The lifestyle of travel writing is a hot topic right now, as more and more millennial’s are seriously considering becoming a travel blogger. As we get ready to plan our summer travel adventures, many of us canāt help but wonder:Ā Would it benefit me to start a travel blog?
19 NOV 2018- 1PM
If like me, youāve done the whole āfly for 6 hours, go to the mall, shop all day, sleep all night, go to the beachā thing and want some heart racing thrill and throat throbbing excitement in your life, listen Iām telling youā¦ This. Is. IT. The crazy that is me, did a long-haul flightā¦ landed and checked in by 11am, changed, and was at the XLINE booth in Dubai Marina Mall by 12.45pm.
As we step in, the signs are huge, so we wander around slowly, taking it in.
Men sit around in tailored suits, laughing richly over their latest lavish spends. Couples walk hand in hand, and small groups of Chinese tourists stand in the pathway, ignoring everyone having to walk around them. Ā There are white people, black people, Arabs, Asians, Hispanics and Europeans. Women in stilettos and high neck tops strutting along, looking too made up and plastic for so early in the day. Spa after spa, health centres and luxury hammams line the route. Ghost by Ella Henderson plays over the speaker. Is it normal to feel nostalgic already? Certainly feels like an upgraded version of Westfield, without all the Beckys and hoodrats that roam around day and night. Smells like warm melted chocolate, & it feels goodā¦ This aint London for sure.
The booth is tucked under the escalator, and extremely easy to miss- so pay attention. We strolled up to the counter, still a little dazed, exhausted and jet-lagged. Iām not sure it had hit us yet that this was even Dubai. A lady approached us, weighed us in, took photos of our ID and paired us with a harness, helmet and trolley each. Quick safety briefing and were off to the point of no returnā¦
A bus service chauffeured us to Amwaj Towers, a residential building 41 stories high and raises up a whole 170m off the ground and 558 feet away from civilization. For those in London, a good comparison is that it is a little under the BT Tower in Camden and 10m taller than the building with the Sky Garden. Imagine jumping off that?! Bloody hell, even that gives me chills.
I think it was much easier because I just didnāt know. I didnāt know how high up or which building until last minute. Then, the demons in your heads canāt play games with you. Murphyās law canāt act up and whisper in your ear. You just donāt know. Legally Blind.
We took a lift to the 40th floor and walked up 2 flights of stairs to get to the roof. One guy, Australian fella, had come alone, and you could see his heart pounding with evident sweat. A fat grin plastered through his ginger beard. He was perhaps no more than 26, travelling through Dubai for a day or two. Heād be going to Thailand next he told us, and weād mentioned weād be going too. Heād said heād be near Phuket, staying at Phang Nga Bay. The conversation was short. The view on the rooftop of the 40th floor is breath-taking. The crystal, sapphire-blue sky is cloud-less for early afternoon. It was mesmerising, how simple it looked, yet it seemed to hold every one of our thoughts, dreams, our secrets. The space was a vast thing, stretching out for infinity over our heads. It was terrifying and yet so affectionate, daunting yet friendly. If you stared at it for a long time, watching everything come and go, you would think, maybe, it was all talking to you. It was communicating in a language you couldnāt begin to understand. I got lost in thought before they called for the first two volunteers.
Of course, I volunteered. The worlds longest urban zipline- twice the distance and lasts twice the time at twice the speed as the last one. And I volunteered to go first.
My ginger beard friend volunteered to come with, and slowly, we made our way to get strapped into the superman harness. The guy high fives you, attaches you onto the cable that your trusting with your life, and makes you lie down horizontal onto a launch bed. Once youāre in, the bed is lowered and your hanging, mid-air, 40 floors up, A WHOLE 558 FEET AWAY FROM THE GROUND, ready to fly.
I nearly shat myself. I nearly cried and yelled right there to get me off. Whenever I get myself into moments like this, silence is my friend. Someone once said, āFeel the fear, and do it anyway.ā Often, we think, āIāll do it when I am not so afraid.ā But in reality, it works the other way around. The ādoing itā comes before the fear goes away. The only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go and do it. So, we diiiiiiiiiiiiiiid it baby! We done flew through the sky, over land and water, at up to 80km/h and from 170m down to ground level. I FLEW, did the Michael Jackson moonwalk mid-air, imitated wonder woman, became a local super hero. I FLEW. And it was amazing. The marina water glistens, and yachts bob up and down below you. Everything is so saturated this time of day, full HD colour.
You supposed to be streamlined. like a bullet. They told us if you start turning to one side, pull your weight to the other. I nodded. Easy. Iām not sure what juice they drank to not tell us how strong those winds would be. Wind veered me right, my weight got pushed to the left. I almost flipped, slipped and tripped mid-air. You still move forward, and the helmet provides some sort of aerodynamic vacuum for you. But lard haffi mercy, I couldāve been a leaf in the wind the way I was twisting up in here. Lasted a few seconds though. So, prepare for it. You will be twisted.
If you go, maybe donāt pick the right rope out the two. As you draw closer to ground level, you come awfully close to the brick corner of the mall building. Its quite the scare at the speed your going at- an uncomfortable but safe distance. The whole thing is recorded, and photography is taken for you by the XLine team. The goPro strapped to your helmet gets the best shots of the experience, and so, feeling more alive than ever, we made our way to our lockers to update the world.
The experience felt super safe, built and operated by highly qualified and globally certified teams. They carry out daily testing and regular maintenance of the line, making sure safety is always first. Id like to hope so anyway! The company have strict requirements for the experience; You need to be between 12 and 65 years of age, taller than 130cm, weigh 50 to 100kg and in good medical health. Loose clothing canāt be worn, and footwear is preferably sportwear or boots. Closed. They take off every single day from 9am till 5pm and are situated inside the Dubai Mall. Ā You can click here to book it or visit the booth at the Marina Mall or visit any of the Platinumlist partner merchants across the UAE. Ā The entire experience lasts for approximately 90 minutes, from registering at the XLine booth until you complete the zipline ride.
So, if your looking to goā¦ get ready to hang tight and Iāll see you someday to applaud you. It isnāt for the weak hearted, thatās for sure.
Definitely going to do this again… perhaps this time in Ras Al-Khaimah for the entire worldās longest zip line. A whole 2.83 km long, the Jebel Jais flight is 1,680 meters above sea level and has a glass bottom suspended floor. Um… YES PLEASE.
21 NOV 2018.
BY far my favourite, and the one I was most excited for leading up to it. On the morning of my 24th Birthday, at 5.25AM, an Indian man dressed in dungarees, donning an overgrown moustache, picked us up. We drove 36-minute to the take-off site, where the largest Hot Air Balloons in the world are being inflated, glowing in the predawn darkness. Although still dark, the world of Dubai is still lit and roads still busy, we can see filtered bits of light looming in as birds awaken and stir. Itās just before sunrise, and we take off to meet the sun as it rises over the Arabian desert and the sky fills with light. Early morning provides the best flying conditions. The tent is filled up with hot air using a burner, which somehow manages to get bucket loads of sand all over us- so wear a hat. The shower of sand only lasts whilst youāre on the ground- donāt look up during lift off or your teeth take a grit bath and your eyelashes are coated in a blanket of fine granular rocks.
The people of Barcelona take food very seriously. I mean, more than anyone. They have breakfast, and think about where to eat for lunch. Midday shopping trips are not complete without a quick CafĆ© au laitat or Tortilla EspaƱola to round off the excursion. Food is not a joke in this city, and with the rich succulent variety of Spanish Catalonian cuisine available, this is a look at the cityās top 6 halal joints to indulge in Spanish traditions or to simply eat well for the practicing Muslim.
This casual Indian restaurant in the heart of Barcelona serves an assortment of Indian food as well as a variety of breakfast and sandwiches throughout the day. Meals range from ā¬9.50 to ā¬12.50 per plate, with intense delectable platters of Chicken Korma, Tikka and Sheesh Kebabs served on a special menu. The restaurant provides a shaded terrace out front for taking in this very diverse city and you can enjoy a quick bite under a canopy, glimpsing at locals and travellers alike. The Indian kitchen according to the website, opens at 12:00 (midday) until 16:00 (4pm) and then from 20:00 (8pm) until 11:00am. Sandwich bars are open all day from 12:00 midday until 1:00am- nonstop.
If you’re looking to visit- the details for the restaurant are as follows. T +34 676 432 564. E tandoori.nights.bcn@gmail.com or plug the following address into google- Carrer Carretes, 44 Barcelona, EspaƱa 08001.
Rated āBest Lebanese Food in Town!ā by one TripAdvisor reviewer, this joint serves an extensive mixture of Mediterranean, Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine. Itās in an optimal location- very local to Sants station so if youāre close by, definitely pop in. The quality of the food here is amazing and the rich chicken shawarmaās and appetizing falafel’s are given in extremely generous portions. This restaurant is open most days from 12:30 midday till around 00:30 every night.
The address for your peruse is Psg Antoni, 9, 08014 Barcelona, Spain and the T +34 933 30 01 46
In true ancient Persian cultural entertainment, this restaurant offers the services of professional belly dancers to go with your meal every Friday and Saturday at 22:30hr. Influenced by their vast ancestral culinary tradition stretching from China to the East and all the Mediterranean villages in the west, Persian food is bathed with delicate fragrances and exquisite flavours that you simply must try at this property. With platters of Mast-Ć-khiar (cucumber and mint, mixed with yoghurt), Kufteh (Meatballs with chickpeas, barberries and aromic herbs) and Mirza GhasemĆ (char-grilled eggplant, tomatoes and garlic blended with egg) starters to kick-start the flavour fest, youāre bound to keep asking for more. Meals cost around ā¬12.50 and vegetarians are also well catered for. Desserts are also an option, strating at ā¬3.90 with Persian, fresh mint and lime ice cream, traditional Persian baglava delights, lemon and basil mousse and the standard tiramisu dessert.
Close by to the Sant Antoni metro station, the address for this property is Carrer de Floridablanca, 85, 08015 and the T is +34 934 255 996. You can also email them at rinconpersa85@gmail.com
The restaurant tends to get full pretty quick, make sure you call ahead and grab a reservation before you head in to avoid disappointment! They open from Tuesday to Sunday at 12:30 until 23.30 and do not close at midday. Not open Mondays! Reservation required!
This Indonesian and Malay cuisine establishment, located in Laforja street, will uncover typical Indonesian specialties elaborated with traditional recipes and made with the best raw ingredients on the market. Extensive and exotic meals include Pedegil (Fried potato empanada, chopped cilandro, onions and fried shallots), Sate Ayam (grilled chicken skewers mariandos with peanut sauce) or Assam Pedas Udang (Spicy and sour prawns cooked in coconut milk and tamarind), amoungst a variety of other traditional dishes. The Rijstafel, the Crispy Duck and Honey Chicken are rounded off with homemade deserts that will invite you to stay and then leave with the desire to return. This restaurant presents private rooms and long round tables that facilitate good talks among large families or friend groups. Average spend here is from ā¬20 to ā¬30 and wi-fi is also available.
The Bali lunches are presented from 13:00 till 16:00 every day and then dinner is served when doors reopen from 20:00 till 23:30. Doors to this restaurant open from 8am, so feel free to drop in from then! The hotel address is Laforja, 8 SarriĆ” – Sant Gervasi 08006 Barcelona and T +34 934 61 40 52. Reservation required!
An extension of the ever popular Original PFC in the heart of London, Wild Beef Gourmet Burgers thrives on creating āfast food masterpiecesā with their dedication, highly skilled chefs and combined experience. Gaining much popularity over in Britain, the brand moved out to Barcelona and brought along with them their halal-certified, mouth-watering beef burgers, made from the freshest beef to secret recipes with their delectable veggie, manchego and gourmet burgers, poultry, barbacoa, XXL burgers and a ācrazyā assortment of delectable chicken Empanada with crispy fries.
If you craving for some 50s-inspired American/British style ambiance in this Spanish municipality, look no further. Rated 5* for their food hygiene, youāre bound to have an unforgettable, unbeatable and mind-blowing experience at this establishment. Average spend here is around ā¬10 per person, with opening hours Monday-Sunday 12:00 midday till 01:00am. The address to get here is Carrer de la DiputaciĆ³, 214, 08011, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain and to book via T +34 932 69 42 02
With the upbeat vibes and traditional Moroccan interior, you are no longer in Barcelona and are transported into the buzzing cultural setting of Morocco the minute you walk in. True to its roots, colourful textiles, from upholstery to wall hangings, adorn every inch of this property and offers typical Moroccan cuisine from tender chicken chops, minced meat, couscous- a national delicacy- and the Harira. Ofcourse do not miss out on their magnificent Briwat or the Masman served in delicate tagines and there is no lack of rich succulent homemade desserts or tea service. If you’re in the mood, grab some shisha here too and enjoy the ambient mood and good company.
Average spend here is around ā¬20 based on a two-course meal excluding drinks. Food is served from 13:00 till 15:30 every day and dinner is served 21:00 until 23:00 every day. The address to get here is Carrer de SalvĆ , 5, 08004 Barcelona, Espanja and T +34 931 64 59 37
Helpful? Check out my previous post of my experiences in Barcelona or perhaps you’ve got your own experiences? I want to know! Drop me a comment below.
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Have anyone tried any other restaurants in Barcelona?
If the title Sun City wasnāt taken by its friendly neighbour across the pond, Barcelona would definitely have that title. Instead, dubbed āThe City of Countsā owing to its history as the seat of the Count of Barcelona between 9th and 15th century Catalan, it is now a hotbed for tourists, trade fair, fashion and avid socialites. Located on the northeast coast of the mountainous Iberian Peninsula region, facing the Mediterranean Sea, the 101.4kmĀ² city inhibits around 1.6million people and is the 2nd most populous municipality of the Kingdom that is Spain.
Attracting trekkers from all walks of life all times of the year, it was a refreshing site to see empty beaches and less crowded markets during my stay there earlier in the year. I wanted to live like a local for a week, experience the Catalonian lifestyle as well as be surrounded by the native people and the best place to stay I determined, was near the beach. Set a block from the Nova Icaria seafront, SB Icaria Hotel encapsulated the entire definition of the perfect Barcelonan stay with a 12 minute walk to the Ciutadella-Vila OlĆmpica metro station and a 25 minute stroll to the architecturally imposing grand Sagrada FamĆliaĀ church.
I stayed with 2 girl friends, bubbly and a bag of laughter throughout the trip. We stayed in a 3-bedroom suite on the 3rd floor of the building which was just as well since I actually couldnāt get a room in the hotel a week before. Iād been so sold out on the idea of staying at the beachfront luxury W Hotel that by the time Iād saved up enough the hotel had booked out everywhere. Infact, Id left it so late that no hotels in the entire Ciutat Vella District had vacancies. Flights booked, bags packed and nowhere to stay was quite the conundrum to face. Safe to say I’ve never made the mistake of saving up for a hotel ever again. Ā The girls flew out a day before me, so arriving and checking in wasnāt much of a problem. My Ryanair (Yeah, we cheap like that) flight FR9044 from LDN STN arrived at BCN El-Prat on Thurs 03 March at exactly 16:00. A quick taxi ride had me so lost staring at the beautiful city; Iād arrived at my destination long before my mind had. I paid and exited, still lost in the towering buildings and the soaring sun rays that pierced through them.
A shower was first call. We all had our AluminĆ© skin care range decked out like a showroom floor in the bathroom. My go-to is the Soy & Baobab Shampoo and Conditioner- everywhere I go, itās a must. Ofcourse anything over 100ml doesnāt get through security so in the spirit of making things happen, I got 4 x 25ml bottles straight from Amazon and took my trusted toiletries on their first little adventure. Unpacked, passport silently sealed away, clothes neatly on pegs in the walk-in wardrobe and heels attentively stood in a line, Barcelona was about to get a taste of an excited britishĀ Somalian.
The hotel offered breakfast buffet every morning which was delishhhhh, a quaint outdoor swimming pool with an enticing hot tub ā the ultimate instagram backdrop we later learned– and a gym and sauna that in hindsight, I wish I used more of. Whilst we spent our morning nonchalantly by the pool every day, our evenings were a cultural excavation of restaurants and diners and beaches. Close by, we had our midnight ā¬1 fries spot at Parc de Marās very own McDonalds. Ā Walk down the beach from there towards the wharf with luxe-grade yachts and fleets of Bugattiās and Bentleys of very wealthy high rollers, youāll see a two-storey food and dining destination below ground level. A lively area with a great buzzing atmosphere, we had tons of food concepts and seating options available. Most nights we found ourselves in Jerusalem, a Mediterranean Restaurant and bar with added Shisha/Hookah lounge. They stayed open until about 3am every night, and weād just eat and enjoy each otherās company with locals all around us, and fellow foreigners making conversation. Felt surreal to be honest, to be in such a calm state in a completely unknown environment with strangers and unfamiliar territory. Yet so tranquil, and so peaceful.
The sounds of the ocean and waves lapping at the beach will forever remain in my conscious mind. Looking out, you could see nothing. The moon played hide and seek during my whole stay, and so not much natural light was available to illuminate the sea. Youād look out, and it would be pitch black. And yet, so thunderously loud, as if it was right beside your ear, the rhythmic pulse of the sea and its steady, throbbing heartbeat ruptured your thoughts and demanded your attention. It was unmatched by anything else in nature. I donāt even think I can put in a nutshell how my skin would erupt in goosebumps at every wave or how humbled it made me to hear it. Amazing, and quite simply hypnotic. An empty beach at 4am, with nothing but pitch black in front of you. I sat down on the sand once or twice, the waves couldāve towered over me and I wouldnāt have known. The experience was surreal.
I made some lifelong friends during that stay- people from other cities in the UK that to this day, still hit me up on social media to ask about the next rendezvous. I appreciate them all.
The girls had rented out the room for 4 nights. I was staying for 5. They checked out and I was left in another predicament. Never will I forget this leg of the trip. On my journey, Iād seen only one other Somali pair on my flight into BCN. Iād smiled, we had shared conversation and by the end of the flight… we were in my head, friends. They were staying in the same hotel so naturally, Iād see them more and more during my stay. For the life of me, I donāt know why I didnāt go downstairs that night and just book the room we had to check out, for myself. Instead, I went to the first floor and knocked on their door and left my things in there. I donāt know whose handbook I got this from, or what the plan was… just acted. To this day, I could never forget that I knocked on someoneās door who Iād met on a flight and just stayed in their room for the night.
2 things to be thankful for. 1 is that they were a mother and daughter pair; otherwise it wouldāve been totally awks. Not that it wouldāve mattered. I mean… would it have? Hmm. 2nd is that their flight was at 3am and the room would be unoccupied for the remainder of the night. The room was still checked in, I mean… could God be looking out for me any further?! Lovely pair, great and truly self-effacing people. The mother took a nap at around 11pm and like the crazy insane person I am, I lead my new friend away at 11:30pm and we took a stroll to the beach.
Listen, the ocean at night is hypnotic. Youāll crave for more. Iām a āreflectorā, I like sitting back and just meditating and reflecting on what I have and finding inner peace. Quiet places appeal to me. It was perfect. We strolled around, made some Jamaican friends who we probably ā by their drunken state- should not have spoken to. We grabbed food, took some pictures and leisurely laughed way into the night. 1am came. They left. I had the room to myself.
I remember just as I shut the room door, my Whatsapp dinging. Iād reconnected with someone Iād met years before, and they happened to be in Barcelona same time as me. My flight out of Barcelona El-Prat was at 18:05 so Iād have a few more hours to indulge in some sunshine before heading to London. He came to my hotel that morning, and after some breakfast and checking-out, we left. The sun was beautiful. The air felt cleaner for some reason. It was such a beautiful day. In those last few hours, in that last stroll out of the hotel, I realised just how beautiful and peaceful the morning was. I missed every sunrise because Iād been out so late and needed to sleep. This was the first time I was out this early, and boy was it just gorgeous. A street peddler Iād grown familiar with near the restaurants approached us. He was selling fresh roses. He signalled to me and said to my new friend āWhy not a rose for the lady?ā My friend smiled. I got red and white roses to call mine that day, and still have them somewhere in my trip treasures, stored in a box deep in my room. My first ever set of roses. Sometimes, I find them and sometimes I smile- recalling memories long gone of laughter and sunshine.
If ever any of my readers find themselves in Barcelona, make sure you take a bus from PlaƧa dāEspanya towards Palau Saint Jordi. From the PSJ website, the buses you want are 55, 13 and 150. The winding hills give you the most breathtaking panoramic views of Barcelona city, the ports with boats and yachts, and glistening crystal clear water as far as the eye can see. Cross the road and you get a āGreat Wall of Chinaā vibe with a huge wall and a city of chimneys and fresh clothes hanging out to dry beneath you. Take the bus back down to PlaƧa d’Espanya and explore the square, Valetian Towers, the shopping mall of Arenas de Barcelona and a whole host of cultural entertainment it offers. Make sure you take the first MontjuĆÆc Cable Car station taking you 750m above ground and connecting you to theĀ MontjuĆÆc mountain and castle, if you’re a stickler for a good view.
I absolutely loved Barcelona. Next time, Iām vlogging it.
Do you have stories from your time in Barcelona? Perhaps a tale from another city? I want to hear about it. Drop a comment below… I love hearing back from my readers!
Probably one of the most fun-filled adventures I embarked on in 2015, the City of Rotterdam didnāt fail to make an impression during the few days I was a guest in the city.
Albeit short, it was my mission to explore with a group of friends and though we didnāt do much, my stay at the Bilderberg was one of contentment, relaxation and elevated comfort. Booked by a friend whoād previously busted a few jokes and made friends with the floor manager on a previous stay, we got a generously large discount on our stay, saving us perhaps what turned into countless feasts and unnecessary taxi fare expenses. Bonus! š
In total, not counting the lifelong friends I made during the stay and came back to London with, I travelled with a total of 5 friends- none of which I regrettably am still in contact with. I stayed in a small single room on the ground floor of the hotel, with a blooming garden at my disposal. This hotel was a great stay, and in this post, I help anyone who is looking to stay or wants a heads up about what to expect at The Bilderberg Parkhotel in Rotterdam.
Free tip at the very bottom for anyone who enjoys incredible views and looking to make the most of their stay @ The Bilderberg. Keep reading!Ā 
Environment
This modern 4*, classic grandeur and contemporary hotspot in the centre of lively Rotterdam, gives you just the right level of access into the city centre and still the secluded sentiment of peace and quiet; a perfect mix of a trendy metropolitan hotel in the heart of a lively city. It offers exceptional personal service levels which you expect to find at a luxury hotel. The Bilderberg is near a river and walking distance of art museums including Boijmans van Beuningen (great work here), Witte de Withstraat and the Museumpark, as well as the World Trade Centre and the infamous Erasmus Bridge. (Must see all of these!!)
The hotel is located on the Westersingel main road, with local food, shopping and leisure stores a stoneās throw away in every single direction. It is situated within a 5-minute walk from the Centraal Underground station and just 700 meters away from the great colossal structure that is the Rotterdam Centraal railway station. Basically, everything is close by. Your underground station is next door, your food is across the street, city centre is aross the road, and tram transport is at your doorstep. Quite a convenient spot if you ask me.
It takes around 10 minutes to get to Rotterdam The HagueĀ Zestienhoven airport by car- so now you know which airport to land at and will save you some extra Ā£Ā£Ā£ on journey time.
All in all, the lively buzz adds a pleasurable milieu to the hotel.
The hotel itself is of moderate size with 189 guestrooms across garden rooms, a villa wing and the grand Hoboken Tower donning 14 extravagant floors.
The Room
If Iām not mistaken I stayed in room 217, the last room at the end of a long and gloomy corridor. I booked a single room, with hopes Iād be in the regal Hoboken Tower witnessing breathtaking skyline views of the city. Donāt make the mistake I did in empty assumption. Singe rooms are located in the garden or villa wing of the hotel. I stayed in the garden rooms, and in my conceded opinion, the room to me felt like the leftover space of multiple spaced-out rooms on the same floor. Ā Albeit small, it Ā felt cosy and snug and reminded me a little of home. The view wasnāt much, I stared into other people’s windows directly opposite me and sometimes… sometimes they even stared back.
The room was polished to perfection though, no traces of dust anywhere at all. There was free wifi in my room, a flat-screen TV and tea and coffee makers at my disposal. I also had an Iron complete with board, hairdryer and a large desk to work on, which was convenient and very useful. The room has a minibar, soundproofed walls and a down comforter to aid sleep.
From asking questions I learned the following. The hotel has 4 room types-
Next time, Iāll probably pick the deluxe rooms. I think itās more fitting for me, but the single room was still a great room if you donāt plan to stay in the hotel much of your time. 24 hour room service is available with a wake-up service that I probably abused and luggage storage service at reception if you need to check out but do not need to leave until later.
Payment
This establishment accepts American Express, Visa, MasterCard, UCB card, Diners Club International and ATM cards. Ā A down payment is required and this may be frozen on your card before arriving at the hotel. If not, a deposit is required for checkin by credit card or cash with the addition of a Government-issued photo ID for any incidental charges. I assume this is also to avoid giving your room to someone who isnāt you, and in most cases your Passport should do just fine.
Youāll also be asked for 4.5% city/local tax charge as well as a tourism fee of EUR 1.90 per person, per night on check-in or check-out, a deposit of EUR 50 a night and a resort fee of EUR 2.20 per night, per person. Donāt be scared off! Every travel agent or online booking platform such as Booking.com, Expedia and even uk.hotels.com all add this in the sum total. Itās just good to know a breakdown of what youāre paying for.
Optional extras include early check-in for a charge of 35 EUR, late check-out for a charge of 25 EUR, self parking onsite costs 19.50 EUR, rollaway beds charged at 35 EUR per night BUFFET BREAKFAST (YES!!!!) charged at roughly 24.50 EUR per person and pets are allowed for an extra charge of 25 EUR per night, per pet.
Halal?
Food at this hotel is not specifically halal. I found out from the Reservations department that breakfast is buffet setup, with no specific halal food. It cannot be requested at this hotel, nor can they order it if booked in advance. There are however the standard options of toast, fruit and coffee. Lunch and Dinner include Fish and cheese and other items which are permissible to eat but unfortunately, this hotel does not cater for the halal personās requirement.
Restaurants and local fast food joints are close by. During my stay at the Bilderberg, I regularly ate at a small but extremely delicious Turkish restaurantĀ just a short walk from the hotel. Eethuis Center do Grill, Shawarma and Pizza all halal certified (Psst…Ā Thank me later).
Turkish owners ar
e multilingual, accommodating and helped us immensely with our stay and the food here is nothing short of exemplary cuisine. Google Map from the hotel or ask the receptionist to point you.
Hotel Policy
Hotel cancellations are not ideal in any case, but if the need arises, prepayment policies vary greatly according to your room type. I purchased a non-refundable room and so even if I cancelled, I would not get refunded. Please ensure your booking a non-refundable room that you are 100% available for, otherwise for a steeper price you can book a refundable one. Always check conditions of required room!
Check in time starts at 14:00/2:00pm in the afternoon and ends at Midnight. Check out time is at noon/midday/12pm. These can also be extended for an additional fee; checking into the hotel earlier will set you back EUR 35 and perhaps after a long night youād like to comfortably sleep in, checking out later than noon will cost you EUR 25.
Only registered guests are allowed in rooms, or charges are incurred on your deposit. Pets are also allowed in the hotel, with hotel policy stating only 2 at a time. Charges incurred, see Payment section above.
Getting Around
If you travel by public transport in Rotterdam, you have to purchase a travelcard,Ā OV chipkaartĀ in Dutch. It’s a smartcard on which various types of tickets can be preloaded. The chipcard is valid forĀ metro,Ā trams,Ā buses,Ā lightrailĀ and also on theĀ trainĀ andĀ waterbus. Tourists can buy disposable travelcards but you might be better off with theĀ Rotterdam Welcome Card, which includes public transport as well as discounts for attractions and museums in Rotterdam.
| Travel Chipcard | ā¬7,50 |
| RET one hour | ā¬3,00 |
| RET two hours | ā¬3,50 |
| RET 2 x one hour | ā¬6,00 |
| RET 1 day | ā¬7,50 |
| RET 2 days | ā¬12,50 |
| RET 3 days | ā¬16,50 |
Ā 1) RET 1 hour
The RET 1 hour travel chipcard allows you to use tram, metro, bus and lightrail in Rotterdam during 60 minutes. The clock starts after your first ‘touch-in’. You are allowed to change lines but your last ‘touch-in’ has to be done 60 minutes after your first ‘touch-in’. Your card will automatically expire after 75 minutes after your first ‘touch-in’.2) RET 2 hours
The RET 2 hour travel chipcard allows you to use tram, metro, bus and lightrail in Rotterdam during 120 minutes. The clock starts after your first ‘touch-in’. You are allowed to change lines but your last ‘touch-in’ has to be done 120 minutes after your first ‘touch-in’. Your card will automatically expire after 135 minutes after your first ‘touch-in’.3) 2 x RET 1 hour
This card works the same like the RET 1 hour chipcard, but it allows you to use it twice. This card is like a return ticket when you’re not able to return within one or two hours. Your chipcard will automatically expire after 75 minutes after your second ‘touch-in’.4) Day cards
The full day travel cards allow you to use tram, metro, bus and lightrail within Rotterdam during one, two or three days. It cannot be used on board the night buses.
Information aboveĀ CityGuideRotterdam, click link for more information.
Besides being yards away from many local tourist attractions and muses, the best mode of
transport in Rotterdam in my opinion, is taking a tram. The Rotterdam tramway network isĀ a key element in the overall public transportation arrangements in Rotterdam. These are simple, hassle free and easy to use once you understand them. A 2 minute walk away is the Rotterdam, Eendrachtsplein Light Rail Station, connecting you to the city centre all the way up to The Hague.
Taxi services are available just outside the hotel, and reception is more than happy to call the service for you at a scheduled time.
Further Details
You can easily contact the hotel on T 010-4363611Ā and F 010-4364212. The email address for any bookings, queries and questions is Parkhotel.Reservation@bilderberg.nl. If your lucky, I had quick, prompt responses from Emilie Van Koppenhagen at the hotels Reservations department so email in for your answers.
Additionally, the hotel website is always at your disposal: Ā |Ā www.bilderberg.nl
For photo enthusiasts, adventurers or if your just like me and like to randomly explore, take the lift directly adjacent to the hotel. This will take you exclusively if I remember correctly to the 8th floor and above. Besides any famous or professional executives you could bump into on these elite floors, the top floor has direct access to the roof with authorised admission. I assume this is a smoking zone for anyone staying in the Tower; nonetheless the breathtaking and remarkable views of the entire Skyline around Rotterdam will forever be etched in your head.
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Check out my previous hotel review of Azimut Hotel in Munich, Germany!
