Tag Archives: LUXURY

Villa Laura Cortona Tuscany

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Villa Arrighi consists of a watchtower with an adjoining fortified farmhouse and has a commanding view towards Tuscany and all along the Niccone Valley. It was meticulously restored in 2004 and now consists of three buildings: the main house, guest cottage and bread oven. The imposing L-shaped main house consisting of the former fortified farmhouse and watchtower, is approached through the entrance gates, past the guest cottage, up a short drive lined with holm oaks and the mature garden planted with ancient olive trees and Mediterranean plants.

Villa Laura and its accompanying farmhouse have recently undergone a four-year restoration. The villa attracted fame when it featured as Villa Bramasole in the 2003 film ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ based on Frances Mayes’ 1996 memoir of the same name.

Originally built in the early 16th century, the property comprises two buildings; the main yellow villa with green shutters and the adjacent farmhouse. Both have been restored to the highest standards, all the while respecting Tuscan traditions and using the expertise of local artisans.

The kitchens and bathrooms are custom-built by local craftsmen using marble and original stone where possible. All of the original terracotta floors have been lifted, cleaned, and re-laid. Traditional Tuscan Busatti fabrics can be seen throughout, alongside hand painted Capo di Monte antique wall lights and Baccarat crystal chandeliers. Beds are largely wrought-iron four-posters made by a blacksmith in nearby Spello. All bedding is top of the line linen.

The landscaping at Villa Laura has been thoughtfully done, including an extensive rose garden surrounding the travertine stone swimming pool, Jacuzzi (the house is, after all, owned by the Jacuzzi family), and garden fountain.

The villa and farmhouse sleep up to 20 guests (ten couples). Air-conditioning, under floor heating and Wi-Fi throughout. The Villa (6000 ft 2 on 3 floors, sleeps 10)

Ground floor — lower entrance: Sitting room; opens to the limonaia courtyard Vaulted TV room with plasma screen, DVD & Sky; opens onto the limonaia courtyard

Billiard & music room with plasma screen & large open fire

Guest WC Staff laundry room Private chapel

Main floor — upper entrance (up 5 steps, sleeps 2)

Entrance hall Living room

Dining room with balcony, open fire and large dining table

State-of-the-art kitchen with marble countertop island, gas stove, microwave and DeLonghi espresso machine

Bedroom with en-suite bathroom in travertine (double sink & shower over tub) WC Entrance to the private balcony overlooking the family chapel

 Top floor (sleeps 8):

Double bedroom with view over countryside; en suite bathroom (double sink & shower)

2 double bedrooms with views over garden to farmhouse; en suite bathroom (double sink and shower over tub) Master bedroom with sitting area, views to castle and countryside; en suite bathroom (shower over tub)

The Farmhouse (4000 ft2 on 2 floors, sleeps 8)

Ground floor: Study with desk and fax machine

Living /sitting room with wood burner and library

Dining room

Kitchen Wood-burning pizza oven (forno al legno) Wine cellar

 Second floor (sleeps 8) 1 double bedrooms; en suite bathroom (shower-room)

2 double bedrooms; en suite bathroom (shower over bathtub)

1 twin bedroom; en suite bathroom (shower-room)

The Garden Swimming pool (16 x 32 ft) with diving board Jacuzzi (seating for 8)

Original 17th century cistern surrounded by columns and flowers Medici wild garden – woods with winding pathways, ancient stone bench and pond

Parking lot Rose garden with fountain Olive grove

Limonaia courtyard with seating under a vine-clad iron pergola

Outdoor ping-pong table Boules (bocce) court Hammock Security gates

The limonaia Suite Independent Suite with private terrace with lake-view. No air conditioning

SERVICES INCLUDED IN RENTAL COST

Welcome hamper 3- hour daily cleaning Weekly linen, towel and bathrobe changing) Electricity & heating

SERVICES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST Professional chef to prepare breakfast, lunch, apéritivo or dinner Grocery shopping Restaurant reservations Extra cleaning and linen changes Excursions – wine tasting, horse riding, cooking lessons, local history and art tours, Pilates, Yoga or Tai Chi in the grounds Babysitting · Massages and spa treatments (there is a spa hotel opposite Villa Laura)

Location

Cortona Lake Trasimeno Perugia Assisi Siena Florence

2km (4 mins drive / 15 minute walk) 12km (20 mins) 45 km (45mins) 70 km (1hr)

75 km (1hr 10mins) 120km (1hr 20mins)

 

Hotel Hopping London – Dorchester Collection

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The Dorchester Collection in London offer the best of both worlds, classic and contemporary. In London, The Dorchester in the heart of Mayfair is the preferred hotel of British Society, exuding a 1930’s glamour with a bit of a contemporary edge. Olde England style and elegance, exceptional service, many of the rooms overlook Hyde Park.

Beautifully designed rooms and suites plus several options for excellent dining: Alain Ducasse, China Tang, the Grill and The Promenade. China Tang, Conceived by Sir David Tang, the founder of China Clubs in Hong Kong, Peking and Singapore, as well as the life-style brand, “Shanghai Tang”, China Tang offers some of the best and most authentic Cantonese food outside China. The rave reviews won by the food have been matched by the sumptuous interior, which is designed to evoke a romantic sense of the art deco of the Thirties. Step down into this world and you are transported to a classic China Club, I loved it!
The Grill- oh so British!

 

China Tang, art deco thirties
The Promenade and The Grill are exceptionally British in decor and dining, each a classic inherently exuding charm and luxury. Alain Ducasse, a separate piece will be forthcoming.
Directly across the garden square is 45 Park Lane, where art meets contemporary style. An art deco gem, opened in 2011 together with Wolfgang Puck’s first European venture CUT at 45 Park Lane. Luxurious and contemporary interiors by New York based designer, Thierry Despont, provide a club-like feel. The chic hotel offers London’s
in-crowd and the most seasoned of jet setters a smart but discreet hotel from which to enjoy London. Each of the spacious 45 rooms and suites offer views of Hyde Park, as does a spectacular Penthouse Suite featuring a spacious balcony with panoramic views over Hyde Park and Mayfair.

Bar 45- jazzy, hip elegant!

From its sleek, iconic architecture to its cosmopolitan interiors, 45 Park Lane is a distinctly modern hotel with a genuine sense of vitality. Bar 45, a dynamic space buzzing with life and light and features a black granite bar with a striking back lit amber glass front and boasts the largest selection of American wines in the UK. A bar menu of ‘Rough CUTS’ by Wolfgang Puck includes Mini Kobe Sliders, the bar is a hopping lively space- excellent jazz and a sophisticated clientele.The interior of the hotel celebrates the unique creative energy of London, with striking contemporary artworks displayed throughout the public areas and in every room and suite. The collection includes paintings and unique prints by such luminaries as Sir Peter Blake, Christian Furr, Brendan Neiland, Bruce McClean, and Damien Hirst.

The walls of CUT at 45 Park Lane are decorated with limited edition diamond dust screen-prints from Hirst’s Psalms series, with their kaleidoscopic butterfly festooned compositions providing a feast for the eye…So there you have it:  Dorchester Collection London, something for everyone; I loved the styling at 45 Park Lane plus I enjoyed crossing the square for an authentic captivating classic London panache at The Dorchester- stay at both!