Hooray: Hakkasan comes to Mayfair November 29, 2010 Hakkasan (Mayfair) 17 Bruton Street, W1J 6QB Tel: 020 7907 1888, www.hakkasan.com FOOD SERVICE ATMOSPHERE Cost per person without wine: £55 LAST week I gained half a stone. It all started (relatively) modestly with a couple of (gastro) pub meals. And it ended modestly: eating a cheeseburger and chips while standing up at the crowded, [...]
Culture, sand and sun: a day in Oman just isn’t enough November 28, 2010 MUSCAT in the Sultanate of Oman is set on the edge of rough desert landscapes overlooking sparkling emerald seas. Today it’s a sought-after holiday spot for those in search of pristine diving waters, year-round sunshine and an authentic Arabian experience. Nothing like its glitzy neighbour, Dubai. It’s my third visit in a decade and is [...]
TRAVEL NOTES November 28, 2010 Family Christmas in Gleneagles Don’t miss this offer at Scotland’s most romantic hotel. Highlights include skating lessons taken by former Olympic coaches, fireworks on Christmas Eve and sumptuous food. A children’s activity programme, surprise visits from the elves on Christmas Eve and of course Santa Claus himself on Christmas Day. Prices from £3,085 for three [...]
HOTEL REVIEW November 28, 2010 URBAN cool is what aloft says it set out to achieve with Brussels Schuman, its first hotel in Western Europe. It very nearly manages it. It’s aimed at young professionals who are after laidback accommodation with no frills. There’s no restaurant but there is a café that provides breakfast. Staff also insist on replacing hello [...]
Time for festive frocks November 28, 2010 CHRISTMAS party season attracts its share of Grinch-like moaners. But let’s face it: a chance to roll out one fun frock after the next is good fun. Regarding the phrase “fun frock” – feel free to substitute “fun” with “glamorous” or “hot” or “lovely”. Anyway, the point is that you have to have a party [...]
A CHANCE TO DRESS UP: NOW THAT’S WORTH CELEBRATING November 28, 2010 WOMEN come into their own during Christmas party season – it’s a non-stop party and that means a non-stop fashion parade. There’s something about wearing a frock that makes you feel good, in the mood, flirty and pretty. Dressing up, especially at Christmas, gives you that sense of occasion and makes you feel “Christmassy”. Wearing [...]
Moving in on Britain’s top state schools November 25, 2010 WITH the standards of living rising and employment ever more insecure, committing your child to private education has become a risky business. Parents who have children edging towards that crucial eleventh year will no doubt be trying to unpick the admissions policies to the best state schools. They are also likely to have entertained the [...]
Morocco is attracting the luxury investor November 25, 2010 IT’s hot, it’s exotic and beautiful. No wonder Morocco, long on the traveller’s radar, is rapidly becoming the place that the beautiful people are going to buy their second homes. Says Alistair Emery, CEO of developer Ajensa, which is nearing completion of the Baglioni resort near Marrakech: “In the last few years as people have [...]
Now is the perfect time to capture a castle November 25, 2010 WE may not all be able to bag our very own Prince William, but that doesn’t mean living like a king or queen need be out of the question. Knight Frank has reported a spate of castles on the market in Scotland, with six currently for sale. (Scotland is castle central because of the warring [...]
FOCUS ON: COLCHESTER, ESSEX November 25, 2010 HAWKINS WHARF Price: From £116,500 for a one-bed flat, from £220,000 for a three-bed town house This development is situated on the banks of the River Colne and many of the properties have views over the river. There will be 221 homes, all with luxury interiors and appliances. Contact: Weston Homes on 01279 873300 or [...]