Hotel Reviews 
Taj Boston
March 2012
What’s better than curling up with a loved one in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night? Especially when the fire in question has been laid and lit for you by your very own Fireplace Butler! My fiancé and I checked into Boston’s luxurious Taj Hotel on the way back to London following a picture-perfect white Christmas in Vermont. The Taj (formerly the original Ritz-Carlton Boston) opened in 1927 and occupies an unrivalled position on the corner of Newbury and Arlington Streets, overlooking Boston’s historic Public Garden. The hotel exudes poise, elegance and charm and maintains the air of a handsome older lady who has seen younger challengers come and go. The Taj is extremely well-located for much of the best that Boston has to offer, including boutique shopping, entertainment and excellent restaurants. The staff at the Taj provides gracious and impeccable service; discrete but helpful when required. Check-in was ... Read More
Ritz Carlton Toronto
February 2012
In Canada’s most dynamic city, GARETH DAVIS finds a well-known brand that’s still cutting edge... RITZ CARLTON, TORONTO, CANADA Instead of the usual tale of gorgeous building destroyed to make way for car park, this is a case of car park ... Read More
Old Swan and Minster Mill
December 2011
After a full-on summer of non-stop work my husband and I were looking forward to a much needed weekend break, away from our blackberries and never ending list of domestic chores. Our chosen retreat was the beautiful Old Swan and Minster Mill in the picturesque village of Minster ... Read More
Corinthia Hotel, London
November 2011
The image of the metropolitan luxury hotel that has infused into popular culture, the haunt of dignitaries, diplomats and glittering denizens is “the Grand Hotel”. This late Nineteenth/early Twentieth century European creation of neo-classic splendour and ... Read More
Hesperia, Lanzarote
October 2011
Boasting five star facilities at sensible prices, beautiful weather 365 days a year and a convenient location just a stone’s throw away from Lanzarote’s chic Puerto Calero marina, Hesperia Hotel certainly promises a great deal. Easily reached from most major ... Read More
Shangri La, Kathmandu
September 2011
I last visited Nepal in 1989 as back packer on a long 6 month journey back from Hong Kong to the UK. Funds were tight and armed with my trusted Lonely Planet guide and I checked into one of their recommended cheaper guest houses. It was nothing to write home about ... Read More
Conrad Chicago
August 2011
The Conrad Chicago is very conveniently located just off Michigan Ave, more often referred to as the Magnificent Mile. As first impressions go the Conrad didn’t exactly fill me with the wow factor. We turned off Michigan and drove down into what felt like a basement level ... Read More
Summer Hotel Special: Forest of Dean Cabins
August 2011
It’s August and with the kids out of school, Matt Westrup went searching for luxury in the woods... Driving along the M4 towards the Forest of Dean, the boot of my car was virtually empty. Normally, for the outdoor experience, it would be rammed full of all that it takes ... Read More
Sail Lofts, St Ives
June 2011
There’s no denying the sheer prettiness of St Ives, though I have tried for the past eleven years. Blame it on a bout of food poisoning that left me doubled up in pain; not the kind of experience that gets you coming back for more. So it was with some trepidation that I ... Read More
Grand Hotel Cocumella
April 2011
Arriving at a rather chaotic Naples airport on a hot and sticky Autumnal afternoon doesn’t exactly inspire you with Le Dolce Vita. But around an hours drive away, north of the Gulf of Naples lies the Sorrentine Peninsula and its main town Sorrento. It’s here that ... Read More
Abode, Manchester
March 2011
It’s a Grade II listed building in Manchester’s Piccadilly and looks like an Edwardian hospital, all red brick and turrets, but it’s one of the city’s most stylish hotels, a fusion of vision from hotelier Andrew Brownsword and magical Michelin chef ... Read More
Auberge Saint Antoine
February 2011
The city of Quebec, high above the St Lawrence River, always strikes me as a place of possibilities. Historic in appearance, its location makes me feel as if the world is opening up before me, the New World that is. I think it’s a feeling I must share with those early ... Read More
La Mamounia, Marrakech
January 2011
You know you have arrived at no ordinary hotel when a small army of staff wearing sumptuous Moroccan robes opens the doors for you and welcome you into the lobby. No, La Mamounia is definitely not an ordinary place! Located in the heart of Marrakech, within the ancient walls of ... Read More
Blythswood Square Hotel
October 2010
Class and warmth under one roof as GARETH DAVIS discovers in Glasgow... Gazing out over the sward of Blythswood Square, the old automobile club with its high ceilinged spaces and marble foyer has been transformed into a contemporary spot of luxury. Colour combinations ... Read More
CastaDiva Resort
September 2010
Being a born and bred Italian, I have always regretted not visiting the beautiful lakes in the northern regions of my country. Finally, some years since my departure from Bel Paese, I was offered the opportunity to visit a new resort opening on Lake Como: CastaDiva Resort! Lake ... Read More
Me Madrid Reina Victoria
August 2010
Me Madrid Reina Victoria, formally the legendary Hotel Reina Victoria, opened its doors in October 2006 and was the first ‘Me’ branded hotel to be opened by Melia, the upmarket Spanish hotel chain. Described as ‘experience based personality ... Read More
The Arch London
July 2010
I first visited the Arch Hotel at its opening party on a cold and rainy evening in January 2010. Back then, I remember the friendliness of the staff showing me around the rooms, the remarkable artworks, the glorious canapés and the flowing champagne; six months later I ... Read More
Radisson SAS Carlton
May 2010
As the UK plodded through one of longest and coldest winters on record, my competitive family and I killed an afternoon by working out who had been to the most countries in the world. Not as easy as it sounds – were we to include places like Madeira ... Read More
Dukes
March 2010
Back in the 70s I was one of millions who tuned in on Saturday nights to watch Lousia Trotter’s transformation from East End working class skivvy to the proprietor of Bentinck Hotel, the Edwardian London town house hotel of distinction. THE DUCHESS OF DUKE STREET starred ... Read More
Lucknam Park
February 2010
“I love Lucknam”. That’s what a six-year old wrote in the visitor book of our room at Lucknam Park. And I know what she means. I love Lucknam too. My partner and I had made it all the way across London and down the M4 in our 206 without once letting up on our ... Read More
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Restaurant Reviews
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