Do you have favorite hotels in embarkation and disembarkation ports?

[SLSD]

Shortly after we book a cruise, we begin to think about where to stay when we arrive in the embarkation port and where to stay after we disembark.  I would love to know some of your favorite hotels in some of the major (and not so major) ports where you have stayed.  I know that some of you favor economy but want a nice hotel close to the pier, while others are looking for luxury.  

 

I have a hotel to recommend near the port of Civitavecchia (Rome).  This hotel is fairly close to the airport and not far from the port.  We stayed here following a Rome to Rome itinerary on the Encore year before last.  

 

The Posta Vecchio Hotel is a villa built on the site of Roman ruins.  The ruins are visible on the grounds of the hotel as well as in the hotel's basement museum.  The villa hotel is situated on the ocean with beautiful views and is a former home of J. Paul Getty.  It has a fabulous restaurant (serving breakfast, lunch and dinner), sumptuous rooms, beautiful grounds and a spa.  It's just about perfect in every way.  It would be perfect for someone who has already seen and done Rome and just wants a beautiful relaxing place to stay, away from it all.   The hotel's car can deliver you to the pier or to the airport.  Personally, we look forward to going back!  https://www.postavecchiahotel.com/en/?fbclid=IwAR08_i1l4PSN8Zad-jUnTKTQysmZkDaaEBUIXwDgd_Wr50J0Oa7AEH0LXhQ

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by SLSD

[Isklaar]

Your recommendation sounds great.

 

I look for luxury. Excellent food, great service and a supremely comfortable room are very important to me. 

One of my favourite hotels in the world is the Four Seasons Hong Kong.  A harbour view Club level  room meets my needs nicely. 

[SLSD]

Luxury is great and is always my first choice.  BUT, sometimes it doesn't work out.  Last year, following our Baltic cruise, we were to fly out of Stockholm the next day and the flight time entailed us getting up at 3am to make an early morning flight.  We stayed in a hotel that was INSIDE the Stockholm airport.  It was the direct opposite of La Posta Vecchio.  It as totally utilitarian.  Totally.  We found the Stockholm airport to be so confusing that we were glad to be there the afternoon before our flight so that we could figure things out.  

 

At the beginning of that Baltic itinerary, we stayed at the Ambassade Hotel in Amstersdam.  (I believe that Mr. Toblerone stayed there as well.)  We were quite pleased with the Ambassade.  Our room was very nice, the staff was very helpful, we liked their library bar, and their restaurant which served delicious food.  The location is quite central so that you could walk to the important art museums easily from the hotel.  My only advice is to request a room on a lower floor as some of the stairs are quite steep and some of the rooms have circuitous routes to reach them (there is an elevator to take you part way).  Requesting a lower floor room could make your stay perfect.  https://ambassade-hotel.nl/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cHoBRDdARIsADiTTzYB3HY4uMgWZ8RFK-ijXy6yjCw6t7RdHyox6j9NEFmCvopj_So7UPgaArfyEALw_wcB

 

 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by SLSD

[Sunviking]

When we sailed on a Baltic cruise two years ago we stayed at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm.  We had a suite facing the small harbor and the palace and a small balcony.  The room was lovely and the service was great.  We'll stay there again next year when we are in Stockholm again.

 

Last year before a cruise from Civitavecchia to Dover we stayed in a little boutique hotel in Rome, the Villa Spalletti Trivelli.  The location is great (across from the Quirinale Palace and five minutes from the Trevi Fountain), the room was wonderful and the garden where one could enjoy complimentary evening drinks was tranquil despite being in the middle of Rome.  There are nice local restaurants in the neighborhood that we thoroughly enjoyed for dinner.

 

In Barcelona we have stayed several times at the Hotel 1898 which is in a wonderful location on La Rambla.   We always get a suite which is on the side not facing the main street so it is quiet.  Service has been excellent  and we'll go there again next time we're in Barcelona.

 

We've stayed twice at the Oberoi Hotel in Dubai, once at the end of a cruise on the way home from India, and this year for several nights pre-cruise.  The location is great (we are not beach people), the staff is wonderful and the suites are lovely.  While I'm not really fond of Indian cuisine they do have a wonderful Indian restaurant in the hotel.

Edited June 24, 2019 by Sunviking

[SLSD]

Thank you Sun Viking for these recommendations.  I am sure they will be helpful for many---and I am grateful for the information.  I am familiar with the Grand Hotel In Stockholm as we had a traditional smorgasbord there with friends we met on our Baltic cruise.  It was memorable. 

 

In Rome at the front end of our Rome to Rome cruise, we stayed at the Hassler Hotel which was quite nice.  We enjoyed the leisurely breakfasts as well as their courtyard for light dinners and wine.  The location (at the head of the Spanish Steps) was great.  But, I am intrigued by your Rome hotel as well as your description of your hotel in Barcelona.  

[SLSD]

Here's  link to the website for the Hassler Hotel in Rome---a delightful place to stay.  Very comfortable, bordering on luxurious rooms, great location, wonderful breakfast, option of dining in their charming courtyard.  https://www.hotelhasslerroma.com

[toseaornottosea]

Barcelona, The Majestic.  Great Location, great staff, great breakfast, great shopping.

Rome, The Hotel De Russie.  Can't beat the service, the breakfast and the inner courtyard/gardens for meals and drinks.

Nice, the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée.  Ditto all of the above.

[tv24]

This is a great idea for a thread. 

 

The last time we boarded a Seabourn ship was in Miami and we arrived there via Amtrak(!) from Orlando where we visited family.  A short cab ride from the train station to the Eurostars Langford Hotel in downtown Miami.  It's an old office building converted to a hip hotel.  We had a comfortable room and walked to a charming French bistro for dinner a couple of blocks away.  Avoid the upper floors which are too close to the super-cool rooftop bar full of loud music and cool people who are way younger than us.  The next morning we had a 10-minute cab ride to the port,

 

In Barcelona we are fond of the UP BCN Suites in Eixample.  You get a full one-bedroom apartment at a reasonable price, very well located,  Popular hotel that books up.

 

I could go on-and-on.

[markham]

My choice in Lisbon is the venerable Avenida Palace Hotel. It is in the center but noise-proofed, a classy and classic grand hotel with traditional character. On embarkation day including this November we like to walk to the ship, in about 20 minutes, for an early look about while enjoying the architecture and grand imperial squares.

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Chairsin]

Markham we love the Avenida Palace. We have stayed there three times.  It’s old world charm, central location,  sumptuous buffet breakfast and most of all personal and helpful service make it the perfect choice for us.  I’m quite partial to boutique hotels. 

 

Other big winners the last few years have been the Loden in Vancouver, the Langham in Sydney and the Hotel Fort Canning in Singapore. 

 

I am struggling to find a decent boutique hotel in Dubai for our December cruise. Any suggestions?

[Camillus112]

Next year we will be embarking SB in Saint Martin.  We would like to stay in the island for three or four days prior to the cruise.  The Divi Little Bay Beach Hotel has good reviews; has any of you stayed and can comment?  What other hotels would you recommend?  Thanks for your help!

[markham]

Chairsin, the Dubai hotel I know is the Shangri-la. It is very clean with that Shangri-la style we like, not big and impersonal, has a couple of good Asian restaurants and a pool. Easy access from the airport- maybe 20 minutes as I recall. Best of luck!

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

[Chairsin]

Markham for the heads up - I’ll check it out. 

[Fletcher]

5 hours ago, Camillus112 said:

Next year we will be embarking SB in Saint Martin.  We would like to stay in the island for three or four days prior to the cruise.  The Divi Little Bay Beach Hotel has good reviews; has any of you stayed and can comment?  What other hotels would you recommend?  Thanks for your help!

 

Sint Maarten is an absolute dump - full of fast food chains, casinos, just awful.  However, there is one seriously great hotel on the French side, La Samanna.  We've stayed there before and after cruises. 

 

Seabourn often puts people up at the Westin Dawn Beach and I would urge people not to stay there.  One of the worst hotels we've ever seen.

 

As far as Dubai is concerned, my choice would be the Ritz-Carlton or the newish Four Seasons, both fairly low-key for this neck of the woods.

 

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by Fletcher

[rl787]

Our personal preference is to get straight home after a cruise but we do love a few days pre cruise in the area. Rome has been mentioned a few times above and The Hassler and The De Russie are special places to stay. Personally we adore The Eden, it is just tranquillity in perfection and always our first choice pre cruise or for a few days in the eternal city.

[offtoalaska]

5 hours ago, Camillus112 said:

Next year we will be embarking SB in Saint Martin.  We would like to stay in the island for three or four days prior to the cruise.  The Divi Little Bay Beach Hotel has good reviews; has any of you stayed and can comment?  What other hotels would you recommend?  Thanks for your help!

We stayed at the Oyster Bay Beach Resort for two nights prior to our January cruise on the Odyssey.  Our room was actually a two bedroom condo; nicely decorated; well equipped with lovely views of the bay and distant views of St. Barths.  The bar was very busy and fun; filled with lots of repeat guests since this is a time share resort.  The front desk staff were just OK during check in - took a while to figure out which room to give us.  The bellman who took us to our condo was a delight.  We had dinner in the restaurant and it was OK- no fresh fish but fabulous osso bucco.  I don't love St. Martin/St. Maarten.  Noisy, not particularly clean; restaurants, shops typical Caribbean.  With all that being said if I had the time and the means and needed to sail out of St. Maarten - I would take the 15 minute flight from SXM  to St. Barths and stay there and then fly back to board the Odyssey.  Fabulous restaurants, upscale shops, lovely beaches.  Rent a car at the airport and enjoy the island.  My favorite boutique hotel is Le Sereno.  Check out the website lhw.com;  it is part of the Leading Hotels of the World group.  

[machotspur]

On 6/24/2019 at 10:02 PM, Isklaar said:

Your recommendation sounds great.

 

I look for luxury. Excellent food, great service and a supremely comfortable room are very important to me. 

One of my favourite hotels in the world is the Four Seasons Hong Kong.  A harbour view Club level  room meets my needs nicely. 

 

Couldn't agree with you more Isklaar - stayed in a Club Floor room there a few months ago, pre cruise.

It was near perfect. We have stayed in many Club Floor rooms around the world, and the Four Seasons HK is our new favourite.

Particularly like the open veranda of the Club Lounge on the top floor.      

[machotspur]

23 hours ago, rl787 said:

Personally we adore The Eden, it is just tranquillity in perfection and always our first choice pre cruise or for a few days in the eternal city.

 

That's good to hear rl787 - we are booked into the Hotel Eden post cruise in September. So far their pre stay service has been outstanding.The hotel looks as you describe it to be.

I see they are part of a small group which includes the Dorchester in London, and the Beverly Hills. I won't mention who owns them as there has been a bit of negative press about them recently !  

[rl787]

Hi Machotspur, I see your in the Cotswolds, so are we. If you want to ask me any questions about The Eden please feel free to message me. I am sure you will adore your stay.

[cece50]

4 hours ago, machotspur said:

The Eden is also our favorite hotel in Rome.   The service and rooms are just superior in every way.  It is situated in a quiet neighborhood but still a short walk to the top of the Spanish Steps or the Via Veneto.  Breakfast in their rooftop restaurant with a view across Rome to St Peters is a wonderful way to start the day.  You will not be disappointed.   

 

 

4 hours ago, machotspur said:

That's good to hear rl787 - we are booked into the Hotel Eden post cruise in September. So far their pre stay service has been outstanding.The hotel looks as you describe it to be.

I see they are part of a small group which includes the Dorchester in London, and the Beverly Hills. I won't mention who owns them as there has been a bit of negative press about them recently !  

 

[cuddles115]

19 minutes ago, cece50 said:

 

 

Then , I'll mention it.  The Sultan of Brunei since 1987 is the owner.

 

Edited June 27, 2019 by cuddles115

[raphael360]

Barcelona - The Grand Marina Hotel: https://www.grandmarinahotel.com/en/hotel.html

 

Perfect location, 5 star hotel, 100 yards from the hotel main entrance to the SB ship.

[koalapanda]

7 hours ago, raphael360 said:

Barcelona - The Grand Marina Hotel: https://www.grandmarinahotel.com/en/hotel.html

 

Perfect location, 5 star hotel, 100 yards from the hotel main entrance to the SB ship.

 Not luxury, but perfect convenience and an awesome breakfast.

[Catlover54]

On 6/25/2019 at 7:03 AM, Camillus112 said:

Next year we will be embarking SB in Saint Martin.  We would like to stay in the island for three or four days prior to the cruise.  The Divi Little Bay Beach Hotel has good reviews; has any of you stayed and can comment?  What other hotels would you recommend?  Thanks for your help!

 

DH and I spent two nights at Divi  pre-cruise in a waterfront room, pickings were slim booking three months out. The water area is nice enough if you want to beach lounge or do water sports ( we do not).  We were not impressed with the room for the price, but had few alternatives and if we return would look elsewhere.  Service was sullen, slow, and confused, ( did I mention also some sexist staff?), drinks were watery, but it was clean enough. Food was forgettable.  It was noisy. The promised bathtub, which is why I picked it, did not materialize. Hard to get a cab, but there was a handy shop where you could buy snacks, sundries, alcohol, kleenex. No ATM and no desk money change.

3/5 stars. It was an easy walk to a few restaurants, which was nice.

 

We were happy not to be where our TA had tried to put us, La Samanna, where it turned out there was no hot water ( per some guests we met on the cruise)  though apparently that was unusual,  and though remote from everything else and as expensive as it gets there, the location  is lovely. 

[Camillus112]

Thanks Fletcher, OfftoAlaska, and Catlover54.  I am getting the vibe that St. Martin would not be for us.  I certainly would love to stay at La Samanna, but not at the quoted price of nearly $2,000 per night, especially if there are still flaws due to Irma.  Also, it will not be worth staying at Divi and suffer service issues.  I've researched further and the service issues have come up. Thanks again for your help.