Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood

Part of the Thompson hotel group, The Roosevelt boasts an impressive pool and bar area with well appointed rooms in the main hotel or 'cabana rooms' overlooking the pool.

This hotel is in one of the best locations for those on a first time visit to LA.  Across the road is the Chinese Theatre, Walk of Fame and Madam Tussauds.  A short stroll down the street is  El Capitan Theatre and The Roosevelt is also in prime position for access to the subway and the Hop on Hop off bus routes. This is a great selling point as you can pop in and out of the hotel whilst sightseeing throughout the day.

The history and glamour of the hotel is undeniable, but this is not a pretentious property, the staff are friendly, service is that great mix of always having your needs met without feeling that staff are over attentive or intrusive.

The pool are of this hotel is a standout. With fire-pits, the Tropicana Pool Bar, comfy lounges and fabulous lighting it is definitely the place to be.  

The rooms were large with refined decor, pay tv and comfortable beds.  Whilst the bathroom was a little cramped, we were so busy sightseeing and spending time in other areas of the hotel that it was quite adequate and we found this to be a value for money property given the standard of the property and its proximity to attractions - you could also bump into a celebrity (we saw John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix on our 2004 visit).

It seems the restaurant (which had great food when we visited in 2004) has recently been replaced by The Spare Room which opened in February 2011 and is a modern day gaming parlor and cocktail lounge with a great selection of drinks.

The bar out front of the hotel (25 Degrees) has a decent range of drinks and  also has a great burger menu at very reasonable prices.  The restaurant has been heralded twice by The Los Angeles Times as one of the best burgers in Los Angeles and you really cant beat happy hour at this place, not only were the drinks cheaper, but the sides were on special too. 

Large rooms, 24 hour fitness centre, amazing pool area, unbeatable location and late checkout mean this hotel is our choice when visiting LA.

The Athenaeum Hotel, London

We love London and we love Mayfair. Our favourite haunt for all past visits was of course Dukes Hotel. However, this time we are on a limited budget so had t o look elsewhere.

Being the same distance from Green Park station as Dukes and at only £220 a night we decided to give The Athenaeum a try.

I must say we were feeling a little worried, being such a fan of Dukes. However, we need not have been. Whilst the hotel has a different vibe to Dukes due to being a much bigger, high rise property, the value for money was great.

Included in the price was Wifi, breakfast, which included a continental buffet as well as your choice from a hot menu and tea/coffee - on the second day we were even offered a take away hot chocolate after finishing! Also included where the items in the mini bar (except spirits) which where replenished each day. This was great as there were plenty of drinks and nibbles and fruit for us to take with us each day as we went sightseeing. The nespresso machine was also a great inclusion.

Whilst the elevators felt a little cramped with more than 4 people in them, the rooms where very large with views across St James Park. 

The bathroom was fine, a little dated with a very small sink, but it was adaquate and was more than made up for by the huge size and good standard of the room. Furnished in a contemporary style with a comfortable king size bed, high tea style chairs looking out the floor to ceiling windows, pay TV, iPod dock, work station and plenty of storage we would happily stay here again.

Just across the road from the hotel was one of the the Barclays Bicycle Hire hubs. Here we paid just £2 to pedal power around the city for 24 hours. All you have to do is make sure you return the bike to a hub every 30 minutes. This worked out well as we could jump on the bikes at the hotel, ride down to hyde park, return the bokes and take out a row boat, grab another bike and get back to teh hotel for lunch, pick up another bike and zip down to Buckingham palace, return the bikes, do some sightseeing and continue all day. Even if you keep the bike a little longer, it's only a few pound, so much nicer and much cheaper than a taxi plus you get a unique view of the city, some fresh air and some exercise.

Walking distance to Buckingham Palace, Green Park Station, St James and Hyde Park, this hotel provides a value for money stay in Mayfair, especially if you are looking at staying for a few nights so want some extra space.

Puschka, Liverpool, UK

Situated on Rodney Street in Liverpool's Georgian Quarter, Puschka Opened in 2001. They have received rave reviews in the Guardian, been voted best restaurant in Liverpool and  pride themselves on creating dishes using fresh, and, were possible, local, ingredients.  This is evident level of care and attention in every dish.

On arrival you will know which table is yours, as names are cutely written on the hot pink place mats - such a nice touch and so pretty.

The menu is considered and fresh, the feel cozy, just like you are at a friends place, a friend who is extremely hospitable an excellent cook and isn't rushing you out of the door as soon as you take your last bite.

Their early bird menu £19.90 for 3 courses is great value and the dishes are homely and full of flavour. We opted for the al a carte menu on our last visit, enjoying  an entree of confit duck shepherds pie a main of venison with red wine, juniper, dauphinoise potato gratin and finishing up with the burnt English vanilla custard with lavender shortbread. 

The staff were extremely friendly, but not so much that they are intrusive. All extremely knowledgable in relation to the fantastic menu,literally able to tell us where each item was sourced from and how the restaurant is working on reducing food miles - the distance your meal travels from provider to plate. 

Each dish was well thought, fresh, tasty and just the right size that you can comfortably accommodate 3 courses. It is a haven away from the hustle, bustle and one size fits all restaurants in the city. You will leave feeling satisfied, relaxed and eager to return to this cozy bolt hole.

Highly recommended for catching up with friends.


Well done Puschka , we only wish there were more restaurants like you!


http://www.puschka.co.uk/

Vanitas Palazzo Versace, Gold Coast, Queensland

As the fine dining restaurant at Palazzo Versace on the gold Coast, Vanitas does not disappoint.

It's a beautiful restaurant with five star service and fantastic food. It boasts a great view of the hotel's lagoon style pool,is dotted with tea light candles giving a romantic and relaxed atmosphere, and, as you would expect - Versace plates, cutlery, glassware.

On arrival the staff made us very welcome, nothing was a problem and they had a wealth of knowledge in relation to menu, wine and cocktails.

We opted for the sand crab tortellini with tempura of New Zealand scampi, aoli and herb oil - this was the best entree we have had in a very long time. The pasta was amazing and the dish was fresh, had beautiful flavours and the portion size was quite large.

For main the choice was easy - roasted duck breast with sweet potato purée, bok choy and coffee sauce. The duck was cooked to perfection, the sweet potato puree was silky and flavoursome and, as someone who is not a fan of coffee, the sauce was still fantastic.

The baby spinach in butter with garlic and spiced hand cut chips sides that we chose to compliment the dishes were tasty and the portion size generous, so generous in fact, that there was room for tea and coffee but not desert.

Highly recommended for a romantic meal.