Hotel Reviews

Waldorf Astoria Berlin

April 2013

“Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Mr Beaumont”, said the chap who grabbed my luggage from me. Interesting I thought, how does he know who I am? Is this one of those hotels I’ve heard about where all staff are schooled in who arriving guests are and shown photos beforehand or could it be something simpler such as a quick glance at the airline luggage tag on my case? Either way it was a nice touch and one that was to continue throughout my stay at Berlins newest and most talked about hotel opening in years.   Berlin is not a city that’s known for its attractiveness but what it lacks in aesthetic appeal it certainly makes up for in personality. It’s also a city that’s reinventing itself which is evident from the amount of building that’s in progress especially in the area that’s west of the city between the Kurfustendamm and the old Zoo Station.  It’s here that you’ll find the Waldorf Astoria Berlin, rising like a ... Read More

Babymooning at Stoke Park

April 2013

With a one year old stuck to my hip and baby number two due in just 6 weeks, I’ve been feeling rather frazzled and not quite so yummy mummy anymore. So when my husband suggested a weekend away, just the two of us - I must look bad - I took full advantage of his generosity, ... Read More

Royal Palms Resort & Spa

April 2013

As gay destinations go Fort Lauderdale has it all. The reason? It’s a place that manages to be all things to all people, from the beach, to the bars to the boys.  However what I’m not a huge fan of is all male resorts because to be honest I just don’t see ... Read More

Nungubane Game Lodge

April 2013

An African safari is something that’s always been on my travel bucket list so expectations were high when my partner and I decided to swap our busy London lives for a week in the South African bush last winter. A friend of mine ecstatically recommended the Nungubane lodge ... Read More

The Atlantic Hotel

January 2013

Fort Lauderdale is fast becoming one of South Florida’s most exciting destinations and it’s easy to see why.  This is a city that is totally unique in its ability to be able to attract just about every type of holidaymaker and give all of them a totally ... Read More

The Betsy

January 2013

Deciding where to stay on South Beach isn’t quite as straight forward as it used to be. When this southern-most tip of Miami Beach first became fashionable back in the mid 90’s part of the experience was staying in one of the tiny candy coloured art deco hotels that ... Read More

Ackselhaus Berlin

November 2012

As a Londoner, used to a level of hustle and bustle that can border on the manic, I’m always struck by the amount of space and calm it is possible to find in Berlin. Life just seems easier in the German capital. On one level that’s literally true, the cost of living ... Read More

The Out NYC

November 2012

I’m not difficult to please when it comes to hotels. Honestly I’m not.  As someone who travels a fair bit I’ve managed to get my hotel wish list down to a really simple one:  

• A decent sized, clean, quiet room
• A firm bed with ... Read More

Grand Hyatt Cologne

September 2012

As Germany’s third largest city Cologne is not short of places to stay. Many of them are right bang in the centre of town and while this can mean everything is on your doorstep it can sometimes mean small hotel rooms and noisy streets.  The Grand Hyatt Cologne is not ... Read More

Ellington, Berlin

August 2012

It’s a sad fact that city break weekends can often mean staying in a soulless chain hotel found off the web at a knock down price.  We sacrifice charm for having a ‘centrally located hotel close to all the many attractions’ and kid ourselves that it ... Read More

Fierro, Buenos Aires

August 2012

One of the latest additions to the growing family of hip boutique hotels in Buenos Aires, Fierro Hotel is right in the heart of the fashionable Palermo-Hollywood neighbourhood, walking distance of the many attractions found in the area and its trendy boutiques, bars and ... Read More

Legado Mitico, Buenos Aires

July 2012

Walking along the über-trendy cobbled streets of Palermo-Soho, you will be forgiven for missing the entrance of the Legado Mitico, hidden as it is behind the discreet mahogany doors of a beautiful urban townhouse. I arrived quite late at night, straight from a long flight ... Read More

Fasano Rio de Janeiro

May 2012

Generally considered to be the best hotel in Rio, the Fasano sits proudly in the heart of Ipanema, right behind the fashionable Praia 8 beach, overlooking the entire bay.  I arrived at the entrance of the Fasano Hotel straight from a long overnight flight into Rio de ... Read More

Taj Boston

March 2012

What’s better than curling up with a loved one in front of a roaring fire on a cold winter’s night? Especially when the fire in question has been laid and lit for you by your very own Fireplace Butler! My fiancé and I checked into Boston’s luxurious Taj ... Read More

Hyatt Regency Chicago

March 2012

The Hyatt Regency Chicago’s web site lists it has having 2019 guest rooms and as someone who normally prefers small hotels to large ones I was slightly apprehensive about my forthcoming stay. I shouldn’t have worried. Let’s start with the location. The Hyatt ... Read More

Adobe Chester

March 2012

What could be better at the end of a long week than unwinding on a train, the green landscape rolling by like a diorama, the sun shining, and my first visit to Chester ahead of me? Shocking eh? Me, a student of Roman history, setting foot for the first time in one of Roman ... Read More

Ritz Carlton Toronto

February 2012

In Canada’s most dynamic city, GARETH DAVIS finds a well-known brand that’s still cutting edge...   RITZ CARLTON, TORONTO, CANADA Instead of the usual tale of gorgeous building destroyed to make way for car park, this is a case of car park ... Read More

Old Swan and Minster Mill

December 2011

After a full-on summer of non-stop work my husband and I were looking forward to a much needed weekend break, away from our blackberries and never ending list of domestic chores. Our chosen retreat was the beautiful Old Swan and Minster Mill in the picturesque village of Minster ... Read More

Corinthia Hotel, London

November 2011

The image of the metropolitan luxury hotel that has infused into popular culture, the haunt of dignitaries, diplomats and glittering denizens is “the Grand Hotel”. This late Nineteenth/early Twentieth century European creation of neo-classic splendour and ... Read More

Hesperia, Lanzarote

October 2011

Boasting five star facilities at sensible prices, beautiful weather 365 days a year and a convenient location just a stone’s throw away from Lanzarote’s chic Puerto Calero marina, Hesperia Hotel certainly promises  a great deal. Easily reached from most major ... Read More