Scrap the humble pillow chocolate, it's all about tart at the new Page8 hotel in London. On walking into my spacious deluxe double corner room on the third floor of the centrally located hotel, I was surprised to find a slice of chocolate tart waiting for me. But this is just one of the ways, Page8 - which has 138 rooms spanning five floors - is looking to make its mark. Other quirky features include large windows to let in natural light, an artisanal coffee bar in the lobby instead of a stuffy breakfast room and Swedish-designed air purifiers to 'help guests breathe as nature intended'. ...
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I’ve been to Buenos Aires several times and knowing where to stay can always be a bit of a quandary. But if you’re looking for some killer views and classic comfort, not to mention a sunny rooftop pool, the Sheraton Buenos Aires Hotel & Convention Center comes highly recommended. A friend had recommended the place for an overnight stay on my way back From Antarctica to the UK. It was a quick Uber ride from the domestic airport AEP to the Sheraton on a Friday night and check in in the sparkling marble-clad reception was efficient. The friendly receptionist directed me to a king room o...
Read more →Did you know there’s a sprawling school building just by Tower Bridge with a pretty mind-blowing Indian restaurant lurking inside and plush rooms to crash in after? Well, I had no idea The LaLiT London existed until a friend tipped me off about it and went to investigate. This boutique hotel is part of an Indian owned luxury chain and the only one outside of India. It is an impressive venue, housed within a red brick Victorian school building built between 1894 and 1896. Think high ceilings, large windows, parquet flooring and period wood detailing. After I finally found the entrance (t...
Read more →Location, location, location is what it's all about when it comes to the Kimpton de Witt Amsterdam. What's more, this slickly designed hotel boasts a top notch cocktail bar from the same team behind White Lyan, Cub, Dandelyan and Lyaness on the premises. I checked into the 274 room historic Dutch building on a Thursday afternoon. It's literally a hop and a skip from Amsterdam's central train station, which is the Eurostar hub from London and less than 20 minutes from Schiphol airport. From the outside the brick building doesn't look like anything special, but a garden wall and neon light...
Read more →If you're the type of person who likes efficiency and ergonomics, then the quickly expanding citizenM hotel chain is worth checking out. I dipped my toe into the brand recently, with a stay at citizenM Bankside, which boasts a great location on the doorstep of Tate Modern and down the road from Borough Market. On walking into the hotel, you're immediately hit by a distinctive design aesthetic, which blends clean contemporary style with a good dose of playful flair. A sexy black and red colour scheme runs throughout and there are modern artworks peppered around the place. In the lobby, I ...
Read more →London is where the first Hard Rock Cafe was born in 1971. Now the capital has landed its own hotel to match. Hard Rock Hotel London is located within the former Cumberland Hotel, once a haunt of Diana Ross and Jimi Hendrix. The transformation from what it was to what is now is quite astounding. On walking into the 1,000-room venue you're transported to a kind of Las Vegas-la-la-land of colour, sound and playfulness. The 370-seat restaurant opens out on to the lobby area and the circular central bar looks a bit like a fairground carousel, with rainbow-coloured lights pulsating across the ...
Read more →You always know when you’ve found a good place when you’re reluctant to write about it, in fear of giving the secret away. But letting you in on a hidden gem... add the Aman to your Venice must-see list. This hotel, restaurant and spa is opulent and discreet. A slice of heaven on earth. The complex is housed within a grand 16th century palazzo, which is still owned by the family and leased to the Aman. The original features are intact, with dreamlike frescos, playful plasterwork and magical murano glass chandeliers. Careful care has been taken to blend the old with the new and the Aman’...
Read more →In less than an hour I'd landed into Gatwick, railed into London, settled into my hotel room and was indulging in a brief respite in my robe. I'd checked into The Nadler Victoria on a Thursday evening after flying back from Venice and it was proving to be the perfect little post-airport stop. The chic 73-room hotel is located a hop and a skip from the main train station, where the Gatwick Express pulls into, and it's on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace if the royals are your thing. I'd been given a king double room on the second floor, room 204. After navigating the very dark corridors ...
Read more →If you want a taste of classic, upper crust New York, head to the deliciously understated Mark Hotel. This historic spot, which boasts 150 Art Deco-influenced rooms and suites, recently swept to international fame after Meghan Markle picked as the place to host her baby shower party. She booked the hotel's lofty penthouse, which comes in at an eye-watering $75,000 a night. As soon as you pull up to The Mark, you're transported to a world of refined luxury, with suited doormen ready to greet you and well-groomed guests wafting in and out. The lobby features low ceilings, sparkling monochr...
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