There are hotels that give you a place to sleep — and then there are those that quietly reset your mood, your pace, your entire outlook. Phaea Blue, tucked between the tiny fishing village of Plaka and the elegant port of Elounda in northeastern Crete, is the kind of place where you instantly breathe deeper.

Here, every element feels intentional: the light, the food, the design, even the silence. Whether you’re after a barefoot escape, a taste of local life, or simply a moment to pause, Phaea Blue meets you there — with soul, style, and a sea view you’ll dream about long after you’ve left.

Phaea Blue is a new chapter of a beloved story: once part of the iconic Blue Palace resort, the space now finds itself re-imagined as a sanctuary of laid-back luxury, just as the rest of the property prepares to transform into Rosewood Blue Palace. But Phaea Blue stands serenely apart — 45 suites only, each one a miniature world of Cretan elegance.

We arrived on a warm morning, bleary-eyed but elated after an early flight, and were immediately enveloped by a kind of hospitality that is harder and harder to find — unforced, heartfelt, warm in the most Greek of ways. Everyone seemed to know us, not just our names but also our whims, our itinerary, our pace. We had just arrived, and yet we were welcomed as if we’d been there for a week — familiar, relaxed, effortlessly understood.
It’s a level of care I’ve met before in other Phaea Group hotels, and each time it still manages to impress.

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For nature but also luxury lovers, Aristi Mountain Resort & Villas is a must-visit for Christmas. Set in the breathtaking landscapes of Epirus, surrounded by the Towers of Astraka and the Vikos Gorge, this boutique resort provides luxury within an eco-conscious environment. With a range of rooms, suites, and villas, the resort offers a blend of style and sustainability. At the award-winning Salvia restaurant, guests can savor local specialties prepared with the freshest ingredients, paired with fine Greek wines. Expect a grandioso yet cosy lobby with a fireplace, rooms with traditional touches and amazing views, a recently renovated spa with an indoor pool and festive surprises organised by the hotel team!

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With aesthetically designed, spacious rooms, splendid views, three-star Michelin restaurants, and exclusive, luxury services, here are some of the most expensive hotels in Paris.

Disclaimer: Some of these posts contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means that I may receive compensation if you click on these links and buy something, but, don’t worry, it won’t cost you a dime! You don’t have to use these, but it would fantastic if you did.

(They are not in order of preference!)

Courtesy Four Seasons Hotel George V

Four Seasons Hotel George V

Who hasn’t heard of the Four Seasons? Located in the prime location of the Golden Triangle of Paris, between the Champs-Elysées, the Avenue George V and the Avenue Montaigne, this grand five-star hotel is all about sophistication and impeccable services.

Within this 1928 Art Deco landmark is 244 rooms and suites that provide the feel of luxurious Parisian apartments. From the incredibly soft 1000-thread Egyptian cotton sheets on the king-sized beds to the gorgeous flower arrangements throughout the hotel, it is indeed the epitome of luxury.

Three restaurants with five Michelin stars, a prized wine cellar with 50,000 wines, an exotic spa including steam room and sauna, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and more; you’ll feel well-pampered all the way.

The star of The Four Seasons Paris is its 8th-floor Penthouse Apartment with its views of the Eiffel Tower. It’s beyond luxury; it’s almost heavenly.

Best Bit 

: The flowers here are divine! Try and be here during Christmas as the tree is one of the most beautiful in Europe!

• Four Seasons Hotel George V, 31 Av. George V, 75008 Paris, France

Peninsula Paris

What was once a late 19th-century Haussmanian building is now one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris. You’ll fall in love with this hotel right from the moment you step into the marble lobby, with its grand piano and crystal chandeliers.

Each of the 200 rooms in the Peninsula is tranquil yet modern, with marble bathrooms, crisp bed linens, free Wi-Fi, and even coffee makers. The 20-meter lap pool is the highlight of the serene spa at the hotel.

The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of world-famous monuments, luxury shopping districts, and museums.

If you can afford their Peninsula Suite, you get a complimentary three-course dinner, airport transfer, and a private city tour in a Rolls-Royce. La dolce vita indeed!

• Peninsula Paris, 19 Av. Kléber, 75116 Paris, France

Shangri-La Paris

With its panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River, what was the home of Roland Bonaparte, Emperor Napolean’s grand-nephew, is now an icon of elegance and style.

The Shangri-La Paris has one of the largest pools in Paris and the only Michelin star Chinese restaurant in France – Shang Palace. The 65 rooms and 36 suites have an old-world elegance, with incredible craftsmanship and plenty of natural light.

A vision of luxury and charm, the building’s decoration includes classic moldings and stone facades. It blends prestigious Parisian culture with modern surroundings.

The jewel of this hotel is their La Suite Shangri-La, a 5,382 square-feet private apartment with four bedrooms and a 1,076 square-foot furnished teak balcony.

• Shangri-La Paris, 10 Av. d’Iéna, 75116 Paris, France

Hôtel De Crillon

It took four years of restoration to convert the structure built in 1758 into the illustrious Hôtel De Crillon we see today. Overlooking the Place de la Concorde, this Rosewood hotel has 78 rooms, 36 suites, and 10 signature suites. It’s a few minutes about from Paris’s shopping hub: the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré as well as the river Seine. Plus the Louvre is just a few minutes walk.

Chanel’s creative director was hired to design two designer suites, which led to jaw-dropping results. The hotel stands as a delicate balance of transformation and conservation, with modern amenities and traditional French Style!

The beautifully designed fine-dining venues take you on a sublime gastronomic journey. Their indoor swimming pool has a uniquely designed fireplace area, and their award-winning Sense Spa provides the most relaxing massages and beauty treatments.

The ultimate royal suites are the Grands Appartements, which have velvet upholstery, baldachin beds, and a Carrera marble bathtub.

• Hôtel De Crillon, 6 Pl. de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France

Mandarin Oriental Paris

Quite evident from the name, The Mandarin Oriental is an elegant blend of Oriental decadence and contemporary Parisian style making one of best hotels in Pairs. It’s been bestowed the coveted ‘Palace’ status, fitting to its gorgeous, timeless elegance.

You’ll be a stone’s throw away from the Louvre, the fashionable Place Vendome, and Rue Saint Honoré. With Art Deco designs, the 99 rooms and 39 suites are all-white, with windows that let in plenty of natural light, and are pretty spacious.

A 14-meter pool, the Sur Measure restaurant with a chef specializing in molecular gastronomy, and a 900-square-meter vast tranquil spa are some of the luxuries to indulge in at The Mandarin Oriental.

The ultimate indulgence is their Royale Mandarin suite with a private gym, jacuzzi, and terrace with the Eiffel Tower’s view.

• Mandarin Oriental Paris, 251 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Conveniently located in the heart of haute couture is Hôtel Plaza Athénée, an uber-luxury hotel with exceptional services. The structure is an eclectic mix of modern Art Deco and 17th-century décor.

The hotel’s highlights include Europe’s only Christian Dior health-care institute and the hotel’s kitchens overlooked by world-renowned Alain Ducasse. The courtyard is an ice rink in the winter and is perfect for outdoor dining, surrounded by red shades of the geraniums.

I’ve saved the best bit of information for last – the spa is free! You don’t have to pay for their spa services, if you are staying there.

If you desire to live like royalty for a couple of days, their Royal Suite is the pick for you. With four bedrooms and interiors with damask silks, antique mirrors, and Regency-style furniture in jewel tones, you’ll never want to leave.

• Hôtel Plaza Athénée, 25 Av. Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France

Ritz Paris

Probably one of the most famous hotels in Paris, the Ritz has been home to many of the world’s movers and shakers since it was built. Not only is it does it have the most expensive hotels suites in town, but their luxurious hotel in Paris with the lavish 18th-century elegance and modern, fancy décor makes for spectacular opulence.

The 71 rooms, 71 suites, and 15 Prestige suites have exquisite woodwork and delicate pastel hues, with marble bathrooms and fabulous works of art hanging on the walls.

You can rejuvenate at the Ritz Club Paris spa, indulge in classic cocktails at the famous Hemingway Bar, and shop for specially curated collections at their Concept Store.

These are just some of the many amenities and services they offer. If this didn’t suffice for the grandeur, their Suite Impériale is the next level. Modern, yet with a 19th-century feel, the gold details, antique furniture, and outstanding interiors are a near-exact replica of Marie Antoinette’s bedroom at Versailles. It’s even got a pink marble tub. Talk about a decadent bath!

• Ritz Paris, 15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

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All James Bond fans that are also hotel lovers and have watched “No Time to Die” cannot stop thinking about the epic cave suite which appears in the beginning of the movie when the starring couple Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux are at the picturesque city Matera of South Italy. Matera, a breathtakingly beautiful city in the region of Basilicata, which is also a Unesco World Heritage site, is a complex of cave dwellings. Situated on a rocky outcrop, this ancient city is known for having 1,500 cave dwellings inhabited by humans since the Paleolithic period.

Although there are a lot of amazing hotels in Matera which is now a popular touristic attraction, the awesome cave suite of the movie with the three large windows overlooking the city’s unique landscape is actually a set that was specially created for the needs of the shooting imitating the cave-like houses and hotel rooms of Matera.

3 hotels that look like the James Bond hotel in Matera

Sextantio – La Grotte della Civita

The Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita, placed in the oldest part of the city, features 18 rooms (some of them exceeding 160m²) and an ancient church, the “Cripta della Civita”, now used as a common area, all renovated to retain their original features.

Palazzo Gattini

Palazzo Gattini is the hotel of Matera that contributed to the new James Bond movie offering hospitality, privacy and serenity to the movie director, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and to the main actors, Daniel Craig and Léa Seydoux.

Palazzo del Duca

Palazzo del Duca is a 14th-century residence in the Sassi of Matera. Restored respecting its original architecture, the hotel integrates perfectly into the rupestrian context of the ancient town.

The post James Bond No Time to Die Hotel in Matera: Does it really exist? appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.

Ibis Styles Athens Routes, a four-star design hotel in downtown Athens, is welcoming guests again in summer 2021.  Accor, one of the world’s leading hospitality groups, defines Ibis Styles as a space of creative flair and contemporary comfort – the perfect home base for the modern-day traveler.

Tradition meets innovation, antiquity meets modernity and Greek hospitality meets a bold new chapter in this trendy hotel, nestled right in the heart of the world’s original metropolis.

Design takes center stage at ibis Styles Athens Routes.

Paying homage to the city’s burgeoning art scene, the hotel emerges as a stylish yet economic destination for guests to discover the sites and scenes that make Athens the creative hub that it is today. Across 89 rooms, a signature Business Corner, modern meeting rooms and a fitness center, every wall is lined with tributes to modern Art and Greek creativity. Ancient aesthetics are revamped with a pop-art ethos, as guests are invited to discover a landscape of vivid tones and naturalist motifs, soft tints and modern furniture.

Ibis Styles Athens Routes has been created with a strong environmental ethos, offering guests a greener choice in the urban center. With eco-friendly architecture and a private indoor parking area with electric vehicle chargers, ibis Styles makes use of modern technology and sustainable alternatives. What’s more, the hotel is Certified Bike Friendly, meaning guests can make use of bike services and head out to explore the city in health and happiness. Pets are also welcomed, allowing the hotel to seamlessly blur the lines between home and hospitality.

While staying at ibis Styles Athens Routes, guests find themselves strategically placed in the cosmopolitan pulse of the city of Athens. From the hotel, they can explore Greece’s proud past and exciting future with just a 16-minute walk to the Acropolis Museum or 13-minutes to the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Agios Ioannis Metro Station is only 300-meters from the hotel, meaning the hotel is well-connected to excellent transport links and a plethora of cultural activities and landmark sites. Helpful staff are on-hand to plan, arrange and organise excursions into the city, then welcome back guests into their new-found urban home.

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The bus stop for local beaches is a short walk, and busses arrive on schedule (cash payment for tickets). You can take the short walk to the town square (Fabrika) to the bus and taxi depot (a half-mile downhill), but the walk is daunting because there’s no sidewalk. If you prefer not to rent a vehicle, ask the hotel to arrange a taxi. We had organized day trips planned with a bus service that picked us up at the hotel. We utilized a mix of walking, taxis, and public transportation. It depends on your preference.

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With such a rich hotel scene in Mykonos, one might think that it is particularly hard for a new entry to really make a difference. It actually is, except for those who set the standards bar high from the beginning. Nimbus Mykonos, the islands’ new luxury boutique hotel is all about minimalism, classy interiors and high-end services.

Portrayed in a contemporary minimalistic black and white design, it doesn’t fail to maintain the Mykonian traditions of the past with lusciously furnished rooms, suites, and elegant décor, overlooking the magnificent Aegean Sea. Designed by AIRTEC Constructions in collaboration with MAETA Design, it is deeply influenced by the local traditions but also introduces contemporary elements with tastefully furnished rooms and elegant decoration.

The construction company Airtec was founded in 1994, by Mechanical Electrical Engineer Vassilis Karavas, and Architect Sofia Apergi, and possesses specialized and long-term experience in complete building construction in the private sector. Among its hotel projects are The Wild in Agia Anna Mykonos, Hotel NJV Athens Plaza, Hotel My Aktis at Super Paradise beach of Mykonos.

Nimbus Mykonos is situated is a serene spot just above the clear waters of Agios Stefanos beach. Close to the new port but not too far from Mykonos city, its location makes it ideal for ultimate serene holidays, though accessible to the mainland. Many of its luxurious and spacious rooms, suites and multi-level suites include a hot tub and overlook the Aegean sea, the pool or the garden. The clean-cut, mostly white colour palette is enriched with elegant black elements and deco items -mostly tables and chairs, giving an edgy urban-ish touch to the classic Cycladic room.

Apart from the main pool and the private ones of each room, guests can relax at the shallow rooftop pool, with sun loungers inside it overlooking the infinite blue of the calming Aegean sea -a truly unique experience!

Nimbus Mykonos offers a wide range of first-class services, facilities, and amenities and has recently been awarded for Best Greek Excellence in Service hotel. For this season, the hotel has engaged in a new collaboration with acclaimed chef Stamatis Marmarinos who has created a menu full of delicious Mediterranean flavors!

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If you follow some of the most famous pastry chefs on Instagram, you will soon understand that there is a silent competition for the most original, the most spectacular, the most delicious dessert. Dishes that look like paintings, innovative sweet creations that imitate sculpture and mind-blowing desserts with sublime textures are filling my timeline lately. Proof that some extraordinarily creative people are constantly trying to outperform themselves!

Below we visit some of the most luxurious hotels of the world and get a glimpse of some really amazing hotel desserts:

The Peninsula Paris: The Cloud by Dominique Costa

This may be a dessert for the bucket list of every gourmet lover. Minimalistic, yet spectacular, The Cloud, made by the hotel’s pastry chef Dominique Costa is among the signature desserts served at L’Oiseau Blanc, the rooftop restaurant of The Peninsula in Paris. The flavours of the Cloud may vary since Costa is changing the taste of all desserts depending on the season.

In any case, the experience of enjoying it prompts remarkable sensations as Dominique Costa always produces dishes that are a delight to the palate and the eyes.

Ritz Paris: Τhe Marble Cake by Francois Perret

There are marble cakes and there is the Marble Cake by Francois Perret for Ritz Paris. You can tell the difference with just a look at its symmetric chocolate patterns. The cake has a heavenly taste, like all desserts created by this genius pastry chef that never ceases to amaze the gourmet scene of Paris. One can indulge in this baked miracle at the famed Salon Proust that is tucked away off the lobby, looking like an elegant library.

Le Meurice: Le Citron Jaune by Cedric Grolet

His collection of “Fruits”, desserts with outside “skins” textured to look just like real fruits and unexpected delicious fillings made of mousse or marmalades, have made Cedric Grolet, the virtuoso pastry chef of Le Meurice Hotel in Paris, a real Instagram star with 965K followers! Le Citron Jaune is one of the awarded chef’s most famous desserts and is served at the magnificent settings of Le Meurice but it can also be found at the brand new pastry boutique that has recently opened!

Cedric Grolet is also famous for his series of sweet Rubik’s Cubes. He made his first one in 2013 and since then has created a lot of eye – catching variations, all of them containing 27 individual delicious cakes! 

Hôtel de Crillon,  A Rosewood Hotel: L’Hematite by Pablo Gicguel

Twenty-eight year old Pablo Gicguel has been in the team of Hôtel de Crillon for only a few months but has already created some remarkable desserts to be served in the Winter Garden room of the hotel. Among his most remarkable dishes is the Hematite, a delicious chocolate sphere with a melting caramel heart and a look that resembles the actual mineral.

Four Seasons Milan: The Mandarin Cremeux by Daniele Bonzi

Daniele Bonzi is the talented young Executive Pastry Chef of Four Seasons Hotel Milano, and with his unique warm personality is also one of “little” guests’ most favourite members of the team. Daniele is also the talent behind the Four Seasons’s famous Chocolate Room, one of the Hotel’s secret places dedicated to chocolate lovers. Apart from chocolate creations, Daniele Bonzi has also made a name for himself with his Mandarin Cremeux with rosemary, pine nuts and gianduja.

RoseWood London: The Rodin – inspired pastries by Mark Perkins

Served in the elegant Mirror Room, the hotel’s afternoon tea includes a selection of mouth-watering finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and loose leaf teas accompanied by art-inspired pastries, created by Executive Pastry Chef, Mark Perkins. This year, Perkins has adapted the concept and taken it one step further, creating an exciting series of beautifully sculptural and intricate pastries, inspired by some of Rodin’s most famous creations.

Hotel Grande Bretagne Athens: La Tong Citron by Arnaud Larher

Two years ago the multi-awarded French Pastry Chef started to collaborate with r Hotel Grande Bretagne and King George Hotel in Athens, create a menu of delicious desserts. In his new dessert menu for Summer 2018, Arnaud Larher adds La Tong Citron ( a Breton shortbread pastry with lemon cream, candied lemon zest and meringue citron) from his signature series of “sweet flip flop tarts”!

Mandarin Oriental Paris: Le Saint Honore by Adrien Bozzolo

What better than finding a modern version of the classic French dessert “The Saint Honore” at Mandarin Oriental Hotel of Paris, located in the famous Parisian street with the same name. The dessert has been reinterpreted by the pastry chef of the hotel Adrien Bozzolo and has become one of the best sellers at the Camelia Restaurant of Mandarin Oriental Paris. While the original dessert is actually a circle of puff pastry, Bozzolo, who always likes to play with the shapes of his creations, has made a triangular version adding a filling of praline cream that pleasantly surprises whoever tastes it. The most remarkable thing about it is the standing position of the dessert, a signature element of Bozzolo’s work.

Four Seasons Florence: The Acquerello

Looking like a Renaissance work of art from a museum in Florence, this dessert is a light lemon cremeux with raspberries and bavarois on a butter biscuit. It is created by Domenico di Clemente, the pastry chef of Il Palagio, the Michelin starred restaurant of the hotel. The chef is known for his ability to give a modern twist to the “classics” of the patisserie.

Mandarin Oriental New York: The Blueberry Dessert by Grant Achatz

With milk chocolate, violet and buttermilk sorbet, The Blueberry Dessert is among the spectacular dishes one can enjoy at the new The Aviary NYC that opened a few months ago at the Mandarin Oriental in New York. Perched on our 35th floor and offering a bird’s-eye view of Columbus Circle and Central Park, The Aviary NYC provides an interactive journey for guests, where inventive cocktails and small food plates complement the experience.

Baur Au Lac Zurich: The sherbets by Stefan Howells

The Baur au Lac in Zurich is an establishment steeped in 173 years of tradition, being one of the world’s oldest luxury hotels. Its Michelin starred restaurant Pavillon offers fantastic views on the surrounding park and river, inviting guests to dine in an atmosphere of class and indulge in a menu of delicious desserts created by the pastry chef Stefan Howells.

Royal Hotel, Evian: The Hot Cherry Soufflé by Stéphane Arrête

Nestled among the gorgeous mountainous surroundings of Lake Geneva, Royal Hotel of Evian Resort offers an unmatchable range of sports and wellness activities, as well as sumptuous accommodation and fine dining options. At its Michelin-starred Les Fresques restaurant, there is a vast array of delicious desserts to taste, created by Head Pastry Chef Stéphane Arrête and his team which include the must-have Morello cherry, hot soufflé!

Mandarin Oriental Macau: The Pink Bloom Cake

What a beauty! In this fashionable dusty pink hue, the Pink Bloom Cake features a lotus flower which is Macau’s national plant! It is baked to perfection using lemon sponge cake infused with earl grey mousse, and topped with lotus cream and a crunchy dough base.

The post The most awesome hotel desserts created by top pastry chefs worldwide! appeared first on Travel My Day Blog.

Room

The feeling of cognitive dissonance (Where am I? Paris? Really?) lasts only few seconds before you succumb to the sophisticated yet totally cozy atmosphere of your room or suite, lovingly decorated with Cole & Sons wallpapers that echo the trees and greenery outside your window or spacious balcony and sleek Scandinavian furniture. Handpicked accents from around the world include chic original artworks, African textiles, and ingenious lighting. All rooms have minibars.

Bathroom

Open yet private baths offer state-of-the-art fixtures, with ample tubs and/or huge walk-in rain showers and wondrous heated Japanese toilets that both wash and dry!

Lobby

From the sleek ground-floor lobby—or living area, as it’s more like walking into a home than a hotel—you will notice some of the sustainable elements unique to the lodge: solar squares on the glass ceiling, a pellet-burning stove, and cutting-edge titanium-dioxide floor tiles that act as air purifiers, reducing airborne pollutants by 70 percent. So the fresh wood scent you’re enjoying is not just the fragrance of untreated siding but actually fresh air!

Dining

Served at a communal table in the kitchen overlooking the interior garden, breakfast is an amiable affair, offered with the same warmth and attention to detail you find everywhere in the lodge. The croissants, bread, homemade jams, yogurt, cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh-presssed fruit juices are all sourced in the neighborhood.

Drinking

There is no in-house bar, but you’re welcome to imbibe in your room or the common areas: downstairs or upstairs lounges, the convivial kitchen, or the internal and external courtyard gardens.

Empire Cyril Lignac

When on the rue Charonne, you will want to know about Cyril Lignac, whose bistro (Le Chardenoux), pastry shop and boulangerie, and newly opened chocolate boutique are clustered at an intersection of the rues Chanzy and Paul Bert, about 10 minutes from the hotel. All noteworthy, the pastries are some of Paris’s best and for chocolate lovers this adorable café is just pure good fun (do not miss the chocolat chaud!). Note to chocoholics: Alain Ducasse’s chocolate factory (Chocolat Alain Ducasse, 40 rue de la Roquette), about 15 minutes away on foot, is not to miss.

LOCATION

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