Our readers tell us where to eat
Dean Woodford from Eastleigh
"Basel, Switzerland - purely for the beauty of the city and the easy
tram access."
James Donovan from Welling
"It has to be Sydney and in particular a restaurant called Catalinas
in Rose Bay. Last year on a gloriously sunny day we took a ferry ride from
central Sydney to the ferry stop past Rose Bay. We then walked to the
restaurant passing some very scenic views of central Sydney. The restaurant
sits on the waters edge. The food is fresh and inventive and you can have a
great lunch watching the boats passing and the sea planes taking off and
landing. Whilst we were there a pelican decided to join and sat on the ledge
watching us eat and drinking some Ozzie stunners! Whenever its a murky
horrible day I often think of that lunch."
David Newell from Coulsdon
"Prague because it combines old world charm with modern day
convenience without compromising either."
Raquel Chicourel from London
"I love going to Bangkok on business, I do it about 6-8 times a year.
The absolute finest after a day of intensive and stressful meetings is to
have dinner, by the river, at the gorgeous restaurant at the Peninsula
Hotel. It is where a breathtaking view meets delicious oriental cuisine
wrapped with petals, lovely scented candles and kind smiley staff. It makes
you forget you're there for business. Lovely stuff."
Crispian Cuss from London
"South Africa - a fresh steak cooked over a 'braai' with a baked
potato, green salad and bottle of the local red wine. Just unbeatable."
Our readers tell us where to sleep
Alastair Reid from Leatherhead
"I have found Budapest an excellent place to get a good night's sleep on
account of the fact that the particular 5 star hotel had excellent sound
proofing. The traffic is not too heavy."
Rachel Pritchard from Llandovery
Loving upgrades, none beats the Presidential Suite of the Promenade Hotel
in Kota Kinabalu for me. All rooms being full, I was upgraded. I luxuriated
in a jacuzzi before scaling the enormous, firm bed. From here, I saw
mountains and the South China Sea. Watching Borneo's capital city madness
from my sanctuary, I was cocooned in a soothing, soundproofed,
air-conditioned oasis."
Tim Hearn from Henley-on-Thames
"Cape Town is in a class of its own when it comes to a great night's sleep.
Nowhere else in the world can you enjoy the combination of fantastic hotels,
great food and sea breezes straight from the Antarctic. Sleep comes so
easily in this city that you awake refreshed and alive, ready for another
day. If you choose your bedroom carefully you can also open your curtains to
a view of Table Mountain. Fantastic!"
Patricia Kennon from Belfast
"Bangkok, the Four Seasons hotel, because of the amazing beds and the
attention to detail of the service."
Matt Francis from Hertford
"Hong Kong - The Sheraton Hotel offers magnificent views across the busy
water between Kowloon and Hong Kong; the whole world seems to be moving at
the same time yet one can lie in bed at any time of the day or night and see
or hear nothing from the outside world. The perfect hideaway from the
madness outside!"
The magical Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok - surely one of the best hotels of its type anywhere!. Service is second to none - and the restaurants are all superb as are the views across the Chao Phraya river - heaven!!
robert widgery, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
For the best Sea Food I've ever tasted (and I'm used to fish off the boat as an ex fisherman in Cornwall) go to Marius Crustaceos in Rio. You will have a wonderful selection of the tastiest fish and you can opt for a menu with or without crustacians - its a no brainer if you like lobster. We stayed a short, safe, walk away at the nearby Excelsior Copacabana Hotel which had excellent views over Copacabana with an lovely pool on about the 4th floor with views to the west. Relaxing and good for business.
Bryan Hall, Ashford, Kent UK
Jerusalem - The American Colony Hotel is the most romantic and peaceful place to stay. In a fascinating but intense city, it is a real oasis, where you immediately feel the historic traditions, stepping into rooms where Winston Churchill, Laurence of Arabia, Peter O'Toole, John le Carre and Graham Greene have stayed. Thick stone walls keep the elegant rooms cool and peaceful, and the really lush courtyards keep the feeling small and intimate. Really evocative, we absolutely loved it, and the service is brilliant. Always completely memorable.
Helen Sawyer, Knutsford, UK
Afternoon tea at The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and Dinner at Wandie's Place in Soweto - tremendous food and unique experiences at both places, build up your appetite before you go.
Francois Dormehl, Bath, UK
Lisboa, in particular Alcantara cafe set amongst abandoned factories in a squalid area of the capital, a derelict printing plant transformed into a cosmopolitan restaurant. Quite an experience getting there and an amazing transformation once inside. The space remains the same, timeless and monumental within its industrial architecture.
The contrast between the dark alley outside and the space hidden behind the huge iron door inside makes Alcantara Café's magnitude even more fascinating and poetic. You can dine on unique creations, a mixture of Portuguese and international flavours.
http://www.alcantaracafe.com/uk/asp/default.asp?pag=home
adam Nicholls, Beaconsfield, England
Chicago - The Burnham on the corner of State and Washington. Part of the Kimpton chain - sheer, unadulterated luxury with staff who really care. A former office block from the 1880s, each room has its own office door with letter box and gild numbers on frosted glass. The elevators once wrought iron bird cages are now lined with marble. Decor is superb, room service like lightning and a restaurant to tempt the most discernable palette. There is a wine tasting rception every evening. Did I mention they also have hotels in Washington D C, New York, San Francisco - to name a few.?
Geoff Salt, Harrow, U.K.