The Laslett: Notting Hill charms?
Can I be honest with you? Sometimes, I am spectacularly lazy when it comes to my vacation. In this case, nevermind the sheer amount of sightseeing and activities London has to offer, with less than 48 hours in the city, I wanted to concentrate my time. And by concentrate my time, I mean, eat well. Thus, I found myself looking for a Notting Hill adjacent property and stumbled on The Laslett. With such a crunch on our time, I didn’t want to spend the entirety of our trip in or on transportation. Friends recommended Hotel 41, as well as the Athenaeum, however, given the proximity to Core by Clare Smyth and The Ledbury, I decided it would be best to stay within walking distance of both restaurants. Sure, London has excellent public transportation, but with such a limited amount of time, I decided we would rather enjoy one neighborhood, instead…
Desert Palm, Samāna Spa, & Rare: A triple threat close to town.
Having lived in Dubai for over ten years, I have been fortunate to visit Desert Palm on a few occasions (including a previous dining experience at Rare), and have always been impressed with how out of town it manages to feel, with remaining so close to the city. For those not in the know, essentially, if you drive just a few minutes past Dragon Mart, nearish to the new Dubai Safari, you’ll reach this urban oasis. In a city full of large properties, Desert Palm, with a limited number of keys (including suites and villas) feels immediately intimate and relaxed, without even trying. Overlooking polo fields — yes, you read that right — this is definitely outside the norm. Feeling good about today! Finished writing a book, submitted an article, went to the gym, and really looking forward to my trip to Tbilisi on Wednesday. • Of course, I’d be…
Intercontinental Fujairah: A property without an identity.
The great thing about having a husband who’s into diving (even if you personally tried and failed epically) is that you get to visit a lot of beach destinations. In this instance, with Hubs on his way to becoming a Dive Master, he is in need of some additional certifications and hours in the water. He usually goes out with Al Boom Marine, who tender from Fujairah and tends to drive up and back on the same day. However, with my interest in the recently opened Intercontinental Fujairah, it was easy to say yes to a staycation instead. While I previously stayed at (and was impressed by) the Fairmont Fujairah, for this weekend visit, we decided on something new. For those who haven’t visited Fujairah, it’s a roughly 2-hour drive from Dubai through desert and mountain landscapes. I wouldn’t recommend the trip for those on a first visit to the UAE, but for…
Oberoi Al Zorah: A modern coastal visit.
Although it may not sound that way, it’s actually been awhile since I’ve spent a night away from my villa. I’m not sure if it’s some form of nesting, or just that I’m wildly comfortable (and productive) with my current status quo, or that friends keep having amazing birthdays, but Hubs and I haven’t been away for a proper night in quite some time. Wanting to stay in the country, and ruling out Abu Dhabi, I debated the new Intercontinental in Fujairah, but in the end, the Oberoi Al Zorah won out. I do love the Oberoi brand and have been fortunate enough to stay in both the Dubai property, as well as the Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra near the Taj Mahal (one of my favorite hotels in the word). An easy drive from Dubai, the Oberoi Al Zorah is roughly an hour from our villa. Even before reaching the property,…
My Favorite Hotels in 2017.
Although more loaded in the front of the year, I was able to stay in some absolutely exceptional properties during 2017. And looking ahead, I’m hoping some excellent hotel stays come together in 2018 as well (the Maldives in Q1 looks like a real thing right now — keep your fingers crossed for me). I also find it interesting that my hotel visits this year seemed to be fantastic or average, with nothing much in between. I would either be a huge fan of a place or not interested in returning. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Did any of these properties knock off my favorite hotel in the world, the Four Seasons Sayan? No, they didn’t. Here are some of my reasons why. In no particular order: Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek, South Africa St. Regis Maldives Vommuli, Maldives Casa Angelina, Amalfi Coast, Italy The Siam and W Bangkok were almost on the list, as was…
Manzil Downtown Staycation.
The Manzil Downtown in Downtown Dubai has been a favorite hotel of mine for many years (yes, I can remember before it was reconfigured and when it was called the Al Manzil). In fact, it has been my go-to property to recommend to visitors from out of town for the past five years or more. Thus, when I was invited to officially review the hotel, I jumped at the chance to return. Even better? I was able to time my staycation for an evening when I had tickets to the opera and enjoyed being within walking distance. So, why do I love the Manzil Downtown so much? What makes this hotel better than the many other options in the city? Should I Stay or Should I Go? Pros Location is everything. When we lived in Doha, we would regularly return to Dubai, and this was always my preferred location. Why?…
Marriott Al Forsan, not quite perfection in Khalifa City.
We’ve probably already established I am a creature of habit, and as such, my time in Abu Dhabi is primarily focused on Saadiyat or the main island. Thus, when an opportunity to explore a bit more of my former city, my interest was piqued. For the record, the Marriott Al Forsan, located in Khalifa City, is not in a location I would usually seek out. I prefer staying on island for proximity to restaurants and other things to do in the capital. Fortunately, it didn’t take much to win me over — the hotel has a lot of great things to offer. Pros A modern, new property. If you’re looking for a hotel that still has all its polish and shine, then the Marriott, opened recently, should be your destination. With a huge ‘wow’ factor in the overlarge lobby and rooms designed with essential components, the hotel plays to the roots and…
A to Za’atar’s elements of a perfect hotel.
On average, I stay in a hotel at least once a month (and usually more nights than that). While the majority of my experience is in the GCC, I have been to a few other countries (and took the research of my novel pretty seriously). In all this, a few trends have emerged. Certainly, everyone is welcome to their own opinion, but I thought the subject was worth exploring (and how it all adds up to the Four Seasons Sayan being my favorite resort in the world). For now, my list will focus mainly on the room itself, because I think tackling all the elements of a perfect property or resort would yield too long a post. So, what are the most important features to me when I book a room? Privacy (~quiet). Anyone with misophonia understands that a total lack of sound = heaven. While of course, I know that…