Le Cardinal Cafe Paris

Visited in April, 2012

Le Cardinal cafe was a nice little surprise that put more colour, in a way, to our amazing trip in Paris.
It was the place we often had to start our days from with a sip of cafe au lait and sometimes even for a petit dejeuner. We once had lunch there too and loved it!

The cafe's deco combines both modern and classic but sticks to the Parisian finesse with all their staff dressed elegantly and rushing through tables to attend all customers.

Our first day in Paris started with a walk along the boulevard Montmartre, from our hotel Tryp Francois searching for a nice spot to kick off our rainy day. Le Cardinal is at a nice corner of the boulevard offering ample and warm space to sit. We had a glass of rose wine and a saulty crepe served with some salad. The crepe wasn't anything special, lacking any spices or sauce. The wine though was pretty good with a choice between two different rose wines served in a glass.

Our second return to Le Cardinal, after two days, was much better! Starting with cafe creme accompanied by some nice rolls with butter, jam and nutella, all of which were served really nicely eventhough the cafe's round tables are so small!

The final return to this cafe was a mouthwatering lunch that won't be easily forgotten! We ordered, of course, cafe creme and then for lunch we had salmon with mashed potato and butter sauce. After finishing that exquisite salmon we vowed to go back soon. Unfortunately, we didn't have that chance during the remaining days but it is definitely in our plans for our next visit in Paris.

http://www.lecardinalrichelieu.fr/ 

Tryp Paris Francois Hotel

Stayed in April, 2012

Paris, the city of lights, is a dream location for a lot of people and there is an art in choosing a hotel for this city. That is why we spent countless days searching for the ideal one. Among the important criteria were the location, easiness to transportation and price. Tryp François ideally combines all of those!

Location

Tryp François hotel is perfectly located in the Montmartre Boulevard, where there is an entrance to Grand Boulevards Metro Station right outside of it. The hotel's boulevard, like its metro station states, is literally grand in all aspects, filled with dozens of shops, cafes, bistros and creperies. Thursday to Sunday nights is when this grand boulevard is thriving with life the most, with almost all of its cafes turning to bars and people enjoying themselves until the morning hours.

Room

We booked a room for 10 nights and requested for a high floor with balcony and once there, we realized that our requests were met since we were given room 604, at the hotels highest floor, with a balcony room facing the boulevard. For a Parisian hotel, our room was surprisingly quite spacious with nice amenities. We were welcomed with a note, a complimentary big bottle of Evian water and a box of mini chocolates, which was a nice gesture.

The room’s deco wasn’t something spectacular but for a Parisian hotel it surely exceeds any expectations. It included a mini bar, a double bed with extra pillows and blanket, a cable TV (with not such a large selection of channels), a bathroom, a safe and an office desk. There is cable internet, although the hotel's site says otherwise, was offered to us with no charge. Apart from the internet, we were also offered half price breakfast, and since we are both MAS card members, there was a 2 for 1 offer where only one of us had to pay the reduced breakfast price. We could also enjoy the breakfast served in the comfort of our room in the same offer.

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The staff in general, at the reception desk and the breakfast, was really helpful and welcoming. The room was daily cleaned thoroughly too. The reception area is equipped with a computer and lots of tourist information and brochures. The only downfall in regards to our stay was the fact that we were always waking up feeling tired and achy and it could possibly be due to the bed’s mattress or pillows.

Tryp François might not be for the likes of everyone, especially if you get easily upset with the boulevard’s noise or not been given a room with a balcony for that matter. For younger travellers and MAS hotel members who are first-timers or are simply into exploring the city of Paris using the metro this hotel will prove superb!

TIP: Make sure you book ahead, checking for special offers in all hotel search engines, not forgetting the official TRYP hotels website where we also made our booking. If you are a member of this hotel chain then do remember to request for a high floor with balcony as well as asking about the breakfast and internet. Also, if your stay includes a Friday night then bare in mind that the hotel’s street is used for the ‘Pari Roller’, the Friday night skating tour that takes place weekly. 

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Room tip: Take a room with a view of the boulevard if you don't mind the noise; you will inevitably appreciate it every morning when opening the windows!

Days Hotel Circle by SeaWorld San Diego

Stayed in June, 2011

We chose this hotel as a stopover for our road trip from Los Angeles to Tijuana, Mexico. It was definitely a good choise for that since it was literally on the freeway. We needed a minimum of 10 minutes driving to get to the center of San Diego though.
It is rather a fancy motel with hotel prices with the rooms set in blocks with their parking and a swimming pool. We had a room for 3 people and it was perfectly clean and comfortable with a mini kitchen and amenities. There is free wireless internet offered in the rooms and upon arrival they provided us with coupons for free continental breakfast of your choice. In order to get to your room you need to use a rigging ladder and there's one lift for every block which can be quite far, like in our case. But you shouldn't worry about accessing your room because they give out a map at the check in along with the breakfast and parking coupons.
The only issue we had was with the air conditioning system since we really couldn't get around it. In case you are worried about the sleep quality, you shouldn't because eventhough it is on the freeway, there's absolutely no sort of noise in the rooms.
We would recommend this hotel for those planning to visit the Sea World and unless we had a car and San Diego was part of a road trip, we wouldn't stay there again.

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The Jewel Hotel New York

Stayed in July, 2011

We were really lucky to come across this new boutique hotel and its welcoming room rates.
Hotel AreaSet in the middle of the city center, right across the Rockefeller plaza and a breath away from 5th Avenue and all the shopping havoc that a traveller seeks. It is also close to important sights and attractions: St Patrick's Cathedral, Radio City Music Hall, Top of the Rock, NBC Studio Tours and MoMA. It is undoubtedly the best location anyone should have as a starting point, especially if it is your first visit in New York.
Bedroom & Facilities
We were 3 guests in a double room so we had to set up the extra rollaway bed in the corner next to the desk area. The room space was minimized but it was still enough for the 3 of us. Apart from the double bed there was a sofa, a plasma tv, a desk area, a microwave, a coffee machine, a fridge and also an alarm and ipod dock set next to the bed. We had free internet access, a considered bonus for any hotel of its kind, and also free print-outs from the hotel's lounge.
The bathroom had a wooden floor with a dark gray marble sink, a toilet and a bath. The bathroom amenities included a hair dryer, bath gel, lotion, shampoo and conditioner along with a bathroom kit.
The room's design is modern with a touch of wooden and leather furniture all blended together with the colours of anchor gray.
ServiceThe front desk was quite surprisingly helpful and friendly. They answered to all of our questions providing straight answers and they appeared very willing to keep our bags and providing assistance even long after our check out.
The hotel lounge on the 2nd floor had everything a guest needs. Everything there is self service. There are two computers with free high-speed internet, a living room area with a cable tv, newspapers and magazines as well as a coffee machine and a chilled water filling machine. With that in mind we were surprised that our room had all the quietness needed, despite the fact that it was right next to the lounge area, on the 2nd floor.
Overall a very clean and elegantly decorated hotel with amazing service and a rare "must-book" location!

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Room Tip: Be careful to book a room at the hotel main building so as not to end up at the hotel next door when booking online from hotel agencies!

Bond Place Hotel Toronto

Stayed in July, 2011

Bond Place Hotel is a boutique hotel which was in the process of renovation when we went there for 2 nights and the hotel’s logo was not even visible from outside.

Location
Located in the center of Toronto, Bond Place is practically on the Dundas-Yonge Square opposite Eaton Center with a subway station nearby. The area is full of shops, restaurants and cafes but although it is a central location, it is rather unsafe to walk around. There are also plentiful parking spots around the hotel with different prices but the hotel offers its own parking lot underground across the street and therefore we chose the safest and cheapest solution.

Room
Our room was brand new on the 13th floor, slightly narrow but super clean. Wireless internet has to be purchased and the whole building is non-smoking. Housekeeping and front desk service was very good.

We would return to this hotel if we go back to Toronto again.

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Room Tip: Ask for a high floor room with Dundas street view

Shelter Hotel Los Angeles

Stayed in July, 2011

Location
The hotel sits at the Korean district in a quiet neighborhood. It is mostly surrounded with houses and you will need a car to get to most of the good restaurants or cafes around the district as well as to Hollywood. The car is a must option once you decide to stay at this hotel and if the reason of you visiting the city is for sightseeing since taxis are nowhere to be seen even if you reach the closest avenue which is Wilshire (5 minute walk). Buses run from Wilshire too but you need to know where you’re going and be well informed. That is not a problem of the hotel but obviously of the city that does not provide any convenient transportation services whatsoever.
The hotel was recently renovated, as all of the reviews and the hotel’s website claimed, so we booked a double room for 2 nights on a special 2+1 night’s price. The hotel’s sign though is not even visible from outside and both the rooms and building need a serious makeover.

Room
The room was cozy and big but literally empty! That didn’t really discourage us but there are very essential things missing from their rooms. There is free Wi-Fi available as long as you ask for the password! They don’t provide any room service or breakfast but they make a really warm gesture by offering coffee and cupcakes every morning at the front desk.
We also encountered a problem with the elevator which doors didn’t shut easily and that was a bit annoying. The hotel’s architectural structure was really odd and we couldn’t find our room easily. All in all the hotel looks like it is a friendly family run business with little to limited amenities and services but certainly worth staying for the price we paid and the generally ridiculously overpriced hotels in LA.

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Room Tip: Check for special offers before booking a room

Hilton Doubletree Fallsview Niagara Falls

Stayed: June, 2011

Location
A hotel set only 10 minutes’ walk from the Canadian side of the Falls with a downhill road leading to them. For that though be ready for the uphill when going back to the hotel! Both the exterior and interior of the hotel look so much better than what the photos depict on their official website. There is ample parking around the hotel which you need to pay for at the check in.

Room
We were offered an upgrade to the 18th floor with a restricted Falls view (upper level of the falls and Skylon Tower) from a floor to ceiling window. The room was a real beauty with a king size bed, a Jacuzzi, a coffee machine and several other amenities. We also had free Wi-Fi internet access from the room.
The service at the front desk was also really good and overall our stay was lovely and we regret not having stayed longer! We would surely go there again and anyone visiting the Niagara Falls should consider this hotel for their lodging.

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Room Tip: Consider booking a room with Falls view

Imperial Court Hotel New York

Stayed: June, 2011
Location
An Upper West side hotel just a few blocks from Central Park right next to the 79th subway station (red line) which literally takes you to all the important landmarks of NY. Among the important things which are not far from the hotel are the American Natural History Museum, Lincoln Square and Columbus Circle.
Service
Ok let’s say the hotel could need a few changes here and there since the building looks a bit forlorn and the decoration shabby. Don’t expect much help from the reception desk since they seem as if they were put there to work without their will. We had to change room from double to triple and forgotten a pair of sandals in the last one and despite the continuous contact we had with the reception, the emails and phone calls the sandals are now history. On the bright side, the reception has 2 desktop computers with purchased internet, a left luggage service and sitting room area. It also keeps the tourists informed and updated since they have an amazing number of brochures, coupons, magazines, newspapers and leaflets that can keep you posted on what’s out there in the city every single day. As for the housekeeping they are doing a great job changing the towels daily and keeping the room clean and neat.
Rooms
We stayed 10 days in total at the Imperial Court Hotel. At first we had a double room for 5 days which had its own toilet and shower but overall small and badly decorated. For the other 5 days we were given a triple room with its own bathroom, toilet and a rollaway bed for the third person. The second room was relatively bigger, cleaner and more modern than the double one. It even had a view from the street whilst the previous was side to side with a building. Both rooms had a coffee machine, a fridge, a TV and ac. There is also Wi-Fi internet to buy from the room.
It was a good value for money considering the 10 days we spent in New York so we would stay again and can recommend it to everyone visiting New York.

Room Tip: Ask for a street view room because they are more spacious and offer a view.