Searching for Shelley at Elcot Park in Berkshire June 13, 2022 THE WEEKEND: On the fringes of the market town of Hungerford in rural Berkshire, The Retreat at Elcot Park is set on elevating the country-house hotel stay. The second hotel from The Signet Collection (the first property is the awardwinning The Mitre in Hampton Court), guests can expect more of the brand’s alluring combination of [...]
Callow Hall: Laid-back charm and rural beauty in the Peak District May 24, 2022 THE WEEKEND: Found on the southeastern edge of The Peak District, Callow Hall is the first hotel from the Wildhive hospitality brand. Placing nature at its core, the owners behind the launch are aiming to champion the UK’s lesser-known spots, by offering laid-back stays in restored historic houses. What’s more, by hopping on the train [...]
A love-letter to Mykonos: Why this Greek island has it all March 14, 2022 From the sunken fire pit, guests can watch the sun setting over the neighbouring island of Delos. Gold, amber and peach streaks are scrawled across the sky, like an angry toddler has raided the crayon box. The smoke rises up, making smudges, like dirty fingerprints across the sky. A few decades ago, this outdoors spot [...]
The Langley in Buckinghamshire is a staycation dream January 12, 2022 Take a trip to The Langley in Buckinghamshire to discovers a Grade II historic property given a 21st-century makeover. The weekend Don’t be put off by your drive through Slough – the route to The Langley in Buckinghamshire is a touch misleading. Within a few minutes you will find yourself in an entirely different world.Once [...]
Take a break in Sweden’s magical Arctic Bath Hotel October 21, 2020 Sweden is currently in the UK’s travel corridor “green list”, meaning you can travel without having to self-isolate for two weeks when you return. So why not venture into the wilderness of Swedish lapland to forget about the woes back home, staying in Arctic Bath, one of the world’s most unique hotels. The weekend Set [...]
The Long Weekend: Take in a bird’s-eye view of London at hip new hotel Treehouse October 19, 2020 International travel may seem like a distant memory, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a slice of luxury on your own doorstep. Why not try get a new angle on London with a stay in the sky at hip new hotel opening Treehouse London.
Ikos Aria hotel review: No better place from which to explore the charms of Kos March 6, 2020 Found on the impossibly scenic bay of Kefalos, on the southwestern tip of Kos, the latest hotel opening from Ikos Resorts is the group’s prettiest yet. An ideal place to soak up the sun, get fit – there’s a huge amount of activities in store – or as a base to discover the charms of [...]
The Spa at South Lodge review: How a £15m spa transformed this traditional country-house into a cutting-edge hotel August 9, 2019 When you arrive at South Lodge, on the edge of the South Downs, it is exactly what you’d expect from a country house hotel: pretty grounds, a honey-coloured stone exterior and a crunchy gravel drive give you a warm welcome. While you can certainly decamp here for an enjoyable weekend away, with some stellar food [...]
Grotta Giusti review: Spa harder by spelunking deep underground into a network of hot, rejuvenating caves September 25, 2018 As if hearty Italian cuisine, elegant rooms and innovative cocktails were not enough, this historic villa in overlooked Lucca, Tuscany, has a spa that’s so out of this world it’ll take you to Heaven and back. Set in a series of underground caves, it will add a whole new dimension to your downward dog. With [...]
Rome Cavalieri review: A sprawling, grand hotel on the outskirts of Europe’s most ruin-littered capital October 27, 2017 With its ancient ruins, buzzy aperitivo scene (check out Il Mercato Centrale Roma as a tasty starting point) and balmy climate – what’s not to like about a sojourn to one of Europe’s most inspiring capitals? After all, this is the place from where Caesar controlled his empire, where Michelangelo was inspired and where Fellini [...]