Woody Allen decided on Italy for his latest movie, but maybe he should consider France again. It was Allen’s Midnight In Paris, a truly romantic film, which became his most successful box office hit in 25 years. Maybe it’s just that Paris scores in the title, or maybe it has a little stardust from one […]
The Lowry Hotel, Manchester – A Perfect Seven
Manchester, David Beckham and the number seven, brand perfection we think. So when the free-kick king named his fourth child, Harper Seven – her middle name, was presumed to be in homage to the red shirt that brought him fame and fortune – it looks like brand extension, right? Surprisingly, not. “Seven” said sage Becks: […]
Kick Back At The Kempinski, St. Moritz
Though funky, the Kempinski doesn’t forget its past; a chandelier in the entrance is from 1864; alabaster lustres in the bar and the smoking room; and the original library, has a beer painted ceiling. The Lady’s’ Salon has an old tradition of inviting its guests to sign their empty wine bottle to be displayed for […]
Rebalance Your Life, Retreat To The Obsidian
Anxiety can lead to stress, can lead to weight gain, which leads to illness; the vicious circle. Life’s treadmill rarely stops, and unless we’re in control of its pace, we inevitability come crashing off, at speed, a bit like Jen. Just as your manicured finger hovers over the emergency ‘STOP!’ button, the Obsidian Retreat emerges […]
Under A Sheltering Sky, The Desert Dream, The Mirage
‘Visionaries’ Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE have constructed a true oasis. The short journey from the Dubai Airport to the Jumeriah Beach resort is just long enough to shake off desert dust and contemplate the luxurious balm, the calm that is the ‘One […]
The Slieve Donard Hotel, Sweeping Down To The Sea
Feast on Ardglass king prawns, Fivemiletown goats’ cheese, Lissara Duck or Hereford steak from Joel Meekes’ Farm in Strangford. I doubt that the mangos for the mango and mint cheesecake were produced locally, but I’m glad they made it to the table. From the Slieve Donard Hotel’s Oak Restaurant, the views over Dundrum Bay are […]
Zurich’s Zenith, The Dolder Grand Hotel
Switzerland, land of milk and honey; its foresight in deciding not to join the European Union could be seen as an attribute contributing to its enduring calm. Instead of a mountain of debt, Switzerland has the Alps, fondue and a lesser known secret; great wine, which they quite rightly refuse to export. One entry point […]
Le Quartier Français, South Africa
Le Quartier Français is rated 36th in the world on the San Pellegrino Worlds 50 Best Restaurants 2011 listing. No mean feat for a small boutique hotel in the valley village of Franschoek, part of the Cape winelands of South Africa. Love is abundant here, though not necessarily included – honeymooners flock there, but don’t […]
Bali. Sunsets, Rice Fields, Volcanoes. Sleep, Eat, Explore
Say ‘Bali’ and most people think paradise. In fact its second name is ‘The Island of the Gods’. There are stunning sunsets, sculpted rice paddies, volcanoes and temples at every turn. An abundance of activities pervade the island; diving and cycling are popular, as is surfing. It is not unusual to find surf boards strapped to […]