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When hubby and I visited Luton this summer, we were excited to check-in to the town’s only penthouse suite at Best Western’s only Sadie Hotel.  Located in the town center and just steps away from the fast transport links to central London, this modern hotel is the result of a multi-million-pound refurbishment of a former 1960’s office block, and is Best Western’s first ever ‘boutique lifestyle’ property.  The spiral staircase in our suite On arrival, we were warmly greeted by Vish who showed us to our duplex apartment suite on the 4th floor, where I was intrigued to discover we even had our own doorbell and electronic “Do Not Disturb” sign.  Our bedroom The bedroom was large and well lit, thanks to several big picture windows. There were two comfortable beds with premium linens, a work desk, Chromecast TV, a minifridge and tea/coffee maker, as well as plenty of wardrobe space. Fluffy robes and slippers made our stay even more relaxing.  Our hi-tech bathroom was tastefully decorated - we used a touchpad on the wall to control the heavenly overhead rainfall shower, which was very soothing and refreshing after a long day in Luton. We really appreciated the complimentary bottles of water which were restocked daily, as well as the selection of luxury organic toiletries plus two toothbrushes and toothpaste - these were nice, thoughtful touches. The spiral staircase in our bedroom led to a spacious upper level lounge with two stylish chairs for chilling out in front of yet another TV, another minifridge, and some pretty funky mirrors.  Our upper lounge area Doors here led onto the rooftop terrace with views across the town, and our private outside space included our own hot tub jacuzzi which was housed inside a giant igloo. Not quite what you’d expect to find in Luton.  Our rooftop igloo with hot tub It’s clear to see that this 87-bedroom boutique hotel has been very carefully custom designed. The decor is bright and contemporary, but with many pertinent nods to Luton’s hat-making history. The appropriately named Milliner’s Cocktail Bar has a vibrant, trendy feel and the menu at the Hatmaker’s Restaurant reflects the different cultures of Luton’s diverse heritage. If you look hard enough, the orange/white/blue color scheme could even be vaguely reminiscent of a certain "Hatters" football club.  Milliners Cocktail Bar Being Luton born and bred myself, I really appreciated the many quirky reminders of the town's past - there are bonnets, bowlers and boaters everywhere. The unique hat-shaped lighting is so cute and clever, and the 120 millinery-inspired canvases in the bedrooms were hand-painted by local artist Jignesh Patel. Some headwear hints were so subtle that I almost failed to spot them, such as hat designs discreetly blended into the curtains in our room. The Sadie’s staff were friendly and helpful (hotel manager Vish was particularly brilliant throughout our stay). I was curious about the hotel’s rather unusual name, only to discover its origin is a bit of a mystery. Owner Ali Mussani explained, “I wish I could tell you how the name Sadie was chosen by Best Western International, but nobody at Best Western UK knows either. Apparently BWI launched two new boutique brands, Sadie and Aiden simultaneously. At the moment we are the only Sadie brand in the world, as Covid affected the development pipeline. But quite a number of Aidens will be opening soon”. Hearing that we were guests at the world’s only BW Sadie made our stay even more special.  Hatmakers Restaurant The Sadie is a beautiful new hotel which brings a touch of upscale luxury to my hometown. Growing up here, I never imagined the old job center building could look and feel quite so fancy. Staying in The Sadie’s exclusive penthouse apartment was a real treat. But the icing on the cake for me was taking a late night dip in the rooftop igloo jacuzzi. Luton certainly doesn’t get much posher than that. 
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Shakespeare in Atlanta - the Scottish Play comes to town. And it's spookily authentic.  Photo credit: ASC, used with permission. Busy Peachtree Street in midtown Atlanta is probably the last place you’d expect to find an impressive Elizabethan-style playhouse inspired by Shakespeare’s London Globe.  Inside, a dedicated professional company of players faithfully perform the Bard’s works (and even some non-Shakespearean stuff) while audiences feast from a Brit pub-style menu featuring shepherd’s pie, Cornish pasties and English ales. It’s all so 16th century you could almost be back in Stratford Upon Avon circa 1599, but without the bear-baiters, pedlars and rowdy crowds pelting food at the actors. For many years, I’ve been a big fan of everything The Atlanta Shakespeare Company does. So much so that attending their production of A Christmas Carol even became an annual holiday tradition for me and my friends. That was until Covid struck, and The Tavern closed its doors and stayed dark for almost 17 months. However, news that it's open once again, and with a brand new production of Macbeth on the boards, reminded me how much I’d missed my Tavern nights and how badly I craved another Shakepseare fix. Ever since I studied it for O-Level English many, many moons ago, Shakespeare’s brutal tragedy has been one of my favourite plays. As I love to tell my young students now, it’s the darkest, spookiest of all the Bard’s works - with such scary stuff as witches, ghosts, murder, blood and gore galore. What’s not to like? I managed to grab a seat for The Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s final performance of The Scottish Play, starring Nick Faircloth and Amanda Lindsey MacDonald as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respectively. Amanda appeared as the epitome of a Scottish noblewoman with her flowing, ginger locks, clothed in gorgeous gowns and Celtic cloaks. There were lords (thanes) and guards in authentic tartan kilts battling carefully choreographed sword fights. The three “weird sisters” were suitably spooky and grisly, and I loved Kenneth Wigley as the porter, delivering a little light comic relief from all the treachery and turmoil in a very convincing Scottish accent. I thought J.L. Reed as Macduff was outstanding, especially his moving performance of sorrow and grief at the news of his family’s murder. Lady Macbeth was magnificent in her madness; first cradling then slamming to the ground a phantom babe in arms (merely an empty blanket) in a very powerful gesture.  Photo credit: ASC, used with permission The entire company did a great job as always, and it was such a thrill for me, a Brit in Atlanta, to once again see Shakespeare’s work so faithfully and professionally performed.  Photo credit: ASC, used with permission We may be 4000 miles away from the home of the Bard and 500 years later, but Elizabethan theatre is still going strong in Atlanta today, and American audiences are loving every minute. I can’t help but wonder what Will himself would make of it all - something so fantastical that even Macbeth’s witches could not have seen this coming. If all the world’s a stage, we are so fortunate to have The Shakespeare Tavern right here on our doorstep, and it deserves our support. While the cast of Macbeth have taken their final bow and bade us farewell, there’s a whole program of other great productions to see all year round. Make haste and grab thyself a ticket asap.
More info: www.shakespearetavern.com  Breakfasting like Washington at the home of a Founding Father When hubby and I decided to spend our wedding anniversary in charming Charleston, we had no idea this trip would be quite so special.  Staying at the John Rutledge House Inn An easy 5-hour drive from Atlanta, the South Carolina city of Charleston is steeped in history. Its cobblestone streets, with horse-drawn carriages and rainbow-colored townhouse rows, date back to British colonial times. Costumed tour guides tell tales of revolutionary heroes outside graveyards, galleries and museums. Sailing ships that might once have carried cotton, tobacco, rice and indigo graciously glide past World War II battleships in Charleston Harbor. But the highlight for us was our absolutely fabulous stay at the John Rutledge House - the only home of a signer of the United States Constitution that’s a national historic landmark as well as an inn.  Located on Charleston’s prestigious Broad Street and dating back to 1763, the Rutledge House Inn is the former home of John Rutledge, one of America’s Founding Fathers. As Governor of South Carolina and briefly Supreme Court Chief Justice, Rutledge worked on early drafts of the Constitution in the ballroom of this very house, and was one of the fifty-five men who made history by ultimately signing the final document. During his presidential tour, George Washington visited Rutledge in 1791, and even stayed for breakfast. In the 1920s President William Taft also popped in for a party hosted by Charleston’s then mayor, and (legend has it) the famous Southern dish of she-crab soup was invented right here especially for him. The house was later beautifully restored and transformed into elegant and luxurious guest accommodation that’s literally still fit for a president or two.  From the moment we arrived, we received the very warmest welcome, as well as Southern hospitality in abundance. The inn’s concierge Margo (one of the nicest, friendliest people ever) made us feel at home right away as she showed us into Room 5, The Washington Suite; a magnificent master bedroom featuring an imposing four-poster canopied bed, a luxurious bathroom and even a separate parlor, where Margo proudly informed us, George Washington himself ate breakfast. How’s that for some serious WOW-factor!  The Washington Suite Our room(s) were tastefully decorated with Georgian antiques, period furniture and original, ornate plaster moldings. We had two Italian marble fireplaces (in the bedroom and the parlor), gorgeously draped floor-to-ceiling windows ... and even two flat-screen tellys, which I suspect were probably not original 18th century heirlooms!  Our beautiful bathroom included a deep jacuzzi bathtub with a separate walk-in shower, a pair of crisp white cotton bathrobes, and Gilchrist & Soames toiletries all the way from England (a cute, perhaps subconscious, reminder of America’s colonial past).  Oh, and that lovely, huge four-poster was so authentically high that I really did need the thoughtfully-provided wooden steps in order to climb into bed.  Up the steps to bed Each morning we enjoyed a fully-cooked breakfast with all the trimmings served to us as we sat in the same room as America’s first president. Tucking into our tea and toast, hubby and I couldn’t help but wonder what Washington talked about over his bacon and eggs in this exact spot 230 years ago.  George Washington breakfasted here At 4pm, afternoon tea was served upstairs in the Signer’s Ballroom where Rutledge wrote parts of the Constitution, and where later we were also invited to help ourselves to evening drinks of sherry, port and brandy to sip on the balcony or in the quaint courtyard outside. All very delightful indeed.  Evening drinks on the balcony Staying at the Rutledge Inn felt like stepping back in time to the most important era in American history. Climbing into that beautiful bed on our last evening, I closed my eyes and tried to picture the events that took place within those walls more than two hundred years ago. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I’d ever lay my head and spend the night under the same roof as a Founding Father and influential framer of the Constitution, yet alone (not one but two) US presidents. All this combined with 21st century luxury, Southern hospitality and outstanding service - now that’s something really special.  Flying flat-bed first class for freea taste of the high life  What could be more indulgent than sleeping soundly in a cozy bed 35000 feet above the Atlantic? Flying British Airways first class is the most luxurious way to travel from Atlanta to London and beyond. With your own private pod, plush pajamas and non-stop posh nosh, this is the sort of pampering that will make anyone feel like a millionaire (if only for 9 hours). Forget the so-called “first class” on US domestic flights; when it comes to long-haul transatlantic, turning left is so upscale that you’ll never want to turn right again. Hubby and I flew first class to London and back on British Airways’ Atlanta route, which operates one flight every day. Departing from Heathrow’s Terminal 5, we checked-in at the exclusive First Wing, a private dedicated space for first class passengers only. One of the many, many things I love about flying First is the generous baggage allowance - not an eyelid was batted as the attendant slapped “HEAVY” stickers on our bulging suitcases, along with the coveted “Priority” tags. The First Wing also has its own security lanes and direct access to the lounges (more on those later).  checking in Once onboard, (yes, we boarded first) we settled ourselves into 1A and 2A. Each individual pod, known officially as a “suite”, features legroom as far as your whole body can stretch out, giving airspace a whole new meaning. There’s even an extra little seat (which doubles as a footstool) so a friend or colleague can sit opposite you for a chat or a meal. With the push of a button, I spent a few merry moments adjusting the gorgeous glowing blue blinds on the two windows alongside my pod (little things amuse me). For even more entertainment, each suite has a fabulous 15-inch touch screen, with ports to connect your own devices and charging points too. The extensive on-screen library includes more than enough movies, TV shows, music, ebooks and games to keep anyone occupied for 9 hours.  The suite life  The cabin crew served us a welcome glass of champagne (Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Brut worth $150 a bottle) and dainty canapés as we prepared for take-off. Reclining in my comfy seat with my legs stretched out, sipping vintage bubbly and listening to ABBA through top-of-the-range noise-cancelling headphones, this didn’t feel like flying at all. And the food? Well, First passengers are treated to a full service restaurant in the sky. On our outward flight, I ordered a Scottish smoked salmon starter, seared fillet of beef, orange sponge pudding with cream for dessert, followed by the cheeseboard and chocolates. All this was elegantly presented silver-service style, with white tablecloths and napkins, fine china crockery, sleek cutlery and crystal wine glasses, champagne flutes and whiskey tumblers by British designers.
On our return journey, lunch was later followed by traditional British afternoon tea; egg and cucumber sandwiches, a selection of cakes on my own tiered cake stand, and of course warm scones with jam and clotted cream. Cruising at 35000 feet, this certainly was high tea! Being able to order whatever you want whenever you want it is yet another treat. The food, drinks and service onboard really was, ahem, first-class.  High tea When I was ready to turn in for the night, the cabin crew magically transformed my seat into a 6ft 6in fully-flat bed with a quilted mattress, soft pillows and a crisp white cotton duvet, while I popped to the loo and slipped into rather stylish BA pjs designed by Temperley London. I also loved the cute BA amenity bags, again by Temperley London, filled with skincare lotions from luxury British brand Elemis, a full-size toothbrush and toothpaste, socks, earplugs, eye mask, slippers etc. However, I still prefer the previous version we received last year by Liberty of London, which was prettier and more iconic.  Goodnight hubby  Shortly before landing, we woke up to a full English breakfast served with an energizing passion-fruit smoothie, fresh yoghurts and warm pastries. My own personal china teapot was a charming finishing touch. We landed in London fully relaxed and rested, having been wined, dined and pampered in style for 9 hours in the sky. Hubby and I would have even welcomed a delayed arrival for the chance to extend our high life just a little longer. The LoungesOnce we’d cleared immigration and customs at Heathrow, we headed to BA’s Arrivals Lounge where you can freshen up with a shower, chill out with a massage in the spa, then feast on even more breakfast. My only complaint here was that the staff were in a hurry to close before 2pm and we all felt rather rushed. The Departures Lounge at Atlanta airport was extremely disappointing. This lounge is shared between several airlines, which means it’s over-crowded with not enough seating. The food selection was minimal and very poor. There is a bar, but this was packed with travelers who’d paid for entry and were determined to get their money’s worth by drinking as much free booze as possible in the shortest possible time. BA needs to provide a far better departure experience for its business and first class passengers. Also, there is no arrivals lounge in Atlanta.  The Concorde Room Departures at Heathrow Terminal 5: The Concorde Room is fabulous and makes waiting for a plane an absolute pleasure. This lounge features discreet booths for intimate dining with full waiter service, private cabanas where you can take a nap and a state-of-the-art business center. After a wonderful 3-course meal, hubby and I indulged in a spot of lounging in the lounge’s gorgeous oversized sofas and armchairs, while our glasses were constantly topped-up with even more vintage champagne; this felt like being privileged guests at an exclusive club.  So how did we fly First for free? It goes without saying that if you pay full whack, being spoilt rotten to this degree costs megabucks; but there are ways and means. Thanks to a hefty stash of air miles (“Avios” in BA-speak) hubby and I have flown First a few times already. Yes, we do pay taxes and fees of course so it’s technically not free, but even so we’ve saved about $10,000 each per return ticket. The final verdict: flying First is pure luxury and something I could get used to very easily. I’d never pay $10k, but it’s totally worth it if you can save up enough air miles. As reward bookings go, this one is sky-high.  This page may contain affiliate links.
Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details. Dickens at The Tavern  Photo credit: Jeff Watkins It must be more than 10 years ago when hubby and I (with our dear friends Barbara and Paula) first saw A Christmas Carol at Atlanta’s Shakespeare Tavern. It has since become a festive favourite and an annual holiday tradition for us - Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and a trip to The Tavern. And so we met up with Barb, Paula, Billy, Jason and Jennifer at the Midtown theatre last weekend, excited to discover what new little twists on this timeless classic the ASC players had in store for us this year. We arrived early, ordered a drink at the bar (a seasonal, sparkling Poinsettia cocktail for me - thank you Jason), then headed to our table in front of the stage. In authentic Shakespearean playhouse style, The Tavern’s atmosphere is always very relaxed and informal. British pub grub is available for purchase beforehand, and the audience is encouraged to continue casually munching on Cornish pasties and shepherd's pies while drinking pints of ale as the play begins.  with our friends, ready for the show  Photo: Atlanta Shakespeare Company As the lights dimmed and voices hushed, we were suddenly transported across the pond and back in time to Dickensian London. The Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s unique adaptation of A Christmas Carol is officially billed as a “storyteller’s version”, remaining true to the original detail and descriptive language of Dickens’ novel. The cast of ten actors alternate between narrating the story and playing the various characters. Although there are a few new faces each time we come, discovering that Drew Reeves has reprised his role as Scrooge once again always feels reassuringly familiar - a bit like seeing the same old (grumpy) friend every Christmas time. Paula was delighted to find her former fourth grade student Mark Schroeder (now all grown-up) playing Bob Cratchit for the third year in a row, and the lovely Becky Cormier Finch (who is also box office manager and so helpful when I’m making our annual booking) is a regular member of the ensemble, performing several different characters. This version of the story includes live music too, with the talented actors also singing and playing violins, acoustic guitars and percussion instruments. Rather appropriately for a play with this name, there really are Christmas carols (Away in a Manager, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Good King Wenceslas, etc.) beautifully performed amidst the narrative. And enough passing references to mince pies, Christmas pudding and Camden Town to make a certain Brit feel quite nostalgic at this time of year. The Tavern is a small playhouse, intimate, cosy, and not stuffy at all, where actors (and ghosts) naturally interact with the audience throughout the performances. We were amused by an impromptu moment as Scrooge was moving amongst the tables and someone’s beer accidentally spilt over his shoes. The entire cast joined him (and all of us) in fits of laughter and spontaneous applause as he dried himself with a napkin before climbing back on stage, undauntedly still delivering his lines with a smile.  Paula with her former student Mark Schroeder After the show, the cast took time to mingle with everyone in the lobby, and Paula got a chance to chat with Mark about old times and happy memories. And then the evening was over for another year. Although Paula, Billy, Barbara, hubby and I are all “Christmas Carol veterans”, this was Jennifer and Jason’s first time at The Tavern. They absolutely loved it, and I have a funny feeling this could become an annual tradition for them too. As we headed outside into the chilly Atlanta night, Paula and I reminded each other, as we do every year, “Now it really does feel a lot like Christmas.” Guston's in Woodstock  Guston's Grille in Woodstock is the perfect neighborhood bar; great atmosphere, good food and lots of live music. Every Wednesday is Ladies Night - half price dinner and bottles of wine for all the girls, as well as my favorite 60s, 70s and 80s music by the brilliant Michael Allen Radio Show band. As the singer likes to say, "Half price bottles of wine make the band sound twice as good!". https://www.gustons.com/Woodstock/ Check out the band too - @TheMichaelAllenRadioShow Here are some pictures from our many Wednesday nights at Guston's  Not too exciting outside, but lots of fun inside
 The fabulous Michael Allen Radio Show band |
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July 2024
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