The image above, on Muscat’s Shatti Al Qurum Beach, inspired today’s theme, of great walks. Get straight out on the beach from W MUSCAT. Every night there are Omanis perambulating, taking the pre-sunset air. At the same time kids are playing football on the sand. See the same in Cannes, from windows at HOTEL MARTINEZ, part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. Where else? Ideas welcome.
In New York, take sundowner walks in Central Park – closest hotels include TRUMP NEW YORK, MANDARIN ,ORIENTAL NEW YORK, THE PLAZA and THE PIERRE, A TAJ HOTEL. In London, if you want immediate proximity to Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, think THE MILESTONE (Red Carnation). BVLGARI, THE BERKELEY (Maybourne – newly-appointed COO Roland Fasel) – 45 PARK LANE (Dorchester Collection) and THE DORCHESTER (where Fasel was once MD).
45 Park Lane GM Lee Kelly – who replaced John Scanlon when he flapped his wings and flew west, as young men are wont to do, to run Dorchester Collection’s BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL – has added walks with an artistic purpose. Take a Rhythm and Form walk to study the life of the late Dame Barbara Hepworth 1903-75. Her London life was a centre of vibrant and visionary artists, writers and architects, who included Bauhaus director Walter Gropius, overseer of the original design of 45 Park Lane. Learn about Henry Moore, Piet Mondrian and Lee Miller and delve into Hepworth’s world to discover how motherhood provided her unique drive to create (how did one of her most tragic moments inspire one of her most important sculptures, and how did London’s Old Vic and Royal Opera House renew her interest in metalwork?).
Walk by yourself, with a qualified guide, or join a group. This is an ultimate walk experience. Based around you. Move on from egocentrity, this is worthwhile walkcentricity. You read it here first.
