Here you will find the latest information on travel in Europe, as well as lots of other great stuff like recipes for some of my favorite European foods, schedules of upcoming travel seminars, tips and tricks on traveling in Europe, and answers to reader questions about European travel.
For more information about hotels and restaurants like those featured in our blog, or for help in planning your own independent trip to Europe, please contact us about our Self-Guided Trips or Custom Itinerary Planning services.
Hotel Report Card: Paris, France
Thu, Sep 2 2010 11:56
| France, Paris, hotel report card
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Hôtel de la Paix
19 rue du Gros Caillou, 75007 Paris
tel. 1-45-51-86-17 fax: 1-45-55-93-28
e-mail: contact@hotelparispaix.com
web site
23 rooms. Singles: €105 Doubles: €150 All major credit cards accepted.
This hotel highlights just how unreliable the French star rating system is when it comes to choosing hotels. While the government only gives it two stars, the de la Paix is cleaner and more stylish than many three-star hotels I’ve been in. The interior is done in chocolate-brown leather and wood furnishings, with gleaming bathrooms that are modern and fully functional. Both rooms and bathrooms are on the small side, but that’s not unusual for Paris.
It also has many of the things you would expect from a pricier hotel, like 24-hour desk service, an elevator (tiny!) and air conditioning. About the only things it lacks are a minibar and English stations on the TV. A great budget option in the ritzy 7th district.
Overall: B
Location: B
Ambiance: B
Cleanlienss: A
Maintenance: B
Staff: A
19 rue du Gros Caillou, 75007 Paris
tel. 1-45-51-86-17 fax: 1-45-55-93-28
e-mail: contact@hotelparispaix.com
web site
23 rooms. Singles: €105 Doubles: €150 All major credit cards accepted.
Overall: B
Location: B
Ambiance: B
Cleanlienss: A
Maintenance: B
Staff: A
Comments
Hotel Report Card: Pension mitArt, Berlin, Germany
Wed, Aug 25 2010 08:43
| hotel report card, berlin, germany
Linienstraße 139 - 140, 10115 Berlin
tel. 30-28-390-430 fax: 30-28-390-432
e-mail: info@mitart.de
web site
30 rooms. Singles: €90 Doubles: €130 Visa/MC accepted.
This hotel takes minimalism to the extreme, with compact rooms and very basic furnishings. They emphasize the use of all-natural, eco-friendly construction materials and products in their rooms, and organic ingredients in their food.
A bit out of the hub of central Berlin, but easily accessible by public transport and within walking distance of Museum Island. This is a decent budget option for those who want to leave a light footprint.
Overall: C+
Location: C+
Ambiance: B
Cleanliness: C+
Maintenance: B
Staff: B
Hotel Report Card: Infanta Isabel, Segovia, Spain
Mon, May 3 2010 08:55
| castilla, spain, segovia, hotel report card
Plaza Mayor 12, 40001 Segovia
tel. 921-461-300 fax: 921-462-217
29 rooms. Singles: €77 Doubles: €105 All major credit cards accepted.
My favorite choice for Segovia, the Infanta Isabel is brimming with 19th century glamor and class. The rates shown above are for busy times, especially weekends and holidays. Weekday rates can be as much as a third lower, making this hotel a real bargain. Located directly on the Plaza Mayor, many of the rooms have small balconies overlooking the cathedral and the square.
Location: A+
Ambiance: B+
Cleanliness: B+
Maintenance: B
Staff: A
Hotel Report Card: Madrid Barajas Airport, Spain
Fri, Apr 23 2010 10:27
| hotel report card
Madrid's airport is well-connected to the city center by subway and frequent buses, and even taxi rides are relatively cheap, so I see little reason to spend the night outside of town near the airport. The only time it makes sense is if you've already been to Madrid, and have an early flight out the next morning. The area around the airport is something of an urban planning nightmare, but land must be cheap because there are a dozen or more business-style hotels nearby, all clean, modern and dirt cheap.
Kris Suites Airport
c/ Campezo 8, 28022 Madrid
✆ 91-305-9055 fax: 91-312-1835
e-mail: krisaeropuerto@krishoteles.com
300 rooms. Singles: €55 Doubles: €80 All major credit cards accepted.
Overall: B
Location: F for Madrid, but C for airport access
Ambiance: C
Cleanliness: A
Maintenance: A
Staff: A
Technically classified as a 'residence' and not as a hotel, the Kris Suites are short stay, serviced apartments. Each suite includes a bedroom with closet and safe, a bathroom, separate living area with couch, TV and desk, and a kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave and plenty of cupboard space. While the hotel will never win any awards for charm and ambiance, it's hard to beat the price and space for a night before departure. There is secure parking under the hotel, free wifi in all the rooms, and a free shuttle to and from the airport.
c/ Campezo 8, 28022 Madrid
✆ 91-305-9055 fax: 91-312-1835
e-mail: krisaeropuerto@krishoteles.com
300 rooms. Singles: €55 Doubles: €80 All major credit cards accepted.
Overall: B
Location: F for Madrid, but C for airport access
Ambiance: C
Cleanliness: A
Maintenance: A
Staff: A
Technically classified as a 'residence' and not as a hotel, the Kris Suites are short stay, serviced apartments. Each suite includes a bedroom with closet and safe, a bathroom, separate living area with couch, TV and desk, and a kitchenette with refrigerator, freezer, stove, microwave and plenty of cupboard space. While the hotel will never win any awards for charm and ambiance, it's hard to beat the price and space for a night before departure. There is secure parking under the hotel, free wifi in all the rooms, and a free shuttle to and from the airport.
Hotel Report Card: Annecy, France
Tue, Apr 6 2010 12:08
| France, hotel report card, alps
Annecy is located just south of Geneva, on the edge of the French Alps in the Haute-Savoie. Historically this region belonged to the House of Savoy, the royal family that would eventually become kings of Italy, so a certain Italian charm wafts through the Alpine air. It's a pretty town, sitting on the edge of cold, clear Lake Annecy, the old town is laced with canals, and studded with window boxes bursting with geraniums.
Hotel Palais de l'Isle
13 rue Perrière, 74000 Annecy
✆ 04-50-45-86-87 fax: 04-50-51-87-15
e-mail: palisle@wanadoo.fr
33 rooms. Singles: €70 Doubles: €99 to €148 All major credit cards accepted.
Overall: B
Location: A
Ambiance: C
Cleanliness: A
Maintenance: B
Staff: B
Located right on the edge of a canal, in the heart of the old town, which can be very busy and a bit noisy. The historic building masks rooms that are completely modern and, unfortunately, a bit soulless. There’s nothing wrong with them: they’re bright, clean and everything works. They have, however, managed to remove just about every trace of the historic origins of the building.
13 rue Perrière, 74000 Annecy
✆ 04-50-45-86-87 fax: 04-50-51-87-15
e-mail: palisle@wanadoo.fr
33 rooms. Singles: €70 Doubles: €99 to €148 All major credit cards accepted.
Overall: B
Location: A
Ambiance: C
Cleanliness: A
Maintenance: B
Staff: B
Located right on the edge of a canal, in the heart of the old town, which can be very busy and a bit noisy. The historic building masks rooms that are completely modern and, unfortunately, a bit soulless. There’s nothing wrong with them: they’re bright, clean and everything works. They have, however, managed to remove just about every trace of the historic origins of the building.
Hotel Report Card: Venice, Italy
Tue, Mar 2 2010 16:24
| venice, hotel report card, italy
Rio San Vio 628, Dorsoduro
30123 Venezia
tel: 041-520-4733 fax: 041-520-4048
Web
30 rooms. Singles: €190 Doubles: €260 to €310 All major credit cards accepted.
Location: B Ambiance: A Clean: A+ Maintenance: A Staff: A+
For more information about hotels and restaurants like those featured in our blog, or for help in planning your own independent trip to Europe, please contact us about our Self-Guided Trips or Custom Itinerary Planning services.
