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Hotel Review - Talaa 12, Marrakesh, Morocco

Our stay at Talla 12 was recommended by Mr and Mrs Smith. Knowing how many choices of riads you have in Marrakech, we thought we should ask some help with the famous website. We weren’t disappointed at all. Besides the fact we found a bit difficult to find the riad in the middle of the Medina, we were welcomed nicely in the middle of the day. We were offered drinks and were taken to our room on the ground floor that has the view on the nice fountain patio.

The décor of Talaa 12 is really thought through and our room was really nice and warm for a few days.

The breakfast is continental with traditional yoghurt and cake with some fresh orange juice served either in the living room of the riad or on the terrace.

We also tried the hammam for the first time which a pleasant surprise for both of us. We definitely recommend to try the hammam there.

We thought the staff was very friendly, especially Muhammed who had to wake up early and make us some coffee for an early departure at 6am.

Something to be aware of is that the riad is jointed with a mosque and therefore you will be waken up every morning around 530 - 6am before the sun rises. So make sure you bring with you some ear plugs if you want to sleep until late in the morning.

In a nutshell, we definitely recommend this place for guests who want some peace inside the Medina.

 

Hotel Review - Les Terres M'Barka, Marrakesh, Morocco

Les Terres M'Barka is 20 minutes away from Marrakech Airport away from the noisy and crowded Marrakech Medina. This hotel is basically in the desert in a middle of nowhere nearby the farm La Ferme M'Barka (another option is to stay at La Ferme in one of their large and nice appartments if you don't mind being woken up by animals in the early morning).

Besides being open to the public for 9 months, this hotel has raised the bar quite high to accommodate people like us who wanted an isolated place for a few days before hitting Marrakech Medina.

But be warned, this place is not easily accessible by road if you rent a normal car (i.e. not a 4x4) and also is far away from Marrakech. It would cost you around 30€ to get there.

This place is more for people who want to relax by the pool , wander around the gardens, or visit the farm where you can do some horse riding.

Our room #7 was beautiful with a big shower room and also a large terrace with a day bed. We were offered a basket of delicious fruits and also Moroccan pastries.

On the negative side, the breakfast is really a let down and needs to be improved. Don’t hesitate to ask for cooked breakfast like scrambled eggs as the staff might not suggest anything to you.

On the positive side, the dinner menu is great with different suggestions offered every day. We had some traditional Moroccan dishes like Tagine but also some John Dorry with potato mash with olives. Dinner is reasonably priced. Same thing for the Morrocan wine.

We also experienced the spa with one hour massage. We thought the massage and the preparation were really average but weren’t surprised by this knowing how young the hotel is. The Spa staff needs some more training and feedback from customers to make it better.

This hotel has a lot of potential to become heaven on earth. I am sure with a bit of time, this property could become one of the best secluded, private and intimate property in Morocco. Watch this space!

 

Hotel Review - Ames Hotel, Boston, USA

My second stay in Boston was promised to be short but maybe too short for a stay at Ames Hotel. I have really enjoyed this hotel from the warm welcome at the reception to the neutrality and calm atmosphere of the room.

First of all, when I arrived, I realized that I messed up with my arrival day and was expected to stay in the hotel only the day after. Because the hotel was fully booked, the 2 receptionists were kind enough to find me a room. After several phone calls, they found the last room at their neighbor 4* hotel. The next day, I couldn't wait to see what my room looked like. What I like about Morgans Hotel is how they choose carefully furniture and the colors of the room. When you enter the room, it kind of gets you relaxed and calm. Neutrality of colour have been carefully chosen. The power shower was a real treat in early mornings of my stay (meaning 4am with the jetlag). Also, I have enjoyed the big TV screen for insomniac like me. I ordered also breakfast which was delivered within 20 min even before the opening of the breakfast service. The breakfast was really good with salmon and scrambled eggs. Also appreciate the fast check out service when my taxi was waiting for me at 6am to go to Boston Airport. Thank you again Ames Hotel, You made my short stay in Boston a great trip.

Hotel Review - Omni Parker House, Boston, USA

I was in Boston for a few days on a business trip. Unfortunately, I messed up on my stay duration at the hotel I booked originally. Being fully booked for the day, the hotel found me a room 2 hours before check in at the Omni Parker House Hotel. There was literally one room left at 240$. The receptionist processed my check in very quickly and warned me that the room I was allocated was a little small.

I am glad I was warned but I didn't have much choice anyway. Because of the basketball playoffs, the hotel market place around the stadium was fully booked. This room was really tiny. You couldn't basically walk around the bed. The bed was actually a little larger than a single bed. The shower room was of decent room. Anyway this was for one night only. There wasn't any WIFI available in the room (paid or free). Because of the jet-lag, I ended up to be in the lobby at 530am to catch up on work. The free WIFI was working only close by the reception (meaning the welcome desk). Try connecting further and you would be out of luck to get a connection with the WIFI. The breakfast was a good quality at around 25$ with a great buffet.

I believe the room I was given can't make my opinion on this hotel objectively. At the same time, I can't help thinking that in a 4* hotel, you shouldn't really sell these rooms, especially at 240$ (even on a busy period). Maybe these rooms should be reserved exclusively for air crew staff. In the morning, a pilot walked in my room as he was given this room by the receptionist. So the reception messed up with my late booking the night before and the early arrival of that guest.

Hotel Review - Mercure Paris Terminus Nord

I was looking for a hotel close to Gare du Nord because of a early departure on Eurostar the next morning. Mercure Terminus Nord cannot be closer to the train station. It is in front of it. When I arrived at the reception, the staff allocated me a room on the 1st floor (room 109). I went there to find a cold room like a fridge because the Air Condition was on full power for probably a while. I decided to come down to the reception to try getting another room. The receptionist was telling me that in order to get the room warmer, I should turn off the Air Con and turn on the heat…duh…of course…why didn’t I think that in the first place. In the end, he gave me another room on the fifth floor (room 523). The room temperature was definitely better to my taste. But to my surprise, this room was so much better than the other one I went it 10 min ago. I almost felt that I was in different hotel.

Where room 109 felt tired and shabby with a big stain on the carpet and not so nice décor, room 523 felt more of a new room with nice furniture with a flat screen hanged on the ceiling with leather (pastic maybe) frame. Plenty of wardrobe and a big bathroom with a tired sink with plenty of scratches (I wonder sometimes what guests do in the bathroom). The TV has plenty of channels to offer. Shame that you cannot control the contrast from the remote control (the picture was too dark, somebody must have set the contrast setting to the max).

Because I did a late checkin, I couldn’t be bothered to have a dinner on my own and decided to order a room service. I have to say the room service menu was not really exciting but this is a 3 * hotel after all. I opted for a cheeseburger with a beer. The room service was delivered after 20 minutes. The burger and French fries were cold. This burger was terrible…like really bad. A MacDonald’s would have been a better choice by a mile. But for some reason, I felt this was a poor decision from the beginning. The next morning, I have checked out very quickly to catch my train.

My advice is to look carefully which room you have been allocated and avoid the room service. Other than that, I found the hotel good enough for a one night stay if you need to be in the unexcited place of Gare du Nord.

Hotel Review - The Lenox, Boston, USA

I was dying to experience the 1^st hotel listed on TripAdvisor in Boston and understand the reasons for such a listing from past travelers. At checking, reception was very warm and welcoming. The lobby is also very much welcoming. My room was a standard one. Not the biggest room I have experienced in a 4 * hotel but still decent size. I had a flat TV screen with HD channels, a small bathroom with only shower. I also had a fridge in the room which I turned off during my sleep as it was making too much noise. Every day in the evening, you can find some fresh cookies and lemonade by the elevator which is a delicate attention. In the morning, in the same place, you can help yourself with coffee and tea. On my last in the hotel, I have asked if I could do a late checkin at 2pm in order to work in my room. The hotel said that was not a problem and didn’t charge for this. I ordered a burger as room service. The burger was served very quickly and was delicious with thin French fries. Last but no least, the hotel is very well located in the centre of Boston where all the night life you need and all restaurants around. Definitely a good hotel to stay in if you discover Boston for the first time.

 

Hotel Review - The Langham, Boston, USA

The Langham Boston is located not so far from the business district of the city and minutes away from a popular street (Washington street)  where you can do a lot of smart shopping. I arrived in the evening and the reception was very efficient to check me in. They upgraded me to a larger room with 2 queen beds even though the hotel was probably very busy on the same week of the marathon. My room was very impressive in terms of space and translates what a 4 star room should look like. I have paid a short visit to the pool on the evening which is very nice but couldn’t help to sleep longer in the morning rather than swim. The bed is very comfortable with a decent desk where you can work easily. The bathroom was also huge. The negative point was the TV which was this big block TV in the furniture with a not so good reception. I think at the the price the hotel sell their rooms, you would expect a flat TV with HD channels on it. The WIFI is not free, which was also a disappointment. Overall, a very good hotel in its pure English style…it’s a Langham hotel after all.

Hotel Review - The Westin Boston Waterfront, Boston, USA

It’s been a while since I have stayed in a Westin and I was quite excited to stay in a new Westin by the harbour in Boston closed to the Convention Centre. The area where the hotel is located has gone through a lot of changes and you can expect this is going to be the next area to be for residences and shops. Not so far from the hotel, you have some seafood restaurants and you’re only 10 min away from the financial district and 20 minutes from the Aquarium area.

The lobby of the hotel is huge and you can smell the White Tea fragrance that makes Westin so recognizable by the noze. The check-in was very quick besides the fact it was the weekend before the Boston Marathon. I was given a king size bedroom on the 13^th floor with the view on office buildings but as the area is going through some facelift, it didn’t really matter. My room was very nice with this Heavenly Bed that I was dreaming to try again. This bed is really why I  stick to my guns by saying Starwood makes it right with this hotel brand. Heavenly shower is bit overrated though. Ok you have 2 shower heads but it didn’t make a huge difference and isn’t really eco friendly in my mind. The widescreen TV was of good quality with a large choice of channels and PayTV. The desk area was big. You could probably sit 3 people on this desk if you had 3 chairs! The downside was the WI-FI is not free. So I was going to the Lobby to access the free WI-FI eventually.  The Westin also has a big fitness centre and a swimming pool with whirlpool. And they are open until midnight.  I have also tried the Sunday brunch (about $30) with orange juice and coffee. Very nice brunch with perfect scrambled eggs.

Sunday evening I advised the front desk that I wanted to extend my stay for few more days since I was stranded in Boston because of the volcano in Iceland. The hotel on Monday morning said that because the hotel was sold out by 2 rooms, they wouldn’t be able to accommodate me. This really made me upset.  I had to change hotel for the 3^rd time in one week. That was the only negative point I had at this hotel. If you are not fuzzed about not being in the centre of Boston, go there and walk a little…

 

Hotel Review - The Fairmont Copley Plaza, Boston, USA

After a transatlantic flight, it’s always nice to be welcomed properly in a city you don’t know and this what exactly happened at The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. The doorman welcomed me and I needed some change for the taxi so he directed me straight to the reception with my luggage.

The check-in was very quick since my booking was already pre-paid. As always, I needed to provide an ID and a credit card for incidentals. I was on the 5th floor in a Queen room with a shower/bath room. The bathroom felt tiny but good enough to have a bath or a powerful shower. I thought the washing basin was a bit small and there wasn’t enough room for leave your toiletries by the sink.

The room itself has a lot of furniture to accommodate your clothes for a week. The TV was a big flat screen which plays plenty of channels especially the HD channels like HBO or ESPN. Also a big choice on video on demand.

The Internet WIFI was of good quality and you would have the choice of paying the WI-FI for 13$ for 24 hours or pick up the signal for the free WI-FI for Fairmont Gold members. Guess what I have chosen after day 3?

This hotel overall is an old Lady that lives up to its high standard with a very good service throughout my stay. I had to extend my stay for one more day and the reception was happy to do so. But I found the room cheaper via an online travel agent, so I was told to book online and check at the reception whether they receive my reservation.

The hotel is in a prime location of Boston in Back Bay area. This is where you want to stay if you want endless choice of restaurants, shopping and nice streets to wander about.

Hotel Review - Park Plaza Wallstreet, Berlin, Germany

This was my second visit at the Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin after 5 years. Funny enough, it was for the same purpose: ITB attendance. The hotel is minutes away from AlexanderPlatz in Mitte Berlin.

I checked in late at night and got my room key card very quickly to enjoy my first night at the hotel. I couldn't believe that the hotel still had my details from my last stay 5 years ago. My room on the 2nd floor was very enjoyable with a big shower room and a powerful shower in the morning. The room itself is very simple and white with everything you need to enjoy a business week like I had. Large desk with different plugs for your laptop and cell phone. The WIFI is free and you can work your email without any problems. The WIFI is not good enough though to stream YouTube or videos. So don't expect too much from the WIFI in terms of bandwidth.

Breakfast was really a nice treat every morning. I opted for smoked salmon, toasts, cheese, scrambled eggs and fresh muffins (probably the best muffins I ever had in a hotel). For a reduced price of €13 per day, this breakfast is excellent. Maybe one negative point is the coffee machine which was a bit temperamental from time to time.

I found the staff very friendly at all times whether it is at the reception or breakfast. My last night at the hotel, I decided to look for an opera I could go on Friday night. I have asked the reception whether they could find me a seat. Unfortunately, the 2 main operas were playing opera on Saturday and not on Friday. I came back to m room, used the WIFI and"google" opera Berlin to find out that the German Opera was playing La Traviata on Friday evening. So I guess the reception didn't find that one. So in case you are an opera lover, look for this Opera theatre Komische Oper Berlin. It is only 15 mins walk from the hotel. But beware that Operas in this theatre can be sung in German...

Overall, I have very much enjoyed this hotel all week. I would definitely come back again.