Ah….walking along the wide pedestrian walkways on Lake Zurich’s east side in Zurich on a bright, sunny day, is worth at least one trip to your stress doctor. It’s a pleasant walk, and the view is great. Down the street called Utoqaui, right on the banks of the lake, is a first-class hotel called the Bellerive Au Lac, part of the Steigenberger Hotel Group.
Situated about a mile from the center of Zurich, you can take a local tram to get there if you come in from the main train station or the airport (about 7 miles from the airport). The Bellerive Au Lac is not well seen from the backside or the street the tram takes you down, so you may have to ask for directions. With 47 rooms and four suites, it’s not an exceptionally large hotel, but it does include two very fine restaurants and a bar, as well as a winter garden area. The food, and wine, is delectable in the restaurant, and the winter garden atmosphere is tops.
For meetings, the facility offers six conference rooms for up to 60 people and limo service on request. Fitness area, sauna, solarium and massage are part of the wellness offerings of the hotel.
TripAdvisor posted two reviews from people who stayed at the Bellerive:
“We had a nice stay in this hotel. Our room was updated, clean, and our room had a fantastic view of the lake and downtown Zurich. The hotel’s location is a 10- minute walk along the lake to central downtown Zurich. The hotel staff was very friendly and as helpful as you needed them to be. The breakfast buffet was more than acceptable as was the service. Zurich is a beautiful clean city and the views of the lake are spectacular. We will definitely stay in this hotel during our next trip to Zurich.”
And another review states: “Just back from my tenth or so stay at the Steigenberger. Once again, from the moment of check-in to the time of departure, the reception staff was magnificent. The room was spotless, as always, and stylishly comfortable. Views over the lake were amazing, especially with a summer thunderstorm rolling in. Breakfast hearty and comprehensive, interent access via wi-fi fast, though pricy. Looking forward to my next visit to Zurich, a trip always enhanced by staying at this great little hotel.”
Rates for one double bed, 1920s-style textiles and design furnishings, balcony, internet connection, air conditioning, satellite television, direct-dial phone, safe, minibar, complimentary fruit bowl, bathroom with hair dryer, bathrobes and toiletries, non-smoking room, was quoted as $415 U.S. dollars.
The name “Steigenberger” in the hotel business stands for hospitality at its best, and the Frankfurter Hof in Frankfurt, Germany doesn’t disappoint. From the moment you walk through the stately pillars of the 136-year-old façade, across the courtyard with its outdoor dining tables covered with crisp white linens, into the elegant reception area, you sense the 5-star luxury.
From the doorbell in the hall to the “Tilevision” flat screen TV in the bathroom, the spacious rooms speak comfort. The beautifully appointed rooms boast a luxurious firm bed, large flat screen TVs, AC, high-speed internet access, a bathroom area with tub and double sink, and separate small rooms for the toilet and the shower. Bathrooms have hairdryers and outlets in both 110 and 220 volts that fit plugs for U.S. appliances without needing an adaptor.
Remarkable, considering the location of the hotel in the middle of Frankfurt’s business district, was the absolute absence of outside noise in the room, allowing for a good night’s sleep.
The breakfast buffet is in the Hofgarten, one of the four restaurants at the Frankfurter Hof. An order for coffee brings a small individual pot to the table. Espressos are also available to order. The buffet caters to all international tastes: from the German meat, cheese and Brotchen, to American bacon and eggs; from Asian specialties, to a full English breakfast; an omelet station, juices, cereals, grains, breads and pastries. Also open for lunch, the Hofgarten seating is available indoors or in the adjacent courtyard.
Other restaurants at the Frankfurter Hof include the Japanese IROHA, deemed among the best sushi restaurants in town; Oscar’s, a more casual bistro with its own terrace and bar; and the elegant gourmet Restaurant Francais, which has earned a Michelin star for the last three years.
Another attraction in the hotel is the Autorenbar, or Author’s Bar, at which you can have a late continental breakfast, light lunch, or classic high tea. With live piano music to entertain you in the evening, the room is especially popular during the annual Frankfurt International Book Fair, when it hosts receptions with visiting authors.
In the afternoons or evenings, smokers can relax in the Cigarrum lounge with a selection fine wines and chocolates.
Opened in 1876, the Frankfurter Hof grandly offered 250 rooms, 20 banquet rooms, and dining for 800, with elevators and steam heating. A few years later it boasted the first public phone and the first electric lighting in Frankfurt. Its international popularity grew steadily until the Second World War. In 1940 Albert Steigenberger became the major stockholder of the hotel and took over its management.
In March 1944 bomb attacks destroyed all but the façade of the hotel. Rebuilding started four years later, and by 1961 the Frankfurter Hof was the largest hotel in the Federal Republic of Germany.
While the Old World façade implies a sense of history, the deluxe hotel’s 280 rooms and 41 suites, 18 banquet rooms, four restaurants, bar and Wellness Club have been continuously restored and renovated, with the latest work on the second floor being completed just this past spring.
It is ideally located in the center of Frankfurt’s business district, a short walk from the Frankfurt train station, the Main River, the shopping district, and the historic half-timbered building area around the town hall, called Roemer, where museums and restaurants abound.
If the location and luxurious amenities aren’t enough to bring you to the Frankfurter Hof, come for its enthusiastic and knowledgeable concierge, Jurgen Carl. With 50 years of experience at that post, Herr Carl rejected the idea of retirement to continue doing the job he loves. With encouragement from his fans, he has even authored a book about his craft. He will greet you with a genuine smile, eager to answer your travel questions.
Jurgen Carl, concierge
Since so many trips to Germany begin with a flight to Frankfurt, the Frankfurter Hof is an ideal place to pamper yourself with a good night’s rest, fortifying meals, and travel tips before you venture out on your European travels.
Portugal is considered Europe’s oldest nation. Lisbon is the capital and the largest city in Portugal, and its history can be traced back to ancient days, first as a Greek trading post and later as a Roman municipium.
In the early Middle Ages, Lisbon was occupied by the Visigoths and later by the Moors. Alfonso I reconquered the city from the Moors in 1147, and during the next several hundred years Lisbon developed as the capital of the kingdom and as a trading center.
So that’s the quick history of Portugal and Lisbon, but what’s new? Well, there are a number of new hotels in Portugal that you may want to keep in mind when traveling there. Here’s a European Traveler rundown:
Photo credit: Antonio Sacchetti
LISBON REGION Lx Boutique Hotel – Lisbon The Lx Boutique Hotel is the newest inn in Lisbon, located in the Cais do Sodré district and minutes away from Chiado and Bairro Alto. The $7 million hotel has 45 rooms, each with a theme related to Lisbon, from the Tejo Persona (Fernando Pessoa lived in the building for some time, and it was the once the famed Hotel Bragança), Fado, Seven Hills and Bairro Alto. With its location near the historic districts of Lisbon, it is ideal for those who want to discover the city. www.lxboutiquehotel.pt
Hotel da Estrela – Lisbon The Hotel da Estrela, first hotel of the Lagrimas Group in Lisbon and a new hotel for the School of Hospitality and Tourism of Lisbon, is located in the Campo de Ourique, in the historic Palácio dos Condes de Paraty. The four-star project, designed by architect Miguel Cancio Martins, includes 19 rooms with three meeting rooms, a restaurant/bar, a garden and an event space. The training aspect is one of the points highlighted, and part of the staff will be final-year students. www.hoteldaestrela.com
Oitavos Hotel – Estoril Coast – Lisbon Region The Oitavos, a new luxury hotel, opened in the fall and is located just 20 minutes from Lisbon. The hotel features 142 guest rooms, a golf course built around sand dunes and saltwater swimming pools. This nature-inspired property is located on the family-owned Quinta da Marinha estate, within the Sintra-Cascais National Park. www.theoitavos.com/
CS Vintage Lisboa Hotel – Lisbon This five-star hotel includes 55 rooms, vintage restaurant, spa, indoor pool and latest web technology. It is located in the city center, just minutes away from Avenida da Liberdade. www.cshotelsandresorts.com/eng/cs-hotels/lisboa-cs-hotels
Altis Avenida –Lisbon The Altis Avenida is a charming new hotel in Restauradores Square, the historic heart of Lisbon’s city center and the main shopping district. All 72 rooms are equipped with the very latest technology and designed with 1940’s décor, maintaining the original combination of styles, fabrics and furniture. The hotel is a place where the past, present and future meet in a glamorous and sophisticated atmosphere. The bar and restaurant on the top floor provide a magnificent view over the city and is the ideal meeting place for those looking for the true feel of Lisbon. www.altishotels.com
Inspira Santa Marta – Lisbon This four-star, green-designed hotel is in the heart of downtown Lisbon. It provides prime comfort and hospitality, intertwined with the latest in wellness and sustainability. Feng Shui reflects the mood and is the main theme of the hotel. Located just off of Lisbon’s main Avenida da Liberdade, the hotel has a total of 89 stylish guest-rooms designed around Feng Shui themes such as earth, fire and water. The restaurant features Mediterranean cuisine and show cooking, all made with freshly prepared ingredients. www.inspirasantamartahotel.com
International Design Hotel – Lisbon This four-star hotel is located at Rua da Betesga in Lisbon. Urban, Tribal, Zen and pop are all design themes exhibited by the hotel’s unique rooms. The hotel is located on one of the oldest streets in Lisbon, Betesga, whose origins go back to the 15th century. www.internacionaldesignhotel.com/
Altis Belém Hotel – Belém – Lisbon A new boutique hotel in Belém by the Altis Group, known for the quality, sophistication and professionalism, is opening a new hotel in the Lisbon area. It is located near the Bom Sucesso docks, an important tourist area. This new, luxury boutique hotel features 42 high quality rooms and a restaurant serving Portuguese cuisine. Hotel Altis Belém also features a bar and terraced café, spa and meeting rooms. www.altishotels.com
PORTO & NORTH OF PORTUGAL REGION Six new hotels, restaurants and museums are among a few of the new offerings from the Grand Harbor, located around the World Heritage Center. Hotels include the five-star The Yeatman, the four-star Teatro, the Intercontinental Hotel, the hotel Star Inn Porto, the under-construction four-star Inspira Flores Hotel and the Carris Porto Ribeira.
Hoteles Rail – Porto Hoteles Rail, a Spanish hotel chain, has a new four-star hotel located in the heart of the historic center and close to the Douro River. It features 90 rooms, with a business-meets-modern concept. The investment created more than 300 jobs in the area, and the project is a part of a focus on the recovery and reuse of historical buildings in Porto.
Vidago Palace – Vidago Celebrating its centennial, the 70-room and suite Vidago Palace officially reclaims its place as one of Europe’s great historical resorts. Located within a 250-acre estate, an hour from Porto, Vidago Palace has been extensively renovated and restored over the last two years. Embracing its Belle Epoque heritage, Vidago Palace is a majestic Portuguese country house with all the services of a world-class luxury hotel. www.vidagopalace.com
A room at the Yeatman
The Yeatman – Porto The Yeatman opened its doors as the first five-star hotel in the Portuguese city Vila Nova de Gaia. All the rooms overlook the spectacular Ribeirinha Porto and are decorated in a classical style. The hotel is committed to protecting the environment and devotes half of the property to elegantly-crafted gardens, including an olive tree more than 1,300 years old, a butterfly garden and endangered plants attracting an array of bird species. The hotel is integrated into the landscape, mimicking the slopes of the Douro River. It offers a total of 82 rooms, as well as the master suite hotel that is separated from the rest of the building and can be accessed from the garden. www.the-yeatman-hotel.com
CENTRO DE PORTUGAL REGION Casa da Insua This five-star boutique hotel is a converted 18th century, baroque-style manor in Penalva do Castelo. Located southeast of Porto, it features an impressivea façade and gardens. It features 21 rooms, nine suites and three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments. On-site facilities include a restaurant, museum, reading and game rooms, a chapel and a wine-tasting room. The hotel also has a selection of rooms and spaces available for meetings and other events. Prices include breakfast. www.casadainsua.pt
Casa das Penhas Douradas Located at the heart of Serra da Estrela National Park, this hotel features some additional new rooms totaling 18, a spa, restaurant, heated pool and bikes. The rooms are wood birch-paneled with large windows and verandas, offering a stunning view of the mountains. Each room has an LCD television, a DVD player, and an iPod player, providing a home-away-from-home atmosphere. Casa das Penhas Douradas is located minutes away from the airport. Prices include breakfast. www.casadaspenhasdouradas.pt
Vila Galé Coimbra The city of Coimbra has the new four-star Hotel Vila Galé Coimbra. This hotel is located in the Coimbra historical center, overlooking the Mondego River. www.vilagale.pt
ALGARVE REGION Martinhal Resort Martinhal Resort was officially inaugurated in what is being touted as Portugal’s first high-luxury family resort in the Algarve town of Sagres. Located on the rocky, southwestern point of Portugal, Sagres is where the first caravels were launched during the Age of Exploration. Today, the town boasts breathtaking views of the Atlantic, many of which can be seen from the Martinhal Resort’s houses, cottages and luxury villas. The theme at this five-star resort is “Barefoot Luxury,” and the staff aims to provide a relaxed experience. All rooms have private terraces with ocean views. The on-site restaurant, O Terraço, sits atop the pavilion and offers guests the option of enjoying a simple coffee or a full gourmet meal while overlooking the sea. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the protected lagoon, which is part of the Costa Vincentina Natural Park. www.martinhal.com/
Real Marina Hotel & Spa Real Marina Hotel & Spa is a luxury resort overlooking the Ria Formosa, a protected natural reserve. Contemporary yet traditional, the hotel caters to both the leisure and business traveler with full use of facilities for each segment of the market. Accommodations include 132 double-rooms and 12 suites. Facilities include two restaurants, two bars, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools (including a children’s pool). www.realhotelsgroup.com
Longevity Wellness Resort Monchique – Condo Hotel The Longevity Wellness Resort Monchique was inaugurated as being a green facility with a focus on wellness and relaxation. Properties here are a mix of vacation homes and rentals. The development is in the Algarve’s mountains located around the picturesque town of Monchique, with both mountain and coastal views. It has 195 one-bedroom apartments with amenities such as outdoor and indoor swimming pools, restaurant and bars, driving range and putting green, library, cinema and the Longevity Anti-Aging Spa. www.longevitywellnessresort.com/
MADEIRA REGION Hotel da Vila Located by the beach, this property offers 16 rooms of simple yet elegant design that mixes blue Portuguese tiles with ancient wood to create a chic and rural concept. www.hoteldavila.com/
European Traveler 