Vodkaboy reviews
[01/06/2010] So we were up in Edingburgh for a short break. Having spent the day walking up and down the Royal Mile what seemed like half a dozen times we retired to the hotel to think about dinner. It was our first time in Edinburgh and we realised we didn't have any idea where to go.
We looked through some adverts on our map and and settled on Wildfire as it promised Scottish food and was less than ten minutes' walk from the hotel. And what a great choice it was.
Located on a quiet street just behind Princes Street, it seems quite small with about 8 or 9 tables, seating no more than about 30 people. We
[more]
[26/02/2010] The Novotel Lombok is a beautifully designed hotel. The rambling paths, whitewashed walls and towering thatched roofs all bring to mind traditional villages. The people are welcoming and friendly, the sunset bar is the perfect place to watch a fiery sunset and there are plenty of activities every day, from archery lessons to night time movies on the beach.
So what's wrong? Well, it's just that the hotel is in the wrong place. The beach is passable for kids digging holes and making castles but swimming? Forget it. It's shallow, the bottom is strewn with sharp coral and at high tide it's full
[more]
[29/12/2009] Lombok, the next island to Bali, is often described as "Bali twenty years ago". There is much less tourism infrastructure and few international hotels; some people complain that it is not as developed as Bali, people are less geared to travellers and tourists and that there is little to do. That is not necessarily a bad thing, if one just wants a quiet, relaxing break!
The Sheraton did indeed give us a quiet and relaxing break, which was exactly what we wanted. It was not perfect; we had read some negative reviews describing unpleasant smells in the room, which we did find in our first room,
[more]
[19/12/2009] Overall it was a good stay. The room was comfortable, if a little basic. The hotel grounds were certainly relaxing and there was a nice, open-air feel to the lounges, bar and restaurant. The food was good enough. Being a weekend, it was busy, but that was noticeable most of all at Reception, rather than anywhere else.
[27/11/2009] The Radisson Blu is one of six new hotels on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, minutes away from the Formula One track and the Ferrari World theme park which is due to open in spring 2010. These hotels are all located together around a large roundabout.
The staff at all levels admit that it was opened in a bit of a rush and when I stayed there, a few weeks after it opened, there were several times that this was quite apparent. However, the hotel was comfortable enough and most of the staff were very pleasant and helpful.
Until the theme park and golf course opens, there is not much to do on the isl
[more]
[26/12/2008] The G H Universal first opened its doors in May 2008 and is gradually slowly opening bit by bit, with the 'full, grand opening' scheduled for some time in 2009. When I stayed there much of the hotel was functional, but there were some gaps. Overall, though, it has promise.
At first glance a somewhat odd, even eclectic mix of influences, which almost masks what seems to be an attempt to be a bit different and nostalgic. The rooms are comfortable, the service friendly and willing and the facilities that are on offer seem good enough, though there are some flaws or teething troubles. I am not su
[more]
[11/10/2008] Not knowing many places in Bali, we were looking on the web for somewhere to stay for a few days. Le Meridien Nirwana sounded like a nice place to relax and the prices were significantly better than any other five star or international hotel chain, so we went ahead and booked. Then the evening before we were to arrive, we suddenly had a thought: Is there a beach? By now it was a bit late to check, but I phoned anyway to ask. The good news was, there is a beach; the bad news was that it is stony and it is too rough and rocky for swimming. In other words, no beach.
We were booked, packed and pa
[more]
[01/10/2008] Overall a relaxing and comfortable stay. The room was spacious and comfortable, especially the bed despite sagging in the middle. The food was good and the people pleasant. It was however somewhat marred by a feeling that money was being extracted at every opportunity US$45 per night for an extra bed (which they eventually waived), overpriced food and $5 per hour for the kids club, while simple things were overlooked like only having one plug at the desk and an in-room internet which didnt work, sending me half way across the hotel at 11pm to send emails. Would I recommend it, or return? Poss
[more]
[08/08/2008] Tripoli is located in northern Lebanon, quite near to the Cedars ski resort. During the years of civil and international strife, this historical city became divided, but happily now is back to its peaceful self.
The Quality Inn sits to one side of the dusty city centre, in the Rachid Karami International Fair, which is an Exhibition centre. A large, clean, modern, six-floor central block flanked by two five-floor wings, it looks too big and very out-of-place among the dusty, drab, grey concrete tower blocks.
I have always associated the Quality Inn group with budget motels and small, inexp
[more]
[08/08/2008] The Chagala Hotel is located just off the centre of Atyrau, next to the river. It is not just a hotel; the Chagala complex includes an office block, a residential block of apartments, and more office and apartment blocks are also being built.
Originally its main hotel business came from oil workers stopping the night before flying out the next morning, However as it was, until recently, the only decent hotel in the city, most overnight visitors to Atyrau spend the night here. I have stayed at the Chagala Hotel about half a dozen times, the most recent being in autumn 2004.
1 to 10 out of 25
1 2 3 > >>
