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...
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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...
Read more →This spring, The Botanist Gin, an artisanal hand-crafted and distilled gin from the Scottish island of Islay, have announced their collaboration with iconic London venue sketch for their new range of martinis, each inspired to epitomise the four different sketch rooms - The Glade, The Parlour, The Gallery and East Bar. To create these exceptional martinis, The Botanist Gin organised a day with the sketch bar team at Crucible, a creative hub and laboratory for bartenders to meet, work, exchange ideas and play with the latest hi-tech equipment. Through experimenting with seasonal and foraged f...
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 ...
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