Luxury Travel Review

SOON : Saint Barths review

2012-01-25T02:26:00.000-08:00

South Beach Miami

2012-01-18T04:25:00.000-08:00

To escape the winter a good destination is with no doubt South Beach. We make a stop over for few days on our way to Saint Barth. The best hotel to stay there is the Delano even if I can complain about the rooms and shower rooms which are ridiculously small for the price they charge. You also need to be award that they will charge you with every thing they can like the umbrella on the beach. And that you may have to share your room with a Cockroach like we experience and that they absolutely don't care...no apologize. And you need to be award that they will not reply to your complain.

However, the Delano lobby is amazing, after 10 years it is still very hip, glamour and trendy.

We visit the new Mandrian...no interest, the location is bad, the design very "plastic fantastic". If you have seen the picture on a travel review you had seen all.

The Satay looks like a Disney setting

The Victor Hotel is very very faded

The Shore club don't bother... looks nice only in the dark

All the other hotel have no interest.

If you travel during the Stone Crab period make sure you have some. You can go to Joe Stone Crab restaurant we did not it was closed on Monday.

Best restaurant for Lunch: Satay restaurant on the beach

Best diner : Azul at the Mandarin oriental downtown Miami

Best shopping place and experience: Webster

What to do: people watching at the Delano swimming pool, Chill out at the D beach and of course run, walk on the front beach path.

Chamonix

2011-12-17T03:58:00.000-08:00

The ski season is open, the snow is here all perfect. Chamonix has a major face lift. With the ringing out of the old year and in with the new comes an enormous change . Elsewhere shops are empty and closing in Chamonix there is an enormous amount of fantastic new shops and restaurant openings capturing the spirit of the place .
Lets start by mentioning a major restaurant and bar opening with Cap Horn ( related only by the owner being the cousin of the piste restaurant in Courchevel ) . It has a super sushi bar , fab tapas Jazz bar and excellent restaurant : opposite is Munchie also very cool and some of the most interesting food in Chamonix - move over Nobu this is much better

Other major changes are the Boardrider shop , completely in the freeride spirit of Chamonix . People talk about Chamonix in many ways but often mention extreme sports and purity of sport . To be clear its been updated - you can ski wild on skis so fat that they could be two snow boards ( black crow was born here ) but you can shop in Chanel , see the beautiful people 20 years younger than Megeve and beautifully dressed in cutting edge ski wear and now chic evening wear . Watch out Courchevel and St Anton and Verbier- Chamonix is changing the beautiful , the wealthy and those avoiding the change in the swiss franc will all be here this year with shopping , eating and skiing to match every range from world champion skiers , russian oligarchs ; english bankers ( usually French but working in London) to boys and girls in camper vans who just want to ski . An exotic mix - IT WORKS - be there or be square .
Best of the Alps it is!

Favourite adresses in Chamonix:
Restaurants: Munchie, Bistro, La Remise d'Argentière
For lunch on the slope: "eat shit " or go to Courmayeur....best place Maison Vieille.
Woman fashion: Chanel
For mens clothing by on line: Mr Porter
Sport Shop: for training shoes : Ravanel and co
For ski boots and fitting see Jules at Sanglard
For skis and all technical equipment : Snell
For ski google: POC
For sportswear: peak performance
Best bread: Saint Hubert
For traditional Butcher (one of the best in france) : Minié
Hairdresser: Le Salon

Paris

2011-12-05T07:10:00.000-08:00

Before the ski season, and when the Christmas decoration are on Paris is a wonderful destination.
After having staying in some of the best boutique hotel in Paris we want back to the real Palace and I have to say it is much much better. The Plaza Athénée is a great place the service is as it would be and even better than expected. The breakfast is delicious. They have a very trendy bar. The location is excellent on Avenue Montaigne, right in the luxury shopping district (Montaigne and close to Saint Honoré) You can walk to the main Museum (Le Louvre, Musé d'Orsay, Branly, Musée d'Art Moderne, Palais de Tokyo). Ask the Concierge for the entrance ticket it will save you from queuing up.
For a fine dinning Lasserre is a very good choice, very France cuisine and nothing molecular. It is in amazing building with a retractable roof !

Tanzania Dar El Salem & Serengeti

2011-12-05T06:36:00.000-08:00

If you fancy a long safari week end in Tanzania I highly recommend Singita Sabora tented Lodge in Grumeti Reserves.

To get there you need to spend a night In Dar El Salam. The unique choice for the hotel is the Kilimangaro Hyatt. Probably the best hotel in town : good services, fine diner. The guest are very mix , business people, safari tourist, hunters, NOG workers, Chineses, airline crews.... which make it very interesting.

The next day you will have to fly at least to small planes to arrived in Grumeti Reserves. The Sabora Tented camp is a fix camp. We all the luxury you can dream off. Bath, air conditioning, fine cuisine, excellent service, spa. Two games are schedule per day... a great pleasure. For the first time we saw some tree Lions, very amazing. What it is fantastic in this camp is that you are surrounded by wild life all the time. You see during the day some zebrs, Buffalo...and you hear them during the night.

You can also have diner in the two other lodge they have in the Reserves.

Venise, Redemption day and Biennale

2011-07-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

Venise is one of my favorite place on the planet. This particular moment of the year is magic. We saw the most beautiful and longest (45 mm) firework perform on the Grand Canal. We stay at Cipriani which is the best hotel for the summer as you can profit from the swimming pool. We attend a special diner at the Cip's on the terrace which is the absolute best location to watch the firework.
On sunday, we did an early footing to enjoy Venise without the crowd and use the privilege of crossing the pop up bridge across the islands.
Follow by the Biennale at the Arsenal and Punta del Dogna.
Best summer lunch: Griffit's on the Grand Canal.

ZANZIBAR

2011-06-09T01:24:00.000-07:00

Voted one of the best and more exotic beach island in the world by Condé Naste.
Located in the Indian Ocean the Zanzibar Archipelago has gorgeous white sand beachs. Now part of Tanzania it has been before controlled by the Sultanate of Oman and part of the British empire. As a result there is a strong influence from Arabs, Indians, Africa and British.
Which make it a very special and colorful place.

Highlight: the color of the sand and its special texture. Watching the local fishing poulp at low tide. The beauty of women in there colorful outfit. The market. The wood doors in Stone town. the hotel. The local boats.

Best place to stay: Hotel Baraza. Open recently this five stars hotel really bright luxury to is highest to Zanzibar. The location is outstanding. The hotel is look like an Oman Sultan Palace with a very particular attention to details. It is all very well done. The service is immaculate.
Thing to do: Visit Stone town and the market. Dive. Run on the white beach. Reef walking.
June is a good time to go the raining season is finish, the temperature is very nice and there is not to many tourist.

Up date on José Ignacio

2011-01-13T05:40:00.000-08:00

We have been enchanted by the charm of this little village , last year So we decided to go back , to escape for a few days from the cold european winter season.
We tried a new place in town: "Playa Vik" which has been reviewed in all the luxury travel magazine , coming out as a must go destination. Unfortunately, the place absolutely did not meet our expectations. First of all, it is not finished and as a result , the guests had to suffer a lot of inconvenience. Secondly, it is more a villa rental than its seven star hotel billing(without any kitchen facilities though) The design is also very disappointing. The main building , which they call "the Sculpture " looks more like an Airport Terminal and looks very strange among , the village houses in JI that are a beautiful blend of edgy design and local architecture . The way the villas themselves are poorly situated and do not really take advantage of the amazing ocean front view , in fact they ignore it. They also dont appreciate that having internal facing glass walls , leaves either no privacy or the need to have the blinds permanently closed

However, the location is excellent, right in the village, on the beach. They have a very nice outside fire place , where you can enjoy the sunset. To conclude, I will not recommend this place. Casa Suaya is probably the best choice.

Lunch: the best place to go is La Huella, great service, good food, excellent ambiance.
We also recommend, if you want to escape a few hours from the beach, to drive to the small village of Garzon an enjoy a fine lunch at El Garzon. The chef and owner Mallmann is one of the best chef in South America.

Diner:
Los Negos: the pop up restaurant of Malmann set in the unfinished Setai hotel. The design is very edgy, a mix of rough concrete and lemons suspended with signature lighthouses everywhere in designer style....a must see.

Butia: restaurant of Casa Suaya. The chef Clo Dimet is a disciple of Francis Malmann. Her cuisine is more authentic. We really enjoyed it and Adolfo the owner understands the social graces of guests unlike his Playa Vik neighbours.

Estancia Vik : for a Parillada barbecue( you need to book). The Parillada room has been painted by an edgy street artist and it is stunning.

La Huella... of course

What to do: visit Estancia Vik during a polo match. Shopping at la Barra and Bikini (Converse shop, Osklen, Nike) . Drive to the laguna. Visit Pablo Atchugarry Foundation. Horse back ridding. Bike riding. Running on the beach. Watch the horses and cows! Birding. Drink Caipirinha at la Huella. Enjoy life....

LOng week end in South Africa

2011-01-13T04:30:00.000-08:00

We started this long week end with a stop in Johannesburg.
Best place to stay: is in the modern and super chic Melrose Arch , which is located in a very nice and safe district, surrounded by shops and restaurants.
Best place for dinner: The Butcher Shop in Nelson Mandela Square.
What to do : hire a car with chauffeur and have a complete tour of the town including Soweto.

ThEn we took a small plane to head to my favorite destination Kruger park. This time we stayed at Singita Ebony Lodge. You will never be disappointed by any of the Singita Games lodges. The service is immaculate, the game safaris are amazing and the cuisine and wine are the finest.
We were there in July , so Winter , for this part of the world. Ebony is a great choice for this time of year , as is it much more cosy than Boulder. Absolutely love the place.

2010-10-14T03:28:00.000-07:00

A long week end in Dubai.
This is a very good place for a long week end just before winter time is upon us. The temperature is very nice and the sea water amazingly warm.
Where to stay: of course at Burj Al Arab. Treat yourself with a suite at the best hotel on the planet (7 stars) and immerse in the abundance of Ali Baba legends of the persian gulf. The smallest suite has two floors, and the decoration is very opulent , in night blue and gold shades. You will have your own butler ane the bathroom offers a wealth of Hermes products.
The only weak point: we were not very impressed by the breakfast and too many people being let in he hotel who are not staying, taking pictures.
Dubai is a gourmet paradise, all of the best chefs of the world have a restaurant here. Our favorites are: for Lunch Pierchic and one&only Mirage.
For diner: Nobu , Armani, AL Mahara, all have delicious fine food and amazing design.
Highlights not to miss: the water show in the new Burj Kalifa, shopping at the Dubai Mall . A must see at the same place is the water fountain with the diver sculpture and the aquarium. The gold and spice souk for a persian feel , which is super very busy near the pier , with sailors smuggling products to Iran.

Of course, swimming in the bath temperature , Persian gulf and incredible skyscraper watching , rising out of the sand.

2010-06-07T02:16:00.000-07:00

Beirut

There is one destination that is all over the travel and style magazines this year and its Beirut . So we decided to have a look and fly over for a long week end. To get a bit of sun and soak in the ambiance , just a couple of hours from Europe.
Some after "war" buildings are still there and despite the claims of new harmony you can see some UN and military troops hanging around . Most of the city has been cleaned up and rebuilt.
Massive investment has been made for reconstruction. You can feel a real desire to be back on the map with heavy reference back to the towns glory days of glitz and glamour . Beirut is putting all the effort to become the destination of the middle east.
Luxury shopping, luxury hotels and apartments, good restaurants, friendly people , safe and discreet banking system , are all part of a good recipe.
Mosques and churches have been built next to each other. In the tourist district you don't feel any cultural tension and harmony of religions appears to exist

We stayed at the four seasons which opened few months before. We chose this hotel , for is location on the water front and for the roof top swimming pool. Both very disappointing , as , all around the hotel is a construction site and the roof top swimming pool is not yet open .
Anyway, if you do not pay attention to that , and if you also do not pay attention to too much of the Chinese influence in the hotels decoration, which feels strange in this location , this is the best place to stay.
The service is immaculate. If you forget your sport shoes and go to the gym , they will provide you with a brand new pair ...To compensate for the absence of swimming pool , you have access to the George Yacht club which is just next door. Despite the plastic chairs, you will meet there the "happy few" of Beirut in Bikinis smoking Nargilé.
This is the place to be seen as are other beach clubs a taxi ride away
The other new hotel in town is the Gray , which is located downtown, in the new shopping district. There you will find all the luxury brands, nice cafés and restaurants.

Where to eat: Al sultan Brahim, Casa Blanca. Babel (if you like big busy places), Cocteau is an excellent chic French restaurant
Day trip : Byblos
Beach: Orchid Beach Club...white, clean..Nikki beach look alike, 30 mm from Beirut

Beirut is a smoking friendly city.

2010-01-20T03:54:00.000-08:00

South America: Buenos Aires, José Ignacio, Rio

Argentina: Buenos Aires. A very clean and green city.

Hotel Faena, Stark designed. we are big fans, he always mixes his particular style whilst keeping the atmosphere of the local place. Set in a completly new developpement in the city

Drink: Maté, herbal tea found in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, South Brazil. They drink it all day long, carrying they maté cup and thermos of hot water everywhere
Food: Dulce de Leche
Restaurant: Cabanas las Lilas, good Argentinan steakhouse with a nice outside terrace on the riverbank. Olsen for lunch, located in Palermo a very nice shopping district with a nice garden terrace.
Shopping: Dolphino, Etiquetta Negra (local brand)
What to do: take aTango lesson of course! Visit the museum of modern art, the best Andy Warhol exhibition I have ever seen.

Uruguay: José Ignacio

Amazing place, just love it. Great beaches, amazing houses, ultra safe, pretty and nice people, fantastic food. Nice landscape enormous Estancias with cows and horses. Overall very very cool. Make sure you go end of December beginning of January it is the high season.

Hotel: Casa Suaya. Great setting, lovely view, great room. The place to stay for the moment.

Drink : Maté

Food: Dulce de leche...also available in ice cream!

Shopping: La manaus del Uruguay in Punbta del Este, love their Ponchos!

What to do : rent a car. Running on the beach, horse back riding, Polo, kite surf, windsurf, surf or just watch them play . Birding (watching birds). Shopping in Punta del Este and Barra.

Where to eat: you have a lot of choice the place is just amazing , when it comes to food.
The master of all is Pueblo Garzon, own by the chef Francis Mallmann who has been the inspiration to the whole region. All the chefs around have been educated at this school.
The service is always great and people very friendly.

Best Restaurant: Pueblo Garzon, located in a small village Garzon 40mm from José Ignacio. To get there you will have to drive on a dirt road throught a fabulous landscape of pampas and wild horses. Nice road trip. There is two other restaurants in the village that we have not tried but suppose to be good also. The food is the best of the region.

La Huella, a beach restaurant always busy , from breakfast to late at night. it is what Club 55 in St Tropez should be .....great food excellent service overall very professional. Need to book if you want a table.Really one of the best beach clubs on the planet
Isla Fleura,Namm, Butia, Sarava and more are all great restaurants...

What to bring back: Dulce de leche of course, Maté and the maté cup and some Poncho from la Manos del Uruguay in Punta del Este

Brazil: Rio

Hotel : Fasano (check last post on Rio)

What to do: shopping in Ipanema and Leblon, look for Olsken and the local brands.

Visit the Botanic Gardens,
Bay watch helicopter rescue are like theatre. About 20 people are rescued per day by heli on Ipanema , quite amazing to watch them, they are excellent.
Exercise on the beach, run, walk , bike...everybody is there. Best time to go 7 am before its gets to hot (34°) midday. On Sunday they close one way of the front beach road , so people can take over, great idea! They run , skate and bike or just walk

Take a private car and do a tour of the city, visit a couple of the amazing churches and the famous oldest bakery in the city.
Where to eat: Rio is not a foodie city however you can find some good restaurants: Gero, Fasano El Mare...
What to drink: Aica berry juice (a berry coming from Amazonia), excellent. Coconut water. Caipirinha , Caipirinha , Caipirinha!

2009-11-23T01:01:00.000-08:00

Paris

Not much is going on in Paris. But Paris is Paris. The best shopping district is still Avenue Montaigne, François 1er and Avenue du Faubourg Saint Honoré (All in walking distance).
We used to stay at Pershing Hall near the same aera. However, this will be the last time. We do not agree with the new principle "Pay more Get Less". You pay George V prices get no service at all. Forget the Boutique hotels in Paris , go for 5 stars:
Hotel Barriere Fouquet or Georges V. Just make sure you book the one in the location you like and which attract guests in the same tribe as you.
Restaurant: Avenue Montaigne is still a must
Pinxo owned by Chef Dutournier is very a good choice also for lunch. Stick at the bar.
Go for the Michelin stars restaurants you should not be disappointed. Or for the real fashionita Parisian experience Avenue , they are all there

2009-11-16T23:44:00.000-08:00

London

I need to update my list of restaurants in London. On paper , London is not the capital of Gastronomy it is Tokyo with 11 , 3 star Michelin restaurants , then it is Paris with 10. However, London is a city where there is always something is happening and a lot of new restaurants , they just pop up.
So far my favorite restaurant is UMU, a Japanese michelin star restaurant. Eating at the bar is always more fun, you can enjoy the talent of the sushi chef. Do you know thee guys need at least 7 years of study to be a master sushi chef , as much as a doctor ! This is art on the plate, I never have enough of it. They also offer cooking classes on Saturday...on my list of things I want to do

Since Joel Rebuchon opened his restaurant L'Atelier , the big trend in London is the tapas type of food served at the bar. An excellent one surfing on this trend , located in Soho is Barrafina. Which I will define as fine Spanish tapas.

From the same owners Sam and Eddy, in the same district you should also try QUO Vadis, an excellent restaurant. The menus change often. The dishes are fresh, tasty and delicious! If you know the right people you can enjoy a cocktail upstairs at their private club.

Cipriani is still on the circuit of rich and famous. Scotts and Cecconi's are on the list also. Scotts is good for seafood and Cecconi is a good place for breakfast.

Hix just opened in Soho, good service, good english food...good place for oysters.
Aqua from Hong Kong just opened two restaurants , but I have not be there yet.

Despite the financial crisis there have been many new openings in Canary Wharf area: Roka just opened another place there and Jamie Oliver opened an Italian restaurant also.

What to do in London:

Don't miss Anish Kipoor at the Royal Academy of Art (until december 11) especially is work on wax!
National Portrait Gallery: Beatles to Bowie exhibition
Saatchi Gallery
Also some very interesting private galleries near Bond Street
and of course the Xmas lights !

Nails & Amp; Nail and eyebrow Champagne bar at Harvey Nichols: try this Indian technique a bit painful but quick and efficient.

2009-11-16T22:59:00.000-08:00

Boston

I have to say Boston was not on my top list of "I really have to go place"!

First of all, I was not excited to fly to the USA via Newark. Despite them taking all of your 10 fingers print and your picture, they are quite friendly nowadays! No big queues at customs like it use to be! No more grumpy staff! Clean an refurbished airport! Good Start.

So Boston, autumn is a great time to visit this city. I found it very clean and polished, very WASPy, quite pretty , also with all those old very well preserved buildings. You really have a feeling of safety. On the contrary nothing is happening there.. this place is absolutely not where the new trends are emerging.

In fact it is a nice place to visit, you can find good restaurants, walk in the park and play with the squirrels (on of my favorite moments). Shopping is good, there is three american size malls , all connected plus two shopping streets with most of the high end brand.

Go to the hair dresser, I suggest MISO an all white modern corridor.

And finally walk on the waterfront , visit the Aquarum, and of course take the three hour trip to watch the Whales. We saw at least 20 of them, loads of different species, absolutly magic!

Stay at the Mandarin Oriental. Great bar for a glass of Champagne
before and probably after diner. Great location, right in the center and walking distance to all the shops and squirrel park!

Restaurants :G Oysters, we tried the oysters plateau with 6 different kinds of North American oysters, we recommand also the Clams and Scallops. Eaten at the bar is the best! If you are more of a carnivore you can try the restaurant opposite owned by the same person , the Butcher.

O YA Japanese restaurant: the modern sushi is excellent... normal sushi tasted so borring once you tasted the modern!

CLIO, also a very good restaurant

We also went to to L'Espalier, but honesly I don't recommand it, it is too up itself to be good.

2009-10-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Monday 18 to the 23 October

Sailing the Nile , from Luxor to Aswan just like in the 19th century on the Geand Tour, in a dahabieh.

I have to admit when we booked this trip I was not so sure about it.
A week on a sail boat on the Nile sounded a bit boring. Not at all ! It is very relaxing and peaceful.
We booked this special cruise on a replica of an old Egyptian sailing boat
http://www.nourelnil.com/ which is the best way to do it.
The boat is gorgeous, very well decorated, low speed as expected , to enjoy every thing going on on the Nile : birds, fishermen, donkeys, buffalos...all on the sounds of mosque 5 times a day.
The staff are very friendly , smiley and efficient.
The organisation is perfect.
The peaceful cruise is punctuated by visits of temples, tombes, swimming and walks. All executed with incredible timing , we saw great sites but almost no tourists in all of these usually over crowded spots
In between, we had very good meals, tea and fruit juice.
We treated ourself to a panoramic suite , which is a good choice as we spent , some time on the deck but also in your room reading, watching or just relaxing.
The maximum number of guests on a boat is around 20 , with a 15 staff members, there were only 8 of us which felt like we had a private boat

In Luxor, we recommend the Winter Palace hotel
In Aswan, until the renovation of the Old Cataract is finished, we recommend the Movenpick hotel.
For dinner the top of the Movenpick tower is the best choice. The view is just amazing from there.

2009-09-09T23:44:00.000-07:00

SAINT TROPEZ

A lot of new hotels in St Tropez this summer:
Le Kube: New addition to Murano resort Paris and Marakech.
Set in the entrance of Saint Tropez with a nice view on the Baie de St Tropez. Also watch out for the traffic right on the road in and out to the village, must me a pain to move around!
All white, very comptemporay, 2 swimming pools one for the guest only and one which is like a beach club. Excellent restaurant, same chef a in Le Saint Roch Courchevel, however absolutly empty. Really a stunning place more South Beach than Saint Tropez.

La Reserve: new addition to La Reserve Geneve and Paris. It is more like 30mm drive from Saint Tropez, near La plage de l'Escalet. Located in a private domaine, they also rent severals luxuries villa. The view on the sea is spectacular.
The place looks like a hotel in Scottdale Arizona same color code, same vibe with the sea as a plus.
The gem of the hotel is the Spa with Creme de la mer product.
Very quiet

Best place to stay : La Bastide des Salins for a more Porvencal feeling!

Restaurant:
Casa Cri : own my "Les Jumeaux" and manage by a charismatic pretty Italian. Casa Cri is our favorite restaurant in Saint Tropez, one you eat outside in a patio, secondly they serve the best Italian food in town fresh ans simple. The service is excellent and friendly.

For a drink: La Maison Blanche and for a change Pan Dei

2009-08-01T00:08:00.000-07:00

VENISE

Fantastic moment to go to Venise.

This week end was the "festa del Redentore" which occurs every year the week end of the third Sunday of July. On the Saturday take place a fabulous fireworks on the Laguna! It is very something special

At this period, it is also the time of the "Art comptemporary Bienale" an huge exhibition of art in all the city, increadible the art is every where.
In the park each country as is own Pavillon there they exhibit their chosen artists. A must go is the old Arsenal building enormous place...a week end is not enough to visit just his place. The exhibition take place also in a numbers of private palazzo which are open for the event a good time to discover the inside of Venise.
http://www.labiennale.org/en/art/index.html
Visit also the Punta della dogana and Palazzo Grassi, the places to discover the private collection of François Pinault. The place as been redefine by Tatao Ando a famous Japanese Architect .. the collection are quiet special!
http://www.palazzograssi.it/punta-della-dogana/museo/arte-contemporanea-venezia.html

Best place to stay at this period: Cipriani. You can enjoy the swimming pool after a day of walking around in the heat. A real pleasure.

2009-04-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

SANTIAGO CHILI

We are still under the charm of this ultra clean and save city..I will describe it at the Swiss of South America.
There is plenty of excellent restaurants mainly serving Peruvian cuisine. Most of them have terrace.
The local drink Pisco Sour is excellent but very very strong! We also enjoy the local wine specially Altair.
I will recommand to stay at the Ritz Carlton. For its location at El Golf, for its swimming pool and gym on the roof top. For the service and mainly because its is relatively small . A "W" hotel is suppose to open soon.

Restaurants:
Puerto Fuy. Sea food. Modern cuisine
Cuerovaca. Meat restaurant
Astrid&Gaston. Peruvian cuisine. Same owner as La Mar more up market
La Mar. Peruvian cuisine. Great terrace

We also recomand Ox and Tierra Noble, which we did not have time to test.
You will find also many nice restaurants on El Bosque, around El Golf which is the Business district.

Winery: you can take a priviate car to bring you to some winery.

We visite one near Santa Cruz, Neyens. Which we enjoy as it was absolutly not a tourist attraction.
Lunch at Asador Del Valle. Chilien Barbecue . The chef is a "Toque Blanche"

Shopping & art gallery: Av. Alfonso de Cordova - Av.Nueva Costanera.

Don't miss the Animal art gallery.
Also very nice shop Sarika Rodrik in El Golf

Market: we really enjoy visiting local market when we visit a city.

You will discover plenty of fish and sea food at Mercado central .

Fruit & vegetable can be seen at local outdoor market twice per week

2009-02-13T04:59:00.000-08:00

Sao Paulo
Best choice for Hotel : Fasano

Right in the best district of Sao Paulo (very very save) Oscar Freire
The design is very Brazil 30' . you will admirate many piece of furniture from Sergio Rodrigues, a famous Brazilian Designer. And some spectacular piece of wood from Tora Brazil.
Excellent restaurant

Nice Jazz Bar Barretto

Breakfast: Emiliano Hotel (nice selection of Brazilian modern furniture)
Lunch : have look and lunch at the special Hotel Unique...

completly over the top in design. Red swimming pool.....
Spectacular view of Sao Paulo

Figueira Rubaiyat

Dinning: if you like meat a typical Brazilian Churrascaria is a must go . I recommend Barbacoa for they amazing selection of 20 differents meats and cuts. Delicious. The service is also very special they come and cut the meat at your table.

SHoppoing: Oscar Freire street - the Melissa shoes shop is a must go. I love the way they display the shoes. very innovative. You will find also plenty of ohter local brands like Osklen.

Daslu -amazing shopping center very very up market ultra chic
NK

Rio

Fasano : This place! Exceptional location at the start of Ipaneam . Make sure you have a Suite with a Ocean view.

Newly Decorated by Stark. You will fine a lot of his own design as well as furniture from Brazil designers and some spectacular wood piece from Tora Brazil

The swimming pool is on the top floor as well as a bar and restaurant. The place to be to see the beautiful people of Sao Paulo in vaccation or on Week end! Amazing view....

In the evening the roof bar is the Best place for a Caipirhina and sun set watching before diner
Great Restaurant on the main floor

Nice Night bar (in a Cuba meet London design)

Other Restaurant: Zuka.

You will find plenty of nice restaurant in Leblon

Aprazivel in Santa Thereza for a more Brazilian meal.

Shopping : Rua Maria Quitéria and around in Ipanaema.

Buzio

Pasada Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel

Excellent Restaurant

Best Position in Buzios. Walking distance to the center of Buzios

Make sure you rent a Buggy to go the the beachs.

Beach restaurant: Geriba Fish Bone

Brava Camaree Preto

Joao Fernandes Cleopatra

2009-02-13T04:26:00.000-08:00

Courchevel France

You will find many luxury hotels in Courchevel. It is probably one of the chicest ski resort.

We choose Hotel Saint Roch and we absolutly adore it. Small, very boutique hotel. Right in the center.
In the morning your ski will be waiting for you on the slope...and they will be picked up for you want you finish. Boots, gloves will be warm and dry every morning!
Warm and trendy design. The interior designer plays on "materials" wood, fur, velvel, glas, leather (adore the radiator in the bathroom)...spectacular. The Spa is also incredible with fiber optic light diving almost in the pool...
Excellent service, but we are in Courchevel in one of the most expensive hotel so I guess itis what you are expected. Go creasy and book a Suite.
Great restaurant: the chef is good and very sympatic. They change the linen on the table : light in the morning dark in the evening (very good simple idea, which create a different vibe for different time. The breakfeast buffet is very tempting

Lunch: on the slope Chalet de Pierre, Cape Horn

SHopping: plenty...best choice of Jetset

For furniture: La boutique du Chamois

For a hot chocolate: Le Chocolathé

SKI: 3 Vallées a great ski safari (Val Thorens, Les Menuires, Courchevel, La Tania en more)

Up date on Milan

2008-10-06T07:30:00.000-07:00

This definitly the best shopping place and it is very chic.

I will suggest to stay at Bulgari Hotel. We loved it. Excellent service, nice room. Good point : no buffet for breakfast but instate a lovely breakfast.
Nice spa, fitness and swimming pool.
The bar is also very nice for a glass of Champagne before diner.

Diner: Cracco 2 michelin Star. Modernist tradition Italian cuisine.
Lunch: 2 traditional Milanese restaurants : Dal Bolognese ,sister restaurant of one in Milan. Same crowd businessmen, politician...excellent cuisine. The closed on week end. La Briciola.

Shopping Must go:
Peck, the temple of Gastronomy. The service is top luxury. The selection is the excellent. Amazing wine cave. Never see so many Petrus bottle in my life! Most beautiful "Bolets" (king of forets mushrooms) on the planet. Large selection of cheese, ham, coffee, tea, Olive oil and Balsamic ... Have a look at the spectacular kitchen!

The concept store 10 Corso Como is very special and they have an amazing selection for men and women . Nice place for a coffee. Excellent peolpe watching!

2008-07-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Up date on Amalfi Coast

Our favorite place to stay on these very special untouch coast line is Positano. From there you can go to Ravello, Almalfi. You can skip Sorrento. The road is an experience! The driving also....

Hotel: Siranuse of course. For the smell of it "Eau d'Italie", which I decide is my summer perfum. For the whole feeling of it. For The restaurants, the oyster bar, the amazing view from everywhere, the service, the special bed. And finally, for the thousaunds steps you have to climb back to the hotel.

Lunch: by boat Taverna del Capitain for the very interesting dessert "egg plant with chocolate", I recommand if you are a bit aventurous. Plenty of other more casual restaurants are available per boat, we pick La Gavitella

Chez Blake. Siranuse : "Spagetti Vongole" on the pool terrace overviewing Positano and the coast is a must.

Dinner: Don Alfonso (near Sorrento), one of the best restaurant in Italy.

The dinning room is a very trendy room which is unusual for this part of Italy. The "Sommolier" is the best we have meet so far. Great personnality. The cellar is spectacular.

Villa Cimbrone (Ravello) Wonderful spot, great food. Make sure you wear flate shoes , there is a 15 mn walk to get up there.

Siranuse: Don Alphonso is the executive chef since 2 or 3 years. We discover the 25 years old Balsamico...cann't really use the normal stuff any more. The view, the Italian singers, the Italian cuisine very Romantico

Shop : one shop on 3 floors men & women designer clothes, bags and shoes....don't remember the name. Nice art galleries

2008-07-23T01:04:00.000-07:00

Capri

What we like about Italy is that it doesn't change. It's caught in time. We also love the food, the wine, the designer . Not to forget the people, who I find very cool, relax, sympatic and most of the time stylish. The service is usually impeccable. we Adore Capri and the Amalfi coast. Not so sure about the beachs and the cheap cruises who invide the Island, Sorrento, Amalfi with they name or sticker stick on they body. To avoid them go early of after 4 or 5 pm.

Hotel: Capri Palace for the swimming pool, the gorgeous room with a sea view. For all the modern art. For its spa if you are an adept of it. This one is supposed to be special almost clinical. For The hotel in general and its design. For The service. Because it is in Annacapri and so you can take the so special Capri Taxi. For its 2 restaurants.

Beach: if you like the 50's you will enjoy Marina Piccolo or Faro, we prefer the mozaic pool at Capri Palace

Drink : Bar Tibero on the Piazza for a Granite Lemon, the people watching is excellent. Hotel Quisiana for a glass of champagne with wild stawberries.

Lunch : La Fontelina, accessible by taxi boat at Marina Piccolo. You should try the raw shrimp: delicious.

Anacapri Add'o Riccio Good family Italian restaurant with an amazing sea view

Diner: Aurora very tasty fine pizza. Set in one of the little street of Capri. Make sure you reserve. Looking at the pictures on the wall its probably where the rich and famous go, haven't seen any !

JK pLace : astonish view, nice Capri home with a square pool. In the same vibe of the Florence one but more aery. It a shame it was smelling food all over. I do not recommand to stay there for this. Have a drink before diner is a great idea.

L'olivio restaurant gastronomique of Capri Palace.

Shop: Grey Flannel (men&women designers clother), L'officina (shoes), Dsquared2....M. Russo own arounf 30 designers shops on the island...

2008-07-23T00:25:00.001-07:00

Back to Rome

Rome is really one of my favorite city. Every thing is beautiful. I specially enjoy it in the morning when the wave of tourist have not arrived.

We stay at Hotel de Russie. Not so please with the room, over price for what we get. however, the breakfast is one of the best we had so far. The worldwide trend for breakfast is unfortunatly : buffet. In hotel de Russie, they had improve it : whole excellent salmon and harm, homemade minute omellette.
The location is very convenient and we adore the café on the terrace for a Piscine (Champagne in a big glace with ice your favorite drink).

Restaurant for lunch:
Dal Bolognese is still our favorite.

We suggest also Obika a mozzarella bar

Gusto which propose 4 differents restaurants.

Restaurant for diner:
La pergola : in summer you can eat outside and profit from the breath taking view over Rome and its 7 hills.
The cuisine is excellent and the most amazing is that the chef is Bavarian ! Of course I was expecting an Italian one. Does not really matter as soon as the moment is magic.

Baby: set in a nice terrace inside a hotel. Nice expererience

Shop:
Tad concept store: flowers, furniture, cosmetic, music and luxury clothes. Nice mix and selection. The staff is very friendly
Degli Effetti : Alaï, Jean paul Gauthier...
Gente: at least 5 shops, Balenciaga, Dsquared2, Chloe....the best designer brands for men and women.
Borsalino: the Italian hats shop. absolutly fantastic. Caught in time

2008-07-07T04:49:00.000-07:00

London

SAkenohana : excellent Japanese restaurant. They did an excellent job with the place. I like the modern Japanese style which is far from the "Cantine" design of Nobu which I particularly dislike. Make sure you sit on one of those special table with is mix of Japanese and Occidental sitting. The staff is very chic in a Ninja type outfit.

2008-01-18T09:22:00.001-08:00

Hong Kong

Hotel to stay: at the mythic Peninsula in Kowloon. For a full experience ask the car from the hotel to pick you up at the airport..its a Rolls. The transfer also include a very special service, someone is waiting for you at the airport prior to the custom to help you in every thing, specially if your lugage did not arrived! The service of the Peninsula is up to is legend...one of the best in the world. The Concierge is also very efficient.

For a Glass of Champagne: head to SOHO (south of Hollywood) the trendy district. You can stop at Goccia or try an other one. You will find many restaurants and bars. During the day SOHO is the Antique shop district.
In Kowloon....at Aqua 1 Pekin street for the view and the atmosphere.

Restaurants: the new trend in HK is private kitchen. Make sure you try Da Ping Huo. A great experience. The best Chinese (Chechouan cuisine) ever. Very spicy some times but so good. They serve you 14 different dishes. The chef sing opera at the end. Felix at the Peninsula for the view and the Stark total design. Hutong for the view and design. China Club for the colonial vibe.

Place to visit: Macao..you can get there by heli,15 mm fly. Bird Garden, Goldfish Market, Flower Market. Food Market in Kowloon near the Jade market (skip the jade market). Take a boat trip in Aberdeen. Explore Repulse bay and Stanley Market.

Shopping: everywhere...amazing. Chanel at each street corner

Bangkok

Hotel to stay: Peninsula. Located on the river bank. You can from you room watch the amazing boat traffic and get a good feeling of the city vibe. The swimming pool is amazing and if you have extra time you should go to the spa, one of the most beautiful I have seen so far. Open few month ago, in a Thai modern spirit...high ceiling...Magnificent. Overall the service is impeccable and the staff lovely, helful and smilly.

Restaurants: For lunch Celdon at the Sukhotai. For diner the Thai restaurant at the Peninsula...spectacular Thai cuisine best to eat near the river.Eat Me : own by a friendly Aussie...a test of expat fusion food and ambiance .

What to do: Cooking classes : Thai and Chinese with 5 stars chefs..."super genial "at the Peninsula. The best ios to book for a priviate class. A great experience. Spend some time at the Spa its spectacular. You can of course always go and visit all the temples...

Chiang Mai

Hotel to stay: Mandarin Oriental....the service is impeccable. More than 200 peoples are working in this resort imagined as a Royal Palace. The al resort is build around a rice field that they seams to actually take care of in a tradionnal Thai way using Bull. Very impressive. The Spa can be classified as the best Spa worldwide. The swimming pool is also very unique.

For a glass of Champagne: Horn Bar at Mandarin Oriental. Very modern, High ceiling, dark color, amazing horn mask collection on the wall. If it was in London or New York this bar will be the most trendy you can find..

Restaurants: the french restaurant Farang Ses at the Mandarin Oriental fantastic design, divine cuisine, great service

What to do: take a Mahout course a Maesa Elephant Camp, enjoy the Spa an swimming pool at the Mandarin Oriental

Phuket

Hotel to stay: Amanpuri. Serenity , beauty, will be the 2 words I will use to describe this place. Even if the hotel is full to absolutely do not have this feeling at all. You can always find a place there you find alone ...the beach in the morning, nobody really arrived before 11:00 or the swimming pool in the afternoon the one on to of the Japanese restaurant (there is 3 pools).

I recommend that you arrive in good shape...watch out the stairs!!!!

Restaurants : Thai and Japanese restaurants in the hotel (I don't recommend the Italian one)

What to do: relax, swim, snorkeling, boat ride ...Enjoy

2007-10-08T00:54:00.000-07:00

St Tropez : Les Voiles de St Tropez

Beginning of October

Fantastic time to head to this gem of the French Riviera. The weather is still sunny and warm when up north it is much more grey and humid. Most of the resort is open. St Tropez is hosting a great sail race. In the harbour, the power yachts are replaced by sail boats.

Place for diner: l'Escale for the direct view on the harbour and all those racing sail boat.

Before and After diner drink: Quai Joseph , for the location, right on the harbour. Excellent live music, 80's revival, Sinatra....super mixture.

2007-10-07T00:58:00.000-07:00

Shopping : A day in Milan

Via Spiga, Via Napoleon, Via Verri are the equivalent of Bond Street and Sloane street in London, Avenue Montaigne and Avenue St Honoré in Paris. The difference is the vibe , the district is packed with beautiful and chic people strolling and shopping like a catwalk show in the street , better dressed and more chic than you would experience anywhere in the world . The clear difference demonstrated by Milan versus Paris or London equivalents is in the space of four or five streets you see the beautiful and trendy , there with you , rather than just in the pictures in the windows of the shops or in their catalogues.

Unique in Milan: the newly open Dsquared2 flagship shop.

The design of the shop is Absolutely fabulous.

Reflect the image of the brand perfectly. When Canadian natural spirit meet Urban chic Milan...outstanding. A mixture of honey colour wood and black lacquer. You can shop here of course and have a glass of champagne at the Dsquared2 bar.

Gio Moretti is for Milan what Colette is in Paris. Selection of the best pieces of the season: Chloé, Gianni Barbato for shoes...Stunning art books selection.

Daad still the best in Milan...beautiful service, wonderful range of different designers capturing the best of the new designers of the moment. You want to wear something chic but different go there.

Want to eat on the spot, stop at Il Salimaio de Montenapoleon. Set on a terrace in a small private square on Via Napoleon. The restaurant is also a gourmet shop.

2007-10-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

Where to eat in London?

In addition to our previous recommendation I definitively suggest l'Atelier Robuchon in West Street Covent Garden. The best way to enjoy this red and black French tapas place is to seat at the bar and sample.
The place to be to see the beautiful, successful Londoner at this moment is : Cipriani.

A desire for excellent gastro thai, try the newly open : Nahm.

Have a look at the previous post for additional place to go

2007-07-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

St Tropez

Some new places to go in St Topez:

Diner: la Tartane the best Thai restaurant on the Riviera

Diner: Pan Dei the food is not always the best....the sitting outside near the pool is lovely and the staff are charming.

Diner: Colors, Le Palm are back on our list

After Diner drink: Quai Joseph. Right on the harbor, the place to be this summer. Great ambiance, nice people...

Beach: always Les Palmiers and La Voile Rouge which you will have to wait for next year to go back

Annecy
Restaurant & beach : Moon. At least a nice place in Annecy to enjoy this pure lake. White sand beach, good food, good service.

2007-05-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

Sweden: Stockholm

May 07

What a nice city to visit on bank holiday want its sunny and the rest of Europe is pouring with rain. The city and the people are very chic. It seems that they is dress code here: leggings for women, jacket and jeans for men. The overall feeling of the city is : clean and safe, lovely people.

Hotel : Nordic light, member of the design hotel. Clean, white, very scandinavian.

Best shoppoing district: Biblioteksgatan, Birger Jarlspassagen...look for the two best shops there: Natalie Schuteman and ABCD.

Restaurant and bar: Sturehof, to feel the heart of the city, beautiful people, scandinavian cuisine, outside bar and terrace.

F12: gastonomique restaurant, delicious Kobé beef, nice design a calm mix of yellow green colors. Pontus by the sea, Riche...

Josefina: near the sea, fantastic place for Sunday lunch, all the high society of Stockholm seems to meet there.... White bar inside with enormous crital light. Palm trees outside on the terrace. Trendy outside bar. Very comfortable Swedish bean bag to lay on the sun.

Tips : Josefina and Stureholf are open on Sundays while most of the other are closed.

More on the list to try next time : Lux, Restaurang J, Kungsholmen, Wedholms Fisk

After dinner drink : Operakallarens Bakficka, Ice bar at Nordic See hotel (make sure you reserve if you want to get in)

Thing to do: boat ride of course, visit Djurgården and Skansen (park animal)

2007-05-15T01:21:00.000-07:00

Sicily : Taormina

May 2007

We just came back from Taormina. May is a perfect time to go, not so busy, warm, lush nature. The cherry on the cake : the Etna was erupting, actually we where able to see it this time and we saw smoke coming out of the top.

We stayed up town, in San Domenico palace, in Suite overlooking the see with a fantastic terrace. The palace is nested in a lush colored garden of red , fuschia, purple, yellow flowers and trees. San Domenico Palace is a former monastery, you have a feel of it in the construction of the building which surround two manificient inside courts and the furniture in the lobby and corridors.

The service is as is should be in a Palace of this standing.

The breakfast is one of the best we had so far.

Where to eat for diner: in general the cuisine is excellent and the service is very old school, professional, efficient, polite. It is delightful.

La Giara, they just refurblish all the restaurant in a trendy white atmosphere, the cuisine is axcellent as well as the service.

Bougainvilliers, Italien gourmet cuisine at San Domenico Palace. Baronessa, a new open restaurant. Casa Grugno. Maffei's.

For a drink after diner, all the nice bar a on the same place : Q loung Bar, White Bar, Dèja Vu.

Shopping: Parisi, man, woman, junior they own 4 to 5 shops with the best fashion designers brand.

For more information have a look at a previous post.

2007-04-11T23:22:00.000-07:00

The St Tropez season has starter with the easter week end...the weather was gorgeous and very windy. As a result, it was a bit chilly on the beach and impossible to get in the water.

La Bastide des Salins, the 14 rooms have been refurbish making it even more peacefull and agreable to stay there.

The beachs on Pampelone are not all open at this time. Les Palmiers is still a very good choice: good food, nice people, excellent service, nice boutique. During the winter they have done a bit of refurblish and had some 60's reedition furniture.

For a drink before diner, we higly recommand La Maison Blanche good as before. They ad some more pieces of art and made some other changes with out changing the spirit, well done.

For diner, absolutly do not go to Grand Joseph, food is bad, service even worse. They have manage to put as many table as possible there is no space left for the waiters to move around. And of course it is expensive....

Le Bistro on Place des Lices...you can also forget about this place. They just open...half the list on the menu was not available, the rest was disgusting, the place is badly finish, they probably rush to finish on time. The only stuff we like about this place the staff was nice and the water bar. May be they will get better after couple of weeks...

L'Escale, good food, good service. If you want to see the Jet set this is the place. They have made some change also. Joseph bought also La Marine to be open in May, it will be all back, with black sand on the floor. It will be a meet restaurant.

Senequier, THE bar on the port have done some refurblishment also....red mosaic and grey plastic furniture , overall very cheap looking. Stay on the outside terrasse...anyway it is best for looking at the crowd.

Shopping: for men Lily for men, for women, Lily for women and of course Dolce&Gabbana shop.

If you have time go to Cannes this is a shopping paradise, the shops are located on 2 streets : La Croisette and one street behind.

For more on ST Tropez , check previous post...

2006-12-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Discover our recommendation for Hotels, Restaurants, Shops, Museum and more to come....

Ski resorts: Chamonix, Megeve, Courmayeur, Verbier
City reviews: Paris, Lyon, London, New York, Milan, Rome, Florence, Lisbon, Barcelone, Seville, Geneva, Athens, Singapor, Kuala Lumpur, Capetown...
Beach resorts: St Tropez, Cannes, Antibes, Harbour Island, St Barth, South Beach, West Hamptons, Sorrento, Posinato, Capri , Mykonos, Santorini, Porto Vecchio, Porto Cervo, Portofino,Taormina, Brighton....
And more...Venise, Lac Como, Lac Garda, Annecy, Luberon, Henley, Cowley, Singita, Park Krugger...

2006-10-17T08:47:00.000-07:00

We are a couple in our early 40’s. We like chic luxury places. We enjoy travelling and we would like to share our comments on the hotels we stayed, the restaurants we eat and more...

Europe

Italy
Venise : Bauer Il palazzo *****L
Febuary 2006
lSan Marco 1413/d, Venise 30124, Italie
http://www.ilpalazzovenezia.com/iflash.htm
Rooms : 75

« Totally Venetian opulent with a state of the art service »
We have stayed twice in this Palazzo for the Carnival. We had a room with view of the grand canal , which is magic. The room was spacious , decorated with fine fabric , in a perfect Venetian opulent style (exactly what we are looking for in Venice). The service , is the service of a Luxury Italian Palace, the best you can find. The restaurant is very good.
You have to go through the other hotel (not as nice) , along a corridor to get to the room, which is not great , however , the rest is such a great experience , that you should close your eyes and wait for the opulence and grandeur , that awaits when you
arrive in the room.

Venise : Cipriani Hotel and Palazzo
Giudecca 10, Venise 30133, Italie
Rooms: 104
Wow , private Island , boat to take you back and forth to the hustle and bustle of Venice .
Enormous suite in the gardens. From the shower the view is one of the best in Europe, looking over the water to Venice... . Sunday lunch is a must .

Shopping: La Coupole women wear
Museum: Guggenheim museum, Palazzo Grassi

Rome : Hotel de Russie *****
Via Del Babuino 9, Rome 00187, Italie
http://www.hotelderussie.it/
Deluxe Double : Euro 780
Rooms : 129
May 2006
“Wahoo...excellent hotel”
Vacations are about expectation , at Hotel de Russie , you get even more than you expected.
The location is perfect in the heart of the shopping district of Rome.
The room is spacious well decorated , as is the entire hotel.
The hotel is well managed and the staff very helpful. The concierge provided us with an excellent recommendation for restaurant.
We had a small problem in the bar with seating , as the location is so great that it attracts numerous , chic external clients as well as hotel guests , which meant it was difficult to sit , the difficulty was resolved with style.

Restaurants: La Pergola, Dal Bolognese, Terrazza Dell Eden

Shopping: Gente, several shops (Dsquared2.....), Degli Effetti ....

Florence : JK Place Boutique Hotel
Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 7, Florence 50123, Italie
http://www.jkplace.com/index2.htm
Double Deluxe € 390 to € 470
Rooms 20
Avril 2004
« One of the best boutique hotel, should book a suite »
Nicely furnish, good service, a delightul place. Very Boutique hotel. My only complaint was that the room was very small. Downstairs , there is a wonderful library , full of art , which was super for a glass of champagne

Shopping: Florence is surounded by outlets do not miss them.....

THE MALL: Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hogan, La Perla, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney, Tod's, Valentino, Yohji Yamamoto, Y-3 e Yves Saint Laurent、Emilio Pucci

PRADA: Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Prada Sport, Jil Sander DOLCE & GABBANA: D&G, Dolce & Gabbana

VICTORIA: Prada, Miu Miu, Helmut Lang, Fendi, Versace

Sardaigne : Cala de Volpe *****
Porto Cervo, Sardaigne 07020, Italy
Rooms : 125
May 2006
“Too big for us”

The hotel feels much too big for us. The overall atmosphere is more of a "vacation club" then a cosy Luxury hotel. The worst is the breakfast room, you really feel you are in a "Club Med". However, the restaurant for lunch, of course outside only, is excellent (small, very good, with an excellent service at it should be).

Shopping: Piazza de Porto Cervo and Pisseggiata, Prada, Dolce & Gabanna, Fendi, Gucci, Cavalli, Dsquared2...

Sicile, Taormina : Mazzaro Sea Palace
Via Nazionale 147, Taormina, Sicile 98030, Italie
Rooms : 87
October 2003
Beautiful room overlooking the bay below Taormina , two minutes from the romantic funicular ride to the splendid village . Where there is great shopping . The hotel is nice , but could do with a make over . The beach is not wonderful . However , there is a gorgeous bar between the pool and the sea , that is lovely at the end of the day .

Dining : Palazzo San Domenico Restaurant Les Bougainvilliés, fantastic place, fine cuisine. Very romantic restaurant. The hotel is on my list for your next trip. La Giara, La Baronessa, Maffei's

lake Como : Villa D’Este
Via Regina, 40 Cernobbio, Como 22012, Italie
Rooms 161
August 2006
We have stayed at this beautiful Italian Palace , with the lake lapping against its outstanding gardens , three times . We have experienced a gorgeous suite overlooking the lake and a couple of less exciting rooms . Service is exemplary , the two restaurants excellent . The swimming pool on a platform on the lake is super .
Take the time to hire a boat and captain for a few hours around the lake , romantic and wonderful .

Shopping in Como: Tessabit, A total of 3 of 4 shops men, woman, shoes....Dsquared2, Prada, Dolce & Gabana...

Lake Como, Ballagio : Villa Serbelloni
Via Roma 1, Bellagio 22021, Italie
Rooms :85
September 2005
As we love Como , we took the time to spend a couple of nights on the other side of the lake from our normal haunt of Villa D Este . Serbelloni is also a beautiful Palace , Bellagio is a pretty , windy street village . We suffered from the fog in September , despite having a super suite looking over the lake , we only saw it when we arrived , until the mist fell ….. Two days of not being able to see your hand in front of your face . Remember also , that if men want to eat , either here or in Villa D Este , you have to wear a tie and a jacket.
The internal swimming pool has a strange jungle theme , the external is great .

Shopping: 15 mms drive from Como in Mendrisio Switzerland spend couple of hours in Foxtown. All the chic brands for less: Prada, Gucci, Dolce Gabanna, Belstaff, Etro, Frette, Missoni, Yves Saint Laurent...

Sorento : Grand Hotel Sorrento
August 2004
We stayed for one night , on the way to Capri . Great Italian Palace , amazing suit overlooking the Bay of Naples , set in great gardens , with a very nice swimming pool . Lift down to the port for convenience to get to Capri .

Capri : Capri Palace
August 2004
October 2006
Via Capodimonte 2B, Anacapri, Capri 80071, Italie
Rooms : 81
August 2004
Capri is magical , particularly at night when the day trippers leave and the Island is again chic . Hotel is amazing , great art in the bar , Michelin star restaurant and wonderful swimming pool and pool restaurant .
Room was not as chic as the public rooms of the hotel . The suite we had with a private pool the second time we stayed was amazing
Restaurant: Cantinella

Shopping: Grey Flanel, Dsquared2....men and women

Positano : Siraneuse
August 2004
October 2006
Perched on a cliff , overlooking Positano and the bay . Great service , traditional Palace room . Swimming pool is beautiful , but cramped . Most romantic bar in Italy , great lounge music and champagne . The restaurantis excellent too.

Restaurant: Palazzo Sasso, Ravello

Milan : The Gray
Very nice Boutique Hotel located in the heart of Milano. Interesting interior design.

Milan : Four seasons
August 2006
Very well located in the heart of Milano. 2mm from the Dome. Very conveniant parking. Good restaurant , excellent service.

A shopping paradise just around the hotel . Via Spiga: Gucci, Prada, Dolce&Gabanna...
DaaD Dantone (Dsquared2, and much more) women and men, Located in Santo Spirito 24 and Matteoti 20.

Santa Margherita di Ligure, Portofino : Grand Miramare
May 2005

Just near Portofino. We where both surprise by the size of this famous resort : small, small. To stay in San Margherita was a good choice as a result.

Garda Lake : Villa Feltrinelli
Beautiful hotel , set in amazing gardens refurbished in spectacular style , with a spectacular price for the room that goes with it . Laundry is complimentary . The memory of the view from the window of the suite lingers . Garda is not as pretty as Como .

Courmayeur :
Very nice ski resort, can visit it from Chamonix (15 mm's drive)

Lunch: Ermitage, nice mountain restaurant, they serve mainly Courmayeur's speciality: Polenta
Dinner: enjoy a special experience at Fillipo in Entreves.

Lunch on the slope: Chiecco, hippy chic place, amazing fresh food, super ambiance, incredibly friendly management.

Shopping: Azzurra (men and women Dsquared2), Spasioemme (Prada, Gucci, Chloé, Dolce&Gabana)

Cervinia/Zermatt (Swiss)

Cervinia is absolutly not a pretty place. However, the ski is interesting while you can ski there and in Zermatt. The last run to go back to your car from the top is amazing 1800 m, around 50 minutes.

Lunch on the slope Chalet Etoile

France

St Tropez : La Bastide des Salins ***
www.labastidedessalins.com/index.html
Route des Salins St Tropez
Rooms : 14
July 2006

« Wow »
An absolutely amazing Hotel, a few minutes outside of the town , set in amazing Provence parkland , offering a peaceful break from the hectic fun of St Tropez . Wonderful room and a garden from paradise . You wake up in dreamland every day, you could not be made more welcome

Day time:

We go to St Tropez often from April to end of October. I drive there and pick up my husband at the Nice Airport on the way.

We try a lot of places. We will recommend "la plage des Palmiers" if you are looking for a Chic beach. The food is very good, the service top. And the beach is very well maintain.

If you want to test the special vibe of St Tropez go to "La voile Rouge" : excellent music, good simple expensive food, People, fashion show, pretty woman, people dancing on the table, flashing Champagne every where....We love it...Only in St Tropez.

"Nikki Beach" we will suggest to stop there for a drink around 5 pm like a lot of people do. This is also a very party ambiance, load music, pretty peoples...this is the only beach which actually as no beach access but a swimming pool!

Evening: Start with a Rossini at "La maison Blanche". For dinner : "Yacca" for the maitre de, the Pasta flambée in Parmesan and of course the lovely patio. An other very nice place is "Joseph l'Escale" : Brigitte Bardot framed on the wall, sand on the floor. Make such you book for the first sitting otherwise you might have to wait for your table a couple of hours. Latest news: just reopened with a bigger lounge . La Marine is now own by Joseph, it is a meet restaurant as l'Escale is white La Marine is Black, black sand on the floor......

Salama marocain style restaurant

After dinner our favorite place is "l'Octave Café". This is a piano bar, with life music. Small place with Great ambiance. If you prefer night club "Cave du Roy" is still the best, good music, beautiful people.

Shopping : Patch (3 shops, men and women, Dsquared2, Chloe, Balenciaga, Jean Paul Gauthier... Dolce& Gabbana Boutique
Quintessence for differente home furniture. They give a second life to objet, they also change the initial use than the one they were made for. Interesting. For example, we bought for our chalet a raw material train wagon as a café table. Nathalie Duchayne Art gallery, photos, painting, scupture...impressive pieces.

Cannes : Carlton

Carlton restaurant on the beach is great , the hotel is a French Palace

Shopping: Cannes is a shopping paradis, all the big designer brand have a shop there on la Croisette, Avenue d'ANtibes is also a good shopping street . Some shop to go to: 51 Montaigne, 55 Croisette, Petit Bazar, Boutique Dsquared2 for men (located ina very small street in front of the Palais des Festival).

Maeght Foundation : amazing art collection (Chagall...)in St Paul de Vence

Cap d’Antibes : Eden Roc

August 2006
“A real Palace “
Wonderful setting and park.. A great French Palace

Shopping : Idol, Dsquared2....

Corse, Porto-Vecchio: Hotel Casadelmar: ****L
Route De Palombaggia BP 93, Porto-Vecchio, Corse 20137, France
Rooms : 20
End of July 2006
"Beautiful hotel however the room is not amazing for the price"
The hotel is beautiful, very well located on the Porto Vecchio bay. However, the rooms have no interest. The staff are excellent. The swimming pool is fantastic it can turn into A nightmare if you are a couple with no kids.

Luberon, Domaine des Andeols
Saint-Saturnin-lés-Apts, 84490, France
Rooms : 18
May 2006
“Chic and Arty”
The Hotel is a piece of Art by itself. You find modern Art every where, inside the guest house and outside in the park. This is unique. Each “maison” is different. We stayed in “maison du voyageur”. The house is more than 100m2, 2 rooms and bathrooms all in African style. Each piece of furniture is amazing. There is even a Tiger. I absolutely adore the place. The restaurant is delicious (Alain Ducasse Auberge).
Unfortunately, we want there after spending a week end in St Tropez and in May , when the all region is very very quiet. The landscape is nice but can be a bit boring.

I recommend the place for people looking for a quiet place to relax

Veyrier du Lac : Auberge de L’Eridan
“The room do not meet the expectation”
May 2006
Marc Veyrat is one of the best Chefs. I suggest to go once. As I am concern afterhaving in all is restaurants and in total 7 times I decide I have enough.

We had dinner there and stayed for the night. We did not like the style of the room at all. The location is fantastic , right on the Annecy Lake. But , I was not expecting to spend the night in a small room , with farm decorations ( it is so well done , or over done , I would say , you are on the edge to expect a mouse running on your bed, or falling from the ceiling.)
Like sleeping in a grain store , if this is the intention , the hotel succeeds

The breakfast is the best I ever had. It is served outside, with the view on the lake. They bring you 2 baskets of wonderful products to enjoy. Every think is of course "Veyrat" made.

Latest news: Anyway Veyrat is planning to refurblish all his place. "La Ferme de mon père" in Megeve has been sold

Lyon : Villa Florentine
25, montée Saint-Barthélémy -69005 LYON
Decembre 2005
Very nice hotel
Excellent restaurant

Shopping: Marion (Dsquared2, Jean Paul Gauthier)

Paris : Murano Urban resort ****
13 boulevard du Temple, Paris 75003, France
Rooms : 60
January 2005
« Uber Chic, Uber design, perfect »
My husband took me there for my birthday. I have a wonderful husband. We had a Junior Suite. Wow, the room opens with finger print recognition. The hotel is decorated with a lot of taste , very modern with out being cold. I love it. Restaurant and bar very agreeable. Excellent service. Probably one of my favourite hotels , but I do not like the location, you need a taxi to escape this “quartier”

Paris : Sezz Boutique Hotel
6, avenue Fremiet, Paris 75016, France
Rooms : 27
September 2005
« Good hotel, one bad experience »
My husband had to work in Paris, so we have been to the Sezz 5 or 6 times. We really enjoyed the hotel , regarding the architecture and design its great, very masculine. The owner is a very nice and interesting guy. The guests can be classified in the young international pretty people.
the hotel boasts butler service for its guests .

I highly recommand to go to an amazing restaurant "Bacarrat" for the cuisine and for the setting. The place is the showroom of Bacarrat... the decoration is from Starck, what a magic place! You have to reserved a long time in advance , it is small.

Paris : Hotel A Boutique Hotel
4, Rue d'Artois, Paris 75008, France
December 2004
“Disappointing “
This hotel was in the top 100 list of new openings in Condè Naste. So of course I wanted to go. The room was the size of a pocket tissue. Nothing exciting about this place. The competition is hard in Paris and there is a lot of very nice newly open design Boutique hotels, I won’t recommend this one.

Paris: Pershing Hall
Very good location. Excellent bar and restaurant. Chic and trendy crowd.

For a Glass of Champagne: Pershing Hall Lounge , Murano Lounge,

Restaurant: for lunch Avenue for the chic and beautiful people, the Market for it delicious fusion food, Zebra Square .

Dinner at Cristal RooM at Baccarat for the cuisine and of course for the place itself manificient Baccarat collection and fabulous interior design . Restaurant of the Murano .

Late drink at Sir Winston.

Shopping: Do not miss the 2 very nice shops which will give you a very good French feeling: Ladurée for their Macaron ( a very Parisian little cake), Marige Frères for Thé, both in St Germains des prés.

For clothes : Kabuki (25 etienne Marcel Paris 01). 2 shops, one for men one for women. Dsquared2, Mui Mui, Chloé..... Maria Luisa rue Mt Thabor. Chanel Rue Cambon. Departement Store : Les Galleries Lafayette, Le Printemps

Best Shopping district : Avenue Montaigne, Rue St Honoré, Faubourg Saint Honoré

Museum : Palais de Tokyo , Beaubourg ,

Chamonix Valley (Argentière, Chamonix, Les Houches)

Not much snow , so we did a Safari Ski Tour with Patrice a ski instructor http://www.patriceorganisation.com/. We skied in les Comtamines, Megeve, Courmayeur, Zermatt, Cervina going to those places in the morning comming back after ski. Maximum driving one way 1H30. Fantastic, you discover a differente place everyday.

I recommand to stay at " Hameau Carrier/Albert 1er" this is a 4 star hotel, which as been redone recently.

Concerning restaurants, there is a lot of choice, our favorite are:
L'Atmosphere this restaurant is open all year round, fine dining, the ambiance is the best in Chamonix, not only for tourists, the locals go there to.
L'Impossible mountain eclectic interior design with a twist, mixture of fine dining and local dishes. La Cabane which just re-opened mid December after it has completely burnt down this summer, under new management, the fantastic terrace on the golf course and a amazing view of the Mont Blanc, mountain chic interior design. Mixture of fine dining and local dishes L'Albert 1er, outstanding gastronomic french cuisine using local ingredients
Le Bistrot, food is far more then bistrot..best for lunch
For something a bit different, very local , mountain feeling, Cremerie d'Argentiere. The speciality is cheese on toast. You can get there for lunch if you ski at Lognan in Argentiere. One of the rare nice restaurants on the slope is Refuge de Lognan. You will find simple family french cuisine.
An other good recommandation for lunch on slope is located in Les Houches : Les Vieilles Luges, family food, sitting in a an old farm.

Shopping : Chanel Boutique, the people are lovely in this shop, which is not always the case in Boutique in France. Big Boss (Gucci, Pucci, Satore), Blue Link(Ralph Lauren, Paul&Jo) . Reve d'Hiver , Mariage thé, candles, home decoration.

Megeve

Next to Chamonix this is a very pretty village (20 mm's drive). If you ski there or if you don't mind to take the lift have a lunch at "l'Alpette" good food, very chic montain atmosphere (fireplace..) so nice. Le Cintra right in the village, we prefer to eat it the bar since they just refurblish it, lovely oysters and seafood plate.

For dinner, here is one of our favorite restaurant "Flocon de sel" a very surprising gastronomic place. Outstanding. Excellent service.

"Les Jumeaux" for the Ambiance. For a late drink "Les Cinq Rues".

Concerning shopping have a look at : Mahé for woman (Chloé, Joseph, Barbara Bui, Free Lance, seven), Avenue Montagne for men and woman (Prada, Marc Jacob, Notify). They both have a very good selection and you will be always welcome.
Peak Performance, for ski outfits. Astrid Maillet-Contoz & Squaw Valley, a very good selection of Home products, linen from Frette....amazing furniture (3 shops, 3 differents style) We specially love the chic modern mountain one. Cremerie Gaiddon: for the Brie with Truffle

Greece
Athenes : Semiramis
August 2005

48 Charilaou Trikoupi Str. Kefalari-Kifissia, Athènes 14562, Grèce
Rooms 52

“Too trendy, too bright”
We are big fans of design hotels. However, this one is not what we like.
I will recommend visiting the hotel for those who are interested in interior design. You should see it , but not stay in it . The bright colours are too much after a couple of hours, especially in the restaurant …..it almost made me feel sick .

Athenes : Twentyone Boutique hotel
21 Kolokotroni Street Kifissia, Athènes 14562, Grèce
Rooms : 21
August 2005
“Great for the price, fantastic location, not for vaccation”
The overall atmosphere is clean, cold, clinical. You feel trapped inside, with no external light. A shame for a hotel in one of the sunniest city in Europe. Not what I expected.

Mykonos : Ostraco Suites Boutique Hotel
August 2005
“Great”
Love the hotel. Well managed friendly staff. Had a lot of fun at the bar . Just outside the town , good sized rooms . Great to be accepted on a gay island and be told by the staff “ we are straight friendly “ super people and a great time .

Santorin : Katikies *****
August 2005
Oia, Santorini, Cyclades 84702, Grèce

Its perched on a cliff top in the pretty village of Oia . Pretty , but overated . Fisherman cottage , style rooms …. Good restaurant , no room to sit by the swimming pool , which is hard when its that hot

United Kingdom

London : Blakes Hotel Boutique Hotel
33 Roland Gardens, Londres SW7 3PF, Angleterre
Rooms :51
December 2005
“Could be better for the price charged”
I adore the Colonial style of this Boutique hotel; decorated in style with expensive and gorgeous furniture. You can tell it is a woman who did it, she thinks about all the little details. The room was great, may have been a bit dark, the bathroom however need a serious update. The restaurant is excellent and the lounge bar also. The service at the reception is average for this type of hotel. It was freezing cold in the reception , did not stop Victoria Beckham hanging about with no jacket or tights !

London : Malmaison
18-21 Charterhouse Square, Londres ECIM 6AH, Angleterre
Chamber : 97
Like all Malmaisons , you get a good sized suite , decorated in a fashionable style . Good spot for the city , nice bar

London : SOHO Hotel
October 2006
Probably my favourite hotel in London. I have been very lucky also; my husband booked a Penthouse Suite. Incredible, huge, very well decorated, fantastic view on Soho roofs.
The hotel is decorated in a very eclectic style. Absolutely adore the enormous BOTTERO cat in the entrance. .

November 2006

This time we spend the week end of the 11. We had a 2 bed rooms appartment, very spacious. Decorated in Pop art colors, exellent!

Lets talk about restaurants, I have to admit, difficult as I am French, that the best place on the planet to eat are now London and New York (both very expensive).

I recommendmany of the restaurants we have been to recently. It is absolutly necessary to book a week in advance for all of them.

St Alban : the new place to be. Excellent Italian restaurant. Very comptemporant Italian design.

Ceccini's: for breakfast, a very Italian ambiance. A new place but it has the ambience of an institutional restaurant. Well done.

Cipriani : for lunch, you feel like you are in Venise. The service is impeccable

The Square: excellent

The Caprice: for Sunday Lunch, I love it

Zuma: excellent asian food. Same owner as Roka which is good too (more for lunch I will suggest). Make sure you are sitted at the cooking bar

Sketch : interesting decoration ..specially the restroom. The best egg I have eaten so far (in the small restaurant have not been to the gastro one) .

Fish Market: oyster bar

Club Gascon : French fine cuisine. Excellent service. Great atmosphere.

The River Café: Italien Restaurant. Very nice terrace.

Mango Tree : Thai Restaurant. Delicious

The Ivy: a London institution

The Wolseley : Nice for lunch

Gordon Ramsay : Petrus, Boxwood Café. , Gordon Ramsay at the Hospital ."The Chef" ...love like a Rock star by the Brit..

La Trompette : French fine cuisine

Conrad restaurants : Bibendum : excellent oyster bar, in a great shopping district. Blue Bird. Floridita, Cuban restaurant, good vibe. Coq d'Argent , Le Pont de la Tour

Yauatcha : Chinese restaurant

Hakkasan : Chinese restaurant

China Tang at the Dorcester : Chinese restaurant. Impressive Pekin Duck cut at the table

Nobu : I wanted to go for years and in fact what a disappointment...no atmosphere...food less than average...price over the top...I won't go back.

Some more on the list : Le Gavroche, Blakes Restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, Locanda Restaurant, Aurora , Terminus Gt Eastern Hotel, Bleeding Heart ,

Shoreditch is very trendy district full of restaurants, shops, art galeries. :Cube&Star, Cuban restaurant. .Rivington deli for breakfeast, Rivington Grill . Tabernacle Grill . Great Estern Dinning Room , Asian . Pizza Express . Eyre Brothes, Portugese restaurant. Home, ).

Richmond, a bit outside London, on the river bank: excellent restaurants and shops.

Place for a drink : GE club, Blue Bar , Ronny Scott best Jazz in town, N°1 Cavendish very conveniente before theater. The Bar at the Soho Hotel.

Shopping: my favorite department store in London is Harvey Nichols ( try also their sushi bar on the top floor). Selfridges is also very nice. . Harrods only for the food floor.

The 3 Boutiques Start in Shoreditch for their selection (Alberta Feretti, London designers, hipe jeans...) women, men, cosmetics.

Best shopping place : Bond Street, Sloane Street (Cartier, Gucci, Joseph, Dolce&Gabbana, Prada...), Flora Street in Covent garden district (Paul Smith, Maharashi), Portobello for antiques.

Have a tour of Richmond park to see the dears keep in total freedom, this is amazing and Kew garden for the botanic garden.

Museum: Tate modern, National Portrait Gallery, White Cube Gallery

Cowley : Cowley Manor
Cowley is a hip destination , great spa and swimming pool. Love the art pieces on the wall in the pool room . Public rooms are fashionable and chic …. Bedrooms are better at Babbington House

Brighton : Blanch House
The hotel is as boutique hotels were supposed to be . Individually designed rooms and a great bar and restaurant , attracting a trendy Brighton crowd .
Has a sexy weekend away by the sea feel . Try the Perrier Jouet room

Henley : Hotel du vin
Very nice room , we were there for the Henley Festival . Good value and trendy bar , in the center of this pretty town

Suisse
Geneve : La Reserve
Chic public rooms , that look better in the dark …. Otherwise a bit Disney . Excellent spa and good service from the concierge . Rooms are a little bit airport chain . The Chinese restaurant is my favorite, I love it.

We suggest also an other restaurant for lunch right near the lac. The Italian restaurant of the ' Four Seasons " hotel. Delicious pasta.

Senso , Italian restaurant right in the heart of Geneva. Located in a very old bulding all refurblish in mordern style. Closed on week end.

The "Lion d'Or" in the Cologny district. Interesting menu, nice ambiance, view of the lac.

Shopping: Don't miss Drake, a great shop for both men and women: Dsquared2, Dolce Gabanna, Etro, Marni, Dior....For food delicatessen Globus bassement is a must, mummm try the cheese "brie with truffle" and the English blue cheese with Porto. In Bon Genie department store you will find the best choice.

Lugano : Hotel Dellago
“Run away”
We were seduced by the website. What a disappointment when we arrived….Welcome, reception room awful. The room was located in a crappy house on the other side of the road not at all in the Hotel. We did not stay.

Verbier
The hotel in Verbier are a bit run down. We forget the one we have been to. It was depressing anyway.

Lates news: Sir Richard Branson is planning to open a Boutique Hotel Winter 2008....soon the place to stay in Verbier.

Best place for lunch on the slope: Le Carrefour, excellent food, great terrace, make sure you book. Cabane Montfort for a more mountain experience.

Zermatt

We skied there coming from Cervinia Italy. Lots of nice restaurants on the slope. We tried chez Tony and Franky, excellent Rosti.

Very chic resort. Excellent modern ski lift. Super view from the highest lift at 3800 meter.

Spain
Barcelone : Hotel Gran Florida*****
Ctra. Vallvidrera al Tibidabo 83-89, Barcelone 08035, Espagne
Rooms : 74
May 2006
"Amazing view over Barcelona, spectacular swimming pool"
The hotel view over Barcelona is amazing. The pool is the best we had see so far. The room was nice, spacious, with a big bathroom. The hotel is a design hotel, recently refurbished. . However, the service can be improved, feels like it is under staffed
Restaurant was super for a la carte , not great for the buffet .

Abac is one of the favorite restaurant of my husband. Probably a bit of the El Bulli taste in a moderate version.

Seville : Alphonso XVI
A palace in the true sense of the word . Trapped in time in the centre of Seville . Lovely big suite , good concierge , great Tapas and Flamenco .

I don't really recommand Bull Fighting....it is very violent and blooding. However we happen to be there during the Procession this is quiet interesting.

Portugal
Lisbonne : Lapa Palace
May 2006
Lisbon is lovely , full of flowers and very original . Gorgeous suite in traditional style , bathroom was a bit seventies . The new part of the hotel by the swimming pool , is not as attractive

Restaurants: Eleven, Doca Peixe

America

USA

Florida, Keys Little : Palm island ****L
28500 Overseas Highway, Little Torch Key 33042
Rooms: 30
May 2005
“What a place”
Difficult to find more romantic. The hotel is on a small private island. The room is a big “hutte” with a terrace in a Caribbean colonial style with a four poster bed . The deer come to see you all the time (yes yes wild deer amazing, they swim to the island). The dinner is served on the beach, the deer are never far.
You can ride a boat for a small tour; we had a lot of fun.

Florida, South Beach : Delano
December 2004

The first and still the best …… small rooms , even when you pay for a suite …. Amazing public rooms , great pool side bar at night . Very peculiar booking policy on sitting by the pool . Excellent restaurants

Florida , South Beach : Shore Club
January 2004
We have visited South Beach a few times , Shore Club was billed as at the same level as Delano , its not .
Rooms as they are all on this coast are small . The bar restaurant seems to be in all the magazines as hip and trendy , no idea why , feels like its stuck together cheaply . Stick with Delano . Nice shop in the reception Scoop .

New York: Soho House boutique hotel
29-35 9th Avenue, New York 10014
Rooms : 29

June 2006
"Excellent boutique hotel"
My husband and I travel all around the world in the best hotels and I would describe the Soho house as being at the top of the boutique hotels , we have stayed. The room was fantastic, we loved the eclectic style. The location of the hotel is in hip district, the Meat Market, full of good restaurants. The lounge bar on the roof top , is great in summer. The only thing I disliked , was that the swimming pool is invaded by mums and noisy kids who are members of the club and non residents of the hotel

New York : Royalton
May 2006
Royalton has chic entrance , although now needs updating ….. rooms are boring and need the same .

Restaurant : Le Cirque : very up town atmosphere, chic chic Aroma . Megu one of the best Japanese restaurant I have been so far, amazing experience, the food was delicious and they pay attention to detail. The wasabi is fresh, a discover is was a root . Del Posto . Buddakhan : spectacular interior design. Cipriani

Shopping: Soho. Jeffrey, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue

Museum: MoMa, Guggenheim Museum

West Hampton : Dune&Deck beach motel
June 2006

Dune Deck Hotel, Westhampton Beach 11978

"Awful"
For more than 500 dollars per night our expectation were not to be in a bad motel “ 6 “ with no service, a worn out bathroom. No restaurant open for breakfast. Sadly there is no choice. It seems the only hotel that is vaguely acceptable for Europeans in the Hampton’s is on Shelter Island. Refurbish the hotel or charge cheap motel prices….. EVEN BETTER , close it , sell it to someone else who will update it .

Carrabean Island
Harbour Island : Romora Bay
January 2004
Trendy room , good size and Harbour Island is a great destination , you bump into Richard Gere in the restaurants and Elle Macpherson who has a house on the island. Hotel is super , disorganised at breakfast . Take a boat for the day , watch the tide as you can get stuck in the sand .

Dining : The Landing, Rock House , Romora Bay,Blue Bar

France DOM TOM : St Barth, La Banane Boutique hotel
Rooms: 9
January 2005
“Very chic retreat boutique hotel”
I like the room decorated in a Caribbean Colonial style, with a large bathroom.
I like the ambiance of the place: serenity, calm, voluptuous.
I like the staff, helpful and friendly

I did not like the location of the hotel no view, no beach, just behind a shopping center.
I did not like the fact that that they charge us the all 10 days we stayed , six months before we got there.

St Barth Le Serano

January 2007

Open one year ago, this hotel is on all the magazine.Located on a beautiful spot right on a beach. Gorgeous green stone swimming pool. Lovely front Beach suite. Very friendly and hepful staff. For sure the best hotel on the island. Make sure you book a suite on the beach. The one with a garden are very very small, should be rename room in state of suite.

Restaurants, the ones we enjoy :

For lunch :Eden Roc, Restaurant les Pecheurs at Serrano, Indigo at Guanahani, Sushi at Nikki Beach
For dinner:Le Gaiac at Hotel Le Toiny, Bartolomeo at Guanahani, Restaurant des pecheurs at Sereno , La Marine, La Vela, Jao, La Mandala
For a drink after: le Petit St Barth execellent party ambiance, you can dance on the table if you fancy doing it!

What we did not like, the service and rudeness at La Plage. The run down deck chair at Nikki Beach. The food at the Trends. The camping table at Maya's. The interior desing of the Carl Gustav Hotel restaurant. Suite 10 at the Sereno which is a small room with the price of a Suite.

What to do : absolutly rent a car...the convertible Smart is a good choice. Kite surf, surf, windsurf or just enjoy watching them. Swimming of course...diving, snorkling, look for the turtle and langouste. Walk on the beach (around 20 on the island). Take some Yoga classes with Diana Bourel. Shopping in Gustavia

Shopping: Vanita Rosa, See by Chloé and Vintage boutique (collector Vuitton bag, Chanel, Dior, Dolce Gabbana pieces from last season almost not worn. Edgar, for men's wear : Dsquared2, Galiano...Calypso : for women Chloé, Missoni...always carry the hottest luxury names. Donalé collection of unique silk top and dress. The House magnificient piece of fourniture, a mixte of mytic modern pieces with imported pieces from Indonesia, China.... Art Gallery, B art. And much more

South Africa
Singita Private Game Reserve
Boulders Safari Lodge
Rooms: 9

Lebombo Lodge
Rooms: 15

January 2006
"fantastic amazing"
We stay at Boulders and Lebombo lodge. Both are amazing and both are different. The rooms are gorgeous. The
service impeccable even if we thought that Boulders was much better managed and the service much more over the top
Boulders is one of the best rooms we have seen , private pool and colonial service , we saw the “ big five “ in two days . Difficult to beat , reassuringly expensive .
Lebombo is very modern , a lot of insects ….. Crocodiles , hanging around outside the room, well not really near actually but it is true you can see them

Sweni Lodge This lodge is located 5 minutes by 4x4 to Lebombo. We had a very nice dinner there. In fact we prefer the style of this one to the Lebombo. More cosy.

Ebony Lodge Located walking distance from Boulders Lodge. Nice for a drink

Cape town, Kensington Place Boutique Hotel

January 2006

38 Kensington Crescent, Cape Town 8001, Afrique du Sud
Rooms: 8

"A boutique hotel as it should be"
The room was spacious, the service impeccable. We loved the decoration of the place. Well done

Cape Town, Twelve Apostles
January 2006
Victoria Road Oudekrall Bay Camps Bay, Cape Town 8001, Afrique du Sud
Rooms: 70
Beautiful spot but a far from Capetown. Big room very old fashion South African style, nice bar and restaurant , however a bit impersonal.

Cape Town, Ellerman House
January 2006
Some other friends had stayed here before us and recommended it highly , the restaurant we found to be mediocre , the room big with a great view, ….. not really our style

Asia

Singapore
Raffles Hotel*****
July 2004
1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673, Singapour
Rooms :103
“Best of the world”
We stayed in this magnificent British colonial style Palace during our honeymoon trip. For this special occasion, the room’s floor, bed, bath was covered with rose’s petals. The service was immaculate; you have a buttler for yourself. This hotel is an overall wonderful experience, we highly recommend it.

Malaysia
Pangor Laut

July 2004

A remote island with just a luxury resort. Magnificient suite bangaloo on the sea. Gorgeous swimming pool, excellent spa, service as you get it in Asia. Perfect for honeymoon or romantic escape.

Kuala Lumpur, Mandarin Oriental
Juy 2004

Restaurant : Carcosa Seri Negara, beautifull setting in a colonial house nested in a park, excellente cuisine.