I’m a sucker for a boutique hotel even more so when it’s new and no one has heard of it yet.  It gets to be my secret happy place for a time, usually a short time, until the awards start to come and everyone starts shouting about it.  One such hotel, 1898 The Post, is in Ghent (or Gent) Belgium and needs to be on your list.  I originally thought of doing a day trip to Ghent (or Gent) but after researching the 1898 The Post Hotel, which opened in August 2017, I decided I had to stay overnight in Ghent to experience the stylish, luxury boutique hotel by the Zannier Hotel Group.  Zannier hotels are quite exclusive to only a few hotel properties (six so far) around the world and this is their first property in Belgium and is quite the stunner. The historic Ghent Post Office building was abandoned for nearly thirteen years before it was restored to host shops, a supermarket and the luxury hotel, 1898 The Post.  The remarkable architecture is all around you so don’t be remiss to look up and closer at the details especially the bell tower.

Location of 1898 The Post Hotel

The restored post office building sits in a fantastic location facing the canal (River Leie) across from St. Nicholas’ Church on one side and facing the town square with St. Bavo’s Cathedral on the other side.

With an Albert Heijn supermarket in the basement (separate entrance from the square) and shops and cafes on the first floor, this hotel pretty much has it all within walking distance for any first time (or return) visit to Ghent.

The hotel entrance was a bit hidden behind the fence on the canal side but luckily the taxi driver drove me to the gate.  From there, I walked through the small courtyard and up a few stairs outside with a few more stairs inside to the elevator. The hotel does not have a doorman or bell staff.  If you require mobility assistance, there is another entrance that can accommodate on the market side of the building.

Historic Features – Ghent Post Office

The rooms have large ceilings, large windows and in some areas on the guest room floors sloped walls.  You’ll look twice and think “I’ve seen this pattern before” and realize it reminiscence of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  The original staircases will definitely take you back to the past when this building was built and used from 1898 until 2001.  Throughout the building portions of the stairs are open to the public.  For those entering from the canal side to go to The Cobber Cocktail bar you can use the steps or take the elevator to the main hotel floor.  I chose the small elevator as I had luggage.  Nice stairs but not for those with luggage.

Arrival at 1898 The Post Hotel in Ghent

When the elevator opened and I arrived at the hotel main floor, I immediately knew I was going to like it here.  The first view was hardwood floors and a hallway decorated like a warm, comfortable home.

As I passed the larger Cobbler Bar & Kitchen area, I arrived at the small check in desk hidden in a nook on the right side. Since I was quite early (11 a.m.) coming from Bruges (about ½ hour by train), I didn’t expect my room to be ready as check in is at 3pm.  With only 37 rooms (over two floors) chances are the hotel was full the night before especially at my lowest price room category – a Stamp Room.

So I dropped my bags (and chocolate) for storage and did the pre-check in.  The staff were lovely to provide me an English Gent (Ghent) guide book for my brief time exploring the city.  I did have a chance to peek into the restaurant/bar space and use the facilities before embarking on my tour of the city.

When I returned later near 4 p.m., my room was ready and I was given the key at the desk with directions to go down the hall to the elevator and go up one floor to my room where my bags were waiting for me.  I was also told of access to the common area that has an honesty bar and living room setup.  After nearly six hours walking around town in the sun, I was so ready for a shower before dinner.

1898 The Post Hotel Room Categories

Sticking with the Post Office theme the room categories are Stamp, Postcard, Envelope, Letter, the Carriage and the Carriage with Terrace. They also have The Loft and a few Suites. The high ceilings, dark woods, contemporary details mixed with antique furniture creates a warm and cozy experience that frankly was hard to leave because it was sumptuous (a word I rarely use).  Lucky me, that I got to tour the various room types and fell even harder for this unique property that caters to both the design minded traveler as well as the luxury traveler.

The Postcard Room at 1898 The Post

When I opened the door to my room, I instantly knew I would LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  The colors, the high ceiling and the comfy bed were wonderful but it was the design of the room with the bathroom loft and the great view that sold me. While there are a few quirks, they can be overcome with the general feeling of comfort and luxury.

The entrance hall had stairs on the left which I, at first, thought led to the bedroom until I walked further to the bedroom.  I passed the wardrobe, water closet and luxury bespoke minibar prior to the desk area and bedroom.

Of course, like a little kid, I had to run up the stairs to check out the bathroom vanity, walk in rain shower and view from above.  It was lovely.

With robes, slippers and heated towels, this checked off the “amenities I like” box.  But then my brain said “hey wait a minute, toilet down stairs, sink upstairs, that’s a bit annoying to wash your hands” and it was but, like others with the same compliant, it was easy to get over.  This is a historic building so you need to compromise on a few things when designing space and staying here.

Downstairs, the desk was full of neat design accessories (all for sale of course, see below) and the bookcase next to the bed held a few interesting titles to read.

The view from the window was fantastic (this is how I knew I wasn’t in the room I initially booked because I rarely book or pay for a room with a view).

Upgraded to The Postcard Room at 1898 The Post Hotel

I booked the Stamp room which is the smallest at 19 sq. m/204 sq. ft. (and cheaper) of the room categories but a funny thing happened to that room which I learned only when chatting with the front desk staff on my way to dinner. I asked about my room as it seemed “a bit large for a stamp” and was told that my Stamp room was taken out of inventory that morning when a guest “accidently” spilled an entire bottle of wine on the hardwood floor and the room was being aired out to remove the red wine aromas.  I was upgraded to The Postcard Room at 25 sq. m/269 sq. ft.

Luxury Mini Bar at 1898 The Post

So this isn’t your hotel mini bar – this is a fully stocked luxury masterpiece of a hotel minibar.  With the standard snacks and Belgium chocolate from local chocolatier, Luc Van Hoorebeke you won’t go hungry when in the mood for a snack.  There’s also coffee and tea in room but it’s the cocktail menu that steals the show.  The minibar has a specialty gin by Save the Queen as well as their own Cobbler’s Negroni to mix your own cocktail.  Don’t forget to cut the fresh lemon and orange to add a twist to your favorite cocktail.

1898 The Post Hotel Breakfast in Gent at The Kitchen

When I arrived at The Kitchen for breakfast, the staff of two was still setting up as it was right before opening (7 a.m.)  The open air kitchen area is on the far left side of the combination room which houses The Cobbler Cocktail Bar at night. The American style buffet is displayed in the open kitchen with drinks (various milks and juices) set up on the bar.  I was able to order ala carte and my made to order eggs were brought to my canal view table. As it was a warm day, the large windows were open for fresh air.

The Cobbler Cocktail Bar in Ghent

The Cobbler Cocktail bar is open from 5pm to midnight.  On the day I arrived, there was a photo shoot in one corner while others were occupying various tables throughout the room using it as a common space lobby. At night, there was a good crowd for a Wednesday. The high ceilings add to the atmosphere of this bar which sits in the center of the room as its own design element.

Ghent Meeting Room Event Space

I was able to tour the Meeting Room at 1898 The Post and it’s definitely a great option for business travelers who need to host a meeting. The entry space is good to set up food, the boardroom table seats 12 and the living room space is nice for a break out session or a break.  There are two restrooms in the space.  If you need meeting space in Ghent, this is pretty special option in the hotel.

Bring 1898 The Post Souvenirs Home With You

Located throughout the guest room are decorating details that are (not surprising) for sale!  You can bring home these unique items for a price.  No longer is it about buying the hotel robe.  From colored pencils to magnifying glasses, prints and books – each is unique item in keeping with the historic Post Office theme to add a touch of luxury to your home. My inner primary school girl really wanted those colored pencils but alas, I had to decide what to give my luggage space to and in Belgium, it was a suitcase full of chocolates!

Video of Rooms at 1818 The Post

When chatting with the front desk staff, I learned about why my room was upgraded and asked if I could see the original room to understand the size and was happily obliged my request.  I mentioned having come from a travel writer’s conference in Rotterdam and how thrilled I was to stay at the hotel. I was then surprised even further than my upgraded room to take a peek inside the suites and loft room, each empty on the Thursday night.  All I can say is “Wow” – here are a few of the videos of the other rooms – while the design is the same (green walls, marble bathroom, etc.) each is unique in the space, its view and luxury details.  Frankly, any room type will suffice at 1898 The Post in my opinion.

Final Thoughts – 1898 The Post Hotel Luxury in Ghent

Just in case my gushing isn’t clear – I really loved the hotel and was sad I didn’t book a longer stay to enjoy the room and the town.  Ghent (or Gent) is really a great add on to your Belgium vacation or can serve as your base while you day trip to other cities like Bruges, Brussels or Antwerp.  The location is fantastic, the staff were friendly from start to finish and the rooms are quite simply divine. If you want a luxury and stylish experience in Ghent, 1898 The Post is the best place to start.  Boutique luxury on the canal in the center of town – really doesn’t get any better than that!  Did I mention the views?

Booking – You can book 1898 The Post direct on the Zannier hotel website like I did or try your luck with Hotel Tonight to see if a Stamp room (lowest category) is available (my discount code is SWOLKO1).

I’ve stayed in many London luxury historic hotels, boutique hotels and small rooms but my first visit to the Great Northern Hotel London melded all of my past experiences into one luxury hotel award stay. The original London railway hotel first opened in 1853 and has been restored with such luxury and glamour that it has made many a top 10 list and won accolades since debuting in 2013 after a five year (wow!) restoration. The lengthy restoration was due to the strict rules governing the Grade II listing landmark status.  The hotel is a stunner and utilizes every inch to impress and provide boutique comfort to guests. With 91 rooms, it is an independent boutique property in the Marriott Tribute Portfolio collection, newly added to the family in September 2015.  When I found the Great Northern Hotel London on the SPG app, I was super excited to try it out on my upcoming stay in London as I’ve not spent any time in the King’s Cross neighborhood.

Location – Hotel at King’s Cross St. Pancras

Riding the Piccadilly line from Heathrow for just over an hour, I exited the tube station at Kings Cross.  Standing on Euston Street looking at the Kings Cross train station, I knew the hotel was close but couldn’t see it in the rain.   I turned around a few times when I saw the lettering “Great Northern Hotel” on the left and laughed because I was staring at it without seeing it for about five minutes (file under “dumb things I do”).  The hotel is connected to King’s Cross train station which makes it central to the tube station (Piccadilly, Northern, Victoria, Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines) as well as the National Rail. Across the road is St. Pancras station which provides access to the Eurostar and other train lines.

Arrival at The Great Northern Hotel King’s Cross

I missed the hotel entrance door (across from the taxi stand on the left) and ended up walking around the hotel past the tempting sandwich shop, Kiosk, the GNH hotel bar and to the front door with the GNH initials.

With doors on the right and left, I went left and found the elevators but no check in desk.  I opened the door ahead and saw the bar on the left and stairs up and over to the front desk (note, this was the right turn initially that I missed).   The front desk was staffed by three people at two terminals. Staff was welcoming and acknowledged my gold status.  Luckily, my room was ready for early check-in (1 p.m. vs. the normal 2 p.m. check-in) and I was offered a gold status amenity (points or a drink) and then quickly taken to my room by the bellman and shown all the features of my room.

Great Northern Hotel – Couchette Room 317

The hotel has five floors and my room, a couchette room, was on the third floor.  The couchette rooms are the smallest of the three categories and due to the historic renovation the space may differ a bit as seen on the floor map. Once off the elevator, you need to wave your hotel room key to open the main door to the floor (security feature).  My room was directly across from the security door and elevator bank (surprisingly quiet).  The hallway was decorated in muted cremes and browns with a stocked pantry at the end of the hall open to guests.

Expecting a small standard couchette room, I was surprised that the high ceilings made the room appear much bigger.  Walking in, the double doored bathroom was on the right as was the cabinet with safe, coffee maker, minibar and a few hangers with storage space.

Walking the hard wood floors past the bathroom, the bedroom was reminiscent of a cruise cabin, just a bit more swanky and luxurious.  The leather headboard and padded seating at the end of the bed was accompanied by a flat screen television and a small desk with leather seat. The bed was firm and yet I slept better than I anticipated.  The linens were plush and the bed has a duvet as the main cover – it was warm and comfortable.

I was shown all the buttons of interest including the automatic shade and curtains.  The couchette bed, meaning that one side is flush to the wall and only one way in took up 90% of the bedroom.  The room is perfect for a single/solo traveler but might be a bit tight for a couple for more than a night.

Wi-Fi is standard but was wonky in my room during the stay. If I wasn’t using my device I was disconnected and had to connect each time. Not the end of the world, just annoying. The front desk tried to help but couldn’t figure out why I was having problems so not sure if room specific or not.

Couchette Room – Bathroom at The Great Northern Hotel

The bathroom was large for the small room.  Double doors, a walk in shower and room for toiletries above the sink, it was a surprise. The toiletries are from Malin & Goetz, a brand I’m not familiar with, in interesting fragrances such as rum soap, peppermint shampoo, cilantro conditioner, rum body wash and a vitamin moisturizer.  There was a nice option of a bathroom nightlight under the sink to provide just enough light to get around in the middle of the night without affecting the room light for sleeping.

Restaurants/Bars at The Great Northern Hotel

There is a very posh British restaurant Plum & Spilt Milk on the first floor, the GNB ground floor bar and two other snug bars to visit.  I didn’t get to visit any of the bars or restaurant options this visit but they were consistently popular throughout the day and night based on my experience.  The Kiosk sandwich bar is part of the hotel offering tempting  takeaway until late night.

The Gym at The Great Northern Hotel

The hotel doesn’t have a gym onsite but does offer complimentary gym access and classes at the Bloomsbury Fitness Center.  You need to have the front desk make class reservations. A nice perk of the hotel.

Another fitness option is Run KX, a free trainer led 5km run around the neighborhood.  For a fee, there is a Bootcamp class you can join.  Visit the King’s Cross website for more information.

The Pantry at The Great Northern Hotel

The pantry at the end of each guest room hallway offered fruit, cakes, coffee and tea as well as counter space and reading materials if you want to socialize outside of your room.  The hallway also contains a couch if you need more space.  These are nice touch given that the rooms are a bit small and if traveling with friends or family in another room you can meet up here away from the public spaces.

King’s Cross Neighborhood

Location, location, location!  There are so many options steps away – both railway stations, Kings Cross and St. Pancreas, offer a plethora of food options – Pret sandwiches, a pub, champagne bar, markets like M&S and Waitrose as well as tourist attraction Track 9 ¾ of Harry Potter fame. Outside the train station and just a short walk from the hotel are many food options, highlights include the new German Gymnasium, Drake & Morgan and a Vinoteca.  On Euston Street, there are many pubs, restaurants and fast food takeaway options as expected near a train station.

Overall – The Great Northern Hotel London

I thoroughly enjoyed my three night stay at the Great Northern Hotel London – it was posh, comfortable and a great base for exploring London.  During my award stay, in November, the rates were slightly under 250 GBP ($400+) so using points (Category 6 Marriott) was a great redemption decision.  I would definitely stay here again to explore the area more and eat that cake in the pantry!

When I arrived to the boutique Rotterdam hotel, the Mainport  Rotterdam Hotel, I was exhausted.  It was a very long travel day with the overnight flight from New York, the six hour layover in London, the train from Amsterdam and the taxi from the train station.  Luckily, the hotel restaurant was still open, my check in was quick and I would be able to fall into bed soon. Everything about the hotel was five star boutique hotel easy – the staff were fantastic, the harbor location perfect to explore the city and the food was fresh and tasty.  Did I mention the very cool design features and focus on wellness?  A good hotel is one you don’t need to (or want to) leave and the Mainport Hotel, a member of Design Hotels (partner in the Starwood/Marriott Hotel program) is one of those hotels.  You do need to leave at some point because Rotterdam is a surprising city to discover through its food, architecture and street art.

Location – Mainport Rotterdam Hotel

The Mainport Hotel, part of the Netherland Inntell Hotel chain, is across the street from the iconic design Erasmus bridge and river Maas and a short walk (15 minutes) to the Markthal (Market Hall Rotterdam), Cube Houses of Rotterdam, Rotterdam Street Art Tour and over the bridge to the Cruise Terminal, Fexix Food Factory and Hotel New York (formerly the home of Holland America Cruise lines). The taxi from Centraal Station was ten minutes and 10 Euro without traffic.

With both the tram lines, metro stop outside the hotel (stop is Neuhaven) and water taxi stop on the water side, the location is easy to reach by public transit.  You can buy a metro card at the Tourist Office for 3 number of days for €21 unlimited use of transit (metro & tram) and discounts to attractions.

Check In Mainport Rotterdam & Lobby Experience

Arriving at 8:30 pm, the sunlit lobby was empty and my check in quite quick and friendly.  The hotel has a table with fruit flavored water all day in the lobby along with a few seating areas as well as a smoking room off to the side. The colorful furniture, design elements such as a world map and bespoke lighting features add to the open feel of the hotel.

The North American Room at Mainport Hotel Rotterdam

Each floor of the hotel has a different theme aligned to a continent (associated with shipping routes) which is highlighted in its design inspired rooms and floor decor.   I was assigned to the top floor, North America.  I had just left NYC and had wanted to be on the penguin floor or other themed floor but alas, I was surrounded by the Statue of Liberty in the hallway and western patterns in my room.

The elevator requires key card access to access your floor and shared services floors (spa/gym, restaurant). With clear walls, the elevators provide a visual reward for your eyes as you spy the area’s waterfront and residential buildings.  As I exited and turned right, I began the long walk away from the elevators toward the end of the darkened hallway. When I opened the door to my room, I first saw the big buttons and the hardwood flooring.  I could instantly tell I was going to LOVE it here in this design hotel.

The room was nicely planned out – I had space at the entrance to drop my stuff then on the right the bathroom and on the left the closet, minibar and other amenities. Walking ahead on the wooden floors to the bedroom, the television was on the left wall and could pivot out toward the bed to watch.  The bed was flanked on both sides by a small table with a desk in the corner and chair ahead by the windows.  The view was the street below (I did not upgrade to a water view or spa room).

The Wellness Bathroom at Mainport Hotel Rotterdam

My friend said the bathroom was “swish” when she saw the large soaking tub with bath salts (I sent her a photo as she loves baths while traveling).  The hotel focuses on wellness and the large tub was just one part of the theme. The shower was in the corner (no door) and the large vanity (with imbedded television) across from the tub.  It took a few minutes to realize that the water closet was separate in the hall behind the frosted glass door.  The spa toiletries were by Malin + Goetz.  The towels were plush, the water pressure prefect and the contemporary design just soothing.

Restaurant Down Under at Mainport Hotel Rotterdam

The restaurant called “Restaurant Down Under” has a bar, lounge and outdoor patio tables along the water is located one level below the lobby and can be reached by stairs or the elevator (-1).  The small bar area has a wall of colorful furniture that serves as the lounge while tables cluster to make up a small dining area outside of the much larger dining room used for breakfast.

Breakfast Buffet at Restaurant Down Under

The hotel has what they call a “live cooking buffet” which means there’s a sous chef to make eggs, omelets, waffles, etc. surrounded by a buffet of hot and cold foods.  The champagne and daily changing smoothies welcome you at the restaurant entrance.

I received an email to add the breakfast to my reservation but given my food intolerances, I tend to order ala carte for less when I’m onsite.  When I arrived and asked the front desk for an ala carte menu (I couldn’t find one online), I was told they didn’t have that option.  I explained that I couldn’t eat most of the foods in the buffet so I only needed fried eggs, fruit and juice so they very nicely set up a daily rate that allowed me to eat at the buffet for less.  I was happy that they were willing to work with me on this especially as the area doesn’t have early morning breakfast options and I wasn’t keen to walk 15-20 minutes or take transit elsewhere because of my conference schedule.

For the rest of the world who can eat without food allergies, the buffet is jam packed with options – a hot bar, cold bar of meats, cheeses and salads, cereals, fresh fruits and yogurts, a bread table with loaves to slice and croissants and pastries.  There was a juice area, coffee/tea area as well as the chef making eggs to order. The people around me were indulging in many plates of breakfast treats.

Dinner at Restaurant Down Under

At dinner, the restaurant was generally empty which was somewhat surprising as the menu was quite nice with influences from around the world to match the theme.  I enjoyed two dinners (steak entree and then a cod special)  that started with a bread tray that was amazing!  My healthy cod dinner was a plethora of colors – purple potatoes, white asparagus, and pesto – yum! Dessert was just as colorful and full of flavor and textures.

Spa Heaven at Mainport Rotterdam

The hotel’s focus on wellness can be experienced in the Spa Heaven.  The area has a small gym, pool, spa treatment rooms, Turkish steam room and a hammam area.  I did a drive by of the area for the pictures as my conference timing didn’t allow me to take advantage of these amenities (treatments have a separate cost). My loss as they seemed quite lovely options.

Final Thoughts – Mainport Rotterdam Boutique Hotel

The Mainport Rotterdam Hotel was fantastic design hotel with friendly staff and a comfortable room. I was happy to have found this boutique hotel option for the conference visit.  I really enjoyed the hotel and would make it my go to for future visits to Rotterdam. Bonus points for being associated with Starwood (now Marriott) Hotels.  I find myself drawn to these unique design focused boutique hotels and have not been disappointed yet.  In fact, I’m constantly surprised by how the hotel product continues to evolve with wellness features to make the stay comfortable and relaxing.

There are only a few hotel resorts that I’ve stayed at where I didn’t need to (or want to) leave.  The Wynn Hotel Las Vegas is a new addition to my list.  I stayed for three nights and didn’t get a chance to enjoy all of the hotel amenities but the ones that I did reminded me that you can go to Las Vegas and never leave the property to have an incredible experience. With so much choice in Las Vegas, finding the right fit for you does take a bit of trial and error as well as understanding what’s important to your vacation. For me, I wanted smaller boutique feel of luxury, lots of food options and a comfortable room with a view.

Arrival at The Wynn Hotel

I arrived the main entrance but was directed to return my Hertz rental to the garage and had to drive there (hard to find on level 1 of self parking, take a ticket, park in numbered spot and no assistance with bags).  Once I dropped off my keys to the Hertz desk inside the hotel, I walked across the casino floor to the other side of the building (front entrance) where there are two large reception rooms – one is check-in, the other for check-out.  I was quickly directed and welcomed to check in.  The check-in experience was a bit clunky as the staff member wasn’t able to answer my queries about yoga classes or the dreaded “resort fees” so I waited while she called and researched. I would have preferred her to research and call me in my room but I waited instead for her to come back with “yoga is an additional $30 for the class at Encore and is not included in the resort fee”.  With answers I didn’t like, I left to find my room which involved walking the length of the casino floor with my bags to the elevator banks in the back.  There is a guard checking hotel keys for access to the elevators. Note: the concierge is located in this area to assist guests.

Standard Room at The Wynn Hotel, Las Vegas

As I walked down the hallway which was decorated in a grey color scheme, I was excited to see my room and hoping it was just like the online photos of The Wynn Las Vegas as promised.  It’s hard to classify a room of over 500 sq. ft. as “standard” as most “standard” hotel rooms in the U.S. are 300 sq. ft.  When I opened the door to the room, it felt so much larger than I imagined or expected from the website photos.  I had a seating area with sofa and ottoman next to the desk as well as a table with two chairs in front of the ceiling to floor windows overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ZDAELVkiI[/embedyt]

The big screen television was set against the wall and could be pulled out to view from the seating area or swiveled toward the bed.  Below the television were drawers and an (expensive) minibar controlled by sensors (never touch these things because you could quickly purchase an item just by picking it up!).

The bed which faced the floor to ceiling windows was an oasis of comfort after my long day of driving from Zion National Lodge & Park.  Falling into bed made me think of not moving further than dialing room service for the next three days, however, Las Vegas was outside as well as a few favorite Las Vegas desserts (cookies, cake and chocolates) to indulge in so I had to leave at some point.

Next to the bed was room control on both a screen and on buttons in the wall.  I could open and close the curtains from bed, set the lighting, room temperature and also put the “do not disturb” light outside.  Again, why leave bed?

The bathroom had both a shower and luxurious tub along with two sinks, a vanity and separate toilet room.  The vanity had a built in television if you really need to keep up with the Kardashians or Stock Market while shaving or putting makeup on. The hair dryer was easily found and the scale easily ignored because I was on a sugar mission for my birthday visit. Plush robes were in the hallway closet.

Housekeeping was friendly and I asked for slippers and mentioned I liked the smell of the soap.  She returned with both men and women’s slippers to ask my size (men’s) and a bag full of soap.  I requested that the room not be fully cleaned each day only needing new towels and the bed made.  My request was honored. I tipped housekeeping daily as the staff often changes.

The only annoyance in room was the light from the room phone on the desk.  I couldn’t figure out how to shut the blue light off and neither could the housekeeper so I covered it with a book each night to black out the light in the room.

Restaurants at The Wynn Hotel

Let’s start with one word – Pancakes!  That was my theme and bulk of my breakfast calories at two restaurants – Le Jardin (located in the hallway to Encore hotel) and Terrace Pointe Cafe across from the Wynn Buffet (long crazy lines).  The pancakes may be the best I’ve ever had – the fluffy thick pancakes were perfection and I ate every bite happily knowing (hoping) I’d walk off most of the calories that day.

For lunch and dinner, I kept it simple, considering I had been at Red Mountain Report for a wellness vacation eating healthy, at the Charlie’s Sport Bar & Grill, with grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and avocado as I watched the plethora of sports on the televisions around the restaurant.  On my birthday, I indulged in a sea salted caramel brownie which was worth the time in the gym.

A favorite spot was the intimate wine bar of La Cave.  I visited twice – one night for chocolate dessert and a glass of red.  I returned for the short rib, truffle fries and a glass of Barolo.  The service at the bar was good, however, when I sat solo at a table, my server was nowhere to be found until my expensive glass of Barolo was empty, then he was quick to ask if I wanted to reorder “um, not with you!” Solo diners should stick to the bar seating based on my experience.

One disappointment was the café cookies and desserts at the Drugstore Cafe which weren’t as fabulous as the restaurant choices – sure they had lots of cake but I wanted a simple brownie or chocolate chip cookie and neither was to be found.  I would need to venture The Las Vegas Strip for the best cookies and cake in Las Vegas to satisfy my sweet tooth.

A positive feature at all restaurants in The Wynn & Encore Hotels is the availability of both vegan and vegetarian menus at each outlet (just ask).

Concierge at The Wynn

Prior to arrival, I emailed the concierge for suggestions in the city for sweets as well as entertainment events and unique Las Vegas experiences for my solo birthday visit.  The replies were quick and informative with offers to pre-book a dolphin encounter, yoga in the High Roller Ferris wheel, Exotic Car test drives, concerts on or off property, etc.  My situation changed prior to arrival so I wasn’t able to take advantage of the unique options suggested due to cost.  I was going to pre-order a custom birthday cake for myself but had to pass on it.  I had hoped that the concierge would note on my reservation to send a welcome cupcake as that would have been special treat and extra service but sadly, nothing was sent or done for my birthday.  So I attempted to find time to enjoy the indulgent Edible Flower Pot Chocolate Mousse Cake which she suggested but sadly, I wasn’t able to find time or room in my stomach for that indulgence.

Taxi vs Uber at The Wynn Hotel

In Las Vegas, the hotels have addressed Uber in a unique way by giving Uber its own area to pick up and drop off.  This often means walking to a different entrance/exit to book pick-up and drop off. At The Wynn, Uber gets the side entrance.  I learned this when I exited the front door main entrance and followed the taxi signs to an actual taxi.  I was too lazy to trek to the Uber entrance as I needed to be at The Neon Museum on time.  My Uber experience in Vegas was mixed (one easy and one new driver who at 70 years old was new to Uber driving for two weeks and couldn’t find me for pickup and didn’t know my hotel destination, the Aria) as was the cab experience (use a credit card pay $3 extra, try to use cash and the driver didn’t have change).  So just note each has their own areas at the hotel and each is hit/miss.  I prefer to walk where I can in Las Vegas.

The Casino at The Wynn Hotel

I’m not much of a gambler anymore and having just lost my job prior to leaving for my Las Vegas trip, I wasn’t keen to spend too much money.  I signed up for the Wynn card (no sign up bonus or free cash play) and found a penny machine (dumb name because the minimum bet was 50 or 75 cents per spin).  I had some fun with the video gaming machines and even ended up in bonus rounds eventually losing my spending money but keeping entertained.

Entertainment at The Wynn Hotel

La Reve is the award winning show at the Wynn Hotel but I wasn’t in the mood for water, fire and acrobatics so I opted to see Harry Connick Jr. instead during my stay.  I’m not a fan per se but knew that his New Orleans jazz and American songbook would be interesting option and fun.  I booked the cheap seat on the second level ($95) and was surprised when I arrived that I was offered an upgrade as there were Orchestra seats that were empty.  So I moved from my 2^nd level aisle to a middle seat in the ninth row in the Orchestra with Harry Connick’s family in front of me and his team next to me and behind me. I guess Harry was allotted x number of seats and had given some back.  His supermodel wife, her children and parents were directly in front of me for Harry’s opening night.  It was the perfect seat to enjoy the show.

Overall – The Wynn Hotel Review

I really loved The Wynn Hotel as it was small enough to allow me to easily walk around and get outside quickly.  So while there is more than enough to keep you inside the hotel, going outside is quite easy to enjoy other restaurants and entertainment options along the Las Vegas Strip.  I didn’t get to visit the Wynn Spa, pools or gym although I did do a walk by and each looked great.  The outdoor golf course, the only green space you see when flying above the city, is said to be quite wonderful to play.  Just like its rooms, the Wynn Hotel is not standard by any measure, it is definitely above and beyond my expectations for a luxury experience in Las Vegas.  Those pancakes and wine bar alone are worth booking a room!  But overall, it was the feeling of modern luxury and just a touch more that made The Wynn Hotel a winner for me.

If you’ve never considered staying on the concierge (club) level of a hotel you should.  The individual attention, privacy and access to the lounge can elevate your hotel stay and make it less stressful plus there are free cookies (ok, maybe something only I value)!   When I stayed at the newly renovated, modern luxury,  Fairmont Washington, D.C. a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to receive an upgrade to my standard reservation to the Gold Experience with Gold Lounge access. It is a hotel within a hotel and like that upgrade to first class, its hard to go back to coach because now you know what you are missing. So I’ll share so you are in the know when it comes to the Gold Level at the Fairmont, D.C. because first class luxury is awesome!

Fairmont D.C. Gold Level Arrival In Georgetown

When you arrive, you only need tell the bellman as he greets you that you are staying on the Gold level and he will escort you to the elevators and/or lounge on the 9^th floor. If, like me, you had a carryon bag and just walked into the hotel as you normally do to check-in, the front desk will welcome you and have someone escort you to the elevator/lounge for check in.  For security access you need to tap your keycard to access the 9^th & 10^th Gold level rooms.

When you arrive on the 9^th floor and exit the elevators the Fairmont D.C. Gold Level lounge is in front of you.  The front desk is on the left and is generally staffed by two people throughout the day.  They also serve as your concierge team to assist you throughout your stay with whatever you need. While a newspaper is delivered to your door, the lounge has a plethora of other newspapers and current magazines to read.

Fairmont D.C. Gold Level Rooms

The gold level King Room is the same size as the standard King room at 400 sq. ft. which is already a good sized room in my opinion.  Staying on the gold level will also provide you with complimentary Wi-Fi during your stay as well as Gold Lounge access and amenities. The rooms have a nice sized table (in lieu of a fixed desk) to work on and if you need more space you can camp out in the gold lounge in a variety of seating (and working) options.

Fairmont D.C. Gold Level Lounge Tour

The Gold Lounge design is in step with the rest of the modern luxury sophistication throughout the hotel with touches of art mixed in.  There is one television monitor that can be changed by the staff if you are keen to watch the game or other channel.  During my visit it was tuned to CNN and thankfully the volume was low because honestly, I wanted to get away from any and all political news for just a weekend.

Video Tour

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5KdPg7vaFA[/embedyt]

The lounge offers food & drink throughout the day – breakfast, mid-day treats and evening canapes.There is an honor bar for alcohol and cocktails. The Nespresso machine was a bit hit with lounge guests.

Fairmont D.C. Gold Level Lounge Seating

The large lounge offers various seating options from the group table that can seat 10-12 to intimate tables for two.  The mood is relaxation and comfort. There is a small area with a computer and printer if you need a business center.  The three rooms are spread out and even when busy on the weekend, it didn’t seem too crowded.

Fairmont Gold Level Lounge Food

If you want more than is offered by the gold level lounge, you are welcome to order room service and have it delivered to you in the lounge (great idea for those that have that friend or family member that is an issue –usually me!).  As I’m dairy and gluten free, I had considered using room service but was happy to find enough choice for me during the day, especially at breakfast.

While I couldn’t eat the tempting breads and pastries, I was able to make a meal of hard boiled eggs, a plethora of crispy bacon and a bowl of fresh fruit (don’t judge, it’s a balanced meal – healthy + unhealthy).  If I could, I would have stacked my plate with pancakes one morning and waffles the next day.

Mid day snacks were cookies and candy jars full of gummy bears, starbursts, jelly belly jellybeans and M&Ms with bags and ties provided to fill up to your heart’s content.

Evening canapes varied and on Saturday night had an Asian theme with dumplings and sushi. I missed out on the other nights as I was out and about in D.C.

Final Thoughts – Fairmont D.C. Gold Level Experience

Staying on the Gold level at the Fairmont, D.C. added another layer of security (keycard access on the elevators) which is great for solo travelers, extra attention by the lounge staff who greeted me by name each day and the feeling of special luxury because this was an exclusive part of the hotel. Who doesn’t love to feel special and recognized? I definitely ate/drank my share of bacon, bottled water, cookies and candy.  The Fairmont D.C. Gold Level experience was definitely a great add-on to my stay in Georgetown for the Art Weekend in D.C. and should be a great add-on for you too on your next stay in D.C. Don’t worry I left you some cookies and jellybeans!

Thank you to the Fairmont Washington, D.C. in Georgetown for my complimentary upgrade to Gold, it was a pleasant surprise at check-in.  As always, all opinions (long winded as they are) about my stay and experience are uniquely mine.

It’s rare to experience “new hotel smell” (I had it in London once) but I was lucky on my trip to Seattle. When I booked the hotel in February as a post cruise stay, I only knew that it was a new Loews Hotel acquisition in 2016.  Hotel 1000 has won many accolades prior to the acquisition so I was surprised to learn a few weeks before my visit that the hotel was under a full renovation “Emerald Elegance Unscripted” by Loews. Renovations began in May during cruise season and are scheduled to be completed in Fall as it transitions to the Loews Hotel 1000.  To me, the hotel is best known for business travel which is why I wanted to stay there after years of recommending it to my business travelers when I was a Global Travel Manager.

I called to inquire about the renovations, surprised that they were doing them in summer which is cruise high season.  Learning that a few guest rooms were finished, I requested a new room for my stay.  While they could not guarantee it, they said they would try to accommodate me when I arrived. Normally, I’m not a fan of staying in hotels during renovation and had thought of cancelling, however, this was a one night weekend stay so I didn’t mind (construction was weekday).  I would still be able to review the room, room service and staff which to me was key more so than if the lobby is pretty.

Location –  Loews Hotel 1000

Hotel 1000 (soon to become the Loews Hotel 1000)  is located on First Avenue just a quick ten minute walk to Pike Place Market, passing the Seattle Art Museum (known as SAM), a Starbucks, Fran’s Chocolates at the Four Seasons. There are 120 luxury guest rooms along with meeting space, a restaurant space and 4th floor rooftop space with the top floors of the building housing luxury condos accessed in the main lobby by a separate entrance.

You can easily walk to the waterfront from the hotel if you want to visit the Aquarium and Ferris wheel.  In the other direction, Pioneer Square is only a few minutes away.  In Pioneer Square you should definitely do the Underground Tour to understand more about Seattle and why the hills seem steeper than San Francisco.  The hotel is also wonderfully situated in downtown for business travelers who can walk up to many of the offices in the area.  When the restaurant and meeting space is complete, event planners will have something new for their clients, including a rooftop space on the 4th floor.

Arrival

I arrived at 9:15 am direct from the cruise ship Pier 91.  There was a bellman to take my luggage and walk me inside.  The first floor was covered up as the restaurant was under renovation so the check in was on the 2^nd floor temporarily.  The walls had design boards with what was to come in the guest rooms, restaurant and meeting rooms.  I love design boards to see the fabrics and feel the materials. There was also water table set up on the lobby floor. We arrived at the makeshift lobby desk on the 2^nd floor overlooking the front door below. I was greeted by two staff members and offered a drink while waiting.

As check in is at 4 pm, I was able to pre-check in with credit card and leave my luggage for storage.  At the time, they said they were upgrading me to a standard room with water view (normally a bonus but after a week at sea, I was done with the water view) and I inquired about a renovated room.  They didn’t see the notes from my prior call but said that they would do their best to get me sorted.  I provided my cell phone number and they texted me at 1:30 pm to say my room was ready (nice service touch).  I replied I was at the Infinity Mirrors exhibit at the museum and would be back after 4 pm to which they replied “have fun”.

Loews Hotel 1000 New Guest Room – First Look

After the art exhibit, my friend and her kids walked me to the hotel to check in.  I was given the room key and told that they did have a renovated room on the 4^th floor for me. We rode the elevator up to the 4^th floor and exited to a black curtain and confused where to go.  We figured out to walk through the exit doors to see six rooms at the end of the hallway.  Nicely decorated with splashes of pink and white flower motif with black doors we could still smell that “new hotel” smell (i.e. – carpenter work, painting, etc.) still lingering.  It wasn’t overwhelming but present only adding to the excitement of what was behind the door.

As I opened the door into the room, we all were surprised thinking I was upgraded to a suite as the L shaped room was massive and unexpected.  The room was a Deluxe King Room not a suite but it sure felt like a luxury suite to me. Walking a short hallway I was greeted by art and then turned slightly left to the room.  The large bathroom was on my right with the bedroom and living area ahead. Before I could take it all in, the kids ran in.

The kids did what kids do – they went around to explore while I was taking in the scene.  One girl was playing in the bathroom with the automatic shade between the bedroom and bathroom clear glass wall. Another was stretching out on the couch while her sister was looking at the view outside before opening all the doors and drawers.  Gotta love kids.

As the room was so new with only a few guests prior to me, it felt extra special with that new hotel smell. The Deluxe King was decorated like a luxury studio apartment sans the kitchen.  It was a simple yet elegant and modern design I wanted to bring home with me and replicate.  I liked the art touches throughout since I’ve been on a “hotels need to add art or have better art” kick to enhance the experience and bring the design together.

New Deluxe King Room at Loews Hotel 1000

The king bed was plush and inviting with the soft color palette with gorgeous accents.  The work desk and chair along with the closet and minibar area (minibar refrigerator yet to come) were a good size.  The L shaped couch was actually a pull out bed + couch.  The table was just large enough to enjoy a meal or drinks with friends. The room has a modern luxury design and clever use of space while providing ample room to work, relax and sleep.

Here’s my video (after the kids left when I returned after turn down service)

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6SEKv6Oivw[/embedyt]

As the room faced the street on a lower floor, there was normal city noise until about 11 pm after which the streets became a ghost town.  I had a good sleep and it was really hard to move with the 4:30 a.m. wake up call (backup to my phone).  The hotel does go low tech with the alarm clock in the room.

The closet had slippers (always a welcome treat), an iron and an ironing board (both dinosaurs in my opinion nowadays but there’s still some who use them).  Two Loews robes – plush inside and silky outside – were in the closet as well.

Deluxe King Bathroom

Having just endured a cruise cabin and small bathroom, this open bathroom with clear window had a walk in shower and toilet room in addition to the centerpiece tub.  It was glorious! The clear glass wall between bathroom and bedroom is a feature I’ve seen at many luxury hotels in the past two years.  It definitely opens up the space and the layout appears to be original to Hotel 1000, the only difference is the decor which is all new.

A plethora of towels were stacked on the shelves and hung on the racks. As a solo traveler, I do love when hotels provide more towels. Toiletries, A2B Technology brand by Julien Farel (I chipmunked them all!) were supplied as well as an easy to find hairdryer (on the bottom shelf) and make up mirror.

As noted above the girls were playing with the bathroom technology to raise and lower the bathroom curtain.  As it was just me in the room, I kept the curtain open to view the bathroom from the bedroom.

Turn down Service at Loews Hotel 1000

Hotel turn down service put out a robe in the bathroom and removed some of the bed pillows while also providing a small bottle of water bedside.  The room lights were dimmed, the curtains closed and the bathroom night-light was turned on.  It was a wonderful welcome after a busy day to just fall into a relaxing state. The only thing missing was sleepy time music.

Room Service

Given that the restaurant is under renovation, the room service menu is limited but still offers a good selection at reasonable prices. During the renovations, the hotel is waiving the room service delivery charge and taking 10% off the room service bill. At check in, I asked about breakfast option at 5 a.m. as I needed to leave early at 5:30 am, they said they would check with the chef to see if he could make my ala carte request (over easy eggs, bacon, toast, potatoes) as room service doesn’t normally start breakfast until 6 a.m.

My breakfast arrived on time at 5 a.m.  and was so tasty.  The potatoes were white and purple with sourdough bread and crispy bacon.  I couldn’t eat it all as my stomach was still asleep, I really tried though because leaving good bacon behind is a travesty.

Seattle Taxi to the Airport

At check in, I mentioned I needed a taxi at 5:30 a.m. and given my issues with Seattle taxis in the past, asked them to order one.  They couldn’t do that until the morning.  As I exited the hotel, the bellman said he was calling for more than ½ hour to find a taxi and like that it just showed up on time.  While I could have walked to the light rail station for a cheaper ride to the airport, I was barely awake at 5:30 a.m. so felt better with a taxi as it was quicker with no traffic.

Final Thoughts – Loews Hotel 1000 Seattle

The new rooms are lovely, a modern luxury design that is warm and relaxing. This was my first stay at a Loews Hotel and I was impressed that the service was spot on despite the renovations. Loews currently owns 28 properties in North America. Each Loews property is unique and tends to reflect the building history and the location (in Philly its Art Deco design) so I look forward to the finished product, the Loews Hotel 1000 Seattle when renovations are complete. The staff was excellent and I would definitely stay here again on my next visit to Seattle.  My friend and the three kids gave a thumbs up too!

Hotel Tip: If you hotel is scheduled for renovations, call the hotel to find out what day/times the work occurs.  The hotel should note the renovations online to give you a heads up but if like me you are surprised, call before you arrive.   The last thing you want on vacation is to hear construction noise above or below you during your stay.  I had booked a fully refundable rate so could have changed last-minute if I wanted to (i.e. Hotel Tonight deal) but am glad I didn’t as the hotel delivered a wonderful experience.

I’ve been visiting Seattle for over twenty years now ever since my childhood friend married and relocated to the Emerald city.  On early visits, I stayed with my friend but as her family grew, I quickly lost the guest room and then the basement and finally the air mattress.  I started to stay in a variety of downtown Seattle hotels, some with fantastic memories and one that was a comedy of errors.  So since I hadn’t quite found my “Seattle preferred hotel”, it was time to try a new hotel. Like my friend’s growing family, my hotel tastes had evolved over the years and as you know leans luxury.  Leaning luxury in Seattle meant that it was time to stay at the Four Seasons Seattle.

For years, I flirted with the Four Seasons Seattle, checking price/availabilty, having drinks in the lobby and falling in love with Fran’s Chocolates (a Seattle classic) in the lobby so now it was my turn to check in.

Four Seasons Seattle Location

It’s all about location at the Four Seasons Seattle.  It can’t get any more central in the city.  Located on 1^st Avenue and Union Street across from the Seattle Art Museum and one block from the famous Pike Place Market and the infamous Seattle Gum Wall.  You can easily walk to most of the Seattle Attractions (find the flat streets to avoid the hills if you can), such as the Space Needle, Olympic Sculpture Park and Chihuly Glass Museum in twenty minutes or less (yes, you can also take a cab or Uber from the hotel if the hills are too daunting).  In case you want to go down to the waterfront to the Aquarium and the Giant Ferris wheel, you can easily walk down the stairs outside of the hotel.

For conveninece – Target is a block away if, like me, you forgot a bunch of stuff for the cruise or didn’t want to pack the bulky toiletries.  Just remember to bring your own bags because Seattle has banned plastic bags and Target charges .05 per paper bag (but might count as a souvenir). The original Starbucks is across from Pikes Place Market, Fonte Coffee Cafe is next to the hotel and the Light Rail station to the airport is a block away.

Four Seasons Seattle Arrival

As my flight was delayed (read the ordeal), I arrived at rush hour on a Friday and was not in the mood for the $40 taxi ride in traffic to the city.  So I tried the Light Rail for the first time to the University Avenue stop for only $3 (approximately 40 minutes journey).  As I exited the station in downtown, I walked one block from the station to the Four Seasons Seattle and was greeted by the bell staff as they opened both doors to the hotel.  If arriving by Amtrak Cascades train, you can take a taxi  to the hotel or walk from the Amtrak station to the light rail and go two stops.

The lobby was modern and had a bit of an office building feel with the marble floor, high ceilings, separate residence entrance and meeting room stairs.  The bar/restaurant is on the right, a seating area in front of the fireplace as well as a seating area on the left.

At the front desk, I greeted and asked if I wanted a glass of champagne – I replied “Hell Yes!, oops sorry for cursing its been a long travel day” (I would later find out they offered this to celebrate France’s Bastille Day as well as the nightly macarons).  My room was ready and check in was quick.  As I had my own bag, I didn’t need staff assistance.  I walked to the elevator bank (two cars) and went to the seventh floor (the hotel shares space with condo residences above which has a separate elevator bank off of the main lobby).

Four Seasons Seattle Guestroom

As I exited the elevator on the 7th floor, the initial view was lovely with the fresh flowers and warm muted design colors (green, cream, brown).  As I turned the corner, I noticed an aromatherapy smell emitting from the machine on the floor (the smell was licorice?) and didn’t think much of it other than “that’s weird to put the machine out where it can be seen”.  The hallway was devoid of any color or design elements – the hallways are screaming for splashes for color.

As I opened the door to my room I was greeted with a large room and blond woods with built ins.  I had a side table by the door across from the bathroom.  The storage, entertainment center and desk were all wood  (I am not a fan) which was unexpected for a Four Seasons, in my opinion.

The bed was quite inviting with the plushness (note: the Four Seasons was the original hotel bed program before the Westin Heavenly bed and Sofitel So Bed).  The room design was a bit odd – I didn’t like the art print on the wall as I would have liked to see local Northwest artists or Seattle colors from Chihuly, the lamps each had a different color and shapes and they had a Boeing plane for sale on the bedside table – just odd and unexpected.  The plane would have been better suited to the wet bar space above the minibar with the guide books.

The room had additional furniture for a seating area and large ceiling to floor windows that overlooked the pool area below and a sliver of a water view.

The minibar had a good selection of drinks and snacks along with glasses.  One funny provided amenity was the iron and ironing board – I don’t know many who use these items normally and at the luxury Four Seasons Seattle, I would initially think to send out my clothes to be pressed.

Note: I didn’t love the room design but met a housekeeping supervisor who told me that the hotel is set to do a redesign in the next few years and the machine I noticed with the aroma smells was a temporary solution to clear smells in a guestroom that had smoked (it is a non-smoking hotel) and was not normally in the hallway.

Four Seasons Seattle Bathroom

The bathroom was massive.  The toiletries were L’Occitane which I love.  The shower and toilet rooms were separate and the marble tub was so deep I used the side handles to get in/out for photos.  The hairdryer was easy to find and they also provided a scale which I didn’t even bother to use as I was leaving on a cruise the next day.  Who wants to know a pre-cruise weight when post cruise will definitely be higher?

Goldfinch Tavern at the Four Seasons Seattle

The Goldfinch Tavern is the on site restaurant and lobby bar of the hotel.  It was quite busy during my stay and created a fun vibe in the lobby. During my visit, I enjoyed a chocolate dessert and glass of wine after my dinner at the Concierge suggested local Palace Kitchen (a winner!)

On my return visit to the Goldfinch Tavern after the cruise, my friends met me for brunch and it was pancakes and waffles ala carte. I’m not ashamed to admit that I ate the whole plate of pancakes which kept me full the rest of our jam packed day.  Fantastic service and fabulous pancakes which set the bar quite high for other pancakes now.

Note: The hotel adds an automatic 20% tip on the bill which other establishments in Seattle are choosing to do as well.  

Spa/Gym/Outdoor Pool

The spa, gym and outdoor infinity pool and patio are all located on the third floor.  You need your key card to access both the gym and outdoor patio/pool.  The spa has its own entrance as it is open to guests and non-guests (free parking to spa guests).  The pool area was surprisingly crowded when I looked down from my room at check-in.  In the early morning on a Saturday, there were only a few people in the hot tub and the pool.  The sunny weather in the 80’s was quite conducive to swimming and sunning.

Fran’s Chocolates at the Four Seasons Seattle

The lobby store is Fran’s Chocolates, a local Seattle chocolate institution, known for their sea salted caramels.  Their truffles are amazing as well. I always stop at Fran’s on my visits to Seattle to indulge my inner chocoholic.

Four Seasons Seattle – Overall

I was surprised to see that the majority of guests were younger and a few families with children.  With the number of events held at the hotel and summer cruise season, leisure travelers seemed to outnumbered business travelers at this property.  The hotel offers many promotional rates on their website so you may find that you can afford to stay at the Four Seasons Seattle during down times.  For years, I’ve had the image that the Four Seasons was full of business travelers and older luxury travelers.  It was good to see a good mix of ages and guests at the Four Seasons Seattle as it created a lively atmosphere. The staff were lovely throughout from check in to check out and again when I left my camera charger and had to retrieve it a week later.   I would happily stay at the Four Seasons Seattle again as I always sleep well on Four Seasons beds and despite my opinion of the room design, quality of sleep is more important to me. The location is fantastic and it’s an overall luxury experience in the heart of downtown Seattle.

When the taxi arrived at the Dorset Square Hotel, I swiped my credit card but the taxi wouldn’t accept my US chip card (chip/sign and not chip/PIN) and I had zero cash (unlike me, I know) so I left my bags in the cab and ran into the hotel to the front desk and said “Hi, I’m checking in but first can you give me £15 to pay the cab as he won’t take my credit card?” Without flinching, she opened the cash box and gave me the money.  I left my passport with her to start the check-in process while I went out to pay the cab and retrieve my luggage.  The cab was surprised that the hotel gave me the cash and was ready to drive me to an ATM for cash.  I told him that I had no doubt the hotel would rescue me because it was a Firmdale Hotel.

It’s no secret that I love the Firmdale Hotels in London from the first Soho Hotel stay to my love of the Charlotte Street Hotel in Fitzrovia but sadly my budget often says no.  So for my quick visit to London after three days in Edinburgh, I found a bank holiday deal at the Dorset Square Hotel in Marylebone neighborhood.  Both the townhouse hotel and neighborhood were new to me as I continue to explore new areas of London with each stay.  It’s always a hard choice for me – go back to the hotels I love in neighborhoods that are familiar and easy to explore or try something new.  This something new was a townhouse hotel across from a leafy garden square (site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket game) with new streets to discover.

Dorset Square Hotel – Location in Marylebone

The Dorset Square Hotel is an easy fifteen minute walk to Oxford Street shopping with Selfridge’s an easy find (love their Food Hall).  The Marylebone tube station is a five minute walk up the street to the Bakerloo line.  The area has a plethora of boutique shops and restaurants within walking distance, most notably Chiltern Street and the Chiltern Firehouse. A taxi (or Uber) to St. Pancras and King’s Cross train stations is about 10-15 minutes depending on traffic and ranges from £8-15.  Nearest tourist attractions are the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madam Tussauds wax museum but otherwise this is a residential neighborhood.

The Dorset Square Hotel – Arrival & Pre-Arrival

As noted above, I was the crazy American girl running in and asking for money and the front desk didn’t blink with my request so this was obviously nothing new (I can only imagine the crazy guest stories).  The check in was friendly and quick and I was given the always unique room key.  When I calmed down, I noticed the wonderful flowers, complimentary use umbrellas and warm welcoming atmosphere as you walk inside.

Prior to arrival, the hotel sent a “please confirm arrival” email which prompted me to inform them that I had a package arriving that I wished them to hold until my arrival.  My niece wanted a macaron refill kit for the gift I had bought at the U.K. Spirit of Christmas fair so I ordered online and shipped to the hotel.  My package was in the room waiting for me although the front desk did express concern as they were waiting all week and it was hand delivered that day.

The Dorset Square Hotel Drawing Room

The first floor front windows look out to the garden square and have the front desk and small lobby in one room while the Drawing Room with Fireplace and Honesty Bar occupies the other small room. Each Firmdale property has one (or two) drawing/living rooms for guests and visitors to enjoy which is a wonderful design feature.

The Drawing Room is so lovely that you can meet friends here for drinks, relax reading a book as if it’s your home or use the desk to work on with the views of the garden and people watching outside.  Either way, I wanted this type of room at home, don’t you agree?

The Superior Room at The Dorset Square Hotel

The luxury townhouse hotel has 38 individually designed rooms in six categories which includes single rooms with twin bed (107 sq. ft.).  I love that the Firmdale Hotels cater to the solo traveler at their townhouse locations – the rooms may be smaller with twin bed but luxury and highly styled. I was tempted to try the single room on this trip but for a few dollars more I was able to reserve the Superior Room category with a Queen bed. The room would still be on the small cozy side but wouldn’t feel that way with the décor.   The room averages 194 sq. ft. (the average American hotel room is 250-300 sq. ft).

As I exited the small lift onto the 4th floor, a garden themed hallway with vegetables on the wallpaper (it worked), and my room would be the first in the hall on the left.  I tapped the hotel key on the reader and opened the door to my hideaway, Room 401. As I was on the top floor of the townhouse, my room had a slanted ceiling nearest to the windows on one side of the bed (yes, of course I bumped my head a few times never learning).  Every inch of the room was used well – I had a desk with chair, a reading area with chair, flat screen tv and table as well as my bed and built in closets.

On the bedside table was a handwritten welcome note from the manager (a standard amenity at all Firmdale’s Hotels) with a lovely spa amenity from the Kit Kemp collection called RikRak and a typed letter with information on the area and what’s on.   Later in the evening at turndown, the hotel would prepare the bed for sleeping and leave bottled water and a sleepy time lavender spray.   As if one needed help to sleep on the indulgent Frette linens and comfy bed.

The windows hidden behind the shutters and darkening curtains actually opened which was a nice feature that you don’t see at many hotels anymore.  Fresh air is always welcomed. My view was not that of the gardens but of the buildings on the other side of the building.

The closets provided ample space and storage for your clothes.  It also contained the safe, partial minibar of dry goods (candy, crisps, etc.) and the hairdryer with outlets inside.

The wall had a knob that at first I thought was a weird decoration but then I pulled on it and it revealed a minibar refrigerator which was a clever designed surprise.

The Superior Room Bathroom

The design of the bathroom was quite familiar as it resembled the many prior stays at The Soho Hotel and Charlotte Street Hotel with the grey marble.  Due to the small space, I had a walk in shower rather than the tub/shower combo.  The toiletries are in house now – Kit Kemp’s RikRak.  Towels were displayed on the heated rack and the plush robes located behind the door.  Surprisingly for the small space there was a door instead of a sliding pocket door.

Dorset Square Hotel Breakfast at The Potting Shed

By now, I was clued in on the theme – gardening – especially with the name The Potting Shed.  This well designed restaurant is located on the ground floor (basement for us Americans) with two levels. The lift (elevator) stops on the floor for accessible needs.  The first level is arranged with tables and a booth along the wall while the lower ground (just a few steps) has the bar area. There is natural light from the skylights.

The morning continental breakfast buffet was thoughtfully arranged on a long communal table in the bar area.  I also ordered my hot foods from the ala carte menu as my rate included breakfast. The buffet fresh fruits, homemade granola and various breads and cereals were set up to resemble a work of art in my opinion as all bowls and serving spoons were symmetrical. I was hesitant to disturb the gorgeous settings but alas I was hungry for those berries!

My ala carte eggs, bacon, avocado were fine to accompany my fruit platter.  One thing that does drive me crazy at all three Firmdale hotels I’ve stayed at is that the toast is always overdone and still served that way – maybe it’s an American thing but blackened and crunchy is not my idea of toast.  As a former food server, I’d never leave the kitchen with burnt looking toast and yet in the UK (even at other hotels) no one seems to understand my dismay. I like to melt the butter on my toast not build a crunchy butter and jam messy meal.

Final Thoughts – The Dorset Square Hotel

It was a quick two nights at The Dorset Square Hotel in Marylebone but just like the other Firmdale Hotels in London, I was a fan immediately.  With only 38 rooms it’s hard not to enjoy the personalized attention and feeling like you have the place to yourself.  It was also quiet and I like quiet. The hotel was full and yet I saw people only during breakfast – a few business people, young couples and a family with a baby. When I was leaving the bellman ran out and around the corner to flag down a taxi since I hadn’t pre-ordered one the night before when they asked (oops, sorry about that).  There’s a reason I love these small luxury design hotels and it’s the feeling that I’m truly a guest in their home (hotel) rather than another visitor.  At the Dorset Square Hotel, that feeling started when I ran inside and asked for money….a friend gives you money without asking questions….

My Rates included wifi and breakfast

Sunday £180 + 20% VAT

Monday £193.50 + 20% VAT

My friendly hotel did charge me £1.50 for the cash advance which was less than the cost of the cab ride to an ATM and ATM fees so for this time, I was ok with the convenience fee.

One of the toughest choices I face when traveling is where to stay.  I love staying at boutiques hotels but I also “fall in love” that I want to return to favorite properties so that’s the tough call – date a new hotel or go back to one of my old flames? In London, you’ve read (or should have read) about my loves – Charlotte Street by Firmdale, The Rosewood London and The Hoxton – so you can see how hard it is to cheat.  But it was time for me to stray and cheat not only on my favorite hotels but on the neighborhood as well – it was time for me to find a small luxury hotel in Kensington, a neighborhood I had been slowly discovering over a few visits.  It was time for me to see what the “&” was all about at the Small Luxury Hotel (SLH), The Ampersand Hotel.

The Ampersand Hotel – Location

The Ampersand Hotel is located across the road from the South Kensington tube station which is nicely served by three lines – the Piccadilly, the Circle and the District line.  Bonus points include a short walk down to the outdoor platform and the air conditioning on the newer Circle & District line cars.  Downside is that the station/platforms can get crowded quickly (due to the popular V&A and Natural History Museum) so the station is often closed without notice in order to disperse the crowds (generally on the weekends) which goes pretty quickly.

South Kensington Neighborhood

The tube station is surrounded by popular takeaway shops, a pub and a pedestrian only walking block with restaurants like Brandisa, a Spanish tapas favorite.  Within two blocks from the hotel are many popular chains – Hummingbird Bakery, Bryon burgers, Franco Manca Pizza, Muriel’s Kitchen, Gail’s Bakery, Ben’s Cookies, Starbucks, etc.

For the past few visits to London, I happened upon the posh Airbnb flat and the Millionaire Mews Home from One Fine Stay in Kensington and both were lovely options to explore the wealthy residential area which sees few tourists and has cute pubs and cafes hidden down the side streets and away from the busy high street.

Arrival at The Ampersand Hotel

The entrance includes steps up to the door and then steps to the lobby.  The lobby, whilst small was so very lovely as a first impression.  A staircase and lighting feature greet you with the front desk off to the side of the room.  With a small seating area and a larger room to the side used for afternoon tea, the design was captivating, warm and luxurious.

The front desk check in was friendly and efficient.  To my delight, the room was available early so I could relax in a proper luxury room and try to erase the prior night stay at another hotel in a disappointing pink room. I had booked direct with the hotel using their “Stay 3, Pay for 2” pre-paid, non-refundable promotion.

The Deluxe Studio Room at The Ampersand Hotel

Located on the third floor, the high ceilings were the first thing I noticed upon exiting the elevator on the way to my room.  The hotel has two distinct buildings and as you walk down the hall you pass between the buildings marked by the stairway.  There are 111 rooms and yet I always felt that I had the place to myself. My room was located in the front of the hotel so I expected it to be noisy with street traffic but it wasn’t which was nice.

Video of the Deluxe Studio Room (King Bed)

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZLQ4jLo1h0[/embedyt]

When I opened the door, the first entrance space was filled with storage, a shelf with mirror and coffee/minibar area.  The minibar includes complimentary bottles of water, soda, juice and milk which is definitely a welcome amenity for guests.

With the bedroom ahead, I could see the seating area and desk plus navy blue headboard and the settee with pillows at the end of the bed.  The bed, itself, was gorgeous and comfy when I fell into it hoping to relax in luxury.

The Ampersand Hotel Bathroom

As I lay in the bed, I could see the bathroom view from the desk mirror reflection and it looked quite nice so I exited the comfy bed to explore the bathroom and see if the toiletries were chipmunk worthy (spoiler alert – yep as they were L’Occitane).

The dual sink was center with a bathtub/shower combo on the left and the toilet and storage on the right.  The heavy door swung closed for privacy – it was nice that it was a real door.  The tub had not only a rubber ducky for you but also a television in the wall with a remote control in case you want to watch your favorite British show (great British bake-off or gogglebox anyone?) or not miss a moment of sport.

On the hook hung a plush robe with the “&” and slippers in the pocket.  Of course, I would wear both on my stay.

The Ampersand Hotel – Mobile Phone Amenity

One amenity that seems to be gaining favor in London is the personal mobile phone you can use during your stay and The Ampersand Hotel is one hotel providing this smart option for guests.  The preloaded mobile phone had local information, shopping guides and maps and could be used for free phone calls.  For those without an international plan, this is a great idea to help you explore the city and have the comfort that you have a phone to use.

Turn-down Service at The Ampersand Hotel

Each night, turn-down service was offered and is always a nice feature to come back to the inviting bed, slippers on the mat and warm lighting.  They do a much nicer job than when I toss the pillows and jump into bed exhausted.

Changing Rooms

I’m not sure why I had an issue with motion (onset of getting sick?) at the hotel but while lying on the comfy bed, I thought I could feel the room shake a bit.  I thought I was just a bit crazy with low blood sugar so I waited it out until the next morning.  Since I have an inner ear issue, I’m more sensitive to this type of stuff so I asked the front desk if they could move me.  They had another room available but it would be a slight downgrade not in category but in space, I agreed and they said they’d move my bags while I was out and provide a new key upon return.

The New Deluxe Studio Room

My new room was on a higher floor and down the hall from the old room which meant my high ceilings were gone.  I had a standard height room which instantly made the room feel smaller and the layout was slightly smaller (I was missing the separate desk area) so overall like they said a downgrade in space but still nicely decorated and comfortable so I was ok with the change.

My Missing Bag

I fell asleep during my “let me just lie down after dinner” and woke up hours later at 1 am wanting water and went to find my shopping bag in the front hall and it wasn’t there.  I hadn’t checked that all the bags were moved earlier so I called the front desk to report that my shopping bags placed on the shelf of the first room were not here. He said they’d check the video and let me know when I came down for breakfast.  Thankfully, the free minibar was filled with water, soda, juice and milk.  I didn’t care much about the water I was missing but I was missing about $100 worth of chocolate from my favorite shop in their posh purple and gold bag.

The hotel has video in the hallways (not in the rooms) and reviews of the video in the prior room hallway show housekeeping removing the purple bag and throwing it out when they cleaned the room.  I was first concerned that the bag was not reported to security as guest property left behind as the bag did not have trash in it but nicely wrapped and unwrapped chocolate gifts.  The hotel confirmed their mistake and instantly gave me a credit on my bill (I went back to Soho to replace the chocolates to bring home). They followed standard procedure from my initial report to resolution, which was comforting.  They acknowledged that the housekeeping oversight would be addressed – what if it had been a bag of valuables left behind by a guest?

Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel Drawing Room

I don’t drink tea (or coffee) so a proper British Afternoon Tea is lost on me.  Each day I passed the lobby drawing rooms, it was crowded and everyone looked quite happy indulging in the tea, sandwiches and cakes.  I was offered to partake in some sweet treats but I declined while I snapped photos.  Tempted of course but the staff was unaware of the cupcakes, cookies and chocolates in my bag.  Check out my friend Suze’s review of The Ampersand Hotel Afternoon Tea 

Breakfast at Apero, The Ampersand Hotel

Breakfast was served in the basement restaurant, Apero.  The bright space was broken up into smaller nooks of tables with the buffet served in the open two-storied ceiling space.  The options abounded for those who were keen to explore the hot and cold options.  For me, I chose the ala carte option of eggs, streaky bacon and juice. It was quick and easy.

Front Desk Staff

For most of my stay, the same staff was working the front desk and greeted me by name every time I walked past.  Given my room change, the missing chocolates and a few queries, I was known by name (good and bad).  I don’t like to be “that guest” but staff were lovely and attentive throughout.  Watching the staff interact with other guests, many returning, you can see how personalized the service is and each person seemed happy.

The Ampersand Hotel Tour

I asked the sales manager for tour of the hotel during my stay which he agreed to.  You can read more about the tour in an upcoming post. With six room categories, there is enough choice to make guests enjoy the luxury hotel as well as nice meeting room space.  Travel agents, meeting planners and leisure travelers can all find something to like at The Ampersand Hotel in London.  Small luxury hotel touches with high style and design.

Final Thoughts – The Ampersand Hotel Review

I loved my stay at the Ampersand Hotel and happy I cheated on my hotel loves as I now have a new love to add to my list. The small issues I experienced were one offs, in my opinion, which the staff quickly resolved.  Kensington is a lovely area to explore – day and night. With great underground access, the free museums and Hummingbird cupcakes, what more can you want from the neighborhood?  The boutique luxury hotel had attentive staff, luxurious design details and quiet comfort which is what most vacations are about – a chance to relax and enjoy life’s luxuries both big and small.

If you want to stay at The Ampersand Hotel, a Small Luxury Hotel, contact me to help you book your unique luxury stay in London.

My stay at the Westin Milan was to be the luxury celebration to a month in Italy so I redeemed points for the weekend stay at the posh hotel.  After a month of mixed lodging from boutique hotels in Naples, a B&B in Sorrento and Venice to my amazing canal view Airbnb in Venice, I wanted to end in a Heavenly Bed at the Westin Milan.  I love the Westin brand of Marriott  – the Heavenly Bed & Bath and the overall sense of wellness that the brand evokes and lives by.  The Westin Milan would manage to join my short list of “hotels I didn’t want to leave”.  I almost succeeded if not for a pre-booked Milan Last Supper and City Walking tour with Walks of Italy on Saturday.  Not only was I wearing my exhaustion on my face from the crazy busy days walking the Expo pavilions but my feet had finally given out after the walking tour.  My intent was to fall into the plush bed and order room service Saturday night (yeah, I’m fun like that) which extended to Sunday. Opting to luxuriate in the hotel spa with two treatments – facial and massage, I enjoyed a lazy Sunday in luxury.  Even in a different language, the hotel was an oasis in the city for me and a wonderful way to say “Ciao to Italy”.

Westin Milan Location

Set a bit back from the main thoroughfare, the hotel has a small green space across from the circular driveway.  At the corner of the street is a subway entrance and across the street is a bus stop.  I was able to walk a few blocks to the supermarket, pharmacy (where contact solution is sold and no one speaks English – bring your bottle to show and tell) and a further stroll down the main road in to the center of Milan – the Duomo.  There is a STK across the street if you want a modern steakhouse experience.

Westin Palace Milan Arrival

I arrived by taxi in the morning from my Airbnb Navigli studio rental in the entertainment district.  I was welcomed from the taxi and my bags magically disappeared as the bellman escorted me to the front desk.  The young woman checking me in acknowledge my (then) SPG Gold status and explained my choices at the hotel – I always take the points – always the points.  There was a special at the spa which I sort of listened to but not really until she said “gold members get a discount of x” and my tired feed and body were kicking my mind into active listening.  Once check in was sorted, I was given my room keys which surprised me this early.  I expected to pre-check in and come back later after 3pm for my room but it was ready now and so was I.

Westin Milan Lobby

The lobby is a throwback to older, historic, luxury hotels in my opinion – marble, dark woods and gold accents.  It definitely had the feel of luxury Italian hotel and not that of a normally modern Westin.  There was a bar area as well as dining room off to either side of the lobby.

My King Room

When I entered the room, I saw the window with a view of the street below and the modern buildings in the distance of the city.  I immediately noticed the blue hues and warm feeling of the room – it was just pretty.  I don’t get to say that my room is pretty very often but it felt sumptuous with the bedding and décor.

There was room to move and the King Bed, a very welcome sight after three nights sleeping on an Airbnb futon (I really did experience it all on this Italy trip).  My first instinct was to fall into the bed so I did and just like other Heavenly Beds it was very hard to leave the enveloping comfort.

The hotel had already delivered my big box from Naples.  I had shipped extra clothes and shoes from Naples, my first stop in Italy three weeks prior, to my last stop in Italy to lessen my luggage weight along the way as I traveled to Sorrento, Florence and Venice.  I was packed for my three month sabbatical which started on the cruise and lugging my bags on/off trains, ferries and busses was not ideal hence the shipping box staring at me on the floor.

Westin Milan Room Service

I was exhausted with pain in my feet that I had never experienced before so room service was ideal – I was ready to be pampered and fill up on (bad for me) oh so good food and wine (i.e. the hotel burger, lots of bacon, fries, dessert and wine).

Breakfast at the Westin Milan

The breakfast service in the restaurant was slow if, like me, you need to do ala carte breakfast and not the buffet. If you are opting for the buffet then have at it – your plate is on the table and you can get going as soon as you are seated. But for me, I always have the sad plate of food that cost as much as the buffet.  I had a problem during breakfast that was immediately addressed by management on site which impressed me.

Italian Breakfast Option – CaffeLatte

The hotel has a quick breakfast option available in the lobby bar area.  Since ala carte juice cost €9, the italian breakfast option at €12 seems a steal as it includes coffee/cappuccino, espresso, fresh juice and italian pastries.  In terms of healthy, just remember to walk (a lot) because you will be indulging in (too) many delicious carbs.

The Westin Milan Spa [comfort zone]

I literally never walked outside on a gloomy Sunday.  I went to the restaurant for breakfast, back to my room to read and then to the [comfort zone] spa for two treatments.  It was a lovely way to spend the day.  There are definite differences in how spa treatments are done in the U.S. and Italy, so it was interesting to experience the treatments.  A sore knotted back doesn’t need language translation.  You can read my Westin Milan Spa Review for detailed visit.

Overall – Westin Milan Palace

The staff was definitely wonderful during my stay, including the concierge team who attempted to help me find contact solution (only sold at the Pharmacy or Eye Doctor and it was the weekend).  The room was fantastic and I could see myself returning just to stay in the hotel and not leave.  It was a restorative stay in luxury that I definitely needed to reboot and refresh before my adventure in Malta.