Dates for the Diary What to do, where to stay
The Guest Book This month’s top picks
2016 Edition 7
Infotel Specials The latest discounts
Barbados Breaks A taste of the very good life Edinburgh in August
Let the food do the talking Head Chef Alan Ford gets fishy!
Exciting, engaging and totally entertaining
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CONTENTS
4
10 to 17
24 & 25
The Guest Book
Barbados Breaks
A Postcard from Edinburgh
5
18 & 19
26 & 27
Dates for the Diary
Let the Food do the Talking
6&7
20 & 21
Featured Hotels
8&9
Infotel: Working for you
Featured Hotels
28 & 29
Featured Hotels
Featured Group: Milsoms
22 & 23
30 & 31
Infotel Specials
Front Cover: One Sandy Lane Inside Cover: Atholl Palace Hotel
Chefs Corner: Free Recipe
3
This month’s collection of Infotel properties to tempt you away
Surrey Hills Hotel Surrey
Atlantic Hotel Cornwall
Gallt Y Glyn Gwynedd
Lakeview Holiday Cottages Somerset
The Kerryman
Wheatsheaf Pub West Sussex
West Midlands
Whitburn House Hotel Lancashire
4
Angus Hotel & Almonds Bistro Cumbria
Alma Lodge Hotel Cheshire
Urr Valley Country House Hotel Dumfries
DATES FOR THE DIARY AUGUST 2016
What’s On?
The Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest 1 - 7 August Nottingham
Sandringham Food & Drink Festival 6 August Sandringham
What?
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2016 11 - 14 August Bristol
When? V Festival 19 - 21 August Chelmsford
Portsmouth International Kite Festival 13 & 14 August Portsmouth
Brighton Pride 5 - 7 August Brighton
Where?
Bakewell Baking Festival 13 & 14 August Bakewell
Reading Festival 26 - 28 August Reading
Staffordshire
Notting Hill Carnival 28 & 29 August Notting Hill 5
FEATURE View details
Hintlesham Hall Ipswich, Suffolk IP8 3NS
£110 01775 843413
From
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Dating back to the 1400s and steeped in history, Hintlesham Hall impresses with its traditional decor, stately bedrooms, beautiful surroundings, superb on-site spa, outdoor heated pool and award-winning cuisine. A total of 32 individual rooms are available, unique in style and full of character with four poster or canopy beds, panelled walls and timbered ceilings, works of art and a mix of modern and antique furnishings. The Spa offers a full choice of programmes and treatments and for the more energetic, the gymnasium has a wide range of equipment under the supervision of fully qualified instructors. Guests are welcome to Hintlesham Golf Club which shares the estate.
6
70 Onsite
Free WiFi Restaurant/ Catering
Perfectly placed for exploring Suffolk and ‘Constable Country’, with the popular village of Lavenham and the coastal town of Aldeburgh just a short distance away.
“Thank you for putting a smile on our faces, I cannot recommend this place highly enough” Trip Advisor Reviewer
Turn to page 18 for our interview with Hintlesham Hall’s Head Chef Alan Ford
Bar
24hr Reception
Room Service
Sports & Leisure
Spa
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00pm
FEATURE
The Casa Hotel & Restaurant
Camberley, Hampshire GU46 6BT
From £149
£85
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Parts of the building date back to the 17th Century, with the charming bar showcasing many of the original features, including oak beams and an open fire place. With views over the beautiful grounds, the 63 spacious bedrooms and suites have been designed and decorated to a deluxe standard with free Wifi, tea and coffee making facilities plus plasma TVs with pay per view movies. The superb restaurant, Marco Pierre White Wheeler’s of St. James, is open every day for lunch and dinner, serving a delicious, authentic British menu. The hotel is just a few minutes drive from Basingstoke, Bracknell, Reading and Farnborough.
“Friendly and attentive. Would stay again” Booking.com Reviewer
80 Onsite
Free WiFi Restaurant/ Catering
Bar
Air Christmas CCTV/ 24hr Reception Conditioning Parties
Weddings
Check In 2.50pm
Check Out 11.00am
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“My main role is to take enquiries and bookings, negotiating with hotels to ensure clients recieve the best price on their room. Each day is different and I enjoy arranging the right room requirements for all our regular and new clients. I’ll be your point of contact this month so I look forward to hearing from you.”
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FEATURE
Whao! We’re going to
Barbados
If you’re dreaming of sunshine from sunrise to sunset, a gentle breeze blowing through swaying palm trees, sand between your toes and swish and stylish accommodation, then our Barbados Collection does not disappoint! 10
BARBADOS BREAKS
Our Barbados collection offers a taste of the good life, seriously delivering a five star plus experience with picture perfect beaches, fabulous facilities and a first class service at a rich and famous price tag! 11
BARBADOS BREAKS
One Sandy Lane
One Sandy Lane, St James, Barbados
It’s the perfect balance of fine living with a laid-back lifestyle in a naturally beautiful setting at One Sandy Lane. Palatial, elegant villas where every creature comfort has already been imagined and catered for, a secluded beach and majestic gardens, infinity pool, fitness centre, dockage for yachts and off-shore moorings for the bigger boats - welcome to the very good life! Where biometric fingerprinting gets you in and keeps any enemies at bay! Prices for a villa based on four sharing begin at £15,000 per night but that does include breakfast and you may bump into Simon Cowell, if he’s home!
12
BARBADOS BREAKS
Sandy Lane Hotel One Sandy Lane, St James, Barbados
Considered the premier address in the Caribbean, the luxury Sandy Lane Hotel is world famous for its peaceful setting and first class service, making it one of those special places that if you’re lucky enough to go to, you will never want to leave. The resort features 112 guestrooms and suites plus a five bedroom villa, four restaurants, seven bars, three golf courses and a spa (a special world of its own with its impressive marble reception and sweeping staircase leading to the treatment suites and water therapies). Exceptional cuisine celebrating the flavours of the world can be enjoyed in exquisite surroundings or kick back and relax in the beachside bar overlooking the glorious platinum coast of St. James. A haven to the rich and famous, look out for Oprah, Bill Gates, Elton John, the Beckhams, the Rooneys or Rihanna! Prices in September start from £725 (one night, room only, two people).
13
BARBADOS BREAKS
Beach View Hotel Paynes Bay, St James, Barbados
Set amid 1.2 hectares of landscaped gardens, this upscale, all-suite hotel lies across the road from Paynes Bay Beach and is just five minutes from the vibrant restaurants, nightlife and shops of Holetown. Spacious and fully equipped one, two and three bedroom suites, all air-conditioned and with high quality tropical furnishings feature in the open plan dining and living areas, creating a perfect island home for quiet escapes, family and friend getaways, weddings and honeymoons. A large centrally located pool area with separate children’s and adult swimming pools, a bistro style cafe, a rooftop bar for sundowners, in room grocery stocking, airport transfers and a range of other convenient services provide all the ingredients for a totally hassle free holiday. A one bed suite for two, on a room only basis in September is currently reduced to £150 per night from £236.50.
14
BARBADOS BREAKS
Fairmont Royal Pavillion Barbados Resort Holetown, St James, Barbados
Poolside relaxation or bare foot beach time? The hardest decision you’ll have is whether to enjoy unobstructed views of the Caribbean Sea from one of the Beachfront Junior Suites or an Oceanfront Deluxe room. Alternatively stay in the three bed villa, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and with two terraces providing uninterrupted sea views. One night for two people in September starts from £344 on a room only basis.
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BARBADOS BREAKS
Port Ferdinand Luxury Resort & Residences Speightstown, St Peter, Barbados
Located on the historic northwest coast of the Barbados Riviera, Port Ferdinand is a genuine boater’s paradise with its rich nautical history and tradition and all year round tropical climate. A superior two bed apartment offers sweeping views across the marina and easy access to an array of on-site amenities, including the Pool Island which offers a variety of leisure activities and daytime fun. Apartments are artfully decorated and furnished in a contemporary design with marble and limestone finishes, coral render detailing and timeless styling. Beautifully created to maximise guests comfort and enjoyment, Port Ferdinand offers an unparalleled range of services and activities for the young and young at heart. A one night stay in September is currently reduced from £1150 per night to £650 with four people in a two bed apartment.
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BARBADOS BREAKS
INTERVIEW
Let the food do the talking... Inspired by his mother, Head Chef Alan Ford has been creating award-winning food at Hintlesham Hall for a staggering 28 years! What made you want to be a chef and how long have you been doing it? I can’t remember ever wanting to do anything other than be a chef. Making cakes and biscuits as a child with my Mother, who was a brilliant cook, is what inspired me. What do you look for when you create a new dish or menu? What’s your main considerations? Seasonality is a big thing, also hoping that I know what our customers like as it is them that we want to please and satisfy. I suppose my cooking style has a label of Modern British, but I was trained in classical kitchens, mainly in London, so that is still the starting point of most of my dishes.
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INTERVIEW The #shelfie - a chef’s five must have herbs and spices always available on the shelf! What are yours and why? We have a garden full of herbs, my particular favourites are tarragon and basil as they lend themselves to so many different dishes and background flavours. I would also have ginger, lime leaves and chillies. Do any celebrity chefs inspire you? And if you had to compare yourself to one, who would you say you most resemble in terms of cooking style and/or temperament? I have always admired and try to have the same type of temperament as Anton Mosimann, however I don’t think anyone could be as calm and collected as he has been over such a long period of time!
Which famous person, dead or alive, would you love to cook for and what would you serve them? I would like to cook for and then dine with Billy Joel, as I think he would have some very interesting stories. He likes his pasta so it would be a seafood pasta dish with a hint of chilli and plenty of herbs from our garden here at Hintlesham Hall. If you were stranded on a desert island and allowed one item or ingredient from your kitchen, what would it be and why? I suppose the obvious thing would be a knife! Probably a carving/bread knife as I am sure there would be plenty of fibrous foods that would need breaking down before cooking!
When you go home, who does the cooking? Are you territorial in the kitchen!? Well, it was always me, but nowadays when our daughter comes home she is very keen to get into the kitchen and experiment, with great success I hasten to add! Nowadays I am happy for her to take on the role of Head Chef! What’s your favourite cuisine and why? I like oriental food and try to slip that into my menus sometimes, but I love Mediterranean style food too as it is usually quite light and with bags of flavour. What’s proving to be the most popular dish on your menu this month and why do you think that is? Scallops in any form are always very popular and we are finding that fish in general is requested more and more.
You’re sharing a recipe with our readers today, why did you choose this one? I love cooking (and eating!) scallops, married with lobster and sea herbs for a great combination. Enjoy!
Turn to page 30 for Alan’s recipe >> 19
FEATURE
Quality Hotel & Conference Centre Wembley Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0NH
From
£60
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
All 165 bedrooms are triple glazed, air conditioned and have en-suite shower and bath facilities, a working desk area, free Wifi, flat screen TV and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities.
“Great value and location” Trip Adviser Reviewer
Bedrooms are available as double for sole use, double room, twin/family rooms, triple rooms and luxury suites with whirlpool baths and extra space to relax or work in. The Empire Restaurant offers a fabulous selection of freshly made International cuisine and the Mirage Sports Bar has live sports action. A superb location for Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Park Underground Station, The X Factor Fountain Studios, Brent Civic Centre and the London Designer Outlet are all just a five minute walk away.
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70 Onsite
Free WiFi Restaurant
Bar
CCTV
Check In Air Conditioning 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
FEATURE
Manor Hotel & Restaurant Rainham, Essex RM13 9EL
£125 01775 843413
From
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
The Manor Hotel & Restaurant is situated in the Essex countryside with the towns of Romford, Hornchurch, Upminster, Dagenham and Rainham within easy reach, and only a few minutes drive from the M25, Dartford Crossing and London City Airport. Luxury double and twin bedrooms, plus an elegantly proportioned executive suite and a sumptuous penthouse suite are available, all with free Wifi and complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. The popular restaurant serves both English and International cuisine as well as a seasonal special offers menu.
“Easy to park, friendly staff always happy to help, and in a great location.” Trip Advisor Reviewer
120 Onsite
Free WiFi Restaurant/ Catering
Bar
Weddings/ En-suite Civil Bathrooms
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 12.00pm
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Village The Hotel Club Wirral
Crown & Punchbowl Cambridgeshire
Merseyside
Weekend Break: two nights with complimentary dinner on one night
Summer Escapes
From
£64.50
£80
From
£275
Redesdale Arms Hotel
Jurys Inn Exeter
Complimentary bubbly on arrival for two people
Summer Special Offer: 20% off best available rate
Gloucestershire
From
£89
£120
Devon
From
£71.20
Enquire now
22
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
£85
Queensberry Hotel & Olive Tree Restaurant
Cairn Hotel West Lothian
Somerset
Save up to £20 a night
Huge savings at least £60 off
From
£130
£190
From
£59
£79
Hadlow Manor Hotel
Stoke Mandeville Stadium & Olympic Lodge
Weekend Breakfast Saver: stay two nights & save 20%
Buckinghamshire
Kent
From
£79
20% off all twin rooms
From
£58.40
£73
Enquire now
17
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
23
A POSTCARD FROM...
Edinburgh Scotland’s capital has a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town, with gardens and neoclassical buildings. It’s home to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, with sweeping views from its peak. Looming over the city is the hilltop Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
From 5 to 27 August you can salute the troops at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Be entertained at the world’s largest open access art festival! Edinburgh Festival Fringe which showcases music, dance and display by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth runs from 5 to 29 August with a programme and International military bands performing on including theatre, dance, circus, physical the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. This year’s theatre, comedy, music, musicals, cabaret showpiece event will pay tribute to HM and variety, children’s shows, exhibitions and The Queen’s 90th birthday. events catering for all ages and appetites. This August will see 50,266 performances of 3,269 shows from 48 countries in 294 venues across Edinburgh.
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With the unforgettable sight and sound of the Massed Pipes and Drums performing against the brooding backdrop of the castle, this spectacular production will also feature the Marching Drill Team, Motorcycle Display Team and The King’s Guard from Norway.
A POSTCARD FROM...
Immortalised by the books of Ian Rankin, The Oxford Bar is a traditional pub located between George Street and Queen Street. Enjoy a proper pint and if Inspector Rebus arrives say slange var!
It would be positively rude to ignore The Scotch Whisky Experience so head to the top of the Royal Mile and take a virtual tour through the distillery, visit the shop and restaurant or join a tasting event.
If you have green fingers, a visit to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a must. World renowned for horticultural excellence, the 70 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds provide a tranquil haven just one mile from the City Centre. Reflecting the international research and conservation work of RBGE, the garden is home to the largest collection of wild origin Chinese plants outside of China. The Scottish Heath Garden recreates the plantings and landscape of the Scottish highlands and the world-famous Rock Garden is home to over 5,000 alpine plants.
Visit Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. Avoid p-p-picking up a penguin but do take in the sights of Penguin Rock, Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool and don’t miss the famous penguin parade!
Come face to face with Scotland’s past and present at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. An impressive collection of over 30,000 images depicting the men and women whose lives and achievements have shaped Scotland and the wider world.
Stay >>
Edinburgh 25
FEATURE
Macy’s Hotel Chingford, London E4 7BJ
From
£70
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
This modern boutique hotel offers ten en-suite guestrooms available on a room only basis with complimentary bottled water, fresh fruit and a pastry provided in the rooms every day. Tea and coffee making facilities are also available in the room. Air-conditioning, Freeview TV and a work desk are included in the twin and double rooms and the one family room. A good selection of local restaurants are close by, with the Voujon Indian Restuarant located underneath the hotel.
“Value for money” Trip Advisor Reviewer
Save
80 Onsite
26
£5
Free WiFi Restaurant/ Catering
Bar
on selected rooms View details
Air Check In Conditioning 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
FEATURE
Islington Inn
Islington, Greater London N1 3PD
From
£75
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
Providing an ideal base for both business and leisure stays with the Emirates Stadium only ten minutes away and many of London’s attractions easily reached via either Highbury or Victoria Tube Stations, which are a 15 minute walk.
“Low budget, friendly and a good location” Trip Advisor Reviewer
The Islington Inn has 41 en-suite rooms, all with Freeview flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities and free Wifi. Single, double and family rooms are available, recently refurbished and reasonably priced. The restaurant serves continental or a cooked breakfast and the popular and vibrant Upper Street in Islington has a large choice of restaurants, bars and shopping.
100 Offsite NCP
Free WiFi Restaurant
Bar
24hr CCTV/ Reception
Check In 2.00pm
Check Out 11.00am
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GROUP The history of the Milsom Hotels & Restaurants group can be traced back to the early 1950s and the purchase of a tea room which would go on to become an iconic property within the group. Le Talbooth Restaurant, discovered by the late Gerald Milsom in 1952, was just a simple tearoom with a superb location by the River Stour. Several years later, Gerald bought Maison Talbooth and established it as a luxury hotel. In 1978, The Pier in Harwich has bought and in 2001, Paul and Geraldine Milsom opened Milsoms in Dedham.
Maison Talbooth Colchester, Essex CO7 6HN
A luxury boutique hotel and restaurant in Essex, overlooking the famous Constable Dedham Vale. A total of 12 superb suites with super king sized beds and complimentary mini-bars offer complete relaxation and escape.
From
£215 From
£135
Milsoms
Colchester, Essex CO7 6HW A stylish boutique hotel with a vibrant bar and brasserie restaurant in Dedham. A benchmark for accommodation and informal dining with inventive food and an excellent children’s menu.
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View the collection here >>
GROUP
From
£130 Milsoms Kesgrave Hall Ipswich, Suffolk IP5 2PU
With 23 en-suite bedrooms ranging from standard through to top rate with plenty of wow factor, this hotel offers great value for an informal and relaxed stay.
Pier at Harwich Harwich, Essex CO12 3HH
Following on from a £1.5 million reinvestment over the last five months, The Pier at Harwich is once again open and on course to become one of East Anglia’s number one coastal destinations for food and drink. The completely modernised 1860 listed building has 14 bedrooms, individually styled to match the seascape and take full advantage of the brilliant light that you only ever get when staying on the coast. Enjoy glorious sunsets with molten coloured horizons, especially the setting sun on the Stour estuary, a special feature of staying at The Pier. The stripped back and raw textured interior, designed by Geraldine Milsom, makes reference to the industrious and hardworking Harwich port, and achieves a balance between function, luxury and glamour. The harbour wall is only 20 metres from the door and The Pier’s newly extended first floor balcony, perfect for drinks and outdoor dining, overlooks the water, ships and working docks. With estuary views from every table, it’s a very special destination for lovers of great food and drink. Experience all-day dining (all-year-round) and outdoor dining whenever the sun shines - with a menu celebrating modern classics, an exciting grill menu and wonderful fresh fish and shellfish, landed daily on The Pier’s doorstep. Guests can select from a predominantly European wine list or enjoy Prosecco-based cocktails, craft beers and cask ales.
From
£125 29
CHEF’S CORNER
POACHED LOBSTER & SCALLOPS, SMOKED PAPRIKA & CELERIAC, HONEY & CHILLI COURGETTES, SEA HERBS & SAMPHIRE by Alan Ford (SERVES SIX)
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To Serve It is nice to serve the lobster at room temperature, so if it has been refrigerated, allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Method
1. Place 1 tablespoon of celeriac puree to one side of the plate, pull spoon across the plate to form an oval of puree.
1. Cook the lobsters in salted boiling water for approximately 11 minutes. Remove from the water and allow to cool naturally. Remove from the shell, cut the tail into even sized nuggets and the claws in half.
2. Warm the honey, add the chopped chilli and tarragon leaves, then toss the courgette ribbons in it and season. Place across the middle of the plate going diagonal to the puree.
2. Peel and roughly chop the celeriac, boil in salted water until very well cooked, drain and place back in the saucepan with smoked paprika. I use a stick liquidiser for this stage (or use a blender) to puree until it’s very smooth. You may need to add a little of the cooking water to loosen. Add the mayonnaise, season and blend.
3. Place a 6th of the lobster on the courgettes.
3. Using a potato peeler, peel through the courgettes to give fine ribbons, plunge into salted boiling water, literally for 5 seconds to soften, then straight away run under cold water to refresh. Using the same water, plunge the samphire in, again, just for a few seconds, then refresh under cold water.
4. Heat a non stick frying pan to a high heat, very lightly brush the scallops with olive oil, season and cook for approximately 45 seconds each side, the hotter the pan the better as this will allow the scallops to caramelise.
4. Cut the chilli in half, remove the seeds, cut into fine dice.
5. Place three pieces of scallop on each plate, intermingled with the lobster. 6. Scatter samphire and sea herbs over the scallops and lobster. 7. Mix the rapeseed oil, juice of two limes and chopped tarragon together and pour over and around the dish. Serve with some nice buttered new potatoes and a crisp green salad.
EVERYTHING UP TO THIS STAGE CAN BE PREPARED EARLIER IN THE DAY
Ingredients • Picked tarragon leaves to taste • 2 x 1 ¼ lb lobster • 1 tbsp clear honey • 9 x scallops cleaned, cut in ½ • Juice of 2 limes • 2 x courgettes • 6 tbsp Rapeseed oil • 1 x small celeriac • 1 tub sea herbs • 1 tbsp Mayonnaise (I used sea purslane which can • ½ tsp smoked paprika be bought in specialist food shops • ½ red chilli (medium heat) or online)
• ½ tbsp chopped tarragon • 4 oz Samphire • Olive oil • Seasoning
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FOR YOUR NEXT WORK OR LEISURE NIGHT AWAY
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855,000 PROPERTIES
WORLDWIDE
01775 843413
Lines open 9.00am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday
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