Kevin Pilley

Journalist at Freelance

Contributor at Upscale Living Magazine

Contributor at Luxe Beat

Articles

Luxury tees off at Dunluce Lodge, Northern Ireland's first five-star resort

5 days ago | irishpost.com | Kevin Pilley

THE service at Northern Ireland’s newest five-star luxury hotel, the 35-suite Dunluce Lodge overlooking the fourth fairway of Royal Portrush Golf Club, which hosts the 153rd Open Championship (July 13-20), is impressive. They rang me several days before I arrived. And asked me - as they doubtless will Rory McIlroy who he will be based there for the week- what I wanted to drink on my arrival. Prosecco, Long Meadow Farm apple juice or Magharamourne spring water?
The Best Pink Gins

6 days ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

Spring has sprung-ish. And it will soon be pink gin time again. The first pink gin was concocted by members of the British Royal Navy in the mid-19th century with sweet Plymouth gin and a single dash of Angostura bitters, which were used to combat seasickness. The House of Angostura was founded to sell bitters to sailors.
London Sock Company

6 days ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

Mango on Monday. British Racing Green on Tuesday. Daffodil on Wednesday. Deep Purple on Thursday. Pink on Friday. Saffron on Saturday and White on Sunday. Spots can be attractive and mustard, hazelnut, cannonball grey, and Earl Grey too. Believing that what catches a lady’s eye first is a gentleman’s socks, two Scottish gentlemen formed the London Sock Company.
Luxury Court Wear, UK's Tennis Couture

1 week ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

Luca Guadagnino’s Challenger saw a soar of interest and surge in flirty visors, cute ponytail caps, dainty ruffled crew socks and flattering skort sales. But tennis is not all Lacoste, Loewe tennis ball heels, vintage-inspired V-neck sweaters, sweater vests, popped-up collars, up-to-moment trainers, cool design wristbands, Brunello Cucinelli’s latest “sportivo chic” capsule, and broderie and Yesim Philip’s broderie and Brazilian lace outfits.
Circumnavigation of Iceland Cruise – Travel Review - On: Yorkshire Magazine

2 weeks ago | on-magazine.co.uk | Kevin Pilley

By Kevin Pilley, April 2025Iceland has its own Loch Ness Monster—not a lot of people know that. They call it “The Wyrm”. The elusive creature is supposed to live in Lagarfljot, a very deep, glacial-fed, freshwater lake near Egilsstaðir on the west coast of Iceland. It was first sighted in 1345 and described as a serpent with humps. A myth grew up that it incubated gold at the bottom of the fjord.
The Isles of Scilly & The Hell Bay Hotel – Travel Review - On: Yorkshire Magazine

3 weeks ago | on-magazine.co.uk | Kevin Pilley

By Kevin Pilley, April 2025The Isles of Scilly have many attractions, some better known than others: puffins, dwarf pansies, granny’s toenails and the world’s smallest museum—in a repurposed red telephone box—as well as croquet on the sea floor.
Galicia's Lighthouse Way, Spain – Travel Review - On: Yorkshire Magazine

3 weeks ago | on-magazine.co.uk | Kevin Pilley

By Kevin Pilley, March 2025The end of the world is not far away. Once you get to northern Spain and find the bar in the lighthouse. Pepe stood aside to let me admire his optics. He stocks all the usual Spanish suspects. Most of his optics are one litre. But one stood out in the middle of the bar. Not behind it. It was three metres tall and one wide. And it didn’t contain any alcohol. Only prisms. Pepe is the barman of the world’s only lighthouse bar at Cap Vilan in Galicia.
The Ladies in Red, The Best Concierges in the World

1 month ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

From the Khan Palace Ulaanbaatar to the Siam Bangkok, from Sydney to Vilnius, Seychelles, Gozo in the Mediterranean, and the Gran Hotel Manzana in Havana, Cuba, there is always one at your service. Every Kempinski Hotel has a Lady In Red; and, in these times of evening up, an increasing number of Gentlemen In Red now too. There are more than 150 “Ladies (and Gentlemen) in Red” across Kempinski’s worldwide 70-plus property portfolio.
The First AI Gin

1 month ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

Jordi Sahi wants to make AI go down well with more people. He has created the first Artificial Intelligence Gin. It is the first distillate co-created using AI tools. The latest edition to a portfolio consisting of Jodhpur Gin, Krova Vodka, Relicario and Doble 9 rum, Spanish spirits company Beveland Distillers has launched its pioneering premium $42 Aigin.
Nick Wheeler, The Man Behind The Shirts and Lapwings

1 month ago | upscalelivingmag.com | Kevin Pilley

Nick Wheeler received the O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire) for his services to gentlemen’s torsos, necks, and non-iron, stain-resistant men. His middle name is Charles Tyrwhitt. His wife, Chrissie Rucker, founded and owns The White Company. “Tirrit” shirts are worn by city gents, high-fliers, dudes, the image literati, heartthrobs, aspiring heartthrobs, the English Rugby team, and the New York Jets.