And here we are once again at the Delano hotel. I don’t know if you remember what happened last time, we wound up at the Mandalay and the largest suite I’ve ever stayed in, 1,705 sq ft in the Horizon Suite. But to be honest, we really wanted to stay away from Mandalay, and hopefully we were going to get a nice room here at the Delano.

We walk up to the desk to check in, and since we drove up during Christmas break, we were able to drive during normal business hours and arrive at the hotel just after 8:00pm. I calmly ask the clerk, Mario, if they had an upgrade available to a junior suite. He tickled the ivories of the keyboard, and came back with a yes! Awesome! But he had to get managerial approval, whatever that means.

When we arrive to the 60th floor, yes 60th floor, we got that feeling once again. Walking towards the room, we see the number is at the end of the hall, and that’s always a good thing. We step inside the room and are greeted with a marble minimalist design marble console. Wow, impressive so far. I turn to my right and I see the door, and now I get happy, a second bathroom! Yay! I don’t know why this thrills me so much, it just does. I love having two bathrooms in a hotel room.

We step through the foyer and we come across, a second foyer? No, more a simple open space with a large mirror leaning against the wall and a chair with the round carpet. It had a very Zen minimalist modern art installation feel to it.  I could just sit here for a good long time.

We step into the living room, and Oh My God! The interior windows have a gold tint to them, so in the evening under the room lights, the whole room is just reflective gold. Huge! A large sectional couch, flat screen TV, separate dining table with new age design chandelier and full bar with Kuerig coffee maker.

We  check out the bedroom and we have to walk all the way across the room to the bedroom. And by “all the way”, I mean all, all… all the way! Past the Zen chair. Past the business desk. Past the second full size couch in the bedroom, and finally to the final resting place. After all the suite is 1,400 square feet so this place is massive!

The bed has the Delano tufted headboard, same design we had in our previous Delano room. I guess this is a Delano theme, cool. We step in past the bed and the hallway closet, yes hallway closet. As close as you’re going to get to walk in closet in Vegas. Hmmm… wait, I’m sure there are walk-in closets in Vegas. Wynn suite?

Anyway, the bathroom is nice: Double sink vanity, large soaking tub, separate water closet (toilet), steam shower! Yes, a steam shower for those mornings when you need to sweat that Tequila out. But then in Vegas, it’s never really morning as its just a rollover from the previous night.

I just love the clean modern design of this suite and effective immediately this is my new favorite suite. Let me take that back, because that suite at The Cosmopolitan, although not as fancy as this suite, it did have that double balcony! And on a beautiful spring or summer day a balcony trumps all. OK now that I think about it this is my second favorite suite but it’s my favourite Mlife suite, how about that!

I wake from a sleepy airline haze, just connected from LAX (Los Angeles) to ZUR (Zurich), and after 10 hours on that flight, I’m finally tired enough to sleep. The thought of Barcelona and Formula 1 racing keeps my mind buzzing, and now, after a relaxing stop at Zurich Flughafen, I’ve dozed off to a peaceful slumber. But now I’m confused as hell as the plane begins its descent, the window slides open, and where the hell are we? We’re over water and I’m confused. The plane touches down, nice landing, and I just roll through the scenarios: Did we board the wrong flight? Was the plane diverted while I was asleep?  We exit the plane and yes, thank God, the F1 signs let me know I’m in the right place. I’m in Barcelona.

“This is cool”, I think to myself as we pull into the Hilton Barcelona driveway. Or is it a courtyard. Or outdoor reception area. There are no real designating lines or curb of any sort to make it a parking lot. I don’t realize it, it’s my first encounter with Barcelona design. A subtle, yet powerful design nod. Oh look, there is a restaurant next to the driveway, Piscolabis, and it looks like the spot we should check out for our first meal in Barcelona. Sure, some people would prefer to do massive amounts of research, check out international Yelp, and find the listing with the most stars. Not me. I like wood and glass restaurants, well lit, and with people smiling in them. And this place has the all the markings, so I’m in. After all, we’re hungry and I want some fresh air and to start exploring. Our cabbie opens the door, we step out, and our Hilton adventure begins.

Ziko greets us at the entry. We enter through the revolving door, and the space speaks to me. Clean white floors, minimalist Euro design, splashes of color and wood provide a real design feel to the place. This design is supposed to mean something, like the red streamers dangling over the bar. The front desk is responsive and we have our room in a minute. Even the fact that we had two reservations under one name, one with points and one with cash doesn’t faze Alex in the least. Hilton’s system is sharp, and he takes care of the dual reservation with a single room effortlessly. We walk over to Nico and tell him the room number, “Yes, of course.” He responds in a manner that says he knows. Duh. I didn’t realize these guys were mind linked.

We leave the counter and of course, I have to check out the bar. A nice sized rectangular setup with a white counter-top over a gold base. And then I look up and I realize the red streamers are in fact a 40ft art installation. A Murano-glass sea kelp forest hanging over the bar turning us little fish swimming in an aquarium. Where’s my diving helmet? This was an amazing piece of work for a mid-level hotel like this. And as I would find out, Barcelona is one artistically expressive town. This would be par for the course throughout the city. After spotting my wine chair, we head up to the room to scope the layout.

We get off at the 9^th floor. The elevator opens to an opens as the top floor of an open atrium lobby space. Stepping out of the elevator, we can see the top of drapes and no floor. Interesting. We walk over and look down on 4 lounge chairs, 2 coffee tables, and a dazzling carpet display of vertical lines. I’ve never seen anything like this, well, yes, I’ve chairs and tables before, but not in a quiet little 8th floor elevator lobby space like this. The ceiling to floor sheer drapes that partially shade the glass wall that reveals the…wait…yes, that’s the fire stairwell. This place is just too cool! Is this related to the history of Spaniards and their mid-day siestas? Maybe it’s more of a new take on an old tradition. Maybe our diets don’t welcome the midday snooze, but more about taking time to decompress, relate to one another, and just have some quiet time in an open space that frees the mind from its physical restrained surroundings. Whatever the reason, it goes to show there’s a lot more to the design than just plopping some paintings on the wall.

We head into the room, and it’s a clean, smooth design. The focal point of the room, the bed, has a bed-to-near-ceiling fabric headboard with wood planking trim and the coolest floating lanterns for side table lights. Good thing they thought of outlets on either side for charging the phones. Always intrigues me when hotels don’t have outlets next to the bed. Guess they have never stayed in a hotel and need to charge a phone overnight, the same phone that is also the alarm. Yes, that happens sometimes so it’s nice to have the phone next to the bed. Another cool feature is the sliding glass closet door that is some sort of red/gray artistic pond scene. Or maybe they’re just geometric coordinations. More design! The glass door slides to reveal the closet, a good sized space with the daily amenities of ironing board and safe. But, in an effort to maximize space, the sliding open of the door does cover the bar area. So slide the door close and expose the bar counter top, glass shelves and storage drawers. And that’s Europe: Clothing dresser storage is just 4 small drawers. For the whole room. Hence the term, “living out of my suitcase”. No problem. A simple TV, desk area and a little catch-all glass topped table accompanied by a sitting chair round out the room. A very relaxing room, visually pleasing and spatially engaging.

But the scene stealer for me was the bathroom. Porcelanosa finishes throughout rock the place! The wall tiles, the bath fixtures and lighted mirror knocked it out the park. And irony of ironies, I had just received the latest Porcelanosa catalog at home, and just dreaming of finishing my house with pages 23, 48 and 58. I wish! But now, I’m living that dream. Unlike a lot of European bathrooms, this one is very spacious. Easy for my wife and I to maneuver around during our morning shower routines. A large shower space with fixed glass and open entry has my favorite feature: Separate water and temperature knobs. Get in turn on the water, and its the same perfect temperature everytime. The large mirror helped with me shaving at the same time Nancy was doing makeup. One large single wash bowl worked equally well. The porcelain wall tiles were subtle, yet playful. Very well thought out.

The next morning we head down for breakfast, and even the breakfast area was exciting. This was more like a nice dinner restaurant than breakfast. And the food offerings was more than I could have imagined. The normal chaffing dishes of eggs, bacon, sausages also were home to fried eggs, and beans. But turn around, fresh fruit is waiting for you. But wait, walk to the backside of the fruit, and there are assorted Spanish favorites of meats and vegetables. Tomato and Mozarella, jamon serrano, olives, and much more. Quite a turn out. Turn around from there, oh my, a cooler with assorted cheeses, both fresh Cheddar and Jack slices and Laughing Cow wrapped varietals. Yogurts and milk. And it just keeps getting better, around the other corner, juices and Cava! I love sparkly in the morning! Wow, what an offering. Everything for everyone. I could just sit and eat this all day! But we have to leave to head out now, and as we do, I look closer at this little office area off to the side of the restaurant entrance, maybe the coordinator’s space. It’s was just flawless in its design. I so want to work here! White tile, geometric walls, a cool astro-tech feel. And then when it couldn’t any better, I notice the dining lounge is just decorated in the latest cool colors, Purple and Teal. Wow, this place was just a feast for the eyes. If more hotels like this designed at this level, life would be great.

On the way back to the room, someone gets off on the 4th floor. And what’s this? I inquire, it’s the Hitlon Honors member lounge. Again, beautifully designed, a sepearte lounge for Honors members where they have a complimentary happy hour in the evening. Pretty cool, this hotel has it all. Oh, and the bed was pretty comfy too!

To kick off the 2018 Chris and Nancy World Tour, we are heading to Vegas after receiving an invite from Mandalay Bay. Our first mistake, we are flying. Flying American Airlines. This means carry-on luggage, which restricts the amount of clothing options, so no Mega Packing. And as if this isn’t enough, our group is called to board, and we are stopped as the last of the the carry-ons, so they make us check our bags. And of course, we get on the plane and look at all the storage space we have, or would have had for our bags! Plus, if I wanted to check my bags, I could have at least packed a suit and more clothing options in case a dinner with Wayne Newton breaks out. Hopefully, the weather will turn out nice for early March and we will get some much needed pool time.

We get to Mandalay Bay to check in and I ask the clerk if any upgrades are available? The clerk responds that they are 90% capacity, March Madness starting and all, but they do have a junior suite available for just a mere $30 a night add-on. $30… let’s do it! After that stay at the Cosmopolitan, I’m all about seeing how the other side lives. We get up to the junior suite and if this is how the other side lives, stay on the other side. The clerk told us the room will be more quiet, because the previous room was an adjoining room, and that the junior suite has a very large bathtub. We thought that would be nice, but upon entry to the room, we see that the tub simply takes up half of the available space in the bathroom, therefore, making it a smaller bathroom, and…wait for it…yes, there is an adjoining door for this room. What? Well, it seems that all Mandalay Bay rooms are adjoining rooms.

Adjoining rooms are great when you’re with your family or friends, but when it’s little kids next door up and screaming at 7am, or party kids coming back to the room at 7am, not so cool if you’re a light sleeper like me.

The next morning, Nancy turns on the TV and a questionnaire pops up asking, “Are you happy with your room?” Nancy responds down thumbs down, and with that, we head to the pool. Today is going to be a wonderful 77°, but dropping 5° or so the next day, so let’s get our sunshine while it’s here. Perfect beach weather, and that’s one of my favorite aspects of Mandalay Bay, The Beach. Fun in the sun on the sand in the middle of the desert. On the way to The Beach, we get a call from customer service, a really nice woman, who offers us an upgrade to the executive suite. Executive suite! Oh yeah this is how we roll baby. Vegas baby Vegas!

We get up to the “executive suite”,  and it’s a beautiful room. Same sleeping arrangement, but with an extra space for an glass-topped executive desk and high-back chair, and an extra alcove area of about 200 ft.², enough for a full-size couch, two end tables and two chairs. What makes a really cool is that the space has a large floor-to-ceiling window looking up the strip. Daytime, the view is nice, but nighttime the view was awesome! The lights and colors of the strip starting with the golden Luxor, the color accents of the white Excalibur and Tropicana, the green of the MGM, and so on until you stretch all the way up through the blue balloon of Paris casino, it’s all is pretty cool. And just when we thought that view was nice, we head up to the Foundation Room on the 54th floor, and the view there is pretty spectacular. All this only made me wish I took the opportunity to do some Mega Packing so I could have my suit ready for this view. The polo shirt did not do it justice.

Waking up the next morning, I find the one fault, don’t I always, is that the building support takes up half the window space within the view from the actual room area. It would be nice if you could lie in bed and look out over the strip like this. But then, getting out of bed and sitting on the couch for the view is a nice alternative. But this also means that the room, even in daytime is still dark enough that you have to turn on the room lights. The entry foyer has only have one light so the entry is still kind of dark. And the room still has an adjoining door to the room next to it. So yes, when the college guys come home at three in the morning and are high-fiving each other for an awesome night, you get to live every moment along with them. And amazingly enough you get to hear them at eight in the morning get up to go grab coffee. Damn college kids, doesn’t anybody stay out until 6am and then sleep until noon anymore?

Overall the room is pretty awesome and we’re really enjoying it. We do like Mandalay Bay for it’s enormous size which has a variety of activities. Tonight‘s dinner is going to be at Red Square, and we realize that next time we stay here, or the Delano, we’re not gonna leave the building. Mandalay Bay has 16 restaurant inside the hotel! And that’s not including Charlie Palmer steakhouse over in the Four Seasons hotel, or spots like Ri Ra, I highly recommend the Irish Eggs Benedict for breakfast or the Lobster Burger at Burger Bar that are upstairs in the Mandalay Shops connecting it to the Luxor. Next time, it’s sit back and relax, and just enjoy the resort rather than casino hop all day long.

My favorite aspect of traveling around the world are the hotel stays. I love staying somewhere that makes you forget where you came from and where you’re going to, and just let’s you enjoy where you are. And more common these days, finer hotels will include a nice robe and slipper combo with your stay. Slippers, a luxurious throwback from the past,  can make the difference between “what did I just step in?” and “Let the President know I’ll see him now.” It’s just a fun little extra that makes a great hotel grand.

Now granted, these little slippers can be bought on Amazon for about $2/pair in their plain white version. But there’s something extra nice when the slippers are actually detailed in a manner that reflect the hotel and therefore can remind you of your travels. That way, not only are they convenient have-to-haves like a toothbrush or a bar of soap, but they also make great souvenirs. A cherished reminder of your travels and a keepsake of your pampering. As 2017 comes to an end, I open my closet and go through several suitcases and I come across some of my favorite slippers from my past travels.

Honorable Mention: The Cosmopolitan Hotel – Las Vegas

The slipper is the normal plain-Jane disposable type. Nothing fancy, but it’s the little details that make it worthy of mention. What catches my eye is this cool steel blue piping around the arch trim has a slight reflective nature to it. As blue is my favorite color, it not only stands out on its own as a soothing, relaxing color, but it also matches the blue piping of the bath robe in the room. And nothing is as relaxing as sitting on the balcony in Las Vegas, 40 stories above the strip, looking down on an absolutely beautiful day full of sunshine and mimosas, in a color coordinated robe and slipper combo at the Cosmopolitan Hotel. But it would have been seriously cool had they done it in Cosmopolitan purple, the theme color of the hotel. Nice! @Cosmopolitan_LV

5. Aria

Addition to the cool solid blue and white color scheme, again is my favorite, I enjoy the open toe design of the slippers. The ribbed material of the upper slipper is unique for disposables, the very fluffy bottom material makes my feet incredibly warm, even with an open toe design. But either way, as Aria is one of our favorite hotels, they’re very convenient to wear around the hotel room for short periods of time. Perfect for just getting out of the shower and getting dressed. And since it’s Vegas, lets get the show on the road! Those dice aren’t going to roll themselves! This is how we Vegas! @AriaLV

4. Beverly Hills Hotel

The subtle BHH on the front of the slipper is a complete contrast the the bold nature of the Beverly Hills Hotel. This slipper gets a nod for being one of the most wonderful stays at a hotel ever! I still remember breakfast on our private patio, with our dog running around. Those Eggs Benedict were amazing! Although the logo almost disappears when wearing the slipper, making it look like a plain white slipper, the open toes design is cooling and the padding is quite deep, making this a slipper to wear all day. I just wish the slipper had a little more to it in relation to the luxurious nature of the hotel. Maybe the logo in iridescent pink to match the iconic pink design of the hotel? Maybe the stitching could have been a little more prevalent, something to give it some pop? Let them know what you think and maybe they make a change in 2018. @BevHillsHotel

3. Park Hyatt Milano

When it comes to design, no one does it better than the Italians! The Park Hyatt Milano welcomes you with luxury at its core. Located just steps from Il Duomo di Milano, probably the grandest attraction in Milan, next the the Gucci store of course, The slipper rates high if you’re a fashionista. And who isn’t? The black piping along the split wing arch cover is something you are not going to find on just any disposable. Add to that, when shopping in Milan, always get the label. And with these slippers, the interior label of Park Hyatt Milano give it lots of style. The split wing top keeps the feet cool even though it is a closed toe designed. The slipper is good looking, stylish, and very comfortable to wear. A favorite, and a great reminder to head back to Milan ASAP! @ParkHyattMilan

2. Hôtel Le Negresco – Nice, France

The Hotel Negresco is the oldest, grandest, most unique hotel I’ve stayed in. The room decorated early baroque was the epitome of comfortable European elegance. And their slippers made a lasting impression too! They scored high for the one-of-a-kind gold embossed stitching displaying the hotel logo. Très chic indeed! The slippers are a classy way to dress up breakfast on the balcony at any hotel or home. These go in the shrine box, never to be worn again and to serve as a fond memory to the wonderful stay at the incredible Le Negresco in Nice France. C’est la vie! @NegrescoHotel

1. Ponte Vineyard Inn – Temecula, California

My overall favorite slipper! For both it’s design and purpose, it has to be the beloved Ponte Vineyard Inn slipper. The slipper has a cool bright lime green piping with the name embroidered. But not only embroidering, but dual font stitching at that. This is the good stuff! And to add to the love, this slipper is from the Ponte Vineyard Inn and Resort where I was married. Ahhh… all those years ago, when my date at the time said, “I want to get married at a Vineyard,” I knew I had a keeper! So the slippers will always have a special spot in my heart. Again this is another pair, never to be worn again, to be stored away, in the bag with my wedding tux. I really love the look and feel of the slipper. The pillow stitching seems extra padded and very comfortable on foot. And again, the stitching matches the robes, so brew up a cup of coffee, open the balcony doors, and take in the exquisite vineyard views on a lovely morning in these slippers. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams! @PonteInn

Remember that commercial about the guy who gets hit by a bus, ends up in heaven with all the cookies he can eat? But when he reaches for the milk cartons, they’re empty! Ha ha, you’re not in heaven! That’s the way I kind of felt about the Delano. Upon arrival of the Delano, which is attached to the Mandalay Bay, we pull up and see a Bugatti Veyron in the valet parking. Oh yeah that’s my car. This is the kind of luxury and class and I’m looking for. Fortune may smile on me this visit after all.

It was 2 o’clock in the morning, and fortunately a valet was available to take our bags up. I walk through the front doors, between the two halves of a 62-ton metaquartzite boulder. Interesting…no fascinating! Typical Vegas, it’s so sublime, and yet, how many floors can even support 62-tons, let alone have a design team split the boulder, and place it just right. To read more, click here for the Best of Vegas story. We get to the front desk, we check in, the hostess was a little snippy. I don’t mind so much I was just thinking about this cool entrance and that Bugatti. Vegas, baby Vegas! This Delano is total hipster chic that is tangible and appealing. We get up to our floor, a cool hallway, interesting photographs lining the walls with a really nice design. Old Vegas and hip desert scenics. I’m thinking this place is the bomb! My only previous brush with the Delano, pronounced Del-la-noe, as in Franklin D, US President #32, not DE-lan-no, like the Italian getaway in South Beach, Miami. That place is dope! I love that lobby bar tucked off to the side behind the 30 foot curtains flowing through the entryway. Perfect for South Beach on a perfect summer’s eve.

Delano Living Room

So we get to the room, we walk in and nice! The room is decked out in soft white through and through. The wall, the flooring, the furniture. Along the left wall a good 42 inch wall-mounted TV, business desk underneath with minimalist gold legs. A comfortable looking couch with chaise. Oh look there, a wet bar! Sink, faucet, a couple of wine glasses standing on glass shelves. A mini fridge underneath. Looking good so far. Hmmm, what’s behind this door? Closet maybe? Wait, what? This is the bathroom? Theres no shower! Wait, don’t tell me, are you kidding me? A second bathroom? I’ve never been in a hotel in Las Vegas that had two bathrooms! This is awesome! I’m in heaven!

We call down to the valet to bring our bags up. He’s a very courteous guy, and interestingly enough, his name is Curtis. Really cool guy, he steps out to get us a bucket of ice. Time to chill the Courtage! That was very nice of him. I leave a nice tip. I take the bags into the curved bedroom to unzip, so I can unpack and put my clothes into the dresser drawers. I always like to make myself at home when I travel, so I completely unpack and put all my clothes in the dresser drawers…where are the drawers? Wait… where are the drawers!?! Seriously, where are the drawers!?!?! Oh oh… this ain’t heaven!

As luxurious and well laid out as this place is designed, there are no drawers here. And to add insult to injury, we open the closet doors, and it’s half the size of most Las Vegas luxury rooms. How can this be? There is one small drawer at the base of the closet, and I pull it out, it’s only about 18 inches deep. Are you kidding me? We upgraded to a scenic suite which has the cool wrap around windows, king size bed with a ultra lux headboard that was oh so visually appealing. But no drawers!

And to add additional insult to injury, there’s only one luggage rack. Of course it goes to my wife. Thank God the bed has a foot bench to put my suitcase.

We head down to the casino for a little wine down late-night action at the slots. When we come back up it’s time to hit the bed. I’m not in heaven! The bed feels like it’s been hit several times before, like, a lot of times before! wink wink! You can literally see the depression in the mattress. Looks like this they have been slept on for quite some time, and since this is Vegas, by quite a few people. Wink wink.

The next morning we wake and hit the shower. And yes, we’re not in heaven. They didn’t even spring for shower gel. Just bar soap! Can you believe it? Good thing I had my Laura Tonatto shower gel from Milan packed in my toiletries bag. Yes you never know when you’re going to need gel, even in luxury high rise hotels in Vegas.

One aspect we really did enjoy about The Hotel (get it?) is the Skyfall lounge. It’s located on the 54th floor, with a private entrance, and views to die for! Since The Delano is at the southern end of the strip, you get to see all the other hotels in a single view. And in the summer, at evening, with those desert sunsets, the view is amazing. I highly recommend making reservations around 30 mins prior to sunset to get settled in for the show. We were a little, and since it was fall, a little chilly as well, and had prior reservations so we missed the show. But next summer, I’ll make sure I’m on time and you’ll have some nice pics.

The bar is done up in a deep blue-purple theme, with wood and neon green highlights. Think Jetsons meet Prince. There are these big bulbous globular rings that are lit internally and provide and soft ambient lighting effect. Like I said, I cant wait to check this place out at sunset and into the evening. The crowd is upscale to match the futuristic feel of the place. It seems like a great place to meet some pretty interesting, in a good way, people here. New age intellectuals channeling the ancient desert energy in a posh hot spot.

Overall, the room is built more for an overnight traveler, or ultra highrollers who don’t lug clothes around. But just buy new clothes wherever they go. If I’m a business traveler, this is perfect to have the place all to myself. But for a family man on a weekend getaway, not my bag baby. I give the Delano high marks for its design and appeall. But the lack of drawers definitely left a sour taste. Very disappointing. I did don’t feel as if I could kick back and relax. Put my feet up and sit a spell, not with my clothes still sitting in their bag. I’m sorry Delano, I call this one, one and done. It’s not you, it’s me.

The Park Hyatt Milano is a five-star hotel that exudes the luxury of upper class travel. Although a little smaller in size than other Park Hyatt properties, mainly due to the size restrictions of Centro Milano, the hotel is still nothing but class. At the entry of the hotel you were greeted by three guard dogs. Don’t worry, they don’t bite. The sculptures by artist Velasco Vittorio are a tribute to the dog friendly aspect of the hotel. They actually have a VID program, Very Important Dog, that offers such pooch pamperings as luxury bedding for your dog, fresh mineral water from designer bowels, and dog sitting services.

Where PHM shines is it’s location. You literally cannot ask for a better location for sight seeing, shopping and dining. Step outside the front door of the hotel, and you’re just feet away from the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a wonderful, beautiful luxurious airy mall housing Italy’s favorite fashions. All the top and designers are here: Gucci, Prada, Dior, etc. But beyond that shopping, there are several eateries, and of course, the Duomo. This is the magic spot for tourists: Shopping, sightseeing, and Italian culture all in one location.

Back in the room, the bed setup is wonderful. A soft, fluffy pillow topping lulls you into a relaxed state as soon as you hit the sheets. A nice digital clock with USB ports to charge you phone. 3 shelves provides ample storage for various keys, change, tickets and any other baggage you feel a need to just dump out but not store away just yet. The pillows are perfect down with foam inserts that do a great job at supporting your sleep. Soft and gentle, yet the firmness is supportive and not a hard rock bottom after a few hours of snoozing. I slept like a baby! If you need more sleep support, there’s the spa downstairs, where the aromatherapy instantly lowers your stress level by 4 to 5 points. They also offer massage and steam rooms to help you unwind. I personally just took a seat in the teak chairs and a deep breath had me in another world realm of peacefulness.

To continue the peaceful trend, roll out of bed and into a luxurious bath. The bath is a full length tub surrounded by fine Italian marble and black ceramic fixtures. If a shower is more your style, then a spacious stand up glass shower will welcome you with a soft flowing rain shower hear, and a hand held soft flow head. A seating area in the shower can help for those days following wild Italian Grappa fueled nights.

After you’re up, get going with an in-room coffee via a small Illy coffee maker. The good thing is that there are enough stores next door to buy some new coffee flavors and/or espresso to really get you going. If you’re ready to grab a bite, the hotel is also home to the Michelin star restaurant, VUN Andrea Aprea, the more affordable dining at Dehors, and dining at the bar Mio which includes outside seating. There are also plenty of dining options close to the hotel, just a few minutes of walking and various level of gourmet. Immediately across the street is Granaio. This café/restaurant offers some wonderful dining options, great deserts, and of course, relaxing with Italian coffees in either of two outside seating areas as well as indoor seating. 

For our first couple of nights in Milan, we we stayed at the Hilton Doubletree in the Certosa neighborhood. After our rumbling drive-through the streets of Milan, I was surprised to see the industrial neighborhood that this particular hotel is located in. I was expecting to do some shopping here, but this is a pretty quiet neighborhood of what seems to be mid-sized auto parts manufacturers.

Pulling up to the hotel I noticed the design was a little more like the Milan I expected. Lean, clean,  modern design, that surround an interesting walkway into the hotel lobby. At the front desk is Stefano and he’s great to us with a warm smile and I happy disposition. We chat a bit, and I am amazed at how much English everyone is speaking. Understanding that this is an a high tourist area, But here, as in Brussels, and Nice and Paris last year, everybody speaks crystal clear English. On the one hand you appreciate it because the language differences do not exist. On the other hand, like our hotel Lu Feye Boigelot, you expect to have a little language discrepancy and struggle with your high school Italian.

We check in and head up to the room which is again Euro-modern. It’s a good size, comfortable enough as a traveler hotel. Not full on luxury like Hotel Metropole earlier, but we are happy with the accommodations. Again, a bidet, smallish shower, little vanity area, but outside large closet space, fully functional TV, and a view looking back over northern Milan towards the mountains.

We head down to the lobby, and the lobby is spacious, and then we looked around the corner we realize it’s huge. Plenty of seating, a couple of communal bar tables with outlets for laptop work. Around the other corner there’s actually a men’s store in the lobby!

Alright, my first introduction to Milan fashion! Suits, jackets, shirts, ties, shoes and  a few accessories. I actually try on a couple of jackets, really nice fabric both in feel and fabric design, but unfortunately not quite my size. I ask the attendant if he had any others in the back, and unfortunately, no. Oh well, just the first night and I’m sure I’m going to find much more fashion once I get into Milan proper. We walk over to the area next to the men’s store which is a long bar, a great looking spot to have a Campari  or a pre-dinner Asti. There’s a good size restaurant where they serve the breakfast in the morning and dinner in the evening. We managed to have dinner here Friday night. I don’t know what I was thinking, but I left my phone in the room, and missed out taking photos of one of the better steaks I had this trip. Nancy had a salmon dish that was perfect, so thumbs up to the hotel for a wonderful dinner.

The hotel is located close enough to trolleys so it’s easily accessible to Milano Centro and other areas of Milan. One block to the east is the trolley stop for the Trolley Number 12 which takes you to Milano Centro and il Duomo. About a quarter-mile north is the stop for Trolley 14, which takes you to southwest Milan, Porta Volta park, which is pretty cool and Girabaldi train station. The Certosa Train station is half a mile or so, which equates to a 15 to 20 minute walk, or DoubleTree will provide a shuttle to the station. Although the area is a little dated, and not the glam house of Vogue and Elle magazine, the location is still quite comfortable and of very supportive of tourist travel. In the afternoon, and possibly perfect breakfast, if you want some local Milan faire, café Tom and Jerry is just a couple of steps up the block. Also, there is a small market about a five minute walk up Viale Carlo Espinasse. If you want to pick up local goods, you can get things such as cheese, crackers, fruit, wine and other goodies. Depending on your length of stay, I highly recommend heading over to the shop to grab some local goodies for the room.

By the time we check-out, we have grown quite found of our front desk staff. Stefano, Victoria, Gianni and the gang are so polite, so wonderful, and so helpful, it enhanced our experience to no end. We always felt safe and taken care, not like we were on our own in a strange land, but like we were hanging out with friends. I can’t thank them all enough for making this an unforgettable experience.

For our stay in Brussels, we have 2 nights at the Hotel Metropole. Getting to the hotel from Franchorchamps involved a pretty spirited 2 hour drive, including chasing down a Ferrari 430 down on the E40, topping over 170mph! wait…what’s that…oh, that’s kilometers? What’s that…some thing like….105mph. Oh, ok! For a Jeep Renegade, not bad!

Yet getting to the hotel from all the  major construction going on in the Place De Brouckere proved another matter. With the construction, we circled around 2 or 3 times trying to figure it all out. With those huge bags, we were not able to pull up in front of the hotel, so we had to stop down the street and have a bellman come out and assist us. And what an assist it was. This bellman, dressed in the classic red, black and gold trim jacket, walking down this construction thorough fare with the large brass luggage cart, once again the travel gods have smiled upon us. Already were feeling like VIP as people walking by us and look up and smile at us. We get to the hotel and the gentleman at the front desk is more than courteous,  he’s downright jovial! Europe has it down when it comes to hospitality. Everyone is just so friendly and welcoming, it really makes a difference. We get up to the room and yeah, my good karma is on fire. We walked into the room and walk down the hallway, wow, a hallway! When we get into the main room, what is spread out in front of us is nothing but classic European luxury. The room, just a basic room mind you, is more like a junior suite. Luxuriously appointed and very, very spacious. You should be here!

The room contains small desk and chair for some business writing, and lounge for relaxing, 2 chairs for sitting and a nice, big time king size bed for sleeping. The bed is wonderfully soft and supportive and well appointed, accompanied by our chandelier. Yes, we have a chandelier! Step into the bathroom, and this again, it’s  appointed with wood trim, possibly Teak or maybe Belgium Fir, and marble. Polished chrome fixtures add a nice touch. Nice indeed!

Although the bathroom is generous and spacious, there’s only a huge tub. It looks more like a Jacuzzi tub, but no actual shower. So I guess this is Euro fashion, where you stand in the tub with the handheld and take your own shower. OK, when in Europe, do with the Europeans do, it’s bathtime!

The hotel itself was built back in 1895, and is historically modern. One of the cool features is the small elevator. Probably the original Otis elevator built back in the early 1900’s. Hmmm…plaque says 1970, close enough. The elevator still has the two-part door where you open the clear door to walk in, close it, and then pull close the collapsing metal railing before pressing the floor buttons. I haven’t seen this in so long and it is a bit nostalgic, although it’s also a bit tiny. But then, it’s not like I’m traveling with the soccer team, so fine by me. I love the decor.

Time for a beer and we head over to the bar which is incredible. The bar and restaurant, Cafe Metropole, is classic European. High ceilings give the place incredible volume, and the wood trim, all of it ornate, is elegantly detailed. Very classy indeed. For sure, this calls for a nice cool beer, a traditional blonde, please. The bar tendered brings over an Omer, and we just relax and take it in. wow, I’m staying here for the next days, this trip is going to be awesome!