November 4, 2025Nov 4 We were all somewhat aghast that @Olddaddy stayed at the Capella Hotel by the river. This has now been voted 3rd Best Hotel in the world by the official World’s 50 Best Hotel Academy, which is made up of 800 hotel industry experts, including hoteliers and travel journalists, spread across 13 destinations around the globe. No wonder he was a bit picky he saw my balcony . Some more for @Olddaddy to consider as he contemplates his next travels. The top ten list is - 1. The Rosewood, Hong Kong 2. Four Seasons, Bangkok 3. Capella, Bangkok 4. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy 5. Raffles, Singapore 6. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai 7. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok 8. Chable Yucantan, Chochola, Mexico 9. Four Seasons, Florence, Italy 10. Upper House, Hong Kong The top three are all relatively new hotels. For long the traditional top hotels are either further down the list or have dropped off altogether. Hong Kong's flagship hotels, the Mandarin Oriental is at #41 and the venerable Peninsula has dropped off. Vienna's Sacher Hotel (where you have to have sachertorte mit shlag at a great price) is almost at the bottom at #49. Claridge's, the Connaught, Raffles OWO (what on earth does that mean?) and the Emory are the four to aim for in London, but the Savoy seems to have fallen into the river.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 43 minutes ago, floridarob said: I was more aghast that you let him stay on your balcony 😝 he scared crow away, that's why
November 4, 2025Nov 4 2 hours ago, PeterRS said: (where you have to have sachertorte mit shlag at a great price) IMO, the Sachertorte is the world's most overrated cake. In Vienna where there is an abundance of delicious pastries and cakes, I advise to stay clear of this dry and overpriced piece of confectionery.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 3 hours ago, FunFifties said: IMO, the Sachertorte is the world's most overrated cake. In Vienna where there is an abundance of delicious pastries and cakes, I advise to stay clear of this dry and overpriced piece of confectionery. I couldn't agree with you less!
November 4, 2025Nov 4 6 hours ago, PeterRS said: We were all somewhat aghast that @Olddaddy stayed at the Capella Hotel by the river. This has now been voted 3rd Best Hotel in the world by the official World’s 50 Best Hotel Academy, which is made up of 800 hotel industry experts, including hoteliers and travel journalists, spread across 13 destinations around the globe. No wonder he was a bit picky he saw my balcony . Some more for @Olddaddy to consider as he contemplates his next travels. The top ten list is - 1. The Rosewood, Hong Kong 2. Four Seasons, Bangkok 3. Capella, Bangkok 4. Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy 5. Raffles, Singapore 6. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai 7. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok 8. Chable Yucantan, Chochola, Mexico 9. Four Seasons, Florence, Italy 10. Upper House, Hong Kong The top three are all relatively new hotels. For long the traditional top hotels are either further down the list or have dropped off altogether. Hong Kong's flagship hotels, the Mandarin Oriental is at #41 and the venerable Peninsula has dropped off. Vienna's Sacher Hotel (where you have to have sachertorte mit shlag at a great price) is almost at the bottom at #49. Claridge's, the Connaught, Raffles OWO (what on earth does that mean?) and the Emory are the four to aim for in London, but the Savoy seems to have fallen into the river. The nearest I got to these was taking my then favourite Vietnamese man for lunch on the verandah at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Nice view of the river and was affordable, but that was in 2014.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 1 minute ago, zoomomancs said: The nearest I got to these was taking my then favourite Vietnamese man for lunch on the verandah at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. Nice view of the river and was affordable, but that was in 2014. I stayed at the Oriental Bangkok, as it was then, many years ago, on business. I couldn't turn off the bedside radio. On examination, it transpired that the radio had been wired through the wall to the next room, through a neat hole! The noise i heard was next door's radio! Not bad for one if the 'best' hotels in the world. I changed rooms. Prices are now extortionate. Also, as someone commented, the gorgeous lift boys, in national costume, are no more!
November 4, 2025Nov 4 8 hours ago, PeterRS said: OWO (what on earth does that mean?) The Old War Office, apparently.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 2 hours ago, thaiophilus said: The Old War Office, apparently. 2 hours ago, thaiophilus said: The Old War Office, apparently. Rather splendid historic building in Whitehall.
November 4, 2025Nov 4 10 hours ago, FunFifties said: IMO, the Sachertorte is the world's most overrated cake. In Vienna where there is an abundance of delicious pastries and cakes, I advise to stay clear of this dry and overpriced piece of confectionery. +1
November 4, 2025Nov 4 6 hours ago, Keithambrose said: I couldn't agree with you less! De gustibus non disputandum est
November 9, 2025Nov 9 On 11/4/2025 at 8:12 PM, Keithambrose said: Rather splendid historic building in Whitehall. My mum use to work there back in the late 40's early 50's. Underneath is what's now called The Churchill Tunnels, a labyrinth of tunnels that connect Great Scotland Yard, The OWO, Downing Street, Admiralty House, The Treasury, Horse Guards etc. Not 100%, but believe also includes Buck House. Hope they blocked off the entrance at the hotel, otherwise you could pop down the road and come up in No. 10!
November 9, 2025Nov 9 On 11/4/2025 at 2:52 PM, vinapu said: De gustibus non disputandum est Verum est
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