Tag Archives: boutique

The Ampersand Hotel, South Kensington

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When you live in London, staying in the city’s hotels will never be a necessity, instead it is a luxury reserved for special occasions. The Ampersand in South Kensington is currently top of my London hotel list; a modern, stylish and creative central London hotel which offerss for individuality and exceptional quality.

Housed in an old fashioned Victorian townhouse, the interior is the very opposite of the exterior: exuberant, exciting and inventive… with an emphasis on Ampersand inspired art, showcasing innovative furniture and artwork wherever possible. It is an unrecognisable renovation from the previous shabby three-star hotel. The Ampersand is now enjoyed by staying guests and locals alike who use the communal areas for meetings and meals.

The rooms are categorised and thoughtfully themed, our Deluxe Room had hints of ornithology throughout its detailing. Other rooms are inspired by concepts such as astronomy, music, botany and geometry. The luxurious Deluxe rooms are smallish but snug; the design embraces the architectural quirks: in our room the King-size bed was squeezed into an awkward space behind two pillars, unconventional but very cosy and comfortable. With a big tv and numerous plump pillows it is the perfect place to wrap up in a duvet and watch a film… and lying in my decadent bed, Great Gatsby felt like the ideal movie choice! The mini-bar is stocked with soft drinks, all of which are complimentary… a rare bit of generosity for a London hotel.

A dinky sofa and desk allows space to work and relax, though the noise from the nearby main road may interrupt you. The super slick and stylish monochrome tiled bathroom includes a walk-in shower, branded rubber duck and lovely Miller Harris toiletries.

The fantastic eatery, Apero, is located in the basement, and the décor has a seductive, casual New York vibe with exposed bricks, filament bulbs and simple wooden tables. The food is Italian, tasty and unpretentious, and very reasonably priced. Cocktails are blindingly good too, expertly mixed and beautifully presented. Breakfast is served at Apero too, an array of fresh fruits, rustic loaves and pastries are on offer, as well as an irresistible menu of a la carte dishes. I indulged at breakfast with a big frothy cappuccino and Brioche French Toast with Cinnamon and Red Fruits.

A civilised and pretty Afternoon Tea is served in the vividly coloured Drawing Rooms, eclectically designed, it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Then for private dining and special events, the Wine Room is an elegant option.

The Ampersand manages to present a happy venue ideal for hanging out at any time of day for any purpose. I loved the meticulous library, curated and created by Philip Blackwell of Ultimate Library. Ampersand endeavour to be different and with this personalised library and handpicked playlist from Music Concierge, they achieve something unlike any other space in London, totally unique and original.

Minutes away from London’s most famous museums and shops, The Ampersand is wonderfully convenient… but this is not what you’ll remember when you depart… beautiful design, scrumptious food, and friendly service make this hotel unforgettable for all the right reasons.

More information and book here: www.ampersandhotel.com

POP, Notting Hill

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I will admit, I’ve never been much of a popcorn fan… I have always associated it with cinema snacking and compulsive mouth stuffing as the film flashes in front of me. I didn’t particularly like the taste, and found the ongoing sweet vs. salty dilemma painfully frustrating. Recently however popcorn has undergone a bit of a makeover with several trendy little companies developing a snack that is both healthy and tasty, satisfying and flavoursome.

There is something instantly attractive and tempting about POP, Europe’s first popcorn boutique. This new concept store is the brainchild of London-based couple Matt Guarente (a former magazine editor) and Catherine May, a public affairs director. Priding itself on being the first of its kind, POP produces coated and dusted popcorn freshly made every day, in unusual and indulgent flavours.

Customers can choose in-store flavours or create their own bespoke popcorn for parties and events. We sampled each recipe from the current menu. I was amazed by how much I enjoyed eating this delicious snack… intensely flavoured, wonderfully fresh and pleasingly crunchy, it is the ideal grazing food, perfect for stylish cocktail parties or event openings.

The owners’ passion for food is obvious… each flavour has been carefully developed – innovative and creative components combined to make addictively good combinations. English Toffee and Sea Salt is the most popular and was definitely my favourite, a thick caramelly coating on the corn. My team of tasters preferred the luxurious Raspberry Dark and White Chocolate (a pretty pink variety with thick drippings of chocolate) and Sweetcrisp (a simple but scrumptious version of classic sweet popcorn). Of the savoury choices, I loved the Bloody Mary flavour.

POP also sells a number of cult drinks from America, strikingly bright vintage cans sit in a fridge waiting to quench your thirst after your popcorn!

I know it sounds corny but you too will be dancing for joy when you taste the latest pop sensation, I can’t get enough of it.

(POP has just launched delivery by post – Pop at Home – meaning their great corn is available across the UK, and they plan to be at a festival near you this summer.)

Visit the website for more information: www.popthewebsite.com

Hotel Legend, Paris

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Hotel Legend is part of the Paris Elegancia group, evocative establishments each featuring its own style and personality.

Moments away from Saint-Placide metro station, and on the busy Rue de Rennes shopping street, Hotel Legend is conveniently placed for tourists wishing to see the city’s main sites. When we arrived, exhausted from the journey, the front desk staff instantly settled us and within a few minutes we were in our room, map in hand, feeling totally at home. My first impression: the Elegancia team welcome everyone with a smile, cater to individual needs and ensure a happy stay for every guest… this is the service we received throughout our time at the hotel.

Our room, named Echo, was minimalist and chic… small and cosy, but with a fresh, slick feel. Decorated in white with simple features, it was a very pleasant and versatile room. There is no denying the petite size was a challenge and may frustrate some guests… but for business trips or short city stays this wouldn’t cause a problem. The room itself was very comfortable, a lovely place to relax and watch tv (which comes in the form of a big flat screen in front of the bed). A small desk with stool, plug sockets and iPhone speakers were located next to the bed should one need it.

The bathroom and storage space were both limited in size, the loo and shower squeezed into a tiny side room and the sink placed just outside in the main bedroom. An intriguing smashed glass effect barrier partially separated the bedroom and bathroom areas. I loved the power shower with multicoloured lights, it made the whole bathing experience very exotic. Toiletries were by Pascal Morabito and smelt delicious.

Perhaps the most luxurious touch at Legend was the memory foam mattresses and pillows. It took a little time to get used to this dense material but the effects were miraculous. A good night’s sleep is not a challenge when you have an indulgent bed like this to sink into.

We dashed off into the Parisian streets without getting a chance to sample breakfast, although I will admit it looked very appetising displayed under the illuminated sculptural tree in the lobby. Guests are also invited to help themselves to the honesty bar downstairs as and when they desire, a choice of delectable snacks and drinks are available.

Affordable but fashionable, and in a great location… this is the ideal hotel for a weekend away. By the time we left I felt very fond of our little echo room.

More information and book here.

http://www.legendhotelparis.com/

Thanks to the Paris Tourist Board, more information here.