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.

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.

 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.

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.

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.

This collection of travel luggage from Couture Lab is just stunning.

The leather pilot trolley comes in a fabulous range of colours for every oufit variation, honey above, cognac, brown, black and red. Travel in style with this gorgeous pull-along trolley that measures 46  x 37  x 24 cm.

The new Sanctum Soho Hotelby Design Hotels  is scheduled to open its doors  in March. This transformation of two Victorian townhouses into a 30-room property  in West London’s Soho is sure to please.

Sanctum Soho Hotel London

With a 45-seater underground cinema  and a private rooftop garden this could become the in-place for private parties and sports fans will revel in the health and fitness center – The Third Space.

Xavier Pick artwork will festoon the lobby and along with the two fireplaces everyone is sure to find something to their taste.

From mod-trendy rooms to the Garden Loft Suite which   can be reserved with the rooftop bar and part of the terrace.

What a View!

Sail Lofts are located in St. Ives, the Cornish fishing village known as ‘Downlong’ which is a designated Conservation Area and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Cornwall was in a recent survey voted as the top British Holiday Destination, it came second for Best Accommodation and Food and third for the Friendliest Locals.

Offering 3 – 1 bedroom apartments, 5 – 2 bedroom and 3 – 3/4 bedroom apartments  – who could resist that view and of course the Tate gallery on your doorstep.

London came out tops or should I say The Dorchester came out top in the Luxury Travel Advisor Awards of Excellence, the awards were announced to a group to Luxury travel professionals at the Four Seasons Hotel, Las Vegas.

Nominees for the awards were selected by the Luxury Travel Advisor Nomination board and the and winners were voted for by the Luxury Travel Advisor readers.

Best City Center Hotel Spa Worldwide
The Spa at The Dorchester, London

Top Luxury Suite in a Hotel/Resort Worldwide
The Dorchester, Royal Penthouse Suite, London

Best City Center Luxury Hotel in Europe
Claridge’s, London
The Dorchester, London
The Lanesborough, London

These weren’t the only hotels in their category but I’ve chosen to record only the English ones.

For the full list of results see Travel Advisor.

Hotel Missoni, due to open in May 2009, is one of the first city-center and resort hotels from  the Hotel Missoni portfolio a joint colloboration between the  Italian fashion and interior label Missoni and the Rezidor Hotel Group – a spot of luxury in the heart of the city.

Hotel Missoni Edinburgh is a 136-room hotel on the city’s Royal Mile. Awaiting the latest updates and photos to post.