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. 

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.

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.

An hour and a half away from Phuket International Airport, in a beautiful secluded paradise, is Avani+ Khao Lak. Situated on an exquisite stretch of white beach, looking out onto the furious Andaman Sea - a beautiful juxtaposition. With five restaurants, a skate park, two climbing walls, two pools, an all-purpose gym, and more available excursions than you could ever imagine, I would challenge you to be bored!

The drive up to Tewkesbury Park Hotel in the Cotswolds is utterly fabulous, a welcoming gateway that winds half a mile up through the gorgeous greens of the golf course leading to the main building.

There is plenty of parking and electric charge points, not needed this time as we were touring the Jaguar F-Type with its powerful V8 engine. 

Our last stop on the Audi R8 V10 Tour was the Great Fosters, a Tudor estate just outside Windsor in Surrey. 

Great Fosters is the quintessential historic English Manor estate, offering exquisite dining under new head chef Alex Payne. Plus indulgent pampering with massages, afternoon tea packages and luxury suites frequented by kings and queens set in ornate gardens filled with outstanding and immense topiary (hedges sculpted into a variety of forms).

As we drove the rather superb Audi R8 noisily (V10 engine) over the Clopton Bridge across the River Avon we could see the white walls and red clay roofs of the Arden Hotel behind the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

The Arden Hotel in Stratford is set in the most perfect location, right on the river across the street from the RSC and the Swan Theatre. You are bang centre in the middle of the richest history in England. 

William Shakespeare's last home and the church where he is buried are a hundred yards away through parkland and quaint narrow streets.

Our welcome was personable and friendly, something the de Savary hotels do extremely well. After leaving the Bentley GTC in the free parking at the rear of the hotel, we were shown to the Rosemary Suite (all rooms are named after herbs they grow), a private bungalow at the bottom of the walled garden. The room was utterly delightful, an ivy-covered Victorian Garden Potting Shed, down a lovely path, just a stone’s throw from the spa.