The Jane - 2* restaurant - Antwerp

I went to the Jane 2* Michelin restaurant in Antwerp on a tuesday evening.

The restaurant is in a pedestrian area, so you can better book te private parking space upfront.

As Every day the restaurant was fully booked. The building is of a unique design. Desadvantage is the noise due to the fact there is not that much furniture in the space.

We took the 7-course menu which is really good value for money. A wide variety of dishes for 110eur pp. 

Hint 1.:

Do not take the wine formula, but better chose your favorite wine. They do not serve that much wine and serve 5 glasses of wine over the 7 course menu for 60eur pp. 

Hint 2: 

Ask for a table along the walls. There is 3 types of tables: 

1. Low tables in the middle which are uncomfortable for big people

2. High tables and high seats at the entrance of the restaurant

3. Normal tables and chairs along the walls.

There is also a large wooden table in front of the kitchen up to 10 persons.

Conclusion: this restaurant is not the typical Michelin restaurant but a trendy place with great food. 

Hotel Sternen - pfaffikon/ Switzerland

This 3* hotel Sternen is situated in the village of pfaffikon. This village is a real business village full of offices along the ZuricherSee. 

I'm staying in this hotel regularly as this is the cheapest hotel which is close to my office and the company is chosing this for me.

The hotel is very familiar and the women is really doing everything in this small hotel. She's rather frustrated I think, but once you get to know her she sometimes smiles. But do not expect the biggest hospitality. 

The room

Most of the rooms have been renovated, but are rather small but clean.

The beds are of a high quality with soft pillows. I've seen some rooms and there is none comparable.

Bathroom

The bathroom in my room (nr 9 I always take) is small but totally new with a spacious shower and glas doors (I know Some bathrooms still have curtains).

The biggest advantage are the bath products of Babor. They really taste delicious. There is a sink with a hair dryer (not very strong, so if necessary you can better take your own).

Breakfast

The breakfast is a disappointment into my opinion. It is really 2 slices of bread, 1 croissant and 1 brioche with 2 cups of jam, 2 pieces of cheese and some meat if you ask for it. This is served with a coffee and a glass of orange juice (not fresh).

HINT: Be aware this hotel is at the main road of the village, so in the morning there is a lot of traffic. So you can better ask for a hotelroom in the back.

As we all know Switzerland is expensive, so for the price you get a comfortable bed and a small breakfast. So I would rate this hotel a 6/10 because of the cleanliness and the quality of the beds.

Hotel Schiff Pfaffikon SZ Switzerland

This 4* hotel is situated directly at the ZuricherSee in Pfaffikon SZ at a 7 min. walk from the railway station. It has absolutely the best location in town when you're so lucky to have a room with a view on the lake. But also because it is in a calm corner away from the traffic, train and church bells.

The staff is very friendly and helpfull!

Rooms:

The rooms are rather small for a 4* hotel, definitetly the single rooms which actualiteit have just a single bed. So whenever you reserve a single room, ask for a double bedded room for single occupancy. Every room is different and as there is a mail building and a guesthouse (right next door), there is a wide variety of rooms and views. I was lucky to have a room with 2 windows overlooking the lake. There are wooden floors in the room (which make a lot of noise actually)

The matrasses in this hotel are typically Swiss which means they're very thin. Therefor i've asked for an extra Duvet and put 2 matrasses on top of each other (HINT). 

Bathroom:

The bathroom is rather small. In my room there was a small shower (in fact a bit to small - was unable to wash my feet). The pressure in the shower is really good!

There is liquid soap in a dispenser and 3 towels per person (1 very small towel, 1 handtowel and 1 big towel) and 1 floor carpet.

There is a small hairdryer, but with a poor quality.

Breakfast:

The breakfast is served in a buffet in the restaurant part overlooking the lake. This is great to wake up. There is a small selectie of cheese, meat, 3 kinds of bread, booked eggs, muesli, 2 kinds of yoghurt, Nutella, jam, honey and Some pieces of fruit. There is orange juice, apel juice and water provided. Coffee/ tea are served on the table.

Restaurant:

Restaurant is partly overlooking the lake and serves food of a high quality. There is a wide selection which you can chose from.

Advantages:

- location of the hotel on the lake (perfect for an evening walk)

- hospitality of the staff

- wine bar directly in the hotel

- restaurant with terrace overlooking the lake / with a good food quality.

Disadvantages:

- matrasses way to thin + low beds (but are planned to be replaced after summer 16)

- small showers (depends on the room you're in)

I would rate this 4* hotel 7/10 in general This as the average rate is about 140CHF per night incl breakfast and for this price I would expect more comfort in the rooms. For the location, hospitality and food I really appreciate this hotel.

Radisson Blu 4*+ - Köln/ Germany

We were staying in the Radisson Blu 4*+ hotel in Köln for 2 nights.
I've booked this hotels as we like to go out in Köln and had a couple of friends who were travelling with us to enjoy the city.

There is an underground parking space, which gives direct access to the hotel entrance (€ 19/ night).
HINT: you can also park your car on the open parking space in front of the hotel for only € 10/ day, but this parking is not secured during the night.

The hotel is situated close to the 'Kölner Messe', which is a big event hall. This means that you're not in the city centre of Köln, but on the other side of the river. So you'd have to walk 30 min. to be in the city centre, BUT there is a metro stop at 100m from the hotel which brings you in 7 min. to the city centre.

The lobby of the hotels looks very modern with the bar in the middle of it. Really nice.

Room:
We had a double room with Queen size bed (160 cm X 200cm) which is small for this kind of luxury hotels. There was a soft pillow and a spare one in the wardrobe. The duvet was from a good quality. The matrasses are of a very good quality.
The room is spacious with space for a seat, flat screen, minibar, wardrobe and a big mirror in the hallway. Unfortunately there was a carpet in the room. There is a good quality free WIFI in the room.

Bathroom:
The bathroom is rather small in comparison to the room. But it's very modern and well equiped.
The toilet is in the bathroom. There is a sink with several amenities (soap, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, sewing kit & shower cap. There are 2 big, 2 medium and 2 small hand towels (+ floor mat). The bathroom has a bath with shower AND there is a rain shower in the roof above the bath.
There is a small hairdryer of a good quality. It's not the strongest, but it is good enough.

Breakfast:
The breakfast is served in a buffet till 12 o'clock (which is a BIG advantage) during the weekend!
This as they have a seperate area for the restaurant. So this space is only used for breakfast.
The buffet is really extensive and decorated in a very nice way. Next to the buffet there is also showcooking with fresh eggs and all stuff that belongs to it.
On the buffet there are different kinds of bread, fresh orange juice, drink yoghurt, water, cheese. salmon, bacon, scrambled eggs, different kinds of jam & honey, Nutella, vegetables, cornflakes, croissants,... (really to much to name it).
Coffee and hot chocolat is served at the table (different kinds of tea are provided on a seperate buffet).

Advantages:
- Very extended breakfast buffet
- Possibility to go for breakfast till noon!!!
- good price/ quality
- Good quality beds with good pillows.


Disadvantages:
- carpet in the room
- not really in the city centre
- rather a 'small' bed for a luxury hotel (160 cm)

I'd rate this hotel 8/ 10 for a 4*+ hotel. You can see the rooms are not that new anymore and the smaller beds are not what I expected. BUT, as the breakfast is really nice AND as you can sleep untill 11 o'clock and even enjoy your breakfast during the weekend untill noon, this really is a big advantage. So really worth a visit if you don't bother not to be in the city centre of Köln.

Hotel Pirmin Zurbriggen 4* - Saas-Almagell/ Switzerland

I've visited this 4* hotel in Saas-Almagell and enjoyed the lunch over there.
This very modern hotel is situated in the city centre of Saas-Almagell next to the lift and the slopes (ski-in/ ski-out).

The ski area of Saas-Almagell has 15 km of slopes, which is perfect for families with children that want to enjoy skiing. But of course there is the possibility to take the free bus to Saas- Fee (150km of slopes) every 20 minutes in high season (12 min. drive & inclusiv in the skipass).

HINT: During some weeks (esp. in january) you can buy very cheap skipasses for all ski-area's in the Saasertal.

Restaurant/ bar/lounge:
The restaurant of the hotel is very modern and decorated with style. There is a lot of light due to the big windows overlooking the mountains.
The bar is integrated in the restaurant and has it's own 'vinotheek' with several open bottles of wine.
In the afternoon there is a free buffet with soup, food and pastries (of a very high quality).
I was so lucky to have a snack in the restaurant. I was offered a sandwich with "raclette" cheese. Well I was very surprised about how big that plate was. There was really enough for 2 persons (and I can tell you that I was hungry :-). The food is from a very high quality and is served with the best care.
The hotel is famous for it's food, It has also been renomated several times as 'best hotel of Switserland'

lounge

 Restaurant with live piano

bar

Vinothèque

Afternoon buffet (free for all guests)

Wellness area

The hotel has a large and modern wellness area with a chalet sauna in the middle of the relaxing area. Next to that sauna there is also the bio sauna and of course several rain showers.

Bah towels are provided in all sizes.

The swimming pool with Jacuzzi is situated in an other area (which is connected) to make sure you can really relax in the wellness area. 

Suites:

Most of the hotelrooms are suites with a very high end decoration. Relly every detail has been looked after. The rooms are very spacious and this is really a suite. Not just a big room, but due to all those facilities it is really luxuruous. One of the examples is the dressing room, which will be much appreciated by all women. (and men).

 View from the front door

 Dressing room

 Shower with toilet (seperate)

 bath in the room / 2nd seperate toilet

 Bedroom + living room behind

 Wellness suites:
Those suites have their own jacuzzi and sauna in the room.
All rooms are set up as a duplex and can also be rented for adults with children.
If children sleep in the room of their parents, the living room will be transmitted into a bedroom for the children. The rooms are brand new (new building).

Facilities:
The hotel has several facilities for children. They have those mini seats in the lobby for children (which are really cute!). But next to that they also have the children play rooms (with animation team), a small bowling, ping-pong table, darts tabe,..;.

HINT: attention, there are still some 'standard rooms' in this hotel. Those rooms are traditional and have nothing to do with the modern suites. I had no ability to visit them, but have been told those rooms are cheaper as they're traditionally Swiss.

Advantages:
- Spacious and high end suites
- Great food of a high gastronomical level
- Service of a top quality

Disadvantages:
- hotel located near a smaller ski area (Saas-Almagell)
- you have to like the modern style of this hotel (designer) - you like it or not


I would rate this hotel 9/10 as it was very clean, great food and very nice staff members.
Of course it is not cheap, but I think it is correct to be 'best hotel in Switzerland' for several year now (I think 4 years in a row). So that level is kept and it seems to be really worth staying here.
I would have given 9,5 should this hotel been located in Saas-Fee. This as Saas-Almagell only has a small ski area next door. But off course you can always take the free bus (every 20 min. during high season) which takes you in 12 min. to the ski area of Saas-Fee.

Hotel Schweizerhof 4*- Saas Fee/ Switzerland

I've stayed the night in this 4* hotel Schweizerhof in Saas Fee. This hotel is situated in a side street of the main street of Saas Fee. It's about 500m from the lifts and the slopes, but you can take the free bus (electro) that drives every 30 min. in the village to the slopes.

The hotel is very stylish and set up in a intemporary chique style.
I really enjoyed staying in this hotel and this for several reasons:
1. Great food (worth a Michelin star)
2. Nice & modern wellness
3. Friendly staff members

HINT: Saas-Fee is a car free city (only electro cars of the hotels are allowed), which makes it a very healthy city to enjoy your holidays.

Rooms:
I got a standard room with double bed (2 matrasses - 200*80cm) and a laminated floor. My room did not have a balcony, but there are rooms that have one. The bed was of a really good quality, but the pillows where a bit to big for me personally. The bed is covered with a warm & soft duvet. In the room there is a small flat screen TV, big wardrobe & sofa.
Slippers & bathrobe are provided in the room with 2 extra towels for the wellness.
As welcome there was a plate of fresh cutted fruit + a chocolat with a letter. Also the fresh red rose in the room is something that makes you feel home.

Standard room

Standard room

Superior room of my collegue

The view from my collegues superior room

Bathroom:
The bathroom had a normal size with shower (some have bath/shower). The shower was really big and I had a very good water pressure. There are 2 small, 2 medium & 2 big towels provided + a foot mat.
There is a wide range of amenities: body lotion, ear cottons, sewing kit, shower cap, tissues & lemon-drenched-tissues. The hair dryer is of a good quality and pretty strong.

Wellness:
The wellness area exists in 3 floors.
1. Floor with relax area's and a great view on the mountains + big panorama sauna (cloths obliged)
2. Floor with different massage rooms
3. Indoor swimming pool + nude wellness (sauna 65°/hammam/infra-red cabins & rain showers)
There is extra towels provided in the wellness area and also drinking water + ice to refresh yourself.

Breakfast:
The breakfast is served as a buffet, but really one of the most extended I've ever seen.
You can't name it, or it was on the buffet. Therefor I will not mention all items, but post all pictures I took from the whole buffet.
On top of the wide variety, everything is of a very high quality and all fresh (e.g. fresh cut fruit).

Diner:
The diner that is included in the half board is a 6-course menu where you can chose in between different plates per course. This is really THAT why you have to come to this hotel. The food is served & dressed on the plates with the most care.  But not only the eyes, but also the taste buds are spoiled.
The atmosphere in the restaurant is nice due to the live piano music and the nicely dressed tables.

HINT: every afternoon cakes and cookies are provided for free in the lobby.
This is just great when you come in after skiing and to kill the first hunger feelings :-)

Advantages:
- Great food (as well during breakfast as for dinner)
- Nice wellness area, also for those that don't like to be nude in a sauna.
- Friendly & helpfull staff members

Disadvantages:
- thick pillows (and no others provided in the wardrobe) - but this is really personal.
This is really the only negative point I can name.


I would rate this 4* hotel 9/10 due to the fact the food is amazing. I've also enjoyed the wellness area very much. Also the staff members where very helpful. I think everyone will have a great stay in this hotel.