Thursday, March 30, 2017

The Ultimate Luxury Mini Break for Foodies and Ferrari Fans

The Ultimate Luxury UK minibreak

The Ultimate Luxury Mini Break for Foodies and Ferrari Fans

Where?  Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saison, the UK’s most prolific gastronomic hotel with head chef and creator Raymond Blanc.

When? March 2017

Why? What do you get if you cross the UK’s most prestigious gastronomic hotel, Frances most celebrated two Michelin starred chef, Raymond Blanc and one of Italy’s finest, luxury, super cars for the weekend? The ultimate European Style Traveller mini break, that’s what! No Brexit here thank you!

When the guys at Ferrari asked me if I wanted to take out their uber, yellow California T for a spin, I couldn’t think of a more appropriate place to drive to than my all time ‘gastro goals’ hotel in the UK, The Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison. Both perfectly fabulous luxury brands.

So without further a do I got on the road and started my mini Ferrari weekender of two parts.  Here’s my Style Traveller photo diary of The Ultimate Luxury UK Mini break…

Ferrari Weekender Part 1 - Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison belmond

The Hotel

The concept of celebrated chef Raymond Blanc OBE, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is widely acclaimed as Britain’s finest gastronomic hotel and culinary school.

Situated in a spectacular manor house in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, the idyllic grounds, lawns, orchards, vegetable and herb gardens provide the perfect setting for Raymond Blanc’s cookery school and sensational, cutting edge restaurant.

In 1984 the hotel was awarded two Michelin stars and has remarkably accomplished holding on to them ever since.

Bonnie rakhit Ferrari Weekender Part 1 - Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison

Above and below: Bonnie wears top by OwnTheLook.com, skirt by La Mania, shoes by Kurt Geiger, jacket by Comptoir de Cottoniers and car by Ferrari :)

The style traveller bonnie Rakhit at Belmond Le Manoir with Ferrari

Ferrari Weekender Part 1 - Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison belmond flags

Chinoiserie suite- Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison belmond

The Rooms

There are 32 exquisitely appointed rooms and suite at the manor house hotel. Each with individual decor and theme. I was very lucky to be the very first guest to stay in the newly appointed Chinoiserie suite, celebrating the art and design of the Far East. The centrepiece is a silk half poster bed, backed by a custom-designed Knowles and Christou mirror and through the glass door to the side is a private garden terrace, a most idyllic place in which to unwind.

Chinoiserie suite- Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison belmond raymond blanc book

Upon arrival I was treated to a rather lovely gift waiting for me in my room! Thank you!

 

 

The style traveller bonnie Rakhit at Le Manoir Belmond

Time for a pre dinner stroll in the spectacular grounds, organic vegetable and herbs gardens and the pretty oriental garden with ponds.

The style traveller bonnie Rakhit at Belmond Le Manoir

Bonnie wears: Black dress by Versace, boots by Sorel, cardigan by ST Studios, scarf by Burberry.

The style traveller bonnie at Le Manoir

Chill out time before dinner. Bonnie wears underwear by La Perla, cardigan by ST Studio.

The style traveller bonnie at Le Manoir Belmond

Time to get ready. Bonnie wears Razan Alazzouni blouse, ring by Bvlgari, lipstick by Mac.

food at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

The Food

Without doubt the most anticipated part of the trip is dinner in the main restaurant, it’s the big event. Renowned as one of the UK’s most exciting culinary experiences we had no option but to go for the full 7 course tasting menu with accompanying wine pairings. It would rude not to, non?

So after aperitifs by the fire in the lounge (above) we moved over to the conservatory to let the maestro do his magic…it’s over to you Monsieur Blanc!

dinner at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

Charlie and I getting excited for our 7 course extravaganza! Here’s some of the shots of our exceptionally presented plates.

food at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison 1

Confit Salmon Cucumber Horseradish

food at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison 2

Bouillabaisse, Red mussels, and Brandade

food at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison 3

Lamb, artichoke, cassoulet

food dessert at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

Late season raspberry beetroot gourmandine

food cheese at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

And finally… the cheese course of course!

Wow that was pretty impressive, a mix of innovative flavours, ingredients and spectacular flavours, all brought together to create the perfect menu. I loved it!! Now after all that eating..so to bed…

Ferrari Weekender Part 1 - Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison 1

breakfast at Belmond Le Manoir Style Traveller

Wake up sleepy head! All that eating makes you tired, so we ordered breakfast in bed, but there was was so much to eat we had the set the table anyway!

breakfast at Belmond Le Manoir

bicycles at Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat Saison

Time for a quick bike ride around the grounds, in a feeble attempt to work off some of last nights incredible meal!

The style traveller bonnie Rakhit at Le Manoir Belmond Ferrari weekend

And back in the Ferrari ready for the drive to location number two, Danesfield House in Marlow.

Thank you so so much Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons that truly was an unforgettable experience and something I’d been wanting to experience for years. Can’t wait to visit again soon. Might need to go a mini diet for while though :)

Bon voyage xx

food dessert at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat Saison

 

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