Intercontinental Hong Kong

I'm sure you have seen this pic already, from a blog posting that I did not too long ago. This was the exact view from our windows. Yep windows with the "S" coz when we opened the door of our room...both of us exclaimed:
"Where's the BED?????"

The room was just too huge for all of us, including the hobbits....but after a few days, no complains...space is such a luxury when it comes to Hong Kong.

Yaaay the exact same model of Nespresso machine as our home :D:D:D These days I can't remember which hotel doesn't have a Nespresso machine...oh maybe the Mandarin Orchard in Singapore....even Royal Plaza on Scotts have Nespresso machine.

We really love our Nespresso, it may not be the best coffee in the world but the convenience of getting up with its aroma every morning just makes life so much easier. Plus it's so easy to maintain, the one that we had at home is now 6 years old. With new models coming up every quarter in different attractive colors, I was contemplating of having one on my desk at work...just like Mr JS the Food Snob who has one on his desk.


The large living area, where I lurve to chill with my drinks and fruits platter...and some desserts which they served. Intercontinental Hong Kong isn't a new hotel, opened in 2001 as the Regent Hotel, we still love it for its impeccable service, amazing dining options, panoramic view of the harbour but most of all its locations. The other hotel that has all of these convenience would be Four Seasons at HK island. W Hotel is nice but doesn't count bcoz its location is pretty off.

Not only Monkey was enjoying the view, hobbits were sun-bathing there everyday till they were warm and hot and fluffy every evening when we put them to bed.

I forgot to snap pic of their turn-down service. Each hotel has their different ways to turn down my dearie hobbits. In fact we have enuff pics to do a compilations by hotel listing and locations around the world. Sometimes they even tucked my hobbits with quilt over them, or could be holding some silly flowers and chocolates, or just got turned down in a terrible way. It's the matter of giving hotel guests the extra miles and services by not only cleaning their room and attending to their needs, but that lil extra special personal touch that could make guests like me go "awwwwwww that's so sweet."

Forgive me, I have very simple mind. Simple things and personal touches like greeting me at the lobby by my name makes me extra happy *oh well afterall we were on a vacation* and of coz all these will retain ur customers/clients. Point to note.

And we found our bed in the next room....the orange Monster is 2D and he's JS personal favourites. He insisted that 2D must be brought along to Hong Kong even though to my disagreement coz he's 

bigger than the rest and do occupied some bit of space on our bags.

JS is a very efficient man. He quickly unpacked and got all his jackets and dress pants hung neatly at the walk in wardrobe. Oh well not all hotels that we stayed in have got butlers to do all these. Anyway I have yet to get used to having people touching my clothes - including my weekly maids. I still do personally clean, fold and iron all my clothes, including that of JS.

The bathroom is really spacious, with a huge mirror and stunning views too. The venetian blinds added touch to this rather tired looking bathroom. No, I'm not a fan of marbles in this color :(( and the laundry basket~~~ I was afraid that some snakes gonna crawl outta it.

Peek-a-boo~~~ what's on the outside.....there's a lot of energy outside, with tourists bz snapping pics of moving ships, boats and ferries. Early in the morning there's so many Hongkies having workouts and jogs along this strip called Avenue of Stars....then throughout the day there's more and more people, before finally they settled down and booked a good spot for the Laser Light called Symphony of Lights at 8pm every evening.

Really the bathroom is of quite a good size, with a separate lavatory. Just that we hardly spend time in the room. Most of our hours were spent outside the hotel, roaming the city that never sleeps....and bz eating :P

Such a beautiful pic taken by JS from the room.
Every morning, he will go for a morning walk at 6.30am with his camera, documenting the people of Hong Kong doing their morning tai-chi and exercise....and I usually woke up to hobbits all over me. *he tend to purposely tucked them around my neck, under my arms, on my stomach and wrapped me around like a pohpiah aka spring rolls before he headed out*

one of those morning, I woke up alone again and walked to the window....and among the throngs of ppl there, there's one human being of good height, walking ferociously among the aimless tourists waving excitedly at me. Oh my....what a mere coincidence to spot him among the hundreds of ppl down there...and of him walking past exactly at the time I was standing by the window for a mere 30 seconds just to see the Sun.

and on certain morning, Mr. JS woke me up with his own excitement...of passing cruise ships right in front of our windows. *yawnnnnn*

It's already Tuesday and time passed by too quickly, we are now planning for July and beyond. Gosh~~~~ but again life is good...we must always make it happen as our destiny is in our hands. Really, u make it happen so make your choices. As I've always preached, make changes or you will be changed. Always embrace changes. Enjoy!!!

Intercontinental Hong Kong
18 Salisbury Road,
Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: +852 2721 1211
http://www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com

Villa Florentine, Lyon

We arrived at our accommodation after lunch, and it was such a sight to behold. The entire city of Lyon is just under our nose. Hahahahaha.....just saying :))))

Monkey was so delighted with the view and sat there I think for an hour? Champagne and macarons was served as the check-ins procedure was underway.

JS: "Monkey....u like????"
I think more like I m asking him coz when it comes to logistics and accommodations, it's Monkey's department. And historical datas, bookings of museum tickets, places to go and see....I guess everything in the itinerary is IN my department except for Dinners.

JS managed all dinner bookings bcoz he's such a fussy diner. It must have certain decent wine list, if possible with some forms of stars. Most of all it shouldn't be a restaurant that specialised only on poultry for he doesn't consume anything with a beak, 2 feets and with lots of feathers. He must have been one in his previous life. :P

So Monkey threw back the question at him...."Mr. JS, do u like our hotel?"
JS: "Yes yes already, and we haven't even seen our room yet!!"

Villa Florentine is a 17th century old convent that sits on part of the UNESCO site of the Lyon City. You could enjoy the breathtaking view of the entire city with the cathedral down below...can u see it? and of coz the main attraction of Lyon - the Basilica which was situated on top of this hill. Just walking distance away.

Some of the pics taken from the Relais and Chateaux website.

Yes it's part of the prestigious Relaix & Chateaux programme. This programme established since 1954 has got really strict admissions to be a member. Each property must have distinctive and distinguished feature from cuisine/restaurant to their accommodation and characters. Namely the 5C

In French, they are Caractere, Calme, Courtoisie, Charme and finally Cuisine. A property must have all the 5Cs to be admitted into this programme. Hence most of the hotels are individually owned and not chained hotels, located in a castle *for its character* or in a really old historical building.

Soon after checking into our suite and leaving the hobbits behind, we were impatient to discover the charm of Lyon. With a lil map and some walking instructions, we headed down these steep flights of stairs down into the Vieux Lyon, the renaissance quarter of the city. In fact it is the most extensive renaissance city in the entire of Europe.

Let's not bore u with history, I will blog about Vieux Lyon another time...now back to the hotel.

JS: "Monkey watcha looking at?"

I am so short and tiny...anyway I was peeping at our suite located somewhere here below on the slope of this hill - Fourviere. Behind me is the entrance of this property, so unassuming. It's actually the Apse of an old cathedral with picture of Mother Mary on the inside of the lobby.

and we watched many beautiful sunrises and sunsets :))))))))

You see all these buildings were part of the UNESCO sites hence it can't be modified nor destroyed. Not even renovation. Hence when Villa Florentine was turned into a hotel, a lot of consideration and application were needed to adhere to the UNESCO guidelines.

There's a beautiful and quiet park and from here, the view is truly spectacular.

Our suite is situated in another building, connected via this long corridor. The building where we stayed was even older, it's 15th century old. Along this corridor were paintings and tapestry acquired by the owner.


a real fire place!!!!

So quaint with lots of natural lights and views of the garden or the old city

"Bonjour Madame!!!"
the breakfast area is at a patio overlooking the entire city. I could just feast on the view alone.

The famous Richard guy who seems to supply cheese and butter to restaurants in Lyon. Hehehehehe

Coffee and a basket of pastries. The breads here are so yumssssssss!!!!

Yogurt with honey roasted nuts and our room key - 23
:)))))))

figs, cranberries, grapes, pineapples and passion fruits. I think I was quite done after the bread and fruits.

Then our hot plate arrived....grilled homemade pork sausage. They were so tiny and cute but powerpacked with flavours and texture.

and my fresh farm eggs with some bacons.

after breakfast I felt like goin back to sleep, the bed was so comfy, and the room has got a stunning view with a private garden.

JS: "Monkey get dressed!!! we are goin out!! no more zzzzzzzz."
Monkey sighed....okie looks like the bed gotta wait for tonite. Hehehehe

oh why...hello hello!!!!

So if you are planning your visit to Lyon, do consider Villa Florentine. Excellent 7 stars service from its entire team, from the doorman to the concierge to the restaurants.
*read bout our dinner at their restaurant here*

Villa Florentine,
25 Montee Saint-Barthelemy,
69005 Lyon,
France.
Tel: +33 4 7256 5656
http://www.villaflorentine.com/