When looking into where was best to stay in Santorini, we settled on the smaller town of Imerovigli situated between the capital Fira and popular larger town of Oia. This turned out to be the best decision not only because it avoids the busy tourist hotspots, but this area has some of the most stunning, uninterrupted views off the beaten track at sunset.
On night one I booked a table at The Wine Bar in the centre of Imerovigli, to have drinks and dinner as we watched our first sundown over the Caldera.
Whilst this was on the pricier side of places we ate, the wine was divine and we enjoyed our selection of dishes including pitta bread, olives, pulled pork sliders and a Greek feta salad of course.
Just next door to the bar was a white rooftop, simply perfect for those gorgeous golden hour shots.
We spent our afternoons soaking up the scorching Greek sun on our private balcony with plunge pool at Cresanto Luxury Suites, just a 5 minute walk from the town of Imerovigli.
The hotel also had a main infinity pool with loungers where we could order cocktails poolside too.
Now these are the kind of Monday blues I’m talking about!
Our private balcony provided the ultimate spot for handstand practice and I would often do my workout routine in the mornings here, before jumping straight in the pool to cool off.
One of the most incredible locations for sunset away from the crowds was Skaros Rock on the cliffside of Imerovigli.
We hiked over to the other side of the rock where there is a deserted church with the most breathtaking sweeping views of the Caldera at sundown.
Unlike the tourist hotspots in Oia and Fira, we had the place all to ourselves making this a hidden gem for golden hour.
Strolling around the town, we finally found the famous spot overlooking those iconic blue top churches.
Once the sun went down each night, the moon came out to glow over the white wash buildings of Santorini.
One evening we decided to take a sunset stroll to this church on the hill which we could see from our hotel.
Walking along this coastal path on the outskirts of Imerovigli was so peaceful and once again, away from any crowds of tourists.
Along the way we stumbled across the super luxurious CavoTagoo hotel where there is currently a Roka Restaurant popup.
Here we stopped to enjoy sundown cocktails with yet more spectacular views of the Caldera and sun dipping below the horizon.
This was a more popular spot in Imerovigli, but we got a table and soaked up the sunset whilst sipping our delicious cocktails.
That evening we strolled into the centre of Imerovigli and ended up at a local restaurant called Mama Lena.
We had courgette fritters with tzatziki to start, followed by rice stuffed peppers for me and a vegetable tomato linguine for my boyfriend. A much more reasonably priced restaurant serving traditional Greek food.
The local kebab shop called Jimmy’s Souvlaki on the main street of Imerovigli, became my boyfriend’s favourite place to grab a classic Greek lunch of chicken gyros.
On reflection we would choose to stay in the town of Imerovigli again given there’s far less tourists, there’s plenty of 5* luxury hotels and suites to choose from, and there’s no denying the outstanding sweeping views of the iconic Caldera ❤
Wedding season is well and truly underway and this weekend we had the pleasure of joining our very close friends to celebrate them tying the knot in style at The Shack Revolution.
Nestled in the heart of Hereford, The Shack Revolution is a contemporary wedding venue which prides itself on encouraging couples to have creativity and freedom in planning their dream wedding – https://www.theshackrevolution.co.uk
The day was truly one of a kind reflecting the couple’s fun loving hearts and beautiful personalities.
From the gorgeous pink bouquets of flowers and matching pink napkins, which we waved in the air as the couple entered their wedding breakfast as newlyweds; to the fun games including ping pong and the beer van where you could pour your own pint, every moment of the day was a joy and had guests entertained.
The three course dinner was a delicious feast, starting with seared Celtic king scallop on a bed of pea puree and chorizo.
To follow I had the vegetarian main of smoked oyster mushroom risotto with sage as well as a few of the sides including salad, roasted cherry vine tomatoes and the most decadent mac and cheese which me and my boyfriend couldn’t get enough of!
For dessert it was my favourite deconstructed Eton mess, the perfect little sweet treat to end the meal.
We certainly weren’t left hungry when more food came later in the evening too… a cheeseboard with mountains of caramelised onion chutney (we love to see it) and then stacks of fresh stone baked pizzas complete with garlic bread and truffle fries. Not forgetting also the snack table of crisps and giant sweetie jars for guests to help themselves, fuelling us with that extra energy as we danced the night away!
It’s always tricky finding the right wedding guest outfit, so me and my best friend were back and forth with lots of options in the run up to the date.
I finally settled on a sophisticated floral swing dress, something I actually already had in my wardrobe from when I worked for the vintage dress company Lady V London.
Whilst this isn’t my usual style of dress, I felt really feminine and lady like in this number and it matched the vibe of the venue super well.
To accessorise it up I wore this statement neck corsage, oversized gold flower earrings from ASOS, satin baby pink heels to match the corsage and my new olive green Moncrief shoulder bag, subtly reflecting the floral tones of the dress.
I also took my boyfriend shopping to Next where we got him this smart, pinstriped, oatmeal suit which I styled for him with the light blue shirt and satin pocket handkerchief. I think the muted blue and green tones of our outfits complimented each other well. Couples dressing must be carefully considered for weddings so as to pair perfectly for photos ❤
Needless to say that as an Events Executive, I absolutely adore attending weddings, especially when it’s family or very close friends getting hitched. Tears of joy and pride were certainly flowing for the happiness of my beautiful friends.
Nothing matches the feeling of celebrating together with loved ones and letting your hair down in honour of the happy couple, I’m still on such a high.
What a truly magical day shared with the most fabulous friends who are like family.
Happy Sunday! I’m still on a high from the most perfect date night yesterday evening in the picturesque town of Guildford, Surrey.
With the sun glowing over Guildford Castle at golden hour, we wanted to enjoy an aperitif on the terrace of The Ivy Castle View. However we settled on a seat at the beautiful feature bar inside given outside was fully booked.
I enjoyed a beefeater pink grapefruit gin and slimline tonic and we shared some olives and rosemary almonds for a pre-dinner nibble.
With 8pm reservations, we finished up our drinks and headed next door to The Ivy Asia for our dinner date. The Ivy is always a treat and never disappoints on the service, food and a buzzing atmosphere complete with exquisite interiors.
We were sat at the counter top overlooking the kitchen where they make the sushi fresh to order and we had a great view across the restaurant too, wonderfully bustling with Saturday night vibes.
To start we shared the duck spring rolls and wonton crackers with a delicious dip. To drink I was on the red wine whilst my boyfriend had a yummy sweet lychee mocktail.
The Ivy Asia offers small plates to share, so it’s a lovely way to get a taste of lots of different dishes. We chose the spicy tuna sushi roll, honey glazed chicken skewers, miso marinated aubergine, sticky rice and chilli noodles.
Everything was so tasty and beautifully presented, but for me the aubergine dish was my favourite and my boyfriend particularly enjoyed the glazed chicken skewers.
As always, The Ivy Asia didn’t disappoint on delivering an overall seamless experience making for the most delightful date night with my boyfriend.
I was a very happy girly indeed; cheers to Saturday date night goals ❤
This week I’m sharing with you my super quick, easy and affordable recipe for Rawnola. Using just store cupboard staples and a high powered blender, this mixture can also be used for making bliss balls to have on hand for an energy boost snack, without the hidden nasties found in packaged products.
Store the Rawnola in an airtight container and enjoy as a topping on yoghurt, mixed with your favourite cereal or even straight from the jar because believe me when I say, this tastes like cookie dough!
This weekend I had the pleasure of being invited along with my boyfriend to stay at the De Vere Hotel Cotswold Water Park. Nestled in the heart of 152 lakes that spread across the unique Cotswolds Water Park, its the perfect escape from the city surrounded by the honey-coloured villages and gently rolling hills of The Cotswolds.
Arriving late on Friday afternoon, we were greeted with a bottle of English Sparkling wine and personalised robes in our room.
After a quick dip in the spa pool, we popped the bubbly and enjoyed a drink on our balcony overlooking the serene scenes of the lake.
A quick outfit change and I was ready for 7pm drinks. I wore a pair of white Topshop jeans, a lace peplum Miss Selfridge cami top, Django and Juliette black mules and my velvet green Sandro handbag.
Whilst enjoying our drinks and scrumptious canapés, we were shown around the gorgeous event spaces where we are looking to host an event later this year.
I really liked the main ballroom with exposed brickwork and lovely bright furnishings with a view over the lake.
At 8pm we were treated to a private seated dinner with our group of about 15 other clients. Starter was sharing antipasti boards which is my favourite kind of appetiser and they didn’t disappoint.
For main course I had the seabass with a miso broth and dessert was a delicious chocolate fondue. All the food was exquisite and the service impeccable.
Thank you to the sales team at De Vere Cotswold Water Park for hosting such a wonderful evening and looking after us so well during our stay.
I’d highly recommend a trip to The Cotswolds for a weekend staycay in the UK and this hotel is the perfect destination with plenty to do in the surrounding area too, including all the fun water-sports on the lakes during summer. To book, visit their website here – https://www.devere.co.uk/cotswold-water-park-hotel
If you’re looking for endless options of cool cafes, boojie bars and delicious delicacies from cuisines all over the world, then Canggu is the place to satisfy your ultimate foodie cravings. From the stunning smoothie bowls full of the freshest fruits and all day brunching options galore, to classic Mexican, Italian, Greek, Asian or Australian… you really are spoilt for choice!
Whether you’re vegan or in search of somewhere healthier to eat, or you’re wanting to treat yourself to something more indulgent and would like to experience some fine dining, there is something to suit everyone’s tastes in Canggu. We were blown away by the standard of the food everywhere we ate at and the prices were incredibly reasonable, hard to believe compared to the price of restaurants in the UK!
Whilst there wasn’t enough time to try every place recommended during our short stay in Canggu, we did sample some of the most famous cafes and restaurants in the area and I’ve narrowed it down to seven of my favourite.
The ultimate destination for vegans, vegetarians and health food lovers, The Shady Shack offers a big menu which includes an all-day breakfast, nutritious smoothies and juices, burgers and salads, share plates, delicious mains and decadent vegan desserts. I opted for one of their Insta famous salad bowls of grilled haloumi, pickled beetroot, quinoa, rocket, cucumber, avocado, tomato, roasted peppers, olives, baba ganoush, served with a creamy tahini dressing, crispy chickpeas & za’atar. Brimming with plenty of greens and colourful veggies, this Mediterranean inspired bowl of goodness was the perfect post-flight refuel my body needed. At 85K IDR, this salad cost only £4.25.
Another fully plant-based cafe, Kynd Canggu was right next to our hotel and became my boyfriend’s favourite place for lunch. Despite not being vegan, we loved it here and over the course of our stay my boyfriend sampled the loaded fries with chipotle aioli, crunchy onions & jalapeños, their take on a Mexican Burrito, and not forgetting the Kynd Bigger Mac. I was excited to try their aesthetic Acai Bowl complete with fruit lettering to spell out BALI, a cliche I know but it had to be done.
They know their Mexican food in Bali, so I was keen to try out Canguu’s top rated for Mexican eats, Lola’s. With an edgy, buzzing vibe, this cool spot on the shortcut seemed the place to be for a night out with friends. I started with a cheeky Marg of course before we had some naughty loaded nachos with all the toppings to share.
For a main course I hade their Mexi Bowl which comprised of a bed of lettuce with beans, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, red cabbage, pico de gallo, guacamole, cashew sour cream, tortilla chips, and I added BBQ jackfruit. A taste sensation of authentic Mexican flavours, I couldn’t believe it was only £3.75 for this meal, I would go here on repeat if I could.
My number one destination for date night or even just a glass of lovely vino, this Mediterranean inspired restaurant serves up sharing plates using cooking techniques like smoking and wood fire grilling to coax maximum flavour from minimal ingredients.
With its Scandi style interiors and romantic cosy courtyard adorned with fairy-lights, we went here for the perfect Friday date night and shared a scrumptious feast of small plates. Highlights included the cured meat selection, homemade hummus with burnt chilli butter & crispy bits, and those wonderfully sweet wood fired carrots with yoghurt & dukkah.
There is even a secret speakeasy bar at the very back of the restaurant where we enjoyed our after dinner drinks, it oozes sophistication and style.
For a taste of Italy and another atmospheric restaurant ideal for date night, Azoria is a newly opened Italian in the heart of Canggu already making a name for itself. Serving traditional Italian dishes amongst the setting of its rustic Mediterranean inspired decor, it felt like we were transported to Europe as we sipped our red vino and the Italian guitar music set the ambience.
To start we shared an exquisite Caesar salad, and for main my boyfriend had the Beef Ragu, whilst I made my own pasta of pappardelle, tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, spinach and basil. The pasta was so fresh and I loved the idea of making your own pasta so I could personalise the meal to my taste. We never regretti our spaghetti ❤
Whilst this restaurant promotes itself as low calorie and super healthy, that doesn’t mean it sacrifices on quality or options to suit all tastes. My boyfriend had the pork ribs with sweet potato fries and he said it was one of the best dinners he’d had on the trip – although we said that after every meal to be honest!
I opted for the grilled fish topped with a mango chilli salsa, served with baked pumpkin and lots of fresh salad. A nicely balanced plate high in protein, complex carbs from the pumpkin, fats from the fish and heaps of nutrients from all the salad; I love this kind of food good for the body and soul. They also have live musicians on guitars every night from 7-9pm, making for the perfect al fresco dining experience.
The final foodie destination I had to have on my list of favourites was Zin Cafe, the restaurant within the hotel we were staying. We had breakfast here every morning and whilst my boyfriend made his way through the extensive menu of savoury and sweet brunch options, I couldn’t get enough of the fresh fruit platter and yummy smoothie bowls. The cafe spans multiple levels spilling into the co-working space, which is like an awesome tree-house perfect for chilled working vibes. We ordered lunch to our terrace one afternoon and I had a delightful plate of roasted vegetables with green tahini. We also had their local Indonesian Curry for dinner in the restaurant one evening which didn’t disappoint, it was everything I hoped for and more.
So that’s a roundup of my top food spots in Canggu. There are many more incredible cafes and brilliant restaurants we didn’t have time to visit of course, but safe to say you won’t be disappointed wherever you go to eat in Bali; it’s true foodie heaven ❤
Friday is here and after being back at work this week following a dreamy holiday in Bali, I’m very glad to be welcoming in the weekend. We landed back in London on Saturday evening and whilst our jet lag wasn’t bad out in Bali, coming back has been a challenge and the extreme fatigue set in. Thankfully after a few days back in routine, we’re feeling a lot more alive and I can’t wait to share all of the Bali content from our awesome trip back to my favourite island.
From chasing sunsets whilst beach bar hopping and sampling the best of Bali’s foodie scene, to exploring the rainforest and rice terraces in Ubud and surfing on Echo Beach, we certainly made the most of our 10 days in Bali.
Over the next month or so, I have an exciting schedule of posts about our trip including where we stayed, what we got up to, my favourite places for sundowners, the creme de la creme of restaurants in Canggu, how much things cost and my top tips for visiting Bali.
So stay tuned as I soothe my Bali blues by reliving our holiday with lots of exciting Bali content to come! ❤
Happy Sunday! We’ve made it into February and I’m so excited to be jetting off to Bali with my boyfriend at the end of this month. Having been before and fallen in love with this palm-fringed island, there are many places I want to go back to as well as lots of new areas I’d like to explore. We’ll be staying in the bustling beachside town of Canguu, Bali’s rapidly developing hedonistic paradise with it’s world-class waves, eclectic boutiques and markets, beautifully aesthetic beach bars and flourishing foodie scene.
Our hotel Zin in Canguu, is a stunning boutique hotel resort situated right by the beach and in the heart of Berawa with the best shops, restaurants and bars right on our doorstep.
We’ll have to visit my favourite beach club La Brisa on Echo Beach for sundowners, and not forgetting The Lawn and Finns which are both nearby too.
My inner foodie can’t wait to go back to Shady Shack for the incredible salad nourish bowls and also Crate Cafe for their stunning smoothie bowls.
Penny Lane is also a must for the wonderfully aesthetic interiors and extensive menu of vegan delights to enjoy whilst taking in those gorgeous surroundings.
Having read more recent blogs and watching YouTube vlogs from influencers in Canguu, I’ve got a whole bunch of new spots to try out in the area too. I particularly like the look of Mason restaurant for a date night and SKOOL Kitchen for some fine dining with a view.
Beyond Canguu, there are two other areas of the island I would like to visit during our time in Bali. A day trip to the central jungle terrine of Ubud is an absolute must. Here you will find the lush green rice paddies and ethereal waterfalls which will undoubtedly be picture perfect moments for the ‘gram.
Another day trip I have mapped out is to Uluwatu on the south coast, where the white sand beaches and cliff faced coastlines are breathtaking.
This is where the infamous beach club Savaya is located with its seemingly floating balcony dance floor and DJ deck. Sundowners with that magnificent view and live music will be the dream pinch me moment.
As always, I’m doing my research using Instagram, YouTube and blogs to save the very best places for us to visit and make the most of our time in Bali. A Pinterest board is another great way to get inspired and discover hidden gems – https://www.pinterest.co.uk/danielleaneka/bali/
Using Google maps I have also put together my own map for Bali, pinning the places to go in each region of the island we plan on visiting. I do this anytime I am travelling abroad as its a quick and easy way to save everything in one place and visually see where they are on the map. Checkout my Bali map here – https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1IAltwIQuNtqsH3oXXDRz0DVF2pi3w1s&usp=sharing
So the countdown to Bali ’24 is on and I’m absolutely thrilled to be going back to magical beach bum days in island paradise ❤
Happy Sunday! I’ve had a super chilled weekend following a busy few days hosting an event in Manchester last week. Whilst working in events certainly is good fun and very rewarding, there’s a huge amount of careful planning and prep which goes into pulling them off as seamlessly as possible.
My week started with a long road trip up to Manchester with my colleagues to setup at the venue the afternoon before. We finally checked into our hotel at 6:30pm that evening and I opted to stay in and order Uber Eats to my hotel room.
I ordered a feast from Itsu of miso soup, a veggie gyoza noodle bowl, crispy seaweed thins, chilli prawn crackers and a refreshing peach lychee zen water. It was a much needed cosy night in ahead of the event day enjoying my noodles and watching some YouTube on my iPad.
We stayed at The Alan Hotel which I booked for the team upon recommendation from my friend as a newly renovated space, featuring art deco style interiors with an industrial, urban edge.
The next morning we were back bright and early at the venue to setup for our showcase and meet with the 12 suppliers who had stands too. We had exclusive use of the National Football Museum located in the heart of Manchester, the perfect space for our Innovation Showcase.
Registration setup, 150 goodie bags packed, supplier stands in situ, and AV tested ready for the showcase, it was all systems go awaiting our guests to arrive from 9am. This Xite natural energy drink from one of the supplier entries, fuelled me for a morning of running around as the event got underway.
There are always last minute changes and issues potentially arising on the day which comes hand in hand with event management, but it’s all about being prepared for everything and calling on experience to come up with a solution whatever the situation.
An example of this was when one of our suppliers couldn’t make it to the event on the day, but their products and stand were still delivered to the venue. So me and the team worked together to get their many Twirl Extra bars out on display ready for guests to grab their sweet treat freebie.
After lunch at the National Football Museum, we walked over to the next venue to setup for our Hosted 121s session, during which retailers and suppliers get the opportunity to meet one on one in quick 10 minute meetings, much like speed dating but for business.
I booked a fun bar called BLVD where again, we had the entire venue as our event had grown so big this year, we were at double the numbers to what we usually have for our 121s! The venue was perfect with a casual yet buzzing atmosphere, as our members met and discussed all things business.
My fit for the event day was a pair of navy chinos from Next paired with this matching Zara navy waistcoat, a white Topshop polo neck worn beneath, my trusty flat black chelsea boots and a black velvet headband to complete the look. As the mirror says, it’s giving ‘Girl Boss’ vibes ready for a long day of hard work!
To finish the day, we hosted a Networking Dinner for 120 of our guests at James Martin’s Restaurant within the 235 Casino in central Manchester.
Me and my colleague made the short 10 minute walk over from the bar at 5:30pm to get everything setup and before we knew it, guests were arriving at 6pm.
This ‘Let’s Party’ prosecco wall was a fabulous welcome for our guests to the reception drinks.
At 6:45pm, we took our guests through to seat for dinner and we could finally enjoy and celebrate the success of our event, over a delicious three course meal.
To start was a cauliflower veloute served with focaccia bread and it was divine.
For main course I had the vegetarian option of BBQ curried cauliflower with a lentil dahl, coriander yoghurt and fermented potato flat bread.
To finish was a dessert of hot sticky toffee pudding, toffee sauce and salted caramel ice cream, the ultimate sweet treat, everything was exquisite.
On the whole, a hugely successful event which we organised with precision, resulting in a very seamless execution on the day and a well deserved evening of celebrations with my colleagues that night; life is never boring working in events!
Working in events, part of my job involves venue finding and hotel visits to scope out the best suited venues for our guests. This weekend I was kindly invited for a two night complimentary stay along with a guest to Cheshire’s Country Estate, Carden Park Hotel & Spa. With an itinerary of outdoor activities including zip lining, a gameshow gala dinner with drinks reception, and a full spa morning at their award winning spa, we were in for a fun few days experiencing the very best of Carden Park.
Arriving on Friday evening after a long four hour drive all the way from Hampshire, me and my boyfriend checked in and were greeted with a bag of treats, a bottle of their own estate sparkling wine, and this delightful dessert platter.
We unpacked and headed straight for the pool to relax and unwind following our long road trip.
A pre-dinner jacuzzi dip was the perfect way to welcome in the weekend ahead.
Soon it was time to get ready for our dinner date in Redmond’s Brasserie at 8pm.
I wore my Topshop flared split hem black trousers with this blue corset bardot top, my Boohoo electric blue mules and my new green velvet Sandro handbag.
We were generously gifted our meal along with a bottle of wine too, so we had the house red and started with the spiced butternut squash soup whilst we browsed the menu.
I opted for a favourite of mine, Caesar salad served with king prawns, whilst my boyfriend had the steak burger topped with onion rings and served with thin fries.
The restaurant was buzzing on a Friday night and despite being fully booked, the staff were attentive and the food was very nice indeed.
After dinner we went for a nightcap at the bar where we got cocktails, before heading to our room to watch Graham Norton on TV; can’t miss out on our Friday night winter tradition!
Saturday morning we awoke to the most gorgeous sunny day in Cheshire and this picture perfect view over the estate grounds from our hotel room.
We met our hosts from the hotel at 9am in the library and made our way over to the activity centre for a morning of team building games.
The activities were a mixture of logical puzzles and physical games, so there was something for everyone and it was a brilliant ice breaker to get to know everyone else on the FAM trip.
After a hot chocolate back inside to warm up, we got geared up and ready to take on the giant zip line.
Whilst it was a little nerve racking jumping off the platform, this was an awesome experience and amazing way to see right across the estate from up there. We couldn’t have been more lucky with the sunshine too, what a day for it!
At midday we had a buffet lunch and then we went back to our room to freshen up, before heading out for the afternoon to explore the local area.
For our trip into Chester I wore my Stradivarius vintage flared jeans paired with a white long sleeve pearl button through top, my Le Scarf neckerchief, a Zara cropped aviator shearling jacket, classic DKNY handbag, and my platform chelsea boot Uggs which I’m living in this winter.
Carden Park even has its own sculpture garden which we had to take a look around before heading into town.
Just a short 20 minute drive away from the hotel is the historical city of Chester with its picturesque streets lined with boutique shops, cute cafes, eclectic bars and different restaurants.
After a stroll around the magnificent Cathedral and a spot of shopping too, we stumbled across this hidden bar located down one of the many quaint alleyways which are tucked away off the main high-street.
Weekend vibes were in full swing and I was in my element sipping my bubbly as we soaked up our surroundings and the buzzing atmosphere of Chester on a Saturday arvo.
My purchase of the day was this Ganni beanie from Flannels which I’ve had my eye on for a while, so it was meant to be when I saw it.
Back at the hotel, we got ready for the drinks reception in the Shooting Suite at 7pm.
I loved the smart, tonal colours of my outfit on this evening featuring my C’est Normal brown tailored trousers, Missguided blush pink tie front blouse, a pair of Next square toe nude mules, these fabulous gold statement earrings, and not forgetting my velvet green Sandro handbag to complete the glam look.
Upon arrival to the drinks reception we were served a pink gin fizz cocktail and canapés to whet our appetite.
The dinner was hosted gameshow style, so the four tables of ten went up against each other throughout the evening to be crowned winners. Unfortunately our table didn’t win, but we gave it a good shot with second place and had a laugh together in the process.
We were treated to a four course menu curated by Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE, who talked us through the journey and details of each course too.
To start was a fish dish of pan fried mullet with bouillabaisse sauce, saffron potatoes, rouille emulsion, garlic croutes and tempura mussels.
Main course was this exquisite roast rack of Welsh lamb with a dijon mustard and herb crust, caramelised Chou rave puree, confit Chou rave, turned carrot and Navarin sauce.
Chef even carved this in the room and it smelt divine, what a showstopper!
Dessert was a delectable reverse chocolate fondant with a liquid Cointreau centre and a yoghurt sorbet.
And not forgetting the cheese course of brie a la truffe with a savoury pain perdu, quince jelly and puree. A serious tasting experience which I won’t be forgetting anytime soon, hats off to the chef!
The next day we had a morning session at the award winning Spa at Carden Park.
Whilst it was a cold and rainy day outside, the thermal outdoor pools and jacuzzis kept us warm.
Back inside I relaxed on a lounger with my favourite high fashion magazines.
Warmed in a panoramic sauna or basking in the outdoor vitality pool, this was the perfect Sunday morning reset.
The sleek, scandi style design is very aesthetically pleasing and creates the ideal atmosphere of calm and zen you want from a spa.
A final champagne brunch was then served at 12pm in the Elements restaurant, where we dined in our robes and regrouped with the other guests.
I had a refreshing mix of red berries, melon and pineapple with greek yoghurt and a long black coffee. I also tried the Carden estate sparkling wine which was delicious, a lot smoother than a typical champagne or prosecco.
It was then time to checkout and say our farewells to the wonderful team at Carden and our lovely fellow attendees on the FAM stay.
We had a truly tremendous weekend being treated to the very best that Carden Park Hotel & Spa has to offer. From the friendly staff and exceptional culinary experiences, to the plethora of fun activities and charming Cheshire countryside surroundings, I would highly recommend a stay at Carden Park Hotel & Spa.
Thanks again to the team for their kind hospitality this weekend ❤
Dani Aneka 