007 Hotel: The Feathers

THE FEATHERS


Location: Woodstock, England
Address: 16-20 Market Street, Woodstock, England
Bond book appearance: Win, Lose or Die (1989)
Other Bond relation: Some of the cast and crew of Bond movie "SPECTRE" (2015) stayed in The Feathers during filming the scenes in Blenheim Palace.
Visited by 007 Travelers: November 2017




According to John Gardner's book "Win, Lose or Die" (1989) The Feathers hotel is Bond's favourite hotel in Woodstock, England.

"He had taken a room for the night at the nearby Feathers Hotel, partly for security, and partly because he preferred it to the more famous Bear."

John Gardner: "Win, Lose or Die" (1989)


Hotel Feathers is a 17th century town house and independent hotel in Oxfordshire that has unique rooms and delicious food.


You can find accommodation choices and book your room here

007 Travelers had a table reservation to The Feathers hotel and first in the lobby we met Nik, who welcomed us and will welcome also you when you arrive at the hotel.

The Feathers Courtyard

Why wouldn't you start your evening by going to hotel's famous Gin bar, where are over 400 different gins, that's why the bar is in the Guinness Book of Records! You can find the list of gins here.

The main waiter Mr. Octavian Onisoru - who is a huge James Bond fan - can make you a perfect Vesper Martini as he did for 007 Travelers.

Vesper Martini

After you have enjoyed your drinks, you should try hotel's fine restaurant.

We can also highly recommend "The Kitchen by Dominic Chapman" for everyone while visiting Woodstock, England.

You can find a sample dinner menu here

Chicken terrine

A partridge meal

Creme brulee

"He completed his walk and returned to the Feathers where he put his feet up for a few hours before taking the short stroll to The Bear."

John Gardner: "Win, Lose or Die" (1989)










See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here

007 Related hotel: Hotel Ritz Madrid

HOTEL RITZ MADRID


Location: Madrid, Spain
Address: Plaza de la Lealtad, 5
Bond connection: Madrid photo call of Pierce Brosnan's movie "Evelyn" (2002) took place here



Hotel Ritz is a belle époque palace hotel managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and located in Madrid’s “Golden Triangle” of culture. It is located directly opposite the Museo del Prado and close by other major galleries including the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Also nearby are the Buen Retiro Park and Botanical Gardens. The hotel’s façade is a listed national monument and it sits in gardens with a terrace restaurant.

It is a five star luxury hotel located in Madrid, Spain at No. 5 in the Plaza de la Lealtad, Retiro district, next to the Prado Museum and opposite the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. It celebrated its 100-year anniversary in October 2010 and was renovated in 2013. It was built by King Alfonso XIII in 1910 to model a royalty hotel.

007 Travelers had a lovely afternoon at the terrace of beautiful Hotel Ritz Madrid. We stood in front of a staircase where Mr. Brosnan also was back in 2002 when promoting his movie Evelyn. 

We ate some snacks and drank refreshments, we both ate Cesar Pollo salads and drank a glass of wine and a lemonade. Such a wonderful way to spend a time in Madrid :)

Mika / 007 Travelers

Pierce Brosnan in front of Hotel Ritz Madrid
Photo: Getty Images

Pierce Brosnan
Photo: Getty Images

See the whole travel story here

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007 Related hotel: The Westin Palace Madrid

THE WESTIN PALACE MADRID

Location: Madrid, Spain
Address: Plaza de la Cortex, 7
Bond connection: Filming location for Sean Connery film "The Wind and the Lion" (1975). Sean Connery also stayed at the hotel a couple of times

Located at the center of dynamic Madrid, The Westin Palace, Madrid is an iconic hotel that has thrived since its opening in 1912. Ideally positioned in Las Letras quarter, with its vibrant collection of restaurants and boutiques, it´s at the heart of The Art Walk, an area linking the city’s most enriching museums, Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza.

007 Travelers ate tasty ice-creams  in the hotel's restaurant and it was very similar as Hotel Negresco in Nice, where we visited back in 2013.

See the whole travel story here

See more 007 HOTELS here

007 Hotel: Hotel Principe Di Savoia

HOTEL PRINCIPE DI SAVOIA


Location: Milan, Italy
Address: Piazza della Repubblica 17
Bond book appearance: James Bond - The Authorized Biography of 007 (1973)
Visited by 007 Travelers: August 2015



007 Travelers had great cocktails in this wonderful hotel's lobby bar.

Enjoy the true Milanese experience at Hotel Principe di Savoia, where effortless elegance meets timeless tradition.

Dominating Milan’s Piazza della Repubblica, this spectacular landmark building has been the natural home for international travellers and cosmopolitan society since the 1920s. The hotel showcases a winning combination of Old World luxury and the latest technology, overlooking directly onto the new business district of Porta Nuova.

Guests are welcome to use complimentary services, such as the limo transfer to and from the city centre and access to the swimming pool and gym facilities.

The elegantly furnished rooms and signature hotel suites offer an unforgettable stay; the Presidential Suite on the top floor has its own private swimming pool.

Right next is Club 10 Fitness and Beauty Center. Relax with a swim, sauna, steam, luxurious spa treatment, or simply take a seat on the roof terrace for views over the city.
Indulge in the finest classic Italian cuisine and a diverse wine list at our elegant Acanto restaurant overlooking a quiet and romantic Italian garden. For a memorable afternoon tea, while away a leisurely afternoon at Il Salotto.

Celebrated architect and interior designer Thierry Despont has designed an incredibly opulent bar mixing original features with contemporary touches, making The Principe Bar one of Milan’s most popular bars, especially during Milan Fashion Week.

"During fairs that lasted four days he had a double room at Hotel Principe e Savoia. He liked that too. Hotel was stable and precious, bartender poured large doses and knew all rumours of the city. In the bar Bond met a girl, who saved his life. Girl's name was Melissa. She was English, recently divorced and was meeting his Italian lover in Milan. Man had to stay in Rome and girl was obviously lonely. Bond offered her dinner in one of the finest restaurants in Italy - Giannino, by Via Sciesa. They ate artichoke and osso buco alla milanese - and Bond spent a night with her. After grappa and gorgonzola it felt like a perfect ending for a perfect evening.

Lucky for them, they decided to go to Melissa's room. Around four o'clock in the morning there was an explosion in the hotel. Bond's double room was destroyed completely. Carabiniere told afterwards to Bond that the bomb was placed under his bed.

"Luckily I occasionally don't sleep in my own bed", Bond said.

Carabiniere laughed, but before Bond left Milan, he send a golden bracelet with warm thanks to girl. And in this case he thought, there would be a reason to send a bill to the section."

John Pearson: "James Bond, The Authorized Biography of 007" (1973)

See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here

007 Hotel: The Westin Palace, Milan

THE WESTIN PALACE, MILAN


Location: Milan, Italy
Address: Piazza della Repubblica 20
Bond book appearance: Never Send Flowers (1993)
Visited by 007 Travelers: August 2015


A Historic Luxury hotel in Milan traditionally preferred by high society for social events & private celebrations, The Westin Palace Milan since years represents an elegant and sophisticated meeting point for local and international travelers. The 5 star hotel is conveniently located in an up and coming and well connected area of Milan thanks to good access to all the main transportation links.

"So, when they reached the airport and turned in the BMW, she made another call, while Bond got them on to a flight to Milan.

'All set,' Flicka told him. 'We have a booking at the Palace.'

'Oh, you couldn't get us in at the Principe e Savoia?' The Palace in Milan is sister hotel to the Principe, and regarded mainly as a good, but no frills, hotel used by businessmen and provincials in town for one or two nights. The Palace was not noted for being an hotel of the grand school, but a resting place without luxury and with rooms designed in the utilitarian manner.

'I didn't even try the Principe,' she snapped. 'If you want kitsch, overdecorated five-star places, you can go and stay there on your own. Anyway, Bodo will know where to find us.'

'He's repaying your favour?'

'More, he's coming to see us. With information, I hope.'

He did not press for explanations. Already he had learned that Fredericka von Grüsse liked to do things her way, and she would tell him only when she was good and ready. Bond respected that, for he knew it mirrored his own attitude in arcane matters.

They arrived in Milan at a little after six in the evening, and by seven were settled into the Palace, amidst chrome and furnishing which were serviceable, though far from the luxury Bond would have preferred. However, the mini-bar was well stocked, and it was Flicka who suggested that they break out the champagne."

John Gardner: "Never Send Flowers" (1993)

See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here

007 Hotel: Lapland Sky Hotel Ounasvaara (formerly known as Ounasvaara Polar Hotel)

LAPLAND SKY HOTEL OUNASVAARA (formerly known as OUNASVAARA POLAR HOTEL)

Location: Rovaniemi, Finland
Address: Juhannuskalliontie
Bond book appearance: "Icebreaker" (1983)
Visited by 007 Travelers: November 2016

Thank you

Mira Söderlund, General Manager
Jonna Anttilainen, Hotel Manager
Jenni and the whole personnel of the hotel 


BOOK A ROOM HERE

Lapland Sky Hotel Ounasvaara (named Ounasvaara Polar Hotel at the time when "Icebreaker" (1983) book was written) is located in the Ounasvaara Winter Sports Center and it is the perfect holiday destination when visiting Lapland. The center of Rovaniemi is only three kilometers from the hotel and you can reach the airport of Rovaniemi, official airport of Santa Claus, in 15 minutes. Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus! 


007 Travelers felt warmly welcomed by hotel´s wonderful Jenni. She told us about the hotel and Rovaniemi, and she was very helpful during our whole staying. 

Jenni in the reception

We gave the hotel "Icebreaker" Bond book where the hotel is mentioned.

Jenni gave us our room key and we were happy with our room. There are 71 rooms in the hotel on two floors. 007 Travelers got a room on second floor, which was a superior room for three persons including own sauna. There was nice winter view from our room´s window and if you are lucky enough, it is possible to see northern lights from your window.

If you don't have own sauna in your room, it is possible to use hotel´s public sauna, which can be found on the second floor.

Public sauna

You can watch beautiful northern lights from SKY terrace which is located on the roof of the hotel and feel the magic of the sky. The terrace is open 24 hours a day. You have to give the special code to be able to go the terrace. It is free of charge for people staying in the hotel or visitors of restaurant or cafe. For others cost is two euros.

During winter time you can ski down the hill and on summer time do the same with mountain bikes or just by walking or running the hill up and down. Lappish nature is awesome no matter what is the time of the year!

Map for Ounasvaara's winter walking route

There is a nice lobby bar where you can feel the heat of fireplace and you can buy different kind of nice souvenirs from the shop.

Hotel offers excellent settings for having conferences even for larger groups.

Pirita / 007 Travelers 
ready for hotel´s dinner

Mika / 007 Travelers
going to have a great dinner

007 Travelers had dinner in this wonderful fine dining restaurant Sky Ounasvaara, where the food is really tasty and excellent! 

First we had Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Apple and Roasted Peanuts, which the kitchen sent to welcome us there. 

For main course, Pirita had Gnocchi made of Lappish Potatoes and Mushrooms with Brown Butter and Parmesan Cheese (24 €)

And Mika ordered Arctic Char with Fennel and Smoked Butter Sauce (26 €)

For dessert Pirita wanted Caramel Flan with Salted Caramel and Cloudberries (11,20 €)

Mika had Brown Butter Cake with Apple and Vanilla Ice Cream (11,20 €)

Personnel is really kind and in the restaurant, if you order e.g. fish, waitresses even know what was the name of the fisherman who caught the fish! :)

Breakfast is served on the second floor and it was really lovely including some Lappish delicacies as well.

007 Travelers found also more 007 connections:

"Arriving back in the early hours, he slipped into the Ounasvaara Polar Hotel - where Saab had their Winter Driving Headquarters - left a message for Erik Carlsson saying he would send full instructions regarding the movement of Silver Beast, then hitched a lift to the airport and boarded the next flight to Helsinki. At that point his plan was to catch a connection straight on to London."

John Gardner: "Icebreaker" 


There was even Bond's Saab "Silver Beast" parked in the garage of the hotel :)

007 Travelers highly recommend this hotel for everyone!

BOOK A ROOM HERE

See more 007 HOTELS (visited) here