Travelocafe Travel Blog

Hotel Alcoba del Rey, Seville. A Charming & Relaxing Riad in Andalusia

2012-05-17T16:55:00.000+02:00

The moment we entered the Hotel Alcoba del Rey in Seville we knew we were in for something different. A rich incense scent encompassed us and the light reflections on the inner courtyard's walls were creating such a dreamy atmosphere...

Alcoba del Rey, literally meaning 'The King's Bedchamber', is a boutique hotel built following the design of a Moroccan riad. More than that, many of the objects decorating the common areas and the rooms were brought from Morocco.

The owner had an amazing idea when he built this place. Everything you see around you, all furniture and decorative objects, you can take home with you. Everything in the hotel is for sale! And believe me, it was so difficult to resist buying one of the beautiful lamps sported all over the place! Together with the lit candles, they were creating an incredibly relaxing atmosphere.

Here the room don't have numbers, but names, each reminiscent of someone far gone, maybe a slave girl, maybe a poet, all people that left their imprint on this place. And the key chains are made of colorful tassels, each room with a different color.

As we were shown to our second floor room, we noticed this amazing marble columns and arches with Moorish decorations.

And looking down we could see the patio transformed into a comfy lobby.

The Room

The room was a total surprise. As no two rooms are the same at Alcoba del Rey, we didn't know what ours was going to look like, and we definitely didn't expect to spend the night with such a beautiful ceiling above our heads. This way the guests can come over and over again and every time have a different experience.

The Bathroom

The bathroom was probably the quirkiest we've seen in our lives. Following the designs of a riad , there was no door between the bathroom and the bedroom. The toilet however, was separated by a door. Did this make us feel uncomfortable? Not at all.

The Lobby

There were freshly cut flowers everywhere. And this beautiful blue tiled fountain was adding an extra touch of serendipity, as we could hear the water running.

I must admit I was in love with all the details... to beautiful, so out of this world...

But the overall effect was nevertheless charming too. Also remarkable is that the pavement is made out of beautiful old Moroccan tiles that were brought to Spain piece by piece to replace the previously marble floor.

Location

Hotel Alcoba del Rey is situated just next to Basílica de la Macarena and the Andalusian Parliament, and a 20 minutes bus ride from Seville's center.

The terrace

After sunset we went up on the terrace to enjoy some peace and quiet. Following the heat we endured during the day, this was bliss. There was also a jacuzzi tub here and during the summer months the kiosk on the terrace opens and guests can enjoy a drink or two and cool down.

The restaurant

And if you feel like eating tapas, all you have to do is go down to the hotel's restaurant and enjoy some Andalusian atmosphere.

Why was this hotel special for us? Because we've been longing for a long time to spend the night in a riad. We never imagined that the first time we'll do so won't be in Morocco. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? And believe me when I tell you, Hotel Alcoba del Rey in Seville is too.

Have you ever stayed in a riad? What did you like best about it?

We received a complimentary stay from Hotel Alcoba del Rey in Seville. However, the receipt and acceptance of complimentary services did not influence us in writing this review. All opinions expressed in this hotel review are our own.

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Las Arenas Hotel, Valencia. Delicate Decors and Stunning Sea Views

2012-05-01T12:02:00.000+02:00

Over the weekend we were guests at Las Arenas Spa Resort in Valencia. Needless to say, the stunning surroundings and the sea views of the hotel, made this one of the most memorable weekends ever.

Las Arenas is the first and only 5 star Deluxe hotel in the Valencia region and member of the Leading Hotels of the World. It opened back in 2006, and now, 6 years later, everything still looks brand new. We loved how utmost attention was given to even the smallest detail, how everything was spotless, and everybody so careful and attentive. What else can I say? We were sooo spoiled! Spending the weekend at Las Arenas Hotel was very special, even if we've been living in Valencia for a couple of years now. It proved us that this city will always manage to surprise us in one way or another.

The very minute we entered the lobby area we were smitten. The place is huge! And it has palm trees! And the decor is amazing, delicate and delightful, with big windows facing the beautiful garden.

There's also a lobby bar, and the fresh cut flowers are placed in vases reminiscent of the two colonnades in the garden. We came back here later in the evening to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

Then it was our Deluxe room's turn to completely blow our mind. The same soft decor as in the lobby, plenty of natural light, a fruit plate courtesy of the staff, CD player, big TV (and though we loved the personalized welcome message on the screen when we entered the room, we have to proudly admit that we barely touched the remote control).

But my favorite was the bathroom. Gosh, if only I had a bathroom like this at home! And someone to keep it as spotless and sparkly as this one was! It was the first time we had a bathroom with two sinks and we greatly enjoyed that. There was also a hydromassage cabin, and more towels than we knew what to use them for.

Hotel bathrooms are very important and I know people who say that if the bathroom is nice, everything else must be too. In my opinion, this was the best bathroom ever! I just wish all hotels would pay this much attention to their bathrooms.

And this was our spacious balcony, with comfy sun lounges and amazing views of the Mediterranean, Las Arenas beach and the hotel's breathtaking garden.

And this is how night looked like from our room. Isn't it gorgeous?

In the morning, we woke up smiling in anticipation for the culinary delights awaiting us in one of the several restaurants Las Arenas Hotel has. We were not disappointed. On the contrary. We had the tastiest and most varied breakfast ever. If we were to have breakfast here every morning for one week, it would still be impossible for us to sample all the delightful dishes, hot and cold, sweet and salty. I finished my breakfast with a big piece of carrot cake that I have no idea how on earth I manage to make room for it.

The two colonnades in the garden host conventions, weddings and banquets and have a capacity for 2000 people. I once read about a couple that traveled the world just to get married over and over again in different places and cultures and I thought that was the craziest and most romantic thing ever. I already proposed my husband to celebrate our 10 years anniversary at Las Arenas. I also suggested we celebrate our second wedding in a medieval castle hidden in the German forest. I keep trying. I'm doing my best here, I really do.

The terrace facing the garden is breathtaking. And comfortable. In the 1930s, in this very same place there was a spa resort that got destroyed in the Spanish Civil War. What's amazing is that some of the flora (aka the palm trees and the ficus trees) that happily grows in the hotel's gardens now is the same that decorated the old spa seven decades ago. Also the old marble baths that were still in one piece make now for intriguing flower beds.

We also got to have a look at one of the two Presidential Suites...

And we have to confess that the views from this suite are amazing...

Las Arenas Hotel also features an outdoor and an indoor swimming pool...

And a luxurious spa fit for a movie star...

See, this is what I was talking about! Any of these two areas would make it for the perfect wedding party!

We received a complimentary stay from Las Arenas Spa Hotel in Valencia. However, the receipt and acceptance of complimentary services did not influence us in writing this review. All opinions expressed in this hotel review are our own.

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Hotel Infante Sagres, Porto. Luxury and Romance

2012-03-27T11:07:00.000+02:00

When we visited Porto, at the beginning of March, we stayed in one of the most luxurious 5 star boutique hotels the city has to offer - Hotel Infante Sagres, part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Location

Located in the very heart of Porto, in walking distance from the best dining and historical places, Infante Sagres is a oasis of peace and quiet, the ideal place to rest after exploring the hills of the magical Portuguese city.

The room

I've always found the combination of red, black and white as super classy. Therefore I was instantly trilled when I saw that our room was decorated in precisely these colors. One other feature of the room was its symmetry. Though this might not be the most clever idea to go after when you decorate a room, as it is very easy to mess up with the lines and stuff, I must admit that the staff at Infante Sagres is pretty good at keeping everything in order.

Our room, with the most comfy bed in the world

Though the hotel was renovated only a few years ago, some things are better left unchanged

Hotel Infante Sagres has the most comfortable beds we've ever slept in. Period.

I love a good bed, and who doesn't? But if you ask my husband, he can tell you just how important my sleep is for me, and how if I don't get a good night's sleep I can be grumpy all day long. When I travel, I usually am so tired that I fall asleep instantaneously no matter what, but that doesn't mean I love hotel beds. Well, I loved this hotel bed so much, I was only sorry it didn't fit in my luggage :)

The breakfast

Each morning we had a superb buffet breakfast in the hotel's lavishly decorated 'Boca do Lobo' restaurant. I was repeatedly overjoyed to find smoked salmon between the goodies and some unique original paintings on the walls.

'Boca do Lobo' restaurant where we had breakfast each morning

Though during the hot summer months you can have breakfast on the nearby terrace

Hotel Infante Sagres opened back in the 50s. It went under a major renovation about 3 years ago, but it kept part of the beautiful decorations.

The chandelier in the lobby was out of this world

And the stained glass windows of the staircase too

The lobby

Besides the comfy bed, my other favorite area of the hotel was the lobby.

Every times I passed through I gasped in amazement. The old Neo-Barroque style, the out of this world chandelier and the modern pieces of furniture are in the utmost harmony here. The fresh cut flowers, the old style elevators, and the piano where even the guests can play, are details that, no, they didn't make us feel like home, because that would be an understatement, but in a palace.

There was a fire in the fireplace every night

And then, one night, as we were coming back from our fancy dinner at DOP Restaurant, the unexpected happened.

There was a fire in the fireplace!

I immediately cuddled in one of the chairs next to the chimney and we just sat there holding hands and talking for hours. That night, and the night after... It was simply too marvelous. We've been married for almost 7 years now, but we always enjoy a romantic atmosphere. And the soft music, the fire, and the dim light were all a perfect match.

One night one of the guests was playing the piano. The portraits on the wall are those of the hotel's founder and his wife

The bar

Detail from the conference room

One of the the suites. Dalai Lama himself slept here when he visited Porto.

Detail from one of the suites

Ceiling detail

The gift shop

Our Infante Sagres hotel stay was sponsored. However, the receipt and acceptance of complimentary services did not influence us in writing this review. All opinions expressed in this hotel review are our own.

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Ten Best Hotels on the Greek Islands

2012-02-27T13:07:00.000+01:00

Unlike skydiving, bungee jumping or deep-sea diving with sharks, staying in a five-star hotel is something that everybody would like to do in their lifetime, and the Greek Islands is a fantastic place to do it. Whether you’d like to swim in an infinity pool at sunset, spend all day being pampered in your own spa, or just dine on world-class cuisine, there are dozens of luxurious lodgings awaiting you on Rhodes, Corfu and Crete – and here are ten of our absolute favourites.

St. Nicolas Bay Resort, Crete

Five-star doesn’t mean snooty, as the St. Nicolas Bay Resort will prove – although the private Blue Flag beach will leave you feeling very smug indeed. A Member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, you’ll feel right at home in your private bungalow or villa overlooking the turquoise blue seas.

Sheraton Rhodes Resort, Rhodes

Can’t choose between lounging on your private stretch of beach, and taking a stroll into the nearby town of Ixia for some retail therapy? That’s the toughest decision you’ll face at the prestigious Sheraton Rhodes Resort, where you’ll also have to take your pick of numerous gourmet restaurants and swimming pools.

Corfu Imperial Grecotel, Corfu

Set on its own private peninsula and hidden away among cypress and olive trees is the Corfu Imperial Grecotel, which is so decadent that it was chosen to host the EU and NATO Summits in 2009. With original frescoes decorating the interior and the hotel itself set right on the waters’s edge, it won’t be hard to see why this regal hotel was selected.

Atrium Palace Thalasso Spa Resort & Villas, Rhodes

Polished marble, Roman pillars and glass furniture adorn the interior of the Atrium Palace, but step outside onto the mile-long beach lapped by the Mediterranean Sea and you’ll realise that here, you’re truly surrounded by luxury. Dive into one of the six pools or lie back in the heated saltwater pool at the hotel spa, to leave yourself feeling utterly spoiled rotten.

Kontokali Bay Hotel, Corfu

With two private beaches, the Kontokali Bay Hotel will be adored by those that crave peace and quiet, but the sports facilities, restaurants and indulgent spa will keep other types of cravings satisfied too. Jet2holidays offer package holidays to the Kontokali Bay Hotel so you can relax – not that you’ll have any trouble doing so, anyway.

Atlantica Imperial Resort, Rhodes

You won’t be welcomed with a glass of bubbly at every hotel, but then not every hotel is the Atlantica Imperial. From four poster sunbeds on private patios to fireworks displays for guests, you’ll understand why this hotel is the winner of a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2012 award.

Grand Mediterraneo Resort & Spa, Corfu

Champagne with breakfast every morning, chocolate massages, daily a la carte dining and breathtaking views from your private balcony might sound like a thing of fantasy, but it’s a reality at the Grand Mediterraneo – and after all, isn’t fantasy what five-star hotels should be about?

Minos Beach Art, Crete

Get back to nature in the lush, bougainvillea-draped surroundings of the Minos Beach Art, which is also located right on the waters’ edge. The hotel takes the ‘Art’ part of its name from the artwork that is displayed around the grounds of the hotel – a quirky and charming touch.

Lindos Blue Hotel & Suites, Corfu

For parents yearning for a little alone time, the adults-only Lindos Blue boutique hotel will be a dream come true. Pick up a package holiday to here from Jet2holidays.com and focus on enjoying the breathtaking Aegean Sea views, exploring the pretty nearby village of Lindos and most importantly, getting re-acquainted with the one you love.

Elounda Bay Palace, Crete

The panoramic views from the Elounda Bay Palace of the mountains meeting the azure blue Aegean Sea will make every moment of your stay here an absolute joy, but it gets better – just lie back on one of the many little beaches that are scattered along the seafront, then retreat to your own private bungalow.

About the Author: This article is brought to you by Jet2holidays.com. They offer a wide and exciting range of great value package holidays to over 40 beach and city destinations. Visit Jet2holidays.com and choose from over 1,600 hotels and apartments to suit all budgets.

Valentine's Day at DoubleTree by Hilton

2012-02-10T14:28:00.000+01:00

DoubleTree Westminster

We, as a couple, believe that Valentine’s Day is not an obligation, but an opportunity, both in terms of being nice to the person you love and visiting a new place, like, let’s say, London! The city on the Thames is a great choice for Lovers’ day – it’s stylish, it’s fun and it has a great nightlife; not to mention the great selection of hotels that it features, a must if you aim for the perfect romantic getaway.

One of these cozy and special hotels is the DoubleTree Westminster, part of the Hilton Hotels collection. Close to one of the cultural epicenters of London, and world known landmarks, like The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Tate Britain, and with views of the London Eye, the hotel features floor-to-ceiling windows, a delight for any natural light lover like us.

DoubleTree Westminster room

Another thing that will make you fall in love with your hotel accommodation are the Apple iMac's computers with complimentary WiFi and Skype they have installed in every room. Needless to say this is heaven on earth for any travel blogger or business person. While the iMac’s should better stay untouched on Valentine’s Day, the other 364 days of the year they are an innovative and welcomed facility. Double Tree Westminster features some more interesting stuff, like power showers, tea and coffee making facilities, in-room laptop safe and pillow menu for lazy and romantic days.

DoubleTree Westminster

Just in case you decide to get out of your room, which won’t be easy with how gorgeous the rooms are, outstanding dining facilities, the informal-but-stylish atmosphere of Millbank Lounge, and the Skylounge await for you on the hotel premises.

Double Tree Westminster hotel is a former Mint property which now, together with DoubleTree Tower of London, form part of the DoubleTree group.

Sponsored Post

Top 5 Scenic Places To Stay In Canada

2012-01-27T18:41:00.000+01:00

Canada is home to some of the most iconic and elegant hotels that the world has to offer, situated amongst expansive, awe-inspiring natural landscapes.

Top 5 Scenic Places To Stay In Canada

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Lake Louise

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is found at the very edge of Lake Louise and is ranked amongst Canada’s most beautiful hotels. From the luxurious rooms there are amazing vistas of the lake. The hotel has a wide range of facilities for its guests, including a choice of eight dining areas and the use of a deluxe spa.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff

This hotel has a majestic appearance being styled after a Scottish castle. It was constructed in 1888 at the commencement of tourism in the area of the Rockies. Because of its idyllic location the hotel is promoted as “the Castle in the Rockies”. The very striking building is surrounded by pines and has a mountain backdrop. It provides its guests with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is conveniently situated just a few minutes away from Banff Village. The hotel’s fully-equipped and tastefully decorated rooms all feature either mountain or valley views. The hotel has a total of 12 dining areas providing a choice of cuisines.

Fairmont Banff Springs

Delta Sun Peaks Resort, Sun Peaks

Offering all-round breathtaking views from its rooms, this European style resort is a beautiful place to visit at any time of the year. Nestled amongst the mountains and being close to ski trails, the resort accommodations have large, tastefully decorated rooms. There are eating and drinking establishments catering for a wide range of tastes and preferences.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler, Whistler

This luxurious resort is home to almost 300 luxury lodge type guest rooms, suites and townhouses, with each spacious room featuring European-style refinement and breathtaking mountain views. The hotel was specifically designed to make extensive use of timber, glass and stone in the construction. This harmonizes well with the surrounding landscape and links the grand mountains and the cozy interiors of the guest areas very well.

Four Seasons Resort Whistler

The Fairmont Empress Resort, Victoria

The stunning Fairmont Empress Resort is located overlooking Victoria’s beautiful harbor. The hotel captures the elegance of a past era and offers second to none services and facilities. There are three restaurants serving up an array of delicious cuisine and a tea lobby, which allows tourists to take pleasure in having traditional high tea whilst enjoying the magnificent views.

Most Popular Natural Attractions in Canada

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, North America’s most spectacular waterfall, is the most popular natural feature in Canada. Thousands of visitors come to see the falls every year, with many taking advantage of a boat trip to get closer to this amazing natural phenomenon. The town that is not far from the waterfall is also called Niagara Falls and is home to a large casino, for that reason it is considered to be like a small version of Las Vegas.

Bay of Fundy, the Maritimes

The Bay of Fundy, at the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine, has the world’s highest tidal range, with many tides having a difference between high and low of 50 feet or greater. The tides have worn away the shore's sandstone and volcanic rock, allowing tourists to search for fossils dating back millions of years.

Rocky Mountains, British Columbia/Alberta

The Canadian portion of this stunning North American mountain range includes five expansive national parks that are visited by millions of tourists each year. The Rocky Mountains are home to Kananaskis Country, the location in which the movie, Brokeback Mountain, was filmed.

Nahanni National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories

The Nahanni Park comprises the Virginia Falls and the South Nahanni River. The park is 28,000 square kilometers in area and its remote location renders it only accessible by helicopter or float plane. Whitewater rafting, canoeing and other adventure activities are available in the area for tourists.

The Igloo Village: Enjoying The Northern Lights From... An Igloo

2011-12-27T22:02:00.000+01:00

Have you ever fancied to live in an igloo? I know I found igloos very intriguing as a child. However, permanently living in a show and ice home was never my dream. But spending a night with a difference, well above the Arctic Circle, in the Igloo Village in the Finnish Lapland, sounds pretty interesting to me.

Glass igloos from above

Kakslauttanen Hotel opens every December or so their unique accommodations, and keeps them open until the end of April. You can choose between an unforgettable igloo made out of snow or a glass igloo, or if you want to go for the more conventional option, you can stay in a log cabin.

Inside a glass igloo

If you don't mind the cold temperatures, the snow igloo might be perfect for you. In a region where the thermometer can drop down to -30ºC outside, anyone would appreciate an igloo with temperatures ranging between -3 and -6ºC. Or not? You can of course kept warm and snug in padded sleeping bags, but we have to admit it, the air you will breath will still be below zero, or your home for the night might just start dripping all over you. And between the cold air in the igloo and a frozen shower in the middle of the night... I bet anyone would choose the first option.

Snow igloos

I have to admit the glass igloos however are my favorites. They are made out of special thermal glass that will keep the igloo cozy, at normal temperatures (I wonder what 'normal' really means here?), plus it never frosts, letting you enjoy the myriad of stars and the phenomenal Northern Lights illuminating Finland's epic winter sky.

Glass igloos

Every evening, a hot sauna and a refreshing ice hole are prepared. Though I embrace the hot sauna idea, the ice hole leaves me cold. Dining in the world's largest snow restaurant is yet another option, and finishing your day in an ice bar sounds just perfect. Kakslauttanen Hotel also organizes weddings at freezing temperatures and offers you the opportunity of discovering your inner artist with ice and snow sculpting lessons.

Photos © Kakslauttanen Igloo Village

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Ice Hotel Sweden: Sleep In A Room Made Out Of Ice And Snow

2011-11-07T12:34:00.000+01:00

Sweden is the land of the first time experiences, from watching the Northern Lights, snowmobiling, husky sledging, cross country skiing, ice driving and ice sculpting to sleeping in the most incredible hotel ever built - the world's first and largest ice hotel.

Sweden's Ice Hotel first received its guests in 1990, and since then it was rebuild from scratch every winter. Overwhelming new designs, uniquely decorated suites with ice carved beds, a brand new reception, chapel and ice bar, are all part of this mind-blowing ephemeral art project, as the hotel shifts from frozen solid to free flowing river and back in a matter of months.

The Ice Hotel is situated on the shores of the Torne River, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle, in Swedish Lapland, in the old village of Jukkasjärvi. I have no idea how to pronounce this. Jukkasjärvi. It looks like a cat just walked across my keyboard, thought I doubt cats would like the Ice Hotel very much.

The hotel opens every year from December until April, it is made out of 10,000 tons of crystal clear ice and 30,000 tons of pure white snow and has 80+ rooms that can accommodate 100+ guests caught in a frozen dream.

Covering more than 5500 square meters, the Ice Hotel includes an Ice Chapel, the hotel itself, an ice art exhibition hall, a cinema and last but not least, the world famous ‘Absolut Ice Bar’, where even the glasses are made of ice and the menu highlights the many flavors of Swedish Lapland.

Maybe everything does happen for a reason, because the world's first ice hotel was born completely by chance. One spring night back in 1990, the visitors gathered to see the igloo exhibition in the area found themselves shelterless for the night as there were no available rooms left in town. So somebody came up with the idea to host them in the exhibition hall. They slept in sleeping bags on top of reindeer skin, had an epic experience and a new hotel concept was born literally over night.

The Ice Hotel requires months in a row to come to life. Tons of ice are harvested from the frozen Torne River and ice artists carve ephemeral artworks from the raw materials Mother Nature provides. In fact the entire Ice Hotel is on loan from the mighty river Torne.

The Swedish Ice Hotel recently partnered with Virgin Galactic, and as from 2012, guests can not only sleep in frozen dark rooms listening to little creaking noises, and take day trips through the moose safari in snowmobiles, but for $200,000 they can even fly to space either through the Northern Lights of winter or the midnight sun of the arctic summer.

The Ice Hotel in Sweden is not the only ice hotel there is though, and if you want to experience a magical night at freezing temperatures, you can also book a room at Hotel de Glace, North America's only ice hotel. Ice hotels can also be found in Norway, Finland and Romania and if you are an art lover and ice sculptures tickle your senses, the Harbin ice and snow festival and the Sapporo snow festival should not be missed.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

The Underground Hotel, Sweden - World's Deepest Bedroom

2011-09-29T14:44:00.000+02:00

People like to sleep in the most unusual place - underwater, on ice, and even underground. Located 155m under the surface, the Mine Suite at Sala Silvermine, Sweden, is the world's deepest bedroom and the first luxury underground hotel. I can't argue, the settings are beautiful, with winding galleries, vast caverns and magic lakes, and if candlelit, could even create a romantic atmosphere. But the mine is also cold, damp and dark; not to mention claustrophobic.

World's Deepest Bedroom - The Underground Hotel, Sweden

The whole experience includes a guided tour of the centuries old mine which during its heyday produced more than 3 tons of silver a year, silver used in manufacturing coins, and artifacts. After the tour you are provided with a basket of refreshments and other goodies and you are left alone to enjoy the complete privacy and silence of your windowless suite, warmed up to 18 degrees. However, the bed is equipped with a thick cover, an extra pair of blankets and an intercom radio is provided in case you need to communicate with the surface (mobiles don't work so deep in the ground). A simple toilet is available about 50m away from the suite, but the showers are above ground.

The underground hotel is open all year long. The whole experience costs $590 per night per couple, breakfast included and just in case you change your mind, there are also additional accommodations available above ground level. However, people with a recurring nightmare of being buried alive should probably steer clear in the first place.

Underground hotels are an exotic kind of recreation that helps get rid of many health problems, thanks to the special properties of the air at great depths. While I'm sure Gollum from Tolkien's trilogy "Lord of the Rings" would greatly enjoy this type of accommodation, a romantic escape underground might not be everybody's cup of tea. Better ask your girlfriend before you book the suite. For some of us, merely knowing that we are going to end up underground anyways, might spoil the romantic atmosphere. For others though, knowing that we get only six feet under, might seem an awesome opportunity to have a much deeper experience.

Would you sleep 155m underground?

Luxury Dutch Hotels Offer Stylish Divorce Package

2011-09-27T00:19:00.000+02:00

Hotel Karel V, Utrecht - one of the luxurious Divorce Hotels

I've always associated luxury hotels with romantic getaways. Apparently, I was wrong. Five star hotels in Netherlands have just become a nice place to get a quick divorce. I can't see anything romantic in a divorce, but as a friend of mine says, 'if one has to feel lousy, it is better to do it in paradise'. For about $3,500 any married couple can have a three-day break to get divorced. It's a quick and lower-cost fix. And it includes separate comfy rooms at the hotel of your choice too.

Entrepreneur Jim Halfens came up with the idea of a Divorce Hotel after interviewing divorcees, doing some market research. In Netherlands a divorce can last for many years and cost close to $50,000. It's messy and it's ugly. The over the weekend divorce process starts with a set of extensive interviews. If the couple decides they can settle their differences quickly, with a mediator instead of lawyers, the next step is to agree on a luxury hotel (fingers crossed) where the three-days divorce will take place.

During the hotel stay, intensive meetings with mediators and other legal specialists including notaries and psychiatrists are held. This is no vacation. It's just a way to easy the pain by patching up the wounds as quickly as possible in order to help them heal faster.

Now luxury hotels in the Netherlands truly have a complete collection of family-oriented services. As the word spreads, five star hotels around the world might start providing the same services for their guests. Let's just hope they won't get crowded with unhappy couples. Please let the sun shine though those very expensive curtains!...

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Stumbleupon to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura

InterContinental Hotel Hong Kong Offers The Ultimate Valentine's Day Experience

2011-01-18T20:15:00.000+01:00

Infinity pool, Presidentianl Suite, Intercontinental Hotel, Hong Kong

Dear boyfriends and husbands, if you thought flowers, chocolate, candlelit dinners and diamonds will never run out of fashion, you were terribly wrong. We like to be pampered and feel like princesses and we love it when our girlfriends are jealous of us and you are fools for us. So better put your house up for sale because InterContinental Hotel from Hong Kong is welcoming with open arms your US$130,000 (that's HK$1 million) in exchange for a one night Valentine's Day romance in their 7,000 square feet presidential suite, probably the most extraordinary suite in the whole Asia.

InterContinental Hong Kong's presidential suite is overlooking the dazzling Victoria Harbour and it has a 2,500 square feet rooftop terrace with infinity swimming pool and jacuzzi (isn't that already worth half the money?), duplex living room, dining room, 5 bedrooms, gym, private study, sauna, steam room and rain forest shower for two. How on earth can one enjoy them all during a one night stay? Well, someone at InterContinental Hotel did some hard thinking and came up with a great idea! Let the Valentine's Day Presidential Suite offer be valid for not one, but four nights! And so it is. Between 11 and 14th of February 2011 you can live on love at superlative levels.

Duplex living room, Presidential Suite, Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong

The package comes with even more high-end features, like Rolls Royce limousine with private chauffeur at your disposal throughout your stay, a personal shopper, 1,000 roses (oh, yes, we want them red and all over the place), cocktails, romantic dinner with live music in one of the hotel's 1-Michelin star restaurants (just about all the classic little gifts but at stratospheric new levels), champagne and caviar for breakfast, private butler and... Well, you got the idea and I love the sound of every single word above.

If up till now you thought love was blind, rest assured it can be also bankrupt. Before selling your house, better ask your parents if you can live with them for a while. After all, livin' on love is just the name of an Alan Jackson song, and though I love the guy, it's better to keep one foot on the ground from time to time.

Private study, Presidential Suite, Intercontinental Hotel, Hong Kong

Photos courtesy Intercontinental Hotel Hong Kong

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Hotel de Glace, Canada's Ice Hotel Now Open For The Season

2011-01-08T11:54:00.000+01:00

If Frosty the Snowman would visit Canada, I'm sure Hotel de Glace would be his first choice. But if I am to visit Quebec in winter, I think I would go for a more conventional (and cheaper) accommodation. Of course, I would visit the ice hotel, I wouldn't miss it for anything in the world, but neither the spa and sauna facilities not the intriguing fireplaces would convince me to spend a night in an ice bed.

Hotel de Glace, ice hotel in Canada

I can't stop wondering: isn't it counterproductive building a hotel every December just to melt away at the end of every March? As they've been doing it for more then a decade now, probably not. And for $235 (Canadian Dollars) per person per night I trust they even turn a profit at the end of the season. I mean, ice cannot be that expensive!

For me, this is proof of the huge amount of creative juices that are flowing around us and of the human need for conquering new territories, more than anything else. Building an ice hotel is crazy, but the right kind of it, as it is crafting ice sculptures for the Harbin Snow Festival or building huge papier mache figurines for Las Fallas Festival in Valencia, just to burn them later.

This year's 32 rooms Hotel de Glace was built closer to the city centre than ever before, on the site of the old Quebec zoo and it’s bigger and warmer than ever before. It has improved feature, a larger living space, heated pavilions and a theme I simply love: Biodiversity. Of course it has a restaurant where guests can enjoy a hot soup and a hot chocolate, an ice bar where cocktails are served in ice glasses, and as any self respecting weird hotel, a wedding chapel for those who prefer love below 0ºC.

The overnight rates include a welcome cocktail, tour of the hotel, access to the hot tubs and sauna, equipment & instructions for the night (thanks God!), a hot morning beverage and breakfast. The temperatures in the rooms are kept between -3°C and -5°C (we wouldn't want it to start dripping, would we?) and the beds have a solid ice base topped with a wooden boxspring and mattress.

Hotel de Glace is definitely a once in a lifetime experience, and for Star Wars fans it might be a reminiscence of Hoth, the snow and ice world, but without the moons. Otherwise, the Canadian ice hotel could be just a hell of a freezing experience, bitter sweetened by the five meters high snow arches, the dazzling decor and the crystalline ice sculptures.

The North America's only ice hotel opens every year at the begining of January (January 7th in 2011) and closes at the end of March (March 27th in 2011), when it starts melting away and eventually disappear off the face of the Earth.

Hotel de Glace is not the only ice hotel there is though, and if you live in other parts of the world and want to experience a magical night in a wet bed, you can book a room in the original ice hotel from Sweden (the biggest of its kind), the one in Norway, the one in Finland or the one in Romania, according to Wikipedia.

$11 Million Bejeweled Christmas Tree At Emirates Palace Hotel In Abu Dhabi

2010-12-18T12:17:00.000+01:00

The $11 Million Christmas Tree At Emirates Palace Hotel In Abu Dhabi

This might come as a surprise, but the most expensive Christmas tree ever is brought to you by the Muslisms and it can be seen in the gold-leaf bedecked atrium of the luxurious seven-star Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. Yap! The one and only we've seen earlier this year in 'Sex And The City 2'.

The 13 meters artificial evergreen alone is valued at $10,000. The remaining over $11 million is in its glamorous decoration (that at the end of the holiday season will be recovered, which kind of makes you wonder...). Soo Kee diamond Christmas tree from 2007 valued at $1,005,000 and Ginza Tanaka 24k gold Christmas tree from 2008 valued at $1.6 million pale in comparison. How sparkling this Christmas tree must be, all dressed up in diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires, gold and silver! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and watches hang from its branches and my imagination runs wild just looking at those huge presents under it. This is one Christmas tree that will most likely enter the Guinness World Records Book for the most precious one in history.

My precious! My precious! Must have the precious! We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false!

Update: Here you can watch a video Rosa from newsy.com was kind enough to recommed. It contains closeups of the tree and a little twist.

Photo: mysanantonio.com

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Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Hotel For Rent For $671,000

2010-10-15T01:00:00.000+02:00

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Hotel room

Got some $671,000 to spare? Because if you do, the entire 5 luxurious stars of the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Hotel could be yours for a night. Well, to be more precise, 21 hours. You can invite 500 of your closest friends and through in a wild cocktail party with the dessert catered by the Japanese pastry chef who won the World Pastry Team Championship this summer. Neither your mother nor the neighbours will get upset.

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Hotel is turning 5 this year and to celebrate it they came up with this fabulous idea that might grant them a place in the Guinness World Records for the world's most expensive hotel arrangement. You can rent all 178 guest rooms, their Michelin-rated restaurants, all cocktail bars, all spas and the Grand Ballroom from 3pm to noon next day for only 55 million yen, which is about 50% off the normal price - notice the double 5 and bear in mind that next year it might be a double 6. If you look at it like this, it almost seems a bargain!

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is situated in the financial Nihonbashi district of Tokyo, next to the Bank of Japan and the largest Mitsukoshi department store, overlooking the Imperial Palace and Gardens on one side and The Bay of Japan on the other. Designed by the famous Japanese textile designer, Reiko Sudo, the hotel is finished with lots of wood and natural textures. The rooms, all prepared with yoga mats, are on the 30th to 36th floors, and the huge windows provide spectacular views over Tokyo (and Mount Fuji on the west side).

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo Hotel's offer is available until November 30, 2011, but better hurry up before your money loses value due to inflation. The Hong Kong-based Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group currently operates, or has under development, 41 hotels spread across 27 countries but none of the other ones came up with this crazy idea before.

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Savoy Hotel London Reopens Today

2010-10-10T17:03:00.000+02:00

Savoy Hotel, London

In 1889, Savoy, the first luxury hotel in Britain, opens it's doors. In 2007, barely breathing, the hotel closes for restoration. Three years and £220 millions later, Savoy Hotel reopens and I love how they say it - "London is itself again". Supposedly everyone who matters stayed here or enjoyed its river view and Art Deco style from one of the lounges.

Today is the big day! I never stayed at Savoy Hotel before, I never had breakfast at Savoy. But when I stumbled upon this great article Victoria Mather wrote for Telegraph my bucket list suddenly grew one item longer. I would lie if I said luxury travel is not for me. It's just that I never did it. After 27 years of living with myself I simply know I don't want to travel on a budget for the rest of my life. I want to experience the other side of the "Moon" too. Maybe not to make a habit out of it, but at least to know what I've been missing.

The Savoy Hotel was the first to have electricity, electric lifts, air-conditioning, 24-hour room service, private bathrooms, and constant hot and cold running water. Of course, this was big for the dusk of the 19th century. It's still something for some small hotels nowadays. It amused me when one of the readers said she could at last return to London. Last time I checked, the city had many, many more other attractions worth visiting. But then, I guess it's good to know there's one more so I can mentally prepare myself in the event my bank account gets emptied in exchange for a cup of coffee at the American Bar.

I would love to be able to tell you stories about the Savoy Hotel myself, but I guess I will have to let Victoria do it. She's known Savoy for a very long time and she has lots of wonderful memories; and she talks with passion and tenderness about this fabulous hotel of firsts - "Ah, the lobby. Very big. I well remember arriving there when I was very small, a child of 10, having run away from school. The food at the convent was dreadful and the beds uncomfortable, so what else was a girl to do? My godfather lived at The Savoy and gave me egg sandwiches, cake, ice cream, a talking-to and had me taken back to school. It was the first and last time I ran away, but I always knew The Savoy was there. Just in case. Or just in cake."

River view room at Savoy Hotel, London

Before I let you dream about the Savoy Hotel and wish you a happy Sunday, I would like to mention that Travelocafe got featured in Laurie's September Blog Scene and in Alexis's Top 150 travel blogs for students. A big hug to both of you! Happy Sunday, everyone!

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Facebook or Twitter to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura

The Cosmic Hotel. Sleeping Among The Stars

2010-10-03T14:28:00.000+02:00

You might have heard the exciting news about the new comfy cosmic hotel Russians plan to launch in the orbit in 5 years time. I have to admit, space travel always fascinated me and the thought of sleeping among the stars tickles my synapses.

I envy Guy Laliberte, the Canadian founder of the Cirque du Soleil for being one of the first space tourists, but then I bet lots of people envy him for different reasons. What soon nobody will envy are the conditions he traveled in - small accommodations shared with the astronauts, the animals and the fruit flies. The new cosmic hotel will be cozier and more spacious.

A few months ago when I first sketched my bucket list, "see Earth from space" came in naturally. Then I sighed and told to myself "Yeah, right!". A few weeks later I found out about the Virgin Galactic's first manned commercial spaceship being launched and the drop in the prices of suborbital flights. Now they are building a hotel in space. Can't you tell that all the universe conspires in helping me to achieve my dream?

Seeing the whole Earth at a glance and more stars than I could ever imagine sounds more exciting to me than walking 10 great Chinese walls. Of course, I still want to see the Great Wall Of China, because I'm a greedy little traveler, but then I hope the universe in its wiseness, will understand my curiosity.

Best New York Hotels

2010-09-23T18:17:00.000+02:00

New York City boasts some of the best hotels in the world. Each of these New York luxury hotels offers a variety of amenities and services that are sure to make your New York City vacation luxurious. Whether you are traveling for business or leisure, New York is an outstanding city to visit. The ultimate global city, New York is a center of entertainment, fashion, art and business. It is the financial and commercial center of United States and, arguably, the world. The following hotels are considered to be some of the best hotels in New York. They are not arranged in any particular order, as such a task would be almost impossible.

The Roosevelt Hotel New York

The Roosevelt Hotel was opned in 1924 at the height of the Jazz Age. The spectacular interiors and grand architectural features beautifully restored to their original brilliance never fail to produce a memorable "wow" reaction. The hotel has 52 luxurious suites and it is one of the best New York City guest experiences. Located only steps away from the Empire State Building, 5th Avenue and the world-famous Broadway shows, this hotel offers its guests the very heart of the world's most exciting city.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park Hotel

At the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park Hotel, guests enjoy a cosmopolitan experience, with all the ambiance and charm of a private home. The hotel features 259 guestrooms, including 47 suites, with captivating park views, exclusively made 400 thread-count French sateen linens and oversized marble bathrooms. Close to the cultural and retail vanguard, the Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park Hotel has exclusively made Pratesi linens in the Ritz-Carlton and Royal Suites, Egyptian 800-thread count satin bed linens in the Central Park Suite and extensive state-of-the-art Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems in the specialty suites.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel New York

Mandarin Oriental Hotel offers some of the best views over the Manhattan skyline. Located on the top of the Time Warner Center at the Southwest tip of Central Park all the main attractions are within easy reach of the hotel. Mandarin Oriental has 202 sumptuous guest rooms and 46 suites offering floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park and the Hudson River. The hotel also has a high-performance fitness center and a 75 foot naturally-lit lap pool.

The Peninsula Hotel New York

The Peninsula Hotel is ideally located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in the heart of New York City's most prestigious shopping, cultural, and business neighborhood, in Mid-town Manhattan. Located in a 23-story, 1905 landmark building, The Peninsula New York reopened on 1st November 1998, following a US$ 45 million renovation. The Peninsula New York features 185 spacious and luxurious guest rooms and 54 suites, decorated in a classic, contemporary style with art nouveau accents. All of the Peninsula New York's rooms incorporate state-of-the-art technology that allows guests to control their environment with the touch of a fingertip.

Warwick Hotel New York

Warwick New York Hotel epitomizes European-style elegance setting the upscale standard in luxury New York City hotels and is convenient for both business and vacation travelers who come to see New York City at its best. The Warwick New York Hotel is perfectly located close to Broadway and numerous New York City attractions and landmarks, delivering sophisticated comfort in a smoke-free environment. The hotel features 359 oversized guest rooms, 67 suites (several with terraces), marble bathrooms, special amenities, high-speed wireless Internet, Business Centre, Fitness Centre, valet service and full-sized meeting and banquet facilities.

The Hilton Hotel New York

The Hilton New York

The Hilton New York is a tastefully renovated Midtown Manhattan hotel, offering a surprisingly intimate experience and in-room massage treats. Its spacious guest rooms and suites offer stylishly modern décor featuring wall-to-wall windows with view of the city’s skyline. The 37th and 38th floors of the hotel offer 47 elegant timeshare suites known as the Hilton Club New York, which allow guests to enjoy larger rooms, valet laundry, multiple TVs, access to a members only lounge, and to the hotel spa. One of the most storied New York hotels, this lavish property has hosted every U.S. President since John F. Kennedy, an endless list of celebrities and it welcomed the Beatles for their Ed Sullivan Show appearance.

The Four Seasons Hotel New York

The Four Seasons Hotel New York rises over Manhattan's premier shopping and business district, between Park and Madison Avenues. The hotel was graciously designed by I.M. Pei and it offers a remarkable luxury experience, even by New York standards. The Four Seasons Hotel New York has 370 rooms including 61 suites. Room amenities include large marble bathrooms with deep-soaking tubs and separate shower and 10-foot high ceilings. With 52 stories this hotel is New York City's tallest. In the 2001 Zagat Survey, the Four Seasons Hotel was named the best hotel in the United States.

If this is your first time here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and follow me on Facebook or Twitter to get regular updates. Thanks for visiting! Laura

Thornbury Castle-Hotel, Walking In The Footsteps Of The Tudors

2010-09-16T21:33:00.000+02:00

Thornbury Castle-Hotel

Are you a fan of the The Tudors TV series? Than Thornbury Castle-Hotel might be a good destination for you.

Built in the 16th century, Thornbury Castle is currently the only Tudor Castle-Hotel in England. Originally designed as a fortified manor or a castle-palace for Edward Stafford, the Third Duke of Buckingham, Thornbury Castle is celebrating 500 years of history this year and it is a magnificent example of late medieval craftsmanship.

Thornbury Castle-Hotel

King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed in Thornbury Castle for a while. Princess Mary also lived here for a few years. Thornbury Castle remained empty for the last 300 years, but now it has been brought to its former glory.

Close to Cardiff and Bath, Thornbury Castle is placed amongst the historical parklands near Cotswolds and Bristol. Stonehenge, Glastonbury Abbey, the castles of Berkeley, Reglan and Chepstow are also within easy reach.

While staying at the Thornbury Castle, you'll be walking in the footsteps of King Henry VIII. Take a tour of the castle, peek beyond as many of its heavy oak doors as you can, explore the ancient grounds, the beautiful architecture, and loose yourself strolling in the oldest Tudor garden in England. Thornbury Castle has had its own vineyard, from which the local wine is still produced, within the castle walls for over 500 years. Have a short walk from the castle to the High Street, where you can enjoy the peace of the quaint little shops and restaurants. Return for the night to the Thornbury Castle, to rest in the Duke's Bedchamber where King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn slept.

Thornbury Castle-Hotel, detail of chimney support by Nicksarebi

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