Si Frew - LUXURY TRAVEL - travelog

Si Frew - LUXURY TRAVEL

Another James Bond Moment at The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort - Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas - June 2018

14/6/2018

I got to meet GM John, & his unbelievable team, when I arrived. It was such a thrill.

It was more than 15 years since I last visited Bahamas, when I came on a business trip from Bermuda, and I was keen to see the place again. It was around that time that I also started visiting Cayman Islands, also on business trips. In many ways Cayman Islands is a different place and so I was keen to see Bahamas again.

The One & Only in Bahamas becoming a Four Seasons in 2017 was the perfect excuse and learning the 2006 remake of Casino Royale was filmed there made me even more excited.

John Kentish-Barnes from Four Seasons at Park Lane was now the hotel Manager, while John Conway is still the General Manager, and so I knew I was going to have a memorable stay. However, the genuine warmth of the Bahamian staff blew me away. The word 'paradise' is sometimes overused but I think The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort - Bahamas, and their extraordinary staff, truly deserve this description.

A True Friend Comes to Visit You in Cayman Islands for a Second Time - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - May 2018

22/5/2018

We drank Veuve Clicquot Rich poured over ice and grapefruit zest, with my signature canapés, while watching sunset,

My friend from Uruguay, who let me stay at his places in Punta del Este for two months (after I left Qatar), came to stay with me in Cayman Islands for a second time.

We had such an unbelievable time again, drinking Veuve Clicquot Rich, which I first drank at Four Seasons Abu Dhabi, while watching sunset; going to the Moet brunch at the Ritz-Carlton; me showing off my notable BBQing skills on my Weber Grills again; dinner at the Royal Palms watching sunset and finally eating fish gumbo at Da Fish Shack.

However, it was spending time with this special friend, and his offer that I can stay with him again, when I leave Cayman Islands, that was so exceptional.

Hope the photos below give you some idea of the phenomenal week we enjoyed together.

'Last' Night in London in an Exquisite Westminster Suite at Four Seasons at Park Lane - London, UK - April 2018

1/5/2018

The sitting room of my Westminster Suite with the Veuve Clicquot chilling and afternoon tea in the background.

I was nervous about staying at Four Seasons at Park Lane so soon after legendary GM John had left. However, Manager Mali ensured it was another memorable stay in opulent surroundings with exemplary Four Seasons staff.

It was just a pity I did not get to meet new GM Lynn, as she was not yet in place. However, I did leave a #travelblog www.sifrew.com. baseball cap for her.

Four Seasons at Park Lane remains one of the best Four Seasons in the group and a hotel Mr Sharp can still be justly proud of.

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London: Class You Cannot Buy - London, UK - April 2018

30/4/2018

Gwyn from The Going, Issy and Robert (named after the new Dorchester GM I had met that morning) in The Rosebery Lounge.

This 'Celebrity Fan' stayed at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London before its recent refurbishment and was eager to see what the over GBP85MN spent had achieved.

Marie (the hotel's PR Director) and Ines were kind enough to give me a tour and even arranged a complimentary lunch in Bar Boulud. I have eaten there before & also in Daniel Boulud's New York places.

The refurbishment is stunning, with all the attention to detail and additional light but it was my fellow dinners in Bar Boulud that evidenced the class/caliber of this London institution of a 5 star hotel. The 'great & the good' of Bermuda always stayed there during the 6 years when I lived, and worked, in Bermuda.

Stay in a Sumptuous Dorchester Suite at The Dorchester & Meet Their New GM - London, UK - April 2018

29/4/2018

Issy & Gwyn from The Goring in the sitting room of my lavish Dorchester suite. There were balloons, as well as Veuve Clicquot, to celebrate this Brand Ambassador's return.

Problems with emails from my iPhone X to Dorchester Collection email addresses in London & Paris meant I had not stayed with them since my big Far East trip.

I was so glad I did stay at The Dorchester on my last London stay. Emily (Director of Guest Relations) welcomed me back with such warmth; my Dorchester suite brought me near tears with its luxurious, but comfortable, beauty; and I was able to discuss my connections with the Qatari Royal Family with their ex-Four Seasons GM Robert.

The warmth of my welcome back; prints by HRH Prince Charles, the Japanese remote controlled toilet in the suite etc; and meeting new GM Robert, and talking to his brilliant PA Janice again, made this a 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) stay at this iconic London hotel.

An Invitation to Try Scarfes Bar at Rosewood, London - London, UK - April 2018

29/4/2018

The 'Doha dream team' in Scarfes Bar in Rosewood, London. Note my new www.sifrew.com polo shirt!

After seeing three 5 star London hotels already that afternoon, I almost cancelled Rosewood, London. However, my friend was making a special effort to see me, despite a flight to Sao Paulo the next day, and I love charismatic ex-Four Seasons Michael Bonsor and Rosewood, London.

I was so glad I tried Scarfes Bar. Gerald Scarfe CBE's iconic illustrations/ cartoons/ caricatures were a major part of my childhood (eg Pink Floyd's 'The Wall', 'Yes, Minister' etc) and this cosy but lively 'real bar' is a place people must try. The only venue where you can "get Scarfed".

Champagne to start, Marie (their Director of Communications) coming to say hello at 8:30pm, my fascinating guest, the tartan trousers of the waiters and Mr Scarfe CBE donating his earning from the venture to Parkinson's UK definitely make this a 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(6 out of 5 ‘teddies’) experience.

The Ned Hotel; Hotel Threadneedles; & Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square: 5 Star Hotels in The City of London Get Visits from #travelblog www.sifrew.com - London, UK - April 2018

28/4/2018

David (Manager of The Ned) & me outside the former Midland Bank vault door. Now the entrance to a private members' bar. My face says it all about the fun I had seeing The Ned with David.

On my first afternoon back in London, after Shropshire, I undertook a whirlwind tour of The Ned with their energetic Manager David.

He showed me the private members' areas (the rooftop pool is small) and an elegant Terrace Suite. I was given a new teddy bear, who must be called 'little Ned'.

This is clearly a 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻( 5 out of 5 ‘teddies’) hotel that I would encourage readers to visit.

Next I went to meet Cedric (GM of Hotel Threadneedles). It was a pleasure to have a drink with this charming Belgium hotelier, swap hotel stories and talk about why readers of #travelblog www.sifrew.com should never use Santa Fe Relo. They issued me with false invoices for more than a year, appointed debt collectors to recover funds I never owed and are now hiding behind bad legal advice to avoid paying compensation for the stress cause to me and my family.

Finally I went to Four Seasons at Ten Trinity Square where I met their new GM Vincent and talked about my stay at Four Seasons Amman in Jordan, where he was last GM.

This was all before an evening in Scarfes Bar, at the invitation of Rosewood, London, with my friend who formerly work for Tony Blair in 10 Dowing Street.

Another unbelievable day in my life.

Love Spending Time With My Incredible Family & Friends - Shrewsbury, Shropshire - April 2018

27/4/2018

I eat in some of the best restaurants in the world but my mum's Shropshire roast beef Sunday lunch still takes some beating. I provided the wine & my niece the company. A sublime afternoon.

I am so proud to be a 'Shropshire lad'. Shrewsbury is such a beautiful historic town and I am so lucky to have been sent to Prestfelde Prep School & Shrewsbury School, with all the friends I still have from those places. It is amazing to think Charles Darwin also went to the latter.

During my time in Shrewsbury I got to spend more time with my incredible parents; ate in Darwin's Kitchen; Number Four; and The Golden Cross; helped my brother celebrate his birthday; went for drinks in The Three Fishes pub with friends; had lunch with a knowledgeable and sensible friend; had coffee with my marvelous artistic godmother and heard Charlie Adlard, Comics Laureate and artist for 'The Walking Dead', who I was at Shrewsbury School with, speak about this career.

A memorably perfect week and I hope the photos below do it some justice. Well worth the 12 hour flight from Cayman Islands.

Another 🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) stay in Shrewsbury.

'Breakfast at Tiffany's': Dreams Do Come True!!! - Tiffany & Co, New York - April 2018

23/4/2018

Grant, Issy & Pasha, ready for 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.

I have watched the 1961 movie 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' more times than I can count, adore Audrey Hepburn & 'Moon River' and have wanted to have breakfast in The Blue Box Cafe in Tiffany & Co from the moment it opened in November 2017. This was another 'impossible reservation' that Mandarin Oriental, New York managed to secure for me.

The experience was far classier, well executed and the food better than I expected and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' gained a 7 'teddy' rating.

A Mandarin Oriental Fan Has a MO Celebrity Fan Stay at Mandarin Oriental, New York in a Premier Central Park View Suite - New York - April 2018

23/4/2018

The teddy bear specially made for our visit with MONY 2018 embroidered on one of his paws. I have decided to call him Grant, after Grant Achatz. Mandarin Oriental, New York recently opened The Aviary, NYC & The Office, NYC and Mandarin Oriental had invited me back to their New York hotel to try the former.

This Mandarin Oriental 'Fan' has quite a history with this luxury hotel group. From spending the only Christmas I did not spend with my family at Elbow Beach in Bermuda, when it was managed by Mandarin Oriental, to unforgettable stays at the Oriental in Bangkok, when the legendary Amanda Hyndman was their GM, to stays at Mandarin Oriental San Francisco (when it still existed), to interviewing for my Qatar job at the Mandarin Oriental DC, to stays in Barcelona, Miami, Hyde Park etc and being shown Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong etc.

I first stayed at Mandarin Oriental, New York when I was living in Bermuda, shortly after it first opened in December 2003.

On my most recent stay Manager Israel made sure I was treated as a 'Celebrity Fan' with a beautiful suite overlooking Central Park, hotel cars and a reserved table in The Aviary, NYC. A 7 'teddies' stay without any doubt and such a contrast with The Ludlow Hotel, New York and Mr & Mrs Smith travel.

An Exquisite, & Fun, Sunday Lunch at Eleven Madison Park: Number One Restaurant in the World - New York - April 2018

21/4/2018

#travelblog www.sifrew.com had the honour of being invited into Daniel Humm's kitchens, where a truffle dish was prepared for us.

I have wanted to eat in Swiss born Daniel Humm's Eleven Madison Park ("EMP") for some time. It is currently No 1 in The World's 50 Best Restaurants and Mandarin Oriental, New York managed to secure me one of their prized reservations.

This three Michelin starred restaurant is an elegant temple to fine dining that was recently 'reinvented' with fewer tables and a smaller number of courses (11 to 7). I have eaten 17 courses at Grant Achatz's 'Alinea' in Chicago, this was mind blowing but I still believe "less is more".

This whole experience blew my mind too. I have no doubt that this restaurant deserves to be called 'No 1 in the World', the service and food were sublime and it was a stylish & elaborate meal I will never forget.

A Sensational Breakfast at Dirty French @ The Ludlow Hotel - New York - April 2018

19/4/2018

Pasha sits to the left of my MacBook Pro and we were all excited about checking into the Mandarin Oriental, New York that afternoon.

After arriving late in New York because of an expired ESTA visa waiver, & being rerouted via Boston, my stay at The Ludlow Hotel on the Lower East Side was not a huge success.

Their staff were excellent but a neighborhood where emergency vehicle sirens seemed to be almost constant until 4am, and one of the only two elevators being out of service, leading to unacceptably long delays, meant this was not the right hotel for someone who is almost 50 coming from quiet Cayman Islands. However, breakfast in Dirty French the next morning was a different story.

I should also mentioned this was the first time I had made a booking via Mr & Mrs Smith, despite being unimpressed by a review they posted of Song Saa Private Island, it did not sound like the reviewer had actually visited the same place I had been to in Cambodia. However, I did not feel they improved my experience and so will not be using them again. I am sorry about this because my parents know Tamara Lohan's father (Sir Algernon Heber-Percy KCVO) in Shropshire.

Berlin Friends Help Me Celebrate My 2018 Birthday in 'Si Frew Style' - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - March 2018

3/4/2018

I came back after work on my birthday to find all this. My friends are the best.

I am so lucky that one of my best friends from Berlin, and her son, were willing to fly 16 hours to Cayman Islands to help me celebrate by 2018 birthday.

The week they were here was a dream with us seeing a baby turtle and stingray from Seven Mile Beach on their first evening; lots of Veuve Clicquot; incredible birthday gifts; champagne from Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa; a stunning new member of the 'gang' from Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman; and my friend making me Eggs Benedict at home.

Hope the photos below do some justice to the awesome week I had with these special people.

🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - a '7 teddies' birthday in Cayman Islands, without any doubt.

A Veuve Clicquot Perfect Day for a Brand Ambassador at Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman - Cayman Islands - March 2018

19/3/2018

Thanks to Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, I finally got to use the Veuve Clicquot hammock LVMH sent me at Christmas here in Cayman Islands.

My 4th Houseguests Come to Cayman Islands to Help Me Celebrate the Start of My Birthday Month - Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - March 2018

8/3/2018

I was so thrilled that my friends from Houston came to Cayman Islands to help me celebrate the start of my birthday month.

It was brilliant to see them, find out about their new River Oaks house and watch Cayman Islands sunsets together.

We also got to experience a very special Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Moet brunch and memorable dinner at The Lighthouse. We loved meeting Giuseppe & Susanna there.

Hope the photos below help you to appreciate what a exceptional week it was here in Cayman Islands.

🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(7 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - seeing my friends again, Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman & The Lighthouse, the sunsets and the Veuve Clicquot made it a '7 teddies' Cayman Islands week.

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman really rose to the challenge of celebrating the start of www.sifrew.com's birthday month.

I Have the Best Parents in the World! Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - February 2018

21/2/2018

The Cayman Islands based Frew family at brunch at the Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa. The hotel gave us the beautiful flowers to mark mum's birthday the following week. Note my www.sifrew.com polo shirt!

I am so lucky to be approaching 50 (the day comes in March 2019) and still have both of my parents and they were so kind and agreed to take the 12 hour British Airways flight from the UK to visit me here in Cayman Islands.

We ate at Morgan's, Catch, Royal Palms, the Ritz-Carlton, Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa and Luca; visited the 51st Agriculture Show in Cayman Islands and drank lots of Veuve Clicquot but it was being able to spend so much time together that was so special.

Hope the photos below give some idea about how memorable this time together in Cayman Islands was.

Heavenly Burgers at Parker New York & Perfect Martinis at Four Seasons New York - New York - January 2018

7/1/2018

The view from 42nd floor pool at Parker New York.

For my last night in New York I decided to stay at Parker New York again. I last stayed there on the way back to Bermuda from a business trip to Singapore & Hong Kong.

I started with coffee with Marisa (Vice President of Marketing & Development) who explained that Le Parker Meridien was rebranding as Parker New York and they have big refurbishment plans. This sounded great, I have always thought their incredible location was underutilized. I have been to cutting edge Parker Palm Springs and had not even appreciated the two were linked.

The 'burger joint' at Parker New York is as outstanding as ever, and the queues are still as long! A place #travelblog www.sifrew.com highly recommends.

On my last visit there, after very dry Grey Goose martinis chatting to Four Seasons star Olga at Four Seasons New York, people asked for photos with www.sifrew.com. I am now a 'celebrity' in New York!

Think it is unfair to 'teddy rate' the Parker New York at this stage of its development.

A Cold But Awesome Further Stay at Four Seasons New York Downtown, in an Executive Suite, for New Year - New York - December 2017 - January 2018

3/1/2018

The instructions for the hot chocolate left for Issy & me. Such a sweet gesture.

For my 16th New Year stay with Four Seasons in New York, I booked the Four Seasons New York Downtown again.

This was my third stay at this hotel and I was so pleased I did. They gave me a beautiful suite with train set, Veuve Clicquot champagne on ice, a cashmere Four Seasons hat to keep me warm and even left hot chocolate for Issy.

When I arrived Steven (Director of Rooms) greeted me before I even said my name and I immediately knew this was going to be an epic New Year stay.

A Sensational Breakfast at Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park - New York - December 2017

31/12/2017

The Eggs Benedict with crushed black truffles in the salsa was outstanding.

My stay at Ritz-Carlton New York, Battery Park was overshadowed by a medical emergency on my plane from Cayman Islands. However, the breakfast the next day more than made up for this.

I was the first person at breakfast on the Saturday (getting there before 7am) and Ricardo was my cheerful & friendly server.

It seemed odd to be given an iPad to view the menu but then not be able to use it to place the order. Guess I am too used to Four Seasons technology.

However, the Eggs Benedict with crushed black truffles in the salsa was remarkable. I ate this reading the Weekend Financial Times and chatting to sweet Flora, a server from China.

In the Financial Times there were details of the first Bitcoin related kidnapping in the Ukraine. This had me thinking about my time working on a bank in Cyprus last year and emailing various regulatory contacts about all this.

🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻(6 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - definitely a '6 teddy' breakfast.

The New First Class Suites on American Airlines, Heathrow to Miami Flight on a 777-300 - Great Seat/Bed & Crew But Shame About The Food - December 2017

30/12/2017

Seat 1A in First Class had ample space for my 'www.sifrew.com gang from London' and me. Note my Four Seasons New York Downtown baseball cap.

Having flown on British Airways and Qatar Airways in First Class numerous times, and in 'The Apartments' on Etihad Airways, I decided I must try the American Airlines new First Class suites. My 15 hour journeys from Cayman Islands, at Christmas, seemed the perfect opportunity to do this.

I was impressed by the seat/bed, and crew, but once again the American Airlines First Class food let them down. Hence my '4 teddy' rating.

Divine Christmas Stay in a Deluxe One Bedroom Suite at Four Seasons at Park Lane, London, UK - December 2017

29/12/2017

A Veuve Clicquot fridge was put in my suite with a magnum of Veuve Clicquot and so much fruit there were complaints from some of my Twitter Followers!

I have an incredible history with Four Seasons at Park Lane. I first stayed there as part of a Paris, New York and London Four Seasons 'themed' trip from Qatar. It had not been refurbished at that stage and I wrote to Mr Sharp (Founder & Chairman) saying it should not be part of Four Seasons. He wrote back 'agreeing' and it shut down shortly after!

I then stayed there again after the refurbishment, when they left Sichuan pepper and Parmesan popcorn in my suite, relating to an 'incident' three years before.

The service & attention to detail in this uber luxurious Four Seasons is legendary and I knew I must stay there on this Christmas trip to wish Four Seasons star GM John congratulations on his 35 years with Four Seasons.

I was so glad I did. My suite, with a working fireplace, took my breath away and everything about the stay was beyond perfection. An incredible way to end Christmas before flying back to Cayman Islands for a night before Four Seasons New York Downtown again for New Year.

Christmas 2017: The Word 'Sublime' Cannot Do It Justice - Shrewsbury, Shropshire

27/12/2017

My friends & family were so thoughtful and generous with their presents.

Once again, despite Russian visa issues, my whole family was together for Christmas. I met friends from my Prestfelde and Shrewsbury School days; my mum cooked divine roast goose; my brother a roast turkey feast on Boxing Day; and I adored my cards & present from friends and family around the world.

It was truly a '7 teddy Christmas' and I was so lucky to spend it was my brilliant mum & dad and friends. It just went by too quickly.

Hope the few photos below give some flavour of the fun we had.

My First Red Carpet Welcome @ Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square, London, UK - December 2017

24/12/2017

The hotel literally rolled out the red carpet for me. With party poppers, a glass of cold champagne and a hug from F&B Director Antoine, it was an incredible way to return to this beautiful hotel.

I visited Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square in London on the first day it opened, and have been shown their private members' club and residencies, and they had been storing Veuve Clicquot I did not want to take to Cayman Islands for 8 months. This was, therefore, the natural choice for my first hotel of Christmas 2017.

I wanted it to be a special start to Christmas and Four Seasons, Ten Trinity Square exceeded my expectations by far. It truly is a 'seven teddy' hotel now.

The Sensational New American Airlines Flagship First Dining, Terminal 3 @ Miami International Airport, Florida, USA - December 2017

23/12/2017

Luis making me a perfect very dry Grey Goose martini. He was such a ray of sunshine to deal with that I gave Four Seasons: The Surf Club in Miami his details the next day.

After delays with my American Airlines plane from Cayman Islands, which culminated with an email warning me that I may miss my connection flight taking me to Christmas in the UK, the American Airlines Flagship First Dining experience was a much needed oasis of pampered luxury.

This First Class dining experience was superior to British Airways' Concorde Room dining and would be difficult to improve on. A 'seven teddy' experience, without doubt.

Divine Steak, Tango & a Third Stay at Four Seasons Buenos Aires in a Mansion View Junior Suite - Buenos Aires, Argentina - November 2017

20/11/2017

Breakfast in 'Elena' at Four Seasons Buenos Aires showcases everything that is exceptional about this hotel. Argentinian details, sensational food and the best of Four Seasons staff. It was made even better by General Manager Tulio coming for another chat with me, on his way to the gym!

I have been visiting Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina for almost 20 years now and my association with Four Seasons Buenos Aires has been for just as long.

I had intended to stay with a special friend in his elegant Buenos Aires apartment but Tulio (the hotel General Manager) inviting me to stay for a night at the hotel meant I was too tempted and I was so glad I did.

Four Seasons Buenos Aires, like the whole of Argentina, has had to deal with so many adversities but does so with true 'Buenos Aires flair' and the staff exhibit all that is best about Four Seasons service.