Tag Archives: design

H15 Boutique Hotel, Warsaw

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Most tourists visiting Warsaw will head for the old town, but I found livelier and more exciting places in the area just south of the city centre. We stayed in the very contemporary, design-conscious H15 Boutique Hotel and were surrounded by characterful places to eat and drink.

Located on one of the oldest streets in the city, the hotel is housed in a transformed 19th century building with a rich and chequered history. Previously it was home to the Polish independence movement, the Soviet Embassy and was even a headquarters for the Nazi party during the war. Today the luxurious and chic interiors make a welcome retreat after a day sightseeing in the cold.

An entry-level room starts at £52 per night and there are various larger rooms available, with 46 rooms in total. We were lucky enough to experience one of the spacious, higher end suites, kitted out with useful amenities and quirky artwork by Polish photographer-artist Rita Zimmerman. Interior Designer Mariola Tomczak has created light and warmth with natural oak flooring, bold detailing and attractive but subtle colours.

Our luxury suite had a large separate lounge area with comfortable sofas and a high-tech internet-enabled TV. The bathroom had a powerful shower and indulgent bath with toiletries provided by French brand L’Occitane. The bedroom had a lovely relaxing feel and the huge bed was extremely comfortable. We also made good use of the kitchenette and Nespresso machine, calling reception for hot milk to make an in-room cappuccino. The only negative was the unpleasant smell of cigarettes in the suite when we arrived, surprising considering it is a non-smoking hotel.

Although there isn’t a dedicated hotel concierge, the staff at the front desk can guide you to local attractions and eating places – I can particularly recommend Kraken Rum Bar for lunch and Salto fine dining restaurant for dinner. We didn’t try it but H15’s restaurant Signature is apparently popular with Warsaw foodies.

For design-savvy travellers this boutique hotel stands out amongst the mega-brand and traditional hotels of Warsaw.

More information and book a room here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 239

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I have been a West London girl for my entire life, but next week I move down South to Peckham. So to celebrate the highstreets of West London I thought I would post about a few of my favourite shops in this homely neighbourhood. I have focused on the Golborne Road and Portobello area, which has a host of hidden gems that will keep you occupied all day.

Erno Deco – This lovely shop specialises in affordable vintage design furniture and decorative collectable objects. We admired all the furniture in here, imagining it in our new home.

Ally Capellino – British designer of classic mens and womens bags and accessories. I loved the design pieces and timeless leather handbags.

Pedlars – Selling wonderful stuff for the home and the great outdoors, Pedlars’ varied stock ranges from pieces produced here in Britain to vintage items from across the globe.

Ollie & Bow – A dusty den of antiques where you can pick up bizaare and whimsical retro pieces for your home. You will get lost in the beautiful chaos.

Les Couilles Du Chien – Suppliers of unusual antiques and decorative items, I particularly liked the brightly coloured butterflies which would look radiant on the wall.

Look out for my South London shopping suggestions soon!

Hotel Lamee, Vienna

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There are plenty of grand and expensive hotels to choose from in Vienna, but I chose to stay at a smaller, more characterful hotel while in the city for a short weekend break. Hotel Lamee is a stylish boutique venue, one of the hand-picked design hotels in the city. Arriving into Vienna international airport late at night we were relieved to discover how quick and easy the taxi ride to Lamee was. Just steps away from the iconic St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansplatz), Hotel Lamee and its nearby sister hotel Topazz are very centrally located and ideal for business or pleasure trips. From the hotel it was easy walking distance to the major sites, shops and cafes.

We were in Room 62, a glamorous and stylish double room. The room was cosy and comforting, filled with luxurious materials: satin, velvet and silk. Decorated in rich reds and creamy golden hues it certainly had a regal look. In the main space a huge bed with plumped pillows took precedence in the centre of the room. Beneath the windows a small coffee table and two armchairs were ideal for relaxing. Through the glass partition wall the indulgent bathroom included a big marble bath, “his and hers” sinks and a shower room. A circular mirror offered light on the wall. Fluffy towelling robes hung temptingly on the walls. Initially we assumed there was no TV, but eventually we found the cinematic flat screen that rose from the leather piece of furniture at the foot of the bed.

We slept soundly, enjoyed numerous hot baths and really took advantage of this lavish living space. My only issue was the temperature system, which seemed to really struggle to regulate the room. We were far too hot at times and the air-conditioning unit refused to cooperate despite the kind efforts of the staff. Eventually we resorted to opening the window to let in some cold fresh air.

Breakfast is served in an intimate dining room on the first floor. A selection of pastries and cereals were available as well as more filling hot a la carte dishes. The food was tasty and fresh, and the eggs and bacon got a particularly good review from my friend. We spent the early mornings here, flicking through guide books and sipping strong coffee and orange juice. We didn’t have time to sample the other food and drink venues on site but they come highly recommended. On the ground floor Bloom café offers Austrian dishes eco-friendly wine. Spilling out onto the street it is a buzzing eatery to sit at with friends. At the top of the building the rooftop garden offers amazing views over the city, sit and enjoy a drink whilst looking at Vienna from another perspective.

With sumptuous bedrooms and luxurious amenities, Lamee Hotel is a lovely place to return to after a long day exploring the streets of Vienna.

More information and book a stay at Hotel Lamee here.

Many thanks to the Vienna Tourist Board for their help with this trip.