Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Weekend Hotspot – One Aldwych Hotel - London
Within walking distance of major theatres and many well known galleries One Aldwych in buzzing Covent Garden is a stunning, award-winning, five-star hotel in the heart of central London between the City and the West End - at the point where “The Aldwych” meets the Strand opposite Waterloo Bridge. The magnificent Somerset House which hosts an ice rink in winter is just across the road but for a pleasant walk, head across the bridge and then turn east when you reach
One Aldwych Pool.
the Southbank. The National Gallery dominates nearby Trafalgar Square where the finest examples of European art, ranging from 1260 to 1900, are included among the 2,300 paintings filling its halls and rooms. Works on display include those of Botticelli, Monet, Constable, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. This really is the place to come for top quality artwork spanning a wide spectrum of styles and periods. Every month they hold a range of free lunchtime talks, and on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays they offer the chance to gain even deeper insight with talks in the Gallery and the theatre. www.
nationalgallery.org.uk My favourite shopping district “ King’s Road” a short tube or taxi ride away is by far one of the cities smartest fashion streets, having evolved from the cutting-edge of bohemia and innovative fashion in the 60s to a more genteel place to indulge in retail therapy, albeit with a notable presence of trendy young Londoners (including many so called Sloane Rangers). It is a very attractive street that retains the atmosphere of a small town whilst being in the heart of London. There is a huge range of fashion stores here from up market chains to one-off boutiques, as well as variety of other shops, complimented by cafés, restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs. One Aldwych itself was designed by Charles Mewes and Arthur Davis, the AngloFrench partnership behind the Ritz hotels in London and Paris. Now independently owned, this ultra luxurious hotel caters primarily to business visitors during the week, with a greater proportion of leisure guests at weekends.The distinctive interiors provide a backdrop for a per-
(074) 9131018 manent collection of exciting contemporary art and sculpture which is displayed throughout the property. Make yourself at home in one of the hundred plus sleek, modern and individually decorated guestrooms. Featuring an underground swimming pool with a unique underwater music experience guests are also welOne Aldwych Lobby. come to experience rejuvenating spa and beauty treatments from trained professionals. “Indigo” a smart mezzanine restaurant on the first floor, cuisine delivered in a relaxed overlooks the lobby bar, and and friendly fashion. One Aldall breakfasts are cooked to wych also has its own cinema order from a wide and varied and regularly hosts ‘Film and menu. A first for the British Fizz’ evenings where guests hotel dining scene, Chef Do- can enjoy a glass of chamminic Teague has developed a pagne and a three course gluten and dairy free modern meal followed by a top film. British dinner offering which Also featuring a guest-only is literally the talk of town!! lounge, eclectic and exciting “Eneko At One Aldwych” an afternoon teas, along with informal Basque restaurant chic bar “One Aldwych” is & bar opens this summer a truly exciting venue and I featuring three Michelin-star can’t wait to return. Enjoy Chef Eneko Atxa’s interpreta- a fabulous weekend with tion and Azurmendi Bilbao’s complimentary cocktails or inspired traditional country champagne , an award-winning breakfast and an indul-
www.keeshotel.ie
gent late check-out. Rates start from £345 per night (Valid Thursday to Sunday nights until 31 March 2017) www.onealdwych.com Aer Lingus operates daily flights from Dublin and Belfast City airports to London Heathrow. For best fares see www.aerlingus.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio Network and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com