Episode 13: Jermyn Street May 23, 2011 “Hello David.” I turn to face Caroline Davison. “Hello…” I begin. “I’m surprised you’re buying your shirts here. Thought you’d be getting them handmade now. I heard you’d been elevated to the peerage.” “Not quite the peerage Caroline.” “No but I’m sorry I didn’t drop a line to congratulate you.” “No. Not at all.” “So, [...]
French fare with added va va voom May 23, 2011 CHABROT BISTROT D’AMIS 9 Knightsbridge Green, SW1X7Q1, 020 7225 2238, www.chabrot.co.uk FOOD SERVICE ATMOSPHERE Cost per person without wine: £45 ON a wall inside the entrance to Chabrot Bistrot d’Amis hangs a large black and white photograph of a grizzled paysan emitting a gummy grin as he pours red wine from a magnum bottle into [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS May 23, 2011 HAWKSMOOR TO OPEN IN EC2 Big news for the City, this. Late last year Hawksmoor, the celebrated East End restaurant and bar that serves up some of the finest steak in London, opened a second branch to great acclaim in Covent Garden. Well, Hawksmoor number three, Hawksmoor Guildhall, will be opening in the City, on [...]
The St David’s Hotel & Spa 5* May 23, 2011 A modern icon of the city, The St David’s Hotel & Spa stands proudly on the edge of bustling Cardiff Bay. With its striking glass-fronted design every room here enjoys spectacular floor-to-ceiling views across the water, creating a real tranquil atmosphere throughout. And for real relaxation, the Marine Spa provides probably the finest pampering experience [...]
The Imperial Hotel 4* May 23, 2011 A grand Victorian façade and fantastic sea-fronting position on Llandudno’s promenade makes The Imperial Hotel a real seaside classic. Relax in the elegant surroundings, enjoy the stunning sea views and taste mouthwatering dishes in the AA Rosette awarded Chantrey’s Restaurant, well known for its delicious food made with seasonal Welsh produce. Lovely. Book at Laterooms.com
Village PREM Swansea 4* May 23, 2011 As with all Village Hotels, the range of facilities at the Village PREM Swansea is fantastic. This cool and stylish hotel offers a great Health & Fitness club, a grill restaurant, a pub and even a Starbucks. Being a ‘PREM’ a high spec stay is on offer, and with so much going on there’s a [...]
Lavishness amid the lonely splendour of the Welsh coast May 22, 2011 SOUTH Wales is home to a duality like nowhere else in the British Isles. It’s a land of timeless verdancy, endless summers and persistent rain. It’s a land torn apart by poverty, and before that the machinery of heavy industry. It is also my favourite place on earth. On the train eastwards from Swansea, this [...]
TRAVEL NOTES May 22, 2011 ALL ABOARD! EUROSTAR TO AVIGNON Paris? So over. Well, not quite, but as the weather gets warmer southern France does hold a certain allure. Lucky then, that Eurostar has started offering direct weekly services to Avignon, pictured above, the beautiful town in the heart of Provence. From July 9th to September 10th this year, passengers [...]
THINK ROOMS… with LateRooms.com May 22, 2011 THE ST DAVID’S HOTEL & SPA 5* Havannah Street | Cardiff | CF10 5SD A modern icon of the city, The St David’s Hotel & Spa stands proudly on the edge of bustling Cardiff Bay. With its striking glass-fronted design every room here enjoys spectacular floor-to-ceiling views across the water, creating a real tranquil atmosphere [...]
Cosiness meets luxury in the new generation of pub hotels May 22, 2011 IF you’re skipping out of town for a weekend, you don’t always want the ultra-plush, waited-on-hand-and-foot trappings of a smart hotel any more than you want the chintz and limited comforts of a B&B. For cosiness, convivial hospitality and excellent nightcap options, a stay at a pub with rooms can be the answer, not least [...]