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Favorite Hotels On This Planet #1
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items I developed these recommendations after traveling to over 50 countries, many of them multiple times (check out my chefsapprentice.com blog). Some are luxury, some are funky, some are like traveling back in time, and some are ultramodern. Some are ultra-convenient and some are getaways. Some are simply charming. They all have qualities that will bring me back again and again. This list covers Barcelona, Dijon, Florence, Gibraltar, Granada (Spain), L'Ille sur-la-Sorgue (France), Lisbon, Lyon, Madrid, New York City, Obidos (Portugal), Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and Venice. Look for more recommendations in the collection.
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Formerly a 19th Century cotton factory, which I nicknamed “The Cotton Club”, this elegant hotel is centrally located and walking distance to everything. But you'll want to spend time in the hotel too, enjoying the grandeur of the library bar, having a drink in the courtyard, dining on the roof terrace, dipping in the rooftop pool, admiring the Twilight Zone staircase, or just sitting in the Big Red C...
Barcelona, Spain: Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection
This 5-star hotel and member of the Leading Hotels of the World sits on the hillside, about halfway between the city below and the church at the top, and a short walk from the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. It was everything we expected it to be and ...
Lyon, France: VILLA MAÏA
Once a palace, always a palace. Now a luxury hotel, this National Heritage property is centrally located and walkable to probably more art than you can handle: The Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza musem, and the Reina Sofía National Art Museum. It's also an easy walk to all of old Madrid and Retiro Park is just across the street. The staff and just being there made us feel like the royalty who once lived there. We looked forward to drinks in the lounge after a long day sightseeing, and to retiring to out luxurious room.
Madrid, Spain: Hotel Palacio Del Retiro, Autograph Collection
Alofts are always funky, colorful, or fun, if not all of the above. This one was all of the above, with a colorful and funky lounge and furniture, arcade games, several TVs, and the XYZ bar. It’s also pet friendly. But the best things about this hote...
Dijon, France: Aloft by Marriott Dijon
Stayed at The Rock and dined at its classy restaurant, Alfred’s. We had a wonderful view toward the west of Spain, the Straits, and Africa from our room’s terrace and from our dinner table on Alfred’s terrace. At dinner, jackets are not required but ...
Gibraltar: The Rock Hotel
I’ve stayed in many Tokyo hotels but I’ve stayed in this one far more than any other, and in fact far more than anywhere else on this planet. The staff is the epitome of Japanese politeness and service, from writing out Japanese instructions for taxi...
Tokyo, Japan: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Located in the 4th a short walk from the Seine, it is small but elegant. When we arrived, for our last night in France before flying home the next day, The City of Light was really The City of Rain. And cold. So we decided to stay in the hotel. First...chefsapprentice.com Paris post). After lunch, Sarah enjoyed the heated pool. 🏊♂️ We then enjoyed our warm and cozy room for the next few hours until leaving, reluctantly, for dinner. We only stayed one night but we made the most of it. And from now on, this is where ...
Paris, France: Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin
This luxurious, safari-themed hotel is walking distance to everything in downtown Lisbon, and has the GREAT Rocco bar. We especially loved the library-like mezzanine, which looks down on the lobby.
Lisbon, Portugal: THE IVENS HOTEL
The moment we passed through the patinaed old wood, brass, and glass doors into the spacious, 19th Century lobby , I loved this hotel. The lobby’s wooden bar, antique rugs, many antique comfy chairs and seating areas, baby grand piano, antique furnit...
Rome, Italy: Hotel Forum
I've stayed at this circa 1902 hotel second most often of any on the planet (see Tokyo for no. 1). It has evolved over the years but I still love it. The lobby is one of the best places in mid-town to meet people for drinks, and it's a great place to...Algonquin Round Table. The New Yorker magazine was founded here after a poker game and the first (and maybe only) $10,000 martini was served at hotel's The Blue Bar (it contained an engagement ring). The lobby has also been the home to a resident cat for decades, one aft...
New York, Manhattan: The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection
We stayed at this hotel on our two most recent trips to Venice. It isn’t five star but it is old world, charming, reasonably priced, and stumbling distance from the piazza cafes and music of San Marco. Your tub may not drain as fast as you would like...
Venice, Italy: Hotel Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo
Great hotel in a great location. It's a quick walk to the cathedral and the city center’s rabbit warren of narrow streets lined with restaurants and shops. Our shuttered windows opened over the Grande Villa, allowing our historically appointed, beame...
Granada, Spain: Hotel Palacio De Santa Paula, Autograph Collection
This charming pet-friendly hotel is only a short walk from everything of interest in this very interesting town. Set in a Medieval building with elements originating in the 13th and 15th Centuries, it styles itself as an “apartment hotel” because it ...
L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Vaucluse, France: Le Clos Violette
We enjoyed this cozy and comfortable (but not luxurious) hotel, convenient to the Duomo, San Lorenzo, Academia (David), the leather market, the central indoor market, and the train station. We particularly enjoyed wine on the second floor terrace lat...
Florence, Italy: Botticelli Hotel Florence City Centre
The group that created this hotel did a great job of repurposing part of the castle to become a luxury hotel. We were torn between staying in one of the tower rooms (recommended for Knights (a suit of armor is available) and for Damsels who feel more...
Obidos, Portugal: Pousada do Castelo de Óbidos