1. The Library, Rome, Italy
2. Atmosphere Lounge Restaurant, Santorini, Greece
3. Bateaux Parisiens, Paris, France
4. La Veranda, Cozumel, Mexico
5. Orgasmic, Koh Samui, Thailand
6. Restaurant Couvert, Bruges, Belgium
7. Clos Maggiore, London, England
8. Bateaux Dubai, Dubai, UAE
9. Terasa u Zlate Studne, Prague, Czech Republic
10. Ambrai, Udaipur, India

The 10 most romantic restaurants in the world is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Club Maritimo de Sotogrande, Sotogrande, Spain
2. Hotel Recamier, Paris, France
3. Residenza Del Moro, Florence, Italy
4. Hotel Geiger, Hopfen am See, Germany
5. Kreta Natur, Crete, Greece
6. Storfjord Hotel, More og Romsdal, Norway
7. Hotel Indigo London Tower Hill, London, England
8. The Old Convent, Clogheen, Ireland
9. Hotel Seven one Seven, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
10. Bonobo Apart Hotel, Bruges, Belgium

Europe’s top 10 hidden gem hotels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

During your stay in Antwerp there are few things you will learn quickly about the locals: they like to enjoy life, they dress very fashionably and they are very nice and humble people. Unlike other European cities that are over-populated with tourists, here you won’t feel like you get ripped off with everything you purchased and you will not have the need to push people in order to go through the busy streets. You will also always feel welcome and well treated as the Belgian people like to have visitors in their country. Here are some tips on where you should go out at night, what is the best sushi restaurant in town and which clothing shop you simply cannot miss:

Birds Market
Theaterplein, Antwerp 2000

This is probably the number one attraction in Antwerp. Every Sunday this famous and extremely popular market takes place in the city center. All the local people love to go there and browse through the different stalls for unique things and also simple groceries. The reason for this bizarre name, (“The Birds Market”) is because this market was initially started in order to allow people buy not only birds, but also dogs, cats and more animals every Sunday. Today, (probably due to some animal rights protests) the market mainly offers different foods, cheap clothing and shoes, DVDs and toys. For those of you who are still interested to experience what the original market was like, just walk around till you reach the animal row where you will find chicken, birds and parrots for sale.

Appelmans Brasserie
Papenstraatje 1, 2000 Antwerpen, 03 226 20 22

This amazing restaurant is a highly recommended for every type of traveler: It is perfect for young people who want to eat and party right after, (thanks to its separate cocktails bar) it is pleasant and relaxed for couples and families, (during lunch time the place has a very chilled-out atmosphere) and it also nice for those of you who just want to have a coffee and cake in the afternoon, (their deserts are just amazing!). The delicious food and trendy design are not the only reasons why customers come back here time after time; the service in the Appelmans is the main factor why this place is so high standard. All the employees at Appelmans are not only super professional and nice; they are also helpful with giving tips on where to go and what to do, even after their working hours. Make sure to eat a lot during dinner as the cocktails in the bar are very strong!

Velvet Lounge
Luikstraat 6 , Antwerp, 2000, +32 3 237 39 78

After you have some shopping in the Birds Market and have had a lovely meal at the Appelmans Brasserie, it is time to party! Velvet Lounge is the perfect place for people who love good music, trendy vibe, quality drinks and beautiful crowd. This hot spot is the most popular club in Antwerp at the moment and from what is seems, it will manage to keep its title for a very long time. The velvet lounge is famous for its amazing finger food, groovy tunes and super stylish interior design. It is defiantly the place to see and be seen so pay attention on what you will be wearing before going out there. As you learned before, dressing up in Antwerp is something people love doing that is why you should respect the place and the culture and put on your best outfit!

Roji Sushi
Historisch Centrum, Oude Koornmarkt 26, 2000 Antwerpen, 03/296.61.33

Roji Sushi is located in what used to be old monastery from the 13th century. The place’s interior design is so amazing and romantic that it is worth coming here even if you don’t like sushi. The old stone walls, huge chandeliers, fire place in the middle of the restaurant and candles on every table, make a simple dining experience to be a totally unique and exciting one. Aside from the stunning decoration the Roji is also known as the best sushi place in town. If you wish to enjoy this luxury as well, you will need to book your table at least 3 weeks in advance. Aldo most of the chances you will not recognize the local celebrities sitting there, some of them are great artists, painters and musicians.

Ide Katt is Marketing Executive at EasyToBook.com.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

Antwerp: a culinary heaven is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Utter Inn, Vasteras, Sweden – see the room
2. Abali Gran Sultanato, Palermo, Italy – see the room
3. Sarah Cruise, Venice, Italy – see the room
4. Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, USA – see the room
5. La Balade des Gnomes, Durbuy, Belgium – see the room
6. Jumbo Stay, Stockholm, Sweden – see the room
7. Harlingen Harbour Crane / Crane Hotel, Harlingen, The Netherlands – see the room
8. The Underground Motel, Coober Pedy, Australia – see the room
9. The Old Railway Station, Petworth, England – see the room
10. Relais Cattedrale, Piedmont, Italy – see the room

The top 10 most utterly unforgettable hotel rooms is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Golden Well (U Zlate Studne), Prague, Czech Republic
2. Anastasis Apartments, Imerovigli, Greece
3. Al Ponte Antico Hotel, Venice, Italy
4. La Villa Marbella – Charming Hotel, Marbella, Spain
5. Hotel Prinsenhof Bruges, Bruges, Belgium
6. Britania Hotel, Lisbon, Portugal
7. Hotel Albergaria Dias, Funchal, Portugal
8. Hotel Davanzati, Florence, Italy
9. Hotel Palazzo Zichy, Budapest, Hungary
10. Can Furios Hotel, Binibona, Spain

Which hotels would you put in your top 10 European hotels?

Which hotels in Europe would make your top 10? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Bruges, Belgium
2. Siena, Italy
3. Sitges, Spain
4. Dingle, Ireland
5. Mittenwald, Germany
6. Salisbury, England
7. Fontaine de Vaucluse, France
8. Cascais, Portugal
9. Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic
10. Kotor, Montenegro

Top 10 charming European towns and cities is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. New York
2. Tangier
3. Tel Aviv
4. Wellington
5. Valencia
6. Iquitos
7. Ghent
8. Delhi
9. Newcastle (Australia)
10. Chiang Mai

Are there any cities that would make your top 10 but they aren’t listed here? London, perhaps, to see the Royal Wedding? Whatever your selection, please let us know by posting a comment that names the city and the reason why it’s a great place to visit in 2011.

The top 10 cities to visit in 2011 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Top 10 Sexiest Hotels in the World from The Luxury Travel Bible

Andaz San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Crazy Bear Hotel, Beaconsfield, UK
Fleming House, Goldeneye, Jamaica
Hotel Amour, Paris, France
Hotel Sezz, Paris, France
Maison Moschino, Milan
Night New York, New York, USA
The Library Hotel, New York, USA
The Palms, Las Vegas, USA
The Seven Hotel, Paris, France

Top 10 Sexy Hotels from Tripadvisor

Palmer House South Beach, Miami Beach, USA
Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee, USA
ME Madrid Reina Victoria, Madrid, Spain
Night Hotel, New York City, USA
Le Meridien Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
W Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
Axel Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Buddha-Bar Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
be Manos, Brussels, Belgium

Congratulations to Night New York, the one hotel to make both lists.

19 of the world’s sexiest hotels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Whitley Hall Hotel, Sheffield, England
2. Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande, Venice, Italy
3. Strozzi Palace Boutique Suites, Gloucestershire, England
4. Villa Cicolina, Montepulciano, Italy
5. Hotel Villa Marstall, Heidelberg, Germany
6. Prestonfield, Edinburgh, Scotland
7. Hotel Montanus, Bruges, Belgium
8. Apostrophe Hotel, Paris, France
9. Hotel Gotisches Haus, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
10. Kilronan Castle Hotel & Spa, Roscommon, Ireland
11. Kirini Suites & Spa, Santorini, Greece
12. Hidden Hotel, Paris, France
13. Ardanaiseig Hotel by Loch Awe, Kilchrenan, Scotland
14. Buddha-Bar Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
15. El Vino Hotel, Bodrum, Turkey

Top 15 romantic Valentines hotels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The launch of the Bohemian Short Break adventure – a 5-day fully escorted trip from Budapest to Brussels – means that those with a penchant for luxury rail travel can enjoy a scenic voyage through the changing landscapes of the heart of Europe. The break begins with two nights in Budapest before joining the Danube Express at Budapest Nyugati station, where passengers will begin with a Champagne reception for the journey through Europe to Brussels, via Vienna, Prague and Carlsbad. Arriving in Brussels at the end of the holiday, guests will say farewell to the Danube Express to board the Eurostar for journey’s end – London St Pancras.

The Danube Express offers the Bohemian Short Break from £1,890 per person, including two nights’ half board hotel accommodation in Budapest, two nights’ full board with wine, beer and soft drinks onboard the Danube Express, outbound BA flight London-Budapest, Eurostar Brussels-London in Leisure Select, transfers, full sightseeing programme and the services of a Tour Manager. The trip departs 2nd September 2009.

Andrea Wren is a freelance journalist and owner of Wren Elite Travel.

Short Bohemian journeys for luxury train travellers is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Tripadvisor

1. The Ritz-Carlton Berlin, Germany  
2. Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort, Greece
3. Hotel Le Palais, Czech Republic  
4. The Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel, England  
5. Hotel Prinsenhof, Belgium  
6. Corinthia Grand Hotel Royal, Hungary  
7. Rudding Park Hotel, England  
8. Swissotel Berlin, Germany  
9. Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, France  
10. Riverside Hotel, Czech Republic

No doubt you’ve been to a hotel that you think ought to be in the list, but isn’t.   Tell us by clicking on the comments link.

Europe’s top 10 luxury hotels? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

What’s the best bed you’ve ever slept in?   Or – if you work in the luxury hotel industry – where do you get your beds?

The best bed in the world? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Come back tomorrow for  the best in Asia!

Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Europe, according to Tripadvisor is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Champagne fountain… a new world record? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

St. Pancras station enters the 21st Century is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

First year celebrations of the Etihad Guest loyalty programme is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

With peaceful views of the park of Square de Mees, the Royal Suite of the House of Ambassadors is tastefully designed, with stylish decor, classical English style furniture and floral fabrics.    It has a  luxurious marble bathroom with Molton Brown amenities.

The House of Ambassadors, a century-old residence, was inaugurated in September 2004 and consists of the Royal Suite, three single standard rooms, three deluxe rooms, six double standard rooms and two conference rooms.   This house in the hotel is an unique feature because it can be rented on its own for groups, delegations or important individuals.   Due to its two conference rooms, private breakfast, lunch and dinner can also be arranged.  

The Stanhope hotel is situated in quiet surroundings, in the historical centre of Brussels, next to the European District.   Within walking distance you can find some of the main tourist attractions in Brussels like Royal Palace, the Grand Place, and Sablon Square famous for its antiques shops.   The hotel is also nearby Avenue Louise, the most fashionable street of the European Capital.   This boutique hotel is a home-away-from-home that provides an exclusive, personalized and unique service.

Suite of the week: Royal Suite of the House of Ambassadors at Stanhope Hotel, Brussels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

• Helicopter rides in the Canaries from Blue Canarias
• Cosy Kenyan homestay courtesy of Ngong House
• Dine at Peter Goossens’ Hof van Cleve  in Belgium
• Where one great experience leads to another: Dubai

Luxury travel links of the week is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Balmoral, Edinburgh

• J.K. Rowling finished writing her latest novel, ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows‘, the seventh and final instalment in the series at the hotel. To mark the occasion, the author signed an antique bust in the room in which she stayed.
• Since opening in 1902, the hotel’s historic clock tower has been set three minutes early to avoid people missing their trains (the hotel is located next to Waverley Train Station). The only day the clock runs on time is 31 December.
• In the 1970s, the Queen Mother was a regular visitor to the hotel where she liked to dine on plain roast lamb for lunch.

Hotel Savoy, Florence

• On 9 June 2003, rock legend Bruce Springsteen greeted his fans, who covered the entire Piazza della Repubblica, from the balcony of the hotel’s Repubblica Suite.
• Hotel Savoy is reported to be novelist John Grisham’s favourite hotel in Italy and he wrote on of his recent novels at the hotel during an extended stay.
• The hotel’s Brunelleschi and Signoria suites both have their own exclusive state-of-the-art steam rooms, complete with chromatherapy facilities.

Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg

• The hotel was home to the headquarters of the British Intelligence in 1914.
• Lenin was a guest at the hotel and gave a speech to his supporters from the balcony of room 211 shortly after the revolution.
• Adolf Hitler is reported to have planned a victory banquet in the hotel’s Winter Garden after the defeat of the Russian army, which of course never happened.

The St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff

• The hotel has featured in hit BBC sci-fi series Dr Who and Torchwood.
• It was Wales’ first five star hotel.
• For those with a taste for the high life, the hotel can be hired out in its entirety for the day at a cost of £75,000.

Hotel Amigo, Brussels

• The hotel is housed in a former prison. The Spanish rulers mistook the Flemish for prison to mean friend and translated it into their own language as ‘amigo’.
• Valuable historical artefacts and antiques are on display in the hotel including paintings from famous Dutch artists such as Courtens, Dansaert and Wagemans and an original 18th century tapestry from Aubusson, made from silk and wool, hangs in the Ambassador meeting room.
• Famous guests who have stayed at Hotel Amigo include David Bowie, Fifty Cent, Harrison Ford, Hugh Grant, Jane Birkin, Robbie Williams and the cast of Casino Royale.

Hotel de Russie, Rome

• The cast of Ocean’s 12 stayed at the hotel during filming and George Clooney had a huge plasma screen installed for his stay in the Popolo suite.
• It is the only hotel in Rome with a secret garden and World Wildlife Fund protected butterfly oasis.
• The hotel once housed the headquarters of Italian TV channel RAI.

The Lowry Hotel, Manchester

• To date, staff at The Lowry Hotel have welcomed over half a million guests, served over 37,000 bottles of Champagne, provided 9,000 massages and the housekeeping staff have walked approximately 8,000 miles.
• The hotel has the longest sun terrace in Manchester.
• The hotel was built on the site of the former Dandy and Beano warehouse.

Brown’s Hotel, London

• The hotel has strong literary links, Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Book there; Agatha Christie’s ‘At Bertram’s Hotel‘ was based on the hotel and Stephen King wrote ‘Misery‘ while staying at Brown’s Hotel.
• Alexander Graham Bell made the first ever telephone call from the hotel.
• Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt honeymooned at Brown’s Hotel.

Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt

• The hotel is named after Kennedyallee, the road on which it is situated, which was renamed in honour of President Kennedy who visited the city and passed along the road in 1963.
• The hotel has the largest presidential suite in Germany, The Georg Speyer Suite, measuring 326 sqm.
• Celebrity guests have included Eric Clapton, Billy Joel, Cher, Joseph Fiennes and Liza Minelli.

Hotel de Rome, Berlin

• It is the oldest building in Berlin with a hotel and was the former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank.
• The hotel spa is located in the old bank vault where the original safe door has been preserved. The 20 metre swimming pool is housed in the bank’s Jewellery Room and is decorated with brilliant gold mosaic tiles to represent the many jewels that were once stored there.
• Hollywood stars Sharon Stone and Matt Damon stayed at the hotel at the recent Berlinale Film Festival.

Quirky facts about Rocco Forte Hotels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Monty Small Design Hotel, Brussels is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog