April 30th, 2011
Springtime Song
This post offers a photo-medley of a few things, both local and far-flung, that have me awfully excited for hotel-hopping this Spring!
TUPLIPS=SPRING
1. Hotel Rooftop Bars – It’s that blessed time of year again when the city-revelers come outside to imbibe, often congregating in elevated, al-fresco spaces. And although I’ve moved out of New York City to the ‘burbs, I still look forward to frequenting various sky-gazing locales as often as possible this Spring both in New York and around the Globe. As a result, I often choose my hotel stays based on their outdoor offerings. I find it particularly beneficial when combating jet-lag. A pleasant terrace, from which to lap up the sunshine and fresh air, can work wonders on the dull ache of tiredness.
Pictured below are three urban terraces I thoroughly enjoyed during my visit and highly recommend to you all. Now that the weather has arrived, get going!
They’re awaiting your drink order.

NYC's Surrey Hotel, located on the Upper East Side, has an exclusive, guest and friends-of only, invite list. Oh how deliciously New York.

Rome's Hotel Raphael (a Relais & Chateaux member) has one of my favorite terraces in all of Rome. I am working to get there next month and will hopefully post personal pix soon.

Berlin's Hotel de Rome (see my review by searching the site) has a rooftop bar that is not only elegant but offers the perfect respite after a long day of museum hopping
2. Garden Tours One of the best brooke hogan pokies places in the world to visit fresh Spring Gardens is England. My latest book; England’s Hideaways features many of the country’s most beautiful Hotel Gardens, which offer the ideal backdrop for a springtime stroll. Pictured below are photos from the book featuring a few of the more memorable gardens from the book. Each offer a splendid, fragrant walk where green thumbs will be making furious mental notes.
The magnificent Rose pergola at Ston Easton Park

The prized gardens of Rosemary Verey at Barnsley House

Whatley Manor's boxwood plantings
3. Bike Riding Ever since I spent a brief 9 months living in Amsterdam, I’ve become hooked on biking as the preferred mode of short-distance transportation. While the Dutchies do it year-round, (you should have seen me struggle in the ice and snow!), I prefer the warm air and fresh smells of Spring to greet me as I pedal. As a result, I love it when hotels offer complimentary bikes. Once again, it’s an effectual and pleasant method of battling jet lag, while simultaneously offering a fun way of familiarizing yourself with your whereabouts. For me, biking on a cruiser-style bike produces a fabulous inner-child release, which always feels like vacation.
Pictured below are some of my favorite hotels who offer complimentary bikes.

Swedish, vintage bikes at Whatley Manor in England

NYC's Bowery Hotel offers branded red bikes to take advantage of the city's new bike lanes

Amsterdam's The Dylan has some of the more attractive 'fiesten' in the city