Europe and Middle East

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in Europe and Middle East. independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

Florence Gardens Hotel

25/01/2017 by .
PS Room 2 in Florence Gardens

Portsmouth has been much maligned, Spike Milligan relegated the whole town to Room 101 and sure, a weekend break in Portsmouth doesn’t have the same ring as 48 hours in Corfu or Majorca. You won’t see minke whales, otters or seals frolicking on the coast like you could, up in Scotland. But Portsmouth has a rich literary and naval history, the first Sherlock Holmes was written here. There is a newly restored and amazing dockyard with Henry VIII’s warship the Mary Rose and Nelson’s Victory.

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The Angel Hotel Abergavenny

13/12/2016 by .
Exterior without shop

The Angel Hotel Abergavenny has come a long way since its early days as part of the old THF portfolio. Its family ownership over the last fourteen years has lovingly transformed the hotel into one of Monmouth’s destination properties. Particularly relevant considering Abergavenny is the gateway to the Brecon Beacons and a prominent foodie town since the conception of its twice yearly food festival.

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Mews Suites at Sopwell House Review

10/11/2016 by .
Mews Suites At Sopwell House

With the recent refurb of its Mews Suites at Sopwell House, Andy Mossack discovers what is going on behind the gates.

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Black Swan Hotel

04/11/2016 by .
Exterior

You have only to look at the exterior of the Black Swan Hotel to realise that it’s certain to have quite a life-story to tell. Three distinct façades speak of a pedigree that flows back to Tudor times, witnessing the arrival of the motor car and through the coaching days of the 17th and 18th centuries: the Leeds-York ‘Helmsley Highflyer’, known locally as the ‘Mucky Duck’, passed this way three times a week in the 19th century.

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Devonshire Arms Hotel

20/10/2016 by .
devon arms1

Settled peaceably near the intersection between the A59 and the river Wharfe, the Devonshire Arms Hotel has an air of lordly splendour, a commanding presence with a pedigree that is getting on for 300 years old, and possibly more.

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New Residences at The Langham London

14/10/2016 by .
Langham2

There is something quite special about bypassing the ground floor check in and heading straight for the 3rd floor Langham Club private reception. Such is the benefit of getting Club access for the new Residences at The Langham London.

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Il Borro Hotel

10/10/2016 by .
Il Borro Village with Bridge

If it’s every middle class Englanders dream to own a villa in Tuscany, fashion magnate Ferruccio Ferragamo went one better with Il Borro Hotel. In 1993, he bought a 700 hectare dilapidated estate, complete with manor house, vineyards and medieval village, and proceeded to convert it into a unique Relais and Chateau property.

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First Luxury Art Hotel

09/10/2016 by .
Dusk at Restaurant

I always think the best way to see Rome is on foot but you need a central base for that to work. Just a short walk from Piazza del Popolo, the designer shops of Via del Corso, and the Spanish Steps, the 5 star First Luxury Art Hotel is situated down a quiet back street and has just 29 rooms and suites. It was built as a 19th century nobleman’s palace and only opened as a hotel 5 years ago.

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Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi

03/10/2016 by .
V NH collection grand hotel convent 177

Early morning in Amalfi and the sun is nearly melting the tiles on my balcony. It is however a small price to pay for such a heavenly view, on the cliff top some 80 metres above the town and the endless expanse of the Mediterranean. The NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi has had to endure this same view for over seven centuries, when it was originally a monastery and I have to admit, right now, I am having something of a religious experience myself.

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Chateau Asturias near Carcassonne

28/09/2016 by .
IMG 2350

Languedoc-Roussillon is a region in south west France which often hides under the shadow of its more glamorous neighbours further east on the Riviera. But to those in the know, it’s far more appealing; huge sandy beaches, stunning scenery and lower prices. And what could be better than to base yourself in the 12th century luxury Chateau Asturias near Carcassonne

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