Ending on a high and starting with a bang!
I hope you all have had a fantastic start to 2012 – here at SLH we have certainly started the New Year as we mean to go on, with the announcement of our 2011 year end results. We enjoyed a record year – reservations revenue increased by 23% in 2011 when compared with the same period in 2010 and we also saw a fantastic 71% increase in online bookings. Melissa, I am sure your travel tales have helped inspire our guests along the way!
I personally am feeling refreshed after a wonderful stay at Pangkor Laut in Malaysia. A private island resort on the West Coast, it certainly lived up to and exceeded its excellent reputation. 
The service was first class from all of the staff, who were so friendly and for whom nothing was too much trouble. From ordering in my favourite beer to pampering my children, our every need was met. The range and quality of food was something I particularly enjoyed – I had one of the best Chinese meals I’ve ever experienced at Uncle Lim’s and the amazing breakfasts were also a highlight. Luckily I played squash every day with my son so the delicious cuisine hasn’t had disastrous consequences. You would have loved the Spa – it was truly the haven of tranquillity and relaxation it was described as. I long to go back!
But it’s back to work for me…and looking ahead to 2012, it’s going to be a busy year. SLH turns 21 this year and we’ll be bringing some exciting new initiatives to the table. We’re seeing particularly strong growth in China, Latin America and Scandinaviain terms of new hotels, so stick those on your wish list for the coming months. 
Other new properties I’m particularly excited about are Gaya Island Resort & Spa, a jungle retreat opening in Borneo in July, and Niyama, a cutting edge hotel set to inject something new into the Maldives when it opens next month – I’ve heard there will be an underwater night club and 24 hour spa. Sounds like it was built for you MV!
PK
Happy New Year
Happy 2012 everyone!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break and hopefully a luxury getaway too! Did anyone have any exciting holiday adventures? Do tell!
My time at Tylney Hall for Christmas was wonderful and allowed me to fully embrace my festive feeling as it was dripping in the most beautiful decorations I have ever seen, mince pies galore, as much mulled wine as I could manage and evenings spent listening to local choristers under their stunning Swedish pine tree. Perfection.
For New Year I decided to continue my traditional festive holiday and head to Scotland – home to Hogmanay and from what I’ve heard the best New Year party you can find and as I’m now travelling solo yet again (unfortunately I was left forsaken under the mistletoe this year with only my slightly inappropriate Uncle for company) a good old New Year Bash is exactly what I need. When else do you HAVE to find someone to kiss at midnight?!
When staying in Scotland there is only one place I go and that is the Marcliffe Hotel & Spa on the outskirts of the beautiful, historic city ofAberdeen. A stunning white mansion surrounded by 11 acres of delightful parkland estate, this traditional Scottish refuge offers guests seasonal Scottish produce in its restaurant, a sensational spa and a fine-art collection including a display of 140 cheese dishes! Strange but true!
As the clock struck midnight and 2011 came to a close I realised I’d spent more of the night marvelling at the various cheese types on display that working the room – oh well! So my New Years Resolutions for 2012 are to Try Something New, Learn Something New and Meet Someone New.
Word on the street is that 2012 is going to be a fabulous year for the world of luxury – my sources tell me that Rolls Royce have had their best year yet and SLH is going from strength to strength.
Paul, can you give us the inside goss on where’s hot for 2012?!
Merry Christmas from Melissa
Thanks Paul, the Square Mile Masked Ball was a great start to the festive season and definitely put me in the Christmas spirit. Therefore I have decided this year to banish my inner-Scrooge and fully, 100% embrace all that is great about the holidays with a stay at the divine Tylney Hall in the depths of beautiful Hampshire.
Nothing embodies the spirit of Christmas more than this majestic Victoria mansion set in 66 acres of gardens, parkland, lawns and lakes – perfect for an afternoon stroll to walk off those Christmas lunch calories! 
I can’t wait to sit by the fire in Tylney Hall’s exquisite dining room with a glass of brandy in hand and crispy chestnuts roasting.
Whether you’re embracing or escaping Christmas this year, I hope you all have a wonderful festive season, full or happiness and cheer wherever you are.
I’ll see you in 2012 for another year of fabulous adventures!
Escape Christmas or Embrace Christmas?
Ah, to embrace or escape Christmas? The annual December dilemma. You could check out the seasonal offers for December live on slh.com – though with such an array of ideas from sunbathing to sleigh riding, it might serve to make the decision even trickier! If you are looking for the best of both worlds, I’d suggest a truly Christmassy UK break, somewhere that really embraces the festive spirit such as Cowley Manor in Gloucestershire,
followed by a more exotic New Year, spent somewhere remote like Bloomfield Lodge in Cairns, Australia. Personally, my ideal scenario would be sailing around Malaysia for the entire holiday, a million miles away from the tinsel, turkey and tv re-runs back home. I might pop into Pangkor Laut Resort off the west coast, where the exceptional Sea Villas and delicious cuisine are enough to draw me off the cat that I chartered.
I imagine your diary is already chocca block with Christmas engagements so you’ll have to fit your travels around the parties. I think it will be difficult to top the Square Mile Masked Ball, but no doubt you will try!! The charity season is just about finished now and I am glad to report to you, Mellisa, that SLH helped raise over $ 500,000 to some great causes around the world!! Take care now and have a fabulous Christmas and hope to catch up with you in the New Year .
PK
Christmas Wishes
Well your advice has yet to steer me wrong, so I’ve decided to take two weeks in the Austrian mountains as a belated Christmas present to myself. In order to truly get my fill of snow and mulled wine I’m booked in to stay at both the Jagdgut Wachelhof and Bentleys House. 
I booked through the Club of SLH as usual and they couldn’t have been more helpful with booking both hotels and transfers in between. I’m now an official ‘Honoured member’ so I even got an extra night stay and upgrade! Can’t wait to get to the mountains now, the powder is calling to me.
Where to spend Christmas is an annual dilemma for me; I can never decide whether I want to fully embrace the festive spirit, decorating the tree and indulging in one too many glasses of sherry or if I just want to escape it all somewhere sunny and return with glowing skin once the madness is over. What would you suggest?
While my Christmas plans are currently at a stand-still, my Christmas shopping however has taken off marvellously thanks to the new SLH Hotel Gift Certificates. 
They’re gorgeously presented and there are lots of options, so this year all my family and friends are going to be getting either a gourmet, spa or honeymoon break – lucky them!
My personal favourite is the gourmet certificate that I chose for my godmother who thinks herself as a bit of a Delia in-the-making – I think trying out the Indonesian market and cooking lessons at The Balé in Indonesia would be right up her street.
Xmas Shopping
Paul’s Reply:
The Val d’Isère cocktail party sounded brilliant, I love the RAC and the ski crowd are a brilliant bunch.
For your ski trip, why don’t you try out both?! I know the inner ski-bunny in you is just dying to get out so I’m sure adding a few more days on the slopes won’t be a problem.
The Jagdgut Wachelhof is brand new to SLH so would definitely be worth checking out before anyone else, I know how much you love to get an exclusive peek!
And if you’re after privacy then Bentleys House will be perfect, you even get your own private butler so you won’t have to lift a single tired finger.
Regarding your hat dilemma; you’ll be forgiven for thinking I am a fashion guru on the slopes (I saw you checking out my trusty bobble-hat last year) but not sure I can help much on that one…
I can however help with your Christmas plans, where will you be spending the holidays this year?
Slopes With The Most
Last week I attended a fabulous soiree, courtesy of the Val d’Isere tourist board. Their annual cocktail party at the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall is known for being a very classy affair and this year’s bash was no different. After sipping Champagne with the Val d’Isere team, champion skiers Chemmy Alcott and Ingrid Jacquemod, and all the movers and shakers in the travel media and ski worlds, I was more than ready to book my next ski trip!
I went to Val last season, and had an absolute blast. However, after a particularly wild night at Dick’s Tea Bar (the effects of which stayed with me for…a while), I think it’s time to head to a resort where everybody doesn’t know my name.
Austria is top of my list having never been skiing there – and I’ve just checked out these two SLH properties, both sound darling!
Jagdgut Wachelhof is a ski in ski out chalet style property in the Kitzbühel region – the architect Bönan not only designs hotels but also high-end boutiques, yachts and furniture so it’s a super stylist joint.
And Bentleys House, 
in the small, exclusive ski resort of Zurs, has just three individual chalets, private spa and well stocked wine cellar.
Or a more traditional but extremely homely feel at Kristiania Lech, how to choose?
And another dilemma – do I opt for the racoon fur headband from M Miller or Pringle’s cashmere beanie this season?
Perhaps you can help me decide?
MV
My Mayfair Dream
You are right Paul, my mum is in town for the weekend – doesn’t news travel fast when at home?!
Personally I feel that my spare room is the embodiment of cosiness and mum would be delighted to try out my new Egyptian-cotton 80 thread count Frette Linen sheets, but saying that, the four Louis Vuitton cases she takes everywhere might have caused a problem, so I took your advice and promptly checked us all into the new super-trendy Aria Suite at Flemings.
Flemings Hotel Mayfair definitely deserves to be part of the SLH family as it is certainly true five-star, boutique luxury at its best. Synonymous with its fantastic Mayfair location, Flemings is glamorous, decadent, chic and above all, incredibly elegant.
I love how all the rooms, suites and apartments are all individually and uniquely designed – some even have gold and silver leafed walls and a suite with its own private lift! The Aria suite is pure luxury; it boasts stylish Italian furniture and accessories and even has a fully equipped kitchen perfect for any impromptu dinner parties!
After spending our mornings trotting around Thomas Lyte, the decadent Martini afternoon tea was a very welcome treat. It’s served with Champagne, canapés and exquisite cupcakes.
The real indulgence for me was the special ‘Chocoholic Tea’ served with rich chocolate cake, chocolate chip scones with chocolate spread and petit fours; a real test in self-restraint which I failed miserably at. Oh well!
Paul’s suggestion for Melissa
Glad to see your lovely young man is treating you to a trip or two and the Park Hotel in Kenmare was no doubt right up your street, hope you tried their amazing malt-whisky though – incredible stuff, puts hairs on your chest that does! (So perhaps not ideal for you…) Anyway, the word around Sloane Square is that your charming mother is in town?
I hope you’re not putting her up in your tiny spare room, why not try out our latest new addition, the fantastic Flemings Hotel Mayfair? The cupcakes are amazing, or so I’m told…
Melissa from Milan to Ireland
After long days running around Milan and meeting up with all my favourite fashion friends, there was nowhere better to rest my tired, Manolo-beaten feet than at The Gray Hotel.
The city’s most stylish and creative hideaway; it’s all steel, glass, ebony, silk and vibrant animal prints. Milan was a whirlwind of shopping, parties and celeb FROW spotting – so much so I was exhausted and Mr Italian had to treat me to a spa break to recharge.
I think someone had been checking out my copy of the new Tatler Spa Guide as I was whisked off to one of my favourite countryside SLH hotels, the gorgeous Park Hotel Kenmare in Ireland – one of Tatler magazine’s top ‘Long-Weekend Wonderlands.’ 
(Big congrats also to the fabulous Les Sources de Caudalie and Cowley Manor who also topped the Tatler lists recently!)
I’ve only visited the Park Hotel in Kenmare once before when I was younger and my father was obsessed with their 16-year old malt whisky which he insisted was the best in Ireland. I’m glad to say that our long-weekend focussed much more on SÁMAS, the hotel’s deluxe destination spa than the local tipple.
The spa is a delightfully unexpected juxtaposition from the antique furnishings and oil paintings found around this grand 19th century building. The spa itself sits in a wild-grass-covered Scandinavian-style eco-lodge and absolutely exudes modern glamour. The sparkling interiors offer thermal suites, tropical showers and Mr Italian’s highlight, a 40°C pool open to the elements.
After three luxurious days of dining on classic and modern Irish cuisine, trying my hand at their 18-hole golf course (which only proved to further demonstrate my horrendous hand-eye coordination) and allowing the SÁMAS therapists to buff my skin to new-born quality with their gorgeous new Sisley treatments – the Park Hotel Kenmare definitely exceeded my expectations as more than just a haven for Irish whisky-lovers.
