Hotel Review: Babington House, Somerset - 20-23 November 2011

It's Curbappeal: hip country house that everyone would love to own...

Style rating: relaxed cosmopolitan chic at its best...

Crowd: hip creative types mixed with a sprinkling of bankers

Atmosphere: relaxed

Cuisine: mainly british

Food rating: very, very good

Our room: ...in The Stable Block (family / pet friendly rooms)

The bill: we did wince but it was worth it...

Recommended: very highly 

Some photos (actually there's quite a lot!)...

Restaurant Review: Aubaine, Heddon Street, London - 4 June 2012

It's Curbappeal:
- the contemporary french country house interior
- beautiful terrace

Style rating: lovely

Crowd: mix of locals, french expats, and tourists

Atmosphere: relaxed

Cuisine: french

Food rating: excellent

The bill: ok

Recommended: very highly

...some photos straight from our iPhones...

Restaurant Review: Corinthia Hotel London, Lobby Lounge, Afternoon Tea - 2 June 2012

It's Curbappeal:
- the ultra-slick contemporary interior
- jaw dropping statement chandelier

Style rating: one of our favourite contemporary restaurant designs

Crowd: stylish

Atmosphere: relaxed

Cuisine: traditional afternoon tea, with a contemporary twist

Food rating: very high

The bill: surprisingly reasonable

Recommended: very highly

...some photo's straight from our iphones...

Europe's tallest building inaugurated tomorrow

The Shard, next to London Bridge train station, and moments from the Thames, will be inaugurated tomorrow. It marks the near completion of the exterior, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. Standing at 1,016 ft tall the building has 72 occupiable floors but we're most interested in the Shangri-La Hotel, opening next year, on floors 34-52. Views will be unique and spectacular. Guest rooms look as opulent as you'd expect from this luxury hotel group.

A laser show will be projected from the Shard shortly after 10pm tomorrow. Guests at the event include the prime minister of Qatar, whose state partly-owns the skyscraper, and The Duke of York.

French fashion house launches jewellery boutique in Paris

Louis Vuitton has just opened its first 'high jewellery' boutique store on Place Vendome, Paris. Expect to be dazzled by American architect Peter Marino's interior - his other work includes boutique stores for Dior, Chanel and LV. No expense spared then.