Category: Luxury

Istanbul and the art of booking a hotel online: Nothing Zen! Part 2

After publishing part 1 of this story, I asked my friend the frequently traveling CEO, for suggestions, but alas he had no other suggestions than only Istanbul’s most expensive and luxury top hotels. So there I go with my conclusion in part 1.

My lady friend who organizes the trip for “Art en Route” came up with a travel agency that suggested following hotels:

and

Finally, however, on suggestion of the travel agent, a reservation has been made at the Celal Sultan Hotel.

We will see what will happen and I will keep you posted later this year.

Just for now I would like to conclude that at least for group travel a travel agent still seems a better bet than a DIY reservation. Especially because various hotels put only a small number of rooms available through travel portals or even through their own website, or have no possibilities to book well in advance.

Finally officially opened: Stadeshuys Stavoren

Stadeshuys 00

I have reported earlier about the making of this exceptional 2 suites Bed and Breakfast in Stavoren in 2004 and in 2006.

It has a honeymoon suite with a view that is probably the most beautiful view of The Netherlands. When the suite was half ready we have slept in it as test sleepers.

Saturday 7th April Stadeshuys was officially opened by the Lady of Stavoren, a mythical person in The Netherlands.

Stadeshuys 01
Host Pim an hostess Jane welcoming guests for the opening
Stadeshuys 03
The Honeymoon Suite with original wall painting
STADESHUYS 02
The view from the Honeymoon Suite
Stadeshuys 04
The Lady of Stavoren enjoying the view from the Honeymoon Suite’s balcony
Stadeshuys 05
The Honeymoon Suite’s bathroom
Stadeshuys 06
The view from the Honeymoon Suite’s bath
Stadeshuys 07
The other suite: the “Jol” (= Dinghy) Suite

(All photos © Happy Hotelier)

A Skeleton Attache: Ideal if you have no secrets nor dirty laundry.

Skeleton Attache 01

Hideo Stores stores sells this stylish attache. The designer is Hideo Wakamatsu, a Japanese designer based in Tokyo. He draws on Japanese and French design traditions.

Born and raised in Tokyo, Hideo is the scion of a family business that is Japan’s leading maker of “randoseru”raditional Japanese schoolbags. After studying Japanese and French art and literature in university in Japan, Hideo moved to Paris where he spent the next ten years immersing himself in European culture and working with a wide range of bag makers. He then brought this experience back to the family business in Japan, where his brand is headquartered. Hideo now lives in Tokyo, but regularly travels throughout Europe, Asia and North America.

It is also available in a trolley version. Maybe something to put your laptop in, so that you don’t have to take it out at the airport security (?).

Dutch Design (7): It drives and flies: PAL-V

PAL-V

PAL-V stands for a hybrid of a car, a motorbike and a gyrocopter: a Personal Air and Land Vehicle or a flying car. PAL-V is an initiative of Dutch entrepreneur John Bakker. John takes the Carver Technology one step further. The Carver technology has been developed by another Dutchman, Chris van den Brink.

Carver 01

Carver One is a closed fast three wheel tilting vehicle. The first production model has been on show at the Geneva Motor Show from 7-18 March 2007. Unfortunately they had to apply for bankruptcy in 2009. Some Carvers were produced however. and Carver Technology seems having survived.

The PAL-V project is yet in its first phase: looking for investors. Not a bad idea.

The Trump Blog: A hilarious k.i.s.s. comment

Yes, Mr “The Don” Donald Trump himself Blogs as well. In a recent advice to Keep It Short, Quick, Crisp and Clean or K.I.S.S. he gives some advice, but look at the comments of his post where I found this one:

Posted by member1528271 on 03/06/2007 10:25 AM

Hi Mr. Trump. I am a chinese student in GuangZhou.

Tonight, a hearsay arounds me: You are bankrupt.

And I think “Oh! Gee! This cool guy is caught in bankrupt again?!”

Then I think “He is bankrupt means he has 1.7billion buck to rebuild his owning bussiness”

I don’t believe in that hell hearsay I mean. Now it is proved!

I think you are the guy if you are in desert and come across a commercia team, you will back on your track and get rich again.

In my opnion, you are the finally winner though “The Apprentice”, right?

I am appiciate to leave here, thank you!

By the way your chinese name is ???(Donald) ??(Trump)

There are more hilarious comments and I must say I appreciate The Don for not moderating them.