The Royal Palm in Mauritius: The best resort hotel in the Indian Ocean is back with a bang December 7, 2014 The Royal Palm, haunt of former French presidents François Mitterrand and Jacques Chirac, has just undergone a £10m refurbishment. It was already the best hotel in Mauritius and, in the words of Spinal Tap, it has just turned it up to eleven, upgrading to become the only six star hotel in Mauritius. The Royal Palm [...]
48 hours in… Bruges December 7, 2014 WHERE TO STAY B&B De Corenbloem is the ultimate in olde-worlde European luxury. Rooms start from €150 per night. Visit decorenbloem.be WHERE TO EAT Den Huzaar is a traditional bistro that does Belgian classics and does them well. Visit denhuzaar.be or call 032 050 33 37 97 WHERE TO DRINK In Belgium it has to [...]
The best snow gear for the 2014-15 winter ski season: From Canada Goose parkas to Garmin watches November 30, 2014 Keith Perry checks out the best mountainwear for the 2014-15 season, from alpine watches to arctic parkas, light-sensitive snow goggles and transceivers. Canada Goose parka No-one knows more about surviving sub zero temperatures than the Canadians. This mid-thigh length coat comes with storm flaps, heavy duty cuffs and Coyote fur ruff (faux fur [...]
A day in the life of a chef on the world’s finest yachts November 23, 2014 It sounds like a dream job, but serving food on the high seas to the world’s elite comes with its own challenges. People assume being a chef on a super-yacht – the kind you see in Hello magazine – is a dream job. In many ways they’re right, of course. But it’s not [...]
48 hours in… Monte Carlo: Gamble at the Casino, drink at Jimmy’z and unwind at the Hermitage Hotel November 23, 2014 WHERE TO STAY If you’re visiting the heart of exclusivity and luxury, then make the most of it by staying in a Belle Epoque style palace. Built in 1900, Hermitage Hotel is a historic monument filled with classical vintage furnishings. It’s situated steps away from the Casino Monte-Carlo and has direct access to the Thermes [...]
Park Hyatt New York: First major NYC hotel in over 10 years November 16, 2014 It takes big bucks to open a new luxury hotel in Manhattan – and even bigger cojones. Clearly, the idea has not been tempting for some time. New York’s last mega-launch was the Mandarin Oriental in 2003. Eleven years and one recession later, confidence has finally returned to the Big Apple – and, [...]
Center Parcs Woburn Forest: For a weekend getaway with the kids, you can’t beat this November 16, 2014 It is 9.30am on a Saturday and the whole family is wobbling through a woodland assault course 25ft feet above ground, hooked into harnesses in case our schoolyard adventure playground skills fail us. Unexpectedly, my husband, who thinks nothing of hopping on sky-high ski lifts, says he is scared of heights, and threatens [...]
48 hours in… Bath November 16, 2014 WHERE TO STAY Savour premium whiskies in the hidden terrace gardens of the Queensberry Hotel, which is set in a quartet of historic Georgian townhouses. It’s only a short stroll from the city centre and the food is great too; thequeensberry.co.uk WHERE TO GO When in Bath, do as the Bathonians do, which obviously involves [...]
Where to spend Christmas: From Sydney to Finland, jet off to your dream winter wonderland November 9, 2014 Can’t face another Christmas trying to please the in-laws? Then make good your escape and book a festive trip far from home. Whether you’re looking for an authentic Scandinavian experience or just some respite from the cold, the ideal winter holiday is waiting for you. Here are some of our favourites: MEET SANTA [...]
Crillon-le-Brave: Cycle one of the Tour de France’s most feared routes November 2, 2014 The wonderfully named Crillon-le-Brave is a picture postcard Provencal village that lies at the foot of the Mt Ventoux. The village suffix – le Brave – was added by Henry IV in the 14th century in honour of his swashbuckling general Louis des Balbes de Berton de Crillon. He was apparently “the brave of [...]