Latest news with #Smeg
Times
a day ago
- Times
Ace Hotel Brooklyn hotel review: a laid-back, stylish NYC stay
You may not expect a hotel lobby built of cast concrete slabs to feel warm and homely, but that's exactly the atmosphere at the Ace in Brooklyn. Here, neighbourhood locals perch for hours on creased leather couches, working on their laptops at long, varnished tables or meeting for a drink or a coffee under warm amber lights at the bar. The Ace brand knows how to turn a public space into a welcoming third place with a unique blend of style, comfort, and local culture. The property is a hub of community and creativity, with a roster of events and art exhibitions that connect visitors to the local scene. Given its location near multiple subway lines and the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, guests can easily explore the local neighbourhood while enjoying quick access to Manhattan. Service here is informal, but swift and capable, setting the tone for a relaxed and stylish stay. This article contains affiliate links that will earn us revenue Score 7/10The industrial decor of the 287 rooms was designed by Roman and Williams in prevailing hues of deep forest green (carpet), orange (plywood panels and furniture) and charcoal (ceiling) and tempered by vintage instruments, woollen tapestries and wall hangings made by local artists. There's nothing extraneous here — warehouse windows let in loads of light, platform beds are covered in tactile linens, hangers on metal pipes serve as the wardrobe, wooden pegs are perfectly placed for towels and dressing gowns. The smallest room is a sizeable Queen with room to walk around — the bonus to staying in an outer borough. The spacious bathrooms all have concrete sinks and walk-in showers with rainfall heads and stylish custom dressing gowns. The Ace Suite is the only room with a tub. Be sure to book west-facing rooms above the fifth floor for views across brownstone Brooklyn and its church steeples to New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty and the green hill of Staten Island. While the rooms are stocked with Smeg mini-fridges, sturdy white diner mugs and a kettle, there's no tea, coffee or milk on offer — which is all part of the Ace's ethos to make sure guests leave their room and join in the communal vibe of the shared public spaces. Score 8/10 It's New York so there are only about, say, 4,397 restaurants to choose from, but dinner at Lele's Roman, the Ace's all-day restaurant should not be considered an also-ran. The colourful dining room gets an extra buzz from the street-facing windows letting in some of that Brooklyn hustle, and chef Francesco Battisti's new menu has welcome dishes like pinsas (flatbreads) and a sophisticated kids' menu, which is always a good idea in this part of family-friendly Brooklyn. Breakfasts here run from pastrami bagels and eggs Benedict to prosciutto cotto omelettes with fontina cheese. Meanwhile, lit by skylight in the lobby's airy, plant-filled Garden Room, visiting chefs get to strut their stuff at gastro pop-ups with small plates and wines by the glass. The backlit bar is definitely the place to unwind after a day in the city, sipping a craft cocktail or a tongue-tingling, non-alcoholic spritz. • More of the best hotels in New York• Best restaurants in New York Score 7/10The Ace aims to be part of the fabric of the neighbourhood and its calendar has a full roster of artworks, temporary exhibitions, events curated by artists in residence, and DJ parties late into the wee hours. The subway even obligingly rumbles underfoot at regular intervals. There's no spa or fitness centre. The hotel has no-nonsense eco-friendly policies, including soap flakes of cedar and charcoal in the bathrooms to prevent waste, water bottle-filling stations in the hallways, and linens are changed every three days. Score 8/10While the Ace's downtown Brooklyn location won't win any beauty contests, it's a hop, skip and jump from some of Brooklyn's trendiest shops, restaurants and cultural hotspots such as the Barclay Center, BAM and Lucali's (Taylor Swift's favourite pizzeria). The Ace is the perfect base for exploring the Brooklyn lifestyle in neighbourhoods like Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, Dumbo, and Fort Greene. It's also surrounded by multiple subway lines with downtown Manhattan a mere two stations away. The closest Citi Bike share is two blocks from the hotel, for those who want to tour on two wheels. Price room-only doubles from £156 Restaurant mains from £18Family-friendly NAccessible Y Sunshine Flint was a guest of Ace Hotel Brooklyn ( • More of the best hotels in Brooklyn• Best affordable hotels in New York
RNZ News
5 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Smeg New World giveaway smart move, says marketing expert
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas Being part of New World's latest promo is unlikely to hurt Smeg's higher-end image, even if people are picking up its products for nothing, marketing experts say. The supermarket is offering baking dishes and utensil organisers in return for stickers collected at a rate of one per $20. Some items, such as the cast iron braiser, require cash on top of stickers. Kitchen Things is selling Smeg casserole dishes for more than $450 and a set of three containers for $439. Sarah Dodds, a senior marketing lecturer at Massey University, said it was a smart move for Smeg to be involved in the New World giveaway. "It gives them exposure to a broader target market, a sensible growth strategy in today's market to increase market share. "Although Smeg is typically positioned as a premium, designer appliance brand, partnering with a major supermarket like New World offers widespread visibility across New Zealand, creating brand awareness and interest from aspirational consumers who may not have previously considered high-end appliances." She said giveaways could often generate excitement and goodwill. "Associating the brand with a Kiwi supermarket can personalise the brand and increase its relatability. "The key will be to preserve the brand's premium appeal while benefiting from New World's broad reach to grow the brand in New Zealand. Having said that, New World is positioned as a supermarket that offers quality product and a full-service, premium shopping environment, so in that sense, Smeg fits reasonably well with New World." University of Auckland marketing professor Michael Lee said, if it was a new type of promotion, it could be detrimental to the Smeg brand, but the model was well known. "New World has done enough of these now, all with high-end brands, that they have sort of become pseudo status promoters of the brands involved." Foodstuffs said the promotion was a successful one, with 92 percent awareness among New World shoppers. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Age
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Calling all applicants for the Good Food Guide's Young Chef of the Year
Promising young chefs in Victoria, NSW and the ACT – this is your moment. Young Chef of the Year presented by Smeg, awarded by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guides, is now open for applications from the next generation of cooking talent. Previous winners include influential Australian chefs Phil Wood, Brett Graham, Lauren Eldridge and Andrew McConnell. The next Young Chef of the Year recipients will be named at the Good Food Guide Awards in Sydney and Melbourne in October, and prizes include $10,000 worth of Smeg appliances of the winners' choice, plus professional mentoring. Finalists will also be invited to cook at special Young Chef of the Year showcase dinners in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2024, Rockpool Bar and Grill sous-chef Luke Bourke took home the award for The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide. Meanwhile, The Age crowned Saavni Krishnan – sous-chef at Mauritian-influenced wine bar Manze – its winner.
South Wales Argus
21-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
We stayed at the newly renovated Imperial Hotel, Tenby
The clifftop Imperial is a stunning listed building that has been a hotel for 120 years, opening in 1905. It closed as owners Shearings Hotels went into administration during lockdown, but bounced back strongly in the summer of 2021 as part of the Coast & Country Hotel Collection. (Image: Western Telegraph) Last year it was sold to Crest Hotels and since then has undergone an extensive renovation, reopening in April. (Image: Western Telegraph) The hotel now offers 52 refurbished bedrooms and the newly renovated Essence restaurant. (Image: Western Telegraph) The kids and I arrive on a sunny afternoon and head through the be-foliaged entrance way to reception where we are given a warm welcome. Our room is situated on the third floor at the front of the hotel and when we open the door all three of us gasp. The room is well-appointed, beautifully furnished and facing out to sea. (Image: Western Telegraph) Sweeping open the net curtains reveals an uninterrupted sea view over to Caldey Island and miles and miles of beautiful blue sea- it is stunning and truly good for the soul. The room is equipped with some big brand appliances, Smeg mini fridge with welcoming soft drinks inside, Smeg kettle and Dyson hairdryer. (Image: Western Telegraph) A sumptuously comfy double bed and sofa bed await. The ensuite is equipped in gleaming white with double sinks, bath and a shower, all spotless. (Image: Western Telegraph) Tenby-inspired art adorns the walls and we really like the beach-themed carpet. The room is probably better suited for a couple with a child rather than an adult and two kids. It is set up for two people in terms of cups and glasses and we draw straws over who will share the double! (Image: Western Telegraph) On the terrace below, the Tenby Rocks party is in full swing, a Saturday afternoon shenanigan featuring a DJ blasting out Ibiza classics, with cocktails on the terrace. When I pop back down to reception, the floorboards are reverberating under my feet and the older couple checking in look a bit concerned. The music dies down just after six and the girls in their miniskirts and bikini tops and boys in bucket hats head elsewhere. (Image: Western Telegraph) Once the terrace is restored to tranquillity, it is a truly lovely place to be. Nestled into the ruins of the old town walls with sweeping views over South Beach and out to sea, it's the perfect place for a drink in the sun. (Image: Western Telegraph) After settling in, we head to South Beach, a mere few minutes' walk away, and spend a delicious time in the sea. Back at the hotel, we scrub up for dinner in the hotel's Essence restaurant where we have a sea view table - it is a bit like being on a boat with nothing but the sea beyond us. (Image: Western Telegraph) For our starters we order the Tenby Bay Basket to share, two mini baskets of deep-fried deliciousness with a small salad and garlic and thermidor dips. There are cries of 'I'm obsessed' and 'can we have this every week' as we tuck into the baskets of lobster tail, crayfish, tiger prawns , mussels , shrimp and cockles. For my main, I order the herb-crusted sea trout with confit potatoes, samphire and a white wine and laverbread sauce. There are no herbs, but the sea trout (or sewin) is very nicely cooked, just on the verge of rare without being slimy. The salty samphire sets it off nicely but the laverbread in the sauce makes the whole dish a little too salty. I swipe the tween's uneaten salad and the pea shoots balance out the saltiness. (Image: Western Telegraph) The tween has an Imperial chicken burger with extra bacon and proper chips. He particularly likes the dressing and wolfs the lot down saying it's 'an orchestra of flavour in my mouth'. The teen orders pulled crab and lobster pappardelle, ribbons of pasta in a crab and lobster bisque topped with a lobster tail. She is a bit perplexed as to the absence of cherry tomatoes as they are on the menu, but enjoys the pasta and the succulent lobster flesh. (Image: Western Telegraph) We chose our puddings and wait for someone to take our order and wait …. and wait. The restaurant staff are also taking drinks out to a very busy terrace. Eventually I catch the barman's eye and he sends the manager over. We order a chocolate brownie bomb and a Cointreau and orange crème brûlée, only to be told the kitchen has closed. The dessert disaster is somewhat saved by two bowls of ice cream and an affogato. I would have liked to have tried that crème brûlée though. After dinner, we head out through Tenby's bustling evening streets and catch live music at a venue or two before making our way back. We are grateful for the air conditioning in the room and are lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves as the Buck moon reflects in the sea. (Image: Western Telegraph) The next morning, we are in the sea before breakfast, the tide is high but there is a scrap of sand at the beach by the Paragon with only a couple of people on it. The sand is golden, the water clear and I have that real 'on holiday' feeling. It's bliss. (Image: Western Telegraph) Back at the hotel and we find out that check out isn't at ten, as written on the guest info, but at eleven. What a relief! This gives us time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. At Essence there is a buffet with cereal, yoghurt and fruit, pastries and toast as well as a hot menu to order from. (Image: Western Telegraph) After a delicious bowl of yogurt, raspberries and granola (why had I never thought of adding seeds and walnuts to mine at home? Yummy!), we order a full Welsh, scrambled eggs and salmon and eggs royale. (Image: Western Telegraph) All are perfectly-proportioned, not too big to overwhelm but big enough to set us up for the day. (Image: Western Telegraph) The Welsh breakfast is well presented and not at all greasy, there is no laverbread with it - which is a shame as I was looking forward to it - and the poached eggs, though looking gorgeous, were a bit overcooked. However, those are my only niggles and the salmon and eggs in both their breakfast manifestations were very well received. (Image: Western Telegraph) Once packed, the staff kindly say that we can leave our bags at the hotel and we divide a few more jolly hours between the beach and the terrace before heading home. So what of the Imperial? Well, it still needs a couple of tweaks in the kitchen and restaurant, but it's in a cracking spot with unparalleled views, it is child and dog-friendly, the staff are lovely and the rooms gorgeous. I'm still a bit unsure about the incongruity of the Ibiza party on the terrace, but it is only on a Saturday afternoon and finishes early enough. Maybe next time I will have to ditch the mummy dungarees, put on a mini skirt, order a cocktail and join in! (Image: Kayak PR) To stay at the Imperial Hotel, Tenby, visit linked above.
Western Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
We stayed at the newly renovated Imperial Hotel, Tenby
The clifftop Imperial is a stunning listed building that has been a hotel for 120 years, opening in 1905. It closed as owners Shearings Hotels went into administration during lockdown, but bounced back strongly in the summer of 2021 as part of the Coast & Country Hotel Collection. (Image: Western Telegraph) Last year it was sold to Crest Hotels and since then has undergone an extensive renovation, reopening in April. (Image: Western Telegraph) The hotel now offers 52 refurbished bedrooms and the newly renovated Essence restaurant. (Image: Western Telegraph) The kids and I arrive on a sunny afternoon and head through the be-foliaged entrance way to reception where we are given a warm welcome. Our room is situated on the third floor at the front of the hotel and when we open the door all three of us gasp. The room is well-appointed, beautifully furnished and facing out to sea. (Image: Western Telegraph) Sweeping open the net curtains reveals an uninterrupted sea view over to Caldey Island and miles and miles of beautiful blue sea- it is stunning and truly good for the soul. The room is equipped with some big brand appliances, Smeg mini fridge with welcoming soft drinks inside, Smeg kettle and Dyson hairdryer. (Image: Western Telegraph) A sumptuously comfy double bed and sofa bed await. The ensuite is equipped in gleaming white with double sinks, bath and a shower, all spotless. (Image: Western Telegraph) Tenby-inspired art adorns the walls and we really like the beach-themed carpet. The room is probably better suited for a couple with a child rather than an adult and two kids. It is set up for two people in terms of cups and glasses and we draw straws over who will share the double! (Image: Western Telegraph) On the terrace below, the Tenby Rocks party is in full swing, a Saturday afternoon shenanigan featuring a DJ blasting out Ibiza classics, with cocktails on the terrace. When I pop back down to reception, the floorboards are reverberating under my feet and the older couple checking in look a bit concerned. The music dies down just after six and the girls in their miniskirts and bikini tops and boys in bucket hats head elsewhere. (Image: Western Telegraph) Once the terrace is restored to tranquillity, it is a truly lovely place to be. Nestled into the ruins of the old town walls with sweeping views over South Beach and out to sea, it's the perfect place for a drink in the sun. (Image: Western Telegraph) After settling in, we head to South Beach, a mere few minutes' walk away, and spend a delicious time in the sea. Back at the hotel, we scrub up for dinner in the hotel's Essence restaurant where we have a sea view table - it is a bit like being on a boat with nothing but the sea beyond us. (Image: Western Telegraph) For our starters we order the Tenby Bay Basket to share, two mini baskets of deep-fried deliciousness with a small salad and garlic and thermidor dips. There are cries of 'I'm obsessed' and 'can we have this every week' as we tuck into the baskets of lobster tail, crayfish, tiger prawns , mussels , shrimp and cockles. For my main, I order the herb-crusted sea trout with confit potatoes, samphire and a white wine and laverbread sauce. There are no herbs, but the sea trout (or sewin) is very nicely cooked, just on the verge of rare without being slimy. The salty samphire sets it off nicely but the laverbread in the sauce makes the whole dish a little too salty. I swipe the tween's uneaten salad and the pea shoots balance out the saltiness. (Image: Western Telegraph) The tween has an Imperial chicken burger with extra bacon and proper chips. He particularly likes the dressing and wolfs the lot down saying it's 'an orchestra of flavour in my mouth'. The teen orders pulled crab and lobster pappardelle, ribbons of pasta in a crab and lobster bisque topped with a lobster tail. She is a bit perplexed as to the absence of cherry tomatoes as they are on the menu, but enjoys the pasta and the succulent lobster flesh. (Image: Western Telegraph) We chose our puddings and wait for someone to take our order and wait …. and wait. The restaurant staff are also taking drinks out to a very busy terrace. Eventually I catch the barman's eye and he sends the manager over. We order a chocolate brownie bomb and a Cointreau and orange crème brûlée, only to be told the kitchen has closed. The dessert disaster is somewhat saved by two bowls of ice cream and an affogato. I would have liked to have tried that crème brûlée though. After dinner, we head out through Tenby's bustling evening streets and catch live music at a venue or two before making our way back. We are grateful for the air conditioning in the room and are lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves as the Buck moon reflects in the sea. (Image: Western Telegraph) The next morning, we are in the sea before breakfast, the tide is high but there is a scrap of sand at the beach by the Paragon with only a couple of people on it. The sand is golden, the water clear and I have that real 'on holiday' feeling. It's bliss. (Image: Western Telegraph) Back at the hotel and we find out that check out isn't at ten, as written on the guest info, but at eleven. What a relief! This gives us time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. At Essence there is a buffet with cereal, yoghurt and fruit, pastries and toast as well as a hot menu to order from. (Image: Western Telegraph) After a delicious bowl of yogurt, raspberries and granola (why had I never thought of adding seeds and walnuts to mine at home? Yummy!), we order a full Welsh, scrambled eggs and salmon and eggs royale. (Image: Western Telegraph) All are perfectly-proportioned, not too big to overwhelm but big enough to set us up for the day. (Image: Western Telegraph) The Welsh breakfast is well presented and not at all greasy, there is no laverbread with it - which is a shame as I was looking forward to it - and the poached eggs, though looking gorgeous, were a bit overcooked. However, those are my only niggles and the salmon and eggs in both their breakfast manifestations were very well received. (Image: Western Telegraph) Once packed, the staff kindly say that we can leave our bags at the hotel and we divide a few more jolly hours between the beach and the terrace before heading home. So what of the Imperial? Well, it still needs a couple of tweaks in the kitchen and restaurant, but it's in a cracking spot with unparalleled views, it is child and dog-friendly, the staff are lovely and the rooms gorgeous. I'm still a bit unsure about the incongruity of the Ibiza party on the terrace, but it is only on a Saturday afternoon and finishes early enough. Maybe next time I will have to ditch the mummy dungarees, put on a mini skirt, order a cocktail and join in! (Image: Kayak PR) To stay at the Imperial Hotel, Tenby, visit linked above.
