Showing posts in London List Abroad

The London List Abroad: The Hoxton hotel group begin their international expansion with a suave hotel in trendy Amsterdam The London List

Posted in Hotels, London List, London List Abroad

By Sam Bathe on 10 Aug 2015

Their first international location ahead of expansions into New York and Paris in 2016, The Hoxton hotel group have opened doors on the trendy canals of Amsterdam. Transforming five 17th century canal houses for the residence, The Hoxton Amsterdam boasts 111 rooms over five floors, with mid-century inspired-interiors and furniture throughout. Show the rest of this post…

Housing Soho House’s new Lotti restaurant, plus a coffee shop, bar, conservatory and event spaces, The Hoxton will fit right in to a city undergoing a real re-invigoration.

The Hoxton Amsterdam, Herengracht 255, 1016BJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
www.thehoxton.com/holland/amsterdam

The London List Abroad: Amangiri finds ultimate luxury in amongst Utah’s otherwise inhospitable Canyon Point The London List

Posted in Architecture, London List, London List Abroad

By Sam Bathe on 23 Jul 2015

On a vast 600 acre plot against the dramatic backdrops of Canyon Point, Utah, Amangiri – meaning ‘peaceful mountain’ – is a stunning luxury resort and the ultimate getaway from civilisation. Constructed largely from concrete with white stone floors, textured natural furnishings accent a space that sits so effortlessly against the rocky surroundings. Show the rest of this post…

A 25-minute drive from the nearest town of Page, Arizona, and just 15 minutes from the stunning Lake Powell, Amangiri features 34 suites, huge swimming pool, library, restaurant, indoor and outdoor living spaces, a yoga pavilion and the Aman Spa, offering floatation therapy, sauna, steam room, and cold plunge and step pools.

Amangiri, 1 Kayenta Road, Canyon Point, Utah, 84741-0285, USA
www.amanresorts.com

The London List Abroad: Soho House opens its latest outpost in a 19th century Palazzo in Istanbul, Turkey The London List

Posted in Hotels, London List, London List Abroad

By Sam Bathe on 25 Jun 2015

Already counting London, Berlin, New York, Chicago, Miami and more amongst their locations, the latest Soho House outpost takes over a stunning 19th century Palazzo in the Beyoglu district in Istanbul. Once the home of the US embassy and later US consulate, Soho House Istanbul is their largest to date with the four building complex offering 87 rooms, numerous bars, a spa, fine dining restaurant and two rooftop pools. Show the rest of this post…

Interior designers were inspired by Istanbul’s unique blend of old and new, with original features and traditional rugs matched with more modern furniture and striking Turkish tiles. Clever planning sees a co-working space in the Playroom turn into a ping pong room by night, while the Palazzo’s rooftop bar and pool offers magnificent views of the Golden Horn.

Soho House Istanbul, Evliya Çelebi Mahallesi Meşrutiyet Cad. No:56, Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey 34430
www.sohohouseistanbul.com/en

The London List Abroad: Hotel Brummell is a contemporary, urban retreat on the stylish streets of Barcelona The London List

Posted in Barcelona, London List, London List Abroad

By Sam Bathe on 1 Jun 2015

Inspired by the clean living Ace Hotel group, the Brummell is a contemporary urban hotel offering an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Barcelona. Offering simple yet stylish 20 rooms plus two apartments with mini-rooftop pools, Hotel Brummell sits in the quiet and relaxed Poble-Sec district. Show the rest of this post…

Restoring an original 1870s neighbourhood building while maintaining the historic façade, local artists have provided artwork to bring a little Catalan flavour to the guest rooms and communal areas.

Hotel Brummell, Nou de la Rambla, 174, 08004 Barcelona, Spain
www.hotelbrummell.com

The London List Abroad: Rome’s G-Rough Hotel turns the deconstructed look into luxury accommodation The London List

Posted in Hotels, London List, London List Abroad, Rome

By Sam Bathe on 29 Apr 2015

Transforming a 16th century palazzo-style building, Gabriele Salini and Emanuele Garosci describe their G-Rough Hotel as “unconventional luxury suites”. Combining traditional and modern Italian design ideals with a deconstructed aesthetic, details like worn plaster walls and vintage furniture give the hotel a unique atmosphere. Offering 10 unique suites, each decorated with original works from designers including Guglielmo Ulrich and Giò Ponti, the hotel also includes a ground-floor bar and cafe which is open to the public.

G-Rough Hotel, Piazza di Pasquino, 69, 00186 Rome, Italy
www.g-rough.com/hotel-rome

The London List Abroad Review: Hotel Praktik Vinoteca, Barcelona The London List

Posted in Barcelona, Hotels, London List, London List Abroad

By Dan Harding on 18 Jan 2015

Endless tapas and vermouth joints, a thriving music scene that’s birthed two of the finest music festivals the 21st century has to offer, achingly beautiful Gaudi architecture at every corner, a beach that’s primed for lounging more than 80% of the year; Barcelona really isn’t a bad shout if you’re planning a weekend away, because no matter how you much plan on doing, there’ll still be more to accomplish. Show the rest of this post…

The Praktik Vinoteca was our elegant outpost for the weekend, the latest endeavour in a series of minimal and modernist hotels from the Praktik Group. Their boutique presence in the Catalan capital is more than healthy, in addition to the Vinoteca, they have two centrally located hotels (Rambla and Garden), with another housed in a nearby bakery. The Praktik Vinoteca, as you may have guessed, is a hotel designed and defined by an obsession for wine.

Location

Tucked away on Carrer Balmes in the Eixemple district, the hotel is well situated just a ten minute amble from Placa de Catalunya, a main drop-off point for coaches and shuttle buses, as well as being in close proximity to metro stations Passeig de Gracia and Universitat, and just a 20-minute cab ride from the airport. The area is positively brimming with character, with the Modernist touchstones of La Segrada Familia, Casa Battlo and Casa Calvet, alongside a whole host of designer shops and supreme fine-dining experiences.

Rooms

The hotel’s interior was designed by Lazaro Rosa-Violan (of Contemporain Studio), while we stayed in an Exterior Double facing the hustle and bustle of the Carrer Balmes. The rooms aren’t huge but every drop of space was used to great effect, resulting in a perfectly snug home away from home. The large double bed and soft pillows made for a wonderful night’s sleep after a long day traipsing the streets.

The WiFi was superb too, perfect for planning excursions and visits to the local Gaudi hotspots, while perching out on the small balcony is a great way to soak up the local atmosphere.

Bathroom

The bathroom at the Praktik Vinoteca is a practical masterpiece, stylishly squeezing the most out of close quarters. As you enter the room, you are greeted by a pair of cubicles on either side, decorated with sleek black squares. A roomy shower space fills one, with a powerful overhead/hand shower and products sourced from seaweed. A toilet/basin completes the other, with the welcome bonus of a hairdryer. The corridor acts a dressing area with a partition between the main area for privacy, there’s a large mirror on the back of the door too.

Amenities

As the hotel was still in its infancy breakfast wasn’t on offer, but we were informed this will be incorporated in the future. The nearby Il Caffe Di Francisco more than served our needs in pepping us up for the day, with cafe con leches and heavenly lemon cake. For the gourmets amongst you, the magnificent Cinc Sentits is a five-minute stroll away, a place for unforgettable dining experience from the Michelin starred chef, Jordi Alba. Tapas at the nearby Comtal was brilliant too, hearty and good-value fare after travelling from the airport.

Hotel staff are extremely helpful, more than happy to organise various wine-welated excursions, offer tips on local hotspots and book a taxi for you. The hotel is also fully accessible, with a ramp at the entrance and lifts to every floor.

Wine

What Praktik Vinoteca lacks in breakfast and room service, it makes up in unrivalled oenological expertise. In addition to the complimentary glass of Catalan fizz shortly after our arrival, the in-house sommelier Tomas holds regular free wine tastings; they’re an enlightening experience for the palate, regardless of whether you know your rioja from your ribiera. A word about the surroundings, the main reception/lounge area where all this takes place is a truly gorgeous room. Wine bottles adorning every wall, majestic floral lampshades and lightbulbs inside a lightbulb makes for decadent people-watching while you’re sitting at the window gazing out at the street.

We were treated to a sumptuous white, the Pere Punyetes Blanc, a blend of Muscat and Xarelo, a grape local to the region and a luscious melange of fruity textures flecked with a rewarding crispness, whilst also being led through the merits and intricacies of numerous reds, borne from regional grapes and those further afield. It’s also possible to buy wine to take home with you (they provide bubble-wrap to prevent any luggage mishaps) or have it delivered to your door, courtesy of their link up with wine distributors, Most.

Verdict

Focusing on something close to their heart is always going to make for an endearing experience, and the Praktik Vinoteca certainly doesn’t disappoint in that respect. The way the hotel is designed, drinking wine feels like the most natural activity in gorgeous understated surroundings, which is a worthy achievement because the appeal will extend beyond wine-lovers. That said, the chance to take a bottle or two upstairs would have been welcome.

For reservations and more, please visit: www.hotelpraktikvinoteca.com
Hotel Praktik Vinoteca, Carrer de Balmes 51, 08006 Barcelona

The London List Abroad: Ecuador’s Quilotoa Crater Overlook offers spectacular views over an 800-year-old volcano crater The London List

Posted in London List, London List Abroad, Travel

By Sam Bathe on 10 Dec 2014

Deep in the Ecuadorian Andes and some 12,000 feet above sea level, the Quilotoa Crater Overlook teeters over the edge of a collapsed volcano and the stunning Quilotoa Lake. The glass-fronted double platform is made from pre-weathered teak, designed to compliment and blend into its surroundings, and offers two viewpoints from either the top deck “producing an almost vertigo-like sensation” or the lower stairs, “a space for passive viewing.” A project from the Ecuadorian tourist board, the Quilotoa Crater Overlook supports the indigenous Shalalá community who run the area’s facilities and was designed by architects Javier Mera, Jorge Andrade and Daniel Moreno.

The London List Abroad City Guide: The best things to do in West Hollywood, Los Angeles The London List

Posted in London List, London List Abroad, Los Angeles

By Sam Bathe on 15 Nov 2014

The sprawling metropolitan city of Los Angeles is completely unique, its relaxed West Coast lifestyle offering so much diversity and so many things to do. To make the most of your time in LA, we always bunch our itinerary into neighbourhoods, so we’ve broken our city guide down too. Read on for our favourite West Hollywood hotspots, stores and eateries, and check out Downtown, Arts District, Venice and our favourite Attractions in the rest of the guide. Show the rest of this post…

Opening Ceremony Los Angeles (above)
One of the best stores in the city, Opening Ceremony’s LA boutique is situated in one of Charlie Chaplin’s former dance studios just north of the Beverley Centre. Across two floors, with a separate building for footwear, downstairs you can explore the full OC range and any recent partnerships, while upstairs a mini-mall concept gives dots of space to a series of designer shops-in-shop, from Acne and Alexander Wang to D.A.P.
451 N La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048
www.openingceremony.us/about/ocla

South Willard
On the thoroughly rejuvenated West Third Street, South Willard is a carefully curated menswear store, carrying items from the likes of Band of Outsiders, Gitman Vintage and Frank Leder, plus exclusive collaborations with Crescent Down Works. A small but tightly edited shop, South Willard also stocks local ceramics, books and homeware accessories.
8038 W Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
www.southwillard.com/south-willard/store

ArcLight Hollywood
The flagship of four ArcLight cinemas in the city, ArcLight Hollywood has the spirit of an independent but the range of a multiplex; ArcLight don’t show commercials before movies, only trailers, and their “black-box” auditoriums keep distractions to a minimum. Across 14-screens, films showing range from big budget blockbusters to smaller, speciality releases, now in the adjoining – and iconic – Cinerama Dome too.
6360 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.arclightcinemas.com/locations/los-angeles/hollywood

Mel & Rose
One side a fine wine and spirit merchant, the other a speciality foods store and Italian deli counter, while you might leave with a bottle or two in hand, Mel & Rose is one of the best quick-stop lunches in LA. Offering a range of homemade pasta, soups and salads, the deli has no right to be this good, though our tip would be the sandwiches. The “Nissay” with a huge herbed chicken breast and Monterey Jack, and the “Cantina” with meatballs, mozzarella and a marinara sauce, have had us lining up for years.
8344 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069
www.melandrose.com

American Rag Cie
Across one big warehouse-style shop floor and neighbouring denim bar, American Rag Cie has all the bases covered. From hip designer labels to vintage, shoes, accessories and jewellery, it’s difficult to drop in and not walk out with a buy. If you’re bored of waiting for your partner, you can always pop into adjacent Cafe Midi for a slice of pie too.
150 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.amrag.com

Umami Burger Hollywood
Our favourite burger in LA, Umami is named after the fifth basic taste and doesn’t over do it with a menu that focuses on flavour and reserved touches of flair. The signature “Original” burger is the star in the pack; a unique blend of beef topped with a parmesan crisp, roasted tomato and Umami house ketchup. With outdoor seating in their sunny courtyard space, head to Umami’s Hollywood location, where you’ll also find the restaurant exclusive, and equally delicious, “Pastrami Mami”.
1520 N Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
www.umamiburger.com

Unis
Beautiful wardrobe staples from plain tees to linen shirts to pastel chinos, Unis’ well-crafted essentials are a dose of understated luxury. Their LA store – the first outside of New York – is a minimalists’ dream, stocking much of the unisex collection and the recent introduction of gender-specific outerwear. Unis’ shoes and accessories are excellent too.
138 S La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.unisnewyork.com

Check out our favourite Downtown, Arts District and Venice hotspots, plus our favourite Attractions in the rest of the guide.

The London List Abroad City Guide: The best things to do in the Arts District, Los Angeles The London List

Posted in London List, London List Abroad, Los Angeles

By Sam Bathe on 15 Oct 2014

The sprawling metropolitan city of Los Angeles is completely unique, its relaxed West Coast lifestyle offering so much diversity and so many things to do. To make the most of your time in LA, we always bunch our itinerary into neighbourhoods, so we’ve broken our city guide down too. Read on for our favourite Arts District hotspots, stores and eateries, and check out Downtown, West Hollywood, Venice and our favourite Attractions in the rest of the guide. Show the rest of this post…

Blue Bottle Coffee (above)
Formerly Handsome Coffee Roasters until Blue Bottle bought the popular local upstart in April 2014, the Arts District café and roastery is a one of the success stories of the burgeoning LA coffee scene. Offering a range of beans and blends, cold brews, espresso and iced coffees, everything locals used to love about Handsome is still there, plus now Blue Bottle’s organic supply can be enjoyed at the ever-popular window bar and outdoor benches.
582 Mateo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.bluebottlecoffee.com/cafes/arts-district

iKO iKO
Though it’s more in Chinatown than the cool-again Arts District, concept store iKO iKO feels right at home alongside the rejuvenation happening east of Downtown. Carrying a buzzy line of original jewellery, fashion pieces and accessories, the store model centres on change, creating the perfect context for their own lines and other carefully selected labels. iKO iKO is much more concerned with refurbing the old rather than the man-made new and it makes for a shopping experience that’s just as fun as the products themselves.
1727 N Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.ikoikospace.com

Poketo
The flagship for fantastic arts and design purveyors, Poketo, the Eastside store from husband-and-wife team Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, is staffed by fantastically knowledgable, enthusiastic and friendly staff. Carrying much of the stationary and fun homeware stock from their site, plus some in-store exclusives, Poketo is one of our favourite store across the whole of LA and recently opened a concession stand within the Line Hotel in Koreatown too.
820 E 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.poketo.com/pages/poketo-store

Apolis: Common Gallery
Inside the industrial-chic store, Apolis’ carefully curated seasonal range goes someway to defining the modern LA look. Also hosting regular talks, exhibitions and evening screenings, plus an espresso bar for a mid-afternoon kickstart, their clothing is muted and reserved, perfect for a smart-casual look at work or lazy Sundays around town.
806 E 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.apolisglobal.com/common-gallery

Bestia
One of a number of trendy new restaurants within the Arts District, Bestia’s bustling dining hall and tasty, creative menu means it quickly lives up to the hype. We’d recommend the Beef Cheek Agnolotti, though driven by local fresh ingredients you can’t go wrong with anything off the menu. Be sure to make a reservation if you have a large party, but otherwise the bar seating is just as good a spot to enjoy cocktails while you wait for a table.
2121 7th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90021
www.bestiala.com

Check out our favourite Downtown, West Hollywood and Venice hotspots, plus our favourite Attractions in the rest of the guide.

The London List Abroad: Local legend Roy Choi explores the Los Angeles culinary scene in new CNN webseries ‘Street Food with Roi Choi’The London List

Posted in Food, London List, London List Abroad, Los Angeles

By Sam Bathe on 23 Sep 2014

Credited with kick-starting the food truck explosion across North America, owner of the famous Kogi BBQ, local legend Roy Choi’s new CNN webseries explores the Los Angeles culinary scene. Featuring influencers including Anthony Bourdain, Michelle Phan and filmmaker Jon Favreau, Street Food with Roy Choi visits their favourite joints around town and examines the culinary trends of the LA food scene. The eight-part series debuts October 13th on CNN.com.