We’re having a wonderful time at Grand Hotel Bellevue…
Dear Paul,
I couldn’t decide… Switzerland Austria… Austria Switzerland! So guess what, I’m having a few days in each. What a treat.
We decided on the alpine playground of Gstaad, ‘we’ being my best friend David who couldn’t resist joining me; he just loves this region. With four airports within two hours, skiing and snowboarding guaranteed throughout the season because of the high pistes, he often pops over for a snowboard break or ski weekend in Gstaad. I didn’t realise David had stayed here at the Grand Hotel Bellevue before, so he’s showing me the ropes. And what fun we’re having. AND, because we’re staying at this gorgeous elegant hotel, we get free ski tickets during the week. Fantastic!
The hotel has the cutest chalet restaurant open through the winter; it’s called Le Petit Chalet and located in the park, slap-bang on the Gstaad promenade. It’s SO cosy – just seats 16 people – and serves yummy cheese specialities. We scoffed a cheese fondue (so casual; and such fun to cook it ourselves) and delicious raclette there last night. Tonight we’re going to dine in style in the Grand Hotel Bellevue’s Michelin-Star Restaurant Prado. Can’t wait.
My room has got fabulous views, and the Asian-style Spa here is a serene haven I just can’t resist after a day skiing. I just love it here. Would you believe Gstaad has direct access to 250km of downhill skiing with 67 individual pistes? And as for the après ski, it’s pretty lively with nightclubs, casino, disco, live bands…
Must rush, David and I are attempting an evening toboggan run. He’s as mad as a hatter but a very happy bunny here in Gstaad at Grand Hotel Bellevue. We’re already planning our next visit.
Bye for now,
Melissa
I’ve downloaded the SLH iPhone App!
Hi Paul,
I’ve just picked up your note about the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ iPhone app – it came just in time. I’m sitting at the airport and have already downloaded it onto my phone.
It’s SO incredibly easy to use. I can flick through photos, select a Continent, and even discover hotels by type… beach resorts, eco reserves, private islands, game lodges. But then you already know that of course!
What a really great idea the SLH iPhone app is – it’s going to make my search for small luxury hotels around the world a lot easier. Thanks for the tip darling.
The flight has been called. Must go. Did I tell you I’m dragging my adrenalin junkie best friend David with me? Should be fun. Watch this space!
Love Melissa
Have you downloaded the Small Luxury Hotels of the World iPhone App?
Hi Melissa,
Glad you liked the Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ 2011 Directory – it’s pretty weighty isn’t it? But don’t go trying to carry that on your forthcoming skiing trip! Did you know that SLH has produced an iPhone app? It’s really easy to use, so you’ll like it.
On the SLH iPhone app you can find hotels by keyword or location and even by searching through the exciting ‘experiences’ our luxury hotels offer. You can book hotel stays and discover the nearest Small Luxury Hotels of the World property when you’re out gallivanting.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World iPhone App
I know you like to pour over hotel pictures, so you’ll enjoy the image galleries and maps. And a bonus for you… it is a free download from the App Store.
You’d better download it before you jet off to… where are you going? I can’t keep up… is it to Grand Hotel Bellevue in that glamorous alpine playground in Switzerland, or to that exquisitely decorated Alpine retreat in Austria – Kristiania Lech?
Let’s catch up when you’re back.
Paul
Thanks for sending me the Small Luxury Hotels of the World 2011 Directory!
Dear Paul,
I love it! The book, that is. You know… the impressive Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ 2011 Directory that you very kindly sent around to my pad? The book is very glam and quite different to the norm, but then it has to be really special this year, doesn’t it, in order to mark the amazing 20th anniversary of SLH. Congrats. You must be very proud.
So, thanks to you, I spent the whole evening in front of a roaring fire, sipping a glass or three of bubbly, delving into the delights of SLH exclusive intimate hotels around the world, and I’m being tempted by tantalizing pictures of blue skies and crystal clear waters. Mmm!
You were right, your 2011 directory of small luxury hotels is undoubtedly a coffee table book – it now has pride of place thereon you’ll be pleased to hear. And, thanks to the suggested itineraries included in the directory, I’ve now got oodles of ideas for my forthcoming travels.
Congratulations again on reaching the 20th Anniversary of Small Luxury Hotels of the World in such inimitable style… and thanks a million for that gorgeous SLH Directory.
Love Melissa
Ski recommendations…
Hi Melissa,
You rush around so much you make my head spin sometimes. I guess I’d better get used to it as it seems you’ve made me your personal travel agent!
Before I go into more detail about exclusive hotels in good skiing areas, have you seen the new Small Luxury Hotels of the World 2011 Directory? It’s a large luxurious hardback book which has just been launched – definitely a coffee table book. You’ll enjoy it, it’s a good read.
In our new SLH Directory you’ll discover that our small luxury hotels offer some big experiences, so I’m sure you’ll find a range to match the adventurer, gourmand, and even the romantic in you! So, to keep you happy and occupied in your new-found freedom, here are some suggestions for luxury ski vacations offered by the Small Luxury Hotels of the World family:
Take a look at the Grand Hotel Bellevue in Gstaad, Switzerland, which has chic designer rooms and suites, panoramic views and an outstanding spa with indoor pool. It’s an elegant and rather grand hotel set in idyllic grounds in the glamorous alpine playground of Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland. The region is one of the safest and largest skiing areas in Switzerland.
Grand Hotel Bellevue
Warm thermal springs and seven chalets make up this unique Austrian spa village of Hoteldorf Grüner Baum in the Kötzschach Valley, Bad Gastein; within the Salzburg area. You’ll enjoy the beauty treatments; they’re based on the relaxing effect of herbs from the local mountains (a thermal spa is located in one of the chalets). You’ll find a broad range of ski slopes in the Gastein Valley: easy, intermediate, difficult, family-friendly, with deep-snow and mogul runs too.
Hoteldorf Grüner Baum
These two suggestions are, as you can imagine, just the tip of our luxury ski hotels iceberg, so you’ll now have to plough through the SLH Directory yourself to find that idyllic ski hotel for your short break.
For some of the best powder snow in the world look at America where SLH has some beautifully appointed ski properties. You’ll find untamed terrain plus incredible skiing and snowboarding in ski resorts in Wyoming. There’s a giant ski slalom course in Italy; wonderful hotels with spas in Austria; and a huge variety of ski slopes in France – as well as heli-skiing for your adrenalin seeking skiing friend David.
Have fun, and do let me know how you get on.
Cheers, Paul
Introducing you to Melissa Vinelli…
Hi all,
Happy New Year!
I thought you might like to meet a very good friend of mine – Melissa Vinelli – who I bumped into at The Arch Hotel in London recently after not seeing her for years. She’s quite a character, bit of a dare-devil and likes to have fun. She gets up to mischief now and again, has had an interesting life, and now travels the world extensively, staying mainly in our Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
You will see from the letter I’ve just received from her that she’s enjoying every minute of her time since leaving her high-powered job in the City. If you’d like to know Melissa as well as I do, then follow this blog to find out what she’s up to and where in the world she’ll be next. I really dread to think!
I’m sure her tales will give you a good insight into and give you some great ideas about staying in our small, luxury hotels around the world. She’ll certainly be opting for some of the special exciting experiences that Small Luxury Hotels of the World have put together – so that could prove interesting. I just wonder what she’ll get up to?
Enjoy her travels… and her antics!
Paul
PS: Incidentally, if you want to know more about Melissa, click here>>
Dear Paul,
It was absolutely fabulous bumping into you last month in that trendy London champagne bar at The Arch Hotel. What a chic contemporary London hotel that is with its rich colours, comfy seats, high-tech rooms, and classy art. It’s so very perfect for Mummy’s lifestyle too – an exclusive city hotel where she can enjoy toasted crumpets and traditional afternoon tea in style, wonderfully located in central London.
How timely too, with me being down in the dumps (having hastily thrown in the towel at work) that you came up with that amazing suggestion that I jet off to a luxury hotel in Sri Lanka to take time out and get my thoughts together. You are a darling, you saved my sanity.
When you said it was a boutique hotel somewhere unusual, I had no idea that the holiday in the nature reserve you recommended would be so very wild. I had a fantastic time… wild parties every day. Not exactly the wild London celebrity parties we both enjoy darling, but wild as in elephant safaris, nature tours and bird watching and, would you believe, even primate safaris. I must take Daddy with me next time; he’s always looking for luxury hotels off the beaten track.
I’m rambling as usual (and now back in the UK after my thought-inspiring stay in that gem of an eco-friendly luxury hotel)… so to the point. Luxury skiing holidays – I want to head for the snow and take a last minute luxury ski break.
You know that I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie so I’ll be taking my best buddy David with me who’s as mad as a hatter on the slopes. To keep him happy, can you suggest some luxurious ski retreats in Europe and maybe unusual skiing destinations further afield, as well as luxury family ski resorts in the USA (I want to check out family friendly ski hotels for my sister Claire and her tribe). Any information on hotels near challenging ski slopes, contemporary ski lodges and cosy ski chalets at renowned ski resorts will be great too.
Must rush. Look forward to getting your suggestions for a luxury ski holiday soonest. Thanks darling. See you.
Love Melissa
PS: Calling all skiers: Can you send me suggestions as to where I should go for my skiing break? Would love to read your comments on your personal skiing experiences too.
