Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley
January is traditionally a time for detoxing, a time when all that festive sherry, Xmas pud and butter-laden mash makes way for wheatgrass shots and hummus-dappled salads. Well here at TI Towers, the detox is already dead. Our sugar-starved brains have led us to compile a list of the ultimate sweet retreats: boutique hotels that are sure to ruin your detox.
Vienna’s Sacher Torte
Kicking off our list is Europe’s capital of all things pastry, Vienna. This place is stuffed to the rafters with delicate, sugary confections and its grandest of grand dames, the Hotel Sacher Wien, is no exception; it’s the home of the famous Sacher torte, after all.
London’s Designer Afternoon Teas
The world’s grand dames seem to have a monopoly on delectable cakes, and Mayfair’s The Berkeley is no exception. It’s home to fashionistas’ favourite Prêt-a-Portea, an ever-chic collection of nibbles that takes inspiration from London’s catwalks.
Kuala Lumpur’s Mooncakes
KL goes mooncake crazy during the autumn festival, and its luxury hotels produce a mind-boggling array of high-end versions to mark the occasion. Top of our list is the Ritz-Carlton KL, whose Li Yen restaurant conjures up ultra-luxe Moet & Chandon snow-skin mooncakes for a discerning crowd.
Lisbon’s Pasteis de Belém
Nobody should visit Lisbon without trying its famous custard tarts. They can be found in a multitude of cafes and bakeries around the city, but our favourites are the ones found at Heritage Av Liberdade: creamy, vanilla-infused and completely moreish.
New York’s Cheesecake
Cheesecake in America is big business: they’ve even dedicated a day to it. Where better to sample this king of confections than the city where everything is bigger and better? Head to the ultra-plush Plaza to sample its crème fraiche cheesecake with rum-roasted pineapple. Yummy.
NB: my shameless punning of our sister website Chic Retreats has probably not gone unnoticed, and for that I sugar apologise. Oh dear…
Tags: boutique, Boutique Hotels, Food and Drink
