Food and Drink
Ragdale Hall
At 32-weeks pregnant, I decided that I deserved a short relaxing break before life takes on a different pace.
What better way to treat myself than head to Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa. With a team of over 460 staff, this privately owned retreat set amongst the soothing peace of the Leicestershire countryside is a relaxing heaven. The guests are predominantly women (90%) and the 93-bedroom spa offers luxurious pampering with a huge range of facilities including six pools, heat experiences, tennis,...
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Review of Hong Kong’s best kept secret – the Pottinger review
Discover this luxury Hong Kong hotel in the centre of the city's hustle and bustle is actually a quiet respite from the busy pedestrian-filled streets of Central. With 68 beautifully adorned rooms, The Pottinger stands out as a true luxury boutique hotel in a city that is already saturated with much larger five-star establishments. The aesthetic appeal is second to none, adorned with chinoiserie objects and oriental decor throughout the internal spaces. This is quite befitting as Pottinger Street is one of the oldest streets in the district and named after Hong Kong’s first Governor, Sir Henry Eldred Curen Pottinger.
Review of The Middle House Shanghai review
Floor to ceiling windows seem to be an important theme for each of the hotels as is the service, and most notably, the locations and architecture. Take for example The Upper House in Hong Kong, though located in the city center its infrastructure evokes discretion, minimalism and above all the characteristics of luxury living in a subtle sort of matter. These qualities are intrinsically similar to The Middle House except for its architecture. What you get at each of these houses are individualism at its core and by that we mean to say that each house has been designated an architect to design the hotels based on their own style whilst heavily incorporating the essence of the brand. Located on Shanghai’s Hongqiao side of the city, The Middle House is well advantaged when it comes to proximity from the city center whilst maintaining an air of discretion and calm. Not far from the main high way and directly in between the shopping centers, boutiques and the park within walking distance, The Middle House makes for a well-positioned luxury hotel in Shanghai.
Review of The perfect brunch hideaway in Hackney, London
When double checking the location of the restaurant on my phone, I saw that it was located a minutes walk from Hackney Central Overground Station - and it wasn’t lying. Within a minute of stepping off the train, I was stood outside the seemingly secluded venue and was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Stepping inside the large Nordic themed restaurant I was expecting to hear the trains rumbling past, but for the entire duration of my meal - not a peep was heard from them which helped to create the illusion of actually being in a secluded Nordic restaurant. The room was open and spacious with grand high ceilings, however, felt really intimate and cosy making this venue the perfect place for brunch dates - or if you're visiting with a group of friends you can take advantage of the long tables and benches which are perfect for socialising.
Featuring The iconic Marbella Club launches a clubhouse just in...
Drawing inspiration from the hotel’s bohemian beginnings in the Fifties as a purposefully low-key hangout for Prince Alfonso and his glittering A-list friends, from Brigitte Bardot to Cary Grant, this reimagining of the hotel’s original Clubhouse champions the best things in life – food and drink, fun, nature, friendship and family. Guests can take advantage of several new additions: El Patio restaurant, the beating heart of the resort, overseen by the Marbella Club’s newly appointed head chef, Sergio Arconada; Rudi’s bar, a fitting tribute to Count Rudi, the hotel’s first GM – who, at eighty-odd years old, still casts a watchful eye over proceedings; La Bodega, scene of wine tastings with head sommelier, Ángel González; bespoke private dining spaces; and an inviting central patio flanked by a hair & beauty salon, hair spa, barber, florist, gift shop, and flexible spaces for art exhibitions and pop up collaborations.
Review of The Maldives edition – Paradise of your dreams at JOALI
“The best part of beauty is that which no picture can express” - Francis Bacon. Like it has taken our imagination for a ride and brought us to a destination one can only dream of - a true paradise located in the Raa Atoll, the northern part of the Maldives. One has to see it to truly understand how such beauty is able to captivate the heart so much so that even we have to admit, we’ve left our hearts in JOALI. We are certain that if you come here, that same feeling will apply to you. It is the best combination of contemporary art, absolute attention to design and detail, that feminine touch, aesthetic uniformity with of course the lush tropical vegetation and blossoming flowers and the stunning crystal clear waters at your immediate reach that you’re here and you know it’s worth it. It is not something which you need to think twice about - you’ll be catered for and looked after here, but more than that you won’t tire of the beauty and the absolute comfort you receive during your stay.
The Doldergrand – the finest place to stay in Zurich
Swerving up onto the hill where The Doldergrand is perched up on, it was the panoramic mountain views against the backdrop of the hotel that made it stand out for us. Art is a major feature throughout the hotel with original works from Takashi Muramaki and Salvador Dali as well as other prominent artists whose works feature in various places. With a history spanning since 1899, The Doldergrand has without a doubt become a prominent address not just for overnight guests but a true social hub where guests come together to wine and dine, to see and be seen, and to just enjoy the act of socialising in style. Though it may seem like an enormous hotel, which it is, given there are 175 rooms and suites on site, the service is impeccable as is the discretion. What drew us to the hotel and what made it even more pleasant for us especially as we were travelling with our children, was the convenience and location of The Doldergrand.
Review of The Luxury Insider Christmas Drinks Gift Guide
Having some special friends in the drinks industry means I am always introduced to some of the best tasting and impressive looking tipples on the market.
Featuring The drink of champions – Ferrari Trento official toaster...
Ferrari Trento is the Official Sparkling Wine of the Formula 1 World Championship. The three year partnership sees Ferrari Trento’s award-winning Italian methedo classico sparkling wine poured and sprayed on all occasions on and off the podium. Appointed as Formula One‘s official celebratory partner victory drink and toast maker , the Trentino winery has been producing luxury Trentodoc wines since 1902 and run by the Lunelli family since 1952. Ferrari Trento’s President and CEO, Matteo Lunelli comments: “It's an achievement that demonstrates the renown that our wines enjoy internationally. It’s a starting point because we are just beginning this extraordinary adventure that will allow us to bring the Italian Art of Living to the celebrations of Formula 1.” The Ferrari F1® Limited Edition is a special Blanc de Blancs cuvée celebrates some of the iconic Grands Prix in the FIA . It is available for the Formula 1® Lenovo British Grand Prix ( July 1-3 ) for £39.99 from
Featuring Sustainable Sybarite Announces: Maslina Resort for World...
A member of the elite Relais & Chateaux group of hotels, Maslina is a contemporary, resort located near Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in the Eastern Adriatic, fusing classic Mediterranean style with modern accents. Sustainability is the watchword of this sublime dream destination. Maslina is where the fusion of personal and professional service, a stunning natural location, and committed respect for the environment, come to life. Mindful Luxury is reflected in every detail of the guest experience, promising respectful high-end hospitality motivated by Hvar Island's rich cultural and natural heritage.
A Recipe From Dishoom - Paneer & Mango Salad
Though best known for their black daal and spicy lamb chops, Indian favourite Dishoom has a few other dishes up its sleeve that are sure to deliver on both freshness and that little dose of escapism. Available in their new cookbook “From Bombay with Love”, this sweet and bitter paneer and mango salad delivers a myriad of flavours coming from the fresh fruit, bitter greens, and punchy lime and chili dressing.
Featuring An auction of a lifetime, the most expensive whisky in...
Make yours a large one. In fact, the largest. The world’s biggest bottle of Scotch whisky is up for auction at Lyon & Turnbull’s Edinburgh HQ an saleroom on May 25th at noon. A range of charities will benefit from the sale of the 5’ 11” tall bottle containing 311 litres of The Macallan Intrepid 32-year-old single malt whisky. The bottle could break the world record for the most expensive bottle of whisky ever sold which is $1.9m. For any amount the sale achieves above £1.3m, 25 per cent will be donated to the Marie Curie charity. The Intrepid was officially certified by the Guinness World Records when it was bottled last year. The single bottle, contains the equivalent of 444 standard bottles. Daniel Monk and the team behind The Intrepid, a partnership between Fah Mai and Rosewin Holdings, were inspired by a passion for adventure, exploration and a desire to help raise money for charity.
Review of Porte Noire by David Farber and Idris Elba
It’s a bright Sunday afternoon in King’s Cross and there’s a vibrant atmosphere all around. When I first moved to London over 8 years ago, I always saw King’s Cross as merely a busy commuter hub, save for that time I joined the crowds at Platform 9 ¾ for that coveted “I’m off to Hogwarts” photo opp. But a lot has changed over the past few years and with big tech companies like Google and Facebook opening offices in the area, a flurry of restaurants, bars, and independent shops followed suit. I make my way to Gasholders, the cylindrical building situation inside the towering gasholder frames from the Victorian period. On the ground floor sits Porte Noire, the bistro and wine bar owned by wine expert and entrepreneur David Farber and actor Idris Elba. I’m meeting my best friend to try out their new brunch menu, which has a selection of specials, French-inspired brunch items, and of course, wine, cocktails, and bubbles on offer. If you’re thinking a gloomy wine bar isn’t the best place for brunch, think again. Farber joins us at our table and tells us that having an outdoor terrace right by the canals was a must when he was deciding on the space. His friendly pooch Cooper, who has turned into the restaurant mascot, takes a break from saying hello to guests to pop onto a chair next to us as well. We comment on the friendly staff on and how welcoming the space is. “We really wanted to bring that sense of continental hospitality back to London,” explains Farber, himself being a French export. “If you think about the city, and even just our staff here, a large percentage of us are expats. There’s something about coming to a place where people remember you.” We talk about the wine world and how it can seem so uninviting and Farber explains that he takes a different approach at Porte Noir. “I see it like a triangle—it’s about the wine, the food, and the person. Many sommeliers don’t factor in personal tastes, but it doesn’t matter if the food and wine go together, if the guest doesn’t like that type of wine, what’s the point?” he says. After sampling Porte Noire’s delicious Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs , we had one of the specials on offer for the day: a fresh and tangy seabass ceviche with maiz chulpe (Peruvian dried corn)—a great representation of the type of bright, seasonal wine bar experience Farber was talking about. Other standout dishes included the extremely high quality charcuterie plate, the egg royale, the lighter take on a traditional tartiflette with reblochon, and the exquisite burnt matcha cheesecake. “In London, it’s either you’re in a suit and tie having wine at Pall Mall or you’re in East London where it’s all natural wine-geared, but in between there’s nothing,” explains Farber. Porte Noire in King’s Cross confidently fills that gap. With its wine cork wall, bottle opener coat racks, and top-notch food and service, it’s the perfect spot for a girl’s night, romantic date, or weekend brunch with the family. Brunch is available from 12-3pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Porte Noire Restaurant & Wine bar Address: Gasholder 10, unit A, London N1C 4BY, United Kingdom Website: https://www.portenoire.co.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portenoirekx/
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