GRAND HOTEL SOFIA

It's one of the 5-star hotels in the Bulgarian capital city. It's located in the city centre, next to the National Theatre, and within a short distance from the beautiful cathedral, museums and ministries.

The hotel itself is recently renovated. Accessibility is a bit limited as there are no ramps and some steps that makes it s bit uncomfortable to travel with luggage.

Reception staff is nice... If you don't have a problem. If there is a problem of overbooking, which seems to happen, you are relocated in another hotel, on the other side of the city which is only a 4 star hotel. That is unacceptable. But it happens.

The rooms are very classically decorated. But, they are huge. We are talking that they could easily be around 65 m2. It is a big difference with other hotels where the rooms are minuscule. You have a living room area, a work desk, old fashioned TV set, a huge bed. And lots of space to do a party. I have been there before, and I remember being in bed and saying. "Uff! The bathroom is so far that I am not sure whether to go! Ok. It's an exaggeration, but really, the room size is huge. Too much, but at the same time, it's like being at home. You don't feel claustrophobic.

Internet is free of charge, both wireless or with cable. You need a password and you can surf the net easily at a very good speed. You are given two bottles of complementary water, which is another thing worth nothing but it's a nice thing. Sleepers are also available.

The bed is huge and comfortable. There were two pillows, and maybe, I would have liked a couple more to watch TV in bed. But, they were brilliant to sleep. The duvet was shorter than the bed, so I guess that if there are two people, there is a risk of getting some leg or arm out of the duvet. And the heater was very strange, as it was hardly noticeable. It was cold even sometimes. I had to switch it off at night due to the noise. The curtains were, again, too short to cover the huge window to the main road. But still, I could sleep well.

The bathroom, too, was big, with a bath, a shower, bidet, toilet and sink. And toiletries are available.

Breakfast was good, but very little selection of fruit. Bread could have been better. I asked for the traditional cheese and tomato omelet, and they needed to be returned to the cook to finish them off, as they were not completely cooked. I asked for a double espresso and was good.

The checking out was easy, a bit slow but easy. I god a transfer back to the airport, that was payable.

GRAND HOTEL SOFIA
1, Gurko Str.,
1000 Sofia,
Bulgaria
tel: (+359 2) 811 0811
fax: (+359 2) 811 0953
e-mail: concierge@grandhotelsofia.bg

ELYSÉE PALACE IN NICE

I got a taxi to the hotel from the airport, and it set me back 38 Euros for a trip that could have lasted, maximum 8 minutes. This is not the hotel fault, but it would help if a transfer was organised. It's only a few meters away from the Legendary Negresco, on the side of the Boulevard des Anglais, within a short walk to the main centre part of the city. I guess you can use the bus from the airport too, route 98, if you know where to get off.

Checking in was ok. No problem at all. It is a Four Points by Sheraton. The hotel looks ok, and the interior seems to have been renovated lately.

Internet was free of charge but needed a password that I could barely read from the front desk guy's handwriting.

I got room 704, on the top floor. It was supposed to be a room with beach view... but it was only sideways.

The room had been renovated lately. A bit plasticky, specially for the chair, the bedside tables and lamps. It tried to be stylish... but I suppose it is not mine. The closet didn't have doors. Instead, it had curtains. There was a clear excess of curtains in the room.

Room was quiet, and the bed comfortable, which at the end of the day, it is what you need.

The bathroom had a bath, and plenty of toiletries.

Breakfast was on the ground floor, and had some fruit, cold meats, scrambled eggs, hot meats, and pastry. Coffee was "industrial" American coffee... and basically, the choice was so, so.

Checking out was also good.

The hotel is good, a bit plasticky all around, but for Nice, it is good value for money.

HÔTEL ELYSEE PALACE
59 promenade des anglais /Entrée Rue Honoré SAUVAN
06000 NICE -
Téléphone : + 33 (0)4 93 97 90 90
Fax : +33 (0)4 93 44 50 40
e-mail : reservation@elyseepalace.com

ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL, IN ATHENS

Electra Palace Hotel is an unexpectedly big hotel in the heart of Plaka, the most touristic district of the Greek capital. However, that doesn't mean that is noisy at all. It is also near Syntagma, the main square in the city.

The hotel is rather classical. Its huge hall leads to the reception area. Two or three people will do the check in. Quick, although you need to fill in the form, as you normally do, even, when you have the voucher with all the information. The staff at reception is ever so nice. Really helpful at all times.

The lifts are too small, and rather unsafe. I got one where the doors would not close, so I got out, but could not call the other, because according to the system, the (defective) lift was still there. So I had to find my way downstairs.

The room was very old-fashioned, and to an extent, with lack of taste. It felt it was decorated in the 80s... and had remained like that since. The big problem for my room was that it was extremely hot. I put on the air conditioned, and I realized that hot air was coming out. I called reception and was told that it was either heating or air conditioned... and because customers had complained about the cold, they had to put the heater on. It was around 25 outside. How could people complain about cold rooms!!!

Internet is free of charge, but you need to go via cable. But again, it is positive.

Breakfast was rather weak. Good natural Orange Juice. Fruit salad is something that makes me wonder the origin of the food. And that was available every day. Bread was also nice, especially the cheese bread with sesame. Scrambled eggs or poached eggs... didn't look that attractive. I have to say... that I have had better breakfast.

Checking out was fast too... If I have the choice, I think I would try another hotel. It is clearly not a 5 star hotel, despite the traditional decor.

ELECTRA PALACE HOTEL ATHENS
18-20, N.Nikodimou Str
10557 Athens
Greece
Tel : +30 210 33 70 000
Fax: + 30 210 32 41 875

EUROSTARS DAS ARTES, IN PORTO

Getting to Porto from Lisbon was easy. Getting to the Eurostar Das Artes Hotel was a bit of a nightmare. I didn’t have a GPS with me, so there I was like in the old times… with a map in hand… and following signs. I have to say that from the ring road, the signs were clear and without any mistake, so you could reach the hotel easily… but the traffic around the hospital that is near the hotel was chaotic, extremely slow and clearly, the traffic lights didn’t allow enough cars to avoid congestion. But… eventually, I got there.

The hotel is inside a historic building, near the centre but not quite in there. The metro stop is within walking distance. To start with, you need to climb a few steps to get to the reception. Staff was nice and gave me all sorts of indications. I had to pay for my car parking space in the back yard. Outside, in the neighbouring streets, carparking may be complicated... and expensive, as it is blue area of pay and display.

The room I got, was on the 2nd floor of the module that was next the the street, but it was an inside room, therefore, it was very quiet. The room was huge, with a big comfortable bed and sufficient space for a sitting watching the flat screen TV.

The bathroom was huge too. Very long, with a bath and a shower, and plenty of soaps.

In the morning, on the lower ground floor, a massive buffet is waiting for you. Wide choice that surely will meet your expectations.

EUROSTARS DAS ARTES
RUA DO ROSARIO, 160-164
Porto
Portugal
Telephone: (+34) 902 93 24 24
Fax: (+34) 93 268 19 45

NH CAMPO GRANDE, IN LISBON

The NH hotels can be of two types. Old buildings refurbished and new buildings. The NH Campo Grande is a relatively new building but the hotel itself looks as if it was an old one... that had not been touch for a long time... except for the common areas.

The Reception area is ok. When I got there, it was rather quiet, so I checked it relatively fast. The lifts were just next to the reception, but one of them was not working well. So thank God there was not that many people.

The room was ok. I got 403 that offered a "nice" view to the main road. Fortunately, it was well isolated. Bed was comfortable, rather small for a new hotel. A little living room area, with a pair of chairs and a table, with a Nespresso Coffee Machine and some tablets to make a coffee.

The bathroom with much less toiletries than in the good times... Logical if they want to reduce costs... but... do you go to a hotel that has an attractive price but you don't find half of the things you find a similar status hotel? Very poor.

Internet has also a cost. 15 Euro for the basic connection and 18 for the business. Nowadays, there are hotels that are offering it for free, for god sake, and this hotel not only asks you to pay for it, but it has two types. I am not sure what the business rate was like, but the basic one was constantly offline, and took a couple of minutes to get you back online.

Breakfast was also... simple. A buffet was available with some cold meats, cheese, fruit (very scarce) and some bakery products. Coffee was prepared (not that bad) and so was the orange juice. The restaurant was overlooking the main road too and traffic was intense, so... definitely, was not a relaxing experience, especially for me, who had a car hired.

Checking out was fast too. I had my car in the car park... which according to them is payable, but they didn't charge me for it, even when I remarked I had my car there... So... good point there for the hotel.

I think that the 4 stars they claim to have... should be more like 3... But it's ok...

NH CAMPO GRANDE

Campo Grande, 7.

1700-087 Lisboa (Portugal)

Tel. +35.121.7917600

Fax: +35.121.7957500

E-mail: nhcampogrande@nh-hotels.com

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL CALI

My visit to Cali was brief. I arrived late in the evening and I went straight into the Intercontinental, which was managed by Estelar Hoteles. Nevertheless, I could still use my Intercontinental Priority Club card.

I got there and there wasn’t anyone at reception, so staff was only for me so checking in was really fast. The girl behind the counter was really helpful and indicated everything very well.
I got a floor on the 5th floor. As soon as I got in the room, I noticed the noise of a fan… and taking into consideration I had a terrible headache, I decided to go back to reception and get a nother room. I was also given another on the 5th floor, 529, and the noise was still there, but much more attenuated. It seemed that isolation was much better in this room.

The room was fairly big, but rather old fashioned. I guess Intercontinental had opened it, and for some reason, did not get the expected results, so… it was handed over to local group Estelar, who had done little renovation.

The bed was comfortable… and pillows were also available.

The living room area, as you can see from the picture, was also old fashioned. Wireless Internet was free of charge, but believe me, it was like a torture. Extremely slow that took you away from it… The Flat screen was a much relaxed option… Mainly, Colombian TV channels.

The bathroom is wide and so is the bath. Toiletries are still Intercontinental branded, but the philosophy is Estelar, that is, to pay for toothbrush, shaving kit… which I think is a bit mean.
As for the breakfast, I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the fact, I had to ask what everything was and of course, I had to try it… and it was delicious, specially the typical arepa with melted cheese and the cheesy breads… Fruit was exceptional and so was the yogurt. There was a type of scrambled eggs with corn, with ham and some other I cannot remember, and specially, the typically dressed cook that was behind the counter who was ever so kind, informative and… got me to try everything…

It seems to be the best hotel in Cali... It may look like a modern hotel from outside... but it is clearly a very poor 5-star hotel and clearly under the Intercontinental standard.

Checking out was also easy.

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL CALI
AVENIDA COLOMBIA #2-72,
P.O. BOX 7457
CALI
COLOMBIA
Front Desk: +57-2-8823225
Fax: +57-2-8939494

HOTEL ALMIRANTE CARTAGENA ESTELAR, IN CARTAGENA DE INDIAS

If you are ever visiting Colombia, make sure you visit Cartagena de Indias. It is a lovely city by the sea. We chose to stay in the Almirante Cartagena Estelar Hotel, which is in a safe area, Bocagrande, where many other hotels are.

The hotel is new, modern in the outside, and it seems it used an old building that is preserved inside. So far so good...

Checking in, was very slow. We were in a group and it took ages to go through the queue and the checking procedure, that even asked me to get my computer out to write down the serial number. It seems they may have had some problems in the past... Hence, security is very tight. You need to go up the stairs to the second floor to access the main lifts that will take you to the rooms. And you need to get past the security person, that will require you to identify yourself, before allowing you in the lift. The lift, however, requires you to put the room key in, so no one without a key would be allowed in.

The room (604) was big, but clrealy, old fashioned. The good thing was the views, as it over look the beach and gifted you with nice sunsets. The bed was big and comfortable, with a choice of pillows (two hard, two soft). The fridge, however, had to be plugged off as it was extremely noisy. The room itself could do with a better isolation, as you could hear clearly what was going on out in the street. And also, the general aircon or ventilation system was present as a soft constant noise.

Toilet was spartan. A wide bath with a fix shower. As for toiletries, it was rather complete. It even had a mouthwash, which is normally not there. On the contrary, a shaver, toothbrush and deodorant were included in the offer of the minibar, therefore, at a cost.

TV as also very old, (of course, not flat screen) and had a variety of TV channels. The hotel had a Gym and a pool too. Good thing: Free Wireless Internet connection for the duration of your stay, after requesting for user name and password.

Breakfast was so, so. It had a wide variety of things to choose from, mainly local dishes. The lady who did my omelette, tried hard... but in the end, it came out to be more like scrambled eggs. Fruit was delicious (mainly pineapple) and juices were really watered, therefore, hardly tasty. As for the coffee... I don't know whether to say this. Let's say the coffee was not Colombia standard. It was more like British coffee (with due respect). It was horrendous. Thank god, round the corner you had a Juan Valdes Coffee shop where the good coffee was available.

It is a very basic 5 star hotel... More like a 3-4 star hotel.

HOTEL ALMIRANTE CARTAGENA ESTELAR

Av.San Martín, Calle 6 Esquina

Bocagrande

Cartagena

Colombia

Tel: +57 (5) 6658811

Fax: +57 (5) 6658269

Central de Reservas en Bogotá: +57 (1) 608 8080 / +57 (1) 5931900

Toll Free Colombia :018000-978000

Toll Free Canadá y USA: 18665998703

E-Mail: reservas@hotelesestelar.com

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PANAMA

The Four Points Sheraton Panama is well located in the financial centre of Panama City. Checking in was a bit slow, as we were in a group and it was clearly short staffed, even with them expecting us and having part of the check in process prepared.

The room I got was on the 8th floor (801) and was quite big. Old fashioned furniture but clean. The big flat TV screen was the only new item in the room. There was also a living room area and a work table, but as you can see, all decorated with a rather clasical style.

Wireless Internet is available, at a fee, and it doesn't stand out for being extremely fast. It was free in the reception, which really annoys me. What sort of service is that for customers, specially to members of the Starwood preferred? Not that happy about that.

Being on the 8th floor and trying to get up or down in one of the 3 lifts was also rather slow. And I know it is for security reasons, but it is rather annoying to have to use the room card to be able to use the lift. Security? Maybe not so, as you could select any floor with one same card .

The queen bed was comfortable, with several pillows. Air con was extremely noisy, so, I switched it on only when I was not in. The room itself was quiet.

The bathroom area was divided into two. The sink area, without any door, and hosted the mini bar, fridge, coffee machine and hair dryer. Strange combination, as they had saved on an additional piece of furniture. Very strange for this hotel category.

Toiletries were available but very scarce. No shaving kit nor toothbrush. Also, no gown nor slippers. There were 3 sets of towels, that after the first night, became only two.

Breakfast was also weak. Fruit was excellent but little choice of savoury. Juice was natural, but highly watered. And omelettes were available, but just by chance I knew about it, as they were not publicised.

The Breakfast room is on the same level as the swimming pool. Rather small for a full hotel, but seems that no one uses it, at least at the times when I was in the hotel.


FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PANAMA
Calle 53, Marbella y Ave 5A B Sur
Panama City, 832-0239
Panamá
Tel +507 (2) 65-3636

BARCELO SAN JOSE PALACIO

This is a nice hotel near the centre of San José. You can chose to get a hotel transfer from the airport or just make your own way by cab.

Checking in was rather slow too for the group. It's all the filling required that seems to slow it down.

The room I got was on the 1st floor (119) and was big, with living room area and two double beds. I didn't quite like the idea of open the doors outwards.

The beds were comfortable, and there was a choice of pillows. Wireless Internet was available at a fee, and a bit slow some times.

The bathroom had a complete set of toiletry goodies and a gown and slippers. Room floor with carpet and bed spreads, rather old fashioned.

Breakfast was good. Choice of bread, jams and marmalade (and peanut butter) as well as garlic tomato. Natural juice and impressive fruit. Really sweet. Many cheeses to choose from and also cooked things, as well as a choice of omelettes and fried eggs.

Even though the restaurant was big, there was a peak time in which it was very difficult to get a table, specially, after a flight cancellation from Iberia due to weather conditions, that brought a complete plane to the hotel. The following morning, the staff seemed to be overpowered by the excessive amount of people.

The swimming pool, at the back, recreated a little paradise lake, among bushes and palm trees. At the pool side, the Rancho restaurant offered food (same range as the room service) during the day. There was also a Japanese restaurant, that I could say I will not remember it as the best Japonese restaurant. Some bits were good, others, were really poor.

Checking out was easy and fast.

HOTEL SAN JOSÉ PALACIO
Residencial El Robledal,
La Uruca, 4581150
San José de Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Teléfono: 506 2220 20 34
Fax: 506 2220 20 36
E-mail: sanjosepalacio@barcelo.com

DREAM ISLAND HOTEL IN SANTORINI

Those of us, who travel a lot, know that when you enter a hotel, it is going to be the place where you are going to be for the next hours, days... but you are fully aware that it is not home. A hotel is, after all, a hotel. However, when I entered the Dream Island, I never thought I was at home either, but believe me... I wanted to stay and live there.

Santorini is a very busy island. Traffic, tourist ... everywhere. The Dream Island is, as the name says, a dream island. Quiet, rest, peace... is what you feel there.

The hotel is like a little village, surrounding a lovely swimming pool, and overlooking a non famous church with a blue dome... Yet, you are only a minute away from the main road from Oia to Fira, and within 3 minutes walk from Fira Centre. The cable care to the caldera boats is 5 minutes away on foot.

The first good experience comes when you are picked up from the airport or the ferry boat. It is actually the owner of this family hotel who comes. You don't need to look for a taxi or a bus that takes you anywhere. They come and pick you up. The hotel reception is huge and they are really nice. They give you all sorts of information and as guests normally are there for a short time, they make sure you are aware of the excursions available, especially, the one that takes you swimming to different beaches and the Volcano.

The room we got was rather small, but we were told so when we booked it, so there is no complain about it. Still, it was very tastefully decorated. Apparently, it was done by the mother of the family, who seems to be crazy about decoration. The bathroom was very modern too and full of good quality toiletries.

I was concerned that at night, with the swimmingpool being so close, it would be noisy. On the contrary, peacefull during the day, peacefull at night.

The swimming pool was, without any doubt, one of the best things. The weather was hot and... it was a nice way to cool down. We were lucky that when we used it, we were alone. There were deck chairs around it, with plenty of shade or sun, so as to decide where you want to be.

Breakfast is housed in the cellar. Also, beautifully decorated and with plenty of readymade things. Water Melon seemed to be the fruit available at the time and it was well worth having it. Yoghurt, outstanding, and some little croissants stuffed with chocolate... impressive. All in all, it was good.

The dreadful time to check out came, and as ours was in the evening, we asked about having a shower and changing clothes... As with everything in the hotel, there was no problem. Nice shower and we were taken to the airport. Clearly, the best hotel from all my stay and would definitely, love to go back... It would help if it got slightly cheaper... but then again, it seems it is fully booked during the summer...

DREAM ISLAND HOTEL
Fira (Santorini) Greece
Tel: +30 22860 24122
Fax: +30 22860 23922
E-mail: info@dreamislandhotel.gr