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Places to Take your Mother-In-Law
Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Interlaken, SwitzerlandShe can arrive in style at the 212-room Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa - in a 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom V from the nearby rail station. She will enjoy a front-facing room, say 424, for outstanding views across the valley to the Jungfrau, snow-clad for much of the year (if she is game, take her up there, by funicular). In 424, she has parquet floors, royal blue fabric walls and yellow fabrics, and the room is right by the elevator down to the Clarins spa, one of Europe's best. Reserve her a facial, and remind her to bring her swim gear to enjoy the marvelous columned pool, indoor but if she is really brave there is curtain leading to an outdoor jacuzzi. Managing Director is Emanuel Berger. |  .jpg) |
The home of English afternoon tea is the Palm Court of The Ritz; there are three tea sessions daily - reserve when you book accommodation. Of the 133 rooms, she will probably most appreciate one overlooking the adjacent St James's Park. The hotel is closely associated with the Royal Family, and you will see the personal Royal Warrant of Prince Charles displayed, in honor of the fact he holds his annual Christmas lunch here. It is only five minutes' walk to Buckingham Palace: the Changing of the Guard is at 11 every morning and a flag over the building indicates that the Queen is in residence. Hotel General Manager is Stephen Boxall. | |
Stay in style at the Peninsula - arrive by helicopter from the airport direct to the 300-room hotel's 28th floor landing pad, and then visit the Kadoorie collection of aviation memorabilia in the arrivals lounge. She may well most appreciate any corner suite in the 15 series, as high as possible for better views across Victoria Harbour to Hong Kong Island. Do suggest she has her cocktail there at 8pm so she can watch the stunning nightly laser show, emanating from some of Central's tallest high-rise buildings. Then, since she loves something new, take her to the hotel's helicopter waiting lounge, located on the 30/F, with the helipad right on top, designed by Philippe Starck (and insist she visits the amazing washrooms). General Manager is Ian Coughlan. | |
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As she travels around the world, it is now time for a bit of culture, so book her in the Leading Small Eliseev Palace Hotel, named for the last private owners, merchants Grigori and Stepan Eliseev. The 29-room hotel, in the old city, is on the site of a palace built for the Empress Elizabeth in the 18th century, and rebuilt for Catherine the Great. The best room is the Eliseev Suite, once Stepan Eliseev's bedroom: today it is boudoir style, with cream walls, parquet flooring and a jacuzzi. Arrange a guide for a personal tour of the Hermitage, a few minutes' away, and also suggest a visit to the Mariinsky Theatre, for opera and ballet. General Manager is Sergey Scalon. | |
From one extreme to another, feast her eyes by taking her to the iconic Burj Al Arab, an architectural masterpiece that soars 1,060 feet up from a man-made island. She will be amazed by the arrival escalator, flanked by one of the world's largest aquariums that also wraps around the Al Mahara restaurant, and she will gasp at the golden Elevator doors, and at her suite. All 202 suites are a kaleidoscope of color, but best views over the Gulf are in the 22 series. There are no fewer than 1,150 employees, including 68 butlers, called floor service directors, to attend to her every whim. General Manager is Luc Delafosse. | |
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Is she a Marlene Dietrich fan? If so she will love the star's suite, 45, at Hotel Lancaster - there is an original Von Sternberg portrait sketch over the bed, and decor, with Aubusson carpet, is in her favorite color, lavender. All 59 rooms at this Leading Small hotel, two minutes' walk from the Champs Elysées, are elegant, reflecting the taste of the owner, Grace Leo-Andrieu. There is a charming library lounge, and, for summer, an inner courtyard garden with white Lancaster roses. The cozy bistro, La Table de Lancaster, is run by Michel Troisgros and was voted best European hotel restaurant late 2004. General Manager is John W. Petch. | |
She has heard about those who return to the Top Resorts every year, same time, same place, so let her join that number, at One&Only Le St-Géran. Of the 181 rooms at this resort, those on the ground floor, 313 through 320, have most privacy and she can read peacefully in the garden. She will love the grounds, Stephen Woodhams' sculptural flower displays and the fact she can choose what complimentary sundowner she would like sent to her room. Reserve her a stretch session with trainer Matt Roberts (here March, October, December), a hair-do from Cannes specialist Jean-Marc Maniatis, and introduce her to Alain Ducasse's Spoon des Iles restaurant. Hotel General Manager is Gérard Sintès. | |
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