Dubai is a bustling metropole which never sleeps. For travelers it’s important to be close to the heart of the city and to have the best views at the Burj Khalifa – the tallest building in the world. But at the same time it’s nice to have a relaxing place with delicious food options to return after an exhausting day. The Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai covers it all! This is my hotel review about our stay:

Shangri-La Dubai Review

LOCATION

Located in Dubais International Financial Centre, the Shangri-La is located just some minutes away from the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. Due to this amazing location, the views from most rooms and from other hotel areas like the pools or the terrace are absolutely mind blowing!
Taxis are waiting in front of the hotel all day long so it’s easy to get a quick ride to the Burj Khalifa instead of walking in the midday heat. If you wanna take the train to a more remote area then you can find the train station just a quick walk away from the hotel.
Even though the Shangri-La is located very central it’s just a 15 mins taxi ride away from the international airport DXB.

The Lobby

Walking in the Lobby you instantly step into the elegant world of Shangri-La combined with Arabic elements. The Lobby Lounge is the ideal place to relax or meet up with clients. My favorite part about it was definitely the amazing selection of cakes they offer for an afternoon tea – which is just perfect for a sweets lover like me!

Our Room

Deluxe Burj Khalifa View Room

With all together 302 rooms and suites the Shangri-La Dubai offers different room categories for families or couples. Not all rooms have a view at the Burj Khalifa so make sure to book the Deluxe Burj Khalifa View Room if you wanna admire the tallest building in the world right from your sofa. The higher the floor the better the view! We had our room at level 35 of all together 42 floors.

The Rooms are very spacious with a cozy bed, a desk and a sofa at your window with Burj Khalifa view! The interior is timeless and elegant with many wooden details. The bathroom is also very spacious with a shower and bathtub.
All deluxe rooms are equipped with many amenities you could possibly need during your stay and with a boiler with a great selection of tea and instant coffee.

Spa & Pools

CHI, The Spa

The Shangri-La Dubai is like an oasis in the middle of this bustling metropolis. The Spa Area CHI is the perfect place to unwind and calm down. The massages and treatments are inspired by Asian natural healing methods. I had a one hour full body massage and felt completely renewed afterwards. Spa Facilities like steam rooms and saunas can be used after your treatment free of charge.
Due to the current situation all massage therapist and guests have to wear their masks during the treatments so everyone can feel safe.

Health Club & Indoor Pool

Located on the 42th floor with an incredible view over the Financial Centre and the Burj Khalifa is the Gym located as well as the indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi. Thats definitely an incredible place to work out or simply to refresh in the cool pool.

Outdoor Pool Area

No matter if you want to soak in the warm Arabian sun or to relax in the shadow while sipping a fresh cocktail, the outdoor pool area of the Shangri-La is the ideal place for a lazy day. Beside the main pool with pool bar you’ll find a kids basin and hot jacuzzi. It gets quite busy during the day but in view to the current situation all sun loungers are located at least 2m from each other to keep distance.
We loved to come down to the pool for a swim before breakfast and to enjoy the lovely view of the Burj Khalifa right from the water.

The View

As you may already have noticed in my hotel review: The Shangri-La Dubai is all about incredible views. That’s why it’s a famous location for photographers and Instagrammers just like myself. If you wanna get the iconic shot, head up to the 42th floor and you will see two terraces with the famous Burj Khalifa view. I especially loved the sight right after sunset when all the lights started to blink and the city get’s a surreal atmosphere!

Private Dining with a view

If you’re maybe planning your Dubai visit for a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday or engagement, I can highly recommend you to book a private dining at the 42th floor. The Shangri-La team will arrange a beautiful individual setup on the right terrace which will be reserved just for you. Especially a sunset dinner or private breakfast will definitely be an unforgettable memory! Sitting on top of Dubai, eating pancakes and overlooking the tallest building in the world was an absolute “Pinch me!” moment that I’ll never forget!

Breakfast & Restaurants

Main Restaurant Dunes Café

Dunes Café is the all day dining restaurant of the Shangri-La with an elegant design and a lovely terrace to sit in the shadow. Breakfast is served daily until 11 am at the buffet with a great selection of international, Asian and Arabic dishes. Due to Covid-19 the items of the buffet can’t be taken by yourself but will be served by one of the staff members to avoid close contact of the food with many people. Additionally you can order fresh egg dishes which will be served to your table.

The Shang Palace

Our favorite restaurant of the Shangri-La Dubai is the Shang Palace with an authentic traditional Chinese cuisine. We tried different starters which all have been amazing! Their signature dish is crispy Peking duck which will be cut right at your table and served with several sauces, cucumber and spring onions to wrap them in traditional pancakes. It’s one of our all time favorite dishes and we have been amazed by the quality here at the Shang Palace! Make sure you don’t miss this incredible restaurant when you’re in Dubai – it’s also open for non hotel guests.

Hoi An

The third restaurant serves Vietnamese delights and traditional dishes like summer rolls, Pho soup or Banh Mi. Make sure you don’t miss the evening Khai Vi Brunch and enjoy a selection of all their dishes from appetizers to desserts every Friday and Saturday from 7-11 pm.

RÉSUMÉ

The Shangri-La Dubai is one of the best hotels in the city! The combination of the incredible hospitality, ideal location, amazing dining possibilities and of course the mind-blowing views make it to the perfect accommodation for a sunny holiday or business trip. You will have an amazing stay for sure!

→ Click here to book your stay at the Shangri-La Dubai

You may also be interested in:

• The best things to do in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

• My Hotel Review of the Rixos The Palm Dubai – the perfect resort to relax in Dubai

We had a sponsored stay at the Shangri-La Dubai

Luxury and Sustainability are mutually exclusive? Not at the Soneva Fushi in the Maldives! It’s one of the most famous hotels in the Maldives especially when it comes to enjoying exclusivity and privacy while feeling close to nature. Read in this review why the Soneva Fushi is a resort like no other!

Hotel Review: The Soneva Fushi Maldives

LOCATION & TRANSFER

The Soneva Fushi is located in the beautiful Baa atoll which lies north west of the capital. Arriving at the international airport in Male, the airport staff will guide you to the Soneva lounge to relax and enjoy some healthy snacks and drinks. The lounge is designed in the typical Soneva style – with natural materials and colors. After a delicious juice and tea our water plane is ready to take off and we have a beautiful flight over the blue water and islands. It’s without any doubts one of my favorite views ever. Since we have been the only two passengers on the plane on the way to the Soneva Fushi, we landed at another resort in the Baa Atoll and got picked up by a speed boat for a quick transfer to the Soneva.

The Concept of the Soneva Fushi

Sustainability

The owners of all Soneva Resorts are Sonu and Eva and their number one priority is to create a concept of sustainability combined with intelligent luxury. Visitors should reconnect with nature while enjoying the slow lifestyle to the fullest.

All Soneva properties do have their own recycling station to reuse as much of the trash that gets produced on the island as possible. The sustainability concept of the resort also includes a garden which grows many fruits, herbs and veggies for the restaurants. They try not to import many goods to minimize the impact on nature while doing their best to give back as much as possible. The Soneva Fushi is one of the very few resorts which is not doing a daily insect spraying to fight against the huge mosquito problem in the Maldives. They have an expert in the resort who installs traps which only work for mosquitos and don’t kill ALL insects like spraying would do. That’s the reason why you can experience a rich wildlife on the island with dragon flies, countless birds and bats.

Maritime Wildlife

Typically for the Baa Atoll, the Soneva Fushi has a vivid maritime life and an amazing house reef. On the sunset side of the island you can watch a pod of dolphins daily in the late afternoons. The best spot to see them is from the public water slide at the “Out of the Blue” restaurant.

Snorkeling can be done all around the island and I can highly recommend to do a snorkeling trip with the diving team to the nearby turtle point or a manta tour. During a specific time of the year (approx. June – November) the visitors of the Soneva Fushi have the chance to visit the famous Hanifaru Bay, which is an Unesco World Heritage side with the biggest population of Mantas.

The Villas

No Beach Villa of the Soneva Fushi is like the other. All of them have a unique concept and are build with lots of wood and other natural materials. Half of the villas do have a sunrise view and the other ones are facing the sunset in the west. The west side is also the perfect place to go snorkeling and of course to watch the romantic Maldivian sunsets in the evening. From the white sandy beach you see the local island Eydhafushi which is just 650m away. So if you prefer more privacy and endless ocean views I would rather recommend to choose the sunrise side of the island.

2 Bedroom Crusoe Suite with Pool

Our Villa is located on the sunrise side of the island and divided in two floors with the most amazing and biggest outdoor bathroom I’ve ever seen. A wooden staircase leads up to the bedroom and the upper terrace with an amazing ocean view. The outdoor area has a private pool and direct beach access. Beside a second bedroom, the villa even has a private gym and kitchen with wine fridge and mini bar.

The brand new Water Retreat Villas

The first Water Villas of the Soneva Fushi only opened up autumn 2020. We had the chance to see one of the incredible one-bedroom water villas (two-bedroom options are available too). The villas are absolutely incredible an feel like a playground for adults. With many warm wooden hues, an incredible bathroom, ocean views from all corners of the villa and the biggest outdoor terrace with private pool and a water slide into the ocean. It’s the perfect villa to enjoy the silence and incredible views.

Soneva in Aqua

In front of the island Soneva Fushi is a yacht which not only can bet rented for sunset cruises but also for several days sailing trips on the ocean. The yacht is the most luxurious one I’ve ever seen and equally equipped like the villas on land. It has two bedrooms – one of them with jacuzzi – bathrooms with showers, a lounge, kitchen, working space, sun deck and so much more to make it an unforgettable experience. A stay at the Soneva in Aqua includes All Inclusive board with a private chef and even your own masseur.

Breakfast & Restaurants

Healthy breakfast

The Breakfast buffet of the Soneva Fushi is the best way to start your day! It’s all about delicious and fresh food with countless healthy options. The buffet is divided in several rooms and cooking stations but you can also order from a separate menu right at your table. My highlight has been to try new things like healthy Ayurvedic mixtures, a homemade tea from roots to boost your immune system and the many tropical fruits. No matter if you prefer your breakfast to be light or rich – this buffet won’t leave any of your desires open.

Out of the Blue

My favorite restaurant of the Soneva Fushi is the Out of the Blue which serves Asian cuisine and fresh seafood. They also have the most delicious cocktails and perfect options for a light lunch. It’s located overwater with several hammocks to chill or hop into the ocean. Several sun beds and of course the iconic water slide make it to the perfect place to relax in the sunshine all day long.

So Guilty

Typical for the Soneva Hotels is that they all have a cool room where you can enjoy homed ice cream and chocolates all day long – for free! And the best: the Soneva Fushi even has two of them on the island so whenever you are in the mood for something sweet you can get it here!

Shades of Green

If you wanna experience a special dinner, than the Shades of Green will be your perfect choice. You meet up with the chef in the garden of the Soneva Fushi and get a little tour while tasting drinks and snacks from freshly picked ingredients. After that you will enjoy a vegan five course menu in a romantic setting paired with wine. Neither my husband nor I are vegans but the taste of the dishes really left us speechless! It’s been our most memorable dinner experience during our stay at the Soneva Fushi.

RÉSUMÉ

The Soneva Fushi is definitely not your average resort in the Maldives! It rather feels like a community where you forget about the daily life and stress to enjoy this sustainable and luxurious utopia. The service and stay of every single guest will be personalized from the very moment you set foot on the island to fulfill all your special requests and to create an incomparable experience in the Maldives.

→ Click here & organize your own stay at the Soneva Fushi

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The Soneva Resorts are part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

Find more reviews of my favorite hotels around the world here!

We had a sponsored stay at the Soneva Fushi.

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is the epitome of luxury in the heart of the Indian Ocean and the perfect escape from your ordinary life. Only opened up recently the concept is new, modern & will definitely be the perfect place for an unforgettable stay.

Hotel Review: The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

THE LOCATION & TRANSFER

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is located in the South Male Atoll – only a 35 mins boat ride from the airport in Male. This is a big plus point cause you don’t have to wait for another flight after arriving from a long international flight. The staff of the Waldorf will pick you up after arrival and escort you directly to the beautiful Waldorf Yacht.

The Yacht is the most luxurious transfer boat we’ve ever seen in the Maldives and exceeded all our expectations. It has two decks, and even a bedroom, shower, restroom, lounge with kitchen and much more. So you could easily live here. During the transfer we enjoyed some snacks, champagne and a refreshing eye masks which has been very much needed after the long flight. The cherry on top have been the dolphins which have been swimming right next to the yacht shortly before we arrived at the resort!

THE CONCEPT of the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

The Waldorf Astoria started operations in 2019 which you can clearly see and feel. Right from the moment you set foot at the resort you feel like stepping into another world of exclusivity and leisure. Every guest has a butler which welcomes you at the jetty and will take care of any requests or wishes you might have during your stay – he’s always just a call away.

What’s special about the island is that it’s completely manmade and has a length of 3,5 km – which is huge for the Maldives! All guests have a private bicycle to cruise along the island – but of course you can always call your butler for a buggy pickup too.

The Waldorf Spa

During one afternoon we spend some relaxing moments in the Waldorf Astoria Spa. The Spa Area is mostly outside, with a huge garden and hanging nests to relax after your treatment or whenever you like to do so. The treatment rooms are located overwater with a glass window in the floor to see the turquoise water and a huge terrace to enjoy the breeze and sound of the ocean during your massage. It’s been the perfect surrounding to enjoy a pampering couple massage and to clear our minds.

The Pool & Beach

Even though all villa categories have a private pool, there are two huge pools at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi which both have a lovely view over the blue lagoon and sun beds to take a sunbath. One is a family friendly pool and the second one is for adults only. To refresh we usually took a dip in our private pool but I loved the design of the family pool – especially to take pictures It has such a beautiful framing with tropical trees and an amazing sunrise view!

If you prefer to feel the sand under your feet while laying in the sunshine, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi of course has sandy beaches too. The first beach is right in front of the Beach Villas and the other one is located by the pools in front of the little lagoon with crystal clear turquoise water. The shallow water is perfect to practice your stand up paddle skills too… just in case you wanna burn some calories after enjoying a cocktail and snack at the bar

Activities

There are several activities you can book during you stay like sunset cruises, jet ski rides or snorkeling trips. But many water sport activities are complimentary: stand up paddling, kayaking and of course snorkeling can be done whenever you’re in the mood for it. The best spot for snorkeling is the reef drop in front of the ocean villas.

Another thing we loved to do every single evening has been watching the sunsets from the sunset bar Amber – the sunsets in the Maldives are one of a kind and will leave you speechless!

Our Room

Ocean Villa with Pool

This overwater villa is the biggest & most luxurious one we ever stayed at! The interior is modern and very elegant at the same time. Inside we had a huge bedroom and bathroom which are connected via a walk-in closet with a glass bottom window. I especially loved the high ceiling which made the villa appear even bigger. In the bathroom you have several options for your morning shower: A huge rain shower, the free standing bathtub – or my favorite: the outdoor shower

But the best part of the Ocean Villa is without any doubt the amazing terrace with a huge private infinity pool, overwater hammocks, swings, and so much space that it almost felt surreal to have this place all to ourselves!

Other Room Categories:

Beside Beach Villas and Reef Villas – which are half on land and half over water – you can also stay in one of the Stella Maris Ocean Villas. These exclusive villas are secluded from the main island and can only be reached via a private boat shuttle! Or if you wanna experience the ultimate privacy together with family and friends the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi even has a private island with several villas.

Breakfast & Restaurants

The Breakfast

In the morning we enjoyed the most delicious breakfast which gets served in the main restaurant Tasting Table with a huge buffet which is divided in two rooms plus you can choose from an additional à la carte menu. No matter if healthy juices of your choice, your favorite homemade pastries or a freshly prepared Asiai noodle soup! This breakfast will fulfill all your desires We especially loved to sit outside, right by the water, surrounded by coconut palm trees and with the sand under our feet – the definition of paradise!

Floating Breakfast

These days a stay in the Maldives wouldn’t be complete without a delicious and picture perfect floating breakfast, right?! And of course the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers this special breakfast option too. Simply tell your butler your choice of food the night prior and the floating tray will be delivered to your private pool during your preferred time. A glass of bubbles makes the breakfast experience even more memorable.

Restaurants

All together there are ten restaurants in the resort! Soon there will be even an eleventh restaurant with Japanese cuisine. So you can basically choose another restaurant every single night These have been our three favorite restaurants we tested during our stay:

The Li-Long serves traditional Chinese dishes like dumplings or their signature dish: crispy Peking duck which served in a traditional way! It’s been the most delicious dinner we had during our stay in the Maldives.

The Yasmeen restaurant takes you on a culinary journey to the Middle East! Not only the food but also the design are very authentic. We felt like visiting an Arabian village for the night and enjoyed some authentic Mezze.

RÉSUMÉ

The Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi left us speechless! It’s been one of the most luxurious stays we ever had in the Maldives and it’s simply been an unforgettable time! Especially the food options and the service of the staff have been outstanding and let the resort differ from many competitors. So if you’re looking for a resort which is not far from the international airport in Male and where you can enjoy a next level of luxury & privacy, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi is the ideal option – particularly for a special occasion

Book your stay at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

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The Waldorf Astoria Maldives is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

Also check out my other Reviews of the best hotels around the globe!

We had a sponsored stay at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Do you look for a place to stay in Santorini to have some of the islands best views while enjoying a bit of luxury in Greece? Maybe you should check out the Grace Hotel Santorini.

Hotel Review: Grace Hotel Santorini

THE LOCATION

The Grace Hotel Santorini is located in the village Imerovigli, far away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist groups. From the hotel you not only have an amazing view to the famous village Oia but also to a very special viewpoint: The Skaros Rock is located right in front of the Grace Hotel. You can hike up to the top or around the rock to reach the picturesque church Theoskepasti.

THE HOTEL CONCEPT

The Grace Hotel is a member of the Auberge Resorts Collection which is a group of different luxury resorts and hotels around the globe.
Like almost all buildings in Santorini the Grace Hotel is built in the traditional way of the famous white houses you probably know from pictures.
The reception, rooms and restaurant are located on different levels along the cliff which are connected via stair cases. One advantage of this is that all rooms and suites have a direct view to the Aegean Sea and the Skaros Rock! This view is especially incredible during sunset.

Our Room

Category:

Deluxe Room with Plunge Pool

Our Room has been located one level above the pool with a wonderful sea view.
To the room belongs a private terrace with a seating area and sun chair. We really loved the plunge pool which has been perfect to refresh during the hot afternoons or to enjoy the incredible sunsets!

Inside the room the interior  has been traditional but still modern and cozy with white and blue elements. The center of the room is the cozy bed and a well equipped mini bar with Nespresso machine.

Behind it we had a spacious walk in shower and the bathroom which is equipped with a well sorted collection of amenities from a Greek brand called Apivita.

As a welcome gift every guest gets a wooden box with bags and other details to collect their travel memories and to take them back home.

Check out all the different Room & Suite Categories of the Grace Hotel Santorini HERE!

Breakfast & Restaurant

The breakfast gets served daily until 11am in the restaurant at the pool. Every evening you will find a menu on your room with the theme and the dishes which will be served the next morning. The menu always has five courses (yes, you heard it right) in combination with homemade pastries and jams. Due to the daily changing topics like f.e. “Greek” or “Tropical”, your breakfast will never get boring!

Santoro Restaurant

The restaurant of the Grace Hotel Santorini is called Santoro and serves traditional Mediterranen Food but in a very modern and high class variation. It opens at 7pm for dinner and I can highly recommend you to book a table for sunset to enjoy the amazing food in a romantic & private atmosphere.

Specials

As already mentioned above the Grace Hotel is located directly in front of the iconic Skaros Rock which is a popular viewpoint in Santorini. You should start your hike either early in the morning or during sunset to avoid the midday heat which can be stronger than you might think. We almost melted during our hike back to the hotel! If you decide to do the hike definitely don’t miss the Theoskepasti church which is only accessible if you walk around the rock.

During the hot afternoons the best place to be is the main infinity pool! It has an incredible view over the caldera with several smaller islands in the background.

RÉSUMÉ

The Grace Hotel Santorini offers a very private and exclusive ambience for a romantic couple getaway – maybe even for your honeymoon?! We have been really amazed by the incredible views the hotel offers from almost every corner and loved the quiet location in Imerovigli.

→ Book your stay at the Grace Hotel Santorini here!

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The Grace Hotel in Santorini is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

We had a sponsored stay at the Grace Hotel Santorini.

This is my review about our lovely stay at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui ***** It’s without any questions one of the best resorts in Bora Bora but also has a few deficits…

Hotel Review: The Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Location

The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is located on one of the many smaller islands which are surrounding the main island of Bora Bora. The benefit of these so called motus is that they offer an amazing view over the iconic rock shape of Mount Otemanu.

After arriving to the airport motu of Bora Bora you can decide between a direct transfer to the Conrad Resort (for around 150,- USD per person) or you take the free public ferry shuttle to the main island. From there you can reach the Resort via the Conrad Shuttle for around 15,- USD per person. The whole transfer only takes around 20 mins so the decision how much the direct transfer is worth to you is entirely left to you.

Check in & Lobby

After arriving to the Conrad Jetty we got greeted by a staff member and enjoyed a refreshing welcome drink. What I loved about the Lobby jetty is that some parts of the floor are made out of glass so you can see the blue water and the fishes under you.

Rooms

We booked a Garden Villa with our HHonors Points and upgraded to an Overwater Villa on site.
For us it was important to have a Overwater Villa with a view to the Main Island. Only seven Villas in total have this incredible view. So if you also want to wake up to the view to Mount Otemanu ask for a room between 101-107 (106 has been our Villa and in my opinion it has the best angle to take photos from the hammocks). The villas 101-106 have two hammocks with a direct view. Villa 107 has a pool and hammock with an indirect view to the main island.

To reach our room we had to walk for quite a time since it’s located on a jetty on the very end of the huge resort. But luckily you can mostly find some free bicycles to ride around the island.

Our villa consists of a huge room with the cozy bed in the middle, a sitting area and the Mini Bar with a Nespresso machine.

Behind the bed is a walk in closet and the great bathroom located. It has two sinks, a bathtub and a separate shower & toilet. I really loved how bright and spacious it was.

The best part about the villa is definitely the big terrace with a sitting area, sun beds, two overwater hammocks and ocean access. We just loved the incredible view over Mount Otemanu from here!

Restaurants

The Main Restaurant is the Iriatai French Restaurant which combines french and local cuisine and serves breakfast in the morning.

The Banyan Chinese Restaurant opens for dinner with a – of course – traditional Chinese cuisine like yummy dumplings and crispy duck.

For lunch or a light dinner the Tamure Beach Grill is your best choice. They serve local dishes but also international food like Pizza or Pasta.

The prices for food on Bora Bora are quite expensive due to the secluded location of the archipelago. In the resort you pay around 20-50 USD for a dish which naturally sums up during a longer stay. So make sure to savor the breakfast menu in the morning

The quality of the food & drinks is amazing – but the prices very high!

Pool

The Pool is the main point of the resort and located right at the beach. It is a two level pool with sun beds in and around the water, cabanas and of course a nice pool bar with happy hour in the afternoon.

Towels, a water dispenser and even sun blocker are provided at a little shelter without any charge.

sunset at the main pool

Water Activities

If you want to do some water sport activities during your stay you can grab one of the kayaks and stand-up paddle boards at the beach for free.
Thats a nice way to get around the resort and to see it from another perspective.

You can not stay in Bora Bora without doing some snorkeling to see the wonderful underwater world of Polynesia. Unfortunately the Conrad Bora Bora doesn’t have a natural reef right in front of the beach but they are regrowing & repopulating corals with several underwater structures. A lot of corals are already growing on them and attract colorful reef fishes.

The coral construction seen from above…

… and from under the surface

From our overwater bungalow we liked to jump right into the water where it’s very likely to see reef sharks, eagle rays and some natural growing corals.

During your stay you should definitely book at least one snorkeling tour to see more of the beautiful maritime life of French Polynesia.

Specials

While exploring the island you will find a way leading up the hill to the highest point of the resort. Up here are not only the Horizon Villas located but also the wonderful Spa area at the very top of the hill. In my opinion it has the best location in the resort since it offers an amazing view over the whole Conrad Bora Bora Nui. The Spa area is an amazing spot to appreciate the sunset in the evening.

Overlooking the resort from the spa area

Right in front of the spa is a chapel located with a little viewpoint platform right next to it. This is where you can overlook the main Island of Bora Bora and even see the sunrise in the morning.

Résumé Conrad Bora Bora Nui

Bora Bora is a No. 1 honeymoon destination for couples from all around the globe. The Conrad Bora Bora Nui is definitely one of the best resorts there. A big plus is the size of the resort: It’s way bigger than most of the other resorts. This means you have a lot of choices what to do, eat, etc and find enough quiet spots to enjoy some privacy.
A little minus for me is the location: Snorkeling fans like us will maybe be a little disappointed from the natural reef. Bora Bora has many other reefs to offer which are more lush and varied – to book a snorkeling tour is a must during your stay at the Conrad so you won’t miss out this natural wonder. Additionally the incredible view on the main island can only be seen from some very few villas.

→ Book your stay at the Conrad Bora Bora Nui here!

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The Conrad Bora Bora is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong is not only the highest hotel in the world but also the finest address in Hong Kong for incredible views. In this Hotel Review I will give you more details about our stay!

Hotel Review: The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

LOCATION

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is located in Kowloon at the top of the International Commerce Center (ICC) – the highest building in Hong Kong. That’s why it offers an amazing view over Victoria Harbour and the daily light show in the evening.
The lower floor of the building is a Shopping Mall which even includes a Metro Station.

ROOMS

We stayed in a Club Deluxe Victoria Harbour Room which includes access to the Club Lounge.
Entering the room we were completely blown away by the welcome and the incredible view. The room has a huge glass facade so you can appreciate the complete view over Victoria Harbour.

The bathroom is spacious and very luxurious with a bath tub, rain shower and separate toilet.

Beside a traditional hot Hong Kong style tea, cupcakes and fruits we even had a nice bottle of red wine waiting for us in the room. But the biggest surprise have been the personalized photos in the room 

LOUNGE

The Lounge has to be my favorite part of the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. It’s located in the highest floor of the building and has an incredible 180 degrees view over Kowloon and Victoria Harbour with the mountains behind it.

Beside a quiet breakfast you can also enjoy a lovely tea time or canapés & drinks in the evening. The dining in the lounge completely blew us away since the quality and variation was so good! For desert in the evening they even had a chocolate fountain which was just perfect for a chocoholic like me  Definitely one of the best Club Lounges we EVER visited.

RESTAURANTS & BAR

Beside private Dining Rooms, which can be rented for meetings or celebrations, you can also enjoy superb food in the Italian or the Chinese Restaurant. The selection of wine is probably one of the largest ones in Hong Kong – and also very picturesque 

One of the most picturesque spots in the hotel: the wine collection of the Ritz Carlton

The Ritz-Carlton is home of the highest Bar in Hong Kong and even in the world. The Ozone Bar is located at the 118th floor above the clouds! The drinks and food are a bit more pricey but oh wow – very special! They have a drink for each element like fire, metal, water and one Signature Cocktail which symbolizes the Hotel.

SPECIALS

As you already noticed the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is all about the views! The hotel even has the highest swimming pool in the world which offers a great view over the Victoria Harbour and the South China Sea.
Inside you have a huge swimming pool, a hot tub and several lounges. They even have an outside area with a second hot tub and sun beds.

RÉSUMÉ of our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

The Ritz-Carlton is the best address in Hong Kong if you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay with the craziest views in the city. I would highly recommend to book a room with Club Lounge access since it’s absolutely worth it with an incredible cuisine.
The stay made our whole visit in Hong Kong unforgettable!

→ Book your stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong here!

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The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like free breakfast, an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

Our stay at the Soneva Kiri in Thailand has been an absolute dream. Here is our review about this Eco-Luxury Hotel.

Hotel Review: The Soneva Kiri in Thailand

THE LOCATION

The Soneva Kiri is just a short 1 hour flight from the BKK airport in Bangkok. After checking in to your Soneva Flight you can relax in the Lounge until the take off with the private Jet!!
During the flight we’re enjoying the incredible views over several islands and the luxury of the private Jet until we land on the own airport of the Soneva Kiri.

The Resort is located on Koh Kood in the North East of Thailand close to the Cambodian border. This island is an absolut paradise which is completely covered with deep jungles and pristine beaches.

THE RESORT

The main motto of the Soneva is “No shoes – No news”. So after we get out of the jet and take the last two minute transfer to the resort, we take off our shoes. We put them in a linen bag where they wait for us until departure  Being barefoot the whole day is maybe strange at the beginning but feels relaxing very soon.

Arriving to the resort feels like escaping the daily busy life to enjoy luxury and being close to nature. For a few days with no worries and stress at all! For this reason you won’t find any newspaper or news channels in the resort.

What impressed me the most was, that the Soneva not only offers a next level of luxury but also cares extremely about sustainability. The resort is banning any single use plastic and avoids to produce trash in any way. For all the rest they have their own recycling area to sort all trash and reuse a lot of it. For example they produce their own Eco-gas from used kitchen oil.

Beside that, the resort has a huge garden to grow countless herbs and all of the veggies they use in the restaurant. They even harvest bananas, guavas and many more. It’s the biggest garden I’ve ever seen in a resort!

At the Soneva all the used water of the resort gets collected in special ponds for filtration & purifation. Therefore they only use natural techniques like specific plants which clean the water over several weeks.

THE VILLAS

Beach Pool Villa Suite

We stayed in a Beach Pool Villa Suite which completely blew us away!
Like all accommodations the villa is completely built out of wood and bamboo and has full privacy.

You enter the Villa to the huge outdoor area. It’s a roofed “living room” and a large pool with sun beds from where you can overlook the beach. All Villas of this category have a direct beach access.
Over a little bridge you enter the bedroom with a giant bed in the middle of it. A huge vintage suitcase can be opened and you will find the TV with a huge movie selection in it.

From the bedroom you enter the large walk-in wardrobe which leads outside to the best part of the Villa:
The bathroom is completely outdoor and the biggest one I’ve ever seen in a hotel! It felt like being completely in the middle of the jungle with the perfect tropical vibes!

Villa 63

The biggest Villa of the Soneva Kiri has 6 Bedrooms and can host up to 18 people! Which makes it perfect when traveling as a huge family or with friends. There are two private pools in the villa: One is really huge with a panoramic view over the ocean and the second one even has a little (but super fast) water slide which leads from one bedroom to the other. The whole Villa is kind of a large playground for adults!

All dining experiences at the Soneva Kiri are excellent!
The Restaurant THE VIEW is located right on a cliff next to the ocean at the sunset side of the island – for a romantic dinner experience.
We really enjoyed the modern food with European & Asian influences made from fresh ingredients. The veggies I had for my course & my salad came completely from own garden of the Soneva.

For one evening we had a reservation in the famous BENZ’S restaurant. It’s a small dinner place right by the water which serves only traditional Thai food with local ingredients from the island. It’s a no-menu dining concept with daily changing dishes. The little restaurant got discovered by the Founders of Soneva.

source: soneva.com

The Soneva Kiri is famous for it’s unique Tree Pods. Which are some small kind of tree houses in which you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. The food gets served via a zip line which makes it to a truly unique way to enjoy your meal 

source: soneva.com

SPECIALS

The Soneva Kiri not only has a unlimited ice cream bar with countless homemade flavors but also a CHOCOLATE ROOM! This place has been a dream coming true for me – especially the Peanut Butter-Chocolate bites have been to die for!

Countless unforgettable experiences like snorkeling tours or jungle adventures to explore the island can be booked during the stay. We had to switch our planned waterfall tour to a Spa treatment since we had one really rainy day. But that’s a fair change don’t you think ?

The Six Senses Spa is designed in the same way like the whole resort: with many natural elements like wood & bamboo. It makes you feel super calmed down but at the same time it looks very luxurious!

RÉSUMÉ of our stay at the Soneva Kiri

The Soneva Kiri defines a new level of luxury compared with a great sense for sustainability! I was so impressed by how deep you can be connected with nature while enjoying a crazy lifestyle… which felt like stepping into another world

→ Book your stay at the Soneva Kiri in Thailand here!

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The Soneva Resorts are part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

The Shangri-La Taipei is definitely the Hotel with the best view in the city – overlooking the iconic Taipei 101.

THE LOCATION

The Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei is located in the Daan district of Taipei which is the cities educational & cultural district. From the international airport it only takes you around 45 mins to reach the hotel by taxi.
Since it is the tallest building in the city it has an iconic view over the famous Taipei 101 tower and the whole city.
Metro Stations are close by but anyway we usually took a taxi or the free hotel shuttle to get around or simply walked if we had enough time.

THE ROOMS

The whole hotel got completely renovated in May 2015 and has an elegant interior design connected with some traditional Chinese elements & art pieces from the Sung dynasty in Taiwan.

We stayed in a Horizon Premier King Room with Club access which has been surprisingly huge.

You enter the room via a small corridor – on the right hand side is a walk-in closet with the bathroom behind it.

Everything is really luxurious with a bath tub, rain shower, two sinks and amenity kits from L’Occitane.

The bedroom has a sofa, a huge desk right at the window plus another lounge at the other window. Facing the Taipei 101 the view is definitely the highlight of the room. All windows are huge so you feel like you’re really above the skyline – and if you wake up early you can watch the sun rising behind the city just from your bed.

As a welcome gift we got a plate with „fruits from Taiwan“ and some traditional mini cakes.

OTHER ROOM CATEGORIES

THE DELUXE ROOM

This room category is the most popular to book. They all offer great views over the city with a spacious bedroom and a relaxing area.

THE PLAZA SUITE

This suite is ideal for a business trip. The „personal rooms“ like bedroom and the master bathroom can be completely closed to use your spacious & bright living room for meetings.

It’s also ideal for families with children or a group of friends if you book a connecting Double room to transform the two rooms to an apartment

THE PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

This room is without any doubt the master piece of the hotel – you enter the Suite and will immediately be blown away. It has high ceilings, luxurious furniture with many original & precious art pieces.

LOUNGE – THE HORIZON CLUB

As a Golden Circle Diamond member or as a guest of one of the Horizon Club Rooms & Suites you get Lounge access during your stay, free early Check-In & Late Check-Out.
They serve breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails with canapés together with snacks and soft drinks during the whole day.

They call it the Horizon Club since the Lounge is located at the 36th floor and has the best view over the city. That’s why we simply loved to enjoy our breakfast in the Lounge.

BREAKFAST & RESTAURANTS

As already mentioned above the breakfast in the Lounge has been our favorite to enjoy the lovely view in the morning in a private atmosphere. It’s a small but really nice buffet but you can also order some additional a la carte dishes.
If you more prefer different choices than the incredibly huge breakfast buffet will be the perfect choice for you.

For one day we had a special breakfast at the terrace of the highest floor of the Shangri-La facing the iconic Taipei 101 – definitely one of the best breakfast views we ever had in the morning

The Marco Polo Restaurant is an awarded Italian restaurant which is quite popular in Taipei – not only for Hotel guests. A table at the window is quite popular to book for valentines day – they even have a table which is called the „proposal table“ since couples love this romantic view from here.

Our favorite Restaurant has been the Shang Palace which serves traditional Chinese dishes in a modern setting. We had such an amazing lunch here with traditional Taiwanese tea, the most crispy Peking duck, delicious dumplings and so much more !

If you’re a tourist in Taipei just like us, the hotel offers a daily bus shuttle service to all the interesting places in the city for free. We used this service for example to get to the night market – the shuttle stopped right in front of it and picked us up at the same place around 10.15 pm

RÉSUMÉ

The Shangri-La Far Eastern Plaza Hotel Taipei is there perfect choice during a city trip to Taipei. We loved the kindness and hospitality of the staff. It offers some excellent food and of course the best views in the city which makes it to the best spot in Taipei.

→ Book your stay at the Shangri-La Taipei here!

The Raffles Maldives combines everything you ask for an unforgettable stay in the Maldives: Luxury, Exclusivity and Luxury.

Hotel Review: The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo

LOCATION & ARRIVAL

The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is located in the very South of the Maldives – in the Huvadhu atoll. So after arriving at the international airport in Male we had to take another domestic flight to the small Kaadedhdhoo Airport for about one hour. From there we got picked up by a speedboat. The transfer with the Raffles speedboat is already luxurious – we got pomegranate juice & cool water (in reusable glass bottles) together with fresh coconut shavings. To relax a bit after the long flight we even got a neck massage.

When you finally arrive to this small paradise you will fall in love with it from the very beginning.

Hotel Concept

The Raffles is located on a small remote island which will give you the absolute feeling of freedom, privacy and pure luxury.

The arrival jetty is designed like a pavilion with a lounge to relax and some cozy hammocks over the water – which are a perfect spot to watch the sunset by the way

The island has a main area, right after the arrival jetty, with an open bar, a boutique, the main restaurant and of course an ocean view pool.

WATERSPORT ACTIVITIES

For water enthusiasts this island is a real paradise! At the water sports center you can rent glass kayaks, snorkel equipment and more to explore the reef. The whole island is framed by a wonderful beach so the ocean access is great wherever you are. At one spot the beach is very wide which is also the best spot to start your snorkeling trip.

THE SPA AREA

At the Overwater Raffles Spa you can enjoy luxurious & personalized treatments to relax after a day in the ocean.

BEACH VILLAS OF THE RAFFLES MALDIVES MERADHOO

During our stay in June 2019 the Over Water Villas where not finished. Thats why we stayed in one of the Beach Villas which are the ultimate luxury goals.

You enter your home away from home through a wooden gate which leads to your private veranda with a pool, several sun beds, a garden and a terrace right in front of the villa. But the best thing is that you’re always just five steps away from the ocean and surrounded by tropical plants.
Sitting outside with a cup of coffee and enjoying the beauty of this place has been like meditation for me.

The first room after entering your villa is a Lounge with Minibar, Nespresso & tea machine and a sofa.

BEDROOM WITH A VIEW

After entering you find the bedroom to the right side which is a place to feel good! It has a cozy sitting area, a huge King Bed and a working desk right at the window. All walls are made out of glass but can also be completely covered by electric shutters. Through two doors you can either step outside to the pool or to the terrace.
What I loved to do was opening this door after waking up and to be right at the ocean to enjoy the early morning breeze.

LUXURIOUS & SPACIOUS BATHROOM

The bathroom is on the other side of the villa and probably the biggest one you will ever see in your life. It has a walk-in closet, two sinks, a shower, separate toilet and a really huge bathtub. Through a sliding door you can step outside to another shower.

All Villas come with a private butler service who takes care of you from the very beginning. Before our arrival we got a Mail from our Butler asking for our preferred pillows, villa temperature, favorite food and even the fragrance for the amenity kits. He was always just a call away and happy to help us at any time.

As a welcome gift we not only got a bottle of champagne and fresh juice but also a sun hat, T-Shirt and beautiful Sarongs.

On the other side of the island you find another Restaurant called the Firepit which opens for a beach barbecue experience in the evening! We had a dinner planned for our last evening at the Firepit. But due to a heavy tropical storm we had to change to the Thari restaurant.

When the Over Water Villas are finished in Autumn 2019 there will even be a third restaurant over the water which we can not wait to try out the next time

RÉSUMÉ OF OUR STAY AT THE RAFFLES MALDIVES MERADHOO

The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is without any doubt one of the most luxurious resorts in the Maldives. Due to the size and location of the island you really feel like you’re away from the busy life on your (almost) private island

The staff has been always caring, friendly and remembered special preferences which made the service incredibly personal.

It was hard for us to leave this place! But at the same time we’re looking forward to enjoy this piece of heaven again in the future…

→ Book your stay at the Raffles Maldives Meradhoo here!

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The Raffles Maldives Meradhoo is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!

The Mandapa Bali is located in the heart of Bali and is one of my favorite hotels worldwide! Read in this Hotel Review what makes this Resort so special!

Hotel Review: The Mandapa Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali

THE LOCATION

The Mandapa is located in the beautiful city Ubud, which lies in the center of Bali. The entry to the resort is a little hidden and you have to pass a guard who checks your name on the guest list before he opens a gate to the street which leads into paradise.

You would never expect anything like this in the middle of a city! The Mandapa is located in a river valley right next to the Ayung River with nothing but the jungle behind.

Check-In & Lobby

The Lobby is open and one of the most impressive ones I’ve ever seen! It’s placed above the valley so you can overlook the whole resort from up here.
For the Check-In we got a healthy green juice served and the Manager welcomed us to show us all the places of the resort from this view point.

The rest of the Check-In process took place in our Villa.

Our Villa

Booked: Pool Villa
Upgrade: River Pool Villa (two categories higher)

This Pool Villa was beyond our expectations! Through a traditional Balinese wood door you enter your own garden with a private pool which is located right at the river and two separate buildings.

The smaller building is the separate living room or lounge which can be opened completely to enjoy the wonderful river view. It’s the perfect place to get together with friends which visit you in your villa or a quiet place to get some office work done.

The main building is the actual villa with a huge bedroom, dressing room and a great bathroom.

I really liked the design of the bedroom – especcially the huge window with garden view right behind the bed which gives you a tropical feeling right when you awake!

A huge door leads outside to the roofed terrace and the pool right behind it.

The bathroom is huge and luxurious! You find two sinks – one with amenities for men and the second one with everything a woman needs. A really great idea!

I enjoyed a bubble bath right at the window which offers a nice tropical view but will protect your privacy at the same time.
In the separate shower you can find a door to another traditional outdoor shower – no better way to start your day!

All villa guests have a private butler which takes care of you during the whole stay and is always just a call away – no matter if it comes to reservations, special wishes, transportation or the Check-Out in the villa.

Breakfast & Restaurant

The breakfast of the Mandapa Bali is amazing! Sit at a table right at the river and start your day with a rich choice of dishes!

You can choose anything you like from the à la carte menu (limitless!). You’ll not only find the breakfast classics (like avo-toast or waffles) but also a lot of extravagant choices.

Additional to the menu there’s a wonderful buffet arranged inside – it’s smaller than in other luxury hotels but offers a great choice. You’ll find everything you could need like fresh fruits, croissants, homemade yoghurts and a choice of warm dishes

The Kubu Restaurant

Every time we are in Bali we enjoy one exclusive dinner in the KUBU Restaurant – the finest dining in Bali! The menu is always different and will definitely leave you speechless. Even on TripAdvisor it’s the No. 1 of all Restaurants in Bali.

Sit in your private cabana right at the river and enjoy the superb quality of the dishes. I can highly recommend ordering the five or even seven-course-menu with wine pairing – it’s spectacular!

Definitely don’t miss this experience for a great price-perfomance ratio! In Europe we would pay at least the triple the price for this kind of menu.

The Spa

The Spa Area of the Mandapa is located at the very end of the Resort right next to the Ayung River. All Treatment Rooms have a terrace with a direct view to the river and you can listen to the natural sounds during your massage.

For the last day of our stay we booked a traditional Balinese couple treatment and it has been the most relaxing massage we ever had! Later you can relax in the quiet pool of the spa area.

You can find the infinity mail pool at a higher level of the resort to overlook the river and the jungle. So even you’re not staying in a Pool Villa you will have a great place to refresh and enjoy the views.

RÉSUMÉ of our stay at the Mandapa Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The Mandapa Bali invites you to escape from the everyday life to enjoy some quality time close to nature.
If you think about a place for your honeymoon or just want to have some relaxing time while getting pampered with a lot of luxury this place is perfect for you.
We love the Mandapa Bali and the Kubu Restaurant so much, that we already visited it three times and will definitely return for our next trip to magical Bali!

→ Book your stay here!

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The Mandapa Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud, Bali is part of my Hotel Collection with A Small World. So when you sign up via my Collection Link you will get extraordinary benefits like free breakfast, an upgrade and 100 USD stay credit plus you find the best available rate as well. The sign up is completely free and the best about it: You can use the benefits for any other hotel bookings in the future and always get these VIP benefits for all your stays! 

→ Click here to sign up for my Hotel Collection and book your next stay!