Your favourite hotels worldwide
Jan 22, 2007, 10:32 am
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
I had to get it down to four, and even that was tough.
Best Asia: FS Sayan and Peninsula Bangkok (Tie)
Best Europe: George V
Best US: Skylofts at MGM Grand
Mike
Best Asia: FS Sayan and Peninsula Bangkok (Tie)
Best Europe: George V
Best US: Skylofts at MGM Grand
Mike
Jan 27, 2007, 5:17 pm
#32
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Starwood Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, UAL Executive Premier
Posts: 57
Crete: Blue Palace
Paris: Park Hyatt
Istanbul: Four Seasons
Tokyo: Tie - Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt
Vienna: Imperial
Cape Town: Cape Grace (Arabella Sheraton is quite nice)
Lima: JW Marriott
Sydney, Melbourne: Park Hyatts
Shanghai, Beijing: Grand Hyatts
Cairo: Four Seasons
Athens: Grand Bretagne
San Sebastian: Maria Cristina
Madrid: Grand Hyatt
Helsinke: Kamp
Salzburg: Goldener Hirsch
Rome: Hilton
Venice: Europa& Regina
New York: St. Regis
Chicago: Park Hyatt
Seattle: Grand Hyatt
Paris: Park Hyatt
Istanbul: Four Seasons
Tokyo: Tie - Grand Hyatt, Park Hyatt
Vienna: Imperial
Cape Town: Cape Grace (Arabella Sheraton is quite nice)
Lima: JW Marriott
Sydney, Melbourne: Park Hyatts
Shanghai, Beijing: Grand Hyatts
Cairo: Four Seasons
Athens: Grand Bretagne
San Sebastian: Maria Cristina
Madrid: Grand Hyatt
Helsinke: Kamp
Salzburg: Goldener Hirsch
Rome: Hilton
Venice: Europa& Regina
New York: St. Regis
Chicago: Park Hyatt
Seattle: Grand Hyatt
Jan 31, 2007, 7:14 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: CH / D
Programs: Amex, Avis, BA, BD, CX, FS, Hertz, HH, IC, LH, NH, RC, RCCL, Sixt, SPG, SQ, UA
Posts: 7,050
Most Amazing Atmosphere: MO Chiang Mai
Best City Hotel: Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore, MO Hongkong, MO BKK, IC Hongkong, PEN HKG
Best Resort & City (combination) Hotel: Ritz Carlton Dubai
Best Value Proposition: IC Bali
Best City Hotel: Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore, MO Hongkong, MO BKK, IC Hongkong, PEN HKG
Best Resort & City (combination) Hotel: Ritz Carlton Dubai
Best Value Proposition: IC Bali
Feb 1, 2007, 8:40 am
#36
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: California
Programs: Skymiles, Advantage, Dynasty
Posts: 116
I tend to stay at budget hotels since I travel alone but once in a while I splurge so here are some of the hotels I splurged on.
Bangkok..
The Landmark. Very nice hotel, I stayed in the exec suite which was very nice.
Grand Sukhumvit by Sofitel.
Siam@Siam Design Hotel.. I would recomend this hotel to anyone who wants to stay at a trendy hotel, the staff was the best at this hotel and at about $90 a night not a bad deal.
Bali.
Pansea Puri Bali. This was an awesome hotel, the staff knew my name from the second day there. Nice.
The Oberoi. One of the best places I have ever stayed at with private pool.
Los Angeles.
The Peninsula. Very nice hotel, awesome food.
Bangkok..
The Landmark. Very nice hotel, I stayed in the exec suite which was very nice.
Grand Sukhumvit by Sofitel.
Siam@Siam Design Hotel.. I would recomend this hotel to anyone who wants to stay at a trendy hotel, the staff was the best at this hotel and at about $90 a night not a bad deal.
Bali.
Pansea Puri Bali. This was an awesome hotel, the staff knew my name from the second day there. Nice.
The Oberoi. One of the best places I have ever stayed at with private pool.
Los Angeles.
The Peninsula. Very nice hotel, awesome food.
Feb 1, 2007, 12:49 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: BA Silvercard. VS Gold Card
Posts: 28
I agree, having lived in HK for 7 years and travled much around the Region that Asian Hotels are greeat.
Just come back from NY where i stayed at the Mandarin Oriental which was fantastic.
Looks like the Asian brand of service with best of the West does travel. Peninsula is another Asian group, but seems to have had less success in growing outside Asia
Just come back from NY where i stayed at the Mandarin Oriental which was fantastic.
Looks like the Asian brand of service with best of the West does travel. Peninsula is another Asian group, but seems to have had less success in growing outside Asia
Feb 1, 2007, 3:05 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Word is that Pen is concerned about stretching itself too thin. And they are very insistent upon opening/building a hotel only when they can get (what they view as) the most desirable location in the target city. That's why it took so long to get one in Tokyo. They'd been eyeing the property for ages but couldn't get approval to build a sufficiently tall building near Imperial Palace grounds. Finally, they got what they wanted. Shanghai is their next target. Sydney is on the radar screen but probably many years off. Rumored to have looked at Boston and DC but decided the market wasn't strong enough or they couldn't get the real estate they wanted. San Francisco strikes me as a good candidate, but haven't heard anything about that. Singapore too, but the luxury rates there might not be strong enough. And, as Kagehitoriki noted, they don't do resorts, only city hotels.
I'm curious about the "less success" comment re Pen growing outside Asia. Perhaps it was intended to mean only that they haven't grown much outside Asia. The Beverly Hills property is well-regarded, NY is considered among the top in the city, and Pen Chicago has been rated best city hotel in America recently. Comments on this board certainly indicate Pen Chicago is a success.
I'm curious about the "less success" comment re Pen growing outside Asia. Perhaps it was intended to mean only that they haven't grown much outside Asia. The Beverly Hills property is well-regarded, NY is considered among the top in the city, and Pen Chicago has been rated best city hotel in America recently. Comments on this board certainly indicate Pen Chicago is a success.
Feb 1, 2007, 7:04 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,298
as i mentioned in a different thread ...on china i think......work is currently underway for the Peninsula in Shanghai ....towards north bund ...
about resorts and the Pen....well they had all the plans ready for the Peninsula in Phuket a few years back ......but probably now thinks its better to focus on city luxury sites......and doing a big one off swoop of a "resort chain" if one that fits the bill comes along eg Aman or its ilk - if such exists.....of course they ie the Pen also owns thro an affiliate now - Quail Lodge in california.......
about resorts and the Pen....well they had all the plans ready for the Peninsula in Phuket a few years back ......but probably now thinks its better to focus on city luxury sites......and doing a big one off swoop of a "resort chain" if one that fits the bill comes along eg Aman or its ilk - if such exists.....of course they ie the Pen also owns thro an affiliate now - Quail Lodge in california.......
Last edited by bearbrick; Feb 1, 2007 at 7:08 pm Reason: spelling mistakes
Feb 3, 2007, 3:36 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
That list is sure to start a conversation. Notable and hard to agree with rankings include the following:
1. A Hilton is the single best luxury property in the world.
2. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is the best in Bangkok.
3. RC is the best in Hong Kong.
4. FS is the best in San Francisco.
5. Omni is second-best in SFO.
6. FSGV is #22 (see thread started by Nacharia)
7. Only one Peninsula (Bangkok) made it into the top 100, and then at #85.
8. Precious few (any?) Amans made the top 100.
9. Sofitel is the best in New York.
10. Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown Portland is #10 best luxury hotel in US.
1. A Hilton is the single best luxury property in the world.
2. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is the best in Bangkok.
3. RC is the best in Hong Kong.
4. FS is the best in San Francisco.
5. Omni is second-best in SFO.
6. FSGV is #22 (see thread started by Nacharia)
7. Only one Peninsula (Bangkok) made it into the top 100, and then at #85.
8. Precious few (any?) Amans made the top 100.
9. Sofitel is the best in New York.
10. Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown Portland is #10 best luxury hotel in US.
funniest IMO
6th Best in Asia - MO KL (best not bargain
)6th Best Hidden Gem in USA - HI Charleston
Best Hidden Gem in Asia include 2 HIs, and Dave's Straw Hat Inn, Phillipines
10th best Romance in USA - Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 3, 2007 at 12:31 pm
Feb 3, 2007, 4:30 pm
#43
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 142
i finally couldnt resist looking.
funniest IMO
6th Best in Asia - MO KL (best not bargain)
6th Best Hidden Gem in USA - HI Charleston
Best Hidden Gem in Asia include 2 HIs, and Dave's Straw Hat Inn, Phillipines
10th best Romance in USA - Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
funniest IMO
6th Best in Asia - MO KL (best not bargain
)6th Best Hidden Gem in USA - HI Charleston
Best Hidden Gem in Asia include 2 HIs, and Dave's Straw Hat Inn, Phillipines
10th best Romance in USA - Best Western Cavalier Oceanfront Resort
Some of those hidden gems might be best advised to remain hidden... However. I needed the laugh.
And perhaps I'd better leave it at that. Tripadvisor, I guess, does have its uses - for me, mostly as a negative indicator (lots of bad reviews can frequently be trusted, but lots of positive ones need to be taken with a larger pinch of salt...).
Feb 3, 2007, 4:54 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 298
The great thing about Dave's Straw Hat Inn is for 20 dollars you can have a fan cooled room vs. 25 dollars a night for a standard room. It also even has a nice classy sign as one of the pictures of the inn:
http://www.boracayisland.org/davestrawhat.shtml
http://www.boracayisland.org/davestrawhat.shtml
Feb 4, 2007, 3:24 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
The great thing about Dave's Straw Hat Inn is for 20 dollars you can have a fan cooled room vs. 25 dollars a night for a standard room. It also even has a nice classy sign as one of the pictures of the inn:
http://www.boracayisland.org/davestrawhat.shtml
http://www.boracayisland.org/davestrawhat.shtml
^^the only thing thats not as funny on TA is all the negative reviews of Aman and other lux chains. especially considering they have very few reviews to begin with.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 4, 2007 at 6:27 am