Sofitel Paris La Defense - Paris

The Sofitel Paris La Defense is a contemporary eight-floor hotel built in 1987, situated in the business district of La Defense, ten kilometres from the historic city centre. The 151 guestrooms feature muted decor and contemporary furnishings, and Sofitel's signature MyBed bedding. Rooms are equipped with satellite television with pay movies. Wired and wireless high-speed Internet acess is avilable for a fee. Other amenities include coffee/tea makers, minibars, safes and complimentary newspapers. Bathrooms come with shower/tub combinations, bathrobes, slippers, telephones and designer toiletries.

Fitness enthusiasts can tone up in the onsite gym, which is equipped with cardio-vascular and resistance machines. The Italian Lounge serves authentic Italian dishes in a modern setting beneath a glass roof, complete with a piano bar. La Tavola serves upscale French cuisine, and is reserved for meetings and events at lunchtime and private dinners in the evening.

Guests can stay connected via complimentary dial-up and wireless Internet access, and newspapers are available free of charge in the lobby. Copying, printing and fax facilities are available in the business centre, and the hotel houses five meeting rooms with audio-visual equipment and a maximum capacity of 100. Multilingual staff at the 24- hour front desk are on hand to provide around-the- clock room service, exchange currency and store valuables in the safe-deposit box. Those arriving by car can make use of the secure valet-parking service (surcharge).

The 17th-century Château de Rueil-Malmaison, the former home of Napoleon and Josephine, and the Local History Museum are both three kilometres from the hotel. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is 35 kilometres from the hotel, with an approximate driving time of 40 minutes.

Hilton Paris La Defense - Paris

Opened in 2003, the Hilton Paris La Defense is a five- storey hotel set in the business district, three kilometres from the Arc de Triomphe. The 148 guestrooms are decorated in warm colour schemes and come equipped with Internet connections, cable television, direct-dial phones with voicemail, minibars and complimentary weekday newspapers. Bathrooms include handheld showers, telephones and complimentary toiletries.
Guests can enjoy pre-dinner cocktails overlooking the square in L'Echiquier, then sample contemporary twists on classic French dishes in the gourmet restaurant. Essential provisions can be found in the onsite grocery store, and the hotel also offers a newsstand. The hotel houses ten adaptable meeting rooms, the largest of which is able to accommodate up to 120 people. Audio-visual equipment, including video- conferencing technology, is available on request. Multilingual staff at the 24-hour front desk can exchange currency, provide around-the-clock room service and book sightseeing tours in the city and surrounding area. Guests can take in views across Paris from the top of the 110-metre Grande Arche de la Defense, one kilometre away. Those with children can enjoy a family day out at Disneyland Paris, 32 kilometres from the hotel. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport is 19 kilometres away, with an approximate driving time of 35 minutes.

The Rembrandt - London Hotel

Situated in affluent Knightsbridge, The Rembrandt is a stately hotel opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum, three miles from the theatres and restaurants of the West End. The 195 guestrooms, over six floors, feature warm- toned, English country house decor. All rooms are nonsmoking, equipped with satellite television with pay movies, direct-dial phones, minibars, safes, coffee/tea makers, trouser presses, hair dryers and high-speed dial-up Internet access (surcharge).
The hotel's Masters Restaurant serves traditional English fare and a daily carvery in a spacious setting, which features high ceilings and large windows. Guests can also use discounted access to the health and fitness centre where they can work out, swim and enjoy pampering beauty and massage treatments. They can enjoy high tea around the fireplace in the elegant lounge, and mingle in the bar. There is wireless Internet access for those with laptops, while further practical amenities include a 24- hour front desk, business services, a concierge desk, and valet parking for those arriving by car. The hotel is in a perfect position for exploring the bustling city of London; nearby attractions include the famous department store of Harrods, 500 metres away, and Buckingham Palace, home to the Queen, two miles away. London Heathrow Airport is 15 miles from the hotel, a 30-minute drive.

The Strand Palace - London

The Strand Palace stands within the busy Strand district of London, England. Covent Garden is located two blocks away, and the River Thames flows two blocks from the hotel.

Hotel Features.

The hotel's marble-clad lobby reflects is furnished with tropical flora and leather sofas. Restaurant options include the Strand Carvery that serves daily buffet-style breakfasts and offers a selection of grilled meats and a cold buffet. Open for dinner Monday to Saturday, and open for lunch on a Sunday. Johnston's Brasserie prepares modern European cuisine and continental buffet breakfasts. Mask Bar attracts a pre- and post-theater crowd, and boasts a bold black and orange colour scheme. Pub atmosphere predominates at Hops] Bar. Wireless Internet access is available in public areas of the hotel, and eight function rooms accommodate up to 200 guests. A shopping arcade includes a jewelers, and a souvenir shop.

Guestrooms.

The Strand Palace offers 785 contemporary guestrooms distributed on nine floors. Rooms feature wireless Internet access for a surcharge, plasma TVs with digital channels and pay movies, and coffeemakers. In-room safes are provided. Club Rooms reflect earth-tone color schemes and feature laptop-compatible, in-room safes, Elemis toiletries, and include Virgin Active gym passes.