For 2020, the family-owned and run Red Carnation Hotel Collection is unveiling a carefully curated selection of new and exceptional experiences to discover at our properties across the world. Here are a few of our favorites:
WHAT’S NEW
FOODIE
Meet the locals at the forefront of Irish artisan cuisine
Guests at the 800-year-old Ashford Castle can immerse themselves in some of Ireland’s best-loved culinary traditions with a hands-on Taste of the West experience. They will learn how to make traditional Irish soda bread in a farmhouse kitchen close to the estate, enjoy the freshest shellfish on the shores of Killary fjord under the shadow of the highest mountain in the west of Ireland, and be welcomed into a local forager’s home on the breathtaking Aughris Beg peninsula.
Spice masterclass in Umhlanga, South Africa
Enjoy a private curry masterclass with Kevin Joseph, Executive Chef at The Oyster Box hotel in Durban, and discover how to make some of the delicious dishes, including the Tandoori chicken, for which the hotel’s curry buffet is renowned. The experience will include a trip to a 100-year-old Spice Emporium in Durban and a meal on the hotel’s Ocean Terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean.
OUTDOORS
Glass-bottomed canoe on Botswana’s incredible waterways
Slip stealthily through the waters of the Okavango Delta on a beautiful glass-bottomed mokoro craft (a traditional canoe) or motor boat to experience the labyrinthine wetlands that surround Xigera Safari Lodge, opening in 2020. Hippos and crocodiles rest in the cooling lagoons, while elephants wade on the perimeters.
The island of Sark by horse and carriage
A 50-minute boat ride from The Duke of Richmond Hotel on Guernsey, Sark is the crown jewel of the Channel Islands. Accompanied by one of Sark’s best-known characters, take a horse-drawn carriage ride across the island’s unspoilt landscape and charming roads, and cross over the famous La Coupée to Little Sark.
LEARNING
Timeless Swiss watchmaking
Become a watchmaker for a day and leave with a truly unique timepiece. In the heart of Geneva, enter the Initium Workshop and learn the fundamentals of watchmaking, selecting the bespoke components and style, before returning to the famous Leopard Lounge of Hotel d’Angleterre on the edge of Lake Leman for a cocktail.
Become a writer in Bloomsbury
Just moments from The Montague on the Gardens, step into the world of Faber & Faber, one of the world’s greatest publishing houses. Walk in the footsteps of 13 Nobel Laureates and six Booker Prize-winners with a writing course from a publisher that has told the stories of some of the foremost voices in literature.
HISTORY & CULTURE
Freedom flight over Cape Town
Take an exhilarating private helicopter flight with Christo Brand, warder and close friend of Nelson Mandela. Over more than four hours, listen to the inside story of Mandela’s time in prison whilst flying along the breathtaking coastline of the Atlantic Seaboard, close to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.
The real Connemara: Irish crafts and music
Experience the real Connemara, far from the tourist trail. Meet the locals who have been shaped by this exposed landscape and be welcomed into their homes and workshops to learn about their skills and crafts, from basket weavers, to ceramicists and Irish pipers. Finish with an afternoon at an Irish family pub, before returning to The Lodge at Ashford Castle.
WELLNESS
Sun salutations over London’s rooftops
Take yoga practice to new heights with a restorative class on the beautiful rooftop of Hotel 41. The aerial views of the Royal Parks and Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, high above the noise of the city, will only add to this unique experience, leaving guest’s feeling peaceful and rejuvenated.
Mindfulness amongst the Dorset hills
Embark on an introduction to mindfulness workshop, surrounded by the beautiful landscaped grounds of Summer Lodge and the rolling hills of Dorset. Take a walk amongst the hotel’s walled gardens and enjoy a healthy, seasonal lunch created with the finest, locally sourced produce and ingredients grown in the kitchen gardens.
SHOPPING
Tour with the Beadles, the oldest and smallest police force in the world
One of the world’s finest and most historic shopping destinations in London, Burlington Arcade, close to The Chesterfield Mayfair, is guarded by the Beadles, the oldest and smallest police force in the world. Take a tour through the 200-year-old Arcade with a Beadle and discover distinguished purveyors, the quintessentially English fragrance house Penhaligon’s and boutique patisserie Ladurée.
A shopper’s paradise: Worth Avenue in Palm Springs
Stretching four blocks from Lake Worth to the Atlantic Ocean and steps from The Chesterfield Palm Beach, Worth Avenue is home to some of the world’s most exclusive brands. Indulge in a personal shopping experience by chauffeur-driven car, and take in the stunning Mediterranean-inspired architecture as you browse the exceptional collection of boutiques.
