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THE CONNAUGHT ALL FIRED UP

Grand, theatrical dining is back on the menu thanks to the reopening of The Connaught Grill. Take in the spectacle that is Chef Jean-Georges’ open kitchen and watch as he and the team put their own spin on a range of classic dishes, from spit-roasted organic chicken and Welsh lamb chops to charcoal grilled turbot on the bone. The crowning glory is the Sunday roast, which is carved on a restored silver trolley from the original Connaught Grill and comes with its own dedicated knife menu. the-connaught.co.uk

The latest news and views from around and about our five hotels

A bigger splash

During those few weeks a year when the full heat of summer settles over the capital in a sun-drenched haze, there’s only one place to be: lounging beside the newly unveiled pool at The Berkeley. With its magnificent views over Hyde Park and the central London skyline, the rooftop spot is the perfect high-altitude retreat. Go for a cooling dip before settling down with a seasonal spritz from the bar to soak up summer’s halcyon days. the-berkeley.co.uk

Suite Talker

Lavish new suites offer room for guests looking to entertain or extend their stay. Joyce Wang (left) has created a modern interpretation of a London townhouse in both the Park Townhouse Suite and the Knightsbridge Townhouse Suite at The Berkeley. Rigby and Rigby (right) are responsible for a collection of rooms and suites at The Maybourne Riviera, which takes inspiration both from the hotel’s clifftop location as well as the juxtaposition of luxury and serenity. the-berkeley.co.uk / maybourneriviera.com

The Library Suite (above) at The Maybourne Beverly Hills has countless photography books to inspire your next holiday or screenplay (maybournebeverlyhills.com)

UP IN SMOKE

Whiskey and cigars make the finest of bedfellows, so it seems only fitting that The Maybourne Beverly Hills has recently unveiled an atmospheric new bar dedicated to these heady delights. The Cigar and Whiskey Bar boasts a carefully curated menu featuring an array of the world’s most coveted whiskeys alongside a selection of premium cigars, housed in a custom-made humidor. With a wood-wrapped bar and a peaceful outdoor terrace, it’s set to become one of the city’s most sought-after spots. maybournebeverlyhills.com

Kudos to The Connaught

Once again the impeccable team at Carlos Place have been recognised for their world class drink, food and service. Bravo to Hélène Darroze who was awarded her third Michelin star. Just a few steps away, the Connaught Bar was recognised for the Just a few steps away, the Connaught Bar was recognised for the second consecutive year as e World’s Best Bar. Cheers to the dream team - Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani, Maura Milia dream team - Agostino Perrone, Giorgio Bargiani, Maura Milia and all! the-connaught.co.uk

IN THE PINK

If you like your morning co ee with a side of candy oss pink, you’ll be more than familiar with e Connaught Patisserie, famed for brightening up Mount Street with its sweet treats. Nothing says summer quite like one of Nicolas Rouzaud’s seasonally-inspired gateaux, which are miniature works of art in their own right – who could forget his Royal Ascot chocolate masterpiece (complete with designer hats), or his strawberry- lled extravaganza for Wimbledon? the-connaught.co.uk

ARTIST AT WORK

Q&A Idris Khan OBE

You work in sculpture, painting and photography, do you have a preference? I never let a medium dictate my work. I try to be as open as possible. I nd the best one to t the idea and then go from there.

What are your current projects? A new body of work and also large new gesso paintings which will combine both musical notation and text. I’m hoping to show this at my exhibition at Château La Coste in Provence in July. Sean Kelly, my dealer in New York is opening a new gallery in LA in September. e gallery is going to be beautiful, and I am making new copper blue paintings, a colour that I have been perfecting over the past six months.

How has your work progressed throughout your career? I suppose all my work stems from the idea of repetition and collapsing layers to somehow describe the passage of time. It started in photography progressed to lm, large scale public sculptures and of course painting.

You once said that a lot of your work is about loss – does that still stand and where does this come from? Sadly we all go through loss at some point in our lives and when that happens one is more aware of traces or marks that are left behind. I went through a period of grief myself, and it sparked a series of works that I make by stamping overlayed words and music to create painterly compositions. Idris Khan’s work will be seen in September at the Sean Kelly, Los Angeles. skny.com

A stroll from The Berkeley, Roof Garden at Pantechnicon is a Nordic hangout, overseen by ace Finnish chef Jenny Warner (pantechnicon.com)

WATCH & LEARN

e market for vintage timepieces has never been hotter, but, as one might have guessed, Richard Mille likes to do things on his own terms. Ninety Mount Street, just around the corner from e Connaught, is the rst authorised, pre-owned dealership in Europe. A gallery-like boutique with a workshop and tourbillon trained watchmaker on site, one can purchase a pre-owned Richard Mille watch, safe in the knowledge of the piece’s authenticy - and that no inferior third party watchmaker has haphazardly attempted to repair it. ninetymountstreet.com