all the dish that’s fit to print
party hardy
The Metropolitan London was named one of the top 10 party hotels by Sherman’s Travel. As a guest at the hotel, you get access to the members-only Met Bar and can rub elbows with the regular celebrity guests. Unleash your inner rock star with “rockaoke” (karaoke with a live band) or fill up on Michelin-starred sushi at Nobu.
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cheap flights to londontown
Just this morning Iceland Express announced that summer and fall fares to London, Copenhagen, and Luxembourg are on sale for just $399 round trip! There are a limited amount of seats, so if you’ve been toying with the idea of a late summer trip to London to catch the festivals, or a fall getaway in a cozy English cottage, now is the ideal time to book.
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tea(quila) time
Looking to experience the famous summer festivals in London without getting stuck in the bloody English rain (and mud)? The Metropolitan in London has a rock-and-roll inspired afternoon tea for those who want the concert experience sans mud or mosh pits. The “Fes-Tea-Val De-Light” lets visitors indulge in two great English pastimes: afternoon tea and summer music festivals. From Glastonbury mud pies to cupcakes adorned with guitars and tents, the Met is paying homage to this summer tradition. Nibble on healthy cookies shaped like Wellies and umbrellas, or even bread-free burger pots – no carbs! And it wouldn’t be rock ‘n roll without a little tequila; teaming up with Patron Silver Tequila, the Met Bar has created the “Festival Tea-quila” cocktail, so drink up while listening to the festival-inspired playlist spewing music from this year’s performers.
The best part is, no morning-after guilt: Fes-Tea-Val De-Light is a healthy alternative to traditional tea, made with natural figure-friendly ingredients.
Staying at the Met? Book ahead with the “Ultimate Savings” offer to get a City Room from £179, roughly $257 (compared to the standard rate of £390, a savings of 55% and about $305) with a minimum of two nights. (Must be booked at least seven nights in advance, valid through December 31, 2010.)
The menu will be served in the Met Bar and the Lobby Lounge from June 21-August 9 from 2pm-6pm, Monday-Saturday, and is £25 per person. Reservations must be pre-booked by calling +44 (0)20 7447 4757 or email: alex.carle@metropolitan.como.bz
Summer Music Festivals
June
Creative Control Coalition launch party
Date: June 19, 2010. From 9pm to 6am
Venue: The New Empowering Church, 1a Westgate Road (off Mare Street), London
Price: £10.00 + £1.25 booking fee
July
Wireless Festival With Pink
Date: July 2, 2010. From 12pm to 10:30pm
Venue: Hyde Park, Hyde Park, London
Price: £47.50 + £5.00 booking fee
Wireless Festival With LCD Soundsystem 2manydjs
Date: July 3, 2010. From 12pm to 10:30
Venue: Hyde Park, Hyde Park, London
Price: £47.50 + £5.00 booking fee
Tiesto + Guests Pendulum
Date: July 30, 2010. 2pm to 10:45pm
Venue: Victoria Park, Victoria Park Road, London
Price: £39.00 + £4.15 booking fee
August
LED Festival
Date: August 27, 2010. From 2pm to 12am
Venue: Victoria Park, Victoria Park Road, London
Price: £70.00 + £7.25 booking fee
SW4 Weekender 2010
Date: August 28, 2010. From 12pm to 9pm
Venue: Clapham Common, London, Clapham Common, London SW4, London
Price: £75.00 + £7.75 booking fee
Kensal Green Fake Festival
Date: August 28, 2010. From 12pm to 11pm
Venue: Roundwood Park, Harlesden Road, London
Price: £20.00 + £2.25 booking fee
august pond-hopping
While Londoners flock down to the Mediterranean, August is the time for a Yankee invasion. Restaurants aren’t as crowded, it’s easier to get tickets to coveted West End shows, and Buckingham Palace opens its doors to visitors (see our full round-up below). Two of the city’s hottest hotels, the Metropolitan and The Halkin, are also offering discounted rates, making it easy to hop across the Atlantic for a British mini-break. The hotels sit in a prime locale, sandwiched by Hyde Park and the Buckingham Palace Gardens, perfect for summer strolls and picnics.
At The Met, book ahead with the “Ultimate Savings” offer to get a City Room from £179, roughly $257 (compared to the standard rate of £390, a savings of 55% and roughly $305) with a minimum of two nights. (Must be booked at least seven nights in advance, valid through December 31, 2010.) Over at The Halkin, “Extend that Weekend Feeling” is discounting weekend rates by 20% when guests stay three nights. A double room starts at £450 a night, roughly $650. Three nights at that rate would £1350, or roughly $1950, but with the discount it’s only £1080 ($1560), making it a savings of about $390. Use that little bonus to load up on Top Shop must-haves or to procure tickets to a West End show. After a day of finding quirky antique treasures on Portobello Road or numerous crossings of the Thames, relax and take in the green views from one of the 51 rooms overlooking Hyde Park at the Metropolitan. At The Halkin, fill up on Thai fare at Chef David Thompson’s nahm, the first Thai restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star.
Herewith, our round-up of August’s key events…
Music Festivals
What: a two-day festival featuring artists Kings of Leon, Passion Pit, Imogen Heap, and many more
When: August 21-22
Where: Hylands Park and Weston Park
What: celebration of 80s music, dressing up encouraged
When: August 20
Where: Remenham, Oxon (about an hour from London)
What: David Guetta, Audio Bully, and more pump out dance music in the last summer festival at Victoria Park
When: August 27
Where: Victoria Park
What: The last concert in August promises to be one of the best parties of the summer.
When: August 29
Where: Clapham Common
Hyde Park in the summer
Art Exhibits
What: An exhibition celebrating the artist’s influence in 20th century sculpture
When: Through August 15
Where: The Tate Britain
Victoria & Albert: Art & Love in London
What: An exhibition featuring over 400 works from the Royal Collection gathered during the lives of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
When: Through October 31
Where: The Queen’s Gallery
What: An exhibition focused on the new and exciting artists coming out of the UK in the past few years
When: June 2-October 17
Where: The Saatchi Gallery
West End Shows
What: David Hirson’s fun 1991 play tells the story of a dramatist leading an acting company in the 17th-century court of Prince Conti, starring Joanna Lumley, aka Patsy from Ab Fab.
When: June 28-August 28
The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre
What: Enjoy this comedy in Shakespeare’s own Globe Theatre.
When: August 14-October 2
Into The Woods at London’s Open Air Theatre
What: Watch the celebrated Sondheim play outdoors in Regent’s Park
When: August 5-September 11
New Restaurants
Bar Boulud – Knightsbridge
This New York gem opened a British outpost in May with two bright rooms, a charcuterie counter, and a lounge.
Petrus – Belgravia
Gordon Ramsey’s French restaurant opened in March and boasts a glass wine case with 2,000 bottles.
Viajante – Bethnal Green
Opened in April, this eclectic new spot is in the former Bethnal Green Town Hall.
The Milroy – Mayfair
Just opened in May to the public, the restaurant serves up modern European fare and occupies the space that once housed Henry VIII’s hunting lodge.
More
What: A huge street fair set up by London’s West Indian population, full of food carts, steel drum bands, and crazy costumes.
When: August 29-30
What: Operas in the open air, set in beautiful Holland Park.
When: La Forza del Destino, August 4, 6, 10, 12, 14 at 7:30pm
Francesca da Rimini, August 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 at 7:30pm
Fantastic Mr. Fox, August 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14 at 7:30pm
What: Take advantage of summer sales at this fashion forward hot spot. The chic flock here for the latest from Lanvin, YSL, and Rodarte.
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bye bye buyer’s remorse
Hyde Park at night (left) and the Belgravia Suite at The Halkin
Holding off on that dream trip to London? Delay no more. As the pound slumps in the world market (£1.00 is equal to about $1.50), one of the world’s more expensive cities is now more affordable for Americans than ever. Say goodbye to traveler’s guilt!
Book the Ultimate Savings offer at Park Lane’s chic Metropolitan London seven nights prior to your reservation date and take advantage of the irresistible exchange rate. With a minimum stay of two nights, rates start from £179 ($269) for a City Room per night (not including VAT).
Or pop over to The Halkin for an Extend that Weekend Feeling offer. Book three nights (Thursday—Sunday) and save a minimum of 20% on your stay against the best unrestricted available rate. This offer is based on a minimum of three consecutive nights and is applicable to all room categories. Both offers are valid until December 31.
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while the stork is en route
Obscure cravings, recurring mood swings, and an ever-expanding waistline? When you’re expecting, the side effects can be less than glamorous. Thank goodness for these soothing babymoon packages, guaranteed to result in that oft-talked about motherly “glow.” So ladies, prop up those swollen ankles, sip on a decaffeinated beverage, and settle in for a few days (or even just an hour!) of much-deserved pampering. Oh baby!
Parrot Cay
Here’s your chance for a second honeymoon: Parrot Cay’s three-night Babymoon Package designed for couples to have some time together before the new arrival. Sink into an indulgent 75-minute prenatal massage, an hour-long private yoga session, and a COMO Shambhala Massage. Seeking some outdoor adventure? Book a snorkeling expedition, kayaking, diving, and fishing. Or snuggle up for some alone time with a castaway picnic or private tiki hut dining.
Prices start at $3,070 per couple. Package includes accommodation in a Garden View Room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, return airport transfers on scheduled commercial flights, group yoga and Pilates classes, and non-motorized water sports.
Metropolitan London
Mum’s the word! Stop in chic London Town and book the Metropolitan London’s A Met Mum-to-Be offering. Upon arrival to your room, mother-to-be will find a lightweight COMO Shambhala tote bag (perfect for hauling around all those diapers!) and a Purify Hydrating Mist for refreshment on the big day.
Test out the Urban Escape spa for a COMO Shambhala pre-natal massage incorporating a specially-designed ‘Body Cushion’ for support and relaxation during your treatment. Packages from £319 per night for a Deluxe City Room include mineral water in the room at turndown and a healthy breakfast for two.
Rosewood Mayakobá
Story-telling, diaper-changing, and bathtub-splashing are the most excitement you’ll be seeing in your weekends for awhile. So take advantage of the freedom you have left with a few nights away at Rosewood Mayakobá!
Book the four-night Babymoon Package for two and receive daily buffet breakfast, a prenatal yoga instruction session with consultation for two, choice of a snorkeling excursion or a visit to the photo studio at the resort, and a romantic candlelit beach dinner.
Rates start at $1,183 per night including tax and service for a minimum five-night stay through December 15, 2010.
Nantucket Island Resorts
Frankly, strollers on cobblestones sounds like a painful endeavor. Steal away to the quaint historical streets of Nantucket while your load is still light! Reserve a Nantucket Babymoon Package for two nights at either The Wauwinet or White Elephant and a one-hour soothing prenatal massage at one of these properties.
And hey, mom’s not the only one in need of some pampering! Mr. Mom can use a “Daddy Coupon” of $25 towards any treatment at either spa.
Other package inclusions are the White Elephant’s signature “Trunket” stuffed elephant, celebration cigars for the big day, and complimentary gourmet Continental breakfast at The Wauwinet.
The Peninsula Spa by ESPA
A working mom-to-be and can only get away for an hour or two? Reserve a Maternity Massage at The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York. This gentle massage uses nourishing ESPA oils and is designed for mothers-to-be after the first trimester, relieving tension in stress-prone areas such as the lower back and hips.
Indulge in 60 minutes for $195 or 90 Minutes for $295. The Peninsula Spa by ESPA in both New York and Chicago also offer a special Pre- and Post-Natal Treatment. Using signature calendula-infused oil, Pink Clay Mud, and various nourishing creams, mommy or mommy-to-be will enjoy improved skin tonicity and complete relaxation. Cost is $320 for 90 Minutes of utter bliss.
ESPA at Acqualina Resort & Spa
While your growing belly might not be ready for an itsy bitsy bikini beachside, you can still snag some Floridian sunshine in a cover up and chic celebrity-esque shades. Book a room at the Acqualina Resort & Spa through December 23 and take advantage of the resort’s Babymoon Package and ESPA spa. Offering includes an 80-minute Maternity Massage and an 80-minute Deep Tissue Massage to work out any pregnancy-induced knots.
Need some extra TLC during your stay? Reserve an additional 90-minute prenatal treatment at the on-site ESPA spa. The nourishing treatment incorporates natural calendula-infused oils, muds, creams, and advanced massage techniques to relax and nurture.
From now through April 4, the Babymoon Package starts at $675 for an Intracoastal Hotel Room and includes daily continental breakfast for two with a minimum stay of three nights.
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tryst with a twist at met london
The sophisticated Metropolitan London presents a classic romance package – with a little spice. Book Rendez-Vous at the Met in time for Valentine’s Day, or any weekend that requires some sizzle.
For the chocoholic, the offering gets off to a sweet start with a tray of handmade bonbons waiting in the room upon arrival. Snuggle up together and select a complimentary film of your choice from the movie channel.
Later it is lights out, but not before taking a peek inside the “Seduction Bedside Box” for a selection of nighttime necessities: COMO Shambhala “Harmony” Massage Oils, a 20% discount off Coco de Mer goodies, a Luxury Suede and Silk Blindfold by Jimmy Jane, and other items.
Who doesn’t love lounging in bed all day? The Met ensures you will by providing a champagne breakfast for two the next day and extending the check-out time until 4 p.m. Cost is £329 for a City Room.
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afternoon tease at the metropolitan london
Thank you, thank you, thank you. That’s what your significant other is sure to say upon your return from the Metropolitan London’s latest version of afternoon tea – Cour-tea-san De-light. The hotel’s sophisticated Met Bar has teamed up with lingerie brand The Modern Courtesan to host a monthly sass-filled “Seduction Class.”
Participants can sip champagne and Modern Courtesan cocktails, and nibble a selection of treats from the aphrodisiac-inspired Afternoon De-Light menu – chili and chocolate macaroons, ginger muffins, and strawberry cupcakes.
Top industry experts, including best-selling authors, burlesque performers, erotic photographers and filmmakers, adult gift purveyors, and courtesans, will be on-hand to provide guests with their naughtiest know-how. Before rushing home to test out those sultry skills, stop by the ‘Seduction Boudoir’ to pick out a weapon of mass seduction or two.
Tickets are £50 per person and must be purchased in advance. Available dates are January 16, February 6, February 13 (just in time for Valentine’s Day!), March 13, and April 3. For further information please contact 020 7447 1025.
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getaways for the girls
It’s harder and harder to get quality time with the girls these days, and sometimes an ‘I miss you’ text is just not enough. So pick a date when your conflicting schedules align and take advantage of these relaxing and rejuvenating packages made just for you and your BFFs.
Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe
Best Friends Get the Best Deals
Santa Fe is great for off-the-cuff shopping, nature walks in and around the city, the majority of attractions are within a leisurely walk of the Inn, and the city itself is known for great and unique shopping.
Our Best Friends Package encourages friends to meet up in the City Different for an affordable vacation. Create lasting memories and start a tradition, all while sharing one of the best Santa Fe hotel deals! We make it easy for you with some extra amenities to help ensure an unforgettable experience. This friendly offer includes:
- Two (2) nights’ accommodations, in cozy accommodations, based on double occupancy
- The Inn’s lavish “Breakfast of Enchantment” each morning
- A complimentary wine-and-cheese reception each afternoon
- A pair of hand-crafted sweets from Todos Santos, creator of unique Santa Fe chocolates
- Two (2) 50-minute massages in the Inn’s massage room
- One (1) disposable camera to capture all the special moments you’ve shared together
Two-night package rates, based on double occupancy, range from $322 to $660, plus tax, depending on room-type and dates selected. The two-night charge for each additional person after two (2) in a room, is $100, with a maximum of four (4) people per room. This BFF package is not applicable for holidays or special events.
http://www.innonthealameda.com/
The White Elephant Hotel, Nantucket
Girlfriend’s Offer
Included in the Girlfriend’s Offer is:
- Accommodations in a luxurious 3-bedroom cottage for six of your special friends
- Full breakfast each morning
- Spa cocktail reception with express chair massage for all (now including foot bath, new for 2010!) – and weather-permitting, spa treatments will take place on the lawn of the White Elephant overlooking the harbor.
- A selection of romantic comedy videos
- Popcorn and other movie treats
- Hosted port, sherry, and cheese service in the afternoon
- Special spa welcome gift (a spa product made for the White Elephant Spa called Pineapple Body Crush – we have samples of this on hand if you’d like to test it out!)
Offer starts at $2400 for 3 nights; more info online at http://www.whiteelephanthotel.com/reservations/specials.php.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
Spa Indulgence Four-Night Package for Two
In ancient Mayan culture, one went into a sweat lodge, called Temazcal, to purify the body after battle. At the Sense spa at Rosewood Mayakobá (which is located on its own island in the middle of a tranquil lagoon), best friends can solidify their friendship with this age-old tradition!
The package includes: Daily buffet breakfast for two and the Ancient Mayakoba Journey: two Mayakoba Complete Body Therapies, two Mayakoba Ancient Massages, two Traditional Temazqual Journies, two Mayakoba Body Glow treatments and two spa gifts.
Offered through Apr. 30, 2010. Rates in U.S. Dollars start at $830 per night inclusive of tax and service; minimum 4-night stay.
http://www.rosewoodmayakoba.com/en/specialoffers.cfm
ESPA at Acqualina, Miami
Spa Party
The ESPA spa at Acqualina has a spa party room that girls can rent to host private spa get-togethers complete with mini treatments of choice and spa catering. The spa offers four different packages that range from two to four hours, and include up to four mini treatments of choice per guest. The space accommodates up to 25 friends, although parties of up to 35 will have use of the ESPA’s Ladies Relaxation Lounge as well. The price per person is reduced depending on the size of the party.
For a more one-on-one get-together for best friends, the resort offers a Girlfriend’s Getaway Spa Package for Two.
Includes:
- Two 50-minute ESPA Treatments
- Complimentary valet parking
- Spa lunch for two
- Minimum night stay requirement: 2 nights
Rates start at $675 from December 24, 2009 – April 4, 2010.
http://www.acqualinaresort.com/rooms-suites/special-packages/
Metropolitan, London
Tote-to-Toe Shopping
Call your best friend and go visit Union Jack. The “Tote-to-Toe” package includes overnight accommodation for two, £50 ($80!) worth of Selfridge’s vouchers, a bottle of champagne, and a priority reservation at the uber-trendy Japanese restaurant NOBU. The great shopping districts of Mayfair, Bond Street and Knightsbridge are within walking distance and as a guest of the hotel, you’ll have access to the chic members-only Met Bar. The package also includes:
- COMO Shambhala Aromatherapy Gift Set
- Access to London’s best connected Concierge
- Metropolitan London tote bag
- Healthy breakfast for two
- Late check-out until 4pm
- ‘Independent London’ by Moritz Steiger & Effie Fotaki, ‘VERYstyleguide for London’ and ‘VERYstylemap for London’
Costs from £309 per room per night in a Metropolitan Room . Offer subject to availability.
Visit http://www.metropolitan.london.como.bz/offers/tote-to-toe-shopping for more details.
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naughty or nice?
Choose naughty and save Santa the trip this year. Met Bar members can head to the Metropolitan London for a steamy “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Christmas Cabaret Spectacular on Wednesday, December 2, at 9:30 p.m.
Pin-ups Esme Bianco, Roxy Velvet, and Polly Cupcake will welcome you with a night of festive stripteases and burlesque performances on a custom-made silver sleigh. Before heading out, don’t forget to grab a bag of swag filled with Modern Courtesan lingerie and Hotel Chocolat sweets.
Members can RSVP to jamie.holloway@metropolitan.como.bz.
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