HOTEL REVIEW
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INSPIRA SANTA MARTA HOTEL Lisbon, Portugal
contact details Inspira Santa Marta Hotel, Rua, de Santa Marta, 48, 1150-297 Lisboa, Portugal T: 00351 210 440 902 F: 00351 210 435 993 E:
reservas.ismh@
inspirahotels.com w:
www.inspirahotels.com,
www.chevalgroup.com
The Background: One of Lisbon’s newest hotels, designed on feng shui principles, offering 89 rooms and suites and a choice of five room styles based around the elements of fire, wood, water, earth and metal. Check out the ‘moods’ section on the website to see which room best suits your clients. The hotel’s style is a mix of Scandinavian with lots of timber in the lobby, modern, functional yet comfortable rooms and lots of public relaxation space. Where Is It? On a quiet street just off the Avenue da Liberdade, a short stroll to the city’s shops, restaurants and bars. The Room: Subsequent checking showed that I should have been in an ‘earth’ style room but I was perfectly happy in ‘water’. The spacious shower and bathroom is only a (slightly) frosted glass away from the bedroom where the beds are large and comfortable. Rooms feature cutting- edge technology broadband internet. The bathroom amenities provided are N-ki organic products. A Safe, mini-bar, towel robes, an espresso machine and a
ALDEMAR ROYAL MARE & THALASSO Crete, Greece
contact details Aldemar Hotels & Spa head office: 262, Kifisias Avenue 145, 62, Athens, Greece T: +30 210 6236150 F: 210 801 8017451 w:
www.aldemarhotels.com
The Background: The five-star property is one of four side-by-side luxury coastal village hotel complexes owned and run by the Aldemar Hotels group. Where Is It? Pretty much plumb centre of Crete’s north coast, just half an hour’s taxi ride east of Heraklion (the capital) airport. First impression: It’s huge! The resort has 29 swimming pools and several restaurants. The Rooms: There are suites, apartments, villas, bungalows – you name it. And they’re all different. Most have balconies. Our apartment was on the top floor, overlooking a sublime pool with palm trees providing much needed shade on to a handful of sun beds. The room was a good size, with bath
and shower and plenty of quality toiletries. Towels were changed daily. There was a nice fresh breeze all week, so even though late June temperatures were close to 30 degrees, it never felt exhaustingly hot. Facilities and Activities: You could hardly escape them (disco music
The low-down on the hot spots to stay around the globe
worktable are also included. Dining: The ‘Open’ Mediterranean brasserie is just off the long timber-clad lobby area and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. During July, the brasserie was offering an ‘Experiencia’ lunch and dinner menu at just €18.50 for three courses or €22.50 for four. As part of the hotel’s green credentials the brasserie serves only a la carte, rather than buffets, to avoid wastage and as much Faitrade produce as possible is used. The ‘Urban Bar’ is a restful area beyond the main reception Facilities and Activities: A spa and gym is due in September. There’s also a library in the lobby area as well as a workstation with a couple of computers for (free) internet access, PlayStation games room and a pool table in the TV lounge. Recommend To: Its location makes it an appealing choice for singles, couples, families and business travellers. The Cost: Current introductory rates range from €125.00 to €500.00 per room including breakfast.
The Verdict: A delightful base for a trip to Portugal’s capital, regardless of your client’s views about feng shui! It offers the perfect big city mix of proximity to the city centre but in a quiet location with a good range of facilities. It has sound green credentials and, right now, has some great introductory offers Alan Orbell
Exceptional OK
Stay Away! Loved It
accompanied aerobics, both in and out of the water at various pools at various times of the day). A superb seawater Thalasso Spa offered all imaginable treatments, and there’s a fitness centre, gyms and a tennis club with seven clay courts. There's lots for children too, such as a miniclub (four to 12) and teens' club, where activities include treasure hunts, face-painting, an outdoor playground with a waterslide, pools and a children’s restaurant. The Perfect Evening: A pre-prandial cocktail or two at the rooftop bar in the
main reception building, with a grandstand view of the village and the sea, and then dinner in the luxurious Candia restaurant, in the 'sland' section surrounded by water. Recommend To: Anyone! There are so many levels of service and restaurants from the fairly basic to fine dining. Where to Book It: A seven-night package through Planet Holidays (0871 871 2234
www.planet-holidays.co.uk) costs £639pp, inclusive of flights from Gatwick to Heraklion, B&B and transfers. This price is available for departure on October 12 2010 or April 2011. The Verdict
A really restful holiday with outstandingly friendly staff. Our breakfast waitress could hardly do enough for us, and the lady serving cocktails by the swimming pool most days was utterly charming. Arnie Wilson
Exceptional OK
Stay Away! Loved It
www.shortbreaksholidays.com • Autumn 2010 33
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