Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin, Germany

The Hotel Adlon Kempinski is a luxury landmark hotel adjacent to the historic Brandenburg Gate in the heart of Berlin. Its history goes back 100 years to when entrepreneur Lorenz Adlon set about building the best luxury hotel in the world for his emperor, Kaiser Wilhelm II. When it was completed in 1907, the Adlon's heating system, plumbing and air-conditioning were so state-of-the-art that the German royal family actually moved in, making the luxury hotel the very hub of German society.

In the Roaring Twenties, Lorenz Adlon's son Louis courted intellectuals, heads of state and movie stars and the luxury hotel became a magnet for the likes of Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. Although it survived both World Wars unscathed because it was declared neutral territory, it burnt down three days after the end of the Second World War.

Situated in East Berlin right on the edge of No Man's Land, the historic hotel was left in ruins for over forty years. In 1997 the luxury hotel eventually re-opened and welcomed its guests as a Kempinski property with an extra floor, state-of-the-art facilities and some of the largest bedrooms in Berlin. Influenced by a perfect blend of the bygone era, Adlon Kempinski gives the sense of an atmosphere inspired by an illustrious past and a dynamic modernity. The hotel exudes a sophistication and elegance that's hard to ignore. The lobby is a gilded, domed space with low-slung tables round the famous elephant fountain; it is a great place for tea and champagne cocktails as a piano player tinkles the ivories from the Bel Stage above. After a recent refurbishment in 2007 the whole of this area of the luxury hotel has high-speed, wireless internet. The “Gourmet Restaurant Lorenz Adlon”, is a Michelin awarded restaurant. Other tempting delights wait in the “Gabrielle Restaurant”, the “Restaurant Quarré , the “uma Restaurant”, the “Shochu Bar” and the "FELIX ClubRestaurant". All 304 rooms and 78 suites at the luxury hotel are spacious and decorated in a grand, classic style that echoes the Hotel Adlon's long history. Many of the rooms have a view on three, stylish inner courtyards, but corner rooms with views of the Brandenburg Gate are by far the most impressive. The suites have open fires and are furnished with more lavish antiques and Molton Brown toiletries, bath salts and bath oils in the marble bathrooms. The luxurious 800-square-metre Adlon Day Spa offers a full range of treatments as well as a swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, solarium and gym.

Hotel Adlon Kempinski, Berlin  Unter den Linden 77, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

Some of the photographs and the text are part of my book European Style Hotel

Ashford Castle, Ireland

Ashford Castle, dating back to the 13th-century, is set on the northern shore of Lough Corrib, Ireland’s second largest lake, in the picturesque village of Cong. It is a sumptuous countryside retreat. Once owned by the Guinness family, it became a hotel in 1939 and has since hosted movers and shakers all over the world over. With 350 acres surrounded by water, gardens, and forests, it is a setting that hasn't changed for hundreds of years. The luxury hotel is a visual feast with the charm and dignity of its original architecture; it astonishes visitors at every turn. It was the location for the producers and stars during the making of the epic film The Quiet Man. It has also played host to president and Mrs. Reagan and recently the Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan, alias 007, chose Ashford as the venue for his personal wedding.

Time stands still; Ashford Castle has been around for 700 years and still offers luxury personal service to visitors from all over the world. Ashford's magnificently decorated interior speaks of centuries of care and outstanding craftsmanship. The great hall is lavishly decorated with wonderful oak panelling. Objects d’art, masterpiece paintings, exquisite antiquities and fine antique furnishings adorn the many nooks and crannies, and the leisurely drawing room and refined Prince of Wales Cocktail Bar. Each of Ashford Castle's 83 rooms and suites is traditional in style, with antique furniture, original oil paintings scattered throughout, marble fittings, and sumptuous fabrics. All are individually decorated, but each has all mod cons, like flat screen televisions and internet connection.

A seven-course meal at the elegant surroundings of the George V Restaurant is a great experience of the top in classical food, with a variety of seasonal, tasteful dishes. The Connaught Room, built in the 17th Century, offers a gourmet experience. As befits a five-star country manor, facilities here are extensive. Falconry, fishing and clay pigeon shooting are just some of the outdoor pursuits on offer, as well as horseback riding and an on-site (9-hole) golf course. Ashford also houses a fitness centre, spa tub, sauna, steam room and indoor pool.

 Ashford Castle  Cong, County Mayo, Ireland.

Some of the photographs and the text are part of my book European Style Hotel

Villa d'Este, Lake Como, Italy

The most palatial hotel in the world, known as “Hollywood on Lake Como” is set in the middle of 10 hectares of heaven, overlooking the blue-green waters of the most romantic lake in the world. The main house, an authentic neo-Classical villa, was originally built in 1568 as a summer residence for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, while the trompe l’oeil masterpiece known as the Queen’s Pavilion, and was inaugurated in 1860. In 1873 these two villas were combined to become the Villa d’Este with the luxury and magnificence of a bygone era maintained even today.

Featuring grand staircases, marble columns and silk-covered period furniture, this former residence of European aristocrats was the second home for some of the world’s most famous poets, painters, musicians, actors and royalty. It is the only place where even the stones flower.

Villa d'Este  Via Regina 40, 22012 Cernobbio, Italy

Some of the photos and the text are part of my books European Style Hotel  and
A Pocketful of Luxury Italian Hotels