Named for the Comte de Crillon who bought it in 1788 the Hotel de Crillon property remained in the family until 1907. We had an opportunity to revisit the property recently and remembered the many reasons we liked it the first time we stayed in the former palace now one of the better known addresses in the European capital.
Since we first visited Ledoyen in 2005, this elegant and well situated restaurant has remained reliable and satisfying. At the same time, when we return we discover new dishes or new variations on classic dishes, keeping novel and traditional options available on the menu.
Christian Le Squer, the talented executive chef, is capable of creating light and flavorful dishes. He maintains a balance between the characteristic flavor of an ingredient and blending simple flavors in harmony.
We knew from a previous visit the view at Maison Blanche would be pretty. We did not know it would be even lovelier in the evening (we had been there for lunch) or that it would be raining that night transforming the rain drops into millions of shimmering lights, like priceless gemstones, as they dropped in front of the huge glass wall of the restaurant.
As in past trips to Paris we were looking forward to visiting the Restaurant Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. This time was particularly convenient as we were staying a block away. A few minutes before our 8 p.m. dinner reservations we enjoyed a leisurely stroll to the Plaza Athénée hotel. It was a chilly winter night and a cold breeze brought with it thin beautiful snow flakes. Most disappeared, melting before they hit the ground.
After admiring the Christmas decorations at the entrance and in the lobby of the Plaza Athénée hotel we walked back past the reception area to the restaurant.
The Île de Montréal Golf Course is located 20 minutes from downtown Montreal, Canada at the eastern tip of the island. Two 18 hole golf courses make up this public golf club with a membership base established in 2003. Both courses were part of the Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and promote nature conservation and the use of local plants that are native to the area.
After hours of flying and connections at two airports I was tired when I landed in Bangkok, Thailand. The 11 p.m. arrival and 11 hour time difference made things worse. Instead of spending time in Bangkok I had opted to stay in the coastal town of Hua Hin, a two and a half hour drive from the airport, to ease my way through the jet lag in a quiet resort town instead of a city of millions. As I exited the customs area and thought of spending more time en route to my final destination I wondered if it had been the right decision.
By 3 a.m. I was comfortably settled in a handsome two-level beachfront suite at the Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin, one of the property’s premier suites. A shower and some sleep did wonders to improve my jet lag and the next morning I approached the restaurant with a ravenous appetite. Although the staff spoke limited English and I spoke no Thai I perceived a warm welcome. With their help and some exploring on my part I easily discovered the property and its facilities as well as the surrounding beachfront. I spent a few hours walking around the town, visiting a silk co-op store, the shopping mall, and a Thai night market.
