A stones throw from the harbour and walking distance to museums, galleries, and cafes ohtel is the brain child of Owner, Designer and Host Alan Blundell. ohtel is a modern bespoke hotel with just 10 rooms blending kiwi contemporary with 60's retro. It has dramatic views of the harbour and downtown wellington, new zealand's windy capital. The feeling of being part of the family, typical kiwi open and unpretentious friendliness is genuine and heartfelt. Hand cooked breakfasts and the lastest tips on the local clubs, restaurants and galleries are always spot on!
Wellington is fascinating city to explore. Clinging to dramatic hills framing the harbour beautiful period victorian terrace houses surround the city centre. Take an electric trolly bus or rent a car for a trip around the crinckly coastline and up and over the dramatic hills.
Tucked away are young local designer shops both street and high fashion rubbing shoulders together. Check out eclectic Cuba Street for our favourite eateries and bars. The Matterhorn, brilliantly updated restaurant and bar keeping the essence of the orginal 60's cafe, light and airy floriditas and casual boho Plum.
Nightlife-wise Alan is well hooked in. I particularly enjoyed our trip to "Motel", an excellent bar with young friendly staff in military regalia.
Ohtel is a real find and first of its kind in little old New Zealand, well worth a detour south of the equator!
Alan has made the big step and built his first Hotel as an Owner/Designer. This is becoming a phenomena world wide with many architects investing in their own projects and dealing first hand as landlords and owners. Alan even works the front desk regularly to keep in touch with the quests and their needs. One of the first to start collecting 60's scandinavian and local furniture he has hand selected some beautiful pieces for the hotel. Each room has its own unique collection and colour theme. the bathrooms have stunning photographic centre-pieces, my favourite being a dramatic stormy beach scene, setting off the large free standing baths. Organic and natural kiwi products feature strongly in the rooms and bathrooms.
ps. "Kiwi" is how the locals refer to themselves, after the national symbol, a rather shy and retiring flightless bird...
For the next 3 months from june 1st a rather interesting experiment is taking place in Melbourne. Selected Applicants are granted a stay at a secretive suite lovingly decked out with the finest Melbourne has to offer. Accompanied by a hand crafted concierge experience of the city's best Arts and Culture tailored to the guests Interests. And not to be missed amazing coffees delivered to your room from near by Liason Cafe run by Danny and Sian of Cafe Racer fame.
Barrie Barton and his Lost and Found crew have teamed up with Victoria Tourism to promote the best of Melbourne's cultural and creative talents to the world. Self confessed Urbanites, their mission is to invigorate and advocate the joys of Inner City Living.
Hidden in the Old Army and Navy Club building which is a architectural 60's icon, you are perfectly positioned to enjoy the Inner City lifestyle. Galleries, cafes, clubs abound or jump a tram to the Bay for some sun and sand.
Apply Online, get yourself to Melbourne and go home to tell all your friends of the experience! wearelostandfound.com.au
the near by Liaison Cafe supplies coffees lovingly made by Danny And Sian
in conversation with Barrie Barton
Barrie is intimate with all the Best Melbourne has to offer and actively promotes and reviews both Melbourne and Sydney on a related series of lifestyle websites while also running their own venues in both cities to add extra spice such as a roof top cinema showing art house films... busy boy!
Nestled in Redchurch Street, the new Soho of the East End, among indie galleries, bars and retro clothing and furniture shops, Terence Conran's latest master piece The Boundary Hotel and The Albion Cafe provide Shelter and Sustenance to the Adventurous Traveller.
Signaling a Return to Grass Roots with Personal attention to detail, Terence and Viki Conran with long time collaborator Peter Prescott succeed admirably in providing an intimate personal stay for their guests. Peter is on hand about the Hotel and Albion ensuing an enjoyable experience for all.
The suites are designed by various artists each unique and employ a novel mezzanine bedroom concept that works surprisingly well.
The Albion Cafe is a joy to dine in, off peak for the relaxed and peak for the hustle and bustle addicts. A British Diner with Bakery attached. A real experience!
Another very positive aspect of the hotel is its use of 2 boreholes to bring cool water up from the water table beneath london to drive the air-conditioning and refrigeration units. a truly green initiative for a small independent hotel one that shows the way for bigger hotel operators more used to eco tokenism.
Signora Chiara Bocchini is a Hotel owner with a vision. In fact She denies that her establishment is in fact a hotel but rather has coined a new phrase "Charming House" to describe the small intimate scale of her Elegant Home away from Home in Venice.
There are in fact 3 Charming Houses in Venice. The DD724 is a stones throw from the Peggy Guggenheim Center in the quaint Dorsoduro area, with the DD694 an Annex of DD724 a few houses away.
The more recent iQs is all suites complete with amazing modern kitchens (never used but making the rooms feel like home) located not far from the Bridge of Sighs.
Chiara's aim is to provide a relaxing friendly environment for her quests stay in Venice. She encourages people to stay several nights in order to become part of the family. Actually the family is very well dressed and attentive! Breakfasts are cooked to order and in the iQs served in the suites. At the DD724 guests feel so relaxed they often wander down to breakfast in their robes and slippers.
The Bocchini extended family consists of several architects and interior designers whose influence reinforces Chiara's strong personal interpretation of the elegant contemporary modern interiors and art works thought out the Charming Houses.
The ACE Hotel although it is very recent FEELS like a Classic NEW YORK Hotel. The ACE crew have taken an existing Hotel with Character and given it a Twist. The ACE is truly a Delight for the Tired Jaded Traveller. Full of Quirky Graphics and Witty, Unexpected Delights such as the In Room Full Size SMEG fridge packed with everything from vitamin water to Champagne, the Vinyl Turn-table Music System, Pencil Sharper, New York Survival Guide and the very funny New York Style Hoodie Bathrobes!
The Lobby is Spectalular and Feels like a Old East Coast Gentleman's Club replete with a great bar area, cozy couches and a long table for hot desking your laptop, local news papers, good fashion magazines and great retro arm chairs.
The greatest asset of the ACE are the Staff, well chosen, good looking local kids with real lives outside the hotel, they bring a taste of the Vibrant Real New York City into the Hotel. Happy to give you tips on the best places to check out and run down a cab in the street for you at the same time.
A lot of Thought has gone into making the ACE Hotel Special and Welcoming while also making it feel sooo well... NEW YORK!
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