Category Archives: Hotels

Mia in Mauritius: Perfect Ending to Our Visit to Paradise

Our joint highlight of our Mauritius stay turned out to be the two last days at the Shanti Maurice Resort. Continue reading

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Mia in Mauritius: Julia’s Top Three

For more tips to make the most of your time in Mauritius, blog contributor Mia shares more highlights from her visit. In this post, Mia lets us in on the preferred doings of another from her entourage: her sister, Julia. Continue reading

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For a Relaxing Holiday Look for a Bed and Breakfast

If you are planning any type of trip with your family, loved ones or that special person in your life, you definitely want to consider going to London as part of your holiday. London has so much to offer to … Continue reading

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2016 UK Blog Awards: The Big Night is Soon!

This Friday night the winners of the 2016 UK Blog Awards will be announced at an awards ceremony that promises to be an especially swish affair. Continue reading

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Theo’s Simple Italian, Earl’s Court

Newly opened Theo’s Simple Italian is Chef Theo Randall’s second restaurant, this one near Earl’s Court and tied to The Hotel Indigo. Like his eponymous restaurant at The Intercontinental, this venture features expertly prepared dishes of top quality and seasonal Italian ingredients but with a smaller menu (fairly ‘smaller’ prices too) that changes on a more frequent basis and is presented in a more casual setting. Continue reading

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Wiener Demeanour: Cafes, Restaurants, and Bars

I had a delicious time in Vienna – a city that perhaps more than any other best exemplifies European café culture and presents visitors with a delectable array of food and drink options ranging from down-to-earth comforts to upscale innovations. … Continue reading

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Roba Bar & Restaurant

Welcome to the brand new Roba Bar & Restaurant in Paddington where a young executive chef – Andrea Secchi (ex-Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley) – a focus on in-house aging of beef and smoking of salmon, and a menu designed largely around a robata grill add up to a hearty dining experience. Continue reading

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Wiener Demeanour: Visit Vienna

Wait a second. You’ve never been to Vienna? *Wien* not!? It’s a terrific city – one of the world’s most beautiful – teeming with culture and plenty of fun things to do. Continue reading

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The Langham London Launches New Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood

The Langham London’s Executive Pastry chef Cherish Finden and her team have launched a new Wedgewood Afternoon Tea. Inspired by (and served with) classic Wedgwood collections and featuring butterfly and daisy motifs, the new tea service is a salute to spring and the warmer and sunnier days to come. Continue reading

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Uncannily Great Dining at The Balcon, Sofitel St James Hotel

All the right points were hit seemingly with prescience during my recent dinner at the Sofitel St James Hotel’s Balcon resulting in one of the better restaurant experiences of my year thus far. Continue reading

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Easter Afternoon Tea at The Langham London

Hop(p)ing for a happy Easter? You’re guaranteed a delectable and playful one with the limited run Easter Afternoon Tea offering by The Langham London’s Executive Pastry Chef Cherish Finden. Continue reading

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Theo Randall at the InterContinental Reopens – Still a Great Place for Italian Cuisine

Taking stock of a decade doing delicious justice to classic Italian dishes, Theo Randall has reopened his restaurant at the InterContinental after an interiors refurb and the addition of a few new menu items. Great news! And the best news about the reopening is that Chef Randall has managed to maintain all the qualities that already had made his eatery one of my favourite places for Italian food. Continue reading

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The Magic Hour with Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) at the Grand Royale

Do you believe in magic? Whether you do or not I am certain you will be amazed and have a fantastic night out if you attend The Magic Hour and allow magician Tony Middleton (aka Sonic) to perplex and entertain you with his sleight of hand, illusions and Victorian spiritualist theatrics. Continue reading

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Cocktails and Ceviche Pairing Menu at Asia de Cuba

Asia de Cuba, everybody’s favourite Chino-Latino restaurant has officially launched its rum bar with its own sugarcane press and a new cocktails and ceviche pairing menu with drinks featuring Havana Club rums. Continue reading

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Fleurs des Rêves: Bompas & Parr X Perrier-Jouët at The London Edition

Dudes. Listen up. Dark forces are at work. No longer is it going to be a safe bet to selecting some nice flowers to offer to your beloved. Now – compliments of a luxury trio consisting of Bompas & Parr, The London Edition, and Perrier-Jouët – you might have to make sure your chosen blooms aren’t of the ordinary hum-drum one constant colour variety but newfangled and fascinating colour changing Fleurs des Rêves. Continue reading

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Win Dinner at Diciannove Plus Drinks in a Private Vault at Voltaire Cocktail Bar

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, I’ve teamed up with London Crowne Plaza – The City on the north end of Blackfriars Bridge to offer one couple a free night out including a romantic dinner for two at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Diciannove, followed by drinks in your own private vault at its cocktail bar, Voltaire. Continue reading

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Good Stuff #50

Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy. Continue reading

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A Taste of Jersey in London (Great British Chefs)

The weekend of 29 January saw head chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge making space in his kitchen for chef Mark Jordan of the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey. Continue reading

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Namibia | Index

It’s hard to imagine a landscape more dramatic than that of Namibia. Add to the scenery an amazing (and rather accessible) assortment of big game and wildlife. Then, lightly apply a sprinkling of well-maintained roads across the country to help folks get to its towns and settlements, best beauty spots, and welcoming network of bush camps and luxury lodges. If you like the idea of hitting the open road, experiencing true wilderness, seeing lots and lots of game, and still being able to take a hot shower and sleep in a comfortable bed every night, Namibia’s the place for you. Continue reading

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Chill Out in the World’s Top 10 Ice Hotels! (OneTravel)

At these ten ultra-cool hotels, an icy reception is guaranteed, but don’t worry! Continue reading

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Namibia | Sossusvlei

Last stop on my luxury safari road trip across Namibia was Sossusvlei. Not just the ultimate destination of my itinerary but also the ultimate choice for a desert break. Continue reading

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Namibia | Skeleton Coast

Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp was a khaki canvas paradise of haute design fixed lightly to one of the world’s most desolate and pristine wilderness areas. Open just over a year, this fully solar powered joint venture between Wilderness Safaris and the neighbouring Conservancies of Anabeb, Torra and Sesfontein, was the very model for cutting edge – and sustainable – luxury. Continue reading

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Namibia | Doro Nawas

Although I only had one night at Doro Nawas, it was an impactful stay in one of the most serenely beautiful places I’ve ever been – something I could just as easily say of the whole of Namibia itself. Continue reading

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Holiday Inn Express Launches Next Generation

I enjoyed my Ealing sleepover. I got some work done in a spacious room that I was able arrange to large extent how I wished. I had some awesome pizza delivered to my room. I slept like a baby. Continue reading

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Namibia | Etosha

Thoroughly well rested from my relaxing stay in Windhoek and more than ready for some serious safari action, I hit the road en route to the first lodge one my itinerary: Andersson’s Camp, set within Ongava Game Reserve on the border of (and with its own private gate to) Etosha National Park. Continue reading

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Namibia

This was my first time in Namibia, but not the greater southern Africa region. I’ve been heading down to this gorgeous part of the world since the mid 90s (and even lived in Mozambique for about a year) – always encountering enthusiastic folks insistent that I get to Namibia but never quite being able to take them up on their advice. But now I’ve finally made it, and I can see what the fuss had been all about it. Continue reading

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Chefs Mark Jordan and Pascal Proyart Team Up for a Taste of Jersey in London

Head Chef Pascal Proyart of One-O-One Restaurant at The Park Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge will host Chef Mark Jordan of Michelin starred Ocean Restaurant at The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey at the end of this month for two nights offering guests an opportunity to try collaborative seafood tasting menus. Continue reading

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Best of the Best of 2015

I hope that in some small way my 2015 blogging helped you have more fun, discover something amazing, save some money or otherwise make more of your time than you might have otherwise. Continue reading

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Best Hotels of 2015

My list of favourite hotels veers toward the luxury end of the spectrum. But there are some budget friendly considerations included. In large part, hospitality and appreciation won out over bling or lavish excess. Continue reading

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Best London Bars and Pubs of 2015

London has been a great place to drink for many a year. This year, for me, it seemed even better than before. My favourite watering holes continued to please while a handful of new or bars and pubs otherwise previously unknown to me caught my attention with great service, comfy digs and – most importantly – quality quaffs. Continue reading

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Best Bars of 2015 (Excluding London)

Hey globetrotters, who’s up for a drink? If you ever happen to find yourself thirsty in Barcelona, Rome, Atlanta, Bath or even tiny Hillsborough, North Carolina here’s where to go for the best flow of drinks mixed with camaraderie. Continue reading

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Best London Restaurants of 2015

London’s best restaurants of 2015? Here’s a lucky list of seven that did the trick for me. Continue reading

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Best Restaurants of 2015 (Excluding London)

The tikichris of 2015 series continues with a look at some of the most amazing restaurants I visited this year. Continue reading

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Best of 2015

Lines deliciously blurred throughout 2015 and made categorising the Best of 2015 a fun but challenging task. Continue reading

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Time Restaurant & Wine Bar | Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto | Rome

Craving to unwind, be pampered and have a taste of La Dolce Vita in grand style? When in Rome you can do so at the Jumeirah Grand Hotel Via Veneto’s superb Time Restaurant & Wine Bar. Continue reading

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