Hillary Davis Travels's Blog

Hotel Review: Le Grand Hotel Cannes

    This is one of the most intriquing hotels in Cannes, and one of the most comfortable. Le Grand Hotel is a large property with a prime location on the Croisette. It even has its own private beach for its guests. Yet it only has 45 rooms and has a distinct boutique feel to it---most likely due to the fact that it has been run by the same family for generations. It is the details, at this hotel, that make it a standout.

    Its exterior is indeed grand. This privately owned property also includes apartments and a large elegant villa used for cultural exhibitions.

    Le Grand Hotel has the highest floor of any hotel in Cannes, and that is where I was taken to see the suite on the 11th floor. When they opened the door, this was the view....

    The first thing I did was make a beeline for the glass doors to open them and walk out on the terrace. It was surprisingly wide, with a small table and chairs perfect for dinner for two. Under a full moon. With a sea breeze. And champagne. Dinner cooked by the Michelin star chef in the hotel. But more about that later.

    I was told that the barrier behind the table could be removed to open up to another spacious terrace including a large jacuzzi, with an entrance to an adjoining suite---providing the possibility of settling into a quite large living space. 

    The view was just unbelievable. You could see the entire bay of Cannes, the mountains, the beach, old town....and I could imagine how it would look at night with all the sparkling lights. 

    Two wicker chaise longues were positioned facing the sea, waiting for someone to snuggle into them for a nap in the sun.

  I could imagine sitting here forever watching the yachts come and go.

    Back inside, the decor was a cool blend of 50's and 60's, which was refreshing and fun.

    Yet there were high tech touches like an ipad and huge flat screen TVs.

    I was again swept away, this time with the view from the bedroom. 

    ....which was simple and comfortable, with red bedside reading lights by Philip Stark.

    Le Grand Hotel was built in the 60's and is emblematic of that error. Major renovations upgraded the entire complex, making it supremely attractive and giving it a contemporary, sleek feel.

    Le Cercle Bar faces the sea and spills outside onto the lawn.....

    ....and artwork such as the "roses" constantly change color at night..........from pale pink to fuscia to red.....

    But here's the best news of all.

    Le Grand Hotel has one of the best chefs on the Cote d'Azur, Sebastien Broda. This Michelin star chef has lifted Cannes' hotel dining scene to a higher level with his inspired cuisine, which reflects the exquisite produce available on the Riviera. You can sample his cooking at Le Park 45, either inside or outside. You will be in the good hands of a chef who has worked with Roger Verger, at La Palme d'Or and at the Carlton. 

    This is a hotel I can enthusiastically recommend. It is retro chic, colorful, filled with light, sparkling clean, in a prime location, with a beach and a beach restaurant, a Michelin star chef, and an atmosphere that is friendly and very upbeat. No stuffy antique lobby at this hotel. It is breathing and alive. Its energy will revive you. Just what a great hotel should do.

Le Grand Hotel, 45 Bd. de La Croisette, Cannes, France

33 (0)4 93 38 15 45

www.grand-hotel-cannes.com

 

Hotel Review: Wyndham Garden Hotel Chelsea NYC

How lucky did I get?? On a weekend when it was very hard to get a room in NYC, I scored one at a hotel right across the street from EATALY. 

For a foodie traveler this holds great significance. I visit EATALY, an Italian food emporium, every time I visit the city. And now I had a gem of a little boutique hotel to stay in just steps away.

The Wyndham Garden Hotel was small and intimate with a colorful lobby....

and very friendly and helpful staff at the front desk.

My room, on the 17th floor, was small but super super comfortable with a bed I didn't want to get out of once I was in it and a view over the neighboring rooftops and over to the famous Flatiron Building a street away.

It had free Wifi, a large flat screen TV, desk and ergonomically engineered chair that only made my back feel better.

Nice little treats awaited.......

as well as Wolfgang Puck signature coffee and lovely teas......

The "be well" theme of the center bed pillow was echoed throughout, including a new bathroom with "spa" toiletries and good fluffy white towels.

Downstairs in the lobby there is a door connecting to the Italian restaurant San Rocco. I took a look before dinner. It was lit with candles and looked wonderful. I had reservations at a French restaurant nearby, but you know, I should have stayed put!

Any restaurant lit with candles and filled with the music of Frank Sinatra must be taken seriously.

Which was confirmed in the morning when I dined at San Rocco for my  Italian breakfast, which was a beautiful buffet.

To the left, fresh squeezed orange juice. Cereals. Yogurt. Nutella. Two freshly baked breakfast cakes redolent of candied orange and rum soaked raisins. Superb capuccino. Fresh fruit salad. Panini press to make ham and cheese panini.

I was so happy with the quality of the food, the beautiful waitress who told me she came from Rome and the chefs from Milano, with the great conversation with fellow guests....that I decided then and there that I would be coming back to the hotel Wyndham in Chelsea.

I would reserve ahead a table at this restaurant for dinner, and I would again find my seat for the lovely breakfast served here. This was a special experience, and I am grateful to have found such an intimate and ultimately homey place to call home when I visit New York again.

 

 

Hotel Review: Omni Parker House Boston

Do you remember Parker House rolls? Those soft little dinner rolls?

Last weekend I stayed at the Parker House Hotel in Boston and learned that Parker House rolls were invented there! So cool. This was a fun hotel for so many reasons, including this one.

(Oh, and because they served complimentary Boston Cream Ice Cream in the lobby every afternoon! They invented the Boston Cream Pie too. So for an avid culinary traveler, these were fascinating revelations.)

It was also fun because of the sense of history you feel everywhere you walk in the hotel, from the antique phones.........

......to the wonderful displays of historic items related to the hotel.....

....including original china and Parker House Coffee!

The Parker House was built in 1927. Some other fun facts are that Malcolm X worked here in the 1940's, that John F. Kennedy announced his candidacy for senator here, and that Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline in the hotel restaurant.

The decor is opulent with classical touches....

.....and a formal dining room.....

The rooms? Very comfortable. Although mine had a view of a brick wall, it had a phenomenally comfortable bed, flat screen TV, and elegant little bathroom.

And the staff were amazing. The concierge time and again gave perfect counsel as to where to eat and what to do. There was also a very good size gym and valet parking. I can definitely recommend the Parker House, which will place you right in the heart of Boston just steps from the Freedom Trail and the waterfront.

Omni Parker House Hotel, 60 School Street, Boston, MA  617-227-8600

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

Hotel Review: The Grand America Hotel

I honestly think this is one of the best hotels in America, so I wanted to share it with you. I attended a conference in Salt Lake City that was held in the hotel, but finding the hotel became of more value than the conference was! 

As you can see, it is stunning with a backdrop of the mountains. 

Immediately upon entering, the opulent interior with its soaring ceilings and exquisite decor is a delight for the eye. 17th century Flemish tapestries grace the walls and towering crystal chandeliers hang above you.

I made my way to my room and was utterly surprised by its size. It was a standard room but it was amazingly spacious, with a super comfortable bed, living area, sofa, and jaw dropping view of the mountains. 

My bed was super comfortable!

The bathroom came with a huge walk-in closet, loads of space and stacks of fluffy towels. 

I loved the comfort of a bubble bath at night, and the option of the walk-in marble shower in the morning.

I would go down to have breakfast in the sumptuously appointed Garden Cafe. I thought I was being healthy ordering oatmeal, and it was so delicious that I ordered it every day and even asked the waiter what it was that made it so much better than the one I make at home. His answer? They add heavy cream while it is cooking so it turns out rich and creamy! Wow, I think I put on four pounds that week, but it was so worth it!

So in the evening, after the conference sessions, I would go back up to my room and relax before dinner. This was my view.

I know I will be going back some day. It was the kind of place you want to return to. And next time I will take advantage of the beautiful pool and spa and just relax in the splendor of this great American hotel. 

The Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah

 

Hotel Review: Aruba Marriott

When there's snow up to my shoulders, this is where I want to be. In the sun. With palm trees and a beach. A great pool. And good food. The Aruba Marriott provides all and more. It has a casino just off the lobby. A bar in the pool that you can swim to. A spa. A sushi bar (very important!). Gift shops. A restaurant on the beach. And super comfortable large rooms.

The beach is magnificent. White sand. Staff at the ready to bring you towels or a lounge chair. There's a bar and restaurant right on the beach. And there are water sports if you so choose. For me? I just wanted to totally relax or swim in that pool clear pastel water.

Hallway to my room..........

I fell in love with my room. I did. It was big and comfy and cheerful, it had great beds, and a wonderful private balcony with a jaw-dropping view.

I have to make a note to remind myself to find out where to buy the pillows! They were so soft.

As you can see, the bathroom was large with two sinks and a little vanity table in the middle with a makeup mirror. To the left was a large walk-in closet with a safe, ironing board, iron, guest robes, and at the end of the room to the left was the bathtub/shower.

This is the main lobby of the Aruba Marriott. In the far left of the picture above you can see a raised area. This is where you can buy pastries, coffee, water, sandwiches, and salads. During the day there is a fresh juice bar as well where they peel fresh fruits, slice them up, add them to a blender and voila! Fabulous fruit drinks! During the evening the juice bar is transformed into a sushi bar. It was a great place to pick up fresh sushi to take back to my room. Further along to the left is the casino.

There's this wonderful pool with a swim-up bar to lounge in......it even has a waterfall. I discovered that if you stand under the waterfall you get a great shoulder massage.....

I also developed a pattern. I'd take a swim in the ocean. Then walk back to the hotel and dip into the pool, which was slightly warmer than the ocean. Then I'd stand under the waterfall. And finally, drop into a lounge chair with a book.

And at dusk I'd head down to the beach to watch the sun set.

And dine right on the beach at Simply Fish. Such a romantic setting for a restaurant!

I can totally recommend the Aruba Marriott. I walked along the long beach and visited the other large hotels. This is the one I want to come back to. 

Aruba Marriott, L. G. Smith Boulevard #101, Palm Beach, Aruba      

 

 

New Luxury Shopping Destination In NYC

I often stop into the Plaza Hotel in New York City to breathe in the air of luxury it exudes. It has been newly renovated and it is stunningly beautiful.

Now there is another reason to visit. It as a new luxurious shopping mall downstairs, with a food hall and restaurants by celebrity Chef Todd English. I put together the following video to show you around! Hope you enjoy it!

 

 

Hotel Review: Hyatt Harborside Boston

It was bitterly cold outside. Piles of snow almost up to my shoulders. Had to get to warm weather! Aruba it is!!!!! To make sure I got my morning flight on time and in a relaxed manner, I booked into the Hyatt Harborside at Logan Airport in Boston. 

The moment I walked in I knew I would really like this hotel. First of all, its location. It is only a few quick minutes free shuttle ride away from the airline terminal. Second, the stylish lobby. This is not a big convention center impersonal hotel. It almost feels like a boutique hotel. Not too big. Loads of interior design details to delight the eye.

I especially loved the painted ceiling of the lobby with its whimsical puti playing amongst the stars.

And the view!!! From every window throughout the hotel you had a breathtaking view of the skyline of Boston across the harbor. 

But first, let me introduce you to my room.  Room Number: 818

A casually chic room with uber comfy beds. Amazingly, the room was stone quiet. Which is amazing because this was the view from my room! I could have asked for one facing Boston so that at night I could lie in bed and gaze at the sparkling lights. But I love to travel and love flying, so I instead chose to lie in bed and watch planes take off and land!

So exhilerating! And not a sound!

Nice bathroom with amenities, hairdryer, and absolutely spotless.

They even thought of toothpaste.....

Back to design and the view! I loved that they made this cozy nook by the elevator on my floor so that guests could find a quiet escape with Boston on the horizon and sailboats and tugs going by.

There's a large restaurant in the lobby oriented again to the view, with a great bar and outdoor dining area for the warmer months.

Table for two?!

 

There was a large health club/fitness center and a small pool. Both had a view!

I can totally recommend you stay in this hotel when you are flying out of Boston! I will definitely be returning.

Hyatt Harborside Boston, 101 Harborside Drive, Boston, Massachusetts

617-568-1234

Culinary Wine Cruise Set For September 2011

Give me a car a train a ship or a plane and I'm off. Just the sound of a plane engine revving gets my blood running! I, of course, am a travel addict. Love it. And I've always been an independent traveller, never joining tours or even hopping a tour bus. 

But yesterday I changed my mind. Yesterday I attended an event at one of my favorite country inns in New Hampshire, Colby Hill Inn in Henniker. The well-travelled owners are putting together a special Culinary Wine Cruise for September 2011 and they invited a group of us to come listen and learn and see if we would be interested in joining them. I arrived interested and I left convinced. 

What made me change my mind? Well, although I speak fluent French, there are people that don't that really want to visit France and Italy but are hesitant that they will get enough out of their trip without understanding what anyone is saying to them. A cruise on an American ship (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line), and a personal tour with American hosts, Cyndi and Mason Cobb, owners of the Colby Hill Inn, would make all the difference.

Also traveling in a small group that dines together and explores together would make it a fun and friendly way to travel. Even more, this cruise tour is being co-hosted by Ken Scupp of Kobrand, a company that owns vineyards around the world, which means that the tour gets you into places you can't get into on your own. For instance, a private sit down lunch with one of the vineyard's owners.

So, my friends, I decided to share this information with you because it sounds like a wonderful way to travel the Mediterranean.

They are flying over to Barcelona to stay overnight before boarding the ship for a cruise that visits Toulon and Nice in France, then visits Livorno, Rome, and Naples in Italy. One day there will be a private tour with wine expert Ken Scupp to Chateau D'Aqueria in France and one day a visit to Nozzole Vineyard in Italy including a lunch with the owners. The other days are free to explore Provence and the Chianti region and Rome. If guests want to join Cyndi and Mason on special trips around the countryside they can do so for sightseeing, shopping, or whatever the group decides they'd like to do.

While I was at the event learning about the cruise, I realized yet again why I like this inn so much. It's more than being a comfortable cozy home serving great food in an intimate dining room with a view.

As with all inns, it really comes down to the personalities that run it. Cyndie and Mason are great hosts. They also know their food and wines! Here is a picture of my favorite of the appetizers they served yesterday. It's Country Pate with Lavender Mustard (thank you for the recipe, Chef Gage!)

Yes, I got the recipe. It was that good. His secret was to crush lavender (you can buy it online) in a mortar and pestle before combining it with stone ground mustard and Dijon mustard. So delicious!

I took a walk around the inn before leaving. The fire was crackling and comfortable chairs were placed nearby. Guests wandered in and out for coffee or to play a game of cards or to snuggle into a sofa with a book before dinner.

I only live an hour away but I know I'll be coming back soon for a meal, perhaps their Sunday brunch. Then a sit in one of their living rooms with a cup of tea and a notebook to sketch in, and I'll be happy.

For more information on the Culinary Wine Cruise in September 2011 give Cyndi or Mason a call: 1-800-531-0330.  (and tell them I sent you!)

or:  HAPPY TRAVELS Travel Agency handling the cruise

Tel: (603) 995-4019 

Tel: (877) 378-4097 (Toll Free)

Fax: (877) 310-1692 

website: www.HappyTravelsAgency.com

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HappyTravels