I'd always heard great things about Cape Town and when I visited the city recently it surpassed expectations. It's a charming metropolis with clean streets, a buzzing marina, a mouth watering restaurant scene, mind bogglingly low prices and a wealth of nature on the doorstep. On the accommodation front, one spot that certainly won my heart was the Belmond Mount Nelson. I'd got a tip off about the hotel from a friend whose impeccable style and taste I firmly trust and with his recommendation, decided to investigate. This sprawling resort complex boasts 198 rooms and suites spread across s...
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Our taxi ride from the airport had been pretty hellish with our non-English speaking driver taking some very bizarre routes. But on walking into The Peninsula Bangkok all feelings of discontent were quashed. This distinctive tower, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya river (the hotel has its own boats to shuttle guests across the waterway), is a true sanctuary in the city. We had less than 24 hours to go about exploring its inners during an overnight stop off on the way home from Bhutan. After a trip trekking through the Bhutanese wilds, the comfy confines of The Peninsula Bangkok...
Read more →When was the last time you spent a day without your phone close to hand? Well, in a bid to get away from the fast pace of modern day life I ventured to Ragdale Hall in Leicestershire with my mum Laura. I'd heard about the spa years ago but never found chance to visit. It's located around a 15-minute taxi ride from Leicester train station, with the rail journey taking just over an hour if you're coming from London. The hall's setting is sublime, with the imposing red brick building bobbing in a sea of fields running as far as the eye can see. Mum and I arrived at the hall around 1pm for an...
Read more →Peace, tranquillity and calm was the desired outcome for our visit to Green Farm Kent. We were to park our cares and worries aside for the weekend and enjoy a retreat to rejuvenate - other than that we had no expectations.
Read more →The wonderful bhuti (Sanskrit, for “wellbeing”) in Richmond is the perfect haven for tired minds and bodies to indulge in some much needed TLC after a hectic period or a much needed treat. The luxury spa was set up by a local mum, Sama, a qualified yoga teacher and hotelier who wanted to help create a place to escape to, recuperate and relax - bhuti certainly ticks that box! Relaxing vibe aside there's so much more on offer; hi-tec holistic spa treatments, more than 35 weekly expert-led yoga, pilates, meditation and fitness classes for all levels and Sama and her team of teachers and instru...
Read more →If you go down to Shepherd's Bush today, turn right before the bridge and walk down Richmond Way road, you'll be in for a big surprise. Tucked away on this quiet residential street is K West, a former BBC recording studio, which is now a hotel, bar and spa. Although it's been open for more than ten years, I'd never been to the spot. But a friend informed me the understated haunt is a big hit with music industry crowd. 'Everyone used to record here from Bob Marley to Amy Winehouse,' I was told as I was shown around the building, which still carries a sort of office-like vibe. I'd de...
Read more →I was rubbing mud all over my body when it suddenly dawned on me how relaxed I felt. The smell of sweet spices scented the air, some funky music wafted over the airwaves and soft lighting lulled over my skin. I’d only been at Archerfield House in Scotland just over 24 hours but this secret retreat is a place where you immediately lose all connection with bustling city life. It's charm attracts people from all over the world and Ronan Keating also chose it as his wedding venue. A one hour flight to Edinburgh, a 30 minute drive with the resort’s lovely driver Gordon and I had arrived at...
Read more →'Perfect for emotionally exhausted souls.' Immediately on reading Bhuti's list of spa treatments, I thought 'this is the massage for me'. After a year of moving around, with a mix of highs and lows, a bit of soulful restoration was in order. Heading across town to the leafy calms of Richmond, I went to check out Bhuti and booked in for the emotionally-restorative kundalini back treatment (60 mins for £75). The new spa spot is an oasis of zen, with an airy atmosphere and calming interiors. On walking into the deceivingly big building, a smokey incense smell immediately lulled me int...
Read more →Festivals, we LOVE them. We spend our summers trudging through the mud, dragging our giant rucksacks to a boggy field, drinking warm rose out of a box - all to listen to some of the best in music and performance and feast on some of the most exciting street food. However, festivals are evolving and offering much more in the way of creature comforts than they used too - now Michelin starred chefs will cook you intimate dinners, renowned yoga instructors can give you one on one sessions, you can even learn a new skill - from paddle boarding to painting, festivals these days are much, much mor...
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