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A Luxury Stay at Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul

March 24, 2014 by cheriecity

Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is one of the city’s newest five star hotels, bringing a touch of Asian luxury to the European bank.

The elegant hotel occupies a prestigious location next door to Dolmabahce Palace in the converted 1930s Besiktas Tobacco Warehouse.

Location

Within walking distance is the chic Nisantasi shopping district while the Besiktas ferry terminal is just in front of the hotel and the Kabatas funicular and modern tram station is a 10-15 minutes walk. Staying along this peaceful stretch of the Bosphorus is much quieter than busy Taksim and touristic Sultanahmet, yet both are easily accessed by metro or taxi.

The stunning marble lobby is truly dazzling with stately furniture, Chinese vases, shimmering chandeliers, artistic flower arrangements and a grand staircase under a dome-shaped atrium. The also hotel features over 1000 pieces of European and Asian art.

The cosy Lobby Lounge offers afternoon tea and light snacks and Le Bar next door is a hotspot for expertly-mixed cocktails, tapas and mezze.

Arrival

The hotel features 186 guestrooms and suites, including the opulent Shangri-La Suite with three private terraces. Even the glass lift that took us to our suite following a welcoming check-in is feminine and pretty with a Chinese pastel birdcage print on the wall.

The Suite

Our Deluxe Bosphorus Suite was simply breathtaking and ever so elegant, subtly blending Turkish, Asian and French design influences. The reception area leads on to an enormous living room on the corner of the hotel with fantastic floor to ceiling views of the Bosphorus Strait, looking out to the Asian side of Istanbul.

The living room features a dark wood dining table for four, executive writing desk, a comfortable sofa area and a 42-inch LCD satellite TV with in-house movie channels and DVD player. The marble-topped bar area includes a minibar filled with premium spirits, complimentary mineral water, a Nespresso machine and a separate kettle with five mini caddies of Ronnefeldt loose leaf tea.

It was a delight to choose between fine teas such as Princess Grey, jasmine pearl and Morning Dew mango and citrus green tea for different times of the day to truly feel at home. We were also welcomed with welcomed with a pot of Chinese green tea served in a lovely basket with china cups.

The living room was also filled with stunning flowers that perfumed and brightened the room – a thoughtful touch that can sometimes be overlooked in luxury hotels. Another home comfort is complimentary high-speed wifi, which made it easy to plan our days exploring Istanbul.

Following on from the living room is an impressive walk-in wardrobe with two expansive rails, plenty of drawers and storage space (ideal for long-stay guests).

The Bedroom

Our spacious bedroom was serene and bright, designed in a soft palette of cream and beige with teal and grey-blue highlights. It has an enviable view of the Bosphorus, giving the illusion that you could dive right in. Waking up to such an inspiring landscape with the light streaming in each morning was a real treat and made leaving our heavenly king-size bed that little bit easier.

I loved the ornate fabrics in the bedroom, mixing light chinoiserie with metallic and embroidered textures. We found the sumptuous pillows 300-thread count linen absolutely perfect, but there is a pillow menu with hypoallergenic options, if guests have a particular preference.

Turndown

At evening turndown, cotton mats and complimentary bottles of mineral water are placed by the bed with a Shangri-La bookmark next to a copy of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon.

The Bathroom

The seductive black marble bathroom with heated floors boasts a deep soaking tub, rainfall shower, double sink, a mist-free mirror with flat-screen TV and a drawer filled with bathroom essentials. There are plenty of luxurious towels, face cloths and plush embroidered bathrobes and slippers. I loved the brilliant white sliding doors with carved Asian patterns that separate all of the rooms.

The bathroom is generously filled with Bvlgari White Tea bathroom products plus bath salts and a reed diffuser with the Shangri-La signature scent – a warm blend of vanilla, sandal, musk, bergamot and tea spiced with ginger.

Breakfast

Each morning, we headed down for an indulgent breakfast at IST TOO, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant that serves both Asian and Mediterranean cuisine and features a Japanese sushi bar and noodle puller.

Starting the day in IST TOO is a fabulous affair, particularly if you can score a table overlooking The Bosphorus, although the sofa seats are comfortable and luxurious. A number of breakfast stations offer tempting hot dishes, eggs cooked to order, delicious pastries, gourmet cereal, fresh juices, yoghurts, fruit compotes and everything needed for a traditional Turkish breakfast.

I particularly liked the pancakes served with maple syrup and chocolate spread and the blueberry custard pastries.

The hotel also offers Cantonese fine dining with its signature restaurant Shang Palace on the lower ground floor. I dined at Shang Palace at Shangri-La Paris and was wowed by its excellent dim sum, barbecued meats and tasty claypot dishes.

The Swimming Pool and Spa

Spending a few hours enjoying the hotel’s impressive health and leisure facilities is an absolute must when staying at the hotel. Guests can work out at the state-of-the-art gym and swim under hand-painted clouds in the stunning heated indoor pool with tiny mosaics or relax with a herbal tea on the poolside loungers.

The friendly, attentive staff offered us fresh fruit and bottled water and guided us up to CHI Spa to try the spa facilities (separate for men and women). The expansive CHI Spa has a distinctly Asian feel and includes facilities such as a hammam, sauna, Turkish bath, tropical experience shower and relaxation room with plush spa beds.

Treatments inspired by traditional Asian healing philosophies are available and guests can enjoy a complimentary 15 minute reflexology appointment (be sure to book a slot right away, as they fill up quickly).

What really adds character to Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is the warmth and helpfulness of the staff. Concierge really impressed us when we decided at last minute to have dinner at the very popular Karaköy Lokantasi. Within a few moments, we had a table secured and were on our way there in a taxi.

Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul is a fantastic new addition to design-conscious Istanbul and ideal if you’re looking for a luxurious retreat away from the crowds. With such spectacular views, opulent interiors and fine attention to detail, it’s easy to fall for Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul.

For more information and booking, visit: www.shangri-la.com

Chérie City was a guest of Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul

Photos by Chérie City and Shangri-La Bosphorus Istanbul

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

Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, New York

A Luxury Stay at The Lowell New York

April 10, 2013 by cheriecity

The Lowell is a very special independent luxury hotel on the Upper East Side with the intimate feel of a private residence.

A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Lowell is nestled on a quiet, leafy street, just a short stroll from Central Park, MoMA, The Whitney Museum of American Art and the high end department stores of Fifth and Madison Avenues.

The charming Art Deco/Modern hotel began as a residential apartment hotel in 1927 and has maintained its homely, old world character, while also welcoming guests for short stays in the city. The Lowell is very discreet about its high profile guests, however, Madonna famously made a two-bedroom suite there her home for nine months in the late-eighties.

The Lowell is a small hotel with 47 suites and 25 deluxe rooms set across 17 storeys. The lobby is petite and quietly opulent, with soft lighting and a colour palette of soft gold, ochre and cream shades. A thoughtful touch for guests is complimentary hot apple cider and hot chocolate with cookies, to enjoy while reading a newspaper or to take out.

Arrival

We arrived in the early evening and were swiftly checked in by the warm, professional yet chatty staff. Guests are offered a welcome drink on arrival and two glasses of Champagne were delivered shortly after our luggage.

The Suite

We stayed in a spectacular Lowell Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite, which is the epitome of Upper East Side refinement. The separate living room, redesigned by Michael Smith in light beige and natural stone tones, was filled with exquisite dark wood furniture, Chinese porcelain lamps, a large sofa, comfy armchairs, an intricate tapestry rug, flat screen TV and contemporary artwork. The suite also has free wifi and we loved the delicate white roses on the table.

A unique feature is the elegant original fireplace with baskets of wood logs – in fact, The Lowell is the only hotel in Manhattan to offer this.

Staff are on hand to light the fire, offering a choice of aromas, so guests can enjoy a warm glow while relaxing in the lounge. Our stay was sadly a little brief to experience a roaring open fire in our living room, however Concierge called us in the morning to check if we wanted our fire lit – really, nothing is too much trouble for the dedicated staff.

We were also delighted to stay in one of the two Lowell suites that features a private terrace, boasting impressive views of the Manhattan skyline. Waking up to New York with a morning cup of tea on the terrace was a real treat – in the warmer months it will be a very enviable spot.

The Kitchen

An advantage of staying at The Lowell is the separate granite-topped kitchen fully set up with kitchen utensils, pots and pans, a china dinner service and The Lowell mugs. If cooking isn’t on the agenda, there is a mini bar fridge full of premium beverages, tempting Dean & Deluca snacks and a whistling kettle with a selection of teas and coffee.

The Bedroom

The spacious bedroom was classic and stylish with two built-in wardrobes, a large flatscreen TV and the most sumptuous, heavenly king-size bed. At turndown, the bed was meticulously prepared for sleeping, complete with bedside mats and slippers and bottles of Voss water.

Guests can also leave their shoes outside for a complimentary shoe shine, to be returned in the early hours. In the morning, The New York Times was delivered in a Lowell canvas newspaper bag.

The Bathroom

The beautiful bathroom, covered entirely in Selene marble, featured a double sink, a walk-in stall shower, a deep soaking bath tub with a flatscreen TV on the wall, BVLGARI thé vert bathroom amenities and little extras such as a bath mitt and a wooden nail brush.

Relaxing bath in the enormous tub with BVLGARI thé vert bath salts, followed by slipping into the oversized bathrobe and slippers was the perfect way to unwind after a long day of travelling.

The Restaurant

The Lowell’s second-floor restaurant The Pembroke Room is a New York institution, known for its refined afternoon tea. Overseen by Executive Chef Michael Fred, the civilised, dainty restaurant also serves breakfast and weekend brunch and pre-theatre dinner.

The Lowell’s steak and chop restaurant The Post House is perfect for good ole American classics. The much loved power lunch hotspot serves tempting dishes such as Maryland Crab Cake, Jumbo Gulf Shrimp and Cajun Rib Steak for lunch and dinner.

The Lowell is perfect for guests who prefer an elegant city retreat over a buzzing lobby scene. It’s an exquisite hotel where you can lounge elegantly and live the Upper East Side dream.

The Leading Hotels of the world (00800 2888 8882) offers stays at The Lowell, New York from $700 per room per night based on two sharing a room on a room only basis. For more information and booking, visit: www.LHW.com/lowellnyc

Chérie City was a guest of The Lowell

Photos by Chérie City and The Lowell