Luxury Hotel in Paris

November 15th, 2007

Boutique hotel in Paris? Five star hotel, luxury hotel in Paris. Here’s a selection of independents hotels in Paris you may not have come across.

On the roof of the neo-classical Palais de Tokyo you can spend the night in a designer pod with the best view in Paris. The Everland hotel is described as a kind of ultra-modern tree-house on one of Paris’s best-placed rooftops, it has a panoramic view of the Seine and the Eiffel tower. The lone capsule — with bedroom, bathroom and lounge area including a record player with a selection of vinyl and a well-stocked mini-bar — is serviced like any other luxury hotel. With only one room, this is Paris’s smallest hotel, but also its most sought-after – it will only last until December 31 2008.

Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais

Furnished in the style of a private townhouse in the time of  Mozart, this “bonne adresse” on the edge of Paris’s chic Marais district is cosy and atmospheric, but also good value. The bedrooms and bathrooms have an air of Louis XVI, with chandeliers and elaborate heavy curtains. The hotel’s location is a definite plus point -  you’re in a warren of bars, restaurants, chocolatiers and stylish shopping only a short walk from Places des Vosges, the Picasso museum and the Jewish delis of rue des Rosiers. On the same road as the hotel, are some of the Marais’s favourite cafes, including the literary bar, La Belle Hortense, and opposite it, the typical Paris bar, Au Petit Fer à Cheval.

Windsor Home

This smart Parisien hotel in the 16th arrondissement is ia quirky but chic hideway with a B&B feel. With only eight rooms, decorated like the home of a true Parisian dandy, it feels more like staying with posh friends. Good value and not far from the Eiffel tower, it’s a good starting point for exploring western Paris.

 Hôtel Mayet

A colourful, chilled-out, family-friendly and nicely-priced small townhouse hotel on the Left Bank. Modern art murals decorate the entrance hall while modern white, grey and red colour schemes dominate the simple upstairs and attic rooms. On a quiet street south of the Invalides and L’Ecole Militaire, it’s perfect for visitors who like long Paris walks — you can easily head into the Latin Quarter or up to the Eiffel Tower, the river and beyond.

Hotel Daniel

For a more expensive weekend break near Paris’s priciest shopping streets, le Daniel is a boutique hotel in a quiet street behind the Champs Elysées.  Like all Parisien hotels in picturesque buildings, some rooms are small, but the décor more than compensates. If you tire of the crowds of the Champs Elysées or the designer boutiques of rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, it’s a pleasant walk to Parc Monceau.

Hôtel Arvor Saint Georges

A cosy house near Montmartre and Pigalle, with rooms winding up a staircase to a rooftop view. Its mix of white minimalistic bedrooms and funky downstairs décor makes you feel more like you’re in a Parisian bourgeois-boheme flat-share than a hotel. Be sure to ask for one of the recently renovated rooms – particularly with a good view over the patio and backyard.

Alcôve & Agapes guest bedrooms

To stay in the guest-room of a genuine Paris flat, browse through the options on offer from the company Alcôve & Agapes which acts as an intermediary. Possibilities include staying in the homes of hosts across Paris from the Ile Saint-Louis to Montmartre, from modern apartments to 19th-century mansions, or even an artist’s studio in Saint-Germain. The French chambre d’hôtes system that’s so common across the French countryside also works well in the capital.

Hôtel Beaumarchais

Hôtel Beaumarchais is a cheap and cheerful option for young people on a budget, or those travelling in a group and sharing a room. With incredibly bright carpets and décor with oddities like plastic bathroom furniture, it provides a basic but chilled-out Paris base on the edge of the hip Oberkampf district with its bars and clubs.

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg

Hôtel Bourg Tibourg, Paris True romance … Hôtel Bourg Tibourg A gem in the Marais, not far from Paris’s city hall, Hôtel Bourg Tibourg is a calm hideaway on a quiet street with décor that can only be described as modern oriental baroque. The little sister of Paris’s vastly expensive Costes hotel, this is a romantic option for a cheaper but nonetheless opulent weekend break. There are good bars and cafes within staggering distance, yet it’s quiet. Again, be warned: it’s a historic building, so the rooms are small, but perfectly designed.

Hotel du Nord

Tucked away in a quiet street near the Gare du Nord, this is a simple, down-to-earth and incredibly good value Parisian house, that’s very proud of its local neighbourhood feel. With homemade jams served at breakfast, it feels more like a cheap but cosy B&B than a hotel. They have 10 bikes available to guests free of charge. There are 22 bedrooms and one suite. But for a brighter, lighter room ask for one high up or facing the street.


Family ski resorts in Europe

November 12th, 2007

Flaine is also popular with the Independent

Modernist architectural relic meets holiday camp: compact Flaine is filled with children frolicking at the foot of the slopes. Though small, the resort has the requisite pool, ice-rink, bowling lanes, cinema and climbing wall, plus a gallery and library to amuse parents. The resort’s P’tit Loups crèche (00 33 4 50 90 87 82) takes children from six months, and there are two ski kindergartens.

But if you’re prepared to trade vin chaud and raclatte for valpolicello and pasta then maybe Italy’s Val Gardena in  the place for you

Children are made to feel like stars in the sun-dappled Dolomites, where skiing is viewed as a family activity to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Prices compare favourably to the Alps; children ski and stay free during Superkids weeks, from 15 March 2008. With low-cost flights available to Verona, Bergamo and Innsbruck, and easy transfers from each, Val Gardena is a good destination for families wishing to go it alone. Child care and ski school is available

Best child friendly ski resort in Europe

November 12th, 2007

According to the Guardian it’s Flaine in France. Here’s the piece:
Bauhaus architect Marcel Breuer’s design for the resort was based on “function and integration”, and one of the elements of that design was to make a safe environment for children. With cars stopped at the edge of the village, older kids can run about the central square, dotted with art installations, nip off to get a pizza on their own and, in most of the hotels and apartment blocks, find games rooms etc to entertain themselves.

Flaine has plenty of creches and kids’ clubs too. Ecole du Ski Française is more child-friendly here than in some of its neighbours; and there is a big terrain park with its own lift and a gentle line of jumps where young kids will have a ball. And what’s more, the transfer from Geneva takes less than an hour, a real grief-saver.

So while you might find more action in Val D’Isere and Courcheval if you’re looking for a great place for the kids to ski try Flaine.

Luxury boutique hotel in Knightsbridge London

November 12th, 2007

Parkes Hotel, winner of Trip Advisor’s Luxury hotel London award in 2007, is offering some amazing Dollar Rates. Click the link for more details. It just goes to show that if you know where to look it’s still possible to get good rates at luxury London boutique hotels - even though the dollar’s struggling like crazy to keep its head above water.

What’s on in Paris this winter

November 12th, 2007

One of the best times to visit Paris is in the off-season -
there are ferwer tourists in the city, fewer tourists means less time spent waiting in the lines, easier access to monuments and museums, and less hassled and therefore friendlier Parisians.

On the financial front you’re more likely to get good prices/rates because hotels need guests and one sure fire way to attract them is low prices.

You feel less like a local than a tourist because you get to do what Parisians do.
- Winter time in Paris is less cold than many places in the world. The average winter temperature is 7°C (about 45°F), and it’s less rainy than people often think. Plus Paris is one of these great cities where, even if the weather isn’t so nice, the monuments and facades look amazing. The grey colour of the sky gives to the city, a historical aspect even deeper than what it actually is. It makes you feel “special” in a special city.
- Some French food is only available during winter time. Take oysters for example, there is a phrase saying that you can only eat oysters on months ending with “er”, so September, October, November, December and no January or February etc. What a pity not to eat these huge delicious seafood trays.
- Winter sales happen on January; right after you spent all your money on Christmas’s gifts. It stays about 5 weeks, depending on the French department you are in. You wouldn’t want to miss the Galeries Lafayette facades, it’s a national event every year.
- Christmas markets (Marchés de Noel) are so cut. You will find them in various cities in France, some are expected, like the one in Strasbourg, and some are more intimate and still very attractive.

Best ski chalet company in the Alps

November 12th, 2007

Unfortunately there’s no such thing as the best chalet company- like choosing a car or a holiday destination you first of all have to sort out your own personal preferences. But. If you’re after luxury and great food, fabulous accommodations, friendly attentive staff and a world class resort then try one of these stars.

All rounder:

http://simplyvaldisere.com - see luxury accommodations

http://www.alpineanswers.co.uk/top_ten/chalets/show/30/item/124

http://www.oxfordski.com/

Verbier http://www.tedbentley.co.uk

Val D’Isere. http://www.yseski.co.uk/home.html

http://www.skiinluxury.com/about-ski-in-luxury.asp

Morzine http://www.starskichalets.com/

Or http://www.rudechalets.com

Luxury ski chalet in Chamonix

November 9th, 2007

Chamonix is rightly famous for its skiing but where to stay - as usual there is a bewildering range of choice. If you’re looking for some of the best chalets in Chamonix then you might try Chalet 1802

Nice website with endless compliments from satisfied customers. If you can’t find what you’re looking for then take a look in  Verbier   or Val Disere

Best boutique hotels in Knightsbridge

November 9th, 2007

Time and time again the same names appear at the head of an exclusive London list - luxury boutique hotels in Knightsbridge.

Parkes Hotel - winner of Trip Advisor’s best boutique hotel in London award in 2007 - which should be in everybody’s little black book on account of its spacious suites and ultra-friendly staff.

The Knightsbridge - it’s really more of a funky b&b than a boutique but charming none the less.

Jumeirah Lowndes, little sister to big brother the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, still ab fab after all these years as befits a hotel which backs onto Harvey Nichols.

Plus the Franklin due to re-open in 2008 following an expensive re-furb.

Val Disere Chalets, YSE is the best.

November 7th, 2007

Think of YSE as in the top rank of mid-range chalet operators. It’s not as posh as Descent or Scott Dunn: it’s more on a par with VIP, with less emphasis on interior design, and more emphasis on the nosh.

Ski resorts without crowds.

November 7th, 2007

Life is busy enough without having to deal with queues and traffic jams on the mountains. Here are four of the best spots in Europe to avoid the ski crowds.  In fact  4 of the best resorts in Europe full stop, and child friendly resorts too.

Cortina, Italy

Despite being popular with the rich and famous for over half a century, Cortina’s slopes can be surprisingly quiet. That’s because many of those who visit this gorgeous mountain town are more interested in shopping, dining, drinking and promenading along the piazzas in fur coats and jewellery than hitting the slopes.

Head out of town to the distant pistes of Cinque Torri, or up to the high level Ra Valles area, and you’re unlikely to be rubbing shoulders with anyone much, least of all the jet set in town.
cortina.dolomiti.org

Le Pré, France

Le Pré is an “outlier” of Les Arcs, so you wouldn’t expect it to be devoid of skiers – which to be frank it isn’t. However, it’s nowhere near as busy as you might expect since most people tend to remain closer to the main resort.

Not only that, but the black run off the top of L’Aiguille Rouge (3,225m) provides an exciting and very varied journey down to Le Pré with (arguably) the longest “vert” in Europe (2,000m), some great off-piste options to the side, and a couple of nice little bars and restaurants to greet you at the end.
lesarcs.com

Leogang, Austria

Leogang is a satellite of the big Saalbach-Hinterglemm ski area, but quieter and more attractive than the main resort to the west. The slopes are also tranquil and have some of the best snow conditions in the area, although there’s not a great deal for expert skiers. Intermediates and beginners will enjoy the options however, especially as they don’t have to worry too much about other skiers careening past them.

Another big advantage of Leogang is that it tends to be cheaper than Saalbach-Hinterglemm – so that’s quiet slopes, good snow and value-for-money – what more do you need?
leogang-saalfelden.at

Monterosa Ski, Switzerland

For skiers looking to wear themselves out during the day on empty pistes and even emptier off-piste, Monterosa is a good bet – in fact ensure that you are worn out because the area’s attractive little villages have very little happening after the lifts close.

This relatively unknown corner of Switzerland is best suited to more advanced skiers looking to explore the excellent backcountry options (you can also heliski here), but if you prefer less demanding ski holidays Monterosa is still a good place to chill out and simply enjoy the superb mountain scenery.
monterosa-ski.com