Kensington & Chelsea Review The Escape Issue

The Great Escape Issue VOLUME SIX | ISSUE TWO | FREE

PAGE 2KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Welcome to the latest issue of Kensington & Chelsea Review. Filled with art, travel, culture and luxury, Kensington & Chelsea Review is the magazine for the rather discerning resident of the Royal Borough. Cherry Blosson image credit: LoggaWiggler, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

EXTEND YOUR LIFE. with a simple blood test at Randox Health HISTORYFAMILY DIGESTIVEHEALTHDISEASEHEARTTHYROIDDIABETES HEALTHLIVER HEALTHKIDNEYGENETICTESTINGWE TEST FOR THAT Chelsea St Pauls Fulham Chiswick Finsbury Circus randoxhealth.com

PAGE 5 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW EDITOR’S LETTER Welcome to The Great Escape issue! In addition to our popular arts coverage and community news, the KCR team has been busy making up for the travelling opportunities lost during lockdown and heading off around the globe. We really hope our adventures and wonderful places visited will provide some valuable inspiration. In the following pages, you’ll find reviews on luxury cottages here in the UK, plush city hotels and a treat of tropical resorts. Who doesn’t love the Maldives after all? Also read on to also discover the best in luxury cars, beauty, health, style and of course our regular KCR curated shopping edit. Our very best wishes The KCR team PUBLISHER Talismanic Media FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Sid Raghava EDITOR IN CHIEF Lisa Curtiss SUB EDITOR Sarah Rodrigues OFFICE MANAGER Lee Marrero KCR CONTRIBUTOR TEAM Sid VictoriaKristieAndrewSarahTracySarahMadéviLisaSaraRupertAliceGregGabrielleSarahRaghavaRodriguesScarlettRookBradleyParkerDarlingCurtissDaillyLavigneBormanMoranColesSmithTozziLidster All material in Kensington & Chelsea Review is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without prior permission of the publishers. Colour transparencies and photographs submitted for publication are sent at the owners’ risk and while every care is taken, neither the publisher or their agents accept liability for loss or damage however caused. The publishers can accept no liability whatsoever of any nature arising out of nor in connection with the contents of this publication. Opinions expressed within the articles are not recessarily those of Kensington & Chelsea Review and any issues arising therefore should be taken up directly with the contributor CONTENTS6.NEWS All the latest happenings across the Borough. 10.ARTS AND CULTURE The best in upcoming art shows and exhibitions to savour 28.TRAVEL From picture-perfect staycations, to city hotels and exotic long haul breaks 66. LUXURY LIFESTYLE EDIT Shopping, Beauty, Style, Health, Food & Wine & Cars

www.hotelcaferoyal.com

PAGE 6KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW READ ALL ABOUT IT A RUNDOWN OF NEWS AND THINGS THAT INTRIGUE US FROM THE WORLDS OF ART AND CULTURE, ALL HANDPICKED FOR THE ROYAL BOROUGH RESIDENT

“The store’s focus on creativity gives our incredible team members the perfect space to share their passion and expertise with Londoners and visitors from around the world.”

www.pacaso.com

After the success of his time at the helm of Two-Michelin star kitchens, most recently ‘The Greenhouse’ and ‘Helene Darroze at The Connaught’, Alex Dilling is busy with a new projectan elegant and intimate dining space overlooking London’s Regent Street at Hotel Café Royal which will accommodate 34 covers. The restaurant will serve contemporary French cuisine drawing inspiration from the classic and refined gastronomy it is known for with a young and energetic sense of hospitality. ays “The opening of my restaurant at Hotel Café Royal is a cul mination of my experiences working around the world and with some of the most exciting and talented chefs for over 20 years. This is what he has to say about it - ‘Alex Dilling At Hotel Café Royal’ will represent everything that I love about French cuisine and being able to work with the most incredible products meticulously sourced from artisans and producers from the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe….there is no better location for this than in the iconic Hotel Cafe Royal.”

“We are thrilled to open Apple Brompton Road in London, a city teeming with energy, history, and cultural diversity,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail + People.

Alex Dilling At Hotel Café Royal

New Apple Store in SW3

London – Gilded City Duncan Alexander Smith is an urban geographer and Gilded City is his new book celebrating London. Duncan has been researching and exploring London for the last fifteen years. His early interest in history began during his childhood amongst the dreamy spires of his home city Edin burgh and he moved to London in 2005 to study at University College London, where he is now a lecturer specialising in digital mapmaking. Duncan is passionate about city heritage, sustaina bility and creativity, and celebrating the wonders of touring beautiful places on foot. Throughout London’s two-thousand-year history, architecture has expressed the identity of the city’s diverse communities. From Franciscan friars to merchant bankers, royal dynasties to grocers and tailors, the ideals and wealth of these groups have been reflected in magnificent buildings and public spaces. Gilded City tells the fascinating history of London through its medieval and early modern architecture, and discusses how the powers these buildings and spaces represent have shaped the capital. As well as exploring famous landmarks, smaller-scale civic gems are revealed. Over eighty photographs are included, with maps and guides of nine recommended walking tours.

www.unicornpublishing.org

The new London store offers advancements in sustainable design, community events and re sources, and a team of more than 200 ready to provide excellent service for customers. Apple’s newest store in London, located in the city’s bustling Knightsbridge neighbourhood is a stone’s throw from Hyde Park and features design inspiration drawn from local flora, along with a new slate of community events and seminars to help customers learn, create, and get the most out of their Apple products.

Real Estate Online Pacaso, the technology-enabled real estate marketplace which helps people co-own a luxury home, today doubled its presence in the UK with its second listing launching in Chelsea, London SW3. Established in the US in 2020 to make home ownership more efficient, Pacaso offers buyers the unique opportunity to co-own ⅛ to ½ of a luxury home. The company now operates in more than 40 global destinations, and launched its first international destination in Marbella, Spain in late 2021 followed by the UK and Mexico in 2022. Founded in 2020, within six months Pacaso became the fastest company to ever reach unicorn status in the U.S. valued at over $1bn. For the St Luke’s St, property in SW3, price is ⅛ share of the Chelsea Gardens listing available from £824,000 (full property price £5,701,000. It includes 4 Beds, 4.5 Baths and measures 2,293 sq ft.

www.apple.com/uk/retail/bromptonroad

We’re delighted to say that Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, The Green Park, and Brompton Cemetery have all been awarded a Green Flag award this year - the international quality mark for parks and green spaces. In essence, London’s Royal Parks have been recog nised as among the best in the UK. Nicholas Petridis, The Royal Parks’ Landscape Management Officer, said: “Once again, we have shown that our staff deliver exceptional work and maintain these parks at the very highest standards to welcome visitors. This year’s judging revealed that we achieved our highest score ever for Hyde Park and we are incredibly grateful for this accomplish ment, and well done to everyone who helped us in doing this.” www.royalparks.org.uk

Coco Wolf is excited to announce the opening of a new showroom at 572 King’s Road. Located in the heart of the Chelsea Design Quarter, the inspiring space is set to become a hot destination to experience and source sustainable luxury outdoor furniture. Rebecca Lorimer, Creative Director and Co-founder of Coco Wolf says “We choose the King’s Road as it remains the major artery through Chelsea and it’s a busy and vibrant road; it still retains its ‘village’ feel and character. Chelsea seems to have settled into a place of stylish affluence and aspiration. It’s now home to a diverse range of independent and designer shops like ours’. From twelve sophisticated collections to the bespoke service, the aim is to make interiors thrive outside, with unique pieces that boast resilience and design in equal measure. In this design-led environment schemes are arranged on the ground floor of the showroom and flow onto the terrace. Explore a changing scene of stylish furniture for relaxing, lounging, dining and entertaining outdoors www.cocowolf.co.uk

https://www.kerbfood.com/markets/national-theatre/ Tatale at The Africa Centre

All Hail Royal Parks

Akwasi Brenya-Mensa’s popular supper club, Tatale, has become a fully fledged restaurant. A talented chef, he views life through the lens of African Futurism. Being a restaurateur, broad caster and a curator, he tries to bring all of these different disciplines together to tell stories that connect, inspire, amplify and celebrate Black culture. The restaurant takes its name from the plantain pancake which is a quintessential Ghanaian dish –according to Brenya-Mensa’s belief that wherever you are in the world, plantain is synonymous with the Black Experience. This idea of universality and heritage has become the backbone of Brenya-Mensa’s concept. Located at The Africa Centre, the iconic charity that has relocated to Gunpowder House, it will be a home for contemporary African culture and heritage in London. The 33 seater restaurant and bar which will hold 100 is designed by Freehaus Architects and is situated on the ground and first floors with outside space in the form of a street-level terrace and balcony. The interiors of the restaurant are led by multidisciplinary design So, expect alternative sounds from the Black diaspora, much like his radio show ‘Black To The Future’, which broadcasts on both NTS Radio and Ghanaian community radio station Oroko; regular talks and collaborative dining https://www.tataleandco.com/events.

Serving Your Summer at River Stage KERB are serving up summer with an open-air market alongside National Theatre’s annual events program River Stage. Food vendors will include Middle-Eastern delights from Nazari, GameKeeper, Bong Bongs, Baba Dhaba, Lil Watan, STAKEhaus and gelato from MilkTree. In ad dition, you’ll find a KERB bar serving up beers by Gipsy Hill and guest ales, the ever-creative spir its and cocktails from East London Liquor Co and soft drinks fromSquare Root. The markets will be open until until 25th September. In fact, the much loved food truck and seafood restaurant has set up for a summer residency, serving up its signature lobster rolls to the spacious Terrace at National Theatre, the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the river. The menu at the Terrace celebrates the incredible wealth of British seafood paired with big joyous American flavours, with bar snacks and small plates including Dunkeld Smoked Salmon Blinis with ‘everything spice’ and Dorset Crab Tostadas alongside BOB’s favourites Ahi Tuna Tacos, Crayfish Croquettes with Old Bay Mayo, not forgetting BOB’s famous Lobster and Crayfish Roll.

PAGE 7 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW Outdoor Living comes to Chelsea

Taking place in The Parlour, a room which draws on tales of Britain’s Victorian explorers, the multi-sensory Jubilee Afternoon Tea has been inspired by the notes of the historical British perfumiers luxury fragrance “Platinum 22 Eau De Parfum”. The Jubilee Afternoon Tea has been created by the hotel’s Head Pastry Chef, Verónica Garrido Martínez, allowing guests the opportunity to explore this exclusive perfume, whilst being immersed in the traditional eti quette of afternoon tea. The Afternoon Tea takes place on 10th August from 3:00pm – 5:30pm, priced at £89 per person. www.greatscotlandyard.com

Dark Honesty on Old Brompton Road

Clare Moulder, Senior Brand manager from Maltesers said “Honesty Baked In is a chance for people to embrace their cheeky side and share how they really feel, all whilst softening the blow with some delicious cake. We can’t wait to see what people get off their chest once they feed their dark side!” Honesty Baked In has been created to celebrate the launch of Maltesers Dark, the new innovation from Mal tesers now available in the UK. www.maltesers.co.uk Great Scot Tea

To celebrate Afternoon Tea Week (8 – 14th August), 5* Great Scotland Yard Hotel, are hosting an exclusive etiquette masterclass afternoon tea with renowned etiquette expert, Liz Brewer. Famous for her role in ‘Ladette to Lady’, and the author of two party planning masterclass books, she will host and guide guests through the history and etiquette of afternoon tea, whilst guests enjoy the hotel’s famous multi-sensory champagne Jubilee Afternoon Tea. Guests at the Afternoon Tea Etiquette Experience will savour the beautifully created Champagne Afternoon Tea whilst Liz recounts the history, as well as the do’s and don’ts, of this celebrated British culinary experience.

KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

“The Epiphone Power Players Les Paul and SG is designed to be the solution for beginning youth musicians, parents, and music teachers to kickstart a guitar playing journey–the first forever guitar!” says Krista Gilley, Director of Brands at Gibson Brands www.epiphone.co.uk Clementine at OSG Clementine St John Webster was recently showcased at Osborne Street Gallery. It was the artist’s third solo show exhibting impressions in oil on board of some of the world’s most cherished travel destinations. Subjects included a journey on the Nile, views of Florence and Venice, Cornish beaches, English Lakes, Dorset, and the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The youngest of four, Clementine spent a ‘free and feral’ childhood in the countryside of Wiltshire and Som erset, ‘hunting and racing around with picnics on horseback.’ She often paints the same views of Cornwall and the Lakes, familiar in every detail, after so many family holidays, but unique each time, for changing effects of light, tide levels, clouds in motion. She paints in oil on board but added a layer of Egypt with papyrus and gold. This year marks the centenary of Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun, and his ‘wonderful things.’ www.osg.uk.com

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Your First Forever Guitar Epiphone the leading innovator and accessible brand for every stage, presents the all-new Epiphone Power Players™ collection. The Epiphone Power Players collection offers classic Gibson Les Paul and SG guitar shapes in a high-quality, youth-sized guitar, that is easy-to-play and an ideal learning or traveling guitar. All Epiphone Power Players Les Paul and SG’s are accessorised with a guitar strap, cable and picks, and a gig bag. The Epiphone Power Players™ are available worldwide through authorised Epiphone dealers.

Maltesers Dark will be opening a one-of-a-kind cake shop in London, giving customers the chance to get their hands on some amusingly honest cakes. With cake recipes created by 2021 Bake Off finalist Crystelle Pereira, the bakery will serve free cakes that come hand piped with messages giving people the chance to get their cheeky thoughts off their chest, with phrases such as ‘No more pictures of your wedding please.’ ocated on Old Brompton Road, in the heart of London’s South Kensington, the first of its kind bakery will be open on the 3rd August from 12pm – 5pm, with all cakes being available to collect on the day.

It will open 8th September with a joyful Gala, S’Amuse Bouche, combining culinary skills, showmanship and deliciousness together with tempting cocktails, followed by a Jazz-age evening of music and dance with a buffet and prizes. The following evening contemporary Netherlands artist, Tony Krikhaar hosts a reception to open his vibrant exhibition, alongside outstanding work from the Christ Church and Holy Trinity Schools Federation – artists at the beginning of their journey. There will also be a ‘come and sing’ evensong created by new Direc tor of Music, Max Barley, is an opportunity for joyous and shared voices from the community to close our first festival weekend (11th). With all this, plus a host of other activities, CraftLife aims to offer a vibrant, mixed programme of discussion, film, lectures, music, workshops and of course communal worship, through a diverse and jubilant range of skills, talents and passions.

The remarkable studio-house of Victorian artist and former President of the Royal Academy, Frederic, Lord Leighton will reopen on Saturday 15 October 22 following an £8m transforma tion. Situated on the edge of Holland Park, Kensington, Leighton House is famed for its opulent interiors, including the extraordinary Arab Hall featuring exquisite mosaic floors and tiles ac quired through Leighton’s travels to Turkey, Egypt and Syria. Designed by architects from BDP, Leighton’s Winter Studio, an extension of the original house supported on cast-iron columns and built at the end of the 1880s to allow him to work through the winter months, is now fully restored and integrated into the rest of the historic house interiors. The Entrance Hall has been reinstated as it was in Leighton’s day and a separate entrance to the house, specifically used by Leighton’s models, is also revealed for the very first time. The ambitious exhibition programme which will run throughout the https://www.rbkc.gov.uk/museums/year.

www.chelseawaterfront.com

https://www.holytrinityartsandcrafts.org/

PAGE 9 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Young Creatives at DM

Craftlife

Down by the Waterside London Waterside property market is hot and s there couldn’t be a better time of year then this summer to enjoy life on the river Thames. The market is particularly active at the moment with Knight Frank’s latest Waterfront View research revealing that in the 12 months to May vs. 5 year average, there was a 39% increase in offers accepted for London waterfront property. The report also indicated that ythe desirability of a waterside setting to buyers means a property next to water commanded, on average, 50% more than an equivalent non-waterfront home in the second quarter of this year and that waterfront Chelsea Waterfront is a market favourite and two classy apartments are up for sale - one with interiors by Johnson Naylor design studio, and second with interiors by Accouter design studio.

Leighton House to Reopen

Holy Trinity Sloane Street’s annual Arts and Crafts festival is back. CraftLife is this year’s theme and goes to the very heart of their cultural legacy. Expect ten wonderful days celebrating all that is great by and with artisans and craftspeople from around the UK. The festival straddles two Open House Weekends planned for this year, enabling us to share the glory of Holy Trinity ‘the cathedral of the Arts & Crafts’ (John Betjeman), with visitors and friends alike.

The Design Museum has unveiled a new outdoor installation, designed as part of a collabora tion between artist and designer Fandangoe Kid and a group of young people from London. The installation is a product of this year’s cohort of Ardagh Young Creatives, which is a free programme that creates pathways into design for 14–16-year-olds from underrepresented groups. Reflecting the theme of progress, the installation speaks to hopes for the future from a young person’s perspective, and is now on display outside the museum. It’s a vibrant, inter active design that encourages visitors to reflect on mental health, and will be free to visit until the 31 August 2022. The programme itself aims to make a positive change by forging accessible pathways into www.designmuseum.orgdesign.

Nathaniel Mary Quinn

Almine Rech London is pleased to present its first solo exhibition of American artist Nathaniel Mary Quinn.

Quinn’s passion for drawing began at a young age, while he was growing up on the South Side of Chicago. In ninth grade, he received a scholarship to attend Culver Acade mies boarding school in Indiana—but a month after ar riving at the school, Quinn received news from his father that his mother had suddenly passed away. He returned to Chicago for Thanksgiving the following month, only to find that the rest of his family—his father and brothers—had aban doned his childhood home without a trace. This jarring experi ence further propelled Quinn’s art, and he decided to commit himself to his education, adding his mother’s name, Mary, to his name so that she would appear on all of his degrees.

Nathaniel Mary Quinn’s collage-like composite portraits explore and question the connections between visual memory and perception, and are derived from sources both personal and found. Taking fragments from online sources, magazines and family photographs, the images come together to form hybrid faces and figures that are at the same time both neo-Dada and realist, with eyes that seem to appear from nowhere, intensely evoking the intimacy of a face-to-face encounter.

11 October – 12 November 2022 Almine GrosvenorRechHill, Broadbent House, London W1K 3JH www.alminerech.com

NathanielImages: Mary Quinn, Sunshine, 2022 — Oil paint, Black Char coal, Gouache, Oil Pastel on Linen Canvas stretched over wood panel —127 x 127 cm, 50 x 50 inches

Traces

Tiny

Discover a richer history of London life in the eighteenth centu ry, through newly uncovered stories of children of colour in the care of the Foundling Hospital. Tiny Traces: Black and Asian children at London’s Foundling Museum sheds important light on untold stories, including those of more than a dozen children of African and Asian descent taken into the care of the Foundling Hospital from its foundation in 1739 to 1820. During this period, there were an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Black individuals living in Britain, as well as a growing Indian pop ulation resulting from East India Company officials returning to Britain with Indian servants. Some of the Black and Asian women who came to Britain, and women engaged in relation ships with Black and Asian men, are believed to have sought help from the Foundling Hospital. Notably, 1820 marks a point at which it is believed the Hos pital first began to systematically record a child’s race. Until this date, there exists only circumstantial evidence. Research ers have, in the past, stumbled upon one or two references to children of colour in the Hospital. Now, however, through two years of methodical research by exhibition curator, Hannah Dennett, a much broader set of narratives has been uncovered. Through personal letters, employment notes, court reports and identifying ‘tokens,’ we can follow the life stories of children such as Christopher Rowland, Jane Friend and Miles Cooke –for a new perspective on the world of the eighteenth century and of Image:today.Foundling Hospital token © The Foundling Museum 30 September 2022 – 19 February 2023 The Foundling Museum 40 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk

Image: Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Sugarcane Milkfish, 2021-22, Oil on canvas, weaving and machine knit sewn to canvas, pastel, resin, epoxy, 172.7 x 162.6 cm; (68 x 64 in.)

Ghosts of Empires II, curated by Ghanaian-American curator and cultural critic Larry Ossei-Mensah, seeks to explore the intersections, overlaps, and dissonance between the Black Atlantic and Asia Imperialist Trade routes, and brings together an extraordinary group of contemporary artists hailing from African and Asian diasporas. Inspired by the formative text by British-Ghanaian author and former MP Kwasi Kwarteng, Ghosts of Empire: Britain’s Legacies in the Modern World, the exhibition is an examination of how artists from African and Asian diasporas are engaging with the legacies of slavery, migration, colonialism, sovereignty, trade, and imperialism in contemporary times. This seminal exhibition features works by Adam de Boer, Del phine Desane, Jeanne F. Jalandoni, Tidawhitney Lek, Fadekemi Ogunsanya, Maia Cruz Palileo, Miguel Angel Payano Jr., Paul Anthony Smith and Livien Yin. The exhibition also includes the work of major blue-chip artists, including Hurvin Anderson, Chris Ofili, Zao Wou-Ki and Theaster Gates, who designed this year’s Serpentine Pavilion. Working in painting, photography, sculpture, textiles, and myriad mixed media, employing both traditional and new techniques, these artists have all found ways to examine their unique and often multifarious cultural histories via their rigorous artistic practices.

15 September – 22 October 2022 Ben Brown Fine Arts 12 Brook’s Mews, London W1K 4DG www.benbrownfinearts.com

Ghosts of Empires II

Analysing Satire

Contributing photographers will showcase existing works but will also be commissioned to create a new selection of images for the show.

Kaia Charles, NOW Gallery Curator says, “We are thrilled to be spotlighting this diverse group of artists and photographers, bringing together an evocative collection of works which trav erse cultural modalities of a post Pandemic world.”

NOW Gallery is situated in Greenwich Peninsula from 13 October- 13 November 2022 and brings together six rising stars in the field of photography and film, including Bubi Canal, Leonard Suryajaya, Nyugen Smith, Thandiwe Muriu, Thy Tran and Stephen Tayo.

Using satire as a tool to wield a bold irreverence and flair that transcends archetypal social constructs, the artists are using the medium of photography to develop new dialogues within the society.

A new exhibition opening at London’s NOW Gallery titled Human Stories: The Satirists groups together emerging photo graphic talent and explores the concept of satire through pho tography, and particularly how it is used to develop and nurture interconnected, diverse identities, gender, race and class.

13 October- 13 November 2022

NOW Gallery The Gateway Pavilions Peninsula www.nowgallery.co.ukSE10GreenwichSquarePeninsula0SQ

Ghizlan El Glaoui is a multifaceted artist, creating work across painting, drawing, and – in a uniquely beautiful way – light. Her stunning painted portraits of geishas, Berber women and icons, are highly contemporary while hinting towards her special herit age. Born in Morocco, she grew up under the inspiring influ ences of her model mother and celebrated artist father, Hassan El Glaoui – himself son of Thami El Glaoui, the last Pasha of Marrakesh. After studying in Paris, she ultimately came to Lon don, where she works from her light-filled studio in the heart of Ghizlan’sChelsea.

GHIZLAN EL GLAOUI

Morocco, my country of origin, is such an awakening to the senses. Especially the town of my ancestors – Marrakech!

couraged him to let my father pursue painting as a career. Your studio in Chelsea has an interesting history. Can you tell us a little about it?

Much of your work also focuses on a female subject. The quest for perfection in a face, a neck and the elegance of the pose is a classic trope – the desire to find the inherent beauty of something, like the divine feminine. It is true that many of my subjects are female – in fact I recently completed a por trait of Grace Kelly, a gift for the Prince of Monaco. However, I have also painted a few men, including Sir Winston Churchill. Churchill once visited my grandfather in Marrakesh – he en

I am working on a project called ‘Art to Sea,’ where the vast sails of boats are my canvas. I am currently expanding this in Monaco, where you can see my muses gliding across the water from afar!

I recently did an event in East London with Gucci – I would like to do something like this again in other cities. Also, many events are in the planning for next year, at Glebe Gallery – to exhibit other artists alongside my own art. www.ghizlanelglaoui.com

Glebe Place is a wonderful street in Chelsea. It is incredibly peaceful. That area of London was full of artist studios for hun dreds of years, and the presence of many leading artists made up a large part of Chelsea’s reputation as an artistic colony. It isn’t so full of artists now, but it still feels like being part of our Art History – people like Turner worked nearby, as well as many of the Pre-Raphaelites. When in London, where do you like to spend time?

paintings have a mosaic-esque quality, each mark placed with careful consideration yet in constant play with the light as it glints through a grid like pattern from behind the canvas. Blending the Marrakesh of her childhood with the mo dernity of London Ghizlan El Glaoui’s works are distinctive in both style and substance. We spoke with her about some of her passions and influences. You come from a wonderful artistic heritage… My father was like the Picasso of Morocco and my mother had a very artistic background. Daily, I played four hours of piano. On the weekends I played golf, danced, went horseriding and learned poetry. Theatre was always my passion, but my mother did not think it a good prospect, so I followed another love and went to Paris to study at L’Académie Charpentier. What most inspires you? Beauty and souls. I love to paint the many faces of a person. Many Masters had a muse, and I have always loved Klimt’s beauties, and Modigliani’s paintings of his wife, Jeanne He buternes. I have painted every one of Picasso’s muses. Your work seems to combine a Moroccan aesthetic with a very contemporary feel… I am a patchwork of cultures. I am fascinated by all the ancient artisanal legacies of my family and have always been inspired by mosaics and church vitrals. Bringing those traditions into my practice, I try to modernise elements of my father’s work, such as through light. I try to adjust to the technological improve ments of my time. I believe Picasso would light up his paintings if he could. I love to experiment with different mediums and technologies – light has been a very exciting medium to work with for some time. I am creating some works at the moment where I inscribe and encrust my lines in glass plexi – this catches the light in a beautiful way.

Sir Winston Churchill famously said it has “The most beautiful sunset in the world” and I have to agree. What do you have planned next? What can we look forward to in the next year?

I love going the Arts Club on Dover Street, especially their fabu lous Japanese restaurant Kyubi. As a collector, I love to go to art fairs – Masterpiece was wonderful. And I enjoy walks in Hyde Park or Battersea Park. Where are your favourite places in the world to travel to?

M17 Contemporary Art Center, Kyiv and Tsukanov Family Foundation , a London-based charity supporting arts, culture and educa tion, presents The Ukrainian Way, an exhibition featuring over 100 Ukrainian artists.

Exhibition: 3 - 11 September 2022, (Closed on 6 September) Charity Auction: Date to be Announced The Saatchi www.saatchigallery.comLondonGallery

The Ukranian Way

The show will be accompanied by an auction of physical works and NFTs. All proceeds will be donated to charities supporting Ukrainian arts and culture including the Art for Victory Fund and the Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund.

British

Art Fair Founded in 1988, British Art Fair is the only fair dedicated to Modern and Contemporary British Art. Over fifty leading dealers exhibit paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures covering all the important artistic movements of the past 100 years. 29 September - 2nd October 2023 The Saatchi www.thesaatchigallery.comLondonGallery

Leigh Butler

Leigh Butler’s life revolves around his pursuit of painting. As he says himself ‘time flies and the mind soars with ideas (when I paint). I am always on the lookout to experience something new that I could communicate to my canvas’. However gardening is the foil his at because as anybody who’s a writer or an artist knows, inspiration is always at a premium and not an easy thing to have access to. Gardening in fact is the biggest source of inspiration for many years. Being out in all weathers and seeing the play of light helps him gain new insight, feel and express new, precious feelings and provide a canvas for a play with Colourcolours.isactually the most important constituent of his artwork. Colour is his muse, his passion. The thrilling expe rience of witnessing the play of light on a landscape is also a thrilling experience. His art and gardening combine seamlessly to give a sense of purpose to his life. The natural word inspires him obviously but so does walking with Dean, his dog. Having studied at Oxford Brookes University and Heatherley’s School of Fine art in London, Leigh Butler also has a special connection with the Royal Borough. He lived in Kensington in his formative years – in his 20s and 30s - on Melbury Road and back then was very much a local artist exhibiting in Holland Park exhibitions and entering different competitions from his studio both at home and also in Ealing. His work has been exhibited at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (2008), Royal Society of Portrait Painters (2009), Lynn Painter-Stainers Prize (2010), BP Portrait Award (2011) and the ING Discerning Eye Exhibition (2014). He also participated in the television series Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year. Collections include the Worshipful Company of Painter Stainers, Windsor Museum and Library in the Royal Borough of Windsor, private collections in the UK, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and United States. www.leighglover.com

Landscape Artist with a Kensington Past

Marmalade Sky one of a series www.leighglover.com

Superfan Season Ticket

The Design Museum’s exhibition Football: Designing the Beautiful Game showcases the ways in which design has shaped the world’s most popular sport and is the first major exhibition that explores the story behind football. From the masterplanning of the world’s most iconic stadiums and the innovative technology used in today’s kits, to the graphic design of team badges and the phenomenon of football gaming, the exhibition will provide visitors with an insight into the history of the world’s most popular sport. The museum have worked in partnership with the National Football Museum in Manchester to produce the exhibition, providing unparalleled football expertise including over 100 significant historical objects telling the stories of club legacies and game legends such as Messi, Pelé, George Best and Diego Maradona. These are paired with a wealth of contemporary design projects from prominent figures across the field, as well as major sportswear brands such as Nike, adidas, PUMA, Hummel and Umbro.

Designing The Beautiful Game

Eleanor Watson, Curator at The Design Museum, said: “Football is a hugely significant industry across the world and it employs a vast network of highly specialised professionals, with designers and architects playing an important role in shap ing the development of the sport for over 150 years. Football: Designing the Beautiful Game shines a spotlight on the role that designers, architects and fans have played in the history of foot

Ray Parlour and World Champion Freestyler Go HeadTo-Head to Tackle the Design of the Beautiful Game

Andrew Henderson, five-time world champion freestyler, said: “I have travelled the world performing skills and tricks that nobody has ever seen before. However, as soon as I laced up those beaten-up old boots and I was passed the heavy leather football, I knew that I was in trouble. It’s amazing to think how legends of the game were able to perform to such a high standard with that equipment. It was incredible to find out first-hand how much design and technology has developed the sport of football and give modern-day greats the perfect platform to show what they can do on the biggest stage of them all.”

ball, from performances on the pitch to the atmosphere in the stands. It is the design story behind the world’s most popular sport”

Ray Parlour, Arsenal legend, said: “As a member of the Arsenal Invincibles squad which stayed unbeaten for the entire 2003-04 Premier League season, I know about the importance of making history and being a part of the record books. However, it was an entirely different experience to take a trip back in time and ap preciate the challenges that footballers of previous generations had to endure. Fortunately for my career and the talents of the future, football has always looked to embrace the latest design and technology to improve the performance and spectacle of the sport we all love so much. I can’t wait to see what comes next, but I know it’s only going to get bigger and better.”

Supercharge your experience with free unlimited access to Football: Designing the Beautiful Game for you, a guest and up to 3 children (6-15 years old). Become a Superfan Season Ticket holder for £45 and enjoy benefits including a 10% discount on Football related events and shop range until 29 August 2022. designmuseum.org/superfan

Become a member Enjoy a year of free unlimited access to all exhibitions for you and a guest and up to to 3 children (6-15 years old), priority booking to our programme of events, and a 20% discount at the shop and café. Join the annual Membership Plus for £75 (or £65 via direct debit), and Student Membership is available for £45. Football: Designing the Beautiful Game tickets are on sale now: designmuseum.org/designingfootball Adult tickets are available from £16.50 while children’s tickets can be purchased from £8.25. The full range of ticket prices including concessions can be found here www.designmuseum.org/designingfootball

2 Ray and Andrew took on three challenges in both sets of kit, to see how design impacts performance. The players began with a free kick challenge, comparing the capabilities of the boots and flight of the ball. They were then given a timed dribbling challenge, to test agility and their close control, before finishing with a two-touch challenge, testing power and accuracy.

To showcase how football has embraced design and technology to improve performance on the pitch, Parlour and Henderson were invited to try out what they believed was a series of challenges in the latest boots, balls and kit. However, they were met with a surprise when they were presented with traditional kit, balls and boots from the 1920’s – to really test their abilities.

The Design Museum has a brand-new exhibition, Football: Designing the Beautiful Game and Ray has gone head-to-head with Andrew Henderson, five-time world champion freestyler, to answer once and for all how football kit from the past, would fare against today’s modern designs. The pair faced a series of challenges.

Ray Parlour, Arsenal legend and Invincible, took on a number of skills related challenges, to see how kit from the 1920’s would compare to the modern kit of today. Ray was joined by Andrew Henderson, five-time world champion freestyler, to put his world-renowned abilities to the test.

Content Partner: Until 29 August, discover the design stories and objects that shaped the world’s champion sport. Members go free

An exhibition-inspired cocktail is also available for visitors to enjoy at AKIRA Restaurant on the first floor of Japan House London. A combination of dried persimmon, Hibiki whisky, chocolate bitters and soda garnished with a sea salt rim, the result is a highball-style drink, reminiscent of the heydays of the manga series Sazae-san featured in the exhibition, which ran between the 1940s and the 1970s.

Windowology

Japan House London, located on High Street Kensington, is currently hosting Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan, an exhibition exploring the significance of windows. Running until 10 April 2022 and produced by the Window Research Institute under the direction of architectural historian and critic Igarashi Taro, this free exhibition examines how windows influence our views on the environment, their impact on contemporary urban living, and the critical role they play in fields such as craftsmanship, design, architecture, and print Insideliterature.theJapan House London Gallery, visitors are able to explore everything from manga strips from the popular series Sazae-san to architectural photography of Tokyo’s backstreets by Jérémie Souteyrat. The highlight of the exhibition is a full sized reproduction of an architectural model of Yōsuitei, a Japanese teahouse, which was originally constructed in Kyoto in the 17th century. The teahouse has 13 windows despite its small size, and visitors are able to walk through its low doors and explore it from within. Further sections of the exhibition look at the many ways windows are employed in the world of craft to create, for example, washi (Japanese paper) in Matsue in Shimane Prefecture, ceramics from Mashiko in Tochigi Prefecture or indigo dyeing in Yakumo in Shimane Prefecture. Visitors can learn more about how the production of sea salt in Okinawa and dried persimmon in Shimane Prefecture are dependent on the introduction of light and air using windows.

www.japanhouselondon.uk

Over the past few years, with many people spending more time at home, we have all begun to better appreciate a simple yet critical aspect of our home world – windows. Having a window in our home offices, a place we now spend much of our time, has become essential to our wellbeing. In Japan, windows are part of a long architectural tradition that affects people’s lives in transformative ways.

New Architectural Views from Japan

We all know someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Chloe Duffy, senior Randox Health clinic manager, said: “Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a dramatic change in people’s behaviours towards looking after themselves as they seek to understand their own health and wellbeing better. At Randox Health, we provide a range of specialised tests that ena ble you to take full control of your health by promoting preventative healthcare.

PAGE 24KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW Randox Health OWN YOUR HEALTH - EXTEND YOUR LIFE

A full body health check Our popular Everyman | Everywoman health programme involves two appointments at the clinic - both six months apart for progress tracking - and up to 150 diagnostic markers can be tested during each session. Key health areas such as the heart, liver, kidney, thyroid, hormones, nutrition and iron status will be targeted, and a user-friendly results report will be posted within two to four working days.

With many admitting that they just don’t feel right post COVID, suffering fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, difficulty sleeping and mood changes. When asked how you are, it’s often difficult to explain that although COVID-19 is gone, you just don’t feel the same.

Each of our personalised, private health packages aim to identify the earliest signs of illness in many cases before symptoms arise, empowering individuals to take action to prevent or delay disease onset and live healthier for longer. We uniquely take a whole-body approach to health. Using Randox patented technology we screen for hundreds of sensitive disease markers to deliver the most advanced health experience and provide informative insights to help protect your future health.

“When you look as closely at the body as we do, we see more, know more and can therefore do more to help you understand exactly what is going on. That means your results deliver a more complete understanding of your health: your heart, kidneys, thyroid, liver, bones and more. Clients are then empowered to take control and make positive changes to stay healthier for longer.”

Why you should invest in your health Diagnostic testing is the key to understanding our physical and mental wellbeing. Whether you want to understand a specific health concern better, or learn more about your current health status, Randox Health is for you.

The 12-month programme, combining advanced diagnostic tests with expert help and advice, is now being offered for a newly reduced price of £295 and aims to provide more detail about your current health status, help identify any risks that could impact you in the future, and offer guidance on how to enhance your health and wellbeing moving forward with some positive changes.

Sexual health screening with same day results

We can’t change the fact you have had COVID-19, but a Randox Health Long Covid health check will keep you well informed of vital areas within the body. This ‘How Are You’ assessment provides a review of your current health status, examining specific biomarkers linked to areas such as heart health, kidney health, thyroid health, and tissue damage, as well as gaining an understanding of your current overall health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that at least 80% of all heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes could be prevented and that up to 50% of all cancers are preventable. Your health matters, so take this opportunity to get a detailed picture of your current health and identify early risk factors that could impact you in the future.

Anyone with mild or no symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STI) can keep a check on their sexual health with discreet testing at a Randox Health clinic. For just £95, you can test for 10 common infections including Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, Herpes Simplex I, Herpes Simplex II, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma urelyticum and Chancroid.

The service promotes regular screening, which can help to detect an infection at the early stages and, in turn, reduce risks of further complications. A test report will be provided via email breaking down the results, which are received on the same day, along with what they mean and next steps. Long Covid Health Assessment

In addition to the health tests mentioned we also offer smaller packages for specific health concerns including male hormones, female hormones, nutritional health, and genetic tests for risk of hereditary cancers, hereditary cardiac conditions, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance & genetic haemochromatosis.

With state-of-the-art clinics conveniently located in Chelsea, Chiswick, Fulham and St Pauls it’s never been easier to take control of your health. Start your journey with Randox Health today by visiting randoxhealth.com.

PAGE 25 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

LOVEDAY Kensington

On my visit, Alina, the Director, made me a delicious flat white coffee, and I could have gladly curled up indefinitely with one of the magazines or newspapers on offer – but there was so much more to see.

There are countless inspired ideas which have been developed to help people with dementia deal with everyday struggles in a positive way. But to those of us fortunate enough to have only a very basic grasp of the particular problems being addressed, the overall impression of Loveday is simply one of comfort, even luxury.

A special activities and games room accommodates all kinds of guided sessions, art and poetry proving particularly popular, even with people who didn’t think they’d like it! There are also regular discussions of the news of the day, and politics in general, which research has found to be incredibly helpful in keeping the mind active and focussed. The many planted areas provide opportunities for therapeutic gardening. But there are plenty of places simply designed for sitting and watching what everyone else is up to, without feeling compelled to join in if you are not in the mood.

Contact:leaving.Ellie Gould, Senior Membership and Community Manager +44 32a,info@lovedayandco.com2045792914ThurloePlace,London SW7 2HQ Susan Saunders

Having reputedly been established in 1685, Number 2 Kensington Square is London’s oldest garden square, and undoubtedly one of its loveliest. This latest addition to an outstanding architectural corner of our borough is reached discreetly by way of a Grade II listed archway. Once inside, you are met by a sloping, meandering, naturally wheelchair-friendly path, leading you down to the large glass doors of the welcoming entrance. On every side your senses are soothed by the trickle and gurgle of a water-feature, the rustle and scent of carefully chosen planting, and pleasant and unthreatening statuary. Inviting seating here and there encourages residents and visitors to refresh their spirits in the open air. First impressions are always important, and never more so than when it is crucial that a visitor with any level of dementia feels relaxed enough to be happy and willing to enter. Everything you have already seen prepares you gently to be even more pleasantly surprised by the cosy and good-looking interior, painted and upholstered in calming colour-combinations, with well-stocked bookshelves, fresh flowers and a flickering fire.

This Spring, a tremendously special and beautiful new building opened its doors in the heart of the Royal Borough, purpose-built to enhance the lives of a particularly demanding, yet equally deserving clientele. Our worthy Mayor, Councillor Gerard Hargreaves, cut the ribbon, and a ground-breaking and truly extraordinary establishment was at last able to start providing its invaluable service. Loveday & Co, the dedicated operator of specialist memory care in the U.K, provides residential home care, respite and day club environments, all thoughtfully designed to meet the ever-changing needs of dementia sufferers, their carers and loved ones.

There are 40 beautifully appointed private suites, a gorgeous 80-cover restaurant and bar, a lovely library area and cinema room, not to mention the spa and wellness areas, exercise and recovery rooms or the beauty and hairdressing salons.

There is an abundance of natural light, with windows and glimpses of greenery galore, and many of the suites have their own private outdoor spaces. The crowning glory is the roof-top terrace café, which overlooks the garden square, a delightful space for socialising and relaxation.

It goes without saying in these testing times that their precautions against any of their vulnerable members catching Covid are fuss-free but thorough, with state-of-the-art testing equipment on the premises to facilitate this. Innovative technology is key to providing unobtrusive ways of making sure that everybody is safe. Sensors detecting movement can trigger soft lighting to guide you at night-time, and throughout the building the lighting changes subtly through dawn to dusk, so that even spaces without natural light are attuned to reality.

Nothing has been left to chance, and everything has already been tried and tested with great success at the original Loveday centre on the King’s Road. It proved so popular that two more are being created, in Notting Hill and Abbey Road. There is no danger that expansion will result in a drop in their Ritz-like standards… the highly-qualified teams have a very low staff turnover, and really do feel like family. Everyone involved takes pride in offering this much-needed service, which truly goes ‘above and beyond’ normal expectations. They will be more than happy to go into more detail, tell you more and show you around, should you be looking into the kind of five-star experience they have developed, for a member of your own family. I wished I could have stayed for lunch in the charming dining room – it was beginning to smell very appetising just as I was

Those who have previously enjoyed a high standard of living in attractive surroundings, expecting and appreciating the best in everything from fine dining to cultural stimulation, social events to spa treatments, are not going to be required to compromise those high standards here. Whether your stay at Loveday Kensington lasts a matter of years, days, or merely hours, your individual needs will be warmly met by the loyal team of expertly-trained smiling staff, and your experience there will be the very best that they can make it.

Sid Raghava 171 Knightsbridge, London SW7 1DW +44 (0)207 151 1010 www.bulgarihotels.com

The Signature Suites within the property are indeed the smartest way to enjoy a decadent stay-and-shop experience in Knightsbridge. A sprawl ing 86 square metres each, these spaces appositely called Knights bridge Suites, have a nautical feel and most definitely some of the most luxurious bathrooms in the Capital. They also feature a personal steam shower room, oversized, designer baths and some of the most exquisite toiletries - no less than what you’d expect from Bvlgari! A butler will service all of your needs whilst you enjoy the ample living and working spaces which include an eight-seater dining table, a lavish well-stocked bar, an efficient office/working space and a fully functional modern kitchen. The relaxed environment continues with a beautiful and com pendious library that elegantly resides at the crossroads of a walk-in wardrobe, aforesaid bar and super-comfortable bedroom which contains hints of Bvlgari’s silversmith origins. To top it all off, a cosy fireplace steals the limelight in the living space.

Special Mention – Augustinus Bader @ The Bvlgari Spa

There’s something ultra-slick and austerely grandiose about the dec ade-old and hence fairly new Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge and I mean that all in the most positive way. Enjoying its second innings like most other properties and hospitality businesses after the great drought of COVID, the hotel’s intentions and ambitions as a landmark hotel with a view to achieving parity with the Savoys and Dorchesters of The Big Smoke are plain to see. Situated in the heart of Knightsbridge with Harvey Nichols and Harrods just around the corner, the luxury Italian brand’s property, designed by Antonio Citterio, is a luxurious triumph that stares across at the magnificent Hyde Park. The black, marbled floors abound in opulence that boasts a 47 seater screening room, a commodious subterranean spa complete with 11 treatment spaces plus of course rooms and suites that ooze elegance and promote personal pampering to no end. The website of The Bvlgari Hotel details these various extravagances. They include a lavish Cigar shop which stocks some of the choicest Cubans complete with a sampling room and a stu pendous ballroom. The hotel also avows allegiance to charitable cause and green initiatives including a green roof designed to the highest standards by London Biodiversity Action which incorporates support boxes for birds, bats and peregrine falcons. A fabulous food and drink programme and exquisite boutiques round it all off and presto! – we have an exceptional hotel in the most exclusive part of the city that will most definitely be witness to some of the most exciting events and hap pening in London in the future.

The Rising Star of Knightsbridge

The hotel does take health and fitness very seriously and guests are welcome to work up a asweat at the Workshop Gymnasium or get a blowdry or treatment at Neville Hair and Beauty. The Bvlgari Spa is an immaculate haven with its piece de resistance being the colonnaded swimming pool, 25 metres of resplendent Vicenza stone complemented by a vitality pool.

In terms of gastronomic pleasures, Sette is New York City based Scar petta Restaurant’s first outpost outside of The Big Apple and delivers, in its own words, ‘authentic Italian food from the heart of Manhattan’. The Nolita Social Bar, The Bvlgari Lounge and the Edward Sahakian Cigar Shop and Sampling Room complete the premium experience of food, wine and smoke available at the hotel.

The Private Cinema, dedicated to Sir Richard Attenborough, is an advanced cinema-quality space that offers 4K resolution and also the latest Dolby 3D innovations. Guests can also arrange their own private screening and choose from a curated library of 300+ classic and new titles.

The

HotelBvlgari

The treatment tooms at the spa boast a selection of beneficial and holistic beauty options chief among them being the Augustinus Bader Experience. The award winning approach to professional skincare is based on groundbreaking stem cell research and powered by TFC8®, a proprietary cellular renewing technology clinically proven to help support the body’s natural regenerative processes. Having experienced the near-legendary Bulgari facial, I can vouch for it’s magically trans formative qualities. My facial nirvana was courtesy the uber-talented and ultra-nice Deepall, who dedicated her experience and ability to adroitly drain the toxins from my facial area and replenish the dermal and sub-dermal coffers. The 90 minute long exclusive facial was an eye-opener for me in terms of how much of a difference it can make to a person’s visage.

Bvlgari has a strong sense of opulence that resonates from the moment you make your way through the gleaming doors and walk upon the gleaming marble floors. There are subtle, designer touches that sparkle and shine every so often be it the hotel’s public spaces or spa, the suites and or its eating and drinking areas. It may be a young player on the London hotel circuit but Bvlgari being the seasoned luxury heavyweights that they are know the game very well and they are here to impress. I am very looking forward to my next stay.

If you are the adventurous type, catch a ferry or a Taxi Boat to Ward Island- one of Toronto’s archipelago of 15 islands that are interconnect ed by pathways and bridges where you hire a bike, kayak or spend a lazy day on a boat. Ward Island is renowned for its serenity, and along with its village of pretty ramshackle houses which are concealed by fairy tale gardens, you can enjoy several beaches and watersports including paddleboarding lessons. There is also an organic Island Cafe which sells delicious baked goodies which are perfect post paddle. With regular ferry boats or boat-taxis, the return trip is the best way to see uninter rupted views of the skyline from the water. Back in the city, you can’t ignore the impressive CN Tower which you can wait in line to ascend for the views; and you’ll want to snap a photo by the 3D Toronto sign at Nathan Phillips Square. Named the Enter tainment district, it is also home to the Princess of Wales Theatre, The Royal Alexandra Theatre, Roy Thomson Hall and The Scotiabank Movie Theatre, so you should definitely book in for a show if that’s your thing.

Come for the scenery and nature, and there is no doubt you will want to return, and with the inaugural edition of the MICHELIN Guide Toronto to be announced in Autumn 2022, there is a good reason to come back.

FLIGHThttps://www.1hotels.com/toronto1HOTELFACTBOXHotelToronto

Queen West has a reputation for being Toronto’s hippest neighbour hood, and is full of unique concessions and local crafts.It’s also got some great brunching spots. Whereas Kensington Market is a local mecca for the unexpected, with unusual hole-in-the-wall restaurants, vintage stores and street stalls. This mini metropolis of brightly coloured build ings is a vibrant melting pot of cultures and you can get an insider’s guide on the area by joining a foodie tour and eating your way around the world! Throughout the summer the market has pedestrian Sundays, so the streets are car free and you can enjoy impromptu live bands. No visit to Ontario would be complete without a visit to Niagara Falls, which is approximately 90 minutes away; enjoy a once in a lifetime helicopter ride over the majestic rapids and taste some of the finest Canadian wine at one of the wineries, before returning to the city to complete your adventure.

CultureTorontoRich&Vibrant

As the capital of Ontario and Canada’s largest city, it is one of the most diverse cities in the world with more than 140 languages spoken and is therefore extremely progressive. I stayed downtown in the state of the art 1 Hotel, which is a trailblazer when it comes to sustainability and social impact initiatives, such as eco-products, giving back to the com munity, reclaimed wooden furniture and sustainably sourced linens. With an organic menu to boot. Offering a five star service, the icing on the cake is the rooftop pool with skyline views and adjacent Harriet’s Bar, which is the city’s newest rooftop hotspot. Featuring an open con cept sushi bar with a retractable roof it is the place to be seen, and when you’re not enjoying the inventive menu, you can enjoy the DJs.

Close by is bustling ChinaTown, with its vibrant food street stalls and colourful lanterns, or head to Yorkville; Toronto’s version of 5th Ave in Manhattan is where you can spend a glorious morning perusing highend fashion boutiques, art galleries, antique stores or people watch at the upper class cafes and eateries.

AIR TRANSAT flies direct LGW - TOR with a new daily service on its low impact A321neoLR which offers both Club and Economy Class and offers direct flights fromLondon Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. Re turn Economy Class flights start from £381 (based on travel on selected dates in 2022). For information and reservations, visit a travel agent, www.airtransat.com or call 00 800 87 26 72 83.

Check out Tor Bike Tours, which are guaranteed to be led by a local who will lead you through the quiet streets and have loads of insider information. I went on a three hour tour, and can highly recommend stopping at the impressive red-bricked Victorian-era buildings of the Distillery District, Kensington Market, Sugar Beach and of course, the CN Tower.

Bywww.kensington-market-food-tourFOODCHOPSTICKSwww.torontobicycletours.com/tour/heart-of-downtownTORwww.torontoislandsup.comPADDLEBOARDINGBIKETOUR&FORKS-KENSINGTONMARKETINTERNATIONALTOURSaraDarling

The best way to experience Toronto is by bike, and there are plenty of bike rental companies, but if you’ve never been before you might want to book a guide who can plan a tour for you and show you the highlights with plenty of stops for questions and photo opportunities.

There was a buzz of excitement when I mentioned I was going to Toron to. It has that cool, underrated vibe that big faraway cities have; but it also has its own subcultures and an amazing food scene- which Megan Markle enjoyed whilst she spent her seven years here filming Suits and documented on her Instagram!

While sports fans will go gaga if they catch a game starring Toronto’s teams- Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors or the Toronto Blue Jays. Culture vultures should not miss out on the thirty art galleries and museums which are spread out across the city. You will be hard pressed to squeeze them all in, especially if you like to linger. Give yourself plenty of time to explore the Art Gallery Ontario (AGO), which has four floors of modern and indigenous art, which is represented by paintings, sculptures, film, installations and photography, and showcases Euro pean masters as well as hosts visiting exhibitions. But for something a little unusual, the Bata Shoe Museum (BSM) which was founded by Sonja Bata is worth a look. Showcasing her private shoe collection which started in the 1940s and grew too large for home storage, it is now a Foundation which is dedicated to footwear research. The exterior of the museum is designed by architect Raymond Moriyama and shaped like an open shoe box, which is reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. And once inside, you will be rewarded with a glimpse of 12,500 pairs of shoes that span 4,500 years of history, making it the world’s largest collection of shoes and footwear-related objects. The museum’s tagline “For the Curious” seems appropriate for its visitors, given that the comprehen sive collection ranges from Sixteenth-century Venetian velvet platforms to Elvis Presley’s famous ‘blue suede shoes’.

Dreams of owning an Italian villa don’t come true for everyone - but thanks to Villatravellers, there is another way.

As indulgently relaxing as this is, we are - in keeping with that homeaway-from-home experience that we crave - keen to make our own mess in the kitchen. It needs to be authentic, though - no tipping store-bought pasta into boiling water for us! - so Villatravellers have arranged a private cooking lesson for us with local food and wine experts. Over the course of a few hours, we drink wine, laugh at our misshapen failures (deftly shaped into things of beauty by our wonderful teacher, whose English-speaking, and knowledge of Sicilian cuisine, stories and tradi tion,are nothing short of mind-blowing) and eat pizza and cannoli where we stand. It’s conviviality at its very best; a combination ofnovelty, education, hands-on experience, fabulous food and laughter.

Cefalù itself, a fishing village punctuated by the twin towers of its Nor man cathedral, is ripe for exploration; its cobbled alleys flanked by tra ditional architecture and falling all the way down to its ragged coastline.

Needless to say, this reality - for me, and probably for many other peo ple - failed to materialise. Hotel stays and restaurant dinners simulta neously salve and open the wound, allowing tantalising glimpses into another lifestyle while you’re surrounded by strangers and staff. It’s the difference between a holiday away from home, and a home away from home. So it’s with no small amount of excitement that we arrive in Catania, Sicily, and are transported to Casale degli Erei Villa, near Ragusa, which is to be our home for the next few nights. Sure, its stone walls - which house nine bedrooms and various communal areas and are surrounded by sprawling expanses of vineyards and prickly pear planta tions - are not ours, but for now, at least, we can pretend.

In Sicily, where conditions are ideal for viticulture and production tech niques date back to 4000 BC, wine is not something to be mindlessly quaffed, nor to merely lubricate conversation. The owner of Casale degli Erei produces his own wines, so we are treated to an informal poolside tasting; internally warmed by this, we jump into the swimming pool before beating a retreat to the jacuzzi. Wine spa therapy is also on offer: harnessing the polyphenols of red wine, which detoxify and illuminate the skin, expect to relax in a metal tub, while warmed wine cascades over you from a wall-mounted amphora.

Some years ago, when the stars aligned so that the pound was strong, budget airlines were cheap and ‘Brexit’ was a term not yet coined, there was a rush to snap up overseas property - a rush that spawned a glut of magazines and television programmes. I, like so many others, gobbled these up, indulging in fantasies about starting a new life abroad - a life bursting with sunshine, good food and cultural experience. A life as fabulous as a holiday - but even better, because it would be your actual, real life. For me, Italy was always the country that exerted the most irresistible allure. In my mind, I’d buy up a tumble-down villa and restore it loving ly (quite possibly uncovering a fresco or two along the way). Washing dishes (in a rough-hewn stone sink, of course) and cooking meals (in a charmingly rustic kitchen) would be a joy, not a chore. Friends and family would gather at a long table under the trees for long, lazy lunches before an evening passeggiata and a gelato in the piazza.

Bywww.villatravellers.comSarahRodrigues

A Place in The Sun

The property is managed by Villatravellers, a Sicilian villa company which was established over 15 years ago and now has over 70 prop erties in its portfolio. Just as alluring as the properties themselves is that the Villatravellers offering allows you to play at living la dolce vita without over-exertion: their concierge service will have your kitchen stocked so that you can swerve the supermarket and, thanks to their intimate knowledge of each villa and its environs, will be able to give you firsthand advice on where to go and what to do, so that you can live like a local without actually being one. Our first 24 hours in the region see us having aperitivos in a charmingly scruffy square; examining, at UNESCO World Heritage Site Villa Romana del Casale, the intricacies of beautifully preserved mosaics dating back to the 4th century, and devouring a traditional Sicilian dinner, prepared in-house by a chef.

For an island approximately one-fifth of the size of the UK, Sicily packs a substantial punch, which more than sees us through the two-hour journey to Cefalù, located some two hours away, on the northern side of the island. Bleached hills and plains are spiked with rows and rows of prickly pears and olive groves, over which the hulking presence of Etna presides; in the distance, we see glimpses of the Mediterranean’s daz zling blue and beyond, the shadowy forms of the Aeolian Islands, where the god of the wind is said to have lived.

La Rocca Mountain looms large over it: a hike up its frequently uneven paths, via a ruined temple, is made all the more worthwhile when we reach the remains of a Norman castle at the summit, with glorious views over the city and sea. Even if we didn’t deserve a lengthy lunch after the exertions of the morning, ITTICO - a fish restaurant located right on the water - de mands that we linger. Not only does its blue and white decor and open terrace provide a dazzling complement to our surroundings, but the nev er-ending parade of sparklingly fresh dishes with which we are present ed keep us reaching for more, even when we think we must surely be full. Villatravellers have again arranged in-villa dining for us; the chefs are already busy in the kitchen when we arrive at our next property, Il Borgo del Barone. Dating back to the 17th century, the villa has been exquisitely restored by the current owner and is built over three floors, linked by a communal space which was once the olive press (the original stone is now a design feature). Each of its seven bedrooms has unique quirks and details: bedtime, when it comes - after another sensational meal - has rarely seemed more alluring. Perhaps ownership of an Italian villa is not in my stars - but what a wonderful way to play make-believe.

“Our aim is for Quinta do Lago to become an inspirational, communi

The Quinta do Lago trail is also ever popular, with its 2.3km stretch populated with walkers, runners and cyclists wanting to take in the landscape from the boardwalk. From woodland to marshland and desig nated bird watching viewpoints, this trail is a wonderful opportunity to catch glimpses of rare birds, pink flamingos and striking blue magpies.

There is a distinctive air of luxe when arriving in Quinta do Lago. Just a short 20-minute drive from Faro airport, you are greeted with luxury architecture at every turn. This community comprises a mix of tradi tional and modern architecture owned only by those who can stomach the price tag. An array of second homes and summertime playgrounds for the elite, Quinta do Lago charmingly dangles a quality of life in your face that you can’t really expect to find anywhere else. From large-scale wellness facilities and sporting offerings, Quinta do Lago has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious golf and real estate developments in Europe.

PAGE 34KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Improved irrigation and introducing native plants in and around the golf courses to control and remove invasive exotic species has been at the forefront of the conservation efforts as well as reducing the use of insecticides, increasing the number of bird-nesting boxes and construct ing bee houses. There are also conscious efforts being made within hospitality by removing single-use plastics at its restaurants.

Like with any luxury resort, investment is essential in order to provide its homeowners and holidaymakers the amenities it needs. Throughout the year Quinta do Lago plays host to many events and packages to provide an unforgettable holiday experience. Despite the global impacts on the travel industry in recent years, it seems that Quinta Do Lago has taken the setback in its stride. Reinforcing its traditional values around health, wellness and happiness, this community resort has never been more focused on its visitors’ wellbeing. This stretch of Algarvian coastline is thriving and rightly so, as €17M has been invested since 2020.

ty-engaged and high-profile champion of sustainability,” Sean Moriarty, CEO of Quinta do Lago states.

There has also been an increasing focus on self-sustainability, with the launch of the resort’s own farm. Q Farm, which was unveiled last year provides the surrounding restaurants with homegrown organic produce and has now announced a series of further measures to help maintain the natural habitats, including participating in beach clean ups, placing information boards on the golf courses and nearby nature trails advising people of the wildlife living nearby and supporting the local community to learn about sustainable choices. Sustainability continues within the resort’s dining experiences, with organic local produce delivered directly to the restaurants from Q Farm.

“The great thing about the golf legacy is that it works so well together with the other different business units at the resort. Golf can be a leader in so many ways, from ecosystem services, conservation of wildlife and health and well-being for all ages to creating jobs and adding value to the economy through local supply chains. As a resort, we are united in our approach to supporting nature and our communities, conserving resources at the same time.”

Creating a seamless flow of well-matched properties, facilities and restaurants, Quinta do Lago has the privilege of being located in the protected coastal lagoon of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. With a wide variety of wildlife to enjoy, the Algarve is privileged to sustain such a vast ecosystem. A mix of natural and man-made habitats ensure that all wildlife are prioritised around the surrounding properties, restaurants and 18-hole golf course.

The Quinta do Lago resort is also focused on the people within the Almancil area with more than 500 staff employed throughout the year. The resort also supports the local community with its new eco-strategy and aids in providing goods to food banks and those in need of food.

Casa do Lago is a delightful, recently refurbished seafood restaurant and allows a sense of unexpected calm by the lake. Its position right

Slow Living in Quinta do Lago

For more information please visit The Quinta do Lago website (www. quintadolago.com) or contact on +351 289 005 300. By Alice Bradley

As part of the recent £1.25 million renovation, the menu has also been reimagined and appeals to families, large groups, friends or golfers looking for an alfresco bite. The classic menu has also been freshed with a new alternative sharing menu available consisting of ‘Petiscos’, high end tapas and traditional Portuguese cuisine.

Experience a refined Asian dining experience at Umami for an ele vated evening meal. Located within the new RESERVA complex, this fine-dining space is the latest addition to the Quinta do Lago restaurant portfolio and serves a selection of palette-seducing Japanese robatayaki cuisine. Umami is a restaurant best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand and plenty of small grilled meat and fish dishes on the table.

The Magnolia Hotel offers a Standard Double Room from €120/£105.

The Family Cottages are available from €216/£188 per night on a B&B basis. Book now www.themagnoliahotelqdl.com

PAGE 35 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW by the water’s edge is favourable amongst guests wanting to enjoy the restaurant’s softly nautical theme. The restaurant’s new design by local company, Essencia Architects, evokes a sophisticated tranquillity with soft blues and whites used alongside warm woods. Boasting 1,300 square metres in total with 600 square metres of internal space and 700 square metres of outdoor terraces, the seafood restaurant can welcome large numbers of guests for both lunch and dinner.

Between the warmly modern lounge areas, the hotel bar, Boho Marché, and our dreamy room, I was tempted to spend the entirety of our stay within the Francis itself. I could have happily passed our days popping down to the bar for a local Bath Gin & Tonic, then retreating to our room again for a midday nap, only to come back downstairs for evening Mediterranean cuisine. However the Francis is so centrally located with in Bath, that exploring is just as enticing. We didn’t have specific plans for what to visit while we were in the city, but the staff at the Francis had us completely sorted - going so far as to draw out a map of what to see within easy walking distance (which turned out to be a lot)! Whether you’re looking for an afternoon at the botanical gardens, Bath Abbey, or you’d rather visit the Roman Baths for which the city is famous, you’re just a quick walk away. And of course for Bridgerton fans, The Royal Crescent is so close you can enjoy a scenic stroll to visit, and make it back in time for afternoon tea.

By Gabrielle Scarlett

The Francis Hotel Bath Historical Opulence and Mediterranean Cuisine

Having admittedly only watched bits and pieces of Bridgerton (it’s been on my Netflix list for ages, I’ll get around to it eventually!) upon arriving in Bath I was shocked at how vastly the architecture contrasted my local London scenery. As I told my partner while we passed by streets lined by uniform stone homes, it felt like we’d driven through a portal without me noticing and landed somewhere in Italy. I’d soon come to find out, I wasn’t too far off, and the original architect of what is now the Francis Hotel Bath is partially to blame for the austere Italian Renaissance features that the city boasts to this day. I pride myself on being a wee bit of a history buff - which meant that the Francis was essentially a blue-plaque-playground. The building itself has a rich local history, but beyond that, the memorable moments for the simplistically elegant Palladian block have been woven into the fabric of the place. From the naming of the rooms (after their previous tenants in historically relevant periods, accompanied by their respective blue plaques) to the striking photograph of the building post-bombing at the end of the bar, nearly every detail manages to celebrate Bath, and the Francis’s roots. If you look closely at the decor, you’ll see that attention was paid to supporting local businesses in outfitting the spaces as well, bringing the spirit of Bath into the hotel itself.

surprising twist the Francis throws into the works, is the on-site restaurant, Boho Marché. I say that it’s a twist, because they champion Mediterranean cuisine, which sounded like it would feel out of place at a historical site in Bath. Of course, (as I’m sure you guessed) I couldn’t have been more wrong. Walking into Boho Marché is like visiting a hidden pocket of Morocco - if seated without a view of the entryway, through which you can see one of the hotel lounges, it’s easy to forget where you are entirely. Everything from the carefully placed patterned cushions on the booth seats to the canopy of greenery and lights over the bar has been intentionally chosen to create a cosy, bohemian atmos phere, and it does so incredibly successfully. With decor so perfectly aligned to the theme, we decided to lean into the Mediterranean mood, and start off with the sharing platter our first night. To say we were thrilled with our choice is an understatement - the platter is absolutely packed with nibbles, from handmade Falafel to cured marinated aubergine (my personal favourite). It’s plenty for two if you plan on finishing it off. The Bari Bari bread accompanying the variety of tasters arrived divinely warm, and even the platter’s presenta tion maintained the Mediterranean vibes. Of course, like everything in the Francis, Boho Marché isn’t without a local influence if you look closely enough, specifically at the drink menu! Local Bath Gin is used in a variety of the restaurant’s expertly mixed cocktails.

Website for further information: https://francishotel.com/

The hotel houses 98 recently refinished rooms that expertly balance historical references embedded in the decor, with fresh, opulent modern furnishings. In fact, my biggest struggle at the Francis Hotel Bath (aside from deciding what to eat for dinner at their on-site restaurant, Boho Marché) was getting out of bed. I very quickly found myself taking af ternoon naps not because I was tired, but because I wanted an excuse to lie down in that cloud of luxe sheets. It felt as if over the course of three days, I somehow caught up on three weeks’ sleep I didn’t even know I’d Thelost.

PAGE 36KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Boho Marché is also the Hotel Francis’s breakfast venue, where the morning menu is equally infused with Mediterranean elements. Usually, I try to sample a variety of breakfast items when I’m away from home, but… I got absolutely hooked on the Moroccan Eggs Royale our first morning, and couldn’t bear to order anything else!

The CornwallHeadland

Voted The Times Best Seaside Hotel in 2020, The Headland Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in Cornwall, perching as the name suggests, high on the cliffs above the world famous surfers’ Mecca, Fistral Beach. The hotel offers a spectacular view of the beaches, cliffs, and the rolling breakers below.

Dining wise, do enjoy a dinner at sunset at The Samphire. It really does boast the most incredible sea and sunset views. An ever-changing sea sonal menu allows beautiful local ingredients to shine. The Samphire celebrates the best of Cornwall: seafood fresh from local dayboats; meat, poultry and game from nearby farms and estates. There are always veggie and vegan options, puddings are to die for, and all dietary re quirements are catered for. Its the perfect restaurant to take your time, savour your food and take in the spectacular views over the pounding Fistral surf and out to the Atlantic horizon. In summer, this fine old dining hall is flooded with sunlight and in winter, you feel protected and indulged as you watch the elements rage outside. We also recommend you enjoy a delicious lunch or cocktails on the sun ny terrace at the other side of the hotel which directly overlooks Fistral Beach. It’s the perfect spot to watch the surfers catch waves and kiddies play in the sand and walkers with their dogs stroll by.

Large and imposing, it’s instantly recognisable and with its towering red-brick façade takes you back to an era of elegance and intrigue. The interior is luxurious yet has a refreshingly unfussy air, and the staff make you feel so welcome from the moment you arrive. This time we were here to experience The Headland’s cottages, some thing you may not realise they offer. To the side of the hotel, is what looks like a charming old fishing village with cobbled streets fringed by cottages of all shapes and sizes, most with their own gardens and sea views. We were delighted to discover our spacious yet cosy, luxurious 2-bedroom one had the most wonderful outlook across to Little Fistral and a headland perfect for a morning stroll. We could while away hours on our sunny patio watching walkers, surfers, and every breed of dog stroll by. It was the perfect spot to watch the sun set too, with a glass of rose wine. What’s also great about the cottages is the fact they offer all the amen ities you’d expect from a five-star hotel, with a cherry on top: your own space. And some can accommodate dogs too. You are able to enjoy unlimited use of the hotel’s five-bubble Spa, The Headland gym and the six-pool Aqua Club - perfect if the weather closes in. The cottages are suitable all year round as they are warm and cosy. And cottage guests can opt for a new bed and breakfast package. You can upgrade your self-catering stay and enjoy a delicious 3-course breakfast at The Deck restaurant daily throughout your break. We really appreciated the flex ibility of having our own kitchen to prepare snacks and drinks when we wanted, or get deliveries in, and being able to dine in one of the hotel’s excellent restaurants when wished. There’s a good choice of cottages to suit all family sizes and preferences. These include the new Aqua cottages which come with 4 seat hot tubs for drinks under the stars in salty sea air, plus Sea View Cottages, which offer what have to be some of the very best views in Cornwall and have luxury interiors to match. These, including ours, are located close (but not too close) to the cliff edge. Big windows let light flood in, while luxurious fixtures and fittings cater to every comfort you need. There’s a selection of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom cottages for couples to large families. For the ultimate storm watching or sunset gazing experience, in addition to our Tide cottage, a top pick must be the Mariners 2 cottage which has a 270-degree pano ramic view and tends to get booked up very fast.

Over all, The Headland really does surpass expectations. For its amaz ing location, fabulous cottages, top quality dining, and Aqua Club, it’s hard to beat. We’re already planning our next cottage break here.

Another major reason to visit this Iconic hotel, is its new Aqua Club –hailed as Cornwall’s most luxurious swimming centre. It took three years and £10m and is now an impressive no-luxury-spared swimming and wellbeing complex. There are six pools to choose from - includ ing a Lap Pool, Hydrotherapy Pool, and Children’s Splash Pool. Our favourite was HydrotherapythePool where you can relax on hydro chairs and jet beds and relieve muscles aching from all the beach and cliff top walking you can do here. Another was the outdoor heated Sunset Spa Pool which overlooks the Atlantic, yet keeps you’re shielded from the wind by high glass walls. And, if you feel the need to get closer to the ocean’s edge it’s a few steps to the warm waters of the Edge Pool, where you can gaze out to the rolling waves.

In the main hotel there’s also an excellent spa with a pool and lovely lounge, where you can enjoy a wide range of wonderful treatments. You can dine here too at The Deck. Enjoy a post-swim meal in the Med iterranean-inspired restaurant where flatbreads, pizzas and freshly pre pared salads are the order of the day. Eat out under the sun with views over The Atlantic, or cosy up inside in the stunning circular lounge.

For further information: https://www.headlandhotel.co.uk/

Cornwall, the land of beautiful beaches, wild moorland, myth, and legend. It’s little wonder it’s the favoured staycation destination for so many of us, desperate to escape the city and enjoy quality family time by the seaside.

Fistral Beach Hotel & Spa

The only tiny niggle is because the car park is to the front, sometimes you may be looking over the roofs of cars too… but it’s still most definitely worth dining here, and many actually travel quite some way to dine here – such is its excellent reputation. Menu wise, do opt for their tasting menu paired with wines. It’s such a treat. Menu wise, it changes seasonally along with the wine list to ensure they can offer the very best in local fruit, seafood, and vegeta bles. It’s clear the chefs are passionate about food and their dedication, skill and knowledge results in a menu and a dining experience which reflects the restaurant’s ambience - relaxed and very much rooted in its ocean side location.

Naturally all rooms have all the mod cons including a flat screen LED TVs, free WiFi, tea, and coffee making facilities, mini-fridge and mod ern bathroom with GAIA Skincare toiletries await, as does a comfort able double bed with pure cotton linen. Impressively spacious, these light and airy bedrooms can accommodate twin beds. All guests re ceive complimentary access to Fistral Spa and 10% off spa treatments. The spa is well worth a visit offering a wide range of excellent treat ments, all in a lovely environment. It boasts a particularly super indoor pool too and is a perfect sanctuary if the weather is too poor to entice you to venture outside. You can book overnight spa breaks too where you can choose from several restorative and relaxing treatments such as a Gaia Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage, Naturally Gaia Facial, Gaia Salt & Oil Scrub, and a Gaia Indian Head Massage.

Beautiful location, great rooms, and spa aside, many people come to this hotel for the excellent culinary experience it’s become right ly known for. The ground floor restaurant Dune is a delight, with tables looking out across the bay and innovative dishes made from the freshest of local produce.

One of note is the enviably positioned Fistral Beach Hotel, which is perched literally a few meters above the world-famous beach it’s named after. Just a few miles from the centre of Newquay, it’s easy to find, and is a fairly long (5-6 hour) but pleasant drive from London once you exit the motorway, passing through lush countryside, quaint villages, and historic market towns. Once you get close to Newquay, follow signs to Fistral beach - or the countless cars with surfboards on top, and you can’t miss it. It’s right above the far end of the beach and has parking to the front and some towards the rear.

The county boasts a huge number of B&Bs, cottages and pubs but there’s been a surprising lack of great hotels… that is until recently.

Another huge bonus this hotel has, is that it’s adults only – so you can rest easy knowing you’re not going to be disturbed by tantruming toddlers and moody teens. Because of this, we noticed it was being enjoyed as a romantic break hotel, couples drawn to the gorgeous loca tion perfect for long walks on the beach, lovely restaurant and classy yet unpretentious vibes. www.fistralbeachhotel.co.uk

One of the first things you’ll notice is a lovely outdoor seating area which is actually part of the hotel’s bar, and a perfect place to relax, enjoy an expertly made cocktail or two, listen to the sound of the waves, and watch the surfers try to catch waves. It’s also an ideal spot to enjoy the Thesunset.hotelhas a contemporary design, and is light, bright, and airy. Room wise, this applies, and all have wonderful sea views. Do choose a Sea View Balcony Room if you can, as it’s so nice to enjoy your morning coffee out in the fresh air. Our top choice though would be the Suite, which has a particularly spacious balcony, king size Hypnos bed and even its own private hot tub.

HotelBretagneGrand

All rooms are beautifully presented though and our Deluxe Twin Guest Room with City View also looked out to some of these wonders. The rooms are appointed with The Luxury Collection Twin Beds, dressed in the highest quality Frette linen and topped with a selection of plump pillows. We appreciated the fact that each spacious guestroom is indi vidually furnished with hand-picked antiques and original artworks. A muted colour palette of cream and taupe, highlighted original features with gold accents and historic flourishes. Some have a balcony too where you can enjoy a coffee and watch the world pass by.

The marble en-suite bathrooms are like stepping back in time to a world of mirrors, marble and gold. Spacious and featuring a large rainfall shower, double basins and usefully illuminated vanity mirror, they come with plush bathrobes, slippers and Gilchrist & Soames bath products.

For opulent luxury, history, incredible views and a perfect location, Ho tel Grand Bretagne in Athens is hard to beat. Loved by Hollywood stars and royalty for decades, it has won numerous awards and truly is one of the city’s most loved treasures. When searching for a 5 star hotel to stay in prior to a cruise on another acclaimed treasure -Star Clipper, this was a top choice. With breath taking views of the fabled Acropolis, regal Syntagma Square and the Parliament, Lycabettus Hill and the original Olympic Stadium no other hotel can compete in providing such an unrivaled perspective of Athens’ mythical history.

Being located right in the heart of the city since it was built in 1874, it’s within easy walking distance of exclusive shopping areas and museums and if you’re feeling particularly energetic and the weather isn’t quite as hot as it was when we visited, you can walk to the Acropolis too – al though it is an uphill jaunt for most of the way. Local taxis are plentiful and cheap though. We loved the beautiful park within just five minutes away, planted with blissfully fragrant avenues of orange trees providing much needed shade and a delightful place to picnic and read. Superb location aside, the hotel’s interior is a feast for the eyes and if you appreciate acres of gold, florals, antiques and art you will be in heaven. As the name states it really is rather grand. Given that within the walls of Hotel Grande Bretagne history is unveiled through myriads of antiques and art masterpieces, the historic landmark even offers guests a “museum tour”, every Thursday between 17:00 - 18:00, upon Inrequest.2003, with an investment of 82 million euro, the hotel underwent a massive restoration and emerged as a state-of-the-art, five-star re incarnation of its former glory that continues to delight its guests with legendary hospitality and iconic style. The 320 rooms and suites seam lessly marry charming old-world elegance with state-of-the-art facilities. Elegantly appointed and entirely individual, the 320 guestrooms and suites at Hotel Grande Bretagne provide refined living in the heart of Athens. Sumptuous fabrics, original artworks, museum-quality antiques and classic architectural features combine with modern technology to present accommodation that embraces the historic legacy of this dynamic city. Each guestroom and suite is furnished with The Luxury Collection Bed allowing for restorative sleep to enrich the soul. Floorto-ceiling windows offer an abundance of natural light and captivating views across Acropolis Hill and Syntagma Square, while opulent ensuite bathrooms provide prime opportunity for pampering. All rooms and suites come with a well-stocked refreshment centre, bottles of water and nightly turndown, as well as flat screen televisions and access to highspeed Wi-Fi. Personalized 24-hour Butler Service and expedited check-in is offered to all 56 suites, alongside guestrooms located on the sixth and seven floors.

To celebrate very special occasions, a stay in The Royal Suite is a must. This one-bedroom, two-bathroom suite is spread over 400 square meters, with many windows providing matchless views of the city, Syn tagma Square, the Acropolis, the Parliament and Lycabettus Hill.

For further information: https jE0Mi03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24ud2Vic2l0ZQ%3D%3Dcid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2&y_source=1_Mjc4Mtel-grande-bretagne-a-luxury-collection-hotel-athens/overview/?s://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/athlc-ho

There are a number of other places to dine too – including the Winter Garden which is known as one of the city’s most elegant and enchanting havens for a European breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea or dinner accompanied by live piano music. And, not forgetting the Pool Bar for authentic Greek cuisine, light snacks and excellent cocktails.

Up on the top of the hotel is the acclaimed and award-winning Roof Garden Restaurant, offering the finest Mediterranean cuisine. The tal ented Executive Chef Asterios Koustoudis and highly experienced team produce dish after wonderful dish. Our meals were excellent – fresh seafood, indulgent desserts and an impressive choice of fine wines. You can forgive yourself for being distracted from the food though, by the view from your table of the Acropolis flood lit at night – quite a sight to behold. Do see if you can book a table outside close to the edge for the best vantage point and head up an hour early to enjoy the excellent bar there which shares these incredible views.

A stay at the Grande Bretagne isn’t complete until you’ve experienced the hotel’s beautiful award-winning spa. Here you can enjoy the gor geous tranquil indoor pool area designed to evoke the classic sensations of the baths of ancient Rome, plus a wide range of restorative treatments and a workout in the gym. Whether you are planning a longer city stay, or like us, a quick 2 day stop off before embarking on a cruise, this elegant and historic hotel is a perfect choice.

With so much to see and do here, lovely as the rooms are, a visit to the hotel’s other delights is a must. We made full use of the large rooftop pool and bar area – again with the most incredible views. And headed to the beautiful spa to relax in the stunning pool there too.

Over all, whether for a long stay or short pre-cruise stay xenodocheio Milos is a truly wonderful hotel to dine and stay at.

For further information and to book visit: www.xenodocheiomilos.com/

Enviably located in downtown Athens opposite Old Parliament, an area bursting with history and celebrates the best of Greek heritage, art and cuisine, this culinary hotel is a short walk or short taxi ride to most of the city’s famous world heritage sites including the fabled Acropolis, re gal Syntagma Square, Lycabettus Hill and the original Olympic Stadium.

xenodocheioMilos

Elegant and refined are two words which perfectly describe both bou tique hotel, restaurant and bar. A unique combination of luxury and simplicity has been achieved through Theout. moment you enter the main doors, you leave the bustle of this busy city behind and enter a serene oasis of calm. It’s remarkably quiet and after a long and delayed flight, the peace is most welcome.

is home to estiatorio Milos and of all its distin guished guests from around the world. It prides itself in being a place where “philoxenia”, the sacred art of making a stranger feel like home, is firmly in its DNA.

The first is designed as an authentic Athenian neoclassical apartment and pays tribute to bespoke luxury and timeless elegance. This expan sive suite offers incredible views of Lycabettus Hill and historical Old Parliament House, and enjoys high ceilings and handpicked fabrics and materials, combined with a separate bedroom, spacious seating and dining area and exclusive amenities.

For those who appreciate fine dining and love to travel the world, a glo rious new gastronomy gem nestled in the heart of Athens is a discovery to delight. Opened to discerning guests earlier this year, xenodocheio Milos is the city’s first true luxury gastronomy 5* hotel and has rapidly gained the enviable reputation as the city’s most sought after and covet ed foodie’s xenodocheiodelight.Milos

Our favourite though is the spacious and luxurious Terrace Suite, which includes a large outdoor seating terrace with a jacuzzi, perfect for enjoy ing a glass of fine champagne or two gazing out on to the roof tops and historic sites beyond. Of course, being a gastronomy hotel, a stay here is as much about the incredible dining experience offered as it is the rooms, suites and amenities. The beautiful white-on-white restaurant with high ceilings, a sweeping staircase, floor to high windows dressed in fine floaty drapes is a visual as well as culinary delight. Everything from the quality of the glassware to snow-white crispness of the table linen is of the highest level and sets expectations for the cuisine to match. We certainly were not disappointed. It’s evident the chefs select the finest fresh raw materials and cook them with minimum interference to preserve their wonderful natural flavour. All the produce has been selected from farmers and fishermen each most carefully chosen by the founder, Chef Costas Spiliadis, whose quest for quality and perfection remain unchanged and renowned.

The 43 individually styled rooms and suites are so tastefully designed. Each of the bedrooms and suites are classically designed, taking hints from Athens glorious architecture outside. High ceilings, large glass windows and doors give a real feeling of space, softened with plush vel vet furnishings. This harmoniously blending of contemporary design, minimalistic art and sophisticated décor creates a restful and luxurious ambiance and guest also delight in the fact each room is complemented by a series of handpicked personalised touches. Some of the rooms and suites even have spacious outdoor sunny terraces - a number of which boast spectacular Lycabettus Hill and Old Parliament House Ifviews.these gorgeous rooms are not already snapped up, do opt for the Milos Signature Suite or Milos Terrace Suite.

The menu provides a world-celebrated take on Mediterranean cuisine. We dined on the most delicious of menus carefully curated to ensure my coeliac young niece had just an amazing culinary experience as my self. For every course the team went above and beyond to ensure they stringently met her strictly gluten free requirements and still presented dish after dish of delights. If you adore seafood this restaurant is a must. I’ve rarely experienced fish as wonderfully prepared and tasty. The service is warm without being overly intrusive and all the team are incredibly knowledgeable and the very best at what they do, and nothing is too much trouble. We recommend you enjoy an aperitif or after dinner cocktail masterfully prepared by their expert mixologists at the super bar too.

PAGE 46KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Located in an upmarket neighbourhood on the Asian side of the city with views of the Sea of Marmara, the hotel is still within just a 20-minute taxi ride to Istanbul’s exotic bazaars, world famous sultan’s palaces and imperial mosques, museums, coffee houses and tea gar dens, and also the central marinas where you can take a luxury yacht for a cruise along the Bosporus. The best place to take in the splendour and majesty of the many palaces and bridges along the way.

If the intense hustle and bustle of central Istanbul doesn’t appeal and you’d prefer to enjoy this amazing city from a more peaceful place, Wyndham’s luxurious, elegant, and perfectly positioned Istanbul Kala mis Marina Hotel is an ideal choice.

Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel

On our arrival we were treated to a gorgeously presented array of edible goodies and champagne, all of which were thoughtfully gluten free to cater for our needs. If you would like a sauna too, then do opt for the hugely impressive Presidential King Suite which has a Living Room, King Bed, lovely views of the sea, a sauna and jacuzzi with luxurious bath products to enjoy.

For quieter days away from the heart of Istanbul, the hotel offers plenty to occupy your time. We particularly enjoyed rooftop pool with stun ning marina and sea views, and indoor pool at the Blue Harmony® Spa. Here you can indulge in a classic Turkish steam bath ritual or a host of other treatments for body and face.

The hotel has seven restaurants and lounges featuring flavours of both East and West to suit any palate. At sunset, cocktails at Jigger Roof Bar on the roof is a must, for its amazing views, and an informal lunch is perfect here too. It’s very popular with well-heeled locals as well as hotel Anotherguests.venue at the hotel with glorious views of the sun set is its ex cellent Ouzo restaurant. Serving the freshest fish and delicious mezze it has the feel of a Greek meets Turkish tavern with an outdoor rooftop deck. Our meal was rather special - course after course of the most wonderful fare, paired masterfully with fine wine. There’s live music too – and again this restaurant is a very popular choice with locals –always a good sign. It really is worth seeking out this excellent hotel if you plan an Istanbul stay. It has it all – great location, luxurious spacious rooms, gorgeous views, wonderful dining, and a fantastic spa – and less than 30 minutes from central bul-turkey/wyndham-grand-istanbul-kalamis-marina/overviewhttps://www.wyndhamhotels.com/en-uk/wyndham-grand/istanIstanbul.

After sightseeing all day, the hotel provides a welcoming peaceful haven to rest and unwind. It’s classical exterior houses a beautifully designed elegant and contemporary high-ceilinged lobby with glittering chrome and glass features. The corridors between rooms are dark, and softly lit– a sensory gift after being in the bright sun all day, leading to huge wooden doors to each eye-catchingly elegant room.

Our very spacious Corner King Sea View was a delight. Very pretty in white, dove grey and silver, it featured a corner relaxation area with a chaise longue and lovely views of the marina with expensive yachts, a king size bed, large windows with further pleasant views and a luxury bathroom with large jacuzzi bath.

PAGE 47 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

There are holidays you enjoy, and then those you remember for years to come. You know, those extra special ones where the stars aligned and everything was just right – the weather, the people, the ambiance, and the food? For this very reason, guests on Star Clipper return time and time again, as they know they will always leave with memo ries to cherish, friendships renewed, and new connections made. Being at sea is a passion, but the thought of being on one of those huge cruise ships with thousands of others leaves me rather cold. Someone mentioned Star Clipper as perfect alternative and on learning more, I couldn’t wait to experience for myself – and our ‘Delightful Dervishes’ Eastern Med Greek and Turkish island-hopping extravaganza began. If you’re yet to be acquainted, Star Clipper is one of three most majes tic true clipper ships from the company of the same name. Star Flyer is Star Clipper’s twin, and Royal Clipper its larger and grander cousin.

Star Clipper Eastern Mediterranean Odyssey

Think towering masts, billowing sails – and in simplistic terms, maybe even Pirates of the Caribbean (in an altogether much more hygienic and contemporary way) …

Whilst the ships may look at first glance like something from a swash buckling maritime period film, they are modern cruise ships in every way, where the traditions of the past are happily married to the comforts and amenities of the present day.

Created for luxury-appreciating passengers who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships, Star Clipper is 115 me tres long and carries just 166 guests in pampered comfort. Life aboard is blissfully relaxed, much like travelling on a private yacht. This elegant ship offers spacious accommodations and expansive teak decks with ample space and two swimming pools. In fact, you’ll find Star Clipper and her siblings offer more outdoor space per passenger than most conventional cruise ships.

Arriving at the port of Athens, and seeing Star Clipper for the first time, really is something special. Larger and even more majestic then expect ed, she’s a sight to behold. Following a smooth embarkation, and warm greeting by the fantastic crew, it was time to explore. After marvelling at the deck and noting all the perfect places to sun bathe, dolphin watch, and enjoy a cocktail or three at the deck bar, we

And on to Bozcaada with its ancient, cobbled streets and hidden sandy coves. You can stop off to visit one of the six wineries on the island and enjoy a tasting. On the final full day aboard we were at sea, this is when you can fully relax on deck and watch dolphins play below. It’s a great opportunity to climb the mast too – weather permitting! Not for those fearful of heights but on our trip, one brave gent celebrated his 80th birthday with a bold climb to the top! After a final night on board, we woke up as we were about to dock at historic Istanbul, a huge metropolis connecting continents, cultures, and religions. Very sad to say our goodbyes to friends made and all the crew, we set off on a final ship-organised excursion to see the famous mosques and historic city centre, before crossing the bridge to the Asian side and spending a couple of nights at the excellent Wyndham Grand Istanbul Kalamis Marina Hotel before heading home.

Walking past the inside bar area and cosy lounge with a mini-grand pi ano, you descend to the delightful light and airy dining room where you take all your meals. All Star Clippers’ ships feature open-seating dining. Here you can choose to dine as a couple or share a table with others –something most people do, and we are so pleased we did as actually we made the acquaintance of two wonderful couples really made our time on board extra special. We enjoyed onshore excursions with them and evening drinks and have kept in touch and are planning to meet up again on Star Flyer on one of its Caribbean itineraries next year. Meals are excellent and it’s quite astonishing how the chef and teams produce such a wonderful array of tasty dishes day after day. They really do make dining aboard a delightful culinary adventure with an international menu of foods from the corners of the Earth. From waking up, you can help yourself to a coffee and continental breakfast with Parisian croissants or sweet Danish pastries. Or you can savour a full breakfast with fresh tropical fruit and crisp bacon, grilled sausage and omelettes cooked to order in the dining room. At lunch, a marvel lous buffet of seafood, salads and grilled favourites awaits your pleasure, and sometimes you can indulge in an outdoor barbecue on shore. And, in the evening, the pretty dining room becomes the setting for the chef’s finest culinary presentations, designed to please the eye and the palate, complemented by a selection of fine wines. The service is excellent –friendly and gracious, and most nights there is a different theme, so you don’t get bored of the same food night after night.

Each teatime, most guests head on deck to the indoor-outdoor Tropical Bar for cocktails and canapes and a range of tasty snacks, and to enjoy the musical entertainment and catch up on the day’s events. This bar is the place to head after dinner too, for more music, dancing and fun entertainment enjoyed by all.

Leaving Mykonos, we journeyed to Patmos, a serene island is known as the site of the apocalyptic revelations of St. John the Divine, the cave where he is said to have lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. It houses priceless icons and manuscripts in its treasury.

On day three our sights were on Chios, a mastic-scented island with fas cinating history and said to be the birthplace of Homer and the ancient mathematicians Hippocrates and Enopides.

Ship aside, Star Clippers offers a wide range of exciting itineraries to choose from. Ours was to explore the Eastern Mediterranean, sailing through the Aegean Sea, and stopping off at various islands along the way to take in world famous archaeological sites such as Troy. After a wonderful three days exploring Athens staying at iconic The Grand Bretagne and new and exciting gastronomy hotel xenodocheio Milos, we sailed to Mykonos, loved by the rich, famous, and hedonistic party people. One of the most cosmopolitan of all the Greek Islands, Mykonos is a contrast of rocky hills and beautiful beaches. Hora, the capital, spreads around a colourful harbour, a popular meeting place, overlooked by a variety of tavernas, in which fishing boats nestle side by side with luxury yachts.

Cabin wise, there’s a good choice of categories, and all are cleverly designed to maximise every inch of space, and far more comfortable than you might expect on a ship such as this. Some categories even have a whirlpool bath and cabin doors opening right out on to the deck. All have their own bathroom with shower, flat screen TV and most other mod cons you could wish for.

Leaving the Greek islands behind us, we sailed on to the sleepy beach town of Dikili, with its harbour lined with open-air restaurants and shops with local food specialties. Nearby, Bergama is worth a visit espe cially for its two main monuments: the Acropolis perched at a height of 280 metres and the Asklepion.

Any Star Clipper journey is a wonderful experience and it’s so easy to see why an amazingly high percentage of guests return year after year. Now this includes us, and we can’t wait to be on board again in the Spring.

PAGE 50KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW stepped inside. The decor of Star Clipper is reminiscent of the grand age of sail. Antique prints and paintings of famous sailing ships please your eye, while teak and gleaming mahogany rails are richly remindful of Star Clippers’ proud nautical heritage.

For further information: https://starclippers.co.uk/

PAGE 51 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

From the lounge, you’ll be ushered onto a special luxury Nautilus branded seaplane for a seamless transfer to the resort where your personal butler will be there to welcome you. It carries less passengers than seaplanes from the usual two main operators, is more luxurious, with more space and large comfortable seats.

Locatedright?youfragrantimpossiblyInPrivateMaldivesNautilusIslandPerfectionafarawayland,there’sanexquisiteprivateisland,surroundedwithbluecrystal-clearseasandpearl-whitebeachesfringedbytropicalplants,wheremajesticvillashide,andyoucandowhatwant,whenyouwant–eachandeveryday.Soundslikeafairytale,Butactually,it’sveryreal-andcalledTheNautilus.intheBaaAtoll,Maldives,famousforitsincrediblesealife including manta rays, The Nautilus is just a 30-minute flight from Male airport. Your VIP bespoke experience starts the moment your international flight lands though, as guests to this most luxurious resort are greeted as they disembark and driven by limousine to a private VIP lounge, where immigration and other arrival processes are taken care of leaving you to relax in comfort after your long journey. Most resorts leave you to make your own way through customs and baggage claim, which can take a while, so this is a most welcome bonus.

With high vaulted ceilings, natural woods and fabrics and tasteful hints of turquoise or lemon, the villas have a wonderfully calming ambiance, and are light and airy. Our villa was a one-bedroom overwater villa, which had a large lounge, leading to a spacious bedroom and bathroom, all open plan but separated if wished with push back wooden doors. All look out to a wide deck area with large, curved pool, sun loungers and a swinging day bed, perfect to relax on with a good book. Unlike almost all private pools in the Maldives, those at The Nautilus can be heated to your own preferred temperature.

The beauty of overwater villas like this is the uninterrupted views of the ocean, cooling breeze, peace and quiet and the fact you can snorkel and swim direct from your own deck or relax in your own pool watching a myriad of rainbow coloured fish, eagle rays and the odd small shark swim below. You can also watch the sun rise or set on the horizon, depending on which direction your particular villa faces.

Your first arrival golf buggy tour through frangipani and hibiscus flowered paths provides a tantalising first glimpse of private expansive villas, a fitness centre, gorgeous kiddies club and dining places Thyme and Ocaso, plus Naiboli and the large stunning main pool. We were thrilled to be staying in one of the resorts handful of simply gorgeous over water villas, perched above the clear turquoise shallows on a small jetty – each with its own large pool.

There are just 26 beach and ocean houses at The Nautilus, making it one of the smallest and most exclusive and private Maldives luxury resorts. Some prefer beach villas, and those at here are rather special. Perched on silvery sands are Beach Houses and Residences. Each is a completely private sanctuary of effortless chic. There’s a choice of those with one or two bedrooms, a spacious living room and a sparkling private pool. Custom furnishings, an expansive sundeck and bohemian design to complete the aesthetic. Plus, there’s The Nautilus Mansion. Designed as the ultimate beach home, this signature three-bedroom house occupies an enviable location on the shore and is beautifully furnished. Some guests book a number of neighbouring villas to enable larger family groups to holiday together, and others do the same for important colleagues and business partners to enjoy a productive retreat together. The accommodation is excellent at this small but perfect resort, and this is matched by the dining experiences and other facilities you can enjoy

It’s so refreshing and liberating not being tied to any schedule. You can simply eat when you’re hungry, have breakfast for dinner and drink Champagne in bed should you wish.

Dining aside, you can stay fit and healthy here as there’s a wide range of Maldives wellness offerings and gym facilities. The modern and fully equipped gym is open to guests 24/7, and you can try your hand at badminton, tennis, or volleyball on the multi-purpose sports court. Spa fans will certainly feel at home at The Nautilus. The over water Solasta Spa specialises in the bespoke, designing wellness programmes and daily rituals that refresh and relax, pamper, and protect. There’s also an overwater yoga pavilion, providing a sanctuary of movement, mindfulness, and release. We enjoyed wonderful massages and manicures here.

Of course, being surrounded by the ocean, there’s a wide choice of water sports to enjoy such as sea bobbing, canoeing, and paddleboarding –and if it’s a bit choppy when you stay, the island has a sheltered lagoon area which is reassuringly calm on most days.

Also, The Nautilus delights in veering off script, crafting bespoke culinary journeys designed just for you. You can explore intriguing infusions of Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine at the over water restaurant Zeytoun, celebrate simplicity with Japanese and LatinAmerican creations at Ocaso, or savour an array of global delicacies at Thyme throughout the day. No opening or closing times and no dress codes. Come as you are, enjoy great company and indulge in a shared passion for extraordinary cuisine at this luxury Maldives beach resort.

– again all on a ‘what you want, when you want it’ basis. We loved the fact that you can ask for your favourite dish at one restaurant to be available for you at another, and that if you were so engrossed snorkelling, you missed conventional lunch time, you can still enjoy any lunch of your choosing at an hour and any place you desire.

For the health conscious, you can experience the Ananda world of creative healthy cuisine at The Nautilus. Ananda’s cuisine philosophy is tailor-made to each dosha or body type, incorporating seasonal variations and local produce. As per Ayurvedic principles. each dosha - Vata (energy of movement), Pitta (energy of metabolism) and Kapha (energy of building and lubrication) - has guidelines for food groups and ingredients depending on its balance or imbalance in each individual. Ananda’s specially curated menu for The Nautilus incorporates the six fundamental food tastes of sweet, sour, salty, pun gent, bitter, and astringent and combined with the three macronutrients of protein, fat, and carbohydrates, vital to good health. Whilst amazing, the pastries, ice creams and other treats available were just too delicious for us to not enjoy instead.

Do take advantage of a boat trip out to see the manta rays. The Baa Atoll is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a kaleidoscopic wonderland of incredible marine life. Close to the resort is Hanifaru Bay, one of the best places in the world to see, snorkel and dive within safe distance of these majestic and beautiful creatures.

The resort is a wonderful place to dive, and snorkel – guided by wildlife-loving and hugely knowledgeable experts. For those who prefer things at a faster pace, you can explore the atoll by jet ski or speedboat I’vetoo. been lucky enough to stay at over 18 of the best and most luxurious resorts in the Maldives now, and this is honestly one I would come back to time and time again. It is small, but perfect, and a uniquely special sanctuary for body, mind, and soul.

Dining in more detail…starting with Zeytoun, which is enviably positioned over the lagoon with amazing sunset views. Here you can experience signature dining in the Maldives that showcases lesser-known spices and flavours from incredible indigenous cuisines.

Complementary gourmet canapés are available throughout the day along with thoughtful frequent ice-cold water and sunscreen deliveries. The pool itself is one of the best and largest in the Maldives and sparkles with star-like lights at night.

Ocaso offers flavours and infusions from Japan, Mexico, and Peru. Here at what is already known as one of the very best restaurants in Maldives, you can treat yourself to amazing teppanyaki by the beach – something we were incredibly lucky to experience and adore. We were also given a lesson in making a delicious local curry dish so we could bring flavours of The Nautilus back home. And there is a fantastic wine cellar offering an amazing experience for wine connoisseurs showcasing more than 200 labels of finest wines from France and beyond.

For further information: www.thenautilusmaldives.com

And you can savour Mediterranean Middle Eastern flavours – from the finest pure olive oils from the Aegean and freshly baked crusty breads, to aromatic Turkish teas. All exquisitely crafted and served in refined comfort. The lounge on the upper deck is perfect for intimate pre-dinner rendezvous, made complete by the biggest collection of gin and whisky in the ThymeMaldives.isTheNautilus’ beachfront all-day dining venue, with a welcoming beach-house ambience. We loved having breakfast here –fresh juices and crisp buttery pasties, cheeses, charcuterie, and a raft of cooked choices too from a wide range of international cuisines.

Naiboli is the ultimate beach and poolside lounge, where guests enjoy expertly crafted cocktails at sunset or under a brilliant starry sky. During the day, if you can tear yourself away from your own private pool, you can relax here on the comfort of loungers and cabanas.

Siyam World Maldives Beach & Activity Wonderland

Wonderland

Taking things as a more sedate pace, a visit to the rather lovely spa is a must. Tucked away in a particularly lush and flower-filled area of the island, you can only reach it through a winding path with gentle spa music playing as you walk. They offer a range of super treatments to suit all tastes.

For further info: https://www.sunsiyam.com/siyam-world/

We were lucky to enjoy a fantastic two-bedroom Beach Residence, which was two actually houses in the same walled garden with a large pool and direct access to the beach. The main building was super-spa cious two-story affair with its own kitchen, lounge, bathroom, huge first floor balcony and wonderful beach and ocean views. The second was just one floor but featured a gorgeous private rear courtyard with its own outdoor bathroom and pool. Both houses were tastefully designed and comfortable, with bathrooms with large whirlpool tubs and views to die for. Our Beach House had its own beach area, with swinging day bed, hammock, and sun loungers. As you’d expect for an island of this size, there are many places to dine, drink and swim. This variety was a welcome bonus as for each meal we could try out a new place and never got at all bored. The food throughout was excellent, and most guests, including us, opt for what is known as Siyam World’s WOW! all-inclusive package, which includes everything – even champagne. This is great as it means you can relax and not worry about racking up a hefty bill which is incredibly easy to do in the Maldives.

There’s also Barrique - a signature restaurant in an underground cellar offering gourmet menus with world-renowned wines; Mint and Jungali poolside bars and more….. too many to have space to describe here.

If you’ve loved the thought of the Maldives but want more than just a beach holiday, Sun Siyam is the perfect resort to choose.

The 6 bars and 8 restaurants include Tempo for casual dining on a beachside terrace offering global buffet cuisine with live cooking stations; Baraabaru, for international buffets and up-close encounters and live-cooking stations with the talented chefs; Andalucía offering authentic aromas and flavours of a traditional Spanish kitchen, Takrai for gourmet Thai cuisine; Kurry Leaf for Indian fine dining; The Wahoo Grill for fresh seafood and Arigato for Japanese fine dining (this restau rant is exclusively for guests staying at The Beach House Collection).

Activity wise, the resort has a collection of super pools. A firm favourite was Jungali - a huge freeform pool with sloping beach-like entry and a swim up bar and eating area. It was a little quieter than the others and a great place to swim, relax, enjoy super cocktails (part of the WOW! All-inclusive deal) and watch the cute resident Flying Fox bats zip by.

A firm favourite with children was the huge water park. It was rather good fun sitting on the beach with a cocktail or two watching the chaos as kiddies and their dads tried to navigate the large, steep and very slippery inflatables without falling into the sea.

Siyam World offers a host of water sports – from sea bobbing, and jet surfing, to diving, snorkelling, jet skiing and more. Do take a sunset cruise if you can where you are likely to spot large pods of playful spinner and bottlenose dolphin.

Enough to say dining at Siyam World is an absolute highlight.

All in all, this is a great resort. Even though because of its size and the number of guests you might not always get the feeling of being on a traditional R&R Maldivian holiday, it’s perfect for all those who want beautiful beaches plus endless choice, an amazing all-inclusive plan, and a huge range of things to see and do. Most definitely well worth a visit.

Another favourite pool was the gorgeous infinity one at The Orchid Bar which was nice and quiet as it was exclusively for guests staying at The Beach House Collection.

Located on one of the largest islands in the Maldives, the 54 acre-resort is in the Noonu Atoll, 40 minutes on a sea plane from Male. For many this is a huge part of the Maldives experience and provides glorious views of the atolls below. Siyam World is a natural island and enjoys its own house reef and is so large, it even has room for its very own horse ranch – a Maldives first. As your sea plane sweeps down to land, you’ll gain your first sight of soft white sand beaches fringing a lush jungle-esq interior, and long jetties housing a host of overwater villas, some with pools and slides, jutting out into the clear turquoise shallows. This island can house a lot of holidaymakers at any time, but the acres of space enable you to escape to peace and quiet whenever you wish. It even has its own shuttle service running every few minutes - enabling you to get to wher ever you want in no time. Siyam World is a resort of pleasing contradictions. It can be busy in places, and the pace lively, with music and the bustle of the many activities it offers, and also peaceful when tucked away in your beach villa nestled in lush greenery in the quieter parts of the island. There are also very luxurious and majestic beach houses (The Beach House Collection), with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, lounges, huge bal conies on the first floor, and front and rear private pools, and converse ly smaller, much more affordable villas to enjoy if on a tighter budget.

Roots. Inspired by slow food philosophies where pure, seasonal plant-based ingredients are valued, this dining space aligns with nature to deliver delightful dishes that are good for your body, soul, and the planet.

charismaticnapowerprovefollowedFariPatinabelieved.impressivevibe,Only45-minutetheHeraldingContemporaryMaldivesPatinaChic&SustainableLuxuryinanewkindofuber-coolandeco-consciousluxuryresortinMaldivesistheratherfabulousPatina,locatedintheFariIslands,aspeedboatridefromthecapitalMale.openafewmonths,it’sfastgainingareputationforitschilledfrill-freeluxury,sustainabilityinitiatives,gourmetdelightsandJamesBond-esqvillaswhichreallydoneedtobeseentobeisoneoftwo–soontobethreeuber-luxeresortsmakingthearchipelagohome.RitzCartonMaldivesisnextdoorandwillbeinayearortwobyCapella.Thistrioofluxurybrandswillanaturaldrawtoglobalpleasureseekers,royalty,celebrity,andplayerswhowantandindeedexpectonlytheverybest.Patiunderstandsexactlywhatisrequired,withAntonioSaponara,theGM,comingfromsuper-brandssuchasBulgari,Jumeirah, and Ritz-Carlton . This kind of luxe is different though. Muted tones, sustainable natural materials and glorious views thankfully replace chintz, antiques and gold and the sometimes insipid pastels favoured by some other Maldivian resorts. The villas are unapologetically minimalist in their rectangle box design – and unusually masculine in the dark colour palette, fuss-free contemporary furnishings and tech. Dark teals, greys and blues prove a welcome shady relief to the blinding tropical sunshine and glinting sea outside. Incredibly spacious and very well thought out, they have an abundance of handy tech to automate everything from closing all the blinds with a single touch, to playing your favourite tunes and enabling even the state-of-the-art toilets to do just about everything except make a cup of tea. Our villa was a Sunset Over Water Villa. Located out on the jetty over a wide and quite deep lagoon, it faced southwest and had the most stun ning ocean views. Three sides of the villa are almost all glass and open to a wide deck with a larger than usual private pool. We loved perching on the low bench seat right on the edge of the deck, high above the sea, watching the waves roll in and pods of dolphin pass by. It gave the feeling of being out on the ocean, on the bow of a ship – amazing! We enjoyed one day in a two-bedroom beach villa and was great to see this different offering. This had an even larger private pool and opened on to a white sand beach with views of a small wildlife island close by. When you can tear yourself away from your gorgeous villa, there’s quite a bit to see and do at Patina. From innovative treatments at the spa, to going on an art tour around the island, enjoying the stunning huge main pool and taking walks at sunrise and sunset along the pristine beaches the island boasts. Not forgetting water sports and excursions – Patina has its own large marina and guests can bring their own superyachts there or enjoy cruises on those owned by the resorts. We took a sunset cruise and even though the sea was rough after a summer storm, we came across literally hundreds of spinner dolphins - many of which lived up to their name and treated us to hours of pirouettes in a kind of dolphin arial ballet. Back on shore, another area Patina excels in is the quality of its dining experiences. Each of the resorts 12 concepts presents a fresh perspec tive on what a Maldives restaurant should be, where the best ingredients and processes take centre stage. Their chefs preserve time-honoured techniques with a dash of originality to foster a universal connection through Highlightsfood.include

We experienced massage, the floatation pod, and most intriguing of all, Watsu. Here you relax fully and float in a warm saltwater pool in a specially created villa, and your expertly trained therapist gently and smoothly stretches your limbs and your spine to release long-held tight ness and blocks. It’s said to be far more effective than a massage alone and I certainly felt my flexibility had increased and a niggling old ache had disappeared after just one session.

There’s also the Veli Bar where you can unwind by the pain pool and enjoy expertly crafted light bites and refreshing cocktails. Plus Go Go Burger food truck and a favourite of ours, the Tuk Tuk Gelato where you can enjoy a free ice cream treat each day.

If you’re feeling a little more active, the island has a high-tech gym equipped by Life Fitness. You can take high and low-impact workout classes, and enjoy aqua cycling to challenge and channel energy. You can also do yoga and enjoy paddle boarding - here your encouraged to stop out on the water to meditate and breathe in the crystalline vitality of the ocean. On land, the array of fascinating art installations encourage mediation too. These include our favourite - Sky Space, a specifically proportioned chamber with an aperture in the ceiling open to the sky by American artist, James Turrell. It invites guests to contemplate their own percep tion of form as they immerse themselves in the sensual abundance of light, colour, and openness. At night it is very prettily lit in a myriad of Somethingcolours. we and other guests really appreciated about Patina is the re spect the resort has for the environment and efforts it makes regarding sustainability. They really do strive to find ways to reduce waste and pollution where ever they can. It’s in their culture and DNA. One of the many initiatives includes rescuing and planting thousands of trees and shrubs from neighbouring islands facing industrial clearing. They also sought renewable materials in the creation of their structures. Power is harvested from the sun, saving 795 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. Water is preserved, filtered, and recycled as irrigation. The organic garden provides their chefs with a vital source that flourishes under the principles of permaculture. The fish on their menus is accred ited as sustainable. And there is no single-use plastic to be found.

Fari Beach Club offers fine drinking, fine nutrition, and fine musicwhich come together in harmony, under the guidance of multi-Michelin star chef Nick Bril. KŌEN offers an enigmatic, theatrical marriage be tween Japanese and Nordic cuisine. Brasa provides a Latin play of fire, smoke, and spice - think rustic grilled meat dishes originating from the Patagonian region of South America. Wok Society is the place for soulful Asian creations and Helios for hearty Aegean fare.

Dining and adventure activities aside, a favourite place for guests to spend their days relaxing is the very good spa. This is all part of Patina’s wellbeing philosophy of flow – a holistic way of being – at one with nature, still, mindful and connected. Within the spa, guests can enjoy the therapeutic powers, clean products, scientific technologies, and the ebb and flow of water. Treatment suites include couple’s hammam beds and a room dedicated to the practice of Watsu. There’s also a floatation pod to soothe mind and body, saunas and cold showers enable the vascular and cognitive benefits of contrast hydrotherapy, and red-light therapy encourages cellular renewal.

Patina is a truly special resort with so much to commend. We look forward to visiting again https://patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islandssomeday.

Amilla Fushi is one of the largest and most lush five-star natural private island resorts in the Maldives. In fact, more than 70% of the island is untouched jungle fringed by white powder-soft sand beaches and is the home to a host of indigenous wildlife including cute Flying Fox bats, rare white-tailed tropicbirds, dainty terns and leggy and charismatic grey herons.

Amilla Fushi Heart & Soul of The Maldives

The 67 large luxurious villas, all with private pools, nestle discreetly among the native sea almonds, screwpines and coconut palms, dotted with beautifully scented frangipani blooms, or perch over the turquoise shallows and reef.

Villa choices range from majestic multi-bedroom completely private Residences – loved by celebrities and royalty, to treetop villas for those who want to be immersed in the lush jungle and swim in their own pool elevated high in the treetops, to a host of romantic over water villas with wonderful ocean views, privacy, and direct ocean access. You can also treat yourself to a unique ‘Amilla Glamping’ experience in a private beachside location. Choose between one of three bubble tent experienc es featuring champagne, a private chef, sauna, and plunge pool. We stayed at one of the excellent and spacious Reef Water Pool Villas. Here you can gaze out across the reef from the comfort of your bed, dangle your feet from your balcony and watch fish dart through the water below. Perfect for keen snorkellers like us.

Amilla is enviably located in the Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, famous for Hanifaru Bay ,which attracts the world’s largest groups of Manta Rays – a diving and snorkelling heaven. This is a resort with something for everyone. Its size means you can tuck yourself away in your villa and spend the days enjoying your own pool and swimming and snorkelling direct from your deck, occasionally venturing out for a relaxing spa treatment or sunrise yoga on the over water pavilion. Or, for those wishing for a livelier break, you can make the most of the myriad of water sports on offer, head off on a sandbank picnic and sunset dolphin cruise, swim in the stunning main pool or participate in the many other activities on offer each day. Whether travelling alone, in a couple, or as a family with young children Amilla is an ideal resort choice.

In addition to the above, one of the reasons guests frequently return is for the excellent dining. There’s a host of restaurants ready to delight you with a range of indulgent dishes as well as cuisine made from ethical, homemade, and homegrown ingredients. The award-winning Wellness Your Way menus offer the Maldives’ widest range of dietary lifestyle dishes, complemented by the country’s most extensive fitness facilities at our gyms and spa. Meal plan options include the Dine Around Inclusive. We and other guests really appreciated the menus – all of which are organised in clear sections for different types of dietary requirements or health-conscious preferences. This means if you, for example, follow a keto diet and fancied the same dish as someone on the unrestricted menu, you just need to scroll through to the Keto section, and you’ll find a just as tasty keto version. The resorts incredibly talented chefs have taken such time and trouble to create wonderful paleo, coeliac – suita ble, keto, vegan, low carb and vegetarian dishes to suit all tastes. Vegan guests we met were rather in awe at the fantastic choice – citing the best vegan food they’d had in any of the Maldives resorts they’d visited. The resort even creates wellness cocktails and offer ice cream to suit all eating lifestyles. As for the light as a feather low carb no grain rolls... it’s a must have recipe! (as well as one for the famous crab curry). We really appreciated how Amilla is committed to providing quality meat products and ingredients that come from farmers who raise their animals humanely, free from hormones and antibiotics and grazing on natural food Sustainabilitysources.issuper important here. The resort does all it can to respects the fragile beauty of the ecosystem by initiatives such as having large organic gardens and homemade cuisine, spa and bath products

We highly recommend a sandbank picnic trip. Take a speedboat across the sea to a pristine sandbank in the middle of the ocean, and sun bathe, enjoy a cocktail, and take in the incredible natural beauty of the Maldives. Do head off on a champagne sunset cruise too, where you’re likely to see playful pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphin and watch the sun set uninterrupted in a blaze of amber and gold.

Restaurant choice wise, you really are totally spoilt for choice. From dawn to dusk, dining at Amilla is always a pleasure. All meal plans include the option to Dine Around their eight different weekly dining experiences and the DAI (Dine Around Inclusive) plan includes a wide variety of beverages at their three bars.

Spa lovers will be in heaven at the resort’s Javvu Spa. Here you can enjoy Maldives-inspired traditions coupled with the best techniques of the East and West. It’s in a lovely setting, on the villa free side of the island, right on the beach. A leafy sanctuary where you can rebalance mind, body, and soul. We really enjoyed learning to make bath and beauty products using fresh flowers, coconut oil and herbs grown on the island at the spa’s Alchemy Bar. The spa also offers some really innovative experiences such as Senso ra multi-sensory light, sound and vibration therapy helps melt away anxiety and stress, and regularly hosts guest expert practitioners from all over the world. Amilla is also doing everything they can to make the resort inclusive to those with disabilities too. Amilla is wonderful resort with real heart and soul - one which cares deeply for the environment and local heritage as well as its valued guests. Visit www.amilla.com

It wouldn’t be a true holiday without a cocktail or two, and again there’s a wide choice of bars including Baa Baa Bar on the beach offering spirits infused with ingredients grown on the island. It has a DJ and is a great place at the end of the day, watching the sun casts its last golden light on the tranquil waters of the lagoon. Sunset Bar provides laidback beats, chilled champagne, live entertainment, and spontaneous fun. And if you’re a gin fan, this bar offers an amazing selection, served with Home made@Amilla tonic. If wine is more your thing, then do book a private tasting experience at The Cellar Door where you’ll discover thousands of labels from the Old World and New World in an atmospheric setting.

In terms of snorkelling, Amilla really excels. You can experience something different each day, including house reef snorkelling, blue hole snorkelling, night snorkelling and a coral garden excursion. Don’t forget to take a trip to Hanifaru Bay – a horseshoe-shaped bay where, when the tide, moon, and other conditions are right, mantas and whale sharks aggregate in unprecedented numbers from June to October For those who wish to dive, this is a perfect place. There’s so much to see – from tropical reef fish of every kind and colour, to manta rays, friendly turtles, dolphin and even possibly a whale shark or two. Amilla Maldives is adjacent to a multitude of world-class dive sites. Dive Butler International is their five-star scuba diving partner, based at H.U.B, so you are in very safe hands.

Activity wise, whether you want infinite excitement or ultimate relaxa tion, Amilla can cater for you. There are many water-sports activities, from parasailing to wakeboarding. On land you can enjoy beach vol leyball, badminton, tennis, and football. Plus, there’s all sorts of special activities planned for each day.

which keep the resorts carbon footprint as low as possible. Something else really appreciated, is the fact that Amilla is authentically Maldivian. This means your booking directly benefits the local economy. Maldivian heritage is valued, and guests benefit from experiencing won derful local culinary delights and cultural experiences. This importantly helps some traditions to be saved and not die out.

A few dining highlights include Feeling Koi, Amilla’s wonderful over water Japanese restaurant; Barolo for authentic Italian fare, East for flavours of South India; The Emperor Beach Club for meals on the beach in a laid-back setting; Joe’s Pizza - no explanation needed and Dine by Design – private dining experiences in a range of romantic locations around the island, whether that be an unforgettable dinner under the stars or breakfast as the sun rises. Fresh for breakfast is incredible –the choice was fantastic and the breakfast acai bowls to die for. For ice cream fans – this is free for all guests, and is again delicious, and you can enjoy a floating breakfast at your own villa pool and home deliveries too if you just fancy kicking back in your own lounge or deck.

A short sea plane away from the international airport at the capital Male, lies a perfect pleasure paradise, where turquoise seas kiss pearles cent white shores fringed by elegant palms and a lush, green jungle. There’s something rather magical here, the ocean seems a brighter blue, the sand even softer and the frangipani air more richly scented. Lux* Maldives has this positive effect on all who visit - you arrive and instant ly everything seems wonderful, better and nicer than before.

A long thin natural island, Lux* is located as the name says, in the South Ari Atoll, south/southwest of Male. One of the larger Maldives resorts, it’s hugely popular with guests from all over the world – some lured as they know and love the Lux* brand, others because they want something more than the typical ‘fly and flop’ beach holiday many associate the Maldives to be.

The beaches here ARE gorgeous though – and it’s certainly tempting to sunbathe most days - with a high SPF, but there’s also all sorts of other delightful ways to spend your time.

But first, the accommodation. There’s a good choice, from cosy beach villas nestled on the island’s pretty shores, to aptly named ‘Temptation Pool Water Villas’ which are perched over the sea, with a large 14-meter private infinity pool, jacuzzi, and beautiful uninterrupted ocean views. Thatched roof beach bungalows and villas perched over the warm Mal divian waters create a stylish seaside haven. On the sandy shores guests can unwind beneath the palms, while stairways from the over water villas’ decks descend straight into the Indian Ocean. Whitewashed walls, light and airy spaces with bursts of colour and tropical foliage make for the ultimate laidback lifestyle.

Magical, Memorable Maldives Favourite

There are eight different categories, so whether you’re flying solo or with a tribe of little travellers in tow, or if you’re more the water villa type than the beach one, you will easily find your fit.

LUX* South Ari Atoll

The Lux* Villa is the range topping presidential villa, perfect for trav ellers seeking simple-yet-stylish luxury; Temptation Pool Water Villas as mentioned above; Two-Bedroom Family Beach Pavilions - intercon nected so perfect for families and friends; Romantic Pool Water Villas, a favourite for couples and honeymooners; Maldives Water Villas and Beach Villas for those who prefer being in the ocean than having their own private pool, and there’s a number of other super villa types too. All have gorgeous bathrooms, sun decks, AC, and all mod cons. If you can tear yourself away from your lovely home from home, jump on one of the island shuttle buses that run every 15 minutes or so, or take a bike and explore. The island has a main sand road thankfully covered by palms to provide some dappled shade. You’ll pass the arrival and departure lobby with its coffee bar, dive and water sport centre, various restaurants and bars, pools, kiddies club and a few extra special touches we really loved. Right at the very far end of the island is an old-fashioned red telephone box where you can call home free (yes real ly), plus a tiny library with an ocean facing loft where you can relax and read enjoying a cooling sea breeze, and heading back towards the centre, an amazing wishing tree. This is so pretty and such a lovely idea. All guests are given a ribbon to write their dearest wishes on, and then hang them on the majestic tree’s branches. At the end of each year, all the ribbons are collected, and some picked to receive a free holiday back at the resort. We visited in July and the tree was already laden with its precious ribbon cargo, all very gently rustling in the breeze. Another lovely touch and one popular with children, is very early each morning, team members head out and hide glass bottles around the island so families can enjoy a treasure hunt. Each bottle has a message in it with a prize, which can be things like a free pizza evening in their villa and

Other activity-wise, the whole island is fringed with gorgeous beaches of the softest sand, and as it’s so large, you can always find a little place to yourself. In some places swings have been placed over the sea so you can pretend to be a child again, all carefree with the wind in your hair.

other treats. This is so in keeping with the whole ethos of this resort –warm, friendly, welcoming – and fun!

Lux* really prides itself in engaging in a host of efforts to help fight climate change, from planting corals, banning single-use plastic, having their own water plant (they have saved about 810,000 plastic water bottles so far), tending to their own herb garden and vegetable patch, launching the world’s largest floating solar platform at sea, and provid ing guests with bicycles, island cruisers and solar-powered shuttles to get around. It’s so commendable and hugely encouraging to see resorts like this take sustainability and the environment so seriously. Sustainability applies to Lux* South Ari’s host of excellent dining experiences too. It’s the first resort in the Maldives recognized as a ‘’Vegan Friendly Hotel’’ by Vegan Welcome. Plant-based food lovers can pick from the vegetarian and vegan menu ‘’Keen on Green’’ across all the restaurants. They will be spoilt for choice at Umami with Yaki Udon noodles, Yasai Maki rolls and Japanese coffee jelly. And they can enjoy treats like the black truffle & porcini pizza and Vietnamese bean curd at Veli Bar. Guilt-free meals with a selection of sustainable delicacies brimming with organic goodness. Most guests enjoy the resorts excellent All-Inclusive package, so they don’t have the worry of ending up with a hefty bill. There are six res taurants and five bars this applies too, and you receive 30% off the chic Japanese restaurant, Umami, as well as at the Italian restaurant, Al legria. There’s a wide selection of drinks: 80 wines and 50 cocktails. A serve-yourself minibar. And, as-much-as-you-can-eat ice cream during afternoon tea. We thoroughly enjoyed free ice cream treats each day. Here at Lux* you really can go on a culinary journey – from Japan at Umami, the Mediterranean at Beach Rouge, Italy at Allegria, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean at Senses, Asia at East Market, and on a trip around the globe at MIXE. We enjoyed wonderful meals each day, and a fabulous wine tasting too. Activities, we’ve mentioned some already, but there’s a host of wa ter sports to enjoy. They have jet skis, paddleboards, hoverboards, flyboards, wakeboards, water-skis, knee-boards, windsurfs, kite surfs, sailboats, banana boats and other tubes, but also fishing, parasailing and catamaran outings... phew! You can learn to dive at the dive centre and gain full training and PADI certification. There’s also a fantastic spa, set on a gorgeous private beach area. It’s incredibly peaceful and even if you’re not planning on having one of the super treatments they offer, you can still use the spa facilities and relax on comfy day beds in the shade and dip in the private plunge pool. One of the resorts real hidden treasures. There are so many things to rave about with Lux* South Air, but we will end by simply saying it’s a wonderful resort you’ll be incredibly sad to leave. If you visit, I’m sure you, like us, will make plans to return as soon as you get home!

For further info: https://www.luxresorts.com/en/maldives/hotel/lux southariatoll

The resort is in a Marine Protected Area, where the incredibly beautiful natural surroundings, including 50 dive sites, are brimming with wild life—rays, sea turtles, thousands of species of reef fish, dolphins, and the mysterious whale shark. You can head off on a cruise to see these majestic, plankton-eating spot ted creatures. The resort’s marine biologist takes groups out on a tra ditional wooden Dhoni to scuba-dive or snorkel alongside whale sharks and manta rays (keeping a safe and considerate distance naturally).

Walking along the shores you’ll see plenty of the island’s wild inhabit ants too – from leggy grey herons sneaking up on shoals of fry, to dainty white terns, ghost crabs, comical squabbling coots, and just offshore, baby reef, lemon, and blacktip sharks prowl by. Walk out on to the jet ties and you’ll spot a rainbow of fish – everything from colourful parrot fish to strange needlefish, eagle and sting rays, and larger sharks hoping for an easy meal.

Website: Byearsham-holiday-cottages/the-gardeners-cottage-ehttps://www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk/rural-norfolk/GabrielleScarlett

Hideaways-There’sGardener’sEscapeLuxuryCottagenothingquiteasrelaxingformeasacountrysideescapeandthat’sexactlywhattheGardener’sCottagefromNorfolkis.TuckedintoEarshamHall,inBungay,Norfolk,

Norfolk

The recently updated cottage is self-catered, with a gorgeous kitchen space that was fully capable of handling our weekend culinary endeavours. From the steaks we grilled the first night, to the array of DIY nibbles we ended our trip with, the various ovens provided plenty of space for our courses to finish for plat ing up at the same time. Though the kitchen bar makes for easy mealtimes, we found ourselves enjoying most of our meals in the courtyard (fitted to seat four) - watched over by the property peacocks, of course. Though it’s easy to cook at the cottage, if you’re not looking to prepare all of your meals yourself during your stay, plan to pop into the Earsham Hall Tearooms one afternoon! Or, you can grab a full English (or a pastry or two) at Wendy’s House, the bakery that’s also within Earsham Hall’s gates. Their lunchtime fare is equally lovely - and, notably, if there are food allergies in your party, their team will do everything they can to accommo date. As an American traveler, I’m a sucker for a good mac and cheese, and Wendy’s House sorted that craving for me perfectly!

the Gardener’s Cottage definitely qualifies as a hidden gem. This is due in part to the fact that it’s situated within the Earsham Hall gates, just adjacent to the residential portion of the stately home. It would be easy to miss even if visiting the businesses within the grounds, if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In fact, the inverse is also true - the cottage itself is afforded enough privacy that it’s easy to forget the proximity to the prop erty at large. Even at its busiest, noise from the business park doesn’t interrupt the tranquil atmosphere within the cottage, helping it to feel distinctly removed from any hustle and bustle one might expect during the day.

Sleeping arrangements in the Gardener’s Cottage make it well suited to a getaway for a family of four, if you’re not a solo trav eler looking strictly for relaxation. One of the two bedrooms can be arranged to house either a super-king, or two cosy singles, while the master bedroom itself is home to a super-king. In addition, each bedroom is paired with an almost shockingly modern en-suite. Admittedly it took me a wee bit of trial and error to learn the ins and outs of the smart shower system, but I’ve been missing it ever since we left!

The Gardener’s Cottage is situated perfectly between Norfolk and Suffolk, making it easy to explore while you’re staying. To wind down for the evening after days out and about, we took to walking around the grounds at large. In the dusk light, the open field leading up to the property gates feels ethereal - almost mystical. It’s as if the grounds themselves are imbued with the history of the place, seeping from between sprigs of grass, and soaked into the stone of remnant structures on the grounds. To top off the magic of an evening walk, on spring nights, baby grey rabbits can be spied hopping after their mums in the tall grass. We’d watch them stand still as statues until they thought we weren’t looking, then disappear into the wooded edge of the property with the rest of their bounding herd.

At the beginning of summer, Francisco de la Toree, the mayor of Malaga – a hub on Spain’s Andalucian coast – sparked controversy by saying that it was in the city’s interests to limit holiday lets, as these tend to attract a certain type of traveller. His argument – that Malaga wants quality rather than quantity from its visitors – led Carlos Perez Lanzac, the President of the Association of Tourist Properties of Andalucía to defend Malaga’s holiday apartment offering, saying that many of them are ‘comparable with five-star hotels.’ This may well be true, but it’s difficult to imagine that any of them are comparable with Palacio Solecio, an Andalusian palace set in the intriguing alleys of Malaga’s picturesque Old Town, within a short stroll of the Museo Picasso and Roman Amphitheatre.

A restored palace once owned by an Italian card manu facturer has been opened as the Palacio Solecio - and is proof that Malaga is now a city to be reckoned with.

PAGE 74KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Play Your Cards Right at Palacio Solecio

Built in the 18th century by Italian nobleman and playing card man ufacturer, Felix Solecio, the palace was derelict for 80 years before restoration began in the able hands of architect and designer Antonio Obrador. Part of the Marugal management portfolio, which includes Torralbenc in Menorca, as well as Hotel Urso and Totem in Madrid, the hotel - which opened at the end of 2019 - retains original architectural and design features, while being infused with a stylish contemporariness that’s in keeping with Malaga’s position as an up-and-coming city; a destination in its own right, rather than a launchpad for the rest of the Costa del Sol. Restoration yielded sgraffito images on the palace’s façade; the original stone staircase is visible from the entrance, and the iron grilles protect ing the windows have been painstakingly brought back to their original glory. Elsewhere, Obrador has drawn on Moorish influences, with pil lared archways flanking the interior courtyards; exposed brickwork, and ‘cordobanes’ – decoratively painted leather works which were popular in Andalucía in the 16th and 17th centuries – on the walls. Records of the palace’s original interiors have been mined for inspiration and are reflected, for instance, in the elegant herringbone fabrics that provide colour and depth to the low-key luxe furnishings of the 68 guestrooms, to which an additional 49 are to be added. And what guestrooms they are. It’s fortunate – or unfortunate, perhaps, depending on your perspective – that Malaga, in its emergent incarna tion as a cultural and gastronomical hub, had so much to lure me into its streets, or else the temptation to languish in the supremely comfortable four-poster bed, or to wallow in the free-standing tub, may have proved my downfall. Yet even if the proximity of Malaga’s grand cathedral; impressive bull ring; bustling market; 30-plus museums and thriving restaurant scene were not enough to drag you from your room, then the hotel’s facilities surely would be. Yes, the fitness offering is undeniably modest for the time being, but there’s a rooftop bar and pool planned and, besides, Malaga is an easily walkable and endlessly explorable city, which is bound to keep your pedometer happy, even if you don’t tackle the quad-busting climb from the Old Town up to the 11th century Alcazaba Butfortress.thereal

and immediate lure from the rooms is the restaurant, Balausta, the brains and skill behind which is Michelin-starred chef José Carlos García. Seamless attention is matched with exquisite menu options, with an emphasis, unsurprisingly, on local produce and fresh seafood. We drank expertly crafted cocktails before moving on to ancho vies, grilled sardines, and a vibrant kale salad, accompanied by wines from a beautifully curated list. A traditional fisherman’s stew was given a twist with pumpkin escalivada, drawn from the Catalan tradition of ash-roasted vegetables. Sea bass was served with Malaga clam velouté, pak choi and black garlic – and, as alluring as the dessert menu was, we chose to swerve it in favour of waking up ready (or at least not too full) for breakfast in the same setting: think pastries, eggs cooked to order, cheese, meats, and fresh fruit.

Palacio Solecio (00 34 9522 22000; www.palaciosolecio.com) offers double rooms from £142 per night on a room-only basis, or B&B from £157 per night. By Sarah Rodrigues

Even if you can’t help but slope back to your room for a post-prandial snooze afterwards - before venturing down to the city’s recently renewed and glossy port; or into its regenerated ‘Soho’ neighbourhood, with its large-scale street art and hipster cafes - the food, the setting and the ser vice make the effort well worth getting out of bed for. Is there a holiday let or Airbnb that can lay claim to that?

PAGE 75 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW

Please note we are closed on Christmas Day. YOU A CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYONE AT…

WONDERFUL

WISHING

Located in the heart of London’s most prestigious Royal Borough, Forty Five Kensington offers a dining and gaming experience that’s perfect for an intimate Christmas get-together.

Sample the delights of our luxurious restaurant, offering fine dining with an inspiring menu of dishes from around the world. Equally as impressive as the menu is the level of service, with our team of highly trained staff attending to your every need. After your meal, enjoy a drink in the relaxed surroundings of our elegant bar or experience the excitement of the Kensington Gaming Floor and experience the best in gaming over the festive period.

Open 3pm - 5am, with live gaming available from 4pm, 7 days a week Restaurant open 7pm - 1am, Wednesday - Sunday We look forward to welcoming you over the festive period.

Forty Five Kensington, 45 Cromwell Rd, SouthLondonKensington,SW72EF +44 (0)20 7589 www.fortyfivekensington.co.uk4041

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City Heat A KCR Curated guide to the very best summery treats to keep you looking and feeling great this season

Whispering Angel £30 https://www.finewinedirect.co.uk/products/whispering-angel?variant=39545346064419 Journey’s End Wild Child Grenache Rose 6 bottle case £79.99 FiguièreFiguièreJurliqueco.uk/products/journeys-end-wild-child-grenache-rose-6-bottle-case-75clhttps://northandsouthwines.ExclusiveEditionFiveRosesHandCream£36https://jurlique.co.uk/products/exclusive-edition-hand-cream-five-roses?_pos=1&_psq=Five&_ss=e&_v=1.0LesConfidentielles£22.50https://www.figuiere-provence.com/en/&https://www.vinatis.co.uk/52121-confidentielle-2021-figuierePremierRose£17.33https://www.vinatis.co.uk/52126-premiere-rose-2021-figuiereStMoritztanningrangehttps://www.stmoriz.co.uk/StilaTequilaSunrisehttps://stila.co.uk/OdileParishttps://odileparis.com/ArbonneFunSunMineralSunscreenhttps://www.arbonne.com/TisserandEnergyBoostRangehttps://www.tisserand.com/energy-boost/DrHauchauskaTranslucentBronzingTint£20https://www.drhauschka.co.uk/bronzing-tint-face-lotion/CalvinKleinCKOneSummerDazehttps://www.theperfumeshop.com/calvin-klein/ck-one-summer-daze/eau-de-toilette-spray/p/251010EDTJULancomeOuiLaVieEstBelleEDPhttps://www.theperfumeshop.com/lancome/oui-la-vie-est-belle/eau-de-parfum-spray/p/26910EDPJUMarcJacobsDaisyBlueSkieshttps://www.theperfumeshop.com/marc-jacobs/daisy-skies/eau-de-toilette-for-her/p/263123EDTJUJurliqueExclusiveEditionFiveRosesRosewaterBalancingFaceMist£32https://jurlique.co.uk/products/exclusive-edition-rosewater-balancing-mist-five-roses?_pos=2&_psq=Five%20Roses&_ss=e&_v=1.0RENHydrate&ProtectDuo£55https://www.renskincare.com/collections/spf/products/hydrate-and-protect-duoEveLomDailyProtectionSPF50£75https://www.evelom.co.uk/collections/shop-all/products/daily-protection-spf-50EveLomTravelMustHavesSet£29https://www.evelom.co.uk/collections/shop-all/products/set-travel-must-havesESPAPro-GlowSkinQuenchingSerum£45https://www.espaskincare.com/pro-glow-skin-quenching-serum/12961397.html?autocomplete=productsuggestionZoSkinHealthSunscreenandPowderBroadSpectrumSPF45$65https://zoskinhealth.com/collections/sunscreensAnabelleMineralsexcellentmakeuprangehttps://www.annabelleminerals.com/AvantSkincarehttps://avant-skincare.com/TheHairBossVitaminshttps://lehairboss.com/Dolce&GabbanaPassionEyes&FelineEyeshttps://www.dolcegabbanabeauty.com/SergeLutenslipstickshttps://www.sergelutens.com/us/beauty/lips/rouges-a-levres-et-encres/lipsticks.htmlYSLBeautylipstickshttps://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/makeup/lips/CustomskincarebyFunctionofBeautyhttps://www.functionofbeauty.com/ConfessionsofaRebelfragranceandskincarecollectionhttps://confessionsofarebel.com/RevisionGentleFoamingCleanser£39https://www.revisionskincare.co.uk/collections/cleanse-tone/products/copy-of-restorative-night-creamArranAromaticsgorgeousbathandbodyrangeshttps://arran.com/LillyLashesConditioningSerumandLasheshttps://lillylashes.com/D-AlchemyEssentialBodyBalm£58.60https://dalchemyskincare.uk/essential-body-balmImaraisBeautyGlowGummies£42https://imaraisbeauty.com/products/glowHelmsleyOrganicsReikiinfusedrangehttps://hemsleyorganics.com/FlanerieSkinCarerangehttps://flanerie-skincare.com/gb/Revitalashlashandbrowcarehttps://revitalash.co.uk/YourZookiincredibleliposomalvitaminsandcollagenbundleshttps://yourzooki.com/TomDaxonIridiumFragrance£255https://www.tomdaxon.com/products/iridium-71SolgarVitaminshttps://solgar.co.uk/DrOphieliaHairVitaminsAdvanced£69https://drophelia.com/products/hair-vitamins-advancedBlackOpiumEaudeParfum50ml£82https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/fragrance/for-her/black-opium/black-opium-eau-de-parfum/WW-40701YSL.htmlYSLBeautyLibreEaudeParfum50ml£82https://www.yslbeauty.co.uk/fragrance/for-her/libre/libre-eau-de-parfum/WW-50424YSL.htmlMahabisBreathhttps://mahabis.com/collections/breathe-slippersSlipPixieMegaScrunchieSet£55https://www.slipsilkpillowcase.co.uk/collections/hair-accessories/products/pixie-mega-scrunchie-setRENReadySteadyGlowfromWholeFoodsMarketstoreshttps://www.wholefoodsmarket.co.uk/VitrueFrizzBlockSmoothingSprayhttps://www.cultbeauty.co.uk/virtue-frizz-block-smoothing-spray-150ml/13479051.htmlDrHauschkaRevitalisingLeg&ArmTonichttps://www.drhauschka.co.uk/natural-cosmetics/leg-tonic-tired-legs/AveaLiferangehttps://avea-life.com/ Where to Buy

Luxury health and wellness clinic The Gloss is located in the heart of retail district Knightsbridge on Walton Street.

The Gloss Luxury Health & Wellness

Just a five minutes walk from Harrods, London’s iconic shopping destination and adjacent to Chanel, Brompton Cross, an outpost on the corner of Draycott Avenue, the clinic is perfectly situated for scheduling a beauty treatment in-between your shopping trip.

Whether you want to treat your skin concerns or enhance skin health and well-being, The Gloss offers the most comprehensive range of treatments. As part of your health and wellness experience, its trained specialised analyses your skin issues and listens to your concerns, then recommending an individual treatment plan to correctly deliver the results you need.

The female-founded wellness hub boasts a wealth of NHS-qualified doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychiatrists and nutritionists, marrying the opulence of Knightsbridge, whilst giving Harley Street Inresults.thepast, you’d often be required to visit a series of specialists –perhaps one for injectables, another for pigmentation, another for laser hair removal and so on. The Gloss is a one-stop-shop, making accessing the right specialists easier and ensuring that scheduling those all-impor tant appointments is more convenient. By grouping together its experts, The Gloss is able to offer a 360-degree approach to health and wellness, working to rebalance and refresh with personalized plans and an exten sive menu of beauty options.

Wellness is about more than just physical health. People often think about wellness in terms of nutrition, exercise, and weight management, however, it determines how we ultimately look, feel, interact with others and thrive in life and work.

The luxury women-led clinic accommodates various facilities for women and men, including state-of-the-art treatment rooms and an extensive offering of skincare and wellness treatments from rejuvenating facials to the infamous platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP), also known as the ‘Vampire Facial,’ and ultimate hair loss treatment, to specialist cosmetic dermatology including advanced fillers and botox, liquid facelifts, medical grade chemical peels and microneedling to laser dermatology, including facial vein and rosacea treatments, scar and stretch mark frac tional laser treatment and photo fractional rejuvenation laser treatment and medical dermatology, including mole removal, subcision for acne scarring, skin cancer screening, lumps, bumps and rashes.

All treatments are carried out by The Gloss’s specialist team who have a wealth of over 25 years of combined medical experience. Constantly striving to provide unrivalled skincare, health and wellness to its A-list clientele, The Gloss has quickly become a home away from home for many royals, celebrities, editors, publicists and renowned businessmen and Throughout,businesswomen.TheGloss adopts a minimalistic design approach, opting for creams, greys and olives, akin to that of a luxury 5* hotel or private members club. Tin ceilings and stainless steel glass doors with bevelled glass comple ment the classical features with a modern touch. Satin, stainless steel door handles add to the sense of luxury, alongside the reclaimed marble tiling used to reclad the floor in the hallway and reception.

As the first-ever destination dedicated to beauty startups and small businesses, The Gloss provides an exquisitely curated collection of the best and most sought-after beauty and personal care products from around the world. All tried and tested, each brand and product has

With a portfolio of several beauty brands onsite, unrivalled state-of-theart equipment and a team of world-class experts, The Gloss is the beauty industry’s new community hub and a haven for women with every skin type and tone.

Website: https://www.the-gloss.com/

The best part? Its retail offering, The Gloss’s founder is a female power player who aims to support beauty startups. Beauty brands can now apply to have their products stocked in the luxury wellness clinic giving them access to high-profile clientele in the shop window of one of the world’s most recognised retail destinations. More details on how to apply can be found on The Gloss website.

been personally approved by The Gloss’s board of qualified doctors and “Therepharmacists.arehundreds of incredible beauty clinics across London, how ever, we wanted to create one that not only helps women with their beauty and confidence but one that gives those same women a platform to present their beauty brands or products to high-net-worth individuals in Knightsbridge right by Harrods, Chanel and Isabel Marant to name a few. These women and their products will never be seen by beauty buyers otherwise,” says the founder of The Gloss.

Since launching in 2015, D+D has received international recognition, selling to over 120 countries worldwide and working with reputable international retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, Nordstrom, Levels and Tsum.

Fracap have made hiking boots for over a century – and with this collaboration, D+D have taken that historic know-how, combined it with a freshness from their own design lab in Hackney, London and turned the spirit of adventure to face winter in the city.

In true D+D style, this is a collection that’s been built with a real sense of purpose. Each pair has been designed to be more than just a robust boot that can conquer any terrain – the London footwear label has created them to give the wearer the ability to go anywhere, in any weather, and look damn good doing it. This trio of Hiking Boots are purposefully built to feel as comfortable and suitable up in the Dolomites, as they are on the streets of ArchieDalston.Hewlett

Every pair has been handmade in Italy, sharing the DNA that has made Fracap boots some of the best in the world. The exclusive collection has been equipped with custom Vibram soles, traditional hiker eyelets and finished in leather or water-resistant suede. There’s even a style that’s been made to leave footprints on the pavement, not the planet, with a Vibram sole made from recycled plastic and a vegan leather upper.

D+D are big believers in making the most of what you own - buy once and buy right is a powerful mantra - and they want the way their shoes are worn to reflect that.

A Winner at Draper’s 2017 & 2019 Footwear Awards as Premium Footwear Brand of the Year and nominated for Best Online Footwear Business in 2018, the brand has found favour with a credible celebrity clientele. Eddie Redmayne, Ryan Reynolds, Justin Timberlake, Jonah Hill, David Beckham, Snoop Dogg and Rihanna have all sported D+D’s - helping cement D+D’s position as a leading footwear label.

Available exclusively at www.dukeanddexter.com

RRP: £290

Over the past 5 years, D+D has expanded from its London roots into a global community; working with athletes, musicians, artists, designers, photographers and pioneers who do things differently, who go against the grain.

PAGE 85 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW Duke + Dexter & Fracap

at Duke + Dexter said “Fracap is one of the greatest boot makers of all time, and teaming up with them has resulted in boots that can do pretty much anything. Along with their credentials being fit for taking on mountain paths, we’ve also made them ready to pound the pavement with modern fabrications, lightweight revisions and novel touches that make them relevant to your everyday style - whilst still retaining their world beating features”.

Exclusive Collaboration

Duke + Dexter challenges expectations of what a British shoe brand can and should be - striking a balance between progressive style and familiar British charm.

Ground Floor - entrance hall, living room with fireplace accessing the beautiful stone-pillared porch, sitting room with fireplace leading to the stone staircase, library, dining-room, wine cellar, kitchen-diner, utility, bedroom, bathroom, toilet. First Floor - 7 bedrooms (1 with living room). Second Floor - 4 bedrooms (1 triple with living room and small loft).All 11 bedrooms have en suite bathrooms and built-in wardrobes.The property is sold furnished. Opened as an hotel in 2000, soon becoming one of the best rural hotels in Asturias, acclaimed by important travel critics such as Fernando Gallardo. This lead to it being listed in many sector reference guides: “Hoteles con Encanto”, “Turismo de Silencio”, “Michelin Guide”, “Special Places to Stay in Spain”, “Rusticae”, “Domus Selecta Aurea”; the prestigious luxury hotel association Relais Chateaux invited the owners to join the association, potentially making it the first hotel in Asturias to achieve such recognition. However, in 2005 it returned to being the owners’ private residence. 2008 debuted the celebration of weddings, that of a family friend. Such a success was it that the owners were inspired to integrate a pavilion into the garden sensitively and stylishly following English designs that combine stone, wood and glass. The 376m2 encompass the banqueting suite, professional kitchen, porch and dance floor, 6 rest rooms. Capable of hosting celebrations for 300. Very soon TELVA BODAS (the prestigious national wedding magazine) selected it amongst the 6 most beautiful locations in Spain.

3. PROPERTY IN VILLAVICIOSA, ASTURIAS. €950,000 Near Rodiles beach this traditional Asturian Palace in 4,000m2 stonewalled land with building permission. Family coat-of-arms adorns the 18th Century baroque-style palace, whose first floor is virtually all original chestnut flooring. A large stone barn, guests’ dwelling, and pigeon loft add to the 770m2 construction of 2 kitchens, 3 living rooms, 7 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms. Ground floors - garages oozing potential. Palace’s first floor accesses its beautiful centennial arboretum gardens to garden house, BBQ, and WC. Just 2.8km to fabulous Rodiles beach, 6.6km to Villaviciosa market town. Communications: Asturias airport 70km eastwards, Santander airport and ferry port 150km west.

PAGE 86KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW LUXURY SPANISH PROPERTIES FOR SALE

2. PROPERTY IN VILLAVICIOSA, ASTURIAS. €2.4 MILLION Manicured wooded gardens set the 6,000m2 scene for this stunning stone manor house and pavilion. During its full restoration, 1996-1999, the owners took exquisite care to maintain the original features whilst implementing new foundations and a reinforced concrete solid core of pillars, slabs and beams, overlaid with the original elements of wood, stone and forged metal. It was a labour of love. Its 815m2 are on 3 Distribution:floors.

1. PROPERTY IN LLANES, ASTURIAS. €4.8 MILLION

Whatever the prospective buyer’s preference its location is second-tonone, with outstanding mountains and coast of stunning beaches and cliffs: Rodiles, La Griega, La Isla, La Espasa. Excellent A8 Highway communications to the nearby 3 cities, Asturias airport 72km and Santander airport and ferry port 148km.

Ideal as an exclusive home or a business with a high potential return on investment whose options range from a hotel with wedding or corporate events venue, and/or, since it has a professional kitchen, an elite restaurant. All these activities could be perfectly integrated to produce a highly profitable business. In its discreet private setting, the house can host up to 25 overnight guests and 300 private party guests.

THE COMPANY

I am Miriam Malga-Smith and Asturian-Property.com is my business, the highly personalised online agency for English speakers world wide, based in London and Asturias. I am bilingual and have bilingual professionals to assist my clients through all stages of the sale/purchase of properties in Northern Spain. If you are interested in knowing more about Asturias and other regions in Green Spain, you will find more information at Asturian-Property.com, or please contact me personally via my email miriam@asturian-property.com or the following mobile numbers (+34) 639 170 320 or (+44) 754 575 6152. Three new homes-from-home from Asturianproperties.com

At this designer-acclaimed clifftop villa: everything’s planned – just arrive, relax, have fun. Wake up to wide sea vistas, stroll along your private clifftop – there’s no-one to bother you here. Yet, you’re only a 50m amble to the local unspoilt beach. There are three floors, all reached by the lift, plus seven bedrooms and bathrooms, two kitchens and dining rooms, a wine cellar, larder and laundry facilities too. You and your guests will be in awe of the surrounding mountain and marine landscape. Exercise in the indoor and outdoor pools, the jacuzzi, sauna, gym, tennis court, basketball and football pitch in 12,000sq m of grounds, including 948sq m of habitable space and a 108sq m terrace. In Llanes there are top restaurants, some Michelin-starred, and the Santander International Arts Festival or the Opera season in Oviedo are held here. The villa featured in Interior Designs magazine shortly after construction, for its sleek lines and clean finishes. There’s also a garage for six cars, and an automatic pellet-drive eco-system which supplies underfloor heating, air-conditioning and heating for both pools. And, you can control all aspects of the villa when away via the top-of-therange remote system. The nearby A8 Highway, which links to all parts of Spain and Europe, is out of sight and ear-shot, while airports, ferry ports and other principal transport links are within an hour’s drive.

PAGE 87 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW 3.2.1.

PAGE 88KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW KCR

The steering wheel also has touch pad sensitive controls which also has an audible noise (which can be turned off if preferred) so you know your gestures have been recognised. has The previous physical red starter button and gone to be replaced with a touch sensitive start button. On the first press the digital display (HMI) will burst in to life, first with the prancing horse appearing followed by your driver’s display. Then with your foot on the brake you push that button again and the amazing V8 sparks in to action. The sound of that V8 on start up is pure music to the ears – although your neighbours may not agree at 7am in the morning. After a few seconds the V8 softens down a little to a lovely purr.

FerrariDriveRoma

Dorset and Hampshire are two particularly beautiful areas of the UK with historic villages, a world-heritage coastline and picturesque countryside that’s been featured in a number of famous novels. What better way to explore these two counties than in a rather special car? With its strikingly elegant yet potently sporting lines, seriously impressive performance and comfort, the Ferrari Roma was a perfect choice. For those new to the Roma, this Ferrari is a mid-front engine 2+ Coupe. Nestled under the sleek gorgeously honed bonnet is a 3.9 litre ,twin-turbocharged, 612 Bhp, V8 engine, delivering a blistering 0-62mph sprint time of just 3.4 seconds and on to a mind blowing top speed of 199mph.

Versatility and being perfect for even less confident sportscar drivers aside, this a Ferrari and there are 612 horses at your disposal. On the steering wheel is the Manettino switch which will give you five different driving modes. There’s a setting for wet , comfort, sport, race and ESC off. Know ing our limits and we’re not likely to take on Charles Leclerc any time soon, we re sisted trying the ESC OFF setting to see just how edge of your seat thrilling this oh

All Ferrari’s are eye catching and the Roma is no exception. This is one of the most beautiful models created by the hallowed marque – not just in our opinion judging by the number of positive comments and thumbs up received from other drivers and passers by. Most commented on how they appreciated the fact it’s elegant and uncontrived, with no superfluous spoilers and all that jazz to detract from the purity of its design. It simply oozes class and there’s not a single compromised angle – whether viewed from the front with shark nose, or sides with their beauti ful flowing lines and flared wheel arches or the curvaceous rear with its striking slit design rear lights. Ferrari really has excelled itself and delivered a breathtakingly handsome GT car. The visual delights continue into the cabin. From the moment you slip down into the leather seats and softly close the door, you instantly feel an integral part of the car. The way it’s designed, it wraps around you giving a racing car feel, but clever ly in a way that’s not claustrophobic. The cabin is actually very airy and spacious.

When you set off the Roma pulls away effortlessly. You would think a 3.9 litre twin-turbo would be a bit of a handful but it can actually be so docile you’d almost forget just what the car is capable of. If you’re new to supercars, and possibly a bit nervous, this is a perfect Ferrari for you, as when it’s not providing a million thrills when fully engaged with at speed, it’s perfectly capable of pootling along in auto mode seamlessly shifting through the gears. During our test we were coasting around rural areas at 30 mph in 8th gear and it would be happy to do that all day. It’s even got start/stop which is very good and smooth. You can turn it off but to be honest in traffic it’s worth having it on. Also the Roma can average 25mpg and has a 80 litre fuel tank capacity. This makes it a great GT car for those long trips or driving holidays across the UK or Europe. The Roma really is a truly versatile Ferrari you could use every day. The ride is exemplary, Ferrari have done an excellent job on the suspension set up. We had a few family members experience the Roma with me as passengers and they were all amazed how good the ride was. We came across some very poor road surfaces but the Ferrari just took it all in its stride. Gravel car parks at restaurants in the New Forest , speed bumps going into a supermarket car park, it handled everything with ease. The Roma has a good size boot too which can be extended by putting the rear seats down. Speaking of the rear seats, you can easily put small children in the back and it does have Isofix connection points but for tall teenag ers and adults, it would be a bit of a squeeze.

The innovative design of the dash and the way it swoops down seamlessly through to the doors and the centre divide between you and the passenger is very well thought out. In fact Ferrari has purposely designed the Roma interior to make the passenger feel involved in the driving experience too. Located between you and your passenger is the state of the art central infotain ment display which is intuitive to operate and controls your climate settings, nav igation system and host of other things such as phone, media, audio etc. There is also the option of having a passenger display which was fitted to our test car, which is situated just above the glove compartment in front of the passenger seat. On this screen the passenger can control their own seat controls, audio, air conditioning, and what we thought a particularly neat touch, they can see the vehicle’s speed and revs and even if the tyres are up to temperature. It again gives the passenger that feeling of involvement in the car and the drive.

Ferrari’s are the dream drive and the Roma is no exception. From the moment you sit down and wrap your hands around the half leather , half carbon fibre steer ing wheel with that prancing horse staring back at you in the middle of the wheel tingles run up your spine. It really does make you feel very special. The steering wheel itself is full of tech. Ferrari cars for quite some time now have had all the driving aids fitted on the steering wheel itself. The only thing behind the steering wheel are the absolutely gorgeous big carbon fibre paddles for the gear changing, no stalks for wipers and indicators. The paddles feel so nice, but more about them later. The steering wheel may look complicated but actually after just a very short time it becomes second nature and feels totally right and normal. Ferrari actually call it “eyes on the road, hands on the wheel” philosophy” and it works!

PAGE 89 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW co capable car can be. Of the set up choice, obviously WET is for rainy and damp cold days when the roads can be wet and slick, but most of the time COMFORT mode was deployed. Even in “sport” mode you can press the bumpy road setting and it’s still gives an amazingly comfortable ride. Out on the open (New Forest Pony free) road, when you can start to safely play, hit the accelerator and Wow! This is when you appreciate you’re in a true supercar with unbelievable speed accompanied with amazing sound track from that glorious V8. As mentioned earlier you can change gear with those lovely carbon fibre paddles. The gear changes are just so rapid and smooth. There’s an LED display on the top of the steering wheel that lights up telling you when to get that perfect up shift which is a neat touch. This again adds to Ferrari’s “eyes on the road” philosophy because you can see the LED flashing even though your eyes are focused on the road ahead. The gear box is new, and is derived from the SF90 plug in hybrid Ferrari supercar. With this speed and amazing gear box you’re left in no doubt that although the Roma is versatile enough for daily use, it’s still very much a true Ferrari with real passion, real feeling and real emotion. This stunning car is a true thoroughbred and provides an intensely exciting driving experience and you will find yourself thinking of every excuse to take off for a drive.

Ferrari expects around 70% of Roma buyers will be new customers to the brand. What a great way to start your journey with this most hallowed marque? Once bit ten by the Ferrari bug you’ll never go back, and many will move on to the brand’s more extreme models. The Roma starts at £170,000 and might be Ferrari’s entry level coupe, but the racing DNA still runs incredibly strong.

For further info : https://www.ferrari.com/en-GB

The appeal continues inside, where you’ll discover a highly driver-fo cused dash with all the con-trols directed towards the driver. At the heart of the interior is the fully customizable 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit display which has beautifully clear graphics and fast response times. The wide view navigation is a particular safety and convenience highlight with the driver never needing to look away from the road like a conventional centrally placed infotainment screen from other manufac tures. In addition, the whole interior is a functional place to spend time with all controls easy to use and logically positioned. Another handy detail is the standard wire-less charging pad. The quality of the interior really stands out in the TT as everything you touch feels solid and ex-tremely well made ,from the tactile movement of the air vents to the TTS embossed contoured leather steering wheel. Audi at its best.

Audi TTS Black Edition

The iconic much loved Audi TT has been a sportscar choice for millions world-wide, drawn to its famously distinctive curves, dynamic drive and excellent build quality. Here in TTS guise, the appeal increases even more with the striking black edition trim level on our test vehicle which adds black highlights to the front and rear bumpers, black roll bars, fixed black rear spoiler and rather sexy Audi Sport forged 20-inch gloss black alloys. Our test car came in Pulse Orange and the colour combination was magical as the photos taken during our road trip to Cheddar Gorge reveal.

In conclusion the TTS provides a sensational driving experience with exceptional performance and handling, yet at the same time remains comfortable and practical and a car we highly rec-ommend. Priced from £51,400 (TTS Black Edition) www.audi.co.uk

On a practical side, the TTS has 2 small extra seats in the back. Although only suitable for chil-dren (or sub 5ft adults) it’s still a great back up option to have that many coupes do not. Even more impressive is the surprisingly large boot at 305 litres and can even be extended further by folding down the rear seats, meaning you can fit more in the TTS than you would think. What’s more due to the cars relatively small size its very manoeuvrable and coupled with the excellent all-round visibility and parking sensors it’s easy to park and drive round urban areas. It’s actu-ally a car which despite its exotic and sporting looks, is practical to live with and use every day.

Wearing the TTS badge means TT performance has been taken to the next level with a respon-sive and throaty sounding 2.0 litre TFSI petrol engine feeding all four wheels means perfor-mance is excellent with 320ps and 0-62 in 4.5 seconds. Out on UK roads you can really feel the performance as it flies of the line thanks to the quattro system, with a fantastic soundtrack as the quad exhausts would suggest. The car always feels reassuring and easy to control which inspires the driver with confidence to enjoy the drive and push the car as it was designed to do. Steering is precise and the TTS is extremely agile and remains perfectly flat through corners due to the magnetic ride adaptive damping. Moreover, what’s also great with the TTS is that at the same time it’s a great mile muncher. On test 100’s of miles were covered with ease and decent economy was achieved at around 35 mpg, partially thanks to the seamless 7 speed S tronic transmission. Refinement levels were excel-lent with very little road and wind noise despite the large wheels, combined with the comfort-able and hugely adjustable Nappa leather front seats ensures lack of comfort is never an issue.

www.volvo.co.uk

Inside, the XC40 is luxurious and comfortable, making it a most wel coming place to spend time in. To the uneducated eye the high-quality interior looks like it’s made of traditionally ‘normal’ materials such as leather. But, in fact, the whole interior is actually leather free, making it the ultimate responsible expression. In fact, the carpets of the car are made of partially recycled materials too!

Meeting the Volvo XC40 Recharge is an impressive first experience as you take in its sleek, clean and classy design. Features such as the vertical design LED rear lights really highlight the sleek coupe styling of the electric crossover. Moreover, when unlocking the car, they illumi nate section by section creating a lovely graphic as the car welcomes its drivers and passengers. Up front the car is distinctly Volvo with the pixel LED Thor’s Hammer headlights and the colour coded blanked off grill makes the car look modern, fresh and capable, whilst hinting to the car’s excellent safety credentials.

The XC40 drives in a grown-up way which gives confidence to the driver with surprisingly little body roll despite the car’s height, and, in both battery configurations there is always plenty of instantaneous power from the torquey electric motors. Our test car also had an excellent 360-degree parking camera which is ultra-high definition and makes parking stress free, which is a highly recommended option.

Overall, the Volvo XC40 Recharge delivers an excellent, calming and reassuring driving and own-ership experience. Coupled with its fantastic unique leather free interior it makes an excellent eco-conscious choice for most. Prices starting from £47,100.

Out on the road thanks to a well-insulated cabin and zero-engine noise the XC40 is supremely refined and makes every journey feel easy and stress free. This only accentuated by the fuss free driving experience - there is no power button just a sensor on the driver’s seat so the driver can just get in, slot the car into drive and away they go.

PAGE 94KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW Volvo XC40 Recharge

Technology is excellent and the central infotainment screen and digital driving display have crisp graphics, fast processers and an intuitive and easy to use layout - perhaps not a surprise when you find out it’s a Google operated system. This navigation system allows you to view all the nearest charging stations to your current location and set the route accordingly. In addition, it also displays all the information you need about the charging station from speed of charge to the opening hours, meaning you can truly make a reliable and informed decision. On a functional basis the XC40 interior ticks all the boxes with thought ful features such as huge front door bins (aided by the relocation of lower door speakers to the dashboard). The boot is also a very good size at 413 litres, with an unobstructed loading bay and split folding rear seats that go completely flat. This is not all though ,as one of the perks of the XC40 being fully electric is that there is an extra front boot which is perfect for storing charging cables. Buyers have two battery choices when purchasing the XC40 Recharge. Either a single motored C40 (front wheel drive) with 231hp and a 0-62 time of 7.4, or a four-wheel drive dual motor variant with a huge 408hp and 0-62 time of 4.7 seconds. Despite the dual motor variant con-sum ing more energy, it has a larger useable battery size at 75 kWh vs 67 kWh for the single motor. Volvo claims both variants have the capabil ity to do around 270 miles on a charge which is really good, with the dual motor doing a fraction more. Charging from 10-80 percent can be achieved in just 32 minutes on a 150KW DC fast charger.

Exterior design on the UX is tasteful with a unique bold design lan guage. The UX has so many attractive lines on its elegant body that you can notice a new part of the design every time you look. If the F Sport grade is chosen then the exterior looks even more special and dynamic with a unique sporty looking black with chrome surround grill, jet black roof spoiler, redesigned rear bumper and 18-inch dark metallic F Sport alloy Movingwheels.tothe

appreciated was the fold up parcel shelf, meaning it can be stowed away neatly within the vehicle when not in use.

Buyers can choose between the two-wheel drive 250h and the 250h E-Four (AWD), both of which are 2.0 litre petrol engines hybrid motors producing 181bhp. Performance is almost iden-tical between the two with the AWD version being just 0.3 of a second slower to 62 at 8.7 seconds. The only real difference is AWD from an additional electric motor at the rear axle on the E-Four variant.

On UK roads the Lexus UX it’s a very competent companion, we took it on a raft of long and shorter trips, including a jaunt to Cornwall and it has earnt its place as one of our most highly rated cars to live with and travel in. It’s just ‘right’ on so many levels and is an engaging and spritely drive and achieves that rare perfect mix of practicality, style, quality, class, space and pace.

It was easy to get the perfect driving position. The suspension had an excellent balance be-tween comfort and driving dynamics which meant that despite the size and slightly higher cen-tre of gravity the car pro vided confidence to push on both the straights and through the bends. Moreover, the size of the car is easy to park and manoeuvre especially with our test car’s rear camera and front and rear sensors. In addition, the ability to run on only battery power at very low speeds made the car even more relaxing to drive around town as well as providing im pres-sively low fuel consumption. In fact, Lexus claims around 50mpg for the combined MPG and we found this to be accurate on our tests. Compared to rivals we have tested previously the fuel economy was a real stand out feature for this model.

PAGE 95 KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW Lexus UX

All con-trols are ergonomic and intuitive, the only tiny niggle is how the central infotainment screen is operated - with a track pad that’s a bit too sensitive and takes a bit of getting used to. Howev-er, this really is the only downside the team could find for the entire car, and the rest of the interior and the standard fitment of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto more than make up for this.

Lexus has been renowned for its excellent reliability for many years, and buying and owning a Lexus has now become even more risk free with owners benefiting from up to a 10 year/100,000-mile free warranty when the vehicle is serviced at a Lexus main dealer each year.

Lexus’s UX provides an excellent vehicle that is perfect for almost all situations and will provide peace at mind motoring for many years. Prices starting from £33,500 - excellent value for money for a car of this www.lexus.co.ukcalibre.

Heading to the rear and the seats provide ample space for two adults, or three for shorter journeys. The seats are very supportive and coupled with rear ventilation and a comfortable central armrest make it an enjoyable place to spend time. Similarly, the boot is a very practical and useable space with no load lip and the rear seats fold to reveal a flat loading bay – ideal for ferrying longer items. One feature we particularly

inside the bold design continues with a wrap-around style making the driver and passengers feel safely cocooned in a strong and sturdy car which of course scores the full five stars from Euro NCAP safety tests.

The quality is remarkable with gorgeous materials and high-quality touch points making it feel like a special place to be. In front of the driver’s eye line is the digital driver’s display which is clear and easy to use and is customisable depending on what driving mode is selected.

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