Bayuh Sabbah, Bali.

A few days ago, Ruffled featured a beautiful wedding celebrated in Bali at Villa Bayuh Sabbha. The wedding was beyond description: the bride, shining in a unique and particularly elegant dress and the décor made of pool-floating and hanging paperlamps came together in a harmonious combination of beauty, elegance and tranquility. The scenery, with an impressive view, lush green vegetation, flowers, and ponds; the ocean enhanced all the well-thought details of the wedding, making it just perfect.

Needless to say, I fell in love with the wedding, the dress, the view, the paperlamps, the ocean and of course the location! It is not precisely a hotel, Bayuh Sabbha, which means 'House of Breezes' is a private 5 bedroom retreat. It is comprised of nine separate buildings and can accommodate up to twelve persons. Its location, 50 meters above the sea, gives the Villa breathtaking views of the Ocean and other parts of Bali. Considering the rates and the accommodating capacity, Bayuh Sabbha is ideal for a family event (wedding, large family trip, etc.), a small company retreat, a bachelorette weekend, a group of friends traveling together, or similar...

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Mhondoro Game Lodge, South Africa.

Located only three hours away from Johannesburg, the Mhondoro Game Lodge is an oasis of tranquility out in the wild. With a 10 guests maximum policy, they promise the treatment is particularly personal. The set up of the lodge is of four chalets overlooking the waterhole and mountains. With a splurge of pampering and spoiling plus an exit in each room to a private sundeck, the Lodge sounds incredibly appealing. The pampering does not stop here, each bathroom offers the choice of an indoor shower, a "hippo sized bath"(I love BATHS!) or an outdoor shower (s e x y). They also offer a family unit, with a set up that is perfect for those who travel with their kin, which includes a fireplace and a private Jacuzzi, so even the little ones can have some bubbling fun!

As always, the photos that do all the talking...

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St.Andrew's Guest House, Edinburgh.

This post is dedicated to our dear friend Marta who asked for a recommendation in Scotland. St.Andrew's Guesthouse seems to be a good choice when visiting the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. The rate is quite reasonable, especially considering that we are talking about a city. The rooms go for £35-£45per person/per night. They offer "fluffy towels and an extensive continental breakfast served in your room". Let's admit it, after a long day of walking around the old city, to come to a warm shower and fluffy towels sounds pretty tempting.

Though the modern contemporary design is not my favorite because I feel it gives the property a prefabricated, large hotel feel -thus not really falling into my 'charming' category- I do admit I would l o v e sleeping in one of these beds, then eating a huge breakfast before heading out the door for some cultural adventures. You can fin all the details here.

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Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation, Costa Rica

It is widely known Costa Rica is the paradise of ecotourism, and sustainable travel. The family owned property Finca Rosa Blanca fits perfetly within the standards of those who wish to travel consciously. Besides its breath-taking Central American beauty, this gem of a hotel promises close contact with nature. Its location in a Coffee Plantation, near two volcanoes, close to a biological reserve (macaws included!!), and close to river rafting sites, would fit those adventurous and environmentally-conscious travelers. The rates range begin at $250 during the low season and $295 high season, inlcuding 'a la carte' breakfast. Check availability here...

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Subak Sari, Bali.

I am loving all the research that involves finding amazing properties that are charming but affordable. Bali houses this incredibly unique hotel located in front of a rice paddie. The rooms are color and nature-themed, the names include 'Simply Red' ,'Pretty in Pink', 'Tangerine' and 'Chocolate'. The best part of this sweet for the soul is the price. The rooms range between $95 and $115 per night, per room (not per person, this is the total price for two!). This includes all taxes and service so not surpise. You can check availability here if you wish. Now, my favorite part, the images that speak for themselves...

Biniarroca

I went for an informal job interview at this boutique hotel in Menorca, Balearic Islands (Spain). One of the two lady owners sat down for a chat with me. I had a job at the moment and ended up not working at Biniarroca, but we are still in contact nowadays and I think I will stop by one of these days to say hi and to get inspired with all the beauty in and around this place. The atmosphere in Biniarroca is so peaceful that just by spending time there one can relax. The hotel has a homey feel to it with a decor reminiscent of a warm family home. All of this with the luxury of the Mediterranean vegetation, crisp fresh air and a touch of -how can I put it- 'Greek grandeur', especially when looking at the sculptures and decor around the pool and garden. Oh, and Biniarroca fits Hotelique's criteria of affordable prices: the rooms start around 100euros per night (for two) during the low season and 160euros during the high season (summer), breakfast and taxes included. The photos, as always, speak for themselves.

Enjoy!

m*

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Hotel del Portal

This blog will start with the first hotel I have ever blogged about in another blog I started writing, Hotel del Portal. The cute little treasure of a hotel has an amazing charm that is exactly what one would expect of a boutique guesthouse in a Mexican plaza in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Méjico. Amazing decor, heavenly beds, sexy and colorful bathrooms, an antique feel, and an incredible collection of art... all of this put together with a very unpretentious taste. The photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!!

m*