Friends of RG: Hetty
Friends of RG: Hetty
Hetty and I ended up in the same project group when we were living and working in The Netherlands and we connected immediately. I realized early on that Hetty and her husband Johan loves traveling and hotels just as much (or maybe even more) than Magnus and I. Over the years we have exchanged many hotel recommendations. Hetty was the one that recommended both Wiesergut, Stelor and Empire Retreat to us, among many others. Hetty and Johan are currently back in The Netherlands after having lived abroad in Australia, India and even in my hometown, Göteborg, Sweden. Hetty is so warm, compassionate and generous. And just like me, she is a hardcore hotel fanatic.
What hotel were you staying at when you first realised that you were a hotel-fanatic?
This goes way back 1997. My husband, and I travelled from San Francisco to San Diego through Arizona, staying mostly at the many motel/hotel chains you find in the US. Driving through the desert we imagined staying at a ranch for some horseback riding. Then a small folder of ‘the Wickenburg Inn’ popped up - a ranch near Phoenix. It was a bit out of our budget but looked wonderful. So we decided to go for it and spoil ourselves. The driveway was already just stunning! On arrival we found out the price was per person, not per room. What to do? We were curious, decided to go for it, to enjoy the full experience. It was mind blowing. We felt so incredibly spoiled! This feeling was something new, it gave our whole journey so much more… Ever since I look for this special touch.
What kind of hotel do you usually go for?
I prefer to stay at rather small hotels - a bit remote, surrounded by nature and looking after nature. Places that have a special touch to their interior and where the small things make you smile. I’m not specifically looking for a certain style, that can actually be quite diverse.
What has been your most memorable hotel stay thus far? And why?
I have to mention Lunga River Lodge in Kafue National park in Zambia. It was in 2004 and we were traveling with my parents. It was our first time to experience Africa. It was extra ordinary from several aspects. The lodge and the service was top notch. The location remote, surrounded by the African nature, breathtaking.
3 of your musts when staying at a hotel?
Purity - surrounded by nature and looking after nature
Atmosphere - its a feeling the interior gives me at first glance
Small and personal
If you have stayed at any of the hotels featured on SbRG, which one is your favourite?
For sure we stayed at some of SbRG’s featured hotels! To name ‘one’ is impossible. I will name the first one’s that are popping up - Hotel Stelor in Sweden; Villa Arnica in South Tyrol; Wiesergut in Austria. And I could continue.
Just like RG, Hetty also loves Hotel Stelor on the Swedish island of Gotland.
Which of the featured hotels on Selected by RG are on the top of your wish list to stay at?
On top of the list is Empire Retreat in Yallingup, Australia. Closer to home its Masseria Moroseta in Puglia, Italy.
Hetty is dreaming of a trip to Puglia to stay at the stunning Masseria Moroseta.
Are there any hotels you think should be featured on Selected by RG in the future?
LOVE the selection of RG as it is! If SbRG likes to expand to other parts of the globe, I could recommend some places in India, like 47 Jobner Bagh Hotel or 28 Kothi in Jaipur. Or in Sri Lanka The Kip or Kahanda Kanda.
