Celebrate the summer with tea and board games

Situated in the heart of the luxurious gardens at La Mamounia, nestled between lush green palm trees and heavenly scented blooms lies a little piece of paradise, Le Menzeh.

Its beautiful mosaic tea room is now home to the most decadent range of patisserie and sweet treats. Melt in the mouth cakes, delicate pastries, luxurious chocolates and a variety of ice creams in all the colours of the rainbow Le Menzeh has it all. Each and every item has been lovingly prepared by La Mamounia’s pastry chef, Richard Bourlon and his team.

Wile away the afternoon with loved ones, family or friends as you relax in the shade of the surrounding flora and fauna and enjoy a game of chequers or backgammon. Alternatively, if you’re feeling a little more energetic head to its new bouledrome where you can soak up the Moroccan sunshine as you try your hand at a game of boules.

If a thirst quencher is in order, enjoy a freshly made fruit cocktail or sweet mint tea. As the sun goes down order an aperitif or glass of pastis to toast the setting sun.

Le Menzeh is open to resident and non residents Monday to Sunday from 10.00am until 8.00pm.

Globally regarded as one of the most desirable hotels in the world, La Mamounia boasts 136 stylish guest rooms, 71 suites including seven signature suites and three riads each with three bedrooms, private terraces, Moroccan salons and private swimming pools. A 27,000sq foot La Mamounia spa provides a traditional Moroccan hammam plus two private hammams; a state of the art fitness centre, tennis court and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Spend a Day at La Mamounia (21 June – 21 September 2011) enjoying the pool, the SPA (treatments at an extra cost) lunch at the Pavillion de la Piscine, and an afternoon snack at Le Menzeh from 1000 MAD/ £79.

Room rates at La Mamounia start from 6,000 MAD (£456) in a Hivernage Classic Room, per room per night, excluding daily tax 50 MAD (£4).

For further information, please contact Mason Rose on +44 207 201 8060

The Romantic Summer package includes the following:

• Enjoy a 3-night stay in a beautiful Double Deluxe Room with breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps
• 1-night stay at the charming Walig Hut located above Gsteig at 1’700 meters with a breathtaking view of Gstaad and the Saanenland (dinner included)
• Benefit from a horse-ride carriage tour during one hour around Gstaad
• Swiss breakfast Buffet and dinner at “Le Grand Restaurant”
• Pamper yourself together with your partner while enjoying our Hammam Experience for 2 hours
• Use of the Palace Spa with indoor swimming pool, saunas, steam baths, outdoor pool with jacuzzi and olympic outdoor pool

Package rates from CHF 2,140

Offer valid until 11th September 2011, subject to availability.

The Romantic Winter Moments package includes the following:

• 4-night midweek stay in a Double Room with a wonderful view over the Swiss Alps (Arrival Sunday or Monday)
• Swiss breakfast buffet and dinner at “Le Grand Restaurant”
• Pamper yourself together with your partner while enjoying our Hammam Experience for 2 hours
• Start your day with a breathtaking view from a helicopter on your way to the glacier with an unforgettable champagne breakfast on the permanent ice of “Les Diablerets”
• Use of the Palace Spa with indoor swimming pool, saunas, steam baths and outdoor pool with jacuzzi

Package rates from CHF2,615

Offer valid from 16th to 23rd December 2011 and from 8th to 20th January, 29th January to 10th February, 26th February to 2nd March and 5th March to 13th March 2012; subject to availability.

For further information, please contact Mason Rose on +44 (0) 20 7201 8064

5 star luxury hotels are often things of beauty but with more and more hotels investing in their own art collections, these enchanting beauties now also promote their local culture and heritage. We’ve chosen a selection of stylish hotels that will allow the art lovers amongst you to combine two of the finer things in life – Art and Travel.

Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg
Nestled in the exclusive Johannesburg suburb of Sandton, The Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa has recently invested in a significant collection of African art. If you’re staying in the new Saxon Villa Suites you can enjoy the collection of over 200 original artworks including paintings, lithographs, etchings, woodcuts and sculptures sourced from 11 different South African artists. The final art selection is a mix of well established and emerging artists, representing a wide spectrum of artistic visions, styles and techniques. A stay at the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa will open your eyes to new ways of looking at and experiencing Africa – its landscape, its colours, its fauna and flora, its cultures, its mythology, its history and its future.

St. James’s Hotel and Club, London
For an incomparable hotel art collection, a visit to St. James’s Hotel and Club is a must. The private collection comprises carefully selected rare pieces, many of which are portraits from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands and the UK that complement the elegant design and uniqueness of one of London’s best townhouse hotels. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of champagne in the bar, which is the main focus for the collection within the hotel and admire the colourful series of sketches from the 1930’s artist Pecz.

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace and Villa Agave at Excelsior Hotel and Spa, Dubrovnik
Gain an insight into the little known world of Croatian art and culture with a stay at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace, which houses a diverse collection of paintings, tapestries and sculptures from award winning Croatian artists that complement the hotel’s relaxing atmosphere and the distinctive surrounding landscape. Or why not stay at Villa Agave at the Excelsior Hotel and Spa, a luxurious oasis with a homely atmosphere which was designed by interior designer Renata Štrok and holds numerous local and international artworks and antiques from a private collection?

Baur Au Lac, Zurich
For an art lovers weekend break, look out for Baur au Lac’s eighth “Art in the Park” sculpture exhibition which will take place this autumn amongst hundred year old trees in the hotel’s private park. The show is created and curated by Gigi Kracht, wife of Andrea Kracht, the hotel’s sixth-generation owner and always includes a magnificent collection of sculptures. Past exhibitions have seen works from Fernando Botero, Joan Miro and Arne Quinze.

For further information about any of the above hotels, please contact Mason Rose on
+44 (0)20 7201 8050

It is the epitome of the perfect summer holiday. Cool, crystal clear waters that provide the perfect antidote to the heat of the midday sun. Combine that with stunning views and you’ve got a little piece of poolside paradise. Here are our pick of the top five hotel pools with a view.

La Mamounia, Marrakech
La Mamounia’s outdoor swimming pool is tiled with individual Murano glass pieces that catch every ray of Moroccan sunlight and make it sparkle like diamonds. Surrounded by orange blossom and rose scented gardens this pool is a haven of tranquility and calm. Once you’ve taken a dip in its cool clear waters, wile away the day with your favourite novel on one of its sumptuous loungers while soaking up the sunshine.

Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona
Elegantly perched on Mount Tibidado, 500m above Barcelona, Gran Hotel La Florida’s modern stainless steel pool is perfectly positioned for panoramic views across the city. Enjoy a cocktail or two as you soak up the sublime views.  Secluded raised terraces surround the pool and offer a private place to enjoy the Spanish sunshine.

Maia Resort and Luxury Spa, Seychelles
With awe-inspiring views of the Indian Ocean and surrounded by 30 acres of gardens bursting with flowers such as orchids, blossoming hibiscus and heliconias, the swimming pool at Maia Resort and Luxury Spa is heaven on earth. However, if you’re looking for unprecedented levels of privacy combined with spectacular ocean views head to a Maia Signature Villa where the view from your private pool will literally take your breath away.

Hotel Le Bristol, Paris
The rooftop pool at Hotel Le Bristol is the only one of its kind in this elegant city. Crafted into the shape of a magnificent 19th century yacht it offers the most stunning views across the Sacre Coeur and the Eiffel Tower. Take an early morning dip and watch the sun rise over the Parisian rooftops.

Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort, Crete
Designed in keeping with the grand palaces of the Minoan kings, Amirandes epitomises Crete’s most inspiring features; beautiful architecture, warm hospitality and stunning land and seascapes.  Themed around the lagoons that swirl through its centre, the resort comprises private beaches, Elixir Spa with indoor pool, an outdoor Olympic-size seawater pool along with over 60 private pools – which makes Amirandes the perfect place for water babies and luxury travel seekers alike.

For further information, please contact Mason Rose on +44 (0)20 7201 8050

Comprising an opulent 112 villa resort located on the 150,000 square metre paradise island of Maguhdhuvaa in the stunning Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, Ayada Maldives offers impeccable service and superb amenities including seven indulgent restaurants, bars and cafes offering world-class cuisine, the extensive 3,500 square metre AySpa, which is managed by the spa consultants ESPA, as well as a kids’ club, scuba diving centre and an array of water sports.

Each of the spacious 50 water villas and 62 seafront villas, with its breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, is beautifully designed, stylishly furnished for comfort and provides maximum privacy with its own pool and terrace. Guests can also benefit from the attentive yet unobtrusive services of a 24 hour butler with extensive knowledge of the destination and the resort’s quality facilities.

Ayada Maldives offers first-class cuisine and supreme service in a stylish yet casual atmosphere at the resort’s three enticing restaurants, which showcase diverse international cuisine that draws on many influences; from Mediterranean specialities to exciting Asian flavours. Guests can admire the perfect sunset amongst the ocean villas from the resort’s unique Wine and Cheese Island, which offers an extensive selection of quality wines or can indulge in the exotic flavours and aromas of speciality coffees, teas and shisha in the authentic Turkish Café.

For ultimate relaxation, the resort’s sleek modern AySpa, which uses products by ESPA is a nirvana hidden among the island’s tropical greenery. The spa has eight treatment villas as well as a private Hammam, a steam room, sauna and hydro bath. The spacious relaxation lounges and health bar complete this private sanctuary of calm and tranquillity.

For more details about Ayada Maldives or the UK Media Launch on 13th September, please contact caroline@masonrose.com or call 0207 201 8060.

July has been a busy month for the Mason Rosettes, here are the highlights…

Tuesday 5th July

Mason Rose Summer Showcase
Over 270 guests attended our Summer Showcase event held at the Mandarin Oriental in Knightsbridge. Attendees were made up of senior buyers across the corporate, leisure and MICE sectors including travel managers, corporate events planners, tour operators and travel agents as well as industry partners and press contacts. Guests had the opportunity to network and meet with hoteliers from the Mason Rose collection, as they feasted on delicious canapés and were entered into an exclusive prize draw to win fabulous stays at hotels around the globe.

Wednesday 6th July

Dinner with The Dylan Amsterdam to launch Vinkeles on the Water
Junior Sous Chef Jurgen van de Zalm and Maitre D Casper Westerveld visited London to prepare a delicious Michelin starred dining experience for six media guests at a small dinner held at our CEO, Tanya Rose’s house.  The dinner started with Scottish scallops with citrus, salted pistachio. Next guests were treated to langoustine with knuckle of veal, marinated small tomatoes accompanied by ‘pommes Tsarine’. Roasted filet of turbot followed with ‘Oosterschelde’ lobster and then Anjou pigeon with five spices. The final dish of the night was ‘Framejen’ with a cheesecake of goat cheese, blackcurrant jenever and basil ice cream. What a delicious evening…

Thursday 14th July

Aspire Travel Agents’ Forum
Caragh and Tiziana from the sales team headed up to Manchester, for the Aspire Travel Agents’ Forum which was attended by around 75 luxury travel agents. The team represented five hotels from the Mason Rose collection and offered up a very generous prize of a five night stay at Amirandes in Crete, which was won by a very lucky representative from Explorer Travel.

Monday 18th July

Zipping to Zurich
Tanya Rose and Managing Director Maria Pajares zipped to Zurich for the day to visit the simply stunning Baur au Lac. During their visit they enjoyed lunch in the beautifully understated and recently refurbished Pavillon restaurant. Mr Juergen Schlatzer, Restaurant Manager at Pavillon was the perfect host to a menu which featured an exquisite black rice dish and a sublime chocolate dessert named after the hotel opening – Le Chocolat 1844. Drinks on the terrace in the sunshine followed with General Manager, Michel Rey. All in all a perfect day.

Saturday 30th July

Wedding Belle
Hampshire was the location for the wedding of the year (in our opinion anyway), when Felicity from the PR team was joined in holy matrimony. We can’t wait to hear all about her honeymoon in beautiful Bali on her return as Mrs Gibbs!

Happy Birthday Ruurd!
Mason Rose’s Assistant Director of Sales, Ruurd, celebrated his birthday in style with a glamorous garden party where cold rosé wine, barbequed chorizo and a bouncy castle were the order of the day.

We have welcomed two new additions to the Mason Rose team this month:

Gilly Goldsmid, Operations Manager
Place of birth: Tripoli
Nationality: British
What are your responsibilities on a day-to-day basis? I’m responsible for everything and anything operations related, which includes; HR, finance, event management, assisting Tanya and also distributing her book Travel Secrets
What’s your favourite thing about Mason Rose? The people who work here, everyone is an absolute pleasure to work with
Describe yourself in three words: I never give up, I’m an early bird and I’m pretty calm
What’s your favourite holiday destination: I adore India and its combination of colour, diversity, food, smells, palaces and people
Where are you going on your next holiday? I’m visiting my best friend who lives in Boston. We’re going on a yoga retreat for four days in Menla Mountains in New York State
What book will you be taking with you? The Places in Between by Rory Stewart
Finally, tell us something we don’t know about you… I once cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 13 days, which is just over 1,000 miles

Chiara Giannuzzi, Sales Co-ordinator
Place of birth: Paris
Nationality: Italian
What are your responsibilities on a day-to-day basis? I support the sales team which includes everything from organising FAM trips, managing our web-based sales management system, assisting with external client communications and liaising with UK-based travel agencies
What’s your favourite thing about Mason Rose? The team. I feel as though I’m learning so much from everyone and it’s a real privilege to work with such an experienced and enthusiastic team
Describe yourself in three words: Curious, creative and easy going
What’s your favourite holiday destination: I love the hustle and bustle of New York – and the shopping too!
Where are you going on your next holiday? I’ll be heading home to Italy to spend time with family and friends and soak up some sunshine
What book will you be taking with you? Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Finally, tell us something we don’t know about you… By the age of 18 I had lived in five different countries

A two minute downhill ride, cruising along at forty kilometres an hour on the world’s highest bobsleigh track is possibly the quickest way to wake up in the morning!

I was standing at the top of Glacier 3000 in Gstaad, Switzerland wondering how I got from the luxurious comfort of Gstaad Palace, feasting on the wonderful views from my balcony to standing at the top of those very mountains I had looked at while enjoying a cup of earl grey tea just an hour before.

This view I was currently experiencing of the snaking track down the mountain was turning my legs to jelly. I glanced at my colleague expecting to see a face filled with  fear to mirror my own, however she greeted with a big grin, a flick of her golden curls and leapt into the sledge infront of me and was gone!

I had no choice but to follow suit! I slowly sat down, listened to the words of wisdom from the Alpine Coaster operator and was then told to go. Leaning forward my sledge started the decent.

Mountain scenery wizzed past and I could hear a high pitched screeching noise, only when I was half way down did I release it was me. Ten curves, six waves, three jumps and two bridges later I reached the bottom. My colleague ran over with cries of “that was brilliant!”.  Slowly I nod while my trembling hands pick up my bag and we head to restaurant Botta.

Solid ground! We have a drink and my body slowly recovers from the adrenalin which is still pumping and this is when I take in the most amazing views. Being a keen skier I have a love for mountains however I have only ever experienced them during the winter, the cloudless sky and sunshine paints the most amazing backdrop.

Back at Gstaad Palace, we head down to the spa with our fluffy white robes,  enjoy revitalising treatments and then sit back and lie by the pool. The sun is hot, the air is clear and the view once again captures you.

I look up from my sun lounger and see the snow tipped mountain peaking up from the trees, gently reminding me of my adrenalin filled morning.  It was a morning to remember but for now I put my sunglasses back on and decide to retreat back into the comfort of the sun and the delights of Gstaad Palace.

By Kara Lockyer, Sales Executive