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2016
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2016
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2016
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Jun 1, 20162016
Jun 1, 2016The House Hotel Cappadocia
Arrival/Check-In: The House Hotel Cappadocia, in the town of Ortahisar, overlooks the area’s fortress and fairy chimneys. Housed in a complex of ancient caves and stone houses, the hotel exuded the feel of an intimate apartment complex rather than a hotel, but it certainly wasn’t lacking for luxury amenities. My stay came after the hotel’s first phase opening in July 2015; Phase One boasted 29 rooms, and its second phase, coming soon, will complete the hotel with 45 rooms. Check-in was quick with a friendly attendant at the unassuming front desk. Off to the right of the front desk, the lobby offered comfortable seating but also seemed less like a typical hotel lobby and more like an intimate living room in a private home. Guest Quarters: What truly makes The House Hotel Cappadocia unique is that each guestroom is different — no two rooms look alike. My deluxe room opened into a light-filled space, with a fireplace angled in the left corner and a padded bench and cabinet in front. To the right sat the king-sized bed, with a desk and mounted TV directly across. The bathroom was spacious. The guestrooms do have a few elements in common, including but not limited to Turkish marble floors and bathrooms, heated or cooled floors, stone walls, blackout curtains, LCD TVs, iPod docking stations, rainfall showerheads and Lokum Istanbul amenities. My in-room fireplace was an added perk. I had only a short, one-night stay that left me longing for more time in my gorgeous, comfortable guestroom that uniquely blended ancient elements with modern design and technology. Services/Amenities: Fresko Restaurant has indoor seating as well as a large terrace and serves Turkish cuisine. With a stone oven, local specialties are prepared as well. Design touches include frescoes and original stone arches. Room service is available from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., and a bar will be opening on the reception level. I enjoyed dinner one evening, and the breakfast spread filled me up before my international flight the morning of my departure. The romantic underground chapel began hosting weddings, concerts and other meetings for up to 100 people in January this year. The hotel’s underground spa features a Turkish hammam, sauna, steam rooms, four treatment rooms and two adventure showers. The Experience: My visit to The House Hotel Cappadocia, albeit brief, delivered all the modern, luxury conveniences I crave with the unique twist of its location. The House Hotel Collection also includes properties in Bosporus, Nişantaşi, Vault Karakoy and Galatasaray.
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A Word with Nat Pieper, oneworld CEO
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2016
Jun 1, 2016Lotte Hotel Seoul
Arrival/Check-In: I flew into Seoul from Taiwan on a Tuesday evening and stayed at Lotte Hotel until my departure Saturday. Lotte Hotel is located downtown in the heart of Seoul near Myeongdong, Seoul’s Central Business District, among other business and tourist attractions. I had a good feeling about this 5-star luxury property from the minute the Mercedes-Benz car service approached the hotel. The outside was beautifully decorated with white lights for the holiday season — a delightful effect that got me into the holiday spirit. I was escorted to the front desk, where check-in took less than 10 minutes, and then guided to my suite. Guest Quarters: My Club Floor deluxe suite in the Main Building featured views of the city. I knew I’d be staying in a suite, but I had no idea it would be bigger than most U.S. apartments (at least those in Santa Monica, Calif., where I live). Needless to say, this suite comfortably accommodates more than one person. Lotte Hotel knows how to deliver a massive, newly renovated and stylish luxury suite. It impressed me at first glance. The grand suite entrance opened on a hallway leading to the living space, with the first small bathroom to the right. The living space included a sitting area with a couch, chairs, a coffee table and a flat-screen television. A dining table with seating for six provided ideal space for those traveling with family or hosting a business meeting. An executive writing desk along the windows included all things necessary during a business trip. I found all the office supplies quite useful during my stay. The bedroom, a completely separate room, featured another sitting area. The spacious closet included some laundry amenities. Lotte Hotel uses he:on brand bedding, which is becoming popular among global markets. I slept well on the king-sized bed thanks to the bedding and pillows. If I could replicate the bathroom in this suite at home, I would. The layout of the double vanity sink, makeup area, separate shower, bathtub and toilet was just right. Services/Amenities: The hotel features two establishments: the Main Building and the New Wing. The New Wing offers a 3-Michelin-star restaurant, Pierre Gagnaire à Seoul. There are six restaurants on property, including a tasty bakery. The Club Lounge on the 31st floor of the Main Building lays claim to the largest exclusive business lounge in Korea. I enjoyed a delicious breakfast here nearly every day during my stay. Room service dining offers diverse options of Korean, American, Japanese and healthy cuisine, appealing to most international travelers’ taste buds. Other on-site amenities include a business center, a salon, a fitness center, a sauna, the Sulwhasoo Spa and an indoor pool. All guestrooms include free WiFi. Meeting and wedding venues are available. The staff speaks Korean, English, Mandarin Chinese and Japanese. Tourist attractions in walking distance and accessible by public transportation include Lotte Duty Free, Namdaemun Market, Insadong, Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung. The Experience: Lotte Hotel Seoul is perfection. I did not want to leave my suite. I was beyond comfortable and content during my stay — I was ready to move in! The design of the suite screams luxury and clearly caters to VIP clients. The Lotte brand is globally recognized for its luxury, class and sophistication. Lotte Hotel Seoul represents this world-renowned reputation well. Staying at Lotte Hotel made my first trip to Seoul even more memorable.