HOTEL CONFIDENTIAL The chef and food writer tells Lisa Grainger about six hotels with recipes for success
60 THOMPSON, NEW YORK
place is really central, with a great bar and Thai restaurant.
Plus, the rooms are a good size and modern. And itfun; the DJ attracts a young crowd to the bar (you wouldngo if you were over 50) and cocktails are served late into the night.’www.thompsonhotels.com.
Doubles from $495
ANSE CHASTANET RESORT, ST LUCIA is an old-school Caribbean hotel —not very designer, but comfy. The room terraces open onto the forest, and the new rooms have infinity pools. There is fishing (which suits me) and diving (which doesn t). The Caribbean isn t somewhere you go for the food, though. www.ansechastanet.com. Doubles from US$390
THE PIG, HAMPSHIRE
One of my proteges, James Golding, is the chef here; I taught him well. He cooks lots of ingredients he has foraged or shot himself. The rooms are great, too: simple, unfussy and homely. The hotel is in the middle of the New Forest, so you can step outside and keep walking; itgreat for a weekend escape from London.’www.thepighotel.co.uk. Doubles from ?125
LA COLOMBE D, FRANCE
owners of this restaurant-turned-hotel in Saint-Paul de Vence have always collected art, so it s everywhere, even by the pool. Itwonderfully old-fashioned and in the heart of the village, with traditional rooms and OK food. But it is hellish to get a reservation.’www.la-colombedor.com. Doubles from €250
THE ROOKERY, LONDON
hotel has so much character it feels 100 years old, but with all the modern comforts. Although thereno restaurant, they serve a good breakfast; and itright by Smithfield Market, with good places to eat nearby such as my restaurant, Vinoteca, Club Gascon and St John.’www.rookeryhotel.com. Doubles from ?282
ES CUCONS, IBIZA
The best thing about this hotel is that it s inland, so you can escape the English tourists. You re in the country, surrounded by gardens with a pool, but near secluded beaches. It feels very relaxed; the rooms are simple and well designed, and the food s good, too. www.escucons.com. Doubles from €195
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