There were some cool beats playing, I felt pretty warm and we were sat outside with the sea twinkling under the night sky beyond. 'It feels like we're in Ibiza,' My friend Ellen said as she sipped a shimmering pink cocktail. I agreed, it did feel like we were in some chilled-out spot on the continent. However, we were in fact on the beachfront after landing into Southend-on-Sea. The two of us had taken a train from London Liverpool Street to the Essex coast to check out the Roslin Beach Hotel which is around a 7 minute taxi ride from Southend Victoria station. The 62-room property under...
Read more →Sadie Whitelocks 9
‘I feel like a kid,’ I squealed as I rolled into a rather small compartment with others following suit. Normally, dining out is made to make you feel all ‘adult’ but if you head to Gingerline’s Chambers_ the reverse happens, as you’re encouraged to play with your tastebuds and escape the confines of a clothed table, knife and fork. The whole dining extravaganza is a closely guarded secret, so I can’t give too much away. But one thing I can promise is a sensory adventure that you certainly won’t forget. The multi-course immersive dinner takes place in different universes, ranging from the...
Read more →I was worried when I got a message saying the tent site at Camp Wildfire was full and they were opening up a new patch of land. Had my favourite festival become TOO popular and awash with the masses? To my relief, I can report that although the festival has grown, it hasn’t got too big that it’s impersonal and lost it’s humble character. In fact, it's bigger and better than ever... For those of you who haven’t heard of Camp Wildfire, I’ve previously described it as being Scouts meets Hogwarts meets Glastonbury. Everyone is very friendly and no one takes themselves too seriously. The...
Read more →Take your tastebuds on a trip to the south of France courtesy of one of the city's top boutique hotels Blakes London. Nestled in the heart of Kensington and tucked away on a quiet street, this spot has entertained everyone from Kate Moss to Gwyneth Paltrow over the past four decades. It boasts low-key theatrical flair courtesy of interior designer Anouska Hempel, with lashings of black and gold to seduce you into staying for one more martini than you should. The hotel's latest offering - a food menu and overnight package inspired by a taste of Provence - is another reason to pop on by. I...
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 →The 110-year-old Strand Palace as undergone a multi-million pound transformation and the results are pretty incredible. The 786-room hotel has been brought up to the 21st century, with some art deco touches adding to the charm. I checked in on a Friday night, with a friendly man greeting us on the door. The lobby had a cool contemporary feel with polished floors and wood-pannelled walls. There was also modern art dotted around the place, keeping my eyes distracted. Check in was swift and we were directed to a newly-refurbished superior king on the 8th floor. Despite it being a king, the...
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 →When was the last time you spent a day without your phone close to hand? Well, in a bid to get away from the fast pace of modern day life I ventured to Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire with my mum Laura. I'd heard about the spa years ago but never found chance to visit. It's located around a 15-minute taxi ride from Leicester train station, with the rail journey taking just over an hour if you're coming from London. The hall's setting is sublime, with the imposing red brick building bobbing in a sea of fields running as far as the eye can see. Mum and I arrived at the hall around 1pm for an...
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