Hotel Review - The Hungry Nomad

Athens, Food, Greece, Greek food, Travel

Hilton Hotel (Athens, Greece)

December 22, 2013 1 Comment

We arrived on a hot day in August appearing out of the subway station into a hazy fog and scorching sun that can bring anyone to their knees. Our hotel of choice was the Hilton Athens situated in the Kolonaki district.

Location:

The hotel is very central within walking distance to the upscale shops, bars and restaurants of the Kolonaki neighborhood. The Evangelismos metro station is situated across from the hotel allowing for easy access to the major tourist destinations.

Rooms:

The hotel itself is everything you would expect from an upscale hilton. Great, friendly service with top notch facilities. We were generously given an executive suite overlooking the Acropolis from our room and access to the elegant Executive Lounge, with private check-in/out, in addition happy hour drinks and snacks available until late evening.

The bathroom was extremely clean and crisp with white and grey marble lining the counters and walls. Local Greek wine and a basket of fruits were waiting for us on our arrival. A top to bottom window opened up to a balcony overlooking the Acropolis in the distance. In the evening, the view turned magical with the golden lights of the acropolis reflecting from the distance.

Facilities:

In the heat of the summer, guests can also relax by the outdoor pool before freshening up and heading to the penthouse for drinks at the ever so fashionable Galaxy Restaurant and Bar.
Dining:

The rooftop Galaxy Restaurant and Bar at the Hilton Hotel is a must for anyone who is staying at the hotel and all others who are looking for a night out on the town eating haute international cuisine. The indoor-outdoor bar/restaurant is split into two sections: the bar and on one end the restaurant. We opted to dine at the Galaxy Restaurant during our short trip in Athens and were not let down. In fact, it was one of the best meals we had during our trip in Europe. Wining and dining under the Athenian stars with a view to kill, things could not get better. (See Review on Galaxy Restaurant).

The next morning we enjoyed complimentary continental breakfast enjoyed in the large Byzantino restaurant. It was one of the largest breakfasts we had and featured both local greek flavours and international food. Service was as always immaculate and friendly.

The Hilton Athens is located at: 46 Vassilissis Sofias Avenue, Athens 11528, Greece

Telephone: +1 888-414-2018

Website: Hilton Hotel

Note: Our stay at the Hilton Hotel and all meals were complimentary.

Florence, Italy, Travel, Tuscany

Luxury at its finest at the Il Salviatino (Fiesole, Italy)

November 27, 2013 1 Comment

No matter how many times people advise you to not make a trip to Italy in the scorching heat of August where only tourists roam the streets, somehow you will make the same mistake over and over again. Simply because you are a tourist. We arrived in Florence on one of the hottest days in August, where the sun beamed down its rays with force and might resulting in empty streets. Even the tourists were hiding somewhere. We could not find them. Florence seemed like a deadtown. I was shocked. The Florence I am used to is busy with a certain enigmatic energy flowing through its history-ridden alleys. Our stay inside the town was short and sweet. The heat only allowed so many tour line ups. Luckily, I had predicted this heat and had booked us a mini-retreat in the nearby town of Fiesole at the world class resort of Il Salviatino where we could use the suns ray to our advantage.

Location: This ravishing luxurious 15th century villa is set atop the lush hills of Fiesole overlooking Florence and the rolling Tuscan landscape. The green landscape automatically made it a few degrees cooler than Florence. It is only a short ride away from the center of Florence making it a great option for those wishing to tour Florence while getting a feel for Tuscan living.

Decor: The hotel boasts 19th-century frescoes, antique bath tubs and valuable artwork. The outdoor dining, Italian rose garden and fountains give it a serene and romantic atmosphere. On the eve of our arrival, a band arrived playing their instruments in the Italian garden where guests and locals drank wine and soaked in the beautiful energy of the moment. The villa itself is as breathtaking on the outside as it is on the inside making me wish that I could have had my dream wedding there in another lifetime. (See video: Jazz in the Gardens)

Rooms: The villa has 45 rooms including 22 private suites with stunning views. The rates typically include breakfast served in the gardens (in the summertime). Handmade authentic Tuscan linen, selected artwork and the finest leathers all add to make each one of these suites and rooms a truly unique experience. All rooms include complimentary wi-fi, rain showers, nespresso coffee machines, safes and complimentary water.

Spa: Spa Il Salviatino is operated by Florentine perfumier and cosmetologist Dr Vranjes. There are five treatment rooms set amid rolling Italian gardens, specializing in aromatherapeutic relaxation and anti-ageing treatments.

Dining: The villa has two separate restaurants, Le Serre, a more formal dining experience laid amidst a cozy room set with candlelit tables, or La Terrazza, where you can sit inside our outside.

The food was a modern take on traditional Tuscan cuisine. Favorites included the ricotta and spinach gnudi with sage butter. What was once a historic orchard has now been devoted to an organic vegetable garden, making the fruit and vegetable offerings as fresh as they can get.

Service: While all staff at Il Salviatino were courteous and extremely professional it was not the friendliest of hotels we stayed at. However, after having spent a short amount of time there I see that it is the guests manner that has perhaps led to this. Staying at the Il Salviatino is not an everyday affair, only those with deep pockets can afford to spend more than a few nights there in the summertime. Unfortunately, sometimes guests with deep pockets have a sense of entitlement and speak down to guests. Some of which we witnessed at this hotel. The staff in return have a very withdrawn demeanor which can come across as borderline unfriendly.

Pool: Open between April and October, the terraced pool area has three heated, cascading infinity pools filled with salty mineral water, overlooking a green valley and surrounded by scented roses and lavender.

Amenities: Spa, gym, library, 12 acres of landscaped parkland, free WiFi throughout, free shuttle service to Florence. In rooms: flatscreen TV, Nespresso coffee machines, minibar with complimentary mineral water; iPod docks available on request. Every bathroom has LED-lit rain showers with seats, and some have a Jacuzzi or antique bath tub. All guests are assigned a dedicated ‘ambassador’ to look after them during their stay.

Address: Il Salviatino is located at Via del Salviatino, 12, Florence, Tuscany, 50137

Florence, Food, Hotel, Italy, Travel

A Design Driven Boutique Hotel in the Heart of Florence (Italy)

October 27, 2013 2 Comments

There are many beauties to revel at in Florence and the hotel experience should be something that adds to the experience. On our latest trip to Florence we stayed at the JK Place Firenze– a centrally located hotel which oozes style, design and class. The hotel is situated right on Piazza Santa Maria Novella, one of the many beautiful squares in Florence.

Location:

For convenience sake, the hotel is a 5 minute walk from the local train station in case you, like us, are arriving on the train from another Italian destination. The square has one of the most stunning Basilicas which can be seen from many of the rooms facing the square.

There are no signs at JK Firenze. It is discreet and unassuming and only those in the know will find their way inside. Once inside, guests are left with the impression of being in a home away from home. That is if your home is styled to the nines and is designed to perfection.

Decor:

Guests are greeted at the door by the friendly doorman and walked through the hallway to the ‘front desk’. Except, the front desk is actually a one man desk located in the middle of the hotel surrounded by a dark wood library filled with books, videos and information pamphlets. Check in felt more like arriving at a friend’s home. An ice cold glass of lemonade was handed to us, a thoughtful touch, given that Florence in August is scorching hot.

The framed life drawings, sculptures, images and books remind us that we are in the center of the renaissance art world. At this point, we make our way through the hidden elevator up to our exclusive two-level suite with a view to die for.

Rooms:

Our room was so pleasant, welcoming and beautiful that we just melted into our bed and had to really push ourselves to leave. The first floor featured a beautiful working desk, leather couch and television. The stairs lead up to the second floor bedroom area, bathroom and closet. The high painted ceilings, paneled walls and the modern pieces of furniture made this room one of the nicest during our European journey.

What made the room so special was the carefully selected furniture, design and view on to the square.

Dining:

Continuing with the family-style approach, breakfast was served in a covered courtyard at a communal table encouraging all guests to interact with one another. A buffet filled with fresh fruits, cheese, bread and yogurt is at our disposal. The table is then used throughout the day to offer guests refreshments, cakes and fruits. The big hit was the ice cold watermelon which hit the spot after a long walk around town on a hot August day.

Amenities include:

• Fresh seasonal organic fruit basket in your room

• complimentary mini bar (soft-drinks)

• Daily newspaper

• Buffet breakfast

• Complimentary organic coffee and tea during the stay

• Free Homemade finger food and cakes from J.K. Buffet

• Free WI-FI internet access

• Free access to the exclusive Olimpo SPA Steam Bath (located in via Tornabuoni, two minutes walking)

• Free access to Florence Fitness Gym (located in via dei Fossi, one minute walking),

• Free entrance to all Fiesole museums

• Cd\Dvds selection

JK Place Firenze is located at Piazza di Santa Maria Novella, 7 50123, Florence, Italy, +39 055 264 5181

Granada, Spain, Travel

Hospes Palacio de los Patos in Granada, Spain

August 8, 2013 1 Comment

The Hospes palacio de los Patos was the perfect choice for our stay in Granada. The hotel is set in a 19th-century palace, 650 meters from the Granada Cathedral and steps away from one of the main shopping streets. The UNESCO-protected building features a garden with Arabian-style fountains, spa and dining.

Location: The location is perfect. A 10 minute walk to the main square leading up to the Alhambra but along the main street which is lined with shops, restaurants and cafes. It is the perfect way to see a bit of Granada outside of the tourist trap shops and restaurants. A few minutes walk from the hotel is City Hall behind which is one of the main tapas streets crowded with locals and tourists that have ventured far enough to enjoy some authentic food.

Hotel Decor: The hotel is split in to two separate buildings housing 42 beautifully decorated rooms. One is the restored mansion which is connected to a modern new wing through a garden and courtyard with pools and fountains. It is really nicely done and the architectural coherence between the buildings is impressive. Inside the mansion large central marble stairways led up to a very limited number of hotel rooms. Large doors opened into spacious bright entrance. The bedroom was separate from the bathroom and closet area. It was just perfect. The design is modern yet extremely elegant. The room had laundry and dry-cleaning service, free wireless Internet, flatscreen television, office area, coffee machine, complimentary coffee, tea and water. The hotel also has a spa and full dining area and bar in the new building and in the beautiful courtyard.

Service: Staff members went out of their way to make us feel at home and comfortable. They were all very nice yet not over bearing. They gave us advice as to where to dine and gave us clear directions each day on how to make the best use of our time. Each evening the shades were pulled down and lights turned on for our return. They really spoiled us.

Hospes Palacio de Los Patos is located at:

Solarillo de Gracia, 1
18002 Granada
T +34 958 535 790 | F +34 958 536 968
palaciopatos@hospes.com

Hoi An, Vietnam

A relaxing stay at Palm Garden Resort (Hoi An, Vietnam)

April 23, 2013 1 Comment

Our stay at Palm Garden Resort in Hoi An was to put it simply perfect. It only took seconds to realize it. As the taxi drove up the drive way to the open air grand entrance of the Resort I knew we were in for a treat. The entrance of the hotel is grand and beautiful. The staff welcoming, warm and professional. And if the modernity and bright cleanliness of the hotel is not what you envisioned Vietnam to be like, the traditional clothing worn by the staff will quickly remind you of where you are. Before arriving, we were concerned with the distance from the actual town of Hoi An but all our worries were put to rest as soon as we arrived. There were free hotel shuttles taking guests to and back from town which is only 5 KM away. It’s best to stay at the beach resorts rather than the town because the hotels have so much more to offer as oppose to staying at the town.

The Grounds:

After a smooth check in we were walked through the lush green grounds of the large hotel to our room. The hotel is split into various sections across 5 hectares of beach front property. Of course not all rooms are ocean view but I certainly enjoyed the tropical garden view to that of the beach. Pathways connect all rooms and buildings to the beach, central pool, spa and various restaurants.

The Room:

Our room was exceptionally clean, with large sliding windows leading out to the patio and directly on to the gardens offering a peaceful and relaxing environment where you can only hear the birds and bees. The furnishings were modern Vietnamese. The air conditioning was on full blast and worked really well. The bathrooms were nice and modern although they could use an update as there was a musty smell in the air. My only real complaint about the rooms were the thin walls. In the case that you had a neighbor staying next door, conversations and television noise came through the thin walls. It wasn’t much of a concern of ours since we started our days early in Hoi An either in the fishing village or lying by the beach and ended our nights by coming back late from the village, hands full of shopping bags (I happened to buy some amazing art in the village).

Restaurant:

The food at the hotel is really good and authentic but costs well above what an average meal in Vietnam typically costs. The traditional Vietnamese food specific to the region of Hoi An is available on most of the menus at the hotel and is not to miss. Definitely try the white rose dumplings and lemongrass beef. The breakfast buffet is out of this world with a selection of European continental treats such as waffles and pancakes but also a selection of chinese dim sum, congee, vietnamese pho and much more.

Spa:

The Spa is serene and beautiful from the outside. There are fish ponds surrounding the spa and many of the hotel grounds. And while the grounds are beautiful, the actual services are not very professional (and cost more than what you would typically expect in town). I had a massage and a facial at the Spa which was definitely not what I expected and paid for. The change rooms include a steam and hot sauna and an older jacuzzi.

Overall?

The experience at the Palm Garden Resort was exactly what we needed after our dizzying whirlwind experience in Hanoi and Halong Bay. It is the perfect place on the beach to relax before making your way south to Saigon.

Hotel, Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Travel

Mahekal Beach Resort (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)

November 24, 2011 1 Comment

I have contemplated writing about this resort- I loved it so much that I almost didn’t want to let out the secret. But here it is folks- if you are planning a trip to Playa del Carmen and want something laid back and different than your cancun style hotel strip then I highly recommend Mahekal Beach Resort.

This Mayan paradise is located in Playa del Carmen, nestled between lush tropical gardens and a long strip of pristine white sand beach. Whats more special is that it is located steps away from the wonderful shops and restaurants of 5th avenue, or La Quinta as it is locally known.

If you want luxury, trendy and modernity then don’t stay here. But if you want to be at one with nature, stay in a Palapas style hut steps away from the beach you will love this place as much as we did. The Resort does have its flaws and is a bit outdated (was purchased from Shangri La Caribe a few years back) but the service, amazing layout, location, food and friendliness of all staff really made up for its shortcomings.