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the review: checking out
Checking out...
HOTELS / RESORTS / TRAIN JOURNEYS / CRUISES / AIRPORT REVIEWS
AN DA Z C O S TA R IC A – Peninsula Papagayo BY JULIE BAXTER
THE BACKGROUND: A Hyatt property, this luxury resort has been designed to capture the native spirit of Costa Rica with low-impact eco-architecture and distinctive ‘Pura Vida’ (pure life) philosophy and many local touches. THE LOCATION: A 25-minute drive from Liberia Airport, the 153-room resort is set within the immaculate grounds of the purpose-built resort peninsula. Every room has stunning views of the ocean across a calm, expansive bay. THE ROOM: Bright and contemporary, the highlight of my room was the balcony complete with sofa, ceiling fan and fabulous view. The floor-to-ceiling fold-back doors extend to the bathroom so the walk-in rainforest shower can be open to the view too. Complimentary extras include flip-flops and sunhat, wi-fi, snacks and soft drinks minibar (refreshed daily) and top-end toiletries. KEY FACILITIES: There are two pool areas (one for adults only which is regularly visited by wild white-faced monkeys) and two private
T H E V E R D I CT This property’s stylish contemporary reception welcomes guests with a wow factor and its location – fringing the bay – ensures spectacular views throughout. Somewhat away from the nearest town, there are local touches embedded across the operation and local flavours dominate in the
beaches with complimentary watersports. A 15-minute shuttle ride connects to a further beach and the Beach House restaurant, sun loungers (with waiter service) and watersports. There is also a kids’ club, laundry service and the beautiful Onda spa, plus a range of daily activities from mixology or cerviche classes to guided hikes and kayak tours. RESTAURANTS/BARS: The three
restaurants each have a Latin vibe and include the open-air Rio Bhongo, serving lavish breakfasts and international cuisine all day; Chao Pescao serving local tapas; and the high-end Ostra, where seafood and the local cerviche are the speciality.
restaurants. The staff are
Address: Peninsula Papagoya Guanacaste, Costa Rica;
around £400 a night for a
andazpapagayo.com; +506 2690 1234;
double-bed room.
excellent, friendly and efficient and nothing is too much trouble. RATES: Prices start from
gscenter.papagayo@andaz.com
R ADI S S ON BL U M AL L OF AM E R IC A – Bloomington, Minnesota, USA BY PETER ELLEGARD
THE BACKGROUND: Bookending the sprawling Mall of America in Bloomington (the JW Marriott is at the other end), this uber-chic hotel opened in 2013. It offers stylish luxury from its public areas – with the rug by the lobby fireplace centrepiece a map of Minnesota’s lakes, the white wall of the lobby
inspired by shopping bag tissue paper and a cloakroom painted by a local graffiti artist – to its 500 fashion-inspired rooms. THE LOCATION: Minutes from Minneapolis/ St Paul International Airport, there are excellent road connections to the Twin Cities and beyond. The Mall of America light rail metro station is adjacent and links directly
to the airport and downtown Minneapolis. A Skybridge connects the hotel to the mall. THE ROOM: My business-floor Mansion Room featured a comfy, king-size bed. The bathroom featured a walk-in shower. There was a large, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TV, a desk and chair, a winged armchair and footstool, a side table and a black cabinet housing a fridge with a Cuisinart coffee maker. Free high-speed wi-fi is available throughout the hotel and my room gave me access to the top-floor hospitality lounge. RESTAURANTS/BARS: The FireLake Grill House and Cocktail Bar has a cabin feel thanks to the wood used on the ceiling and walls, which was recycled from Minnesota barns. The Minnesota-inspired fare uses local ingredients. FACILITIES: There’s an indoor saline pool, a 24-hour fitness centre, a spa and salon and a Blu Kids Club.
T H E V E R D I CT Designer Jim Hamilton had fun with this hotel and striking elements such as teardrop-shaped hanging wicker chairs and walls resembling crumpled tissue paper in the lobby are guaranteed to make guests smile. One of the biggest hotels in Bloomington, it has a cosy and intimate feel. Best of all, it is steps away from America’s biggest entertainment and shopping mall (with tax-free shopping on clothes and shoes).
2100 Killebrew Drive, Bloomington, Minnesota,
RATES: From £105.92 a
USA, 55425; radissonblu.com/en/hotel-mall-
night in an entry-level room.
of-america; +1 952 881 5258
sellingtravel.co.uk
Checking out March.indd 60
2/27/18 10:07 AM