Category: lodgings
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MGM Grand, Macau and lions
We had dinner at MGM’s Rossio, some of the tables spilled into the atrium of the hotel. The atrium was fantastically decorated, almost to the point of being garish. But it was an immense space, as a result, the large number of fake trees with lights were not claustrophobic but it was a bit overdone.…
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Berlin: Grand Hyatt hall lights
Beside its “opulent minimalism“, another interesting thing about the Berlin Grand Hyatt is the way it provides dimmed lighting to the halls and corridors on the guest floors. Instead of wall sconces, the light fixtures are made of a thin vertical strip of glass printed with a black and white photographic image. Each is lit…
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Berlin: 5 nights of opulent minimalism
Grand Hyatt, like all chain hotels, look alike – the one in Berlin is an exception. It was one of the 19 buildings built in the no-man’s land near the Wall (Postdamer Platz), by José Rafael Moneo. The interiors was described by Wallpaper as “opulent minimalism” – I am not sure what it means or…
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DC Ritz-Carlton’s Bath Menu
The Ritz-Carlton in Washington DC (L St and 22nd NW) put this Bath Menu in its guest bathrooms (they do not have a spa in that location). While having a butler draw a bath of nice warm water in your room sounds like a traditional luxury, the $50 charge is ludicrous. But the concept and execution of the…
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Louis Hotel, Munich
At the end of July, I was to attend a business conference in Munich. The conference hotel was fully booked so I had to find some place quickly. Turning to New York Times for suggestions, I booked a room at the Louis Hotel. As the rate was about the same as the conference hotel, it…
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Hotel Beaulac at Neuchâtel
I stayed at Hotel Beaulac during my first week in Switzerland. It has a modern lobby, a minimalist fireplace, and a restaurant separated from the lobby by a saltwater aquarium (pictures of the creatures will follow). However, the room I had was basic and much less attractive. But they gave me mini Toblerone chocolate nightly.…