Chocolate

Part 2 : Shopping in Swanage- lots more surprises

Lindy Lou's Blog

Love Cake etc

Love Cake menu
Cream Tea
Award winning jam
Cafe frontage
Love Cake menu
It’s fair to say, that when in the West Country it’s important to find a good cake shop and to tick off the cream tea from your ‘Holiday Must Do List’. Love Cake etc delivers on all fronts. Describing itself as a Café, Deli and Cake Emporium. You can find this treasure at 42 The High Street serving locally sourced artisan coffee & teas, cakes and Dorset cream teas from their on-site bakery.

Chococo

Chococ ice-cream sundae
Sample chocolate with coffe
Chococo chocolates
Menu
Chococo’s forcourt
If handmade chocolate is your secret vice then Chococo on 21a Commercial Street is for you. Describing itself as a ‘Cocoa Central’ selling award-winning chocolates which are made in-house as well as ice-cream sundaes, drinks and cakes from its bakery. A lovely quiet courtyard retreat away from the high street to have a quiet rest. Seats both inside and out to enjoy your coffee or Purbeck ice-cream sundae.  Or even to try some naughty luxury chocolates made from Dorset cream sold next door to the cafe.

Budgens

You might think that I have lost my mind by including Budgens in this blog. It is only one of two supermarkets in Swanage and for several miles until your reach Wareham. Budgens at 36 Station Road is my ‘goto place’ to pick up local produce such as Dorset cheeses, ham, pates, tea, jams and chutneys. Tomatoes from the Isle of Wight and luscious River Cottage Organic yoghurt made with Guernsey milk and fruit at the bottom. ‘ From Dorset with love’ jam and curds are highly recommended especially their Passion Fruit Curd.

For more information…..

Love cake etc
http://www.facebook.com/lovecakeetcswanage
http://www.lovecakecatering.co.uk
Chococo
http://www.chococo.co.uk
Budgens
http://www.budgens.co.uk

Malmaison Brighton

Lindy Lou's Blog
New Year’s Day 2017 brought a treat. A one night to stay at Hotel Malmasion, Brighton.
Previously know as Hotel Seattle, in 2016 it was taken over by the Malmaison Group . We last stayed at the hotel a few years ago, so we were keen to see what changes had been introduced to this boutique hotel.
Brighton Marina and new flats
Brighton Marina at dawn
We stayed in a double clubroom with sea view.  The balcony had views of the marina and we were a little surprised to see that a block of flats spring up on one side of the marina that used to be a harbour wall. Also, the number eateries in the marina seemed to have doubled since our last visit.
Wall paper in club room
Headboard and cushion
On our that last visit, the room had started to look past its best due to the easily marked cream walls. The room was spacious and fully refurbished. The wall paper and headboard were themed in the typical dark Malmaison colours that you would expect. Complimentary chocolates and strangely two green apples greeted us on arrival. The room was well equipped with a mini bar, hairdryer, iron & ironing board, Lavassa coffee machine, kettle and safe. For tech lovers there were amble plug sockets around the room.
Bedroom art
Room decor
Disappointingly, I couldn’t attach my iPad to the back of the Samsung TV as it was too close to the wall so had to use mirror screening instead. The coat hangers in the wardrobe were so high you could have difficulty reaching them. Sadly, no bath but a large shower. I loved the electic designs of the wall paper, cushions, lighting and pictures in the room. The king size bed and pillows were very comfortable and I enjoyed an excellent sleep.

Food…..

On arrival we had lunch in the hotel restaurant which was empty apart from two other tables. I can recommend the ribs and crème brulee. Next day the breakfast didn’t disappoint and the staff were very efficient and friendly.

IMG_1486

Especially in the colder and wetter months, I have to admit that more than once we haven’t ventured out of our hotel room.  The rooms are so comfortable and warm. After all, you need to get your money’s worth! Sea air, good sleep, good food….. it’s definitely the place go to for a good shot of R&R.
I am sure we will be back and maybe will try one of the hotel’s cocktails or an afternoon tea.

For more information…..

Hotel Malmaison Brighton:
Brighton Marina, Brighton BN2 5WA
http://www.malmaison.com