When I first started thinking about this month’s Travel Linkup, I was stumped. I couldn’t think of any weird and wonderful place we had stayed. I realised that Mo and I go for the same style of place everywhere we go, nothing too expensive but clean. We like it to be clean. And where possible, somewhere which is architecturally or artistically cool.
So, these are the few that stand out as my most memorable:
Quirkiest interiors:
Hotel Le Negresco, Nice, France
Quirky is definitely the right word to use for this hotel. This Belle-Époque palatial hotel has filled its walls with paintings and sculptures. The whole place is a like an art gallery and the central atrium is truly a sight to be seen with beautiful glass ceiling and a very large Baccarat crystal chandelier.
Not only is every floor a new experience, but there are lots of other cool things too like a plush velvet padded lift, a carousel in one of the restaurants La Rotonde and even the furniture is strange and inviting.
If you don’t fancy an overnight stay here at Le Negresco whilst you’re in Nice, I would for sure recommend at least popping in for a meal or coffee (order petits fours!). It’ll give you an excuse to explore this magical building.
Best for customer experience:
Ad-Lib Boutique Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand
I struggled to think of a hotel that had service that could rival the Ad-Lib. It was slap-bang in the middle of the city, but you never would have thought you were amidst the chaos of Bangkok, it was so peaceful once you stepped inside.
Booking a room here we were provided with everything we needed, including a local mobile with credit to use, daily skytrain tickets and if we were feeling super lazy they’d even give us a lift to the nearest train station.
The stand-out feature, was the staff. They were all so lovely, and we were in and out a lot during our stay there, at all times of the day. And the concierge Pong? He was fabulous! The nicest man we’ve ever met in a hotel he helped us out so much during our stay, booking us tickets, chatting to us and helping arrange transport when we needed, Mo and I couldn’t sing his praises enough.
Best welcome:
Sheraton Hotel, Abu Dhabi
I had contacted the Sheraton hotel prior to going as we had a number of special requirements for our booking. They had picked up my blog name from my email and lo and behold, laid out a truly wonderful welcome for Mo and I when we entered our room!
It was so sweet and we have never had anything so personal prepared for us before (not even on our honeymoon?!), so we were really touched and hey, it’s going to take some beating.
It’s also a little disappointing when we travel now and there’s not so much as a sweet to welcome us 🙁
Best in the UK
The Lake House, Lake District
This place was breath-taking. I remember walking into the Lake House and thinking, yup, I could live here. This private house is one of the most luxuriest manor houses I’ve ever come across. It was winter at the time we stayed and we enjoyed long nights by the fire in the lounge, dinners in the conservatory overlooking the private lake…
Oh yeah, there’s a private lake! Where you can take the boats out, go for a long walk around it or simply take a seat on the pier and gaze over the peaceful waters. There is an indoor heated pool, outdoor hot tub and even a Japanese bath hidden amongst the trees. Buzzers strategically placed around the house to ensure a helping hand was never far away.
BLISS.
My most favourit-est of them all:
Veligandu Resort, Maldives
Our deluxe ocean villa at the Veligandu Island resort was definitely the most amazing place we’ve ever stayed in. I don’t even think it needs much explaining.
We had an ocean villa, perched over the water with a private deck and steps into the ocean, our own private outdoor Jacuzzi, a separate dressing area, amazing rain showers, FANTASTIC food… I would go back in a heart beat
(Anyone fancy sending me back?)
*ps – I am fully aware favourit-est is not a real word, but you get my gist 🙂
*** October Travel Linkup ***
So tell us, what are the most interesting and memorable places you’ve rested?
Just pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st – 7th October), add it to the link up widget below on either Emma’s, Angie‘s or on our lovely co-host Aftab @ Fresh and Fearless – from the 1st of the month.
There are no rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; make a few comments here and there and tweet a few of the posts out to your followers that you think they will love. It’s a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging joy!
