Barcelona: City of Dreams

Published in The Peak Malaysia, September 2011 (Click on images to read the article).

The Peak: Jetsetter (Feb 2011)

Published in The Peak Malaysia, February 2011:

click on this link to read the article: The Peak Feb 2011

Best hotel pools with a view

I know it’s evil to post this when it’s la rentree back in France, but I just had to bring you my top 10 best hotel swimming pools with a killer view ! How many times do you browse through hotel websites and check out their pool? So here in a nutshell – too sumptuous for words, too sexy for imagination, these swimming pools with a view will leave you wanting more…

Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga – Thailand

A gorgeous luxury boutique hotel located on one of Phuket’s private beaches, Aleenta Phuket-Phang Nga is superb. Soak up the sun!

Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Cap d’Antibes – France

This is simply breathtaking Mediterranean lusciousness – although don’t be surprised if the hotel guests are looking at each other rather than the view – this pool is glam and gorgeous.

Banyan Tree, Seychelles

Nestled in Intendance Bay with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, the Banyan Tree hotel and spa resort in Seychelles provides a rare taste of paradise.

Fasano Rio, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

You could catch the Ipanema girl here at this stunning hotel designed by Philippe Starck at the heart of Rio de Janeiro, Fasano Rio. Tudo ben!

Alila Villas Soori, Bali – Indonesia

I could never leave out Bali and this superb boutique hotel is a blissful paradise on the beach along the southwest coast of the mystical island.

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru – Maldives

Bliss! Paradise ! Heaven on earth ! That’s all I need to say about the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. I could live there all year round.

Four Seasons Bora Bora – French Polynesia

Whilst we’re with Four Seasons, if you’ve got the time and the mileage then how can you resist this view and location in what must be the world’s most romantic getaway?

Homeric Poems, Santorini – Greece

This is a dream design boutique hotel with a swimming pool to die for … A new resort in Santorini overlooking the famed caldera and the Aegean Sea, this is simply irresistable.

Grand Central Hotel, Barcelona – Spain

This Barcelona hotel hits two weeks running in Frog&Princess Blog but how can you resist a swimming pool like this overlooking the Gothic Quarter in the heart of Europe’s most fashionable, cosmopolitan city?

Pangkor Laut Resort – Malaysia

And to end my mouthwatering series of best pools with a view, I of course must include Pangkor Laut Resort – a small private island in north-west Malaysia – it’s home away from home.

So the next time you’re hunting for the super swimming pool with a killer view – look no further than here! 🙂

PZ.

My Barcelona – City of Dreams

I decided to walk down memory lane with this post – to tell you about the most wonderful time of my life living in Barcelona for 2 years.  If you watch the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, you’ll understand how delightful and charming this cosmopolitan city really is. I enrolled at the Gran Universitat de Catalunya for Castellano classes, I was offered an internship at BDDP advertising agency and time just flew by. My 1st year was spent living near the chic Avenida Diagonal (not far from Barca’s Camp Nou), 2nd year just off Las Ramblas in a residencia – my experience couldn’t be more diversified.

So here are some tips of places I enjoyed to go during my Iberian adventure:

Hotel Casa Fuster, design boutique hotel on the gorgeous Paseo de Gracia. A must stay!

Alternatively, the more traditional and super luxe Hotel Claris, on Avenida Diagonal

Or my favorite Hotel Balmes, on Avenida Digaonal for the cheaper yet comfy option!

Only 4 metro stops away, I would often walk along the beach of Barceloneta just to admire the sea and take in the fresh air.

Els Pescadors restaurant in Barceloneta – best fish and seafood restaurant with an amazing view!

So many great places to savour in Vila Olimpica, Barcelona’s beach hub by the marina

Many avid sailors (my father included!) come to stop at the Port in Vila Olimpica or check in to my favorite Hotel Arts

The amazing view from Hotel Arts, same can be said of the million-dollar dream apartments in the same tower!

My favorite Gaudi – Parc Guell: stunning views of the sea and Barcelona, and it’s like being in the Gingerbread House

Often, you would have caught me here sitting and gazing on a lazy Sunday at Parc Guell

Anton Gaudi, Barcelona’s renowned art nouveau artist/architect, designed this surreal Casa Battlo

Another must-see Gaudi, La Pedrera

An incomplete Gaudi – La Sagrada Familia. 2 sides: traditional depicts birth of Jesus, modern side (this) depicts his crucifixion.

I always got lost in the Barrio Gotico (Gothic Quarter)! But it’s so charming and quaint.

My favorite place for cafe con leche and some tapas just off Las Ramblas: Placa Reial

I used to live next to Las Ramblas (Ronda Sant Pere), the thriving famous downtown street

Fancy taking Spanish classes? Then enroll at my Gran Universitat de Catalunya on Gran Via

Definitely worth going for an evening at Mirablau (bar) at Mont Tibidabo for the panoramic view

The legendary Otto Zutz club. 3 floors of pounding music. Be prepared that it only starts at 3am!

One of my favorite tennis tournaments is held at the private tennis club in Barcelona – Trofeo Conde de Godo

A must getaway is my favorite Sitges beach resort with the most delicious paella!

So here’s hoping you’ll have a most fantastic time in Barcelona. I for one, have the most fondest memories. One useful phrase in Catalan: “no parla catala”. I don’t speak Catalan.

PZ.