Daily Tablet Hotel

Algodon Mansion : Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:01:28 GMT

Ogni settimana nel quartiere di Palermo, a Buenos Aires, aprono numerosi nuovi boutique hotel alla moda. Dobbiamo però ricordarci che ci sono numerosi altri quartieri in questa città come ad esempio il Ricoleta, dove le strutture sono quasi tutte in stile Belle Epoque e sembra quasi di essere in una città europea.

Per un hotel la posizione è tutto. L'Algodon Mansion è di recente costruzione ma si ambienta perfettamente con il luogo in cui si trova e ne eguaglia anche il lusso. L'hotel è composto da 10 suite tutte arredate con uno stile diverso e che mischiano diverse tendenze architettoniche. In tutte potrete trovare i lussi della vista moderna, con ovviamente un tocco contemporaneo, vibrante ma comunque elegante e rilassato. Anche le suite più semplici hanno incluso il maggiordomo e non manca niente in termini di lusso. Sono sicuramente le sistemazioni più lussuose della città.

All'interno dell'hotel troverete il ristorante "Chez-nous", con forti influenze francesi, e il "Cognac Bar". Il punto più bello dell'Algodon Mansion è comunque il terrazzo, dove potrete trovare una piscina, una Spa e il famoso Sky Bar.

Sofitel Munich Bayerpost : Munich, Bavaria, Germania

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:01:28 GMT

Il Sofitel Munich Bayerpost è una sorta di microcosmo di Monaco: conservatore ad un primo sguardo, tradizionale quanto basta, ma, osservando meglio, sorprendentemente moderno, persino alla moda. Il vecchio ufficio postale, a soli 100 metri dalla stazione centrale di Monaco, conserva la sua facciata classica, ma gli interni sono stati completamente ridisegnati. Il risultato è un hotel di lusso totalmente contemporaneo e di un'eleganza stupefacente.

I fiumi di birra dell'Oktoberfest bavarese sono ben lontani da qui. Gli spazi comuni del Sofitel si caratterizzano per quel design d'avanguardia visto solo nei boutique hotel più esclusivi. Le camere, per quanto inconfondibilmente lussuose, svelano uno chic minimalista che si accosta alle imponenti vasche da bagno in pietra. All'ultimo piano (l'ottavo) si trovano le suite "maisonette" con soffitto inclinato in stile attico e vista sui tetti di Monaco e sulle Alpi.

Il trattamento full-service in un hotel come questo è una certezza, ma la spa Lagune del Sofitel va oltre: muri in pietra con dettagli scolpiti e piastrelle a mosaico fanno da sfondo agli spazi dedicati ai trattamenti, fitness center e piscina coperta. E, come da buona abitudine del gruppo Sofitel, la cucina è francese, sia nella lussuosa sala da pranzo che nel più informale bistro.

Sivory Punta Cana : Punta Cana, Repubblica Dominicana

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:01:27 GMT

Questo hotel non sembra essere nella Repubblica Dominicana. Sembra piuttosto un hotel su un'isola deserta dove le cose più fondamentali sono la sabbia, il surf e l'orizzonte. Se volete allontanarvi dalla vita moderna, il Sivory di Punta Cana fa per voi.

Gli alloggi sono perfetti per il setting in cui si trovano. Non sono ne eccessivamente moderni, ne kitsch. Sono invece rilassanti, contemporanei e abbastanza lussuosi. Qui non troverete tutte quelle cose tecnologiche della vita cittadina, ma sicuramente non vi dispiacerà avere una vasca da bagno doppia, internet senza fili ovunque o la cantinetta per i vini. C'è molto più spazio di quanto vi serva e i panorami sono spettacolari (soprattutto per le suite che si affacciano sul mare). Vi sembrerà di vivere in una cartolina.

Coloro che vengono qui in viaggio di nozze forse non se ne accorgeranno neanche, ma la Spa è molto grande e i ristoranti sono ben al di la di molti altri. Il Sivory può ospitare fino a 100 persone e li sazia con tre ristoranti e più di 8000 bottiglie di vino.

Policy in caso di uragani:

In caso di avverse condizioni climatiche: gli ospiti con una prenotazione confermata per il periodo che va dal 1 giugno al 30 novembre potranno cancellare gratuitamente il proprio soggiorno e ricevere il rimborso del deposito, o potranno spostare il periodo di vacanza. Il soggiorno può essere effettuato entro un anno dalla data dell'uragano e va prenotato entro 90 giorni dalla data del soggiorno previsto. Gli ospiti che sono già in hotel al momento dell'uragano non verranno penalizzati in caso di partenza anticipata e otterranno un rimborso completo. Nel caso in cui non poteste lasciare l'hotel perché l'aeroporto è chiuso o perché il vostro volo è stato cancellato a causa dell'uragano, potrete soggiornare gratuitamente in hotel fino a un massimo di 3 notti. Le notti aggiuntive sono a pagamento.
Vi preghiamo di contattare AssistenzaClienti@TabletHotels.it per ulteriori informazioni.

No. 1 Pery Square : Limerick, Irlanda

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:01:09 GMT

It’s all the way the other side of Ireland from Dublin, but the boutique townhouse hotel No. 1 Pery Square could, in a pinch, serve as a setting for a film of Joyce’s “The Dead.” Originally built in 1830 and restored with great precision, the hotel gets the aesthetic just right, from the ornate marble hearth to the gilt-framed mirrors. It never verges on rococo, but if the common areas feel a bit too vintage for your tastes, fifteen of the twenty guest rooms have been made over in a more modern, clubbier style.

The period-style rooms are hard to resist, however, with their suitably expansive sash windows overlooking the garden — it’s here that the natural grace and elegance of the style asserts itself. Even in the regional gloom, there’s a light freshness to the rooms that’s enhanced by their spaciousness. The single Townhouse Suite offers an intriguing combination of old and new, with multiple flatscreen televisions, a private bar, and top-floor views of Limerick and surrounding mountains of Clare.

The hotel stresses its townhouse origins, with the personalized attention of a bed and breakfast that also feels like a neighborhood focal point. This makes the restaurant, Brasserie One, at once upscale and congenial. Tasting nights, guest chefs, and wine flights are all part of the experience, while the drawing room offers classic afternoon tea. The basement is given over to the spa, which is exactly as a boutique spa should be: soothing, candlelit, and lined with exposed brick.

Sofitel The Grand Amsterdam : Amsterdam, Olanda

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:57 GMT

C'è da aspettarsi di tutto in un hotel dal nome Grand, lo dismostrano la sua antica facciata, la posizione nel centro cittadino, i servizi e le conmodità offerti e un registro clienti che vanta personaggi importanti, capi di stato, imprenditori e Mick Jagger. Inizialmente, intorno al 1400 dopo Cristo, questo maestoso palazzo ospitava un convento; un secolo fa divenne municipio.

Nonostante la facciata storica, gli interni sono completamente attuali, le camere sono arredate in uno stile classico ma contemporaneo. Troverete comunque alcune caratteristiche del passato, le finestre Jugendstil e i bagni Art Deco. Le camere sono le più grandi degli hotel della città e probabilmente le più lussuose, con tessuti di pregio e morbidi divani e poltrone. Dispongono delle più moderne comodità – tv satellitare, accesso ad Internet, servizio in camera 24 ore al giorno, prodotti da bagno Roger & Gallet e soffici accappatoi.

L'hotel dispone inoltre di almeno tre suite presidenziali e tre Royal Suite. Un centro benessere dotati di tutti i trattamenti e un raffinato ristorante sono fondamentali per un hotel di questo calibro, ed è difficile pensare di rimanere delusi. E, nonostante l’aria rarefatta, siete proprio nel cuore della città, con i canali su entrambi i lati a pochi passi da piazza Dam e dal quartiere a luci rosse.

Vila dos Orixas Boutique Hotel : Morro de São Paulo, Bahia, Brasile

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:57 GMT

Non molto tempo fa andare in Brasile significava principalmente scegliere tra Rio e São Paulo. Ma con l'espansione a livello mondiale di piccoli hotel boutique - ora che basta avere 10 stanze e una spiaggia - ci sono una marea di nuovi posti da visitare. Lo stato brasiliano di Bahia è uno di questi luoghi; una striscia quasi infinita di costa, un pò più a nord delle località classiche, è fiancheggiata da meravigliose spiagge nascosti. Qui ci sono solo pochi hotel estremamente affascinanti, luoghi come il Vila das Orixás, appena fuori da Morro de São Paulo.

Gli ospiti alloggiano in dieci bungalow disposti su due piani che all'esterno sono rustici, ma che al loro interno nascondono arredamenti chiaramente contemporanei. I tradizionali pavimenti in legno, orgoglio del design degli interni brasiliano, si mischiano con attrezzature e servizi moderni: lavandini contemporanei, televisioni LCD, e vasca idromassaggio. La cucina attinge ovviamente dall'oceano, che sta a pochi metri di distanza, un mix di prodotti locali, sapori di Bahia e tecniche di cucina mediterranee. Per quanto riguarda le attività, queste sono molte legate al fatto che il luogo è isolato: dalla pesca alla vela passando per le camminate in mezzo alla natura, la natura selvaggia dei tropici sarà il vostro parco giochi.

Hotel Madero : Buenos Aires, Argentina

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:00:45 GMT

L'Hotel Madero è un hotel moderno e di design, ideale per i viaggi d'affari per la sua posizione privilegiata vicino al quartiere finanziario e agli aeroporti principali. Nelle vicinanze sono facilmente raggiungibili anche le principali attrazioni turistiche e i divertimenti: casinò, bar, ristoranti, teatri, il centro storico della città, i parchi e la Riserva Ecologica Costanera Sur.

Le camere per gli ospiti sono moderne, eleganti e sono dotate di tutte le moderne attrezzature per i viaggiatori d'affari, dalla connessione internet wireless ai televisori satellitari a schermo piatto, inoltre vista mozzafiato sulla città. L'Hotel Madero dispone di una Spa con piscina interna riscaldata, massaggi, sauna, palestra attrezzata e solarium. Il ristorante Red propone la cucina creativa internazionale dello chef francese Olivier Falchi, in un ambiente raffinato e contemporaneo; inoltre due bar il Blue & White Bar.

Come raggiungere l'hotel:

L'Hotel Madero è a circa 20 minuti di viaggio in auto dall'aeroporto di Jorge Newbery e a 40 minuti da quello internazionale di Ezeiza

Hotel Recamier : Paris, Francia

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:00:11 GMT

Vi preghiamo di notare che per alcuni weekend particolari dell'anno, questo hotel ha una policy di soggiorno minimo di due (2) o tre (3) notti.

L'Hotel Recamier è un intimo ed esclusivo hotel, dall'autentica eleganza parigina, ispirato ai vari stili decorativi del XX secolo. Dopo un sostanziale rinnovo, è oggi un hotel di lusso dagli interni di moderno design e dall'atmosfera accogliente e famigliare.

Nascosto tra gli alberi della Place Saint Sulpice, nel cuore di Saint Germain des Prés, il quartiere raffinato ed alla moda di Parigi, questo hotel si trova in una posizione ideale per scoprire Parigi. In questa zona si trovano numerosi teatri, cinema, ristoranti e caffetterie tipiche francesi, i musei più importanti sono raggiungibili a piedi o con i mezzi pubblici.

L'Hotel Recamier dispone di sole 24 camere, progettate dal famoso interior designer Jean Loui Deniot, il quale ha creato stili completamente differenti con un colore e tema particolare per ogni piano. Alcune camere si affacciano direttamente sulla Place Saint Sulpice. Tutte le camere sono modernamente arredate e dotate di comodi letti a baldacchino, docking station per iPod, televisore a schermo piatto e bagni con doccia o vasca. A disposizione degli ospiti una piccola palestra, massaggi, servizio in camera e colazione servita in camera o nella sala lounge.

Villa Paola : Tropea, Calabria, Italia

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:00:13 GMT

Please note: Villa Paola is open seasonally, April through October. Children under 12 are not permitted.

There’s no place on Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast that’s hard on the eyes, exactly, but the sixteenth-century sisters who founded the St. Francesco of Paola convent chose their location with an eye worthy of a twenty-first-century property developer. One imagines that thanks to their duties they didn’t spend an inordinate amount of time basking in the views, but present-day visitors are under no such constraint; anyone unlucky enough to miss out on a sea view from their guest quarters (read: anyone on the ground floor) will find no shortage of postcard-perfect vistas from Villa Paola’s patios and gardens.

You’ll want to spend some time looking at what’s inside as well. In Italy, like perhaps nowhere else, they’re comfortable spanning centuries in architecture and design. Here clean-lined contemporary Italian furniture blends seamlessly into sixteenth-century spaces, with modern conveniences included as a matter of course. For while the house represents its era well, it hardly shows its age; the hotel conversion included a very thorough restoration, and it’s doubtful whether it’s ever looked fresher. The village of Tropea makes for a pleasant stroll, if a quiet one — just be back at Villa Paola by sunset for a cocktail on the terrace or by the poolside.

Hotel Beaux Arts Miami : Miami, FL, USA

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:14 GMT

One of the joys of the job is finding extraordinary hotels in unexpected places. Of course downtown Miami shouldn’t count as an unexpected place — some quirk of the novelty-driven travel press leads it to lavish attention on Miami Beach at the expense of its mainland neighbor. But in this case we’re also talking about finding a hotel inside of another hotel. For it’s within (or more precisely, atop) the already very fine JW Marriott Marquis that you’ll find the Hotel Beaux Arts Miami, a “private hotel” occupying the top floors of this high-rise tower, with access to the parent hotel’s five-star services and facilities but with its own private reception and lounge, and accommodations that are, incredible as it may seem, a generous cut above what’s offered downstairs.

Of course, in a more perfect world, this might be what all of Downtown’s luxury hotels look like — clean-lined minimalist rooms, modernist furniture, impressive views through full-length windows and a full complement of thoughtful conveniences, from Bang & Olufsen entertainment systems to Illy espresso machines (the product of which is complimentary), and an iPad issued to every room. The beds are enormous, the materials are rich, and the bath products are Molton Brown. All this and access to the JW Marriott Marquis too — this means access to the spa, the gym, Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne restaurant and even a golf school by Jim McLean, should your swing require a brush-up. And the rates include a wealth of extras, from breakfast to cocktails to hors d’oeuvres; if you’ve had Club Level treatment at any of Asia’s top luxury hotels you’re familiar with the drill.

As for the location, it’s not really meant to be a substitute for the hedonism of South Beach. Downtown is the home of Miami’s design district, and it’s the center of quite a bit of the city’s local life, a world apart from the tourists-only vibe on offer elsewhere. Where Miami Beach traffics in fantasy (with varying degrees of success), downtown is reality — and if the Beaux Arts is any guide, it’s a pretty appealing reality at that.

Hotel Beaux Arts Miami : Miami, FL, USA

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:00:11 GMT

Le Caméléon Hotel : Puerto Viejo, Limón, Costa Rica

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:24 GMT

Location isn’t everything when it comes to hotels, but it’s not nothing either. In some countries Le Caméléon’s crisp, contemporary monochrome look might signal little more than membership in the local boutique-hotel scene. In Costa Rica, land of natural-finish eco-lodges and thatched-hut villas, its modern interiors and glossy white-on-white color scheme is something of a statement — a statement to the effect that while the Caribbean coast is all about the beaches, the water, the jungle, there’s no reason why you can’t live in the urbane, sophisticated style to which you’re accustomed.

These rooms are about more than just looks, with comforts that begin to edge into luxury-hotel territory: plasma TVs, iPod docks, some with king beds and private balconies or terraces. Die-hard luxury junkies will have to admit they’ve seen rooms that are bigger and plusher, but in these environs, anything more would be incongruous. Suffice it to say the physical charms are every bit the equal of the visual ones, and taking the natural environment into account, it’s essentially paradise. There’s a stylish pool deck for the moments when you don’t feel like venturing all the way to the beach, there’s a full-service spa, and the Numu restaurant and bar are stylish spaces, accentuating, perhaps, the contrast between Costa Rica’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts.

How to get there:
Le Cameleon is 136 miles (3h30m) from the Juan Santamaria Airport. Airport transfer can be arranged for USD287.50 per way. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Eagles Palace : Halkidiki , Grecia

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:24 GMT

Please note: Eagles Palace is open seasonally, April through October.

As the sister hotel to the Excelsior, a city boutique in Thessaloniki, Eagles Palace is the opposite of an urban hotel. This part of Greece, on the peninsula just short of the remote Eastern Orthodox holy site of Mount Athos, was more or less entirely unsettled before the hotel broke ground. Fresh off a 2008 renovation, Eagles Palace is looking quite up to date — and while it’s not quite as secluded as the monks’ refuge at Athos, this part of Halkidiki is still quiet, relatively untouched by development, especially when compared with some of Greece’s better-known destinations.

The rooms start out comfortably enough, with views of the garden or the sea, their solid, unfinished furnishings taking some inspiration from the monastic setting. The suites begin to pile on the luxuries, with balconies or terraces and, in some cases, Jacuzzis. It’s in the sea view bungalows, though, that Eagles Palace really starts feeling palatial — space, obviously, is no concern, and each one comes with its own private plunge pool.

Like its city cousin, Eagles Palace comes equipped with an Elemis spa and a handful of fine restaurants, some featuring sea views from the outdoor terraces. And while you’re seemingly worlds away from it all, it’s no less stunning a natural setting than most of Greece’s island destinations. A private beach and a PADI dive center make the most of the seaside location, and a number of watercraft are available for excursions to the nearby islands and inlets.

How to get there:
Eagles Palace is a 90 minute drive from Thessaloniki, which can be reached by air or train from several European cities. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Southern Ocean Lodge : Kangaroo Island, Australia

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:00:12 GMT

Bringing crisp minimal design out of the city and into the wild, Southern Ocean Lodge is a shining example of very modern and very Australian architecture: clean open spaces, neutral tones and tons of glass wrapped in an environmentally-friendly package. Located on Kangaroo Island just off the South Australian coast, Southern Ocean Lodge is unexpectedly hip for such a remote and rugged locale, sporting a cool, unlabored vibe that doesn’t interfere with its beautiful coastal surrounds.

Comprising 21 sea-facing rooms, the SOL hovers over the mallee scrub, offering wide views of ocean, sky and whatever fauna happens to venture past: expect anything from kangaroos to echidnas to native birds. Inside, paintings by local artists complement pure white walls, with bespoke furniture and Ecosmart fireplaces creating the type of relaxed, uncluttered feeling one vows to recreate at home.

Tuning out is the main past time at the SOL (only the Family rooms have TVs) and guests can choose to do this on their private terrace, in their sunken lounge, or on one of a long list of nature tours. The surrounding national parkland offers so much by way of exploration — sea lion-spotting, kangaroo-meeting and hiking included — that the lodge provides each guest with a custom itinerary. Of course, some may opt to do nothing more demanding than enjoy the property’s gourmet meals and open bar, including a walk-in cellar stocked with locally-produced and imported wines, all included in the tariff.

Daily sunset drinks in the lodge’s Great Room allow guests to swap travel stories while taking in views of the Southern Ocean. An onsite spa with floor-to-ceiling windows offers a further chance to unwind while watching — and being watched by, presumably — the local wildlife.

How to get there:

Connect through Adelaide for flights to Kangaroo Island, or drive to Cape Jervis to board the ferry for the island.

Terre Resort and Spa : Marrakech, Marocco

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 05:00:14 GMT

Il Terre Resort and Spa è uno splendido resort di charme 5 stelle lusso, in tipico stile Riad, ubicato nei dintorni di Marrakech in un oasi di pace di 5 ettari, lontano dalla confusione della medina, dal traffico del centro e dai souk.

La struttura dalla forma ottagonale comprende 52 suites dal design contemporaneo, una Spa completa di centro estetico, hammam, sauna, massaggi, una grande piscina centrale, programmi ed intrattenimenti, ristorante, bar, aree relax e biblioteca.

Le sistemazioni, tutte spaziose e arredate in stile contemporaneo, sono dotate di ampi bagni, terrazza o giardino ed alcune dispondono di piscina privata. Nonostante la posizione isolata del resort è possibile praticare diverse attività, a disposizione degli ospiti campi da tennis e putting green, inoltre campi da golf nelle vicinanze.

Il Terre Resort and Spa è perfetto per chi desidera un soggiorno di charme, dove rilassarsi e lasciarsi coccolare, circondati da un paesaggio affascinante di palme e vegetazione lussureggiante.

Come raggiungerlo:

Il Terre Resort & Spa si trova a circa 20 minuti in auto dall'Aeroporto di Marrakech-Menara e a 10 Km. dal centro città di Marrakech. Per favore contattare l'assistenza clienti per organizzare i trasferimenti.

Secret de Paris : Paris, Francia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:05 GMT

After years of pining for more contemporary hotels in Paris, we’re finally getting what we wished for. Suddenly the place is awash in design-oriented boutique hotels. And not half measures, either. The Hotel Secret de Paris, for example, isn’t content with just one vibrant, contemporary look — not when it can have six of them, each one patterned after a stylized version of a different view of Paris.

There’s the Musée d’Orsay, with its famous clock face, the Tour Eiffel with its iron beams, the ballet-themed Opéra Garnier and the art deco Trocadéro. Moulin Rouge is suitably saucy, and the Atelier d’Artiste, all in white (with judicious splatters of paint), is a rather luxe interpretation of the classic artist’s garret. Suffice it to say you’re reminded at every turn that you’re in Paris.

A gym, sauna, hammam and massage room are there to keep the Secret’s guests feeling fit, and in typical Parisian style you’re left at the city’s mercy when it comes time for a meal — a blessing, in this town, not a curse. For the city’s minimalist clientele, perhaps not, but anyone who’s found Parisian hotels a bit drab is bound to love it.

Armani Hotel Milano : Milan, Italia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:05 GMT

Some hotels need to be seen to be properly understood. Other hotel concepts, though, more or less speak for themselves. Simply at the mention of the Armani Hotel Milan one knows what one’s going to get: a bold and tasteful elegance, a certain richness in texture and materials, and of course an imposing silhouette — and one, incidentally, that’s suitable both for business and for pleasure.

In one sense it’s almost a living showroom for the Armani Casa shop across the road. But it’s more than that — a hotel, for a fashion chain, is a showroom for an entire lifestyle, and these interiors, modern Milanese to a tee, will have you checking yourself in the mirror to make sure you’re measuring up. And like the best in fashion, they’re more than surface deep, with a remarkable amount of attention paid to the physical luxuries that don’t show up on film.

Ninety-five rooms isn’t enormous, but without question the Armani joins the Milanese big league, competing directly against the town’s top luxury hotels. The spa and the restaurants see to these high-flying guests’ needs in the manner to which they’re accustomed, and the location is tough to beat, with walking access to what’s arguably the world’s finest shopping district. As branding, it’s a stroke of genius — and it’s no less impressive as a hotel.

Secret de Paris : Paris, Francia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:04 GMT

Secret de Paris : Paris, Francia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:01:03 GMT

Secret de Paris : Paris, Francia

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:00:08 GMT

Casa del Horno : Panama, Panama

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:00:04 GMT

It’s not necessarily the owners’ Italian heritage per se that makes Casa del Horno one of Panama’s top boutique hotels. The house is an architectural treasure in its own right, dating back to the French colonial days, and its rough-hewn stone provides the backdrop against which its sleeker, more contemporary elements are allowed to stand out. But in the end it’s the keenness of that contemporary eye which elevates a charming house into an extraordinary hotel.

And it’s in the design that the owners’ influence shows through most distinctly. At the moment there’s nothing quite like Italian design for blending modernist visual impact with top-notch tactile luxury, and Casa del Horno’s interiors fit that description to a tee. Imported pieces mesh with local craftsmanship and antique details, and the result is a hotel with a character all its own — and in boutique hotels, that’s at least half the battle.

The other half, of course, is the nuts and bolts: the LCD televisions and iPod docks, the Old Town location with its picturesque views, the in-room massage service, the thoughtful concierge and the generally high level of service. It’s safe to say there’s nothing else quite like it anywhere else in town.

How to get there:
Casa dal Horno is 33.5km away from Tocumen International Airport (30-40 min) or 3.5km from Marcos A Gelabert Airport. Transfers can be organized for USD35 for 2 guests, each way and USD10 per additional guest. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Locanda Rossa : Capalbio, Italia

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:00:05 GMT

Please note: Locanda Rossa is open annually April through December. Three night minimum required for stays in June, July and August. Two night minimum required for all other dates.

The Maremma, the coastal region where Tuscany meets Lazio, is a bit of a Johnny-come-lately as a holiday destination, though you’d never know it from looking at it today — here a once-impoverished agricultural region has been transformed into, well, a not-at-all-impoverished agricultural region, and one that’s as well known for tourism as for produce. And this fame is due in no small part to a wealth of independent hotels, places like Capalbio’s Locanda Rossa.

Locanda Rossa’s original structure has undergone a modern expansion, but the seams don’t show a bit. Contemporary interiors meet farmhouse architecture in the rooms and suites, which, if not for the half-timbered ceilings and the views of the farm, could easily pass for modern urban apartments. Then again those views of the olive groves, not to mention the gardens and the pool deck, are why you’re here and not in a modern urban apartment in the first place.

There’s a spa for those tough cases who need even more relaxation, and the Osteria Wine Bar is more than a wine bar, serving sophisticated local fare, much of it made from the estate’s own produce. Meanwhile the beaches are minutes away, and the splendid Maremma countryside surrounds — all less than two hours’ drive from Rome.

How to get there:
Train: Rome to Capalbio, approximately 2 hours. Transfers from the train station can be arranged with the hotel.
Driving Directions from Rome: Take Strada Statale 1 Aurelia in the direction of Livorno. Exit at Chiarone 124 km then turn left towards Pescia Fiorentina. After 2.5 km, take mandatory left turn to Capalbio. After 3 km you will find the red entrance to Locanda Rossa on your right. Approximate driving time from Rome is 1.30 hours.

Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with directions.

Aditya : Galle, Sri Lanka

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:18 GMT

There are places whose appeal waxes and wanes with the trend-chasing crowds — and then there’s the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. The boom in Sri Lankan hospitality doesn’t seem to have much to do with the changing fashions, and one imagines a place like Aditya, though recently opened, is in it for the long haul, as its splendid beachfront location and its low-key, friendly approach to service are unlikely to see substantial revision any time in the near future.

Most every boutique hotel thinks of its design sense as “eclectic,” but Aditya presents a stronger case than most, its starkly modernist beds, furniture and bathrooms sharing time with antique pieces and traditional architectural details. Five suites are nestled into private gardens, six of them face out to sea, and the Grand Surya Suite, a two-story villa, has a private terrace with a plunge pool and a prime view of the Indian Ocean sunset.

The activities on offer are suitably low-key, from spa treatments to cooking classes to coastal explorations, whether that means the old fort at Galle or dolphin-watching at Mirissa. The beach occupies its fair share of guests’ daytime hours, as does the pool. And while there’s no nightlife to speak of, it’s hard not to imagine that that’s just how Aditya’s guests like it.

How to get there:
Aditya is located on a secluded beach 10 minutes north of Galle (on the SW coast of Sri Lanka). The hotel is 2.5 hours south of Colombo. Transfers can be arranged from/to the Bandaranaike International Airport (135 km away) in Colombo. Train service is also available from Colombo to Galle (where a taxi can be arranged to pick you up). Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for further questions or assistance with airport transfers.

Aditya : Galle, Sri Lanka

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:14 GMT

1864 The Sea Captain's House : Santorini, Cyclades, Grecia

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:00:12 GMT

Please note: 1864 The Sea Captain's House is open seasonally, March through mid-December.

In Santorini, the location does almost all of the work; most hotels just do their best not to spoil the view. Any hotel that can actually add something to the natural experience very quickly crosses over into the extraordinary — and the reason we’re here, as you might have imagined, is that the delightfully named 1864 The Sea Captain’s House is one of this rare breed.

First of all, even on Santorini, there are locations, and then there are locations. Oia, at the top of the inner crescent, is probably the island’s most picturesque town, its terraced residences cascading precipitously down the cliffside. The Sea Captain’s House joins them — with just four suites (and no reception or other common space), it’s scarcely a hotel at all, presenting what’s essentially an idealized, luxe version of Oian village life.

That means jacuzzis in every suite, for one, and an approach to decorating that goes beyond the stripped-down Greek-island norm — there are hints of the baroque in these bedrooms, with their antique woodwork and gilded mirrors. It’s all in the name of character, though, rather than pure flash; the scale of the place prevents it ever feeling over-opulent. Dine in, if you’re in the mood for some privacy, or book a table at one of the owners’ two village restaurants, if you prefer a more sociable stay.

How to get there:
Santorini (Thira) can be easily reached by plane or ferry. Flight time from Athens is approximately 45 minutes.

Ferries from Athens' Pireaus port to Thira take approximately 3 hours. For more information about ferry schedules, and to purchase tickets in advance of your trip, we recommend the following website: Paleologos

Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with transfers to the hotel.

137 Pillars House : Chiang Mai, Thailandia

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:13 GMT

Thai boutique hotels tend to stick to a couple of themes; think beach villas in the coastal regions, or ultramodern design in Bangkok. More suited to the old northern capital of Chiang Mai, however, is 137 Pillars House, a luxury boutique that’s more elegant than funky, more traditional than outré, a natural stylistic evolution from the old house’s former use as the headquarters of the East Borneo Company.

So well kept is 137 Pillars, however, that the result is more a trad-luxe fantasy than an outright preservation job. Much of the construction, however classic in style, is in fact a painstaking contemporary reconstruction, giving the lie to the notion that “they don’t make them like they used to.” In fact they make them better; these century-old suites are only improved by the addition of modern electronics, plumbing and climate control, and the 19th-century atmosphere suffers not a bit.

The common spaces are equally genteel in aspect, from the Library Bar to the Parlor Lounge, from the dark and romantic Dining Room to the casual show kitchen, which mounts demonstrations and cooking classes. The gym, spa and pool keep guests in fighting trim, and outside, rather than some generic entertainment district, is Old Chiang Mai, home to any number of temples, monuments and cultural attractions.

How to get there:
137 Pillars House is located 10 minutes from Chiang Mai Airport. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

137 Pillars House : Chiang Mai, Thailandia

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:12 GMT

How to get there:
137 Pillars House is located 10 minutes from Chiang Mai Airport. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Infinity Residences & Resort Koh Samui : Koh Samui, Thailandia

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:02 GMT

Chances are, the “infinity” in Infinity Residences & Resort refers to the seemingly endless views out into the Gulf of Thailand. But it could equally refer to how far this corner of northwestern Koh Samui feels from the rest of the island’s booming tourist business. If you’re feeling social you’re a short drive away from Bophut Bay and Chaweng Beach, but from these wooded hillsides you don’t even have to know they exist — and if you’re a frequent Tablet reader you know that in Koh Samui there’s no greater luxury than that.

Infinity’s residences range from one to four bedrooms, and while the space and equipment necessarily vary a bit, there are some constants: king beds, sea views, full open kitchens, modern electronics, and massive bathrooms. Some have private lap pools, others hot tubs or plunge pools, and in the very worst case you’ll share a pool with the other half of your duplex — life is pretty good when that’s the worst case.

The gym, spa, pool and restaurant, naturally, are up to the same general level as the accommodations, and there’s an astonishing view from just about every corner of the place. If there’s anything to grouse about, perhaps it’s the location, which might feel slightly out of the way in comparison with the rest of the island’s high-end properties — but if remoteness feels like a disadvantage, then we humbly suggest that you just might have your priorities the wrong way round.

How to get there:
Infinity Residences & Resort is located 20 km from the Koh Samui airport. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Hotel de la Paix, Luang Prabang : Luang Prabang, Laos

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:01 GMT

Luang Prabang is one of those destinations where you hardly need an extraordinary hotel to have an extraordinary experience — which makes the fact that there are several of them feel almost gratuitous. Not that we’re complaining. In the case of the Hotel de la Paix it means a rare conjunction of historical architecture and modern design, and a chance to inhabit an ancient place in an atmosphere of the utmost contemporary luxury.

The architect, Duangrit Bunnag, is responsible for some very fine modernist beach hotels in Thailand, and here he’s wedded a handful of original French Colonial structures (including the old governor’s mansion) to a number of new buildings, heavily influenced in turn by traditional Lao architecture. The result is a strangely timeless blend, especially in the guest suites, which feel not just sequestered in space but somehow lost in time as well.

Only some of them come with private pools, but all are indulgent in their own way, with private gardens and spa-like bathrooms. Of course there’s a proper spa as well, for when “spa-like” isn’t quite enough, and a main pool for a more serious approach to swimming. Add a fine restaurant and lounge, as well as a cooking school, and the culinary angle is more than covered — especially when you add the restaurants at 3 Nagas, the sister hotel, just a few minutes down the road.

How to get there:
Hotel de la Paix is conveniently located just 5 minutes from the central area of town and a 15-minute drive from the Luang Prabang Airport. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.

Altapura : Val Thorens, Francia

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:01:01 GMT

Val Thorens makes much of its status as the Alps’ highest ski resort; more practically, it makes much of its status as its largest, at least in terms of terrain. But from our hospitality-centric viewpoint, a French ski town isn’t really on the map until the Sibuets have opened a hotel there. Altapura, like its sisters in Megève, answers a number of perennial ski-hotel complaints — it’s modern in style without sacrificing a sense of place, it’s comfortable without lapsing into kitsch, and it’s proof positive that a stylish social scene and a family-friendly vibe need not be mutually exclusive.

The look of the place is often described as Scandinavian, but if you look beyond the blond wood you’ll see what’s essentially a post-modern take on a very French alpine lodge. The heavy timbers, it seems, have been hauled down and made into furniture, into patchwork tiles, or into latticed screens; even the traditional taxidermy is present, though largely in stylized carved wood.

In a ski lodge, however, the tactile pleasures often take precedence over the visual ones. Here Altapura doesn’t disappoint. The rooms, however striking, are never stark, and that modern furniture lacks for nothing in terms of comfort — and the less tangible conveniences include Apple iPads alongside pervasive wi-fi and satellite television.

The three restaurants inhabit equally contemporary spaces, but vary in atmosphere, from the ultra-cozy La Laiterie to the rather more adult Les Enfants Terribles. Meanwhile the Pure Altitude spa, with its seven treatment rooms and heated indoor pool, is a viable alternative to a day on the slopes. And last but not least, Altapura benefits from ski-in ski-out access, as well as a ski shop in partnership with Goitschel.

How to get there:
Altapura is located 30 km from the Courchevel Airport (CVF). This is approximately 1 hour by car. Please contact CustomerService@TabletHotels.com for assistance with airport transfers.