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Luxury Getaways
Thompson Beverly HillsLos Angeles, California Location The hotel is on Wilshire Boulevard, just two blocks from the retail addicts’ heaven of Rodeo Drive. Highlight Join Hollywood A-listers around the rooftop pool and bar. Cuisine BondSt, a sister to Jonathan Morr’s New York restaurant, produces sensational Japanese cuisine. Thing to do Book ahead for a private dinner in the end room of the deliberately dark second-floor bar. Room to book Suite 610, with adjacent parlour, is memorable for its black wood floors, grey curtains and strips of mirror above the big bed. Rooms 107. GM Peter Birchall. 310-273-1400, thompsonhotels.com
The Seaview HotelSeaview, Isle of Wight, U.K. Location On the northeast shore of the island, off the coast of England, this charming hotel can be reached by passenger or car ferry and then a 20-minute drive. Highlight The modern interiors, complete with sea views (as the hotel’s name suggests), were created by former Ralph Lauren designers Keech and Green. Thing to do Go for long coastal walks, taking in the busy Channel shipping routes; then head home for contemporary English food, such as sea bream, oysters and lobster followed by sticky toffee pudding. Insider tip Explore the art in the public areas, including the upstairs parlour, where sailing memorabilia date back to the hotel’s start in 1830. Rooms 16. GM Andrew Morgan. 44-1983-612711, seaviewhotel.co.uk
The Peninsula Hong KongHong Kong, China Location Despite a plethora of modern highrises both on Hong Kong Island and here in Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon, this 28-storey hotel, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, reigns supreme over the skyline. Cuisine There are so many restaurants, you never need to go outside – from the perennial favourite Chesa, a traditional Swiss restaurant, to the rooftop Felix, designed by Philippe Starck. Spa Don’t miss the Peninsula Spa by ESPA, with more than a hint of Asian mystique. Afterwards, relax in your Frette robe in a room dominated by an eight-foot-wide circular ceiling-fed rain curtain. Room to book Corner suites with numbers ending in 15 have window-set bathtubs and one-way glass walls for privacy. Rooms 300. GM Rainy Chan. 852-2920-2888, peninsula.com Mary Gostelow is the editor-in-chief of WOW.travel, the online magazine of www.kiwicollection.com. E-mail her at mgostelow@enroutemag.net. |
