Tag: luxury lifestyle

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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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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

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A city break at the magnificent Melia Barcelona Sarriá…

Upon arriving at Melia Barcelona Sarriá we were struck by the sheer size and majestic look of the building.

After a smooth check in we were shown to our Deluxe room which was warm and welcoming. It was so spacious we felt like we had our very own apartment. All staff were friendly and accommodating at all times and this really did make our stay that much more special.

I booked a facial treatment which was  calming; relaxing and completely rejuvenating. The Spa area was stunning and a wonderful space to relax in. We really enjoyed spending time in the pool area after a day of sight seeing.

The Buffet breakfast was absolutely fantastic with such a large variety. A combination of healthy, sweet ,English Breakfast choices and lots of fruit was available. We certainly ate a little more than usual each morning.

The restaurant service was amazing. We both had a large pizza which we enjoyed very much.

We must commend the Housekeeping staff at the hotel. They are incredibly efficient; every time we returned after breakfast our room was made up and spotless.

Overall, the experience was amazing and we really enjoyed our stay at Melia Barcelona Sarriá. A huge thank you to all the amazing staff for for there outstanding service and for welcoming us so warmly.

We hope to return one day soon and definitely recommend this magnificent hotel to anyone visiting Barcelona.

Reviewed By World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

To book a stay at Melia Barcelona Sarriá simply follow the link:https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/melia-barcelona-sarria/index

 

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The Kayon Jungle Resort – A magical Jungle experience…

My first surprise when arriving at The Kayon Jungle Resort was the location – the resort is located approx. 20km North of central Ubud, but with their excellent in-house transfer service; accessing Ubud proved really easy and travelling the local road an enjoyable trip to see more of the beautiful rural setting.

The Resort and facilities were really magnificent and exceeded all expectation in a spectacular setting. My room was my own private paradise!

My best impression of The Kayon Jungle Resort was the friendly service and reception I received from the staff. On arrival and check in I was asked how I would like to be addressed and after that everybody down to the room personnel, knew who I was and addressed me as such in a respectful but informal way. What a wonderful personal touch to make one feel truly at home.

I am grateful for the experience and my stay and can happily recommend this as a unique Ubud jungle getaway.

World Luxury Hotel Awards can be proud to represent this sublime Resort.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a room at this Jungle Hideaway:

https://www.thekayonjungleresort.com/

 

 

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A Weekend at the InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport – South Africa

Getting off my plane at the Johannesburg airport in South Africa, I was ecstatic to discover that my hotel, InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport is merely 67.8 metres away from the arrival terminal. I was met by a handsome gentleman in a beautiful grey uniform holding up a digital tablet with my name on it. He assisted me with my luggage and escorted me to the entrance of the hotel lobby. After a long flight it is a great delight to be able to immediately check into a luxurious Hotel.

The hotel’s lobby lounge has an electrifying energy as it is filled with a combination of foreign and local business executive, corporate experts as well as leisure guests visiting the economic hub of South Africa. The hotel features modern and elegant décor, While the interior design boasts beautiful African design elements with art pieces that makes guests want to stop to admire and take a picture.

The hotel lobby leads into the Quills Restaurant and Cocktail Bar to the left and the corporate meeting rooms to the right. The exquisite high sealing gives the impression of a modern African palace.

Going up the elevator I found my room on the 6th floor. Room 619 features a beautiful view of the busy airport hub. The room is generous in size and featured an entrance lobby, huge bathroom, a seating area, big elegant desk, modern television and bed fit for an African king.

In the lobby of my room I was presented with complimentary sherry in a beautiful crystal decanter on a table. Upon entering the room I found delicious savoury treats that consisted of South African biltong, nuts and dried fruit. This was an extra gift from the concierge team, along with a welcome card personally written by the hotel General Manager. The room amenities include an espresso machine, minibar, DVD player as well as a special device that can be used to press trousers. I enjoyed the big comfortable bed when resting as well as the broad desk when completing work on my laptop. The wireless internet is fast and efficient, making it a breeze to connect. The room is beautifully decorated with subtle African features and is enhanced by the ample natural light that creates a calm environment but also features blackout curtains when darkness is required. The shower head in the bathroom was huge, the towels and linen soft, comforting and room service is as fast as lightning. What more can a guest need?

Quills Restaurant serves a selection of international dishes. They have taken the most popular dishes around the world and have given them a South Africa twist. I stayed at the hotel for two nights. The first evening I ordered room service and had the delicious Caesar salad that was served with a deep fried bacon and cheese covered egg. The second night I dined in the restaurant. The restaurant is very busy and I would recommend to book in advance. For dinner I had the most delicious salmon dish to date. The salmon was cooked perfectly and the combination of sauce, garish and seasoning was absolute perfection. The cuisine at the restaurant provides an interesting and refreshing twist on classic dishes, but also features exotic game dishes like crocodile warthog, kudu and ostrich, paired with outstanding South African wines. The portions are generous and the ingredients fresh and delicious. The waitron staff are extremely social and friendly. Even though you are in a formal restaurant setting they make you feel comfortable and at home.

Quills Restaurant also features a bar and cocktail lounge which is perfect for relaxing at leisure or meeting business associates over drinks. It is a very popular spot and the lounge is always busy, giving it an electric atmosphere.

The hotel boats a selection of elegant meeting rooms and an impressive business centre. There is also a special smoking room where guests can relax, read a newspaper, have a beverage or get up to date with the latest news via the television.

Going up to the 8th floor is where you will find the spa, the swimming pool as well as the gym. The swimming pool and gym have a spectacular view, which makes working out even more pleasant. The gym is big in size and well equipped with a full range of fitness machinery allowing a full body workout.

The Camelot Spa offers a variety of impressive treatments including beauty treatments, body scrub, body wrap, facials, foot reflexology, manicures, pedicures, paraffin hand treatments as well as waxing. The products that they use in the spa includes, Thalgo and Milk Solutions. The Spa caters to both male and female guests and also offers the standard locker room and steam facilities.

The Camelot Universal Signature Massage is a good option to experience a combination of Hot Stone, Kahuna, Balinese and Indian Head massage techniques. This massage incorporates the use of a unique massage candle, where the fragrance and softness of your skin lingers in guests’ mind long after you have left the spa.

Overall I had a fantastic experience at the hotel. The staff delivered on all my requests at a rapid pace and with precision. Even when I had to leave the hotel for an appointment the service did not end. I was provided with an excellent driver and a luxury vehicle to transfer me safely to and from my destination. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the staff, their conduct was always professional but extremely charming and warm. I would recommend InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport to anyone heading to Johannesburg.

Reviewed by Michelle Snyman

Brand Manager & Events Coordinator – World Luxury Hotel Awards

To enjoy a stay at this beautiful Hotel:

Book Here

 

 

 

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A visit to the historic and beautiful town of Porto…

We arrived in Porto after a long bus ride from Lisbon, and while heading towards the hotel we were astounded by this historic and varied city.

We arrived at Porto Palácio Congress Hotel & SPA at around 2pm in the afternoon, they checked us in, gave us a complimentary voucher for a glass of port at the roof bar and showed us to our room. The first thing I noticed was how big the hotel was, with 251 rooms the greatest thing about this hotel is that it is suitable for work and leisure.

We we arrived in our room, which has amazing views of the city, we were surprised by a complimentary massage and facial from the Wellness & Beauty Lab.

We went down to the spa to make a booking as we were only staying at the hotel for two nights, suffice to say, we just stayed at the spa to relax and enjoy our treatments for the rest of the day. The spa is truly magical, and my husband and I agreed that we had one of the best massages to date.

Afterwards we went to the bar and tasted some real Portuguese Port, what really got me though, was the breath-taking panoramic view of Porto.

The next morning, we went for the breakfast buffet at Madruga Restaurant, the buffet has a lot to offer and we were definitely set for the rest of the day of exploring. When we returned to the hotel, we went for a second round at the spa. We had an early morning flight therefore we went to bed quite early.

Porto Palácio Congress Hotel & SPA is an amazing hotel, the views, the spa, the amazing staff but mostly the way they cater to more than just business or leisure, but both.

Reviewed by Jana Stoman – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To make a booking at this magnificent property follow the link:

www.shotelscollection.com/portopalacio

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Exploring the beautiful town of Bruges…

We arrived in Bruges on the 31st of December, just in time for the New Year’s celebration. We decided we would walk the short distance from Bruges city centre to our hotel, this time of year is freezing cold, especially for people coming from +/- 30 degrees, however the small town of Bruges mesmerised us so that we forgot for a moment that we were freezing. Thankfully when we entered the hotel it was pleasantly toasty and warm, and just as I had imagined a hotel situated in the small and beautiful town of Bruges would be.

After a quick check in we were showed to our beautiful room. We got such a surprise at the bottle of champagne waiting for us to celebrate the new year. We had a garden room, the room was previously a horse stable and was so beautifully decorated in a rustic theme. I really loved the fact that the hotel reminded me of Bruges itself, charming and full of history.

We went out that evening, after finishing the champagne, and walked around the town until it was countdown time at T’Zand square. It was truly a special experience to be in Bruges for New Years. The next morning we had a delicious breakfast buffet with a huge variety to choose from. Thereafter we went for a stroll through Bruges and tried their famous hot chocolate at The Old Chocolate House.

Hotel Jan Brito is situated in the centre of Bruges, 200 meters from the Market Square. The 16th century manor house, the home of noble families for generations, was converted into a four-star hotel with all necessary amenities and welcomes its guests to an oasis of calm.

I would highly recommend visiting this amazing hotel, I loved everything about it. Thank you Betty for the wonderful stay, Bruges was one of our favourites and we will definitely come back soon.

To visit this amazing property in Bruges follow the link:

https://www.janbrito.com/en/

Reviewed by Jana Stoman – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative