Dan Visser, Brimstone Hotel

AN INTERVIEW WITH...

DAN VISSER

Set in the heart of the Lake District, Brimstone Hotel is perfectly sited for exploring the gorgeous countryside. Editor Nicola asked Dan Visser, Director of Sales and Marketing what it takes to make the perfect retreat and why relaxation is top of the list for staycationers.

Tell us about your role at Brimstone Hotel & Spa?

I am the Director of Sales and Marketing and part of the Management team for the Langdale Estate. We work to maintain and develop Brimstone’s high standards and guest offAerings as well as oversee the running of the whole Langdale Estate. Outside of this, I am also a Non-Executive Director of Cumbria Tourism and also on the Visitor Economy Sector Panel for Local Enterprise Partnership. Both of these roles give me a holistic view of the Lake District tourism industry and helps to inform my work at Brimstone.

What is the size of the team at Brimstone Hotel & Spa?

At Brimstone we have 16 full and part time hosts who look after our guests during their stay - they do everything from lighting the fires in the bedroom to station pick-ups and are on hand to provide guests with whatever they need.

Who is the type of traveller that comes to Brimstone Hotel & Spa?

Brimstone guests are predominantly leisure travellers who are wanting a short, luxurious break. We find that many guests often stay to celebrate special occasions - birthdays, anniversaries and the like. We also host a very small number of high-end corporate meetings and events.

What does Brimstone Hotel & Spa offer visitors and what sets it apart from other hotels?

We offer guests a personal, yet luxurious stay in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. We have guests that want to have a luxury stay whilst enjoying the outdoors and guests who want a luxury stay without wanting to go outdoors - we provide both offerings to an extremely high standard.

How has Brimstone Hotel & Spa dealt with the rise of visitors looking to escape the pressures of modern life?

Brimstone has always been about providing our guests with luxury, relaxation and enjoyment. However, as I touched on above,the ways in which our guests work to improve their wellbeing is very individual - for some it is going out on a mountain bike on the fells whilst they are here, for others it is pottering over to the spa to spend their day. We have worked to ensure that our guests have a way of relaxing that suits them which is why we have our spa, our Arcteryx Bootroom, our reading room and our hosts who can help guests organise and advise on whatever it is guest’s fancy doing whilst they are staying with us. We are always looking at ways we can develop our offerings further, for example we have recently introduced a Mindfulness Map which is a free map with suggestions of >>

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mindful activities in the area for guests; everything from open water swimming to having a drink at the pub. We never want to be prescriptive - our aim is that our guests leave us feeling more relaxed and recharged than when they arrived and ensure that there are ways that cater for everyone.

For those looking for a more active break, what does Brimstone Hotel & Spa provide or recommend locally?

We have lots of ways to make a visit to Brimstone more active. As I mentioned with relaxation, being active means different things to different people but however guests choose to be active, we can help, be that walking to and from the pub for dinner to organising a trip around more extreme adventures such as the Fred Whitton cycle race. For those that just want to go out and walk on the fells we have our very own Arcteryx Boot Room which provides guests with complimentary, top of the range Arcteryx walking kit (everything from walking boots to coats to Ordnance Survey Maps) to ensure they are ready to take on the rather variable Lake District elements! All of our hosts are local and very knowledgeable about the local area so guests are encouraged to ask the hosts about any adventure advice or recommendations. We have lots of links with local partners so our hosts can organise everything from paddleboarding to ghyll scrambling. We also have a partnership with BikeTreks and can organise guided mountain bike trips which is great for the more adventurous type. We offer special BikeTreks weekends during the summer at our sister hotel, Langdale Hotel, which have been really popular.

How important is interior design when creating the right atmosphere at Brimstone Hotel & Spa?

The interior design has been really important in creating the right atmosphere across the suites, the more communal spaces and the spa and continues to be very important. We have worked hard to create an experience that is enjoyable and relaxing whilst also being that little bit more luxurious than what you’d have at home. We never stand still when it comes to any part of the hotel, but particularly the interior design. Although the hotel is only 5 years old, we are doing full soft refurb this year which will update and refresh our rooms to bring in more elements of relaxation and luxury - watch this space!

Who designed the suites and what were the key elements you wanted to include to give them their identity?

We have a collection of 16 luxury suites and rooms which were designed by Greyline Design. We wanted the rooms to be tranquil, relaxing yet opulent. To deliver on this, the design of the suites are cool and stylish with cues taken from the >>

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Lakeland landscape - all without compromising on quality or comfort.

What’s your favourite part of the hotel and why?

My favourite part of the hotel is the service - it really is second to none. The people here make the stay for our guests. They are friendly, helpful and will always go the extra mile. Sounds simple but it really does make every stay that bit more personal. >>

In terms of the actual facilities I love our Mezzanine Suites due to the scale of them. These suites have a large seating and bathroom area downstairs with a log burning stove and a folding glass wall onto the balcony whilst upstairs there is the mezzanine, gallery bedroom. They really are quite amazing. Our Reading Room is also a favourite and is the first place I go after I’ve been out on my mountain bike for a beer, a few nibbles and to put my feet up!

Have you got any tips on how visitors can make the most of their stay and the local area?

I would always encourage guests to get active and breathe in some of the wonderful fresh air during their stay with us, in

whatever format that might be. Being active and exploring allows you to have experiences you wouldn’t normally have on a day to day basis. You’ll discover things like beautiful views, paths off the beaten track and even great pubs that you otherwise wouldn’t have known about.

As the pressures of modern life continue to grow, do you think staycations will grow in popularity?

Yes, I do think staycations will grow in popularity. Mental health, mindfulness and self-care are all areas of wellbeing that are becoming increasingly popular and people are becoming much more aware of the importance of taking some time out. I don’t think that is going to change any time soon - people seem to be more inclined to spend money on experiences to help with their wellbeing than ever before. I also think staycations are likely to grow because people are becoming more conscious about their impact on the environment. Staycations are a good way of reducing the carbon output produced from a holiday as it (usually) doesn’t involve air travel.

THE KAPRUN EDITION

LUXURY APARTMENTS WITH AN AUSTRIAN ALPS BACKDROP

Combine the majestic scenery and fresh air of the Alps with luxurious amenities and modern hospitality, and the result is the lavish chalets of The Kaprun Edition. A recent winner in the Luxury Lifestyle Awards The Kaprun can claim it’s spot as The Best Luxury Villa Rental and Accommodation Services in Austria.

The Kaprun Edition is a collection of luxury chalets that form a small village in Kaprun, one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Austrian Alps. The village is close to the centre of town with modern amenities on visitors doorstep, while at the same time allowing you to fully enjoy the nature that surrounds the chalets. The property boasts delightful proximity to a mountain river with breathtaking mountain views, creating a calming backdrop for chalet guests.

The Kaprun Edition has several lodges that offer high-end amenities and hospitality. In addition, work is underway on new lodges and residences that will open their doors later this year. Some chalets are built from natural tree trunks, which has enhanced the special cosy atmosphere and the unique charm of native lodges. Generously proportioned interior spaces are equipped with stylish wooden furniture, fireplace, fully functional kitchen with all the necessary culinary equipment, bathrooms with walk-in shower and toiletries. Outside the chalets there’s private parking spaces for cars.

The Kaprun Edition properties can accommodate between 12 and 24 guests and are available in three, four, five, or sevenbedroom options. The chalets also have outdoor terraces with private hot tubs to relax at the end of a busy days hiking or exploring.

The Kaprun Edition was the brainchild of passionate homeowner Susanne Fischer, who over the years has created an atmosphere of family comfort for guests and village staff alike. One of the main criteria for evaluating winners at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards is the quality of service, and the team at The Kaprun Edition has been above reproach in this, helping every guest feel right at home.

Despite all the advantages and conveniences of the chalets, most vacationers come here for the fascinating outdoor activities, and that’s something The Kaprun Edition guests won’t be disappointed in either. The village is close to the Ski resort Lechnerberg, which offers excellent slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Close to the village, you will also find the new Kaprun Center, home to Maiskogel, an ideal ski resort for families. The new 3K K-connection takes you to the Kitzsteinhorn ski area on the glacier.

Fans of less extreme activities can choose snowshoe hikes, try out the toboggan run or enjoy a relaxing treatment in the spa hotel TAUERN SPA. The warm season in Kaprun is an ideal time to visit the local natural attractions and explore the hundreds of kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails through the most beautiful places in the region.

thekaprunedition.at

GREAT PLAINS’ NEW TEMBO PLAINS CAMP, ZIMBABWE

New five-star accommodation in the Sapi Reserve to open August 2021

Great Plains, the iconic eco-tourism company is thrilled to announce the much anticipated Tembo Plains Camp, scheduled to open on 1st August 2021. The new Zimbabwean opening is located on the private 118,000-hectare Sapi Reserve, whose northern border is over 40kms of the Zambezi River. The well-known Mana Pools Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms the Sapi Reserve’s western border. With four spacious guest tents, an exquisite two-bedroom family unit and a private guide tent, Tembo Plains Camp will be ideal for couples, families, multi-generational travellers, and those looking for an exclusive personal safari experience. The beautiful family unit, with interiors designed by Great Plains co-founder Beverly Joubert, comprises of two tents with a shared lounge, dining area and pool and will accommodate up to four adults, two adults and two children 6 and up. Each guest tent offers an indoor lounge and outdoor dining area, private plunge pool and exercise bikes, in addition to expansive en-suite bathroom facilities, indoor baths, showers and double vanities. Guests have access to professional Canon cameras and Leica binoculars throughout their stay to capture the many special holiday moments.

“When I designed Tembo Plains Camp, it was with a view to reference the famous Great Zimbabwe ruins but not lose sight of our love of canvas and exploring. So we ended up with a unique combination of canvas and stone walls. The semi-circular walls inside each tent isolate the bath and shower from the bedroom and indoor lounge areas bringing that architectural reference inside. Outside, this pack-stone wall design continues along the back of the guest bedroom, and that really gives you a greater sense of privacy, often an issue in tents. I didn’t want a completely ‘built room’. Hence, the front has these uninterrupted views of the Zambezi flowing just meters away from the canvas ‘tented’ portion,” commented Dereck Joubert, Great Plains CEO.

“Tembo”, meaning elephant, pays tribute to the animals frequently seen around Tembo Plains Camp along with painted dogs, buffalo, lions and leopards. The Sapi Private Reserve borders the Mana Pools National Park and is recognised as one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations today. Twitchers will be spoiled for choice as Tembo Plains is situated in a prime bird-watching country, ideal for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Activities at Tembo Plains include day and night wildlife-viewing drives, walking safaris, canoeing and boating on the Zambezi River.

“For me, the combination of activities allows for that unbelievable, youthful question: “what should we do today?” and the endless possibilities this implies. Do we canoe, walk, drive, sit at a hide, stay in, have a massage? This is one of the finest places for endless possibilities I know,” said Dereck Joubert. Tembo Plains will join the Réserve Collection of camps, the highest-level brand at Great Plains, alongside sister properties Zarafa Camp, Selinda Camp, Duba Plains in Botswana, and Mara Nyika, Mara Plains and ol Donyo Lodge in Kenya. Tembo Plains will be a proud member of Relais & Châteaux – the only camp in the whole of Zimbabwe given this honour.

Nightly rates in the new family unit at Tembo Plains starts from £2,347*; a guest tent at the new Tembo Plains begins from £838* per person per night. *Prices based on today’s exchange rate.

greatplainsconservation.com

i L PAMPERO

After our interview with Andrew Coney (page 30), it seemed fitting to kick off our dining section with a focus on Il Pampero, which not only provides authentic Italian food for The Hari guests, but has become an endearing spot for ‘in the know’ Londoners.

This hidden gem in the heart of Knightsbridge is just moments away from Harrods and within walking distance of London’s leading attractions, including The Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace, so it comes as no surprise that many of its guests are a discerning clientele.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, experience exceptional Italian cooking in a sophisticated setting, which embodies Italian chic and vintage glamour; designed by acclaimed designer, Tara Bernerd. Under

the direction of Executive Chef, Claudio Covino, the team delivers a traditional Italian menu complemented by an impressive wine list and cocktail menu. Executive Chef, Claudio Covino, strongly believes that all raw ingredients at the heart of his creations must be Italian, hence why all of the food served at il Pampero has regional influences, in particular from southern Italy.

Born in Rome, Chef Claudio has lived in London for many years mastering the art of combining traditional Italian recipes with creative and contemporary techniques. As well as the great classics, he loves to experiment and finds new combinations to amaze his guests. He prides himself in working with the “best” Italian suppliers, sourcing everything directly from its place of origin. For example, one of the restaurant’s most requested dishes, Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, is made exclusively with original Roman Pecorino; the Beef Carpaccio is served with Castelmagno, one of the most ancient Italian cheeses from the Piemonte region; and the porcini mushroom dishes, use mushrooms from Tuscany.

il Pampero’s suppliers consistently provide quality seasonal produce of certified origins, allowing the team to offer true Italian excellence, all of the time.

Marrying Italian hospitality with Belgravian lifestyle, designers Tara Bernerd & Partners created a bespoke design scheme that embraces informal luxury. Bold Vespa-green lacquers and rich velvets are combines with soft leathers and heritage fabrics to create a warm and inviting ambience. The subtle backlighting used to illuminate the feature bar draws the eye into the space and provides a seductive experience, whether you’re enjoying an early-afternoon coffee or cocktails with aperitivo.