8 minute read
Reality check: We check out a dog-friendly country estate, apartment concepts in Dublin and London, and a fun, music- themed hotel in Ibiza
DEPARTURES Reality check
THE HOTEL De Vere is a rare breed because its hotels target the MICE and corporate market but also allows dogs. In fact, it actively promotes itself as a dog-friendly brand. Latimer Estate is set in 30 acres of countryside in the Chess Valley, a 10-minute drive from the M25 and 30 minutes from Heathrow (on a good day). It's essentially three hotels in one – the original Mansion House and two more modern buildings, Latimer Mews and Waterhouse Suite, all with extensive MICE facilities and sharing the same beautiful estate grounds.
THE CHECK-IN We stayed in Mansion House so checked in at its separate, newly-refurbished reception. The reception staff weren’t at all fazed by Flo (our dog) sniffing around the furniture. Our room was up two short flights of stairs (there's also a lift).
THE ROOM A De Vere-branded dog bed and bowl were by the bedroom door. I was expecting the room to smell of past four-legged guests, but it didn’t at all. We’d brought our own rather large dog crate and had to rearrange the furniture to find a cosy space. Our newly-refurbished Deluxe Room was a warm olive green, with wildlife photos on the walls. It was a bit hot untiI we worked out how to turn the radiator down.
THE BUSINESS Meetings and conference facilities come in numerous shapes, sizes and styles. There’s free, superfast WiFi throughout the hotel and also up to 100m in the grounds. Smart Base, a new package aimed at business guests, includes unlimited free coffee.
THE FACILITIES We ate at the main restaurant, 1838. It was busy, mainly with extended family groups (the hotel offers great leisure deals too), which gave it a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The young waiting staff worked super fast and the timing of our three courses was spot on. It was one of the best (and best value) hotel meals I’ve had in many years, particularly the De Vere 'posh' prawn cocktail. The grounds and walking trails are amazing. The only disappointment was the pool, which
HOTEL: DE VERE LATIMER ESTATE
DE VERE ACTIVELY PROMOTES ITSELF AS A DOG-FRIENDLY BRAND
was pretty crowded with local members and the steam room was closed. The changing rooms were small (only one toilet), a bit cold and need sprucing up.
THE VERDICT A top-notch conference hotel, great for dog owners, but needs a bit of cash splashed on the pool and spa.
THE DETAILS Church Ln, Latimer, Chesham HP5 1UG, devere.co.uk/ latimer-estate, 01494 41231, Superior Rooms £124. Bev Fearis
THE APARTHOTEL Open since December 2000, this 160-key aparthotel sprawls over four classic Georgian townhouses, one of them once home to a favourite Dublin nightspot, the Zanzibar. On Dublin's 'north side', it is opposite the River Life, next to Ha'Penny Bridge, a three-minute walk from a tram stop and a five-minute walk from the nightlife of Temple Bar.
THE CHECK-IN Rebecca and Erica were full of smiles, welcomed me by name, had my card keys waiting and explained the layout of the building, the Covid house rules and (many) nearby attractions. A very impressive start.
THE ROOMS My twin duplex studio (suite 2.27) was, in a word, huge! Behind the heavy entrance door a small entrance area led to a second door that opened to a large living and dining area, with post-industrial chic exposed brickwork, a wooden floor and big windows with river and city views. Understated neutral colours gave it a warm and ultra-modern feel. There was a work desk, chaise lounge, smart TV with Chromecast and, boxed in behind glass and its own door, a fully-equipped Smeg kitchen. Stairs led to another spacious loft bedroom area. Several nice touches included a bedside 'Sleep With Me' box with bed socks and a facemask. Excellent soundproofing ensured a good night’s sleep.
THE BUSINESS Apartments are condusive for working but the spacious and airy lobby area is set up for ‘hot desking’, with several ‘co-working’ workstations and USB ports, and cosy sofas with their own work tables. Each apartment has its own Wi-Fi code, which becomes a personal code for use throughout the property.
THE FACILITIES Wooden stairs lead past a bar to a split-level drinking/dining area with a funky cocktail bar (like an Hawaiian tiki bar) and the Baraza restaurant, serving small plates of modern comfort food with surprising twists (eg pork belly with Asian greens). There's a bijou gym (yoga classes available) and workout area, plus North Seven for coffee and breakfast items.
THE VERDICT Stylish, classy, cosy, eclectic, bright, breezy and functional in a city where apartment hotels are still rare. Dublin is right on your doorstep.
THE DETAILS 34-37 Ormond Quay Lower, North City, Dublin, D01 H3V5, +353 1 4363 701, askzanzibar@ lockeliving.com. Rates from £125.
APARTHOTEL: ZANZIBAR LOCKE, DUBLIN
A BEDSIDE 'SLEEP WITH ME' BOX HAS BED SOCKS AND A FACEMASK
James Lodge
THE APARTMENT If you're looking for a London address to impress clients, this is it. Nestled in the heart of Mayfair, just off Piccadilly and a short jog to Green Park and Hyde Park, it’s also right opposite Shepherd Market, the buzzy cobbled square that's the perfect place to wine and dine clients too.
THE CHECK-IN The check-in is actually in Mansley’s other Mayfair apartment building, directly opposite at no. 44. I was met by the charming Alberto, who told me the reception is manned 9am-7pm but there's someone on duty 24/7 if required. He gave me a key card for entry to the main door and to my apartment. There’s also an option to download an app for keyless entry. Alberto accompanied me across to no. 10 and carried my welcome pack of breakfast cereals and jam. Fresh milk and selection of tea bags/coffee/hot chocolate were already in the kitchen.
THE ROOMS There are five apartments on three floors. Mine was a newly-refurbished two-bed on the second floor. It had a hallway leading to two bedrooms (one twin, one double), a lounge/dining room, bathroom and a compact kitchen. The decor was simple and classic and the rooms were bright due to the large windows. Refreshingly (unlike many hotels) the windows can be opened wide to let the air through. Double-glazing blocked out the traffic noise. It was spotlessly clean and there's daily housekeeping. The only thing missing in the kitchen was a dishwasher but apparently Mansley plans to add one when the apartment is next due for a refresh, probably around 2024. Most other Mansley apartment kitchens have them.
THE BUSINESS The Wi-Fi was speedy and I could sit and work quite comfortably at the round dining table.
THE FACILITIES The flat-screen TV had all the usual channels plus some foreign language options and was easy to operate. The shower was powerful, bathroom towels were super soft and little extras like bathrobes are nice for longer stays. Umbrellas (made from recycled plastic) are provided for rainy days. There's no lift.
THE VERDICT The central location is hard to beat and I had a fantastic night’s sleep. My only tiny gripe was a lack of space for my toiletries in the bathroom.
THE DETAILS 10 Curzon St, London W1J 5HH, bymansley.com, 0800 304 7160, studios from £179, one-bed £229, two-bed £349. Bev Fearis
APARTMENT: 10 CURZON STREET BY MANSLEY
REFRESHINGLY, THE WINDOWS CAN BE OPENED WIDE TO LET THE AIR THROUGH
THE HOTEL The first Hard Rock Hotel to open in Europe (back in 2014) this fun, glamorous resort hotel is at the smarter end of Ibiza’s famous party beach, Playa d’en Bossa, a six-minute drive from Ibiza Town and the same from the island’s airport (don’t worry, there’s good sound insulation in the bedrooms for both). Like other Hard Rock hotels, there’s a music theme with rock memorabilia displayed throughout (eg. Elvis' bathrobe) and you can even rent a Fender Guitar (with headphones) to rock out in your bedroom.
THE CHECK-IN We took a late flight from Gatwick so arrived close to midnight but the grand, sparkly lobby, in rich reds, silver and gold, was still lively with people coming and going. Instead of a room key we were given a wristband with a chip inside.
THE ROOM There are 493 rooms and suites, most with balconies. They range from standard doubles in the main eight-storey tower to swim-up rooms with a terrace opening onto a pool shared between a small number of rooms. Mine was a Studio Suite Gold, somewhere in the middle, with a fabulous Jacuzzi bath with a floor-toceiling window. The view was best at night when the resort below was neonlit. Nice touches included an Ipod dock and oversized mini-bar.
THE FACILITIES With the choice of six restaurants, seven bars, a beach club (get there early to secure a bed), two enormous pools, a separate spa pool, spa, well-equipped gym, and daily live music events (even during the buffet breakfast), it’s tempting never to leave the hotel. Our beach club lunch was a highlight, both for the fresh, exquisitely presented seafood and for the fabulous people-watching.
THE BUSINESS For meetings and events there’s 1000m2 of space, including the 600 m2 Conventions Centre. But most event organisers will want to make use of the thousands of metres of outdoor space, including Ibiza's highest rooftop terrace. State-ofthe-art meetings tech and high-speed Wi-Fi add to the business credentials.
THE VERDICT The perfect spot for incentives and high-end product launches, this music-themed hotel could be tacky but it's not.
THE DETAILS Platja d'en Bossa, s/n, 07817 Sant Jordi de ses Salines, Ibiza, +34 971 92 76 91, hardrockhotels.com/ ibiza/ Deluxe Silver rooms from £134.
HOTEL: HARD ROCK HOTEL IBIZA
YOU CAN EVEN RENT A FENDER GUITAR (WITH HEADPHONES) TO ROCK OUT IN YOUR BEDROOM
