Hotels & Spas - House Of Coco Magazine

Beauty November 9, 2023

Make self care your 2019 resolution at this Greek Paradise

Now that winter is in full swing, we’ve got our eyes on sunnier destinations. If you’re looking at the good old holiday counter and browsing for your own place in the sun, then definitely check out the new Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso.

With stunning views of the sparkling Gulf of Aegina, and with one of the biggest spas in Europe, the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso is the perfect getaway to relax and rejuvenate in the heart of the Athenian Riviera.

In ancient Greek the word ‘thalasso’ means ‘sea’ and the word ‘therapia’ means treatment — and so Thalassotherapy uses the healing powers of the sea to create a series of wellness treatments that are not only utterly refreshing, but also use mineral-rich ocean ingredients to really give you that all natural Mediterranean glow. Sounds lush? Well, the Divani Apollon Palace & Thalasso resort has the biggest Thalassotherapy centre in Greece (the only one in Athens might I add) if you’re in the mood for some much needed pampering, definitely an lose yourself to the healing powers of the sea.

Outside the spa, the hotel also offers holistic wellbeing packages that include consultations, private training sessions, and fitness regiments. Perfect if you’re feeling inspired to add some much needed self-care into 2019.

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Escape to the Château: A Weekend of Adventure in the Dordogne

Here at House of Coco we love far-flung escape and the growing trend for secret travel but we can’t ignore that our budgets don’t always stretch to the luxe long-haul break we crave or that our boss is always happy to sign off… bienvenue en France, a dreamy destination closer to home where a long weekend can take you to another world.

‘But the English, you have cheese after dessert, what madness?!’ is not necessarily the heated conversation I expected to have with a sommelier in a historic castle a mere 15-minutes drive from a markedly less luxurious campsite that I lived in one summer, learning French. Yet, there I was, dressed up for dinner at the stunning Château de la Treyne, overlooking the Dordogne river, my base for a long weekend of rediscovering the region. My grubby shared staff tent had been upgraded to the breathtaking Dordogne Master Suite with a terrace overlooking said river. If only my fellow kids camp animatrices could see me now.

The Château de la Treyne is part of the Relais & Châteaux family, meaning I was already dreaming of the luxe that awaited on our drive from Toulouse airport deep into the historical heart of France. Driving along in the mist of a November afternoon, the castle appears across the river, the tyres crunched over manicured gravel and the scent of delicious candles entered our noses as we were greeted by co-owner Stéphanie Gombert over a glass of fizz in the dark wood bar, in front of a crackling fire. Feeling not unlike a traditional Disney princess, I had arrived at my castle, butterflies in my stomach, drinking in the classic romance of it all.

You could very easily spend a week on and around the Château de la Treyne property itself with its heated infinity pool, extensive gardens, tennis court and walks across 120 hectares of private forests. But what would be better is to wake early to the ducks and mist over the river for a stroll around the gardens and a sumptuous, locally prepared breakfast, before heading out to explore

The beauty of this region of France is that it pretty much ticks all the boxes for reasons why you would visit France at all. Great food? Oui. Beautiful villages? Bien sûr. Nature’s finest? Exactement. A short drive from the Château will bring you to the medieval town of Sarlat, so well protected from modern life that you’ll be forgiven for going full-on Belle and wishing bonjour in a sing-song voice to everyone you pass. You’ll likely get some funny looks but, like I say, I reckon they’ll forgive you.

We drove into town on Saturday, market day, and it was buzzing with food and craft stalls – some more authentic than others and plenty of the town’s most famous produce – vegetarians and vegans please look away now – foie gras. With so much history, the town is packed with sights to see and museums to enter but the best experience has to be from taking winding cobbled streets at random and seeing where you end up. I entered the town with one vague aim, to track down the Bordeaux speciality, canelés and was rewarded with a dinky one on the end of a pick in my bière, sat in the winter sunshine outside Lemoin Canelé.

In fact, by hitting the road in this area you can visit numerous well preserved, evocative towns with towering castles like Beynac which you might recognise from the film Chocolat, Saint Cirque Lapopie which is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful towns in France and of course, the jaw-dropping Rocamadour teetering on a cliff edge, best seen at night as the lights sparkle. With deep religious and historical importance to many of the towns in the area, exploring the Dordogne region is a step away from modernity as development is fiercely controlled and tourism centres around what’s already there and not inventing new cheesy tourist traps.

A great example of where technology has been embraced to enhance the existing attraction is Lascaux 4 (24290 Montignac, lascaux.fr) which opened in 2016 at the foot of the hill where the original Lascaux was discovered back in 1940. The striking modern building mimics the landscape behind it and houses a replica of the original cave complete with the temperature, air pressure, scents and sounds from when it was discovered and became the most famous example of Palaeolithic cave paintings in the world.

In fact, a lot of the exploring to be done in the region is underground and you’re spoilt for choice with nearly every town including a cave attraction but don’t tuck into your evening cheese board without experiencing the epic Gouffre de Padirac (46500 Padirac, gouffre-de-padirac.com). On arriving at the Gouffre you’ll first be hit by the immensity of the chasm to the outside. Step by step, you’ll enter another world as the temperature drops and the light fades and you reach the floor, ready to enter the cave and onto a magical boat tour of the subterranean river. On our visit, we caught the last boat trip of the day meaning we had the awe-inspiring cave pretty much all to ourselves, which was incredible. Well, until a well-meaning staff member turned the lights out on clocking off…

Driving back to the stunning Château we were all quiet in contemplation at the wonders we’d taken in over just a short weekend and only a few hours from home. While we were staying at hand’s down the most incredible hotel in the region, the exploration of that luxe property and their flawless Michelin starred restaurant menu was only part of this seductive adventure. I can’t wait to escape to the Château de la Treyne again in warmer months for kayaking down the Dordogne, long walks and sundowners sat on the terrace, dreaming of upping sticks like Dick and Angel and starting my own romantic French adventure.

Where to stay:

We stayed at the stunning Château de la Treyne (chateaudelatreyne.com , phone: +33(0) 5.65.27.60.60 , email: treyne@relaischateaux.com) in Lacave where unique luxury suites start from 200 Euros a night.

If you are travelling with a group, the family behind Château de la Treyne also rent out the jaw-dropping 4 bedroom 14th Century Château de Bastit (chateaudubastit.com) only a 10-minute walk across the main property so you can have your family gathering and pop to the main Chateau for dinner.

Not far from either Château you’ll find the family’s 17th Century period property which sleeps 10 people for a week of relaxation and exploration (chartreusedecales.com)

Dog-friendly November 9, 2023

#TeamCocopup: Doggy Afternoon Tea at the Egerton House Hotel

This week’s dog-friendly adventure takes us to Knightsbridge, for a doggy afternoon tea at the Egerton House Hotel. Just a stone’s throw away from the iconic facade of Harrods, and a quick walk from the V&A and the Natural History Museum, the Egerton House Hotel is the best spot to spend a lavish afternoon in town for both mums and pooches.

As House of Coco’s official doggie journalist, Team Coco pup Charlie has explored plenty of dog-friendly places in London, but nowhere reaches the same level of puppy-pampering as The Egerton House Hotel. Part of the impeccable Red Carnation Hotel Group, the Egerton House Hotel exudes all of the essential charms of a luxury British hotel, balanced with the warm familiarity of a family run establishment. Before Charlie could do the proverbial shake, and excited tail-wagging, Andiswa, the Egerton House’s operations manager was already greeting us with a warm smile and some necessary fuss. She then led us to their beautiful Ivory hued Drawing Room, and to a table right by their exquisite bay window. While London winter did its worst outside, inside we were getting warm and cosy as Charlie settled into his perfect little doggie blanket and from the Egerton House Hotel.

Before digging into the perfectly baked scones, we started with a brief history of afternoon tea, and learned about how it is inextricably linked to British life. From traditional loose leaf teas, to minimal asian flavours, and even some show-stopping herbal infusions; the Egerton House Hotel has something for even the most discerning tea connoisseur. No afternoon tea would be complete without a selection of delectable sandwiches and pastries, and the Egerton House Hotel’s menu certainly doesn’t disappoint. The delectable sandwiches included organic smoked salmon on freshly baked Cape seed loaf (my personal favourite), roast ham and English mustard, and coronation chicken on granary bread among other British classics. On the sweeter end of the spectrum, the homemade cakes included a perfectly balanced carrot cupcake, lemon and poppyseed layered cake, coffee and walnut gateaux, and some lovely plain and fruit scones too. And while I enjoyed a glass of champagne with my afternoon tea, Charlie enjoyed a three course doggy menu of his own — also served in doggie-themed three-tiered tea stand.

This very special doggy menu comprises of homemade chicken and beef meatloaf, freshly baked dog biscuits, and some pure fruit doggie ice cream, not to mention some pup-friendly PAW-secco too — now that’s VIP (Very important Pet) treatment. Beyond the fresh food and beautiful environment, what makes Egerton House Hotel special is the absolutely faultless service. Because here, they welcome every guest like a VIP (even the four-legged ones)

The Egerton House Hotel’s Doggy Afternoon Tea surely gets five paws from Charlie, and we shall definitely be returning. If not for more cakes, then definitely for a luxury puppy staycation. You can rest assured that your pet will be treated like a king, from top to tail.

The Doggy Afternoon tea at The Egerton House Hotel is £45 per person and £25 per pooch. Afternoon Tea is served daily from 12pm to 6pm. The Egerton House Hotel also offers Vegetarian and Vegan options. For more information visit www.egertonhousehotel.com

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Sandy Dunes and Salty Air; off-the-beaten-track in Ibiza

With memories of sticky club nights at Manumission, fry-ups in the sunshine and an ill-fated hungover scooter ride from my last trip just over a decade ago, we dipped over the impossibly blue sea and landed in Ibiza. This time, however, I was to avoid singing Vengaboys as much as possible as we were off to explore the blissed out, bohemian side of the legendary isle.

A mecca for free-spirits since the 1950s, Ibiza’s hippy culture is still alive and the sound of drums at sunset increase the further you get away from the Brits abroad buzz of San Antonio. If you’re looking to kick back and focus on your well-being and meditation for a few days, read on. If you are hitting the clubs this summer and just want some hangover cure activities, the following should clear your mind and cleanse your spirit of the shots of the night before.

Tranquil Northern Ibiza

With the island only 40km long, staying far from the madding crowd couldn’t be easier. We stayed at the adults only (but not THAT kind of adults only, as I kept telling my friends) Barceló Portinatx (Venda de Portinatx, 62 barcelo.com ) resort in the north of the island just a 40-minute scenic drive from the airport. Take hand luggage only and you’ll be off the plane and by the pool in no time.

All the rooms in this bright and spacious hotel come with terraces with sun loungers allowing you to sunbathe in complete tranquillity if you just don’t have the energy to expend to pop down to one of the resort’s two pools or even the secluded beach, only 20m away.

The setting couldn’t be more idyllic with stunning sunsets and sunrises above the Portinatx cove which stood in for a much further flung island in the late ’50s film version of South Pacific. In fact, sitting in the hotel’s beachfront Noray restaurant with a goblet of G&T, guitar duo playing and the sky turning pink, it’s hard to believe that you can get here on a budget airline and no jetlag. You could just come to the island for some R&R and you wouldn’t have to go far with the tranquil outdoors Wellness Centre at Barceló Portinatx, with an almond oil massage and experience showers to jump into in between dips in the pool and a complimentary yoga class with views of the Balearic. But, this is the adventure issue so no lounging around for #TeamCoco… okay, maybe just a little bit with a mooch around the stunning true Ibiza feel shop/bar Los Enamorados (103, Calle de Portinatx, losenamoradosibiza.com) with a sundowner cocktail.

Portinatx is located in Sant Joan de Labritja and is the only true tourist resort in this region meaning that a short trip from this coastline you can lose yourself down dusty roads lined with fincas and their lemon groves. The village of Sant Joan is dreamily referred to as ‘the last village’ of the island with its white-walled houses with colourful doors begging you to sit in the sun with a cerveza or explore their artisan market every Sunday.

The village is home to a number of quirky small businesses, like intriguing coffee house-shop-hairdresser Los Otros (Carrer de Sa Cala 15, Sant Joan De Labritja losotrosibiza.com). Pop in for beautiful gifts and a trim and stay for their legendary veggie pink burger from chef Mirjam, author of popular veggie cookbook ‘Veggie Very Much’. After your healthy lunch and retail therapy pop to The Giri Cafe’s garden (Plaza España 5, cafe.thegiri.com ) for a few cheeky sun-drenched afternoon cocktails in the shade of their centuries-old townhouse.

There’s hidden magic to this island everywhere you look. The village of Sant Joan celebrates its patron, Saint John The Baptist on 23rd June with a riotous party with fireworks and bonfires. During the festivities, you can ward away evil spirits by noting down all the negative things that have happened to you in the previous year in a list and chucking it in a bonfire. Then, set intentions for the next year with a new list of goals.

Hippy Heaven

While many of the full-moon free-spirit partiers may have moved on from the hedonism of the ’70s, there are still authentic glimpses into nomadic life around, especially in the north of the island. Parked up in the dusty sand, in the shadow of pine trees in Portinatx, every morning you’ll find traveller couples enjoying breakfast on the rocks and sweeping out their vans. As the sun sets on a Sunday evening, if you are lucky, you’ll catch groups of them drumming on the beach here and also at nearby Benirrás Beach. Apparently, this tradition dates from ‘The Day of The Drums’ on Sunday 18th August 1991 when hundreds of people gathered to protest the Gulf War.

You won’t have to go far before stumbling over ‘authentic hippy souvenirs’ but take these with a pinch of salt. It’s not really the free-spirit way to have things mass produced for a profit. However, to soak up some of the atmosphere of the ’70s it’s definitely worth grabbing a cold one and losing yourself in Ibiza’s original hippy market, Es Cana in Punta Arabi, 10am – 8pm every Wednesday or the famous night market at Las Dalias which runs until 1am on Mondays and Tuesdays throughout the summer months. The scents, sights and sounds of these markets will transport you back in time and have you considering all manner of floaty clothes that you’ll then attempt to work into your office attire when back home. A boyfriend blazer works over all kinds of maxi-dresses, trust me.

If you can’t peel yourself away from your sun lounger to make it to the full hippy market experience, check out WorldFamilyIbiza.com – the family-run free-spirited brand which has expanded from Las Dalias market to, fittingly, the world with their colourful collections.

Exploring the seas

You can’t come to Ibiza and not take the opportunity to get out in the sparkling sea. The clear water is thanks to the protected meadows of oceanic seagrass and you won’t believe the turquoise translucency of the water as you come into Formentera by boat. There are a number of larger boats which travel across from the port in Ibiza town but for a true sense of adventure chartering a smaller boat is definitely recommended from the luxe Marina Botafach. Leisurely floating along, hearing tales of pirates, spying luxury yachts that Robert DeNiro has rocked up on and even glimpsing a dolphin, you can see why people have flocked to these magical islands for decades.

Formentera is the smallest and most southernly Balearic island with bright white sands and out of this world blue sea and sky. It’s not hard to see why Bob Dylan and Janis Joplin embraced spending time here in the ’60s and Cara and Leonardo can be found losing themselves in these pinch-me-I-must-be-dreaming surroundings. Arrive here and grab a bicycle or scooter to explore your way, with beautiful beaches all around the coast and wall-to-wall sunshine, choose your adventure. From beach chiringuitos where you can grab snacks to the unmissable homemade vanilla ice-cream at the stunning Es Moli De Sal restaurant on Playa de Illetas, there will be plenty of instagrammable treats on the way.

Hidden Gems

Still got a hankering for more of magical, bohemian Ibiza? In the South of the island is the impressive towering island of Es Vedra where Tanit, the goddess of love and fertility is believed to have lived. It’s also where the sirens who lured Odysseus from his ship lived according to local legend and claims to be the third most magnetic spot in the world, just behind the North Pole and Bermuda Triangle. If that wasn’t enough mystery for you, it’s also said to be the tip of the sunken city of Atlantis. The location of this Atlantis is supposedly secret but if you are feeling adventurous, follow the track down towards Sa Pedrera (the cove’s non-new-age name), it’s a steep journey but one that will reward you with carvings and paintings left by the nomads before you.

Where to stay…

We travelled to Ibiza with British Airways and stayed in a Superior Room with Ocean View at the Barceló Portinatx (barcelo.com) including the gorgeous breakfast buffet.

The team at the hotel will be happy to arrange transfers and taxis to and from the hotel to help you explore off-the-beaten-track Ibiza.

Hotels & Spas November 9, 2023

Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa: A Paradise in a world of it’s own

Team Coco checked into Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa for a week of unrivalled tropical luxury. From lounging in our own private water villas, to sipping coconuts beachfront, farm-to-plate dining, and even sailing yachts among spinner dolphins; we’re letting our inner island girl free and living our best life at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.

A picture is worth a thousand words – and so what better way to give you some mid-week travel inspiration than by sharing our own visual diary of our dreamy trip to the Maldives? We’ll just leave these here.

The Water Villas

Think natural wood interiors, a seductively comfortable king-sized bed, and a bathroom that’s bigger than a Victorian semi-detached. The Water Villas are exactly what our travel dreams are made of. Enjoy some in-room dining on your veranda, and lounge on a hammock-directly suspended from the sea. Have a soak in your oversized oval bath tub, or better yet shower outdoors. Trust us, there’s nothing more liberating.

Dining by Design

The resort has three restaurants, and each one has its own distinct personality, but if you’re looking for a truly bespoke culinary experience — try the Shangri-La’s Dine by Design. Fancy having lunch on the equator? A barbecue in your villa? Or maybe even a dinner in the Chef’s garden? Then let the Shangri-La’s expert chefs create an unforgettable dining experience just for you. We tried their new farm-to-plate dining experience, which began with picking our choice of island grown ingredients from the chef’s garden, followed by a visit to the neighbouring town of Meedhu.

A Traditional take on Wellness

Hidden amidst large banyan trees and tropical shrubbery, CHI, The Spa has eleven spacious treatment villas, two meditation pavilions, and a yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean. We tried the Kandu Boli Ritualmassage. This traditional treatment is a soothing body and face massage, where coconut oil is rubbed on you with a hot cowrie shell – absolute relaxation.

Eco-luxury at it’s finest

At the Eco-Centre, marine biologists take guests on nature trails, while dive-masters guide diving enthusiasts across the Addu Attol’s best kept snorkel gardens. After doing our part for the environment and planting some coral in the resort’s coral farm; We went on a snorkelling excursion just a 30 minute boat ride away from the island, and swam amongst incredible aquatic wildlife and coral — even spotting some sea turtles along the way.

Sailing with the dolphins

From jungle treks and golf to coral planting and sea-bobbing, here’s plenty to do at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. We highly recommend venturing away from the resort’s many luxuries — and jumping onboard a Yacht for a sunset cruise like no other.During our brief expedition out to sea — we were greeted by large and friendly groups of Spinner dolphins, racing with our boat’s bow, and showing off with some pretty impressive flips too!

Room rates at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa are from US$645 (approx. £501) per night. This is based on double occupancy and includes all taxes and fees. To book, please visit www.shangri-la.com/male/villingiliresort or call 0800 028 3337.

Beauty November 9, 2023

#CocoBeauty…and the beach – Celebrating a unique partnership between Temple Spa and Bluewater Spa in Bournemouth

Not that you need an excuse to come to beautiful Bournemouth, but surely the prospect of a luxury spa break could be just the thing to get you packing your overnight bag and heading down to Dorset.

Situated just a short walk from the town’s award-winning beaches is the stylish Connaught hotel – a 4-star hotel located in Westcliff in Bournemouth. Not only is the hotel a great place to stay when visiting the town, it is also home to the super luxurious Bluewater Spa.

#TeamCoco were delighted to be invited to a fabulous VIP event which celebrated the Bluewater Spa’s exciting new look and its partnership with British lifestyle brand Temple Spa.

From local business professionals to journalists and bloggers, more than 200 esteemed guests attended the occasion who were treated to crisp glasses of Prosecco and Mediterranean-inspired canapés and complimentary spa treatments and products.

The guests were able to take a sneak peek at the newly renovated spa facilities which provides visitors an oasis to relax, retreat and recharge.

Bluewater’s partnership with Temple Spa was explained along with an overview of the benefits of their luxury products which are inspired by the scent and nourishing botanicals of the Mediterranean, Thanks to the cute little goodie bag, I can attest that the products smell exquisite and feel wonderful on the skin. My favourite? It is a tough, closely-run competition between the Be Calm Smoothing Facemask and the Peace Be Still Calming Facial Balm. These products would be ideal to use as a luxury pampering session after a busy week.

If you would rather put yourself in the hands of a professional as opposed to a bit of an indulgent DIY, you can book yourself in to the Bluewater Spa for one of their indulging treatments which includes the Mediterranean Marinade – a facial that has been designed to calm and destress skin which includes a relaxing face massage, followed by the unique Temple Spa marinade mask, the ‘Work It Out’ massage which is a deep tissue, detoxifying treatment that uses essential oils like Juniper, Lavender and Cypress and the intriguing Champagne and Truffles Deluxe Treatment which uses the brands’ award-winning skin truffle mask. Don’t worry, you get to enjoy a glass of bubbly and a delicious hand-made truffle too!

As well as it magnificent azure blue swimming pool, the facilities also include a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, fully equipped gym and relaxation lounge and four private therapy suites including a double treatment room for you and your bestie!

Locals can book in for a treatment, but if you are planning a weekend away and want to hit the beach, the Connaught with its truly indulgent spa, fully equipped leisure club and contemporary brasserie onsite is the perfect choice for visitors seeking a 4-star, hotel stay and spa in Bournemouth.

Race you to the Spa!

Austria November 9, 2023

Wake Up Here: A Gift for the Senses at Bio-Hotel Rupertus

Some travel experiences leave a lasting impression on us here at House of Coco; especially experiences that challenge our personal choices and inspire us to live healthier and more wholesome lives. Our #CocoCouple, Eulanda and Omo, visited Bio-Hotel Rupertus in Leogang, Austria and learned that wellness, sustainability and environmental awareness can all be part of a great hospitality experience.

Like most people, Nadja Blumenkamp appears shy when you point a video camera at her face. The formality of a press interview can sometimes be a nervy experience.

However, once we start chatting about organic food, she becomes more relaxed. Nadja’s eyes light up and her face breaks into a smile, clearly showing her passion for the topic.

Nadja and her husband Olaf are the second-generation to run the family Hotel Rupertus in Leogang, Austria. This is the place where their creative ideas and passion for hospitality come to life, centred around themes of sustainability, wellness and environmental awareness.

A summer visit to Saalfelden Leogang, an Alpine region in SalzburgerLand in southwest Austria, was our opportunity to experience a different type of holiday, one that left us with a lasting impression.

Getting to Know Bio-Hotel Rupertus

Travellers unfamiliar with the concept of a bio-hotel might be scratching their heads at this point.

The label ‘Bio-Hotel’ as described by the Austrian Tourism Information website, refers to hotels which “guarantee guests environmentally-friendly holidays by minimising the consumption of energy, electricity, water and materials, managing waste and where the restaurants serve organic food.”

Bio-Hotel Rupertus and similar establishments across Europe are specifically designed to meet the needs of environmentally-conscious travellers.

However, what makes a bio-hotel much more than a mere salve for the conscience is their ability to offer world-class hospitality and luxurious experiences while staying true to their eco-friendly principles.

Bio-Hotel Rupertus confirms that this is entirely possible by offering a unique experience that Nadja describes as ‘beautifully curated but conscious’.

“Our aim isn’t to teach people how to live,” Nadja explained. “Rather we simply want to show people what is possible by demonstrating what wholesome living looks like.”

Hotel Rupertus aligns with the stated objective of Saalfelden Leogang’s tourism industry to promote healthy and quality holiday experiences that leave visitors with a sense of long-term rejuvenation.

Is a 100% Bio-Hotel Even Possible?

While sharing afternoon snacks and cocktails in the hotel bar, our curiosity got the better of us and we put this question to Nadja.

“Our hotel has been certified to industry-leading standards for Bio-Hotels,” she began. With our particular interest being food, we asked her to elaborate further.

Meals and beverages are made from locally sourced ingredients and products certified as 100% organic. Hotel Rupertus works with a carefully curated network of regional producers and growers who respect the principles of fair-trade. This includes providing fair wages and humane working conditions for their employees.

Sourcing organic ingredients is an easier task when your hotel is located in Saalfelden Leogang, a region considered to have some of the best organic farming in Europe. Leogang, in particular, is home to around 50 farming families of which almost 70% are organic farmers.

More sustainable farming practices means that farmers can specialise on growing a few items with a focus on quality rather than quantity. “Less is more,” Nadja said.

The Hotel Rupertus restaurant meal plan is also designed to focus on seasonality. Having sampled the dinner menu the night before, we agreed with Nadja that crops in season are more likely to be fresher and of better quality.

After hearing more about how Hotel Rupertus carefully manages their energy, waste and staff welfare, we were convinced that it is possible to provide a hospitality experience that is both sustainable and high-quality.

So What Does Waking Up in a Bio-Hotel Feel Like?

Bio-Hotel Rupertus is a 50 room property built on the edge of rich Alpine forests in a valley surrounded by the Asitz and Leogang Steinberg mountains.

Walking into our first-floor ‘Natural Room’ for the first time, we were embraced by the relaxing aroma of swiss stone pine (a species of pine tree native to the Alps). This design feature was far from being accidental. Nadja’s words about ‘conscious curation’ came to mind.

Our room furnishings were made from regionally-sourced and reclaimed spruce wood. The lighter wood colour amplified the natural light streaming through the terrace doors, enhancing the room’s bright and welcoming feel.

Bathroom amenities – beautifully packaged soaps, gels and creams – are sourced from a small family-run company. Based in nearby Salzburg, they specialise in using only organic ingredients. Refillable bottles reduce the reliance on single-use plastic.

We learned that bedding in the ‘Organic Rooms’ (for guests seeking the 100% organic experience) were all naturally occurring (i.e., no synthetic) fibres. Nevertheless, the towels and sheets in our room were made from 100% organic cotton and felt soft and luxurious.

A metal-free double bed relied on some genius sleep science and provided a relaxing night’s rest.

The next morning, we stepped out onto our south-facing private terrace to enjoy sweeping mountain views and inhale the fresh, crisp air. Eco-friendliness felt very rejuvenating!

Simply Hiking Around Leogang

Breakfast at Hotel Rupertus is a buffet affair, allowing guests to wander around different stands, selecting home-made and fresh items (all organic of course!). This healthy start set us up for a day of moderate activity featuring a pre-arranged guided hike.

Matching their robust winter ski destination credentials, Saalfelden Leogang has an extensive summer/autumn calendar. The summer emphasis is on wellness and rejuvenation, with a range of activities designed to provide relaxation, excitement and the inspiration for visitors to live healthier lifestyles.

The warm weather attracts mountain biking enthusiasts to this region. We were outnumbered by people wearing helmets and protective gear, wheeling their bikes to the Epic Bikepark Leogang to test their downhill skills.

However, for visitors like us with lower adrenalin-related ambitions, Leogang thankfully offers a variety of options. ‘Simply Hiking’, a laid-back experience which includes a hiking pole-sharing programme, is one of them.

After breakfast, we met up with Birgit Battocleti, a local surveyor and hiking guide with Wanderung-Salzburg. For the next three hours, we traversed hiking paths, soaking in Birgit’s expert knowledge.

Dense pine forests are a gift to the five senses. Birgit introduced trees and colourful plant life with a variety of health benefits. Breathing in the natural forest scents was great for boosting immunity. Tasting wild berries added flavour to the experience.

Riedlalm, an idyllic Alpine hut at 1,228m, provided a chance to rest, recharge and enjoy the panoramic views of the Leoganger Steinberg and other surrounding mountains.

Our time with Birgit passed rather quickly and soon were back at Hotel Rupertus.

Bio-Hotel Rupertus – A Gift for the Senses

It is impossible to talk about wellness without talking about finding balance – for the mind, body and soul.

Balancing our earlier activity with a time of relaxation was an appealing prospect. A visit to the award-winning ErholPol Spa (‘erhol’ translates to ‘relax’), the wellness facility at Hotel Rupertus, was the perfect choice for this.

A classic massage and facial treatments, again, using only 100% organic products (including hand-picked herbs), eased the tension from our tired muscles and had a restorative effect.

The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging around the spa in soft, organic-cotton bathrobes and taking a dip in the organic swimming pond amid purifying reeds and waterlilies.

Over dinner, we talked about the consciously curated experience that Hotel Rupertus provided. It was great to see a hotel where guests, the environment and the local community are stakeholders working in mutually beneficial ways.

Words from our earlier chat with Nadja came back to us. “My goal is to introduce guests to what an eco-lifestyle looks like and how wholesome and fun it can be. They will go back home and make their own choices. I hope the Rupertus experience helps them make better ones,” she laughed.

Travel information

Getting there: The nearest airport is Salzburg, 70km drive to Leogang. A summer holiday shuttle is also available at €44 per person.

Room rates: Summer/autumn 2019 – Natural Room – €120 to €130 per person/per night. Half-board and family packages are available. Contact Hotel Rupertus at info@rupertus.at or call +43 6583 8466 for details.

Save money: Use the Saalfelden Leogang Cardto gain access to city buses, cable cars, swimming pools, museums and selected activities.

City breaks November 9, 2023

Wake up Here: A classic Scottish staycation at The Cringletie

A change of scenery is always welcome, and while London will always hold the key to our hearts — a little winter couldn’t come at a better time. Because while some places come alive in the summertime, there are those that become truly magical in winter. Such is the case with The Cringletie in Peebles, where our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies spent an idyllic weekend, taking in the magic of the Scottish countryside.

Located in the picturesque Scottish Border town of Peebles, The Cringletie is a 15 bedroom country estate, that oozes personality and charm. The house is a 45 minute drive away from Edinburgh; but one step within its 28 acres of lush greenery and woodlands, and you’ll quickly understand why the drive was so worth it.

Outside, you can explore the historic walled gardens, or take a walk around the natural historical trail which goes for a mile around the estate. Inside, you can cosy up by the fireplace and enjoy the hotel’s classically beautiful interiors; which make plenty of design references to the house’s military history. We are told that the current tartan in the hotel’s grand staircase is a blend of the Wolfe Murray’s and the Sutherland’s; another clever homage to the Cringletie’s past.

Every inch of the house is thoughtfully considered, a personal manifestation of the estate’s history, and the colourful personality of Bill and Anne Cross, the custodians who has lovingly taken it under his wing.

We stayed in one of the hotel’s Luxury Rooms, which exudes a certain kind of timeless appeal. Our room was painted in a muted colour palette accented with rich textiles. It was the perfect balance of classic style and modern features and included a super king-sized bed, a cosy seating area, and an en-suite.

The hotel’s piece de resistance, however, has to be the Sutherland Restaurant. During our stay, the hotel had just received its first – and very well deserved – 2AA Rosette accreditation. Head chef Iain Gourlay certainly brings his 20 year of experience to the table at Sutherland restaurant. Using only the freshest local ingredients, Chef Iain Gourlay adds a creative flair to some classic Scottish favourites – and serves them up in true style.

We highly recommend starting with the Breast of wood pigeon on a puree of boudin noir, followed by the lightly smoked loin of Borders venison, and finishing off with the absolutely delectable Selkirk bannock souffle. We can assure you, that this culinary journey is one you won’t soon forget.

As the evening wears on, we sit by the warmth of the fireplace and delve into the estate’s extensive collection of fine whiskies. Finally ending the evening with warm hearts and revelling in the rare tranquillity afforded by being in beautiful and overwhelming isolation — in one of the most underrated destinations in the world.

For more information and to book your stay, please visit www.cringletie.com

Hotels & Spas November 9, 2023

#CocoStaycation : The Curious Pig In The Parlour, Sussex

The night before flying out on holiday tensions are high as you run around looking for things, get to bed too late and then rock up at the airport frazzled and high on caffeine. Can’t just be me, right?

If you too like to knacker yourself out before you go away, I’ve got the solution ; take a staycation the night before your actual holiday. And if you are flying out of Gatwick, The Curious Pig In The Parlour is only a 15 min drive from the airport so you don’t even have to set your alarm five times to guarantee that early rise.

Thank me later.

The Curious Pig In The Parlour is a cosy boutique gastropub with rooms, nestled in the Sussex countryside. On the evening we stayed, the restaurant was lively with local families catching up over the varied menu with everything from stone baked pizzas to grill dishes.

After dropping our bags in our cosy room at the back of the property, we ventured back out to the dining area for a digestive G&T (you’ve got to love a pub with a dedicated gin menu) before deliberating over what to eat.

We both opted for the pub classic of a steak with rarebit topped tomato as mains with creamy burrata and parma ham to start. Food came at a great pace with fantastic service from the team, making this an ideal place for a quick dinner before hitting the hay before a morning flight. Somehow we found space for dessert and the peanut butter mille feuille was a buttery and moreish as it probably reads and looks on this page.

With a three course dinner and drinks coming in at only £40 a head and the rooms starting from £70/night, there’s really no excuse not to tag on a pre-hol staycation here. An a la carte and continental breakfast is included in the room rate and on offer from early morning; this might have to become a new holiday ritual!

Book your stay at The Curious Pig In The Parlour at thecuriouspigintheparlour.com

The Curious Pig In The Parlour is part of the Revere Pub group of boutique bolt holes, find out more here

Hotels & Spas November 9, 2023

A #Teamcocopup adventure at the Nanteos Mansion, Ceredigion

A sprawling Georgian mansion, thirty acres of land, delicious Welsh food…Nanteos Mansion is the absolute perfect treat for your Mum and her dog. So those are the two special people #Teamcoco writer, Rachael Lindsay, took with her on a special overnight stay.

We take a long, windy drive through the Nanteos estate to get to the stunning Nanteos manor house, located in Ceredigion near Aberystwyth, Wales. After a fair journey, we are keen to give our #Teamcocopup for the next few days, Ralph, a stretch of his legs. Luckily we are in the heart of woodland and parkland. This is dog-walking heaven and we make the most of it, discovering a labyrinth, a pet graveyard and even a collection of garden bee hives along the way.

After Ralph has checked out the estate, it is time for us to check in. We have a gorgeous dog-friendly suite overlooking the grounds. Each room is individually designed so you can take your pick – if you really want to treat yourself, go for the Nightingale honeymoon suite, complete with corner bath and hand-stencilled walls. A lovely touch is the doggy treats left for Ralph which he rudely devours without even a thank you.

Leaving Ralph to enjoy his treats, my Mum and I feel like we are guests at the Titanic, making our way down the huge central staircase to the bar area. We sup Prosecco before enjoying a three-course meal of Welsh delights. The focus here is locally-sourced and -inspired dishes, and I have a vegan menu of charred leeks, chickpea curry and vegan cherry chocolate brownie. Special touches like a salmon or tofu miso as an amuse-bouche and the homemade sourdough bread with marmite butter add to the wow factor.

Breakfast, served in the Buttery, is an old-fashioned affair with high ceilings, copper pans and iron stoves. The buffet brims with fruit juices, cereals and breads and a hot food menu includes a full Welsh with lava bread and bacon as well as the usual brunch favourites.

Ralph isn’t satisfied without a wander through the house itself (well-behaved dogs are allowed in all rooms except those where food is served). We casually stumble across the Music room, with chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Welsh hills, and ridiculously ornate ceilings and walls. The period features everywhere are pretty astonishing and perhaps unsurprising for such a historic building. The flooring dates back to the 11th century (!) and the Mansion has been owned by the aristocratic Powell family for most of its existence. Information on the second floor provides a fascinating potted history which also involves the Nanteos Cup, a candidate for the Holy Grail!

Mythology, grand architecture, great food and acres of land for pups to explore…Nanteos Mansion is the perfect Welsh break for me, Ralph and Mum. Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in history and nature, and at excellent value for the luxury on offer, from £139 B&B per room per night.

For more information, visit nanteos.com.