The unusual building of the Haras gives the hotel a sense of seclusion and remoteness despite it being less than a 5 minute walk away from the bustle of Strasbourg’s river and old town. Converted from Louis XV stables, the hotel is set around a huge courtyard (ideal in fact if you want to exercise your horse…) on an incongruously large plot within the density of the surrounding residential streets.
Most of the rooms overlook the courtyard which is lit prettily at night, and are all spacious and modern. The bathroom was even large enough to house a baby’s cot (ahem) and the blackout curtains held the nocturnal glow from the courtyard at bay.
Also overlooking the central courtyard is another conversion, the highly popular Harras restaurant. Day and night the outdoor tables bustled with diners delighted with the wonderful food and serene ambience. The service left something to be desired but the food and style were faultless.
The Haras staff are welcoming and helpful. The hotel is ideally placed to allow you to follow the river, meander the quaint restaurant district and explore all the history and highlights of this lovely city.
From US$ 200+ per night
– Great history to the hotel
– Lovely courtyard to enjoy a drink in the sun
– The attached restaurant does excellent food
– Limited onsite parking although there is a public carpark near by.
Chris & Hannah
Directors
Set in a series of fine Georgian townhouses which look out over a private garden in a 100 year old square, the award-winning Blythswood Square hotel was once the clubhouse of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club and a starting point for the 1955 Monte Carlo rally. It’s now the most stylish hotel in the city centre, catering to business people, tourists and visitors attracted by easy access to the many close-by music venues – including many a rock star making use of the expansive penthouse, complete with complimentary Dom Perignon on arrival.
Blythswood Square is within walking distance of many Glasgow attractions, bars, restaurants and the best of the city’s excellent shopping. Within the hotel, there is a bar and a restaurant, both lively and popular with locals and guests alike. The bar is well known for cocktails but is also a must for whisky lovers. With 200 Scotches to choose from, you’ll never been short of options for a wee dram.
I stayed in a classic room which was compact but not cramped and featured a marble bathroom which could open onto the bedroom if you fancy soaking in a bath while watching TV. When I struggled to get to grips with the TV, somebody was knocking on my door within five minutes to help, which was typical of the high service standards. The comfortable rooms are furnished in a modern, unfussy style and there was a small welcome tray of chocolates in the room when I arrived.
The hotel’s spa includes a ‘thermal experience’ – a journey though an array of steam rooms, dry heat rooms, crystal steam room and large hydro pools. I had the entire place to myself when I took advantage of the free use for guests early in the morning. There is even an ice fountain if you want to rub ice on your body to cool off – I didn’t, lest my piercing screams panic the spa staff.
Staff at the hotel exuded typical Scottish warmth, hospitality and humour. It’s the perfect base for exploring Glasgow and the surrounding area, confident in the knowledge that you have a warm welcome and a comfortable bed awaiting you on your return.
– From US220+ per night
– Guests have free use of the spa thermal experience for five hours per day
– Your dog can live in luxury too, the hotel allows up to two well behaved dogs per room (subject to additional cleaning charge)
– The carefully restored marble lobby with sweeping staircase
– Great location, close to the action but quiet.
– Parking costs a hefty $45 per day
Steve & Candice
Review Team
Lovers’ trysts, clandestine discussions about independence, high powered business deals; you can imagine it all going on in the grand old Majestic Hotel. Built in 1932, the Majestic was simply the place to be seen in Kuala Lumpur in the following decades. Everybody from visiting dignitaries to KL high society and the glamorous celebrities of the day slept under its roof.
Now, after years of meticulous restoration,the Majestic has re-opened, restored to its full grandeur and with service standards to match. We stayed in the all-suite, colonial-era Majestic wing of the hotel (there is also a modern Tower wing). After in-suite check-in with our personal butler, we relaxed in the comfortable, stylish one bedroom suite, the highlight of which was a beautiful bathroom with stand alone bath tub.
On our way to the spa all the staff greeted us by name, something we marvelled at as we had just arrived. As a fan of architect/designer Charles Rennie MacIntosh, I was thrilled to walk into the hotel’s beautiful spa and find that it is inspired by his famous Willow Tea Rooms in my home city of Glasgow. The art noveau décor is striking and perfectly complements the art deco design of the main hotel building, and the spa’s unique treatments are inspired by Malaysia’s colonial past.
The hotel is a heritage listed building located opposite the old Moorish railway station so not in the most convenient area but guests have a car and driver to use at will to get them around town. Guests of the Tower wing can use the hotel’s regular shuttle bus.
I was particularly impressed with the service when I had a colleague over for an early morning business meeting before the Majestic wing’s restaurant had opened. Staff prepared complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits for us to have in the Reading Room and hovered at a discreet distance in case we needed anything extra.
In the evening we took our drinks to the 12 seat private cinema and settled down to watch an old black and white Sherlock Holmes movie. We deemed kissing in the front row would be acceptable when you have a private cinema all to yourself!
– Majestic wing suites $290
– New Tower wing rooms – $150
– The thoughtfully restored building and sense of history
– The conservatory with hundreds of vividly coloured orchids
– Free laundry service
– Having a private cinema all to ourselves
– The gym is poorly equipped and the pool area in the Tower wing is bare and not very enticing, the spa pool is much nicer
Steve & Candice
Review Team
Located beside Dubai Creek, the inlet from the sea that was the centre of Dubai’s trading past, the Park Hyatt is a lush oasis in the heart of old Dubai. The gardens are filled with palm trees heavy with green, ripening dates, and the hotel is adjacent to the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club further adding to the feeling of an escape from the busy city outside.
All the rooms look out over Dubai Creek, either from their balcony or terrace, wonderful in the cooler months when it’s comfortable to sit outside and take in the view. Even the standard rooms are spacious (starting at 58m²) with neutral tones adding to the relaxing ambience of the entire hotel. I was lucky enough to have a terrace and enjoyed sitting outdoors, gazing out towards the Creek and admiring the yachts crowding the marina.
The hotel is situated in bustling Deira, making it ideal to explore the souks and heritage area. Browse – or buy – at the gold and spice souks then take an abra (traditional water taxi) with locals to the other side of the Creek for the textile souk, Dubai Museum and heritage area. Don’t forget to haggle in the souks, it’s expected and all part of the fun.
Golfers will think they are in heaven with the fine course right on the hotel’s doorstep. Perfect for experiencing one of Dubai’s outstanding golf courses without trailing across the city to do so.
Being just a few minutes from Dubai’s main airport, Park Hyatt is an ideal spot for those on a short visit who want to experience the traditional side of Dubai and still retreat to luxury at the end of a day; or those who want to split their holiday between beach and city locations.
– Prices from $230+
– The views over Dubai Creek and admiring the luxury yachts
– The cool, calm ambience of the hotel
– The spacious rooms
– The wonderful oil massage in the spa
– Deira is often congested which may be a bit of a shock to the system after the peacefulness of the hotel
Steve & Candice
Review Team