: Behind the discreet façade a few steps away from the main entrance of the Hotel Le Bristol we discovered a world of beauty and relaxation. This facility’s friendly and guest oriented staff, services available in two treatment rooms on the premises or at the adjacent hotel , restful ambiance, and reputable line of products centered on natural ingredients presented a winning formula for the beauty treatment enthusiast.
: Tru lived up to its name. The ambiance, treatments and service we received were as described and better. Our treatments and overall experience were rewarding and memorable. The facilities were aesthetically pleasing and spotless, the treatments excellent and a good value, and the staff competent, polite, and client oriented. The decorative style, centered on crisp, clean contemporary lines, enhanced our confidence. Every room, including the bathroom, we were in was immaculately clean and there was a pleasant scent throughout.
After years of dining at Lucas Carton, it remains one of our favorite restaurants in Paris and for that matter anywhere. Lucas Carton has found the formula to accommodate diner’s varying wants and needs and consistently serve delectable meals under the close supervision of its owner chef who after many years at the top still seems to be passionate about he does best, offering guests extraordinary meals.
: While in Paris , we decided to pay a visit to famous town of Versailles . During our excursion, we enjoyed a gourmet lunch at Les Trois Marches , which was the high point of our day. Chef Vié, who had lived and worked in Versailles for 30 years when we visited Les Trois Marches , had the rare ability to surprise and delight while maintaining a mostly classic menu.
: At this traditional French restaurant, we heard magic words from the chef. The precious setting, the marvelous location just off the Champs Elysees , the eager and attentive staff, the eminently French clientele, the knowledgeable wine stewards and the succulent dishes made Le Laurent a great find.
Le Bristol’s elegant dining room, well trained staff and delicious dishes made it a natural for a return visit. In addition to Chef Eric Frechon’s creations, the dining room was elegant and inviting, and the wine menu offered many affordable and desirable choices. With 80 staff members in the kitchen and another 13 in the dining room, we wanted for nothing. We appreciated the wine steward’s selections (from wine cellars of more than 30,000 bottles) and the pastry chef’s talents which provided a worthy ending to a well prepared lunch. Favorites included the scrumptious varied pre-appetizers and delicately flavored turbot and oxtail, with steamed fois gras enveloped in cabbage leaves, main courses.
: Entering Le Bristol through the main revolving door on a cold winter day was like catching a ray of sunshine in the snow. Two uniformed doormen helped us out of our taxi and inside the warm building.
At the Hotel de Crillon, one of Paris’ see and be seen addresses, we encountered bejeweled surroundings, guest oriented service, an up-and-coming gourmet restaurant on the premises and a fabulous location. Once a palace dating back to 1758 and later acquired by the Comte de Crillon, this exclusive Paris hotel was formerly a private residence. The hotel, part of the French Concorde Hotels Group, is situated on the place de la Concorde near many of Paris desirable venues and adjacent to the U.S. embassy compound.
: We cherished the Honor Mansion resort inn for a quiet, romantic or de-stressing get away. It offered delicious gourmet breakfasts, luxury amenities (including a private Jacuzzi, wet bar, and a modern fireplace) a sense of privacy and the comforts of home in a wine country setting. For those inclined to explore or be active there was a swimming pool, tennis, bocce, basketball and more. Nearby activities and attractions included fine dining, antiquing, golf, wine estate and bicycle tours and shopping.
Located in the former café de Chartres , this historic restaurant still maintained much of the original style and famous mirror decorations. It was purported to be one of the “ideological centers” of the French Revolution. It was fun to think we dined where so many famous figures dined before including Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine, Victor Hugo, Colette (our seat) and Jean Cocteau, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir . Although we appreciate and enjoy the rarified ambiance, it is the extraordinary food and culinary growth that has attracted us there time and again.
: We arrived at Aqua, located on the ground floor of a restored post 1906 earthquake building, early on a Sunday night anticipating we would have the restaurant to ourselves. To our surprise, the popular restaurant was buzzing with the sound of diners’ conversations and meals being served. It was already almost full and remained so the whole night. We floated effortlessly through our delicious multiple course meal while other diners completed their evening and new ones arrived. The large high ceiling dining room, was decorated in muted shades of sepia and gray which created an elegant yet casual ambiance. Two larger than life mirrors drew visitors’ eyes to the side wall and enhanced the feeling of spaciousness.
After flying for two days from the U.S. through Europe, we were tired and jet lagged. The last thing we wanted to do was drive around a strange city famous for its high crime rate, in an unfamiliar car (and on the opposite side of the road). Everything worked out like a charm thanks in great part to our newest travel technology, the iQue 3600 from Garmin. Before leaving the U.S. we purchased the City Select South Africa software. It allowed us to navigate accurately and easily through South Africa’s two major cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg, their environs and the Kruger Park in the North.
: Dishes at Bank were expertly prepared and delightful. Though no one is perfect all the time, Bank’s ability to consistently serve outstanding food on a regular basis was noteworthy. The décor was eclectic, warm and elegant with an exotic dash. The dining room, housed in a former bank lobby, was an inviting place to linger and savor our meal. Service staff were attentive and eager to please and the ambiance provided privacy including a relaxed and quiet atmosphere where meaningful conversation was inspired.
: Trellis, Houston ’s large and luxurious entry into the burgeoning spa market was every bit as soothing and relaxing as we had hoped. The Mediterranean style Trellis building was stylish and tranquil inside and out. After a brief wait at the reception desk, we passed beyond the arrival area and were enchanted with the quiet and bright feel inside the building. As we made our way to prepare for our half day’s worth of treatments, the ambiance, enhanced by a floating pool and Japanese style stream, wooed us. We encountered spotless and well appointed ladies locker rooms including a steam room and a Jacuzzi.
: A bustling restaurant with a happening crowd, 17 offered well presented, well served, and well prepared gourmet American food in an attractive setting. The Sam Houston Hotel’s enthusiastic young chef, Jeff Amstrong, combined adventurous flavors and old favorites for a rewarding and tasty meal. He successfully emphasized local seafood with spicy accents. He also offered continental options like rich foi gras (goose or duck liver) with roast pineapple and a pink peppercorn sauce and hearty American short ribs.
: For those wishing or needing to stay in downtown Houston , the recently renovated historic Sam Houston Hotel, offered many pluses. The city’s oldest hotel restored to its original state as a luxury boutique hotel was named for General Sam Houston, Texas’ first president. We prized the character and old Texas feel combined with modern sleek elements of the décor, the prime location, the attention to detail, focus on comfort and practicality for the business traveler and the gourmet dining option it offered.
Established in 1900 under the auspices of the Houston Public School Art League, this Houston institution was the fifth largest art exhibition space in the country when we visited it last. Housing more than 48,000 works of art and hosting more than two million visitors per year, the Museum could have been over large, over busy or overwhelming. Instead and in spite of its size it was welcoming, uncluttered and a delight to visit. There was ample space for the art and for visitors.
: A grand dame of Houston hotels and preferred accommodation of many a distinguished and famous visitor, The Houstonian Hotel Club & Spa offered classic upscale Texas style accommodations in an 18-acre compound. Guest centered staff attended to visitor needs and distinctive décor added charm to the 280-room hotel. Thanks to the location, the property’s green features and wooded views, we felt secluded though we were within easy reach of Houston ’s main business and shopping districts.
We enjoyed the sequin and tuxedo filled opening of Puccini’s tearjerker Madam Butterfly, one of the top ten most frequently performed operas in North America , at the Houston Grand Opera, which was housed in the large and modern Wortham Theater building.
: Our stay at the modern and jazzy Hotel Derek, billed as the first contemporary hotel in Houston , emphasized style and business guest services. Our senses were rewarded with decorative touches in unexpected places. At the same time all our business requirements such as high speed Internet access, fax/printer/copier, and meeting room space were met. Leisure time could be spent poolside, at the 24-hour fitness center, relaxing with an in-room spa treatment or at a nearby spa. For those wishing to shop, the hotel was conveniently situated in the Galleria area and a short drive from downtown Houston .
Dinner at this long famous Houston restaurant was full of eclectic culinary surprises, satisfying and savory at once. In spite of a busy full house the Tuesday night we were there, the servers were attentive, circumspect and efficient. Many in the crowded restaurant appeared to be regulars. Our meal was a crescendo of flavors from mild crab to zesty red fish, concluding with a tasty and perfectly prepared lamb and later a lemon themed dessert.
The idea of the anti-bacterial wipes appealed to us from the moment we heard about it. Due to weight limitations we carefully scrutinized every article we considered for inclusion in our African safari trip. Every item selected, including the Anti-Bacterial Wipes, played a useful roll. Though we stayed at luxury oriented comfortable and clean lodges and camps, the wipes came in handy a number of times during our travels: on flights, at airports, at border crossings, during game viewing drives, and in the car driving through the Kruger National Park or between lodges. When we returned home we kept using them. We found the seal of the package held the wipes moist for months at a time. The towellettes were light enough to carry in a handbag, computer case or briefcase for those times when soap and water were not immediately available. We plan on taking the Anti-Bacterial Wipes on our next adventure.
When we are in the African bush we take mosquitoes very seriously. Being bitten is cause for concern. Some types of malaria, a disease transmitted by certain mosquitoes, are hard or impossible to treat effectively. As a result, mosquitoes become not a small annoyance but a life threatening menace. The first time, several years ago, we treated our clothes with insect repellent in preparation for a trip to a malaria zone; we had to dip them using a special container, which we later disposed of. It was a big production and the clothes felt slightly stiff after they dried. The Sawyer spray was much easier and practical to use. Our clothes remained intact after we sprayed and air dried them. There were no unpleasant odors, no damaged fabrics or other side effects that we noticed; nor were we bitten by any insect while we wore the clothes we had sprayed, even after they had been washed several times at the African camps and lodges we stayed at.
: We cherished our stay at the Mandarin Oriental Miami. It featured a winning combination of customer oriented, friendly and efficient staff in a beautifully designed, and luxurious waterfront property, just steps from downtown Miami . Sail shaped, the Mandarin was reminiscent of the orient though inside there was a definite Latin flavor. Almost every staff person we encountered was of Hispanic heritage. This made it easy for staff members to interact with the many guests we heard speaking Spanish in the common areas. More than once we saw staff members switch smoothly from English to Spanish and vice versa.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, an 83-acre haven for nature lovers in a ritzy residential neighborhood, was one of our choice places to visit in Miami. Well managed and populated by rare and striking tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world, the Garden was visitor friendly. Young and old alike were made welcome through tram, audio and walking tours, classes and tropical plant themed festivals such as ginger, mango, orchid, palms and many others. New and popular features included a butterfly garden (a favorite with children), a bird watching section, the Victoria pond with its four Amazon water-lilies, and a tropical fruit tree pavilion. There was also a 13-acre palm collection, a green house with orchids, bromeliads, palms aroids and ferns, and the only outdoor tropical rainforest in the continental United States .
For those of us who wear two pairs of eyeglasses, this well designed and handsome case provided a convenient and lightweight way to carry them with minimum fuss. Made of handcrafted glove-tanned cowhide, it had two pouches with space for a pair of glasses in each one at the same time. It was the first and only double eyeglass case we found. We love it.
Sassybax, an alternative bra designed by TV star Amanda Horan Kennedy to fight visible bra lines, was comfortable and practical enough for travel. Though none of the promotional materials recommended Sassybax for travel, they did say it was more comfortable than traditional under wire and sports bras. We tried it on a roundtrip transatlantic flight and during the trip.
We were preparing for a bush trip to Africa when we first heard of the new Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, registered Buzz Off pretreated insect repellent line. We loved the idea right away. It meant we didn’t have to dip or spray our safari clothes in permethrin. The safari color (khaki) Buzz Off clothes were ready to wear, odorless, designed to wick off moisture, washable and a good value for money, especially when compared with the chore and cost of purchasing regular clothes, spraying them with permethrin, and then leaving them to dry for hours before we could pack or wear them.
Uri-Mate freed our minds from the worries associated with public bathrooms and situations with limited access to or less than desirable facilities. The Uri-Mate funnels were light weight, practical to carry in their individual packages, disposable, resistant to moisture during use and affordable. Uri-Mates could come in handy in many situations such as visiting a public restroom, having to use an Eastern toilet (flat on the ground), a latrine or outhouse or going camping, for urine tests and post surgery.
The Osprey Transporter 90, a combination backpack and luggage, made an ideal companion for the remote locations we visited during our Southern Africa adventures. It was soft sided allowing it to conform somewhat to the shape of the space we placed it in. It was versatile and sturdy; handsome enough to accompany us to five star properties and sporty enough for camping accommodations. The padded sides provided extra protection for our contents. The Transporter had straps across the front, which made it possible for the bag to shrink or grow depending on how much we wanted to carry in it. This feature was useful when we purchased a large souvenir that would not fit into any of the other bags. The souvenir fit into the Transporter because the bag expanded to accommodate the extra contents.
For those of us who do not have access to a private jet, traveling on a flight exclusively for business class passengers is the next best thing. We flew Lufthansa’s new all business class service from Chicago to Düsseldorf. As a bonus, our flight had few passengers. Boarding in Chicago was a breeze; there were no long lines, actually no lines at all.
Traveling through Botswana , South Africa and Zambia for five weeks of game viewing adventures, we were thankful to have Iridium connectivity and a Motorola 9500 Satellite phone. It worked almost everywhere we tried it as long as it had clear access to the sky to receive the satellite signal. In remote camps without phones or Internet service, it was the only way to stay in touch with work, family and friends. One of our group members, who had a relative undergoing medical treatment in the U.S. , was particularly thankful for the ability to stay in touch the Iridium Motorola phone provided.
The Magellan’s Security Bag (Large) is a travel bag used to protect film from airport x-ray security devices. The Security Bag is made of a flexible lead fabric and weighs 16 oz empty. We used the Security Bag for a total of 4 weeks and tested 2 rolls of film with it. One roll was 200 speed film and the other 400 speed film. Carry-on luggage is scanned by security scanners at a lower power level than check-in baggage security scanners. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) does not recommend putting film into check-in baggage so we chose to place our film in our carry-on luggage inside the Magellan Security Bag. As of this review date (Sept-14-2004) the TSA states the following about placing film through security screening equipment,
: Carnivore, a large yet welcoming restaurant able to seat more than 500 diners, was a must-stop for the game and meat lovers among us. During our visits, we enjoyed some of the greatest selection of game meats we have found in an urban restaurant anywhere. T he centerpiece of the restaurant was a large circular fire area with 52 spits and a 5.3 meter diameter extractor fan. It was there that expert cooks charcoal grilled our food to perfection.
When we were game viewing, we carried our Micro-Zoom compact binoculars everywhere – they still have the telltale African dust to prove it. Their light and practical design made them easy to carry and a pleasure to use. They were the perfect starting point for basic safari sightings. Whenever we wanted a higher magnification, we would pull out our much heavier second set of binoculars. Most of the time, the Micro-Zoom binoculars were just right for our needs and light enough to carry comfortably, even when we went walking for three or more hours in the bush.
One of the oldest game lodges in South Africa , Thornybush was also one of our favorite for game viewing and a pleasure to visit. As in other lodges, we started our game viewing drives around dawn. Though it was difficult to leave the comfort of our spacious African design suites, with private plunge pools, in the cold of early morning winter, our drives were rewarding.
We told our foodie friends about this up and coming restaurant and chef we found worth visiting. Relying on the reputation of the hotel and prestigious location, we had dined at the famed Les Ambassadeurs (French for the ambassadors) on a previous occasion and had been somewhat disappointed. When we heard things were changing, we jumped at the opportunity to sample the “new” cuisine.
Good voice and data connectivity in the U.S. Talking and standby time battery seemed consistent with advertised values. The compact size of the phone and its accessories made it easy to travel with. The phone performed in every country and remote area where we tested it, including Germany, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia. Connection quality was good for the majority of the calls. Only one call to the U.S. from South Africa was garbled. We were able to make calls from urban and rural areas; even inside the Kruger National Park in South Africa and while crossing the border from Zambia and Botswana .
The Outpost is one of those magic places you long to go return to, especially on a stressful day. We remember the exceptional room and its breathtaking view. The 270-degree vista and the room itself were unlike any other we had ever experienced. While we were there, some of the guests remarked on the understated and elegant decor of the lodge, and the eager and welcoming attitude of the staff, the future owners of The Outpost. Perched on our hill top room, we could see to the north, south and east for miles. The open design of the room which featured a roof and walls on only two sides was delightful. We saw two nearby rivers, large animals and the main features of the landscape with the naked eye. At night, we felt the cold breeze and heard the wonderful animal sounds surrounding us.
Our visit in Songwe Village was unlike any other luxury property stay during our five-week trip. It was down to earth, literally and figuratively, with stunning gorge views and native style huts that simulated village life. The Songe staff were warm, friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. They generously shared of their time to allow us insights into Zambian village life.
Named for the neighboring Mozambique Lebombo Mountains , this remote and architecturally distinctively Singita property was perched on a hill overlooking a stunning gorge near the confluence of two rivers. We found it ideal for a tranquil, sophisticated, service oriented get away with game viewing options. We appreciated the wilderness area’s game viewing possibilities, including the famous Big Five, and Singita’s emphasis on aesthetically pleasing surroundings, comfort and relaxation. The magnificent vistas, from the main building and our room, and the excellent service were among our favorite features.
If Sides Restaurant was near our home, we would be regular diners. Set in a cozy hotel in a desirable residential area of Johannesburg , Sides was the kind of restaurant we return to regularly. It offered attentive and accommodating staff, delicious home style food, an attractive setting with a large fireplace in one corner of the room and a view to the hotel’s garden, a huge selection of fine South African wines and a comfortable dining room.
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Imagine waking to the sound of a young wounded water buffalo being hunted by a pack of hungry lions as it searches for the safety of the herd. Now imagine walking out into the bush to see how the drama ended; standing fifty yards from a pack of lionesses tearing apart a carcass when they pick up your scent and scramble. Though we were warned that it is rare for visitors to have close encounters with animals during bush walks, lady luck was with us that day. We followed our able and patient guides to the kill shortly after breakfast our first morning at the only wilderness concession inside Kruger National Park and a big five area, Plains Camp at Rhino Walking Safaris.
For years we heard how wonderful the Mount Nelson was. We left our extraordinary waterfront accommodations early to sample the historic Mount Nelson . We need not have bothered. We found droopy, dated, and at times smelly, common areas, poor food, indifferent staff with an attitude; and a less than desirable location for our Victoria & Alfred Waterfront oriented visit.
We felt far away at Lebala , named for open spaces in the Setwana language. With a maximum of 16 guests and 19 staff members in a 232,000-hectare gaming concession, we felt near Africa and well settled for game viewing. Our camp, as most game viewing camps in Botswana , was set in the open, without fences or impediments so wild animals could walk by anytime. During our stay, the staff made sure all our housing, meals and laundry needs were cared for so we could focus on the purpose of our trip – viewing the wonderful wild animals.
Set in a remote concession adjacent to the Okavango Delta, Kwara offered all the creature comforts and wonderful game viewing opportunities. Its reputation for leopard sightings was reinforced during out stay. We were able to see lots of game and birds during our drives and river boat ride. We found the camp well run and inviting in spite of the wilderness setting. The staff were welcoming, the food good and the game viewing excellent.
Kagga Kamma, located in an arid area, was named for the waters that were plentiful at one time. It is the only game lodge in South Africa with four star graded luxury caves, was a great place to get away. We appreciated the lodge’s comfort orientation; cave design rooms, and efficient service staff. Without phone, fax cellular phone, or Internet access, we focused on the quiet and stark beauty of our surroundings.
An outdoor enthusiast’s dream, our luxury mobile camp experience in the Nxai Pan National Reserve of Botswana was intimate, safe, clean and comfy. Communing with the outdoors and nature, especially in an area with no other accommodation options, was a pleasure. Accustomed to fussy Americans, our experienced, colorful and knowledgeable hosts John and Tina and their team were welcoming and tended to our every need. The tents (with bathrooms en suite) were in excellent condition with great attention to detail, and modern though maintaining an African feel.
Our stay in Garonga, a 2,500 hectare stylistic holistic haven in the bush, was soothing. After weeks in remote game viewing areas of Southern Africa , delayed flights, a long drive from Johannesburg in a manual 4 x 4 along unfamiliar roads, we arrived in Garonga a bit stressed. Used to focusing our energy on dawn and sunset game drives, it took some effort to refocus and appreciate the main attraction at Garonga, our aesthetically oriented surroundings and the leisure services available.