Posted on Wed, 25 May 2011
Picks From Condé Nast’s Hotel Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s Hotel Hot list was just released. Here’s what we are lusting after from the Leading Hotels of the World:
If you like museums, manolos and midtown Manhattan, stay at The Setai Fifth Avenue (sorry, no pic) on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 36th Street. It’s a great base for shopping and sightseeing, and for added bonus, its 214 rooms, suites and apartments are among the largest in the city. Good eats too for its Mediterranean restaurant Ai Fiori churns out good food under the guiding eye of Chef Michael White.
Nearer to home and just a trot from the Star Ferry Terminal, Hullett House (above) in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, is just opposite the Cultural Center, and housed interestingly in former Marine Police Headquarters. Very design forward, stays here are exclusive with only 10 suites with butler service. There are five trendy restaurants here to choose from.
Don’t know which culture to soak in? Head to Taj Falaknuma Palace (above), a newly opened hotel which blends Italian and Tudor architecture, and sits on a hill overlooking the 400-year-old Indian city of Hyderabad. Formerly a historical palace, it offers 60 large rooms and suites set within expansive gardens, three restaurants and a spa.
For a spot of exotic, the Royal Mansour Marrakech is in the city centre, with the Koutoubia Mosque and Jamaa-el-Fna Square a stroll away. Built on 3.5 hectares within the walls of the old city, it resembles a traditional medina plus the trappings of modern hotel facilities. Stay in the riads, or three-story suites: the first floor offers a living room, lounge and patio; the second floor houses bedrooms, dressing areas and bathrooms and the third floor is a tented roof terrace. For super indulgence, check into the 4-bedroom riad with private swimming pool, elevator, gymnasium, hammam, home cinema, personal chef and housekeeper. It’s spa, Le Spa Royal Mansour, features Condé Nast Traveler’s Hot Spas List 2011.
Imbibe in la dolce vita at Principe Forte dei Marmi (above) along the Tuscan coast, 25 minutes from Pisa and an hour from Florence. Perfect for exploring the Tuscan Riviera, views of the ocean and the Apuane Alps and not far from major landmarks of the region. Inside, contemporary style rules with pieces from leading Italian designers; this is a hotel where you’ll be assured of a room with a view! Look at the pic! Isn’t that just gobsmackingly gorgeous?!
