A Night In in London

I think sometimes all one needs to re-charge the batteries is a night out. But I was browsing Tatler the other day and discovered something better-- a night in. What if you could have a plush five star room in a swanky London Hotel, a room decked out nicely with a super queen bed and incredibly plush sheets on a pillowy mattress; and what if the room came with wait staff at the ready and other service personnel catering to your every need, including access to a spa and then a five star breakfast the next morning? Well this is what the Connaught in Mayfair is offering as a Sunday, one night packaged deal. It's a brilliant idea, no? I would take it.

These are images of the Apartment at the Connaught. It's not part of the Sunday deal, but if I stayed at the Connaught, I'd ask for a tour of this and other spaces.

The Cotton House Hotel

 

Photos Found Here

I went to Barcelona by myself, maybe 7 years ago. I remember well that I was starving in the evenings-- dinner time was around 10 pm and not a moment earlier. The food was exceptional but my belly was not happy about eating at such a late hour. I especially remember that trip because I took a bus, about two to two and half hours to the Costa Brava, where I spent a wonderful, peaceful weekend in a rustic little room by the seaside. I would go back to Barcelona. It is an amazing city to do an architectural tour.

There is a lovely hotel in Barcelona called the Cotton House Hotel. This is it, above.  I love that it is not straight-up contemporary. There is a mix of furniture styles. I also love the designs on the upholstered doors in the rooms. This looks like a good place to start if planning a return to Barcelona.

Design Hotel: Rooms Hotel in Tbilisi

Design hotels are a thing. Just like boutique hotels are/were a thing. You go to these hotels to be immersed in not just the pillowy mattress and high thread count sheets but also the artistry and creativity.






Of course there are extremely lofty versions of the design hotel. But I love exploring ones in what I call "comeback" cities.



Georgia is not an upmarket destination but travel is for more than just luxury. And of course there is the Dry Bridge Bazaar: the flea market in Tbilisi. As I need comfort at a minimum when I travel, I like this hotel.

1930s New York décor, claw-foot tubs, retro phones and writer's chairs, shelves stacked with books and a new use for an old publishing house. Is it safe to travel to Georgia now? Hope at the very least all the escaped animals are safely back in the zoo.