Monday, July 13, 2009

DESCRIPTION


DESCRIPTION

Hotel Brasile is situated in a prestigious late 1800's building located near Porta Pia, right in front of the wonderful garden of the English Embassy. The area is very centrally located and extremely convenient for reaching all the most interesting places in Rome, either on foot or by public transportation.
The spaces are both functional and warm, thanks to a careful selection of the furnishings: walnut color wood paneling, floors in marble or terra cotta tiles, walnut furniture.

For relaxation guests can use a reading room and bar where they can sip a cocktail, aperitif or simply a cup of coffee while each morning in the 3 breakfast rooms a delicious buffet of savory and sweet items is set up with pastries, yogurt, juice, cheeses, cold cuts and other delicacies.

Hotel Violino d’Oro is located in a 18th century building and obtained its current appearance in the first months of 2000, in accordance with and under the supervision of the office for the Preservation of Landmark Buildings of Venice.

The guest is also the focus of the staff's attention. Professional but also courteous and young, the personnel welcomes guests and makes them feel at their ease, attentively attending to them to best meet their desires: from the selection of the most suitable rooms and services to priceless tips on areas of historic interest and most important visitor events, as well as reservations for tickets to performances and concerts. This same special attention is also reserved for disabled guests who will find rooms reserved for them with services suited to their needs. The excellence and thoughtfulness of the staff makes any guests return to Hotel Violino d’Oro Venezia year after year.

The public areas combine the efficiency of the services with the style which makes Hotel Violino d’Oro a corner of the lagoon city where it is possible to experience true Venetian tradition. Exposed beams, large crystal chandeliers, fine finishings and floral decorations, can be found in the lobby, TV room , reception and snack bar, open 24 hours a day. The hotel was also one of the first to be completely "smoke free" and this continues to be one of most important pluses.

To start a new day in the best way, a pleasant breakfast is served, either buffet style or at a table, in a special breakfast room or in your room. lastly, nothing is better at the end of a long day of sightseeing or shopping to take a relaxing break sitting comfortably on the large terrace with its lovely view of the calli, surrounding alleys and canal of San Moisé.

Hotel Ascot.




Hotel Ascot is an elegant, central 4 star hotel in Milan located in a modern building on a quiet side street off Corso di Porta Romana. Sculptures and paintings have an equestrian theme and the elegant atmosphere evokes a sense of the prestigious Royal Ascot. The furniture is a classic and modern mix and the 24 hour reception introduces a large hall with modern, leather sofas with matching drapes and classic finishings. Precious wood and marble enrich the bar and the breakfast room is delicately decorated with upholstered walls and Vienna straw chairs. Breakfast is buffet style with a vast choice of pastries, fresh fruit, savory biscuits, cold cuts and cheese, as well as croissants, fruit juice and coffee. We offer a special rate garage if you are arriving by car. Our professional, polite staff form an integral part of the elegant warmth reserved for our guests. They are on hand to help you with all your needs.

4-star Hotel Ponte Sisto.

Description

Peaceful and quiet, the 4-star Hotel Ponte Sisto in Rome is located in a completely renovated historic building, enveloped in a relaxing atmosphere with a splendid garden filled with luxuriant palm trees and flowers from all over the world.

The rooms are cozy and restful, able to keep the chaotic city or memories of a busy day at work at a distance to fill you will harmony and well-being within the bright marble furnishings and floral decorations.

The friendly Hotel Ponte Sisto front desk staff takes care of all guest needs, booking excursions and guided tours, recommending clubs and restaurants to make your stay in Rome an unforgettable vacation or productive business trip.

Hotel Rome

A generous breakfast is served in the hotel's dining room with fresh fruit, yogurt, tea, croissants and typical continental breakfast dishes.

The bar, with its cozy parlor, gives you the chance to socialize over drinks or coffee.

Services and Facilities

  • Handicap accessible ·
  • 24h Concierge ·
  • Multilingual staff ·
  • Internet DSL ·
  • Newspapers ·
  • Luggage storage ·
  • Transfers
  • Air conditioning
  • Laundry service ·
  • Room service
  • Currency exchange
  • Fax service fax ·
  • Internet point
  • Small pets welcome
  • Elevator ·
  • Parking ·
  • Tour reservations ·
  • Internal garden ·
  • Meeting rooms
  • Restaurant ·
  • Bar

* Air conditioning is available when outdoor temperatures exceed 25° C (77° F)

Hotel Mimosa

Description

Hotel Mimosa is on the second floor of an ancient palazzo in the historic center of Rome, 100 meters from the Pantheon. Among 1-star hotels in Rome, Hotel Mimosa is distinguished by simple and well-cared for environments and its tranquil family atmosphere.

The staff is always present and available for check in operations and to give any type of tourist information regarding public transportation, events and activities in the city, typical restaurants and trattorias etc.
Breakfast is included in the price of the stay in our hotel in Rome, and is offered as a buffet where you can choose from fette biscottate (toast), bread, butter, marmalade, brioches, fresh fruit, fruit juice, espresso and cappuccino.

Services offered by Hotel Mimosa are of the highest level for a 1-star hotel in Rome: internet point with ADSL line (paid), safe deposit, limousine service, transportation to and from airports and stations (paid), reservations for guided tours and excursions to Rome and its surroundings, etc.

Hotel Mimosa is ideal for those wishing for a stay in the very center of Rome, basic yet with every convenience for a pleasant stay in a hotel in the historic center in Rome.

Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti



Once the monastery guest rooms of the Servi di Maria religious order, then century-old inn, now the rooms rich in charm and history house the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti, one of the most prestigious historic residences in Florence for its history and location.

Built between 1517 and 1527 by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder for the Serviti order, a replica of the Spedale del Brunelleschi, the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti is a precious treasure of Florentine history and architecture, assimilating the hospitality traditions initiated by the Serviti in the 1500's to now offer all the modern comforts and services required by today's traveler.

Atmosphere, quiet, charm and comfort are shared by all rooms at the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti, divided among parlors and sitting rooms in typically elegant and austere Florentine style that include the front desk, lobby, TV room, breakfast room (with continental butter) and bar.

The services include all those essential to a superior quality period home in Florence : internet, international newspapers , tourist information, bookings for guided city tours and excursions in Tuscany as well as laundry services for hotel guests. For guests who arrive in Florence by car, the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti offers convenient discounted parking, just a few minutes away from the hotel.

Hotel Adler Cavalieri



Description:

People who choose 4 star Hotel Adler Cavalieri in Florence enjoy well-designed spaces and atmospheres that recall the past, precious Tuscan marble, wood paneling and frescoed ceilings; a seductive elegance enhanced with the most modern comforts and an excellent concierge service.

At reception, the staff can book guided visits to museums and suggest food and wine itineraries, day excursions with interpreters and romantic places along the Arno. We can also organize shopping tours in the outskirts of Florence, where the biggest designer brands in Italian fashion have their outlets.

The buffet breakfast, which also includes gluten-free products, is served in a beautiful dining room, while at midnight there is a coffee station in the hall. The well-stocked wine bar and the reading room are open for relaxing moments or socializing.

Popular with leisure clientele seeking personal care in the modern wellness center or the small gym, Hotel Adler Cavalieri is also appreciated by business travelers, thanks to its 2 meeting rooms and the free Wi-Fi internet connection.

The hotel also has a roof garden surrounding the spacious terrace/solarium, with a cocktail bar open until evening. It's the perfect place to relax, away from the sounds of the city, sipping a drink or one of the specially selected Tuscan wines.

Hotel FlorenceFlorence Hotel

Services and Facilities

  • Handicapped Accessible ·
  • 24h Reception ·
  • Free internet point ·
  • Free Wi-Fi ·
  • Fax service ·
  • Daily newspapers ·
  • Breakfast (7 am to 10:30 am) ·
  • Airport/train station transfer* ·
  • Concierge ·
  • Valuables storage ·
  • Night porter ·
  • Baggage storage ·
  • Porterage ·
  • Ironing service ·
  • Laundry service ·
  • Elevator ·
  • Animals welcome ·
  • Currency exchange ·
  • Bicycle rental ·
  • Hotel garage (€ 22.00 per night) ·
  • Hall ·
  • TV room ·
  • Terrace ·
  • Garden ·
  • Bar (7 am - 2 pm / 5 pm - midnight)

* at an additional charge

Hotel Florence

Guests who travel by car can reserve a parking spot in the outdoor or indoor garage at the time of booking for an additional charge. The hotel offers a car rental service, as well as scooter and bicycle rentals.

The restaurant, open exclusively for guests of Hotel Adler Cavalieri, is available on request for lunch and dinner.


Wellness Center

The modern wellness center at Hotel Adler Cavalieri has a Finnish Suana with chrome and aromatherapy, a Turkish bath and a relaxation room where guests can relax with candles and incense, sipping purifying herbal infusions (cost: € 12.00 per person for one hour). Relaxing and reshaping massages, body peeling and facials are available on request. There is also a small gym available to guests, free of charge.

Meeting Rooms

Hotel Adler Cavalieri in Florence has 2 meeting rooms equipped with the most advanced audio & video technology, with a capacity of 30 to 70 people. We offer coffee break and working lunch service on request.


Equipment

  • · Flip chart ·
  • Overhead projector ·
  • Microphones ·
  • Gigantic screen ·
  • projector ·

Horseshoe

Theater

Classroom

Single table

Arcadia

22

30

40

25

Agorà

40

70

40

50

Hotel David



Description

Preserving the charm of a Florentine villa, decorated with antique furniture, wrought-iron beds, precious fabrics, parquet flooring and our own original frescoes, Hotel David has transformed an elegant Florentine home into a welcoming “hotel de charme”in the Oltrarno area.

The historic center is easy to reach by walking along the Lungarno and crossing the Ponte Vecchio. You can easily connect to the train station from the nearby bus stop.

Hotel David reflects its Florentine pridein offering a culture of exquisitehospitality, further enhancing the amenities and services it offers. The inviting common areas provide the opportunity of socializing together and the staff will do their upmost to point out the beautiful aspects of Florence.

The plant-filled terrace and private garden, with typical terracotta decor, are ideal for summer. The comfortable sitting room is a great place to talk with other guests, surf the internet using the Wi-Fi connection, chat via VoiP free of charge and enjoy the warmth of the fireplace while consulting the collection of art books and tourist guides from our library. A stay filled with comfort and attention!

Tahiti Sheraton Hotel Tahiti

Tahiti
Sheraton Hotel Tahiti

P.O. Box 416, Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
Distance to airport: 4,5 km
Distance to Port of Papeete: 1,5 km
Situation: Lagoonside
Total capacity: 200 (190 rooms, 10 suites)
Conference: banquet (100), theater (450), cocktail (500)


Opened in 1999, and offering spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Papeete Harbor, the Sheraton Hotel Tahiti is situated in the most convenient location on the island. Just minutes from Faa'a International Airport, the resort is within walking distance of Papeete, Tahiti's historic capital. While you are enjoying a breathtaking sunset or the dramatic view of the Island of Moorea, relax in true Tahitian style and comfort in one of the Resort's 200 guestrooms which are designed and decorated as the Polynesian resort you would expect.

Room  Sheraton TahitiIn addition, to exotic woods and Tahitian style, each room offers air-conditioning, outdoor balconies, refrigerators, in-room safes, and coffee service. If you are fortunate to be in Tahiti on business, the exclusive Club level offers a private club lounge. Business services are also available to support your needs. The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti offers an over-water restaurant and two cocktail lounges with a health and fitness center under development. An expansive outdoor courtyard can be used to host outdoor functions for up to 1,000, and meeting and banquet facilities can accommodate up to 500. The Sheraton Hotel Tahiti's friendly and professional staff is committed to providing you with the enchanting, French Polynesian experience that you expect.
All Guest Rooms Include: AM/FM Alarm Clock, Air Conditioning, Coffee/Tea Maker, Hairdryer, Iron/Ironing Board, In-Room Safe, Refrigerator, Television with Cable, Miscellaneous: 110 & 220 Volts

The Sheraton Tahiti Hotel offers three types of rooms. All of the individually-controlled air conditioned rooms overlook the splendid lagoon and you can choose between a view on the luxuriant gardens of the hotel or on the Pacific ocean with the island of Moorea as a background. The rooms are accommodated in a modern style which has made the Sheraton Tahiti Hotel so well-renown.
They come with a bath and shower, air conditioning, private balcony, internet service, direct dial phone, cable/color TV set, individual safe , mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities, and an ironing-board and an iron.
Particularly well-adjusted to families' needs, the Sheraton Tahiti Hotel provides adjoining rooms, some of which have a convertible bed included.
The Sheraton Tahiti Hotel provides you non smoking rooms and disabled equipped rooms.

49 garden rooms with a view on the lagoon (32 square feet)
96 high rooms with a view on the lagoon (32 square feet)
45 deluxe rooms with a view on the lagoon (36 square feet)
1 king size bed or 2 queen size beds
Maximum occupancy : 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children

Check in : 1.00 p.m
Check out : 11.00 a.m

The Moevai restaurant and the He'Epe'enui terrace

In the gentle way of life of our overwater restaurant, come and taste the best of seafood. "The Moevai" is the main restaurant of the Sheraton Tahiti Hotel. This restaurant is perfectly dropped over the lagoon and in Tahitian, its name means "quiet water". You can taste there a gastronomic cuisine enhancing seafood, while contemplating multicolored fish. On Fridays, the Moevai restaurant offers a seafood special . From 8.30pm, a Polynesian show is performed for guests, followed by a dancing party night in the open rhythmed by the Tahiti hotel band.
Open from 6am to 10.30am for breakfast
From 12am to 2pm for lunch
From 6.30pm to 10pm for dinner

In Tahitian language Heepuemui" means to sit under a cloudless sky" and this is to what the Sheraton Tahiti Hotel invites you. So as to fully enjoy the Polynesian sun in a relaxed atmosphere, close to the horizon swimming-pool and to the lagoon, the hotel terrace welcomes you for lunch and to taste a light meal or a cocktail all day long.
Open all day : from 11am to 5pm


The Quinn's bar and the Te Ama Lounge

The Quinn's bar is a cocktail bar with historically renown name which allows you to live through again of yesteryear. You can taste delicious tropical fruit juice while enjoying the rhythm of a trio or a local band. On week-ends, great animations are programmed for you and you can dance in the open.
Open from 10am to 11pm Sunday thru Thursday From 1am to 12pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Teama lounge is a small bar open to the hotel guests from 11pm to 6am, ready to serve a thirst-quenching drink and some light meal on your arrival from international flights.

Room service

If you wish to have a peaceful rest on your room private balcony and intimately profit by the view over the lagoon, a room service menu is available in your room. It offers you a choice of breakfast meals from 6am to 11am and from 11am to 10pm, a variety of first courses, main courses and desserts.

Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul:



Hotel Description:

Swissôtel The Bosphorus, Istanbul, as a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, is in the Gold List of Travel & Leisure 500 World's Best Hotels 2009, is a 5-star luxury hotel right in the centre of Istanbul, on the European banks of the Bosphorus, within 65 acres of historical gardens.

The hotel has convenient access to the Ataturk International Airport and is close to all main historical attractions, such as Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. Designer shops, exclusive bars and restaurants are all nearby. Most of the luxurious guest rooms offer spectacular views over the Bosphorus.

Awarded as a "Leading Spa of the World", Amrita Spa & Wellness offers superb facilities await you to replenish your mind, body and spirit.

PALM'S (*****):

: Even if management calls the place an "Asian brasserie" -which sounds weird!- the PALM'S is actually, to the sophisticated eye and palate, a Californian Restaurant PALM'Srestaurant. High-tech with light decoration, modern minimalist shaped wood tables and banquettes contrasting with sophisticated black marble counters displaying meals on silver plated trays: the dining room should suit the requirements of the New Age golden boys from San Francisco. The chef, Steven Keil, hails from this inventive city where he used to be employed in the highly reputed kitchens of the SOFITEL.

He prepared for us a Filet of Canadian Salmon, with a Salad of Watercress and fried Potatoes Vermicelli. Delicious and light, this was a pleasant meal fitting the tropical weather in Singapore. The Stuffed Boneless Turkey with Honey Soy Sauce was tenderly tasty. For dessert, we could hardly formulate our choice amidst such delicious indecision due to the variety of pastries, creams and fruits available on the buffet. We finally selected a Walnuts Cake, just like the ones we already enjoyed in the good Parisian "bistros".

The bread transported our taste buds to France, so similar was the quality: crispy outside and smooth inside. Only our old-fashioned bakers still make it that great. Wine was an Australian "Mountadam - Pinot Noir 1995": very good value and a most pleasant one. Gourmet travelers with a purse thinner than their stomach will delight in the "Everlasting Spread Buffet" which, every Saturday, non-stop from 11.30am till 10.30pm, allows them to enjoy an unlimited selection of delicious dishes... for about US$25. This is the cheapest banquet in Singapore, indeed !

CHATTERBOX COFFEE HOUSE :

We usually don't pay attention to the large hotels cafeterias: all get the same impersonal and strictly business oriented appearance, and all serve the same standard international food. The CHATTERBOX COFFEE HOUSE, in THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE, is no exception as a matter of design; but it is very famous in town for its actually delicious MANDARIN CHICKEN RICE. This popular hawker specialty from Singapore has been introduced for first time a five star deluxe in 1971: this was then somehow a revolution. Why paying many times more than in the street, or in a food center, for this blue collar delicacy ?

The chicken they serve here is quite a sophisticated one, indeed. It receives a special breeding by farm in Malaysia, and comes very tender in the plate. Each serving comprises succulent, deboned chicken with fragrant Thai rice, bean curd soup, freshly made chili sauce, quality dark soya sauce, and ground ginger. We found portions that generous that we ordered nothing more. One 2kg chicken provides four portions: twice more, at least, than at any hawker's. The meal is that much enjoyed, that the most portions sold in one single day was 1422 ! We ignore of it was quoted in the Guiness Book of Records; but we know that THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE had been multi awarded for its aristocratic chicken.

The MANDARIN CHICKEN RICE is also served outside the hotel, at OUB CHATTERBOX and OUB CENTRE at Raffles Place, in Singapore business district.

MIN JIANG :

Located in the very plush GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL, the MIN JIANG is an excellent Chinese restaurant. This is a must for all successful Singaporean businessmen, spending here a significant percentage of their astronomic wages. We have been truly impressed by the food proposed in the a la carte menu: the choice was huge, generous, and the quality absolutely worth a detour. Take small portions, please!: as by "small" they do mean medium. We were even unable to finish some of our meals: which was a pity. If you are not Chinese, please do follow our suggestions: Start with the Dim Sum (they call here "Tim Sum"). They are not the cheap and ordinary ones you can buy for peanuts in the hawker food centers downtown; they arrive rich and savourous, stuffed with fine seafood. Selections with the crab meat were great, but with Saint-Jacques it was simply superb !

We then had a Live Local Lobster anointed with Chinese Herbs: very fresh indeed, perfectly though simply cooked. Three sizes and seasonal rates are available. For our selection, the price charged was S$50 (about US$30): a little bit expensive for South-East Asia, but still OK for Singapore where such a fine meal is a real delicacy. And we are at the legendary GOODWOOD's: don't forget it! Very affordable and recommended are the Frog Legs Stir Fried with Ginger and Spring Onions (about S$15).

By the way: did you know that Chinese share with French people a particular taste for frogs ? They cook them just like the best chefs do in our country. We still remember the ones Alain Senderens (LUCAS-CARTON PARIS) prepared to our special attention one day in Bangkok. We found here the same know-how, with this "je-ne-sais-quoi" making this meal absolutely enjoyable. It was even able to made us forget our lobster: can you imagine ?! As a dessert, the Mango Pudding was fine, light, with a completely original taste. Note that if you really want to impress your guests, or your neighbors, they propose (what were reported to us as) the best sharks fins in Singapore... providing you order the "ultimate grade" Double Boiled Superior Sharks Fins with Snow Frogs (between S$200 and 350)... going, but of course, very well with a bottle of Dom Perignon.

A so very glamorous and excellent restaurant, where you can definitely be sure not to be crossed by backpackers; even on Sunday, when the "TIM-SUM BREAKFAST" goes for a ridiculously inexpensive S$12.80 (on the period of our visit, June 1997).

PINE COURT :

Chinese food is superb in Singapore; but to upgrade its excellence, the PINE COURT is currently "importing" cooks from Hong Kong. The best in the world, according to the gourmets !
This is actually the most celebrated restaurant inside the MANDRIN SINGAPORE hotel. We understood why at first sight.

The dinning itself, as huge and impersonally luxurious as a top class chinese restaurant has to be, has its proper style. Fully booked the day of our visit, with an active and friendly staff slaloming between the large tables, it gets a warm and authentic Chinese atmosphere. A lot of local guests, indeed: proof of authenticity. Some foreign businessmen also, who certainly came here for the prestige of the place. A lot of celebrities visiting Singapore also drop by regularly.

We started with DEEP FRIED SEAFOOD ROLLS, much richer thought not much more expensive (SN$3.50 per portion) than the ones available from the street stalls in Bugis. We advise you to have their delicious PAN-FRIED BEAN CURD SKIN WITH SHRIMP ROLLS which, in the same range of much affordable price, offers a gourmet pleasure one would just find in a three star Michelin restaurant in Paris ! These appetizers are listed in the "Dian Xin" express menu, together with the STEAMED CRYSTAL CHIVES DUMPLINGS and the STEAMED SCALLOPS WITH PRAWN DUMPLINGS, we also warmly recommend.

Chinese like soups; we too ! Mostly when it comes to the aristocratic BRAISED SHARK'S FIN SOUP WITH CRAB MEAT AND ROE, a real delicacy enjoyed on special occasion. We were once more surprised by the price: SN$25. We paid more in Bangkok, reputed to be a cheap destination, for a meal with the same name but not the same savour at all.

When it comes to seafood, do not hesitate and have their SAUTÉED PRAWNS WITH SPICY SAUCE. Take, at least, a medium portion (SN$38): as they are simply superlative. This was actually the course we preferred. The giant prawns were al dente: the texture being as important as the taste (a perfect one !) for the real Chinese gourmet. Extracted from their aquarium, they are cooked alive with some honey and black pepper. A curious mixture, which tastes like Cognac: strange and palatable, indeed. Prawns are treated quite well also, together with squids, with the more popular though fine CRISPY EGG NOODLES WITH SEAFOOD (SN$27 for a medium portion).

Meat is also excellent. Of course, it is difficult to miss the TRADITIONAL BEIJING DUCK SERVED WITH HOME-MADE CHINESE PANCAKES. This is kind of a show to see the cook coming by your table with a trolley, and prepare the whole duck (SN$50) according to the rules. First of all, the well roasted and crispy skin is removed carefully. Then, the skin is rolled inside what they call pancakes, but which actually rather looks like the Greek Pita bread. Much enjoyable: both for the eyes and the palate. Then, the duck meat is chopped, and served with some sunflower seeds. That wonderful specialty can be enjoyed as a main course: a duck can generously accommodate four hungry people. Another alternative is the MARINATED BACKED LAMB, prepared just like in Beijing: well grilled, and crispy. A medium portion is SN$30.

We know they serve the most prestigious wines and Cognac, but we preferred to enjoy the all lunch with a selection of their best teas: the Chinese way !

As a dessert, you can either try that very special CHILLED HERBAL JELLY, extremely popular in Singapore. We had a lot of it during our stay, and this strange thing (half dessert, half drink...) could be enjoyed by some of you... They also have DOUBLE BOILED BIRD'S NEST WITH ROCK SUGAR: an expensive (SN$50) "delicacy" we successfully succeed to avoid during our multiple visits to Chinese restaurants. As one already understood, we are not fond of Chinese desserts ! We preferred to have an Italian ice-cream (prepared by a French chef) at the TOP OF THE M, the unique revolving restaurant in town. From the 39th floor of the MANDARIN SINGAPORE, we could enjoy our dessert and our expresso while discovering a dramatic panorama over a city which, after all, looks greener than one could imagine from the ground. The Indonesian islands are not that far, and we can see Malaysia quite clearly. Just for a coffee or, better, for a romantic dinner, it is worth visiting the place.

THE ALKAFF MANSION (*****)

This is THE restaurant in Singapore. Before selecting our airline, booking the hotels and organizing the tours, we just made sure about one key thing: we must have a reservation at THE ALKAFF MANSION. This superb residence used to be the property of the prosperous Alkaff muslim family. The mansion, on the top of the Telok Blangah Green, is a visible reminder of the strong colonial presence in the Singapore of the 1920's. Reaching this top hill mansion is by itself a pleasant experience, which brings you quite exhausted and thirsty to the doors (if you didn't take a cab!) There is greenery and flowers abounding. The house communicates intimately with the visitor inducing the feeling that he is the warmly expected guest of some millionaire friends: there is a beautiful park, a huge reception area, and a magnificent dinning room on the first floor with a dramatic view expanding over the city and the Indonesian islands. To make you feel as if you are anywhere but in a restaurant, the management has a sophisticated trick: there is no uniformity among the tables or the chairs, as if your host was obliged to corral them from the other rooms to receive so many guests... Now, what about the food? This is when we went nuts realizing what we missed! We came for lunch, enjoyed very tasty meals in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere, with the pleasant company of a beautiful PR Manager sure... but we were proposed international cuisine. OK, the lobster was excellent. Sure the grilled salmon was impeccably first class. Of course the dessert made out of fresh mangoes was digestive. But where were the real specialties of THE ALKAFF MANSION: we mean, the "RIJSTTAFFELS"?!

Because we had to postpone our visit from dinner to lunch the next day, we just missed this unique Dutch influenced Indonesian cuisine, which makes the place like a jewel in Singapore, as they only serve it IN THE EVENING, following a long noteworthy protocol. "Rijsttaffel" means "rice on the table". It comes with a spread of spicy seafood, meat and vegetable dishes, as well as a variety of tasty condiments. Traditional "Rijsttaffel" service should be elaborate and elegant: reminiscent of a gentle wealthy refined colonial past. A majestic dinner gong intones the commencement of the ceremony and we are swept back in time to the highlands of Java, perhaps the garden city of Bogor. Then, a procession of lovely ladies dressed in traditional Indonesian sarong kebayas emerges to personally introduce and serve each dish. Touristy, isn't it? Sure; but what's the matter if this is entertaining and elegant, and if the food tastes so good? And we missed all that! So, next time we fly to Singapore, we will, one more time, make THE ALKAFF MANSION our top priority, for a dinner we will take pleasure in reviewing in much detail for your kind attention. Till then, why not do like us: try lunch first, then have the ultra fine dinning. Good things should come step by step! An unforgettable experience and not so expensive for the famous top end restaurant in town.

NOVOTEL ORCHID SINGAPORE (****):

Surrounded by public parks and multi million-dollar mansions, the NOVOTEL ORCHID SINGAPORE respects with elegance the suburban concept characteristic of this French chain of hotels. The intimate lobby -a symphony of marble and clear wood panels-, as well as the personal touch inside the 446 rooms and 14 suites with large windows opening on the ambient greenery, augmented by the omnipresence of a friendly and attentive French manager, who knows by name hundreds of faithful guests, makes the NOVOTEL ORCHID SINGAPORE look like a "Bed & Breakfast" for happy businessmen. They pay 50% less than in the FOUR SEASONS or any other deluxe bunker on Orchard Road, finding here very similar comfort and service. Plus the location is excellent for fast access to all areas of Singapore. Many restaurants are available for your pleasant dining. We reviewed and appreciated PALMS .We were also told their "Chinese" was one of the really best in town. Warmly recommended !

This is an ACCOR Asia-Pacific hotel.

SHERATON TOWERS SINGAPORE (*****L):

A short walk away from the GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL, the SHERATON TOWERS SINGAPORE offers the same quality of service and comfort as its glorious neighbor; but under a modern version. The huge marble lobby, both plush and cold, will impress at first sight; hopefully, the warm and attentive staff brings an immediate compensation to any distressed traveler.

The 410 rooms and suites confirmed the very positive opinion we already had about the Sheraton chain in general. A very high mark goes to the "EXECUTIVE TOWER", whose upgraded status makes the SHERATON TOWERS SINGAPORE one of the top 5 hotels in town. It has already received many awards for its excellence. The guests can check-in even more quickly, find a beautiful toilet kit in their room, enjoy a complimentary breakfast - we advise them to have "a la carte" in the "TERAZZA" nicely surrounded by cascades running from a tropical jungle - and receive an invitation for a cocktail in the VIP Lounge between 6 and 7 PM. A butler remains at their immediate disposal, round the clock: his first task consists in cleaning and pressing the guests' clothes almost before you have taken the key from the door! Complimentary, as well.

The top luxurious "Executive Suite" in which we had the chance to receive accommodation was equipped with two wide screen TV sets, and with an electric pants' press. The pink marble bathroom was simply superlative, with gold plated taps... Three restaurants are available, including the reputed "DOMUS" (Italian gourmet menu): only for dinner. The "TERAZZA" specializes in Singaporean food (don't miss the tasty and spicy sautéed noodles with prawns!).

This is an ITT-SHERATON - THE LUXURY COLLECTION - hotel.

THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE (*****L).

If you want to check the real meaning of the word "cyclopean", do not open your dictionary; just peep in the 744 sq. m chinese style lobby of THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE, and you will find its concrete definition. All is huge, extensive, superlative, and, of course, ultra luxurious here. Even the list of awards this 1200 guest rooms and 44 restaurants monument received would take too much volume to be published hereby: they are top something since the opening in 1973 (which was of course grand !) of what is still the largest, if not the highest, hotel in town. Rooms are most comfortable, and are currently being refurbished. The 20 "Regency" and 10 "Executive" suites, with an oriental touch, are booked far in advance by the chairmen and presidents on a business trip to Singapore. The most powerful industrialists and investors stay there both due to the extremely convenient location of the hotel on Orchards Road, and to the superb facilities it offers for conventions and meetings.

We crossed by a lot of outsiders when inspecting the hotel by noon: most of them coming for lunch. THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE actually gets a reputation for wining and dining which is not limited to Singapore, but echoes in all Asia. The "Mandarin Chicken Rice", for instance, unfortunately served in the impersonal and crowded Chaterbox Coffeehouse is award winning. They rather should serve this distinguished specialty in the Pine Court Chinese Hotel , a most sophisticated place, where we enjoyed one of the best Chinese food we had ever been served. For the fun, but also for a romantic dinner, the "M" is a revolving restaurant with a dramatic view over Singapore, but also Malaysia and the Indonesian islands: the food is international, with some mediterranean accent.

Due to its superlative service and comfort, but also due to its location nearby Istana (the Prime Minister's official palace), THE MANDARIN SINGAPORE hosted a multitude of politicians and state presidents. French President Jacques Chirac, a fan of their "Chicken Rice", was here recently, and the resident manager agenda is scheduling the visit of singers, movie stars, and all the VIPs which certainly look for -and find here- a residence fitting their importance.

Managed by Meritus , this is one of THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD.

GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL (*****L):

This is exactly the kind of hotel we both like to recommend... and, of course, to stay in. Singapore has its two old colonial palaces: the RAFFLES (ultra famous, and therefore permanently fully booked), and the GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL (full house most of the time, as well). The former "Teutonia Club" marks with elegance the border between the shopping district and the top luxurious residential areas of the city-state.

It was built in 1900 by the German community in Singapore as their social club, then converted into a very posh hotel in 1929. Since, the GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL is a must for the "happy few" who, should they be the Queen Beatrix of Netherlands, the Sultan of Johore, Cliff Richard or the Nobel Prize of Literature Sir William Golding, many want to stay nowhere else but in this wonderful old palace. Not as flashy as the RAFFLES, the GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL offers nevertheless the most superlative suite in Singapore. Accessible by a private lift, the "BRUNEI SUITE" took its name from the Sultan of Brunei who was one of its first discerning guests.

This is a sophisticated mixture of styles Louis XVI, Georgian and Chippendale, designed by Ernesto Bedmar. With a print from Monet fixed between two Corinthian columns, the room also features impressive bouquets poured into precious crystal vases. Is it necessary to mention that this is the most expensive suite in town? Fortunately, the "Deluxe Rooms" offer very decent rates, and garner a lot of success among businessmen. Which we feel is quite a pity as this hotel was designed for European globe-trotters, and should be discovered by high profile tourists rather than by stressed golden boys lacking time to fully enjoy its delightful atmosphere.

Very good and friendly service and highly reputed restaurants are to be found here. The min jiang and "CHANG JIANG SHANGHAI" attract exigent Chinese gourmets. The "GORDON GRILL" is a very authentic pub offering British and Scottish specialties. The "COFFEE LOUNGE" is a colonial coffee shop. Whether you or fortunate or not to be a guest of the GOODWOOD PARK HOTEL, do not miss the old England "Afternoon Tea" served in the "CAFE ESPRESSO"; you will taste here very rare varieties of teas, like for instance the "Caramel Regency", accompanied by fresh and delicious pastries.

This is a PREFERRED HOTELS & RESORTS WORLDWIDE.

BERJAYA HOTEL DUXTON ROAD (****L):

Let's go straight to the point: the former "Duxton" is actually one of the Top 5 best hotels in town. It doesn't get the fame of the Raffles, because it is was opened too recently to be part of the legend. It doesn't get the top central location of the Goodwood Park, though in one of the most charming lane of the colonial Tanjong Pagar preservation area: only a short walk away from Chinatown. Rooms are not as large as in the Mandarin, though they offer the most cozy duplex suites in Singapore. But in matter of elegance, intimacy, and service, it would be fairly hard to match the Berjaya, indeed.

The hotel had been housed a decade ago in eight units of charmingly restored turn-of-the-century shop houses. Once we stepped the discreet entrance door, we were amazed by the intimate though top luxurious lobby: made out of precious marble, beautifully designed stained glass, with oriental carpets, and splendid british furniture. With the Raffles, it is the only one in Singapore reflecting that well the colonial past of the city.

This is a small hotel, with 50 rooms and 9 suites only. We stayed five nights in a Duplex Suite: this was simply great ! The suites we used to stay in, should it be in Paris or Cape town, always tend to be so huge and sumptuous we almost lost our way inside. Which was not the case at the Berjaya: fitted for human beings, with or without a crown, apartments make you feel like home at first sight. Let's rather say: "grand home"... On the ground floor was our living room, separated from the upper floor bedroom by a charming spiral staircase. It came completed with all the five star amenities one may expect in such a distinguished place. We enjoyed very much the bathrooms: among the ritziest in town, displaying a very complete set of Muguet d'Ogive toiletry. Ceilings, and therefore windows, are very high: the light was perfectly displayed, even on rainy days (and we had some of them, as we came during the monsoon...).

Service is anticipating. A beautiful and fresh young lady acted as a concierge. She called us by our name, which looks normal in that category of hotel; but when she was replaced by a colleague, he also knew our name before we had even told him our room number... How did he get informed, we ignore it: but this was fairly smart and professional. That kind of small detail is always much appreciated by those who stay in palace hotels: as, except from its size, the Berjaya goes in that category, indeed. Another thing we appreciated very much at the Berjaya, was that plush white Mercedes Benz chauffeured limousine they put at their guest disposal in the morning, to go downtown (it takes five minutes to reach Orchard Road)... on a complimentary basis !!! Believe it or not... In a city where taxis are that cheap and clean, where the underground is that safe and efficient, and where double deck buses are so numerous, we found it supremely elegant !

The British atmosphere stops at the door of the restaurant CASA MEDITERANNEA which, or course, just could be French. We mean really French !: with a French manager, and French chef Dominique Ferchaud who makes the unique Bouillabaisse available in Singapore. Our schedule was so tuff that we found no time to taste it; just enjoying the restaurant for our breakfast (generous one: with delicious Croissants Chauds, like in Paris). Which is our unique regret, after such a wonderful stay.

Rooms are not that expensive. Let's even say that, compared to the Raffles, they even tend to be cheap. During our last stay, a Standard Room was S$220. Superior Room was S$310. A suite like ours or, if you prefer, with French doors opening to a beautiful landscaped courtyard (Garden Suites), would cost about S$380 according to published rate. Taxes and charges in Singapore are 13%. Rates are variable, with quite of lot of interesting special offers.

Advance booking is essential at the Berjaya, as this delicious hideaway tend to become more and more famous among the distinctive travellers.

You just can love that place at first sight, and we warmly recommend it to you.

Hotel in Singapore..

When arriving in Singapore, you will probably not have a house or apartment yet. You need accommodation straight away, so the most likely choice is a hotel.

Hotels in Singapore

Singapore has an abundance of hotels, ranging from top class to budget. That said, backpackers who are looking for a Bali-type $5 per day accommodation will look in vain. Hotel prices vary from thousands of dollars per night to as low as $30 per night, but you will not find anything cheaper than that. Most hotels are situated in the city center and provide full facilities and drinks/dining. Like most cities in Asia, hotels in Singapore also have some of the best clubs and bars in the city.

High-end

Probably the most famous hotel in Singapore, and one of the most famous in the world, is the Raffles Hotel on Beach Road. This colonial style hotel has been here for almost 100 years and is still going strong. The Raffles would also be considered to be (one of) the best hotels in Singapore. Furthermore, there is a wide range of other 5-star hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton Singapore, the Four Seasons Singapore, the Shangri-La Singapore (both in the city centre as well as on the recreation island Sentosa, with beautiful sea-view). Naturally, hotels such as Hilton, Hyatt, Mandarin, Pan Pacific etc. are also here. Prices for these hotels range from $150 to $500 per night

Mid-class

There are many very decent mid-class (business) hotels that offer very comfortable accommodation at reasonable prices such as the Plaza Park Royal, Golden Landmark or Traders Hotel. These hotels are mostly situated around Orchard Road, close to the business district and close to the nightlife scene. While these hotels might not be the perfect place for small children to entertain themselves, they are probably the best place to book a room if you're just moving here and need a comfortable, yet affordable place.

Low-end

Singapore is not a backpacker location and hence, the very cheap accommodation such as available in other countries around Singapore is not available. You will not find a $5 a night hostel. There are, however, a certain number of hotels such as the Hotel 81 chain or the new 7th Storey Hotel, that offer cheap basic accommodation and those which try to cater to the growing number of backpackers stopping over in Singapore too. You will be able to find relatively cheap accommodation, somewhat like a hostel, for around $30 per night. These places are usually situated in Bugis, not far from the city center and conveniently connected by the MRT (Subway), examples are the Betelbox and the "InnCrowd" hostel. Most of these places sell cheap beers and have cheap foodcourts in their immediate surroundings, so visiting Singapore on a small budget is doable.

Discounted Hotel Rates

While the rates of the hotels range from $30 to $3000 per night, you can get attractive discounts on rates if you book online. Almost all hotels have their own online booking system and every hotel is represented by the numerous online booking agents. To make your life easier you could use a specialized search hotel search such as 'Bezurk' featured in the right column on this page.


All Son Hotel Singapore




Allson Hotel Singapore provides every traveller with modern facilities accompanied by the renowned and traditional oriental charm.


The Allson Hotel Singapore provides travellers with modern facilities with the best of traditional oriental charm.

It is strategically located within the Central Business District and is within walking distance to Suntec City, the City Hall MRT, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Bugis Junction and Village, Marina Square, the Singapore Art Museum and the Civic Art Centre.

From the hotel, there is also easy access to Singapore Changi International Airport (only 20 minutes drive away), the Orchard Road shopping belt, Little India and other places of interest.

You can try the food court which is just beside the hotel.

  • Theme: Hotel
  • Phone: 65-6299-6007/ 65-9766-1666
  • Directions: 8 mins walk to City Hall MRT Station
  • Four season hotel Singapore


    At Four Seasons, you enjoy a unique vantage point from which to explore the sights, sounds and experiences around you. We hope the highlights of local attractions below help simplify your planning. Please let us know how else we can assist you.


    Art galleries:
    Features contemporary brush paintings, sculpture and 3D works and contemporary abstract paintings.

    Attractions

    Arab Street
    Arab Street has been a thriving trading district since the 1800s with traders dealing in coffee, gold dust, spices and pearls. Today, merchants sell Indonesian batiks, Persian rugs, Turkish scents, Indian silks and trinkets and antiques from the Middle East and around the world.


    Boat Quay and Clarke Quay Boat Quay and Clarke Quay are historical areas of warehouses and shop houses on the banks of the Singapore River. They have been restored and refurbished as restaurants, bars and entertainment centres. Their biggest appeal is al fresco dining along the river’s edge.


    Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Nature Reserve is one of the only two rainforests in the world within city boundaries (the other is in Rio de Janeiro). The 165-hectare (410-acre) reserve contains more species of plants than the entire North American continent. Take a hike through well-marked paths to see the exotic wildlife including monkeys, butterflies and flying lemurs.

    Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.




    Meetings

    The Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore offers over 60,000 square feet of banqueting and ballroom space. The Grand Collection comprises two ballrooms, Island and Tower, which can accommodate 1,300 and 750 persons respectively for banquets.

    Three intimate venues in the famed Shangri-La gardens, Waterfall Terrace, Garden Terrace and The Pavilion, make up the Private Collection, For small to medium-sized meetings and events, 23 additional function rooms are available. The State Room at The Valley Wing, with an expansive outdoor terrace, is an elegant function room for intimate formal events.


    Weddings
    Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore is proud to offer Perfect Celebrations. This unique gallery which you can find inside the Lower Lobby, unifies all the services to make the special occasion a memorable experience. A professional team of Event Managers will ensure that every detail is handled with care to create a lasting impression for you and your guests.

    Hotel Phoenix... Your intelligent choice





    Is undergoing refurbishmnet along with rejuvenation of orchard road shopping centers.It is temporarily not operating as a hotel and we suggest you find alternative accommodation in the nearby areas. Hotel phoenix plans to open again with the completion of 2 shoppig malls either side of it, making it even more of a choice pick for accommodation.

    For further details please contact 65 6233 6102

    Located in the HEART of Orchard Road, Hotel Phoenix is ideally positioned for the business or leisure traveller. Situated right next to the Somerset MRT Station, shopping, entertainment and dining venues are right at your doorstep while the Central Business District and major convention centres are only a short taxi ride away.

    Get connected to the world via their in-room multimedia computers with broadband Internet access as well as plug-and-play facilities. Be pampered by the personal massage couches that are available in most rooms or sweat it out at Singapore's largest gymnasium, California Fitness, which is just a mere 2 minutes walk from the Hotel.

    Hotel Mediterain.




    If you choose to go to the recently renovated Hotel Mediteran, a heart felt welcome is waiting for you, as well as peace and relaxation in the cedar and oak woods right next to the sea. You can engage in many activities in the nearby sports centre – from tennis and mini golf to sailing and archery.
    The hand picked food on the rich buffet table will stimulate your palate, and on top of this the drinks are on us. The evening program and entertainment by the pool is a special experience, as well as a walk to Poreč in the enchanting green-blue country side, which is only a 15 minute gentle walk.

    Free supplementary services in 2009: welcome drink • vine and champagne for breakfast • dinner drinks (juice, water, red and white vine, pour cut beer) • thematic dinner once in the week • deck chairs on the pool

    Hotel Dostoevsky.




    The "Dostoevsky" Hotel represents the new standard among Sankt-Petersburg hotels. It’s conveniently situated in the very heart of the city to the address 19, Vladimirsky prospect in the "Vladimirskiy Passage" trading center. Nevsky prospect - the main street of the city, the center of business and night life of Sankt-Petersburg is just 5 minutes away from the hotel.

    Although the hotel was opened in 2003, it has already managed to win the partners and guests favor.

    There are 207 rooms of different categories, ready to satisfy the requirements of any client. Each room is equipped with a telephone, TV set, mini bar, an Internet connection, a desk and a conditioner. Staying at the "Dostoevsky" you’ll have a chance to appreciate coziness and comfort of this unique Hotel.

    The "Dostoevsky" - is the absolutely special hotel. It’s located in the part of Sankt-Petersburg, where keeping an ancient atmosphere little houses border on some modern buildings. There is an unusual combination of classic interiors and modern comfort in the hotel.

    The restaurants and bars situated both as on the territory of the hotel and in "Vladimirskiy Passage" can provide our guests with a wide choice of cookery specialities. Every morning the hotel welcomes its guests with a tasty Buffet-Breakfast. The hotel is especially proud of its bar "Raskolnikov" located on the 7th floor. It is open 24 hours. There you`ll have an opportunity to taste a glass of an exquisite conjac and a cigar.

    On the territory of "Vladimirsky Passage" you can visit fast food restaurant "Food-Court", bakery "Baltic bread".

    The hotel offers the services of its Business Center and 4 equipped conference-halls, the total territory of which is 300 sq.m. The professional equipment and an individual approach to each conference will make your meeting successful and promising.

    For all guests a wide range of additional services are offered. Here you can visit a fitness center and a sauna. Except of traditional trainings the experienced staff recommends you the whole set of healthy procedures. A guarded parking is also provided for guests. At a Concierge service you`ll be offered a great variety of excursions.

    The combination of convenient location in the city center, the wide range of services, high quality, space functionality and an unusual Russian hospitality turn your acquaintance with "Dostoevsky" into warm friendship.

    Hotel Budapest.


    Housed in a late XIXth century neo-classical edifice Hotel BUDAPEST is excellently positioned in the very heart of Moscow.

    The hotel lies only a few streets and as many minutes away from such major city’s attractions as the Kremlin (focus of Russia’s political and spiritual power, the seat of its government), Red Square (often referred to as ‘the main square of the country’), St Basil’s Cathedral (Russia’s most famous image), the Bolshoi Theatre, Tverskaya street (Moscow’s thoroughfare), the Manezh (formerly – an equestrian school for military officers, currently – an exhibition hall) and the Okhotny Riad shopping center (an underground mall with more that 100 shops). The Russian Parliament’s buildings as well as the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and Moscow Mayor’s Office are also within a walking distance from the hotel.

    Elegant spacious rooms – each with unique layout – professional staff, moderate prices and broad payment alternatives (cash and/or bank transfers in Rubles and all major credit cards) make Hotel BUDAPEST an astute choice for the traveler looking for a cozy, friendly and quiet oasis in the never-sleeping metropolitan environment.

    All the 116 rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with a bathroom or a shower, telephone, satellite TV, Internet facilities, minibar, safe deposit box and a hairdryer. Continental breakfast is served in the room at the time selected by the guest and is included in the room rate. The Irish Pub and a lobby bar offer light snacks, hot dishes, beer on tap, hard and soft drinks, cocktails, tea and coffee. Three well-equipped conference rooms for 15, 20 and 70 people as well as a round the clock business center add extra value to the hotel’s service.

    Other amenities include avia, train and taxi desk, rent-a-car, airport transfer and guided tour service plus theatre tickets reservation.

    Hotel BUDAPEST is proud to announce the commissioning of a new hotel block for 134 rooms which is planned for the second half-year of 2006. The complex will include a restaurant, swimming pool, sauna, fitness center, beauty parlour and an underground parking.

    We will be glad to serve you and make your stay with us pleasant and comfortable.