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Country and Town House •

Slow Living In Saint Tropez: Lou Pinet – Hotel Review

Can real tranquility ever be sought amid the glamorous throngs and star-studded ports of Saint Tropez? It might seem unlikely, but if it exists anywhere, you’re sure to find it at Lou Pinet. This charming hotel may be just a few minutes’ drive from La Place des Lices, but it’s tucked away on a quiet lane bordered by lavender fields – and just like its rural counterpart, Crillon le Brave, it’s a remarkably peaceful spot.
Country and Town House •

A Postcard Come To Life: Crillon Le Brave – Hotel Review

What does it mean for a place to be picture-perfect? Take one look at Crillon Le Brave and the phrase will come to mind. The hotel is effortlessly beautiful; make no mistake, when you get back home armed with photos, any unsuspecting viewers are likely to audibly gasp. But while every nook and cranny really could grace a postcard (or a particularly impressive Instagram post, if that’s more your speed), any compulsion to capture the best snapshot will somehow vanish – since it’s difficult not to spend every minute walking around with your jaw hanging open, simply marvelling.
Country and Town House •

Is This The Most Picture-Perfect Hotel In Paris?

Though it’s just a short Eurostar ride away from London, crossing the threshold of Le Grand Mazarin feels like falling down the rabbit hole. Clashing patterns jump from every seat, wall and scrap of fabric; bobbin trims cling to every unsuspecting corner and doorway; and rich tapestries hover above every bed. It’s all glamour but none of the blinged-up glitz that would make you want to put your shades on.
Country and Town House •

La Maison Ani: Inside Knightsbridge's New Hotspot For Royals

Tucked away inside Jumeirah Carlton Tower, La Maison Ani gives the capital’s most Instagrammable restaurants a run for their money. Think watermelon-pink banquettes, swathes of rich wood, and an open kitchen complete with a marble-topped counter. Stately potted plants stand guard beside the tables as immaculately-dressed diners peruse menus. Somehow, it all feels as if it would fit right into an episode of Gossip Girl, with the city’s elite languorously discussing their social calendars over martinis and forkfuls of lobster salad.
Country and Town House •

Is This The UK’s Best Cookery Course?

Anyone who knows Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons will know that its every element is designed to celebrate the seasons. (It’s in the name, after all.) It felt fitting, then, to arrive on what turned out to be the first true day of spring: dazzling blue skies, a soft breeze, sunshine that melted like butter on the Cotswold stone. As I strolled down the iconic lavender path to the hotel lobby, the kitchen garden stretched out beside me like a promise. This, after all, is the beating heart of Le Manoir, and the foundation of the renowned Raymond Blanc Cookery School.
Country and Town House •

Restaurant Review: Starling, Esher

Scrape back a chair at many a restaurant in the capital and, whether you like it or not, you’re in for dinner and a show — and not the kind of show that’s worthy of much applause when the curtain comes down. This is, of course, easily recognised as all style and no substance, and it might be something you’d expect from Nick Beardshaw, a chef who appeared on the BBC’s Great British Menu twice (and spent 14 years working with Tom Kerridge). Yet at Starling, Nick’s debut restaurant in Esher, he matches every bit of fanfare with truly spectacular flavours.
Country and Town House •

Midtown Magic At The Peninsula New York – Review

A truly special hotel is more than the sum of its parts. It has stellar service, sure, and palatial beds, and picture-perfect views, not to mention superb food, of course. But amongst all of this, there’s something more – something you can’t quite pin down. At The Peninsula New York, it isn’t just about luxury; underneath the gleaming façade, there’s something greater and yet infinitely more subtle, something quietly but unfalteringly magical.
Country and Town House •

A Dashing Dog-Friendly Stay: The Mitre, Hampton Court – Review

Dogs don’t tend to come with hotel bookings, so it’s always advisable to bring your own. When you’re able to, of course – sneaking your dog into your suite isn’t recommended – meaning dog-friendly hotels are the way to go. This, at least, is how I found myself enjoying a particularly wonderful stay at The Mitre, accompanied by a good friend and her golden retriever, Otis (the star of the show by all accounts).
Country and Town House •

A Design-Lover’s Dream: One Hundred Shoreditch – Review

When I walk through the doors of One Hundred Shoreditch, there’s a full blown photoshoot going on. After the cameras have stopped flashing, I can see why this spot is the perfect location – it’s a design haven.

Jacu Strauss, the hotel’s creative director, told C&TH interiors editor Carole Annett that he envisioned the space as a kind of sanctuary, and while the Shoreditch buzz is palpable, there’s a real sense of serenity that you might not expect. Think Shoreditch-artsy but with all of that edginess softened. It’s utterly inviting.
Country and Town House •

Wilding, Oxford: A Must-Try Restaurant In The City Of Dreaming Spires

This stylish restaurant and wine shop might not count the great libraries and landmarks as its neighbours, but it’s in good company: it takes a coveted spot on Little Clarendon Street, a lovely lane strung with lights and dotted with boutique stores and organic food shops. Boasting a charcoal and green colour palette, it’s chic but relaxed – sunny in the daytime, cosy in the evening, and the perfect place to enjoy a truly brilliant meal.
Country and Town House •

Parisian Elegance In NYC: Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York – Review

Positioning itself as a Parisian pied-à-terre in the heart of Tribeca, Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York might feel like coming home if your home happens to resemble a satin-and-velvet-clad palace. Everything here is utterly lavish, from the pink headboard on the sprawling bed to the matching curtains framing a view of distant skyscrapers. These rooms are breathtaking, and they’ll have you wishing that Fouquet’s really was home.
Country and Town House •

Review: L’Atelier Robuchon

There’s a kind of magic at work at L’Atelier Robuchon – and it’s likely something to do with the 32 Michelin stars held by the restaurant’s namesake, the legendary French chef Joël Robuchon. The feeling was tangible from the moment we stepped inside, taking in the sprawling marble bar, plush seating and enormous art deco pendant lights hanging from the ceiling. Sultriness blooms from the deep crimson paint on the walls and between the intricate coving above – a shade of red you’ll find in every Robuchon restaurant, from Las Vegas to Taipei – but there’s real Mayfair grandeur here, too.
Country and Town House •

Restaurant Of The Week: Riviera, Mayfair

Riviera aims to transport guests to the glittering waters and honey sands of the South of France – but that doesn’t mean you can’t revel in its exceptional Mayfair location. Taking our seats as the sun melted below the grand façades of the members’ clubs on St James’ Street, the Cote D’azur glamour of the breathtaking dining room was certainly tangible, but so too was a real sense of city elegance. As one of Mayfair’s newest high-end restaurants, this is an incredible spot to enjoy some outstanding French fare.
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