16 Royal Crescent, Bath BA1 2LS, UK Tel: +44 (0) 1225 823333 •
relaischateaux.com/uk
By Paul Revel ROYAL CRESCENT, BATH
HAVING RECENTLY COMPLETED a lengthy multimillion pound overhaul, the Royal Crescent in Bath is sparkling like a new pin. The major refurb started in 2012 when the Topland Group acquired the property from the bankrupt Von Essen hotel brand. The Relais & Chateaux property sits in the centre of the iconic Royal Crescent itself. The hotel is a ten-minute walk from the city centre, and just over a mile from Bath Spa railway station.
ROOMS: 45 rooms range from doubles to master suites. We stayed in the Royal Crescent Suite – suitably grand, with great views across the famous crescent and beyond, and with an antique, canopied four-poster bed. Only the top suites have Nespresso machines, but in any room you can ask for a complimentary ‘hospitality tray’ for tea and coffee. RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The seasonal eight-course tasting menu at the Dower House restaurant is a top attraction for foodies. Our dinner included duck egg slow-cooked at 63˚C with iberico ham and truffle, and rainbow trout smoked at the table. There’s a big wine list and a helpful sommelier, who can recommend by glass or bottle to suit various budgets.
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, US Tel: +1 212 956 2888 •
newyork.peninsula.com
By Paul Revel PENINSULA NEW YORK
THIS GRAND 23-STOREY beaux-arts building in the heart of Manhattan opened in 1905. A Peninsula property since 1988, it started a comprehensive all-areas refurb in 2008, with the final elements completed last year. A couple of blocks south of Central Park, the Peninsula is one of the city’s most exclusive addresses.
ROOMS: My corner deluxe suite over- looking Fifth Avenue was spectacularly vast (98sqm) and exquisitely appointed, including a big marble bathroom, a dressing room, walk-in closets, and an airy double-aspect lounge. Entry-level rooms are a decent-sized 34sqm. RESTAURANTS AND BARS: The rooftop Salon de Ning bar, with its large outdoor terrace, is a cool New York cocktail hangout. The Clement restaurant offers excellent seasonal, contemporary
82 BBT JULY/AUGUST 2014
American cooking with locally sourced ingredients – and great breakfasts. LEISURE: The lavish spa, gym and pool complex on floors 21-23 is a real Manhattan gem: the gym and pool areas have lots of natural light and splendid views of the Manhattan skyline, and there’s a luxurious spa with 12 treatment rooms, and relaxation lounges providing comfy beds and chilled coconut water. BUSINESS FACILITIES: The hotel has just over 1,000sqm of function space,
including five meeting rooms of various sizes, most with natural light, for up to 100 delegates theatre-style, plus options for al fresco events on the rooftop terrace, and a private dining room in the Clement restaurant. VERDICT: Pretty hard to fault, in terms of location, service, facilities and sheer luxury. Of course, it doesn’t come cheap; nevertheless, it certainly attracts business travellers: the Peninsula reports a corporate:leisure ratio of 70:30.
BUYINGBUSINESSTRAVEL.COM
BUSINESS FACILITIES: The hotel suits small high-level events, with spaces for up to 20 delegates theatre-style, and private dining options. The entire property can be booked for VIP events. LEISURE FACILITIES: The new spa features a 12m swimming pool, with light streaming in through the ancient pointed-arch windows giving it an ecclesiastical vibe. There are also hot tubs, a sauna and steam room, a gym and eight treatment rooms. VERDICT: A new lease of life for this classic, high-profile property in a historic spa town. With other key hotels on the radar, including the Gainsborough Bath Spa due to open later this year, this is good news for buyers as the Royal Crescent will have to follow up its investment by staying at the top of its game.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92