Whether you are upsizing or downsizing, relocating or simply recalibrating your life, you have made the decision to sell your property and are now thinking through the best way to sell your house. There are several options which we have a quick look at, in order to help you decide one way or the other.
Estate Agents
As ABC Gone, an estate agents in Upminster, tell us, about 90% of home sales happen through estate agents, since there is a lot of legislation, time and effort involved in selling a house. The estate agency will market your house as if it were their own, and have a vested interest in getting a fair price, for both parties.
Online estate agents are becoming more and more popular, offering the same great services as bricks and mortar, from an online location. They can arrange viewings, vet applicants and continue to manage the property once it has sold, if you like. This will significantly reduce the amount of time you need to spend on it, which is the major advantage of using an estate agents.
Regardless of whether you go online or use a physical location, you should always check if the realtor you’re considering using is a ”member of the Property Ombudsman and many other professional property bodies”. Doing so is the first step in ensuring you’re receiving the best possible service from your estate agent.
Private Selling
You may opt to sell your property privately, since there is no legal obligation to use an estate agent. If you want to save on agency fees, then this may be the sale structure for you. If the property is significant to you in some way, you may wish to have control over who buys it, to ensure they love it as much as you have. In this case, many sellers manage the sale themselves.
However, you will need to consider that there is a lot of work involved in selling a house. You may find that a private sale finds you the same kind of sale price as an estate agency would, or sometimes even more. You will obviously make savings on the estate agency’s cut too. Knowing where and how to market and advertise are two of the most important considerations for selling privately.
Auction
A third route into property sale is by selling the house at auction. This is certainly not for everyone. The most obvious benefit of an auction sale is the quick turnaround. There is usually only 28 days between the hammer going down and occupancy. Auctions are better suited to rare and desirable buildings or those which have fallen into disrepair. One of the downsides to auction is that it is one of the most expensive routes to a sale, and many people prefer to go with estate agents.
So you’ve moved into a new house and you’re really proud of your purchase. You also can’t wait to start decorating it and really making the new property your very own. But how can you go about making your new house feel more like home quickly and easily? Keep reading for a few helpful tips.
Decorate in Your Own Unique Style
You have a new house, which means you have a brand new canvas that you can work with. Decorate it however you wish, and search for everything from furniture to cute décor in stores and online so you can find great discount offers that will help you save money (after all, you have a new mortgage to pay now, too). Think about the vibe that you want each and every room to exude and then look for the décor and furnishings that will bring it to life. Before you know it, your personality and unique style will be shining through and your house will feel a lot more like home in no time.
Bring in Elements from Your Old Place
Bringing in special pieces of furniture and décor from your old home is a great way to make your new house feel like your perfect sanctuary. Whether it is a piece of artwork that you love having on your wall or some pieces that you have collected from your travels over the years, these seemingly small elements can really make a big difference when you are trying to make a new property feel like you have been living there for years.
Start by Making Small Changes
You don’t need to go into your new house and start remodelling it right away, especially if you do not have the budget to do so. Instead, you can start with remodelling one room at a time until your house is complete. A good place to start is a small space like the bathroom. You spend a good amount of time in there, so by tweaking its décor and replacing things like the toilet and the sink, you can really start to make it yours. Plus, if you start with a small room like this, you will be far less likely to blow through your budget.
Warm Up the Space
Warming up your home with the right colours, as well as things like pretty flowers and candles, can really make you feel right at home. Put a cosy blanket on your sofa, along with some soft pillows, and you will want to snuggle in and watch TV at the end of a hard workday. You can also add unique elements throughout your kitchen, where you will be spending a lot of time, so you can make it your own.
After you have remodelled and redecorated your new place, it will definitely start to feel like you truly belong there. You will fall in love with your new house and you will not miss your old place at all. So keep the above tips in mind when you are trying to make a new house feel like home.
When you think of the stereotypical traveller, your mind probably conjures up images ofsingle, young adventurers with all their worldly possessions stuffed into a backpack and without a care in the world. It is important to remember, however, that traveling should be for everyone to enjoy. Today, it is viewed as more of a right than a privilege, letting people encounter vital, new experiences.
For families, of course, travel involves more than a few practical considerations. You’ll need to choose an itinerary that contains fun for adults and kids alike, and if you have little ones to look after, you may want to take things a little slower than you might do otherwise. Nonetheless, you can create a travel plan that suits everyone’s tastes – and here’s how.
Keeping the little ones entertained
Going travelling is generally an exciting time, but the travel itself is not to everyone’s tastes. In fact, a ten-hour flight isn’t really to anyone’s tastes, but kids can find it especially boring. Parents shouldplan ahead to ensure that they are prepared in the event of disruptive behaviour during travel. Remember to include snacks, games and other forms of entertainment to keep your child occupied. Also, some spare clothes and some medicine will also come in handy.
Long flights can also prove uncomfortable, making it difficult for your children to get to sleep. Make sure they are dressed in comfortable clothes and take a travel pillow with you if you have the space. If you can get your children to go to sleep then the journey will probably go a lot smoother for everyone concerned and they’ll have plenty of energy to start exploring once they land.
Cruise control
If you want a travel package that is no fuss, but plenty of fun, then a cruise provides the perfect family option. Firstly, you do not need to worry about finding restaurants and accommodation each night, as everything is included in the price of the cruise. You also don’t need to worry about kids being disruptive on flights, because they can simply rest in your family cabin while the ship drifts peacefully on the open waves.
What’s more, the onboard entertainment caters for passengers of all ages. There are high-end restaurants for the adults and waterslides for the kids. What’s more, a cruise means you and the family get to see multiple locations without having to sort out how you are going to travel between them all. If you’re not sure whether a cruise is right for your family, thenBolsover Cruise Questions & Answers should be able to solve any queries you might have. If you’re looking for a family excursion that will leave you feeling fresh, rather than frazzled, then a cruise could be just what you need.
Read the reviews
If you’ve never been on a holiday as a whole family before, or if you are simply travelling somewhere new, then it is important that you carry out some thorough research first. Although you could enquire with travel agents and tourist boards, the most honest appraisal you can get will be from fellow families that have already made the trip.
Review sites, like TripAdvisor, are particularly useful for finding out whether a destination is truly family friendly and will cover everything from accommodation to entertainment. What’s more, there are now bespoke sites that have been created especially for thefamily market, where you can access first-hand advice that tells you everything you need to know.
The last thing you want when travelling is to arrive at a destination only to find that your kids are too young to go any of the rides at thetheme park or that the spa you planned to visit doesn’t let in children at all. Online reviews provide a great way of answering your questions before your family sets off.
Find some time for yourselves
Even if you are planning a fantastic family holiday with something to suit everyone, you might still want a night or two to yourselves. This doesn’t mean abandoning your children in a hotel somewhere – in fact there are a number of reputable childcare services designed with travelling families in mind.
Care supplies childminders in 19 countries, so you can find a babysitter to look after your children while you have a well-earned evening out. By taking some time for yourselves, you can ensure you feel fresh and revitalised to spend the rest of your holiday together as one big, happy family.
Jean Smith, founder of Flirtology and Flirt Interpreter extraordinaire, shares her top tips on how to date in a modern world
In this age of online dating, virtual flirting and location-based hookups by app, dating today is harder than ever. And what’s even more difficult? Knowing how to act and what to do if you actually meet someone you like in person (because let’s face it; flirting and talking online is so much easier as you have time to think about your oh so natural and witty reply). Also, what are the rules for dating? Is it ok for a woman to ask someone out? Or is that intimidating? With all these questions in mind, we’ve asked flirting expert, Jean Smith, who has appeared on BBC Breakfast, Daybreak and ITV’s London Tonight commenting on topics ranging from dating, flirting and relationships to wider social issues, to share her expert advice on how to date in a modern world.
Over to you Jean…
Society and its rules fluctuate depending on what people need and what people have. Traditionally, it was men’s sole responsibility to ask women out and pay for the date. Why? Because they had the money, they had the transport and they held all the cards. As the higher-earning gender, along with deciding whom to ask out, they also had the honour of paying for it.
Society has moved away from this pay model, with women now earning almost as much as men. Nevertheless, this old-fashioned attitude about who should do the asking (and paying) still prevails, creating a disconnect and much confusion on how to behave. As a Flirtologist, I meet many high-flying, executive women, who make bags of money and have bags of confidence. Why shouldn’t they ask a man out? Besides, men like it!
So, what are the dating rules in this modern society? Let’s turn to science for the answer.
While researching for my book, The Flirt Interpreter, I interviewed 100 men in four different international, Western cities. I asked them if they would like it if a woman approached them and asked them out. The answer was a resounding ‘yes!’ on both counts. Followed by ‘as long as it’s not done too aggressively’. So there we have it – just don’t plop yourself down on their laps, arms dangled around their necks, and expect them to say yes. Other than that, you’ll be fine!
So, what are the 8 rules for dating in the modern world? I am so glad you asked.
1. If you like someone, approach them!
Don’t wait for the other person to make the move. Gender has become obsolete in this regard and now it’s more about common sense! How is a guy to know you’re interested if you stand in the corner willing him to walk over? If you are looking at art, for example, and get chatting you could say something like, “I have been meaning to go that new exhibition at the V&A. Would you like to join me?” Which leads me to rule #2…
2. Don’t be scared of rejection.
Believe it or not, it is your friend. Statistically, we cannot click with everyone we meet. If you chat to someone and they make it clear that feelings are not reciprocated, move on! Don’t think of it as a setback for your self-esteem, but a step forward to finding someone you’re compatible with. If you need to boost your self-esteem you should make sure you’re grooming well. Grooming Corp has lots of mens grooming tips if you need help.
3. Keep it casual.
If you see someone cute, walk over and start a natural conversation. Hitting on people can seem intimidating when you think of strutting up and opening with “hey, sweet cheeks,” but simply asking, “is it always this busy? It’s my first time here,” is a casual and natural way to start chatting.
4. Change your expectations and do away with false standards.
Despite whatever belief you have in destiny, you will not be able to determine if a man is right for you within two minutes of meeting him. Admit it, you probably spend more time lingering over the Chinese takeaway menu! Once you stop looking at people with, “is this the future father of my children?” or “is she the one?” in mind, taking things as they come becomes a lot easier. The question you should be asking is, “am I having a good time right now, in this moment?”
5. Got a date? Great! Don’t expect the man to pay.
There are a surprising amount of women, even in the younger generations, who expect men to be ‘chivalrous’ and pay for dates. Why should men pay for dates? We now know that in the past it was because they had more money and had cars, but these days, aren’t we all on equal (or, at least closer) footing? More importantly, don’t we want to be? As a general rule, whoever asks should pay. If women can ask, they can pay and, equally, if men can be asked, they can be taken out!
6. So you’ve had a great date, wonderful! Now, forget it.
This person you’ve just been on a date with is a stranger minus a few hours you’ve spent together. Get on with your full and happy life and don’t fill your thoughts with romantic ideals of your ‘future’. Nobody should keep you waiting by the phone, especially not someone you’ve only just met!
7. Keep an open mind.
There are plenty more happily ever afters than the old husband, wife, two kids and a white picket fence. Just as we have more choice in the modern world, we also have more scenarios in which we could be happy. Don’t let old-fashioned notions of happiness stop you from actually being happy in life. Which, brings me to rule #8…
8. You can be happy alone.
You should be happy alone. Why should your feeling of contentedness rest on another human being? Sounds pretty risky to me. Don’t wait for someone else to come along and fill in the gaps. Start living your life and now! People are attracted to happy people. Be open, be happy, exude that happiness and the person to share that with will be drawn to you. The rules have certainly changed in the last few generations of flirting history. Women can approach, men don’t have to pay for dates and being single is coveted rather than pitied. Nowadays, we have the capacity to flirt and date for fun, not just for the traditional goal of an early marriage. We have the tools at our disposal to enjoy single life, no matter what gender we are. The ‘rules’ are about you and your life, rather than finding someone to complete your life.
Cool needs no translation and hipsters are cool across the globe . With the help of Simply Be, we list our top seven trendiest cities from around the world to add to your Bohemian bucket list
A hipster is a firstmover, they are resident cool kids who live outside of the social mainstream and standout from the crowds. They know what’s trendy before it becomes cool. They know the location of the most eclectic eateries and where the quirkiest bars hide all over the world before anyone else does. So if you want to stay one step ahead and avoid the crowds when picking somewhere to holiday then what’s the obvious thing to do? Follow the trail of hipsters. If you want to know about the hippest of hipster hotspots then read on and embrace your inner bohemian.
Bushwick, Brooklyn New York
For the last few years, Williamsburg has been the epicenter of Brooklyn cool. However, apartments have hit a staggering $4 million plus and as a result, the trendy hipsters and creative types have moved on to a new neighbourhood called Bushwick. New dive bars, bodegas, vintage markets, yoga studios, great eats, great art and gallery spaces are flourishing in this area, fuelled by the movement of the hipsters that have been setting up residence in Bushwick’s converted loft spaces. However, although Bushwick has been revitalised and reinvented, the industrial edginess of the area is still very much apparent in the heart of the neighbourhood. To get to Bushwick just take the L subway line to Jefferson Street and start wandering.
District VII, Budapest, Hungary
Budapest has earned a reputation as being THE playground for twenty something hipsters and District VII is definitely the hippest place in capital. Once ravaged by war, District VII was left run-down and ruined for many years, but after undergoing a restless revitalisation this historic Jewish corner has blossomed into an up-and-coming cultural hub. Jammed with bars, cafés and restaurants, the bohemian atmosphere of District VII has been likened to Berlin’s Kreuzberg. If your planning a visit then hitting the ruin pubs with their worn-down pieces of furniture and thrifty interiors should definitely be on your list of things to do. The best ruin pubs have live music and DJs on the weekends, as well as film nights and art exhibitions.
Ossington Strip, Toronto Canada
The Ossington Strip in downtown Toronto has become synonymous with absolute hipsterdom. Occupied by rows of cute bakeries and cutting-edge bars, the Ossington Strip is fast gaining a name for itself as a hub for great food and even greater drinks. The best time to visit is at night where you’ll have a hiptastic choice of bars to visit, of which the locals won’t want you to discover.
Surry Hills, Sydney, Australia
Once a sketchy crime-ridden corner, Surry Hills is now one of Sydney’s most artistically-vibrant neighbourhoods. This area is is a major player in Sydney’s foodie revolution. It is like an urban food court brim full of Sydney’s most innovative chef, restaurants and cafes. In fact, some have heralded the buzzing ‘burb as the very epicentre of the city’s food scene. Also if you like shopping then head on over to Surry (as the locals call it) for some seriously cool vintage shops and markets.
Fès el-Bali, Morocco
Behind the high city walls of Fès el-Bali, the 9400 twisting alleys of this medina are alive with markets, mosques, medersas, fondouks and monuments. Fès el-Bali is the largest living medieval city in the world and for centuries it attracted and nourished a community of poets, musicians and intellectuals. Today its trades and crafts have hardly changed in 1,000 years. Packed with market stalls and shops selling everything from local exotic food to unique local products, you almost feel like you have taken a step back in time when you enter the incredible maze that is Fès el-Bali. For a taste of art, culture and all other things that hipsters like, Fès el-Bali is a must.
Parnell, Auckland New Zealand
Parnell, which is one of Auckland’s oldest suburbs is full of charm and character. This area is lined with great cafes and speciality shops, art galleries and beautiful gardens. The Rose Garden is a good way to spend an hour or two of your day after hitting up Parnell’s boutique stores and grabbing a coffee at one of the cafés housed in a gorgeous Victorian villas.
Habana Vieja, Cuba
Habana Vieja is the hippest hub in Havana, bursting with a plethora of historical, cultural, and architectural highlights. This bustling baroque district plays host to Cuba’s coolest, not to mention a fair few tourists looking for a piece of the city’s action. This hipster hub is famous for the Catedral de San Cristoal de la Habana at the Plaza de la Catedral. Also, it is renown for Hemingway’s bar, “La Bodeguita del Medio”, famous for its daiquiris and for having been one of the favourite hangouts of Ernest Hemingway in Havana. Anywhere that combines literature and drinking is definitely on the bohemian bucket list as a hipster’s heaven.
For more inspiration check out the hipster holiday map from Simply be here: www.simplybe.co.uk which gives suggestions of where to go as well as what to do and wear.
Many companies are missing out when it comes to energy savings, and it’s costing them a lot of money in the process. Whether you’re new to energy management, or an expert on the subject, it pays to keep track of where you are spending your money. After all, even the best performing company can find ways to stretch their energy budget that little bit further. Keep reading for five great energy saving solutions that can help save the environment, and your bank account.
Change Your Lights
Lighting costs take up around 30% of an energy bill, so cutting this figure down can save your company quite a lot of money. First off, look into replacing your current incandescent lighting with fluorescent lighting. And, where possible, opt for lower wattage bulbs in the areas that don’t need to be quite so bright. You should also look into sensor lighting for areas that aren’t used regularly, such as the toilets and staff room, so that the lights don’t permanently need to be on.
Switch Things Off
Make sure that, wherever possible, you turn all equipment off overnight. Just one computer left on for 24 hours a day, can cost a business £50 a year, so just imagine the price for hundreds. If your staff are going out for lunch, ask them to place their computers into sleep mode, and make it policy for all computers to sleep after 10 minutes of inactivity, as opposed to going into sleep mode. This also applies to photocopiers, water coolers, and other technology.
Efficient Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling are responsible for the majority of each energy bill we receive, so improving the energy efficiency of these is vital if we want to see a decrease in bills. The largest savings will come from simply turning your heating system down by a few degrees, or installing a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in the room.
Dirty air conditioning units can also waste money as they are having to work overtime to keep the room at a cool place. Also consider solar panels, and infrared heating panels, such as those offered by Red Hot Green, and using business energy comparison tools to help identify the most cost-effective energy suppliers for your business, potentially saving even more on your monthly energy bills.
Update Technology
If your staff are using computers that are over five years old, or if you have a fridge that’s seen better days, consider replacing them. Old appliances use a lot more energy than the newer eco-friendly models, and everything from your boiler to your water cooler can be updated.
Cut the Cord
Even though you may have turned off a device, if you have left the plug turned on, you will still be using electricity. Instead, you should either turn appliances off at the mains, or invest in a smart cord, which will detect when devices aren’t in use, and cut the electricity supply from the mains. Not only will they pay for themselves in just six weeks of use, but they also protect your equipment from power surges – they’re definitely worth the investment.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make on the job market is thinking about the ultimate career as a dream. A dream is an abstract concept, but it’s also an idea that is related to fantasy or imagination. It’s not something that you necessarily feel as though you can work towards and that’s a problem. You’re already be setting up psychological blocks in your mind between you and the perfect career. You might even be preparing a cushion that you can fall on if you don’t succeed. Well, you say to yourself, it was only a dream. Instead, think of your career, your purpose as a goal to strive towards. A goal is never completely out of reach and there are always possibilities on how you can get closer to it. Now, let’s look at some of the ways you can reach your goal of a great future career.
Don’t Fear Hard Work
If you think you can get something for nothing on the job market, my friend, you have already failed. You are going to need to prepare yourself for a lot of hard work, long hours and even a little humility if you are going to succeed. It’s going to be a long road and most people do start at they very bottom of the ladder. But you have to remember that each day you work at a job you hate you could be getting closer to a position you’ll love. Essentially, you need to be prepared to pay your dues. While there are people who succeed straight away and rise to the top, these are the exceptions, not the rule.
Get Some Help
It’s not always what you can offer on the job market as much as who you know. You do need great contacts if you want to be a success. You need to know how to network and you might want someone on your side. For instance, you can use a recruitment agency as a go between for you and employers. They will represent you and push you for positions that they think you’re suitable for, and in more testing times, they can even utilize a recruitment tracker to see which vacancy or department you could be employed in.
Recruitment agencies are exactly that, they are agents. They work on both sides of the desk benefiting the employee and the employer. In your case they can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
Forget Your Fear Of Rejection
We can take the journalism industry as an example here. Assuming you are actually applying for jobs it can take about a year to find a full time position in the journalism industry. That’s one year where you’ll be going to multiple interviews and you’ll face a lot of rejection. But the good news is that the more times you apply, the more likely you are to succeed. Just make sure you keep pushing your envelope and strive towards the success you know you deserve. You can’t afford to be scared of rejection. Rejections is always going to be present on the path to reaching your goal.
Take this advice, and you can stop dreaming and start racing towards your future career.
If you feel that you need a change of scenery and a fresh start in life, Canada might just be the place for you. Beautiful landscapes, reputably friendly population – the Canadians are said to be amongst the friendliest folk on the planet – and fantastic quality of life with even free health care, those are only a few of the reasons to love Canada. So, whether you are looking to take a break from your everyday pressure in life, or you want to start a brand new life in a prosperous and caring environment, Canada is a country of beauty and opportunities like nowhere else. You will discover there the taste of a dream, whether it is a dream of sane and healthy living, better professional career, or colourful and natural landscapes.
Why Is It The New American Dream?
Canada can remind you of what countless of generations in the previous centuries have said about the USA: The American dream has just changed borders and lives now in Canada. Canada is a vast country that combines an open-minded attitude and breathtaking sceneries as well as a deeply inbuilt social care. From following a yoga class on Parliament Hill for free to touching real icebergs or even paddling across them in a kayak adventure, Canada is a country of possibilities a little like the USA used to be in the 19th century. The melange of natural wonders and socially aware and generous population makes this country an attractive destination both for holidaymakers and for people who want to build a new existence.
What’s To See In Canada?
If there is one thing to say about Canada, it’s that it is a vast country! That’s why it’s always a little difficult, for those who want to experience the diversity and the natural beauties of this wonderful country, to plan for the best tour and see everything. Often, experienced travellers prefer to rely on expert Canada tours to be escorted through the incredible country. From the Northern lights to the Niagara Falls, via the Canadian Rocky Mountains, there is a world of unspoilt wilderness to discover with an experienced guide. Canada is a vast country, the world’s second-largest country by area, but its population is very small. There are a little more inhabitants than half the population of the UK, which is the guarantee to enjoy a wild and natural holiday in Canada!
What If You Want To Work In Canada?
Canada is more than a country of wild and stunning landscapes. It is also an amazing place to start a new career. However, British professionals need to be careful when they accept job interviews in Canada, as Canadian workplace have their own specific culture. Indeed, a lot of interviews tend to happen over lunch, so this is the opportunity for the applicant to demonstrate excellent table manners. A little tip if this is your situation: Stay away from the most expensive items or the alcohol on the menu! Canadians, while being friendly, tend to be very secretive in the workplace. So, it’s always a good idea to keep a polite and friendly tone and never approach any personal topics until you feel that trust has developed in your relationship.
One night in Bangkok. Sounds like the title of a dirty film doesn’t it? Well, it probably is. But it’s also what many people do whilst traveling to and from South East Asia from the UK to break up the so-long-you-might-die journey.
Spending one night in a capital city when it’s your first ever time in the country can be a bit confusing, especially one as diverse as Bangkok.
We were intending to stay where *everyone* else stays – the famous backpacker partying spot Khaosan Road, which is supposed to be great for drinking but a bit souless, and is also full of people who look like they’ve got lost on their way to Magaluf. Fun, no? But three of our friends separately recommended us to stay in Shanghai Mansions Hotel in the China Town district before our trip, so we went for that option. Three people can’t be wrong, we thought.
And they really weren’t.
Location
On Yaowarat Road, right in the heart of Bangkok’s most vibrant Chinatown, this 4-star hotel can be found right in the thick of things.
Atmosphere & Decor
The hotel can best be described as beautiful, oriental palace (or, um mansion). It’s an oasis in the middle of the vibrant, noisy (not to mention pungent) city. Stepping off the busy street into its calm, cool surroundings is immediately relaxing, like applying Aloe Vera to sunburnt skin. The building is nine floors high, and steeped in glamorous history. It used to be owned by one of the country’s most prominent Thai-Chinese families, and was a Chinese Opera House for performing arts. It also served as a house of ill-repute for a while. The hotel still has a sense of theatricality and artistry about it today which can be found in its decor. Here, the romance of old-world Shanghai is met with the modern comfort and style of new-world Shanghai. Although the fabulous décor transports you back to a bygone era, the modern amenities allow all the comfort you so desperately need after 12 hours hunched up on a plane or bus.
Rooms
True to the hotel’s opulent roots, the 76 bedrooms are indulgently decorated with Chinese antique furniture, and fine fabrics in rich colourful hues. Dark wood and shining lacquered panels provide a contrast, and paintings of beautiful Thai girls stare mischievously down at guests from large paintings.
Our stunning suite was equipped with the softest silver silk dressing gowns, free soft drinks in the mini-bar, a huge stand alone bathtub and showers, a lounge area with an opulent chaise longue and a truly enormous bed. To be fair you could probably comfortably sleep around 25 backpackers in there, but it’s amazing having so much space to yourself.
We also had a very friendly butler. But don’t let that mislead you – the hotel might be grand but the atmosphere is very chilled, and travellers of all ages and budgets stay here. Rooms start from just £45 a night for a double including breakfast.
Food & Drink
If you’re really lazy, you don’t even have to leave the hotel to sample some of the best Chinese food in town. Opened in 2014, the Red Rose restaurant in the hotel has a gorgeous, eclectic, Art Deco style and live jazz music every night. The restaurant’s 1930’s decor mixes bold colours with classic black and white, smooth mirrors with rich velvety textures, elaborate wrought iron detailing with sleek polished surfaces.
The lunch menu features mouth watering dim sum favorites like steamed pork ribs in black bean sauce, shrimp dumplings and Hokkien-style fried noodles. For dinner, delicious Chinese classics like succulent Peking duck and delicate steamed snow fish are on offer. All freshly prepared with quality local produce. The vibrant outdoor terrace on the ground floor is the perfect place to finish the night with a cocktail, and yet more live jazz.
The hotel’s location is ideal for jumping in a Tuk Tuk and exploring China Town. The roads around the hotel are full of locals and tourists, and are lined with thousands of amazing street food vendors, not to mention restaurants and riverside bars, and night markets which are full of amazingly cheap clothes and open until late.
Why Go
I have to admit, we were intending to check out Khaosan Road during our stay (I wanted to buy some elephant print harem pants and have a few drinks ok!?) until we learnt that its completely across the other side of the city from China Town.
This would be fine if you are staying for two nights or had a late flight the next day. But we had to be up at a sobering 5am for our flight. And to be honest, staying in China Town felt like we saw an authentic side to the city, so I’m glad we experienced each other on our one night there.
So make that five people I know who would highly recommend Shanghai Mansions (including me).
Having started life in a hotel drawing room, Afternoon Tea has gone on to become the most delicious of English traditions, and continues to be a hallmark of a luxury hotel stay.
With afternoon tea week around the corner (8-14 August), LateRooms.com reveals the stunning hotels where the dining interiors and settings are as mouth-watering as the edible treats on offer.
Credited with being the birthplace of afternoon tea back in the Victorian era, The Langham’s luxurious Palm Court is one of the capital’s most elegant spots to indulge in, featuring plush velvet and mirrored walls. You’ll find treats that include truffled duck egg brioche, smoked salmon and strawberry and pistachio cream macaroons. A children’s afternoon tea is also available with jigsaw sandwiches and carousel cupcake swirls.
Served in the black and gold Art Deco-inspired cocktail Lounge, afternoon tea at the Edgbaston Boutique Hotel is a decadent affair. Vintage crockery nods to the 1920s and restored Victorian surroundings and you can choose from five afternoon tea options that include a glass of Moet & Chandon or Krug Champagne. Artisan sandwiches and seasonal treats are accompanied by organic, loose leaf Jing tea.
On sunny days, take tea in the stunning surroundings of the rooftop bar, or take a seat in the stunning lounge with sumptuous interiors and views over the castle. Choose from the traditional afternoon tea – think dainty finger sandwiches and dinky pastries with a glass of something fizzy – or the Gentleman’s afternoon tea. It’s a heartier take on things with a scotch egg, Ploughman’s, mini burger and pork pie – all washed down with a pint of Wylam Ale.
Set right on the seafront, The Grand’s ‘Afternoon Tea by The Sea’ has been voted one of the UK’s best and is served in the hotel’s recently refurbished Victoria Terrace. You’ll find luxurious velvets in strong Victorian colours and a botanical mural on the walls. Sweet treats include elegant options such as white chocolate and hazelnut praline éclair, chocolate delice, strawberry filled meringues and blackberry and lemon tart.
Set in a former Victorian school house, the boutique Great John Street oozes originality, with nods to its history at every turn. Afternoon tea is served in the hotel’s Oyster Bar, and renowned as one of Manchester’s finest, with delights such as passionfruit and vanilla cheesecake served with a glass of Perrier Jouet Champagne. A ‘Gentleman Jack afternoon tea’ is also available and features heartier fare like chicken and leek pie along with a Jack Daniel’s cocktail to wash it all down with. A children’s afternoon tea is also available.
Set in Bath’s iconic Georgian crescent, an afternoon of pure luxury is instore at the Royal Crescent Hotel. Choose between the Dower House Restaurant, which overlooks the hotel’s wonderfully secluded gardens, or head outdoors to take tea al fresco in the garden itself. For the ultimate treat choose the Champagne Afternoon Tea Flight, and you can choose from a range of afternoon teas that allow you to select your ratio of sweet to savoury treats.
One of London’s most spectacular settings, take your seat in The Landmark’s Winter Garden. The restaurant sits beneath the hotel’s breathtaking and grade 1 listed, eight-storey glass atrium, which fills the space with light. The Winter Garden Afternoon Tea features lapsang souchon smoked salmon and apricot and pistachio flourless sponge. Or cocoa fiends should opt for the Chocolate Afternoon Tea that includes coconut and chocolate macaroons, blood orange and white chocolate mousse and a pistachio chocolate opera gateau.
Looking out over the waterfront, this boutique hotel serves up enviable harbour views with its afternoon delights. The restaurant, like the bedrooms, is artfully decorated with contemporary and local artwork to add to an indulgent afternoon. Stylish takes on traditional favourites are on the menu, including homemade scones and clotted cream, light-as-air cupcakes, chocolate eclairs and smoked salmon bagels. Include a glass of champagne for an extra touch of luxury.
All hotels are available to book through LateRooms.com.
How do you describe the perfect getaway in just five words? Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay.
When you think of luxury hotels, a few brands spring to mind and the Ritz-Carlton is one of them. This hotel group is renowned for offering luxury accommodations and treating guests like royalty, and the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is no exception to this generalisation of the Ritz brand. The mantra at this hotel is unapologetic splendour. Think five-star. Think award winning spa. Think luxury.
IDEA
A timeless oceanfront estate providing guests with a relaxed yet refined experience.
LOCATION
Positioned in splendid isolation on a scenic clifftop overlooking the gorgeous Pacific coastline, the location of the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is truly gasp-worthy. Although it’s just half an hour away from San Francisco airport and close to the highway, it feels like you’ve been transported to a different world full of nature and far away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Here, you can spend a whole day wandering aimlessly and happily along the bluff, sitting on the nearby beaches or quietly adsorbing the beauty of the Californian coastline that just seems to go on and on (we’re talking about miles and miles of endless rugged and stunning scenery). The location of this hotel is a place that is so beautiful and scenic that you can imagine it would be an inspirational setting for many a romantic novel. It’s a place of elemental power that can make human affairs seem insignificant.
SERVICE
As you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton hotel, the service here is top notch. The staff are attentive without being intrusive and receiving a glass of wine upon arrival is a very nice touch. Although the hotel is unabashedly luxurious and your stay here wont be cheap by an stretch of the imagination, one of the best things about the Ritz-Carlton is that you can indulge in as much or as little as you like during your stay.
For example, you have the option of gratifying yourself with the ultimate Ritz-Carlton experience which includes a luxurious guest room or suite on their renowned Club Level, where a dedicatate concierge team tends to your individual needs. Or you can enjoy a luxury spa treatment where many delightful services are available to you. Or you can simply let the healing power of the Northern California coastline takeover and relax with a good book in the comfort of your room – the choice is yours.
STYLE
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay seems to have it all. Architectural presence, stunning panoramas, amazing restaurants, an award winning spa and impressive facilities, all wrapped up in a spectacular setting. The hotel itself is meant to evoke a classic Scottish seaside resort and with its elegant facade, perfectly maintained grounds and breathtakingly rugged surroundings, the property is certainly reminiscent of an old Scottish estate that radiates stately ambiance, but with the grand informality of a shingle-style build.
ROOMS
Spread across the main building and several adjacent guesthouses, the 261 rooms are light and airy, simply laid-out with a neutral palette and wooden furnishings. The beds are unsurprisingly sumptuously comfortable and hugged by Egyptian cotton sheets. The bathrooms scream relaxation with great big tubs that invite you to take a long soak and unwind in. There are lots of creature comforts in the rooms including a fully stocked mini bar with refrigerator, a tea/coffee maker and some rooms even have their own firepit. If you really want to treat yourself, book an oceanview room for “dramatic views of the wild Pacific.”
FACILITIES
The facilities that the hotel offers are considerable. You can enjoy the heated indoor pool, use the gym, take surfing lessons, go bike riding and experience the great Northern Californian coastline on a Segway tour. For any golfer, this hotel is paradise as it is surrounded by a beautiful golf course with highly manicured lawns.
TAKE A SPA-CATION
One very special facility that we couldn’t get enough of was the hotel’s award winning spa. It’s long been known that spa-going is extremely effective for relaxation, de-stressing and rejuvenating one’s body. However, with the beautiful setting of the hotel and its relaxing surroundings, it’s very easy to forget to make time to visit the spa at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay. But doing so would be a mistake. A visit to this award winning spa might just be one of the best gifts you ever give yourself. With a range of treatments that cater for your body, mind and soul, separate ladies and gentlemen’s locker rooms with sauna and steam rooms, as well as the co-ed whirlpool area, this spa has it all and is not to be missed.
FOOD & DRINK
Have you ever dined in the hold of a ship? We can’t say we have either, but after dining at the Ritz-Carlton’s Navio restaurant it certainly feels like you have. Navio (the Portuguese for “ship”) is all about the sea. The room is designed to resemble the inside of an old seafaring vessel and is tastefully decorated with simple seafaring touches. With huge oceanfront windows, the view from the restaurant is simply stunning and the food, which highlights the purest flavours of the Pacific is equally as good.
Elsewhere on the property you can dine at The Conservatory Lounge which serves contemporary American light fare. If you’re interested in wine the ENO wine bar on the property makes you feel like you are in a Napa Tasting Room.
If you like to dine alfresco, it doesn’t get much better than The Ocean Terrace. One thing that you have to do during your stay here is to save some time in the evening to relax by the fire pits overlooking the ocean. It is a fantastic place to relax with a glass of wine and some light bites.
THOSE EXTRA TOUCHES…
When staying at any hotel, it’s those little extra touches that really matter and the Ritz-Carlton doesn’t disappoint. From the bagpipe sunset serenade (which is surprisingly romantic and easy on the ears) to the Hot Chocolate Bar which offers chocolate gratification that is instant and lavish, to the s’more kits and even to the blankets provided on the Ocean Lawn so you can cozy up underneath the stars in comfort, every detail at the Ritz-Carlton is considered to make your stay extra special.
NEARBY DELIGHTS
Apart from enjoying the beaches and scenic trail paths, there is much to in the surrounding areas of the Ritz-Carlton. A nearby winery that is very good is the Thomas Fogarty Winery. It’s about a 40 minute drive from the hotel and has beautiful grounds and the drive takes you past magnificent redwoods.
If it’s Redwoods you’re after, there is a nearby grove just a 15 minute drive away from the hotel called the Purisima Creek. It does gets chilly under the canopy of Redwood trees so take a jacket with you if you decide to visit.
There is local Half Moon Bay Main Street where you can walk around and check out the galleries and little shops and restaurants. Food wise, the PR lady at the Ritz-Carlton recommends The San Benito House (best sandwiches for lunch), It’s Italia (good wine selection, specialty pizzas and delicious bread), Pasta Moon (Contemporary Italian), Sushi Main Street (very cool ambiance and décor, tasty specialty rolls).
Last but not least when it’s low tide visit the local tide pools. It’s a great place to discover sea life and tiny sea creatures like crabs, starfish and anemones.
WHY GO
The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay creates unique and memorable experiences. It is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Northern California and set in one of the most beautifully scenic places in America.
THE NITTY GRITTY
Address: 1 Miramontes Point Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019, United States
A small, secret and stylish boutique which is a discreet sanctuary from the excitement of Paris
Ssssshhhhhh can you keep a secret? We want to let you in on a hush-hush boutique hotel that prides itself on its anonymity – and for good reason too.
The world is full of secretive places and in the hotel business, secret usually means ultra -luxurious. Hotels like this are hard to find (for obvious reasons) and it’s their confidentially that is part of the allure – and the reason why they can charge so much. Unfortunately, like most mere mortals, we can’t keep a secret for long and we just had to reveal one of our favourite hotels in Paris. This hotel prides itself as being the ‘ultimate secret’ in the boutique hotel business, known to insiders alone. Say Bonjour to Hotel Dupond-Smith.
IDEA
The concept behind this hotel is to offer a tailor-made stay in the lap of luxury, where all the wishes of guests are met.
LOCATION
Whether it’s fashion, culture,food or even hotels, Paris certainly lives up to its trend-setting reputation. The super trendy Hotel Dupond-Smith can be found tucked away on the cobbled streets of Le Marais, which is one of the most stylish districts and arguably one of the best places to stay in Paris.
Often referred to as “Old Paris” this district feels anything but old and is undoubtedly one of the most ‘hip’ neighbourhoods in Paris. Brimming and buzzing with activity, Le Marais is an inexhaustible maze of crooked lanes and cobbled streets, boasting trendy boutiques, lively bars, cafes, restaurants and art galleries galore that cater to even the most exacting tastes. However, as stylish and vibrant as Le Marais is, it manages to maintain a laid back attitude that makes all visitors feel welcome – in other words if you’re not trendy, don’t worry as you won’t stick out like a sore thumb.
STYLE & ATMOSPHERE
Occupying a typical 17th-century Parisian townhouse, Hotel Dupond-Smith sits quietly on a side street. If you were to walk past the outside of the hotel, you wouldn’t blink twice as apart from a small plaque on the wall, it’s almost featureless. However behind the doors of number 2 rue des Guillemites lies a luxury hotel that is a cut above all the rest. The inconspicuous façade of the hotel only adds to its secretive feel, emulating the exclusivity of a members club. On the inside, the hotel is a haven of refinement and although we hate to use such a clichéd term, it feels like ‘a quiet sanctuary amongst the bustling rues and avenues of Paris’.
From the moment you arrive, you already know that your stay will be a good experience. The lobby of the hotel is exceedingly clean, comfortable and well-appointed. The delightful receptionists have a great command of English (handy if your French is a little rusty) and being such a small hotel with a grand total of 8 rooms, they know who you are which makes you feel instantly important – something that you will never get in a big hotel. The friendly, welcoming staff are happy to help answer any questions you have about Paris without making you feel like a burden. They will even book you a table for dinner and suggest the best things for you to do in the area – who needs a travel book when you can get a first-hand insider’s guide to the city?
The décor of the hotel is a strange amalgam of styles. In the lobby the art work on the walls looks slightly oriental. The whitewashed walls wouldn’t look out of place in a Scandinavian home. Lamps hanging from the ceiling are vaguely similar to modern Chinese lanterns and there is an accord of taste and quality that gives it a French air. However, it’s the combination of beautifully designed furniture and expensive materials that fuses the hotels different styles together and it’s this creative flair that gives the hotel a luxurious feel without being ostentatious. This is a hotel that is fashionable, but with an atmosphere that is more secret hideaway than show off.
ROOMS
Rooms at the Dupond-Smith are everything that you expect a luxury boutique hotel room to be and more. Imagine a small, elegant luxury hotel apartment (minus a fully functioning kitchen) with comfortable furnishings, high quality fabrics and designer furniture and you will begin to get an idea of what the rooms are like. Like many boutique hotels, Dupond-Smith enlisted the help of some leading architects to design the rooms (Anne Peyroux and Emmanuèle Thisy in this case) and given the meticulous attention to detail and the comfortable yet elegant interiors of all the rooms, this was a wise choice indeed. Everything in the rooms scream quality and even the curtains, which are often an overlooked element, have been thoughtfully selected for each room.
Playing on the hotel’s conspicuous nature, the rooms are named after famous aliases and ‘noms de plume’ such as Alan B. Smithee, James Jewels and Mojo Risin, giving a playful identity to the hotel. They are fitted with all the amenities that you could wish for. If you’re gasping for a coffee after a day of exploring, then the Nespresso machine in each suite will give you your caffeine fix. The mini bar is fully stocked and the bathroom has lavish offerings of Diptyque products. The towels are as plush as puffy clouds and the bathrobes are made of supreme quality cotton. One of our favourite things about the rooms are the modern and luxurious free standing bath tubs. You’ll want to just dim the lights, fill the bath with bubbles and hang the ‘Do not Disturb sign’ on the door as soon as you arrive. Oh- and the beds are ridiculously comfy as well!
Some of the private suites offer the additional surprise of a balcony overlooking the rooftops, However, it’s not quite the balcony that Carrie Bradshaw has in “Sex and the City” – the one where the view of the Eiffel tower is so amazing that she squeals and jumps up and down for joy. Nonetheless, although you don’t get much of a view from the hotel as it’s not in prime sightseeing territory (the real attraction here is the copious options of good places to eat and drink nearby) the balconies are still absolutely lovely and the perfect place to sip champagne in Paris.
FOOD
A buffet breakfast is served downstairs all day until 4pm and is a delicious and impeccably neat affair. We realise that neat isn’t often a term used when describing a breakfast buffet as often they are a free-for-all. However, at The Dupond-Smith, every croissant, muffin and fruit bowl is carefully placed on the sides with the utmost care. In fact, the presentation of the buffet is so well done that you feel a little bad about messing up the painstakingly arranged display. And if you want to lie in (after all you are on holiday) you can arrange to have a breakfast tray brought to your room.
There is no restaurant on site but who cares? You’re in Paris, the home of some of the world’s very best restaurants. If you’re looking to eat locally then you don’t have to wander far from the hotel as Le Marais has a generous peppering of restaurants and you’ll soon spot many contenders – the hard part is not finding somewhere to eat, it’s choosing where. If you’re after some traditional Parisian fare Café Louis Phillippe comes highly recommended and if you’re looking for good food, cocktails and a lively atmosphere then La Panfoulia is a trendy restaurant a mere stone’s throw away from the hotel.
WHY BOOK?
For the perfect Parisian hotel experience.
The Dupond-Smith is the Parisian hotel fantasy – a fabulous find with exclusively elegant suites, beautiful bathrooms and a healthy dose of je ne sais quoi, located in the heart of Paris’s oldest and most visually stunning quarter which happens to be just a hop, skip and a jump from wonderful restaurants, cafés and a Metro station that will take you anywhere in the capital.
IDEAL stayed as a guest of Dupond Smith. For more information and to book visit: hoteldupondsmith.com
As the Malaysian durian (a smelly yet tasty fruit) enters our shores for the first time, we ask the Asian supermarket chain Wing Yip to share their favourite durian recipes to help you fall in love with the durian this year…
1. Blitz the durian flesh, cocoa powder and sugar in a food processor, until it becomes smooth. If using a vanilla pod, add the seeds to the durian mixture at this point.
2. Place the durian puree into a clean bowl and add the yogurt, folding them together.
3. Whip the cream until you form stiff peaks. Carefully fold this into the durian and yoghurt mix.
4. Place in an ice cream maker and mix until the durian mixture becomes very thick and starts to freeze. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, place in a covered container and freeze. Stir every 20-30 minutes until the mixture is almost frozen, approximately 2 hours.
5. Enjoy on its own or with fresh berries.
Discover the city of lurve from the comfort of one of Paris’s best luxury hotels.
Set in the heart of Paris’s glamorous Opera district, Banke Hotel (part of the Derby collection) is the perfect location for a romantic Paris rendezvous. Located on the corner of Rue La Fayette and Rue Pillet, the hotel’s stately façade dominates the street corner with a style that revives the charms of the city’s ‘Belle Epoque’ era. If it’s the instant wow-factor for a surprise break you’re after – Banke Hotel definitely has it. Built on the premises of a former bank headquarters with impressive twentieth-century architecture, the hotel immediately gives you a sense off occasion and romance as you enter the spectacular lobby.
A glass domed ceiling above the lobby floods the area with light which glints of the regal tones of red and gold in the furnishings. Despite the grand decor, the hotel’s staff are refreshingly friendly, helpful and professional in just the right quantities.
After the spectacular lobby the hotel’s guestrooms are of a more subdued style with shades of cream of chocolate damask leather headboards and a more contemporary feel. The hotel also boasts an extensive art collection with historically priceless jewellery from cultures around the world including Egyptian, African, pre-Columbian, Roman and Buddhist, which are interesting to look at as you wander the corridors.
The hotel is located in the city’s most exclusive shopping area in the 9th arrondissement, surrounded by grand boulevards lined with classic Parisian bistros and international shopping boutiques. The closest Metro station is just a couple of minutes’ walk away. The hotel has two restaurants to choose from – the more relaxed Josefin offering a mixture of Spanish and French cuisine with a contemporary twist, and Banke restaurant offering a more formal setting perfect for business lunch meetings. The quirkily furnished Lola Bar offers Spanish inspired tapas small plates and cocktails and statement gold leather sofas for reclining on.
Hotel Banke offers several packages for couples including the ‘Stay and Pleasure’ package which includes a luxury ‘Intimate Pleasure Anger’ Box by Lily Blossom, perfect for spicing up a weekend away.
Find more info about Banke Hotel and its offers here.
IDEAL Magazine stayed as a guest of the hotel and received a complimentary stay.
When the occasions like Valentines Day are around the corner, we start worrying about what to gift to our loved ones that they feel special and valued in our lives. One of the best gifting ideas is the personalised gifts, but, are they the best gifts. Well, if you think giving a personalised gift is the best way to show your love, then why not present a set of personalised items each month of the year, to your loved one and that too without any hassle.
Make This Valentine’s Day Special With A Customised Subscription Box
A subscription box is a unique concept where on subscribing; you are delivered a box of goodies carefully chosen as per your profile. For instance, if you have subscribed for a snack based subscription box and your profile says that you like peanut and other nuts based snacks, you would be delivered a box of some of the best tasting snacks from across the world in your preferred ingredients. These boxes are delivered each month, and all you have to do is a pay a reasonable subscription fee for quarterly, half yearly or yearly subscription.
These boxes also contain some of the samples by the renowned brands and you can choose any type of subscription box. You can choose from a range of subscription boxes including beauty box, grooming kit, DIY kit, snacks box, gourmet box, a box with baby products and many more.
These boxes can make interesting gifting ideas on the Valentine ’s Day, as you won’t be delivering a simple gift or a personalised one. Instead, a box full of amazing stuff from the most renowned brands from worldwide would be delivered, and that too not just once but every month. Each month, you can choose to repeat some items and some of the stuff would be completely new. It’s an amazing gift for your loved one as the carefully chosen lifestyle products make them feel good. Not only this, but the concept of a subscription box is relatively new, and thus, you can be rest assured that this new category of gift for your loved one would be cherished by them for a long time. Moreover, a new box would be delivered each month without any hassle. Thus, you only need to subscribe and not worry about delivering it to your loved ones.
Apart from the subscription boxes, you can also buy gifts online. If you are worried about the high costs, then you can try using the online discount codes, vouchers and deals to purchase the gifts from the top-notch online stores but at much lesser prices. These codes can be used to avail great discounts without compromising on the product quality. There are innumerable websites which offer the discount codes, such as “My Voucher Codes” etc.
