Montreal gives us the world’s first floating spa January 30, 2011 IT can’t be that difficult to find a boat, especially if it’s moored. When the taxi driver said “You can’t miss it!” my heart sank as that is precisely what I knew I would do. In my defence, my two colleagues and I were battling a snowstorm in the dark, in downtown Montreal, knee-deep in [...]
Royal honeymoon: three months to go January 30, 2011 GIVEN the furore surrounding the Royal Wedding, there has been surprisingly little speculation as to where Prince William and his new wife Kate will go for their honeymoon, even though it’s just three months away. Recognizing the tough times we are all facing and keen to show his understanding I believe that His Royal Highness [...]
VARSITY HOTEL, CAMBRIDGE January 30, 2011 The Varsity is a beautifully-built hotel – once you get past the unpreposessing brick exterior. But what is most remarkable about it is that it is Cambridge’s first proper, world-class luxury hotel. Complete with stunning penthouse suites, a wonderfully sexy roof terrace that will be brilliant in summer and a state-of-the-art spa, it would make any [...]
TRAVEL NOTES January 30, 2011 Four Seasons returns Four Seasons returns to Mayfair this week with the re-opening of the Four Seasons Hotel London, Park Lane. With views over Hyde Park and interiors designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the hotel is sure to become one of central London’s must-stay destinations. Call the hotel on 020 7499 0888; www.fourseasons.com/london. A room in [...]
Mount Gay, Barbados: a tour round rum’s natural home January 30, 2011 THE heart of the Barbados rum trade is perched at the northernmost tip of this small Caribbean island. High in the mountains in the St Lucy district sits the Mount Gay refinery, surrounded by a nine feet tall sugar cane plantation and gazing out over wild Atlantic waves which crash into the Florida coast 1,600 [...]
Priced out by foreigners, bankers are on the move January 27, 2011 BONUS season is in full swing and – despite the dire economic figures released earlier this week – there is likely to be no shortage of cash being splashed in the next few months. Recent figures from Savills show that bankers are due to spend £1bn on homes this year. But whereas in the old [...]
COLCHESTER January 27, 2011 SHEEPEN STREET Price: £86,995 Compact but thoughtfully decorated, this one bedroom apartment proves that good things come in small packages. A spacious open-plan kitchen/living room provides the perfect place to entertain at home, while the property’s central location means that all the amenities of the town centre are only a short walk away. Contact: Spicer [...]
BUYING January 27, 2011 DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL LONDON LETTINGS FIRM DRAKER LETTINGS Q.I have recently purchased a flat in Chelsea as a buy-to-let that I will be refurbishing. How do I get the best price and attract the best tenant without breaking the bank? A.I would always advise ensuring that the basic quality of finish is as high a [...]
PROPERTY NEWS January 27, 2011 HOME MOVERS DESERT CITIES The rising cost of living is pushing city dwellers into suburbia and beyond, according to a house-moving website. Figures published by reallymoving.com show that significantly more people moved away from UK cities than moved to them in the last quarter of 2010. Canterbury and Cardiff were among the most popular areas [...]
Maintain the fitness regime by getting stylish in the gym January 27, 2011 BE honest. Have your new year’s resolutions to eat less and go to the gym more really taken shape? If not, and you’re having trouble getting into the mood for exercise, surely a few beautiful pieces of delicious kit would do the trick. Our favourite shops are loaded with delicious hoodies and tops for either [...]