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The New York Times Finally Visits Mama Shelter in Paris

Where: 109 Rue de Bagnolet, Paris, France, 75020

Fast becoming the most talked about new hotel in the City of Lights, Mama Shelter 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. That’s thanks, in no small part, to the starting rate of 79 euros a night—a rarity in one of the world’s 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 review. We've been dying to hear what the critics say about Mama Shelter since November and Bernstein gives it a thorough review.

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Tags: Kimpton Hotels / Hotel Reviews / Los Angeles Hotles / Fred Bernstein / → All Tags

The Times Loves Hotel Palomar Westwood as Much as We Do

Where: 10740 Wilshire Boulevard [map], Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90024

When we checked out Hotel Palomar back in May 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 The New York Times 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 sums up. [Ed note: Oooh, burn!]

He also helpfully points out a few things we didn't know about Hotel Palomar: The hotel offers parking discounts for hybrid vehicles and free coffee and tea in the morning and wine, olives and nuts in the afternoon.

Just be sure to book a room by October if you want to secure the opening rate of $229.

Tags: Ritz-Carlton Hotels / Beijing Hotels / 2008 Olympics Hotels / Luxury Hotels / Fred Bernstein / → All Tags

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

Where: 83 Jianguo Rd Chaoyang Dis, Beijing, China, 100025

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.

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Tags: Bermuda Hotel Reviews / Fred Bernstein / Overwater Bungalows / → All Tags

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

Where: 4 Daniels Head Rd, Bermuda, MA BX

Following Travel + Leisure's lead, the New York Times checked out Bermuda's 9 Beaches Resort; 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:

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 (which is what 9 Beaches calls its cottages on stilts).

Fred wasn't alone in his smelly story--another couple there had to switch rooms because of the odor too.

Additionally, when T+L checked out the place they only faulted the sometimes weak interior of the stilted, over-water cabana/room. Bertstein's stay however, was riddled with problems and complaints. From the farm-like smell, lack of in-room telephone, weak air conditioner, to the 80 minute wait for his dinner and un-brûléed, crème- brûlée. Not to mention the staff's "all-too-frequent errors."

Yet Berstein wasn't in complete hell, he felt the staff, despite their errors, was energetic and making good effort. His dinner was comped, and his room was changed to accommodate to his distaste for the odor. That said, you may just wanna skip over Bermuda and head to St. Barts

Related Stories:
· Check In Check Out [New York Times]
· 9 Beaches Reviews [TripAdvisor]
· Overwater Bungalows Closer to Home [HotelChatter]

Tags: Hotel Reviews / Fred Bernstein / → All Tags

The Wickwood is As Elusive as the Wizard of Oz

Where: 510 Butler Street, [map], Saugatuck, MI, United States, 49453

Reading the New York Times Fred Bernstein review of a small B&B just outside Detroit, the Wickwood, 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 get into the bed.

The opulently outfitted bed was stacked with so many pillows it was a chore to take them off. Rooms lack individual temperature controls -- at one point, on a unseasonably warm evening, it was too hot to sleep, and I didn't feel comfortable bothering the staff to adjust the air-conditioning in the middle of the night

Bernstein goes on to let us know that the bathrooms are a complete bore but the common areas and the garden "couldn't be nicer". Back and forth the review goes until the final let down when checking out, the price had gone up $66.00 more than originally quoted and assured upon check-in. You see, at the Wildwood prices are subject to change at all times but that's not at all weird when considering this:

There's a hand-lettered sign in the office of the Wickwood Inn that reads, "Nobody but nobody gets in to see the Wizard, not nobody, not no how.

Related Stories:
· Check In Check Out [New York Times]
· Wickwood Reviews [TripAdvisor]