Hurray For The Haymarket

Our review of the breathtaking 50-room Haymarket Hotel in London is now live and online. Read all about it here.

 

Winter Wonderlands: 7 Ski Escapes

There’s not much that could put us off our annual trip to the slopes. Last year’s staff outing to Breckenridge in Colorado has whetted the apetite of even our most relunctant downhillers. Here are a few of the chalets we’d like to test out this season.

1. Higuma Chalet, Niseko, Japan

When it comes to chic, Japan is always up-to-the-minute and the Higuma chalet in Niseko is no exception. Fully self-contained, this high-end property features a gourmet kitchen, games room with home theatre system, spacious living and dining areas, a cosy fireplace, vaulted ceilings and cathedral windows. Located on the beautiful northern island of Hokkaido, which is fast becoming Asia’s winter playground, the chalet overlooks a snowy silver birch forest in the National Park. The quaint village of Hirafu, with its upmarket restaurants and bars, is just a short walk away, but we see no reason to leave. After a day in the world-acclaimed powder of Niseko, what could be better than retiring to a deluxe retreat with all the latest mod cons to rest your feet?

+DETAILS

Tel: +81 136 21 2226

www.thenisekocompany.com

2. Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek, Colorado

The grandiose Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch offers an unsurpassed ski-in ski-out experience, with sumptuous guest rooms and suites offering breathtaking panoramic views of The Rockies and surrounding national forest. With the Bachelor Gulch Express chairlift just a few steps away from the mountainside terrace of the resort, access to 1,625 acres of powder-white terrain on Beaver Creek Mountain couldn’t be easier. The resort’s ski concierge will store your skis and boots slope-side and will assist you with the latest ski conditions, the snow report and a helpful hand in decking you out so you can hit the slopes in style.

+DETAILS

The Bachelor Gulch Ski Package: any time between 8 and 31 January,

six nights accommodations with two five-day adult lift tickets from US$575 per night. Tel: +1 800 241 3333, www.ritzcarlton.com

Hotel Madlein, Ischgl

From the outside, the Hotel Madlein looks deceptively like a traditional ski chalet, but step inside its Zen-like interior and it couldn’t be more chic: a light and airy space with simple clean lines, voguish furnishings and designer loft-style bedrooms featuring contemporary, original art. Along with a gym, sauna and spa, you can take a dip in the indoor pool and relax on a sun lounger admiring the spectacular view through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Relax in the tranquil Zen Garden or the Fire Room, a meditative area set around an ultra-modern open fireplace, or dance the night away in the famed Pacha nightclub. The fashionable Alpine village of Ischgl offers some of Austria’s best skiing, which you will be chauffeured to and from in a Hummer stretch limousine.

+DETAILS

Tel: +43 54444 5226

www.ischglmadlein.com

4. Concept One, Chamonix

Situated in the beautiful valley of Chamonix in France, Concept One is as unique as its name suggests. With room for ten to 12 people, the chalet is stylish and comfortable, combining glamour with escapism. A cascading icicle-style chandelier hangs in the open-plan living area, and the peaceful mood is captured through the calm white interior, deep sofas, glittering lighting, floaty

curtains and splashes of candy colour in each individually designed room. The dedicated sauna and spa room allows you to enjoy a range of relaxing massages and body treatments, while the outdoor hot tub with its spectacular views of Mont Blanc provides a tranquil spot to unwind after a day on the slopes. During your stay, six full-time staff, including a gourmet chef and two chauffeurs, will ensure your every need is catered for while you soak in the Alpine atmosphere.

+DETAILS

Tel: +44 1865 390 807

www.conceptchalets.com

5. Chesa Albertini, St. Moritz

Built on the bank of the River Inns in 1655, Chesa Albertini lacks for nothing when it comes to luxury. Set over 1,000 square metres, this magnificent nine-bedroom house is situated in the enchanting hamlet of La Punt, not far from the buzz of St Moritz. While many of its original features, such as wood panelling and 17th century frescoes remain, the entire house has been renovated over the past five years, adding a vast array of lavish details, including Philippe Starck bathrooms fittings. Sleeping up to 16 guests, it’s arguably more mansion than chalet, and offers a fully-equipped gym, Jacuzzi, plunge pool, sauna and gourmet meals prepared by your very own chef. After a day of husky-led sleighing, skiing or hot air ballooning, this is one the most idyllic places in the Alps to come home to.

+DETAILS

Tel: +44 207 384 3854

www.chesaalbertini.ch

6. Chalet Davos, Val d’Isère

Set in the secluded hamlet of Le Crêt, Chalet Davos is one of the first and most charismatic ski lodges of Val d’Isère. The interior combines the ambience of an old stone village and traditional Alpine décor with chic design and absolute comfort. From the smooth stone fireplaces to the weathered oak floors and seasoned timbers, the veneer of cool continues through to designer bathrooms, original art and DVD plasma screens with cinema surround sound. Hand-made squashy sofas and goose-down duvets provide comfort, along with a glorious sun-drenched terrace and an outdoor sunken hot tub to soothe those aching muscles. If you become too relaxed to walk anywhere, a chauffeured 4×4 will deliver you to the village centre and pistes throughout the day.

+DETAILS

Tel: +44 8701 123 119

www.vip-chalets.com

7. Marqués de Riscal, Rioja

A left-field suggestion, but not too much of a stretch when you realise you’ll be basing yourself in the heart of Rioja country. The excellent Marqués de Riscal hotel, designed by Frank Gehry, is the perfect base for a week of food, snow and wine (read our review here) and is just an hour and 20-minute drive to the slopes of the ski resort of Estacion Valdezcaray – a rather intimate affair and very low key, but the skiing is great for a few days thanks to 22km of runs. And the best thing of all? After a tiring morning on the slopes, head downhill to the town of Ezcaray to Echaurran for a meal cooked by the Michelin starred chef Francis Paniegos.
+DETAILS

Hotel Marqués de Riscal, Calle Torrea 1, Elciego, Rioja
Tel: +34 945 180 880
www.starwoodhotels.com

Valdezcaray ski resort

www.valdezcaray.es

 

A Bite Of The Big Apple

Our luxe guide to New York City is now live. Click here to get inspired. Book yourself a flight and head to Manhattan for inspiring views, wallet-breaking shopping and some of the world’s finest hotels. Have a safe trip!

 

London’s Finest

We’ve fallen in love all over again with London. After three glorious days in the Capital, with positively balmy temperatures (well, for November), an inspiring stay in one of the city’s hottest hotel properties, and a lunch-to-remember at Hix Soho, we’ve come away convinced that London is one of the world’s most stylish, exciting cities and we’re utterly smitten. From milling around galleries and museums, to spending far too much time (and money) in Selfridge’s; from watching the world go by in Soho, to getting starstruck at the sight of a passing celebrity, we’ve immersed ourselves in the city and loved every minute of it.
Full reviews of the stunning Haymarket Hotel (its basement pool bar is pictured above) and Hix Soho (pictured below) are coming soon, along with a luxe guide to the capital.

 

What A Carry On

What to pack, how to get to the airport, what to wear and how to make sure your trip – whether it’s business or pleasure, or a delicious mixture of the two – is stress-free and one to remember.
As you may have guessed, we love to travel at Resource. Despite the low-cost airlines trying to take the fun out our favourite pursuit, we’re very old-fashioned in our thinking when it comes to globetrotting. Whether it’s a cheeky weekend away to the Continent or a far-flung adventure, we like to travel in style and without stress. Here are just a few of things we do before departure to make sure our journey is glamorous and trouble-free… CLICK HERE for the article in full.

 

Blue Monday

Thoughts of blue skies and blue waters are what keep us going now that the nights are drawing in and the temperature is dropping. Two of our team are preparing for a press trip to Thailand in the new year, and are hoovering up information about the country and its superlative five-star beach escapes – regaling us with tales of white, sandy beaches, still-jumping seafood and five star island luxury. Anantara are one of our favourite luxury resort destinations out east and their most remote spot, Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa (just south of Krabi), is now offering its guests day trips to the Koh Kradan Beach Club, located on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the region. Take an exhilerating speedboat trip out to the 240-acre Koh Kradan island, which belongs to the Chao Mai National Park. While you’re there, as well as taking in the solitude and beauty, you can kayak and windsurf in the crystal clear waters, go snorkelling, or just indulge in delicious food cooked on-site. Lie back, let the wonderful staff cool you with chilled towels and feel the water lapping around your toes.
+DETAILS
The beach club is for the exclusive use of Anantara Si Kao guests and is available from November to April, and from May to October, weather permitting.
www.anantara.com

 

Design For Life

100% Design is up there on our calendar of must-attend events, whether that be the event in London or Tokyo. With the London event now over, we’re looking forward to Tokyo’s turn at the end of this month. One of this year’s excellent spin-offs in London was the opening of design workshops and pop-up stores around the UK capital for the Icon Design Trail. We spent an entire afternoon, after a quick couple of glasses of Champagne on Boundary’s roof terrace, pounding the streets of Shoreditch. Offices and studios normally with their doors closed to passing punters had thrown their shutters wide, so we could go in for a good old nose: from architecture firms to design offices, from pop-up galleries, to renowned stores opening their doors to their Stateside pals. We’re petitioning to make sure that the canary yellow signs are kept permanently in place.
Tokyo’s 100% Design event takes place between 30 October and 3 November and exhibitors include Taschen Japan, Italian eco-flooring specialists Tribalia, quirky modular furniture designers Peli Design, Florence-based glassmakers Mario Cioni & C (their beautiful Harry glasses are pictured above). The event takes place, handily, at Jingu Gaien-mae in the heart of Tokyo
Tickets are available here.

 

Starry Nights

The Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok is one of the city’s most exciting dining destinations, and will be playing host to a constellation of Michelin stars in November. The Art of Dining event will showcase the culinary talent of two world-renowned restaurants: one a classical French restaurant, with a twist, the other is only the second Thai restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star – after David Thompson’s Nahm.
Edouard Loubet, chef-patron of the two Michelin Star La Bastide de Capelongue in Bonnieux, France was the youngest chef to ever earn a Michelin star. He will be taking over the burners at The Sukhothai from 11-14 November, where he will be bringing his unique take on French cooking to foodies in Bangkok. His dishes are famed for their use of hand-picked local ingredients, as well as a few left-field delicacies.
From 25-28 November, Lertchal Treetawatchaivong and Henrik Yde-Andersen, chefs and owners of the one Michelin Star Kiin Kiin restaurant in Copenhagen head into the kitchens. Thai-born Treetawatchaivong and Dane Yde-Andersen caused a stir when their newly-opened restaurant was awarded a star soon after opening, and has been garnering a host of rave reviews ever since. Their modern Thai cooking is a must for visitors to Copenhagen – be sure to book table number nice, the best seat in the house.
+DETAILS
To reserve a table at either of the events, email: promotions@sukhothai.com

 

Kyoto Calling

Chris, our Art Director, is eating his way around Tokyo, Kyoto and Hong Kong over the next couple of weeks. He’s already hit the ramen and sushi joints of Tokyo, and is currently in Kyoto where he’s off on a cycling and food tour of the city tomorrow. Having barely set foot in the place, he’s already managed to discover an excellent local restaurant serving the specialty dish of “Shabushabu – very thinly-sliced, highly marbled Wagu beef which you dip into a big bowl of boiling water with lots of onions, tofu, rice cake, glass noodles and mushrooms. In the time it takes to say ’shabushabu’ three times it’s done – delicious!” And to prove the provenance of the highly-regarded Wagyu beef, the restaurant even displays the cow’s family tree outside: complete with nose print (in the bottom left-hand corner)! There’s a clutter of these restaurants on Hanamikoji-dori, in the Gion district of the city – a tourist trap for Japanese visitors, so the food is excellent.

 

Wish List #2

People, places, shiny things, tasty things. Here are just a few gorgeous bits of stuff that we’d love to eat/own/be near/drink right now. Please.

1. Deer Damask wallpaper by Barneby Gates

Forget Cole & Son and Osbourne & Little: this new range of quirky, beautiful wallpaper by Vogue’s Living Editor Vanessa Barneby and artist and illustrator Alice Gates is one of our favourite new interiors finds of the year. Quintessentially English – in other words, super-stylish, but with a witty, whimsical edge – other designs include an old school crest design, called Carpe Noctem, which, when you look closer, reveals ladies showing more than you’d expect on a roll of wallpaper, and a delicate butterfly and insect print. Prices start from £65 per roll.

2. An 80s-style Timex watch

We spent far, far, far too long mooching in The Bluebird shop on King’s Road the other day. It doesn’t help that their staff are so bloody charming and helpful. What was meant to be a quick visit after a cup of coffee in the sunshine turned into an epic shopping trip. Like sweeties at the counter, there was a technicolour array of Timex digital watches just where we were paying for our haul of goodies, so we grabbed a handful to match several outfits. Not that the Hublot Big Bang will be gathering dust, but sometimes a splash of colour works beautifully. Priced around £45, depending on the model.
*HOT OFF THE PRESS: look out for pieces by ceramacist supremo Jonathan Adler in The Shop at Bluebird’s new pop-up concession.
+DETAILS
The Shop At Bluebird, 350 King’s Road, Chelsea, London
SW3 5UU
Tel: 020 7351 3873

3. A Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

We’re over-the-moon with our new office camera, the Nikon D90, but for those of us in the team who want to travel light, then we think the addition of the new S1000pj will be perfect for those instantaneous snaps. With a more-than-decent 12.1 megapixels, it is, however, the sleek camera’s built-in projector that has got us very excited indeed. Cue slideshow presentations and impromptu Powerpoint-style shows about our travels wherever a white wall can be found. You lucky people.

4. A trip to Tahoe

The Ritz-Carlton’s latest opening sees Lake Tahoe, near San Francisco, at last getting some five star treatment – until now, the only decent place to stay, if you didn’t have friends with lakeside houses, was the excellent Plumpjack Resort in North Lake Tahoe (we’re big fans of the brand here at Resource – some of the best service we’ve ever experienced in a restaurant was at the Plumpjack Café in San Fran).
The 170-room Ritz-Carlton Highlands will offer luxury accommodation all year round, and will boast the must-have alpine service: ski-in, ski-out, as well as ski valet services – basically, lovely gents who help squeeze your feet into your pre-warmed boots, point you down-piste and push you gently off. After a hard day on the piste, be sure to make the most of the hotel’s spa where you’ll have your aching muscles expertly soothed.
The must-book rooms are on the hotel’s Club Level: on a separate floor, you’ll benefit from a relaxed lounge area which serves excellent quality food and drink all day and includes its own concierge.
Opens 9 December 2009
+DETAILS
www.ritzcarlton.com

5. A swim in the pool at The Joule

You can’t beat a show-stopping hotel pool, and whilst infinity pools dropping away to the sea offer a sense of calm, we’re rather partial to an open-air pool in the middle of a bustling city – especially when it’s high above the frenetic pace of the metropolis below. Our knees shook a little when we first saw shots of The Joule’s out-there pool. The newly-refurbished hotel  in the heart of Dallas, Texas now comes complete with must-be-seen-at rooftop pool, which drops frighteningly away to the streets below. Hold your breath and press your face up against the glass for an interesting view on Dallas’s cityscape. And when things get a little too hot, recline on a lounger and let one of the pool’s attendants spritz you with a cooling lavender spray. Now that’s what we call service.