Best Hotels

Norfolk was quite a surprise, whilst certain aspects took our minds back even as far as the 1950’s, there was a pleasant buzz about so many refreshing facets of life outside the Home Counties.   People have time to be polite, the roads were generally uncongested; we found some real treasures.  Some were unspoilt villages, wide open spaces of countryside seemingly largely unpressured by too much development.  There are several very grand houses including two very different National Trust properties; Blickling Hall for its exterior – even better than the photographs - and the modern planting

Whistler sets a standard that many other ski resorts have to match; right up there with Aspen and the best resorts in Europe but for very different reasons. The main concern for many is the flight; eleven hours but you do not lose skiing time as it is overnight and you are chasing the sun outbound.  Passing through Vancouver airport is quick and the transfer is less than two hours to Whistler, the roads are good and it’s worth keeping awake for the stunning scenery.  

The ancient city of Bath is well positioned from so many aspects from an historical point of view through beautiful countryside to its arguably un-equalled Georgian architecture.  Whilst the city is fairly sophisticated, it has not lost its lust for life with its vibrant atmosphere.  It does cross your mind that this could offer the alternate lifestyle away from the pressures of London.  There is a combination of individual shops as well as the usual big high street brands, plus a few good restaurants and less formal eateries.   
 

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
One of the most highly regarded countryside hotels in this country is the charming Manoir.  Set in beautiful gardens in the picturesque Cotswolds noted for its honey coloured stone houses it is everybody’s idea of England at its best.  Charming and an homage to Raymond Blanc with its two acres of gardens including the renowned Kitchen Garden set out for everyone who visits to admire. Although, I have to admit my favourite garden ‘room’ was Chris Beardshaw’s ethereal Wild Flower  Meadow which was truly romantic and fragrant.

If when taken blindfold to the middle of the village square in medieval Piran; when you open your eyes you would fully expect to be in the centre of a film set.  Not a jarring building to behold, looking one way you will see a Venetian church tower on the hill overlooking everything, on the square itself is another church.

Linking the world renowned city of Dubrovnik with the virtually unknown tiny historic centre of the inland town of Kranj in Slovenia is more than unusual, but there are elements that they share in addition to just bringing much pleasure and beauty into the equation.
 

Sommeliers have changed; traditionally they were unapproachably arrogant and regarded themselves of the kings of the wine trade.  However, there are exceptions, sadly there is one in an otherwise highly respected Knightsbridge hotel.  When the topic  of rose wine was raised in an interview, I para-phrase, he said with disdain, “I do not regard rose as worthy to be called a wine, but guests request it in the summer so I include it on the wine list from May until September”.
   

There is five star service by the book with lots of boxes to tick and there are the real five star experiences that can be very different delivering pleasure in so many more ways.  Quietly, hotel barges are cruising the most attractive waterways of Europe which offer supreme experiences for small parties, either by whole vessel charters or on a cabin booking basis.  Most people associate the word ‘barge’ with rather grubby and run-down cargo carrying vessels; nothing could be further from the reality with the hotel barges on which we have cruised.  Our cruise was on the Bourgogne canal on E

This year Decorex celebrates 40 years of design collaborations, focusing both on the strength of its past and current relationships and importantly looking towards future partnerships.

Owning a race horse is generally for the wealthy or expert, it is not a field normally open to amateurs or those looking to experiment. However Great British Racing has started a new venture called In The Paddock which aims to make it much more accessible, fun and affordable to invest in your own race horse.
I went up to Newmarket to spend a few days behind the scenes with the professionals and find out more about this intriguing new proposition and exactly how the bloodstock, training and racing business worked.