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Family Life, food, Food & Dining, Reviews, Top 10, Travel

The Four Seasons in Venice: Top 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Venice

All Photos Copyright NHYM 2026

Venice has a special place in my heart, I knew it by heart way before Jeff Bezos and George Clooney entered the picture and had their weddings there. My first time was as a med student in my 20s, taking a £9 Ryanair flight and staying in a rental flat for the week with my uni friends. We roamed the streets during low season, buying groceries and capuccinos like local Venetians, and ended up in authentic Venetian bars at night for cicchetti and Barolo. Then came the romantic trip to the Danieli for my birthday with my now husband in my 30s, the trip with the kids in my 40s, and then the 40th and 50th birthday parties at Palazzos and the Aman. I have been to Venice for every reason and season of my life, and each time, came away with memories to last a lifetime.

1. Hotel Danieli, a Four Seasons Hotel: Best for Romance & Rooftops. For my romantic birthday weekend away, my fiance (now husband) whisked me away in a water taxi to the world famous Hotel Danieli. My father, who was still alive, approved. It is one of the oldest palaces in Venice, renowned for its old-school grandeur. It might not be the newest, most polished hotel, but it holds tons of history between its walls. The rooftop restaurant is one-of-a-kind with sprawling views of Venice. The management has recently been taken over by the Four Seasons, so it can only get better.

Venice Canal NHYM 2026

2. Hotel San Clemente Palace Kempinski: Best for Space and Kids. When we went to Venice with our kids for the first time, we knew they weren’t old enough to be sight-seeing all day long without whining, so we needed an alternate plan when the heat, the crowds and the sight-seeing would send them into full melt-downs. Enter the San Clemente Palace: the ultimate Venice Kids Palace Hotel on its own island and is a vast resort for the kids to run around once the sight-seeing was done. We found the perfect way to sight-see-with-kids: Our mornings were spent weaving through the canals on gondolas and shopping for masks, while the afternoons were spent around their fabulous swimming pool and its cabanas, eating pizza in its garden restaurant. This is my favourite hotel in Venice with kids, so I highly recommend it.

3. Hotel Cipriani:, a Belmond Hotel Best for Unlimited budget. If money is no object, the Cipriani Hotel has a similar premise to the San Clemente: it is on its own island and has water shuttles to take you to the center of Venice. It is a Belmond Hotel so has all the bells and whistles of the top hotels of the world. Its terrace and pool are beautiful and it is an oasis away from the bustling overcrowding, oppressive Venice in the Summer. Friends have taken their children, and raved about it.

Masquerade Ball Aman Venice NHYM 2022

4. Aman Venice Palazzo Papadopoli Hotel: Best for weddings and Birthday parties. When we were invited to a Masquerade Ball/Birthday Party at the Aman Venice, we thought, ‘if it’s good enough for Amal and George, it’s definitely good enough for us.’ and we weren’t wrong. The Aman is a special, beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Venice that is hard to surpass. Everything about it is beautiful: its lobby, its garden, its ballroom and its rooms. We were treated to events in all of them: the garden for aperitivo, dinner in the ballroom and dancing in the lobby. Sitting under the painted frescoes of the grand ballroom with dancers surrounding us, was an experience to remember forever. Please excuse the blurry not-perfect pictures, clearly signs of a good party…

5. Gritti Palace: Best for Sunset drinks & Serious Luxury: The Gritti Palace needs no introduction. For the most wonderful sunset drinks on its terrace by the canal, the Gritti has to win hands down so even if you don’t stay at the Gritti, you can always stop by for a drink. With beautiful views and history, the Gritti has enthralled dignitaries and aristocrats for centuries. For that bucket list experience, the Gritti holds it own.

Aman Ballroom NHYM 2022

6. Hotel Nani Mocenigo Palace: Best for Value for a small Palazzo. When a Venetian friend of ours decided to throw his 50th birthday party, he chose the Nani Mocenigo Palazzo. It is more understated than the great big palaces of San Clemente and the Gritti, but for a cosy, boutique feel, and very reasonable prices, it is a hidden gem that only a Venetian would know about. It has a lovely courtyard in the back, a priceless commodity in Venice.

7. Palazzo Venart: Best for privacy and travellers in-the-know. A Leading Hotel of the World, Palazzo Venart is a private, beautiful retreat with private gardens and unique style in Venice. Unlike the sceney Gritti and Danieli, Palazzo Venart provides all the luxury amenities and service, while providing a private oasis in the middle of Venice. It’s like your own private Palazzo with your room to choose.

View from the Nani Mocenigo Palace NHYM 2024

8. Excelsior Venice Lido Resort: Best for a Venice Beach Resort. This hotel, 15 minutes away from central Venice, is right on a beach and has hosted the Venice Film Festival each year. Need I say more? It is an iconic hotel on a large stretch of beach and has more space than any other hotel in Venice: it has 4 restaurants and offers very spacious rooms. This is another great hotel for kids, and even has a kids club during high season.

9. Nolinski Venezia: Best for those looking for modern interiors in a historical exterior. A new hotel on the Venice scene, the Nolinski is truly unique in Venice. Its interiors are a mixture of Art Deco, contemporary and mid-century, which if you know me, is right up my interior-design alley. It’s perfect for those design/modern oriented visitors who don’t want the heavy drapes, gold-gilded rooms and frescoes. There is also a spa and rooftop pool, both a rarity in Venice.

10. Hotel Palazzo Stern: Best for its location on the Grand Canal. For those who want a historical experience, the Stern delivers. It was used in the 2003 movie ‘The Italian Job’ and some Netflix movies as well, so you can be sure it’s got a decor that impresses. With only 24 rooms it is cosy with a lovely terrace, perfect for those who can’t quite afford the Gritti but want a Grand Canalside experience.

Dancers at the Masquerade Ball NHYM 2022

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Family Life, Reviews, Travel

Hotel Review: The Four Seasons, Astir Palace, Athens, Greece

NHYM 2025, Four Seasons Astir Palace

A friend recently asked me where to travel for Easter break and May half-term, which was not too far, had good weather for swimming, with a bit of culture but not too much that the kids would start complaining. I knew exactly where to send her. Last year, I finally made it to a hotel I have been eyeing since its opening during Easter break: The Four Seasons, Astir Palace on the Athenian Riviera, Greece. While technically not in Athens, it is only a cab ride away and offers the best of all worlds: a beautiful, seaside hotel, the best service around, plenty of excellent restaurants, things for the kids (pools, kids clubs and more), things for the adults (spa etc..), and plenty of culture within reach in Athens. And of course, all our children have been exposed to Greek mythology with the Percy books, so for any fans of Greek mythology, this is a great place to come.

The Pool. NHYM 2025

We came as a multi-generational family, and it has something to please everyone: sun and sea for the granny, pool and fun for the kids, boat days for me, good food for Mr. X, and culture, for well, everyone.

View from our room. NHYM 2025

The morning seaview was a pleasure to wake up to every day. The rooms are tastefully decorated, as is the whole hotel. There is a sophisticated luxury vibe, with added local touches of olive trees all around the property. With the Four Seasons, you always know what you’re going to get: a perfect combination of luxury and service. This Four Seasons manages to do this seamlessly: the lobby is filled with elaborate floral displays and the staff is friendly but professional, which is different to some hotels where the staff can be a little too uptight and cold. The facilities are excellent, from the spa to the restaurants to the pools to the gift shop, to the terraces. The restaurants include the main restaurant Pelago with beautiful seaviews, Beefbar (always yummy), Matsuhisa (beautiful views although a bit too expensive in my taste) and the water-side Greek taverna restaurant is also very good for a dose of Greek cuisine. There are multiple hotels on site, but we stayed in the main one, which suited us perfectly.

The Acropolis. NHYM 2025

For our hit of culture, we took the whole family for some sight-seeing in Athens with a tour guide, which is an absolute must. I am lucky enough to know people who live in cities all over the world, and love to meet them to get a real flavour of the place. I had dinner with one of our friends in Athens (well, friend of friend, but that still counts!) who invited us to a cool, trendy Athenian restaurant. There, he explained the difference between North Athenians vs the South Athenians. The Four Seasons is South of Athens and fits in where the new money is. North of Athens is old money, more traditional, with Ambassadors and old families and good schools.

Hydra. NHYM 2025

For me, a boat day is always a highlight of my trips, and this time, it was for my kids. We took a day trip to Spetses and Hydra, which are both beautiful islands accessible by boat, both with their unique personalities and fans. A question I learned to ask any Athenian: are you Spetses or are you Hydra? Spetses is for the old money aristocracy, and Hydra is more for the artists and writers (Leonard Cohen lived there). I loved both for different reasons, but I have to say that Hydra stole my heart with its charming Marina, although there were too many tourists. Spetses is quiet, off the beaten path, which people love because it doesn’t attract too many tourists. I have many friends who spend their summers on Spetses, so I’d love to go back in the summer.

Hydra Marina. NHYM 2025

For a quick weekend away or a multi-generational family trip, the Four Seasons Astir Palace is highly recommended. It won’t disappoint, and collects awards and accolades each year. In 2025, it was voted 17th best hotel in the world in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 and even the new Michelin Guide awarded it 3 Michelin keys. So for anyone looking for a perfect mix of sea, service, luxury and culture, easily accessible from London, it’s hard to beat.

View from Matsuhisa. NHYM 2025

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Food & Dining, Health & Wellness, Reviews, Travel

Six Senses London, Hotel & Spa

Six Senses Hotel Bar NHYM 2026

The Whiteley’s has had a complete, long awaited, transformation: for years, it lay in a desolate, destitute state that people avoided (except for Gymboree classes at the top floor, which is how I know it best) but now it has been transformed into a beautiful, architectural feat led by Foster + Partners Architects and project-managed by Valouran Partners. I have watched it slowly develop over the years, both as a local, but also as a friend of the masterminds behind the facade. I was more than excited when it opened last year, first as residences, and now the Six Senses London, Hotel & Spa, which officially just opened March 1st.

Courtesy of Instagram 2026

The Six Senses Hotel brand is known for its wellness, barefoot rustic chic approach to hospitality with hotels all over the world. I’ve been to the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, which I loved for its remote location and gorgeous villas in the jungle and by the water, remniscent of the Soneva brand (I was first introduced to Six Senses Spa 20 years ago in the old Soneva Gili that had a Six Senses Spa). I’ve also been to Six Senses Ibiza with its fantastic spa and great food and view, while the Six Senses Lamuu and Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman are all time family favourites. So, when I heard a Six Senses was coming to London, I was already excited: a well-known luxury and wellness brand was coming to my neighborhood! It is the right location in London, right next to the epicentre of Wellness Central, Notting Hill (There are so many matcha shops and plenty of organic food stores from Acai girls to Daylesford Organic and Planet Organic, as well as vegan restaurants like the Holy Carrot). This crowd is seriously health conscious and wellness oriented, so I think the luxury + wellness clientele is definitely around here.

Courtesy of Instagram 2026

The hotel, full of plants hanging and draped everywhere, reminds me of the 1Hotels ethos, ‘sustainable luxury hotel experience where nature inspires,’ which has done very well so far with its hotels in Mayfair, New York and Toronto. When you enter the Six Senses, an overwhelming sense of calm and peace envelops you; it is truly an oasis in grey London. It was a rainy, dreary day in early February when I visited for the first time before it opened, and it really felt like I was being transported to a holiday for a few hours. The entrance is framed by the original Whiteley’s staircase which was painstakingly moved from its original position to become the backdrop of the hotel lobby. The design, the furniture and the finishings are all soothing but luxurious, fitting with what the Six Senses brand trying to do in cities recently: a soothing urban oasis in the middle of the city.

There is nothing like this hotel in the immediate vicinity: most of the luxury hotels are in Knightsbridge or Mayfair and this is the first five star hotel in West London, covering Queensway, Bayswater, Notting Hill and West Kensington.It is an ambitious gamble to put it in Bayswater/Queensway, more known for its souvenir shops than its glamourous neighbours nearby, Notting Hill and Kensington but there is a commitment to redevelop the entire area, which I am really waiting eagerly, and so far the Everyman Cinema, Guillam Coffeshop, ThirdSpace and Nela are so far hitting the right notes. I will definitely be encouraging my friends and family to stay here.

Courtyard of the Whiteley NHYM 2026

Six Senses Spa

The piece de resistance of the hotel really is the Six Senses Spa: it is stunning. The entrance lobby of the spa below the hotel with its hanging chandelier and highest ceilings you can imagine is probably my favourite part of the whole hotel. The pool was still closed when I visited, but the rest of the spa really is one-of-a-kind in London. There is everything you could think of in a spa from pods to cryo, and there’s a biohacking recovery lounge, a magnesium pool, and a state of the art gym. There is even an Alchemy bar, but which was closed when I visited so can’t tell you much about it. So the next time I want to spa but don’t want to trek to the Bulgari Spa or the Corinthian, I will definitely be heading there. (FYI – the pool is still not open yet as of March 2026).

Six Senses Kitchen

Courtesy of a friend 2026

The Six Senses Kitchen is very good, better than expected, but with a luxury 5 star hotel, the food has to be on point. I had a delicious beetroot dip, Lamb koftas and green chard rolls as starters, which were all delicious. The mains, the stone bass and Red Suffolk pork, were both tasty and memorable. My friend who stayed overnight highly praised the Asian inspired breakfast and brunch. The bar is also quite stunning, served with a perfect caprinha cocktail, one of the best in Notting Hill, Mr. X said. The manager was absolutely lovely, which is essential for this type of hotel. It still feels like the hotel is in its soft opening stage, but it is a wonderful addition to the neighbourhood.

Six Senses Place

For those who don’t know yet, they have started a Six Senses Place Membership, which gives access to the gym, pool, spa, and the 1st floor of the hotel which has another restaurant and many other lounges and spaces. Here, it is all about wellness and wellbeing, and I am intrigued to see who they will attract. The owners of the Six Senses Residences and Whiteley’s Residences will get instant membership to the Six Senses Place, which is really an attractive proposition: there’s everything you could need under one giant Whiteleys roof.

The Whiteley’s has truly returned to its glory days, with beautiful residences, restaurants and a hotel and spa to attract the gliterrati. Queensway’s redevelopment has to follow, but I am really hopeful that it will match the grandeur and beauty of the Whiteley’s so far. I wish it all the best success and I’ll be back soon for the Spa and Sunday brunch!

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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food, Reviews, Travel

Review: Celeste, New Notting Hill Member’s Club

NHYM 2026

A few months ago, I was asked to write a review on Maison Estelle, the very swanky London members club celebrated for its wonderful art collection, but the weeks went by and I just never found the time. And now, Celeste, its Notting Hill satellite, has opened! So, given I’ve already been twice, I thought it more appropriate to review it.

I went opening week, during the soft launch when they were offering their members a taste of their new club (thank you!). Firstly, let me give you a brief set up of the club: the ground floor is an Italian-American restaurant opened to the public, the first floor is a very cool, jazzy bar area, the second floor is their Japanese and the top floor is a quiet, loungey space for drinks.

NHYM 2026

We went to the Italian-American restaurant our first time. The front room is definitely channeling the American-Italian Soprano restaurant vibe, with a bar and mahogany panelled walls and tables, all decorated with gold accents. To me, it’s a little too nostalgic and misses the opportunity of a modern twist and feels like a complete different restaurant to the back room, The Courtyard.

The Courtyard, has a completely different feel to it, lighter with white walls, and I personally prefer it to the front room: it feels more like an all-day restaurant it advertises itself to be and just feels more welcoming to me. We ate there, and had the tri pomodoro pasta and the seabass, which was all good, but it is difficult to compete with all the ridiculous choices of new restaurants in the neighborhood, which focuses on inventive new food: Japanese/Mexican, North African, Michelin-starred Brasserie and Modern Greek just to begin with. But if you’re looking for more simple, straightforward American-Italian food, this won’t disappoint. Celeste sample menu. (For now, it is still not open to the public, and they have yet to announce an opening date).

The first floor bar is cozy and very cool, with old vinyls stacked on shelves with Marvin Gaye records and a DJ loud enough to create a buzzy, fun atmosphere. The staff is young and cool, and very attentive. There’s nothing like it in Notting Hill, and it definitely feels intimate like a ‘hosted home.’ There are nibbles for sharing, should you just want to show up one night without reserving. I ran into the same neighbour twice both times I went there, she is fan: definitely a new hotspot in the making.

NHYM 2026

On our second visit to Celeste, we tried the Japanese. The Japanese restaurant on the second floor is sleek and attractive; there is an open kitchen where the chefs prepare their plates meticulously, and next to it are only about ten/twelve tables, of twos or fives, so again, very intimate and small. The food is very good, although on the expensive side. The hamachi starter is large and tasty, the wagyu is excellent, so good I will go back for it, but be willing to fork out £54. The salmon maki could use a bit more taste, but that’s something that could be easily fixed. Their chocolate mousse dessert is delicious and the jelly pieces really does make it a stand out dish.

The top floor, under the eaves, is a beautifully decorated space and feels like an art collector’s library, with an eclectic pick of art and books. We had a drink on our first night there, but I could see people going there for an afternoon coffee.

The crowd is a mix of locals (I saw local friends each time I went), and Maison Estelle members. They are a well heeled, international crowd, from French to Americans to Italians to Germans to Dutch and Swiss. One table next to us was a group of finance bros talking about their family ski trip to Courchevel, another table was an English ex-magazine editor with her girlfriends, and we ran into friends in the real estate business. It is definitely more grown up than the Electric’s crowd on a Saturday night, (which makes me feel like a proper grandma).

I was very curious to see how they were going to use Beach Blanket Babylon’s space, and they have used it as well as possible. It’s cozy and intimate, with a neighbourhood feel, but brings in a bit of Mayfair glamour to the ‘hood. It’s a great addition to Notting Hill, especially since it’s literally 2 minutes away from me.

You know where to find me now for drinks on a Friday night 😉

xx

NHYM

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food, Food & Dining, Food & Dining, Reviews

Top 10 New Notting Hill Restaurants

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I was thrilled to see that not one, but four Notting Hill restaurants made the Top 50 Restaurants in the UK at the National Restaurants Awards 2025:

Number 3: The Ledbury

Number 10: Dorian

Number 27: Canteen

Number 38: Core by Clare Smyth

Since Covid, the Notting Hill restaurant scene has been booming. So many great restaurants have opened in the neighborhood, that there is really no reason to leave anymore.

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In no particular order, Top 10 new Notting Hill Restaurants:

  1. Dorian: Excellent, except if you’re vegetarian, it won its first Michelin star after one year.
  2. Gold: Not so new anymore, but really a Notting Hill institution, with plenty for the vegetarians.
  3. Zephyr: Dressed up Greek restaurant, it is as elegant as any Mayfair restaurant with Greek salad, raw fish and meat offerings.
  4. Straker’s: Opened by an internet chef sensation, it is actually very good.
  5. SUMI: Simple, yet, good quality sushi. It’s a favourite of Julianne Moore when she’s staying in London.
  6. The Barbary: The second Barbary, after the one in Neal’s Yard, it is a sleek and cool North African restaurant serving sharing plates. Sadly one of their best dishes, the artichokes, has come off their menu. But rest assured, the food is still good.
  7. Los Mochis: Mexican food? Japanese food? Both? What’s not to love? The salmon crispy rice and cauliflower tacos are worth going to on their own (or on Deliveroo).
  8. Chez Lui: New concept from the Bagatelle group, the food is actually good: the cauliflower and the veal escalopes are both great.
  9. Nela: Coming straight from Amsterdam, the open fire concept is a roaring hit in the new Whiteley building.
  10. Canteen: Opened by the guys behind the Pelican, it surprised all of us by its arrival on the National Restaurants Awards. Just shame there is a no-reservations policy.

There are plenty more, like Julie’s, which has had a great revamp, Fan for sushi, ACRE across Straker’s, and all the new pizza places (Alley Cats and Slayer’s). Notting Hill is really becoming a foodie destination.

Enjoy!

xx

NHYM

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Health & Wellness, Reviews

Cloud 12 Spa Review

NHYM 2022

I don’t know about you, but the last two weeks have felt like an explosion of back-to-school, Queen’s-funeral, and post-pandemic chaos and stress: everyone seems on edge and overwhelmed, including myself. So, when Cloud 12 offered me one of their signature Deep Relief Kloris CBD Oil massages, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Is it in the neighbourhood so I can fit it in between the school runs? Check. Destressing and relaxing? Check? CBD Oil? Check again!

For those of you who don’t know about Cloud 12, it is a wellness and spa retreat in the middle of Notting Hill with the added bonus of a Kid’s Club (My children are sadly too old for it, but I would have happily left them playing in the ground floor indoor playground while getting my massage). In addition to my massage, I was offered thirty minutes in the thermal suite, so this is more than just a few therapy rooms; it’s a place you can easily spend a few hours in.

Changing Room NHYM 2022

The changing room was exquisitely decorated with a large nature chandelier and there is Asian-inspired decor throughout which reminds me of spas in Bali, Thailand and Japan.

Himalayan Salt Room 2022

The thermal suite includes an eucalyptus-infused steam room, a wooden electric sauna and a Himalayan salt room. I particularly enjoyed the steam room which opened up my sinuses and bronchioles and all that sweating felt detoxifying. I also enjoyed the Himalayan salt room which exhaled cool salt air at the press of a button.

Treatment Room. NHYM 2022

After thirty minutes of thermal treatments and some time in the relaxation room listening to meditations on the provided earphones, Dorota, my therapist came for my Deep Relief Kloris CBD oil massage. CBD oil is touted for its health benefits including pain relief, speeding up healing and aiding stress and anxiety (and it is organic). This massage is described as ‘the perfect choice for anyone with aches and pains, as well as to help balance body and mind,’ which suited me perfectly!

My 60 minute massage was bliss and I even had moments of peace, forgetting about clogged roundabouts and how to magically turn a 45 minute journey into 30 minutes later that day. The massage did exactly what it was supposed to do: it released tension and induced relaxation and I could have easily used another 30 minutes or 60 minutes more of massage time.

Afterwards, I was shown the second floor therapy rooms, which are an Aladdin’s cave of wellness treatments: hynotherapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, colonics (apparently very popular these days!), psychotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, (which I heard is great for long covid and rapid healing) and more, so there is everything you need under one roof.

Cloud 12 a beautiful spa with great facilities and if you live in Notting Hill or West London (or anywhere in London really), it’s not to be missed. We’re all feeling the pressure of the world these days between unexpected pandemics, wars, Brexits and a royal death so if you need a break from it all, this is the perfect place to do it. For a few hours, I lived in a world between Bali, Japan and Thailand, where my only worry was contemplating which treatment I would go for next time.

What’s not to love?

https://www.cloudtwelve.co.uk/

2-5 Colville Mews

London W11 2DA

020 3301 1012

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Best Luxury Hotels in Vietnam: An Epic Vietnam Adventure

EpicViewsVietnamNHYM

Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam. View from the hike. NHYM 2019. All photos courtesy of NHYM.

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We recently returned from an epic two and a half week Vietnam adventure for the Easter holidays and it has taken me this long to recover and write about it. As I told friends about my trip, many kept asking me ‘Where did you stay/where should we go/what should we do?’ so here are all my tips.

Travelling with children is also particular: you can’t necessarily sight see all day and expect your children to be happy and smiling by the end of the day. So my method is: child – friendly sight – seeing in the morning and playing and resting in the afternoon, preferably in a hotel swimming pool. So far, this formula has worked perfectly for us as a family and we usually manage to keep the whole family happy this way.

LocalBoatVietnam

Local fishing boat, Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses. NHYM 2019. 

This was not my first time going to Vietnam as I have been many times and even spent one month living there, but it was the first time taking my children and they absolutely loved it. Vietnam may not be a place where you will find the biggest temples of Angkor Wat or Ayuttayah, or the Great Wall of China or the Grand Palace of Bangkok, but you will get a bit of everything on a smaller scale and with a different charm.

RiceFieldsHoiAnNHYM

Rice fields and Water Buffalos. Hoi An. NHYM 2019.

We started in Saigon, but I would recommend travelling through Vietnam from North to South if you have enough time: friends of ours started in Hanoi and went downwards. In Hanoi, most people will stay at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, which resides in a colonial building and retains its old world charm. What’s good about it with children is that it has a swimming pool. Another option, La Siesta has a range of hotel options which are very good value.

In Hanoi, you can get a feeling of what it was like in the colonial era while Saigon is a much more chaotic, modern city, so many tourists prefer Hanoi for its charm, but the Vietnamese prefer the vibrancy and dynamic life of Saigon. Our friends took an 8 hour motorbike street food tour around Hanoi and then out to the countryside, and said it was a blast and they highly recommended it.

After, Halong Bay is the requisite stop as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. I would recommend going for 2 nights rather than 1 night, as it’s not worth it and you will just get stuck with another 100 tourist boats and that may ruin the experience. But other friends chose Bai Tu Long Bay, which is quieter and has less tourists and stayed on the Emperor Cruises which looks very luxurious and only has 8 suites per boat.

Other areas worth seeing in the North are Sa Pa for the terraced rice fields and Ninh Binh, with its limestone monoliths, but for these you would need a considerable amount of time in Vietnam to get to all of those places.

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Four Seasons Nam Hai Pools. NHYM 2019. 

We met up with our friends in Hoi An, where the beautiful Nam Hai Four Seasons resort waited for us. There are plenty of cheaper options around Hoi An, you could argue, but I was travelling with two young children and I wanted the most stress-free option and the Four Seasons is generally a safe bet. (And this one is a lot cheaper than most Four Seasons hotels). The Kids Club at the Four Seasons was great for us adults: the girls were kept busy all day baking cookies, jewellery making, lantern making, playing games and making new friends. And when they tired of the Kids Club they happily spent the rest of their day by the pool (there are 3 pools, 2 for adults, 1 for kids).

BOOK HERE FOR THE FOUR SEASONS NAM HAI

HoiAnLanternsNHYM

Hoi An Architecture and Multi-coloured lanterns. NHYM 2019. 

For the adults, a trip into Hoi An is definitely worth it. What is special about Hoi An are the lanterns at night, but also the mixed architecture throughout the town. It was an old trading port that accumulated various influences from the Japanese, Chinese and French. It’s best to go either early in the morning before the tourists arrive or at night to see the lanterns illuminating the river…

RidingWaterBuffalosNHYM

Riding a Water Buffalo. NHYM 2019. 

One day we went on a water buffalo, wet rice planting and boat/fishing tour – all of it very touristy, but very child-friendly. The highlight of our entire trip for our children was riding a water buffalo, but they also enjoyed learning about rice planting and cultivation and they loved the basket boat ride.

CuttingRiceNHYM

Cutting rice. NHYM 2019. 

They also learned to ride a water buffalo plough, which we called ‘water buffalo water skiing.’

WaterBuffaloWaterSkiingNHYM

Water Buffalo ‘Water Skiing’ Hoi An. NHYM 2019

We then left for Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, near Nha Trang which I thought was absolutely stunning. This is not where you get modern, flashy rooms with mod cons: they are all made of wood and very rustic chic, but that’s what I loved that about it. There, it is all about nature. The Six Senses is so good at blending nature with its hotel and this was up to par with any of its other destinations.

BOOK HERE FOR SIX SENSES, NINH VAN BAY

SixSensesNinhVanBayNHYM

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Water Villas. NHYM 2019. 

We had a very nice two bedroom hilltop villa which was huge with its own pool and a gorgeous view of the bay and the mountains of Nha Trang. The rooms were wooden, thatched huts surrounded by trees and hillside. The food in the main restaurant was not the best ever, but the BBQ at our villa was delicious and highly recommended.

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Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Sunset from our Hill Top Villa. NHYM 2019. 

Here, like the Four Seasons, you can ride everywhere on bicycles. The Kids Club is not the best I’ve seen, so I only recommend it as a free babysitting service, but don’t expect Maldives quality (i.e. dolphin trips and marine conservation with turtles). But having said that, our kids loved the open air cinema by the dock, the complimentary ice-cream and making new friends – all from London – and they had a great time. Their highlights: egg picking in the chicken farm, snorkelling and fishing on a local wooden boat, a sunset cruise and seeing a monkey from the boat. My husband went on a super hike which had amazing views of the mountains and spotted langur monkeys while I enjoyed the Six Senses Spa, so again, something to keep everyone happy.

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Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. NHYM 2019. 

Saigon, where we started and ended, has drastically changed in the last ten years and has become a completely modern city with 1) Starbucks 2) H&M and 3) Chanel, and some say that there isn’t a lot of cultural interest, but to me it’s a great city and it is becoming cooler with rooftop terraces and rooftop pools. We stayed at the Hotel Des Arts, which is a popular destination for families because of their interconnecting rooms and it has a rooftop pool. If you want to be in the middle of the action and don’t mind noise, Liberty Central City Centre, is a modern, cool 4 star which has a rooftop pool and bar, that the girls loved for Happy Hour – even though their happy hour was a watermelon or mango juice.

BOOK HERE FOR HOTEL DES ARTS, SAIGON

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View from our hotel room Liberty Central Saigon. NHYM 2019. 

Their highlights in Saigon were: going for a cyclo ride through the city, going to the mall (why oh why?!) and going to a water puppet show, which shouldn’t be missed with young children. We also did a day trip to the Mekong on a boat and sampan, which is a long day, and also went to visit a family friend in the countryside, which gave us a taste of how people really live there. We also went to visit a local pagoda and orphanage to bring food and lollipops (lollipops, I was told, are a rare treat for them!) and it was great for them to meet and interact with lovely, local, children and not just Londoners, who were everywhere.

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Local Pagoda in Saigon, where the monks look after orphans. NHYM 2019. 

For me, travelling is not just about seeing the great cultural sights, but it’s about just being there, absorbing the culture, the people and the way of life which is so different to our own in London. It’s seeing that there are other ways to live aside from our own, to appreciate people and their cultures and it’s just wonderful sharing that with my children.

Whatever kind of traveller you are – a nature lover, a temple/ruins lover, a culture lover or a food lover, there is a bit of something for everyone in Vietnam. When we left, one of my daughters said ‘Let’s come back next year!’

Testament to a great trip! 

BOOK HERE FOR THE FOUR SEASONS, NAM HAI

BOOK HERE FOR THE SIX SENSES, NINH VAN BAY

BOOK HERE FOR HOTEL DES ARTS, HCM

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

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Reviews

Review: Cloud Twelve Family Member’s Club

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Photos courtesy of the internet. NHYM

When I gave birth to my first child, I remember thinking that it would be great to have a nice space where I could have a coffee with my friends while my child could play in a clean, nice, play area. I even went as far as thinking that Notting Hill needed a space like that and started a business model. Unfortunately, the idea died when I realised that rent in Notting Hill is so bloody expensive and that mums could easily stay hours sipping just one coffee and that wouldn’t pay the rent.

Fast forward eight years later, and Cloud 12 has opened with a different business model: the family & lifestyle member’s club. Here, there’s an annual membership and there are classes on tap and a very fancy spa upstairs. A friend of mine who is a member invited me to visit last week. As you walk in, the ground floor has a very cool and fun play area which I would say is best suited for 0-6 year olds: it is like a very cool, clean, fun and creative kids club. There are classes and a creche where you can leave your child for two hours. If you were looking to have it all under one roof for a young child, this is a great option. There are all kinds of classes like singing, ballet, science and art classes.

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There is a small cafe in the kids area and a larger cafe upstairs, which is for adults. The food is all organic and vegan – which is fine for the adults – but I have heard that the kids have a harder time with it. Their ethos is sustainability, wellness and eco – friendly which is all the rage at the moment, so it def ticks those boxes.

Upstairs is the salon and the spa, which has treatments from cryotherapy to colonic therapy to quartz beds. Its decoration is Japanese inspired, from the time the founder lived in Japan, so very zen and full of tree and nature themes. I didn’t have a treatment so couldn’t tell you my thoughts, but it looks very high end and wouldn’t mind coming back to try one.

The club is lovely, but as it is Notting Hill, can be quite costly if you don’t use it but if you use it regularly, my friend tells me it is worth it.  My children, who are both in school, I would say are too old for this as they have so many after school activities, but if I had young children and babies, I would definitely look into it.

The day I went, it was very quiet, but I heard that the last Bank Holiday weekend, it was packed and I heard that James Blunt was there and another celebrity mum is also spotted there regularly. So, if you want a bit of privacy, a nice kids area and a place to do your hair all in one place, this place is great and shame it wasn’t around when I first had a baby.

Cloud 12

2-5 Colville Mews

London W11 2DA

http://www.cloudtwelve.co.uk

0203 301 1012

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

 

 

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Reviews, Social Commentary

Christian Dior Exhibit at the V&A: Designer of Dreams

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Dior Exhibit V & A Museum. NHYM 2019. All photos my own. 

A long, long time ago, years and years ago, so long ago before the birth of civilisation – well, the birth of my children – I used to have a rule with my then husband (now called father-of-my-children), to do one cultural activity a month. No, going to the movies does not count nor does watching a documentary on Versace on Netflix count. It was a great rule which in a sense forced us to enjoy some of the best things about London. We have at our fingertips some of the greatest museums, art, music, fashion and we shouldn’t forget how easily accessible they all are.

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So, when I was invited to a private view of the sold out Christian Dior exhibit at V & A museum the other day, I was so excited to go to the show: Fashion + Art + inspiration = success.

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Sample dress from his Ateliers. NHYM 2019. 

Christian Dior was born in 1905 and started his own fashion line in 1946 which dominated the fashion world after World War II. He was instrumental in regaining Parisian fashion’s popularity for a decade with his ‘New Look’ of cinched waists and voluminous skirts, a break from wartime austerity.

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So influential was he that he designed Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday party dress, which is on display at the V & A.

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Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday dress. NHYM 2019. 

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Dior particularly loved designing fantastical and fairytale ball gowns, drawing on his love of historical costumes: ‘evening clothes are the most glamorous and fascinating thing a woman can have as the evening is the time when you escape from the realities of life.’

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There is an entire floral room showcasing some of his most ethereal, feminine gowns that make you dream.

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The exhibit features over 500 objects, gowns, photos and memorabilia from Dior’s collections.

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‘A ballgown is your dream, and it must make you dream.’

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This is how I feel most days.

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Gian Franco Ferre. NHYM 2019. 

After his death in 1957, Yves Saint Laurent took over as Head designer and there have been a string of great designers which have continued Dior’s legacy.

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Maria Grazia Chiuri. NHYM 2019.

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I love Christian Dior’s elegant, elaborate, whimsical gowns and the femininity that they represent, in contrast to some of the more masculine designs that have dominated. When I see these dresses, I am taken to a time when femininity was a sign of strength and beauty and when femininity was celebrated for its grace and wisdom.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

 

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Reviews, Uncategorized

Restaurant Review: Caractère, Notting Hill

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Caractere restaurant. Image courtesy of the internet, as are all of these photos. NHYM.

Caracatere

209 Westbourne Park Road W11 EA

Tel 0208181 3850

www.caractererestaurant.com

I must apologise, especially to those who have signed up to my blog within the past few months, because I have not had one minute to write. But I have a good excuse! We moved houses, and as they say, it was very stressful. Actually, it’s been a stressful YEAR. There were peaks of stress when ceilings came crashing down, flooding that made a waterfall out of my ceiling and break-ins that led me to police statements and detectives. This year was hijacked by my selling and moving houses, but it has been all worth it (and really I should write a blog all about house decorating because I have so much useless information that I will never use again after I finish decorating this house). The good news is that I love it. This is the house-I’m-going-to-live-in-for-the-rest-of-my-life- house. If it’s possible to fall in love with an inanimate object, this is it. Of course, that comes with problems, I am obsessing at night over which fabrics to use out of 22,000 I was shown and I actually never want to go ‘out’ of the house these days. So, it does take quite a lot to get me to walk out my door.

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Roasted scallops. NHYM 2018.

Luckily, I found this new restaurant which was definitely worth the walk to. Caractere is the baby of Emily Roux, daughter of Michel Roux Jr, of Le Gavroche fame, and Diego Ferrari, who was head chef there for three years. This place was destined to be a foodie-heaven baby. Caractere has taken over the Bumpkin space on Westbourne Park Road in Notting Hill, and has a contemporary art deco design which hits lots of trends – green and purple velvet chairs, sputnik orbit chandeliers, exposed brick, lots of gold and brass and marble table tops. And since I’ve been sucked in the depths of the interior design world lately, all I can do is covet the chairs and stare at what they’ve done and love it all.

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Amuses bouches NHYM 2018. 

But it’s the food that takes my breath away here. Everything I ordered was delicious. Perhaps it was a lucky pick in the menu of character traits of Delicate, Robust etc… but I don’t care. There were a few amuses bouches that started our tastebuds tingling, and then I ordered the artichoke starter. Let’s just put it this way, I’ve never tasted an indulgent artichoke before I came here. It was a starter to remember but my husband also found his roasted scallops equally as good. The cacio e pepe is supposedly their star starter so I will definitely need to come back to try it, given how much I already liked the artichoke.

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Then, the rack of lamb literally melted in my mouth. The quality of the meat was really stand-out-ish and even though the portions looked small, they were quite rich and consistent. The grande finale was the chocolate cake with pecan praline, salted caramel sauce, and mascarpone ice-cream. Absolutely divine: I felt like we went to chocolate-heaven. A few days later, I ran into the friends we had gone with, and he still kept raving about the chocolate cake, saying he would go back just for the chocolate cake. I would go back for all the above frankly, but I am secretly hoping it doesn’t become like the Ledbury where it can take months to get a reservation.

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The two lovebirds Roux and Ferrari have made a beautiful, young, contemporary baby out of Caractere, which may still be finding its feet (the service was hit-and-miss but friendly) but is likely to attract foodies and locals alike, all looking for a taste of foodie heaven. As for me, I will be hibernating in our house until that chocolate cake beckons me back, but I promise to write a little more, and come out of my love nest a little more.

xx

NYHM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

@NHyummymummy

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