I have been going to San Francisco a lot recently and have been very surprised by the outrageous rates of the hotels, there. It seems that there's always a conference in town, during which the rates are jacked up so much as to make Paris seem cheap by comparison. After my last hotel experience (at Le Meridien for $1,000/night), I decided to take action. There had to be a better ...
Destinations
The Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
I was in Kuala Lumpur on business for a week and thought it would be worth trying a new hotel. I had stayed at the Mandarin Oriental before and, while I liked it's location (right next to the Petronas Towers), I felt that it was a little dated and in need of a refresh. Not to mention that it's very large and somewhat impersonal. I joined the Leading Hotels of the ...
Distinctively, exceptionally, inimitably Bollinger
Mrs W falls head over heels for the grande dame that's a true fine wine lover's champagne. Quietly interwoven into the sleepy village of Ay, sits one of the last great independent champagne houses. In 1829, Jacques Bollinger, an enterprising German merchant, marries into the vineyard owning Villermont noble family, and the beginning of a dynasty was born. The region's ...
Sri Panwa, Phuket, Thailand [REVIEW]
Paradise Found Soaring high above the coast in the southernmost tip of Cape Panwa, you could be forgiven for mistaking Sri Panwa for a blessed place between heaven and earth. Life does not get much better than this. Sitting on my king size bed in the wall to wall, floor to ceiling, glass aviary of the master bedroom, after a late morning swim... A perfectly chilled glass of ...
Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy [REVIEW]
Perfection comes at a price. At the Splendido, just pay it. Splendid by name, splendid by nature. Portofino is quite possibly one of the world’s most perfect towns, and the Hotel Splendido, one of the world’s most perfect hotels. Ensconced in the protective embrace of rugged, rocky cliffs, high above gin clear waters of a protected marine sanctuary, this ex-monastery was ...
Chambers Hotel, Midtown, New York City
I've been looking for an affordable and low-key hotel in midtown manhattan for awhile and decided to try out the Chambers Hotel on my last trip to New York. The Tripadvisor reviews seemed decent and the price was reasonable ($400/night). The hotel positions itself as a boutique hotel and is tracked by the likes of "Mr and Mrs Smith" - which, I assumed, was a plus. The ...
Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge, London
I recently visited the newly opened Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, London. Having not been to a Bulgari hotel before, I was curious to see how the premium image of this famous Italian jeweller had been applied to the hospitality business. In a word, it is chic but not opulent. The lobby is small - this is London after all - but pleasant. The colour scheme of the hotel is ...
The Arts Club, London [REVIEW]
Founded by Charles Dickens in 1863, and housed in a handsome Mayfair townhouse, Churchill, Rodin and Whistler have all graced its rooms. New owners property investor Gary Landesberg and restaurateur Arjun Waney (Zuma, Roka, La Petit Maison) re-launched the Arts Club in September this year and have all of fashionable London buzzing with its effervescent blend of artsy cool ...
Calistoga Ranch – Napa Valley – [Review]
Napa Valley and its environs are an irresistible delight to any serious gastronome. A seemingly endless array of some of the best new world wineries and fine dining establishments could keep one happily occupied for days on end. ...
Trips to Tuscany – Forte dei Marmi Tourism [REPORT]
The Definitive Guide to Forte dei Marmi guest post by Mrs W ...
