Your Favorite Hotel,Where and Why?

Old Dec 11th, 2003, 02:27 PM
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I also really like to rent vacation apartments. I found my favorite in Vienna- the Johann Strauss Appartments in the Alser Strauss area. It wasn't located in the heart of the city, but was a short walk from the nearest U-bahn and, thus, still very convenient. At only about $60 per night, it was also affordable.

And very personable and 'cultural'. The old man who ran the place was so sweet! He spoke very little English, but was so proud of his private garden in the back that he gave us a little tour. He pointed out all the flowers that he had planted and even a couple of weeds growing through some cracks in the ground. He said he refused to pull them because they gave his garden character and added 'culture'. He even offerred to make breakfast for anyone who asked, right on his old grill in the backyard and offered many suggestions on where to eat, or what to do when we asked, even saying to 'tell so-and-so that I sent you. They will really take care of you then'.

It was a very personable stay, and very beautiful apartments!
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Old Dec 11th, 2003, 02:27 PM
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St. Lucia--The Anse Chastenet.
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Old Dec 11th, 2003, 03:12 PM
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Hotel Latour-Maubourg
www.latourmaubourg.com
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Old Dec 11th, 2003, 06:11 PM
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We tend to stay in mid-range hotels and find we are happiest in cozy, small hotels, rather than in large, modern, business-class hotels.

My favorites:

Hotel Umbra in Assisi: Our room was wonderful, with a post-card views over the valley; the public spaces are lovely, and the service was probably the warmest and most helpful of any place I've stayed.

Hotel Haus Lipmann, in Beilstein, Germany: a Wonderful room with balcony overlooking the Mosel, and a lovely hard-working, friendly, and helpful family running it. Terrific terrace for dinner, with great 13 euro fixed price menu. Beilstein is tiny, but Hotel Haus Lipmann is marvelous enough to make it a destination.

Gasthoff zum Baeren in Meersburg, Germany: A storybook hotel, we had a third-floor room with an oriel - a lovely round alcove surrounded with windows with views of the charming town everywhere you looked.

Canal House in Amsterdam: The loveliest public spaces of any hotel I've stayed in, and our room was large and very nice. I loved sitting in front of the window in the evening and watching the passing pedestrians and the traffic on the canal.

We don't spend a lot for hotels, but I find that I have my fondest memories of towns where our accommodations were lovely. We stayed in big budget chains in Paris and London, and I suspect that may be a big part of the reason why my memories of those places aren't as warm as they've been in other places.
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Old Dec 11th, 2003, 09:17 PM
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Le Moulin de Vernègues in Provence. It's near Mallemort. It is in the country on the N7 halfway between Aix and Avignon. It's very quiet and relaxing; the rooms are decorated with "faux" antiques and the staff is wonderful . . . as is the food. It's a great base for exploring the area and we love it. We don't play, but there's a terrific golf course attached.

www.aix-en-provence.com/moulinvernegues
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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 04:21 AM
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For the building, the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan , although note for service it rates zero.

Number two is Hotel Canada in Rome. A delightful find, near Termini station with very nicely decorated rooms and exceptionally helpful staff not to mention very good rates.
 
Old Dec 12th, 2003, 04:35 AM
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I have very fond memories at Las Brisas in Alcapulco, The Wyndham Warwick in Houston, and Hotel Cipriani in Venice...to name a few.
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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 05:13 AM
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I loved the Radisson in Aruba. The grounds were just beautiful with waterfalls, brooks, tropical birds. There are several restuarants and bars and a casino. Our room reminded me of what you would expect at a tropical plantation. The furniture had a wonderful woody aroma and we found the room to be quite luxurious. Anyway, it was a totally relaxing vacation.
My other favorite would be Parador Hostal dos Reyes Catolicos in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. Originally a hospital founded by Fernando and Isabel around 1501, it is now an elegant hotel right on the square next to the cathedral. Steps away are narrow cobblestone streets with shops and wonderful restuarants and the cathedral is awesome.
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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 06:00 AM
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Top Four

Daintree Ecolodge in Northern Queensland, Australia: Isolated setting, beautiful grounds, great (and inexpensive) spa, all the rooms were individual huts on stilts so you were living on "tree level", great food and service.

Sofitel Hua Hin, Thailand: AMAZING and very large rooms (my single had three rooms and a terrace), beautiful spa, tons of activities, direct access to the beach, huge breakfast included in the rate, and the hotel building was amazing, so beautiful. Oh, and the first morning that I came to breakfast, they asked for my room number, smoking or non, coffee or tea, etc. etc. The next morning they took me directly to non-smoking, poured my coffee and brought the paper. In other words, great service.

Cenobio dei Dogi in Camogli, Italy. Amazing views, wonderful big rooms, great breakfast, the pool had an amazing view out over the Riviera. Just beautiful.

Hotel U Raka in Prague, CZ. The softest all feather bed on which I have ever slept. The rooms were so comfortable and beautiful. The whole place was so small and elegent, a great find.

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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 07:00 AM
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I was fortunate enough to travel on business to Europe from 1989-1995. During that time I stayed at several high-end hotels (expense account enabled). Here are my favorites:

Der Europaisshe Hof--Heidelberg

Hotel Nassauer Hof--Wiesbaden

Hotel Eisenhut--Rothenburg

Victoria-Jungfrau--Interlaken

Hotel Goldener Hirsch--Salzburg

Hotel Europaischer Hof--Baden-Baden

Schlosshotel auf Burg Rheinfels--St. Goar

Burghotel auf Schonburg--Oberwesel

Post Hotel--Partenkirchen

Turnberry Hotel--Turnberry, Scotland

Old Course Hotel--St. Andrews

Hotel Am Schlossgarten--Stuttgart

Grand Hotel--Nurnberg

Hotel Intercontinental--Berlin

Palace Hotel--Lucerne

Royal Horse Guards Hotel--London

Sclosshotel Kronberg--Kronberg

Regards,

Jinx Hoover

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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 04:27 PM
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Two more favorites: Hotel Rufolo in Ravello, Italy and Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento. The views from both these hotels will take your breath away.
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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 05:10 PM
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Tough one--there's been a number of memorable hotels in the past 40 years or so.

One that we enjoyed a lot recently was on the Mosel River--Hotel Haus Lipmann. Our room overlooked the river--I'm an early riser and would watch the river traffic, swans, other early risers shile Mrs. Fly slept on.

The hotel has a very good restaurant, and the owners and staff are friendly and attentive. Old world charm, but with a modern bathroom. We had a very pleasant 3 nights in Beilstein, largely due to Hotel Haus Lipmann.

I understand it's now a Rick Steves recommendation--having met the owners I'm hopeful that this will not cause any negative changes over time. I'd love to go back someday.
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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 05:52 PM
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Ritz Paris for the giant marble bathtub, long tube pillows, crisp linens and pink Ritz champagne in the frigo bar.

The Danieli & Gritti Palaces in Venice for their history & beauty.

Villa San Michele - Fiesole/Florence for the tranquility and luxery.

St. James Club - London for the fun and nostalgia.

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Old Dec 12th, 2003, 09:07 PM
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the regent in hong kong which is now an intercontinental i believe...the view of the harbor -day and night- is breathtaking (you have that button on the bed stand to open and close the drapes)and everything is first class. another place that i really like is la quinta in palm desert. they have these casitas with fireplaces and the grounds are lovely.
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Old Dec 13th, 2003, 05:11 AM
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I cannot resist just in case some of you really mean that you don't need a fancy place: My favorite two-star hotel is the Albergo Panorama in Gerra-Gambarogno on Lago Maggiore (Switzerland). Fifteen little rooms with good food (especially the starters), lovely lake views, the quietest of villages, and gracious hosts. J.
 
Old Dec 14th, 2003, 11:59 PM
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The Ritz in Paris, most fabulous hotel and service I've ever been to.

The Dorchester in London.

The Albergo del Senato in Rome.

The St. Regis Grand in Rome.

The Hotel Puente Romano in Marbella.

The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa in Bali.

The Pestana Angra Beach Resort in Angra dos Reis, Brazil.

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Old Dec 15th, 2003, 01:04 AM
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You guys have seen so much ! I am planning a very exciting trip for my honeymoon, going LA, drive to San Fran., New York, London, Venice, Florence & Rome. I can't decide on the Venice hotel. Looking for something very special (with great views of the canal!!!)
Suggestions???
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Old Dec 15th, 2003, 06:31 AM
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I can vouch for JW's Hotel Panorama... a fabulous view! (Hi, JW!)

My new favorite is Villa Argentina in Dubrovnik, more fantastic views of the old city and the coastline (and the best breakfast anywhere).

Old favorite, Hotel Aminta in Sorrento. 360 degree views of the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, the mountains....

There's a theme here. I love great views.
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Old Dec 15th, 2003, 10:53 AM
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Based on my own limited experiences:

Best Service: The Savoy in London. Also, best shower.

Best View: Tough call. Probably Hotel des Alpes in Luzern. Honorable mention to Hotel Continental in Santa Margherita.

Best Meal: A delicious steak & polenta at a cozy little 2-star inn in Bergamo, called the Agnello d'Oro.

Most Enjoyable Evening: Singing songs & drinking wine 'til 3am at the Hotel Gletschergarten in Grindelwald.
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Old Dec 16th, 2003, 05:20 AM
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Buswell's in Dublin
Caron de Beaumarchais in Paris
L'Amandiere (little two star hotel in St. Remy de Provence)
Broadmoor in Colorado Springs
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