A stay at the Ambrosia Hotel is the perfect way to explore the Ypres Salient

Every now and then, you get to stay in an establishment that just kind of puts that inner smile on your wellbeing. There’s just something about such a place that puts the world to rights and makes you feel that you’re in good hands. It doesn’t have to be a five star hotel – the humblest guest house can do it, but it does have to be well run for the benefit of its patrons and offer something a little out of the ordinary. Such a hostelry exists in the beautiful, unassuming little town of Ypres, in the Flanders area of Belgium – namely the excellent, privately run Ambrosia Hotel, tucked quietly away on 54 D’ Hondstraat.

Now I’ve been forbidden to bang on in this article about the virtues of this amazing yet underrated country, but that’s never stopped me before. My views on Belgium are no secret, but those people who have never actually been but ‘just don’t fancy it’ are a source of much misery to this particular wanderer; let me say once and for all to all those uneducated creatures: Belgium is one of the finest countries on this earth, and its capital one of the greatest cities and Ypres one of the most pleasing little jewels you’ll ever have the good fortune to happen across, and I’ll brook no argument to the contrary.

Exquisitely owned and operated by Vincent Vandelannoote and Iwona Danik, the Ambrosia extends a truly warm welcome to its guests. Elegant rooms, simply and comfortably furnished, provide relaxing accommodation just minutes away from some of Ypres’ greatest attractions, such as the Menin Gate and the fantastic Flanders Fields Museum.

After a comfortable night you can wander down to a leisurely breakfast, and I heartily recommend you sample the gourmet delight of Eggs Vincent. Quite simply, these are a couple of sunny-side ups done the Monsieur Vandelannoote way – to absolute perfection. It’s the perfect start to either a day of adventurous exploring, or simply a relaxing potter around the town itself, availing yourself of its many and varied delights.

A few days at the Ambrosia leaves you feeling both relaxed and inspired, and it is well connected for pretty much all you could want to do in the area, from a trip to the beautiful Tyne Cot Cemetery to a wander round the haunting nearby town of Passchendaele. Vincent and his team will provide you with hints and tips to help you make the most of your stay, happily supplying leaflets and hand-outs for the many and varied organised tours available, although do bear in mind that these are often best booked in advance.

Our stay at the Ambrosia was so congenial that it stands out among the many hostelries we have frequented during our years of globetrotting, so much so, in fact, that we proudly include it in our Tiny Atlas compendium of the world’s most unforgettable experiences.

Hotel Ambrosia
D’ Hondstraat 54
8900 Ieper
Belgium

Visit www.ambrosiahotel.be

Tel.: +32 57 366 366

Email info@ambrosiahotel.be

The Sanctuary, a hideaway at the stunning Cranleigh Hotel at the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere, ranks easily with some of the world’s finest

Imagine a place where nothing else exists apart from the means by which you can totally indulge your every whim. A hideaway where you can be as far as you like from the madding crowd but within a hair’s breadth of a cosy bistro or intimate bar, and all within a stunningly beautiful setting at the heart of the English Lakes.

You’d be forgiven for thinking it either sounds too good to be true, or would come at such a premium price as to make it prohibitive. Happily, neither is true. Believe me when I say that I’ve stayed at some rather fabulous rooms and suites in pretty exclusive locations across the globe, having been lucky enough to review them for a selection of high-end publications both online and in print. Now these do come with a price tag to match (on occasions that’s been several thousands of pounds per night) and there’s no denying they’ve been very impressive, but I’ve always come away with the notion that it’s just somewhere to put my head down at the end of the day, and the money I’d have had to pay would feel wasted, no matter how well-heeled one might be. But I’ve had my head turned and my heart changed, and I kind of feel like I’m revealing a secret that I don’t really want everyone to know about, but then that would just be selfish and defeat the whole object of World Travel Blog.

Ok, so I’m going to let this one out of the bag. I had the good fortune recently to stumble across the Cranleigh, a stunning little jewel of a hotel in the centre of Bowness. It’s always worth noting that, when booking anywhere for the South Lakes, you might want to consider Bowness over Windermere if it’s the lake you’re after; whilst Windermere is a perfectly pleasant, picturesque Lakeland town, it has no actual lake. Lake Windermere itself is actually situated in Bowness, and this is a good five to ten minute drive (so a considerable walk) further on. The Cranleigh is in the very centre of Bowness, just four or five minutes from the lake.

Upon arrival, I’d have been perfectly delighted to have been staying in the main hotel itself, but was fortunate enough to have booked the Sanctuary, a self-contained apartment tucked quietly away off the main drag. Private and unassuming from the outside, absolutely nothing on earth could have prepared me for what was on the other side of that little front door. For the first time in many a long year of staying in hotels, this stunning pied de terre literally took my breath away, from its luxuriously opulent decor right down to its incredible attention to detail. Chilled Champagne and chocolates welcomed us as soon as we walked through the door and, still reeling from the surprise of this, my eyes started to drink in the other details making this surely the best room in the Lake District. A huge bed, fit for royalty, dominated the main room without overcrowding it, and yes – it was as comfortable as it looked, affording me the best night’s sleep I’d had in ages. Add to this a 46” LCD television which is connected to a Bose surround sound Lifestyle system with iPod docking station and DVD player, well-stocked bar (with complimentary sherry) and all the comfort and trappings you could imagine in your ideal environment – there’s even free internet access – and you still couldn’t begin to have a picture of what the Sanctuary is all about.

And then there’s the bathroom, which I’m perfectly sure I could have lived in quite happily, with its glass Ben de Lisi bath (the first ever to be fitted in a hotel room), walk-in shower and relaxing LED light show to boot. Oh, and of course there’s a separate 18” widescreen TV in the bathroom, situated perfectly to enable relaxed viewing whilst bathing. Outrageous.

The icing on the cake has got to be the private hot tub, situated externally to the property in its own little ‘courtyard’ – the perfect environment in which to enjoy your Champagne (in, of course, the plastic ‘glasses’ provided. Mustn’t forget the Health and Safety Exec).

All in all, it’s hard to imagine accommodation which could be more luxurious, and in such a perfect location. If you want a real treat – that all too rare occasion when pampering is the order of the day, and you feel like living someone else’s life a tad more glamorous than your own – then this should be at the top of your list. But the real surprise is the price; the Sanctuary comes in at between £250 and £400 including bed and breakfast, based on two sharing, and trust me when I say this represents breathtaking value for money. Once you’ve lapped up the Black Magic Marble floor tiles (and underfloor heating), the Samara Platinum wall tiles, the wall papers and fabrics from the Royal Collection in the Queen’s archives and a fantastic night’s rest in the super kingsize bed with goose down bedding, let me suggest you take the breakfast like a king in your room. Ample, carefully selected local produce, beautifully cooked and lovingly presented, provides not just your average full English, but a gourmet extravaganza which will round off this whole experience with lasting finesse. This is the stuff dreams are made of, and every now and then, it’s nice to acknowledge just how ‘worth it’ you are.

For more details, visit: www.thecranleigh.com

The Cranleigh
Kendal Road
Bowness-on-Windermere
Cumbria
United Kingdom
LA23 3EW

+44 (0)15394 43293
Email: enquiries@thecranleigh.com

all images © The Cranleigh Hotel

Pied a terre in the heart of Bohemian Prague

Comfort, cleanliness and subtle style characterise Prague’s Cloister Inn. Offering an efficient, friendly and thoroughly customer-focused experience, it’s the perfect base for a trip to the ancient Bohemian capital.

Don’t be fooled by the hotel’s unassuming frontage. Once through the gleaming glass security doors, which are locked every evening – a simple point, but one which adds immeasurably to your peace of mind – you’ll discover a light, airy reception and lounge area. The Czech instinct for hospitality is evident in the warmth of the staff, whose excellent language skills put the average British monoglot to shame. Every member of the team was helpful and keen to make our stay as comfortable as possible.

Clean contemporary lines are the order of the day when it comes to the decor. Rooms are spacious and well equipped, with air conditioning and blackout curtains ensuring a good night’s sleep all year round. In the morning, breakfast is served in the fourth-floor dining room, where a wide choice of cereals, cooked dishes and breads will set you up for the day with aplomb.

Prague is best explored on foot, and the Cloister Inn’s superb location makes it the perfect base for a break in this beguiling city. The winding alleyways and historical intrigue of the Old Town are just a few minutes’ walk away, but the hotel’s location on quiet Konviktska keeps traffic and other noise pollution to the barest minimum.

After a hard day’s exploring it’s nice to be able to enjoy a nightcap close to base camp, and the Cloister Inn scores highly in this area too. Initial disappointment that the bar isn’t a separate area (it’s actually an extension of the lobby area adjacent to reception) is swiftly banished by the competitive prices, free wired and wireless internet access and relaxing atmosphere. There are a couple of side rooms too, if you’re looking for a little more privacy. And because it’s next to the round-the-clock reception desk, you don’t ever have to worry about closing time.

As a backdrop to a stay in Prague, the Cloister Inn ticks all the right boxes. You might only be dropping into the Czech capital for a couple of days, but this little gem combines the convenience of a city centre hotel with the tranquility of somewhere altogether more exclusive. It’s as modestly priced as its name suggests, too – allowing you to enjoy Prague’s many charms even if funds are tight.

Cloister Inn Hotel
14 Konviktska street
110 00 Prague 1
Czech Republic

Visit www.cloister-inn.com

Tel.: +420 224 211 020
Fax: +420 224 210 800

Email cloister@cloister-inn.com

St Petersburg in style without completely breaking the bank

The Petro Palace, situated on Malaya Morskaya, was an amazing hotel, far exceeding our expectations. It was spotlessly clean, well appointed, roomy and furnished to a standard approaching sheer luxury. And every single member of staff went out of his or her way to make our stay perfect and – dare I say it – always with a huge, beaming smile.

The hotel’s Baron Restaurant, too, was something else. We had heard that Moscow was the most expensive city in the world to live or stay in, so we figured St Petersburg wouldn’t be so far behind. We were absolutely right (a meal for two with a bottle of red coming in at around £90 to £100) but the menu, and the way it was cooked and presented, was absolutely exceptional. When I’m abroad, I very much like to partake of local food and drink, and the Baron serves up Russian cuisine at its very best; dinner rapidly became something we really looked forward too. Expensive it was, but then what’s Amex for?

It was as we ascended to our seventh floor luxury apartment (I hesitate to call it just a room) that we discovered what turned out to be one of the real highlights of the Petro Palace: adjacent to the lift was the incredible Sky bar. This ultra trendy yet oh so relaxing bar was open each evening (until the wee small hours) and was literally a stunning window on the bustling world below, affording superb views of St Isaac’s Cathedral, The Hermitage and beyond. Small bar stools in the main window allowed us to relax over a Russian Standard and dreamily pass a very pleasant hour or two watching the world go by, while more comfortable sofas adorned the main floor area, and were perfect for intimate little gatherings.

Petro Palace Hotel Saint-Petersburg
Malaya Morskaya Ulitsa 14
Saint-Petersburg
190000, Russia

Visit www.petropalacehotel.com

Front Desk: +7 812 571 28 80
Reservations: +7 812 571 3006
Fax: +7 812 571 2704
Email info@petropalacehotel.com

Could this possibly be London’s best hotel?

A busy weekend in London, reviewing shows and interviewing celebrities, can sound like a very glamorous way to spend your time. It’s true that it’s a great privilege swanning round the capital, chatting to the rich and famous, occupying the best seats in the house for the cream of West End productions and then dining out in style at some of the city’s finest and most diverse restaurants. But, you know – sometimes it doesn’t quite work out the way you planned it; the scheduling of shows and events can be so tight it would make a duck look like a cullender, the interviewee is an arrogant fool who’s doing you the biggest favour of your life and, by way of compensation, you just have to mix with the commoners at the end of a gruelling day and indulge yourself in one of those wonderful gourmet burgers at Garfunkels.

But what can really make the difference is where you ultimately lay your head and, in my opinion, there’s nowhere better than the stunningly stylish but oh so accessible Metropolitan London. Standing tall and proud in its very understated way, the Design Hotels London flagship is the pride of Old Park Lane, and manages to strip back all the clutter associated with your traditional English hotel, without so much as a shred of compromise. This makes for a calming, uncomplicated stay in rooms and suites appointed to perfection without being either flamboyant or fussy. But I think the most impressive aspect of my stay here has to be the management style; the entire team, from reception to concierge, porters to waiters, duty managers to housekeepers, somehow pull off a minor miracle: they are incredibly attentive, polite and knowledgeable without once making you feel uncomfortable or out of place. This fervid approach runs through the whole ethos of the Metropolitan, creating that reassurance that you’re in the best possible hands, and your every need is going to be taken care of.

Ideally situated on the borders of Mayfair and Knightsbridge, the hotel caters admirably for the most discerning diner, with a range of options including the prized Nobu restaurant with its distinctive Park Lane views. Founded by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa and presided over by Executive Chef Mark Edwards, this essential eatery affords guests a relaxed lunch or dinner of Michelin-starred, Japanese-Peruvian cuisine, with specialities including black cod with miso, sashimi salad with Matsuhisa soy sauce dressing, Hamachi sashimi with jalapenos, and squid ‘pasta’ with light garlic sauce.

Staying at the Metropolitan doesn’t come particularly cheap, with two bedroom suites costing up to £3,200, but some nifty footwork with an early booking will secure you an exquisite city room from just £179. Expect to pay £50 to £60 on top of that for a breakfast for two, but trust me when I say it’s breakfast like you’ve never had it before, and worth every penny for the experience alone. The food’s pretty amazing too, and the presentation unbelievably inventive.

For me, the Metropolitan is quite simply one of the most enjoyable stays I’ve ever had in a hotel, and I don’t say that lightly. Its cool sophistication is edged with a simplicity which makes it a real pleasure to be a guest here, without even a hint of anything being remotely hard work. If you’re looking for that rare place which is actually run exclusively for the benefit of its guests, look no further; the Metropolitan London has it all.

Metropolitan London
Old Park Lane
London W1K 1LB
United Kingdom

Visit www.designhotels.com

A MEMBER OF DESIGN HOTELS™
Reservations www.designhotels.com/contact
Email res@designhotels.com