The Surin Hotel, Phuket

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The Surin beach in Phuket is known for its pristine white sand and pale turquoise waters, a heavenly stretch of shoreline which the Surin Hotel can call its back garden! Ideally located on the west coast of the island and a member of the Design Hotels group, this accommodation is subtle and stylish, a blissfully tranquil place to enjoy an exotic holiday.

All of the 103 cottages and suites are discreetly situated amongst the lush green landscape, surrounded by coconut trees and vocal wildlife. With a renovation just three years ago, the décor feels fresh and contemporary. The property is removed from the major party areas in Phuket, though Catch Beach Club next door is popular. Guests can easily arrange excursions to nearby historic sites, we enjoyed visiting the local Chalong Bay distillery and Phuket old town.

At the end of a leafy road, the hotel feels very exclusive, a retreat to enjoy quiet luxury. We walked up and down a multitude of steps past swaying palm trees until we reached our little cabin. Despite modern touches the room is very traditionally Thai in design. Using warm brown and ochre shades, the interior has a comforting feel and encourages you to relax. The walls display ancient artefacts, fruit and snacks are prettily placed on the table and an array of magazines are ideal for beachside entertainment. The open plan room holds a plush sofa, small desk and a wonderfully soft big bed. Above the bed a triptych of oriental gold and brown artworks add artistic flair. Through to the wardrobe area, the Surin provides a full beach kit, straw sun hats, fans and convenient bag for towels. They have thought of everything you may need, so you can concentrate on your holiday. The bathroom is simply designed, with mirrored surfaces and nicely packaged toiletries, no bath but the powerful shower suffices for a refreshing spritz. Bathrobes are a fashionable pale grey and are a cooling thin cotton material.

For further indulgence guests can get a buggy to the petite Surin spa and really unwind with a vigorous tension relieving massage. Cool down with the delicious hibiscus flower iced welcome drink, choose from the selection of tropical flavoured oils, then lie down and let the experienced therapists melt your problems away.

When it comes to food at The Surin they follow the guest’s needs. For light lunches you can enjoy a bite by the beach while dinner can be enjoyed at the Beach Restaurant (though only open in high season) so we tried the fantastic Lomtalay Thai restaurant. Here they serve the finest traditional cuisine, every bite was exquisite. Using the highest quality ingredients each dish was fresh and vibrantly flavoured. I can particularly recommend the tender Lamb chops covered in spicy fragrant curry sauce and the moreish Morning glory in a light garlicky sauce.

At breakfast the hotel suddenly seems very full as guests gorge on the feast of food. A chef is cooking away at the egg station, whipping up fresh personalised dishes. Those who prefer a light breakfast can help themselves to tropical fruits and flaky buttery croissants.

When you have finished exploring the facilities, the sun drenched beach is waiting for you and it is this stunning view that will remain with you as a memory of the Surin long after you have left.

A double cottage at The Surin Phuket starts from £150 per room per night. For more information and reservations visit www.thesurinphuket.com  or call +66 76 621 580 2.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 210 – A Day in Marais

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Everyone is talking about the super cool Parisian neighbourhood, Haut-Marais. Last weekend I hunted out the best boutiques, cafes and bars for the perfect day in Marais.

Marche des Enfants Rouges – I stumbled across this atmospheric food market accidentally. The crowds and delicious smells encouraged me to look a little further. After a campaign by locals, this historic area reopened as a deluxe food market in 2000, taking its name from the 16th-century orphanage that used to occupy the site. With a range of Italian, Lebanese, African, Japanese food and a variety of great artisan and organic food stalls you are sure to be distracted for a few hours.

Edited Black, Comme des Garcons – an attractive monochrome edit of clothes and accessories from the Japanese fashion label Comme des Garcons.

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel – Renowned for her revolutionary, inside-out stitching technique and statement knitwear, Parisian designer Sonia Rykiel’s chic garments are the best thing to spend your pennies on in Paris.

Merci – this concept store is unmissable, a mix of industrial style homeware and simple stylish clothes, I could spend hours in this treasure trove. Be sure to also visit Bonton the kids version of Merci, complete with photobooth and nail studio.

Les Prairies de Paris – This designer shop is more like an art installation with beautifully curated clothes hanging delicately on the rails. The wonderfully unique detailing makes the prices almost seem reasonable.

L’art du Basic – This Parisian brand makes perfectly tailored basics for every occasion. I particularly loved the silk dresses and shirts.

Repetto – rainbow display of perfect ballerina shoes, I’d love one of each colour if I could.

Jean Marie Poinot – This artisan jewellery designer makes wacky jewellery from acrylic. It reminded me of Butler & Wilson in London.

Stephane Verdino – irresistably shiny and stylish bags. Wearable and wonderful.

Rose Bakery – Perfect for a weekend brunch or a shopping coffee break, Rose Bakery offers delicious homemade cakes and savoury dishes. Spot the hoards of fashionistas heading in here.

Pink Flamingo – I can’t recommend this pizzeria enough… Started by a young couple they now have several outlets around the city. They make delicious pizzas with inventive toppings.

Pozzetto – best gelato in Paris, the strawberry is absolutely divine.

Fragments – Previously known, in a different location, as Black Market Cafe this little venue is renowned for its faultless coffee.

La Perle – this Marais institution is cheap and cheerful… grab a seat in the sunshine and enjoy a glass of Provencal Rose, the perfect end to a day shopping on the Marais streets.

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

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The Mandarin Oriental is without doubt the most recognised and renowned hotel in Bangkok.  An impressive 138 years old, this institution offers an oasis of Oriental cool and calm and all the luxuries you could ever desire.

Mandarin Oriental is the only property in Bangkok with facilities both sides of the Chao Phraya River. It was the first luxury hotel in south-east Asia. Originally titled just ‘Oriental,’ the hotel joined with the Mandarin company in 1974 and together they built the new River Wing. It was only in 2008 that the name changed to the Mandarin Oriental. It is still known to many locals and loyal visitors as just ‘The Oriental’.

The road is quite ordinary and typically Thai. It was a revelation to discover the hotel amongst street stalls and jewellery shops; most of the city’s five star establishments are found on main roads huddled together, but here in downtown Bangkok the vibrant flavour and culture of Thailand is more evident than ever. It is testament to the quality of the hotel that it has survived and thrived for so long in such a contrasting area.

Driving up the leafy driveway, I could feel my anticipation and excitement rise. My grandfather had already made me promise… “If there is one place you visit in Bangkok it must be The Oriental”. I’d heard stories of evenings spent in the glittering lobby and couldn’t wait to step inside and see it for myself.

Traditional and fragrant jasmine flower wreaths were placed, like Christmas tree baubles on our thumbs as we were welcomed into the breezy air conditioned foyer with a smile. It definitely has the wow factor, a magnificent deep purple beaded chandelier hangs heavy from the ceiling, lanterns hint at the history of the country, and full length windows offer natural light and a peek of the lush green gardens outside.

Upstairs our deluxe room continued to exceed all expectations. A heavenly soft bed to ease you to sleep, a giant bath to wash away the stress of the day and a wonderfully comforting chocolate brown silk robe to wear when you are feeling weary. From our twelfth floor room, the view over the river and city is spectacular, and I noticed a surge on my social media as I proudly posted the photograph I’d taken. The usual luxuries are all in place, exceptional amenities and features… but I was thrilled to discover the thoughtful little extras that the Mandarin Oriental provides for guests. I particularly noticed the specially made gold leaf embossed writing paper neatly arranged on the desk, personalised for each guest, the generous bottle of Thai bath oil and the lovely fan, left as a gift. On the desk we also found the hotel newsletter, appropriately named ‘The Oriental Times’ – designed to replicate a broadsheet, this offers interesting news and information about the hotel.

Food options are plentiful at The Mandarin Oriental; Le Normandie is famous for its French fine dining; The China House offers authentic Cantonese dishes in a contemporary style and Lord Jim’s enjoys a worldwide reputation for its seafood. For more relaxed dining, The Verandah is open all day, whilst Bamboo bar showcases live jazz and boasts an unbeatable cocktail list, for simple sundowner drinks and Italian tapas there is Ciao Bar. We skipped these tempting eateries in search of the finest Thai food on the river’s edge at Sala Rim Naam, sitting on the idyllic terrace where we could enjoy the warm, exotic breeze. Keen to try a selection of specialities we let the staff choose our meal… deep fried herbed crab meat and minced chicken salad was a highlight. For mains the sweet and spicy red curry with lychees and roasted duck was fragrant, flavoursome and creamy while Australian lamb chops with tamarind sauce featured the highest quality meat cooked to perfection. There are many exemplary Thai restaurants in Bangkok, but few which provide such a spectacular view from the table.

When it comes to relaxation and revitalisation, the Oriental Spa provides the ideal refuge. The spa is located across the Chao Phraya river, though easy to reach by the complimentary river shuttle provided by the hotel crossing every five minutes.  We experienced the Oriental Signature Treatment, an essential oil massage with Thai and European techniques. This 90 minute massage was our first spa experience in Thailand, and is still memorable even after numerous treatments in Asia. The staff went to extra trouble to ensure we were comfortable and relaxed every step of the treatment. Tailoring the treatment to suit me entirely, my therapist attended to stiff areas of my back, stimulating and soothing my body from head to toe. A hot ginger tea was refreshing, nourishing and hydrating at the end of the treatment. Beauty by Mandarin Oriental has recently opened, teaming up with QMS Medicosmetics, adding another experience to your must-try itinerary!

Next morning as we enjoyed our breakfast on the terrace, I marvelled at my surroundings. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok has history, elegance and style that is unrivalled in this city.

More information and book here: www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/