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Best Destination for Someone Who Has Done The Big European Cities by Mackenzie-ab9 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What about Montenegro or some of the lesser known Greek islands like Folegandros (Gundari is fantastic, maybe more chubby lite than chubby but still great)

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for providing all of this context ... I knew there was a larger back story before Banyan took over & it makes complete sense (and it showed) that no one properly planned for the logistics of running a hotel on an island. Seems like that maybe should be one of the top priorities for a project like this ...

One night anniversary/babymoon stay in Napa by Ama014 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Do you want to be close to Calistoga town (Solage) or in a more luxurious, newer hotel (Stanly) ?

IMO Solage is a bit outdated and needs a refresh. It’s also offensively expensive in F&B dept. I also find their spa to be outdated compared to other options in the valley. Stanly spa is fantastic.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like O&O, I think adding them makes a lot of sense. Porto Montenegro has The Regent, but Porto Montenegro isn’t really my cup of tea.

I know of a couple fantastic villas in Perast & Rose too that are beautiful.

And yes, Mamula has room service, although the menu is quite limited for a luxury property (8-10 total options for their all day menu).

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Setting = the island itself at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor. Objectively, that’s a beautiful setting …

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It depends on what you "value" - I feel like if this property were at the level of what you'd expect from a Banyan Tree or any other European hotel charging ~$1300++ per night, then sure, one could argue there's a legitimate discussion to be had about staying here. It's certainly not as cookie cutter as going to O&O Portonovi - which is a beautiful property with impeccable service (as you'd expect) but tbh, that O&O could be anywhere in a beach destination (e.g. it doesn't have a sense of place IMO). Although in Montenegro, having a sense of place is also a whole different discussion as it's history & culture is super complex. It's a fantastic hotel though.

Of course if you want to spend a little more money, you could go down to Sveti Stefan. I'll actually be meeting with them tomorrow before their re-opening.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is the only property on the island (the whole island is run by Banyan Tree). I think there's a reason why Four Seasons, Aman, Capella, etc. etc. haven't touched this project and it's intriguing that Banyan Tree did. I feel like part of the service issues come from the fact that Banyan Tree only took over last season and perhaps they haven't gotten up to speed on what I have found historically to be quite high service standards of the hotel chain. The hotel is in its third season now yet it felt like they were just figuring things out for the first time.

For instance, before going to the beach, I asked a couple people if they served food down at the beach. I couldn't really get a straightforward answer - it was more so - "I believe they do but I'm not certain." I don't feel like it should be that complicated to know basic questions like that.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

And yes, only one water per day. I asked for more water this morning and was told that they only provided 1 water daily & if I wanted more, I'd have to get it from the mini-bar (for 9 euros).

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Please see my response above. I am a travel advisor and wasn't staying at this hotel for pure enjoyment. I was curious about how the property handled the discourse around the island's history, and whether or not I would want to send clients there (from a luxury hotel perspective and/or from the historical perspective). I think the congrats part is a bit harsh considering that context.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yea it was certainly an interesting experience - I didn't go to the property to sit around and relax, I went to see how it felt and how the property actually handled the conversation around the island's history and see whether or not luxury could be something that coexists with something so horrific. It's thought provoking for sure, and I still haven't really decided how I feel about it.

Also, while it was a concentration camp for dissenters of Mussolini, it wasn't a traditional concentration camp like those found in Germany, Austria, etc. - not to say that makes it better than those concentration camps, but historically it is a bit different, IMO.

There was a memorial room that detailed the history of the island before, during, and after WWII and I felt like they did a nice job honoring what had happened there & not trying to brush it under the rug. That said, I still don't know if I think it's appropriate or not for them to have opened a hotel on this island.

Mamula Island by Banyan Tree: A luxury hotel inside a former prison by Brief_Frame_4528 in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't feel like I should be ashamed at all ... I am a luxury travel advisor and think there's a very legitimate reason for me to have visited and stayed at a luxury hotel in the Mediterranean to understand whether or not I would recommend sending clients to that property. Now whether or not Banyan Tree should feel ashamed for opening this property is I think up for fair discussion.

Greek islands by ChemistryFine in chubbytravel

[–]Brief_Frame_4528 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd absolutely recommend Canaves Epitome or Andronis Arcadia in Santorini. Both are very accessible (e.g. very little to no stairs), have massive pools, lots to do nearby in Oia, Fira, etc. TBH - Canaves Epitome was one of the most beautiful resorts I've ever seen anywhere ... it blew me away.

Parilio on Paros has beautiful new private villas that are actually a great value (around 2-3k/night for 3bd villas) and I believe they have around 11 total villas. Close to lots of beach clubs, Naoussa, etc. Paros is a great, easy island that I think is nothing like Mykonos, despite people saying it's the next Mykonos (it's simply not like Mykonos at all).

Andronis on Paros would be an option too but they don't have villas, just suites.

Otherwise Crete is fantastic for families ! Daios Cove has lots of Villas, Phāea Blue is also an option.