HotelChatter - Tag: Fred Bernstein

Paris: The New York Times Finally Visits Mama Shelter in Paris

EricRosen — 2009-03-23T09:11:26-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/1425/mamashelterroom3.jpg" class="top"> Fast becoming the most talked about new hotel in the City of Lights, <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Mama+Shelter/ian/272309">Mama Shelter</a> is a Philippe Starck-designed budget boutique option in an out-of-the-way (some might say dodgy) corner of Paris that seems to be drawing international hipsters (and New York Times journalists) to its chic bar and simple rooms. Thats thanks, in no small part, to the starting rate of 79 euros a nighta rarity in one of the worlds most expensive cities.So buzzworthy was this budget boutique hotel becoming that the New York Times sent travel writer Fred Bernstein to stay there and enlighten us all with his <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/travel/22check.html?scp=1&sq=mama%20shelter&st=cse">review</a>. We've been dying to hear what the critics say about Mama Shelter since

Los Angeles: The Times Loves Hotel Palomar Westwood as Much as We Do

jennm — 2008-07-21T16:45:21-05:00

<![CDATA[<embed src="http://services.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1321361467" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=1542683796&playerId=1321361467&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://services.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="399" height="338" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed> When we checked out <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/hotel-reviews/Hotel+Palomar+Westwood/local/1148">Hotel Palomar</a> <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/5/7/112139/5223/hotels/A_Sneak_Peek_Inside_the_Hotel_Palomar_Westwood">back in May</a> we loved that Kimpton opted for a true opening with introductory rates, as opposed to a soft launch with rooms at full price. Turns out, we and <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/travel/20checkin.html?ref=travel">The New York Times</a> have this in common. Such transparency makes it easier to endure the inevitable growing pains of a new hotel, the Times says, making any guest feel "appreciated and eager to return." Like us, Times scribe Fred A. Bernstein loved Hotel Palomar's "jazzy décor" and its triumphant dishes at Boulevard 16. "Picture a W hotel, with lower prices and a sense of humor," Bernstein

Beijing: Ritz-Carlton Beijing :: Too Much Food at the Buffet; Takes the Silver Medal Instead

Jenna — 2008-06-16T09:45:01-05:00

In yesterday's Check-In, Check Out feature, the New York Times traveled to the Ritz-Carlton Beijing Downtown--often referred to as the "Ritz Carlton not Financial-Street" to avoid confusion with the city's other Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

So what's the final verdict on the newest Ritz in town? "Silver medal" says Times reviewer Fred Bernstein.

Bernstein was mostly impressed with the trademark Ritz service and also the fact that the room can go from full-of-sunlight to total blackout conditions with the touch of a couple buttons.

This apparently comes in handy if you're not fond of gazing at the Ritz logo, which is reportedly emblazoned "everywhere" in the room.

Bermuda's 9 Beaches Resort is Too Smelly for Fred Berstein

Courtney — 2006-10-09T10:58:41-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/9beachs_nyt.jpg">Following <a href="http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2006/9/5/105418/2115/hotels/Overwater_Bungalows_Closer_to_Home">Travel + Leisure's lead,</a> the New York Times checked out Bermuda's <a href="http://www.9beaches.com/">9 Beaches Resort</a>; a sort of tiki-hut Sur-Mer whose prices don't come close to rivaling the originals of this genre in Tahiti. Even though, this cabana beach resort is easier to get to than the Tahitian versions, it's apparently a lot more smellier: <blockquote>I hated it when I was in a cabin with the pungent odor of the neighboring dairy farm and slaughterhouse wafting across my cabin. I loved it when, after complaining about the smell, I was upgraded to a room at the other end of the property, where I looked out on miles of turquoise waters, coral reefs and several other cabanas

Saugatuck: The Wickwood is As Elusive as the Wizard of Oz

Courtney — 2006-09-05T09:28:18-05:00

<![CDATA[<img src="http://www.hotelchatter.com/files/admin/wickwood_inn.jpg">Reading the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com">New York Times</a> Fred Bernstein review of a small B&B just outside Detroit, the <a href="http://www.wickwoodinn.com/inn.htm">Wickwood</a>, we're left a little confused. The description (and the hotel itself) appears bi-polar. It's great at times and it's bad at times. We first learn that the owners, Ms. Rosso, a former famed cookbook author, and her husband were elusively missing at all times of Bernstein's stay. Yet somehow the cookbook guru keeps the place stocked with food and apparently has ulterior motives of fattening up the guests. Why else would apple bread pudding and cappuccino mousse be served for breakfast?While stuffing your face on the mousse might be heavenly, you'll probably sweat out all those calories just trying to