There are only a few countries or places that really linger on your mind and make an impact. This could of course vary in terms of preference I'm fully aware. This post is rather a recommendation on my latest discovery - the newest addition to my, " Top Beautiful Spaces".
I've decided on a two part post. This post would be centred around the accommodation and its surroundings - mostly snap shots from windows and balconies for I think the interiors are too precious and no photo would do it justice. I infact mentioned to Luis that this is the first instance I've encountered where the hotel's web page doesn't over indulge you with expectations. Later, in conversing with the owner, we found out infact that was precisely their aim.
I've decided on a two part post. This post would be centred around the accommodation and its surroundings - mostly snap shots from windows and balconies for I think the interiors are too precious and no photo would do it justice. I infact mentioned to Luis that this is the first instance I've encountered where the hotel's web page doesn't over indulge you with expectations. Later, in conversing with the owner, we found out infact that was precisely their aim.
Before I get into it, I would like to fill you in on my other top spaces. This is in no particular order as I'm finding it difficult to rank them. They are all very good but in different ways; not necessarily the same atmosphere - some very modern, some elegant others antique and some even on stilts.
Okay, so here it goes, off the top of my head, The Full Moon Sheraton, Maldives,The Shangri-la Tanjung Aru Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia ( The Wedding Suite, was more like an apartment, spectacular!)
and The Phoenix Hotel, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
( though the Amanjivo would have been no doubt stunning because of its location )
and The Phoenix Hotel, Jogjakarta, Indonesia
( though the Amanjivo would have been no doubt stunning because of its location )
Then just last weekend, Luis whisk me off to a place I would love love to recommend to anyone who's planning to come to Chile or are in Chile but would love a mind-blowing getaway. Honestly, I wrote an e-mail straight away to my mum and sister drooling about it from my spot at the balcony. It's a boutique Hotel and it's called HA Acontraluz, in the midst of the hills of Valparaiso (A UNESCO world heritage site ). A city located around 1 hr 45 min from Santiago, the capital. My last post gave you a glimpse of the hilly port city - the roads and the colourful corners. From the last visit, we fell head over heels in love with the city. So we grabbed the first opportunity to head back to live it a little; basically to eat, to sleep and to celebrate our 8 year anniversary since Luis and I first met in New Zealand.
( thought I'll just slip that in ) <GRIN>.
For me, it's the best way to know and truly appreciate a place - like, it's always different to have visited a place ( with all that touristy focus) than to have had the opportunity to have lived in a place - for example the friendly smiles and the familiar routines of people we notice as we stroll down walk paths and
the little cafes we discover as the days go by make any stay different.
Don't get me wrong, if we hadn't done the touristy thing in Valparaiso,
we totally wouldn't have focused on the eating and sleeping entirely ! Nah, not by a any chance. Well if you've had the opportunity to have met my wonderful husband and have travelled with him, you'll understand. He makes the best travel companion and even researches and makes like power point slides and binds it up before we arrive at any city so we always at least dine at the best places and don't miss out on the must-dos. The "Lonely Lucho" we call it. You know like the " The Lonely Planet" :)
the little cafes we discover as the days go by make any stay different.
Don't get me wrong, if we hadn't done the touristy thing in Valparaiso,
we totally wouldn't have focused on the eating and sleeping entirely ! Nah, not by a any chance. Well if you've had the opportunity to have met my wonderful husband and have travelled with him, you'll understand. He makes the best travel companion and even researches and makes like power point slides and binds it up before we arrive at any city so we always at least dine at the best places and don't miss out on the must-dos. The "Lonely Lucho" we call it. You know like the " The Lonely Planet" :)
We loved Valparaiso and especially the hotel so much so that we decided quite quickly that it would be our little getaway place - it would definitely be our once- a- year or every 6- month spot. I can't actually remember now what we agreed upon (Something to do with how much it cost I vaguely don't want to remember- I must admit pricey, but worth every cent something like 250-350 US dollars per night. I know, ouch right?)
But moving on to happier thoughts. Lucky for me, it's in Chile! (Even though high on the hills and not in any way ideal for strolling in stilettos however, in every other way awesome in flats!) Mind you, I did bring out those heels for dinners. How can we keep them away for those romantic dinners if we can endure walking the hills in it right?
Oh yes, this is probably one of the few times I would recommend the, "Trip Advisor". Also, it's not the typical you pay more you get more kinda space. We stayed at some of the best hotels in India ( and we all know that India can be extravagant) and lets review
- posh alright loved it to bits, but incomparable to the HA Acontraluz in terms of money's worth.
The top 15 restaurants listed , didn't fail either.
I'll elaborate more on my next post - Dining in Valparaiso
The top 15 restaurants listed , didn't fail either.
I'll elaborate more on my next post - Dining in Valparaiso
For an fully unbias account of the hotel, we had a good look and toured the other recommended rated ones too; although I do believe we will try them at some point,
as for now as ranked number one,
HA Acontraluz is still number one for us too in terms of its view and concept
- a vision materialized, no doubt.
Can't recommended it enough. I won't go into the nitty-gritty of the hotel as I'll prefer to leave that to your imagination and privilege to hear the history of the hotel first- hand from the owners
( husband-wife team)
Try it out! - you would be far from disappointed
(Oh, I'm very picky too !)
- a vision materialized, no doubt.
Can't recommended it enough. I won't go into the nitty-gritty of the hotel as I'll prefer to leave that to your imagination and privilege to hear the history of the hotel first- hand from the owners
( husband-wife team)
Try it out! - you would be far from disappointed
(Oh, I'm very picky too !)
I was in awe. Come to think of it, I'm still letting it all sink in. Magical
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| We spent most of time out here |
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| The Hotel spoilt us with Champaign and a bit of a cocktail in conjunction with our anniversary:-) BTW, their Champaign is organic |
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| The Araucaria tree - National tree ( native to south-central Chile) |
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| The view from our room's balcony |
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| Veronica, the lovely owner giving us a tour and letting us in on the history of the hotel |
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| The Bar at the basement |
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| Curiosities around the hotel |
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| Don Jose, the owner |
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| Outside the lovely hotel. Next post - the food ! |
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