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While there is no universal hotel rating agency, all five-star hotels share certain commonalities and offer a truly stunning guest experience. The next time you are looking for a five-star hotel, keep an eye out for these offerings!

Amenities on Top of Amenities

At a budget-friendly three-star hotel, you are lucky to get a gym and maybe a swimming pool. This is not the case at five-star hotels. You can find everything you could possibly want, from massive fitness centres with every piece of equipment known to man to spa facilities where every type of treatment is on the menu. Some five-star hotels even have their very own casinos.

Casinos take many forms and offer a wide range of different vibes. There’s the kind that most people think of when they hear “casino” – where you throw on your tuxedo or ball gown and play some high-stakes baccarat. But casinos today are just as likely to be online, offering an experience to those who don’t necessarily want to get dressed up to the nines. If you’re looking for a more private experience you can access the full range of casino games online. With themed titles like Big Bass Bonanza, some online casinos have even more slots than brick-and-mortar ones. Not all in-person hotel casinos are the high-end kind, either – some of the land-based ones have themes and will take you on luxurious journeys to Venice or Lake Como.

Stunning Architecture

Five-star hotels are often located in historical buildings with gorgeous facades or, on the other end of the spectrum, are brand-new and have been designed by leading architects. If you enjoy cutting-edge design, then you need to stay at the ME Dubai Hotel, designed by Zaha Hadid, which looks like a giant glass letter H.

Five-star hotels don’t just have impressive exteriors, their lobbies just ooze luxury and are littered with designer furniture and often employ the highest quality materials. Don’t be surprised if everything is decked out in marble! And, of course, the rooms are equipped with top-of-the-line beds and beautifully designed bathrooms and are composed to ensure you have a comfortable stay. 

Award Winning Dining Options

Do you love nothing more than a grass-fed ribeye, or are you more into bluefin tuna sashimi? Five-star hotels typically have multiple restaurants located at the property. These restaurants specialise in different cuisines. For example, you might have an Italian restaurant near the lobby and then a Japanese fusion spot located on the rooftop. Five-star hotels often link up with award-winning chefs to open restaurants. For example Gordan Ramsay operates the Savoy Grill, which is located in Central London at the Savoy Hotel.

And don’t get us started about the breakfast options at Five-star hotels. These properties typically have buffets that stretch as far as the eye can see, with chefs whipping up personal omelettes and eggs in styles you never knew existed! Also, if you ever get hungry during the night, you can also give room service a call.

Five-star hotel

A Five-star hotel gets everything right from the moment you set foot on the property. The staff are trained to the highest degree, and throughout your entire stay, you will wow from the lobby to the rooms to the amenities. However, the standards for five-star hotels can vary dramatically based on location, and ratings are typically updated every 5 years, so choose a hotel wisely and don’t forget to read reviews!

Here at House of Coco, we’re all massive fans of a good summer cocktail, so when we heard that Tanqueray has launched the UK’s First Negroni Fountain? You can bet your bottom dollar, we’ll be the first ones to try it out.

In collaboration with Drake & Morgan, the Negroni Fountain was launched to celebrate the new Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla gin; a new premium orange flavoured gin that’s exactly what we need to quench our thirst (for cocktails) during Britain’s current scorching temperatures. Inspired by Charles Tanqueray’s innovative use of bittersweet Seville oranges during his original 1830s gin recipes, Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla balances citrus flavours, notes of tangerine and coriander, and the bittersweet undertones of Seville oranges. And while Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla may not qualify as part of your five a day, it is definitely the perfect addition to spruce up a classic Negroni.

The Negroni Fountain was inspired by the classic Spanish drinking fountains found in traditional plazas across Spain. Vibrant azulejos tiles hand-painted with illustrations of the infamous Seville oranges decorate the fountain, make you feel like you are drinking from the fountain of youth, or in this case gin. The Negroni Fountain is also surrounded by a charming little mini orange grove; filled with lush foliage and zesty fruits. We can assure you that after one sip of the Rosy Negroni cocktail, a combination of Belsazar rosé vermouth, Campari and Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla gin; and you will be instantly transported to theromance of Southern Spain.

Check out Tanqueray’s Negroni Fountain at The Anthologist in Manchester until August 12, 2018. The Anthologist is Manchester’s newest opening and features a dreamy planted terrace and year round alfresco dining. You can also find Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Rosy Negroni in 22 Drake & Morgan sites across the UK.

And just so we don’t leave you hanging, here’s a cheeky little recipe to get the Perfect Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla Negroni…

Take 25 ml Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, 25 ml Campari, 25 ml Belsazar Rosé into an old fashioned glass (with ice of course) and garnish with a fresh Orange Peel for the perfect summer cocktail. You’re welcome.

For more information on Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla, please visit: www.tanqueray.com

Located on the beautiful stretch of the Bwejuu – Paje beach in the South east coast of the island, named one of the world top 30 islands, Baraza Resort & Spa is like your own private little slice of paradise. There are only 30 palatial villas, each one with its own private plunge pool and an indulgent amount of space for guests to really immerse themselves in the sheer grandeur of it all. Team Coco got the chance to escape the chilly London winter and find some sun (and our zen) with the Baraza Resort & Spa.

We tried their Yoga retreat package, a 6 day retreat that combines a wonderfully inclusive series of Hatha yoga sessions and some truly rejuvenating massage treatments at the world-renowned Frangipani spa. There is no better to find your center than at the Baraza Resort & Spa. So if you’re feeling the need to renew your sense of calm in one of the world’s most beautiful luxury resorts— then here’s how.

700am

Wake up to a light tropical breeze in your own palatial villa, and casually stroll along the resort’s many stunning courtyards, and eventually finding a spot by the beach, where you are serenaded by the gentle crashing of the waves of the Indian Ocean. Here’s where our morning practice begins.

745am

Our yogi, the truly charming Sree greets you with a big smile on his face, and prepares the setup for this morning’s Hatha Yoga Practice. Get ready for some OHM.

845am

Make your way back to the Livingstone Terrace restaurant for a lovely buffet-style breakfast. Everything here is locally sourced, and is a mixture of Swahili and international cuisine. Do try the dried coconuts dipped in honey, and partake in some bespoke smoothies — or maybe even a watermelon juice.

11am

Head over to the world-renowned Frangipani spa, where your lovely therapist will lead you through yet another palatial courtyard and into, what I consider to be the world’s most beautiful relaxation room. The Frangipani spa’s therapists are all impeccable, and you can literally feel all of your worries will melt away.

12PM

Catch some sun and take a dip in your own private plunge pool. After all, you need to make the most of your stunning private villa. So reading your favourite magazine (House of Coco obviously) and playing some tunes is definitely recommended.

1pm

Catch a private Swahili cooking lesson with some of Baraza Resort & Spa’s top chefs. We learned how to cook Chicken Dhansak, following the recipe of one of Zanzibar’s most iconic personalities, Farouk Bulsara, aka Freddy Mercury.

4pm

Finish off the afternoon, with a cup (or five) of Masala Tea. This unique spiced tea was a definite favourite during our visit, and is also a very calming concoction.

7pm

Treat yourself to a glass of Dawa at the Dhababu Bar & Lounge, a local cocktail that mixes gin, cognac, lemon, and honey. The locals call it ‘medicine’ and it surely hits the spot after a serious day of relaxation at the Baraza Resort & Spa. Head over to the Sultan’s Dining Room for a fabulous meal. Here you can enjoy a menu that showcases the best of the island while being serenaded by the music of the Taarab band.

From relaxing Pranayamas to Yoga Shala meditations, you will definitely leave Zanzibarwith a whole new level of calm. One that can only be achieved amidst the breathtaking natural scenery of the Baraza Resort & Spa.

The Yoga Retreat Package at Baraza Resort & Spa is a 6 day all inclusive luxury package that begins a €3569 for single occupancy and €2353 for double occupancy (per person sharing)for a Two Bedroom Garden View Villa in the low season, and €4711 for single occupancy and €3067 for double occupancy during high season. For more information visit www.thezanzibarcollection.com

Los Angeles is the epitome of what California is all about. The palm-tree lined boulevards of Beverly Hills, the colourful houses of Venice Beach, the art-deco buildings of DTLA, the glitzy shops on Melrose Place, are all parts of what make Los Angeles unique.

One thing about Los Angeles that really stands out, is their passion for health and wellness. Yoga on the beach, organic smoothies, and cold-pressed juices are all the rage in LA, and is probably one of the reasons they live such chilled-out, happy, and healthy lives (that and maybe the perpetually sunny weather too) Team Coco shoes you how to eat your way through LA – in the cleanest and greenest way possible with our top foodie picks in the City of Angels.

Best Girl
Located on the stunning art-deco building of the Ace Hotel DTLA, Best Girl is the perfect spot in the neighbourhood for a power lunch. Best Girl is named after the first film screened in their gothic Spanish theatre way back in 1927. The spectacular interiors serve as the perfect backdrop for their even more spectacular menu. Headed by the Michelin Star Chef Michael Cimarusti, who is known for championing sustainable seafood, Best Girl serves both fresh seasonal fare and also all the classics. Try out their Avocado “Alligator Pear” Toast – which is honestly one of the best Avocado Toasts you’ll have on the West Coast.

Love & Salt
Love & Salt is a fantastic low-key Manhattan Beach restaurant by Chef Michael Fiorelli. Their food philosophy is that food only needs two ingredients to be great — love & salt; and this philosophy can be tasted throughout their gorgeous Italian inspired menu. Their cozy atmosphere, and curated but approachable wine-list, make Love & Salt truly enjoyable culinary experience. No bells and whistles, just good, clean, well-made food. Try their Freehkilicious Salad, a five grain, five herb salad that became my instant favourite; and also the California Endive Salad. Yummy food — without all the empty calories!

Cafe Gratitude
Located on the super cool Venice Beach, Cafe Gratitude is all about serving earnestly good Vegan fare. Everything on the menu is named after a positive affirmation. The Kale Cesar said is called “Dazzling,” the Raw Pesto Kelp Noodles is called “Liberated” while the Daily Dessert Special is called “Remarkable”. You are then invited to order by saying; “I am Dazzling,” “I am Liberated” or “I am Remarkable” – so you leave Cafe Gratitude with both a happy tummy and a happy heart.

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It’s hard to know where to begin if you’re after an Indian meal in London. From busy and bustling chains to central-sitting favourites like the Tandoor Chophouse and back-street family run joints, Indian restaurants sprawl the streets of the capital.

READ MORE: London’s Indian Food Offering Goes Old School

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Dinner is served ?? Yum!! ?: @belle.imaging_food . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #thegutsychutney #indiantapas #indiandinner #southindianchef #londonfoodie #keemabruschetta #hungryaf #dinnertime #hungryallthetime #afterworksnacks #afterworkfood #keemacurry #keemanaan #bruschetta #europeantwist #indianfoodwithatwist #redchillies #lovechillies #spicyfood #lovefood #londonfoodie #instafood #instagood #foodphotography #doubletap #followme #likeforlike

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Indian food has, of course, been massively popular for a long while now (chicken tikka masala was actually invented here in the UK, dontcha know), and we’re the last people to complain. It is the food of Saturday nights, feeding us up, tantalising our taste buds and making us feel right at home.

But the thing is, simply stating ‘Indian’ doesn’t quite seem to cut it anymore. Londoners want to know that their seafood dish is inspired by the ports of Kerala and from which street in Gujarat their vegetarian curry is from. In short, we’re getting a bit picky.

Add this desire for detail to an implosion of street food culture and love for tapas-style feasting, and you’ve opened up a whole new gap in the market. That is, Indian street food with a real story.

Recent years have seen eateries which fall under this niche experience an exponential rocketing. Dishoom and the Masala Zone are high-profile examples, as is Soho’s Darjeeling Express – a restaurant founded by Asma Khan which only employs Indian females, recently featured on Netflix’s The Chef’s Table and now has a waiting list for bookings longer than any other restaurant in its vicinity. Impressive, right?

READ MORE: A Craft Beer Bar with Indian Street Food

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Just in case you needed reminding ? Food is love! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #southindianfood #indianfood #homemadeindianfood #indiancuisine #indiancooking #loveindian #loveindia #loveindianfood #kerala #keralaindia #indianchef #indianrecipes #traditionalfood #explorenewcultures #trynewfoods #gutsychutney #instagood #londonfoodie #doubletap #foodislove #foodislife #neonsigns #loveneonsigns #neonart

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Move a little out of the spotlight and you’ll see a whole other host of Indian chefs making their mark on the London foodie scene; the latest to jump on the bandwagon is Deepa Nair, host of the Gutsy Chutney.

TGC is yet again different from its Indian counterparts, because it’s a supper club which has been founded to “right the many wrongs” when it came to the way Indian cuisine was being enjoyed and represented in the UK.

Deepa said: “The numerous restaurants serving Indian cuisine never did justice to the phenomenal culinary variety that exists in India, choosing instead to have only the same and more popular dishes on the menu.”

I’m a lover of the informal, homely supper club. Pay a set price, BYOB (often), rock up to a venue (or someone’s home) which you wouldn’t usually visit and enjoy a multiple-course set menu cooked by a passionate cook (who’s also probably spent all day slaving away in an office, a la Deepa). You can’t get much better than that.

It was a rainy Wednesday evening when I went on my way to the latest in TGC’s offerings, and upon arriving at a small pub in the depths of West London, Deepa greeted me warmly.

She had clearly been busy in the kitchen; her scraped back hair and a spice-stained apron which hung from her neck proved that whatever I was about to eat would be a total labour of love.

This latest supper club was to be inspired by the streets of India. How very apt and on-trend. Out in India, every city has its own street food speciality, so Deepa decided to take attendees on a journey.

She started with dahi papdi chaat, a favourite from the state capital Delhi. It is crisp, savoury tarts filled with boiled potato, chickpeas, sauces and sweet yoghurt. It was totally delicious.

Next up Deepa took us over to Eastern Indian with her Momos, a Tibetan take on Chinese dumplings which have now been popularised in Northern and Eastern India as popular street food. They were serving with a seriously fiery chilli sauce, which, as Deepa warned us as it arrived at the table, was very hot. We ate the Momos with chop sticks – a totally authentic experience.

READ MORE: The House of Coco South East Asian Street Food Trail

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Feeling for a @calcuttacanteen keema pau and #masalachai in this freezing weather…little one was asked if he wanted less coriander Chutney on his chicken Kati kebab roll: his response – I am Indian, I can take spicy food ?? #proudfoodiemom #soulfood @darjeelingldn

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Before enjoying a delicious main meal of chorizo pao (more on that later), we tucked into Kerala bakery egg puffs. This is apparently one of the most popular snacks that you can find in the bakeries of the region. Flaky and buttery pastry is wrapped around boiled eggs with a spicy Kerala onion sauce. Totally different to anything I’ve tried before, but somehow… it worked.

As mentioned, the main was chorizo pao, a spiced up version of the Pao Recheado com Chourico in Portugal, which is bread stuffed with sausages. This is a Goan street food popular during festivals and celebrations, and could be described to be similar to a chorizo burger in a brioche bun. It has the House of Coco stamp of approval.

The evening was concluded with a traditional dessert – Matka kheer, a dish made of creamy vermicelli and served warm or cold. Comfort food at its finest.

READ MORE: The Best of Italian Street Food

Deepa’s evening was totally fabulous; an experience we would recommend endlessly. We’re rather hoping she’ll open up a restaurant at some point in the near future… but in the meantime? Get yourself booked in for her next Gutsy Chutney event on April 26th. It is set to be as mouth-wateringly delicious as ever and will be raising funds for The Hygeine Bank charity. No excuses.

So you did Veganuary – congratulations. But are you looking for vegan eats?

Honestly, it’s admirable to successfully commit to no meat, dairy and animal products for the month. Did you find it easier than you thought you would? Did you actually enjoy eating more vegetables and plant-based foods? Did you even feel healthier for it? Whatever your reasons for doing Veganuary, however you felt from it, if you’re looking to continue eating vegan, I’ve got you on this. Discover all of these vegan food spots in London!

The Gate

Hammersmith, Islington, St. John’s Wood

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If you’re looking for a vegan restaurant set up post-January, look no further than The Gate. A vegetarian veteran in the London food business, The Gate has not only served green dishes since it opened 30 years ago, but it is now almost entirely vegan. Think leek and carmelised onion tart; courgette, pumpkin and cauliflower gyoza and aubergine schnitzel. Vegan pancakes and a vegan alternative to the Full English make appearances on the brunch menu and there’s even a fully dedicated vegan supper club menu. Featuring five courses, it even includes paired vegan wines.

Arancini Brothers

Dalston, Ely’s Yard (food truck), Kentish Town, Maltby St, Old St

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Vegan eats don’t get much better than vegan arancini balls. Big Dave and Little Dave met in Australia, learning how to make the popular risotto balls from Sicilian chefs in Melbourne. Arancini Brothers now has five locations across London and as of December 2018, their risotto balls are 100 per cent vegan (and wheat free, in case anyone wanted to know). Not only are the arancini balls delicious (go for the loaded kind, with aubergine and spicy sauces) but the salad wraps and burgers (featuring vegan chorizo) are tasty too. My favourite? The butternut squash, for sure.

Halo Burger

Brixton, Shoreditch

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If you’re continuing being vegan after Veganuary, we have to sort you out with a go-to burger spot. Halo Burger is the UK’s first 100 per cent plant-based burger joint and uses Beyond Meat for its patties. With a newly-opened branch in the heart of Shoreditch, you can now get your vegan burger fix in East London too. Halo Burger’s quarter pounder with cheese uses 99 per cent less water, 93 per cent less land, 90 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions and 46 per cent less energy than the average beef burger – how’s that for a clear conscience?

Pied a Terre

Fitzrovia

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London is certainly not short of fast food vegan spots or vegan cafés so it’s great to show the finer dining style restaurants that are vegan (or mostly so) too. Pied a Terre is not fully vegan but it does offer its guests a competitive number of vegan dishes on its menu and has done so for a while now. The Michelin-starred restaurant has a separate vegan (and vegetarian) menu which offers dishes such as carrot velouté with ginger and pickled celery; spelt risotto with coconut and saffron and lime sorbet. Vegan options are available as both à la carte and a tasting menu.

Crudo Cevicheria

35 Riding House St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 7EA

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Crudo (meaning raw) opened its ceviche shop late last year. The healthy fast food eatery offers diners a range of ceviche bowls, as well as ‘create your own’ options. Veganuary saw Crudo welcome a vegan bowl to the menu – with chickpeas, quinoa, rocoto (peppers), avocado, sweet potato, crispy onion and cassava chips. The option was so popular – between vegans and meat-eaters alike – that the restaurant opted to keep it on the menu for good!

Redemption Bar

Covent Garden, Notting Hill, Shoreditch

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This trendy vegan, sugar-free and wheat free restaurant definitely had to make it on the vegan London list. Post-Veganuary, this micro-chain is a great place to continue your plant-based eating. With dishes such as BBQ kimchi slaw baps; wild mushroom and squash risotto and plant-based mozzarella melts, you’ll soon forget about meat and fish dishes. If you’re a fan of tempeh (Indonesian fermented soy beans in cake-like form), make sure to try the T.L.T; a sandwich/burger situation that will keep you full all day long.

Kalifornia Kitchen

Fitzrovia, Fulham

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Don’t shoot the writer but I prefer Kalifornia Kitchen to the popular by Chloe as far as Instagrammable vegan restaurants go in London. If you enjoyed Veganuary and staying plant-based is your goal, Kalifornia Kitchen is your one-stop vegan shop. Popular plates include the rainbow beetroot carpaccio, buckwheat and banana pancakes with coconut yoghurt and jackfruit tacos. You can get your fill of burgers too – but the restaurant vowed not to be ‘another fast food vegan eatery’ and prides itself on serving healthy dishes. It’s single use plastic-free too!

Genesis

Shoreditch

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If you love London’s vegan street eats but the cold weather is getting to you, Genesis is the café for you. Completely vegan, favourite dishes include fried avocado and jackfruit hoisin tacos – as well as the growing-in-popularity seitan pulled pork. Seitan chicken curry and roasted cauliflower bowls are other popular plant-based meals. Don’t skip out on the desserts either – the ice cream (made from cashews and coconut) is on point.

Farmacy

Notting Hill

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I couldn’t do a vegan restaurants in London round up without including Farmacy – a restaurant which focuses on the connection food has with our bodies. Pro-organic and byodynamic farming, the restaurant’s earth bowls are my go-tos (think spiced buckwheat, daikon kimchee and sumac-roasted aubergine). Tofu Pad Thai and a no-beef burger are also favourites on the menu that promotes plant-based, healthy eating.

Okay, so I don’t want to play too much into the whole instagrammable food thing but, seriously, the food in Lisbon is so pretty I had to make you a movie. So enjoy this and find all my favourite picks for eating out in Lisbon below!

Coffee

You can grab a good bica (similar to an espresso but a bit longer) pretty much anywhere in Lisbon and you should rarely spend more than 70c on it. If you prefer to have a cafe to aim for, here are some of my favourite spots for the caffeine you’ll need to conquer those seven hills.

Montana Lisboa Cafe, Rua da Cintura do Porto de Lisboa : urban art, speciality coffees (around 3 euros) and waterfront terrace.

Copenhagen Coffee Lab, Campo Santa Clara & Rua Nova da Piedade : founded in Copenhagen, winning awards as the best coffee shop in Portugal in 2018.

O das Joanas, Largo do Intendente Pina Manique : terrace seating in quirky Intendente with a great set breakfast.

Drinks

With seven hills, Lisbon is full of amazing look-outs over the city, often paired with a kiosk where you can buy a cold one. If you are looking for something a bit different, why not try one of these spots.

PARK, Calçada do Combro : on the top level of a car-park and not at all obvious from the street. Have faith, walk up the skanky back stairs and be rewarded with 180 view of the city.

Rio Marvilha, LX Factory : another panoramic bar but with restaurant and event space in the awesome quirky LX Factory.

Dois Corvos Brewery, R. Cap. Leitão 94 : colourful taproom with all of Dois Corvos range and tasty pizzas, for a chance of scenery walk (or stumble) 2 mins down the road to the more industrial Fabrica Musa brewery (Rua do Açúcar 83) and try your hand at getting a table at mysterious Aquel Lugar Que Nao Existe next door. We succeeded and it was one of the best, odd dining experiences – definitely recommended.

Dinner

It’s not hard to eat well in Lisbon, there’s plenty of amazing options but I’ll leave you with one healthy option, one burger place and a fancier but still well-priced dinner spot.

Cafe Nicolau, 17, R. São Nicolau : great spot for healthy, vegan and specialist dietary requirements. Cute street seating and a haven from the tourist / weed seller thoroughfares of the Baixa.

Cultura do Hamburguer, Rua Salgadeiras 38 : There’s a couple of popular burger spots in Lisbon; Honorato which you can sample in the Time Out Lisbon Market and Ground Burger near the Gulbenkian museum but the quirky Cultura do Hamburgueris the one for me with its innovative burger menu and great prices.

The Decadente, R. São Pedro de Alcântara 81 : Looks fancy, tastes fancy and is kind to your pocket. Great place to try some vinho verde.

Treats

You will not be hard pressed to find a sweet treat in this city…

Pasteis de Belem, Rua de Belém nº 84 : It’s a classic but it is so damn good. Go, eat two with a bica and grab a stash to take home.

Landeau, various locations incl. LX Factory : In true hipster fashion, when one place pretty much only serves one thing, it’s going to be fricking amazing. Landeau serves a velvety slice of chocolate cake from heaven.

Santina, Time Out Lisboa Market : Santini have been serving ice-cream since the 1940s and once you’ve had a scoop (or three!) you’ll see why!

Walking along the busy thoroughfare of the Imperial Kasbah quarter — right by the main tourist attraction of Saadien’s Tombs — you wouldn’t guess that you’d be walking past one of the city’s most luxurious hotels, the La Sultana Marrakech.

Marrakech is an aesthetic dream but there is so much more to this magical city than meets the eye. Once you enter the arched Bab Agnaou gates of the old city, you are immediately bombarded with a visceral plethora of sights, sounds, and smells. It is as exhilarating as it is exotic, and once you get to the heart of the Medina, it becomes clear that this city functions on a set of rules that is unique to anywhere else in the world.
From the outside looking in, you’d wrongly assume that the La Sultana Marrakech would be just another Riad, once inside however, and you’d immediately see that you were mistaken. One step into the hotel’s lamp-lit gilded alleyway and you are instantly transported to a time of sultans and princesses. Instantly enveloped in an air of opulence and luxury that will embrace you until check-out.

Inside, you are led through an arched hallway that opens up to the hotel’s grand courtyard. The awe-inspiring space is home to the hotel’s heated outdoor pool and also serves as the breakfast area and as one of the hotel’s dinner venues. It is filled with a myriad of tropical flora and opens up to a large seemingly open-space skylight which draws just the right amount of sunshine in.
The hotel is divided into five riads, the brick-covered Riad Almohad which is housed in the main courtyard, the pink byzantine-style Riad Scheherazade, the Riad Saadia, Riad Sabaa, and the Riad Bahia where we stayed. The hotel has 28 bedrooms and suites, and each one is a reflection of various historical motifs that work to stunning effect. The golden bathrooms are a thing of glory, and it is almost impossible to resist spending an evening enjoying a relaxing bath in this beautiful space.

We had dinner poolside at La Table La Sultana, as a ‘sintir’ player serenaded us in the background. Diners at La Sultana are spoiled for choice and have the option to choose from its French or Moroccan menus. The hotel has a philosophy of ‘Terroir Cuisine’ which showcases 100% locally sourced organic ingredients, and you can certainly taste the difference.
The staff at La Sultana are absolutely faultless. From the moment you check-in, when you are greeted with Moroccan mint tea and dates on the roof, to check-out when you are given a little gift to send you on your way, the staff make you feel like royalty. If you ever get the chance to visit La Sultana, we can assure you, it’ll be an experience unlike anything else in the world.

Ask any Chapel Allerton local and they’ll know where you can get the best cheese. George & Joseph is a staple piece of this little Leeds high street – and for good reason. However, the man behind the (cheese) wheel, Stephen Fleming, hasn’t always headed up his own business.

Before venturing into the now-infamous George & Joseph, Stephen had worked in IT for 20 years.

“I’d always done what I was best at, at school. It was sort of ‘what are you going to do for A-levels, what are you doing to do a degree in – get a job in it. I did enjoy it but I just had a bit of ‘what if I’d done something differently?’”

Having toyed with the idea of owning some kind of deli, it wasn’t until he started going to a Leeds-based cheese club that the idea of opening a cheesemongers really took his fancy.

“There was nowhere to buy good cheese in Leeds – so [I thought] why not try it.”

After setting up shop just off Chapel Allerton high street, Stephen began selling quality, Yorkshire-based cheeses.

Four years of trading out of their tiny shop, the opportunity came up to move into a unit at the very front of the main high street.

“When we moved around here 2 years ago it just exploded.”

Having gone from selling just 30 types of cheeses to around 120, the business started making a name for itself in the Leeds area.

While the business continues to thrive, there have always been challenges to keep Stephen on his toes.

“When Aldi was built a couple of years ago some people would say to us ‘oh that’ll be terrible for you’ and we were like ‘no actually, it’s not’ – because it’s different to what we sell. I’d actually rather have them here [on the high street] than on an industrial park because that would pull people away from here.”

Stephen notes how local businesses in the area are far more supportive of each other than people might think.

“We look out for each other – you can imagine sometimes having a small business can be quite a lonely place but actually it’s nice to compare notes. If we get stuck with something, we can always bounce it around one of the neighbouring business – usually the greengrocers or butchers – and usually we’ll get some ideas or solutions. It’s that reassurance that everyone’s in it together.”

In terms of the high street’s legacy, Stephen has noticed a shift in how people are shopping nowadays. “We have an awful lot of repeat customers. But then every week we get people in who haven’t seen us before that have either read about us or heard about us from friends – lots of word of mouth stuff. Because we don’t have much in the way of budget to do big marketing – word of mouth is great.”

As with many local businesses, owners are looking at ways they can adapt and keep up with the interest and engagement of their customers. At George & Joseph, they’ll be starting training courses for people to get a certificate accredited by the Academy of Cheese.

“It’s good fun, you learn about cheese, you learn about how it’s made, you get to try lots of cheese and there’s a little online exam at the end of day and you get a badge and a certificate if you pass.”

Alongside this, George & Joseph are participating in a local business run event called The Chapel Allerton Indie Trail. A whole host of local business are part of this ‘trail’ whereby people can collect stamps from shopping at the participating businesses. Once someone has collected seven stamps, they will be entered into a £150 prize draw.

It is hoped that this will encourage people to explore their high street and pop into places they might not have done otherwise.

Even with all of these exiting things going on and business booming, Stephen still has time to appreciate his main passion amongst the paperwork – the cheese itself.

“I’ve always liked a harder or crumbly cheese – I was fed a lot of Cheshire when I was little and I’ve still got a soft spot for Cheshire, Lancashire and Wensleydale type things.”

George & Joseph, 140 Harrogate Rd, Leeds LS7 4NZ

House of Coco were recently lucky enough to be invited down to Breddos Tacos’ one weekend only collaborations with LA’s taco truck legends Guerrilla Tacos. We grabbed five minutes with Wes Avila, the man behind the best sweet potato taco we’ve ever had. (EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’d seen the movie ‘Chef’, this is it IRL!)

HOC: We’re increasingly seeing food becoming a very important component for choosing a holiday destination. We know we do it all the time! Do you see this a lot in L.A.?

WA: Yes very much. Even on my own trips, a huge influence is if the destination is known for a great food scene. L.A. continues to offer one of the best and most diverse culinary scenes in the world which appeals to young travellers. From the relaxed offering at our food trucks to innovative fine dining by the world leading chefs, to chef-driven, fast-casual cuisine, Los Angeles has it all.

HOC: As this is your first time in London we know you’ve been checking out the food scene. What are the differences between the L.A./London food scenes?

WA: The London food scene seemed more relaxed – the food was fantastic and service was great. A lot of times in L.A. people are clamouring to find the new hot thing and I didn’t feel that was the case in London.

HOC: This collab seems made in heaven, how did it come about?

WA: I met Nud Dudhia and Chris Whitney from Breddos Tacos on a trip to Tijuana, Baja California. On that same group of people was Ray Garcia of Broken Spanish, Carlos Salgado of Taco Maria, Eddie Ruiz of Corazon Y Miel and myself. It was arranged by Bill Esparza so Breddos being in that same group of people already opened a door to across the pond collaboration possibilities. I have never visited London so when we had a chance to collaborate on an event I jumped at it!

HOC: You’ve wanted to be a top taquero for years but when you look at other food movements that are taking off, if it hadn’t had been tacos, what would you have like to be a master in?

WA: I probably would have gravitated toward producing food rather than cooking. I’ve always found the art of cheese making as super interesting. Maybe I would have become a cheese maker….

HOC: Everyone can get on board with a good cheese! Finally, what’s your favourite food place in L.A. right now?

My favourite food place is probably Baroo (5706 Santa Monica Blvd) . There are a ton of great places here but that place stood out. Fantastic food!

House of Coco will be heading out to Los Angeles in early March and will bring you some more amazing food from the sunshine state. If you’re heading out there check out guerrillatacos.com for their locations!

For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at DiscoverLosAngeles.com , join the more than one million people who follow L.A. Tourism’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/LosAngelesFan, or follow @discoverLA on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.