greathotels

Some of our FAVORITE
HOTELS

1. WATERFORD CASTLE,
Ireland. Take a short ferry ride to
this small, elegant, castle-like
estate and enjoy the lovely
gardens, dining room, and quiet
guest rooms with fireplaces

2. PAVILLON DE LA REINE,
Paris. This small charming hotel
tucked back from the glorious
Place des Vosges offers superb
friendly service and beautifully
decorated rooms in great
variety. Pedro, the night
concierge, is a magician with
any request. There is much to
do in the Marais quarter - a real
neighborhood feeling.

3. ST. CLERANS (near Galway)
Ireland. John Huston's old
Georgian Irish home. Today it is
again beautifully decorated and
offers fine food from the
talented Japanese chef.
Surrounded by rolling green
pastures it is only minutes away
from the addictive Moran's
Oyster Cottage.

4. L'OUSTEAU DE
BAUMANIERE, Les Baux,
France. Located just below the
mystical cliff town of Les Baux
this very comfortable hotel
offers one of the great menus in
the South of France. Its two-star
restaurant (hosted by Serge)
offers a truly memorable dining
experience - Monsieur Charial,
chef-owner.

5. SEVEN ONE SEVEN,
Amsterdam. This very charming
small boutique hotel is a great
hideaway from the bustling
crowd. Perfectly located on a
romantic canal this sanctuary
pampers you to death under the
very capable hands of Henck
the manager(who does it all).
Wait until you have your lavish
breakfast delivered in a large
basket to your room - a real treat.

6. THE MINERVA, Rome. Tucked
in right behind the glorious
Pantheon (our favorite
architectural site) this lovely
hotel has a stain-glass domed
ceiling in its spectacular lounge.
This is a great place to meet a
friend or enjoy their great
martinis (see review) with soft
live piano music.

7. THE YACHTSMAN,
Kennebunkport, Maine. This
re-vamped motel is situated
right on the Kennebunk River
and has uninterrupted views of
passing fishing boats. It is very
comfortable with cushy beds,
marbled baths, and a bountiful
breakfast (included). Located a
short drive from Walker's Point
(Bush homestead) and a 10
minute walk into town. Make
reservations for dinner at either
The White Barn Inn or Grissini's.
Do checkout John Rinaldi's
maritime museum just down the
street in the old Booth
Tarkington boathouse - it is
filled with great nautical pieces.

8. Hotel Meridien, Barcelona,
Spain is located right off the
Rombla, Barcelona. It's location
is in the middle of the action of
the fabulous Rombla - a wide
long walkway that cuts through
the center of the old section of
Barcelona. Many historical sites
are within walking distance. An
abundance of excellent
restaurants are located along
the charming ancient pathways
- be sure to make reservations
at Ca L'Isdre - one of the best
restaurants in all of Spain. A
visit to Loewe's leather store will
max out any credit card.
Barcelona is one of those cities
that beckons you back again
and again.



			GREAT TABLES for ATMOSPHERE 1. JULES VERNE, Eiffel Tower, Paris. Just the thought of being high up in the that wonderful iron monument should excite anyone. At night the restaurant is sublimely lit to show off the fabulous twinkling skyline of Paris. Candlelight, flowers and very good food make any night a dazzling occasion. 2. L'AMI LOUIS, Paris. This is one of the best grungy old restaurants you have ever been in - a time capsule of an old Parisian bistro. An excellent team of waiters handle this small eating hole with great dexterity. Unbelievably heaped servings of chicken, duck, lamb,foie gras, frites etc. are enthusiastically devoured by hungry Americans and French alike.. They serve lunch but the nights are more fun, Don't be surprised which celebrity might be squished into the next table or booth. Be careful on the ladder to the les toilettes in the cellar. 3. LA MAISON BLEU, Fez, Morocco. You are first led through a maze of narrow streets in this ancient city. With the ring of a large bell, you are ushered down to the enclosed tile-lined courtyard. While music drifts from the balconies above you are seated atop huge pillows and served the best tagine and other Moroccan specialties of slads and breads. Like Arabian Nights, the evening flies above on a flying carpet - a fantasy night to remember! 4. THE WHITE BARN INN, Kennebunkport, Maine. We have been going to the "Barn" for over twenty years and, hard to believe, it gets better each time. Romantic candlelight, beautifully dressed tables, live soft piano music and a well-trained staff make it all happen. Try the steamed lobster, out of shell, rolled in fettucine and bathed in a seductive beurre blanc sauce. The very thought makes a three hour tortuous drive north through Boston tolerable. 5. LOUIS XV, Alain DuCasse, Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo. Enter this high ceiling, ornately decorated room and one thinks of Versailles. The widely spaced tables are handsomely appointed with the finest china and glassware. The flowers, the candlelight and the music - it is all there. Finely polished wagons filled with an extensive selection of chilled champagnes are wheeled about with ballet grace. The desserts are definitely over the top - presentation, design and taste makes your evening a royal fantasy.