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Art Deco, Jazz & Oslo Cool — Sommerro House, Oslo

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Sommerro House might just be Oslo’s coolest address — a 1930s power company brought back to life as an Art Deco dream, where even the corridor lighting looks ready for a photoshoot. The whole place just glows — rich wood, geometric patterns, and amber lamps that throw out the kind of soft light that makes everyone look better than they actually are. The rooms follow suit: mid-century curves, soft textures, and furniture that’s more “stay and read” than “don’t sit on that.” Even the retro phone and Marshall speaker feel like they belong, not like they’ve been added for effect. It’s tucked away in Frogner, near Solli Plass — one of those effortlessly cool parts of Oslo where the trams glide past and everyone seems to be on their way somewhere nice. Leafy streets, calm atmosphere, and just the right mix of city and residential. Downstairs, Ekspedisjonshallen is the heart of it all — and once upon a time, it’s where Oslo locals came to pay their electricity bills. These days it’s all red-s...
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Huset, Svalbard — fine dining at the top of the world

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  Once upon a time, Huset (“the house”) was where Longyearbyen came to dance, drink, and debate. Built in 1951 as the town’s social hall, it hosted everything from films and political meetings to weddings and rowdy Saturday parties for the coal miners. It was, quite literally, the house — the beating heart of this tiny Arctic settlement long before the world started flying in to see polar bears. These days, it’s a little more refined — but you can still feel the bones of its history. The old projection room remains, film reels stacked like museum pieces, and the red velvet curtains of the former cinema now frame a dining room that’s gone from showing movies to serving Michelin-level food. Upstairs, the bar is a moody time capsule of mid-century Norway: heavy velvet booths, portraits of bearded explorers, and lamps so large and fringed they could double as parachutes. Downstairs, the fine dining restaurant feels calm, warm and quietly confident — candlelight glinting off glassware...
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The Tawny: Bubble Baths, Fizz & Fairy Lights

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  You know those places that manage to be both a cosy hideaway and a bit of a show-off? That’s The Tawny. Hidden in the Staffordshire countryside, it’s basically what happens when a treehouse and a boutique hotel fall in love — and the result is far more stylish than you’d expect. Arrival & First Impressions We checked into Partridge Point , our hut for the night, and it set the tone instantly: robes hanging ready, fizz on ice, and a little box of birthday chocolates (a touch I’ll happily be spoiled by again). Inside it’s all teal panelling and bright pops of yellow — chic enough to impress, comfy enough to throw yourself on the bed without feeling guilty. Skylight above the bed for stargazing, log burner for later. Tick, tick. The minibar and snacks = completely free — crisps, chocolate, soft drinks, prosecco, the lot. Always a win when you don’t feel like you’re being charged silly money for a packet of nuts. And if you don’t fancy the walk to the restaurant, you can order a...
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Fine Mess, Athens: A tasting menu that gets better the messier it gets

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The Setup This was our second visit — the first was a few years ago, but it stayed with us. The kind of meal you benchmark others against, without realising. We booked again. Early — too early, probably — and arrived to an empty restaurant. Not in a sad way. Just us, the staff, and the confidence of a place that doesn’t need a crowd to perform. Everything prepped, music low, that calm buzz you only get from a kitchen that knows exactly what it's doing. It’s called Fine Mess, which sounds like a punchline — and then you step in and find a full-size Harley Davidson parked up, a smokehouse burning away at the back, and décor that’s half brasserie, half modern lumberjack den. The name turns out to be a mission statement — chaotic, smoky, but sharply curated. Smokehouse Credentials Fine Mess styles itself as a contemporary expression of low & slow barbecue and Creole cuisine. Think American smokehouse, with custom-made smokers using seasoned beech wood to smoke everything from chees...
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Explora I: Our Suite Life at Sea

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I wanna get the important stuff out of the way first: yes, the bed was perfect. Soft sheets, plump pillows, and a proper mattress you actually look forward to collapsing into after a day of sun, sea, and too many vodka martinis. But it wasn’t just about the bed. Explora I has clearly taken the phrase “home away from home” and dialled it up to sleek, ship-shape luxury. The Suite Setup We stayed in one of the Ocean Terrace Suites — all suites on Explora I have balconies as standard, which should be law frankly. Ours came with a proper little living area, a very spacious balcony with a lounger and table for two, a huge bed that somehow got comfier by the night, and a bathroom that made other cruise ship loos feel like airport cubicles. Drawers were plentiful, the walk-in wardrobe was massive (and lit like a mini boutique), and actually big enough to sleep in ( yes, I know this from first hand experience but that is another story entirely). The carpet was thick and soft underfoot, and...
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Nicole, Istanbul – Smart Plates, Soft Lighting, and Rooftop Calm

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The Setup Tucked inside a restored 1901 building once home to Franciscan nursing sisters (yes, really), Nicole sits quietly above Istanbul’s rooftops — all brushed concrete, muted lighting, and a very deliberate calm. Inside it’s white tablecloths, polished service, the gentle clink of cutlery and soft piano music playing in the background. Every table’s been deliberately placed — no duff spots, no awkward corners — nobody has to argue about the best seat. Just quiet elegance and a clear focus: the view.  Hard to beat. Rooftop skyline, soft skies, and the kind of light that flatters everyone. Tables spaced wide enough that you won’t hear anyone’s anniversary toast, and the city laid out like it’s trying to impress you. The Bread course (really does deserve Its Own heading) If you’re the kind of person who gets a bit too excited about bread, this was a strong start. A warm, seeded roll with serious crunch. A glossy, slightly sweet slice of something cake-adjacent. And then, quietly ...
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SKOF - Tweezered Tartlets, Table Chats with the main man and the Poshest Bit of Bread Dipping I’ve Ever Done

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  You know those restaurants that feel like they’ve always been there, even though they opened about five minutes ago? That’s SKOF. Tucked behind a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it door just off the bustle of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, it looks like the kind of place you’d find an underground jazz night, or one of those tucked-away supper clubs you hear about three weeks too late. Turns out, it’s neither – it’s a swanky but not snooty spot that’s already giving “destination dining” energy. And honestly, it just works. Walk in and it’s all exposed brick, soft leather booths, and quietly confident lighting – like if Soho House got a personality transplant and decided to chill out a bit. It’s cool but welcoming, the kind of place where you could wear heels, but also no one would care if you turned up in Converse and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing your socks match. We kicked things off with a glass of  Bee Tree by Sugrue  – a homegrown English sparkler that set t...
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