About Us
We love the finer things in life. We know you do too. At Plush Life, we don’t apologise for decadence.
Ever since we first became friends as children in idyllic north Norfolk, we both had aspirations to enjoy the best food and travel experiences in the world and live life well (without taking ourselves too seriously).
Today, we are based in London and via Plush Life we work hard (someone has to do it) to review the very best hotels, spas, restaurants and experiences in the UK and beyond.
Our aim is to seek out, celebrate and share authentically luxurious experiences, to champion wonderful stories in the world of hospitality, and to inspire you to visit the places we’ve discovered in your own precious downtime.
Maddi Howell
Plush Life’s Maddi is a lifestyle and features journalist. Her career began as Assistant Editor at luxury london magazine The Resident.
She has since worked for The Telegraph for over six years, reporting on everything from the Chelsea Flower Show to red wine baths (don’t ask) and yoga retreats at stately homes.
Maddi adores Italy, France and Germany. She loves discovering new places all over the world, from Zimbabwe to Nepal, and would love to go to South America next.
Do have a read of her review of magical Belmond Villa San Michele in Fiesole, which overlooks Florence.
Favourite sweet: A little jaunt to Birley Chocolate in Chelsea for coffee and chocolates inspired by mendiants français, chocolate disks topped with nuts and dried fruit, is the way to Maddi’s heart.
Favourite suite: The Kipling Suite at Brown’s Hotel on Mayfair’s Albermarle Street, adorned with gold and green hand-painted Lewis & Wood wallpaper, is named after Rudyard Kipling –who penned The Jungle Book at the hotel.
Fleur Passant
Plush Life’s Fleur Passant is also the co-founder of Holly & Beau, a colour-changing children’s rainwear brand.
One of her most recent escapes was to Verina Sifnos – a blissful boutique hotel on the Cycladic island of Sifnos with views of the Aegean sea and a food scene to watch.
A discerning diner and a talented home cook, her London dining recommendations are unparalleled. Chefs, hotels and recipes are her specialist subject, should you be in need of recommendations (and she loves a good bakery).
Don’t miss her review of Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux, France, a beautiful hotel nestled in the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte which combines a few of Fleur’s favourite things: spa treatments, top notch wines and incredible restaurants.
Like Maddi, Fleur adores France, and you’ll also find her travelling to the likes of Morocco and Kenya when she’s not enjoying the best of London.
Favourite sweet: Either Ottolenghi’s buttery malted milk chocolate oaties or Rabitos Royale dark bombón de higo (chocolate fig bonbons) . These dried figs, grown in Almoharín in Spain, are filled with dark chocolate truffle and a touch of brandy and then covered with dark chocolate. They’re stocked by the Spanish chef José Pizarro’s website. If they’re good enough for him, they’re good enough for Fleur.
Favourite suite: How to choose! The Kensington Suite at The Doyle Collection’s The Kensington hotel in London is a perfectly plush Regency townhouse escape, with a Victorian roll top bath. Combine a stay with a show at the Royal Albert Hall for the ultimate London weekend.