I generally care more about what I see than where I stay when I go on a trip, but I was thinking today that I actually have been to a few pretty awesome hotels. So let's build up a list -- what's the most amazing hotel (or resort, B&B, hostel, whatever!) that you've ever stayed in?
I'll start! It's too hard for me to narrow it down to just one, so I'll name a few:
Dar Seffarine (Fes, Morocco): A traditional riad in the Fes medina. The rooms were absolutely gorgeous, and the innkeepers very friendly.
Hotel Nelligan (Montreal, Canada): Beautiful boutique hotel in Montreal's Old Town.
The Gables (Philadelphia, USA): Homey bed and breakfast in Philly's University City district.
Now let's hear yours!
Last edited by soliteyah; 08-28-2007 at 11:36 AM.
"I haven't been everywhere yet, but it's on my list." -- Susan Sontag
Hmmm, favorite is really a question of degree I guess.
My favorite would be the Jerusalem Hostel. High ceilings, great location (10 minute walk from the Old City), a friendly dog and kitten, desk attendant constantly shrieking at her husband Shlomo, etc. You could even book a mattress on the roof for about $3.50 a night.
Number two would be an overnight train compartment during a trip from Moscow to St. Petersburg.
Ah yes, pets make a place feel so much more like home, don't they? The Gables had a really adorable dog. I guess they're only a drawback if you have allergies.
Jerusalem Hostel sounds cool. Overnight train compartment though...not so much.
"I haven't been everywhere yet, but it's on my list." -- Susan Sontag
Great topic! I have stayed in some pretty cool hotels, too, though it's going to be hard to beat yours, soliteyah. Here's my all-time (so far) favorite:
The Art Hotel, Buenos Aires: To this day, I cannot believe we paid so little to stay at a place so special. There are only 36 rooms in the hotel, near the Recoleta Cemetery, which looks more like an apartment building than a hotel. There's an art gallery in the lobby that features new work each month from local artists, tall doors that open with old-fashioned skeleton keys, and stone sinks in the bathrooms. http://www.arthotel.com.ar/
I also stayed in a neat place in Santiago, The Hotel Orly in the Chilean city's homey Providencia neighborhood. It's a renovated mansion with a glass-roofed patio and open-air cafe near plenty of bars and restaurants. And back in the U.S., I have plenty of great memories of the swank W Hotel - Tuscany in New York (stayed there for a few romantic and action-packed bachelorette party weekends!).
El Dorado Royale (Mexican Riviera): It's the perfect honeymoon spot. True it's not a stop-in hotel, but the food is divine and the resort is gorgeous.
The Phoenician (Scottsdale, AZ): Maybe it's the memories of going as a child, but it's one of the hotel stays that I remember most. There were Plenty of pools to swim in, amazing golf courses, and delicious food.
Of all the hotels we have used, the Penninsula in Bangkok is the best for accomodations, friendly, courteous staff, food and access to the sites of the city. We would return in the bat of an eye!
Well, this is a toughy, but I think I'll have to pick the Ritz-Carlton in Singapore. Beautiful roomy rooms, fantastic view, excellent service, friendly staff all around, and best of all the dining is superb. It's close to a mall for anything needed, and interestingly a private elevator to your floor. I'd go back there again in a heart-beat!!
I'm hooked on Ritz-Carletons. My fav all time hotel is the London Ritz, and the Ritz at Kapalua on Maui. I was there before their reconstruction. It's probably even nicer now.
I live in Paradise Valley, AZ and near the Phoenician. That's a super resort. I often have high tea there. It's the best in the world, bar none.
The Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, BC, was my very favorite. They're renovating that too. I hope I can afford it when they reopen!
The Rennaisance in Sydney is super. Right near the Rocks and Circular Quay.
On the barrier reef, in Cairns, the Cairns Colonial Club. Loved it; affordable!
On Tahiti, the Intercontinental. Super buffet and shows.
On Waikiki, The Royal Hawaiian. Beautiful and convenient.
Oh, my. I forgot Paris! The Regina. Just gorgeous!
Last edited by PrincesseBonBon; 06-30-2008 at 08:31 PM.
My favorite hotel of all time is Caesar Palace Las Vegas .Even though its been expanded and remodeled, it still has the aura of the Rat Pack glory days of Vegas! Of course you never need to leave the hotel unless you wish to because everything is there--great dining, pool fit for Caesar himself, shows--everything!
Last edited by Host Bonjour; 10-17-2008 at 05:05 PM.
My favorite all time hotel is the Ritz in Paris. I stayed there about 5 years ago for only 2 nights as it is super expensive. Still I felt like royalty and the hotel is absolutely and incredibly beautiful!
It's not often we get to stay in a top class hotel, but this Feb we did a stay/cruise in the Red Sea. The first week was in the 5* Baron Palms, at Sharm el Sheikh, and it was the most spotless place we've ever visited. We were all-inclusive, both for the hotel and the cruise, and made good use of it. The coral reef came up to the managed beach, so you could snorkel from your sun lounger....an incredible week!
Jo.
Last edited by jocap; 11-11-2010 at 06:20 PM.
Reason: punct.
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