Overlooking the Henley Royal Regatta course, Remenham Court is a distinguished Grade II listed Thameside residence, combining elegant period architecture, grand reception rooms and beautifully landscaped grounds in one of Henley-on-Thames’ most iconic riverside settings.

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Few houses occupy such a commanding position on the Thames as Remenham Court.

Overlooking the Henley Royal Regatta course, the Grade II listed residence has formed part of the river’s architectural landscape since the early 19th century, its elegant façade familiar to generations of rowers, spectators and visitors to Henley-on-Thames.

Among its former owners was Sir Miles Thomas, later Lord Thomas of Remenham, whose career saw him lead Morris Motors before becoming chairman of BOAC. But while its setting is undoubtedly one of its defining features, the house itself is equally impressive.

A grand reception hall creates a memorable first impression, where a sweeping staircase, open fireplace and black-and-white chequerboard floor reflect the confidence and scale of the period in which it was built. Throughout, high ceilings, original fireplaces and architectural detailing provide a strong sense of character.

The principal reception rooms are arranged to make the most of the outlook. The drawing room and dining room flow through to an orangery, creating a series of interconnected spaces that frame views across the Thames. During Regatta week, the river becomes a focal point of activity, but throughout the year it provides an ever-changing backdrop to daily life.

Elsewhere on the ground floor, a substantial entertaining room offers further space for hosting, while the kitchen and breakfast room balances practicality with traditional character.

The accommodation unfolds across several levels. Five bedrooms occupy the first floor, including two en suite rooms, while the principal bedrooms benefit from elegant bay windows overlooking the river. Additional accommodation on the second floor provides flexibility for family and guests.

Outside, the grounds combine formality with privacy. A paved terrace and pergola create natural spaces for outdoor entertaining, while an ornamental pond, mature planting and expansive lawns soften the landscape around the house. Enclosed by established brick walls, the south-facing gardens feel both secluded and timeless.

The wider estate includes an entrance lodge, a substantial former coach house with garaging and games room, and a collection of outbuildings and a greenhouse. To the front, a meadow stretches towards the river, reinforcing the property’s connection to one of the country’s most celebrated waterways.

Rich in history and distinguished by its setting, Remenham Court is a house whose appeal lies not simply in its architecture, but in its enduring relationship with the Thames and the traditions of Henley itself.

For decades, Egypt has been defined in the global imagination by its ancient wonders. Yet along its coastline, a quieter transformation has been taking place. The Red Sea has evolved into one of the region’s most compelling luxury beach destinations, and it is here that JAZ Elite Hotels is positioning itself at the heart of a changing hospitality landscape.

The brand brings together a collection of premium beachfront resorts under a unified luxury identity, reflecting a broader shift in travel expectations. Today’s guests are less focused on formality and more interested in space, authenticity, wellbeing and a sense of place — all delivered in a way that feels effortless rather than staged.

Arrival: immediate escape rather than transition

The experience at a JAZ Elite property is designed to feel seamless from the outset. Arrival is typically unhurried, with a focus on ease and immediacy rather than ceremony. Guests are quickly oriented into their surroundings, where open views and coastal light set the tone for the stay.

Whether set against the Red Sea or within landscaped resort grounds, the design language prioritises openness — framing the sea, sky and horizon as central elements of the experience.

Rooms shaped by light, space and calm

Accommodation across the collection follows a consistent design philosophy: calm, uncluttered and grounded in its coastal setting.

Interiors tend towards natural tones and textures, with an emphasis on comfort and simplicity rather than excess. Private balconies or terraces extend the sense of space outward, reinforcing the connection to the surrounding environment.

It is a style of luxury that feels understated — focused less on statement features and more on the ease of spending extended time within the room itself.

Dining rooted in place and variety

Dining at JAZ Elite resorts reflects the diversity expected of contemporary luxury travel. Guests can expect a range of international options alongside locally inspired dishes, with an emphasis on freshness, presentation and variety.

Rather than a single defining culinary concept, the experience is shaped by choice — shifting from relaxed daytime dining by the pool or beach to more atmospheric evening settings where the coastal environment becomes part of the backdrop.

The Red Sea: a defining feature of the stay

One of the defining aspects of staying along this stretch of coastline is how close the natural environment feels.

The Red Sea is not something observed from a distance — it is part of daily life at many resorts. Coral reefs lie just offshore, making snorkelling and diving easily accessible, while the clarity of the water and richness of marine life remain among the region’s most significant draws.

For those who prefer to remain on land, long beaches, calm waters and uninterrupted sunsets provide a slower rhythm that shapes the pace of the day.

Wellness and the shift towards slower travel

Wellbeing has become an increasingly central part of the luxury travel experience, and JAZ Elite reflects this shift in a restrained, integrated way.

Spa facilities, fitness options and wellness offerings are designed to complement the surrounding environment rather than dominate it. The emphasis is on restoration — whether through movement, stillness or simply time away from routine pressures.

Across the properties, there is a clear sense that space itself is part of the offering: space to unwind, to disconnect and to reset.

Service and the quiet luxury approach

Service at JAZ Elite properties is characterised by discretion rather than formality. The aim is attentiveness without intrusion — support that is present when needed but otherwise unobtrusive.

It reflects a broader evolution in luxury hospitality, where the best service is often the least visible, allowing guests to feel a sense of autonomy throughout their stay.

Egypt’s evolving luxury coastline

The emergence of brands such as JAZ Elite speaks to a wider change in how Egypt’s coastal destinations are perceived. Once associated primarily with accessible winter sun holidays, the Red Sea is increasingly being recognised as a serious luxury destination in its own right.

For travellers, the appeal lies in contrast: world-class marine environments, warm year-round climate and expansive beaches, paired with increasingly sophisticated hospitality.

JAZ Elite sits within that transition — not redefining Egypt’s coastline, but reframing how it is experienced.

Discover the world of JAZ Elite and plan your next luxury escape at jazhotels.com

One of Britain’s most beloved sitcoms is set to take centre stage in Oxford next month as John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play arrives at New Theatre Oxford for a limited run from 14 to 18 July.

Following two sold-out and critically acclaimed seasons in London’s West End, the stage adaptation of the classic television comedy brings the chaos, misunderstandings and unforgettable characters of the original series to audiences across the UK.

The production, which premiered in May 2024, is directed by Caroline Jay Ranger and features Danny Bayne as the irascible hotel owner Basil Fawlty, alongside Mia Austen as Sybil, Hemi Yeroham as Manuel, Joanne Clifton as Polly, Paul Nicholas as The Major and Jemma Churchill as Mrs Richards.

The tour arrives at a significant moment for the franchise. This year marks 50 years since Fawlty Towers first aired on BBC Two in September 1975. Despite producing only 12 episodes across two series, the sitcom remains one of the most celebrated and influential comedies in British television history.

For the stage adaptation, comedy legend John Cleese has revisited three of his favourite episodes from the original series – The Hotel Inspector, The Germans and Communication Problems – weaving them together into a two-hour theatrical production complete with a newly written finale.

The result is a fast-paced comedy that captures many of the moments that helped make the television series a household favourite, from Basil’s desperate attempts to impress suspected hotel inspectors to his increasingly frantic efforts to manage difficult guests, misunderstandings and his own mounting frustrations.

Audiences can also expect appearances from a host of familiar characters, including the famously hard-of-hearing Mrs Richards, the long-suffering Polly, the eccentric Major and Manuel, the well-meaning waiter whose misunderstandings frequently leave Basil at breaking point.

The wider cast includes Greg Haiste, Emily Winter, Dawn Buckland, John Hasler, Adam Elliott, Neil Stewart and Josie Brightwell, alongside Ashleigh Harvey, Ben Jacobson, Matthew Gordon and Raymond Rose.

Set in the fictional seaside town of Torquay, Fawlty Towers was inspired in part by real-life hotel owner Donald Sinclair, whose famously abrasive manner fascinated Cleese during a stay at the Gleneagles Hotel. Those experiences ultimately helped shape one of British comedy’s most memorable characters.

The original television series earned numerous accolades, including two BAFTA awards for Best Situation Comedy, and in 2000 was voted the greatest British television programme of all time in a poll conducted by the British Film Institute.

Half a century after Basil Fawlty first appeared on television screens, the enduring appeal of the character and the razor-sharp writing continue to attract audiences old and new. The stage adaptation offers fans an opportunity to revisit some of the sitcom’s most iconic moments while introducing a new generation to the mayhem of Fawlty Towers.

With its blend of classic farce, memorable one-liners and larger-than-life characters, the production promises an evening of comedy that celebrates one of Britain’s most enduring television classics.

John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers – The Play runs at New Theatre Oxford from Tuesday 14 July to Saturday 18 July.