I have been a fan of Olga Polizzi and hotels ever since visiting the elegant Tresanton hotel in Cornwall many years ago. Her whole family have massive influence in the hotel industry, her brother is Rocco Forte and her daughter Alex Polizzi presents the hugely popular programme, The Hotel Inspector.

Olga now has three hotels in her collection, Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall, Hotel Endsleigh in Devon and The Star in Alfriston. She is renowned for her sophisticated interior design which runs throughout the hotels.

The Star in Alfriston opened as a 30 bedroom hotel in summer 2021, taking over a fine historic building on Alfriston’s medieval main high street. ‘The Star was originally a religious hostel built in 1345, to accommodate monks and pilgrims en route from Battle Abbey to the shrine of St Richard, patron saint of Sussex, at Chichester Cathedral.’

The pictoresque exterior sets the scene for this charming boutique hotel. Inside it is a mix of ancient beamed inn rooms and more modern (but sensitively redesigned) spaces. On the ground floor there are various artistic details from local artists, most striking perhaps is the black and white stencilled Elizabethan design on the floor in the main restaurant. Be sure to also check out the library, much of which is curated by the lovely Alfriston bookshop, Much Ado Books.

There are bedrooms in the original building and some in the new block. Each of the 21 bedrooms and 9 suites have been individually designed by Olga Polizzi. A mix of old furniture and modern amenities ensures the rooms are very comfortable but also very characterful. I loved the display of local art, and particularly admired the Vanessa Bell paintings (more of which you can see at the nearby Charleston House).

We were extremely comfortable in one of the Junior suites in the old building… I’d recommend staying in this part of the hotel if availability allows. There was plenty of natural light, a huge indulgent bed and charming details throughout, including stacks of thoughtfully chosen books. The large bathroom featured a powerful shower, spacious bathtub, super soft towels and bathrobes and toiletries by 100% natural Bramley.

There are plenty of cosy common spaces to relax in The Star, but if you want to explore the local area there is lots to occupy your time. After exploring Alfriston, go for a walk on the spectacular Seven Sisters cliffs and head to Birling Gap beach, watch an opera at Glyndebourne, dine at the local pubs or visit one of the nearby award-winning Sussex vineyards.

The restaurant at The Star is located in the old inn and spills out to a pretty courtyard for warmer weather. The menu changes regularly dependant on local seasonal produce, with South Coast seafood and Sussex meats always featuring.

It’s a popular place to eat for those staying and visiting guests / locals. Though I thought the prices were quite high, the service was efficient and friendly and everything we tried was very tasty. Highlights included a Rigatoni pasta dish with English rose veal ragu and South Downs Lamb Leg with roasted violet aubergine & courgette, with wonderfully seasoned basil and black olive sauce. Despite it having a grown up feel, Wilf was kindly catered for, and he loved the food.

After a restful night’s sleep we were the first down to breakfast in the morning. A buffet of continental treats awaited us, jewel coloured freshly squeezed juices, abundant bowls of berries, freshly baked miniature pastries and delicious cereals and yoghurts. We feasted on the buffet and also tried one dish from the hot kitchen menu, which included tempting recipes like ‘Slow Cooked Tomatoes on grilled sourdough, Court Lodge Farm labneh & dried oregano’ and ‘Springs Smokery Salmon with local scrambled free range eggs’. I loved the ‘Sussex Gypsy Toast with whipped Northiam Diary cream & heather honey’, a rich french toast with thick cream and fragrant honey.

There is always something going on in Alfriston… from quaint antique and book shops to weekend car boot sales and dog competitions, it was a breath of fresh air to be in the charming East Sussex town for the August Bank Holiday, and The Star is a lovely luxurious place to call home.

I was a guest of The Star. More information and book a stay here.

I’ve had Belfast on my list ‘to visit’ for a while… it is one of my best friends beloved hometowns and I’d heard more than a few murmurings of the exciting emerging food scene there. Finally I visited in May, the weather was uncharacteristically sunny and we had several restaurant bookings to give our trip structure. Northern Ireland’s capital is very accessible by short flight from elsewhere in the UK and it’s cheap to get here.

Sadly the hotel hosting us had had a fire, so we shacked up in a lovely airbnb, the ideal base for a few days exploring. We ventured to most of our stops on foot, breaking up the food venues with gardens and parks, museums and sightseeing.

To Eat

Ox Belfast – Off the beaten track on Oxford Street, Ox is a laidback Michelin-starred restaurant, with 40 seats and minimalist interiors. Head Chef Stephen Toman leads the open kitchen which presents very pretty, refined and seasonal dishes. The lunch menu is incredibly reasonable and the delicate food won’t leave you feeling too full.

The Muddler’s Club – The Muddlers Club is named after the secret society that met there over 200 years ago, a trendy and relaxed fine dining restaurant which serves an innovative set tasting menu. Also Michelin star awarded, Muddler’s Club is known for its punchy flavours and striking plates of food. We loved our lunch here which was relaxed and delicious in equal measure.

Neighbourhood Cafe – THE place for brunch in Belfast, Neighbourhood Cafe ticked every box. A chic, informal space with brilliant coffee (they were brewing Calendar Coffee from Galway when we visited) and a menu of tasty all-day dishes – French Toast and the Breakfast Bap were our favourites.

Cú – Lisburn Road has a host of inspiring eateries for dining out, which was convenient as we were staying nearby. Cú serves up irresistible Mexican food with big flavours and strong tequila cocktails. Opt for a selection of the tacos and the moreish, chunky guacamole.

Orto Pizza – When we visited a few months ago Orto was the newish pizza joint to open in Belfast, and was already receiving rave reviews. We headed here for our final meal in town, the expansive restaurant is clean and stylish, ideal for groups or families. Their is a range of pizzas and filled focaccias to choose from at lunchtime, all generously topped with tasty seasonal ingredients.

Oh Donuts! – I had no idea about the popular donut scene in Belfast before visiting. Guilt Trip, Black Box and Taboo were all mentioned to me, but no cafe was recommended more than Oh Donuts!, a brightly coloured cafe for good coffee and great donuts. When we arrived at 11am they were almost sold out, but we managed to nab one of their iconic ‘Boston Creme’ flavours, a super fresh, very well filled creamy donut. Their vegan menu is also very well regarded!

Al Gelato – Delicious homemade gelato based in, and made in Belfast. Find them on Ormeau Road, Lisburn Road and Ballyhackamore.

To Drink

Established Coffee – This great speciality coffee spot is found in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, a spacious place to sit and work or enjoy brunch with friends. They roast a big range of beans from a range of countries and can advise you on a roast to suit your tastes. Both the caffeinated and decaf coffee from Established were delicious, and I wish I had brought some beans home with me!

Output Espresso – A hip spot on Lisburn Road, Output is the ideal cafe for a hearty weekend brunch or takeaway coffee. I can recommend the Chicken Waffles or Pig Pancakes paired with a perfectly poured flat white.

Napoleon Coffee – Napoleon is an independent speciality coffee shop in Ormeau Baths that opened in August 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Founded by barista Rachel Snowdon and scientist Matthew Mcauley, it is the realisation of a long time coffee dream for them. They serve a variety of beans, including Lucid Coffee Roasters (perfect for milk based coffees) and Parisian brand Kawa Coffee.

To Do

Glass Dome Victoria Square – Rising high above the city’s skyline, the Dome at Victoria Square boasts 360 degree views across Belfast. Free to visit and worth seeing to see the city from above.

The MAC Belfast – The Metropolitan Arts Centre in Belfast has recently been renovated, a stunning building in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. The gallery hosts international art exhibitions, live theatre, top shows and events, and educational programmes. I was particularly impressed with the facilities for kids.

Belfast Botanical Gardens – The Botanic Gardens is a free, public garden in Belfast. Occupying 28 acres of south Belfast, the gardens are popular with locals and tourists, a calm and lovely place to wander and admire the plants.

Belfast Black Taxi Tours – I highly recommend doing a Black Taxi Tour to understand the background and stories of Belfast’s troubled past. I found it fascinating to drive round with someone who experienced the history first hand, learning about the political points of the city that are still so poignant today. The black cab tours also visit the world famous murals around the city of Belfast.

Holywood – Hop on a train (just 10 minutes) to this charming nearby seaside town. Visit Lynchpin for coffee and brunch and wander down to the sea.