The Westin London City Hotel

| Review |

The Westin London City

| BY ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD

At last it’s arrived. Having opened last November, The Westin London City is the first in the UK of the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand (part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of brands).Situated north of the Thames and bang in the center of The City (London’s financial district) this hotel is close to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and Tate Modern, three iconic attractions as well as both Leadenhall and Borough Markets. By crossing the nearby bridge to the South Bank you can see London’s modern skyscrapers with wonderful nicknames such as The Gherkin, The Walkie Talkie, The Cheese Grater and The Shard. The hotel’s well served by City Airport and perfect for those in transit along with the business and meetings market.

The site overlooks the river Thames beside Queenhithe Dock, the oldest in London and where mudlarkers actively seek their treasure. Consisting of two buildings that span a road the hotel is connected by a bridge which, as the spine of the hotel, contains the lobby, the restaurant and four floors of rooms from which to watch the world, or more specifically the City of London, drive by.

The lobby (‘The Haven’) is open and airy with a triple-height ceiling from which hang impressive nebular or undulant art pieces. Opposite is ‘The Refuge’ with a warming fire and all the elegant furnishings come in organic flowing shapes which, along with a live wall of foliage, deliberately reference nature’s imperfections. With wenge wooden curvilinear corridors, the circles of carpeted areas and low-lighting also echo nature. It’s all about form and shape and there’s a calming palette of natural colors in the functional and contemporary décor.

Of the 222 rooms, separated by corridors with earthy, green carpets, I recommend one with a river view. There are powerful showers, plush oversized pillows and chunky Egyptian cotton towels and robes as well as bedside lavender balm to encourage sleep. I am relaxing just writing about it. Indeed the lighting while sophisticated is part of the effortless technology on hand: neither oversensitive nor over-complicated nor flooded with options like some hotels. A circular rug offsets the straight dimensions and a pleasingly rounded headboard gives both a cosiness and a softness to the room.

Located on the main floor, straddling the road, amongst a great combination of matt gold, green foliage, marble tables and dark wenge wood is the all-day Mosaic Restaurant. Unlike most hotels you can order either a half or full portion. Two of us opted for five delicious and light half portions from the ‘Eat Well Menu’ and for the breakfast there’s even fresh papaya and mango.

‘Hithe + Seek’ is a third-floor bar with panoramic views across the river. It’s decorated sumptuously in grey, green and gold and the floors are inlaid with carpet giving it a stylish, organic and funky twist.

The wellness rooms all feel fresh and inviting. The generous length of the indoor pool, a rarity in London, is built above the remains of a bathhouse. It’s spanking new and super-clean, serene and not too chlorinated. The gymnasium has all the latest equipment, the ballroom doubles up as a vast conference room and there’s even a lounge offering complimentary snacks.

Known as ‘Heavenly Spa’ this chrome-pillared temple of marble is the epicenter of the hotel’s focus on wellness. For here is true silence liberated from the internet and from business and where the signature massage was exceptional offering a nurturing tailor-made choice between ‘gratitude’, ‘hope’ and ‘love’ in which all your needs are taken care of. It’s very impressive in every sense.

In contrast to the frenzy and chaos outside, the hotel brand espouses wellness within and guests can keep to their exercise regimes or else be guided by staff on runs conducted by the hotel’s own running concierge. They practice what they preach! www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonwithe-westin-london-city/

Rooms from $410 or £309 per room per night

A Mini-Break Mesmerizing MUNICH

| BY REBECCA UNDERWOOD Photos Courtesy of München Tourismus

Munich, the captivating capital of Bavaria, the largest German state, is located on the river Isar to the north of the Bavarian Alps, and continues to attract tens of millions of visitors every year, all of whom are sure to be enchanted by its fascinating folk lore and charming traditions.

It is thought that Munich was founded in 1158 when the Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, Guelph Henry, built a toll bridge across the river Isar, which was the main thoroughfare for the old salt route. Munich was granted city status in 1175 and when Otto Wittelsbach I became Duke of Bavaria, the city was handed over to the Bishop of Freising until 1240 when Otto Wittelsbach II took control. In 1255, when the Duchy of Bavaria divided; Munich became the ducal residence of upper Bavaria. In 1314, Duke Louis IV, of the Wittlebach dynasty, became King of Germany and in 1328, when he was crowned Holy Roman Emperor, he granted Munich the salt monopoly securing the city’s financial position. In 1506, when Bavaria was reunited, Munich emerged as its capital.

Today, Munich offers visitors the opportunity to experience the old and the new; a mixture of modern architecture, such as the Allianz Arena, famous for its exterior of color changing inflated ETFE plastic panels, and historic churches in the center of the city, such as the Peterskirche, built during the Romanesque period in the 12th century, and the Frauenkirche Cathedral, constructed in 1468; its twin towers topped with onion shaped domes are Munich’s best known landmark. Many visitors are keen to see a popular, yet disturbing attraction, which is said to be Satan’s footprint embedded in the church floor.

For a taste of Bavarian hospitality I visited the Hofbräuhaus am Platzl. The history of the inn dates back to 1589 when Duke Wilhelm V founded a royal brewery; a few paces away from today’s site. In 1828 King Ludwig I declared by decree that the royal beer hall would be open to the public and he remains the toast of the town. I headed for the Bräustüberl on the first floor and savored the wonderful atmosphere as the strains of the brass band playing on the ground floor enticed the diners to sing, dance and be merry and I didn’t take much persuading. The menu features a wide choice of Bavarian dishes, including the most succulent roast pork with crackling, served with homemade gravy and a fat potato dumpling and of course a glass of Hofbräu beer was absolutely essential for raising my glass to King Ludwig I.

After such a sumptuous feast and much merriment I was looking forward to an extended period of relaxation followed by a deep slumber. For the ideal place to stay in the heart of the city and a stone’s throw from the alluring designer boutiques on Maximillianstrasse, the Mandarin Oriental, located on Neuturmstrasse, offers guests the highest level of service and comfort. This beautiful Neo-Renaissance property, built in 1880, was once Munich’s opera house. The lavish rooms and suites are stylishly furnished with comfortable beds, spacious marbled bathrooms with under floor heating, and luxuries include a Bang and Olufsen television and a complimentary mini bar, should guests fancy a late night tipple. Hotel facilities include a fitness center with state-of-the-art cardiovascular and weight training equipment. However, I prefer to take things easy, and headed for the Mahjong Roof Garden to take a few leisurely laps in the outdoor heated swimming pool and I then selected a seat at the open-air bar, ordered a delicious cocktail and admired the stunning views. Feeling a little peckish after my exertions I didn’t need to go far for a magnificent dining experience.

Nobu Matsuhisa’s in-house restaurant offers a new style of Japanese-Peruvian cuisine and it is exceptional. Signature dishes include the Black Cod and Yellow fin Tuna Sashimi with jalapeños and, served alongside a glass of Nobu the Sake, with its clear and complex floral notes; it is of course an unforgettable dish.

If you prefer to dine ‘al fresco’, head for the Brenner on Maximillianstrasse. This very popular restaurant features an open grill, where a frenzy of chefs prepares a fine menu. I savored the mouth-watering entrecote of blank Angus rind and treated myself to a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon Montello e Colli Asolani 2012.

For a more casual affair and a taste of Italy, visit Bar Centrale on Ledererstrasse. This buzzing restaurant is very popular with Munich’s Italian community and those ‘in the know’. The homemade pasta is first class and you won’t find a frothier cappuccino.

Munich is ideal for those who like to take a leisurely stroll around the city seeking out the local attractions such as Marienplatz in the city center, the site of the stunning neo-Gothic New Town Hall. I paused awhile and admired the striking façade of the world famous carillon, which features eye catching gargoyles, imposing statues and a fierce looking dragon scurrying up the towering turrets. During the summer months the glockenspiel entertains the crowds at 11am and 12pm and also at 5pm from March to October. 43 bells and 32 life sized figures depict the story of Duke Wilhelm V’s marriage to Renata of Lorraine.

For a taste of Munich’s cultural heritage, I made my way to the Residenz Museum, a sprawling complex of buildings, which was home to the ruling Wittelsbach family from 1508 until the early twentieth century. I feasted my eyes on the glittering treasures including exquisite collections of china, silver and miniatures. There is also a fine collection of paintings and bronze

sculptures dating back to the 16th century. Other exhibits include beautiful tapestries, furniture, candelabras and sparkling chandeliers.

For a spot of lunch I visited Brasserie OskarMaria at the Literaturhaus on Salvatorplatz. Tables are situated on the ground level or first floor. I decided to dine ‘al fresco’ and indulge in a spot of ‘people watching’. The service is excellent and the ox tartar, served with a fried quail’s egg is scrumptious. Be sure to sample a glass or two of the 2009 Montessue Isola dei Nuraghi and savor the moment.

For a real taste of Bavarian hospitality visit Munich, it’s a city full of charm and you’ll be mesmerized.