Best Tablet Hotels Meter Best Score of the Day

Andaz Wall Street : New York, NY, USA

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 04:00:12 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

20 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Our Tablet Spy program offers the chance to get early looks at the most promising new hotels. If you’re willing to take the risks associated with staying in a hotel that’s just opened, then you’ll be rewarded with the chance to help decide whether the hotel will earn a place on Tablet Hotels.

When some big chains venture into boutique-hotel territory, the result is basically the same old chain hotel, with an extra helping of funky plastic furniture. Not so with the Hyatt group’s Andaz sub-brand. The hotels under the Andaz banner are about more than just design; they’re boutique in philosophy as well, each one of them intensely localized — the London and West Hollywood outposts are as different as their respective cities, and a hotel doesn’t get much more Lower Manhattan than the Andaz Wall Street.

The casual deskless check-in sets the tone for a stay that’s not exactly typical. Today’s Wall Street leaves the traditional Gotham look to Midtown, and the Andaz, designed by New York’s own Rockwell Group, follows suit. You can expect the glossy finishes and lavish fittings of a luxury hotel that’s located at the heart of the financial world, but there’s also a healthy dose of downtown hipster funk, from the rough brick walls in the bedrooms to the impeccably sourced farm-fresh cuisine. And underneath it all is a high-end hotel by a group that certainly knows high-end — the bathrooms, for example, are as luxurious as those in any Park or Grand Hyatt, just a little sexier, in patented Manhattan black-on-black.

Relais Christine : Paris, France

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:07:55 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

A 16th-century abbey converted into a small and charmingly traditional boutique hotel would be special enough, were it located somewhere far out in the French countryside; in the heart of Paris’s Latin Quarter, however, it’s truly extraordinary. This is the Relais Christine, hidden away in a quiet cobbled courtyard in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, close by to the Louvre and Notre Dame, and a short walk from the banks of the Seine.

The fifty-one rooms vary in size, all individually decorated, but all decked out in Louis XIII antiques and the kind of lush fabrics and upholstery that you come to Paris for in the first place. Beamed ceilings and all manner of period architectural detail keep the eye interested, and unlike some over-ornate classic Parisian interiors, the Relais Christine’s rooms never feel overstuffed.

Views overlook gardens, courtyards or a quiet private street, and some of the suites come with private garden terraces. There’s wireless internet access throughout, and a meeting room in a vaulted cellar — theatrical, maybe, but better than the average boardroom. Also downstairs is the new spa, complete with sauna, jacuzzi and fitness center. There’s no restaurant, but the St. Germain district isn’t hurting for options, including the legendary Les Deux Magots.

The Screen : Kyoto, Japan

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:49 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

In a hotel as small as Kyoto’s The Screen, what matters most is the attention to detail. It’s not simply the fact that it’s a hybrid style, somewhere between a traditional ryokan and a modern design boutique — thought of course that certainly helps. In the end what makes it special is the sheer variety and richness of the experience; with thirteen rooms by thirteen different designers, it’s meant to provide a subtly different experience to each guest.

The common thread is the keen design eye (or, rather, twenty-six of them) throughout. While some rooms are more classic than others, with tatami floors and shoji screens, they’re all effortlessly stylish and at the same time quite undeniably Japanese. Designers in Kyoto have a lot of history to deal with, whether that means embracing it or reacting against it — at the Screen they manage to do both at once.

A hotel of this size thrives on intimacy, which is certainly the case at the restaurant’s weekly “candle night,” where lights are extinguished in the name of saving energy. Facilities, then, are suitably micro-sized, from the open-air “sky lounge” to the Adonis spa and the private lounge (which doubles as a wedding chapel).

The Angler's Boutique Resort : Miami Beach, FL, USA

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:03:28 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Well south of Lincoln Way on a formerly neglected stretch of lower Washington Avenue, the Angler’s is a bit of a departure for South Beach hotels; visually it’s a Mediterranean Revival standout in the midst of the Art Deco district, and in terms of atmosphere, this enclosed residential compound feels miles more private than the big-show high-rise hotels along the seaside.

The original Angler’s hotel dates back to the Thirties, long enough ago that Hemingway drank here — surely he drank in at least as many places as George Washington slept, but it’s a bit of Miami history nonetheless. And its architectural credentials are certainly in order: after years of disuse the hotel’s original Henry Maloney structures have been thoroughly redesigned by celebrity designer Wallace Tutt (of Versace Mansion fame) and augmented by two buildings by famed Miami architect Allan Shulman.

Today’s Angler’s offers larger, more well-appointed rooms, as well as an air of discreet privacy about the place. The hotel’s suites come in split-level and studio plans, and come with most of the charms and conveniences of home — assuming home includes a plasma television, a stereo system with iPod docking station, and a wet bar, along with, in some cases, balconies and terraces.

Spa treatments are offered in-room or by the pool, and the designated beach area is just two blocks away. A French restaurant occupies the old main building of the original Angler’s hotel, if you’d like to stay in; and if not, Angler’s guests are offered VIP status at a number of South Beach nightclubs — and the nightlife, let’s face it, is no small part of Miami’s appeal.

Hostal Nicolas de Ovando : Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:03:25 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

This very modern hotel occupies a compound of buildings that includes the former home of Nicolas de Ovando, which dates back an impressive 500 years — obviously, this is one of the oldest Spanish buildings in the New World. This sense of history is what makes Santo Domingo unique, setting it apart from the Caribbean's many identical sun & sand resorts. The hotel's modern construction blends well with the weathered stone of the original sixteenth-century building, and the interiors are contemporary with tasteful retro flourishes.

Though small, only 104 rooms, it is a full-service hotel, with two restaurants, two bars, a swimming pool, and twenty-four hour room service. There are meeting facilities and a fully equipped business center, and though there is no beach handy, the downtown district's nightlife and entertainment are close by. Americans and other baseball fans take note: this is the place to see the sport at its most pure. Watch children play an impromptu game in the streets, or check out the Tigers or the Lions at Quisqueya Stadium. Come in January and you can see the stars of the American game in their home country, playing for the love of the game.

The Mansfield Hotel : New York, NY, USA

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:05:36 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

17.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

In New York real estate circles the word “prewar” is one that holds a special significance. This is the era stretching back from the start of the Second World War to, for all practical purposes, roughly the dawn of the 20th century. When buildings were buildings, elevators had attendants, and a height of fifteen or twenty stories was enough to scrape the sky. It’s not just the solid construction, although that certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s also the aesthetic appeal of what’s for many of us the most romantic period in New York’s history. And in large part this romance is what the Mansfield Hotel is all about.

The massive year-long renovation had two aims: to restore the historical character of the building, and at the same time to bring the hotel up to current New York standards. Rooms are intimate, as vintage NYC hotel rooms tend to be, but efficiently designed, and packed with plush comforts — microfiber bathrobes, luxury linens, iPod radios, that sort of thing. The Club Room is a classic library/parlor, and the M Bar is a slightly retro nightspot, in keeping with the general tone of the Mansfield. Downstairs is a completely modern gym, but it’s not enough to break the spell — upon your exit to 44th street and the bustle of midtown Manhattan you just might feel a bit of future shock.

Kahanda Kanda : Galle, Sri Lanka

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:01:27 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

20 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Much of the buzz around Sri Lanka has centered on the seaside colonial town of Galle Fort, and the beach in general. Perfectly reasonable, and all very well — but there’s more to it than that. For example, a few miles inland from Galle there’s Kahanda Kanda, formerly a private residence and still a working tea plantation, but one whose owner has turned it, to everyone’s benefit, into a small and contemporary boutique-style hotel.

Small is one of the key words — it’s got just five suites, each of them free-standing, surrounded by shady vegetation, all within a stone’s throw of a central infinity pool, on a hillside overlooking Koggala Lake. Interiors are stylish, a blend of contemporary luxury and colonial heritage, and the bathrooms are downright indulgent, as they tend to be these days. The atmosphere could hardly be more private or tranquil, and the no-kids policy certainly doesn’t hurt in that department.

Activities are mercifully few: this is a place to get away, though not a difficult or terribly remote one. The beach is a short drive away, if you’re determined, and sporting options on-site include swimming, yoga, and a small fitness center — an emphasis on health that’s complemented by the hotel’s hybrid Thai/Sri Lankan cuisine.

How to get there:

Kahanda Kanda the boutique hotel, can be found just 5 kilometres inland from the coastal Galle Road (as the crow flies), perched at the north east shore of Koggala Lake.

Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

The Morrison Hotel : Dublin, Ireland

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:02:49 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The city of Dublin is cosmopolitan enough that there’s room for more than one painfully stylish boutique hotel; the Clarence is not the only game in town. Here on the north side of the Liffey—just north, in fact, overlooking the river—the Morrison Hotel is slightly less in the thick of it, but creates something of a scene of its own, with a fine bar and restaurant and some inspiring views of the water.

The Morrison’s style credentials are impeccable. The hotel is the brainchild of the Hong Kong-born Irish fashion designer John Rocha, and executed by the interior designer Douglas Wallace. The result is something rather like London’s better boutiques—ultra-modern, to be sure, but ultimately comfortable, even luxurious, quite obviously a hotel beneath all that modern design, in contrast to some of the more avant-garde design hotels we’ve seen, which possess all the warmth and hospitability of a museum foyer.

Rooms are decorated in a soothing palette of creams, browns and blacks, with the by now familiar Frette linens and high-tech entertainment centers. There’s more space than one might expect, and some of the views are extraordinary, the penthouse quite naturally having the best.

The surrounding neighborhood is relatively serene at night, compared with the Temple Bar district on the other side of the river, but the Morrison is a destination unto itself. The Morrison Bar looks out over the Liffey through wide open windows, and the Halo restaurant is one of Dublin’s most in-demand. Lobo, the auditorium-style nightclub, is open to the shocking hour of 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, making it something of a late-night mecca.

Albergo Hotel : Beirut, Lebanon

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:03:39 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

We’ll skip over all the usual caveats and acknowledgements and just assume you know what you’re doing going to Beirut at this current moment in world history. But if you do, the first order of business (aside from possibly checking with your embassy, and giving the international headlines a quick scan) is making sure there’s a room available at the Albergo Hotel.

It’d be a shame to stay anywhere else. This Thirties mansion in the upscale Achrafieh district is a world apart, a classic luxury hotel, with thirty suites outfitted in a variety of lavish styles, from Oriental fantasy to Parisian chic — each individually and ornately decorated, and all equipped with the full complement of modern comforts, from LCD televisions and stereo systems to marble bathrooms with jacuzzi tubs.

What more does it need? The neighborhood is a gastronome’s paradise already, but the hotel’s own French restaurant holds its own against the competition. It just might be the ninth-floor terrace that nudges the Albergo over the top, from a very good hotel to a must-visit hotel — with sweeping views of the city’s rooftops all the way out to the Mediterranean, it’s the perfect vantage point for taking in all of Beirut, whatever the city’s current mood.

How to get there:

Albergo Hotel is approximately a 10 minute drive to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.

New Majestic Hotel : Singapore, Singapore

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:05:37 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Score one for truth in advertising: the New Majestic is new, converted from a classic ‘20s building (once the just plain Majestic hotel) by Singapore’s DP Architects, and is indeed majestic, its soaring spaces and cozy bedrooms designed in a sort of modern ironic high style by Ministry of Design principal Colin Seah. It’s grand and glossy, to be sure, and nothing if not playful — the clockwork-orange white lobby floor sits beneath a ripped-out unfinished ceiling, and diners in the hotel’s modern-Cantonese restaurant look up through porthole windows through the floor of the rooftop swimming pool.

The simplest rooms are chic and serene, with teakwood floors and mosaic-tile bathrooms. Other rooms turn up the visual volume, with mural-painted walls and novel effects like levitating beds and see-through aquarium tubs. And the five concept pull out all the stops — each decorated by one of Singapore’s top creative minds, they’re over the top in the best possible way, just about as far from the typical hotel room as it’s possible to get.

And unlike some high-design boutiques, this one is a class act from bottom to top. The collection of chairs in the lobby is like something from a design museum, and the rooms, for all their flash, are luxurious as well — a fortune must have gone into these beds, and each room comes with flat-screen televisions, some viewable from pairs of deep freestanding copper bathtubs.

Anassa : Polis, Cyprus

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:42 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

20 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The Greek islands are the stars of the Mediterranean at the moment—but for all the spectacular beauty, and none of the crowds of tourists, Cyprus is a good bet. And as for lodging, Anassa is the queen of this island, perched majestically above the Mediterranean Sea.

The hotel is styled after a Byzantine village, a loose collection of gleaming white villas with terra cotta roofs clinging to the cliffside, with a view over the ocean to the Akamas peninsula and the goddess Aphrodite’s fabled baths. All rooms, from the humblest double, are spacious and elegant, in bright Mediterranean colors, many with private terraces overlooking the sea—some, in the suites, with sea-facing plunge pools or whirlpool baths.

Anassa is a rather self-contained experience, and many guests don’t bother leaving the grounds at all during their stay. There’s little cause to leave the suites at all, though if your room doesn’t have its own plunge pool, you’ve got three swimming pools to choose from. And four excellent restaurants may seem like overkill, but we’re not complaining, as all are equally fine.

Merely to list all the water sports and physical activities would be exhausting in itself, but all the usual suspects are accounted for, from tennis and golf to squash and even rock climbing. This is the sort of place where the Roman-style spa has more takers than the fitness center—one can always work out at home, but few of us can claim that our neighborhood gym offers thalassotherapy and algae wraps. Do book these in advance, though, as they are much in demand.

And a note for parents—perhaps unusually for a Mediterranean resort, Anassa not only welcomes children, but ensures they are well looked after, with a comprehensive children’s program. And non-parents, don’t fret; even fully booked, Anassa never feels crowded, and you won’t be stepping over someone else’s tykes on the way to the pool.

Dar Les Cigognes : Marrakech, Morocco

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:04:40 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

With the seemingly endless array of riad hotels in Marrakech, it takes a discerning eye to separate one from another. In the case of Dar Les Cigognes: this is the one with the bridge. Like a few others, this one is made of two courtyard residences joined into a single small hotel; unlike the others, the two houses of Dar Les Cigognes aren’t back to back, but across the road from each other, and connected by an elevated walkway.

So there’s that. There’s also the matter of the style: the Tunisian-born and Morocco-based architect Charles Boccara has brought an insider’s perspective to the designer-riad genre, and the result is a hotel that’s obviously architect-designed, but extremely classical in style. It’s neither unimaginatively minimal, like so many contemporary hotels, or needlessly opulent, as is the riad temptation.

These places are all about atmosphere and Les Cigognes has it in spades. Endless nooks and crannies for lounging surround the courtyards of the two houses, and the rooms themselves border on decadence, most of them with working fireplaces. And at double the size of an ordinary riad it has space to expand its offerings: the library is well-stocked, the spa and hammam well-equipped, and the restaurant, practically a necessity for foreigners visiting the medina, is far more than just serviceable — it’s a highlight of the experience.

Crosby Street Hotel : New York, NY, USA

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:00:02 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

In general it’s true that we’re skeptical about the idea of hotel chains. But we tend to forget our principles when we’re talking about the Firmdale group. Their six London hotels are six of the best hotels anywhere, and they can’t help but be similar; aside from the obvious fact that they all share the same city, they all just as obviously share the same general philosophy of what a hotel ought to be — which they owe to their owners, Tim and Kit Kemp. And a part of that is visual, a natural family resemblance based on their all having been decorated by the very recognizable Kit.

Now if we didn’t greatly admire the (smallish, intimate, service-oriented) Firmdale philosophy, and consider ourselves huge fans of Ms. Kemp’s design style, we might be less excited about a London-based mini-chain expanding into New York. But a hotel like Crosby Street is exactly what this city needs. The contrast between the downtown grit of the cobblestone street outside and the plush sophistication of the hotel’s lobby is immediate, and striking. Say what you will about the bright colors and the decidedly un-minimal décor — it’s a rare New York boutique these days that presents so opinionated a face to the world.

This year, more than most, hotels are clambering over one another to slash costs and look adequately humble. What’s so appealing about Crosby Street, and the Firmdale approach in general, is that they are unapologetic about the fact that theirs is a decidedly high-end offering. There’s something inherently a little bit decadent in the very idea of paying money for a place to sleep, and while Crosby Street isn’t exactly conspicuous consumption of the champagne-in-the-bathtub variety, it’s by no means a hard time either — and the confidence shows, right down to the smallest detail.

Dana Hotel and Spa : Chicago, IL, USA

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:02:07 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

There was a Dana Hotel here before, on this very spot, but a very different one — traditional, old-fashioned, maybe even classic, depending on who you ask. But that’s in the past now: the original Dana has been pulled down, replaced by a brand-new tower of modern metal and glass, home to the new incarnation of the Dana Hotel and Spa.

With over two hundred rooms it’s not small, but the look and the atmosphere are pure boutique, from the exclusivity of the nightspots to the forward-looking design in the guest rooms. Floor-to-ceiling windows make the bedrooms feel enormous, and the minimalist décor, including hand-hewn hardwood floors and bare concrete columns and ceilings, wisely doesn’t distract from the views. Best yet, a new building means no compromises when it comes to modern conveniences — not just high technology like LCD televisions and iPod docking stereos, but such concrete luxuries as fully enclosed shower rooms with overhead rain spouts.

The ground floor is given over to a full-service spa and fitness center, surely a big draw. But the Dana’s main attraction is Vertigo, the open-air rooftop lounge. When the weather permits, Chicagoans go mad for a chance to socialize outdoors, so you can expect a very full house.

How to get there:

Dana Hotel and Spa is located two blocks from the Chicago Ave. station on the red "L" line. Taxi prices range from $26-$45 from Midway Airport and $32-$48 from O’Hare. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com to arrange airport transfers.

Casa Colonial Beach & Spa : Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:03:58 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

If everywhere else in the Caribbean seems old hat, chances are you haven’t tried the Dominican Republic. Here, especially on the rough-and-tumble north coast, it’s possible to escape the package-holiday hordes, and maybe even get a taste of that undiscovered-paradise feeling that’s long since departed most Caribbean ports.

And any question about whether the Dominican Republic is ready for high-end luxury tourism is settled by a look at the Casa Colonial. This Spanish-style mansion, right on the beach at Playa Dorada, comprises some fifty oversized (and over-the-top) suites, each with all mod cons, from plush robe, slippers and Frette linens to the obligatory flat-screen television and stereo system. Junior suites are lavish enough, but there’s plenty of room to upgrade — to master suites with private entrances and Roman baths, penthouses, and the Presidential suite, practically a self-contained residence unto itself.

Though a smallish boutique the Casa Colonial comes with many of the big-resort trappings — full-service spa, rooftop infinity pool, and a number of individual-sized whirlpool baths, poised with views of the Playa Dorada. Hard to believe a place like this can still exist in today’s Caribbean; best to get there while the Dominican Republic is still something of a secret.

The Angler's Boutique Resort : Miami Beach, FL, USA

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:03:10 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Bernardus Lodge : Carmel Valley, CA, USA

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:05:00 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The location alone would be enough to make Bernardus Lodge an attractive resort getaway. Tucked into the pines and oaks of Carmel Valley, the Lodge is remote enough to provide a measure of seclusion, yet still just minutes from the picturesque town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and a short (and scenic) drive from Big Sur.

Location, though, is not all the Lodge has going for it. The hotel is affiliated with the Bernardus winery and vineyard, and is a gourmet's dream, with a first-class restaurant and one of the region's top chefs. The cuisine is California Natural Cuisine; the materials are local game and organic produce, much grown on the resort grounds. The wine list, naturally, is extensive due to the hotel's wine cellar housing more than 35,000 bottles of wine with 1850 labels of selections. And the setting is spectacular, with panoramic views from the outdoor terrace.

Though the food and wine are reason enough for many to visit, there are other attractions. Tennis, croquet, and bocce are among the physical activities, and the spa offers splendid inactivity within 5300 square feet housing 7 treatment rooms, with a number of unique treatments, many also served outdoors in the cool and fragrant Pacific breeze.

There are only 57 rooms at Bernardus Lodge, and the level of service is excellent, making the whole affair seem even smaller and more exclusive than it already is. The rooms are attractive enough, but comfort is paramount — the bedding alone may be worth the stay, and between the massive tubs and limestone fireplaces, you may find you don't get outside very often.

Of course this is not a tragedy — this is that sort of place, a destination unto itself. There is sailing, sightseeing, and shopping to be had in Carmel, and a scenic 17-mile drive to be driven. Even the Monterey Aquarium is nearby. But the whole point of a resort like Bernardus is that you don't have to leave if you don't want to — for many of us, eating, drinking, and sleeping are the only ingredients necessary for a relaxing holiday.

The Cooper Square Hotel : New York, NY, USA

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:24 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

For some time now the East Village has suffered from a certain imbalance — plenty of places to dine and drink, but nowhere to stay. It’s a situation that’s found some resolution in recent years, as a building boom in Manhattan’s south-eastern quadrant has made space for a new wave of modern boutique hotels, some of them, like the Cooper Square Hotel, situated in gleaming new modern high-rises.

It’s hard to miss the towering curves and angles of the Cooper Square, surrounded as it is by a relatively low-rise district. And from inside the rooms it makes for unique perspectives on the East Village rooftops as well as the downtown bridges and classic uptown skyscrapers. Windows are floor-to-ceiling, and the in-room amenities are pure luxury-boutique: iPod stereos, Blu-ray DVD players, mosaic-tile bathrooms and three different bathrobes to choose from. All this and warmth too — the modern furnishings are set off against charmingly retro wood paneling and bookshelves stocked with handsome leather volumes.

The other half of a New York boutique-hotel package is the nightlife. At the moment Table 8 is still a work in progress, as are the Cooper Square’s bars — though one of them is opening at this very moment, and should be up and running by the time you've dropped your bags at your room. By way of compensation, however, the service promises to exceed boutique expectations; the general manager, among others, is a high-end hospitality veteran.

The Bowery Hotel : New York, NY, USA

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:00:59 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The Bowery Hotel — the name alone pretty much sums it up. The first and only high-design hotel on this one-time skid row is the younger sister to the Maritime, over in the Meatpacking district, and is thus fueling fears among downtown purists that this little strip, bordering on the East Village and the still-seedy Lower East Side, will be the next to gentrify. Quite arguably, it’s already happening, and the realists among us will learn to sit back and enjoy the ride. After all, we come not to bury CBGB, but to praise the Bowery . . .

And praiseworthy it certainly is. Like The Hotel on Rivington, it’s an incongruously tall building in a low-rise neighborhood (for the time being at least), so the views from the open-plan loft-style rooms show a side of the East Village that’s rarely seen. Rooms are swanky, with generous space, fine linens, iPods, and top-shelf bath products.

Public spaces, though, are slightly more stripped-down — this place is made for revelry, not pampering, with an emphasis on nightlife at the expense of some other luxe-hotel frills. You’re not going to get babied here, Four Seasons-style; you will, however, mingle with an interesting (and youthful) crowd of hipsters and Bowery early adopters, and you’ll have access to some of New York’s last wild neighborhoods, while familiar old Soho and Tribeca aren’t far beyond.

Baglioni Hotel London : London, England, UK

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:01:19 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

West London has never been short on top-flight luxury hotels, especially around Knightsbridge, Kensington and Hyde Park. What’s unique about the Baglioni is that it’s so, well, Italian — posh and decadent, almost comically over-the-top, yet without a shred of irony, marked by none of the whimsy and lightness you’ll find in many of London’s home-grown luxury hotels. Country house style is nowhere in evidence, nor is the icy minimalism that elsewhere passes as high modernity — here the look is unashamedly opulent, in the rich textures of ebony, velvet, gold leaf and black lacquer.

The guest rooms are dark, masculine and romantic, like something from a vampire movie, with black wood floors, rich striped upholstery, king-sized beds piled high with plush bedspreads and Frette linens. In-room amenities include not just the usual flat-screen television and wireless internet but espresso machines as well, and the bathrooms are expansive, decked out in black marble, metal basins and yards of mirrors.

A well-equipped spa and fitness center round out the package, and the hotel’s restaurant serves haute Italian cuisine to guests and visitors alike. Many of the Baglioni’s charms lie outside the hotel, in the surrounding neighborhood — Hyde Park is steps away, as are Royal Albert Hall and the surrounding museums, not to mention some of the West End’s finest shopping, including Harrods.

Hope Springs Resort : Desert Hot Springs, CA, USA

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:00:31 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

There is a two-night minimum stay requirement for all stays at Hope Springs Resort. When making a reservation, please specify your arrival time.

Hope Springs references two aspects of classic Californiana at once — on the one hand, the mid-century modernist roadside motel (whose resurgence we just can’t get enough of), and on the other, the natural hot springs that are the hotel’s main attraction. It’s the sort of thing that maybe should go without saying, but these days is too easily overlooked: the “springs” in Palm Springs is there for a reason. Nowadays it’s mostly a mecca for golfers, and mid-century architecture obsessives, but once upon a time this corner of the high desert — specifically Desert Hot Springs, twenty minutes outside Palm Springs proper — was known for its geothermal waters.

After extensive renovations it’s down to just ten pared-down minimalist-chic rooms, which adds to the private-retreat aspect of the place — it’s on a whole different scale from the typical Palm Springs resort. Each comes with king bed, CD player, and little else; there’s wireless internet access, if you simply must stay connected, but no TV or phone, and laptops and cell phones by the pools are gently discouraged, which goes a long way to underline the emphasis on tranquil seclusion.

Yoga is available on request, as are body wraps and massages in the treatment room, and for soaking there are three spring-fed pools to choose from, two hot and one merely warm. Fear not; though we all know pools are like catnip to ill-behaved children, you won’t find any here — Hope Springs is strictly adults-only, and the small size and discreet vibe makes it particularly couples-friendly. As for the town, it’s on the quiet side — it’s a short drive to Palm Springs, though, if you’re feeling social, and right next door is Joshua Tree, if you’re really not.

How to get there:

Hope Springs Resort is approximately a 2 hour drive from Los Angeles and is 8 miles from Palm Springs International Airport.

The Roxbury : Roxbury, NY, USA

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:02:04 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

When we were young the Catskills were where our grandparents vacationed. But now, with flying growing more dehumanizing by the year, car-trip holidays are back in style. And it can’t be a coincidence that hip country hotels like the Roxbury are opening in unlikely places — this one in the town of the same name, just under three hours from New York City, a few miles to the north and west of the famous town of Woodstock.

The Roxbury breaks the mold a bit — the colonial house might put you in mind of a bed and breakfast, and the adjoining motel building is a low-profile pre-modernist classic. Rooms, however, are anything but traditional, with design themes that range from the vibrant and contemporary to the flamboyantly retro. The idea here, clearly, is not minimalism but a sort of maximalism, throwing the usual boutique clichés out the window.

At the same time, the Roxbury honors the boutique-hotel conventions that really matter. Bathrooms are stocked with top-shelf bath products and Egyptian cotton towels, and the bedrooms come with flat-screen televisions and DVD players standard. And no country escape these days is complete without a spa, in this case a need that’s more than adequately fulfilled by The Shimmer Spa. It’s a perfect country bolthole for a weekend in, or a base for exploring the outdoors of upstate New York — one thing it’s not is a traditional old-style Catskills resort.

Nearby attractions include: Hiking, Golfing, Fishing, Snow-Skiing and Snowboarding, River Tubing, Lakes, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Bicycle Trails, Scenic Train Rides, Kayaking and Canoeing, Fine Dining, Museums, Art Galleries, Summer Music Festivals, Auction Houses and the Catskill State Park.

Covent Garden Hotel : London, England, UK

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:02:28 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

About Covent Garden Hotel:
Covent Garden Hotel is a private, luxury boutique hotel in London, England. Covent Garden Hotel is located in the center of the theatre district and within walking distance to Soho, the British Museum, and the Royal Opera House.

Tablet Hotels review:
On a narrow side street in the bustling and chic Covent Garden district of London’s West End, this splendidly theatrical small hotel’s exclusive atmosphere and central location make it the perfect London pied-à-terre for visiting actors, professional shoppers, and savvy yet indulgent travelers. The opera house and the theatre district are close by, as are the West End’s best shops and boutiques—and yet the hotel itself is stunning enough you may have trouble dragging yourself outside.

The building, a converted 1880s hospital, doesn’t exactly scream “hotel” from the outside—it’s a substantial brick structure, in contrast to the Firmdale group’s other Georgian townhouse hotels, and the front windows look into the Brasserie Max, rather than the lobby. Once inside, though, you’ll find the reception desk framed by lavish draperies—a nod to the stage curtains of the surrounding theatre district—and behind, a heavy stone staircase leading to the guest rooms upstairs.

Rooms are decorated in a classic style, antique but not oppressively so, each featuring Kit Kemp’s signature dressmaker’s dummy, outfitted in the same fabric as the room itself. Beds are expansive and luxurious, as are the marble-and-mahogany bathrooms, complete with a pair of bathrobes and Molton Brown bath products. Somehow plasma-screen TVs and mobile phones don’t spoil the classic feel.

Downstairs one finds the wood-panelled drawing room, and next door the library, both with wood-burning fireplaces—perfect if you wish to be social but not too social. The brasserie off the lobby offers a similarly relaxed and clubby atmosphere, and on Saturday nights dinner can be paired with a screening in the hotel’s private cinema. But then you shouldn’t forget to get out for a bit—all the best of London is within a few blocks from the hotel, and believe it or not, scanning the lobby and restaurant for famous faces loses its charm after a day or two.

Covent Garden Hotel : London, England, UK

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 05:01:32 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Axel Hotel Guldsmeden : Kepenhaven V, Denmark

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:05:14 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Upon checking into a Copenhagen boutique hotel, you might expect mid-century Danish furnishings and frosty minimalist design. But increasingly, boutique in Denmark means going against the grain. The Axel Hotel Guldsmeden, certainly, is anything but modernist; here, in the heart of Copenhagen, is a hotel that’s all rustic charm, in a style that’s described as Bali via Denmark — it is, at any rate, all unfinished woods, teak and bamboo, with Persian rugs thrown in for added flavor.

It’s a great fit for this laid-back and unpretentious city, where cars defer to bikes and even the wealthy are loath to flaunt it. In some cities a boutique hotel inevitably means thumping disco beats and helpless fashion-model hotel staff — this place is more like a chilled-out country retreat, in spite of its very urban location. Even the penthouse suites are more deeply comfortable than truly decadent; the city views are breathtaking, to be sure, but what you’ll remember are the feather duvets and the oversized tubs.

As for location, it’s hard to do much better. You’re close to the family-friendly Tivoli Garden and possibly even closer to the red-light district — all sides of this compact and walkable city are easily within reach.

Hotel L'Auberge : Punta del Este, Uruguay

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:05:49 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The exclusive Uruguayan resort of Punta del Este caters to the cream of Brazilian and Argentinian high society, most of whom come to stay in ostentatious seaside palaces or big-money casino hotels. French-style farmhouse hotels, on the other hand, are quite understandably few and far between, and when it comes to country house hotels crafted from converted Tudor-style water towers, well, there’s really only one: the Hotel L’Auberge.

Located in the rather prosaically named Barrio Parque de Golf, the Auberge offers a measure of tranquility and quiet, the closest thing you’ll find to pastoral farm life amidst the hotels and yacht clubs of the Punta del Este. As for the hotel itself, it’s a charming mix of French and English influences: the original building and the first few rooms decidedly in an English manor style, the newer ones decked out in the soft pastels of Provence.

Whatever the style, all forty rooms are luxurious, some with jacuzzis, others with fireplaces, and all with modern amenities like high-speed internet access. The tower rooms are necessarily the smallest, but compensate with plenty of personality, while the suites positively sprawl. The hotel’s restaurant is an excellent one, and the afternoon tea service is a Punta del Este institution — golfers would do well to schedule early tee times, so as not to miss tea time.

How to get there:

Hotel L'Auberge is located 80 miles east of Carrasco General Cesáreo L. Berisso International Airport.

Viceroy Palm Springs : Palm Springs, CA, USA

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:08:01 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

It seems everything old becomes new again someday; who’d have thought geriatric Palm Springs could relive its glamorous glory days? Yet that’s just what’s happening, as a new generation of Angelenos skips out on Beverly Hills and heads inland to this desert oasis hideaway. And in Palm Springs, it doesn’t get more stylish than the Viceroy—once the Estrella, this place has seen it all, from Joan Crawford and Errol Flynn to American presidents and one King.

Unlike some Palm Springs hotels, the Viceroy is no Rat Pack wax museum or Jetsons-modernist fantasy—this hotel’s hacienda-style Spanish tile roofs and whitewashed stucco walls hide stylish interiors, a modern take on the Hollywood Regency style of the resort’s golden age, decorated in a smart contemporary palette of blacks, whites and yellows. Each of the Viceroy’s three courtyards is centered around a heated pool, surrounded by manicured gardens and citrus trees, and each pool area is served by the hotel’s restaurant and bar.

Rooms are elegant and luxurious, with patios or balconies overlooking the courtyards and gardens, and the one- and two-bedroom villas are nearly palatial, with outdoor banquette seating, parlor rooms, and space enough to sleep four and six respectively. No expense is spared on the creature comforts, including Italian linens and robes and Thymes bath products. And though Palm Springs may feel like another world altogether, the Viceroy isn’t exactly off the grid; broadband internet means that, for better or worse, business is just a fiber optic line away—or, if you’re old-fashioned, Los Angeles is just a two and a half hour drive.

How to get there:

Viceroy Palm Springs is approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County. Please contact customerservice@tablethotels.com for directions.

Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok : Bangkok, Thailand

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:05:47 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

18.0 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

Please note: Renovations have been underway at Shangri-La, Bangkok. The hotel is now in the final stages of this program which includes the refurbishment of the upper guestroom floors in the main wing. While intermittent noise may be heard, measures have been taken to minimize disruption to guests and work is confined within normal business hours only.

When it comes to top-flight luxury on a massive scale, the Far East is where it’s at — Europe and the Americas have no shortage of impressive accommodations, and even their own chapters of the big Asian franchises, but in terms of sheer luxury overkill, there’s nothing in the West that can touch a place like Bangkok’s Shangri-La hotel.

This hospitality monument is perched on the banks of the Chao Phraya river, its 799 rooms divided between two wings, the original Shangri-La wing and the more business-oriented Krungthep wing, both offering commanding views of the river and the Bangkok cityscape, many from spacious private balconies. The guest rooms, most recently refurbished, are roomy, contemporary, identifiably Thai in style, rich with fine silks and teakwood accents and furnishings, and decidedly modern in appointments, with satellite television, high-speed internet access and full-size working desks.

As you’d expect from a hotel of this size, the Shangri-La is practically a village unto itself, with a correspondingly lengthy list of facilities. The Chi spa is a new addition, and has become a major draw, offering a wide range of treatments inspired by Chinese and Himalayan traditions. Five restaurants and a number of bars and lounges leave guests spoilt for choice, and the palatial fitness center includes aerobics classes, two pools, and tennis and squash courts. However self-contained, the Shangri-La is anything but isolated; the location is central, and the Skytrain station, steps away, places all of Bangkok at your feet.

*NOTE: Visitors from most countries are issued 2 to 4-week entry permits on arrival and upon presentation of a passport and a ticket for the return or onward journey. Entry permits cannot be extended while you are in Thailand. It is advisable to check with a Thai embassy or consulate in your country before departure. If you are planning a longer stay, apply for either a 60-day tourist visa or 30-day transit visa from Thai embassies and consulates overseas. These can be extended at the Immigration Office in Bangkok for a nominal fee.

The Greenwich Hotel : New York, NY, USA

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:01:24 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

What do we already know about the Greenwich Hotel? It’s got a celebrity owner (none other than Robert DeNiro), a prime Tribeca location, impeccable design credentials courtesy of one of New York’s top firms, Grayling Design, and some truly obsessive construction having something to do with thousands of very expensive handmade bricks. Now there’s no question that all these things make for great press, but do they mean anything to the guests?

Of course they do. While you might not be literally partying with Bobby (or even really encouraged to refer to him as Bobby, for that matter) there’s no question the Greenwich is an establishment that values privacy and discretion, two values many of today’s publicity-hungry boutique hotels lack. The location, in a neighborhood that’s become indelibly associated with DeNiro, places you roughly where hip and upscale intersect, minutes from more shopping and nightlife than any one neighborhood could reasonably need.

And of course the building isn’t bad either. Grayling may not yet be a household name, but they’re well-known already for downtown hotspots like Schiller’s and Balthazar. Here their incredibly detailed work projects a sense of care and confidence that’s far more satisfying than the shock-and-awe flim-flam that until recently has dominated hotel design.

As for the comforts, they’re more than adequate as well. Even the humble courtyard rooms are luxurious, and smart-looking as well, eschewing minimalism for a detailed and lived-in look, down to the Moroccan tile in the bathrooms. As you move up the range into the bigger and bigger suites, the sheer luxury of it all becomes almost comical — book well and you might get your own private sauna. Locanda Verde is the Greenwich's cozy, rustic Italian tavern. And if that’s not indulgent enough the Greenwich is planning not just a spa but a pool as well — not exactly common in New York, but then not much about the Greenwich is.

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt : Buenos Aires, Argentina

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 05:08:57 GMT

Rooms

Service

Public spaces

Overall

19.5 out of 20

» About our scoring system and what it takes to be a Tablet Hotel

The brand-new Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt was met with a bit more enthusiasm than the typical big-chain luxury hotel. It’s at the same time an homage to the glory days of Buenos Aires, a Thirties mansion (from which it takes the first part of its name) connected to a modern tower. It splits the difference between the all-antique Alvear Palace (which is just blocks away) and the newer crop of modern design hotels, and all accompanied by characteristic Park Hyatt luxuries and the sort of highly professional service that’s still, like it or not, largely the province of the big international chains.

Whether in the old mansion or the new tower, the guest rooms are afforded plenty of space to spread out in, and the bathrooms are sprawling to match — every one with a tub, separate shower, and a walk-in closet. And while the style’s far from challenging it is refreshingly contemporary; palace rooms pay some homage to the building’s Thirties style while the tower rooms have a touch of the minimal about them.

Comforts are legion outside the rooms as well. The Duhau restaurant and the Oak Bar are local fixtures, the business facilities are top-class, and the spa is the most extensive in town, with an 80-foot swimming pool and a menu of treatments that must be at least half that long.

How to get there:

Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt is approximately 35 minutes from Ezeiza International Airport.