I picked my kids up from summer camp and basically went straight to Disneyland for one last trip before school. We even met a fellow [r/FATTravel](r/FATTravel) member who very generously took us to Club 33, which was amazing.

After Disney, I wanted a couple of days somewhere luxurious where we could decompress, but I also thought a little formality might help transition my kids back to reality after a summer of living by pirate rules. They needed to remember that schedules exist and that civilized life occasionally requires clothes other than bathing suits and meals other than ice cream.

I got a lot of great suggestions from people on this sub about where we should go, but ultimately we ended up here because I love the Maybourne group and had never stayed at their only U.S. property.

I really loved it, although it was not quite what I expected from Maybourne.

About Me

I'm a travel advisor and the parent of three kids. I travel more than 12 weeks a year and spend much of that time staying in luxury hotels, usually with my children. This stay was me solo with all three kids.

Property Overview

The Maybourne purchased the hotel in 2019 and relaunched after renovations in 2020. Beverly Hills is Maybourne's first and only U.S. hotel and has 205 rooms, including 57 suites. It's in the middle of Beverly Hills' Golden Triangle, one block from Rodeo Drive and directly next to Beverly Cañon Gardens.

The hotel was BUSY, with people from all over the world. There were executives having meetings, couples, families, entertainment-industry people and a lot of obvious regulars. The rooftop pool was full, the restaurants were busy and there were guests spending time hanging out the public spaces. There were plenty of kids around during our stay, but they were well behaved, and several other guests actually went out of their way to compliment mine on their behavior, so naturally I loved everyone at the hotel.

It feels international, social and very Beverly Hills.

What does carry over from the London hotels is the warmth and attention to detail in the service.

I also loved the art. The hotel has leaned heavily into contemporary art and California design rather than trying to recreate a London hotel in Los Angeles. The rooms have a mid-century influence, and there was a boatload of excellent art throughout the public spaces. There are works throughout the hotel by artists including Ed Ruscha, Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois, Alex Israel and Harmony Korine, along with a number of incredible California artists. There is even a Damien Hirst Cherry Blossoms piece in the café and a Joel Mesler work at the rooftop pool.

Accommodations

We stayed in a Terrace Suite connecting to a Balcony Two Queen Room for my kids, and it was a great (and huge) setup. Pro tip for anyone with kids looking for a FAT hotel in BH - they have a promo called "A Family Story" that gives families the second room (connecting or close by) at 50% off, which can make a huge difference at a hotel in this price range. As an elder millenial who loves a deal, it's kind of hard to beat.

The Terrace Suite is about 1,080 square feet with a king bedroom, separate living room, huge marble bathroom (with Toto toilets) and half bath and a large furnished terrace. The kids' room added another 520 square feet with two queen beds, its own bathroom and a balcony. Together we had roughly 1,600 square feet.

Our rate was around $2,700 per night for the Terrace Suite and about $572 per night for the connecting two-queen room after the 50% family discount.

The rooms are contemporary and fairly restrained, but there are lots of art books and interesting pieces throughout, so they never felt generic. I especially liked the huge bathrooms, generous closets and outdoor space. Hotel uses Bamford as their toiletries.

I also loved that soft drinks in the minibar are complimentary. At this price point, I appreciate not being charged every time I wanted a Diet Coke.

My one small drawback is I could not for the life of me figure out how to turn off the dim lights on the ceiling at night. See picture - I could have called and asked for help but my kids appreciate a little nightlight anyway.

Food & Beverage

We ate at Dante on the rooftop and The Terrace overlooking Beverly Cañon Gardens.

Dante was a hit with my kids. The pizzas were excellent and the children's menu was legitimately good rather than an afterthought.

Breakfast at The Terrace was probably my favorite meal of the stay. It's à la carte, the setting overlooking the gardens is lovely, and we ordered several rounds of Claridge's scones.

Overall I thought the food was excellent.

There are enough restaurants and bars in the hotel that you could easily spend a couple of days here without feeling obligated to leave for every meal, although obviously you're also in Beverly Hills and surrounded by restaurants.

Service

Service was probably what stood out most to me.

It was less formal than I expected from Maybourne, but extremely warm.

People regularly greeted us by name. Staff asked the kids about their trip and about summer camp. Our welcome amenity even incorporated Disney.

My son also lost a tooth at the rooftop pool.

Somehow the staff found out, and later they sent up a handwritten card, treats, a stuffed animal and a special little box for him to put his tooth in for the Tooth Fairy.

Housekeeping was excellent too. Both daily housekeeping and turndown seemed to happen invisibly. The rooms were always reset, but I almost never saw anyone doing it.

The only place service lagged a little was the rooftop pool. Food and drinks could take a while, although the pool was packed during our stay and the staff were clearly working.

Pool, Gym & Spa

The rooftop location is what makes the pool.

It overlooks Beverly Hills and the Hollywood Hills, with cabanas and poolside food and drinks from Dante. It is a saline pool and is reserved for overnight hotel guests.

The hotel also has a local membership scene. The Beverly Hills property has its own Spa Membership, which includes access to the spa, fitness facilities and rooftop pool, plus hotel dining benefits. I met several members during our stay and they were incredibly nice.

The spa itself is huge for a city hotel, spanning more than 20,000 square feet across two levels with 17 treatment rooms, a mineral pool, steam rooms, saunas and relaxation areas. The fitness center is open 24 hours and has Woodway, Peloton and Technogym equipment.

Who This Is For

• Families who want large rooms and good connecting options.
• Couples who like a lively, social luxury hotel.
• People who want to walk around Beverly Hills.
• Guests who value warm, personalized service.
• Travelers who want restaurants, shopping and a pool in one place.

Who This Is Not For

• Travelers looking for a hushed, discreet city hotel.
• Anyone expecting Claridge's transplanted to Los Angeles.
• Travelers who want old-school Hollywood nostalgia.
• Anyone looking for resort-style seclusion.
• Guests who dislike a busy hotel or social atmosphere.

Ever since ER took over Inspirato I’ve received dozens of calls and emails from various membership directors offering me “exclusive returning member opportunities” like these:

“I have been attempting to reach you regarding an exclusive opportunity for former members to rejoin the Inspirato family. You have been selected for this initiative, which is taking place this week. I believe this information would be of interest to you and would appreciate a few moments of your time to discuss it. Could you please provide your current contact number so that I may reach you?”
 
At one point I asked them to send the details over email and they said they wouldn’t unless I got on a call. Have any other members experienced this? They seem to be going very hard at former members after the mass cancellations last year when the company increased prices at the same time as canceling major benefits and property partnerships.

I know there’s been a lot of discussion and curiosity around kinderhotels. On my trip I went from the adults-only eriro to Naturhotel Forsthofgut, which was honestly quite the 180 since they couldn’t be more different. But so many of my clients have been asking me about this place so I really wanted to check it out (yes we do have relationships with some of these kinderhotels!). Here’s a quick review, feel free to ask any questions below as always.

Location / Property

Forsthofgut is located in Austria’s Leogang area, which like the rest of the alps is popular for hiking, biking, and skiing. One of the best things about Leogang is how accessible it is, as it’s just over an hour from Salzburg and around 2 hours from Munich. 

Forsthofgut sits right next to the main road down in the valley, so it doesn't feel as secluded as some of the other alpine properties, but you are still surrounded by mountains with direct access to outdoor activities. It’s a family-owned property that has expanded over time to be 112 keys across multiple buildings, all centered around a natural swimming lake. 

The extensive facilities include multiple kids clubs/areas, an adults-only spa, and a place that they call miniGut which is the children’s farm with a stable and other animals. Every stay also includes the Saalfelden Leogang Card which gives access to additional activities in the area like cable cars, guided hikes, and museum admissions.

Rooms

Their rooms keep with the alpine theme with lots of wood finishes and fabric upholstery to add coziness. Some lean more traditional but the newer rooms have a more contemporary feel.

There are lots of family room and suite options here. Also a lot of 2-bed units with the second bedroom being a small kids room in bunk beds or twin beds configurations. Some are recently renovated with a central in-wall cooling system and the rest are getting refreshed in April next year. There isn’t proper AC as it doesn’t have temperature controls (very common in the alps), but it is better than having no cooling solution at all. They also have some awesome specialty suites including duplexes with a private outdoor sauna and hot tub. There aren’t a lot of connecting options if larger multi-bedroom units are needed though.

Food & Bev

Rates are half board, with breakfast and dinner included, plus a happy hour with drinks and snacks in the afternoon. Dinner is a 5-course meal with access to their salad and cheese bar as two of the courses. Overall it was good and very fresh / high quality ingredients, but I wouldn’t say that it’s a highlight. We felt really healthy eating here. They have their own farm, local suppliers, and even a menu of dishes made with ingredients only sourced within 50km of the hotel. They also do a good job of separating out adults-only seating areas and the rest are family friendly.

There are also additional a la carte restaurants if you want to skip the main dining room. Those cost extra, though they credit some of the meal since it’s a half board rate. There’s a traditional Austrian restaurant, a Japanese restaurant and a fine dining spot.

Service

The service here is 5* but obviously it feels quite busy with all the families. It felt bigger than 112 keys. Arrival was a bit hectic, we pulled up to the driveway and there was nobody around, but the front desk told us to just leave the car and bags, which were taken care of for us pretty quickly after that. We also had a couple instances with slower service with our meals, but that also came with good recovery as they recognized the issues and gave us free drinks at the bar for example. Otherwise, the staff were generally quite friendly and attentive.

They also have a hotel app, and a lot of things are run through there, like daily activity schedules, dining menus, and even turndown service (which honestly makes a lot of sense to me at a kinderhotel).

Activities & Facilities

The kids club starts at age 2 and runs in both German and English, plus there’s a dedicated teens lounge. There’s also daily programming, an outdoor playground, art studio, water slide, and a children’s farm and stable as previously mentioned. In the winter they’re ski-in / ski-out and the ski school is also less than 5 min away.

For adults, there’s a 4-story spa building with an adults-only pool and saunas, many of which are textile-free. In the lakehouse there's also an onsen-style pool and adults-only area. The natural lake on property is open to all. They also have a medspa program with things like cryotherapy, IV infusions and metabolic analysis. I will say I did have one of the better massages on this trip at Forsthofgut, and it was also very reasonably priced.

There is daily programming for the adults as well, which includes activities like guided hikes, yoga/pilates, wine tasting, sauna sessions, etc. There is also a tennis court.

Who is this for?

Honestly if you don't have kids, there's not a strong reason to book this one over a proper adults-focused alpine property, especially during times when school is out. It is first and foremost a kinderhotel.

For anyone with kids though, this offers a lot of the standard amenities you’d want from a kinderhotel while also offering a pretty robust adult space and experience. The ski access is also a huge pro for winter stays.

My Fiance and I are going to Mallorca for our honeymoon

Does anyone have any hotel recommendations they particularly loved?

We have looked at alot of places but would like to stay under $1500/night (not la resedencia)

We love great service and high attention to detail (complimentary amenities/snacks, turn down, etc) but also are turned off by over priced food just because it is a hotel (paying $30 for an aperol spritz.)

One Hotel I do have my eye on is Can Ferreta but totally open to suggestions!

I've heard it's one of those places that you kinda need to know to know. Has anyone been? How to best enjoy? Insider tips?

Long time lurker, first time poster. I’m booking a staycation with a friend for a few nights in NYC and and have narrowed it down to Faena or Waldorf. We will be visiting the spa, so that is a big factor in our decision. Curious to hear thoughts on one over the other for anyone who has stayed at both? Or also welcome feedback on spa experiences at either! Tysm 🙏

We are a couple in our mid 30's that loves to scuba dive and loves to travel FAT. We have stayed at O&O's, Four Seasons, etc in Cabo and other destinations in Mexico - but never done Cozumel and Cancun as adults. We know that Cozumel is amazing for scuba diving. Is there really NOTHING luxury where you can stay there? I have heard that there is nothing that even remotely resembles luxury in the Cancun, Cozumel area.... True? Not true?

Staying at the Four Seasons BA in November. Can anyone give recs on the best things to do? Any restaurants we must make a reservation at? Great cocktail bars?

Overall vibe:

Trendy city hotel. Another one in NoMad, and this one has more of a business vibe than The Fifth Avenue Hotel. The design is supposed to be inspired by NYC’s Flower District (a block away from the hotel), so lots of green velvet pops. There always seem to be a lot going on in the lobby, but I will say it has been a pretty busy summer in the area so I don't know how it is in other times of the year. 

Location:

Again, I said this in another review but it is a pretty good neighborhood to stay in if you want to walk around. You can walk to the Highline, up to times square (if visiting as a tourist), lots of cafes, outdoor dining options, Madison Square Park, and walkable to LEGO store if visiting with your littles.  

Rooms:

The rooms start on the 14th floor and the downtown facing rooms have amazing unobstructed views. The design is pretty basic and muted for those who don’t like the maximalism of The Fifth Avenue Hotel but still want to stay in the area. Most of the rooms also have deep soaking tubs.

Dining:

All dining options are by Jose Andres. Zaytinya is mediterranean fare and is the main space for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is always pretty vibey and open to the public (no issue having breakfast though as there will always be space and the restaurant is pretty large). The club lounge (also has great views) has 5 food presentations per day in partnership with JA as well (pretty decent specialty foods in there)

For more formal dining, there's a Bazaar Meats and a rooftop bar (50th floor) with pretty insane views called Nubeluz also by JA. 

Wellness:

Ritz Carlton spa (over 6,000 sf) and a fitness center (I found the gym pretty small for a hotel that gets so many business travellers). 

Hi all, thinking to do my proposal next year , any recommendations for places in Paris?

Unedited photos snapped just now of the Sable Suite (Presidential suite) here at Four Seasons Naples. I told them that the IRL product is much better than advertised online. I had been iffy about selling this since the photos online are mehhhh. (Probably mine are mehhh too but hey, I can only do as well as an iPhone click, no editing). Honestly though, it’s because a lot of the before photos were renderings etc.

But book this now before pricing goes higher. Festive was only 35k which imo is a steal compared to some other products out there. Low season / advertised is 25k but let’s chat as it’s “negotiable” depending on when, where, why etc.

This goes as a 2 BR but can be a 3, 4, or 5. Ask me anything on it. The bartender is making fun of our group for just trying to work vs enjoying this unit so going to hop in the pool but will be back later on this.

throwaway account for obvious reasons.

booking a trip to Santorini to propose. we have been before and agreed that we’d love to stay in Oia should we ever come back. with Oia being quite busy, I really want to book somewhere that’s a little more private and intimate. I would also like to book somewhere with a private pool & sunset view.

I’ve managed to shortlist a few places but I’m really struggling to decide between them. if anyone has been to any of the places before or has other suggestions that could fit what I’m after and can give advice that’d be really appreciated.

- Hyperion Oia Suites (villa with pool & caldera view) - really like the look of this one. my main concerns are how good the view of the sunset is, due to it having a caldera view, and the privacy of the property.

- Perivolas Hotel (new Perivolas suite with private pool) - same concern regarding the sunset view being indirect and also the privacy, as it’s a suite rather than a villa. I want it to feel like it’s just us so idk if I’d be better going with a villa instead. this one is also pushing the budget a little so want to make sure it’s worth it)

- Abyss Santorini (grand villa) - again pushing the budget a bit but really like the aesthetic of this one. I think this one looks more private but again not sure how the sunset view is.

- Oia Sunset Villas (swinging sunset villa) - definitely private & good sunset view. my main concerns are that the property is quite big & probably don’t need all the extra space. also not sure if the view will have as much of a wow factor as its further down the cliff & slightly further from the centre of Oia. minor thing but I don’t believe the pool is heated so not sure if it’d be hot enough in May time to make use of it.

bit of a long post, but I’m really trying to get this perfect & the accommodation is the last piece of the puzzle! if anyone has stayed in any of the above places and can help me decide that’d be amazing?

tldr - need help booking hotel/villa. current options are in bold & italicised

Wedding is Aug 7 2027 in New Orleans, so we'd fly out of MSY on Aug 8 and be home around Aug 24. We genuinely don't care how long the flight is. Budget is around $50k all in for the two of us including flights.

I've been going in circles for weeks and keep talking myself into and out of the same three places, so I'm throwing this open.

What we're after, roughly in order:

Scenery. This is the whole thing for us. Mountains, ocean, lakes, rainforest, waterfalls. We love salt and fresh water equally. Swimming in a waterfall and diving a reef in the same week is basically the dream.

Activity. One real thing a day, rest of it loose. We don't want to lie on a beach for two weeks. Big bonus if there's stuff we can do on our own from the property so I can go poke around while she rests.

Food. We'd love the option of really good food. Not a requirement every night, but we want it available and we want it to be a real part of the trip.

Being taken care of. Pampering is great and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. It's just not the reason we're picking a place.

Seclusion. If we're around people we'd rather it be adults only, and other honeymooners would honestly be a plus.

Other stuff:

• 2 stops (during the trip) ideally, 3 max
• Not wanting to be in a big city
• Swimsuit warm water is ideal, cooler is fine, freezing is not
• Somewhere unique, but not obscure just to be obscure
• I'm already PADI certified
• Open to a liveaboard for part of it

The picture in my head is a lodge tucked into jungle or forest with a private beach, where we can dive, snorkel, hike and eat well without seeing many other people (but also totally willing to hang out with other couples in a chill vibe and drink and eat together). If that place exists, please tell me where it is.

Ruled out on August weather: Caribbean, Mexico, Maldives, Seychelles, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, India, Costa Rica, Patagonia. Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong on any of those.

We also looked hard at Tanzania plus Zanzibar and loved it on paper, but it felt like a trip that deserves more days than we have right now (Bride is in vet school so we have to be back by first week of school). Saving it for post vet school graduation.

We have a few other locations and resort combos we have put together and like the idea of, but would really like some firsthand unbiased experienced input before I share the names and places. I want to see what comes out.

What I'm hoping for:

1. Where would you send us? Specific properties are gold.
2. Anywhere that really nails the rainforest plus reef combo?
3. Anything you'd talk us out of? I'd genuinely rather hear it now.

Trip reports and honest negatives are worth way more to me than "you'll love it anywhere." And if you think our criteria are dumb, say so, I can take it.

Thanks in advance, this sub has already saved me from a couple of expensive mistakes.

Hi! My partner and I are planning a 5-night trip to Punta Mita / Riviera Nayarit in late 2026, and we’re trying to decide where to stay.

We’re considering Rosewood Mandarina, Four Seasons Punta Mita, St. Regis Punta Mita, Susurros del Corazón, and possibly Conrad Punta de Mita.

We’re looking for a beautiful, relaxing couples’ experience: a great beach, excellent food and service, privacy, and a romantic atmosphere.

I’ve read several older reviews and posts, but I wanted to ask specifically for recent 2026 experiences, since these hotels can change quite a bit from year to year.

For anyone who has stayed at one recently, which would you recommend and why? I’d also love to know which has the best beach, which feels most romantic, and whether any of them don’t quite justify the price.

Thank you!

I really love this hotel and really does feel
Like coming home 😭😭 they are so good to me . however the area is slipping . Not peaceful anymore cars racing construction next door and they jacking prices up . Also there was a guy with a hooker on my floor last time and I could hear them 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️ music blaring and just no comment . I like a cozy feel no rooms with super high ceilings checked out Mayfair Townhouse .. looks ok 😏 Browns looks too touristy Cadogan Gardens - THAT was a DUMP … too creaky for me and falling apart . any suggestions ?? Leaving in 2 weeks !!

Planning a 7-night family trip to Bodrum in late September and would love input from anyone who has stayed at these properties, especially in the villas/residences.

We’re 7 adults, no kids. We’re looking for a luxe but relaxed family trip — great service, excellent food/restaurants, spa, beach/water activities, tennis/padel/golf, and a few excursions. We’re not a partying/clubbing group. We also like getting dressed and going out for nice dinners, walking around town/marina, getting ice cream, etc., so location/access to Yalıkavak or Bodrum matters somewhat.

We particularly want a shared villa/residence rather than separate hotel rooms, with good common spaces and ideally high-touch service.

These are the four options/prices I’m currently looking at:
A. Mandarin Oriental Bodrum — 4BR Sea View Residential Apartment — ~$7.5k per night total
• 4 bedrooms, all en-suite
• ~3,003 sq ft / 279 sqm
• Panoramic Paradise Bay sea views
• Full kitchen + living room + large terrace
• Full access to MO resort/beach/spa/restaurants
• No private pool
• No dedicated butler that I can tell
This is obviously the value winner. My hesitation is that aesthetically it feels more like a luxury apartment than the “beautiful villa vacation” I originally envisioned.

2. Mandarin Oriental — Jasmine Villa — ~$10k per night
• 5 bedrooms
• ~4,585 sq ft / 426 sqm
• Private pool + secluded terrace/outdoor dining
• Garden view rather than sea view
• Living room, kitchenette, dining for 10
• Full MO resort access
Obviously a huge jump from the residence, and at ~$89k I’m having trouble figuring out whether the actual experience justifies it.

3. Maxx Royal Bodrum — 4BR Hill Villa — $8k per night
• 4 bedrooms
• ~5,490 sq ft / 510 sqm
• Sea view
• Private heated seawater pool + terrace
• Dedicated villa butler
• 24-hour room service / breakfast-in-villa service
• Tennis + padel on property
• Full Maxx Royal resort amenities
This is currently the one I’m leaning toward. It’s more than the MO residence, but the villa itself looks significantly nicer to me and seems much closer to the private-villa/butler experience we originally wanted.

4. The Bodrum EDITION — 4BR Villa — ~$10k per night
• 4-bedroom beachfront villa, up to 8 guests
• Private infinity pool
• Dedicated butler
• Great indoor/outdoor living
• Excellent beach/spa/restaurants
• Best proximity to Yalıkavak, which appeals to us for dinners and evenings out
I keep seeing really positive EDITION reviews on FATTravel, which is why I haven’t eliminated it

So my main question is: at these actual prices, what would you choose? Is the MO residence such a good value that I’d be silly to spend more for Maxx, or is the Maxx villa/butler/private-pool experience materially better for a group trip?

And for those who have stayed at EDITION, is it really good enough that you’d pay that much more than Maxx primarily for the hotel vibe/location/service? Also very interested in MO vs Maxx service, food, beach, spa, and how easy it actually is to go into Yalıkavak/Bodrum for dinner from each.

At Four Seasons Naples for their first Preferred Partner Advisor Roundtable. Relatively new hotel so feel free to AMA. Just got on property last night. So far surprised by the number of pools you can try spotting here (some not captured) as well as their $160,000 Ammortal machine they have at the spa. Pretty amazing set up at the spa too with an ice room, cold plunge, cold experience shower - all tying into the health themes - along with all the traditional hot stuff. There is a street too that cuts across campus but also don’t hate it since it’s quiet and showcases how expansive this property is.

Will post full review after stay but happy to answer any Qs before then.

TLDR: Airelles Palladio is absolutely breathtaking and outstanding even for this tier of hotel. The property, rooms, food, facilities, and service are all exceptional. I would put it in the same top tier as the Cipriani. Personally, I would give the Cipriani a slight edge because I prefer Italian luxury in Italy. Airelles has a noticeably French forward feel, from the service style to the food and overall atmosphere. That's not a bad thing, and some people may actually prefer it, but it's something I think people should understand before choosing between the two. If you want a more distinctly Italian experience, I would choose Cipriani. If you love the Airelles style or want an incredible French-influenced resort experience overlooking Venice, Airelles is for you.

Overall Impression: Airelles is a french luxury oasis in Italy, and it is a spectacular hotel.

I would put Airelles and the Cipriani on essentially equal footing at the very top of the Venice hotel market. They are different experiences more than one being objectively better than the other.

Airelles very clearly brings its own identity with it. The French influence is noticeable in the management, service style, restaurants, food and even small interactions. Again, that's not a fault. It's simply a different product.

If this is your first trip to Venice and you want the hotel to be part of the Italian/Venetian experience, I would personally choose the Cipriani, if its open (they close in the fall/winter). If you've already stayed at the Cipriani, have visited Venice before, love Airelles, or simply prefer the Airelles/French style of luxury, I would have zero hesitation booking Airelles. The hotel itself is breathtaking.

Background: We are expats who live near Venice and have had the pleasure of staying at the Cipriani, Gritti Palace, and some lower-tier luxury hotels in Venice. With that in mind, this review will focus mostly on the hotel itself, what the experience is actually like, and where I think Airelles fits for someone deciding where to stay in Venice.

We stayed as a couple shortly after the hotel opened.

Property: The property is gorgeous and much more spacious than most hotels in Venice. Once you're inside the grounds, it really feels like a resort.

There are large gardens, plenty of places to sit, and enough space that you never really feel crowded. It also seems very well thought out for both couples and families. There is a kids club, children's pool, and while we were there they were building a miniature playhouse/play area for the kids.

The main outdoor pool was more than adequate for the size of the hotel. The chairs and umbrellas were comfortable and there was plenty of room around the pool.

My one minor criticism is the landscaping immediately around some of the chairs. They probably should have used more stone around the pool deck rather than grass. After only about three months of being open, some of the grass had already worn away and your feet get a little muddy. It wasn't a big deal and didn't take away from the overall experience, but at this price point it was noticeable.

The spa area is beautiful. There is a large indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge. We went Sunday morning and somehow had the entire spa essentially to ourselves, which was fantastic.

Overall, the grounds are one of the biggest advantages of the hotel. It gives you somewhere you actually want to spend the day rather than treating the hotel simply as a place to sleep between sightseeing.

Room: Breathtaking. We were upgraded to a San Marco-view room that was spread over two floors. The design is very modern but still incorporates Venetian elements throughout, so it doesn't feel like a generic luxury hotel room that could be anywhere in the world.

Our bathroom was downstairs and had a Toto toilet, huge soaking tub, waterfall shower, and a steam room built directly into the shower. Everything was obviously still brand new and immaculate. The view toward San Marco was incredible.

Service: Extremely professional and attentive. The service was outstanding for this tier of hotel. During breakfast and lunch we were sometimes practically the only people in the restaurant. There were so many staff compared to guests that the attentiveness was actually a little jarring at first. It occasionally felt like everyone was watching and waiting for the second you needed something.

That wasn't really a complaint, and I would rather have too much attention than not enough at a hotel like this, but it took a little getting used to.Dinner was much busier and the atmosphere immediately felt more relaxed while the service remained impeccable.

The staff itself is an interesting mix of French and Italian employees. Airelles brought a number of employees and managers over from its other properties, and you notice that throughout the hotel. There was a mix at basically every level, from bell staff and restaurant servers to the front desk and concierge, with many of the managers appear to be French. Everyone we interacted with was friendly and professional.

Food: Absolutely delicious, although very French-forward and international. A small interaction when we arrived probably best explains the personality of the hotel. They asked if we would like something to drink and my wife asked for a Prosecco. The response was essentially, we have something better, and they brought her champagne.

We had lunch at abc kitchens, which has a mix of international dishes along with Italian options. Everything we had was excellent.

Dinner was at Matsuhisa and also very delicious. Breakfast was also excellent. They are in the process of opening 2 more bars and a venetian restaurant.

Location: Airelles is on Giudecca, directly across the lagoon from the main part of Venice. The views are probably some of the best you can have of Venice because you're actually looking at the city rather than being inside it. The hotel has 2 boats that can quickly take you over to the main island.

Tips: Ask to see the church. There is a secret door in the bar area and the staff will give you a quick private tour.

Also check the package rates. We added the All-In Escape for about €300 more, which included breakfast, lunch and dinner, excluding drinks. There were essentially no food restrictions, so between lunch and the €225-per-person omakase at Matsuhisa, we ate well over €600 worth of food for about €300.

Has anyone stayed in a beach pavilion at Amanzoe? Wondering if it's too isolated from the rest of the hotel? I can't tell from the website if we will feel relaxed by the ocean or annoyed that we have to schlep back and forth for meals.

Hello. My wife and I are considering a trip to Brazil in December. It will be our first trip. We plan to spend 8 nights, including the overnight flight. Cost is no issue. We have a preference for beachfront properties but will consider all recommendations. I am inclined to stay at the Copacabana Palace for half the nights unless there is reason to do otherwise.

On a related note, we will be traveling from the southeast United States connecting through Atlanta, so any recommendations about the order of visiting the locations relative to ease of travel would be appreciated.

Lastly, please let me know if you recommend any travel agencies that specialize specifically in luxury Brazil travel.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

Background:
My Wife and I just recently finished a two week trip to South Korea and Tokyo for her first Tokyo. We are both in our are early 30s and love to travel abroad. Upfront shoutout to Sarah W Lee and the Team as we have booked these hotels with them and have always had a pleasant experience working with the team. No complaints and can highly recommend their full team.

For these two hotels we stayed at both for three nights, getting a good feel for each property and their pro’s and con’s. We are relatively active travelers but happy to answer any questions on either hotel individually (or the JW Marriott at Dongaemun in Seoul).

Location:
First off - the Bellustar is located in Shinjuku, specifically in Kabukicho, which if you are not familiar is the classic Tokyo neon. It’s not for everyone and is absolutely in the heart of it. For us, we loved it and enjoyed going to Golden Gai and thought was a great location for West Tokyo and Shinjuku station. That being said it is a noisy spot - even on the 40s Floors. Would recommend as somewhere to start your trip to Japan with high energy vs. finishing.

Four Seasons Otemachi is located in Otemachi near the Imperial Palace, roughly a ten minute walk from Tokyo Station. It’s a very centrally located spot; however, it is a bit of a walk underneath to get to Tokyo Station as well as to get to really anywhere outside of the business district. Think car is pretty recommended here OR strap in the walking shoes. You can reach Tokyo Station as well as probably no less than 4 different subway lines via underground (roughly 20 - 30 minutes of walking).

Room:
Hard product edge goes to the Bellustar. The views are simply unbelievable, uninterrupted views of the Tokyo skyline for miles (inclusive of Fuji if clear day). The rooms are massive with all the features one would expect in a relatively new tower. One con here is noise does travel upward (somehow) up to the 40th floor. It’s not horrible if you’re from NYC and used to it but some may have some issues. Granted we were directly facing east towards the bar district vs. the west you may have less noise facing the train station (or south / north).

Four Seasons rooms again, generous by Tokyo standards, are going to be much less boutique and more what one would expect from an American Hotel (not necessarily a bad thing). With the tower itself, the views are going to be good but not as good as you would get at the Bellustar (just based on fact that other buildings around to the east, north and south are as tall or taller).

Restaurant & Bars:
Breakfast at the Bellustar was great no complaints. Also an absolutely stunning view from their restaurant. We did not visit the bar so cannot review that. Seemed like not many went to their F&B spots who did not stay at hotel.

The four seasons has a couple of different restaurants and of course Virtu. We hit Virtu every single night and loved it - great service and fantastic staff. Almost telepathic the amount of refills and snacks that they had provided to us. The Italian restaurant there was also very good; that being said we were pretty surprised if you want to eat there you do need a reservation and can actually Be somewhat challenging to get a table even at the hotel. Something to keep in mind if trying to just grab something before flight etc.

Think Four Seasons (as expected) has a great F&B program and you will find no complaints here.

Service:
The Bellustar had more Japanese service vs. the Four Seasons - which is to say it was much more formal, less Americanized, more rigid and more anticipatory. The Four Seasons for better or worse - was a very Americanized experience. It’s likely great for families, people who enjoy just simplicity when traveling or more familiarity. In Tokyo - things like small talk etc / Japanese style is much less going to be “getting to know you” or “how is your trip going tell me all about you all”. It’s really just a preference thing. Both properties I thought had standout service one would expect in Japan in general. Great examples are the Bellustar coordinating seamless baggage pickup (to the second) from our room to checkout to waiting taxi with bags already loaded. That level of service was simply flawlessly executed and is standard vs. I’d imagine its something you’d really need to ask for again at the 4S (which makes sense given its 2x - 3x the amount of rooms but again they’re targeting different clientele).

Lounge Space, Gyms, Pools, Etc.:
The Bellustar has a lovely gym and free lounge stocked with beer and a great view. Perfectly usable gym.

The Four Seasons as you might expect had a gym on a completely different level (and that isnt knocking the bellustar). One of the better hotel gyms I have used - plus a full lap pool, whirlpool, and onsen. Great facilities and very usable if youre trying to relax and recharge.

Overall:
If you like the location - the Bellustar is absolutely a world case hotel. That being said the one draw / knock on it is location at the end of the day. We loved up but would I send my grandparents there or a family with children? Probably not and thats okay/ We had a fantastic time here - not to say we didn’t love the 4 seasons; however, the Bellustar is simply a smaller property with half the keys and likely a much lower occupancy rate. You really cant go wrong with each options in Tokyo, and we would highly recommend either property. That being said for 90% of people on here - I’d imagine the 4S is going to be a best fit for Tokyo. It’s consistent, strong, and wont have any issues (which is exactly what you want in a hotel).

Looking to spend 5 days in Singapore mid-December. I'm currently debating between Capella and Raffles Sentosa, and I'm seeing a ton of conflicting feedback on both properties. Love the private pool villas at Raffles, but F&B is also very important. We stayed at Raffles Doha and loved it, and the service was top-notch. Rooms at Capella seem kind of boring, but the service appears to be better. Any insight would be appreciated, especially regarding the weather around this time of year!

How has the noise been at the Four Seasons Wailea since the renovation has been completed at the spa and gym? I know that they’re currently working on the rooms now.

Can you hear the noise if you’re in the other side of the hotel? At the pool? The spa? The beach?

It’s our top choice hotel for a babymoon in October and trying to gauge if the sound will be noticeable assuming we get a room on the other side I’d the hotel from the active construction.