Nicole Campoy-Leffler is a born-and-bred Angeleno, a one-time student of ballet and opera, a connoisseur of underground arts movements, and a writer for Fine Arts LA – there can be few people more qualified to serve up an insider slice of LA’s cultural scene. The Smith Travel Blog asked Nicole what she thought were the [...]
So we’ve had vacations, staycations, bleisure trips and, now, there’s the ‘traincation’ – thanks to the growing trend for budget boutique breaks and eco-luxe getaways, rail travel is experiencing a renewed surge in popularity. Of course, new high-speed rail links into Spain and Italy (not to mention trusty Eurostar destinations) help a fair bit. If [...]
The clocks spring forward this weekend and the temperature in LA is already hotting up. We want to be rollerblading down a sunny Santa Monica boulevard so bad, but we’re settling instead for honouring Oceana as our favourite hotel this week… Style All things bright and beautiful Setting Parkside Ocean Avenue Why this week? From [...]
If you’re visiting New York soon, don’t miss Event Horizon, the amazing citywide art exhibition by British sculptor Antony Gormley (you know, Angel of the North, and Another Place just outside Liverpool). He’s the man currently putting the ‘man’ into Manhattan. As it were. And our ace friends at Ace Hotel New York are championing [...]
How to make the perfect martini? Book yourself a martini-making masterclass. Shimpulsh, as the famously compared meerkat would say (or Mr Smith, after a few extra dry martinis). Since we at Smith pride ourselves on being tastemakers, able to spot the best cocktails in London at 100 paces, we thought a refresher course was in [...]
It’s no secret that a judicious sprinkling of vintage fleamarket finds is de rigueur in any self-respecting interior these days, but we’re seeing more and more mid-century modern pieces cropping up in Smith’s collection of boutique hotels (and soon in some of our bloggistas’ boudoirs, thanks to the amazing design show we went to this [...]
Provence shmovence. Give Gers a go. This unspoiled southwestern swathe of the Mid-Pyrénées may seem sleepy, but be assured there is as much to do in the region as in France’s neighbouring tourist magnets. The headline acts for foodies are Armagnac (the world-class brandy hails from here), and duck, foie gras and wild mushrooms. Francophiles [...]
The British weather is the most deplorable flirt – giving us sunshine one day, and grey skies the next. We want some unwavering warmth, a boutique hotel hideaway, a shot of coastal cool and a holiday sans umbrella – magnificent Mystique in Greece‘s sun-kissed Santorini should do the trick… Style Leisure, luxury and linens Setting [...]
Martin Miller doesn’t like birthdays, doesn’t really like weddings, and isn’t sure if he likes hotels (other than Miller’s Residence of course). He used to like partying – still does every now and then – loves a G&T (made with Martin Miller’s Gin), prefers his bedrooms on the cosy side and has a magnetic attraction [...]
At Mr & Mrs Smith, we love unearthing London’s coolest events and goings-on – so last night, we roved down to Soho for a sneak preview of LA-born artist Haidee Becker‘s new pop-up gallery – in a former brothel, no less. Haidee happens to be mother to one of London’s most talented restaurateurs, Jacob Kenedy, chef-patron [...]
