City breaks - House Of Coco Magazine

City breaks November 9, 2023

5 Reasons To Visit Florence This Winter

With beautiful snow filled pictures popping up this week in Florence, it’s looking even more incredible this winter. Having lived in Florence for almost 5 years, I admit it I am biased. For me this magical city packed with history is a year round destination, however many only think of it only as an Italian summer fling. Consider these when planning your perfect winter weekend away…

1- No Tourists

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There is no getting away from it, summer in Florence is hectic, the beautiful winding streets become packed with tourists, squeezing through alleyways and forming queues in front of all the best gelaterias. Locals head for the hills (literally) or the sea side, to escape the hustle and bustle of peak season. However during the winter, the city is yours. The Uffizi and Accademia Gallery filled with the grand masters are much more accessible and you can take time to savour the historical surroundings in peace. Wander along the banks of the River Arno or dream about your next jewellery splurge on the famous Ponte Vecchio in a leisurely fashion.

2- Value For Money

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Florence is not a cheap destination, especially in the peak summer months, however during the winter you can get some seriously good off-peak deals. Direct flights into the UK from multiple airport locations can be as little as £60 return into Pisa, which is an quick and easy transfer into Florence. Plus best of all, many of the beautiful luxury hotels along the Arno and in the palazzos around Florence offer low season rates. You can even find special offers on some tours and museums due to the lower demand.

3- Italian Comfort Food

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Cold wintery days made brighter with homemade Italian goodies! Whilst the hot summer days may bring on cravings for ice cold gelato and light caprese salads, Florence is ripe in winter with rich homemade dishes, traditional favourites including Tuscan Ribollita soups, gnocchi and every type of pizza and pasta imaginable. The streets of Florence are filled with unexpected cosy corners to curl up and enjoy a roaring fire or sip on cioccolata calda, a perfect spot to try is Hemmingways chocolaterie, offering a selection of incredible hot chocolates and cakes, perfect fuel for a winter walk.

4- The Shopping

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During the summer being inside seems crazy, however during the winter retreating from the cold is a good excuse to check out the local designers, plus it’s sale season! Florence has the usual high street names but also offers some wonderful local shopping experiences and brands, which can only be found here. From indoor markets and local artisan workshops making mosaics, silverware and linen there is an amazing selection on offer. Another favourite location, which is a shopping destination in it’s own right due to its stunning architecture is Farmacia Santa Maria Novella, it’s the world’s oldest pharmacy and along with luxury products to purchase also offers a beautiful museum with artefacts dating back to the 16th century.

5 – You Can Ski in Tuscany!

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Florence is ideally located to access the surrounding Tuscan countryside, from vineyards to cooking classes, the same wonderful experiences are available in summer and winter (often cheaper during the winter). Plus it offers a few you may not have even considered! Arezzo in Tuscany, offers antiques fairs throughout the winter months boasting the finest antique pieces, while Tuscany also offers the highest number of hot springs throughout the whole of Italy. So make wellness a priority this winter and sample the thermal waters. Tuscany is also surprisingly, home to some fantastic skiing, with the Pistoia Mountains offering 80 kilometres of powder white slopes, making up 26 runs in total. So base yourself in Florence but keep some time to explore, you will need it!

Behind the bar November 9, 2023

Behind the Bar: Londons Winter Terraces

Half the fun of Christmas is the weeks leading up to it, gallivanting around London’s twinkling winter terraces indulging in a mulled wine or two and warming the cockles with Christmas spirit. Experience the magic of Londons Winter Terraces.

Each year, more and more are springing up, transforming bars into magical winter wonderlands and bringing with them menus of festive cocktails and tasty treats. If you’re in the capital over the next few weeks, be sure to check out a few of these…

Rosé on the Roof at Sea Containers

Inspired by the arctic lights, Sea Containers London is lighting up pink this winter. Follow the light over Blackfriars Bridge and along the Thames towards 112th Knot, where the rooftop is transforming into a cosy arctic winter terrace in association with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Full of twinkling lights, and splashes of pink and with a true wintery feel, the Arctic-inspired terrace is prepared with blankets and cushions to keep you extra cosy, ready to take in the panoramic views of the city. Expect Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, along with a selection of cocktails inspired by the innovative Laurent-Perrier range.

www.seacontainerslondon.com

LIDO at The Curtain

Head down to The Curtain before 23rd December, because for the first time non-members will be able to access the exclusive member’s rooftop LIDO for the first time. Experience the magic of Christmas with its eclectic mix of festive events – 12 Days of Christmas – transforming LIDO into an enchanted winter garden, adorned with seasonal foliage, fairy light canopies, feathers and faux fur. There’s a Christmas rooftop cinema sponsored by Veuve Cliquot, a cabaret performance and a special afternoon tea collaboration with Penhaligons, alongside craft workshops ranging from lino printing and wreath masterclasses to Christmas card-making hosted by cult illustrator and ceramist Charlotte Mei.

www.thecurtain.com

Double Dutch at The Cinnamon Club

If a hot spiced gin punch and a tasty filled naan are up your street, head to the Double Dutch Winter Bar at The Cinnamon Club. The award-winning premium tonic and mixer brand, Double Dutch, has taken up residency in the iconic Old Westminster Library to celebrate the arrival of its new limited-edition seasonal flavour, ‘Rhubarb & Pineneedle’. Until the end of January, this exclusive pop-up will spice up your festive gatherings; the subterranean winter grotto is complete with frost-covered pine foliage and white winter florals lush faux fur soft furnishings, alpine forest installations and lounge seating. The talented bar team at The Cinnamon Club have collaborated with Double Dutch to create a bespoke menu of cocktails and non-alcoholic winter warmers all using Double Dutch’s award-winning mixers, alongside a bar menu featuring Bombay-inspired bar bites designed by The Cinnamon Club’s Executive Chef and CEO Vivek Singh.

www.cinnamonclub.com

Discover the captivating journey of Don Papa’s latest masterpiece, the Sevillana Cask Finish Rum, exclusively unveiled in our feature on House of Coco.

Sheraton Grand London Park Lane – Chocolate Box Winter Terrace

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has teamed up with French pâtissier and celebrity chef, Eric Lanlard, to bring the ‘Chocolate Box Winter Terrace’ to its five-star London hotel this festive season, transforming the terrace into an indulgent chocolate wonderland with opulent décor and bespoke chocolate bars, paired with decadent cocktails. Taking inspiration from the traditional treats you would usually find in a Christmas selection box, the ‘Chocolate Box Winter Terrace’ will offer five never-before-seen chocolate bars, crafted using Eric Lanlard’s exclusive recipes for the hotel. Made using the finest chocolate and premium ingredients – from a salted butter caramel bar, a dark chocolate shell encasing an oozing rich and buttery salted toffee, to a luxury white chocolate bar with a cardamom ganache decorated with edible jewels and 23-carat gold – each bar will also be paired with a delicious festive cocktail.

www.marriott.com

Duck & Waffle’s Nordic Wonderland

This Christmas, winter enchantment takes hold of Duck & Waffle, offering an immersive experience full of fun and festivity that revellers will never forget. Snow-covered trees, glistening icicles and other winter trimmings welcome Duck & Waffle guests to the 40th floor, whisking them away to a whimsical winter fairy tale.

The journey starts at the bar, where guests will be surrounded by an artistic take on the season’s magical winter trimmings, while in the dining room, a chalet-style getaway will add warmth and wonder, inviting guests to an ambience akin to a cosy Alpine getaway. Add the restaurant’s heritage of playful British fare to the mix and the charming space becomes a sumptuous seasonal refuge from the season’s hustle and bustle below. Executive Chef Elliott Grover’s festive specials, available throughout the season, and specially curated Christmas Day menu is chock full of traditional ingredients like pumpkin, truffle and cranberry, all reinterpreted with signature culinary creativity.

www.duckandwaffle.com

Sushisamba’s Amazonia Rainforest Celebration

This Christmas season, SUSHISAMBA is transformed into SAMBAZONIA, a magical rainforest full of spirit and surprise. Always pushing culinary and cultural boundaries with unbridled creativity, SUSHISAMBA will honour the beauty and bounty of the Amazonian rainforest in an all-season-long experience unlike any other.

An unexpected holiday expedition, SAMBAZONIA is offering guests an immersive, mystical celebration ignited by music, colour and bespoke design, with the installation featuring 500 LED lights throughout the restaurant, changing colour every 30 seconds. Open until January, SUSHISAMBA will also be supporting its long-standing charity partner throughout, Cool Earth, and its efforts to help halt rainforest deforestation in the Amazon.

www.sushisamba.com

Argentina November 9, 2023

Discover Michelin star dining in Marbella

If you don’t know Marbella then you might think the dining scene doesn’t get much better than celeb hangouts, La Sala and Olivia’s, however you couldn’t be more wrong. Just a stone’s throw away from the Old Town of Marbella is a jewel in the Costa del Sol culinary crown, Michelin star restaurant Messina.

If you are a keen foodie looking for sophisticated dining and a gourmet treat, then this place is a must. This contemporary restaurant, with minimalist décor offers an upscale dining experience without feeling snobby. Open plan, bright and airy, Messina is chic and unpretentious with friendly and welcoming waiting staff.

The menu is a collection of eclectic unique tastes combining flavours from Spain, South America and Asia, all created by Argentinian chef, Mauricio Giovanini. Messina is named after the Italian city his grandparents come from and has held a Michelin star since 2016, when he became the third Argentine to win the highest accolade in the world of gastronomy.

Giovanini is passionate about using fresh, local produce and his menu experiments with exciting flavours and textures offering a creative menu paired with some of the best wine. It really is a feasting experience and his adventure for flavour seeps through his tasting menu which Team Coco was lucky enough to sample.

The menu regularly changes depending on what’s in season but when I visited there was 10 bite sized dishes to try, all packing punchy flavours. There’s a great balance of vegetarian, seafood and meat plates to keep most palates happy. My menu at Messina included the following:

Yucca, creamy pickled aubergine and marinated red peppers
Creamy chimichurri, tomato, and lemon
Typical Argentinean manioc flour bread
Sea urchin mi-cuit and celery root water
Garganelli cooked in mirepoix stock served with aubergine and goat cheese
Grilled white sea bass with grilled vegetables
Cow sweet bread served with creamy lemon stew and spinach
Iberian pork with creamy lentils and roasted onion
Caramelized pineapple sorbet, red pepper and pisco sour
Creamy black and milky chocolate, dulce de leche and peanut

My favourite was the Iberian pork, it was delicious, and tender served with creamy lentils and roasted onion. I literally savoured every morsel. I loved the whole menu, the tasting experience is a great way to try out Michelin star dining and at 69 Euros per head it’s good value.
If you don’t fancy the Michelin star treatment at Messina then Giovanini is sprinkling his culinary magic at Amare Beach Hotel Marbella with the creation of Hayaca, the hotel’s new pop up restaurant, featuring a fusion of different Latin American dishes.

Team Coco travelled to Marbella courtesy of Amare Beach Hotel Marbella. For more information visit www.amarehotels.com/marbella

To book a table at Messina visit www.restaurantemessina.com

City breaks November 9, 2023

Wake up Here: A classic Scottish staycation at The Cringletie

A change of scenery is always welcome, and while London will always hold the key to our hearts — a little winter couldn’t come at a better time. Because while some places come alive in the summertime, there are those that become truly magical in winter. Such is the case with The Cringletie in Peebles, where our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies spent an idyllic weekend, taking in the magic of the Scottish countryside.

Located in the picturesque Scottish Border town of Peebles, The Cringletie is a 15 bedroom country estate, that oozes personality and charm. The house is a 45 minute drive away from Edinburgh; but one step within its 28 acres of lush greenery and woodlands, and you’ll quickly understand why the drive was so worth it.

Outside, you can explore the historic walled gardens, or take a walk around the natural historical trail which goes for a mile around the estate. Inside, you can cosy up by the fireplace and enjoy the hotel’s classically beautiful interiors; which make plenty of design references to the house’s military history. We are told that the current tartan in the hotel’s grand staircase is a blend of the Wolfe Murray’s and the Sutherland’s; another clever homage to the Cringletie’s past.

Every inch of the house is thoughtfully considered, a personal manifestation of the estate’s history, and the colourful personality of Bill and Anne Cross, the custodians who has lovingly taken it under his wing.

We stayed in one of the hotel’s Luxury Rooms, which exudes a certain kind of timeless appeal. Our room was painted in a muted colour palette accented with rich textiles. It was the perfect balance of classic style and modern features and included a super king-sized bed, a cosy seating area, and an en-suite.

The hotel’s piece de resistance, however, has to be the Sutherland Restaurant. During our stay, the hotel had just received its first – and very well deserved – 2AA Rosette accreditation. Head chef Iain Gourlay certainly brings his 20 year of experience to the table at Sutherland restaurant. Using only the freshest local ingredients, Chef Iain Gourlay adds a creative flair to some classic Scottish favourites – and serves them up in true style.

We highly recommend starting with the Breast of wood pigeon on a puree of boudin noir, followed by the lightly smoked loin of Borders venison, and finishing off with the absolutely delectable Selkirk bannock souffle. We can assure you, that this culinary journey is one you won’t soon forget.

As the evening wears on, we sit by the warmth of the fireplace and delve into the estate’s extensive collection of fine whiskies. Finally ending the evening with warm hearts and revelling in the rare tranquillity afforded by being in beautiful and overwhelming isolation — in one of the most underrated destinations in the world.

For more information and to book your stay, please visit www.cringletie.com

Adventures November 9, 2023

Top things to do in Muscat, Oman

There’s always that mid-winter lull that makes summer seem like a far and distant memory. Beach-weather in Europe is essentially a mirage in March, so we’ve got our sights set on one of 2020’s hottest travel trends: Oman. Highs of mid-20s promise the feeling of being whisked away to a far-flung destination that promises lazy afternoons spent in the sun.

Adventure is also at the core of Muscat for its multifaceted landscape made up of secret beaches, canyons and wadis (Arabic for valley). An average day might involve a hike in one of the surrounding wadis followed by a midday afternoon massage back at the hotel – right before sunset cocktails by the beach. What’s the catch? A one-off 6am wake-up call to squeeze in all of the action. That’s it – we promise!

Those clear blue skies make it the ideal time to visit, ridding you of any icky winter blues. These are the top activities we got to try on a recent #TeamCoco trip to Muscat.

Eat

Starting with food is always a good idea. Zale Lounge is a sophisticated and stylish beachside restaurant serving a blend of cuisines and pan-Asian inspired dishes. Highlights include succulent seafood options like sushi wrapped in sticky seaweed and a signature lobster salad. The mix of booths and sofas offer a laid-back vibe, cleverly softening the high-octane luxury connotative of Kempinski with a quiet palette of creams and whites. Fun features include an elaborate cocktail list that glows in the dark and live DJ sets to take you into the night. Venturing out to the city? Bait Al Luban is a top contender for Omani cuisine in a charming converted guest house overlooking the sea.

Adventure in the Wadis

The sheer beauty of the wadis makes any 6am wake-up call worth it. Witness sunrise and the arid Omani landscape light up as the sun-dappled mountains become more prominent in the eventual morning light. Wadi Tiwi’s rugged rocks and clear emerald pools beat any ordinary hike. Stumble upon mountain goats, secret coves and local villagers floating with ease from one rock to the next. #TeamCoco tip: Husaak Adventures have an excellent guiding team with extensive knowledge of Arabia’s landscapes. Don’t forget a waterproof phone case to capture the cascading waterfalls in real time.

Kayaking in Bandar Khayran

This can be adventurous or super chilled out depending on your mood. A leisurely sunset tour is as relaxing as it sounds, especially witnessing the sun’s rays sink slowly atop the surrounding mountains. The colours shift from ochre to sienna in simultaneity with the sky’s altering hues. Bandar Khayran is a top adventure location made up of several mini beaches for snorkelling and scenic beachside hikes along the rocky shorelines. Do it like the locals and picnic in between pockets of the towering cliffs for some shade and solitude.

Stay

A short 15-minute drive from the airport in Al Mouj Muscat, Kempinski Hotel is definitively luxurious, but not in terms of excess opulence. The sun-dappled lobby is perhaps the shiniest part of the hotel, but rooms have a refined elegance and a quiet palette. Having direct access to 6km of stunning coastline means you can go for a run or flop on a sun lounger. The 10 exquisite restaurants and lounge areas also promise an eclectic experience. Pamper your palate at Bukhara Restaurant for North Indian cuisine and tabasco-inspired cocktails, or The Kitchen restaurant for all-day dining on the sun-drenched terrace.

Explore the city by foot

Souks are a large part of Omani culture, offering aromatic sandalwood, fancy hookah pipes and other interesting trinkets. Taste honey-glazed dates in the vegetable market and pop your head in the buzzy fish market in Muttrah to blend in with the locals. The catch is delivered at sunrise and sells out by 11am, which is astonishing considering the sheer size and scale of the market. Muscat’s pristine streets are steeped in history; the mosques are monumental and tell stories from as far back as 627 AD. The Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque is the largest mosque in the whole of Oman and happens to be handily located in Muscat, just make sure to book a tour in advance to secure your spot.

Extras

Royal Opera House

Arts and culture abound in Oman’s premier venue for lavish ballets and eclectic concerts, hosting performances from Jazz legends and Arab pop stars. The exquisite architecture replicates modern Omani palaces and is particularly striking by night when the surrounding lights give it an otherworldly glow.

National Museum

A trip to Muscat isn’t complete without understanding its rich heritage. Delve into Muscat’s history as far back as the country’s earliest human settlement in a series of interactive exhibitions and installations at the National Museum.

Al Alam Palace

Just across from the National Museum in the heart of old Muscat, Al Alam Palace is the original ceremonial palace by Sultan Qaboos and a tourist hotspot for its flamboyant design.

Kempinski Hotel (+968 24 985000) offers a starting nightly rate of £170 inclusive of breakfast for one.

City breaks November 9, 2023

#CocoCityBreak : Accidentally Wes Anderson Vibes at Barcelo Malaga

As we shuffled off the plane, into the warm spring sunshine (24C in May, people!), we exchanged glances. Many of us had realised we’d been through Malaga before – but never actually visited the Andalucian city of Malaga itself. A busy airport full of your more classic ‘brits abroad’ holiday makers flocking to the whitewalled self catering apartments of the Costa del Sol was a mere memory after the short drive to Malaga City and arrival at our home for the weekend, the Barceló Malaga .

As you may know, the Barceló Group is a Spanish, family-run hotel group with hotels in more than 22 countries (you may remember we visited one of their Ibiza properties last summer…) Within the group you’ll find many different types of hotels, each with their own personalities and the Barceló Malaga certainly had a personality; being a business focused city hotel (with great meeting facilities), well located over a major train station (that can take you to Madrid in 2.5 hours), Wes Anderson, dreamboat bar interiors oh, and a slide.

We started our weekend away in Malaga with a cocktail style lunch within the hotel and – far from the bland food you could expect from a chain hotel, we were blown away with the variety on offer – not least the hotel’s Tapas Viajeros concept.

Next up, time to check out our rooms for the weekend which did not disappoint. Huge comfy beds with blackout blinds for those siestas awaited us and, as we were in the Junior Suites, spa baths as well as rainfall showers for when you just can’t decide! We were situated on the 8th floor – a few short steps from the hotel’s new roof terrace complete with sunbeds and a pool to dip in in between mojitos…

The Barceló Malaga is the perfect pied à terre for a weekend in the city. Just a 10 minute walk from the nearest beach, a 20 minute amble to the city’s up and coming ‘Soho’ art district area, full of street art from the likes of Shephard Fairey and D*Face and a tiny bit further to the main old town with the historic Alcazaba and its 37 world class museums including the unique Picasso Museum with the Picasso family’s personal collection of his work.

Malaga may not have won its bid to become the city of culture a few years back but for an adventurer looking for some culture, great food, wine and weather; this is the ideal place for a weekend away. Head over here for 10 Things To Do in Malaga If You Don’t Do Beaches!

Heading to Malaga?

We would strongly recommend booking in at Barceló Malaga not least for Mojitos in the pink bar and the slide!

Rates at Barceló Malaga start from €123 per room per night based on two sharing a Superior room.

City breaks November 9, 2023

Is this the most luxurious spa in Tuscany?

January blues have got us dreaming about warm and wonderful places across the pond to indulge in a little winter warmth, but contrary to visions of Italy in all its sun kissed glory, it’s not just bronzed skin and bottomless wine we’re after. Total relaxation and wellness is on the menu for 2020 and there’s no better place to experience a slice of peace and luxury than Fonteverde spa, nestled in the San Casciano dei Bagni area amongst the Tuscan hills.

Whether it’s a romantic weekend for two or a solo soiree for some much needed “me time”, the hotel offers a plethora of cutting-edge spa programmes, from Oriental disciplines and aesthetic treatments, to fitness and diet programmes. Guests can enjoy a bespoke stay designed to complement their lifestyle, mindset or kick-start their aspirations for a healthier everyday routine.

Alongside exquisite Italian fine dining, state-of-the-art fitness studio and a system of ultra-relaxing thermal pools (free for hotel guests), Fonteverde offers three main health pathways for a true detox experience. The Equilibrium Programme has a positive impact on the nervous, endocrine and immune systems with weight loss, detox and anti-stress effects. The Anti-cellulite Programme works to improve the symptoms and, more importantly, fights the causes of cellulite such as silent tissue inflammation. The Periodic Fasting Programme reduces abdominal fat, maintains lean body mass, improves inflammation and lengthens healthy lifespans.

Thermal springs have always distinguished the surrounding area and the hotel – originally built as a renaissance palace for the Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici, was purposefully set atop the natural hot springs to fully utilise the healing power of the thermal waters. Thermal mud and spring water treatments available at the spa are designed to reduce the quantity and effects of free radicals and have powerful anti-inflammatory powers that work to boost repair functions. One thing is for sure – for anyone looking to supercharge their 2020 with some serious tlc, Fonteverde is the place for you.

Of the hotel’s seven pools, two indoor pools are dedicated to treatments such as “Thalaquam Massage” and the “Bath of light”, while a third partly indoor partly outdoor pool, provides innovate hydro-massage techniques. The “Bioaquam” pool offers draining and toning plans with numerous jets of water. Against a backdrop of unforgettable views of the Val d’Orcia valley, the warm thermal waters, panoramic infinity pools and hot tubs are especially perfect for autumnal and weekend tips when the weather is cooler – the spring water that supplies the pools has therapeutic properties with elements such as sulphur, calcium, fluoride, and magnesium and emerges from the 40 natural springs at a temperature of 42°C, allowing guests to restore their natural balance away from the glare of the Italian summer sun.

Taking a step back from our busy lives in an ever stressful world, each programme and treatment is thoughtfully designed to help us uncover our ability to rebalance and reconnect with our body and mind amidst lush green hills and Italian wine. Sign us up!

City breaks November 9, 2023

A luxury ‘daycation’ at The Atheneaum Hotel & Residences

Have you ever heard of a ‘daycay’? Until today, I haven’t either. However, thanks to DaybreakHotels, you can now spend a day in some of the UK’s most luxurious hotels without breaking the bank.

Last Wednesday, we made our way to The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in Mayfair for an indulgent mid-week ‘daycay’ of our own. Located in front of Green Park, the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences is a stylish five-star hotel that captures the spirit of Mayfair. The family run hotel has been rooted in Mayfair since 1850 and has previously been a stately home, an exclusive Victorian members club, and a favourite haunt amongst Hollywood’s elite in the 1970s.

We began our day cation with lunch at Galvin at the Athenaeum. Helmed by Michelin-starred chefs and brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin, the menu was a masterclass in contemporary British cuisine. We began our meal, as you do with a luxury ‘daycay’ with some champagne. Afterwards,we had the Galvin Cure Smoked Salmon, followed by the lovely Wild Mushroom Pappardelle with Hazelnut Pesto and Crispy Sage.

After a lovely lunch, we made our way to our park facing stunning suite. With unparalleled views of Royal Green Park, luxury amenities, and modern interiors, the suite at The Atheneaum is everything a discerning traveller can ask for and more. After having a few glasses of red and taking in the scenery, we made our way downstairs to the Spa. In the spa, you will find a couple of jacuzzi’s, a sauna, and a steam room — where you can enjoy some much needed me-time and some more champagne too.

Originally founded in Rome back in 2014, DayBreakHotels now operates in 15 countries with over 3500 hotels in their network. We’re all about choosing me-time over overtime, and with Daybreakhotels changing the game of the luxury hotel scene it seems that we will be making more mid-week visits to The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences soon.

Day Rooms at The Athenaeum Hotel & Residences are available from 9am to 12pm and overnight rooms from 10pm to 6am. Guests an also add on the use of other hotel facilities including pools, spas, and restaurants. A day in the superior Double Room at the Athenaeum via DayBreakHotels is £199, while a day in a suite costs £360. Spa access can be requested at £25/hour.

www.daybreakhotels.com

City breaks November 9, 2023

#CocoCityBreak : 6 Reasons Why Galway Is Our New Favourite Weekend Away

Forget the Ed Sheeran song, Galway has more to offer than annoyingly catchy ditties.

Here’s 6 reasons why a #CocoCityBreak in this vibrant city is the one for us.

1.The city’s colourful cobbled streets

Galway has got to be one of Ireland’s most beautiful cities. Full of cobbled streets, colourful building and history, just taking a walk is enough to lift off the stress of the week and transport you back in time. Start your exploration at Coffeewerk + Press (@coffeewerkandpress, 4 Quay Street) , get caffeinated and amble from there.

2. The foodie scene

In addition to delicious pub grub, the city’s brimming with creative small businesses serving up great food. The Dough Bros pizza parlour spot (@thedoughbros, 1 Middle Street) is not only delicious but brings their entrepreneurial journey to life with a timeline of the shop build splashed across the walls. The city’s West End won’t disappoint if you are hungry with popular new street-food-done-good burger spot Handsome Burgers (@handsomeburgergalway , 49 Dominick Street) and the ingeniously named Crust Bucket pizza bus located in the beer garden of charming pub Carroll’s (@crust_bucket_galway, 39 Dominick Street).

For something a little more upmarket, you’ll want to keep walking in Galway’s West End to the endearing Kai (@kai_galway , 22 Sea Road) for their rustic, seasonal fare.

3. Welcoming pubs

I’m not going to lie to you, when we were in Galway it was wet! But somehow, the city’s charm overcame our soggy shoes and saw us bouncing from cosy pub, to cosy pub and Galway has so many that you won’t get bored. For Irish Coffees we popped into the quirky The Quays surrounded by the inlaid wood, pews and stained glass windows (Quay Lane). Then for our first daily dose of trad music, the nook filled Tig Neachtain (@tighneachtain, 17 Cross Street) followed swifty by more live music at Tig Coili (Mainguard Street).

4. Hidden cocktail bars

After all that beer, you might need something a little lighter. Back in the West End, we fell head over hills for the retro tinged, slice of LA, America Village Apothecary tasting room (@americavillage_galway, 31 Dominick Street). America Village is the brainchild of #GirlBoss Claire Davey and they craft syrups, tinctures and bitters from locally foraged ingredients; bringing the cocktail drinker closer to nature.

Near Kai (see above) you’ll find the delightful The Universal (@universal.the, 9 William St West) with craft cocktails, beers and delicious small plates.

5. Hazel Mountain Chocolate

On the way to number 6, 35 minutes from Galway, deep in a remote, windswept part of Ireland you will find Hazel Mountain Chocolate bean to bar chocolate factory (@hazelmountainchocolate, Bellharbour, Co Clare). A fairytale come to life, you can visit the factory and cafe nestled in The Burren 7 days a week to sample fair trade, small batch chocolate made with inordinate amounts of love. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming chocolate factory tours for your own rustic Wonka experience.

Not heading out that way? Don’t worry, Hazel Mountain have a shop in Galway City Centre (9 Middle Street)

6. The Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher are so popular that we were actually advised not to go there by tourism colleagues but, with the impressive cliffs gracing our screens in films like Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, their draw is to hard to ignore. A stunning natural sight with a great interactive museum and cafe for when the unpredictable Irish weather turns for the worst – we cried with laughter about how wet and windswept we got, but when the mist lifted for all of 5 minutes, the view was breathtaking.

Accessories October 23, 2023

Santa Barbara: Why Hollywood is Flocking to The American Riviera

You might be wondering why Hollywood heavyweights like Kevin Costner and Oprah Winfrey choose to live in Santa Barbara County rather than Los Angeles. And even the likes of Harry and Meghan have chosen to call Montecito home. Much like the French Riviera, the small-city, Mayberry coastal setting is an irresistible attraction. It is popular with surfing aficionados, culture vultures and wine enthusiasts. However, paparazzi are rarely spotted in the region. In this article, we examine why Santa Barbara is ready to blossom, not just for celebrities but for the international tourism scene.

World-class hotels

Hollywood royalty adores discreet five-star hotels and it is no surprise you’ll see the likes of Jane Lynch and Michael Keaton falling in love with Hotel Californian. The ornate Spanish colonial revival architecture along with the Moorish interior from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a magnet for celebrities. The Mirador Rooftop Deck, which offers panoramic 360-degree views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean is a crowning jewel of the hotel. All of the surrounding buildings are three storeys or lower due to changed building laws post-1925. The stunning Majorelle spa is equally popular with Majorelle blue tiles that are often found in Moroccan designs

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is the place for celebrity weddings. Hollywood couples who have celebrated their wedding there include Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, and Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler. The hotel is just slightly outside of downtown Santa Barbara and tucked away on 78 acres of land overlooking the Pacific to offer that seclusion and privacy celebrities require. You can appreciate the beauty of the surroundings by going on a nature hike along the Chumash Nature Trail. They have one of the finest steakhouses in the region with Angel Oak and their newest opening, Bacara Wine Tasting Room is attracting countless plaudits.

Funk Zone

The area by the waterfront has risen like a phoenix from the ashes in recent years. Evolving from decrepit warehouses to the trendiest district of Santa Barbara, it is now home to countless wine-tasting rooms, gourmet restaurants and art galleries. Wine appreciation rather than mere wine consumption is the name of the game here. You are very likely to encounter one of the Baldwin brothers at The Society: State & Mason, the newest wine-tasting room in the zone. Exquisite wines are either paired with tapas-style dishes or innovative truffles from Jessica Foster. Madras curry-flavoured milk chocolate anyone?

The trendy restaurants are equally in demand in this part of town. Blackbird Restaurant pays homage to one of Hollywood’s greatest directors, Alfred Hitchcock, with subtle nods including a photo with Alfred Hitchcock and a seagull on one shoulder and a blackbird on the other. The menu passionately supports local produce from Santa Barbara spiny lobster to Hope Ranch mussels. The cocktails from renowned mixologist Devon Espinosa are not to be missed. On the border of the Funk Zone, you’ll find upscale Mexican cuisine at Santo Mezcal and a meat lover’s paradise at the retro-decorated, Rare Society.

Ganna Walska Lotusland

If Willy Wonka was in the botanical industry instead of confectionery, this is precisely what he might have created. 37 acres of the most fantastical gardens and stunning architecture. Ganna Walska, who used to own the estate until she died in 1984 (aged 96), used to call herself the ‘head gardener’ and ‘enemy of the average’. It is one of the top five gardens in the world in terms of comprehensiveness. The attractions range from the immaculately pruned Japanese Garden to the imposing cactus garden to the priceless cycad garden with plants that date back to the Jurassic period. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known to be regular visitors and live close by.

Eclectic Museums and attractions

For a city of under 89,000 inhabitants, the museum-to-local population ratio is extremely high. One of their finest is the Santa Barbara Museum of Art . With around 25,000 pieces of distinguished artwork that span over 5,000 years of human creativity, it is no surprise over 150,000 visitors flock to the museum every year. They often have special pop-up exhibitions that highlight lesser-known, yet deserving artists such as Joan Tanner. Her outlandish sculptures made of plastic corrugated roofing sheets, re-bar, cast concrete etc. were displayed earlier in the year. The museum even has Oscar links, thanks to Christopher Plummer who famously won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in “Beginners”. In the film, he played Paul Chadbourne Mills who was the director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and came out as gay later in life at the age of 75.

For family-orientated experiences, there is MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. The ultra-immersive installations will get your scientific brain motivated whether you are 8 or 80 and is popular with celebrities like Julie Bowen. A visit to historic Stearns Wharf is a must where you’ll find the equally interactive Sea Center. There you can touch an exotic array of marine life from sharks to rays to sea stars. To explore the rich history of the city, there is the Old Mission dating back to 1786, when the Church was building its presence in the area through these settlements. The graceful charm of the Mission has earned it the nickname “Queen of the Missions”. There is also a historic cemetery and mausoleum, a nine-room museum of classical artwork and artefacts, and numerous lush gardens.

Quirky experiences

With the philanthropic nature of the locals, you will be unsurprised to find a cat therapy cafe in the city centre. You can visit for an hour and play with 15-20 free-roaming rescue cats. They also sell apparel as well as help their resident cats find a forever, loving home. Not far away, you’ll find Salt cave Santa Barbara, the largest in North America. There are numerous therapeutic benefits to resting in their crystal cave rooms lined with pink Himalayan salt.

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