A Guide to Attainable Luxury

 

The Kensington Hotel

January 25, 2012 | posted by Molly
 
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It had been a few years since I visited my favorite city in the world, but there are certain places that tug at your heart strings, that always exist within you, that call you home. This for me is London. Whether I lived there in a former life or am meant to be there in this one, it’s a place I feel most content, and in a word, happy. Now, I’m not so naive as to realize that when I am there, I am not living a reality. I can afford a week in South Kensington, the best neighborhood in the world. And, living there, perhaps would prove quite different. But for now, dabble in the fantasy with me as I take you to my latest favorite hotel in London…The Kensington.

A Mr. & Mrs. Smith recommended property, this hotel has recently undergone a £20m renovation and offers a unique townhouse experience better than even the comforts of home (I was pleasantly surprised to find an American plug in our room). The decor is stunning—fashionable and elegant, a place you wish you could afford to live until the end of time. We experienced two different rooms (they were so kind as to upgrade us the last night) and I highly recommend the Deluxe. While both spoil you with fine linens, bathrobes, complimentary wireless and a modern bathroom, the Superior room was a bit small (my only gripe), while the Deluxe room was ironically, superior. The Afternoon Tea looked sophisticated, booming and was unfortunately booked (make advanced reservations), but we did partake in the “Great British Breakfast,” which, while a bit pricey (with the exchange rate), was the perfect way to begin our first morning. And while you never really need to leave, this is in fact, London. So, take a step out your door, you’re only moments from Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Knightsbridge and my favorite Indian restaurant ever.

Oh wait, can you hear it? That old familiar sound of London calling. Glad I have a place to stay.

NOTE: I previously wrote about The Cranley hotel in South Kensington, and I still highly recommend it, especially if you need a more affordable option. To compare the two, The Cranley has a more bed & breakfast feel, while The Kensington offers a full hotel experience (i.e. restaurant, bar, concierge, masseuse).

DISCOUNT: Tablet Hotels is offering 20% off The Kensington through February. Click here for the offer.

Click here to see more of my photos of London>

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Hi, This is Barcelona

January 22, 2012 | posted by Molly
 
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Last August, my husband and I planned a dreamboat vacation to London, Barcelona and Marjorca. You know how when you buy a new car, suddenly everyone in the world is driving that car, everywhere you turn, it’s all you can see? Same with this vacation. As soon as I booked the flights,  everyone I know was going or had recently been to Barcelona. And, here I thought I was being original.

My friends were right—the jamón imbérico was “to die,” the tomato bread is an affair I will never get over and the people all looked like models minus the LA “tude.” Our hotel, the Murmuri, was everything I had hoped—boutique and luxurious and perfectly located. But, as we re-tell the story, the pièce de résistance, among all things was a tour. Shocking, as I hate tours. Not this one.

I found the private tour company Hi, This is Barcelona in the comments of the travel section of the New York Times online. I was concerned about my flagging relationship with the Spanish language and thought the only way to avoid the utter humiliation of a tour bus, was a one-on-one experience. Hi, This is Barcelona was started by a Californian who moved to Barcelona over a decade ago and offers a completely customizable experience for those looking for a hands-on, throw away the guide book intimacy with this city. I debated on a tapas tour, but confident in my ability to choose great restaurants (even abroad), I looked for something outside my area of expertise, and thus booked the “Undiscovered Corners of the Barrio Gotico” (the Gothic Quarter). If you happened to have an American friend who had lived in Barcelona for years, knew the history inside and out, happily answered all of your questions with patience and humor, then took you to tapas after (“where the locals go”) not because you paid for it, but because she likes you–THIS was that experience and our “friend” was named Nancy. We wondered down the cobblestone streets, inside the La Boqueria Market, feasting our eyes on the most incredible produce I’ve ever seen and stopping for a glass of wine in between history lessons and tapas. €209 got us four hours of the best time we spent in Barcelona.

And, though they couldn’t pull off the impossible—dinner reservations at Tickets, Ferran Adria’s latest and greatest, they did book us a table at a hidden and quaint “hole in the wall gem” called Montiel in the Born neighborhood. ¡Salud!

Click here to see more of my photos of Barcelona

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NEW York (Part 1): Mondrian Soho

June 5, 2011 | posted by Molly
 
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There’s no sign, so you know it must be cool. The entrance…an ivy covered arbor, romantic from strung lights and a side view of the front orchard-esqe patio, where guests of the booming restaurant/bar, Imperial No.Nine, might step out for some night air. The Lobby…shades of cornflower blue and chrome, evoking modern chic and urban glamour. This is the Mondrian, the newest hotel to hit Soho, and it’s the talk of the town.

Part work; part pleasure, I had one week in New York City, and plenty of time to experience some of the newer places I’d heard so much about. But, let’s start at the beginning. The hotel, the hotel!

Luxury boutique hotel living has become a lifestyle. So much so that there’s even a new home furnishing line out to help you create the same feel at home—see Hotel Maison. My point? Hotel decor is important. And the Mondrian Soho has done everything right.

I’m a little biased to blue and white…it’s calm and orderly, the antithesis of my
life lately. Add to it crystal water glasses (so much chicer than a paper cup), the
inspirational quote on the bed, the Help Remedies, the iPad at your service, and it made leaving one of the more depressing days of my life. If that wasn’t enough, floor to ceiling windows covered the entire front wall, capturing a view that leaves you breathless and in love with one of the greatest cities in the world.

And that view expanded into the bathroom, where you can shower as you watch passersby stroll in and out of Derek Lam across the street. Can they see me? Oh, who cares! This is New York!

Mondrian Soho.  9 Crosby Street.  New York, NY 10013.  212-389-1000

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Location, Location, Location (Small Luxuries in Paris)

August 4, 2008 | posted by Molly
 
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duc-de-st-simon3Having had a most enchanting time at The Cranley, I felt confident the prominent Hotel Duc de Saint Simon in the lavish 7th arrondissement would not let me down. To be fair, it’s not as though I chose a place that off the radar. Lauren Bacall made this her home away from home over many larger, more conventional establishments. And while this might not come as a huge shock…if it’s good enough for Lauren Bacall, it’s good enough for me.

With only 34 rooms, our room, located a few flights up a spirly staircase was luxurious in every sense of the word. Decorated in classic French blue, everything was covered in fabric…even the walls! Our windows opened to give a full view of the outdoor courtyard below.

Tucked away on a quiet street off Rue de St. Germain, we soon realized that the location of this hidden gem was perhaps even more of a bonus than all it’s charm and romance. We could easily walk to museums, the famous Les Deux Magots café and my favorite, Laduree, the most exquisite tea salon and pastry shop in all of Paris.

Hotel Duc de St. Simon. 14 Rue de Saint-Simon. Paris. +33. 1.44.39.20.20

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Small Luxuries (The Cranley Hotel)

August 3, 2008 | posted by Molly
 
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the-cranley-hotelI like five star (or is six the new five?) hotels as much as the next girl, but on a recent trip to Europe, I decided to nix the big chains and try something different. Small, luxury hotels it turns out can be more charming, more attentive and more bang for your buck no matter what your destination. Take for instance The Cranley, a darling boutique hotel in the posh South Kensington district of London. Sure, it’s now operated by Stein Hotels & Resorts, but it is situated on a tree lined street and occupies three townhouses that were built in 1869. It is so perfectly meshed with the other homes in the area, you feel like you are going to visit your rich Aunt Lou every time you climb the lantern lit steps leading to the big brass door knocker.

As if that’s not reason enough to keep you coming back for more, each bedroom, while offering the latest in technology (think flat screen TV), is adorned with gorgeous antique furniture, hand-crafted beds and hand-stitched linens. The bathroom, with its towel warmer, delicious bath goodies and huge soaking tub/shower, could have easily held me hostage for most of my trip. Lucky for my husband, the hotel’s afternoon tea service and evening champagne hour gave me reason to emerge.

The Cranley.  10 Bina Gardens.  South Kensington, London.  +44 (0)20 7373 0123

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