Banyan Tree Ringha, the finest hotel in the world

When is a writer and photographer specializing in tourism, opportunities to visit luxurious hotels or stay in dream places are common. And the escalation in the "always more, always better," hotel groups are waging a war without thank you for accumulating superlatives and attract a clientele increasingly demanding. This year I had the opportunity to spend some nights in hotels exception, and it is very difficult to develop a classification because it will inevitably be influenced by my personal tastes. And since it would be interesting to know what can draw a top 10 world's best hotels, I'll meet you immediately on the blog A World Elsewhere in response.

In October 2009 during my trip to China I stayed in what I consider to be today the hotel offers the finest rooms in the world. So beautiful that I am still literally speechless, yet I spent ten days this year in a sumptuous villa on the Lagoon Resort in Maldives Halaveli I've already mentioned here . This unique hotel, the Banyan Tree Ringha located between Yunnan and Tibet, China.

Banyan Tree is a hotel group from Thailand, which has 26 hotels and resorts in 23 countries, mostly in Asia and the Indian Ocean: Thailand, Maldives, China, Seychelles, Bali, Mexico and soon, Bahrain, Vietnam and Indonesia, every hotel is a gem offered the most demanding. In China I lived in two of the Banyan Tree hotel and everyone deserves a superlative in the pantheon of my favorites: In the first, located in Lijiang in Yunnan, I exclaimed at breakfast: "I spend two days here to write my next book "is to say the serenity that emanates from it. In the second, Ringha, I just issued a "wow" stunned by penetrating under the heavy curtain which covers the thick wooden door giving access to my room ... "standard".

The real luxury is there in this expression: "standard" when you touch here in Wonderland? Irony or marketing trick to attract more fans of "simple"? ... Nothing is "standard" in this room!

Ringha not shown on any map and you need a very special motivation to come and stay at the base of the foothills of Tibet during a stopover on the way to Lhasa in coming to a city of China, passing through Kunming, Yunnan's capital, before landing in Shangri-La, or simply attracted by the sophistication and the decor is very intimate hotel chain Banyan Tree.

The hotel was built there after a lightning strike one of the founders of the Banyan Tree Group: seeking a peaceful retreat to relax with family, he bought a house to spend as much time as possible. And there, at 3200 meters above sea level between heaven and earth, lulled by the Tibetan culture deeply rooted in these valleys are adorned with foliage in June when flowering plants that exist anywhere else, he wanted to share these exceptional landscapes and especially the intense serenity that emanates from it. Three years later, in 2005, Banyan Tree Ringha was born, nestled among six Tibetan villages.

Only down of car you'll realize that after having admired the meandering Yangtze Gorges and Tiger Leaping boiling, after contemplating the peaks of Jade Dragon Mountain, it is after the warm welcome of local staff in costume and a few sips of ginger tea to wake up a dying yak, which will lead you to the door of your room. Some buildings like farms surrounding a courtyard (private) offering superb views of the river that runs between the fields herbal red marking the end of summer, a steep flight of stairs, and you're home.

At home? ... Nay! ... The reader who has a room of 200 m2 on two levels up the finger!

By late afternoon, the light from the deepest darkness in a cozy interior with dark wood in accordance with Tibetan habitats, I could not help but exclaim as they enter the large room that serves chamber. An exclamation of surprise and delight at mixing layout and decor of the room but also disappointment in realizing immediately that some nights I would not have time to enjoy everything! True to my habit, I have closely followed the tour given to me by the charming young man with shiny hair, but as a child I had trouble following his arguments because I inevitably lingered on the last detail he had to introduce myself: no sooner had he explained how he was leaving the stereo already showed that air conditioning (essential for counter - 25 ° which may crack in winter) or that of Internet (which works perfectly!). And after I ecstatic on the bed and pillows adorned with delicate embroidery local, after imagining sleeping in the alcove protected from view by a huge velvet curtain heavy flush, I let myself be dragged on the ground floor to discover ... a massage room for two (!), a dressing which should be the size of my kitchen, and the most beautiful bathroom I've ever seen in a hotel!

We women are particularly susceptible to these extremely private places should be good to help us make beautiful. Here, no marble or transparency: everything is "cozy", but strong functional, comfortable but above all warm. While the outside temperature did not exceed 14 ° that day and I am very cautious (to the effect of tropical conditions "after three years of life in the Indian Ocean islands), I was dancing while my charming young man adjusted the temperature of the air conditioning in the room, he pointed to the towel electrical and toilet available for the guests: for men a special kit with razor and other odds and ends that do not fascinated me, for Women's another kit with a hairbrush to a wooden handle, a lipstick (bio), and other details that make life sweeter for travelers concerned about the weight of their luggage. What focused my attention was how this superb central Bath "tub", in gilded wood and big enough for two! ... Another pleasure: two lamps artfully placed in the ceiling out of the bath rugs lamps that provide soft heat while you bundle up in a fluffy bathrobe. And after the bath, plunge into an equally comfortable dressing gown back to Tibet to lie on one of the couches and enjoy a tea or black, lighter, jasmine green tea.

I filmed a video of this outstanding hotel in China, I speak to you again so soon because of the Banyan Tree Ringha is much to tell both the unique environment of the hotel at about the men who manage and contribute to add that extra touch that is sometimes lacking in larger institutions. In this connection let me come here and right now the one who received me with such courtesy and kindness as: Luhu Winarno is Indonesian by birth and host heart. Director of Banyan Tree Ringha he masterfully manages this luxury hotel is part of the network of Small Luxury Hotels, and bring the staff that touch of know-how they combine with a smile and a natural discretion, making your stay unforgettable.

I tell you, if you are looking for a charming stop on the way to Lhasa, pass by Ringha to live the sweet hours. Galante company better (you'll feel less lonely in paradise!).

I liked: the unique landscape, the many fine details that help give the impression that you're "home", the responsiveness of staff to respond to a malfunction (small air conditioning problem resolved within five minutes after claim), the food menu (try the BBQ Tibetan!), activities offered by the hotel, the contact is necessarily created between residents and inhabitants, the introduction to Tibetan culture, the look cozy and inviting throughout especially in the hotel rooms, the small number of rooms that promotes privacy and also allows conversations between clients.

I liked least: the decoration of the cabins of the hotel spa which are not at all up to the rest of the hotel. Care and attention but almost impersonal decorating cold, again!

The article contains the keywords: Banyan Tree , China , Ringha

This article was published 16 November 2009 to 20 h 17 min in the category: Asia . Follow the flow of comments: 2.0 feed .