News - Qatari's buy French luxury hotel portfolio from Starwood

Starwood Capital will shortly sell a portfolio of French luxury hotels to Katara Hospitality, a Qatari state owned hotels group.

The portfolio will include the art deco Martinez in Cannes

The transaction will help Katara move towards its goal of owning 30 international hotels by 2016

News - fate of iconic QE2 ship sealed

Ending years of uncertainty, it has been announced that the QE2 will become a 300 room luxury floating hotel. It will be permanently moored at Port Rashid in Dubai. It is anticipated to open within 18 months, after refurbishment, and will again display the ships collection of art works and other historical items collected during around four decades as a world leading ocean liner.

Airport Cafe Review - Shake a Hula, Gatwick North Terminal - 22 June 2012

its curbappeal: the colourful retro styling

style rating: made us smile :)

crowd: a real mixed bag

atmosphere: fun :)

cuisine: hot dogs and milk shakes

food rating: good

the bill: not too bad for an airport...

recommended? yes

...some photo’s straight from our iphones…

News - American film director opens new palazzo

Francis Ford Coppola has recently expanded his hotel empire to include Palazzo Margherita in Italy

Designed by world renown French interior designer, Jacques Grange, this 19th century palazzo has been transformed in to an elegant and whimsical Italian country house.

Www.palazzomargherita.com

We can't wait to visit!

Wedding Venue Review - Four Seasons Hampshire - 9th June 2012

its curbappeal:

- the glossy contemporary interiors

- the walled garden for post-wedding drinks

- the "private wing" for the wedding breakfast and party - very private, very unique, very special

- acres of groomed parkland 

- our room with a view of the above - a must request!

- a very stylish pet-friendly option  

style rating: a bit of beverly hills in hampshire

crowd: wealthy, but not trashy, middle-aged Londoners and Americans. A mix of families and young couples.

atmosphere: relaxed

cuisine: french-european classics with a modern twist

food rating: good

the bill: it will be expensive (but memorable!)

recommended? highly


...some photo’s straight from our iphones…

Restaurant Review - Antico, Bermondsey, London - 1 July 2012

It's Curbappeal: zen-like urban design. Chilled music. Relaxed vibe

Style rating: good.

Crowd: Young. Stylish. Hip

Cuisine: Italian classics with a modern twist

Food rating: Off the charts. Absolutely excellent. Basic dishes done fabulously with the very best ingredients.

Recommended: you bet!

See our video:
http://socialcam.com/s/lFVhasEz

Find it: http://www.antico-london.co.uk/

News: Starwood doubling footprint in China

Starwood has now opened more than 100 hotels in China. A further 100 signed deals are in the pipeline. Starwood commented "with more high end hotels in China today than any of our competitors, our long lead will be enhanced by the record number of new hotels we have in our pipeline". Regarding strategy "...we are seeing a change in luxury consumption as travellers become more connected... luxury is no longer a one-size-fits-all proposition. What once was prescribed is now personalised with less formality and more fun"

Sounds like progress to us!