Travel

Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, Bangalore
Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, Bangalore

If you want a taste of real India then a visit to the Mavalli Tiffin rooms is not to be missed. After a short escape from the traffic noise by strolling through Lal Bagh park, exit at the northern end. Praying to whoever is your God, take care when crossing the road and head for

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Moti Mahal Restaurant, Covent Garden, London
Moti Mahal Restaurant, Covent Garden, London

Conveniently placed in Covent Garden, Moti Mahal Restaurant, as well as being a possible choice for lunchtime meet-ups, is also an ideal option for a theatre supper.   This smart, modern restaurant is five years old and the London outpost of its big older brother established in Delhi in 1959.   I like restaurants with

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Mr Thomas Chop House, Manchester
Mr Thomas Chop House, Manchester

Mr Thomas’s Chop House claims to be the oldest Victorian example of a restaurant (or chop house) in Manchester and certainly the interior appearance of dark wooden settles, green tiled walls, attractive black and white chequerboard floor and glass hanging light shades, does little to cast doubt on this.   So many of these “themed”

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Masala Klub at the Taj West End, Bangalore
Masala Klub at the Taj West End, Bangalore

Overlooking the rear gardens of the Taj West End Hotel in Bangalore and based in the main building, the contemporary Masala Klub could not be more different from your average Indian restaurant.    Forget chicken tikka masala and heavy, greasy food; here one can enjoy intense flavours without the calories that normally accompany them. 1930’s-style

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Lord Milner, Belgravia, London
Lord Milner, Belgravia, London

A small townhouse hotel with 11 rooms, the Lord Milner is tucked away from the main roads, yet is a mere five minute walk from the Victoria main line train and tube station.   Each of the Lord Milner’s rooms is different. The Empire Room has a large four poster bed with an old sea chest, an antique-style

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The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore
The Leela Palace Kempinski, Bangalore

As your car swings off the busy Old Airport Road and up to The Leela Palace, Bangalore – towering like a pink fairy tale castle above the chaos that sits below – you feel as if you are entering a different world.  An ant in a house of giants, the tall marble pillars dwarf you.  Huge

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Grayshott Spa – the Hotel, Surrey
Grayshott Spa – the Hotel, Surrey

Grayshott Spa is situated in 47 acres of Surrey countryside, surrounded by National Trust land.  With new owners in 2005, it’s very much a spa with hotel rather than a hotel that offers a spa, as so many imitators do.   Grayshott’s a smart, friendly place and not a bit stuffy.  The first thing that

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Grayshott Spa, Surrey
Grayshott Spa, Surrey

I’ve been to so many places that pretend to be spas.  Grayshott Spa in Surrey is the real deal.   There is a chill out area where you help yourself to limitless tea and coffee.  As well as the spa proper’s treatment rooms, there is a steam room, two steam pods and plunge pool.  Changing

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Dorchester Hotel, London
Dorchester Hotel, London

Everything you have ever heard about The Dorchester Hotel, London is true – it is one of those places that does live up to the hype. It’s just across the road from Hyde Park (you may request a room overlooking it) and a mere 10 minute walk to Oxford Street.   But it’s much more

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The Spa at the Dorchester Hotel, London
The Spa at the Dorchester Hotel, London

Recently refurbished, the spa at the Dorchester may lack a swimming pool, but in all other respects, it’s a lovely place to unwind. I had had a wonderful facial here before and was keen to see whether the new set-up would be as good.   Situated in the basement of the hotel, if you are

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Northcote Manor Hotel, near Blackburn
Northcote Manor Hotel, near Blackburn

Northcote Manor hotel, near Blackburn is a lovely surprise.  Country House makes it sound posh and pretentious; it’s not.  It’s a small privately run hotel in an unfashionable part of Lancashire, set in beautiful countryside.   Walk in on a cold winter’s day, just before Christmas, and you will be greeted with a brightly lit

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