Women's Day with the Dorchester Collection

Behind every great wine list is an even greater woman. At least that is the case for three of Dorchester Collection’s properties: 45 Park Lane, Le Meurice, and Hotel Principe di Savoia, whose head sommeliers are Vanessa Cinti, Estelle Touzet and Alessandra Veronesi respectively. Not only do these leading ladies provide expert wine advice but their charm and passion for all things oenological, bring an added dimension to every dining experience at their hotels.

To celebrate women behind the grape, Dorchester Collection is delighted to announce that, for International Women’s Day 2013, these three sommeliers will join together to embark on a wine road trip where they will host three successive wine events in London, Paris and Milan commencing the celebrations on a fitting  #WineWednesday:

-        Wednesday, 6 March, London

-        Thursday, 7 March, Paris

-        Friday, 8 March, Milan (International Womens Day)

These events will toast female achievements in wine, and no doubt inspire lively discussions on female wine makers, next generation wine families, the female palate and simply being a woman in the sommelier world. The sommeliers will compare Old World and New World wines with two wine selections from American, French and Italian wines.

Female guests staying at the hotels during this time in respective cities will also receive a 10% discount on selected spa treatments and complimentary glass of champagne at lunch. An event not to be missed and to be penciled in in every 2013 planner. 

Mahiki Coconut Christmas Party

Nick Grismshaw turned on the Mahiki Christmas Lights

On Tuesday 4th December, celeb favourite Mahiki hosted its annual Christmas Party, with the added celebration of Mahiki Coconut Rum (now available at Tesco and Sainsburys) There was guest attendance from some well known faces, and Mahiki regulars Mollie King, Alexandra Burke, Oliver Cheshire, Isaac Ferry and Diana Vickers also joined in the party.

Sheltering from the cold in Mayfair's very own tiki paradise, guests flocked to Mahiki to celebrate the annual Christmas Party. With the Mahiki Coconut Rum in full flow, celebrating its launch in stores nationwide, guests were welcomed by some friendly tiki warriors at the door, as they descended into the tropical warmth and out of the bitter London wind. With everyone suitably comfy, and sipping on drinks out of pineapples and coconuts, Nick Grimshaw had the honour of turning on the Mahiki Christmas lights, to much fanfare and the flash of camera bulbs. With food provided by Tom Parker Bowles, guests were presented with a delectable feast with a festive twist. 

*Oliver Cheshire, without his beau Pixie Lott, had just come from the Zara party which he absolutely loved, however had to forgo a big night as he had an important Christmas dinner to attend the next day!

*Nick Grimshaw, fresh from turning on the Mahiki Christmas lights, exclaimed how excited he was for Christmas, and how he has become "strangely used" to waking up at 4am each morning for his radio breakfast show, so a late night doesn’t phase him at all.

$1 Million-Dollar ArtBike

Created by Jack Armstrong in collaboration with Fisher, this CosmicStar Cruiser ARTBike is the world's most expensive ARTBike. It took 6 months to transform the SOLE bike into this stunning and functional piece of art. 

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Venet

This Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is uniquely painted by French artist Bernar Venet, who is based in New York. The "fastest artwork ever" will be displayed from December 6 - 9 at Art Basel festival in Miami Beach. What is truly special about the art displayed in this Bugatti Veyron are the mathematical and scientific formulae used by Bugatti engineers in developing the Veyron across its front fascia and over its flanks. Definitely a collectors item.

Blaken Deepsea Rolex by Andre Borchers

Blaken is the official customizer for Rolex watches, and they have created an amazing new piece, by customizing the Deepsea model. With the typical deep black finish, Andre Borchers designed a contrasting comic style dial, which creates a rough yet stylish street-art look.

Only 7 of these watches are available worldwide and each comes in a Blaken Outdoorbox with custom engraving, nato watchstrap, warranty card, as well as a Limited Edition certificate.

Five Hundred at the Saxon

The Saxon has turned the heads of foodies across the globe with the recent launch of its brand new and highly exclusive fine dining restaurant; Five Hundred.

The restaurant is undoubtedly Johannesburg’s “it” place to visit and be seen, and with Chef David Higgs’ culinary genius the driving force in the kitchen – visitors to South Africa’s sleepless city are definitely in for a treat when visiting the Saxon. 

Five Hundred, complementing the Saxon’s variety of individually inspired venues privatized for guests’ exclusive use and pleasure, is a stylish and graceful restaurant complete with private entrance and 90 degree window views over the Saxon’s beautifully crafted gardens and the Johannesburg cityscape.

Having introduced a whole new culinary culture to the hotel, Executive Chef David Higgs has injected huge amounts of energy and a 20/20 vision for the hotel’s cuisine and as such has raised its profile to among the best in the world.

   

Diners are guaranteed the finest cuisine, wines and ambience at this exclusive evening restaurant that accommodates a maximum of only 30 guests.  For an extraordinary gastronomic experience, book a Chef’s Table for 8 people which allows for a personalised menu choice, interaction with Chef - and all the trimmings!

Guerlain Spa at The Caledonian

Following a significant programme of investment, the recently re-branded The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Edinburgh is pleased to announce the final stage of its upgrade, as the UK’s first Guerlain Spa, will start welcoming guests on the 1^st January 2013. 

Beginning with a systematic analysis and precise skin diagnosis, each treatment will be individually tailored using signature Guerlain touches. A journey of tranquillity will begin as guests are encouraged to relax and enjoy a gently soothing, fragrant foot bath designed to envelop the senses; a ritual that will allow even the most time pressed guests to unwind before their choice of treatment.

The treatment menu at the Guerlain spa will reflect luxury, emotion and refinement with a collection of indulgent treatments created using Guerlain products and respecting the origins of the signature massage, dating back to when the brand opened its first ‘Institut de Beauté’ in Paris in 1939. 

Alongside the exquisite treatments offered at the Guerlain Spa, guests wishing to simply relax will have the opportunity to take a dip in the swimming pool or unwind in the spa’s sauna, steam room or jacuzzi. 

The Guerlain Spa at The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel will be a gem in the heart of the city and an intimate sanctuary for guests and locals alike to experience true luxury and absolute pampering.