Luton Hoo
“Hundreds of colourful characters have graced the tapestry-clad, marble enveloped rooms of Luton Hoo over the years.” None more colourful than our very own Jessica Baldwin…
Browsing: The Explorer
Marrakech: Dream of the Red City
I’m lounging in my spacious, three-room Bahia royal suite at the Angsana Riads Collection in Marrakech. My private confines are so serene that only the beatifically haunting call to prayer punctuates the quiet…
Mount Farm Barn, Norfolk
The word is out about Norfolk, and as a near-native this fills me with both…
When in Bruges
“I am not a polar bear. I do not have layers of fur, nor do I find basking on a slowly-receding iceberg pleasurable.” Alwynne visits a snow-covered Bruges, and discovers that sipping gourmet beer is a good way to avoid frostbite.
Heaven is a Place on Fifth Avenue
“There is perhaps nothing more ‘New York’ than to sit in a New York bar with two New York girls. But while the girls were loaded with energy and enthusiasm, I was drifting in and out of a relaxed coma…”
The Surin & Amanpuri, Thailand
“Just half an hour’s drive from the airport lays a blissfully peaceful sandy stretch, hidden amidst a steep coconut plantation, hugged tight by a five-star hotel at either end. This is Pansea Beach…”
The Old Bristolian
Bristol had changed. An influx of investment into the city centre had seen the depressing Broadmead area revitalised (a Harvey Nichols was now there!) and there were countless new places to visit and enjoy…
Amandari, Bali
“The Balinese are without doubt the happiest people I have ever met. The contentment certainly rubbed off on me, but then I was staying at the area’s most luxurious residence, Amandari.”
The Four Seasons, Hampshire
Jess stays at the perfectly formed Four Seasons Hampshire: “Ha, got them this time!” I whispered excitedly as a knife clattered to the floor at the other end of the restaurant. Bugger, it was a clumsy guest, not a waiter…
Nira Alpina, St. Moritz
“I know you, sir!” Not the first words you expect when you open the door to room service in St Moritz. Unless you’re royalty or Hollywood A-list. And I was, after all, in Nira Alpina’s finest suite…
One Hundred Hours of Hong Kong
“Just suck it straight off the toes.” Not a line one wants to hear while tucking in to a piece of foot-shaped food. It’s the last night of a trip to Hong Kong and I’m one of six huddled around a spread of various doughs and dim sum.
The Call of the Wild: Madikwe Game Reserve
“Elephant, leopard, buffalo, lion, rhino. We’re staring down three days at Rhulani lodge in South Africa’s Madikwe game reserve. I’m crossing fingers and hoping we’ll have time to see them all.”