I spent a lot of nights away from London in 2015, mostly in comfy digs. Here’s a look at the most comfy ones I had the good fortune to call my home-away-from-home this year.
My list of favourite hotels veers toward the luxury end of the spectrum, but budget friendly considerations are included. In large part, hospitality and appreciation won out over bling or lavish excess.
It’s worth noting I’m using the term “hotel” loosely to mean a broad range of accommodation. This short list includes an albergo, an inn, a hostel, and a safari lodge as well as a more traditionally conceived hotel.
This list is in alphabetical order and – as is the case with all my Best of 2015 lists – merely reflects how I chose to spend my time during the year and is comprised of well established and brand new venues as well as businesses that are somehow related to where work and play took me.
Best Hotels
Albergo Ristorante Pizzeria Del Viale
Via XX Settembre, 1, 90030 Palazzo Adriano, Italy
Considerably more basic and downmarket than the rest of the places listed here, what this humble three-star albergo in the Sicilian mountain town of Palazzo Adriano might lack in luxury accoutrements it more than makes up for with warm hospitality. Run by Nina Barbata and her son and daughter, the albergo provides a good night’s sleep in simple but comfortable – and spotlessly clean – accommodation. The location is ideal for walking around town (most famous for being where Cinema Paradiso was filmed). Stay a few floors up for an extra quiet room and be sure have one of the perfectly baked pizzas coming out of Del Viale’s wood-fired oven during your stay.
Carolina Inn
211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, USA
Locating on the University of North Carolina campus and dating back to 1924, this 185-guestroom (with seven luxury suites) AAA Four Diamond hotel recently underwent a $19 million renovation. The update definitely shows but not so much that the historic charm has been washed away. As amazing as the accommodation is the fine food served at the hotel’s Crossroads restaurant, which made the tikichris list for Best Restaurants of 2015.
Earth Lodge
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Wildtuin, 1350, South Africa
Sculpted into the slope of the earth, the environmentally sensitive Earth Lodge is home to 13 “ultra-luxurious” suites – all featuring expansive views but complete privacy with individually designed furniture, private plunge pool, en-suite glass fronted bathroom and indoor and outdoor shower and all sorts of added amenities to make every day there feel like a once in a lifetime treat. Beyond the suites, ace al fresco dining, a wine cellar that would blow the minds of many a connoisseur, a just-right massage at the spa, attentive and warm hearted staff, and being able to spend time in the vast open air of the big sky savanna would win over even the most finicky of guests.
Of course the main draw here, dwarfing any of the many exceptional reasons to visit is the chance to see wildlife up close and in its natural environment.
Generator Barcelona
Carrer de Corsega 373, 08037 Barcelona, Spain
It’s in a well-connected part of town with respect to public transport. You can get there from the airport via train and Metro in a jiffy and at minimal expense. The location is a smart one for sightseeing too with loads of attractions and the best of Gaudi’s works all nearby. The eighth floor penthouse is a dream (and more affordable than you might think). But whatever you might hope to achieve when booking a budget conscious visit to this bodacious city, you’d be smart to keep in mind Generator’s rather broad spectrum of possible overnight arrangements.
Hotel Majestic
Passeig de Gràcia, 68-70, 08007 Barcelona Spain
If you’re keen to hold convenient court in Barcelona’s elegant and central Eixample district (yet never realise it as long as the door to your room’s terrace is kept shut to not allow even a decibel of noise to seep in from the streets), then this five star hotel’s location is for you. Within easy reach of Las Ramblas; loads of upscale shops; Gaudi’s Casa Batlló, La Pedrera (Casa Milà) and Sagrada Familia; and the Barri Gòtic, it’s a fine location for sightseeing. The hotel is also only a minute’s stroll from Passeig de Gràcia station, where you can hop a train to the airport and be there in about a half hour.
When you visit, be sure to try the breakfast. Sumptuous, tremendous and that’s just the selection of traditional Spanish and Catalan charcuterie! Chef Nandu Jubany’s “Majestic Breakfast Experience” buffet is a lavish spread of whatever you might crave for your morning meal alongside an enticing array of Spanish and Mediterranean produce and gorgeous tapas (not to mention unlimited bubbly).
Honourable Mention
Hotel Arts Barcelona
Carrer de la Marina, 19-21, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
I didn’t check in at the hotel. So I can’t comment on its rooms and suites. But if my time at the spa followed by an impeccably pleasant lunch serves as an indication, I can only expect a sumptuous stay is in order for any Hotel Art guest. If I had stayed overnight at this Barcelona beach hotel, I believe Hotel Arts definitely would have made this list of best hotels.
More of the Best of 2015 to follow!
