Holiday Type / Culture Vultures

Part way between Aghios Nikolaos and Elounda lies this private beach resort hotel, blending airy contemporary design with high-end amenities. Accommodation ranges from bungalow-style rooms and suites to villas with private pools. Relax in the Poseidon Spa, with its full complement of Turkish baths, saunas and hydrojet bubble loungers, or visit the Blue Room rooftop terrace for spa treatments with exquisite sunset views. Enjoy watersports by the private sandy beach including scuba diving and boat excursions, whilst the kids are being entertained...

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...

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...

The Costa Navarino development in Messinia is comprised of several sites set against 4,500 years of history and pristine nature. Serenity pervades The Romanos, a Member of the Starwood Luxury Collection. Extensive grounds dotted with olive groves and a long sandy beach form the unspoilt landscape for this luxurious resort. Award-winning architecture reflects Messina’s rich history, the 321 contemporary rooms, suites and villas basking in the warm palette of the Mediterranean. Infinity Rooms and Suites boast their own individual infinity-edge po...

‘Peaceful dream’ by name, Amanruya rests on a quiet hillside above Mandalya Bay on the northern coast of the Bodrum Peninsula. Set on different levels with a variety of courtyards and terraces, dream away the days as you unwind on the sheltered pebble beach. Spacious Pool Terrace Cottages built from local stone with dark acajou wood furniture and white Turkish marble flooring feature four-poster beds together with a charcoal fire and underfloor heating for the colder months; outside the garden houses a marble swimming pool and expansive pergola...

Located on the idyllic north-eastern coast of Mauritius, One&Only Le Saint Géran creates a sense of exclusivity on its own private peninsula with both a beachfront and a calm lagoon unlike any other resort on the island. Le Saint Géran emerges fresh from a complete refurbishment, with each of the brand new guest rooms offering lagoon, ocean or beach views. All suites also benefit from butler service, whilst Villa One boasts its own private pool. New dining concepts include Tapasake, a modern Pan-Asian experience, whilst cuisine from PR1ME Conte...

With magnificent views over the Gulf of Mirabello, this family owned and run Boutique Villa Hotel and member of The Small Luxury Hotels of the World, offers a rare combination of exceptional luxury, state-of-the-art amenities and bespoke service. An award-winning luxury boutique villa-hotel, accommodation features a collection of original furnishings and objets d’art. Sumptuous villas with up to four bedrooms all have private pools and Jacuzzi, fully equipped kitchens and marbled bathrooms; some boast their own spa. A butler service is availabl...

Rose-hued walls surround this resort and spa set in Moorish gardens. Shady arcaded walks lead to fountain courtyards amidst olive and palm trees. A calming contemporary haven with a light Moroccan touch; bedrooms feature earthen shades and intricate handcrafted woodwork, all with spacious outdoor terrace, some with views of the historic Menara Gardens or Atlas Mountains. Feast like a sultan at Inara on flavours of Morocco; Quattro serves a diverse Italian menu and Azzera Pool Grill offers grilled meats and seafood. The Maarifa Cultural Centre a...

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...

A private estate edged by miles of soft, duned beach, the celebrated One&Only Ocean Club languishes in tropical splendour. Dark woods and rich fabrics set the tone for the air-conditioned rooms and suites, with ocean or garden views from the spacious patios and balconies. Three villas enjoy an enviable beachfront location and the services of a dedicated butler who is quietly on-hand to attend to your every wish 24 hours a day. Balinese-style treatment villas, each with a pavilion and open-air garden, lend an oriental twist to the relaxed surrou...

Famed for its legendary service and glitterati guest list, the affectionately known ‘pink palace’ is surrounded by tropical gardens in the centre of Beverly Hills. Remaining faithful to the original architecture, carefully renovated rooms and suites are located in the main building; in the gardens, a collection of uber-chic bungalows offer spacious and private living, some with garden patios and plunge pools. Dine with the starry clientele in the iconic Polo Lounge to the sounds of live entertainment every lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch or kic...