Do you remember the first time that you fell in love and what a special moment that was? When everything seemed so exciting, unique and exhilarating and you were so full of anticipation as to what wonderful things were about to happen to you next. Well we have to confess we are totally smitten and head over heels in love with St. Regis Bali in Nusa Dua. This love affair started as we drove through the very impressive Rainforest Gate with its blue lighting and hanging roots from tropical plants. It continued as we were assaulted by the perfect beauty of the resort and cemented by the wonderful facilities, graciousness of the service and world class cuisine.
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The impressive presence of The Alila Hotel rises like a phoenix from the bowels of old Jakarta. There is no doubt that it is an imposing statement of modern architecture set amongst the cacophonous splendour of a city discovering itself. The modern lines of the reception area and the simplistic clean ambiance are instantly welcoming. We understand that in the language of Sanskrit the word Alila means ‘surprise.’ Having spent two wonderful nights in this oasis of tranquillity, we would say that the name is a perfectly apt description.
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Hidden in the heart of Solihull lives Hampton Manor, an impressive estate once home to Prime Minister Robert Peel and now a luxury hotel and restaurant. Locals see it as special occasion destination and rightly so; the large gothic manor house surrounded by acres of mature parkland make it the perfect retreat from everyday life- here time stands still and troubles are left behind.
That’s not to accuse Hampton of being stuck in the past, it’s been brought back up to date by the current owners who commissioned award winning designers John Reeves and Sarah Ireland to re-deck and re-vamp the sixteen bedrooms and bathrooms complete with all the latest mod cons (tastefully disguised of course).
There are no drafty corridors and squeaking staircases here, design buffs will love the ‘classic contemporary’ interior; heavy damasks in turquoise, aubergine and chocolate brown, in our bedroom a porcelain bath sat centre stage and black lacquered furniture lined the walls. From our king size bed we could see out across the landscaped gardens, part of which were decked out for a damp but glorious wedding the next morning, in fact the venue serves many a hen party, corporate event and birthday bash due to it’s incredible new restaurant which we had the luxury of experiencing during our stay.
Martyn Pearn, a Michelin star chef who made his name first in France and then the UK now heads the kitchen, his menu changes seasonally and dishes are created using only the highest quality ingredients. I dined on a luxurious starter of king scallops, sea trout and crab before tucking into my equally decadent main of wild salmon in champagne bisque.
His deserts are typically French; small, rich and exquisitely presented and their wine list is extensive; Bruno, the in-house sommelier also trained in France and has created a bespoke list of 150 fine wines and fifteen champagnes for the Hampton menu, so you know you’re in safe hands.
During the last couple of months a range of foodie celebs including Ed Kimber, aka the boy who bakes, has visited them and Masterchef’s Tim Anderson who rustled up a Japanese inspired menu and himself is a good friend of the hotel.
It would be wise to keep an eye on the Hampton website, as on the 10 Feb 2012 Tim Atkins of Saturday Kitchen will be joining Martyn to launch a Wine Dinner menu. Guest can purchase tickets for a five-course meal with matching wines that will be presented by the man himself, just go online or call up to secure your pair.
On the day of our departure the sky had opened up and the rain was lashing down but it didn’t seem to matter for the married couple and their guests, we passed them sipping kir royals in the restaurant festooned with ribbons and roses, all smiles and laughter. Hampton Manor had managed to keep the weather firmly outside, we just wondered if the newly weds needed any more guests….
For more details on the hotel and its Christmas events visit hamptonmanor.eu , tel: 01675 446 080
Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel has collaborated with Katherine Elizabeth- a multi-award winning milliner who the Evening Standard has dubbed as “The Queen of the hat”- giving you the opportunity to create your own bespoke millinery couture masterpiece with the Best Afternoon Tea in London with a series of hat making events or even an exclusive overnight package.
As well as designing for her eponymous label, Katherine has also worked with top designers including Stephen Jones Couture and Catherine Delany. She has also had the opportunity to create for John Galliano, House of Dior and Asudari shows at Paris Fashion Week. Her impressive client list includes Lilly Allen, Dita Von Teese, Henry Holland and The Soho Dolls.
Katherine Elizabeth is now hosting ‘Mad Hatter Couture’ afternoon teas at Grosvenor House where she and her team of milliners will take you through an adventure of dazzling millinery.
These highly acclaimed events last between 2-3 hours with a minimum of 10 guests. The events will take place within the hotel’s Private Dining Rooms and will be prices from £695 based on 10 people for room hire and afternoon tea.
The following experiences are available:
Fascinator Appetizer Experience (£85pp) Whether it be silk ribbons, feathers or Swarovksi crystals, surround yourself with gorgeous fabrics and materials to wear with any style on any occasion.
Couture Headpiece Experience (£150pp) This includes the entire package above with more of our finest luxurious fabrics, silks, trimmings, and larger feathers, as well as larger bases for you to create a grander masterpiece which can be worn time and time again.
Couture Ascot Experience (£250pp) The package above together with the ultimate collection of the finest and most exquisite fabrics, silks and trimmings. Larger blocked bases are provided for you to create a beautiful bespoke Ascot style sculptural hat.
Alternatively, choose from the following Experiences that do not incorporate hand sewing:
The Katherine Elizabeth Hatiquette Experience (£150pp) Discuss this season’s fashion trends and millinery history with Katherine Elizabeth, who will take you on an adventure of Millinery couture as she demonstrates the wonderful, creative process of couture sculptural hat making whilst her assistants demonstrate blocking, a fascinating age old Millinery technique.
One-on-One Bespoke Packages with Katherine Elizabeth (£750pp) Design a bespoke cocktail hat with Katherine Elizabeth and create it with her over an hour’s one-to-one session, using the finest luxurious fabrics from suppliers around the world.
Or why not go all out and take advantage of Grosvenor House’s Millinery Couture package?
Staying at London’s most exclusive address on Park Lane, enjoy an overnight stay in a luxurious Park View Suite with breakfast in the Executive Lounge. Guests also enjoy Grosvenor House’s award-winning afternoon tea for two in the comfort of their room.
Katherine Elizabeth herself will attend a private consultation within the suite, to discuss colours, form, design and fabrics for the occasion. Katherine will then design the masterpiece in her studio and once completed the hat will be beautifully packaged and sent directly to you.
The overnight stay in a Park View Suite, Breakfast, Afternoon Tea and personal consultation and bespoke hat would be priced at £2400 (plus VAT).
For booking enquiries, please contact Jessica Carey on 020 7399 8009 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Fancy some fun? Fancy a free stay in a luxury Hilton Hotel? The Hilton group are about to launch a ‘scavenger hunt’ using their social media platforms. Read on, this is good….
On 18th October Londoners will discover the closely guarded mystery location of a pyjama party, via the @HiltonHHonors twitter feed and be in with a chance to win a one night stay at a luxury Hilton hotel.
The Party doors will open between 6 – 7pm and the first 100 to check in at the mystery location will win an amazing free stay.
The Hilton HHonors Twitter and Facebook pages will begin leaking clues about the location from Monday, October 17th 2011.
Once launched, @HiltonHHonors followers and Hilton HHonors Facebook fans around the world will start receiving specific clues and tasks, along with hints about locations, rallying participation in the chase to win one of 100 grand prizes.
Simultaneous events will be taking place in four further mystery locations around the world, with a total of 500 grand stays being given away to lucky Hilton HHonors members.
The winners worldwide will be awarded with a free night certificate, redeemable any property in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio of brands, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels and Homewood Suites by Hilton. To redeem their reward, winners must be Hilton HHonors members.
To participate in the Fast Ways to Free Stays social scavenger hunt, follow Hilton HHonors on Facebook or Twitter.
HHonors is the only guest-loyalty program to offer ‘Points & Miles’ and ‘No Blackout Dates’ at more than 3,750 hotels worldwide, including participating Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations.
