The Sound Hotel Seattle Review

Our Verdict

What do you think about when you think about Seattle? The Space Needle, the Seattle Seahawks or maybe this treasure of a city in the Pacific Northwest! Well there is a new hotel in town and it’s location in Belltown is quite nice for someone visiting Seattle.

Located near the Space Needle, Pike’s Place Market and the Amazon Spheres, the Sound Hotel Seattle is a great place to stay. With very simple inspired Scandinavian decor, the 142 rooms offer a cozy place to lay your head.

The Sound Hotel Seattle, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton, really focuses on arts and music and that theme is carried out subtlety from the moment you walk into the hotel. This modern urban oasis of a hotel won’t disappoint.

The Sound Hotel Seattle

Seattle can be like most big cities, full of hustle and bustle. The Sound Hotel Seattle is the perfect place to relax after a long day exploring the city.

The Scandinavian and minimalistic style is carried out everywhere in the hotel. Don’t let the minimalistic style scare you away though because the rooms are quite warm and inviting even with the use of smooth modern surfaces. We absolutely love the furniture, fixtures and finishes of this hotel!

The Sound Hotel Seattle occupies 10 floors of the Arrive Seattle luxury apartment building. The hotel is definitely more boutique feeling and wasn’t overly crowded during our stay.

Our Room

During out stay at the Sound Hotel Seattle we stayed in a King Bed Studio Room. This is the largest room offered at the hotel at just over 560 square feet.

The room featured a sitting area with a small dining table next to the bed and a separate bathroom. The rooms are very simple yet tastefully decorated with music inspired wallpaper, musical instrument lamps and a great use of plaid fabric. 

The Scandinavian furniture makes a statement and adds the the eco-friendliness of the Pacific Northwest.

​The King Studio offered a nice view of the city and view of Elliott Bay. With large windows in the living room/bedroom, there was plenty of natural light when you wanted it, but the thick curtains made the room very dark when you were ready to turn in.

​The bathroom was quite large in our room and featured a sleek vanity with double sinks and a walk in shower. The only thing we would have preferred is a separate room for the toilet.

If you have read very many of these hotel reviews, then you know that Le Labo are our absolute favorite hotel toiletries. The Sound Hotel Seattle features Float toilietries, which were just okay in our opinion.

Dining

The Sound Hotel Seattle’s signature restaurant, The Currant Bistro, features fresh and regionally sourced ingredients for their simple yet delicious dishes.

We ate Breakfast at the Currant Bistro and were able to get a taste for their very approachable dishes. We tried the Açaí bowl as well as the Breakfast Sandwich. Both of these dishes were excellent and very reasonably priced.

 Amenities

While the Sound Hotel Seattle doesn’t have as many amenities as neighboring hotels, the location and accessibility make up for that.

The Fitness Center on property only consists of a small room with cardio equipment. The hotel did tell us there is possibly plans to give hotel guests access to the Arrive Luxury Apartments fitness center. Located on the 7th floor is the Sound Bite Lounge and a sun deck. The sun deck is a nice place to take in views of the Space Needle and enjoy a cocktail. For Hilton Honors members with Diamond or Gold status, breakfast is served here daily along with evening cocktails and tapas.

 Service

The service at the Sound Hotel Seattle was great. Everyone we encountered from the bell staff to the front desk guest services personnel to the wait staff, the service was good.

Overall Impression

If you are looking for a place to stay while in Seattle to explore, pre or post cruise or are in town for business, this is a great go-to hotel.

And don’t forget to book your next stay with Live Luxe Travel Co. For more information just email us at Booking@LiveLuxeTravelCo.com.

Nomad Las Vegas Review

Our Verdict

Viva Las Vegas! Let’s talk about one of the newest luxury hotels in Las Vegas, the Nomad Las Vegas. This luxury hotel is a hotel within a hotel, occupying the top four floors of the Park MGM. The Park MGM Las Vegas is also one of the newest additions to the strip. The Park MGM, once the former Monte Carlo, was shut down and was completely renovated from top to bottom. The Nomad Las Vegas has a very elegant European style just like its sister properties in Los Angeles and Manhattan.

Being a hotel within a hotel, the Nomad Las Vegas has a very boutique feel with only 293 guest rooms and suites. And with a separate check-in, private pool, the Nomad Restaurant and the Nomad Bar, you would never have to leave this hidden luxury oasis. We almost didn’t want to write this review in fear that we would give away this hidden gem!

The Nomad Las Vegas

Looking for the perfect escape from the Las Vegas Strip? The Nomad Las Vegas is it! The Nomad Las Vegas is close enough to all the action on the strip. But it’s far enough away to enjoy a luxurious escape from it all!

With European inspired style every where you turn, the dimly lit hallways, use of chic painted trim and the elegant carpet make this hotel truly feel luxurious. The overall vibe is very different than the over the top luxury you typically find in Las Vegas. It’s very playful, a little moody and a little dark. But we loved it.

Upon our arrival at the Nomad Las Vegas, we were quickly assisted with our luggage and shown inside to the front desk for check-in. Upon entering the hotel, it immediately felt like a Nomad, dimly lit and very elegant.

Our Room

The Nomad Las Vegas is tucked away on the top 4 floor of the Park MGM. So the rooms are accessed by separate elevators next to the Park MGM elevators that only access the top 4 floors of the Nomad. Upon stepping off the elevator, the hotel splits into a Y. So it can be a little confusing which way to go with three dimly lit long hallways. But we ultimately found our way.

During our oasis at the Nomad, we stay in a Grande Suite. And let us be the first to tell you how “grand” it truly was. The suite was much brighter in comparison to the rest of the hotel with oak hardwood floors, plenty of natural light, an amazing amount of texture from the use of fabrics and leather as well as plenty of unique artwork. The suite featured a separate sitting room, freestanding pedestal tub and a separate half bath and toilet room.

The suite was very elegant inspired with the use of emerald green velvet curtains, a king size bed with leather wrapped headboard and artwork everywhere you turn.

The Grand Suite offered a nice view of the strip and a great view of the adjacent Aria Resort & Casino. With large windows in both the living room and the bedroom, there was plenty of natural light when you wanted it, but the thick velvet curtains made the room very dark when you were ready to turn in.

If you have read very many of these hotel reviews, then you know that Le Labo are our absolute favorite hotel toiletries. The Nomad Las Vegas features Argan toilietries, which were just okay in our opinion.

Dining

When in Vegas, oneself needs to indulge in some excellent culinary cuisine. And that is exactly what the Nomad Las Vegas has to offer with the signature Nomad Restaurant, Nomad Bar, in-room dining plus the Nomad is just steps away from Eataly, Best Friend, and Bavette’s, all of which are located at the Park MGM.

If you are looking for an intimate place to grab drinks with a more relaxed atmosphere, then you have to check out the Nomad Bar. The bartenders take cocktail making into an art at this bar. And the drinks went down pretty easy too, especially the Runyon Canyon (our personal favorite).

If you are looking for somewhere for a nicer, more upscale dinner, then the Nomad Restaurant is the spot. The dining room is very elegant and a bit over the top with a collection of nearly 20,000 books on display in the vast bookcases. In addition to the main dining room, there are a couple smaller rooms all of which play tribute to certain aspects of Las Vegas.

Breakfast was served in the Nomad Bar. And the service, delicious menu offerings and the attention to detail were all incredible. We had to stop a time or two during breakfast and remember that this was breakfast and not a night out with fancy food and red carpet service. We tried the Eggs Benedict which was very classic yet perfect in every way, and the Two Eggs - any style, which was very predictable and cooked perfectly. Overall the dining experience for breakfast was incredible.

Amenities

The Nomad Las Vegas features it’s own separate elevators, it’s own rooftop pool deck just for guests of the Nomad, a shared 24 hour fitness center at the Park MGM and the Nomad Store with select gifts, essentials and food & beverage.

The nice thing about staying at the Nomad Las Vegas is you have access to the Nomad Pool and the pool at the Park MGM. But guests from the Park MGM can’t use the Nomad Pool.

The fitness center at the Park MGM has all of the latest state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment. It was very functional and enough to get a great workout in after you indulge in those Las Vegas calories.

Service

In our opinion, the hospitality in Las Vegas isn’t up to par with other parts of the world we have visited. But they still do an excellent job. The Nomad Las Vegas provides excellent service. And we only experienced a few minor issues during our stay. Overall this level of service was fantastic in comparison to other properties we’ve stayed at on the strip.

Overall Impression

The Nomad Las Vegas is truly a luxury escape just steps from the smoke-filled casino floors, bright lights and busy city streets. If you are looking for something very unique and different for Vegas, you definitely need to try out the Nomad. And another thing is the hotel is completely pet friendly!

And don’t forget, when you book with Live Luxe Travel Co., you’ll get complimentary extras like a $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast for two and a room upgrade. For more information just email us at Booking@LiveLuxeTravelCo.com or click the button below.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar Golf Resort And Spa Review

Our Verdict

Be prepared to live the “Grand Life” if you are visiting the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is located in Del Mar, California just about 20 mins from the San Diego Airport. It is a nice short, and easy drive to get to this luxurious resort. And from the moment you turn off the main road and head back the long private drive to the resort, you know you are about to encounter something very exclusive. The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond luxury destination. While the resort is pretty isolated from nearby shopping and off property dining, it is still close enough to the beach and to popular restaurants and shopping in the cute beach town of Del Mar.

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar Golf Resort & Spa

Looking for the perfect weekend getaway? Well look no further than the Fairmont Grand Del Mar! But, let us be the first to warn you that you will be surrounded by ultimate luxury. No matter if you are looking to play a round of golf at the Grand Del Mar’s world-class golf course, take a yoga class, go for a swim in the beautiful sparkling pools or play a round of tennis, there is something for everyone. There are also five restaurants to choose from on property plus in-room dining, so you won’t have a hard time finding somewhere to enjoy a delicious breakfast, casual lunch or an exquisite dinner.

Let’s talk about the architecture and attention to detail that the Fairmont Grand Del Mar showcases. From the massive front driveway to the luxurious lobby and then on to the guest rooms, no detail was forgotten. The beautiful purple marble that is featured in the lobby was imported directly from Italy. This Italian inspired resort truly feels like a home away from home.

Upon our arrival at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, we were quickly greeted by several bell-men and assisted with our luggage and we were shown directly into the lobby.

Our Room

The resort appears to be massive when you drive up to the front, but it actually only has about 249 luxurious guest rooms. The main building which houses the guest rooms is very easy to get around. But we will admit that some of the hallways can seem quite long.

For our stay at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, we booked ourselves in a Prado Suite. Talk about 1,000 square feet of ultimate luxury. From the separate living room to the dual luxurious marble bathrooms, this room offered the perfect escape.

The rooms are very old-world Italian-luxury inspired and featured gold fixtures, dark solid wood furniture and lots of attention to detail through texture with the use of various fabrics.

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar was built from the ground up as a brand new resort in 2007. And with 12 years of age it is very hard to tell as much of the property still feels brand new. The resort features tons of old-world character you would expect in an older property but it was built to be that way.

The Prado suite gave us views of the resort grounds but the large picturesque windows and small balcony offered plenty of natural light.

Typically Fairmont Hotels and Resort feature Le Labo toiletries. However the Fairmont Grand Del Mar features Red Flower, also from New York City. We might have been a little disappointed at the lack of Le Labo, as it is our favorite brand of hotel toiletries.

Dining

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar features 5 restaurants on property plus 24-hour room-service. During our stay we had the opportunity to eat at 3 of the restaurants. Amaya, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner is the perfect place to surround yourself with Mediterranean architecture and forget you are even in Southern California. We ate breakfast at Amaya and it was absolutely delicious. The food and the spectacular ambiance make this the perfect place for brunch on the weekend or an Italian inspired dinner.

For dinner we dined at the Lobby Lounge which has a really nice cozy atmosphere with great drinks and casual fare. When dining out we rarely order a burger. But the burger at the Lobby Lounge is a must! The burger was perfectly cooked, and on the brioche bun, it just melts in your mouth.

Another great spot to grab a bite to eat is at The Clubhouse Grill. The Clubhouse Grill is just a short walk or golf cart ride away from the main building. They have a spectacular patio with heaters so you can dine outside, even when it is chilly. We had breakfast here one morning and the service and food was incredible. And here’s a Two Gays and a Puppy insider tip. If you go here for breakfast, order the Banana Bread to start with! You’ll thank us!

Amenities

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar Golf Resort & Spa has tons of things to do for everyone. And if you can’t find it at the resort, it’s probably just a short drive away. At the resort you’ll find everything from a fitness center to four sparkling outdoor pools, the luxurious spa and a world-class golf course.

One of our favorite things about this resort are the pools. They are so iconic with their sparkling blue water and red and white lounge chairs. The main pool area features 2 large pools and a smaller third pool. This main pool area is located toward the back of the resort and is very quiet and secluded.

The Spa at Fairmont Grand Del Mar is one of only 60 Forbes Five-Star Spas in the world. The Spa features both a women’s lounge, a men’s lounge and a co-ed lounge. Both the women’s and men’s areas feature an indoor whirlpool, a dry sauna and a steam room as well as a locker room and shower facilities. During our stay we didn’t have any treatments done, but we enjoyed the spa facilities including the beautiful outdoor relaxation pool.

The fitness center at the Grand Del Mar is well…..Grand. There was plenty of cardio equipment, lots of machines including several cable machines and a squat rack.

Service

For a luxury five-star resort, let alone San Diego’s best luxury five-star resort, you would expect a certain level of service. And the service at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar was just that. Everyone we encountered from the bell-men to the front desk, to the wait staff, to the spa concierge, everyone truly seems like they enjoy their job in providing outstanding customer service.

Overall Impression

The Fairmont Grand Del Mar is a home away from home that surrounds you in luxury from the moment you step foot in the door. If you are looking for a weekend getaway, a place to bring your family or a stop on a business trip, this is the place. There are plenty of things to do close by from the beach to shopping and all that San Diego has to offer but when you return to the resort you are able to relax and forget about everything else.

Oh…..and the resort is very pet friendly!

And when you book with Virtual Travel Gurus, you’ll get complimentary extras like a $100 activity credit, daily breakfast for two and a room upgrade. Plus the Grand Del Mar is offering a third night free promotion through the end of 2019! For more information just email us at Booking@VirtualTravelGurus.com.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn Review

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is located in the heart of California's prestigious Sonoma Valley, next to neighboring Napa Valley. Perhaps one of the most unique things about the Fairmont Sonoma is that the resort itself has it's own supply of thermal mineral water which is part of the reason for a nearly 40,000 square foot spa. All the resorts pools and spa are fed with these natural waters. Combine the location, a Michelin-rated restaurant, the 18-hole championship golf course and a state-of-the-art Spa, all make this an exquisite AAA Four Diamond destination.

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa

If you are looking for the perfect place to relax, re-charge and experience fine dining after a day in Sonoma Valley, the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is the perfect destination.

When we arrived at the resort, driving up to the front circle you are instantly immersed into the charming setting of the resort. We were promptly welcomed to the resort and offered a glass of champagne. The bell staff already had our keys and whisked us away to our room.

Our Room

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is a fairly small property in terms of the number of rooms with only 226 guest rooms.

During our stay at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa we stayed in one of the Mission Suites. The Mission Suites are very romantic with a four-poster bed, an oversized Jacuzzi tub, a wood-burning fireplace and a patio with french doors.

The room was decorated with many elements of old world charm with red brick as the floor, lots of travertine tile, plenty of warm tones in the organic materials in the linens, curtains, and fabrics.

The Mission Suite had plenty of natural light coming in from the big french doors. But the room was also very cozy at night with the fireplace burning. The bathroom was very open with the vanity, tub and shower within view from almost everywhere in the room.

As you know from reading about our favorite hotel toiletries, Fairmont Hotels feature Le Labo products, which are fantastic.

Dining

The resort's restaurant, Santé, a premier Michelin-rated restaurant. And talk about an incredible dining experience, Santé is phenomenal. In Sonoma Valley you would expect for restaurants to have a large selection of wine. And that is most definitely the case at Santé which has over 500 wines offered on the menu.

We started our meal off with a selection of local cheeses, spreads and bread from the cheese cart. The cart was brought table side and a very nice cheese plate was prepared right in front of us!

Next we opted for the seasonal butternut squash soup, which was perhaps the best soup we have ever tasted. And for our main course we both choose the Dry Aged Rib Eye with Ember Roasted Beets, Black Garlic Puree and a Coffee Black Garlic Bordelaise.

We eat at a lot of great restaurants around the globe with all of our travels but Santé perhaps tops our list.

If you are looking for a quick casual meal we would recommend 38º North in the hotel lobby. It is a great place for a quick salad, sand-which, burger or entree. They offer over 50 wines by the glass from local and international wineries.

Amenities

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn doesn't lack when you are looking for things to do after a long hard day of wine tastings and exploring the region. From the pool, to the spa, the fitness center and golf course, you won't run out of activities.

The main pool at the resort sits underneath a Water Tower. A little back story on this, is back in the day part of the resort burnt down because there was no water close by to extinguish the fire. The owner of the resort decided he was going to store his own supply of water in case something like this were to happen again. Today, the water tower has become sort of a Sonoma icon.

The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn is known by the Native Americans to have healing powers since the waters are fed by an ancient thermal spring. We had to check-out the spa for ourselves and experience the ancient bathing ritual.

The clover-shaped outdoor pool at the spa features music underwater. And it was so peaceful to float in the pool with our heads underwater and just unwind.

The bathing ritual takes places in the bathhouse, in which you start by showering, then get into the main Watsu pool, move to the Jacuzzi, and then walk through the tunnel which starts with body temperature water and then has a bucket full of cold water that you can drench yourself with. You might be thinking dumping cold water on yourself doesn't sound like fun, but it was quite refreshing and energizing.

We always try to workout with as much as we travel. And while we were in Sonoma that was no exception. The fitness center featured plenty of equipment to get a nice workout in. And there was plenty of cardio equipment as well as a squat rack, something most hotel fitness centers just don't have.

Overall Impression

The Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa is a fantastic place to stay right in the heart of Wine Country. It is close enough to everything, yet feels like you are secluded when spending time at the resort. If you are going to Sonoma, this property should definitely be on your list of places to stay. The resort has plenty of amenities if you are still seeking adventure after a day in wine country.