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| Prague - Czech Republic |
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Society
March - 2009 |
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6
Stars & 6 Stripes
Overall - 'Hotel & Service' |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| Once upon a time,
Swiss International
Airline carried a Seven Stars and Stripes reviewer team, this time from
Zurich to Prague, where they landed on an unusually mild evening in February,
their destination the ‘Alchymist Hotel and Spa’. As they left the
welcoming arrival hall, a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud pulled up silently:
“Now that car made a statement!” At the end of the 16th
century, when Prague became the centre of occultism, many alchemists from all
over Europe came to Prague to take advantage of the generous backing of the
Imperial court. Rudolph II employed over two hundred alchemists in the hope of
discovering the secret formula for converting basic metal to gold. Our
domicile, the unreal beautiful ‘Alchymist’, could have easily been
one of the homesteads of this eccentric Emperor or his court, considering his
love for gold. Here, today, gold is once again dressing the historic walls of
this oh so gracious storybook estate. Our Topas Gold Rimowa luggage, easily
recognizable through its quality and style, fits this time especially not only
through its color into these splendorous surroundings. |
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| Alchymist
- Arrival: GM Veronika Choteborska & Thorsten Buehrmann |
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“Our arrival was dramatic; excited we stepped
onto the almost unreal historic cobblestoned
street, where we were welcomed
with gracious, unpretentious hospitality
- a feeling that would never leave
us during our entire stay.” ~ TB |
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| Prague’s Alchymist Hotel and Spa is privately
owned and proprietor Giorgio Bonelli is passionately on a mission of preserving
history through his innovation and creativeness. Guests are treated as royalty
in his luxurious surroundings and are welcomed as family and friends, clearly
extending the spirit of the historic, fascinating city. Prestigiously located
in the heart of Prague, the Alchymist Hotel and Spa is ideally placed for
discovering all major tourist attractions, shopping, dining and, yes of course,
entertainment and business centers. The spa is a sparkling wonder, attracting
guests through luxurious comfort, cutting edge, hidden technology, world-class
facilities and intuitive, traditional service. |
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| Our domicile, the famous
Alchymist
Suite is a unique, elegant one-bedroom suite with a luxurious, spacious
living-room,
a
fairy-tale
bed and a huge
marble
bathroom featuring a precious claw-bathtub, placed right in the middle of
the bathroom. A private terrace allows a romantic view of the inner courtyard.
The furnishings resemble a blend of 16th to 19th century, almost eccentric, and
feature sumptuous decorations held in luscious Renaissance Red. Other suites,
some in Royal Blue, include living rooms and intimate dining areas, some have
balconies or terraces with private, little gardens. All accommodations feature
high-speed Internet access and almost all the other gadgets, nicely hidden but
expected by the modern luxury traveler. Some of the suites and halls feature
the most dramatic restored
15th
century vaulted ceilings and walls and are officially accredited for their
authenticity by the National Historic Society. The magnificent work depicts
gaming events and other scenes carved and painted on the sides of the main
beams and along the frieze. |
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| The Alchymist’s
hidden oasis is entirely dedicated to ones wellbeing, rejuvenation and
relaxation. The SPA includes several private treatment rooms, where guests may
experience highly skilled massages, body scrubs, body wraps and indulge in
exotic
bathing rituals. The spa also features a more spacious suite especially
designed for couples wishing to share a more intimate SPA experience, that we
highly recommend. |
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| The Ecsotica Spa began as a dream many years ago.
Having traveled extensively, owner Giorgio Bonelli has visited various spas to
get the feel for his very personalized spa experience. Our own Seven Star Spa
Experience began with personalized spa amenities such as luxurious, plush,
white, embroidered terry robes and slippers. My wife “committed” her
feet to Miss Jessica for “cultivation and to achieve lovely nails through
her unique technique and use of exceptional products...” while I got to
indulge in
Ecsotica’s
Bathing Ritual explained as “Calm yourself in a soothing, heavenly
scented bath as water jets pamper your body while delighting in the pure
pleasure ...” . The entire lavish setting of rose pedals surrounding the
bathtub with aroma infused, therapeutic sweet water and jets massaging my body
at whatever direction I would turn, enhanced the craving for
‘more’. |
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| Then I had a body wrap while my wife got to experience
a one-hour ‘Darphin Facial Treatment’, which she described as a
highly pleasurable aromatic treatment with a deep cleansing effect and an
instant lift that was felt long thereafter. The ‘Body Wrap’ cocooned
me in a “weightless enclosure for my body to absorb the active ingredients
- indulged my senses with exotic scents …” while I got to rest and I
did. From one o’ clock we both were reunited, with glowing faces, at the
Escotica Juice Bar for a “Light
Bathrobe Lunch”. Trust me, not everything was light on this luscious
spa lunch buffet, - but so far the most unique and elaborate spa lunch we have
experienced, without leaving the actual spa facilities. |
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I must mention the
superb,
fresh
oysters, served with the water of the sea in the shell, succulent and
delicious; though I do suggest to serve the lemon on the side. There were
exquisitely designed raw plates of Sushi and Sashimi and vegetables, fruits and
salads to die for. Since we had an hour for this one of a kind ‘Spa
Feast’, that one should definitely make part of ones spa day, we
really were able to spend some quality time together and relax. |
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| After our ‘Spa
Feast’ we were both scheduled for a ninety minute traditional
couple’s massage ‘Balinese’ style, a deep tissue technique using
thumbs and long strokes with the intention of stimulating blood flow and muscle
relief, while we at times were looking into each others eyes. Though our spa
day was promoted as couple’s experience, guests can refresh in the spa's
adjoining men's and women's facilities. We received not only fantastic service
by a gracious team of Balinese experts but also an amazing display of mood or
soulful food in form of a unique ‘Spa
Feast’. The Alchymist hotel as destination spa makes for an ultimate
spa experience for couples as well as singles and could be a perfect retreat
for executive meetings as well. |
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| The Alchymist’s elegant, intimate banquet
facilities offer to celebrate life’s most precious moments in its historic
halls. The lavishly
decorated
ballrooms are tastefully furnished and make a prestigious place to dazzle
guests through gatherings or executive retreats. The ballroom is the ideal
place for a dream wedding, combining expert event planning, service experience,
deep tradition and superb cuisine. The staff is clearly proud to be part of a
fine team based on professionalism, quality of service and
appearance. |
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| 2009
Seven Stars and Stripers® Award-Hand-Out at the Alchymist Grand Hotel &
Spa |
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| The Alchymist is a small, old-school luxury hotel; a
hotel that respects the authenticity of its location and the privacy of the
guest. Granted, my wife loves the Alchymist for its fairytale look and feel and
amazing spa, it delivers grand service, superb cuisine and has a one of kind
location. Nothing is overlooked at the Alchymist under the guiding care of
General Manger Veronika Choteborska. The Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa is
recognized for its overall commitment to guest satisfaction and attention to
detail. We long to return. |
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“Giorgio Bonelli is a natural for hospitality.
The hands-on owner of the
Alchymist Grand Hotel & SPA preserved a piece
of 15th century Prague.” ~ TB |
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by Simone & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2009 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes,
Inc. |
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