For
my work I get to travel a lot and whilst the horror of
Mumbai airport at 5am is not something I'd wish upon my worst enemy,
there are some wonderful perks to the job. I have been lucky enough to stay in some of the worlds best hotels and experience incredible hospitality.
Everyone loves a list so here's a completely pointless, utterly indulgent list of my favourite hotels.
Everyone loves a list so here's a completely pointless, utterly indulgent list of my favourite hotels.
1. The Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
There
are hotels, great hotels and then there are the former royal palaces of
Rajasthan. Of the holy trinity (The Lake Palace, Rambagh Palace and
Umaid Bhawan), The Lake Palace is without a doubt the saffron tinted
jewel in the dessert states crown.
Sitting
in the middle of Lake Pichola The Lake Palace is like no other hotel
I've ever experienced. The adventure begins at the beautiful tree
covered lobby followed by a charming boat ride with views of the
colossal city palace. Check in happens without you realising it and the
service is personal, genuine and never intrusive.
Rooms
are tiny, quaint and utterly enchanting and if you're relaxing in the
pool enjoying the view of the ancient city of Udaipur as a dragon lofts
its mighty wings over the nearby hills, you wouldn't really bat an
eyelid.
2. Mara Serena Safari Lodge, Masai Mara, Kenya
Africa is an amazing place and the Masai Mara is a brightly shining jewel in its bedazzling crown. Perched on top of the only hill in sight at the centre of Kenya's iconic national park is the Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
Africa is an amazing place and the Masai Mara is a brightly shining jewel in its bedazzling crown. Perched on top of the only hill in sight at the centre of Kenya's iconic national park is the Mara Serena Safari Lodge.
The
views from almost all parts of the hotel are breathtaking by anyone's
point of reference with herds of elephants, giraffe, wilder beast and
buffalo roaming the savanna below.
The rooms are distinctly African themed, the food is wonderful, especially breakfast next to a mud pool full of hippo's and the service is warm and friendly after a long day shooting the big 5 through the lens of a DSLR.
If you haven't been on an African safari yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
The rooms are distinctly African themed, the food is wonderful, especially breakfast next to a mud pool full of hippo's and the service is warm and friendly after a long day shooting the big 5 through the lens of a DSLR.
If you haven't been on an African safari yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
3. Marriott Hotel, Pune, India
In
complete contrast to the historical elegance of The Lake Palace, the
Marriott Hotel in Pune, India is the best example of a modern Indian
hotel I have stayed in so far.
The
rooms are large, luxurious (except for the bath tub), well equipped and
the Marriott beds rival the Westin ones for the 'So Comfy I Slept
Through My Alarm' award.
Where
this hotel really excels tho is in its bar and restaurant offering. I
don't think I've enjoyed dining more in any hotel in India from the
sprawling, fresh breakfast buffet to kick start your morning to the
exquisite vegetarian restaurant offering delicious fare from Rajasthan.
If Italian food is your thing then Alto-Vino will not disappoint and Bar
101 hidden away in the back is a whisky lovers paradise with its
extensive collection and gentleman's club interior.
On
top of the hotel is Paasha, a spectacular roof top bar/restaurant with
sweeping views of Pune, especially from the toilets. The cocktails are
the best in the city, the food is divine and you'll be rubbing shoulders
with some of Pune's best people. A new addition to the hotel can be
found in the basement. Mi A Mi is India's most modern nightclub,
sprawling over 15,000sqft it pays tribute to legendary clubs such as
Bangkok's Bed Supper Club and London's Fabric.
4. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Staying
at the second tick on the bucket list of the three Rajasthan palaces is
to step back in time to the land of the maharaja's and maharani's.
Set in sprawling grounds filled with over 100 peacocks, occasional elephants playing polo on the lawn and
To
say the standard rooms are spacious would be an understatement of Raj
sized proportion featuring no less than a bedroom, lounge, dressing room
and bathroom. The dining experiences are fit for a king and to eat
breakfast on the lawn as the peacocks strut their stuff and a horse
drawn carriage trots past giving guests a personalised tour of the
property is a special way to start the day.
Almost
forgot to mention the indoor pool, which is without a doubt, the most
beautiful pool with a roof that I have yet to dip my toe into.
5. W Resort & Hotel, Koh Samui
Staying
at the W Resort & Hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand was a rare occasion
that I wasn't staying on a work assignment but this time my wonderful
girlfriend drew my name out of a lucky draw (it wasn't fixed, I think).
The prize, 3 nights at this very trendy resort.
