Stavka

Hotel Goldener Hirsch, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Salzburg

All things cozy and Austrian meet in this legendary inn, which first welcomed guests in the 15th-century and now lists Prince Charles among its loyal fans. The hotel is in the heart of the medieval old town, surrounded by shops displaying wrought iron guild signs. You can walk to pretty much anything, including Mozart’s birthplace, just down the street. Because driving can be a hassle—pedestrian-only areas, inscrutable road signs—you’re better off taking the train from Vienna or Munich. If it wasn’t so authentic, you’d swear a set designer had orchestrated the vaulted ceilings, antique farmers’ furniture, deer and stag heads, and staff in lederhosen and dirndls.

Armani Hotel Dubai
Inside the world's tallest tower, Giorgio Armani’s first hotel property is as glam as you'd expect from the Italian designer.

How did it strike you on arrival?
Inside the world's tallest tower, Giorgio Armani’s first hotel property is as glam as you'd expect from the Italian designer. Armani himself oversaw every single detail from the minimalist, single-hued furnishing to the flower arrangements.
Nice. What’s the crowd like?
Fashion-forward travelers from Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
With 11 different sizes across the 160 total guest rooms, rooms vary, but all are serene with chocolate, taupe, and grey furnishings. High-tech iPads control lighting and curtains, and the branding here is strong.
We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
Beds are comfortable and a menu of six different pillow options is available.
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
The minibar is stocked with complimentary cold drinks. The Armani Fountain Suites have floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views of, well, the fountains.
Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
Bathrooms have Armani/Prive amenities, high-pressure rain showers, and tubs that are surprisingly small given the rest of the property’s grandeur.
Room service: Worth it?
Even room service is chic, toting food on sqaure leather carts rather than the traditional metal trolleys.
Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
Armani/Ristorante is a destination in its own right for its Italian food and ambience. If you’re planning on visiting the mall, you can traverse the hotel’s own private corridor to get there. Every guest has their own “Lifestyle Manager” (aka a butler) to help with whatever they might need. Breakfast is included.
What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
The sleek rooms, stunning views, word-class spa, and unbeatable location are an unbeatable combination for the Armani brand.

Palace Downtown
UAE nationals and European travelers come to the Palace Downtown for a posh atmosphere and above all, the location.

How did it strike you on arrival?
Built on a lake opposite of Burj Khalifa, Palace Downtown immediately reminds you of a Moroccan riad with its elegant archways, rose petal-adorned lobby, thoughtful reflecting pools, and palm-lined walkways. The public spaces have decidedly Arabian touches like inlaid tables, lanterns, and keyhole doorways.
Nice. What’s the crowd like?
Palace Downtown attracts a large crowd from Europe and the UAE, mostly couples on holiday.
The good stuff: Tell us about your room.
Deluxe Fountain View rooms afford guests views of the world's largest choreographed fountain system—request the ground floor for the best views. Each room is equipped with its own iPad, and the desk makes it easy to stay connected with ample outlets (and storage for electronics).
We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?
The comfortable, ultra-soft beds are complemented by a pillow menu.
How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?
There aren't any outlets near the bed, but the room is well-equipped with other amenities, like a full-length mirror, coffee maker, ironing board, and international power adapter.
Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.
The bathroom houses a walk-in shower, freestanding tub, and toilet and bidet in a separate room. Toiletries are by Lorenzo Villoresi, and include a dental kit, bath loofah, and wooden hairbrush.
Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?
Wifi is free but speed and connection vary.
Room service: Worth it?
Room service is lightning-fast and surprisingly good. Try the butter chicken.
Staff: If you could award one a trophy, who gets it, and why?
The staff takes special occasions very seriously—honeymooners are frequently treated with rose petal-adorned beds and other treats.
Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you.
The pool area is beautiful but gets crowded. Additionally, while a view of the fountains is nice, the accompanying music can be loud.
What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?
A poolside cocktail is a particularly special way to spend an evening.
Bottom line: worth it, and why?
Location is the draw here—the Dubai Mall is a three-minute walk and views of the fountains and Burj Khalifa are stunning—but some decor and soft goods are in need of an update.

Dos Palillos
Bring your sense of adventure.
So, can you tell us a little bit about this place?
Dos Pallilos is Spanish for “two chopsticks,” and the name is representative of the unpredictable brand of Spanish-Japanese fusion served within the walls of this small tapas restaurant. The outer section of the restaurant looks like a regular old Spanish bar, while the interior dining room is an intimate, dimly lit space with only 24 stools encircling a central kitchen—that's where the magic happens.
What's the crowd like?
The clientele is diverse, but they all share one thing: a craving for chef Albert Raurich’s singular style of cooking.
What should we be drinking?
Wine, sake, and sherry dominate an impressive and varied drinks menu.
Main event: the food. Give us the lowdown—especially what not to miss.
Albert Raurich earned a Michelin star for his masterful tasting menus, which blend Japanese ingredients with Spanish panache. Dishes like Szechuan-style jellyfish, Iberian-Cantonese pork jowl, and chicken sashimi (served rare!) might well force you out of your comfort zone, but just go with it.
What was the vibe of the place?
A small number of guests, all seated around an open central kitchen, makes for a chummy, intimate atmosphere for all involved, including the staff.
What’s the real-real on why we’re coming here?
For seasoned gourmets, the menu here is a rare treat, but squeamish eaters might struggle with some of the dishes on the menu.

Aürt
Artur Martínez's seasonally changing menu is picture-perfect, with each course bidding for your love.
So, can you tell us a little bit about this place?
“Welcome to lunch with the best chefs in Spain, and the best looking,” joked head chef Artur Martínez as we assumed our seats on a kitchen-facing pew. After earning a Michelin star for Capritx, in Terrassa, a small city 20 miles northwest of Barcelona, Martínez shut up shop, feeling he’d achieved all he could there. Aürt, his tasting-menu-only restaurant in the lobby of the Hilton Diagonal Mar, has a clever setup where diners sit in front of the chefs and an arm’s length from the hotplates. The feel is intimate and exclusive, and Martínez's sly humor adds to the warmth.
What is the crowd like?
Laid-back foodies with laid-back afternoon schedules; after all, it takes a while to get through 15 courses. “When Ferran Adrià comes—you know Ferran Adrià?” Martínez says, casually name-dropping the famed Michelin-starred chef, who loves this place.
What's the drink situation?
A long, elegant, and accessible wine list comes courtesy of sommelier Mara Fanni, who is eager to guide your choice—whether it be a glass or several bottles.
How's the food?
The seasonally changing menu is picture-perfect, with each course bidding for your love. On a recent visit the cuttlefish tarar(a), was a knockout, the cuttlefish tender, and perfectly balanced. The onion royale is good enough to change your opinion of onion forever.
Thoughts on the service?
You’re so close to the kitchen that the young team starts feeling more like colleagues than chefs. They're warm and chatty, and quick to step up for conversation if your lunch date nips to the loo.
What’s the bottom line?
Aürt is a good choice for a business lunch if a communal table isn’t going to risk exposing corporate secrets. Otherwise, it’s perfect for couples, catching up with a friend when bog-standard grub won’t cut it, or an impress-the-folks feast.

Babylonstoren
This wine center, part of a historic farm complex, is a world-class tasting facility, complementing the hotel and restaurant.
Set the scene for us: Where is this place, and what does it look like?
Off a dusty road near Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, Babylonstoren’s entryway takes you between the vineyards and into the first of two restored Cape Dutch-style wings of the wine cellar. The old space—thick stone walls, dim lighting, vintage farm implements—has been reinvented as a retail area (complete with a coffee bar) that leads up a ramp into the innovative, highly contemporary steel-and-glass tasting room. From here, you can see all the surrounding vineyards and the Simonsberg and Banghoek Mountains.
Sounds gorgeous. And who else are we likely to tap glasses with while we're here?
A happy mix of local devotees; sophisticated international tourists who could be into gardens, design, wine—or all three; and members of the Babylonstoren Wine Club, who get regular invitations to exclusive events (like private dinners in the cellar) and discounts.
Now that's a club I'd like to join. Care to tell us about the vino, and how we can try them?
Wines are made with great insight and finesse, and beautifully express the local terroir—try the Sprankel, a sparkling Chardonnay. Tastings range from once-off pours of a single flagship wine to a lineup of three or five different wines tailored to your preferences. For a better understanding, take a cellar tour—they run on the hour, every hour.
Perfect; will do. Looks like they offer food, too—what should we order?
Choose among four bountiful platters—seasonal fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, plus cheese, meat, and fish—all served on wooden boards made from wine barrels.
Yum. How about the staff—did they do you right?
Everyone working here has completed at least an entry-level wine appreciation course, so you’ll be in good hands with tastings and tours.
Excellent. Now, wrap it up: What are we coming here for?
Opened 10 years ago to the public after massive restoration and development, this historic farm originally made a name for itself for its beautifully laid-out gardens and informative tours. Then came a deli and shop, a bakery, a butchery, a cheese room, and a fragrance shop. The wine center, which opened in 2015, has become a world-class tasting facility, complementing the hotel and restaurant.

Le Relais Bernard Loiseau

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