“Of all the places I know, this is the dearest and most interesting to me.”
-Goethe
Poems have been written and songs have been sung about the dramatic beauty of the Swiss Alps. Once there though, gazing at the majestic timelessness of these mountains, one feels like neither words, nor music will ever do them full justice.
100 kilometres south of Zurich, serpentine roads that wind higher through the mountains take you to the small picturesque village of Andermatt (1444m). Snuggled in the heart of the Alps, the village lies in the middle of the three major alpine passes of Switzerland: the Gotthard, the Furka and the Oberalp and is where to come to get away from it all. The quietness which is only interrupted by birdsong and the tranquillity almost feel surreal. Blessed with postcard worthy mountain appeal, Andermatt, which was one of the first alpine holiday destinations back in the 19th century, has been undergoing exciting new developments with the objective to make this traditional village a year-round holiday destination.
Development
Back in 2005, Egyptian-born property developer Samih Sawiris fell in love with Andermatt’s untouched beauty and began a huge redevelopment project, worth CHF 1.8 billion or £1.2 billion. When fully completed, the project will comprise of about 500 apartments in 42 buildings, 28 chalets, convention facilities, a swimming pool and an 18-hole golf course. Additionally, the impressive mountain project also includes the building of six 4- and 5-star hotels – one of which, The Chedi Andermatt, opened its doors in 2013. To fully make use of the excellent snowfall and skiing opportunities of the region, the ski areas of Andermatt and neighbouring Sedrun have been merged to create the SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun, ideal for beginner, advanced and expert skiers.
From the very beginning, Mr Sawiris’ intention has been to preserve the region’s natural setting, seeing sustainability as ‘the cornerstone upon which the development of Andermatt is based’. During the initial planning stages of the project, environmental factors and cultural preservation, as well as the local residents’ opinion (with 96% of the locals voting in favour of the new land use plan) were taken into account. All apartment buildings and hotels are built to MINERGIE® standards - Swiss construction projects standards for sustainably and ecologically designed buildings with lower consumption of energy.
The Chedi Andermatt
Set in the heart of the old village, the opulent 5-star deluxe hotel, The Chedi Andermatt, is the centrepiece of the project. The look is refined yet cosy – blending traditional chalet style with a subtle Asian touches. Think billowing neutral fabrics, dark stone, lots of wood, faux-fur throws, open fires (there are more fireplaces than rooms in The Chedi Andermatt) and expansive windows. The showstopper is the double-height spa area on the back of the vast lobby. Huge windows gaze out over the treetops and an inside/outside swimming pool welcomes you for a quick dip after a day on the slopes.
When it comes to dining, at The Chedi Andermatt you will feel spoilt for options. The main restaurant serves modern-day Swiss, European and Asian specialities, whilst Japanese cuisine lovers can enjoy freshly prepared sushi and other authentic dishes in the Michelin-star Japanese Restaurant. After a delicious meal, head to either The Wine and Cigar Library or The Bar and The Livingroom for a cocktail or two by one of the many fireplaces in the hotel.
If you find yourself falling dangerously in love with The Chedi Andermatt and all of the comforts that it has to offer, do not fret – you can easily become an owner of one of the exquisite penthouses or apartments in one of the most elegant and luxurious hotels in the Alps.
For more information on how to become a property owner, please got to http://www.andermatt-swissalps.ch/en/buy-a-property/portfolio/estate/the-chedi-penthouses/estate-detail/
Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss
Another option for people looking to invest in property in the Swiss Alps are the chalets and the apartments located in the Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss, just outside the Old Village. The Andermatt Swiss Alps’ apartment houses combine traditional alpine aesthetic, modern interiors and jaw-dropping views of the snow-capped mountains. Apartments range from 26 to 271 square metres – from studios to five-bedroom maisonettes.
28 parcels on the banks of the Reuss River have been reserved for the construction of a small number of personalised chalets, which means that buyers have the full freedom to build their dream chalet nestled in the pristine Swiss Alps.
Although real estate ownership in Switzerland by foreign people is subject to restrictions set forth in a law known as Lex Koller, Holiday Village Andermatt Reuss is exempt from these restrictions, which presents a very attractive opportunity for potential international investors and makes buying and selling property in the resort as painless as it gets.
As if all of this doesn’t sound appealing enough, I have more good news –owners of residential properties may choose to have their apartment or chalet rented out during the time when they’re not using it.
For more information on buying property, please go to www.andermatt-swissalps.ch or email realestate@andermatt-swisslps.ch
The Old Village
Narrow cobbled streets, alpine architecture and so much history – Andermatt is so textbook traditionally Swiss that it guarantees to steal your heart. The village is relatively small and you can get around on foot, but this definitely doesn’t mean that you’ll be bored.
The Talmuseum (Valley Museum) is historic stately home in the village centre where you can learn a lot about the history and culture of the village. If you’re interested in hearing more about Andermatt’s history from a local, grab a coffee at the internet café Kiosk 61, whose owner radiates infectious enthusiasm about all things Andermatt.
On the high street, there is a lovely selection of restaurants, serving local specialities like rosti and cheese fondue, as well as French, German and Italian options with a Swiss twist.
An all-year round destination
Andermatt has the highest levels of guaranteed snow in Switzerland and the new SkiArena Andermatt-Sedrun creates truly superb conditions for skiing. However, the village offers so much more than that! The 18-hole par 72 championship golf course, located adjacent to the village, was designed to international tournament standards and was named Switzerland’s Best Golf Course in 2017, for the second time.
With over 120 sunny days every year and 500 kilometres of hiking trails, Andermatt is the ideal location for hiking and Nordic walking. And the list of summer activities doesn’t end here – the surrounding mountains also boast excellent mountain biking trails and are a popular climbing area. Given its proximity to over 40 mountain lakes, Andermatt is also a good place for fishing. Talk about having it all!
Website: www.andermatt-swissalps.ch
https://www.thechediandermatt.com/
Email: info@andermatt-swissalps.ch
Phone: +41418748888
Since the fall of its world-renowned Wall, Berlin has become one of the most popular creative and cultural hubs in Europe. An abundance of historic sights, art galleries and funky nightlife venues draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year from all over the world. With its ideal location near Potsdamer Platz and next to a metro (S-Bahn) station, Mövenpick Hotel Berlin is the perfect hotel for your stay in Germany’s capital. Housed in a historic factory building, the four-star hotel promises all the contemporary comforts of a major chain, including a restaurant, a snazzy Lobby Bar, 12 meeting rooms, as well as a gym and a sauna where you can unwind after a day of sightseeing or meetings.
Style & Character
Staying true to the Swiss Mövenpick brand, Mövenpick Hotel Berlin combines excellent service with a personal touch and modern interiors. The hotel offers classic and superior rooms, as well as deluxe rooms and suites. With their high ceilings, wooden furniture and amenities such as wireless phones, LED TVs, minibars and safes, the 243 comfortable rooms and suites have a genuine feel-good factor.
Breakfast is served in a spacious glass-roofed restaurant that during the rest of the day serves seasonal Swiss and Mediterranean à la carte meals. The expansive breakfast buffet offers an impressive selection of cold cuts, breads and pastries, fresh fruits and vegetables, Go Health shots and warm dishes including scrambled eggs and omelettes, French toast, Swiss rosti, sausages and bacon.
SLEEP Individually Different
To us, the highlight of our stay in Mövenpick Hotel Berlin was undoubtedly their recently introduced SLEEP Individually Different room concept, that guarantees what all busy people value the most – a good night’s sleep. Selected hotels across Europe, including Berlin, Zurich and Amsterdam, now offer customized SLEEP rooms that come with beds with adjustable firmness, window blinds, blackout stickers, sleeping masks, ear plugs and a relaxing Lavender scent infusion for a soothing sleep experience. To create the ideal environment for rest, these rooms are located in quiet areas of the hotel and are also kitted out with high-quality natural bedding, whilst neck pillows and allergy-free bedding are available too.
Priced at just €15 more than a standard room, the SLEEP rooms create the optimal conditions for ultimate comfort and much-needed relaxation after a day of exploring the streets of Berlin.
Website: https://www.movenpick.com/en/europe/germany/berlin/hotel-berlin/overview/
Nestled in the Somerset countryside in England, Bath is a beautiful historic town, known for its 18th-century Georgian architecture and natural hot springs – or the Roman baths. One of the town’s most popular sights is The Royal Crescent – a row of 30 terraced houses built between 1767 and 1774. The 150-metre-long sweeping crescent is a Grade I listed building and one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in Britain. It is also the home of one of Bath’s finest hotels – The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa - a five-star hotel that perfectly blends modern luxury with 18th-century elegance.
Interior & Character
Interiors combine graceful opulence with tasteful design motifs from the Georgian era. Impressive curvaceous staircases, high ceilings, stunning chandeliers, original artworks and antique furniture – the feel is all about refined English luxury. To truly indulge in The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa experience and its five-star splendour, stay at The Duke of York master suite, which overlooks the historic Royal Crescent lawn.
The back entrance takes you to a wonderful hidden garden that feels soothingly away from the buzzing town centre. This is where the spa and the Dower House Restaurant are hiding too. The award-winning Spa & Bath House features a 12-metre heated ‘relaxation’ pool, ‘vitality’ pool with massage jets, sauna and steam rooms, as well as a fully-equipped fitness room. It also offers a wide range of beauty treatments, such as relaxing aroma therapy massages and rejuvenating facials, using Elemental Herbology products.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa also has meeting and event spaces, including The Library and The Sheridan Room, which can be adapted to suit individual needs.
Dining
Food is taken seriously at the three-AA-rosette Dower House Restaurant and a meal here is reason enough to come to The Royal Crescent Hotel! Our tasting menu kicked off with a fresh beetroot yoghurt espuma with beetroot gel, citrus and fennel. One of the two mains, and my personal favourite dish of the night, was the beautifully roasted scallops that came with heritage tomatoes, tomato consommé, smoked eel, avocado and marjoram. Sadly, I was too full by dessert time and the two bites that I had of the lemon posset with bay leaf sorbet and the cardamom cheesecake with glazed plum and plum sorbet made me wish I had a second belly, so I can continue eating them.
Breakfast at The Royal Crescent Hotel was among the best hotel breakfasts we’ve ever had. The expansive buffet included everything from scrumptious croissants and pain au chocolats, through to spiced bircher muesli and a selection of freshly squeezed juices. Follow that with made-to-order hot dishes such as The Full Royal Crescent Breakfast (a full English) or its vegetarian version, which comes with meat-free bacon and sausage.
Rooms at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa start at £330 B&B.
Website: https://www.royalcrescent.co.uk/
With its rugged fields and trails, including routes up Mount Snowdon, and stunning beaches, North Wales could be the perfect destination for an active weekend getaway. If you’re thinking of visiting the area, keep reading – we’ve listed below some of the top sights and activities that cannot be missed.
Where to stay?
During our weekend in Wales, we stayed at a truly traditional country house, part of the Historic House Hotels Group – Bodysgallen Hall & Spa. With its perfect location, just 2 miles to the south of the coastal town of Llandudno, the hotel boasts lush gardens, an exquisite fine-dining restaurant, a luxurious spa and magnificent views of the Snowdonia National Park and Conwy Castle. Bodysgallen Hall is home to just 31 bedrooms split between spacious bedrooms in the house and cottages with their own outdoor space, whilst the spa includes a spacious swimming pool with steam room and sauna and a sun terrace.
We drove to Wales after work on Friday and made it just in time for a quick gin and tonic before bed. However, getting there right after work meant that after a traditional Welsh breakfast the following morning, we were ready for adventures in the sunny countryside!
The Great Orme – The Marine Drive
The Marine Drive is a 4-mile scenic drive round the base of the Great Orme headland (astonishing coastal landmark with Stone Age origins and nature reserve status) from Lladudno’s North Shore to Lladudno’s West Shore. Everything about the drive is truly jaw-dropping! We drove slowly and stopped a few times to go make friends with the local billy goats that were peacefully enjoying the views of the tranquil sea and take photos. Weather permitting, you can also explore the Great Orme by following one of the many footpaths.
Another way of taking in the beauty of the area is the Llandudno Cable Car. Opened in 1969 as the longest passenger cable car system in Britain, you can glide from Happy Valley to the summit of the Great Orme and enjoy panoramic views of the Bay of Lladudno, the Conwy Estuary and miles out over the sea.
Lladudno
Lladudno itself is a beautiful town with elegant seaside architecture and tons of hotels, cafes, restaurants and quaint shops. The town retains much of its 19th century grandeur, whilst offering classic British seaside charms, such as the pier that was much admired by Sir John Betjeman, the promenade, donkey rides along the sandy shore and Punch & Judy shows. After a stroll across the beach, head up onto one of the city’s main landmarks – the Victorian pier which dates back to 1876 and is the perfect spot for an ice cream.
Conwy – Conwy Castle and Britain’s Smallest House
Just 5 miles from Lladudno is Conwy – a walled market town and a World Heritage Site. Dating back to the thirteenth century, the castle and its walls were built for King Edward I and guarantee to take you on a journey back to medieval times. After a walk along the castle walls, we made our way to the smallest house in Great Britain, which can only fit 4 people at a time. The house is a much-loved tourist attraction and is definitely worth checking out.
Zip World Fforest
Nestled in the Conwy Valley, Zip World Fforest is a must for all adrenaline junkies planning a trip to North Wales. Zip wire through the canopy of trees on Zip Safari, bounce with the kids on Treetop Nets, or soar over the trees on the massive Skyride swing – Zip World promises a fun-filled day and lots of laughter!
Surf Snowdonia
Surf Snowdonia is an artificial wave pool and the world’s first inland surf lagoon. With its variety of wave profiles, the place is suitable for both new surfers and professionals, with the option of expert surf tuition. Set against a backdrop of Snowdonia, Surf Snowdonia is a great place for both avid surfers and people who simply want to try something new. However, if you’re not British and don’t handle the cold very well, it may be a good idea to visit in the summer months when the temperatures are higher.
For more information on Bodysgallen Hall & Spa, please go to: https://www.bodysgallen.com/
This could be the taxi of the future. The EZ-GO is a concept by Renault. It’s a fully autonomous ride-hailing service. It doesn’t require a driver to be present. And if necessary, it could be controlled remotely.
Hailing an EZ-GO is simple. It’s all done through the app. 1) Choose your experience. You can choose a private ride or share with others. 2) Reserve your seats.The EZ-GO would seat up to six. It could also take tourists on a guided tour. 3) Get in and go. The door lifts vertically allowing riders to walk in upright. A ramp also makes the EZ-GO more accessible. The interior is designed for comfort. Sofa-style seating. 360-degree windows. In-car WiFi and wireless charging. A display shows your travel information.
Renault sees a need for new mobility solutions in cities today. EZ-GO aims to solve those issues. Would you reserve this ride?
Oh Madrid! Elegant boulevards, lush parks, stunning architecture and thousands of hip cafés and restaurants – it’s very difficult not to fall in love with everything that this bustling with life city has to offer! Madrid’s countless attractions, museums and art galleries make it the ideal destination for a culture-rich weekend or city break. And even though this city never sleeps, you’d still need a welcome relief after a day of walking around, overdosing on culture and eating tapas. Only YOU Hotel Atocha is a conveniently located boutique bolthole, whose trendy industrial interiors and upscale comfort will make it hard to leave the hotel after a lazy brunch at the sunlit terrace.
Only YOU Hotel Atocha is the second Only YOU Hotel in Madrid and opened its doors in December 2016. Both hotels boast urban interior vibes, courtesy of Catalan interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán. Brick walls, exposed pipes and wooden flooring are tastefully paired with modern industrial furnishings and funky artworks – Only YOU Hotel Atocha perfectly combines fresh contemporary atmosphere with state-of-the-art comforts. The hotel offers 205 rooms and suites, scattered across seven floors. For a truly lush experience, stay at the Terrace Suite on the top floor, which, naturally, comes with a fully furnished solarium terrace, a separate lounge, amenities kit by RITUALS and stunning views overlooking the busy streets of Madrid.
On the first floor, you’ll find the bar and restaurant area that features a giant bookcase serving as the centrepiece of the area, cosy armchairs and bright furnishing accessories. Sample’s the bar’s cocktail menu or grab a quick bite in the restaurant, whilst languid jazz is playing in the background.
On the seventh floor you’ll find the light-filled, stylish SÉPTIMA restaurant, where the hotel hosts music sessions and special events. This is also where breakfast is served. You can also enjoy your eggs and coffee on the beautiful terrace, if weather permits - which it normally does in sunny Madrid. The expansive buffet selection offers freshly made juices and smoothies, an extensive list of cheeses and cold cuts, homemade pastries and muffins and an omelette bar – you’ll find everything that you’d need to fuel up for a day of exploring the energetic streets of Spain’s capital.
Whether you’re visiting Madrid for business or pleasure, Only YOU Hotel Atocha’s characterful, contemporary luxe and central location make it an ideal place to stay in the never-stopping city of jamon and flamenco.
Double rooms at Only YOU Hotel Atocha start at £127 in low season; and from £170 in high (breakfast excluded).
Off to London for a business trip or a week of sightseeing and looking for the perfect hotel that would combine excellent location and unmatched luxury? Belgravia is an area known for its upscale streets, elegant townhouse residences and opulent hotels. It is also the home of The Wellesley Knightsbridge - London’s finest boutique hotel. Situated across the street from Hyde Park Corner tube station, the hotel’s 36 stylish rooms and suites promise Art Deco glamour, contemporary luxury and views overlooking Hyde Park.
Interior & Character
Everything in The Wellesley screams opulence - from the bronze doors and the doorman welcoming you in the marble lobby with grandiose crystal chandeliers, through to the impressive service that combines polite charm and easy-going personality. The two restaurants are just as lush - typical traditionally British elegance paired with a sense of indulgence and exclusivity. With its innovative menu, the Jazz Suite is an ideal location for Afternoon Tea, whilst the dimly lit Oval Restaurant’s Italian inspired menu guarantees a truly unforgettable fine dining experience. After dinner, move to the Crystal bar, but don't be fooled by its diminutive size - the drinks list includes an extensive selection of rare whiskies and cognacs, as well as cigars, which cigar enthusiasts can enjoy in the covered terrace. To mark its five-year anniversary, the bar recently launched a brand new cocktail menu that features drinks inspired by its signature offering.
Travel in style during your stay and let The Wellesley's Rolls Royce drive you to your desired destination.
Rooms & Suites
All rooms and suites in The Wellesley have the decadent Art Deco feel to them that every little detail in the hotel boasts. However, the modern amenities you would expect from a five-star hotel in the heart London are of course all there too - electronically operated curtains, flat screen TVs (even in the bathroom), a tablet and a smart phone, as well as fast Wi-Fi. All bathrooms are marble and are finished off with vintage photos from Vogue and Hermes toiletries.
The Penthouse Suite
The glamour doesn't end here - for the ultimate Wellesley experience, stay at the penthouse on the sixth and seventh floor, which can be enjoyed as a one, two and four-bedroom option. Part of the penthouse, The Churchill Suite boasts its own winding staircase, rooftop views, a spacious lounge area with feature fireplace, a private Humidor and Decanter Bar, as well as a butler, who will be on hand 24 hours a day.
Double rooms at The Wellesley Knightsbridge start at £329 per night; The Wellesley Penthouse starts from £2765 per night.
Finance workers on business trips rate speed and efficiency more highly than any other sector, The Heathrow Express Business Travel Insights Report has revealed.
72% of business travellers in the finance sector rated speed of journey as essential when booking flights; 70% rated speed and efficiency through the airport as essential when making flight bookings, while 81% rated speed and efficiency as essential when choosing transfer travel to and from the airport.
While business travellers from every sector, including finance, rated personal safety as the number one priority when booking flights and accommodation and all business travellers rated speed as most important when it came to making airport transfer choices, finance workers rated speed the highest of all across all their business travel choices.
The state of the nation report on business travel, commissioned by Heathrow Express surveyed business travellers from across the UK, Germany and the US and also found that on average, finance sector workers take 2.5 domestic business trips and 2.6 international business trips a year that are, on average, 5.4 nights long.
43% of business travellers in finance book business trip themselves with a further 46% booked by assistants or internal business departments. However, 14% reported that over the past three years there was a growing reliance on business travel agents and travel management companies.
Fraser Brown, Director of Heathrow Express said: “These findings tell us getting from A to B as quickly as possible is key to finance travellers which is why as well as offering excellent customer service and a premium on board experience, Heathrow Express’ focus is to provide a reliable service connecting London and Heathrow in just 15 minutes. This provides customers with the fastest route between central London and Britain’s hub airport.”
(Source: The Heathrow Express)
With financial services going increasingly global, companies are now doing business all over the world. While this presents a bounty of opportunity, it also throws up a fair share of risk, particularly when it comes to the tricky question of travel etiquette.
Economies from established to emerging each have their own cultural norms and social mores — make one (unintentional) error and you could land yourself in an embarrassing situation, hot water or something far more serious indeed.
Today, forward thinking companies are becoming increasingly aware of travel etiquette. As firms spend financial resource on sending their staff abroad for meetings, training and networking, they are focusing on ensuring that their employees are fully up to speed on professionalism and understanding.
After all, when deals are being signed, made or broken and contracts are based on the outcome of a successful meeting, it’s more crucial than ever that everyone present knows how to present themselves, communicate properly and engage their audience. So what is travel etiquette in the finance sector?
Travel etiquette is about understanding local customs
While some people may think that globalisation means that customs and norms have become identikit, go out into the world and you realise that really isn’t so, especially when it comes to doing business. Each and every country has its own business etiquette, and it’s important you’re aware of the intricacies of these, as even a minor slip can have serious consequences. This useful resource from travel experts Expedia gives you lots of little tips for getting business meetings right when you’re in undiscovered country. In Turkey, for example, small talk is considered important in business meetings, so don’t jump straight into business-talk!
Travel etiquette is about mutual respect
Unprofessionalism can cost you business. But professionalism can help you grow. Understanding travel etiquette helps financial service firms treat people with respect, admiration and decency. In today’s fast-paced world, such traditional values, some say, are fading out. Practicing good travel etiquette helps you forge connections with people in different countries, network appropriately and set strong standards of performance and quality.
Travel etiquette is about empowering and inspiring your employees
Upskilling your employees in travel etiquette not only minimises the risk of an awkward business meeting peppered with social faux pas, it means you’ll be helping them become rounded individuals and employees with a thirst for knowledge. Workers confident about travelling to a new country and negotiating, selling or pitching for business will feel inspired and ready to take on any challenge. This improves them as people, and it improves them as employees, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to help grow and develop your company.
Here's five tips for travel etiquette in the finance sector:
1. A handshake is still important
We might have ditched the formal dress code, titles and everything else, but a handshake should still be considered an essential when doing business. It takes little effort and, as we all know, a little goes a long long way.
2. Don’t interrupt people
In competitive industries, interruption isn’t uncommon. But far from making you look ambitious and driven, in most cultures it simply makes you appear rude and unprofessional. If you’re ever tempted to interrupt someone when they’re part way through a sentence, think twice, and wait until they’ve finished before making your point.
3. Avoid using your phone during meetings
The rise of the smartphone means many of us now use our personal devices more or less all day. And they’re an important tool when it comes to doing business, as we use them for sending emails, making calls and more. But when it comes to a meeting, put the phone away. Even if you’re doing something work-related, it looks like you’re distracted and would rather be elsewhere.
4. Greet everyone
When meeting a large delegation of people, it can be easy to overlook a couple of individuals when it comes to introducing yourself. However acknowledging everyone is a basic sign of respect, regardless of their status or job title, and ensures you don’t look like you have a superiority complex. Respect across all levels of any organisation and is crucial.
5. Say please and thank you
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how the simple act of saying please and thank you is a dying art. Manners cost nothing, so be polite at all times.
Written by Katina Hristova
Looking to visit Britain’s capital? Georgian streets, countless cafés and restaurants, convenient location and classy vibes - whether travelling for work or pleasure, London’s fashionable and affluent area of Marylebone is the perfect place for city-breaking. Here is Finance Monthly’s suggestion for the best Marylebone hotel for your trip.
Housed in a converted Edwardian townhouse building, No Ten Manchester Street is an opulent boutique hotel set in the heart of Marylebone and within a walking distance of the shops of Oxford street. Combining truly English charm with a contemporary European vibe, the hotel boasts stylish rooms, a cigar bar and all the comforts you could possibly need to unwind after a long day of work meetings (or shopping).
The décor of the well-appointed 44 bedrooms and suites is elegant, classic and plush, equipped with bespoke Christopher Guy furniture, Richmond Hypnos beds, complimentary Handy phones, Wi-Fi access, 32-inch flatscreen TVs and en-suite bathrooms. Despite its central location, No Ten Mancheter street’s rooms somehow feel miles away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets – a good night’s sleep guaranteed!
No Ten Manchester Street prides itself to be an official Gold Havana Cigar Specialist, with its Cigars at No 10 bar attracting hotel guests from across the globe. The hotel’s cigar team meticulously maintain the cigar collection, house it in a bespoke D’art humidor, making sure that your chosen cigar will arrive in complete optimum condition – however, the extensive cigar selection will make it difficult to choose only one. The bar is one of London’s finest cigar venues and is a chic place to hang after dinner, whilst sipping on a whisky and indulging in Havanas.
Deluxe rooms at No Ten Manchester Street cost from £148.
www.tenmanchesterstreethotel.com
Set beneath the pink-soil cliffs on Babbacombe beach, near Torquay, The Cary Arms & Spa is a chic inn that perfectly captures the beauty of the English seaside. Located inside the curve of a bay, the hotel promises breathtaking views of the endless sea and the old jetty (where both locals and seals can be seen fishing) and immense tranquillity.
The Hotel
Each room in The Cary Arms has been inspired by the hotel’s surroundings and has a very coastal feel to it. However, the main act are undoubtedly the two seafront suites and their private balconies that are a few metres from the crystal clear waters of the English Channel. Spacious rooms, walls of glass, log fires, wooden floors, walk-in showers with White Company toiletries and huge beds with outstanding view out to sea - these two suites are nothing short of spectacular! The six luxury white-and-blue beach huts which also boast views that stretch for miles, are another way of making the most of this hotel and its dreamy location. If you’re planning a seaside getaway with family or friends (including the four-legged members of the family), the three secluded Cottages come with three or five bedrooms and all the modern comforts you can ask for.
The Dining Experience
With its stone walls, wooden floors and a fireplace, the inn in The Cary Arms is probably the cosiest and most relaxed fine-dining restaurant I’ve been to, meant to serve ‘gastro food cooked simply’. If the weather is warm enough, dinner could be taken alfresco, however, the conservatory is also a great viewing point. The ever-changing menus centre around fresh, local ingredients and line-caught seafood, simply and creatively cooked according to the season. Starters include pan seared Bixham scallops and Devon crab and crayfish cocktail, whilst mains feature pan fried sea bass fillet and the classic fish and chips, with a Brixham twist. For breakfast, try the traditional Devon full English, or if you fancy a lazy breakfast on your private terrace, ask for the breakfast hamper the night before.
The Spa
Take time to pamper yourself in the hotel’s spa that features a plunge pool fitted with massage jets, sauna, steam room, mini gym and sun deck. The three treatment rooms, including a couple’s massage room, offer facials, massages and aromatherapy treatments inspired by marine-themed French beauty and skincare brand Thalgo.
I can go on and on about how gorgeous The Cary Arms & Spa is but I’m certain that neither words, nor photos will do this place full justice. I found myself utterly enchanted by the cosiness of the burning logs in the inn, the deliciousness of every bite of freshly caught fish, the smell of salty air, the happiness that being by the sea brings, and most importantly - the fact that I was experiencing all of this in England.
Luxury Doubles start from £245, Beach Huts from £345 and Beach Suites from £475 per room per night, on a B&B basis.
Website: https://www.caryarms.co.uk/
Warm mulled wine, sizzling bratwursts and fresh pretzels – it’s officially Christmas-market season! In recent years, the German-themed Christmas market concept has become very popular across Europe. In the UK for example, tens of markets open in late November, ready to get people into the Christmas mood. However, we’d all agree that nothing beats the real thing and luckily, authentic German Christmas markets are only a short flight away from the UK.
Nuremberg (Nürnberg) is Bavaria’s second-biggest city and the perfect town for a mini trip. With its charming Bavarian architecture, elegant Altstadt and impressive castle, Nuremberg attracts tourists year-around and especially during the truly authentic Christmas market. I recently flew with bmi regional from Birmingham International Airport (BHX) to Nuremberg Airport (NUE) to spend a weekend of long walks, Bavarian beer and gingerbread and jolly times at the Christkindlesmarkt. In addition to all of this, Nuremberg also boasts a toy museum, the house in which the great engraver and painter Albrecht Dürer lived and worked and, of course, the infamous rally grounds.
Thankfully, bmi regional flies daily (except Saturdays) between Birmingham and Nuremberg. One way fares start at £81 and include 23kg of hold luggage, complimentary in-flight drinks and snacks, allocated seating and speedy 30 minute check-ins. Pack your warm clothes and Christmas spirit and book your flights now!
Website: www.flybmi.com
