Hotel Matelote 3* - Antwerp - Belgium

This 3* hotel Matelote is situated at 100m from the main square of Antwerp. This is really one of the most centrally located hotels in town. Most of the hotelrooms are overlooking the courtyard of the hotel, as hotel Matelote is located in a small street. We stayed 1 night in this hotel without having breakfast.

Rooms:
We booked the smallest and cheapest roomtype for 90eur excl taxes. The matrasses are of a good quality and so where the pillows (2 p.p.). The room was not that small as we expected. It was clean and overlooking the courtyard. There is a free small safe in the wardrobe and enough space to put your luggage.

Bathroom: 
The bathroom is small with a walk in shower with a strong water pressure. The sink was directly next to the toilet, so not that spacious when you know the toilet was in the corner. But all facilities are there: 2 big-/2medium-/2handtowels Individual bottels of Liquid soap/ shampoo & body lotion of a good quality. A small But strong hairdryer (I assume not strong enough for women with long hair).

Positive: 
• Great location
• Modern hotel with all facilities needed for a 3* hotel

Negative: 
• Check-out at 11 am, need to pay 10eur xtra for check out at noon
• Bathroom had no windows which caused a lot of humidity on the walls (you could really see the dots on the walls)

General:
 I would rate this 3* hotel Matelote 7,5/10 for it's great location and good quality of the beds. But check-out at 11 am is really early for a hotel -definitely for people like us who book a room to be able to go out and sleep long the next day. So I was disappointed a check-out at noon was charged with a supplement.

Hilton Nubian Resort Marsa Alam Egypt

This 5* Hilton Nubian resort is located in Marsa Alam at a 30 min. drive from the AirPort of Marsa Alam.

The hotel is really situated in the middle of the dessert (so you need a taxi or bus to go to the closest village or to start an excursion). Luxor it at a 6 hour drive from the hotel and to make a boattrip, you need a 2h transfer to the next port (as port Ghalib only had limited excursion).

This hotel complex is spread over a wide area close to the beach and exists of different 1 or 2-floor buildings. You have the chose between rooms with garden/pool or sea view.

HINT: as the resort is not directly at the beach (there is a big pile of sand/stones between the complex & the sea), i'd advice to take a room with poolview (as seaview is not what you expect from it).

The garden of this complex is well maintained with flowers & green (which is not evident with this sandy underground)

The lighting of the resort is really nice

Rooms:

The standard rooms are very large and wel equiped. There is a double bed of 180cm*200cm with a very good mattress and 2 good pillows per person. There is a lot of lights to create your own atmosphere. A free safe & iron are provided in the room.

The minibar is empty but can be filled puin request (not included in the normal all inclusive)

We booked a standard room with pool view

View from our room/ terrace

Bathroom:

We had a bathroom with walk-in shower (there is also with bath). The toilet is in the bathroom. As always in all Hilton hotels there is liquid soap/ shampoo/ hair conditioner/ body lotion/ soap bar.

2 big/ 2 small & 1 floor towel is provided.

They're not very soft, but we're in egypt 😃.

Restaurant:

This was into my opinion the biggest disappointment in this hotel (next to the attitude of the staff in general).

The restaurant is a big area with a lot of noise, so therefor we preferred to have diner on the terrace.

As we're 'only' going for diner at 7.30pm, we were like always the 2nd shift. So tables have been occupied already and not cleaned nor prepared for the next guests. So every single day we had to find a waiter to bring us cutlery & glasses (as there was no dedicated waiter for the terrace 😔). After that we asked for drinks, which takes about 15min to get a glass of wine (which mostly has the lips on it from a former guest) and a soda... every time again (except for the last 2 days when we found a waiter which we tipped to get our drinks..). 

If you asked for a second drink, they take your glass & refil it... remember you're in a 5* resort...

Same story during breakfast (till the last day) when we got or coffee when the breakfast was already eaten. And we were always going for bkf at 10am (only 20 other guests did the same, so it was really calm). 

In the morning there are plenty of birds on the terrace waiting for you to leave and eat the rest of your plate. This can't be avoided from the hotel, but they can make sure seats are cleaned from the bird shit. You can not lean on your chair or you're covered with it. I reported this, but nothing was done about it...

General info: do not go to the buffet about 15 min before closing hour (we did once during lunch at 1.45, and when we arrived the head waiter told us: 'you have 5 min.'... and exactly at 2.02pm they started to close down the whole buffet (this was faster taken away then if they serve you a drink ).

We complained about this on the 2nd day to the guest relations (which is a very friendly dutch girl) and she felt really sorry and would report this. The only thing that changed for me was the fact they did no longer ignore us and wanted to help. But they all knew those were the guys that complained. 2 waiters even came to us to tell us if we had complains, we should tell them directly and not to their chef... 

but service was as slow/ seats & tables were not clean...

Buffet - can't really be evaluated as a buffet:

The starters buffet exists of 1 fish dish/ 1 meat dish & 90% vegatables. The main course is in fact 2 different dishes spread over a buffet, so can not really be called a buffet. The dessert buffet is different kind of cakes & pies (which was the widest of all).

I have to say the variety of the food was disappointing, as it was every day chicken in a different preparation and only every 3 days some fish. There is every day rice/potatoes en mostly french fries or pasta. 

Except on Saturday evening! Should the variety of the buffets and the different kind of fish preperarions be like Saturday evening, this would have been a dream. 

This was really good! Lot's of choise with fish on the bbq/... so we know they can offer the quality & variety which we expect from a 5* Hilton Resort.

Starters buffet

Main course buffet

Desert buffet 

Animation:

This resort has it's own animation time with 5 very friendly & professional people. The kids club has it's own playground and the team is trying really hard during the day to make it a real holiday with several activities in the different areas (beach/ swimming pool). Als the eveningactivities are nice when they make it (sometimes an external group comes to dance or sing). Lord of the dance is really a very nice show where they have created a nice choreographie).

So nothing but Positive about the animation team!

Positive:

- very nice hotelcomplex when it comes to facilities (except for the restaurant)

- Nice/big & clean rooms equiped with all facilities

- very friendly & professional animation team

- very good sunbeds with comfortable matrasses/ windscreens provided/ 2 heated pools

- 1 poolbar provided drinks in bottles (not the tabs as in the rest of the hotels). There real coca-cola/ Fanta/ Sprite & Pepsi max are served.

Negative:

- the attitude of the staff members in general. You need to tip them first every time again if you want something from them.

- variety of the buffet is disappointing. .

- cleanliness in restaurant (cutlery not always clean/ seats on the terrace never cleaned (bird shit everywhere)/ tables not cleaned after first shift)

- all inclusive formule is into my opinion not all inclusive, as you only have a selection of 6 cocktails. If you want f.ex a mojito, you need to pay extra (even with local alcohol). Bottles of water & wine only provided during lunch & diner (not included in bars). No sparkling water available in the whole resort.

General conclusion:

I'd rate this 5* Hilton Nubian Resort a 6/10 based on the Negative experience we had. There is so much more to make from this resort of the staff would be more friendly & the cleanliness is taken on a higher level. Also the food is something that needs improvement.

We've been in an other 5* hotel in Egupt last year & the food quality/ food variety/ service was of a real 5* level!

. 

Hotel la Laguna - Lucciana -Corsica

I've visited this 3* hotel La Laguna in Lucciano. The hotel is located directly at the beach, which is Well known for it's kite surfing. 

The hotel was renovated in 2011 and they keep on renovating year after year (upcoming winter 2016 the pooltiles Will be renewed)

The hotel looks really new and modern.

Rooms:

All rooms have a balcony and most of them are overlooking the garden and the beach (only for the rooms on the first floor). The rooms on the ground floor are pretexten with stores, which also makes the room 100% dark. All rooms have airco.

There are twin beds & double beds (180*200cm). The twin beds can be zipped together as 1 big double bed.

There is free WiFi all over the hotel.

There are triple rooms up to 5 persons (mezzanine avec 3 single beds)

The standard rooms are large rooms, very clean, but basic furniture. But perfect for a 3* accommodation.

The hotel has 2 suits which both have a big terrace, one of them with jacuzzi.

HINT: there is a curtain at the end of the terrace to enquete your privacy.

Bathroom:

All bathrooms are different, but rather small. They all have a shower with rainshower. There is 1 portion of liquid soap provided, tissues, 1big & 1 small towel. The hairdryer in the room is of a good quality.

The toilet is in the bathroom.

Pool:

Pooltowels are provided free of charge, as well the seats @ the pool can be used for free.

There is a poolbar which is opened during high season.

Restaurant:

The restaurant is in a seperate building and has a large terrace. You can enjoy halfboard or eat a la carte. 

Also the buffet breakfast is served in this restaurant. There is a wide selection of products on the buffet as well fresh orange juice & Nespresso coffee.

The breakfast is always included in the roomprice.

Bar:

Positive:

- very friendly staff members

- modern & good looking hotel

- nice swimming pool overlooking the beach

- large terrace to enjoy breakfast & diner 

- fresh orange juice & nespresso = finishing touch for the breakfast

- large rooms & possibility for family rooms up to 5 person

- free WiFi & parking space

Negative:

- rooms are not in line with the rest of the hotel. 

General feedback:

This hotel gives me rather a 4* hotel impression when I look to the common facilities. But as the rooms are more basic, I would say this hotel is a very good 3*+.

If I need to rate this hotel, I would give 8/10 for the luxury of the facilities & it's great location at the beach. It would have been 9/10 for a 3* hotel if the rooms were in line with the rest and if the price was a bit less.

Attention: this rating is purely based on my visit, I was not able to enjoy the food quality.

Campanile restaurant - Corte - Corsica

I'm not used to write reviews about restaurants, except if they're worth writing for.

This restaurant is really worth visiting. It is located on a very Nice square in Cortes with a heated terrace.

They serve food of a very high quality & a delicious taste.

My first impression was not that Positive, but when the starter arrived I know why this place was so crowded.

I had the foie gras with figs which was a very nice plate, followed by the porc which was marinated for 24hours (I really don't like porc normally, but this was very soft & juicy). 

As a dessert I had the hot Apple pie which was served with a fresh bowl of vanilla & a hazelnutcreme inside the pie - DELICIOUS!!!

Really the best restaurant until now on the island.

I would rate this restaurant 8,5/10 for the way they cook. 

Eguisheim city - Alsace - France

The village of Eguisheim was elected in 2013 as most beautifull village of France. It als has the label 'ville Fleuri' which means all streets & houses are decorated with flowers. 

The city centre is set up in cirkels and was build in the Medieval. 

There is several restaurants & small shops with local products. Really worth a visit!

Hostellerie du Pape - Eguisheim - Alsace - France

The 3* hotel Hostellerie du Pape is located at the entrance of Eguisheim.

Eguisheim was elected in 2013 as the most beautifull village of France. And it is really worth a visit! And this all year round, in spring & summer you'll find flowers on all windows & during Christmas all is enlighted, amazing!

The Hostellerie du Pape is a former wine farm which has now 47 charmant rooms.

It has a big parking space in the back of the hotel.

Hostellerie du Pape on the left

Big terrace surrounded by the hotelrooms

Rooms:

We stayed in a standard double room with 2 seperate beds (190 * 80). 

Most of the rooms have double beds (190*160) and there are family rooms with 3 real beds & an extra bed which can be adres on request (only for children).

The rooms do have a desk, minibar(empty), small wardrobe & flatscreen. There is a wooden floor in the rooms! 

There is free WiFi in the room - which is a little slow for short movies on FB or wathever. But works well for text & images.

Standard room

Family room

Bathroom:

The bathrooms are rather small with bath or shower (depends on the room). We had a room with bath which is ment as shower too, but as there is no real pinpoint provided, you have to hold the thing in your hands (consequence: all is wet afterwords). There is no thermostatic fauset, so it takes a while to have the right temperature.

Next to the bath there is a sink with hairdryer (poor quality), so ladies take your own!

Liquid soap is provided in a dispenser, as well shoe shine & xtra soap. Also tissues provided + 1 big and 1 small towel per person (unfortunately no foot mat, cause it would have helped...)

Most of the rooms have a seperate toilet.

HINT: if you only take showers, ask for a room with shower.

Breakfast:

The breakfast is served as a buffet and is really extensive cfr the French standards. There is really a wide selection of everything and even more then 5 different kind of pies. There is also Nutella & a sparkling wine (unfortunately not cremant d'Alsace, which is a missed chance). 

Diner:

We stayed in halfboard and enjoyed the 3-course menu. The food is of a very good quality & served really nicely on your plate.

The wine menu is wide and they offer you several bottles of wine from Eguisheim wine farmers at a reasonable price.

Advantages:

- ideal location at 100m from the main square of Eguisheim.

- free parking space

- very large breakfast buffet

- high quality food served in a gastronomical way

- Charming rooms

Disadvantages:

- bath with poor shower facilities

- poor quality of hairdryer (but it is already a plus for a 3* hotel)

Conclusion:

I would rate the Hostellerie du Pape 8/10 for a 3* hotel. The hotel is clean, staff is friendly & food is of a very high quality. So when you look for a gastronomic hotel in the Alsace region, this is a great adress. Especially with it's great location in Eguisheim! I would rather advice this for couples as there are no real kids facilities.

Hotel l'Alexain - trois epis - Alsace - France

L'Hotel Alexain is a 3* hotel located in les trois epis in the Alsace in France.

The situation is amazing, this as the hotel is overlooking the vineyards and you can even see the black forest from your room.

The hotel has a brand new wellness area and offers different arrangements for 2/3/4/7 days.

Trois Epis is a very small village and is not worth visiting, as there is not even a bakkery. But you have to stay here for the vieuw and it's only 15 min drive to the heart of Colmar and less then 10 min. towards several wine farmers.

Room:

We were lodged in a comfort room (nr 310) overlooking the valley. The Windows are very large, which gives you a great view over the vineyards. There is a double bed in all rooms (160*180) with flat screen. The matras is rather small, but this is typical in France. Into my opinion the matras was rather hard. 

The room is spacious and has a big wardrobe in the hallway. 

Most of the rooms have carpet. 

Free WiFi with a good quality!

hint: There are also family rooms with a physical door between the kids room (sofa bed) & the main room, ask for it as not all family rooms have it!

View from our balcony

HINT: for allergic people or if you bring your dog, you can ask for a room with a wooden floor.

HINT: there are only 6 rooms which do not have a view on the valley, make sure you ask for a room with a view on the valley

Bathroom:

All bathrooms have been renovated since 2014. The bathrooms are rather small with shower (Some with glass shower/ Some with curtains - good water pressure) & sink. All standard rooms have toilet in the bathroom, comfort rooms have seperate toilet.

There is 1 soapbar/1 liquid soap plastic package/ 1 big towel /1 small towel per person provided and also a footmatt. Towels are of a good quality and not to hard/ the soap was not enough for me, so I would advice to bring your own.

Breakfast:

The breakfast is served as a buffet. They offer small chocolat breads/ small croissants/ bread (2kinds). There is emmenthal cheese/ ham/ jams/ chocolat spread/ 2 kinds of cornflakes/ yoghurt.

Coffee machine + cremant d'Alsace

Restaurant:

The restaurant is pretty big, as the hotel has about 50 rooms and most of the guests stay in halfboard. But they work in 2 shifts in the evening (7pm & 8pm you can arrive) - this to avoid a rush. But I can tell you they're not to strikt. 

They serve 3 courses every night which is announced already in the morning. The food is of a good quality and the wine has a very reasonable price. ( bottles white wine as of 21euro and even grand cru for 28eur).

After the dessert they offer you a free glass of cremant d'Alsace!

Wellness:

The wellness is a new part in the hotel as of 2014. There is changing rooms/ relax area/ salt cave/ hammam/ sauna & pool.

They also offer massages at a very reasonable price (54eur/hour). The wellness is pretty busy in the evening as most of the guests come back to enjoy it after a day out.

Advantages:

- amazing view from all hotelfacilities overlooking Colmar & the vineyards

- well equiped wellness area

- good food quality 

- helpfull staff members

- owner who is happy to help you with all 'must-see' stuff. Really valuable hints!

- free & large parking space in front of the hotel

- very good WiFi!

Disadvantages:

- most of the rooms have a carpet in the room, a pitty they did not replace this during the refurbishments

- matrasses of the bed are short (180cm) & hard

Conclusion:

This 3* Hotel l'Alexain is an ideal hotel for couples who want to enjoy food & wellness + ready to Discover the surroundings. If you do not give to much about your room, you'll definitely enjoy your stay here. 

For a 3* hotel you get very good value for money! I would rate this hotel 7,5/10 for the food & the hospitality.