Bling breaks
words | Robina Dam Shopping used to be a rush job that you added on to the end of a holiday or business trip. Now, mini-breaks in style are coming courtesy of a new wave of designer shopping outlets which are fast becoming the destinations themselves CHRISTIAN DIOR, Salvatore Ferragamo and Jimmy Choo – only to be found in the likes of [...]
words | Robina Dam
Shopping used to be a rush job that you added on to the end of a holiday or
business trip. Now, mini-breaks in style are coming courtesy of a new wave of
designer shopping outlets which are fast becoming the destinations themselves
CHRISTIAN DIOR, Salvatore
Ferragamo and Jimmy Choo
– only to be found in the likes
of London’s Bond Street, Sloane
Street and their international
counterparts, right? Except
what if you could shop at their
boutiques in a calmer, more spacious environment
and get a discount of up to 60% on last-season
collections all year round?
Large cut-price stores traditionally were housed
in remote places, but the Chic Outlets chain
of luxury shopping discount villages are all just
an hour away from major European capitals, so
that they tap into a whole gastronomic, cultural,
business and shopping holiday.
First launched at Bicester Village, these cute
boutiques in village lay-outs rapidly became a
canny fashionistas’ haunt. Now, even to their
surprise, a new trend has emerged: that of creating
a shopping trip around the villages, where visitors
can do their discount shopping and then create an
itinerary of what else to do in the area.
For the time-pressed executive or tourist, it’s
worth taking a strategic approach.
Bicester Village(nearest bmi destination London)
The mother of the Chic Outlets shopping villages,
this is the flagship of the chain, with crème de la
crème British brands setting up 105 (discreet) shops
– due to increase by another 30 in autumn – such
as Jimmy Choo, Anya Hindmarch and Mulberry.
alt="The stylish Malmaison Hotel in Oxford">
Unlike a shopping arcade, the various coffee
shops and pit stop places (Starbucks, Pret and
the like) make it a “village” of sorts, which is
why groups of friends turn it into a “day out”
experience. There is a well-balanced mix of malefemale
shops and even menfolk who really loathe
shopping have respite. “We have a men’s crèche,”
smiles Anna Keddie, the marketing manager of
Bicester Village. Oh really? “Yes, it’s called Bose.”
What’s in store?
Jewellery house Links of London is known for
its collection of charms which you can choose
individually to personalise bracelets and chains.
Hyper-luxe French label Celine is a surprising find
here, given its exclusive reputation, and its classic
handbags and clothing last far longer than a
passing trend; all the more pleasing, then, that the
collections on the rails here are usually last season.
alt="wonderful Waddesdon Manor">
Find bargains for the home at 1950s retro
emporium Cath Kidston, while minimalists will
walk towards The White Company. Win brownie
points with trendy teenagers by bringing them
back treats from Reebok, Puma, Diesel and Vans.
He likes… Special offers on Ermenegildo Zegna
shirts and Bose electronics.
He likes… Special offers on Ermenegildo Zegna
shirts and Bose electronics.
She likes…Classics from Ralph Lauren and highstreet
staples from Karen Millen.
Bicester Village, 50 Pingle Drive, Bicester,
Oxfordshire, +44 (0)186 932 3200;
www.bicestervillage.com
Lay your head at:
About 12 kilometers from Bicester Village is
Oxford’s coolest hotel du jour, the Malmaison, a
converted former prison building. It has retained
its architectural idiosyncrasies and though it’s
high in the style quotient, it doesn’t skimp on
the real deal: hand-made Mayberry Beds’
mattresses and its own-label range of toiletries.
Malmaison Oxford, 10 New Road, Oxford,
+44 (0)186 526 8400; www.malmaison.com
Foodie feasts:
alt="The Spa at The Macdonald Randolph in Oxford">
The destination restaurant Le Manoir aux
Quat’Saisons remains one of the area’s most
popular pulls. Owner and celebrity chef Raymond
Blanc pioneered organic and seasonal food in
restaurants, hence his organic garden attracts its
own tours (amateur green fingers as well as Royal
Horticulture Society members).
Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Church Road,
Great Milton, Oxford, +44 (0)184 427 8881;
www.manoir.com
To refuel your energy while shopping at Bicester
Village there’s a Carluccio’s Caffè for tucking into
plates of moderately-priced pasta.
Carluccio’s Caffè, Bicester Village, Oxfordshire,
+44 (0)186 924 7651; www.carluccios.com
Imbibe
Head to the Malmaison: there’s a slinky cocktail
bar upstairs and another in the basement.
Get culture:
alt="shoppers at Bicester Village">
Walk along the imposing entrance up to
Waddesdon Manor, the 19th-century chateau
built by Baron de Rothschild to house his
exceptional collection of French furniture, Sèvres
porcelain and English art. Unlike many stately
homes where you barely see the owner, the
current Lord Rothschild is so hands-on that even
during a Saturday afternoon wander through
the rooms, I saw him coming up the backstairs
to check out the special displays. As one would
expect, there’s a serious wine cellar (call for tours
and tastings) which pulls in oenophiles as well as
corporate raiders looking to impress clients with a
sip of vintage Chateau Mouton Rothschild.
Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire, +44 (0)129 665 3226;
www.waddesdon.org.uk
On the other side of Oxford lies
Blenheim Palace, the ancestral home
of the Churchill family and birthplace
of Winston Churchill himself. This will
soon have its own starring role as
it features in a film currently being
made about the life of Queen Victoria, in which
actress Emily Blunt (who won an Oscar for her
supporting role in The Devil Wears Prada) plays
the lead in Young Victoria.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire,
+44 (0)870 060 2080; www.blenheimpalace.com
Relax:
Once you’ve shopped till you’ve almost
dropped, regain your equilibrium at The Spa
at The Macdonald Randolph, Oxford’s most
luxurious therapeutic rooms which were recently
redeveloped. It’s a connoisseur’s secret since it’s
tucked away in the cellars of The Macdonald
Randolph Hotel right in Oxford city centre. It’s
worth a visit for the relaxation area
alone which boasts a series of steam
rooms in Roman style with the
temperatures gradually going up
and ending with a tantalisingly
cold room.
The Spa at The Macdonald
Randolph, Beaumont Street,
Oxford, +44 (0)844 879 9132;
www.randolph-hotel.com
Maasmechelen Village(nearest bmi destination Brussels)
As one of the largest of the European outlets
with almost 100 boutiques, the Maasmechelen
Village is laid out so spaciously that you need
serious stamina for spending the day here, or
else do a little forward planning once you pick
up the “floorplan” on arrival.
Its location in the eastern part of Belgium
also means that it is convenient not only from
Brussels, but also if you are then heading on to
Germany. It’s open 365 days a year, so who
cares if your meeting overruns – there is still
time to shop.
What’s in store?
European brands are the name of the game
here. Scapa is an upmarket house that’s like a
Belgian equivalent of Ralph Lauren. Stock up
on classic white shirts from Anne Fontaine, silk
separates at Laurel and interesting European
jewellery designers such as the Danish Dyrberg/
Kern. The bag and luggage range Kipling is
Belgian so it makes sense to stock up on it here.
The newest openings include Hugo Boss so
you can dress smart and look sharp.
He likes…Samsonite luggage and Dockers for
wearing with chinos.
She likes…Leonidas pralines and The Lingerie
Shop which stocks masses of different brands in
one boutique.
Maasmechelen Village, Zetellaan 100, B-3630
Maasmechelen, Belgium, +32 (0)89 774 000;
www.maasmechelenvillage.com
Lay your head at…
alt="A chocolate box for shoppers – Maasmechelen Village in Belgium">
La Butte aux Bois Hostellerie is tucked away among
scenic landscape which reinforces the fairytale
aspect of the castle. It’s just as much in touch with
modern requirements and its privacy makes it ideal
for secret business conferences. That plus the fact
that it’s only 10 minutes from the shopping village.
La Butte aux Bois Hostellerie, Paalsteenlaan 90,
B-3620 Lanaken, Belgium, +32 (0)89 739 770;
www.labutteauxbois.be
Foodie feasts…
Restaurant-Hostellerie Vivendum is about modern
Flemish cuisine – and it’s clearly popular with local
businesspeople and not just tourists. Start with
a glass of kir royale in the garden and then eat in
their über-stylish minimal dining room.
There are five restaurants within Maasmechelen
Village alone, such as the Italian trattoria called
Gastronomia Cellini. As this region of Belgium has
historically attracted five generations of Italians,
the cuisine is superb.
Restaurant-Hostellerie Vivendum, Vissersstraat 2,
B-3650 Dilsen-Stokkem, +32 (0)89 572 860;
www.restaurant-vivendum.com
Imbibe…
Hang out for a drink at Brasserie Musette in the
Village once you’re done shopping, as the range of
Belgian beers needs to be sampled whether you
like draught, dark, light or kriek – the fruit ones.
Get culture…
Edgy fashion is what young Belgian designers are
renowned for, so the nearby Municipal Fashion
Museum in Hasselt is worth a detour
The Fashion Museum of Hasselt, Gasthuisstraat 11,
B-3500 Hasselt, Belgium
Relax…
Take a former granary building and turn it into a
chic spa retreat – that’s the result at Mosa Nostra
beauty farm. As you enter the high-beamed
building, there’s such an air of tranquillity that
you automatically find yourself whispering. What
makes it unusual is the treatment tables located
outside in the gardens, surrounded by bamboo
blinds for privacy but still giving you a holistic
sense of wellbeing.
Mosa Nostra, Kempenstraat 31, B-3650 Dilsen-
Stokkem, +32 (0)89 752 330;
www.mosanostra.be
Kildare Village
(nearest bmi destination Dublin)
The surge in Irish demand for high-end goods has
meant all the big-names have been clamouring for
a space at the ninth and newest Chic Outlets village.
With a compact 40 boutiques here, it’s more
manageable and easier to negotiate in between
meetings or lunches in the city centre. In fact,
forget about shopping in Duty Free and go straight
from here to the airport (approx 60-90 minutes).
What’s in store?
The newest additions to the boutiques here
are Wolford, Ted Baker and Thomas Pink.
Interestingly, the likes of London lingerie
brand Myla chose Kildare as
one of its first outlet villages
and it’s about as well-laidout
as the full-price flagship
store, so it’s clearly aimed
at a discerning market.
It’s particularly strong on
homewares, so check out
Villeroy & Boch for crystal,
Le Creuset cookware,
Kenneth Turner candles and
home accessories as well
as Designers Guild. Look
out for Irish labels, too,
like Regine women’s
eveningwear.
He likes…Corso Italia for formal Italian shirts
from Valentino, Cerruti and Trussardi.
She likes…The wide selection at Calvin Klein
Underwear.
Kildare Village, Nurney Road, Kildare Town,
Co Kildare, Ireland, +353 (0)45 520 501;
www.kildarevillage.com
Lay your head at…
It doesn’t get much grander than the awardwinning
K Club at Straffan House – it’s where
foreign dignitaries and international royalty stay.
Golfing enthusiasts will know that the Ryder
Cup 2006 was held here and if your swing is rusty
you can get coaching sessions while staying here.
There’s also fly-fishing to be done in the nearby
River Liffey. Immense bathrooms and luxurious
amenities mean that you barely want to leave.
The Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club,
Straffan, Co Kildare, Ireland, +353 (0)1 601 7200;
www.kclub.ie
Foodie feasts…
alt="A 5-star treat – the K Club Hotel, Spa & Country Club">
Richard Corrigan at The Mill at Lyons provides a
setting that is guaranteed to impress – be that
a lover or a financier. Set in an old mill, a huge
tapestry above the fireplace sets the scene in the
imposing dining room where it’s worth trying
the six-course tasting menu. There’s also a more
informal lunching area in the conservatory.
The Mill Restaurant, Lyons, Celbridge, Co Kildare,
+353 ( 0)1 630 3500;www.villageatlyons.com
While shopping in Kildare Village, have a pit stop
at the Italian trattoria L’Officina for a plate of
antipasti and glass of prosecco, or a hearty risotto.
L’Officina, Kildare Village, +353 (0)45 535 850
Imbibe…
There’s a seriously sophisticated bar in the city
centre’s The Dylan, a boutique hotel which
attracts the fashion and media crowd. Lounge on
the red banquettes in the Dylan Bar and make a
night of it. If you’ve fallen in love with the cocktail
list, book a room where the full-size Etro bath
toiletries make an overnight stay worth its while.
Dylan Hotel, Eastmoreland Place, Dublin 4,
+353 (0)1 660 3000;www.dylan.ie
Get culture…
County Kildare is well-known for all things golf
and horse-related. Get into the spirit of things
at the Punchestown National Hunt Festival next
month (22-26 April), followed by the Curragh
Guineas (24-25 May) and the Curragh Derby
Festival (27-29 June). When you’re punch-drunk
on your winnings (hopefully), take a romantic stroll
through the nearby Japanese Gardens, followed by
a trot around the adjoining stud farm to admire
the top stallions as well as mares and foals.
Irish National Stud, Tully, Co Kildare,
+353 (0)45 522 963; www.irish-national-stud.ie
Relax…
The new K Club Spa has been built in an
adjacent wing within the hotel to maintain
an air of exclusivity for celebrity visitors. The
relaxation areas behind the spa include tuckedaway
seats within a herb garden for a fragranced
setting. Treatments are top-notch with therapists
offering bespoke facials and body scrubs.
The Kildare Hotel, Spa and Country Club,
Straffan, Co Kildare, Ireland, +353 (0)1 601
7200;www.kclub.ie
