Isabella Davidson's Blog, page 2

The White Lotus Effect: Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the South of France

It’s official! The White Lotus Season 4 is coming to France! So, if you’re like me and you are both a White Lotus Fan and a South of France lover, this is the perfect combination!

The French Riviera is experiencing a full on revival post-pandemic with a slew of luxurious 5 star hotel and restaurant openings; many hotels have had facelifts and new restaurant openings have us salivating… Zuma and La Petite Maison in Cannes are putting it firmly on the map of jet-setters and Luigi’s, Bella and Salama brings a younger, more party vibe to Cannes. Hotels are upping their game to compete with Ibiza, Mykonos and Sardinia, and I have to admit, they are succeeding. Now, Season 4 of the White Lotus is rumoured to be taking place in Franc and everyone is hoping it will be in the South of France. Here are my 10 Top ultra luxurious hotels in the South of France:

Photo courtesy of the internet

1. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc: https://www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc/

Best for: the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime luxurious hotel and to rub shoulders with superstars.

The Grande Dame of all the hotels in the South of France, none can really compare with the Hotel du Cap, Eden Roc. Always a favourite for celebs during the Cannes Film Festival and loved by Americans, this stalwart has never lost its appeal but now has added a lovely new restaurant to keep up with the times: Giovanni’s is a charming Italian under a pergola with a perfect Mediterranean backdrop, exclusively for guests

Photo courtesy of the internet

2. Chateau de La Messardiere: https://airelles.com/fr/destination/chateau-de-la-messardiere-hotel

Best for: The ultimate luxury family holiday in Saint Tropez

Chateau de La Messardiere has definitely upped its game with its recent multi-million pound renovation making it an impossible-to-book hotel in St Tropez right now. It gets so many things right, it’s hard to find any faults. The lunch buffet is positively extravagant and delicious, the new kids club has its own bastide and private pool, and the hotel’s private beach club, Jardin Tropezina, is one of my favourites (the shuttle service is priceless). And let’s not forget Matsuhisa, the Japanese restaurant, has one of the best views in St Tropez. If you can afford it, it’s so good, you’ll never need to leave. It will soon become your kids’ favourite hotel too, and yours as well.

Photo courtesy of the internet

3. The Maybourne Riviera: https://www.maybourneriviera.com/

Best For: Modern design for architecture aficionados

This hotel’s vertiginous views over Monaco are as stunning as the hotel itself; its clean, sleek, modern lines are for those who love a design hotel, but with top hospitality service to match it (it is part of the same hotel group as the Dorchester and the Berkeley). It is literally build in the rocks over Monaco and is an architectural masterpiece. It has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top hotels in France.

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

4. Lily of the Valley: https://www.lilyofthevalley.com/

Best for: Wellness holiday without starving

This new(ish) hotel designed by Philip Stark is not only aesthetically beautiful on a gorgeous spot along the coast, it also offers a weekly schedule of wellness activities from yoga, to hikes, to bike rides. Not only that, but you don’t need to starve and can eat a real steak for dinner! The bar next to the restaurant is one of the highlights with roaming musicians who will sing whatever song you ask them. Perfect for a couple’s weekend wellness retreat.

Photo courtesy of NHYM. 2025

5. Chateau Chevre d’Or: https://www.chevredor.com/

Best for: Romance

This boutique hotel in Eze remains one of my all time favourites with the best views of the Cote d’Azur. The terrace lunch is divine, so even if you can’t stay, it’s worth the detour. The best place for young and old love. The winding medieval streets of Eze just adds to the romance; a perfect place for an engagement or honeymoon.

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

6. Hotel du Couvent: https://www.hotelducouvent.com/

Best for: Historical hotel with minimalist interiors

Only just opened in 2024, it has started making Nice cool again. It is a beautiful hotel in an old convent with its own bakery and daily bread, a welcoming terrace to while the nights and days away. The decor is are bare and peaceful, it was a convent after all, but somehow manages to stay warm and inviting. The outdoor terrace in the courtyard is fantastic for a pre-dinner drink, and its private terraced swimming pools feels like Nice’s best kept secret. One to check out if in Nice!

Photo courtesy of the internet

7. Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel: https://www.fourseasons.com/capferrat/

Best For: Four Seasons Service

This is where the White Lotus Season 4 will likely take place, and I can assure you that the people-watching is better than the show. The management was taken over by the Four Seasons about 10 years ago, to match the sophistication of the hotel guests. Like all Four Seasons, it opened a fab kids club and offers swimming lessons in its pool. Great for families wanting a base in the South of France with all the Four Season trappings. I can’t wait for it to feature in The White Lotus Season 4!

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

8. Les Roches Rouges: https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/les-roches-rouges-hotel/rooms-suites/

For a boutique hotel experience with much more reasonable prices than the above properties, Les Roches Rouges opened a few years ago. It already has a Michelin star restaurant and a very cool pool dug into the rocks. It’s young and trendy against the Grandes Dames hotels above. For the design, cool crowd in media, the arts and tech. This year, they have added brand new rooms designed by ASL Architects.

Photo courtesy of the internet

9. Hotel Belle Plage, Cannes: https://www.hotelbelleplage.fr/

Best for: A young, trendy vibe in Cannes without breaking the bank.

This new, well designed hotel in Cannes is a winner with its sea views, great spa, a rooftop restaurant by Eyal Shani and rooms designed by Raphael Navot. Bella, the rooftop restaurant, has a delicious Mediterranean menu with fresh fish and meats on the menu. With reasonable prices, it is a great choice for a style conscious crowd in Cannes.

Photo courtesy of the internet

10. Le Mas de Candille: https://www.mascandille.com/

Best for: An inland experience near the charming town of Mougins

For something slightly different, the Mas de Candille has had a recent facelift, which has turned an older, Mediterranean hotel to a younger, fresher version of it. The decor is more maximalist than some of the other above hotels, and comes with a Clarins spa and a Tigrr Asian restaurant (the third after St. Tropez and Gordes) on its terrace. It is just minutes away from Mougins and the new FAMM, the first European museum dedicated to female artists.

This list was very difficult to compile with plenty of charming, updated hotels and new openings like Le Chateau de Theoule, the Mondrian in Cannes, Le Cap D’Antibes Beach Hotel, Anantara Plaza Nice, and La Reserve de Ramatuelle, but these top 10 are ones that bring something slightly different to the others along the coast and are changing the face of the French Riviera.

What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy before The White Lotus fans take over!

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

The White Lotus: Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the South of France

The French Riviera is experiencing a full on revival post-pandemic with a slew of luxurious 5 star hotel and restaurant openings; many hotels have had facelifts and new restaurant openings have us salivating… Zuma and La Petite Maison in Cannes are putting it firmly on the map of jet-setters and Luigi’s, Bella and Salama brings a younger, more party vibe to Cannes. Hotels are upping their game to compete with Ibiza, Mykonos and Sardinia, and I have to admit, they are succeeding. Now, Season 4 of the White Lotus is rumoured to be taking place in France. Here are my 10 Top ultra luxurious hotels in the South of France:

Photo courtesy of the internet

1. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc: https://www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc/

Best for: the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime luxurious hotel and to rub shoulders with superstars.

The Grande Dame of all the hotels in the South of France, none can really compare with the Hotel du Cap, Eden Roc. Always a favourite for celebs during the Cannes Film Festival and loved by Americans, this stalwart has never lost its appeal but now has added a lovely new restaurant to keep up with the times: Giovanni’s is a charming Italian under a pergola with a perfect Mediterranean backdrop, exclusively for guests

Photo courtesy of the internet

2. Chateau de La Messardiere: https://airelles.com/fr/destination/chateau-de-la-messardiere-hotel

Best for: The ultimate luxury family holiday in Saint Tropez

Chateau de La Messardiere has definitely upped its game with its recent multi-million pound renovation making it an impossible-to-book hotel in St Tropez right now. It gets so many things right, it’s hard to find any faults. The lunch buffet is positively extravagant and delicious, the new kids club has its own bastide and private pool, and the hotel’s private beach club, Jardin Tropezina, is one of my favourites (the shuttle service is priceless). And let’s not forget Matsuhisa, the Japanese restaurant, has one of the best views in St Tropez. If you can afford it, it’s so good, you’ll never need to leave. It will soon become your kids’ favourite hotel too, and yours as well.

Photo courtesy of the internet

3. The Maybourne Riviera: https://www.maybourneriviera.com/

Best For: Modern design for architecture aficionados

This hotel’s vertiginous views over Monaco are as stunning as the hotel itself; its clean, sleek, modern lines are for those who love a design hotel, but with top hospitality service to match it (it is part of the same hotel group as the Dorchester and the Berkeley). It is literally build in the rocks over Monaco and is an architectural masterpiece. It has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top hotels in France.

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

4. Lily of the Valley: https://www.lilyofthevalley.com/

Best for: Wellness holiday without starving

This new(ish) hotel designed by Philip Stark is not only aesthetically beautiful on a gorgeous spot along the coast, it also offers a weekly schedule of wellness activities from yoga, to hikes, to bike rides. Not only that, but you don’t need to starve and can eat a real steak for dinner! The bar next to the restaurant is one of the highlights with roaming musicians who will sing whatever song you ask them. Perfect for a couple’s weekend wellness retreat.

Photo courtesy of NHYM. 2025

5. Chateau Chevre d’Or: https://www.chevredor.com/

Best for: Romance

This boutique hotel in Eze remains one of my all time favourites with the best views of the Cote d’Azur. The terrace lunch is divine, so even if you can’t stay, it’s worth the detour. The best place for young and old love. The winding medieval streets of Eze just adds to the romance; a perfect place for an engagement or honeymoon.

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

6. Hotel du Couvent: https://www.hotelducouvent.com/

Best for: Historical hotel with minimalist interiors

Only just opened in 2024, it has started making Nice cool again. It is a beautiful hotel in an old convent with its own bakery and daily bread, a welcoming terrace to while the nights and days away. The decor is are bare and peaceful, it was a convent after all, but somehow manages to stay warm and inviting. The outdoor terrace in the courtyard is fantastic for a pre-dinner drink, and its private terraced swimming pools feels like Nice’s best kept secret. One to check out if in Nice!

Photo courtesy of the internet

7. Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel: https://www.fourseasons.com/capferrat/

Best For: Four Seasons Service

This hotel hasn’t quite made it on The White Lotus yet, but I can assure yet that the people-watching is just as good. The management was taken over by the Four Seasons about 10 years ago, to match the sophistication of the hotel guests. Like all Four Seasons, it opened a fab kids club and offers swimming lessons in its pool. Great for families wanting a base in the South of France with all the Four Season trappings.

Photo Courtesy of NHYM. Copyright 2025

8. Les Roches Rouges: https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/les-roches-rouges-hotel/rooms-suites/

For a boutique hotel experience with much more reasonable prices than the above properties, Les Roches Rouges opened a few years ago. It already has a Michelin star restaurant and a very cool pool dug into the rocks. It’s young and trendy against the Grandes Dames hotels above. For the design, cool crowd in media, the arts and tech. This year, they have added brand new rooms designed by ASL Architects.

Photo courtesy of the internet

9. Hotel Belle Plage, Cannes: https://www.hotelbelleplage.fr/

Best for: A young, trendy vibe in Cannes without breaking the bank.

This new, well designed hotel in Cannes is a winner with its sea views, great spa, a rooftop restaurant by Eyal Shani and rooms designed by Raphael Navot. Bella, the rooftop restaurant, has a delicious Mediterranean menu with fresh fish and meats on the menu. With reasonable prices, it is a great choice for a style conscious crowd in Cannes.

Photo courtesy of the internet

10. Le Mas de Candille: https://www.mascandille.com/

Best for: An inland experience near the charming town of Mougins

For something slightly different, the Mas de Candille has had a recent facelift, which has turned an older, Mediterranean hotel to a younger, fresher version of it. The decor is more maximalist than some of the other above hotels, and comes with a Clarins spa and a Tigrr Asian restaurant (the third after St. Tropez and Gordes) on its terrace. It is just minutes away from Mougins and the new FAMM, the first European museum dedicated to female artists.

This list was very difficult to compile with plenty of charming, updated hotels and new openings like Le Chateau de Theoule, the Mondrian in Cannes, Le Cap D’Antibes Beach Hotel, Anantara Plaza Nice, and La Reserve de Ramatuelle, but these top 10 are ones that bring something slightly different to the others along the coast and are changing the face of the French Riviera.

What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy! I know I did.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

Top 10 Luxury Hotels in the South of France

The French Riviera is experiencing a full on revival post-pandemic with a slew of luxurious 5 star hotel and restaurant openings; many hotels have had facelifts and new restaurant openings have us salivating… Zuma and La Petite Maison in Cannes are putting it firmly on the map of jet-setters and Eyal Shani’s Bella brings a younger, hipper vibe to Cannes. Hotels are upping their game to compete with Ibiza, Mykonos and Sardinia, and I have to admit, they are succeeding. Here are my 10 Top ultra luxurious hotels in the South of France:

1. Hotel du Cap Eden Roc: https://www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc/

Best for: the ultimate, once-in-a-lifetime luxurious hotel and to rub shoulders with superstars

The Grande Dame of all the hotels in the South of France, none can really compare with the Hotel du Cap, Eden Roc. Always a favourite for celebs during the Cannes Film Festival and loved by Americans, this stalwart has never lost its charm but now has added a lovely new restaurant to keep up with the times: Giovanni’s is a charming Italian under a pergola with a perfect backdrop, exclusively for guests

2. Chateau de La Messardiere: https://airelles.com/fr/destination/chateau-de-la-messardiere-hotel

Best for: The ultimate luxury family holiday in Saint Tropez

Chateau de La Messardiere has definitely upped its game with their renovation making it an impossible-to-book hotel in St Tropez right now. It gets so many things right, it’s hard to find any faults. The lunch buffet is positively divine, the new kids club has its own bastide and private pool, and the hotel’s private beach club, Jardin Tropezina, is one of my favourites (the shuttle service is priceless). And let’s not forget Matsuhisa, the Japanese restaurant, has one of the best views of St Tropez. If you can afford it, it’s so good, you’ll never need to leave. It will soon become your kids’ favourite hotels too, and yours as well.

3. The Maybourne Riviera: https://www.maybourneriviera.com/

Best For: Modern design for architecture aficionados

This hotel’s vertiginous views over Monaco are as stunning as the hotel itself; it’s clean, sleek lines are for those who love a design hotel, but with top hospitality service to match it (it is part of the same hotel group as the Dorchester and the Berkeley). It has quickly climbed the ranks as one of the top hotels in France.

4. Lily of the Valley: https://www.lilyofthevalley.com/

Best for: Wellness holiday without starving

This new hotel designed by Philip Stark is not only aesthetically beautiful on a gorgeous spot along the coast, it also offers a weekly schedule of wellness activities from yoga, to hikes, to bike rides. Not only that, but you can eat a real steak for dinner! The bar next to the restaurant is one of the highlights with roaming musicians who will sing whatever song you ask them. Perfect for a couple’s weekend wellness retreat.

5. Chateau Chevre d’Or: https://www.chevredor.com/

Best for: Romance

This boutique hotel in Eze remains one of my all time favourites with the best views on the Cote d’Azur. The terrace lunch is divine, so even if you can’t stay, it’s worth the detour. The best place for young and old love. The winding medieval streets of Eze just adds to the romance.

6. Hotel du Couvent: https://www.hotelducouvent.com/

Best for: Historical hotel with minimalist vibes

Only just opened in 2024, it has started making Nice cool again. It is a beautiful hotel in an old convent with its own bakery and bread, a welcoming terrace to while the nights and days away. The interiors are bare, divine, and peaceful. I was asked if the interior design was too cold, but somehow they have managed to keep it warm and inviting. One to check out if in Nice!

7. Grand Hotel du Cap Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel: https://www.fourseasons.com/capferrat/

Best For: Four Seasons Service

This hotel hasn’t quite made it on The White Lotus yet, but I can assure yet that the people-watching is just as good. It became managed by the Four Seasons about 10 years ago, to match the sophistication of the hotel guests. Like all Four Seasons, it opened a fab kids club and offers swimming lessons in its pool. Great for families wanting a base in the South of France with all the Four Season trappings.

8. Les Roches Rouges: https://www.beaumier.com/en/properties/les-roches-rouges-hotel/rooms-suites/

For a boutique hotel experience with much more reasonable prices than the above properties, the Roches Rouges opened a few years ago. It has a Michelin star restaurant and a very cool pool dug into the rocks. It’s young and trendy against the Grandes Dames hotels above. For the design, cool, crowd in media and tech. This year, they have added brand new rooms designed by ASL Architects.

9. Hotel Belle Plage, Cannes: https://www.hotelbelleplage.fr/

Best for: A young, trendy vibe in Cannes without breaking the bank.

This new, well designed hotel in Cannes is a winner with its sea views, great spa, a rooftop restaurant by Eyal Shani and rooms designed by Raphael Navot. Bella, the rooftop restaurant, has a delicious Mediterranean menu with fresh fish and meats on the menu. With reasonable prices, it is a great choice for a style conscious crowd in Cannes.

10. Le Mas de Candille: https://www.mascandille.com/

Best for: An inland experience near the charming town of Mougins

For something slightly different, the Mas de Candille has had a recent facelift, which has turned an older, Mediterranean hotel to a younger, fresher version of it. The decor is more maximalist than some of the other above hotels, and with comes a Clarins spa and a Tigrr restaurant, the third after St. Tropez and Gordes, on its terrace. It is just minutes away from Mougins and the new FAMM, the first European museum dedicated to female artists.

This list was very difficult to compile with plenty of charming, updated hotels and new openings like Le Chateau de Theoule, the Mondrian in Cannes, Le Cap D’Antibes Beach Hotel and La Reserve de Ramatuelle, but these top 10 are ones that bring something slightly different to the others along the coast and are changing the face of the French Riviera.

What are you waiting for? Go and enjoy! I know I did.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

Senior School Anxiety & The 11+ Exam V.2

Lately, I have been approached by a lot of mums going through the 11+ process who have been asking me for advice. When I was trekking through that minefield, I had – luckily – some elders who gave me a lot of advice: some good, some excessive, some useless, but mostly I was really grateful to have people to talk to. Note Bene: these were all mothers who had been through the process and had a lot of opinions. (I did not speak to other mums going through the 11+ at the same time for a number of reasons, but mostly because they would stress me out or put their stress on me).

So this is how I navigated the 11+: I took advice from those who knew better and learned from their mistakes. So here is what I learned:

When do you start prepping for the 11+ process? Every parent is different. Of course, you will always have the kids who know their entire multiplication tables by the time they get to Year 1, but those are the outliers. And those who might be behind academically might need to start earlier. But as a general rule, a good start for the 11+ prep is one year from the exam. So if it is in December, start one year before. Some will start later, like in Easter, but I think that’s too late in case your child has weaknesses that you haven’t spotted yet. You can start more than a year before, but in my opinion, that’s a bit of overkill and might burn out your child too soon. With the one-year-before approach, I would advise little and often. If you decide to start earlier, one good thing to do is to assess your child to make sure they are on the right path. Your school should have given you their test scores and you should have a decent grasp of how they are doing. This is where you can see what your child needs to work and address those weaknesses early on.

How do you prepare for the 11+?

Everyone wants the magic formula. Of course, tutors pretty much have to be involved if you are aiming for the most academic schools. Very few get in with little tutoring. It is still possible, but your chances are inevitably lower. For good, but not the most academic schools, you can get away without tutoring if your child is bright enough. For me, as I already mentioned, I addressed my child’s weaknesses and put my focus on that. In that way, I didn’t have to over-tutor and kept the process relatively gentle (unlike some parents who were tutoring every day). But many people feel that’s not enough so in general, for those aiming at the most academic schools, I found that most parents have two tutors: one for English and one for Maths. On top of that, Bond books and atom are very popular (Bond books for general knowledge and atom for exam practice). After that, everyone has their own methods and needs and each child is an individual.

How do you choose a senior school? Now, everyone has different requirements and values so the schools you like are not necessarily the school other people will like. So every person should just do what’s right for them. But don’t always voice your opinions. (Recently, someone I know went to visit my child’s senior school on open day and came back to me and said, ‘I hated it!’ which is probably something one should avoid doing).

The way I chose our school is as follows:

AcademicsProximity to homeCurriculumThe School & FacilitiesSocial environmentExtra-curriculars

I’ll go through each topic in some more detail.

Academics is of course on top of most people’s list: will the school challenge my child but not push him/her too far? Schools that are going to be too intense may not be the right school for your child, which is why sometimes over-tutoring can backfire. Do you want your child to be a big fish in a small pond or a small fish in a big pond? You could argue for both. But you want to make sure the school is right for your child: I repeat, not all these pushy schools are right for your child. There are plenty of kind, good schools particularly for those who are less academically inclined.

Proximity: Proximity is very high on my list on how to choose a school. I wanted a school that wasn’t too far from our home. Ideally under 30 minutes, but 30-45 minutes max. Having spent 3 hours on the school bus every day growing up, I didn’t want them to have the same experience. In addition, you want your child to have friends that live nearby and not have friends scattered far away. This makes it so much easier for playdates. Even for boarding schools, it is much easier if they are closer so your child can easily come home for the weekend. Also, how are the transport links? Because soon enough, they will want to travel on their own.

Curriculum: Not all schools have the same curriculum so make sure it is a school that offers what you are looking for. For example, some have only A Levels whereas some offer the International Baccalaureate as well. Most academic schools will have a broad, somewhat similar curriculum, but some will have more languages on offer for example or be more focussed on sciences and maths.

The school & facilities: My child immediately wanted a school with sports facilities and big spaces. It’s not easy to find that in Central London, so until you see the schools, it will be hard to decide. Just as someone might like a smaller school saying it is more cosy, someone else might say the exact same school is very cramped. So everyone has their opinions and needs. Facilities like a nice gym, a climbing wall, modern 6th form areas, swimming pools, sports pitches on site all add something as well. Also, do you like the neighbourhood? Is it somewhere you could see your child hanging out after school?

Social Environment: This is an important topic that is just as important as the other ones. Every school has a reputation: ‘the urban school, the drugs and alcohol school, the trustafarian school, the super-academic school with mental health issues, the sporty school, the ED school’ and the list goes on. Every school has a reputation and you will have to decide which aspects you are willing to live with and which you just don’t want to ever come across. The schools have very different feels to them and it has to be the right environment for your child.

Extra-curriculars: It’s not the most important on the list, but is still to be taken in consideration. Some schools offer lots of sports, some offer music, some art etc… Just have a look at them and see if there is something your child would like to do. A few jumped out when we were visiting schools and it was one of the big reasons my child chose that school.

At the end of the day, each child will end up where they should end up. And if it doesn’t work out, they can always change schools. This school will not determine the rest of their future, so relax a bit, take my advice and all will be well. I asked my child what they liked about their school and the reply was: 1. My friends 2. The lessons 3. The atmosphere. So far, it sounds like we made a good choice.

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

Cloud 12 Spa Review & 30% off!

NHYM 2022

I don’t know about you, but the last two weeks have felt like an explosion of back-to-school, Queen’s-funeral, and post-pandemic chaos and stress: everyone seems on edge and overwhelmed, including myself. So, when Cloud 12 offered me one of their signature Deep Relief Kloris CBD Oil massages, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Is it in the neighbourhood so I can fit it in between the school runs? Check. Destressing and relaxing? Check? CBD Oil? Check again!

For those of you who don’t know about Cloud 12, it is a wellness and spa retreat in the middle of Notting Hill with the added bonus of a Kid’s Club (My children are sadly too old for it, but I would have happily left them playing in the ground floor indoor playground while getting my massage). In addition to my massage, I was offered thirty minutes in the thermal suite, so this is more than just a few therapy rooms; it’s a place you can easily spend a few hours in.

Changing Room NHYM 2022

The changing room was exquisitely decorated with a large nature chandelier and there is Asian-inspired decor throughout which reminds me of spas in Bali, Thailand and Japan.

Himalayan Salt Room 2022

The thermal suite includes an eucalyptus-infused steam room, a wooden electric sauna and a Himalayan salt room. I particularly enjoyed the steam room which opened up my sinuses and bronchioles and all that sweating felt detoxifying. I also enjoyed the Himalayan salt room which exhaled cool salt air at the press of a button.

Treatment Room. NHYM 2022

After thirty minutes of thermal treatments and some time in the relaxation room listening to meditations on the provided earphones, Dorota, my therapist came for my Deep Relief Kloris CBD oil massage. CBD oil is touted for its health benefits including pain relief, speeding up healing and aiding stress and anxiety (and it is organic). This massage is described as ‘the perfect choice for anyone with aches and pains, as well as to help balance body and mind,’ which suited me perfectly!

My 60 minute massage was bliss and I even had moments of peace, forgetting about clogged roundabouts and how to magically turn a 45 minute journey into 30 minutes later that day. The massage did exactly what it was supposed to do: it released tension and induced relaxation and I could have easily used another 30 minutes or 60 minutes more of massage time.

Afterwards, I was shown the second floor therapy rooms, which are an Aladdin’s cave of wellness treatments: hynotherapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, colonics (apparently very popular these days!), psychotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, (which I heard is great for long covid and rapid healing) and more, so there is everything you need under one roof.

Cloud 12 a beautiful spa with great facilities and if you live in Notting Hill or West London (or anywhere in London really), it’s not to be missed. We’re all feeling the pressure of the world these days between unexpected pandemics, wars, Brexits and a royal death so if you need a break from it all, this is the perfect place to do it. For a few hours, I lived in a world between Bali, Japan and Thailand, where my only worry was contemplating which treatment I would go for next time.

What’s not to love?

**Cloud 12 is offering an exclusive 30% off any spa treatment to my readers between Tues – Friday 10am – 4pm if you quote my blog or Notting Hill Yummy Mummy when you book your treatment**

https://www.cloudtwelve.co.uk/

2-5 Colville Mews

London W11 2DA

020 3301 1012

Cloud 12 Spa Review

NHYM 2022

I don’t know about you, but the last week and a half has felt like an explosion of back-to-school, Queen’s-death, and post-pandemic chaos and stress: everyone seems on edge and overwhelmed, including myself. So, when Cloud 12 offered me one of their signature Deep Relief Kloris CBD Oil massages, it couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Is it in the neighbourhood so I can fit it in between the school runs? Check. Destressing and relaxing? Check? CBD Oil? Check again!

For those of you who don’t know about Cloud 12, it is a wellness and spa retreat in the middle of Notting Hill with the added bonus of a Kid’s Club (My children are sadly too old for it, but I would have happily left them playing in the ground floor indoor playground while getting my massage). In addition to my massage, I was offered thirty minutes in the thermal suite, so this is more than just a few therapy rooms; it’s a place you can easily spend a few hours in.

Changing Room NHYM 2022

The changing room was exquisitely decorated with a large nature chandelier and there is Asian-inspired decor throughout which reminds me of spas in Bali, Thailand and Japan.

Himalayan Salt Room 2022

The thermal suite includes an eucalyptus-infused steam room, a wooden electric sauna and a Himalayan salt room. I particularly enjoyed the steam room which opened up my sinuses and bronchioles and all that sweating felt detoxifying. I also enjoyed the Himalayan salt room which exhaled cool salt air at the press of a button.

Treatment Room. NHYM 2022

After thirty minutes of thermal treatments and some time in the relaxation room listening to meditations on the earphones, Dorota, my therapist came for my Deep Relief Kloris CBD oil massage. CBD oil is touted for its health benefits including pain relief, speeding up healing and aiding stress anxiety (and it is organic). This massage is described as ‘the perfect choice for anyone with aches and pains, as well as to help balance body and mind,’ which suited me perfectly!

My 60 minute massage was bliss and I even had moments of peace, forgetting about clogged roundabouts and how to magically turn a 45 minute journey into 30 minutes later that day. The massage did exactly what it was supposed to do: it released tension and induced relaxation and I could have easily used another 30 minutes or 60 minutes more of massage time.

What I didn’t know was that the upstairs, on the second floor, is an Aladdin’s cave of wellness treatments: hynotherapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, colonics (apparently very popular these days!), psychotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, (which I heard is great for long covid and rapid healing), so there is everything you need under one roof.

It’s a beautiful spa with great facilities and if you live in Notting Hill or West London, (or anywhere in London really) it’s not to be missed. We’re all feeling the pressure of the world these days between unexpected pandemics, wars, Brexits and a royal death so if you need a break from it all, this is the perfect place to do it. For a few hours, I lived in a world between Bali, Japan and Thailand, where my only worry was contemplating which treatment I would go for next time.

What’s not to love?

https://www.cloudtwelve.co.uk/

2-5 Colville Mews

London W11 2DA

020 3301 1012

Senior School Entry Anxiety…

They say a picture conveys a 1000 words and for those of us who live in London and have children who will – inevitably – take the 11+ exam (or 7+/13+) to gain entry into the most coveted senior school places, the 11+ conjures images of bloody backstabbing, intense Olympic-tutor-training and Edvard Munch type fear. (For those of you who don’t have kids – stop reading – or this will put you off kids forever).

But don’t worry. You are not alone. And you will survive. I promise.

The bad news is that it can be as bad as you can possibly imagine, I mean tears, pill-popping and lying-to-your-best-friends-face bad. But the good news is that it doesn’t have to be and I am here to hold your hand and guide you through the whole process. Not sure if I will actually help, but think of me as a ‘survivor’ and someone who made it out alive in – barely – one piece.

I was very lucky in that I had friends with older children who had gone through the whole process and gave me their infinite wisdom, some of which I ignored completely, but a lot of it which helped me infinitely. And for those who don’t have that luck, well it’s your lucky day, because I can be that person. Hopefully, in the next few blog posts, I can give you some of my wise advice.

So to start, ** drumroll* here are my 10 Commandments for getting through the 11+ and Senior School Exams:

Always remember, it’s the school that chooses your child. Not the other way around.Look at schools that will fit your child, not where you think you would like your child to go to. It’s not about what you want. As a matter of fact, it’s not about you. Did I already mention that? Over tutoring may not be a good thing. They may end up overanxious, stressed out, eating too much or too little, and end up a statistic in the increasing teen mental health problem. Don’t listen to what so-and-so is doing. Anyway, most of them are lying. As a matter of fact, if you really want to stay sane, don’t talk to any of the other mums at the school gates. Choose a few close confidantes that you can talk to, who will support you, and that’s it.Make a plan of what you think is reasonable for your child. Don’t over tutor just because you think you have to. Have a clear idea of where your family values lie and don’t waver. Have reasonable expectations and be realistic – if your child is in the bottom sets, don’t try to make them sit St Paul’s. That’s just a waste of time and energy. Don’t stress, or your child will stress too.Remember, it’s your child’s race, not anybody else’s. So support them, love them, guide them, but the rest is up to them.

So remember, just Keep Calm and Carry On and you will get through this.

And Good Luck!

xx

NHM

Top Terraces & Gardens in London for Outdoor Dining

After months of lockdown hibernation and as soon as ‘Outdoor Dining’ was announced, I was on my phone as fast as a thirsty Bedouin who finally sees an oasis in the middle of the desert. With assiduous determination, I booked the top gardens and terraces in London. But I wasn’t going to compromise on my sartorial style – all these were carefully picked for their strong heaters and covers, so you can go rain or shine.

Here are my top picks:

Annabels Garden

Best For: Ladies who Lunch and Celeb Spotting.

Ah Annabels… Call it a circus or a zoo, I don’t care, but its garden is one of my favourite in the city: you could be in Miami, Paris or Rome; it transports you out of London and somewhere sunny and happy. Elizabeth Hurley and her ‘little brother’ (son) made for perfect people watching.

Harry’s Bar

Best For: Old Style Glamour, Dolce Vita Style

The terrace of Harry’s Bar Mayfair is absolutely lovely. With good food and an old school vibe, be prepared to be treated royally.

180 House

Best For: The Young & Hip Crowd.

The newest offering of Soho House, it has a very cool rooftop wraparound terrace and rooftop pool, New York Style. Even though we were definitely the oldest, least cool table there, we managed to get one of the few tables with a parasol and heaters.

Arts Club

Best For: The Older Crowd Foodies When it Rains.

It was pouring rain the night we came, but it has such a great cover that we didn’t even notice. The food is, as always, excellent.

Nobu Portman Square

Best For: Sushi Lovers looking for a Hot Terrace.

Their terrace is big and has great heaters, I was actually sweating and really didn’t need my thermals, fur or blanket!

Chiltern Firehouse

Best For: A Great Breakfast on a Sunny Day.

A beautiful garden, Chiltern is my favourite for breakfast after the school run.

The River Cafe

Best For: An Italian Feast by the River

Date night or Couples night, The River Cafe is always a pleaser and they’ve made their terrace especially nice this year.

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

BEST FOR: A Family Affair

Bring the kids for lunch and let them run around. It’s a perfect place on the weekends.

Travel: An Epic Vietnam Adventure

Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam. View from the hike. NHYM 2019. All photos courtesy of NHYM.

We recently returned from an epic two and a half week Vietnam adventure for the Easter holidays and it has taken me this long to recover and write about it. As I told friends about my trip, many kept asking me ‘Where did you stay/where should we go/what should we do?’ so here are all my tips.

Travelling with children is also particular: you can’t necessarily sight see all day and expect your children to be happy and smiling by the end of the day. So my method is: child – friendly sight – seeing in the morning and playing and resting in the afternoon, preferably in a hotel swimming pool. So far, this formula has worked perfectly for us as a family and we usually manage to keep the whole family happy this way.

Local fishing boat, Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses. NHYM 2019. 

This was not my first time going to Vietnam as I have been many times and even spent one month living there, but it was the first time taking my children and they absolutely loved it. Vietnam may not be a place where you will find the biggest temples of Angkor Wat or Ayuttayah, or the Great Wall of China or the Grand Palace of Bangkok, but you will get a bit of everything on a smaller scale and with a different charm.

Rice fields and Water Buffalos. Hoi An. NHYM 2019.

We started in Saigon, but I would recommend travelling through Vietnam from North to South if you have enough time: friends of ours started in Hanoi and went downwards. In Hanoi, most people will stay at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, which resides in a colonial building and retains its old world charm. What’s good about it with children is that it has a swimming pool. Another option, La Siesta has a range of hotel options which are very good value.

In Hanoi, you can get a feeling of what it was like in the colonial era while Saigon is a much more chaotic, modern city, so many tourists prefer Hanoi for its charm, but the Vietnamese prefer the vibrancy and dynamic life of Saigon. Our friends took an 8 hour motorbike street food tour around Hanoi and then out to the countryside, and said it was a blast and they highly recommended it.

After, Halong Bay is the requisite stop as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. I would recommend going for 2 nights rather than 1 night, as it’s not worth it and you will just get stuck with another 100 tourist boats and that may ruin the experience. But other friends chose Bai Tu Long Bay, which is quieter and has less tourists and stayed on the Emperor Cruises which looks very luxurious and only has 8 suites per boat.

Other areas worth seeing in the North are Sa Pa for the terraced rice fields and Ninh Binh, with its limestone monoliths, but for these you would need a considerable amount of time in Vietnam to get to all of those places.

Four Seasons Nam Hai Pools. NHYM 2019. 

We met up with our friends in Hoi An, where the beautiful Nam Hai Four Seasons resort waited for us. There are plenty of cheaper options around Hoi An, you could argue, but I was travelling with two young children and I wanted the most stress-free option and the Four Seasons is generally a safe bet. (And this one is a lot cheaper than most Four Seasons hotels). The Kids Club at the Four Seasons was great for us adults: the girls were kept busy all day baking cookies, jewellery making, lantern making, playing games and making new friends. And when they tired of the Kids Club they happily spent the rest of their day by the pool (there are 3 pools, 2 for adults, 1 for kids).

Hoi An Architecture and Multi-coloured lanterns. NHYM 2019. 

For the adults, a trip into Hoi An is definitely worth it. What is special about Hoi An are the lanterns at night, but also the mixed architecture throughout the town. It was an old trading port that accumulated various influences from the Japanese, Chinese and French. It’s best to go either early in the morning before the tourists arrive or at night to see the lanterns illuminating the river…

Riding a Water Buffalo. NHYM 2019. 

One day we went on a water buffalo, wet rice planting and boat/fishing tour – all of it very touristy, but very child-friendly. The highlight of our entire trip for our children was riding a water buffalo, but they also enjoyed learning about rice planting and cultivation and they loved the basket boat ride.

Cutting rice. NHYM 2019. 

They also learned to ride a water buffalo plough, which we called ‘water buffalo water skiing.’

Water Buffalo ‘Water Skiing’ Hoi An. NHYM 2019

We then left for Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, near Nha Trang which I thought was absolutely stunning. This is not where you get modern, flashy rooms with mod cons: they are all made of wood and very rustic chic, but that’s what I loved that about it. There, it is all about nature. The Six Senses is so good at blending nature with its hotel and this was up to par with any of its other destinations.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Water Villas. NHYM 2019. 

We had a very nice two bedroom hilltop villa which was huge with its own pool and a gorgeous view of the bay and the mountains of Nha Trang. The rooms were wooden, thatched huts surrounded by trees and hillside. The food in the main restaurant was not the best ever, but the BBQ at our villa was delicious and highly recommended.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Sunset from our Hill Top Villa. NHYM 2019. 

Here, like the Four Seasons, you can ride everywhere on bicycles. The Kids Club is not the best I’ve seen, so I only recommend it as a free babysitting service, but don’t expect Maldives quality (i.e. dolphin trips and marine conservation with turtles). But having said that, our kids loved the open air cinema by the dock, the complimentary ice-cream and making new friends – all from London – and they had a great time. Their highlights: egg picking in the chicken farm, snorkelling and fishing on a local wooden boat, a sunset cruise and seeing a monkey from the boat. My husband went on a super hike which had amazing views of the mountains and spotted langur monkeys while I enjoyed the Six Senses Spa, so again, something to keep everyone happy.

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. NHYM 2019. 

Saigon, where we started and ended, has drastically changed in the last ten years and has become a completely modern city with 1) Starbucks 2) H&M and 3) Chanel, and some say that there isn’t a lot of cultural interest, but to me it’s a great city and it is becoming cooler with rooftop terraces and rooftop pools. We stayed at the Hotel Des Arts, which is a popular destination for families because of their interconnecting rooms and it has a rooftop pool. If you want to be in the middle of the action and don’t mind noise, Liberty Central City Centre, is a modern, cool 4 star which has a rooftop pool and bar, that the girls loved for Happy Hour – even though their happy hour was a watermelon or mango juice.

View from our hotel room Liberty Central Saigon. NHYM 2019. 

Their highlights in Saigon were: going for a cyclo ride through the city, going to the mall (why oh why?!) and going to a water puppet show, which shouldn’t be missed with young children. We also did a day trip to the Mekong on a boat and sampan, which is a long day, and also went to visit a family friend in the countryside, which gave us a taste of how people really live there. We also went to visit a local pagoda and orphanage to bring food and lollipops (lollipops, I was told, are a rare treat for them!) and it was great for them to meet and interact with lovely, local, children and not just Londoners, who were everywhere.

Local Pagoda in Saigon, where the monks look after orphans. NHYM 2019. 

For me, travelling is not just about seeing the great cultural sights, but it’s about just being there, absorbing the culture, the people and the way of life which is so different to our own in London. It’s seeing that there are other ways to live aside from our own, to appreciate people and their cultures and it’s just wonderful sharing that with my children.

Whatever kind of traveller you are – a nature lover, a temple/ruins lover, a culture lover or a food lover, there is a bit of something for everyone in Vietnam. When we left, one of my daughters said ‘Let’s come back next year!’

Testament to a great trip! 

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com

 

Travel: Our Epic Vietnam Adventure

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Ninh Van Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam. View from the hike. NHYM 2019. All photos courtesy of NHYM.

We recently returned from an epic two and a half week Vietnam adventure for the Easter holidays and it has taken me this long to recover and write about it. As I told friends about my trip, many kept asking me ‘Where did you stay/where should we go/what should we do?’ so here are all my tips.

Travelling with children is also particular: you can’t necessarily sight see all day and expect your children to be happy and smiling by the end of the day. So my method is: child – friendly sight – seeing in the morning and playing and resting in the afternoon, preferably in a hotel swimming pool. So far, this formula has worked perfectly for us as a family and we usually manage to keep the whole family happy this way.

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Local fishing boat, Ninh Van Bay, Six Senses. NHYM 2019. 

This was not my first time going to Vietnam as I have been many times and even spent one month living there, but it was the first time taking my children and they absolutely loved it. Vietnam may not be a place where you will find the biggest temples of Angkor Wat or Ayuttayah, or the Great Wall of China or the Grand Palace of Bangkok, but you will get a bit of everything on a smaller scale and with a different charm.

[image error]

Rice fields and Water Buffalos. Hoi An. NHYM 2019.

We started in Saigon, but I would recommend travelling through Vietnam from North to South if you have enough time: friends of ours started in Hanoi and went downwards. In Hanoi, most people will stay at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, which resides in a colonial building and retains its old world charm. What’s good about it with children is that it has a swimming pool. Another option, La Siesta has a range of hotel options which are very good value.

In Hanoi, you can get a feeling of what it was like in the colonial era while Saigon is a much more chaotic, modern city, so many tourists prefer Hanoi for its charm, but the Vietnamese prefer the vibrancy and dynamic life of Saigon. Our friends took an 8 hour motorbike street food tour around Hanoi and then out to the countryside, and said it was a blast and they highly recommended it.

After, Halong Bay is the requisite stop as one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. I would recommend going for 2 nights rather than 1 night, as it’s not worth it and you will just get stuck with another 100 tourist boats and that may ruin the experience. But other friends chose Bai Tu Long Bay, which is quieter and has less tourists and stayed on the Emperor Cruises which looks very luxurious and only has 8 suites per boat.

Other areas worth seeing in the North are Sa Pa for the terraced rice fields and Ninh Binh, with its limestone monoliths, but for these you would need a considerable amount of time in Vietnam to get to all of those places.

[image error]

Four Seasons Nam Hai Pools. NHYM 2019. 

We met up with our friends in Hoi An, where the beautiful Nam Hai Four Seasons resort waited for us. There are plenty of cheaper options around Hoi An, you could argue, but I was travelling with two young children and I wanted the most stress-free option and the Four Seasons is generally a safe bet. (And this one is a lot cheaper than most Four Seasons hotels). The Kids Club at the Four Seasons was great for us adults: the girls were kept busy all day baking cookies, jewellery making, lantern making, playing games and making new friends. And when they tired of the Kids Club they happily spent the rest of their day by the pool (there are 3 pools, 2 for adults, 1 for kids).

[image error]

Hoi An Architecture and Multi-coloured lanterns. NHYM 2019. 

For the adults, a trip into Hoi An is definitely worth it. What is special about Hoi An are the lanterns at night, but also the mixed architecture throughout the town. It was an old trading port that accumulated various influences from the Japanese, Chinese and French. It’s best to go either early in the morning before the tourists arrive or at night to see the lanterns illuminating the river…

[image error]

Riding a Water Buffalo. NHYM 2019. 

One day we went on a water buffalo, wet rice planting and boat/fishing tour – all of it very touristy, but very child-friendly. The highlight of our entire trip for our children was riding a water buffalo, but they also enjoyed learning about rice planting and cultivation and they loved the basket boat ride.

[image error]

Cutting rice. NHYM 2019. 

They also learned to ride a water buffalo plough, which we called ‘water buffalo water skiing.’

[image error]

Water Buffalo ‘Water Skiing’ Hoi An. NHYM 2019

We then left for Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, near Nha Trang which I thought was absolutely stunning. This is not where you get modern, flashy rooms with mod cons: they are all made of wood and very rustic chic, but that’s what I loved that about it. There, it is all about nature. The Six Senses is so good at blending nature with its hotel and this was up to par with any of its other destinations.

[image error]

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay Water Villas. NHYM 2019. 

We had a very nice two bedroom hilltop villa which was huge with its own pool and a gorgeous view of the bay and the mountains of Nha Trang. The rooms were wooden, thatched huts surrounded by trees and hillside. The food in the main restaurant was not the best ever, but the BBQ at our villa was delicious and highly recommended.

[image error]

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Sunset from our Hill Top Villa. NHYM 2019. 

Here, like the Four Seasons, you can ride everywhere on bicycles. The Kids Club is not the best I’ve seen, so I only recommend it as a free babysitting service, but don’t expect Maldives quality (i.e. dolphin trips and marine conservation with turtles). But having said that, our kids loved the open air cinema by the dock, the complimentary ice-cream and making new friends – all from London – and they had a great time. Their highlights: egg picking in the chicken farm, snorkelling and fishing on a local wooden boat, a sunset cruise and seeing a monkey from the boat. My husband went on a super hike which had amazing views of the mountains and spotted langur monkeys while I enjoyed the Six Senses Spa, so again, something to keep everyone happy.

[image error]

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. NHYM 2019. 

Saigon, where we started and ended, has drastically changed in the last ten years and has become a completely modern city with 1) Starbucks 2) H&M and 3) Chanel, and some say that there isn’t a lot of cultural interest, but to me it’s a great city and it is becoming cooler with rooftop terraces and rooftop pools. We stayed at the Hotel Des Arts, which is a popular destination for families because of their interconnecting rooms and it has a rooftop pool. If you want to be in the middle of the action and don’t mind noise, Liberty Central City Centre, is a modern, cool 4 star which has a rooftop pool and bar, that the girls loved for Happy Hour – even though their happy hour was a watermelon or mango juice.

[image error]

View from our hotel room Liberty Central Saigon. NHYM 2019. 

Their highlights in Saigon were: going for a cyclo ride through the city, going to the mall (why oh why?!) and going to a water puppet show, which shouldn’t be missed with young children. We also did a day trip to the Mekong on a boat and sampan, which is a long day, and also went to visit a family friend in the countryside, which gave us a taste of how people really live there. We also went to visit a local pagoda and orphanage to bring food and lollipops (lollipops, I was told, are a rare treat for them!) and it was great for them to meet and interact with lovely, local, children and not just Londoners, who were everywhere.

[image error]

Local Pagoda in Saigon, where the monks look after orphans. NHYM 2019. 

For me, travelling is not just about seeing the great cultural sights, but it’s about just being there, absorbing the culture, the people and the way of life which is so different to our own in London. It’s seeing that there are other ways to live aside from our own, to appreciate people and their cultures and it’s just wonderful sharing that with my children.

Whatever kind of traveller you are – a nature lover, a temple/ruins lover, a culture lover or a food lover, there is a bit of something for everyone in Vietnam. When we left, one of my daughters said ‘Let’s come back next year!’

Testament to a great trip! 

xx

NHYM

http://www.nottinghillyummymummy.com