Latest news with #BelleÉpoque
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
This seaside European city has transformed from shabby to chic
It's been many years since I was last in Nice, and its transformation is both unmistakable and impressive. Traditionally, the French Riviera's humble (some might say shabby) seaside capital, overshadowed by its more glamorous neighbours Monte Carlo and Cannes, the city has been quietly reinventing itself as a sophisticated alternative to its glitzy cousins, with several five-star hotels opening in recent times. Here to celebrate Virgin Australia's return to long-haul flying via its new partnership with Qatar Airways, we're staying at one of these, the Anantara Plaza. It's a Belle Époque hotel set a block back from the Promenade des Anglais (and close to new designer stores along Rue Paradis), that has been smartly renovated in a collaboration by three different design and architecture studios. There are custom art pieces; bespoke furniture inspired by the hotel's coastal location, and references to local landmarks, such as the chessboard tiles in the entranceway that echo nearby Place Masséna. The rooftop bar and restaurant, Seen by Olivier, is the place du jour for sweeping views from the mountains to the Baie des Anges, the perfect accompaniment to your breakfast pain au chocolat or sunset glass of champagne. Not far away, the Hotel du Couvent, a former 17th-century convent set at the base of the Colline du Chateau, the hilltop park that dominates the old town, has undergone a meticulous and thoughtful €100 million renovation, which has taken it from derelict buildings to stunning 88-room hotel. Original colonnades and terracotta floors have been restored to reflect its monastic past, and it features three restaurants, multiple pools including Roman baths, a serene wellness studio for yoga (no unattractive weights room here) plus a bakery and a herbalist shop. Meanwhile Vieux Nice, the city's historic centre once characterised by narrow, car-clogged streets, is now a vibrant pedestrian-friendly zone, a modern tram system running through the city's revitalised core. History and tradition still abound, of course: perennial favourites in the old town are the Cours Saleya flower and produce market; Maison Auer, a rococo-decor chocolatier opposite the Opera House where candied fruits are considered a chic gift to buy, and Restaurant Acchiardo for its Nicoise specialties including stuffed vegetables and pan bagnat. Hole-in-the-wall Chez Theresa is the place to get your socca (chickpea flatbread/pancake) and pissaladiere (onion tart).
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
This seaside European city has transformed from shabby to chic
It's been many years since I was last in Nice, and its transformation is both unmistakable and impressive. Traditionally, the French Riviera's humble (some might say shabby) seaside capital, overshadowed by its more glamorous neighbours Monte Carlo and Cannes, the city has been quietly reinventing itself as a sophisticated alternative to its glitzy cousins, with several five-star hotels opening in recent times. Here to celebrate Virgin Australia's return to long-haul flying via its new partnership with Qatar Airways, we're staying at one of these, the Anantara Plaza. It's a Belle Époque hotel set a block back from the Promenade des Anglais (and close to new designer stores along Rue Paradis), that has been smartly renovated in a collaboration by three different design and architecture studios. There are custom art pieces; bespoke furniture inspired by the hotel's coastal location, and references to local landmarks, such as the chessboard tiles in the entranceway that echo nearby Place Masséna. The rooftop bar and restaurant, Seen by Olivier, is the place du jour for sweeping views from the mountains to the Baie des Anges, the perfect accompaniment to your breakfast pain au chocolat or sunset glass of champagne. Not far away, the Hotel du Couvent, a former 17th-century convent set at the base of the Colline du Chateau, the hilltop park that dominates the old town, has undergone a meticulous and thoughtful €100 million renovation, which has taken it from derelict buildings to stunning 88-room hotel. Original colonnades and terracotta floors have been restored to reflect its monastic past, and it features three restaurants, multiple pools including Roman baths, a serene wellness studio for yoga (no unattractive weights room here) plus a bakery and a herbalist shop. Meanwhile Vieux Nice, the city's historic centre once characterised by narrow, car-clogged streets, is now a vibrant pedestrian-friendly zone, a modern tram system running through the city's revitalised core. History and tradition still abound, of course: perennial favourites in the old town are the Cours Saleya flower and produce market; Maison Auer, a rococo-decor chocolatier opposite the Opera House where candied fruits are considered a chic gift to buy, and Restaurant Acchiardo for its Nicoise specialties including stuffed vegetables and pan bagnat. Hole-in-the-wall Chez Theresa is the place to get your socca (chickpea flatbread/pancake) and pissaladiere (onion tart).
Euronews
3 days ago
- Euronews
See Andalusia in sumptuous style on Spain's 1930s luxury train
Sitting on silk sofas, surrounded by mirrors and lacquered wood panelled walls, passengers on Spain's Al Ándalus train are abuzz as the carriages glide out of Aranjuez station. The glamorous hotel on wheels was one of the country's first luxury trains when it began operating in 1985. The wagons were originally bought from the British royal family. Now run by state-owned rail company Renfe, passengers can journey sedately around the Andalusia region in sumptuous Belle Époque style, sleeping and dining in the refurbished carriages from the 1920s and 30s. And starting in 2026, the itinerary will include new stops, beginning and ending in the Spanish capital. Travel from Madrid to Seville on a luxury historic train For the 2026 season, the Al Ándalus train will run between April and October with trips of seven days and six nights. You can choose to follow the itinerary in either direction, from Madrid to Seville or vice versa. During the dreamy journey, passengers stop at some of Spain's most magnificent cities and storied attractions. In the La Mancha region, there is a visit to an artisanal cheese factory and a wine cellar, while in Jerez de la Frontera, guests attend the show a famous equestrian ballet set to Spanish music. In Aranjuez, there is a visit to the Royal Palace and its gardens, while in Córdoba, passengers take a tour of the extraordinary Mosque-Cathedral. Throughout the trip, travellers stop at a total of 10 destinations, including five world heritage sites. A luxury coach accompanies the train along the entire route to facilitate excursions, and a multilingual guide is present throughout the journey. Sleep in 1930s carriages on board the Al Ándalus train The experience on board is a fabulous time-warp. The suites and rooms are inside carriages that were built in France at the beginning of the last century to take the members of the British monarchy between Calais and the Côte d'Azur. There are two accommodation categories to choose from - a Deluxe Suite or a Grand Class Room - both of which are clad in decorated veneer panels and feature en-suites. There are also four lounge cars dating from 1928 and 1930, which dazzle with scarlet velvet upholstery and soft gilded lighting. In the restaurant, dishes exalt Spanish ingredients like olive oil, sherry wine, and Jabugo Iberian ham. Live music and a gala dinner Of course, this kind of opulence doesn't come cheap. The cost per person for two sharing a Deluxe Suite is €7,900, while for a Grand Class room, it is €6,600. While it's a hefty sum, it does include admission to all scheduled visits and all breakfasts, lunches and dinners, whether served onboard or in select local restaurants. It also covers on-board activities like live music and performances, parties in the bar, and the end-of-trip gala dinner. Passengers receive a welcome drink and snack, unlimited water, and a toilet bag with toiletries and slippers. Those staying in a Deluxe Suite can also enjoy all non-alcoholic beverages in the minibar free of charge, a crew service to pack and unpack bags and sort clothes, and the opening and closing of the bed upon request.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Accor's MGallery Collection unveils Le Talaia Hotel & Spa in France
The MGallery Collection, a part of French hospitality company Accor, has expanded its portfolio with the addition of Le Talaia Hotel & Spa in Biarritz in France's Basque Country. The property is nestled in a region known for its surf culture and Belle Époque architecture, and just 35km from the Spanish border. The 149-room hotel provides guests with views over the Côte des Basques, a rooftop restaurant, and a renovated ocean-facing façade. In addition, the Sanctuary Spa at the hotel provides wellness treatments in partnership with luxury French spa brand Cinq Mondes. Additionally, the hotel caters to the surfing community with a dedicated Surf Room for board maintenance post-surfing sessions. The property's interior design, crafted by Jean-Philippe Nuel, integrates neo-Basque style. Unique to each MGallery Collection hotel is its signature M Moment, and at Le Talaia Hotel & Spa, guests can experience the Tiki Combi Van that offers various itineraries guided by a local expert. These include a sports tour with surfing and yoga, an artistic exploration, or a nature-centric adventure. MGallery Collection and the Le Talaia Hotel & Spa team are actively involved in supporting local communities and non-governmental organisations. The hotel has established a collaboration with La Maison Goxa Leku, a Basque cancer support centre, providing complimentary spa treatments and hosting fundraising events throughout the year. In related news, Accor announced plans to launch 11 new Adagio properties across Europe and Africa in March 2023. "Accor's MGallery Collection unveils Le Talaia Hotel & Spa in France" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Irish Examiner
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Dalí décor: Create home of your dreams with the surrealist interior design trend
Just when we might have thought maximalism couldn't take us anywhere more extravagant, along comes the for surrealist interiors with its liberal distribution of curios and the feeling you might have woken up on the set of a Wes Anderson film. Think Grand Budapest Hotel with its whimsical Belle Époque buildings and its colour palette of soft pastels and bold reds and purples, and plenty of curated clutter added in. La Doce Vitabailey 12-light pendant chandelier; €2,235.93, Modern surrealist interiors are more liveable than that, although the look lends itself better to larger spaces. But even in smaller rooms, it can make its presence felt, even if it's just a poster of Salvador Dalí's Lobster Telephone (€29.90, Etsy). Walls are always a good place to start, and what we hang on them puts the final touches to our interior design efforts. For high surrealist drama, try coming face-to-face with the Mona Lisa of interiors, Italian operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri, whose gaze fascinated Piero Fornasetti, founder of the luxury design company, who made it the motif for his wall plates. It's a collection of eight, which will set you back by the princely sum of €2,000 to bedeck your walls or use as a decorative element in tablescaping. Rockett St George's Striped Lips sofa inspired by Salvador Dali's original design; €905. When Palm Beach-based interior designer Jonathan Adler, who has a surrealist theme running through much of his homewares, was designing his Druggist porcelain tableware, he said that wherever he looked, he wanted to see eyes looking back at him. You'll see exactly what he means if you raise one of his elegant blue and white cups to your lips and find yourself eye-balling a bright blue peeper. It's a strange mix of beauty and slight discomfort, but, hey, welcome to surrealism. Quirky enough to create a conversational buzz without going too far, pieces start at £20, with an individual place setting consisting of dinner plate, dessert plate, soup bowl and cup and saucer costing £132. The Kensington, London shop is happy to quote in euro and help with shipping, or make a flying visit and browse in person some subtle surrealist-inspired textiles and accessories. Kukoon's Zebra print stairs runner makes a statement in a hallway; from €4.20 per foot. Parisian fabric house Pierre Frey has always produced designs on the arty side, so when they teamed up with interior designer Ken Fulk, who has bedecked the interiors of homes for the likes of Pharrell Williams and Gigi Hadid, the Surreal World Collection was the result. It's pared-back surrealism in a grey cotton velvet, which on close inspection is sketched with faces inspired by Salvador Dalí's 1941 Rothschild masked ball at the Hotel Del Monte in California. You really can't escape Dalí's influence if you embrace this trend, nor can you escape faces and parts thereof. Lips are also a theme. Design buffs will know Dalí's original red sofa design was inspired by the lips of Hollywood siren Mae West. Rockett St George's Striped Lips sofa is a variation on the theme of this boudoir-friendly seat, although they've given it a contemporary twist with monochrome upholstery featuring black diagonal bands, €905. Jonathan Adler's Druggist tableware citing the eye motif synonymous with surrealist art. Overhead, lighting takes on the surrealist's pastels with the La Doce Vitabailey 12 light pendant chandelier; €2,235.93, from Admittedly, it can be pricey, high-end stuff, but there are wallet-friendly options to explore, especially when it comes to another surrealist theme: Animals. Kukoon Rugs has a stair runner in a zebra print, €21 per five-metre run, and a rug version, €60. Creatures serving no purpose except to be looked at include the Deco gold gorilla ornament, €159, from EZ Living Interiors, which could be added to a coffee table and herded with their Origami black elephant statue, €49, and a wooden ram's head on a plinth, €119. Rams are a symbol of courage, and you might just need some for this trend, especially if you buy into the sartorial end. Ken Fulk's Surrealist Ball fabric for Pierre Frey; €218.37 (ex Vat) per metre. Serviceable footwear company Birkenstock eyed up an opportunity to collaborate with fashion brand Opening Ceremony to celebrate the surrealist art of René Magritte. Taking his Le Faux Miroir as inspiration, they've applied a staring, heavily lashed eye to the Boston clog. The Irish Museum of Modern Art and Cork's Vibes & Scribes sell the Sole-Adore Dalí socks with a cartoonish rendition of the artist's face positioned just above the ankle; €10.50. Add a pair to the Birkenstocks for the socks-and-sandals look beloved of dads everywhere.
