Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In bed

The ultimate hotels for the discerning traveller who wants a truly special place to sleep in style

Text Guy Dittrich

La Maison MUNICH, GERMANY
24 Occamstraße, Schwabing,
tel. +49 (0)89 3303 5550, www.hotel-la-maison.com

La Maison speaks volumes of the renaissance of this leafy neighbourhood of Schwabing, centring on Wedekindplatz. Like the boutiques, restaurants and beauty salons that have sprung up, this hotel adds to the eclectic bohemian atmosphere.

It’s a quirky place, with luxurious finishes that move well beyond pared-down minimalism. Expect oceans of velour in the lobby, along with ceiling mouldings on the wall and high-backed Rocco-style armchairs. Gleaming brown tiles front the chrome-topped bar, its booths crowned with gilt-edged awnings.

The rooms continue the diverse style. The beds are homey, with eiderdowns and traditional headboards, and patterned wallpapers contrast with all-black bathrooms. Luxurious Just Pure toiletries are sourced from the flagship spa around the corner. La Maison is also perfectly located for one of the city’s finest beer gardens, Seehaus on the Kleinhesseloher See, a small lake in the Englischer Garten. Rooms from €140 single, €175 double.

Fontana Park Hotel LISBON, PORTUGAL
2 Rua Engenheiro Vieira da Silva,
tel. +351 291 775936, www.fontanapark-hotel.com

There’s no park and only a small water feature at the Fontana Park, but who’s quibbling with such a glamorous crowd milling about. Lisbon’s fashionistas are drawn by the stylish interiors and great dining options offered by this 139-room hotel, perched on top of one of the seven hills surrounding the city.

Both restaurants are reasonably priced and follow the hotel’s strikingly simple interior design ethos. A purple carpet leads to the textural black interior of the Bonsai restaurant, which offers Japanese cuisine, while in the bright whiteness of the Saldanha Mar, an authentic fish and seafood menu is served Portuguese-style from an open grill.

Vestiges of the building’s former life as an iron foundry can be seen in the exposed steel pillars of the voluminous lobby and the ornate wrought-iron balconies on the façade. The guest rooms follow the industrial-chic theme with finely finished concrete walls and a lack of ornamentation. Ask for a room with a west-facing balcony for a view over the city and the terracotta-tiled roofs. Doubles from €124.

In the news

The Franklin, London

It was supposed to open in September 2007, so when it finally happens at the end of next month, you can bet there will be a few sighs of relief. This intimate, 40-room Knightsbridge hotel has been designed to blend its English heritage with contemporary European style. Chill out in the ESPA spa, with four treatment rooms and Technogym fitness area with steam room. Guests are given an insider’s guide on arrival (updated monthly) containing in-the-know news and reviews of the capital’s restaurants, bars and cultural goings on. It will be like staying with a well informed local, without the stress of having to keep tidy and pretending to help. www.thefranklinhotel.co.uk

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