Best Hotels From My Travels

Here is my current list, not in any particular order:

1) Luna Hotel Baglioni - our hotel in Venice in which we were upgraded to a corner suite with views of the Grand Canal and the tower in St Marks Square

2) Hotel Lungarno - our hotel in Florence in which we were upgraded to a riverview suite overlooking the Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio

3) Lilianfels - from our honeymoon in Australia

4) Ritz Carlton Kapalua - from our wedding; enough said

5) Park Hyatt Melbourne - the rooms are stunning; someday Matthew will visit

6) Trump Hotel New York - just a beautiful room and a good location

7) W Sydney - it's not there anymore but it was fantastic

8) Kempinski Prague - it was like having a little apartment in Prague and the breakfast was awesome

9) Charles Hotel - our hotel in Munich which had the coolest TV that spun around in the wall

Lilianfels

For those that don't know, Lilianfels is an Orient Express property located in Katoomba which is in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney, Australia.  We opted to take the train from Sydney and it was a picturesque 2 hour ride.  Unfortunately, the rest of our day hadn't gone as planned so we arrived in Katoomba 2 hours late.  No worries!  I had been given the hotel's phone number and they came and picked us up...at 10pm.   

I would like to mention that our driver, Patrick, was one of the sweetest gentlemen you will ever meet.  He helped us many times during our stay and made a big impression on us.  I am very happy to say that, at the time of our departure from the hotel, Patrick was scheduled to become the new Guest Liaison for the property.  The hotel couldn't have made a better choice and I know your clients will love him.  He can arrange sunset cocktails on a private cliff-top with a personal butler or a personal tour through the rainforest.  How about breakfast with the Kangaroos?  He'll take care of it!

This hotel was all about service.  I have never received such friendly service from each and every person I encountered at a hotel.  In addition, the hotel is so charming that you can't help but fall in love with it.  Most of the rooms have views of the canyon and ours was no exception.  It was so nice to glance out the window and see a stunning sunset that just went on for miles.  Recommendation: the best room in the hotel is called the Kanangra Suite and it's room 224.  Make sure to request this room if possible.  It's adorable and the views are the fantastic from every window.

The Blue Mountains is a World Heritage site and the views overlooking the canyons are spectacular.  It is called the Blue Mountains because sunlight hitting the eucalyptus oil in the air gives off a bluish haze.  Lilianfels is situated on a cliff-top near Echo Point which is the most popular stop in the area and provides views of the Three Sisters rock formation.  It is an easy 5 minute walk from the hotel to Echo Point and, since we went in August, the air was very crisp.  It was perfect weather for bushwalking, however, and I would really recommend this time of year.  It's cold enough outside that you don't get too hot while hiking but it's not cold enough to hinder your activities.  Plus, cold weather means that you get to come inside, sit by one of the cozy fires in the lounge and have a cocktail.  

A short hike the other direction from the hotel will take you to the Sceniscender.  I know that sounds like something out of Willy Wonka but it's a very popular attraction.  Don't ask me why I agreed to go on this thing because I do NOT like heights.  Basically, it is a gondola that takes you 1,100 feet across the canyon while hanging 960 above the bottom...and it has a glass floor!   I did survive and we arrived at Scenic World on the other side.  Scenic World is the base to get down to the canyon floor if you don't want to spend a day hiking down.  You have 2 options, either the Scenic Cableway or the Scenic Railway.  They really like the word "scenic" at this place but it fits.  We took the railway down and it is the steepest train in the world; it's an old mining train.   Again, what was I thinking?  Actually, it was pretty fun.  At the bottom, you can walk on raised walkways so it's pretty easy hiking and enjoyed by people of all ages.  Then we took the cableway back up.  I know it sounds a little touristy but it was a nice way to see the rainforest from all vantage points for those with limited time.

Back to Lilianfels...make sure your clients book a rate that includes breakfast because it's delicious.  There is also an award-winning restaurant, Darleys onsite as well as a full-service spa.  In addition, there is an indoor pool, fitness room, outdoor pool and a new game room that is the perfect place to sit back with a brandy and play chess.  There is definitely no shortage of things to do while staying at this hotel!

We really enjoyed ourselves at this hotel and were truly sad to leave.  Again, check out my favorites link for photos of the hotel.

Ritz Carlton Kapalua

I've been meaning to write about the wedding and honeymoon from last summer but it was a little overwhelming.  So much happened that I've decided to chop it down into little bits.

I'm going to start with 2 hotel reviews I wrote for my office.  I've altered them a little because you don't need ALL the sales info.  These are 2 of my favorite hotels from all of my travels.  The first one is the Ritz Carlton Kapalua on Maui.

Here goes...

Upon arrival, we were met in the open, inviting lobby with leis of flowers and kukui nuts.  In addition to reception and 2 concierge desks, the lobby is home to the Kai Sushi restaurant and the Alaloa Lounge.  We hosted drinks for our friends and family at the Alaloa Lounge at sunset and it was magical.  The lobby is really the 7th floor of the hotel so it looks out over the pool area and swaying palm trees with the Pacific Ocean just beyond.  We called it a black hole because once you sit down in front of that view with a drink in your hand, you'll never want to leave. 

The hotel just underwent a $180 million renovation.  One of the biggest changes was the decor in the rooms. Guests complained that, when they closed the curtains at night, they could be in any Ritz Carlton anywhere.  There just wasn't a Hawaiian feel with the traditional pastel decor.  So, the Ritz Carlton Kapalua hired a Hawaiian design firm to oversee the renovation and the look and feel is definitely very Hawaiian.  Rooms have beautiful hardwood floors, dark wooden furniture and rich fabrics with bright accents.  Marble bathrooms feature dark wood accents and bathtub with separate shower.  We stayed in a Residential Suite with a kitchen which is great for guests that want to prepare some meals or cocktail hour in their room.  All 463 rooms and suites include spacious private balconies.

Guests to the Ritz Carlton Kapalua MUST make time for a visit to the new 17,500 square foot spa.  It was designed to reflect the rainforest with winding rivers flowing through it.  Check out the photos online.  It's really beautiful. Also of note is the Club Level amenity.  Their club room, overlooking the Bay Golf Course and mountains, includes a private concierge, 2 computer stations and 5 food presentations daily.  For the hors d'oeuvres presentation, one of the hotel chefs is on hand for demonstrations and to answer questions.   Plus, they have delicious chocolate chip cookies available all day long. 

The 3-level pool was a pretty popular area as you can imagine.  Waterfalls spill between each level and are a draw to kids and adults alike.  Two types of cabanas surround the main pool. Basic cabanas can accomodate 4 chaise lounges and the rental comes with a little cooler full of sodas and juice.  We rented a deluxe cabana with my brother and sister-in-law.  Those are totally worth the extra money.  The deluxe cabanas each have flat-screen TV's so we could watch the Olympics while we lounged by the pool.  We had a fridge full of sodas and juice and received a fruit platter.  There was also a ceiling fan, an electronic safe, an iPod docking station, computer connection and outlets for cellphones.  In addition, the deluxe cabanas are larger and include a couch and a couple of chairs plus several chaise lounges.  We had friends and family stop by throughout the day and, at one point, there were 9 of us sitting comfortably in the shade of the cabana with the pool and ocean as our view.  It was THE most relaxing day of our honeymoon. 

A short walk down a winding pathway from the pool (or a quick complimentary tram ride for those that don't want to walk) lies the Beach House.  This is an outdoor bar and dining area down by D.T. Flemings Beach.  We sat with only a couple of tiki torches and a palm tree blocking our view of the coastline.  I have to mention here that the Ritz Carlton Kapalua has probably the BEST french fries I've ever had in my life.  I'm not kidding.  Make sure you order something at the Beach House that comes with fries.  Actually, you can also get the fries at the Alaloa Lounge, in the cabanas or from room service...I know because I had them every day...seriously. 

One of the best things about the Ritz Carlton Kapalua is it's location.  It is north of Lahaina and Ka'anapali so you don't get all of the crowds.  It's just so much more relaxing up in the Kapalua resort but you can get down to Lahaina in about 15 minutes if you desire.  There is a free shuttle that will take you to spots within Kapalua, including 2 championship golf courses, the Pineapple Grill restaurant and, of course, the Plantation House restaurant.  I know it's not affiliated with the Ritz Carlton but I have to give a shout out to the Plantation House because it is where I had my wedding and it is considered one of the best restaurants on Maui.  The Ritz Carlton concierge can arrange reservations and, again, make sure you go at sunset.

This was honestly our favorite hotel from our trip and not just because we got married while we were there.  See my favorite links for hotel photos.  It's so beautiful!

President Obama!

I just cried for an hour.