The future of the Swiss Alps? A ski holiday in Andermatt February 19, 2025 In the social hierarchy of Swiss Alps ski resorts, Andermatt has long sat in the shadow of its counterparts, but thanks to a raft of foreign investment in recent years, the former garrison town’s star is on the ascendancy. For now, at least, the ski area of Andermatt-Sedrun is regarded as fairly snow sure, usually [...]
Holiday Inn owner IHG boosts dividend and buyback amid continued growth February 18, 2025 Holiday Inn owner IHG has announced the purchase of its 20th brand and a boost to shareholder returns as it benefits from the revived travel market. IHG has soared as travel has returned after the pandemic, with early estimates for 2024 suggesting the hotel industry has finally surpassed 2019’s revenue. The Windsor-headquartered company told markets [...]
‘The James Bond actor was a disaster on skis’: inside the private life of 007 in the Swiss Alps February 11, 2025 Whenever I go skiing, I hum the James Bond theme tune and imagine I’m being chased down the mountain by baddies. And it is for this reason I sought out a chalet fit for a Bond villain in the Swiss hamlet that Roger Moore called home. Crans-Montana has always been an elite destination for those [...]
7 incredible places for food and wine in South Africa January 30, 2025 A culinary cruise around South Africa, with our restaurant columnist Martin Williams As a restaurateur, January is the perfect time of year to take a holiday; exhausted from the efforts put in to maximise Christmas business. As an entrepreneur with M, and whilst leading Gaucho, it’s a period when, after setting objectives for the months [...]
A ski holiday in Val d’Isere is the hippest way to do the French Alps January 28, 2025 Val d’Isere has always felt hip, but a new design hotel is upping the stakes, finds Adam Bloodworth Think of a ski holiday in the Alps and a certain image springs to mind. That of impossible wealth, of royals and oligarchs resplendent in furs, of Hooray Henrys from the King’s Road necking jeroboams of rosé, [...]
At 1 Hotels, luxury means something different January 18, 2025 As 1 Hotels prepare for their biggest rollout of openings, Adam Bloodworth explores the brand’s intriguing formula Sure, you can have a great dinner, and yep, the spa’s so nice you could easily pop in for an hour but end up spending the whole afternoon. But it isn’t an obvious type of luxury that appeals [...]
Trustpilot: UK and US bookings surge helps revenue jump as shares spike January 16, 2025 Surge in bookings in North America and the UK helped lead a jump in revenue at Trustpilot during its latest financial year. The FTSE 250 company has revealed it expects to report a revenue from bookings of $239m (£195.7m) for the 12 months, up from the $195m it achieved in the prior year. Trustpilot’s annual [...]
Inside The Berkeley’s rooftop pop-up with Winter Wonderland views December 31, 2024 Winter Wonderland without having to actually go: the rooftop pop-up at The Berkeley has more to offer than moreish Swiss raclette…. The Berkeley hotel overlooking Hyde Park has launched an immersive ‘ski gondola dining experience’ with an après-ski inspired sharing menu, views over Winter Wonderland and decor including actual ski gondolas to transport you to [...]
Why ‘Sunshine Saturday’ has travel operators crossing their fingers December 30, 2024 Black Friday’s travel-focused cousin, Sunshine Saturday, is set to fall on 4 January in 2025. Occuring on the first Saturday of every new year, Sunshine Saturday is the day most people book their holiday getaways for the year ahead. With Heathrow Airport set to cap off its busiest-ever year with two record months and Virgin Atlantic [...]
James Bond film Goldfinger at 60: we take an Aston Martin to the Swiss filming locations December 28, 2024 Goldfinger is the very best Bond film, and there’s no arguing with Adam Bloodworth about it. The lifelong Fleming fan celebrates the film’s 60th by taking an Aston Martin for a spin through Switzerland for City AM The Magazine. Photos by Tobi Stidolph There’s a secret to cracking the reservedness of the Swiss – take [...]