The historic city of Lindau is located on a small (0.68-square-kilometer/0.26-square-mile) island in the Bodensee, or Lake Constance, and is connected to the mainland by a causeway and railway.  The Bayerischer Hof, prominently located on the promenade facing the lake, is close to the epicenter of activity in this medieval city.
WHERE IS IT?
Lindau is at the common border of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, along the Pfänder Mountains.  Its harbor, casino, historic buildings, and water and mountain views make it popular with visitors.
The Bayerischer Hof is at the heart of the …

It’s unusual for me to walk to a hotel but, thanks to Seattle’s brand new light-rail system, which transported me from the Seattle-Tacoma Airport to downtown Seattle in 37 minutes for $2.50, I was able to have a pleasurable walk past the Pike Place Market area enjoying unusually, for a mid-February day in Seattle, warm (15°C/59°F) and sunny weather.  The new Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, opened in late 2008, is almost directly on the bay and built in a U shape, which means that 80% of the guest rooms have …

Die Swaene is the quintessential small European luxury hotel and fits perfectly into the narrow cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings that surround it.
WHERE IS IT?
Located in the city center, this small romantic hotel overlooks the picturesque tree-lined Groenerei canal.  It’s in the heart of Bruges (Brugge in Flemish, Brügge in German) and minutes away from museums and other sites.   The hotel has 30 guest rooms, all individually decorated.  The lounge is the restored Guild Hall of the Tailors and dates back to 1779.
ROOMS
My room was a bit small and full …

Vila Bled, Josip Broz Tito’s former official summer residence and guest house, is on the shore of Lake Bled in the Slovenian Alps. It became a hotel in 1984.
WHERE IS IT?
Vila Bled is 55 km from Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, and 360 km and a little over three hours from Munich, the closest major international gateway airport.
WHAT’S IT LIKE?
The hotel’s décor includes lots of local wood and classic mid-twentieth century furnishings.  Our room was a large suite overlooking the lake. Each room has a different layout.  The living room in the suite …

Admittedly, I arrived at London Heathrow’s Terminal One a bit late for my flight, 26 hours late to be exact.  I did have a good excuse, however: the 35 cm of snow at JFK that delayed my initial outbound flight.   London had snow as well, all flights were delayed, and my scheduled flight was not until 8 p.m. (I arrived in London around noon).  Despite the long lines everywhere, I only had to wait ten minutes on the business class line.  The friendly and helpful agent put me on a …

The Charles Hotel is different.  Unlike the typical luxury hotels of Europe, it is new construction (opened in 2007). Its cool white stone exterior nonetheless blends in with its surroundings, such as the 19th-century Justizpalast and the almost secret Alter Botanischer Gärten (Old Botanical Garden).
This neo-classical hotel was built as a monument to Italian-born Charles Forte, who became one of England’s greatest hoteliers.  I arrived at the Charles after a delay-laden 48 hour trip from New York and the hotel’s muted elegance was both calming and reassuring.
WHERE IS IT?
The …

New York City has hotel rooms for every taste and budget and, when it comes to boutique hotels, the city is the epicenter.  The Starwood Hotels W chain is acknowledged as the brand that once epitomized the boutique hotel and the grand-daddy of that chain is the W New York. My decision to stay there was based purely on nostalgia: it had been my home away from home when I traveled regularly to New York on business. The midtown location can’t be beat and it’s within walking …

As my driver pulled up to the Marriott London Marble Arch, I realized how centrally located it actually was.  I found myself within walking distance to Oxford Street, Hyde Park, and the theaters in London’s West End.
THE ROOM
My room was comfortable, airy, and spacious.  The bed was very comfortable and sported Marriott’s trademark bedding with excellent quality linens.  I was pleasantly pleased to find that an alarm clock was not in the room as it saved me the trouble of having to unplug and deactivate the last guest’s …

By Greek standards (the Parthenon and other main buildings on the Acropolis were built by Pericles in the fifth century B.C.E.), the Grande Bretagne is a relatively newcomer.  Built in the 1840s, its unique architecture makes it a local landmark.  The hotel’s central location is just about perfect.  It’s opposite the Parliament Building, overlooks Syntagma (Constitution) Square, and is within walking distance of shopping areas, restaurants, museums, and the business district.
Despite its age, or lack thereof, the Grande Bretagne nonetheless has played a role in history.  Every visiting head of …

Driving up to the Four Seasons Westlake Village after being on the road for six hours, I thought I had made a wrong turn.  The signs did say “Four Seasons” but the severe institutional exterior made me think I was at an office park or hospital, not at a luxury hotel.
Once inside, however, I found the light and airy reception area a welcome respite from the trip.  Indeed, I found the hotel, which first opened in 2006 and is set on huge grounds, to be full of surprises.  Not …