Poseidon Underwater Resort will be the only property of its kind in the world, and promises to provide an unparalleled experience...
http://www.poseidonresorts.com/poseidon_main.html
I will say that for $30K per couple for 6 nights, I would at least expect to be in the underwater rooms the whole time (right now, you only get 2 nights there and 4 in a beach bungalow). Still, it looks absolutely incredible, and the excursions definitely beat out your typical tour!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Atlanta Ritz-Carlton reviews
Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead
Living in Atlanta, my husband and I have stayed here numerous times over the years for various special occasions--including multiple Valentine's Days, anniversaries, and our wedding night. We were also engaged here, so I must admit the hotel holds a special place in our hearts. However, we are also fairly picky travelers, so it takes a lot to entice us to return again and again!
The rooms are not huge, but comfortable and well appointed. I won't bother to describe them, as you can look at photos on the hotel website, but rest assured that the photos you'll see accurately depict the rooms. Ask for a room on a higher floor, and one with a view of Peachtree Rd.--otherwise, you are likely to be staring at the parking garage or neighboring buildings.
The service is a credit to the Ritz brand--friendly, prompt, and personalized. On our most recent visit (a weekend "in-town vacation"), they noted our history, and presented us with complimentary champagne upon check-in. It was a nice touch, and a great way to begin our stay! Another example of the hotel going the extra mile was after our wedding, when we returned to the room to find the staff had put orchids and other tropical flowers all over the bed, and left us a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a plate of fresh fruit and a box of Godivas.
After at least 2 dozen meals over the years in the Cafe, I have yet to have a bad meal. I can't comment on the Dining Room (not a huge fan of heavy French fare), but have heard it's excellent as well. On many nights, the Cafe features live piano music and dancing...maybe not the trendiest or edgiest dance floor in town, but wonderful for an old-fashioned romantic evening!
High tea at the Ritz Buckhead is also a treat. this is one of the few places in Atlanta that still does it properly, with bone china and a wonderful selection of scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
Room service is good, prompt, and has been the proper temperature each time it's been delivered (and after many years of travel, I've found that this is generally as good as it gets when it comes in in-room dining!).
The bar, with its stiff drinks and clubby atmosphere, is a great place for a date..or to find one! If you want to see the real "Buckhead Bettys" (for those of you who have heard of the show of the same name), this is the place to be. A meat market, to be sure, but one featuring filet mignon (often heavily aged, but generally well-preserved....lol)
The location is excellent if you plan to take advantage of Atlanta's best shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. Next door to one of the city's most upscale malls and across the street from another, the Ritz is a great choice for anyone looking to shop 'til they drop. A short (5-10 minute) drive will get you to various boutiques. Many of the city's finest restaurants are within a 10 minute drive as well, and there are several close enough to walk to from the Ritz. Valet parking is around $20 a night, on par with any other city hotel.
All in all, the Ritz is a great value, and in my opinion, the best high-end hotel in Atlanta (as compared with the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta downtown, the Four Seasons, and the Grand Hyatt). I hope this review has been helpful to you, and feel free to email me (address in profile) if you have more questions. Happy travels!
Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
coming soon
Living in Atlanta, my husband and I have stayed here numerous times over the years for various special occasions--including multiple Valentine's Days, anniversaries, and our wedding night. We were also engaged here, so I must admit the hotel holds a special place in our hearts. However, we are also fairly picky travelers, so it takes a lot to entice us to return again and again!
The rooms are not huge, but comfortable and well appointed. I won't bother to describe them, as you can look at photos on the hotel website, but rest assured that the photos you'll see accurately depict the rooms. Ask for a room on a higher floor, and one with a view of Peachtree Rd.--otherwise, you are likely to be staring at the parking garage or neighboring buildings.
The service is a credit to the Ritz brand--friendly, prompt, and personalized. On our most recent visit (a weekend "in-town vacation"), they noted our history, and presented us with complimentary champagne upon check-in. It was a nice touch, and a great way to begin our stay! Another example of the hotel going the extra mile was after our wedding, when we returned to the room to find the staff had put orchids and other tropical flowers all over the bed, and left us a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, a plate of fresh fruit and a box of Godivas.
After at least 2 dozen meals over the years in the Cafe, I have yet to have a bad meal. I can't comment on the Dining Room (not a huge fan of heavy French fare), but have heard it's excellent as well. On many nights, the Cafe features live piano music and dancing...maybe not the trendiest or edgiest dance floor in town, but wonderful for an old-fashioned romantic evening!
High tea at the Ritz Buckhead is also a treat. this is one of the few places in Atlanta that still does it properly, with bone china and a wonderful selection of scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
Room service is good, prompt, and has been the proper temperature each time it's been delivered (and after many years of travel, I've found that this is generally as good as it gets when it comes in in-room dining!).
The bar, with its stiff drinks and clubby atmosphere, is a great place for a date..or to find one! If you want to see the real "Buckhead Bettys" (for those of you who have heard of the show of the same name), this is the place to be. A meat market, to be sure, but one featuring filet mignon (often heavily aged, but generally well-preserved....lol)
The location is excellent if you plan to take advantage of Atlanta's best shopping, restaurants, and nightlife. Next door to one of the city's most upscale malls and across the street from another, the Ritz is a great choice for anyone looking to shop 'til they drop. A short (5-10 minute) drive will get you to various boutiques. Many of the city's finest restaurants are within a 10 minute drive as well, and there are several close enough to walk to from the Ritz. Valet parking is around $20 a night, on par with any other city hotel.
All in all, the Ritz is a great value, and in my opinion, the best high-end hotel in Atlanta (as compared with the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta downtown, the Four Seasons, and the Grand Hyatt). I hope this review has been helpful to you, and feel free to email me (address in profile) if you have more questions. Happy travels!
Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta
coming soon
Friday, August 03, 2007
My favorites list...
People always ask what our favorite place has been...and it's a difficult question to answer! We have been lucky enough to have visited many wonderful places, each with unique benefits. But here are a few places that have really stood out...
*Favorite destination for gorgeous scenery: Tikehau, French Polynesia
*Favorite resort: Los Altos de Eros - Tamarindo, Costa Rica
*Favorite hotel room: Frangipani villa at Stonefield Estate - Soufriere, St. Lucia
*Favorite trip overall: Brazil
*Favorite for snorkeling: Tikehau, French Polynesia
*Favorite for a long weekend: Ambergris Caye, Belize
*Favorite domestic destinations/hotels:
Lanai, HI--Four Seasons Manele Bay
Scottsdale, AZ--The Phoenician
Captiva Island, FL--South Seas
San Francisco, CA--Westin St. Francis
Charleston, SC--Francis Marion, Charleston Place
*Favorite airlines:
Domestic--Continental
International: Air Tahiti Nui
*Favorite non-beach destination: Tuscany
*Favorite destination for gorgeous scenery: Tikehau, French Polynesia
*Favorite resort: Los Altos de Eros - Tamarindo, Costa Rica
*Favorite hotel room: Frangipani villa at Stonefield Estate - Soufriere, St. Lucia
*Favorite trip overall: Brazil
*Favorite for snorkeling: Tikehau, French Polynesia
*Favorite for a long weekend: Ambergris Caye, Belize
*Favorite domestic destinations/hotels:
Lanai, HI--Four Seasons Manele Bay
Scottsdale, AZ--The Phoenician
Captiva Island, FL--South Seas
San Francisco, CA--Westin St. Francis
Charleston, SC--Francis Marion, Charleston Place
*Favorite airlines:
Domestic--Continental
International: Air Tahiti Nui
*Favorite non-beach destination: Tuscany
Monday, April 30, 2007
Brazil-- Buzios, Morro de Sao Paulo, and Rio April '07
Buzios photos: http://tinyurl.com/2kcj9e
Morro de Sao Paulo photos: http://tinyurl.com/2rflrx
Rio de Janeiro photos: http://tinyurl.com/2q8hsb
Buzios--Pousada Casas Brancas (4 nights): A
review to come
Morro de Sao Paulo--Anima Hotel (4 nights): A
review to come
Rio de Janeiro--Hotel Praia Ipanema (1 night) : A-
review to come
Morro de Sao Paulo photos: http://tinyurl.com/2rflrx
Rio de Janeiro photos: http://tinyurl.com/2q8hsb
Buzios--Pousada Casas Brancas (4 nights): A
review to come
Morro de Sao Paulo--Anima Hotel (4 nights): A
review to come
Rio de Janeiro--Hotel Praia Ipanema (1 night) : A-
review to come
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Looking for an overwater bungalow?
The two areas in which these types of accommodations are most prevalent are French Polynesia (aka Tahiti) and the Maldives. In general, if you want the stereotypical OWB with all the bells and whistles--including crystal clear water and glass floor or coffee table, and more upscale building materials and furnishings--these 2 areas will have the most options.
There are a few exceptions, of course, one of which is a brand new resort in Fiji called LikuLiku (http://www.likulikulagoon.com/)
Another gorgeous place for an OWB is Aitutaki Lagoon Resort, in the Cook Islands http://www.aitutakilagoonresort.com/
In the Phillipines: http://www.elnidoresorts.com/
Other resorts with OWBs do exist throughout the world--just be aware that these may not all be at the same level of luxury or in as tropical of a setting as the OWBs mentioned above. Not to say they would not still be wonderful places to vacation--just perhaps somewhat different from the commonly seen French Polynesian overwater bungalow. Here are a few to consider:
Coral Lodge-- San Blas Islands, Panama http://www.corallodge.com/
Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge-- Bocas del Toro, Panama http://www.puntacaracol.com/
9 Beaches--Bermuda http://www.9beaches.com/
Hotelito Desconocido-- near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico http://www.hotelito.com/
Anthony's Key-- Roatan, Honduras http://www.anthonyskey.com/
Coconuts Beach Club--Samoa http://www.coconutsbeachclub.com/
Glover's Atoll Resort--Belize http://www.glovers.com.bz/
St. George's Caye Lodge--Belize http://www.gooddiving.com/
There are a few exceptions, of course, one of which is a brand new resort in Fiji called LikuLiku (http://www.likulikulagoon.com/)
Another gorgeous place for an OWB is Aitutaki Lagoon Resort, in the Cook Islands http://www.aitutakilagoonresort.com/
In the Phillipines: http://www.elnidoresorts.com/
Other resorts with OWBs do exist throughout the world--just be aware that these may not all be at the same level of luxury or in as tropical of a setting as the OWBs mentioned above. Not to say they would not still be wonderful places to vacation--just perhaps somewhat different from the commonly seen French Polynesian overwater bungalow. Here are a few to consider:
Coral Lodge-- San Blas Islands, Panama http://www.corallodge.com/
Punta Caracol Aqua Lodge-- Bocas del Toro, Panama http://www.puntacaracol.com/
9 Beaches--Bermuda http://www.9beaches.com/
Hotelito Desconocido-- near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico http://www.hotelito.com/
Anthony's Key-- Roatan, Honduras http://www.anthonyskey.com/
Coconuts Beach Club--Samoa http://www.coconutsbeachclub.com/
Glover's Atoll Resort--Belize http://www.glovers.com.bz/
St. George's Caye Lodge--Belize http://www.gooddiving.com/
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