Zerotwonine

029’s hotel saavy boss, Lars, spent a weekend in Copenhagen to try out a quaint boutique hotel,The Bertrams. This hotel prides itself on its minimalistic decor and use of sustainable materials and fabrics. Here are his thoughts about his stay.

In my opinion, Copenhagen is a beautiful and vibrant city where the royal family’s influence is visible everywhere and which is best to be explored by bike (maybe not in October like we did but anyway). Speaking of which, a bike rental company was recommended to me that had more than a noble agenda.

The Copenhagen Bike Rental collects second hand bikes in Denmark and sends them to Africa where the bikes generate work, education in addition to cheaper and better transportation.They finance the project through renting out some of the bikes that they collect. One small negative aspect of Copenhagen which has to be mentioned, it’s more expensive then the great rest of the European mainland but still worth a visit.

Our accommodation also was a highlight. The boutique Hotel Bertrams is located in Vesterbro, a pretty hip neighborhood and is run by Nikolas Hall. He is a very friendly, passionate man who pays great attention to detail. He focuses on sustainability but without any cut backs in luxury or the well-being of the customers, on the contrary. All the fabrics and furniture are natural and fit perfectly together.

The breakfast buffet is all natural and very well balanced. This familial house really makes you feel at home and in my opinion is the most beautiful of the Guldsmeden properties in Copenhagen. I would definitely go back again and can recommend it to everyone without any hesitation. But if you do go, make sure to visit in the summertime so you can enjoy the gorgeous patio more often. All in all, great money for value ratio, great staff, and great hotel. Go see for yourself.

029’s sporty boss was lucky enough to find himself on Mauritius to participate in a golf tournament to not only make all of us at 029 proud at his skills on the green, but also to make us insanely jealous for being able to hang out on a tropical island for over a week. Well-deserved holiday though, we might add. Here is his first-hand account of what he thought about Mauritius, Le Touessrok and losing a few golf balls by paying attention to the scenery and not the fairway.

Le Touessrok in Mauritius definitely deserves its distinction as a member of the “Leading Hotels of the World”. It is a breathtaking resort right in the beautiful “Trou d’Eau Douce” bay. My friends and I had a great time because you can not only lie on the beach like crazy, but also engage in various activities. One has the chance to do all sorts of watersports at the “Ile aux Cerf,” Mauritius´ neighboring island. If you like, a boat will take you to various spots around the island to wakeboard and you can even do it for the entire day, if you have the stamina. There is also an excellent and challenging golf course on the “Ile aux Cerf” but make sure you bring enough golf balls, you will definite lose some.

We were accommodated in the junior suite which was an exceedingly well-furnished room and even had an iPod docking station which was just great for us. The resort, with its lovable nooks and crannies, really seems cozy and unhurried, even though it is quite big.
Now maybe my favorite part, the food. One is spoilt for choice with six different restaurants and bars. They range from classic tropical poolside dining, refined east-meets-west cuisine and relaxed shoes-off eating on the beach. Since the ingredients are always fresh and the variety is extensive, you too will be looking forward to every single meal.

The clientele at the resort is very cosmopolitan and is well taken care of by the extremely friendly staff - who seem to really and thoroughly enjoy their work. It was definitely not intrusive, but if you had a wish in mind somebody had already fulfilled it for you. My friends and I just loved the stay.

You may or may not have heard, but 029 is having a lottery. It’s pretty spectacular, we suggest you keep reading.

What is it?

029’s Lottery, cleverly & simply called Invite! Join! Win! is our way of rewarding our members for helping 029 to grow. You invite your friends to 029. They join. You have the chance to win 1 of 50 travel and event experiences.

Interested? We thought so. Keep on scrolling south!

How it works?

Every friend you invite, who joins 029, counts as an entry/lot/raffle ticket etc. At the end of the lottery, we are going to pick the winners from all of the entries/lots/raffle tickets we have.

It’s a lottery; there is always an element of chance.

If you have more friends than China has people, you have a better chance of winning, but someone whose circle of friends resembles the population of Vatican City can also win.

If your friend wins one of the first 2 prizes, you win too just for inviting them! Double the chances to win!

If you are a member of 029, click here to start inviting your friends!

What can you win?

Let’s get to the good stuff! What’s in it for you? Plenty!

Grand Prize is a 7 day safari to Rwanda for four people to visit their Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park. Come face to face with these gentle giants of the forest as you observe a family of gorillas in their natural habitat.

Of course, it’s not only gorillas, it’s a safari drive in Akagera National Park, a tour of Kigali, a visit to see the Golden Monkeys, relaxing day at Lake Kivu, free flights and a lifetime of memories. You will be a Rwandan tourism expert by the time you get back!

Extra incentive: If one of your friends you’ve invited to 029 wins this prize, you win too just for inviting them. That means you go together (with your travel partners too) to engage in some friendship bonding time in the heart of Africa!

2^nd Prize is a 7 day safari for four people to Tanzania with Mt. Kilimanjaro as your backdrop. Explore Tanzania’s diverse landscape from the lush green mountain forests of Mt Meru, to craters and lakes to the endless savannahs and wide open spaces of the Maasai steppe. Your week will be spent on game drives in Arusha National Park and South Amboseli. Spending time with the Maasai and seeing how they live will not only be unforgettable, but also educational.

While your days are action packed with animals and adventure, your nights are filled with luxury and relaxation at Hatari Lodge. Think bush chic. But that’s not all, you will also be spending time at the newly opened luxury Shu’mata Camp  set under an umbrella of acacia trees looking out across the plains that lead up to Kilimanjaro.

Extra incentive: If one of your friends you’ve invited to 029 wins this prize, you win too just for inviting them. That means you go together (with your travel partners too) to engage in some friendship bonding at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro!

Additional Prizes

029 not only has incredible African experiences, we also have weekend getaways to fascinating and exotic locations for our next three prizes.

• What’s in a name? Everything if you win the 3rd prize which is a weekend for two people including breakfast at the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai.

• Looking for a real Turkish delight? 029’s 4th prize a weekend at the W Hotel in Istanbul including breakfast for 2 people.
• Not to be outdone, spend your Arabian nights in style at the W Hotel Doha for a weekend including breakfast for 2 people as part of our 5th prize.

Do you want more? We will give you more! More prizes that is!

• 6th Prize: Be BOLD with your BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 - this smartphone embodies elegant design, without sacrificing the features or functionality you expect from a premium smartphone.
• 7th Prize: CURVES in the all the right places:  balance work, life and everything in between with your BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900
• 8th & 9th Prize: Every PEARL has its oyster - open up a world of possibilities! With the BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8200 series smartphone tucked in your pocket, you’re always just a flip away from the people, fun and facts that matter.
• 10th to 35th Prize: DKNY Men 50 ml or DKNY Women 50ml- if you consider yourself comospolitan, be sure to leave behind the scent created for young urbanites.
• 36th to 50th Prize: Baldessarini Del Mar Seychelles Edition 50ml - smell like paradise with this limited edition fragrance too!

How long do you have?

Until the end of March 14^th, so approximately 33 days left. You have a little more than one month left to invite your friends to increase your chances to win spectacular travel and lifestyle prizes. If you are a member of 029, click here to invite your friends!

Not a member of 029?

Oh no! Don’t worry, be happy and click here to send an email to our Member Relations team to request your log in to 029 – The Experience Club today.

Take a look at this entry by 029 member and well-known German blogger Robert Basic who took his time to provide feedback about the Hotel Kazbek - a hotel he was able to test for free as part of 029’s Hotel Test Program.

Click here for the English version

Es regnete aus allen Kübeln am Flughafen von Dubrovnik (Kroatien). Da standen wir nun, Nicole Männl -meine Gefährtin- und ich. Und hielten Ausschau. Nach was? Nach dem Shuttle, das uns sicher zum Hotel bringen würde. Denn es handelt sich laut Beschreibung um ein Top-Hotel mit ganz vielen Sternen. Wie das Hotel heißt? Hotel Kazbek. Das wir auf Einladung von zerotwonine testen durften. Wir standen und schauten und hielten Ausschau. Doch niemand kam und hielt ein Schidlchen hoch. Wir fuhren demnach selber hin.

Dort angekommen machte uns niemand die Türe auf. Ok, auch ein Top-Hotel hat bestimmt schlechte Tage. Dies war wohl einer dieser Tage. Ob ich sehr kritisch klinge? Es mag sein, doch besser mehr erwarten und dann langsam seine Erwartungen hinunterschrauben, statt die Messlatte zu tief anzusetzen.

Und vorneweg: Nein, das Hotel ist nicht schlecht, im Gegenteil. Es ist defintiv ein Top-Hotel, das allerdings an vielen kleinen Punkten noch arbeiten muss, um das letzte Stückchen “Top” herauszuholen. Für das gebotene Preis-Leistungsverhältnis kann man das Hotel Kazbek nur loben!!

Die CheckIn Prozedur verlief leicht chaotisch, als ob man nicht wüsste, welches Zimmer man uns geben solle. Dazu muss man verstehen, dass wir in der Spätsaison-Zeit da waren, das Hotel so gut wie keine weiteren Gäste da waren. Insofern schaltet das Personal wohl sicher einen Gang herunter, das aber in einem Top-Hotel (wieder dieses Wort:) nicht passieren darf. So bekamen wir also ein sehr geräumiges Zimmer, das wir aber nach ca. einer halben Stunde gegen ein anderes Zimmer tauschen durften, das etwas heller war. Letzlich war es ein sehr guter Tausch, nur, wenn Gäste ankommen, sichtlich müde sind und sowieso andere Zimmer frei sind, kann man immer noch am nächsten Tag in aller Ruhe den Gästen einen Switch vorschlagen.

Die Zimmergestaltung selbst ist hochwertig und individuell. Man verfolgt einen sehr klassischen Stil mit leicht antik angehauchtem Mobiliar. Das aber allesamt in einer sehr gehobenen Qualität. Die Zimmer sind sehr geräumig, das Bad ebenso, auf dem Bett kann man Fußball spielen.

Die gesamte Hotelanlage wirkt sehr gepflegt, der Pool ist wunderbar angelegt, wenn man von der kahlen Hauswand des Nachbarhauses absieht. Die Umgebung wirkt nicht gerade top. Man befindet sich in einer Seitenbucht, ca. 2-3 KM entfernt vom berühmten Stadtkern von Dubrovnik. Die Häuser und das gesamte Areal in der Bucht wirkt wie ein etwas besserer Hafen. Wer demnach auf eine sehr gepflegte Umgebung wert legt, für den ist das Hotel Kazbek keine Wahl! Was aber nicht für das Hotel selbst gilt, wie gesagt.

Über den Service können wir nur Gutes sagen: Man war stets sehr aufmerksam und freundlich. Selbst wenn wir spät Nachts auf der Cafe-Terasse saßen, kam ein Servicemitarbeiter, bot uns Tee/Kaffee an, schaltete das gedämpfte Licht an und drehte die Musik ganz leise auf.

Zur Verpflegung allgemein können wir nur soweit zum Frühstück etwas sagen, da wir außerhalb unsere Hauptmahlzeiten einnahmen. Das Frühstück war mehr als reichhaltig, vom frischen Obst bis hin zu sehr leckeren Wurstspezialitäten gab es alles.

Insgesamt würden wir jederzeit wieder das Hotel buchen. Es zählt im internationalen Vergleich mit Sicherheit nicht zur Top-Referenz, vor Ort ist es definitiv eines des besten Hotels. Aufgrund der Lage hat es allerdings einen strategischen Nachteil, da der Gesamteindruck getrübt wird. In kleinen Bereichen kann es sicher noch etwas aufholen, was die Servicequalität angeht, doch von dem Preis-Leistungsverhältnis her ist es ein absoluter Tipp!

Wir danken zerotwonine für die Einladung und dem Hotelteam für die drei angenehmen und sehr entspannten Tage!!

Nicole & Robert

English translation provided by 029

Hotel Kazbek - Dubrovnik, Croatia

It was raining cats and dogs at Dubrovnik’s airport (Croatia). Here we were Nicole Männl – my companion – and me. On the lookout. But for what? For the shuttle which would bring us safely to our hotel. According to the description, it was a hotel with lots of stars. What the hotel’s name? Hotel Kazbek and we were invited to test it by 029. We waited and waited but nobody showed up so we drove there ourselves.

When we got there no one opened the door. Well, top hotels can have a bad day too we thought. This seemingly was one of them. Whether I sound critical? Probably, but you’d rather expect more and then slowly decrease your expectations as opposed to expecting such things beforehand.

In advance: No, the hotel is not a bad one, on the contrary. It definitely is a top hotel, which just has to improve some little things to become top notch. But considering the cost / performance ratio one only can praise the Hotel Kazbek!

The check-in procedure was slightly chaotic, as if they didn´t know which room to give us. We have to add that we were there in the off-season and were almost the only guests at the time. It seemed like the staff takes it down a notch during this time which must not happen in this hotel category. We finally got a pretty spacious room, but we wanted to switch to a brighter room which was not a problem. In the end it was a good exchange, however, if guests arrive visibly exhausted, the hotel should recommend to switch rooms on the next day.

The rooms are individually furnished and are of a high quality. They try to maintain a very classical style with a slight antique touch of the furniture. But all together, it was in a high quality as mentioned before. The rooms as well as the bathrooms are very spacious; you could practically play football on the beds.

The whole hotel complex seems very well-maintained; the pool is simply great except for the plain outside wall of the neighboring house. The surroundings not so much, you are located in a cove roughly 2-3km away from the historical city centre of Dubrovnik. The houses in the neighborhood and the whole area make it seem more like a harbour. So, for anyone who places high value on the surroundings , the Hotel Kazbek is not a good option. This is generally applicable for the whole hotel.

Regarding the service we only have good things to say. The staff was always considerate and friendly. Even while we were sitting outside on the terrace late at night one of the staff always showed up and offered tea/coffee, switched on a dimmed light and turned on some music for us.

About the food, we can only speak about the breakfast which always was more than adequate. From fresh fruits to delicious cold cut platters. All other meals we ate outside of the hotel.

Altogether we would book this hotel again. When compared with international standards, it surely does not fit the five-star category, but it is one of the best in the area. The location gave it a slight strategic disadvantage because it tarnished the overall impression. Some smaller aspects surely can be improved but with respect to the price/performance ratio it is a real insider tip.

We thank 029 and the hotel team for three enjoyable and relaxing days!!!

Nicole & Robert

029’s Hotel Test Program allows its members the opportunity to test out unique five star properties for free. From Bali to Jamaica, Cape Town to Rome, 029 members will soon be testing hotels in all of your  favourite destinations.

029 was lucky enough to be in Barcelona this past weekend, where the weather was perfect, the food spot on and the city was as sexy and appealing as always. 029 was also lucky enough to have stayed at the W Barcelona, the 3 week old beachside property which calls the chic Barceloneta district home.

The sail shape building is easily and prominently visible from both land and sea and the W is the first beachfront hotel in Barcelona. Thankfully our plane had to do a go-around due to traffic at Barcelona’s airport so I was able to get an excellent view of what awaited me down by the sea.

Double takes are necessary, as are strolls along Barceloneta during the morning, afternoon and evening to see how the changing light reflects off the window-ful W.

First impressions are everything and in this respect the W does it right. Note to other hotels - staff the front of your hotel with incredibly attractive Spanish bellboys to make an appealing first impression. And I am not just saying this because I am female.

If you want your hotel to be seen as a temple of cool, image is everything. And image includes those guys who open the door for me, welcome me to the hotel and take my suitcase off my hands. (Side note - I can only speak for the guys at the door on Friday morning at around 11:00).

Check-in was easy and breezy, much like the Barcelona atmosphere. We were escorted to our Fabulous room on the 12th floor and given a mini-tour on how to work the various controls in the room. But to be honest, we were not paying attention, how could we? Have you seen our view? It was Fabulous and corresponded perfectly with the Fabulous room category. One of the benefits of having a hotel all the way at the end of the beach on its own mini-peninsula is uninterrupted, unparalleled views of the city, beach and sea (in our case).

Let’s get down to basics - because that is what you are all interested in anyway. Super soft bed sheets that retain their coldness (you know what I’m talking about), pillows and comforters that encourage you to stay in bed and take in the views, rainfall shower (a must in my book) and excellent bliss amenities. With a name like bliss, you know you are in good hands.

And in case the enormous windows didn’t offer enough opportunity to gaze at Barcelona, channel your inner lifeguard and watch out over the beach, or look down at those walking by wishing they were at the W, they provided a handy little telescope (first pic, blue & silver microphone looking piece) to improve your vision.

In my expert opinion, the best part of the room was the couch-like piece of furniture that extended the entire length of the massive windows (did I mention that already?) so that you could lay (or is it lie?) pretty much on the window while gazing at Barcelona, channelling your inner lifeguard etc… Nice touch. Possibly not so nice if you are scared of heights.

The pool area was very chill, with white loungers that were über-comfortable, plush violet-coloured towels (that I will be purchasing when they become available), cabanas, loungers built into the pool, sexy lounge music (what else would you have expected?).

I actually dedicated 3.5 hours of my time at the pool, which is pretty impressive considering the city of Barcelona with its to-die-for shopping and dining was constantly beckoning me. And if you find yourself lounging away the day at the pool, order the crab and shrimp in rice paper. Yum.

I also gave their spa, bliss, a try, because all that trekking around Barcelona looking for sexy Spanish fashion and sampling the city’s tapas and cava can take a toll on your feet. It is a very cool and hip spa - as they themselves say, they don’t play “whale music,” no waves, tree frogs or sounds of nature - and the spa is adorned in playful and calming bluish tones and not in every colour of beige under the sun. And I did fall in love with their cheeky marketing of their products and services - who would have thought that reading the back of body lotion would have you laughing?

So all in all, even though the W just opened and there was a bit of refining and finishing touches going on, the hotel will quickly become the place to be in Barcelona, if it isn’t already. From the building, to the views and not to mention some of the staff, it is definitely a hotel with a view.

Last added bonus, for some reason there were fireworks on Saturday night in celebration of something - I didn’t know that that many people realised I was going to be staying there (joking). But the symphony of colour exploded right in front of our window and it was perfect ending to a perfect Barcelona weekend.

It is a city with great potential, especially because of its unique location north of the Amalfi Coast and therefore, in close proximity to the islands of Capri and Ischia. Potential means, in this case, that Naples could be even more than it actually is. When referring to the morbid charm of the city, well-known and appreciated in Italy, one assumes it has more to do with neglect than romance.

The Romeo Hotel has chosen its location in close proximity to the docks and the respective harbour area, which opened my heart, being a harbour-lover from Hamburg. But if you are a fan of nice promenades and palms in front of your window, then this will not suit your tastes.

The way to the hotel takes getting used to, as you need to leave the city centre with its restaurants on the promenade and walk to the industrial corner of Naples. By discovering the city, you will see that the centre is just 10 minutes away by foot. The location of the hotel is unique; it is positioned between old or partially rundown buildings to the left and right. These buildings stand in direct contrast to the modern façade of the Romeo.

I can only say that once you’ve seen the rooftop terrace of the Romeo Hotel, it makes up for everything that Naples is lacking. And Sorrento is certainly worth a visit being only 20 to 30 minute away.

Jeannine Johansson

029 visited Abu Dhabi this past weekend for a location scouting trip. And let me tell you, there was MUCH to scout. Although Abu Dhabi is not in a building frenzy like Dubai, there is still plenty of new and exciting projects being built in the Emirate. It wasn’t all work though, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority planned the perfect mixture between business and fun. Just exactly like 029.

We started off from Frankfurt, where we were nicely surprised with an upgrade from Etihad’s Coral Economy Class to their Pearl Business Class. No complaints here. After relaxing in their new, chic & stylish lounge at the Frankfurt Airport, it was time to jet off to Abu Dhabi.

Voyage to Abu Dhabi

Etihad’s Business Class (on the Airbus 330) has flat beds. The entertainment system is the same for all classes (first, business & eco) and there was a plethora of movies, music, games and additional features to keep one occupied on the 6.5 hour flight (I personally like to watch where the plane is going). Another cool feature was the camera - there was a camera mounted on the front and bottom of the plane and the live video feed could be watch on your monitor. Good way to make sure that the pilots lands in the middle of the runway! Amenity kits, which doubled as an over-the-shoulder bag, were also very nice…I also couldn’t find fault with the inclusion of a bottle of VOSS - Norwegian Artesian water. And the in-seat massage actually massaged. Service was good, attentive, but not overly intrusive. Cuisine was also good, not amazing, but the homemade tri-combo bread (see pic below) was a welcomed departure from the flavourless rolls one is normally given.

After disembarking, doing the necessary passport control/baggage fetching/smiling as you stroll through customs, I was hit with a wall…of HEAT. Even at 23:50, it was still about 33°C. And after arriving from 20°C Germany, the temperature contrast was extreme and painful. Thankfully our taxis were air-conditioned, which was wonderful for me as I originally come from an air-conditioning obsessed land. We drove off into the Arabian night to our first hotel of the weekend - the InterContinental Abu Dhabi.

The InterContinental Abu Dhabi was a very nice hotel about 30 minutes from the airport. I had a room on the Executive Club Level (18th Floor) and had access to the lounge where breakfast was served. My room was very spacious and comfortable with a calm colour palette and a large bathroom with both a separate shower and bathtub. We were also toured around the hotel and visited the Presidential Suite and the main ballroom which was set up for an upcoming lavish wedding ceremony.

Visit to Sheikh Zayed Mosque & City Tour

Our first stop was the Sheikh Zayed Mosque - the sixth largest mosque in the world and a stunning beautiful architectural feat made out of marble from around the world.  Capable of holding 40,000 worshippers and boasting the world’s largest chandelier, the pictures I took really do not do the structure justice. It is something to be experienced and awed over in person. There were too many intricate details inside to possible post all of the picture here, but take my word for it, it is a must see! Female visitors to the mosque needed to stop by a counter to get a complimentary abaya to wear while they were in the mosque.

After the mosque, we drove around Abu Dhabi looking at the newest building construction and familiarising ourselves with the city. We visited Abu Dhabi Heritage Village where we could see traditional crafts being made. We visited a fruit and vegetable market where we bought heaps of dates. I decided on the chocolate covered dates stuffed with almonds and the Rotana dates from Saudi Arabia, apparently the most expensive in the world. We were allowed to sample as much as we wanted, but you can only eat so many dates, even if they are delicious! A trip to the Abu Dhabi Fish Market was next on the agenda and although it was a typical fish market, most of the fish on offer were from the warm waters of the Arabian Sea. Hammour is the most prominent, well-known fish and it is delicious.

Surprisingly, we still had room for lunch after visiting a store filled with typical Arabian sweets. I have no idea what I tried, but it was all excellent. We had lunch at Al Fanar at the Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi which is situated on the top floor of the hotel and it is a revolving restaurant. Over the course of lunch (which consisted as smoked salmon as the appetizer and a gorgeous hammour as the main dish) we were able to have a 360° overview of the Le Meridien’s surroundings, including the azure blue Persian Gulf.

The Emirates Palace Hotel

After lunch we checked into the Emirates Palace Hotel. The hotel, from end to end, is over 1 kilometre long…they aren’t lying. The hotel was massive, majestic and a magnificent montage of gold. I know what you’re thinking - kitschy , excessive - but trust me, it worked. You cannot just call yourself a palace and not have a palatial style of decorating. Everything that was in the hotel, from the furniture to the gold leafing to the marble and mosaics was exactly what I would have expected in a palace.

The rooms are incredibly spacious, even the Grand Rooms made one feel like a princess, with an oversized bed (and oversized flat screen) and a gorgeous marble bathroom with a bathtub big enough to really relax and get lost in. You couldn’t help but be happy and completely satisfied with the style and space of the rooms. Unless of course, you were fortunate enough to see the suites I would post pictures, but then you would feel depressed that you don’t live in a place that looks like that - unless of course, you are a prince or princess, better yet - a king or queen!

Even after a tour around the hotel with the extremely friendly and charming sales department of the Emirates Palace, we still only saw about 10% of what the hotel has to offer. You need at least 5 days to fully see and experience the hotel. And of course you need ample time to catch some sun at one of their 2 pools. Don’t worry about the distance from one side of the hotel to the other, there are hotel golf carts to drive you from place to place. We only had time to eat at one of the restaurants, Le Vendome, which was a beautiful buffet style restaurant. There were international choices and and local specialities - giving the diner a well-rounded dining experience. Try the Um Ali - a traditional Arab dessert!

Future Projects around the Emirate

We’re not done yet! First we had an informative presentation at the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company where we learned about all of the upcoming projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, those that are currently in construction and those that are planned. The face of Abu Dhabi will change in the next few years, but not in the drastic way that Dubai has. Abu Dhabi is pursing projects that embrace culture (Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Museum & Louvre Abu Dhabi on Saadiyat Island) and add value to the Emirate, not just glossy skyscrapers. And some of the hotel projects are truly exciting - I look forward to going back it the upcoming years!

Shang-ri La Qaryat Al Beri

We also visited the Shang-ri La Qaryat Al Beri and the Traders Hotel (the Shang-ri La’s four star sister hotel). The Traders Hotel is a colourful, modern departure from the traditional oppulent Arabian style. It was bright, spacious and looked like it belonged in Scandinavia and not in the UAE.

The Shang-ri La Qaryat Al Beri is a stunning hotel located a stretch of private beach only 10 minutes away from the Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is everything that you would expect a Shang-ri La to be: gorgeous, elegant, exclusive, high-class - and this did not disappoint. We visited various rooms of differing sizes, but all beautifully appointed. The highlight for me was a visit to one of their private villas.

The Das Island Villa, was 700sq metres of pure fun and luxury. It was the “party themed” villa and let me tell you, it would be the perfect location for one excellent party, if you could afford it. Four bedrooms, a movie theatre, dining room, kitchen, a jacuzzi in the middle of the living room, private outdoor pool with chill out cabanas and much more. There was colour colour everywhere - playful pink, sexy reds, decadent emerald & sapphire hues and of course the customary gold & platinum. When it comes time to decorating my villa, I will undoubtedly get in touch with the South African designer who was responsible for this harmony of chic & classy. I have no objections to anyone who wants to send me there to stay for my birthday!

We got a quick tour of the Pearls & Caviar Restaurant which is located near the villas directly on the water. The main restaurant downstairs is sexy, moody and decorated in dark hues, reflecting the colour of caviar. The upstairs bar/lounge area is all decorated in white, pearlised hues overlooking the water. The restaurant was unfortunately only open for dinner and we were there during lunchtime, but that was ok, as we were able to eat at the Shangri-La’s Sofra bld, their international buffet restaurant styled in an Arabian market feel, complete with a candy island and chocolate fountains. Highly recommended!

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital & Desert Safari

Work was over for the day, let the fun begin! First we headed off to the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. As stated on their website: “established in 1999, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital (ADFH) is the first public institution in the world providing comprehensive veterinary health care services exclusively for falcons.” The woman running the Falcon Hospital, Dr. Margit Müller, was a lovely, energetic person who was extremely passionate about her job and her birds. She was a complete joy to be around, from her bubbly personality to her extensive knowledge about falcons and falconry.

We were able to visit the room where they keep the falcons waiting to be picked up by their owners. And that is where I fell in love…with Hobbie (or Hobby). Hobbie (1st & 2nd pictures) was the resident bird, even though he looked like a baby, he was 5 years old and full grown. And he was adorable. Back to the hospital…we were able to have the falcons sit on our arms, those ladies (all the good falcons are ladies because they are stronger & faster ;-)) can fly up to 300kmh. Eat your heart out Ferrari! It really is an interesting place to visit to see how they rehabilitate birds and keep them when they are moulting. And if you are looking for a place to hold a meeting or conference, they also have an incredibly elegant meeting room or a traditional style majilis.

After leaving the Falcon Hospital it was off to the desert for some fun in the sand. We went dune bashing and we definitely bashed those dunes! A roller coaster in the sand.  Thankfully I picked the “adventurous” driver who manoeuvred the dunes like a Formula 1 driver. I was secretly scared we were going to flip the Land Cruisers and I still don’t understand the physics behind it, but it was an incredible, adrenalin-boosting experience.

Watching the sun set in the desert is also something not to be missed. The way the changing light of the sun set reflects off the sands results in a symphony of golds, beiges and bronzes. It is an exceptional experience and definitely had the ability to be extremely romantic if you are there with the right person.

Ferrari World & Yas Island

Tired out? I was too, but it wasn’t over yet, we had one last stop on Monday morning before we headed off back to Frankfurt. We went to Yas Island to see the construction that is underway on the infamous Ferrari World. Ferrari World is set to be the largest indoor theme park in the world and will include many rides and attractions including the fastest roller coaster in the world, pictured below, reaching speeds of over 200kmh. Yas Island is also the site of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi taking place at the Yas Marina Circuit).

We also had an interesting presentation (and some culinary highlights) from the people at the Yas Hotel. This new, modern and incredibly stylish hotel will be opened for the Formula 1 and the hotel actually straddles the track so you can watch the races from their über-chic lounge designed by the creative minds at George V Restauration. I can’t wait for the opening of this hotel and I hope to be able to visit it when I hopefully go back to Abu Dhabi!

Time to Say Goodbye!

My time in Abu Dhabi finally came to an end, 72 hours of pure action, but I would not have wanted it any other way. As if the trip itself wasn’t spectacular enough, the nice people at Etihad Airways decided to upgrade me on the way back to Frankfurt. Of course, you know there were no complaints from my end!

After a relaxing flight back to Frankfurt, I was welcomed back by chill autumn air and cloudy skies, but at least I will have my 1001 memories of my Arabian adventure. And my time in Abu Dhabi will definitely have a sequel…stay tuned!
If you were just so inspired by my blog entry and would just love to visit Abu Dhabi, contact 029 who now have their very own in-house Abu Dhabi expert (and if she doesn’t know, she has connections! ;-)) who can plan an exceptional trip to Abu Dhabi, the entire Emirate, the UAE, the Middle East or the entire world!

Hope you enjoyed!
029’s Marketing Manager

Thank you very much for organising the stay.

I have visited the different locations in the hotel (business centre, spa) in order to get an overview of the facilities and different rooms/salons.

To my impression, the distinct positive factor of the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand, compared with other hotels of this category is that although the hotel is huge (which always tends to create an anynomous atmosphere) one feels immediately well-received as the atmosphere is, on the one hand, professional and international but at the same time warm and friendly.

I  believe this is mainly due to the hotel staff which is authentic and naturally friendly. The reason for this may be that a lot of the service staff (at least, the people I dealt with) is in the age of 30 to 40 and is “senior enough to understand professional service but young enough to be easy going. ”

Best regards and thanks again to everyone,

Andreas Lange

Location: The location of the hotel is fabulous. Potsdamer Platz is very central and convenient to explore Berlin, especially if it’s your first time. It’s also an incredible location if you want to attend any movie premiers as it is right across the street from the Sony Center.

Entrance/Reception/Lobby: Automatic doors open up to a small, but stylish lobby. The staff at reception where exceptionally friendly, check in was quick and efficient and we were offered a cold towel upon arrival. We were escorted to our suite which was on the 7^th floor – room #716. The hallways were spacious and bright with minimalistic décor which was refreshing as sometime design-oriented hotels try to create a dim and moody atmosphere in their hallways – which is sexy but unnecessary at 11:00 in the morning.Nice feature: You stick your key card in the slot by the door and the door opens automatically. No need to wait for the green light.

Room: It was an incredibly spacious and quiet corner suite. Again, minimalistic décor, very bright and clean with a small,  but functional kitchen. The hotel offers complimentary shopping service for its guests and we were told that the hotel could fill our refrigerator with whatever we wanted. Nice touch – we would have actually utilised the service if we were staying longer.

Regarding the features in the room – large bed, seating area, desk, 2 balconies – one off the main room with a table and two chairs (with a surprisingly attractive view considering all of the surrounding buildings) and one off the bathroom. The windows/room had EXCELLENT insulation/soundproofing. There was construction going on outside of the room and we did not hear a SOUND until we opened up the balcony door. We had 3 closets with 24 clothes hangers in total! One closet for his clothes, one for hers and one for all the clothes that he buys her. Well that is how it worked in our case anyway – excellent shopping in Berlin.

A large assortment of magazines, predominantly Architectural Design magazine spoke to the hotel’s adherence to all things design related. We really enjoyed the CDs in the room which were played on our Phillips DVD player and the sound was disseminated via our surround sound system. From Y¦G, an independent label,  we were able to listen to either Feeling Funky, Lazy Lounge, or Heart Beat.  What my wife fell in love with, because she is crazy for all things related to social development and human rights – was the small copy of the United Nations Declaration of Humans Rights handbook on the bedside table.

Bathroom: Huge with a large bathtub and two vanity areas! Very important for those travelling with their significant other – there is no need to fight for space while beautifying yourself – there are two large marble countertops opposite each other, each with mirrors, space for toiletries, outlets and amble lighting.

Breakfast: The breakfast was served in their restaurant FACIL, from 7:00 until 12:00. The room was a small green oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Floor to ceiling windows (including the ceiling) filled the room with natural light, surrounded by trees – you felt like you were eating in a Zen-garden with the little rock gardens and large stone fountains. Breakfast buffet was a well-stocked, well-presented continental buffet with fresh breads, rolls, pastries, cheeses, sliced meats, salmon, marinated shrimps, antipasti, assorted condiments and guests could also order freshly prepared dishes from the kitchen (tip – try the bacon – for those who are hard-pressed to find tasty, crunchy bacon in Europe, this is your answer). There was a nice assortment of fresh juices, including the usual suspects – but also some unconventional ones like fresh kiwi juice and of course the mint water and lime water were a big hit in the morning with the guests.

We unfortunately didn’t have enough time to use the ONO spa on the top floor, but we did go check it out and it looked really nice. Next time. Also, their restaurant FACIL was booked out while we were there which is excellent for the hotel and speaks to the quality of the cuisine. It wasn’t a total loss as you are spoilt for restaurant choices in Berlin. We did have a cocktail at their QIU bar – excellent cocktail, chilled ambience, friendly and attentive waiters.

All in all, we were very impressed with our experience at the Mandala Hotel. We have no complaints and if we find ourselves in Berlin again, we will be making a reservation.

Martin Egerth
Deutsche Lufthansa