Dirty Girl Things
Friday, March 16, 2007
Number Fifty-Five
Mr & Mrs Smith. The definitive boutique and luxury hotel guide.
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From the Observer . . . .
Sexy stays to please your lover.
Looking for passion in Paris or romance in Rome? A new hotel guide out this week has hunted down the most stylish and romantic boltholes in Europe. Juliet Kinsman, editor of the Mr & Mrs Smith guide, selects a handful of hot favourites.
Planning a romantic jaunt involves much more than booking a place to stay. A so-called luxury hotel may have great conference facilities, but what use is a meeting room on a romantic escape a deux?
Today’s couples have greater expectations than ever: stylish surroundings, friendly staff, top-notch service, and notable food and drink. Hunting down chick cribs that tick all those boxes is tricky. And then there’s knowing where best to go for supper, and what galleries or bars are around the corner…
‘We wanted to hand readers a blueprint to the most enjoyable escape imaginable,’ says James Lohan, who came up with the idea for the Mr & Mrs Smith hotel guides after one too many disappointments himself.
We’ve all trawled the internet and found somewhere to stay which looks lovely. Then, after bad traffic or a delayed flight you get there late and realise it nothing like what you hoped for. On top of that, the kitchen’s closed and you’re lucky to get a few olives for dinner. As for a cocktail at the bar, the most exotic tipple the elderly ported can whip you up is a warm can of beer. You retire to your soulless bedroom for feeling more travelling salesman than a duo in the mood for some loving.
Following the success of our and book we were overwhelmed by requests for a user-friendly tour of Europe.
So our team of reviewers – which includes designer Stella McCartney, restaurateur Oliver Peyton and writer Giles Coren – grabbed their partners and set off on dirty weekends in the name of duty. They share their finds as would a good friend; which is what the book aims to be.
In the city of lovers… and Mr & Mrs Smith have found the perfect hotel. Alamy.
You can read more articles about Mr & Mrs Smith here and more about their special hotel & spa offers available to members here.
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Sincerely.
Eve and JW3 and Mélisande
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