Absolute Magazine 2nd birthday 2017 issue 135

ABSOLUTE ISSUE 135 BIRTHDAY SPECIAL 2017

FASHION | STYLE | CULTURE | LIVING | TRAVEL

Index 08 14 26 32 38 42 59 60 62 64 68 64 74 76 80 86 92 100 110 118

CITY NEWS FASHION FATBOY SLIM LOUIS MATTRS G3 HAIR BEST OF ABSOLUTE FASHION - ABSOLUTE IBIZA SUPPLEMENT FIZZ & FOOD BARS & BEATS COFFEE & CAKE HARBOUR JETTY MALMAISON HOTEL MALMAISON CHEZ MAL BRASSERIE BRIGHTON GIRL PROBLEM LONDON LIFE MARTINHAL PORTUGAL SEYCHELLES - A DREAM VACATION JIM CAREY PHOTOGRAPHY EAGLE LABS FEATURE

Contributing Editors - Charlie McBrien | Matt Parr | Shelley Louise Welti | Victoria Marie Emerson | Lindsay Katherine Hills Pete Hayward | Kasia (The Styling Agency) Tony Shattell (food reviewer) Brighton Girl Problems Blogger Fashion, Beauty & Interior Styling Editor - Kasia (The Styling Agency) Features Editor - Victoria Marie Emerson - info@absolutemagazine.co.uk Designer - Pete Hayward - Southbeachmedia.co.uk Owners - Publishers Simon Darcy Abbott - simon@absolutemagazine.co.uk David Camici - dcamici@absolutemagazine.co.uk

Cover Shot Photography – Daren Black Photography Model – Layla Harris (First Model Management) Stylist – Kasia at The Styling Agency Hair & Make Up – Sam Stockton Hair Location – Malmaison, Brighton

ABSOLUTE is owned and produced by Make a Difference Media Ltd Absolute offices 1 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QU

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Printed by the Magazine Printing Company London

All advertising enq: info@absolutemagazine.co.uk connect with us www.absolutemagzine.co.uk facebook/absolutemagazine twitter/absolutesussex instagram/absolute_mag

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Editor ell has it really been two years?

Two years since the new Absolute was released to the city. And in those 2 years, we have grown from strength

to strength, launching absolute homes - a 32-page supplement in every issue after only a few months growing our issue size to 160 pages.

Following on, Absolute Seychelles was launched in April of this year, then additionally Ibiza and Maldives too. In just a few months, this much loved Brighton born and bred magazine brand is going truly global.

Well back to the current issue. This birthday special has a few changes making it a collectors edition. We have a stunning shoot at the gorgeous

new hotel at the Marina - Malmasion, with London's very own high

fashion photographer Darren Black. A showcase of some of the best

images from our past shoots defining memories of the past 16 issues.

Exclusive interviews with Brighton Dj icon Norman Cook aka FatboySlim, and Chase & Status' Brighton singer Louis Mattrs, plus a huge 64-page

taster preview supplement for the forthcoming launch of Absolute Ibiza

magazine, due April 2018. We include such iconic island brands such as World Family, Revolver, Atzaro and the legendary PIKES hotel, famous for its celebrity clientele and also Wham!'s Club Tropicana music video.

We hope you have enjoyed the new Absolute these past two years. I can

promise we have many more amazing issues planned for you, and the coming years are set to be very exciting indeed.

Love Absolute Team

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News

The Color Run 2017 The Color Run is coming back to the UK for the fifth time and this year it's getting dreamy. Dubbed 'The Happiest 5k on the Planet', the concept is simple; dress in white, run 5km with your friends, family or colleagues and finish the day headto-toe in kaleidoscopic colour, having incredible amounts of fun along the way.

Whilst last year's runners enjoyed the 'Tropicolor Zones,' this year's participants should prepare to dream in colours. For the first time ever, participants will take the first step toward making their dreams a reality, as they cross the start line and enter a magical world, filled with a brand new Cloud Foam Zone, unicorn mascots and a variety of new colour zones throughout the route. Dreams are about to get a lot more colourful. Those taking part in the events in Wembley Park (London), The Etihad Campus (Manchester) and Madeira Drive (Brighton) this summer, will be dusted with coloured powder by volunteers at each kilometre mark along the route. The fun continues beyond the finish line at the Finish Festival – where runners can enjoy the ultimate colour extravaganza combined with DJ's, MC's and giveaways as they party with friends and family amidst vibrant bursts of Color Throws.

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The run is not timed and welcomes all ages of participants who can run, jog or walk their way through the course.

Tickets are now on sale to the public for Brighton, which is on the 23rd September.

For information on how to sign up, please visit:www.thecolorrun.co.uk.

Hit the Beach at Boardmasters Festival, Newquay, Cornwall Surf culture meets music festival on the sunny shores of the Cornish coast in high summer.

If you’re looking for a place to hang ten, hang loose and feel the musical vibes this summer, look no further than Fistral Beach where the Boardmasters Festival combines beachside relaxation with plenty of great music and professional surf and skateboard competitions.

Let the sound of waves take you away as laid back acts perform on eight stages amidst the setting of Newquay’s sandy beaches. Join a crowd of 40,000 to listen to the tunes and watch the highflying pros throw their best tricks.

Brighton Racecourse Live Brighton Racecourse Live is the new series of events taking place at the historic Brighton Racecourse, a stunning venue for live music, offering spectacular views across the city and the south coast.

To kick off an on-going programme of top quality live music, Brighton Racecourse Live presents a big weekend of talent, as Human League and Marc Almond entertain with their global hits on Friday 8th September, while Hacienda Classical, Groove Armada and Stereo MCs take over on Saturday 9th September.

Tickets are available for at www. brightonracecourselive.com and to celebrate the launch, the first 500 tickets are available at £37.50 per night. After that ticket prices are going to rise so move fast.

Boardmasters Festival takes place 9-13 August, and this year’s headliners include Two Door Cinema Club, The Flaming Lips, Jamiroquai, The Vaccines and Alt-J.

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Human League

Marc Almond

Brighton Racecourse Marc Almond Live On Friday 8th September, making a weekend to remember, are 80’s legends, Human League. With million-selling #1 hits such as, ‘Don’t you Want Me’ and ‘Human’, as well as classics including ‘(Keep Feeling) Fascination’ and ‘Mirror Man’, Human League have written themselves into music folklore, influencing everyone from Moby to the Pet Shop Boys. Always performing live, with no backing tapes, the Human League at Brighton Racecourse is not to be missed.

Supporting Human League is Marc Almond, an artist who, as part of Soft Cell, will always be remembered for tracks such as, ‘Tainted Love’ and ‘Say Hello, Wave Goodbye’. With a string of hits and a reputation as a consummate live performer, Marc Almond will add to an amazing night’s entertainment.

Hacienda Classical

Brighton Racecourse Hacienda Live On Saturday 9th September, Hacienda Classical perform as the closing act for Brighton Racecourse Live. This sumptuous spectacle brings the Manchester Camerata, a hugely talented orchestra, together with DJs Graeme Park and Mike Pickering, two legends from the days of the Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. Together with special guests, this combination will bring to life new orchestral versions of the classic house tracks that made the Hacienda so instrumental in dance music culture.

One of the planet’s best loved dance acts, Groove Armada, step up in support.

Since their breakthrough hit, ‘At The River’ Andy Cato and Tom Findlay have added million–selling albums, Grammy and Brit nominations and a pioneering live show to their reputation. With two decades at the top of electronic music, they are the perfect accompaniment to Hacienda Classical.

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Mamma Mia Join the ultimate feel-good party at MAMMA MIA!, the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical from 15th August to the 3rd September 2017.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget. This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now the party comes to The Brighton Centre for the first time, so there’s never been a better time to see this unforgettable musical.

Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA!

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News

Zippos Circus For its 2017 tour, family favourite Zippos Circus presents a brand new production ‘Jigit!’ From 25th August to 3rd September at Hove Lawns, celebrating the show’s sensational new equestrian and fearless acrobatic marvels.

Zippos Circus welcomes the thundering hooves of acrobatic Cossack riding into the UK circus ring for the first time in 30 years with the appearance of the Khadikov Jigit Riders from Kazakhstan. Their astonishing and fearless ‘jigitovka’ trick riding showcases beautifully the extraordinary relationship between man and horse and is a must see for all circus and equestrian fans. Back by popular demand are Zippos’ 21st Century ‘Jigits’ - on motorbikes not horses, Brazilian daredevils in the Globe of Death, the legendary Lucius Troupe.

With their astonishing, break-neck speed loop-the-loop motorbike performance they are keeping the spirit of Jigitovka alive and well. Plus hilarity from Alex the Fireman and new laugh-out-loud comic Emilion, juggler extraordinaire the recordbreaking Nicolas Souren, the amazing Miss Kimberley on the swinging trapeze, real knife throwing and other marvellous and amazing acrobats and artists – all presented by the one and only Norman Barrett, MBE, the world’s greatest Ringmaster and his mischievous budgerigar pals.

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Edinburgh Fringe Festival From 4th – 28th August 2017, theater, music, film, comedy, dance, musicals, spoken word, street performances, and exhibitions all combine to create the legendary Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Known as the world’s largest arts festival, each August the Fringe takes over Scotland’s capital, drawing artists, performers, and attendees from around the world.

Fringe developed 70 years ago (as an alternative to the selective Edinburgh International Festival) and is an openaccess festival, meaning that anyone can participate or perform. You can either buy tickets in advance or just walk down the bustling Royal Mile and let the many promoters guide you to a cheap or free show. The festive atmosphere of the entire city is truly contagious and something to experience at least once!

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Bestival Rob and Josie Da Bank’s end-of-summer staple is no longer held on the Isle of Wight, having swapped its home of old for the Jurassic Coast, which means, thankfully, no arduous ferry trips back and forth. But in every other way it’s still the woodlandy, fancy dress bacchanalia of old, this year with the xx, Jamie T, Pet Shop Boys, Blossoms, DJ Shadow, the Prince themed Purple Rave Orchestra and more. 7-10 September, Lulworth Estate, Dorset, £181, bestival.net

The world’s biggest sailing regatta With up to 40 races a day and more than 1,000 boats pulling into harbour, Cowes Week in the Isle of Wight is the sailing spectacular event not to be missed. Dating back to 1826, Cowes Week is one of the longest running sporting events in the UK and today it draws world and Olympic champion sailors who compete amongst amateurs and beginners. The atmosphere in the town of Cowes is turned into that of a festival every summer, as more than 100,000 spectators flock to watch the sailing events.

During the event, the Solent is truly spectacular with hundreds of boats of all varieties sailing side by side. The week is completely free to attend, and many of the events can be enjoyed from the shores along Cowes beach and parade. Celebrities and sports personalities are regular sights at the event, so there is always a chance of rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous at any of the bars and pubs in Cowes after racing.

Notting Hill Carnival

Taking place on 30 August 2017, Notting Hill Carnival is one of the highlight’s of London’s summer calendar. Every August bank holiday weekend, the normally sedate Notting Hill explodes into a riot of steel drums, exuberantly decorated floats and those dancers.

Those taking part in the carnival have put in months and months of preparation - but the joy for spectators is turning up, and embracing whatever comes your way. Everyone dances, even people who never dance - the music is just too infectious not to. You might not quite reach the standard of the carnivalistas on the float, but dance your feet off anyway.

You’ll have to wait another 364 days for the opportunity to come round again.

Bristol's International Balloon Fiesta

The world-famous electronic festival at Creamfields Creamfields is the leader of the pack when it comes to electronic festival revelry. Boasting award-winning events around the world -including Malta, Rio de Janeiro and Australia- its roots have been here in England since 1998. Specialising in DJs and live dance-music acts, Creamfields is also known to offer crowd-interactive FX towers, impressive light visuals, explosive pyros, and a spectacular firework finale to go out with a bang. They even have two main stages to host the plethora of acts playing event. Headliners for Creamfields 2017 include Deadmau5, Annie Mac and Andy C. Creamfields runs from 24th - 27th August

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As Europe's largest hot air balloon event, the fiesta runs from 10th-13th August 2017 and includes morning and evening balloon lifts and two nightglow events. Every year, Bristol plays host to Europe’s largest hot air balloon event, Bristol International Balloon fiesta.

Launching from Ashton Court Estate’s beautiful grounds at dawn and dusk, and illuminating the skies in an extravagant evening ‘nightglow’ on selected days, the free four-day event is a fantastic spectacle. Over 150 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes take to the skies with beautiful Bristol providing an incredibly photogenic backdrop. Now one of the UK’s Top 5 Outdoor Events, it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year and is particularly popular with families. Family entertainment on site includes fairground rides, food stalls and bars, face painting, acoustic music areas and air displays. Helicopter and balloon rides are bookable in advance and both promise an incredible experience.

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In Malmaison

PHOTOGRAPHY Daren Black Photography MODEL Layla Harris First Model Management, London STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency MAKE UP & HAIR Sam Stockton CLOTHES: Mottoo 2 Duke St, Brighton, BN1 1AH LOCATION Malmaison Brighton Waterfront, Brighton Marina Village, Brighton, BN2 5WA

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THE ENTERTAINER

Fatboy SLIM

We originally ran this article on our local hero Norman Cooke, ambassador for worthy causes and dance-music royalty in 2016. It proved popular so we decided to update it for new readers.

Absolute’s Mr Pete Hayward has known Mr Norman Cook since the 1980s. They catch up and chat about beats, bits and pieces, his formative years and, of course, Norman’s love of our colourful city.

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or the uninitiated, Mr Cook was no overnight sensation. To the benefit of younger readers we rewind to the 1980s, and piece the numbers together.

The first flirtation with fame begun with Hullbased miserablists, The Housemartins. Norman sheds some light.

“Anyone who knew me in Brighton, in my days before The Housemartins, will ask the question ‘How on earth did you end up in The Housemartins’ rather than how did you get from white Indie pop, into the kind of music I was doing then. I was always into black, chemical, electronic, funky alternative dance. But in those days it was simply called ‘Black music’, ‘Soul’ or ‘Rap’ and made by black people. I kind of felt as a suburban, middle class English white guy I shouldn’t be making that kind of music. Alternatively, I thought my destiny was to be in a white English, suburban pop band playing indie music. Though anyone who heard me at the Brighton Belle, DJing in my Tuesday residency the three years before, would be like “No, you’re hip hop, Acid Jazz, you’re scratchy old funk records!” Wind back to 1987, the Harrington jacketed, flat-top brigade that queued for his Corn Exchange gig bore testimony to this.

Norman paid DJ dues at The Belle (Oriental Place), as DJ resident establishing the new sound of hip hop on the Brighton scene throughout his student years. He also worked the decks at The Yard, Savannahs and The Escape. Playing his way through college, he concluded that playing his style as a musician could only lead up the Simply Red, Level 42 path, and that wasn’t on, so The Housemartins it was. “The arrival of the drum machine and Akai sampler spelt the eventual end of my days with the band. My music mates of the

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time – Coldcut and Tim Siminon – started making hits from the music that we had been loving and digging as DJs, and there I was, stuck in this white pop band. It was time to jump ship so I moved back to Brighton. All my mates were wearing bandannas, mental clothes and going ‘get on one’ and mouthing ‘aciieeeed’. I was “what are you on about?” because nothing like that had happened in Hull yet. So I missed the whole 1988 wave of Acid House; Chris Coco’s ‘Frenzy’, and Jesus lookalike Harvey who ran the infamous ‘Tonka’ night at the Zap. In the meantime, while I was processing the change, I started a night of acid free funk ‘n’ soul at the Downbeat club with Shem: ‘Streets Ahead’.”

“The eye-opening moment happened at the Escape Club one night. A cheeky chemical stimulus took hold, leading to the sudden understanding of the euphoria that had gripped clubland for the past couple of years. C.C. Peniston’s anthemic ‘Finally (it is happening to me)’ boomed around the club. Ah, Yes! I get why you’re all dancing on the tables and hugging each other. The glory of ecstasy was apparent, and that turned me onto house music. The nearest I got to it before was gay disco music; The Flirts, Bobby O, Donna Summer.

I think I spent the rest of my life loving Acid House because I missed it first time round. Put it down to geography. Remember it was pre internet, it took longer to filter through, but Brighton was hot and quick to Acid House. It travelled up the M1, but not the M62!”

Norman went on to No.1 success with Beats International and Freakpower, but new frontiers were emerging. “I was finding a new niche and looking to make something fresh. By this point I’d been in a white boy pop band, made reggae and hip hop influenced music, then Acid Jazz and variously - a bass player, guitarist, producer and

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DJ. There was this hybrid music I really liked that no-one else did.” He refers to a mulch of influences being pop music like The Beatles, punk rock, hip hop and Acid House – all pivotal, but a little bland in the contemporary context. “By this point house had become formulated. I looked back at hip hop, but it lacked the tempo energy. Trip hop sounded interesting played at 45, so I got the idea of breakbeats at house tempo, introducing pop references – I loved playing these tunes. But no-one wanted to book me playing a set like this.” Ex Beats International Lindy Layton introduced Norman to the Heavenly Social in London where the Chemical Brothers were having similar thoughts. Norman walked in the club only to hear his own record, by his new moniker – Fatboy Slim – on heavy rotation. Notes were swapped, new relationships formed. The trips to London became frequent but eventually took their toll. Norman decided a new Brighton night, based on the same lines, was in order. The Big Beat Boutique was born. It became quickly apparent after the first night (a Primal Scream after-party), that a lot of people were on the same wavelength. By the third night the queues were out of control!

The Boutique was the Skint records HQ’s own club, ideas were tested and boundaries pushed.

In the same manner of genre name creation as Chicago’s Warehouse, New York’s Paradise Garage, Big Beat took its name from the club.

The idea of Fatboy Slim came about after a brainstorming meeting at Loaded records. The new label, Skint, was born of an idea by A&R man Damian Harris, and a new product was needed to stamp the identity. Norman was sitting in exactly the right place to deliver the goods. In a space of two years, everything from Norman’s neverswitched-off mixing desk made vinyl gold.

“ The so-called trilogy followed: A remix of Cornerstone’s ‘Brimful Of Asher’, Wildchild’s ‘Renegade Master’ and the killer – Fatboy Slim’s ‘Rockafella Skank’ – all made within the space of a week, took our hero and genre to global fame.

Norman’s formula of ‘a bit of Northern Soul breaks’, ‘acid 303’, ‘crazy pop samples’, repeated, mangled, warped and taken to extreme, was the formula to dancefloor and aural magic.

“The best bit about it all is The Big Beat Boutique has put Brighton squarely on the map. Before the club, the Big Beach Boutiques and Skint sponsoring the Albion, my experience going round the world and saying I’m from Brighton usually prompted ‘Ah, Quadrophenia, Brighton Rock’. Our own contribution has now added to the fame. Now it’s more ‘Ah, Brighton, Big Beach Boutique’. In my career this is one of the things that has made me really proud.”

In this part of our conversation, Norman goes on to emphasise his love of Brighton, his pride and happiness at being the unofficial ambassador, mascot or however he is perceived. “I love all things Brighton, I enjoy being involved and love that people are proud of me. Brighton is special, bordering on eccentric lunacy at times, but that’s the key. That’s what this city was built on.

Where else could you have something like the i360? It probably wouldn’t be tolerated. Anyone who doubts its place should take a look at the Pavilion, and imagine how people saw it when it was new. It doesn’t exactly reflect the south coast surroundings!

However, that set the benchmark of eccentric things that would become iconic for this city.

The elements that bring people and tourists; ultimately helping our economy. The city is based on visitors – be it dirty weekends, party political conferences, car rallies, mod reunions or hen parties. Half our economy is probably based on the influx of tourists, and so we have to embrace that culture, feed the beast and continue to build these ideas that ultimately make people smile. It’s what Brighton does best.

Norman is well travelled, he lives by the sea in Brighton. I ask why does Brighton remain special

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Man City spent more on full backs in a week recently than we have ever spent on all of our players in the team’s 116 year history!".

to him? "It is a unique city with a very unique vibe, tolerant, forward thinking but also laid back. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We are all here to entertain. I firmly believe that’s what Brighton exists to do. It’s totally open-minded, we tolerate most things, and for me it’s the best place to live.”

Moving back to his day job, we talk about music and where he is now. “I'm still making records. They don’t come so easily these days. I don’t have a particular desire to inflict my records as I used to do.” He admits to finding it harder pushing his enthusiasm on others while being a parent, sober and older. However, DJing has become his main passion and drawing board for new ideas. The organic process of dropping hooks into his set stimulates ideas for new tunes, containing all the hallmarks of the Fatboy sound. His DJ style can be summed up in his own words: “Party Acid House’ 128bpm, nasty noises, hooks of big tunes – hard, but fair.”

Norman laments the days of pioneer record making, the hardware, the button pushing and sheer hard work and engineering that went into making a record sound great. “These days the laptop does most of the work, it’s easy to do anything, and so I end up doing nothing. The days of going round your mate’s house to borrow a synth, or drum machine to get a special sound have gone, the magic with it too. That frontier spirit of abusing the equipment has disappeared.” Citing the example of a Roland 303 bass module – developed to accompany a guitarist without a bass player – “Chicago house pioneers discovered by abusing the filters they could get really sexy noises, and so inventing a new sound and genre.” His home recording studio has become frozen in time, a near museum piece – a shrine to how it was all done in the 1990s. “It still works, but like everything in life I grudgingly have to accept the labour-saving benefits of technology outweigh the soul you felt for the old way of doing things.

I was probably one of the last people to play vinyl as a DJ. I clung on continually making dub plates (a single pressing) of tunes so I could still play vinyl.

Now I’ve made the change to software DJing – I can’t go back!”

I wonder if there could be anything new in the city that's exciting for him as we move to 2018. Snow Dogs was special, is there anything else on the

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horizon? " I’m still trying to nail down something special but I can’t tell you about it yet, sorry!"

Norman's involvment with Brighton & Hove Albion is well known. Now the club has entered the Premiership I ask him how he's feeling about this new era. "On the one hand so excited that we finally made it there after all that we have been through, so proud of the team, the fans, everybody who got us there. On the other hand, a little fearful that we are gonna get our arses kicked week in week out by some huge teams. Man City spent more on full backs in a week recently than we have ever spent on all of our players in the team’s 116 year history!".

Pressed on his desert island discs, Norman reveals his favourite album, “on an emotional level,” is Stevie Wonder’s album ‘Innervisions’, 1973.

Followed closely by The Beatles ‘Abbey Road’, 1970 (minus two tracks - your guess reader), and Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’, 1971. His first record purchase was Chinn & Chapman’s production of Suzie Quatro’s ‘Devil Gate Drive’ 1974; “I loved the strutting energy”.

That energy seemed to have made a major impact; he’s shared the same positive entertaining spirit for well over two decades, which shows no sign of abating.

Pete Hayward

Fatboy Slim Thu, 17th August 2017 Cream, Amnesia Ibiza Sun, 20th August 2017 Phi Beach, Arzachena, Italy Fri, 25th August 2017 Reading/Leeds Festival Sat, 26th August 2017 Reading/Leeds Festival www.fatboyslim.net

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MUSIC

Louis Mattrs Louis Mattrs won the hearts and ears of Chase & Status appearing on their ‘Lost & Not Found’ single. Whilst touring with the famous DJ duo, he has been making serious waves with his own material.

Absolute’s Kasia catches up with Louis...

Known for their edgy beats and London sound, Chase & Status delivered a beautifully crafted song that touched an emotional side of the underground scene. Concurrently, it was the discovery of a talent brewing out of a Brighton home. His soulful and laid-back vocals glide effortlessly over beautifully produced, subtly melodic grooves with an altogether pop sheen.

Bow Down to that...

Louis…let’s talk music: How did you get your start in songwriting?

I started dabbling (not dabbing) in songwriting when I was about 18 or 19. I didn't think much of it really but after some time, I came to write Lost & Not Found for Chase & Status which changed my whole mindset of believing I could do this for a living.

What was your reaction when you heard “Lost & Not Found” play out for the first time?

I remember sitting in the lounge with all my friends drinking a can of Stella (classy) and hearing it on Radio 1. It was a pretty surreal moment.

What was your scariest stage moment?

My first ever performance to a live audience was at Radio 1 big weekend with C&S. That has got to be the scariest moment in my entire life.

What was your most euphoric stage or studio moment?

Singing on the "Other Stage" at Glastonbury is definitely the best feeling ever. Whilst singing, I remember thinking to myself how on earth have I blagged this one then.

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Who is your ultimate, all time music genius?

What new material are you working on?

Well I've finished my album which will be out sometime this year, look out for it! At the moment I'm working on some production for other artists which I really enjoy.

I don't think I'm supposed to name them yet though as it's all a bit hush hush.

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The combination of Pharrell and JT. Everything they do together is pure gold.

What is your most memorable song from your pre-teen years?

Unfortunately, it has to be that Crazy Frog song.

Whoever made it, I hate you.

What is your favourite sample pack?

In general, I tend to use a lot of Samplephonics' sample packs. I also swap a few sounds here and there with other producers I collab with - saves us all the time and effort crate digging.

Can music heal a broken heart?

I don't think it can really heal a broken heart. It normally just makes it even worse. Unless you are listening to Blue by Eiffel 65, it has so much emotion in it that it can heal anything.

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Now, let’s talk home: What is your favourite Sussex eatery and where do you like to let your hair down in Brighton?

Well if you asked me this question a few years ago I would probably have said the Wetherspoons on West Street. Since realising how rank it really is, I've moved on to bigger and better things. The Mash Tun and the fitzherberts is normally where I end up.

Brighton Pier or i360?

100% the pier over the i360 any day. Who wants to look at the sea from that high up when it looks exactly the same when standing on the ground. Who's idea was it to paint it grey? I could go on but I don't want to bore anyone. Also on the pier, I've set the record of 250 points on the basketball machine, good luck beating that (please don't I'll cry).

Brighton or Hove?

I feel like Brighton and Hove are the same thing anyway. I spend more time in Brighton though so I would have to say, Brighton.

Pebbles or Sand?

It depends on what mood you're in. No one really likes getting sand stuck in between their toes so I would probably say pebbles. But then again, who likes walking on pebbles with no shoes on, there's no real winner here.

Are you an Amex stadium regular?

What fixture are you most looking forward to this season?

I go there from time to time. I find it quite depressing though as I used to play for Brighton when I was younger and there are a couple of team-mates that play for the first team now. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME!! Or maybe not. I'll definitely be returning there to watch this season unfold though.

What is your Brighton guilty pleasure?

Bowplex, who doesn't love throwing a ball at a bunch of pins every now and then.

Kasia

www.louismattrs.com/

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HARBOUR HOTELS & SPAS

Bringing Luxurious Italian Haircare to Brighton

Absolute Meets G3 Omnia Mundi With a name translating to mean “pure”, Brighton-based professional haircare company G3 Omnia Mundi is passionate about bringing high quality, head-turning Italian-made cosmetics to British shores.

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rom hair colouring to shampoos and intensive conditioning treatments, each product utilises the best natural ingredients and are free from sodium lauryl sulfate and added parabens.

We spoke to Edoardo Iodice, who was born into the prestigious G3 cosmetics family and has created G3 Omnia Mundi (whose products are available to buy online and in hairdressers) to hear about his passion for his products, his vision to make Brighton the next St Tropez and how he hopes to help the city’s homeless.

Hi Edoardo, how did you become involved with G3 cosmetics?

I've been part of the business since I was born as my uncle is the G3 manufacturer in Italy. I started G3 Omnia Mundi here in England together with my partner Silvia (Ciotau).

Previously I worked for G3 in Italy, but I left the family company as we had different ideas. However, there is still love for the industry and brand so I decided to bring my revolutionary ideas to create G3 Omnia Mundi.

Why did you decide to set up your own business in Brighton?

Initially Silvia and I came here just to learn the language. She went to work in the administrative management of the famous Brighton establishment Moshimo and I was hired as a waiter in the same restaurant.

Karl Jones, who co-owns the restaurant, encouraged and supported me and I came

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up with the idea of opening the company in England. Karl has always helped me and I thank him. He is a real philanthropist.

Our English company is based in Brighton.

Our cosmetics production has been in Italy for over 30 years. This is a boon to us because we try to get the best out of both countries. Italy has a qualitative level of production and raw materials unbeatable to any other country. England, in particular, Brighton, has a style and a freshness of thought and vision that is innovative and avant-garde. However, shortly we will launch products made in Brighton.

Brighton is like 1900s bohemian Paris. I think it might be a worthy heir to fashionable, chic tourism hotspots like St Tropez and Marbella.

Brighton has all the potential.

How would you describe your haircare products?

In three words: luxury, beauty and unique (as hashtagged in our adverts and online).

Our products are based on the senses. Our packaging inspires elegance and beauty, with baroque decorations inspired by Torino, the beautiful city from which we come from. Our scents are delicate and sublime. It's hard not to fall in love with the scents in our ranges, they are inspired by nature. The touch is important too. When you put a few drops onto your palm, you understand the fullness and richness of the ingredients. Our shampoos are rich and do not require large amounts to do the work they were created for. This is very important as a quality definition.

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You’re not only passionate about your products but Brighton too. How are you helping the city?

We are focusing on helping the homeless in Brighton. Our goal is to use 10% of our sales to enable us to provide hygiene to the homeless of Brighton, giving them shampoos and soaps, because as producers, this is something we can easily do. We would also like to offer showers too but the figure given by the council to do this is currently out of our budget.

If we grow, it will be one of our goals. In addition to this, 10% of the whole team’s weekly time will be dedicated to serving the city by volunteering. We'll go around in G3 black t-shirts to give a hand to the homeless.

The word luxury is important to you – but perhaps not by the stereotypical definition, can you tell us more about this?

For me, luxury does not mean rich, but it is the quality of life, the best ingredients, the best products. In fact, many times luxury, as I mean it, will save you money.

For example, our products have the best selection of raw materials and ingredients, I believe, on the market.

Competing companies who share the same quality of our products charge £60 for shampoos, where we charge £19.

The future must not be in poor products, but it must mean quality of life for everyone. I prefer to buy something that costs more but it lasts a lot longer. This is my goal, starting with the hairdressing and beauty industries.

For me, luxury does not mean rich, but it is the quality of life, the best ingredients, the best products."

Before you go, what’s next for G3 Omnia Mundi?

The next launch is an incredible professional product. Perfect for Brighton too! Our ECoEL Hair Coloring is not just an ammonia-free colouring, but also without paraphenylenediamine and resorcinol.

We are the first company in the world to have discovered it, giving exceptional grey coverage. But the most beautiful thing is that the colours are to be mixed: in fact, we give eleven bases and eight shades, so hairdressers can create the desired perfect colour.

Of course, our professional colourings can only be purchased by hairdressers: we are opposed to DIY colouring.

See G3 Omnia Mundi at Salon International 2017, at ExCel London on 14th -16th October. Edoardo invites Absolute Magazine readers to join them – just email (edoardo.iodice@g3hairbeauty.co.uk) asking for an appointment and they will send complimentary tickets, subject to availability.

Follow @g3hairbeauty and @g3salonservice on Twitter and Facebook and Edoardo Iodice on Youtube for daily vlogs from behind the scenes.

www.g3omniamundi.co.uk www.g3salonservice.com

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”

OLIVER CUNNINGHAM CUCKFIELD “His colouring is flawless” Leona Lewis

“My favourite hairdressers, I can’t recommend then highly enough’” Lottie Moss

113 High Street RH17 5JX t: 01444 452900 reception@olivercunningham.com www.olivercunningham.com OPENING TIMES Monday 10-6 | Tuesday 10-6 | Wednesday 10-6 | Thursday 10-6 | Friday 10-6 Saturday 9-5 | Sunday Closed

MEET THE TEAM

Oliver Cunningham

Richard Humphreys

Morgan Rhodes

Jon Moore

Louise Brown

Oliver Cunningham is currently offering new positions for stylists and trainees

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Fashion T H E

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P H O T O G R A P H Y

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O F

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PHOTOGRAPHY Alexander Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Javier Encina-Jones for Simon Webster Hair MAKE-UP Justyna Wojdak & Angelique Henderson van Gils for Beyond Foundation

PHOTOGRAPHY Alexander Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Sam Stockton Hair MAKE-UP Angelique Henderson van Gils & Sara Giselle Sanders for Beyond Foundation

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PHOTOGRAPHY Robin Bradshaw at Bullit Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Sam Stockton MAKE-UP Justyna Wojdak & Angelique Henderson van Gils for Beyond Foundation

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PHOTOGRAPHY Alexander Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Headmasters, Jubilee Street MAKE-UP Angelique Henderson van Gils & Sara Giselle Sanders for Beyond Foundation

PHOTOGRAPHY Alexander Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Sam Stockton Hair MAKE-UP Angelique Henderson van Gils & Sara Giselle Sanders for Beyond Foundation

Photos by Robin Bradshaw at Bullit Photography

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PHOTOGRAPHY Robin Bradshaw at Bullit Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR & MAKE-UP Lipstick & Gunpowder, Brighton

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PHOTOGRAPHY Alexander Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Oliver Cunningham and Morgan Rhodes - Oliver Cunningham MAKEUP Justyna Wojdak

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PHOTOGRAPHY Robin Bradshaw at Bullit Photography STYLING & ART DIRECTION Kasia at The Styling Agency HAIR Sam Stockton MAKE-UP Justyna Wojdak & Angelique Henderson van Gils for Beyond Foundation

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PHOTOGRAPHY Alex Voodoo of Voodoo Creations Photography Gabriella Velvet 54 STYLIST STYLIST Rachel Laura Parsons MAKE UP & HAIR Mar Puig

PHOTOGRAPHY by Daren Black Photography HAIR MAKE-UP Fatosh Kalan

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FASHION | STYLE | CULTURE | LIVING | TRAVEL

A B S O L U T E

Ibiza

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hroughout the colourful pages of this Ibiza edition, we mention things to do and experience on the white island. That's not to say we've covered everything. How could we possibly fit in the full experience of this magical place? Absolute makes the trip and we're delighted to share our own suggestions, reviews and information.

Ibiza has been well documented. It's been the number one destination for clubbers, partygoers and serious music lovers for decades. It's easy to overlook the history and culture soaked into the fabric of the island's buildings and beaches.

As close as 40 or so years ago, Ibiza was a true escapist paradise. Wild, natural unspoilt and full of special magic. Before the 70s, hippies settled on the island that had already enjoyed decades of writers, painters, bohemians and other artists working and enjoying life on Eivissa.

Hollywood stars came to escape and search for privacy, including Errol Flynn and Laurence Olivier. One may wonder how this Mediterranean island eventually became such an important music Mecca?

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Rewind back to the hedonistic 60s. The 'flower power' revolution and 'Summer of Love' saw travelling hippies descend on the Balearic island as well as a plethora of rock stars. Attracted by the friendly, open minded, easy, laid back vibe, unspoilt beauty and the sun which shines for 60% of the year, the island became the place for those 'in the know'. Some claim the island lies on the middle of an energised 'ley line', but that's a different story.

Enter the 70s. The tourist boom began with cheaper travel and newly built accommodation. To meet the new money being spent, discos made their appearance.

These define the history of recent times.

Pacha quickly became the mecca of Ibiza nightlife when it opened in 1973. The end of the 70s brought Wham! to shoot 'Club Tropicana' (the cover of which, I designed).

This ushered in a new generation of young British holiday makers. To cater for all types of European taste, the soundtrack was wide and eclectic. The Balearic musical spirit was born. This wasn't missed a years later by visiting UK Djs Danny Rampling, Paul Oakenfold, Johnny Walker and Nicky Holloway who promptly took the attitude

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back to London. The early 90s saw this osmosis all come together. As European holiday makers came en masse, large clubs such as Amnesia and Ku Club easily filled to cater for this massive tourist industry. The word and reputation of these 'super clubs' quickly spread attracting the fashionable, rich and famous to experience the magic of Ibiza's amazing nightlife.

Changes loom, however. Will we see a reckoning as Space closes the door for the final time in 27 years? Possibly the one of the most significant nightclubs in the world, Space, as we know it will be no more. Increasing prices and government regulations mounting will all lead to shifts in the dynamic of the island. It's no secret that true party clubbers are now venturing to such a­ lternative destinations as Malta and Croatia. Space most definitely represents the old days of freewheeling' clubbing. The open roof, jets flying over to a screaming dancefloor, in parallel to a relaxed yet hedonistic vibe are scribed into history. The new regime will be a higher priced, VIP affair. But then doesn't this reflect the new Ibiza? Time will tell. Where does it go from here?

It's a safe and accepting place. Anyone, no matter their age can come and enjoy. Party people - young and old arrive in droves over the summer and are swept up in the party culture. The beaches are plentiful and cater for all. Some are quiet, some a constant daytime party soundtracking the day, even nudists have their open places.

Of course, the beaches wouldn't be an experience without the beach restaurant.

See our articles for reviews and a general handy guide to the goings on.

Fancy renting a boat? We give you the information for the best be it a private luxury boat or a traditional Spanish llaut.

Absolute looks at two inspiring contrasting fashion outlets and introduces reVOLVER Ibiza, the ultimate reference point for cutting-edge fashion and style. On the other side, we meet World Family Ibiza, a new fashion concept. Their collection consists of 100% hand made accessories, home decor and much more.

We conclude with the all important party guide. Ibiza is ever changing and noticeably evolves season to season. But a quality and energising experience are guaranteed. The chill out factor famous to Ibiza is there in abundance. Take your choice or combine both...

Ibiza. She waits for you...

Enjoy!

Pete Hayward Creative Director

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Photography – Voodoo Creations Photographer Model – Amber May Outfit – www.charoruiz.com Stylist - Gabriella Velvet | Rachel Laura Parsons Hair & Make Up - Mar Puig

The wild spirit of Ibiza ever continues. See our articles of top Djs holding residencies in places such as the legendary Pikes and Nikki Beach. The parties may be smaller than the superclub, but they are every bit as hedonistic as the spirit of the 'wild days'.

But it's becoming harder to stretch the purse for the average holiday maker.

Typically a week on the Island could cost you £2000. The Americans are part of the new VIP invasion that has transformed Ibiza.

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W O R L D FA M I LY Ibiza

A bohemian journey of passion, fashion and creativity.

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orld Family Ibiza is a new fashion concept

created by Alok and Merel, with the support

of the whole family. Their collection consists of 100% hand made accessories including bags, belts, boots, wallets, jackets, home decor and more.

All pieces are created from a diverse

blend of materials and local traditions

from different cultures around the world.

The exquisite combination of leathers,

embroideries, jewels and other beautiful

pieces that have been collected along the

way during family trips, make the products special and unique. All items are designed by the World Family, residents of the

enchanting and magical Mediterranean of Ibiza.

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Despite the huge popularity for their products, the family still maintain the company ethos that everything is lovingly handmade. For this reason, you can rest assured the pieces are unique and inimitable with no two models being alike.

After the success of selling their creations from a hippy caravan at the Las Dalias hippy market in Ibiza (where you can still find them every summer), the little business gave Alok and Merel the opportunity to travel the following winter for six months to India. India was a source of inspiration and creativity. There, they found incredible ancient embroideries and Merel start to design and make her first bags, later being joined by Grandmother Joke.

Fast forward to the present day and World Family Ibiza has 3 stores (San Juan, Las Dalias and Barcelona), has made it onto the runway in Paris, has a large and loyal A-list celebrity client base and has been featured in a whole host of leading international fashion magazines.

The World Family Ibiza collection is a true reflection of the life philosophy of Alok, Merel and and their 2 oldest daughters Goldie and Carlota.

The impressively creative headquarters lies within in the middle of the countryside of San Juan. Visitors cannot fail to be moved by the devoted and passionate atmosphere you encounter as you enter this familyrun haven, oozing from not only the ethnically diverse products but also the décor, and the bohemian shop styling. The shop provides stimulation for all the senses, with colours, smells and sounds that take you on an exciting trip right around the world, including India, Thailand, Mexico - all of which have inspired these family-made products.

Despite the huge popularity for their products, the family still maintain the company ethos that everything is lovingly handmade. For this reason, you can rest assured the pieces are unique and inimitable with no two models being alike.

THE OFFICIAL STORE - WORLD FAMILY IBIZA BULEVARD ROSA C/Paseo de Gracia nº55, tienda nº40 932721082 WWW.WORLDFAMILYIBIZA.COM

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r e V O LV E R

Ibiza brings your reVOLVER Sunglasses Its cult status is built on offering an eclectic and carefully curated fashion collection from around the world.

reVOLVER Ibiza , the ultimate reference point

for cutting-edge fashion and style on the White Island, launched back in 2008 to rave reviews.

Set right in the very heart of Ibiza Town, its

cult status is built on offering an eclectic and

carefully curated fashion collection from around the world – a welcome diversion from the tacky ‘I heart Ibiza’ tees you seem to find in every

other store! Each piece is personally selected by husband and wife team, Jean-Paul and

Catherine Sanchez, with labels selected to offer an alternative to the traditional luxury brands locals and tourists find on offer in the usual upmarket local boutiques.

Having become hooked on Ibiza after a visit in 1995, followed by bucket loads of subsequent partying, the husband and wife team saw an opportunity to escape their lives in ‘rainy London.’ Instead of their original plan of just investing in property in Ibiza, they would move over to their favourite hotspot to set up reVOLVER. A business plan was drawn up and no sooner was it suggested, the business was up, running and incredibly popular.

reVOLVER Ibiza’s store interior is the perfect reflection of the products within. It is stylishly cool, with a white minimal interior, juxtaposed against the beautiful historic building exterior, with original stone walls and Sabena beams.

Revolver is a ‘must-visit’ for anyone interested in fashion for the individual, not the crowd. The store’s edits for men and women feature a mix of international and alternative designers including Comme des Garçons (Wallet & Parfums), Kenzo, Helmut Lang, McQ Alexander McQueen, Thom Krom and Y-3, all of which are unavailable anywhere else on the island.

Following the huge success of reVOLVER Ibiza, and hot on the heels of the store’s reputation for the über-cool, reVOLVER Sunglasses launched in 2015 as the island’s premier store for shades. Designed more like a stylish art gallery than your average sunglasses shop, reVOLVER Sunglasses boasts a collection of the best luxury sunglasses brands in the world including Victoria Beckham, Chrome Hearts, Linda Farrow, Dita, Thom Browne and Matsuda along with trend-setting styles by the likes of Mykita, Kuboraum, AM Eyewear and Vava.

Although the reVOLVER boutiques are synonymous with exclusive brands, the owners adopt an ‘inclusiveexclusive’ ethos which means although you can leave the store with the ultimate high-end statement party piece, you are just as likely to be able to pick up a cool t-shirt or pair of leggings at a reasonable price.

Whatever you are on the market for, these are the goto stores on the island. Loyal customers include the Ibiza party crowd, fashion-conscious locals, as well a host of international DJ’s, the clubbing jet-set and island trend-setters. Pay them a visit; you never know who you’ll bump into! reVOLVER´s collections and sunglasses are also available online at www.revolveribiza.com

reVOLVER Ibiza, Calle Bisbe Azara 1, Ibiza 07800, SPAIN (+34 971 318 939) reVOLVER Sunglasses, Calle Bisbe Cardona 6, Ibiza 07800, SPAIN (+34 871 514 606) revolveribiza.com

DJ HARVEY IS…

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This stunning family-run agrotourism establishment is one of Ibiza’s most popular boutique hotels with a beach restaurant and health spa and is open throughout the year.

AtzaroIbiza

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biza harbours a little secret. Although this holiday hotspot has a well-earned reputation for being the ultimate party destination, with hedonistic tourists flocking to the ‘white island’ every summer, it is also riddled with idyllic quiet corners, ideal for that low-key relaxing escape. In reality, as long as you avoid staying in Ibiza Town or San Antonio, you’re more than likely going to escape the buzzing crowds of revellers on their super club pilgrimages.

Roughly 25 minutes by car north of Ibiza Airport lies ‘Atzaro Ibiza’ - a secret holiday hideaway set in central Ibiza amongst rolling orange groves and centred around a centuries-old family farmhouse. This stunning family-run agrotourism establishment is one of Ibiza’s most popular boutique hotels with a beach restaurant and health spa and is open throughout the year.

This tranquil oasis is a luxury hotel that appeals to each of the senses. Atzaro is ripe with the scents of orange blossom, rosemary and lavender. It is a place that smells deeply of the Mediterranean sea and that offers every experience necessary to enjoy the island in all its majestic

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glory, experiencing ‘a different kind of nature’.

Lose yourself amongst the Ibithencan architecture, the whitewashed walls, the wonderful white and red and green hues of the Ibithencan countryside and the exquisite artefacts that serve to create a unique atmosphere. Enjoy the lush and extravagant gardens, relaxation areas and hidden corners and bask in serendipitous luxury. This is a place to visit when you want time to stop, time to reflect, reset and relax.

Each room in Atzaro is a unique environment that stands apart from the rest. Every guest is treated to the highest level of personal and exclusive service ensuring hey can feel at home – a home they will always want to come back to. All the rooms have their own personality, but they keep the spirit of Ibiza and Asia fusion, exquisitely decorated with artefacts and original art from diverse cultures. All are equipped with the latest technology and some have their own fountains and terraces to soak up the essence of the Mediterranean from up close.

Away from your room, there are many places to while away the days, discovering the nature of Atzaro. Pools, spa, gardens and Balinese beds to relax in are dotted

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throughout the retreat, all designed to satisfy ‘whatever the body may need’.

Atzaro boasts the only open-air spa on the entire island, offering guests far more than a standard gym, with specialist training programmes taking place in the heart of nature, amongst beautiful landscaped gardens. A sauna, Hammam and gym are just a few of the factors that contribute to a space designed for connection with nature and disconnection from everything else. The experience continues with health and well-being treatments, in the caring hands of their professional staff who are trained in oriental and western techniques, allowing you to find a place where you can forget everything but yourself.

With a clear focus on health and well-being, Atzaro also offers a morning sports & yoga programme which consists of yogalates, stretching, crossfit and pilates & yoga classes. These classes are all designed to target muscle & mind work and give more effective and quicker results.

Atzaro’s unique restaurant ‘La Veranda’ is more than a food establishment. It is a healthy kitchen, light and exquisite, completed through

the use of fresh seasonal products and ingredients from the hotel’s own gardens. Surrounded with the scents of orange blossom, rosemary and views of Mediterranean beauty, La Veranda has a clear commitment to Km 0 and healthy cooking. The menu includes fresh salads with ingredients straight from the garden, flavoursome creamy soups and juices, fresh fish and prime quality meat.

Breakfast is served until midday and includes a variety of fresh fruit, cereals, fruit juices, cheese, local cured meats and home-made pies all meticulously prepared. The restaurant also offers its ‘Healthy Veranda Menu’, a perfect culinary experience for you to delve into a vegetarian menu, with healthy food which, as well as maximising flavours, aid well-being. A ‘Tasting Menu’ is also available with aperitif, entrée, fish, meat and dessert for guests to enjoy the menu's most representative dishes. Both menus are perfect for exploring the essence of its culinary offering amongst this breathtaking setting.

Atzaro Ibiza is renowned for hosting some of the island’s most desirable, creative and exciting events, with a summer time

schedule oozing with must-attend parties.

Every Friday evening throughout summer and up until the end of August, you can expect to find the beautiful people of Ibiza swarming to be part of a perfect fusion or art and music at the Atzaro Vibe Party.

Launching on the 10th and running through to the 24th August 2017, Atzaro Ibiza presents Ull. Now in it’s 9th year running, this award winning event is going back to its original roots and structure and will include much anticipated fashion shows, live paintings, live music and one off touches in its own unmistakable style.

Live acts will include vocalist extraordinaire Izzie, Dom T, one of the most versatile and sought-after DJs in London, Dj Samir, Junkerry and the darling of Pacha and Space; DJ and artist Scott Gray AKA Chapter.

Along with the main exhibition they’ll also have ‘Jacket In’ which includes 2 dozen hand painted leather biker jackets by the biggest names in the game!

For UII #9 Atzaro will be showcasing a special kids day called ‘Urban Mites’ which

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will have a special kids fashion catwalk, kids graffiti classes and showcases which include Mercedes Fashion Week's winner of best new comer Tom Vanderborght’s brand new ultra cool kids collection.

Also this year, in conjunction with Art Battle London we will be hosting the first Art Battle Ibiza. Where we will invite local talent and artists to take part in two live heats and battle it out for the winning spot. The winner will have the honour of being included in UII exhibition for the duration of its stay alongside the coveted golden brush and special prizes - this will be judged by some of Europe's biggest street artists and special celebrity guest. The remaining pieces will be auctioned for the Great Ormond Street Hospital

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.atzaro.com

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Pikes Hotel The iconic rock & roll hilltop hangout

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isted as one of the ‘Top 100 Hotels in the world’

by Sunday Times Travel and winner of ‘Best Boutique Hotel’ by the prestigious White Ibiza Awards for three years running, Pikes hotel is set around sprawling fairytale gardens with a famous aquamarine pool that exudes a friendly house party-vibe.

The world-renowned hotel was lovingly restored in 2011 by new owners Andy McKay and Dawn Hindle, founders of the world-famous Ibiza Rocks brand and Manumission, the biggest and most famous club night in the world that launched in 1993, redefining nightclubbing. In 2016 the prolific duo secured partnership with global hoteliers Melia Hotels, kick-starting the regeneration of San Antonio Bay to an improved customer profile.

Today, Pikes is one of the few places that still represents the authentic, carefree, Balearic spirit of the island.

Combine this calming atmosphere with an up-to-theminute new-wave of edgy millennial style and you have the ultimate Ibiza destination where anything goes.

The hotel was originally created in the late 1970’s by the legendary Tony Pike and for the last few decades, Pikes has been a playground for the music and cultural elite with regular guests including artists such as Grace Jones, Tony Curtis, Spandau Ballet, Bon Jovi, George Michael and Freddie Mercury.

Accommodation-wise, there are 25 comfortable and spacious rooms and junior suites to the gorgeous vast apartment ‘La Residencia’, with walls hung with stunning photographic images by Victor Spinelli and other artists.

True to the hotel exterior and grounds, each room has a whimsical character and rustic Balearic feel, with

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décor that gives a nod to the hotel’s rock'n'roll roots, with added extras such as one room with a vintage record player or a sunken bathtub inside another. The rooms are dotted around the property, linked by a web of paths and gardens where you might spot a snoozing cat poolside.

New for Summer 2017 is a collaboration with interiors style leaders Rockett St George. Both the onsite nightclub ‘Freddie’s’ and Room 9 at Pikes have had a complete makeover. Dawn Hindle Creative Director of Pikes says ‘We’ve gone over to the dark side at Pikes by painting the walls in Rockett St George signature black paint and adding their famously quirky touch to the decor using wall mounted Zebras, neon signage and unique furniture. Guests who book the room will be able to sample Rockett St George at it's very best. Think pure Rock’n’ Roll meets kitsch with a seductive, tropical twist’.

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Today, Pikes is one of the few places that still represents the authentic, carefree, Balearic spirit of the island. Combine this calming atmosphere with an up-to-the-minute new-wave of edgy millennial style and you have the ultimate Ibiza destination where anything goes.

Guests to Room 9 will be able to relax in style on their porch, sat upon their very own giant Peacock Chairs, surrounded by a faux tropical oasis of palm trees and bird of paradise plants. Drinks can be served from the mid-century modern cocktail trolley with a signature cocktail kit, exclusively designed for Pikes Hotel.

Admire the walls adorned with specially commissioned artwork, a giant canvas and cheeky ‘KISS ME’ neon sign. Twinkling monkey and typewriter lights add the signature Rockett St George Style and finishing touch to the room, along with cowhide covered floors and beds draped with beautiful Moroccan style blankets, for a bit of bohemian all back to mine 'after-party' deluxe.

As part of this 'Grotto-fabulous’ revamp, Freddie's nightclub has been decked out with beautiful tropical Palm Tree floor lights and bespoke Velvet Cocktail chairs featuring the famous Tony Pikes Portraits which hang on the walls at the hotel. The historic print has also been made into a quirky wallpaper featured alongside shiny new tin-tile cladding. There will be plenty of quirky items displayed around the hotel from the collection, which are all available to purchase through the Rockett St George website.

If sport and spa-ing is your vice, there’s an iconic neon pink tennis court, whirlpool tub, and a variety of massages, fitness and yoga classes offered in the 'Rockovery' tent day to night.

The foodie credentials at Pikes act as yet another magnet to the discerning traveller and has recently been hailed as ‘Five-Star Delicious’ by ES Magazine. Head chef Lee Milne (who has worked at award-winning restaurants including ‘Restaurant Gordon Ramsay’ and ‘The Vineyard at Stockcross’) established Pike’s in house eatery ‘Pikes Restaurant’ as one of the best restaurants in Ibiza, with daily mouthwatering ‘House specials’ along with an extensive menu and sublime individually chosen wine list.

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Saturday Flamenco nights at Pikes are proving super-popular with Ibiza-foodies for the new Sharing Plate menu. During the season Island legend Paco Fernandez plays beautiful Balearic Flamenco every Saturday at Pikes poolside during dinner where you can linger, graze and take time over sharing delicious locally sourced food. Hero dishes include the 11-Spice Cauliflower, the rich Pork secreto , the 39 day fillet of Argentinian Beef and the mouth-watering nine hour slow roasted Octopus. It’s clear the dream team of Lee Milne and Food and Beverage Manager Steve Hughes have established ‘Room 39’ firmly on the map as one of the most exciting restaurants to watch this year in Ibiza.

white islands. Having travelled extensively across South East Asia, owners Nick and Tracy discovered a passion for Asian cuisine. Trained by street food chefs and enrolling on local cooking courses within Asia, they took the knowledge they gained back to the UK and are now regulars on the popular London market scene including the renowned Brick Lane. As private caterers, the duo work with leading brands such as London Fashion Week, Kate Moss Agency and Boxpark by providing bespoke Vietnamese cuisine at events in and around the capital. Catering for all food types and offering delicious dishes to delight every palette, the traditional menu is set to consist of dishes including caramelized chicken, lemongrass pork and chilli and pepper tofu.

There are also some unique tasteexperience events planned throughout the summer, including Thursday Pop Up nights. Each week Pikes Restaurant will be an ‘open kitchen’ where guest chefs are invited to takeover and host pop up kitchens as well as Music Supper Club nights to raise funds for the homeless in Ibiza.

In addition to Pikes hotel becoming known as ‘the’ place to go on the island for a sublime Ibizan dining experience this summer, the hotel is already legendary for the best parties, poolside cocktails and bathtub karaoke (in sequins) with a wonderful warm house-party vibe.

August 2017 announcements include Pike’s own appointed Cultural Attache the legendary DJ Harvey’s ‘Mercury Rising’ playing all night long sets’ between 7 Aug and 27 September. DJ Harvey will also be launching record label Pikes Records later this year.

Come the 21st September ‘17, another culinary collaboration is set to take Pikes by storm! Popular London street food caterer, the ‘Vietvan’ is bringing its authentic high quality, fresh and flavorsome Vietnamese dishes to the

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In other party news, this summer marks the 30 year anniversary of Paul Oakenfold’s famed trip to the White Isle; a seminal week in music history that witnessed the birth of club and festival culture as we now know it, and the emergence of one of the greatest DJs of our time. As part of the Generations World tour across six continents, Paul Oakenfold has chosen to call Pikes his home in Ibiza, every Wednesday for 4 weeks from 2nd – 23rd August. Plus just announced is a very special one-off live show at Pikes from British rock royalty Primal Scream on 29th August. The Glasgow-born band boast a career spanning 3 decades and a back catalogue of huge hits from 11 studio albums including the ground-breaking Screamadelica (1991).

From music to art and photography, Pikes constantly brings ground breaking A-list artists to their hallowed hotel. This summer, Pikes is proud to announce the upcoming exhibition of celebrity portrait photographer Diana Gomez opening with a VIP party on August 24th 2017 and running until the end of September. FREE WOMEN is a feminist-driven and auto-biographical show consisting of life-size portraits and outdoor installations inspired by Diana's charismatic, colourful and passionate world. Taking over the grounds, swimming pool and terrace of the Pikes Hotel, FREE WOMEN is an ode to freedom of expression, to be comfortable in your own skin. The exhibition will include some of Diana's most famous celebrity portraits, including Taylor Swift, Jade Jager, Courtney Love, Chelsea Tyler, Caroline Vreeland, Rihanna, Portia Freeman, Yasmin Mills, Selena Gomez, Pips Taylor, Laura Pradelska, Sshh, Rosario Dawson, Zara Martin, Shingai Shoniwa, Caroline Flack, Ana Matronic, Jamie Winstone, Daisy Lowe, Gizzi Erskine, amongst others. Pikes Hotel has an evocative history as the playground for the music elite providing a beautifully reflective and thought- provoking setting for Diana Gomez powerful and upbeat work.

"I am so excited to be collaborating with Diana on this amazing exhibition at Pikes. Ibiza has a community of strong creative women and 'Free Women' represents this perfectly. Pikes is way more than just a hotel, it's become a cultural hub and is the perfect setting to exhibit Diana's work” Dawn Hindle, Creative Director of Pikes.

FREE WOMEN will run alongside a series of events hosted at Pikes Hotel including Primal Scream’s live gig on August 29th, celebrity hairstylist Lyndell Mansfield’s pop-up hair salon and Diana Gomez’ live photo shoot on August 27th. The exhibition is curated by Mia Pfeifer and produced by Dominique Aizpurua, with guests to FREE WOMEN including top VIP clients, celebrities, stylists and models For reservations and more information about Pikes Hotel and events this year, visit www.pikesibiza.com

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Ibiza Boat Rental The Startup Yacht Charter company changing the perception that luxury yacht charters are only for the super-rich.

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magine sipping on a cocktail onboard a private luxury yacht, surrounded by picturesque turquoise waters and listening to your very own personalised soundtrack to Ibiza with your best friends. Making memories exploring untouched caves and daring to brave adrenaline pumping cliff jumps, or riding the waves on Jet Ski’s in Ibiza’s most Iconic locations…

Ibiza Boat Rental offer these luxury experiences, at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

It’s summer and Ibiza Boat Rental are celebrating by introducing 3 all-new charter experiences to lucky visitors of Ibiza. Each charter experience has been hand-crafted by seasoned sea veterans to incorporate the most value possible. Starting with tailored luxury yachts and accompanied by a selection of 2 adventurous and luxurious recommended routes for the whole-day to choose from, the experience is topped off with exquisite extras that are included in one low fixed price.

Relax, laugh and dance listening to some balearic beats, your experience has begun. So you can sit back and take in the sights with friends whilst your crew prepare a sushi platter with an assortment of delicious snacks and complimentary drinks.

After choosing your experience and your route, you will have 3 locations to enjoy. With the water sports equipment already provided as standard such as snorkelling gear and a stand up paddle board, they also include an additional SUP board for you and your mates to compete in paradise paddle board races! Then, for the adrenaline junkies amongst the group, a Seabob is provided to explore the crystal clear waters at speeds of up to 15 M.P.H.

Ideal for groups of up to 8 passengers, ‘Salacia’ is a yacht that guarantees a luxurious day out at sea, without burning all the holiday funds! You and your fellow ship mates will be escorted by an English speaking captain around the route of your choosing, stopping off at 3 breathtaking locations each offering the most idyllic settings for any occasion. IBR provide all the alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks with an onboard picnic, great choice of music and watersports equipment including a Stand up paddle board (SUP)! Perfect for injecting some additional activity into your day besides all that swimming and dancing on deck!

The second experience is called “Neptune”. With a bigger boat providing more space onboard, Neptune is ideally suited for up to 10 passengers. With all the benefits of Salacia, you will be submerged in the luxury charter experience. Two English speaking crew members will be on hand to help, including your captain and a stewardess to ensure your champagne glass is never empty and your stomach is always full. Speaking of champagne, in addition to the other alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks provided,

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two chilled bottles of champagne will be waiting for you on arrival.

Reserved for the gods, “Pantheon” is the ultimate charter indulgence available in Ibiza for up to 12 people. Upon gracing your yacht for the day, you will be greeted by an entire english speaking crew, baring champagne, whose sole purpose is to ensure that you and your fellow passengers have the most memorable day imaginable.

Relax, laugh and dance listening to some balearic beats, your experience has begun. So you can sit back and take in the sights with friends whilst your crew prepare a sushi platter with an assortment of delicious snacks and complimentary drinks.

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With a huge yacht to take advantage of, in one of the most beautiful spots that the mediterranean has to offer, you’re all sure to have an amazing time.

In addition to the watersports gear included in the Neptune package (Stand-Up Paddleboards and a Seabob), guess are also provided with a top of the range Jet Ski for the day, so you can jet around the

beautiful locations, adding that extra luxurious touch of adrenaline fuelled fun to your day.

Every charter experience booked with Ibiza Boat Rental offers the choice of two tried-and-tested routes. For a total duration of 8 hours, both routes depart from Ibiza Town and have three locations along your chosen coastline which guarantee unforgettable sights and the most popular spots, along with some hidden gems for good measure.

Route One is the Formentera route. She is the beautiful sister island of Ibiza who boasts exquisite beaches and hidden caves just asking to be explored.

You’ll start your day by visiting the small, privately owned island of Espalmador which is connected to Formentera via a surreal, shallow strip of sea that you can actually walk across. Next you head over to what is possibly the most iconic strip of beach Ibiza and Formentera has to offer. Stop for a spot of lunch, either on-board, or on dry land. With flagship restaurants, the palest white sand and turquoise, crystal clear waters, this award winning location will undoubtedly be a highlight of your experience.

After lunch, it’s time to get ready for Cala Saona and the most diverse, breathtakingly beautiful scenery you’ve ever seen. Situated in a cove with a glorious beach overlooking the cliff faces of Formentera and stunning blue water, it's a great place to close out the day before heading back to Ibiza Town.

Route Two, known as the South Coast of Ibiza route, is perfect for those wanting to see more of postcardesque Ibiza. Lovingly put together, this route lets you visit all that is iconic of Ibiza, from the magical Es Vedra magnetic island, to natural spa’s in Atlantis and even Cala Jondal, home of the world renowned Blue Marlin Ibiza. This route is specifically designed for adventures, drinking and partying.

To book your charter now, simply visit our website ibizaboatrental.co.uk or call an advisor now on: 0800 0248771 (UK) or 0034 689 235 771 (ES)

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tzaro Ibiza offers the very best of both worlds; secluded inland escapes and coastal hotspots to be to seen at.

Overlooking the sea in Cala Nova, a short drive from inland Ibiza, lies Atzaro Beach Restaurant. Enjoy spectacular views of the Mediterranean at this breathtaking venue that offers a wide range of Mediterranean dishes and home cooking. Specialising in local beach fish like “Rotja”the “Gallo San Pedro”, fresh squid and typical rice as “Fideuá” or “Paella Mixta”, every dish sits with flavour in this Cala Nova restaurant.

Open all year round, this is a space designed to the last detail where you can gaze at the sunrise, admire the sea, feel the breeze and bask in the light of the north of the island.

Atzaro Beach Restaurant also offers a space for the children known as “Kids Corner” where they have everything the mini guests need for enjoyment and learning, including games, painting and much more.

To ensure both youngsters and grown ups enjoy the experience, the Atzaro team host workshops and themed activities onsite, helping families feel like they are “at home”.

Synonymous with Atzaro Ibiza venues, the beach restaurant plays host to many an event throughout the year, with live music performances every Friday and Saturday, promising the very finest in soul, jazz, and rock.

For those looking for a more relaxed setting to perch by the sea, Atzaro Ibiza brings you the laid-back, young and fun beach bar Chiringuito Cala Nova. Set right on the sand by the sea, this is a space to enjoy light, fresh and healthy food and chill out with cocktails and juices while listening to live music.

Whilst front of house screams the epitome of chilled out Ibiza vibes, behind the scenes the Atzaro team ensure there is nothing but detail-conscious presentation and excellent customer service that will ensure you have a great day at the beach.

At the Chiringuito de Atzaró, you’ll have a menu bursting with perfect dishes for a day at the beach including fresh, seasonal food with home-grown Ibizan products. What’s more, what better way is there to enjoy a day by the sea than tucking into barbecued food? The combination of fresh, grilled fish and the sea breeze is second to none.

The cocktail list is a true delight; a vast array of blends prepared using top brands and natural juices by the expert hands of our bartenders. With the beach, food, drinks and attentive, friendly and professional service, this is the perfect way to spend a day on the beach.

Every Wednesday in July and August from 8 pm until midnight, Chiringuito Cala Nova welcomes you to “Sardinadas”. On the sand and in front of the sea, under the stars diners are invited to enjoy all you can eat BBQ sardines & live music for just 18 €.

Combine with drinks and cocktails can you think of a better plan? The music selection is guaranteed to make you dance all night, with a rosta that includes guitarists, Soul voices, Funk, Jazz and Rock.

Crta Sant Joan, Km 15, 07800 Santa Eularia Des Riu

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ocated between Santa Gertrudis and San Miguel km 9’9, Atzaro Ibiza brings you a slice of gastronomic heaven, known as Aubergine. Set upon a vine adorned terrace that is nestled upon a dreamy garden, itself set in Ibiza’s lush countryside Aubergine offers fresh and local Mediterranean cuisine.

Picked straight from the garden, the menu sings with healthy organic dishes and a delicious juice menu. Complete with a boutique shop and an art gallery featuring an ever-changing exhibition of the island’s most exciting artists, this is a chic and rural environment that provides both a family friendly atmosphere and a hideout to those who want to enjoy the quiet and slow pace of the north of the island.

The menu is ever-changing with the seasons and is served all day every day, with produce

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arriving fresh from farm to plate. What doesn’t change is the sheer consistency of the the quality of the salads, sharing plates and mains. The kids in your group are also catered for, with delicious but parent-pleasing super healthy options. The wine is organic and water is purified there at Aubergine, using an impressive osmosis system.

In order to satisfy diners the whole year through, Aubergine boasts an additional snug and cosy internal restaurant space, featuring warm hues and a traditional fireplace, ready for when the sunshine months end and winter sets in.

All spaces can be hired for private celebrations, business dinners and lunches , including the outside terrace, the main house and internal dining rooms, catering for up to 120 guests.

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As we have come to expect, the Atzaro team never rest of their laurels and so every Sunday from 7pm throughout the summer until August 27th, Aubergine prepare a magical evening in the heart of the Ibizan countryside. Set on the terraces and in the gardens, guests will find a selection of market stands with fashion, local crafts, jewellery and art. In addition to the service of the restaurant, a wonderful menu, a BBQ station, fresh juices, drinks and cocktails, you can while away the evening entertained by performances of live music from a selection of Soul artists, Blues, Jazz and Rock, as well as DJ’s that will leave you dancing beneath the stars.

http://aubergineibiza.com

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A Restaurant Like No Other

Lamuella IBIZA

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A place to relax and dine on delicious fare during the day, then come nightfall, a majestic space to marvel over every mouthful, Lamuella Ibiza offers an out-of-this-world dining experience.

Located in the heart of northern Ibiza, Lamuella is quickly becoming the jewel in the white isle’s culinary crown – and for good reason too. Ibiza has always been a go-to destination for chic holidaymakers looking for a sophisticated break where they can indulge in fine food and unwind on the golden sandy beaches, and with Lamuella Ibiza’s unpretentious, laid-back atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this establishment is quietly and unassumingly, luring people to it.

Created by Ilan and Shiran Dascal who devised the Lamuella concept in Goa, over a decade ago, the Ibiza hotspot is far more than just a restaurant. Named after a utopian planet in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Lamuella Ibiza’s parallel universe brings together an eclectic boutique, cosy club, a studio and gallery, with the restaurant being at the beating core of it all.

Unsurprisingly, this means that Lamuella Ibiza is home to keen foodies, designers, artists, musicians, artisans and of course, a collection of passionate chefs.

Head chef and Lamuella Ibiza partner, Gome Galily oversees the restaurant and injects his enthusiasm and experience into the renowned cuisine. Born in Israel and then travelling the world (working in prestigious restaurants, cooking for A-listers on superyachts and also opening his own vegetarian restaurant with yoga retreat in Goa, along the way), Gome has a sheer love for food and more than just that, creating an experience that works handin-hand with this.

“I don’t like rules,” he laughs. “We’re not about fine dining, but fun dining, we’d rather people felt relaxed rather than intimidated, when coming to eat with us. If people want to eat with their hands, then I encourage it.”

Just one of the many ways Gome and the team create an unforgettable meal is through their menu, which features decadent yet healthy delights that encompass the five key tastes; spicy, salty, sour, sweet and umami (savoury). Chef Galily tells us that “when you have all of these flavours combined, that’s when the magic happens.”

Evidently inspired by the head chef’s adventures around the world, the Lamuella Ibiza cuisine takes inspiration from the Mediterranean, whilst also keeping true to its Asian and Middle Eastern roots. It’s also important to Gome and the Lamuella team to “use what is on their doorstep” by supporting local and organic produce, wherever they can. Be that using vegetables bought fresh from the market, wild fish caught by fishermen and meat that is locally sourced.

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We can’t imagine how it can get any better, but we’re understandably excited for this holistic restaurant’s future.

It’s clear that Lamuella Ibiza has carefully crafted a menu where not only has thought gone into how each plate looks and tastes, but also – to coincide with Lamuella’s holistic concept – how it makes a diner feel too, with an emphasis on feeling light, but satisfied.

During the day, Lamuella Ibiza is the perfect place to while away an hour or two enjoying a spot of lunch, with dishes such as Crispy Lubina (with pumpkin, lemongrass puree, wild rice, wakame, caramel chilli and almonds) and Quinoa Risotto, gracing the menu.

Then, as the Ibizan sunshine fades into dusk, an exciting menu covering all elements, delights evening diners.

Starting with the fish course (known as the Water Element), there’s a choice of Sea Bass Tartare (with labane yuzu, quinoa taboule, cucumber, spicy beetroot, seaweed and black lime), Scallop Sashimi (with melon ponzu, wasabi salsa, daikon micro green salad and sesame seeds) and Lamuella Summer Rolls (Ibicencas red prawns, avocado, arugula, cucumber with glass noodles) to name just a few delicious options.

Moving on to the flavoursome Fire Element course – devised to excite and tempt the taste buds, there’s Chicken Katsu (with steam buns, miso BBQ, spicy aioli, cucumber and radish), BBQ crispy duck (with steam buns, hoisin glaze, kimchi, cucumber and daikon) and the intriguing and wonderfully delicious Zucchini Flowers (tempura seaweed, red chilli sambal romesco, artichoke cream and micro greens).

Or perhaps the Metal Element dishes make your mouth water even more? Some of the most popular plates include Jerusalem Seafood Mix (tahini yoghurt, grilled tomato, harissa, pickled lemon, pine nuts, herbs and pitta bread), Double Cooked Coconut Spare Ribs (with sushi rice cake, lettuce and coconut puree) and Matcha Cacio E Pepe (handmade tagliatelle with green tea, pecorino, chilli and black pepper).

There’s also the Wind Element selection comprising of larger dishes like the Japanese Wagyu Burger (on a brioche bun with Japanese mustard, pickled ginger, lettuce and hand-cut truffle root chips) and Massaman Beef Curry (glass noodles baked in a clay pot, served with tempura eggplant, herbs and crushed nuts), which is not to be missed.

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Whichever element/s (it’s tempting to choose one from each!) you opt for; make sure you leave room for the desserts. Known as the Earth Element, the sweet course ensures your Lamuella Ibiza experience ends on an almost unbelievable high. With Exotic Soup (a matcha profiterole with tapioca and pistachio ice cream), Chia Seed Pudding (created with almond and coconut milk, pecan crumble and berries cacao sorbet) and Lamuella Mess (yoghurt cream, lemon curd, sesame crumble and strawberry coulis), along with more to choose from, you can guarantee that you’ll be leaving Lamuella Ibiza in a blissful state.

Of course, if you just can’t choose what to have, you can feast upon a tasting menu. This sumptuous seven course feast is a must for diners wanting to experience Lamuella Ibiza at its most authentic.

Discussing dietary requirements and personal likes and dislikes first, head chef Gome and his team create personalised, flavourfilled dishes in the open kitchen, freestyling to create a menu for each patron to enjoy.

“This isn’t about reading and choosing from a menu,” the chef explains, “it’s about people telling me what they like to eat and being able to surprise them. It really is an experience that we enjoy being able to create.”

While the food, deservedly, attracts foodies to Lamuella Ibiza, the vibe is just as enticing. Just like their plates, their décor is an international mix, bringing together collated pieces from India and Bali with modern art from Ibiza. The eclectic, laid-back furnishings instantly make you feel at ease and ready to kick-back, relax and enjoy all Lamuella Ibiza has to offer.

Lamuella Ibiza shines as an alternative restaurant in San Lorenzo – and across the whole of the island. So much so, that many online reviews declare it “the best restaurant in Ibiza”, with some patrons even calling for the restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star, something that Gome, even with his renowned worldwide experience, is surprised by.

“We’ve received some incredible reviews, I can’t believe how fantastic they’ve been and we’re still so young. It’s only going to grow and get better!”

With delicious food, a warm and relaxing ambience and such a passionate team at Lamuella Ibiza’s heart, we can’t imagine how it can get any better, but we’re understandably excited for this holistic restaurant’s future. lamuella-ibiza.eltenedor.rest Ctra San Juan, Km13.5, 07812 San Lorenzo, Ibiza

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An Authentic Ibizan Experience Bohemian Boat Charters

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f you think the white isle of Ibiza is just for party-goers, think again. Over the last few years, authentic Ibizan charm, crystal blue waters and white sandy beaches have enticed holiday-makers looking for respite, recuperation and relaxation. And what better way to experience this than by taking to the sun-kissed waters to privately explore the breath-taking coastline’s rock formations, snorkel, or find your own slice of secluded beach – all in a traditional Spanish llaut?

Bohemian Boat Charters is owned by Zander Combe, a former London insurance company underwriter turned adventure tour operator. After living in India and operating motorcycle tours all across Asia for over a decade, Zander moved to Ibiza a year ago, to enjoy a slower pace of life and to create Bohemian Boat Charters.

“Ibiza is a very special place,” he tells us. “I love the island as a whole and the people who live here. The climate is also amazing.”

“I set up Bohemian Boat Charters as it’s very hard to find self-drive boat rentals in Ibiza and I found no-one was renting out something authentic to the Balearics. It’s all yachts and speed boats!”

Instead of swanky super-yachts, the rustic fleet of Spanish llauts make for a beautiful, slow day (or sunset cruise) at sea – and instead of being about speed, it’s more about leisurely exploring at your very own pace.

The three locally made llauts are carefully converted traditional Spanish boats and are perfect for beginners through to seasoned boaters to navigate.

Available for hire by day, they are well-maintained and equipped so that all you have to do is jump onboard and enjoy Ibiza’s coastline. To make sure that your experience is even more relaxing, Bohemian Boat Charters provide you with a luxurious picnic hamper and a built-in music system. All that’s left to do is just lie back and enjoy your day at sea.

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I set up Bohemian Boat Charters as it’s very hard to find selfdrive boat rentals in Ibiza and I found noone was renting out something authentic to the Balearics. It’s all yachts and speed boats!”

The boats have been fitted with state-of-the-art GPS to guide you effortlessly on your trip, as you become your very own captain. This pre-set route gives peace of mind, allowing you to fully enjoy your time – without worry about your safety or getting lost.

Each boat is powered by a 12hp horsepower outboard engine, and a deep "V" hull, giving it the feel of a much larger boat, so that when you potter around the coastline or picnic on your deserted beach you can enjoy the day with complete confidence.

“Our llauts have been modernised and upgraded,” Zander explains. “They are very comfortable, slow-paced and perfect for a chilled-out day at sea discovering the coastline in the north the island.”

The charter company’s most popular hire is the stunning Mirapeix, a boat big enough for four.

However, as Zander tells us, it’s not just family and friend foursomes who love to enjoy this beautiful boat. “We have three boats including a bigger five person boat,” he says, “but lots of couples going on a romantic outing seem to like Mirapeix, with its pretty woodwork, best.”

Of course, it’s not just loved-up couples sailing out for a lazy day with the rugged coastline and dreamy blue sea as the backdrop, but families and groups of friends too – it seems especially popular with girls wanting to get-together to treat themselves to a day of bohemian luxury.

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Slow paces and a safe and fun day out at sea with no interference from a captain telling you what you can and can’t do!”

“We have couples and families booking our boats, but mostly we have groups of girls. I think the ladies like our services because they can get away from the men and have a great day out without too much speed and adrenaline!” Zander laughs.

Whether you drift out for a romantic cruise, a family float or a relaxed day with friends, there’s plenty to see and do. Claim your very own beach, marvel at the amazing coastline, explore the hidden caves and seek your own peace, as you gently lap amongst the waves.

“One of my most favourite things to do when hiring a llaut for the day is to head to a quiet cove, snorkel, relax and have an amazing picnic in a deserted spot with no-one else there,” Zander tells us. “We also have sound systems on the boats so listening to music while on-board is up there for me too!”

It’s this taking time out, with your nearest and dearest, that Zander – and his customers – enjoy so much about getting on a gorgeous boat and sailing off for the day.

“Life is very fast and stressful,” he says. “Take a slow boat for a day by yourself and really get a chance to relax properly. It’s not that often we get an opportunity to do this and that’s precisely what Bohemian Boat Charters offers. Slow paces and a safe and fun day out at sea with no interference from a captain telling you what you can and can’t do!”

Discover more about Bohemian Boat Charters at www.bohemianboatcharters.com and www.facebook.com/bohemianboatcharters.

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Absolute Ibiza Summer 2017 Party Guide Pack your passports people – we are off to the beautiful Balearics to party in Ibiza!

You don’t always need to be on an exclusive guest list, just have some savvy and do your research to make sure you can get yourself and your mates in to the best clubs and bars on the island. Research and planning are key – so buy tickets in advance to save your Euros and guarantee entry to popular nights. Read on to find some of the best summer venues, listings and line-ups for Ibiza Summer 2017.

The Clubs

Pacha

www.pachaibiza.com/en Avinguda, 8 D’Agost, 07800, Ibiza One of the largest and most popular clubs on the island, Pacha has a range of weekly parties throughout the season. The restaurant and sushi lounge are open every night from 9pm to 3.30am.

Mondays - Flower Power Tuesdays - Mosaic by Maseo Plex Wednesdays - My House by Martin Solveig, Thursdays - F***Me I’m Famous by David Guetta and Friends Fridays – Labyrinth by Hot Since 82 plus guests Saturdays - Pure Pacha – Paris By Night by Bob Sinclar

DC10

www.dc10-ibiza.ibiza-clubs.net Ctra Salinas KM 1, Ses Salinas, Ibiza Once a former airplane hangar situated near the runway of Ibiza’s airport, DC10 is now home to some of the best club nights on the island. Comprising of two dance floors and an amazing terrace, Circo Loco hosts parties with top DJs including Jo Mills, Cirrillo and Loco Dice. Other guest DJs include; Seth Troxler, Kerri Chandler, Richey Ahmed and The Matinez Brothers.

Privilege

www.privilegeibiza.com Privilege, Urbanización San Rafael s/n, Sant Antoni de Portmany, 07816, Spain Privilege, one of the world’s biggest super clubs hosts Creamfields Ibiza 2017 on Saturday 5th August as part of BBC Radio 1’s Ibiza weekend. The line-up includes Above & Beyond, Annie Mac, High Contrast, Danny Howard, Goldie and Don Diablo plus more to be confirmed. After treating clubbers to a recent refurbishment there is now even more dance floor space and a new sound system.

Get tickets to Pure Carl Cox, for Tuesday 11th and 18th July from 45 Euros to see Carl Cox and friends including Kerri Chandler, The Martinez Brothers, Archie Hamilton and Eats Everything on the decks.

Eden

www.edenibiza.com Calle Salvador Espriu, Sant Antoni de Portmany Eden was founded in 1999 in the heart of San Antonio Bay. After a massive refurb in 2013, Eden hosts regular club nights over the summer with Defected, Pukka Up and Mansion Mondays.

Sankeys

www.sankeysibiza.info Carrer de les Alzines, 5, Playa d'en Bossa, Ibiza Town Sankeys opened its doors to Ibiza clubbers in 2011.

DJs entertain in three main rooms, The Basement, The LAB and Spektrum. Tickets from as little as 20 Euros in advance.

The Beach Bars

Absolute Ibiza Summer 2017 Party Guide

Nikki Beach

www.nikkibeach.com/destinations/beach-clubs/ ibiza Nikki Beach Ibiza, Avenida, S’Argamassa 153, 07840, Santa Eulalia del Rio, Ibiza Weekly events at Nikki Beach not to be missed: Tuesdays – Nikki Beach Ladies Day! Women only pay 49 Euros on Tuesdays for entry, light bites, and unlimited tropical mojitos and fizz (125pm) and complimentary day beds.

Wednesdays – Don’t Worry, Be Hippy. A summer of love, psychedelic beach party.

Thursdays – Sintilllate from 1pm. An array of international DJs, dancers and live performers.

Fridays – Sintillate Fiesta Fridays. DJs play an array of house, commercial and latin salsa for a fiesta vibe.

Sundays – Amazing Sundays Champagne Brunch from 12-4.30pm. Free flowing Taittinger champagne is served from 12.30-3.30pm alongside amazing culinary delights for 75 Euros per person.

Other events throughout the summer - fashion shows, art exhibitions, TV sports events, deluxe pool parties and the infamous White parties and closing Red party.

Blue marlin - Beach Club Ibiza www.marina.bluemarlinibiza.com Cala Jondal, 07840, Ibiza A gorgeous restaurant, lounge and cocktail bar in the Marina serving contemporary Peruvian cuisine and chilled beach beats every day.

Nassau Beach Club

www.nassaubeachclub.com Carretera de Playa d’En Bossa, 07817 - Sant Josep de Sa Talaia, Ibiza A stylish beach bar with luxurious day beds, a beautiful terrace and great restaurant with amazing food at the end of Playa d’en Bossa beach.

Vinyl Legends - Thursdays Nassau Full Moon parties once a month with resident DJs – 8 July, 7 August, 5 September and 6 October.

Jockey Club

www.jockeyclubibiza.com Ses Salinas Beach, 07818, Ibiza This gorgeous beach restaurant serves the most delious Mediterranean food and outstanding cocktails on the back drop of the pretty Salinsas Beach. Relax on a luxurious sun lounger with a strawberry daiquiri in hand and listen to the resident DJs play Balearic beats.

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The Hotels

Ibiza Rocks Hotel

www.ibizarocks.com C/ Cervantes, 27 07820, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza The Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio is home to some of the best nights on the island and the Ibiza Rocks Bar is the ideal after-party venue for Ibiza Rocks events. The hotel and bar host a hugely popular array of live bands and music acts over the summer, so grab your tickets quick.

Radio 1 Toddla T Ibiza Rocks Carnival – 29 June We Are Rock Stars Pool Parties – 6 and 13 July Elrow Pool Parties - 8 and 22 August Cuckoo Land Pool Parties – Sundays through to 24 September Craig David’s TS5 Pool Parties – Thursdays through to 21 September

Ushual Ibiza

www.ushuaiaibiza.com/calendar Playa d'en Bossa 10, 07817, Ibiza This award-winning paradise hotel opened in 2011 and is one of the best places for Ibiza beach, pool and open-air parties on the island.

Get tickets for DJ sets from the likes of Axwell, Engrosso, DJ EZ, Groove Armada, Maya Jane Coles, Nic Fanciulli, Major Lazer Soundsystem and Afrojack.

The weekly lineup: Mondays – Big By David Guetta Tuesdays – Tomorrow Land Presents Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Wednesday – Limited Edition Thursdays – Martin Garrix Fridays – Tini Tempa Disturbing Ibiza Saturdays – Ants Sundays – Kygo

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So dear Absolute readers, if you haven’t already, then book your flights to Ibiza immediately! The clubs, bars, hotels, cocktails and mayhem are all waiting for you. See you on the dance floor!

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IBIZA’S BIGGEST POOL PARTY IS BACK

THURSDAYS | JUL 20 - SEP 21 SUMMER 2017 WWW.IBIZAROCKS.COM

LUXURY REAL ESTATE IBIZA SPECIAL in association with

An introduction from Absolute A small insight into the beginnings of our Absolute Ibiza adventure with Privadia, the real estate company on the tip of everyone’s tongue on the White Isle!

It was a sunny afternoon in Brighton when I received my first call from Harvey Mason, the commercial director at Privadia.

Timing couldn't have been better as we were already quite deep in thought about how and when we were going to launch ‘Absolute Ibiza’.

Hitting it off from the very outset, we quickly identified the partnership opportunity and we are now proud to introduce Privadia as our main on-island collaborators, providing us

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with a great foundation for the magazine to launch, flourish and grow in 2018.

For those who haven’t heard of them, Privadia are one of the market leading real estate companies in Ibiza. Known both on and off the island as THE go to guys when it comes to luxury villa rentals and sales, there was no doubt when visiting Ibiza that they have carved out a great reputation. When taking a personal visit, experiencing their efforts first hand, we are super

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happy to be associated with their team for our first edition.

Over the course of the next 30 pages you will learn about every detail of Privadia’s business. You’ll meet their team, read about some of their key partnerships and most of all, you’ll get a great insight into the real estate business in Ibiza…

Privadia, it’s over to you!

Hello from Privadia Dear Absolute reader!

We’re delighted to be speaking with you and thank you for taking the time to read about us. We appreciate it!

We’re not quite sure how to follow such positive words from the team at Absolute (thank you guys), but one thing we are confident of is our passion for Ibiza, specifically real estate in Ibiza.

Privadia is a brand and business that has manifested itself from over 15 years experience in the industry. Our founding partners both reside in Ibiza, are fluent in the local language and are both happy and settled in a place they call home. The remainder of

our 11 staff members share the same love for the island and as directors of our business, we’re very proud to introduce them as some of the most professional, passionate and most dedicated people we have met in Ibiza.

We’re very lucky to have them on board.

about how you can get involved, then please read on.

Over the course of the next few pages we talk more about real estate in Ibiza and how we currently serve this ever growing market. If you’re interested in renting, buying or even thinking

From the directors at Privadia…

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We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the whole team at Absolute. It has been and we’re sure it will continue to be a fantastic collaboration.

Cheers guys!

Stuart, Nick, Dave, Harvey & Jason

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Heart Ibiza, proud to be working with Privadia

HEART Ibiza is a creative partnership between Cirque du Soleil and the AdriĂ brothers that explores what happens when food, music and art collide.

Passeig de Joan Carles I, 17, Ibiza, Spain T 0034 971 93 37 77 E reservas@heartibiza.com www.heartibiza.com

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A modern, stylish property for sale in Cap Martinet A 5 bedroom, 4 bathroom villa close to Talamanca beach and only 5 minutes drive from Ibiza Town.

Price: On request Contact: Jason Ham T: 0034 871 150 430 M: 0034 636 834 035 E: jason@privadia.com

Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

Ibiza Delivers, proud to be working with Privadia

We deliver the island's best quality produce directly to your villa, home or yacht, 7 days a week.

Monte Cristo Zona Industrial, San Antonio, 07820.

T (+34) 971 100 757 E members@ibizadelivers.com

Serving the biggest real estate companies in the world Privadia is the main supplier of luxury rental villas to Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty, which forms part of the Balearic Islands Sotheby’s International Realty franchise. Dig deeper into the workings of their partnership which allows the real estate company to offer over 260 luxury properties to their high end clients.

Privadia are very unique in that we focus the majority of our efforts, products and services around partnerships with hundreds of on and off island real estate companies and travel agents, Ibiza Sotheby´s International Realty being one of our key relationships. We work with some of the largest agencies in the world, providing them with a trusted gateway to Ibiza’s most luxurious rental villas. In essence, our rental division is business to business, collaborating with the consumer

facing travel agencies and working closely to ensure their customers, the guests, experience the best possible stay when they visit Ibiza. From VIP check-in services, to luxury airport transfers all the way through to tailored itineraries with dedicated concierge managers, we’re trusted by our partners to provide their guests with the ultimate service.

Our partnership with Ibiza Sotheby´s International Realty is a perfect example of how we

work, showcasing pretty much all the services we offer. They benefit from our cloud-based inventory sharing tools, our dedicated agency dashboard, almost real-time villa availability, our white-label VIP check-in service and our collaborative approach to concierge. This allows them to focus on building strong customer relationships whilst we focus on the logistical side of the rental operation.

Harvey Mason Commercial Director, Privadia

read more…

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continued…

A note from Barbara Caprara, the Director of Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty offers clients the most exclusive luxury homes across the destination.

Providing both sales and lettings services, we work with properties across the island and have an office located on Marina Botafoch.

The office forms part of the Balearic Islands Sotheby’s International Realty franchise with two additional offices in Mallorca, an office in Menorca; and the region of Formentera being covered by the Ibiza office.

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Forming part of the Sotheby’s International Realty® real estate network, one of the largest and most respected real estate brands in the world, we have an unrivalled reach across the globe, with 800 offices in over 60 countries.

Sotheby’s International Realty® was first established in 1744, and descended from the centuries-old Sotheby’s Auction House founded in London. As such, we offer a level of excellence which is synonymous with this historic and well regarded brand.

Specialising in the region’ s most exclusive locations, Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty has a dedicated department that focuses on rental properties, with properties situated in thriving regions such as Ibiza Town, San José, and Santa Eulalia.

In 2016, Ibiza welcomed more people to the region than ever before, and this is set to increase with more travellers in search of the Ibizan flair

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and lifestyle. With the high demand for rental properties in Ibiza, the team work closely with clients looking to put properties on the rental market and with those looking to rent properties in these regions. They offer a completely confidential and bespoke service, and ensure each client’s unique requirements are met.

To meet with the level of demand, Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty has appointed b2b company, Privadia, as its main supplier of rental properties.

Privadia boasts more than 260 villas, sourcing rental listings for the agency. One major benefit of the partnership is that Privadia supplies all the back office operation supplying logistics whilst Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty continues to liaise directly with the client.

The partnership allows for Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty to offer its clients additional

support and services that Privadia provide. This includes check-in services, a thorough inspection process, as well as an up-to-date availability function on the site.

We take pride in our partnerships and invest in the local area. Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty has a long-standing relationship with the wider community and have a number of sponsorship programmes in Ibiza including our annual Ibiza Golf partnership and Morna College sponsorship; and continually look for ways to support our region. In addition to providing sponsorship opportunities we also source ways to support local artists, educational programmes and sports academies.

Barbara Caprara Director of Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty

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Luxury Villa Rentals, Ibiza 0034 971 310 799 | ibiza@ibizasir.com | ibiza-sothebysrealty.com

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Luxury Rental Villas supplied by Privadia

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The Shop Ibiza, proud to be working with Privadia

The Shop Ibiza is a successful, creative marketing and spectacular events company based in Ibiza and Barcelona with clients spanning across Europe.

Poligono Montecristo, Nave 5, 07816 San Rafael, Baleares T 0034 971 399 276 E info@theshopibiza.com www.theshopibiza.com

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A multi purpose property available for holiday rentals, retreats, weddings & events This newly refurbished 6 bedroom property is ideal for vacation rentals and events alike, with stunning outdoor areas, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and seating areas.

Property also available For Sale: â‚ŹPOR Contact: Stuart Glen T: 0034 871 150 430 M: 0034 676 650 162 E: stuart@privadia.com

Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

Nice to meet you Our growing, multi-lingual team are key to Privadia’s success.

Stuart Glen MANAGING DIRECTOR Having lived in Ibiza since 2004 and speaking fluent Spanish, Stuart likes to get hands-on across all aspects of the business. Working strategically alongside co-founder Nick and the heads of departments, he plays an integral role in ensuring Privadia continues to live up to its tried and trusted reputation.

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Nick Thompson

Harvey Mason

SALES DIRECTOR

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR

Nick is the driving force behind our impressive sales growth, ensuring we maximise occupancy for owners and provide a solid, profitable platform for our agents. His Australian roots and multilingual capabilities allow Privadia to successfully trade all over the world.

Involved in all aspects of the business, Harvey oversees product development, identifies new market opportunities, directs marketing operations and leads the way in creating new partnerships. .

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Dave Glen

Jason Ham

FINANCE DIRECTOR

DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE

One of the main advantages of working with Privadia is our flexible and hands-on finance department. Led by Dave, the unit prides itself on providing smooth and efficient transactions.

Now heading up the sales division for Privadia, Jason is taking an innovative approach to selling property in Ibiza, maximising the ever increasing demand from both lifestyle seekers and investors alike.

Sarah Welsh

Izabela Swiecicka

Svetlana Medveditsyna

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

CONCIERGE MANAGER

AGENT & CLIENT SERVICES

Silvia Mariti

Emma Sutherland

Louise O’Malley

HOUSE MANAGEMENT

HOUSE MANAGEMENT

RESERVATIONS

For more information about the Privadia team, visit www.privadia.com/about

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Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

Buying a Property in Ibiza Our Director of Real Estate Jason Ham has been involved in property transactions for over 20 years, first in London as a partner in a number of top commercial and residential property law firms and then for the last 5 years plying his trade as a real estate agent in Ibiza.

Here are a few words of advice for those thinking of investing into a property on the white isle.

With the property market currently growing beyond both mine and my professional peers expectations, there’s no doubt that it’s a great time to invest. Whether you’re a first time buyer here in Ibiza or are looking to expand your portfolio, the market is as strong as ever with no signs of slowing down.

Below I offer some headline advice, hopefully providing some valuable tips to help you meet your buying expectations and make the whole process run as smoothly as possible…

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sometimes prove challenging and so it’s important that you’re working with an experienced team. So many times I have seen buyers use lawyers from their home countries who claim to have experience in Spanish law or just happen to speak Spanish, who although they have their clients best interests at heart, find it very difficult to deliver over here in the Balearics. You can save weeks and weeks of time and hassle by finding a law firm that is on the ground here in Ibiza and that has years of experience pushing property sales through..

FIND AND INSTRUCT A PROFESSIONAL, REPUTABLE LAWYER

ENSURE ALL PAPERWORK IS IN PLACE

Applicable to both buyers and sellers, you can save yourself a whole lot of time by making sure you instruct an established, reputable and professional lawyer.

Navigating Spanish law can

The paperwork side of buying a property here in Ibiza is very different to the UK and other countries. The right lawyer will guide you through this, but ensuring you’re buying a property with all the correct paperwork is critical.

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There are many occasions where un-experienced lawyers haven’t checked the details of a property properly, which can then cause a mountain of issues when you come to complete or sell on in the future.

Check, check again and triple check to make sure the property is ready and in a legal position to sell. Also, due to idiosyncratic historical planning laws, a property may not be 100% legal but is still mortgageable and still a good investment..

BE THOROUGH WITH YOUR OFFER AND BE READY FOR THE CONTRACTUAL STAGES If you find a property you like and are ready to go ahead with the purchase, the next step is to formulate a credible, official written offer through your agent, as well as ensuring you’re ready to go ahead and make your deposit payment once accepted. It would

Jason Ham, Director of Real Estate Offiice: 0034 871 150 430 | Direct: 0034 646 834 035 | info@privadia.com

not be uncommon for parties to go through the process of finding, viewing and then choosing the property of their dreams, to then find out the buyers are not quite ready with their funding to purchase. Ensuring you’re ready to buy is critical if you’re expecting a smooth transaction. Upon your offer being accepted, both parties can enter into a reserve agreement to take the property off the market whilst the final stages of the contracts and purchase are completed. My advice would be to make sure you’re fully aware of every small stage of this process and also to make sure you’re ready to move quickly and efficiently throughout. Or one can go straight to exchange of contracts (in Spain known as "the Arras/ Option contract") followed by the completion and signing of the Deed of Conveyance (in Spain "the Escritura de compraventa"). Before

and at all stages I am more than happy to explain in more detail if you wish to get in touch.

COSTS Like any property purchase, there are a range of different costs and fees involved but it’s also important to make sure the agent you assign to guide you through the process does not apply any unnecessary additions. For your peace of mind, the main costs involved are - Stamp Duty ("Transfer Tax") of around 10 or 11% depending on the purchase price, your legal fees and Notary and Land Registry fees (of another 2-3% on top).

Also make sure you’re aware of any ongoing costs once the property purchase has completed, e.g. community fees. Any other fees that are not mentioned above should be researched fully and may be worth a second opinion to ensure they are

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required.

In summary, due to it's planning laws, historical building laws, and the numerous constantly changing land restrictions this can sometimes make Ibiza one of the trickiest places to buy property, but the rewards more than outweigh the challenges. Ibiza is probably the best place to invest in Spain at the moment, especially when it comes to rental returns. It’s also still the most fun place to reside or visit, which is one of the key attractions.

If you’re thinking of buying in Ibiza, please feel free to contact me for a no obligation, informal chat. Whether you need a quick clarification on a simple issue, or are only just starting to think about buying, I am more than happy to help.

Jason Ham Director of Real Estate

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ÏU Mag, proud to be working with Privadia

ÏUMAG Ibiza is the ultimate insider’s guide to the White Isle’s hottest places, people and parties.

C/ Abad y La Sierra nº 35, Ibiza, Spain T 0034 871 11 37 72 E digital@theushuaiamagazine.com www.iumagibiza.com

Rent your luxury villa with Contact us now to list your property and enjoy 1

Maximised bookings via our global network

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Easy to manage availabilty with our free app

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Reliable, hard working, fast moving service

NOW SECURING BOOKINGS FOR 2018

For more info visit www.privadia.com call 0034 871 150 430 or email owners@privadia.com

Are you a travel agent or a concierge company?

If you work in the travel industry and have an interest in Ibiza villa rentals, then Privadia has potential to be your new business best friend. With a whole array of business to business based services, they offer one of the largest portfolios of Ibiza based high end luxury villas.

Privadia is not your average rental agency. Our successful business to business concept focuses on providing streamlined products and services to travel agents, online travel websites, concierge companies and independent travel consultants.

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Our efforts go into designing, developing and launching products and services that benefit our agency partners. In turn, this allows them to focus on providing the ultimate service to their clients. Having a tried and trusted on-island partner gives agents the peace of mind

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they need to confidently offer Ibiza as one of their popular destinations.

Some of our key products and services include; white label check-in’s; a dedicated cloud based villa search tool; a villa owner app which provides the

most up-to-date availability information in Ibiza, together with a whole array of additional technical options that allow online travel agents to quickly and efficiently sync our 260+ properties to their website.

Our ever growing team of 11 dedicated staff are also on hand to support and assist agencies with their Ibiza based enquiries.

Our local knowledge can be invaluable when answering client's questions, providing agents with the insider info they need to help make their decision on where to stay. Whether it’s a relaxing family holiday or a bunch of couples looking to hit the nightclubs, we can advise on the best villas, locations and places to visit.

If you’re interested to learn more about how you can partner with Privadia, please visit the website here: www.privadia.com/agents or feel free to make contact via agents@privadia.com or 0034 871 150 430

“Nick and the team really know their stuff when it comes to Ibiza villa rentals.

Their relationships with owners makes it really quick and easy to get the latest availability, then when it comes to pushing a deal through, the process is flawless. We don't need to deal with anyone else on the island - if it can happen, Privadia can make it happen.”

- Mary, El Sol Villas

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Beautifully designed luxury villa in Vista Alegre.

Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

An amazing south facing designer 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom villa. This property is situated on the south coast of Ibiza in one of the most sought after urbanizations on the island.

(Licence approved for 2 additonal bedrooms and bathrooms if required) Price: On request

Contact: Jason Ham T: 0034 871 150 430 M: 0034 636 834 035 E: jason@privadia.com

Fantastic development opportunity close to Ibiza Town.

Finished project - architect's impression

Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

With plans in place for an incredible 3-4 stylish renovation, or the option to build villas on the plot, this is a great opportunity for a keen buyer or investor. 

FULL REAR 3D VIEW

Price: On request Current villa images  

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IBIZA | IBIZA

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Contact: Jason Ham T: 0034 871 150 430 M: 0034 636 834 035 E: jason@privadia.com

A new and exciting development based in Cala Comte

Contact: Jason Ham T: 0034 871 150 430 M: 0034 636 834 035 E: jason@privadia.com

A gated urbanization including 15 new homes, all with their own gardens and swimming pool. From 353 m2 built + terraces and basement.

Sea views, 365 days of sunset views, 2 minute drive to beach and restaurants.

Price: On request

Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

Don't take our word for it "Frankly, before Privadia, managing our availability has been nothing but a headache. It makes so much more sense to have one agency deal with and gate keep your bookings. We don’t lose out financially and the guys know exactly what sort of guests we’re happy to take. We just revert all enquires to them and they do all the work for us… It’s ideal!"

- Petra, Villa Q "All the bookings they’ve done have been managed professionally, punctually and with literally no hassle whatsoever. Prompt payment, easy to deal with… Pretty much exactly what you would expect from the ideal agency."

"My partner and I very recently bought a beautiful villa in our dream location of Salinas, with the fantastic help of Jason, who in fact promised us when we first met, that he would find the perfect property for us - and he kept his word! Throughout the whole sales process, and in sometimes difficult circumstances, Jason was extremely professional, honest, and always very friendly. We would certainly recommend him to anyone should they ever wish to buy in Ibiza. I am pleased to say that we have also become good friends!"

- Robert, Amsterdam

- Stephane, Villa Moli

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"The biggest thing that’s impressed me about Privadia is the finance department. Chasing payments and confirming bookings can become really hard work and they manage this really well.

They’ve never dropped the ball in the two years.

Highly recommended."

- Marc, Villa Ocean "Excellent service!

As foreigners without understanding of the Spanish language is it difficult to buy a property in Spain. Jason and his team were very helpful.

Jason was easy to contact and more than happy to answer all our questions.

If we ever need to buy (or sell) a property on Ibiza again, I will be dialling Privadia straight away!

"Privadia estates handled all aspects of the sale of our family home in Ibiza. They provided a professional, efficient and above all friendly service putting me at ease and making what can be a very stressful process a pleasure. My property was sold at the desired asking price in a reasonable space of time. I will be recommending Privadia to all who wish to rent or sell their property. A special word of recommendation for Jason Ham who worked tirelessly to make sure that the sale of my property went smoothly."

- Kelly, Ibiza

- Michiel & Kristina, Casa “La Joyita”

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Luxury Real Estate, Ibiza 0034 871 150 430 | info@privadia.com | privadia.com

What makes Buddies CafĂŠ Bar special?

Our Delicious Food Served 24 2Hours a Day

Situated opposite Brighton promenade, Buddies boasts a panoramic view of Brighton beach life and is near to all major venues, hotels, clubs and of course the historic Lanes area..

Buddies 24 hour Cafe Bar 46-48 Kings Road, Brighton seafront Tel: (01273) 323 600 www.buddies24hour.net

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FIZZ & FOOD Nuposto Pizzeria & Bar

The Bali Brasserie

The Victory

1| Nuposto pizzeria serves gluten free pizzas as well gluten free beer called ‘Blonde’.

In fact almost everything there is gluten free including starters such as mozzarella, burrata, fine sliced and meats and even affogato (ice-cream companion to espresso).

If you’re someone who suffers with food intolerance, Nuposta can cater for you. There is a huge range of delicious Italian meals on the menu.

5| The Bali Brasserie is proud to present vegan, vegetarian and dairy free dining as well as gluten free. The restaurant inside, ‘Rijsttafe’, (the rice table) is Indonesian themed food on a set menu, but they are able to adapt a meal to almost any dietary requirements. Meaning there is no reason to not go and enjoy yourself. There is something for everyone at The Bali Brasserie.

10| Established in 1766 making it one of Brighton’s oldest pubs, The Victory on Duke Street has kept most of it’s original features giving it a really authentic and traditional feel.

Think beer kegs for high tops and book cases embedded into brick walls. The food is simple but quality featuring simple bar snacks such as Scotch eggs, casual baguettes, burgers and salads and more substantial dishes such as the Jack and Coke Pork Ribs.

Silo

2| Douglas McMaster, owner and head chef has spent many years working in some of the UK’s and Europe’s top restaurants. You can expect to see a fair sized menu created with seasonal foraged ingredients that come together to give you a unique dinning experience. Some of the dishes so far have been Sea Buckthorn and Elderberry fool for dessert and potato steak, elephant garlic, alliums and herbs.

Curry Leaf Cafe

3| The original Curry Leaf Cafe is located in the heart of Brighton's bustling Lanes, just a couple of minutes' walk from the beach.

This colourful, laid-back 75-seat dining space – decked out with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and vintage Indian design touches – operates as a cafe-cum-lunch spot during the day, offering a range of coffees, teas, snacks and traditional South Indian street food, as well as more substantial meals such as thali platters, dosas and Masala-battered fish 'n chips. In the evenings diners can experience the cafe’s small but diverse dinner menu of tandoor-grilled meats, street food dishes and expertly spiced curries, accompanied by Brighton's best range of craft beers and spiced cocktails.

Eatalio

4| Eatalio is a recently new addition to Brighton’s food scene, and is located on Queens Road, abouta 5 min walk from the station near Brighton’s clock tower. Inspired by the simple, yet healthy food served from the street carts in Italy, Eatalio provides affordable, grab and go food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A great venue to pop into and dogs are most welcome. No servicesfor dogs, they just allow them in the venue.

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Riddle & Finns

6| Another favourite in the restaurant scene, Riddle & Finns offer wonderful seafood platter as well as shellfish too, they do also cater for gluten free. Reservations are not Necessary unexpectedly, however it is recommended on the weekends as it can be very busy. Riddle & Finns also own a second venue on the seafront, both perfect for a special occasion.

Memories of India

7| Offering traditional Indian food in a variety of flavours from all over the continent. If you’re gluten intolerant then you will be pleased to know that gluten is very rare in all Indian food due to the lack of wheat flour.

On Tuesdays, you can enjoy a five-course buffet menu for £12.95

Wolfies of Hove

8| Family run business that pride themselves in serving the finest, sustainable fish alongside locally sourced potatoes. Having served the Brighton & Hove area for over 25 years we know that quality is of the utmost importance, with carefully selected suppliers so that they can provide you good quality, fresh ingredients. Boosting The best fish in Brighton & Hove. The fish is the freshest sustainable fish available in Brighton & Hove, and our handmade pies using all local ingredients. They challenge anyone to serve up tastier, fresher & more wholesome fish.

Terre a terre

9| Terre a Terre is an iconic, award winning restaurant where being vegetarian is about more than just not eating meat. You can expect a variety of flavours and foods to try when you arrive. Much more interesting than the standard stuffed mushroom.

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The Urchin Pub in Hove

11| One of Brighton’s newest offerings, the Urchin craft beer and shellfish pub is a wholly unique concept. Entirely dedicated to shellfish, matched with a range of over 100 craft beers The Urchin is something Brighton and Hove has never seen before. Seats 30 covers in the restaurant, the menu predominantly features prawns, lobster, crab and scallops.

Better Half Pub, Hove

12| Conveniently located just off Hove seafront, this is an ideal venue if you want to take the dog for a stroll along the front. The Better Half is situated slightly west of Hove Lawns on Hove Place. Known as your friendly neighbourhood local, this great food pub offers a gastro style menu along with a great selection of wines and ales.

Coach House Brighton

13| A lively and unique Brighton venue, the Coach House is known for its informal and friendly atmosphere as well as it’s outstanding food. Situated in the heart of the lanes, but still only a stone’s throw from the seafront, it’s an ideal place for a quality relaxed lunch.

The menu features classic dishes with a twist and all made with local and seasonal produce where possible. Inviting roaring fire for the colder months. Dogs welcome.

Senor Buddha

14| Senor Buddha is a contemporary restaurant located in the up and coming area of London Road in the quirky coastal town of Brighton. Since its opening in 2015 it quickly became a popular destination for food-loving locals as well as tourists. The restaurant has won several awards and was featured in the dining out section of the Financial Times.

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Busby and Wilds, Kemp Town Village 15| Tucked away in the quiet back streets of Kemptown, Busby and Wilds is a family ownedneighbourhood pub which serves great food in a friendly environment. They use fresh, locally sourced ingredients to create a range of delicious, satisfying dishes.

Family and dog friendly, it’s a great place to go for lunch with your clan. There’s a lovely courtyard outside for the warmer months.

Booking recommended on weekends.

Battle of Trafalgar

16| A cosy little pub near to Brighton station, the wonders of Lyndsay’s kitchen can be experienced here too. Keen to keep their menu evolving to reflect the seasons and local produce, they offer high quality home-made pub classics. In fact the only thing you’ll find which isn’t made in house is the bread. They have special offer nights such as two burgers for £12 on a Monday. Bargain. Suitable for gluten-free.

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17| Crafty Chooks is the latest member to join the family owned pub group Golden Lion.

They are named after their love for craft beers and free range chickens! Their menu focuses solely on high quality, locally sourced, free range rotisserie chickens. Crafty Chooks serves many poultry dishes as well as plenty of other innovative meals to try on the menu too.

Block.

18| Block. is a bar with a great wine list, bringing you lots of new young wineries / vineyards, the people who, in wine that are pushing the envelope a bit. The wine is supported with great craft on draft and Brighton's first and currently only charcoal and wood burning oven, working with only the best produce from local farms, fisherman and suppliers they offer you a local meat and fish menu with a basque influence coming through, the garden at block has also recently been improved even after being voted Brighton's best garden for the last two years.

So if you want gourmet restaurant quality food, but enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a bar. BLOCK is the place for you.

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BARS & BEATS Bohemia 1| If you are looking for a premier cocktail bar with lots of atmosphere then this the place for you. Bohemia is a great place to spend your evening. Spread over three floors it has a large central bar on the ground floor with bar staff on hand to mix cocktails. They are a bit pricey but definitely worth it. The first floor has a late lounge, specialising in champagne and even has a cigar menu. The lounge opens Friday and Saturdays till late and has DJs every e vening if y ouf ancy a dance. The top floor e ven has a beautiful g lass walled Veuve Clicquot Champagn er oof garden complete with Astr oTurf.

BYOC

2| Bring Your Own Cocktail is the newest bar to join the ever expanding plethora of drinking establishments popping up. This type of bar is the first of its kind in Brighton as alcohol is not available to buy on the premises and there is no drinks menu. You and your friends are invited to bring your favourite spirits and hire one of the expert bartenders to mix whatever drink you desire.

The cocktails are prepared and served in front of you from a trolley with a selection of cocktail acompliments. You pay a flat fee for a set amount of time with the mixologist.

This is great idea if you love cocktails and are on a budget and its lots of fun getting the staff to create your favourite tipple.

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3| Those with a party penchant wont be hard pushed to get your late night fix at this naughty, Brighton number. While a cracking destination for eating out in the day, get stuck into the confines of the quirky Brighton bar as the lights go down and the sound-system goes up for a fun loving, seaside crowd.

My Hotel

4| If you’re after a Sex and the City venue then look no further. My Hotel is a beautifully crafted bar with curved walls, gilding pewter surfaces and low lighting, reflecting a warm and spacious cocoon. As part of the My Hotel franchise, the bar is open to non-guests to enjoy some beautifully made cocktails, a sophisticated atmosphere

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and an altogether glamorous night out.

The bar staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

This is a good place for special occasions.

Everyone gets super dressed up so if you are looking to get your glad rags on and feel special this could be the place for you.

Legends

5| Legends is a gay bar and hotel located on Marine Parade just a minute away from Palace Pier. It has a fantastic selection of rooms with stunning sea views. The venue itself is very spacious and has a large bar upstairs with outside terrace and huge dance floor downstairs. There is always plenty going on with drag acts during the week and great music played by a diverse r ange of DJs at the weekends.

Lion & Lobster

6| If you are looking for a good, old fashioned, comfy pub with a great atmosphere then this is the place for you. The Lion and Lobster is very popular with the locals and has become a bit of a Brighton institution. It is a good venue to start your night before going out on the town. The pub is spread over three floors with a main bar downstairs complete with cosy real fires in winter. The second floor has a small bar within a beautiful dining room and the third floor is the outside smoker’s area complete with mini bar and outside heaters. The Sunday roasts are very popular but make sure you get there early.

The Font

7| This is an ideal venue for pre-drinks if you are out on a hen or stag night or with a big groups of friends. The drinks are cheap with lots of offers on shots. The bar staff are very friendly and service is speedy. There is always a DJ downstairs playing popular tunes to get your night started. The atmosphere is fun but cheesy.

Hotel Du Vin

8| A lovely start to your evening in a classy venue. The bar is part of the Hotel Du Vin chain and is open to non-guests to come in and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.

It is a little on the pricey side but if it is sophistication you are after then look no

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further. The bar has an extensive list of wines and a wide selection of whiskies, rums and countless spirits. As well as relaxing in the main bar you can also enjoy a game of billiards located on the balcony above.

Fortune of War

9| This lovely pub has been open since 1882, making it the oldest pub on the seafront. It is a good meeting place if you are going clubbing on the seafront. There are DJs playing at the weekends and it always has a friendly atmosphere and is never too crowded. The décor has a maritime theme and the pub provides beautiful views over the seafront.

It has an outside seating area and a buzzy atmosphere during the summer months.

Lucky Voice Karaoke

10| Bringing the jazzy style of some of Japan’s most infamous karaoke bars, Lucky Voice is a playground for the amateur performer, the ignorant out of tuner or the stage stunner. Whether you can sing or not, grab your mates, get a booth and wait for the classic tunes to roll out for a feel good night like no other. There’s a cocktail bar lined with sofas for lounging and boozing too.

The Tempest Inn

11| With scenic views from the beer garden at this washed up bar along the beach front, enjoy the fresh sea air and the beautiful rolling waves from your dainty picnic bench. If you can drag yourself away from this alfresco seating, you’ll be just as impressed by the coastal coves set into the walls. Enjoy a frothy pint and a tempting tipple in your very own seafront cave at this quirky little cavern.

MEAT liquor

12| Hailing from the success of their London counterpart, Brighton’s MEATLiquour is a wonderment of carnivore feasts and locally inspired artwork. Based around the carnival days of Brighton gone by, doused in neons and brimming with urban regalia, MEATLiquour is a unique restaurant bar in Brighton where the burgers come hearty and the cocktails come laced in awesome.

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FunFair Club

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13| Of all the things that you thought you’d be doing when you went for a drink tonight, would watching a lady hammer a nail into her nose be one of them? Nope, we didn’t think so either.

A fun fair themed club inspired by Brighton’s hedonistic days, the FunFair Club is brimming with vintage flair and fun filled party people, be them lashing around in the ball pit or taking in the bed of nails table in one of the VIP rooms.

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Proud Cabaret Brighton 3

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14| Proud Cabaret is the ultimate in evening indulgence for your late night drinking antics. A den of 1920s lusting and vintage charm, Proud are champions of sumptuous décor, beautiful babes and cabaret cavorts where you can delight in entertainment, jazzy lights and delicious drinks. Gilded interiors, burlesque romps and a stunning show guaranteed on your visit here.

Gin Tub

15| The exciting tastes of international gins in a superb interior of our newly opened Gin Tub Cocktail bar. Finally somewhere to drink after all the great Hove restaurants. With well over 80 gins – bespoke cocktails – craft beers and ales. We have also created flight boards to try new spirits. Bespoke Cocktails, craft beers, IPA’s and all the normal beers and spirits too. Under The Tub Welcome to the Rum Cage, where the spirits and specifically the rum never dry out.

With a bar selection of some of the best rums, oh and of course some of our favourite gins.

Cocktail Shack

16| A unique and innovative bar hidden within the tall walls of Regency Square. They pride themselves on drinks as creative and bespoke as the Artist Residence itself, offering playful service and a passion for the product. We would urge everyone to check them out at The Shack for a taste of something new.

H Bar

17| Recently awarded Brighton’s ‘Best New Bar’ at the 2016 Brighton Bartender Awards, is Brighton’s ultimate destination bar with an inspired drinks menu alongside stylish décor and design. With sweeping views across the seafront, the bar features a stunning marble top bar, lined with plush stools and surrounded by relaxed furnishings. A great place to head to for pre-dinner drinks and catch up with friends, enjoy great music and an enticing cocktail menu, as well as an eclectic mix of wines and microbrewery beers.

The expert mixologists showcase daily changing innovative cocktails, perfectly accompanied by a selection of Jetty bites and sharing platters.

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Okka Coffee

COFFEE

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CAKE

We discover the popular Okka Coffee shop on Dyke Road, and sample a very tasty Flat white.

The Cappuccino Kid

I love your name 'Okka', where did this come from?

Okka Coffee's name comes from the old Turkish idiom meaning strong black coffee and usually served in a big cup.

follow the exact same recipe regardless how busy we are. The exact same dose goes into our portafilters and after certain extraction time, we make sure the same amount of espresso comes out. We also use bottomless portafilters to recognise the espresso we are making is extracted properly. You have to be very precise as every small change can affect the quality and taste of an espresso. Milk can have a big impact on the taste and texture too, which is why we use only locally produced fresh barista milk, specifically designed to be used with coffee. Even our non-dairy milk has been formulated to be used with coffee and affect the texture and flavour characteristics of the milk.

Who designed your interior?

The design and fit was mainly done by us. We did most of the wood work which was either handmade or put together by ourselves. We handpicked our furniture and equipment.

It came from different places and all have their own stories. We admit a lot of time and effort was put bringing it together, but this is our first coffee shop and we wanted it to be special.

Ok, to the coffee. What kind of beans are you using? Do you vary your espresso?

We use beans from Square Mile Coffee Roasters. It's an award winning London based company. It took almost a year to pick the right coffee for us. We are not complaining but you cannot imagine how many different coffees we tried. Our coffee mostly comes from a blend of Ethiopian, Colombian or Guatemalan beans, our espresso is seasonal, so as the crops change, so do the components of our coffee beans.

Do you tweak the grind of the beans to get balanced perfection?

Certainly. Calibration of the coffee grinder is something should be done every morning. It should also be monitored throughout the day because as the coffee beans warm up, they expand, and it's easier to extract. In cooler

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temperatures extraction is more difficult.

Therefore, the coffee grinder has to be adjusted for current weather conditions.

Otherwise, it would be poor quality, under extracted or over extracted bad tasting espresso. Most often when you consume an espresso that is poor quality, it's the result of incorrect grind settings for the atmospheric conditions at that time.

I've just been served a very nice Flat White. What's your secret to the balance?

Well, There are few things you need to consider when making a perfect coffee.

First, we get our grind settings right.

Then every single espresso we make, we

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Tell me about the various drinks on your menu If you think you've had enough caffeine for the day, you need to try our soft drinks. Our organic lemonades, iced teas and handmade Square Root Sodas are fantastic, and we can say we serve one of the best hot chocolate in Brighton. We also serve loose leaf teas and recently started making pour over with our single origin coffee beans.

What's on the food/cake menu? Are there any homemade cakes on offer We get most of our cakes and sweets homemade by local cake artist. We also use local artisan bakeries for our bread and savoury products and serve freshly made sandwiches with different bread choices.

We know and respect all our customer's needs and requirements and try to offer all

bottomless portafilters to recognise the espresso “weWeareusemaking is extracted properly. You have to be very precise as every small change can affect the quality and taste of an espresso."

kind of free-from and vegan options. We are planning to add some salads, smoothies, freshly squeezed juices and waffles to our menu very soon.

How do you find the Upper Dyke Road location for business We think choosing the right business location is more than just picking a busy spot. When this business idea came up we didn't even look for another place. Upper Dyke Road is where we have been living for many years now. We think this is the best part of the town with great people around.

It doesn't matter how much you believe in your ideas, you never know if you are out of your depth or not until a stranger tells you how they feel about it. Fortunately, we have managed to create the place we wanted and very grateful for the response we received.

Do you have any future plans you would like to share with us?

We are still new to the coffee business and dedicated to excellence in coffee. We would like to focus on serving great coffee and introducing new brewing methods and equipment to give our customers the best coffee experience when they visit our place.

Okka Coffee 206 Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 5AA

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MADE IN BRIGHTON DELIVERIES FROM

£2.25

Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa Drink, dine, recline and relax by the sea.

Boasting a prolific and unrivalled location on the iconic seafront and just moments from the bustling lanes, the Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa is the hottest destination in our beautifully buzzy Brighton.

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righton continues to prove to be an everpopular choice for a weekend break.

With the British Airways i360 now open, the seaside resort cements its place as one of the UK’s most exciting staycation destinations, making the Brighton Harbour Hotel & Spa a chic haven, ideal for those seeking a base to explore this thriving coastal city.

Recently awarded the title of the UK’s Best Seaside Hotel by The Sunday Times Travel, the hotel has been receiving rave reviews throughout the city from locals and visitors alike, all in pursuit of a calm yet atmospheric haven by the sea.

The hotel offers an impressive 79 bedrooms, each embodying Harbour Hotels’ signature relaxed style, with tasteful interiors providing a modern contrast to the exquisite 19th century period exterior. With so many rooms featuring sweeping coastal views, guests can wake up to dazzling scenes of Brighton’s famous pier and the sparkling sea beyond.

The panoramic views across Brighton Pier don’t just reside in the bedrooms, they also feature in the award-winning Jetty restaurant and in-house bar and hotspot ‘HarBAR’, Brighton’s ultimate destination for innovative cocktails.

The brilliantly central location of HarBAR provides a fashionable haunt for local

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residents to sip champagne and inspired cocktails at sunset, alongside stylish décor and design. With sweeping views across the seafront, the bar features a stunning marble top bar, lined with plush stools and surrounded by relaxed furnishings. A great place to head to for pre-dinner drinks, catch up with friends, or dance the night away, you are guaranteed to enjoy great music, an enticing drinks menu, as well as an eclectic mix of wines and microbrewery beers, all perfectly accompanied by a selection of Jetty bites and sharing platters.

Also residing in Harbour Hotel & Spa is the multi award-winning Jetty Restaurant concept. Following on from the success of The Jetty restaurants in Christchurch, Dorset and Salcombe, Devon, The Jetty in Brighton offers a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, alongside menus that are excellent yet approachable.

With spectacular panoramic views across Brighton’s iconic seafront, The Jetty is a fantastic place to gather with friends, open a bottle of wine and enjoy exceptional food in relaxed surroundings. Featuring tasteful banquette seating, sleek marble surfaces and bespoke lighting features, soak up the ambiance of the all-day bar & grill.

Showcasing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and dishes, alongside an eclectic wine list and experimental cocktail menu.

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The Group’s award-winning restaurant concepts are headed up by Chef Patron Alex Aitken, successfully champions sustainable, local food, with a series of accolades to support this; most recently as runner-up for the Caterer’s ‘2015 Seafood Restaurant of the Year’.

“After travelling around Europe this year, I’ve found plenty of inspiration and our new menu has launched with dishes bursting with flavour and flare. This includes a new favourite, the Lobster and Truffle Ravioli. The A La Carte boasts tasty courses perfect for the warmer weather – our range of tempting nibbles, starters, mains and desserts feature the very freshest seasonal ingredients.”

Fast becoming the most talked about and revered relaxation retreat in Brighton, the hotel’s unique underground HarSpa offers guests a fully immersive subterranean spa experience, with two levels of indulgence and relaxation. The impressive two-storey basement of the stunning Georgian building has been transformed into a sensational new spa, featuring a raised mood-lit indoor pool with submerged seating, alongside a large hydrotherapy pool with relaxing pressure jets. You’ll also discover six luxurious treatment rooms, sauna, steam room, two Scandinavian ‘togetherness’ hot tubs, private grotto, areas of rest and relaxation and a spacious gym.

Fast becoming the most talked about and revered relaxation retreat in Brighton, the hotel’s unique underground HarSpa offers guests a fully immersive subterranean spa experience, with two levels of indulgence and relaxation.

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Completely unique to the Brighton Harbour Spa is the Private Grotto; an intimate and exclusive space designed for couples. The ultimate rest and relaxation space for two, guests can disappear into their private hideaway; complete with luxurious hot tub, Champagne mini bar and double day bed.

HarSpa offers an extensive range of luxurious spa treatments along with everyday beauty needs, including facials, manicures, pedicures and massages. The spa therapists carefully tailor each treatment to your individual preferences and skin requirements. Whether you’re visiting Brighton HarSpa for a one-off treatment, or an indulgent spa day or spa

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break, you’re sure to leave relaxed, revitalised and feeling pampered from head to toe. Exclusive memberships to the spa are also available, with full use of the luxury facilities and limited availability.

Standard double rooms are available from £110, plus standard sea view rooms from £140, superior doubles and suites from £220.

For further details and to make a reservation, please visit www.brighton-harbour-hotel.co.uk

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One of the prettiest pubs in Sussex Absolute magazine “Gorgeous dishes - stunning surroundings� in Sussex Restaurants Brighton

free parking / 16th century skittles alley for hire / landscaped gardens & duck pond Lunch - supper - sandwhiches kids menus kitchen open all day everyday 12 noon - 9.30pm

FOUNTAIN ASHURST The Village Ashurst BN44 3AP

T; 01403

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710219

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ABSOLUTE CHECKS INTO

Malmaison Absolute checked in and checked out the newest addition to the ever-expanding Brighton Hotels scene.

If design, service, comfort, fine food and amazing drinks are your wishes, then look no further than Malmaison.

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The design attention is second to none, with a sassy approach to service and style and is ideal for anyone seeking a quality stay or visit."

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ow stylishly reinvented, this fabulous Hotel now boasts all-new bedrooms, an elegant brasserie with sea-view conservatory and a glittering bar. Situated in the Marina and a seagull glide from the harbour, we visited Malmaison with two young children in tow. Importantly the car was parked in the multi-storey car park on the marina and is complimentary to guests.

The hotel is a short walk away.

The hotel offers 73 stunning bedrooms and these range from Standard Rooms to Club Rooms to Suites. These include as standard, free WIFI, Flat Screen Plasma TV and other essentials for your stay. There are 5 function rooms in total if you include Work & Play divided up into thirds. There is a smaller function room next to The central Lounge.

The décor is ultimately contemporary and stylish. Post punk and multi image montage images are placed throughout, The rooms in the ocean-front hotel are alternatively washed with sparkling sea reflected light on the ocean side, or gentle north facing cliff reflected ambience on the town side.

It's altogether a sanctuary to unwind after a day or evening out in the buzz of the city.

Clean lines and tasteful styling ensure that these rooms offer a very comfortable retreat.

Malmaison describes their rooms as Twin Inland view, Double Inland View, Double Sea View, Superior Double Inland View, Mal Club,

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Deluxclub sea view and Marina Suite.

The Bar at Malmaison Brighton has a style of its own. It has to be Brighton's newest destination visit. Spacious, light and very relaxed. It’s where you can escape with your morning coffee, meet friends for lunch, or sit out on the deck to watch the world go by below. The exclusive atmosphere, sensational cocktails and eclectic design all help to make the bar special. Not to mention views over the Marina, floor to ceiling windows – and a large decked terrace.

Before dinner, we took a seat in the stylish bar and ordered drinks. The Malmaison Fizz and a Negroni were promptly delivered. The fine quality of malchemy cocktails was obvious.

Being Friday, we noticed the rush hour effect £5 cocktails between 5 pm and 8 pm. Quality and value, and second to none. The wine list includes something for everybody, and the wines by the glass are no different. These are bound to impress. Bar food is also available; Brasserie-style dining with fresh light bites or artisan sandwiches. Afternoon Tea and Classic Cream Tea is available.

The evening weather was fine so we headed out onto the balcony terrace. It has an Ibiza style lounge layout with very cool oversized ambient lighting and sits overlooking the parked boats and yachts. A fantastic place to meet with groups and friends, or simply a romantic getaway. The seats are comfortable

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and accommodating. Perfect escapism. Our children loved the space and settled nicely on the seating.

The hotel is licensed for ceremonies and civil partnerships, allowing you to spend the day there. A series of beautiful spaces, which you can choose to move from room to room as the day goes by. Exclusive use of the hotel is also available. The hotel can arrange your disco Dj selected from a city famous for its music scene.

A range of wedding breakfast menus is available, including a children’s menu complete with all their favourites. When guests get peckish towards the evening, decide which buffet takes your fancy.

Malmaison could be described as luxe but with a quirky vibe. This is my type of seaside hotel. The design attention is second to none, with a sassy approach to service and style and is ideal for anyone seeking a quality stay or visit. With a short journey out of Brighton's buzz, chilling out has never felt more natural.

Staff are warm and welcoming, managing to be both professional and laidback.

Pete Hayward

Waterfront, Brighton Marina Village, Brighton, BN2 5WA www.malmaison.com

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Chez Mal Brasserie MALMAISON BRIGHTON

The beautifully designed space with food and ambience to match.

The brasserie at Malmaison.

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The Brasserie at Malmaison Brighton serves classic Mal dishes with flair and skill, mixing French style with generous British portion sizes and modern American and Asian influences."

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righton can probably boast the best dining experience of any city in the country right now. None more so than the newly opened Chez Mal Brasserie, at Malmaison. The hotel has enjoyed a recent refurbishment in the Marina.

The Brasserie serves classic Mal dishes with flair and skill, mixing French style with generous British portion sizes and modern American and Asian influences. It sits perfectly within the hotel and features a subdued, long hallway running down the side. It's quite a statement. Upon greeting the maître d' ushers you down the swish hallway to your seating area.

The ambience of this chic, contemporary and stylish space has a warming welcoming feel.

Post punk images sit in frames throughout, creating a perfect backdrop to the considered interior design of the space. There are areas which are subtly screened for mild privacy and are perfect for party gatherings or special occasions. Before you sit down your senses are prepared for a delicious dining experience.

We were invited one Friday evening and we opted to take our two young children. After superb starter cocktails in the Chez Mal Bar, we were guided to our table. We were given a choice of tables which made for a nice change. It was quite busy but the staff were

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very accommodating. Our appointed waitress Clarice, made very pleasant conversation and talked us through the menu. We have very fussy children and she made some suggestions. She assured us they would love the fries and green beans. They did not disappoint.

I decided to take a glass of Chenin-Sauvignon Blanc, Brut, Marquis de la Tour, France. It was a superb meal starter choice. The glass of Australian Sauvignon Blanc that followed was equally fine.

Rather than taking a starter, we opted for the Artisan stone baked bread with melting garlic butter. This arrived and was duly torn and shared. It was the perfect size as to what followed was more than satisfying.

The main meal arrived on a large tray carried to the table and served by two waitresses.

The presentation was quite elegant and efficient. I had ordered the Grilled catch of the day, Sea Bass. For sides, I chose buttered green beans and Glazed truffle mash. My partner opted for Steak Frites, a Marinated 250gm dry aged rump, and served with confit tomato, watercress & Pommes frites. My fish was full of flavour. It had been peppered and was simply perfect. The truffle mash was my choice addition and tasted even better with the Sauvignon. I helped my partner finish her steak off course. This was as good as it looked

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and the peppercorn sauce was quite morish.

The children devoured their burger, Pommes frites and greens, so no complaints there.

We had a little room for dessert so we went for the Sticky toffee pudding. This came covered with Pecan caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream. Worth every calorie and simply perfect.

Chez Mal Brasserie promises a steady schedule of seasonal menus and with a summer fixed price menu running there can't be a better time to visit. From crunchy Thai salad and char-grilled chicken to slow-roasted brisket with blackened sweet potatoes priced at only £19.95 or three courses for only £24.95. They offer a contemporary collection of dishes and have a distinct Chez Mal style.

The new A La Carte Menu includes delights such as Seared Cornish sea scallops – and beautifully-balanced flair dishes such as Yorkshire Dales lamb cutlet. There are signature steaks plus Chez Mal sharing stands. Not forgetting, of course, the Malchemy Cocktails of fizz and dessert.

Sunday lunch is a great British tradition of course, Chez Mal features the famous Chef’s Table of unlimited hors d'oeuvres, monstrous main courses and delicious desserts from only £19.95 (£9.95 for children), served from 12.30pm to 4 pm on Sundays. There can't be a better experience to visit than on a sunny

day. The balcony overlooking the Marina is very much part of the afternoon experience.

After lunch the oversized couches on the ship shaped balcony await your leisure.

Malmaison Brighton features elegant and stylish spaces big enough for the largest of parties, whilst able to accommodate intimate private dining groups made up of your nearest and dearest.

Head Chef Pete Martin, has created a fine menu using fine fresh ingredients and has harnessed a team that deliver wonderful meals. He has a fine touch that is evident across the food I saw being served. The Al La Carte menu is full of bold colour and flavours.

We will be returning to this brasserie as regulars for sure. Highly recommended.

Pete Hayward Chez Mal Brasserie, Waterfront, Brighton Marina Village, Brighton, BN2 5WA www.malmaison.com

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Breakfast + Brunch

Salt Beef Bagels

LOCALLY

ROASTED LOOSE

TEAS

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PASTRIES

HOME MADE

HASHES

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BURGERS

and more...

We are situated next to Hove Station, so grab a bite on your way to work.

Or pass through for a leisurely brunch with friends

98 GOLDSTONE VILLAS HOVE BN3 3RU 01273 325918 Open: Mon-Fri 6am-4pm Sat-Sun 8am-5pm

9b the Boardwalk Brighton Marina

01273600088 www.memoriesofindiabrighton.com @moibrighton

SAVE 40% OFF YOUR FOOD BILL Sun-Fri cannot be used with any other offers - table booking required

Brighton Shopping Best Independent Fashion

by Brighton Girl Problems

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righton is home to fashion forward, quirky, eccentric and style conscious individuals, who both follow trends and create their own.

The city is also home to the best of the high street retailers, meaning snapping up the latest fashions is never more than a stones throw away. However, for those who may want to step outside the lines of fashion and show some originality and sense of their own style, the city streets are paved with the best of the best when it comes to independent fashion stores.

For those who prefer high-end fashion with key designer pieces, head to Profile Fashion, with two stores situated on Dukes Lane. From Giuseppe Zanotti, Versace, Alexander McQueen and Dolce & Gabbana, to Charlotte Olympia, Moncler, Lanvin, Karl Lagerfeld, Stone Island, Guicci, Vivienne Westwood and so many more, Profile has everything a designer lover could possibly need. Accessories, shoes, clothing and bags - if you have cash to splash and want to be kitted out head to toe, it’s the place for you.

Profile have a Mens, Womens and Junior range, as well as Activewear, Beachwear and Jewellery; whoever said that London was the place to head for all your luxury goods was sorely mistaken. Brighton houses one of the most well loved designer stores,

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featuring only handpicked pieces. They also have a website, www.profilefashion. com if you’d rather browse online.

Mottoo Brighton, another Duke Street gem, is packed full of high fashion picks, from brands such as Paul Smith and Parker Smith. The store is stocked with some brilliant pieces and their Instagram @ mottoobrighton gives you some serious fashion inspiration from items you can pick up in store, harmoniously pieced together.

Pretty Eccentric on Bond Street is ideal for ladies who love a vintage feel; with flatteringly cut dresses and many a statement piece, this is perfect for anyone who wants something ‘a bit different’. Fur coats, full skirts and beautiful jewelled chokers, Pretty Eccentric is a shopping heaven for anyone who doesn’t want to fit in with the crowd but rather has their own unique style. They also have shoes and some pretty incredible hats; you could spend an entire day playing dress up in here for definite. I feel like this would be great to find an outfit for a vintage wedding.

The store is full of beautiful patterns and materials, hat stands and fur stoles.

Still on the vintage clothing theme, Dollydagger is one of Brighton’s longest running and most popular indie shops. With full vintage-style skirts galore

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and swing dresses, it’s perfect to head to if that’s your style or even if you’re going to a themed party and want something authentic looking. Situated in Brighton Place, their items will definitely accentuate your curves.

Sugarhill Boutique on Sydney Street, steps away from the more ‘vintage’ feel, and is full of up to date items, with loud prints and flattering cuts – with pretty much something for everyone. Their website is fully stocked too, in case you can’t get into store.

Sugarhill Boutique also have a range of Brighton inspired tops with sailor stripes and motifs and quotes on the breast.

These beauties are really cute and would look perfect with jeans and flats.

Badger Clothing is extremely popular in Brighton, especially with the men. A haven for Fred Perry especially, it’s stocked top to bottom with everything you could possibly need to have a wardrobe refresh.

Carhartt, Hunter, Levi’s, Lyle & Scott, Toms, Ugg, Peregrine; they stock everything from watches, to polos, smart shoes and socks.

If you want smart shoes and a suit jacket and shirt, it’s your place. If you want a t shirt and jeans, it houses exactly what you’re looking for too. It’s so versatile as a store, and one of Brighton’s greatest wonders.

East Street

For those who may want to step outside the lines of fashion and show some originality and sense of their own style, the city streets are paved with the best of the best when it comes to independent fashion stores.

Mottoo

Badger Clothing

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Brighton Shopping Best Independent Fashion

When it comes to womenswear, Badger Clothing stock some great brands, like Birkenstock, Carhartt Women, Sperry and Ruby & Red.

Our Daily Edit, another ship street gem, is full of simple and bright contemporary clothing and is almost an escape haven from the busy streets outside. If you’re looking for a well cut t-shirt, a bright pencil dress or statement jacket for the Summer months, this is the place for you. Wedding shopping? It’s also worth a browse.

We’re back to Duke Street again now, with Peggs & Son (up to 60% off in their Summer sale now too), full of everything a man could ever want or need in his wardrobe; well-fitting jackets, shirts and t shirts; trainers, printed socks and mens real leather wash bags. Peggs & Son is an everything shop.

You can also purchase their range online too at www.peggsandson.com, where their sale is also available to view and purchase from.

If you’re hunting for a special gift, one of their wallet or card holders would make a great one, or perhaps one of their Universal Works scarves.

Now, fashion doesn’t always have to be clothing and Brighton is home to some fantastic niche stores that specialise in more

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particular areas. Silverado has been one of my favourite independent Brighton stores since I was a little girl, specialising in (you guessed it) silver jewellery. It houses some of the most beautiful, delicate pieces you can imagine, making perfect gifts for birthdays, anniversaries or spontaneous romantic gifts for that special someone. I find they have jewellery that nowhere else sells and my mum has a gorgeous silver curved bangle from Silverado that has had a firm place on her wrist for many years.

On the subject of jewellery, we are lucky enough to have a Storm Watches on Bond Street. Having opened another in Carnaby Street in London, it is growing, however I still like to think of it as kinda-independent!

Whether it’s more of a bright statement watch you’re after or a classic model, you can pop into their store just off of North Street and find whatever it is that you’re looking for. What's more - they don’t break the bank either!

As you can see, Brighton is absolutely jampacked with independent fashion retailers, jewellery boutiques and vintage shops. From designer, high-end fashion to second hand vintage pieces, the city homes in on the idea of individuality and expressing it via fashion.

The city houses more independent fashion

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brands if you stroll off the beaten track than it does leading high street retailers, which is something pretty special in my eyes. It really amps up what we are told, in the way of trying to buy from small businesses first.

Although, with most of the independent fashion stores named above now taking their businesses online, I’m not sure how long they can be called ‘small’ for.

It is definitely worth heading towards the delights of Duke Street and Bond Street and beyond to see what you can find, because I guarantee it will be something that perhaps you couldn’t find in your local New Look or Topshop. I love high street as much as the next person, but sometimes when you’ve walked past the 6th person that day in the same top as you, you want to head elsewhere and find statement pieces that you’ll keep forever and feel completely and utterly unique in.

So, in conclusion, if you’ve got some spare cash in your pocket, or just want to see what’s out there, I recommend checking out the places we’ve discussed today – you might just find something amazing.

Brighton Girl Problems Twitter: @btongirlprobs Instagram: @brightongirlprobs Facebook:@BrightonGirlProblems

Brighton is absolutely jam-packed with independent fashion retailers, jewellery boutiques and vintage shops.

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SHARING OUR PASSION FOR BRAZILIAN CUISINE

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Tuesday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM OPENING HOURS Call us: 01273 607607 2 St James’s St, Brighton, BN2 1RS www.soulfoo.com/ ABSOLUTE www.facebook.com/soulfoofoodbar/

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London Lifestyle The West West London Weekend Guide

This month, Absolute, London Lifestyle opens its little pink book into the heart of West London. It’s not just for the ‘Made In Chelsea’ types, so let’s join the stylish West London set and dust off those expensive loafers, pull on your best chinos or perhaps a chic blazer, and go West for a weekend away of upper crust delights.

Travel West London is a great place to dash to for the weekend. The best transport links from Brighton are the regular direct Southern trains from Brighton to London Victoria and Clapham Junction.

From London Victoria, there are an array of buses over London and the underground station has access to the Victoria line and District and Circle line. From Clapham Junction, there are plenty of over ground trains and buses to Battersea and the Clapham tube stops on the Northern Line.

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Stay The Beaumont Hotel Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, London, W1K 6TF. 0207 499 1001 www.thebeaumont.com Location: This award-winning 5-star hotel is situated in the heart of Mayfair, between Oxford Street and Bond Street. Superbly located near the fashionable boutiques on Mount Street and Duke Street, and a short stroll to Selfridges.

Fantastic green spaces are also nearby including Grosvenor Square, Berkeley Square and Hyde Park. This hotel is easy to reach from St Pancras, Victoria and Paddington station, and Bond Street underground is just a 5-minute walk.

Rooms:

• Complementary soft drinks, tea, coffee and snacks.

• Double rooms from £395 for two guests including breakfast plus VAT. • King size beds.

• Complementary designer toiletries.

• 50 Classic, Superior and Premier rooms, 13 Suites and 10 Studios.

Amenities:

• This 5-star, grand and traditional 1920s art deco style hotel, opened in 2014 and comprises of 73 luxurious rooms. All rooms are classic and elegant in style with up to date technology.

• The Beaumont has a vintage Daimler available for hotel guests to book for complimentary journeys around Mayfair.

• Guests at the Beaumont can sign for their bills at any of the Corbyn and King restaurants around London which include; The Wolseley, The Delaunay, Colbert or Fischer. Just make sure you reserve your table with the hotel Concierge.

• A 5-star gym and spa.

• The Lotus room is perfect for private events and private dining.

• Valet parking.

• Free wifi throughout the hotel.

• Free calls to landlines.

Dining:

The Colony Grill Room restaurant seats 100, serving classic London and New York dishes.

Bars:

The American Bar – a fun and relaxed bar serving great cocktails.

The Cub Room – the exclusive residents only bar and lounge.

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London Lifestyle Where to eat, drink and be merry Dining alfresco is essential in the warm summer months. Grab your spot outside at these wonderful London eateries, restaurants and pubs, and watch the world go by.

Balls Brothers, Mayfair

Balls Brothers have 8 establishments across London. My favourite is the newest location – the Mayfair Exchange. Seasonal and responsibly sourced ingredients help make up the ever-changing menu. If dinner is not what you fancy, try the wonderful selection of traditional, homemade bar snacks and platters which can be paired with interesting cocktails and British beers. Try the mini steak baguettes, the homemade Londoner Scotch egg or the English meat mini platter.

34 Brook Street, W1K 5DN www.ballsbrothers.co.uk Ivy Café Marylebone

The Ivy Café has a relaxed environment with pretty and stylish décor. It has a divine menu and I thoroughly recommend the smoked salmon to start, followed by the crab linguine.

96 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2QA

www.theivycafemarylebone.com Grazing Goat

A cosy, rustic pub and hotel in the heart of Marylebone serving delicious traditional pub comfort food.

6 Quebec Street, W1H 7RQ

www.thegrazinggoat.co.uk Il Barretto

The lovely Il Barretto restaurant opened in 2008 near Baker Street, serving a simple and authentic Italian menu.

43 Blanford Street, W1U 7HF www.ilbaretto.co.uk

2850 – Marylebone Lane A modern, European, elegant wine bar in the centre of Marylebone serving seafood and charcuterie, with a private cocktail bar.

15-17 Marylebone Lane, London, W1U 2NE www.2850.co.uk/marylebone

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The White Horse pub The White Horse pub – nicknamed ‘The Sloaney Pony’ is an iconic pub on the corner of Parsons Green, with a great beer garden with plenty of seating.

1-3 Parsons Green, London, SW6 4UL www.whitehorsesw6.com The Botanist

This sleek and sophisticated restaurant and bar in Sloane Square serves wonderful cocktails in decadent surroundings. This is the perfect place for a first date, a cold glass of champers whilst out shopping, an anniversary dinner, or cocktails with your nearest and dearest. Dress up and don’t wear trainers.

No. 7, Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8EE

www.sloanesquare.thebotanistlondon.com The Hollywood Arms

This 150-year-old pub is a firm Chelsea favourite, and regularly features on Made In Chelsea. It’s a super gastro pub with a stylish bar area.

45 Hollywood Road, Chelsea, London, SW10 9HX

www.hollywoodarmschelsea.com The Phene

This great pub is a self-proclaimed club house style venue, with a spacious saloon bar, restaurant conservatory and first floor lounger bar. Well worth a visit.

9 Phene Street, Chelsea, London, SW3 5NY www.thephene.com

Dear Absolute, London Lifestyle readers, don’t stress yourselves out finding your passports and racing to the airport this August. Just hop on a train and head to West London. It’s the perfect place to escape to for a luxurious weekend away, without having to step foot in an airport or get stuck in motorway traffic.

Treat yourselves to the perfect mini break and discover wonderful new places to eat drink and be merry in the sunshine this summer.

Charlie McBrien

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Visit our Brighton showroom 119-120 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1DB. For more information or to book a free design appointment call: 01273 771469 or visit www.intoto.co.uk #myintoto to share yours on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Family Friendly Portugal

with Martinhal The concept of Martinhal was conceived with families and luxury in mind. Having experienced our first family holiday the previous year and really struggled to find a balance between family and adult friendly, the idea of fusing luxury with a family resort appealed no end. I have to admit though, I was sceptical as to whether this concept was just too good to be true. Can adults really experience relaxation and plush surroundings and cuisine whilst maximising very precious family time?

Martinhal promised luxury holiday experiences with high class familyfriendly facilities, in some of the most prestigious areas in Portugal – from beach and sophisticated golf areas to Lisbon city centre and so we made our booking and hoped for the very best! Having built their first hotel in Sagres in the Algarve, they must be doing something right as they have now expanded their empire into Cascais, Lisbon city centre and Martinhal. Lured by the resort setting and locality, we chose a 4 night stay in Cascais and a one nighter in Lisbon old town.

The journey from Brighton to Portugal with a young family in tow has the potential to be a little stressful. Kids come with kit and lots of it. Fortunately Martinhal is one step ahead and offers an ingenious ‘Baby Concierge,’ making hassle-free travelling with babies and small children their specialty.

This progressive company offers you the opportunity to pre-book baby equipment – from small items like door protectors, potties, bottle sterilisers & warmers, to bigger items like safety gates, baby cots and baby baths. Not only that, they also offer a wide variety of lotions, nappies, and other items for purchase from the reception.

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Martinhal Cascais

Sofitel Gatwick

We chose to fly over from London Gatwick with EasyJet, but due to the early flight times, we thought we would aim for ultimate comfort and stay over at the airport itself the night before at the Sofitel Gatwick.

I cannot express enough what a good idea this is. The family and I checked in casually at around 4pm and were thrilled to discover the walk to the baggage check in desks was less than 5 minutes away in the North Terminal! Not only are the staff at the Sofitel highly trained and willing to meet your every need (including printing boarding passes and providing luggage trolleys), the hotel boasts an impressive atrium with a multitude of dining options available as well as spacious rooms with floor to ceiling windows that look out over the runways.

This ingenious design means that your little nippers will undoubtedly be left spellbound by the aeroplane action taking place right under their noses!

Sofitel had kindly set up a cot in our room for our daughter and we were pleased to find the bathroom came complete with a child friendly bath, ready for the preholiday scrub up. Luckily the hotel is also just a stones throw away from a handful of convenient stores within the airport (head towards arrivals), making it a life saver when you realise you have left some essentials at home! The hotel also offers a very hearty continental and full English breakfast buffet, making for a perfect start to the day’s adventures.

Upon arriving at FARO Airport, we were swiftly transferred over to Martinhal Cascais by an extremely polite and efficient Martinhal driver in a spacious and air conditioned Mercedes people carrier, all geared up with an age-appropriate car seat and even a DVD player to keep the masses amused.

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The Martinhal Cascais resort itself is breathtakingly beautiful, with clean and spacious ultra-modern interiors, complete with floor to ceiling windows on nearly all external walls.

The hotel resort is just a 30 minute’s drive from Lisbon, a 20 minute scenic coastal walk away from the centre of Cascais, right next door to the world-class 18-hole Quinta da Marinha golf course and just a short rive away from the enchanting Unesco World Heritage Site Sintra.

Martinhal Cascais offers 68 hotel rooms and 4 hotel suites beautifully adapted for families. Each room benefits from spacious private balconies or terraces accessed via French doors and some have Italian designer Lollypop bunk beds to accommodate children or (as we had) cots set up for the tinies. Space-wise, the rooms range from 440 to 660 sq ft for a suite, with 880 sq ft familyfriendly interconnecting rooms available too.

Martinhal On the subject of adulttime, back at Martinhal Cascais guests are also spoilt with a beautiful spa known as ‘Finisterra’ meaning “end of the earth”. With its special menu of treatments inspired by Voya and its origins, the spa adds an extra dimension of health and vitality to the guest experience.

Our accommodation came in the form of a standard ground floor double room, complete with kingsize bed and incredibly spacious bathroom.

The décor is light, bright and airy, with plenty of room for the little ones to run around. Every piece of furniture has been selected carefully, ensuring there are no glaring areas where accidents can occur to excitable kids! The furnishing are contemporary and Scandi-styled and most impressive of all is the glass wall that exists between the bathroom and the bedroom itself. Not only does this transparent partition allow you to keep a watchful eye on the kids on the other room, it is aesthetically stunning and come the time you want a little privacy, has the ability to mist over.

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O Terraco restaurant offers buffet breakfast and dinner featuring some typical Portuguese dishes. with a twist created by the kitchen led by Executive Chef Alexandre Cláudio. Os Gambozinos, an Italian Trattoria, does the traditional family favourites of pizza, pasta and other typical Italian dishes for lunch and dinner. M-Bar is located at the Kids Clubhouse and serves coffees, snacks and pastries throughout the day.

It is the kids play areas and the pool facilities that truly sets Martinhal apart from the rest of them. There are 3 pool areas dotted around the resort to ensure that guests can enjoy pool time with their kids in the heated and unheated pools: the Pool Hangout, the indoor/ outdoor heated pool next to the on-site Spa and the heated and covered Kids Clubhouse pool.

With kids being central to the resort ‘s philosophy, Martinhal Cascais have created a superb kids clubhouse with over 700 square metres of play space (over 7,700 square feet) covering the ages of 6 months to early teens. This is a facility where kids can be looked after by the fully-trained, caring and responsible staff in a safe and secure space while parents can enjoy some time out.

For those families travelling en mass, 12 villas are available, featuring two bedrooms on the first floor and an open space living room and dining area with sliding doors towards a little terrace on the ground floor. These family villas fuse contemporary architecture and modern conveniences. Each has a kitchen complete with a stove, dishwasher, fridge and basic crockery, cutlery and pots and pans, making it the perfect home from home.

The Martinhal Cascais resort itself is breathtakingly beautiful, with clean and spacious ultra-modern interiors, complete with floor to ceiling windows on nearly all external walls, successful bringing the calm outside landscapes in. The staff are all trained to offer a fun and friendly service to the youngsters and a professional and attentive service to the parents.

The three restaurants are everything to everyone.

They all offer luxurious surroundings, cuisine and faultless customer service, but manage to somehow keep a relaxed setting where families can calmly eat together without the worry of their children disturbing other tables. I honestly can’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed in a sophisticated dining setting. So how does Martinhal successfully ensure a stress-free

setting? It’s actually quite simple. Firstly, they make sure there are enough high chairs to go round. Each menu not only offers healthy and delicious dishes for children, they also offer home-made baby foods for a variety of age ranges. Then there is the children’s play area that features in every dining area – an ingenious corner of supervised craft, toys and reading that successfully limits the capacity for impatient little diners to get fidgety waiting for their dishes to be served or the adults to stop nattering.

The various areas in the Kids Club have been created to interest and stimulate different age groups, ensuring the needs of babies up to teens have a full range of toys, playthings, creative areas and entertainment – from playmats to Playstations! We enrolled our daughter for 2 hour sessions over our stay, which gave us a short time to be able to sit in the sun, book in hand, on the oversized Fatboy bean bags that are scattered over the attractive grassed area just outside the kids club. In addition to supervised kids club areas, there are several unsupervised playgrounds all around the resort where parents can play with their kids, or in our case, the kids can play with the parents!

Trampolines, table football, ping pong, climbing frames, slides…..you name it and they have it.

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If you prefer to have your children looked after in your villa or room, baby-sitting can be organised for any age from a few months old upon request.

It is the kids play areas and the pool facilities that truly sets Martinhal apart.

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Martinhal This wasn’t a service we took the hotel up on, but following a finedining experience at the Cascais Marina with little madam, I would thoroughly recommend it even just for the one night, so you can enjoy a romantic dinner outside the hotel walls. This fine-dining experience cannot go unmentioned – if you visit Cascais, be sure to book in at Hemingway Restaurant and order the tasting menu. This popular dining hotspot is set right in the marina, overlooking the sparkling yachts and the sea beyond. The five course tasting menu, complete with wine pairing is simply exquisite. Designed by Chef Bruno Póvoas, each dish features fresh Portuguese ingredients, married together to create mouth-watering and inventive culinary creations.

In addition to the mastery of the dishes, Hemingway also stands out for its versatility of space, making it an ideal setting for a cocktail, juice or tea with friends in afternoon or evening for a glass, with the venue closing at an impressive 03.00h.

On the subject of adult-time, back at Martinhal Cascais guests are also spoilt with a beautiful spa known as ‘Finisterra’ meaning “end of the earth”. With its special menu of treatments inspired

by Voya and its origins, the spa adds an extra dimension of health and vitality to the guest experience. There is also a sauna, Jacuzzi and steam room to help guests relax before and after treatments, so if you get the opportunity (think kids club), then be sure to take a visit and escape to the ends of the earth for a spell or two.

In addition to in-resort activities, the surrounding area to the hotel offers a wide range of options, from beach and sports activities to culture. With Cascais and Guincho beach only 5 minutes away and Estoril, Caracavelos and others further along the coast you can enjoy surf, bodyboard, windsurfing, diving and boat trips. Furthermore, Cascais offers excellent cycling routes along the coast as well as within the city, with bikes being available for hire from reception.

The centre of Cascais is just a short drive or taxi away and Martinhal offer a free and reliable shuttle service (complete with car seats) back and forth, ensuring guests are able to make the most of their visit to the area. Be sure to visit the Paula Rego “House of Stories” museum in Cascais and the multitude of historical buildings. Cascais is famous in history for having housed the summer residence of the Portuguese Royal Family in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, therefore making it riddled breath-taking buildings of note and castles. Nearby Estoril is famous for having provided a sanctuary during World War II for those escaping the turmoil of war and in stark contrast, Europe’s largest casino is also located there.

Our final night was spent at the super central Martinhal Chiado, set in the throng of Lisbon Old Town.

True to the Martinhal concept, this contemporary accommodation lies within a beautiful and historic façade, with 37 carefully designed apartments to suit families, ranging from studios to 2-bedroom apartments. Each apartment is completely serviced and has a kitchen complete with a stove, dishwasher, washerdryer, fridge and basic crockery, cutlery and pots and pans.

It was incredibly comforting to arrive to an apartment that truly felt like a home from home, featuring every facility you could possibly require with a young family and bags of space for the little one to move about in – not an easy find in a city central hotel! As with Martinhal Cascais, a super convenient Baby Concierge is offered and the team even provide a welcome basket of snacks, treats and essentials like milk to kick start your stay.

If cooking in your apartment isn’t on your holiday to-do list, there is a café lounge on the ground floor which perfect for that quick breakfast before departing on a city tour with the kids, as well as a snack or quick meal during the day. Apart from offering to deliver a breakfast basket with some patisserie items, fruit, milk, yoghurt, jams with fresh orange juice to your room in the morning, they also offer a room service delivery, once again catering for all ages from weaning babes to hungry grown ups.

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Once again, it is the kids club that cements Martinhal Chiado as the top family-friendly accommodation in Lisbon. The team have created a superb kids club covering the ages of 6 months to early teens where kids can be looked after by the caring and responsible staff in a safe and secure space while parents enjoy their time in Lisbon – even at night!

The pyjama club will look after children till midnight and ensure that they feel comfortable even if they fall asleep in the custom-designed club, enabling parents to have a night out in the buzzing city of Lisbon! To have somewhere in the city centre where a non-walking toddler can let off steam and tire themselves out was invaluable!

Lisbon itself is the least discovered capital city in Western Europe, but when you explore the streets you can feel that it is just on the cusp of exploding with popularity. There is a buzz in the air. With a lot of its old town feel preserved in its historical buildings and its cobbled stone pavements, it is so very intriguing to discover the cool and a edgy bars, restaurants and stores that lie within these aged exteriors. Lisbon is an amazing city to visit. Visit riverfront Belém area where you’ll find Unesco’s World Heritage sites such as Belém Tower, built in early 16th century as part of the city’s defence system or Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of the most prominent examples of the Portuguese late Gothic Manueline style of architecture. The Maritime Museum, Planetarium and Archaeology Museum are also in this area.

Don’t leave Belém without tasting the original “Pastel de Belém”, the traditional Portuguese custard tarts that you can find in most Portuguese cafés. The recipe dates back to the 16th century and has suffered some alterations in most places. However, at “Pasteis the Belém” they still use the original recipe!

Kids love to explore the city in one of the traditional trams or in the tuk-tuk and Lisbon’s parks, gardens, belvederes, many with children playgrounds are great for a relaxing moment.

Parque das Nações is the modern part of the city, a futuristic glass-and-steel district, home to some wonderful examples of modern architecture. This is the location for the Lisbon Oceanarium, one of the world’s most spectacularaquariums, designed by American architect, Peter Chermeyeff - a “must-see” for adults and children.

The Chiado area is full of excellent cafés and restaurants for experiences outside of the hotel – all within a few seconds to a few minutes. The famous market-turned sophisticatedfood-court, Mercado da Ribeira is located literally 5 minutes from Martinhal Chiado.

A large part of the Lisbon experience is dining at one of the acclaimed restaurants by various rising Portuguese stars, experiencing the bars in the trendy Cais de Sodre or Chiado areas, enjoying a rock concert at the Coliseum or Fado night in Alfama.

Lisbon itself is the least discovered capital city in Western Europe, but when you explore the streets you can feel that it is just on the cusp of exploding with popularity.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit the following websites: Martinhal Cascais and Chiado – www.martinhal.com Hemingway Restaurant – www.hemingwaycascais.com Sofitel London Gatwick - www.sofitel.com

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Order & Pay

with the touch of a button @Southern Brighton Taxis (App)

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Service that goes above and beyond.

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To book, visit etihad.com or contact your travel agent.

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Flying Reimagined

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THE

SEYCHELLES ISLANDS...

a dream vacation

by Glynn Burridge

S

ince that distant time when Seychelles' 115 granite and coral islands became scattered over a secluded corner of the Indian Ocean, they have remained sanctuaries for some of the rarest species of flora and fauna on earth. So rare, that the Vallée de Mai which nurtures the legendary coco-de-me, was once thought to be the original site of the biblical Garden of Eden.

The islands are also synonymous with stunning natural beauty, the wonderful harmony enjoyed by the multi-ethnic society and a near perfect climate where the temperature is always somewhere between 24 and 33 degrees Celsius, earning the islands a reputation as ‘land of perpetual summer'.

The Seychelles Islands…another world, is the embodiment of the concept that Seychelles remains one of the purest, most environmentally intact destinations on earth offering great a diversity of experiences and accepting around only 300,000 visitors a year.

Certainly, one of Seychelles' greatest assets is the exotic assortment of its multitude of islands and the variety they offer to visitors wishing to take in a selection of islands during the course of their stay.

Out of all of the Seychelles islands, currently only 16 have hotels, several of which offer the most luxurious amenities and all of which possess their own natural charm. They offer

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everything from the opulence of worldfamous 5-star resorts to the picturesque charms of affordable smaller hotels, Creole guest houses and self caterings.

International hotel chains such as Hilton, Avani, Maya, Four Seasons, Kempinski, Beachcomber, Constance and Banyan Tree already operate hotels on the islands with more recent arrivals such as the H-Hotel joining the line-up. The islands of Bird and Denis located to the north of Mahé, Frégate to the east and Desroches to the south each offer diverse and unforgettable island experiences.

Whether in hotels, restaurants or cafés, you have to try the delicious Seychellois Creole cuisine. The origins of the racially mixed Seychellois are also revealed in their cooking. From India comes many varieties of curry; from China come popular rice dishes and stir-fried vegetables and noodles with steamed fish, and from France the aromatic blends of garlic and herbs. All these influences, mixed with a huge selection of seafood plucked out of the Indian Ocean and a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables make eating out in Seychelles a culinary delight. Local delicacies include kari zourit (a creamy octopus curry) and tec tec soup (a small white shellfish collected from the beaches and made into a soup usually with pumpkin).

Equally, the wonderful variety of Seychelles' flora & fauna with its high proportion of

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endemic species nurtured within one of nature's last pristine sanctuaries makes it an exciting destination for naturalists, ornithologists and eco-tourists alike.

Nowhere else on earth are to be found unique specimens such as the jellyfish tree, with only eight surviving examples; the wondrous Coco-de-mer; the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, and thirteen species and seventeen subspecies of bird life.

The Vallée de Mai, once thought to be the original site of the Garden of Eden, and legendary Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. From the smallest frog to the heaviest land tortoise and the only flightless bird of the Indian Ocean, Seychelles boasts an amazing array of endemic and indigenous species waiting to be discovered along its several nature trails.

With 115 diverse islands spread across an area of 1,400,000 sq. km. of sparkling waters, one can well understand seafarers who believe that God created Seychelles with the sailor in mind. Chartering a yacht provides perhaps the most rewarding way of discovering the hidden treasures of the archipelago at one's own pace and whim, cruising in cyclone-free waters and enjoying a dazzling array of inner islands with golden beaches fringed by warm, turquoise waters.

The Seychelles Islands‌another world, is the embodiment of the concept that Seychelles remains one of the purest, most environmentally intact destinations on earth offering great a diversity of experiences and accepting around only 300,000 visitors a year.

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THE

SEYCHELLES ISLANDS...

a dream vacation

Seychelles has all this to offer and more, but perhaps its most enduring attraction is the security it offers and its enviable pace of life amid the tranquillity and multi-racial harmony of the islands.

It should not be overlooked that Seychelles has some of the richest fishing grounds in the world and you do not have to venture far from the shoreline to break fishing records. Seychelles boasts one of the most varied catches on the planet which varies from sailfish, whaoo and tuna to barracuda, trevally, streaker and even the mighty marlin.

In the interests of preserving fish stocks, fishermen practice the tag & release method of fishing where fish, once caught, are released back into the ocean.

With so many islands scattered across the Indian Ocean between 4º and 10º south of the Equator, it is little wonder that another of Seychelles' outstanding resources lies in the impressive diving opportunities it offers to experienced and novice divers alike. Myriad dive sites promise a marine extravaganza as diverse and vibrant as it is unique. This living aquarium enjoys comfortable year-round temperatures of between 24º and 30º Celsius and lies outside the cyclone belt. Colourful reef fish, octopus, lobster and turtle flash in the shallows surrounding the inner islands, while more adventurous dives offshore include the ‘Ennerdale' wreck and rocks that are the playground for larger groupers and stingrays.

No account of Seychelles' riches can be considered complete without mention of its reputation as ‘the islands of love' and it

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is little wonder that lovers are inspired to take their vows and wed in this gentle and romantic atmosphere. Sensual Seychelles creates the idyllic ambience for an unforgettable wedding day or honeymoon beneath swaying palms alongside silken waters fringed by the silver-soft sands of discreet island hideaways as has been endorsed by the recent honeymoon of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and a host of VIP's since.

All in all, you can't get much further away from the madding crowd and it's amazing how blue skies and white beaches can clear the mind and inspire the imagination. That is why as a venue for small conferences and select company incentives, Seychelles represents a powerful partnership of business and pleasure.

For today's weary traveller, fatigued from the stresses and strains of an unrelenting modern lifestyle, the Seychelles spa & wellness experience represents a powerful antidote offering soothing treatments designed to melt away the stresses and strains of modern living, energise the weary body and nurture the soul.

Whether nestling in dreamy, mountainside pavilions overlooking the ocean or occupying stylish niches within the luxurious cocoons of 5-star resorts,

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Seychelles' spas offer natural elegance and refinement in pristine surroundings promising the ultimate voyage of personal transformation.

There is also great golf available on the islands with a 9-hole course on Mahé and an 18-hole championship course on Praslin offering a sublime golfing experience combined with stunning panoramas of virgin forest and azure ocean.

Seychelles has all this to offer and more but perhaps its most enduring attraction is the security it offers and its enviable pace of life amid the tranquillity and multi-racial harmony of the islands.

Here, cocooned within the reassuring atmosphere of a large family, there is still ‘time to enjoy' the finer things of life and to appreciate the elements of a truly refreshing Creole culture and enviable island lifestyle.

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SEYCHELLES

Alphonse Island A

s the world becomes more accessible, people are shunning commercialised hotels, resorts and destinations and seeking remote, privately owned, unique properties in unspoiled locations. Alphonse Island is unlike any other island in the Seychelles. In an era where we are digitally connected more than ever and in many cases, beholden to a technological device, Alphonse Island has purposefully created a tranquil paradise where interconnectivity is replaced with the connectivity to the pristine, unspoiled, environment and friends, family and loved ones. The ancient art of conversation is rediscovered and listening to one another becomes a joy and is undisrupted. The sounds of email notifications are replaced with laughter, the sound of the ocean as the waves gently break on the shoreline and the birdsong in the trees.

Located 400km from the mainland of Mahé and 7 °South of the equator, Alphonse Island is accessible only by plane. Accommodation is 21 Beach Bungalows and five Beach Suites, all with direct beach access and panoramic, uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean, with each decorated in hues and colours that reflect the natural environment of the island.

Unlike many hotels and resorts, Alphonse Island encourages its guests to spend as much of their time as possible out of their room and discovering all the island offers.

All Beach Bungalows and Beach Suites come with their own bicycles and with no cars

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on the island, a bike is the preferred mode of island transportation. Alphonse Island provides bike seats for babies and toddlers as well as smaller bikes for children.

Keen for guests to absorb themselves in the island lifestyle, Alphonse Island has its own vegetable garden. Plump figs, crunchy cucumbers, golden ears of corn, fragrant melons, and firm tomatoes are all grown from scratch. Guests can visit the garden and choose from a wide range of fresh produce and make their own delicious smoothie. Dining on Alphonse is an experience. Beach BBQ’s, flats lunches, plated dinners and exquisite buffets are available. Freshly caught fish features on the menu. Cuisine is influenced by the Creole culture of the Seychelles and is delicious, healthy and wholesome. Private picnics, breakfasts, lunches and dinners can be arranged upon request.

The malaria free environment is perfect for families and the balmy year-round temperature of 27° makes Alphonse the ideal island escape at any time! Children love the conservation walks with the island environmentalists and discovering ghost crabs on the beach, as well as seeing shoals of brightly coloured fish swim in the shallow waters of the Indian Ocean that fringe the beaches of Alphonse. Children, teens and adults all adore exploring the waters along the shoreline in a glass-bottomed kayak and marveling at the varied array of aquatic life.

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Alphonse Island is unlike any other island in the Seychelles.

In an era where we are digitally connected more than ever and in many cases, beholden to a technological device, Alphonse Island has purposefully created a tranquil paradise where interconnectivity is replaced with the connectivity to the pristine, unspoiled, environment and friends, family and loved ones.

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Alphonse Island

SEYCHELLES

The waters surrounding Alphonse Island are outstanding for both diving and snorkeling. The PADI certified dive centre caters for children, who can experience their first foray into the underwater world from 9 years old by completing a Bubble Maker course. Alphonse Island’s PADI dive centre has an experienced team of PADI-certified professionals dedicated to ensuring the safety of divers and protecting the underwater environment while providing exciting diving adventures.

There are 24 dives sites that surround Alphonse Island, all of which are easily reached in under 30 minutes on comfortable purpose-built dive boats.

Diving into the warm tropical waters of Alphonse Island reveals a vibrant array of coral and fish as far as the eye can see. Forests of giant gorgonian sea fans, sea whips and black corals can be viewed along the precipitous drop-off and the incredible hard coral formations on the plateau are a magnificent sight to behold! The large numbers and sizes of fishes are what make diving at Alphonse Island particularly special. For those who do not wish to dive the depths of the Indian Ocean, Alphonse Island offers guests the opportunity to view the magnificent array of aquatic life with daily snorkeling boat trips.

The unique experiences that cannot be encountered anywhere else in the Seychelles, is what positions Alphonse Island in a league of their own! Sail across the sparkling

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Indian Ocean in a catamaran to the St Francois Flats, beyond the uninhabited island of St Francois and encounter one of the most magical and extraordinary lunch venues. Dazzling white sand, surrounded by sapphire blue waters and the expanse of the sky above is simply breathtaking. Feast on a selection of grilled meats, fish and delicious salads.

On land, discover the flora and fauna that inhabit Alphonse on a guided bike tour with an expert conservationist, feed the giant tortoises that freely roam the island, wade out onto the surrounding flats and see the array of wildlife that exist in this ecosystem.

For those who prefer to relax, Azure Spa is a small, yet perfect tranquil haven in paradise. Azure Spa uses Yi-King organic products originating from the Seychelles, each essential oil blend is tailored to your needs and determined by your date of birth. Inspired by the island, many treatments including massages, facials and scrubs using moisturizing coconut oil, warming vanilla oil, relaxing lavender oil, soothing chamomile and invigorating grapefruit oil. Each oil benefits the body in a variety of ways, be it to relax, revive or rejuvenate the body. Manicures, pedicures and waxing treatments are also available.

Toys can be purchased, material gifts given, but what makes a lasting impact is experiences, which last a lifetime. Alphonse Island is a sanctuary for the senses, a discovery for the mind, food for the soul. It is a place where guests are at one with the environment, where peace and tranquility reign. It is a destination like no other, it is paradise perfected and this enchanting island is just waiting to be explored!

For further information or to make a reservation, please visit www.alphonse-island.com

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JIM CAREY Brighton A month in images SUSSEX jimcareyphotography.co.uk

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A Creative Co-Working Space Where Brighton Businesses Can Thrive Barclays Brighton Eagle Lab on Preston Road is far from just being a co-working space. As well as desk and office rental, there’s also a Maker Space (with laser cutter, 3D printing, a tool room and more!) and support from local mentors. But above all of that, it’s a hub for connecting likeminded people who want to make their business dreams a reality and is the perfect home for Absolute Magazine, as our writer Shelley Welti explains…

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righton is officially the UK’s most entrepreneurial city, according to recent research carried out by Instant Offices.

But of course, living and working in Brighton, this doesn’t surprise us at all. The city is full of talented creatives and savvy businessminded residents, all doing things their way.

However, as we’re sure many business owners will tell you; starting, growing and keeping your business going can be hard work. There’s so much to consider and keep on top of – no matter how many business handbooks, inspiring events or coaching sessions you have, it’s a constant learning curve.

Over the last few years, though, co-working spaces have been popping up across the country to bring together businesses that otherwise would struggle to afford to rent premium city centre office space or sole traders that otherwise would be working (and perhaps feeling isolated) at home. These spaces aim to give local businesses a helpful community of other people who understand the highs (and sometimes, lows) of being your own boss and inspire them to develop their business.

Once such space that does this – and more – in Brighton, is the Barclays Eagle Lab, just off London Road in the centre of the city. One of twelve Eagle Labs in the UK, it was created to “support businesses to embrace new and emerging technologies critical to the success of businesses in the UK,” as well as seeing

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Barclays invest into the future of the London Road area.

“Eagle Labs are a community resource available for everybody,” Barclays explain.

“Whether you’re an inventor, an innovator or a mentor, our spaces are conducive to nurturing and growing your idea with support from Barclays and our network.

From accelerating UK business to enabling collaborative innovation and digital empowerment for all, our Labs are a space to create, innovate and grow.”

The Brighton Eagle Lab offers a variety of coworking desks and office options, depending on your needs, along with high speed Wi-Fi, refreshments, access to digital fabrication equipment, a fully kitted Maker Space and events space and mentor advice, from as little as £51.00 per month (for 30 hours).

With many creative businesses (including illustrators, designers and makers) calling the Eagle Lab home, the Maker Space and equipment – such as a 3D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, t-shirt and mug press and large format printing, plus a tool room – is unsurprisingly popular. The space, which can be pre-booked, is the perfect place to make your ideas come to life with prototyping and design experts, along with the newest technology at hand. And with a full set of woodworking and digital fabrication equipment, all your creative needs are covered.

While there’s plenty of useful tools for craftbased businesses, one of the most vital things the space offers all businesses is the connections with others. This doesn’t just mean for collaborations on future projects and service-swaps, but also for meeting likeminded people who understand the trials and tribulations of running your own company.

As well as the progressive community, the Lab also has mentors to offer advice and encourage you to progress your business in the right direction for you. There’s also regular networking events to attend too – after all, we’ve all heard the saying it’s not what you know, it’s who.

If you struggle getting to grips with technology, the Brighton Eagle Lab has technician support from an onsite team, so you’re in good hands and can get any queries sorted promptly. As one of their main aims when creating the Lab, the team are passionate about getting businesses clued up to technology that can help their companies to develop – so as ever-changing technology advances, there’s people on-hand to help.

If you’re looking for a co-working space where you can create, be innovative and grow your business, look no further than the Barclays Eagle Lab. Find Barclays Brighton Eagle Lab at 1 Preston Road, Brighton, BN1 4QE. www.labs.uk.barclays/locations/brighton

As one of their main aims when creating the Lab, the team are passionate about getting businesses clued up to technology that can help their companies to develop.

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