Suggestions for hotels Europe Honeymoon 2017

[leyy]

Hi folks,

We are doing 4 weeks in Europe in May/June 2017 for our honeymoon.

It will be our first time to Europe, Looking to stay at 4-5 star hotels/resorts (budget is circa $20K) for the 4 weeks, approx AUD $740 per night. Obviously we would love to save money where possible and spend it on sightseeing and food/wine.

Looking for suggestions on areas to stay or certain hotels/resorts, below is our itinerary (open to suggestions/changes):

Paris (3 nights) - Have been recommended by a friend to stay near Bastille / Champs Elysee area
London (3 nights) - Have been recommended by a friend to stay near Covent Garden / Soho / Goodge Street
Venice (3 nights) - No intel yet
Cinque Terre (IT) (1 night) - no intel yet
Florence/Tuscany ( 3 nights) - no intel yet
Positano/Amalfi coast (3 nights) - Looking to stay at Le Sirenuse or Belmond Hotel Caruso if anyone has stayed before would love some feedback
Rome (5 nights) - no intel yet
Santorini (6 nights) - Looking at staying at Anastasis Apartments, Imerovigli


Appreciate all your suggestions and feedback.


Cheers,
leyy

 

[RB]

My suggestion would be to search various sites for apartments.(airbnb, homeaway,9flats, homeaway, flipkey, etc) The budget you have indicated would get you some fantastic stays and you would have the independence of not fitting in housekeeping times etc.

 

[amaroo]

Paris - Le Pavillon De La Reine

London - can't go wrong with any of the Firmdale hotels. Have stayed Soho, Covent Gardens and Charlotte St - Beautiful!

Venice - The Gritti Palace

Florence - Villa Cora

Rome - Villa Spalletti

Congratulations! Should be a wonderful Honeymoon!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Venice - Locanda Orseolo. Family members just went two weeks ago, we went there ten years ago for our honeymoon. Just behind St Marks, amazing location, rooms and the best service anywhere.

 

[leyy]

thanks guys this is excellent information the mrs and I will start doing some research on these hotels

keep the suggestions coming!

 

[Limewood]

We used a mixture of hotels and mainly apartments Europe trip late last year, booked them all on Villas.com all were fantastic, modern inside, clean, cheap, no additional cleaning fees etc., well located and all but one nothing up front paid on arrival. We used them in Vienna, Zargeb, Split and Nice Viilas.com is owned by booking.com.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

leyy we recently spent 6nts in a spectacular small hotel in Florence - Pallazo Magnani Feroni - a converted palace with only 12 suites - ~80sq mtrs and bigger - SPECTACULAR - fabulous location - fabulous staff - fabulous rooftop bar - your gf will be knocked over.

 

[leyy]

Does anyone have any expertise or feedback on websites to book to get the best rates or when i should book? Its about 11 months out in advance now so will prices increase or drop?

Should i use booking.com/venere/expedia or any of the online agents or should i go direct with the hotel/resort?


Cheers
leyy

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Personally I like hotels.com - 4.8% back through CR and you earn 1 x reward night after 10nts paid stays - others will have different views.

I find them very easy to deal with - currently holding a €110 voucher they gave me when I found a cheaper rate after booking through them.

 

[Magpie10]

My favourite hotel in Paris is Hotel Bradford Elyesse, a couple of blocks from Champs Elysee, check it out..

 

[amaroo]

Does anyone have any expertise or feedback on websites to book to get the best rates or when i should book? Its about 11 months out in advance now so will prices increase or drop?

Should i use booking.com/venere/expedia or any of the online agents or should i go direct with the hotel/resort?


Cheers
leyy

I book direct with the hotels .... mainly due to family bookings i.e. connecting rooms/certain bed arrangements, etc.

I always book flexible rate and monitor. Over the years we've been able to take advantage of $$$ discounts and special offers (free nights).

If the currency is looking dodgy I've been known to lock it in and pre-pay.

 

[Fifa]

Venice - Locanda Orseolo. Family members just went two weeks ago, we went there ten years ago for our honeymoon. Just behind St Marks, amazing location, rooms and the best service anywhere.

Sorry to leyy for highjacking his/her thread but I have been looking for accommodation in Venice for December.
Boris seems to have made the decision for me - the Locanda Orseolo looks fantastic thanks!

 

[Boris spatsky]

Sorry to leyy for highjacking his/her thread but I have been looking for accommodation in Venice for December.
Boris seems to have made the decision for me - the Locanda Orseolo looks fantastic thanks!

Excellent! You will love it!

 

[leyy]

My favourite hotel in Paris is Hotel Bradford Elyesse, a couple of blocks from Champs Elysee, check it out..

Update:

Booked the Superior Double room at Hotel Bradford Elysees based on Magpie10's recommendation and after looking at the reviews and location it was excellent.

Booked 4 nights got an amazing rate and deal not sure why it was so low (AUD $697.00 for 4 nights in May 2017, with Citibank stay 4 pay 3)

I am thinking of booking London hotels soon.

Deciding between:

Egerton House Hotel (#2 on Tripadvisor) or Amba Hotel Charing Cross (#8 on Tripadvisor)

Price is about the same, need help with a decision has anyone had any exerpience?

The Egerton House hotel looks amazing, rooms luxurious with good finishes and small boutique 5 star hotel (location is not as convenient, Knightsbridge)

Amba Hotel Charing Cross (Hotel looks good too, good sized rooms, not as luxurious but location looks perfect near Charing Cross, Covent Garden and Soho etc).

 

[Boca68]

Hi leyy,
congrats on the upcoming nuptials. And I wish I had your budget!

So, Paris, I'd recommend the Plaza Athenee, close to the Champs Elysee on Ave Montaigne. Not cheap, but worth it. I'd also recommend doing a little searching around Paris if the Athenee doesn't suit. Because its full of great little hotels. Especially away from the Champs Elysee. Look around Marais or even Montparnesse.

Rome, well Potrait Roma is my only high end experience in Rome. Superb and for location almost can't be beaten. Spanish Steps are 2 mins away. Brilliant staff.

I hope this adds to the mix, enjoy the honeymoon.

 

[Magpie10]

Levy, you will enjoy Bradford, the breakfast is great and the snacks provided throughout the day, a wonderful relief when hot, tired and thirsty after a long day of doing the touristy thing. There is a great little restaurant just up the road a little, Le Compton de L'artios, very reasonable prices. You definitely got a bargain for the hotel, maybe because you are not in the peak season. Have a look at the Apex Hotels in London not sure if location suits but worth checking them out. Enjoy this wonderful trip...cheers V

 

[leyy]

Hi leyy,
congrats on the upcoming nuptials. And I wish I had your budget!

So, Paris, I'd recommend the Plaza Athenee, close to the Champs Elysee on Ave Montaigne. Not cheap, but worth it. I'd also recommend doing a little searching around Paris if the Athenee doesn't suit. Because its full of great little hotels. Especially away from the Champs Elysee. Look around Marais or even Montparnesse.

Rome, well Potrait Roma is my only high end experience in Rome. Superb and for location almost can't be beaten. Spanish Steps are 2 mins away. Brilliant staff.

I hope this adds to the mix, enjoy the honeymoon.

Hi Boca68, thanks for the recommendations will definitely check out Portrait Roma in Rome, it looks amazing!!

 

[leyy]

Levy, you will enjoy Bradford, the breakfast is great and the snacks provided throughout the day, a wonderful relief when hot, tired and thirsty after a long day of doing the touristy thing. There is a great little restaurant just up the road a little, Le Compton de L'artios, very reasonable prices. You definitely got a bargain for the hotel, maybe because you are not in the peak season. Have a look at the Apex Hotels in London not sure if location suits but worth checking them out. Enjoy this wonderful trip...cheers V

Yes i think so too i am travelling in the shoulder season, appreciate the recommendation for the restaurant we will certainly check it out!

We will have a look at the Apex hotels in London, again thanks for sharing your feedback

 

[diningdecadence]

can't help with the hotels themselves, and i see you have a citi prestige with the stay 4/ pay 3 which is pretty good.

my alternative suggestion would be to find a virtuoso agent who would sort you out with some extra amenities at all the hotels with a nice honeymoon special in each hotel. as always ymmv and always weigh up the $ vs benefits.