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Travel reviews of hotels, holidays, food and drink and epic adventure holidays featured on luxury leisure reviews website ALadyofLeisure.com written by travel journalist Sarah Bridge

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A Suffolk hotel with angelic food at The Angel Inn Stoke-by-Nayland

by Sarah Bridge
added January 26, 2023

You don't get to be included in the Sunday Times' list of Best Places to Stay 2023 without good reason, and I was intrigued to find out what The Angel Inn Stoke-by-Nayland in Suffolk had to make it stand out from other great British hotels. Following...

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A unique stay at the Rectory Manor hotel near Lavenham in Suffolk

by Sarah Bridge
added January 8, 2023

The Rectory Manor Hotel near Lavenham is a hotel stay like no other. For a start, it's more like a B&B rather than a hotel, offering bed and breakfast 'in the style of a hotel' (according to its website), but as breakfast is charged separately to...

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A luxury hotel stay close to Tate Modern at Hilton London Bankside

by Sarah Bridge
added January 5, 2023

With rooftop beehives, a 'Vegan Suite' and classic films playing in the lobby depending on the season, Hilton London Bankside is not your typical chain hotel offering. It's also the closest hotel to Tate Modern, which makes it the ideal location to s...

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The perfect gourmet break at Northcote luxury hotel Lancashire

by Sarah Bridge
added January 5, 2023

Some hotel visits stay in your memory long after the trip itself, and my recent stay at the Northcote luxury hotel Lancashire was a case in point. Not only was it a lovely hotel located just outside the vibrant and friendly town of Clitheroe, with lu...

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7 of the best Eurocamp holidays in France

by Sarah Bridge
added November 22, 2022

7 of the best Eurocamp sites in France - by someone who's been to them all! The biggest problem with trying to book a family holiday is that parents and kids usually want different things, writes guest reviewer Rachel Bridge. Kids want to go camping...

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Exploring Paddington and Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Paddington London

by Sarah Bridge
added November 21, 2022

Being new to Paddington Basin and the whole 'Aparthotel' concept meant that I was entering the unknown with my stay at Wilde Aparthotels by Staycity Paddington London right in the heart of Paddington Basin. While most Londoners know Paddington...

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Birthday treats in five star luxury at Bovey Castle hotel in Dartmoor, south Devon

by Sarah Bridge
added November 2, 2022

Planning a significant birthday is always a scary prospect, but a weekend at the five star luxury hotel Bovey Castle in the heart of Dartmoor, meant that I was assured of a stay fit for the occasion. A birthday weekend at Bovey Castle hotel ...

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Romantic, hot tub luxury in Herts with Bethnal&Bec’s cosy adults-only hideaways

by Sarah Bridge
added October 26, 2022

Arriving at The Foaling Box at Bethnal&Bec luxury self-catering studios, my partner's first reaction was: 'Wow? Can we stay here for a week?' Sadly we were there just for the night, but we instantly felt at home in this fun, quirky and welcomi...

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My Cape Verde holiday on the island of Sal

by Sarah Bridge
added October 22, 2022

Within minutes of arriving at our resort for our Cape Verde holiday, we had a drink in hand and had hit the dance floor - wearing jeans in 27-degree heat! Our week of fun had finally started. Cape Verde holiday at the Melia Llana hotel If you'r...

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Central location and great cocktails at Hyatt Place London City East hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added October 20, 2022

When I arrived at Hyatt Place London City East I had no idea what to expect, one of the joys of reviewing hotels in London. Would it be a budget option, handy for the tube but lacking in charm? Or will it be a quirky boutique hotel, full of surprises...

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Master Builders House hotel: history and luxury in the New Forest

by Sarah Bridge
added October 11, 2022

Master Builders House hotel is a hotel steeped in history, located in a beautiful setting on the banks of the River Beaulieu in the New Forest. It might sound like something out of Lego Masters, but the Master Builders name comes from the hotel’s 18t...

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The best hotels for Twixmas breaks 2022

by Sarah Bridge
added September 27, 2022

What is Twixmas? Twixmas is that magical time in between (twixt) Christmas and New Year when there's nothing to do but relax, enjoy your presents, eat leftovers and go for lovely country walks with family and friends. Over recent years, lots of hotel...

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63 of the best hotels for New Year’s Eve 2022

by Sarah Bridge
added September 26, 2022

The best hotels for New Year's Eve 2022 Spending New Year's Eve at a luxury hotel is a perfect way to begin the New Year. With many of Britain's best hotels pulling the stops out for New Year's Eve - think fine dining and wine-pairings, cocktails an...

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The best luxury hotel Christmas packages 2022 – my epic festive round-up

by Sarah Bridge
added September 1, 2022

Hotel Christmas packages - three magical words! Who hasn't dreamt of staying in a hotel for Christmas? If you think of the best luxury country house hotels for Christmas 2022 you can almost picture the festive scene: great food, beautiful decorations...

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Family-friendly camping and wild swimming at Wild Canvas

by Sarah Bridge
added August 24, 2022

If you’re trying to find a family-friendly campsite with wild swimming and no stress, then you’ve come to the right place. Wild Canvas is a pop-up camping experience which runs throughout August every year, and its style of camping is on the more rel...

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Sun, sea and simply fabulous: a week sailing in Turkey with SCIC Sailing

by Sarah Bridge
added July 22, 2022

A week sailing in Turkey around its Aegean coastline with SCIC Sailing is possibly one of most relaxing holidays you can go on. While some holidays can be so hectic you feel like you need another holiday immediately afterwards, the only risk you ...

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A Shepherds Hut stay at the Merry Harriers pub, Surrey [2022]

by Sarah Bridge
added July 14, 2022

A stay at The Merry Harriers pub The Merry Harriers pub in the pretty Surrey village of Hambledon is a quintessentially British pub. It's beautiful from the outside, with trailing plants and outdoor seating, while inside has all you need from a ...

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A grand traditional seaside stay at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne

by Sarah Bridge
added July 11, 2022

As I arrived at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne to be welcomed by the uniformed door staff and ushered into the hotel's vast entrance hall, I couldn't help but think they made hotels on a larger scale in days gone by. To arrive at The Grand Hotel in Eastb...

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A puzzle on every floor and a Loft Room stay at Holmes hotel London

by Sarah Bridge
added April 12, 2022

I often wonder if the little unique touches offered by some hotels - a particular theme, a movie quiz hidden in wallpaper, a secret garden or two - are ever really appreciated by guests who are just passing through, but I certainly made the most out ...

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An Easter treat with the Tom Aikens Finish & Feast restaurant meal kit

by Sarah Bridge
added April 11, 2022

One unexpected bonus of lockdowns was the rise in popularity and quality of restaurant meal kits to finish off at home, and these have continued long after lockdowns have (hopefully) become a thing of the past. I've already reviewed several home rest...

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A relaxing Cotswolds break at Burleigh Court Stroud

by Sarah Bridge
added March 15, 2022

Staying in a small, boutique hotel rather than one with dozens of rooms turns a hotel into more of a home-from-home experience and so it turned out with my stay at Burleigh Court hotel in Stroud, in the western end of the Cotswolds area of outstandin...

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A cosy Cotswolds stay at The Kings Head Inn Bledington

by Sarah Bridge
added March 10, 2022

Exploring the Cotswolds on a sunny day is one of most delightful things you can do but when the rain clouds gather overhead, the best thing to do is to find a cosy pub with an open fire and stay put for the afternoon. That's exactly what I did one co...

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Things to do in Bruges on a family-friendly city break

by Sarah Bridge
added February 9, 2022

Exploring Europe one city break at a time is a lovely way to introduce children to the delights of foreign travel. Now that travel is possible again, there are many things to do in Bruges in Belgium which makes it a great family-friendly ...

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What it’s like to holiday in Mauritius now that it’s open for tourists once again

by Sarah Bridge
added December 9, 2021

The sense of excitement is as tangible as the ever-present smell of frangipani and hibiscus flowers. Mauritius is finally open once again. From airport staff to taxi drivers, stall holders and restaurant staff, hotel owners, fishermen, massage the...

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9 of the best hotels in Mauritius

by Sarah Bridge
added October 19, 2021

The stunning Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius is definitely a place to put at the top of your wish list now we can start exploring the world again. Thanks to its location, an early lockdown and strict quarantine measures, Mauritius had extreme...

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45 hotels with swimming pools – the best UK hotels with pools

by Sarah Bridge
added August 4, 2021

Hotels with swimming pools are much more than just a lovely place to stay for a night or two; it turns a short break into a real holiday. Staying in a hotel is a treat at any time, but sometimes a hotel stay comes with the feeling you should be visit...

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A week of writing and walking at Arvon Foundation writers’ retreat

by Sarah Bridge
added May 31, 2021

Choosing to spend my first week of freedom away from my full-time writing job by booking a week-long writing course might seem a strange idea, but a week at the Arvon Foundation's writers' retreat in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire seemed just the thin...

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Seven things which made lockdown bearable, says author Rachel Bridge

by Sarah Bridge
added March 12, 2021

Guest post from author and journalist Rachel Bridge It’s a been a truly horrible year for everyone but a few precious things have just about kept me on the right side of cheerfulness - here are my top seven lockdown treats. My pool I normall...

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Dolphins, rum, yoga and sun: my action-packed Mauritius holiday

by Sarah Bridge
added December 22, 2020

A Mauritius holiday is probably what many of us are dreaming of right now - winter sun, sandy beaches, rum cocktails and luxury hotels. What to do on a Mauritius holiday I was lucky to spend a fortnight in Mauritius including a weekend trip to ...

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Travelling to the USA? How to apply for an ESTA (Sponsored post)

by Sarah Bridge
added November 5, 2020

Travelling to the USA – how to apply for an ESTA Planning on going on holiday to the USA soon? If your trip is for less than 90 days then instead of applying for a full US visa you can, under the Visa Waiver Programme, travel with an Electronic Sy...

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UK hotels after lockdown: my hotel experiences after the first lockdown

by Sarah Bridge
added August 11, 2020

UK hotels after lockdown will look rather different to before the pandemic so what can you expect from your stay? After the first four months of lockdown in 2020, to say that I was excited about getting back to hotel reviewing for ALadyofLeisu...

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Visiting a luxury hotel after lockdown

by Sarah Bridge
added June 16, 2020

Some of us can't wait to stay in a luxury hotel after lockdown, while others are more cautious - and like me, you're probably a bit of both (check out my article on what to expect from a hotel stay during Covid here). However as UK luxury hotels - es...

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9 of the most romantic hotels for Valentines Day

by Sarah Bridge
added February 9, 2020

Who doesn't want to stay in a romantic hotel for Valentines Day? Just picture the scene: a luxury bedroom with a four-poster bed, thick carpet and possibly a fireplace, a bottle of something chilling next to the bed and a massive bathroom with an ext...

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What it was like spending Christmas at a luxury hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added January 21, 2020

There are many reasons to spend Christmas at a luxury hotel rather than at home, but you still want it to be special, personal and memorable. Thankfully for us (my mother and me), our festive stay at Ockenden Manor hotel in the village of Cuckfield, ...

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Living in Herceg Novi and Boka Bay, Montenegro

by Sarah Bridge
added November 7, 2019

Moving to Montenegro and exploring Herceg Novi Living in Herceg Novi and indeed moving to Montenegro for five weeks was done on a whim. By chance I saw a Facebook post from travel bloggers and friends Kach and Jon Howe, aka Two Monkeys Travel (w...

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Exploring Le Mans in 24 hours: a whistlestop tour of the city

by Sarah Bridge
added September 25, 2019

Exploring Le Mans in 24 hours: a whistlestop tour of the city The historic city of Le Mans is famous for its Le Mans 24 race and so it seemed appropriate that I was also doing a 24 hour race around Le Mans, the historic city in the heart of French r...

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My stay in a chateau in France: relaxing in Le Mans at La Groirie chateau

by Sarah Bridge
added August 12, 2019

I've always wanted to stay in a chateau in France and to my good fortune I had the chance to while visiting Pays de la Loire this summer. Hotels in France are as varied as anywhere in the world but a stay in a French chateau promises something specia...

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Arranging a hotel and parking at Gatwick airport: APH parking Gatwick

by Sarah Bridge
added June 25, 2019

When asked to review APH Parking Gatwick I didn't think twice. Arranging a hotel and parking at Gatwick airport - or indeed any London airport - is always a major headache. The APH Parking Gatwick service This could be to do with the fact I usu...

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The Good Hotel Guide’s ten luxury hotels with swimming pools

by Sarah Bridge
added June 21, 2019

Guest post from the best-selling Good Hotel Guide - their top 10 luxury hotels with pools for the summer Summer’s here and with any luck we’ve all got summer holidays booked in. Come rain or shine, no holiday would be complete without a little swimm...

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The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu: a New Forest feast

by Sarah Bridge
added October 26, 2016

The brochure for The Montagu Arms in the New Forest encourages guests to 'take your cue from the ponies: graze, wander and enjoy the quiet.' I did all three during my stay at this 200-year old hotel and emerged feeling as relaxed and content as the b...

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My stay at The Marylebone: a room with a view and a seriously nice roof terrace

by Sarah Bridge
added October 17, 2016

A definite perk of reviewing luxury hotels is that 'wow!' feeling when you walk into a hotel bedroom for the first time and find something completely unexpected. Unlocking the door to my Terrace Suite at The Marylebone in central London was one of th...

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Rockliffe Hall hotel in Darlington, County Durham – a relaxing spa escape

by Sarah Bridge
added September 23, 2016

After being trapped in Bank Holiday roadworks, the five-star hotel Rockliffe Hall hotel in Darlington, County Durham was a more than welcome sight. Set in 375 acres of parkland, the original building dates from the 1800s, but over the years the 61-ro...

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A cooling terrace (and a cocktail) at The Bloomsbury hotel London

by Sarah Bridge
added September 20, 2016

When it's hot in the city, your first instinct might be to head for the coast but just a short walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station, The Bloomsbury hotel London is a great spot in which to cool down. Outdoor terrace at The Bloomsbury ...

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The Gore Hotel London: history, luxury and some rock and roll cocktails

by Sarah Bridge
added September 7, 2016

While some hotels try and emulate the look and feel of a historic country house, The Gore hotel London, which opened in Kensington in 1892, can't help but feel seeped in history. Many of its paintings and furniture date back to the 19th or early 20th...

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Something for everyone come rain or shine at Foxhills hotel Surrey

by Sarah Bridge
added August 17, 2016

Calling a hotel 'family-friendly' often means that those travelling without children run a mile in the opposite direction, but the luxury Foxhills spa and golf hotel is so vast that all ages and groups can thoroughly enjoy themselves without crashing...

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A garden with a view at the Alexandra hotel Lyme Regis

by Sarah Bridge
added July 22, 2016

With the wildly inconsistent British summer, I was extremely fortunate to have timed my stay at the Alexandra hotel Lyme Regis for one of the hottest days of the year. While the hotel would be a perfectly nice place to stay in during all sorts of wea...

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It’s a day of tasty foodie firsts at the River Cottage cookery school

by Sarah Bridge
added July 19, 2016

Last week, at home, I had some of the best bread I'd ever eaten. It was a soft, brown loaf and tasted marvellous. Was it the ingredients, I wondered - organic wholemeal stoneground flour. Or was it the fact that I'd made the whole thing myself, under...

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Valet parking – it’s supposed to be great but makes me panic

by Sarah Bridge
added June 29, 2016

This is probably one of those things that Americans are much better at than the Brits (they certainly have more practice at it), but valet parking always sends me into a panic. On the face of it, arriving at a hotel and having someone offe...

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Quintessential Cotswolds retreat at the Lords of the Manor hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added June 29, 2016

The man who described Bibury as 'the most beautiful village in England' surely never went to Lower Slaughter. It might have a slightly alarming name but Lower Slaughter, all lush green fields, yellow Cotswold stone houses and a babbling brook running...

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Brooklands Hotel Surrey; the perfect location for car, spa and plane fans

by Sarah Bridge
added June 29, 2016

One massive advantage that non-London hotels have over their capital city rivals is space, and our suite at Brooklands Hotel Surrey near Weybridge, was certainly one of the largest I've stayed in. Bedrooms at Brooklands Hotel The vast c...

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Lunch with the Queen (and 10,000 other guests) at the Patron’s Lunch

by Sarah Bridge
added June 18, 2016

It was the most British of days. The Patron's Lunch last Sunday had the Royal Family, it had cucumber sandwiches, it had queues and Pimms and cups of tea. And an awful lot of rain. It was as if someone had tried to work out what would make the day as...

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Luxury hotels reviewed by ALadyofLeisure.com – 2016 round-up

by Sarah Bridge
added June 3, 2016

ALadyofLeisure.com is the hotel, restaurant and spa reviews website from national newspaper journalist Sarah Bridge, read by thousands of industry professionals and travel enthusiasts every month. [Note: this round-up of luxury hotels reviewed by ALa...

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Baths in hotel bedrooms and transparent loo doors – treat or travesty?

by Sarah Bridge
added June 3, 2016

Are baths in hotel bedrooms a great hotel treat or just a ghastly design nonsense? I only ask because almost every hotel I've stayed in recently has at least one room where the bath is in the bedroom - at the foot of the bed, sometimes, or in prid...

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Danesfield House hotel and spa, relaxation on the Thames

by Sarah Bridge
added June 3, 2016

If your idea of a perfect country break is to have breakfast in the sun on a terrace overlooking a spectacular view, followed by a day lounging in a luxury spa, then Danesfield House hotel and spa in Buckinghamshire is just the place for you. ...

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Sopwell House hotel – a stay in my very own VIP courtyard

by Sarah Bridge
added June 3, 2016

At Sopwell House hotel near St Albans, Hertfordshire, our bedroom's location was really quite special. Arriving at Sopwell House hotel Just across from the hotel reception, a quick tap of our room card opened up a gate beyond which was a to...

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Free Good Hotel Guide giveaway, top five Cotswold hotels, reviews of Whatley Manor and Noble Rot plus Is a hotel bedroom turn-down service a turn-off?

by Sarah Bridge
added May 18, 2016

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7 of the best hotels in the Cotswolds which you’ll love

by Sarah Bridge
added May 18, 2016

Searching for the best hotels in the Cotswolds may sound like an easy task - luxury hotels in the Cotswolds seems to be everywhere! But with so many great hotels to chose from, it's easy to be overwhelmed. The best hotels in the Cotswolds don't come ...

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Turn-downs, coat hangers and posh loo seats – what I think is essential in a luxury hotel room

by Sarah Bridge
added May 18, 2016

So we're all agreed that free, fast wi-fi and power points in handy locations are a essential in a luxury hotel room - and we all like soft, fluffy bathrobes (even if we don't always use them). But what are the little extras you hope for when you che...

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Review of The Kensington hotel in South Kensington

by Sarah Bridge
added May 10, 2016

The Kensington hotel in South Kensington is one of the closest hotels to the National History museum, V&A and Science Museum, but is far removed from the school trips of my past. The hotel, part of the family-owned Doyle Collection, has 12...

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In a Sin City stay, there’s more things to do in Las Vegas than gambling

by Sarah Bridge
added May 4, 2016

Things to do in Las Vegas come rain or shine... It was my fourth visit to Las Vegas, but the first time I'd seen it raining on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Unsurprisingly, Vegas, being in the Mojave desert, isn't used to rain. Neither were the holida...

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Are hotel kettles essential in your luxury hotel bedroom?

by Sarah Bridge
added April 20, 2016

Is it a right or a privilege to be able to make tea in your hotel bedroom with your very own hotel kettle? I once spent the night at luxury country house hotel Cliveden and had a meeting with the chief executive of Travelodge the following day. The ...

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A room (and cocktails) with some serious views at ME London luxury hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added April 14, 2016

The view from the top of the five star luxury hotel ME London is a tourist's delight, taking in the essential sights of London, from the London Eye to Big Ben, St Paul's, Tower Bridge, The Shard and everything in between. Having evening cocktails on ...

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Hampton Manor hotel : top-class food and a step back in time

by Sarah Bridge
added April 6, 2016

It might be just a few miles from the M42 and Birmingham Airport but Hampton Manor hotel in the Midlands feels a hundred years from the hustle and bustle of modern life. Arriving at Hampton Manor Within a couple of hours of arriving at the 19th...

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Hambleton Hall Rutland: warm, welcoming and wonderful food

by Sarah Bridge
added March 25, 2016

Some hotels just get it completely right - and luxury country house hotel Hambleton Hall Rutland is one of them. From the traditional and immaculate bedroom, to the excellent food, lovely gardens, cosy bar and superb attention to detail, I can...

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The Capital Townhouse Knightsbridge luxury hotel near Harrods

by Sarah Bridge
added March 4, 2016

It is just seconds from the shopping and traffic maelstrom which is Knightsbridge, but The Capital Townhouse hotel Knightsbridge boutique hotel in central London is the very essence of calm and tranquility. If you are looking for a place where the pa...

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It’s Oscar time – but who is going to triumph in my very own ALadyofLeisure.com awards?

by Sarah Bridge
added February 29, 2016

Last year was a hectic one for ALadyofLeisure.com with 50 fabulous places reviewed, and with so many to choose from, it's hard to pick out the best. However some were so memorable that I wanted to single them out for special praise - and hopefully en...

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Ellenborough Park hotel and spa: the perfect place for a day at the races

by Sarah Bridge
added February 12, 2016

For horse-racing fans, the location of Ellenborough Park hotel and spa is hard to beat, being the closest hotel to Cheltenham Racecourse. Just a few hundred metres from the front door of the grand 15th century Cotswolds building is the racecou...

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ALadyofLeisure’s 2015 review of Britain’s best luxury hotels

by Sarah Bridge
added December 31, 2015

From Michelin-starred dining to London's most decadent pancake, grand country house hotels, brand new cruise ships, boutique hotels and celebrity hangouts (not to mention cocktail classes, private cinemas and hot tubs in the Cotswolds), it's been a l...

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Calcot Manor luxury hotel: a family-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds

by Sarah Bridge
added December 31, 2015

For those who love the idea of staying in a luxury spa hotel in the Cotswolds (and who doesn't?) and are travelling with children in tow, Calcot Manor luxury hotel, just the other side of Circencester, is a great choice - a Cotwolds hotel and spa f...

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The Arch hotel, London, unshowy but smart

by Sarah Bridge
added November 18, 2015

The Arch hotel is not a flashy hotel. For a luxury hotel near to Oxford Street and just across the road from Madonna's London home, the Arch is neat, calm, and quiet. It doesn't have the grand entrance or huge lobby of its immediate neighbours, th...

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Bond is back! In Spectre he’s bold, brilliant and BLOODY LOUD

by Sarah Bridge
added October 27, 2015

Spectre - a pure adrenaline rush Better than Quantum of Solace with its unfathomable plot; better even than Skyfall with its dodgy sexual politics, Home Alone exploding lightbulbs ending and its Tube line silliness: 'Wait, the bad guy's on the Distr...

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The Capital hotel London: a luxury hotel stay with a cocktail masterclass

by Sarah Bridge
added October 15, 2015

Its claim to fame is that it is the closest hotel to Harrods, and it's true that less than 30 seconds walk will take you right into the iconic department store. But thankfully The Capital hotel London, just next to the world famous department store H...

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Ynyshir restaurant with rooms in Wales: one of the best restaurants in Wales

by Sarah Bridge
added October 14, 2015

The wonderful thing about reviewing hotels for ALadyofLeisure.com is that I've discovered so many new places which I would never in a million years have come across otherwise, and the award-winning restaurant Ynyshir restaurant in Wales - which bills...

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Discovering hidden treasures at The Stafford hotel London

by Sarah Bridge
added September 3, 2015

If you're planning a stay at The Stafford hotel London then you have to ask for a tour of this luxury five-star hotel. All sorts of treasures will suddenly be revealed, from an epic wine cellar and a World War 2 exhibit to the penthouse suite, conver...

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Gravetye Manor West Sussex – food heaven in a luxury country house hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added September 1, 2015

There are some places that are so lovely you can't stop thinking about them after you leave, and Gravetye Manor West Sussex is most definitely one of those. [Note: this review of Gravetye Manor West Sussex was first published in 2015 and some of t...

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A stay at St James’s hotel London: Mayfair luxury with a Michelin star

by Sarah Bridge
added August 12, 2015

St James's Hotel in London is a true five-star luxury hotel but thankfully it has none of the formal starchiness you might expect from one of a five-star hotel in central London. A stay at St James's hotel London The staff are so cheerful and r...

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Drinking martinis at the best hotel bars in London

by Sarah Bridge
added July 24, 2015

'Don't worry, you won't get a hangover,' insisted Pleurat Shabani, the maker of Konik's Tail vodka and the host of our martini marathon. 'I've never had a hangover drinking martinis.' [Note: this review of drinking martinis at the best hotel bars ...

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Cruising for the first time: a week on P&O Britannia luxury cruise ship

by Sarah Bridge
added July 23, 2015

There was something about P&O Britannia cruise ship which reminded me of Las Vegas, and it wasn't just the casino. It was partly the vast amount of food on offer on board at its 13 restaurants onboard P&O Britannia - the stories about gaining...

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Qbic Hotel London City: friendly, fun hotel on a budget

by Sarah Bridge
added June 27, 2015

It might not be located in the most beautiful part of London, but Qbic Hotel London City in Aldgate, East London, scores highly on all the essentials for a budget hotel in London: price, location and cleanliness, not to mention a friendly and relaxed...

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Ashdown Park hotel in Sussex: luxury hotel in beautiful grounds

by Sarah Bridge
added June 16, 2015

As beautiful settings go, Ashdown Park hotel in East Sussex certainly has the 'wow' factor. A stay at Ashdown Park hotel Ashdown Park hotel is easily one of the best hotels in Sussex and is a hotel with stunning views. Walking through a stone a...

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Nirvana Spa: A hard day’s relaxing at this top day spa near London

by Sarah Bridge
added June 9, 2015

You would have to start early and finish late to squeeze in the maximum amount of relaxation possible at Nirvana Spa day spa near Reading, the award-winning spa near London and one of the top day spas in the country. A day at Nirvana Spa I spen...

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Hartwell House Aylesbury, Bucks: a hotel with the Downton Abbey factor

by Sarah Bridge
added May 13, 2015

You know you're in good hands when you arrive at a hotel spa and find Downton Abbey's head butler Carson (aka the terrific actor Jim Carter) lounging in the hot tub. Arriving at Hartwell House, Aylesbury While Hartwell House in Aylesbury is a l...

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Mark Warner Greece: a week at the five-star resort in Rhodes

by Sarah Bridge
added May 13, 2015

It might surprise those people who associate Mark Warner holidays solely with families that around 40 per cent of the company's business comes from singles, groups of friends, and couples. Mark Warner Greece holiday And now the firm has expande...

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Las Vegas food festival Vegas Uncork’d: it’s an epic Vegas food party

by Sarah Bridge
added May 5, 2015

Note: my article about the Las Vegas food festival Vegas Uncork'd was first published in 2015 so some of the details might now be out of date Mention Las Vegas and most people would immediately think gambling, casinos, showgirls, Mariah Carey, the...

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The Grove Watford: luxury country hotel life just outside London

by Sarah Bridge
added May 2, 2015

There was nothing to disturb the peace of my morning stroll around the 300 acres of Hertfordshire countryside which surround luxury hotel The Grove Watford; nothing, that is, until a helicopter suddenly swooped down and landed on the immaculate lawn ...

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Clermont Charing Cross: a central London hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added April 14, 2015

One of the closest hotels to Charing Cross station in London, the Clermont Charing Cross is surprisingly quiet, particularly for a luxury hotel in central London. In fact it turned out to be generally much nicer than I'd expected when I turned up...

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El Pirata Mayfair: the friendliest tapas in this part of London

by Sarah Bridge
added April 10, 2015

Tucked away behind the grey anonymity of Park Lane's hotel district which includes the Dorchester, the Intercontinental and the Athenaeum, El Pirata's tapas bar is a welcome sight. Visiting El Pirata Mayfair You might not think of tapas in Mayfair,...

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When the Queen launched P&O Cruises new ship Britannia

by Sarah Bridge
added March 19, 2015

Note: this article about the launch of P&O Britannia was written in 2015 - how time flies! If you want to read about what it's like to stay on P&O Britannia then click here The day was bright and sunny for Her Majesty and Prince Philip as ...

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Cheval Residences serviced apartments London; a home rather than a hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added March 18, 2015

For frequent travellers to the capital who find hotels increasingly soulless - or just miss being able to cook dinner - there is another option: staying in a serviced apartment in London. Rather than having to inhabit just one room and go out for ...

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First glimpse of cruise ship P&O Britannia

by Sarah Bridge
added February 25, 2015

It cost more than £520 million to build, weighs 141,000 tons and will carry more than 3,600 passengers. And this Friday the brand new cruise ship P&O Britannia will be making her way from the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy, to her new hom...

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Fifty Shades of Grey review: Blue Steel and an Ikea Room of Pain

by Sarah Bridge
added February 19, 2015

First, the good points about Fifty Shades of Grey, the film which has been greeted with massive under-enthusiasm by the critics (but which hasn't stopped it breaking box-office records, unsurprisingly given the books' massive fanbase). Dakota John...

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My stay at the Compleat Angler Marlow: location, location, location

by Sarah Bridge
added February 10, 2015

The Compleat Angler, Marlow is proof that some hotels don't need to have swimming pools, hot tubs and the very latest in beauty treatments - they just need to be in a great spot. Location of Compleat Angler, Marlow You could say that hotels in ...

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What’s wrong with having a photobombing yellow car?

by Sarah Bridge
added January 30, 2015

What's wrong with having a photobombing yellow car, you might ask? Poor Peter Maddox. The 82-year old has been accused of allowing his little yellow Vauxhall Corsa to 'photobomb' otherwise picturesque shots of Arlington Row in Bibury, acknowledged as...

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The Athenaeum hotel London: a charming boutique hotel in Piccadilly London

by Sarah Bridge
added December 31, 2014

All hotel visits linger in the memory afterwards but some leave a physical presence too - and in the case of the Athenaeum Hotel, a boutique hotel in Piccadilly London, it was Arthur. The teddy bear guarding my room was so sweet he just had to be lib...

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One Aldwych hotel London: a Lion King-sized bite of luxury in a West End hotel

by Sarah Bridge
added November 19, 2014

Hotels in London don't get more central than One Aldwych, the imposing luxury hotel on The Strand, one of London's main roads which flows from Trafalgar Square to Aldwych. A stay at One Aldwych It's also the closest hotel to the highly-succ...

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Volcanoes and fire-dancing: just a typical trip to Papua New Guinea

by Sarah Bridge
added November 11, 2014

Swimming near a school of dolphins, walking on a recently-erupted volcano and diving to a wreck of a World War 2 Japanese fighter plane might seem like once-in-a-lifetime holiday but if you are exploring Papua New Guinea, it is just an average mornin...

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What it’s like to go on a weight-loss boot camp

by Sarah Bridge
added November 3, 2014

It was when I was hiking along the North Devon coast in the rain that I started to question whether my plan to go on a boot camp to lose weight was worth its hefty price tag. Would I actually lose weight on a boot camp? A week on a weight-loss boo...

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Exploring Majorca for the first time: by helicopter, road and luxury yacht

by Sarah Bridge
added October 25, 2014

To get my bearings on my first ever trip to this beautiful island in the Balearics, a helicopter ride seemed like the perfect way to exploring Majorca for the first time (Majorca is also known as Mallorca in Catalan). An aerial view of Majorca ...

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A holiday of a lifetime learning to dive in the Cayman Islands

by Sarah Bridge
added October 25, 2014

It was an interesting introduction to my holiday of a lifetime learning to dive in the Cayman Islands: ‘The thing about the Cayman Islands is that the best sights are underwater,’ said my taxi driver as he drove along the dusty road from the airport....

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Tylney Hall: great building but not a great stay

by Sarah Bridge
added August 4, 2014

I've been fortunate enough to stay in some lovely country house hotels recently - sadly, Tylney Hall was not one of them. [Note: this review of Tylney Hall was first published in 2014 and so some of the details might now be out of date] To clar...

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Barts Speakeasy South Kensington – small but perfectly formed

by Sarah Bridge
added July 28, 2014

In spite of living and working just a mile away from South Kensington and passing through it most days, I never felt as if I really knew the area - and had never even heard of Barts Speakeasy South Kensington. A trip to Barts Speakeasy To me it...

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The Swan at Lavenham: a pub as charming as its location

by Sarah Bridge
added July 8, 2014

[Editor's note: This review of the Swan at Lavenham was first published in 2014. For a more up to date review of this hotel click here or go to https://www.aladyofleisure.com/the-swan-at-lavenham-review/ ] The Swan at Lavenham is located in one of...

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Visiting the Beefeater gin distillery tour and visitors centre

by Sarah Bridge
added July 8, 2014

Vauxhall in London is known for many things - the Oval cricket ground, a permanently traffic-snarled gyratory system, a disused gas works - but a pleasant afternoon drinking gin and tonics is not usually the first thing that springs to mind. Howev...

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No skimping on the apres-ski with Mark Warner Ski Tignes

by Sarah Bridge
added June 14, 2014

You could never accuse Mark Warner ski of skimping on the apres-ski - or, for that matter, the pre-ski and the actual skiing. A ski weekend in Tignes with Mark Warner Ski Holidays A three-day trip to French Alpine ski resort Tignes to check out its...

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Center Parcs Woburn Forest: a reviewer-proof staycation destination

by Sarah Bridge
added June 3, 2014

Center Parcs is practically immune from criticism. With occupancy (in normal times) running at a staggering 97.1 per cent all year round, the private-equity owned leisure company is the envy of its peers. In spite of the complaints about high ...

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Cannizaro House Wimbledon: a country retreat in the city

by Sarah Bridge
added February 28, 2014

A stay at Cannizaro House Wimbledon There is something rather delightful about packing to spend the weekend in a hotel just four miles from your home. It yields all the excitement and anticipation of a trip away without any of the angst and despai...

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After Dry January: so it turns out I like drinking – just for its own sake!

by Sarah Bridge
added February 1, 2014

After Dry January - what happened? Well - I did it. After Dry January I could look back on an entire January's-worth of alcoholic abstinence. And yes, it was a VERY long month. But the surprising discovery for me is not only that I have far...

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Costa Book Awards: celebs, gossip and a worthy winner

by Sarah Bridge
added January 29, 2014

My taxi driver was very excited when I said there would be loads of celebrities at the Costa Book Awards 2014. 'Like who?' he asked, as he turned off Piccadilly to head towards the event venue, Quaglino's restaurant. 'Like, erm, Ian Hislop,...

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Why you’re never too old to visit Las Vegas

by Sarah Bridge
added January 22, 2014

You're never too old to visit Las Vegas - and here's the proof! Just a few days in Sin City brought about a miraculous transformation in my 72-year old mother. For several weeks before our Las Vegas holiday, her main activity had been fretting...

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Learning to ski: a first-time skier braves a BMF ski trip in Courchevel

by Sarah Bridge
added January 20, 2014

Being escorted off the mountain-side by a French hunk on a snowmobile was not the way I had imagined the end of my first ever day of skiing, but it was certainly exhilarating. Learning to ski in France I clung to him for dear life as we plunged...

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So it’s a bar – which doesn’t sell alcohol. Can this be a good thing?

by Sarah Bridge
added January 17, 2014

Visitors to Redemption, tucked away in the unfashionable corner of London between Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove, first have to walk past an array of Notting Hill's pubs and wine bars, packed with Bright Young Things knocking back the very la...

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Review: Cirque du Soleil Quidam, Royal Albert Hall

by Sarah Bridge
added January 16, 2014

Having just a few months ago seen the jaw-dropping, mind-boggling spectacle which is Cirque du Soleil's 'O' at the Bellagio, Las Vegas, Cirque du Soleil's Quidam show at the Royal Albert Hall certainly had a lot to live up to. Cirque du Soleil Q...

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