Monthly Archives: November 2011

Christmas Wishes

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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…