Where the sky and the earth meet

The hotel is perched on a rocky promontory with slopes that defy logic. Furthermore, it evokes an inescapable feeling of abundance in its guests as they approach, higher and higher, the sky so richly evoked in mythology.

A privileged view of the sea and the Cycladic duo of Naxos and Paros, whose mountainous silhouettes can be seen on the horizon, can be uniquely enjoyed from the main terrace overlooking the sandy beach of Elia.

Deck chairs and rustic straw umbrellas are provided exclusively for Royal Myconian guests on this beach, one of the most popular on the island. There’ll be no need to get up at dawn to secure your place in the sun.

Royal treatment

Granted, it’s easy to get carried away with the extraordinary views. It’s also worth noting that the Royal Myconian has earned the prestigious Leading Hotel of the World status, henceforth offering its guests royal, attentive and impeccable service.

There’s also a thalassotherapy spa and a gym to relieve guilt from inevitable overeating at Ambrosia Restaurant. At dusk, guests dressed to the nines pass through the imposing wooden doors to discover the panorama terrace. There, they enjoy an à la carte cuisine of disarming simplicity, flawlessly executed by head chef, George Oikonomou. The dishes, inspired by the Mykonian tradition, are enhanced by the subdued lighting of the thousands of candles that dot the stone walls and vaulted ceilings.

A multi-sensory evening that deserves the highest praise, one that few hotels can provide.

Finally, vacationers looking to learn more about the local culture can hop on a daily minibus transfer until the wee hours of the morning to the main village of Mykonos. The stop is conveniently located just a few steps away from the emblematic white mills.

Five room categories

The Royal Myconian skillfully combines new-age common areas and bold architecture. How? With art and rooms that don’t stray too far from Aegean tradition. Except perhaps for free Wi-Fi throughout the property, an irrefutable sign that ancient Greece is a thing of the past.

All rooms have spacious private patios covered with aromatic fuchsia bougainvillea and aquamarine window blinds. While the majority of the rooms have ocean views, some categories even have a private Jacuzzi or infinity pool.

In conclusion, it is an incredible privilege to be in a heavenly setting. Here, guests rub shoulders with the gods and goddesses whose legends have fueled our imaginations. The Royal Myconian is truly the stuff of dreams.

The post A Royal Stay at Royal Myconian in Mykonos appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

Close to major routes serving Charles de Gaulle Airport, five different metro lines, the most popular attractions of the Ville-Lumière and a handful of excellent restaurants, the hotel is ideally-located for visitors seeking to explore the city.

A Review of Hotel Square Louvois

In my third-floor room, I was able to get a closer look at one of the most pleasant discoveries of Paris’ underrated Right Bank.

The Deluxe Room, one of six categories offered ranging from the 17-sq.-ft. Simple Solo to the two-storey Duplex. In a nod to its neighbour, the Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu, literature is omnipresent at Hôtel Square Louvois. The open spaces of its lobby and rooms are filled with books and portraits of famous Parisian authors including Jean-Paul Sartre.

The large windows open to full size on the eponymous green square, named in honour of the Marquis de Louvois and minister under Louis XIV. At 228 sq. m., the room could easily accommodate two or three people – an increasingly rare luxury in a capital whose hotel rooms are ever-shrinking. Also included are a Nespresso coffee machine, a minibar with free bottled water, a HDTV, a multijet rain shower, and L’Occitane bath products. The soundproofing of the room, meanwhile, is particularly noteworthy.

The room is coziness personified, boasting a light oak parquet, thick velvet curtains, subtle accents of caramel leather and copper, and opulent sculptures that add a touch of nobility to the offering.

Aside from the hotel’s captivating Art Deco details, you’ll also find impeccable service provided by a team that’s both friendly and proactive. The lobby radiates charm, with a library that’s filled floor-to-ceiling with French classics, as well as an irresistible well-stocked self-service wine station.

In a nod to its neighbour, the Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu, literature is omnipresent at Hôtel Square Louvois. The result is a style that’s chic rather than stuffy.

A few steps away is the contemporary, comfortable dining room, which welcomes guests for breakfast (continental French, with excellent pastries) and free afternoon tea.

In a feature that’s somewhat unusual in Paris, the basement space is dedicated to wellbeing, with a dramatic vaulted stone room featuring a swimming pool, herbal tea, and hydromassage bench. These surprising features offer the perfect way for you to put the finishing touches on your stay in beautiful, peaceful surroundings.

In short, Hôtel Square Louvois is one of the top hotels in Paris for book-lovers and francophiles alike keen on maximizing their precious time in the City of Lights by being within walking distance from the most significant attractions and eateries.
 

Where To Eat, Drink & Play Near Hotel Square Louvois

DO

• Bibliothèque nationale de France Richelieu
• The gardens of the Palais Royal
• Guided tour of the Opera Garnier
• The Louvre Museum

SHOP

• Astier de Villatte
• The second-hand booksellers of la Galerie Vivienne
• Caves Legrand Filles et Fils
• Galeries Lafayette

EAT

• La Bourse et La Vie
• Verjus
• Pizzeria Popolare

DRINK

• Juveniles
• Café Kitsuné
• Daroco

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Enter Hotel Opéra Richepanse, a recently-renovated 4* property with almost 400 years of history in the heart of one of the city’s’ most scenic neighbourhoods — and now my favourite hotel in Paris.

My Experience at Hotel Opéra Richepanse

A first impression never lies. And Hotel Opéra Richepanse doesn’t contradict that with its stunning and intimate lobby, tastefully decorated with velvet furniture and lush carpets. Here, I spend a leisurely pause reading up about the long history of the building I’m in, which used to be the Filles de la Conception convent back in the 17th century and belonged to parliamentary nobleman Théodore de Nesmond. Nothing remains from this era aside from the atmospheric vaulted basement, which is now the hotel’s breakfast room. I also learn that none other than Russian composer Piotr Tchaïkovski was a regular guest in the late 1800s and wrote several letters to his family gushing about Hotel Richepanse’s (the original name) characteristics, emphasising on how he was looking forward to staying here once more. I truly am in awe.

Paris prides itself on its romantic heritage and long-lasting history, but in reality, very few hotels have successfully accomplished the mission of extending modern comforts while tastefully acknowledging the city’s heritage — with a majority of hoteliers too often opting for practicality over personality, unaware that they are complementary and not incompatible opposites — something that, clearly, Hotel Opéra Richepanse has skillfully avoided.

This feeling of enchantment carries on into my suite on the second floor, where I am pleased to discover an equally alluring setting.

I was assigned a Triple Room Deluxe with views of La Madeleine church (who was, unfortunately, undergoing refurbishment, which explains the lack of photographic evidence). At 27 square metres, this is an exceptionally spacious room even by North American standards — and the size is only the tip of the iceberg as far as the awesomeness of this room is concerned. The decor alone, with a contemporary colour palette and attractively appointed furniture, was a winner in my book.

Amongst the best amenities, let me mention the Nespresso coffee machine, the 55″ flat screen TV with gazillions of channels, an impossibly fluffy bathrobe and French doors opening onto the streets for a supremely, quintessentially Parisian experience.

The room also featured a king-size bed, a comfortable couch, ample storage space and a dazzling gold bathroom equipped with indulgent Annick Goutal toiletries.

The devil truly is in the details in hospitality and Hotel Opéra Richepanse understood that a long time ago by adding numerous USB and power outlets throughout the room, which allowed me to stay fully charged and connected 24 hours a day thanks to the lightning-fast WiFi, something rather unusual in the world of hotels. It truly was a treat not to have to worry about uploading photos to social media and emailing assignments to my editors, something I have unfortunately become accustomed to in hotels.

But not at Richepanse.

And if all of that wasn’t enough, you don’t even need to get out of the bed to close the lights or turn up the air conditioning: there’s a sleek tablet right next to your bed for that very purpose. Bliss!

The Neighbourhood At Hotel Opéra Richepanse

Even if it was on the other side of Paris, Hotel Opéra Richepanse would still be a worthwhile trek. But, fortunately for time-pressed travellers, it is conveniently wedged between some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks, with La Madeleine church on one side and Faubourg Saint-Honoré on the other, and with Les Tuileries and the Louvre, Opéra Garnier, les Champs-Élysées and Galeries Lafayette within spitting distance.

Paris is indeed a very walkable city and it was quite delightful to be able to lazily stroll back towards the hotel after dinner and not have to worry about riding the metro. Not that it would’ve been complex, as Madeleine metro station (lines 8, 12 and 14) and Concorde 1, 8 and 12) are really quite close. And, lastly, the over packer in me was delighted to learn that the hotel is just 8 minutes away from the RoissyBus airport shuttle stop as I had no desire to either take my admittedly cumbersome suitcase up and down the metro stairs nor pay an expensive taxi. Sincerely, the hotel’s location couldn’t be better.

Here are some of my favourite places to eat and drink in the vicinity of Hotel Opéra Richepanse:

• Fauchon
• Très Honoré
• La Bourse et la Vie
• Daroco
• Honor
• L’Ardoise
• Verjus
• Kitsuné
• La Durée

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And I wasn’t disappointed.

Blue Diamond Riviera Maya is an adults-only, modestly-sized luxury resort with just 128 rooms, a rarity in a region where most hotels go far over 500 rooms. The resort is actually part of the exclusive Small Luxury Hotels of the World association and, consequently, is maintained to very high standards throughout.

In terms of location, the resort is located about 40 minutes from Cancun’s international airport and 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen, which are both affordable by taxi. Personally, I booked my package via Air Transat’s Luxury collection and was, therefore, eligible for a private roundtrip airport transfers, which was a veritable delight.

Blue Diamond Riviera Maya: My Suite

I was assigned a Patio Suite which was not only bigger than my apartment back home but was also equipped with its very own pool. This particular range of room also benefits from the services of a personal butler, which ended up playing a crucial role in the quality of my stay. He made dinner reservations, fetched bikes, booked spa treatments, inquired about excursions and basically executed any and all of our wishes.

Not bad, eh? In terms of layout, the suite consisted of a living room with a guest bathroom, a master bedroom, a massive bathroom with a walk-in closet and, outside, a fully private terrace, outdoor marble bathtub and pool.

The bedroom was truly a challenge to leave in the morning. The king-size bed and the 500-thread-count linen sheets were a dream to sleep in, not to mention the blackout curtains, the leather headboard, the 42″ HD flat screen TV and Nespresso coffee machine all within arm’s reach. The adjacent bathroom was not a sinecure either. With its spacious closet, grooming area, massive countertop, double shower with rainfall showerheads as well as plush bathrobes and towels —not to mention the exquisite Bvlgari white tea toiletries— the experience was akin to that of a high-end spa. Wondering where the bathtub is? Well, if you must know, it’s located right outside the showers and overlooks the bucolic yet lively canal.

Our private terrace was every bit as delightful as it looks and we spent many hours in the pool working on our tan. We even became acquainted with a family of coatis as the parents escorted their offsprings on their daily scavenging expedition across our lawn and across the canal.

The living room area was also quite enjoyable. The only downside of having a private terrace overlooking a forest and a canal (talk about first world problems, amirite?) is the frightening quantity of bugs at night, and it was, consequently, wiser to stay indoors. Much like the rest of the suite, a great deal of thought went into the design of the room; the furniture, the ornaments and the colour scheme were all contemporary and refreshing. The area also included the restocked-daily minibar as well as a guest bathroom.

Blue Diamond Riviera Maya: The Property

Located on a vast 36 acres of lush tropical jungle, the Blue Diamond Riviera Maya is the kind of place where nature truly is at your doorstep. Most of the buildings are constructed along a peaceful waterway originating from the property’s very own cenote. Contrary to many other properties along the Riviera Maya, the Blue Diamond Resort isn’t built vertically but rather horizontally; buildings are only one or two stories high, leaving ample room for vegetation to grow as it pleases and keeping neighbours to a minimum. The Patio Suites are part of four interconnected private courtyards with each manicured garden with a plant-based work of art at its centre overlooking a natural canal.

The same logic applies to the layout of the resort, as the pavilions are not located directly along the beach but sandwiched between the water and the check-in counter, which is about two kilometres inland. My room was about halfway through, close to the main evening restaurant. I hardly ever walked all the way to the beach, though, as bikes are readily provided by the concierge and staff regularly picks up guests in golf carts to take them to where they’re going. So, in reality, there was very little walking involved.

The resort offers its guests several amenities, such as 25,000 acres of spa facilities (including a full gym and a yoga studio with daily sessions), a handful of restaurants and two rooftop bars.

Here’s something millennials will be pleased to learn: there is incredibly fast WiFi throughout the property, from the sunchairs on the beach to the restaurants and private pools in each suite.

And to top it all off, the property is lined with a stunning white sand beach unlike any other on the Riviera Maya. I’ve experienced about eight other resorts in the area and very few could boast having a beach so pristine and water so enjoyable as the Blue Diamond Riviera Maya. While seemingly modest in size, the beach can easily accommodate all guests —there are only 128 rooms on site, after all —and I had no trouble finding free sunchairs in the morning, regardless of what time is was. A rarity in the world of all-inclusive resorts!

Blue Diamond Riviera Maya: Should You Book?

I adored my stay at the Blue Diamond Riviera Maya. I was well aware I’d picked la crème de la crème as far as resorts go, and in the weeks leading up to my vacation I worried it was all going to be snob and standoffish; I truly needn’t have worried, as both the staff and the other guests were friendly and kind. Yet that doesn’t mean the service was laid-back in any way — staff was attentive and efficient, from the check-in agents to the butler, and from the waiting staff to the porters.

With just two restaurants and two bars open during my visit (early December), snack bar notwithstanding, I did find my options a little redundant after a couple of days at the resort and would’ve liked to try something else. In spite of a clear lack in variety, the food was irreproachable, although the same cannot be said about the house wine; I felt its sour, acidic taste was a poorly-disguised ploy to make guests purchase imported wine that is not part of the all-inclusive package.

My final verdict: if you’re after a luxury holiday in an adults-only, quiet resort with a beautiful beach and a tranquil nightlife, this is absolutely the place for you. I enjoyed my stay immensely.

The post Where to Stay in Mexico: 5* Blue Diamond Riviera Maya appeared first on To Europe And Beyond.

At the Nadler, you won’t find a prohibitively expensive minibar in your suite. You won’t be charged pesky extras fees, and you won’t pay for on-site amenities like a gym (that no one uses) or a restaurant (that you wouldn’t eat at anyway – not in this foodie city). That is not to say the Nadler Hotels have overlooked or compromised the practicality aspects you would expect of a 4* hotel; it simply means that whatever facilities guests seldom use were edited out in order to keep the nightly rates at an affordable price point.

What you end up paying reasonable bucks for is a high-end, stylishly and smartly laid out hotel room in a central London location. Now that’s a concept I can get behind.

Nadler Hotel Victoria: My Room

My very comfortable bed, with the Nadler’s now emblematic fur throw. Très chic.
On the right, the closet, which contains plenty of storage and the bathrobes.

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Shortly after my check-in I got the chance to speak with the CEO of Nadler Hotels, Robert Nadler. And his philosophy was jaw-droppingly simple: he wanted to build hotels that he would want to stay at himself. His attention to details (“the magic combination of power socket, mirror, and hairdryer – apparently rocket science in London”) is present throughout the hotel and, as we know, the devil really is in the details. Only here, at the Nadler Hotels, there is no devil, as not once during my stay did I think “damn, I wish this had been done differently”.

There are power sockets by the bed, AND a charging station at the desk.
There is ample counter space in the bathroom.
There are two lush, where-can-I-get-those bathrobes in the closet.
There are two large windows that fill the room with natural light.
There is ample room to empty a rather large suitcase and reorganise its contents.

It’s the little things. And yet, they make all the difference.

[left][/left][right][/right]
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Although none were available during my visit, one of the Nadler Hotel’s most popular room types are the ones with the built-in bookcases. Yet another reason to spend lazy mornings in your room.

Nadler Hotel Victoria: The Hotel

The 73-room property is fairly small in size and feels quite intimate. This isn’t a massive hotel with three different lobbies and bars and restaurants; there’s only this one, quiet, sober entrance that acts as the perfect introduction to the understated yet luxurious rooms.

Nadler Hotel Victoria: The Location

Located on the aptly-named Palace Street (Buckingham Palace and Lizzie are just ’round the corner), the hotel provides privileged access to some of London’s most famous landmarks including the Royal Parks, the theatres, and the modern shops of the Victoria area. The tube is just a five-minute away walk and there are several buses running along both Victoria Street and Grosvenor Place.

Rates at the Nadler Hotel Victoria start at £120 per night.

The Nadler Hotel Victoria is running The Regal Package at the moment in celebration of The Queen’s 90th Birthday on all stays during May and June; rate includes a selection of Royal Warrant Holders products like the Penhaligon’s ‘Scent Library’ – a selection of their finest Men’s and Women’s scents, a Fulton’s  Birdcage Umbrella – ‘London Icons’ design, a Wilkin & Sons Victoria Plum Jam, and Fortnum & Mason Piccadilly Macadamia Nuts  and Dark Chocolate Dipped Orange Digestive Biscuits.

I was a guest of Nadler Hotel Victoria but as always, all opinions are my own.

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Theirs, after all, is one of the most acclaimed business classes in the commercial aviation world. But would it live up to the hype? Would it forever change the way I look at air travel?

[disclaim]This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happy to share my newfound love for SWISS business class.[/disclaim]

SWISS Business Class – A Few Photos

SWISS Business Class – My Impressions

Let’s state the obvious right away: business class is pretty much heaven on earth as far as air travel is concerned from the very moment you step foot in the airport. To me, flying business meant you had access to nicer actual cutlery and spacious seats, and little more – I had no idea that so many other privileges came alongside that.

For instance, did you know that when you fly business class, you can:

• Check your luggage in a matter of minutes thanks to a separate priority check-in desk;
• Take two hand luggage and two checked luggage with you (with priority clearance);
• Access the SWISS and Star Alliance Partners’ relaxing lounges, where food, drinks and WiFi are complimentary;
• Be one of the first passengers to board the aircraft;
• Have an attendant take your coat to the Business cabin’s wardrobe;
• Relax with a glass of bubbly once you are seated;
• Travel in comfort with a spacious seat that converts into a roomy 2-metre flat bed at the touch of a button. It also has an integrated MASSAGE FUNCTION. You read that right.
• Nom on some of Switzerland’s most iconic food. Indeed, the team of acclaimed chefs hired by SWISS creates a new menu every three months, featuring one of the Swiss cantons.
• Get an exhaustive and very Swiss amenity kit (which includes a moisturizer, mints, eye mask, socks, as well as toothbrush & toothpaste).

It goes without saying that my experience went without a hitch, and that flying economy will now be even worse than it was before – knowing what lies ahead in Business Class. I was pleasantly surprised by the incredible level of service I received throughout the flight, which almost had me believe I was Queen of Canada rather than good ol’ Marie, travel blogger with a taste for the finer things.

Business Class – Is It Worth It?

The big question! Of course it’s worth it. But it depends in which circumstances. I wouldn’t fly business for local flights, for example. I can definitely get behind the idea of a low-cost carrier for short flights, seeing as the worst part (being on the plane) doesn’t last very long.

But for flights that last over five hours or for overnight flights, then yes, I would definitely opt for business whenever my budget allows me to. There simply isn’t a better way to get to your destination fully rested and well-fed than by opting for a flat bed.

Hence the point I made in the opening: I don’t mind paying more for something when I know I can get good value out of it. I don’t know about other airlines, but I know I am definitely getting my money’s worth when flying business with SWISS.

And if the heftier price is what’s keeping you away, browse your preferred airline’s website, subscribe to the its newsletter and Facebook page and keep an eye open for sales – they come by quite frequently and might offer the discount you need.

Have you ever flown Business Class?
Do you also think it’s good value?

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