A short walk from the Bank of England’s iconic building, ‘The Old Lady of Threedneedle Street’ is a haven from the turmoil of financial markets. Refined in Victorian grandeur, and restored from its days as a bustling banking hall, this splendid boutique hotel nestles in the avenues of London’s financial district like the smooth lining […]
Lough Eske Castle, Gone Fishin’ Instead of Just A-Wishin’
Eske means ‘fish’ in Irish. Apt then, that Lough Eske Castle has its own ‘Char’ fish, an almost unique local delicacy. You may need to wait until the start of November for the fishing mayhem to begin, but when the Char rise for about four weeks of the year, there are only a few lakes […]
Abu Dhabi’s Palatial Luxury, Bedouin Brillance
Experience the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, just a 60 minute drive from Dubai, it’s easy to reach. The enormity of its size stuns as you arrive; a grand arch, not unlike the Arc de Triomphe, sits proud at the entrance. However this entrance is only for Heads of State and VIP’s so swiftly by-pass […]
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 […]
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 […]