Writing a travel blog is a unique challenge in a world where travel for pleasure has come to a standstill.
In recent weeks, Drew and I have pivoted to sharing our experiences with untangling our trips booked for the remainder of this year. Along with sharing our thoughts on whether to keep travel credit cards and how best to dispute a transaction.
As we settle into this new normal, I thought it would be worthwhile writing reviews on some of the most enjoyable destination hotels at which I’ve had the privilege of staying. It might even serve as a thought starter for your future holidays.
Below is an overview and list, with a retro review to follow in the coming weeks and months.
In this post:
Iconic & Historic Hotels
My favourite hotels are those with history and are part of the fabric of a city. Some of the hotels in this category are extravagantly priced, but like the Eastern & Oriental in Penang, there are still many that are worth a splurge.
Sofitel Legend Hotel Metropole, Hanoi
Opening its doors in 1091, the Hotel Metropole in Hanoi is the iconic French Colonial property in Vietnam. Rooms at this hotel have even served as the Embassy for Switzerland and Italy.
Hotel National, Moscow
An elegant hotel since 1903, the Hotel National is located directly opposite Red Square and the Kremlin. If you’re lucky, your room will have excellent views including St Basil’s.
InterContinental Amstel, Amsterdam
The Amstel, considered the Grand Dutch Hotel, has been welcoming guests into a world of comfort and luxury since 1867 and despite being a sizable building offers only 79 guest rooms. The beautiful swimming pool is a firm favourite, and has a deck that fronts the Amstel river.
Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira
Reid’s Palace is a historic hotel on the Portugese island of Madeira, located on a cliff top with Atlantic Ocean views and wonderful gardens. Since opening its doors in 1891, it has played host to Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden amongst others.
The terrace at Reid’s hosts an iconic afternoon tea which draws guests and visitors alike.
Palais Hansen Kempinski, Vienna
Designed and named after the architect Theophil Edvard Hansen, the Palais Hansen welcomed visitors to the World Exhibition in 1873 and then reopened in 2013 as an exceptional luxury hotel.
A perfect blend of old and new, including digital shower and bath, with the best service of a city hotel to date.
Taj Cape Town
Comprising a heritage wing and modern tower, the Taj Cape Town is a great city hotel. The Heritage Wing comprises the former Reserve Bank of South Africa building and Temple Chambers.
Destination Resorts
People often build their holidays around a specific resort, and these three are destination worthy.
InterContinental Berchtesgaden (Now Kempinski Berchtesgaden)
Nestled in the Bavarian Alps above the town of Berchtesgaden, the Berchtesgaden Resort is set in an alpine wonderland. The outdoor swimming pool is more like a spa and has incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort
Bora Bora is a bucket list destination for many people, and the InterContinental Bora Bora does not disappoint.
Every room is an overwater bungalow, so even point redemptions are guaranteed one.
Conrad Koh Samui
A little closer to home, the Conrad Koh Samui is a luxury resort that ranks up there with the best. Every room is a cliff top villa with a private swimming pool and ocean views.
Hip Hotels
There is the occasional hotel that is neither historic nor a destination resort, but is so well put together that it deserves a mention.
The Thief, Oslo
The Thief is a perfectly designed gem that was everything you’d expect from Oslo’s best boutique hotel. Every item in the hotel seemed to be carefully curated to create that hygge feeling.
Summary
In a world filled with Fairfield Inns and the like, which offer great value for a consistent product, an iconic hotel can really make a trip special.
All the hotels above have added to my travel experiences and are hopefully a thought starter for your future trips too.
