Tag Archives: four seasons hotels

A City Experience & Country Escape in the UK with @FourSeasons

As you probably know, I have a big imagination. Sometimes I feel my life is like a movie. When I travel places it hard not to compare them to things I have seen on the big screen. I’m sure I’m not the only one that does this.

FSUK

Traveling to the United Kingdom definitely conjures up visions of movies for me. I have a thing for the English and their stories…let’s call it a small obsession. So, it was like a dream to have a city experience in London and then a country escape to Hampshire. For me, it was very much like James Bond meets Pride & Prejudice. I know you must be able to imagine what I mean but you might still wonder how this happened. The location is part of the reason, of course, but the bigger explanation was where I was staying.

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In London I stayed at the Four Seasons Park Lane. Maybe you are familiar with this property, it opened in 1970 as Four Seasons first European Hotel. Renovated and reopened in 2011, it’s now sexy, sleek and understated. Four Seasons Park Lane is playful but all English.

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Inspired by the 1930’s golden age of travel, the property’s color scheme is black with splashes of red and animal print. The house car is a Rolls Royce.  The restaurant has a wall of wine – all available by the glass.  The staff is impeccable. It feels like 007 will round the corner at any moment – most definitely luxurious and swanky enough for the likes of that infamous spy.  The property has 193 rooms and an amazing restaurant and bar, Amaranto, which serves inventive Italian with English style. I particularly loved their extensive cocktail menu MMMM.

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Not to be missed at Park Lane is their incredible spa. The views of Hyde Park are ALMOST as good as the treatments. Located in the center of Mayfair, Four Seasons Park Lane is the ultimate city hotel just steps away from Knightsbridge. Another notable perk to this property is their 10th floor lounge made available for guests with early morning arrivals. How lovely since I typically arrive in London at 6AM!!

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In the country I stayed at the Four Seasons Hampshire, an 18th century Georgian manor house with quite the storied past. Located in the heart of Hampshire, Dogmersfield Park was first mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was the site of the first meeting between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. Even Queen Elizabeth has visited this country estate. All I can say is it’s exactly as I would imagine a Georgian manor to be. Not only did I feel like I was stepping to a beloved Jane Austen novel, literally Jane Austen’s house turned museum is just 25 minutes away from the estate.

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Everything at Four Seasons Hampshire is light and airy, decorated with classic English furnishings – sophisticated not stuffy. The 500 acres of this estate include a canal, incredible gardens, gorgeous sweeping lawns and stables. You can borrow a pair of wellies boots and wander the grounds, perhaps even read your favorite book under a giant oak tree. I was looking for Mr. Darcy to turn up at any moment and tell me “You have bewitched me body and soul”. WHAT??! Let a girl dream. Opened in 2005, the property has 133 rooms, 3 restaurants, a stunning spa and more activities to keep any active person busy.

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I gave horseback riding a college try and loved it but if that’s not your thing then there’s tennis, golf, croquet, bike riding, fishing, falconry, the list goes on. The best news is Four Seasons Hampshire is a 1 hour drive outside London. ONE HOUR!! Or you can travel by train from London Waterloo to Fleet Station and take a taxi 10 minutes to the property. Recently awarded ‘England’s Leading Resort’ by World Travel Awards, it truly is one of my favorite places I’ve visited. Between the divine gourmet dinner with locally sourced ingredients to the mixology class and cocktail tasting, it was beyond perfection and I can honestly say I was quite at home at Four Seasons Hampshire and had no desire to ever leave.

I would typically say I’m a city traveler but wouldn’t change anything about my Four Seasons city and country getaways. Well, except not actually meeting James Bond or Mr. Darcy. 😉 Thank you, Four Seasons, for hosting me and giving me the opportunity to experience both. I cannot wait to return to both properties at some point soon.

PS – if you are looking for some holiday magic, Four Seasons Hampshire has all kinds of things planned for the Festive Season. Check out It’s a Wonderful Life at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire for details.

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One Day Stay: Prague, Czech Republic

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Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and the historical capital of Bohemia. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Prague three times. Once in the winter, once in the fall and my latest visit was in the summer. It is truly gorgeous in all seasons but I think summertime is my favorite even if it was my shortest visit. There is a reason it’s known as ‘The Golden City’ with its gilded roofs and spires but I have never it seen it glisten & shine like it did this summer. It was like the whole city had a golden glow.

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Prague was founded in the Romanesque period and blossomed in the Gothic & Renaissance eras, playing as the seat to two Holy Roman Emperors. Although this incredible city has a vibrant history it also has a dark side tied to wars and Communism. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague has become the 6th most visited European city. I can see why! It is truly stunning and there is no limit to what you can find to do. If culture is your thing, this city hosts museums and musical events galore. If food is your thing, you can find traditional Czech to the latest trends in every other cuisine. Then there’s shopping, nightlife and the great outdoors. Although there is so much of Prague to explore, it’s a great ‘One Day Stay’ destination if you are pairing it with a taste of Europe’s other great Hapsburg capitals – Vienna and Budapest.

DROP YOUR BAG

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I’ve written about the unique and gorgeous Four Season Prague before but I haven’t actually stayed as a lucky guest. So, you can imagine how happy I was to actually rest my head here and in my favorite style room in the Renaissance House! With just over 160 rooms held within 3 different historical structures, Four Seasons Prague kind of felt like returning home. You see, the staff were so gracious during my fall visit that we were all happy to be reunited once again this summer. Of course the hotel was everything I could imagine and more. Sleeping like a princess underneath a crystal chandelier and a soaking tub with jetlag salts waiting for me in the bathroom. Who wouldn’t be happy? Totally LOLA APPROVED! Only steps away from the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and with views of the Prague Castle across the Vltava River, Four Seasons Prague was perfectly situated for me to get a quick dose of the best Prague has to offer.

DO

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This visit to Prague I took a walking tour to the Hradcany district across the river from Old Town where you can find Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. I wandered up to the city wall and through the less well-known area called the “new world” where many writers and artists have lived over the years. As you move toward the river you will find the neighborhood Mala Strana whose cobblestone streets are so charming. This quiet neighborhood is home to many embassies and is said to be the most exclusive area of Prague. Even just crossing the Charles Bridge was magical in the summertime.

DRINK

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Post walking tour it was time to taste what Prague is so well-known for – BEER! Friends who live there suggested meeting in Letna Park – the biggest park in the center of Prague. You will also find great beer gardens there and a spectacular view of Prague. I loved watching the setting sun over the golden rooftops and people enjoying the summer evening.

DINE

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Back over in Mala Strana or Lesser Town, is where you will find the street named Maltezske namesti and definitely where you should head to dine. Filled with cute cafes and some of Prague’s best restaurants, here you’ll find a variety of places to eat. A few recommended spots are the French brasserie Cafe de Paris, Vino Deja Vu for a glass of local or international wine, and Cafe Lounge for a great cup of coffee.

A big THANK YOU to Four Seasons Prague for hosting my stay and treating me like a longtime friend. I’ve highly recommended Four Seasons Prague repeatedly and so you know I ‘Lola Approve’ it. The views here are mine!

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One Day Stay: Boston, Massachusetts

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Boston is one of the oldest and, in my opinion, most charming cities in the United States and I’m proud to call it HOME. A perfect ‘One Day Stay’ for many East Coasters, Boston is a short drive or train ride and well worth the trip. Pretty in all seasons, Summer and Fall are my personal favorites. Who wouldn’t love watching all the boats on the Charles River or out in the harbor? OR how about viewing the colorful Fall foliage? It is always fun to spend a night in town discovering new hot spots and reminiscing old haunts. I’d say, make Boston your stopover even if you are coming from elsewhere to tour some of The States. It is a great bouncing off point – no wonder it’s nicknamed ‘The Hub of the Universe’!

DROP YOUR BAG

Four Seasons Boston

Opened in 1985 in the heart of Back Bay, Four Seasons Boston is an institution of luxury in Beantown. Being a local to Boston, Four Seasons Boston is THE PLACE you think of for a cozy, after dinner drink or Sunday brunch at their Bristol Lounge. Staying as a guest is just a major added bonus! Four Seasons Boston has 196 rooms and 77 suites – all decorated in a contemporary style with touches of New England details. Perfect for the business or leisure traveler alike, recent updates include guest bathrooms as well as the ballroom & meeting spaces. Of course, it wouldn’t be Four Seasons without a FAB spa and fully equipped fitness facility. Completely LOLA APPROVED! I especially enjoyed the welcoming staff. Ron may be the very best doorman I’ve ever encountered.

DO

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Stroll through the Boston Public Garden and take in what has gone virtually unchanged since the Garden’s inception.  Said to be the “oldest” botanical garden in United States, the Boston Public Garden is one of my all time favorite places, in ANY season, to take a deep breath and enjoy the beautiful nature all around. You will find there the pretty Lagoon, old school foot-peddled Swan Boats, gorgeous fauna and more. Children of all ages love the duckling statues of Make Way for Ducklings fame.

DRINK

Legal Harborside

Enjoy a drink along the waterfront. After all, Boston is the capital of the “Bay State”. There are many places to go and have a seaside cocktail but to me the best places are in the recently developed Seaport area. Specifically, Legal Seafood Harborside Roof Deck. Holy WOW! This isn’t how I kicked off my evening. No, I stopped by on a sunny Saturday afternoon and, OH BOY, was this place jumping. I cannot even imagine what the scene must be like after dark. With a scaled-down food menu but a generous drink menu, one could be there for hours sampling the variety of specialty cocktails Legal Seafood offers. Lola tried the Raspberry Fix and it was delish on a warm summer day!

DINE

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Eat at Bistro du Midi, named the ‘Best French restaurant in Boston’ by the Boston Globe and it is easy to see why. The dashing staff and talented Chef gave a warm welcome plus a little amuse-bouche. I followed up that tasty treat with a marinated beet salad sprinkled with Vermont goat cheese and then had the pasta with duck & port bolognese paired with apples and French feta for my main course. Even though French inspired seafood is somewhat Bistro du Midi’s specialty, I can attest that my meal was DIVINE. At dessert time little cookies were gifted. My favorite part of the meal, however, may have been the wine! Unique to Bistro du Midi is serving Mas de Daumas Gassac Rouge 2011 from a gigantic bottle.  I confess, it kinda won me over instantly.

PS – Another one of my favorite ‘DO‘ activities in Boston is walking the Freedom Trail. It would be criminal not to suggest the 2.5-mile red-brick trail that’s easily navigable and takes you past 16 nationally significant historic sites. Just follow the red-painted line from the Visitor Information Center in the Boston Common to see sights such as important cemeteries, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church and the Old South Meeting Hall, where patriots planned the Boston Tea Party. Markers along the trail tell the story of the American Revolution and our nation’s early years. OH and by the way, the Freedom Trail is FREE!

A big THANK YOU to Four Seasons Boston for hosting my stay. As a local, I’m also a regular visitor to Four Seasons Boston and so I totally ‘Lola Approve’ it. The views here are mine!

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a Negroni cocktail history lesson

Negroni 101 – in its birthplace – Florence, Italy

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it’s no secret. i love my cocktails and i’ve been having a love affair with Negronis for some time now. little did i know, i was traveling to its homeland, the location of the creation of my cocktail of choice, this past fall. when i walked into the Atrium Bar at Four Seasons Florence, i had no clue i’d be learning Negroni history and sample tastings that evening. boy was i in for a major treat getting to experience it first hand.

so, there i was in a loungy bar in the beautiful Four Seasons Florence being served by the handsome, Luca, head bartender and winner of the prestigious “Italian Barman of the Year 2012”. not too shabby for a cocktail lover. to top it off, this ultra cool bar also has its own Negroni cart where they mix you whatever Negroni version you prefer right there at your table side. LOVE!

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while Luca did his mixing magic he told the story of how Negroni was born in Florence in 1920. at that time, the cocktail ‘Americano’ was very popular. a particular Italian playboy, Count Camillo Negroni, wanted the barman at Cafe Casoni to add gin to the concoction & thus, the drink took on the name Negroni.

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now for the fun stuff. ‘Americano’ is 1/2 Campari & 1/2 vermouth. Negroni is 1/3 gin, 1/3 Campari & 1/3 vermouth. Luca didn’t mix-master any old typical Negroni, however, he made 3 versions.

ONE was known as Old Style, a variation of Negroni using the oldest products out there. Beefeater Gin from 1820, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth from 1786 & China Clementi Bitter from 1884, garnished with an orange peel.

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TWO was called Valentino and is a combination of Hendricks Gin, Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth & Campari, garnished with a cucumber slice and an orange peel.

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THREE was Camillo, the namesake of the inventor, made with gin, white port & Prato Vermouth, garnished with an orange slice and caper berries.

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A note of thanks to Four Seasons Florence for hosting my Negroni history lesson & tasting as well as other cocktail treats and eats. my taste buds were delighted and if i didn’t ‘Lola Approve’ it i’d say otherwise. the views here are mine, grazie! lola_blackpink

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Filed under cocktails, florence, travel