Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: The Augustine, Prague

As a part of our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, we were honored to interview Jodi Masterson, Director of Sales and Marketing for The Augustine, Prague.

The Augustine, Prague, is an exceptional hotel comprised of an elegant ambiance, 5-star amenities, superior concierge services, a remarkable spa, and a lavish décor inspired by 1930s Czech cubism and contemporary art.

Comprised of seven buildings with historical and cultural significance, The Augustine, Prague transports visitors back in time to a place where rich heritage comes to life around every corner. Each room offers a stunning view of the Prague Castle, Malá Strana, The St. Thomas Church, or the serine monastery courtyards, providing visitors with a holistic look at Prague’s most charming elements.

In this interview, Jodi paints a wonderful picture of what it’s like to stay at The Augustine in beautiful Prague.

See below for the interview:

1. How does the location of The Augustine play a role in the experience travelers have while visiting?

Location is vital. The Augustine is centrally located in the heart of Prague and very close to the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and the Old Town Square, making the hotel an ideal choice for travelers.

2. What makes The Augustine completely unique from other hotels in Prague?

The Augustine is a development of seven historical buildings and is the quintessence of Prague’s history, character, and beauty. All of the rooms feature a range of decorative accessories inspired by early 20^th-century Czech cubism, many of which are reproductions from Czech design specialist Modernista, including timber chairs by Pavel Janak and chaise-lounges in some of the larger rooms by Adolf Loos. The hotel also boasts fantastic outdoor spaces creating resort feel while still being in the middle of a capital city.

3. The hotel was constructed using various historical buildings, significant works of art, and the ultimate vision of luxury. Describe the type of ambiance visitors witness when they step into the hotel. How does this ambiance play a significant role in their vacation?

As described above, while being very centrally located, the hotel’s location offers a calm oasis once our guests enter the hotel. All of the staff members are geared to service our guests’ every wish, ensuring they have the most memorable experience while they are staying at the hotel. In addition, the hotel is adjacent to a working monastery, so if anyone wants to seek solace, they are able to sit in the Monastery Gardens and speak to one of the six monks for spiritual guidance.

4. The Augustine is comprised of 101 luxury rooms and is known for superior service. Many visitors might fear that their personal needs and preferences won’t be catered to while staying at an accommodation with 101 rooms. How does the hotel ensure that visitors have a personalized experience?

The Rocco Forte Collection philosophy is to never have a hotel which has too many rooms, so we are always able to give our guests the highest levels of service they expect when staying in our hotels. We have the right number of staff with the right levels of international experience, so they are able to give a personal experience. We have a system where we can profile our guests’ needs and expectations so we can deliver to them, especially if they have stayed in one Rocco Forte hotel previously. We can detail their likes and dislikes so when they arrive we know exactly what they are looking for—this is very important for the guests experience.

5. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

There are many unique features your guests can experience while staying at The Augustine, including sampling the St. Thomas Beer, which the monks used to brew for hundreds of years, and since the hotel is adjacent to a working Monastery, we are able to organize private guided tours of the Monastery, which culminates at their library with books that date back to the 13^th-century. The Monastery is NOT open to the general public and is only available to The Augustine guests and offers a truly unique experience while staying at the hotel.

About The Augustine, Prague:

“Centrally located in the heart of Prague between Prague Castle and The Charles Bridge, in the picturesque Malá Strana district, The Augustine is the quintessence of Prague’s history, character and beauty. Adjacent to the beautiful Wallenstein Garden, the hotel is within easy reach of the city’s many colourful tourist attractions, making it a natural choice for business and leisure travellers. The Augustine is also in close proximity to Prague’s commercial district; Prague’s Ruzyne International Airport is a 30-minute drive away.”

Contact me for more information on planning your trip to Prague.

Spotlight on Luxury Travel Provider: Marbella Club Hotel

As a part of our Spotlight on Luxury Travel Providers series, we had the sheer pleasure of interviewing Carlos Quereda, director of sales and marketing at the Marbella Club Hotel, on the experience travelers receive when they visit the acclaimed Marbella Club Hotel. Located on the glistening shores of Spain, this hotel is one of Europe’s most enchanting destinations. 

See below for the interview:

1. How does the Marbella Club Hotel stand apart from other luxury hotels in Spain?

The Marbella Club Hotel, located in a natural paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean, in the heart of the Golden Mile and only five minutes from Old Town Marbella and the world famous Puerto Banús, enjoys 325 days of sunshine. Open year round, the renowned hotel, one of the “The Leading Small Hotels of the World,” was once the private residence of Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe. Since opening its doors over half a century ago, the hotel has been regarded as the European playground for the international jet-set: aristocrats, stars of the entertainment industry, and business and political leaders from all over the world. 

Count Rudi, who was the general manager when the hotel first opened is still there greeting guests and VIPs as they arrive. Everyone from the Duke of Windsor to Elizabeth Taylor to the Rolling Stones to Britney Spears and the Beckhams have stayed there. They have a saying at the hotel “No glossy past outshines the present. Here the good old days are what’s happening.” And it is so true. 

The beachfront retreat has it all—121 luxury bedrooms and suites and 14 Andalusian-style villas throughout 42,000 square metres of lush subtropical gardens, golf, riding, tennis, fitness, world-class restaurants, stunning beach and pools and accommodation to suit the needs of any entourage, family or couple (as well as private 2 – 5 bedroom Villas with private gardens and pools). 

In 1968, a Town & Country article is quoted as saying ‘The Marbella people have come up with a new set of rules to live by. Daytime, no matter how sunny and dazzling, gets the short end of the stick; after dark is when all the sensible folk come out to shine.” And they still live by this sentiment today—days are spent at the beach or beach club, a late afternoon siesta is followed by dinner at midnight and then a dance club until dawn. The Marbella Club and later Puente Romano opened some of the first discotheques in the region. 

Voted “Best Beach Hotel of Europe” by the members of the American Express Platinum & Centurion Card, the Marbella Club Hotel offers a wealth of experiences and activities. It is the ideal destination for male trips and female getaways, site-seeing excursions, romantic getaways, sport and golf vacations, family holidays, and rejuvenation and spa trips.

The Marbella Club Hotel offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafés, a beach club surrounded by palm trees and lush gardens, private golf club, riding stables, tennis courts, state-of-the-art fitness facility, children’s club, and the exquisite Thalasso Spa.   

2. The Marbella Club Hotel is located in the center of “the Golden Mile,” on the southern coast of Spain. Tell us a little bit about this area and how guests benefit from the hotel’s location. 

What is known as Marbella’s Golden Mile begins at the western edge of Marbella city and stretches to Puerto Banus. The area is exclusive and home to some of the area’s most impressive villas and estates.

The Golden Mile is divided into two parts by a motorway that runs through it. Along the motorway are strings of business centres, five-star hotels, a golf course, and other services. The beachside of the motorway is fully developed, while the mountainside is still undergoing development. Investment opportunities in this area include spectacular views of mountain and sea.

Urbanizations in the area’s seaside are Alhambra del Mar, La Alcazaba, Las Torres, Los Verdiales, Marbellamar, Marina Marbella, Oasis, Rio Verde and Santa Margarita.

On the mountainside  of the motorway, the following urbanizations are currently developing: Sierra Blanca, Nagüeles, Cascada de Camoján, Jardines Colgantes, Marbella Hill Club, El Venero, El Batatal, La Capellania, La Virginia, Carolina, El Vicario, Altos de Salamanca, Casas del Señorio de Marbella, Coto Real, Ancon Sierra.

3. The golf course at Marbella Club Hotel is absolutely stunning! What makes this golf course unique compared to other golf courses found throughout Europe?

With its magnificent 18-hole golf course, designed by Dave Thomas, and its superbly equipped riding stables, the Golf Resort and Riding Stables of the Marbella Club Hotel are a haven where enthusiasts, riding fans, and nature lovers can enjoy their favorite pastimes. It is also an ideal spot for lovely walks among the hills and for taking in the spectacular views of the Sierra, Gibraltar, the North African coastline, and the Mediterranean.

 Seasonal watersports are available on the beach, as well as the Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness, located at sister hotel Puente Romano (only a 5 – 10 minute beach walk away), which includes 10 tennis and four paddle courts and a state-of-the art Fitness Centre with a selection of aerobic courses, saunas, and steam baths.

4. Describe the hotel’s Thalasso Spa. Specifically, what type of experience can visitors expect and what are the spa’s most popular signature treatments?

The Thalasso Spa is, without a doubt, one of the best spas to be found in a major European destination. Located on the beach with the Mediterranean at its doorstep, the spa is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including a dynamic indoor seawater pool, hammams (Turkish baths), saunas, a relaxation room, and 12 treatment rooms. Guests can also enjoy the heated outdoor pools and the renowned Puente Romano Tennis & Fitness club.  

5. Is there anything else you would like to add?

The culinary offerings at the Marbella Club Hotel are simply spectacular. The famous Beach Club buffet, the romantic Grill, the avant garde MC Café, the brand new MC Beach and the delightful Pool Bar and, of course, the Golf Resort Club House restaurant, all offer delicious dishes and the exquisite service that characterizes the hotel.

Truly a place of magic, almost anything imaginable is possible when it comes to romance and events at the Marbella Club Hotel. In the past, wedding guests, honeymooners, and loving couples have been dazzled by fireworks, entertained by performers such as Julio Iglesias, privately dined on the shores of the Mediterranean, rode horseback through the mountains or along the shores on a private yacht, and even danced on a glass dance floor suspended over the pool.

About the Marbella Club Hotel:

Marbella Club Hotel has come to be recognized the world over as one of the most prestigious establishments in the hotel world. And the Prince’s vision has become reality with the Marbella Club Hotel Golf Resort & Spa that we know today, included as it is amongst the “Leading Small Hotels of the World.”

Connect with the Marbella Club Hotel:

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/marbellaclub

Website http://www.marbellaclub.com/welcome.html

My Stay in the Palace Luzern – a Luxury Hotel in Lucerne

My travels to Switzerland led me to the shores of Lake Lucerne, where in a village framed by an idyllic alpine landscape stands the Hotel Palace in Luzern. Almost every view from the hotel is postcard perfect. It is a luxurious, traditional 5-star hotel only 5 minutes walking distance from Old Town Lucerne.  The entire hotel has a very grand feel to it with high ceilings and large crystal chandeliers; sunny with a simple elegance. The staff goes out of their way for the guests and most things requested come with an extra surprise which really makes you feel special.

When we arrived in the room the first day, it was a delightful surprise to find the amenity of a large plate of various fruit, crackers and cheese. We had a commanding view of Lake Lucerne and Mount Pilatus through the large French doors and from the spacious balconies of our room.  It seemed that no matter where you sat in the room you had a great view.  The bathroom was huge even by American standards with heated floors, double sinks, large deep bathtub for soaking and a separate shower with multiple heads for an invigorating shower.  The bath products are of the quality one would pay dearly for and much appreciated at the end of our vacation.

That evening the maid performed the turn down service leaving fine Swiss chocolates in a nice little box on the pillow and the fruit replenished.  Speaking of the bed, it was a King size bed with double duvet so each person has his or her own bed in a bed.  The linens were fine Egyptian cotton and the pillows can only be described as dreamy.  The closets and drawers are so plentiful and large in size you could completely unpack with room to spare.  We even found the hotel safe large enough for a 15 inch laptop, two cameras and assorted other items.

Our first night at the hotel exhausted from the all day travel, we wandered into the hotel restaurant  just looking for something to eat.  To our surprise, they had a visiting Chef from a Michelin Star restaurant.  The final decision went to sharing a baked whole fish with steamed vegetables.  We were truly honor to have the Chef come to the table and serve it.  What a treat!  The wine they paired with the meal was a Swiss wine, that cannot be found outside of the country and was perfect. Light, fresh and cool.   The evening ended with a short stroll along Lake Lucerne promenade. What started out as grabbing a quick meal ended up being a special evening.

The Spa is a hidden gem, extremely peaceful and is smartly laid out and well appointed. I found their concept that blends traditional treatments inspired by ancient cultures from around the world using modern techniques to feel fabulous on my tired muscles. The spa comprises state-of-the-art saunas, steam rooms, lifestyle showers, ice fountains and much more.  We were very relaxed after an hour with their specialists.

Our final night, we had dinner at Jasper’s.  The restaurant overlooks the promenade with all of the City of Lucerne on the other side of the lake from us.  One of the special things they do is in between each course is they bring a little something extra to try.  Not much but just a taste of something special the chef had prepared to keep your taste buds engaged.  The wait staff always seemed to be right there when you needed them but they never hovered over you.  For the warmer months, they have a patio that would have made the dining experience over the top. Obviously, we will have to revisit Lucerne again.

What makes a hotel, a luxury hotel for you?
Service, Size, Quality, Location, Amenitites

Tulips, Castles & River Cruising: Part 4 of 4

We started Saturday morning taking a coach trip through the Black Forest with a local guide. The area is beautiful and would have been nicer had it not been so cloudy. There are many places to stop and visit, so my recommendation for this area would be for travelers to rent a car allowing for stops at will. We passed several stork’s nests near Gottenheim and Umkirch on top of this church and on these man-made poles, really amazing. They really believe in the power of a stork bringing fidelity, fertility and happiness to you. We unfortunately drove by some nice wineries in Glottertal but were unable to stop and sample the goods – if you love red wine this is the place to come.

The tiny village of Sankt Märgen has a beautiful church and the valley views are really something to see, with the fat dairy cows grazing in the pasture and the typical swiss mountain cottages,  it was still beautiful. The highlight of the morning was a stop at this old hotel of the stars where many famous people have stayed, and they have a cuckoo clock demonstration telling you a bit about the history of the clocks. And if that is not enough, there are Steinbech Nutcrackers, beer steins, and original Black Forest Cake for purchase. The main building is a cuckoo clock, at least one end of it, that we were able to watch at 12 noon in the rain – very cool to watch even if it was raining.

That night we had our cruise farewell dinner which was by far the best meal served. The entertainment with dinner was cruising thru locks, and it is amazing how fast you can rise up and we are still wondering how they manage to fit with such narrow free space on either side. Tight fit is a understatement.

Sunday morning, we departed Basel early for Lucerne. Upon arrival to the Palace Luzern, well before the normal check in time, we were happily pleased all our rooms were ready. With 180 degree unobstructed views of the lake, Mt Pilatus, Rigi and Lucerne, well appointed spacious rooms, unusually large bathrooms, and a welcome plate for fruits and chocolates – it was fantastic!

Making the most of our time we took a walking city tour of Lucerne with my favorite guide, Gabriele, stopping at all the key places like Thorvaldsen’s Lion, a tribute to the Swiss Guards fighting in the French Revolution, the Chapel Bridge with it’s incredible art in the rafters – originally build in 1330 but partially rebuilt after a fire in 1993.

The Swiss Transport Museum is a must for any car, train or plane buff and a easy walk. If you are a music lover, Richard Wagner spent many years here and there is a grand museum on the lake that is also within walking distance.

For Dinner several of us with a few local friends went to the trendy, art deco Montana Hotel with beautiful night cityscape views. The food is outstanding here and I heard from several people the Louie Armstrong  jazz bar is a must visit during the week.

Monday, we started with a walk to catch a lake cruise to Alpnachstadt with several stops along the way. The lake views are gorgous, and once you see them you understand why so many decide to live on the lake. Upon arrival in Alpnachstadt, we boarded the Cogwheel train to Mt Pilatus that in many spots is at 47% incline. The Mt Pilatus visitor center is at 7000 feet and we were lucky to have a decent view considering all the clouds and misty rain they have been having, but of course because it has been so cold there was no shortage of snow and ice. What I thought was interesting were the snow formations that had been blown in such a way they looked like feathers. With all the snow and construction the most hiking we could do was the basic loop sharing the dragon legend. Mt

Pilatus is a a hikers heaven with varying degrees of difficulty. We enjoyed a scenic lunch before our cable car and gondola ride to Kriens. The afternoon we enjoyed free time to explore more on our own, window shop the boutique shops in town,  people watch and sip a warm beverage. Our farewell dinner was lakeside at Jasper’s  where they went above and beyond in service to make the evening most memorable for everyone. A Swiss rosé was enjoyed with many people chosing chicken, trout or halibut for their main course.  It was an excellent finale to a great trip.

What is your favorite stop, site, city or experience on this journey?

Tulips, Castles & River Cruising: Part 1 of 4

This four part series will cover my experiences  on Tulips, Castles & River Cruising – small group luxury tour by Want To Go Travel. It is a 12 day journey that started today. We will spend several days in Amsterdam, then cruise down the Rhine River visiting various quaint towns and ending in Switzerland where we spend our last two days in Lucerne.

You know your trip is off to a great start when:

• Your main handle breaks off your suitcase thus forcing you to repack into another suitcase entirely
• The airline check-in person is “in training” and to enhance their learning curve, the computer is broken
• And finally the airplane in-flight entertainment system (yes with the movies, music and games) does not work on the 9 hour flight – good thing I can sleep

Honestly, the KLM equipment was in need of a refresh but the crew was of high quality.  The flight seemed to go by faster than the last time I made this trip, which was nice. Most of our bags were already to be picked up by time we cleared immigration.  Our driver Cedric, reminded me of Morgan Freeman in looks, was fantastic with the most positive spirit and in depth city knowledge you will find! I look forward to using his services again.

The Sofitel Grand is well located in the heart of Amsterdam, although it may be a bit close to the Red Light District for some people. This former Amsterdam City Hall is a lovely upscale hotel. Check in was prompt and thankfully they had our rooms ready and waiting. The rooms, recently renovated, are very spacious by european standards and feature a large wall of windows that have a nice view of the canal. The marble bathroom offered a huge soaking tub with a TV in the wall, a generous separate shower and dressing area.

Several of us took a cruise to see the sights and amazing architecture from the waterways. My only issue with this boat tour is the glass windows, which don’t open.  Any photos taken from inside the boat would have reflections of the all the passengers – several places will have to be revisited if we want quality pictures. It is nice that Amsterdam is very walkable that retracing our journey is easily doable.

The most colorful experience of the day was taking several wrong turns in the red light district. Oh how very special and exhilarating to my jet-lagged self. Thankfully, no one I was traveling with was too shocked, although the “ladies” in the windows were eagerly trying to get our attention.

As I write this, I have all the windows open to let the fresh air in,enjoying the sounds of seagulls, bicycles and church bells. Texas was 90 when I left, so this mild 50’s weather is very refreshing.

What do you love about Amsterdam in the spring?