#Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

[guy60660]

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons | Belmond | Thomas Rousset

[ifreakingloveroyals]

21 November 2014 | Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is given a tour of The National Heritage Garden by Raymond Blanc at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, England. (c) Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

[stylishbeauty]

Le manoir aux Quat'Saisons

[pointless-letters]

"I smiled once, in October 1976, but I never tried it again. I don't miss it."

[marymccartneyphotos]

"Food" and Family: The Photographer on Her Mum, Vegetarian Myths and Why She Will Never Be Martha Stewart

June 1, 2012-- Wallstreet Journal

Mary McCartney takes one look at me and begins dictating her favorite breakfast smoothie recipe: one banana, a tablespoon of milled flax seeds, one cup of rice milk, a small tablespoon of superfood powder and a scoop of whey protein. "That way, you will be set up for the day," she says, regarding me in a maternal, slightly concerned fashion. "I mean, when did you last eat?" I have known McCartney for 15 years. She shot her first fashion pictures for me when I was editor at Frank magazine in 1998, to accompany the diary her sister Stella wrote about putting together her first collection for the fashion brand Chloé. Over the years, as her fame as a photographer has grown, we have worked together on various projects. Now, as working mums on the same school run, we continue to bump into each other, occasionally stopping to chat and compare teenage-boy war stories. McCartney last year gave birth to her fourth child — her second son with film director Simon Aboud; she has two others with former husband Alistair Donald. This month, the 42-year-old launched her cookbook "Food," inspired by the memory, cooking methods and recipes of her beloved mother, the late Linda McCartney. Mary has been a consultant on her mother's brand Linda McCartney Foods for over a decade.

My mum was a rock 'n' roll cook. 

She cooked more on instinct than by measuring. She appreciated food. She would never, for example, have eaten a Mars bar when she could eat really good chocolate. 

For mum, the kitchen was the social hub. 

She always liked people coming in and hanging out with her while she cooked. I'm the same. I like to cook for a reason—mainly for the kids, or if I have friends coming over.

My parents would challenge each other to cook great veggie meals. 

My dad was always saying: Right, well, if I'm no longer eating meat, then what can we eat that is as delicious? He is a northern guy, and everything at that time revolved around the meat on the plate. It still does, I think, as opposed, for example, to Italy, where meat is just an ingredient, not the main constituent of a meal.

There's a preconception that veggie food is complicated and time-consuming. 

I wanted to dispel that. I like to spend about 30 minutes or less on a recipe, and I use ingredients that are easily obtainable.

My mum never wore an apron when she cooked, and neither do I. 

When I look back on her style, I think of it as easy and cool. The kitchen was no different to anywhere else in terms of how she dressed. I think if you are relaxed, it comes through in your cooking. I will admit, though, that having a mum who wore weird stuff and argyle socks was kind of embarrassing when I was at school. 

My boys cook with me. 

I learned so much from my mum about where food comes from and how to prepare it; I figure they will do the same. Plus, they are much more likely to eat it if they have had a hand in preparing it.

I always said no to writing a book because it's not my arena. 

I'm a people person, which is why I'm a photographer—I like to tell a story with pictures not words. Writing is too much like homework. But then, because I support Meat Free Mondays and I wanted to illustrate to people that veggie food can be interesting and easy, I agreed. When the book first arrived, I looked at it and thought: Now, this is why I did it. 

Actually, I finally said yes to the book because my husband pitched the idea to me. 

He has an advertising background, so he's very persuasive. He pitched the idea of us having this recent baby, too.

Food carries with it so many memories of my family. 

My sister does the same thing with clothes that I do with food. When I look at Stella's collections, I see a bit of my mum's boho and vintage influence and some of my American grandfather's seersucker, lawyer-suits vibe. When I go to watch Stella's runway shows, I feel very nostalgic.

I read a recent review of my book and it said, "nice pictures, but I bet she didn't come up with the recipes." 

I was like, What!?, because I came up with all the recipes, which were really what I grew up with but healthier—my mum used a lot of cream. I try to enhance what I already know and love, and make it indulgent but good for you.

I tried to treat the food I was photographing like I would the portrait of a person. 

There was no food varnishing on my shoots—I didn't even have a prop stylist. It was manic. I was making the food, then putting it onto or into vintage-y plates and bowls, then sticking it somewhere like a windowsill and framing the shot. As a family, we have bad memories of chargrilled vegetables and couscous, which was traditionally all that was on offer in restaurants in the '70s if you were vegetarian. Consequently, neither appears in my book or on my table—ever!

Everything that surrounds food is really complicated. 

There's so much shame attached to what we eat and guilt about what we weigh. I think celebrating good, healthy food is part of the answer. Wouldn't it be interesting if every person in the country could have a therapy session about how they feel about food?

I have a very clear memory of the first time food changed my mood. 

I was having a bad day and my aunt took me out, and I had a grilled cheese sandwich, chips and a milkshake. I remember realizing afterward that the meal had actually made me feel better.

My step-grandmother on my mum's side taught me to bake. 

She was French and a little scary—always saying things like: Children do not run in the apartment. But when I got older, we became friends through cooking. She taught me the value of measuring things and of having an oven thermometer. Those two things are fundamental to my cooking today.

My dad loves home baking, and I think there's a link between my interest in food and making people happy. 

I love it if everyone eats everything on their plate.

You can tell a good restaurant by the excellence of their vegetarian dishes or menu. 

I like Raymond Blanc's Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, E&O in Notting Hill, Le Caprice and Scott's — places with a nice ambience. 

I'm a huge fan of straightforward, chuck-it-all-in cooks like Nigel Slater and Jamie Oliver, who celebrate food, and I detest anything complicated. 

What's the deal with all that foamy, fiddly stuff?

I remember my childhood as very normal. 

We went to a comprehensive, where we kept our heads down because we didn't want to be seen as different. We ate at a certain time, did our homework and, every so often, we'd go on an amazing trip somewhere that would remind us that our circumstances weren't quite like everyone else's. 

I think part of the reason my dad looks so good is that he eats properly. 

He would never skip a meal. Often, if he's on his own, he will eat something from my mum's range and make himself vegetables or a salad.

I'm not going to become a Martha Stewart. 

There are no books planned on how my kitchen or home looks. I can't even remember the name of the cooker I use, except to say that it's a double oven and it's good. I have been approached a number of times about doing a cooking show for TV. My husband is pitching me on that now, so we'll see what happens.

I'm obsessed by Amelia Rope—a chocolate range available at Liberty. 

It's really expensive, so I eat a tiny bit at a time. I love the Pale Lime with Sea Salt. [Also] Cire Trudon candles—again very expensive, so I don't buy too many, but I love all of the fragrances.

I like to be comfortable and practical, but stylish.... 

I want to be able to walk wherever I go. I wear my sister Stella's clothes a lot, but never the whole look. I mix everything up, which is what my mum did, so I'd wear Stella's trousers with a vintage blouse, a nice knit cardi and flip flops. I wear Stella's L.I.L.Y. [standing for Linda I Love You], Penhaligon's Bluebell and Agent Provocateur's Maitresse Gold, which my husband bought me.

I'm very inspired by my mum. 

She liked vintage—pretty tea dresses and nice knits. I can't see a piece of neon clothing without thinking of her.

Stocking a Kitchen, Mary McCartney-Style

•Heavy-bottomed frying pans: small, medium and large

•Nonstick frying pans: large (around 28 centimeters) and small or medium (around 20 centimeters)

•Magimix food processor—but I prefer hand-chopping

•Chopping boards in various sizes—I'm a Virgo, so I need to control the size of everything that's chopped. Two large, wooden boards for veg and one dedicated to fruit, so you don't get garlic or onion flavor on fruit. 

•Kitchen Aid mixer for baking

•Roasting and cake tins 

•Sharp knives: a selection of approximately six in a wooden block; my favorite is the 13-centimeter, serrated vegetable chopping knife.

•Wooden spoons 

•Spatulas 

•Veg and zest peelers 

•Weighing scales 

•Oven thermometer 

[rosiewitchescottage]

I'm British, this isn't my battle.

But I'm intrigued by how cryptic this is. What Four Seasons are we talking about here?

Spring, Summer, Autumn/Fall, Winter? ( Did someone lose them?) 😕

Vivaldi? (Take it away, Nige. 👍)

https://youtu.be/d2XM1EMzaWs

The American rock group - The Four Seasons?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Four_Seasons_%28band%29

Four Seasons Hotels?

Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons?

https://www.raymondblanc.com/experiences/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quatsaisons/

[aaliyah-frank]

Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons

[lebonlifestyle-blog]

Finally got my blog post about Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons live! Only took 8 months 🤣😂 Head to www.lebonlifestyle.com to check it out and let me know what you think. #luxurytravel #luxurylifestyle #luxurytravelconcierge #travelblogger #lemanoirauxquatsaisons #oxford #spa #england #uk #oxfordshire #travel #travelcouple #country #countrymanor #michelinstar #michelin #restaurant #backpacking #photooftheday #belmond #tlpicks #wonderful_places #cntraveler (at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons)

[guy60660]

Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons | Belmond | Thomas Rousset

[ifreakingloveroyals]

21 November 2014 | Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is given a tour of The National Heritage Garden by Raymond Blanc at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, England. (c) Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

[hotelsmarket]

Belmond Ltd. Reports First Quarter 2018 Results

Belmond Ltd. (NYSE: BEL), owners, part-owners or managers of 46 luxury hotel, restaurant, train and river cruise properties, which operate in 24 countries, today announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. Roeland Vos, president and chief executive officer, remarked: “I am encouraged by the performance posted in the first quarter. This is seasonally our smallest revenue-generating period, and with two of our properties closed that would normally contribute, the reported results came in slightly behind the prior-year quarter. That said, same store RevPAR growth of 10% serves as a helpful indicator of our performance across the remainder of the portfolio, and on a constant currency basis this translates to growth of 7%, which is slightly ahead of the guidance we provided earlier in the year. Our underlying operational performance remained strong, as we continued to build on the solid foundations that were put in place last year. Excluding the two properties that were closed, Belmond La Samanna and '21' Club, both revenue and adjusted EBITDA were ahead of the same period last year by 9% and 22%, respectively. As we look ahead, confirmed bookings for the remainder of the year are being secured at a faster pace than last year for almost all of our properties. We believe this acceleration is being fueled by the enhancements we have made to our commercial operation, as well as the strategic reinvestments we have made to improve our existing portfolio. As brand momentum continues to build, and with our new website in place, we expect all of these factors to be key drivers of our organic growth, particularly in the seasonally significant second and third quarters. Meanwhile, we have maintained our focus on the execution of our long term strategic plan, which includes footprint expansion. To that end, we were pleased to announce the acquisition of the stunning historic Castello di Casole in rural Tuscany earlier this quarter, and look forward to assuming management control of the resort in May. For all of these reasons, and bolstered by our ongoing marketing and PR initiatives, I feel confident about the year ahead. We are maintaining our guidance for full year 2018 same store, constant currency RevPAR growth for our owned hotels of between 2% and 6%, with additional revenue upside in our trains and cruises businesses. We expect to finish 2018 with full year adjusted EBITDA of between $140.0 million and $150.0 million, representing growth of between 13% and 21% over last year." First Quarter 2018 Operating Results Revenue for the first quarter of 2018 was $89.7 million, a $5.7 million decrease from revenue for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, revenue for the first quarter of 2018 decreased $7.2 million from the first quarter of 2017. The year-over-year decrease comes from Belmond La Samanna, St. Martin and '21' Club, New York, which were both closed during the first quarter of 2018 following hurricane and water damage, and had contributed combined revenues of $12.3 million in the first quarter of 2017. Excluding these two properties, revenue across the rest of the portfolio increased by $5.1 million or 5% over the first quarter of 2017. Net losses attributable to Belmond Ltd.for the first quarter of 2018 were $15.0 million ($0.15 per common share), which compared to net losses attributable to Belmond Ltd. of $18.1 million ($0.18 per common share) for the first quarter of 2017. Adjusted net losses from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2018 were $18.3 million ($0.18 per common share), compared to adjusted net losses from continuing operations of $16.8 million ($0.16 per common share) for the first quarter of 2017. Same store RevPAR for owned hotels for the first quarter of 2018 increased 10% from the prior-year quarter. On a constant currency basis, same store RevPAR for owned hotels increased 7% from the prior-year quarter as a result of a one percentage point increase in occupancy and a 4% increase in average daily rate ("ADR"). Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 was a loss of $2.2 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.5 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 was up $0.6 million compared to the first quarter of 2017. Additionally, the prior year quarter included adjusted EBITDA of $2.4 million from Belmond La Samanna and '21' Club which were closed in the first quarter of 2018. Recent Company Highlights * Expands Italian portfolio with acquisition of Castello di Casole, in Tuscany - On February 7, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of the Castello di Casole resort and estate in Tuscany, Italy, for approximately €39 million ($48 million). The property is the latest addition to Belmond’s family of ‘Italian Icons’, which includes Belmond Hotel Cipriani, in Venice, and Belmond Hotel Splendido, in Portofino and is located within easy access of both Florence and Siena, making a visit to the property the perfect addition to a trip to Belmond Villa San Michele. This acquisition marks another step towards achieving the Company’s strategic goal to double in size, and consolidates the Company's position as the leader in luxury travel experiences in Italy’s most exceptional locations. Starting in 2018, the Company expects to invest €7.3 million ($9.0 million) in a phased refurbishment of the hotel, including the addition of two new villas, over four years, bringing the resort’s total key count to 41. Over that same time period the Company intends to sell 14 remaining land plots on the estate to reduce its net investment in the hotel property. * Launches three new ‘Grand Suites’ on board the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express - On March 21, 2018, the Company launched three new private ‘Grand Suites’ aboard its legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Named after the romantic cities to which the train travels - Paris, Venice and Istanbul - the interior design of each cabin reflects the spirit of the destination while staying true to the original 1920s Art-Deco design. Led by a team of craftsmen, the Grand Suites have undergone a one-of-a-kind restoration project, ensuring that each carriage’s unique features and details are retained and enhanced. This includes the use of traditional Venetian mirrors, crystal barware and Lalique crystal panels. * Opens Belmond Cap Juluca for 2018 reservations - In March 2018, the Company reported that its marquee asset in the Caribbean would reopen before the end of 2018 and activated reservation channels across its network, including its website. Belmond Cap Juluca is the first property to be fully reimagined under the brand’s ambitious strategic growth plan. Through timeless and sophisticated art direction, the resort will be restored to its legendary status and support Belmond’s brand position for offering authentic escapes that connect guests with nature and celebrate local culture. First Quarter 2018 Business Unit Results Owned hotels: Europe: For the first quarter of 2018, revenue from owned hotels for the region was $16.0 million, an increase of $4.0 million or 33% from $12.0 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, revenue for the region for the first quarter of 2018 increased $2.7 million or 20% from the prior year quarter due to growth across the portfolio. This was led by increases of $0.5 million and $0.4 million at Belmond Reid's Palace, Madeira and Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St Petersburg, Russia, respectively, which have both benefited from recent capital investments and $0.4 million at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, following a new rate strategy and successful promotions. In constant currency, same store RevPAR for owned hotels in the region increased 13% from the prior-year quarter as a result of a 6% increase in ADR and 3 percentage point increase in occupancy. Adjusted EBITDA for the region for the quarter was a loss of $10.0 million, compared to a loss of $8.1 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, adjusted EBITDA for the region for the first quarter of 2018 decreased $0.7 million or 8% from the prior year quarter. This was due to a $1.2 million off-season loss at Castello di Casole, offset by a $0.4 million increase in adjusted EBITDA at Belmond Reid's Palace. North America: Revenue from owned hotels for the first quarter of 2018 was $29.2 million, down $10.7 million or 27% from $39.9 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, revenue for the region for the first quarter of 2018 decreased $10.7 million from the prior-year quarter. The decrease is attributable to an $8.4 million fall in revenue at Belmond La Samanna and $3.9 million at '21' Club, which were both closed for the entire quarter following hurricane and water damage, respectively. This decline was offset by improvements against the prior-year period of $1.2 million at Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa, Riviera Maya, Mexico, which has benefited from displaced revenue from the Caribbean and $0.7 million at Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara, California, which faced reduced competition as two competitor hotels remained closed after the December 2017 mudslides that occurred in the area. In constant currency, same store RevPAR for owned hotels in the region increased 11% from the prior-year quarter due to a 10% increase in ADR and one percentage point increase in occupancy. Adjusted EBITDA for the region for the quarter was $9.7 million, a decrease of $0.2 million or 2% from $9.9 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, adjusted EBITDA for the region for the first quarter of 2018 decreased $0.2 million or 2% as a result of the closure of Belmond La Samanna, which recorded adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2017 offset by increases of $1.0 million at Belmond El Encanto, $0.8 million at Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa and $0.6 million at Belmond Charleston Place, Charleston, South Carolina. Operating losses of $2.1 million at Belmond La Samanna, $1.1 million at Belmond Cap Juluca and $0.9 million at '21' Club have been added back to adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2018 while the properties are closed for renovation. The '21' Club restaurant re-opened earlier this month and the wine cellar is expected to re-open in June followed by the rest of the banqueting rooms later in the summer. Rest of world: Revenue from owned hotels for the first quarter of 2018 was $37.3 million, an increase of $1.3 million or 4% from $36.0 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, revenue for the first quarter of 2018 increased $0.9 million or 3% from the prior year quarter, principally as a result of a $1.5 million increase in revenue at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Iguassu Falls, Brazil, which saw a 12 percentage point increase in occupancy, largely from domestic business as the economy in Brazil shows signs of a return to growth, offset by a decrease in revenue of $0.5 million at Belmond Governor's Residence, Yangon, Myanmar where visitor numbers continued to be depressed. In constant currency, same store RevPAR for owned hotels increased 3% from the prior-year quarter as a result of a two percentage point increase in occupancy and 1% increase in ADR. Adjusted EBITDA for the region for the quarter of $10.3 million increased $0.4 million or 4% from adjusted EBITDA of $9.9 million for the prior-year quarter. In constant currency, adjusted EBITDA for the region remained flat as a result of adjusted EBITDA decreases of $0.6 million at Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a high-spending group last year did not recur this year, and $0.3 million at Belmond Governor's Residence, offset by a $0.9 million increase in adjusted EBITDA at Belmond Hotel das Cataratas. Owned trains & cruises: Revenue for the first quarter of 2018 was $4.6 million, down $0.5 million or 10% from $5.1 million for the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, revenue decreased $0.8 million or 15% primarily as a result of the sale of the Belmond Northern Belle train and termination of the lease for Belmond Orcaella, which together contributed revenues of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2017. This decline was offset by a $0.4 million increase in revenue for Venice Simplon-Orient-Express driven by enhanced revenue management strategies and the launch of the Grand Suites, along with the addition of wifi and air-conditioning to the train. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was a loss of $4.2 million, unchanged from the first quarter of 2017. In constant currency, adjusted EBITDA for the segment increased by $0.6 million or 12% primarily due to the comparative rise at Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and the removal of Belmond Northern Belle, which was loss making in the first quarter of 2017. Management fees: Adjusted EBITDA from management fees for the first quarter of 2018 was $2.8 million, an increase of $0.4 million or 17% from $2.4 million for the first quarter of 2017 due to occupancy-driven growth at the Company's Peru hotel joint venture and increased revenue from passenger business at the Company's PeruRail joint venture. Share of pre-tax earnings from unconsolidated companies: Adjusted share of pre-tax earnings from unconsolidated companies for the first quarter of 2018 was $2.0 million, an increase of $1.4 million compared to $0.6 million for the first quarter of 2017 due to an insurance recovery at the Company's PeruRail joint venture and improved operating performance at both PeruRail and Peru hotel joint ventures. Central overheads: For the first quarter of 2018, adjusted central overheads of $8.1 million were $0.4 million or 5% higher than adjusted central overheads of $7.7 million in the prior-year quarter, mainly due to increased development and other corporate headcount to support the Company's strategic growth plan. Investments In addition to the acquisition of Castello di Casole in February 2018 for $48 million, during the first quarter of 2018, the Company also invested a total of $30.6 million in its portfolio, including $9.1 million on the refurbishment of Belmond Cap Juluca; $2.6 million at Belmond Grand Hotel Europe for improvements to the hotel's elevators and renovation of its deluxe rooms; $2.5 million on the full refurbishment of Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, Chobe Reserve, Botswana; $2.4 million on refurbishment and the addition of new suites at Belmond Hotel Splendido, Portofino, Italy; and $1.5 million for the construction of two new barges for Belmond Afloat in France, Burgundy. Balance Sheet Following the February 2018 acquisition of Castello di Casole, at March 31, 2018, the Company had total debt of $752.3 million and cash balances of $141.8 million, resulting in net debt of $610.5 million and a ratio of net debt to trailing-twelve-months adjusted EBITDA of 5.0 times, which compared to net debt of $523.1 million and a ratio of net debt to trailing-twelve-months adjusted EBITDA of 4.2 times at December 31, 2017. Outlook The Company is providing the following guidance for the second quarter and full year 2018:   Second Quarter 2018   Full Year 2018     Same store worldwide owned hotel RevPAR growth guidance (1)   On a constant currency basis 0% - 4% 2% - 6% In U.S. dollars 8% - 12% 7% - 11%   Statement of operations guidance ($ millions) (Losses)/earnings from continuing operations ($3.6) - $15.4 Adjusted EBITDA (2) $140.0 - $150.0   Depreciation and amortization (3) $15.2 - $16.2 $62.2 - $65.2 Interest expense (4) $7.3 - $8.3 $29.9 - $32.9 Tax expense (5) $9.2 - $10.2 $14.9 - $18.9   Cash flow guidance ($ millions)   Cash interest expense (4) $8.1 - $9.1 $31.9 - $34.9 Cash tax expense (6) $2.8 - $3.8 $18.5 - $21.5 Scheduled loan repayments (4) $1.4 - $1.8 $5.8 - $6.8 The Company’s guidance as provided above is based on its current expectations, beliefs and assumptions regarding future developments, and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks outside the Company’s control that could cause the Company’s guidance to change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Company will achieve these results.   (1) Projected same store RevPAR growth for the second quarter ending June 30, 2018 and full year ending December 31, 2018 excludes the operations of Castello di Casole, which was acquired in February 2018, Belmond Cap Juluca, which was acquired in May 2017, Belmond La Samanna, which is closed for refurbishment following Hurricanes Jose and Irma in September 2017 and Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, Chobe Reserve, Botswana which closed for refurbishment in November 2017.   (2) The Company's policy commencing this quarter is to provide adjusted EBITDA guidance solely on a full year basis.   (3) Projected depreciation and amortization expense for the second quarter ending June 30, 2018 and full year ending December 31, 2018 includes forecast accelerated depreciation related to expected renovations at the Company's properties.   (4) Interest expense, cash interest expense and scheduled loan repayments guidance includes the impact of the Company's corporate credit facility refinancing, which closed on July 3, 2017.   (5) Tax expense guidance includes the Company's share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies.   (6) Cash tax expense guidance does not include the Company's share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies. BELMOND LTD. EARNINGS RELEASE SCHEDULES TABLE OF CONTENTS   Statements of Condensed Consolidated Operations 8 Segment Information - Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 9 Summary of Operating Information for Owned Hotels 10 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets 11 Reconciliations - Adjusted EBITDA and Outlook Adjusted EBITDA 12 Reconciliations - Adjusted Net Earnings / (Losses) and Adjusted Share of Pre-Tax Earnings from Unconsolidated Companies 13 Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 14 BELMOND LTD. STATEMENTS OF CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (Unaudited)           $ millions – except per share amounts   Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Revenue 89.7 95.4   Expenses: Cost of services 43.0 46.0 Selling, general and administrative (1) 56.3 51.8 Depreciation and amortization 15.9 13.7     Total operating costs and expenses 115.2 111.5   Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment 0.2 0.2     Losses from operations (25.3 ) (15.9 )   Other income 1.1 — Interest income 0.3 0.1 Interest expense (8.1 ) (7.7 ) Foreign currency, net — (0.2 )     Losses before income taxes and earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax (32.0 ) (23.7 )   Benefit from income taxes 15.7 5.3     Losses before earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax (16.3 ) (18.4 )   Earnings from unconsolidated companies, net of tax provision of $0.6 and $0.2 1.4 0.4     Losses from continuing operations (14.9 ) (18.0 )   Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax provision of $Nil and $Nil — —     Net losses (14.9 ) (18.0 )   Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests (0.1 ) (0.1 )     Net losses attributable to Belmond Ltd. (15.0 ) (18.1 )   EPS attributable to Belmond Ltd. (0.15 ) (0.18 ) Weighted average number of shares – millions   102.42     101.86   (1) Selling, general and administrative expenses include operating costs of businesses plus central overheads, share-based compensation and central marketing costs. BELMOND LTD. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Unaudited)           $ millions   Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Revenue   Owned hotels - Europe 16.0 12.0 - North America 29.2 39.9 - Rest of world 37.3   36.0   Total owned hotels 82.5 87.9 Owned trains & cruises 4.6 5.1 Management fees 2.6 2.4     Revenue 89.7 95.4   Adjusted EBITDA   Owned hotels - Europe (10.0 ) (8.1 ) - North America 9.7 9.9 - Rest of world 10.3   9.9   Total owned hotels 10.0 11.7 Owned trains & cruises (4.2 ) (4.2 ) Management fees 2.8 2.4 Share of pre-tax earnings from unconsolidated companies 2.0   0.6   10.6 10.5   Central overheads (8.1 ) (7.7 ) Share-based compensation (1.3 ) (1.5 ) Central marketing costs (3.4 ) (1.8 )     Adjusted EBITDA   (2.2 )   (0.5 ) BELMOND LTD. SUMMARY OF OPERATING INFORMATION FOR OWNED HOTELS         Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Room Nights Available Europe 44,516 43,040 North America 56,340 64,170 Rest of world 91,260 92,880 Worldwide 192,116 200,090   Room Nights Sold Europe 20,398 18,477 North America 39,360 43,983 Rest of world 57,673 56,654 Worldwide 117,431 119,114   Occupancy Europe 46% 43% North America 70% 69% Rest of world 63% 61% Worldwide 61% 60%   ADR (in U.S. dollars) Europe 376 319 North America 428 466 Rest of world 419 410 Worldwide 415 417   RevPAR (in U.S. dollars) Europe 172 137 North America 299 320 Rest of world 265 250 Worldwide 253 248   Same Store RevPAR (in U.S. dollars) (1) Europe 172 137 North America 299 269 Rest of world 265 252 Worldwide 253 231 Same Store RevPAR (% change) U.S. dollar Constant currency Europe 26% 13% North America 11% 11% Rest of world 5% 3% Worldwide   10%   7% (1) Same store RevPAR data for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 excludes the operations of Belmond Cap Juluca, which was acquired in May 2017, Belmond La Samanna which is closed for refurbishment following Hurricanes Jose and Irma in September 2017, Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge, which closed for refurbishment from November 2017, and Castello di Casole that was acquired in February 2018. BELMOND LTD. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)           $ millions   March 31,   December 31, 2018 2017   Assets Cash 134.6 180.2 Restricted cash 6.5 3.1 Accounts receivable 51.1 34.4 Due from unconsolidated companies 14.6 12.8 Prepaid expenses and other 13.4 13.3 Inventories 22.4 23.1     Total current assets 242.6 266.9   Property, plant & equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 1,238.9 1,168.0 Investments in unconsolidated companies 62.0 64.6 Goodwill 122.0 120.2 Other intangible assets 22.4 19.8 Other assets 16.9 14.1     Total assets (1) 1,704.8 1,653.6   Liabilities and Equity Accounts payable 15.8 15.8 Accrued liabilities 80.3 79.5 Deferred revenue 56.1 32.8 Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 6.5 6.4     Total current liabilities 158.7 134.5   Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases 745.8 700.8 Liability for pension benefit 0.5 0.6 Deferred income taxes 98.1 115.4 Other liabilities 2.9 3.0 Liability for uncertain tax positions 0.6 0.5     Total liabilities (2) 1,006.6 954.8   Shareholders’ equity 697.9 698.5 Non-controlling interests 0.3 0.3 Total equity 698.2 698.8     Total liabilities and equity   1,704.8   1,653.6 (1) Balance at March 31, 2018 includes $204.9 million (December 31, 2017 - $206.3 million) of assets of consolidated variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle obligations of the VIEs. (2) Balance at March 31, 2018 includes $120.7 million (December 31, 2017 - $123.0 million) of liabilities of consolidated VIEs whose creditors have no recourse to Belmond Ltd. BELMOND LTD. RECONCILIATIONS - ADJUSTED EBITDA AND OUTLOOK ADJUSTED EBITDA (Unaudited)       $ millions Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Adjusted EBITDA reconciliation:   Losses from continuing operations (14.9 ) (18.0 ) Depreciation and amortization 15.9 13.7 Interest income (0.3 ) (0.1 ) Interest expense 8.1 7.8 Foreign currency, net — 0.2 Benefit from income taxes (15.7 ) (5.3 ) Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies 0.6   0.2   (6.3 ) (1.5 )   Restructuring and other special items (1) 4.3 1.2 Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (0.2 ) (0.2 )     Adjusted EBITDA   (2.2 )   (0.5 ) (1) Represents adjustments for insurance deductibles and losses while Belmond Cap Juluca and Belmond La Samanna are closed following the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Jose, restructuring, severance and redundancy costs, pre-opening costs and other items, net.       $ millions Twelve months ended December 31, 2018 Low case   High case   Reconciliation of outlook adjusted EBITDA:   (Losses)/earnings from continuing operations (3.6 ) 15.4 Depreciation and amortization 65.2 62.2 Net interest expense 32.9 29.9 Foreign currency, net — — Provision for income taxes 10.6 12.6 Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies 4.3   6.3   109.4 126.4 Restructuring and other special items 4.2 1.2 Net operating losses at two Caribbean properties 27.0 23.0 Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (0.6 ) (0.6 )     Adjusted EBITDA   140.0     150.0   BELMOND LTD. RECONCILIATIONS - ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS / (LOSSES) AND ADJUSTED SHARE OF PRE-TAX EARNINGS FROM UNCONSOLIDATED COMPANIES (Unaudited)       $ millions – except per share amounts Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Adjusted net earnings reconciliation:   Losses from continuing operations (14.9 ) (18.0 ) Restructuring and other special items (1) 4.3 1.2 Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment (0.2 ) (0.2 ) Accelerated depreciation 1.3 — Foreign currency, net (2) — 0.2 Tax-related adjustments (8.1 ) — Income tax effect of adjusting items (3) (0.7 ) —     Adjusted net (losses)/earnings from continuing operations (18.3 ) (16.8 )   EPS from continuing operations (0.15 ) (0.18 ) Adjusted EPS from continuing operations (0.18 ) (0.16 ) Weighted average number of shares (millions)   102.42     101.86   (1) Represents adjustments for insurance deductibles and losses while Belmond Cap Juluca and Belmond La Samanna are closed following the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Jose, restructuring, severance and redundancy costs, pre-opening costs and other items, net. (2) Non-cash item arising from the translation of certain assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the respective entity. (3) Represents income tax effect of adjusting items by applying the applicable statutory tax rate to the adjusting items.           $ millions   Three months ended March 31, 2018   2017   Adjusted share of pre-tax earnings from unconsolidated companies reconciliation:   Earnings from unconsolidated companies (1) 1.4 0.4 Share of provision for income taxes of unconsolidated companies 0.6 0.2   Adjusted share of pre-tax earnings from unconsolidated companies   2.0   0.6 (1) Represents the Company's share of earnings from unconsolidated companies. BELMOND LTD. NET DEBT TO ADJUSTED EBITDA (Unaudited)             $ millions - except ratios   Twelve months ended and as at March 31, 2018   December 31, 2017   Cash Cash and cash equivalents 134.6 180.2 Restricted cash (including $0.7 million and $0.8 million classified within long-term other assets on the balance sheet for 2018 and 2017, respectively) 7.2 3.9       Total cash 141.8 184.1   Total debt Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases 6.5 6.4 Long-term debt and obligations under capital leases (1) 745.8 700.8       Total debt 752.3 707.2   Net debt 610.5   523.1   Adjusted EBITDA (2.2 ) 128.2   Net debt / adjusted EBITDA   5.0     4.2 (1) Long-term debt is after the deduction of unamortized debt issuance costs and discount on secured term loans. $ millions For the twelve months ended March 31, 2018   Trailing twelve months adjusted EBITDA calculation:   Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 (1) 124.0 Less: Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2017 0.5 Plus: Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (2.2 )   Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months   122.3   (1) As disclosed in the Company's 2017 earnings news release issued on February 26, 2018. About Belmond Ltd. Belmond (belmond.com) is a global collection of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established over 40 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, its unique and distinctive portfolio now embraces 46 hotel, rail and river cruise experiences, excluding one scheduled for a 2018 opening in London, in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg; Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro; Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya; and Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, seven luxury tourist trains, including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and two river cruises. Belmond also operates ‘21’ Club, one of New York’s most storied restaurants. Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

[roastpotato]

Judges will include: Ashley Palmer-Watts, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park London hotel; Raymond Blanc, Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire; Sat Bains, Restaurant Sat Bains, Nottingham; Pierre Koffmann; Brian Turner and Roger Narbett.

[shg11]

Image copyright The Black Swan

Image caption The family-owned pub is on the edge of the North York Moors

A village pub has been named the best restaurant in the world in an international poll based on customer reviews.

The Black Swan in Oldstead, North Yorkshire, beat Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck and Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir.

TripAdvisor said it was the first time a British restaurant had won the title since the awards began in 2012.

Blanc's Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, came second.

The travel website said the winner was selected based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected on the site over a 12-month period.

Image copyright The Black Swan

Image caption Tommy Banks became the UK's youngest chef to win a Michelin star at the age of 24

The Black Swan, which has a Michelin star and 4 AA Rosettes, is a family-owned pub on the edge of the North York Moors, near Thirsk.

It is run by the UK's youngest Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks, who won the accolade four years ago at the age of 24, and his brother James.

Head chef Tommy said: "It's a huge honour to win this award, but what makes it really special is that it's been awarded because of feedback from our customers."

Martín Berasategui in Spain has held the title since 2015.

Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck came 12th in the website's Travellers' Choice Favourite Fine Dining Restaurants Worldwide poll.

TripAdvisor said the awards differed from others as they were based on feedback from guests and "not based on a small judging panel".

The worldwide poll

1. The Black Swan, Oldstead, North Yorkshire, UK

2. Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire, UK

3. Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France

4. L'Auberge de l'Ill, Illhaeusern, France

5. Martin Berasategui, Lasarte, Spain

6. Daniel, New York City, United States

7. La Colombe, Constantia, South Africa

8. David's Kitchen, Chiang Mai, Thailand

9. Maido, Lima, Peru

10. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain

View comments

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-41582994

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Tulip

The Daily Tulip – News From Around The World

Saturday 14th October 2017

Good Morning Gentle Reader….  Up early this morning, no particular reason, just woke early, so Bella will get the benefit of a longer walk, not going to be a beach day as the weather is cloudy, with patches of sunshine, 28c so I am sure the small scattering of tourists will attempt to get on the beach… reached for my glasses before I went out this morning.. old habits die hard… I guess…

NORTH YORKSHIRE'S THE BLACK SWAN 'BEST RESTAURANT IN WORLD'…. A village pub has been named the best restaurant in the world in an international poll based on customer reviews. The Black Swan in Oldstead, North Yorkshire, beat Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck and Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir. TripAdvisor said it was the first time a British restaurant had won the title since the awards began in 2012. Blanc's Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, came second. The travel website said the winner was selected based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected on the site over a 12-month period.

WHY DID VIKINGS HAVE 'ALLAH' EMBROIDERED INTO FUNERAL CLOTHES?.... Researchers in Sweden have found Arabic characters woven into burial costumes from Viking boat graves. The discovery raises new questions about the influence of Islam in Scandinavia, They were kept in storage for more than 100 years, dismissed as typical examples of Viking Age funeral clothes. But a new investigation into the garments - found in 9th and 10th Century graves - has thrown up groundbreaking insights into contact between the Viking and Muslim worlds. Patterns woven with silk and silver thread have been found to spell the words "Allah" and "Ali". The breakthrough was made by textile archaeologist Annika Larsson of Uppsala University while re-examining the remnants of burial costumes from male and female boat and chamber graves originally excavated in Birka and Gamla Uppsala in Sweden in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries. She became interested in the forgotten fragments after realising the material had come from central Asia, Persia and China. Larsson says the tiny geometric designs - no more than 1.5cm (0.6in) high - resembled nothing she had come across in Scandinavia before. "I couldn't quite make sense of them and then I remembered where I had seen similar designs - in Spain, on Moorish textiles." 

AUSTRALIA JET AND NAVY DATA STOLEN IN 'EXTENSIVE' HACK…. Sensitive information about Australia's defence programmes has been stolen in an "extensive" cyber hack. About 30GB of data was compromised in the hack on a government contractor, including details about new fighter planes and navy vessels. The data was commercially sensitive but not classified, the government said. It did not know if a state was involved. Australian cyber security officials dubbed the mystery hacker "Alf", after a character on TV soap Home and Away. The breach began in July last year, but the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) was not alerted until November. The hacker's identity is not known. "It could be one of a number of different actors," Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Thursday. "It could be a state actor, [or] a non-state actor. It could be someone who was working for another company." Mr Pyne said he had been assured the theft was not a risk to national security.

INDIA SUPREME COURT RULES SEX WITH CHILD BRIDE IS RAPE…. India's Supreme Court has struck down a legal clause that permits men to have sex with their underage wives. The clause, which was part of India's law on rape, said intercourse between a man and his wife was permissible as long as she was over 15 years of age. The legal age of consent and marriage in India is 18 but marital rape is not considered an offence. The verdict has been hailed by women's rights activists but correspondents say the order will be difficult to enforce. The judgement said that girls under 18 would be able to charge their husbands with rape, as long as they complained within one year of being forced to have sexual relations. "This is a landmark judgement that corrects a historical wrong against girls. How could marriage be used as a criterion to discriminate against girls?" Vikram Srivastava, the founder of Independent Thought, one of the main petitioners in the case, told the BBC. However, the BBC's Geeta Pandey in Delhi says that while welcome, the order will be difficult to implement in a country where child marriage is still rampant.

CARA DELEVINGNE JOINS HARVEY WEINSTEIN ACCUSERS…. Cara Delevingne is the latest actress to come forward with allegations about sexual advances from movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The British model and actress issued a statement in which she said Weinstein had made advances to her in a hotel room, in the presence of another woman, after they had discussed a film role. A string of actresses have come forward over the last week to accuse the movie mogul of sexual harassment or assault. Together, the claims build up a picture of one of the most powerful men in the industry exerting pressure on younger women at the start of their careers, often in hotel rooms and offices. He has admitted his behaviour has "caused a lot of pain" but has described many of the allegations against him as "patently false". His spokesperson has said "any allegations of non-consensual sex are unequivocally denied" and there were "never any acts of retaliation" against women who turned him down.

Well Gentle Reader I hope you enjoyed our look at the news from around the world this, Saturday morning… …

Our Tulips today are for all those that have sent messages to me, welcoming me back....

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Saturday 14th October 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

[tortuga-aak]

This quaint, family-run pub in the UK was just voted the best restaurant in the world by travelers

Black Swan

The UK just scooped up the two top spots for the best restaurants in the world in TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards for restaurants — and the overall winner was rather surprising.

The Black Swan at Oldstead, a quaint, family-run pub in North Yorkshire, was named the world's top-rated restaurant, according to diners. 

The Travelers' Choice restaurant awards are generated using an algorithm that takes into account the quantity and quality of reviews for restaurants around the world over the course of a year.

This year marks the first time a UK restaurant has topped the world category since the awards began in 2012.

It also signals the end of Martín Berasategui's two-year reign — he has held the top spot with his three-Michelin-starred Lasarte restaurant in Barcelona since 2015. This year, he slipped to fifth place.

The Banks' triumph was closely followed by Raymond Blanc with his Belmond Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons in New Milton, Oxfordshire, which came in at second place.

The Black Swan is run and owned by brothers Tommy and James Banks and their family.

The tasting menu costs £95 ($125), and the tasting drinks package will set you back a further £60 ($79), with an optional £15 ($20) extra for cheese.

Tommy Banks was the youngest British head chef ever to win a Michelin star four years ago at the age of 24.

The Black Swan

Take a look at some of the restaurant's dishes below, including this succulent lamb ...

The Black Swan

... lobster ...

The Black Swan

... scallops ...

The Black Swan

... and strawberries for dessert.

The Black Swan

This is the complete list of the 10 best restaurants in the world, according to TripAdvisor:

1. The Black Swan at Oldstead, Oldstead, UK.

2. Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, New Milton, UK.

3. Maison Lameloise, Chagny, France.

4. L'Auberge de l'Ill, Illhaeusern, France.

5. Martin Berasategui, Lasarte, Spain.

6. Daniel, New York City, US.

7. La Colombe, Constantia, South Africa.

8. David's Kitchen, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

9. Maido, Lima, Peru.

10. El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain.

The third UK restaurant honoured among the world's best 25 is Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck, which came in 12th place.

NOW WATCH: Gary Shilling calls bitcoin a black box and says he doesn't invest in things he doesn't understand

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[eugeneportman-blog]

26th August 2017 – Wedding at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire – Piano Music for Evening Reception