Firmdale Hotels | cheriecity.co.uk

Force Majeure Preview at Ham Yard Hotel with Curzon Cinemas

January 28, 2015 by cheriecity

Last night, I headed to Firmdale Hotels’ gorgeous Ham Yard Hotel in Soho to celebrate its cool new partnership with Curzon Cinemas.

I visited just before Christmas for an event in the hotel’s cosy Drawing Room and it was a treat to discover more Kit Kemp’s beautifully-designed spaces.

Firmdale Hotels are established hubs for the film industry (I spent a lot of time in their screening rooms when I worked at Sugarscape) and there are always movie stars in residence. However, while the A-listers are there to work and promote, guests can kick back and relax watching a great film.

Curzon Cinemas selects a programme of the latest cinema releases and a curated selection of contemporary and classic films every Sunday at Ham Yard Theatre. Films are set to include award-nominated Theory of Everything, Tim Burton’s Big Eyes, Birdman and a special preview of Love is Strange.

The comfy, state-of-the-art, 190-seat theatre is super-slick with Dolby sound and XpanD Digital 3D capable screen. It’s a high-ceiling space with a mezzanine level and is lined with electric blue walls, bright fuchsia pink silk curtains and quirky tangerine orange leather seats.

We started the evening in the hotel’s cool Dive Bar, where we enjoyed glasses of Champagne and delicious canapés before moving in to the theatre for a special preview screening of Force Majeure.

Directed and written by Ruben Östlund, Force Majeure sees a young, bourgeois Swedish family take a vacation to a luxury ski resort in the French Alps. After they get caught up in a controlled avalanche gone rogue during lunch on a mountain restaurant terrace, their carefully-constructed relationship starts to unravel.

During this frightening incident, mother Ebba (Lisa Loven Kongsli) tried to protect her children, while her husband Tomas (Johannes Kuhnke) ran away, abandoning them in the drift. This becomes a major issue that Ebba can’t move past without resolving and Tomas would rather brush under the carpet.

While they clash over each other’s versions of events, the parents go through awkward moments over dinner with hotel guests, hallway breakdowns and their kids’ tantrums. Of course, the kids can feel the deep-rooted tension and fear their parents divorcing.

Things reach a head when their friend, bearded hipster Mats (Kristofer Hivju), comes out to visit with his 20-year-old girlfriend Fanni (Fanni Metelius). Unwittingly, they become embroiled in the drama and have to act as mediators. Despite the marital breakdown and emotional rawness, there are some truly hilarious moments.

Östlund closely explores the roles of men and women in relationships and questions just how instinctive they are. Ebba resents Tomas for being a ‘coward’ and trying to keep up appearances, while he is incensed by her coldness and airing their dirty laundry in public.

There are some beautifully-shot mountain scenes and I like how Östlund uses avalanche canon blasts, excerpts of Vivaldi’s ‘Storm’ and the breathtaking yet treacherous landscape to heighten the tension. Even banal activities such as teeth brushing, napping and taking the painfully slow snow travelator back to the resort are given a humorous sense of ritual.

Force Majeure is quite a journey and a darkly funny, engaging film. It’s definitely deserving of its six Guldbagge awards (Golden Beetles) – the Swedish Oscars- and a must-see film.

Sunday Cinema at Ham Yard, in partnership with Curzon Cinemas, is priced at £15 per person. Force Majeure is released in the UK in April 2015. For more information and booking, visit: www.firmdalehotels.com

Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, London

A Great Stay at Dorset Square Hotel London

March 17, 2014 by cheriecity

Dorset Square Hotel is a stunning Regency townhouse hotel in leafy Marylebone fitted with designer Kit Kemp’s signature colourful, quirky interiors.

While the design may be familiar, the intimate, discreet hotel is a world apart from Firmdale Hotels’ buzzing, ‘scene’ hotels such as The Soho Hotel and Hamyard Hotel. It has the feel of an urban bolthole and is ideal for getting away from it all while still being close to the action of central London.

I recently visited Dorset Square Hotel and used HotelTonight’s booking app for the first time. Each morning, HotelTonight features a wide range of discounted hotel rooms in cities around the world, from budget design hotels to renowned luxury properties.

The app is very easy to use and it can be addictive checking what’s new each day when planning a trip away or a staycation. I spotted Dorset Square Hotel on HotelTonight for £189 for that evening and booked right away.

Arrival

The hotel overlooks the picturesque Dorset Square private garden and has a charming cricket theme running throughout. The entrance is very understated with only a small plaque to reveal its identity as a hotel. On arrival, we were met by friendly staff, contemporary artworks and a pretty flower display.

The Drawing Room

There is a cosy Drawing Room overlooking the square with lots of interesting artefacts and an honesty bar. On the lower level is The Potting Shed Bar & Restaurant, where guests can enjoy all-day dining and a refined afternoon tea.

Dorset Square Hotel features 38 individually designed rooms set across three floors. Luckily our room was located on its own in between the first and second floor, so it was very quiet and private.

The Room

Our Superior Room was quite small, but beautifully designed with padded denim and white paisley patterned walls and hot pink accents. Room features include a large flat screen LCD TV, Tivoli radio, iPod docking station, free wifi, minibar, a spotted pink chair and a writing desk.

The queen-size bed was extremely comfy and covered in sumptuous Frette linen, a beautiful hand-made white quilt and pink and white patterned cushions.

A Welcome Treat

We started our stay in a typically English way with a large pot of tea served with oat biscuits and a chocolate truffle.

The Bathroom

The medium-sized bathroom was designed in Firmdale’s sleek signature marble with a Lefroy Brooks sink, a fantastic walk-in shower with pleasantly strong water pressure, heated towel rails, a Tivoli radio, bathrobes and slippers and a full set of Miller Harris Citron Citron products.

Location

Dorset Square Hotel is perfectly located to explore the chic stores, cafes and art galleries of Marylebone. Well-heeled Chiltern Street is the place to shop for luxury British basics at Sunspel and exquisite candles at Cire Trudon, enjoy coffee and matcha chiffon cake at The Monocle Cafe and indulge in a mani-pedi at Leticia Haute Coiffure.

Shopping in Marylebone

Nearby Marylebone High Street is a little corner of Paris in London with French delights such as agnès b., Kusmi Tea, perfumers Le Labo and La Patisserie des Rêves par Philippe Conticini. We picked up some giant Madeleines from La Patisserie des Rêves to take back to our room as an evening treat.

Dinner at Brasserie Zédel

Tommi’s Burger Joint on Marylebone High Street was packed full, so instead we walked down to Piccadilly for dinner at Brasserie Zédel. The enormous brasserie is buzzing, elegant and ever so French with speedy service and wallet-friendly prices.

We enjoyed the two-course prix fixe menu (just £8.95) of Steak Haché followed by Tarte aux Poires, washed down with a Monaco (a refreshing mix of beer and grenadine).

Our meal was fantastic and I loved the energy and authenticity of the brasserie – perfect for people-watching. Next time,we will leave time for a cocktail in Zédel’s American Bar or a show at The Crazy Coqs Cabaret.

Turndown

When we returned to the hotel, our room had been turned down with a cotton mat placed next to the bed, a complimentary glass bottle of Evian and a branded Temple Spa Calming Mist to spritz on pillows. In the morning, the The Times was delivered and waiting for us by the door.

There isn’t a dedicated spa at the hotel, however it’s possible to book a relaxing in-room treatment by Soholistic using Temple Spa products.

Dorset Square Hotel is ideal for a stylish London getaway, boasting a tranquil location that’s not far from the city’s bright lights. Keep an eye out for Dorset Square Hotel and other central London Firmdale Hotels on HotelTonight for a competitive deal.

This post was created in partnership with HotelTonight. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All photos by Chérie City

Breakfast, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York

A Stay at Crosby Street Hotel New York

May 20, 2013 by cheriecity

Crosby Street Hotel is one of downtown New York’s most desirable design hotels and a little corner of London in the Big Apple.

The first US hotel by British boutique hotel brand Firmdale, Crosby Street Hotel is nestled on a quiet cobbled street in SoHo, between Prince and Spring Streets. It’s perfectly positioned for a spot of shopping at Opening Ceremony, a chic lunch at Balthazar or gourmet munchies at Dean & Deluca.

Design director Kit Kemp’s unique style is what draws A-list celebrities and well-heeled travellers to all eight Firmdale hotels and Crosby Street Hotel is just as covetable and luxurious as its London cousins. Think riotous colours expertly paired, exquisite prints, ethnic touches and an enviable art collection.

Arrival

On entering the spacious lobby, there is something interesting that meets the eye in every corner. As we waited for an early check-in, we marvelled at a 10-foot metal sculpture of a human head made up of letter by Jaume Plensa, papier-mâché Beano dogs by Justine Smith and a spectacular Anselm Kiefer painting.

New Yorkers famously love their dogs and Crosby Street Hotel pays tribute to them with dozens of pooches ruling the roost – from the hotel’s stylish logo to artwork throughout the hotel. A portrait of noble Jack Russell Simone watches over guests in the Drawing Room while the lifts feature charming ‘Dogs of Soho’ montages, snapped by Kit and Tim’s daughter Willow Kemp.

The Drawing Room is a residents lounge designed in rich colours with fireplaces, plush embroidered sofas, objects from around the world, an honesty bar and complimentary bites for guests – mini lemon and yoghurt muffins were offered when we were there. The Drawing Room leads on to a leafy courtyard garden for hotel guests only – a perfect retreat in the warmer months.

Crosby Street Hotel features 86 bedrooms over 11 floors and all boast high ceilings and loft-style floor length window.

The Room

Our spacious Luxury Room was vibrant and elegant with an apple green statement wall, large flat screen LCD TV, Tivoli radio, iPod player, DVD/CD player, free wifi, minibar, comfy seating, a large writing desk, mother of pearl dresser and two window seats to enjoy the great views over the Lower East Side.

The sumptuous king-size bed featured a stunning candy stripe headboard, Frette linen and a beautiful hand-made white quilt. A Firmdale signature is the beautiful embroidered silk dressmaker’s form – ours was designed in a pretty chartreuse colour.

A Welcome Treat

We were kindly welcomed with a hand-written note and a special Crosby Street Hotel candle by Miller Harris in a scent created exclusively for the hotel – Le Jardin 10012. It has a seductive, smoky aroma and is available to buy from the hotel as a very stylish souvenir.

Turndown

At turndown, a cotton mat was placed next to the bed and we were given complimentary bottles of Voss water and a Temple Spa Calming Mist to spritz on pillows. In the morning, the The New York Times was delivered and waiting for us by the door.

The Bathroom

The marble bathroom was an absolute delight, with a Lefroy Brooks double sink, a fabulous walk-in shower with the strongest water pressure I’ve ever experience in a hotel, heated towel rails, underfloor heating, bathrobes and slippers, a fun neon stool and a full set of Miller Harris Citron Citron amenities.

Breakfast

After a blissful sleep, we went down to The Crosby Bar and Terrace for a leisurely breakfast. The colourful bar is a real destination restaurant, offering all-day dining, afternoon tea and great cocktails. The charming terrace is a leafy oasis in the middle of SoHo and during the summer, it’s sure to be a hit with both hotel guests and New Yorkers.

The breakfast menu is a real treat and offers everything from Brioche French Toast to an indulgent Champagne Breakfast. I ordered the Crosby Breakfast – a cooked English Breakfast with orange juice, seasonal fruit, yoghurt and pastries from the buffet.

The cooked breakfast was large, filling and perfectly cooked using high quality ingredients. I particularly liked the delicious poached eggs, crispy bacon and the buttery bubble and squeak.

Steven went for the American Breakfast – free range eggs, buttermilk pancakes and sausage. The large pancake was excellent and was served with a jug of maple syrup.

Brits will be delighted that the bar serves excellent loose leaf English Breakfast Tea in a China pot, served boiling hot with a jug of chilled milk. There is even a Warhol-esque portraits of The Queen, pleasing the US fascination with all things royal and referencing the hotel’s British heritage with a dash of eccentric humour.

The Cinema

Like many of the London Firmdale hotels, Crosby Street Hotel has a state-of-the-art screening room and a Sunday Night Film Club. There is also a gym open 24-hours a day, private dining and meeting rooms and a spa treatment room.

Families are also well cared for with a special children’s menu, DVDs and popcorn, children’s books and babysitting service.

Concierge were excellent and advised us on the quickest way to get uptown that day – the New York Subways routes can sometimes need an insider to decode. All of the staff we met were friendly and addressed us by our names every time.

Crosby Street Hotel also has some serious green credentials – it is certified gold LEED by the US Green Building Council. The kitchen garden on the 12th floor has an urban vegetable patch managed by head chef Anthony Paris and a Tudor style chicken coop with four Araucana chickens producing pale blue eggs. The Meadow Suite also boasts a woodland meadow with over 50 varities of native flowering plants.

Crosby Street Hotel has it all – a cool downtown location, gorgeous design, a warm atmosphere and lots of character. Whether it’s staying overnight or hanging out at the bar over smart cocktails or brunch, Crosby Street Hotel is a New York address that you need to know about.

Room rates at Crosby Street Hotel start from $555 per night, based on two sharing a Superior Room. For more information and booking, visit: www.firmdalehotels.com

Chérie City was a guest of Crosby Street Hotel

Photos by Chérie City and Crosby Street Hotel

Beauty

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Launches With A Bang!

January 30, 2012 by cheriecity

Last week saw the spectacular launch of Spicebomb, the new men’s fragrance by Viktor & Rolf at an exclusive Handpicked Media event. We all had a New Year catch up over drinks at the Charlotte Street Hotel, but unlike most launch evenings, there were no samples or campaign imagery to be seen.

The Director of Viktor & Rolf fragrances introduced Spicebomb, but was quickly intercepted by two dashing ‘secret service agents’ wearing head to toe Viktor & Rolf. We were immediately escorted out of the building and taken a few blocks away from the hotel to a deserted NCP cark park!

We all piled into an industrial car lift, up to the top floor, to a darkened room with just two large screens. The first screen showed the Spicebomb campaign video, shot by the wonderful Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin featuring American model Sean O’Pry.

We all turned to face the next screen and within a few seconds, there was a huge explosion, releasing the Spicebomb scent and a shower of silver confetti – what a way to make an entrance!

The party then kicked off with handsome waiters bringing out Champagne, Martinis and molecular canapes while we spritzed on Spicebomb from the grenade-shaped bottles, presented on solitary plinths.

Spicebomb was created for Viktor & Rolf by Olivier Polge, the renowned perfumer behind Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, Eau Mega and other future classics such as Balenciaga Paris and Dolce & Gabbana The One For Men.

True to its name, Spicebomb opens with a bang – sweet, sparkling and fresh with an underlying woody spiciness. It brings together two opposing accordings – fiery and and icy. Warmth comes from a seductive heart of chilli and saffron with the masculine roundness of leather, tobacco and intoxicating vetiver. The bite of the fragrance is down to zesty bergamot and grapefruit with cool notes of elemi and pink pepper.

Spicebomb is sophisticated, incredibly stylish, sensual and intriguing. The sweetness gives it a unisex appeal and it’s the perfect counterpoint to the heady, gourmand Flowerbomb.

The cool, theatrical launch event was a perfect reflection of the vision of Viktor & Rolf, the masters of illusion and fantasy.

Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb is priced from £45 for 50ml to £60 for 90ml eau de toilette, and the full collection includes a deodorant spray, aftershave balm and shower gel.

Spicebomb is available now exclusively at Harrods and nationwide from 7th March.

Photos by Karen Hatch

Beauty, Hotels, London

Aveda Summer Drinks at The Soho Hotel

July 18, 2011 by cheriecity

Last week, Aveda invited Handpicked Media bloggers to try out their new summer products over champagne and canapes in the ultra-swish Terrace Suite at The Soho Hotel.

On arrival, I was coaxed straight into the stylist’s chair where the dashing Olivier took control of my wayward tresses. We decided to keep the wave in my hair, but make it more polished with a bouncy blow-dry.

Olivier used Aveda Smooth Infusion Style-Prep Smoother to tame and moisturise my hair before blow-drying. Within less than ten minutes, my hair was super shiny and volumised at the crown with loose cascading curls.

Aveda has been my hair care indulgence since my late-teens and few brands have been able to match it for quality and results.

We were kindly given Aveda’s new Inner Light Mineral Tinted Moisture SPF 15 to take away. Every colour was there for us to experiment with and I colour-matched my skin, finding that my perfect shade was 02/Beechwood for fair skin.

This summer, I’ve been converted to tinted moisturisers instead of foundation, as they cover the skin evenly and don’t tend to cling so much to dry patches.

The tinted moisturiser has a medium, smooth texture and gives good coverage. It left my skin feeling fresh, dewy and luminous. For problem areas, just build up the coverage with some concealer.

At first, I was concerned that it might just sit on my skin, but it absorbed well and won’t cause any breakout problems, as it’s oil-free and non-acnegenic.

A new range for summer holiday hair is the Aveda Suncare 16-hour UV defense and recovery system. Start with the Aveda Suncare Hair and Body Cleanser, follow with the Protective Hair Veil before stepping into the sun. At the end of a sun-filled day, treat your hair to the After-Sun Hair Masque, which nourishes and repairs hair with a restorative blend of tamanu oil, organic shea butter, coconut and palm oils.

We were given the Aveda Protective Hair Veil to try out, but since it rained non-stop all weekend, I’ll have to pray to the sun gods before giving the verdict on this one. It does feel lovely though and has that delicious Aveda scent. Just looking at it makes me want to escape to the sun; if you get there first try out the Protective Hair Veil and report back!

See Aveda’s new summer products at www.aveda.co.uk

All photos by Chérie City.

Beauty, Berlin

Shan Rahimkhan Haircare Collection Launch At The Soho Hotel

March 17, 2011 by cheriecity

Last night, Handpicked Media bloggers got together for a very stylish evening with cult Berlin hair expert Shan Rahimkhan at The Soho Hotel.

Shan Rahimkhan’s eponymous hair collection has just launched at Harvey Nichols, so we were given a rare opportunity to meet with Shan Rahimkhan and his right-hand man, stylist Fabio F.D’Acri, for personal hair consultations, a prescribed product regime and hair styling.

Based in Berlin’s central Gendarmenmarkt district, Shan Rahimkhan Casa is a chic lifestyle concept store that includes a hair salon, a boutique stocking designer products sourced from all over Europe and a cafe that turns into a sleek cocktail bar at night.

Shan told us that he created the hair collection to bring volume and moisture to fine hair. With many volumising product, you often have to sacrifice nourishment and hydration for extra body.

Shan Rahimkhan products are completely natural and free from all the paraben and sulphate nasties that leave residue on the hair. The collection includes active natural ingredients such as Bamboo, Aloe Vera juice, Tamanou Oil, Quinoa and Argan Oil.

Shan Rahimkhan styles the hair of A-listers such as Jennifer Aniston and Charlize Theron when they’re in Berlin, so of course I jumped at the chance to have a bespoke up-do by the master.

I did have a professional blow dry at Taylor Made salon the night before, so I wasn’t too embarrassed about my locks, but after a harsh winter, they’re not in the best condition.

I sat in the styling chair and after a quick surveying of my hair, Shan immediately knew how to style my hair. After just five minutes of back-combing, pinning and a finishing spritz, I had softly tousled red carpet hair.

My hair was full of volume and the few loose strands of hair perfectly framed my face. Of course, A-list hair needs an occasion, so Katie Chutzpah and I headed out into Soho for drinks at The QV Bar at Quo Vadis.

The products I was given to try out were True Colour Shampoo, True Colour Shiny Gold Treatment and Supreme Volumizing Double Phase Leave-In Treatment.

The shampoo lathered well and I only had to use a tiny amount to get my hair super clean. My hair was ready for some indulgence, so I used the Shiny Gold treatment, which brings out natural gold tones, and found it to be light and moisturising.

I was sceptical about replacing my usual conditioner for a leave-in conditioner spray, but it instantly softened my hair and made it manageable. Best of all, it reduces my time in the shower and smells incredible.

I’m already sold on the Shan Rahimkhan collection, but I’ll road test the products properly and post an update soon.

Now I just wish that Shan Rahimkhan would open a sister salon in London, as I’m already tempted by a weekend trip to Berlin!

Shan Rahimkhan products are now available at Harvey Nichols. For more information on Shan Rahimkhan Casa, visit: www.shanrahimkhan.de

Afternoon tea, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury, London

Ruinart and Miller Harris at Covent Garden Hotel

June 10, 2010 by cheriecity

While having a decadent breakfast of Eggs Benedict, coffee and mixed berry juice at the Covent Garden Hotel yesterday with the girls from Indigo PR, I found that the Ruinart and Miller Harris Champagne afternoon tea can now be taken in the hotel’s elegant Brasserie Max.

Following the success of the Ruinart Champagne afternoon tea at the Miller Harris tea salon, you can now experience the Ruinart and Miller Harris Sensory Tea in the stylish, cosy setting of any of the West End Firmdale hotels, including the Soho Hotel, Charlotte Street Hotel and Haymarket Hotel.

Spend the afternoon relaxing in the library, drawing room or brasserie with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne, a pot of finely blended Miller Harris tea and a selection of delicate sandwiches and cakes prepared by Firmdale Hotel chefs.

Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne is perfect for the summer, with refreshing notes of citrus and white peach, and Ruinart Chef de Cave, Frederic Panaiotis, describes Ruinart Blanc de Blancs champagne as “like drinking liquid sunshine”.

To accompany the champagne, there is a selection of four teas created by perfumer Lyn Harris, including Thé Bergamot, Thé Bigarade, Thé Pétales or Thé Violette. I can personally recommend the rose scented Thé Pétales and the Thé Bergamot, a second flush Darjeeling that Earl Grey fans will enjoy.

Lemon cupcakes, peach and vanilla friands and raspberry tarlets were chosen to bring out the notes of citrus and white peach in Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and come with traditional cut sandwiches.

The Ruinart and Miller Harris connection is a story of mutual admiration that begun when Lyn Harris visited the Ruinart cellars in Reims and found parallels between their traditional methods of winemaking and perfumery.

The relationship between Lyn Harris and Kit Kemp is long established, with each of the seven Firmdale hotels providing complimentary Miller Harris bath and body products in all guest rooms.

Read my review of the Ruinart Champagne afternoon tea at the Miller Harris Mayfair tea salon and flagship store and see the photos of the scrumptious tea.

The Ruinart and Miller Harris Sensory Tea is priced at £35 per person and is available until September 2010. For more information, visit the Firmdale website.