On my latest trip to Stockholm, I stayed in the NOFO Hotel. This hotel had been personally recommended to me by a few friends who had previously visited there, and I was eager to check it out for myself. NOFO is located in the hip neighbourhood of Södermalm. While staying in the center of town might seem like the best option for travelling, it often leaves you in an area deserted at night, as tourists are your only neighbours. Staying outside of the tourist hub, you get to see the real residences of the city. You can feel more a part of the citizens’ daily lives and get a better glance through the looking glass.

In the 1500s, Södermalm was a district that was mainly inhabited by the most impoverished workers of Stockholm. But today, a lot has changed! Now, in the streets of Södermalm, you can find the most relaxing cafes, trendy bars, and hipster clothing shops. 

Access & Transportation Nearby

NOFO Hotel a great place to be located as it is also just a 20-minute walk into the Gamla Stan, the historic old town of Stockholm. There is a metro station just 2-minutes down the road where you can get to Stockholm Central Station in 10-minutes. The Stockholm Slussen kajen ferry terminal is also located 15-minutes away by foot. From this terminal, you can take the ferry to any of the nearby islands. There are also buses which run all over the neighbourhood which will bring you anywhere in the city in a jiffy! This proved especially convenient during the winter when it was too cold to walk. I never had to wait for more than 10-minutes for a bus. This neighbourhood really proved to be super easy for getting around Stockholm!

History

NOFO Hotel prides itself on embuing the Södermalm spirit of creating a space for curiosity, creativity, open-mindedness. The building was initially built in the 18th century by brewer Lorenz Sifvert. The brewery was set up on the ground floor, and the upper levels were used for the workers, and the top floor was his residence. After the brewery went belly up, the large building remained a prized property, so the city bought it in 1812. For years it was used as a barracks for the city guard. Here beggars, petty thieves and women who engaged in prostitution were brought in to pay for their crimes.

Later in 1834, when the city was being ravaged by cholera, the building was once more converted into a temporary hospital. It wasn’t until 1976 when it was converted into the Columbus Hotell. The hotel continued to grow over the years, expanding into more and more rooms throughout the complex. They even turned the 18th-century vaults downstairs into a wine cellar! The hotel changed hands multiple times with each new owner continuing renovations to meet the needs of modern travellers. Finally, in 2014 we saw the opening of NOFO Hotel! Can you believe the history-steeped into these walls?! What a place to lie your head at night! Thankfully, I didn’t hear any ghost rattling around at night although you never know with all the goings-on which happened here…

Room Styles

Each of the rooms inside the NOFO hotel is different. This is not just so you have a unique experience, but because they could not change too much of the original building’s structure. So they had to get creative with the room layouts. There are only 109 rooms, over the three floors, which makes the space feel intimate without being too small as to not offer the fantastic amenities they have. There are four different design styles found throughout the hotel, each one featuring stylistic touches that are the definition of what makes a boutique hotel.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NOFO Hotel & Wine bar (@nofo_hotel_winebar) on Feb 14, 2019 at 3:35am PST

Scandinavian retro

The Scandinavian retro room features classic Swedish patterns, green leather and accent colours in yellow and orange. The inspiration comes from Scandinavian designs of 1930 from both Södermalm and Copenhagen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NOFO Hotel & Wine bar (@nofo_hotel_winebar) on Mar 3, 2020 at 9:24am PST

Parisian

The Parisian rooms reflect ‘La Belle Époque‘ of Paris. Visual references for these designs were drawn from Montmartre, a small neighbourhood in Paris, which was home to the Moulin Rouge. As such, you’ll find velvet everywhere creating a lush, serene and somewhat sensual environment. Great for couples!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NOFO Hotel & Wine bar (@nofo_hotel_winebar) on Jan 29, 2020 at 9:18am PST

Metropolitan Luxury

The Metropolitan luxury rooms drew their inspiration from the Uptown neighbourhood of big cities like New York, London and Rome. They blend modern classics with elegant designs. 

Industrial Vintage

Their newest rooms are the Industrial Vintage style. The inspiration for these rooms was drawn from neighbourhoods like Södermalm, as well the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens in New York. They have a more contemporary vibe, with metal, leather, glass, solid wood and steel pipes incorporated into the layout. But for all the style and luxury, their room prices are incredibly affordable! If you have a design preference simply put that in your booking notes and the hotel will do its best to accommodate.

For me, one of the best things they offer were Single bedrooms. This is amazing since I was solo travelling while visiting the city. It was great to have the option of a single bed at a lower price, which was perfect for me. But when I arrived, they upgraded my room at no charge since there were a few Superior Rooms in the hotel unbooked. It’s these small gestures that smaller boutique hotels can do that make your stay even more special.

One of my favourite parts of my room was the view of the nearby church. At night, people would come to light candles in the cemetery for their loved ones. The gentle flickering of the candlelight at night was one of the most lovely sights to enjoy while sitting in my room, detailing the day’s experiences as night drew to a close.

It was Christmas time when I visited and throughout the entire hotel there were Christmas trees and decorations all over the place to make your home away from home feel as festive as possible! I loved these small touches and the warmth the twinkle lights brought to the dark and chilly weather was much appreciated!

Prices

Prices obviously vary during different times of the year but here is a good estimate of their ranges. All these rates include breakfast, which I’ll get into later—and all prices are listed in USD.

Single Room: $114 – $130
Classic Room: $125 – $171
Standard Room: $134 – $180
Superior Room: $152 – $199
Executive Room: $162 – $237
Junior Suite Room: $301 – $330
Suite: $385 – $423

Amenities

Included in your hotel room you’ll get a laptop-sized safe, hairdryer, eco-labelled toiletries, iron and ironing board, and an umbrella. The toiletries were terrific, and if you’re trying to travel light, it’s great not to have to bring any of these items with you. Umbrellas take up a lot of space and weight so it was great to have one on hand! Should you be thirsty or peckish, there is a fully stocked minibar and an electric kettle to make coffee and tea in your room (which is free of charge). This was key for me after coming home from the cold. After throwing off my jacket, I would boil the pot as soon as possible to have warm tea upon slumping down in my comfy, made bed.

Book an executive room, junior suite or a regular suite and you’ll also get a CrossFit class ticket with their local gym partner (located 2 minutes’ walk from the hotel) Just ask at reception which classes are available and get your card there for a fun and challenging exercise. Might not be for everyone but for those who love to experience something different, this will be great for you! 

Breakfast

More often than not, I never book a room with breakfast included. I would usually far rather head outside and discover a new cafe or restaurant to dine in. But I had heard WONDERFUL things about breakfast here. I was also staying over the Christmas holidays and wasn’t sure what would be open, so I felt by booking the breakfast with the room, I would be sure to get something to eat as soon as I awoke. And let me tell you how glad I am, I did! The word ‘breakfast’ doesn’t even begin to describe how beautiful the spread they offer really is.

Decor

When I walked downstairs from my hotel room (and I always took the stairs as they were one of the oldest and most intriguing parts of the building) the smell would perk me right up from any jet lag I might have been feeling. There were over five different rooms you could dine in, spread out in their wine bar area, which is open in the evening. I would pick a different room to eat every day. Each one was fantastically decorated for Christmas and had a unique vibe.

The room which most resembled a cafe was where you could pick up your coffee or tea every morning. They had every kind of tea you could think of, and the coffee was just as good as you would get in a fancy coffee shop. Another thing I found so charming was the candy table right beside the brew bar. Swedes LOVE penny candy, and I couldn’t believe to see it at breakfast too. I surely indulged, “when in Rome,” am I right? Besides the candy, there were also some cookies and crackers for those looking for just a light breakfast.

The Buffet

Then you made your way to the extravagant breakfast buffet. Walking into the main breakfast room, I was almost overwhelmed by the selection found there. Every morning there were a variety of homemade smoothies to choose from in these adorable little shot glasses. Individual pots of freshly made yogurt were on offer, which you could top with fresh fruits, cereal, granola and jam compotes.

Everything from home-baked bread, pastries and cakes could be found on the carbs table. My favourite section had to be the make-your-own-breakfast-smorgasbord. Here you could fill your plate with cheese, pickled herring, pickled onions and radishes, various cured meats and more! There were also breakfast staples like scrambled eggs, bacon, porridge and prinskorv (prince sausages – a traditional Swedish breakfast item).

Christmas Breakfast

One Christmas morning, we were treated to a Christmas spread, which included all the previous items plus rice porridge with clementines, Juligt Knäckebröd (crispbread), saffron buns, and a lovely gingerbread Christmas cake! I have never experienced breakfast like this before, and I hope to experience it once more! It was the highlight of my day and got every morning off to a fantastic start. I remember the first night of my stay I had a bit of sickness from the stress of my journey, and that morning’s breakfast was all I needed to feel absolutely refreshed, reenergized and ready for the day!

There were also plenty of gluten-free and vegan options laid out. I was told you might need to ask for them, but I never had to inquire as I found everything I wanted each morning. Breakfast is served from 7 am to 10 am on weekdays and 7 am to 11 am on the weekends. DON’T MISS OUT!

Winebar

After coming home from a long day out, exploring the city, one of the best ways to wind down is relaxing at the bar. And at NOFO, the bar is only steps away from your hotel room! During the summer, the tables are set up outside so you can enjoy the Midsommar weather. In the winter, the cozy and sumptuous rooms indoors make you feel like you’re wrapped up in a big blanket. During my stay at Christmas, they even had their own Gin & tonic Glögg to try! Glögg is the Swedish version of mulled wine, so it was neat to try the same flavours in a gin and tonic! 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by NOFO Hotel & Wine bar (@nofo_hotel_winebar) on Nov 7, 2019 at 10:49am PST

The food on offer is uncomplicated and the Swedish interpretation of comfort food. The menu changes month to month, but you’re always bound to find something with a Scandinavian twist to indulge your travel tooth.

NOFO Wine bar’s opening hours:
Monday – Thursday 3 pm – 11 pm
Friday – Saturday 3 pm – Midnight 
The kitchen is open from 4pm till closing.

One of my favourite memories of the entire trip was on Christmas eve. I knew most places would be closed, so I headed out the day before and bought a bunch of groceries to have a little homemade smorgasbord of Swedish Christmas treats back at the hotel. I decorated my room with a few different Christmas souvenirs I had purchased and even set up a burning fireplace video on my phone to make the entire meal feel all the more festive. It was a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday, even far from home. The comfort of the gorgous hotel room really was the cherry on top!

I cannot recommend this place more and hope the next time you’re visiting Stockholm, you stay at the NOFO hotel.

Happy Travels, Adventurers!

The post Experience Södermalm’s NOFO Hotel, the Best Boutique Stay in Stockholm first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Thankfully for me, I stumbled up Casa Dovela, located in our preferred neighbourhood of La Condesa. It was like a beacon of hope! They still had their two-bedroom apartment available, and we were able to book it up for the week we were in the city. And I suppose everything happens for a reason since our stay with Casa Dovela was one of the best parts of our trip.

Casa Dovela

Casa Dovela is a three suite, “Casa-Boutique”. It’s a cross between a luxury home and a boutique hotel located along the art-deco streets of Condesa. The building, which is now the boutique hotel, was left abandoned, like so many other residences in Condesa after the earthquake. But seeing its developmental potential, the creators, Chic by Accident Project and Ludwig Godefroy, snapped it up. They nabbed it just as the revitalization of Condesa was starting to take place. Aspects of the original architecture were preserved, but many parts of the building were modernized both for aesthetics and comfort.

We were met at the front door of Casa Dovela by one of the concierges to show us around the suite and all the many different amenities inside it. The concierges were absolutely fantastic to have. They work 24/7 to let you in and out of the front door but are also extremely helpful with any questions you might have about the property or Mexico City. While they didn’t speak English, we often used the translator apps and found that to work perfectly well.

San Jose Duplex

We stayed in the San José duplex. Walking inside the suite, the first thing you notice is the beautiful black clay flooring, which was made from materials from San Bartolo Coyotepec, in the state of Oaxaca. The floors are also heated underneath, which makes walking on them in the morning an absolute pleasure! Throughout the first floor, you could tell, that each and every object which decorated the room was brought there to serve a purpose and tell a story. The objects were all made by Mexican craftsmen in the mountain ranges of Mexico. The owners of the property frequently travelled to this region. They brought back their findings to add an element of regional art to the rooms.

The kitchen was perfectly set up, full of anything and everything you need. They even left us some kitchen essentials like coffee, tea, oil, and other pantry items. They were perfect for having a home-cooked meal if you were so inclined. Standing in the kitchen in the morning, it was lovely to make a coffee and watch the dogs play in the park adjacent to the house. Dog parks in Mexico City are so popular, as everyone seems to have a puppy. Watching the locals out at play in the morning with their pups made you feel like you were just a part of the fabric of the neighbourhood and weren’t staying in a hotel.

The heating throughout the apartment was very much appreciated since the mornings in Mexico City in the wintertime can still be pretty chilly. Standing in the dining room in the morning, you had the most beautiful view up to the blue skies or in the evening, you could stare up at the stars. The gorgeous spiral staircase leads only to the upstairs bedroom and bathroom, so it gave each of the bedrooms a better sense of privacy from each other.

The bathroom was my favourite place to be. I need to have a bathtub due to issues with my muscles and getting to relax in this one after a long day of walking and exploring was such a joy. I’ve never been in a bathtub before where I could lie flat and still not touch the ends of the tub. Incredible! The light which would shine in the windows, through the leafy trees outside, was nothing less than magic.

The living room was the only place where we felt they could have sacrificed a bit on aesthetics. We would have loved a much more comfortable couch and seating arrangement where we could all rest and relax after a long day. We do love having a drink and enjoying some local TV at night, but the arrangement of the chairs and their awkward couch didn’t quite allow for a comfortable evening.

Our bedrooms were a heavenly place. The beds were like falling into a massive pillow at the end of the day, they just seem to wrap you up in a big comfy hug. One of the best parts of Casa Dovela was the cleaning service provided every day. There is just something so lovely about coming home to a beautifully made bed and clean house (cause lets face it who has time to clean on vacation). That is something I always miss when I’m staying in an Airbnb.

While the small bit of outdoor space we had on the first floor might not have had a view, it was still nice to sit outside on the warmer mornings to sip my coffee and prepare for the rest of the day. Despite the lack of view, the terrace was filled with greenery, so it made you feel like you were in a little forest.

Right outside Casa Dovela, on Mondays, was a little farmers market which was perfect for picking up some food for the week. Since we had our own fully loaded kitchen, it was easy to get fresh fruits and veggies to prepare at home. We also picked up a large bouquet of roses for only $3 to decorate the interior of the house. The bouquet was so big we easily split it into multiple vases to put all over the house. Just something to make the place feel homier and shopping in this little market really made us feel like locals.

I would 100% recommend staying at Casa Dovela next time you’re visiting Mexico City if you’re travelling with a group. It’s that perfect combination of hotel and apartment. This provides you with the comfort and ease of a hotel with the feeling of living more like the locals that an apartment would.

Prices

Santa Monica Suite
One bedroom – $266 USD / night

San Mateo Duplex
2 bedrooms with queen size beds – $300 USD / night

San Jose Duplex
1 bedroom with queen size bed – $312 USD / night

The post A Lovely Week At Casa Dovela, Mexico City Hotel Review first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I hear it all the time. “I can’t go there! I don’t want people to think I’m a tourist!” Like that’s the worst thing in the world? There are hundreds of blogs and articles on the internet titled Non-Touristy Things to Do in Such and Such City. And fair enough, there probably are some on this blog too. Travellers want more and more to stand out less and less, which is understandable. No one wants to stick out a like a sore thumb or be that obnoxious visitor with their selfie stick swinging wildly in peoples faces. But what happens when you blend in too much or avoid places which you might think are “too touristy”?

Remember, most places are touristy for a reason! Attractions that are special, unique and one of a kind draw people in from all over the world because it’s something they can’t find at home. Sometimes the tourists visiting might just be from the town an hour down the road, but where they’re going feels like a different world to them. If all you want to do is find a dive bar or coffee shop frequented by locals, you might have a great time but miss out on something extraordinary.

And the truth is, despite new low-cost airlines, not everyone gets to travel frequently. Those “digital nomads” have the luxury of time to explore every inch of a particular country AFTER they’ve seen all the iconic sites. But some people don’t have the money to travel to the same destination every year or the vacation time to spend in one place for a month. Some people are lucky to get a week off all year, and they want to use it the best way they can. And if you’re only going to be able to visit Australia ONCE, you darn tootin’ should see the Sydney Opera House and go to a kangaroo zoo to pet one of those unique creatures! Yes, it’s the picture everyone gets, but once again – why do you think that’s the case?

I think we need to help redefine what it means to be a tourist instead of hiding from the term. Embrace it, but be a good one. Help make it less taboo. Be friendly and curious, yet respectful and trusting of the place you’re visiting. Find a balance between going to famous places and dipping your toe into a local hole in the wall where you can’t speak the language. Locals will help you navigate your way through new culinary treats!

In the age of Airbnb, there is a sense that staying in a hotel has become a pedestrian way of travelling. That is, by staying in a hotel, you aren’t embracing the city in the same way. Like you’re copping out. There are some fantastic rental apps out there where you can find some incredible homes or apartments to stay in while visiting, but more and more, these services are creating huge issues for the locals you’re trying to blend in with. Rent is skyrocketing in places like New York and San Francisco partially due to Airbnb. Hotels have never caused such issues. So while it might feel more authentic, you need to be aware that your “authentic, non-touristy” experience might be causing huge problems for the people you’re trying to engage with. 

Culture shock is real. If the comfort of a hotel with familiar amenities and a concierge who speaks English makes you more at ease, why pass that up just for the sake of looking cool? If you don’t want to stay at a chain hotel, there are hundreds of boutique or independent apartment-style hotels you can reserve instead. Often the draw of an Airbnb is that they’re located outside the dense tourist areas, but these days you can find incredible luxury accommodations in parts of the city you’d never expect (and usually for half the price of staying at a chain hotel in the centre of town).

If you want to avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by other visitors, don’t just skip it all together. Try not to miss out on things that are meaningful to you just because you’re worried about doing something everyone else is too. There’s probably a good reason there are so many people there. What you can do is be strategic!

Tips on the best day/time to arrive to avoid the crowds or secrets to skipping the line altogether are all over the internet (a few of them right here on this very blog!). Some busy attractions have lesser known entrances with shorter lines. When I visited the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, we walked right past a queue of hundreds of people standing in the hot sun waiting to buy a ticket. All I had to do was buy my ticket in advance a month before we left for our trip. When we walked in, the crowds from outside were nowhere to be seen. Sure, there were tourists inside, but since they control the number of people who enter at any given time, it still felt peaceful and it was one of, if not THE, most incredible pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen.

Another great tip to be an engaged tourist is to hire a local guide! They will take you to all those iconic sites you don’t want to miss out on and tell you all about them based on their own experiences. Yes, you’ll be walking down the same Charles Bridge in Prague frequented by thousands of tourists every day, but no one gets to hear the same story you’ll be listening to as you walk down it. One of the most memorable guided tours I took was in Budapest with a very passionate guide who told us story upon story, including his family’s history and how all the political uprisings affected the people of Hungary over the years. You can’t get that kind of stuff in the guidebooks. Larger, organized guided tours are fantastic too, but having a 1-on-1 relationship with your guide for the day will allow you to ask more questions and learn more about the place you’re visiting.

So go ahead, be a TOURIST. Embrace the word. Fill it with all your own meanings and interpretation. Be inquisitive, fill that bucket list, don’t be afraid to ask questions or make mistakes. Engage with the city, the people and the culture. Take your photo holding up the Leaning Tower of Pisa, smooch under the Eiffel Tower and cross the street with friends on Abbey Road. Do it your way, for yourself and don’t worry about anyone else.

…Just don’t eat at the Hard Rock Cafe.

The post It’s Okay to Be a Tourist. first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Ryokan Shimizu

Although this Ryokan doesn’t serve the fancy, traditional dinners to your room that others feature, Shimizu offers up every other aspect of a traditional Ryokan with the best service and hospitality I’ve received anywhere in the world. The room cost between $80-100/per night for two people. This is amazing as many other Ryokan are almost triple that price!

Location

Ryokan Shimizu was located about a 15-minute walk from the train station, which would have been a lovely little walk. Unfortunately, when we arrived, it was pouring rain, so we spent most of the journey running for shelter.

When we finally arrived, we were greeted by the friendliest Japanese owners who welcomed us into their establishment. They gave us two glasses of cold, Genmaicha tea in a ceramic glass to welcome us in. Already we felt right at home.

On the wall, as you entered, there was a mural of cards, letters and photos from fellow travellers expressing their gratitude and love for their stay.

Entrance and Common Areas

The entrance to the Ryokan was complete with small cubby holes for your outdoor shoes and a fresh pair of slippers to put on once entering the house. We immediately threw our wet shoes into the cubby and slipped into the comfy slippers.

The lobby of the Ryokan was complete with a small sofa where you could admire the Zen garden just outside the window. There was also a large area for pouring water and tea should you need refreshment while sitting downstairs and reading any of their large selection of books on Kyoto. Once settled, a kind gentleman took our bags, and we headed upstairs to our room.

Rooms

All the Ryokan rooms were built with tatami flooring and sliding doors, traditional in all classic Japanese houses. Tatami mats are made using rice straws and covered with a woven, soft rush. They are tough to clean but are gentle yet firm to stand or lie on. When you open the door, you immediately can smell their soft, earthy scent, like bamboo and sandalwood, permeating the air.

Japanese-style futons are synonymous with Ryokans and might seem strange to Westerners. These are light, quilted mattresses laid out on the floor. Usually, there is one per person, slightly larger than a single bed would be. The mattresses are thin enough to allow them to be moveable to be put away during the day to allow for more room in the home. These might be very hard for many Westerners to get used to, but compared to the hardstyle of Japanese beds we experience in Tokyo, these were actually much nicer to sleep on and roomier too!

Amenities

In addition to the large living/bedroom room, there was a private bathroom (complete with private bathtub), a large closet for our luggage and extra bedding, a fridge, tiny TV (local Japanese stations only) and a beautiful wooden table with floral mats to sit on. A small tea set was provided, along with supplies for making tea right in the comfort of our room. We were wet and cold from the rain and made a pot of hot tea immediately.

After so many busy days in Tokyo, we were dying for a break. We made the tea, went out to a local convenience store for some snacks and spent the rest of the day inside. I had a big nap, read my book and studying the binder left for us by the Ryokan. Inside were laminated pages of maps to the big attractions right from the hotel, the best places to eat and drink, places to do laundry and more. It was like having a local tour guide right there to give you all the advice you’d ever need. It was so lovingly created and made a difference in our experience of Kyoto.

Yukatas

The Ryokan also provided us with yukatas to wear while we were at home. A yukata is a light, cotton kimono generally made for everyday use. They were very comfortable and nice to relax in a while lying in bed. It made the whole experience feel very authentic.

Onsen

One of the best parts of this Ryokan was their private, on-site onsen. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and bathing facility. Since Japan sits on top of volcanically active grounds, the water underneath the earth is almost always hot, providing a natural spring. Many large, public onsens are found all over Japan. But for anyone new to experiencing an onsen, a private one is much simpler and less awkward. Onsen water is believed to have healing powers derived from its mineral content.

To use an onsen, both in public and private, requires you to follow several etiquette rules. These were expertly explained to us by our lovely hosts and detailed on a laminated sheet of paper inside the private onsen. The first step is to make sure you wash your body before entering the water. Bathing stations are located right beside the onsen; you sit on stools, turn on the faucets, and use their plastic or wooden buckets to clean your body. Swimsuits are not allowed; this may be particularly awkward in public for some and requires a bit of courage.

There are small towels to place over your private parts for modesty, but they are pretty small. Hence why a private onsen might be a little more comfortable to use. Once clean, you can step into the bath. Each day, our Ryokan added different types of aromatic baths, scents, seasonal fruits, flowers or hot spring minerals. It was immensely relaxing. We had the entire place to ourselves for an entire two hours—the perfect way to unwind after a long day.

Our Experience

Every morning we would wake up from a cozy slumber. Adjusting to the futons took about a day, but there was certainly lots of room to stretch out.

Our room had a view down to the garden and front yard patio. There were several tables and chairs set up so you could enjoy a cup of coffee, a bit of lunch or even just sit and read in the shade of the beautiful garden.

The Garden

Despite it being the middle of October, there were flowers out all over the garden. Yellow, pink and red flowers dotted the bright green grass, and large-leafed plants peaked from along the walls. Hidden in the backyard were different ceramic sculptures of the raccoon dog, “Tanuki. “ He is a full-bellied Japanese prankster god based on a wild canine native to Japan. After a famous ceramic maker had given several sculptures of the Tanuki to the Emperor, who displayed them all over his castle, these figures become popular with the public and having one in your garden likened you to the Emperor himself.

In the front of our Ryokan is a purification fountain complete with flowers and ladles to cleanse your hands before coming into the Ryokan. Although doing this isn’t necessary, it’s a sign of respect for the household if you do so. Plus, it always smelled fantastic.

Our favourite thing to do was visit the local bakery in the morning, find a coffee shop and bring our goodies back to the Ryokan to enjoy outside. The sun was beating down on our faces, watching locals pass by on their bikes on their way to work.

We were heartbroken when it was time to say goodbye to this place. It was BY FAR the best place we stayed while in Japan. In addition to feeling like we experienced a piece of Japan’s history while staying here, it was also the most comfortable place we stayed with the sweetest hosts. They had taken our picture before we left, and we put it up on the wall with the other smiling faces, a small souvenir for them to remember us by. I really hope we return. I can’t wait to see them again.

The post My Amazing Experience Staying in Traditional Ryokan in Kyoto first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

I have never been to Niagara-on-the-Lake prior to this visit. I had passed through many times on the way to Niagara Falls but never stayed in this enchanting little town. The best place to stay is the historic Prince of Wales Hotel.

No exaggeration; this is the most beautiful hotel I have ever visited in North America. Last Fall, we stayed in a 5-star hotel in Beverly Hills, and although it was pretty posh, it was too modern for my tastes. I prefer something with a bit of history. So this hotel felt like it was MADE for me.

About the Prince of Wales Hotel

The Prince of Wales Hotel stands as a landmark in historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. It has stood in this exact spot since 1864! It is a part of a chain of hotels called Vintage Hotels. This company features some of the best-preserved hotels in Ontario, which retain their antique charm but have many modern amenities.

The name of the hole “Prince of Wales” was in honour of the 1901 Duke and Duchess of York visit. These two would later be crowned King George V and Queen Mary. Their legacy can be seen all over the hotel. Paintings of their reign are hung throughout the hallways and guest rooms. And the essence of Victorian charm covers the floors, walls and even ceilings.

Architecture

Its architectural style was that of the Second French Empire, seen most clearly in its mansard roof. Everything felt so regal. It was as if you became the same kind of royalty that his hotel was named after when you entered. Our suite was in the building the furthest away from reception, but I didn’t mind. Walking down all the corridors and exploring every little corner of this place was a treat.

Rooms and Suites

Our hotel room was the cutest little place. Even the rooms are decorated in the Victorian style with Tiffany stained glass lamps on either side of the room and paintings of young girls in frilly dresses all over the place. We even had our little fireplace, the perfect thing to curl up in front of after coming in from the cold outdoors.

The approximate room costs are as follows: Traditional Rooms: $300 CAD, Superior Rooms: $330 CAD, Deluxe Rooms: $360 CAD, Premium Rooms: $390 CAD, Suite Rooms: $440 CAD

One of my favourite things about this place was the corridor into the reception area. It was lined with replica paintings from famous Flemish painters and other grandmasters. Even the wallpaper was luxuriously embellished! The ornate frames seemed to grow and swell with overgrowth as if they were living within these walls.

Pool & Spa

After settling in, we headed off for a dip in the pool. Even the swimming area was decked out with Victorian designs. The shape of the pool reminded me of European bathhouses.

After a dip in the pool and a soak in the hot tub, we were off for our couple’s massage in their world-class spa! We changed into our robes and made our way down to the spa. We sat in lush leather chairs and sipped tea and coffee while waiting. Even the bathrooms down here were gorgeous. Delftware-inspired porcelain sinks and wall tiles sparkled, and real wooden doors with etched glass made up each stall.

Restaurant and Food

The room where we had our massage was sumptuously decorated. It was perhaps the largest room I’d ever been in for a massage, but the luxury of the place simply added to the relaxation. After our massage and little outing, we returned to the hotel for a 4-course Valentine’s Dinner. Everything was perfect, but we perhaps had the best time entertained by a couple fighting with the waiter beside us. We gave him our condolences as they were the worst kind of people, but it made for a very entertaining dinner.

After too much wine and indulgence, we went back to the room where roses and chocolate-covered strawberries were awaiting us. We ate them before the fire as night poured itself over our eyes. 

The next morning we ordered food to our room, not wanting to escape the warmth of our fireplace. I ordered a simple English breakfast with cinnamon biscuits, and Dan chowed down some peanut butter pancakes.

But like all things, there must be an ending. We begrudgingly packed up our things and headed out. It was undoubtedly the most romantic and luxurious weekend of my life – and I got to spend it with my favourite person in the world.

The post The Most Charming Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Historic Prince of Wales first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.