Get the low-down from the original style-seekers' latest good-time hunting expeditions, find destination inspiration and insider tips from around the world. Welcome to the official Smith blog: we hope you enjoy your stay
As promised, here’s the first of three posts on budget boutique hotels - this one focuses on Europe, where, despite the euro’s strength, there are still many bargains to be had, and where the good life is easier to come by for less, if you know where to look…
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01 Château les Merles
DORDOGNE, FRANCE
Style [...]
Shopping in New York, anyone? Attention, all lovers of vintage clothes, second-hand finds, thrift stores, fleamarkets, retro furniture, antiques fairs and rummaging through any or all of the above (especially those based in the Big Apple or planning to stay in New York anytime soon): the excellent Brooklyn blogspot Brownstoner has reminded us that Brooklyn [...]
Of all the fashion capitals, London is best known for its fashion-forward style, electric mix of influences and trendsetting fashionistas. It has a wealth of great shopping areas, with funky high streets, designer flagships and tucked-away boutiques and vintage stores. However, having so much choice can be overwhelming, even for hardened city dwellers, never mind [...]
There can be few things more irksome than being left out while an entire roomful of smug people simultaneously rave about something you’ve never tried (like a super-exclusive wine) or somewhere you’ve never been (like a favourite hotel) - and believe me, at Mr & Mrs Smith, it’s a regular occurrence. It’s like being back [...]
Kelly Wearstler is the interior designer behind a considerable number of Mr & Mrs Smith’s favourite luxury boutique hotels across the pond (including the Viceroy Santa Monica and Viceroy Palm Springs hotels in California, and Tides Riviera Maya in Mexico, to name just a few). As a result, she sailed effortlessly into second slot in [...]
To follow up our recent feature on the Top 10: Boutique Hotel Designers, we thought it would be great to talk to the top triumvirate of designers about their inspirations and aesthetics. Kicking off our interview series is design doyenne Anouska Hempel, who came in at Number 1 for the longevity of her legendary London [...]
Just came across this wondrous collection of hotel door hangers posted by graphic designer Michael Lebowitz on his Big Spaceship blog and simply had to share.
Not only do they form a truly beautiful retro graphic-design time capsule, they gave me a massive hit of nostalgia for ‘the old days’ of hotel travel (note, I didn’t [...]
Hey! Not-so-big spender
From labels for less in SoHo to thrifty vintage treasures in Brooklyn, here’s my two cents on savvy shopping in New York City, which I originally wrote for The Observer newspaper:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/jun/29/shoppingtrips.newyork
Thanks to the pound-dollar exchange rate, we’ve been flocking to US shores to hit the stores – but since many locals claim shopping [...]
Most people know good boutique hotel design and when they see it - but not everyone can identify the people behind the polish – the ones who pick the flooring, paper the walls and hang the blinds. LUCY FENNINGS brings you a Who’s Who of hotel design with a top-ten list of the most influential [...]
Ah – the Great British seaside, a holiday institution that has seen more revivals and reinventions than Madonna’s on-stage wardrobe. With the Euro gaining strength, the credit crunch biting (anyone else sick of hearing that term already?) and growing interest in train travel and supporting local enterprise, making the most of our very own coast [...]
