Holiday Type / Gourmet Discoveries

Colony Club by Elegant Hotels, Barbados is one of the most renowned hotels on the island’s famed Platinum Coast, benefiting from a prime oceanfront location. Nestled amidst seven acres of tropical gardens, the hotel combines a colonial ambience with a modern style and first-class recreational facilities. Luxury pool side and ocean view rooms boast a fresh and contemporary look, with a bottle of the hotel’s own Rum Punch offered as a welcome amenity. All rooms feature cable TV, tea making facilities and Nespresso machines, air conditioning and p...

A country house hotel with a hideaway setting, this intimate Relais & Châteaux property offers guests a warm Caribbean welcome and excellent cuisine in a tropical, beachfront location. The pink-washed Great House opens out onto a bar with dining terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea and houses the two signature suites, Camelot and Colleton, each boasting rooftop terraces, sea views and plunge pools. Spacious suites with garden or ocean views, air-conditioned bedrooms, sitting rooms and terraces or balconies stud the colourful, palm-filled garde...

Perfectly perched upon an ocean bluff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this award-winning 5 star boutique hotel and spa in the exclusive Cap Estate is revered for its golden sand beach and exceptional gastronomic fare. Overseen by General Manager Ross Stevenson, its style is reminiscent of an elegant Spanish villa, with landscaped courtyards and patios framed with lush vegetation. Many of the luxury villas and suites offer breathtaking sea views; the split-level Villa Suites with rooftop terrace and private pool are particularly recommended. One ...

The largest private island in the British Virgin Islands, this is a paradise of tropical vegetation, beautiful beaches and secluded bays. With the crystal clear waters of the British Virgin Islands just a toe-dip away from most rooms, guests can truly kick-back and relax with over 1,800 acres of private beach to explore. The spacious rooms lie either close to the pool or along spectacular Deadman’s Bay beach. In-room features include air conditioning, CD players, minibars, coffee-makers and patios or balconies. Three beautifully furnished priva...

From its enviable location on Pinney’s Beach this world-class resort offers inviting accommodations in an authentic Caribbean setting. Clusters of two-storey cottages house the spacious rooms and suites, refreshed with soothing Caribbean colours and canopied by swaying palms. All are equipped with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, minibars, verandas and oversized bathrooms. Larger villas, most with private pool or plunge pool, line the golf course and are ideal for families. Dining experiences encompass sumptuous breakfasts at Neve, fine-dinin...

A ‘No Shoes, No News’ philosophy permeates this iconic property in the Maldives archipelago – considered one of the finest water villa resorts in the world. The epitome of barefoot chic, it comprises just forty five exclusive overwater villas with private water garden, including seven Crusoe Residences and an über-chic Private Reserve which can only be reached by boat. Villa interiors boast an open-air living room and bathroom, with sun decks both on the roof and over the lagoon. Each villa enjoys the services of a dedicated ‘Mr/Ms Friday’ who ...

A paradise on earth, or more accurately on water. The superlatives flow easily when the location is as stunning as Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, spanning two idyllic islands. On the main island of Rangalifinolhu, beach villas stand by a pristine white coral sand beach, whilst across the bridge on Rangali Island guests stay in enchanting water villas built on stilts over the lagoon. For true romantics the two Sunset Water Villas, with their glass-floored lounges and pool on the sundeck, provide a never-to-be-forgotten experience. Two spas offe...

One&Only The Palm is located in lush grounds on the peninsula of the Palm Island crescent. Resembling grand private homes, residences blend Moorish and Andalusian architecture to create chic interiors, rooms being set within a tri-level manor house, six stand-alone mansions and four private beachfront villas. Home comforts include over-sized marble bathrooms, walk-in rain showers and forty six inch plasma screen entertainment. The rooms and suites in the mansions are just steps from the beach; the private beachfront villas have outdoor shaded d...

The Palace is a regal beachfront domain where guests will enjoy exploring the landscaped gardens resplendent with exotic flora and criss-crossed by meandering water features. Adorned with ornamental arches, individually designed guest rooms and suites are all sea facing and feature a private balcony or terrace to maximise the shimmering Gulf views. Dining within the walls of The Palace offers a taste of the Mediterranean at Olives with its casual all-day dining, and truly Moroccan influences at Tagine where lanterns, oriental rugs and quiet alc...

Slip into an exclusive sanctuary of contemporary luxury located beside a nine kilometre stretch of environmentally protected sand beach on Saadiyat Island, where planned developments include the Zayed National Museum, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi. The resort lies next to Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and comprises impeccably stylish rooms, suites and villas offering every conceivable amenity. Three restaurants, two bars and a contemporary tea lounge serve an array of world-class cuisines, The Café being the place for all-day Arabic spec...

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-...

Just fifteen minutes by courtesy shuttle service to central Florence yet a world away from its teeming bustle, this splendidly grand Belmond hotel commands captivating city views from its hillside setting in Fiesole. The colonnaded façade was designed by none other than Michelangelo, elegant rooms and suites are individually styled, many retaining original features. Garden Suites lie within the lush grounds, while for added luxury the Limonaia Suite is located in the convent’s former orangerie and features its own private heated plunge pool and...

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 ...

Stepping into this luxurious all-suite hotel is like entering a private club, where exceptional facilities meet discreet personal service. Set in the heart of Sani Resort near to the marina with its shopping piazza and bars, family oriented suites feature contemporary interiors and private terraces. Dining options are numerous and range from à la carte at Artemis and adults only fine dining at the new Byblos Caviar to brasserie snacks and Italian trattoria specialities. Relax in the heated pool at the spa, or try a regenerative rasul mud treatm...

This member of Small Luxury Hotels is tucked away by a golden sand beach on an unspoilt peninsula close to UNESCO World Heritage site Mount Athos (the men-only monastic state constructed in the 10th Century, of which Prince Charles is a repeat visitor). The resort’s tranquillity is enhanced by its monastic architecture and features rooms with views over the gardens or ocean, whilst luxury suites offer direct access to the beach - considered to be one of the best in Greece - where the sand gently shelves into the sea and the water is remarkably ...

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...

Today, as ever, Belmond Reid’s Palace is an oasis of traditional charm. A luxurious retreat where every day cares melt away, this landmark hotel has successfully blended tradition, modern facilities and contemporary comfort. The sub-tropical gardens create a relaxing atmosphere with views across the Bay of Funchal. Rooms and suites are spacious and individually decorated, each with a balcony or terrace. The hotel has two heated swimming pools and an exhilarating sea-level pool reached by a lift. Along with two golf courses a short distance away...

Nestling in a picturesque cove just outside Rovinj town, the hotel’s location combines relaxation with exploration. Chic rooms and suites, all with terrace or balcony, feature bespoke furniture and spacious bathrooms. Savour Mediterranean flavours in the bay view Mediterraneo; modern European cuisine is accompanied by a selection of 420 carefully selected wines at Restaurant Wine Vault. The Amatis restaurant is one of the smallest in Croatia and offers a romantic dining experience with remarkable vistas over Lone Bay. There are four swimming po...

An oasis of cosmopolitan style on the V&A Waterfront, One&Only Cape Town is the ideal property for a luxury South Africa holiday. Central to the Mother City’s buzzing entertainment with breath-taking views of Signal Hill and Table Mountain; this is the perfect Cape Town base. Design throughout is clean and contemporary – the spacious suites are furnished in the warm, muted tones of the African savannah interspersed with splashes of bright colour and feature private balconies or terraces. This urban resort offers an exquisite selection of luxury...

Once voted ‘Number One in the World’ by Condé Nast Traveller, this private island retreat is reached by boat from Marina Island Pangkor. Choose from beachfront, hillside, overwater accommodation or private estates. The four acre Spa Village with its treatment pavilions offers a unique Bath House ritual and can be followed by Indian, Chinese or Malay therapies. Exquisite dining experiences include Fisherman’s Cove, Uncle Lim’s Kitchen and the Feast Village, which offers an extensive variety of Asia-Pacific cuisine. For the ultimate in luxury, pr...

Oozing old world sophistication, this St. Moritz landmark is long renowned as a favourite of royalty and stars alike. Within the palatial exterior, gothic arches and hand-carved wood abounds, whilst luxuriously appointed rooms, each with a distinct character, offer Engadine Mountain and sparkling lake views. The atmosphere of pampered luxury is enhanced by discreet service. Gourmets will delight in the six restaurants, including Japanese and Peruvian fusion at Matsuhisa @ Badrutt’s Palace and traditional French at Le Restaurant; historic farmho...

In the heart of San Cassiano, overlooked by pink-hued granite peaks, this charming Relais & Châteaux hotel is instantly welcoming and effortlessly stylish. A log fire burns in the reception area whilst individually styled rooms and lounge areas are tastefully finished in natural woods, marble and antiques. The exhilaration of the slopes is matched by the anticipation of fine dining in the dual Michelin-starred Hubertus restaurant, run with panache by Chef Norbert Niederkofler. For something less formal there are pizzas at the Restaurant Wine Ba...