ScheckTrek: luxury hotes

Showing posts with label luxury hotes. Show all posts

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Spain

Michelle Obama was in the news last week regarding her upscale vacation in Spain. One thing we learned is that our First Lady has excellent taste in hotels – and far be it from this writer to cast stones at that.

Mrs. Obama visited Marabella, in the region of Andalusia, which is in southern Spain – a region bordered by the Atlantic, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital and largest city is Seville, and the region is graced with magnificent Moorish architecture.

This research has shown me that Spain has a lot of hotel bargains. According to Splendia.com, rates at the palatial Hotel Villa Padierna, where Mrs. Obama stayed, start at $266. Of course it goes up from then, but even so, when you see the quality of this Ritz Carlton property, perhaps you’ll see why I call it a bargain.

My pick for the Andalusia region of Spain is the same as Michelle Obama’s: the Hotel Villa Padierna.

Photo from HuffingtonPost.com

Photo from Hotel-Rates.com

Photo from HuffingtonPost.com

Photo from Hotel-rates.com

Photo from HuffingtonPost.com

Photo from Hotel-Rates.com

And I saved my favorite photo for last. Imagine getting ready in this bathroom!

Photo from Splendia.com

As long as we’re in Spain, why don’t we check out the Canary Islands for the fun of it?

The Canary Islands are a Spanish archipelago located off the northwest coast of mainland Africa. The international boundary of the Canaries is actually a subject of dispute between Spain and Morocco. The boundary is relevant for possible seabed oil deposits and other ocean resource exploitation.

According to Wikipedia, the Canary Islands are a major tourist destination, with great natural attractions, including the highest mountain in Spain and third largest volcano in the world. “The originally volcanic islands – seven major islands, one minor island, and several small islets – were formed by the Canary hotspot. The Canary Islands is the only place in Spain where volcanic eruptions have been recorded during the Modern Era, with some volcanoes still active (even though recently inactive).”

I have two picks for the Canary Islands. The first is the Gran Hotel Bahía Del Duque. The hotel’s website paints a word picture: “The Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque Resort rises majestically next to the beautiful beach of El Duque. Its architecture is inspired by canarian houses of 19th Century and the harmony of its colours, carrying us to a place where time acquires a new dimension.

Surrounded by subtropical gardens, these houses open out to fresh patios and picturesque squares inviting to relax. A unique harmony, from the soft colours of the facades to the green gardens and swimming pools cascading down in waterfalls down to the beach.”

With rates averaging from $344 to $924 per night – even though the higher amounts are for the villas – I would agree this one might not seem like such a bargain. But it’s great fairytale architecture is definitely worth dreaming about!

Photo from http://www.mits.ru/

Photo from OnlyExclusiveTravel.com

Photo from 1golf.eu

Photo from Hotels.Tripzen.com

Photo of one of the villas from http://www.mits.ru/

Photo from http://www.mits.ru/

Photo from www.Splendia.com

Photo from www.mits.ru

My second pick for the Canary Islands is the Hotel Royal Garden Villas in Costa Adeje. Prices average about $320 per night.

Photo from Hotels.com

I love the wood carvings at this place.

Photo from Hotels.com

Photo by Eduardo Blanco (Flickr.com)

I hope our First Lady enjoyed her trip to Spain. I’m thankful to have been introduced me to some of its treasures.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Near Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin

On the date of this August 9 posting, practice will begin for the 2010 PGA Tournament, to be held August 12-15 at Whistling Straits, on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin.
(Photo of Whistling Straits by Jack Fabick.)

If you are at all familiar with this area of Wisconsin, you may assume that The American Club ($400/night), in Kohler, is the only place to stay. But not so. There are some very decent options in Sheboygan (even closer to Whistling Straits than Kohler is) and in Plymouth (an extra 8-10 minutes’ drive along a pleasant country highway).

I’ll say more about The American Club later, but would like first to mention Sheboygan’s offerings.

The largest is a beautiful resort on the water, the Blue Harbor (about $200/night), done in a style that’s somewhat reminiscent of the Del Coronado near San Diego. It sports an indoor water park, which may or may not be considered a plus, depending on your perspective and the age of your fellow travelers. Nevertheless, this place is definitely easy on the eyes.

Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan, WI (ScheckTrek Photography)

Many times I’ve thought of these chairs, overlooking Lake Michigan, and wished I could be back there, sitting in one of them.

Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan, WI (ScheckTrek Photography)

The hotel’s interior includes whimsical, water-related touches, such as this ceiling in one of the cafes…

…and this window to a bar.

Blue Harbor Resort, Sheboygan, WI (ScheckTrek Photography)

Considerably smaller (and no doubt, quieter) are two rather mansionous B&B’s: the Brownstone Inn ($175-250) and Lake View Mansion Bed & Breakfast ($129-249), both either overlooking or very near Lake Michigan. The décor is a bit too “authentically Victorian” for my taste, but I’m sure the architectural details are a treat. Here are photos taken of Lake View Mansion’s exterior when last we were in town.

Lake View Mansion Bed and Breakfast, Sheboygan, Wisconsin (ScheckTrek Photography)

Though it is not my pick for virtual travel – which ignores all suggestions of budgetary restraint – for my money, I would drive an extra 8-10 minutes to stay at the Inn on Windhill ($99-159) in Plymouth. My family and I can personally attest to the charm of this delightful bed & breakfast, though I must warn you, some redecorating has taken place since our visit in 2006; so double-check online if you’re considering it.

Inn on Hillwind, Plymouth, WI (ScheckTrek Photography)

Normally, flowered patterns get an automatic veto from me; but I made an exception for this place, and we didn’t regret it. This was the suite we chose.