Tag Archives: hotel

Whatley Manor

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As the leaves gently begin falling off the trees and the chill of winter sets in, I start dreaming about holidays and getting away from the city. There is something idyllic about the Autumn and Winter seasons in the English countryside, perhaps it’s the roaring fires and the pub lunches after long muddy walks. Whatley Manor, a beautifully restored 18th century house in the Cotswolds, surrounded by 12 acres of gardens, is the perfect place to escape to for a winter weekend getaway.

Whatley ManorWhatley Manor

We were lucky to visit Whatley in beautiful weather, with rainbow leaves on the trees and blue skies in every direction. The manor house has a long and interesting history, passing through different families, before becoming a hotel in 1987. This 5-star establishment now operates as a peaceful and welcoming retreat, with a two Michelin starred restaurant and an amazing spa (complete with hydrotherapy pools) all on site.

Whatley ManorWhatley ManorWhatley Manor

We arrived early afternoon and immediately went out to explore the exquisite gardens. You can wander through the wild flower meadows and woodland or admire the view from the Loggia Garden. We spotted some pumpkins in the greenhouses, ready for the Halloween celebrations.

Whatley ManorWhatley Manor

There are 23 bedrooms (including 8 suites) at Whatley Manor, each decorated in an individual style. We were in Room 11 which was decorated with stylish tartan wallpaper and soft velvet furnishings. The grand, old-fashioned theme suits the character of the building and feels lovely and cosy. Our bedroom was spacious with an extremely comfortable king-sized bed and a small sitting room. The bathroom was fully equipped with a large bath, shower, L’Occitane toiletries and plenty of plush towels.

Whatley ManorWhatley ManorWhatley Manor

There are two restaurants at the hotel, the brasserie, Le Mazot and the two Michelin starred Dining Room. I felt extremely privileged to be sampling chef Martin Burge’s food in the Dining Room, and the meal and service were exemplary.

Guests are invited to choose from one of the three tasting menus which each offer seven courses of the finest seasonal flavours and ingredients. I can highly recommend the Signature Menu which showcases Martin’s most popular dishes, such as Pan Fried Scallop with caramelised eel, confit leek and pickled cockles. Other favourites for us included the refined and delicious Foie gras and truffle press, and the bold and brilliant Fillet of beef with braised oxtail, celeriac and parsley puree.

The cheese course was another highlight, a magnificent trolley slid up beside our table, topped with an array of French and British cheeses, the waiter had an extraordinary wealth of knowledge about each variety, which helped me choose the perfect plate of cheeses. Each course was paired with a unique wine, thanks to the restaurant sommelier, Andrea Domenicucci.

Whatley ManorWhatley Manor

I was feeling blissfully relaxed already, but I couldn’t leave Whatley without experiencing the renowned spa. I was amazed to discover the variety of special rooms and features, from thermal cabins to salt scrub showers. The spa menu offers a range of treatments, using luxury brands including Natura Bisse and Ila. I had a wonderful Natura Bisse D-Stress face and body treatment which relaxed and recharged my entire body from head to toe. My therapist, Violaine, used the Oxygen line of products to nourish and hydrate my face, and moisturising oil to soothe my back.

Whatley Manor

The next morning we woke to the sound of birds in the trees, after a long and dreamy sleep. We didn’t need much breakfast, following our feast in the Dining Room the night before, but couldn’t resist picking up a few healthy treats from the continental buffet. 

Whatley Manor is a fairytale escape located in the beautiful British countryside, with unbeatable facilities and genuine staff… there are so many reasons to come back to this magical manor.

More information and book a stay at Whatley Manor here.

The Beaumont Hotel

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Beaumont HotelBeaumont Hotel

On a rainy Saturday afternoon in October I visited The Beaumont for a special staycation. It was such a treat and I relished the opportunity to stay in and make good use of the facilities. Of the 73 rooms there are 23 studios and suites and we found ourselves in the lavish Roosevelt suite on the top floor. With numerous rooms and a huge balcony overlooking London, it took us almost an hour to explore, marvelling at every thoughtful detail.

The hotel has an obvious art deco theme, harking back to the decade in which it was built, with stylish furniture and lighting, elegant handpicked artwork and indulgent amenities.

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All of the room types feel spacious yet cosy, fully equipped with King-sized beds, beautiful bathrooms with underfloor heating and bespoke D R Harris toiletries. I loved the personality in our suite: carefully chosen books sat on the bedside tables, freshly made macarons were temptingly place in the dining room and in the living room there were games like Scrabble and Monopoly, perfect for Saturday nights in by the fire. The owners, Chris Corbin and Jeremy King are involved in every aspect of the hotel, and this personal insight and dedication adds so much to the guest’s experience at The Beaumont.

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For a unique experience book yourself in to the Antony Gormley suite, with a wonderfully immersive sculptural bedroom and a pure white marble bathroom concealed by a dramatic black velvet curtain. It certainly won’t be a night’s sleep you forget in a hurry.

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The Beaumont’s in house restaurant, The Colony Grill Room has become a popular destination in its own right. The American-style classic dishes and relaxed, sophisticated dining room make this restaurant a lovely place to spend time with friends and enjoy the finest quality comfort food. Specialities like the Lobster a la Russe are particularly decadent, or you can opt for a simpler Caesar Salad topped with shavings of parmesan and crunchy croutons.

The star of the show though is the steaks, which are utterly delicious. Silky rich meat is cooked to perfection, with a charred smokiness and served with french fries and a sauce of your choice.

For dessert I chose the fabulously child-friendly Colony Club Sundae, which you can customise with a little form at the table. For some high drama, try the Bananas Foster which is cooked Table Side, much to the amazement of the neighbouring diners.

Beaumont HotelBeaumont Hotel

Breakfast is equally divine, and we chose to enjoy it in our suite. Beautiful plates of food arrived promptly in the morning, alongside strong coffee, the sweetest fresh juice and just-baked viennoiserie.

Beaumont Hotel

Before leaving the hotel I had just enough time to visit the heavenly spa. This white mosaic-ed oasis is instantly welcoming and calming. I couldn’t resist sampling the speciality haman treatment, a refreshing and cleansing treatment which exfoliates and cleans the body before a moisterising and relaxing massage. The therapist listened to my requests before commencing with the wonderful treatment. I felt my body has been nourished and revitalising ready for the cold winter ahead.

Moments away from Selfridges, in the centre of the town, I cannot think of a more special place to stay in London in the run up to the festive season.

More information and book a stay at The Beaumont Hotel here.

Masseria Trapana, Puglia

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After a few days in Southern Italy I began to adapt to the slow pace of life and became accustomed to my beautiful surroundings. For the final stop of our Puglia tour we drove our little Fiat 500 hire car down to Lecce, for a two night stay at Masseria Trapana.

Masseria TrapanaMasseria Trapana

This boutique hotel took my breath away. When owner Rob Potter-Sanders bought the 16th century farmhouse a few years ago it was in ruins and had been neglected and untouched for over 100 years. After extensive rebuilding and sensitive renovation works, the hotel opened for business in October 2015, complete with the original olive press and the chapel of Santa Barbara, where the old frescoes have been restored.

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Masseria Trapana is set amongst sixty hectares of ancient olive groves and has six gardens in the hotel grounds, where fruit and nut trees produce an abundant crop each year. Every corner has been carefully considered, with charming decor and furniture making it a blissful place to walk and spend time in.

There are just ten suites which gives the hotel an intimate and special feel, and there is also the option of renting out the whole masseria exclusively as a private villa, on a weekly basis, for special occasions.

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We were extremely comfortable in our very spacious and airy Garden Suite. The design is similar in all the suites, a subtle cream colour scheme with accents of red. All the furniture chosen is of the finest quality, and a luxurious four poster bed is topped with lovely bespoke linen.

A small private garden brings light into the room and also provides the perfect place for a giant bathtub, so you can bathe outdoors beneath your own orange tree, which has the most exquisite floral scent.

The bathroom was a sanctuary of honey-hued stone and indulgent features. Kitted out with a powerful rain shower, dual sinks and chic striped towels. I was more than excited to discover our bathroom stocked with Aesop miniature toiletries – my favourite beauty brand from Australia.

Masseria Trapana

If you decide to spend your days at the hotel, the pool is a lovely place to unwind and soak up the sun. For day excursions there are plenty of charming towns nearby to visit. Lecce is the closest, just a 15 minute drive away, slightly further afield you will find picturesque coastal villages like Gallipoli and Otranto. The helpful staff at Masseria Trapana will help you plan every aspect of your Puglian itinerary so you can make the most of this enchanting area.

Masseria Trapana

Local restaurants can be hit and miss in this area, so after a few nights exploring the culinary options in Lecce you may prefer to enjoy a leisurely dinner at the hotel, where local chef Maria Carla serves up delicious traditional dishes. We enjoyed the flavoursome speciality ‘Trapana’ pasta dish and a perfectly cooked piece of chicken wrapped in parma ham. For dessert, I was delighted to be served panna cotta, one of my all time favourite Italian puddings. Wine from the region is served with dinner, or the waiters will make you an aperitif of your choice.

Breakfast is always served outside, in the dewy morning light beneath the trees. A buffet of continental treats includes traditional pastries, fruit, meats and cheese. Being Australian, Rob caters specially for his guests from down under with lamingtons (sponge cake coated in chocolate and coconut) and vegemite! Don’t miss the fresh juices made from the citrus trees that surround you.

Masseria Trapana

Masseria Trapana is a paradisiacal retreat in the idyllic Puglian landscape… as soon as you’ve visited once you’ll be planning annual return visits to this magical home away from home.

More information and book a stay at Masseria Trapana here.