European Luxury Hotel Report
 

Venice: Luna Hotel Baglioni. This is a wonderful hotel with a great location. You walk out one door and you are practically in St. Mark's square, the other door and you are at Harry's Bar and a vaporetto stop. The room was not large by American standards, but comfortable. The walls were covered in fabric, we had a window overlooking a side canal, lots of hot water and great water pressure in the bath, bath sheets rather than towels...very nice. We booked a "Great Affordables Moonlight Package" and received tickets to Doges Palace, and several museums. The package included a bottle of champaign in our room and a very good full buffet breakfast. I would definitely stay here again. The room had a safe. The only negative was the lighting in the bath which was not bright enough for me, but it did have a cosmetic mirror. The staff was very friendly.<BR><BR>Positano: Le Sirenuse. A fabulous hotel got better with the addition of the spa. I love this place. We had a sea view room with a jacuzzi bath. It was large with a sofa and chairs. Fresh fruit awaited us in our room and we had complimentary tea and dessert with our AX Fine Hotel program. We did not get a room upgrade because we got exactly the room we had requested which delighted us. This was our third trip to Positano and our second to Le Sirenuse. The second trip we stayed at the San Pietro, and although it is very nice too, I wanted to be at Le Sirenuse for the views, friendly staff, proximity to town, etc. They have a great breakfast too! The products we were given in our room from the spa were so good I used them the entire trip - Aveda shampoo, etc and a sunscreen trio with lip balm. This is one of the very best.<BR>

How much did you pay for these luxurious accommodations, if you don't mind my asking. I need a reality check before considering them. Do these hotels have web sites? It sounds as if you were very well treated.

Author: Kay ([email protected])<BR>Date: 06/26/2002, 12:35 am<BR>Message: Taormina Sicily: Grand Hotel Timeo. After much research on and off this forum, I decided to try the GH Timeo instead of the hotel most American's and travel agents recommended, the San Dominico Palace. I did not go see the other hotel although I am sure it is wonderful. I decided after seeing the GH Timeo in a Ferragamo ad and after some feedback received from Patrick on this site to try the Timeo. I was not disappointed. Although Le Sirenue is still at the top of my list, the Timeo topped it. Taormina is incredibly beautiful, and the view from the Timeo's terrace overlooking a garden and then down to the sea was amazing. Our room was small, but comfortable, Italian decor, with decorative trim on the walls, a walk-in shower (no tub) and marble bathroom. We were at first in a new building, with separate connections for your computer and very nice, new, and larger rooms. This new building is called Villa Flora. The problem for us was that you had to walk up some steps and stand on the balcony to see the view (which was unbelievable.) My issue was that I couldn't even see it sitting at the table on the balcony because the wall was too high. We were on the 3rd floor and I think you would be OK on the 1st or 2nd, but don't take the 3rd unless you want to stand up all the time to see the view. When I first saw the view I loved the room before I realized the problem so I asked to be moved the next day. The staff was wonderful and put us in a room right next to the best suites and it has a huge terrace with the VIEW! The GH Timeo is now my favorite hotel, but the room made a big difference. In Villa Flora you do have a tub, but when we moved we got an older style room that had been renovated a few years earlier. I much preferred the older room, but it was smaller and you did have to unplug the phone to plug in your computer. The Timeo has very good food in the restaurant and serves an extensive buffet breakfast on their fabulous terrace. The terrace runs the lengh of the hotel and if you want to stay there and don't want to pay for a view room, there is plenty of room on the terrace for everyone. It is never crowded and you have the same view as you would from some of the best rooms. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The only negative is that is is right next to the Greek Theatre and the entrance and street to the Timeo are very crowed after 3 pm each day and the AC hadn't been turned on for the summer yet (mid-May) and during the day the room was sometimes hot. Oh, the gardens are private and also quite beautiful with lots of places to stop and enjoy them. You can walk to the main street in just a few moments and can also go to their sister hotel on a beautiful beach in Mazzaro. You reach the hotel by walking a very short distance to a cable car. As I said, this is now my favorite traditional hotel, although there is nothing ordinary about it.<BR><BR>Agrigento, Sicily: Villa Athena. (not luxury) This hotel is a 4* but shouldn't be. The reviews I read before my trip are accurate. It has a 5* view of the Temples, but is definitely not 4*. We had the best room I believe, 205 and it was large with a wonderful terrace overlooking the Valley of the Temples. The room really was fine, but the bath was really bad (think very cheap American hotel.) There was no hair dryer and although they had robes, they were so stiff I didn't use one. When we arrived mid-afternoon, there were bottles and dishes sitting outside most of the doors and the hotel has a weird odor that bothered me. The food was acceptable, the staff helpful, and the grounds were beautiful around the pool. It could be wonderful, but needs some work. We wanted the view and this hotel provided that.<BR>

Author: Kay ([email protected])<BR>Date: 06/26/2002, 12:41 am<BR>Message: Cernobio, Italy: GH Villa D'Este. A perfect hotel. We had a package that included meals and they were very good. We could choose either the Veranda or the grill restaurant in the evening. With our AX Fine Hotel package, we were given an upgrade room. Our package included a deluxe room, but not necessarily a lake view. Because we had The Romantic Stay package, we were told by our AXP travel agent that we would not be eligible for the AX Fine Hotel upgrade, but we were given those perks too without even asking. So we had a large room, lake view and small balcony, with a huge walk-in closet, lovely, large bath with a jacuzzi tub and shower. Everything about this hotel is perfect, the food was great, the room wonderful, the AC the best we had anywhere, great location (we really liked Cernobio,) and the staff was friendly, beautiful grounds, all a little too perfect. I think that is why it is not my favorite. I have nothing negative to say about it, how do you complain about perfection? Perhaps it was just too big, because we never talked with any other guests except one morning in the gift shop. I did really enjoy my stay here, it just wasn't my favorite.<BR><BR>Aix En Provence, France. Villa Gallici. It looks like the photos on the web and yet it doesn't. It has charm. The rooms are done in prints and ours had a very nice marble bathroom. We had a view over the gardens to the Church in town. The outside dining area and pool are are very nice. I think what surprised me was that it seemed much more elegant in the web photos and reviews. It is eclectic, and a little worn. They don't provide breakfast and if you want rolls and coffee, it is around 26 Euro each. I did not eat the dinner I was served there and my husband didn't enjoy his although he did eat it. They served dinner in the lounge area on small portable tables and the chairs did not fit the table and were uncomfortable. Altogether, I would not eat there again. I thought otherwise it was charming, with roses on the tables morning and night, but my husband really didn't like the flowered wallpaper (I did) and because of the food, rates this as his least favorite (next to the Villa Athena of course.) I enjoyed the environment and would stay here again because it is a short walk into town and food! I left a travel feather pillow on the bed and called about an hour after I left and they said they would look for it. The next day I called and they said they couldn't find it. I told them I found that hard to believe since it was in a pink case, and so I was unhappy about that and they promised to contact the head of housekeeping. I didn't call back thinking it was gone, but when I returned home, it was waiting for me. So they did find it and send it to me at no charge! As you can tell, I have mixed feelings about this place. Lots of charm, I really liked the room, staff, and ambiance, I just don't think it deserves the rave reviews it gets.<BR><BR>Menerbes, France: La Bastide de Marie. This is my favorite non-traditional hotel. A few rooms, more like a bed and breakfast with meals. You are free to wander around the kitchen, enjoy snacks, juice, wine, etc. all day long... very relaxing and wonderful. For my review, read "I'm at La Bastide de Marie" which I wrote from there.<BR>

Message: Barcelona: Hotel Ritz. A very good value for a nice hotel. Again, friendly staff, we had a room upgrade from AX again, but it was a Jr. suite with 2 baths and although nice, you couldn't lay in bed and watch TV. They gave us champaign and chocolates on arrival, and were friendly and helpful. The hotel was a typical large hotel. When we returned from Majorca we stayed in a Superior room that I liked much better with a fireplace, roman bath and a city view. The hotel was very well situated and very nice. They had one of the very best breakfasts of the trip. They also gave us afternoon tea as part of our AX package and when we came back for one night before we left for home, they gave us another bottle of champaign and chocolates again. I would stay here again too!<BR><BR><BR>Majorca: La Residencia. A beautiful property in Deia. We enjoyed relaxing here before heading home from our trip. The food was very good, the grounds beautiful, fabulous views, very nice staff, but customer service wasn't up to par. I had booked one of three suites that has a private pool. Except it wasn't private. About 10 rooms look out over this private pool and it was like being in a fish bowl. The pool was supposed to be heated, but wasn't warm enough to swim in until the 3rd day (I asked the pool man to turn up the heat the 2nd morning and I am sure the heat wasn't even on until then) I called the desk a few hrs. after arrival and told them I wanted to change rooms the next day because the pool was not private. At a window right above our pool and patio, a woman sat in her window looking down at us! I was told they had a room with a private terrace, but I would still have to pay the premium for the suite because I had guaranteed it. So I could move to a room that was $300 night less with no pool, but I would still have to pay the extra $300. So I stayed where I was, but it left me feeling like I had been taken. After staying at many luxury hotels on the trip, this one was the only one where I felt "ripped off."<BR><BR>I also detailed some of my trip on a report titled "Trip Report from Positano" and "More Trip Report from Positano" Some of the above information may be repeated.<BR><BR>What I forgot to take: My grease pencils for my maps and a hat<BR><BR>What I used a lot: My "dirty" denim jacket and my pashimina<BR><BR>Europeans are wearing designer jeans and jackets everywhere. Lots of those shoes that look like bowling shoes.<BR><BR>We also had a very nice day with Debbie. She was recommended on this forum and can be contacted at [email protected]. She is an American living in Barcelona and gave us a very enjoyable tour. I highly recommend her.<BR><BR>I won't be taking any trips for a while, so I look forward to reading your trip reports! Take care, Kay<BR>

Author: Sandy ([email protected])<BR>Date: 06/26/2002, 01:00 am<BR>Message: Thanks for the report Kay... while you were in Barcelona, did you happen to see the new Marina Hotel? If so, what can you tell me about it. We're booked in Le Meridien Hotel on Las Ramblas in August but are thinking of switching to the new Marina Hotel. Any info you can provide on either of these hotels would be greatly appreciated.<BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR><BR> <BR>Author: Kay ([email protected])<BR>Date: 06/26/2002, 01:29 am<BR>Message: I didn't go inside Le Meridien, but it looked to be very nice from the outside. Debbie, our guide, said it was her first choice. It was ideally located. We did not see the new Merina Hotel. I definitely would want to be near the Las Ramblas area. I chose the Ritz even though the Meridien gets better reviews because on the web the rooms seemed nicer at the Ritz. I think it all depends on the room you get. I should have requested a different room the first time we stayed. I ran into some folks that were offered a Jr. Suite upgrade like us and they refused it and got the Superior room that we liked so much when we returned. Although our first room was fine, it wasn't as nice as the other one. I think you will be fine, the Meridien gets great reviews and is in a great location. Just don't accept the room unless you like it. I would suggest you post a question specifically about the Marina Hotel and see if anyone know anything about it, or you could email debbie. She can tell you if she has seen it. We were delighted with Barcelona and really enjoyed it except for the late night, long meals. I am just not used to that. We didn't encounter any problems and did not wear our money belts. I just took one credit card and some cash out of the safe each day when I hit the streets. We ate at a place twice that we really liked called 4Gats. Try their onion soup! Have a great trip! Kay<BR>

Posting a multi-part report as separate postings is a disaster. The pieces get scattered like the wind.<BR><BR>You mention other threads that are a complement to this report. Perhaps you can go locate those and copy-and-paste those here too.<BR>

topping<BR><BR>since someone has decided to top one of the pieces of this report.<BR><BR>what a mess this makes of the board.<BR>

These places sound lovely indeed but for me these would be a 1 or 2 nite splurge, not places I could afford for 2-3 wks of travel. You do mention Luxury in your title, so I was forewarned. And my point is?--I'm not quite sure! It must have been a wonderful trip!

Consolidator: Thank you for consolidating my report. It was my first one, other than the one I did as I vacationed, so I guess I did it rather badly. I was just trying to get the information out, because I had promised some on this forum that I would report back about these hotels.<BR><BR>RealityCheck, They were wonderful and it was the first time I stayed in mostly luxury and 5* hotels on a trip. I prefer to stay in a location at least 4 days. I took a 32 day trip. I have mixed feelings about it. While I really enjoyed it, I will probably stay in 4* and other charming hotels for my next trip. What I didn't count on was all the extra tipping, cost of laundry and pressing, etc. It may not sound like much, but at these hotels, it became considerable. I usually had meals out of the hotels at more modest places and ate at the hotels most times when it was included in the package. This made some of these hotels a better deal. I would say the package at the Villa D'Este with meals and especially the inclusion of meals at La Bastide de Marie, made these properties a better deal.<BR><BR>I don't travel but every few years, because I am self-employed and can't leave, so when I do, I want to relax in beautiful surroundings and the luxury hotels usually have the best grounds and views. Some of these hotels also had obvious security. I am not into expensive meals and wine, and flew Business Elite on free flyer miles, so I chose to spend my $$s on hotels. Take care, Kay

Kay,<BR>We are booked for three nights at Le Sirenuse in September. Unfortunately, due to late booking, we don't have a room with a view (boohoo) and now they do not have anymore availability. Do you think it is worth it to stay at Le Sirenuse even though we have no view? I am suspecting that the public areas are very nice and we probably won't be spending too much time in our room. We will continue to look for a possibility of an upgrade.

Absolutely, do stay there. The public rooms are so lovely and you have great views at breakfast and from the terraces and pool during the day. If you have dinner there, you have the views at dinner. I have been thinking a lot about this, as I almost always want a view room, but you really don't spend a lot of time in your room. If the hotel has great public view areas like the Sirenuse, you will be very happy without it. Have a massage by Stefano, one of the best I have had. I am not a massage expert, but I spent a week at Canyon Ranch in Tucson a couple of years ago and Stefano was better than anyone I had there! Be sure to go to Ravello and see the grounds at Villa Cimbrone, if you haven't been there. This was our third trip to Positano, so other than taking our first trip to Capri, we just relaxed there. You can read my trip report titled "Trip Report from Positano" for more info on this area. If you need a driver for a day or two, contact Flavio Gioia. They have a web page and are wonderful! Have a great trip. September is the best time to go! Take care, Kay

to thanks in advance: yes, I think they all have web sites. They are easy to find by doing a search of the name. Take care, Kay

Thanks for the information re. Le Sirenuse. I feel much better now! I will definately book Stefano for a massage, can't wait! I'm definately a lover of the luxury resort and found your post very interesting! I will also look for the Positano trip report!

Nycer, I look forward to hearing about your trip and other luxury resort properties! Kay

I also want to thank Kay for her reply. I, too, will be at Le Sirenuse in September -- but in a non-view room. I was having the same anxiety and have decided that it's perfectly acceptable. I agree with Kay. Yes, it's great to eat breakfast on a private balcony with a view. But it's better to lounge all day by a fabulous pool with a view. Is the added benefit of the room view really worth an extra $200 a night (as it is at Sirenuse)? Probably not.<BR>Thanks Kay for your great report. Another wonderful small luxury property in Provence if La Bastide de Marie is booked or closed (as it was last November when I went) is La Maison de Bournissac just outside of St. Remy. The decor, grounds, food, and service are all sublime. Highly recommended and less expensive than Bastide de Marie. Bournissac was also recently written up in Travel & Leisure. It's exquisite.

ttt<BR>

Thanks for the info on the Bournassic Diane. I had not heard of it. I will look for the article in T&L.<BR><BR>I booked less than half the hotels on my recent trip with special view rooms and although I loved the views, I don't think it factored much into my overall enjoyment of the hotels.

Kay,<BR>Could you tell me how you booked your driver in Positano? You may have mentioned it in one of your posts, but the post I looked at had only his name, but no contact information. I would like to book a driver to pick us up at the Naples train station & drive us to Positano with a stop in Herculeanum. <BR><BR>Yes, will post a report when back from Italy. In the meantime, if you ever make it Bali, definately stay at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay & Four Seasons Sayan. Simply the best! Rooms, service, grounds, etc. A perfect stay!

Hi Nicer, thanks for the info on Bali, I definitely want to go there! You can email Flavio gioia (the name of the co.) at [email protected]. Tell them Kay from Texas sent you! This is a family run business, have been in Positano for years and are very trustworthy. We always use them to make the transfer from Naples and this time, we even had them drive us to Sicily. The brothers all speak and understand English and all work in the business. I got their name the first time in AX Departures magazine where they were recommended. Take care, Kay