Best Hotels

The Idyllic Isle of Bequia

What divine inspiration dreamt up the island of Bequia?

Pronounced ‘Bekwey’ this 7-mile stretch means ‘island of the clouds’ in ancient Arawak. It’s one of 32 islands that make up St Vincent and The Grenadines. Home originally to a small group of Caribs, the French and later the Brits then presided. Bequia developed less from sugar as from sea-island cotton and indigo, from boat building (especially schooners), whaling and merchant seamen.

Mona Lisa's ancestral abode, nestled amidst the rolling Chianti hills above Greve and a mere stone's throw from Panzano, now stands as a luxurious haven for travellers. A short forty-minute drive south of Florence unveils this gem of a hotel, once the cherished family home of the enigmatic Mona Lisa.

In 2014, the esteemed architect and garden virtuoso, 65-year-old Patrice Taravella, took ownership of the "Villa Rinascimentale" along with its sprawling grounds, embarking on a mission to revive its former splendour. 

Located along Park Lane in Mayfair, Bar 45 offers a sophisticated and intimate escape for those seeking libations away from the crowds. This elegant bar, part of the Dorchester Collection, has a chic, contemporary vibe that's both inviting and exclusive.

The 5-star Headland Hotel transcends ordinary notions of grandeur, captivating visitors with its immense and awe-inspiring presence. During my Lexus 500h F Sport tour, I was immediately struck by its sheer size and magnificence upon arrival.

We drove the Mustang California sedately through 123 acres of parkland along the tree-lined access road past the tennis courts to the hotel entrance and parked outside.

The hotel buildings are set higgledy-piggledy around the main country house, built in 1849 by James Hodges, an accomplished civil engineer who would later manage the construction of Montreal's Victoria Bridge. The historical roots of Pennyhill Park's land trace back to its pivotal role as a beacon site during the national defence against the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Kitzbühel has the charm and sophistication of a wealthy Grande Dame that other resorts respect and allude to.  Check if the snow conditions are good, then I would put forward the more than 750 year old small town of Kitzbühel. It is a winter (and summer) resort that you can return to time and again and still find more of interest both on and off the slopes.  However, there is nothing stuffy here as the well-groomed pistes have a magnetic vibrancy.

On the next leg of our Range Rover Evoque tour, we venture down to Falmouth, where we have the pleasure of staying at the charming St. Michael's Resort, a delightful coastal hotel with an inviting hydrotherapy spa.

Nestled behind narrow Cornish streets and enveloped by lush tropical trees and foliage, St. Michael's Resort is artfully concealed behind a terrace and gardens that overlook the beautiful Gyllyngvase Beach. This golden shoreline is just a stone's throw away, separated only by a quaint coastal road.

Some hotels might say they’re fit for a king, but in the case of The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa it is undeniably true, as King George V once stayed here, as well as nearly every US president since Roosevelt, and not to mention rock royalty in the form of The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

Sat in the heart of downtown Denver, it remains one of the most luxurious and iconic hotels in the Colorado capital since opening its revolving doors in 1892. 

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands nestled off the African coast, is renowned for its rich and captivating history.

The story of Tenerife dates back to prehistoric times when the Guanche people, believed to have arrived around 200 BC, established their presence on the island. The island derives its name from Chief Tinerfe, who divided the land into nine areas for each of his nine children, which still exist today as the municipal areas of Tenerife: Taoro, Guimar, Abona, Anaga, Tequeste, Taraconte, Icode, Daute, and Adeje.

ClubMed in the French Alps has gone luxury with a capital L. Opulence, exceptionally friendly service, fabulous interiors, exciting entertainment and most of all, thrilling activities. All are included in your stay.

But let's start with the location, it is an extreme visual banquet of peaks. ClubMed Val d'Isère occupies the best location in town. 

Ski in-Ski out? You could ski from your balcony! Only we went in summer to take full advantage of the magnificent weather and enjoy the countryside untrammelled by snow or crowds.