I don't usually start a hotel write-up beginning from the bathroom. But this time around I am, after stepping into the charming world of Hazlitt's in London's Soho. On walking into our room's large and lofty bathroom I was left pretty speechless on casting my eyes on the loo. There, next to the grand free-standing tub and shower unit, was one of the quirkiest hotel toilets I'd seen in a while. A carved dark wood bench-cum-church pew stood waiting to be investigated. I went over and lifted the lid to find a toilet bowl hidden there. It was accompanied by a discreetly-placed flush handle on...
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A night at The Rookery was definitely my top London staycation experience to date. A four-poster bed, an honesty bar, a secret patio, a copper free standing bathtub... need I say more. This elegant, discreet homestay is tucked away in the historical neighbourhood of Clerkenwell. Adding to its allure is its convenient location next Farringdon tube station, the Barbican and St. Paul's Cathedral. Perched on a quiet street corner, The Rookery is terribly unassuming from the outside. But once inside, the place quickly casts its magic and transports you back in time. The building dates back to ...
Read more →I felt a bit like a princess as I clambered into the grand bed at Batty Langley’s. Given its regal height, the big wooden structure required a small to jump before I hit the plush duvet and got lost among the spread of snug pillows. Adding to the fairytale-like feeling was a shaft of golden light streaming through the window, illuminating a menagerie of fine breakfast treats perched on the end of the bed. I’d decided to do a city staycation, showing a visitor to town some of the capital’s more secret spots. I’d always walked by Batty Langley’s, peeking in at the hotel's romanticall...
Read more →A pianist was tapping away on a grand piano as I pondered which cake to delicately plough my fork into. If you're looking for the ultimate afternoon tea in London, then Fortnum & Mason has to be it. It was a Sunday and I'd ventured to the Royal purveyor - located around a 20 minute walk from Buckingham Palace - with a friend who was visiting from America. On walking into the place, you're hit by a waft of old-school charm. Smartly dressed servers fettling the cake trolley, zany English art hanging from the wall and soft carpet rolling underfoot. We were booked in for the cla...
Read more →While eating out and heavy food might be the last thing on your mind after a month of over-indulgence, there’s a place that might be one to consider when your appetite is back on track. I paid a visit to Simpson’s on the Strand - one of the oldest restaurants in London - just before the overkill of Christmas and I was tickled by the eatery’s old school charm. The dining spot, which opened in 1828, oozes with character. Think parliamentary dining quarters crossed with a school library and the kookiness of your grandmother’s house. It was a chilly night when I stepped into the building ...
Read more →Nestled in the south-Eastern corner of Turkey, Gaziantep is a city barely yet emerging as a holiday destination but one that should certainly be on your radar. Recognised by UNESCO as a centre of gastronomy, we were embarking on a culinary tour of the city, and although the food was a highlight, we discovered there was much more to uncover in this vibrant area.
Read more →Macedonia doesn’t currently appear at the top of many people’s bucket list destinations but if you’re looking for a little Mediterranean treasure, away from the hoards of the usual European crowds then look no further than this warm-hearted, history-rich country. As a land-locked nation, it is often overlooked in favour of the nearby countries Greece and Croatia, which boast white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, but Macedonia’s 940 foot-deep secret is a huge attraction and if it’s a large body of water you’re after with a seaside culture than Lake Ohrid is the spot. The town of Ohrid...
Read more →Fashion Historian Amber Butchart has just released her second book Nautical Chic. In this much-awaited pictorial book, Amber explores Nautical style in all it’s glory, with a range of stunning pictures to illustrate one of our most enduring trends, over the extensive period of two decades.
Read more →Sipsmith have teamed up with Kettner’s in Soho to present the 100 Martini Bar, bringing to life 100 Martini recipes both classic and somewhat forgotten. The event is promising to be an enlightening experience and will have something to offer connoisseurs, discerning drinkers and newcomers alike.
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