Author: House & Hotel Magazine

Gourmet delights in Pireaus. By Jens Hoffmann. A dinner in the restaurant “Varoulko” is always a highlight, it is a very special treat to sit nearby the seaside, accompanied by the boats, glittering lights on the shore and the soft ripple of the waves. The Chef de Cuisine, Lefteris Lazarou is a fantastic cook. He was born to a father who worked as a ship-chef and Lefteris never thought of following a different path. When he was 15 years old he started working with his…Continue Reading “Fine dining at “Varoulko” by Lefteris Lazarou in Pireaus / Greece” →

Destinationreport Bali. Contributed by feature reporter John Harris. If you look for special destinations; Bali is always a great experience. We landed in Ngurah Rai International Airport, from here it is just a 30 minutes drive to The Mulia Bali. Embedded in the unique landscape you will find the Mulia resort, a property with lots of luxury and individualized services. A place with a view, the beautiful Indian Ocean as its backdrop. The resort is located in the tranquil beaches of Nusa Dua, in southeastern…Continue Reading “Selected breaks Mulia Resort Bali / Indonesia” →

The Berlin Master Chefs Diner Gala. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Truly a world-class menu which left no gourmet wish unfulfilled. The Berlin Master Chefs gala in the InterContinental pampred the palate wonderfully. It started with oysters and chamapagne by Vranken-Pommery. The dinner – as is tradition – started with an appetizer from the chef of the restaurant “Hugos” in the InterContinental Hotel, Eberhard Lange. It prepared a nice “Surf & Turf” as start. New York, London, Paris, Tokio! Without question, all of these cities are…Continue Reading “Culinary highlight at InterContinental – The Berlin Master Chefs create a world-class menu” →

Destinationreport Paris by Francois Jobard. When I arrive in Paris -my city of love- I am happy. I checked in at Shangri-La. An oasis of recuperation. There is everything special, no normal things to be found here, just small, selected things. Great fun. It’s a bit like following the great history of this place. The charm of this hotel is legendary. Truly a magical place that enthrais me on Napoleon Bonapartes footsteps. The elegant façade brings to mind its legacy as the (former) home of…Continue Reading “Following Bonaparte’s foodsteps in style / Shangri-La /Paris / France” →

Portugal – Destinationreport by by Jens Hoffmann Arrival in Porto Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport. Porto is a fantastic place! If you’re only visiting one (wine) region in your life, let the Douro be the place. If you weren’t romantic before, you will be after a visit here. Where will you find so beautiful grapes? Our start was in Porto, it is not so crowded like in Lisbon -which is also fantastic – just the perfect destination. I enjoyed it very much, even the traditional wineries…Continue Reading “Wines of Portugal / Six Senses / Douro Valley / Portugal” →

Sawasdee Bangkok. Text: Jens Hoffmann There are always new faces at the top of the travelcharts; but I love it to be here. Bangkok began as a small 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 illustrious past still prevails. Be it dazzling temples, spectacular palaces, a world-famous floating market or colourful Chinatown, each of these famous places…Continue Reading “Where the king slept – Sukhothai Hotel Bangkok – Thailand” →

Luxembourg – “In the heart of Europe”. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. Luxembourg is located in the heart of Europe which makes it very easy to get to. The lovely, small country is linked to the neighbouring countries by a first-class road network, numerous flights are landing at the International Airport located only 10 minutes from the center of Luxembourg City. As the capital of the country, Luxembourg City offers a rich cultural life. The Museum of Modern Art (MUDAM) in a building of the world…Continue Reading “Lux at a Glance – Grand Dutchy of Luxembourg” →

Disneyland Paris. Text: Jens Hoffmann. I made a lovely press trip with a couple of different experiences; check-in at MAGIC CIRCUS HOTEL in Marne-la-Vallée, the new DREAM CASTLE HOTEL nearby. You should not skip a visit to VALLEE VILLAGE – Chic Outlet Shopping. The lovely place is easy to reach by a shuttle bus from Dream Castle & Magic Circus Hotel. Outlet store La Vallee Village It organizes also private shopper events in the lounge. The whole Disney experience was for me this time without…Continue Reading “Paris, mon amour – Magic Circus Hotel in Marne-la-Vallée Cedex / France” →

Interview with Bardi Johannsson – The “You are hot, I am cool” experience. Bardi Johannsson “The Wolves Are Whispering” Bang-Gang. Report: Jens Hoffmann I am in love with Iceland and had a fantastic time in the mysterious country. In the morning before Bardi’s “Birthday Concert” I met him in the lobby of the Alda Hotel to chat about his new album, life, family and his career. Bardi Jóhannsson (10/9/1975) an Icelandic musician, composer, writer, TV show host (of the world-famous surrealist Icelandic TV show “Konfekt”)…Continue Reading “Interview with Bardi Johannsson at the Hotel Alda / Reykjavik / Iceland” →

Contributed by Jens Hoffmann Sawasdee, the Pimalai resort on Ko Krabi is truly a place of peace and emotion. Serenity and solitude, these are the words that come to mind for the lovely Pimalai resort. Resort & Spa Pimalai Covered in a garden eden, that luxury, elegance, natural surroundings makes you happy. The property has more than half a mile of beachfront land, which keeps it tranquil. A perfect venue for a honeymoon, a break from it all or even for a secret meeting in…Continue Reading “Resort & Spa Pimalai – Koh Lanta – Thailand” →

Kalispera, Thessaloniki. Contributed by Jens Hoffmann. It has been one year already since my last trip to Greece and I am still in love with nature, people and greek wines. We travelled to the largest city in the region of Macedonia. Saloniki was founded in the early years of the Hellenistic period, during Alexander the Great’s ecumenical empire. We checked in at the great Electra Palace Hotel in Thessaloniki. The weather is starting to get warm, it’s time to go abroad. Thessaloniki is Greece’s second…Continue Reading “Celebrating 50 years – Hotel Electra Palace / Thessaloniki / Greece” →

Berlin. Contributed by N.Neugebauer. I did a fantastic wine tasting in one of my favourite hotels in Berlin. The lovely Rocco Forte’s Hotel de Rome is located on Bebelplatz, Unter den Linden. It is a conversion of an existing building constructed in 1889 by architect Ludwig Heim who was the appointed master builder of the government, which housed the head office of Dresdner Bank until 1945. This is a unique luxury hotel in Berlin which you will find in an original building making use of…Continue Reading “Wine Tasting @ Rocco Forte’s Hotel Rome / Berlin” →