The Great Escape Magazine

As fresh as spring, this gazpacho (cold soup) dish will impress your guests with its rich green colour.  Lightly blanch sweet seasonal peas, then blend with cucumber, olive oil, a little garlic and a good handful of mint, along with a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Just before serving, top with a spoonful of crab ceviche, which is a simple mixture of crab meat, salt, and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

New Zealand’s cultured capital has built up a worldly food scene. Here’s where to eat and drink in Wellington at all hours of the day.

The best coffee in Wellington, and the best cafes are quite often one and the same. But with kids in tow, the sit-and-sip route rarely wins. Grab your morning cup and enjoy it on the move instead.

Taking a mere 10 minutes out of every morning to balance mind and body – at Novotel, we know that small, repeatable habits soon build to a holistic and healthy way of life – will readjust your circadian rhythms, disperse mental fog and get the endorphins going. Of course, it also gets stiff bodies moving again and guarantees a bit of “me time” before you get on with the rest of the day. And if you’re wondering whether 10 minutes can really make a difference to your mental acuity and physical well-being, research has found that daily 10‑minute workouts can drastically improve health and fitness!

Where once luxury in hotels would be measured by grand marble fittings or the square footage of your penthouse suite, today it is increasingly defined by emotional reaction. Sensory design is being used in hotels to evoke feelings, create precious memories for guests and – of course – shape brand identity and loyalty. Hotel guests often forget what they saw, but they remember how they felt, so the current era of hospitality design believes that light, scent, taste, sound and texture work together to create environments that comfort, inspire and calm the brain.  With more than 20 years of experience in hospitality design, Nicolas Capéran of London-based studio Takagicapéran has recently transformed Novotel London Bridge as well as Novotel York Centre using multi-sensory architecture and interior design elements. His goal? To translate the personality of each space – from lobby to bar, restaurant to guest room or spa – into a unique experience filled with discovery, surprise and emotion. 

Having looked after our guests for more than 60 years, Novotel is well-versed in sleep hygiene. That’s why it features – along with eating, keeping mobile and forging social connections – in our Longevity Everyday initiative, focussing on simple everyday steps for long‑term impact. We already provide climate control so you can achieve your ideal sleep environment, Live N’Dream beds for optimal rest, smart foldable pillows and 100% cotton linens in our spacious, soundproof guest rooms. Now we’re calling on the expertise of sleep expert, author and keynote speaker Olivia Arezzolo to place sleep where it belongs – at the heart of everyday well-being.   As a Novotel guest, you'll find thoughtfully designed touches to encourage restorative rest in your room, including:   New premium mattresses and bedding with soft and firm options. Calming sleep ritual menus with relaxation techniques and wind-down guidance. In-room tips and digital content developed with Olivia Arezzolo. Guidance on light exposure and sound environments to support circadian rhythms.