Poster for Sweet, Stay a While

Miller’s Residence are proud to host, Sweet, Stay a While, a Renaissance evening of lute and voice. The drawing room of Miller’s Residence will be transformed into an intimate venue lit by candlelight, reminiscent of a bygone era.

Organised and promoted by Joseph Denby, the night will present the vocal talents of CN Lester and accompanying on lute, Toby Carr. Lester and Carr will be playing a selection of works by Dowland, Copraio, Henry Lawes, Coleman, Lanier and Johnson on the evening.

CN Lester was born in Hong Kong in 1984, and is a devoted Londoner. S/he studied music at King’s College London and Goldsmiths College, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Music Psychology at Trinity Laban under the supervision of Jonathan Clark. In addition to alternative music, CN performs as a mezzo-soprano specialising in castrati roles and as a classical pianist, studying with Alison Wells and Helen Leek respectively.

“The lute, song subject matter, delicacy of performance and word colour lend themselves to the privy chambers and secluded candlelit nooks shrouded in long shadows,” notes Joseph Denby. “The closeness and intimacy of Miller’s as a place of contemporary authentic equivalent to privy chambers provides a link between the courtly, formal Classical tradition.”

The event will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 13th May. Tickets are £22.50 per person. To book call Miller’s Residence on 0207 243 1024 to ensure your place at this unique event and quote “Renaissance Lute Evening” when booking. There will also be complimentary drinks at the Miller’s bar, hosted by Miller’s Gin.

Despite the busy festive season being over, Miller’s is still as full of activity as ever.

Have a look at what the press have been saying about us. Our most recent fans include The Lady, The Sunday Times Style and Somerset Life ! We also had German company ARD filming a piece on Miller’s Residence for their feature London Calling. I showed them around the Residence and if you’re interested in hearing me being dubbed over by the female German presenter click here

I had dinner the other night with Mike Rutherford from Mike & the Mechanics and didn’t realize that the video for his brilliant song The Living Years was shot at Porlock Weir and some of the scenes were shot from the old Anchor Hotel! Why not have a look on You Tube.

As many of you may have noticed, Miller’s Academy is taking a hiatus while we try and relocate. What’s happened to the Academy, you might be wondering? Well, I’ve totally refurbished the upstairs drawing rooms into a luxurious and modern two bedroom flat. If you want to have a look go to Knight Franks or Savills .

Miller’s Hotels are now on Twitter and Facebook. To keep up with the latest offers and promotions direct to you, add us at Miller’s Hotels on Twitter and Miller’s Hotels on Facebook.

Stay Historic is getting a great number of hits to the site each week and is the ideal place for you to find a hotel, inn or hideaway which is steeped in history and a million miles away from the minimalism of some hotels and holiday cottages but with all the mod cons you need. We also list special offers so check back as often as you can to get the best value.

Stay Historic is also now on Twitter, so for all the up to the minute offers and alerts from Stay Historic make sure you follow us!

MILLER’S RESIDENCE

We’re now offering the Spring Fling package at Miller’s Residence to put a little bounce back in your step as the evenings start to get lighter and the big freeze starts to loosen its grip. The package offers a two night stay, champagne and a bouquet of spring flowers in your room on arrival, continental breakfast and complimentary drinks in the evening from £380+VAT in a four poster room.

This year Miller’s Residence is celebrating its 15th Anniversary. The past 15 years have seen the hotel establish itself as one of the top London boutique hotels that still attracts stars and intellects alike.

To get us in the anniversary mood we’re sending out our celebratory press release and having a great time putting it together Miller’s style! We’re even wax sealing all of our envelopes, some personally sealed by Martin himself and his daughter Cara, who runs the hotel.

MARTIN MILLER’S GIN

Run by Master Mixologist and gin connoisseur Craig Harper the Martin Miller’s Gin Masterclasses for the Gintelligentsia at Miller’s Residence will take guests through the history of cocktails and teach them to mix and shake their own cocktails at home, in what promises to be a ‘gintelligent’ and entertaining evening. The class has been covered by the British Airways Highlife Blog, and the blog will give you a good idea about what happens on the evening. Classes begin at 6.30pm and end at 8.00pm. For dates and to reserve a place email amanda@martinmillersgin.com. Please include the number of people attending. The price for the evening is £10.00 and participants also receive a complimentary bottle of Martin Miller’s Gin and a copy of Born of Love, Obsession and Some Degree of Madness: The Story of Martin Miller’s Gin.

MILLER’S AT GLENCOT HOUSE
Flaming Art Festival at Glencot House was such a huge success we’ve decided to make it an annual event. The question is will Banksy come again?

This year it will be taking place on 20th June and you can go to our events page to keep updated on all of the details. You can purchase tickets at £25.00 per person direct from Glencot House on 01749 677160 or email Sharon@glencothose.co.uk.

We also have a new chef at The Riverview Restaurant at Glencot House, Jonathan Elvin. Jonathan Elvin is a young and ambitious chef whom is fast building a reputation for his eclectic modern British dishes.

A lover of country life and pursuits, Jonathan was born in Yorkshire in 1983 before moving to North America with family.

Upon his return to the U.K Jonathan enrolled at Thomas Danby Catering College, Leeds where his love for food began.

Following graduation, Jonathan embarked on a culinary journey working and staging in some of Europe’s finest Michelin starred restaurants which include Bagatelle in Oslo, Norway, Gordon Ramsay at Claridges, Marc Fosh Reads hotel in Majorca, Burlington at The Devonshire Arms, Whatley Manor and Fischer’s at Baslow Hall.

Having progressed through the ranks and with a wealth of experience he moved to Somerset where he joined Glencot house as Head chef in October 09. Spoiled by the local produce and the hotel’s grounds, Jonathan and his team endeavour to deliver exciting, seasonal and locally sourced dishes. Call Glencot House on 01749 677160 to book a table and sample some of Jonathan’s tasty dishes.

MILLER’S AT THE ANCHOR

Miller’s at The Anchor is doing superbly since it opened in November. Local businesses and societies visited the hotel at the beginning of December for a meet and greet and we had a great time showing them around.

The Sunday Times hailed the culinary delights of The Harbourview Restaurant as “excellent” and they are also a hit with local critics at Somerset Life , who have written a wonderful six page piece on the refurbishment of The Anchor. We are even featured on the front cover!

As we are in such a stunning location it’s no surprise that we’re getting inundated with wedding enquiries. The Anchor holds a full wedding license, or, if you want a reception with a difference, the team are there to cater to your needs.

The Movie and a Meal deal on Sundays are getting more and more popular by the week at The Anchor. With showings of The Shawshank Redemption, Wuthering Heights and Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the offing, followed by a hearty meal at The Harbourview Restaurant, what better way is there to spend a lazy Sunday evening? Booking is essential to assure your place and tickets are £10.00 per person(including meal and movie). Call The Anchor on 01643 862753 for more information.

Photo © Peter Booton

The past 15 years have seen Miller’s Residence turn into a unique and fabulous boutique hotel in central London. Our discreet little bolthole has attracted people from all over the globe and we even see the odd famous face here.

Just the other day we were talking about all the wonderful things that happen here, from hosting Stella McCartney’s Christmas party to our drawing room being taken over by a flurry of burlesque dancers for a business event, to playing host to photo shoots for the fashion bible Elle and for the luxury brand of Louis Vuitton.

While we’re been getting into the celebratory mood we decided that rather than just send out an ordinary press release we’d really go for it Miller’s style and throw a party. So, using a lot of red candle wax and a gorgeous ‘M’ stamp, we started sealing over 300 envelopes. Even Martin Miller, the owner of the hotel, got involved sealing envelopes. You can’t get much more personal than that when it comes to getting a party invite.

It was great fun doing something so decadent for a mail out and everyone’s already taking notice of our sense of ceremony and commenting on how much they loved the seal.

Whether you want to spend a bit of quality time with a loved one before facing the hectic Christmas rush, avoid distant family descending upon you for the festive season, or celebrate a special anniversary or birthday, have the pefect Romantic Winter Warmer stay.

Our beautiful bedrooms and inspiring decor will not fail to impress a loved one. Head out to one of the many famed restaurants of Westbourne Grove, a stones throw from the hotel, before coming back and sinking in to our huge sofas, helping yourself to a complimentary Millers Gin and relaxing to sounds of tinkling Jazz and the crackling of the roaring log fire.

Our beautiful Coleridge room

Why not take advantage of our new Romantic Winter Warmer package? Book a two night stay and, as well as adhering to our room available upgrade policy, there will also be a chilled bottle of champagne and delicious chocolates waiting for you on arrival.
This package is available from £358 + vat for the two nights in a four poster,King or Salon room. Call us now to book to avoid disappointment on 0207 243 1024 or email enquiries@millershotel.com

Expert Mixologist Craig Harper at a Martin Miller's Gin Masterclass

Inbetween telling the crowd the history of Gin Martinis, Craig pulled members of the audience to the front of the proceedings to help him mix a selection of Martinis in the chronological order in which they were first noted; from the circa 1884 Martinez to the Super Dry Martini Double of the glamorous 1950s. Even our PR Hotel Brand Manager, Frances Marden, got into the swing of things and shook up a cocktail!

Frances at the Martin Miller's Gin Masterclass in shaking cocktails

Craig’s expert knowledge and his enthusiam really had the 20 strong gathering in high spirits and the continuous flow of Martinis certainly helped!

There are two more masterclasses at Miller’s Residence in December and January, with plans for a second phase throughout England and Scotland.

For more information, or to book a tickets email masterclass@martinmillersgin.com. Tickets are £10 per person, and everyone who attends goes home with a bottle Martin Miller’s super premium gin and a Story of Martin Miller’s Gin hardback book.

In the mean time, why not mix up a cocktail yourself?

MARTINEZ, 1884-88

35ml Martin Miller’s Gin
35ml Noilly Pratt Rouge
5ml Curacoa
2 dashes of butters

SUPER DRY MARTINI DOUBLE, 1951

50ml Martin Miller’s Gin
25ml Noilly Pratt Dry
2 dashes of absinthe
2 dashes or orgage bitters and a lemon twist

Martin Miller at Miller's Residence with his eponymous gin

Nestled on the small harbour of Porlock Weir, the hotel is over 200 years old  and was the hub of the community when the weir was a bustling port. Now, the port is a working harbour, with small fishing boats and yachts tied up to the shore. The location is just perfect, with the rolling sea in front and the plush forest of the Exmoor National Park behind, the hotel is nestled in the stunning natural surroundings of the South West.

The hotel is still being refurbished; there are 14 bedrooms in all, but the publics rooms are already stocked with antiques and oddities, and who can resist the glow of a real fire and a library stocked with books? Just the place to curl up on one of the plush sofas and lose yourself.

The hotel’s restaurant, The Harbourview , is already open for business too. The menu is full of seasonal dishes and also pays homage to its location, with a selection of seafood dishes and everything made with local produce. For an intimate celebration the restaurant also offers private dining and our wine menu will certainly wet your appetite!

Go to  Miller’s at The Anchor to have a look at how everything is going, or drop by for a visit if you’re in the area. A word of warning though, you may not want to leave if you do!

All the antiques, in the bedrooms have to be removed one by one and carefully polished or wiped over and replaced before the next guest checks in – this can sometimes lead to confusion – on where things were before. Yesterday was just madness and now we have to re catalogue some of the rooms as things have been moved all over the place!

We have great and expert housekeeping staff who have been with us for years so they know the drill, but it isnt easy and I sure that the dred the day when phrase ‘spring clean’ is spoken.

On the topic of things being moved around – we are about the mirror the drawing room. Have a look above the bookshelves next time you are here – if its after August 2009 – as our new design feature should then be in place…

 

What a great place for a little weekend break -  we stayed at the Kwalito Bed and Breakfast. It has to be said that it was more like a small studio than just a B&B room, so really good value at around €80 a night. - bright colours on the walls, full kitchen and a balcony to enjoy the sun from – close to the Market square and the owners also have the supermarket next door for all your needs.

I have always held that a lot of what makes or breaks a place is the service and warm welcome of the staff or owners. Kris and Els were fantastic, so helpful on where to eat and what to see and do. I must also mention the breakfast – they place a big basket outside your door around 8am, it was totally packed with everything you could want and more than enough goodies to make a packed lunch from.

I really enjoyed our stay.

 

 

 

 

just a little note to all you out there that thinks this sounds great – it is! but filming makes a total mess of the hotel and the guests dont like it, they want to hang out in the drawing room…