Property
Exploring Lord Beaverbrook’s estate
Former home of publishing mogul Lord Beaverbrook, Maxwell Aitken, the Beaverbrook estate holds many stories.
The private cinema room where Lord Beaverbrook & Winston Churchill watched news from the front line, Churchill’s suite and bathtub where he would dictate to his secretary, or the bedrooms aptly named after their famous guests such as Elizabeth Taylor and Rudyard Kipling, each designed with the hosts personality in mind.
Winston Churchill was once quoted saying that of Lord Beaverbrook;...
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Featuring Roman luxury | discover ancient origins within a...
It was my first time in the city (can you tell?), and beyond my girlish squeals of glee and excitement driving through the beautiful city at night, we stopped just in front of the Colosseum at the Palazzo Manfredi, where later we spent two wonderful evenings. This charming 17th century palace was built metres away from the Colosseum and a training school for gladiators of ancient Rome. The beautiful building of the Palazzo Manfredi began life in the 17th century as the villa of the Evangelisti family, designed by architect Giovanni Battista Mola. It then passed to the Venerabile Confraternita della Ss Trinità dei Pellegrini e dei Convalescenti (Venerable Fraternity of the Holy Trinity of Pilgrims and Convalescents), as commemorated by the two stones on the façade. In 2002, the villa was purchased by Count Goffredo Manfredi, one of Italy’s most famous entrepreneurs and construction magnates, and thanks to him, Palazzo Manfredi, our superb luxury hotel, was born.
Featuring Careys Manor & SenSpa | New Forest
As a destination I hold close to my heart, returning to the New Forest often feels like coming home. I have many childhood memories of summer holidays spent cycling the forests, feasting on picnics and camping with friends. With the prospect of a weekend of sunshine ahead, I took the opportunity to escape to the New Forest; boyfriend in-tow, to it’s blossoming heath-land, wild ponies, cosy pubs and an oasis of relaxation at Careys Manor & Senspa. Making a swift exit out of the City, miraculously missing any Friday night traffic, we were greeted by the setting sun as we travelled up a meandering gravel drive towards Careys Manor. I can only describe the view of Careys Manor as something out of a quintessential English novel. Immaculate lawns, trimmed hedges, tudor chimneys and air of history. Nestled under the bows of the trees is an outdoor bar and comfortable sofa setting, the perfect place to start your weekend with a glass of Provencal as the sun begins dip behind the trees.
Review of Mortimer House workspace – meet, greet, workout, dine-in
Your working environment has a massive impact on your day-to-day wellbeing, from the feng-shui of your workspace to keeping your brain engaged, Mortimer House has it all. An unhealthy workplace will likely have a negative effect on productivity, fulfilment and overall morale, so as an employer (no matter how large or small your team) it is vital to create a healthy and happy environment. Introducing Maslow’s Mortimer House, housed in a majestic six-floor Art Deco building in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia, Mortimer House provides a new experience for those who wish to create, work and unwind in equal measure. To satisfy the needs of both the head and the heart, the intuitively designed team offices, meeting rooms, event spaces, living room, terrace, studio and gym provide everything you need under one roof. The surroundings effortlessly combine mid-century design touches with the classicism of the original building, guaranteed to provide an intimate and tailored membership experience. Mortimer House is also home to ground floor restaurant Mortimer House Kitchen, which is open to the public and serves exceptional Mediterranean cuisine.
Featuring Sir Bani Yas Island: an eco-Wildlife Safari on the...
Beginning when this 87-sq-km desert island was originally Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s private retreat. The founder and first ruler of the United Arab Emirates was given a bevy of exotic animals as gifts when exploring Africa as a young royal. After this, he took an interest and started collecting exotic species now thriving on the island's huge wildlife. Sheik Zayed’s initiative was to save a native species that had teetered on the brink of extinction; the Arabian oryx. Officially declared extinct in the wild in the late 1960s, it’s plight moved the animal-loving emir to begin developing Sir Bani Yas as a place to protect it. "The oryx is the main reason the island is the way it is today," says Matt Bottomer, an adventure guide who familiarizes visitors staying on Sir Bani Yas with its many resident creatures. "Sheikh Zayed searched the world to see if there were any oryx in captivity. "He found a handful and started a breeding program here."
Review of Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons goes...
Coupled with an exquisite dining experience and stellar service that makes one want to linger on, Raymond Blanc's Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons, is the ideal place for a short getaway that ticks off all of the boxes in luxury, comfort, dining, intimacy, and pure warmth that can be felt from head, toe to heart. There is an obvious reason that guests come back here - the staff, who are at the cornerstone of Belmond La Manoir. Every guest that arrives here are treated with genuine attention without being too obtrusive or awkward. Its staff are behind the scenes and do somehow magically appear whenever one needs assistance even when least expected. They give guests that accommodating reassurance and the undivided attention which ultimately leads to a feeling of being in great hands and welcomed, an aspect that seems to be so crucially defining of a guests stay.
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.
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 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.
Featuring The ultimate indoor outdoor living luxury
Mud, musty tents, cold weather, cooking on rusty gas stoves, sweaty sleeping bags...needless to say, camping has never held much appeal here at The Sybarite. Until that is, we became acquainted with the Autonomous Tent - a stunning semi-permanent structure designed by fabulous architects such as Patricia DiMario and Harry Gesner (whose famous Cooper Wave House design inspired the Sydney Opera House). The exquisitely-designed yet sustainable solar powered tent (although to call it a tent is akin to calling champagne a fizzy drink - a major understatement) can be enjoyed anywhere, all year round without detriment to our planet's ecosystems. The tent comes in two sizes: $100,000 for the smaller, 700-square-foot Cocoon version and $200,000 for the 1,000-square-foot, two bedroom Tipi. The latter is more able to withstand heavy winds and snow, owing to it being constructed from either sturdy steel/aluminium tubes or laminated beams that are made out of hi-tech, rot, and mildew-resistant fabrics.
Featuring Harmoniously Eclectic: Meet Interior Designer Lucy Savanis
Lucy has more than 10 years experience working with some of the world’s top designers including Philippe Starck, Jade Jagger and Kelly Hoppen.
Dreaming of the Maldives? Feel inspired by these two...
This private island is your definition of an escape, of your ‘nowhere-to-be-found’ and where you can be indulgent with discretion. The Cheval Blanc Randheli was conceived by its architect Jean-Michel Gathy and invites you to “experience French Art de Recevoir”- or in other words the art of hospitality. Unlike other villas of the sort, Cheval Blanc is a completely secluded lagoon offering a rare experience for its discerning guests. If you ever considered holidaying on your own private island and haven’t done so yet, you might wish to consider Cheval Blanc Randheli Owner’s Villa. Stretching over 8000 sqm and only accessible by private berth and jetty, Owner’s Villa is a four-bedroom luxury abode with a 25 m outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, crystal clear beaches, lush gardens, and a spa to match.