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A grand stay at Waldhaus Sils Hotel…

The drive down to Sils was breathtaking as we descended into the verdant Engadin valley. The Waldhaus (“forest house”) is majestically perched in a forest above the delightful village of Sils, overlooking the valley and its many lakes.  As the hotel is at 1800m altitude, the air is crisp and warm, devoid of the coastal mugginess at this time of year.

On arrival, we were received with a friendly welcome from the family management and were presented with a beautiful book chronicling the fascinating history of the hotel and family since 1908.

The décor of the hotel has been purposely preserved as it was many years ago and exudes an old-world charm in the best tradition of luxury hotels of that era.

Our room consisted of a lounge with bathroom on level 1 and a spacious bedroom en-suite accessible via a quaint spiral staircase. Bathroom fittings were of a classic look and of top quality. The accommodation was scrupulously clean and maintained.

Guests can choose a variety of room genre furnishings and decorations eg contemporary, historic, classical etc. Indeed, some returning guests specify the genre of their choice when rebooking at the Waldhaus.

We were treated to a very special fine dining multi course dinner in the original wood paneled a la carte dining room. The enthusiastic sommelier let us experience a few of the excellent wines from the region drawn from their huge cellar selection while guiding us for food matching as a delicate compliment to the fine cuisine that was presented to us. A most enjoyable candle lit evening overlooking the forests stretching out before us.

After a peacefully silent sleep, we awoke at dawn and were greeted by a spectacular view from our windows of the valley and its lakes stretching to the far mountains in the distance.

The spectacular view from our room.

A special tour of the hotel was conducted by the family’s general manager and co-owner, a descendent of the original creator of the hotel, wherein he enlightened us of the rich history of the hotel.

Of great interest was the “live” ghost that lives in a suitcase in the underground museum surrounded by artifacts of a bygone era. The hotel also features one of the first synchronised clocks system to be installed in a hotel at that time. Who knew?!

In contrast to the classic décor of the hotel, the new spa is ultra-modern and has been tastefully designed to complement the hotel. We enjoyed massage treatments by professional therapists who were friendly and extremely knowledgeable about all wellness matters – superb!

Breakfast was a classic affair in the stately high ceiling dining room with a vast variety of tasty items together with the option of a la carte menu. Eggs were perfectly presented and the cappuccino was delicious.

Later in the day we were treated to an exhilarating cable car ride up to the 3300m peak of Corvatsch from where we could see the Waldhaus overlooking Sils valley.

We had an incredibly special and memorable stay. If you are looking for a grand country hotel of days gone by but beautifully preserved, look no further than the Waldhaus Sils hotel.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards representative Marianne Cauvin-Vaz.

To book a stay at this spectacular property: https://waldhaus-sils.ch/en/

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Hotel Skt. Annæ – the perfect hotel for a stay in Copenhagen…

Arriving at Hotel Skt. Annæ in Copenhagen I was immediately impressed by the beautiful exterior with large flower pots on either side of the entrance, historic buildings in the surrounding area and the close proximity to the city centre. We were within walking distance to a variety of restaurants and most importantly Strøget; the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe at 1.1 km. We arrived a little early for check in and the front desk staff were happy to keep our luggage in storage while we went to explore the city.

Hotel Skt. Annæ boasts a beautiful open area which immediately catches your attention. Featuring a large wooden table in the centre, with beautiful chandeliers hanging above and plants all around the room it really is a special space and feels like the heart of the hotel. There is also writing on the wall explaining Hotel Skt. Annæ’s history and other interesting facts about the property.

Once we got back from an afternoon of exploring the charming city of Copenhagen, we were able to go to our rooms. Our room was modern and beautifully decorated with a painting by the famous Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi. His artwork can be seen throughout the hotel and really stood out to me.  Besides this the furnishings in Hotel Skt. Annæ are largely from Danish Designers.

Our room also had a beautiful view over the street outside, a sizeable and comfortable bed, desk area and a beautiful bathroom with gold bronze taps and shower heads. The design in the bathroom really stood out to me.

After a great night’s sleep, we headed down for breakfast and wow, Hotel Skt. Annæ seriously shines here. There are 3 parts to the breakfast area, first the Breakfast Restaurant Area, then the kitchen area where the buffet is placed and lastly an indoor courtyard area where more seating is available with a beautiful tree in the centre. This area is also buzzing at night, and a great spot for a glass of wine with friends.

I absolutely loved the fact that the buffet area was basically in the kitchen and while you were dishing up your morning scrambled eggs you could see the chef on the other side preparing meals. Very unique and a great touch. The food selection at breakfast was incredible with everything from Bacon and eggs to Cheesecake and Nutella Croissants.

The lounge area in Hotel Skt. Annæ is also a great area to grab a quick coffee, meet with friends or simply relax with a glass of wine. Keeping in theme with the hotel décor, the space is modern and contemporary with a beautiful fireplace as a centrepiece. There is even a Hotel Skt. Annæ magazine on the table where you can read all about the hotel, get to know each staff member and great tips on what to explore and must see’s  in Copenhagen. I loved this personal touch.

The staff at Hotel Skt. Annæ are incredibly friendly and helpful and you immediately feel comfortable and at home. On our last day we had a late flight back home and at the last minute requested a late check-out. The staff were quick to accommodate us at such short notice and this really made our last day in Copenhagen enjoyable. Just before leaving for the airport we were able to freshen up for the long journey ahead.

All in all, our stay at Hotel Skt. Annæ was an all-round wonderful experience from start to finish. The Hotel is the perfect blend of luxury and comfort with modern design. Add in amazing staff, great food with a warm atmosphere and you have yourself a winner!  Hotel Skt. Annæ is definitely the hotel to stay at when visiting Copenhagen.

Reviewed by Executive Manager of The World Luxury Awards: Ms. Tanique Echardt

To book a stay at this remarkable hotel follow the link: www.hotelsktannae.dk

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Herangtunet Boutique Hotel Norway – an intimate and luxurious hideaway…

Arriving in Norway at Oslo Airport we hired a car and took the scenic route towards Herangutunet Boutique Hotel. The hotel is situated on the outskirts of the quaint town of Heggenes and driving towards the hotel you almost think for a second you are lost. The Hotel is magnificent and right in the middle of the forest. It truly does take your breath away. I absolutely loved how the hotel is at one with nature and eco-friendly in every sense.


We arrived early, but Marco the owner greeted us and immediately made us feel so welcome and right at home. He was happy to show us to our apartment early. The hotel boasts 4 suites, 5 rooms and one apartment. The apartment is spacious and with two rooms, a lounge area, dining area and a fully equipped kitchen mking you feel immediately relaxed and at home. The Apartment is decorated with earthy tones and beautiful wooden finishes. I especially loved reading through the Guest book about previous visitor’s happy experience’s here.

After settling in, Marco was kind enough to show us some of the rooms and suites where guests had not arrived for check in yet. I must say, I was and still am completely blown away by Marco and Marie and their love for Herangtunet. They have spent years making each room and space something truly special. Marie is an interior designer and all I can say is wow. I have never seen such beautifully and well thought out decorated rooms.

Marco too put his heart and soul into creating the spaces with his own hands. It was fascinating to get all the details. The main building was even dismantled picked up and rebuilt at Herangtunet to house the current suites. It was incredibly special to be taken on a personal tour of this special property.

The building that was picked up and moved here – piece by piece.

We spent the afternoon exploring the beautiful woodlands surrounding the hotel and soaking it all in. Marco has even created a Sauna in the woods with a jacuzzi outside. There is also a fire pit area you can enjoy on the colder days as well as outside seating to enjoy on the warmer days.

The main building and where the restaurant, lounge area and bar is situated is warm and welcoming. Walking in here you immediately know that it is going to be a great evening. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming you almost feel like you are joining your family for dinner. I was also so happy to see our World Luxury Hotel Awards Trophy proudly displayed on the bar counter. A well-deserved home.

Dinner at Herangtunet was incredible and a dinner I will not soon forget starting with a mouthwatering starter of soup freshly made and ending with a unique beer ice cream. Everything is made by the team with the freshest local ingredients and served with a wine of your choice. Marco and the team really interact with all their guests and Marco even gave all of us a warm welcome and some history on Herangtunet and how it came to be. It was a memorable and special evening.

After a great night’s sleep, we joined the Herangtunet team for breakfast and again everyone was there to welcome us and have a chat. This breakfast was absolutely incredible, assorted cheese, fresh homemade bread, sliced ham and salami, cereal, and even a home-made chocolate spread. After telling Marco how much I loved this chocolate spread he even sent me the recipe which will definitely be used at home.

With Marco, owner of Herangtunet Boutique Hotel .

In conclusion Herangtunet Boutique Hotel is honestly the most intimate and luxurious property I have ever visited. The location and nature, the history, the food, and most importantly the people make this property a rare gem. Marco and Marie are extraordinary and it is clear that Herangtunet is a labour of love. My only regret is that I could only stay for one evening, but even so; in this time, I fell in love with Herangtunet. I look forward to visiting this exceptional hideaway in the near future and highly recommend it to anyone travelling through Heggenes, Norway.

Reviewed by Executive Manager of the World Luxury Awards: Tanique Echardt

To book a stay at this beautiful property simply follow the link: www.herangtunet.com

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Hotel Katajanokka – Escape the ordinary.

Hotel Katajanokka is a rather comfortable prison and one of the most uniqe hotel’s I have ever visited. Before it was converted into Hotel Katajanokka, it was literally the old prison of Helsinki. A new prison was built and the decision was made to renovate and recreate the old prison into Hotel Katajanokka.

The beauty of the hotel is almost hidden behind the perimeter wall, but once you enter the gates the scope of this hotel with its rich history comes into full view. Walking in the front door is not at all what you would expect from a prison. No metal gates, no bars and no prison guards taking your belongings and putting you in handcuffs. Instead, you get modern automated glass doors, friendly welcomes from the staff and someone willing to take your bags to your “cell”.

Walking down hotel hallways between rooms that used to be the cells where the prisoners were kept, you almost get the feeling of being in an episode of Prison Break. The rooms are comfortable in size; defnitely not as small as the cells used to be. They broke through the walls and converted 3 or 4 cells into one lovely room with a modern bathroom and enough space for a large bed and dressing table. The rooms still have the original small windows with views into the yard. The decor was stylish with old prison locks and images framed above the bed; reminding us of the unique history of Hotel Katajanokka.

The hotel has also kept an isolation cell in the exact condition it used to be when it was still a prison. So if you like, you can go down and lock your friends up or take some awesome pictures. Another feature is the group holding cell. This is basically a small, dark cave in the foundation of the building that was used to hold large groups of people. I must admit it was quite eery exploring these rooms, but also very intresting. These original cells and many more features of the Hotel Katajanokka are now being used for treasure hunts and team building exercises where you will be given clues hidden inside the dark and scary cells. This to me is an amazing way of sharing the rich history of the hotel with the public.

Hotel Katajanokka also has a gym. You are able to do great workouts in the small but well thought out gym with top of the range equipment. They have everything you need and more for all your workout needs during your stay.

The restaurant is just as impressive. With amazing food and a warm and entertaining atmosphere you find yourself sitting around the table laughing and cracking jokes with the friendly waiters for much longer than you initially intended. If you ever find yourself in this particular prison kitchen, I do recommend the burgers!

Breakfast at Hotel Katajanokka is really amazing. No matter where you are from, you will find exactly what you want at this buffet breakfast. There is even an ipad that controls the juice fountain.

Hotel Katajanokka has exceeded all my expectations. I really loved staying here, but one thing stands out to me above all. The staff. Especially the front desk staff. On our last day in Helsinki our flight left early in the morning which meant we would have a really early checkout before breakfast was available. In most hotels if you put in a request the previous evening, they will give you a yoghurt or some fruit the next morning just to keep you going.

Not at Hotel Katajanokka; here Taija who was on duty told us to come down 30min before we needed to leave so we can eat something. When we got to the reception early in the morning, she had bars and fruit waiting for us. There were also smoothies and shakes. And as if that’s not enough, she offered us coffee and tea and then she told us to have a seat while she fixed us some oats. This is unbelievable. Never have I experienced a front desk staff member at a hotel going through so much effort to make sure we do not leave with an empty stomach. Thank you! This was really appreciated!

In conclusion, Prison Break is a TV series where some inmates desperately tried to break out of prison. However, here you will find yourself willing to do anything just to stay a little longer at this stylish and unique hotel.

Reviewed by World Luxury Awards Executive Manager Tanique Echardt

To book a stay at this unique and stunning property follow the link :www.hotelkatajanokka.fi

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Sintra Marmoris Palace – a truly royal experience…

The Marmoris Palace Hotel is located in Sintra, 38 kilometres from Lisbon city centre and a quick 30 minutes from the international airport.

The charming building – previously a private residence and converted into a boutique hotel two years ago – is surrounded by lavish trees and a huge private garden.  Situated on top of a hill, it is overlooking the historical town centre with beautiful views of the castle.

Being a small hotel, it offers guests a truly personalised experience. All from the reception and welcoming drinks to the check-out was a great experience. Our host also gladly assisted us with recommendations for dinner, where to shop for a few necessities that we needed and ideas to explore the town.

The hotel has nine individually decorated rooms – four in the main building – all of which have breathtaking scenic views of Sintra –  and five in an outbuilding a few metres away, all offering privacy and direct access to the garden. The massive en-suite rooms which are beautifully furnished speak of royalty and have all the amenities that you can think of.  

The buffet breakfast has a huge selection of fruit, cereals, pastries and hot food. Taking into account that Marmoris is a small hotel with a limited number of guests each day; this was hugely impressive. 

Beautiful shaded gardens create a calm and relaxed atmosphere and because of the huge premisise it is situated on and surrounding gardens, the hotel offers a totally quiet and noise-free environment to relax in. An indoor swimming pool is also available to guests with a retractable roof overlooking castle hill.

Although my stay at Sintra Marmoris Palace was short, it is truly one of the most exquisite properties I have ever visited. From the perfect location to friendly staff, scrumptious food and attention to the finer details, Sintra Marmoris does not dissapoint and I highly reccomend a stay here if you are visiting Sintra.

Reviewed by World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book a stay at this exquisite property follow the link: www.sintramarmoris.com

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SOFITEL Legend the Grand Amsterdam – an unforgettable experience…

SOFITEL Legend the Grand Amsterdam certainly makes a grand first impression which was upheld throughout the entire luxurious experience of our stay.

The Lobby

We received a warm welcome on arrival with the full attention of the Concierge who assisted us to make the most of our visit by immediately booking us on a boat tour for the next day which conveniently left from the canal directly outside the hotel – this was definitely a highlight of our Amsterdam experience.

Stunning Marble Staircase

As the name suggests, the hotel exudes grandeur, with a stylish interior reflecting modern influences, contrasting perfectly with the obvious history of the city. We took a historical tour of the hotel and discovered many interesting facts, including that many years ago the building was 2 separate convents alongside each other, the buildings were eventually combined and the hotel was also the City Hall for a number of years.

Stained Glass Window – From Rotterdam to Amsterdam

The hotel offers a perfectly situated location, within easy walking distance of the Central train station and right at the heart of Amsterdam’s major attractions.

Beautiful Hotel Garden’s

The gardens of the hotel are a peaceful haven in the heart of a busy city, immaculately maintained with great attention to detail, amongst all the greenery we spotted trees full of beautifully ripe apricots!

Bridges Restaurant

The well known, Michelin star restaurant, Bridges was outstanding for daily breakfast, the best we have ever experienced. The newly opened Oriole garden bistro, offering indoor and outdoor dining, provided exceptional taste experiences after a long day exploring the city.

The luxurious SPA

All amenities are provided from luxury spa to gym an d an indoor swimming pool and sauna.

Meeting Kirsten and Anne Claire

Sofitel Legend the Grand Amsterdam is certainly an unforgettable legend.

Reviewed by: World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative Linda Cooper

To book a stay at this magnificent property simply follow the link: www.sofitel-legend-thegrand.com

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A city break at the magnificent Melia Barcelona Sarriá…

Upon arriving at Melia Barcelona Sarriá we were struck by the sheer size and majestic look of the building.

After a smooth check in we were shown to our Deluxe room which was warm and welcoming. It was so spacious we felt like we had our very own apartment. All staff were friendly and accommodating at all times and this really did make our stay that much more special.

I booked a facial treatment which was  calming; relaxing and completely rejuvenating. The Spa area was stunning and a wonderful space to relax in. We really enjoyed spending time in the pool area after a day of sight seeing.

The Buffet breakfast was absolutely fantastic with such a large variety. A combination of healthy, sweet ,English Breakfast choices and lots of fruit was available. We certainly ate a little more than usual each morning.

The restaurant service was amazing. We both had a large pizza which we enjoyed very much.

We must commend the Housekeeping staff at the hotel. They are incredibly efficient; every time we returned after breakfast our room was made up and spotless.

Overall, the experience was amazing and we really enjoyed our stay at Melia Barcelona Sarriá. A huge thank you to all the amazing staff for for there outstanding service and for welcoming us so warmly.

We hope to return one day soon and definitely recommend this magnificent hotel to anyone visiting Barcelona.

Reviewed By World Luxury Hotel Awards Representatives

To book a stay at Melia Barcelona Sarriá simply follow the link:https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/barcelona/melia-barcelona-sarria/index