Ten Hotel Gems in London Town
BY VERITY DOUGLAS
I must admit that most of my time in London thus far has been spent fretting about where my next meal is coming from, how I am going to make it from West Brompton to Chalk Farm without so much as a fiver to my name. However, being down and out has also made me tirelessly wistful and as such, my days are frequently filled with day dreams about what I would eat, where I would shop and where I would lay my head if money miraculously ceased to be an issue. Subsequently, while this list may not be the most comprehensive, it is certainly the most aspirational and therefore…even if you’ve can’t justify the cost of a room, you can at least have a cocktail and pretend you’ve snubbed their room in favour of somewhere far more fabulous (they needn’t know it’s the Travel Lodge)!
10. THE LANESBOROUGH
This award winning hotel on Hyde Park Corner is truly deserving of it’s every accolade. With four-poster beds as standard and mattresses as soft and squashy as a cloud, I would defy even the Princess from ‘The Princess and the Pea’ to find fault. The hotel’s star attraction though is arguably it’s Library Bar, in which you can relax and enjoy one of their fine selection of cognacs and armagnacs, surrounded by walls of leather bound books. Pure heaven.
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1X 7TA. Tel: 0207 259 5599
9. THE CHARLOTTE STREET HOTEL
Walking into The Charlotte Street Hotel is like entering another era. Inspired by the Bloomsbury Set, one would hardly be surprised to find Virginia Woolf moaning in the corner, or E.M. Forster clicking his fingers to demand “another G&T”. Post-impressionist murals line the walls of the Oscar Bar & Restaurant and all of the 52 rooms combine 1920’s styling with 21st Century conveniences. Still, if a stay promises to leave you bankrupt and dinner for two would make your wallet weep, you can still impress with a trip to the Sunday Night Film Club. Housed in the basement of the hotel, the ticket price may leave you pale, but the £35 tag includes a three course meal beforehand, making it a great way to look flash whilst still pinching the pennies. With screenings of celluloid classics or the latest releases, you only need to ‘yawn’ strategically to guarantee the next date…
The Charlotte Street Hotel, 15-17, Charlotte Street, London, W1T 1RJ. Tel: 0207 806 2000
Or, for ticket bookings, call: 0207 980 1007
8. PALMERS LODGE
A haven for the pseudo-impoverised, this sprawling Victorian hostel near Swiss Cottage looks worryingly like it could have been a work house. These days however, you won’t be forced to sing for your supper and instead can choose between private rooms or dormitory accommodation in this beautiful grade II listed building. From around £20 per night, the price you pay is all inclusive so you won’t get stung by any hidden costs. Nor by any unwanted hostel residents…
Palmers Lodge, 40, College Crescent, Swiss Cottage, London, NW3 5LB. Tel: 0207 483 8470
7. THE HOXTON
This ‘urban lodge’, midway between Old Street and the City, is as cool as a cucumber and merges traditional styling with thoroughly mod cons. With the intention of making luxury accessible to all, no rooms exceed £200 with most costing between £60-£130. Of course, if you are short in arm and have particularly deep pockets, you can always wait for the famous £1 room sale. Sign up to the mailing list and you’ll be notified about coming sales, which work on a first come first served basis. However, you’ve got to be quick because last time all 1000 rooms were sold in under ten minutes. On your marks….Get set….GO!
The Hoxton Hotel, 81, Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3HU. Tel: 0207 550 1000
6. THE MAIN HOUSE
In the heart of trendy Notting Hill, The Main House has never advertised and has garned it’s reputation through word of mouth alone. With only four rooms, all furnished with antiques from the local markets, this hotel come B&B is perfect if you’re looking for something a little special that won’t break the bank. Ssssh! Don’t tell anyone…
From £55 per night, The Main House, 6, Colville Road, London, W11 2BP. Tel: 0207 221 9691
A Middle Eastern Las Vegas
Tow boats on the Creek in Bur Dubai
BY AYA LOWE
Dubai is a city of superlatives, of man-made wonders and unbearably hot summers. It is the perfect destination for relaxation in luxury with endless shopping opportunities, extravagant restaurants and bars. If you’re looking to off-load obscene amounts of money, then Dubai is the place to be. For the numerous high flyers working in Dubai it’s a work hard, play hard mentality. For tourists, to enjoy Dubai to the max you will need to spend fast and furiously!
WHERE TO STAY
Home to the world’s only seven-star hotel, the Burj al Arab: this is accommodation at its most luxurious. One night in Dubai’s most iconic building will set you back $1,000 for the smallest suite. If you’re looking for something on the same par, but a little bit cheaper, the newly opened, bright pink Atlantis Hotel on Jumeirah Palm Island is just the ticket. The majestic entrance is quite incredible and includes rows of shops, high-end restaurants and night clubs. Some of the hotel suites look directly into an aquarium which is home to 65,000 marine animals.
With such a variety of five-star hotels, the challenge is in finding somewhere cheap. Most of the budget accommodation is found in Bur Dubai and Deira. There are good deals to be found but make sure you do your research. Look out for deals in mid-end hotels such as Crowne Plaza and Novotel where reduced rates are offered when you book online. There is also a Dubai Youth Hostel in Al Qussais which is a bit far out, but its only $52 per single room per night so perhaps worth it.
For something a little different, head 45 minutes away from the Dubai lights to Al Maha Desert Resort and stay in a Bedouin style hut with views of the Hajjar mountains and sand dunes. Even further afield is Sir Bani Yas Island, the largest natural island in the UAE and a nature reserve. You can stay at the Anantara Desert Islands Resort and Spa and mingle with the thirty species of free roaming animals.
WHERE TO EAT
The choices are endless; from hole in the wall shawarma to gastronomic fusion food. Surprisingly, restaurants selling Emirati cuisine are hard to come by. If you’re curious have breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding and get a taste of local Emirati food and culture. On the other end of the spectrum, Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant, Verre was recently voted the best restaurant in Dubai by Time Out magazine. Or if you’re taste is more eclectic, head to the Financial district of Dubai to Zuma sushi restaurant. This is a popular haunt of Dubai’s hip. They love the sexy interiors, bite sized Japanese concoctions and funky cocktails. For something a little more unique, try a trip on a dhow boat along Dubai Creek. A night of unlimited Arabic food, live music and shisha always makes for a fun night out.
THE DUBAI BRUNCH
Then there are the infamous Dubai brunches. Always served on Fridays, this is the ideal way to spend a day of Roman-style hedonistic pleasure. For luxury, Al Qasr is the best. It’s a bit steep at $136 a head, but it is worth it if you’re willing to splash out. Other Friday brunches include Warehouse with all you can eat tapas and mojitos. If what you’re looking for is something a little more budget, More Café offers a buffet breakfast (try the eggs) followed by a buffet brunch for a mere $24.
NIGHTLIFE
Drinking in Dubai is expensive so be prepared. For the fashion conscious, the newly opened decedent Cavelli Lounge is top of the list. Go for the swooping chandeliers and animal prints that the fashion designer Roberto Cavelli is so famous for. For those who like their al fresco beach side drinking, Barasti is Dubai’s favourite. However, watch out for Thursdays and Fridays as it can get very busy. For a unique view and somewhat otherworldly experience: Après in Mall of the Emirates looks over Dubai’s indoor ski slope. You can watch people ski and play in the snow while the sun beams down outside.
Why not take to the slopes in Dubai?
The less expensive night time options are concentrated mainly in Bur Dubai. Although not a glitzy as the rest of Dubai, the bars here are cheap and cheerful. Submarine in Dhow Palace is a little less scummy than the others!
ART & CULTURE
The art scene in Dubai is relatively young and varied: from Filipino paintings to Iranian sculptures; many people have found inspiration here. Most of the galleries are located in warehouses in Al Quoz, which is the closest thing to a bohemian neighbourhood in Dubai. The Jam Jar is a great creative venue to unwind. For a set price you can purchase a canvas or two and for those who are artistically inclined you can even paint your own canvas!
SHOPPING
If you’re looking to shop, Dubai’s the place for it. Newly opened Dubai Mall will soon feature a Harrods and Bloomingdales as well as all the high street fashion regulars. For boutique shops stroll around Souk Al Bahar and along the Jumeirah Beach Residence Walk.
TRAVELLING AROUND THE CITY
For tourists, taxis are the main form of transport. Taxis are reliable and relatively cheap. Dubai’s new monorail, set to open in September will be a fun way to get around.
WALKING
Overall, Dubai is not a very pedestrian friendly city and most people spend their time in the comfort of air-conditioned shopping malls or cars. Walking along the Creek in Bur Dubai allows you to watch the conveyer belt of Dhows floating in and out of the port.
UAE COURTESY
• There is a zero tolerance policy on drugs and the punishment for possession of even the tiniest amount is imprisonment.
• While drinking is allowed, the police do not look very favourably on outward displays of drunkenness on the street. When moving from establishment to establishment it is advisable to use a cab.
• Make sure you wear the appropriate clothes at the appropriate time. Beach wear is good for the beach and the beach only. If you find yourself in a traditional neighbourhood it is best to cover your arms.
• Be polite at all times. While we may see certain hand gestures as a joke, some people can get very offended.
• Take care when crossing the road. Driving is a lot more reckless here than in Europe or the US. Crossing Sheikh Zayed road, the main road is a big no no.
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