Asian swear words

The Carlton Tower (020 7235 1234; www.carltontower.com) hotel, London has opened a second restaurant, the Asian-themed Pengelley's, which is run by chef Ian Pengelley and backed by Gordon Ramsay.

Basque in glory

A new boutique hotel in a renovated 19th-century villa, Villa Soro, has opened in San Sebastian, in Spain's Basque region. Exsus travel (020 7292 5050; www.exsus.com) has three night packages from £375pp, including flights.

Plastic fantastic

With fabulous pink, lime green and Perspex interiors the new HI (00 33 941 8634; www.hi-hotel.net) hotel in Nice offers trendy rooms, organic food, live DJs and a rooftop pool. Two nights from €245pp.

Within budget

A funky but affordable hotel for young people has opened near London's Notting Hill. Wake Up London (020 7262 4471; www.wakeuplondon.co.uk) has rooms and dorms from £11pp.

Rising star

La Table du Lancaster in the Hotel Lancaster (00 33 140 764076; www.hotel-lancaster.fr), Paris, with chef Michel Triosgros, has won a Michelin star just a year after it opened.