The Bloomsbury Hotel has a very special heritage. We asked journalist Karl McDonald to investigate the rich history and architecture of this iconic building...
Visitors to London with even a passing interest in architecture should be sure to head along to the Bloomsbury Hotel, located just around the corner from the city’s bustling Oxford Street. In the front lounge, the noble, bespectacled face of Sir Edwin Lutyens gazes silently out from behind the bar, offering a glimpse into this iconic building’s rich history.
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What's the best way to describe the Marylebone Hotel's love affair with art? We asked journalist Karl McDonald to put it in his own words...
While for some hotels, the paintings that adorn the walls are design elements rather than focal points for guests, at the Marylebone Hotel – they’re trying something different! It’s hardly surprising, given both their long-standing association with literature and the arts, and the fact that they’re a go-do destination for critics and buyers alike when the Frieze Art Fair rolls into nearby Regents Park every October. As such, the hotel’s proprietors wanted to make each guest’s journey through the building as visually engaging as possible. Rather than passive imagery flanking your walk from bedroom to breakfast or meeting, some serious thought has gone into the Marylebone’s art. To help with this exciting project, they’ve engaged the folks at Rebecca Hossack Gallery – with two spaces nearby in central London and one in New York – to lend some expertise.
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Not many countries can lay claim to a national sport that captures the attention of an entire country, weekend-in weekend-out. Would you believe then, that Ireland has two! The enduring success of the country’s beloved Gaelic games (hurling and Gaelic football) is symbolised in Croke Park, the 82,000-seater stadium it calls home. And it has quite a story to tell! From meek beginnings in the late 19th century, this iconic symbol on the northside of Dublin city has grown to become Europe’s fourth-largest stadium, and an enduring and powerful symbol in Irish cultural memory.
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What are the must-see sights for any literary fan in Dublin? We've created a handy map for you to explore while Daniel Gray takes us through the Dublin of James Joyce...
Argentina's most prominent writer of the 20th century Jorge Luis Borges visited Dublin for the 100th birthday of his Irish counterpart, James Joyce, during 1982's Bloomsday. Borges had turned blind, just like Joyce before him, but in a beautiful interview with the poet Seamus Heaney made during his visit the South American he said he reveled in "walking the imaginary landscape", able to build his own vision of Dublin from the sprawling epic Ulysses, the short story collection Dubliners and the novel Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man which had been such an influence on him for so much of his life.
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Washington - one of the great melting pots of the world. We invited one local writer to explain what this means from the insider perspective...
Dupont Circle doesn't seem like a place to consider the more existential questions in life. It’s a park enclosed in a traffic circle enclosed in a neighborhood that all share the same name. On a Saturday morning in November, it’s simply a leaf-strewn retreat from the marble testaments to power that seem to rise from the ground in Washington, D.C., as naturally as amber waves of grain or purple mountain majesties in other parts of the country. A toddler in the truest sense of the word falls to the ground in the park. “Back up,” his father says. A young woman in tight yoga pants carries a cup of coffee. She won’t be the last. A group of middle school students from New Jersey shuffles one by one in their green and blue and pink and red sweatshirts. A handsome older man with close-cropped silver hair and a tan-fitted jacket strains to read his smartphone against the glare of an unseasonably warm sun. He closes his eyes. Serenity now.
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Whether it’s festive shopping, an outdoor adventure for the kids, or a spot of panto you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Cork City at Christmas. To celebrate the festive season, the city centre is transformed each year into a veritable wonderland, and what’s more - in the surrounding streets, you’ll find a host of hidden gems selling vintage clothes, local artisan foods and antique jewellery. To help you plan your perfect Christmas in Cork City, we’ve even prepared a handy illustrated map for you to download.
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London is undoubtedly one of the world’s great shopping cities. From the hustle and bustle of Oxford Circus, to the exquisite boutiques and restaurants of Kensington and Knightsbridge’s ritzy department stores, there’s a reason why British shopping is a global export, with quintessential London style never dipping out of fashion.
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Planning a trip to Bristol? We’ve got you covered! This beautiful harbour city in the South-West of England is the perfect meeting-point of old and new; you’ll learn about its colourful maritime history while also experiencing an exciting slice of contemporary urban life. In other words, no matter where your interests lie - there’s plenty to see and do! With that in mind, we’ve put together an itinerary to help you get the most from your day out in Bristol. Read on…
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Watch the world go by from The Gallery - An infamous spot for a teatime tête & tête among the city’s business and social aristocracy, The Gallery offers what other Luxury Dublin hotels cannot, an ideal perspective on Dublin life, with an elevated view of the Grafton Street throng and over €1m of Irish art acquisitions on display.
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Enjoy your afternoon tea in the gracious surroundings of The Kensington Hotel, one of the finest hotels in London. Sit and watch the world go by from one of our Regency-style drawing rooms with period features, magnificent bay windows, real fireplaces and original art complemented by designer furnishings .
Add a glass of Moet Chandon Champagne to make your tea extra special and enjoy between delightful English scones with homemade jams and clotted cream in addition to a host of savoury delicacies. Truly relax at The Kensington Hotel.
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Lutyens Lounge
Escape the hustle and bustle of the West End but still enjoy the convenience of a hotel near Covent Garden in London. Savor our traditional Afternoon Tea in the relaxed surroundings of the Lutyens Lounge. Executive Head Chef Paul O'Brien has designed a delightful range of finger sandwiches, delicious scones with jam and cream and freshly baked cakes.
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It’s not everyday you get to relax in the afternoon, take time for yourself and indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea. It’s time to spoil yourself!
Popular theory says the tradition of Afternoon Tea was created by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford in the early 19th Century. Customary for dinner to be served late in the day, Anna created a new meal to satisfy the gap between lunch and dinner and Afternoon Tea was born. After a time, friends were invited to join her for this new meal. Popularity increased and the idea of Afternoon Tea quickly spread, the meal becoming a fashionable event in social circles.
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Traditional Afternoon Tea at The River Lee Hotel: Relax and Unwind....
The River Lee Hotel, overlooking the beautiful River Lee in the heart of Cork city, is the perfect setting for Afternoon Tea served from 2.30pm to 5.30pm daily.
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