| The 'Epic 6 Week Trip' After 6 flights & 5 countries the 14th, and last, hotel on the 'Epic Trip' had to be Four Seasons, Doha. This was the 7th Four Seasons on the trip & visiting Four Seasons Resort & Residences at The Pearl Qatar, on my last full day, took the total of Four Seasons visited to 8. A Red Carpet Welcome & A Tranquil Suite A friendly and cheerful red carpet welcome was waiting for me. The suite I had been allocated had incredible views of the beach & Nobu, Doha and was in beautiful pale colours & had a huge shower. I loved the mock up of 'FS Doha News' but was surprised there was no champagne. There was a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne when I stayed in 2022. Friday Brunch in Curiosa by Jean-Georges My trip was perfectly timed with Sunday brunch in Bangkok, Saturday brunch in Dubai and now Friday brunch in Doha. My welcome drink at 'Curiosa by Jean-Georges' was a 'Lychee Passion Martini' (vodka, orange liqueur & Veuve Clicquot champagne) with & gummy bears. The friends I met for brunch are some of the best friends I have in the world, the live music was brilliant and the food excellent. Brunch could not have been any better. The Library Lounge & The 'Epic Trip Martini Challenge' The black pepper & olive oil gin martini entered was the antithesis of what I like and so I decided it was ineligible for the challenge. However, sitting at the bar with one of my best friends was a dream come true. The Pool Where Frozen Grapes Were Served And Your Sunglasses Cleaned My lunches by the pool were delicious, & I appreciated The Weekend Financial Times & Wall Street Journal being printed off for me, but some of the touches that made this pool special have been lost over the years. Nobu, Doha & Four Seasons Resort & Residences at The Pearl Qatar I had a bit of a disaster with my transport to Nobu, Doha but this was more than made up for PR Director Clara's tour of Four Seasons Resort & Residences at The Pearl Qatar. Stunning residences and restaurants I want to try. Thanks to GM Mehdi for arranging this at short notice and GM Shadi at Four Seasons, Doha for arranging a Series 7 BMW. Elements Reopened For My Last Day: Memories of My Almost 10 Years Living & Working in Doha I was thrilled 'Elements' reopened for breakfast on my last morning. Have so many happy memories made in that room. Also loved having coffee with one of my former Qatari colleagues from the QFC Regulatory Authority. Four Seasons, Doha has a very special place in my heart but the lack of a bottle of champagne at my last hotel on my 'Epic Trip' is inexcusable. This, combined with the reduction in the pool service. has to rate a '7 teddies' (🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻🐻) score. Tips: get transport for Nobu, Doha from the front of the hotel & do not expect your suite access card to open gates by the water. |     |
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 A Mandarin Oriental, Manhattan Mercedes, with Eddie the legendary driver, drove me to The Aman, Manhattan.
The Weekend Financial Times described this new hotel as the "most expensive in New York" (more than double the price of the existing best Manhattan hotels) and it currently has a policy that only Aman members and guests of the hotel can enter the hotel. Simon (Director of Marketing for the hotel) made an exception for me and I was mesmerised by all the elegance of it all. This 83 suite hotel is just off 5th Avenue by Bvlgari. Simon and enjoyed a glass of champagne on the outside terrace with its water features & fire pits. It was a joy to chat with this hotel professional and he then took me on a tour of the Japanese restaurant, spa, pool etc I was astonished by the quiet calm of the place and quality of the Japanese wood in the restaurant etc. At times you feel you are in an Asian resort, rather than in bustling Manhattan. Roland Fasel (who I know from his time as General Manager of The Dorchester) is COO of Aman Group. He was staying in the hotel & can be justifiably be proud of what they have achieved in Manhattan. A '7 teddy' hotel for certain. I have a candle from the spa to remember all this. |
The AuthorsSi Frew has lived in the UK, Bermuda, Qatar, Cyprus & the Cayman Islands. During this time he met Whoopi Goldberg (in Claridge's), Mike Tyson (in the Concorde Lounge at JFK) , Gordon Ramsay (in the Doha Four Seasons), Chris Eubanks (in The Dorchester), Cherie Blair (in Bermuda & again in the Doha Four Seasons) etc. There are funny stories attached to all these interactions, feel free to ask Si about them when you meet him. Archives
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