Aussie ambassadors score points

WANT to know where Rose Byrne stays in LA or which is Neil Perry's favourite city? A celebrity guide to homes away from home.

marmont

WANT to know where Rose Byrne stays in LA or which is Neil Perry's favourite city? A celebrity guide to the best homes away from home.

With more than 2300 hotels in 132 countries for discerning travellers to choose from, Kiwi Collection, with its scoring  system out of 100, is like a Michelin Guide to hotels. Normally anonymous reviews rate hotels in 10 categories (each with a score out of 10) for Kiwi Collection but the company recently announced an Ambassador Hotel Review Series and enlisted some well known Australians to become hotel reviewers. We asked three of them about their favourites cities and what they look for in a hotel.

Neil Perry
What’s your favourite city?
New York is my favourite city because of the diversity in everything you can think of. Shopping, galleries, museums, street food, restaurants and bars. It is a fantastic city to walk around; a day lost in Downtown is a wonderful day indeed.
What do you look for in a hotel?
Great service, comfortable bed, space for dressing and unpacking and, most importantly, space in the bathroom and a great shower. Modern and stylish.
If you had to live in a hotel, which one would it be?
I would love to live in the Upper House. Everything about that hotel I love, and I can leave it and spill on to the streets of Hong Kong and eat like a king!
What’s your definition of great service?
Greeted with a genuine smile ... attentive, caring, hospitable, nothing is too much trouble, humble and, most importantly, there when you need it and not when you don’t.
What’s your biggest bugbear about hotels?
So modern you can’t see and hurt yourself everyday. Lack of space, poor service and uncomfortable beds.
What makes you feel at home?
Warm service and comfortable surroundings.

Rose Byrne
What’s your favourite city?
New York.
What do you look for in a hotel?
Calm, quiet and charm.
If you had to live in a hotel, which one would it be?
The Chateau Marmont in LA.
What’s your definition of great service?
Polite and efficient.
What’s your biggest bugbear about hotels?
I make it a point to have the mini-bar cleared out when I arrive so I don’t pig out on all the good stuff in there and I guess since the hotel staff is used to re-filling, not removing, it can sometimes take them three days. That’s a lot of willpower! Also, how much a long-distance call costs.
What makes you feel at home?
Being able to open the windows for fresh air.

Collette Dinnigan
What’s your favourite city?
New York City. It has such a tremendous variety of everything.
What do you look for in a hotel?
I want the hotel to not feel like I am at home. The rooms must have up-to-date technology with a high-speed internet connection. When I am travelling for work, the room service menu must be designed with a focus on delicious, organic, healthy selections; freshly squeezed juices are a must.
If you had to live in a hotel, which one would it be?
Chateau Marmont. Aside from its simple elegance, in the bungalows you have the luxury of your own full-size kitchen, lounge room and private terrace. So for the size alone, if I had to live in a hotel this would be it.
What’s your definition of great service?
Superior manners, attention to detail and staff that use their initiative. It’s really lovely when you are greeted by happy, attentive staff who have exceptional memories. Their level of professionalism is second to none and, no matter how long it has been since you last visited, they can remember your name and are able recall details from your last stay.
What’s your biggest bugbear about hotels?
Absolutely, without a doubt, having to pay for Wi-Fi. It’s such an essential part of the modern world.
What makes you feel at home?
As a female traveller, feeling safe and secure is paramount, along with a comfortable bed and great food.