Tag: Travel

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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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A once in a lifetime experience in the bustling city of Bangkok…

The InterContinental Bangkok hotel is in the centre of Bangkok and public transport makes everything easily accessible. There are several shopping malls within walking distance of the striking hotel.

The lobby was beautiful, there was a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the staff were all professionally dressed and friendly. Check in was smooth and we were offered a complimentary welcome drink in their lounge area.

We stayed in a double Grande Deluxe room which had a great view of Bangkok. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the shower was wonderfully spacious.

View from our room

The swimming pool was on the 37th floor overlooking all the tall buildings of Bangkok. This was a great experience! There was also a pool bar with a wide selection of fresh juices and smoothies that can be enjoyed in the pool.

Breakfast was delicious, there was a huge selection of food, from Indian to Asian. The staff were attentive and knew me by name which made my stay more personal.

The hotel was gracious enough to send a delicious dessert up to my room on the night of my birthday which I really appreciated. Throughout my stay the staff also addressed me by name which made me feel so special.

InterContinental Bangkok is situated perfectly in the middle of the city and they provide excellent service, within a beautiful luxury hotel. I would recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Bangkok.

To book this exquisite hotel follow the link to their website –bangkok.intercontinental.com

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards representative

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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 visit to remember at the Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore…

The Shangri-La Hotel is centrally located in Singapore and in close proximity to many of Singapore’s attractions.

For more than 40 years, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore has been committed to providing luxurious service in a tropical urban oasis with hospitality from the heart.

 

Upon arrival I was greeted by a friendly porter who took my luggage and showed me to the reception desk. The entrance was stunning, I loved the green nature elements in the lobby lounge. The receptionist was very friendly and also extremely helpful.

 I stayed one night in a Tower wing deluxe room with a beautiful view of Singapore. The room was very comfortable in every way with a big bathroom and a large selection of beverages and snacks in the minibar. The television had a lot of channels to choose from and there was even a speaker in the bathroom.

The swimming pool was magnificent and large and the poolside chairs were very comfortable to relax in. The buffet Breakfast was absolutely delicious, there was a huge selection of food and beverages, and the service was swift. There were freshly squeezed juices and smoothies and a great coffee machine.

The hotel is great for leisure and business travellers, there is a big play area for children and even conference facilities. Even though the hotel is so big, my stay still felt very personal, all the staff members were friendly and diligent.

 

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to visit all the restaurants and facilities because of my limited time in Singapore but when I am in Singapore again I would definitely stay at Shangri-La and recommend it to others.

Reviewed by – Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards representative

To book and see more of this beautiful hotel follow the link below

Click Here

 

 

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Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa – A honeymoon in paradise…

It was a wet and rainy day when we arrived at Ayara Kamala Resort & Spa, Located just a short drive from Patong Beach over the beautiful mountains of Kamala Bay.

We received a welcome drink and refreshing towel while being checked in and had a chance to relax in the beautiful lobby. We had a choice of our own scent selection which consisted of four different oils for our room aroma, we decided on the fresh Lemon Grass scent.

The staff drove us to our room, the Grand Thai Natural Ocean View with Spa Bath room, which was set on the high terrains of the resort. It was the most spacious room that I have ever stayed in. The room had traditional Thai Décor, a spacious bedroom and living area with Natural and Ocean views. The room also included complimentary Wi-Fi, a 32-inch LCD Television, DVD player, telephone, safety deposit box and mini-bar and then for the bathroom which included a jacuzzi bathtub, rainfall shower, dressing area and hair dryer. They even had a Sound Bar where we could connect our phones and listen to music.

We had dinner at The Cradle Restaurant, where we enjoyed the local dishes that were amazing and full of vibrant flavours such as lemon grass, ginger and chili which we enjoyed with a glass of wine. As it was the beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2018 the staff were assembling a projector for the restaurant guests to enjoy one of the games that were on.

After a comfortable night’s sleep in our King Size bed we woke up quite early and excited for breakfast which I can say was out of this world. The breakfast was buffet, or we could have ordered from the a la carte menu. The buffet selection had anything you could think – my favourite, “The Phuket Corner” had local breakfast dishes and colourful fruits from all around.

In the afternoon we made use of the resort shuttle bus that departs every two hours from the lobby to the Village where they drop you off at a certain point and pick you up every two hours, for which they were always on time.

The resort offers cocktail classes where they taught us to make a Thai cocktail and gave us each a chance to try and make it ourselves. They set up a whole area just for us and the barmen made us a Tom Yum Soup inspired cocktail, nice and spicy with ginger, lime and chili. We enjoyed it so much that they demonstrated two more cocktails that we learned to make and enjoy afterwards.

Our last day at the resort we witnessed how they were setting up for a beautiful rainy-day wedding for a small party in The Cradle Restaurant. The restaurant was decorated with white and green flowers with fairly lights hanging from the restaurant, it looked gorgeous and elegant. The General Manager Chai even took us through the wedding to show us their set-up.

The resort also features tennis courts, Ratana Spa and  Thai Cooking Classes at the restaurant. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at the spectacular Ayara Kamala Resort with excellent service from the friendly staff and amazing views. I was quite sad to say goodbye.

Reveiewed by Anke Van Zyl and Niel Van Zyl- World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

to view more of this stunning property click here www.ayarakamalaresort.com/

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State of the art luxury experience at the Como Metropolitan Hotel London

We arrived at the stunning Como Metropolitan hotel, situated in the in the heart of London and overlooking the magnificent Hyde Park on a sunny afternoon.

We were greeted at reception by the extremely friendly Service Manager .The staff took care of unwrapping our bags for us and taking them up to our room. While checking in we were offered a glass of champagne and given a small shot glass filled with a mixture of herbs. They explained to us that it was meant to recharge our bodies and give us new energy. (Exactly what we needed at that stage).

The Service manager accompanied us to our room. Just as well because the room needed some explaining. Arriving at our magnificent room on the 10th floor and with an exquisite view over the park we quickly realized that this room was even more amazing then we first thought. It was a fully smart-room. All the curtains, blinds and lights were controlled from a single control panel on the telephone. Push a button and the blinds opened. Push another button and you can dim any of the many different lights in the room to create whatever ambiance you desire. The room had everything from electric blinds to a fully stocked mini-bar with everything you could possibly want or need including heated mirrors that wont fog up when you shower.

The next morning, we had a workout in their state of the art gym. As someone that has been to many gyms and loves a good workout, this was heaven. The gym was fully equipped with everything from a full range of cardio equipment to weights heavy enough for regular trainers. There was even a ballet pole attached to the mirror to help you stretch. The standard bottle of water and towel were included as part of your workout but what is more is they also give you a free pair of earphones. This is for you to plug into their cardio equipment and listen to music or watch television while you build up a sweat. In my books this gym scored 10 out of 10.

The English breakfast was a delight, served in a beautiful dining room with a glass roof, letting the sun shine in.

In conclusion, the Como Metropolitan hotel is a must visit. The staff are exceptionally courteous and friendly, always willing to help and assist. The hotel itself with its technologically advanced rooms and amazing gym provides all the facilities and services you can think of.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

Book Here  

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These 10 Design hotels are a feast for your eyes…

The State Hermitage Museum Official Hotel

This state of the art historical design hotel has everything you need. Offering 126 rooms with 10 categories starting from Premium and Superior room types up to imperial and Presidential residences. All the rooms are decorated in exquisite styles replicating the imperial chambers of the Winter palace. Only natural materials are used for the decoration of the guest rooms like natural wood, different sorts of Greek and Italian marble, silk wallpapers and hand crafted plaster gilded with gold.

Ovolo Woolloomooloo

Art and culture meet at the Ovolo Woolloomooloo. Located in Sydney, Australia this hotel is bold, innovative and community minded. Creating a design centric, social space where like minded individuals can enjoy everything from accommodation to co-working. The unique and intriguing design features of Ovolo Woolloomooloo effortlessly combine heritage with modern luxury, breathing a new lease of life into this historic Wharf in an absolutely stunning location over the picturesque Sydney Harbour.

Sarai Resort and Spa

Situated in the exotic city of Siem Reap, Sarai Resort & Spa is a luxury boutique, Moroccan-inspired design resort. Sarai has been designed to be a destination where travelers from East and West come to pleasantly discover superior services, beautiful and comfortable rooms, great food, exquisite spa, and a tranquil swimming pool. Its rural atmosphere makes Siem Reap the perfect destination for your vacation. Take a break from the demands of every-day life; take a breath, relax, look up to the stars and take a moment to just gaze at their gentle beauty.

Hotel VIC on the Harbour

Hotel VIC on the Harbour has been built to the most exacting standards through the combined star power of renowned award-winners Rocco Design Architects Ltd as project architect and Hirsch Bedner Associates as guestroom interior designer.

Conservatorium Hotel

This hotel is a Architecture design hotel based in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Located in the Museum Square district, the true heart of the city, the Conservatorium is an architectural masterpiece that combines a landmark heritage building with graceful, contemporary design.

The Salil Hotel Sukhumvit 57 – Thonglor

A “Concept Living Space” representing a tranquil heavenly luxury hotel in the heart of Bangkok.The hotel boasts the most original and soulful luxury destination in Thong Lor, where business and chic living style are intertwined. All guest rooms are designed with a contemporary interpretation of the East meets West cultures through the pattern of wallpapers.

Alentejo Marmoris Hotel & Spa

At the heart of Alentejo, 180 km east from Lisbon and located in the historical town “Vila Viçosa”, the Alentejo Marmòris Hotel & Spa presents itself as the most luxurious new hotel of Portugal. This hotel is unique and distinctive – a real museum dedicated to marble.

The Torch Doha

At 300m high and with 360° panoramic views across Doha, THE TORCH is the centerpiece of Doha’s vibrant Sports City – Aspire Zone. This iconic 5-Star hotel features 51 floors, a revolving restaurant on the 47th floor and a cantilevered swimming pool anchored to the 19th floor. All rooms feature a mood-lighting system with 12 different colours, a unique iPad in-Room Solution and LED TVs.

Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal

A striking design hotel in Luxembourg’s historic center Sofitel Luxembourg Le Grand Ducal gazes magnificently over the picturesque Alzette and Pétrusse valleys and Luxembourgs UNESCO Old Town. A grand modern glass structure of dramatic lines and curves, this 5-star hotel in Luxembourg is a landmark amid a tapestry of cultural historical and natural sites.

Hotel Éclat Beijing

This 5 star hotel is a stunning landmark on the Beijing skyline, standing impressively in the heart of the city’s downtown Central Business District – a perfect location for both business and leisure travelers. A focal point of the award-winning Parkview Green, the luxury boutique Hotel Éclat Beijing offers the rare opportunity to experience museum quality art while enjoying stylish accommodation, outstanding cuisine, intuitive yet non-intrusive guest services and a spectacular Mall within its unique architectural design.

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Prana Lodge An absolute stunner!

Prana Lodge is a unique small luxury beach lodge and wellness spa situated in a pristine forest alongside the spectacular Chintsa Bay, within minutes of rolling savannah and private game viewing.

My Husband and I had the pleasure of spending two nights at Prana Lodge in Chintsa. We were greeted by two staff members standing waiting for us to arrive. Once we stopped our vehicle they introduced themselves and took our car to park it as well as our luggage to put in our rooms. We were then welcomed with a  delicious refreshing drink.

We then went to the sauna, steamer, jacuzzi and then went to have a full body massage! It was amazing! Quiet and tranquil. It was so incredible that even my husband even fell asleep half way through.

They have 7 different suites. Ours was called the Citrine Suite. Each Suite is named after a different gem stone and they have the colour elements in the suite. Ours had yellow elements in the room. It was defiantly striking. Each suite has their own pool, and I absolutely loved relaxing outside there. The outside shower was exquisite as well.

Now for the food, one word… SUPERB! We were served a three course meal every night and had two options for the main dish. They decorated the plate beautifully, and served just enough to be able to get through the three course meal without feeling to full.

I have been telling people that this is a place they have to visit! Especially if you are needing a get away from your busy life and are needing time to relax and get your thoughts together. I cannot think of one thing to complain about! The staff always had smiles on their faces and were always eager to help when necessary. I would come back in a heartbeat.

Reviewed By L’toya and Neville Da Silva – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

To view more about this property go to www.pranalodge.co.za

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Kolbe Hotel Rome; an enchanting experience from the city of Rome.

The city of Rome, Italy is an enchanting experience. Rome is a vibrant and decadent destination. It is filled with passionate Italian locals and rich history. Rome has played an important role as a political and religious capital during centuries of human civilization and should be on everyone’s bucket list.

Walking amongst the historic ruins of the Roman Forum is an experience that will leave you with goosebumps, not to mention a tour of the Colosseum where one can imagine gladiators having a brutal battle.

What made my Roman tourist experience truly special was the fact that our hotel was located right in the middle of all the important historic sites. Just a brief walk from Kolbe Hotel Rome brings you to the centre of it all.

“Surrounded by the magnificence of ancient Rome, only a few steps from the Circus Maximus and the Imperial Roman Forum, the building is located in an evocative and prestigious area right in the heart of the city.”

Kolbe Hotel Rome is a blend of modern and ancient décor; the furniture and finishing are modern and comfortable, yet the hallways are decorated with examples of ancient Roman clothing which is fascinating and really gives you an idea of what was worn back in the day

       

Upon entering the lobby guests are met with extremely friendly staff welcoming you to the hotel. The lobby leads into a contemporary bar lounge as well as the Garden Restaurant – Al Palatino. Guests can choose to sit inside or outside to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal. The garden outside is breathtaking.

“Keeping Mediterranean traditions alive, the courtyard reflects calmness, tranquility and peace. Guests can drink, dine or simply relax in this private sanctuary that is unique in all of Rome.”

The Kolbe Hotel Rome offers a variety of rooms. This includes double rooms, deluxe suites as well as family rooms. Rooms are generally decorated with maroon and light pastel colors and guests can enjoy bathroom amenities from Roberto Cavalli. One of the great features of the rooms are the big windows which open with a view of the surrounding area.

The hotel also offers great meeting and function facilities. During my stay at the Kolbe Hotel Rome, the hotel hosted a large corporate group with ease and professionalism.

Breakfast is served as an informal affair and leaves guests to help themselves to coffee and snacks from the buffet. This provides a relaxed environment for families or businessmen that want to grab a quick snack before heading to the next meeting.

Overall it was a wonderful stay that provided me quick access to the best that Rome has to offer.

Reviewed By Michelle Snyman

Brand Manager World Luxury Awards

To see more of this hotel click here