Bar and Restaurant Development Manager for Rocco Forte Hotels and daughter of Sir Rocco Forte, Lydia Forte has her hands on Brown’s Hotel’s Instagram account for an exciting three-day takeover. Here, she grants an exclusive peek into her London diary, revealing what she got up to over the course of three captivating days.
MONDAY
“Although I travel to all our hotels on a regular basis for work, as I live in London I rarely get the chance to stay at Brown’s Hotel, so I loved having my breakfast in the comfort of the Hellenic Suite after spending the night for once. In the morning, I tucked into delicious poached eggs with home-smoked salmon and the Acai bowl from our Rocco Forte Nourish menu.”
Guests staying in a Brown’s Hotel suite can dine on a first-class HIX Mayfair breakfast at the restaurant or in the comfort of their suite.
“Here I am behind the scenes at a fashion magazine shoot with my sister Irene in the Kipling Suite, Brown’s Hotel’s most prestigious suite. It’s named after author, Rudyard Kipling, who stayed at Brown’s and wrote The Jungle Book whilst he was there. Our aunt, Olga Polizzi, did the interior design for this suite which is probably my favourite in any of our hotels.”
Stunningly appointed with exquisite furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows, Our Kipling Suite offers the upmost in style and luxury.
“I’ve been working on new seasonal cocktails for the hotel’s Donovan Bar with Bar Manager, Damian Kwiatkowski and Luca Rapetti, Head Bartender. Here we are tasting the results in the Hellenic Suite. The new cocktails will have distinctly floral notes that will be perfect for the warm summer months.”
TUESDAY
“To get inspired ahead of the Mayfair Art Weekend, I visited the nearby Hauser & Wirth Gallery to see American painter, Ida Applebroog’s Mercy Hospital exhibition. Showcasing some of her colourful, abstract drawings made between 1969-1970, these works were created during her time as a patient at the Mercy Hospital institution. Visitors to Hauser & Wirth can also catch exhibitions from American painters, Philip Guston and Lee Lozano, if they visit over Mayfair Art Weekend.”
Hauser & Wirth partner with Brown’s as part of our Saturday Mayfair Art Tours, where you can experience a private gallery tour with an expert curator, followed by a three-course lunch at our HIX Mayfair restaurant.
“Mayfair is my favourite place to shop in London. There are so many chic boutiques in the neighbourhood, from all the high end luxury brands such as Burberry, Ralph Lauren and Chanel to slightly more youthful, mixed brand shops like Wolf & Badger and Joseph. I popped into New Bond Street’s Bulgari and the historic Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street for some window shopping before stopping in at Aquazzurra on Albemarle Street, my favourite footwear brand – conveniently (and dangerously) located four doors down from Brown’s.”
Brown’s Hotel’s concierge team has an intimate knowledge of all of Mayfair’s distinguished shopping destinations.
“What better way to round off a long day than sampling the Donovan Bar’s new Less is MAW cocktail for Mayfair Art Weekend? A tea infusion with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cointreau, citrus powder, creole bitters and Champagne, served in a flute with a paintbrush. Less is MAW is a colour-changing drink that not only tastes fantastic but looks it, too.”
Named after the iconic ‘60s fashion photographer Terrence Donovan, the bar is one of Mayfair’s finest places to enjoy a delicious drink in the most refined of settings. Why not pop in for a pit-stop in-between gallery hopping to sample our exclusive Less is MAW cocktail? Alternatively, there’s an art-themed all-day menu at HIX Mayfair, inspired by Damien Hirst and Mark Hix’s Pharmacy 2 restaurant.
WEDNESDAY
“June is a busy month in London and today is probably the most fun, with lots of amazing art events to attend. Here I am with my sister Irene who also works in the business, testing our Brown’s Hotel fabulous in-house Bentley Mulsanne to help us get around this evening.”
Brown’s Hotel guests staying in a suite receive complimentary chauffeured use of the house Bentley for local drop-offs. Perfect for taking you to dinner or shopping.
“I visited Masterpiece London’s preview day to check out all the wonderful works on display. It’s an international art and antiques fair where collectors and buyers can view and purchase pieces they like. You can discover rare and unusual finds including everything from 17th century furniture to contemporary paintings or fine, vintage jewellery. Even if you’re not looking to buy, it’s an amazing place to see some historic pieces and works of art.”
A must-visit for art aficionados and collectors, Masterpiece London runs from 29th June –5th July 2017 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
“A glittering highlight of the London arts calendar, the Serpentine Summer Party is an event I look forward to each summer. They consistently put on a real spectacle to draw attention to the fantastic Serpentine gallery and to highlight the new Pavilion each year, always designed by an award-winning architect. Lots of interesting people attend, from a broad mixture of industries. This year, I went with my sister Irene and we wore Chanel. I love the way the Serpentine Pavilion, this time designed by West African architect Francis Kéré, filters the light due to its ornate slatted roof. At night, the lights inside illuminate the lawn beautifully.”
The Serpentine Pavilion is available to visit through summer until 8th October 2017 in Kensington Gardens
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The sound comes first - the soft thud of a well-struck ball, rising into a clear blue Sicilian sky. Ahead, fairways unfold in undulating greens towards the blue calm of the Mediterranean. The air is warm, perfumed with orange blossom and sea salt. There’s no rush, only a meditative rhythm: swing, step, breathe and repeat, interrupted only by the sound of waves.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
