OF ALL THE BARS…

Think of the 20th century’s most iconic bar and Humphrey Bogart’s Casablanca ‘gin joint’ will be up there – along with greats like Harry’s Bar, Raffles and El Floridita. The difference, clearly is that Rick’s Café Americain was merely a fleeting presence on a 1942 Warner Brothers soundstage, its irresistible combination of classic cocktails and the principled non-conformity of its eponymous proprietor feels modern to this day. Rick’s at The Bristol is a brand-new space, inspired by the glamour of a member’s club in a far-flung destination and designed to capture its namesake’s spirit, without aping its look and feel. Designed in natural materials around hand-woven rattan lighting, Rick’s features double-height ceilings, an open fire, outdoor terrace and an abundance of greenery. Cocktails are impeccable, wines, spirits and local pours are carefully chosen, and the evening sharing plates utilise the best of seasonal, regional produce. Guests and visitors come through the main entrance in Narrow Quay, to join us in celebrating all the wonderful libations and provender this part of the world has to offer.

Opening hours: Wednesday 4-11pm, Thursday 4pm-12am, Friday 12pm-12am, Saturday 10am12am, Sunday 10am-5.30pm. ricksbarbristol.com

Suite Elite

With over 20 years in the business, Elite Traveler is the self-professed ‘marketleading guide and curator of the global luxury lifestyle of UHNW individuals’, and purveyor of the best in show for luxury travel. So, we are delighted to announce that in 2023 Elite Traveler has named The Penthouse Level at The Dupont Circle in its soughtafter listing of global top 100 suites, with special mentions for sustainability, service and luxury. Newly refurbished and featuring 12 exclusive suites, The Penthouse Level offers unparalleled views of D.C., via vast windows and outside terraces, with the 3,000 square foot, two-bedroom Grand Penthouse Suite, complete with heated terraces, marble floors and epic views the pinnacle. Find out more, doylecollection.com/hotels/ the-dupont-circle-hotel/suites

All The Women

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Fine Dining

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Tea For All

You can judge a London hotel by the quality of its Afternoon Tea – everybody else does! Just one reason we felt it was high time to reintroduce Afternoon Tea at The Marylebone, bringing a new twist of fabulousness to the capital’s tea scene. Served in the rarefied surroundings of The Cocktail Bar (you’ll sit cheek by jowl with some of the West End’s best bartenders, as well as a mighty fine champagne and wine list), the new Tea is an essay in deliciousness, with impeccable brews, fine china, perfect sandwiches, heavenly cakes, cloud-like scones and all the trimmings. Tea is served Thursdays-Saturdays. Enjoy! doylecollection.com/hotels/ the-marylebone-hotel/dining/ afternoontea

A Night At The Donmar

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To mark International Women’s Day (8th March, 2023), we’re delighted to announce the return of The Doyle Collection Headshot Initiative, an annual event celebrating women in business. We’re inviting women to come into selected Doyle Collection hotels to be shot by a female professional photographer giving them images to use on their websites, socials and in PR, as they build their business profiles. All money raised will be donated to women’scharities and foundations – to be announced by region nearer the date. At the time of going to press we’re still firming up details, destinations and the photographers themselves, so keep an eye on our socials. doylecollection.com

Connected as it is to Croke Park Stadium, home of Gaelic Football, we have a divine new reason to visit The Croke Park’s fine reimagined restaurant, The Hawthorn. It’s comfortable, relaxed, supremely luxurious and opening in April 2023 - but even with an opulent refurb, the food is emphatically the star. Championing all things local – the seafood for which Ireland is globally renowned alongside seasonal veg and meat that’s taking one short step from farm to fork, cooked to perfection, the menu offers a modern twist on the classic bistro. It’s hearty, delicious fare for the discerning, accompanied by an impeccably curated list of fine organic and vegan-friendly wines. Open Friday to Sunday for evening dining and private daytime events on the adjoining terrace. doylecollection. com/hotels/the-croke-park-hotel/dining/the-hawthorn

The Donmar Warehouse in Seven Dials, Covent Garden, is one of London’s most exciting theatres and, although its reputation as a magnet for some of the world’s biggest stars (Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen and Kit Harrington, to name just a few) may precede it, regulars go for the award-winning productions. Regardless, it’s always one of the hottest tickets in town so we’re delighted to partner with the Donmar in a Suite Package on offer until the end of 2023 and including a night for two in a suite at The Bloomsbury, two tickets to the Donmar Warehouse, a three-course dinner with complimentary glass of champagne and breakfast in the morning. doylecollection.com/hotels/ the-bloomsbury-hotel/ packages/a-night-at-thedonmar

MEET THE MAESTRO Michael Sammour, new Chef at The Dupont Circle

At The Kensington we’ve always been proud of our affiliation with the Royal Albert Hall and are offering our guests some of London’s most sought-after tickets for what promises to be unforgettable nights out. While 2023 offers all the highlights you’d expect, we’re thrilled that this season will feature the return of Cirque Du Soleil – unarguably the world’s most exciting circus/dance/acrobatic hybrid - or, as they call it, ‘contemporary circus’. To celebrate, we’ve created a pre-theatre menu with a cocktail list inspired by Cirque du Soleil (our Cabinet of Curiosities menu), and three courses served in plenty of time for overture and beginners at the nearby Albert Hall. Priced at £30 for two courses and £35 for three, find out more at townhousekensington. com

GREEN DAY, 17TH MARCH

For a Scots or Welsh born fourth century Brit of Roman parentage named Maewyn Succat, St Patrick (he took the name Patricius on becoming a priest) has had quite the legacy. Kidnapped at 16, he was held captive in Ireland for six years, after which he managed to escape – having become a devout Christian. After 15 years’ religious training, an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. As an Irish speaker and one familiar with the country’s nature-based pagan beliefs, Patrick was smart enough to weave the traditions of the day (taking the shamrock as his emblem) into the Christian faith and spread it by engaging with the people. Today, St Patrick’s Day is marked by hundreds of millions of people all over the world, with parades, parties and celebrations of all kinds. We will be celebrating at The Westbury, The Bloomsbury and The Dupont Circle, while every one of our cities hosts their own parades and events. Find out more doylecollection.com.

When your hotel restaurant is a DC institution and garnerer of many the fine review, a new chef is big news. But we’re especially excited to introduce Chef Michael Sammour, whose career has taken in some of the southern States most famous kitchens and destinations.

After studying at the rigorous Le Cordon Bleu in Pittsburgh, he started his career in the Sunshine State at The Ritz Carlton before moving onto The Ritz South Beach, Miami and the Waldorf Astoria in Boca Raton. He also Executive Chef’d at Marvel Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, catering to a variety of superheroes.

We took a minute to quiz Michael Sammour himself, but like all good chef interviews, this is all we could carve from his dawn-to-dawn schedule…

The Little Museum Of Dublin

One of the city’s best loved, this is the place to learn about the history of Dublin, or, as the Sunday Telegraph put it, “One of my favourite attractions is the Little Museum of Dublin, a gem of a place housed in a beautiful Georgian townhouse on the north side of St Stephen’s Green, and filled with material and items, which tell a vivid story of twentieth-century Dublin. This is history at its most captivating and human”. With wonderful expert story tellers (AKA guides) to bring times past to life, via museum tours and walking tours of the immediate area, as well as exhibits, it’s a unique celebration of what being a Dubliner is all about. littlemuseum.ie

AN ADVENTURER’S TEA

Our Around the World Afternoon Tea, inspired by 80 days in the life of one (fictional) Phileas Fogg is heading for pastures new, moving from the flavours of London, Paris, Rome and Cairo to the further-flung climes of Hong Kong, Yemen, Singapore and India. The Tea itself will marry some of the wonderfully exotic flavours and tastes into the classic menu that has made Town House at The Kensington something of an afternoon destination and we look forward to an unveiling for early spring (we’re hearing some pretty delicious rumours). Afternoon Tea cocktails, too, will be something of a talking point, with spicy chai, clean green tea, fruity lychee, deep wine syrup and tangy Umeshu shaken, not stirred. townhousekensington.com/afternoon-tea

Chef Michael’s father was also a chef, but even though Sammour grew up around kitchens he very sensibly waited until completing his training before taking his first professional role. Working his way up at The Ritz Carlton, Chef Michael carved out a niche for himself as a highly inventive chef forever experimenting.

Naturally, Chef Michael comes with a restaurant pedigree that’s absolutely in keeping with the super-high standards of the D.C. restaurant scene - but we’re still trying in vain to get some of those Marvel stories out of him…doylecollection. com/hotels/the-dupont-circlehotel/bars-restaurants/thepembroke

The Abbey Theatre

Further north, on the other side of the Liffey you’ll find The Abbey – the national theatre of Ireland, one of its leading cultural institutions, and a hot ticket almost every week of the year. A vibrant showcase for Irish writers, directors and producers, The Abbey Theatre was founded by WB Yates and one Lady Gregory and, since it opened in 1904 has consistently lived up to its founding manifesto, “to bring upon the stage the deeper emotions of Ireland”. abbeytheatre.ie

Trinity College Dublin builds on ancient origins to offer one of the best modern educations in the world. It’s Ireland’s oldest and best-known university, with stunning architecture, beautiful grounds and one of the world’s most extraordinary libraries (its lofty shelves laden with ancient texts only reachable by storeys of sliding stepladders and immortalised in many a film). Home to The Book Of Kells, a priceless 9th Century copy of the New Testament, handwritten and illuminated by monks, guided walking tours of university grounds and the library (go see said Book Of Kells) are bookable daily, and the college is just five minutes’ walk from The Westbury. tcd.ie

ST STEPHEN’S GREEN

If you can tear yourself away from the rather excellent shopping nearby and head south instead, you’ll be rewarded with an oasis of quintessential city park, with ornamental planting, trees, benches and water features – perfect for getting away from it all in the heart of the city. Named after a 13th century church, St Stephen’s Green’s 21st century tranquillity belies its sometimes tumultuous history – we recommend a guided walk to tell the full story. Or you can find a potted history here ststephensgreenpark.ie

Bristol Fashion

Following a reimagining of the lobby, The River Lounge and The River Grille and the creation of a brand new cocktail bar, Rick’s, The Bristol is looking far more than simply shipshape

Anyone who has ever straightened tie, smoothed hair or checked teeth for lipstick just before a meeting knows that first impressions count – and it’s a fact certified in numbers. According to the experts, businesses have about seven seconds to make a good impression, whereas with people we’re a little more generous, gifting an actual human up to 30 seconds to be memorable for the right reasons.

So, entrances make a difference. The lobby at The Bristol has always walked that fine line between being lofty yet welcoming, spacious yet cosy. And in its newest incarnation, inspired by the look and feel of a 1930s Art Deco Ocean liner (a nod to the city’s eight or so centuries of heritage as a global port, as well as one of our favourite decades in design) we think the new space feels really rather fabulous.

Lit by the diffused illumination of an impossibly handsome vintage Murano chandelier (sourced in London, like a delightful rescue puppy, it was originally commissioned for a project that changed direction, leaving it brand new but in search of a forever home) a sweeping flight of marble stairs with chrome balustrade and mirrored walls draw the eye upward, while the luxe comfort of deep upholstery in soft leather and mohair, and dark wood furniture in The Jessop Lounge invite one to linger.

The upholstery in both The Jessop and The River Lounge is a story in itself. Our previous chairs and couches were beautifully crafted to last, but needed refreshing, so we took them to the experts (the lovely Julie in our case) at family-run Bristol Upholstery and they worked their magic reupholstering in a symphony of blush pink and mauves.

Above Soft light from the vintage Murano chandelier illuminates the lofty lobby while stairs lead up to The Jessop Lounge.

Right The art of reupholstery alongside, well, actual fine art. bristolupholstery.co.uk

Like a Parisian brasserie by the shimmering Seine, the light-filled, Manila palm-lined conservatory, The River Grille brings destination dining to Bristol’s harbourside

For The Bristol, location has always been a big draw - there are few better in the city than right beside the water in this once busy dock now buzzing with arts, culture and night life, as working warehouses have been converted for anybody who wants to experience a multicultural city at its best. In The River Grille, opening right onto the water, diners enjoy floor to ceiling windows that don’t just overlook the waters, but also line the roof, giving endless sight of sun, sky and, by night, moon and stars.

The space is bright and light in the day and warm and atmospheric at night, perfect for diners enjoying the delicious modern European cuisine including fine steaks from the Josper Grill, legendary Sunday roasts and delicious Afternoon Teas. Wooden floors are softened with cushioned dark rattan chairs, giving a country club feel, completed with custom wood lamps hanging high in the ceiling.

On the mezzanine above, The River Lounge overlooks The River Grille, and is flooded in soft light. It features a grand piano and, with its timber-edged monochrome checkerboard carpet, reupholstered seating, butter-soft leather barstools and gorgeous blush rose quartz bar, it is a really cosy, comfortable space. It’s buzzy but chilled and atmospheric, the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or a bottle of wine with a sharing board of West Country cheeses.

Following the refurbishment of The River Grill and The River Lounge, a brand-new bar, Rick’s, is opening in the space next door. Rick’s is a must-visit new addition to the Bristol bar scene, so watch this space as we’re working towards an opening date in early spring.