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My Stay at the Royal Marine Hotel Dún Laoghaire

My Stay at the Royal Marine Hotel Dún Laoghaire

I recently stayed over 3 different weekends at the historic 4-star Royal Marine Hotel in Dún Laoghaire just outside Dublin city. The hotel features 228 luxury bedrooms that have been updated with both contemporary and traditional furnishings. Iis a historic hotel and Queen Victoria and Laurel & Hardy had stayed here. Some of the rooms have magnificent views across Dublin Bay and we enjoyed just such a view on our second and third stay here. There are also other facilities which you can enjoy when you stay here.

There are both relaxed and dining options and health and a spa and swimming pool. For us, we didn’t try the spa or the pool but it’s good to have such an option if you need it.

The check-in process was excellent and I can say that the staff at this hotel go out of their way to ensure you are happy. I have a background in hospitality and I can spot a team who work well and this was certainly obvious. 

The first stay at the Royal Marine Hotel was an inside room on the 3rd floor. The room was bright, warm, comfortable and the bathroom was basic but very clean and had obviously been recently upgraded. There is free WIFI, multichannel TV, Tea / coffee facilities in the room and free water for your convenience.

Royal Marine Standard Room

Above – Standard room at the Royal Marine

On our second and third stay at the Royal Marine Hotel, we enjoyed a sea view room on the 6th floor. We were upgraded due to being a member of the loyalty Neville Hotels programme. This was an even more luxurious room, larger and with such a fantastic view how could you not enjoy your stay? These more luxurious rooms have Panoramic views across Dublin Bay, Egyptian linens, and Hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows. The bathroom is bigger with a bath and separate shower. There was also a Laptop safe, Air-conditioning, and Complimentary WiFi as standard.

Royal Marine Room Sea View

Above – Sea View room at the Royal Marine Dun Laoighre

Dún Laoghaire is a very nice spot to visit. I had not really been here in many years and it has a very relaxed vibe. If you are looking for some nice food, I recommend the Gourmet Food Parlour which is about 5 minute’s walk from the Hotel. I also recommend trying a Teddy’s Ice Cream (my favourite is the one with Sprinkles) and you can also enjoy a walk along the pier which extends into the harbour. There are also may sea tours and stand up paddle board companies offering experiences subject to the season / weather. The People’s Park in Dún Laoghaire is only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel and these beautiful landscaped gardens are a great place for a stroll. Dún Laoghaire also has many museums, a theatre, and access to many walking trails.

Royal Marine View from Room

Above – the amazing view from the Sea View room at the Royal Marine

I really enjoyed my stay at the Royal Marie Hotel which is why I do these hotel review, and we will be back again very soon. Just a note, There is secure parking and your parking is validated on departure.

Also Don’t forget to join the Neville Hotels Loyalty Scheme for great bonuses on every stay.

Royal Marine Hotel Website – https://www.royalmarine.ie

 

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Hotel Review

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Hotel Review

Having just returned from a 2-night stay at Inchydoney I am very much relaxed. In April I also spent 2 days at Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa and every time I go there I am so impressed with the hotel, its staff, the food, the accommodation, and the spa that I just had to share my experience of this amazing Irish Hotel. I noticed on this visit that they won the Gold Medal Awards as the best 4 star hotel in Ireland which is a great achievement. 

Their website states, “A warm welcome awaits you in one of Ireland’s most exclusive and tranquil retreats. A true destination for people who value time together.” and this statement could not be more true.

Check-In

The check-in for any hotel is usually the same across most hotels, however here on check-in, we had a very nice check-in followed by a complimentary welcome drink which was very much appreciated. We spent about 30 minutes relaxing in the reception area before heading to the room.

The Room

The Rooms are very luxurious with beautiful sea views out over the Atlantic coast. It is a setting far removed from what you expect for Ireland, more resembling the south of France. It feels like you are very far from home and it is very relaxing. The room comes with robes, clippers, tea facilities, a Nespresso machine, complimentary water, flat screen TV, and our room had a beautiful balcony area where we could chill in the warm sun which enveloped the balcony. The sleeps are very comfortable and the bathroom is large with everything you need including Elemis products.

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa Room

The Food

There are 2 restaurants that we visited, these were nautically themed Dunes Pub & Bistro and our Fine Dining Gulfstream Restaurant. The Dunes Pub was where we enjoyed a fantastic prawn curry, which tasted fantastic and the portion size was just perfect. In the Gulfstream Restaurant, we had John Dory, again, sublime food with a stunning view out over the bay. The service at the restaurants is excellent and you are checked on to ensure all is good.
Breakfast is served in the Gulfstream Restaurant and you will be sure to have everything you want at breakfast.

The Spa

It was about 8 years since I had a spa treatment, so this was worth waiting for. I had the Sleep Tight treatment which included a foot treatment, back massage, and also a neck and shoulders/head massage.  It was very relaxing indeed and while enjoying the fruit in the relaxation room post-treatment, my fitness tracker showed my heart rate at 9 bpm lower than my normal average resting heart rate – so it really did relax me.

Before we went for the spa treatment we did enjoy the Seawater Therapy Pool and the sauna and steam room which was a great way to enjoy all the Spa had to offer.

The Location

Inchydoney is located about 10 minutes from Clonakilty in Co. Cork and has a beach only steps away from the hotel. From Waterford the journey took 2 hours 30 minutes which is not bad indeed, especially considering the rewards of relaxation which awaited us.

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa - Views from nearby beach

Overall Review 10/10

Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa is set in a stunning location and has fantastic accommodation food and service. This hotel stay gave the most spectacular scenery, food, and relaxation with the best views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and is a very romantic and picturesque location on the Wild Atlantic Way. With Free Parking, Free Wifi, an indoor Saltwater pool, steam room, sauna, and fitness center, all of which you can enjoy for free during your stay – this has to be the Best Hotel I have visited in Ireland. I look forward to returning very soon.

Website: https://www.inchydoneyisland.com/

My stay at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

My stay at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas

I have been to Las Vegas 3 times now since 2022 and the previous 2 times I stayed at The Luxor but this time, I decided upon the Excalibur as it was working out slightly cheaper for the dates I wanted.

About the Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Excalibur Hotel and Casino is a casino hotel on the Las Vegas Strip operated by MGM Resorts, the same company that owns The Luxor Hotel where I stayed previously. The resort features a medieval castle theme and is named after King Arthur’s mythical Excalibur sword. The Excalibur Property includes a casino, a 28-story hotel with 3,981 rooms, and various restaurants.

The $290 million property was originally developed by Circus Circus Enterprises and construction of the hotel and casino began in October 1988, with the Excalibur resort opening on June 19, 1990 – so I was staying almost exactly 34 years after it’s opening. It was the largest hotel in the world until the opening of the nearby MGM Grand in 1993.

My Stay and Review

I arrived at around 11 pm following a 10 pm landing at the nearby airport. My taxi ride only took about 10 minutes and proximity to the airport is one advantage to this hotel. 

The check-in was processed very fast and I was given a small upgrade to a 12th-floor tower room as I extended my stay on arrival. 

The room was very nice but quite a long way from the elevators. Now, I actually like being away from the elevators to avoid noise so my location in the hotel was ideal for me. The room may be considered a small bit dated in design however it was clean, comfortable, and welcoming. I did notice that along with the air conditioning, there were aromatherapy diffusers and also a dehumidifier ( I will come back to this later). The shower and bathroom are large and the shower has plenty of hot water and power. The bed was super comfy and I had a very enjoyable 11-hour sleep to recover from my jet lag; so the next day I was unaffected by my 24 hours of travel on the day before. It was just as well really as I was performing at 7 pm and had soundcheck at 3 pm… the quality of sleep allowed me to be perfectly energetic and awake.

So coming back to the dehumidifier in the room; normally my sinuses play up with all the air conditioning in the hotels and public areas, since in Ireland we don’t have this and it seems to really dry me out. However, with the dehumidifier in the room, I was unaffected and this is another reason why I will certainly consider returning to the Excalibur hotel. 

There is a very large casino area, and I did try a few thing like roulette and a few slots but I didn’t win much at all – unlike the $258 I won th last time I was in Las Vegas. Dining is available at multiple locations including a food court and also a very good Buffet which starts at around $31 per person for lunch.

Overall I really enjoyed my stay and I will certainly be back to either this great hotel.

If you have been to Vegas, what is your favourite hotel – leave a comment below and I might try your suggestion next !

This castle-themed resort and casino is located central on the Las Vegas Strip. It features 4 seasonal outdoor pools, 14 restaurants, 100,000-square-foot casino and live nightly entertainment are provided.

WiFi (included with the resort fee) is provided throughout rooms at Excalibur. Every room has a cable TV, a large bathroom with a hair dryer.

The Excalibur Hotel and Casino provides a tour desk. Guests can browse the numerous on-site shops.

There are 4 outdoor pools featuring a water slide, poolside cabanas, and an Adult Only Pool. A large gym with modern equipment is also available.

Interstate 15 is 1 mile from the resort offering easy access to area attractions Harry Reid International Airport is 2.8 miles away and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas is 2.5 miles from the hotel.

The Luxor Las Vegas – My favorite Hotel in Las Vegas (so far)

The Luxor Las Vegas – My favorite Hotel in Las Vegas (so far)

In March 2022 I traveled to Las Vegas to play at an Everybody Sings Project fundraiser with the Queen Tribute band Celebrating Queen. The band put me up in the Luxor Hotel and Casino and I was stunned. Remember, I had traveled from Waterford, Ireland where the tallest building was about 5 stories high and now I’m in a building with 30 floors and a location where the tallest building is 1,150ft and 112 stories high. I was blown away by Las Vegas and was for sure in some sort of culture shock.

Luxor Las Vegas Review

Background information on the Luxor Casino and Hotel

Luxor Las Vegas is a hotel and casino located on the Las Vegas Strip and is operated and run by MGM Resorts. The Hotel is 20 stories high and is named after the Egyptian city of Luxor.

There is a wonderful video on YouTube of the Luxor being constructed and it shows the construction from the breaking ground on the resort which took place in March 1992 and then was opened to the public in October 1993 with a total cost of $380m. At one point this hotel was actually the tallest on the strip when it opened and even had a river ride called the Nile River Tour where guests could ride through the pyramid in a boat.

It is a lot less Egypt-styled these days than it was back when it opened but the huge black pyramid with its 42.3-billion-candela lumen beam of light that shoots into the night sky – the Luxor Sky Beam is visible from the airport as you land. The Luxor Sky Beam is actually the world’s strongest beam of light. As a result of this amazing beam of light, flying insects, bats, and even owls come to feed on whatever is attracted to the light. Some people even see the larger bats and birds and confuse them for UFOs. The light can also be used as a visual aid for approaching pilots landing at the nearby airport. (Code: LAS)..

Outside the Luxor Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

Luxor Hotel Rooms

I found the rooms to be very comfortable. I stayed here in March 2022 and also January 2023. In 2022 I stayed on the 12th floor and in January 2023 I stayed on the 5th floor. I have to say that the rooms on the 12th were a little nicer and in slightly better condition, so if I was coming back I would ask for the higher rooms.

The rooms are very quiet despite a bustling casino below you. As soon as you close that door you have quietness. I was also facing the airport and the view was nice too. I had excellent sleep here and this was a great advantage as I had some jetlag to get over.

The bathroom was spacious and very clean with excellent showers.

Inside the Luxor Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

Photo: View from outside my room on the 12th floor

The Food at the Luxor

The only place I ate at the Luxor was the Public House which is a sports bar theme restaurant and I had a Beyond Burger with fries and a drink which all came to under $30 which was good value for what I got. The food was piping hot, and delicious and the service was attentive and friendly.

There are few other options that I personally would want to try in the Luxor, I had to admit that in the mornings I used to walk over to New York, New York and there was an Italian bakery over there (I’m sure it was called La Cucina, La Forno or something like that), but they had the best cinnamon buns and coffee – all for under $10).

Service

It is a large hotel so you do feel that you are just one guest amongst thousands but the staff are friendly. Note, you will need to pay a service fee of around $35 (I think this is per night) but apparently, this is the norm for Vegas.

Las Vegas in General

I like las vegas but 3-4 days was enough for me. I did try the casino and I won about €250 in the Mandala Bay Casino, €148 on roulette, and the rest on the slots. It is very easy to lose money so have a budget in place when you are gaming in the casinos. I do occasionally play games online, I mainly use NetBet,  which is why I like games which have a spending cap or which remind you if you are spending a lot.

Conclusion

I am tempted to try other hotels in Las Vegas but I found the Luxor to be good value as my one-night stay in January was about $75. If I won the lottery, there is one suite in the MGM Grand which has a piano but it is about $1,500 per night.
I am hoping to go back to Las Vegas in the near future and next time I will do an updated review for the website at that time.

Bellinter House Hotel & Spa – Hotel Review

Bellinter House Hotel & Spa – Hotel Review

I had some business in County Meath and having looked at all the options Bellinter House Hotel was perfect for what I needed. I prefer quieter hotels and because Bellinter House sits on the south bank of the River Boyne this was perfect as a location. This beautiful Georgian mansion was built about 1750, about 7 years before Mount Juliet where I once worked. Richard Castle designed the house for John Preston, grandfather of the first Lord Tara. This 18th-century Georgian house is located in the heart of the Boyne Valley, about 30 minutes from Dublin, and for me, it is just over 2 hours from Waterford.

I have stayed here 5 times now and every time I have had a wonderful stay. The staff are wonderful and the house is set on beautiful grounds it looks wonderful in the mornings when you are heading to breakfast.

The Rooms at Bellinter House Hotel

Bellinter House Hotel has 41 bedrooms and there are several different room types in Bellinter House each with a different style. I have stayed in the Deluxe Rooms which are located in The Ruins beside The Bathhouse Spa. The room has lovely touches like wood floorboards, vintage furniture, and some extra touches that add character. The rooms have everything which I need and on my second visit to the hotel, there were chocolates in my room with a nice hand-written message. My only criticism is that the lighting in the room is a little dimmer than I would prefer. The rooms have nice showers and on one occasion I had a very nice deep bath, however, I was so busy on that evening I never had a chance to try it.

 

Dining

I ate a few times in The Library, The Study, or the Drawing Rooms. I have had the Burger which is served with chips and it was amazing. I also had the fish and chips which was very good also. 
Breakfast is served in Preston’s from 8am and it is one of the best breakfasts I have had. The only thing I would personally like is a slightly earlier breakfast service.  

 

Hotel Location

Bellinter House is located approximately 7kms south of Navan town in Co. Meath and about 40/45 minutes from Dublin airport. For me, it was only 23 minutes from The hotel has plenty of parking on the grounds.

 

Bedrooms at Bellinter House Hotel
Sunrise at Bellinter House Hotel
Food at Bellinter House Hotel

Conclusion

It is my defacto hotel to stay in County Meath and I hope to continue to come here for all my future stays in the Meath area. The staff are wonderful, the sleep is peaceful, the rooms are comfortable, the breakfasts are fantastic, the food is delicious and the area is just so quiet and peaceful. Just perfect.

 

Website: https://www.bellinterhouse.com/

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More Hotel Reviews will be added soon.

Hotel Review of The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

Hotel Review of The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

Hotel Review of The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

From time to time when travelling, you will want to splash out and go for a bit of luxury. In 2013 when planning a trip to London I was looking for a nice hotel. I knew of 2 very good hotels, the Blakemore Hotel and the Park Plaza Hotel, however, these were not what I was looking for. I found some excellent TripAdvisor reports for the Grosvenor Hotel Victoria London and noticed it had a Chinese Restaurant, the Grand Imperial, attached which clinched the deal. 

The Grosvenor Hotel was booked and prior to arrival, I had a very nice pre-arrival courtesy call which I thought was a nice touch.

The History of the Grosvenor Hotel London

As with most of the major city railway stations in the UK, back in the day of steam locomotion, hotels were attached to thee stations. The Grosvenor Victoria was built by Sir John Kelk’s company. The Grosvenor is very much luxury and lavish and the grandest hotel in London. The Grosvenor opened to the public in 1862 a year after Victoria station opened. The original 1st class railway lounge is now the Reunion cocktail bar. The millionaire and Bellini cocktails here are worth a try. 

Grosvenor Victoria Hotel Review

On the day of travel, we actually arrived very late thanks to a strategically planned Irish airport strike. However, we arrived at the Grosvenor just after midnight and had a very pleasant check-in and proceeded to the room. Even with our late arrival, nothing was a problem and the staff was ever courteous. You will be greeted very well and the check-in was very well polished.

Guest rooms are very comfortable and very nicely decorated. The history of the hotel is not very obviously reflected in the rooms. They are more contemporary in nature than the historic facade and foyer. Lush colours such as deep purples and chocolate browns give a real warmth to the guest rooms. There are some reviews which call the entry-level rooms to be small but I feel they are adequate. I have stayed here twice, thus, I have stayed in 2 room types.

In general, the rooms are very well appointed, include a small but nice bathroom and comfortable bed. Many rooms overlook Victoria Station but on our stay, being 5 floors up, there was no noise. You may get an infrequent station announcement or such, which may just catch the wind. Overall, you will be guaranteed a very pleasant sleep. 

There are also very high-quality tea and coffee facilities in your beautifully presented room. Once on a return stay, we also got a complimentary upgrade. The touches here are high-end. If you are looking for a hotel stay in the heart of London but with a luxury-twist, you will not be disappointed.

The staff at the Grosvenor Victoria are excellent. They are all attired in immaculate black suits. The hotel was ideal for me, as a leisure guest, but would be an ideal hotel for corporate guests. You will also find that there is a gym, a 24-hour concierge plus round-the-clock room service should the need or hunger arise.

Photo of Grosvenor Hotel London Victoria, Room Photo
Image - The Grosvenor Hotel room - tea and coffee facilities

It is a pleasure to stay in such great accommodation. The hotel is pristine with a very ornate and impressive foyer. You must also go outside and cross to the street to get a vista on this impressive hotel, The architecture outside is amazing. Features with sculpted heads with laurel crowns, many balcony type features and sculpted flowers. It is a sight to behold. Just note that the street outside can be busy and there can often be queues for busses, so you might have to battle through the crowds during rush hour just to get into the hotel.

 

Dining & Breakfast at the Grosvenor

I already mentioned the Grand Imperial restaurant but the hotel has a second restaurant. This is called The Brasserie – we tried both restaurants and both are well worth experiencing.  I had a fantastic croque madame which is always a favourite of mine. It was perfectly cooked and had a really fine quality cheese filling.

The breakfasts are very good and are held in the Brasserie area.  Plenty of choices and no rush with great coffee to get you started for the day.

Inside and Outside the Grosvenor Hotel

The entrance of the Hotel has a grand foyer, with a stunning chandelier which you can’t miss. You should take to the next level up, so walk around and see the architecture in more details.

The Grosvenor’s location is great, only a 60-second walk to Victoria station. There is a private and direct route from the station into the hotel. There are also many bus stops outside the hotel also. If you are flying into Gatwick then the Gatwick Express will get you direct to Victoria Station. As a result, the Grosvenor Hotel would be ideal for you.

This was a wonderful stay at the Grosvenor Hotel and we will certainly be back next time we are in London.

Grosvenor Hotel London Victoria Address & Hotel Information

Grosvenor Hotel Website: https://www.amba-hotel.com/en/london/the-grosvenor.html

Grosvenor Hotel Map & Location
Grosvenor Hotel, 101 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0SJ, England

The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

Things to do near the Grosvenor Hotel, London

The Grosvenor Hotel is located in the area known as Victoria. This is close to Buckingham Palace, St. James Park, Westminster Cathedral and is ideal if you want to visit the Apollo Victoria which at the moment has the show, ‘Wicked’. The fact that Victoria station is on your doorstep, means you have a variety of tube lines at your disposal.

You can also refer to my London Guide: Top things to do in London as a reference.

 

Photo Gallery – The Grosvenor Hotel, Victoria, London

This is a Hotel Review from my Travel Blog. This Hotel Review of the Grosvenor Hotel, London is not a sponsored post. I was not paid or compensated by the Grosvenor Hotel London for this hotel review and it is simply my honest view and review of two separate stays at the Grosvenor in 2013 and again in 2015. 

Some Questions which were submitted to me by email, which I will answer here for others to see…

 

Is the Grosvenor Hotel London Nice?

In a word, yes, however if you have a chance to spend a bit more I would do so. A few extra on the room will give you a more spacious and more lucurious room. However on the 2 occasions I stayed I certainly had no complaints on the room size. Great Staff, Great Food, Great Hotel.

Did you try the Grosvenor Hotel Afternoon Tea?

No, I did not have a chance to enjoy the Afternoon Tea, however it is not something I normally go for, so therfore we probably did not see it out. But in general the food here is excellent.

What’s the Breakfast like at the Grosvenor Hotel?

For me, Hotel Breakfasts are things I avoid unless included in the price. One one occasion we did have breakfast at the Grosvenot Hotel and it was very impressive and also very enjoyable.

If you have any other queries about my stay at The Grosvenor Hotel London Victoria please drop me a line