CITY GUIDE 2019

Our products are sold in some of the most prestigious stores around the world. We would like to share a short city guide with you for Sweden, Shanghai, London and Madrid. Let us know what you think or if you have been to any of these places before.

LORRAINE ACORNLEY - LONDON, UK

Sum up London in three words

Buzzing, inspiring, creative

What is the best thing about London and why?

The eclectic mix of people, culture, fashion and art.

Favourite restaurant?

Andrew Edmunds, Soho (Shhh don’t tell too many people, otherwise I won’t get a table!)

Best place to stay?

Home. I live in outer London and you can’t beat your own bed!

Nice bars?

The French House and The Coach and Horses in Soho are old art school favourites.

Ideal day out?

A film at The Everyman Cinema in the morning, lunch at Rochelle Canteen in Shoreditch, An afternoon at DSM and dinner at The Mayfair Chippy.

Any unheard-of traditions?

Not necessarily from London but I’m quite superstitious and if I were to split a lamp post while walking in the city with a friend I’d have to say “Bread + Butter”. That’s a childhood thing!

JEFFREY XU - SHANGHAI, CHINA

Sum up Shanghai in three words

Modern, sophisticated, efficient

What is the best thing about Shanghai and why?

From my point of view, I think the best thing about city of Shanghai is the exquisite blend of old and modern, local and foreign, that gives Shanghai its irresistible charm. Everywhere you go in Shanghai, dingy alleyways and creaky old Shikumen buildings are always opposed by sparkling shopping malls and towering skyscrapers, while cheap local restaurant and roadside stalls can be easily found alongside with trendy cafes and hip cocktail bars.

Favourite restaurant?

Dianshizhai Xiao Yan - A nice local Shanghai restaurant in French Concession area. Address 320 Yongjia Road, Shanghai

Best place to stay?

Capella Shanghai Jian Ye Li - City centre location with traditional Shanghai Shikumen villa experience.

Nice bars?

Speak Low - the best cocktail bar in Shanghai, French concession area. Address 579 Fuxing Middle Road, Huangpu Qu, Shanghai. Peace Hotel Jazz Bar is located in The Bund Area in an iconic building with a senior Jazz band and local Jazz music. Address 20 Nanjing E Road, Huanpu Qu, Shanghai.

Ideal day out

Morning - Awaken in the French Concession

Awaken to the world from the leafy former French Concession. Contrast to the hectic city centre, this area is rich in history and a much more peaceful. In the morning, you can enjoy some of the top cafes and brunch in Shanghai within the area. And, I would suggest that rather than pinpointing an exact spot, just wander until you find somewhere that stands out to you. There are so many great cafes to try, so you can’t really go wrong in this area!

Afternoon - Visit of Rong Zai

Walkable distance from French Concession, Rong Zhai, a one of a kind western style mansion was the residence of Rong Zongjing, a late Qing Dynasty industrialist known as "The King of Flour" in Shanghai. The outside structure is mainly western style while the inside arrangement is more of a Shanghainese aesthetic. If you are interested in both Western architecture and traditional Chinese culture, this will be your “must visit” place in Shanghai.

Evening - Night Owls On The Bund

The Bund is arguably the best place for night views in Shanghai, and being a night owl, you shouldn’t miss the chance to enjoy a cocktail with an unrivalled rooftop view of the city at The Ritz Carlton Shanghai Pudong.

Any unheard-of-cultural-traditions

Pancakes, fried dough sticks, glutinous rice balls and soybean milk are regarded as four classic breakfast option in Shanghai.

JOHAN VON SCHANTZ - STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

Sum up Stockholm in three words

Water, design, peacefulness.

What is the best thing about Stockholm and why?

Stockholm is probably unique by its proximity to the archipelago, nature and water. Even very close to the city centre there are lots of places to go swimming, go for a run or hike and feel like you are far away from the buzzing city.

Favourite restaurant?

There are so many good ones, but If I have to choose one it’s Café Nizza at Södermalm. It’s your perfect local restaurant. Great ambiance and selection of natural wines, a few classic pastas that are always on the menu, and smaller delicious dishes perfect for sharing as well as main courses. Perfect for a having a quick glass with friends after work or enjoying a longer dinner on the weekend, Café Nizza is always a good place to end up.

Best place to stay?

Ett Hem is by far the most personal hotel in Stockholm. With a setellar interior design and an amazing service, ths town house boutique hotel in Lärkstan will make your visit to Stockholm something out of the ordinary.

Nice bars?

Riche - classic Stockholm bar and restaurant on Birger Jarlsgatan. Always crowded on any given day and with the most diverse clientele makes it a favourite.

Tweed - located in Gamla Stan this bar is one of part of a hotel, restaurant and wine bar all in the same house. With walls all draped in tweed and classic tartans, big chesterfield sofas and dimmed lighting this comfortable bar delivers some of the best cocktails in the city.

Ideal day out?

For any day, whether winter or summer, I would recommend going to the newly refurbished National museum, the building itself is worth the visit. Then take the boat from there out to Royal Djurgården, which is a national park and an oasis in the city centre. Ideal place for a walk around the island or pay a visit to Skansen which is the world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads and animals from every part of the country. On the way back to your hotel you can stop at Stureplan for a dinner at Sturehof and enjoy a very classic Swedish dish, silltallrik - four different pickled herrings with potatoes and cheese.

Any unheard-of cultural traditions?

Maybe not unheard of but a peculiar cultural tradition is that Swedes are very into numbers and especially numbers of the weeks of the year. You can hear “So how does week 23 look for you”? Then you must know that it means the second week in June.

MARINA BANERES - MADRID, SPAIN

Sum up Madrid in three words

Generous, hospitable, unforgettable.

What is the best thing about Madrid and why?

The people, they are as open as the city itself.

Favourite restaurant?

La Parra, Esteban and for a special occassion Diverso.

Best place to stay?

Austrias area.

Nice bars?

El Amante, Richelieu, de Diego

Ideal day out?

In Spring it is nice to walk across the Botanic Garden close to El Prado Museum, as well as Retiro Park or a Sunday Morning at El Rastro.

Any unheard-of cultural traditions?

During May there is the San Isidro Holidays, the whole city turns into a celebration.

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