Best Hotels

Two hours drive from London and only 90 minutes by train from London’s Paddington Station, and set, like Jerusalem and Rome, amongst seven hills is the city of Bath (www.visitbath.co.uk). The city centre is fantastically accessible and walking about is a real pleasure both visually and practically. Very at ease with itself with a vibe that’s genteel and civilised and very clean. Here is the Abbey, clean and light with its fan vaulting to heaven, and the beautifully-preserved Roman Baths.

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.

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.

The Hotel Meudon, near Falmouth, is a whimsical retreat set amidst gardens that could be straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Overlooking the pristine Cornish coast, the tropical flora transports you into a storybook realm where leaves unfurl as wide as sails and trees shrink to the size of your imagination. Here, scale is a playful trickster: one moment you tower, the next, you’re as small as Alice after a sip from a mysterious bottle, always a wanderer in a fantastical, far-flung world.

Located in the heart of Surrey’s rolling hills, Wotton House Hotel offers a serene retreat wrapped in the elegance of an old English estate. As soon as you approach the grand facade of the hotel, it’s clear that this place is steeped in history.

Nestled in the heart of London's charming Marylebone neighbourhood, the Holmes Hotel beckoned us with the promise of a memorable stay, effortlessly combining classic British style with modern comfort. My recent visit to this boutique hotel was an enchanting experience from start to finish.

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a journey to the Green Spa Resort Stanglwirt, an enchanting Austrian retreat situated amid the majestic Alps. As a seasoned traveller, it takes a lot to impress me, but Stanglwirt managed to surprise and captivate me in a way I hadn't experienced before. This extraordinary place exudes a magical and exceptionally welcoming atmosphere that made leaving incredibly difficult. Promising myself that I would return as soon as possible, I departed with a deep longing for the serene haven I had found.