Monday 31 October 2016

Hello Everyone, Long time ‘no speak’
Lots been happening
Mexico News:
Long time since I have heard from Las Ventanas but I have certainly spent a lot of time at Rosewood in London https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/London
 The gorgeous dining room at Rosewood is my favourite eating spot https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/london/dining/holborn-dining-room
I am actually going to Los Cabos in November so I really look forward to visiting Las Ventanas.



Oh what wonderful memories from this hotel situated in Zihuatanejo….. Mexico at its best! Beautiful, very private suites built into the cliff side. No children under 16. Contact us for details as we have special privileges for our clients. This hotel has bags of style!

LE REVE. My little gem, hidden along the coast of the Riviera Maya. Contact us for details or better still visit WTM to meet Julieta the Sales Manager. Find her on the Mexican Stand, she will be there every day.

  
Casa Natalia – Los Cabos http://casanatalia.com/
I am over the moon to have been invited to the Summit to be held in Los Cabos. This will give me an opportunity to see my good friends at Casa Natalia

Hacienda de Cortes - Cuernavaca http://www.hotelhaciendadecortes.com.mx/
Our dear friends Juan (Director of the Hacienda) and Alma came to London to visit. My wonderful Assistant, Dominic (their son) sadly returned to Mexico with them! So I lost my valued Admin Man!! Hopefully he will come back soon!

Copper Canyon
Also visiting us was Gaby and her son from the Copper Canyon http://mexicoscoppercanyon.com
We had a lot of fun showing them around. Harry Potter, Buckingham Palace etc.  Did a lot of shopping especially at one of my favourite places situated very close to both Palaces, Buckingham and St.James (please see ‘London’ section)

 My adored Island. Who could have believed I would switch on my TV a few weeks ago to see  Cozumel spread all over the screen. I was in Heaven!! Me who NEVER watches sport !!! ever!! A bit of Cozumel news, the Intercontinental (one of my favourites) is undergoing total refurbishment.
The lovely Aura Hotel - I can’t wait to see.
My most wonderful friend Don Nassim sadly died a few days short of his 100th Birthday in the Summer. He was truly MR COZUMEL.

Merida
We have resumed working with Amigo Yucatan I am so pleased – I simply adore Don Jorge. His knowledge of the Yucatan is second to none. I could not live without him and value him as one of my ‘best’ friends in Mexico. Anyone out there who needs help planning an archaeological tours please seek help from “Amigo Yucatan”
For all those special “secret places” ask for me !!!

Acapulco
Heard from my Dear friend Reyna Luna from the Ritz http://www.ritzacapulco.com/
Dearest Reyna always keeps me in touch with what is happening in my wonderful Acapulco. How I love this destination.
Sadly Reyna told me that our good Amigo Tim Campion, original Manager of the Ritz had died! My goodness the fights he and me used to have!! There were times when the Hotel was completely full with our Clients. My endless telephone calls from London to Tim in the middle of the night checking up on things used to drive Tim mad! But boy did we have fun ‘making up’!

One of the most beautiful and treasured hotels in all of Mexico and possibly the World in my opinion! How I long to return. I could write a book on Las Brisas. “Maybe I will” one day.

Tianguis is returning to Acapulco next year!

Las Velas - Puerto Vallarta
Met with my dear friend Lupita Ayala the UK director of Velas properties in the UK.
They have recently added a new Hotel to their Portfolio. Details to follow.

MEXICO CITY
Obelisk and Las Alcobas. Can’t wait to see my friends at these two beautiful properties when I’m back in November. With us at Mexican Tours it is all about style. If it hasn’t got style I don’t work with it!

News from London
Well! The most important event was Charlie’s first day at Big School.
“What did you have for lunch” I enquired on his first day! “Abu” he said “there was rice, pasta, baked beans and couscous” – “so what did you choose?” I said…… "Abu I had it all, I was hungry!!!” That’s my boy

Shopping
Needless to say when all my visitors from Mexico were here we did a lot of shopping – I made a visit to one of my favourite shops, William Evans www.williamevans.com
The Customer Service was second to none. Vanessa Scaccia is a joy to shop with.
I am hoping to return with my Father Christmas hat on soon.

John’s Birthday
John Wales CEO of Encore Theatre tickets (my son in law) was celebrated at The st Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Excellent entertainment was provided by Fiona Mcelroy and Big Mamma’s Door.

Tea at Fortnums – Wonderful as always

Believe it or not I am sitting writing this in the glorious gardens of the Grimsdyke Hotel on this fabulous Autumn day with not a cloud in the sky. The birdsong is wonderful http://www.grimsdyke.com/
We stayed here overnight for my Birthday. My goodness how well deserved are chef Darren’s A.A. rosettes.  All our Mexican visitors Juan, Alma, Gaby and Benjamin stayed at the Grimsdyke

Also as a treat for my Birthday we went to see Carlos Acosta at the Royal Albert Hall. Viva Cuba!! The catering presented by Rhubarb was outstanding.

September 22nd  - I attended the Worldwide Cancer coffee morning at our favourite Gastro Pub ‘The Rising Sun’ http://www.therisingsunmillhill.com/

Foreign Airlines Association (FAA) celebrated their 70th Anniversary at Lords Cricket ground. Beautiful evening sitting high above the pitch with the sunset alongside a very Dear Friend (he knows who he is!)
I was Chairperson for a couple of years, my Vice Chairperson at that time was the lovely Sandra who was then Royal Brunei Airlines. We had such fun doing this job together. Looking forward to the Christmas function which will be held at the Melia White House. I’m so hoping that me good friend Gabriel (CEO of Melia Worldwide) will pay us a visit.

Lots of visits to one of our favourite places The Bay Leaf www.bayleaf.co.uk 

Also, lots of visits to Seawise seawisecamden.com  
in Camden Town.

Another of our favourite restaurants, the lovely Patio Restaurant, Hammersmith.  Telephone 0208 7435194. My lovely Polish friend Ewa K Michalik.

Spent a lot of time at The Ivy , Kensington High Street.  Lots of style, great food, my kind of place!

News from Devon

I visited the famous Widecombe Fair http://www.widecombefair.com/
as I do every year, dating back to the 11th Century.  My good friend Jez Wilkinson was there signing copies of his book, ‘The Well-Watered Land’.

one of our favourite places. Ask for Joe the ‘Manager’ good bloke!

This is a fabulous couple, always working, always helpful. We actually ring ahead from the Motorway on our way down from London to Devon.

And finally, enjoyed a sensational evening and a performance of La Traviata. We stayed at a dream of a place Overton Manor www.overton.manor.co.uk
This is truly the most fabulous Bed and Breakfast I’ve ever stayed in.

Mallorca
Spent time for my birthday at my favourite restaurant Es Guix. http://www.esguix.com/restaurant/English_-_Restaurant_Majorca.html



Also spent time with my friend Juan Sanchis, CLINICA IBO
CAMINO DELA VILETA, 30, Palma de Mallorca
www.ibo.es/equipomedico
He operated on my eyes 10 years ago with laser surgery and correcting a lazy left eye.  In my opinion he is the best eye surgeon in Spain.  Since the operation I have never looked back!

I flew to my lovely island with Flybe – what joy it is to depart from Exeter Airport.  Great airline, great crew!

Another favourite airline, Monarch.  Congratulations to you all – thank goodness!

Adios and Hasta Pronto

See you all at World Travel Market