July has whizzed by in a blur of heady heatwaves and short city breaks. I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time on the Eurostar this past month, whizzing off on weekend jaunts to Amsterdam, Paris, and Brussels, and dipping into as many London restaurants as possible when back on home turf.
Below are a few of my favourite swoon-worthy hotels and memorable meals from July.
HOTELS I’ve loved:
This is one of Paris' most iconic stays, so I was thrilled to check in during a whirlwind, 24-hour trip with my mum. Le Bristol delivers the full Parisian palace treatment with its glitzy, grand interiors: think marble bathrooms, glittering chandeliers and velvety furnishings in every room. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to the Honeymoon Suite on the 8th floor, which is about three times the size of my old flat in London, and offers sweeping views across the city. The hotel is part of the Oetker Collection, so I knew we'd be in for a treat (I've stayed at their properties in Antigua and Capri too): while the group's hotels vary wildly in style and offering, the one thread that ties them together is a truly unparalleled level of service.
Set within the former Palace of Justice - a landmark 17th-century building straddling Prinsengracht, one of Amsterdam’s main canals - Rosewood Amsterdam is the newest luxury address in the city, and might just be my favourite (this coming from someone who’s visited the city 15+ times over the past decade and stayed at many of Amsterdam’s best hotels). Rooms are hushed sanctuaries with soaring ceilings, baby-blue furnishings and unspoilt canal views, and you’ll wake up to excellent breakfasts (Dutch pancakes, eggs however you like them, and perfectly laminated pastries) served in the all-day restaurant, where tables spill into a tranquil inner courtyard. All the major sights are within easy walking distance, so use the hotel as a base for easy exploring, and retreat to the serene subterranean spa in the afternoons, which is kitted out with lap pool, gym, sauna and steam room.
This is Jackson Boxer’s latest opening in London, and perhaps my favourite yet of all his restaurants (is there anything this man can’t do?). Situated at one end of Exmouth Market, it’s the place to be on a buzzy Thursday evening: a whitewashed, light-filled space with a stainless steel bar plonked in the centre, and candlelit tables lining the walls. The food strikes that delicate balance of being interesting but comforting at the same time: we started off with raw tuna and spring onion pancake bites (such unexpected flavours and textures!) washed down with watermelon slushies. Then came the off-menu burger, of which only 10 are made a day (we managed to bag the last one!), and juicy roast chicken accompanied by a vat of duck fat fries. I’ve already booked a return visit in a couple of weeks’ time.
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