October 4, 2012

The Parker, Palm Springs – California

By jenn

Out of all the Starwood Hotels I have stayed at so far, I have to admit The Parker – Palm Springs is one of my favorites.  The Parker – Palm Springs was a nice tucked away resort in the heart of Palm Springs, located just about 5 minutes away from the main strip.  The Parker is secluded, if you’re not paying close attention, you may miss the entrance.

*Photo courtesy of theparkerpalmsprings.com

Palm Springs during the summer is definitely hot. Stayed here on July 13th, 2012 and the temperature outside was approx. 98+ degrees farenheit.  But, as soon as Valet whisks your car away, you couldn’t help but notice the huge orange-colored entry door into what you would least expect to be a “perfect” retreat for a weekend getaway.

Entry to The Parker – Palm Springs

A few friends of mine have raved about this hotel, which made me inclined to book a night to see what this hotel was all about.  Of course I had an idea in my mind of what this hotel looked like, the gallery showed the key features of what this hotel had to offer. But, I had much more appreciation being able to stay in such a fabulous Palm Springs retreat. As you open the double orange doors, you immediately walk into a vintage/chic lobby, with an art deco feel.  I was utterly impressed as I walked into the lobby and it was nice to be greeted by the front desk as you’re welcomed in.

As usual, if you are a Starwood Preferred Guest Member, make sure to provide the front desk with your SPG account. We decided to book a one night stay for $269/night.  (Eeeek!!!) I know… $269/night?  What were we thinking?  The package included a $200 Credit Voucher towards their Spa facility, which worked out great because we were both in need of a spa massage!  That left us with the room turning out to be $69 + tax and $30/day resort fee.  Not too shabby after all!! That is if you are really interested in some R&R and needing a spa massage as badly as I did.

Here are some images of the front lobby:

  

This property was like a maze! One thing I would have appreciated, is if they had placed signs all over the property to direct guests where the pool, rooms, spa and other facilities were located.  If the front desk failed to provide you with their animated map, you may get lost.  But, for some visitors, they may not care for signs and actually enjoy venturing the property on their own.  After check-in we were pleasantly surprised by the room and toiletries offered:

After staying here for one night, I decided to book the room for one more night.  What I absolutely appreciated was the fact that there was an “Adult Only” pool and a “Family” pool.  The staff at the adult pool were attentive and the cocktails kept flowing.  Besides the pool, the amazing spa experience and quaint rooms, the resort has so much to offer.  The lawn area had a fire pit for spending QT underneath the stars, while they bring you chocolate and marshmallows to cook s’mores over the open fire.  If you enjoy playing tennis or croquet, they also offer the equipment for you to play a game.  Or, if you prefer to venture out of the resort, they also offer bicycles for rent.  But, if you are not as adventurous or wanting to stay away from the heat, this resort offers video rentals for you to stay cozy inside the room.  Pick your poison, but it appears to me that the paid resort fee is well worth it. This place was FANTASTIC!

  • Hotel Ambience: Art Deco and Dainty
  • Hotel Staff:  Pleasant.
  • Hotel Amenities:  If you read the above message, there is not much more for me to say.  Extremely satisfied.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel:  Spotless, no complaints.
  • Overall Experience:  Can’t wait to return.  Enjoyed all the amenities, especially the adult pool and PSYC (Spa).  Next time I’ll have to try the restaurant and rate their food. To be continued…

Leave a comment | posted in California, Palm Springs

January 22, 2012

Kurhaus Hotel, Den Haag – The Netherlands

By jenn

Ending my two week European excursion, was a one night stay in a four star hotel known as the Kurhaus Hotel.  Resembling the classical elegance of hotels such as the Ritz Carlton or Plaza Hotel in NYC, this hotel not only impressed us with its style, but with a beautiful view of the ocean.  I was pleasantly impressed by the boardwalk on the beach.  The boardwalk was such a classical “Jenn style,” plush lounge chairs, mood lighting and lounge music playing in the background.  Firewood pits, delicious cocktails and food varied from one restaurant to the next.  Perfect dinner and night entertainment for couples and honeymooners.

The Kurhaus Hotel is located in a city known as Den Haag or also commonly known as The Hague.  Den Haag is the third largest city in The Netherlands. This city includes two distinct beach resorts, the main one is Scheveningen and the other one is Benelux Kijkduin.  The Kurhaus Hotel is located on the  north beach resort, which is Scheveningen.  Major tourist attraction and common to the locals for weekend getaways.  The Kurhaus Hotel could not be missed, it is centrally located on the boardwalk and facing the beach. You could see from the photo below, the perimeter this hotel takes up on the boardwalk.

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Steigenberger Kurhaus Hotel - Den Haag

The rooms at the Kurhaus Hotel were obviously elegant and contemporary.  This hotel could be pricey during peak season, but affordable during off-peak seasons.  The one ah-maz-ing part about our room was the side view, in which we opened up our windows and noticed the breathe taking ocean.  Unfortunately, we were in low tide season, waves did not provide the capabilities of surfing or body boarding.  Needless to say, ocean views are calm and relaxing to the mind.  Furthermore, providing an overall perfect ending to my trip.

Image

Superior Room

** above photo from Kurhaus Official website

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Side view of the boardwalk and ocean

  • Hotel Ambience:  Elegant and Contemporary.
  • Hotel Staff:  Friendly.
  • Hotel Amenities: Unfortunately, I did not check out the restaurant at the hotel.  But, there are many local restaurants around the boardwalk that are worth checking out.  The seafood here is delicious.  Overall nearby attraction is the boardwalk and dueling piano bar next door.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel:  spotless.
  • Overall Experience: Be mindful when traveling outside the US.  I did not know that even though you stated a one night stay, if you do not check out of the hotel registration, they may charge you for the next night because you did not sign off on your check out slip.  This happened to me during my stay at the Kurhaus.  Luckily, I dealt with a hotel staff member who understood the “American check-out” of not having to sign off on a check out slip, at the end of your stay at a US Hotel.  They cleared everything out of the system with the manager of the hotel and did not overcharge me.  However, I did spend a great deal of my time having to sort everything out.  However, I have to admit this hotel is on the highest end, staying in Scheveningen.  Although it is centrally located to the boardwalk and beach, which makes it convenient for traveling as an out of town guest. I would stay here again!

2 comments | posted in Den Haag, The Netherlands, Europe

September 20, 2011

Hotel Faubourg 216-224, Paris – France

By jenn

Bonjour! Oh, Paris… how I love thee!!!

During my two-week trip to Europe, I visited Paris twice.  The second visit included a stay in the town of St. Denis, which is not far from the city centre of Paris.  This hotel was conveniently located near a centralized metro station, Gare du Nord. Hotel Faubourg 216-224 is considered a 3.5 star hotel, narrow in space, but pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and contemporary feel of the room.

Walkway to hotel rooms.

The front lobby staff was friendly and provided courtesy calls for catching some local attractions.  The staff provided us with information on the canal cruises, Moulin Rouge showings and other cabaret shows. This hotel also provided wi-fi, but the signal was not as strong as we hoped it to be.  We were kind of disappointed that their wi-fi access kept kicking us out of being able to use the internet.  But for the most part, we were happy with the room and the comfort it provided.

Double Bedroom

As most hotels in Europe, if you do not specify a double bedroom, you may end up with a room and 2 single beds.  Although the temperature outside was not that hot, the AC in the room was working great.  As you can see in the photo, the room was styled in a minimalist fashion, but overall it was very cozy.  Too bad our room did not have a view of the city, instead we were facing other rooms.  The bathroom and shower functioned well, but of course the bathroom was narrow in space. For the decent price we paid per night, this hotel was definitely better than the ones I’ve stayed in Paris before.

  • Hotel Ambience: Minimalist, but cozy. Contemporary and clean.
  • Hotel Staff:  Provided information on local attractions, although improvement in providing directions would be great.
  • Hotel Amenities:  Did not check out the local spots around the area as much as we would’ve enjoyed.  But, located very close to Metro stations with easy access to the various attractions such as the Louvre, Sacre Coeur, Eiffel Tower and more.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel: No visible dust spots or dirt.
  • Overall Experience:  Not a bad place to stay for the price and being a 3.5 star. A cab ride to Notre Dame area would cost anywhere from 7-8 Euros, which is not too bad.  Unfortunately, the hotel does not provide parking and a nearby parking garage was not easy to find.  The wi-fi signal was not strong and think the hotel should fix it.  However, the staff was friendly and noises from the streets could not be heard.  Satisfied with the feel of the room and bathroom.  Space was small, but the minimalist furniture kept it simple and easy to move around in for 2 people.

Leave a comment | posted in Europe, Paris, France

September 15, 2011

Park Hotel, Amsterdam – The Netherlands

By jenn

 

Front Lobby Entrance

Although my hotel stay started in Paris, I thought I’d write about Park Hotel in Amsterdam first.  I absolutely loved this hotel, which clearly was 4 stars and had paid the price for it also.  I have to admit, the price was definitely reasonable for this hotel, based on the amenities provided. I stayed in room 260 which had a front view of central Amsterdam, with the boats streaming across the canal.  This hotel was centrally located to nearby restaurants, shops and The Heineken Factory.  I would compare this hotel to Starwood’s W Hotel, in which I always enjoy staying in.  The staff was very attentive, hotel lobby was sleek and the room was spotless.

Doubleroom

One thing about Europe that you always need to keep in mind is making sure to choose your room wisely.  In the US, we typically just select a room for 2 and then the website provides you with the option for double beds or king size.  In Europe, the option they give you is: single or double; but, there are times when you choose double and they still give you a room with 2 twin beds.  Luckily for the doubleroom I booked, they provided us with a queen size bed.  If you choose a single at Park Hotel, the bed they provide is not a twin, but a full.  Perhaps you don’t mind saving some costs and sharing a full size bed for 2 people, that would be an option at this hotel.

Bathroom

The black tiles in this modern bathroom made it feel chic and sexy.  By far, this bathroom was the largest I’ve seen during my stay in Europe this time around.

Park Hotel

Altogether, I was impressed with this hotel and the room size for a European country. Unfortunately I stayed for one night, but made the most out of  my stay in this fabulous hotel. I would definitely book this hotel again…

  • Hotel Ambience: Modern/Contemporary and Chic.
  • Hotel Staff: Accomodating and friendly.
  • Hotel Amenities:  Lots of nearby eateries, shops and tourist attractions. Walking distance to various museums, the Heineken factory and surrounding hotels. 24 Hour room service.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel: Spotless.
  • Overall Experience:  Room was bigger than I expected, I was pleasantly surprised.  Amenities were fabulous! The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was clean.  The negative point was the fact that wifi was not free and costs 19 Euros for 24 hours.  Whereas, we were informed that wifi was free in local 2-3 star hotels around the area. Irregardless, if I were to stay in Amsterdam again, Park Hotel would be my first choice.

Leave a comment | posted in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Europe

August 9, 2011

Le Meridien, Delhi – India

By jenn

On December 10, 2010, I arrived to Indira Gandhi International Airport at approx. 12 o’clock in the afternoon.  I was greeted by the driver from the Le Meridien Hotel and was nice enough to offer a chilled bottle of water, as well as, the local newspaper in English during our drive to the city.  As we left the airport,  I looked out the window and realize how similar the country was to my parent’s native country of Indonesia.  I couldn’t help but smile at a family of 4 riding a moped, the father stirring the bike, while one little boy sits in front and the other 2 sit behind him.  I remember when I was younger, I would complain to my parents about the AC not working in our station wagon and hated being in the heat.  As I see this family pass by, I couldn’t help but realize how there is so much more to appreciate about life than the material things.  I could go on about how I felt about the city, but my blog is dedicated to my hotel experience and so I must continue.

As we approach the hotel, I noticed I was staying very close to the Parliament house.  The driver pulls up to the Le Meridien driveway and was only allowed to enter because he held a pass that allowed him to enter.  I then opened the car door, headed to the trunk to pick up my luggage and soon realized… my luggage was being taken through a scanner.  It was apparent at that moment, I was within the vicinity of government buildings and the hotel needed to take extra safety precautions. The hotel staff were polite and I didn’t question their intent to keep their guests safe.

Hotel Lobby

My journey to India was a long one, it took me 11 hours to arrive at Heathrow Airport.  After 11 hours on the plane, I had a 4 hour layover and decided to lounge at the American Airlines Admirals Club.  After 15 hours of anticipation, my journey from Heathrow Airport to Delhi was 7 hours.  Furthermore, knowing that it would take me a whole day of traveling to get to my final destination, I decided to book this 4 star hotel.  I had done my research beforehand, looked into photos and reviews before booking this hotel.  All I could think about when I was assigned my room key was sleep.  As I opened the door to my room, I remember how contemporary the rooms looked from the photos and to my comfort, it represented the photograph I had seen.  Hardwood floors, flat screen TV and a comfortable bed.  The bathroom was just as contemporary as I pictured it and overall, the room was clean and comfortable to sleep in.

Guest Room

Bathroom

After a night’s rest, I woke up in the morning and decided to check out the restaurant by the Hotel Lobby.  To my surprise, a breakfast buffet awaited my arrival and was inclusive with my hotel room.  On second thought, for the rate I paid on this room, the buffet should have been included. I was delighted by the fact that I was able to enjoy both a traditional American breakfast, but also Indian delights at the same time.  I took a risk in drinking the fruit juices they offered, but it was well worth it because it was rich in ingredients.  After eating breakfast, I decided to walk around the hotel and check the marketplace located on the second floor.  Unfortunately, I was not impressed by the stores the hotel had to offer.  It was apparent that the merchants were trying to attract the tourists who did not feel comfortable leaving the hotel, or those who didn’t know there were local flea markets in which you could find a better bargain.  It was a bit uncomfortable being a woman and walking around the second floor by herself, the men kept staring at me to get me to come inside their shop and buy something.  Luckily, I kept walking and ignored having to face them in the eye.  The last stop I checked out at the hotel was their salon, I decided to treat myself to a mani/pedi.  I was greeted by an Indian man and he polished my nails for me.  The salon was just as contemporary as their guest rooms.

  • Hotel Ambience: Contemporary
  • Hotel Staff: Friendly and easy to communicate with.
  • Hotel Amenities: Restaurant “The One,” great breakfast buffet and friendly staff.  Merchants/Marketplace: Unimpressive.  Better bargains at local flea markets or outside shops.  Merchants made it uncomfortable to shop and approach.  Salon was contemporary and staff were friendly.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel: Clean
  • Overall Experience:  Based on the hotel I stayed in at the end of my Indian journey, this hotel would’ve been my number one choice to stay at. The hotel I stayed at with my tour package smelled like urine, room was not clean and the restaurant was not impressive.  Furthermore, staying in India, I do rate this hotel a 4 star.

Leave a comment | posted in Asia, New Delhi, India

June 2, 2011

W Hotel, San Diego – California

By jenn

Yet another Starwood Hotel stay again! The W Hotel is notoriously known for their “chic and contemporary” ambience.  I haven’t stayed at the other W Hotels, but I have visited the one in San Francisco and what I love is the bar/lounge entrance at night.  In the evening, the hotel lobby becomes the party scene and DJ’s spinning either House or Hip Hop.  This hotel is not recommended for young children or families, I would recommend this to my single ready to mingle friends and to couples only. Interestingly, the entry rug of the elevator changes during the morning, afternoon and evening.  The elevator rug greets with a “Good Morning” or “Good Afternoon” or “Good Evening,” obviously, dependent on what time of day it is. 

The W Bed

 I was always under the impression that regardless of which Starwood Hotel you stay in, they’ll always supply you with their “Heavenly” bed selection.  I jumped into bed and realized that this bed was not the usual “heavenly” bed, only to realize that the W hotel has their own “W bed” line.  Never seems to amaze me on how much Starwood tries to capitalize on their various room amenities, featured bed linens, mattresses, shower heads, robes, etc. The bed was definitely comfortable, but I didn’t care too much for the pillows.  I enjoy a soft pillow, but it also needs to have a certain firmness.  My head sunk in and it was hard for me to fall asleep easily with the W bedding collection.

What I love about the room is the option to lounge by the window with their cushioned bench.  The reading materials were entertaining and nothing beats a view of other skylines within the vicinity.  Luckily for us, we had beautiful blue skies!

Lounge by the Window

 

It all came back to me on the reason why I heart staying at the W Hotel… the bliss branded shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash, body wash and lotion.  Lemon scented everything!  I used every bit of their amenities and even asked for more.  BLISS could be found at Sephora and their brand is not cheap! So while you stay at the W Hotel, enjoy as much of it as you can because it’s all included with your room deal.

"Ignorance is BLISS"...

Pros: The W Hotel is nicely situated in the more quiet side of town.  Finding parking near the hotel is easy and open meters around the blocks surrounding the hotel.  It’s also a plus to have a bar/lounge setting in your hotel, if you don’t feel like leaving and want to just chill with a drink or two.

Cons:  This hotel is a few blocks away from Gaslamp Quarters, which means a $5 cab ride is much-needed for all the nightlife and excitement.  The pool is very shallow and not very big.  More than likely you are only able to fit a total of 40-50 people around/inside the pool area.  Not sure why they designed the pool/beach bar the way they did because don’t get it twisted, the two are not located in the same area.  The gym is next to the pool, which to me, should’ve been the bar area instead.  Perhaps they could do some remodeling in the near future or rethink the design of their layout. Parking at this hotel is $26/night.  Surrounding lots will charge anywhere from $10-17/day. Parking is free from 6PM Saturday – Sunday.

Room 1020

  • Hotel Ambience: Chic and Contemporary
  • Hotel Staff: Friendly and had no issues with late check-out.
  • Hotel Amenities: Enjoyed the spacious room, contemporary furniture, iPod speakers and bliss branded bathroom supplies.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel:  Clean.
  • Overall Experience:  I highly recommend this hotel for the young/single/couples crowd.  If you are coming with children, this hotel would not be ideal.  Wish they had visioned the pool and beach bar access to be joined together vs. being separate, the whole floor plan didn’t make sense to me. Hotel earned brownie points for having an ACURA complimentary car service from/to the hotel, however, car service is only available during a specified time.  Nice to be able to get picked up/dropped off without a meter running.  Shops/restaurants in Gaslamp Quarters is not too far from the hotel.  I highly recommend trying Nobu at Hard Rock Hotel, their food was absolutely impeccable!

1 comment | posted in California, San Diego

May 23, 2011

Doubletree Fess Parker Resort, Santa Barbara – California

By jenn

Hotel Parking Entry

Doubletree Fess Parker Resort was AMAZING!  Thankfully through my corporate rates, I was able to book this hotel at a cheaper price.  According to the sign in the hotel room, the room I stayed in averaged $500-700/night.  The location and amenities of this hotel speaks the truth about resort living.  However, I’m not sure I would’ve paid that price to stay in a deluxe room, it would be different if that was the price of a suite. 

I was greeted by the front desk receptionist and after checking in for my room, she hands over fresh-baked cookies for being a hotel guest.  After a long drive, that chocolate chip cookie earned this hotel some brownie points in my books.  This resort is huge, their rooms are segmented in different buildings.  The building in which my room was located was the Camelia building.  Another aspect of Santa Barbara that I absolutely love is the Spanish architecture and its influences. 

Camelia

There was nothing very special about our room, but I must admit it was very spacious. If you’re planning a girl’s weekend, this room is ideal because there is a vanity area that is separate from the vanity inside the actual bathroom. There is plenty of space to style your hair or put on your makeup. The nice thing about the room, was the outside patio. Although the view was directly the back parking lot, if you looked up, you could see the pretty blue skies and mountain landscapes. Not too shabby!!! Ideally, you might want to ask for the second floor in which the balcony would give you the same view, but at a higher level. Below are some photos of the inside and outside of the room:

Double Vanities!

 

Sweet Dream - bedding

 

Queen Beds - Guestroom

 

 

Patio

 

 
Wedding ceremonies/receptions are common at this hotel. Upon arrival on Saturday afternoon, a wedding was occurring.  Upon leaving on Sunday afternoon, another wedding was being setup.  Below are some photos of the gorgeous locations this hotel has to offer for such a big event:

Second Level of their Courtyard

 

Beautiful Outside Decor

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Beautiful Ocean View Courtyard!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lastly, the location of this hotel was ideal for local eateries.  The one we encountered down the street was Sambo’s! Highly recommended onYelp and Zagat rated, we decided to go here for brunch on Sunday.  It was a little bit windy outside so we decided to eat inside, but if you go there on a nice sunny day, sitting outside would be ideal. I ordered a typical morning breakfast, but next time I suggest ordering their Crab Cakes Benedict.  Absolutely deelish!!!  To top things off with this fabulous restaurant, their chocolate chip muffins provided after being seated. Prices wer very reasonable! $
 

Sambo's Infamous Menu

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Infamous Chocolate Chip Muffins!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Crab Cakes Benedict!

 
 

 

  • Hotel Ambience: Spanish/Vintage/Classic
  • Hotel Staff: Friendly, service with a smile!
  • Hotel Amenities: Spacious room/double vanities a plus and outdoor patio was excellent.
  • Cleanliness of Hotel:  Clean.
  • Overall Experience:  A nice place for a weekend getaway.  Very serene and quiet, maid service didn’t wake you in the AM, shower was good and bed was comfortable for sleeping.  Distance to local eateries:  1/4-1/2 mile for restaurants facing the beach.  Downtown shopping was a mile up State Street.  Lots of tour buses and beach events to keep your afternoon occupied.

Leave a comment | posted in Santa Barbara

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