RED CARNATION’S GIFT GUIDE FOR A LOCKDOWN FATHER’S DAY
The luxury hotel collection shares its ideas for treating dad, including delicacies to delight in now and vouchers for experiences to be enjoyed later
This year, Father’s Day takes on a different feel as social distancing makes it more challenging to show our Dads how much we appreciate them on Sunday 21 June. The luxury Red Carnation Hotel Collection has collated some special lockdown-friendly gift ideas that can either be enjoyed now or that will give him something to look forward to once the world begins to open up again.
Bread in a Bottle from Ashford Castle Sourdough, scones or banana bread, it seems we’ve all tried to hone our baking and bread-making skills these last few months, but ingredients such as flour or yeast have proved frustratingly elusive. Long before lockdown, Paula Stakelum, pastry chef at Ashford Castle, Red Carnation’s Forbes Five Star property on Ireland’s West Coast, made things easier for budding bakers with the creation of Bread in a Bottle. Based on the personal recipe of Bea Tollman, President & Founder of Red Carnation Hotels, Bread in a Bottle has just the right amount of each of the quality ingredients to produce a loaf of Bea’s famous seeded bread, one of the most popular and requested recipes across the hotel collection. Presented in an attractive bottle and available for just €6.95 from Ashford Castle’s online shop, this is the perfect gift for bakers this Father’s Day. For further kitchen creativity, why not add Bea Tollman’s A Life in Food recipe book (€27.95), filled with myriad favorites such as her Honeycomb Ice Cream or Chicken Pot Pie. All proceeds from A Life In Food go to Bea Tollman’s favourite UK charities, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and The Tick Tock Club, Great Ormond Street Hospital. www.shop.ashfordcastle.com. |
Wines by South Africa’s pioneer of pinot noir Red Carnation’s famed South African winery, Bouchard Finlayson, is internationally renowned for its award-winning Pinot Noir which is served, alongside its exceptional Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs, at all of the collection’s luxury hotels. This Father’s Day, dads can be gifted the fruits of South Africa’s most awarded boutique wine estate straight to their homes with a delivery from Frontier Fine Wines. Choose from individual bottles, such as Bouchard Finlayson’s Galpin Peak (£29.50 per bottle), one of the Cape’s stand-out Pinot Noirs which exhibits the generous texture of the vintage, moderately rich yet supple. Intriguing perfumed dark cherry and wild berry, with espresso infused cinnamon spice add to this wine’s appeal; deftly balanced, it portrays elegance, but the tannins form neatly on a lengthy finish. Alternatively, Frontier Fine Wines is offering a special offer on a six bottle mixed case of Bouchard Finlayson’s white wines (£79.65 per case; normally £98.65), including the winery’s delicious Blanc de Mer, Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Sans Barrique Chardonnay, Crocodile’s Lair Chardonnay and Missionvale Chardonnay. www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za / www.frontierfinewines.co.uk. |
Beer and Cheese Pairing Experience at The Chesterfield Mayfair Set just moments from London’s Berkeley Square, the Royal Academy and Burlington Arcade, the Terrace Bar at The Chesterfield Mayfair is one of London’s coziest havens, with an enviable drinks menu and convivial atmosphere. For Dads with a discerning palate and sense of fun, The Chesterfield is offering a craft beer and artisanal cheese pairing experience in partnership with Neal’s Yard Dairy. Available for groups of two, the Chesterfield’s expert bar staff will take guests on a journey of farmhouse cheeses: Stichelton, a stilton-recipe blue cheese known for its soft and creamy texture and long-lasting flavors; Riseley, a washed-rind sheep’s milk cheese with hints of smoky bacon; Sinodun Hill, with a yogurt flavour and light texture; and St. Cera, an intense and melting cheese. All will be best washed down with the produce of some of England’s most notable regional breweries and cider makers. Vouchers for the experience can be bought for £50 for two people, and are valid for two years so can be redeemed at fathers’ convenience once the hotel reopens. www.chesterfieldmayfair.com. |
An Evan Evans Spy & Espionage Small Group Tour Red Carnation Hotels’ sister brand Evan Evans, Britain’s oldest and best reviewed sightseeing company, has the perfect tour for James Bond enthusiasts who might be disappointed by the postponement of the release of the latest film in the franchise. The Spy & Espionage Small Group Tour immerses guests into the ‘cloak and dagger’ world of international undercover espionage. Dads can discover the real-life sites, both past and present, used as headquarters for Britain’s top intelligence services and learn about some of the most infamous double agents of the Cold War. Characterful Evan Evans guides, many of whom themselves have jumped out of planes or signed the Official Secrets Act, will shine a light on some of the darkest mysteries of MI5, MI6 and GCHQ. This tour costs £69 per person and will be operating from 4 July 2020 with physical distancing and additional hygiene protocols in place for the reassurance of guests. This experience can also be operated as a private tour for families, in a hygiene and distancing compliant vehicle and with a home pick up and drop off (price on application, some geographical restrictions will apply*). www.evanevanstours.com. |
The Milestone Residences: the mini-break that Dad can enjoy right now With London’s largest green space on their doorstep, the luxury Residences at The Milestone Hotel in Kensington offer a Father’s Day treat that the whole family can enjoy without delay. With their own separate entrance, standalone kitchen and dining area, these six luxury two and three bedroom apartments have been operating throughout the lockdown and offer a fantastic socially-distanced staycation solution for June and beyond. Combining the value, space and authenticity of renting a private home, but with the service, facilities and security of a five-star hotel, The Milestone’s residences are perfect for a Father’s Day family retreat in the Capital, each comfortably accommodating up to six guests. The hotel has enhanced its exemplary lockdown offering by bringing the very best of the local Kensington area to its guests, including arranging meal deliveries from the borough’s finest restaurants and cafés. www.milestonehotel.com/residences. |
The Art of Sabrage Also at the five star Milestone Hotel & Residences, drinking a celebratory glass of Champagne has been made even more special with the luxury hotel’s The Art of Sabrageexperience. ‘Sabrage’ is a technique whereby a bottle of Champagne is opened with a sabre; a method which became popular in France during Napoleon’s reign. Napoleon is reported to have said “Champagne! In victory one deserves it, in defeat one needs it.” This Father’s Day, an Art of Sabrage voucher makes the perfect gift for dads who deserve a champagne treat. Costing £120, and valid for two years so that the experience can be booked once the hotel reopens, The Art of Sabrage includes a bottle of Lanson LV Brut Champagne, a demonstration by The Milestone’s Master Sabreur, the opportunity for Dad to open his own bottle – the contents of which will be served with some delicious canapé accompaniments, and a Confrérie du Sabre d’Or (an organisation that has continued through the years to promote this exuberant ritual, and of which The Milestone is a member) certificate to keep. www.milestonehotel.com. |
Family Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at The Palace The luxurious Rubens at The Palace, overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, is steeped in royal history, and the hotel’s delicious afternoon tea offering is every bit as regal. The perfect Father’s Day treat for the whole family, Royal Afternoon Tea is served in the hotel’s opulent Palace Lounge, with a menu comprising mouth-watering treats inspired by royal events, and washed down with a selection of refreshing blended teas. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Vouchers for the Royal Afternoon Tea can be bought for £109 for two adults and one child (additional children will be charged at £19 each), and are valid for two years so can be redeemed once the hotel reopens. www.rubenshotel.com. |
Evan Evans’ Wartime London Tour Evan Evans’ Wartime London Tour – Small Group Experience is the perfect Father’s Day gift for war history enthusiasts. On this three hour guided tour through the capital, dads will discover the devastating effect the Second World War had on the city of London as their Evan Evans Expert Guide brings the story of this chapter in British history to life over 75 years later. The tour visits the most important wartime headquarters used by the Allies, explores evidence of bomb damage, and surviving signs locating life-saving air raid shelters, the monuments and statues dedicated to our wartime heroes. This small group tour costs £69 per person and will be operating from 4 July 2020 with physical distancing and additional hygiene protocols in place for the reassurance of guests. This experience can also be operated as a private tour for families, in a hygiene and distancing compliant vehicle and with a home pick up and drop off (price on application, some geographical restrictions will apply*). www.evanevanstours.com. |