Amsterdam, Netherlands, my insights!! Part 1 - where to stay?

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Travel Amsterdam, Netherlands? My insights for you about where to stay?

Part 1 - where to stay in Amsterdam City? 

Hey guys,

I just love roadtrips! In Europe you can pretty much drive around within an hour and you are in another country. 

This time we decided to head more North, as we usually go more South because actually we enjoy much more being in the mediterranean clima. 

If you would like to travel Amsterdam for a few days its always good to stay really central in the city. I really enjoy to stay at the NH Collection Hotels, when I travel foreign European cities. I started my research and found this great 5 star located hotel in the heart of Amsterdam City: its called The NH Collection Amsterdam Doelen.

Its one of the Amsterdam’s oldest and finest five-star hotels, dating from the Golden Age. But no worries, it is completly renovated and has really nice modern designed rooms.The 81 freshly-refurbished rooms are decorated in classical tones, mixing cream, red and gold accents. From standard rooms to palatial suites, each one combines sleek design with luxurious indulgence.

Over three centuries, it has hosted royal and legendary guests including Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the Beatles. Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch’ was painted to display within its walls.

You have free access W-Lan and free access to the Fitness center. You can also bring your dog along the way, as the hotel is dog friendly. You got also a breakfast option to book and a 24h room service. 

The hotel has also a nice bar and restaurant the "Bamboo kitchen" which offers modern Asian infused food. 

I would suggest you to book a room with "canal view" - the so called "Grachten" view. It was just amazing to have a view towards facing the floating boats on the river called "Amstel".I love being near water so that was really something special.

As city trips are always about location location location, you can do everything by feet or by bike. Be aware of the bikers anyway, as they seem to have the city forthemselves. If you are a biker you can take full advantage of this "bisycle" city. You get everywhere real quick. I would not suggest to come by car in the city, if you can mind it, because the pricing of parking is really expensive. We paid 55 Euro a day for the velet parking option, the hotel offers. From a dutch friend I had the information that next time I should park the car around central station up North, there should be some park & ride options.

The guest relation team from the hotel offers - besides the great service while being in the hotel - a great online personal travel guide. You will get an questionare some days before you travel to Amsterdam, if you decide to use it you will have to answer some questions and afterwards the travel guide will be send threw by e-mail. I really thought this was innovativ and really useful for our trip, it even offers you some recommendations besides the typical sight seeing spots as restaurants and where locals go to.

So what are you waiting for ! Make sure to check out the amazing city of Amsterdam, next blog will be a food guide Amsterdam City, about where to eat out and have drinks in Amsterdam! 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

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Looking for a spa day ? Check out my insights about the brand new "Mizu Onsen Spa", Tegernsee

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Wanna treat yourself with some wellness? Check out my recent visit at the Japanese influenced "Mizu Onsen Spa"

Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany. 

Hey guys,

as Im a huge enthusiast about the Japanese lifestlye I was so excited when I read that the "Bachmair Weissach Hotel", located at the wonderful Tegernsee in Bavaria (around 30 minutes drive from Munich), opened up the "Mizu Onsen Spa".

As the name is already hiding it, it is Japanese influenced. That means all the decoration in the spa and the surroundings are desinged in a really modern minimalistic Asian style. Onsen - means hot springs. Mizu is translated as an expression of astonishment, cold water.

First, when you arrive you will be friendly greeted and will get your own spa high end luxury equipments, which includes your own spa shoes and your own cozy bathrobe.

Your personal belongings you can leave in the locker room, which is all fitted in wood, which pays tribiute to the region.

In the back room of the locker you find a large bath rooom, where you can get yourself after spa ready with all the luxury amities you need to have. Not to forget to mention, they have the supersonic dyson (400 Euro) as their standard hair dryer.

When you entering the spa you get out of your locker room and walk threw the reception of the spa and then downstairs, where all the amenties of the spa are taking place.

The Spa itslef is offering a silent room as well as a super silent romm, for those who are searching for silence in perfection. 

For the steamer fans, they offer a steam room with 38 Celcius and another steam room up to 90 Celcius. 

Which to me was super exciting and I was thrilled to check out was the Onsen Bath with 42 Celcius. This was my personal highlight.

For those who like it more cold, the Spa offers Ice (YES, you heard right!) and cold waterbases 2 - 10 Celcius. I tried to get into the "cold" one, it was out of my reach. No way I could ever go into the ice one to be honest.

Outside the spa also has a sole-outdoor pool, which is headedup to 32 Celcius. I would say this is someting more for a summer visit, as you need to pass the "outside" to get into the pool.

The nature pool is also really nice, but also reserved for the summer days. 

After all the wellness, you might get hungry, we checked out the Mizu Onsen Spa-Bar. I tried the Blue Detox Tea and the Sushi Box, which was fitting to the atmosphere such a nice dish to have.

The Hotel itself is offering different restaurants (mainly Bavarian, regional food), which you can also visit if you cant find something on the menue. 

So either you travel or visit Tegernsee, you are searching for a wonderful gift, this Mizu Onsen Spa is worth a visit.

The only sad thing, you cant see the lake from the spa. So make sure you plan some more time to explore the amazing region of lake Tegernsee!

Make sure to place a reservation, especially on the weekends the spa is super busy. 

You find the links as always in the words, by clicking on them you will be forwarded to the websites. 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Relaxing in the mountains? My insights from "DAS KRONTHALER" in beautiful Austria

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Austria, "DAS KRONTHALER", my insights! 

Achensee, Tyrol, here we go!

Hey guys,

sometimes you just need some days off or even if not - treating yourself with wellness is always a good option.

For me I just wanted to spend some relaxing days active in the mountains with a great stay at a wellness hotel. As I checked the internet about "where to go" travel options I found a wonderful place in Austria called "DAS KRONTHALER".

The hotel itself offers great design and a great spa, but also the location of "DAS KRONTHALER" has a wonderful setting directly on the Achensee (15 minutes walk) with great mountain views.

For a reason it is called a "lifestyle" hotel, it has a beautiful interior design - really modern but also with influence of the alpine lifestyle, which makes it really comfy.

We had a wonderful "Chalet" room, which has a lot of space and a wonderful balcony with direct view towards the mountains / lake of Achensee as well as in the woods.

My absolut highlight from the room was the bath tube placed in front of the big windows with a wonderful outlook to the Austrian nature. We had also a own sauna for us, which was quite luxurious. 

The hotel itself offers beside the great spa and wellness area weekly sport activities, also a own personal trainer as well as a lifestyle shop, own chapel and a hairstylist. I found in every spot of the hotel something special, so  make sure to check everything out while being there. 

I found a great bracelet which I love now to wear and always reminds me on our beautiful stay. As well I got an appointment at the hairstylist, which I can only recommend. Also I did a body treatment in the wellness area, which has been so relaxing and a great experience you should not miss out. Speaking about not missing out - you need to see the hotel own chapel, it is so lovely decorated and holds every religion in it. 

We booked also the so called "Kronthaler-all-in" option, which means you have breakfast, light-lunch, some snacks in the afternoon and also a 5-course-dinner in the evening. Throwout the day water is always for free available. 

During our stay the food was high quality and well chosen, also you have healthy options as freshly baked low carb bread. 

The restaurant offers tables on the window, which I personally loved while being there. Especially in the evening the setting of the restaurant is really romantic. 

Throwout the hotel I really loved the great design in every detail. 

The hotel offers also two bars, one is in front of the restaurant area and the second is on the roof top terrace. Which offers again another great view on the nature surroundings. 

The indoor pool area is also a great place, they offer many sauna options - my favorite was the "Himalaya" sauna. You can also choose from different tea options and fresh apples, which are also included during your stay. 

When we came we got our welcome drink at the outdoor terrace, as the weather conditions have been really good and the sun was out. So we were lucky to enjoy our light lunch also on this great venue. 

When your active there are so many sport options. Many hiking roots are starting from the hotel and if you are into skiing or snowboarding this is your destination.

If your looking for great service, wellness and active options make sure to spend some days here. Im sure I will come back soon! 

Links to the hotel: "DAS KRONTHALER" (please click on the link and you will be forwarded to the landing page). 

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com

Looking for the perfect Hideaway in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights!

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Heaven on earth, hideaway Vitigliano, Tuscany !   

 

Looking for the perfect Hideaway to stay in Italy? Vitigliano Tuscan Relais & Spa, my insights !

Hey guys,

I have been many times to beautiful Tuscany, Italy, but this time I was searching for a so called "hideaway". The definition of a hideaway for me is the perfect combination of peace, romantic, privacy and luxury. I started my research on the internet and came across the homepage of Vitigliano.

The romantic former village "Vitigliano" lies on a hill overlooking the breathtaking landscape of Tuscany. It is located in the most privileged region of the Chianti, Tuscany, half way between Florence and Siena.

The history goes back to the 1085. That means the oldest building - still in existence today - is 1,000 years old.

In 2008, Vitigliano, was rediscovered as the last Verrazano gem in Chianti, by Marion Hattemer who awoke it from its slumber and elaborately and extensively renovated the property in a way that does justices to its historic significance.

I read on the homepage the wonderful interview of the owner, Marion Hattemer and I really fall in love with her attitude about her work and her understanding from life. It took her 2 years of negotiations before she could fill out the contract and 4 years of renovation work before it was completed to the state in which you see it today.

The location is stunning and so is the hideaway. Surrounded by 5 hectares including an olive grove and oak forest, the resort distributes many amenities. The cypress-lined driveway leading to the estate is like something you would find in a picture book. 

To me it is no surprise, that Vitigliano is a World Luxury Hotel Awards winner and mentioned in different high class magazines for travel and luxury worldwide. 

Vitigliano is offering 6 suites for the visitors. Which means they can provide you the perfect service experience and you feel really private while being there.

Speaking about the rooms. The rooms are all facing the wonderful nature of Tuscany. The marvel bathrooms and every detail of the suites are well picked and showing the love and the good design taste of the owner. 

We stayed at the wonderful suite called "Torre", which is a 2-room maisonette-suite. I loved the combination of the modern and the historic elements, it feels more then a second home instead of a hotel room.

You can really fell the passion and love in every detail of your stay. The service is unbelievable.
Throwout our stay we more felt like friends instead of guests.

If you are into wellness, make sure to book a wellness treatment in the wonderful wellness area. The wellness of Vitigliano received the "world luxury spa awards" for a good reason. 

We loved to stay at the outdoor pool, you can relax there and just enjoy the wonderful view towards the amazing nature of Tuscany. One of my personal highlights, between all the highlights we experienced there. 

Sitting in the wonderful whirlpool after doing some sports is just only one thing you can do while staying here. 

The food options are high quality and regional food. You can choose breakfast, lunch and / or dinner. The restaurant serves only guests.

The service and the chef are doing such a great job, I loved the dinner - because it is such a romantic setting.

I love wine and this is of course the perfect setting for it. The wine cellar is stocked with a private label wine created especially for Vitigliano by Tommaso Cavalli, a neighbor and son of the fashion designer Roberto Cavalli. You need to try this wine, it is wonderful! 

So if your planning on going to Tuscany, make sure you stop by Vitigliano for some days !

Cheers,

Melaines-Insights

www.melaines-insights.com