Proudly ranked among Amsterdam’s best hotels, The Toren is renowned for the personal service offered to guests and its friendly and helpful staff.  We speak to Alessi, the hotel's Guest Experience Manager, on what drives the team. 1.  What inspires the team to create extraordinary experiences for guests? I think the very architecture and history of our buildings inspires the team. The former canal homes (now the hotel) are so unique and have lots of character! Similarly, each team member has their personal way of treating each of the guests. We stick to being ourselves, and truly take care of our guests as we if they were our own friends - a good base for creating extraordinary experiences. The Toren team’s genuine attitude is the main reason why we won the 2018 TripAdvisor Best Service of The Netherlands Award. 2.  Can you share some...

Nepal has long been known as a destination of mountainous beauty, hospitable people, and a spiritual pilgrimage. Luckily the devastating earthquake in April 2015 did not deter travellers for long. Over the past 12 months, tourism has steadily returned heralding a new wave of travellers that are smart, affluent and eco-conscious. Welcome to the new era of travel – sustainable luxe. Launched in November 2015, the Pavilions Himalayas is the luxe first hotel in Nepal to be 100% eco-friendly. This has been a labour of love starting from the first river rock to be laid, up until the hotel opening six months after the earthquake.  Without compromising on luxury, nearly all the materials used to build the Pavilions Himalayas (15 villas, pool, restaurant, even a helipad) were from Nepal. We generate our own solar energy, harvest rainwater, grow a range of vegetables,...

When it comes to Balinese culture and exploring the Island of God, Mul is the expert. Meet, Mul, Head Butler at The Pavilions Bali for 17 years, and learn about some of his best kept secrets on how to experience the authentic Bali. What is a typical workday like?Butlers help our guests make their trip special and most of all, worry-free! We handle details like their in-villa breakfast orders, recommendations for the best experiences in the area, and just about any request. What inspired you to create the “Off the Beaten Track Bali Tour”?  A couple of years back, I had picked up guests from the airport and they asked me for tips on where to go to experience “the real Bali”. I immediately responded with “I’ll surprise you, leave it to me.” I took them my favourite places in Bali, including Beratan Lake,...

Q&A with Daniele, General Manager at The First Luxury Art Hotel, RomeWhen in Rome, do as the Romans do, so we asked our GM at the award-winning The First by The Pavilions to share his best travel tips to one of the most sought out destinations in the world. When is the best time to visit the city?There is always a reason to travel to Rome “Caput Mundi” (Capital of the World). From colourful autumn foliage in Villa Borghese gardens to a warm summer culture packed city escape mixed with excursions to the seaside!  But May and June are fantastic with spring in full glory, not too warm yet sunny, perfect for walking around in an open-air museum as Rome is and…tasting some of the best Italian gelatos!      What’s the best way of getting around to experience the...