Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Meet & Greeet with Pierre Gagnaire. Text: Jens Hoffmann Meeting with the Berlin star cooks at the Presidentual Suite Waldorf Astoria. Often called the “Picasso of French cuisine,” chef Pierre Gagnaire is the creative genius behind many restaurants around the globe, from London’s Sketch to Tokyo’s Pierre Gagnaire. Les Solistes by Pierre Gagnaire, was an elegant white and marble gem tucked on the first floor of the Waldorf Astoria Berlin. I sat down with the chef to chat about his global locations from Ryad, London,…Continue Reading “Waldorf Astoria in Berlin” →

Sawasdee. Thailand. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Bangkok can be as bewildering as it is bewitching. There are few things to do to make the most of Thailand’s exuberant capital, filling your days with luxury feelings, massages, street food, impressive temples and lively bars. “The City of Angels” began as a trading centre and port community on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River some 200 years ago. Today, while the city is up to speed with modern times, the grandeur and glory of its…Continue Reading “Thailand for runaways” →

Destinationreport Punta Cana by Jens Hoffmann Welcome to Dominican Republic – the whole year around sunshine, immaculate beaches, spectacular landscapes a great country located on Hispaniola (Antilles archipelago). Punta Cana has everything that discerning travelers could wish for in the Caribbean region. We enjoyed the Zen Oasis Club Med Punta Cana. It offers a special relaxing area and select hotel & resort experience. Since years Club Med has a privileged location, probably the best location on the island. The resort is located all the way…Continue Reading “We love Dom Rep – Zen Oasis by Club Med in Punta Cana” →

Destination Israel. Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann Swim in the Dead Sea better to float in the salty water, was a new experience for me. The Dead Sea is actually not a sea at all, but a lake that’s made up of about more than 30 percent salt. It is the lowest place on earth at 423 feet below sea level. Its properties have been known to cure skin conditions and its mud is used in spa treatments world-wide and in the many hotels…Continue Reading “Sleepless in Tel Aviv” →

Destinationreport Mexico Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann From New York to Cancún. Here where the Caribbean Sea converges with the Gulf of Mexico, ancestral voices keep whispering old tales with the winds that refresh Holbox. They tell the stories of the Spanish galleons that disappeared in these waters, they also tell the stories of the pirates who took their treasures, pirates like Francisco Molas. The ferry ride to Isla Holbox (a 20 mile-long sliver of mostly mangrove and beach in the vast Yum Balam…Continue Reading “Countries we love – Mexico” →

Destination Norway Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann Rich in breathtaking nature, oil, fishindustry an impressive destination. It is always astonishing how much enthusiasm the country has on those who know it only from hearing. Even greater is the pull, the rough nature, fantastic fjords and the sea, if you really experienced it. The city of Bergen is a special Scandinavian experience. Bergen, the second largest city in Norway, with a population of almost 400,000 inhabitants, the cityscape is characterized by colorful houses and the…Continue Reading “Norway – the home of the salmon” →

Today: Destination in transformation – Dubai. Start the tour with the “tower of the arabs”. On the coast of the United Arab Emirates you will find this 321 m high buliding which the fourth tallest hotel in the world. The price for a suite 1.000-30.000 US$ per night. The hotel Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m out from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. It is an iconic structure whose shape mimics the sail…Continue Reading “Dubai and its incredible transformation” →

Helsinki – the new centre for art and gastronomy Destinationreport by Jens Hoffmann. Much of the complex history was dark, now it is a stylish place full of Nordic cuisine. I enjoyed my stay in Helsinki. The sun is shining. The capital of Finland is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands, great cosy parks, churches and lovely views. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of relaxation, design, and quality of restaurants. For me alwys a…Continue Reading “Helsinki – Nordic Cuisine and Art” →

Everything is worth a trip to Corinth Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann A journey in the Peloponnese is a journey through myth and past. The journey from the International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos in Athens to Loutraki takes about an hour by train or car. Thermae is the ancient name of Loutraki derived from goddess “Thermia Artemis”, the protector goddess of therapeutic mineral waters. Life is easy, time to enjoy the region, the path is the destination and the springkissed Greece is always beautiful. I…Continue Reading “Everything is worth a trip to Corinth / Greece” →

Venice a magical place. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann The Cipriani is located on Giudecca Island, a 5-minute boat ride from St. Mark’s Square. The Hotel Ciprani in Venice is one of the bests hotel, the place has been an idyllic sanctuary since it opened in 1958. There’s nothing quite like waking up in the Hotel Cipriani, amid a sea of quiet streets, sprawling gardens, and that giant saltwater pool. The full glory of Venice is suddenly yours — you can actually imagine being here when…Continue Reading “Bella Italia – Hotel Cipriani in Venice” →

Destination Berlin. The german capital is for me one of the most exciting cities in the world. If you do not think so, you must visit one of our places in Berlin. Contributed by N.Neugebauer. One of my favourite hotels you will find in Berlin-Mitte. A architectural gem and in the ground floor you is the italian restaurant LABANCA (where I met Sir Rocco Forte during the opening party) He never stops to tell the story about Rocco Forte. “Each of the properties is individual,…Continue Reading “Trendy topics about Berlin – Rocco Forte” →

Destination Galicia. My luxury pilgrim tour to Santiago de Compostela. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Santiago de Compostela, better known as Santiago is the capital of the community of Galicia in northwestern Spain. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, now the city’s cathedral, as destination of the Way of St. James, a leading Catholic pilgrimage route originated in the 9th century. Always fun to strollthrough Santiago, say hello to the Cathedral, the Plaza do Obradoiro where the Parador is…Continue Reading “Me gusta, Galicia – Santiago de Compostela” →