Once the cold has arrived, I like to read a good book, browse my favorite magazines or explore the Web on the couch with a blanket on my legs. My everyday dark charcoal blanket from Caban is getting old. Therefore, I started to look for a replacement.

The black and off white Crux blanket by Pia Wallén is gorgeous. It is hand woven in Sweden and made of 100% wool.  If you are looking for more color options, head to Pia Wallén’s Web site. You will find there the Crux blanket in 4 colors: Redorange/offwhite, black/offwhite, potato/offwhite and green/offwhite. Sadly, this museum piece is over my budget for a blanket that I used while reading on the couch.

WHERE TO BUY:
+ Pia Wallén Crux Wool Blanket £379 at Cloudberry Living
+ Pia Wallén Crux Wool Blanket 4400 SEK (this is price shown on the cart)
+ Box in felt with handles 1250 SEK
+ The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown $16.17 USD

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Experiencing the Fairmont Gold floor was on my priority list for my trip to Boston last week-end. Fairmont Gold is a hotel within a hotel.

Guests at the Fairmont Gold located on the fourth floor of the Fairmont Copley Plaza enjoy unique quarters with the look and feel of a 1912 mansion house from the Back Bays area.

Stylish accommodations for the discerning travelers

This distinctively British style hotel caters 59 rooms. The rooms on the Gold Floor are more luxurious. The gold chandelier on a dimmer and the floor-to-ceiling marble bathroom announce lavish room amenities. Everything is thought to make your stay more comfortable. They do not just provide the robes; a pair of slippers is waiting for you nicely wrapped in a basket.

The moment you arrive at the dedicated check-in / check-out desk, you feel the superior service. Guests enjoy a private lounge equipped with board games, a library and their own reception area. The package includes a delicious complimentary deluxe continental breakfast with a daily hot entrée. I cherished most the relaxing moments provided by the evening hors d’oeuvres at the lounge. All day, guests have access to complimentary beverages and an honor bar. You pay extra to book a Fairmont Gold room at the Club floor but you will get a lot more in return.

As Nicholas Apostolides, the Fairmont Gold Supervisor told me in the tour, travelers staying on the floor often feel this is their home away from home. I let you watch the videos to learn more about my wonderful stay.

Discover the uniqueness of the Fairmont Copley Gold Floor

Discover the reception room with its well-stocked kitchen

I want to say thanks to Nicholas Apostolides and the rest of the staff for the lovely service we experienced during our stay. As our exclusive concierges, they are used to fulfill lots of unusual requests. You got an exclusive since I am the first blogger who asked for filming the tour. As you see when watching the videos, Nick’s comments are interesting and he looks comfortable on camera. I am not there yet   Thanks again Nick for your collaboration.

Sourcing:
Learn more: Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Copley Plaza

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An old saying teaches us that Travel broadens the mind. I would add that traveling makes you a better host.

We are so accustomed to how we live at home that we do not notice the small details anymore. But staying at hotels uncovers the fine points that make your stay comfortable or not. Hotel design and functionality have improved greatly over the years. But they are still room for improvements on the comfortable level as I experienced it.

Why this is relevant to entertaining at home? Simply because it can make you better host when you are having guests staying over at your home.

My wish list

More and more hotels got it while other hotel chains are still clueless. I compiled my list of essentials for make your stay over guests absolutely divine.

Makeup station outside the bathroom

If you are sharing the room, you must apply your makeup in the room on the morning while your roommate is taking a shower. You want to save time after all. But low lighting is the norm inside the room, especially near the mirror. This is my biggest complaint about hotel design. I still do not understand because no hotels got it.

Available electric plugs

With everything that we need to recharge these days, you need several easily accessible and visible electric plugs. And make sure that there is place to accommodate the big chargers.

Ipod connector to a sound system

It is fun to wake up to the music you like. These electronic devices are quite simple to buy these days. My husband bought one for his office with a radio, an alarm clock and a remote control that costs about $80 at Costco last year.

Premium shampoo and conditioner

I spent a good amount at the hairdresser so I do not want to lower the condition of my hair with pharmacy products. For weight and security reasons, I did not bring my own shampoo and conditioner. Big mistake! It only has been two trips and I feel the difference.

Beauty essentials basket

It is so easy to forget something when preparing your luggage. If you stock the mini size containers in advance, your guests will feel more welcome. And you will have more time for yourself.

So prepare in advance a basket with a toothbrush, dentifrice, mouthwash, a shower cap, deodorant, a first aid kit, feminine hygiene and a pocket size tissue bag.

A reliable wireless Internet connection

As I told you on my last post, the Internet connection at the hotel did not work most of the time. And when it did, it was for about 5-10 minutes at the time. They waived the fees but still I could not do my work.

As more and more people must be connected 24/7, if you wish that your guests stay over longer, give them an easy and reliable Internet access. At the cottage during the Holidays, we are often 5 people hooked up to the Internet at the same time. After a few minutes, you go back to enjoying your vacation without worries.

A final tip for when you are traveling

If you travel often, I suggest keeping your beauty bag ready at all times. So you only need to grab it whenever you travel. It does not cost more since you consume the same amount of products overall. But it will definitively save you time and worries.

If you want to discover luxury hotels around the world, I invite you to check out a new blog from a friend of mine. Her blog is called My Hotel Geek. I took this picture from one of her review of The Fairmont Mayakoba located on Riviera Maya, Mexico.

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