48 Hours at the Terre Blanche Resort, Provence

To be honest, I was a bit scared that the resort is no longer managed by Four Seasons (I also had bad experience with it in Budapest). Luckily I could recognize that this was just a bad illusion of me. When we arrived everyone from the bellmen greeted us friendly, took care of the luggage and the car and accompanied us to the Lobby where we were welcomed by Claire and her colleague (which name I do not know, sorry for this!). Check-in was excellent and also the welcome tour was informative and smooth.

Afterwards we were driven to our Suite (1812), a Deluxe Suite with terrace, living room, separate bedroom, bathroom ensuite and walk-in wardrobe. I was so lucky that I received a Suite with amazing views of Fayence and its landscape. The whole suite was flooded by daylight, even the bathroom was overlooking the countryside. I love the toiletries which are especially created by Fragonard for the Terre Blanche Resort. The beds were amazingly comfortble (of course it was still the Four Seasons Bed) and also the Housekeeping and Turndown Service was perfect as it should be for a hotel of this caliber. Our terrace was already bedded and offered two sunbeds with two chairs and a dining table beside. Also, the televisions were quite qood and I much appreciated the Bose iPhone Docking Station.

As we wanted to discover the countryside we decided to have dinner in a restaurant outside the hotel. Unfortunately I forgot that it was Saturday and all nearby restaurants were fully booked, but the amazing Concierge Eladia was so kind and organized a table for us in an excellent restaurant (Le Catellaras) 15 minutes away. It was a truly magnificent experience and fully met our expectations concerning the French Haute Cuisine. At the second evening she recommended the Nearby Restaurant Table d'Yves, which was more casual and therefore perfect again!

At breakfast we had the pleasure to be served by Emelie, who was truly kind and always made us welcome every morning. When the day starts in such an excellent way, there is no possibility to end in a bad way. She even remembered which coffee we want and what kind of eggs. This was truly amazing, so we always tried to sit in the area where Emelie was working to receive such an excellent service every day. 

The Spa is situated a bit hidden on the half way from the entrance gate, which is controlled like a G8-peak meeting, and the main building where the lobby and the front desk is situated. The indoor pool is very huge and there is also a very warm vitality pool in the middle of a typical Provencial garden. Beside the pool there is also a Spa Restaurant, a small fitness centre, an area with sauna, steam bath and relaxation room as well as lots of treatment rooms and impressive Spa Suites on the first floor of the Spa building. By the way, the spa is accessible by walking from the main building within 5 minutes or by Golf Cart, that's also how you can access your suites all day.

Unfortunately all dreams have an end, so I had to leave to go to Avignon. I won't forget this luxurious resort and will try to come back soon. A very special thanks to Mrs. Ripoll for the informative and nice tour around the resort and the Management of the Terre Blanche Resort, as well as all the staff members for being so friendly and helpful.

The Terre Blanche Resort provided us a special rate, due to the fact it was high season. All extra expenses were charged as full. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

24 Hours at the Majestic Barriere Hotel

I arrived to this hotel without any expectations as I had a rateof 75€ per night for a Two Bedroom Deluxe Suite, which would normally cost approximately 3.000€ per night. Of course breakfast was included. As always you have some second thoughts if they do not accept this rate, so it is always better to ask experts. So did I and insisted to get the Suite at the booked rate. 

At arrival we were warmly welcomed and accompanied to the Lobby. After check-in, which was very fast and kind, I was greeted by the Asisstant Manager and told that the room was ready at 2.00 pm. So we went to the Rue Antibes, the more affordable option to the La Croisette.

When I returned to the hotel at 4.00 pm I was asked for a confirmation and a very kind front desk employee showed me to the luxurious Suite. Unfortunately it was an old Suite and not like expected in the new part of the hotel, but who is discerning at this unbelievable rate? After a few minutes we got a tray of welcome amenities including Macarons, Chocolate, bottled water, apple juice and a fruit plate. The view was so impreesive that we bought some food in a local goods shop and had dinner on one of the most impressive terraces we have ever stayed at, of course with Lounge Music from the Fouquet's Restaurant and beside the breath-taking views over La Croisette and the Palais de la Festival. This might sound like a Fairytale ... in fact it was supposed to be the highlight of the trip (which was topped by the lovely and superb Byblos Saint Tropez)!

The music got more silent around 11.00 pm and when we went to bed at midnight there was nearly mo noise from the terrace on the pool.

The suite itself was about 90 square metres with two bedrooms, both with spacious bathrooms ensuite and of course sea view terraces, too. The bathroom was really old-fashioned with only two large towels, hotel-own toiletries and a very small toilet room where you had to keep the door open while seating on the toilet. The worst of all was, that turndown-service has been forgotten and when they came, after I called them, they just brought chocolates and put the bed in correct order - no water, nor did they replace the towels or toiletries.

Breakfast was very disappointing for this kind of category, the normal price, reputation and location. The breakfast is served until 10.30 am but the buffet was not replaced although there were still many guest in the restaurant at 10.45. This would have been a nice touch. 

When we checked out we received a totally correct bill and a very competent female staff (sorry I did not see the name tag) was doing the check out. The bellmen did a great job and were very kind, too.

In fact it was a really great experience but when I have to pay the normal price, I would insist to get a new room or stay at another Luxury Hotel on the Croisette.

Anyhow I would like to thank the Management of the Majestic Barriere Hotel for the nice amenities, the warm welcome and hosting me at this special price. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

24 hours at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo

Alright, to be honest, the start of my stay was not the best and I would describe it as chaotic amyhow! When we arrived we were greeted by the whole bellmen team and directly accompanied to the front desk by a young trainee who was shouting with one bellman in front of us! Then she checked-us-in and immediately informed us that the room is too small for 3 guests! She told something from Junior Suite and then anything from Superior Room again and 130 Euros. After this chaos - we did not know what happened - she continued with filling out the passport information, gave us invalid Cercle cards and informed us that the room will be ready at 3.00 pm (it was 1:00 pm). In fact we wanted to go to the beach but this wish was gone immediately! Then she told us to leave a number, she will call us. Of course nobody did!

At 2:00 pm I went back to the hotel and I was told by Mrs. Olga, one of the very efficient staff members, the room will be ready within 15 minutes. It was indeed and we finally could refresh ourselfs and went to the beach!

The resorts own shuttle brought us to the famous Monte Carlo Beach within 15 minutes and we just enjoyed the nice weather and the amazing view of Monte Carlo until 6 pm when every guest was kicked out in a friendly way - they just closed the access to the sea!

Back to the hotel, our room, which was upgraded, was really luxurious and smelled very good! The bathroom was very generous with seperate shower and tub, Bulgari toiletries and double basins as well as seperate bidet and toilet! The beds are really good and we got some Laduree macarons and bottled water as a welcome gift!

Breakfast is served in the Mezzanine floor overlooking the courtyards and Gustav Eiffel's winter garden. The service at breakfat was excellent and the buffet large, the products excellent and very fresh! They have a live cooking and the employees serve your breakast choice directly to the table!

At check-out they gave me a bill with the accommodation including breakfast and anther 90 euros for two additional breakfasts. Upon asking why they charged me for breakfast the front desk employee told me that I invited some guests and she has to charge me know. I got really angry at this point and asked for the Front Desk Manager. When she arrived they seemed to be very rude and finally cancelled my breakfast bill. What a shame for this hotel and a Leading Hotels of the World member???

I will give the so "famous" SBM Monte Carlo Company (they own the world famous Casino, Hotel de Paris, Cafe de Paris, Monte Carlo Beach as well as the Hermitage) a second chance by a future stay at their Hotel de Paris, but the Hermitage is definitely not my kind of hotel since they seem to only employ cheap (trainees) at the most important part of a hotel: The front desk.

Next time I will also try to test the Hotel Metropole, to see if this is a common happening in the small country or if it was a unique issue. 

The "Société des Bains de Mer" provided us a very special rate at the Hotel Hermitage, but we did not feel welcomed throughout our stay. Our above written review is our personal opinion and hasn't been influenced.

24 Hours at the Principe di Savoia

This pure Italian Grand Hotel is discretely located on Piazza Repubblica and is one of Milan's biggest hotels. I was a bit scared when I heard that they have nearly 300 rooms but this feeling was gone when I arrived and a very kind bellman welcomed me towards the front desk! Check-in was very efficient and fast, and afterwards I was accompanied to my amazing Ambassador Junior Suite. Of course, I was immediately impressed of the whole interior style of the Principe di Savoia!

Upon entering my Suite I felt that this room is completely different than all other room and suite categories, because all walls were wooden and gave this room the charme of rather staying in a luxe castle then at a huge world class city hotel. Did I already mention that I was arraving at 1.20 pm and I did nit have to wait to get to my room? This was a real exception during my trip (where I also stayed at the Hermitage Monaco and the Majestic Barriere in Cannes and they did not have the room ready when I was arriving)!

Back to Milan, I immediately fell in love with my Junior Suite and continued discovering the gorgeous bedroom as well as the famous mosaic tiled bath heaven! I can imagine that the bath was way bigger then the bedroom but I am not sure!

They also have a shuttle which runs to the center, but unfortunately I did not catch the last limousine departing on 18:30 because I went to the rooftop pool and fell asleep! Some recent guests already mentioned on tripadvisor to extend the shuttle hours, I would also agree, because Milan and its Duomo gets even more impressive at night!

The Health Club on the rooftop is quite luxurious with a proper sized indoor pool at the perfect temperature and a hot jacuzzi ensuite! Normally I am not the work-out-type but this fitness center was so impressive that even I couldn't resist - who would not spot the amazing sunset over a orange sky in Milan?

When I came back from the Spa, which is quite amazing by the way, I found myself in the living room with the most impressive welcome amentites I've ever received! Thanks a lot to the whole team of the Principe di Savoia! Another remarkable thing at this hotel is that they offer Acqua di Parma toiletries in their guest bathrooms and shaving asseccoires by AdP at the Spa, too!

To be honest, the hotel was so stunning, that I just wanted to leave this place all day!
After a very heavenly night in one of the best beds, I was hungry again and had no better idea then to have breakfast at Alcanto Restaurant! The service was very friendly and efficient, the restaurant elegant and luxurious, and the breakfast not enormous but of highest quality!

Try to get a bed and breakfast rate as the breakfast is quite heavy at 45.00 Euros per person! Also the Wi-Fi is not included and charged for 24 Euros per night!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Hotel Principe di Savoia Milano for the generous invitation and I would like to express that all above written is my personal opinion and experience!