Just a short journey from London lies White Cliffs country. I’m talking about the towns of Dover, Deal and Sandwich with their endless beautiful views, tonnes of history, outdoor adventure activities, delicious restaurants…oh and some gardens owned by the stars of Gogglebox! So why should YOU visit?
The weekend was shaping up to be a good one. With my other half’s big 3.0 on Saturday, I decided to shake things up a little with a surprise the night before.
I checked into the Andaz London Liverpool Street, spent an hour exploring the facilities, hung up a kitsch ‘Happy Birthday’ banner above the bed, and laid out a few presents on the desk. I’d been dying to stay here… and he didn’t know it yet, but he, too, was in for a real treat.
The luxurious Andaz London Liverpool Street is a 5-star hotel with ambition. Yes, it’s in the ideal location for business travellers who need easy access to the city, AND a great base for tourists … but it also offers plenty for travellers like me. A Londoner. A Londoner attempting to be a tourist in my own city.
Recently the Andaz collaborated with SideStory – arguably one of the capital’s coolest tour operators, to offer two special experiences. After staying in one of the hotel’s super-trendy street art rooms, guests spend an afternoon on a photography or street art in the local neighbourhood. It’s a great concept, and refreshing to see a luxury hotel looking for a new way to heighten the guest experience.
Forget tapas bars. Forget sushi bars. Right now, it’s all about the mozzarella bar. And I seem to have found a good one right in the heart of London.
Mini boccocini balls, smoked mozzarella, burrata, and an enormous braid of mozzarella arrived at the table. It was an overwhelming quantity of cheese… but I couldn’t wait to dive in.
With 23 restaurants across the globe (from Japan to the USA), Obicà’s cheesy empire is growing fast. Just a few weeks ago they opened their latest London restaurant, in the heart of the city by St Paul’s.
It’s a smart place – contemporary, elegant, but surprisingly – it’s not expensive. It’s a great place for a date, dinner with friends or a casual lunch.
