Greece Luxury Hotel

The Grande Bretagne has served as a place of pristine hospitality in Greece since 1874. The hotel hosted the Olympic Games in 2004. The Grande Bretagne has been a point of reference in the social, political and economic life of Athens.

Dining: The GB Corner is famous not only for its Mediterranean cuisine, but also for its clientele. Highly renowned Athenians meet here to hobnob. The Mediterranean menu is created by Chef Bertrand Valegeas and an open kitchen makes for a great meal.

Spa: The spa is run by E'SPA, where treatments take a holistic approach, using blends of products tailored to the clients needs and combining them with advanced therapy techniques.

Deluxe Touch: Book the Royal Suite located on the fifth floor, with a panoramic view of the city including Constitution Square, the Acropolis, the Parliament with the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and Lykabettos Hill. There’s a triple living room with fireplace, two formal sitting areas palatial dining room with seating for 16 and a media room with state-of-the-art electronics.

Details
Constitution Square
Athens , Greece
800/325-3589

The Finest of Florence

Florence (Firenze) is a feast for the senses. It is a treasure trove of art and architecture; a feast for the eyes. Italian food and the fine wines of the Tuscany region are epicurean delights. And, Florence’s rich history and present day festive and friendly ambiance are a feast for the soul. Echoes of the past are everywhere in Florence. A leisurely stroll along the Arno River and across the Medieval Ponte Vecchio offers views that haven’t changed much in hundreds of years. As the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, it is said that almost half of the artists working in Europe in the second millennium lived in Florence; that is still true today. It is not difficult to imagine Michelangelo, Boticelli and Leonardo da Vinci at work among present day artists. However, Florence cannot be seen in a day. The sheer multitude of must-sees is overwhelming and the inevitable waits for entrance to leading museums, the Duomo and other monuments are frustrating for many travelers.

Travel editors and savvy travelers recommend choosing an Italian luxury hotel that is centrally located and a hotel that can expedite long lines and tour buses to exploring the treasures of Florence. Hotel Savoy, a member of Leading Hotels of the World’s five-star luxury hotel collection, is located in the heart of Florence with magnificent views of the Duomo from many rooms. It is also just steps away from the Galleria Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. Contemporary guest rooms and suites at Hotel Savoy offer a soothing respite from the crowded streets of Florence. Business travelers appreciate the conveniences of a comprehensive business center, meeting facilities and and broadband Internet access. Hotel Savoy is also a family-friendly luxury hotel. A myriad of details and special treats make travel with children a pleasure. And, from chauffeured transfers to advance bookings for the Galleria Uffizi and privated guided tours, the Hotel Savoy concierge team takes care of all the details of seeing Florence at its best with no long queues and tour buses. Not to be missed: watching day break or a golden sunset wash over the city from the comfort and privacy of Hotel Savoy.

Amsterdam Luxury Hotel

The buildings that are now The Grand Amsterdam (a Sofitel property) have been an integral part of Amsterdam for more than half a millennium. They were originally constructed in the 14th century as one of the most important nunneries in the city, the Convent of St. Cecilia and St. Catherine. Set between two canals, just a stone's throw away from the city's financial institutions, Dam Square, the hotel is in an ideal location.

Dining: Café Roux offers a variety of dishes using the very freshest ingredients. Schott-Zwiesel glassware is used to serve the finest wines. A weekly menu is themed after a specific culinary region in France. The wines suggested to complete this dining experience also originate from this region.

Spa: There’s a heated swimming pool with jet-stream, fitness room, sauna and Turkish bath.

Deluxe Touch: Book the “Dream Package,” which includes two welcome drinks, early check in, late check out, one lunch or dinner for two, one bottle of champagne, two tickets for the diamond centre and continental breakfast in your room or buffet breakfast in Café Roux.

Details
Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tel: 31 20 555 3111

Prague Luxury Hotel

The Four Seasons Hotel Prague is a sight for any traveler. The hotel is located on the banks of the Vltava River and features three historic buildings – the Classical Building, the Renaissance Building and the Baroque Building. All three buildings are united by the modern Main Building to create one architecturally unique structure.

Dining: At Allegro, enjoy views of the river and Prague Castle. Menus feature Italian, Mediterranean and classic Continental cuisine as well as Bohemian specialties – the creations of Chef Vito Mollica.

Spa: Guests can enjoy a variety of massages in the Health Club's two private treatment rooms. Check out the sauna, where scented water is poured over hot stones.

Deluxe Touch: The Presidential Suite in the secluded second level of the 18th-century Baroque Building offers views of Vltava River, Charles Bridge, Malá Strana and Prague Castle. The furnishings include prized original artwork.

Details

2A/1098 Veleslavinova
Charles Bridge
Tel: 420-2/2142-7000

Italy Luxury Hotel

Bauer Il Palazzo is a Venetian-style palazzo overlooking Venice's Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, Italy. The Gothic facade reflects Venetian opulence at its best, with lavish decor and furnishings throughout the hotel. Bauer Il Palazzo is close to St Mark's Square and Venice's finest shops, museums and sights. It also has its own private boat dock on the Grand Canal where guests are welcomed.

Dining: De Pisis overlooks the Grand Canal offers an original cuisine based on international cooking and enriched by local Mediterranean traditions.

Spa: The Fitness Centre and Health Spa features progressive resistance exercise equipment and certified masseuses offer a variety of personalized programmers, including cardiovascular workout as well as relaxing treatments and professional massages.

Deluxe Touch: Book the outdoor Jacuzzi on the roof top terrace of the eighth floor with views over Venice and the Lagoon. Reserve one-hour exclusive use with Prosecco and fresh fruits.

Details

Bauer II Palazzo, Venizia
San Marco 1413/d, 30124 Venice

Edinburgh Luxury Hotel

The Howard is a small boutique, five-star Georgian hotel in the city of Edinburgh. It is consistently classified as one of the AA's Top 200 Hotels in Britain and Ireland and was awarded a Scottish Boutique Hotel Special Commendation from the Scottish Hotel of the Year Awards 2007.

Dining: The Atholl offers traditional Scottish fare, meticulously prepared and served in an elegant Georgian setting.

Spa: There’s no on-site spa, but the hotel can arrange for aromatherapy, full body massage, reflexology or deep tissue massage in your room. There is a Fitness First Platinum gym close to the hotel.

Deluxe Touch: You will have a dedicated butler to take care of your every need - from unpacking your bags and serving afternoon tea in the Drawing Room to coordinating your social itinerary and serving a three-course dinner in your suite, so that you can totally relax.

Details

34 Great King Street
Edinburgh
Tel: 0131 557 3500

Ireland Luxury Hotel

Dromoland Castle is just eight miles from Shannon Airport, making it an ideal place to set foot and explore the exceptional beauty of the Shannon region. The castle is also close to the Burren, Limerick and Galway. It is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage.

Dining: The Earl of Thomond Restaurant bill of fare includes a large a la carte menu, a daily table d'hôte menu and a selection of gastronomic menus. Executive Chef McCann's approach is one of simplicity founded on his classical training using the freshest locally sourced ingredients.

Spa: A new spa is currently under construction. The existing facility is located in the Golf & Country club, which has two treatment rooms with a relaxation area and offers a wide array of treatments.

Deluxe Touch: Book the Presidential Suite on second floor of the Castle. The accommodation includes sitting room, dressing room, two bathrooms and a luxurious bedroom with feature window.

Details
Newmarket - On – Fergus
Co. Clare, Ireland.
Tel: +353 61 368144

Barcelona Luxury Hotel

In October 1919, the Hotel Palace opened with five stars and it is still a luxury hotel. The history of the Hotel Palace goes hand in hand with some of the most remarkable events in Barcelona during the last century. The Hotel Palace has seen the famous faces of the Dukes of Windsor, Withney Houston, Sophia Loren, Ava Gadner, Salvador DalÌ, Xavier Cugat, Woody Allen, Pierce Brosman, Reina Noor de Jordania and Mjhail Gorbachev.

Dining: Caelis Restaurant presents modern Spanish creative cuisine. The real inspiration behind Caelis Restaurant is Romain Fornell, who provides high quality Mediterranean cuisine based on seasonal products.

Spa: The Health Club offers a fitness area, with personalized gym, sauna, massage and beauty cabins. Massages, reflexology, facial treatments, thermal muds, drainage treatments, weight reduction and many others are available.

Deluxe Touch: Book the Royal Suite Salvador Dali, with a living room with fireplace, and the “royal” bedroom with a Roman Bath, inspired in the ancient Roman Terms. Salvador Dalí was one of the most famous guests of this suite. In this suite Dalí gave his press conferences , welcomed artists and intellectual celebrities of his eccentric art scenes.

Details
668 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes
Tel: 800/223-6800

Paris Luxury Hotel

Le Meurice is located in the heart of Paris between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre on rue de Rivoli. The hotel has hosted international royalty, fashion designers and countless public figures.

Dining: The three Michelin star restaurant ‘le Meurice’ is a showpiece, filled with ornate gilding, Louis XVI period crystal chandeliers, antique bevelled mirrors and large bay windows. The food matches the stunning room.

Spa: Spa Caudalie features Caudalie treatments and has a separate fitness center with the latest equipment.

Deluxe Touch: Look for a hostess waiting for you when you deplane and you’ll be chauffeured to the hotel.

Details
228 Rue de Rivoli
Tel: 33-1/44-58-10-09

London Luxury Hotel

The Savoy (a Fairmont Hotel) is located on The Strand in the heart of the West End theater district and features amazing views of the river Thames. The landmark hotel opened in 1889 and has 263 rooms and suites, with Art Deco touches.

Dining: The Savoy Grill is highly regarded and was awarded one Michelin Star. Chef Marcus Wareing serves modern European fare in a gorgeous room.

Spa: The Fitness Gallery on the third floor is beneath the central atrium, so daylight filters down onto the swimming pool. Full gym and a range of relaxing treatments and therapies are available. Special treatments are available from Darphin, a company that has over 35 years experience in the skin care industry.

Deluxe Touch: The Savoy features a theatrical walking tour, starting at hotel and concluding with a glass of champagne and theater tea in the Thames Foyer at The Savoy.

Details
Strand London, England
WC2R 0ET
Tel: +44 20 7836 4343

European Luxury Hotel Ratings

In Europe, every establishment wants a favorable rating by the anonymous Michelin Guide inspectors. Since 1900, when Andre and Edouard Michelin created a guide for early motorists to find the best restaurants and accommodations along their route, the guides have become a bible to many travelers and diners.

The famed Michelin stars serve as an international symbol of culinary excellence. The guides are sometimes referred to as the “red guide” due to their distinctive red covers (though there are now “green guides” and others). What do the stars mean?

For restaurants:

* One star indicates a very good restaurant in its category, a good place to stop on your journey.

** Two stars denote excellent cuisine, worth a detour, with specialties and wines of first-class quality.

*** Three stars reward exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey, where diners eat extremely well, often superbly. The wine list features rare and extraordinary vintages, and service and atmosphere are part of this dining experience, which is priced accordingly.

The guides rate hotels as well, in a similar manner. Decor, service, cleanliness and upkeep of the surroundings are all taken into consideration.

In addition, establishments proudly display AAA Awards, Mobil Guide ratings and magazine rankings.