Armani Hotel experience that made him feel special. “The staff at his hotels are very well-selected and well-trained. They make you feel welcome in a way that seems more genuine and relatable than other hotels,” he added.

Walk-in closet at the Armani Dubai Suite (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

Walk-in closet at the Armani Dubai Suite (Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

“Fact is, people don’t want to be treated like royals anymore,” Pedraza said.

What this award points to—when it comes to luxury hotel trends in 2017—are well-designed spaces that aren’t excessively staged or opulent. As the world becomes more globalized, successful hotels are definitely angling for more local experiences, where guests could get intimate knowledge of each place.

(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

Yet, for frequent travelers, don’t be surprised to find your favorite snacks or drinks from your home countries. “As hotels want to ease your transition from one place to another both physically and emotionally,” noted Pedraza, “2017’s hotel experience will focus equally on satisfying your curiosity of a new place as it is on fighting home sickness.”

(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)(Photo credit: Armani Hotel Dubai)

Writer Credit

I cover food, luxury, and occasionally tennis (when Nadal is playing).