Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel, Helsinki, Finland

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A couple of weeks ago, I was in Finland on a business trip. I decided to stay at Hilton Hotel in Helsinki Airport for a night and then I moved to Hilton Helsinki Strand.

Location:

Hilton Helsinki Strand hotel is located on the waterfront and around 15 minutes from the Helsinki Train station.

Atmosphere and Facilities:

Hilton Helsinki Strand hotel has an informal atmosphere and some great facilities:

  • 24-hours reception,
  • gym, swimming pool and sauna on top floor,
  • rooftop terrace,
  • baggage storage room,
  • restaurant, cocktail bar and a room service’
  • Business center & Executive Lounge.

Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for an extra charge.

Room:

My room was very spacious and had a modern décor. I loved my king bed which was extremely comfortable.

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It was great to come back to my room after the whole day of meetings and relax in it watching some TV.

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In addition, my room was equipped with a safe, mini-bar and blackout curtains, iron & ironing board and coffee & tea making facilities. I also had a great view of Helsinki waterfront, which was covered in snow during my stay.

The bathroom was large and had a sophisticated décor.

As in all Hilton hotels some basic toiletries were provided.

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Overall:

Hilton Helsinki Strand hotel would be great for anyone who wishes to explore Helsinki’s top attractions or travels to Helsinki on business. It has comfortable rooms and great facilities where you can unwind at the end of each day. The staff was really friendly and location was convenient so I would definitely stay there again. 

Address:

John Stenbergin ranta 4,

00530 Helsinki,

Finland

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

COME PRIMA RESTAURANT, Bansko, Bulgaria

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A few weeks ago, I traveled to Bansko in Bulgaria for my winter skiing break. I had some lovely food and lots of mulled wine whilst in there and today I would like to tell you about a great Italian restaurant – Come Prima.

Location:

Come Prima restaurant is based in KEMPINSKI HOTEL, just a minute away from the Gondola lifts.

Atmosphere:

We booked our table for 7:30 p.m. When we entered the restaurant, we were welcomed by a friendly Bulgarian waiter-Ivo who took us to our table. Once we were seated, we asked him for a Bulgarian wine recommendation and he suggested a bottle of Castra Rubra. It was divine.

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The decor of Come Prima restaurant is sophisticated and welcoming. There was a fireplace and lots of interesting antiques around us. In addition, throughout our meal there was soft, romantic music playing in the background.

Guests dining at this fine-dining Mediterranean restaurant have an opportunity to watch some live cooking in the open kitchen which creates an amazing experience for every visitor.

Starters:

We decided to order from a ‘Weekly Special Menu’. For my starter I had some spiced calamari salad. It was really tasty and full of flavor.

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My husband had a duet of foie grass and braised duck leg which he enjoyed.

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Mains:

For my main I had some pan seared sea bass with broccoli mousseline. I love fish and it was simply delectable.

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My husband ordered some grilled chicken breast with parsnip puree and red wine juice. It absolutely gorgeous and cooked to perfection.

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Dessert:

My regular blog readers would know that I have a very bad sweet-tooth and a dessert is my favourite part of any meal. I decided to have some mango and passion fruit mousse with caramelized banana. Wow! Wow! Wow! It was delicious! Definitely the best dessert I have had so far this year.

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My husband, decided to have a forest fruit tart with yogurt ice cream. It was mouth-watering.

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After our desserts, a head chef came over to ask us if we enjoyed our food and we talked for a couple of minutes about his background, inspiration behind the dishes and the ingredients he sources for Come Prima.

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Overall experience:

We had an amazing evening at Come Prima restaurant. If you are looking for a fine-dining experience based on some good-quality, tasty food and locally sourced ingredients then you should look no further. The service was great, restaurant had a romantic atmosphere and the food was delectable so I will definitely visit again soon!

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Address:

“Pirin” Str. 96, 2770 Bansko, Bulgaria

For more information and to book visit:

https://www.kempinski.com/en/bansko/hotel-grand-arena/dining/restaurants/prima-restaurant/

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

Hilton Helsinki Airport Hotel, Finland

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Last week, I flown to Finland for a business trip and as I arrived late during the evening, I decided to stay at Hilton Hotel in Helsinki Airport.

Location:

Hilton Helsinki Airport hotel is located in Helsinki airport and it is only 5 minutes from Terminal 2 so it’s perfect if you have an early flight or if you arrive late and you are too tired to travel to Helsinki city.

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Atmosphere and Facilities:

Hilton Helsinki Hotel has a 24-hours reception, gym, swimming pool, baggage storage room, restaurant and a room service. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for an extra charge.

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The hotel has a restaurant serving breakfast but it is quite expensive as it costs 32euros per person per day so unless you eat a lot it’s not worth it.

In addition, you can use a gym which is free of charge and open 24/7.

Room:

My room had a simple, modern décor and my bed was comfortable. My room was also equipped with a flat-screen TV, safe, mini-bar and blackout curtains and coffee & tea making facilities.

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The bathroom also had a simple décor and some basic toiletries were provided.

Overall:

Hilton Helsinki Airport Hotel would be suitable for anyone travelling from or arriving at Helsinki airport. It has simple, modern facilities and comfortable rooms so I would definitely stay there again. 

Address:

Lentäjänkuja 1, 01530 Vantaa, Finland

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

BARREtoned classes in Notting Hill studio, London

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I am on a mission to transform my body in 8-weeks. As my personal trainer once said: ‘to maximise your results you need to balance your diet and exercise’. I ordered my 8-week body plan and decided to join BARREtoned studio in Notting Hill in London. I attended my first BARREtoned class yesterday and I was really impressed.

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Location:

BARREtoned studio is based in a fashionable Notting Hill area, within a close proximity from the Royal Oak, Westbourne Park and Notting Hill stations. I work in Westbourne Park so I was looking for a place to exercise before or after work so after discovering that the studio is located not far from me, I decided to give it a go and try their classes.

Facilities:

BARREtoned has 2 exercise studios (1 upstairs & 1 downstairs), reception where you can grab some water or snacks, shower rooms and lockers so you have all need in there.

Classes:

When I found out about BARREtoned studio I wanted to know how they differ from all other studios I’ve previously been a member of. What intrigued me was a claim on BARREtoned website that the classes can rapidly produce visibly toned muscles and increase the body’s ability to burn fat. In addition, BARREtoned workouts aim to tone and strengthen your entire body, with particular attention paid to improving your posture and balance.

BARREtoned classes are running throughout a day and range from a quick 45-minutes lunch classes to 1 hour full-body workout classes. They are suitable for all skill levels.

Yesterday, I attended a standard 1 hour morning class. BARREToned has quite a few different instructors-my class was lead by Qin.

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When I arrived, before my first class started, I bought some BARRE socks with and had a quick chat with the instructor. The instructor (Qin) explained what I should be expecting during the class and the concept behind BARREtoned. She was extremely friendly, smiley and made me feel welcomed and excited about my class.

The class was performed at the ballet barre and on mats. We were all using small controlled movements to work each muscle group to exhaustion. There was also a lot of stretching involved. At moments, my whole body was shaking and almost giving up but it felt great to push myself beyond my limits.

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Verdict:

If you are tired of your regular gym routine and classes then you should definitely register at BARREtoned studio and try one of their classes. Either a 45 / 60 minute high intensity, low impact, workout will target all the muscles (even the ones that you forgot about). I am astonished as I thought that I will be really sore today after my super intense workout yesterday but surprisingly I am all fine as during you are focusing on very small muscle groups and stretching them throughout the class.

The most important tip I can give you though is to have fun, enjoy it and try to exceed your limits. I will be definitely returning back and I am planning to join one of their workouts that take place on Wednesday evenings which are followed by a wine tasting.

Address:

BARREtoned Ltd.

Notting Hill Studio
12 Chepstow Road
London, W2 5BD

Website:

http://www.barretoned.com/

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, London Heathrow

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A couple of weeks ago, I was on a business trip and came back to London during late evening.  As I was flying for my skiing break in less than 8 hours from arriving back, I decided to stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Heathrow.

Location:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Heathrow is located on a Bath Road in Hounslow. It is only 10 minutes taxi drive from London Heathrow Terminal 3 and around 15 min drive from terminal 5.

Atmosphere and Facilities:

The hotel has an informal atmosphere.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Heathrow has a 24-hours reception, baggage storage room, restaurant and a room service. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property for an extra charge.

The room-service offering is quite limited. There wasn’t much to choose from so I ordered a burger. It was £16 pounds and honestly speaking I would never order it again. If you stay at this hotel then it might be worth checking their restaurant offering. Alternatively, you could walk to one of many restaurants available on the road.

Room:

The room had a simple, modern décor. The double bed was comfortable and spacious. My room also had a flat-screen TV, safe, mini-bar and blackout curtains and coffee & tea making facilities.

The bathroom also had a modern décor and some Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries were provided.

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Overall:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Heathrow for anyone travelling from the Heathrow airport. It is located around 45-minutes drive from the central London so if you wish to do a bit of sightseeing then I would probably recommend you to stay somewhere more central.

Address:

745 Bath Rd,

Hounslow

TW5 9QE, UK

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

Holiday destinations: Bansko, Bulgaria

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I have just came back from my winter holidays with my family in Bansko in Bulgaria. This mountain resort is an excellent choice for your ski and snowboard holiday in Bulgaria.

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Bansko was voted as the best winter resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs and the richest cultural history. The town of Bansko is situated at the foot of the Pirin mountain in the south-western Bulgaria, 160 km from Sofia (around 3.5 hours’ drive from the airport).

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The resort offers excellent ski and snowboard conditions and infrastructure. There are a lot of hotels of various standards and prices based in there. I would personally recommend Premier Mountain Resort or Kempinski Hotel if you like staying in luxury hotels.

What’s worth mentioning here, the prices of hotels, ski rentals etc. are probably 50% cheaper than in Alps so you can stay in a 5 star hotel for the price of 2/3 star hotel in Austria or France.

Après ski

So what to do after a day on slopes? Après ski in the resort is really good and offers hundreds of bars, traditional restaurants and clubs where you can indulge after your skiing or snowboarding adventures. I will be posting some reviews of places that are worth visiting whilst in Bulgaria soon.

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Location

Bansko is a ski and mountain resort located in the south-western part of Bulgaria. The town is situated 6 km from the town of Razlog and 160 km from the capital of Sofia. The town of Bansko is located 925 m above the sea level whereas its ski area – at an altitude of 2000 – 2600 m.

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Resort information

Bansko ski resort is attractive in all seasons but I’ve only been there during the winter as I love skiing.

The ski season in Bansko lasts from 15 December to 14 April. During the recent years a multimillion Euros investment in a brand new skiing area has been made by Yulen, the company that runs the skiing area of Bansko. Numerous new luxury hotels and facilities in the area of the Gondola lift station have been constructed. It provides excellent ski and snowboard facilities, as well as a unique history and architecture of an old and new part of the town.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

Tried and Tested: OGX Beauty biotin & collagen range

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I have a fine hair so I recently decided to try some products from OGX Beauty Biotin & Collagen range.

OGX Beauty biotin & collagen products are designed to give each strand of your hair a boost and leave it feeling thicker and fuller.

I decided to try all 4 products from this range:

1. Biotin & Collagen Shampoo. It contains the Biotin & Collagen blend consisting of  to help thicken and texturise any hair type with just one use. This powerful formula helps to volumise even the skinniest strands into fuller and more abundant looking locks. Size: 385 ml.

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2. Biotin & Collagen Conditioner. This amazing lightweight conditioner will help give your hair a beautiful boost after just one use. Size: 385 ml.

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3. Biotin & Collagen Root Boost Spray. This product should be used after washing your hair and sprayed into roots for thicker, stronger, fuller hair. Size 177 ml.

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4. Biotin & Collagen Weightless Revieving Oil Mist. This lightweight mist helps protect and heal your hair while infusing it with lustrous shine. Size: 118 ml.

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Result:

If you are looking for an affordable hair-care that will transform your fine hair and leave it feeling fuller and healthier than look no further. My hair definitely feels fuller and stronger and I’ve just started using this amazing range. I will definitely try some more products from OGX Beauty soon!

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

My stay at GLO Hotel Espoo Sello in Finland

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Last week, I was in Finland on a business trip and I stayed at Glo Hotel Sello for 3 days.

Location:

GLO Hotel Espoo Sello is very conveniently located in the centre of Espoo town, 15 minutes drive from Helsinki. Trains reach central Helsinki in 10 minutes from Leppävaara Station which is only a few minutes walk away. It is situated next to Sello Shopping Mall so you can get a bit of retail therapy whilst in Espoo.

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Atmosphere:

The hotel has an informal atmosphere. For all my eco-loving friends, you would be glad to discover that GLO Hotel Espoo Sello is environmentally friendly and certified by the Green Key.

Facilities:

GLO Hotel Espoo Sello has a 24-hours reception, baggage storage room, restaurant and a rooftop terrace. Free WiFi is available throughout the property.

When I arrived at the hotel on Sunday evening (9:40 p.m.), I was surprised to discover that their restaurant was closed and there was no room-service offered… I ended up having some sweets for my dinner-not great if you are traveling the whole day and want something to eat when you arrive.

The breakfast was served at the restaurant downstairs and was quite limited. There wasn’t much to choose from and I normally just ended up with some yogurt and fruits.

Room:

The room had a modern décor.

The bed was comfortable and I was able to choose my own special pillow and blanket for free. These services are not offered to all guest so you need to enquire about them at the reception to take advantage. My room also had a flat-screen TV, safe, mini-bar and blackout curtains. After a long day of meetings, I was always looking forward to relaxing in my room. The bathroom was simple and had the basic facilities like a shower, washbasin.

Overall:

GLO Hotel Espoo Sello is quite an average hotel that would be good for anyone travelling to Espoo on business. What you need to be aware of is that, there is not much to do in the town itself so if you wish to do a bit of sightseeing then it probably would be easier to stay in Helsinki. If you arrive late then be prepared that there is no-room service so you will need to go to bed on an empty stomach…

Address:

Leppaevaarankatu 1
Espoo, Finland, 02600

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

Tried and Tested: OGX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine range

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As some of you might remember, a couple of weeks ago I tried OGX  Beauty Biotin and Collagen range and really liked it. As a result, I decided to try OGX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine range. It contains a fallout-busting formula blend of niacin and caffeine to help exfoliate and stimulate your scalp while combating hair loss.

For best results, all products in this collection should be used together so I decided to try:

1. OGX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine Shampoo. Its powerful formula blend with niacin and caffeine, alpha hydroxy acid and natural DHT blockers can help make your scalp happy and help prevent hair fallout. Size: 385 ml.

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2. GX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine Conditioner.  This lightweight conditioner not only smells great but it also detangles fine and fragile hair. Its special formula blend includes niacin and caffeine, alpha hydroxy acid and natural DHT blockers to help prevent hair loss caused by breakage.  Size: 385 ml.

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3. GX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine Root Stimulator Spray. This invigorating spray helps stimulate the hair follicles and scalp with niacin and caffeine, alpha hydroxy acid and natural DHT blockers. It should be used at least once a day in order to create an optimal scalp environment for thicker, stronger, fuller hair. Size: 118 ml.

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Result:

I’ve been using the whole range for 2 weeks and my hair definitely feels fuller and stronger. If you need to give your hair some extra boost than you should definitely try this OGX Beauty Niacin3 & caffeine range as a seasonal treat for your locks.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline

Our Lunch at Hemigie’s Restaurant, Brussels, Belgium

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During the last day of our trip to Brussels we had our lunch at Hemigie’s Restaurant. I was intrigued by the philosophy listed on their website: ‘Hemgie’s is about craft, pleasure and taste. We believe in taking our time, delivering you the best flavours and ingredients, which we have hunted for months. Quality is key in our kitchen, as well as putting you instantly at ease. Luxury, calm and service belong to our daily language’.

Atmosphere:

We booked our table for 1 p.m. When we entered the restaurant, we were welcomed by a friendly waiter who took us to our table. The decor of Hemigie’s restaurant is cosy, modern and simple. We felt welcomed and relaxed as soon as we sat down.

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Food:

As we had our breakfast at the hotel, we weren’t too hungry and decided to skip the starters and only to have our mains.

For my main I decided to have some Océan Indien Salad. It had some green bans, tomatoes, avocado, prawns and smoked salmon. Its curry madras dressing made the whole combination quite unusual but very tasty. The portion size was generous and presented nicely.

My husband decided to have ‘Smack That’- one of the signature Hemigie’s burgers. He really enjoyed it and finished it in no time! I had a little bite and it was amazing!

Overall experience:

I really liked our lunch at Hemigie’s restaurant. The food was served quickly, was tasty and the service was good so I would definitely recommend it.

Address:

Rue du Bailli 90,
1050 ixelles, Brussels

For more information and to book visit:

http://www.hemgies.be/bailli/index.html

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

X

Pauline