NEW SPOT: THE CONCIERGE DURBAN

3 reasons to go there:

1. If you love colour blocking: the designer of the hotel worked around that concept
2. If you want to stay in an urban bungalow
3. If you want a great cafe next to your hotel

From 98 euro per night, check out: www.the-concierge.co.za

I’M GOING TO BERLIN

This weekend I’m in Berlin making a report for Dutch magazine Marie Claire. I will be staying at the new The Weinmeister hotel in Mitte – but ofcourse I will be discovering new areas of the city as well. I’m so curious about the hotel because they work with iPad’s as well. If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook I will keep you updated.

Are you travelling to Berlin sooner than October (when the article is published) or living in another country and want my recommendations? Sent me an e-mail at petitepassport@hotmail.com

NEW SPOT: LA COORNICHE PYLA-SUR-MER

3 reasons to go there:

1. When roadtripping through France – it’s nearby Cap Ferret and Bordeaux.
2. If you love the work of Philippe Starck.
3. To eat in their fabulous restaurant (you can sleep here as well).

From 190 euro per night, check out: www.lacoorniche-pyla.com

NEW SPOT: NOBIS HOTEL STOCKHOLM

3 reasons to go there:

1. Because it’s the newest luxury kid on the block in Stockholm.
2. Because of their lovely lobby.
3. If you like Townhall Hotel London I guess you’ll like this one as well.

From 300 euro per night, check out: www.nobishotel.se

(Images via Dezeen – a design blog worth following)

TRIED & TESTED: AZULIK MEXICO

Most striking feature:

This is a true honeymoon resort. You won’t find much on the resort except for a couple of villas. Made out of wood. A simple terrace. An outside tub made of wood. A stunning view over the ocean. And a relaxing loungebed/hammock on the terrace. It’s just you and your lover. And that’s how we like it!

From 180 euro per night. Check out: www.azulik.com

NEW SPOT: DAR HI TUNISIA

3 reasons to go there:

1. Alternative honeymoon.
2. If you love the work of Matali Crasset (the famous French architect).
3. If you want a slice of the Tunesian desert (from your room).

From 300 euro a night. Check out: www.dar-hi.net

TRIED & TESTED: SALA SAMUI KOH SAMUI

Babs den Haring is  one of the most dedicated Petite Passport travellers. Together with her handsome husband she travelled to Koh Samui:

Most striking feature:

“Their outside shower. Isn’t that the best thing on earth? This hotel on Koh Samui is beautiful. The people who work here are very friendly. And there is a fantastic pond at the reception. First you have to cross a small little bridge over that pond to get to the reception. We stayed in a Garden Pool Villa with our own private pool. Definitely a great Honeymoon destination.”

Check out: www.salaresorts.com

(If you like this spot, you will also like Qunci Villas in Lombok)

TRIED & TESTED: RASANANDA KOH PHANGAN

Babs den Haring is  one of the most dedicated Petite Passport travellers. Together with her handsome husband she travelled to Koh Phangan:

Most striking feature:

“The quiet Rasananda Resort is located in the middle of nowhere. You have to reach it with a 4×4 and it’s hard to get away: but that’s exactly what you want when you check in at this beautiful resort for your honeymoon (in our case). The suite was beautiful with our plunge pool, a huge bathroom and extra’s like a bathrobe, slippers and even a bag to take with you to the beach. The deckchairs on their private beach have your room number, so you don’t have to worry about not having a place to relax on the beach. This is the perfect place to relax!”

Check out: www.rasananda.com

NEW SPOT: URBAN ROOMS BRUSSELS

3 reasons to stay here:

1. If you like to stay in a small b&b in Brussels.
2. If you like to be nearby Avenue Louise – the luxe shopping street of the city.
3. If you’re looking for a hotel with a great terrace.

From 120 euro. Check out: www.urbanrooms.be

(Images from Contemporan – a design blog worth folloiwing)

TRIED & TESTED: ACE HOTEL NEW YORK

Stephanie Duval is the great mind behind 70% Pure – a fantastic blog based in Antwerp. Last week she travelled to New York and because I loved following her Tweets I asked her to write a piece about her hotel experience:

Most striking feature:

With a key card to one of its rooms comes the access to a world of fun and coolness. Whether you love hanging around in the lobby between the hipsters on their macbooks, standing in line for the world’s best coffee at Stumptown or slurping cocktails and oysters in the John Dory Oyster Bar: all of these treats are just steps away from your fabulous guest room. Which comes with a guitar, Smeg refrigerator, rad jersey bathrobes and woollen blankets, and wonderful bathroom products by Rudy’s Brand, by the way.

No, the Ace Hotel is not cheap, contrary to what some might claim. Even a bunk bed here comes at a price, but it’s nothing compared to what most of the other hip design hotels in Manhattan are charging. Besides, in my humble opinion, your buck is worth a lot more around here than anywhere else. Even the simple gratification of flashing your key card on a busy Friday night (when everyone – and I do mean everyone – wants to get in and hang at the bar), and gaining immediate entrance to the center of hip Manhattan is worth the splurge.

But be sure to save a little cash for spending at the annexed Project n°8 and Opening Ceremony stores: way cooler destinations for souvenirs than you’ll find anywhere else in town. Oh, and my favourite way of spending $5? The photo booth!

Check out: www.acehotel.com