Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Destination Karlovy Vary – Contributed by George M. Harris. The romatic village of Karlo Vary is named after Charles IV. He was a Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia and the founder of the city (1370). The city ist world famous for its 300 springs, the most visited spa town in the Czech Republic. We did a lovely press trip and checked-in at the Grand Hotel Pupp & Casino to get a bit of James Bond 007. The hotel service picked us up from the…Continue Reading “Destination Karlovy Vary – My night with James Bond “007”” →

Summer in Greece on Greek islands Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Wow! Wow! Wow! I am losing myself while travelling to Greece the sixth time this year. I took Aegean Airlines to Athens and then to Mytilene. I always wanted to travel to Lesbos. It is one of the most unique and beautiful places in Greece. Lesbos is a unit of the North Aegean region, and is one of five governing islands within it. The capital is Mytilene. The population of Lesbos is 90,000, a third…Continue Reading “Lesvos – Summertime in Greece” →

Conrad Hotels and Resorts Bora Bora Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Conrad Bora Bora Nui, the 115-key resort, formerly known as Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa re-opened as Conrad Bora Bora Nui. Conrad is pleased to be expanding the brand portfolio in the French Polynesia region, where they established presence in 2009. This agreement underscores their strong commitment to this key market, which has demonstrated its resilience and its enduring appeal to travellers around the world. Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on Motu…Continue Reading “Hilton’s Bora Bora resort in French Polynesia” →

The Regent Berlin – Location, location, location Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. It is one of the most storied of Berlin hotels, an estate whose evolution defines that of Berlin Mitte (“Gendarmenmarkt”). The Regent is an interesting mix; from the outside it is a completely modern building. Inside it is a old world luxury hotel with chandeliers, marble and antiques. In the heart of the historic district next to Gendarmenmarkt and a short walk from Checkpoint Charlie. An excellent location for those wishing to take in…Continue Reading “The Regent Berlin – A hotel fit for a royal guest” →

The big deal. Accor Group purchased Fairmont Raffles Hotels International (FRHI), the Toronto-based parent company to the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swissôtel brands. FRHI’s iconic and often historic properties include such hotels as the original Raffles Hotel in Singapore. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann The acquisition of privately owned FRHI, which has more than 155 properties around the world, was approved by Accor shareholders in a special meeting held at Accor’s Paris headquarters and the deal consists of payment in both $840 million in cash and 46.7…Continue Reading “Hotel News: Accor Group paid $3 Billion for Raffles, Fairmont and Swissôtel” →

Dui! Holland. Starting with Amsterdam. Nicole Neugebauer & Jens Hoffmann features Holland. With more than 165 canals, 1500 bridges and 900.000 bicyles, the capital of the Netherlands, divided into some 90 islands. For us it is one of the most charming, unique and outgoing cities in the world. We are sure you will love the the hotel. It is a YO company hotel brand with hotels at airports like NY, A’dam & London, founded by Simon Woodroffe and Gerard Greene. The rooms are a bit…Continue Reading “Dui Holland – 3 days in the Netherlands” →

Biarritz, France. Contributed by Francois Jobard. Truly cosy hotel atmosphere, we enjoyed Napoleons III. summer residence in Biarritz. The Hôtel du Palais Imperial is an historic luxury hotel in the centre of Biarritz, overlooking a large stretch of beach on the Biarritz coastline and welcoming guests with a smile. The 19th century residence of Napoleon III, has been all the time a symbol of prestige for Biarritz for more than a century. This 5-star hotel is located 24km from San Sebastian-Donosti Airport. From the moment…Continue Reading “Extravagant ambience – The Hôtel du Palais Imperial in Biarritz / France” →

Destination New York. Great place, since years I like it to be here, Manhattan is packed with stress and trouble, politics, cranes and money things. Building works at the huge Hudson Yards project, on the west side of the island, are storming ahead, turning disused docks into exciting residential quarters with shopping centres and restaurants. Exciting openings are squeezing into every corner of the island, which is filling up and spilling into the other boroughs. All this means that New York City is not only…Continue Reading “Big apple – St. Regis / New York” →

Conrad Algarve – Faro. Never just stay – Stayinspired. The One.Three.Five. Inspiration by Conrad Hotels. By Jens Hoffmann I had a great time at the Algarve and so much fun to play golf with my golf concierge Nuno. Algarve is the best golf destination in Europe, with the best conditions and golf courses. The whole coast of the South of Portugal is a paradise for golfers, there are 30 golf courses, with very varied construction, spread on the coast and with the length of 150…Continue Reading “Conrad Algarve – Never just stay – Stayinspired / Portugal” →

Destinationreport Mount Athos (Northern Greece) Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. The Mount Athos region is a place with thousands of colours and variations, truly a place that eliminates the distance between the wonders of nature. The peninsula with the three finger look -Kassandra, Sithonia, Athos- is like a trident pierce of the Aegean Sea, combining shores of beautiful beaches, hills and mountains with lush landscape of forest. Everything is sited wisely in harmony. I love it. Three hundred whole kilometres of coastline, numerous beaches and coasts,…Continue Reading “Mount Athos – Halkidiki / Northern Greece” →

Destination Koh Lanta (Andaman Sea). Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Sawasdee, the Pimalai resort on Koh Krabi is is picturesquely located on a thai island. Truly a place of peace and emotion. Pimon and Alai means a little peace of heaven. Indeed, Serenity and solitude, these are the words that come to mind for the lovely Pimalai resort. Covered in a garden eden, luxury, elegance, natural surroundings makes you happy. The property has more than half a mile of beachfront land, which keeps it quite. A…Continue Reading “Koh Lanta – “Small Luxury Hotels of the World” / Thailand” →

Destination Mallorca Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Arriving at International Airport Palma de Majorca in Spain. Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands, even at the height of the summer season, it has fewer than a million residents. Its two mountain ranges mean that much of the island is a steep and somewhat daunting landscape, but its proximity to Spain had long made it something of a conquerors’ dream; at some point, everyone—the Romans, the Vandals, the Moors—seems to have laid a claim. A big…Continue Reading “Me gusta Port de Soller on Mallorca” →