Royal Champagne Hotel review
These past 24 hours, we had a proper snow fall here in London and it certainly brings to life the Christmas feeling. London is making a big show of it this year with amazing festive lights, many people out in the streets and excitement to finally meet families and friends after two years of cancelled Christmas.
That is, if the strikes don't ruin it. We have postal, nurses, train, border control strikes planned for the last weeks of December. Understandable of course as people are worrying about the cost of living and need help. It might affect our travel plans but we're not that bothered and will have a great resting time anyway.
Since I last emailed you, I also took my last cancer medicine (Tamoxifen) after five years. It is a big moment for me. I now just have to hope for a final checkup with my oncologist in January to finally put this stage of my life behind me.
Have you reached a milestone this year too? I would love to know.
ON THE BLOG
Royal Champagne Hotel review
A luxury hotel in a luxury wine region, what's not to like! READ MORE
Extra finds
(hotels with or without pool not on the blog)
La Planque Hotel, France
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Right in the heart of Pari's 10th arrondissement, the hotel is in the trendy Belleville area. A former apartment block and sweetshop has been reinvented by two designers sourcing a large chunk of the furniture from local flea markets. 36 rooms in shades of deep green, burgundy and grey with old-fashioned marble bureaus, rotary-dial telephones and velvet-clad headboards.
Double rooms from about £113
Strandhotel Zoomers, Netherlands
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Castricum aan Zee on the Dutch coast is a nice destination with just a handful of beach clubs and a couple of tiny summer houses. Strandhotel Zoomers is huddled among the dunes right on the path that leads to the ocean. There are just 12 rooms and no reception or restaurant – instead, guests tap in a code to access rooms and there is a delivery service for breakfast and supper.
From £107
Le Pont De l'Orme, France
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A small, shuttered, whitewashed house, approached through a lovely avenue of old trees, with a bar and restaurant downstairs and five airy rooms upstairs. The spacious rooms feature all comfort but are far from plain.The decoration is warm, relaxing and understated – minimalism with a touch of soulful vintage.The daily chalked-up menu is regional and reasonably priced. Outdoor pool for guests.
From £90
Villa Terminus, Norway
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Villa Terminus is an exclusive 18 bedroom hotel with its own garden centrally located in Bergen city centre. Each of the hotel rooms is unique in size and style, with carefully selected, high-quality interior in a timeless Norwegian and Nordic design. Villastuene and the library offer the perfect setting in which to relax.
From 120 Euros
Cross Lane House, UK
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A four-bedroom hideaway in Exmoor in the tiny National Trust village of Allerford. Built in 1545, Cross Lane House mixes old-fashioned character and contemporary style. There are three lovely en-suite rooms which have each been individually designed.
From £140
Eye Hotel Utrecht, Netherlands
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An elegant, 17th-century mansion at the end of a quiet street next to the hip Voorstraat. At one point the building was a famous ophthalmology clinic, and all manner of quirky optical objects decorate the bedrooms and public spaces. The 36 bedrooms are all different shapes and sizes, done out in shades of grey, white and sage, very chic and soothingly Northern European. Breakfast is limited and costs extra, so head out to one of the great bakeries and cafés a minute's walk away on the Voorstraat.
From £166
Gut Nehmten, Germany
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An impressive country estate with a lot of meadows, fields and forest and 3 vacation homes, The Bakehouse sleeping 5-6, Meierei Apartment 1 sleeping 5 and Meierei Apartment 2 sleeping 4. They are all located directly by the water, with their own terrace or garden.
Low Season from 150€, high season summer holidays from 185€ per cottage and day.
The Weavery, Netherlands
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A Boutique Bed and Breakfast in the heart of old Amsterdam. Set in a protected 17th century landmark Amsterdam row house, the Weavery offers the unique character and style of a boutique hotel, with the personal service and homey comfort of a family run bed and breakfast.
From 150 euros
Casa Alba Benissa, Spain
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A former farm six miles from the sea in the hills of Benissa, a town between Alicante and Valencia,renovated into two standalone casitas, with two more bedrooms on the first floor of the main finca. The spaces are filled with natural light, breezy linens in terracotta and ochre and art inspired by the colours of dawn. Features a swimming pool, bar and garden. Adults only.
From £237 for a 2 night stay
The Fairytale Writer, UK
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On a quiet lane right behind The Circus is this contemporary and calming mews house. With a private allocated car parking space right behind the house, The Fairytale Writer offers a comfortable space ideal for families with older children OR two couples. Each room in the house is a subtle tribute to a favourite childhood fairytale story, from "Cinderella's Blue" master bedroom to Snow White's apples, Alice's living room to Little Red Riding Hood's basket in the kitchen.
From £185 weekdays and £265 at the weekend
Safe and beautiful travels,
Stéphanie