Another incredible hotel experience. We were driving through Slovenia with no hotel reservations. We saw a palace-like hotel (Hotel Villa Bled) on the shores of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps. We were the only guests in this large hotel. They told us it was empty because people thought there was still war nearby. We were given a huge suite that looked like it was frozen in the 1950s, looking onto Lake Bled and the chapel on the island in the lake. The next morning at breakfast they had made a buffet of everything they thought Americans would like and asked us to tell people it was safe to come to Slovenia. When we checked out, they told us the hotel was the former summer palace of Marshall Tito. The history of who had been in this hotel! We were so touched by the kindness of staff abd wished we could have stayed longer.
My husband worked for the Olympics and we were in Montreaux, Switzerland, for an Olympics-associated meeting. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, invited us to be their guests in Lausanne to visit the IOC headquarters. They gave us accommodations at the beautiful Beau Rivage Palace on the edge of Lake Geneva. We still talk about the elegant room and the experience of eating breakfast on our balcony looking at the lake and Alps. (For best customer service experience, the St Regis in Abu Dhabi as I've mentioned 273 times previously.)
We have been to a number of nice resorts on our many trips & I like the El Cid resorts in Mexico a lot, but the "best" one ever, was the Kahala Hilton in Hawaii. In 1967 I was in VN & I got an R&R to Hawaii & brought my wife Valerie there & after spending a couple days in the Military Guest Housing, we were able to get into the Hilton. Well, for a 20yo couple that had never even been to a Hotel, this was heaven. We were actually right next to the Presidential Suite with a suite that they had given to us for a special price since I was on R&R. What an experience! The pool, view, everything was outstanding. We only ate there a couple times since it was very expensive, but it was awesome. Old line fashion. Waiters with white towels over their arms, fancy everything. Just what we needed. (had to get 2 months advance pay, but worth it)
Chris, Sorry your column is no longer in the Sunday travel section of my hometown paper, The Washington Post. It took 3 emails to the travel editor before I received an answer to my question about what happened to your column. Sad to say, but the Washington Post is no longer the paper it used to be. It has eliminated too many worthwhile columns and features. I'm glad I can follow you online.
Nancy, thanks for noticing. They replaced the entire travel staff a few months ago at the Post. The section is now being run by the "By The Way" team. They wanted to go in a different direction. I wish them all well -- but I will really miss my DC readers!
You're telling me more than the travel editor told me when she finally replied to my 3rd email. She didn't mention replacing staff and going in a new direction. All she told me was that the Post dropped your column. Thanks for filling me in.
That's about all they told me too when they stopped the column after 15 years. But I am grateful for the years a I had and it was an honor to serve the Post's readers.
My coolest hotel experience was Gora Kaden in Hakone, Japan. Hakone is north of Kyoto and at the foot of Mount Fuji. It’s known for onsen, the hot springs. Gora Kaden has its own private hot spring - some suites even have their own outdoor soaking tubs. My meals were served in my room by my own maid, and I had a fantastic massage. I slept very well.
May I make a couple of suggestions on the structure of your articles? I think it would be great if you could devote perhaps a full page on each hotel -- sort of like a very in-depth view. Also, if you could give price ranges / estimates it would be nice.
That's great! I'm not sure about others, I would like to see more details and even, if possible, price suggestions, so I can choose which hotels we stay at on our frequent vacations in Asia. Many of the places you write about we have been to and often return to visit. And there are places you write about we haven't been to, but do plan on visiting. Your articles give valuable insight.
You know, I miss the States a little. I miss being with my kids back in Sedona and hiking Airport Loop Trail almost every day. I would definitely go back for a visit. But I don't know if I would return for good.
Every time I get the idea to move back to the States I watch a couple of episodes of "On The Case" w/ Paula Zhan. Then I just STFU and happily stay where I am.
The 3 to 1 ratio at the Capella almost sounds a bit intrusive. I'm imagining an attendant waiting for me to use the bathroom in my room, then asking me how many sheets of toilet paper I'll be needing..."Would you like something to read sir?" LOL
I love hotels but having people wait on me always makes me feel a little awkward. Thailand is one of the most beautiful places on earth and Chang Mai is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand.
Another incredible hotel experience. We were driving through Slovenia with no hotel reservations. We saw a palace-like hotel (Hotel Villa Bled) on the shores of Lake Bled in the Julian Alps. We were the only guests in this large hotel. They told us it was empty because people thought there was still war nearby. We were given a huge suite that looked like it was frozen in the 1950s, looking onto Lake Bled and the chapel on the island in the lake. The next morning at breakfast they had made a buffet of everything they thought Americans would like and asked us to tell people it was safe to come to Slovenia. When we checked out, they told us the hotel was the former summer palace of Marshall Tito. The history of who had been in this hotel! We were so touched by the kindness of staff abd wished we could have stayed longer.
My husband worked for the Olympics and we were in Montreaux, Switzerland, for an Olympics-associated meeting. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, invited us to be their guests in Lausanne to visit the IOC headquarters. They gave us accommodations at the beautiful Beau Rivage Palace on the edge of Lake Geneva. We still talk about the elegant room and the experience of eating breakfast on our balcony looking at the lake and Alps. (For best customer service experience, the St Regis in Abu Dhabi as I've mentioned 273 times previously.)
I loved the Olympic Museum. We stayed not far from you at the Hotel Victoria, which is built on a cliff overlooking the lake. The air is so clean!
That area is beautiful. We could have happily stayed.
We have been to a number of nice resorts on our many trips & I like the El Cid resorts in Mexico a lot, but the "best" one ever, was the Kahala Hilton in Hawaii. In 1967 I was in VN & I got an R&R to Hawaii & brought my wife Valerie there & after spending a couple days in the Military Guest Housing, we were able to get into the Hilton. Well, for a 20yo couple that had never even been to a Hotel, this was heaven. We were actually right next to the Presidential Suite with a suite that they had given to us for a special price since I was on R&R. What an experience! The pool, view, everything was outstanding. We only ate there a couple times since it was very expensive, but it was awesome. Old line fashion. Waiters with white towels over their arms, fancy everything. Just what we needed. (had to get 2 months advance pay, but worth it)
Chris, Sorry your column is no longer in the Sunday travel section of my hometown paper, The Washington Post. It took 3 emails to the travel editor before I received an answer to my question about what happened to your column. Sad to say, but the Washington Post is no longer the paper it used to be. It has eliminated too many worthwhile columns and features. I'm glad I can follow you online.
Nancy, thanks for noticing. They replaced the entire travel staff a few months ago at the Post. The section is now being run by the "By The Way" team. They wanted to go in a different direction. I wish them all well -- but I will really miss my DC readers!
You're telling me more than the travel editor told me when she finally replied to my 3rd email. She didn't mention replacing staff and going in a new direction. All she told me was that the Post dropped your column. Thanks for filling me in.
That's about all they told me too when they stopped the column after 15 years. But I am grateful for the years a I had and it was an honor to serve the Post's readers.
My coolest hotel experience was Gora Kaden in Hakone, Japan. Hakone is north of Kyoto and at the foot of Mount Fuji. It’s known for onsen, the hot springs. Gora Kaden has its own private hot spring - some suites even have their own outdoor soaking tubs. My meals were served in my room by my own maid, and I had a fantastic massage. I slept very well.
May I make a couple of suggestions on the structure of your articles? I think it would be great if you could devote perhaps a full page on each hotel -- sort of like a very in-depth view. Also, if you could give price ranges / estimates it would be nice.
Bill, I'm planning a bigger write-up on all these hotels. I'll share a link soon.
That's great! I'm not sure about others, I would like to see more details and even, if possible, price suggestions, so I can choose which hotels we stay at on our frequent vacations in Asia. Many of the places you write about we have been to and often return to visit. And there are places you write about we haven't been to, but do plan on visiting. Your articles give valuable insight.
Peninsula Hotel, Hong Kong with the Rolls Royce’s to/fro airport and in town. Raffles/Singapore with a “Stengah” on the veranda.
hi Elliott,
Long-time subscriber, and long-time expat here in Thailand. Glad you are enjoying BKK.
If you get to CNX, where I have lived for 18 years, feel free to call. I can help with where to go and where not to bother.
all the best,
Jon
0878012117
Hi Jon, thanks for reaching out. I'll let you know when we're getting closer to CNX. Our plans are still up in the air.
I love it here, hope you get to see it.
Hint - award winning Bangkok Airways is the best.
fyi - the USA Consulate says there's approx. 15K Americans living in Northern Thailand
You know what's funny? I could never understand how people could leave their life in the US to live overseas ... until I also became one of them. :)
You know, I miss the States a little. I miss being with my kids back in Sedona and hiking Airport Loop Trail almost every day. I would definitely go back for a visit. But I don't know if I would return for good.
Every time I get the idea to move back to the States I watch a couple of episodes of "On The Case" w/ Paula Zhan. Then I just STFU and happily stay where I am.
The 3 to 1 ratio at the Capella almost sounds a bit intrusive. I'm imagining an attendant waiting for me to use the bathroom in my room, then asking me how many sheets of toilet paper I'll be needing..."Would you like something to read sir?" LOL
I love hotels but having people wait on me always makes me feel a little awkward. Thailand is one of the most beautiful places on earth and Chang Mai is one of the most beautiful places in Thailand.
couldn't pay me enough to go back
forgot to mention
if you run into a situation or need help when you're in country, don't hesitate to call
safe travels!