Shangri-La London: Staircase to the Stars

 – (n) originating from The Lost Horizon by James Hilton (1993); an imaginary paradise on earth; a faraway haven or hideaway of idyllic beauty and tranquility.

In the heart of London sits a palace in the sky, a true oriental paradise that quite frankly can be found nowhere else in Europe. Proudly situated within Europe’s tallest building, the Shangri-La is a testament to the cutting edge innovations available to us in the 21st century. The truly unique architecture of the building allows you to get the very best out of its central location but one of the most phenomenal traits lies in the very foundation of its corporate philosophy. The Shangri-La has a core focus on hiring the vast majority of its staff from within a 10-mile radius of the building, to promote local employment, quality of life and help give the area a little income boost.

Inhabiting the 34th-52nd floors of Renzo Piano’s iconic building just a short stroll from London’s bustling Borough Market, the Shangri-La Hotel, At the Shard, London offers city seekers a moment of tranquility. Vast, surrounding windows offer spectacular views of the city without the noise and craziness despite being located right in the heart of it all.

Modern and elegant, each of the 202 guestrooms and suites allows visitors to indulge in the luxury life even if only for a night. As a result of The Shard’s distinct and unique design, each room features floor-to-ceiling windows. The vast city lights blink and twinkle like fireflies sending you off into blissful slumber. The room’s atmosphere is not to be ignored. Refined material such as marble and silk are creatively merged with contemporary fashions to complement the urban landscape. Other comforting features include automatic climate control and the patented, body-contouring Shangri-La bed.

The list of offerings and services is endless. But most notably, guests are encouraged to take a culinary journey to one or all of the three offered dining venues within the Shangri-La.

The LÁNG is the hotel’s artisan deli and café found on the ground floor. Enjoy lighter breakfast, lunch, and baked good offers. That typical café feel is amplified with the lofty and relaxed space accentuated with warm wood tones and glass displays brimming all the enticingly sweet goodies.

Sitting snugly on the 35th floor a culinary sensation awaits in the form of TĪNG. The food is mouthwatering with some truly unique Asian inspired fusion dishes, paired with an exceptional wine tasting menu. If you decide to visit for dinner, watch in awe as dusk slowly covers the city, the shadow of the Shard stretching miles into the distance like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Those who are lucky enough can witness full moons laminating through the glass as you overlook one of the most glorious cities in the world in a way. Dry few are fortunate enough to see it in.

The GŎNG sits on the 52nd floor making it the highest bar in London. Incorporating traditional Chinese furnishings and color, the venue has several intimate chambers (Cocktail Bar, Champagne Bar, and the Swimming Pool). With an extraordinary backdrop of the city skyline, the GŎNG is perfect for sunset cocktails or afternoon tea.

Address:
31 St Thomas Street
London, SE1 9QU, United Kingdom

Phone:
(44 20) 7234 8000

Email:
info.slln@shangri-la.com

Shangri-La Paris

No other city in the world does luxury, elegance, and history quite like Paris and when you stay at Paris’ historical Shangri-La Hotel, you will experience luxurious royal treatment in a place that used to be home to well…royalty. With 63 rooms and 37 suites, you’ll never be too far from all of the history, culture, and mesmerizing views of the City of Lights. Home to two Michelin star restaurants, Shangri-La knows how to put on the Ritz. Built inside of the palace of French Imperial Roland Bonaparte, the hotel was originally constructed in 1896.

Shangri-La Hotels acquired the palace in 2006 and took four years to renovate. They took the time to restore all of the palace highlights to their 19th century glory while at the same time incorporating modern updates, making the transition into a luxurious 21st century hotel complete. The renovation was painstakingly put together, going as far as to remove original wood floors slat-by-slat and then putting them back together. Shangri-La Paris is perfect for a romantic getaway, a conference, banquet, or a storybook wedding.

The restaurants L’Abeille, Shang Palace, and La Bauhinia offer French, Chinese, and a blend of French and South-East Asian cuisines respectively and they are prepared to fulfill any appetite. Sitting across the Seine in front of the Eiffel Tower, nestled near the Champs-Elysees, avenue Montaigne, and world renowned museums, Shangri-La Paris is the ideal place to stay for locals and tourists alike.

If you are lucky enough to stay in the La Suite Gustave Eiffel, sitting on the sixth floor, be sure to take plenty of selfies on the balcony. Your friends will be green with envy when they see your views of the Eiffel Tower. Or if rooftop terraces are more your style, stay on the fifth floor in La Suite Chaillot, boasting 1650 square feet of amazing views and decadent lounge areas for up to 6 guests. Another suite, La Suite Shangri-La, was built with the breathtaking views in mind. Constructed with a 46-foot-long panoramic window, this suite has photo-ops galore, looking over Napoleon’s Tomb, Notre Dame, the Pantheon, and the Eiffel Tower.

The crème de la crème is without a doubt L’Appartement Prince Bonaparte, which is the largest suite in the hotel and used to be the private apartment of Prince Roland Bonaparte. In this suite, the prime example of mixing 19th and 21st century style is in the bathroom, with marble bathrooms giving way to heated floors. The suite can also connect to two other rooms for a total of 3,770 square feet and three total bedrooms. But if your luck fails and you can’t stay in one of these premiere rooms, not a problem, as 40 percent of the rooms and 60 percent of the suites in the hotel look out directly over Paris’ most well-known monument. That’s right, almost every room offers a stunning and unique view of la tour Eiffel. No matter where you stay in Shangri-La Paris, pack a crown, and be prepared to live like royalty.

Address: 10, avenue d'Iéna, Paris, 75116, France
Telephone: (+33 ) 1 5367 1998
Website

The Best UK Vineyard Stays

What’s better than a visit to a UK winery? An overnight stay at one. Book into the best, and after the daytrippers head home you’ll be left to bed down with bottles of fine English fizz – and to wake to a sunrise over sleepy rows of vines. If it wasn’t for that hallmark British summer weather (ahem), you’d swear you were in the south of France…

Rathfinny Wine Estate, East Sussex

Encircled by gently sloping vineyards and open Sussex skies, Rathfinny’s historic Flint Barns are Instagram-perfect inside and out. Ten rooms come with a shared snug – accented with exposed brick walls, cushy leather sofas and a wood burner – though better for summertime is the courtyard, a dreamy place to savour the Classic Cuvée sparkling, a typical Champagne blend aged for 36 months in bottle. Given you’re just three miles from the coast, break up sipping sessions with strolls to nearby chalk cliffs and beaches. Return for gastropub-style cooking in the onsite restaurant, plus hearty breakfasts of shakshuka or oozy Burford Brown eggs.

Book here

Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey

One of England’s oldest and best-known wineries, Denbies gives good vineyard: 265 acres of it, to be specific. And tucked among the manicured rows of Bacchus, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Rondo you’ll find a properly lovely hotel. Seventeen rooms, dressed in contemporary stylings with citrussy pops of colour, stripey hues and (as you’d expect) enticing views over the estate, are split between an 1850s restored farmhouse and a new extension, The Brokes. Pick the wing that suits you best, drop your bags, then head off on a tour and tasting – there are several to chose from – or for a lazy meal at one of the multiple on-site restaurants. 

Book here

Three Choirs, Gloucestershire

Get that camera ready. Floor-to-ceiling – and wall-to-wall – windows on the contemporary lodges at Three Choirs mean that scenic vistas to vineyard and lake pervade every minute of your stay. Just a short stroll from the winery’s popular tasting area – but pleasantly private – the lodges also come with wraparound verandas, so you can soak up the summer sunshine over a glass of Three Choirs elderflower and nettle-scented Bacchus, or strawberry-bright Pinot Noir Rosé Sparkling. You’ll get a discount on the informative afternoon vineyard tour, too, a natural follow up to a tapas lunch of patatas bravas, blackened padrón peppers and smoked mackerel pâté.

Book here 

The Fallow Treehouse, Hampshire

How to make a vineyard stay even more spectacular? Combine it with an epic, luxury treehouse. This glam pad in the Test Valley, on the edge of award-winning Black Chalk Wine’s vineyard, is built around a mature tree and comes with an outdoor bathtub, herringbone wood floors, button-back sofas and a toilet straight out of a glossy interiors mag. (And, of course, a bottle of Black Chalk Classic 2015 sparkling, a crisp blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.) Visit during harvest and you can watch the grapes being plucked over your morning cuppa; come in November, and you can partake in truffle hunting tours among the neighbouring trees.

Book here

Oxney Organic, East Sussex

The very picture of a cutesy English cottage, Oxney’s Vineyard House is perfect for a small crowd – it will sleep you plus seven of your nearest and dearest, across three bedrooms within grape’s toss of the vines. Tumble out from the beamed-ceiling interior on a Saturday morning to join a tour around the vineyards, then return for a BBQ feast in the sprawling garden. Travelling as a twosome? Book the quaint shepherd’s hut instead, set in a small paddock near Pinot Noir grapes. Throw open the French doors, then enjoy your complimentary bottle of wine in a cute picnic area, complete with fire pit. When darkness falls, there’s a wood burner to keep you cosy.

Book here

Llanerch Vineyard Hotel, Wales

It’s not just the rows of photogenic vines – taken in through floor-to-ceiling windows from homely but contemporary rooms – that draw visitors to this hotel. There’s the slick restaurant, serving up fluffy scones at afternoon tea and heirloom beetroot tarts at dinner. And, of course, the top-notch cookery school from chef Angela Gray, where you’ll learn to whip up barbecue fish tacos or grilled mascarpone peaches with bourbon caramel. Join a tour around the vines, sip your way through the Cariad wine range, then retire to a suite, dressed in white walls, countryside prints and cushy throw pillows.

Book here

Don’t fancy a stay but still want to enjoy yourself? Then how about checking out some of the Best Cocktail Terraces in London? Or if it’s a city stay you are looking for, click here for more hotel inspiration!

Would You Bathe in a Porn Star Martini?!

You can bathe in beer in China, relax in red wine in Japan and now for the first time ever, you can also lay back and chill in one of the world’s most favoured cocktails! If you’re wondering how this is possible, it’s because Spaseekers and Brooklands Hotel and Spa in Surrey, the UK, have teamed up to bring you the ‘porn spa martini’ spa experience!

The Porn Star Martini is one of the UK’s favourite cocktails, and whilst the idea of a day full of them sounds like a dream, do you actually get to lay back and relax in the famous cocktail?! Well, the long and short of it is, yes. Alongside an overnight stay + breakfast, a three-course meal and two passion fruit-themed treatments, you get a three hour period to go soak in a carefully blended, PH-neutral pool full of the good stuff itself! If that doesn’t swing you we’re sure this next bit will…

Is A Porn Star Martini Spa Good For You?!

A classic porn star martini is mixed up with passionfruit, vodka and lime juice with a glass of prosecco on the side. It turns out that not only is the drinkable version great, but this carefully blended spa version is just as good too with its multiple health benefits. Passion fruit contains high levels of antioxidants and magnesium which are perfect for relieving stress and reducing inflammation. It also has high levels of Vitamin A and C that help your skin retain moisture and improve blood flow - both perfect for anti-aging. The bubbly properties of the prosecco help keep your lung tissue healthy and the lime juice helps to lower high blood pressure and reduce several heart disease risk factors!

“How do I sign up??” we hear you shout! If the idea of an afternoon splashing around in your favourite cocktail sounds right up your street this summer, then look no further – you can book here!

Looking for other fun places to visit? How about having a look at Brewdog Beer Hotel or The Best UK Vineyard Stays?!

Lincoln Plaza

Hilton hotel lovers and London travellers can rejoice together at the chance of spending your time in the city at the Lincoln Plaza.  Settled humbly in the Canary Wharf, you’ll find it quite stress-free to navigate London after exiting. A DLR Station is a mere three-minute walk away while taxis and other modes of public transportation are easily caught. Lincoln Plaza takes their position in London seriously and offers its guests a charming place to rest their heads. 

Canary Wharf holds a special place to London as one of the busiest docks in the world. Goods are constantly being transported in and out; the process is quite a sight to see. While the area is filled with giant warehouses and industry buildings, it also has modern upgrades like bars, shops, and parks. As such, Canary Wharf is a popular area for locals and visitors alike. 

The industrial theme of Canary Wharf found its way inside the Lincoln Plaza. You’ll be instantly captivated by the tasteful interior design mix of contemporary and classical featured in the main lobby and shared spaces of the facilities. The rooms are no exceptions though; you’ll notice a blend of functional and fashionable neutral tones will provide a calming environment while the comfort of the Hilton serenity bed will effortlessly lull you to sleep. Additional amenities include Wi Fi, 24-hour fitness centre, pool, sauna, and scheduled fitness classes.

After you’ve fit a great night’s sleep and your daily workout in, head to the onsite dining options to replenish your body.  Lincoln Plaza’s standout eatery is Mr Todiwala’s Kitchen, a Pan-Indian—inspired restaurant headed by celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala. Smaller, casual eats can be purchased at the Food Store Grocer or the Food Store Restaurant; both fabulous for the everyday meal need. Nightlife enthusiasts can enjoy a creative cocktail at either the Food Store Bar or Jack Speak Bar. Lincoln Plaza has everything set up to ensure you don’t have to leave if you don’t want to.

But, if you do happen to have an urge to get out into London, which is definitely recommended, Lincoln Plaza can help you plan your destinations. The hotel sits in a very convenient location: 15 minutes to the city centre via train, walking distance to the Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, and more. Location is everything and the Lincoln Plaza has it. Whether business, tourism, or just sheer fun is the reason for your travels to London, allow Lincoln Plaza to be your host.

Address: 2 Lincoln Plaza, Isle of Dogs, London E14 9BD
Phone: 020 7987 1157

InterContinental New York Barclay

 New York is the city of dreams and opportunities, where people flock for both business and pleasure. If you’re coming into the city from out of town, treat yourself to a stay at the InterContinental New York Barclay. Since 1926, this hotel has been a mainstay in midtown East Manhattan and was originally constructed as part of the Grand Central Terminal expansion. Back then, the notable Barclay housed individuals traveling to New York via the railroad. To keep its original spirit alive, The Barclay has undergone various renovations throughout the years to keep it in tip-top shape. Keeping as much of its historical foundation as possible is what gives The Barclay its personality and reputation. 

In style, The Barclay honors federalist décor complimented by modern upgrades to enhance the comfort of employees and guests alike. The most recent top-to-bottom renovation cost a whopping $180mil and is certainly a sight to behold. The Barclay cares about their impact and being a leader in the hospitality world; as such the renovations align with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additionally, he hotel is involved with and supports other environmentally initiatives to ensure their environmental footprint is as minimal as possible.

Upon entering the hotel, the new open lobby area features an exquisite Carrara marble Grand Staircase. You’ll have the choice of 702 thoughtfully designed guestrooms and suits that still pay tribute to a classic Park Avenue home. The 15,000 square-foot property has made room for plenty of meeting and event spaces. Big name folks from politics and other industries are repeat visitors to The Barclay. It’s a place for gathering, for business, and for sophisticated fun. Included also is the culinary wonder of The Parlour, the onsite bar and restaurant.  

Gin fanatics especially will congregate at The Parlour. As part of its offerings, The Parlour takes inspiration from Dutch and English gin bars of the 1920s. Here, you are sure to experience and discover everything gin with classic cocktails as well as new creation to extend the gin boundaries. The Parlour is more than just cocktails; try a dish from their extensive menu. They only source their food and edible ingredients from within a 350-mile radius of New York City.

Perhaps the most important reason The Barclay draws in its guest is its central location within the city. There is something magical about being right in the middle of the city chaos. Public transportation is extremely accessible and many popular spots are easily walk-able from the hotel’s front doors. The Barclay makes it easy to feel connected to New York. 

Burns Night at Duke's Hotel

“Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!”

In case your Gaelic isn’t as fluent as mine, a translate of the rousing opening lines of Burns’ “Address to a Haggis” is: 

“Good luck to you and your honest, plump face,
Great chieftain of the sausage race!”

Duke’s hotel, one of my favourite Mayfair hotels, has some lovely treats with which to banish the January Blues, and celebrate the birthday of the Bard of Ayrshire, Robert Burns. Duke’s has teamed up with The Exceptional Scotch Whisky and cigar makers Hunters and Frankau to put together some great fun for Burns Night 2020. Hunters and Frankau are the exclusive UK distributor for all Havana cigars in the UK.

On 25th January, birthday of the Bard, they are hosting a Burns Night supper in GBR (Great British Restaurant) – the restaurant at Duke’s. Their famous Head Bartender, Alessandro Palazzi, has created a new take on an Old Fashioned. The inspiration was from a memory of homemade boozy cherries in his grandmother’s larder, he told me. The central spirit is The Exceptional Blended Malt, one of the featured whiskies of the night. Alessandro muddles orange peel at the same time as the brown sugar before adding the sugar syrup and the bitters that he makes himself, the whisky and then finally a garnish of two glossy cherries in Kirsch.

Once you’ve supped on your Old Fashioned to the sounds of a live Bagpiper, supper awaits. Executive Head Chef, Nigel Mendham, has created a four course menu to enjoy paired with counterpart whiskies. It gives a contemporary twist on Scottish dishes to make them light and delicious, without losing the traditional taste elements that make up a proper Burns’ Night supper. Alongside the haggis, of which I am very fond, the salmon from loch Duart is amazing and the cranachan is divine.

For cigar and whisky fans, there are two whisky and cigar pairing evenings on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 January in the Drawing Room at Duke’s. Starting at 6pm with Alessandro’s fabulous Old Fashioned, there follow three expressions of The Exceptional whiskies and canapés – the Grain, the Malt and the Blend. Each is excellent and beautifully balanced, the Grain having marmalade and crème brulee flavours, the Malt being a fuller bodied whisky with lots of dried fruit flavours and the Blend a perfect balance of young and old whiskies with complex fruit and oaky flavours. However cold it might be, Duke’s cosy walled cigar terrace is always kept toasty with heaters and snuggly blankets so you can enjoy a Monte Cristo Number 2 in comfort. The whisky does its bit too, warming you from the inside out.

I think these are great value for an evening of fun at Duke’s. The Burns supper is £65 per person and the whisky, canape and cigar nights are £55. Worth every penny.

Address: Duke’s London, 35 St. James’s Place, London SW1A 1NY
Telephone: +44 (0)207 491 4840

By Caroline Hampden-White

Brewdog Beer Hotel

Now here is some news that pricked up our ears quite a bit - Brewdog has a hotel! In fact, it doesn’t just have this hotel, it’s actually got one in Columbus, Ohio and Aberdeen too! If you want to find this incredible hotel, it’s situated in Manchester and is aptly named the ‘DogHouse’.

The rooms feature a myriad of incredible pieces, including Brewdog branded bathrobes, funky neon lights, stylish furniture, comfy beds, bluetooth speakers and even a guitar! There’s also a separate section inside the shower to house ‘shower beer’, which you can have stocked with any Brewdog beer you like! You’ll soon wonder what you did without an in-shower beer fridge (that is until you go home and have to suction cans to the wall to have the same experience).

However, that isn’t even the best bit - no, we’ll get to that… First, we must ask a question. Have you ever walked into a hotel room and wanted a draft beer but didn’t want to go back down to the bar? Well if you’re in the DogHouse tonight you won’t even need to think of an answer because (yes) right there in your room is a DRAFT BEER TAP. Right there. Ready to pour. Twenty. Four. Seven. On second thoughts, that might be dangerous, especially with the great taste of Brewdog…

If you’re getting tired of pulling your own pints (or sticking your head under the tap), there’s also a large Brewdog bar and restaurant downstairs and another on the roof! With 30 taps of craft beer, you definitely won’t get bored. DogHouse is looking to be a pretty revolutionary hotel, but with only 19 rooms, you’ll have to be quick to book a room as we have a feeling they’ll be going fast!

We’re loving the idea of a beer-themed hotel (especially with those in room draft taps), so here’s hoping Brewdog opens even more!

Here’s where you can book a stay at the ‘Hoppiest Place on Earth’: Book Here