APRIL 2017 ESTEPONA, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN

Celebrating 21 years of Andalucia.com

It’s hard to believe that way back on 17 April 1996, Andalucia.com was co-founded by Michelle and Chris Chaplow. This year the website celebrates 21 years online, and continues to flourish and grow.

APRIL 2017 MANCHESTER, UK

Press visit to the Midland Hotel Manchester

The Midland Hotel is Manchester’s most historic hotel. It opened its doors to the public in 1903 and was built by the Midland Railway to serve Manchester’scentral railway station. Designed by Charles Trubshaw in Edwardian baroque style, the hotel has been designated a Grade 2-listed building by English Heritage. Whilst at the hotel Michelle photographed the new Tea Room, two award-winning restaurants – Adam Reid at the French, and Mr Cooper’s House and Garden, and quintessential details of the hotel,as well as taking an executive portrait of recently-appointed GM Christopher Wayne-Wills.

Churchill was a regular visitor to the Midland; Charles Rolls had a historic meeting with Henry Royce here; the Rolling Stones, Pavarotti and Prince Edward have all stayed at the hotel; and Victoria and David Beckham had their first official date at the French Restaurant.

APRIL 2017 POWIS CASTLE, WALES, UK

Photographing portrait of Lady Mary Herbert

As part of a feature for Andalucia.com, Michelle photographed the only known painting of Lady Mary Herbert of Powis, who is depicted on the ceiling of the library in Powis Castle. The wonderful National Trust kindly opened up the library so that Michelle could photograph the ceiling.
Lady Mary was a remarkable woman who had a long and interesting life – in 1727 she moved to Spain to seek her fortune running the mines of Rio Tinto, where she met a cast of colourful characters and enjoyed mixed fortunes.

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APRIL 2017 BANGKOK, THAILAND

Interview with Amanda Hyndman, departing GM of the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Anyone who has stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok will tell you that this is no ordinary historic hotel – indeed, it’s widely considered to be the best hotel in the world. A dreamy place with a proud heritage, the Oriental dates from 1876 and offers a piece of paradise that literally transverses the River of Kings; the Thai royal family uses the hotel for both public and private events. Once you’ve stayed at The Oriental, as it is affectionately known, it will become your worldwide benchmark for superb service and all-round excellence.

Amanda Hyndman joined Mandarin Oriental in 2007 as GM of The Excelsior Hong Kong, moving on to become General Manager of Mandarin Oriental, Washington DC in 2009. Then, in 2012, Amanda was offered every hotelier’s dream job: GM of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, a post that she successfully held until the end of April 2017.

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