Boutique hotel lover, travel and lifestyle blogger, Mela Mörtenbäck of Individualicious, tells us about hotels, travel, and her thoughts on Amberlair. Just like us, she’s a #BohoLover, a Boutique Hotel lover.

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

Phew, that’s just the right question for me, as this is the one thing I spend most of the time when planning my travels. I spend hours on the web searching for a hotel that matches my ideas. The most important thing is that the accommodation has to be unique in its very own way. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a hotel or a bed and breakfast – the accommodation just has to be special when it comes to concept, style and details.

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special hotels you have ever stayed at?

Casa Cook, Rhodes – I love the boho-style, the laid-back atmosphere and the fact that every room has access to the pool.
Casa Mãe, Lagos – the staff makes you feel home from the very first minute, the food and interior is simply wonderful.
Masseria Agnello, Sicily – a very special hideaway with great service in the southern part of the island, close to the sea.

Casa Cook in Rhodes, Greece. Photo by hotel.

What made them so special?

In a nutshell, it was the individual concept and style. All of them are quite different, but also very unique with love for detail, a very friendly service and marvelous hosts. I immediately felt comfortable and the interior design makes these hotels the perfect (summer) hideaway.

Casa Mae in Lagos, Portugal. Photo by hotel.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

1. First of all, I’d make sure to have a strong and consistent brand, from product and website design to interior concept to hospitality. The website is often the first touch point with the hotel and it’s the decisive factor whether a hotel addresses me or not.
2. Secondly, I’d focus on a hearty welcome. At the very moment when a guest enters the hotel he/she has to feel at home. That said, I’d make the check-in process as smooth and relaxing as can be and welcome my guests with little treats. I’d probably also provide a small neighborhood guide with tips on cool locations.
3. If I had a boutique hotel, my house wouldn’t have too many rooms, I’d prefer a smaller house with a personal note and very personal service.

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

Casa Mãe in the Algarve had a great and welcoming staff. After the check-in process I was offered a glass of wine at the bar before a staff member showed me some personal recommendations on a map and brought me to my room. I love such little things, it makes you feel slowed down after traveling to the destination before even entering your hotel room.

At the San Giorgio in Mykonos, I loved the interior and bohemian style of the rooms as well as the concept of the hotel itself. The hotel owners want it to be a communication space, that’s why you’ll find big wooden tables at the poolside to connect with other guests.

Apart from that, the food concept of both Casa Mãe and San Giorgio Mykonos is great. They only offer regional products and you won’t get the standard breakfast you’ll find everywhere else. Also, it’s a served breakfast, which makes the atmosphere more relaxed as well. I never had such a delicious breakfast in any other hotel than in these two.

San Giorgio in Mykonos, Greece. Photo by hotel.

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

My worst hotel experience ever was a self-called bed and breakfast in London that turned out to be a grubby home for workmen. In Dublin I stayed at a really nice and small hotel in the city center that turned out to be extremely loud at night because of the bar at the ground-floor. I couldn’t sleep all night long. Horrible! Um, can’t think of a number 3, so I guess dirt and noise sums it up best.

How do you feel about the first Amberlair boutique hotel being located in Puglia?

As I fell in love with Italy, especially Tuscany, during my stay abroad, I’m more than happy that the first Amberlair hotel will be in Italy! Puglia is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy and I can’t wait to see how the Amberlair concept will fit into this stunning landscape.

Which trends in traveling are currently important to you?

Currently, I pay a lot of attention to the issue of overtourism and think a lot about my role as a traveler and what I personally can do. Traveling off-season as well as traveling to lesser known/touristic places and to second cities instead of crowded capitals makes me feel more comfortable and satisfied at the moment.

Also, I care a lot about hotels and restaurants with a local and sustainable approach when it comes to food and interior. There are a lot of great examples out there and I’d love to explore as many of them as possible.

Where are you off to next?

Surprisingly I don’t have any upcoming travels booked by now, something that hardly ever happens. However, I’m currently looking for ideas and inspiration for a long weekend at the end of the year – and it’s quite likely that I will travel to Puglia!

Austrian-born and Tirol-based, Mela Mörtenbäck spends almost a third of the year traveling. She grew up in Upper Austria, studied and worked in Vienna with a one-year break in beautiful Tuscany before moving to the Alps already seven years ago.

Mela is not only PR-Manager for one of the biggest tourism destinations in Europe, but also editor at the travel and lifestyle blog individualicious. Full of snippets and snapshots, her blog showcases unique hotels and places and features road trips and weekend getaways mostly in Europe.

Follow her blog to discover hidden treasures and lovely places or follow her travels on Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest.

Travel blogger Anna Parker of Penelope, Parker and Baby talks with us about travel, her love of hotels and her view on Amberlair, of course. In case you don’t know already, a #BohoLover is a Boutique Hotel lover – just like us!

Anna Parker of Penelope and Parker’s Travels on an arabian falconry.

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

I have actually relaxed my approach to choosing a hotel. I used to over analyse and plan, but we’ve learnt what we love over the years. I look for a small hotel, somewhere off the beaten track and with something unique to it – be it history, the view, or something else special. I’m a big fan of choosing general location first and then using the trip advisor map to narrow down what is available. Then I scour photographs from all sources to see what a place really looks like. My husband always has the deciding vote. We’ve not really had any trouble with our choices so I think it’s working out ok!

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special hotels you have ever stayed at?

Three really is impossible… I’m accountant and I can’t do the maths!

The Inn at Cuckolds Light, Maine is a boutique inn located on a 5-acre private island a mile off the Maine coast. The Inn can sleep 6 people, including the hosts. It was quite incredible, somewhere to recharge and reconnect. It was possibly the most relaxing and beautiful place I’ve visited. Totally unique and will always hold a special place for us.

Qasr al Sarab, Abu Dhabi is 3 hours into the desert and needs to be seen to be believed. There are plenty of desert hotels in Arabia, but they aren’t deep in the desert. This ‘palace of the mirage’ is remote and, as such, the space, silence and views are unbeatable. Sunset on the dunes is incredible.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara. Photo by hotel.

The Chewton Glen Treehouses let you live out a childhood dream but in the height of laid back luxury all within walking distance of one of the grand dames of the British hotel industry. A hot tub on the balcony, spacious lounge, treetop views and breakfast delivered in a hamper through a trap door. All the details are thought of!

Special mentions must go to Quinta da Casa Branca in Madeira, Cliveden House near London, The Kinsterna in the Peloponnese, The Oberoi Rajvillas in Jaipur and Vilacampina on the Algarve.

Oberoi Rajvillas in Jaipur, India.

The Kinsterna, Greece is hidden away in the Peloponnese far from the tourist trail. This family-owned hotel defines what boutique and personal service should be. The pool area and views are wonderful. They have an attentive staff that go the extra mile with pleasure and the most gorgeous Byzantine-style rooms. Charm personified.

Kinsterna in Greece. Photo by hotel.

What made them so special?

Each of these was truly one of a kind which made them so incredibly special. Wherever we travel to, for me, it is so important to have personal service and to stay somewhere unique where memories are made. These offer the full package of luxury and comfort, as well as feeling completely at home and relaxed as valued guests.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

Private space. I love a beautiful pool and grounds, but what’s even better is a room and terrace area that is large enough not to need the public space at all times. We go away on holiday to get away from things and it is nice to have that space and privacy in the hotel too.

A snug or lounge. True boutique hotels are very homey and I particularly like it when a little space is set aside for a snug or lounge, perhaps with a fireplace, board games and a trust bar. With only a small number of rooms, a big terrace or bar would often be empty, but a small, homey space is always good.

A top notch restaurant. There is no need for it to be big or have a long menu or a famous chef. A restaurant and chef that know the provenance of raw materials and can make local dishes is the perfect addition to boutique accommodation. If the hotel makes its own wine, even better!

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

It’s actually the simple things that make the biggest difference!

1. Welcome champagne is often included by some hotels and so it isn’t necessarily seen as a ‘treat’ by the hotel team. For me, though, as an arriving guest, nothing says “Welcome” quite as well as being shown to our room and finding a bottle on ice awaiting us. A sure fire way to ensure immediate relaxation.
2. Day to day life has few formalities to it these days, so being called “Mrs. Parker” by the hotel team from arrival to departure is something that always stands out as attentive and personal. It shows the hotel knows their guests and is interested in making sure they have the best stay possible.
3. I’m always impressed when a hotel knows the details, especially as an allergy sufferer. The Chewton Glen know that I can’t eat dairy on each visit and actually remind me at meals what I can eat. When we stayed at Quinta Jardins do Lago in Madeira, by the time we arrived at sister hotel Quinta da Casa Branca they knew about my allergy and the chef had been busy making me my own Madeira cake!

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

• Lacklustre. When somewhere has so much potential but just ends up being a bit flat, grey and boring. I hate being disappointed by somewhere that could have done so much better. Or somewhere that misrepresents on its website or is an influence hotspot!
• Bumping into a venomous snake on the porch of a thatched hut. We had this excitement in South Africa on my first (and last) safari holiday. Granted, there is always a risk of this happening in the bush, but it was just a little too close for comfort.
• Being told, “Mrs Parker, you’ll be pleased to know we have upgraded you”, only to double-check the room type against my booking confirmation, as I was suspicious we’d been lied to. I never expect an upgrade and certainly don’t like being taken for a ride. This 5-star property also gave us welcome prosecco that was undrinkable. Definitely not 5-star.

Anna and her husband in Greece.

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

It is a really interesting and inspired concept. I can’t believe it hasn’t been thought of before. By identifying the right people, the people that would want to stay at the Amberlair, we’ll find something perfect from all the highlights we’ve seen occasionally elsewhere. Clearly tastes and trends will change so it will be important that it stays up-to-date.

Where are you off to next?

Life changed a bit this summer with the arrival of a baby adventurer in the family! We’ve got a few trips planned – Vienna to see friends, an AirBnB in the Peak District and then first class out to Dubai. I’m not really sure how any of it will work and certainly the hotel research for Dubai is going to take a different style to previous form! Everything needs to be family friendly now! For now though – I’m just keen to a) get through the first flight unscathed and b) hope the car is big enough for a staycation!

Anna Parker is always on the lookout for luxury and unique stays. Her preferred way of travel is in style with her husband, always wanting to enjoy the outdoors! Since July this year travel will now include Baby Parker so she’s now on the look out for the same things, but family friendly!

She started her blog, Penelope, Parker and Baby, to keep note of where they went and what they enjoyed. She has also used it to share experiences and tips, and to be able to point others at ideas that will help them on their travels!! If she can build into a holiday some wine-tasting, cycling, sailing or walking, then she’s a happy traveller! On any trip she always wants to see the country for real rather than just the hotel and its tours. With Baby in tow, the blog will become something of a record as he grows up of all the family adventures.

Follow Anna Parker on  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

We have asked Dolores Semeraro of Travels and Retreats to share her thoughts with us about her love for travel and hotels, and Amberlair, of course. And before you ask, a #BohoLover is a Boutique Hotel lover …  just like us!

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

I love to stay at places where I feel connected to the local vibe. When I plan a holiday I usually look into boutique hotels, studios or independent mini houses with a host. I recently traveled to New Zealand where I fell in love with the warm hospitality of the local people, I felt truly welcomed.

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special (boutique) hotels you have ever stayed at and what made them so special?

The first place that comes to my mind is Botswana, Africa. A boutique lodge called ‘Oddballs Camp’ where the most magical scenery at the core of the Okavango Delta and the sweetest hosts made my stay truly memorable to the point that I was literally in tears on the day of departure. I travel a lot and never cried when leaving a place. Ever. That says it all.

I also loved Thaulle Boutique Resort in Sri Lanka, quiet and private right next to Yala National Park. I wanted to take some time off and traveled to Sri Lanka while I was working in the Maldives. Thaulle was just perfect. There was a tiny Ayurveda Center and the treatments done by the local therapists were incredible.

Thaulle Boutique Resort in Sri Lanka. Photo by hotel.

Not to mention a place I will never forget is Samode Haveli, a traditional Indian mansion in Jaipur, India. The place was converted into a boutique hotel from a former royal residence and kept all the unbelievable decadence of its original style. The dinner was so romantic and the room was postcard-perfect.

Samode Haveli in Jaipur, India. Photo by hotel.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

If I had a boutique hotel, I would make sure that my guests would find a local host to welcome them. I believe it’s important and it builds trust. I would also have books in the room so that guests could catch up on some reading if they wanted to and a fantastic breakfast. Best way to start the day.

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

Great service is the most important thing when I stay in a hotel. It takes so little and means so much. However, I was impressed by a few other things over the years:

1. The gift that are given upon arrival and departure at the LUX* Resorts, so thoughtful and personalized.
2. The eco-friendly and cruelty-free bathroom amenities that every hotel I stayed in New Zealand had.
3. A cool bar to hang out in the evening, I love a good vodka tonic and a chat.

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

In hotels, cleanliness is imperative and my skin gets rashes almost anytime the bedsheets are dusty or not properly cleaned. Unfortunately, I experienced a bad skin rash while staying in a small hotel in Sri Lanka and had to change room twice and leave the day after. It was that bad. Never again.

Getting food poisoned is also not great, especially when you are away from your comfort food and hospitals are not an option. Like in Asia for example, and that happens a lot.

Last but not least, bad service from a staff member that simply doesn’t care. It just kills the whole vibe of your holiday, I believe time is very precious so why waste it?

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

Amberlair is a great concept that finally empowers boutique hotels lovers to express their opinions and create something unique. I think that today’s travelers have fundamentally changed the way hoteliers need to operate their ventures. They want different things, act differently while on holiday, value new aspect of their time off work. Amberlair concept is able to listen to these needs and turn them into reality with their project.

Where are you off to next?

I am currently based in Mauritius where I work as digital marketing consultant. This summer I am hoping to schedule a little escape to Kenya and immerse myself in nature and wildlife once again. I am still dreaming about Botswana so I can’t wait to go back to Africa. I love it.

Dolores Semeraro is a citizen of the world with more than ten years in PR & Marketing for hospitality across Asia and the Indian Ocean. Passionate about all things social media and creative communications for travel and tourism, she is a positive soul with an undeniable travel bug.

Dolores has just launched her crowdfunding campaign #pugliafeelsgood on Indiegogo.

“I have always had this crazy dream to create the ultimate holiday experience. A place where you could be whoever you want to be, a painter, a rock climber, a yogi, a farmer or the cool kid taking ‘selfies by the pool’. I am originally from Puglia, so I couldn’t think of a better place to look for the perfect place than my homeland! So I went ahead and bought a Trulli property near Martina Franca, right at the core of Puglia. From there it was all about getting the restoration permits, working on the project and the design concept. It has been a long journey but now I am very excited to run my first crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to raise the necessary funds to restore the property and turn it into a Trulli Retreat. This is why I named this campaign #pugliafeelsgood. Because there is always something about Puglia that feels good, whether is the amazing food, the crisp air, the sense of relaxation overall. If you, like me, also think that Puglia feels good, please contribute to my campaign and get yourself a fantastic week holiday in Puglia heading to the campaign page on 10 MAY 2018, launching on Indiegogo.”

Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Ciao!

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We have asked hospitality aficionado Nadia Gallo to share her thoughts with us about her love for travel and hotels, and Amberlair, of course. And before you ask, a #BohoLover is a Boutique Hotel lover …  just like us!

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

It all depends if I´m travelling for leisure or work, which makes a very big difference in my needs but not in my preferences. In both cases there is one thing in common; I try to book independent hotels with less than 100 rooms or small hotel chains. There are many reasons why I do this,  but mostly it is because I believe in the individuality of each hotel which in a way, represents the city or country which is located and do not like standardized hotels. I need that personalized service that in my opinion is easier to find in these type of  properties and some time is taken for granted in bigger ones or massive international chains. Also I must say that I do not “believe” in the actual hospitality star rating system, therefore, the number of stars will not be a conditioning fact for me when choosing a hotel anywhere in the world.

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special (boutique) hotels you have ever stayed at and what made them so special?

Casa do Batán – Viveiro, Lugo – Spain: This is an independently owned very small (3 suites) only adults hotel where you feel that special luxury service I refer to. The ambience, the local products they use, homemade meals,  the atmosphere,  the sound of the two river nearby, the forest that surrounds this beautiful property.  The couple who owns the hotel are there for you 24h taking care of all your needs including (I love this!) preparing breakfast for you at any time of the day!! That is luxury for me.

Casa do Batán in Viveiro, Spain

Casa do Batán in Viveiro, Spain

Danai Beach Resort  –  Halkidiki – Greece: Less than 80 suites and rooms with a private beach, butler service and all type of commodities without being ostentatious .The owner himself is most of the times on the grounds to speak and entertain the guests.

Finca Cortesin – Casares – Spain: Eye for detail is one of the main mottos for this hotel and they totally exceed it, if they know what you like they will go head over heels to have it ready for you. As an example, they serve personalized buffet breakfast at your own table, yes, you read correctly, your own buffet all set for you on your table. The grounds are also to mention with extensive gardens and beautiful pools where even with a full house you will believe the hotel is not even half booked.

Cap Rocat –  Mallorca – Spain: One of those special hotels you could only find in Mallorca, a military fortress with very few suites and stunning location for relaxation. Again service and food is impeccable at this hotel.

Cap Rocat in Mallorca, Spain. Photo by hotel.

Cap Rocat in Mallorca, Spain. Photo by hotel.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

• Staff are the heart & soul of a hotel and their wellbeing gets reflected in the service. This is not an easy task at all but my number one focus will be to ensure their happiness making sure they love their job and what they do.
• Might seem contradictory with my other point,  but  high-tech should always be a must.  Small things such as enough sockets in the rooms, appropriate apps for guests to use and make their life easier as well as updated social media amongst other things that I consider to be essential for hospitality now a days.
• No reception as we all know it, no desk with a “person” behind the counter, the guest will be greeted by the receptionist or the concierge at arrival with a glass of wine, champagne or even if we know they have a preference for a cocktail we will prepare that cocktail to surprise them. Most of the paper work should had been done in advanced (Passport, credit card, etc) and the few things that are missing will be asked while they enjoy their drink and their luggage is taken to the room.

All this keeping in mind that my ideal boutique hotel should not have more than 30-40 Rooms.

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

1. In my case it is all about small details. I like it when they remember my name if I´m a returned guest and they totally have me if they recall my preferences (food, pillow, wine, room views, etc..)
2. Personalized service in general is the key. High quality amenities is a must, tired of all same names and brands, amenities are often taken from granted in hotels.
3. Few weeks ago I stayed at a hotel in Budapest that offered 24h whatsapp concierge service and decided to use it (more as an experiment to be honest) they booked me a restaurant for lunch, changed my transfer time for the airport and ordered room service. All of these done within minutes and no mistakes.  I must say that this was actually quite a big hotel with more than 200 rooms, impressive.

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

1. As horrible as it might sound, I despise waiting in line whether it is for food, information or any other thing during my vacation, therefore buffets is something I try to avoid. Unfortunately not an easy task these days.
2. First thing I do when I enter my hotel room is opening the curtains and windows, I normally request high floors. Once stayed at a beautiful hotel, forgot to specify this and they gave me an interior room with almost no natural day light.
3. Going to a hotel either for work or leisure and being under construction is a nightmare, always ask if there is any of these going on and how this will affect your stay before booking. Same goes for out of order outlets; spa, restaurants, etc…

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

Love it! Putting all the travels ideas together and choosing what is best for this stunning project. Hope you have great fun doing so and I’m happy to be a small tiny part of this.

Where are you off to next?

London in a week… work, just for one night, but I’m planning my family Christmas vacation and we are thinking Dubai for the first time, no hotel has been decided yet!

I am Nadia Gallo. Hospitality has been my passion since a very early age when my parents taught me to appreciate every culture together with the hotel business through our numerous travels. I studied Hospitality Management at Les Roche and I´m proud to say that since the day I fished collage I never stopped working and loving this industry. I worked in almost every department there is in a hotel, something everyone should do in order to have an appropriate perspective.

Follow Nadia on Twitter and Instagram.

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We have asked Michele Robson of Turning Left for Less to share her thoughts with us about her love for travel and hotels, and Amberlair, of course. And before you ask, a #BohoLover is a Boutique Hotel lover …  just like us!

How do you choose a hotel when you travel?

I am pretty detailed in my hotel research before making a decision. As I usually spend quite a lot of money on a hotel, I like to make sure I am getting my money’s worth. When I am looking for a hotel, I usually start by narrowing down a pretty specific area that I want to stay in based on nearby restaurants, attractions and nightlife. My next step involves looking at reviews by the specific destination. I look at photos a lot as a picture often tells a lot when taken by an actual guest. I always look for a bath as well as a shower and a pool or spa is usually a must too. Once I have narrowed it down to 3 or so hotels, I will then look at how to get the best deal on price before making my final decision.

If you had to choose 3, which were the most special (boutique) hotels you have ever stayed at and what made them so special?

It is a tough question as I have been lucky enough to stay in lots of fabulous hotels, but if pushed I would chose The Sanchaya in Bintan, Indonesia,  Lympstone Manor in Devon, UK and the Four Seasons in Oahu, Hawaii.

The overriding factor in all of them was service and personalisation. The Sanchaya is in a fairly isolated beach location in a magnificent colonial style house where you feel like you could have stepped back in time. Everything is personalised and you can even chose not to sign for anything in the hotel and just get a bill at the end. At the pool, hampers are presented with chilled towels, still and sparking water and a water spray to cool down.

The Sanchaya in Bintan, Indonesia.

The Sanchaya in Bintan, Indonesia. Photo by hotel.

Lympstone Manor is a newly opened hotel from Michael Caines, the Michelin starred chef. Again it is a beautiful Manor house building but the attention to detail and reflections of the estuary surroundings were what made it special and of course the wonderful food from Michael. Each room was named after a estuary bird and decorated in the birds colours. There were lots of little extras such as gin tray, homemade biscuits and fresh milk to go with your tea or coffee and 2 different sets of toiletries in case you didn’t like one fragrance.

Lympstone Manor in United Kingdom. Photo by hotel.

Lympstone Manor in United Kingdom.

The Four Seasons is situated on a lovely lagoon away from the strong waves and currents on Oahu. The rooms are newly decorated and the pool side service is second to none. There is an adult only pool where staff will come round with sunscreen, water and frozen treats on a regular basis. Service is superb in all areas of the hotel from the beachside fish restaurant to the Hawaiian influenced spa. Your name is used at all times by the staff and service feels very personal.

If you had your own boutique hotel, what 3 things would you make sure existed?

• Service and service recovery is very important, guests can overlook short comings if you have great service!
• I think making sure the guests have everything they need in the room such as high quality toiletries, a great coffee machine, a comfortable bed with high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and a pillow top mattress are important.
• Finally I love a good soak in the bath, so I would have large free standing soaking tubs big enough for two in my bathrooms.

Name 3 things you loved in hotels you stayed in before…

1. I recently stayed in the Aria Sky suites in Las Vegas and when you walked into the room the curtains drew back automatically to show you the view whilst music played. That was a pretty special entrance.
2. I also loved at the Sanchaya that all your preferences were noted so that if you ordered sparkling water or coffee for example, they would bring you that next time you were in the restaurant.
3. Another favourite is little gifts or extras such as the Gin tray at Lympstone Manor complete with lime and tonics or a nice pillow spray at turndown service.

Name 3 things you wouldn’t want to experience in a hotel ever again.

1. Being locked out of our hotel for the night during the Vegas shootings was something I hope to never repeat. At the less extreme end I really hate the trend of  open plan bathrooms with glass walls and doors, if any at all. No matter how much I love my partner I really do not need to be that intimate with them and it is definitely a no-no with friends!
2. Noise is a big factor for me, as I recently had a room in a very well-known hotel that appeared to be above a nightclub that went on into the early hours.
3. In Asia I have had a cockroach in the room of luxury hotels a couple of times. Just thinking about that makes me shudder!

I think in a lot of cases it is often not just the fact that something is wrong, it is also very important how the hotel deals with your complaint. I always mention if something wasn’t right so the hotel can correct it for the next guest but often all I get is a thank you letting us know, not even an apology!

How do you feel about the Amberlair concept?

I really like the Amberlair concept. It is certainly a very unique way to develop a hotel by involving guests from the very beginning. All too often hotels are built solely on designers concepts of what looks good rather than what a guest actually wants.

Where are you off to next?

My next 6 weeks are a repeat visit to a fantastic hotel in the Algarve, the Conrad, Abu Dhabi to try Etihad Airways First Class apartment and my first trip to Mauritius.

Michele Robson is the Founder and Editor of Turning Left for Less and has spent the last 23 years working in the travel industry.  Her passion for travelling has now turned into something of an obsession! This along with a taste for the finer things in life has necessitated finding the cheapest way to indulge her habit which she now shares with readers of her blog. Last year alone she flew over 85,000 miles on 37 flights but used miles, discounts and sales to never pay the full price.

Follow Michele on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

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