Short Breaks

Can a City Girl Become a Country Girl?

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:18:28 +0000

Take the shops and the bars away, the people and the Tube, and what have you got? The countryside. So last month, when I found out I was going on a staycation to the depths of the British countryside in one of Devon’s hidden 'gems', I welcomed an escape from the City and was looking forward to the slow pace of life and a bit of pub grub.

Paradise Just Off the Costa del Sol

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:20:30 +0000

This piece was going to be called Never Again, after visiting the Costa del Sol and only finding pollution and Peter Andre. But luck prevailed, and we found a jem of a place in Andalucia not far away from the maddening crowd - a luxury hotel that lives up to its claim.

Resting Banker Girl and Her Mountain Men

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:59:41 +0000

In summer, a girl’s natural instinct is to pack a bikini and sarong and follow those surfer boys. Given that Ms R is Australian and Resting Banker Girl (RBG) is from New Zealand this would make sense.

Hedgie Hangs at Duke's

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:23:18 +0000

Tucked away in a cosy nook in St James, Duke’s Hotel is the kind of place favoured by well-heeled, established citizens of the world - people who have effortless social graces and know how to hold a good conversation.

Resting Banker Girl Sleeps in Belgravia

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:16:26 +0000

Who are these miserable, stick figures in slut shoes? “They’re yummy mummies, apparently,” replied Resting Banker Girl. But they’re all scowling - or they would be if the Botox hadn’t stopped them.

The Desperate Bankers Club Does Paris

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:27:09 +0000

The Desperate Bankers Club decided to go away for the weekend. Our daily routine of lunching and dining quickly made us settle on Paris. And we thought back on just a year ago when we still felt rich on the Continent.

If Carlsberg Made Beautiful People…

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:32:10 +0000

Helena Christensen isn’t the only one; there are more where she came from. And the men are just as gorgeous.

Babes in Amsterdam

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:51:15 +0000

I used to be a babe. I used to be babe in Amsterdam, strolling along the canals, alternating between museums, coffee shops and design shops. But not anymore. On this trip, the babes dictating the day's (and night's) events were eight and 11 months of age.

Hedgie Gets Playful at the Met

Sun, 17 May 2009 13:37:12 +0000

The Metropolitan Hotel found its place in hotel folklore when Boris Becker wandered into a broom cupboard and fathered a child. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t a broom, or it would have saved him a lot of money.

Hedgie Stays at The Halkin

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:14:23 +0000

When Christina Ong came to London, she couldn’t find a hotel she wanted to stay in. So she created one. The Halkin is the perfect combination of Asian sensibility and Italian style, an ode to serene chic.

Delight and Decadence at The Draycott

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:46:53 +0000

When you’ve travelled the world and you’re bored with textbook five-star hotels, you come to the Draycott: a luxurious but unpretentious bolt-hole where everyone knows your name and the biscuits are made by the general manager’s wife.

V-Day is on a Saturday

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 22:31:44 +0000

You know what this means: dinner at your favourite fall-back occasion restaurant isn't going to cut it. Good thing we have six excellent weekend breaks to inspire you. This is one reservation you will be able to get...

24 Hours in Marrakech

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:48:12 +0000

Marrakech is rich, colourful and full of life. Start by exploring the city’s most exotic and ancient quarter, the Medina.

Got 15 Mates & A Free Bank Holiday?

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:26:56 +0000

Normally, we would not so unabashedly flog a product (or in this case a place) with which we don't have intimate knowledge, but since we can't go, we think one of you should. And no, we are not getting paid to say this.

3 Pen Cei, Aberaeron, Wales

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:16:50 +0000

Given the fact we selected our Easter Wales destination based soley on the apparent quality of the B&B and the fact they had a six-foot bed available, we felt lucky to land on a 60-foot stretch of simple, luxurious sophistication in the lovely fishing village of Aberareon.

Ski You Later

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 23:35:59 +0000

This is it, the last of the season's articles on the most fabulous places to lay your head post piste. And this is about the time you need to book that trip too, if you haven't already. Before you know it, there will be grass on them there hills...

Hot Beds for the 14th of Feb

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:57:56 +0000

Thinking of popping the question next month? Or just looking for the perfect place to sweep away your significant other? Mr & Mrs Smith's website has the feature for you: Top 10 Beds for Valentine's Day.

Speed Through Immigration

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:16:45 +0000

Coming back from the holidays, I was struck by the fact that still - after way more than a year (it launched in March 2006) - not many people are using IRIS. So it's a little Big Brother (in the Orwell, not TV, way). It gets you through immigration in a jiffy - when it works, of course.

24 Hours in Paris

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:25:53 +0000

Pressed for time, but want to make the most of the City of Lights? You can take in some of the best of Paris from the 1st arrondissement.

53 Places to Go in 2008

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:28:16 +0000

If you trekked to Compton News in Soho to get the Sunday New York Times, you would have found a rather inspiring travel article. The 53 places to visit in 2008. Why 53? We're not clear. But we like the list.