Travel Notes: October
BOOK A CITY BREAK: Soho House Paris
Ready for a chic city break? Soho House has just opened a new outpost in Paris. Located in Pigalle, the House is set in a 19th-century apartment building that has been carefully restored with a mixture of traditional French design and Soho House’s signature flair. There are 36 individually designed rooms – we’ve got our eye on the Attic rooms which have great city views – as well as a cabaret room for live music, a courtyard, a Club Room and a heated outdoor pool. You do need to be a member to visit, but the dreamy interiors alone are well worth the membership fee.
Visit SohoHouse.com
PLAN YOUR NEXT GETAWAY: British Boutique Hotels By Gina Jackson
If there’s one person you can count on for excellent hotel recommendations, it’s Gina Jackson. The award-winning travel blogger and photographer has just released her first travel guide, documenting the best boutique hotels in the UK. Featuring SL favourites like The Newt and Chapel House, as well as smaller under-the-radar hotels you might not have heard of, Gina shares the top things to do, see and eat at each location. Ideal if you’re planning a festive getaway or New Year break, it’ll give you plenty of inspiration on where to book – and makes a great gift.
Visit HoxtonMiniPress.com
BOOKMARK THIS FOR LATER: Turing Locke, Cambridge
Aparthotel brand Locke already has eight chic properties, including the new Kingsland Locke in Dalston, so we were excited to hear it’s opening a ninth in Cambridge. Set to open at the beginning of next year, the property will be part of Cambridge’s latest neighbourhood development, Eddington. Just a ten-minute bike ride from the city centre, there will be 180 one and two-bedroom apartments to choose from, each with its own fully fitted kitchen, living area and dining space. Guests will also have access to a restaurant, cocktail bar, coffee shop, co-working area, gym and rooftop terrace. An affordable way to explore the city, guests can stay for just £80 per night until 31st January 2022 – simply enter the code ‘HELLOCAMBRIDGE’ at the checkout.
Visit LockeLiving.com
CAMP UNDER THE STARS: Hipcamp
From November, fully vaccinated travellers from the UK will be allowed to visit the US again. If you’re planning a road trip or want to see some of America’s best national parks, Hipcamp is the platform to know about. The site has an extensive range of properties and campervans to choose from, whether you want to stay in a luxury cabin or camp under the stars in the mountains. You can also select properties and campsites available ‘tonight’, ‘at the weekend’ or ‘near me’ – ideal for last-minute planners.
Visit Hipcamp.com
RELAX AT THE SPA: The Rosemary Ferguson Retreat At Gleneagles
Gleneagles has launched a wellness partnership with Rosemary Ferguson. To celebrate the wider relaunch of Gleneagles Spa, the nutritionist and naturopath is hosting a series of retreats taking place in November, and January and March 2022. Ideal if you’re in need of a relaxing weekend away, the three-day retreats will focus on three key areas: liver, gut health and re-energising through nutrition, and the benefits of the great outdoors. Guests can expect a private dinner hosted by Rosemary, yoga classes, a personalised massage, a sound bath, wild swimming, and use of the health club.
Visit Gleneagles.com
BRING THE GIRLS HERE: Mollie’s Bristol
Mollie’s, the cool motel and diner from the creatives behind Soho House, has just opened a branch in Bristol. Just like at its older sister in Oxfordshire, rooms start from £50 per night and include luxuries you’d expect at somewhere far more expensive, like Hypnos mattresses, fluffy towels, Cowshed toiletries and Dyson hair tools. The hub of the hotel is the American-style diner which serves everything from build-your-own breakfast waffles and pancakes to burgers and rotisserie chicken. The dessert menu is also something to get excited about – think chocolate chip blondies, salted caramel puddings and ‘Mollie’s Jollies’ ice-cream sundaes.
Visit Mollies.com
GET CREATIVE BY THE SEA: Port Hotel’s Pottery Escape
One of the best places to stay in Eastbourne, Port is a boutique hotel on the seafront. Not just a summer destination, a lovely autumnal weekend can be spent going for blustery walks along the beach and thrift shopping in the vintage stores. Port has created staycation packages for two or three-night stays when you can take part in two afternoon pottery classes at nearby Eastbourne Studio Pottery. You’ll take to the pottery wheel to create cups or bowls from clay, ready to be fired, glazed and carefully posted home. A great weekend to enjoy with family or friends, you can then relax at the hotel – we recommend dinner at the on-site restaurant and drinks at the pink bar. Available throughout November and December, prices start from £520.
Visit PortHotel.co.uk
PLAN A FAMILY GETAWAY: Accoya, Norfolk
Regular SL readers will know we love Kip Hideaways, which has an extensive portfolio of romantic cabins and cottages around the UK. Its newest addition comes in the form of Accoya, a beautiful three-bedroom cabin near the north Norfolk coast. Ideal for families or groups, the cabin sleeps up to six across three double bedrooms. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living area with an indoor wood burner and two bathrooms. Guests can explore the surrounding area and venture to nearby Cromer and Wells-next-the-Sea.
Visit KipHideaways.com
HEAD ON A FUN STAYCATION: INNSiDE Liverpool
INNSiDE is the new hotel in Liverpool to have on your radar. The 207-room property has everything you need for a fun weekend away, including a fine dining restaurant, state-of-the-art gym and panoramic sky bar where guests can enjoy sundowner cocktails and live music from resident DJs. Centrally located on Old Hall Street, you’ll find INNSiDE within the former Echo and Daily Post building, which has been refurbished with modern furniture and quirky artwork. Book the River View Room which looks out to Liverpool Harbour.
Visit Melia.com
TREAT A LOVED ONE: Airbnb Gift Cards
Airbnb has created its first gift card, which can be used across all properties on the platform, as well as experiences which include everything from London theatre tours and craft workshops to cocktail making classes. Available to purchase online from Tuesday 9th November, we recommend looking through Airbnb’s ‘Most Wishlisted’ selection, which features some of the platform’s top UK properties – we like the look of the cosy Buzzardry treehouse.
Visit Airbnb.com
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