Oh, but I started getting seriously distracted by the pictures! I could disappear down that rabbit hole for hours…days!
My favourite hotel ever is The Dorchester in London. It’s one of those amazing traditional 5-star British hotels like Claridges and Browns, which are havens of luxury, sophistication and good taste. We spent our wedding night there (hence the reason that no other hotel will ever hold the #1 spot in my mind). The rooms were gorgeous. Look, this is a picture of our room—a double deluxe with a four poster bed and views of Hyde Park. Gorgeous, huh?
The service was amazing. They knew it was our wedding night so had a bottle of complimentary French bubbles waiting for us on arrival. And chocolates! Happy sighs.
But, here’s the thing, the staff uniform included a Hermes’s scarf, and I bet that scarf cost more than my entire suitcase full of Kmart classics. Did I feel like an imposter? You bet. Did I care? Not a jot. I enjoyed the experience to the full.
In contrast to all of this luxury, however, Wynne Stephens my heroine runs her grandmother’s little old motor-inn. And it can’t be denied that the place is getting a little squidgy around the edges. I based it on a motor-inn we stayed in Melbourne two Christmases ago. I fell in love with it and its faux Victorian manor house decor. It was definitely…quirky. Look at our room! Fun, huh? :-)
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NB: In honour of "ghosts of hotels past" I’ll be giving away a copy of The Spanish Tycoon’s Takeover to one of my newsletter subscribers in a few weeks time plus a scarf (though it’s not a Hermes…but look at those hearts! Isn’t it the sweetest? I bought two—one as a prize and the other to keep for myself because I couldn’t resist). So if you haven't subscribed, and would like to go into the draw, pop on over to my website and sign up for my newsletter.
Oh, and The Spanish Tycoon's Takeover is available for pre-order now too! :)
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Michelle, I'm so looking forward to this story. It sounds like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteMy childhood was full of caravan holidays too and, wow, we saw a lot! Always an adventure. More recently it's been motels and hotels and in there one or two real treats. A castle looking out over the Rhine, another in Austria with a stunning view over the Alps, the Adlon Kempinski right near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and a tiny hotel with a gorgeous view over the Bay of Angels in Nice. Sigh. Those splurges of luxury were worth every penny.
But just as fantastic in their own way have been other stays - a B&B on the Isle of Skye where the owner was so horrified at our wet clothes after getting caught in the rain that she bustled us into the kitchen for a lunch of home made soup. A stay at a comfy old inn that was built on Roman foundations. And a cosy cottage in the Blue Mountains where the owners really made us feel like long lost relatives. Sigh. So many happy memories!
Oh, Annie, I envy you your castle. I think if I'm ever in Germany again (or maybe Scotland) I'll have to spend a night in a castle. Mr Douglas stayed in the Kempinski (many many moons ago) and it sounds pretty darn swish.
DeleteBut there's something so gorgeous about a quirky B&B where you're made to feel like one of the family. Those experiences can make a trip so much more special. :-)
What a fabulous hotel The Dorchester sounds and looks like. And those memories, awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe most amazing hotel we've stayed at was the Royale Chulan in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago. We booked a room on line the day before arriving, and when we checked in we'd been upgraded to a suite that was as large as, if not larger than, our wee beach house we live in at the moment. The service was unbelievable and the breakfasts stupendous. We felt very spoilt and would love to do it again.
I would love to stay in a castle in Europe. Nudge, nudge dearly beloved who's doing bookings for us at the moment.
Sue, over the years we've managed to be in London twice for our anniversary. Both times we went and ate at The Dorch. Our last meal there was the best meal I have ever eaten. We're hoping to spend our 20th wedding anniversary in the exact same room. Fingers crossed. :-)
DeleteLOVE the sound of your suite at the Royale Chulan. Sounds utterly amazing. :-)
Ive not ever stayed in truly posh hotels, Michelle but have eaten in a few which is intimidating enough :-)
ReplyDeleteFelt like a back water hick at The Ritz in London!
Like Annie though I have stayed in a lot of UK B&Bs and while these arent posh they are uniqe - lovely old pubs, barn conversions,farm hourses and one we stayed in 5 times in Wales because we could see Carnarfon castle right out out window!
I do love the decadence of a hotel though even if its not a 5 star. I love the the feeling that you're doing something a little special, where you can pick up a phone and someone will do stuff for you. And room service!! Never used to get room service because its a bit of a luxury and not exacty cheap but I get it quite a lot now (often at 2 in the morning when I need to soak up several bottles of wine :-) And I absolutey love it the best about staying in a hotel!
Apologies for typos. I'm on the treadmill :-)
DeleteOh, dear lord, isn't the Ritz something? I'm determined to have a champagne high tea there when I next visit London. Well...either there or the Dorch. ;-)
DeleteLove the sound of the quirky B&Bs you've been to. I mean, to see Carnarfon Castle right outside your window. How cool is that! Posh is fun, but it isn't always relaxing.
Oh, and I'm laughing at your love of room service. I believe the last time I had room service was in your room in Melbourne, the Sunday night after the RWA conference. Good times! :-)
Hey, it sounds like your treadmill is still working out!
DeleteHi Michelle
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day I will get to stay at some really posh hotel most of the motels / hotels I have stayed at have been great because I don't have to do much :) I remember driving up to the hotel in Adelaide for RWA and them taking our luggage hubby was most impressed that was the best hotel he had ever stayed at does a cabin count on a cruise ship we have stayed in a few of them and are about to sail again on April 10th.
I am really looking forward to your new book it is calling to me I did get a bit behind with my reading while away at AARC but an catching up and then of course next month we are cruising :) I must say most of the best hotels I have "stayed" in have been while reading fabulous stories
Have Fun
Helen
A cruise ship cabin definitely counts, Helen! How exciting that you're heading on another cruise soon. A cruise ship is like a floating hotel...with so many extras!
DeleteCan't conference hotels be the bees knees? I love them. And the Adelaide one was brilliant!
Am laughing, but you're right -- some of the best hotels can be found within the pages of a book. I hope you enjoy my quirky "Aggie's Retreat". :-)
Hi Michelle, I love, love, love a good Hotel stay. I must admit to treating myself to quite a few since I divorced. I usually take pictures of the room and the bathroom when I arrive, with all the bits and pieces tidy and uncluttered, before I put my bags down and unpack anything. I have stayed in some rather swish places, and have giggled myself silly when a room was MORE luxurious than I expected. There is something quite decadent about a gorgeous room with all the trimmings, a huge king sized bed, a spa bath, fluffy towels, tea and coffee and little biscuits, and the little soaps and small tubes of various creams and oils at your disposal. I have been lucky enough to have shared hotel rooms with someone special, but it is not a prerequisite to enjoyment. The view is not as important to me as the number of stars or the location. Yes, a good 5 star hotel is one of my weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteAh, Savannah, you're a woman after my own heart. I love that moment when you walk into a hotel room and get to savour the immediate peace and calm and tidiness...and knowing it's not your responsibility to keep it that way! And, yes -- the more luxurious the better! Those little tubes and bottles of lovely creams and cleansers win my heart every time. Happy sighs.
DeleteHi Michelle, what a great post! I love staying in hotels, l particularly like not having to make the bed or clean the room! I've stayed in some lovely hotels over the years. Have just returned for a short stay at the gorgeous Bannister's Pavillion hotel and Rick Stein's restaurant at Mollymook on the beautiful New South Wales south coast. A friend invited me to share in celebrations for her mother's 90th birthday. It was fabulous. Your new book sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBannister's Pavillion Hotel looks divine, Kandy! I'm rather jealous. Might have to find an excuse to head on down that way some time. :-) And what a wonderful excuse to indulge -- a 90th birthday! I think I associate hotels with fun times (like holidays and celebrations and fun conferences) and that just makes them all the more attractive in my mind. :-)
DeleteThe Dorchester looks amazing, Michelle. I love that you're planning to return for your anniversary. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI've not ever stayed in a totally fabulous 5-star hotel but we did do afternoon tea at the Ritz -- with my mum and sisters when in London for my youngest sister's wedding. I recall it being very grand and special, a real treat.
I'm a bit of a fan of B&B's for the particular, friendly hospitality and the most comfortable beds within our price range. On our last big trip to the US we stayed in 3 different ones, all quirky older houses, all special and memorable in their own way. Also love that you meet interesting people from all over the world at the breakfast table. Many interesting conversations we'd not have had in a hotel stay.
The Dorchester was wonderful, Bron. Because we had to meet a 21-day residency requirement to be married in London, we had oodles of time to check out which hotel to choose for our wedding night. So we went and sat in the foyers of all the big names ones: Browns, Claridges, The Ritz, The Savoy, and the Lanesborough. The Dorch, however, was where we felt most at home. If you get a chance to do another high tea in London, check out The Dorch's Promenade. It's divine.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the sounds of your B&Bs -- they each sound like an adventure of their own. Also, the fact you get to meet people from all over the world is a major bonus. Oh, I'm getting itch feet again now. ;-)
Loved the photos of these hotels! I must admit I enjoy staying somewhere plush, rather than roughing it. Can't help it, I love a bit of luxury when I'm on holiday.
ReplyDeleteA few of the best I've ever stayed in are the Windsor in Melbourne which is lovely and ornate, Craig's Hotel in Ballarat which is also old and beautiful and the Chateau Frontenac in Old Quebec City which might be the best of the bunch. Even their toiletries were super high-end and we had the most incredible view. It's worth a visit!
The Windsor is gorgeous, Stef! At the last Melbourne conference, fellow LoveCats Annie, Amy and I breakfasted there on the Monday morning. It was really lovely. :-)
DeleteAnd if I'm ever in Quebec (love the name -- Chateau Frontenac) or Ballarat, I will definitely check your recommendations out! :-) Hmm...oh, yes! Am definitely hoping more plush hotels feature in my future. :-)
That scarf is awesome.
ReplyDeleteRegarding posh places to stay, that actually requires travelling so I have yet to find somewhere posh to stay, let alone love enough to return to.
It's great seeing your inspirations for Spanish Tycoon since I'm currently reading it :)
Lyn, the scarf is lovely to wear too -- one of those delicious floaty things. And so glad you're enjoying a little glimpse behind the scenes. Stories can form in so many different ways...but I figure a hotel is as likely a place to start as any.
DeleteAnd I'll keep my fingers crossed that somewhere plush and swish features in your future!