Travel Notes: November
ANDREW BILLINGTON
PLAN A STAYCATION: The Tawny
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway or fun weekend with the girls, put The Tawny at the top of your list. The hotel opened a few months ago and is easily reached via a 90-minute train journey from London to Stoke-On-Trent, followed by a short drive to the Staffordshire countryside – you can arrange for the hotel to pick you up in its Land Rover. Set on 70 acres of land, there are currently 55 shepherd’s huts, boathouses, treehouses and retreats to choose from, with further options due to open next year; book a Lookout cabin to enjoy stunning woodland views, complete with an outdoor bath and shower. Guests can also borrow wellies from the hotel to explore the grounds, take a dip in the outdoor heated pool and eat at The Plumicorn Restaurant for seasonal fine dining.
Visit TheTawny.co.uk
LIVE LIKE CARRIE: Sarah Jessica Parker x Airbnb
And Just Like That hits screens next month. To celebrate the next chapter of Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker has teamed up with Airbnb to recreate Carrie Bradshaw’s iconic NYC apartment. Complete with Carrie’s wardrobe, laptop and cordless phone circa 2001, guests can stay in the apartment and enjoy a range of fun experiences, including brunch in Chelsea, a chance to dress up and have a photoshoot in Carrie’s iconic closet, and a virtual welcome tour from SJP herself. Available for a limited time only, bookings are expected get snapped up quickly, so don’t delay getting your SATC-obsessed friends involved.
Visit Airbnb.co.uk
REALX BEFORE YOU FLY: EasyJet Gatwick Lounge
EasyJet has opened its first lounge at Gatwick Airport. The Gateway Lounge is located in Gatwick’s North Terminal, complete with free Wi-Fi and charging stations, quiet work zones for business customers and a family zone where little ones can play. Expect some of the luxuries you’d find at other airport lounges, like hot and cold food served at the bar and an extensive drinks menu. Access is available daily from 6am to 6pm – you can book a slot for up to three hours for £18.50.
Visit No1Lounges.com
HOP ON THE EUROSTAR: Hôtel Madame Rêve, Paris
Hôtel Madame Rêve is the Paris hotspot du jour. Having opened its doors last month, it’s already established itself as the place to be seen for those in the know. Housed in the iconic 19th-century Louvre post office building on Rue du Louvre, there are 82 rooms and suites offering views of the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame, as well as two restaurants, and a rooftop terrace. The interiors are seriously slick – expect warm décor with oak furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows and modern decorative accents.
Visit MadameReve.com
BOOKMARK THIS FOR LATER: ME Barcelona
If you’re thinking about a trip to Barcelona, then new hotel ME is one to have on your radar. Set to open on Thursday 25th November, the hotel is located on Passeig de Gràcia, just a few minutes away from one of the city’s best shopping areas. There are 164 rooms and suites spread over 14 floors, ranging from standard rooms with city views to Junior Suites with spacious living areas and free-standing baths. Guests can dine in two Mediterranean-inspired restaurants, enjoy drinks at the rooftop bar, and book treatments at the on-site spa.
Visit Melia.com
PLAN A TRIP OF A LIFETIME: Costa Rica
Costa Rica has just won the first environmental ‘Earthshot Prize’ in the ‘protect and restore nature’ category. Awarded by Prince William and The Royal Foundation, the prize recognises Costa Rica’s efforts to tackle climate change and deforestation. Costa Rica has no less than ten conservation zones, so there’s never been a better time to plan an eco-friendly trip to the country. VisitCostaRica.com has a selection of sustainable holidays to choose from, whether you want to visit its National Park, swim in coral reefs or hike volcanoes. Wondering where to stay? Monteverde Lodge & Gardens is an award-wining eco hotel in Monteverde that ticks all the boxes.
Visit VisitCostaRica.com
MARCELO VILLALOBOS/ UNSPLASH
GET THE DRINKS IN: Venice Cocktail Week
Venice is hosting its first cocktail week, taking place from Monday 13th to Sunday 19th December. In collaboration with Aman Venice, there will be opening and closing parties taking place at various bars in and around the city, while historic cafés and drinking dens will also put on themed nights and masterclasses. Confirmed bars and hotels taking part include Hotel Excelsior; Bar Gabbiano at SL favourite Belmond Hotel Ciprian; Baglioni Hotel Luna; Aman Venice and Grancaffé Quadri. Be sure to treat yourself to a traditional negroni, Campari spritz or bellini.
Visit VeniceCocktailWeek.It
FEED YOUR WANDERLUST: The Travel Diaries Podcast, Series 6
Series six of The Travel Diaries has hit the airwaves. In this weekly interview podcast, entertainment and travel journalist Holly Rubenstein chats to a special guest about the travel experiences that have shaped their lives and their adventures around the world. Expect to be transported through eight key chapters of their travel diaries, from their earliest childhood travel memory and the first place they fell in love with, to their all-time favourite destination, their best hidden gem and what’s on their bucket list. Expect to hear from man of the moment Stanley Tucci, and presenters Clare Balding and Steve Backshall – to name a few.
Listen here
TRAVEL IN STYLE: Antler Fenchurch Collection
Antler has created a new range of luggage made from recycled materials. The Fenchurch collection includes suitcases, holdalls, weekend bags and crossbodies to take you from the airport to your chosen destination in style. We love the brand’s weekend bags, which have handy compartments for your make-up, phone and a water bottle. Mix and match it with Antler’s pastel-hued suitcases, available in three handy sizes.
Visit Antler.com
PLAN A CITY BREAK: Ruby Mimi Zurich
Ideal for a festive city break with the girls, Zurich has plenty to offer during the winter months, whether you’re stopping by before a ski trip or exploring the sites during a long weekend. Located on Beatenplatz, Ruby Mimi is set in a 1920s art deco building. The Ruby Group – the company behind a string of fun hotels in Germany – has added plenty of glitz and glamour to this new outpost, including plush furniture, dark interiors, a stylish 24-hour bar, and a cinema room. There are six types of room to choose from, including Cosy Rooms which overlook the courtyard and the Loft Room on the top floor which has a spacious living area.
Visit Ruby-Hotels.com
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