Hotel Cerretani Firenze

Via De' Cerretani 68

www.hotel-cerretani.com

Located in a historic 17th-century building with a contemporary style, in the heart of Florence's elegant shopping district and close to the cathedral and the central train station, the Cerretani Firenze hotel is one of the city's best hotels. The 82 luxuriously appointed rooms, including 1 suite, are completely soundproofed and offer a high level of comfort.

The Cerretani Firenze Hotel is the perfect base for a cultural trip to Italy, on the trail of Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo....Located near the Duomo, the Cappelle Medicee and Santa Maria Novella church, this hotel with 300 years of history is perfectly placed for a walk to Ponte Vecchio or the Boboli gardens.

The historic facade is lightened by large windows, while mirrors beautifully reflect the building's splendid Florentine Renaissance style. The marvelous art nouveau white marble staircase ushers guests into the perfectly conserved interior. Details in iron, marble, velvet, paintings and gilt come together in a lively union to create elegant, attractive decorations. In the restaurant's intimate, exclusive atmosphere, Tuscany's many flavors are perfectly complemented by a selection of regional wines.

Select from 84 elegant guest rooms and one suite at this downtown Florence luxury hotel. Marble bathrooms, refined welcome amenities, mini bars, and 24-hour room service create an inviting atmosphere within our luxury accommodations.  With its charming and sophisticated atmosphere, the Michelangelo Wine Bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a range of excellent wines, tasty snacks and authentic dishes.

MGallery hotels offer their guests an entire range of services designed to guarantee optimal comfort. Our friendly staff is on hand to tend to your needs throughout your stay.

The Cerretani is a stylish hotel in the heart of Florence, with the typically elegant lines of 17th century architecture. The facade is lightened by large windows while mirrors beautifully reflect the building's splendid Florentine Renaissance style. The marvelous art nouveau white marble staircase ushers guests into the perfectly conserved interior. Details in iron, marble, velvet, paintings and gilt come together in a lively union to create elegant, attractive decorations. In the restaurant's intimate, exclusive atmosphere, Tuscany's many flavors are perfectly complemented by a selection of regional wines.

Hotel Abbazia                    

Cannaregio, Calle Priuli dei Cavaletti 68
Ph 041-717333
  www.abbaziahotel.com 

In the spaces of an old abbey in the heart of Venice, the Hotel Abbazia has rediscovered the authentic poetic atmosphere of the Monastery of Venice's Discalced Carmelite Friars, which has always been an enchanting place of hospitality and tradition.
The hotel is framed by a rare internal garden whose spaces and comfort have been enhanced by a skillful restoration… where you will be able to relax on comfortable easy chairs or, during the summer, enjoy breakfast in the shade of the gazebo.

Hotel Abbazia, a fascinating period residence in the center of Venice just a stone's throw from the vaporetti and Santa Lucia train station, has transformed the ancient refectory of the Discalced Carmelite Brothers into an elegant sitting room with bar where you can settle in with a good book, drink an aperitif in company or connect to the Internet with free Wi-Fi access.
A careful restoration of this room maintained its original design, characterized by a typical, late 19th-century Venetian terrazzo floor that makes, like then, an important place to come together and enjoy each other's company.

You'll feel right at home. This ancient convent, shelter and place of worship for Carmelite monks, has been converted into a romantic and charming 3-star hotel in Venice, preserving all its natural allure and hospitality. A quality, the latter, that Hotel Abbazia provides with meticulous care.

The hotel upholds superior level amenities and services: private baths, hairdryers, air conditioning/heating, telephone, ADSL internet access, safe, satellite TV, alarm clock, mini-bar. The recently renovated rooms at the Hotel Abbazia are all smoke-free. The rooms' charm is enhanced by the delightful internal garden where hotel guests can smoke. Breakfast is also served in this garden in the summer.

The 3-star Hotel Abbazia is part of a historic religious residence of Venice that combines hospitality with modern comforts, offering an excellent opportunity to experience the city's artistic and cultural attractions and entertainment to the full.

The sitting room contains the original wood pulpit from which the monks read the bible while eating their meals and a commemorative plaque in honor of Pope Pius X, evidence of the Pope's frequent visits to this refectory when he was the patriarch of Venice at the end of the 19th century.

Arriving by train is extremely easy: The Hotel Abbazia is just one hundred meters from the Santa Lucia train station. And you won't have to cross any bridges! Exit the station and walk to your left. Just after the Scalzi Church on your left, take the first "calle" on you left, calle Priuli dei Cavaletti. Here you'll find the Hotel Abbazia.

Hotel des Balances

LUCERNE  Weinmarkt;   ph 41-418-2828
  www.balances.ch  

The Hotel Des Balances… our elegant 4 Star Hotel has 56 tastefully appointed rooms in various categories, all of which, are comfortably equipped with a bath, shower (or both), a minibar, TV, radio and direct-dial telephone as well as coffee and tea appliances.
After renovation at the beginning of 2008 all our rooms and suites are non smoking.
Our Restaurant, Bar, Terrace, as well as our Conference Rooms and Salons are at your disposal for Seminars or Banquets and ideally situated in Lucerne’s Old Town. Today, the "Des Balances" takes pride in its reputation of being "The" chic, gourmet hotel, nestled in the heart of Lucerne’s Old Town. We are dedicated to preserving a reputation, whose roots date back to the 13th century.
Ideally situated between the Fish Market and the Wine Market, the "Des Balances" has long been a popular meeting place for local municipal and private organizations, such as the prestigious "der Herren zu Schützen", alike. In 1807, "das Wirsthaus zur Waage" or "The Balances Inn" opened its doors to the public. The building underwent major reconstruction in 1837, and so, the "Hotel Des Balances" was born.
Since then, we have had the pleasure of hosting many prominent guests and dignitaries. Among them, the famous Irish writer, George Bernard Shaw, Princess Luise of Baden, and Queen Wilhelmine from Holland, to name but a few.
Our forefathers, Jean Haecky and Fritz Rindlisbacher, both exceptional Hoteliers in their own right, were highly celebrated gourmets as well. They laid the foundation for a standard of excellence which is a tradition at "Des Balances".
In the 60’s, the popular Lucerne cabaret artist, Emil Steinberger, began his career on the Balances stage.

Our hotel, steeped in Lucerne’s history, presents itself in splendid glory, inside and out. The view of "Des Balances" from the "Weinmarkt" is unforgettable. Its façade was painted in the style of the famous Swiss artist, Hans Holbein. Admired and cherished by locals and tourists alike, it is counted amongst the most photographed landmarks in the region. As one observes our hotel from the Reuss, our elegant terrace and picturesque balconies, overlooking the river, bring to mind a Venetian palace in all its splendour.
Today, the "Des Balances" harmoniously incorporates its historical architectural past and modern interior design in perfect "balance".
Our terrace is truly in a class unto itself.  An insider’s tip, or so say our honored guests. Where else can you sit back, relax, and take in the view of sun beams flickering on the river, the magnificent façade of the Jesuit Church and our infamous Wooden Chapel Bridge with its monumental Water Tower, all in one go? In the distance, you see the ultra modern Art and Congress Centre (KKL), the Lake of Lucerne and the ever-impressive Swiss Alps…take a deep breath…and take it all in. The experience will forever enchant you.

Personal note from Dennis: "I have been leading tours throughought Europe for 27 years and there is only one hotel I have consistently used during all these many years: Des Balances. In fact when I saw this hotel 28 years ago I thought if I ever start leading tours, this is where I want to stay. They have never let me down -- just the best hotel you could hope for."

Citadines Les Halles        

4, rue des Innocents, 

 ph 1-40-39-26-50

www.citadines.com

Located above the Forum des Halles, the strategic heart of Paris and liveliest area in the capital, this 4-stars Apart'hotel is easily accessible to the business areas of the city.
Step out of the Apart'hotel, and you are immediately standing on the city's biggest pedestrian area and in the middle of hundreds of trendy boutiques, cinemas, restaurants, theatres and jazz clubs. The Centre Pompidou, the temple of modern culture, is also a short distance from you. While down on the banks of the Seine, visit the booksellers and bistro terraces that gives this district its distinct charm.

The 7-story Citadines Prestige Les Halles Paris is located opposite the fashionable shops of Les Halles. The Pompidou Centre is 300 meters away, while the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens are within 1 kilometre. You cannot beat the location of this hotel. It is in the transportation heart of Paris with Metro lines, the RER and bus lines intersecting here.

Occupying a 1980s building in a quiet square, the Citadines Prestige Les Halles Paris offers modern studio apartments. Inside the lobby, there are 2 lounge areas, one leading on to a small courtyard. The 24-hour front desk can provide information on sightseeing.

Citadines Prestige Les Halles serves a buffet breakfast in the breakfast room. There is a coffee machine in the lobby area. There is no restaurant on site but there are plenty to choose from in the area. There is a 24-hour business corner with a computer, printer and complimentary high-speed Internet access. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available in public areas.

This Prestige establishment offers 189 apartments in over 7 floors, including 134 Studios for 1 or 2 guests and 55 One-Bedroom apartments for up to 4 guests. The property is 100% non-smoking, which also offers 28 Studios Club and 6 One-Bedroom Club apartments. All our apartments are air-conditioned. Studios are fitted with queen-size bed or large twin beds with duvet. In One-Bedroom apartments, you will find twin beds in the bedroom (double bed on request) and one pullout bed for two in the lounge. 

All apartments are complete with a fully-equipped separate kitchen area with stove, microwave/grill and fridge, and an en-suite bathroom with hairdryer. Each apartment has a flat screen TV with satellite channels, desk, safe deposit box and direct-line phone.

For leisure, explore the hundreds of boutiques around the Forum, numerous restaurants, cafés-theatres and jazz clubs, as well as the Louvre museum, Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou, theatres and cinemas, all within a 15-minute walk.

Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Hotel  

18 Northumberland Ave.,

www.citadines.com

The Citadines Trafalgar Square London is located in a leafy street across from Whitehall Gardens in Central London, England. Two blocks away is Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson's Column and the National Gallery.

In this area busy streets are lined with shops leading down to Covent Garden and Oxford Street. Nearby, St James' Park is a perfect place to take a break from the bustle of the city.
Being very close to the River Thames, one block away, the apart’hotel offers easy access to the Southbank Centre and its wide selection of theatres, bars and restaurants as well as the London Eye observation wheel.

Culture lovers will enjoy visiting the National Gallery which houses one of the greatest European art collections in the world. Citadines Prestige Trafalgar Square London is near Charing Cross and Embankment Underground stations, providing easy access to all parts of the capital.  Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of Piccadilly Circus and watch a show in the heart of Theatreland. Afterwards, head to one of the plentiful traditional English pubs to round off your evening before strolling back to your Apart'hotel.

All of the playhouses of the West End theatre district are within an easy 500-meter walk, so you don’t have to bother with taxi or tube to get to the shows. In fact, you can walk to most of London's historic sites from the hotel very easily. The Houses of Parliament and London Eye Ferris wheel are within a half-mile.  Charing Cross Underground station is 200 meters away.

The National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, displaying European paintings and portraits of famous people, are located in the hotel's vicinity. The historical monument, Admiralty Arch, is also situated close by. Guests can enjoy an afternoon stroll and admire the statues of wartime figures in the riverside Whitehall Gardens nearby.

The Citadines Trafalgar Square London occupies a 1930s building, which it shares with the upmarket Royal Commonwealth Society Club. A breakfast area is beside the reception area. The lounge offers wireless Internet access. There is a wide-screen television, and guests can browse the complimentary daily newspapers and drink coffee. There is a token-operated launderette on the mezzanine.

The Apart'hotel offers 187 air-conditioned apartments in over 9 floors, including 126 Studios for 1 or 2 guests, 49 One-Bedroom apartments that sleep up to 4 guests and 12 Two-Bedroom Duplex apartments for up to 6 guests. In the Studios, choose between a double or twin bed. In the One-Bedroom apartments, there are twin pullout sofa beds in the lounge area and a double bed in the bedroom. In the Two-Bedroom apartments, there are double sofa beds in the lounge area, and double beds in the bedrooms. All our newly refurbished apartments offer modern contemporary design.

Each apartment houses a bathroom with hairdryer, a fully-equipped kitchen area complete with cooking hobs, microwave, fridge and dishwasher, complimentary internet access, TV with satellite channels, a direct-line phone and safe deposit box.

Our newly refurbished apartments are enhanced with flat-screen televisions, offering new decor and furnishings with a spacious open-plan kitchen style. Apart'Refresh service includes a full houskeeping twice a week and a light houskeeping on other days (remake bed, empty bins, change towels and replenish amenities).