New York, New York

New York, you strange, mysterious, lovable and confusing city!

Just one tip, if you need a reasonably-priced hotel not far from where the action is, go for The Evelyn.

It is all New York but very welcoming for people from all over the world. Fantastic people, and great pastries in the morning.

http://www.theevelyn.com/

Hiding from the sun

Let's get this out of the way: I hate boutique hotels. You normally get too much attention and feel like you're in a movie. I appreciate anonymity and low-key service whereever I go.

I was caught by surprise in my hometown. An independent hotel that quietly put in your room and left you in peace. Big pluses for the fact that the reception, the rooms, and the restaurant were all in different buildings.

In the night, absolute quiet in the middle of a bustling city. Four and a half stars out of five.

hotelf6.fi

This town is coming like a Cape Town

Cape Town is in the top 3 of my favourite cities. It has a unique African/global/international/southern vibe. It's great for people who expect a combination of breathtaking scenery, good food/wines/coffee, diversity and good times. The rand is so cheap now that Cape probably has the best price/quality ratio in the world.


It's advisable to take a whole week to explore this city and it's amazing surroundings. You'd be sorry if you missed the Cape of Good Hope, the beaches, the picture perfect small towns, the safaris, and the vineyards. Great service wherever you go.


I've stayed at the Taj and the Mandela Rhodes Place which offers true value for money. Beggars can become a problem so it's advisable to use the excellent and cheap taxi/Uber services in the evening.

A castle in a valley

Putting together a complete spa with accommodation in a smallish place in the countryside is a toll order. The Château des Thermes in Chaudfontaine, Belgium, has managed to do so. The facility is of very high standard and very well-staffed. Five stars for the dinner restaurant. Book early.

http://www.chateaudesthermes.be/

Aphrodite's island

As you've noticed, this is a lazy blog, which has to do with my own personal laziness.


Spent some time in Cyprus. A great place for anyone wanting a small getaway when it's cold in the rest of Europe. Azia is a decent resort but too far from everything. Next time I'll go for Limassol that I liked very much.


Here's a pic from my hotel room, mid-October.

http://aziaresort.com/

Salade niçoise

Nice (or Nizza, as I like to call it) is a difficult spot to cover. It is much more commonplace and middle-class than people tend to think. The beach is not great, you don't have glamorous cinemas, and it's difficult to find a decent swimming pool.


But it has charm. The best pedestrian street that I've seen (Jean-Médecin, it's very long and in the middle of the city), loads of pittoresque streets close to the see side, and a beautiful harbor.


I tend to stay at Mercure Centre Notre Dame. It's a mediocre hotel but it has a rooftop pool with a great view.

Keats and Yeats are on your side

It's hard to find truly pleasurable hotels these days. Hence the pause.


Well, here is one: http://www.the-yeatman-hotel.com/en/


It really has everything: great rooms and service, a lovely spa, and three wonderful restaurants. Even if the weather is awful (picture), you'll have a great time.


The only trouble is getting to the city center across the river. In the evening, you'll find great local restaurants by the riverside, a 10-minute-walk from the hotel.