Frequent Business Traveler » Checking In

Omni Mount Washington Resort – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 02:00:24 +0000

At the turn of the last century, Bretton Woods (before it became known for the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference that took place there in 1944, which led to the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund) was a fashionable mountain resort area with numerous grand hotels. At its height, more than 50 trains arrived each day bearing guests (and their servants).

The Omni Mount Washington is one of the last surviving hotels in the region, which is surrounded by the White Mountain National Forest. At 6,288 feet (1,917 meters), Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States.

As we approached, what appeared to be a fairy-tale like castle with a bright red roof appeared in the distance. As we pulled up, a bellman opened the doors, greeted us heartily, and took care of the luggage.

Once inside, it’s clear that you are entering a relic of a bygone era. And, as with all relics, there were some pluses, and a few minuses.

THE ROOM

The hotel has been painstakingly maintained and updated without losing any of its charm. Our Deluxe Room had two queen-size beds (one in an alcove), a small sitting area, and great views. I’ve stayed at numerous Alpine hotels in Europe but this was my first mountain getaway (at least as an adult) and I was impressed.

One problem we immediately noticed with the room was a strange wind noise, which turned out to be a broken screen on one of the windows. It was fixed almost immediately. The second problem was a lack of heat, which we realized overnight. Ironically, one of the bellmen told me that most guests complain about too much heat, but our room was very chilly by morning. The hotel says it cannot provide space heaters because the wiring won’t support it (apparently the wiring wasn’t renovated with the rest of the hotel) so we switched rooms for the second night. It was marginally better but at least we didn’t freeze.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

The wooden writing desk faced a wall, which was a good thing since the views would have been a definite distraction while trying to use the computer to do work. The chair was comfortable and the Internet worked well (free for Omni SelectGuest and GHA Discovery members).

If you are thinking about hosting a meeting, why not follow the lead of the planners of the Bretton Woods conference and meet at the Mount Washington? The Presidential Wing, which opened in 2009, has over 30,000 square feet of meeting space (as well as a 25,000 square-foot salon and spa). Meeting rooms can handle groups anywhere from 20 to 600 in the grand ballroom. The rooms are named after the first five presidents (with Ronald Reagan thrown in for good measure).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Leisure Activities and Dining

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Hotel Review

Eva Leonard — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 06:18:22 +0000

Following its opening in October 2009, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi became immediately recognizable by its modern, boxy, glass exterior, outlined at night with linear lighting, and fronted by a long row of palm trees.

When we pulled up to the entrance, several speedy doormen were instantly car-side to open doors and take our luggage, and we were politely whisked inside.

With its soaring ceilings, white modular furnishings, and abundant mirrors, glass, chrome, and glitz, the airy, ultra-modern lobby resembled the lovechild of the film “2001: A Space Odyssey” and a ’70s mega-disco.

We were ushered into the elevators and up to the private Fairmont Gold reception area on the seventh level, where we were quickly checked in and shown to our rooms. Fairmont Gold is a hotel within a hotel, with its own reception area, its own lounge,, and a dedicated staff. In addition to private check-in and check-out, Fairmont Gold guests also receive butler service and dedicated concierge service as well as access to the complimentary amenities of the Gold Lounge.

The 3000-square-foot (278-square-meter) Gold Lounge provides free access to computers and Wi-Fi, and serves a daily breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and evening appetizers and drinks for guests staying on the Gold Floor.

THE ROOM

My Gold Superior View Room was well outfitted, a flat-screen TV, free high-speed Internet, a king-size bed, a large bathroom, and a changing area with a roomy closet. Hotel staff was courteous and quick, immediately resolving a problem I had accessing the Internet right after I had settled into my room, and attending to my needs with panache.

Although a number of business travelers were busy tapping away on computer keyboards in the lounge, I preferred to work in my spacious room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Abu Dhabi Creek. The room also provided all the necessary technology for business travelers, and, unlike the Gold Lounge, was blissfully free of the odor of cigarette smoke.

One design snafu: The living area’s v-shaped sofa, while appealing to look at, was a triumph of form over function, and a little tricky to relax or work on. Its back did not extend the sofa’s full length, and one risked leaning back into nothing, or quite far back into a not very comfortable, narrow, curved arm. However, the bed more than compensated for the sofa, and I gladly sank into it and slept soundly each night.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Road Warrior Support and Dining

Loews Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada – Hotel Review

Eva Leonard — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:57:41 +0000

After an action-packed Friday in Las Vegas, I was looking forward to a nearby getaway where I could leave behind the neon and the noise, but still have quick access to the city, if I needed a little stimulation.

Loews Lake Las Vegas resort was the right antidote to the lights and frenzy of the city – and it was only a 20-minute drive away. I drove up the long, palm-tree lined drive into the parking lot of this delightful non-gaming property and was greeted at the entrance by a friendly doorman.

Once I was in the lobby, a bellman offered to help with my bags, but since I was traveling light, there was no need. The lobby’s Moroccan-themed décor, including Middle Eastern paintings, thick carpets and artifacts, synched beautifully with the desert visible through the facing three-story floor-to ceiling windows.

The front desk clerk was pleasant as she checked me in, gave me details about the hotel, and directed me to my room.

THE ROOM

The bright Grand King Suite that I was fortunate enough to have been granted had a balcony and windows in both rooms that gave lovely views of the lake, desert , and mountains beyond. The living room was furnished with a comfortable sofa and chairs, a bar with a sink and a small refrigerator, a Bose sound system and a flat-screen TV, and also featured a dining area with a large table and several chairs. Moroccan details, such as a carved wooden screen and table, and colorful tiled mirror frames, added a warm element to the décor, as did large lamps, which provided soft area lighting.

Opposite the king-sized bed in the bedroom was another flat-screen TV. Just off the bedroom, a walk-in closet held a safe, and a dressing area led to a marble bathroom that had a separate tub and shower and two sinks. There was also a guest bathroom off the foyer.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

A work desk in the bedroom offered sufficient work space and plenty of easily-accessible outlets for charging my laptop and cell phone. Wi-Fi, at no additional charge, was easily accessed from my suite.

Loews Lake Las Vegas also has a small business center with two computers. The hotel’s 20,580-square-foot ballroom, with banquet capacity for 1,500 guests, is complemented by numerous meeting rooms and indoor event spaces, as well as more than 55,000 square feet of outdoor event space.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Leisure and Dining

Park Hyatt Tokyo – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:16:36 +0000

Stepping inside the glass-and-granite Shinjuku Park Tower in Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood brings a temporary respite to the chaos of the city, as one is whisked to a quiet oasis, the Park Hyatt, a hotel that occupies the top 14 floors of Kenzo Tange’s 235 meter-high architectural masterpiece.

You start on the 41st floor, and you can only go up from there. I was warmly greeted and immediately escorted up to my room, where I first began to notice the views.

THE ROOM

My room felt more like a private apartment a hotel room. Its décor was tastefully understated, and it was clear that tremendous attention had been paid to detail in choosing everything from the light fixtures to the wood paneling to the pieces of art placed throughout the room.

On the bookshelf was a welcome gift, a box containing a Baumkuchen (this is one of my favorite German cakes, literally a “log cake” or “tree cake,” and I was surprised to find out that it is very popular in Japan as well, having been introduced to the country at the end of the First World War).

The walk-in closet was as generously sized as the bath, which had a wonderful soaking tub and a separate shower. I found a tie rack in the closet, a nice and unusual touch.

The bed seemed larger than a standard king and it was extremely comfortable. I woke up very early the next morning for my flight on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but I felt refreshed despite the early hour.

The room was on the 50th floor and what really grabbed me was the view. Simply put, the views were jaw dropping. Despite previous stays in Tokyo, I had never stayed in this area and had never seen the city from this perspective. There were buildings of all sizes and shapes, all next to each other, and at night, the city’s lights seemed to go on forever. (For a multimedia show of the view, see Virtual Tours on page 2 of this article.)

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

The large black writing desk in the corner was more than sufficient for my needs, and I was pleased to find pre-attached plug adapters in the outlets by the desk, another example of the thoughtful attention to detail that the Park Hyatt exudes. Fast Internet (choice of Wi-Fi or wired) was available at no charge. A Japanese mobile phone was also available for guests to use at no charge, although I had no need for an additional phone.

I approached the desk chair with a bit of apprehension, as it was hardly the ergonomic, adjustable type I tend to favor, but my fears were unwarranted, and it was quite comfortable for working at the computer.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and Virtual Tours

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, Netherlands – Hotel Review

Christian Stampfer — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:57:16 +0000

The Dutch are a practical people, and, since numerous churches and monasteries were closed as Napoleon Bonaparte established hegemony over most of continental Europe, they were sooner or later bound to find a good use for these large empty buildings.

One such building is the Kruisherenhotel, which dates back to the 15th century, when the Order of the Holy Cross (Crosier or “Kruisheren” in Dutch) built a monastery in the center of Maastricht. Almost two hundred years after Napoleon, Camille Oostwegel, the hotel’s proprietor, began the transformation of the property from an old cloister into a designer hotel.

Since landmark preservation laws did not allow for any changes to the former cloister’s structure or interior, the restaurant and every single room of the hotel had to be integrated into the existing design and structure.

After a drive of 472 km (293 miles) from Stuttgart to Maastricht with The Diesel Driver’s new Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, which FBT Editorial Director Jonathan Spira and I picked up at the Mercedes-Benz Kundencenter (customer delivery center) in Sindelfingen a few days earlier, we found ourselves in Maastricht.

We pulled up to the main entrance, where a friendly bellman immediately came out, welcomed us, and helped with the luggage. We were instantly fascinated by the entrance and the lobby. Somehow, we were entering a church, but at the same time we were walking into a luxurious designer hotel of the 21st century. Check-in was quick and efficient, and within a few minutes, I was being escorted to a room on the first floor.

THE ROOM

My Prestige room, located in the west wing, had a living area large enough for a sofa and a butterfly chair. The bedroom, more or less an extension of the living room, was small but cozy. Glass doors separated a vestibule from the living area. A walk-in closet was integrated into the hallway; the minibar was in the closet.

The room, despite being in a 15th-century cloister, was thoroughly modern in design. The bedroom wall was dominated by a mural of the king and the princess of the Netherlands. Thanks to the building’s small windows, there was relatively little natural light, so a large number of light fixtures were used to brighten the interior.

Despite the modern design, there was no television set in the room. Since I almost never turn a hotel TV on anyway, however, I barely noticed it.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Road Warrior Support, Dining, and Virtual Tours

Doubletree by Hilton, Philadelphia, Pa. – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:00:15 +0000

The word “reception” designates not only the desk one goes to upon entering a hotel to check in, but also the manner in which one is received or greeted. Sometimes the two reflect excellence in tandem, but that’s rare. One such example, however, is the reception I received upon arriving at the Doubletree in Philadelphia. The warmth of the greetings by the bellman and the front desk clerk immediately took away the stress of a long drive and made me feel more welcome than I had ever felt before at a hotel.

There’s something else warm at the front desk besides the reception and the people, namely the Doubletree chocolate chip cookies with walnuts. Baked fresh several times a day, the cookies are kept in ovens that are built into each Doubletree hotel’s front desk. The recipe, incidentally, is a highly-guarded secret.

THE ROOM

My executive room on a high floor (with views of downtown Philly) had two queen-sized beds that were outfitted in the manner of the Doubletree Sweet Dreams program. Sweet Dreams provides a pillow-top mattress, good quality linens, four down pillows per bed, and a small “Sweet Dreams” pillow. You can also pre-order other kinds of pillows and extra towels via the Web, and they will be placed in your room prior to your arrival.

Sweet Dreams worked as promised. I slept well and without interruption, something that is rare when I am not in my own bed.

The room also came equipped with a 42” flat-screen television (which went unused during my stay) and, according to the Web site, guests can use the TV to access video games.

The bathroom’s combined tub and shower featured a curved curtain rod. There were no bathrobes in the room upon arrival, but they were delivered within minutes of my request.

All such requests are handled via the “Careline” button marked on the phone in the room. The Careline was consistently answered within three rings. Any requests I had, such as hot water, or a question about a show at a theater, were responded to quickly. The hotel seemed to effuse this service philosophy. When a towel bar broke in the bathroom, an engineer was there fixing it within 15 minutes.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Road Warrior Support, Meeting Rooms, Dining, and Virtual Tours

Gibson Hotel, Dublin, Ireland – Review

Shannon McClatchey — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:26:31 +0000

Dublin’s dizzying pace of change never ceases to amaze. Case in point is the Docklands neighborhood, where the year-old Gibson Hotel has opened. When I was last in Dublin, four-and-a-half years ago, this area was still dominated by derelict buildings and ancient warehouses from Dublin’s maritime past. Fast forward and the whole area – now called Point Village – is in the vanguard for trendy neighborhoods. The past two years have brought a new convention center that is only a 10-minute walk from The Gibson, and the new O2 arena across the street (which replaced the old Point Venue) that attracts some of the biggest names in the music business, from Britney Spears to George Michael and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The Docklands/Point Village is still in the process of transformation, as is The Gibson Hotel. Plans are in place for the first two levels of the hotel to house a shopping center and movie theater. The hotel’s glass-and-steel Bauhaus-esque design is truly stunning,although plenty of wood, greenery and flashes of color inside soften the industrial look. The Gibson showcases some fantastic art all over the hotel, and almost every piece is by an Irish artist.

THE ROOM

The hotel’s ultra-modern and minimalist aesthetic continues in the rooms, although a sense of balance prevents the starkness from becoming overwhelming. The beds were extremely comfortable, and the hotel was so quiet that I had no problem sleeping at night. The bathroom had a huge rain shower and plenty of light. Speakers in the bathroom allowed me to listen to the TV news while I was in the shower and getting dressed.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

I’ve never had a more pleasant experience working in a hotel room than the one I had at The Gibson. The view from my room’s window was a landscaped, zen-ish garden that was so peaceful, I was able to immediately chill out despite the pile of e-mail in my in-box. The comfortable table and chairs, along with excellent overhead lighting, meant I could work easily. Wi-Fi was quick to access once I had the code, and there were no issues with the connection. The Gibson also has a small business center downstairs and meeting rooms that can be booked for larger groups and events.

DINING

Dublin has completely come into its own food-wise, and the choices seem endless. Since I have a few favorites, I chose to eat most of my meals outside the hotel, even though the menu at the Coda Eatery was very tempting. There are also two bars at the Gibson for drinks and snacks, and if the weather is good the heated, outdoor terrace sports an impressive view of the city. I can imagine this is a very popular place for pre-concert activities.

Breakfast, however, was another story, with numerous choices from the buffet, as well as items from the menu. It was impossible for me to walk away and not be sated for the rest of the day.

BOTTOM LINE

While on the edge of an area that’s in flux, The Gibson can’t be beat, with its proximity to Dublin Airport (about 20 minutes away) and the attractions of central Dublin only a bus or Luas train away (about 15 minutes to Grafton Street). In fact, the Luas station is right outside the hotel. The Gibson is like an oasis from all the busy-ness and business of Ireland’s biggest city, and I look forward to seeing how this area has changed and grown when I visit next.

Gibson Hotel
Point Village
Dublin 1, Ireland
+353 1 681 5000
www.thegibsonhotel.ie

Excelsior Hotel Ernst, Cologne, Germany – Review

Jonathan Spira — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:00:20 +0000

Every two years when I was a child, just like clockwork, my father would head off to Cologne for the Photokina trade show and each time he spent almost a week at the Excelsior Hotel Ernst. Upon his return, he had his secretary type up a letter to the hotel’s long-time general manager, Siegfried Breuning, making a reservation for two years hence.

I was allowed to go along on several of these trips and was always impressed by how the hotel staff knew my father – and how my father remembered each of them.

Carl Ernst built the Excelsior in 1863 and Kaiser Wilhelm I watched the completion of the Dom, the Cologne Cathedral, from his room there. The Excelsior was one of the first hotels to have bathtubs in guestrooms and today, guests are offered numerous amenities that make in-room running water seem quaint.

THE ROOM

My Deluxe Room, in the recently renovated Hanseflügel (Hanse wing), had a queen-sized bed, a partially heated floor, and was elegant and comfortable, with extensive use of dark wood in the bedroom and bath.

A pillow menu provided a choice of pillow types. The bed was comfortable and afforded a pleasant night’s sleep. The gratis minibar was stocked with mineral water (with and without gas) and beer, a nice and very welcome touch.
The marble bath featured a very large walk-in shower and separate bath immediately adjacent to the shower, creating a very large and spacious bathing area.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

The elegant writing desk was more than sufficient for my needs and the wooden chair provided decent but not great back support for working. Wireless Internet access was slow and cost €17 for 24 hours. Complimentary Internet access was available in the Business Center.

Next to the desk were several easily accessible outlets mounted on the wall at the perfect height. The in-room safe had an electrical outlet for charging a laptop or tablet during storage.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and a Virtual Tour Excelsior Hotel Ernst

The Equinox Resort, Manchester, Vermont – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:54:57 +0000

Since 1769, the Equinox Resort has been a meeting place, first for America’s founding fathers, and now, as part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection of hotels and resorts, for vacationers and business travelers who have sought it out, in part for its idyllic New England location but also for the interesting and unusual activities the resort offers its guests.

On the eve of a major winter storm, I drove up to Vermont as the storm seemingly followed. This was good news as I was going to attend the Land Rover Experience Off-Road Winter Driving School. At the Equinox I was greeted warmly by one of the bellmen, outfitted in jodhpurs and knee-high argyle socks.

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

The storm made it to Manchester later that evening and I woke up to find over a foot of fresh powder outside. For most meetings and activities, this would have been bad news but the additional snowfall seemed to delight the driving school’s instructors. During the spring, summer, and fall, instructors teach off-road driving, but it’s in the winter where the school really comes to life with snow and ice driving instruction. The school uses a variety of Land Rover vehicles including the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover LR3, and Land Rover LR2.

On day one, I found myself on trails through the Green Mountains, where over two feet of snow had fallen by then (and this was on top of accumulated snow and ice). On day two, I was the only student at the school and, behind the wheel of a Land Rover LR4, I spent hours driving the 80-acre course, completely unplowed, under the guidance of my instructor, Tim.

Another activity I tried at the Equinox was falconry, courtesy of the British School of Falconry, also located at the resort. Falconry, known as a sport of kings, can include hawk walks and training. In the winter months, the training is held in the barn, where these magnificent birds reside, and I learnt how to handle and fly a Harris hawk.

THE ROOM

My Deluxe Room had a king-sized bed and was very spacious. The best feature, however, was the magnificent view of Equinox Mountain.

Despite wintry conditions and the fact that I was in a building dating back to the mid-1700s, the room was warm and cozy. Climate controls were clear and easy to adjust.

The bed was extremely comfortable and I woke up refreshed and ready for the challenges of driving Land Rovers through the snowy forest.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

Internet was fast and free. The writing desk was generously sized and the wooden chair was surprisingly comfortable, although I admittedly spent relatively little time at my desk given the array of activities I wanted to take advantage of.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and Virtual Tours of the Hotel

Der Zauberlehrling, Stuttgart, Germany – Hotel Review

Jonathan Spira — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:12:23 +0000

The magic of the Zauberlehrling hotel in Stuttgart became apparent to me when I first e-mailed about a possible reservation. The e-mail reply closed with the phrase “Mit Zaubergrüßen” (With Magical Greetings“).

I had grown up with the tale of the Zauberlehrling or Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Goethe both in terms of the story itself as well as its prominent appearance in Walt Disney’s Fantasia. As a result, as we drove up to the hotel, I heard the music of Paul Dukas’ symphonic poem (used in the movie) in my head.

Upon arrival, I was not to be disappointed. “Let us spoil you with magic” is the closing line in the welcome letter each guest receives, chock full of information about the hotel and what it has to offer. I looked around, expecting to see brooms sweeping by themselves.

THE ROOM

My room was the Media Suite, which consisted of a bedroom and a living room with a day bed that was turned into a bed for my travel partner, our European Editor Christian Stampfer. Above the quite comfortable bed in the master bedroom was a projector and an illy Francis Francis espresso maker was conveniently placed on a shelf.

The living room had a flatscreen TV, Xbox 360, music server, iPod connection, and fax machine.

The generously-sized bathroom, with separate bath and shower, had its own magic, namely the electronically-controlled faucets that uses LED lighting to make hot water red and cold water blue. However,the room’s designer must have assumed that guests had magic powers to hold up shampoo bottles and soap, as there were no shelves on which to place these items.

Each room offers a different theme, such as the Chalet Suite (think mountainside in Switzerland) or the Paddington Suite (think Victorian). Some rooms have been designed in part to accommodate guests with allergies, such as the Titanic room with its waterbed. Non-allergenic pillows are available upon request as well.

Many rooms (including mine) have a fireplace that burns organic fuel (available for €9 and lasting 2.5 hours). The hotel wisely tells guests it is not liable in the event of any damage or injury resulting from the use of the fireplace.

Turndown service included a delicious homemade (more accurately, hotel-made) praline with Valrhona chocolate

The hotel is pet friendly although the information sheet advises that the establishment “cannot accommodate camels or crocodiles,” apparently based on a bad experience with a guest travelling with such a menagerie.

ROAD WARRIOR SUPPORT

A table in the corner of the room served as the writing desk and it was more than sufficient for my ThinkPad, iPad , and other odds and ends, as well as for sitting and doing work. The clear acrylic desk chair was surprisingly comfortable.

Fast wireless Internet is available for €5.95 for 24 hours. Parking is a very reasonable €15 per night.

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Dining and Virtual Tours of the Hotel