Hotel C’an Bonico, Ses Salines, Majorca, Spain

Well, thanks to Holly from Escapio it's time for another hotel review. This time the destination is Majorca, Spain and just judging by the photos I'm guessing the Hotel is gonna rate somewhere between fantastic and superb :)

In the village of Ses Salines near the southern tip of Majorca lies a historic 13th century building which has been hauled into modern times with a beautiful renovation. C’an Bonico is a family hotel whose origins go back over 700 years.

Just 50km from Palma de Mallorca, Ses Salines is a quiet paradise beautiful all year round with its lush greenness and flowers. The blossoming almond trees are a tempting reason to visit in spring. Furniture, interior design and amenities have been immaculately refined in the 28 rooms, though the rediscovered antiques have been preserved for guests’ interests behind a glass window.

A boutique-style hotel has grown up out of the old walls with muted, neutral colours and a warm atmosphere of leathers and linens, simple and inviting. Some rooms have free-standing bathtubs, perfect for honeymoon getaways.

The family-run hotel is a haven with its relaxed ambience, a private library and cool pool. Delicious breakfasts with bubbly prosecco are served on the terrace; and the evening menu melts in the mouth with tuna carpaccio, seafood crepes and lamb – all seasoned with local salts and complemented by fresh market vegetables.

All Majorca boutique hotels retain a striking, calm Spanish flair and the owner-run properties simply invite to indulgence with excellent design, attentive service and unbeatable Spanish cuisine. With 300 days of sunshine a year, who could resist considering...

Article written by Holly Maguire for Escapio, where C’an Bonico and more luxury, boutique and design hotels in Majorca and beyond can booked with a best price guarantee.

Thanks again Holly! After reading this post of yours one can only feel a big temptation to go there and book a week or so in this fabulous hotel. Well... It's another addition to my must go list ;)

Ice Hotel, Quebec, Canada

Today it's up to Steven to fill us in about a fabulous Ice Hotel. Yes, you've heard right, an Ice Hotel built (and rebuilt year after year) somewhere in Quebec, Canada...

Are you looking for a once-in-a-lifetime winter getaway? You can have that by visiting the Ice Hotel in Quebec City, Canada. It is the only hotel constructed entirely of ice in North America. It is not surprising that it is number 1 on the list of unique places to stay in Canada.

The Ice Hotel opened on New Year’s Day in 2001 in Montmorency Falls Park, on the outskirts of Quebec City. The next year, it moved to the Duchesnay Resort and has been built there every year since. Every November, construction of a new hotel begins. It takes about a month and a half for 60 workmen to complete it. The hotel is a cathedral-like structure constructed with man-made snow covering metal frames. The damp snow is allowed to harden into solid ice for a few days. Then the construction cranes are removed.

The hotel accommodates 85 guests. Like the rest of the furniture, the beds are made of ice. They have animal skins, mattresses, and heavy, high-quality sleeping bags covering them. The bathrooms are heated and located in a separate structure. There are separate ones for men and women. They are luxurious and provide comfort and privacy. The Ice Hotel provides amenities for its guests including room service with plates and glasses made of ice, night club, movie theater, chapel, and outdoor hot tubs. Weddings are often celebrated in the chapel. The Ice Hotel provides a uniquely beautiful setting for a memorable wedding.

Is a trip to the Ice Hotel right for you? Those who go say that it was an adventure to sleep in an upscale, luxurious igloo with walls made of ice. Others say it sounded romantic, cozy, or truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to tell their grandchildren about. In any case, Quebec vacations always offer beautiful scenery, charming towns, and friendly people.

Prospective guests ask, “How cold is it in an ice hotel?” The 4-foot thick ice walls insulate the interior and protect guests from the cold wind and the snow. The interior temperature ranges from 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit. If you go, take your hooded parka and extra socks.

Another frequently-asked question: “Can I see the hotel without spending the night?” Yes, tours in English and French are conducted every day. You can also visit the ice bar. The Quebec Tourism Board reports that more than 70,000 tourists visit the Ice Hotel every winter.

How much does it cost to spend the night? There are several different packages available. All include meals and amenities. Prices range from $349.50 to $799.50 per person per night in Canadian dollars. When you want to treat yourself to a winter holiday unlike any other, Quebec’s Ice Hotel is a marvelous choice. More pictures are available here.

Thanks Steven for the review on this Hotel and thanks Simon for the photos. This is without doubts one of the most original hotels I've seen - added it to my list of "must go there someday" ;)

Casa de Fiore Hotel, Rome, Italy

Paul asked me where to stay in Rome so, here it goes: although the choices are many, I was enchanted by a little hotel that I've found there called Casa de Fiore. A hidden pearl right in the center of the historical area - located in Campo de Fiore (see the top right photo bellow) - it's just a few steps away from places like Castel Sant'Angelo and Piazza Navona.

Since it's a small place the rates may vary a bit (I was able to book a few days in August at a nice price) therefor, my advice goes for you to check it on www.hotelscombined.com before booking (they have a huge hotel catalog and a very good rate search engine - link for Casa de Fiore here). If like me you like to see travelers photos before choosing the place to stay, www.tripadvisor.com is the site for that.

Finally, I must say that not only the location of Casa de Fiore is spectacular, they have a very nice renewed interiors and the staff is very friendly. The place is so small and cozy (they use only the building 1st and 3rd floors) that it feels like you're staying in a friend's house. If they can keep up these qualities, truly, my first choice in Rome!

Hotel H10 Universitat, Barcelona, Spain

As to where to stay in Barcelona... Well, since you have many many choices (which makes it easy to find at least three or four nice hotels at a good prices) I think the most important issue is surely the location of the Hotel so my advice is for you to choose one in the center of the city.
I stayed at H10 Universitat Hotel and, without any doubt, I would choose it again. Very near to the Plaça de Catalunya this hotel is very central and, besides having all transportations available just a few footsteps away, one can also easily walk to Las Ramblas and to the Passeig de Gràcia.
Finally as far as the bedroom goes, although it was in fact a little small (some say, shoe-box size), it was impeccably clean. About the food, no opinion (booked only the room) and about the staff, they we're always both friendly and efficient. Loved staying there and I do recommend it!

Catalonia Bavaro Resort & Casino, Playa Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

As promised here goes my review of the Catalonia Bavaro Resort & Casino hotel. Located in Playa Bavaro and just a few miles away from Punta Cana, this hotel it's an excellent choice for a few days well spent in the Dominican Republic.
Besides the very good quality of the rooms, food and service, they deserve two special references. The first, for the effort made on preserving the original art and culture of the island - for instance in the main lobby (photo above) one can admire many Taíno sculptures (the Taíno were the original inhabitants of the island).
My second reference goes for the exceptionaly well cared gardens which give the place a very peacefully and natural environment - simply marvelous! You can see them in detail in the photos above and bellow. As a matter of fact humans aren't the only ones to appreciate them - the hotel grounds are filled with animal life, several kinds of herons (photo bellow), little lizards and many other kinds of birds...
A final note to the art fair they organized every week where, besides paintings and sculptures, one can also buy many other local products and craftsmanship. In one sentence: loved my stay there!

Bahia Principe Tulum, Riviera Maya, Yucatan, Mexico

Hi everyone, back with another hotel critic. This time, I'm reviewing the hotel Bahia Principe Tulum in Mexico - a very nice complex with all the conditions needed for a wonderful vacations.
Above is a photo of the beautiful and extremely well cared hotel gardens (in the background, a bit of one of the many pools). As to the staff, they're all very friendly. Grade A to the everyone... A+ with distinction to the sense of humor of the guy from the coffee shop/internet point.
Above, another part of the complex called Hacienda Doña Isabel, a place where you'll find several shops (in Spanish, tiendas), a game room and some bars. Very pleasant in the evening, always with live music and eventually with some variety shows.
Finally, a panoramic shot taken towards the beach of the hotel from one of their's catamarans (Hobie Cat models) which, if you have the proper license, they let you use by yourself (at least with us they did) for about an hour a day per room (requires prenotation).

Link to the hotel official site with online reservations through here

Hotel Nacional, Havana, Cuba

My comment to this hotel? Absolutely beautiful. I would risk saying that it's not an hotel... It's a Landmark where one can stay for a few nights.
The staff is very friendly and although it's an hotel older than usual it was a very nice experience staying a couple of nights in a place where even the furniture seems to have some kind of history to tell...

Link to the hotel official site with online reservations through here

Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro, Dominican Republic

Five stars hotel, five starts food, five stars accommodations and above all, the spectacular beach (refer to my previous Playa Bavaro post here), for which I would gladly give them, not five, but six or seven stars...
For those of you who appreciate some time in the pool they are well cared and clean and the one in the photo bellow is just one of many...
The only negative side one can point is that it can be a little crowded around the Easter holidays fact that may cause some small delays in the service. Besides that, everything else is absolutely great...

Link to the hotel official site with online reservations through here