Cited as being Europe’s first music hotel the nhow Berlin is located on the banks of the river Spree and at the heart of the creative scene of the city, neighbouring music, fashion and art hotspots. This crane-like hotel looks spectacular from the outside and inside reveals a futuristic decor and eye-popping bright colour scene. This hotel prides itself on being offbeat, lively and dynamic and we can see why and is the only hotel in Europe with two professional music studios too with panoramic views of the city. Prices start from around €110 per room, so if you are looking something different in this price range, we reckon nhow is a great place to experience.
Each year the Au Vieux Panier Hotel (The Old Basket) in Marseille, France commissions artists to reinvent their 5 hotel guest rooms and we are totally blown away by the final design for one room by internationally recognised graffiti artist Tilt. Called the 'Panic Room' it is really hard to make out or quite believe what you are looking at but it is in fact one half of the room stark naked, pure white in contract to the explosive graffiti covered other half of the room. For the experience itself this would be a worthwhile stay, although a long stay would probably make anyone go crazy!
Source: www.thisiscolossal.com
The Winnipeg Free Press in Canada, has opened a news café in the city centre where some of its multi-media employees now work permanently. The paper aims to create an environment which allows the public direct engagement and dialogue with the newspaper including its journalists and editors. The paper also organises on-site Q&A sessions with cafe guests. This interesting jump for the paper has created plenty of content for their social media activity and helped attract a more younger demographic.
Source: www.springwise.com
Hotel Kakslauttanen located in the Saariselka area of Finland, in all its Lapland glory, offers tourists the most incredible accommodation in the form of glass igloos. These totally unique rooms offers the best views of the Northern Lights of the Arctic Circle and the hotel also claims to have the world's largest smoke sauna.
The global economic recession has brought construction to a halt across the world and NYC is no exception. However innovation often stems from difficult circumstances and this is proving very true in Manhattan where a stalled build project has been radically transformed into a thriving urban garden. The site for the Alexandria Center for Life Science's has seen completion of Phase 1 but delay on Phase 2 of development. The owners of the Riverpark and Wichcraft Restaurants located on the completed part of the development came up with the idea to establish an urban garden on the empty space. They now grow over 100 different crops on the 15,000 square foot lot in milk crates. Customers are thrilled to be eating the freshest of produce possible and no doubt it is a much nicer picture than looking at a derelict site. They are also setting up 'farm tables' on the lot for customers who prefer al fresco dining.
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The owners of London restaurant Buona Sera have been very creative with the use of space, taking the problem of limited table area and turning it into a unique design concept. With their wooden tables designed with two on top of each other, customers can feel like they are dining inside a treehouse, which is a pretty unique and cool experience.
Swedish architect firm Cyrén & Cyrén have created the stunning Tree Hotel in Harads, Northern Sweden. Rooms are accessed via a bridge leading from the forest to an entrance on the roof, which also includes a terrace so guests can gaze out at the beautiful scenery.
Source: www.dezeen.com
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#5 More London retail happiness can be found in David & Goliath, with stores in Covent Garden and Carnaby. This playful, colourful brand may appeal to the younger generation but there is something for everyone that has a playful side. We like the carefree, care less messages emblazoned on anything from tees, bags, pyjamas and mouse mats. With 13 locations across the globe this is one brand we think will keep growing.
www.davidandgoliathtees.com
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#4 The Troubadour is steeped in history and just oozes charm. Established in 1954 as a coffee house the Troubadour grew to become a place for live music and entertainment. This was the first place Bob Dylan performed in London. Other musicians who have graced the stage over the years include Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell. Today the Troubadour is a place to have coffee, food, drink and be entertained. It has a relaxed vibe, bohemian decor and there is even an idyllic garden too, so rare to find in London. It was also recently voted 2nd in the Daily Mail's best restaurants in London for its authentic menu and genuine service. This is definitely a place to return to.
263-267 Old Brompton Road, London. SW5 9J
www.troubadour.co.uk
FEATURE: LONDON TOP 7
#3 As part of our London Top 7 feature this week we felt it was important to report back on the best cupcake bakery that London had to offer and top of our list is Love Bakery in the Chelsea district. Everything about the bakery is perfect - from the cool signage, gorgeous interior, super friendly staff and not to mention the cupcakes. Love Bakery was established only two years ago by Sam Blears as a result of constant requests for her homemade cupcakes and the bakery has gone from strength to strength. Their cupcakes are made in small batches at a time, using domestic mixers to ensure the totally fresh homemade taste. In a recent Financial Times taste test to find the best cupcakes in London Love Bakery beat off all the competition to take top spot for their Rhubard & Custard cupcake. If in London this is a place to seek out and indulge those sweet tastebuds!
www.lovebakery.co.uk
