Lollypop Lollypop
C-Type photograph
150 x 114 cm
2011

Until 9 March

Sarah Maple, It’s a Girl

Toying provocatively with culture, feminism and religion, Sarah Maple – brought up as a Muslim by parents of mixed cultures and religions – fearlessly explores the circumstances of living as a Muslim woman in modern British society. Showcasing a selection of her feisty and often brilliant works over the next month, It’s a Girl opens at Shoreditch’s Aubin Gallery today.

Sarah Maple, It’s a Girl at The Aubin Gallery, 64-66 Redchurch Street, London, E2 7DP; Running until 9th March.

Until Mid March

The Cosmopolitan’s Pop-Up Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas

OK, we tried, and we failed. Here’s ‘token Valentine’s Day feature #1′… One of The Strip’s more stylish residences, The Cosmopolitan, are celebrating the season of love with a very Vegas kinda pop-up. Say hello to the pop-up wedding chapel. Offering a tongue-in-cheek twist to the traditional Sin City nuptials – The Cosmopolitan welcome faux-weddings, and even pet-weddings. We’re really hoping that’s two pets getting married, but then this is Vegas…

Pop-Up Wedding Chapel at The Cosmopolitan, 3708 Las Vegas Boulevard South; Running until Mid March. Open Sunday to Wednesday 12:00pm – 10:00pm and Thursday to Saturday 12:00pm – 12:00am

11 February – 14 February

Pop-Up Cannoli Counter, The Foundry

Cannoli – “irresistibly crunchy pastry curls filled with a rich and airy ricotta cream filling” – are a classic Sicilian Carnival delicacy that date back to the 17th-century. Camden’s very stylish The Foundry are bucking the traditional Valentine’s schmaltz and declaring their own love for these traditional pastries with the Pop-Up Cannoli Counter. Chocolate Chilli cannolo – made with fresh chilli peppers, grown at the venue – sound delightful enough for us to fall in love at first bite.

Pop-Up Cannoli Counter at The Foundry, 3-7 Delancey Street, London, NW1 7N; Running 11th – 14th February. Book now to experience their Valentine’s Day spectacle and enjoy a three course Sicilian feast featuring the Cannoli menu and live jazz

Image courtesy of The Third Line and The Artist

Until 8 March

Elsewhen by Ala Ebtekar

Born in the US to Persian-Iranian parents, Ala Ebtekar explores the ancient mysticism of his culture’s history – fusing it with concepts of time travel, science fiction and the future. His otherworldly imaginations of the present day, clashing with mythology, comprise this solo show at Dubai’s The Third Line gallery.

Elsewhen by Ala Ebtekar at The Third Line Gallery, Al Quaz 3, PO Box 72036, Dubai, UAE; Running until 8th March. Open Saturday to Thursday 10:00am – 7:00pm

Limited Period

The Verbena Spa at Feversham Arms Hotel

‘Cupid’s Retreat’, ‘Valentine’s Package’, blah, blah… Yep, it’s the same as usual – repackaged with a shiny non-anatomical heart and a cherub with a crossbow. But, if you want to treat Mrs, or Mr (or Mistress, for that matter), then pure, heavenly bliss – at a get-away-from-it-all retreat – doesn’t come much better than at this swanky North Yorkshire spa hotel.

Cupid’s Retreat Valentines Package at The Verbena Spa, Feversham Arms Hotel, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5AG; Available for a limited period although there are alternative packages available at all times

Kris (Graffiti Map),
graphite and ink on cut handmade paper,
44×58″, 2011

Until 17 March

Ben Durham, Found Graffiti

LA’s Country Club present their 2nd Chicago exhibition – in collaboration with Andrew Rafacz Gallery – a curious body of work from American artist Ben Durham. Turning very low-brow street art – the graffiti in public toilets, for example – into very high-brow pieces of conceptual art, Durham uses stained glass and graphite and pen, on handmade paper, for his series of artworks and installations. Creating elegant and beautiful works from such primitive – almost tribal – forms of self-expression, Ben Durham’s Found Graffiti is an interesting study in art, but also psychology and society.

Ben Durham, Found Graffiti at Country Club, 835 W. Washington Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Chicago, 60607; Running until March 17th

Images © David Pearson

Until 15 April

Louis Ghost Chair, Bath

Iconic designs rarely deserve the tag ‘iconic’. In fact, ‘iconic’ – and we’re certainly guilty of this – is one of the most overused adjectives of our times. One such design that does warrant this misused label, however, is the unquestionably ‘iconic’ Louis XV armchair. From quintessential period-piece to modern design object (in the form of Philippe Starck’s ‘iconic’ Louis Ghost Chair), the 18th-century Rococo classic has a genuinely intriguing past. And it’s exactly this past that Simon Martin explores in this 17-minute homage, showing now at Bath’s Holburne Museum.

Louis Ghost Chair, The Holburne Museum, Great Putney Street, Bath, BA2 4DB; Running until 15th April. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm and Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm.
Free Admission

Ongoing

The Lounge at Odeon Whiteleys

Forget the romanticism of dry-humping on the back seats at your local movie house this Valentine’s, the Odeon at London’s Whiteleys Shopping Centre have upped the luxe-cinema ante; introducing a “Finger, Fork and Spoon” menu, courtesy of top chef Rowley Leigh. So, if you fancy flirting with red mullet and prawn risotto, or hot dog popcorn – whilst watching some big-budget codswallop like War House – this February 14th, this is the gig for you.

Odeon Whiteleys – The Lounge, Whiteleys of Bayswater, Queensway, London; Open Daily

As much out of necessity as design – the renovation was dealt a terrible blow in 2009, when a fire razed the hotel just before it was due to open – the entirely new interiors offer a dramatic juxtaposition to the property’s surroundings, and the choice vintage furnishings – that so elegantly contrast the stark modernism of the cubic, concrete rooms.

The breathtaking accommodation, in the up-and-coming Cedofeita district of Portugal’s second city, is a spectacularly ambitious project, fusing art, literature and architecture with absorbing equal measure. As the name suggests, “tales” are at its heart. Six authors have created these narratives of the city and its architecture, which have then been “spatially distributed” and carved in bas-relief by the architects, Pedra Líquida, and the house’s owners are committed to engaging in cultural activities and promoting Porto’s creativity.

Bold and contemporary, but so obviously in touch with its history, Casa do Conto is a brave – and profoundly beauteous – rebirth of a project that was so nearly halted by disaster.

Formerly the Great Eastern, one of the original London railway hotels, the building dates back to 1884, and there’s a definite feeling of that history – even if it has been given a 21st century sheen. It’s that 21st century sheen that may put some off. Andaz is Hyatt’s “boutique” brand, but the spectre of ‘corporate business hotel’ is still most definitely there, it’s in the city – it can’t escape it. But what the Andaz does do, is use that ‘corporateness’ (yep, just made that one up) to its advantage. Sure, there’s a sheen – but it’s one that just feels luxe. The furniture and fittings in the rooms are heavy, the doors solid, and the walls thick. It’s got a weighty 5-star feel but, with their commitment to art and design, you feel less guilty about shacking up in a business hotel, in fact you positively embrace it.

Their USP is bringing the ‘small’ hotel service to a big chain. There’s no check-in desks, instead you walk straight into the “Andaz Lounge” – where drinks are free and smartly-dressed, well-mannered types check you in with iPads (oh-so modern). There’s a complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, and there’s complimentary serving of wine in the lounge come evening time. It’s quite obviously a big brand cherry-picking the best components of a stay at a truly boutique hotel, but it works. And it’s impeccable – you’d think you were in America the service is that good.

Where the Andaz really excels is in its food and drink offerings. It’s like a whopping great American resort-hotel – but a stone’s throw from Spitalfields and Hoxton. There’s exceptional Japanese at Miyako, exceptional fresh seafood at Catch, exceptional pub-grub at George, British à la carte at 1901 and a brasserie menu at Eastway. It really is exceptional. And seemingly, somewhat of a secret – only half the London-based (and East-end types at that) people I asked actually even knew the hotel existed, let alone of its ridiculously diverse food offerings. The resplendent halls and history-packed spaces that these bars and restaurants inhabit are just the icing on an already scrumptious cake.

Of course there’s high-end leisure facilities too, all the business malarkey of course, and there’s the location – it’s next door to Liverpool Street Station, and as mentioned, a stone’s throw from some of London’s hippest spots. There’s no individual designer rooms, there’s no quirky amenities and the bar isn’t a hipster graveyard – but if you want to be in the hub of all East London has to offer and you want true, true 5-star luxury – but without the faceless conveyer belt experience of big, ugly business hotels – I really don’t think London has a better alternative…

The hotel has 70 individually designed rooms but if you’re looking to score some major brownie points with the Misses there really are only two options; either of the Penthouses or one of the Salt Loft Marina rooms. We were lucky enough to bag one of the Salt Loft Marina rooms with a freestanding cooper bath at the side of the bed and complementary massage oil for added spice – ooo eeer! The rooms continue the fashionable theme with modern patterned wallpaper, pieces of art and all the home comforts you need from a hotel room. Fluffy robes, a Bose sound system, Temple spa products, rain shower, the all important under floor heating, cafeteria coffee, luxury teas and Emma Bridgewater mugs (nice touch) – a hotel with style and substance, we like.

Once you’ve taken full advantage of the room amenities we suggest you head all the way downstairs to the lobby, grab a space on the comfy chairs with a nice glass of vino from the extensive wine list – no lie it’s huge! If you are staying at the hotel it would be rude not to try out the restaurant – which is rumoured to be the best in Ipswich – serving seasonal British dishes made with local produce. The restaurant housed in the original warehouse building features exposed brick work, more art, leather booths and a central bar.

After dinner we retired to our room to find housekeeping had completed their turn down service, leaving a bottle of relaxing pillow spray for our use – we’re glutens for these luxurious added extras and the Salthouse is full of them!

Breakfast is served in the restaurant or in bed, the menu offers a good selection of dishes but we’d suggest you go all out on the Suffolk Grill or Bacon Sandwich, quite possibly the biggest we’ve seen (we’re pretty sure it contained at least a whole pig!).

If you’re looking for a short break in a chic hotel with fabulous food and attention to detail you can’t go wrong with a stay at the Salthouse Harbour. Ipswich? Who’d of thought it…

Running until February 12th, “Untitled” poses American philosopher Henry David Thoreau’s question “what are we busy about?” – as artists Jeremie Maret, Lenny Staples and Christian Weber explore the concept of workers losing perspective of what exactly it is they’re doing. 337 Euro-pallets fill the courtyard – and surround the 1977 Peugeot J7, one of the b&b’s two rooms – to symbolise industry and the production process, whilst inside the main gallery the question is posed about society’s connection to these processes.

Once again it’s innovative, thought-provoking and, well, we just can’t wait for No.3…

There’s blinding independent editorial, reward dollars, musings on design, culture and travel; and of course the usual high-grade service that our friends at Tablet are renowned for. But we don’t want to give you the hard sell, we genuinely do believe in what these guys have to offer, and are privileged to be able to offer you guys exclusive access; so here goes:

Just follow our exclusive invitation link, complete a few personal details, and you’re in. Have a delve, enjoy some heavyweight discounts, and don’t fret about thanking us; that’s what we’re here for…

The Standard, New York

Aigialos Hotel, Santorini

Hotel Brunelleschi, Florence

The peerless viewpoint over one of the world’s iconic skylines looks like the result of a particularly artistic freak-storm, and is not just the city’s number one room, but yet another cultural landmark for the year of the London 2012 Games. The second stage of bookings – for nights in July to December – starts from 19th of this month; it truly is the chance of a lifetime, so be quick. Very quick…

Designed with playful elegance by the American-born Parisian, Bambi Sloan, the Jura Lodge is part of the island’s famous distillery, and we recently had the privilege of being invited to spend time there; to experience the island, get under the skin of their unique range of malts, and to hopefully avoid the lodge’s other famous spirit; its supposed resident ghost.

The lodge is truly delightful and truly exclusive, there’s 5 grandly furnished bedrooms, an opulent music room, a wonderfully retro kitchen and a lounge with eye-blistering views; all for a mere £2,500 a night. With a feeling of luxury, decadence and eccentricity – yet ultimately befitting of its surroundings – Bambi Sloan’s remodelled lodge is not just a stylish country retreat, it’s also the sort of place your childhood dreams were made of; you expect there to be a secret room behind the bookcase, you expect the suit of armour to walk around after midnight… And if you’ve had enough of the local spirit, it sometimes does.

The picture windows look out over the idyllic village of Craighouse with its handful of white buildings, picturesque stoney waterfront and yesteryear way of life. We’re taken on a short tour up the island’s one road; we visit a tiny parish with an even tinier, un-manned library where locals pop in to swap books, a graveyard where a number of Knights Templar rest, and drop in on ‘Tea on the Beach’; a lonely table on the beach on which a walkie talkie peculiarly sits, a local lady waiting in a house nearby to bring tea to passers by who get in touch. It’s a remarkably beautiful island, curiously there’s native palm trees, the elegant three peaks of the Paps of Jura are omnipresent and the famous red deer (they outnumber humans on the island by some 40-1) are around every turn.

On our way to the perilous Corryvreckan Whirlpool

In fairness, the island can be just as hostile as it is beautiful, we’re taken to witness the fierce waters of the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, passing the remote lodge where Orwell wrote his iconic 1984 on the way; the writer himself having to be rescued from the whirlpool’s clutches in 1947 following an ill-fated boat trip with his son, niece and nephew. We experience the feeling of isolation the locals endure, when weather halts the island’s only ferry. We’re, of course, bombarded by wind and rain too, but once back inside the lodge, all is calm. It’s like an oasis of serenity amongst the island’s rugged charms; there’s no television, no mobile reception and a supply of high-grade single malt that even we can’t begin to decimate.

Jura Single Malt Whisky’s global ambassador Willie Tait talks us through their malts

And what about that single malt? There may be just one road, one hotel, one pub and one shop, but around the world the island’s name is synonymous with its famous whisky; just a few minutes spent with locals in the solitary watering hole and you realise its the life and soul of the island. And having spent time with the distillery’s manager, Willie Cochrane, and global ambassador Willie Tait – with all their passion and knowledge – it’s clear why it’s not just the Diurachs (the locals) who are in love with this fine liquid.

As you kick back in the lodge’s majestic antler arm chair with a ‘wee dram’, take in the resplendent views, and eye-up the classic typewriter, you begin to imagine yourself as a classic writer of Orwell’s calibre. You’re so disconnected from the real world that time begins to stand still; it’s just you, the uncompromising beauty of the island, and this truly exquisite lodge. You begin to feel that this might be the greatest place on earth…

The Zetter Townhouse, London

“Taxidermy, eclectic antiques and opulence battle for space with street art, mid-20th century retro classics and an abundance of lavish fabrics – all perfectly balanced, all perfectly outlandish.”

Original Post

The Nolitan Hotel, New York

“There’s sumptuous luxury, there’s du jour style, there’s indulgence and sophistication, and there’s the location.”

Original Post

Hotel La Maison, Champs Elysées

“Operating with a strictly monochrome simplicity, Maison Martin Margiela have bucked the trend of overly-opulent fashion hotels – think Missioni or Armani – and followed their ethos of understated and offbeat, employing style and humor over lavish statements.”

Original Post

Public Chicago

“This is Schrager for the third millennium; “anti-flash”, “anti-design” and “sick of slick”.”

Original Post

Hotel Básico, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

“Appealing to a young, style-savvy crowd, Hotel Básico is afforded the right to play with traditional hotel conventions, and in doing so, has redefined the boundaries of design hotels.”

Original Post

Photograph by Åke E:son Lindman

Nobis Hotel, Stockholm

“Each space, from the lobby to lounges, corridors to rooms has its own unique identity which ranges from the quirky to extravagant, all while being fun and relaxed in a gentle colour scheme influenced by the capital city and surroundings.”

Original Post

Photograph by Benjamin Hofer

The Proposal, Zürich

“The Proposal is not just a gallery, but possibly the most astonishingly unique b&b we can recall.”

Original Post

The House Hotel Nişantaşı

“Decadent is once more a word that springs to mind, Autoban’s trait of using rich, dark wood, elegantly-muted, earthy hues and their own custom pieces of furniture lend this chic property a wonderfully retro, yet decidedly luxurious appeal.”

Original Post

Hotel Acta Mimic Barcelona

“Barcelona’s Hotel Acta Mimic shares an unpolished vibrancy with its local surroundings, the infamously seedy, yet decidedly creative, El Raval district.”

Original Post

Lucia Nova, Valletta

“With a ‘No Hotel’ philosophy, that’s aimed at stamping out hotel clichés, Lucia Nova is property with its own very special identity.”

Original Post

Treehotel, Sweden

“Situated approximately 60 km south of the Arctic Circle, the Treehotel is a series of breathtaking tree houses, perched high in the Boreal forest.”

Original Post

W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island

“Patricia Urquiola’s vision of paradise is of bold, beautiful colours and unique materials alongside her own sensational furniture.”

Original Post

The Merlion Hotel by Tatzu Nishi, Singapore

“With its head of a lion and body of a fish, the imaginary Merlion statue has been an icon of Singapore since 1972 and the iconic figure is now ready to take centre stage in what has to be one of the most sensational hotel rooms of all time.”

Original Post

Indulgence Divine, Malta

“A home away from home for two, Indulgence Divine is a perfectly chic residence from which to explore this decidedly up-and-coming island that, whisper it, is somewhat of a secret party destination.”

Original Post

nhow Berlin, by NH Hoteles

“It says something about the unique musical proposition offered by nhow Berlin that we haven’t waxed lyrical over Rashid’s characteristically surreal dream-world, but then pictures speak a thousand words, so here you go.”

Original Post

Photography: Benjamin Hofer

As an island country in the tropics, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka has phenomenal beaches, with great spots for diving as well as surfing. But so do a lot of other places. What makes Sri Lanka special is everything else. There’s something appealing about nearly every aspect of Sri Lanka, and now that the country’s long period of conflict has come to an end, more people will find themselves able to appreciate it.

Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka

Going inland, I can think of at least three reasons that would independently justify a trip to the country. The first would be the tea plantations in the central highlands. Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of tea in the world, and the plantations — lush, picturesque — are magnificent to visit. I happen to prefer green tea, but I love learning about tea-making in airy hillside factories and trying all the different Ceylonese varieties. A few of the original planters’ bungalows have been converted into luxury hotels, making the whole experience even more atmospheric.

The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka

Secondly, there’s the “cultural triangle,” which encompasses sites of cultural and historical importance, not to mention true beauty, like the ancient ruins perched on a giant rock formation at Sigiriya and the city of Kandy. During the summer, there’s an elephant festival in Kandy that should not be missed. The relationship between humans and elephants in the subcontinent is amazing, and this is the place to see it. 

Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka

Last House

This brings me to the third reason, which would be the wildlife. Along with elephants, you can see crocodiles, buffalo and it’s one of the only places you can still spot leopards in the wild. On my last visit earlier this year, I brought my family along. For my young kids, seeing all these animals was undoubtedly the highlight. 

The impetus for our trip was a chance to stay in a beach front home designed by the modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa, whom I have long admired. There is, however, an incredible concentration of well-designed leisure hotels in Sri Lanka, a collection probably second only to Bali. Heritance Kandalama and The Kandy House quickly come to mind. I suspect Bawa had a strong influence on the peaceful and elegant tropical architecture style that Sri Lanka has come to be known for.

Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka

On the whole, the country feels quite tranquil, and perhaps that’s why, as a New Yorker, it’s one of my favorite places to escape to. Many places that are relaxing are also dull, but that’s not at all the case with Sri Lanka. I could spend months there.

The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

That’s not to say this is an ugly hotel, by any stretch of the imagination; longtime collaborator Anda Andrei delivers an effortless sophistication that evokes the spirit and style of the classic Morgans properties, whilst never over-designing a single thing. Their elegant transformation of the 285-room Chicago institution, Ambassador East, is a very different beast to its former incarnation. Whilst Phil Collins was once refused entry for not wearing a jacket – immortalised by his album ‘No Jacket Required’ – PUBLIC tenders the sort of relaxed, informal social environment that Schrager has been fashioning since he coined the term ‘Lobby Socialising’ upon opening New York’s Royalton in 1988. You see, PUBLIC offers all that consumers have grown fond of in the ’boutique’ market, but presents it in a less exclusive, much more inclusive manner; and with rates from $135, it’d seem that their dogma is not just a well-worded press release, but a real, genuine concept…

Their ludicrously stylish Shoreditch/City outpost, Andaz Liverpool Street, have teamed up with Israeli/German designer Eyal Burstein of Beta Tank to create a table that evokes the spirit of a traditional advent calendar, whilst staying true to the brand’s contemporary ethos. Scouring the local flea markets and charity shops of Brick Lane, Petticoat Lane and Spitalfields, Burstein has moulded the trinkets, teacups and bowls he found into an elegant design object upon which the Andaz pastry chef will leave a special treat each day in the lead-up to Christmas.

A series of events will accompany the work too, with cognac, chocolate and tea immersion sessions – all run by local experts – joining the designer, with guests and the community invited to attend. As general manager Arnaud de Saint Exupéry professes; it encapsulates all that’s great about the season, “generosity, warmth and unity” – we’d be inclined to add ‘mouthwatering grub’ to that – but thankfully steers clear of the notoriously difficult to navigate pitfalls of cheesiness and insincerity…

With prices starting from 35 Euros per person and the heart of downtown Lisbon at your doorstep, The Lisbonaire isn’t just an inspirational base for your city explorations, but a damn cost-effective one too; and with the world’s economy crumbling around our ears, isn’t it nice feeling when you can get a lot of creative gratification for not a lot of dollar?

Photography by Francisco Nogueira

Images © Estate of Sol LeWitt / ARS. Courtesy Paula Cooper Gallery, New York