{"id":4425,"date":"2025-08-02T12:22:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T04:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tastytrip.com\/?p=4425"},"modified":"2025-10-23T19:54:27","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T11:54:27","slug":"the-hotels-i-have-slept-in","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tastytrip.com\/en\/the-hotels-i-have-slept-in\/","title":{"rendered":"The Hotels I\u2019ve Slept In \u2013 Luxury Is Not My Priority"},"content":{"rendered":"

My work, whether curating gourmet tours or\u00a0\"testing restaurants\"\u00a0around the world for reviews, often takes me to hotels of many different types. Yet over the years, I've rarely shared much about the hotels I personally love, as most of my writing has focused on restaurants.<\/p>\n

For someone who loves to travel, especially when food is the central focus, the trio of\u00a0\"food, lodging, and transportation\"\u00a0is inseparable. For a food lover, restaurants are of course one of the most important parts of a trip. But a truly\u00a0\"good\"\u00a0hotel can also define the quality and memories of that journey.<\/p>\n

I still remember what my former boss told me before I started my own business:\u00a0\"When you travel, never stay somewhere worse than home\u2014that's my minimum requirement.\"\u00a0But after ten years of designing gourmet tours, meeting adventurous and colorful travel companions, I know this standard can be hard to maintain. Traveling well requires more time and thought to find and experience hotels with real substance.<\/p>\n

\"\"Waldorf Astoria Shanghai<\/p>\n

When choosing hotels, the\u00a0\"most luxurious and opulent\"\u00a0is rarely my top priority. Of course, there are certain\u00a0\"must-stay\"\u00a0places, like the Four Seasons in Florence, that you simply have to experience once in a lifetime. But for me, there are a few things I care about most:<\/p>\n\n

A sense of space. I love rooms with high ceilings, openness, and enough breathing room.<\/p>\n\n

Views. What you see from the window can completely change how a stay feels. Whether it's a bustling cityscape or stunning mountain and sea views, the right view elevates the trip.<\/p>\n\n

A great restaurant or bar on-site. If the hotel has a dining option worth trying, it makes the stay even better\u2014you don't always have to rush out.<\/p>\n\n

Location. In small European towns, staying in the historic center means more time to stroll and experience local life. For resort hotels, it's about immersive relaxation.<\/p><\/p>\n

I also pay close attention to details that are often overlooked: Is the bathroom spacious? Are there plenty of towels? Are the amenities thoughtful? The most understated hotels that excel in these little details are, to me, the truest form of understated luxury.<\/p>\n

Bangkok | The Siam<\/strong><\/p>\n

In Bangkok, I almost always spend two nights at The Siam. Originally purchased in 1973 as a private pier by the Sukosol family, it was transformed into a boutique hotel in 2012. The hotel has only 39 suites and villas, each with high ceilings and ample space, offering true privacy without any sense of confinement.<\/p>\n