High in the Sky

One way to truly see the sights of a city is from high up in the sky. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the best places from which to take in spectacular views of 10 of our favourites.

Barcelona
The Christopher Columbus monument stands tall at the bottom of the city’s bustling Las Ramblas, not far from the sea, inviting visitors to ascend to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the Catalan capital and Cataluña’s coastline. Or, head up one of the towers of the renowned Sagrada Família or to the rooftop terrace of Casa Milà.

Berlin
On a trip to the German capital, be sure to rise to the top of the Fernsehturm, the city’s TV Tower. Have a drink or snack in the revolving restaurant whilst enjoying a 360º vista of Berlin’s magnificent monuments.

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Cupcake Crazy

A craze that has taken the world by storm is the cupcake – and with good reason! Small but perfectly formed, the cupcake was created as an individual serving, designed to bring a little piece of joy to a person’s day. Ideally served with a cup of tea or coffee, or a hot chocolate for those with a real sweet tooth, it’s the ideal treat – morning, noon or night!

They do say, after all, that the best things come in small packages…

Here’s our pick of the best places to enjoy a perfectly-sized piece of deliciousness! Continue reading

Spin Under the Stars

The winter months are here, and what better way to celebrate the holidays than with a whirl around an outdoor ice rink! From the dazzling Somerset House in London to the historic Wollman in New York, we’ve compiled the most attractive settings for a truly magical evening spin under the stars…

London

Premier jeweller, Tiffany & Co, is back to support the world’s most glamorous rink at the enchanting Somerset House in Covent Garden. Perfect for adults and children alike, parents can enjoy a glass of champagne whilst children are entertained by skating penguins, magical storytelling under the Tiffany Tree or a skating lesson with a prima ballerina. If you’re looking for something a bit different to the bars of Mayfair and Chelsea, try open-air clubbing on the ice starting at 10:30pm and skate the night away to the sound of international DJs.  Stay at the luxurious One Aldwych Hotel, just a stone’s throw away, where you can warm up with a glass of mulled wine in the Lobby Bar.

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A Fashionable Stay in New York

Fashionistas descended on New York in their Louboutins and Jimmy Choos this month as designers debuted their Spring/Summer 2012 ready-to-wear collections at New York Fashion Week.

W Hotels were involved in Fashion Week for the 13th year in a row, once again engaging with the vibrant world of fashion. Hotel industry innovators, the company boasts 14 properties in some of the most exciting cities in the world, combining fashion, music, art and food to offer a truly luxurious lifestyle experience. It’s no surprise that W Hotels sponsored shows by Monique Pean, Bibhu Mohaptra, Sophie Theallet and Rebecca Moses, which took place at the Lincoln Centre, the new location for Fashion Week. Continue reading

New York, New York

We recently asked our loyal Facebook fans to name the best city in the world. Thank you to everyone who answered – the answers came pouring in! There was one clear winner – the one and only Big Apple!

Its unique energy and character, its architecture, inimitable, magical atmosphere and the fact that it’s a city that simply has it all, were just a few of the reasons given to back up the assertion that New York was worthy of this accolade.

Immortalised in melodies, from the classic ‘New York, New York’ to the more modern ‘Empire State of Mind’, the city has been the inspiration for more than a few songs. Alicia Keys sang that the “streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you”, whilst Frank Sinatra simply wanted to “wake up in that city that doesn’t sleep”. He’s not the only one!

Sights to see

Standing tall on New York’s awe-inspiring skyline, the Empire State Building is currently the tallest building in the city, reaching up 1,250 feet towards the sky. First opened to the public in 1931, the viewing observatories on the 86th and 102nd floors welcome four million annual visitors. The instantly recognisable monument has been featured in a plethora of films, from romantic comedies such as When Harry Met Sally to classics like An Affair to Remember. Stay just around the corner at The Setai Fifth Avenue or Hotel Roger Williams and recreate your own magical moment! Continue reading