Lifestyle and Adventure

The Ultimate Sydney Travel Guide

Famed for its sandy beaches, spectacular harbour and active lifestyle of its inhabitants, it's no surprise that Sydney is often a bucket list destination for any nomad. And now, with the new visa rules, journeying to Australia has never been easier. Follow our guide for the best restaurants, hotels and attractions for you to visit whilst you’re down under.

Puente Romano: 5-star luxury on the Golden Mile

The resort is a heavenly paradise in miniature with immaculately manicured verdant gardens, powdery soft sand beaches and world-class facilities that attract celebrities and sports stars alike.

The Ultimate Dublin Itinerary

All great cities have a distinctive vibe but none more so, perhaps, than Dublin. With a tourist trade based on its famous pub-dominated nightlife, Ireland’s capital has always had a reputation for being a fun, friendly city. But in the last few years Dublin’s star has risen even further. It was recently ranked at 19 by the World’s Best Cities committee – above all British cities bar London – who described it as ‘safe, gregarious and increasingly wealthy’. And of course celebrating St Patrick’s Day at the source is a bucket-list experience – although in Dublin, the festivities last for five days, not just one. For the week around Friday 17th March, Dublin will be even busier, merrier and more entertaining than usual. As is tradition, the St Patrick’s Day parade will kick off in the city centre on the 17th itself and after a two-year break due to the pandemic, this year’s is shaping up to be the biggest ever. New for 2023, the National Museum of Ireland is hosting a ‘day-to-night urban festival’ in the grounds of the Museum of Decorative Arts and History from the 16th to the 20th, with comedy, dance, music and ‘spectacle’. And throughout the city, venues will be entertaining the crowds with a curated programme of events.

Featuring Luxury City Breaks: Budapest

Embarking on a journey to explore the heart of Europe's beauty and culture, our guide reveals the allure of Budapest as a luxury city break destination. From its opulent history to its contemporary charm, Budapest offers an exquisite fusion of the past and present, inviting travellers to indulge in a refined urban escape. In this curated guide, we'll navigate through the city's grand architecture, culinary delights, artistic treasures, and luxury accommodations, providing an insider's view into how to make the most of your lavish stay in this captivating metropolis. Whether it's your first encounter or a return visit, Budapest's blend of elegance and sophistication promises an unparalleled city break experience.

Luxury Country Breaks: The Cotswolds

A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encompassing almost 800 square miles that run through five counties – Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire, The Cotswolds is the perfect stay-cation for you and your beau. But where should you stay when they're so many places to pick from? Renowned for its honey-stoned bricks, Moreton-in-Marsh emerges as a quaint market town nestled in the Cotswolds region, where we were fortunate to spend a delightful winter weekend this past January. While navigating the rural lanes, I observed the presence of age-old churches, elegant countryside taverns, and picturesque villages. The landscape seemed suspended in history, embraced by serene, undulating hills and captivating vintage shops. Naturally, my excitement peaked as we eventually arrived at our charming cottage in the heart of Moreton-in-Marsh.

The Nobu Philosophy on the Golden Mile

Nobu hotel group has been riding the crest of a wave in recent years. From zen Japanese designs to exquisite cuisine, Nobu has been winning admirers the world over. On the plush 'Golden Mile', Nobu Marbella is a destination in itself. It's a self-contained resort that will satisfy your gastronomy, relaxation and shopping needs. Within the same complex as Puente Romano beach resort, guests luckily share the same world-class facilities, yet Nobu guests also get exclusive access to a Nobu pool area, which coincidentally is the same arrangement as when we visited Nobu Hotel Miami Beach. You will also get priority seating and preferred access to Nobu and La Suite, Marbella’s most exclusive club. If you know how popular both institutions are, you'll appreciate this is a considerable benefit.

Featuring Top 10 Luxury Property Developments Around the World in 2023

The luxury property market has been on the rise for many years, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. For those who value the finer things in life, owning a luxury home is more than just an investment — it's a statement of who they are.  While some cities such as New York, Miami, London, Dubai, and Singapore have always been the preferred destinations for luxury living, others such as downtown LA and Melbourne have made their presence felt too with some landmark luxury developments of late. Yet others such as Kiawah Island in South Carolina have remained the proverbial Shangri-Las of luxury developments — known only to a select few. Here, The Sybarite explores our top ten picks of some of the finest luxury developments around the globe, starting with London. All the properties on the list are distinguished by their pedigree of being the products of some of the most renowned builders and having been conceptualized by the most sought after architects in the luxury real estate sector. On top of this, each property has opulent interiors, the best views of each city, and state-of-the-art facilities for fitness and recreation.

Bringing Back Boujis: Get Ready for B London

They’ve hosted rockstars and royalty during their wildest nights out. Now, the team behind Mahiki, Raffles Chelsea, and the once happening Boujis, brings B London to the fold, with a view to capturing the best of old and new. For those unfamiliar with Boujis, the significance of B London’s upcoming launch - geared for March of this year - is rooted heavily in the once popular club which closed in 2016. During its epic run, made memorable by the drove of celebrities passing in and out of its doors, Boujis made headlines for high class drama perpetrated by none other than its clientele. This included Princes William and Harry, commonly caught by paparazzi stumbling from the club in the early hours of the morning. Speaking to veteran nightclub owner and B London partner, Carlo Carello, it’d be remiss of The Sybarite not to enquire about his knowledge of the royals, who are, as expected at this time, a little on the contentious side of public opinion. “To be honest, I’ll be brutal,” he said. “I’d love to stay away from Harry and William right now. There’s too much out there.”

Featuring Buy the book: 10 books for the best-dressed coffee tables

Featuring Luxury City Breaks: Copenhagen

With a mere 48 hours at my disposal in the heart of Denmark's capital, I was determined to optimise every moment while simultaneously indulging in a tranquil weekend escape from the bustling rhythm of London life. This endeavour might sound like an insurmountable challenge, yet the solution was conveniently at hand: Nimb Hotel, a castle-like haven that seemed to materialise from a dream. Upon our arrival after a short Friday evening flight, the affable Peter greeted us with a warm smile, exuding a genuine eagerness to enhance our entire sojourn. The service we encountered was flawless, a manifestation of the Danish ethos - embracing the essence of hygge with an added touch of romantic allure. Nimb Hotel epitomises the essence of Scandinavian opulence. Housing a mere 38 guest chambers, this castle stands as a sanctuary of serenity, positioned gracefully behind the majestic Tivoli Gardens. Notably, Nimb's patrons enjoy complimentary access to these gardens, the world's third-oldest operating amusement park. The castle itself is a harmonious fusion of resplendent Moorish architecture and chic Scandinavian design, a perfect union of grandeur and contemporary elegance. Beyond providing lavish accommodations, the fanciful Nimb Hotel curates an array of artistic and cultural experiences within its premises. These offerings encompass garden soirées, wine tastings, as well as rooftop opera and jazz concerts.

Our lifestyle expert reviews The Xara Palace, Relais &...

Mdina (pronounced ehm-dee-nuh) is also known as The Silent City, and we experienced this first-hand. We walked through the Vilhena gate that leads into the fortified city, amidst the crowds of tourists who are queueing to see the city dungeons and the horse-drawn carriages with drivers shouting out offers for a ride. Once night time falls, all the noise and activity melts away to reveal an almost eerie, mystical ambience within the air as the whole place goes quiet. Built like a traditional Arabic medina, our footsteps echo as we make our way down the labyrinth of interconnected paths until we reach a towering stone palazzo. The Xara Palace is a 17th century five-star Relais & Châteaux property—the only hotel inside the walls of the Mdina—and the former home of a noble family. A sign at the entrance reads: “The Maltese nobility assembles within the walls of this ancient palazzo in order to elect its committee of privileges.” The baroque building stands proudly at the end of a small slope, just a short walk from the main gates. Upon entering the hotel doors, we’re welcomed with a glass of bubbly and invited to take a seat in the lounge. From the ornate church doors towering over us at the end of the hallway to the exquisite furniture full of dark wood and brick reds, there’s an air of sophistication that oozes from every nook and cranny of the palace.

A Luxury Scottish Escape: High-end in the Highlands

Given that good weather in Scotland is never guaranteed, there’s a lot to be said for leaning into the dark nights and visiting in winter. For one, this is the time of year you’re most likely to experience the magical aurora borealis, and as the only Dark Sky Park in the UK, Galloway Forest is a great location for stargazing. January is also peak mussel and scallop season, delicacies for which Scotland is world-renowned. And where better to enjoy the finest malt whiskies by a roaring fire? Scots certainly know how to make the most of the longer nights and, having recovered from their Hogmanay celebrations, turn their attention to Burns’ Night at the end of January. Nowhere does so in greater style than The Fife Arms, a relatively new addition to the Scottish luxury hotel scene in its current incarnation. Nestled in the spectacular grandeur of the Caringorms just 15 minutes from Balmoral, the landmark Braemar hotel was comprehensively renovated by a team of architects, artisans and artists in 2018. Each of the 46 bedrooms is dedicated to a local place, person or event, meticulously researched and decorated to tell the story of the area. If their Hogmanay was anything to go by – at which Dame Judy Dench was spotted carousing at the piano with Sharleen Spiteri of Texas fame – Burns’ Night will be an extravagant affair.