Archive For The “Outside the UK” Category
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…
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…
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…
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…
The Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort has Guven Uyanik as Executive Chef. And he has already enjoyed some high-end international experience. Before joining Outrigger, Chef Uyanik worked in several countries including the UK and Hong Kong. He heads a team which has already carved a reputation for presenting fine food. This attractive hotel complex boasts a…
It’s true! I am an unashamed fan of high-end resorts worldwide. I enjoy comfort, amenity and, of course, food. Outrigger Beach Resort and Spa has all of that, and Mercado Market Dining tempts three times each day. This is a casual buffet restaurant located in a replica of a Mauritian sugar factory. It boasts high…
I didn’t know what to expect. It was my first visit to Mauritius and my second to an Outrigger resort. The bar had been set very high! The welcome by immigration officials at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport was warm and friendly. This seasoned traveller braces herself for such encounters. There were smiles, jokes and…
Funchal in Madeira is one of my favourite cities and Quinta da Casa Branca has one of my favourite restaurants. That is surely a recipe for delicious contentment and a very happy reviewer. I have not actually stayed at Quinta da Casa Branca but dream of doing so. It is perhaps one of the most…
This recipe has been generously contributed by Executive Chef Roberto Conrad and Chef Pan of Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort, Thailand The rich coconut milk base paired with chunks of chicken, round Thai eggplant, and chillies is a recipe for delicious culinary comfort! Grab a bowl of freshly steamed rice and green curry, and enjoy…
Holdsworth House Hotel is found along a rather anonymous road halfway between Leeds and Manchester, and not far from Halifax. It makes the ideal base for visiting Yorkshire’s Brontë Country and Calderdale’s beautiful and dramatic hills and moors. It’s a stone’s throw from the Lake District, one of Britain’s best-loved regions. This is one of…
Thailand is an easy country to love. A popular part of that land is Phuket and there is more to that region than just its glorious beaches. Any visitor would miss so much if they didn’t take a little time and a little tour. A half-day Phuket City excursion will show another and more traditional…
This white and golden-thatched bungalow stands separated from the main body of the hotel and on the edge of the lagoon. It can be accessed only by guests of the Club Rooms, One-Bedroom Suites and Two-Bedroom Villas. Those superb accommodations are enhanced still further by the addition of the Voyager 47 Club Lounge to the…
At Outrigger’s Laguna Beach Phuket Resort, Thailand, there are both top-notch Thai and vibrant Asian foods aplenty (read my reviews here). And there is a stylish restaurant called Metzo’s. That might push the expectation envelope, as it has pan-Mediterranean dishes as its delicious focus. Metzo’s Bistro and Bar offers foods difficult to find anywhere else…
One of the joys of a vacation, for me at least, is food. Not necessarily huge quantities but it must be interesting, perhaps reflecting the ethnic makeup of the destination, and it should always be delicious. Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort ticks all those boxes. This rather smart and beautifully Thai hotel (read my article…
Thailand is a beautiful and magical land of charm and grace. It’s fringed by some of the best beaches in the world and is famed for its vibrant food, culture and charm. Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort is a gentle introduction to this marvellous country. Outrigger is a chain of high-end hotels dotted across the…
We are blessed, in the Home Counties and Greater London, with a wealth of fine hotels. There are boutique hotels, glitzy city hotels, former ancestral piles, and then there are those few gems which are timeless and utterly charming, and they might combine a little of all of the above, and in memorable fashion.. That’s…