REVIEW: Pensione Wildner – Venice, Italy
Let’s face facts: Venice has one of the most unique and rich histories in the world – it is a swirling hodgepodge of global influence, an intersection between east and west, a city with an uncertain future and a dubious past. It’s no wonder La Serenissima inspired so many poets, artists and musicians from all over the world with it’s stunning visuals and murky mystery. Notables from Hemingway to Ruskin to Ezra Pound wandered it’s calles searching for inspiration – and their places of residence, like...
read moreREVIEW: InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza – Kansas City, Missouri
Let me preface this by stating that I have never stayed at an InterContinental Hotel. I once attended a debatably good homecoming dance at the one in downtown Miami back in my college days, but I have never “guest-ed” one of their loftily-branded rooms. Much like the Eden in Lugano, Switzerland, driving up to it is none too impressive. Sure, they try and dress it up with international flags and some pretty boys at the front door with gold tassels on their shoulderpads, but that rarely has bearing on what you find inside. Yet...
read moreREVIEW: Hotel Locanda Vivaldi – Venice, Italy
Venetian decor? Check. Friendly staff? Check. Great location? Check. Peace and quiet? Check aaaaand check. Locanda Vivaldi is a gem through-and-through, and hands-down my top choice for accommodations in La Serenissima. The only drawback can be price – well, dispiace but isn’t that always the case? Fork out just this once – I did and it was worth every penny of the money I don’t have. Locanda Vivaldi gets its name from, you guessed it, the famous composer of the same name who once called this charming building on...
read moreREVIEW: St. Regis Grand – Rome, Italy
Rome – the Eternal City. An international business hub. Former seat of one of the greatest empires the world has ever known. Perfectly-suited characteristics for a Grand hotel. Newly-restored and unbelievably fabulous, the St. Regis is a masterpiece of hospitality and luxury. Major, as Victoria Beckham would say. Just try not to gawk at the lobby chandeliers or the towers of florals on the foyer tables or you WILL trip over a stair somewhere (they pop up unexpectedly). Where do I even start? How about the service. I...
read moreREVIEW: Westin Excelsior – Florence, Italy
A Conde Nast Traveler Gold List winner for multiple consecutive years, it’s not hard to see why this gem is so highly ranked. One of the most flawless hotel stays I can remember in recent years, and not because the hallways are conveniently long enough to work off all the delicious Tuscan food I spent 3 days consuming. Located smack dab on the River Arno just a bridge or two down from the infamous Ponte Vecchio, it’s easy to locate, easy to access and easy to enjoy. The sprawling lobby is adorned with fresh flowers daily,...
read moreREVIEW: Hotel Danieli – Venice, Italy
Undoubtedly you’ve heard of the Hotel Danieli (and if you haven’t, well, hello). It belongs to that puffed-up, proud class of luxury hotels that regularly makes “Top 100″ lists by established and respected industry publications like Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure. It strikes fear into the hearts of budget travelers everywhere. It doesn’t care what you think about it, because it’s that famous. So I will allow myself to be particularly picky here. Siete pronto? Situated on the easily-found,...
read moreREVIEW: Grand Hotel Eden Lugano – Lugano, Switzerland
Don’t be fooled by the road-visible sixties decor on the exterior – this place is a palace. A five-star hotel that sits comfortably on the shore of mountain-hugged Lake Lugano near the Swiss-Italian border like a grand lady at the banquet table, Eden is actually made up of 2 buildings – the original building on the left of the main road as you drive into town from the highway, and a second building nestled against the lake. Over 100 years old, the hotel includes several large windowed ballrooms, a cozy bar, a full-service...
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