Travel gems by Miss Sophie

Some travel gems, some luxury and some inspiration
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    • Madrid – you are wonderful ;)

      Posted at 7:32 pm by mylifemyworldrg, on December 15, 2019

      What is not to love about Madrid? I admit that sometimes my expectations are not to high when travelling to a new city. It is different reasons for this, I have not had time to search so much information in advance on what to see and do, and the choice of city is often random. This is what happened when I visit Madrid during Christmas and New Year. I wanted to visit a big city, and just searched on flights and accommodation with valuables rates, and Madrid was one of the choices and I am happy I did choose Madrid!

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      Centro Centro

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      Placa de Colon

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      Monument to Christopher Columbus

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      Royale Palace

      You do not see or read so much about Madrid, and I really think this city is underestimated. You find history, architecture, beautiful parks, a lot of restaurants and good shopping. And it gives you much more value for money than for example Paris (even though I love Paris too..)

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      I stayed for 12 nights, at three different hotels in different areas of the city and I am happy I did since I learned more about the city and got to know some of the areas quite well. Since I am a Leading Hotel of the World traveler, I of course stayed at three at their properties this time as well.

       

      The first night I stayed at Gran Hotel Ingles. A very nice Boutique hotel in the city center. At first location seems a bit of, but when you get familiar with the surroundings you realize it is in the middle of the city and it is just a few minute’s walk to “everywhere”.

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      The room at Gran Hotel Ingles was different, with this charming bathtub in the room. My room had a very nice terrace, and the room was very nice equipped. Breakfast was very good. The bar area relaxing. I really enjoyed my stay, and regretted I only had booked for one night..

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      Gran Hotel Ingles

      Then I moved further into the old part of the city, not so far from the Royal Castle, and stayed four nights at Gran Melia Palacio de los Duques. I really loved my stay here as well. Here the staff was very friendly and attentive. I upgraded to the Red Level, and enjoyed my time with a nice share of Ruinart Champagne.. The breakfast was very good, a lot of choices, both health and sweets.. The location of the hotel was very good as well, just a few minute’s walk to “everywere”.

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      The last 7 days I stayed at Gran Melia Fenix, situated in the Financial and Shopping district of Madrid. The hotel was more “Classic” in regards of the room, but I enjoyed the time in the DRY Cosmopolitan Bar. Vibrant, but still possible to relax. Here I enjoyed most the location, both close to many shopping possibilities, and only a “short” walk from the El Retiro Park, but also many good restaurants in this area. I recommend this district if you stay for a longer period, so many choices.

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      I prefer to stay as many days as possible when visiting a new city, because you don’t get the spirit, ambience and feeling of the city and its possibilities when only staying one weekend or a couple of days. I stayed 12 days, and loved Madrid more and more for each day.

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      One day I also had this daytrip to Toledo and Segovia, this trip I really recommend! A very nice break from the city, and these two towns are very charming, and with some interesting history as well, and you can include a visit to Alcázar Castle in Segovia.

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      Segovia

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      Segovia

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      Retiro Park

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      Retiro Park

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      Metropolis

       

       

      Posted in Hotels, travel, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged architecture, Christmas, city, Espagne, food, holidays, Hotels, inspiration, lhw, luxuryhotel, luxurytravel, Madrid, Retiro, Sagovia, Spain, Toledo, travel, travelling
    • Riga – Grand Palace Hotel

      Posted at 9:50 am by mylifemyworldrg, on October 22, 2017

      Do you want to have some recommendations on were to stay when visiting Riga? If you like to have a touch of Luxury but still at a favorable price I think Grand Palace Riga is a really great choice.

      From my perspective you get value for money. I guess it is a bit more expensive then many other hotels in Riga, but still compared to a many other capital cities the rates here are quite low. This is the city to try out a more luxury hotel without ending up “broke”. The hotel picked me up at the airport in a nice Mercedes E-class car at an affordable rate, convenient and safe.

      It is a wonderful hotel. It is a small, beautiful with both a historical and luxurious atmosphere. I think it is a gem. And I was really positively surprised. What I loved the most about this hotel was the Bar, were you could sit and relax, read, write, work (if you work in the sky), eat or drink. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, and the service on top.

      I have some nice pictures to share with you;

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      The hotel is situated in the Old Town of Riga, just next of  the “Three Brothers” and with a perfect walking distance to the rest of the Old Town. Just a few minutes walk to “everywhere”. I thought it was perfect.

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      The Checking In was more “relaxed” than on larger hotels. The reception invites to a “personal touch”, while you sit down in the chair and they introduce them self and make you feel welcome and ensure that they want to assist you to make your stay in Riga as comfortable and beneficial as possible.

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      I had breakfast in the restaurant the first morning. The breakfast buffet had a lot of choices, and was fresh and appealing. There were some healthy choices, and you could have freshly made eggs, omelets or pancakes if you wished.

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      The room was nice and comfortable. It contained all I needed. Since I booked through Leading Hotels of the World, I got a very nice welcome gift Black Balsam, fruit basket with flower, and both still and sparkling water. The bathroom had a lot of amenities, and was light and maintained.

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      As Mentioned before the Bar is the best place to be. Relaxed, very good atmosphere and nice decor. And not at least the staff, very attentive and professional.

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      The Restaurant is situated in connection with the Bar. I did not try out the Restaurant, only had a Club Sandwich served in the Bar the first night, since I had a late arrival. The Restaurant looked nice. Something to be aware of is that the bar is a smoking area, and the restaurant is non smooking. I am a non smoker, and I am not used to smooking in public areas inside anymore. I can understand if someone get dissatisfied with the smooking in the Bar, but for me it was not a problem, I was here to enjoy my weekend and travel, and not focus on “negatives”. I spent time in the Bar when it was not  so crowded, and then the issue was gone.

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      Here are some more pictures to try to shoe the “feel” and atmosphere of the hotel;

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      The second morning I had a “sleeping morning” and had breakfast in the room (in bed). They had prepared it acorrding to my request, delivered and served on time. Ensuring a very good start of the day.

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      I really enjoyed my stay, the staff team was very nice and caring, always assisting you in a professional behavior. Kind and smiling. Even if this was a solo travel I never felt alone.

      Today I am moving to another hotel, the newly opened Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga. Looking forward to get to know them as well, and later tonight visiting the Opera and listen to The Rose Of Turadia. New blog post on those experiences soon to come. Wishing you all a very nice day!

       

      Posted in Hotels, travel, Uncategorized | 0 Comments | Tagged architecture, bar, beautiful, beautifulhotels, beauty, city, Colors, Dining, gem, grandpalaceriga, historical, history, Hotels, hunting, inspiration, Leadinghotelsoftheworld, lhw, life, luxury, luxuryhotel, Old Town, restaurant, Riga, travel, travelling
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      Sunday morning blues..
      Love to start a new week enjoying the silence and beauty of nature 💕
      When you are in love with nature.. There are so much beauty in nature every day, if you just take time to look for it.. At least for me 🌳☁️🌅
      A wonderful weekend stay at Amerikalinjen 🤗
      Akershus Fortress and the beautiful city view of Oslo in sunshine 🌞
      @boengaard - a new gem.. What a wonderful property 😍 Only 18 rooms, a fantastic restaurant, located by the river were you can fish salmon. The food quality is amazing, using local and homemade products. The ambience is wonderful with a lot of history everywhere. Beautiful surroundings and beautiful walking path by the river. Warm recommendations 🙌
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