The smiles struck me first.
Sunshine smiles, happy-to-see-you smiles, there’s-such-a-treat-awaiting-you smiles.
Greetings as heartwarming as the jasmine tea brought to us as we checked in, followed by the pop and bubble of champagne because, why not?
Before we’d even stepped into our superior suite at Cape Town’s The 12 Apostles Hotel and Spa, I knew I was going to find it very hard to leave.
I’ve been to enough weddings to know that rain on your wedding day doesn’t necessarily a happy bride make. But ask a superstitious Italian, and instead of cursing the rain clouds, you’ll embrace the special day downpour – your soaking instead believed to be a symbol of fertility and cleansing, luck and love drenching you from the skies.
When it comes to madeleines, I must admit, I never really got France’s obsession with the humble, plainly inoffensive little cake. A walnut-sized golden sponge synonymous with writer Marcel Proust. Indeed, for Proust, the powers of the madeleine go far beyond satiating the sweet tooth. In his novel he recalls how, as a child, his aunt gave him small madeleines dipped in tea - decades later, this crumbly delight resurrecting long-forgotten memories. One bite, a sensory trigger, containing the most powerful of ingredients – nostalgia.
Sitting down to write this, I’m ashamed to admit, I feel slightly torn. Because La Mirande is like nowhere else I’ve ever had the good fortune to stay. And a big part of me wants to keep it as my little secret, my little escape, a place almost too good to share. Like an enormous warm chocolate fondant, lathered in fresh cream, ‘one spoon only, please’. But despite such selfish temptations, I can’t deprive you of what I have absolute conviction will be one of your favourite stays anywhere, ever.
Lord and Lady spent a day at Chewton Glen Spa and found it to be one of the best Spas in England, absolutely wonderful beauty treatments with a relaxing hydrotherapy pool that was great fun too.
The Chewton Glen Hotel has a fabulous bar and restaurant and our Lord and Lady reviewed it for International eXcellence whilst staying at the hotel and Spa.
Lady: As you go through the foyer entrance, past the old staircase to the rooms and the grand piano, the restaurant stretches out along the windows over two rooms overlooking the gardens. Country house comfort and style. But first the bar for a quick refreshment.
Chewton Glen hotel in the New Forest is one of the best places in the UK to go for a revitalising weekend break or a weeks complete relaxation. It is truly a multi award winning hotel and a Relais & Chateau member since 1971 with a fantastic Spa. My wife and I travelled down there to celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.
