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| Author: Hg2 |
 These
sleek, discreet little black city books lift the veil
on some truly fantastic places, from hidden gem boutique
hotels to the sexiest must-be bars, helping you to:
- Sleep in the most stylish hotels
- Eat at the finest restaurants
- Drink at the chicest bars
- Party, shop and play like a sophisticated local
Written with a strong British accent, these
books take you off the beaten track with up-to-the minute “insider’s” recommendations.
To ensure that you have the freshest insights, a network
of reviewers provide regular updates as places open
up, close down or go out of vogue. Online iInteractive
maps help you click through to the hotel or restaurant
of your choice - so you can plan and book your whole
trip online.
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| A Hedonist’s Guide To … is
divided into easily navigable sections, each introduced
with some comments setting the scene and listing special
places. Pretty much everything is photographed to
help you decide. |
| Sleep: |
c. 40 hotels, some small, some large,
some modest, some uber-flash – all reviewed
through a strict filter to ensure only the stylish
are included. All hotels have an indication of price
and are ranked by style, atmosphere and location. |
| Eat: |
From the impeccably chic to adorably local here
are c. 40 of the best and most interesting restaurants.
Each restaurant has an indication of price and is
ranked by food, service and atmosphere. |
| Drink: |
c. 30 bars ranging from chic designer bars to typical
local pubs. |
| Snack: |
c.30 great places to stop off and have a break
between shopping or exploring |
| Party: |
night clubs, jazz clubs, local colour, casinos
and even more “adult” clubs. If it’s
worth visiting, it’s in there. |
| Culture: |
A summary of the most important sights to visit
and information on more cultural entertainment – be
it opera, theatre, ballet, concerts etc. |
| Shop: |
Unique boutiques and the best of local shopping. |
| Play: |
Sports and spas – all you need to know about
what is available and how to organise it. |
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This new series is designed for the "urbane
and and stylish traveller" and as "the
ultimate guide for the discerning traveller" who
wants "to feel like a well-heeled, sophisticated
local". So it's hip, then.
The first thing you notice is how it looks. There
are no photographs on the outside. It has a plain
black hardcover like an expensive notebook, a bit
like a Moleskine.
When you pull it out of your bag in the medina, it
won't scream "tourist".
After an introduction and simple maps to get your
bearings, the books launch into the nitty gritty
of the discerning traveller's essentials. Sleep,
Eat, Shopping, Party and Play are each indicated
by icons with map references.
In Sleep, the guide gives plenty of essential
pre-booking information and anecdotal colour on 40
hotels. Rooms range from 150 dirhams (£9.50)
per night in the Sherazade, where you can eat in
a cushioned tent on the terrace; to 1,000 dirhams
at Dar Attajmil, owned by an Italian fashionista;
and beyond. Preceding the individual descriptions,
the top five hotels are listed for style, atmosphere
and location
...there are a couple of criticisms. One page has
black type set against a dark purple background,
making it difficult to read. The photos are not all
beautiful. With some of the outdoor shots, the photographer
should have waited until the light was better. Worse,
some images look like they've been stretched to fit.
But though it may be thin on culture and history,
it is a useful guide for the target audience on a
short break. It helped this traveller find a chic
place to stay. And it looks good on the bookshelf
The Guardian
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| Currently
available in the series: |
| Berlin |
Lisbon |
Madrid |
Marrakech |
$16.95
 |
$16.95
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$16.95
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$16.95
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| Milan |
Prague |
Stockholm |
Tallinn |
$16.95
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$16.95
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$16.95
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$16.95
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