Tag Archives: five star

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

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We made a fleeting visit to Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. For our final night in the city we were comforted in the knowledge that we would be staying with this worldwide renowned chain whose standard is consistently excellent and no luxury amenity is spared. I have stayed in Four Seasons hotels around the world but never so far away from home. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok upheld all my expectations.

From the moment the grubby taxi pulled into the driveway, I noticed an old Siamese charm about the Four Seasons Bangkok. From the doormen to hotel managers, there is a quiet politeness and understated charm to every aspect of this accommodation and in every staff member.

Reclining stone elephants mark the entrance, ornate Thai flowers decorate the large lobby and a detailed colourful mural brings life to the wall on the grand staircase leading to the second floor. The theme of the painting is the coronation of a King, which is fitting as we were staying on Coronation Day – a very important public holiday in Thailand. This is just one of many murals in the hotel; they are the work of some of Thailand’s most celebrated and accomplished painters.

Informed that we had been upgraded to a Four Seasons Executive Suite, we were whisked up to the members only Executive Club Lounge on the seventh floor. The speedy check-in was accompanied by fresh orange juice and early evening canapés.

Our impressively large suite was warm and welcoming – located on the fifth floor with a panoramic cityscape view from the window, dark and moody at night, bright and bustling in the morning. This suite comprises a big bedroom, spacious living room, powder room and bathroom. There is elegant décor throughout the rooms including teak furnishings, silk fabrics and authentic Thai artefacts. It was extremely comfortable and homely but also filled with intriguing detailing. I spent a while flicking through a magnificent book documenting the King of Thailand’s reign and the history of the monarchy.

We didn’t spend long in the luxurious suite but could enjoy its perks nonetheless; the softest sheets, the bounciest pillows, fragrant L’Occitane products and a giant bathtub. When morning came I woke heavy-hearted, sad to be leaving the Land of Smiles. We had the choice of breakfast location, either the Executive lounge or the main courtyard downstairs. We chose the larger communal area conscious that the food choice would be greater. Here many cuisines and breakfast traditions are represented. Knowing we wouldn’t be eating authentic Thai for a while we opted for the local red curry with chicken and fried rice with pork – absolutely delicious despite the odd time of day. An egg station makes guests hot dishes to their exact specifications and inside the pastry, fruit and yoghurt buffet was extensive.

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok provided the perfect home for our final night in Thailand. It felt very natural as a five star hotel in this hectic city, not contrived or over-modernised like many of its competitors, instead evoking a sense of place while providing the highest level of luxury.

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

Villa Magna Hotel, Madrid

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Villa Magna may not be the newest or hippest hotel in Madrid, but it certainly provides lavish luxury and classic, sophisticated design for the most discerning visitor. With its prime location on Paseo de la Castellana we found this palatial accommodation the perfect base for a weekend exploring Spain’s infectious capital city.

We arrived late on a Friday evening, the grand hotel was illuminated gloriously, the ‘Villa Magna’ art deco font glowing majestically beneath the cowering trees. Outside the hotel, the driveway was lined with posh shiny black cars, with the drivers waiting patiently for their clientele. Even at the weekend Villa Magna has an air of business efficiency.

We collapsed gratefully in the smart, pristine clean double room. The neutral brown and beige colour choices are very diplomatic to suit all visitors. The furniture was all very grown up (a writing desk, armchair and flatscreen TV), definitely more geared towards guests on business. The huge bed was the centrepiece of the room, indulgently comfortable with soft silky sheets; I slept soundly both nights. The opulent marble bathroom featured twin marble sinks and a large bath-shower. Toiletries are provided by the renowned Asprey brand Purple Water range, in swish purple and silver tubes.

Those interested in the leisure aspects of the hotel will enjoy the mini makeshift spa downstairs and the renowned, gastronomic main restaurant, Villa Magna Rodrigo de la Calle. Here the prestigious chef prepares the finest seasonal Spanish food. Breakfast is served here too, a display of tempting continental and Spanish delights was on offer buffet-style… we particularly enjoyed the Iberico ham and Manchego cheese, though the pastries were lovely and flaky too. An a la carte menu is available too for those who need a hot, wake-up meal.

Though small and inconspicuous El Club spa offers some appealing treatments that will relax and refresh you. We enjoyed an hour-long massage each with essential oils to melt away all tension and worry.

Many of the main bus routes run from just outside the hotel, you can easily reach the important Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid; in the opposite direction the city centre, shops, museums and cafes await your arrival.

Villa Magna oozes art deco charm and its location is second to none. Join the high society girls and the dapper suited men at this luxury Madrid hotel.

More information and book here: www.villamagna.es

Many thanks to the Madrid Tourist Board for their help with this trip, more information here.

Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok

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A meal at Asia’s number one restaurant, Nahm

We arrived at the Metropolitan by COMO in Bangkok, sticky, sweaty and sulky after a long, sleepless flight from London. Our first stop of a two week trip to Thailand, my first experience of the country and of Asia. Driving into the quiet passage that leads to the hotel, I felt my spirits lift instantly. The cool and clean exterior is a calming change, leaving behind the chaotic main roads of the city.

The lobby area is minimalistic with bold, bright flowers offering bursts of colour to an otherwise stark and simple space. The interiors are designed by Kathryn King, a celebrated and innovative interior designer from Singapore. She brings a bright modern vision to the brand and a contemporary, luxurious urban option for Bangkok tourists.

They don’t brag about it, but the Metropolitan team ensure the small details are on trend. Staff are kitted out in Comme des Garçons uniforms and Calvin Klein shoes, looking suitably chic amongst the stylish furnishings of the hotel.

There is no shortage of space at the Metropolitan. The hotel has 169 guest rooms and suites all of which are very generous in size, with ample space to relax, sleep and live, a real rarity in a city hotel. We comfortably settled into a 6th floor Metropolitan room, known as the biggest standard/double rooms in Bangkok. Looking around the slick and modern COMO and Penthouse suites, I felt I was drowning in space, perfect for a large family or celebrity avec entourage.

Fresh and striking, our room was decorated in bright white with indents of dull black and dusty grey, the king size bed at one end of the room with plump silver cushions adding a little glitz and small abstract monochrome artworks, a little patterning. A desk and L-shaped bench in basic black designs made from fine teak wood and, in contrast, a primitive Ming-style chair made from sand coloured natural teak made up the furniture. The bathroom was equally sharp and slick, though warmer with shades of beige mosaic and limestone. I loved the powerful walk-in shower that drenched me in cold water at the end of a day in the humid city.

Facilities cater for every guest’s requirement; event spaces, spa indulgences and a high tech gym and pool are all onsite in pristine condition. Breakfast is served in the second floor eatery, Glow, which focuses on healthy organic natural recipes. Pancakes with pineapple and coconut shavings and Cinnamon French toast with lemon were both delicious, freshly made sweet treats, though all the usual continental options are also available.

The star of the Metropolitan is undoubtedly Nahm restaurant, the David Thompson eatery which calls Como its home. Recognised as the number one restaurant in the whole of Asia the food certainly has some hype to live up to. We ate here on our first night in Bangkok, unaware of the real Thai taste and fragrances – it was a great feast of flavours, intense and innovative. Thompson (despite his Australian heritage) takes the vibrant ingredients of Thailand and presents them in a series of bold and brilliant dishes. Utilising every bit of space and sunshine, Thompson has installed a herb garden on the roof to grow many of his vital ingredients near to the kitchen.

Even the amuse-bouche was worthy of an award. Tantalising mouthfuls of sticky duck and prawn on pineapple were particularly magical. Stir-fried wagyu beef with charred onions, oyster sauce and Thai basil was a highlight, sweet and delicious with melt in the mouth tender beef. I also loved the red curry of quail with deep fried shallots and Thai basil, creamier and more flavoursome that any curry I’ve tried before, but painfully spicy! Dessert was experimental and intriguing, soft caramelised bananas in thin coconut sauce with a gooey lump of grey coconut ash… bizarre but oddly tasty. Cocktails are worth trying too – strong and stylish – we particularly enjoyed the refreshing Thai Sabai.

Soothing the mind, soul and body Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok lets guests escape the madness of the city centre whilst also showcasing the best Oriental design, food and service. A triumph on all counts.

More information and book here.