I've never been one for camping - I love the idea of it but my attempts at it in the past have not been favorable. As a young kid, I camped in the back garden and my imagination resulted in me being sure that I killer would knife me to death without even having to see my face. He could just plunge the knife through the canvas. I lasted all night in this imaginative state but decided at probably seven years of age that camping may not be my thing. The next time I tried was a few years later as a Cub Scout and we got flooded out with over 10" of water in the camp ground. Camping weekend canceled prematurely but I wasn't upset.
So it's probably no surprise that when it comes to thinking about where to stay on vacation, the hotel is key. I'm not saying I have always had high demands on the accommodation because certainly when I was in my teens and 20s, I stayed in all those shacks in exotic countries and youth hostels throughout Europe that everyone experiences at that age but I do love a good hotel now.
The first factors I consider when choosing a hotel are obvious ones. Its location, facilities, whether Tablet or i-escapes have it listed or a friend has recommended it.
Next comes how the hotel looks on the inside. It sounds shallow but I love great interior design that's either modern but relaxed or sparse and natural. I can't stand the requisite yuck furniture of most "Parisian" experience hotels for example but love the classic rustic simplicity of an Italian hotel.
Then what makes a good hotel great is a hotel that gets the balance right between being attentive and leaving you alone. This is probably the hardest element for hotels to get right. Often hotels crowd you with attention especially at breakfast when you are half asleep and you just want to be left alone or they leave you alone completely to the point of practically ignoring you.
I also like a hotel to recognize that there's a world outside the hotel that people should enjoy. I remember one of the first times I came to NY and asked the concierge at the Four Seasons where I could get an authentic Lox Bagel outside the hotel. He immediately offered to have someone bring one up to the room and seemed perturbed when I turned down his offer and posed my question a second time with an emphasis on - outside the hotel.
All this preamble leads to saying that I am currently staying in what I believe is one of the best hotels in the world - certainly the best I've stayed in. The Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, France, is right on the mountain, so you throw your skis/snowboard on and off you go. The service is exceptional and very comfortable. The staff has been well trained but luckily their personalities are in tact. The facilities are outstanding with a spa, swimming pool and gym all in the building. However, what impresses me most about this hotel is its attention to detail in interior design.
I took the picture above of the Cheval Blanc's restaurant 1947 - named after the famous wine. I think this picture provides a good example of the hotel's attention to detail. A fire place at a height that allows all guests to enjoy its effect. Marble diffused lighting in the ceiling. A rustic display in the center of the tables made of sticks and a couple of flowers. All the furniture has a modern take on the classics. It's classy while being very comfortable.
When I heard that Bernard Arnault - the head of LVMH - had this hotel built primarily for his own family, it all made sense. The sensibility and precision of brands like Louis Vuitton, Moet, Hennessy exist throughout this hotel's experience.
