The Capital Hotel, London

WOW!

I have found a REAL 5*!

I have only been at the hotel for some hours, and all I can say is: WOW!

When I arrived a nice woman checked me in, very efficient. Another woman came to bring me to my room. I was told I was upgraded to a junior suite! I had been in my room for some minutes when yet another woman handed me chocolate, The Times magazine and an envelope with a welcome card. What a nice gesture!

The room is very nice. What I really like is the Molton Brown toiletries the extra toiletries from Korres, the "folded" and "plastic-packed" bath-mat, the slippers, the big bed, the walk-in wardrobe, the bathrobe etc... Of course, I also liked my two bathrooms, my two TV's and the large sitting area... :-D

The "folded" and "wrapped" bath-mat"

The bathrobes and an umbrella


One of the bathrooms

Another little present I got.... :)

For lunch I went to Harrods, which is only 20 meters from the hotel, and bought me some sushi take-away. I went to Hyde Park to eat, but it was too cold to eat outside. Although the sun was shining it was very windy. Because I have such a big room, I think I am going to try out the room-service for dinner. The room-service menu is from the Capitals restaurant, which have 2 stars in the Michelin-guide. (PS. I never tried the room-service, but ended up at Wagamama at Harvey Nicols, take-away.)

When writing this (the previous was written in the morning) I am sitting in my large bed, in my large suite. I feel small and a little bit lonely... It feels strange to have all this space all by my own!

Bergen, my city!

Bryggen, Bergen

Today, when reading about Bergen in another blog, it hit me that I have not written about Bergen, the nicest city in the world - as long as it is sunny! :D

The problem is... it's years since I stayed at any hotel in Bergen, AND since I am a really fan of Bergen, I may be a little bit biased. It's said about the people from Bergen that we are the most patriotic people in the world, and I think that is true.

When I was about 20 years I moved to Trondheim, to study. Before I moved I was very tired of Bergen and I was so happy to move away. It only took me a few months to realise that I missed the city, the people, the shops, even the rain, terribly. Every time I came home, for a visit, I was sorry to leave.

Luckily, after 5 years in Trondheim, we were able to move back to Bergen. Although I love to travel, Bergen will always be *my* city.

So... What is the best with Bergen? Hmmm..... I think it is the atmosphere... It's difficult to explain, you have to experience it yourself. The people of Bergen are very enthusiastic, patriotic and committed. Even if it's raining 300 days a year (not sure about the exact amount, but it feels like 300 days...:-)) we still love the city. And when the sun comes, all the people are going to the city, to the cafes or just to take a walk in the sun.

As I said, I have only been to two hotels in Bergen: Hotel Norge and Augustin. We had our wedding-night at Hotel Norge, 10 years ago. It was before I started to ruin my stay with being critical to everything, but I do remember the suit was great.

I am a little bit biased when it comes to Hotel Augustin as I worked there when I was going to school, in summertime and weekends. But that is... years ago... :-D Last time I was there was when T had his PhD graduation, 4 years ago. The rooms were (I have heard they have refurbished the hotel since then) a little bit dated and worn. The breakfast was very nice. This was also before I became critical...

I have heard Hotel Havnekontoret is very good, so IF I am going to stay at a hotel in Bergen, I think I am going to try that.

What to do in Bergen, as a tourist? You should go to "Akvariet", lots of fish, "sea-creeps" and even penguins. This is great also for grown-ups! Take the cable-car to either "Floyen" or "Ulriken". You get a fantastic view over Bergen. I would prefer "Floyen" as there is a restaurant and a playground at the top. Take a walk at "Bryggen" - a world heritage site.

There are lots of other things to do, I just don't have time for it now. Will write more later.

Hotels in Portugal have been booked

Some days ago we booked our last hotel for the trip to Portugal. The first three days we will stay at Hotel Palacio Estoril. This is the hotel-room I won at an auction at LuxuryLink. A fantastic offer.

The next four days we will stay at Cascais Miragem, rated as one of the most luxurious hotels in Cascais. I can't wait to see if it's a TRUE 5*. I have heard it is....:-D It looks fantastic at pictures! www.cascaismiragem.com

Pictures from Japan

Here are some pictures from our trip to Japan in May 2006

Outside Hiroshima Peace Center

Peace-monument made of Kenzo, from Hiroshima Peace Center.

From the fish marked in Hakodate

At the fish marked in Hakodate. The "thing"
laying on the ground is an octopus! Scary....

Kyoto

A geisha in Kyoto, on her way to the geisha dance with a client

Geisha dance in Kyoto


A small ally way in Kyoto

Kyoto

Tokyo

Tokyo

Hotel Continental, a true 5*?

No, no and no.....

The hotel itself is very nice. Nice location and nice rooms. The toiletries from Molton Brown was the most luxurious with my room. No bathrobe and no slippers.

Two days before arriving I wrote an e-mail to confirm my booking. I never got any answer. I would have expected a true 5* to respond to e-mails.

Check-in was fast and efficient, but maybe too efficient, I had to ask for the elevator.

The room was nice.

Breakfast was a big disappointment. It looked nice, but the hot food was cold and the rest looked like it had been laying there for some hours... (like the "skin-food" at Radisson SAS Royal Copenhagen). The waiters didn't say "good morning" and never smiled. They talked too much with each other instead of taking away plates. There were only filter coffee and "ready made" tea. The coffee was served in the can from the coffee-machine! I looked for a bottle of water, no bottle, no water at all.

I went out to do some shopping while the housekeepers did my room. When I came back, they had not taken the rubbish away! And, yes, there were much because I had been to a beauty-show the day before and had thrown away lots of brochures I didn't need. There were so much I had to place it at the floor... It was taken away at the turn-down service.

It may bee that I am "pickey", but I really expect a lot from a 5* hotel, especially one that is part of "The leading hotels of the world" (I may have written "luxury hotels of the world" before, but it's "leading hotels"). The hotel COULD have been a true 5*, but because of average service and cold breakfast, I would never have rated it as more than a 4*. I never felt like a "princess" or a special person, like I would have expected a true 5* to treat me. My advise is to send the staff to a true 5*, maybe they would have learned something new.

The distinction between a true 5* and a naff one

The last weeks I have been watching and reading about the most luxurious hotels in the world. What hit me when going through all this information is: What is the distinction between a true 5* and a naff one? Is it possible that some of the true 5* is a little bit over the top?

When speaking about clothing, makeup and interior I have always thought that less is more. There is a very fine line from being exclusive elegant to being "tacky". I would say the same regarding hotels.

Earlier I have "raved" about Burj Al Arab in Dubai. I haven't been there, but I wish I could get the opportunity to stay there. However, I am afraid I would think the whole hotel is a little bit over the top. E.g. I don't see the point of having gold everywhere at a hotel (neither at home) and I don't think I need a 80 square meter room either.

I am afraid some of us, myself included, mix price and good taste: As long as it's expensive and exclusive, it has to be good. We got blinded of all the gold and greatness and forget to think if this really is good taste.

Speaking about Burj Al Arab. I am sure the hotel will give me a feeling of luxury because the level of service is very high (I have heard). The question is, would I have felt it even better if the interior and exterior had been more "down to earth"?

Welcome to my new blog!

My previous blog was here: www.reiseshopaholic.blogg.no

Because Y thought blogg.no was naff, I have now changed. Thank you Y, I now have to use the rest of the evening on trying to figure out this new site... :-D