Who knew Strasbourg was such a great city? And if you’re looking to not just wander through streets steeped in history but to also spend a night in a slice of the past, the Cour du Corbeau is an ideal choice (plus it is the number 1 Strasbourg hotel on Tripadvisor).
Tucked away down a narrow lane with beamed 16th century facades pressing down from several stories above, the hotel wins the battle of historic versus modern with neither side losing. Wooden staircases ascend lopsidedly alongside tilted bannisters, whilst the plush bar exudes modern chic. As you move through the hotel you’ll transition from an authentic glimpse into 17th century France into the dimly lit, contemporary reception without missing a step.
The staff put the average guest to shame by happily switching between numerous languages to make sure you get just the breakfast you want (the pastries are delicious!) and everything from parking to pillows is seamlessly handled. The location is also a major plus with lively restaurants and bars at the end of the hotels’ cobbled street, close enough that you are in the heart of the action but at enough of an arm’s length to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep.
From US$280 + per night
– Great location in the center of Strasbourg
– The staff go above and beyond to make you have a wonderful stay
– Great breakfast selection
– No onsite parking but there is a public car park near by
Chris & Hannah
Directors
We might be in one of my favourite cities in the world but I don’t want to go out. I don’t even want to leave my chair. I want to stay right here in the circular Club lounge of the Pan Pacific hotel and look at the spectacular view of Singapore. Perched at the top of the hotel, the lounge gives a 360 degree view of the surrounding area: to Marina Bay Sands in one direction, the Singapore Flyer in the other. Or out to the South China Sea with the countless ships at anchorage, patiently waiting their turn to deliver their cargo to the small city state.
As it turned out, I spent quite a bit of time in the Club lounge. Champagne breakfast was served there and we choose that over the extensive array of Indian, Western, South East Asian and Japanese offerings in the Edge restaurant downstairs. There was also afternoon tea and evening drinks and canapés for an excuse to take in the view as night fell. The food was plentiful and very good and the staff were helpful and friendly.
Pan Pacific underwent a complete refurbishment in 2012 and it shows. We were sleeping in a luxurious one bedroom Skyline suite complete with floor to ceiling windows and another fantastic city view. Great to relax in, the suite was also a good place to work with an ergonomic desk chair and complimentary wifi. If you choose to chill out in the room for a while there’s a wide range of entertainment options with the internet protocol TV, cable, and DVD player with a Bose surround sound system.
For more active entertainment the hotel has a 25m pool, suitable for just splashing around in or for getting some exercise. It also has a superb, spacious and well equipped gym, one of the best I’ve seen in any hotel.
It was Steve’s birthday while we were at the hotel and the guest services rep was perfectly discreet when enquiring when he should send up the surprise birthday cake. Champagne was becoming a bit of a theme of our visit and it was a surprise for me too when the cake arrived with a bottle of champagne – not sparkling wine, champagne.
With a prime location in the heart of Marina Bay, the hotel is well served by public transport, runs its own shuttles around the business district and is connected via a bridge to Suntec. All in all, it’s an ideal hotel for relaxing, exploring, shopping or doing business in Singapore.
– Standard Room from $310
– Club Room from $400
– Everything about the Club lounge
– Check in on an iPad while sipping a drink at Asia’s longest bar in the hotel lobby
– Elemis and White Company toiletries in the suite
– Great location
– Amazing service.
– Morning ‘rush hour’ in the elevators can be a little frustrating as everyone heads to breakfast or work
+65 6336 8111
enquiry.ppsin@panpacific.com
Steve & Candice
Review Team
Fairmont hotels always do things right, and their Canadian mountain resorts are the epitome of relaxed luxury. You can’t go wrong with any of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler’s 550 rooms, whether you’re here in winter or summer.
For the ultimate in luxury, upgrade to a suite on the Fairmont Gold floor. They’re all spectacular; mine even had a double-sided fireplace. Best of all is access to the Fairmont Gold Lounge and Concierge. Fairmont Gold goes beyond the already high Fairmont standard. Exclusive and personal, Fairmont Gold is known as “a hotel within a hotel”. The lounge offers a sumptuous breakfast, all-day beverages and snacks, an honour bar, early evening canapés, and, later, delicious desserts. Be forewarned — the service quality does make it difficult to go back to the regular Fairmont, as wonderful as it is!
Chateau Whistler entices guests with all sorts of winter and summer activities including an 18-hole golf course and practice centre, three tennis courts, BMW-branded bicycles, lawn games, board games, an extensive fitness centre, plus a ski concierge to help your slope-side activities (you won’t even have to carry your skis!).
There are five dining areas and the chef incorporates their own house-made honey and other ingredients from the roof-top gardens.
Try to plan your visit for a holiday: the Chateau Whistler’s “Wonder Maker” goes all out to create special events, particularly for families and kids.
Deluxe Slopeside room starting at $500 US, Gold Floor room starting at $575 US
– Swim laps outdoors year-round in a perfectly temperatured pool (with underwater music), then relax in one of the four hot tubs … or the sauna … or the steam room….
– The only true ski-in ski-out hotel in Whistler, right at the base of Blackcomb Mountain.
– Trying to decide to visit in summer or in winter … best to come back and experience both!
Johanna Read
Contributing Editor
Through the gently incense-scented corridors, over the Persian rugs and past the Arabian lanterns. Surely I’m in a palace and not a hotel?
The One & Only Royal Mirage resort is outstanding and the 48 room Residence & Spa section is its piece de resistance. My suite was spacious, comfortable and perfectly laid out, with a mosaic tiled shower and large sized Molton Brown toiletries as well as a roomy balcony with views of the hotel gardens and the Arabian Gulf.
The hotel’s Arabian architectural style and interior design is simply stunning. It’s well established but has been recently refurbished and is in pristine condition. It felt like home immediately – if my home was a exquisite palace. I needed a lot of assistance from the dedicated team assigned to each Residence and Spa guest and they were unfailing in their support and kindness. I had a broken foot and was using a wheelchair for most of my stay and I would call for assistance and somebody would be there, with a smile, almost immediately. ‘My’ team were fantastic, coming to me at regular intervals in my room, by the pool or wherever I happened to be, with ice packs for my foot. Certainly no sheikha in her palace has had more attentive service.
The beautifully kept gardens have decorative pools with trickling fountains and lead to a 1km long private beach and also contain a large private swimming pool just for Residence and Spa guests.
I dined at the Celebrities restaurant which, despite the less than appealing name, had good service and very good food. Breakfast was also of a high standard, ordered off the menu and cooked to order.
I’ve tried hard to think of any negatives about the Residence and Spa and have drawn a blank so far. I arrived expectant. I departed enchanted.
From US390+ per night
– The attentive, personal and friendly service from the guest services team
– The style of the hotel left no doubt I was in Arabia
– Nothing at all
+ 971 4 399 9999
info@oneandonlyroyalmirage.ae
Steve & Candice
Review Team