Lifestyle and Adventure

Review of Visit the Residence: The perfect family getaway in the...

We returned home feeling completely rejuvenated and relaxed. From the mesmerizing colour of the water to the mouth-watering local cuisine, everything oozed luxury. For the first part of our trip, we stayed at The Residence, an exclusive and secluded retreat of unparalleled beauty in Falhumaafushi, a pristine island located in Huvadhoo Atoll one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world.  After a 10-hour flight with our little boy, we were greeted by a representative from the Residence who took our luggage away for us and escorted us to the air-conditioned lounge. The hotel is located 242 miles south of Male International Airport, so after a cold drink, we boarded the scenic 55-minute flight to Kooddoo airport. This was then followed by a short mini-bus ride and speedboat direct to the resort.

Review of Head to a London ski lodge as winter is approaching...

Booking flights, looking forward to seeing family again, imagining mulled wine in front of the fireplace, or London's glittering Christmas market lights and cosy pubs...

Featuring Polo’s most prolific philanthropist Nic Roldan, sits down...

We caught up with the champion polo player to discuss the highs and lows of playing polo professionally and the impact it has on family life, as well as getting Nic’s best tips for polo amateurs. Growing up on a farm with horses is what inspired Nic Roldan to get into polo, and claims that his father being a polo player isn’t the main reason he got into the sport, he always had an interest in the speed and intensity of the game along with his love for horses. Being a professional sportsman can be stressful for anyone, but ‘polo has more highs than lows’ as Nic gets to play the sport he loves and is around horses constantly, all whilst travelling the world and visiting beautiful countries. According to Nic, the lows are ‘the same as any sport, it’s a very cut throat, competitive and intense sport.’ The sport also requires a huge amount of investment in the horses which can be incredibly stressful and unlike most other sports. However ‘it is tough to say there are any other lows when you get to do what you love to do as a career, what could be better?’

Featuring The Best Concierge Doctor Service in London

Whilst typing up the consultation notes from my last patient in Harley Street, I receive a phone call from a sixty-year-old gentleman, on business in the UK from the USA for two days. He’s staying at arguably the most luxurious hotel in the capital and has been vomiting the moment he disembarked from his private jet the previous day...

Review of Health and wellness at the Corinthia Hotel in London

The attention to detail throughout this world-class hotel is second to none. We visited to try out their new health and wellbeing package, The Brain Power Package, which promised to leave us feeling refreshed. As soon as we arrived, the doorman was already at our service, ready to whisk us into the hotel’s lobby. The first thing we noticed? Every member of staff that we met always introduced themselves first, which signifies the establishment’s friendliness and approachability. We checked ourselves in with ease as our concierge led us straight to our room via the lobby’s set of lifts (note, there are quite a few ways to get to your room via the different lifts) and then proceeded to give us a little tour of the room, which was indeed, spacious, temperature-controlled and utterly refreshing. If you are travelling with little ones, The Corinthia Hotel is nothing short of accommodating. We travelled with our 5-month old son and to our delight, a beautifully laden-out cot was prepared with the little one’s own amenities including a set of Burt’s Bees toiletries, blanket, stuffed toy elephant and a set of robe and slippers.

Featuring Bayerischer Hof: A most luxurious hotel in Munich

With the hotel’s proximity being smack in the centre of the city as well as being a historical piece of the past, this five-star hotel – as we have witnessed – lives up to its high expectations. Bayerischer Hof has everything one can ask for – style, high-speed wifi, fine dining options, an outdoor sky pool, sky roof and bar with literally the best views of Munich and perhaps the only hotel that offers such expansive picture-perfect views, attention to detail and above all, hospitable staff who are at the ready when attending to a guests needs. Staying at the Bayerischer Hof is like being a part of history that dates back to the 1800’s. It was during that time when the hotel, which belonged to Anton Von Maffei, a revered railway pioneer of Bavaria at the time, commissioned the architect, Friedrich von Gärtner, to build the hotel. When Maffei passed away, a man known as Herrmann Volkhardt bought the hotel and further expanded the property. Perhaps the most interesting fact and what makes the Bayerischer Hof a true historical landmark is that when the hotel was almost completely destroyed during the war in 1944, only the hall of the mirrors was left unharmed (you can still find the original mirrors in the hall of the hotel today).

Featuring 5 Reasons Why You Need to Live on the French Riviera

For those not born and bred here, it all started at the end of the 18th Century, with Brits escaping the winter by sojourning on the southeastern Mediterranean coastline and hinterland. Soon the railway arrived and others followed suit. The ‘French Riviera’ was born and became the haunt of aristocrats, writers, artists, and anyone who wanted to see and be seen.

Featuring Luxurious private cinemas in hotels around the world

Why not try an evening with the stars on for size. But if watching a flick in your local multiplex holds little appeal, panic not. The Sybarite has the low-down in on the hottest hotel cinemas around the world. Popcorn at the ready…

St Lucia gets serious about food

That, however, is beginning to change with St Lucia emerging as a surprising destination with a lot to offer food lovers, aside from its lush tropical scenery. A new organisation is driving the revolution - The Caribbean Culinary Council has launched new initiatives with the aim of developing and celebrating the region’s culinary expertise. Head of the organisation Karolin Troubetzkoy comments: “Visitors to the Caribbean are looking for unique culinary experiences and locally sourced products. Increasingly, our culinary offerings are driving destination traffic alongside established factors such as accommodation and scenery. Visitors can now visit a cocoa plantation offering a Tree -To-Bar experience in St Lucia. Weekly street parties and ‘Jump Ups’ showcase the local cuisine, and the capital of Castries has one of the most colourful and vibrant food markets in the Caribbean.

Featuring Art exhibitions on show around the world

Featuring The world's most beautiful ice rinks

For others, it is the sound of carols being sung or the smell of mince pies and mulled wine wafting in the air… However here at Sybarite HQ, it’s getting our skates on at an outdoor ice rink that signals Christmas is just around the corner. There is nothing quite like the allure of ice skating: gliding gracefully (well, some of us) around the rink in pristine, white boots (or blue plastic if you don't have your own). Where else can you fling your arms around a strange member of the opposite sex? What’s more, such behaviour is not only inevitable, it’s the norm: the accepted and established code of conduct when it comes to Christmas skating. Wondering where to find the world’s most magical ice rinks? Here’s the low-down on some of the planet’s coolest skating spots...(attractive strangers not guaranteed).

Featuring Luxurious shoot-friendly countryside stays in the UK

Where guests can savour home-grown produce, drink local ciders or fine wines and relax in utmost tranquillity. Set within the most inspiring landscapes, these inns offer a wealth of country sporting activities, all dog friendly and are situated near the UK’s leading shooting schools.