Submerge in luxury and the highest quality with an unforgettable stay at the Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf and Spa 5 star Luxury. Located only 2 kilometers away from the amazing southern beaches, this private urbanisation, which also boasts luxury villas, leisure areas and one of the best golf courses in Spain offers you a magnificent enclave for a relaxing escapade surrounded by the impressive Sierra de Casares and the Mediterranean Sea.
At Finca Cortesin Hotel exclusiveness is a must, and their aim is to offer their customers the maximum satisfaction with an unique and innovative service.

The rooms will take you in during your sleeping hours in the most comfortable way. Get lost under the sheets of your king sized bed and with the breathtaking Andalusian views you will enjoy from your private garden or terrace. High ceilings, large rooms and a sophisticated decoration offer you an idyllic siting for your hours of retreat, and the welcome products that are offered to you only make your stay even more agreeable, if that is possible.

 
They say eating is a pleasure, but nowhere like at Finca Cortesin, where exclusivity and high quality are inherent to the service. You will be delighted by the wide variety of textures, aromas and flavours brought to you by the well-known chef Schilo Van Coevorden. Within their offer we can highlight the signature restaurant “Schilo” that will surprise your mouth with Asian and Arab influences. In  “El Jardin de Victor” you can take a taste of the best of Iberian traditional cuisine whilst nurturing all your senses facing the Mediterranean Sea and the most amazing gardens. For an Italian touch you have available also “Don Giovanni”, the ideal enclave to enjoy the traditional italian food brought to you by the chef Andrea Tumbarello. You will also be able to indulge yourself to the most sophisticated “tapas” and refreshing cocktails at “El Bar”, serving refreshments in different areas of the hotel, providing an enviable flexibility to their customers.

 
Of course we cannot forget to mention the “Pool Bars”, where you will also encounter a great range of  mixtures fused together and the “Golf Club House” where fantastic menus for golfers are prepared.
The Finca Cortesin Golf Club is without a doubt an authentic green paradise for the lovers of this sport. Named venue for the Volvo World Match Play Championship, and designed by Cabell Robinson, this spectacular course is surrounded by the Sierra de Casares and offers nearly 7000 metres. Using many interesting elements, like 5 tee areas at every hole, lakes and 100 bunkers strategically placed, all of this seasoned with the exquisite indigenous flora and some enviable views, Robinson has made of this par 72 course one that suites all levels.

 
Try and imagine a better way to end a perfect day than relaxing your tension in the gym, thought to help you accomplish the highest standards of wellness, plunging into one of the numerous available swimming-pools or letting yourself be pampered in the Spa, which offers over 2200 square metres. Melt under the hands of professionals that bring to you a wide range of therapys and  treatments or relax in one of the different pools, saunas or even snow cabins.

 
If on the other hand you are looking to organize an event or reunion, Finca Cortesin provides you with lounges seating several hundred people, more than 23000 outdoor square metres with sea views and even the possibility to create a menu adapted to your necessities. Talking of necessities, don´t hesitate and rent your vehicle at Sixt Rent a Car, from our offices in Marbella and Estepona our team will be more than happy to deliver the car for you at the hotel, making your stay even easier.
The bottom line is, whatever your needs, Finca Cortesin offers you quality and high standards for all your senses.

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The Kempinski Hotel, Estepona

At Sixt, we strive to provide high-quality standards paired with impeccable service, and it is thanks to this shared vision that we proudly recommend the luxury Five-Star Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

If you are looking for an indulging stay in the South of Spain, on the borders of the Mediterranean Sea, with breathtaking views to Northern Africa and Gibraltar then Kempinski Hotel Bahía is the perfect hotel for you. Surrounded by subtropical gardens with palm trees the refined luxury and elegance is clear to see, whilst their services and amenities is what sets them apart.

Following a full-scale refurbishment, the hotel boasts 132 elegantly decorated rooms and 15 luxurious suites, all with balconies or terraces and varying degrees of sea view. The Levante and Poniente Suites are the finest and one of the largest in the south of Spain, and feature sophisticated and glamorous interior design, state-of-the-art technology and 24-hr security, coupled with unrivalled friendly service.

With a variety of restaurants on offer (some seasonal), each with its own ambiance and exquisite cuisine, guests may choose anything from organic Spanish fine-dining to Mediterranean specialities from the grill, and much more.  For a more intimate dinner, the Almenara Tower, an ancient medieval watchtower, is perfect for a private dinner with close friends or family (seating up to 10 persons), with a butler providing to the guests’ every need.  For a more relaxed meal in the privacy of one’s own balcony, room service is the ideal choice.

Guests may also enjoy a cocktail or light lunch at the Pool Snack Bar, or relax at La Veranda Bar and savour the moment with a glass of their favorite drink.

For those looking to be pampered, the Kempinski Spa offers a variety of treatments and massage rituals with Ligne St. Barth and Terraké products, as well as an indoor heated pool, fitness studio and sauna.  Surrender to an oasis of sensations at the hands of trained specialists, or take advantage of the Physio-Spa, the best plan after a hard day playing golf in one of over 40 golf courses available in the area.  Parents also have it easy with the Kempinini Kids Club, full of fun games and activities, available every summer for children aged 4 – 12.

The Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona is also the perfect place to go for meetings, banquets, conferences and weddings, with extensive indoor facilities and breathtaking subtropical gardens, paired with the most detailed organisation.  These marvellous facilities are always complemented with the warm welcome and assistance of the receptionists, concierge and staff available 24 hours a day.

Last but not least, any guests staying at the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona will also be needing a car to explore the Andalusian paradise that surrounds the hotel. Sixt is the perfect partner to complete such a luxurious stay. Our aim is to provide our clients with the best service possible, always surpassing their expectations, and our team will be more than happy to help you choose the car that suits your necessities. Sixt Estepona, sited at  the  Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona’s reception, is at your entire disposal to provide you with the car of your dreams.

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1. Gourmet Festival at the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona
2. Hotel Review: Hotel Claude Marbella
3. Hotel Review: Express by Holiday Inn London Greenwich

Hotel Claude is a small luxury hotel in Marbella located 5 minutes away from the centre and the beaches, which has preserved it’s original architectural features during restoration, taking you on a flash-back into the past.

This hotel provides 7 magnificent interior-designed rooms and suites located around the galleries of an interior patio, each unique in their themes (Arabian, French, Oriental…) without loosing the general rustic aura this little charming hotel has inherited. Rooms include large princely beds, chaisse-longues, flat screen T.V’s and iPod docking stations as well as most of the other facilities you can imagine to fulfill your every need.

The whole house can also be rented sleeping upto 14 people in 7 double rooms.
The Hotel Claude’s restaurant offers daily a la carte breakfast, tapas, mediterranean snacks, 24 hr room-service and also evening dinner with prior arrangement. If your aim is to surprise one of your loved ones, special occasions can also be oraganised. During the summer season a candlelight dinner can be prepared on the luxury roof-top terrace so you can enjoy the exquisite cuisine whilst watching the sun dive down into the horizon.

Excursions and tailor-made cultural and leisure programmes can be organised for you. But if you prefer a laid-back, at-your-own-rhythm visit, Hotel Claude is a Sixt cooperation hotel and we will be delighted to help you choose the car that suites you best, from Smarts to Porsches, and deliver your car to the hotel so you don’t even have to move to access your vehicle.

Go ahead! Enjoy the charms of Marbella and it’s surroundings with your best choices, Sixt Marbella and Hotel Claude will make your stay unforgettable.

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Location

The hotel is located on an A road, which is mentioned in the hotel title and could put you off a little, but its location makes it extremely easy to find and it  is not noisy at all.  With the rush hour traffic in London being as it is, the stream of vehicles never go fast enough to create any kind of noise but with the hotel being on a direct route to the Blackwall Tunnel, there does tend to be a lot of traffic at peak times that you need to take into account if driving.

Holiday Inn - Greenwich

However, the traffic was not much of a concern to us as we were using the tube. The good thing is that the hotel is just a 10 minute walk from the North Greenwich tube station where you are able to get onto the Jubilee line (a quick change onto the DLR at Canning Town and 2 stops later you arrive at ExCel)

The North Greenwich tube station is actually located at the O2 arena.  We didn’t realise we were so close to the arena and it is perfect for dining out of an evening. There is a good variety of restaurants in the arena that makes it hard to choose what to eat, hence the reason that each time we went, we choose somewhere different – perfect if you are staying at the hotel for more than a couple of nights.

As a result of the hotel being perfectly located for the O2 arena and in easy reach of the  ExCel centre, I would presume that it does get fully booked very quickly if events are taking place.  As the location is so perfect, it would definitely be the first hotel I would check for availability so maybe planning a little more in advance would be a good tip for this hotel.

Another local attraction to mention is the new David Beckham Academy.  We didn’t visit this, but the hotel is also only 0.3miles away and it is ideal for football mad youngsters.  A full day of training with professional coaching is a great alternative to sightseeing in London, more information is available at  www.thedavidbeckhamacademy.co.uk.

Check-In

The hotel itself is a modern, clean building which must have undergone a refurbishment not  too long ago as it is still looking fresh and certainly not tired.  The lobby and reception area are really spacious and there were plenty of staff available when we arrived to check us in promptly.

We were a group booking and the hotel had already checked us in and allocated us rooms before we arrived, which meant we just had to sign for our keys, with no waiting.  The staff were friendly and knew the name of our company straight away, which immediately made me feel welcome.

Rooms

The Guest Rooms

With 162 bedrooms, the hotel is spread over 7 floors. The bedrooms themselves are spacious, with ample wardrobe space, a desk and tea and coffee making facilities. I had a double room which also had a sofa bed and as I was based in the hotel for a week, there was more than enough room to store a large suitcase, hang all my clothes and find homes for all the shoes and toiletries that a girl thinks she may need!
The only downside would have to be that neither Sky or Freeview is available in the rooms, but this is only a small note and we were able to watch Sky sports in the bar so no football was missed!

Food & Drink

A continental breakfast is included in your rate at the hotel, this consisted of various cereals, bread rolls, pastries, toast and fruit – a good kick start in the morning, but I must admit that towards the end of the week I did sit in the restaurant imagining that I could smell bacon, sausage and eggs cooking as a small ‘hot’ buffet would have been welcomed as an alternative.

The hotel  advertises that a hot snack menu is available Mon – Fri from 6pm till 10pm, which I do not think does them justice.  The menu is actually quite a nice selection of bar meals from lasagne to burgers and scampi & chips.  Some hotel restaurants charge over the top prices for meals, but I think the Express by Holiday Inn was fairly priced and for the selection available was one of the better hotel restaurants I have eaten in.  Don’t get me wrong, we are not talking about the same quality of food that you would expect to be available in the restaurants of the Hilton or Kempinski hotels for example, but it was decent food at a decent price.

There is a bar located towards the end of the lobby, with the slight problem that the staff checking customers in are the same staff manning the bar, so if there is a rush at reception you can wait a while to be served. Once served though, again, the staff were really friendly and quite hospitable….we even managed to get them to show the X-Factor in the bar so we didn’t miss out on the evenings events!

Restaurant

The Restaurant Area

If you want to get out of the hotel to eat and don’t fancy walking to the O2, one really great feature of this hotel is that it has a very large Chinese restaurant located directly beneath it. 

We ate there twice during our stay, we didn’t need to reserve and were able to be seated quite late in the evening.  The food was delicious with quite a large menu, see www.mychinesefood.co.uk for more info.

Overview

Overall, this hotel is good value for money and is the perfect location for visiting ExCel or the O2 arena.  Being so close to the North Greenwich tube station, it could also be an alternative to staying in the middle of the hustle and bustle of London itself and I would say it is suitable for all travellers.  The facilities are ample for a family on holiday or business people looking for a base.

The hotel is easily accessible by tube or car and as it is outside of the city where space is at a premium, it has the benefit of 120 car parking spaces.

For a large chain, the staff did a good job of making their hotel feel welcoming and as in most cases these days, it is the service that you receive that goes a long way to ensuring that you return to a hotel and I think the staff during our visit did enough to ensure a repeat visit from Sixt.

Express by Holiday Inn Greenwich A102 (M)
Bugsby Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0GD
Tel: +44 (0) 208 269 5000
www.expressgreenwich.co.uk

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Luxurious London Lodging

Trying to decide which hotel to choose when staying in London is always difficult, particularly when you are a tourist and the city just seems so large. There are so many hotels offering ample facilities, that claim they are near to major tourist attractions and have great transport connections. Which do you choose?

I can say that I have found a gem of a hotel, that offers luxury at a great price and is only a short walk from Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace and other London attractions (it is a short walk, I have done it) and more importantly a tube station. It’s name………London Victoria Park Plaza – a four-star, deluxe hotel in a prime location.

Location
From St Pancras / Kings Cross take the Victoria line straight to Victoria. The hotel really is very easy to find as it is only a 5 minute walk away from Victoria train station and tube network. You literally turn right out of the front of the station onto Wilton Road (you will see the Apollo Theatre) walk down the road, past a Wetherspoons and an Argos and there it is. A smart glass fronted building, which to the naked eye may blend in a little too much with it’s surroundings.

Due to it’s central location, it is a nice walk to Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace.  Of course if you don’t really fancy a stroll due to the unpredictable UK weather, the tube is one option or from just outside Victoria Station take one of the open top sightseeing tours.  I have done this once, with a company recommended by the Concierge at the Victoria Park Plaza.  The bus tour was a good idea for my first visit to London as I was able to jump on and off the bus as and when I pleased to see the sights.

Rooms
The lobby as you enter the hotel is very spacious and modern, take a note of the artwork that they have on display, there are some fascinating or should I say unusual, sculptures and pictures.

Stylish Fittings

I didn’t have to wait at all to check in, there were approximately 4 members of staff waiting to check people in so I was dealt with promptly.  I had made my booking online and booked one of the Executive rooms – this gives you access to the Executive lounge, a nice place to relax after a hectic day with complimentary beverages throughout the day and evening drinks and snacks. 
The hotel has 287 air conditioned deluxe guestrooms which includes Superior and Executive rooms and suites, plus 12 one and two bedroom apartments.

The bedrooms are stylishly decorated and have modem ports, cable TV etc. I could not fault anything with regards to the room facilities and cleanliness. The Executive package also gives you complimentary bathrobe and slippers, bottled water, fruits and chocolates and upgraded bathroom amenities  The only slight negative that I could comment on was that the bedroom looked out onto the main road at the front/side of the hotel, but there was no noise at all and I suppose for a central London hotel, not all rooms can have spectacular views.

Spacious Rooms

One point worth noting, is that the second time I stayed at the hotel, I once again booked online and when checking in asked about the other rooms that were still available.  I was able to upgrade to an apartment for an additional £85.  If you are spending a decent amount of time visiting London, then I would recommend paying a little more when booking and reserving an apartment.

I had a one bedroom apartment but there are also 2 bedroom apartments available.  The ultra modern living room and dining kitchen was quite homely to say that it was hotel accommodation and the kitchen provides an excellent alternative to eating out all the time if staying for more than a few days. 
The spacious bedroom with king-sized bed led off the living room, giving you a completely separate living area and the views from the windows in the room were fantastic. 

Restaurant

JB's Restaurant

The Victoria Park Plaza has an AA award winning restaurant on site, setting it apart from other hotels in London. JB’s restaurant offers modern and classic European cuisine with a wine list to match. I haven’t eaten in the restaurant myself, but having viewed the menu the choice is quite exceptional.

Breakfast is include in the Executive package and with the choice and service on offer, I would recommend opting for a rate that includes this.  To cater for all, both continental and full English breakfasts are available.  There was plenty of choice with regards to fruit and cereal, cold meats and bread rolls and or the full cooked breakfast option.  Breakfast is served buffet style so you can help yourself to as much or as little as you want with waiting staff on hand to serve hot drinks.  Breakfast can get very busy and I did have to wait a couple of minutes to be seated, but the restaurant staff were very polite and courteous whilst waiting.

JB’s Bar is located just off the lobby and again is very spacious and is the ideal place to relax before moving on for the evening.

Services
The Park Plaza’s check in and check out policy is fairly similar to that of most hotels with check in time being 14.00 hours and check out at 12.00 hours.
Concierge were more than helpful in looking after my luggage when I checked out so I could enjoy a full day in

The Park Plaza Gym

London without dragging my luggage around.  Concierge at the Park Plaza are the best team to speak to should you need help with anything at all.  This is the only service that I actually used at the hotel, but they were extremely knowledgeable and friendly and are worth having a chat to.  They can recommend places to visit, help with directions, restaurant bookings and recommendations, tickets to the theatre and generally help you out with any questions or problems that you may have during your stay.

Although I did not use all the facilities available to me, the hotel has plenty to offer from with 24 hour room service and a babysitting service to a full service business centre and health club.

Parking
Should you arrive by car as opposed to public transport, the London Victoria Park Plaza does have a few on-site car parking spaces available.  Of course, with parking being at a premium in Central London these are quite pricey at £30 for 24 hours and are on a first come first served basis.

My experiences of the London Victoria Park Plaza has, on the occasions that I stayed there, been perfect to say the least.  Although the Victoria area of London is not one of the most appeasing to the eye,  this should create no doubt in your mind, as the location of the hotel to the tube network and London sights is superb. The rooms and surroundings are of a high standard and the service from all members of staff from housekeeping to Concierge was exceptional. The hotel offers excellent online rates which makes this London hotel an affordable luxury. 

London Victoria Park Plaza Hotel
Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 1EQ
Book online: www.parkplaza.com/londonuk_victoria

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Hilton Heathrow

I’m sure that any seasoned traveller will have experienced some highs and lows when it comes to airport hotels. The Hilton hotel at Heathrow Airport is certainly a high and arguably the best hotel serving the thousands of travellers that use the airport every year.Built in 1990 the hotel has retained a modern décor thanks to continual improvements to the hotels 395 rooms, three restaurants, lobby and reception area.

Executive Style Rooms

Executive Room

When I stayed at the hotel in July I opted for one of the Executive rooms which was extremely spacious and included a large desk and free wireless internet access. The bathroom was modern and clean as you would expect from any four star hotel.

The large LCD television included Sky channels and was nicely positioned at the end of the comfy double bed.

There was also a mini-bar containing a vast array of drinks and snacks, although be careful not to take anything out unless you really want it because as soon as you pick something up the system automatically instigates a charge.

Also included in the price was access to the hotels Executive lounge, although on this occasion I choose not to use it.

Heath Club and Swimming Pool

Swimming Pool

Anyone who wants to keep fit between their travels will be impressed with the hotels fully equipped heath club and heated indoor swimming pool. However those just wanting to relax may prefer to take some time out in the sauna or steamroom.

Bhavani Beauty therapists are also on hand to offer a wide range of beauty and relaxation treatments.

Restaurants and Bars

If you are feeling ravenous then it is well worth checking out one of the hotels three highly rated restaurants. The Brasserie Restaurant offers a varied buffet alongside speciality dishes such as fresh scallops and seared duck breast.

If you fancy something a little lighter then head to Oscars which serves a good selection of pizzas, burgers and club sandwiches throughout the day.

Zen Restaurant

For something really satisfying try the Zen restaurant which offers a great range of oriental dishes including crispy aromatic Szechuan duck and braised prawns with ginger and spring onion. Whilst you are there why not treat yourself to a bottle of fine wine.

Anyone in need of a liquid lunch will be pleased to know that the hotel is also home to Dancers Bar serving a good choice of cocktails, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Location and Services

Shuttle Bus

Located just off Terminal 4 and linked to the terminal via a covered walkway the hotel is ideally situated for Terminal 4 passengers. There is also a regular shuttle bus to Terminal 5 ensuring fast and easy access to the airport.

The hotel has long and short term car parking facilities and day passes / rooms are available for passengers in transit.

For business users meeting and conference rooms are available.

Good points:
+ Close location to T4 & T5
+ Spacious rooms with high quality finish
+ Good choice of restaurants
+ Wireless internet available
+ Parking included with some deals

Bad points:
- If you book an inward facing room you don’t get natural daylight
- Expensive mini-bar (but I suppose you pay for the convenience)
- No Shuttle to Terminals but you can connect via their Terminal 5 bus

For more information or to book a room visit Hilton Heathrow
Visit Sixt for Heathrow Airport Car Hire

Related posts:

1. Review: London Victoria Park Plaza Hotel
2. Hotel Review: Hotel Bahía Estepona
3. Hotel Review: Express by Holiday Inn London Greenwich