Travel

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.

Soori - A Hidden Gem in Bali

This hidden gem has combined the essence of Bali together with the landscape from which it is built on. Every aspect of Soori, whether it's the architecture, the interior design, the produce being served to guests, to the in-room amenities has its story to share. Take for example the luxury interiors which have all been inspired by local colors and materials.

A Q&A with Soori Balis GM

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 Skiing at its Finest: Experience Chalet Inoko

Discover the pinnacle of alpine luxury at Chalet Inoko, a stunning hideaway nestled in Val d'Isère's Petit Alaska region. Recently, I had the privilege of exploring this elegant haven and unveiling the secrets of Purple Ski, the unrivalled provider of opulent chalet hospitality in the French Alps. Join me on this extraordinary winter journey as we delve into the enchanting world of Val d'Isère and experience the finest in luxury accommodation, personalised service, and exquisite cuisine.

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.

Barefoot Romantic Luxury in the Maldives

With the sun on my face and the sound of gentle waves hitting the shore, I glance at my husband of nine years, who is casually sipping on a warm cup of ginger tea. I feel totally at peace. For the last week, we’ve spent time reconnecting with one another on one of the Maldives most enchanting and beautiful Islands, Gili Lankanfushi. The unspoiled island is located in the North Malé atoll, which is just a 20-minute speedboat ride from Malé - in which time you are served fresh juice and offered a cold scented towel. The friendly welcome is just a small nod to the high level of service that you become very accustomed to whilst staying on the beautiful Island.

La Dolce Vita in Sicilia: The 5-star ADLER Spa Resort

On a Saturday evening in serene Sicily, my pulse is racing at a rate of knots as sweat trickles down my face and the temperature continues to rise. I feel like I'm sweltering away in a furnace; an exuberant man wafts a towel in front of me as chill-out tunes play in the background. Taking deep breaths as the towel is swung around frenetically to whip my heart rate even higher in searing heat, I know that I am indeed fast approaching boiling point.But just like that, I suddenly feel reinvigorated as I'm presented with a handful of ice cubes that I press against my neck to cool off. I'd been experiencing 'Aufguss', a multi-sensory wellness ritual in which an ‘Aufgussmeister’ douses infused water onto hot stones, circulating fragrant air in a panoramic sauna at the idyllic new Adler Spa Resort Sicilia.

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.