Imlil is a small village, high up in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. Sitting 5,710ft above sea level, the village was created due to the demand of tourists flooding the area to visit Toubkal – the highest mountain in North Africa. Of course with an increase in tourists, local residents set up shop here – restaurants, cafes, hotels and shops all soon followed.
If you can remember our first visit to St Mary’s Inn back at the end of 2014, you’ll remember us saying how much we wanted to stay over. Given the creepy nature of the property and fact the rooms look beautiful, we booked up to stay in February as a very much needed relaxing weekend.
Our room, Sweethope Loughs, was £90 for bed and breakfast for us both. When booking, I specifically asked for a view of the now derelict hospital. Pretty odd, yes, but we do love Urbex sites like 28dayslater.co.uk.
With a love of all things macabre, tongue in cheek and historic there was no question that we would be going on the York Ghost Bus Tour on our recent visit to the city.
Having previously taken part in the Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tour and something similar in Dublin, we felt well prepared!
The kind folks at Travelodge invited us to stay with them to sample a weekend in a UK city. We chose York and the Travelodge property on Piccadilly.
With prices starting from around £67 you are a mere 10 minutes saunter from the main shopping area of the city, as well as such historical gems as the Minster, Clifford Tower, and of course the Shambles.
Only 2 minute walk away across the road from the hotel is the final resting place of the one and only John Palmer… you may know him as Dick Turpin. Stand and Deliver!
Unless you have been under a rock, you will have noticed all the hype surrounding the relaunch of the Malmaison Brasserie – Chez Mal Brasserie. You can check out the buzz on Twitter using #chezmal
We were invited along to the launch party which saw host of celebrities like Sting and other pseudo celebs turn out to toast the launch of the revamped restaurant. With live music and cocktail stations manned and ready to satiate your thirst and a huge selection of food that showcased the skills of the kitchen team. The attention to detail for the launch was just outstanding.
The main, notable changes in the property were the bar and restaurant trading places. No more afternoon cocktails with a view of the quayside. The bar space has been moved to the back of the floor and expanded to accommodate more seating and bodies. A very chic area.
The Chez Mal Brasserie now sits front and centre. Large picture windows overlooking the Millennium Bridge afford the restaurant a sense of light and an airy feeling which wasn’t met in it’s old position. I can see people clamouring for a luxe booth or the coveted tables for 2 in front of the windows.
Read on for some photos of the beautiful food……