VIER JAHRESZEITEN KEMPINSKI HOTEL, MÜNCHEN, GERMANY

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The hotel is located right in the city center, just next to the opera, Munich’s upscale shopping area and many popular sights such as Marienplatz, Viktutalienmarkt, Platzl (Hofbräuhaus etc) are within walking distance. I arrived at the Vier Jahreszeiten Hotel early afternoon and the check-in was swift and efficient as the front office was not busy. However no information about the hotel features were given such as the restaurant and bar, opening hours, spa information or other facts.

My business room was tidy, spotlessly clean and suitably furnished. The size of the bathroom was average but smartly outfitted with plenty of towels available and including a rain shower. For me the best asset of the hotel was the Kempinski Spa. There are very few downtown hotels in Europe which offer a swimming pool (indoor) with an in- and outdoor relaxing area. The spa is located on the top floor of the hotel. Massage and other services are also available. The view from the spa of the hotel is very nice during the day as well as in the evening/nighttime.

I must also point out the newly renovated Schwarzreiter restaurant, which is a bistro style and fine dining restaurant at the same time. (2 sections) Small meals or exquisite dining are served as well as Ian Baker’s famous patisseries. The hotel bar is a popular meeting spot for locals and travellers alike and the nice homestyle lobby area is often referred as Munich’s biggest living room.

I had a pleasant sleep but was rather surprised that I could not find a coffee maker in the room. It’s been a very long time since I stayed in a hotel room where no coffee maker or at least a hot water kettle was available. I guess this should be standard in a first-class hotel and was very disappointed. Since the check-out agent did not inquire about my stay at all, I gave her my opinion about that issue. She gave me a very impolite and patronising answer, which I found impertinent for an employee of a five-star hotel like the Kempinski. Apparently some rooms are not provided with coffee makers while others room categories are. I found this a bit of a letdown. I was explained that if I had ordered a wake up call, the operator would have asked me for coffee or tea service upon waking up. Good to know for next time.

All in all I had a pleasant stay at the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Hotel even if the front desk staff were not fullfilling the high standards of Kempinski Hotels in other locations.

 

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http://www.kempinski.com/en/munich/hotel-vier-jahreszeiten/welcome/

 

 

 

 

LES TROIS ROIS GRAND HOTEL, BASEL, SWITZERLAND

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A prestigious hotel with a proud history
There are many tales to tell about Les Trois Rois. The guest book reads like a “Who’s who” of world history. Napoleon, Elizabeth II, Pablo Picasso, Thomas Mann and many other leading figures have enjoyed the hotel’s legendary hospitality. And this will remain so as long as the Three Kings adorn the facade: Basel’s Grand Hotel will continue to be a home from home for many famous guests.

Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois (English: Hotel of the Three Kings) in Basel, until 1986 usually identified by its German-language name, Hotel drei Könige, is sometimes cited as one of Switzerland’s oldest hotels. It is located on the left bank of the Rhine, a few paces downstream of the city’s first bridge across the river.

Long tradition and much luxury distinguish this hotel. From the moment you arrive and your car is valet-parked to the moment you leave you always feel pampered. Check-in was extremly fast and by the time we arrived at the room the bags were already put in the room. (within less than 4 minutes). A great view over the rhine river and all most modern features are available. There is a floor heater in the chic bathroom, all high-tech B&O music and TV equipment, a free minibar, free internet and much more. The bar was voted to Basel’s most popular bar in 2015.

There are 2 restaurants, the Brasserie which offers a wide choice of swiss and french food with a great view (14 gaut-millau points) suits all tastes. The Cheval Blanc with Chef Peter Knogl just reached it’s 3rd Michelin Star as well as 19 gaut-millau points is probably the best french haute cuisine restaurants in Basel. A enormous wine selection and a cigar lounge are also available.

The Les Trois Rois Grand Hotel in Basel is the finest hotel the city has to offer with world class service, fantasic staff and a beautiful view day and night.

I can highly recomend the hotel for a wonderful stay in Basel. (Prepare to book early during the watch fairs)

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http://www.lestroisrois.com

 

 

SWISSTRAVELMANAGER NOW AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK

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I have recently launched a new public facebook page. A facebook page is different from a facebook personal profile. It is open to the public and can be easily accessed by anyone even people who are not registered on facebook. It contains information about my blog and more information about the international travel world. Those posts can be my own personal experiences, travel news from around the world, and interesting or sometimes humorous pictures. Come and have a look and don’t be shy to leave your comment. I am looking forward to seeing you there. For easy access I use the same screenname as on my blog. Here again the link to my tripadvisor posts: http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/swisstravelmanager and my new facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/swisstravelmanager

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http://www.facebook.com/swisstravelmanager

DOLDER GRAND HOTEL, ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

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The Dolder Grand (formerly known as Grand Hotel Dolder) is a 5 star superior hotel in Zürich. Built in 1899, the hotel is located on Adlisberg hill, spreading out over 40’000 m². The hotel offers 173 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar, 13 conference rooms and a 4’000 m² Spa.

The hotel is connected to central Zurich by road, and by the Dolderbahn rack railway, which has its upper terminus next to the hotel complex.

The Hotel was closed from 2004-2008 for an extensive renovation which cost about 440 Mio swiss francs according to the owner himself. Famous architect Norman Foster was leading the project.

The rooms are all very modern with top notch features, a great view of the city, the golf course, lake of zurich and the alps. The marble bathrooms are generously sized and feature towel and bathroob heating facilites which I found kind of fancy and liked it very much.

The state-of-the-art spa is a huge and holistic venue, probably one of the biggest hotel spa’s that I have ever seen. There is everything you might be looking for including a very quiet and nice meditation room.

The hotel restaurants are excellent, garden restaurant is famous for sunday brunch and “THE RESTAURANT” just got his 2nd Michelin star.

Definately the hotel in Zurich with the most magnificent view. If you have time and not need to stay downtown the Dolder Grand Hotel is “the” place to stay. I can only highly recommend it to all sofisticated travelers outhere.

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https://www.thedoldergrand.com/en.html

KAMEHA GRAND HOTEL ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

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The Kameha Grand Hotel opened its doors in May 2015. It is located right between Zurich Airport and Zurich downtown. There is a tramstop right outside the hotel which can bring you conveniently to both destinations. A shuttle and limousine service is also availble. (Glattpark area where lots of large companies such as Google Europe, GE Europe, Microsoft, Kraft/Suchard food and many more are located)

The Kameha Grand hotel is unique in style, has an impressive architecture and a extraordinary design. All is designed by Marcel Wanders and very unconventional but with plenty elements that remind you where you are, Switzerland and Zurich.

There are a few themed suites, such as  the Diva Suite, James Bond Suite and  a Fitness Suite among others. Lots of very high tech design and features. Oversized large bathrooms.

The Hotel features a bar, where hundreds of gold coins are refering to the name: Puregold Bar. There is a shisha and a smokers lounge. The restaurant L’Unico features daily fresh pasta and a large sunday brunch. Restaurant Yu Nijo with chef Normal Fisher mixes french cuisine and asian dishes and was  just rewarded with  a michelin star.

A gym room and a spa are available with a very stylish lounge to relax.

All over the hotel you will find IPAD’s ready to leave your message to the managment right on the spot. You can rate and comment directly.

The hotel staff is very helpful and friendly and ready to help in any way they can.

If you are looking for a luxury hotel which is extraordinary and varies a lot from most big or chain hotels the Kameha Grand is the place to stay. Their motto is “Life is Grand” and you can really feel it when you stay there.

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WILLKOMMEN IM KAMEHA

DUSIT THANI HOTEL, KRABI, THAILAND

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The Dusit Thani Krabi Hotel is a large american style resort with very little “thai” characteristics. The travel time from/to airport is about 40 min by hotel limousine. Rooms and suites are very modern, simply decorated, comfy and clean. Staff at the hotel is very attentive and curteous.

Location is wonderful as the beach is very long, clean and quiet. There are no motorsports, beach massages, or sellers of any kind which makes it a perfect place to relax.

The hotel offers 3 Restaurants. Mangosteen which offers thai and international food, Gecko’s which is italian and Malati with indian and thai food. I loved the atmosphere of Gecko’s as it is al fresco and offers authentic italian pizza, pasta and much more and the price of the food is very reasonable. Mangosteen’s is also nice and giving you a wide choice, including taking care of special requests.  I found the quality of the food served at the hotel very good and all meals were delicious. Unfortunalely most guests eat outside the hotel which is a pity. I found mostly empty restaurants in the evening even though the hotel was nearly fully booked.

There are 2 pools with sun-loungers, a huge green garden area and of course the lovely sandy beach. There is a kid’s club and a ice cream parlour available at the pool areas as well. There is no free water oder cold towel service provided. Plenty of beach towels are available for use.

The gym is open 24 hours which is very convenient for international travelers with jetlag. Breakfast at Mangosteen offers a very wide choice including some special features for children.

We stayed in club room suite which is well worth a little extra money. In the very stylish club lounge you can enjoy separate check-in/check out, all day drinks, afternoon snacks, and a generous happy hour buffet with cold and hot snacks and free cocktails and wine every night.

The martini bar offers a daily happy hour and live music entertainment nightly.

Free WIFI is available in the rooms and all hotel areas. The Dusit Thani in Krabi is a good choice for travelers who appreciate a large international resort with a wonderful clean long beach.

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http://www.dusit.com/dusitthani/krabibeachresort/

BANGKOK AIRWAYS

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I did about 30 flight legs on Bangkok Airways in the last few years. The airline calls itself Asia’s Boutique Airline with a focus on quality domestic and international air travel.

Every passenger is entitled to visit Bangkok Airways own lounges where coffee, tee, water and orange juice is offered for free. Wifi is also available for everybody. Inflight service still consists of usually a small hot meal and a sweet item which is not to be found on any other thai carrier. Soft drinks are also offered. Crews are friendly, well trained and safety conscious.

If you are flying out of Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok I highly recommend web check-in as lines can be rather long (especially early morning). A good solid product which has not changed much over the years and still the airline of my choice for thai domestic and regional destinations.

http://www.bangkokair.com

 

THE PENINSULA BANGKOK, THAILAND

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Many things have been writen about the Peninsula Bangkok already. After a few visits to the PBK since it’s opening in 1998 I can only underline the high consistency of top service, which still makes the PBK to be one of the world’s top ten hotel.

The rooms are still in great condition with it’s classic chic and top-notch technical features. The rooms and suites are beautifully decorated in a contemporary style and tastefully appointed. Whether you are here for leisure or business the accommodation lets you unwind, offering you a comfy and cozy stay in the bustling city of Bangkok.

The bathrooms are oversized with a separate shower, bathtub with TV and 2 washbasins.

The hotel has 5 restaurants, a beautiful 88-meter tiered swimming pool with sun loungers, thai sala’s and a whirlpool.

The spa at the hotel offers full body treatments, massages and facials. In February 2010 the spa was voted in the top ten spas in Asia and in 2008 it was placed number 5 by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

The is a free shuttle boat service to the Peninsula pier, Sapan Thaksin pier (BTS) and to the Asiatique Night Market.

The staffs performs a high level service and you can feel that they are well trained and coached by the mostly swiss/german management team of the hotel.

Excellent and high degree service hotel on the riverbank of Chao Praya River!

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http://bangkok.peninsula.com/en/default

HARVEY’S POINT HOTEL, DONEGAL, IRELAND

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extremly spacious bathroom with jacuzzi

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Harvey’s point Hotel is located on beautiful lough eske. The hotel is a first class property pleasantly decorated in a classic style with excellent service from all the staff members. Everybody was courteous and helpful.

I stayed in a executive suite which was extremly spacious and well appointed, featuring a hallway, a dressing room and a kitchen cabinet. The master room was lavish and noble featuring oversized beds and daybed plus a a sofa and a nice sitting area by the window with a small table.

The bathroom was huge in size with a jacuzzi tub, a make up table, 2 sinks and the biggest shower that i have ever seen including a rain shower head.

The hotel has a very large bar, a library/gallery with cozy sitting area and a grand restaurant which serves a wonderful breakfast as well as a culinary high standing fine cuisine.

I had a four course menu and each and every dish was delicately decorated and tasted mouthwatering.

Harvey’s point hotel is a true gem in the north of Ireland.

http://www.harveyspoint.com

PALAIS HANSEN KEMPINSKI, VIENNA, AUSTRIA

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The Palais Hansen Kempinski in Vienna is a classic, modern hotel in a historical building. It has been built with lots of luxury, elegant style but is yet a very contemporary smart place with the chic classic features of a grand hotel.

The suite that I had was tastefully decorated, spacious and in a quiet area so that you can relax easily from a day in busy Vienna.

Hotel staff are mostly very young but excellently trained and always ready to help and make your stay a memorable one.

Another Kempinski hotel which can persuade in five star excellence with gracious living and professional service.

http://www.kempinski.com/en/vienna/palais-hansen/welcome/