Milano for Melissa
This was the first London Fashion Week I’ve missed in years! I must admit, I had to get a daily fix of catwalk news from Vogue TV whilst in the US. I particularly LOVED Issa London and Matthew Williamson.
The View at The Spanish Steps Rome, Italy
But I’m not too upset I had to rely on virtual updates…because I’m setting off for Milan to catch the shows in 2 hours time!
I’m meeting a tall, dark and handsome friend who lives in Rome (the type of Euro-stylish gent who wears his trousers rolled up just so and his pocket square folded to perfection) for a two night fashion fix. We’re booked into The Gray Hotel
The Gray Milan, Italy
– a gorgeous hideaway with a fab central location, right opposite Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shops.
Known for its sleek, creative design, The Gray is super-cool. I’m hoping for one of the rooms with a bed suspended in mid-air…might help me seduce the Italian! Here’s hoping for a molto bene Milan Fashion Week!
PK’s reply to Melissa
You did well to avoid London last week Melissa – schools starting back and London Fashion Week combined to clog up the roads and meant I wasn’t so much cruising down the King’s Road with the radio on and the windows down and more stuck in wall to wall traffic having a fall out with the Cabbie.
Your East Coast Road Trip sounds like fun – I’m impressed with the hot air ballooning! But it’s not like to you miss LFW, you’re normally first through the doors at the shows. Have you given up shopping in a bid to finally manage travelling with carry-on only?
PK
Road Trip!
Thelma and Louise, eat your heart out! I spent last week on an East Coast adventure with Serena. After picking up a Cadillac in New York and kitting ourselves out with the finest calfskin driving gloves and Tods loafers for the journey, we drove upstate to leafy Massachusetts with the radio blasting Billy Joel and a car full of those naughty American snacks I wouldn’t be caught dead eating at home!
Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club, Lenox, USA
Autumn is a fabulous time to visit this area as the trees begin to turn – we were dazzled by the panorama of red, orange and gold that greeted us as we arrived in scenic New England. Our first stop was Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, a darling hideaway in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts that boasts one of the largest Spas in the north-east. We pootled around, popping into the Norman Rockwell Museum and admiring the typically NewEngland style clapboard townhouses. Serena wanted to buy one – I think she fancies a rural retreat to compliment herManhattan loft.
From there, we headed north again viaBostonand then on up to the idyllic countryside of New Hampshire.
The Manor on Golden Pond Holderness, USA
We were drawn to The Manor on Golden Pond – famous as the location of the aptly named movie “On Golden Pond” starring silver screen beauties Katherine Hepburn and Jane Fonda. After taking in the positively life-affirming views over Squam Lake and exploring the natty antique shops of local town Holderness, the charming general manager of the hotel somehow persuaded us to take a hot air balloon ride to fully appreciate the dramatic landscape. Our poor pilot – I think he was deafened by the squealing and rather scared when we both clung to him, but once we were cruising above the tree tops it was incredible! Love to hear your hot air balloon stories from around the world…I am definitely a convert!
Until next time friends – and watch this space for a guest blogger soon!
New York, New York
Well Paul, although I didn’t need any persuasion to visit New York at all, the guarantee of eligible bachelors certainly got me there a little faster and The Inn at Irving Place was my first stop.
With just 12 rooms spread across two restored terraced townhouses, this is the perfect hotel for anyone wanting privacy and relaxation in one of the busiest cities in the world.
I absolutely loved the furnishings and took lots of snap-shots on my iPhone of the Tiffany lamps, cherry-wood floors and antique fireplaces that I intend to replicate in my own little flat. Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen eat your heart out.
And for any Brits missing their daily cup of Earl Grey, there’s even a charming English-style afternoon tea served in the salon, scones and jam included! A little home from home – perfect.
But after pounding the Manhattan streets, maxing out my credit card in Bergdorf Goodman’s and channelling Audrey at Tiffany’s (well a girl can dream…) it was the Martini Lounge (just as you predicted Paul!) that I looked forward to every evening. This cosy haven has a martini menu that would even impress Mr Bond himself; alas no man of mystery for me but I did find something even better, my old friend from when I merrily graced the New York social scene, Serena Riley. She is as much of a luxury travel addict as me so has promised to block out the next few weeks of her ridiculously busy schedule to try out the hottest SLH hotels on this side of the pond we can find.
Fabulous!
New York Travel Tips
Sounds like you had a fantastic night at the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards; I’ve just picked up the October issue and it was great to see various SLH hotels gracing the winners’ lists – you definitely should check out the Aquapura Duoro Valley Hotel in Portugal at some point, they serve some of the best local wine I’ve ever tasted!
But onto New York City eh? A brilliant decision – autumn is definitely the best time to go in my opinion. When staying in the city The Inn at Irving Place and The Iroquois are the most luxurious boutique hotels you’ll find. My top tip would be to have pre-dinner drinks at the superb Martini Lounge at the Inn at Irving Place, it’s where all the city’s most eligible bachelors hide (well, we’ve got to go somewhere!) Let me know how it goes…
Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards
As a lover of all things travel, one of the biggest events in my diary every year is the renowned Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Awards and this year I had front row seats on awards night.
I have always found that personal experiences and word-of-mouth recommendations are the best possible travel agent you could find, so the CNT awards are the perfect guide to the top hotspots for the year ahead. The results are out with the October issue.
I was delighted to see some of my SLH favourites in the mix!
Cowley Manor, UK
The beautiful Cowley Manor in Cheltenham where I have spent many a long weekend was crowned Best UK Hotel Spa (a thoroughly deserved win in my opinion, as the C-side Spa offers an incredible range of indulgent and therapeutic Green and Spring treatments – well worth a visit!)
Another fantastic new entry from SLH to make the Top 10 List of UK Business Hotels was the divine St. James’s Hotel and Club in Mayfair.
St. James's Hotel and Club, London, UK
For all you shopaholics out there, St. James’s is the perfect place for a superbly stylish retreat, ideal after a long-day hitting the West End. (Top tip: make sure you check out the incredible gourmet restaurant, ‘Seven Park Place’ from Executive Chef William Drabble – its now been awarded a Michelin star and the food is melt-in-the-mouth perfection.)
My top SLH hotel discovery of the evening however was the 19th century manor house, Aquapura Duoro Valley Hotel that overlooks the River Duoro in Portugal. The super-slick interiors perfectly complement the traditional Mediterranean surroundings with incredible terrace views over miles of vineyards. I think I may have found my next wine-tour hotspot…
Aquapura Douro Valley, Porto, Portugal
I think for my next big trip Condé Nast Traveller readers have inspired me to rediscover one of my all-time favourite destinations, and this year’s number 1 rated city in the awards…
New York, here I come!!!
Five For Fall
Quite right Paul, why limit myself to one continent when I have the world at my doorstep!
Your message got me thinking – where to see and be seen this Autumn? We all have our “bucket list” destinations to see before we die, but where’s hot RIGHT NOW? I’ve been having a think and here are my Five For Fall…let me know your thoughts everyone!
1. Beijing, China
Nowhere is China’s rich history and dazzling progress more evident than Beijing, with its glittering skyscrapers and secret Hutongs. I want to explore the Forbidden City, waft through the Summer Palace, snap up a few tailor-made silk dresses, designer handbags and jade jewellery. Check out Han’s Royal Garden Hotel. Located in the centre of Beijing surrounded by the city’s famous hutongs, this charming hotel reflects the grandeur of a historic noble Chinese family home. From 1st Sept – 15th Nov they are offering a delicious complimentary dinner with all stays of 5 nights or longer!
Han's Royal Garden Hotel Beijing, China
2. British Columbia, Canada
I’ve never been to Canada but I rather like the idea of galloping around the wide open countryside on horseback, the wind in my hair and a cowboy at my side! Echo Valley Ranch & Spa in Jesmond is a totally unique getaway in British Columbia’s Cariboo country, and the perfect antidote to London apathy. With gorgeous views across the Fraser River Valley, the ranch is surrounded by scented pine forests, awe-inspiring canyons and mountain ranges. The perfect place to get one’s adventure hat on and explore the wilderness!
Echo Valley Ranch & Spa - Jesmond, Canada
3. Kyoto, Japan
Travel to Japan is very much back on following the tragic events earlier this year, and I’m desperate to visit Kyoto after reading about Hoshinoya Kyoto in Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List last year. A fabulously chic take on a traditional ryokan, this divine sanctuary is accessed by a boat ride along the Hozugawa River. Check out the divine rooms:
HOSHINOYA Kyoto - Kyoto, Japan
Autumn is a fantastic time to visit Japan for “leaf peeping” – an activity my American friends seem to be crazy about!
4. New Zealand
I’ll be cheering our boys on when the Rugby World Cup kicks off in a matter of days in New Zealand, and I’d recommend making time to tour both islands if you are heading out to watch a match or two! With fixtures up and down the country, it’s the perfect excuse to fit in a stay at the renowned Blanket Bay in Queenstown or Grasmere Lodge in Canterbury.
Blanket Bay - Queenstown, New Zealand
5. Paris, France
Playing host to the 2011 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp at the end of September, Paris is the ideal Autumn mini break city destination for those that love the thrill of the horses! I love to stay at the San Regis, which never loses it charm and exclusive feel no matter how many times I visit! Dates for the horse racing are 30th September – 3rd October 2011, can’t wait for a flutter!
Hôtel San Régis - Paris, France
Your Autumn Plans…
Sorry to hear Hans was a no show! As European summer draws to a close, maybe it’s time to venture a little further afield than Scandinavia, both on your travels and your man hunt?
We’ve got some fantastic offers for the Autumn from around the globe – take a look and let me know your thoughts on where’s hot for Autumn. Love to hear your predictions on where the cool crowd and the glitterati will be hot-footing to in the coming months.
PK
