Welcome to our Close-Up column, where we feature fabulous frequent travelers. This week, Anne Taylor Hartzell of Hip Travel Mama dishes on her favourite luxury hotels, amenities, favourite room service and best hotel bathtub!
1 What luxury hotel would you design your house like if you could?
The Parker Palm Springs!
2 Favourite luxury hotel?
Willows Lodge and Spa in Woodinville, WA.
3 Favourite luxury bath amenities?
COMO’s Metropolitan Hotel London Shambala “Invigorate” shower gel and lotion.
4 Favourite hotel bathrobe?
Kimpton’s leopard print robes, which come in mini-sizes too!
5 Best hotel bathtub?
LOVE: Hotel on Rivington in Soho/NYC and Toronto Four Seasons.
6 Best hotel for afternoon tea?
I’m a coffee girl from Seattle! But I’d have to say Victoria, BC Fairmont Empress.
7 Most spectacular view?
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui.
8 What hotel would you move into if you could?
Grand Wailea’s Ho’olei Villas.
9 How do you define luxury?
Luxury is about impeccable style. My favorite luxury hotels are ones that are full of artful surprises and pampering at every turn.
10 Best celebrity sighting at a hotel?
Jessica Biel at The Parker Palm Springs.
11 Best hotel arrival?
The Espirit St. Germain, Paris. They welcome you in to this luxurious boutique hotel, into a posh cozy seating area, where they serve a full bar and encourage you to lounge and relax while they prepare your room for arrival (and the arrival is kid friendly, too).
12 Best spa?
The Laniwai spa at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on Oahu is one of the best spas I’ve yet to visit. Laniwai means “heavenly waters” and it celebrates light, water and rainbows.
13 Most luxurious spa treatment?
Heated stone massage.
14 Best welcome amenity?
Hotel Monaco’s pet goldfish upon arrival!
15 Best luxury hotel to do your work in? Best luxury hotel NOT to do your work in?
Creative inspiration spaces to work in: Joie de Vivre hotels. Not to work in: Carneros Inn Napa Valley.
16 Best pool?
Grand Wailea, Maui.
17 Favourite room service?
Breakfast in bed. Coffee.
18 Best hotel restaurant?
Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs for breakfast. Try the Light and Lemony Griddle Cakes.
19 What’s the best meal you’ve ever eaten at a hotel restaurant?
Fairmont Kea Lani poolside dining for our family of four.
20 Best hotel bar?
Aqua Bar, The One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos.
What do you think of Anne’s luxury list? Leave some of your favourite recommendations in the comments below!
Carol
April 23, 2014 at 8:54 pm (9 years ago)What a great column! Those places look lovely!