Holiday Type / Europe

A resplendent gem on Tenerife’s Costa Adeje, this member of The Leading Hotels of the World is a luxury resort on several levels, comprising three distinct areas of accommodation. In addition to the colourful rooms and suites arranged in a horseshoe around the pools, there are the Casas Ducales. Designed by Pascua Ortega, they form a hotel within a hotel featuring Canarian-style houses with special services including those of a resident butler. The luxuriant Las Villas form the third section, complete with their own private reception and readin...

Tenerife not only enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other part of Spain, it’s home to Carrier favourite The Ritz-Carlton, Abama. Sparkling with five stars, it gets our vote for all-round appeal. Picture a spectacular Moorish-style private estate atop a hillside flanking the island’s highest mountain, with exuberant gardens stretching down to the sea and looking out to La Gomera. All is as you would expect from Ritz-Carlton, with attentive service and luxuriously appointed accommodation - all rooms and suites having marble bathrooms, floor-...

Nestled amidst pine forests in the unspoilt northwest of Mallorca, this escapist enclave offers incomparable views of the Mediterranean, the UNESCO-protected Tramuntana Mountains and the picturesque fishing village of Port Sóller. Beautifully appointed rooms – all with terrace or balcony – offer every modern comfort, the Junior Suites being particularly spacious while the Lighthouse Suite is split over two levels with outdoor Jacuzzi, and the Mar Blau Suite has its own private access. A feast of dining options includes fabulous fresh seafood a...

To visit Mallorca without sampling the delights of this legendary Belmond hotel in the beautiful mountain hideaway of Deià would almost be a crime. Created from three lovingly restored manor houses, with views down over the shady terraces to the rugged hills beyond. Its superb location and spacious rooms have attracted a who’s who of guests, as has the enticing gourmet cuisine of El Olivo, the candlelit restaurant set in a former olive press, or dine more informally on local specialities and enjoy cocktails at Café Miró at Son Moragues, to the ...

Furnished in the refreshing blues and yellows of a typical Canarian house, Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia is set amidst a tropical palm garden. An ambience of seclusion and tranquillity pervade, whilst being just a short stroll from a stretch of golden sand and the spectacular sand dunes of Maspalomas, it is the ideal accommodation for a relaxing beach holiday. Colonial-style rooms, designed by French architect Alberto Pinto, are arranged in attractive villas around the heated pool, each having a large wooden balcony or terrace from which to en...

Art plays a leading role in this magnificent hotel, located in the centre of Anacapri – regarded as the most exclusive and unspoilt part of the island. Stone floors, graceful columns and vaulted ceilings recall the glories of the Mediterranean palaces of the eighteenth century. Accommodation ranges from Classic Rooms to Suites, some offering mesmerising sea views and private heated pools and gardens. Suite Magritte pays homage to Surrealism’s leading exponent, while Suite Warhol is a vibrant pop art space. Fine dining is assured at L’Olivo, the...

Located on Sicily’s spectacular southern coast, close to the temples of Agrigento, is Rocco Forte Hotels’ first resort style property. Equally appealing to couples and families alike, it is fronted by a magnificent stretch of private beach and sits amidst a verdant backdrop of olive and lemon groves. Woven subtly into the landscape using natural local materials, the rooms, suites and villas marry the warmth and ambience of Sicily with contemporary restraint; boasting private terraces and beguiling sea views, with designs overseen by renowned de...

This seafront villa nestles on a private beach in the beautiful Bay of Mazzarò, its refined nineteenth century grandeur conjuring up a bygone era of leisured luxury. Vivacious colours and spacious terraces provide a bright, airy ambience that is perfect for relaxation. Brimming with aristocratic charm, its rooms and suites – many with balcony or veranda – offer entrancing views over the sub-tropical Mediterranean gardens or the Ionian Sea. A Wellness Centre offering spa treatments and a heated pool with sun loungers and umbrellas is located dir...

Regularly named the world’s leading resort, Forte Village lies in extensive lush gardens by a beautiful stretch of sandy Sardinian coastline. There is a sense of stepping into a deluxe, self-contained world complete with numerous hotel choices and over twenty restaurants, including a Gordon Ramsay restaurant and Forte Gourmet by the Oasis pool and Trattoria Italiana. There are also seafront venues specialising in succulent seafood, opportunities to feast on Brazilian and Japanese cuisine and a children’s restaurant with lowered-height tables. R...

This Belmond hotel exudes a timeless glamour that has long been a lure for the glitterati. From its elevated position in central Taormina it commands breathtaking views over brooding Mount Etna and the sun-drenched resorts along the coastline. Stroll through verdant grounds in the footsteps of illustrious guests to the fabled Literary Terrace. Rooms and suites recall the magnificence of Sicilian Baroque and most boast a terrace or balcony to maximise the vistas. The elegance continues into The Restaurant where Mediterranean dishes are a special...

Cretan inspired Greek architecture, terracotta colours, mature palms and the endless blue reflected from over one hundred and forty private pools. These are the ingredients that set the tone for a relaxing escape at this elegant hotel, staying in a choice of generously appointed accommodation – all bungalows, suites and villas replete with marble-lined bathrooms and beguiling sea views. Soothe your senses in the magnificent Elounda Spa & Thalassotherapy, famed for its rituals employing seawater straight from the clear Cretan Sea. Two Thalasso p...

A stone’s throw from the Venetian castle on the UNESCO-protected Spinalonga Island, this all-suite and villa property sits amid verdant amphitheatre gardens and olive groves, its attractive domed structures blending harmoniously with the surroundings. The ultimate form of indulgence, the Haute Living Selection presents two exquisite accommodations: the Domes Luxury Residences and Domes Ultraluxe Villas. The exclusive HL Lounge provides a private VIP experience for Haute Living guests, boasting a sumptuous lounge area, state-of-the-art fitness f...

An intimate boutique hotel overlooking the sandy beach of Agios Stefanos, the resort offers a relaxed retreat for families and couples alike. A chic reception area sets a tone of understated elegance which continues in the rooms and suites, many of which have a private plunge pool. Families will particularly appreciate the spaciousness of the family suites which feature two separate bedrooms – the main room having a balcony. For added style and exclusivity, choose from an array of luxury suites with terraces for enchanting sea views. In additio...

Surrounded by hills and famed for its glorious sunsets, the soft, sandy beach of Ayios Yiannis is the setting for this exquisite white-painted hideaway facing the sacred island of Delos. Cobbled paths lead through the Cycladic architecture to rooms and suites bedecked with sheer white drapes and canopy style beds. The newly renovated Premium Sea View Rooms offer the last word in luxurious comfort – interiors featuring a Mykonian arch between the bedroom and sitting areas, together with a Wet Experience bathroom complete with freestanding bathtu...

Names such as Aura Bar and the Secret Wine Cave hint at the ambience here at this enigmatic offering - named as one of the 10 Most Beautiful Clifftop Hotels in the World by Condé Nast Traveler. Built into the cliffs at Oia, a sensory experience awaits, from basking on your caldera view terrace or balcony to dining alfresco by the infinity-edge pool. Asea Lounge Restaurant invites you to a unique sushi experience accompanied by stunning views of the caldera. For breakfast, relax on the cliff top balcony found at the Captain’s Lounge. All luxury ...

Nestling in the white-washed village of Imerovigli above the spectacular caldera, this boutique gem is the perfect place to unwind and absorb the resplendent Santorini sunsets. Secluded, yet just a few minutes from the capital Fira, the resort faces Skaros, famed for its Venetian castle ruins. Rooms and suites are superbly appointed with breathtaking vistas, some with plunge pool or expansive terraces. Offering panoramic views over the caldera, the Grace Suite combines elegance with fabulous comfort, whilst The Villa offers the exclusivity of a...

Cut into the cliffside at Oia, overlooking the famous Caldera, this Relais & Châteaux property combines captivating views with Aegean hospitality at its best. The soothing Cycladic architecture evokes a real sense of serenity - perfect for re-charging those batteries. Superbly presented suites offer beguiling sea views from their large private veranda. Dine by the outdoor swimming pool or for a special experience, reserve one of the four romantic candlelit tables that are set inside Anthos restaurant. Wine tastings take place alfresco during th...

Perched on a private peninsula overlooking the Bay of Ornos, five minutes from Mykonos Town, lies a haven of seclusion and sophistication – more luxurious than ever following extensive upgrading throughout. A Luxury Collection Resort, its beautiful gardens envelop a choice of accommodation – elegantly decorated rooms and suites enjoying panoramic balcony views and two to six bedroom villas, several of which include private swimming pools. Gourmets will delight in the Mediterranean specialties served at the pool restaurant and bar, while those l...