The Stockyards Hotel, Fort Worth - Texas/USA

It´s not always about luxury, sometimes being different and unique is what travellers are looking for. Maybe a themed hotel is what you are looking for to give your stay abroad the little extra scent that makes it unforgettable.

If you like the Wild-West and Cowboy flair the 1903-build "Stockyards Hotel" in the historical Stockyards district of Forth Worth, Texas/USA might be the place you want to be.

The historical Stockyards are not much more than a historical street about 15 minutes outside of Downtown Fort Worth holding the hotel, a couple of bars (saloons to speak of), a few western stores, a little rodeo area and the famous Billy Bobs Texas. You shouldn´t expect more than that, I guess there are other places to experience an authentic western experience.

The hotel is up and running for 108 years now and the owners created a perfect atmosphere and impression of the old hotels of the long gone Wild West. As you enter you will find straight up the massive wooden reception desk and you will find yourself set back a couple of decades. The lobby is an impressive mixture all different kinds of leather sofas, old armchairs and fringed carpets. In any other hotel you might consider such a furnishing old fashioned and in need of a refurbishing - here it enhances your experience.

Making your way up the staircase will get you to the 52 rooms of the hotel. Every guestroom is unique and reflects the decor of the Old West. Guests can choose from 4 standard categories such as "The Victorian" (comfort-cosy), "Mountain Man" (rustic and prairie-style), "The Western" or the "Native American". Further there are 7 suites to choose from with such meaningful names like "Bonnie & Clyde" (which is said it has been occupied by the famous duo in 1933), "Butch Cassidy" or "The Texas Suite".

Still each room features present amenities such as satellite TV and WiFi-Connection. Yes,

Arriving hungry from a long travel you will probably want to pay a visit to the hotel restaurant called "H3 ranch", which the hotels calls "one of the best steak restaurants in Dalles/Fort Worth area". To be honest I can´t proof that true since I had a burger that still could be said to be one of the better ones I ever had. Featuring a bar set up like a Old Western saloon the restaurant completes the perfect impression of the Wild West Experience.

There are also a couple of occasions for spending the night out, in first place the Texas famous "Billy Bobs Texas", an bar and entertainment center with live bands and probably the best chance to try some square dance moves. Or you make your way to the next rodeo.

(Pictures: http://www.stockyardshotels.com)

Sumahan on the water, Istanbul - Turkey

Most of us passioned travellers are looking for a special place to spend the night when we are exploring the world. A place to calm down and relax.

I stayed several times in the vibrating city of Istanbul, a city where traditional culture merges with a cosmopolitical spirit. After overnights in the Grand Hyatt Istanbul and the famous Kempinski Ciragan Palace, which are located in the pulsating heart of the city, I was looking for a much smaller, yet more cosy hotel to stay and found a little gem of Istanbuls hotels, the "Sumahan on the water", located on the Asian side of Istanbul and directly on the shores of the Bosporus.

The family owned hotel sits right in the village of Cengelköy, a part of the city where you still find an authentic neighboorhood with little stores and cafes where the locals sit, chat and drink turkish tea. The property has formely been a place where "Suma" has been produced, a spirit that is used to produce raki.

The hotel features just a couple of bedrooms, starting from deluxe rooms, junior suites, loft suites up to the executive suites, all offering spectacular views of the passing Bosporus and the Bosporus brigde, which greets the guest with an impressive light show at night times. The purity of the conception features a fantastic combination of wood and marble, steel and brick knitted in a perfect restaurantion of the otoman architecture. Also, almost all rooms offer a private chimney, that can be lit up for a cosy night in the room.

Speaking of hospitality you will find that the staff of the hotel is living the hotel spirit. The breakfast and fine dining restaurant with an outdoor terrace is perfectly small and offers turkish and international food. You won´t find a buffet set up, the dish will be made to order.

Getting there is a little bit difficult. You can of course take one of the millions of taxis around, which takes you about an hour or more to make it through the astonishing traffic of Istanbul. You still need to pass the bridge over the Bosporus. Since the hotel is not one of the common properties used by Istanbul tourists our taxi driver had a little odyssey in finding the hotel. Apart from that you can also take the ferry from Eminönü to Cengelköy as a shortcut and take a taxi from there, saving about 30 minutes.

As a special offer for hotel guests the hotel offers a complimentary boat transfer directly from the hotel shores  into the city of Istanbul. The boat runs on fixed times, yet it is almost like a private boat tour when you are taking the boat and you are the only guests aboard.

Alltogether a stay at the Sumahan is a perfect experience. The busy city of Istanbul lies there on display, but the only thing you need to do is to enjoy the panorma at the private waterfront. Not to forget the Spa area where you can end the day with a relaxing massage before you surrender yourself to the nighty spirits of Istanbul.

Prices start from 140,00 EUR per night in a double deluxe room which is more than resonable.

(Pictures: http://www.sumahan.com)