Archive For The “Hotels” Category
History and amenity. There can surely be no finer pleasure than finding a hotel which ticks off everything on one’s ‘stay’ wish list. The Relais Henley will likely do just that. It did for us. This sumptuous historic hotel, formerly The Red Lion, offers an authentic marriage of original charm and contemporary comfort and technology….
Coppa Club Food, Comfy Rooms. Haslemere is a quintessential picturesque market town close to the Surrey borders with Hampshire and Sussex. The Georgian Townhouse is a beautiful historic building in the high street, and it welcomes guests with rooms in which to nestle, and tempting dishes and cocktails. The location is perfect for a short…
Lunch at Last! For the first time, fine dining Twr y Felin art hotel in St Davids, Pembrokeshire is open for lunch seven days a week. Hotel guests and visitors alike can now enjoy a selection of Head Chef, Sammy Owen’s AA three rosette cuisine at lunchtime as well as in the evening. The dishes…
Langkawi, or to give its official title, Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah – in Malay Langkawi Permata Kedah – is indeed a tropical paradise. Yes, that’s an oft-used term but an apt description of this floating gem. Langkawi is, in fact, an archipelago of more than 100 islands in the Andaman Sea, 30 km off…
Spain in the Heart of Cardiff. 20 years ago, brothers and sister Tom Morgan, Owen Morgan and Natalie Isaac opened their first Spanish tapas restaurant, Bar 44, in their hometown of Cowbridge in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. Since then, they have opened another three sites, two in Wales and one just across the…
Splendid Location. Yes, I am biased, I admit it, but I don’t think there are many better cities in Europe to visit. 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel offers the perfect location for a vacation. The hotel is found just a few minutes’ walk from South Kensington Underground Station. It is served by the District, Circle and…
Great Britain and Ireland is the leading independent guide to hotels in Great Britain, Ireland, Continental Europe and the Caribbean. The Guide was first published in 1978. It has been published each October since then. It is written for the reader seeking impartial advice on finding a good place to stay. Hotels cannot buy their…
Boutique and Beautiful on Lower Sloane Street What a gem! I would say ‘hidden gem’ but it is a surprisingly popular corner of one of the smartest areas in London. Sloane Place is a hotel which deserves many happy returns. Situated just off Sloane Square, Sloane Place is a boutique hotel and café bar offering…
We in London will recognise SW7 as a postcode. The area is 4km west of the City of Westminster, and contains South Kensington and Knightsbridge, two of the smartest parts of the capital. The Melia London Kensington Hotel and its SW7 restaurant are a welcome addition. SW7 is a bright and contemporary restaurant. Blond wood…
Melia White House London Hotel is a shining example of 1930s Deco architecture. It was opened in 1936 as apartments, and one can still see original architectural features both inside and out. The metal window frames and the white façade are typical of this design style which gave a nod to the sleek ocean liners…
Melia London Kensington Hotel was the first hotel in this International chain in which I had stayed. It’s a Spanish group and there is a nod to that in its restaurant cuisine, and also in the fact that most of the staff seem to be bilingual. That’s a rather unique draw for those guests from…
Oh, deep Japanese food-loving joy. I think I have found my perfect Japanese restaurant in London! It’s called Miyako! It’s near both mainline and Underground stations and is a little gem. All of that with a fine chef and food to match, at a price that won’t make one’s eyes water! Miyako’s Head Chef Kosei…
This is undoubtedly one of the most noteworthy hotels in London. St Ermin’s welcomes guests with iconic architecture and unique ambiance (read more about the hotel here). It has other advantages too: The Caxton Grill (read my review here) and its associated bar. That is a convivial space with not only drinks but a lot…
Kruisherenhotel Maastricht is one of the most noteworthy hotels in which I have stayed in the Netherlands. Perhaps it’s one of the most memorable hotels I have ever visited anywhere. It’s a unique marriage of 15th century architecture and ultra-modern design. It truly is a matter of taste, but Kruisherenhotel was, for me, heavenly in…
St Ermin’s has long been a favourite hotel and now I can boast that I have actually stayed there and also enjoyed breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner in their iconic Caxton Grill. There is a separate street entrance for the Caxton Grill but it’s a treat to arrive via St Ermin’s reception hall. One…
Oh, the joy of the British countryside! Perhaps a picturesque village with rustic charm; could there be an historic coaching inn? Yes, indeed, and quite near London too. It’s the George and Dragon in the stunning village of West Wycombe. The village features many buildings of architectural value which were built between the 16th and…
Things to do at Outrigger Mauritius This hotel makes a wonderful relaxing retreat, and it can also act as a hub from which to visit other parts of the Island. But there are lots to do within the resort for all the family. The lagoon location will give both children and adults the opportunity to…
Stay in Dutch Castles and Eat like a Prince (or a Princess) It’s likely that my dear reader would not know that there are castles in The Netherlands; well, unless you had read my recent articles (and why wouldn’t you?). And it’s probable that few people know that it’s possible to stay in one of…
I have mixed feelings about Michelin-star restaurants. Yes, they can be striking and obviously the food will be memorable, but sometimes they lack soul and continuity. One has the sense that they might be trying too hard to keep that glittering accolade, at the expense of their guests. Il Gallo d’Oro Madeira has changed my…
Outrigger Beach Resort in Mauritius offers its guests so many dining opportunities. Each restaurant has its own character and will appeal to changing tastes and expectations throughout the day. Families with diverse requirements are catered for at all times in the other restaurants – but then one finds The Plantation Club, and that has a…