Casa das Cardosas

Advantages: A five-star stay…
Disadvantages: …with just three-star facilities

...simplicity often trumps ritzy ostentation. Attentive service matters, but nothing is nastier than the kind of smarmy obsequiousness that always seems to mask a sneer. And so on. Maybe it's simply down to that indefinable essence known as character or personality. These inconsequential musings are prompted by my trying to pinpoint what it was about the Casa San Blas at Cusco that I liked so much. The hotel is certainly not without its limitations and even its failings, but it's a nevertheless a charming and delightful place to stay. Let's try to summarise what it has to offer. * Location * The Casa San Blas is situated just a few minutes' walk from Cusco's Plaza de Armas (central square), and is therefore convenient for all the main sights of the ancient Inca capital, such as the Qorikancha (Sun Temple), the Cathedral... Read review

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Advantages: One of the best examples of Catalan Modernism
Disadvantages: Very expensive

...My husband has a job, which more often than not requires him to work on Christmas day and through most of the Christmas period. Whilst this is the perfect reason to turn down all invitations to spend Christmas with family, it's not the greatest way to celebrate the big day with a 14 hour shift. So last Christmas I decided that we'd have our very own Christmas but just a few days before the rest of the world. And so I booked a long weekend in Barcelona. Our hotel - The Gallery (review already posted many moons ago) was just off the Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona's key boulevards where you can find my favourite of the buildings designed by Antonio Gaudi - the almost impossible to pronounce, Casa Batllo. Earlier in the year I had attended a big industry conference in Barcelona and we'd had the conference 'gala' dinner in the Casa... Read review

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Advantages: good location, nice asthetics
Disadvantages: terrible management

...home at midnight only to find our parking spot had been given to another guest because of which we were made to schlep our belongings and selves to another guesthouse location (no less, at 1 AM!). And four, we were promised a better rate for our troubles but were fully charged in advance of our actual stay and then perpetually evaded by the owner when asked about this. We are avid travelers, and for the most part have had delightful expereinces in South Africa. Our expereince with MiCasaSuCasa, however, urges me to warn other travelers from staying at this 'establishment'. There are numerous charming hotels and B&B's in the Melville area, any one of which will undoubtedly provide a better experience.... Read review

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