The Royal Horseguards, London

I stayed in The Royal Horseguards Hotel in London already third time. This time it was five nights stay from 5th of August to 10th of August. In was my third time in this hotel and that probably sums it up.

The location is awesome. Getting to Horseguards Hotel from Heathrow Airport is really easy. You just take the subway - Piccadilly line to Hammersmith and from there a district line to Embankment. The hotel is next to the Embankment tube station. The prize of ticket was 4,5 Pounds for one adult. When you want to go for a walk it is easy to get back as the hotel is directly next to the river.

I really enjoy staying there. When I came to check-in I found out that all of the staff has a flag on their name tags that shows what country they come from and you can speak with them also using this language. I spoke with Italian guy and German woman. Small, but nice detail. I got the room 211 and they said to me I was upgraded to a room with a king-size bed. When I came to the room I saw the room window is looking directly into another wall. When I switched all of the lights off I was feeling like it was a night in this room. I went back to reception and asked how much would I pay for an upgrade to a room with a view. They told me its complimentary and gave me room 419. They were very nice and handled this very quickly.


From room 419 I saw the river and London Eye from my room. Well, there were many trees, that blocked it a bit, but it was still really good. I liked the small rush from the street also. It showed me that London is a living city also during the night. Room was nice, TV in the shower is always a small luxury one can enjoy :-) Long showers while listening to music stored in my iPhone, thanks to their iPod/Iphone docks was really a good experience.

The bed was comfortable. Even though some people on booking.com said it is too small, I didn't have this problem. I travelled with my girlfriend and it was a good thing. They even upgraded me to king-size bed room, as I written above, but I rather changed it to a room with a view.

The cleaning of room was very good. She came every morning and made sure everything is in the right place. The woman with Hungarian flag on her name tag did a good job and she speaks English. In room you also have complimentary coffee and tea bags with necessary equipment. We were drinking coffee every morning and during the cleaning she never forgot to fulfil the box. What shocked me a bit was that our room wasn't prepared for sleep or there was no one in our room in the evening who could gave us at least those small chocolates they used to give me before sleep. :-) Even when we switched on the Make-up the Room button and went out for several hours, no one came.

The Royal Horseguards is a five star hotel and it deserves it. Prize of the food and drinks as always in such hotels is high. Therefor I used to eat in a Pret A Manger located nearby. Also you can buy something from Tesco located on Piccadilly circus station(5-10 minutes from hotel). There is also a store opened 24 hours in the Embankment tube station - but it is overpriced, the sales person stole several pounds from me(because I didn't know the value of the coins and I gave him an opportunity) and the prize for 3 durex condoms is 5 Pounds(in Pharmacy located nearby for 24 durex condoms you pay 10 Pounds) :-). During my last stay in Royal Horseguards Hotel I also paid for breakfast there. I remember it was very good, very nice room and very good food. Also the staff was friendly offering me whatever I needed. But you have to pay for this luxury :-)

Next time I will come to London, I will probably again want to stay in The Royal Horseguard hotel. The prize of the stay was 1009 British Pounds and it was worth it. There surely are some hotels that are even more luxurious in a city like London, but this hotel was worth its prize and even a bit more and I can not find a reason to start looking for another hotel in London to stay in.

The Royal Horseguards Hotel is a part of Guoman hotels and Preferred Hotels. You can earn some airline miles by staying there also, but I had my Lufthansa Miles and More card and my Czech Airlines OK plus card and neither one of those were accepted.  They even claim that they give you 50 Pounds voucher to Selfridges, but I didn't get this. Here is how:Selfridges voucher


My ranking of this hotel is: 9/10 - just because I want them to keep up the good work and get even better, because I will come back :-)

Link to hotel:The Royal Horseguards
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Pension Tatrasport Zampa, Vysoke Tatry

I wanted to experience some unspoiled nature and Vysoke Tatry or if you want High Tatras came to me as a good idea. So I took my girlfriend for 2 days(one night) - from 10th July to Vysoke Tatry.

On booking.com I found Pension Tatrasport Zampa in city located in High Tatras called Stary Smokovec. When you get to Stary Smokovec train station that is connected with Poprad(TAT airport code) very well, it is easy to find this Pension.

The staff was really friendly. They know the place, advised me what to visit and what to do. This reception women showed me the hotel and when she met me next day in breakfast room, she started talking with me immediately and made sure everything is fine.

This is a 3 star facility and the prize for a night was 62Eur. Breakfast is included. Breakfast are a-la-carte and are very tasty. I asked just for some boiled eggs, some bread and a coffee. They brought me also some "home-made" cookies, juice, apples and asked me several times if there is anything else I would like to have. Very friendly. The restaurant is very quick. I also dined there and ordered a very tasty meal. The prize wasn't small but we managed I got chicken steak and my gf got a salad completely for 13Eur. You also get 10% discount if you stay at the hotel.

They offer also free bicycle rental, ski rental and discount in a sport shop as well as the restaurant. Hotel is located in Stary Smokovec - city that is not big and there are also other restaurants, hotels, shops, ATM, post and basic services. The train station is 5 minutes from hotel. There are many options where to take a walk - from basic few minutes walk around the hotel to hardly accessible climbing tours.
 

Pension Tatrasport is new and modern facility. Rooms are very nice. Internet is available, but not free. Place is quite quiet, but there is always someone in this pension - either in reception or in restaurant, who can assist you.
One thing I missed was a simple soup in the bathroom, what a bit shocked me. Such a nice and modern place, awesome bathroom - I would even say luxurious and there was no such thing as a shower gel or shampoo. I was also unable to find the website of this facility. If you don't have one guys, send me an email :-)

If you want to go and see some beautiful nature I definitely would recommend you Tatrasport Hotel Zampa.

Sheraton Hotel, Bratislava

I stayed in Sheraton Hotel in Bratislava only for one night with my girlfriend. I checked in on 29th May 2010. I was there to attend TedxBratislava that was happening in Heineken Tower Stage nearby.

Because the TedX event was starting on 29th May at 9 am, I asked the hotel to give me early check-in. They gave it to me complimentary and I checked in already at 8 in the morning. The receptionist was very kind. The hotel is nice and is a part of newly build part of Bratislava and shopping center Eurovea. The hotel is facing new building of Slovakian National Theatre. 

When I asked where the Heineken Tower Stage is, they didn't know, but they searched for it on the Internet and in a minute gave me an instructions where should I go. This was weird, when I think about it, later in the evening I found out most of the Ted speakers stayed at this hotel.

Before I made this reservation I registered as a Starwood Preferred Guest for free. Thanks to this you get a better room in Sheraton hotel. Doing this is really worth it.

Room was very spacious and comfortable. Also the bathroom was really modern. It is clear that the room is new and the whole hotel started just short time ago. Also the public facilities were exceptional with a very nice bar.

The prize for one night was 120Eur for double room for 2 persons on the hotel website. On the invoice they actually deducted 124Eur from my account. Internet and breakfast was not included. Normal prize is 130Eur for this room, but when I clicked on Special Offers on their web, It showed 120. 

The receptionist at the check-out was also very kind and she was talking with me about the event that happened last day and asking me about the hotel if everything was as I needed. Hotel is very easy to find. You can also get your frequent flyier program miles for most of the airlines and preferred guest points.

My final rating: 9,5/10. Good location, friendly, stuff, very nice new hotel. Some small details may have been better. I think that hotel should have something to surprise his guests with. I think it was definitely worth the prize and I would pay even a bit more. It was clearly a five star hotel.

Link to hotel:http://www.sheratonbratislava.com/

Radisson blu Viking Hotel, Stockholm

I stayed in Radisson blu hotel in Stockholm from 29th January 2010 for 2 nights. It is a five star hotels and this Radisson hotel deserves it . Their customers service is very good and is replying to emails very quickly and promptly. I already stayed in Stockholm before - in Clarion Hotel Sign.

The location of this hotel is very good. I travelled with Czech Airlines and they use Stockholm's Arlanda airport. You can simply take Arlanda express for app. 20Eur one way one person. Arlanda express has only two stations - Arlanda Airport and Stockholm city center. This station is absolutely next to Radisson Viking hotel. Therefor getting there is easy. As I travelled to Stockholm once also using RyanAir that flies to Skavsta airport, I know it is very easy to get there also this way. The tube station is also next to hotel.

I travelled with my female friend and when she saw the room, she was really satisfied. I was satisfied myself. It was just the standard room - no upgrades, but still there was enough space and a very comfortable bed. Details like coffe and tea making facilities are always nice. Room was in warm colors and the bathroom was also nice.

Staff was friendly during check-in and check-out. Both of those were really fast, so I didnt have an opportunity to talk with the staff more. When I told them I am there only for a weakend to enjoy Stockholm in winter, guy at check-in gave me a map. At the check-out they helped me with crediting my miles to frequent flyier program, when I wanted to know which one will be the best for me. When I later needed them to resend me the invoice, they did it in two days.

Wifi was good and free of charge. Pool is free of charge. Breakfast was included in prize. We got a bit drunk the first night, so we didnt enjoy the breakfast on the following day, but still we got some vegetable, fruits, juice and coffe there. The next day I eaten a lot of stuff that was permanently there even if you came to breakfast later.

In the elevator I met some Slovaks that were there also on a short break. 

Before going to a club one night, we just sat down at a bar in the hotel to get into mood and got two coffes and a water. After few minutes I wanted to pay, but the bartender insisted that is is free. That was also nice. 

My final rating: 9/10 -  hotel is really overbooked during summer, but also during the whole year. Therefor going to a bar with a view on friday or saturday is not easy as it is overcrowded. Also it forces you to book in advance. On the other hand it is a consequence of a good value that this hotel brings. Two night stay for 2 persons costed me 2732SEK what is less then 300Euros. The room size can be always bigger even if the basic room is booked. :-)

Link to hotel: http://www.radissonblu.se/royalvikinghotell-stockholm

Clarion Hotel Sign, Stockholm

I stayed in Clarion Hotel Sign in Stockholm for 4 nights from 18th August 2009. I was travelling with one of my friends. This hotel is a four stars facility.

Clarion Hotel is a member of Choice Hotel Group and it is a new hotel. I got the room with a view of a very nice park in front of this building, where a lot of blondies were sun tanning as it was August. Therefor also a lot of sun light was coming to the room.  Room was clean and was being cleaned every day.

Person at the check-in and check-out and every staff member was friendly and helpful. On check in I asked about the nearest ATM and the woman there immediately answered me, where it was. When I asked about stamps on postcards at the reception they took my postcards and took them to the post.

Full breakfast was included in a room prize and was very good. Everything I needed was offered. The room used for breakfast wasn't big, but there was enough place to find a seat and enjoy tasty food. 

The building itself is very nice and known between Stockholmers. I had a meeting with one of my colleague in Stockholm and he immediately know where Hotel Sign is.

Getting there is very easy. I arrived to Skavsta airport as I was flying with RyanAir for only few Euros. I took one of those Flygbussarna buses there and they stop next to the train station. In the bus I met some gorgeous friendly girls that are my friends even today. People in Scandinavia are cool :-) Getting there from the train station is within a walking distance. Arlanda Express stops even closer. 

On the other hand...the hotel has a pool and a fitness, but you need to pay for them.  Internet is also not included. The prize for a superior twin room was 8 680 Swedish Kronor what makes it approximately 915Eur. That is a bit overpriced, but well, prizes in Stockholm are very expensive everywhere.

This hotel is a four star hotel and is part of Choice hotels. You can earn miles to nearly every frequent flyier program for a stay there. 

My final rating is 8,25/10 - free pool, free Internet or just some fruit or a bottle of water for people or coffee making facilities for this prize should be included. Hotel is very nice, new and also in a good location and the staff is friendly. Bar is also very nice. Therefor the high rating for Clarion Hotel Sign.

Link to hotel: http://www.clarionsign.se/

Park Hotel, Bremen

I stayed at Park Hotel Bremen in March for 5 nights. It was already my second stay in this hotel and it is one of the hotels I like the most from all of the hotels I have ever been to. I use to travel to CeBIT in Hannover by car. Getting accommodation in Hannover during CeBIT is not easy. Getting to Bremen from Hannover is.

This time I contacted management of the hotel and offered them some presentations in my publications from CeBIT in exchange for some stay. Mr. Wehrenberg contacted me and we agreed on an offer for 99EUR/night so totally 495Eur (vat included). This prize included also the breakfast and Internet access. Parking around this hotel is free. Usually for all of this you would pay 275Eur/night - at least one year before I paid this amount.

The hotel is not that easy to find. It is in a good location though and it is hard to find it only for the first time. Parking around the hotel is always free and there are also paid garages. Park Hotel Bremen is in the vicinity of city center, but still it is in a park. All around you there are green areas and if you want to go running during the morning, this is one of the best hotels in Germany and even abroad for this.

When I was there, there were players of Bayern Munich soccer club. These guys were preparing for a match with local Werder Bremen, so the city was very active and a lot of rush was there. When I got out of the building they took some of my photos, before they realised I am not a soccer player(what I think should be clear:-))

Lobby is beautiful. It is really outstanding and looks really amazing. You can just sit next to a fireplace and enjoy the warm rooms with newspapers or a cigar. Or you can just sit and watch the park outside while drinking coffee. The room for breakfast was big enough, very beautiful also with a lot of light from outside. Breakfast was tasty.

Pretty much everyone in the hotel speak English very well. Cleaning of the room was very good, people were friendly, reception gave me tips for Bremen and helped me with my luggage or opened the doors for me. Hotels have a pool and a fitness.

Room was spacious with big terrace and bang&olufssen electronics in my room. Very good bed and really good looking massive table with enough light from outside made it perfect place to work from.

Hotel has pretty much everything it should have. It is one of the prettiest hotel I have ever been to. My final ranking therefor is 9,8/10 - because for the cost of the room at least the internet should be included. Or maybe a complimentary bottle of water or some fruit would be appreciated.

Link to hotel:http://www.park-hotel-bremen.de/

Hotel President, Prague

I stayed in Hotel President in Prague in a room for 2 persons from 29th November 2008 for 3 nights in a Junior Executive Suite.

I booked one of the more luxurious rooms in this hotel. At the check in they gave me a smaller executive room. They told me it is because I was travelling with a man and they dont have a bigger room with two beds, only with one. I know the other person probably wont spend a lot of time in the hotel so I asked for the bigger room and they gave it to me immediately.

When you book executive room, you get a room on a fifth floor. Also in this hotel you need your room card for going to this floor. You get an access to sixth floor where some kind of business center is located, there are free tea and coffe. They serve you when you are there with cookies, wine and beer if you want to during the afternoon. There are also newspapers, books, computer with a printer and other stuff. There was nobody else except from me when I visited.

The room had a view of some fabric or something like this. The view was really bad, nothing interesting. There was a big terrace though, I believe can be used very well during summer. 

I also booked an airport transfer from and to Ruzyne Airport. The prize for that was 1550Czk for one car there and back. It was a comfortable way of transfer, but there are connections from the airport and you can also use the bus. 

They also gave me complimentary late check-out till 4 pm, but they forgot to put it also on my hotel card, so when I tried to use my room card in an elevator about 12pm that day, it didnt worked.

We also got a complimentary box full of very tasty fruit and a bottle of water. The breakfast was also included in the room prize and was very tasty.

There was also free wifi internet and also a ethernet cable in my room.

Staff was extremely friendly - with chaning my room, when I needed a photocopying or when my card didnt worked. One of the receptionist was from Slovakia, from where I come from, what was nice.

My final rating is 9,5/10 - definitely a five star facility with a personal and friendly stuff. Prize for 3 nights was 666Eur for Junior Executive Suite what is good when internet and breakfast is included. I would definitely recommend this hotel for those who want to stay in Prague. The prize was even lower as I offered to pay for the stay in advance even though it was just a few days before my arrival.

Link to hotel:http://www.hotelpresident.cz/