The journey towards Luxury Travel

My parents used to stay in luxury hotels before I was born and had heard stories from them as well as the guests we used to entertain so I grew up knowing that *something* really nice was out there but had no real experience. The first real step towards luxury travel was when on a family trip I got to choose one hotel on a trip to Atlantic Canada. In St. John's, Newfoundland, I had done some research at a travel agency owned by family friends and booked the Radisson. It was by far the nicest hotel I had stayed at and thus started my journey in search of better hotels. I was 10 or 11 at the time.

At 15, I was selected to go to Japan for a 3 week long scholarship from the Japanese Government to meet and interact with other Japanese-speaking foreign nationals. On this trip, I was exposed to International Business class for the very first time on Japan Airlines. There was no turning back after this!! I crossed over to the "Light Side of the Force" during my University years when I started to travel more extensively during my summer breaks and the occasional trip for Conferences. My next encounter was at the then Westin (now Omni) in Montreal where I stayed for a UN Symposium being held in the City and was shocked that they knew my name whenever I phoned downstairs. In retrospect, how naive!! But at the time I was in awe!! New York City was my starting ground whereby I would write to almost every 4 and 5 star hotel and ask for their brochures. I finally settled on the Waldorf Towers as it provided to me the best value for a luxury hotel. To this day, I still make the Waldorf Towers my "home away from home" and was the first luxury hotel experience for me. And there was no turning back.

My sister and I made repeated trips to New York City, Philadelphia and Washington DC trying various hotels, Hiltons, Luxury Collection by Starwood, Inter-Continental, and Westin but then we discovered the Four Seasons. Our first stay at a Four Seasons Hotel was the Four Seasons Philadelphia and this was a true eye opener -- we were hooked. We then tried the Four Seasons New York.

It was when we went to Europe where our education in luxury hotels took another huge leap. For 5 weeks we toured France with short sojourns to Geneva and Brussels. On this trip we experienced top hotels such as the Hotel des Bergues in Geneva (now a Four Seasons Hotel), the Majestic in Cannes, as well as the Crillon, Le Bristol, and the Four Seasons George V in Paris.

Since then we continue to save up both frequent flyer points as well as cash to have the occasional splurge at a top luxury hotel. Through these travels, a few favourite hotels worldwide have emerged. They are: One Aldwych, London; Four Seasons George V, Paris; and the Waldorf Towers, New York City. I will write more about each property in forthcoming blog entries.

The Luxury Hotel of Paris

Paris is, undeniably, one of the most romantic and premiere city's in the world and along with it has some of the world's greatest luxury hotels. Hotel Le Bristol, Hotel de Crillon, Le Meurice, Ritz, Plaza Athenée, and the Four Seasons George V are some of the world's finest hotels for their style, sumptuous surroundings, service and that je ne sais quoi and savoir faire of French hospitality.

Here are some of my favourites:

Le Bristol is located in the fashionable Rue du Faubourg St. Honoré close to the French Presidential Palace. Recently re-opened after an expansion into neighbouring buildings, every room and suite is different. Some of the rooms are on the small side but the vast majority are furnished beautifully and all have gorgeous master bathrooms. The Terrace Suites are large gorgeous suites overlooking Paris' largest indoor garden courtyard with a large terrace off the living room while the deluxe guestrooms are very comfortable indeed. The gastronomic restaurant, Le Bristol, is also highly recommended.

Hotel de Crillon is housed in the former residence of the Duke of Crillon and is where Marie-Antoinette took music lessons. Located on the Place de la Concorde this hotel offers sumptuous and newly renovated quarters. The marble bathrooms are gorgeous and the Jr. Suites are very comfortable. The Historic "Boiseries" suites offer original wood panelling and parquet floors while the Bernstein Suite offers penthouse terrace views of the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Towers. 

Four Seasons George V is located in the heart of the Golden Triangle on the Avenue George V. For me, this is probably the finest hotel in Paris as it features very large and well appointed rooms and many suites with terraces. The hotel has two Royal Suites, three Presidential Suites and four specialty suites including the Honeymoon Suite with two terraces and direct views onto the Eiffel Tower. The hallmark of "Le George" is service, service, service and while very expensive (as all of the hotels above are) it is worth every centime!!

For those on a smaller budget, Le Grand Hôtel Inter-Continental adjacent to the Opèra Garnier deserves Honourable Mention. It is not in the same calibre of luxury as the hotels above but its price point is far lower as well. The standard rooms are small but well appointed and the Jr. Suites with Opèra view have stunning views on this Parisian landmark. Right over a Metro and RER (Regional Train) stations and within a stone's throw from the Place Vendôme, the Louvre, the Madeleine, and les Grands Magasins on Boulevard Haussman.