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Thomas Hardy's Ghost inspires writing weekend

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:23:22 +0000

Four very different writers will gather in a historic country house hotel, which may or may not be haunted by Thomas Hardy, for a weekend of literary discussion. Sounds like a good start for a whodunnit by Agatha Christie!

The idea, however, is far from bumping each other off (whilst leaving a host of fascinating clues, plausible motives, dodgy alibis and smoking red herrings). The purpose is to entertain and enlighten guests by sharing the secrets of their writing success.

"Summer Lodge has close associations with Thomas Hardy," explains General Manager Charles Lötter. "He lived nearby and the hotel is at the very heart of the Wessex landscape he immortalised. The village pub, the Acorn Inn is featured in his novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' as 'The Sow & Acorn'. What's more, in his capacity as an architect, Hardy was asked to design the upper floor and the drawing room of Summer Lodge by the 6th Earl of Ilchester in 1893. So you could say the house is haunted by him - although I've yet to bump into him myself".

This gave the team at Red Carnation Hotels, the luxury collection of five and four-star family-run boutique hotels that owns Summer Lodge, the idea for the Writers' Weekend. Guests will have the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade from four very different practitioners.

Roger Collis is an actor, broadcaster, writer and master raconteur who has earned world-wide recognition as a business travel guru through his weekly column, 'The Frequent Traveler,' in the International Herald Tribune

Marcelle Bernstein is a much acclaimed novelist, nonfiction writer and journalist. Several of her novels, such as "Body & Soul" and "Sacred & Profane", are best-sellers and were made into into successful feature films and television dramas.

Eric Clark is a respected investigative journalist who has delved into the seedier aspects of crime and drugs. His gripping thrillers "Black Gambit" and "Chinese Burn" have proven particularly popular.

Jim O'Connor is an advertising copywriter who has promoted everything from boutique hotels to fork lift trucks, Clover Low Fat Spread to Palmolive Soap, Cornish Pasties to Australian rum.

The two-night Writers' Weekend package, starting on 23rd April 2010, includes:

Two nights accommodation in a Classic Double Room
Full English Breakfast daily
Welcome Champagne and Canapés
Attendance at three Writer Workshop sessions over two days
Three-course dinner on the Saturday evening
Teas and coffees during workshop sessions
Complimentary signed-copy of a book by Eric or Marcelle

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village. This luxurious 24-bedroom five star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world-class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and an award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Bushmans Kloof to present Gourmet Food and Wine Feasts in the Cederberg this Winter

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 15:38:59 +0000

Join the winemakers of some of South Africa’s finest wineries including Bouchard Finlayson, Cederberg Wines and Steenberg Vineyards, for a winter weekend of culinary delight and superb wines, served in the breathtaking setting of the award-winning Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, 270km north of Cape Town. .

Five Gourmet Food and Wine weekends will run over select dates in May, July and August. During these decadent culinary events guests will be taken on a fascinating wine tasting journey to indulge in interesting wine tasting sessions, toast the successful marriage of sumptuous cuisine and fine wine, and savour Executive Chef Floris Smith’s mouth watering fare, topped with a sprinkling of the rejuvenating magic of this luxurious retreat.

A Diners Club International Winelist of the Year 'Diamond Award' winner (2008 and 2009), and recently voted one of only three winners in the coveted ‘Best Hotels for Food in Africa, Middle East and the Indian Ocean’ category of the 2010 Condé Nast Traveller UK Gold List, and ‘Best Hotel in the World’ (Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2009), the beautifully styled Relais and Châteaux lodge offers the ideal escape to enrich, relax and indulge.

Experience the enchantment of these sentient world-class culinary weekends deep in the wilderness from R1750 per person sharing per night (2-night package). Rates include 5-star luxury accommodation, all meals and wine tasting sessions, as well as lodge activities such as daily rock art walks and evening nature drives.

Set among wide open plains, majestic rock formations and crystal clear waterfalls, Bushmans Kloof is a magical destination of ancient and untamed beauty, with a mystical energy. A Natural Heritage site, it is custodian of priceless San rock art heritage, and an abundance of indigenous flora and fauna. Guests may indulge in invigorating outdoor activities that include nature drives and walks, mountain biking, canoeing and swimming in rock pools, enjoy spa treatments, or do absolutely nothing but inhale the beauty and tranquillity of this charming wilderness reserve.

The Chesterfield Mayfair and Vincent Van Gogh

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:33:26 +0000

Vincent Van Gogh, for whom colour was the chief symbol of expression, once said, “great things are done by a series of small things brought together”. So, true to these words, is the relationship between The Chesterfield Mayfair, the four-star luxury boutique hotel in Mayfair, London, and The Royal Academy of Arts, whose partnership invites guests to experience Art, Culture, award-winning Service and Luxury in London between 23rd January and 18th April 2010.

Founded in 1768 by George III, The Royal Academy of Arts is an independent, privately funded institution, led by eminent artists and architects, whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters, is a landmark exhibition for the Royal Academy. Over 35 original letters, rarely exhibited to the public due to their fragility, will be on display, together with around 65 paintings and 30 drawings that express the principal themes found within the correspondence. The first major Van Gogh exhibition in London for over 40 years, this will be a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the complex mind of this extraordinary artist.

To experience The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters exhibition, visitors to London can choose The Chesterfield’s ART AND CULTURE AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS package which includes:

One night's accommodation in a beautifully appointed room or suite
Full English Breakfast daily
Two guaranteed, fast track tickets to the exhibition of your choice
A framed postcard of the exhibition as a souvenir

Vincent Van Gogh would have felt at home at The Chesterfield Mayfair. Bedrooms and suites are lavishly designed, adopting Van Gogh's love of colour, reflecting the pinstripes of nearby Savile Row, the florals of an English cottage garden, or the vibrancy of the African savannah. These are the rooms for a sound night's sleep filled with dreams and of course, inspiration!

If already in London, enjoy the Exclusive Sunday Evening experience, where the exhibition opens between 6.30pm and 9.00pm on selected Sundays for guests to immerse themselves in Van Gogh’s artful treasures away from the madding crowds.

The EXCLUSIVE SUNDAY EVENING EXPERIENCE includes:

Two tickets to The Real Van Gogh: The Artist and His Letters exhibition
Choice of either a Sunday Roast Dinner or a Full Afternoon Tea at the Chesterfield Mayfair

Situated in the heart of London's most prestigious district, the quiet and understated elegance of The Chesterfield Mayfair is celebrated for its style, comfort, and exalted levels of personal service. Discreetly tucked away near Berkeley Square, and a mere stone's throw from Green Park Tube station, the quiet, calm and efficient service blended with supreme comfort characterize this luxurious four-star hotel. The 94 deluxe guest rooms and 13 luxurious suites are each uniquely designed and equipped with the latest technology. Boasting an exclusive location, Library, Butlers Restaurant, the light and airy Conservatory and the intimate bar cater for every culinary whim or inclination, the traditional British old-world charm of The Chesterfield Mayfair is the perfect London address for business or pleasure. The Chesterfield Mayfair is part of Red Carnation – the luxury five and four star collection of family-run boutique hotels.

The Twelve Apostles adds another accolade to its long list of achievements

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:22:47 +0000

The newly refurbished luxury five-star hotel in Cape Town, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, South Africa, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, has once again been listed in the 16th annual Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2010 as one of the 'Best places to stay in the world', elected by more than 25,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers.

This luxury hotel, also featured in the 2009 Gold list and the only member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World in Cape Town, is known for its unrivalled position on the dramatic slopes of The Twelve Apostles Mountain range. Boasting an eclectic mix of 70 contemporary African-style and classic European bedrooms and suites and one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite, this award-winning hotel also features one of the rarest private wine collections on the African continent, which accompanies the fine cuisine served in the much loved Azure restaurant. Such dishes as their ostrich carpaccio "are popular with Cape Towners - always a good sign."

Condé Nast readers remarked on the hotel's "gloriously isolated" location "with to-die-for views of the mountains and the sea." The Sanctuary, the award-winning cave-like spa, offering mountainside treatment gazebos "is therapy in itself." The staff exudes "a genuine happiness." And The Twelve Apostles' unrivalled conference and event facilities are perfect for local meetings or weddings.

Clive Bennett, Managing Director of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection in South Africa, comments, "Discerning guests return year after year due to our sheer commitment to offer an experience of a lifetime in a hotel with a location that is legendary in the hospitality industry. Our team of dedicated service ambassadors ensures that each guest experiences the hotel as if it were their second home. It truly is the attention to detail that shows why Red Carnation Hotels are so respected the world over holding true to our motto - "No request too large, no detail too small".

Sister hotels in South Africa include Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat and the newly opened Oyster Box.

Hotel d'Angleterre Revs Up for the Geneva Motorshow

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:29:01 +0000

Rev heads and car enthusiasts can start their engines in preparation for the 80th International Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, hosted at the city's Palexpo Centre from 4th until 14th March. This year is set to be a bumper one including the unveiling of the next-generation 2011 Audi A8, 2011 BMW 5-Series, and the 2011 Porsche Cayenne. Visitors can get into 'Top Gear' with the award-winning five-star luxury hotel in Geneva, Hotel d'Angleterre, in the heart of the city to make the most of this exhilarating event.

The show has been around almost as long as the automobile itself and has hosted almost all major internal combustion engine models in the entire history of the industry, along with benzene and steam powered cars from the beginning of the 20th century. It is especially popular because Switzerland has no domestic automobile industry, so it is seen as offering a truly neutral platform by all the world's major manufacturers.

To make the most of this action packed ten days, discerning visitors have the opportunity to stay at the Hotel d'Angleterre - with its ambience of exclusive calm and refined opulence and a welcome as professional as it is personal. There really is nowhere else in Geneva to match it. Truly thoughtful and attentive service is one of the hallmarks of the Hotel d'Angleterre, so it is no surprise that they have created a special all-inclusive package for guests attending the show.

The Motorshow package includes:

Accommodation for two in a beautifully appointed room or suite
Buffet Breakfast daily
Two tickets for the Motorshow
Return taxi transfer to the Palexpo Centre
A four-course dinner in Windows restaurant where you will enjoy a breathtaking view over the lake and Jet d'Eau

Dating back to 1872, Hotel d'Angleterre has all the old world charm with new world service. Located on the shores of Lake Geneva, with majestic views of the Jet d'Eau, Mont Blanc and surrounding mountains, the hotel is a short walk or boat ride to Geneva's elite shopping on Rue du Rhône and the banking district.

Each of the 39 guest rooms and six luxury suites is lavishly decorated with the finest fabrics and furnishings in a distinctly European style. The hotel boasts Windows restaurant, celebrated for its superb award-winning cuisine and spectacular views across the lake and beyond to Mont Blanc. Its Leopard Room Bar, the most famous bar in the city, is the perfect place to sample their well-stocked selection and enjoy contemporary live music on the weekends. Hotel d'Angleterre is part of Red Carnation - a luxury collection of family-run boutique hotels, and a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World

London - The Most Popular Destination for Travellers from North America

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:21:57 +0000

London, England, is the most searched for destination in 2010 for travellers from the US and Canada according to new research from the travel search engine Skyscanner and the Gay Market Research + Development Lab for the LGBT. London even outdistances major domestic destinations in both countries.

As hotels in the UK capital strive for fresh ways to make offerings more attractive and economically alluring, Red Carnation Hotels’ “Exceptional London offers’’ proposition including accommodation benefits for Families, Seniors and couples at all of their six luxury London boutique hotels, consistently charm travellers from North America.

Red Carnation Hotels, the luxury collection of five and four-star family-run boutique hotels, are located near many of London’s most popular tourist attractions including Buckingham Palace and The British Museum. Travellers are spoilt for choice at Red Carnation when it comes to offers which demonstrate great value and service. All Red Carnation Hotels are renowned for achieving excellence in the workplace, particularly The Milestone Hotel; the luxury five-star hotel in Kensington voted No.1 hotel in London in The Best Places to Stay in the World with a 94.2 score in Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2010 and furthermore, is consistently ranked highly in the Top Ten on TripAdvisor for London.

The “Exceptional London offers” makes Red Carnation’s six central London hotels the perfect base for families. Kids aged up to 12 years can stay and eat for free when sharing a room with their parents while Families of four can take two rooms for a very special rate of up to 50% off the second room! Both packages also include unlimited in-room movies and access to a games console too.

The Baby Boomer Generation can also benefit from 20% off the Best Available Rate for guests over the age of 60, whereas couples wishing to stay more than two nights can Get More From Their Stay and enjoy Full English Breakfast plus a choice of one complimentary treat during their stay, such as a romantic turndown, Harrods shopping vouchers, a bottle chilled champagne or a Traditional Afternoon Tea.

In this economic climate consumers are looking for greater value, therefore guests can have an unbeatable opportunity to experience this vibrant city with an exceptional brand together with offers that represent amazing value for money when choosing a Red Carnation Hotel.

Notes to the Editor:

For further details of these packages visit www.redcarnationhotels.com/london-offers and www.redcarnationhotels.com/get-more-from-your-stay
Some offers may not be available at all six London hotels.
Booking terms and conditions apply and bookings may be subject to minimum stays.To book visit www.redcarnation.com, email book@rchmail.com or contact 0845 634 2665 or +44 20 7958 7741.

Three Red Carnation Hotels Make The Condé Nast 2010 Gold List

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:39:14 +0000

Red Carnation, the luxury collection of five and four star family-run boutique hotels, is delighted to announce three hotels within their portfolio have been ranked on the prestigious Condé Nast Gold List in 2010, including the top spot for London, England. The Condé Nast Gold List, a readers‘ poll of the Best Places to stay in The World’, is the most highly regarded list of its kind. Approximately 25,000 readers of the magazine reveal a property's character in the annual Readers’ Choice Survey to compile this year’s Gold List, now in its 16th year, where each score represents the percentage of respondents who rated a property excellent or very good on specific criteria.

The Milestone Hotel – This five-star luxury hotel in London’s Kensington, and member of Leading Hotels of the World boasts 57 individually designed rooms and suites and six luxury apartments, received four incredible rankings.

•    No.1 Hotel in London in the ‘Best Places to Stay in the World’ category, with an overall score of 94.2
•    No.1 Hotel in England UK for ‘Best Rooms’ in Europe, scoring 97.9
•    No 2. Hotel in London for ‘Best Service’ in Europe, scoring 97.9
•    No.1 Hotel in London for ‘Best Design’ in Europe, scoring 97.9

Condé Nast Traveler readers particular praised The Milestone, also featured on the Gold Lists in 2008 and 2009, for the uniqueness of the guest room design, which emulates that seen in private homes and thoughtfulness of the staff, calling The Milestone "a top-notch luxury hotel with personalized service.”

This award-winning hotel received an incredible rating of 97.9 for rooms, while the same rating (97.6) for service and design, 87.5 for food and 89.6 for it’s prestigious location puts the hotel ahead of the pack in London.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa – The newly refurbished five-star hotel in Cape Town, boasting an eclectic mix of 70 contemporary African-style and classic European bedrooms and suites and one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite, was listed as one of the ‘Best places to stay in the World’ receiving an overall score of 88.6.

This luxury hotel, also featured in the Gold List in 2009, and the only member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World in Cape Town, is "gloriously isolated" " with to-die-for views of the mountains or the sea." The Sanctuary award-winning cave-like spa offering mountainside treatment gazebos spa, "is therapy in itself." Staff exude "a genuine happiness." Azure's dishes, like ostrich carpaccio, "are popular with Cape Towners—always a good sign."

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat – This award-winning five-star Luxury South African Lodge is located in the Western Cape. With 16 luxurious African and European designed rooms and suites and world's largest open air art gallery with over 130 ancient Bushman rock art sites, this remarkable ecological oasis was listed as one of the ‘Best places to stay in the World’ receiving an overall score of 88.8.

Readers remarked the luxury South African lodge was "deeply enriching" and "beyond all expectations" where "Rooms fuse modern and African"; the Riverside Suite has an infinity pool. "The service is impeccable on every level." Makana does an afternoon tea that is "in a class of its own—pure confection." The on-site heritage center displays Bushman artifacts. The Hotel is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Jonathan Raggett, Managing Director of Red Carnation Hotels and winner of the ‘Hotelier of the Year’ at the Hotel Catey Awards 2009 in the UK comments ‘“This is an outstanding achievement for the hotels and the collection. Mrs Bea Tollman, our Founder and President, and I are absolutely thrilled by these enormous accolades in such a prestigious award. It reflects the terrific effort made by every single member of the Red Carnation Team at each one of our thirteen hotels. We are a small family run collection who are dedicated to going to that extra mile to live up to our promise - 'No request is too large, no detail too small'. These awards are a testament to our dedicated and passionate teams."

Red Carnation Hotels gear up for 2010 in South Africa

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:48:34 +0000

AS THE COUNTRY ENTERS THE LIMELIGHT

The top 50 most-searched-for destinations from UK airports for travel in 2010 have been revealed - and for the first time two South African cities, Cape Town and Johannesburg, have made the list. This is great news for Red Carnation Hotels, with three luxurious properties well placed to benefit from the increased traffic.

The surge in interest is not entirely unexpected. The current test series is obviously showcasing South Africa, it's less than 150 days before the kick off in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa^TM tournament, and the beauty of the destination draws people to this lovely part of the world.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is perfectly located for making the most of this amazing football tournament. It's conveniently close to all the excitement and action - just 15 minutes drive from Cape Town's Green Point Stadium! But it's sufficiently detached for true relaxation, peace and comfort. It has also been recently enhanced with an extensive multi-million Rand structural and interior design refurbishment. The hotel's unique and tranquil location offers guests the perfect opportunity to escape the mayhem of the city and to enjoy the awe-inspiring views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean.

Red Carnation's Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, just 270km from Cape Town, is far enough from the matches to offer the ultimate escape from the full-on frenzy that's going to engulf the cities. Ancient landscapes of wind-sculpted sandstone and untamed bush frame this luxury retreat, voted 'Best Hotel in the World 2009' in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

The group's third property, The Oyster Box in Umhlanga Rocks, is also preparing for a busy 2010. Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, hosting some of the games, is a 30-minute drive down the coast. Despite being so near the action, The Oyster Box is perfectly situated for those who want a peaceful place where they can recover from all the excitement. On the ocean's edge, set in its own lush tropical gardens, it's a brief five-minute walk from Umhlanga Village Centre. It's also conveniently located for quick and easy access to Afro-chic Durban city centre, international airports and numerous stylish shopping centres.

2010 is sure to be an amazing year to visit South Africa. The timeless beauty of the breathtaking environment, and the vibrant energy of the cosmopolitan cities, are being brought together by the world's greatest sporting event - so book up now and join in the fun!

Gourmet Cookery Demonstrations at Summer Lodge

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:33:16 +0000

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa has just announced a series of cookery demonstrations conducted by award winning Executive Chef Steven Titman. Guests who've tasted his wonderful creations will now have the opportunity to serve some of his impressive signature dishes in their own home.

His menus not only meet and exceed the exacting requirements of the Relais & Châteaux's gastronomic standards - Summer Lodge has just been named in the recently announced Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2010, one of the best three hotels in the UK for food. The listing for Summer Lodge praises Steven for producing "... fine-tuned classic English cuisine using local produce: Dorset lamb, pan-seared sole, pot-roasted guinea fowl, and his signature dish, shepherd's pie." Shortly before this, Summer Lodge was also named Best Restaurant in Dorset at the Taste of Dorset Awards 2009.

Following on from this success Steven will be hosting three cookery demonstrations, on the 20th January, 24th February and 24th March, where he'll share some of his culinary secrets. He'll show guests how he uses local produce, such as Lyme Bay scallops and Dorset lamb, as well as vegetables and herbs grown in the kitchen garden, to create some of his most popular signature dishes. He comments, "There can be few places in England with such an enormous variety of delicious food so readily available from local farmers, fishermen, game keepers and cheese makers."

Steven explains that the demonstrations will be "... almost like a 'chefs table' concept, but guests will be dining in the restaurant. Each menu is a surprise, and focuses on ingredients currently in season, but guests can advise me in advance of their particular preferences and dietary concerns." Guests have a choice - they can attend a two-and-a-half-hour morning demonstration followed by apéritifs and a three-course lunch with wine, coffee and petit fours, or they can choose the residential package. The latter includes all of the elements above plus one night's accommodation the night before the demonstration, Full English Breakfast the next morning and use of the hotel's gym and spa.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house and is in the gorgeous village of Evershot in Dorset. This luxurious 24-bedroom five-star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, and Spa was recent voted "Most Outstanding Service" in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence, UK and Ireland and is a member of Relais & Châteaux.