April 2011, Amsterdam’s leading boutique hotel, The Dylan unveils the stylish refurbishment of 10 rooms and suites. The newly refurbished rooms and suites draw on The Dylan’s commitment to individual design to provide the ideal blend of colour, texture and atmosphere where guests who appreciate quality can relax.

Key details include:

• Design by FG Stijl – a partnership of Colin P Finnegan (The F of FG Stijl) and Gerard Glintmeijer (the G in FG Stijl), bringing together a union of English and Dutch designers
• The new ‘Loxura’ rooms are named after the copper-coloured Loxura butterfly. The natural colours of the butterfly can be found in the elegant leather headboards with luxury pearl shell detail, a ring of jade and copper mirrors
• Natural and rich materials have been used throughout the rooms including marble, velvet, copper, horn, and shell detail. The rooms are decorated with antiques and local art
• The rooms are all situated around the tranquil garden
• Room Number 10 is renamed the Dylan Thomas Suite, named after the world famous 20th century Welsh poet, which the hotel also owes its name to. The suite is characterised by a unique combination of colors and natural light with shutters
• All rooms come equipped with a state of the art drinks cabinet with silver leaf finish inside and a coffeemaker by Francis Francis
• Guests can enjoy an unrivalled range of superb quality on-demand entertainment and all rooms include iPod docking stations. All rooms and suites are fitted with 1 or 2 televisions 32 – 40 inch SAMSUNG LED, and entertainment system with direct connection to the internet

Guests at the hotel can also enjoy the Michelin starred delicate French cuisine of Restaurant Vinkeles created by Executive Chef Dennis Kuipers that offers an excellent mixture between classic and contemporary styles.

The Dylan, commands one of Amsterdam’s most prestigious locations situated on the Keizersgracht, one of the city’s most famous canals. The hotel is perfectly located for guests wanting to explore the Nine Streets (chic) shopping district as well as some the city’s best museums including the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Hermitage. Following a full day exploring the city, guests can return to the hotel to enjoy the intimate atmosphere and personal service.

For further information, please contact the Mason Rose office on +44(0)20 7201 8060

New York has a reputation for being the city that never sleeps and The Mark Hotel now has 24-hour service to match. The hotel has launched a guaranteed 24-hour check-in ensuring guests receive a friendly and efficient welcome regardless of the time of day or night.

The Mark Hotel’s 24-hour check-in ensures guests don’t have to worry about their room being ready when they arrive, whether they’re jetting in from London at 5am or taking the red-eye from LAX at 11pm. This makes it the perfect option for business travellers who need to ensure they’re well rested before a busy day of meetings.

Fortune and Wallpaper recently ranked The Mark Hotel #2 in the ‘Top 10 Business Hotels in the World’ topping the likes of Le Gray in Beirut, The Jefferson in Washington D.C. and Soho House in Berlin. The hotel boasts an impressive array of amenities for the even the most demanding business traveller including:

• Courtesy car specifically for guests’ use
• Complimentary car with driver, when a suite is booked, enabling guest to be chauffeured anywhere in Manhattan for up to six hours each day*
• Meeting rooms supported by the office / business centre, with an iButler available to resolve all inconvenient IT problems
• Round the clock 24-hour business centre
• Complimentary Wi-Fi and local calls

Meanwhile, The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges has a private dining room for up to 18 people, with The Mark Suites catering for smaller gatherings, making it the perfect place for business meetings or networking lunches.

The Mark Hotel is housed in the beautiful 1927 landmark building at the corner of 77^th Street at Madison Avenue. With 150 rooms and suites, the hotel was re-designed in 2009 by legendary Jacques Grange and unites impressive names such as Frederic Fekkai, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Guy de Rougement, Bang & Olufsen, Sub-Zero, Piero Lissoni for Boffi and Turnbull and Asser. The Mark combines old-world comfort, avant-garde design, up-to-the-minute technologies and an unprecedented level of personal service to create the finest five-star hotel of the 21st-century.

* Please be advised that this excludes the Courtyard Suite, Seventy-Seven Suites and Studios

You are probably inundated with advertisements for Easter break excursions, but the bank holiday does make it worthwhile. Take advantage of your days off and treat yourself to some luxury.

Pick a “holiday mood” and explore our suggestions: urban chic, country elegance, exotic, or tropical.

Urban Chic: Situated 500 metres above Barcelona, Gran Hotel La Florida offers amazing, panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea beyond. Located just 15 minutes from the city’s centre, this timeless 5-star hotel offers convenient access to –and exclusive respite from – the quickened pace of Spain’s most fashionable city. Request a designer suite which includes a private outdoor jacuzzi and spacious terrace, or just indulge in the indoor/outdoor infinity pool that overlooks Barcelona. Truly, the best of both worlds.

Country  Elegance: The majestic Castiglion del Bosco estate, owned by the Ferragamo family, is situated in the heart of Tuscany’s Brunello winemaking region. With a focus on the land, the wine, and the history, guests can experience a true slice of Tuscan life through breathtaking countryside, spectacular food and wine, fantastic sport, luxurious relaxation, a tradition of craftsmanship and a generosity of spirit. Highlights of Castiglion del Bosco include the ‘La Canonica’ Culinary Academy, a private winery (the estate is one of the top 5 producers of Brunello di Montalcino), the exquisite Daniela Steiner Care Suite Spa and one of Italy’s finest golf courses designed by Open winner, Tom Weiskopf .

Exotic: Epitomizing ‘Paradise on Earth’, as its name means,  Shambala Private Game Reserve is situated on 12,000 hectares of natural landscape, providing an unmatched setting for viewing the big five: leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo and lion. Sitting in the picturesque region of the Waterberg mountain range of South Africa, Shambala comprises of seven chalets constructed in traditional Zulu materials that blend with the landscape, each is en-suite with a balcony and inviting outdoor shower. Shambala offers guests a bespoke experience, creating individual menus and tailoring itineraries for game drives and exploration. The tranquil setting is ideal for couples and guests looking for an ‘Out of Africa’ experience, whether enjoying an exhilarating elephant-back safari or having a quiet dinner on the shore of the river that runs through the camp.

Tropical: Located around a beautiful horseshoe coral sand cove on the largely untouched south coast of Mauritius, Shanti Maurice is an award winning boutique lifestyle resort with an award-winning spa that satisfies all the senses with its exotic gardens, pristine white sands, spacious accommodation and renowned restaurants that source the majority of the restaurants’ ingredients from the island. In addition to catering to guests every whim, the resort’s concierge can arrange a diversity of local experiences from swimming with dolphins to a wealth of outdoor pursuits, such as windsurfing, zip-lining and hiking.

It is always good to have the annual Easter egg hunt on different terrain ; )

The world is watching London this April as the lovely young royals tie the knot.

Hundreds will be flocking to the old blighty for a glimpse of the ceremonial display. But how to whittle away the hours while waiting for the big event? Why not veer off the map to enjoy another side of the city without the company of the hundreds of royal well-wishers? Tucked away in the exclusive Wilton Mews, for instance, is the Grenadier Pub-a perfect hideaway for a pint or their infamous bloody mary. You may even catch a glimpse of the Grenadier’s resident ghost. For more of a tranquil setting, sneak into The Hempel hotel’s Zen Garden. Sip a cup of tea or indulge in a signature cocktail in the lush, peaceful surroundings-an intimate and elegant hideaway in the fashionable heart of West London.

If you prefer to feel a bit more regal, purchase seats in the royal box of the Royal Opera House for a world-class performance, take an exclusive backstage tour and enjoy dinner served by your butler in the royal retiring room. All that is missing is your powdered wig. Another option is to host a private drinks reception for your entourage in the home of the crown jewels, Tower of London, where you can privately experience the 700 year-old Ceremony of the Keys.

You can always survey “your kingdom” from a fur-clad carriage. Schedule a ride through London’s beautiful Hyde Park through Hyde Park Stables. Afterwards, enjoy a drink in the discreet and aristocratic St. James Hotel & Club then dine at their Michelin starred restaurant, Seven Park Place.

This could be the best wedding you never actually attended.