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You might be wondering why Hollywood heavyweights like Kevin Costner and Oprah Winfrey choose to live in Santa Barbara County rather than Los Angeles. And even the likes of Harry and Meghan have chosen to call Montecito home. Much like the French Riviera, the small-city, Mayberry coastal setting is an irresistible attraction. It is popular with surfing aficionados, culture vultures and wine enthusiasts. However, paparazzi are rarely spotted in the region. In this article, we examine why Santa Barbara is ready to blossom, not just for celebrities but for the international tourism scene.

World-class hotels

Hollywood royalty adores discreet five-star hotels and it is no surprise you’ll see the likes of Jane Lynch and Michael Keaton falling in love with Hotel Californian. The ornate Spanish colonial revival architecture along with the Moorish interior from celebrity designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is a magnet for celebrities. The Mirador Rooftop Deck, which offers panoramic 360-degree views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean is a crowning jewel of the hotel. All of the surrounding buildings are three storeys or lower due to changed building laws post-1925. The stunning Majorelle spa is equally popular with Majorelle blue tiles that are often found in Moroccan designs

The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara is the place for celebrity weddings. Hollywood couples who have celebrated their wedding there include Nick Carter and Lauren Kitt, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, and Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler. The hotel is just slightly outside of downtown Santa Barbara and tucked away on 78 acres of land overlooking the Pacific to offer that seclusion and privacy celebrities require. You can appreciate the beauty of the surroundings by going on a nature hike along the Chumash Nature Trail. They have one of the finest steakhouses in the region with Angel Oak and their newest opening, Bacara Wine Tasting Room is attracting countless plaudits.

Funk Zone

The area by the waterfront has risen like a phoenix from the ashes in recent years. Evolving from decrepit warehouses to the trendiest district of Santa Barbara, it is now home to countless wine-tasting rooms, gourmet restaurants and art galleries. Wine appreciation rather than mere wine consumption is the name of the game here. You are very likely to encounter one of the Baldwin brothers at The Society: State & Mason, the newest wine-tasting room in the zone. Exquisite wines are either paired with tapas-style dishes or innovative truffles from Jessica Foster. Madras curry-flavoured milk chocolate anyone?

The trendy restaurants are equally in demand in this part of town. Blackbird Restaurant pays homage to one of Hollywood’s greatest directors, Alfred Hitchcock, with subtle nods including a photo with Alfred Hitchcock and a seagull on one shoulder and a blackbird on the other. The menu passionately supports local produce from Santa Barbara spiny lobster to Hope Ranch mussels. The cocktails from renowned mixologist Devon Espinosa are not to be missed. On the border of the Funk Zone, you’ll find upscale Mexican cuisine at Santo Mezcal and a meat lover’s paradise at the retro-decorated, Rare Society.

Ganna Walska Lotusland

If Willy Wonka was in the botanical industry instead of confectionery, this is precisely what he might have created. 37 acres of the most fantastical gardens and stunning architecture. Ganna Walska, who used to own the estate until she died in 1984 (aged 96), used to call herself the ‘head gardener’ and ‘enemy of the average’. It is one of the top five gardens in the world in terms of comprehensiveness. The attractions range from the immaculately pruned Japanese Garden to the imposing cactus garden to the priceless cycad garden with plants that date back to the Jurassic period. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known to be regular visitors and live close by.

Eclectic Museums and attractions

For a city of under 89,000 inhabitants, the museum-to-local population ratio is extremely high. One of their finest is the Santa Barbara Museum of Art . With around 25,000 pieces of distinguished artwork that span over 5,000 years of human creativity, it is no surprise over 150,000 visitors flock to the museum every year. They often have special pop-up exhibitions that highlight lesser-known, yet deserving artists such as Joan Tanner. Her outlandish sculptures made of plastic corrugated roofing sheets, re-bar, cast concrete etc. were displayed earlier in the year. The museum even has Oscar links, thanks to Christopher Plummer who famously won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in “Beginners”. In the film, he played Paul Chadbourne Mills who was the director of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and came out as gay later in life at the age of 75.

For family-orientated experiences, there is MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation. The ultra-immersive installations will get your scientific brain motivated whether you are 8 or 80 and is popular with celebrities like Julie Bowen. A visit to historic Stearns Wharf is a must where you’ll find the equally interactive Sea Center. There you can touch an exotic array of marine life from sharks to rays to sea stars. To explore the rich history of the city, there is the Old Mission dating back to 1786, when the Church was building its presence in the area through these settlements. The graceful charm of the Mission has earned it the nickname “Queen of the Missions”. There is also a historic cemetery and mausoleum, a nine-room museum of classical artwork and artefacts, and numerous lush gardens.

Quirky experiences

With the philanthropic nature of the locals, you will be unsurprised to find a cat therapy cafe in the city centre. You can visit for an hour and play with 15-20 free-roaming rescue cats. They also sell apparel as well as help their resident cats find a forever, loving home. Not far away, you’ll find Salt cave Santa Barbara, the largest in North America. There are numerous therapeutic benefits to resting in their crystal cave rooms lined with pink Himalayan salt.

https://santabarbaraca.com/

London boasts a plethora of dynamic rooftop restaurants in the city centre. One that has stood the test of time is Galvin at Windows. Being situated on the 28th floor of the historic London Hilton on Park Lane, you won’t be surprised to find unimpeded views of London’s fascinating skyline.

Chef Patron is Chris Galvin. Along with his brother Jeff, they’ve dominated the London restaurant scene for years with their Michelin-starred cooking skills at restaurants like Galvin La Chapelle. They famously opened the Wolseley restaurant in 2003 and Chris had already earned his first Michelin star at the Orrery back in the year 2000.

At Galvin at Windows, he has appointed talented Marc Hardiman as head chef. Marc had perfected his skills at the Ritz as Senior Sous Chef. Interestingly, Chris had worked as a commis chef at the Ritz back in the day.

With such power-packed CVs, you wouldn’t be surprised to find the food at Galvin at Windows is remarkably polished. Service is attentive yet discreet from the moment you step into the restaurant.

A great way to experience their menu is to try their Sunday lunch menu. For the quality of food and service and the views on offer, it is very reasonably priced at £59 per person for 3 courses. It is available from 12 pm to 3 pm every Sunday lunch.

Furthermore, they are dishes you readily pay a premium for, as the ingenious combination of ingredients is unlikely to be recreated at home. Think locally sourced Halibut paired with St Austell Museels, yuzu kosho, nori, Champagne and rose. It is rightfully decadent as you would expect dining at a rooftop restaurant in the heart of Park Lane.

Dishes I would recommend trying include a beautifully sweet heritage tomato salad. It has a beautiful zestiness due to the addition of ponzu dressing and has some weighty substance with the presence of moreish goats curd.

Their beef carpaccio was a delightful surprise. It had a real depth of flavour due to the fact it has been dry aged and they used the finest quality black Angus. It was very cleverly paired with artichokes, mustard seeds and a smoked egg yolk for added complexity.

Enhanced flavours were also the order of the day with the main courses. Cornish Brill had an extra umami kick with the inclusion of Porthilly oysters and coastal herbs. The extra ingredients are always given careful consideration on how they can enhance and support the main act.

They had a very healthy take on the classic lasagne. The ‘lasagne’ sheets were made with celeriac whilst the filling was stuffed with meaty confit king oyster mushrooms. There was a hint of truffle used, but it was never overpowering. This is very much unlike less celebrated restaurants, which often use truffles to compensate for a lack of flavour in their dishes.

The highlight of their not-to-be-missed dessert section is the blackcurrant soufflé. Blackcurrants are incredibly underrepresented in fine dining menus. They have high levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants. The soufflé rose to just the right height and it had the perfect smooth consistency inside. It was paired with a delectable cheesecake ice cream and topped with crème de cassis to add to the blackcurrant notes.

Pairing the right ingredients to enhance the flavours is also evident in most of the other desserts on the menu. Case in point is the exquisitely executed white chocolate and blackberry crème brûlée. They’ve included a blackberry sorbet, so the tart and sweet notes come through even stronger. The texture was silky smooth along with the requisite crunchy topping. The dessert was finished off with a muscovado sugar shortbread.

When booking your table, check which side of the restaurant you might be sitting on. For example, when we visited for Sunday lunch recently, it was particularly glaring on the Hyde Park side. I would recommend booking for the Oxford Street side of the restaurant for Sunday lunch. You will still enjoy spectacular views of the London topography.

If you want a great recommendation for an apéritif or digestif, do check out their neighbouring bar, 10 Degrees Sky Bar. They offer some highly innovative cocktails and you can still admire the stunning views from the 28th floor.

For more information on the restaurant, please visit –

https://www.galvinatwindows.com/

The vibrant culture scene in Cleveland is a hidden gem even to discerning Americans from other states. Cleveland has been an industrial hub for growth in the 19th and 20th centuries due to its proximity to natural resources like iron and oil. It is also very well connected by rail and water routes, which aided in the city’s growth.

John D. Rockefeller, widely regarded as the wealthiest American of all time, settled in Cleveland. The city was the richest in the world during the Gilded Age. These industrialists poured their wealth into cultural philanthropic endeavours, which is the reason for the thriving arts and entertainment scene in Cleveland.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Top of the list for music lovers to visit is the rock hall. If you think the pyramid structure looks familiar, it is because it was designed by I.M. Pei, who famously designed the Louvre Museum.

The number of artists on display is breathtaking. Where else will you see Dolly Parton and Tupac Shakur in the same exhibition? Dolly famously wanted to withdraw herself from becoming an inductee in 2022 because she did not consider herself a rock artist. However, the hall responded by saying “Rock and roll has had deep roots in rhythm & blues and country music.”

They currently have a Hip Hop at 50 exhibition. Apart from fascinating memorabilia like LL Cool J’s signature four-finger ring, you’ll also learn about how hip-hop became a groundbreaking cultural phenomenon through the decades.

The visit is also a very immersive experience. You can stand beneath the Pink Floyd tour replica of The Wall. It was designed to mirror the Berlin performance of July 21, 1990.

The Garage on level 2 is where you can evoke the great rock bands of the past. You can jam with real instruments, be it drums, guitar, bass and keyboards. They have dedicated practice stations which will have video prompts to help you create your masterpiece.

Severance Music Center

Countless music lovers have voted Severance Hall as the most beautiful concert hall in the world. The mainly Art Deco design along with elements of Egyptian revival adds to a sense of Gilded Age grandeur.

It is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, informally part of the “Big Five” in the United States. The acoustics have been drastically improved since it first opened in 1931. Whilst the main focus is on classical music, they do offer more relaxed performances such as Amadeus Live. The full film is shown with live orchestral underscore.

They also run community programs that include free annual neighbourhood concerts. And they have a particularly dynamic musical program that celebrates the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Cleveland Museum of Art

The breadth and quality of the exhibits at this museum rival the very best of museums from capital cities of the world. Their sparkling 39,000-square-foot atrium has been featured in films like ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’.

In times of considerable global tensions, they’ve managed to curate a blockbuster Chinese art exhibition. China’s Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta have secured priceless artefacts from leading Chinese institutions.

There are numerous masterpieces on display including The Crucifixion of Saint Andrew by Caravaggio and The Burning of the Houses of Parliament by J.M.W. Turner. However, they particularly excel in their collection of Asian and African art.

In recent years, they’ve engaged with modern technology through their ARTLENS Gallery and app. You can create your own digital artwork with ArtLens Studio. The app allows you to interact with every artwork on display in the galleries and find more information about it. Everything that is viewed is saved on the app, so you can revisit the masterpieces even when you’ve returned home.

Cleveland History Center

There is no better place to learn about the importance of Cleveland than at this museum. The array of antique automobiles might be a surprise to some. Although Cleveland was a major automobile manufacturing hub until Henry Ford perfected assembly line production of cars in Michigan.

The antique planes are equally impressive. Northeast Ohio had one of the busiest and largest airports in the world throughout the 1920s and 1930s. The legendary National Air Races took place on the shores of Lake Erie for 20 innovative years until an unfortunate crash took place in 1949.

Currently, they have a Fashion After Dark temporary exhibition which explores the fashion styles of Clevelanders from the 19th century and beyond. With the adoption of gaslight and electricity in the 19th century, evening wear rose in prominence. Expect to see sparkling sequins, flowing silks and dazzling gemstones. It is the first time an exhibition has taken place in the period building that is The Hay-McKinney Mansion.

Museum of Contemporary Art Cleveland

If you are looking for progressive, modern art, this is the place to be. They are not a traditional art collecting museum. They are all about giving a voice to contemporary artists. Since its founding in 1968, they’ve worked with more than 2,000 artists. Often, it is the artist’s first solo show.

They currently have a fascinating exhibition, Don’t mind if I do. It takes the Japanese sushi conveyor belt concept (Kaitenzushi) but puts artwork instead of sushi on rotation. It is all about making artwork more accessible especially for people with access needs. It is about engaging with the artwork and touching all the objects.

They have regular workshops to engage with visitors such as a Day of the Dead workshop and a Pom-Pom workshop.

Flats East Bank Entertainment District

The gentrification of Cleveland is none more evident than in this district. What was once a series of abandoned warehouses has turned into a hub of cutting-edge restaurants, new hotels and residential apartments.

It has brought a hive of activity to the waterfront with the Greater Cleveland Aquarium and the general Nautica Entertainment Complex. It is a shining example of why Cleveland continues to captivate visitors with their countless cultural offerings.

Factbox

Downtown hotels start at around $150 per night.

Travellers can now fly direct to Cleveland from Dublin with Aer Lingus. The flight launched in May 2023 and operates four times a week, with connections from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Passengers can carry out their pre-clearance in Dublin so that, on arrival at Cleveland airport, they can avoid immigration queues, quickly collect their luggage and start their Cleveland experience immediately.

For more information on flights, please visit –

https://www.aerlingus.com/

For more information on the region, please visit –

https://www.thisiscleveland.com/

Hauts-de-France is the northernmost region of France, an area blessed with hidden gastronomic treasures. It is the most convenient area of France to reach from the UK. The most scenic route is by ferry crossing with the likes of DFDS. You can admire the iconic white cliffs of Dover. They offer links from both Dover to Calais and Dover to Dunkirk. The great news is if you ever encounter strikes at one of the ports, the other is guaranteed to be open.

The crossing takes just 2 hours. They offer fantastic duty-free opportunities. There are no baggage restrictions and they have up to 24 daily crossings. If you upgrade to the premium lounge experience, you get a glass of complimentary bubbles on arrival as well as light sandwiches and snacks.

Your first port of call (after Dunkirk) should be the gastronomic nirvana that is Château de Beaulieu. It is the brainchild of Two-Michelin starred chef, Christophe Dufossé. A stay at the château is more than just their exquisite tasting menus. You can visit their farm and see the vast array of vegetables and fruits they grow from the iconic black garlic of the region to apple orchards that supply your breakfast juices.

Photo courtesy of Catherine Barrier

A morning visit to their bakery will get your stomach juices flowing as you see the buttery treats created in front of your eyes. They have a small farmhouse filled with rescued animals from donkeys to chickens to a very gluttonous pig called Boris. You might spot very artistic photos of these animals dotted throughout the hotel taken by the wife of Christophe Dufossé, who is an avid photographer.

If you speak with the concierge team, they might be able to arrange a visit to a local farm which supplies the lamb to the restaurant. The Boulonnaise sheep is a hardy breed known for its tender pink meat and intense flavours.

The tasting menu at Château de Beaulieu is a showstopping extravaganza. Provenance is vital to Christophe, on the menu, you will find every producer and supplier listed. It is no surprise, that they’ve been awarded a green Michelin star too.

Dishes have a decadent slant from luscious foie gras to an umami-rich handpicked crabmeat topped with caviar. If you want the ultimate dining experience, book the chef’s table, where you pick the freshest market ingredients and the chefs cook based on your discerning choices.

Photo courtesy of Catherine Barrier

For more casual fare, there is the Côté Jardin brasserie with the eye-catching wood-fired outdoor barbecue area. They serve farmhouse pork chops from the local area accompanied by a homemade barbecue sauce.

Another Michelin-starred restaurant with fine accommodation to consider is One-Michelin starred, La liégeoise and Hotel Atlantic. It is based in the attractive seaside town of Wimereux. Here you can catch the most captivating of sunsets whilst admiring locals frolic on their compelling, sandy beach.

Photo courtesy of Sophie Stalnikiewicz

Whereas in British seaside towns, you might be thinking of fish and chips; here it is haute seafood. Dishes they serve include a quinoa risotto with razor clams, champignon and a charred until crispy royal sea bream.

There is an embarrassment of riches in terms of local food and drink producers to visit. You can visit Clairmarais beer brewery to sample abbey-style beers. Their beers are refreshingly light compared to their Belgian counterparts nearby. Although little remains of Clairmarais Abbey, you can still see the superb farm, which mostly dates back to the 17th century.

If you are a fan of Genièvre, you can visit Houlle distillery. It was founded in 1812 and is still run by the same family. There is a quaint, antique charm to the rustic nature of the distillery. They’ve been winning countless gin awards throughout the last few years. Although you’ll learn even though it is a juniper-flavoured traditional liquor, the taste can vary across the spectrum of gin to a whisky.

Cheese lovers should head to Les Freres Bernard. Apart from having a wide selection of local, artisan cheeses, you can visit their factory to see the production process. The recommended times to visit are Monday-Friday in the mornings. Provenance is also a key part of their process and you can see where their local cows come from.

They will be more than delighted to let you sample their offerings. The one to consider buying is the local speciality, Mimolette. It is a sharp but not overly powerful cheese with rich fruity and nutty notes. The cheese is famously banned in the US because of the presence of cheese mites.

There are numerous activities in the region which will appeal to the young and the not-so-young. A canal tour with Les Faiseurs de Bateaux along the Audomarois marshes is a must.

It is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. They have over 200 bird species, 13 bat species, 29 fish species and close to 400 plant varieties. The incredibly rich soil has meant locals have been cultivating in the area since the Middle Ages. Garlic, onions and hemp were the most popular crops.

A canal cruise can include a meal on board and a workshop, where you visit a shipyard of the last boat makers in the Audomarois marsh before boarding a bacôve.

Finally, before sailing back to the UK, you must make time to visit the Calais Dragon. The mechanical creation is a fire-breathing, water-spouting dragon machine. It was created by the theatre company La Machine in Nantes.

Photo courtesy of Marion Harmel

It is handled by at least 5 machinists and you can ride on top of the dragon for a 47-minute ride through the waterfront of Calais. There are other creatures in the design phase which will accompany the dragon in the future.

You can also enjoy lunch at the Dragon Shed with suitably themed burgers and mocktails to accompany your experience.

If you are looking for a short gastronomic break away from the UK, why would you not consider Pas-de-Calais? It is extremely easy to get to by ferry with the likes of DFDS.

For more information on the region, please visit –

www.visit-pas-de-calais.com

Just a quick hop on the subway and you will find yourself in Brooklyn. There are so many great eats across the East River, I simply could not leave Brooklyn out of this New York City guide.

Gair

Dumbo’s premier destination for elevated, distinctive cocktails, Gair serves locally-sourced, seasonally-inspired dishes in an unmatched environment. Located on Washington Street, guests can snap their iconic Manhattan Bridge photo before heading to Gair for delicious cocktails and appetizing share plates. My drink pick is the Mezcal based cocktail, Under the Influencer and you will want to order the Fried Chicken Sandwich. Conceptualized and owned by architectural designer and Dumbo local Kevin Cimini, Gair was developed to create an elegant yet approachable destination that serves as an oasis for its community, and an authentic New York experience for visitors.

Brooklyn

The Norm

The Norm’s food is inspired by the cultural diversity of the Brooklyn Museum’s namesake borough. The menu encourages a gastronomic exploration of the borough’s multi-cultural heritage, using local produce and global flavours. As it is a Great Performances restaurant, seasonal ingredients from the catering, hospitality and events company’s organic Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY are incorporated throughout the menu. While located in the Brooklyn Museum and designed to give guests the sense of dining within the cultural institution’s inner sanctum, The Norm can be accessed directly off the museum’s lobby without any admission payment.

elNico

Located on the 11th floor of The Penny Williamsburg, the name is derived from ancient Greek and Italian roots meaning “victory for the people.” At the helm, is emerging Chef Fernanda Serrano who comes to elNico after serving as executive sous chef at The NoMad London. A native of Mexico City, Serrano’s menu is a journey through her life, featuring casual, yet elegant colourful dishes that are rooted in her Mexican heritage. elNico is filled with colorful and unfussy elements that are both relaxing and bold, setting the stage for an elevated but approachable food and drink adventure.

Fandi Mata

Positioned in the heart of Williamsburg, Fandi Mata is a bi-level space featuring a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant downstairs, with a secluded mezcaleria upstairs. The rustic and industrial establishment is shielded by sky-high ceilings, with lush, verdant foliage and colorful mosaic accents giving an indoor-outdoor feel. On the ground level, the restaurant offers a seasonal, cross-continental menu, ranging from seafood-focused small plates and vegetable-driven mezze platters to hearty, spice-fueled mains. Meanwhile, on the second floor, an intimate mezcaleria, Little Oaxaca, brings a line-up of delicious and creative cocktails, crafted by bar industry veteran, Milos Zica.

The Osprey by Dan Churchill

The Osprey at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is pleased to announce its partnership with Dan Churchill, Australian performance chef, author, and CEO, to offer The Osprey by Dan Churchill, a brand-new dinner and brunch menu. The menu will prioritize creative, plant-forward, and locally inspired cuisine with a robust selection of Australian wines and beverage pairings. Every bite and beverage will spotlight indigenous ingredients, traditional cooking methodologies, and local customs that honour Australian culture and emphasize our shared desire to prioritize the wellbeing of the planet in everything we do.

Sustainability has always been a key ingredient at The Osprey—from supporting local farmers and growers to upcycling food scraps—and Churchill’s passion for healthy and sustainable cuisine makes this collaboration a seamless fit. He has mastered the art of designing flavorful meals that nourish the body, mind, and palate while minimizing food waste, uplifting the planet, and telling a beautiful story of culture and unification along the way.

Ainslie

Ainslie offers year-round dining in the heart of Williamsburg, with decor and a menu that enchants. Under the masterful guidance of Executive Chef John DeLucie, savor the sublime, from wood-fired pizzas that dance with charred perfection to succulent pastas, free-range chicken, New York Strip Steak, and Atlantic Salmon. Foodies who drop by on weekends can enjoy All You Can Drink Brunch, a delightful affair from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, that promises to elevate your senses and raise your spirits.

Isla & Co.

Nestled beside The William Vale in Williamsburg, this gastronomic haven beckons foodies with an Australian menu that traverses culinary boundaries while retaining its distinct essence, evolving with the seasons to tantalize your taste buds with signatures like Spicy Shrimp Vodka Rigatoni, and a supreme brunch spread. My pick is the Kangaroo Tucker (Australian rubbed Kangaroo skewered over herbed tahini, marinated cucumbers, pickled onions, fried lentils) and Crispy Halloumi (almond romesco, honey, Spanish dukkah) to share, with the Braised Lamb Shoulder (Swiss chard, crispy fingerlings, labneh, zhoug) as a main.

Little Rascal

A warm, intimate gathering place founded by brothers Halil and Öner Gündogdu, the cocktail list at Little Rascal features unexpected flavor combinations, classic techniques, and house-made ingredients led by world-renowned bartender Keith Larry. Try the Flaco and Audrey (Fundy Gin, preserved cherry blossom, chamomile cordial, London Essence, white peach soda, egg white), or the Dough of Existence (rum, soursop, lime juice, house-made falernum, avocado-pit orgeat, wormwood bitters). Add a Mediterranean-inspired plate or two (Fan-favorite Smoked Salmon Fattoush) to complete your visit at Little Rascal.

Slate Rooftop

Visit the Slate Rooftop above The POD Brooklyn Hotel (247 Metropolitan Avenue) for breathtaking, open-air views. The atmosphere pairs perfectly with an amazing menu of shareable bites, and frozen drinks from Executive Chef Darryl Harmon and Liquid Lab NYC. As the sun bids adieu, engage in an evening of spirited amusement with signature games like Sub Soccer and Giant Jenga, igniting the night with playful camaraderie.

Fornino

Experience the Fornino legacy and watch the sunset at their seasonally open Brooklyn Bridge location, a quaint rooftop at Pier 6, overlooking Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River. Chef Michael Ayoub’s masterfully crafted menu, found at Fornino’s year-round Greenpoint (849 Manhattan Ave.), and Time Out Market New York (55 Water Street) locations, provides a historical approach to delicious pizza with First Generation Neapolitan, Second Generation Regional Italian and Third Generation Original Fornino varieties made in a wood-burning oven plus salads, sandwiches and a comprehensive wine list.

The Springs

The Springs is a Palm Springs-inspired retro bar, lounge and massive patio located in Greenpoint at 224 Franklin St. Guests can come to chill, soak up the sun, and drink frozen Aperol Spritz cocktails on Monday – Friday beginning at 4 pm and Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 2 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests will be able to order small bites and Brioche Donuts from Eat with Nana NYC. The spot is also dog-friendly as long as you keep a leash on your furry friend.

Ten Hope (Temporarily Closed)

Ten Hope’s new brunch with bottomless brunch options is sure to delight taste buds and satisfy brunch cravings in Williamsburg. The brunch deal offers a generous 90 minutes of bottomless brunch for $35 per person with the purchase of just one entree. While their menu boasts an array of mouth-watering options, some standout items include their Mezze Platter with assorted Dips like Stuffed Mushroom and Babaganoush, the New England Crab Cakes, and the Chorizo Hash.

Just a quick hop on the subway and you will find yourself in Brooklyn. There are so many great finds across the East River, I simply could not leave Brooklyn out of this New York City guide.

Stay

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

A natural sanctuary located at waterfront on Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge stands right beside the East River and 5 blocks west of the Brooklyn Bridge Promenade. Set in a 10-story building, the hotel offers 195 guest rooms and 28 suites. While the hotel is great for work; there is 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, fully equipped with built-in sound and connectivity. The hotel is suitable for play as well. The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has Harriet’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge complete with a plunge pool and unobstructed views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. Looking to completely recharge? The Bamford Wellness Spa is devoted to nurturing the mind, body and spirit through a holistic approach to treatments.

Penny Williamsburg

In 2022, Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighbourhood welcomed Penny. The newest addition to the Sydell portfolio – creators of NoMad, Freehand, and LINE brands – Penny is the portfolio’s younger artist sibling with colorful interiors and a distinctive art collection by local neurodivergent artists. Penny is small in size, at 118 rooms but big at heart. The namesake is Sydell CEO and Founder, Andrew Zobler’s small chihuahua with a big personality. The rooms at Penny Williamsburg offer homey comfort with hardwood floors, kitchenettes, pour-over coffee systems with complimentary coffee, unlimited free filtered water (my necessity!) The hotel shares a building with beloved NY institution Bard College classrooms and dorms.

Hotel Indigo Williamsburg

Located near the Metropolitan Avenue subway station, you will find the Hotel Indigo Williamsburg. Kutnicki Bernstein Architects and Cl-oth Interiors drew from the surrounding culture to create a welcoming space within the ultra-contemporary structure. Artists, Fernando “Ski” Romero and the team at Flyrite Tattoo added their own touch to the property with bright murals and restaurant signage. Amenities include complimentary bicycles, a 24-hour fitness center and seasonal pool. Start your morning at the Lobby Coffee Bar and enjoy a fresh, local pastry and a hot coffee or tea. End your day overlooking the Manhattan skyline while enjoying Polynesian/Samoan inspired light bites on the fourth-floor terrace, Tatau.

Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg

Opened in March 2023, The Moxy Brooklyn Williamsburg is a 216-room boutique hotel overlooking the Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. The bright, airy rooms emphasize natural materials and space-saving design solutions, a large backyard garden provides a spot to unwind alfresco, and flexible co-working and meeting studios serve the needs of Brooklyn’s creative class. Food and beverage options include Mesiba, a festive, Tel Aviv–inspired restaurant serving Levantine cuisine; Bar Bedford, a destination cocktail bar and all-day café; Jolene Sound Room, an energetic lounge with a custom sound system; and finally LilliStar, an indoor/outdoor rooftop bar.

Nu Hotel Brooklyn 

Nu Hotel, located in Downtown Brooklyn’s vibrant Boerum Hill neighbourhood on Smith Street and Atlantic Avenue, is surrounded by Brooklyn’s premier cultural, retail and tourist attractions. The hotel offers 93 art-inspired rooms and suites, a fitness centre, lobby lounge featuring the NU Marketplace, complimentary daily continental breakfast and more. Special note – the Unban Suite comes complete with an in-suite hammock.

See

Parachute Literary Arts

Parachute Literary Art’s Coney Island Poetry Map is a free public poetry installation, featuring 25 original poems, created by Amanda Deutch, whose family lived in Coney Island for several generations. Founded in 2009, Parachute Literary Arts is a Coney Island based community arts organization.

Brooklyn Museum

Brooklyn Museum houses a huge permanent collection categorised by culture, as well as visiting exhibitions, with a current exhibition on Pablo Picasso (fifty years after his death) through a ‘critical, contemporary, and feminist lens’. While It’s Pablo-matic: Picasso According to Hannah Gadsby, is set to close on Sept 24, the Spike Lee: Creative Sources exhibit opens on October 7. The Brooklyn Museum is situated next to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and visitors can purchase discounted passes that allow them to tour both in the same day.

Brooklyn Academy of Music 

The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a multi-arts centre located in Brooklyn, and has been the home to adventurous artists, audiences and artists for 150 years. Returning after three years, the Next Wave Program returns, featuring some of the most fascinating artists in film, theatre, dance, opera and the visual arts. Check out all three different locations (Peter Jay Sharp, BAM Fisher and BAM Strong) for work celebrating both emerging and seasoned artists.

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APOTHEKE

A luxury home fragrance brand inspired by the unexpected beauty found in life’s simple pleasures. Founded in 2011 by Chrissy Fichtl, APOTHEKE is defined by craftsmanship and guided by passion, offering scents that are thoughtfully blended to elevate the everyday. Chrissy is self-taught in the beauty of essential oils and soap making, having begun by sourcing essential oils directly from farms and being “discovered” while selling at the famed Brooklyn Flea. 12+ years later, the candles and bar soaps remain handmade and poured in Red Hook, Brooklyn at their factory and flagship location with clean ingredients ensuring all products are sulfate and phthalate free, non-GMO, and vegan.

Rue Saint Paul

Rue Saint Paul is Brooklyn’s sustainable closet, offering new, rental, and pre-owned sustainable fashion. The first in Brooklyn. Kelly Wang, founder of Rue Saint Paul, is committed to helping reduce the fashion industry’s environmental footprint, promote ethical manufacturing, and drive responsible and circular consumption. Kelly’s hope is that one day sustainable fashion will just be fashion.

Catbird

The Catbird flagship shop has remained a longstanding Williamsburg neighborhood staple since 2004. Alongside Catbird’s signature jewelry including Forever Bracelets, shoppers can also find special home and beauty products too. Stop by for complimentary jewelry styling during your next Brooklyn visit.

Les Aimants

Les Aimants is a Brooklyn-based contemporary bridal designer with deep French roots. The collections are designed with a minimalist mindset creating timeless pieces for the modern bride. By using unique 3D technology, Les Aimants enables the customer to customize their design using the online builder and eases the bridal experience with accurate body measurements which removes the need for alterations and additional fees which so many brides experience.

PARADISED

This Brooklyn-based luxe women’s fashion brand is the epitome of laid-back vacation dressing with a street edge. Consisting of beachy color palettes and vibrant palm prints, these pieces effortlessly capture the tropical tranquility of white sandy beaches and the bold hues of blue water.

Velvet Caviar

Launched in February of 2014, from the founder Michelle Aran’s bedroom in NYC. Within months, the brand became a viral sensation across social media as people everywhere fell in love with their never-before-seen phone cases. Since then, they have grown into an amazing team based in Brooklyn, NY where they work consistently to release new styles and drops every month of phone cases & accessories such as phone grips, charms, air pod cases, battery packs and more.

The contrast could not be greater. Tai Kwun in Hong Kong was formerly the much-loathed Central Police Station, Magistracy and Victoria Prison. It was a symbol of the colonial times back when Great Britain ruled Hong Kong. Nowadays, it has been revitalised and reopened since 2018 as Tai Kwun. A centre of excellence for heritage and arts.

Located at 10 Hollywood Road, Central. It is mere steps away from the likes of Lan Kwai Fong and the business district. It is a minor miracle, that this prime real estate wasn’t sold off to developers but instead turned into a cultural hub for locals and tourists. Tai Kwun Contemporary is a non-profit visual arts program and they try to curate five to eight exhibitions each year to highlight socially relevant issues. This September, they will present “Killing TV”. It is a fascinating, brand-new exhibition on how modern-day artists deploy, disrupt, and deconstruct television as a medium. The different artists involved in the exhibition explore the themes of identity, consumerism, and human connection in society. This is often displayed in a tongue-in-cheek manner.

The venue is also a wonderful performing arts centre. Throughout September, they have the “Chilled Steps” concert series. In their fourth year, they previously the focus was on jazz music. However, this year, they’ve expanded to cover pop, folk, Western and Chinese music. Between September and October, they are also offering free film screenings of classic teen films from the 1950s to the 1980s. The carefully curated films show the youth of Hong Kong from a bygone era as they embrace the increasing influence of Western culture.

A significant part of the Tai Kwun experience is about the heritage of the site. The former Central Police Station compound had more than 170 years of history. This is brought back to life for the audiences of today through interactive tours, heritage storytelling areas, eclectic education programmes and focused heritage exhibitions. The guided tours are 45 minutes long, in Cantonese, English or Putonghua. It runs twice a day Monday – Friday and three times a day during the weekends. It is also free of charge. They have an insightful behind-the-scenes online section on their website where you can visit the hidden gems of the site. You can see the secret underground passage to the Central Magistracy or see how the compound was once a WWII Air Raid Shelter.

Of course, it isn’t all about education and learning. Tai Kwun is also a great venue to savour gastronomic delights, sample innovative cocktails and shop at independent boutique stores. One of the most Instagrammable restaurants in Hong Kong is based in Tai Kwun, Madame Fù Grand Café Chinois. The refined, colonial decor is matched by tantalising dishes such as sautéed diced Angus beef with Yunnan chilli and garlic. Their free-flowing dim sum offering during lunchtime Monday – Thursday is always popular with locals and tourists alike. The art noveau-inspired, Dragonfly bar offers some of the most innovative cocktails in town. Expect to sip on the likes of Hi Lazies, which contains Irish whisky, pineapple, lime, pimento liqueur, orgeat and baby spinach. It might sound peculiar but their talented mixologists know how to serve up a winning concoction.

Numerous world-class art galleries are also based at Tai Kwun such as Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery and Ora-Ora. The former focuses on 20th-century French art and modern and contemporary art in Asia. While the latter sell groundbreaking, modern art pieces from across the globe. There are also numerous boutique shops on offer such as Pap Studio which sells handmade Turkish-inspired lamps and Touch Ceramics which sells beautifully crafted and handmade ceramics and porcelains.

Although it only opened in 2018, Tai Kwun has rapidly developed into a must-visit destination for tourists when they visit Hong Kong.

For more information on Tai Kwun, please visit –

https://www.taikwun.hk/en/

The grande dame of luxury 5-star hotels in London, The Landmark has recently undergone a major £1.3m refurbishment. Part of that project is to launch a brand-new luxury Champagne Bar. It is on a mezzanine level on their famous garden terrace. The vision of tropical palm trees and the eight-storey-high glass atrium recalls a bygone era of glamour and high society. The Champagne bar designed by Alex Kravetz Design is created to blend in with the luxurious surroundings. The main bar is hidden under a foliage-laden glasshouse. The furnishings have a mixture of vibrant greens, blues, and gold that transports you to the Jazz Age era.

Accentuating that imagery is their High Seas High Tea offering. The hotel offers a traditional afternoon tea at their famous Winter Garden Restaurant but at the Champagne Bar, it is very much seafood-focused. It is available every Saturday and Sunday between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm. You will also hear the melodic piano sounds emanating from the Victorian Winter Garden atrium. They use the term ‘sandwiches’ but what is served up at the beginning is more tartlets of umami delights from the sea. They offer a tartlet of Scottish lobster, a tartlet of poached langoustine, salmon pastrami, Cornish white crab and yellowfin tuna. Focusing on local produce, the freshness of the seafood is top-notch. The salmon and tuna exuded healthy omega-3 fattiness, whilst the shellfish had a gentle sweetness when you bite into the firm, fresh meat. Each creation has been carefully crafted to maximise the flavours of the seafood. For example, the yellowfin tuna is served with ponzu, black sesame, toasted rye, and fennel butter. The citrus notes from the ponzu are a match made in heaven with the enticing tuna.

The fruity flavours were very much in evidence with their scones and desserts. The scones were either freshly baked apple or raisin scones. All the condiments you would ever need were present from clotted cream to a plethora of jams. The options included Bergeron apricot, London marmalade, strawberry, rhubarb, redcurrant & vanilla and raspberry deluxe. Each scone was generously sized and I have no doubt, they would offer you a refill if you asked.

The desserts were exquisitely presented with a parade of appetising colours. If you are looking for something subtle and delicate, there is the tartlet of nectarine, ginger, mascarpone and raspberry gel. The nectarines were sliced with military precision and presented in an intricate rose shape. If you are looking for textural variety, there is the black cherry and pistachio bakewell. The key is all the creations were sweet without being overbearing. And they do offer boxes for you to take away anything you can’t finish. They only use the finest of ingredients from Valrhona dark chocolate in their choux to English strawberries in their Swiss rolls.

The tea offering also shines brightly in this regal afternoon tea experience. They have green teas, herbal teas, oolong tea and white tea. That includes very high-end options such as Snow Buds white tea. which is high-altitude-grown white tea made entirely of silver-haired tea buds. That creates an elegant, sweet-flavour profile with delicate vegetal notes.

The afternoon tea is available at £75pp or £88pp with a glass of Ruinart Champagne Brut.

If you visit in the evenings, they do still offer seafood-focused small plates, as well as heritage tomato tart and British cheese plates. They also serve a caviar selection that ranges from platinum caviar to the rare, golden oscietra. They have a lengthy Champagne selection that includes on the top end, Krug, Grande Cuvée MV. They can offer a Taittinger Champagne flight, which is 100ml per glass which is great if you want to pair your glass of bubbly with your seafood.

If you want to impress friends or family with a special treat, do consider inviting them to a High Seas High Tea at The Landmark London.

To find out more about the afternoon tea, please visit

https://www.landmarklondon.co.uk/dining/champagne-bar/

The first thing I noticed setting foot into Martinhal Lisbon Oriente was the fragrance. Deep but light; warming and calming. It was instantly inviting and straight away made me feel happy to be there. The kind of feeling that automatically eases your shoulders down an extra inch and is an indication of the relaxed elegance that permeates the hotel. Smiling welcomes from each of the staff, plus the eye-catching art from local artists dotted around the lobby all added to the feeling of a laid back yet fun lux and I knew that I was in for a great mini-break.

Invited as part of a press trip to visit the newest Martinhal property, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, located in the Parque das Nações district in the east of Lisbon; an area of the city that has been gradually building a reputation for culture; street art, the Oceanarium, a plethora of restaurants and bars and of course the famous cable cars that run parallel to the river past the Water Gardens. In contrast to the historical old town, Parque das Nações is modern, cool and urban.

I usually reside in the tranquil and lush rolling hills in the heart of the beautiful English countryside but from time to time I enjoy a change of pace – a bit of adventure, perhaps a little sun, a bit of experiencing another culture, and it goes without saying, exploring new foods so I leapt at the opportunity to pack my laptop, swimsuit and sunglasses to head to Lisbon, one of the coolest cultural capitals of Europe. In 2018 I spent a week exploring the south of Portugal and ever since Lisbon has been high on my travel list; the climate, the food, the architecture, the history, did I mention the food? Pastel de nata! Salt cod! Cherry liquor!

The first port of call upon arrival was to sit in the garden of the restaurant, Terrace, for coffee, cake and local pastries. Newly constructed as a living building with foliage inside and out, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is an Oasis within a city boasting panoramic views of the vast river and Europe’s longest bridge. The Terrace has a huge open kitchen where you can see the chefs preparing the fresh menus daily. Taking the theme of being in the eastern part of the city, the menus are based around the concept of “looking east” with lots of fusion from the Middle East, India and Asia – and of course, lots of daily caught seafood. Mesmerised, I watched a chef roll sushi – which then to my absolute delight was served to our table. At lunch I chose the pan fried stone bass on a base of quinoa mixed with avocado and green mango, cut in a brunoise with surgical precision which was every bit as good as it sounds. As a chef who loves dining out, it’s important to me that food delights on the plate – you have to enjoy the dish before you take the first mouthful; a mantra clearly shared by Terrace’s kitchen team. Over the weekend I also ate such delights as Thai beef salad, spiced broccoli pakora, burrata with pineapple chutney and honey, black cod with pak choi that was accompanied by a moreish miso sauce poured at the table, veggie spring rolls, chicken satay skewers. Even the on site baked bread came with hummus, labneh and flavoured oils. The food throughout the trip was consistently flawless, whatever meal of the day it was. With a wide selection of local wine on the menu and seasonal cocktails available in addition to juices, smoothies and non alcoholic cocktails – everyone is thoughtfully catered for which seems to be the MO of the Martinhal brand.

Historically designed for families, Martinhal put connection at the heart of everything they do; for parents on holiday with their children, being able to relax and reconnect mean their children are also relaxed. No matter the age; from the trampoline outside in the garden to the organised activities and babysitting services, there are a plethora of things to do and everything has been thought of. As someone without children, a “family friendly” hotel wouldn’t necessarily be my first choice for a holiday but interestingly, I found Martinhal Lisbon Oriente more grown up and slick than venues not designed for families – quite simply because the way Martinhal have curated this niche is so successful that in comparison to other places where children are left feral to run around screaming, burning off their energy, here both the family unit and the individuals the unit consists of are considered meaning in fact I barely noticed that there actually were children around and among the slick furniture, the neon art and the sun loungers.

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is slightly different to its other properties in Lisbon and Portugal in that The Parque das Nações district itself is relatively new. Having been purpose built for the World Exposition in 1998 the area has a lot of business travellers plus people from all over Portugal and the world for events at the Altice Arena and again, the thoughtful details, the commitment to connection, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente have built a full business suite, including glass soundproof pods, for digital nomads like me who just want to explore the world while working.

We spent time as a group being looked after and touring not only the Parque das Nações but the old town as well. From the hotel, you can easily reach by foot the second largest aquarium in Europe, a fantastic private boat tour to Belém where if you’re as lucky as us you may glimpse dolphins in the Tagus River as you sip on a glass of Vino Verde and even get to wear the Captain’s Hat as you take on the role of skipper (which I highly recommend for a memorable Instagram moment!). You can participate in street art walking tours and walk to a multitude of restaurants – though you could easily eat every meal for a week at Terrace and never feel that your inner epicure is missing out. A short car ride away you can be in the historical centre browsing little boutiques, marvelling at the architecture and snacking on pasteis de nata or salt cod fritters with a side of chilled white port.

While having dinner at the other Lisbon based Martinhal property, Martinhal Chiado, I sat next to Roman, one half of the husband and wife team behind the brand who talked to me at length about the connection that they are trying to nurture and the importance of quality time, be it as part of a family on holiday, or a digital nomad taking advantage of technology and the freedoms it can afford. The rooms are furnished with kitchens and even washing hidden away machines in the rooms bringing an extra level of freedom and flexibility and making it perfect for long or short term stays.

At the Oceanarium there was a sign quoting “nothing lasts, nothing’s finished, nothing’s perfect” and isn’t that life itself in a nutshell; always in motion, the sands of time rushing away. The best we can hope for is to find moments to build memories; to strengthen connection; to each other, to the land, to the food on our plates. And as a foundation for that desire, Martinhal Lisbon Oriente is about as close to perfect as it is possible to get.

https://www.martinhal.com/locations/residences/

Martinhal Lisbon Oriente offer rooms from studios to suites perfect for short and long term stays for solo travellers, families and world explorers

#ICYMI there is a certain Barbie movie releasing this week starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling.

But the question remains, where would Barbie stay on her summer vacation?

Check out this collection of hotel rooms and suites from Florida to London, perfect to paint your vacation pink:

Travellers dreaming of pink and white Barbie-core charm, exceptional weather, and beautiful beaches should look no further than the chic Cobblers Cove, one of the Caribbean’s finest and much-loved family-owned hotels. Renowned for its quintessentially elegant interiors, secluded beachside spot and Caribbean charm, Cobblers Cove has long since been a Barbados favorite with international travelers and locals alike. At the heart of this intimate beachside retreat is the iconic kidney-shaped pool, lined with the synonymous Cobblers Cove pink and white striped parasols and luxuriously comfortable loungers. The distinctive 1950’s style pool transforms guests to a golden age of glamour, combined with the easy breezy charm of the Caribbean way of life.

This picture-perfect pink Executive Junior Suite at The Lanesborough is a palatial pad that forms part of The Presidential Suite – an elegant accommodation on the hotel’s first floor. It is bathed in a Barbie-approved, highly Instagrammable powder pink palette with an expansive bathroom, featuring a jacuzzi bath and Roja Parfums amenities, while also boasting views of Wellington Arch. A pre-arrival form for guest’s preferences means a chilled bottle of Moët Rosé Champagne and a pink hued Victoria Sponge can be waiting upon arrival. For the ultimate Barbie themed sleepover in the dreamy suite, children’s parties can be decked out with chic pink teepees and balloons.

And so to The Coral Room, a bar like no other set in the heart of Bloomsbury. As bold and lacquered as Barbie herself, the walls of The Coral Room gleam with luscious candy-colored hues of coral, reflecting the glistening chandeliers. At this chic bar at The Bloomsbury you can imagine Barbie slipping into a cocktail dress and passing away hours at the grand salon bar. Pair the experience with a Strawberry Blonde cocktail: a pink affair with ripe strawberries and aromatic notes of bergamot, lavender, camomile, and lemon balm.

Raffles Udaipur’s spa is a pretty-in-pink sanctuary for guests to relax and rejuvenate through a combination of traditional and modern healing practices. Influenced by the treatises of Ayurveda, holistic personalized treatments are thoughtfully created to remedy any imbalances in the life-forces or doshas of our guests while guiding them towards true relief. Therapies have been designed with an emphasis on sustainable practices to preserve the ecology of the region, whenever and wherever possible. The spa consists of a private relaxation area, six therapy rooms and suites, an outdoor leisure pool and a Jacuzzi. Raffles Spa also features a relaxation area where guests can enjoy a barbie-dreamlike calm.

Reopened in November 2022 after a $65million transformation, The Boca Raton’s iconic 27-story pink Tower has been entirely redesigned from ground to sky by the renowned architecture and design firm, Rockwell Group. Paying homage to the pink hues of Boca Raton, Tower’s exterior has been refreshed to a light Coastal Pink, giving a fresh take on the Barbie Dreamhouse, and features 224 spacious suites and guest rooms, each with flexible configurations – from adjoining suites to entire floor takeovers. Highlights include an NFT art collection that displays in the Tower Lobby, a listening lounge with crafted headphones by premium audio brand Master & Dynamic, a classic games area and an exclusive book-lending library curated in partnership with Assouline. Set amongst 200 lake and oceanfront acres, guests are invited to experience a brand-new offering ranging from exceptional accommodations, extraordinary culinary concepts, a private golden beach, the 50,000sq ft Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, Racquet Club, Pool Club and much more.

Within Hôtel Madame Rêve’s titular suite hides the quintessential pink palace for Barbies from all around the world to get ready. Designed with chic Parisian sensibility, this gorgeous bathroom in the Madame Rêve Suite boasts a pixelated pink mosaic providing the perfect backdrop for guests to get dolled up in true Barbie style. With a central location in the 1st arrondissement, Hôtel Madame Rêve provides everything Barbies (and Kens!) need for a perfect stay in Paris. Soaring vantage points of the City of Lights at the rooftop bar ROOF, in-room views of the Eiffel Tower, and beautiful terraces at the Japanese-inspired restaurant La Plume Rive Droite provide the most Instagrammable spots in the French Capital. Meanwhile, Madame Rêve’s recent partnership with the Louvre turns this legendary museum into an art-lover’s ‘dream house’, taking guests on a guided tour showcasing artworks and installations inspired – literally – by dreams. With so much to see and do, Hôtel Madame Rêve provides the perfect Parisian pad to unleash the Barbie in you.

Enter a chic world of art and fashion at 5 star hotel Hotel De L’Europe in their Amsterdam Fashion Week Suite. Curated by acclaimed stylist and Amsterdam Fashion Week initiator, Danie Bles, lovers of couture will be able to experience a truly unique stay in this fantasy-like waterfront accommodation. Find Danie’s personal favorites throughout the suite and discover exquisite vintage designer clothing for you to wear during your stay or keep in your very own Bydanie designer vintage wardrobe. Kick back and relax while going through fashion books or taking in the fashion photography that adorns the suite walls. During your stay it is also possible to schedule a personal fashion styling consultation on request. End your day by indulging in a fabulous bubble bath surrounded by a vibrant and playful pink ambiance. The Amsterdam Fashion Week Suite promises both an enjoyable and unforgettable stay to make your Barbie dreams come true!