AC ATOCHA IN MADRID

Having my usual hotel in Madrid closed for renovation, I had to look for a new one. The option was wide but I was looking for something in particular. The fact that it is close to the railway station (200 mts away). Atocha, is near the centre, well connected with the main commercial area by underground. And so is the AC Atocha Hotel. Within 5 minutes from the train platform, it is really convenient.

The hotel is surrounded by restaurants that will probably be of your liking, if you don’t want to eat in.
Reception is, as it normally is in this type of hotels, fast, friendly and efficient. You are handed the key and told how to get to your room. If you get it in the other module, it is a bit of a nuisance, having to get the lift to go one flight down, get across the corridor, go out to the back patio and get in the module, and then it is like a normal hotel. It is a bit of a walk... not that much of a problem unless you are a winger...

The hotel is nice... but not my taste. I don't quite like the "cold" feeling you get among those black walls, from the corridors and rooms. The hotel is very impersonal. Empty rooms, no background music... you... and yourself, which in some cases can be good... but, it may not be in others.

When you enter your room, everything is modern. Bed is comfortable. The wardrobe is unusual... Neither doors nor covers. It is a metal structure where the hangers are hanging.

The bathroom is no different. What strikes is the clear glass shower. You can see who is taking a shower from the bed... Normally, you are going to travel with someone you know... but... not that good for just friends... unless, of course, you want to take the chance to move further... Toilet is separate and... Closed to the rest of the room. Soaps and other toiletries are available too.

Breakfast is on the main module. It is a buffet with fruit, biscuits, cold meat and cheese, yogurt, bakery...

What really irritates me from this hotel is the fact that Wi-Fi is free of charge in the lobby but available for a fee in the room. I think it is mean.

AC ATOCHA
Calle Delicias, 42
28045 MADRID
Spain
T. 91 506 22 21
F. 91 506 22 22
acatocha@ac-hotels.com

SCANDIC GARDERMOEN OSLO AIRPORT

Unlike most Scandic Hotels I have visited, that were basic hotels, the Scandic Gardermoen Oslo Airport, is a completely new hotel, recently opened. It has a modern look, quite spacious reception and a lot of design.

It is on the other side of the runway from the Terminal. There is a shuttle bus that takes you to the hotel every 20 minutes, for a mere 60 kroner (7.5 Euro approximately) each way, on a trip that takes barely 5 minutes. Something to bear in mind if you compare prices with Radisson Blu, which is situated just across the street from the Terminal building.

Checking in, doesn’t take long, if you are quick to get off the bus and try to be first at the counter. After all, it has 243 rooms. Otherwise, you will need to wait until the staff finish with previous guests. I feel they were a bit “cold”. Not unpleasant, but distant. They did their job.

Reaching the room was somehow long. The corridors are long and my room was a bit far away. And rather dark. I don’t know… it must be the latest fashion, to have light that doesn’t give light.

The room was “tight”. Modern in look, but not much space. I asked for a big bed… All sold out… (As if!!!). I got two twins. Next to it, a small table with hardly space to move around.

The hotel is nice… but there isn’t anything around, so you need to make sure you reach there late, unless, of course, you want to use the gym. TV stations are very limited, and you have to depend on a TV channel that offers some film or series in English… If there isn’t and you don’t know Norwegian, you will have a rather boring evening.

Internet is free of charge, as in the rest of the Scandic, so that is a positive point.

Despite what you get from its website, Sauna is still not opened. I normally don't use them, but on this ocasion, I had been working long throught the day and needed to relax. The only option was a warm shower...

Breakfast was good and lots of choice; very well presented buffet.

It is a hotel that seems to give you a better image of what it is. It is not bad, but there are certain points that will make me reconsider whether I would like to return to it. Probably, if the price difference is not much, I would go to the Radisson Blu.

SCANDIC GARDERMOEN OSLO AIRPORT

Ravinevegen 15 2060
Gardermoen
Norway
Phone: +47 23 15 59 00
Fax: +47 23 15 59 11
E-mail: osloairport@scandichotels.com

SCANDIC HØVIK

The Scandic Høvik is really a Motel. At 15 minutes bus ride from Oslo Centre, situated in a Service Station, is that… a Motel. Getting there is not complicated, if you are choosing to use public transport. Taxis are out of the question due to the distance and the high fares you will be charged. It’s Norway after all, and nothing is cheap there.

The hotel rooms are basic. Scandic hotels tend to be that… In my case, I got a ground floor room, with basic bed (actually, two twins) and basic bathroom. Do you need more? Not really. Unlike what I thought initially, the rooms were quite silent. You could not hear the cars passing by or the train, which was a positive point.

Staff was helpful and gave me indications on how to get into Oslo Central the fastest way. That is, by bus, route 151 to be precise. Although, bus stop is 5 minutes away, and the route to it is a bit… tricky, as you have to cross the entrance to the services from the highway. There is a train station, but I got told it was a bit more complicated.

Breakfast was basic. Not bad but had had much better ones. Nothing compared with other Scandic Hotel ones. In my opinion, if you can get a closer hotel to the centre and need to head that way, it is better you use another hotel.

SCANDIC HØVIK

Drammensveien 507

1363 Oslo

Norway

Phone: +47 23 15 53 00

Fax: +47 23 15 53 11

E-mail:

hovik@scandichotels.com

Reservation & Customer service:

+46 8 517 517 20

SHERATON DUBAI CREEK HOTEL & TOWERS

Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers is a nice hotel. It is grand, but you can tell that the hotel is not a new one. There is something about it that makes you feel it needs some updating.

Checking in at reception, late at night, as flights to Dubai normally reach at night, was extreeeeeemely slow. I am not sure how many questions I got asked... which probably could have been done when reserving the room. I had my voucher... but still... questions and questions. Excuse me man! I want to go to bed... I was thinking. And I was lucky, as I was the first one to reach the desk from a large group. I wonder when the next group of Argentineans would have reached their room.

The elevators were on the opposite corner of the entrance, which was a bit of a nuisance, as my room was just on top of the main entrance... So my "promenades" in and out of the hotel were spectacularly long... I feel they need to improve this.

The room was nice and spacious. Big bed (as I normally ask) and plenty of pillows. I tend to only need one, but watching TV in bed always requires a few more. The room was clean, but my complaint would be that, facing the main road, the noise isolation was not very good. Also, the fountain in the lobby made a constant noise. I was too tired by the end of day to have these affecting my sleep, but I wonder how other people with lighter sleeping habits would manage.

The shower was good... and so was the smell of the soaps... Sometimes you go to certain hotels that have extremely scented soaps... which really, put me off. It was not the case here... I really liked it.

Breakfast was good... although not first class. Horrendous juices, of course, not fresh. Artificial egg liquid for omelettes (I am sure it has a name, but I don't recall it now). This is really important for me... so I opted to get fried eggs. Fruit, however, was impressively tasty, sweet and abundant, so... I got a lot of it.

I had my breakfast in the outside terrace, which was a bit hot and had some smoke from smokers... but was worth it to overlook the creek, watching the waterbuses pass by, and the skyscrapers in front of you... A bit of relaxation to start with before a stressing day.

Checking out was way faster than checking in...although they tried to charge extra for my breakfast, which was included in the voucher. Strange! So beware of the charges.

Another negative point was the charge for Internet in the room. A totally unacceptable high price.

It is a good hotel, but I am not sure whether I would go back again. I would definitely try to go to the nearby Radisson, which is closer to Union Metro Station, and probably, would offer free Internet, as it is customary in those hotels.

SHERATON DUBAI CREEK HOTEL & TOWERS
Baniyas Street/Creek Road
Po Box 4250
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971-4-2281111
reservationsdubaiuae@sheraton.com

HOTEL MÜNCHNER HOF FRANKFURT

Having had stayed in "cheap" hotels in Frankfurt for the exhibition, the Münchner

Checking in was ok. I had my booking with me, and it was only a matter of filling in a few details in the forms supplied. The staff, foreign, were nice, although I have to say, that sometimes, it was a bit complicated to communicate... but we managed.

Compared with the former hotel, we improved slightly. At least, we had a lift. The room was small, but... Do I need more? I spend the whole day in the exhibition, therefore, all I need is to get back, get changed, grab a shower and sleep well.

The days were cold, so when I returned to the hotel, the radiator was on... so I had to turn it off and open the window if I didn't want to die like a roasted chicken.

The bathroom was minuscule. I appreciated the shower, which went quite well. Soap was supplied in a dispenser and the towels were standard size... a bit small to my liking.

The bed was comfortable, and I was lucky to get a "double bed"... the bed covers... I decided not to inspect them... just in case. And I say it was a double bed, because my colleagues got two beds next to each other.

The walls were very thin, and I could hear my neighbour snore all night. Thank god he didn't have company...

After the bed, one thing I really value in a hotel is its breakfast. I have to say that the morning buffet was not that varied. Coffee was... drinkable. Food looked cheap, even bread. Cereals were from the cheapest product line available... but they had Nutella...

It was a very basic hotel... considering the ones I normally stay at... and extremely expensive for what we got in exchange. The good point is that it was within short walking distance from the Railway Station... and only 3 stops on the tram. Hof was not that different. The only difference was that it was not cheap.

HOTEL MÜNCHNER HOF
Münchener Straße 46
D-60329 Frankfurt/Main

Tel: +49 (0)69 23 00 66
Fax: +49 (0)69 23 44 28
Email: info@hotelmh.com

HOLIDAY INN RIYADH-AL QASR

The Holiday Inn Al-Qasr Riyadh is a 4 star hotel by two very busy roads, King Fahad Road and Olaya Road, in the Olaya District, a few blocks away from the Al-Faisaliyah tower.

Checking is was a bit strange, as my hotel room was not properly booked, (I arrived at 2.30 am) and I was only supposed to check in the following night… No problem... they checked me in anyway. And I did get a better rate than the original booking, which… in fact was extremely expensive.

Throughout the day, there was Arabian coffee and dates free in reception. In my case, I am not that fond of dates… and frankly speaking, Arabian coffee is not for me… but you need to taste it. The room was on the second floor, overlooking King Fahad road. The heavy traffic was perfectly isolated, but not the construction noises from next door building. The room itself was comfortable room. I did ask for a king size bed and I got it. I also had a small sofa and a side chair. On the Flat HD TV, there were many channels (not the Spanish one) and several stations with movies or series in English.

The bathroom was also nice, with amenities that were renewed each day… but in my case, they were not new. Some new items were half used, which is something that is not acceptable, specially, at the rate they were charging me. Internet was not free of charge. As I stayed 3 days, I got a 3 day offer… but still… expensive.

Breakfast was good and enjoyable. Like in the rest of the restaurants, there were single areas and family areas, separated. The food was abundant, with western things as well as Arabic foods. Interesting flavors. The only problem in my case was that smoking was allowed... and it is never nice to eat with smoke...

Checking out was clear and relatively speedy. I did not use the limousine to the airport as I got a normal taxi outside the door by half the price, negotiating the price. It is always better to do it rather than using the meter. I paid 50 SAR, but I am sure I could have negotiated a bit better. But still, good price, I think.

I guess that you will probably get a better price if the booking is done in Saudi Arabia. Rates are extremely high from Europe, at least they were from Spain. Forgetting about the little problem with the bathroom amenities, the hotel is nice to stay with. In my case, I was working in the South of Riyadh, so really, location was not that interesting, as I had to cross the city everytime.


HOLIDAY INN RIYADH-AL QASR
Olaya Main Rd,
Olaya District,
Riyadh 11482,
Saudi Arabia
Tel: + 966 1 4625000
Fax: + 966 1 4624487
Email: info@alqasrhi.com

HILTON ALGER HOTEL

Well, I am not sure whether it is me... but I am not having much luck lately in hotels.

The Hilton Alger is supposed to be a 5 star hotel... and probably can boast of the name and having those stars, but the true reality is different.

Reception was helpful, but that was up to where the staff were helpful. But veeeeery slow. People seem to walk in and out the back office, and you will be waiting for minutes until one comes and helps you. And doing the checking out was even slower. Extremely slow. And you wanted to pay with your remaining Dinars... and they charge you a fee for paying cash. They say it is country policy...

The Hotel was highly survailed, which was, of course, an advantage for ourself... but I very much doubt that whatever was being screened, was of any use. Going through the metal detector arch was useless. It peeped and nobody frisked you or asked you to get the metals out and go through it again.

The room is ok for North Africa, but far away from what 5 stars means. The hotel starts with a lack of maintainance in the room. Broken switches, lamps that don't work... There are very few plugs, so they use multiconnectors that are also completely used.

The bed (I always ask for king size) was comfortable and 4 pillows to use... if you needed them. One is enough for me. The Central Heating in the room did not work. You could put it on, with the terrible racket it created but no result. It was cold outside... and inside. Some colleagues of mine asked for a portable radiator. Is that typical of a 5 star hotel?

The bathroom was complete. Soaps, shampoos... which were refreshed everyday. But still, old furniture. Having a shower meant water would end up out of the bath, down on the floor.

The buffet breakfast was... ridiculous. No fresh fruit, no fresh juice, hardly any choice of breads and hot meals. Good omellet making (some times) and nice crepes. But I have to say that appart from that, everything was unappealing. And worst of all, expensive.

If you wanted to have dinner, it was somehow complicated. Restaurants were not open or were reserved (A whole restaurant!!!) and staff was not nice, helpful or professional. They were playing STRICKTLY by the book. I ended up having whatever was in the Restaurant carte in the Hall cafe, because it was there the only place I could eat, unless I wanted a buffet dinner, that, bearing in mind the breakfast experience, I decided it was not a good idea.

The hotel was far away from everywhere. They did have a club... but you can imagine its availability, can't you? Closed. So... unless you want to retreat to this extremely expensive hotel and watch TV, there is not much else to do. It is true that for the Exhibition, which is only a few steps away, it is very convenient, but of course, it could not be that easy. You needed a 10 minutes walk to get in the exhibition, as the door opposite the hotel was not open. Indeed, this is not a problem of the hotel... or is it? Apparently, it was said that the Exhibition director and the Hotel director had a quarrel and since, the main gate was closed. So still, the only benefit was not also available to the guests.

But the hotel has also some positive points. An hourly shuttle service to the airport is free of charge. Internet connection works... and it is free... and so is the minibar (pop only). Sauna is also available... free of charge... although I didn't use it.

Anyway, I feel that the Hilton Alger Hotel is extremely expensive and definitely not value for money. I was told to go to the Sheraton next time... and I think I may follow advise.

HILTON ALGER HOTEL
Pins Maritimes El Mohammadia,
16000 Alger,
Algeria
Tel: 213-21-219-696
Fax: 213-21-219-797

THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL LONDON STANSTED AIRPORT

Whether your flight is early in the morning, or reaches Stansted late in the evening, the Radisson Blu hotel London Stansted Airport is ideal to forget about a place to sleep. It takes you more or less the same to catch a bus, a train or to go to the hotel. It is that close to the air terminal. But don't think that being so close to the airport will mean it is noisy. All the contrary. My room overlooked the boarding area of Ryanair... and no noise.

Receptionist were really helpful, nice and polite... And fast. check in was done really fast, and that is something good after a long day travelling.
The hall is impressive, and so is the wine Tower, with the acrobatic show to get the bottle. Gobsmacking!!!

The rooms may differ from visit to visit as they have 6 different styles. So far, I have tried the Urban and Ocean style, being the latter better (picture below). The Urban style is a bit... dull.
One of the things I really liked was that the room had european plugs as well as the British ones. So I could charge my mobile and my laptop. Also, as with all Radisson Hotels, I believe, Internet is free of charge, so it is another positive point.

I asked for a big bed, if possible, and it was. It was massive! And comfortable. The bathroom was nothing special. I would have preferred a shower... but... a Bath is still ok for having a shower.

I didn't get breakfast, as I tend to go for ready made Airport stuff... Still expensive, but less than whatever the hotel offers.

THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL LONDON STANSTED AIRPORT
Waltham Close
London Stansted Airport
Essex
CM24 1PP

Tel: +44 (0) 1279 66 1012
Fax: +44 (0) 1279 66 1013
Email

THE LEELA KEMPINSKI MUMBAI

It's been several times now that I have visited the Leela Kempinski in Mumbai. It is within short distance from the International Airport, which is good, as you are bound to arrive there early in the morning. This is the first drawback. You are charged the complete night, even when you arrive around 4 o'clock in the morning. If you are planning a trip to South Mumbai... distance is roughly, around 25 kms and could be over 2 hours to get there, always depending on traffic... and it is chaotic in the city.

You can arrange for a pick up from the airport, and the driver will actually collect you at the exit from the terminal, and will give you a bottle of water to drink for.

Security is an issue, as every car is checked at the entrance, even the own hotel cars, and you need to go through the metal detector arch and your belongings through the scanner.
When you arrive in the hotel, you can smell a strong scent of jasmine or incense. The lifts work well and tend to be quite fast.

The rooms are well equipped, with extra towels, (huge ones, which I really appreciate) and the shower is closed in a big chamber with a bath too. Some biscuits and fruit (normally apples) are offered, together with a pair or free drinking water bottles. Flat TV is available, with a wide range of channels. HBO, Bollywood Music Channels, as well as some international, such as TVE, are available free of charge. You have also a Spa and a nice open air swimming pool.

Internet, unfortunately, is not free. It is, actually, rather expensive, as when you switch on the wifi, you can reach nearby InterContinental’s, which is nearly 100 rupees cheaper.

The beds are big and comfortable. Linnen is changed every day.

Buffet breakfast is vast. Many things to choose from, such as omelets, fruit (Figs and strawberry were available as fruit of the month), Chinese, Indian food, cheese, cakes, juices... And crêpes...

It is a hotel that you don't mind returning time and time again... It is, however, oriented more for business people, than families.

THE LEELA KEMPINSKI MUMBAI
Sahar Mumbai - 400 059
India

Tel: +91 22 6691 1234
Fax: +91 22 6691 1212

E-mail: reservations.mumbai@theleela.com

RAMADA ENCORE DONCASTER

When you find a relatively new hotel, you are likely to get a better experience than in an old one. Well, that is, of course, depending on each other’s experience.

Getting there is a Tom-Tom experience. I had my map, but the roads were closed due to works, so... in the end, I got there. It is nowhere near the city centre. It is, in fact, an airport hotel. Just over the road, you can find Robin Hood Airport.

The Ramada Encore is a new hotel. Hence, no old furniture, smelly rooms... Well, to a point. When checking in, I was helped by a young lady who started with a nice smile that kept throughout the time I was there... and I was there for some time. It smelled like a "Fish & Chips" shop. I guess some of the guests had asked for it and the smoke and smell had gone out of the kitchen to invade the Reception air. It is true that the living/eating room was there next to the Reception, so maybe the Fish & Chips were already in the restaurant.

Lighting in the reception and the restaurant was really poor. A massive use of LEDs lamps were, of course, saving lots of electricity, but the lighting was extremely poor. Nice luminaires though.

I got a room on the first floor, but asked for a big bed, so in the end, I got transferred to the second floor. As the hotel is sooooo far away from the centre, and the roads were closed, the young lady sketched a map, that was not that precise in terms of drawing evaluation, but... it was crystal clear, so, without any problem, got to my destination. When returning back to the hotel, I thanked the young lady for her help, and she still remembered me.

The hotel was... basic. Nothing exciting. Negative point. Not free Internet. The heating system got me some time trying to figure it out... but eventually, I wan. The room was big enough, bed comfortable and overall clean.

Breakfast was... basic too, with some little surprises, like a loaf of fruits of the forest bread to cut and toast. Muffins were good too, but croissants just put you back. They didn't look fresh at all. Scrambled eggs were... not that exciting either. Coffee was out of a coffee dispenser, so hardly any good... but in the end, a little bit here, a little bit there, had something to eat first thing in the morning. It could have been better.

The hotel offered free of charge car-park; you needed a token to get out of the hotel.

Staff was extremely helpful.

RAMADA ENCORE DONCASTER Opposite Robin Hood Airport
First Avenue
Auckley
Doncaster
DN9 3GP,
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1302 718 520
Fax:+44 1302 772 045