Hillary Davis Travels's Blog

Hotel Review: Hilton Woburn

It was some of the hottest days of the summer. And for some reason, the prospect of staying right in Boston seemed less attractive than trying to find something outside of the city and traveling in. I was looking forward to peace and greenery this time, rather than my normal need for a dose of high energy city life.

I finally came upon a review of the Hilton in Woburn that sounded like it would be the right place for me. A quick subway ride into Boston. A Starbucks on the corner for breakfast. A pool. So I booked.

It was surprisingly trendy. And filled with light. It had a pool in the lobby. Not in a separate area of the hotel, but smack in the middle of the lobby with a pool side bar with chic cabanas and lounges. 

I arrived to a rainbow of colors in front of the check in desk. An Indian wedding! It seemed like hundreds of guests  dressed in exquisite silk and gold saris were gliding here and there. There was perfume in the air. Young boys stood in groups looking towards groups of the girls. Well, this is different!! I was quickly whisked through the line and given a room key. Nice. 

And this was my room.

Lovely and calm and squeeky clean, with a balcony that looked down over the main lobby.

I took a walk outside my room towards the lobby again, and came upon the ballroom where the wedding was to take place. 

I think at this point I felt like I was on a mini-vacation. I was slowly forgetting my little world and becoming engrossed in that of total strangers who I hoped all good wedding wishes for.

I never saw the bride. I never saw the groom. By the time I got back from dinner everyone was adjourning for a buffet dinner. I took a few snaps from my balcony before heading down to the pool side bar for a glass of wine to enjoy the piano player's rendition of great love songs. 

I wish them well. Although I never saw them, I was at their wedding. At the Hilton in Woburn, Mass.

 

Hotel Review: Alvisse Parc Hotel Luxembourg

I was in dire need of a hotel to simply sleep in after a transatlantic flight and a very long struggle to get a train during a week when all of Europe's trains seemed to be on strike.

Luckily I chose the right hotel online before my trip. I didn't know that Alvisse Parc Hotel was outside of Luxembourg City proper, but when I arrived and discovered it was only minutes away, I was ecstatic. This was a lovely setting. Serene. In a park. Surrounded by trees. And I was amazed and delighted by how light and airy and modern it was inside.

I was immediately shown to my room and found it large and newly updated. The bed test was excellent. Soft enough and lots of pillows. The bathroom test was excellent. All squeeky clean and loads of towels. 

Later I took a walk around and found a beautiful spa and pool area.

I made a note that the next time I come to stay I would book the spa. It was a lovely setting with views outside to the park like setting.

It had a bar lounge area that was nicely lit at night and had a great bartender.

Now for the breakfast! Amazing. A huge dining room opened off this little alcove and at breakfast offered a long long table buffet filled with everything imaginable, and it was included in the price of my room. I had poached eggs. I layered a plate with soft slices of ham and cheeses. I added fresh tomato slices, mozzarella slices, and a just baked roll. I had my deep coffee. I had pastries and fruits and then a cappuccino. And there was excellent waiter service that hovered and cleared and smiled.

So, my friends, I happily recommend this hotel outside of Luxembourg City. I will definitely be going back. The reason I was there in the first place was to visit my friends the Mathes family at their vineyard. I know I will be going back to visit them again soon. If you would like to continue with me on my journey, click here to watch the video I made of my visit to their vineyard. You'll want to go to!

Alvisse Parc Hotel, 120 Route d'Echternach, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Amazing Find: Cire Trudon

Travel sometimes takes me to the past. I found this store in New York City and was transported to another time.

It is the oldest candle maker in the world, so you can imagine what it was like entering their new space in Greenwich Village, an odd location for a really upscale store like this. Somehow I thought it would be better suited to Chelsea or Tribeca or even Soho. That said, I felt tremendously lucky to have found it.

"In 1643, a salesman named Claude Trudon arrives in Paris. He soon becomes the owner of a shop on Saint-Honore street thanks to a fruitful and happy marriage. Among groceries, the store also provides its customers with wax, candles for any domestic usage as well as church candles to the neighboring Saint Roch parish."

That was written in the 18th century, and the original store still exists in Paris today. The company makes candles for all the top French brands, including Hermes and Cartier. They still make the candles for the Chateau de Versailles.

As I walked in, I expected to be overwhelmed by aromas from the candles. Not a whiff. Almost all of the candles are under glass to preserve their scent until you lift the glass to smell them. 

Except of course for these beautiful tapers. 

What a treasure trove of visual treats. The color of the paneling, the wax busts, the antiques for lighting candles and displaying them.....all were from a distant past when light bulbs hadn't been thought of and candles were vital to survival as well as love.

I loved that they had so many candles lit and it was not even noon. It made a point. Candles are not just for the dark. 

These are some of the less expensive and absolutely delightful smelling candles you can find there. Most of the candles are quite pricey, however, considering that they burn at least 80 hours makes them actually reasonable. The quality and the colors and dyes and perfect fragrances all combine to make these some of the finest candles in the world. 

For instance, these pillars with individual cameos are $130. They come packed in a beautiful grey and red box with a book about the candle maker. 

The candle on the left under glass (cloche) is their signature candle. The gold coat of arms of the candle maker is on the front. It is hard to make out, but it is of a bee hive, with bees and the caption, "Bees work for God and the King." They come in a small travel size all the way up to a huge 7 pound candle. All are set in hand blown glasses from Vinci in Italy. 

My favorite? Has to be their candle scent called "Mademoiselle de la Valliere" because it is all tuberose, my favorite flower. All the scents are magnificent though and their descriptions delightful.

Carmelite sent: "The perfume of old stonewalls, in the shade of cloisters and convents, this scent of fresh and mossy stone tells us about the black and white silhouettes of sisters moving in the silence of ritual mass. Under the light of votives and psalmody, Carmelite refers to the peace of souls and eternity."

CIRE TRUDON, 78 rue de Seine, Paris   http://ciretrudon.com     http://blog.ciretrudon.com

54 Bond Street, New York, New York