Written by Katina Hristova
Looking to visit Britain’s capital? Georgian streets, countless cafés and restaurants, convenient location and classy vibes - whether travelling for work or pleasure, London’s fashionable and affluent area of Marylebone is the perfect place for city-breaking. Here is Finance Monthly’s suggestion for the best Marylebone hotel for your trip.
Housed in a converted Edwardian townhouse building, No Ten Manchester Street is an opulent boutique hotel set in the heart of Marylebone and within a walking distance of the shops of Oxford street. Combining truly English charm with a contemporary European vibe, the hotel boasts stylish rooms, a cigar bar and all the comforts you could possibly need to unwind after a long day of work meetings (or shopping).
The décor of the well-appointed 44 bedrooms and suites is elegant, classic and plush, equipped with bespoke Christopher Guy furniture, Richmond Hypnos beds, complimentary Handy phones, Wi-Fi access, 32-inch flatscreen TVs and en-suite bathrooms. Despite its central location, No Ten Mancheter street’s rooms somehow feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets – a good night’s sleep guaranteed!
No Ten Manchester Street prides itself to be an official Gold Havana Cigar Specialist, with its Cigars at No 10 bar attracting hotel guests from across the globe. The hotel’s cigar team meticulously maintain the cigar collection, house it in a bespoke D’art humidor, making sure that your chosen cigar will arrive in complete optimum condition – however, the extensive cigar selection will make it difficult to choose only one. The bar is one of London’s finest cigar venues and is a chic place to hang after dinner, whilst sipping on a whisky and indulging in Havanas.
Deluxe rooms at No Ten Manchester Street cost from £148.
www.tenmanchesterstreethotel.com
Set beneath the pink-soil cliffs on Babbacombe beach, near Torquay, The Cary Arms & Spa is a chic inn that perfectly captures the beauty of the English seaside. Located inside the curve of a bay, the hotel promises breathtaking views of the endless sea and the old jetty (where both locals and seals can be seen fishing) and immense tranquillity.
The Hotel
Each room in The Cary Arms has been inspired by the hotel’s surroundings and has a very coastal feel to it. However, the main act are undoubtedly the two seafront suites and their private balconies that are a few metres from the crystal clear waters of the English Channel. Spacious rooms, walls of glass, log fires, wooden floors, walk-in showers with White Company toiletries and huge beds with outstanding view out to sea - these two suites are nothing short of spectacular! The six luxury white-and-blue beach huts which also boast views that stretch for miles, are another way of making the most of this hotel and its dreamy location. If you’re planning a seaside getaway with family or friends (including the four-legged members of the family), the three secluded Cottages come with three or five bedrooms and all the modern comforts you can ask for.
The Dining Experience
With its stone walls, wooden floors and a fireplace, the inn in The Cary Arms is probably the cosiest and most relaxed fine-dining restaurant I’ve been to, meant to serve ‘gastro food cooked simply’. If the weather is warm enough, dinner could be taken alfresco, however, the conservatory is also a great viewing point. The ever-changing menus centre around fresh, local ingredients and line-caught seafood, simply and creatively cooked according to the season. Starters include pan seared Bixham scallops and Devon crab and crayfish cocktail, whilst mains feature pan fried sea bass fillet and the classic fish and chips, with a Brixham twist. For breakfast, try the traditional Devon full English, or if you fancy a lazy breakfast on your private terrace, ask for the breakfast hamper the night before.
The Spa
Take time to pamper yourself in the hotel’s spa that features a plunge pool fitted with massage jets, sauna, steam room, mini gym and sun deck. The three treatment rooms, including a couple’s massage room, offer facials, massages and aromatherapy treatments inspired by marine-themed French beauty and skincare brand Thalgo.
I can go on and on about how gorgeous The Cary Arms & Spa is but I’m certain that neither words, nor photos will do this place full justice. I found myself utterly enchanted by the cosiness of the burning logs in the inn, the deliciousness of every bite of freshly caught fish, the smell of salty air, the happiness that being by the sea brings, and most importantly - the fact that I was experiencing all of this in England.
Luxury Doubles start from £245, Beach Huts from £345 and Beach Suites from £475 per room per night, on a B&B basis.
Website: https://www.caryarms.co.uk/
Written by Katina Hristova
Tucked away in the Vale of Aylesbury in the rural part of Buckinghamshire and just one hour from central London, Heathrow and Luton Airports is the stunning Hartwell House & Spa. The building, whose history is as rich as its beauty, stretching back almost a thousand years to the reign of Edward the Confessor, has been the seat of William Peveral, the natural son of William the Conqueror; of John Earl of Mortaign; and of Louis XVIII, the exiled King of France who held court there from 1809 to 1814. For a weekend away from the city, which promises fresh air, relaxing SPA treatments, delicious fine dining experiences-all in magnificent setting, a visit at the Hartwell House & Spa is all you’d need and more!
As soon as you step into the impressive Grade I listed building, the welcoming and helpful staff lead you to an entrance hall, which immediately sets the tone for your stay: Jacobean and Georgian facades, antique furnishings, original artworks, magnificent Rococo ceilings in some of the rooms and opulent elegance in every little detail. Once lived in by Louis XVIII and his court, the stunning hotel still looks as authentic as it was hundreds of years ago and provides the perfect setting for a weekend of luxury seclusion.
Boasting beautiful views across the estate’s 90 acres of landscaped parkland, the 46 tastefully decorated rooms and suites, furnished with magnificent antiques, promise to not only bring you back in time, but also simultaneously provide you with unimaginable contemporary comfort.
The opulent atmosphere of this historic hotel could also be felt in the Dining Room, which was designed in 1988 in the style of the eminent early 19th century architect Sir John Soane. The 2 AA rosette restaurant offers an extensive choice of delicious meals for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, while all food is prepared with seasonal produce from local farms, along with the hotel’s own Hartwell orchards and garden fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs.
Guests of the hotel can also dive into a complete relaxation by enjoying Hartwell House’s exquisite spa facilities, which include a large pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath, outdoor hot tub, tennis courts, and a gymnasium. The Spa also boasts beauty salons where qualified therapists offer a wide range of beauty treatments using Aromatherapy Associates, and exclusively for the UK spa market – BIOEFFECT products. BIOEFFECT is a multi-award-winning Icelandic skincare brand whose only UK-based partner is Hartwell House & Spa. Famous for its best-selling EGF Serum, BIOEFFECT uses plant-derived growth factors to dramatically improve the skin’s texture, density and radiance. A BIOEFFECT facial treatment at the Hartwell Spa is undoubtedly going to leave your skin feeling revitalised and rejuvenated.
There’s something so romantic about the English countryside and the idyllic, yet sumptuous Hartwell House & Spa could only enhance your experience among the broad fields of the Vale of Aylesbury, providing you with memories to treasure forever.
Website: http://www.hartwell-house.com/
+44 (0)1296 747444
info@hartwell-house.com
Written by Katina Hristova
An award-winning secluded luxury hotel, housed in a castle, nestled in seventeen acres of gardens, whose restaurant is among the Top 50 Restaurants in the UK, according to The Good Food Guide. You must be sold already! This hotel combines traditional luxury, fine dining experiences, beautiful surroundings and friendly Welsh hospitality – if you’re looking for a weekend getaway filled with intimate opulent atmosphere, mixed with fresh countryside air and scenic walks, then look no further than Llangoed Hall in Brecon, Wales.
Llangoed Hall, which dates back to 560 AD and was formerly known as Llangoed Castle, was bought in 1987 by the husband of Welsh designer Laura Ashley - Sir Bernard Ashley, after his wife’s premature death. The transformation that the building then underwent was aimed at reflecting the designer’s legacy, with each of the unique rooms full of her flowery fabrics and style, family photographs and Sir Bernard’s own impressive collection of art and antiques, which includes works by James Whistler. Laura Ashley’s first ever garment –an apron-is displayed in the hotel, while one of the rooms has the designer’s original wallpaper and furniture. Today, Llangoed Hall offers 23 rooms, overlooking meadows leading down to the River Wye and the Black Mountains.
This year, for the second year in a row, the restaurant in the hotel has appeared in the Good Food Guide’s Top 50 Restaurants in the UK. Head Chef Nick Brodie not only creates countless culinary chef d'oeuvres that would impress the pickiest of eaters, but also makes sure that his kitchen’s garden grows up to 95% of the vegetables and fruit used in the restaurant’s seasonal menus. And Nick doesn’t stop here – he also makes use of the three egg houses in the e hotel’s surroundings, making sure that the chickens, ducks and quails provide fresh eggs daily. Chef Brodie also works with a selection of local suppliers, including Morgans Family Butchers in Brecon, Swansea Fish and Vin Sullivan. Last year, Llangoed Hall was recognised for its sustainability work by receiving the Conde Nast Johansens 'Best for Green Practices Award'. Unsurprisingly, Llangoed Hall also boasts an extensive award-winning wine card, which even includes Welsh wine, such as the Ancre Hill Estates regional white wine, Monmouth and Ancre Hill Estates sparkling wine. Guests of the hotel can enjoy all of this in a tastefully-furnished dining room, which overlooks the green gardens and is filled with Sir Bernard Ashley's personal collection of art, as is the entire hotel. Original antiques, sketches by the American-born artist and society wit, James McNeil Whistler and works by Herman Dudley Murphy and Augustus John contribute to the elegant aura of Llangoed Hall.
Back in 2013, the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales was recognised as the world's fifth International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR) by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), with an IDA being described as ‘land possessing an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights’. This means that Llangoed Halls, with its location by the River Wye in Brecon, is a perfect spot for stargazing. Find the large telescope that guests are encouraged to use and enjoy an idyllic evening of stargazing, while sipping on a glass of sherry from your complimentary decanter, if the weather permits. And if not, simply unwind by the big fireplace in the living room. That’s the thing about Llangoed Hall – whatever you do, you’d feel spoilt for choice for activities that will keep you truly relaxed and content. There must be something in the (Welsh) air!
Written by Katina Hristova
Another option for your business travel or holiday, also located in the dazzling Canal District, is the superb Seven One Seven Hotel. Housed in a stunning 17th-century building which overlooks the Prinsengracht canal, the boutique hotel could easily be mistaken for a private house. Despite its central location, once you walk through the dark-green door of Seven One Seven, you will feel worlds away from the hustle and the bustle of the bars, restaurants and coffee shops nearby – something that reserved romantics will definitely appreciate.
Beyond the entrance is the salon – a gorgeously assembled, high-ceilinged space, adjacent to which is an elegant lounge area, decorated with sumptuous furnishings, designer pieces and original art. The nine suites, which reflect the lounge’s interior design style, combine elegant, antique décor with modern and homely feel. They vary from spacious to very spacious, not only according to central Amsterdam standards. The two executive suites (called Schubert and Picasso) have high ceilings and boast prime views of the Prinsengracht canal. All rooms feature the latest in-room advanced technology, including audio system. Each suite is a room of enchantment, crafted from a range of furnishings, decorations and works of art that have been thoughtfully assembled to create a truly magnificent atmosphere.
The delicious breakfast that the hotel offers in a cosy and tastefully-decorated restaurant area, is served a la carte and includes eggs, cold meats, a selection of cheeses, pastries, fresh fruits and juices. The friendly and knowledgeable staff offer impeccable service and tend to the needs of all guests at all times. Their discreetness adds to the low-key and domestic aura of the Seven One Seven Hotel.
Breathe in the Dutch air, absorb everything that Amsterdam has to offer and make yourself at home in a stately Amsterdam canal house. The laid-back, guesthouse feel of the splendid Seven One Seven hotel will undoubtedly make your stay in the culture-filled and spirited Dutch capital truly unforgettable!
For more information, please call +31 (20) 4270717 or email info@717hotel.nl
