The Dorchester Collection has not been known for its rooftops, but baby in the portfolio, the 225-key The Lana, Dubai, has a beaut. Just under 400 feet above ground, the hotel’s rooftop includes a 150-ft infinity pool, and High Society lounge bar. Top hotel suites, at 3,400 sq ft each (two bedrooms), are on the 20th and 27th floors. The Dior Spa is on 29.
Still plenty of time to get a titfer for Royal Ascot, which starts on 18th June 2024. Lovely ladies, as well as Royal Enclosure men needing silk toppers, head to Royal Warrant hatters, Locke & Co, founded 1676 and still dressing VIPs. There are Locke-inspired afternoon teas at another venerable institution, Brown’s, London’s Rocco Forte Hotel. Stay over, and some bedrooms have wood milliners’ moulds, ideal for storing your hat.
New York’s Upper East Side is becoming global centre for the art business. Gagosian headquarters are at Madison/E 77th and Sotheby’s worldwide lands a block south, shortly. The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel, is part of the picture. Humorous images on the walls of its always-popular Bemelmans Bar are by Ludwig Bemelmans, brains of the Madeline books. The hotel’s lobby also displays eight-feet tall paintings, 2016 in Bemelmans style, by New York-based Italian Rudolf Stingel. And bought from Gagosian.
Decadent dining at an epitomal English country estate. Movie director Guy Ritchie, still often known as Mr Madonna, is a barbeque nut. He owns 1,134-acre Ashcombe Park in Wiltshire, where WildKitchen is the location for spectacular culinary pop-ups. Carousel London has arranged for Stockholm star Niklas Ekstedt to cook on 31st May and 1st June. Eighteen diners and bed and breakfast in a renovated farmhouse (Ritchie also own Ashcombe’s Gritchie Brewing Company and nearby Compton Abbas airfield).
As Summer comes, remember William Blaxton, the first named settler in Boston. Today, survey the city, the Charles River and Cambridge, from the 17th floor Sky Lounge of the sumptuous Raffles Boston. Add to the mood with a Raffles-special Singapore Sling of juniper-infused Boston-distilled Blind Duck Gin. A Long Bar, George Mendes’ memorable Portuguese tastes, a two-floor speakeasy, a Guerlain Spa and Europe-trained empathetic butlers add to the luxury. There’s barely time for tea.