And I can assure you that you’ll feel like you’re there for your entire stay; from the ‘namaskar’ that every member of staff – clad in Indian dress – greets you with, through to the décor which makes you feel like you’ve entered a palace in Mumbai, The LaLiT London offers its guest much more than just a hotel stay – it encapsulates the essence of India, fooling you into feeling like you’ve travelled across the world when you actually haven’t left London.
Housed in what used to be St Olave’s grammar establishment for boys from 1835 to 1968, the hotel is the first international offering from the luxury Indian hotel group The LaLiT. Many of the bedrooms which once used to be classrooms or offices in the grammar school now have super comfortable beds wrapped in Indian fabrics, with tall, hand-embroidered silk headboards in warm cream, white and orange. The original beams add a homely feel to the luxury interiors and the bathrooms come with marble temperature-controlled flooring, Japanese Toto toilets and mother-of-pearls mirrors with an anti-fog system. All the necessary amenities like a minibar, a Nespresso machine and a 40-inch LED TV are there too. Spread across three floors, a few of the 70 individually designed rooms and suites boast Shard views, whilst the Thames Suite offers a stunning view of the river.
During our stay, we popped into the Teacher’s Room (or the bar) for a chai infused cocktail before dinner to prepare our tastebuds for the culinary adventure which Baluchi Restaurant guarantees. The restaurant, which once used to be the school’s assembly hall, has been turned into an opulent, royal blue room which celebrates everything Indian but still nods to the building’s history. Sapphire-tinted glass chandeliers adorn the high ceiling and the wooden floors and wood-clad walls create a warm and intimate ambience.
Food at Beluchi Restaurant is all about modern Indian gourmet cuisine. The carefully crafted menu celebrates Indian flavours, serving a selection of proteins in fragrant sauces, finished off with creatively cooked garnishes. Mains can be paired with a scrumptious selection of traditional naans, rotis or parathas, or of course - rice. Breakfast is served there too and offers a spectacular collection of traditional Indian breakfast dishes, in addition to British and continental staples.
For a more relaxed and quick meal, try The Naan'ery where you can sample four Indian breads, made with seasonal ingredients and paired with a complementing wine. In addition to a 24/7 gym and a small spa that mixes both Eastern and Western therapies, The LaLiT London also offers two meeting rooms (suitable for 8 or 12 attendees).
The LaLiT London enjoys an excellent location for both people who are visiting London for work and travellers - it’s about a five-minute walk from London Bridge and its underground station and a ten-minute walk from The Shard.
For more information and to book your stay, go to http://www.thelalit.com/the-lalit-london/
Located in the City of London area, just a 10-minute walk from St Paul's Cathedral, Apex Temple Court Hotel offers surprisingly quiet rooms for its central location and is a place where you can unwind and recharge after a busy day of meetings. Once you walk through its doors, you enter a peaceful courtyard which immediately feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of London. This is where you can find the alfresco area of Fleet Street’s newest wine bar, The Amicable Society of Lazy Ballerinas. Offering an extensive selection of old and new wines, a menu of scrumptious small plates perfect for sharing and ultra aesthetically pleasing décor, the bar attracts both hotel guests and Londoners popping in for an after-work drink. There are also two private dining rooms, both offering seating for 16 guests, or alternatively, 30 guests for a drinks reception, which can be booked for meetings, events or wine tastings.
Across the courtyard, you’ll find the hotel’s Club Lounge, a relaxed place where you can have a casual business meeting or bring your laptop and work, and Chambers Restaurant, where breakfast is served. Start your morning with continental staples and cooked-to-order classics like Full English, Eggs Benedict and pancakes and come back for lunch or dinner – the a la carte menu offers everything from steaks and burgers, through to lighter options like fish and salads.
For a real taste of luxury, stay at one of the hotel’s suites. Home to every indulgent touch you desire, they boast impressive period features including beautiful fireplaces, huge, squishy beds, a cosy living area and a luxurious, marble bathroom with a walk-in shower and bathtub, complete with underfloor heating and bespoke furniture. With Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers, a vanity mirror TV in the bathroom and two more LED TVs (one in the bedroom and one in the living room), you are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment. And if this isn’t enough, thoughtful touches like complimentary arrival drinks, a Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine, Temple Spa products and free-of-charge drinks and snacks at the Club Lounge which all suite guests enjoy exclusive access to will make your stay truly special.
For more information and to book your stay, please go to https://www.apexhotels.co.uk/apex-temple-court-hotel
With huge, squishy beds and views across the beautiful Houses of the Parliament to the right and the River Thames to the left, the rooms at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge are spacious, sharing a restful, simple colour palette with touches of red here and there and a classic collection of furniture. Business guests are well looked after with free wifi, espresso machines and a desk in each room. As with the bedrooms, the ground-floor lobby is simple in style but feels very contemporary and cosmopolitan.
An important factor to consider when choosing a business hotel in London is its food offering and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge certainly does not disappoint in this regard. Head to either the award-winning Brasserie Joël or the popular Ichi Sushi & Sashimi Bar for a formal meal, or have a quick bite before your next meeting at Primo Bar. And if you are too tired to make it to dinner, do not fret – the hotel also offers 24-hour room service. In case you need a little pick-me-up before dashing out the door, grab an expertly crafted Italian coffee from illy Caffè to bring with you.
There’s nothing quite like coming back from a day of long meetings to a hotel that has a spa and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge’s gorgeous Mandara Spa promises to help you escape from the hustle and bustle of London and switch off completely. The décor takes inspiration from the island of Bali and offers an extraordinary range of treatments and products from Mandara Spa, ELEMIS Face & Body Therapies and CND Nails and Waxing. For those who like to keep active during a work trip, the spa also offers a state-of-the-art gymnasium.
With its 32 conference rooms to choose from, which include the signature 1,200 sqm pillar-free Westminster Ballroom (which can host up to 1,350 diners or 2,000 delegates theatre-style), Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is undoubtedly one of London's leading meetings venues. The outstanding Ballroom comes with removable walls, integrated pin-spot lighting, a heavy goods lift, private bar and a dedicated meeting planner's office. The hotel also offers two smaller suites – Plaza and Park Suites – which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests and include a dedicated foyer and Business Centre. On top of this, more intimate boardrooms for up to 24 attendees can be found on each floor of the building.
For more information or to book your stay or event, please go to: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/park-plaza-westminster-bridge-london?cid=b:gmb+c:emea+e:pph+d:cese+f:en-US+h:PPWL#
Set right next to Mansion House station, Vintry & Mercer creates a feeling of grandeur mixed with a little millennial quirkiness. Every little detail is extremely aesthetically pleasing, whilst the ambience is so relaxed and refreshingly un-corporate that it feels more like a luxurious modern home than a hotel right in the middle of London.
Opened in February this year and named after the two commercial wards on the hotel's doorstep (Vintry where fine wines would be delivered from France and Mercer which is the former haunt of noble merchants who traded in high-quality silks, damasks and linens), the hotel’s lavish décor celebrates London’s trading links. Fusing the past with modernity, the 92 sumptuous bespoke rooms and suites (which come in 5 categories) take inspiration from Mercer and feature deep blue, maroon or mustard-coloured velvet headboards, leather door handles, framed London street maps and wallpapered walls. A flatscreen TV, minibar, tea and coffee facilities and an exquisite marble bathroom finish off each room, making it so cosy and homely that leaving it for the hustle and bustle of London feels like a ludicrous idea. And if you do decide to simply stay in, the rooms have a ‘do not disturb’ button (as well as a ‘make up my room’ button) instead of a card to hang on the door – we did warn you that the hotel is brand new and super modern.
For dinner, head down to the ground floor where you’ll find Vintry Izakaya - an Asian tapas eatery where wine plays an important part and is poured straight from large barrels lining the gantry. The menu oozes with bold Asian flavours and offers anything from classic steamed buns and shrimp tempura or Wagyu katsu sandos, through to more inventive dishes like beef rib teriyaki arancini or kimchi and blue cheese fries. Our personal favourites were the miso and sesame seeds Padron peppers and the cooked to perfection sweet miso glazed aubergine. The saddest thing about tapas dinners is that you often order so many small plates of food to share that you could potentially end up feeling too full for pudding, which is a pity when the restaurant offers dangerously inticing desserts like Vietnamese espresso mousse or matcha Opera cake with berry sorbet. All is well though – I suppose this would be a good enough excuse to visit again and hopefully order less this time around. Breakfast is also served at Vintry Izakaya and comprises of a continental buffet and cooked-to-order dishes like traditional full English, but also Asian options like eggs Florentine on steamed bao buns.
After dinner, move to the dimly lit Do Not Disturb cocktail bar inspired by the clandestine bars of 1920s New York and finish off the night with a barrel-aged glass of Manhattan.
Most wow-worthy, however, is Vintry & Mercer’s rooftop terrace and the stunning views it boasts. Filled with light thanks to the glass-panelled roof, the restaurant promises to be a popular dinner spot for Londoners this summer. The menu focusses on modern British cuisine, introducing guests to fresh meat and fish from the British Isles. Dishes include mouth-watering Cornish crab, British asparagus, oysters and lobster, as well as hay-smoked beef tartare and Tomahawk steaks. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively and the décor is ridiculously instagrammable.
For those willing to break a sweat after all the beautiful food on offer at Vintry & Mercer, the hotel also has a small gym equipped with the latest Life Fitness workout equipment — a treadmill, exercise bike, cross trainer and rowing machine, as well as an integrated digital screen with Internet access and an iPhone dock.
And if you need any more reasons as to why Vintry & Mercer needs to be your home away from home when you next visit London (not that you probably do), the newly-built hotel is functioning solely on renewable electricity, sourced from wind, solar and biomass generators. It has solar panels on the roof toe, ensuring a minimal effect on the environment.
For more information and to book your stay, please go to https://www.vintryandmercer.com/
Ah, Rome. I keep coming back to the Eternal City and every time I do, she introduces me to new architectural masterpieces to marvel at, new tales about the Roman Empire and new quaint pizzerias hidden on Trastevere’s cobblestone streets where passionate waiters jokingly tell me off for asking them if they can serve my aubergine parmigiana without the cheese; “Why would you ask for that, bella? It’s an offence to Italian cheese!” Rome is one of those places that are so full of history that you’d wish you had all the time in the world to wander around and get lost in its charming alleyways and piazzas where stunningly carved sculptures and grandiose fountains can be found in every nook and cranny.
And just like Rome itself, every corner in Rome Cavalieri will surprise you with something new to wonder at. With a truly impressive collection of period furniture and original artworks, paired with the jaw-dropping views that its outstanding location high above the city provides, Rome Cavalieri manages to perfectly capture the essence of Rome.
Situated in a 15-acre private Mediterranean park in a quiet residential area, Rome Cavalieri feels like an oasis of greenery and quietness to return to after a day of exploring Rome’s crowded tourist attractions. The hotel offers 345 spacious rooms with private balconies and 25 sumptuous suites – individually decorated to showcase original art pieces and antique furniture. For a true slice of la dolce vita, book the Penthouse or the Planetarium Suite, both offering expansive terraces, hot tubs and sensational views of St Peter’s Basilica and even the Colosseum in the distance. Staying in one of the suites or Imperial Rooms will grant you access to the super exclusive Imperial Club where you can enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the day, as well as breakfast, afternoon tea and aperitivo before dinner.
When you first walk into the hotel, you may find yourself wondering whether you’ve entered a hotel or an art gallery. Its highly prized private collection of period furniture pieces, original paintings, tapestries, statues and rare 18th-century antiques (over 10,000 pieces in total) includes a 17th century Giovanni Battista Tiepolo triptych – considered to be a national treasure, as well as a spectacular Zais piece hanging over the concierge desk. But the art tour doesn't end as soon as you leave the lobby – every inch of the property is adorned with magnificent artworks – from authentic Nureyev costumes on display outside the Imperial Club through to original Andy Warhol paintings and sofas designed by Karl Lagerfeld in the Penthouse Suite.
Italians know a thing or two about good food and Rome Cavalieri is no exception. With its signature La Pergola Restaurant & Bar, managed by widely celebrated Chef Heinz Beck, the hotel is the only hotel in Italy that offers its guests three-Michelin-starred cuisine. It is also home to Uliveto Restaurant, serving Meditarenan and international classics with a twist, Tiepolo Lounge and Terrace where you can enjoy drinks and light lunches surrounded by Tiepolo's art, a pool bar and the Grand Spa Café, as well as the seasonal alfresco Chalet Grill where in the summer, you can watch live sport events on large TVs.
If you can squeeze in some time in between exploring Rome and enjoying the outstanding food in Rome Cavalieri, head to the hotel’s spa where you can find an indoor pool, three outdoor swimming pools, two saunas, a whirlpool and an amethyst Turkish bath. For those who like to work up a sweat before starting their day, Rome Cavalieri’s Spa also offers a fully-equipped state-of-the-art gym; but if you’d rather pamper yourself, book a treatment in one of the 10 treatment rooms (the list is truly impressive!) - a full-body massage will be well needed after strolling the streets of Rome all day.
If you’re travelling to Rome for work, Rome Cavalieri also offers impressive meeting and conference facilities, with 8,700m2 of meeting and conference space, a grand ballroom with a capacity of 2,100 people, 28 meeting rooms and a separate congress centre entrance.
With an unmatched abundance of sights to explore, Rome is undoubtedly one of the most dazzling and remarkable cities not only in Europe but in the world. Yet, once you enter Rome Cavalieri and you get a taste of everything it has to offer, leaving the grounds of the hotel will seem like a nearly impossible task. My advice: stay for as long as you can!
For more information and to book your stay, please go to https://romecavalieri.com/
Ye Olde Bell Hotel & Spa is the perfect place for a weekend of relaxation away from the office. The main hotel building is all about classic interiors - as soon as you enter the snug and the reception area, you’re greeted by plush fabrics, elegant wallpapers, moulded Lincrusta wall coverings, oak panelling and antique furnishings. Once checked in, cosy up there, next to the flickering log fire, and flick through the day’s papers while sipping on a nice cup of tea. All of the hotel’s 59 rooms are atmospheric and beautifully styled and come in five categories. For a real taste of luxury, stay at one of the suites or better yet – book one of the two 2-storey lodges which are set just off the Courtyard.
The short walk between the hotel and the spa takes you to a very different setting. Opened in 2017, the multi-million pound spa feels like it belongs in a resort somewhere in the Alps and not in a traditionally English inn. And with its truly impressive collection of experiences to try, it guarantees to make your shoulders ease as soon as you arrive.
The main entrance leads you through the kind of lounge you want to luxuriate in, with its contemporary design, cosy fireplace and velvet armchairs. Once in the spa itself, you’re welcomed by a sublime pool that runs both inside and out and comes with in-built relaxing loungers and various hydrotherapy features. By the outdoor side of the pool, you’ll find three cosy Alpine lodges with fire pits where you can cuddle up and relax. Don’t spend too much time there though because the real fun is inside. Make sure you try the stone bath and the two saunas, which offer different heat options and experiences and go straight to the shower walk after you’re done. Its settings include waters of varying temperatures and sounds which recreate the experience of a warm tropical rain and summer storm, a cold Alpine rain or a mist and end with a cold bucket shower. If the bucket shower sounds too scary to you but you still want to have a cold shower after a sweat session, try the snowstorm experience. Ye Olde Bell spa also offers a herbal steam room, infused with herbs from their very own herb garden and a Salt Inhalation Room where you can have a relaxing nap.
When all that relaxing gets too much, move to the spa restaurant for a beautiful three-course meal (and try their gnocchi salad with rocket, sundried tomatoes and pine nuts). And if you want to leave feeling truly revitalised and rejuvenated, top off your spa day by indulging in a Turkish massage or an aromatherapy facial in one of Ye Olde Bell Spa’s six treatment rooms. Let me warn you though: with glasses of prosecco constantly flowing (brought to you by very helpful spa butlers) and the abundance of things to try, leaving the spa to go back to the hotel and get ready for dinner could be a very difficult task.
Dinner (and lunch) is served in Restaurant Bar 1650 and St Leger Bistro-by-the-Bar, both of which have been awarded an AA Rosette. Menus feature classics such as steaks, pan seared sea bass and venison loin, all celebrating creative cooking and modern British cuisine. The guests of Ye Olde Bell are also invited to join them for a traditional afternoon tea with a contemporary twist (served on beautiful vintage china) or a mouth-watering Sunday roast. With its impressive six banquet suites, Ye Olde Bell is also renowned for its wedding, banqueting and corporate events – and we’re struggling to think of a better place that will cater for your event if you’re in the area!
A stay at Ye Olde Bell Hotel and Spa, which includes spa time, starts from £149.50 per person.
For more information or to make a booking visit www.yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk or call 01777 705121.
Located in the Heart of Hungary’s historic capital city, The Corinthia Hotel Budapest is one of the most luxurious hotels in the region and is within walking distance of several of the city’s most exciting attractions.
Formerly known as the Grand Hotel Royal, much of the building was sadly destroyed in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and despite re-opening its doors in the 1960s, the Grand Royal remained a shadow of its former self. That was until new owners, Corinthia Hotels, started an extensive restoration project in the 1990s that would retain the best of the old, while sensitively adding the new. Once restored to its original glory, the newly named Corinthia Hotel Budapest re-opened its doors as a luxury property in 2003. While the gracious frontage, extravagant marble floors, the amazing sweeping staircase and breathtaking, six-storey Atrium preserved from the original building offer glorious hints of a bygone age, the levels of comfort and convenience are all reassuringly up-to-date. Over a century of heritage has been perfectly restored with no expense spared for a new generation of travelers.
Rooms
Corinthia Hotel Budapest boasts a staggering 439 rooms, including 31 suites and 26 Royal Residences. I was lucky enough to stay in the spacious and luxurious Junior Suite. The room featured a bedroom with the most comfortable king size bed, an expansive living area, an impressive marble bathroom, comfortable sofas and all the luxuries that you would expect from a premium hotel including satellite TV, complimentary Wi-Fi and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Dining
From fine dining, to a casual meal, you will be truly spoilt for choice when dining at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest where every palate is catered for in their four lavish restaurants.
During my stay at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest, I chose to eat in the The Brasserie and Atrium restaurant which offers delicious International and Hungarian dishes. It is an ideal place for both business and casual meetings. The restaurant is open all day, beginning with the morning buffet breakfast, through to lunch and then á la carte dinner. Uniquely in Hungary, on every Sunday, the Brasserie and Atrium restaurant presents themed brunches, where besides culinary joys, the focus is on entertainment and live experiences.
Guests staying in Deluxe or above rooms will also benefit from use of the Executive Club which offers complimentary breakfast, fine Hungarian wines, a wide range of spirits, non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day. The Executive Club was designed for today’s discerning traveler and is the ideal environment for conducting business and relaxing while working away from the office.
For more information about dining at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest, please visit www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/budapest/dining
The Royal Spa
Steeped in history, The Royal Spa is a unique attraction from the 19th century and has been given a new lease of life - remodeled as a luxurious and contemporary spa with a 15-meter pool.
The pool first opened in 1886, at that time it contained steam baths, wave and shower baths, electric baths, a pneumatic chamber and a medical room with cold water. The spa operated until 1944 when it closed for many years. The abandoned, obsolete spa was rediscovered in 1983 and, according to the original documents, there were plans to use the spa area for parking facilities. Thankfully, the proposal was turned down and the spa has since been beautifully restored to its original splendor offering the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day taking in all that the beautiful city of Budapest has to offer.
Also available at the Royal Spa is an extensive menu of treatments, including a range of luxury wellness and therapeutic body, face and massage treatments along with a fitness room, saunas, steam bath, jacuzzi, and various relaxation areas.
Whilst Budapest is known as the city of Baths, you need look no further than The Royal Spa when you are wanting to relax and unwind, it is the jewel of luxury at Corinthia Hotel Budapest. Within the framework of its classical interiors, the Royal Spa has been carefully redesigned to provide over 1,000 m2 of vitality, tranquility and well-being.
Conferences and Events
Perfect for conferences, the Valletta Exhibition centre is a showpiece of 21st century architecture and technology, offering a large event or display space which can be partitioned to create up to 12 syndicate rooms or opened to create large event spaces with refreshment areas.
The facilities also include a Grand Ballroom which offers the perfect venue for a truly unforgettable event. The Ballroom has been restored to its original beauty with rich, baroque-style decorated ceilings and walls and is connected to the Valletta Exhibition centre via a glass bridge meaning the two centres can easily be linked to support a more extravagant, large-scale event.
Then there is the Royal Lounge which is elegantly furnished and features private meeting rooms, boardrooms and rest sections, all fully equipped with built-in smart screens, a wireless printer and mobile chargers, making it the perfect place to meet clients.
For more information and to book your stay at Corinthia Hotel Budapest, head to
www.corinthia.com/budapest
Budapest Key Attractions
Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, is divided by the River Danube. Once two cities known as Buda and Pest, they are now connected by the 19th-century Chain Bridge.
Here, we take a look at the top things to do whilst visiting this wonderful city.
Parliament Building
Situated on the banks of the River Danube, Parliament building is sure to take your breath away. Take an evening river cruise along the Danube to see this amazing building at its best. A guided tour of Parliament is also advisable where you can admire the architecture and grand decoration whilst learning the history of this magnificent building.
Shoes on the Danube Bank
Also situated on the banks of the River Danube and just a short stroll from the Parliament building are the Shoes on the Danube Bank, a memorial to honour the people who were killed by fascist Arrow Cross militiamen in Budapest during World War II. They were made to take off their shoes, and were shot at the edge of the water leaving their bodies to fall into the river and were carried away. The iron sculptures represent their shoes left behind on the bank.
Heroes’ Square
A major square in Budapest that contains statues featuring the Seven chieftains of the Magyars and other important Hungarian national leaders, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
St Stephen’s Basilica
The third largest church building in Hungary, named in honour of Stephen, the first King of Hungary whose right hand is supposedly housed in the reliquary.
Castle District
Take a ride on the Funicular up Buda Hill to the Castle District and admire the spectacular views of Budapest along with the historic attractions of Buda Castle, the Royal Palace, St Matthias Church and Fishermen’s Bastion.
All of the above are within walking distance of Corinthia Hotel Budapest, but are also easily accessible via Budapest’s extensive transport network. A tram stop along with a bus stop are situated right outside the hotel.
Looking for a comfortable hotel in the Lakes that serves award-winning food? Relax and unwind at the perfectly located Beech Hill Hotel & Spa. Expect well-cooked local produce, pampering treatments at their Lakeview Spa and some of the most spectacular views of Lake Windermere.
The Atmosphere
Nestled on the eastern bank of Lake Windermere and just a five-minute drive from the picturesque town of Bowness-on-Windermere, Beech Hill Hotel & Spa benefits from an outstanding location and peaceful surroundings. Its 57 rooms feel very homely and most of them come with private balconies or access to the hotel’s stunning garden. There is a spacious balcony next to the restaurant and the hotel’s living room which is the perfect spot for a pre-dinner sunset cocktail - if the weather permits.
The Restaurant
The AA Rosette awarded Burlington Restaurant at Beech Hill Hotel & Spa is headed by Chef Lukasz who specialises in French and English cuisine. His menu encompasses the very best from Cumbrian suppliers and some of the highlights include the light Piel Island lobster, king prawn and avocado tian starter, as well as the cooked-to-perfection sea bass fillet that comes with fondant potato, marsh-samphire ice salad, asparagus and a delicious dill beurre blanc sauce.
The breakfast buffet features all of the full-English staples, as well as some continental options such as a small selection of pastries, yoghurt, cereals and fruit.
The Spa
As its name would suggest, whether you’re unwinding by the indoor pool at Lakeview Spa or choose to de-stress in the vitality spa pool in the garden, you can enjoy magnificent views of Lake Windermere in a relaxing setting. The spa also offers an extensive list of Elemis treatments that promise to leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
For more information and to book your stay at Beech Hill Hotel & Spa, please visit:
Have you ever been to a hotel that you could visit time and time again? One that’s almost better than the destination itself? That’s exactly how I felt when I visited Hotel Okura Amsterdam.
Part of an international chain with more than 80 luxury hotels worldwide, Hotel Okura Amsterdam is the Japanese chain’s only hotel in Europe. The 23-storey building is located in the trendy De Pijp district - close to the financial, cultural and entertainment districts of Amsterdam. It offers its guests high-quality accommodation, culinary delights in four Michelin-star restaurants, plus ultra-modern spa facilities.
The Accommodation
Western in style and elegantly subdued with neutral colours, all 300 guest rooms are spacious and plushly decked out with comfortable Eastborn beds, large wooden work desks, Nespresso machines and all the other amenities you’d expect in a five-star hotel. We were very fortunate to be in one of the rooms that offered magnificent views of the city.
Upon arrival, we discovered a lovely surprise to walk into - a note from the Okura team welcoming us to the hotel and a box of macaroons.
Hotel Restaurants
Hotel Okura Amsterdam is home to four high-quality, Michelin-star restaurants. Yamazato is the first traditional Japanese restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star in Europe. Teppanyaki Restaurant Sazanka offers the opportunity to watch the chefs while they prepare their delicious dishes on a hot griddle at the guests table. The International and innovative Ciel Bleu Restaurant offers a panoramic view of the city and has held two Michelin stars since 2007. Serre serves internationally inspired dishes with seasonal, fresh and local products, and holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, as a restaurant that delivers quality food for an affordable price.
Hotel Spa – Nagomi
Nagomi Spa & Health is the perfect place to go if you want to get away from the stress of everyday life. The Japanese word Nagomi, which means ‘calm down’, captures the essence of the spa. The carefully composed selection of treatments will help you escape the bustle of the city. In addition to the treatments, you can also unwind in the Turkish steam bath, sauna or Jacuzzi.
For more information, please go to: https://www.okura.nl/
Known for all of its high-end flamboyance, Dubai is on most people’s bucket list destination of travel. And we do not blame them; fear not of conforming to the ‘wanna-be’ celebrity WAG’s ideal home away from home, because Dubai truly will baffle you.
Grandeur being her middle name, the United Arab Emirate city overshadows the Middle East with its ultramodern architecture and skyscrapers. From luxury designer shops to serene beaches, once branded as the Middle East’s most expensive city, Dubai’s character is to feed the slight hedonism in all of us.
She also feeds the adventure in us. From the tamer dune bashing and sandboarding, to the extreme paragliding and parachuting, this city has the perfect climate and atmosphere for you to overdose on adrenaline; and to try and stop you from changing your mind, hotels such as Amwaj Rotana are a quick two-minute walk from the beach you will be jet skiing across.
But for those who indulge in the history of a nation, Dubai also flaunts true Emirati culture; it will feel like you have travelled back in time. Step off the metro to hop on an abra – a traditional wooden boat – to discover tantalising cuisine and your hidden talent of haggling (the locals love a challenge).
The Old Souq is packed with stalls selling traditional Arabian textiles, including fine silk and cotton in every colour, intricately woven rugs and dazzling sequined footwear. Spoil your eyes awing at the vividly colourful, fresh spices and treat your nose to the musky scent of ‘liquid gold’: Oud. It is no surprise that with Oud being one of the most expensive raw scent ingredients, that Tom Ford, Gucci, Guerlian and an array of designers have snatched up the unique fragrance. At Dubai’s Deira Souq, you can be your own version of Jo Malone; from essential oils to incense sticks, vendors will be more than happy to give a crash course in perfumes for you to personally create your own.
And of course, the most famous market: The Gold Souq. Covered with bespoke jewellery and statement pieces that would even make the Queen’s diamond collection look dry, the Gold Souq has an overwhelming choice of gold and diamonds. My tip? Have a good look around before you settle on the perfect ring.
Amwaj Rotana is situated near the metro line, where you can be in Deira via public transport in around an hour. You can also get a taxi (which aren’t too dear), which will take around half an hour.
If haggling and bustling market is not your thing and you much prefer shopping in luxury, the infamous Dubai Mall is for you. The Mall itself, I think, could easily be the size of a town. It is also home to the aquarium which is much loved by adults and children, as well as an ice rink, cinema, the Emirates ‘flight’ experience, a virtual reality park, and of course, a mass array of designer shops, Emirati shops and places to fine dine or casual eateries.
If that is not enough (you must be a tough one to please), but the Mall is also the neighbour of the tallest building of the world: the Burj Khalifa. Standing 828 metres tall, the tower not only showcases the entire city, but you can treat yourselves to afternoon tea on the outskirts of heaven.
Amwaj Rotana is situated 50 minutes away via public transport, or a short 20 minute drive via taxi.
Where to stay
Amwaj Rotana is situated a short two minute (101 steps, to be accurate) walk from the Jumeirah Beach; if the swimming pool isn’t enough for you, you can be dipping your toes in the sea in no time.
For special VIP guests, you can bask in the comfort and feel at home at Atrium Lobby Lounge as you indulge on an array of juices, cocktails and freshly made cakes, treats and delicious pastries. A fine selection of tea and coffees is also available should you wish to enjoy a relaxed cup of tea or discuss business over coffee.
The spacious rooms overlook the city and coast, or, if you want to get out of the room and join those you’re overlooking, you can order a limousine to drive you around. The hotel staff are happy to organise day trips to the desert where you can befriend camels and enjoy a night of Arabian entertainment, or if you fancy something more subdued, enjoy a relaxing massage at Rotana’s spa.
With award-winning dining concepts offering Italian, American/Japanese, British/American and international cuisine as well as live entertainment, and the friendly staff are more than happy to cook something on the spot for those with dietary requirements.
The staff at Rotana are friendly in nature and are more than happy to offer advice for those who are new to Dubai.
Kids? If you want to enjoy the jacuzzi in peace, send them off to Amwaj’s Flipper’s Kids’ Club or, try and find a willing member to babysit them at Dubai’s much-loved waterpark, or at the Splashpad located at the Jumeirah Beach.
Emirati hospitality is something you must experience for yourself. A perfected mix of luxury and warmth, Dubai is an ever-growing city that is grand in nature.
Stay at the five-star Amwaj Rotana in Dubai from 795 AED (approx. £155) per night inclusive of breakfast based on two adults sharing a Classic Room. To book or for further information, please visit www.rotana.com.
By Katina Hristova
Good Hotel is not your typical London hotel - and I mean this in the best way possible. Moored by the Royal Victoria Docks and housed in a floating platform, the hotel stands out not only from the neighbouring buildings, but from any other hotel in England’s capital. And not only because it looks differently. Dedicated to helping people, Good Hotel is a unique example of philanthropic hospitality. Recognised with a REBEL Award for greatest innovation/disruption in the industry, the hotel offers employment and training to unemployed people in the community. But the reasons to stay at Good Hotel don't stop here - laid-back chic industrial design and furnishings, a hip restaurant, rooms boasting magnificent Thames views, a spacious rooftop bar and a general community-focused feel. Whether you’re visiting London for business or pleasure, Good Hotel is an ideal place to come back to after a day of meetings or exploration.
The General Vibe
Stepping into Good Hotel, you’re greeted with dark ceilings, low-hanging lamps, plants, neon signs and wooden tables that make up the massive living room area, which is where the bar, restaurant and reception are. During the day, the area is filled with people working on their laptops whilst sipping on a coffee, business people headed to one of the meeting rooms on the ground floor or friends having late breakfast. The ambiance is all about minimalism and modern Scandinavian interior details.
Rooms are small and compact and have a nautical cabin feel to them - something that is further enhanced by the aforementioned Thames views. But don't expect to be spending a lot of time in the room - at Good Hotel, the main reason why the living area is so spacious is to encourage the communal spirit of the hotel.
The restaurant is friendly and open, and was busy and buzzing when we visited on a rainy Saturday evening. If the sun’s a-shining, book a table by the expansive windows to make the most of those stupendous views over the Thames. The food is unpretentious, but tasty - simple classics cooked beautifully. Breakfast is a relaxed affair here, with a Continental buffet selection, a range of juices and smoothies and well-made coffees.
The Cause
Good Hotel Founder Marten Dresen launched the concept in Amsterdam, turning an old detention centre into a chic, modern hotel that gives back to the community. The floating platform was transported over the North Sea to London in October 2016. Aiming to redefine the model of doing business, the hotel employs long-term unemployed people - offering them a fresh start and a future in the hospitality sector. After completing a free training, individuals are offered a three-month contract of employment, followed by endless opportunities for a permanent job in the field. And as if this isn't enough, the hotel also supports kids of low-income families living in the mountain villages around Antigua, Guatemala. Talk about hospitality with a cause.
Website: http://www.goodhotellondon.com/
Nestled in the Somerset countryside in England, Bath is a beautiful historic town, known for its 18th-century Georgian architecture and natural hot springs – or the Roman baths. One of the town’s most popular sights is The Royal Crescent – a row of 30 terraced houses built between 1767 and 1774. The 150-metre-long sweeping crescent is a Grade I listed building and one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain. It is also the home of one of Bath’s finest hotels – The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa - a five-star hotel that perfectly blends modern luxury with 18th-century elegance.
Interior & Character
Interiors combine graceful opulence with tasteful design motifs from the Georgian era. Impressive curvaceous staircases, high ceilings, stunning chandeliers, original artworks and antique furniture – the feel is all about refined English luxury. To truly indulge in The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa experience and its five-star splendour, stay at The Duke of York master suite, which overlooks the historic Royal Crescent lawn.
The back entrance takes you to a wonderful hidden garden that feels soothingly away from the buzzing town centre. This is where the spa and the Dower House Restaurant are hiding too. The award-winning Spa & Bath House features a 12-metre heated ‘relaxation’ pool, ‘vitality’ pool with massage jets, sauna and steam rooms, as well as a fully-equipped fitness room. It also offers a wide range of beauty treatments, such as relaxing aroma therapy massages and rejuvenating facials, using Elemental Herbology products.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa also has meeting and event spaces, including The Library and The Sheridan Room, which can be adapted to suit individual needs.
Dining
Food is taken seriously at the three-AA-rosette Dower House Restaurant and a meal here is reason enough to come to The Royal Crescent Hotel! Our tasting menu kicked off with a fresh beetroot yoghurt espuma with beetroot gel, citrus and fennel. One of the two mains, and my personal favourite dish of the night, was the beautifully roasted scallops that came with heritage tomatoes, tomato consommé, smoked eel, avocado and marjoram. Sadly, I was too full by dessert time and the two bites that I had of the lemon posset with bay leaf sorbet and the cardamom cheesecake with glazed plum and plum sorbet made me wish I had a second belly, so I can continue eating them.
Breakfast at The Royal Crescent Hotel was among the best hotel breakfasts we’ve ever had. The expansive buffet included everything from scrumptious croissants and pain au chocolats, through to spiced bircher muesli and a selection of freshly squeezed juices. Follow that with made-to-order hot dishes such as The Full Royal Crescent Breakfast (a full English) or its vegetarian version, which comes with meat-free bacon and sausage.
Rooms at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa start at £330 B&B.
Website: https://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/
