Friday, March 11, 2011

UK's Natural Retreats Welcomes A Big Time Chef From Downunder


I have not really discussed our upcoming trip to The UK because I want the posts about the various places we plan to stay to be immediate and timely. However, after receiving an E-mail from the on-line concierge at Natural Retreats (Natural Retreats - Yorkshire Dales), a modern hotel retreat in the countryside of central England, with news about a visit from Aussie celebrity chef Bill Granger (Bill's Website) from Sidney, I just couldn't resist. Since food is such a critical part of traveling well, I would be derelict in my duty as a true Nomad Architect to ignore the serendipitous timing of a renown chef doing a tv show that also highlights the uniqueness and architectural quality of a place we will be staying.

The Introductory Video (Bill Granger Chef at Natural Retreats) gives a brief glimpse of the kind of place Natural Retreats is.  Great Britain is known for its traditional B&B's with old beds, old curtains, old furniture... well old everything. Natural Retreats is part of a new breed of hotels in the UK that is bringing fresh ideas and high design to travelers. With minimalist green designed cabins, set in the breathtaking countryside of central England, it has been on my radar since we started planning our UK trip.

One other item to keep in mind when you are making travel plans. Customer Service. How quickly do they respond to your questions? Is there web site easy to use and informative? Is the staff knowledgeable about the hotel and its amenities? Natural Retreats happens to have an Online Concierge to answer questions and assist with reservations. Not only was she helpful, answering every question while confirming our reservation, she was also witty, engaging and professional in every sense of the word. In this world of impersonal customer service, it was refreshing to deal with someone that truly cared about me and mine as we planned our stay.

The Thames , The Castles, Parliament, Snowdonia, The Lakes, Blenheim - It won't be long now!!!!

Travel Quote of The Day
Las Vegas: all the amenities of modern society in a habitat unfit to grow a tomato.  -  Jason Love

G'day   DLS

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