Extravigator - Top Hotels

New York luxury hotels

billw — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:10:26 -0400

I agree with the Four Seasons, and this review: Every time we've stayed the staff has exceeded our expectations and the rooms are luxurious.

If you're looking for a romantic place for dinner, check out One If By Land: http://www.oneifbyland.com There are so many awesome restaurants in NYC that I haven't been in a couple of years, but the food has always been good and the ambiance, great.

Vacationing in Capri

grouse — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:33:35 -0400

The best place to stay on Capri is the Grand Hotel Quisisana. The rooms are just gorgeous. I'd rate La Scalinatella as a close second. Though, my personal feeling is that La Scalinatella is overpriced compared to the Quisisana when you compare the two side by side. Both are beautiful places to stay, so you won't be disappointed.

The poolside lunches at La Scalinatella are fantastic. However, you should also make a point to go for a lunch by the poolside at the Quisisana if you can. Both are delightful and the Quisisana makes for good celebrity watching during the summers.

Vacationing in Capri

Nanoose — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:34:14 -0400

Go to the Blue Grotto. Completey touristy, but so fun to have these guys sing to you in a blue cave.

Florence : JK Place or Continentale ?

MarioV — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 21:32:52 -0400

We're looking for a funky, eclectic place to stay in Florence with bfst and free internet. Web searches suggest these 2 places as possibilities.
Any firsthand experience or recommendations elsewhere would be much appreciated. Grazie mille.

New York luxury hotels

sunlover — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:00:44 -0400

I really like The Hudson Hotel and The Maritime for summer socials with nice outdoor bar/ dining areas.

Your Hotel Pet Peeves

jewel fiend — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 00:00:57 -0400

Maybe it's just asking too much, but how 'bout some decent artwork? I am constantly amazed at the high-priced resorts and 4 and 5 star hotels that have artwork that looks like it came from a gas station. That's why I often prefer to stay at historic inns and non-chain hotels, they seem to do a better job of the decor...

Best hotel for the money in Vegas

DavidO — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:44:37 -0400

Try the SIGNATURE at MGM Grand. I think it's the best value in Las Vegas and, with Virtuoso amenities, you even get breakfast, a F&B credit, and (possibly) an upgrade from a Jr. Suite to a full 1 BR Suite. Beautiful rooms. Totally non-smoking. No casino in The Signature, but it's connected to MGM Grand by a covered moving walkway).

Vacationing in Capri

Veronica — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:09:26 -0400

I am going to Capri for the first time August 22nd to September 2nd. I need suggestions of where to eat, shop, party, and other things to do there. I will be staying at Scalinatella, but I'm not certain if this hotel is the best one on the island.

Best hotel for the money in Vegas

J.L. — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:37:27 -0400

On the strip, I like THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. All suites, no casino of its own, and very nice. A bit expensive, but worth it.

Off the strip, I like Green Valley Ranch Resort. Upscale laid-back feel, nice people. But again, it is NOT on the strip.

Best hotel for the money in Vegas

TravelRose — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:16:45 -0400

I liked Mandalay Bay a lot. It's affordable compared to other "high roller" hotels but still has that luxury feel. Also, the restaurants there are top notch. I went there for my birthday a couple years ago and saw Mamma Mia (which was awesome) and overall had a really classy time!

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

Hotel Snob — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:39:59 -0400

Actually Janet Teacher is incorrect. Molton Brown doesn't provide the custom toiletries for Shutters on the Beach. The SKY BLUE brand is developed by Gilchrist & Soames which is just a contract packager and can't be compared to Molton Brown in any way! Personally, I am always happy to see Molton Brown (which isn't that often) because I know that the hotel really cares about the kind of amenities that they provide to discriminating travelers such as myself. I also like Bvlgari, but Ritz Carlton has really overworked that brand.

Berlin Hotels

alyredman — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:25:31 -0400

I am going to be in Berlin for a few days this Fall, and am interested in suggestions for hotels. I prefer smaller, boutique hotels with interesting design elements, but that also have comfortable rooms and excellent service. Any ideas?

Hotels that are Overrated

laradunston — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:17:44 -0400

The Burj Al Arab in Dubai. I've written six travel guides to Dubai and always advise people to visit the Skyview Bar for cocktails if you *must* take a look - and I guess everyone must - it's so over-the-top and extravagant in its design, everything gilted in gold, but colours combined by someone who is clearly blind - but don't stay here. Dubai has far many more better, and great value, hotels, the One&Only Royal Mirage, Grosvenor House, the Kempinski Mall of the Emirates, etc.

Totally agree about the Hotel Hassler in Rome too, but then I find many of Italy's five stars in Rome and Venice to be over-priced for what they offer. I tend to opt for smaller but equally luxurious family-owned hotels or properties ran by small independent companies, like Turin Hotels, for instance, which operate the Golden Palace in Turin and Bentley in Genoa - two beautiful properties that are also great value.

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

laradunston — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 10:05:52 -0400

One of my favorite topics is hotel toiletries, as trivial as that sounds! I'm a travel writer, so I spend about 300 nights a year in hotels on average - mainly 5 stars, and mainly in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, as well as Australia and South America - so like all of you above, I have a bit of a thing about hotel toiletries.

I have to say that the five stars that consistently boast the best toiletries are in the Middle East, and Dubai in particular, where you'll frequently find Aveda, L'Occitane, Molton Brown, Bulgari, Etro, etc, along with more unusual products such as bath salts from the Dead Sea. They're also very generous with the range of toiletries provided - you almost always get conditioner, along with sunscreen (essential in Dubai!).

After the Middle East, it's Asia for me, where, in Thailand in particular you'll often find these lovely local goodies made from gorgeous ingredients like lemongrass and lime used in body washes - wonderfully invigorating after a day in the sun! And in Thailand, the Four Seasons properties are by far the best for bathroom goodies.

Boutique hotels in London

pierre b — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:55:08 -0400

We stayed a few day at The Rockwell, a member of the "design hotels", in June. We had an incedibely large room for London on the Lower Ground floor with a small terrace with two chairs and a table. It's probabely the cheappest Boutique hotel in London.(http://www.therockwellhotel.com/index.stm)

Cool Hotels in Bali, any tips?

pierre b — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:44:58 -0400

Oberoï hotel is a good choice too for both destinations. (http://www.oberoihotels.com/). If you stay in Oberoi Bali and Oberoi Lombok, they can arrange transfers and flights from Bali to Lombok.
In Bali (http://www.oberoibali.com/en-US/Hotel/Hotel-Overview.aspx) the location right on Seminiak beach is really great. Far from the crowd but close to bars, trendy clubs and Restaurants... If you can afford a villa with private pool and garden bathrooms you can't be disappointed...
The Oberoi Lombok (http://www.oberoilombok.com/en-US/Hotel/Hotel-Overview.aspx) is THE choice for Lombok! It is quietly tucked away from other resorts. The dive center is great but there is a good snorkel too from the hotel jetty.
The swimming pool overlooking the Ocean and Small islands is gorgeous, the service is excellent. We went two times to this hotel and will go back.
In Bali if you want to try something of the beatten tracks, try the Matahari Beach Resort and Spa (http://www.matahari-beach-resort.com).
The first "Relais & chateaux" in Asia. It's a wonderful place (with a hideous website)! We booked 3 days and stayed 6...

Hotels that are Overrated

The Rover — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 10:37:02 -0400

I totally agree that the Hotel Hassler is overrated. Just a short visit to the hotel will convince you of that. When you walk into the Hassler, compared to some of the other (real) luxury hotels in Rome, its lobby reminds you of a run-down Holiday Inn. Also, it's located right near the Spanish Steps and, as a result, just outside of its front entrance, you'll find a raggedy assortment of tourists, street vendors and vagrants. Not exactly the first sight you want to see as you emerge from your hotel to begin your day in Rome.

Hotels that are Overrated

dmdoyle — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:29:23 -0400

This is an easy one. The Hotel Hassler in Rome is the most overrated hotel in existence. There is simply no competetion here at all. No matter what you pay, it's too much for what you get. An absurd ripoff without any doubt.

Why? Too many reasons to list, but you'll feel like you're in an ordinary junk hotel in a second rate city. Bad rooms with odd angles, poor service, dodgy air conditioning, so-so food, and so on.

Avoid like the plague.

Hotels that are Overrated

dmmack — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:25:51 -0400

Aspen St. Regis- When I think of overpriced, overrated hotels, I think of this one. From the moment we checked in, we were dissappointed. The hotel tried to give us a room on the 1st floor... looking out on the parking lot. Then, once we got a room change, and tried to take a nap, the staff was shouting through the halls, slamming doors with no regard for guests. Additionally, there was absolutely no water pressure in the bathroom. The most over-priced, over-hyped hotel we have ever stayed in. What was funny was that the year before, we stayed at the Westin in Whistler for half the price and had great service, a great room, and ski in/ski out.

Cool Hotels in Bali, any tips?

J.L. — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:54:57 -0400

Amandari, Amankila and Amandari would be my picks.

Cool Hotels in Bali, any tips?

n-voi — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:47:15 -0400

Definately have a look at the Como Shambala!

Rooms with the Best Views in the World

DonPablo — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:59:40 -0400

While some of the most spectacular views that we have enjoyed from our hotel rooms over the years have been found in natural settings, far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, every once in a while we've experienced some awesome views from hotel rooms right in the midst of civilization. We were in Paris just a few months ago and, while we were there, we stayed at The Hotel Le Meurice. All of these attached photographs were taken from the terrace of our room at the Meurice. We had a simply gorgeous room there and, when we walked out on the terrace and looked down, there was a magnificent view of the Tuileries Gardens. Then, when we looked up and around, depending on which direction we were facing, we had equally wonderful views of the Musée du Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, Musée d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower, all from the same spot! As far as city views of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it's hard to top the views from The Hotel Le Meurice.

New York luxury hotels

LindaTerrill — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:11:30 -0400

My favorite place in New York is the Waldorf Towers. The suites are amazingly large and its central location is perfect for me. Everything about it is pure elegance, and the staff treats me like royalty (and I enjoy the extra attention and personal service).

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

Timbo — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:30:59 -0400

I have to say that in the UK Molton Brown is considered rather ordinary ! Also love Blakes Hotel ,London which has its own in house scented brand with Amber and Grapefruit,great fragrance that you can buy from the hotel in candles and soaps

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

marcie — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:06:15 -0400

— TimboThe Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden in the UK ,has Acqua Di Parma in the highest level rooms and Hermes in the rest.

Well, I never thought there'd be a caste system for hotel toiletries!

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

Timbo — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:06:12 -0400

The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden in the UK ,has Acqua Di Parma in the highest level rooms and Hermes in the rest.

The Hotels with the Best Toiletries

Nan Gallagher — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:09:20 -0400

The Four Seasons in Austin last year had fantastic L'Occitane products. It was the Verbena line, I believe.

I was recently disappointed by the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe's in house products--terrible for my hair, weird eucalyptus/grass smell.

Boutique hotels in London

loml95 — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:42:30 -0400

we loved the lanesborough. walking distance to harrods and buckingham palace. across the street from hyde park.(or was is green park?) butler service for each floor. a lovely room for breakfast and tea and a cozy library with sofas for after dinner drinks etc....

Boutique hotels in London

dmmack — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:47:41 -0400

The Draycott off of Sloane Square. Great small hotel if you are looking for a traditional british hotel. Great service, great, personal rooms that are all unique (some with fireplaces), and gret location.

Cool Hotels in Bali, any tips?

Abbott — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:15:54 -0400

I would consider the Ritz Carlton if you want an great rate for one of the top hotels in Bali. Unlike some of the more exclusive Bali resorts, like Amankila or Amandari, you'll have more options for standard-room rates at the Ritz Carlton. And, it's located in Jimbaran, which may be another reason for the good rates. You may recall that there was a terrorist attack in one of the restaurants in Jimbaran back in 2005. Nevertheless, Jimbaran is a wonderful seaside village to stay at. You won't be disappointed.

However, if you do find yourself splurging for a villa, which can go upwards of $800-$900 a night, then I would start looking at Amandari, Amankila, Como Shambala or either of the Four Seasons, which take things up to the next level. Enjoy your trip!