Travel
Stay in the historic old town of Malta
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.
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,...
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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.
Inspiring Destinations That Captivated Literary Greats
For many, travel is an integral part of life, offering a chance to escape the mundane and seek out new adventures. Reading, too, can serve as a wonderful source of inspiration; stoking our imaginations and allowing us to envision experiences beyond the scope of everyday life. Here at The Sybarite, we're passionate about connecting interests in arts and culture with tangible experiences that one can cherish and remember for all time. Below, we explore some of the greatest destinations that have inspired literary masters, from the hotels and resorts where they stayed to the cities and landscapes that inspired their work. Whether you're a lover of literature or simply looking for some travel inspiration, these destinations are sure to captivate and inspire you.
The World’s Best Hotel Suites for Rest and Relaxation
Whether you're on the lookout for an escape to a private island or a sanctuary in the city - just away from the hustle and bustle of people and traffic - read on to see what our contributor Ollie Poole has to share about our edit of places to get away from it all. Our suggestions below have been carefully curated to give you the pick of the crop when it comes to choosing somewhere to hole up for a few days to a couple of weeks. If you're keen to kick off the year right, take a break between hectic work projects, or ignore a barrage of social invites, these suites at some of The Sybarite's favourite hotel properties across the globe will cater to your every need.
Autumn in the English Countryside’s Burleigh Court Manor
On the onset of Autumn, all the leaves are aglow on the drive into historic Burleigh Court. The air is crisp with the promise of winter, and the hotel itself, covered in flaming Virginia creeper, looks like it’s been lit from within. The 18th-century Cotswold-stone manor house is set on a steep hill that provides sprawling views of the golden valley below. Enter and you’ll find a cosy two-seater bar to your left, with accents of deep wood and fur, where the sun streams in through a window onto a display of colourful bottles making it look like stained glass. Follow the sound of soft jazz from a record player, and you’ll arrive at the lounge, where the woodland themed wallpaper, comfortable sofas and copies of Tatler and The Field make for a chic reading spot. You could while away your time here reading, and forget that you were in the bustle of London just a few hours ago, but we recommend first exploring the lawns. The hotel is nestled in four acres of gardens, where you may see the Burleigh bees buzzing away in their beehives, grey oyster mushrooms growing off deadwood, and purple sage adding even more colour to the autumn surroundings.
Review of Family Luxury in the Autumn Sun: Parga Beach Resort
The balance between a fun-filled, family holiday and a relaxing, luxury resort is often quite hard to find... but our luxury lifestyle expert, Kerene Barefield, has found the perfect, child-friendly place to whiz away to on the off-season! Having decided to treat the family to a little autumn sun, I booked five nights at Parga Beach Resort on the idyllic west coast of Greece - and I was not disappointed! After booking an early flight from London and dragging the kids out of bed at 3:45am; we arrived at Preveza airport by nine o’clock GMT. Greeted by our friendly chauffeur from the resort, he drove us along the beautiful coastline for a 45 minute journey to the hotel. On arrival we received a very warm welcome from Katerina and her team, and were shown promptly to our room. The extensive grounds of the hotel are stunning, all the rooms and suites are scattered between vibrantly blooming flora and centuries old olive trees. The smell of jasmine fills the air as we walk through the lush and plentiful grounds; it is hard to comprehend that there are over a hundred beautiful rooms hidden away in this captivating Greek resort
Meet Emlyn Brown, Global VP of Wellbeing at Accor
Join The Sybarite as we chat with Accor’s Global Vice President of Wellbeing, Emlyn Brown, about how the group is elevating the scope and depth of their guest experiences. And with an interest in luxury at an all-time high, it makes sense that wellbeing is an important aspect of the product offering; one that encompasses not only subtle enhancements such as improving noise control but more obvious ones, like in-room fitness, for instance. Read more to learn what you can expect from an Accor stay and how the hotel group is growing with new offerings.
Review of Relax at Minos Beach
Beach holidays can be very undifferentiated. It could easily be filled with endless sun-bed reading and tick-box buffet food. Minos Beach Art Hotel in Crete offers a unique, inspiring experience on the other hand. Culture plays an important role in this 5-star resort. The hotel opened in 1963 but you will struggle to find any remote hint of the 60s anywhere on its grounds. The hotel is constantly renovating and if anything, the resemblance is more towards Tate Modern galleries rather than a retro Greek resort. The hotel is a member of Design Hotels and you feel it's most deserving the moment you step into the lobby. There's Giorgos Gyparakis' 1-sec art installation by the reception wall with intricate waveforms highlighting the increasing digitalisation of society.
Travel Like Targaryen Royalty: House of the Dragon...
Amongst the machiavellian scheming, dragon-riding and the occasional appearance of feet, one of the most cinematic aspects of House of the Dragon is the programme's beautiful filming locations. Before they become tourist hotspots, make sure to visit the locations and stand in the same path as some of your favourite actors, we're talking about you Matt Smith. Also, a lot of them are in the UK, and car friendly!
Featuring Our Luxury Lifestyle Expert reviews Hilton Lake Como
Lake Como has always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to visit. For centuries it’s been famed for its dramatic setting, fairy-tale villages and international high-profile visitors, with many movies, including ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones’, and ‘A Month by the Lake’ filmed there. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity to enjoy the city for a few days, I jumped at the chance, inviting a close friend to share the experience.
Wellness Destinations for the Elite Traveller’s Radar
No matter your personal style of self-care or level of yogic knowledge, there’s a wellness destination to suit you. Explore further to see which unexpected but life-changing wellness destinations make the Sybarite edit.
Featuring Grand Hotel Kronenhof: Winter Luxury Staycation
Except you are not in Budapest, but in the scenic, tranquil alpine escape that is Pontresina. Think neighbouring St Moritz but without the Prada shop pretensions. This is a mountain village lined with iconic Belle Epoque hotels and authentic Engadine stone houses with ornate facades. This grande dame of Engadine hotels is the heart and soul of the village and has been welcoming guests since 1848. The personalised service means they've been getting repeat guests for decades; some came as children and then returned with their children. They've had an extensive renovation in 2021 with the award-winning French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. The reception, lobby lounge, bar and reading room have all been rejuvenated to tranquil shades of blue that reflect the Engadine sky during various times of the day. You have to applaud their attention to every minutia as even the coffee table books are in hues of blue. The focal point here isn't the regal chandelier or the antique furniture, it's the lush majestic mountains of the Engadine Alps that take centre stage through the almost floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Q&A with The Fullertons Mr. Gino Tan
The Sybarite had the pleasure of conducting a Q&A with The Fullerton Hotels and Resorts Country General Manager Mr Gino Tan to discuss this beautiful landmark setting in Singapore.