This cute little country side B&B provided cozy lodging for our 3 days of the race. Located 15 mins or so from the track, just outside the town of Trois-Ponts. The owner, Francois, has handed the property, under the previous name of Auberge du Pere Boigelot, over to his daughter, Caroline. They were totally awesome hosts, and had the most amazing chicken dinner. The food was so good, and since we already had a couple glasses of wine, I forgot to take pictures.

The dining areas are adorned with waffle skillets converted to wall lights. I wanted to take one home, but no such luck. The rooms are Euro small but large enough to register as cozy roomy. No air conditioning, and the windows don’t really open much, so the upper rooms tend to get a little stuffy. But these are sleep over rooms, not luxury vacation. So you’re up in the morning, and home late in the evening. The beer offerings, Lupulus and Lienne, both from nearby micro brews, rate positively in beer circles, and my own world. To be honest, after walking all day, then having 2 bottles of wines, and then trying the Lienne 7% beer, I really don’t remember much. So find one yourself and give it a try.

There is nothing in this area other than fields and the turn-about. But if you’re walking, head back to Trois-Pont. There a couple of bars and restaurants, a grocery store, some wine shops and various little village shops. The population is listed at 2,400 people, so this is a small town by every sense of the word. But the backyard is a great place to take a deep breathe and take the country air in. And if you really are up for it, sneak out back and snatch a fresh apple from the tree. Feel free to feed to remainder of what you don’t eat to the horses, they love apples!

So another Vegas trip, another Vegas adventure. This time we headed off to the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

The Cosmopolitan is an ultra urban, ultra sleek, total hipster hang out kind of place. The Cosmopolitan sets between the Bellagio and the Aria/Vdara/City Center complex. And uniquely enough it’s not attached to any of those. This is due mainly to the fact that the Bellagio was not part of the M life organization. As the Vdara, which sits behind the Cosmopolitan, connects to Bellagio via an internal tunnel, you would think they would just build a tunnel from the Cosmopolitan connecting the three.

But either way, once you check in to the Cosmopolitan, you are immediately hit by the glossy, glitzy entryway. Once in the room, that theme continues. The Cosmopolitan is a great space with the rooms larger than most common rooms. It reminds me of the old days of the Hard Rock Hotel being the blinged out boudoir of choice. Now those older rich guys have moved closer to the strip where the action is.

The rooms, equipped with wet sinks, microwaves, two TVs, a sitting area. This makes the rooms incredibly cozy to stay in, more like your little apartment and less a hotel room. All the finishes are top notch and high quality. I love the microwave, I don’t need an oven, but to heat up some of those left overs the next morning, and then relax on the couch, awesome! Especially in the fall when football is on Sunday and you’re nursing a hangover.

I love the step-through-shower concept, and will actually put it to use in some of the homes I’m remodeling. The sit down Jacuzzi tubs are awesome. Sit back and relax after a long day at the pool or after winning a fortunate on the slot machines downstairs. It could happen! Plus whats better than sitting in your tub, and looking over to the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Britney Spears images on the giant screen across the street? Way cool!

I love the idea of a balcony on a room, and Cosmopolitan is fantastic where not only do you have a balcony, but it’s all over looking the Las Vegas strip. Our particular balcony allowed us to look down at the Boulevard Pool. We could also look across to Planet Hollywood, and down the strip to Paris Paris or up to Aria.

The hotel continues Hard Rock Hotel purple theme. Oh Prince, where art thou? The beds are extremely comfortable, good closet space, fantastic bathroom set up with the walk in shower, make that walk through shower, Where you walk through the shower to get to the tub. It’s a cool set up definitely unique definitely 4-star. But if it does have one nuance, it’s that it has no drawers. Which is OK, since 9 times out of 10 you’re clothes are either in your suitcase are hanging on the closet rack anyway.

For years I was one of those who would never use a hotel soap. I’ll bring my own travel size of Dove or Axe body wash to maintain that fresh from home body clean smell. But one day I forgot to refill my soap and was forced to use hotel soap. I was surprised at how luxurious and moisturizing the soap was to my skin. Not the old school ivory bar hotels used in years past. This change my look on hotel soap, and I’ve begun searching for the best in hotel soaps. Recently, I came across 3 different hotels in 3 days that led to the ultimate comparison:

Pechanga Resort and Casino, Temecula, CA

Our first stop is Pechanga resort and Casino in Temecula. We stop off to spend the night before heading for our global entry interview in San Diego. If you haven’t been to Pechanga, it’s pretty much the largest casino in California, and I would say the largest casino in the western United States. The rooms are nicely appointed but what caught me, and started this article, were these Vanilla Bean scoops of ice cream posing as soap. It looks so delicious you almost want to eat it, and the half moon shape is actually great to shower with. Sense brand provides the soap is gentle, moisturizing, and lathers very well. The display of the soap garners points as well, with that little square China soapdish

Hyatt Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA

The following night we stop off at the Hyatt Palm Springs in Palm Springs California. The Hyatt Palm Springs is one of those classic hotels that have been there forever, located on Palm Desert Drive, in the heart of downtown Palm Springs. The location alone garners points for its excitement aspect, central to several bars, pubs, restaurants, clubs and general fun time summer activities. The hotel is a little dated and so is it’s presentation. The KenetMD branded offerings of 1 ounce toiletries, desert pastel color branding, and a small round bar soap does not scream Palm Springs lifestyle. And unfortunately it is a little dry on the moisturizing scale. But they do offer a liquid soap as backup, which is gentler on the skin. For this hotel, I would say bring your soap from home if you want to stay soft and supple in the desert heat.

The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV

After leaving Palm Springs we make it to Las Vegas for our Saturday night stay. The cosmopolitan is definitely Vegas baby Vegas! The hotel is hopping, the decor is top notch, and it’s soap offering is extensive. But unfortunately, it is nothing over-the-top, in contrast to the hotel. The Bigelow branded offerings are simple yet effective, and the peppermint scent of the shower gel does have a soothing effect, in the shower. As for moisturizing, it ranks in the middle of the pack. But they do get an extra point for the fact that they do offer both bar and liquid soaps. They also offer a mouthwash. I know that has nothing to do with soap, but oh well.

And the winner: Pechanga! The Pechanga soap was so nice, both from decorative and from our moisturizing and lathering aspects, that not only did we take the remainder of the soap home, I also grabbed an extra bar when walking past the maid card on the way out. You did not just read that!

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen the new Waldorf Astoria opened in Beverly Hills, it seemed odd. Waldorf Astoria, one of the great names in hotels, weren’t they here already? Is this a reopening? It seemed no way could it be that there hadn’t always been a Waldorf in Beverly Hills, let alone, Los Angeles in general. But believe it or not, this is a brand new property. Joining La Quinta as Southern California Astoria destinations. Yeah, La Quinta. That’s what I said?

Anyway, the new Waldorf Astoria is absolutely fabulous. Combining a classic Art Deco feel with modern touches, this hotel just oozes sophistication, class and elegance. Today’s review is just external, an internal stay is scheduled for December, so stay tuned for more. The main lobby is done a classic off-white that adds warmth to the large space. The same soft touch I like about the Encore in Vegas. Subtle touches of elegance abound. The flowers are decidedly understated, which I love. “We are not here to make a statement, you are!”

The high rise ceilings and sculpted details are a throwback to deco times. The doors throughout the location follow that theme in heavy chrome that looks bold and beautiful, but not overwhelming. The hotel does not have to change a thing, and 50 years from now it will still look great.
But this is Beverly Hills after, and the hotel throws a nod to the romanticism of classic Hollywood, when gents dressed “to the nines” and “dames ran the place”. Walking through the Astoria is like walking through a time capsule, flashes of ’30s Hollywood are everywhere. Accents here and there, overall themes, color schemes and fixtures abound as a testament that the Astoria has always been a part of high society fashion, and always will.

But once you’re done enjoying the interior, head upstairs on a beautiful summer’s day, or evening, and enjoy the Rooftop. The best fish tacos and margaritas, if you want a change. If not, then the Lobster Burger and a classic Martini otherwise.

As a life long resident of the City of Angeles, I’ve seen it all. Conversely, there is very little that shocks me, in real life and on TV. One day in June 2016, both of those worlds came crashing together in a way that not even I, world traveler that I am, would have imagined. You see, one of the most sought after pool scenes to capture on film, is the pool at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Rumor has it that the film Pretty Woman wanted to film there, but received a snubbing that only Hollywood could deliver: Your stars are not big enough for the property. Let’s face it, when approached, it was long before Julia Roberts was a star, so this was just another schticky small budget movie.

Many times I’ve driven past the BHH, and that’s also part of its appeal. The property is right there on Sunset Bl. Thousands, tens of thousands of cars drive past it everyday. The pink tips of the marquee tower poking it’s head above the evergreens hiding the entry from the general public. Most people know to stop, take a picture and keep going. I think I may have done that a dozen times or so over the years. “One day,” I would think to myself, “let’s stay at the Beverly Hills Hotel and live it up.” One day…

That one day came in 2016. My birthday, June was fast approaching, and I wanted to treat myself right. I thought about it, checked prices online, quickly thought about something else. Anything else. But the thought kept creeping in. Maybe…one day…just maybe. And then it happened: friends pinged us for a birthday party at The Bungalows. Wait…those bungalows!?! What??? Oh my…and like that, arm twisted, ransom note paid, casino chips all in, I booked a room at the world famous…and then some, Beverly Hills Hotel.

Pulling up to the hotel that day, believe it or not, I was actually nervous. Flashing back to the time I walked passed Gina Davis coming out as I was going in to meet friends for drinks at Nineteen, the ‘bar’ at the hotel, the years of driving past the place, and yet never stepping in, the glamour of it all. Yes, I was nervous. This was THE hotel written about, filmed about, talked about, and now I’m about to sleep in it’s hallowed halls. I was nervous, because, what if it was a bust? What star would I run into this time, and say the wrong thing, or say nothing at all? Awkward. Or what if, like so many Hollywood legends, it’s all fluff. Oh well, wipe those palms and let’s head. The valet is a kind fellow, generous with the smile and welcoming. We hand over the car key, hand over the bags and head into the registration. The check-in is effortless, and they make comments and say hi to Chloe. OK, sweet of them. Let’s see what’s really going on, let’s see the room.

We turn and looking at the lobby, it’s nice. Understated elegance, quiet and luxurious. We head down the hall to the room. Everything is a soft shade of pink, with palm leaves painted along the walls. Cool, I think, tasteful, not tacky. Elegant leaves provide a calming backdrop. This is a palm design, not a Jimmy Buffet theme. We get to the room, and oh my! It is beautiful! The bed is tucked away behind a side wall, open to the room, but blocked from the door view, so as to not allow viewing of the front door. This makes it feel larger, and not like a studio room where you see everything in one glimpse. Oh wow! They even have a bed for Chloe! And a water bowl with her name on it. No wonder the desk clerk was asking for the correct spelling of her name. And when they say it’s a patio room, it really is a patio room. A full size patio outside, with lounge chairs, and an umbrella table with chairs. Nice! The bathroom is spacious, huge closet for the various mega-packing line of clothes to wear to various activities, and look at the welcome package: Kenwood wine and cheese board. Fantastic! Dreams exceeded!!! We call the bellman to bring up the bags and ask about ice for Chloe’s food and to chill our champagne. He does us one better, and offers to bring a mini-fridge for the room. What? A mini-fridge? Who brings a mini-fridge in? So they bring in the mini-fridge, we pop in the champagne and it’s off to the pool.

Words simply do not describe the pool here. We sit under the roman shades on the second floor mezzanine above the pool. (does that describe it?) Jonathan comes over, and of course, I have to have a glass of champagne to kick the affair off. Gary comes down and joins, his wife follows about 20 minutes later, just in time for the second round. We sit and chat a bit about the party tonight, it’s her birthday, and then order some munchies. And more champagne. A splash in the pool, a bite to eat, and then back to the room to get ready for the party. And by getting ready, it’s time to open up the Veuve and enjoy this cheese plate. Does it get any better than this? No, and if it does, oh my! (Note: Yes it does get better than this. It’s about 100 yards north of us in the bungalow where the party is).

The bathroom is done in a soft pink marble tile on the floor, matching marble around the tub, but without the dark green accents. Again, understated and elegant. Dual sink vanity provides ample prep space for the evening’s outing. The shower head is soft and flowing. Geez, everything just works perfectly here.

We’re ready to head over to the party. But first I take Chloe out for a walk. I follow some dog patch signs, and find myself walk a maze of leafy greenery to get outside the compound, and find myself on Crescent Drive. Wow, nice, the bungalows are outside, detached from the main building, providing open living quarters, as if these were you own little houses in Beverly Hills. Nice, you don’t have to enter from the main lobby, unless you just want someone to park your car for you, but this adds to the allure of openness and independence. And all this greenery provides nice sound insulation as to muffle the cars along sunset Bl. at the front of the property.

The next morning I take Chloe out for her morning walk, and we walk half a mile or so up Crescent Drive. It’s just a beautiful morning, with the birds chirping and the sun shining. Let’s go Chloe, it’s pool time. Last night’s sleep was wonderful. Head down in a fluff of down pillows, I was out like a light. Full on relaxation in this marvelous room. I dreamed of how lucky I was at this moment. Enjoying this room, thinking about the trifecta I just experienced. In the span of 4 weeks: The Hotel Negresco, The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, and now here at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It’s like I was on some sort of Great Hotels of the World tour. As Maxwell smart would say, “And…loving it!” Chloe echoes my dream state. By the time I put my trunks on, she is passed out on the bed. And amazingly enough, her little paws are crossed, as if in prayer. “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, little puppy.” So now, down to the pool to say goodbye. It’s a perfect day. The sun shining down on the mimosa. I seriously do not want to go home, but alas, duty calls. So we say goodbye, one final toast, a generous tip to Jonathan who is back again, Saturday and Sunday day shifts, and it’s time to pack.

We head out, but first need to check out of the room at the front desk. Something about since we have the dog, auto checkout through the TV does not work. OK, the desk clerk is wonderful and we have a couple of laughs with Chloe. She hands me the bill, I fold it up and put it in my bag. I still haven’t looked at it to this day. We step outside, and take a picture on the red carpet setup they have. Nancy, Chloe and I have our Hollywood moment. We were going to do a selfie, but something weird with the camera kept blurring the photo. Someone walking by offers to take our picture, perfect! And then hands the phone back with a “You’re welcome sir”. Oh oh… he thinks I’m somebody. I have that face. And like that, paradise is found, my dream has come true.

The second most exciting part of our trip to the Monaco Grand Prix 2016, was the fact that we would leave Monaco and then fly to Paris and spend four nights in the city of lights. What was so much exciting  was the fact that we were flying to Paris to stay at the Park Hyatt in the Vendôme region of Paris, described as the Beverly Hills of Paris. Doesn’t get any better than this? Answer: well…let’s just get inside and check the hotel out.

Stepping into the hotel now, all the elegance and glamour, the answer is yes. This is what I was expecting. The hotel with his cream fresh walls and attentive support staff did feel quite nice. Check-in was smooth and easy, four nights courtesy of my Chase Hyatt credit card. For signing up with the card and spending $3000 in the first three months, you get two free nights anywhere in the world. So my wife and I signed up for cards, and receive two free nights each for total, at this ultra luxurious hotel, in this ultra luxurious neighborhood of ultra luxurious Paris. Get the picture? Now that’s Pimpin Your Credit Cards!

As part of check in, we are escorted up to the room by the hotel desk clerk. Now that’s the white glove treatment that makes you feel special. None of that “our elevators are to the right” stuff. We get up to the room and first notice the high ceilings. They have to be somewhere in the 15 foot range which gives the room a big volume feel. The room is nice, and the bathroom is amazing. I like the gold finishes on the bathroom faucets and shower. And what it interesting shower set up, completely open with not even a glass enclosure to separate it from the bath and the hand wash bowl. The entire bath area is a soft neutral granite with a subtle veining. A glass door separates the water area from the rest of the room. Separate area for our clothing storage and vanity. Very nice room overall. Looking back now  I wish I had asked for a street view room, but we have the interior courtyard view. Oh well no problem as I go to open the window and take a look outside, the handles to the windows are these interesting little sculpture figurines. And then I noticed the same figurines on the headboard holding up the light so to speak. Interesting I think. There’s plenty of space on either side of the bed and a very comfortable feel to the room.  Très Chic Paris!

We head down stairs to the hotel lobby and check out the bar which is a beautiful high-end bar. Since a free cocktail accompanies the room, we sit down to have a drink and get ourselves acclimated to our new Paris life. Dining options in the hotel include a four star Michelin star restaurant, but unfortunately we’ve waited too late and they are no reservations available until Thursday. Of next week! Wow, this must be a very nice restaurant, given the price and all. But this is Park Hyatt Paris, so everything fits accordingly.

Well let’s see what’s outside this luxurious Rodeo Drive of Paris. We head out the hotel on a drizzling, little Paris day. Immediately, the street is filled with pedestrians and high-end purses and watches. On either side of the hotel entrance are clothiers of the most exclusive brands. Across the street are some nice watches  and purses, IWC, Glashutte and Vacheron Constantin, watches nice enough for me to not even look at. But now we are actually hungry for lunch, so we walk down the block but alas, no dining. At the corner of Rue Daunou, we hang a right and head down and come across Cafe du Cadrau. This looks like a nice little spot so we stop in for our first Paris eats. A wonderful meal with the tenderest chicken for a whopping €13! Oh my god that’s a $30 dinner at most restaurants for for 13 euros, which equates to about $15 US. I’m liking this Paris trip.

We start checking out Google map locations and we see that the hotel is easy walking distance to the Louvre and close enough to all the dying to do touristy options. The next four nights in Paris are absolutely wonderful with visits to Notre Dame, Sacré-Cœur, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Élysées with all it’s shopping and eating. One cool thing I pick up on, Parisiennes definitely have their own cool style of dress. The classic beret and scarf outfit stands out against the generic American jeans and t-shirts of most of the tourist. Again, Très Chic Paris.

The hotel is just down the street from the Opera House, a beautiful palatial building in classic Euro style, and in the opposite direction, the Place Vendôme. In the opposite direction, on the way to the Louvre, you walk through the actual Vendôme itself. The luxurious neighborhood is landmarked by a large column in the middle of the Vendôme. The Vendôme was completed in 1810 as a tribute to the victorious French in the Battle of Austerlitz, deemed one of Napoleon’s greatest victories. Today, it’s home to the Ministry of Justice and high-end courtiers such as Dior, Patek-Philippe and Chanel. Past the Place Vendôme is the Tuileries Garden, Jardin des Tuileries, a nice garden park to relax in, if you don’t mind the all the lion statues around. And then you can see a wonderful gold statue of Joan of Arc on the way to the Louvre. Travelers tip: If visiting the Louvre, understand that on any given day, you could have anywhere from a 45 minute to a 2-hour wait at the main entryway. Walk further down the Rue de Rivoli until you see a red awning for the Louvre, at the Passage Richelieu. This is the back entry way, about half the wait time in air conditioned comfort. In the driving rain or hot summer days, this underground mall entry will keep you dry and comfortable. Plus while your wife waits in line, you can do some shopping at the underground stores or buy some snacks.

The four days in Paris are just magical. And again, another city that I’d love to live in, and made all the more so luxurious by this wonderful Park Hyatt hotel. This hotel was our most luxurious of our European trips so far, and definitely set the standard for future stays. We even treated ourselves to breakfast in bed on our last morning, as a farewell to the city. The Eggs Benedict were intriguing, and oh so creamy. From now on, nothing but the best for me. Especially when it’s free!

The Hotel Negresco serves as part hotel, part museum. Primarily a hotel, it also houses an amazing collection of classic art work. Everything from historical portraits to contemporary sculptures, this takes the idea of a hotel to the next level. Also interesting is its rich history. Built in 1912, this grand palace is unlike other historical monuments where you get a sense of how small everything was a hundred years ago, this palace is…well, palatial! The lobby is a comfortable size, but step into the Royal Lounge, and you are greeted by a 16,000 piece Baccarat crystal chandelier. Yes, 16,309 to be exact. These fine little French Baccaratian crystals, the story goes, were supposed to be delivered to Russian Czar Nicholas II. But the delivery was blocked as a result of the October Revolution in 1917. So it stayed in France, and in this hotel to be viewed by the public at any time.

And so are the other 6,000+ pieces of art located throughout the property and in the rooms. Jeanne Augier has been the patron saint of the Negresco since 1957 and her impeccable taste in art is evident from the moment you walk in the building.

For refreshments and dining, you’re in luck! The bar, named Bar, is a classic looking all walnut wood design dating back to the 1913 opening of the hotel. Just amazing to imagine this is what the early century patrons were also experiencing for a cool one on a summer day. And the beuty of it, this is not a recreation, this is the actual bar. The way the hotel has been kept up is just amazing. It does not feel like it’s been painted over with a dozen coats of paint from the decade of improper care. And since they give you the best in art and drinks, then food must be at the same level, and it is. For dinner tonight, we’ll be serving a 2-Michelin star dining experience at Le Chantecler Restaurant. Yes please! The Yuzu soufflé is a must!

Our room was listed as a Superior Room, but everything about it was beyond Superior. The room was listed as 269 sq ft (25 sq/m), but we must have been bumped up to a Superior Plus, because the room felt twice that size. Maybe they do not include the salon area, a cozy little seating area with a full size couch and antique Japanese panels. We had a beautiful hand carved head board, complete with a little Cherub watch over us. The bathroom was gorgeous French modern countryside with bold strips in my favorite French Blue. But my favorite was the wall paper. The salon side of the room was rich, golden yellow, the bed side was a steel Blue hue with flowery embossing that gave the room an elegance you don’t often find in hotels these days. And that’s the appeal of Le Negresco. It’s not just some old hotel. It’s a hotel that meticulously maintains it’s traditions. Everything sparkles as if brand new.

One nuance of the hotel, each floor has a different theme. The 3rd floor is Chinese. The 4th floor is American Jazz. A huge art piece playfully portrays American Jazz great Louis Armstrong in a colorful play on his famous cheeks. But none of the floors compares to the Atrium. Center stage for the Baccarat Chandelier, the atrium is filled with sculptures and paintings of French royalty and various other art pieces. The hotel is a living museum, and by living, it’s right there in front of you. No lines to wait in, no guards telling you to step back. Seeing this was quite a thrill for a light weight museum geek like myself.

In an ultimate twist of irony, during WWI, the hotel was used as a hospital in mid-1916. Sadly, 100 years later, the hotel saw medical duty again. In 2016, when a terrorist attacked bystanders on the Promenade des Anglais, the Hotel Negresco was used as a triage center to treat wounded to coordinate hospital delivery.