Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Readers Choice Awards by House & Hotel The Mandarin Oriental define the destination. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann A lovely (culinary) experience in BKK. Mr. Sauthier was delighted to share his culinary passion with us. For sure he takes Le Normandie’s diners to new heights of fine dining excellence and delights and introduces a new generation of culinary explorers to the sophistication of his native haute cuisine. I used to live and worked in the “city of angels” for three years, I love it. Of course…Continue Reading ““Readers Choice Awards” by House & Hotel: The Mandarin Oriental” →

I am a fan tour. My 48 hours in Barcelona. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Barcelona, me gusta. I am travelling since years to Barcelone and I still love the city. As club culture gives way to easy cafe & bar culture and more startups take root, the inhabitants take a new pride in their city as one of the most unique place in the world, a truly vibrant, hot, open and tolerant oasis in southern Europe. Today Barcelona is coming into its own as a…Continue Reading “48 hours in Barcelona – Check-in @Mandarin Oriental” →

Douoc ao day Vietnam. Contributed by Britt Freyberg Hanoi is Vietnams small capital city, serving as the entry point for visitors drawn to the country’s mountainous north and the craggy islands of Halong Bay. With a French accent and a old heart, largely spared from American bombings it is for me more attractive than sprawling Ho-Chi-Minh City / Saigon in the south. The focal point is Hoan Kiem lake, a green oasis with an island pagoda, steeped in legend and caressed by the fronds of…Continue Reading “Sweet Hanoi – Hotel Sofitel Metropole Hanoi” →

Hotel and restaurant stories by Jens Hoffmann. Restaurant Beat by José Manuel Miguel Melia & Cookbook Hotel Calpe. If you speak in the hotel industry of a hideaway, it is mostly a romantic hotel in an idyllic location. The Meliá Villaitana Hotel is located in Benidorm near Alicante, based on a mountain, truly a seafront hideaway. The “Beat” is a gourmet restaurant, which is not (yet) decorated with a star, but the Chef de Cuisine José is an experienced 2-star cook on the stove. Lovely…Continue Reading “Hotels we like: Meliá and Cookbook Hotel” →

Contributed by Jens Hoffmann I am in love with romatic Lisbon, unfortunately, this time I spent only one night, because the object of my desire was Sal on Cabo Verde. The Tejo, Lisbon’s river, was bathed in a colorful sea of colors. The “Cais the Colunas” has turned into a promenade with many beautiful cafes. From here Marques de Pombal rebuilt the city in 1755 after the strong earthquake. For me a fascinating city, there is a touch of nostalgia. The city is gracefully framed…Continue Reading “Stop-over in Lisbon – The Hilton Double Tree Hotel” →

Club Med opened its new 4 trident ski resort in Grand Massif Samoëns Morillon (Haute Savoie). Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann. The French Alps has another pretty resort, a one hour drive away from Geneva. I enjoyed the days in the French Alps, perfect for families and couples who want a taste a bit of a french paradise. The new resort in the French countryside is an oasis of recuperation. The Grand Massif ski area is the fourth largest ski region in France but…Continue Reading “The new Club Med Resort in Samoëns Morillon – Dreamland in Grand Massif” →

Phuket by Jens Hoffmann. Sawasdee, the Southern Tip Peninsula of Patong is to be the stunning location for a the Crest five star property. “Where Nature Heals” Crest is an inspiring and radical luxury eco-designed resort catering to discerning travelers seeking a reviving and rejuvenating weekend getaway, relaxing long stay, honey moon hideaways, adventure filled family vacations, and even refreshing corporate meeting sessions. Perched on a gentle hillside, on the beautiful Tri Trang Beach, just outside Patong, surrounded by tropical rain forest and stunning 240°…Continue Reading “Where nature heals – Crest Resort in Phuket” →

Destination Florida & Key West Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Going on one means being away from everything familiar and allowing your brain to idle into a kind of cleaning bliss. Miami is becoing a green, ecological city and a weekend in South Beach is always fun. Do you long for the South Beach of vegan culture, frozen margaritas and electric neon? The South Beach of stylish new hotels like Gale, Lord Balfour, SLS South Beach and special restaurants like Yardbird, Southern Table & Bar, Khong…Continue Reading “The Mandarin Oriental in Miami” →

Destination Shanghai Contributed by Jens Hoffmann After a happy landing I enjoyed the nice ride with the airport express train (455 km/h, wow!!!) to Pudong. 10 minutes later we arrived. Yes, I love it to be in Shanghai. My hotel, the Shangri-La Jing An is located on the Puxi side of the Huangpu River. It features a design inspired by Shanghai’s past, present, and future. The 508-room hotel is the centerpiece of the Jing An Kerry Centre. Upon entering the lobby, guests are greeted by…Continue Reading “Selected breaks in Shanghai @Shangri-La Hotel” →

Destination Marrakesh. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Hmm, yes a little bit boring, but we are still looking for the 1001 secrets of Marrakesh. Spice shops, snake charmers, and street food have made the city to one of world greatest spectacles. Acctually no need to introduce the La Mamounia, a true legend among the most famous hotels in the world. It is located in walking distance of the Djemaa el Fna, in the legendary city Marrakesh. We had a fantastic time and a amazing suite with…Continue Reading “Faces of the Medina – Marrakesh & La Mamounia” →

Michelin – new stars in 2018 Tokyo a) The latest edition of the Michelin guide for Tokyo presents 82 new restaurants, including five new two-star establishments and 23 entities garnering single stars. All of the 12 three-star restaurants in Tokyo have retained their prestigious status, including the world-famous sushi restaurant Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten, Azabu Yukimura (Kyoto cuisine) and Joel Robuchon (French fine dining). Among the new restaurants awarded two stars are Chinese restaurant Sazenka, Hommage (French cuisine), and Den. The Michelin Guide Tokyo 2018 lists…Continue Reading “Michelin new stars in Tokyo (Asia 2018)” →

Singapore – the new green marvel A booming and clean city. If you have a budget you can enjoy it quick & easy by helicopter, listen to the pilot and enjoy it with a panoramic view. Usually the tour includes; Marina Bay Sands, the Garden by the Bay, Marina Barrage and the business district, a bit of Sentosa with the Universal Studios and Sentosa Cove. Furthermore some of the Southern Islands like Kusu Island, St John’s Island & Sisters’ Islands and the world famous Singapore…Continue Reading “Booming green Singapore – the Asian marvel” →