hotel reviews Archives - Style&Minimalism

Birch, Hertfordshire

This post was created in collaboration with Birch.

At Birch you can watch a film in the screening room, take part in a creative workshop, hold meetings or work quietly, enjoy lunch in either of their restaurants, choose from three different bars to sit and sip on a drink, pick up a coffee and the latest copy of Cereal Magazine, take a class or workout in their fitness studios, or jam in their music room; you could even hold a conference there. Birch has got a little bit of everything.

A couple of weeks ago my husband, daughter and I stayed at Birch for the weekend. It rained most of the time that we were there but that didn’t seem to matter. There was something for each of us to do, even stepping out in the light rain at times to explore the extensive grounds.

The first thing you notice when you arrive at Birch is the impressive main house. The Grade II* listed building (previously known as Theobalds House) was once the country home of the Meux family, millionaire brewers in the 19th century. The parties they held were, by all accounts, quite extravagant and those in attendance included King Edward VII and Winston Churchill. Lady Valerie Meux had a controversial past, having been a banjo-playing barmaid and prostitute when she met Sir Henry Meux, whilst working at the Casino de Venise in Holborn. There are stories about her driving herself around London in a high phaeton carriage, drawn by a pair of zebras – the inspiration behind the name of one of the two restaurants at Birch.

The renovations to the building were completed by architects, Red Deer. They took a sustainable approach; reusing, repairing and upcycling; wherever and whenever possible. As they delved beneath old carpets and behind boarded-up fireplaces they discovered beautiful mosaics and ornate details from the Georgian era. White numbers left on the floorboards during previous renovations have been highlighted, rather than hidden away. They took inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi, where an object’s flaws are exposed and highlighted in order to celebrate its history and story, whilst prolonging its use. The house has some incredible features which have been consciously accentuated in its new role as an inspirational and creative space.

The bedrooms are pleasantly simple in design and layout. There are no desks or TVs, just a radio in the corner; the rooms at Birch are designed with relaxation and sleep in mind. There are a combination of blackout blinds and raw linen curtains at the windows, incredibly comfortable mattresses on the (slightly lower than average) beds and a pleasant mix of linen and cotton bedlinen. In the bathrooms you’ll find big fluffy towels and essential products.

Each bedroom has a bespoke valet stand, manufactured by Jan Hendzel Studio, combining artwork by local artists. The ceramic vases are by ceramicist Emma Louise Payne (who teaches some of the pottery workshops), the copper bowls are by metalsmith Lucie Naujalis, and the recycled plastic orbs and bases are by sustainable material designer Charlotte Kidger.

Robin Gill (previously of The Dairy) has developed two restaurants at Birch. Valeries is in the main house and offers casual dining and a grab-and-go service. The main dining room is bright, airy and comfortable; with tables of various sizes, suiting both small and large parties. The food is fresh and tasty, tomatoes taste like tomatoes should, spices have been used in just the right quantities to make your mouth water and the sour dough bread comes directly from the ovens in the bakery next door.

Through a large wooden door, at the back of the restaurant, there is a private dining room called The Gun Room; it fits a group of eight perfectly. The wood panelled room is reminiscent of those often found tucked away in trendy East London restaurants.

It is possible to request a picnic or barbecue box from Valeries which you can take out into the grounds behind the main house. There are lots of small areas set-up with hammocks, picnic benches and deckchairs. You can relax around a fire pit, cooking and keeping warm in the colder months (there are also blankets you can borrow).

The second (and also the flagship) restaurant at Birch is The Zebra Riding Club, headed up by Robin Gill and Ben Rand. Here you can enjoy an incredible set menu full of fresh, seasonal produce; some grown on the estate, some from surrounding farms and a few ingredients from further afield. There are alternative menus offered for those who are vegan, pescatarian, or gluten intolerant.

I don’t eat dairy or red meat so I chose the pescatarian menu with a couple of vegan alternatives. My husband had the regular menu and my daughter enjoyed little bits of our food, as well as grilled corn-on-the-cob and a large bowl of freshly made tagliatelle. We all ate particularly well and were looked after exceptionally well by our waitress (who Isabelle took an immediate liking to).

The flavours took us on a journey, tantalising our palettes with everything from courgette tartlets to Irish oysters and razor clams, salt marsh lamb and badger flame beetroots to peach sorbet and rosemary sablés. Everything was cooked to bring out the best in each ingredient, respecting the quality of the produce.

You don’t need to be staying at Birch to eat at The Zebra Riding Club but if you are staying book a table before you arrive to avoid disappointment.

Robin Gill works closely with farmer Tom Morphew – who is responsible for taking care of the grounds and gardens at Birch, including growing fresh produce for both restaurants. Their intention is to grow and rear a large quantity of the produce used in the restaurants, within the grounds.

As part of this grand plan, Morphew has rescued a brood of battery hens. All of them have now discarded the woolly jumpers they wore when they first arrived and almost all of them have managed to grow back their feathers. They now produce eggs for the restaurants which have been included in the current menu at The Zebra Riding Club.

The grounds are beautiful and the time we spent wandering around them with Isabelle, picking up conkers and acorns, and chasing after her, felt like time well spent. I enjoyed showing her the chickens and seeing her reaction.

There are still more developments in the pipeline, Birch intend to evolve the land designated for growing, build a lido and it’s yet to be decided how the huge treehouse on the front lawn will be used.

Our time at Birch was never intended to be about work, although obviously reviewing a hotel does require some work on my part. The facilities available in The Hub offer flexibility for those who prefer a co-working space. There are multiple meeting rooms that can be used as offices and throughout the site there are countless spaces you can hire for events, away-days and team building exercises. In the The Hub you’ll also find the Links Bar and The Store, both of which offer hot drinks, pastries and snacks.

Earl of East are in residency at The Store, offering a small but well-curated shop with books, magazines and a few essentials that you might want or need during your stay.

One of the big attractions for me at Birch, are their creative workshops; there are more than you could singlehandedly take part in, on any given day. At the time of our stay, they included bird box building, macramé plant hanger making, Bauhaus plate painting, glassblowing and candle-making; to name a few. There are also guided walks, and egg gathering sessions with Tom Morphew.

During our stay I took part in two of the workshops. I learnt some pottery basics in the Pottery: Clay Session with Emma Jane Payne which included learning how to coil, pinch and slab build. The three hours I spent in the studio were incredibly meditative and I enjoyed the time spent chatting with the other women in the class. I plan to share more about the workshop in a separate post.

I also took part in a Soda Bread Masterclass in the Interactive Bakery. This was just a one hour class and taught me how simple it is to make soda bread at home. It took 20 minutes to prepare and the same again to bake. It is also possible to drop-in to the bakery throughout the morning and learn how they make their delicious sour dough bread. Each session lasts just 10 minutes and, when put together, take you through the full process.

There were a few children staying whilst we were there but (for the time being) I would say that although Birch have all the essentials covered, it is really best set-up for those in their late twenties and early thirties without children or for a weekend away whilst yours stay with their grandparents. I would happily return and while away a few hours in their restaurants and studios.

Rooms start from £110 for a mid-week stay in a small room.

At The Chapel, Bruton

There are some simple pieces of advice that I received from many of my friends when I told them I was pregnant; read and sleep while you can, go to the cinema, go out for dinner (just the two of you) and spend quality time together. I think we’ve managed to do all five, sometimes even managing to accomplish several in the same weekend, like during our stay at At The Chapel in Bruton, Somerset. We spent two wonderful nights there in June.

Bruton is a small, pretty, quintessentially English village set in the charming Somerset countryside. At the centre of the village is At The Chapel, a popular hub for locals thanks to its chilled out bar, pretty terrace, busy bakery, well stocked wine shop (The Winestore) and a great restaurant that serves up a mean pizza; all housed in a Grade II Listed, 17th-century former chapel. It’s also been a popular place to stay for out-of-towners, wishing to escape the rat race for a weekend of respite. Their eight bedrooms are simply designed with all the mod-cons you need and (if the other rooms are anything like ours) stunning bathrooms. From our bathroom window you could look across the rooftops of the village to the local church tower, and beyond. At the time of our stay we were yet to have our bath installed at home so I took full advantage of the large, deep bath and wonderful REN products whilst there.

Waking in the mornings I was as excited as a small child at Christmas thanks to the novelty of having fresh croissants delivered to our door. The room is stocked with tea and shortbread biscuits, as well as strawberry jam and whole milk in the fridge, perfect for a little pre-breakfast breakfast-in-bed, whilst reading the latest copy of Cereal Magazine. We did then descend the stairs to the restaurant for a light breakfast of poached eggs and the yummiest sourdough toast (one morning) and a bacon roll with locally-sourced and incredibly delicious bacon (the other morning). It’s worth noting that the restaurant uses only the best West Country produce, resulting in a menu of fresh seasonal dishes; all quite substantial in size.

At The Chapel is run by Catherine Butler and Ahmed Sidki, a formidable team. Catherine (formerly of Café Med in Notting Hill) is an extraordinary restauranteur; whilst Ahmed is the one responsible for designing and making the cool contemporary furniture and beautiful curved staircase in the restaurant. What they’ve created together far exceeds these simple descriptions though. It’s a cool, bohemian countryside hideaway with a lively local patronage. It’s also very reasonably priced!

The Hauser & Wirth Somerset gallery is nearby and definitely worth a visit (we should have, and will next time) but we chose to live the country life, driving around the beautiful countryside with the roof down, soaking up the sunshine, heading out to Mells for a traditional pub lunch at The Talbot Inn, before taking a walk around The Walled Garden at Mells, just across the road. I just want to do it all over again!

Casa Cook Kos

I discovered Casa Cook Kos whilst looking through the press section of the Tine K website. I fell in love with the interior design immediately, lots of Tine K designs, obviously. Shortly after, my friend Kate (Fabric of My Life) was invited on a press trip to Casa Cook Kos, and after reading her review I was sold on the idea of a week there this summer. Dan and I were keen to get away before the arrival of our little one, one last relaxing getaway to give us some quality time together. For want of a better term, we were in need of a baby-moon. Casa Cook Kos is adult-only and proved to be popular with other soon-to-be parents.

We flew out with Thomas Cook Airlines, they’re one of the few options if you want to fly direct, the alternative is to go via Athens and takes around 8 hours, about 5 more than a direct flight. It wasn’t the most comfortable flight I’ve been on, as the seats are pretty close together and don’t recline at all. With a 27 week old bump it wasn’t ideal.

The resort is a short drive from Kos airport, around 15 minutes. We paid extra for Casa Cook to arrange private transfers for us, which made it all pretty smooth once we landed. We drove past some of Casa Cook’s fields on the way, where they grow lots of the salad leaves, vegetables and some of the fruit that they use in the kitchen. We were met at reception with a much needed refreshing fruit drink whilst we handed over our credit card and paid for our stay. The guy disappeared off, saying he’d be back in a minute but never returned. So we didn’t receive any information about breakfast or what was included in the half-board we’d paid for (breakfast and dinner btw). There’s quite a laidback vibe at Casa Cook, which could be a bit frustrating at times. Another member of staff came and got us, and took us on a quick tour around the complex in an electric buggy.

Our suite was everything we wanted it to be; beautifully designed, cool, the size of a small studio flat and private. Our room came with a brilliant Marshall speaker, which we made very good use of throughout the week. Large glass doors opened out onto a terrace; complete with hammock, a couple of low chairs and a coffee table. A few steps down to the lower terrace there were two very comfortable sun beds, a huge parasol and our own ladder into the stunning pool, which we shared with two other suites. The terraces are divided by beautiful Strelitzia nicolai (white Bird of Paradise) plants, which offer privacy without the need for light-blocking walls. Privacy was a big deal to me this holiday, carrying around extra weight and a large bump can make you quite self-conscious.

There are around 60 rooms/suites in the complex, along with a restaurant, bar, pool, health studio and a private, well-maintained section of the beach; we made use of all but the pool (given we had our own). From the website we’d expected it to be a bit smaller but it never felt crowded and we could always get a cabana on the beach or a table in the restaurant when we wanted one. The food in the restaurant was particularly good, especially the immense breakfast buffet, with everything from your usual cooked offering and croissants, to homemade bircher musli and Greek yoghurt, and any toppings you could imagine. Dinner was a set menu, inspired by a different area of Greece each evening. It started with a small soup and bread, followed by three small sharing plates, a main, and then a dessert. Lots of food! Service was often a bit slow but we were quick to accept this, especially given how friendly and hard-working the staff were. Following Greece’s economic struggles many have left the country to seek work overseas making it difficult to find good staff.

Most days we slept late, headed to breakfast and then chilled by our pool for a few hours. I read several books; I recommend “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan“, “Tangerine” and “Tin Man” (thanks for the recommendation Brittany). We didn’t have lunch most days but would take a walk along the beach or go for a swim, and then grab a drink and sit on the bar’s verandah, looking out to the sea. We’d then chill by our pool or change for dinner, depending on the time. There’s not much within walking distance of the hotel, except a few rundown resorts. I’m not usually one for staying put the whole time during our holidays, usually preferring to go out and explore some days but this one was different and all about getting as much rest as possible. For this reason it could not have been more perfect for us.

Corral del Rey, Seville

This post was created in collaboration with Corral del Rey.

Tucked away in Seville’s old Barrio Alfalfa quarter is the Calle Corral del Rey, a small cobbled street where the buildings almost touch. Split between two buildings (on either side of the street) is the Corral del Rey boutique hotel. From the street there’s little to give it away, just a large wooden door and a small sign in the wall. Once inside, it feels intimate and you feel protected by the building. Seville is by no means chaotic but there’s something uniquely relaxing and private about this restored 17^thcentury casa palacio. With just 17 rooms it’s not a noisy, bustling hotel and, at times, we felt as though we had the place to ourselves.

We stayed in a room on the top floor and although not huge (it wasn’t easy squeezing in our two large suitcases), it was beautifully designed. There’s a homely style throughout the building that brings together comfort and luxury in equal measures. Our room had a small Juliet balcony that allowed us to look onto the Calle Corral del Rey below. Our bathroom was almost the same size as our bedroom, with stunning limestone used throughout.

The staff at the hotel are discreet but quick to respond to any request, and the room service is exceptional. One evening we chose to have a chilled night in, ordered food from room service and watched movies on Netflix. I ordered the pumpkin soup, cheese and ham croquetas, and an avocado and mozzarella salad. It arrived hot and was incredibly delicious. Breakfast at the hotel was equally delicious, with tasty eggs and acorn-fed ham, fresh fruit, breads, jams and croissants.

The hotel is located close to the Cathedral and a short walk from some incredible tapas bars, so it’s perfectly located for exploring the city. On the roof there is a little oasis; tables and chairs, sun-beds, plunge pool and an honesty bar to escape to when your feet are too to walk any more. There’s also a lovely lounge to relax in, across the street in the other building.

Corral del Rey, Calle Corral del Rey 12, 41004 Sevilla

Haçienda de San Rafael, Seville

This post was created in collaboration with Haçienda de San Rafael.

The Haçienda de San Rafael, just outside Seville, is (without question) my favourite of all the hotels I’ve stayed in this year. The property is surrounded by olive groves and fields that are full of cotton plants in the summer. The sandy lane that leads from the main road up to the hotel gives little away. The trees divide, opening up to reveal the haçienda, a stunning old white building that surrounds a pretty cobbled courtyard. An old well draws your eye in the centre and around the outside established pink and yellow bougainvillea. Each of the rooms is accessed from the courtyard and there’s a small dining area in front of each where you can sit and enjoy breakfast or lunch. It’s impossible not to enjoy either (or dinner for that matter); food here feels both indulgent and healthy. The Galician style octopus with potato that I had for lunch the day we arrived was tender and full of flavour; I can still conjure up its taste and texture now, weeks later.

If I was to use one word to describe what I felt at Haçienda de San Rafael it would be tranquility. I was incredibly relaxed whilst there and didn’t want to leave; two nights just wasn’t enough. It’s not one thing that makes it special but an amalgamation of so many small details that they get so right. There’s a very homely feel suffused into every room, thanks to the attention to detail of Cookie, the mother of the two brothers that now run the Haçienda de San Rafael. Cookie’s influence can be seen everywhere you look, she and her family are visible on the walls, in the pictures and paintings around the building. When you sit down in the living area you feel as though you’re in her home. I suppose on some level you are, although she doesn’t live there, the building has been in her family for many years.

The bedrooms are simply decorated with a few well-chosen decorative details. Ours had a double height bedroom area, with stairs leading up to a cosy lounge, and below it a large bathroom with a wonderful shower and a bath tub I happily whiled-away at least an hour in. I don’t know what they wash their towels with but I’ve never felt any so soft.

The gardens are perfect for a wander before dinner, we caught the sun setting over the olive grove which was incredibly beautiful. We then headed in for a gin and tonic from their honesty bar in the lounge, before sitting down to a delicious three-course dinner which included some perfectly cooked sea bass. A comforting hot chocolate back in the lounge after dinner and we were ready to sink into our bed for an incredible night’s sleep. We then got to do it all over again the next day!

The Haçienda de San Rafael is a 45 minute drive from Seville, we got a taxi to take us out there as we weren’t planning to go anywhere once we arrived but if you’re staying longer a car’s a very good idea as there’s plenty to explore in the area. I arranged to go on a 2 hour horse trek with Gerry from Pure Andalusia. The stables are halfway between the haçienda and Seville which made it a perfect stop on our way back into the city. Gerry took me through old olive groves, fields and eucalyptus woods on an incredibly well-behaved horse. It was a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours, even if I could still feel it in my legs three days later. It gave me a great feel for the area and I immediately understood what had drawn Gerry to move out there in the first place. If you’re looking for someone to take you hiking or would like to explore the vast food and drink specialities of the region, Gerry can organise it all.

Haçienda de San Rafael, Carretera Nacional IV (km 594), Las Cabezas de San Juan, 41730 Sevilla

A Weekend Guide To Shoreditch With citizenM Hotels

This post was created in collaboration with citizenM hotel, Shoreditch.

**Jaeger** Wool Wrap Coat in Black* | **Baia** Small Drawstring Bucket Bag in Dalmation Print* | **Eastpak** Tranzshell S Black Luggage*

Let me put it out there, I love Shoreditch but I wouldn’t want to live there. I’m happy in the quieter, less hip part of town I call home, a sleepier area of South West London that offers me an escape from the city. I do, however, spend a lot of time in the East, as there are so many creative businesses and start-ups based there. It’s also one of my favourite areas of London for eating, drinking and shopping.

A little wander down Redchurch Street will give you a good idea of what the area has to offer, independent boutiques sit side-by-side with cafés and pop-ups. Hackney is still one of the poorest boroughs in London and was once a fairly cheap area of London to live, this brought a lot of creatives to Shoreditch, starting studios and opening shops, as well as cafés and restaurants. It’s these entrepreneurs that have made the area so desirable to me but also larger brands (getting in on the buzz). I like the fact that even these guys are offering a curation of their products that would appeal to the more affluent residents of the area.

Last weekend, we stayed a night Shoreditch, at the recently opened citizenM Hotel. Tucked just behind Shoreditch High Street, the hotel is in the centre of all the action.

The hotel is pretty epic, it centres around a social, open-plan first floor with a bar, lots of lounging areas and spaces to work. There are design books everywhere, as well as lots of iconic pieces of design, and furniture by Eames like their Lounge Chair, Cone Chairs and cute little Elephants for kiddies.

The rooms are small but cleverly designed with large bathrooms and a large double bed. An iPad in each room controls the TV, with lots of free movies. We were up on the 8th floor with an east-facing window over Shoreditch High Street. It was pretty wet and windy when we stayed but I could still spot some of my favourite places.

There’s a really creative vibe to the hotel that’s reflective of the area, it feels buzzy but chilled. For once, I wasn’t rushing from one meeting to another and got to relax. It’s funny what a small suitcase and no laptop will do to help you let go. I saw it as a chance to spend some quality time with the hubby, show him some of my favourite spots, enjoy a coffee together and do a spot of shopping.

Shops

A.P.C. 15 Redchurch Street (womenswear & menswear) | Aesop (beauty) 44 Redchurch Street | Aida Shoreditch (lifestyle) 133 Shoreditch High Street | Aimé (womenswear) 17 Redchurch Street | Ally Capellino (leather goods) 9 Calvert Avenue | Goodhood (lifestyle) 151 Curtain Road | House of Hackney (homeware & womenswear) 131-132 Shoreditch High Street | Le Labo (fragrance) 61 Redchurch Street | Labour and Wait (homeware) 85 Redchurch Street | Luna & Curious (lifestyle) 24-26 Calvert Avenue | The Mercantile London (womenswear) 17 Lamb Street | Modern Society (lifestyle & café) 33 Redchurch Street | Monologue (homeware) 93 Redchurch Street | Sunspel (womenswear & menswear) 7 Redchurch Street

Food & Drink

Blixen (restaurant) 65A Brushfield Street | Boundary (rooftop restaurant) 2-4 Boundary Street | Dishoom (restaurant) 7 Boundary Street | St. Leonard’s (restaurant) 70 Leonard Street | Forge & Co. (café) 154-158 Shoreditch High Street | Lyle’s Tea Building, 56 Shoreditch High Street | Paper & Cup (café & bookstore) 18 Calvert Avenue