February 5, 2010 at 12:06 pm (5* Hotels, Good Gastronomy, London, Luxury Hotels, Spa Hotel, Urban Hotels)
The 5* May Fair Hotel in London is offering Luxury Weekend Breaks and a Valentine package. Just minutes from the famous Bond Street in the heart of London’s West End, experience fine dining and superb accommodation in midst of the city.
Just minutes away from both Hyde Park and Green Park it makes a fine setting for a weekend break, romantic stroll or shopping expedition.
See also the Valentine’s Day Package at The May Fair.
January 5, 2010 at 3:52 pm (Accommodation, luxury home swap)
Visit the new Luxe Home Swap site for your next UK trip.
Have you a luxurious city apartment or rural retreat you would swap? Book your luxury accommodation without charge by swapping .
I’ll be back to let you know where I’ve booked to swap and later to review the property.
It’s all travel for some!
December 22, 2009 at 8:22 am (5* Hotels, Good Gastronomy, London, Luxury Hotels, Michelin Star Restaurants, Romantic Hotels, Rural Hotel, Scotland, Wedding Destination)
When it comes to luxury hotels in the UK, a couple of things have tended to stand out: formality, history and old-fashioned quality of service. But over the last few years the bar for contemporary style has been raised time and again. A couple of the places below fall comfortably into the ‘design hotel’ bracket – all, though, have brought a touch of style to the landscape of luxury hotels in the UK…
The Balmoral, Edinburgh
When The Balmoral was taken over a couple of years back, vivid, contemporary – and unmistakeably Rocco Forte – brush strokes were applied to its staid Victorian railway hotel canvas. In addition to this added style factor, however, during the re-vamp the facilities ante was also upped considerably, with the addition of a spa, pool and Michelin-starred restaurant.
Malmaison, Manchester
While many other UK hotel chains rested on their laurels, Malmaison slowly but surely went about its ambitious agenda: to bring affordable class to as many of the country’s big cities as possible. And this stylish luxury hotel in Manchester is a case in point: at a shade over 100 rooms, it’s ruled out of the ‘boutique’ category by its size and chain status; but set in a converted warehouse, and with plenty of exposed brick work, timber beams and sleek furnishings, it shares many of its characteristics.
St David’s Hotel & Spa, Cardiff
However you come at it, Cardiff is probably not synonymous with high-class luxury hotels. But St David’s is certainly not one to take this preconception lying down. Although its clientele tends to be towards the business end of the scale, they certainly haven’t scrimped on the style stakes; and the result is a place that stands alongside some of the best >luxury hotels in the UK.
Babbington House Attic Room
Babington House, Babington
In recent years even that staple of luxury hotels in the UK – the country house – has undergone something of a style revolution. Like Cowley Manor (whose flamboyant design leanings were also added to a winning ‘Georgian grandeur in the Cotswolds’ formula) Babington House is a favourite of a hip media set looking for an ultra-chic weekend away. And with its Martini Bar, a sizeable cinema, tennis courts and fabulous grounds to add to its Tim Boyd fit-out, it isn’t hard to see why.
The Sanderson, London
As sleek and polished inside as it is unprepossessing outside, the Sanderson is nothing short of a luxury style icon – as you’d expect with Messrs Shrager and Starck at the helm. Rooms are minimalist and airy – large, white spaces divided only by silk screens and dotted with designer furniture.
The location, in hip Fitzrovia (NoHo for the initiated), but still a stone’s throw from Regent’s Street, isn’t half bad, either. All of which explains why there’s never any shortage of style-savvy A-list guests – from Colin Farrell to Nicole Kidman – queuing up to stay here!
December 14, 2009 at 9:37 pm (Castle stay, Good Gastronomy, Ireland, Luxury Hotels, Rural Hotel)
Become Lord and Lady of the Manor at Ross Castle a splendid 16th-century manor house on a 120-acre estate on Ross Lake.
Sleeping up to 36 guests it makes a fine family reunion getaway complete with not one but two Steinway grand pianos, Persian carpets, fine oil paintings and an antique chess table, plus mountian and lake views.
To keep the more active members amused there’s an indoor heated swimming pool and tennis court.
Services include breakfast, dinner with wine service, personal laundry and cleaning.
For more information, visit Elegant Ireland.
December 1, 2009 at 10:33 am (Airports, London, Luxury travel, Spas)
Six Senses Resorts & Spas and Etihad Airways introduce a new way to relax before you fly. Etihad’s Diamond First Class and Pearl Business Class lounge London’s Heathrow International Airport, Terminal 4 is to host the Six Senses Spa.
The spa will offer 15-minute treatments combined with Six Senses signature therapies, including foot detox,calp massages, facial treatmentsand special back and neck realignment therapies.
The spa will only be to guests flying in the premium cabins, no prior appointments are needed just reserve your treatment on arrival.
October 21, 2009 at 8:21 am (5* Hotels, Castle stay, Good Gastronomy, Luxury travel, Michelin Star Restaurants, Rural Hotel, Scotland, Sport Events, Urban Hotels, Wedding Destination)
Rocco Forte’s, The Balmoral in Edinburgh and Gleneagles resort are promoting a Taste of Scotland package this autumn. For “a true Scottish gourmet experience.” stay for two-nights in each hotel.
At The Balmoral a complimentary upgrade to an Executive Room plus a bottle of Bollinger on ice, is combined with dinner in number one the Michelin-starred restaurant.
At Gleneagles you’ll get an Estate Room and the stay includes a whisky tasting for two and dinner at the two Michelin-starred Andrew Fairlie restaurant.
This Scottish gourmet package costs $1,967 for two people for four nights, two nights at each hotel, valid from from October 1 - December 22, 2009.
It includes the number one tasting menu, dinner at Andrew Fairlie, full Scottish breakfast daily, a bottle of Bollinger upon arrival at The Balmoral, whisky tasting for two at Gleneagles and room upgrades.
The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
The 5* Balmoral Hotel is in the heart of Edinburgh in the main shopping area and next to Waverley Station.
Edinburgh International Airport is just 25 minutes by car from the hotel.
Gleneagles
Gleneagles sits in 850 acres of Perthshire countryside and is home to three of the top Scottish Championship Golf Courses and a wide range of outdoor leisure activities.
July 29, 2009 at 7:50 am (Good Gastronomy, London, Luxury Gifts, Luxury travel)
A unique dining experience is on offer this Autumn, the elegant surroundings of the Orient Express will take you on a dining tour. Taking place on September 10, October 29, and November 14 2009, the British Pullman train will be leaving London’s Victoria Station at 7:30 p.m. and returns at 11 p.m.
The seasonal five-course menu accompanied by fine wines selected by the sommelier, will offering selections such as Organic Welsh Salt Marsh Lamb with a Pomegranate Jus and Smoked Devonshire Caramelized Apple with Truffled Welsh Rarebit.
Limited to 90 guests prices for this unusual dining out tour start at around £400. For more details go to www.orient-express.com.
July 20, 2009 at 5:23 pm (Accommodation, Gifts for Men, Kent, Luxury Hotels, Romantic Hotels, Rural Hotel, Spa Hotel, Wedding Destination)
Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa is a rural delight, set in the Garden of England, the beautiful Kent countryside.
This delightful Georgian mansion was built in 1806 and although it’s in a rural location it’s easily accessible to London and its airports.
A fine four star countryhotel with thirty eight individually and beautifully furnished luxurious bedrooms with the latest modern technology.
The Health Club & Spa include tennis, a gym, a swimming pool, a squash court as well as treatment rooms, relaxation room and amber lounge.
Driving tuition at Brands Hatch race track or a session of golf can be arranged nearby.
The restaurant presents English cuisine and has been awarded two AA rosettes for exceptional cuisine.
Weddings are catered for and it’s an ideal location for guest access.
June 17, 2009 at 8:44 am (5* Hotels, Cocktails, London, Luxury Gifts)
The bar renowned for the best Martini in town, the Dukes Hotel in London is giving a Martini Masterclass. Hosted by the hotel’s barman you can learn the secret ingredients and techniques behind the perfect cocktail.
The classes will be held on the last Saturday of each month, the class, complete with anecdotes about each cocktail will enable you to mix and taste your own martinis and sample the canapés in Dukes Bar.
May 14, 2009 at 8:30 pm (London, Luxury Hotels, Michelin Star Restaurants, Spa Hotel, Urban Hotels)
Designed by the award-winning consultancy Fox Linton in 1930s style the Dorchester Spa consists of nine treatment rooms.
With single-sex changing rooms, a manicure and pedicure suite and a relaxation room you could be anywhere but London.
Next to the Spa there’s a gym, hair salon and barbers and for a bite to eat despues try The Spatisserie for afternoon teas, light lunches or for Spa users Champagne and Spa cocktails.
