Travel: Home and Away, Feb/Mar 2009
West End of London
The Cumberland Hotel
One of London’s largest hotels, The Cumberland offers a central location perfect for business and pleasure. The hotel boasts 1,019 individually styled rooms, suites and apartments and in addition has 26 meeting rooms. For extra privacy the meeting rooms have been grouped into three themed zones with their own dedicated break out areas. The bedrooms contain unique works of art, luxurious beds and beautifully appointed bathrooms, together with plasma screen televisions. A number of rooms have views out over Marble Arch and Hyde Park. For dinner and drinks a visit to the W1 restaurant is a must to sample the umptuous cuisine of Gary Rhodes.
- www.guoman.com/the-cumberland
- Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7DL
- Rooms from £130.00 per night
- Getting there: Marble Arch tube station on the Central Line
Deganwy, Wales
The Quay Hotel & Spa
Get away from it all with a trip to the coast. The Quay Hotel overlooks the UNESCO world heritage site of Conwy Castle and offers views of the Sea which make it feel like you are a million miles away from a busy city. The Quay Hotel & Spa has 74 stylish bedrooms, suites and penthouses, most with fantastic waterside views making you feel relaxed. Northern Wales is perfect for select outdoor sports and the hotel can organise sailing, golf, mountain biking and white water rafting amongst other things making this a great team building destination. A close by beach and gardens make this a great all year round option. Those seeking a bit of pampering after all that outdoor activity should head to the Spa.
- www.quayhotel.com
- The Quay Hotel & Spa, Deganwy Quay, Conwy, North Wales LL31 9DJ
- Rooms from £175.00 per night
- Getting there: London Euston to Llandudno Junction takes just over 3 hours.
Machynlleth, Wales
Ynyshir Hall
Ynyshir Hall was once owned by Queen Victoria. It is set in the secret heart of Wales and is cradled in 14 acres of glorious gardens. The hotel boasts an award winning restaurant and has nine individually designed rooms. The hotel has the good fortune to share its Dyfi estuary location with one of Britain’s finest bird reserves, the RSPB Ynys-hir Nature Reserve. Ynyshir Hall is a true foodie retreat and you can find plenty of herbs, asparagus, salads, soft fruit and baby vegetables in the kitchen garden. The hotel collects samphire and other wild foods including wood sorrel and wild garlic. Each one of the bedrooms is named after a famous artist and the individual design of each room was inspired by the artist’s style. Looking out of your room you will feel harmony and you will be looking at trees personally planted by Queen Victoria. A memorable irreplaceable experience is guaranteed.
- www.ynyshirhall.co.uk
- Eglwysfach, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8TA
- Rooms from £240.00 per night
- Getting there: London Euston to Machynlleth takes just over 4 hours, Helipad on site.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Aquapura Douro Valley
Truly unique and warming- aquapura right on the river Douro where Port wine is made and within its own vineyard, is a must visit hotel & Spa. The hotel perfectly blends old world authenticity with outstanding design and sophistication. The surrounding breathtaking countryside and views of the ever-flowing river are both alluring and stimulating. 50 bedrooms, 9 suites, Portugal’s biggest Spa, a leading business centre for up to 100 people, outdoor swimming pool and tennis court make this a leader worldwide. In addition to the hotel there are 21 private villas for sale, many have already sold. Those remaining are bound to be purchased as the word spreads. Consisting of one, two and three bedrooms, the villas offer minimalist elegance using wood, chrome and water in a way not seen often. In addition these villas benefit from exclusive hotel services including a private butler. Relaxing couldn’t be any easier! Look out for future aquapura hotels opening in 2009.
- www.aquapurahotels.com
- aquapura douro valley, Quinta do Vale d’Abraao, 5100-758 Samodaes-Lamego, Portugal
- Rooms from €192.00 per night. 1 bedroom villas from £430,160.00
- Getting there: TAP Portugal fly to Porto daily from both London Heathrow and Gatwick. Ryanair fly from Stansted.
Porto, Portugal
Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa
Porto offers substantial cultural attractions and is a vibrant city full of history. The city fuses modernity with dramatic historic buildings. A very modern metro showcases all corners of Porto and the many bridges crossing the river Douro offer beautiful views over a city full of character. Only 1 hour 50 minutes from London, Porto is the perfect
business and leisure destination. The Sheraton Porto is the leading hotel in Porto and offers super comfort and quality with peaceful surroundings. The spacious 266 bedrooms are modern in style and for business the hotel has numerous large event and meeting spaces. For dinner and drinks the Piano Bar serves the finest cocktails. All in all a fantastic city centre hotel in a wonderful city.
- www.sheraton.com/porto
- Rua Tenente Valadim, 146, Porto 4100-476, Portugal
- Rooms from €145.00 per night
- Getting there: TAP Portugal fly to Porto daily from both London Heathrow and Gatwick. Ryanair fly from Stansted.
Sintra, Portugal
Penha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort
In 1809 Byron was converted by the charms of Sintra. In 2009 you too will be converted into a state of awe when visiting this magical green city. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sintra has a Castle, a Palace, huge green mountains to explore on foot and is a perfect destination for golf. With golf in mind the ultimate resort is Penha Longa. It offers 2 golf courses, The Atlantic Course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course of 6290 meters offering a challenging course with the most breathtaking views over the ocean. The resort features 194 luxury guest rooms most with terraces with exciting views over the golf courses. A business centre, Spa and a whole selection of other activities including tennis, horse riding and swimming make this a great resort for getting active and then relaxing in complete comfort and luxury. Both Portuguese and Japanese restaurants offer some fine dishes and there are even a handful of boutiques inside the hotel selling luxury goodies.
- www.penhalonga.com
- Penha Longa Hotel & Golf Resort, Estrada da Lagoa Azul –Linho 2714-511 Sintra, Portugal
- Rooms from €175.00 per night
- Getting there: TAP Portugal fly to Lisbon daily from both London Heathrow and Gatwick. Easyjet fly from Luton.
Tags: Feb/Mar 09
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