Category Archives: Hotel of the Week

La Mamounia. Marrakech, Morocco

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La Mamounia in Marrakech has been an outstanding name in Moroccan luxury for the past 90 years. It is a wonderfully inviting place to enjoy a relaxing time in pure bliss for your Moroccan experience. The hotel is decorated to reflect both contemporary and antique Moroccan accents that will allow you to feel at home in this beautiful palace. 

With 135 rooms, 71 suites, and 3 riads, La Mamounia creates an in­-room sanctuary with the best in decorations and antiques. Whenever I come to Morocco I opt to stay in a traditional Riad, it compliments my adventure with authenticity. Hotel amenities include a 2500 sq. meter spa, an onsite clay tennis court, both indoor and outdoor pools, and a fitness center to make your vacation absolutely ideal. The hotel has 17 acres of gardens with 700 year old olive trees, palm trees, orange trees, and more, all of which make for a lovely morning or afternoon stroll.  Hit Le Spa and choose from a variety of traditional Moroccan treatments and massages, or take a steam in the Hammam room, sauna or jacuzzi. 

The hotel has a number of onsite dining options as well, including Moroccan cuisine at Le Marocain, French fare at Le Français, Italian at L’Italien, and Mediterranean at La Pavillon de la Piscine. l’Italien by Don Alfonso has gathered 2 Michelin stars and is definitely a must-try when staying here.  There are also five bars to chose from for a pre-­dinner cocktail: Le Bar Marocain, Le Bar Italien, Le Bar Churchill, Le Bar de la Piscine and Le Menzeh Glacier et Påtissier. Needless to say you will never have to eat the same thing twice while staying at La Mamounia. 

La Mamounia has absolutely everything you need for your time in Marrakech. You will arrive eager to experience the Moroccan culture, and leave feeling fulfilled because you had the opportunity to experience all that the culture has to offer in the most luxurious way.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property. 

Dar Ahlam: The Memory Road

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If my first experience with Dar Ahlam couldn’t get any sweeter, it’s about to get even better. Even though I did not get to experience this first-hand, the trip of a lifetime has just appeared (all the more reason for me to go back again!).

Curated by Thierry Teyssier, Dar Ahlam has just created a trip to exceed all other Moroccan experiences, Moroccan Memory Road, starting September 15, 2015. The trip is six nights to discover the most amazing landscapes in Morocco: From the green Valley of Argan trees to the sand dunes, until Dar Ahlam. Only a maximum of 6 people are allowed on the trip, with only 100 trips per year, which will be a very exclusive club of people who have been able to experience something so magical.

The trip includes 2 nights at Dar Ahlam, one night in the camp in the sand dunes, and 3 nights in 3 different houses near Agadir, Guelmim, and Tata. 

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

NIGHTS AT DAR AHLAM

Dar Ahlam. Skoura, Morocco.

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You might think your driver is lost a couple times before you reach Dar Ahlam. The unassuming  road and location of this ancient Kasbah is what makes it so special and unique.

Dar Ahlam is located 5 hours south of Marrakech, in the outskirts of the Sahara desert in the town of Skoura.

As you arrive to the oasis in which the Kasbah is located in, you will see that the surroundings look very similar to the scenery in the movies of Lawrence of Arabia, Prince of Persia and Gladiator, it’s because they were all filmed here. 

The spectacular beauty of the desert with oasis’s scattered around Skoura has attracted travelers from all over the world, however, the most important one in my opinion was the owner of the stunning Dar Ahlam.

The crooked small door will make you think you are checking in to a local’s house rather than a luxury hotel, however, do not judge the book by its cover. As soon as you step in, you will be blown away by this 12 bedroom Kasbah.

The rules are, there are no rules and there is no restaurant. The restaurant is anywhere you want it to be. Reason why we had lunch inside the creek, in the rooftop, in the vegetable garden and in the middle of the desert.

Every meal is a surprise by Chef Mohammed, and each meal exceeded my expectations. All the produce is grown in their garden and all the flavors are as intense as their colors. If you want to explore the grades, the Chef would be happy to walk you around and explain every corner of their enchanting garden.

The balance between the simplicity and elegance was perfectly achieved. Our room, the birdcage room, was my favorite due to its size, the numerous fireplaces and decor. Every bedroom is slightly different, but the Deluxe Suite category are superb

The Kasbah is small, so staying active is a must. The walk along the oasis and ride with the camels is a great way to immerse yourself in their culture, however a day of relaxation in their dreamy pool is also a must. 

Abdul, the guide, is the most knowledgable and interesting man I met during my trip. His explanation of every inch of his country is beautiful and admirable. He was the one that took us glamping in the valley of the roses, my favorite experience of the trip, so make sure you do not miss this overnight camping tour. 

During the valley of the roses camp, the only guests there will be you and your better half. They have 10 people at your service at all times, setting spectacular tables in different locations depending on the time of day. At night they light everything wig candles and bonfires, so the scene is more than romantic. During the day you can visit caves nearby with nomads living in them. Most of them have never seen foreigners before so the culture shock is mind blowing.

My stay at Dar Ahlam was everything I thought a real Moroccan experience would be, an more.

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Kasbah Tamadot. Atlas Mountains, Morocco

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Walking into Kasbah Tamadot is like walking into Aladdin’s castle. Sir Richard Branson’s stunning retreat, originally a private residence, is nestled in the foot of the towering Atlas Mountains in the Berber region. 

As you are driving up to the retreat, the red clay and mud wall towns surrounding the Kasbah are reminiscent to the real ancient Morocco. This area dates back to the 16th century and any new buildings such as the Kasbah have stayed true to that century, most of them avoiding any kind of modernization.

The hotel was a private residence for an Italian merchant in the early 1980’s until it was sold to Sir Richard Branson in 1998 and opened as a hotel in 2005. His mother happened to stumble upon this magnificent home during one of her trips, before telling her son he needed to buy it and turn it into a luxury hotel. 

Since then, Virgin did a mayor renovation adding spectacular tents, upgrading the existing bedrooms and building a gigantic breathtaking pool.

The service from the moment you set foot in the hotel is superb. You have a delicious cold towel, delicious Moroccan tea and appetizers waiting for you while you check in. Then they swiftly take you to your uber chic room and drill you on the amazing activities during your stay. Make sure you request the Afulky Berber Tent during your stay if possible, the private jacuzzi overlooking the second highest peak in Africa is pretty amazing.

Your days will be filled with relaxing hours next to the spectacular pool, unforgettable hikes, traditional Moroccan delicatessens, dinners in the middle of olive tree gardens and outdoor screening of classical films like Casablanca. Dream come true!

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Royal Mansour. Marrakech, Morroco.

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Bordering with the 11th century Medina, lies the most fantastic spot in Marrakech, The Royal Mansour Hotel. Walking into the hotel is to step into the vision of a grand Moroccan palace. And not just any vision, but the vision of the King of Morocco, who oversaw its construction over five years, completing it in 2009. The artisanal details are stunning; from the meticulously hand carved white plaster along the walls to the intricately laid marble and tile covering the floors.

With only 26 riads in total (mostly occupied at all times) the extensive grounds make you feel like you are the only guest in the hotel. The two and three bedroom riads are perfect for a family getaway, and the one bedroom riad is ideal for a romantic escape for two.

The spa is carefully decorated with white marble and white iron, transmitting a relaxing vibe. The deep tissue massage is second to none, be sure to ask for Nagiba for the best massage of your life. After the treatment, the relaxing room was the second best thing, comprised by little nooks with heavenly pillows, beds and treats.

They have three restaurants, La Grande Table Marocaine, La Grande Table Francais both for dinner and the main breakfast and lunch restaurant. The Moroccan restaurant is a must try the day you get there. The lamb shoulder with couscous will forever be in my list of what to order when in Royal Mansour.

Everything about the hotel is grandiose–the hallways and common areas are expansive, the rooms are all individual riads laid out on three stories, the palm trees rival the tallest buildings in the city. Every inch of the hotel is full of natural light, soothing fountains, and ever-attendant staff happily fulfilling ever request “with the pleasure”.

My stay was truly a regal one.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Amankila. Manggis, Bali

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When I first pictured Bali I pictured lush rainforest, white sandy beaches, birds of paradise flying everywhere, and monkeys playing in the trees. Although my imagination got the best of me a little bit with this idea, for the most part it was true. The Amankila truly embodied most of what I had dreamed Bali would be, with a few differences. Located along the Manggis coastline, just an hour and a half from the airport, I loved how the hotel was located away from the hustle and bustle of the city area. Bali has gotten to be quite a busy place, so it was nice to see what Bali was like before it became so developed. Unlike most Aman hotels, this Aman has white-washed walls and is very open-aired, a little more Bali than Aman.

Located on the cliffs of Amuk Bay, this hotel has some of the best views I’ve seen yet. Located among vast rice paddies, high volcanoes, and the ocean, this is the near-perfect location I’ve been searching for. There are 34 stand-alone villas nestled among the rainforest with alang alang thatched roofs fashioned after traditional Balinese beach homes. There are 6 different types of suites: Garden Suite, Ocean Suite, Pool Suite, Kilasari Suite, Indrakila Suite, and the Amankila Suite. Opt for the amazing Kilasari Suite, while all the rooms are pretty identical, this suite comes with Ocean Views and a 12m pool.

Above the romantic three-tiered pool over-looking spectacular views of the coastline is The Terrace restaurant, which serves Asian and Western cuisine and is open for lunch. The other dining option, The Restaurant, is available for evening dining with cocktails or aperitifs enjoyed in the open-air bar. The Restaurant also offers cooking lessons, in which a couple will travel to the fish market in the early morning and then travel back to the hotel where they will learn how to cook authentic Indonesian food for their lunch.

One of my favorite things about the Amankila is there beach club. It is a very rare find in Bali, especially to have such a beautiful black-sand beach that is actually swimmable. A path leads to the resort’s private beach which offers eight bales, windsurfers, kayaks, boogie boards, Hobie Cats and two outriggers. The beach club also offers a private restaurant, 41 meter lap pool, and butler service. The Amankila also offers numerous romantic activities for couples and family-friendly activities for those traveling with young kids. My favorite activity would be the privately chartered yacht for a cruise around the coast with snorkeling and diving activities, followed by a picnic on a private beach, and a sunset cruise with cocktails.The Amankila truly embodies what I feel Bali should offer for an island resort and is the perfect destination whether you are 30 on your honeymoon or 50 and traveling with your family.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Four Seasons at Sayan. Ubud, Bali.

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Ubud is the inland jungle area of Bali, known for it’s rich culture, rice paddies, traditional villages, and stunning jungle landscape. I have to admit, I’m much more of a beach person, I could live and die by the ocean. But, something about Ubud has me smitten. It is unlike any other place I’ve ever experienced and is a sight to be seen.There are many wonderful hotels in Ubud that have stunning views of the jungle valley and rivers (they could’ve filmed Jurassic Park here), but the Four Seasons at Sayan is much different from the rest. The entrance to the hotel is very hidden and leads you down a road that is so narrow you wonder if this is the right way through. Down a winding driveway you go all the way to there reception where you are greeted with the Four Seasons customary blessing ceremony. From there you are guided down a long pathway over a huge bridge into the heart of the valley. The FS At Sayan has one of the most extraordinary entrances for a hotel I have ever seen, I literally stared in awe for about 10 minutes just taking it all in. The draw bridges leads to a giant pond of water with koi fish and lily pads, which leads to the lobby down a staircase through the pond.

The lobby is a canopy treehouse that is large and open-aired with spectacular views of the river down below. A guide will lead you to your villa or room, which are situated among giant rice paddies to give you the feeling that you’ve left the hotel and entered some luxurious village. They wanted to keep the hotel more intimate and exclusive, there are 18 spacious suites and 42 private villas. The top of the villas have thatched grass roofs and staircases winding down to your private pool and extraordinary room. I recommend the 1-bedroom villa with river view, the villas come with infinity pools overlooking the river and a private lawn where you can do a romantic candlelit dinner for two along the river. The beds are huge four post beds with large mosquito netting draped around it and each room comes equipped with indoor/outdoor showers and a soaking tub.

There are two dining options: the pool club which is situated right along the river bed with a 30 meter infinity pool, or the terrace restaurant which serves excellent breakfast. Both have amazing views but opt for the pool club for dinner, it is very romantic with amazing bistro french food curated by Head Chef Jocelyn Argaud. If you’re on your honeymoon, you must do the couples spa day in your own private spa villa. The spa treatments are amazing and the private villas are perfect for…relaxation. One of my favorite things about the hotel is the vast number of complimentary activities the hotel provides daily. From sunrise yoga to guided bike tours of the villages, the Four Seasons truly wants you to experience and appreciate the culture of Ubud. My favorite activity is the guided walking tour of the rice paddies and village, followed by a couples spa treatment and picnic riverfront lunch.

The Four Seasons at Sayan spares no expense at this hotel, with top level service and amenities, this hotel is the perfect place for people seeking the right balance of adventure and relaxation.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Alila Villas Uluwatu. Bali, Indonesia

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Alila Villas Uluwatu was the first stop I made after leaving the airport. I had heard great things about the Alila Villas, they were sleek and modern, without sacrificing Balinese culture. The first thing I noticed about Alila Uluwatu was how open-aired it was, it brought a sense of calm and well-being to my frazzled and jet lagged emotional state. The lobby was very clean and very white, with hints of dark recycled wood furnishings on the walls and ceilings.

One thing I have come to realize about the Alila villas Uluwatu is how different it is from all the other hotels in Bali. Most of the hotels use traditional dark wood paneling and Balinese stone to outline their hotels, Alila did the opposite. The hotel is clean and fresh white, with green from nature and blue from the sky and water. You feel revitalized just by looking at it. It is also, arguably, the most Eco-friendly hotel in Bali, without sacrificing luxury or service. They use recycled water for their fountains, locally source their food & ingredients, and hire people from the local village to support the economy.

The hotel boasts a huge infinity pool over looking their private beach (walkable but not swim able) and 9 “nests”. These nests are large wooden structures planted on the side of the building with a drop-down view of the cliff side and beach, along with some of the best sunset views imaginable. Alila Villas Uluwatu truly wanted to put an emphasis on structure, design, and most importantly, food. Their two restaurants showcase the best seafood and Balinese cuisine around. One of the best activities at the hotel is actually an all-day cooking and culture class. First you head to the local fish market to pick out your fish and tour the local village. Then, you head back to the hotel for a picnic lunch followed by the cooking class with the head chef.

With only 56 One Bedroom villas and 9 Three Bedroom villas, they wanted to keep the resort small and intimate. Each villa comes with a private butler service who is there for you 24/7. The villas are very open and flow nicely, any feng shui master would approve. They also come with private garden pavilions and private plunge pools in case you would like an intimate dinner from the privacy of your home.

The villas also come equipped with a gym, which offers daily sunrise yoga, and a fantastic spa perfect for any couple in need of some TLC after a long flight. What’s really standout about this hotel is the intimacy it provides. Alila wants to respect the privacy of it’s guests by maintaining it’s distance, but also wants to keep the hotel small enough so you’re never far away. Which vastly contradicts the humongous resorts that have planted themselves along the more populated beaches of Bali. This hotel is perfect for those who want a more modern hotel without sacrificing culture.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

Bvlgari Hotel. Bali, Indonesia

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30+ hours of travel and I have finally arrived. I would gladly do the overnight layover in a strange and unknown airport just to be sitting where I am now, toes dipped in my cooling private plunge pool. I wasn’t sure what to expect going on this trip, but whatever it was my experience has far succeeded my expectations. After visiting some beautiful hotels (articles coming soon) I finally checked in to my slice of heaven.

The Bvlgari Hotel sits on a cliff in the Uluwatu region of Bali, a little off the beaten path. A steep downhill turn brought me to the lobby entrance, an open terrace with a large dark roof. The kind concierge greeted me with what may be the most delicious mojito I’ve ever had! The terrace has views of the surrounding jungle and ocean, making me catch my breath at the sunset. My private butler, who is at your service 24/7 during your trip, greeted me and proceeded to take whisk me away on a tour of the hotel. Thick cobble-stoned roads surrounded by lush forest rushed past me in our golf cart.

The Bvlgari Hotel wanted to stay true to Balinese culture, making sure the hotel was Eco-friendly and supported local villages by decorating the interior rooms with their art. Each room comes with at least a partial ocean view, which can be rare in Bali. The rooms are made of natural dark wood and stone, with large outdoor sitting areas and private plunge pools. Privacy comes first at this hotel, with each door to the villas looking like a secret passageway only you know about.

Il Ristorante, their award-winning Italian restaurant, has traditional music playing and I can faintly hear it over the ocean waves and sounds of nature. As we speak I am devouring a delicious 5-course tasting meal I can only describe as “euphoric” (let’s blame my constant diet of airplane food for the past 30 hours on that word). The hotel also has a 6am to midnight restaurant that is more casual dining and a beach club for lunchtime.

The Bvlgari Hotel is the only hotel in Bali with it’s own private beach that is actually swimable. My butler has already planned a private yoga session for me early tomorrow morning to help me combat the jet lag. Already today I have met wild monkeys, seen shooting stars, ate glorious food, and met some of the kindest individuals to date. To say Bali has touched me would be an understatement.

But what most attracts me to the Bvlgari Hotel is the level of service. Every staff member knew me by name and the even the servers at the restaurant were as friendly as can be. They truly made me feel like I was the most important guest at the hotel.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.

The Baccarat Hotel. NYC

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I have a very good sense of direction, and I will freely admit this. However, walking around New York City can be a little disorienting and even though I arrived to the address of the hotel, I could not find it. Standing in front of this giant onyx-colored building with sparkling glass walls, I thought to myself this must be some invite-only club or some over-the-top business building, this great building cannot be the hotel. Sure enough, I was standing in front of The Baccarat Hotel.

Walking in to the hotel, the entrance has walls of Baccarat crystal glasses with lights inside of them, creating a dance strobe-like effect on the walls. You also smell something beautiful, the signature scent created specifically for Baccarat, which I’m sure they pump through the air vents to create the illusion you are staying in a flower garden. You take the elevator up to the lobby on the second floor where you walk into their Grand Salon: three rooms separated by giant Baccarat crystal doors or walls. There are grand bouquets of roses on every other table accompanied by little Baccarat crystal glasses, even the basic water glasses are made of Baccarat crystal. Enormous crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings adorned with little ruby detailing, the rarest form of crystal that can be made. I do not exaggerate when I say that anything that could be made of crystal at this hotel, is made of Baccarat crystal. Also, did I mention that the wallpaper was made of silk?

By any standard, their lowest-level bedrooms are very large, but by New York City hotel standards, their showers are HUGE! It is rare to find rainforests showers and a soaking tub in the bathroom without having to pay a million extra bucks. The four-post beds are insanely fluffy and comfortable, and the TV is located in a giant mirror in front of your bed. The room comes stocked with the latest in technology, including your own private butler app in which you can close the blinds, order room service, and turn off all the lights just from your phone.

The hotel has three wining and dining options. You can choose to eat in the Grand Salon, which I definitely recommend going at tea time for scones and tea sandwiches or during their wine tasting hour. The Bar feels like Moulin Rouge meets Alice in Wonderland. It’s quirky and fun and ridiculous in all the right ways, not to mention their cocktail pack a mean punch! Their downstairs restaurant, Chevalier, was rated one of the top new hottest restaurants in New York City for 2015. I recommend dining at the Chef’s Table for a 15-course meal of utter perfection.

When designing the Baccarat Hotel, management told the interior designers only two words, “implosion” and “explosion”. The hotel is a masterpiece and must be seen to be believed. However, for being as high-class as it is, the hotel is not stuffy or snooty because they do not believe in turning down patrons who would like to come up for a drink even if they’re not wearing Prada or Tom Ford. The Baccarat has set a new standard for class in New York City.

 

Photographs courtesy of the property.