Image of a flowering tree In front of The Metropolitan Hotel in London
Today’s #Frifotos theme is flowers and while I don’t have much of a green thumb, I do appreciate the beauty of flowers when I come across them. Spring has sprung and one of the great things about traveling is seeing the fabulous floral arrangements at the amazing luxury hotels and restaurants I’ve been lucky to visit. Flowers have filled my travels from edible violet garnishes in London to Amber hued arrangements in Hong Kong, to sexy stems in Amsterdam.
A sexy red and a contemporary white flower arrangements in the Lobby of The Metropolitan Hotel in London
So remember to take some time to stop and smell the roses… and orchids, and violets… and anything other flowers that bloom in May. Or do it virtually (and pollen free) by checking out the #FriFotos hashtag on twitter and check out some beautiful pictures of flowers.
FTD has nothing on the The Four Seasons Beverly Hills .
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, one of LA’s uber-posh properties (which, BTW celebrated it’s 25th anniversary last month) always has stunning arrangements on display, like these orchids. It’s almost like visiting botanical gardens… without the bees.
The Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills has visually stunning floral arrangements in all the public areas of the hotel. Windows Lounge currently has a hanging garden of vases on display.
Blossom and Orchids at the Four Seasons entry
Over 20 million flowers are auctioned off at the Aalsmeer Flower Auction in Holland. So it’s no wonder that Amsterdam’s luxurious InterContinental Amstel has large arrangements throughout the hotel. You can tiptoe through the tulips (and past A-list movie stars) in the lobby.
Flowers and apples line the heavenly scented entry to Bouley, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC
Travel Tip: The secret to affordable Fine Dining in New York City is going at lunch time. The prices are way more accessible and the food tastes just as good!
Orchid, juice, and fresh pastries. Amber nails elegant breakfast, Hong Kong
An orchid at my table at Amber during breakfast was a lovely luxe touch. It had no scent, so it didn’t compete with my delicious breakfast. Just one of the reasons this fabulous Hong Kong restaurant has two Michelin Stars.
Orchid + Kobe sliders at The Bar at Amber = bar food at it’s finest (mobile photography, Hong Kong) . On the right: Golden toned flowers add warmth to the gorgeous Amber Lounge inside the Landmark Oriental Hotel in Hong Kong. San Pellegrino named Amber as one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the World for 2012.
Left: An orchid in the entry of my room at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong adds to the property’s contemporary zen vibe. (mobile photography) & Right:Sunflowers grace the lobby of the Landmark Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong (image shot with my Fuji X100)
Red roses add to the glamorous atmosphere at The China Club in Hong Kong
Butter Lettuce Salad, Avocado, Shropshire Blue Cheese, Champagne-Herb Vinaigrette topped with edible purple flowers at CUT London located inside the exquisite 45 Park Lane . The image on the right is violet mustard! They serve it at CUT at 45 Park Lane.
Left: Exotic Flowers at the reception of Kwandwe in South Africa. Right: It may be fall in the Southern hemisphere but the quirkly and whimsical flowers at the Grand Daddy were all kinds of fabulous.
The vertical garden at Mario Batali’s Lupa Hong Kong makes a garden between skyscrapers (mobile photography)