Luxury Hotels|Restaurants|Resorts
There are destinations in the UK that don’t try to shout hard for attention. Instead they simply get noticed through a good helping of heritage, charm and a quiet sense of self. The Lygon Arms is tucked gracefully into the honey-hued vernacular of Broadway in the Cotswolds and it is one such a place.
For decades, the alpine town of Megève has quietly maintained its position as one of France's most elegant ski resorts. Less ostentatious than Courchevel but no less chic, it's a destination that balances heritage and sophistication, with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriages, and views that frame Mont Blanc like a painting. While winter remains its high season, Megève is increasingly a year-round destination, with plenty to offer even after the snow begins to melt.
Seeking a respite from the everyday drizzle of London, we decided that only a weekend in Paris, ensconced in the sybaritic embrace of a Sweett Apartment, would lift us out of the doldrums. Thus, we crossed the Channel, lured by the siren call of café life and the promise of existential wellness, Parisian-style.
Venturing into Norwich with our trusty VW Touareg, we sought refuge at 38 St. Giles, a family-run B&B that whispered secrets of a bygone era, nestled snugly within the city's ancient heart. Imagine, if you will, a discreet, utterly chic private flat, the sort where celebrities vanish for a weekend of incognito indulgence. More a boutique bolthole than a mere B&B, our studio flat, accessed by our own clandestine key, boasted a generously proportioned double bed and an en-suite, albeit shower-only, bathroom – a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things.
Paris at any time of year is simply magical and a post-Valentine shopping and culinary trip is always the highlight of our calendar. On our annual trip we chose to stay in the 25hours Hotel Terminus Nord, Paris, opposite the Gard Du Nord, its location is super handy for navigating one’s way around Paris. For example the fabulous Galeries La Fayette is within thirty minutes walking distance, some might say it’s faster than actually hopping in a taxi!
An island perfectly suited to a geologist, a poet or indeed an artist! For Lanzarote has such an awe-inspiring setting: dramatic, expansive, picturesque and welcoming. This island of cacti and volcanoes, though highly individual, summoned to me the glories of other lands. The long sweeping landscape, punctuated with the occasional finca, evoked the beautiful expanse of Andalusia. The straight, low and narrow back streets of habitation with those of Colombia. The aridity and jagged landscape of the Sahara with which it is globally parallel.
Arriving at the Royal Lancaster was like stepping into a world of effortless sophistication. The entrance, opposite Hyde Park, is nothing short of grandiose, and the lobby is a fantasy in marble. Sparkling glitter everywhere, gleaming from pillar to post, from the reception desk to the café. It’s a blaze of glorious welcome, the kind that makes you feel like royalty from the moment you step inside.
As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things luxurious (and let’s be honest, someone who enjoys pretending to live the plot of a sybaritic novel), I’ve made it my mission to meander through the opulent landscape of London’s members’ clubs. These exclusive havens provide not only a comforting refuge from the chaos of city life but also the perfect stage for roguish antics, self-indulgent conversations, and the occasional over-the-top Instagram post.
If it’s Tuesday, it must be the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic in Cannes. After a summer that felt like a blur—over ten destinations ticked off, including the usual escapades with adventure car tours—this iconic hotel was a fitting crescendo. The Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic is not just a stay; it’s an experience. So, once more unto the breach.
What fun sometimes merely to fly and flop. To be just 20 minutes from a small airport like Olbia. To see out over a wide expanse and lie under the great globe of unblemished sky that’s simply serene. To witness the mesmerically azure blue sea along miles upon miles of untrammelled coastline.
