It’s fair to say Gravetye Manor, the 3 red AA star, 3 AA rosette hotel near East Grinstead, West Sussex, has had a tempestuous couple of years in these difficult economic times. For a while, as the hotel was plunged into administration in January 2010, the future looked bleak, but hope was restored in March…
Read MoreThe Best of… Fine Dining on Country Estates
On summer days, everyone wants to escape the big cities and head to the countryside, to take in the English countryside at its best. Here are our Top 10 recommendations for a splendid day out to a country estate, combining excellent fine dining with country walking at its best. Just don’t forget your camera… (and…
Read MoreGourmet Offers and Stays
A new week, and new restaurants on board offering exclusive rates for Design Restaurant cardholders. We are delighted to announce the following inclusions to the DR fold: The Dining Room at Hersham, Surrey The Dining Room in Hersham, Surrey is a quaint British restaurant which no village should be without. Fashioned together from several local cottages…
Read MoreGourmet Offers, Stays and New Restaurants
The weekly roundup of Design Restaurant new offers and restaurants on board, with exclusive rates for DR members. Gourmet Offers Make Afternoons Extra Special This Summer at Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa in Surrey with complimentary afternoon tea for members Monday – Friday until August 31st. True indulgence! A decadent, homemade afternoon tea for two…
Read MoreCongratulations to our ‘Social Media’ Competition Winner
Congratulations go to Vicky Furst who has won our ‘Social Media competition’ prize draw for a luxury stay at the stunning Lainston House Hotel near Winchester. Vicky entered our competition by following us on facebook which gives greater access for members to the very best instant offers and news snippets. There is a great buzz…
Read MoreGourmet Offers and Stays, and new Restaurants on board
Here’s our round up of this week’s offers and events for gourmet stays and events, with exclusive rates for Design Restaurant cardholders. Gourmet Offers: 1. Dukes Hotel, Tod Dexter Winemakers Dinner, London – Thursday 8th July Sumptuous 4 course dinner with the exclusive Australian winemaker. Cardholders are invited to enjoy a 10% reduction from the ticket price of…
Read MoreFabulous summer alfresco dining at Lucknam Park
It’s fair to say the Design Restaurants team love beautiful hotels, and it takes a lot to impress us, which means you’ll only find a selection of the finest establishment recommendations on our website. However, Lucknam Park just outside Bath certainly has the wow factor, a splendid 5* hotel and spa which showcases luxury country…
Read MoreThe Best of… Waterside Dining
Is there anything more lovely on a summer’s day than sitting in the sunshine, enjoying fine dining and excellent wines, with the tinkling of the river or the gentle lull of the sea in the background? We human creatures seek out water in the summer months, and to help you, we’ve put together our Design…
Read MoreChris Evans Broadcasts from Chewton Glen
Chewton Glen hosts a special Ferrari sports car event in aid of Children in Need, part of Chris Evan’s Magnificent Seven’ – a unique Ferrari drive organised by the Radio 2 Broadcaster and his team. Becoming a regular feature at Chewton Glen, Chris is broadcasting his show live there this morning. Chewton Glen is one…
Read MoreHenley Royal Regatta 2010 – Hot Dining Seats
The Regatta, 30th June – 4th July 2010, sees strong competition this year with 505 crews from 20 different nations competing in the sun drenched Henley-on-Thames. Design Restaurants members are recommended to book early to get the last few remaining tables at Danesfield House on the Henley Road in Marlow on Thames at Adam Simmonds…
Read MoreCongratulations to the organisers of the Masterpiece event, Chelsea
Thank you members for all your superb feedback for this spectacular inaugural exhibition of masterpieces. This 5 day event had an attendee list that read like a who’s who, let alone the exhibitors showing their glamorous wares themselves. From classic cars around the £1.9million mark to legendary clockmakers like Tompian or Quare and Patek Philippe,…
Read MoreGordon Ramsay closes The Devonshire pub
Gordon Ramsay Holdings has closed one of its pubs, The Devonshire in Chiswick, blaming the state of the pub industry for its demise. The Devonshire, one of Gordon’s three pubs, opened in 2007 to fairly bad reviews, and has never lived up to expectations. Gordon Ramsay Holdings said: “The Devonshire pub has not been meeting…
Read MoreA hot summer city break in Edinburgh for £99 including dinner and wine
Enjoy a city break in Edinburgh this summer at the Channings Hotel, a wonderfully quirky townhouse hotel steeped in history and personal touches. At only £99 per room including wine, dinner and breakfast, based on two adults sharing, this is going to be one of the best summer deals in Edinburgh this year! Channings Hotel is…
Read MoreSt John team release details of new West End hotel
The team behind iconic London restaurant St John has unveiled more details of its forthcoming hotel in the West End. Chef Fergus Henderson (pictured) and proprietor Trevor Gulliver have taken over the former Manzi’s restaurant and hotel located off Leicester Square. The duo is completely refurbishing the site and will relaunch it as the St John…
Read MoreThe Savoy Hotel to finally reopen after 3 years
The Savoy Hotel has announced it will finally reopen its doors on 10 October this year, having been closed for refurbishment for almost three years. Once open the Fairmont-managed hotel will feature 268 bedrooms and suites, with Edwardian and Art Deco interiors designed by Pierre Yves Rochon, plus the addition of a new two-bedroom Royal…
Read MoreHeston in the news: Cooking for the Queen and New Restaurant Name
Heston Blumental has been in the news over the weekend with two interesting stories. Firstly, it’s been announced that he will be cooking for the Queen at a special banquet at Windsor Castle this Thursday, in which guests will be served a starter which looks like a bowl of fruits, but will actually be sweetmeats.…
Read MoreVeteran food critic Egon Ronay dies aged 94
Veteran food critic Egon Ronay has died aged 94 after a short illness. He passed away on Saturday at his Berkshire home with his wife and two daughters by his side. A Catey Lifetime Achievement award winner, Ronay was a legendary name in the hospitality industry, a man who consistently demanded quality and never compromised…
Read MoreLady Gaga flashmobs sweeping through ‘Bad Hotels’
We love this clip of the Westin St. Francis in San Francisco that fell foul to a hotel workers boycott protesting against unfair contracts and for affordable healthcare. The video speaks for itself and has become an internet phenomenon. Careful, the song gets stuck in your head if you watch all the way through!
Read MoreThe Best of… UK boutique hotels
There’s nothing we love more at Design Restaurants than a decadent night or two away in a luxurious bolthole, somewhere to restore our souls and indulge in good food, fine wines and come back with a story or two to tell. Here’s our pick of the best UK boutique bolthole hotels, in no particular order:…
Read MoreWelcome to strawberry season
Now’s the time to savour this year’s arrival of the first crop of delicious British strawberries. Too often we’re presented with flavourless imported fruits, the very epitome of evil food miles, so now is the time to get stuck in. Traditionally, these beloved fruits were only around for a matter of weeks, but with new…
Read More
