48 Hours at the Hotel Arts Barcelona

After a 15 minute ride from the airport of Barcelona, we finally drove inside the driveway of the famous Arts Hotel Barcelona. Being informed that this high end property is part of the Ritz Carlton Chain, the welcome was more than warm. Sara was the first smile we experienced at the Arts, she immediately transferred us to the main Lobby on the First floor, where we had been allocated to the PR Manager Melanie. She was the one which accompanied us to the Level 33 - the Club Level.

Upon arriving with the elevators, the whole team of the Lounge greeted us by last name and welcomed us with a glass of Laurent Perrier. After doing some paperwork we have been given a short introduction to the city with a map and Laura gave us some tipps and recommendations about what to do in Barcelona. 

Harry showed us the way to our spacious, yet breath-taking room with views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea (the Med as they used to call it at the Arts). Our vast Club Room was furnished in a very light, elegant style and had two very heavenly queen beds. Due to the situation on the corner, the whole room was filled with sunlight and offered spectacular views from nearly everywhere. 

The amazing bathroom is wonderfully designed and very spacious as well. The separated power-shower and the deep bath tub were a big plus, as the luxurious Asprey toiletries and the many guest products (like wood comb and cool toothbrush). There were plenty of towels (nearly three bath towels per person) and toiletries and the housekeeping did a great job when preparing the room. On the arrival day, they forgot to do the turn-down service. 

As the real highlight of the stay, the Ritz Carlton Club Lounge was really breath-taking and we can highly recommend to upgrade yourself to this luxurious level of finest service. Every staff member did give his utmost and went beyond the expected - we were flashed by the warm welcome and how friendly they treated us. After the first day we felt like old friends. There were five different kinds of meals at the Club Lounge: Continental Breakfast, Light Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Evening Hors d'oeuvres as well as Late nights snacks. 

Another advantage of The Club Lounge was the complimentary open-bar which included alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, such as whiskey, spirits, vodka, gin, lemonades as well as San Pellegrino and Evian waters. This was highly appreciated by us as we never needed any money for such extras in the city. In fact we would definitely say this is worth the high price tag for a Club Room. 

Unfortunately we haven't been at the wonderful Spa on the 43 Floor, but next time we will definitely go there as well. Due to the fact that it snowed in Central Europe and we were so glad to finally see some sun, we weren't shocked of the warm temperatures of Barcelona. So we went to the outdoor pool and finally jumped into the heated jacuzzi next to the pool, under the palms.

So we found ourselves under the palms in mid february with lots of sun in a heated jacuzzi, while it snowed in tons in Germany and Austria. What an amazing feeling. This and also the service is why we love the Arts and definitely will return soon in order to also test the pool and stay at one of their vast and breath-taking apartments ;-)!

We have been invited by the Hotel Arts Barcelona, a Ritz-Carlton managed property. Our review expresses our own opinion and has not been influenced.

48 Hours at the Byblos Saint-Tropez

Some people describe it as legendary, some as an institution. After my unforgettable stay I agree with both and conclude it as a one-of-a-kind experience - and finally it was the absolute highlight of my summer holidays! A real Leading Hotel of the World as it should be!

Saint Tropez, the capital of jetset has of course many many luxury hotels on relatively small space. I was always seeking to stay at the new Sezz or the Muse, both near Ramatuelle, and far from the old town of Saint Tropez. Due to the fact that I only had two nights to discover Saint Tropez, I knew I had to find an alternative. I wanted to go to the beach by hotel shuttle during the day and visit the town at night. So the only option was to look for a hotel in the centre. Therefore I came across the Byblos and I never regret this decision during my stay.

From the kind first "Bonjour" at the entrance, the experience continued by a very kind and smooth check-in by the so kind Barbara at the front desk. As they know how to manage a world class hotel, they upgraded me to a breath-taking Two Bedroom Seaview Suite and continued with treating me like royalty by serving a bottle of Rosé Byblos and homemade sweets - I was overwhelmed!

The style is typical for this part of the Cote d'Azur and I can assure that the Byblos is 100 per cent Saint Tropez, no minimalistic design nor unprofessional staff members. Of course the main highlight of the day was my Suite with a balcony overloooking whole Saint Tropez, the pool and the Mediterranean Sea of course. Upstairs there was another bedroom with twin beds, en-suite bathroom with shower and a completely new Samsung LED-TV with the function to connect your mobile device. On the main floor of this Deluxe Suite, a large living room with writing desk was connected by a sliding door to a master bedroom with oversized King abed and en-suite bathroom and double basins. The only toilet was situated next to the entrance of the Suite.

The concierge was extraordinary and reserved a table at a fabulous new Retaurant called "Le G" and made it possible to get sunbeds on Club 55, without having lunch there (Normally impossible during the high season)! The shuttle goes to every beach you want to go and whenever you want to go. When we arrived at Club 55 we were given one beach bag each with two towels, provided by the driver of the Byblos.

The breakfast comes with a picturesque terrace, perfect service and pool views. The buffet is well selected with high quality products and the best: it is served until 12 noon! That's amazing, isn't it? And welcomed as well, after a typical Tropezian night in one of the world renowned clubs. Unfortunately the glamorous Le Caves du Roy was not open on weekdays so we could not attend one of the dazzling party nights there. Instead we enjoyed a late-night dinner on the harbor in a very chic restaurant, followed by a drink on the terrace of Byblos' B-Bar. 

Finally, the Byblos is simply a gorgeous place. I love this hotel and will return there again soon.

We would like to thank the Byblos Hotel Saint Tropez and Groupe Floirat for the generous special offer and the amazing suite upgrade.

A weekend in Salzburg!

Last saturday I have been to the Austrian city Salzburg.

The reason for my trip was a dinner at the renowned "Obauer" restaurant in Werfen, about half an hour south of Salzburg city. Due to the fact that we want to tour through the old town and stroll through some shops, I decided to book a room at the Sheraton Hotel. 

Normally, I do not really like to stay at a Sheraton hotel, but the one in Salzburg has an excellent Club Lounge with balconies and stunning views to the castle hill, as well as a vast buffet with high-quality products. There has always been warm and cold dishes, cakes and n excellent choice of drinks, from non-alcoholic, coffee to alcoholic beverages. 

Although I contacted the hotel directly to allocate a room in a modern style, they did not meet my request. Nonetheless they upgraded us to a King Suite with a separate living room, bedroom and two bathrooms. 

The bathroom was in good condition, with a small bath tub, a single vanity, a separate shower with dirty shower head as well as "branded" toiletries by Frette. In fact these bath amenities are even worse than Sheraton's own "Shine" line and smell a bit cheap, to be honest. Please note that they once had Bulgari - really - when I stayed there in December 2012.

All in all, our stay was very comfortable, the staff average, although the woman in the Club Lounge was very attentive, and the location satisfying. As the Club Lounge is really worth to stay at this Sheraton, I will try to stay here again when I am back in Salzburg.

Restaurant Check - Innsbruck - Part V

The Privilege - Innsburck's first dinner club.

First of all I have to say, that this is a kind of new concept to the Tyrolean food branch - the dinner club. What to expect from the Privilege Club?

The Restaurant and Club Privilege is perfectly situated meters from the Golden Roof, directly in the pedestrian area of the old town of Innsbruck. When you enter the restaurant, you will be in the Lounge. Upon walking up the stairs you reach the main part of the restaurant with a show kitchen.

The 4,50 € aperitif was not my taste although it is complimentary for all female guests, when they have ladies night! The food was quite good and nicely decorated. I ordered a Vitello Tonnato (12 euros) followed by a Truffle Risotto (about 17 euros). The accompanying wine was good as well and with 25 euros not too expensive. I would have loved to order one of their delicious desserts, but due to the large portions I was completely satisfied. 

After our dinner we found ourselves downstairs in the Club area. There we got some tasty drinks and good beer. I would say the atmosphere is a kind of cold, and we have been some of the only guests, there were only four other tables occupied.

All in all we did not pay high prices and in my opinion the Privilege has a good value for money. 

Insider's Getaway

If you ever wondered which part of Italy is unknown to the most of us, then this might be your place to be in summer 2014. Take a look on the following picture and you will immediately think of an exotic destination such as Greece.

In fact, it is a small beautiful island in front of the northern coastline of Sicily in Southern Italy - Lipari. Lipari is the largest island of the Aeolian Archipelago, which consists of eight small islands.

If you are fine with the accommodation offered in Lipari - there are no luxury hotels and resorts - then it's alright.

In addition to Lipari there is also the wonderful and picturesque Island of Vulcano, which is famous for its National Park. 

If you cannot make holidays without staying at a super-luxurious property then you should book a room in the Therasia Resort & Spa on the island of Vulcano. This hotel is by far the most luxurious in the whole area of the Aeolian Islands and I can warmly recommend this unique place on earth. 

They have also a private access to the turquoise sea including lots of sun beds with beach service. I also like the design of the rooms which are 100 per cent authentic with a touch of modern design. 

Rooms start at 275.00 Euros per room and night including the lavish breakfast on the wonderful terrace. Contact us directly, if you would like to book a special offer including dinner and special amenities for 40% off the standard rates.

So why not book your dream vacation immediately? Oh, that's the point - the arrival. If you would like to go to the Aeolian Islands, a long journey awaits you:

First you have to fly to Palermo, Catania or Reggio Calabria, from there you must take the bus or an expensive taxi, which brings you to the harbors of Palermo, Cefalu, Milazzo or the Port of Reggio Calabria. Hydrofoil boats or ferries bring you to Paradise between one-and-a-half hours to two hours. From the small harbor of Vulcano, a complimentary shuttle bus bring you to the Therasia Resort.

Therasia Resort & Spa
Localita Vulcanello, 
Isola di Vulcano 98050
Sicily, Italy
Telephone: +39 0909852555
http://www.therasiaresort.it/

Travel Diary: My Summer holidays Part 7

Just arrived home now after a beautiful 3-week trip through the very South of Italy.

My last stop for this trip were the Marches, a region between Emilia Romagna and Abruzzo, famous for the shoe outlets. I stayed once again at the majestical Villa Lattanzi in Torre di Palme (within 20 minutes driving to Tod's and Prada outlet). The service was perfect again and the room clean, modern with a touch of luxury as well as excellent Etro Relent toiletries. Sea view and a very nice breakfast is always guaranteed! I had also a nice last evening with some italian friends at a very cool place, called Cobá Beach, directly on the beach of Porto San Giorgo, about 5 minutes by car from the Villa.

Before I went to the Marches, I have been in the modern region of Apulia/Puglia, where I checked out the new Borgo Egnazia Resort, famous for the Million-Dollar wedding of Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake. 

The resort itself is beatiful and everyone is polite, helpful and friendly. I love the system to be a "Hotel-for-every-kind-of-guest": They have the La Corte area, where they only have double rooms and suites - perfect for couples and on the other hand they have the very nice Borgo area, where I stayed - with the optic of an old italian townhouse. I got a room on the first floor and it therefore had a rooftop terrace with views of the Adriatic sea and the sunrise!

The location is not really good, because the hotel's own golf course devides the hotel from the private rocky beach! That's why they have a shuttle every 20 minutes. They have also a beautiful sandy beach (my favourite place during my stay!), which is about 10 minutes by complimentary shuttle every 20 minutes, too.

If you do not want to eat inside the hotel and you are able to get out of the hotel, then you should book a table at either Osteria del Porto (Excellent dinner 4/5 points) or at Saporedisale, which serves also seafood and really good Pizza - for me 4/5 points, too!

When I left Puglia to go to the Marches, my last stop, I was sure to come back in the near future as the Borgo Egnazia is just the perfect resort for a summer holiday and the temperatures are not very high in Puglia.