Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Beijing 2017 It seems like things don’t slow down much in China’s frenetic capital. Already, the city is eyeing another Olympics bid (it’s one of two finalists for the 2022 Winter Games) and planning a $13 billion airport that is expected to be among the busiest in the world when it opens in 2019. And yet compared with China’s other vertical megacities, Beijing is still a traditionalist at heart. The city may have fantastic new sculptural monuments designed by Zaha Hadid and Rem Koolhaas, but…Continue Reading “Mandarin Oriental open another luxury hotel in Beijing” →

Citytrip Prague. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann The “Golden City of Prague” is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, the historical capital of Bohemia. For me one of the leading cultural cities in Europe. The beautiful boutique style place with great suites in one of the most interesting hotels in one of the most fancy cities in Europe. It offers not only a stunning skyline, the city is definetly one of Europe’s fanciest destinations. The fairytale city, set on nine hills, is divided…Continue Reading “The golden city of Prague” →

Destination Tokyo. Contributed by Francois Jobard. Yes, it seems that the city has a fresh verve. Everyone is looking forward to the Olympics 2020 and the city is relaxed. I enjoyed Tokyo’s Akihabara district, located in the northeast of the city, it is a foodie spot and no place for those who do not like special things like melons for 100 €. Styly, neony and noisy. It makes the Japanese capital to the place to the home of sensory overload. Book and comic stores are…Continue Reading “Konnichi-wa! – Tokyo has a fresh new verve” →

Destination Boracay. Contributed by feature reporter Jens Hoffmann. The limousine sent to collect us glides over the island. Yes it is a “Robinson Crusoe” island, only 8 kilometers long, the “White Beach” on the island was voted several times to be the world best beach. Shangri-La BoracayShangri-La Boracay A tropical paradise about an hour’s flight from Manila. Boracay is not very big, but it knows how to impress. We checked in at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort & Spa. It is a quiet, luxurious home base for…Continue Reading “Dreamland on the Philippines” →

A paradise of unique beauty in Tuscany. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann The La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena, Curio Collection by Hilton, is charmingly set in the rolling countryside of Tuscany. Once a medieval village, the resort preserves its history and character across modern accommodations with eg. the Buddha Spa. A relaxing wellness spa with out and indoor pool. A beautiful golf course and a intoduction by Chris Wood gave me an amazing experience. The townscape and Towers of Siena are within view, and…Continue Reading “My golf experience with Chris Wood – La Bagnaia Golf & Spa Resort Siena, Curio Collection by Hilton” →

Destination Thailand. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Bangkok can be wild and smooth, especially when you stay at the Sofitel So in Bangkok. The Sofitel So, the city’s first truly urban design hotel, a masterpiece of high fashion dedicated to the high life inspired by legendary couturier Mr. Christian Lacroix. Offering an unparalleled discovery experience and an extensive range of benefits. In a design-driven hotel, Club Signature is, as the name suggests, exemplary of Sofitel So Bangkok’s taking interior design to a new level that heightens…Continue Reading “Sawasdee – Relaxation in Bangkok” →

Destination San Sebastian. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Northern spain, Bilbao and San Sebastian is a shy spot, but a extraordinary story telling place. For us San Sebastian is the perfect summer place, treated for extraordinary moments. The amazing surroundings and culinary delights simply have to be explored. It’s a culinary paradise and it shows straight away that it has much more to offer. As the Basque beauty celebrates, it was European Capital of Culture (2016), large-scale artworks will populate public spaces, the San Telmo museum…Continue Reading “Food trip to San Sebastian” →

Barefoot luxury meets style at the Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Just after a quick 35-minute seaplane flight from the International Airport Malé we reached the “Robinson Crusoe Island”, my joyful Indian Ocean experience. It is away from the whole world, the idyllic tropical 6-star hideaway lies in South Ari Atoll not far away from the equator. The Republic of the Maldives is an island nation (1200 islands) in the Indian Ocean consisting of a double chain of twenty-six atolls. The…Continue Reading “Dheebu Dhivehi Mee – Maldives” →

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” →