Archive for category Hotel
World’s Highest Hotel – The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
We were invited to visit the Club Lounge of the spanking new Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong for afternoon tea. When we arrived at the ground level entrance of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in West Kowloon, there must have been more than 20 people lining up just to get in. But with typical Ritz hospitality, free drinks were served to those in line. Luckily we were taken straight up to the 103rd floor to the hotel’s Reception Lobby and avoided the wait. The restaurants are located one floor below and we will be sure to come back and try the Italian, Tosca, very soon.
We were then quickly whisked up to the 116th floor, straight to the Club Lounge. On the center counter were some cheese, spoon sized appetizers and desserts to nibble on. There were also scones, oh yes, of course scones. We were seated at the Library Room, a comfortable and cozy environment perfect for a lazy relaxing afternoon. Great views of Stonecutters Island, Tsing Yi and Lantau Island in the distance. Numerous barges and ships dotted the busy Victoria Harbour shimmering under the late afternoon sun from the west. On the other end of the lounge, the Meeting Room presented stunning views of Hong Kong Island in a more formal setting.
A guided tour of the hotel took us to the Spa by ESPA on the same level, which had a HK$500,000/US$64,100 ‘organic’ art piece illuminating the reception area. We peeked inside one of the two couples’ suites and not only did it have its own shower and jacuzzi, there was a resting area with spectacular harbor views. Maybe we’ll spend our afternoon here next time instead. The swimming pool not only is the world’s highest, but has a huge video wall and ceiling allowing them to change the scenery or mood to suit any occasion. Pretty cool. We also visited the Junior and Premier Executive Suites. As expected, the views were spectacular and all corner rooms come with a telescope for guests to check out the city in more detail. Last but not least, we had to check out the highest bar in the world – OZONE. Serving Asian tapas and Japanese specialties on the 118th floors, this is also on our must-visit list.
A nice welcome return to the luxury hotel scene in Hong Kong since its departure in 2008. And with so many facilities to try, maybe the most effective way is to book a room and stay for a weekend 
The Ritz-Carlton
International Commerce Centre
1 Austin Road West
Kowloon, Hong Kong
T: +852 2263 2263
W: www.ritzcarlton.com
110405 The Ritz Carlton - Signage on street level
110405 The Ritz Carlton - Floors 102 to 118 in ICC
110405 The Ritz Carlton - Reception Lobby on 103/F
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Valentines & Chinese New Year at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford, England
After a 45 minute drive from The Grove, we arrived safely at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, a very picturesque country house just outside Oxford, England. We decided to celebrate Valentines Day and the first day of Chinese New Year here so we checked into one of their 32 rooms for the night. Dinner was booked at the two Michelin-starred restaurant by Raymond Blanc. It was their 25th Anniversary last year and the last time R was here was during his university days, so it must have been on their first or second anniversary!
We stayed in the Orchard room, located on the first floor of the Main House, which was a nice comfortable 242 ft2 (22.5 m2). Accommodation was not cheap, at £520/US$790 per night, but it was V’day after all and hey we had free Wi-Fi! The cottage style environment was a nice change from the boutique or chain hotels that we were used to. They even had two huge bows behind the door to indicate Do Not Disturb (red) or Make Up The Room (green) by hanging the appropriate one on the other side. Very cute.
We arrived just in time for afternoon tea and sat down for traditional scones with clotted cream. Wow, you’ve got to come here just for the scones. Freshly baked and paired with the clotted cream was heavenly. The best we’ve had anywhere.
For dinner, we chose Raymond Blanc’s Menu Découverte tasting menu (£125/US$190) and ordered a bottle of 2000 Léoville Barton. This St Julien wine was very drinkable and didn’t need much time to breathe. From such a stunning vintage, however, I’m sure there are a few more years before we enjoy the most from this wine. The dinner, on the other hand was a bit disappointing. I guess there was too much expectation. Although a nice touch was the small version of the tasting menu that was given to us at the start of the dinner for us to follow each of the courses as they were served. It also made a good souvenir.
The first dish was a cold tartare of Scottish langoustine chopped into small pieces on top of a Japanese custard. Just like the Japanese steamed egg – smooth. The confit of “Landais” duck liver that followed was very soft and buttery, but we didn’t care much for the rhubarb compote on the side. The plancha-seared “Loch Leven” Scottish scallop was very fresh and cooked to perfection. By this time the dinner sort of peaked. The free-range hen’s egg was runny, but a bit bland. Then the John Dory and the roast quail were both overcooked.
Luckily the desserts woke us up. The carpaccio of blood orange and its own sorbet were very refreshing. For C, the cheese trolley replaced her dessert and there were plenty to satisfy her palate.
Breakfast the next morning was in L’Orangerie (the greenhouse) with a huge buffet serving a wide variety of fruits, cereals and lots of freshly baked bread. C ordered a scrambled eggs with smoked salmon on a toasted muffin, which was delicious. A good start to our journey into London.
At Le Manoir, food is only part of the experience. The environment, the rooms, the walk in the vegetable and herb gardens make up for a great weekend getaway. Oh and the scones scored some major points too.
– 18/20 (accommodation)
– 15.5/20 (dinner)
– 20/20 (scones)
– 18/20 (overall)
Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons
Church Road, Great Milton
Oxford, OX44 7PD
England
T: +44 1844 278881
E: lemanoir@blanc.co.uk
W: www.manoir.com
100214 Le Manoir - Gates to the Main House
100214 Le Manoir - Main House though the Lavender Walk
100214 Le Manoir - Front door to the Main House
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Review – The Grove, Hertfordshire, England
We stayed at this hotel, golf and spa resort as a middle stop before our drive up to Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxford. Having played the Old Course in Scotland, we had hopes of playing their championship golf course, The Grove, which was host to the WGC-American Express Championship in 2006 (won by Tiger Woods). Unfortunately, the British weather set in…cold, damp and raining. Oh well, maybe we’ll just enjoy a nice brunch and take a peek around the course.
We stayed in a Deluxe Room in the West Wing, which was a good 365 ft2 (24 m2). The room even came with a huge 42″ LCD TV!!! There were also nice design touches everywhere, from “Hee Haw”, the stuffed donkey, on the desk to the transparent tables in the hallways stuffed with all sorts of things – feathers, rubber ducks, chicks, you name it. Very chic. In one corridor, even the internal piping were “framed” as artwork.
The Sequoia Spa was a relaxing break for R while waiting for C to arrive from Hong Kong. He was lucky to get an empty slot as it was the Valentine’s weekend. Don’t know if it is as busy on normal days, but we would definitely book ahead next time to avoid disappointment.
We were pushing our luck with the weather. It was the same if not worse the next day. We asked the attendant at the pro shop and he kindly let us walk the back nine before the early players made the turn. The course was very well manicured and it was a shame that we weren’t able to play. We’ll definitely have to come back one day. Their signature hole is the Par 3 13th. Although with the elevated teeing ground, the hole plays longer than it seems and with bunkers protecting the green, par would be a good score here.
Brunch was at The Stables Restaurant, so named as the space was actually horses’ stables under the previous owner. We ordered the Stables fish & chips and an Eggs Royale (Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon). Being in England we had to have fish & chips, but this was HUGE! We thought we were in the States… There was some water probably due to condensation that made the bottom a bit soggy. The Eggs Royale however, were superb – runny, just the way we like them. Paired with salmon, it was a perfect match. We could tell as C wolfed it down in an instant.
We’ll be back soon, hopefully in milder weather.
– 18/20
The Grove
Chandler’s Cross
Hertfordshire
WD3 4TG
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0) 1923 807807
E: reservations@thegrove.co.uk or tee.time@thegrove.co.uk
W: www.thegrove.co.uk
100213 The Grove - West Wing Deluxe Room
100213 The Grove - "Butterfly" artwork in the room
100213 The Grove - West Wing Deluxe Room
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Review – Putahracsa Hua Hin, Thailand
The owner of this beautiful Putahracsa Hua Hin boutique resort, Velvadi Sritrairatana, is R’s buddy from university a long time ago (I won’t say how long). She inherited this property from her grandmother, Khun Ying Supatra Singholaka, who served in the Royal Court of His Magesty, King Rama VI. Velvadi transformed the land into a very unique resort that was designed by her interior designer husband Viboon Techakalayatum. And boy did they do a magnificent job. Opened in October 2006, this is not your typical multiple-story hotel chain. Spread over two areas, one houses the main lobby area, pool, the Sala Monsoon restaurant, Day Spa, SilkSand Rooms and SanSky Villas. The rooms spans only two stories and are located around the poolside, forming a very relaxing atmosphere.
A hop across the street is where we stayed – in one of the Oceanbed Villas with our own hot tub and private pool. The room uses plenty of wood and bamboo to emphasize the natural surroundings. And you won’t find a work desk in the room either. It is a resort after all and as Viboon said, this is a place for relaxation and not for business (or at least minimal business).
Also on this side is an infinity pool and the Oceanside restaurant right next to the public beach. We had lunch there and the cool sea breeze matched with the expansive ocean view made for a very relaxing afternoon. A glass of Sauvingon Blanc and…ah, Heaven.
The staff were also very helpful and attentive. Prior to our arrival, they recommended golf at Black Mountain Golf Club and Banyan Golf Club, arranged all the tee times as well as the transportation. Both courses were excellent and only within 30 minutes from the resort. Back at the resort, the Day Spa provided many more hours of relaxation bliss.
If you enjoy the uniqueness of boutique hotels and don’t want to stay in a “cookie cutter” style chain hotel, then this is the place for ultimate relaxation.
– 17/20
Putahracsa Hua Hin
22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road
Hua Hin Prachaub
Kirikhan 77110
Thailand
T: +66 (0) 32 531 470
E: booking@putahracsa.com
W: www.putahracsa.com
091213 Putahracsa Hua Hin - Signage
091213 Putahracsa Hua Hin - Main lobby
091213 Putahracsa Hua Hin - Main lobby
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