On a recent visit to the city of Munich, I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Laimer Hof. Having never visited the city before, combined with coming during the last leg of an European adventure, the hotel was a breath of fresh air. Set slightly outside the central part of the city in a charming neighborhood, the hotel is housed in a neo-Renaissance villa that was constructed in 1886. Not only is it a proud homage to its heritage, but it’s family-run and the hotel’s owners are fully invested in their guests. They want to make sure that not only are guests comfortable, but also that visitors fully enjoy their visit to Munich. I truly don’t think I have had such a warm welcome to a hotel in a very long time! It included a big glass of German beer, maps, train tickets and some of the biggest smiles I came into contact on my trip across Eastern Europe.

Here’s the CultureMom low-down on the Hotel Laimer Hof:

Source: Hotel Laimer Hof.

Our Room: The hotel offers 23 rooms with a total of 46 beds, of which three are family rooms. It’s incredibly family-friendly and I saw several visiting with children of various ages during our stay. Each room has its own unique décor and comes with free Wifi (a win-win for any hotel these days), a mini bar and television with free English movies and news channels (definitely of importance during our post-American election visit). The rooms are somewhat basic but overall comfortable, and the extra space is key. We were incredibly comfortable during our visit.

Service: The owner, Sebastian, and his wife were very helpful during our stay —  so helpful that Sebastian actually drove us to the train station more than once to help us shorten our travel time to the center of town (the station is one mile away). They provided maps, complimentary train tickets, and a welcome glass of beer which was perfect after a day of travel.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast awaited us both mornings of our visit, and we appreciated the wide variety of fresh food, which included German delicacies like sausage and soft pretzel, and most importantly for me, great cups of coffee.

Location: The neighborhood is coined Nymphenburg, due to its proximity to the palace and garden. Nymphenburg is an architectural highlight of the city of Munich and Hotel Laimer Hof and it’s just a 5-minute walk away. Dachau, the first concentration camp, is also relatively close by train, and the subway ride to the city center is just 15-20 minutes.

Eateries nearby: We really enjoyed dinner at the Hirschgarten, formally the Königlicher Hirschgarten. The restaurant is noted for its beer garden, which is the largest in Munich and probably the largest in the world. The food was authentic and delicious, especially the soft pretzels and cheese German starter.

The final verdict? We really enjoyed the pleasantry of the owners. Their hospitality was a welcome delight after a two-week journey around Eastern Europe, and it felt like a rare exception. Other travelers clearly felt the same way as they were open to conversations withus while sitting in the hotel lobby sipping beer.

If you’re headed to Munich, definitely consider a visit to Hotel Laimer Hof and leave questions below if you need more information.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay to facilitate this review and others but any opinions expressed are my own.

Follow

The post TheCultureMom Hotel Review: Munich’s Hotel Laimer Hof appeared first on The Culture Mom.

On my recent visit to Prague, I stayed at the Paris Hotel. Uniquely decked out in Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau decor, the hotel has a certain charm that took me back to a time long gone by, which I fully appreciated. It was right out of the 2011 film Midnight in Paris and i expected authors like Ernest Hemingway to walk in. From its high ceilings in the lobby to gold statues and sweeping staircases and chandeliers in the lobby, the hotel offers a very Parisian vibe.  The exterior is especially welcoming and beautiful, filling us with wonder upon arrival.

Here’s the lowdown on the Paris Hotel:

History: Hotel Paris, rated a 5-star hotel, has preserved its look of a First Republic, neo-Gothic building with bold elements of Art Nouveau for over a century, having opened in 1904. In 1991, the hotel returned to the Brandeis family, whose hotelier tradition has a 150-year history.

Location: We loved how walkable the hotel is. Located between Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square, the hotel is just beside the Municipal House and a few blocks from the Old Town Square. It’s a 15-minute walk from the Charles Bridge and an equally short walk to the Jewish Ghetto. There is also a plethora of restaurant options outside the hotel, and the neighborhood is just quaint and lovely for a visit to Prague. It was my mother’s first visit to the European city, so the Paris Hotel was the perfect choice.

Accommodations: The hotel offers 86 rooms and suites. We stayed in a deluxe room. Our rate included a buffet breakfast, free Wi-fi access, VAT and access to the hotel’s wellness and spa center. The room was comfortable, albeit a bit dark, offering a king-sized bed, original art nouveau furniture (seemingly original). Some Deluxe rooms have balconies with a view of the Municipal House and Prague city center; ours did not, but we had a great view of the Old Town. We had a desk, TV, armchairs, drapes, wool carpets and everything we needed to make our visit cozy and appealing

Amenities: Breakfast in Cafe’ de Paris was a lovely way to spend our mornings. The restaurant is glamorous with marble floors and its share of art nouveau decor and buffet breakfast offerings include of cooked and a slew of the cold foods. The French-themed Sarah Bernhardt Restaurant serves French and Czech cuisine, breakfast and dinner only. Live music is featured on weekend evenings.

Verdict: With a polite staff, excellent location, onsite dining, comfortable rooms, and most importantly, excellent value, I would recommend the Paris Hotel. Though I was traveling with my mother, I would also recommend it for a traveling family, based on what I know as a mom. Rooms are spacious and the hotel has cribs and services sure to make any parent happy.

To find out about discounts for the Paris Hotel, head here.

Disclosure: I was provided with a media rate to facilitate this review and others but all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post TheCultureMom Hotel Review: Prague’s Paris Hotel appeared first on The Culture Mom.

Why Visit Krakow

I was quietly impressed with the city of Krakow. While it has a rich yet painful history, which I’ll be talking about in another story here and elsewhere, it’s an incredibly beautiful and culturally-rich city that somehow managed to survive WWII (as a contrast to Warsaw which was destroyed, a city I had just come from).  We went shopping for amber jewelry in the Rynek Glowny (Main Square) is the heart of Old Town Krakow, Europe’s biggest town square. We took a tour of the city and traced the history of the Jews who once lived in the city’s Jewish Quarter. It was hard not to feel their absence as we circled the city. We climbed the steps to Wawel Castle and gazed down one of Central Europe’s prettiest cities. We dined on traditional Polish food such as pierogi and kielbasa and drank vodka, the city’s drink of choice. Anther worthwhile visit included Oskar Schindler’s Factory which has been turned into a modern museum devoted to the wartime experiences and largely focuses on the Holocaust, leaving us thinking that Krakow was even more haunted than we were led to believe. And our visit (which was an all day event) confirmed that.

Checking In

At first glance of the massive lobby looking up to an aerial view of the hotel’s atrium, complete with a restaurant and bar, we knew we were in for a treat. Check-in was speedy and easy, and we were given a complimentary drink as a warm welcome and an overview of the area. We were so happy to be staying by not only the historic area but also by markets, good restaurants, museums and Jewish sites of interest. Everything is easy to get to from the hotel and the city makes getting around really easy. The hotel’s concierge was really helpful and booked us into a tour of Auschwitz the next day. All in all, very friendly and attentive service, so a thumbs up to the staff.

Our Room

We checked into a European-style room with ample space, two twin beds and a stupendous view overlooking the river. The beds were very comfortable, with lush linens. We had turn down service, complimentary coffee, Wifi access, a flat-screen TV with English-speaking stations. All the rooms are located around this huge atrium mentioned above, which was a delight to wake up to every morning.

My mom, who had yet to stay in a 5-star hotel until this visit, was very impressed with the offerings in the bathroom. They have your usual suspects but also offer razors and an exfoliating sponge which I took along with me.

Amenities

The hotel has a small gym, sauna and pool in the basement level. On the roof, they offer a bar where you can sit and have a drink overlooking the stunning city of Krakow. There’s also a Mediterranean restaurant, a vodka bar and a rooftop terrace. Even though our visit was at the start of the country’s winter season and was cold, we sat briefly to take in the extraordinary views. Other amenities include a heated indoor pool and a sauna.

We had breakfast daily, which was included in our stay, in the Olive Restaurant on the ground floor. Not only do they serve delicious coffee, but they also offer a broad selection of yummy fish, cheese, breads, cereal, yogurt, fruit and even hot breakfast for those who can’t somehow find what they need on the buffet. We both looked forward to our mornings at the Sheraton. It’s a very cozy, relaxed atmosphere.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay at Sheraton Krakow to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post TheCultureMom Hotel Review: Sheraton Krakow appeared first on The Culture Mom.

Several weeks ago while visiting Warsaw, my tour of the Jewish Ghetto started early in the morning. I was eager to get to know a city where my ancestors once lived before coming to the United States in the early part of the 20th century. My mother didn’t know much about where they lived, but we wanted to see what life had been like and what had caused them to leave. Seeing the Ghetto was part of the soul-searching process we needed, even though the sad events had occurred after they’d left. What I was able to gather was that before World War 2, Jews lived a rather normal, lovely life in Warsaw, but after it was all over, everything changed. Now Warsaw lives in their shadow and probably will forever more, wrapped with guilt over what happened on Polish land.

Warsaw, the Polish capital, once had a Jewish population equivalent to the number of Jews living in all of France. It was the only city that rivaled New York’s Jewish population. The city was bombed during the war, so I wondered what was left of the Ghetto. It was an area during World War 2  that once stretched 11 miles with only a small piece remaining of the ghetto walls. Still, you don’t need much to look around and try to remember what happened. It stares you in the face and puts a dagger right in your heart. Warsaw has a tragic Jewish history and the city is completely reminiscent of the torment. They are aware and they are trying to resurrect it at the same time, but there are few Jews left to pick up the pieces and carry on the flame that once burned so brightly. Anti-Semitism and a fear of facing what happened remains, but there are are signs and memories every which way you turn.

We looked to our tour guide, sent from Warsaw Tourism, Kuba Wesolowski, to fill in the informational holes. Kuba is Catholic, yet he is passionate and well versed on the Jewish history of his home country and the terrible loss they endured. He gave us the facts but also gave us time to feel what we needed to feel and I was grateful for that. In between tales of sorrow, he graciously included stories of hope, like about Yardena Sandler, a nurse who managed to put some Jewish children into Catholic orphanages, hence saving their lives and about a young girl named Mary Berg, who recorded her experience of life in the ghetto in a diary that was published.

The Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of all the Jewish ghettos in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II. It was established in the Muranów neighborhood of the Polish capital between October and November 16, 1940, part of the territory of the General Government of German-occupied Poland, with over 400,000 Jews from the vicinity residing in an area of 3.4 km with an average of 7.2 persons per room.  Walking through the Ghetto, it actually felt enormous, which added to our existing gloom about what we were seeing. Shadows of ghosts followed us everywhere, and it felt eerie and quite gloomy. It was hard not to wonder what a different place Poland would be today had the Holocaust never occurred. You can see the bullet holes in the walls of the buildings. The gun shots on innocent people are raw and visible.

The ghetto was almost entirely demolished during an uprising in 1943; however, a number of buildings and streets survived, mostly in the “small ghetto” area. We walked through the area, which is still connected through boundary markers, marking gates, wooden footbridges and buildings important to inmates that survived. Some of the buildings are occupied by residents; some have become office buildings. It’s a combination of the old and the new with the tallest building in Poland, the Palace of Culture and Sciences staring down on visitors while walking around, providing a huge contrast to the past and present. Zlota 44 is a residential skyscraper designed by American architect Daniel Libeskind that is also seen in the near distance, making it hard to forget the year is actually 2016 and not 1939. The ghetto still seems to stand on its own as a symbol of the pain that will forever exist in this capital.

Over 70 years ago, the area of Jewish residents (which numbered up to one million) was sealed off from the rest of the city. It was enclosed by a wall that was over 10 feet high, topped with barbed wire, and closely guarded to prevent movement between the ghetto and the rest of Warsaw. Kuba descriptively provided details about what it was like to live in the ghetto and it was easy to look around and see the shadow of what once was. Life had deteriorated quickly. At first some semblance of normal life presided: cafes were still open, newspapers published (newspapers from ‘the outside’ were forbidden), school lessons took place and people strived to continual a normal existence as best as they could. Smuggling food into the ghetto was common, either by bribing guards at the gates, or carrying it in via underground canals – whilst poorer people would send their children over to the ‘Aryan side’ to steal what they could. The official food ration of around 200 calories a day per person was less than 10 percent of the ration for Germans (and about 25% of the ration for Poles).

Today there is only one short section of the original ghetto wall remaining; this section was outside when the original Ghetto became a smaller area after most of the Jews had been deported. Kuba took us to the remnant at 62 Zlota Street and told us that parts of the wall which connected two buildings, which were built higher than the rest of the wall, which was mostly lower than 10 feet. On the wall is a map showing the area of the Ghetto and ribbons and tributes to the victims of the ghetto. It made everything feel very real and confirmed that there is so much evidence to what happened during the Holocaust that it is beyond imagination. Seeing it up close brings history far too close to home. There are two Warsaw Ghetto Heroes’ monuments, unveiled in 1946 and 1948, near the place where the German troops entered the ghetto on 19 April 1943. In 1988 a stone monument was built to mark the Umschlagplatz, a holding area set up by Nazi Germany adjacent to a railway station in occupied Poland, where the ghettoised Jews were being assembled for deportation to death camps during the ghetto liquidation. We also sent to 18 Mila street where Mordechai Anielewicz led the Warsaw Uprising, preventing the majority of a second wave of Jews from being deported to Treblinka. It is believed he committed suicide though his body was never found.

You must already know the rest of the terrible history of the Jews in the ghetto – disease, starvation, a break out of typhoid caused by insanitary conditions. Corpses were dumped naked on the streets – the families were forced to strip their relatives in order to sell the clothes.From there, at least 254,000 Ghetto residents were sent to the Treblinka extermination camp over the course of two months in the summer of 1942. The death toll among the Jewish inhabitants of the Ghetto, between starvation, disease, deportations to extermination camps, Großaktion Warschau, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, and the subsequent razing of the ghetto, is estimated to be at least 300,000.

How does Warsaw deal with this history? For one thing, besides the many memorials spread throughout, 2013 saw the creation of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. The building is impressive both inside and out. Inside the lobby is symbolic of the Red Sea opening to let the Jews out. The walls in the museum feel quite close, making you feel as oppressed as Jews once were in Poland. Exhibits focus on 1,000 years of Jewish history in Poland, not just the Holocaust and features 60 diverse, unique galleries and extensive use of multi-media. There are many highlights of this well built museum including recreations of a Polish village at the turn of the century and a Jewish street filled with vibrant memories in the years that preceded WW2. Kuba was a trained docent at the museum and he took us on an excellent two-hour tour.

In 1939, there were 400 synagogues in Warsaw. Today there are three.  Before the war, there were 3 million Jews in Poland. There are about 13,000 Jews left in the country. Not much survived the war. The Nożyk Synagogue also survived. It was used as a horse stable by the German Wehrmacht. The synagogue has today been restored and is once again used as an active synagogue. Even that was hard for me to visit. In so much darkness, I needed light which I got at Charlotte Menorah, a French bistro where they serve Ashkenazi dishes I get often in New York like challah, blintzes, babka and bagels. Run by two non-Jewish women, they are returning to the Jewish roots they know once infiltrated the area. It’s about tradition – what stayed and what was lost. We also went to Tel Aviv, a trendy contemporary cafe that serves Israeli vegan dishes & kosher wine, owned by Malka Kafka who is Jewish.

There is a yearning to bring back Jewish culture to the spirit of Warsaw, but what a tragic history.

Disclosure: My tour was arranged by Warsaw Tourism to facilitate this article and others.

Follow

The post A Visit to the Haunted Warsaw Ghetto appeared first on The Culture Mom.

Follow

The post TheCultureMom Hotel Review: The Westin Warsaw appeared first on The Culture Mom.

Follow

The post Hotel Review: Copenhagen’s Hotel D’Angleterre appeared first on The Culture Mom.

If you’re headed to Amsterdam and can afford to indulge, I implore you to stay at the Conservatorium Hotel. Built in 1897, the hotel is situated in a beautiful Neo-Gothic building that was originally the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music. In 2011, it was transformed into a deluxe hotel brand. It’s the first member of The Set, a collection of of hotels for sophisticated, design, literary travelers in the 21st century, and let me tell you, it’s classy – it’s classic – yet it stays true to its roots. Besides the magnificent violin display you encounter when entering the hotel, there are several odes to the hotel’s rich history, through its dazzling architecture and framed art and photos spread throughout the hotel, which Italian designer Piero Lissoni must have kept close at hand when he was designing it.

You can probably sense my deep love for the Conservatorium, so I thought I’d break down what I thought was so fabulous about this hotel. Upfront, do let me mention the welcome drink upon arrival, another lovely touch.

Conservatorium Hotel: Location

The Conservatorium Hotel is located in Amsterdam’s  museum square or Museumplein, the home of the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelik, and it’s right near the Royal Concertgebouw (Royal Concert Hall), as well as the fashion district of P.C. Hoofstraat and Van Baerlestraat. It’s surrounded by beautiful cafes, bakeries and shops, and is near Vondelpark, the city’s version of Central Park and is a short distance to the Jordaan neighborhood, one of the oldest and most interesting sections of Amsterdam. When we looked out the window, we saw 17th century gabled houses and everything I mention above. We had 11am reserved tickets for Van Gogh (booked online way in advance) and the Rijksmuseum (ditto) and we literally could have a leisurely breakfast and be at the museums in minutes of our arrival time. The night we had tickets to a concert at the Concertgebouw, we were able to take a nice stroll to the event space.

Conservatorium Hotel: Modern, Spacious Rooms

Having recently redesigned my own home in a modern style and decor, I admit I love hotels like the Conservatorium. The building was designed by Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel, who is known for his love of lines, fabrics and shades of grey with occasional bright accents. The result is clean and contemporary chic, but also very comfortable. There are eight floors with 129 guest rooms and suites, with rooms ranging from superior to penthouse. The walk to the room is impressive with its dark brown shades and beautiful tiling. Our room (superior) was more than appropriate for a family of four. The kids had beds downstairs, my husband and I were upstairs. My technology obsessed son was duly impressed by the room’s attention to tech detail. The curtains pulled down with an electronic mechanism and there were buttons to control lighting right next to our bed.  The room’s decor is calming with its oak floors, autumnal color scheme and luxury linens on the beds. The bathrooms (one on each floor), which were located behind a secret door that blended into the walls, have large rainfall showers with a bench inside, one marble tub, LCD mirror TVs and micro-cotton towels. We all used the free Wifi, a daily newspaper at the door, 24 hour room service and responsive room service and a Nespresso coffee and tea machine in the room. And can I mention the  L’Occitane bath products? Divine.

Conservatorium Hotel: Activities/Amenities

In the lobby, there is a round desk with what they call a “Host” who is there all day, or what you may refer to as a concierge. The Host can help you with anything you need during your stay in Amsterdam. On our first afternoon there, we arranged bike rentals, which we rode all around the area’s canals and beyond. The bikes are regal – the best quality you can find and the most comfortable I’ve ever been on. The hotel also offers a wellness center with a fitness center and swimming pools, which was unfortunately closed for renovations during our stay. There is ample dining at the hotel, all spearheaded by Dutch chef Schilo van Coevorden. They offer Tunes Restaurant and Tunes Bar as well as the Conservatorium Brasserie and Lounge in the lobby, which is dazzling in its own rite with beautiful, huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass ceiling. Breakfast includes an Ice Table, a modern buff et that offers a quality selection of fresh, local and seasonal based products, for example Home Baked Bread, Bio Yogurts, (gluten-free) Cereals, gorgeous fresh juices, exotic fruits and a hot food menu that includes eggs florentine, eggs benedict and smoked salmon.

Conservatorium Hotel: Courtesy of Staff

When we needed help, the staff, answered all of our questions promptly and told us how to get around in Amsterdam. The doormen were always friendly and helped with directions. Our room was always clean and housekeeping staff were incredibly responsive. We especially liked the Host, who gave us great tips on what to do and where to go.

Conservatorium Hotel: Kid-Friendliness

The hotel is definitely upscale, and you wouldn’t want your kids running around causing commotion, but I saw plenty of young children with their families. I’ve already mentioned the room, which my kids loved. They were extremely comfortable and my son loved the electronic touches in the room. My son and I had a drink in the Living Room on the main floor and he loved looking out the big windows and dramatic architecture from the main floor. There’s a floor of shops with high-end goods that we liked exploring together.

Now to talk cost. The Conservatorium is a five-star hotel and  is definitely worth the money. Amsterdam, in general, is expensive. For the location and overall experience, that is over and beyond your average stay in a hotel, it’s worth it.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary room to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post Hotel Review: Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam appeared first on The Culture Mom.

When I found out we would be staying at the American Hotel Amsterdam, it immediately rang a bell. Why? One reason. Take a look.

Recognize this bench? It’s the bench used as a prop in the motion picture, Fault in Our Stars.  Yes, my tween aged daughter and I loved that film. The Hotel De Filosoof in the movie is actually portrayed by the American Hotel Amsterdam, the retro, art deco hotel that sits in the center of the bustling Leidseplein. The real Hotel De Filosoof isn’t far, though, and it’s conveniently located right around the corner from Peter van Houten’s fictional house, which we admittedly didn’t frequent. However, we did hit other locations the main characters visited in the film during their trip to Amsterdam, and perhaps that is another post I will have to write….once I get through the dozens in the pipeline.

A Stay at American Hotel Amsterdam

In any case, we stayed at the American for two nights in a cozy and spacious family room with two twin beds near the window, which offered them a splendid view of the canals. Amsterdam isn’t a budget town but the American is relatively affordable in comparison to others. Rooms range in size and budget, from classic to deluxe, but all are spacious and comfortable. Our room was decorated in a modern style and offered great amenities including a coffee maker, a flat screened TV and free Wifi. The location couldn’t have been better and I loved its nostalgic, 1920’s look and feel.

Breakfast isn’t included, but there is a plethora of restaurants nearby, many that sell Dutch pancakes, which is what my son pined for every morning during our stay in Holland, but my husband and I did gravitate to the bar at Café American, also decked out in retro style with a restored vaulted ceiling. The hotel also offers a high tea in the afternoon, but we were too busy checking out Amsterdam’s museums to pay a visit, many of which are in proximity to the hotel in the city’s Museum Quarter, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, both a 10 minute walk away. It’s also very close to a shopping area and Leidseplein tram stop, with direct services to Amsterdam Central Station and the airport.

Best of all, the hotel was good for the kids. My two enjoyed having a bit of space after long days out exploring Amsterdam. Vondelpark is a park with greenery and space to run around, and it’s located right nearby (and it was also a locale in Fault in Our Stars if you’re interested). It’s also a mere 250 ft from the DeLaMar Theatre and a short tram ride from the Anne Frank House.

Check the site for specials in advance of your booking.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay but as always, all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post Hotel Review: American Hotel Amsterdam appeared first on The Culture Mom.

When we first pulled up to the Old Swan & Minster Mill, I was instantly intrigued and inwardly delighted. The hotel is a village within a village, literally 60 rooms and a few cottages that resembles a small village. It has so much charm with its dose of traditional English culture and stunning setting, with a 18th century mill located on the River Windrush across 65 acres. It’s right down the road from a cathedral and authentic ruins from Minster Lovell Hall, a 15th century Oxfordshire manor house, and the nearby scenery is dynamic. In addition, the hotel also offers a tennis court, cycling, fishing, an apiary, a kids’ activity center and onsite dining where they serve gastro-pub style food. History for me, fun for the kids. I had literally died and gone to heaven.

Staying at Old Swan & Minster Mill

It definitely felt like a stay in a 600 year old village inn with the ruins right down the road, but it also felt very current. The inn was acquired by the de Savary family in 2010, and they have restored many of the bedrooms which vary in size and budget ranges. We were lucky, as a family, to stay in the Swan Cottage, right next to the pub, which was perfect for a family of my size. It has a real turn-of-the-century feel with its thatched roof. Inside there was a big master bedroom, a bedroom for each of my kids, a private garden, a semi-kitchen (with a small fridge and tea kettle), a lovely family room with a TV and DVDs that appeal to all ages. We had free Wifi, and best of all, since I was traveling with a teenager, several bathrooms. We also had a private driveway for our rental car. The cottage was also very comfortable for all of us and had great views.

I was also really impressed with the amount of activity at the hotel. I admittedly hadn’t expected it, and I got all the information I needed from a pleasant woman at reception. We went fishing – they gave us equipment and we went trout fishing in the river. We played tennis. We took out bikes and rode to nearby Crawley. We checked out the hens and rabbits, which are great for little kids. We played table tennis at night after dinner. And of course we checked out Minster Lovell Hall, which is dazzling and offers ample space for kids to run around. We also took a few well mapped out, self-guided walks in the beautiful countryside. There’s a gym, which I also utilized, and a new spa and pool will open later this year.

While we did venture offsite for many of our meals, we dined at the hotel on our first night and had breakfast there every morning. Breakfast is included. It’s traditional English fare, a buffet plus à la carte cooked dishes, which is served in the bar and restaurant, which served my family well. The dining room is super cozy with log fires and stone floors, adding to its atmospheric charm. Our evening meal was served on the garden terrace and it was a meal for a mamaleh like me to feel good about. Chef David Mwita uses fresh local ingredients and offers many healthy options including nice salads and smoked salmon. There are traditional dishes like haddock, venison steak, maple turkey and salmon. There are also goat cheese tarts, rack of lamb and chocolate tart, and they were all delicious.

To top it off, the hotel has a commitment to green energy. Much of the Old Swan is run on hydro power, harnessing the power of the river.

All in all, a special experience and one that I highly recommend for anyone visiting the Cotswolds in England. Visit their web site for more information.

Disclosure: I stayed at the Old Swan & Minster Mill on a complimentary basis to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post Hotel Review: Old Swan & Minster Mill in England’s Cotswolds appeared first on The Culture Mom.

When I first walked into the Rectory Hotel during our recent visit to the Cotswolds, I was in total awe of its decor which is a modern ode to British culture. The hotel is a bit of Pottery Barn mixed with luxury, and its modern yet rustic features and amenities are extremely welcoming. Located in a grand Georgian country house on three acres of walled beautiful gardens, it was the perfect spot for my family to rest our heads and one of my favorite hotels I’ve experienced as of late.

Why were we there? To experience some of England’s most stunning countryside and picturesque villages during a bit of a whirlwind summer family vacation. We were also admittedly fortunate to be invited to experience this luxury boutique hotel set in Crudwell, Wiltshire on the edge of the Cotswolds in the Cotswold triangle of Tetbury, Malmesbury and Cirencester. The hotel is relatively small, which makes it feel more like a home base, with its twelve uniquely decorated rooms.

The Rectory Hotel’s Faithfulness to Tradition

Despite all its modern touches and amenities, the hotel manages to maintain its British roots with beautiful china, flowers in vases and framed tributes to its homeland scattered around the hotel. It’s also incredibly cozy with a colorful, inviting lobby with comfy chairs and magazines, and a small bar that offers champagne and snacks throughout the day, and it couldn’t be more child-friendly. There were several other families taking a break, and I can’t think of a better place for downtime or a short break from reality. These parents were relaxing in their white bathrobes and slippers while taking kids to the outdoor heated Victorian-style pool or playing with their kids in the English gardens. The hotel also offers food in its own dining room, or across the road in its sister gastro pub, The Potting Shed, really simplifying family travel.

Where We Stayed

All of the twelve rooms all have names and range from standard to superior to deluxe. We stayed in the “Pennsylvania” room, overlooking the front lawn. It was a large, spacious room with an abundance of light, antique furnishings and books, a cozy sofa and armoire, and a king-size bed. The bathroom, down a few steps, has a bath with shower. Each room comes with Roberts retro radios, TV/DVD players and organic Bramley Skincare products. Other rooms have various bed options including twin size with smaller spaces but have glorious views of the village church, or Victorian pool. Another perk: free bottles of spring water.

What We Did

We definitely did our share of relaxing at the Rectory. It’s totally tempting to sit in the garden, or hang out in the lobby reading magazines. They also free tea and coffee in the hallway nearby rooms, which made it easy to grab a cuppa tea and go chill. The hotel also offers equipment to play croquet or boules on the lawn, and of course, there’s the pool. For more active travelers, there are several local villages full of shops to explore. We chose Cirencester, a mere 10-minute drive from the hotel. We were also only an hour from Stonehenge and Bath, a British town known for Roman baths (stay tuned for future posts on our visit to both tourist spots).

Where We Ate

Breakfast is included and is served on the main floor in the back room overlooking the garden. The decor is quintessential English as is the style of service with traditional china. There was something for literally all of us. My son ordered pancakes. I indulged in homemade yogurt and muesli. My daughter and husband had cereal and partook in cooked dishes, which includes everything from smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages, Wiltshire smoked back bacon and black pudding. My kids do have British blood in them, so they like to experiment in English food, but not eating pork does have an impact on their choices.

While they do serve dinner in the hotel, which gets very busy, we opted to cross the road and head to the Potting Shed, which ended up being a fantastic choice. The restaurant serves traditional British fare with a twist, using farm to table freshly picked ingredients. The restaurant buys locally; there’s a long list of local meat, veg and dairy suppliers from nearby villages. Local produce pops up all over the menu, and it was very evident in my vegetarian dish. The decor is very much in the same vein as the Rectory Hotel, partly because it’s run by the same owners. The restaurant boasts stone walls, retro flowerpots, wheelbarrows and watering cans. Best of all, there are good kids’ options, from hamburgers to healthier options and dessert is simply divine.

To sum it up, our visit to the Rectory Hotel was a one of a kind and one of our favorites on our recent summer holiday, which crossed over several countries and time zones.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 01666 577194 or email the hotel at info@therectoryhotel.com

Disclosure: I was invited to stay at the hotel on a complimentary basis to facilitate this review and others but all opinions are my own.

Follow

The post Hotel Review: The Rectory Hotel in England’s Cotswolds appeared first on The Culture Mom.