Gyms with added five star luxuries July 4, 2011 GYM bunnies looking for the top-flight places to keep fit should head to the city’s leading hotels. Lavish surroundings, less-crowded gymnasiums and access to magnificent spas make exercise a pleasure, even an indulgence. Here are five of the best. CORINTHIA HOTEL Plush, in a word. The new Corinthia Hotel is a place of dazzling, no-expense-spared [...]
FIT IN THE CITY July 4, 2011 FITNESS & DIET EXPERT NO need to quiver in fear at the prospect of sporting a pair of Speedos/a bikini (delete as appropriate) this summer – we’ve sourced the very best ways to whittle that tum into shape in double time for your summer hols. GO TECHNO If state-of-the-art equipment in heavenly surroundings is your [...]
British food that’s on the right track July 4, 2011 The Gilbert Scott St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, NW1 2AR thegilbertscott.co.uk FOOD *** SERVICE *** ATMOSPHERE **** Cost per person without wine: £35 AS locations go, you can’t really beat it. St Pancras Station is of the most iconic buildings of the Victorian industrial age, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1868 with [...]
THE RISE OF ST PANCRAS: WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK July 4, 2011 GILBERT SCOTT BAR London’s rise as a cocktail destination is everywhere apparent: and no more so than in the opening of brilliant restaurant bars that are destinations in themselves. The Gilbert Scott has one of these: it’s airy and antique, with buttery popcorn served in pewter chalices as a free snack, and cocktails from ages [...]
FOOD & BOOZE NEWS July 4, 2011 EXQUISITE CHAMPAGNE FEAST AT THE LANGHAM HOTEL: TONIGHT What are you doing ce soir? If you’ve got a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket and you consider yourself a foodie (who likes champagne), you should be at the Langham Hotel’s “Evening with Roux” dinner at its fine dining restaurant, the Landau. Michel Roux [...]
Ancient and modern wonders July 3, 2011 THE Eternal City has had a 21st-century makeover. In the last few years, daring new architect-designed buildings have been springing up, while workmen sing along to Tony Bennett: “The glory that was Rome/Is of another day.” The Auditorium Parco della Musica was created by Renzo Piano, and took 12 years to build. The American architect [...]
OUT OF AFRICA July 3, 2011 IT is 5.45am – waking hour on safari. Close to the tent, there are groups of feeding buffalo and wildebeests and slowly loping giraffes. Behind them, there is a spectacular view of the Kent coast and English Channel with France in the distance. This is what it is like to go on safari, English-style. And [...]
TRAVEL NOTES July 3, 2011 …AND THE REAL, AFRICAN VERSION For those fancying a taste of the real safari life on the African plains, Sanctuary Zebra Plains is a new luxury walking safari camp in Zambia’s South Luangwa region. Rather than heading out in a jeep to snap animals from a distance, you set out on foot with Garth Hovell, [...]
OXTED, SURREY June 30, 2011 CROYDON ROAD Price: £249,950 This apartment has two double bedrooms, an entrance hall and a fully fitted kitchen. The lounge-diner and kitchen are open plan and the master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom. There are communal gardens and allocated parking that is accessible by electric gates. Contact: 01883 331000 or go to www.cubittandwest.co.uk LITTLE COURT, [...]
RENT June 30, 2011 DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL LONDON FIRM DRAKER LETTINGS, SPECIALISING IN CHELSEA, KENSINGTON AND PIMLICO. Q. We have just let our property out to a banker. My husband and I were very excited at first but all he seems to do is complain about the little things in our property, is quite abrupt and calls us constantly. [...]