A relaxing escape to Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa

Situated just 30 minutes drive from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, Macdonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa* is a traditional Scottish manor house property which makes the perfect place to stay if you want to explore two of Scotland’s most famous cities. I recently checked into the luxurious hotel, which is set in 44 acres of land in the pretty area of Falkirk.

We arrived to a warm welcome, which was just what I needed after a long journey and we checked into our Super Deluxe King Room, which was furnished with plush tartan fabrics giving a nod to the Scottish location. There are several different room types available, from Standard Rooms to Super Deluxe King Rooms - so plenty of accommodation choice to suit every guest.

The room was stylish, spacious and modern with a flat screen television and a desk area, which I always appreciate if I need to get through some work emails while I am away. 

There was also a large bay window with two easy chairs next to it, which made the perfect spot to unwind and read a good book.

A platter of fresh fruit and mineral water awaited us, which made a refreshing treat after our drive and the room was equipped with everything you could possibly want for a relaxing stay, including a Nespresso machine for that all-important coffee break!

Meanwhile, the luxurious bathroom had fluffy bathrobes, a walk-in shower and Elemis spa products in store for us.

I had a little work to catch up on, so I headed downstairs to the bar where I settled into the relaxed surroundings and sorted through some items on my work list. If relaxation is high on your agenda, The Macdonald Inchyra has a spa where you can indulge in an array of treatments including massages, facials and manicures. If you prefer to get active, there is a leisure club complete with a gym and 20m swimming pool where you can keep up your fitness. After catching up on work, I headed to the pool for a swim and then it was time to retire back to the room to get ready for dinner at the hotel’s Scottish Steakhouse (separate review to follow).

I felt suitably refreshed the next morning after such a restful night in our comfortable room and I headed downstairs to enjoy a hearty Scottish breakfast – hotel guests can choose from the impressive buffet which includes an array of fruit and pastries as well as cooked breakfast items to set you up for the day – in short there is no danger of leaving feeling hungry!



After a lovely stay it was time for us to hit the road and explore a little more of the surrounding area – The Kelpies, the famous 30-metre high horse-head sculptures are worthy of a visit and situated close by and of course, the attractions of both Edinburgh and Glasgow are just a short distance away.

We had a super stay at Macdonald Inchyra and I would recommend this hotel when you feel in need of some pampering and a break from the demands of daily life. The hotel offers an appealing blend of great hospitality and attractive rooms in a central location for visiting some of the highlights of Scotland.

Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa 

Grange Road

Falkirk

FK2 0YB

0344 879 9044 

www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk

What do you all think, do you like the sound of this hotel and spa and have you ever visited Scotland? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time, 

Camille 

xo

*I was invited to review Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa, my stay was complimentary. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

Dining at Surf & Turf.

During our recent stay at Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh, we dined at the hotel restaurant Surf & Turf* where the cuisine is described as ‘simple dishes, using only the finest in locally sourced meat & fish’. There is a well-rounded menu with plenty of steaks, seafood, vegetarian dishes and sharing platters on offer – I do like a menu which has something to appeal to everybody and there is a great variety to choose from here. The set evening menu is good value too, with two courses for £20 or three courses for £25.

We settled in at a spacious table on the mezzanine level of the restaurant, which gave us a great view of the bustling room. The interior design at Surf & Turf is contemporary and understated, with leather booths, marble surfaces and soft lighting which create a relaxing ambience.

We perused the extensive wine list before opting for a glass of Trebbiano Chardonnay, Terre Fort for me and a glass of Malbec, El Colectivo for my dining companion – a hearty steak deserves a rich glass of red to pair with it, after all! There is an impressive cocktail menu too, filled with classic favourites such as martini and bramble as well as champagne cocktails and more intriguing options like the black pepper and cherry Collins.

On to food and a couple of starters to share got the meal underway – a Surf & Turf charcuterie platter laden with smoked wild boar, smoked beef and smoked Scottish mussels really hit the spot.

We also ordered fresh bread accompanied by olive oil and balsamic, served with a side of olives - always a winning combination.

My dining companion chose to sample one of the steaks which Surf & Turf is renowned for, opting for the 32-day aged ribeye. All prime cut steaks are served with a choice of sauces and rubs, as well as roasted bone marrow and vine tomato. The tender beef was perfectly cooked, and the richness of the bone marrow worked well with the smoky peppercorn sauce.



The classic combination of a quality steak with chips never loses its appeal, but I was in the mood for something a little lighter, so I went for the hand-picked herb risotto with asparagus and samphire. Risotto is dish which restaurants sometimes get wrong, serving it either too stodgy or too watery – but this one was just right, with a creamy texture and plenty of fresh flavour from the herbs.

Seafood fans will be right at home dining at Surf & Turf too, with stunning catches on the menu including Scottish langoustines, salmon, lobster and halibut. Sadly, we couldn’t quite find the room for dessert on this occasion, despite the temptation of sticky toffee pudding and Tonka bean cheesecake. Instead, we rounded off the evening with a dram or two of Scotch whiskey, before retiring for the night.

Dinner at Surf & Turf was a very enjoyable experience all round, with excellent service from the helpful team, varied menus and an atmosphere which made us want to linger. Be sure to check it out next time you are in Edinburgh.

Surf & Turf 

The Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa 

81 Holyrood Road

Edinburgh

EH8 8AU

https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/scotland/edinburgh/macdonald-holyrood-hotel-and-spa/eat-drink/surf-turf-holyrood 


What do you all think, do you like the sound of dinner at Surf & Turf and which of these dishes would you like to try? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*I was invited to sample dinner at Surf & Turf, this meal was complimentary. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

Staying at the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa

It is always a pleasure to visit Scotland and I recently headed there for a few days – starting with a stay at Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa* in Edinburgh.

The hotel is in a central location, a short walk from the tourist attractions of The Royal Mile and the charming Grassmarket area and there is a spa, swimming pool and gym which makes it even more appealing.  The immediate impression upon walking into the hotel is one of stylish grandeur - the lobby is adorned with gleaming wood and marble, beyond which lies the bar area. We had a warm welcome from the efficient reception team, who checked us in quickly and it is worth noting that  secure valet parking is available at the hotel. 

There are 156 rooms in the hotel, and we were staying on the 6th floor with views of Salisbury Crags from our balcony. We were impressed by the size of our super deluxe room, which had a spacious feel and a king-sized bed adorned with Egyptian cotton bedlinen as well as armchairs and desk area. There was a large platter of fresh fruit and mineral water awaiting us and there was also a Nespresso coffee machine, which is always good to see for a coffee addict like me! After we had unpacked, we sipped a couple of glasses of Prosecco while we took in the sweeping views of the city. 

The large bathroom was equipped with a walk-in drench shower, piles of fluffy towels and Elemis products which made a handy extra addition. There is also a range of treatments available in the hotel spa, should you feel like a little pampering during your stay. 

Downstairs, the hotel bar is the perfect setting for a couple of drinks, with a selection of fine wines, beers and cocktails on the menu including all the classics as well as some more intriguing options - if you like whiskey, try the 'Smoky Rusty Nail', a potent blend of Monkey Shoulder, Drambuie, and Talisker 10. There is a varied bar menu too if you feel like a quick bite to eat - if you are a fan of burgers try the signature Holyrood Burger, served with aioli, tomato, lettuce, gherkin and French fries

We headed out for a couple of drinks in the city and later, we got ready for our dinner reservation at Surf & Turf, the in-house restaurant (separate dining review to follow). After a leisurely meal, we enjoyed a nightcap on the balcony of our room, and I slept so well in the luxurious bed, that I really did not want to get up the next morning. A hearty hotel breakfast is always a good incentive to get out of bed however, and we enjoyed a great start to the day choosing from the vast array of food which set us up for a day of sightseeing  

There is a selection of pastries, cereal and fruit on offer as well as hot breakfast items, and you can order from the menu if you feel like something different. I was spoiled for choice, so I decided on a cooked breakfast as well as some pastries - breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, after all! 

The Surf & Turf restaurant has a stylish and contemporary feel, with a neutral colour palette, leather banquette seating and gleaming wood panels. 

After our tasty breakfast had filled us with energy, we checked out of the hotel and went to explore more of the city before we headed to our next destination. I would thoroughly recommend the Macdonald Holyrood, which has all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay. The team of staff were so helpful and I would stay there again when I am in Edinburgh. 

Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa

81 Holyrood Road

Edinburgh

EH8 8AU

https://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/scotland/edinburgh/macdonald-holyrood-hotel-and-spa 

Thanks to all at Macdonald Holyrood for making me so welcome. What do you think, do you like the sound of this Edinburgh hotel and have you ever visited this historic Scottish city? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*I was kindly invited to review Macdonald Holyrood Hotel & Spa, my stay was complimentary. 

Cocktails, hip - hop and kebabs at Habibi ...

It has been a while since I have had the chance to post here and it feels great to be back! I have been so busy in recent months with exciting trips to Italy, New York and Alaska and my writing work which continues to be so much fun. I feel like it is high time for me to come back with something new and tell you all about the places I have loved recently. I am always keen to try out restaurants which focus on an interesting concept and I liked the sound of Habibi Bar* as soon as I heard about their intriguing theme of cocktails, kebabs and hip hop - or as they say 'Brooklyn Beats & Eastern Eats'. Sounds like a winning combination to me, so I went along to see what all the fuss is about.

Habibi is located in New Brighton just outside Liverpool, right on the coastline and the area has seen a resurgence of late, with several new restaurants and bars having opened up, making it the perfect place to head out to for dinner and drinks. A relaxed mood set me at ease on arrival, with friendly staff and as promised, old school hip hop tunes pounding from the speakers as I settled in to sip a chilled glass of rosé. The menu revolves around quite a few dishes which are ideal to share, along with their popular open kebabs which are served on tempting chargrilled flatbreads freshly made in house. 

We ordered a mix of side dishes to get the meal underway - spicy Batata harra fries and mixed Armenian pickles provided an explosion of Middle Eastern inspired tastes and the extra flatbread served with garlic yoghurt, rose harrisa and green chilli relish was equally good. I love to start a meal this way, with everyone sampling various dishes - it makes for such a convivial style of dining. 

I cannot forget to mention the grilled halloumi salad with date ketchup - I always love halloumi dishes and the slightly smoky date ketchup worked well with a sprinkle of sweet pomegranate seeds. 

 

It was on to main courses and the open kebabs have an interesting selection of toppings available such as ground beef, Beirut cauliflower and Persian monkfish. I went for the king prawn kebab which arrived heaped with halloumi, ras el hanout and succulent king prawns which were made even more flavoursome by the addition of a chunky pineapple salsa.

The food at Habibi looks so vibrant, this is the kind of meal which makes me want to eat on a sun-drenched terrace overlooking the sea! The hand crafted cocktails are well worthy of a mention too, with exotic flavours of ras - el - hanout, cardamom and date featuring in some of their signature recipes.

My dining companion decided on the chicken shawarma kebab, dressed with chilli paste, garlic yoghurt and lemon alongside a generous amount of chargrilled chicken. The chilli paste added a subtle kick of fire which offset the meat well and balanced nicely with the garlic yoghurt.

The open kebabs were so filling, with plenty of bold flavours - they all come served with sumac onions, herb salad and baby gem lettuce as well as your choice of topping. I liked the simple presentation of the food, which was served on silver trays with Habibi branded paper. They have just started a take away menu, which I can see will prove popular and it is worth noting that there is  a range of vegan options on the menu such as tabbouleh, parsley and lime salad and the Habibi falafel kebab. We lingered for a while after dinner to enjoy more drinks and hip hop tunes – Habibi makes a fun and different addition to the local dining scene and I am sure that it will continue to gain plenty of loyal fans. I would certainly pop in again when I'm in the area.

Habibi 

3 Grosvenor Rd, 

Victoria Quarter, 

Wallasey
CH45 2JD

https://habibibar.co.uk/

What do you all think, do you like the sound of cocktails, kebabs and hip – hop? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time,

Camille 

xo

*This meal was complimentary for the purposes of review. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

Staying in the city with FM Living...

A short break in the city can be so appealing, especially at this time of year following on from the madness of the holiday season. Staying in a lavish hotel always has its appeal, but sometimes finding somewhere which can offer more of a home away from home feels more relaxing. Step forward the new FM Living Apartments* in Liverpool – situated in the stunning Grade II listed Produce Exchange Building, these stylish serviced apartments are a sophisticated blend of old and new. The reception area shows off the grandeur of a bygone era, with original stained glass and wrought iron features. It is easy to envisage the building’s former purpose as the Produce Exchange, where the administration of goods imported to Liverpool took place. Later, the building became a bank – but I must admit that it really suits its new use as a serviced apartment space. 

I was greeted by the lovely FM Living General Manager Ricky and after a good catch up (we have known each other for a few years!) he whisked me up to show me the apartment which would be my home for the night. The first thing which struck me was how bright and airy the space was and all the creature comforts of a hotel were in situ – including a welcome bottle of chilled Chenin Blanc!

The apartment also featured a sleek marble bathroom with waterfall shower and mini bath products. 

The neutral décor of the space was given a splash of colour by a feature wall of striking gold and green wallpaper and the comfortable bed was bedecked by crisp white bedding.

Add to the equation the fully equipped kitchen and comfortable lounge area with television and coffee table and I was one happy guest anticipating a night in the city. 

It really is a bonus to have your own kitchen during a break like this and I was pleasantly surprised to see the kitchen was filled with every appliance (hob, fridge, toaster, kettle and even a washing machine!) and utensil you could possibly need. The addition of a hospitality tray with tea, coffee, biscuits and even take away cups was another thoughtful touch.

After a quick shower and a trip to the shops for some snacks to accompany my wine, I had a glass of wine before heading out to some of my favourite Liverpool bars. The nightlife in the city is second to none and when you stay at the FM Living apartments, the bars and restaurants of Castle Street are only a two-minute walk away.

Later, after indulging in the buzz of the city I headed back to my temporary home with a take away and watched a movie before I fell in to a restful sleep. There really is something about staying in a place like this which feels much more restful than a hotel and the next morning, I had a leisurely cup of coffee before I checked out and bid my apartment a fond farewell.

If you are looking for a perfect base to stay in Liverpool city centre, the FM Living Apartments are the ideal choice!

FM Living 

Produce Exchange Building 

8 Victoria Street 

Liverpool

L2 6QJ

For more information about staying at FM Living visit the website

https://www.fmliving.co.uk/

What do you all think, do you prefer to stay in a hotel or an apartment when you go on a city break?

As always, I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post!

Until next time,

Camille

xo

*I was invited to stay as a guest of FM Living Apartments, my stay was complimentary. All opinions expressed herein are my own and honest. 

A tasting menu with Martins De Sá Port...

Port is one of those drinks which you may already have an opinion on, it is not for everyone and perhaps the image of Port isn’t exactly what could be described as fashionable in the same way that Gin is regarded. I was intrigued then, when I was kindly invited to an evening with Martins De Sá Port at Pen Factory in Liverpool recently. Situated in the elegant Georgian Quarter of Liverpool, Pen Factory as the name would suggest, is located in a former pen factory. Downstairs a convivial bar and open plan restaurant is flanked by a pretty courtyard which leads to an events space upstairs. The invitation promised ‘let us change your opinion on port’ and I was all set for this as we gathered in the charming space, where we were warmly welcomed by Marco the founder of the brand. The concept behind Martins de Sá Port is to introduce port to a new audience and their port is younger, so not aged for such long periods and often lighter in taste - the ports are bottled in sunny Portugal and this shows in the flavour.

The event space was candlelit and our places set, ready for us to enjoy a specially created tasting menu paired with port.

The Pen Factory now serve Martins de Sá white port and tonic on draft, which is such a novel idea. This aromatic port is full of white grape and it was a refreshing welcome drink to get the evening underway. White port and tonic is so crisp and easy to drink and it makes a welcome change from gin and tonic. 

The first course of cured salmon with grapefruit, pistachio, orange blossom and goats curd was a light and flavoursome starter and the salmon paired perfectly with the Martins de Sá white port.

Tawny port paired with smoked duck breast apricot, chanterelles, sourdough and boffard curado cheese was the next course which again highlighted that port can be just as versatile as wine when it is served with food. The tawny port offset the rich duck breast perfectly; this port is aged in the classic tawny style using casks, and it has smooth and sweet notes. 

Next up was the fragrant Ruby port, paired with seared pork belly served with dates, burnt apple, Oreado oil and walnuts. The succulent pork was a delight with the sweet dates and zesty apple and the Ruby port really complemented the subtle layers of flavour - this fruity port is aged without exposure to oxygen. 

One of my favourite ports we sampled was the Rose port, light and sweet this was a delicate delight and ideally suited to a novice port drinker like me! The notes include cherry and honeysuckle and this port was paired with cod loin fritters, sour melon, rocket, paprika and saffron, just the Mediterranean style dish to go with the rose port.

We rounded off dinner with traditional Portuguese Pastéis de Nata and stewed pear with white port and rhubarb ice cream. It was a pleasure to attend the dinner which was a fascinating odyssey through the different styles of port produced by Martins de Sá. Marco proved to be an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly host and it was an evening of great food and good conversation which we all thoroughly enjoyed. 

You can visit their website here: 

http://www.martinsdesaport.com/ 

 Pen Factory Liverpool: 

https://www.pen-factory.co.uk/ 

Thank you again to the team at Martins De Sá Port for welcoming me to dinner at Pen Factory and you definitely changed my opinion of Port! 

What do you all think, do you like drinking Port and what kind have you tried? As always I cannot wait to hear your thoughts and thank you so much for reading this post.

Until next time,

Camille 

xo