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Category Archives: Hotels
Having a Rewarding Experience in Rome with IHG’s Spire Elite
Taking advantage of my chance to try out IHG Rewards Club’s new top membership level, Spire Elite, I had a fantastic time last month exploring one of my favourite cities: Rome. Continue reading
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#BBQbound: Atlanta
Hotlanta was a great city to wind down my BBQ Bound adventure. The hickory smoked meats coming out of Atlanta’s smokehouses I visited ranked right up there with any I’d had along the way, and were cooked to perfection with equal parts hillbilly grit and city slicker sophistication Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged ATL, atlanta, Atlanta Georgia, BARS, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Courtyard Atlanta Downtown, Food, Fox Bros, Fox Bros BBQ, georgia, Grand Champion BBQ, hotels, Joystick Gamebar, marriott, restaurants, Smoke Ring, Smoke Ring BBQ, Sweet Auburn Barbecue, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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#BBQbound: Athens, Georgia
Before I start my rave about how amazing Athens, Georgia is, please allow for full disclosure. I lived there most of the 90s (making the town second only to London for number of years lived in one place as an adult), I studied as an undergrad there at the University of Georgia, and I enjoyed the hell out of keeping this small open-minded oasis as an off-and-on base during my 20s. For nightlife, art, live music, food and fun, I’m pleased to report that a couple of decades later, the town still excels at showing folks a good time. And one up on when I used to live there, Athens has even better BBQ than it had back in my day. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged athens, Athens GA, Athens Georgia, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, CRAFT BEER, Creature Comforts, Creature Comforts Brewery, Fincher's, Fincher's Barbecue, Food, Fresh Air Barbecue, georgia, Georgia Museum of Art, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Garden Inn Macon/Mercer University, Hot Thomas, Hot Thomas BBQ, hotels, marriott, Pulaski Heights, Pulaski Heights BBQ, restaurants, Springhill Marriott Suites, Springhill Marriott Suites Athens, the grit, The Grit Athens Georgia, Travel, UGA, university of georgia, USA, Visit the USA, Watkinsville, Watkinsville Georgia
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#BBQbound: Macon, Georgia
For not such a big town, Macon, Georgia has produced a preponderance of world famous musicians: among them the Allman Brothers, Little Richard, and one of the greatest of them all, Otis Redding. Something in the water? Nah,it’s in the BBQ. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Food, Georgia, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, Brand USA, Fincher's, Fincher's Barbecue, Food, Fresh Air Barbecue, georgia, Hilton Garden Inn, Hilton Garden Inn Macon/Mercer University, hotels, Macon, Macon Georgia, Ocmulgee, Ocmulgee National Monument, restaurants, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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Christmas Unwrapped Afternoon Tea at Intercontinental London Park Lane
This review of the Intercontinental’s limited run Christmas Unwrapped afternoon tea isn’t the first (and hopefully won’t be the last) opportunity for me to rave a little about one of London’s more elegant spaces and for you to add a … Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel
Tagged afternoon tea, christmas, christmas afternoon tea, Christmas Tea, Christmas Unwrapped, Christmas Unwrapped Afternoon Tea, Drink, Food, hotels, INTERCONTINENTAL, INTERCONTINENTAL LONDON PARK LANE HOTEL, London, luxury, mayfair, ONE HAMILTON PLACE, park lane, restaurants, reviews, tea, W1, W1J 7QY, wellington lounge, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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#BBQbound: Charleston
Next stop on my carnivorously inclined Deep South expedition was the beautiful and historic port city of Charleston, South Carolina where a new breed of pitmaster appears to be taking over the culinary scene with an approach to making wood fired, slow cooked meats that’s as yummy and inventive as it is a mouth-watering tribute to the area’s great BBQ traditions. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, Restaurants, road trip, South Carolina, Travel
Tagged Aaron Siegel, Anthony Dibernardo, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Brisket, Charleston, Charleston South Carolina, Fiery Ron's, Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ, Food, Home Team BBQ, hotels, King Charles Inn, Madison Ruckel, restaurants, South Carolina, Swig & Swine, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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#BBQbound: Pitt County, North Carolina
An epicentre of epicurean wonder (as long as you love whole hog BBQ), Pitt County is a prime destination for some of the best tasting meat in America. I had no idea so much good BBQ could come from such a concentrated and largely rural area. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Travel, Uncategorized
Tagged Ayden, Ayden North Carolina, B's Barbecue, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Bum's Restaurant, Food, Greenville, Greenville North Carolina, hilton, Hilton Greenville, hotels, North Carolina, Pitt County, restaurants, Sam Jones, Skylight Inn, Travel, USA, Villedge, Villedge Woodfired Kitchen & Bar, Visit the USA
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#BBQbound: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a city I know fairly well from more youthful days. But I’d not been back there for well over a decade – and I must admit I knew nothing of the BBQ there. I’m pleased to report the town is as agreeable place as even – and that the BBQ is fantastic. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Drink, Food, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Shopping, Travel
Tagged BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQ Festival, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Carolina Inn, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill North Carolina, Crossroads at the Carolina Inn, Food, hotels, North Carolina, restaurants, Shopping, Southern Season, The Pig, Travel, University of North Carolina, USA, Visit the USA, Weathervane
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#BBQbound: Hillsborough, North Carolina
The small town of Hillsborough, North Carolina made a big impression on me, despite only being able to drop in for a short overnight stay. Completely off my radar before planning my BBQ Bound itinerary, the town is now my top choice for a repeat visit of all the stops I made during my three weeks on the road. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Beer, Drink, Food, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQ Festival, BBQbound, beer, Brand USA, Eno River, Food, Hillsborough, Hillsborough BBQ Company, Hillsborough North Carolina, Holiday Inn Express, hotels, Mountains to Sea Trail, Mystery Brewing, Mystery Brewing Public House, North Carolina, restaurants, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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#BBQbound: Lexington, North Carolina
This small town (population 19,000) is home to its own signature Lexington style of BBQ (also known as Piedmont or Western Carolina style). Made with wood-smoked (a mix of hickory and oak) and chopped pork shoulder (aka Boston butt) and usually served “wet” with a vinegar and ketchup based red sauce, the BBQ as a sandwich or more typically as a tray jammed full of BBQ and a side of “red” coleslaw that’s been mixed with the same red sauce instead of mayonnaise, and hushpuppies. It’s distinctive and delicious. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Food, Hotels, North Carolina, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged BARBECUE, Barbecue Festival, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQ Festival, BBQbound, Brand USA, BRAZILIAN BARBECUE, Food, Holiday Inn Express, hotels, Lexington, Lexington Barbecue, Lexington Barbecue Festival, Lexington North Carolina, Lexington Style BBQ, North Carolina, Piedmont Style BBQ, restaurants, Travel, USA, Visit the USA, Western Style BBQ
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Grosvenor House Apartments: View From The Penthouse
“There’s luxury, and then there’s sophistication,” says Maddie Salters, and “The Penthouse at Grosvenor House Apartments embodies the latter: true elegance, presented with grace, not overstating itself.” Continue reading
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Posted in Hotels, London, Luxury, Travel
Tagged Food, Grosvenor House, Grosvenor House Apartments, hotels, Jumeirah, Jumeirah Living, London, luxury, Maddie Salters, mayfair, mount street, park lane, Travel, W1, W1K 7TN, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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#BBQbound: Memphis
It had been more than 20 years since I’d last been to Memphis, and I was glad my BBQ Bound road trip passed through it, affording me the chance to reacquaint myself with this fantastic town so prominently set on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Indeed, a tour of the best BBQ destinations in the South without a stop in Memphis would have been remiss. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Celebrities, Food, Hotels, Museums, Music, Restaurants, road trip, Tennessee, Travel
Tagged BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, Brand USA, Celebrities, Central BBQ, elvis, elvis presley, Elwood's Shack, Food, Graceland, hotels, Jerry's Sno Cones, Lorraine Hotel, Memphis, museums, music, National Civil Rights Museum, National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel, restaurants, Sheraton, Sheraton Memphis, Sheraton Memphis Downtown, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Stax Records, Sun Studio, TENNESSEE, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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#BBQbound: Dallas
From Austin I headed north to Dallas, a city I’d never visited before and one that I really wasn’t certain whether I’d take to or not. I ended up regretting not having more time to spend there. As for the BBQ, Dallas wound up being one of the tastiest pit stops of my three week road trip. Continue reading
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Posted in BBQ Bound, Food, Hotels, Luxury, Museums, Restaurants, road trip, Travel
Tagged Art, BBQ, BBQ Bound, BBQbound, Belmont Hotel, Bishop Arts District, Brand USA, Brisket, Crow Collection, Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas, Dallas Art District, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum, Dallas/Addison Marriott Quorum by the Galleria, Dean Fearing, Fearing’s Restaurant, Food, hotels, lockhart, Lockhart Smokehouse, Lockhart Smokehouse BBQ, luxury, marriott, museums, Nasher Sculpture Center, Pecan Lodge, Quorum by the Galleria, restaurants, Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Dallas, Smoke Dallas, State Fair of Texas, texas, Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Travel, USA, Visit the USA
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Inspired and Aspiring Travel with IHG’s Spire Elite
Over the summer, IHG unveiled its Rewards Club’s new top membership level: Spire Elite. When asked to give it a test run with a jaunt over to the Continent, I did not hesitate to take IHG up on the offer. … Continue reading
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12 of America’s Most Haunted Hotels (OneTravel)
Want a “BOO!” with your next hotel booking? With a bit of luck, you’ll receive a complimentary creep-out and more when you check in at one of these historic hotels. Have a look at this list of America’s 12 most … Continue reading
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Posted in Halloween, Hotels, OneTravel, Travel
Tagged halloween, Haunted Hotels, hotels, OneTravel, Travel
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See the Sights at a Hotel near the Castle Museum York
You may be taking a trip to York for a number of reasons – a business trip or conference, visiting family or someone going to the university, or you are just passing through the area – but you want to … Continue reading
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Posted in England, Hotels, Travel
Tagged england, hotels, SPONSORED POST, Travel, york
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Heathrow Airport Hotels
Everyone is well aware just how hectic travel can be today, particularly when you are going through airport after airport. Even the most seasoned business traveler can get frustrated and feel stress over dealing with all of the arrangements that … Continue reading
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Hotels Near London Major Tourist Attractions
Whenever you travel to a major city like London for a pleasure trip there are a number of things you want to keep in consideration as you make your plans. One of the most important of all of your decisions … Continue reading
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Virtually Travel the World Without Leaving Your Hotel Room
Currently being tested for two weeks at the London Marriott Park Lane and New York Marriott Marquis hotels (check with the individual properties for exact dates), VRoom can be requested to use for free by guests in the same manner as they might go about ordering room service meals or laundry pickup. Upon request, the VRoom gear is hand-delivered to the guest’s room along with instructions and left on loan for up to 24 hours. Continue reading
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Posted in Entertainment, Hotels, London, Luxury, Travel
Tagged Entertainment, hotels, London, luxury, Marriot Hotel Park Lane, marriott, mayfair, park lane, SAMSUNG, technology, The Marriott Hotel Park Lane, Travel, Virtual reality, VRoom Service, W1K 7AA, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Swindon Hotels Provide Great Comfort
No matter where you may be traveling to or for whatever reason you may be traveling one of the most important aspects of your trip is going to be the quality of the hotel that you are staying. Just because … Continue reading
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Posted in England, Hotels, Travel
Tagged england, hotels, SPONSORED POST, Swindon, Travel
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The Best of the Budget Hotels Victoria London Offers
Everyone today tries to be as conscious as they can about the money they spend all of the time. This is especially true when you are planning any type of trip, whether it is for business or pleasure. For business … Continue reading
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Experience Comfort at Hotels in St Albans
If you are looking for a truly unique place to stay on your next holiday to Great Britain you may want to consider visiting the city of St Albans. St Albans is located in the southern part of Hertfordshire in … Continue reading
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Posted in England, Hotels, London, Travel
Tagged england, Hertfordshire, hotels, London, SPONSORED POST, St Albans
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Boutique Hotels in Yorkshire
More and more today as people travel they are asking for a better hotel experience that allows them to enjoy luxury but at a smaller hotel. This has caused many cities both large and small to begin to offer unique … Continue reading
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Posted in England, Hotels, Travel
Tagged england, hotels, SPONSORED POST, Travel, yorkshire
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Affordable Hotels Near Earl’s Court
Traveling to London at any time of year, whether it is for business or for leisure, can seem to be quite expensive for you. The airfare alone can cost you a lot of money so you want to try to … Continue reading
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Posted in Hotels, London, Travel
Tagged earls court, hotels, London, SPONSORED POST, Travel, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Living Lech: Auf Wiedersehen!
Four days in Lech am Arlberg was a rejuvenating experience. Though it’s known as ski country, the relatively uncharted summer territory was just as charming and far less crowded, with enough recreational activities available to keep me constantly on my toes. High-altitude fun in the stunning Alps meant that I was out daily hiking, fishing, and enjoying the early July heat spell. Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Travel
Tagged austria, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, Travel
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Living Lech: A Taste of Austria’s Gourmand Side
Austria, like any culture-rich nation, has a consummate tradition of food: timeless recipes, fresh ingredients, and local preferences. That’s given. What I didn’t expect from my four-day trip to Lech, a traditional valley town nestled into the sprightly Alps, was for my farm-fresh experience to cross-over with world-renown couture gastronomy. And here’s the thing about couture: it always fits. (Not sure if I could say the same for my jeans afterwards.) Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Drink, Food, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Restaurants, Travel, Wine
Tagged austria, Austrian Wine, Drink, Food, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, restaurants, Travel, wine
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Living Lech: An Unrivaled Experience at Aurelio’s Lush Spa
Winner of a Relax Guide SPA Award in 2015, the state-of-the-art spa at Hotel Aurelio includes a 23-meter swimming pool, experience baths, saunas, treatment rooms, and more while offering a wide array of rare amenities and tailored services. Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Travel
Tagged austria, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, spa, Travel
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Living Lech: Sporting and Recreation in the Athletic Alps
It was my first introduction to the world of summer sport and outdoor recreation in the resort town of Lech, and it was a blast. After four days in Lech, my running shoes were dusty with exertion, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling I wanted more time to appreciate everything on offer. Luckily, Hotel Aurelio put together a programme that allowed me to dabble in a wide array of Lech’s summer options. Fishing, llama trekking, cooking classes, and marathon shopping (it may as well be a sport,) were all highlights for me. Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Travel
Tagged adventure travel, austria, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, Travel
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Living Lech: Summer at the Magnificent Hotel Aurelio
During her three night visit to the “fairytale landscape” of Lech, Maddie Salters stayed at Hotel Aurelio, where her “every impulse and need was catered to in a decadent manner indicative of the finest five-star hotels.” According to Maddie, “to say the Hotel Aurelio spoils you would be an understatement: choices seem boundless, from cuisine to entertainment, and bespoke itineraries are par for the course.” Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Travel
Tagged adventure travel, austria, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, Travel
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Living Lech: Where Luxury and Adventure Await
Lech am Arlberg is a linchpin in European ski culture, known for its flawless slopes and prim luxury hotels, which offer privacy and comfort to winter holidaymakers. But Lech blooms into a little-known treasure in the summer, when its rolling green hills and burbling rivers become the ideal location for hiking, biking, and sport. Michelin-starred plates are served out on sunny terraces and relaxation becomes synonymous with indulgence. Continue reading
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Posted in Austria, Hotels, Living Lech, Luxury, Travel
Tagged austria, Hotel Aurelio, hotels, Lech, Lech am Arlberg, Living Lech, luxury, Maddie Salters, Travel
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Find the Best Hotels near the Top Shopping Areas in London
Millions of people come to London each year for travel, but they all come for a variety of reasons. While some may visit the city because it is part of their business, others come strictly to take in some of … Continue reading
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Find the Best Hotel in the Wembley Area
If you are planning any type of trip into Central London you are going to want to look at staying in the Wembley area for your trip. When you stay in Wembley you will be close to all of the … Continue reading
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5 London Hotels Offering Uniquely Urban Access (OneTravel)
Here’s a list of five upscale London hotels offering excellent access to the vibrant metropolis they call home – be it supreme convenience, gentile comfort or a more stylish than typical way to get around town. Read my complete post … Continue reading
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Wimbledon-Themed Afternoon Tea at The Landmark London
Earlier today I had the pleasure of enjoying afternoon tea in the light filled Winter Garden of five star hotel, The Landmark London. I reckon it’s one of London’s most elegant spaces to book an afternoon tea service, and proved to be an excellent setting for me to get through an initially awkward start and have a great conversation. Continue reading
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Posted in Drink, Food, Hotels, London, Luxury, Restaurants
Tagged afternoon tea, Drink, Food, hotels, Ladbrokes Bingo, London, luxury, SPONSORED POST, tea, Лондон, لندن, ロンドン, 伦敦
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Hotels Near the Best Shopping in London
There are all kinds of reasons that you may want to visit the city of London. The history of the city and all of the wonderful tourist attractions you can take it are often more than enough for some people. … Continue reading
