​Hampton Manor is a family run passion-driven hotel situated in the heart of England.  This historic Manor built in 1855 is set in a 45-acre estate in the West midlands and recently launched as a design-centered restaurant with rooms.
 
The former estate of Sir Robert Peel, Hampton Manor launched in 2010 and celebrates the best in British craftsmanship while paying homage to the building’s 19th century history and has since won a pride of awards.  

Arriving on a train from London to Hampton in Arden, I made my way on foot to the hotel.  As soon as I stepped into the grand foyer, I instantly felt at home, almost as if I was stepping into my own manor, a feeling that the team hope to inspire via marriage of a homegrown ethos and the spirit of family and community.
 
Hampton Manor is a perfectly welcoming hotel, boasting a team of staff who are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable.  After check-in I was shown to a comfortable space in the foyer while I waited for a cool drink.  Built in the time of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement, great attention, creativity and care has been poured into the design of the hotel. There is a serene creative ambience and a nod to Mid-Century Modern design.

​The Rooms at Hampton Manor
 
Steeped in history, the team has looked to the Manor’s past to design the 15 Arts and Crafts inspired bedrooms named after someone who once owned the estate, from queens to musicians including Robert Peel, Ardene and Lord Mowbray. The rooms have been individually designed to reflect the hotel’s ongoing love affair with Morris and his nature-inspired patterns, brought to life in Morris & Co. wallpapers and fabrics. Innovative touches such as ladder bookshelves, commissioned furnishings and accessories from handpicked artists and makers, provide a unique identity for each room. The feature rooms all have big baths and separate showers.
 
Upon entering my room, George Fentham, I was greeted with a sumptuous lounge space and large bay window that overlooked the gardens, a huge bed to sink into and a large airy bathroom - perfect for endless hours of pampering.  The extra touches in the bedroom were very welcoming, from the warm homemade cookies, fresh Has Bean coffee to grind and 100 Acres Apothecary toiletries, sourced locally.  

​Dine in Michelin-starred Peel’s 
 
Peel's Restaurant won its first Michelin Star in October 2016 and it has also received its fourth AA-Rosette under current Head Chef Rob Palmer who sources the best seasonal, British produce and cooks it using modern techniques, putting the Manor on the map of Britain’s leading culinary hotels.
 
The collective feeling of the Manor is realised in the restaurant; at its centre a new oak dining table by revered local carpenter William Self, surrounded by dining tables, allowing parties to share a space yet maintain privacy in this comfortable wood panelled dining room. 
 
Dinner begins with pre-dinner drinks served by the Makers Table or outside overlooking the hotel’s grounds.  Both spaces are warmly informal and invite you to meet fellow diners or interact with the team and find out about the locally sourced sprits and wines. 
 
Peel’s offers four or seven course tasting menus with each dish focused on just three main ingredients, giving them an honest simplicity.  After an aperitif in the garden, I took my place in the comfortable dining room and enjoyed the seven course-tasting menu, each paired with a wine flight. The most memorable being the Duck Liver with Blackcurrant and Brioche, served with a Ramoro, Pinot Grigio Italy, an orange wine that ignited the flavours of the fruit and blurs the boundary between white and red, a truly adventurous taste.  While the Smoked Eel with Kohlrabi and Samphire deals a fresh smokiness, perfectly teamed with the Kisi Amber, Pheasants Tears, Georgia - a smokey, mineral wine from Georgia that perfectly marries the smokiness of the course. A pairing that may just bring tears of joy for some.  Two delectable sweet dishes rounded up the seven courses.  I enjoyed the Raspberry with Skyr and Elderflower teamed with Antica Formula, Carpano - sweet vermouth and the Chocolate with Sherry and Vanilla teamed with Banyuls, France.  An exceptional dining experience sealed by the knowledgeable and agreeable team and the head sommelier.

Guests looking for an extra special stay can experience The Tasting Room - the most sought after house in the table where in the comfort of a private dining room guests can be at the heart of the action while they watch the chefs at work.
 
The hotel also serves a fresh continental breakfast with warm dishes to order on request.  I was shown to a seat in the gorgeous wooded panel dining room and tucked into a selection of cold fruits, yoghurt and ordered the classic cooked salmon and Eggs Benedict. 

The wine and cocktails
The wine and Champagne list boasts natural, organic, and biodynamic wines and 25 Champagnes, 15 of those vintage, carefully selected by our Sommelier and Wine Director.  Most of the wines on offer are made by small independent winemakers of England and Wales who know that healthy grapes make delicious wine.
 
The creative drinks team led by Luik have created a fresh and fun cocktail menu that contextualises the Manor and its love affair with William Morris. It’s not a secret, it is painted all over the walls, while the cocktail list celebrates his life’s poems and prints through the complete art of cocktail making. Dabble in a pre-dinner cocktail The Red House a marital mix of rhubarb gin ginger hibiscus and lime or the Icelandic Saga - a smokey concoction of Icelandic vodka, Reyna, smoke, or great, herbs from the garden and saffron.

Afternoon tea for foodies
The Manor offers afternoon tea but not as you know it -  it's an afternoon tea fit for foodies.  Hosted in the Parlour, Head Chef Rob has imagined his tasting menus for the afternoon; ‘Crab, XO Sauce’ and ‘Middle Pork, Black Pudding’ make way for ‘Chocolate, Sherry’ and ‘Parsnip, Whisky Raisin, Arlette’.

Pamper
Hampton Manor invites guests to unwind with a selection of aromatherapy massages, facials and reflexology treatments at the Pamper Rooms, perfectly situated a short walk from the hotel and nestled in woodland.
 
Explore the estate
Wander Down to the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden.  First completed in 1891, this charming plot will soon become home to Peel’s Restaurant’s seasonal friends: beetroot, carrot, asparagus and tomato. Herbs are developed to garnish Loic’s cocktail creations, and hives erected to house the Manor’s honey bees.  If it’s a little windy and wet outdoors, the hotel provides wellington boots & umbrellas.
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The verdict
Hampton Manor invites you to ‘share, taste and storytell’ , of which you will be sure to do at this fabulous hotel.

The details
Rooms priced from £150 per night / £180 with breakfast. Tasting menus are priced as 4 courses (£75) and 7 courses (£95) available with wine flights also available at respectively £55 and £75 (Tuesday to Saturday 6:30pm - 9pm).
 
Hampton Manor is easy to reach from London. London Midland trains serve Hampton-in-Arden in 2 hours and then it is a 10-minute walk from the station. From Birmingham it is a 12-minute train journey. 
 
Hampton Manor
Shadowbrook Lane
Hampton-In-Arden
Solihull
B92 0DQ
 
www.hamptonmanor.com

Nestled in the heart of Belgravia, amid sweeping terraces and stucco mansions, The Hari relaunched at the end of August (you may remember its former incarnation as Belgraves). Despite its slick and modern design it manages to feel welcomingly cosy the moment you step through the door, with a lobby littered with enticing sofas and a glass fireplace. With 85 rooms this independent hotel feels compact and refined, despite taking up most of a city block. ​

The bar at The Hari
We did, however, first manage to nip down to the bar for a cocktail or two; I heartily recommend The Lady Is Not For Turning, with Bulleit bourbon, rosemary, lime juice and egg white. No big, brash, ballsy hotel bar here - the vibe is relaxed, refined, refreshing - think armchairs and sofas, bookshelves around every corner and soft lighting. Everything about this place screams chill time. We settled in one of the velvet-lined booths next to the bar and savoured our drinks, accompanied by some rather tasty onion rings and crispy squid before heading back upstairs to make the most of the night of R&R, though there’s also a rather lovely looking garden terrace open should a nightcap under the stars be more your thing.​

I always find it’s the little touches that truly make an experience and The Hari was no exception; bikes are available for guests who want to explore the local area, each room comes with a pre-programmed mobile device, packed with things to do, places to see and local recommendations and in an adorable finishing touch, a lucky penny was left on the bed. Everything about the rooms and the hotel’s offering has been well thought through to ensure a truly memorable experience. 

Tacked on to King's Cross station, one would be forgiven for thinking that a train station hotel would be a fairly simplistic stopover venue, but you couldn't be more wrong. From the moment you step through its doors you're whisked into a subtle, sultry world of refined luxury, a throwback to the golden age of steam, yet you’re mere seconds from the hustle of one of London's most thriving areas and just 25 metres from the Eurostar terminal. 

​This exquisitely designed space was first opened in 1854, designed by Victorian master builder Lewis Cubitt but has been lovingly refurbished of the finest luxury boutique hotel spaces in London. With a building so rich in history, it would have been a travesty not to restore it to its former splendour. It’s one of those spaces that makes you want to don a flowing gown and race down the staircase, a la Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.

The menu is a smorgasbord of simple yet creative recipes, featuring sublime dishes such as steamed Wye Valley asparagus with poached Loch Duart salmon and wild garlic mayonnaise or Dressed Portland crab to start, Orkney scallops with roasted cauliflower, samphire and sherry vinegar caramel, grilled Cornish lamb chop and pressed shoulder, served with wild garlic and spring greens and Paddock Farm Tamworth pork belly with braised celery, baby turnips and mustard sauce. Simple, classic, wholesome dishes with standout flavours that have you begging for more. Leave room for pudding though; the signature Plum + Spilt Milk is a classic, but I can heartily recommend the iced peanut and salted caramel mousse, which was truly special.​​

We’ve all heard about places in the world which have been victims of their own success -  over development, pollution and pickpockets are just some of the things that seem to come hand in hand with popularity. When I was younger, it wouldn’t have been enough to put me off, but with age has come discernment, and probably more than a healthy dose of jadedness. Was Rome always this oppressively crowded? Was there ever a time when people could actually just admire a monument without having to whisk out a selfie stick (and in doing so, take out the eyes of any hapless bystanders)? Was the food on offer near the larger attractions always so overpriced - and so average? ​

​Rome was the first European city I ever explored, and I can’t imagine that I’ll ever regard it as anything other than alluring and magical. I still want to see everything there -The Pantheon, The Colosseum, La Bocca della Verità - as much as I wanted to the first time around. But I don’t want to do it non-stop from morning until night -  I want to relax on my travels! And the problem with many of the hotels in the centre of Rome is that they don’t really offer much of a respite or any sense of place - call me demanding but I still want to feel like I’m in Rome, even when I’m not marvelling at an ancient monument. 

​So, the Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria resort, is nothing short of a revelation - what it lacks in absolute centrality it makes up for - decadently - in amenities and view. Set high upon one of Rome’s Seven Hills, the city is laid out before you in a jumble of rooftops, domes and spires, with St Peter’s and the Vittorio Emanuele II monument clearly discernible.  And, for when you’re ready to head back out and face the madding crowds again, the hotel runs a complimentary shuttle bus with regular service to and from the city centre. 

Activities at Rome Cavalieri
 
Art is unquestionably a huge part of what draws people to Rome; there are incomparable masterpieces housed here. But neither can it be denied that their appeal palls somewhat when you’re caught in shuffling tides of people blocking your view as they angle iPhones and selfie-sticks (are they even seeing the painting?!). Staying at the Cavalieri, however, makes you feel like you’re staying in a gallery, albeit a languidly-paced and tour-group-free one, with a collection of over 1,000 pieces spanning centuries, from the Beauvais tapestries in the lobby, to original Warhols in the penthouse and a series of works from 18th century Italian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, you can either browse completely on your own or plug in to an iPod tour. Alternatively, the hotel’s resident Art Historian can take you through the collection. 

The Spa & Pools
The Cavalieri has a magnificently luxurious spa, offering a range of wellness and relaxation treatments so blissfully efficacious that you’ll feel as if you’re hundreds of, rather than four, miles removed from tourist throngs. There’s also a state of the art gym with high-tech workout equipment, and a variety of classes for those who prefer to exercise with guidance. But for me, when the temperatures are searing outside, there’s no better place to be than beside one of the hotel’s four swimming pools. Forget sitting bolt upright at an outdoor table of a bustling cafe to get your people watching fix - here, between refreshing dips, you can recline on a sun lounger and observe from behind your sunglasses - all while being served snacks and cocktails by smilingly attentive staff. 

Where to eat
 
A trip to Italy requires sampling some of the culinary delights for which the country is famed but, as is often the case in such enduringly popular destinations, there’s a lot of sub-standard (yet overpriced)  food to be found. Even if this weren’t the case, the Cavalieri offers plenty of incentive to dine at L’Uliveto restaurant, where the focus is on authentic flavours and seasonal produce, with a range of fish, meats, pastas and risottos on the menu.

For getting a more authentic feel of how and where locals eat, book with The Roman Food Tour, who will take you on a walking tour to some of the best salumerias, pasticcerias, markets and pizzerias in a residential neighbourhood, offering you the chance to not only stuff yourself silly, but to do so on quality food about which you’ll learn loads in the process. Dietary requirements? Just let them know in advance. 

 As a gluten-avoider, I thought I’d be glumly sipping a coffee at the pasticceria but our guide had me covered; likewise at Bonci Pizzarium, where creations by Gabriele Bonci - otherwise known as ‘the Michelangelo of Pizza’ - creates his masterpieces with the finest and freshest ingredients (never more than three per topping; any more will destroy the balance of flavours of colours) to be sold ‘al taglio’ (by the slice). ​

​Another unforgettable dining experience awaits you back at the hotel, which is home to La Pergola, Rome’s only Michelin three-star establishment. Book well in advance if you want to dine here: not only will your senses be dazzled by the view over the city, but by the culinary creations of head chef Heinz Beck, whose attention to detail in the presentation of ingredients and combination of flavours falls nothing short of genius. The wine list is tome-like, but head sommelier Marco Reitano is both charming and informative.

Our arrival at Cocos Hotel 
​
When I first arrived at Cocos Hotel, I was so overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the property and its jaw-dropping location, I nearly wept. Cocos Hotel is the stuff that honeymoons and envy-inducing Instagram pics are made of.

​As we strolled through the grounds, we had all we could do to control our giddiness, trying to convince everyone that we always stayed at places this amazing (we don’t), so as not to look uncool in front of fellow guests.  Settling in with a piña  colada in one hand and an Antigua guide book in the other, I was in pure Heaven.

The property
​
Cocos Hotel is comprised of 30 cottages perched on the hillside, providing startling views of the ridiculously turquoise waters below, set off by the striking sugar-fine white sand. It’s hard not to fall in love with this property and to fall in love all over again with your partner for taking you to such an amazing destination!

The cottages at Cocos Hotel 

The cottages have rustic chic decor, think dark wood floors and 4-poster beds bedecked with mosquito netting. The decor is very similar to that of its sister hotel, Keyonna Beach, for those who may be familiar with the property. All cottages have an outdoor shower, private deck and striking views of the Caribbean. There are also cottages with a private plunge pool for those who wish to truly indulge. 

The rooms at Cocos Hotel
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Our room (number 26) boasted an amazing view of  Jolly Harbour Beach, which could be viewed from our outdoor shower (see above) or our large private deck (complete with a hammock and chairs). It was amazing showering each day looking out to the sea as we scrubbed in the sun! I would have stayed in the shower all day if it didn't mean missing out on precious beach time!

​The pool at Cocos Hotel 
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Cocos Hotel has a small, palm tree fringed pool set in beautifully manicured grounds. Next to the pool, guests can make use of the beachside bar, which serves complimentary cocktails, chilled drinks and small snacks (fruit and biscuits).

The beaches near Cocos Hotel 

​Straddled between the impossibly beautiful Jolly Harbour Beach and Valley Church Beach, Cocos Hotel is perfectly situated for sun worshipping, water sports and any other beach activity you desire. 

​ Jolly Harbour Beach (the larger of the two beaches), boasts an expanse of bright white sand.  The busier of the two beaches, here you’ll find a variety of beach-side restaurants and resorts as well as vendors selling tourist souvenirs (think sarongs and tee shirts). Cocos Hotel provides its guests with complimentary (and comfortable) beach loungers that are perfect for relaxing on as you top up your tan.

Valley Church Beach, the smaller of the two, is a crescent shaped beach, which is quieter than Jolly Harbour Beach. Here you’ll find two beach bars, including the well know The Nest, should you want a cool, refreshing tropical cocktail to sip while you relax in the sun. 

Dining at Cocos Hotel 
​
Cocos Hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis, but instead of a buffet menu, they offer an la carte menu with table service. The restaurant provides a contemporary mix of international cuisine, sourcing locally grown vegetables from nearby farmers and freshly caught fish from local fishermen.

All meals are served in the gorgeous, informal multi-tiered open restaurant, which is set on a cliff, affording guests with amazing views. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests have several items to choose from, which means there is typically something for everyone to enjoy, however, if you’re a fussy eater or if you suffer from allergies, inform the staff at the time of booking.

Breakfast

​Breakfast is varied and includes everything from  Jack Johnson’s favourite banana pancakes to a traditional English breakfast or scrambled eggs with salmon.  You can also order a side of plantain, should you be feeling especially Caribbean!

Lunch
For lunch you can order everything from sandwiches to fish or salads, depending on what’s on offer for the daily specials. I enjoyed the grilled tuna and the triple decker club, both of which were fab.

Dinner
During our stay we experienced the BBQ Night, which featured Jerk Chicken, ribs and fish, corn on the cob (which had a lovely honey flavour), Greek salad, and black bean soup (which was a bit salty and not my favourite item, but at least I tried something new).

Beer, Wine & Spirits : The bar offers complimentary red and white wine as well as a wide range of international and Caribbean spirits and beers and daily cocktail specials.There is a also a selection of vintage wines and champagne available at an additional charge.
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Entertainment : The hotel offers live music twice per week at dinner time. During our stay they had a man playing the steel drums, which made our time there all the more memorable.

Overall, we had an amazing time indulging in lazy days with nothing on our agenda but sun, sea and sand. So, if you're looking for ridiculously beautiful views and exceptionally friendly service during your next escape to Antigua, Cocos Hotel can't be beat. 

​Pricing
​Prices start from $519 per night. All prices are based on double occupancy and include all meals and alcoholic beverages per night. For further details on the property or for a breakdown of what's included in the all-inclusive package, visit www.cocoshotel.com.

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Turners Beach – only a few steps away to beach-side bliss
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‘You here to buy a coconut?’, a beach vendor selling fresh coconut juice (in you guessed it, a coconut), called out to me as my husband and I strolled hand in hand down the beach. ‘No thank you’, I responded. ‘Are you sure’, he said, ‘The doctor recommends one a day’. While I wasn’t in the market for coconut juice (I actually hate the stuff unless it is served with a generous amount of rum), I admired his persuasive sales technique. 

It was our first day at Turners Beach, the stunning, secluded strip of sandy, white beach where the fabulous Keyonna Beach Hotel, a couples-only, all-inclusive boutique resort is situated. Located on Antigua's South-Western coastline on the Caribbean side of the island, Keyonna Beach Hotel is designed for couples who want to enjoy nothing more than the pleasure of blissful relaxation.

​As you stroll along Turner’s Beach, you’ll see a handful of beachside vendors selling everything from beach bags to tee shirts, sarongs, shells and any other tourist tat you can think of.  Here you’ll also find excursions for sale (boat rides, jet skiing, etc.), however, the staff at Keyonna Beach Hotel recommend that you book any excursions direct at the hotel to ensure quality and safety. With so many options on hand, there really is something for everyone to enjoy during their visit to Antigua.

​The location
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The perfect place for an intimate escape, Keyonna Beach Hotel offers a selection of 24 rooms and cottages including, Beach Front Cottages with Plunge Pools, which come with their own privately assigned Bali beds and beach loungers, Cottages with Sea Views, or Beach House Rooms, which are located in the main building (positioned either with a view of the beach and sea or directly overlooking the beach).  There is also a small but perfectly formed communal pool for all guests to use, which is set back away from the beach. 
 
The accommodation – Rustic, beach-side rooms and cottages designed for relaxation

The accommodations at Keyonna Beach Hotel have a weathered, rustic charm to them (think dark brown painted floors and furnishings and simple, no frills décor). All rooms and cottages are only a short stroll away from the shimmering Caribbean Sea.

​Regardless of what property you choose, you’ll enjoy ideally positioned verandas with stunning views of the beach and sea, four-poster king size beds, air-conditioning, a shower (an indoor shower for the Beach House Rooms or outdoor showers for either of the cottage options), free Wi-Fi, an in-room mini fridge (stocked daily with local beers, soft drinks and water) and tea and coffee making facilities. To ensure your focus is solely on your companion during your stay, you won’t find a TV in your room, leaving you with more time to cuddle!

Located near the edge of the Haweswater reservoir, the Haweswater Hotel is the perfect place to relax if you're seeking to combine long mountain walks in a stunning, isolated setting with rest and relaxation in a stylish bolt hole.  

The hauntingly beautiful surroundings of the Haweswater Reserve, a protected area of dramatic fells, rivers and woodland, is the perfect tonic for city slickers looking to escape the rat race to indulge in the peace and tranquility of nature in all its glory.

Arriving at The Haweswater Hotel...

When we pulled up in front of the beautiful stone clad building covered in striking bright red ivy, I was blown away by the hotel's location perched on the edge of the Haweswater reservoir. The construction of the Haweswater reservoir started in 1929, amid great controversy from locals who were up in arms about the decision as the valley at the time was populated by farming villages, which would be flooded to make way for its construction. Today, the reservoir provides water for one  in four homes in the Northwest.  

​As a gift to the local community, the hotel was built in 1935. Many of the furnishings in the hotel are a nod to the era, with 1930s touches to be found in the dining room, lounge and bedrooms. ​

The hotel changed ownership in February 2015 and is currently being refurbished throughout. I had the pleasure of staying in Loft Room 1, which has been tastefully refurbished with modern industrial touches and 1930s furnishings, which have been harmoniously combined.  ​