Be Inspired 6

issue

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A TRUE GEM We have unearthed some of the most valuable stones

FRESH PERSPECTIVE The best locations for a truly memorable lunch

RELEASE YOUR POTENTIAL Take time to pause and look at the ways to be conscious & healthy

Experience

another

World

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Hotel im Wasserturm, Germany

welcome to Be Inspired Welcome to Be Inspired, the biannual magazine of Small Luxury Hotels of the World TM. This year, we are thrilled to be celebrating our 25th anniversary. 25 years of building a brand consistently different. A brand that represents an unrivalled portfolio of some of the finest, small, independent hotels in the world – more than 520 hotels in over 80 countries in fact.

We strive to find hotels around the world that really feel like they belong to the brand.

Hotels that are independent, often family-owned and run and with a wealth of experience in providing memories to last a lifetime. From three bedroom chalets to private islands, tranquil spa sanctuaries to buzzing city boutique hotels, they all bring our guests truly memorable experiences. As soon as you walk through the doors, you feel a sense of style, character and uniqueness, not found in traditional run-of-the-mill or chain hotels.

What all SLH hotels have in common, however, is an individuality and warmth of service you don’t always find at bigger properties, with the owners often on site to welcome guests personally and offer their advice and recommendations to make the most of your stay and of the local area.

What further sets SLH apart is the huge range of experiences on offer. The thrilling family adventures, romantic anniversary escapes, pet pampering stays and UNESCO cultural visits outlined in this issue are just the tip of the iceberg.

So whether you are searching for a special gemstone, are keen to try a new delicacy or dream of picnicking in paradise, we trust that Be Inspired will prompt you to visit our website. It’s easy to book, whether through slh.com on your mobile or tablet, Facebook, your favourite travel agent or by telephone. Club Members are entitled to fabulous room upgrades and other benefits, such as complimentary breakfasts and exclusive rates and our dedicated call centres would be delighted to put together a personalised itinerary for you. If you’re yet to join, have a look at www.slh.com/club. It couldn’t be easier. And it’s free.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World™. It’s all there in the name. Small hotels. Big experiences.

Paul Kerr CEO for Small Luxury Hotels of The World™ and Managing Director of Hill, Goodridge & Associates Ltd.

Join The Club slh.com/club

PRODUCTION Editor: Stephanie Drax Sub-editor: Anna Stanford, SLH Production Editor: Melanie Hebert-Cano, SLH Email: beinspired@slh.com Design & Production: Strattons (strattons.com) Front cover image: Urso Hotel & Spa, Spain Back cover image: Boutique Hotel Alhambra, Croatia © Small Luxury Hotels of the World Ltd™

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retreival system, digitised or transmitted in any form, whether by means of photocopying electronically, mere copying or in any other way, without obtaining the written consent of Small Luxury Hotels of the World Ltd™.

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SLH AROUND THE WORLD

It’s the little things They say “small is beautiful”, but we know there’s much more to it than that. With 520 small hotels dotted across 80 countries, we’ve carefully selected a wish list of special places. They’re all living proof that nothing beats individual, one-to-one service from people who care.

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NEWS The Laslett, UK

Brockencote Hall Hotel, UK

The Nare Hotel, UK Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama, Switzerland HÔtel Maison Souquet, France Sant Francesc Hotel Singular, mallorca, Spain

Domaine des Etangs, France

Hotel Palacio de Villapanés, Spain

ON THE MAP

Boutique Hotel Alhambra, Croatia

Casa Ellul, Malta

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Pousada Mosteiro de amares, Portugal

Pousada Mosteiro do crato, Portugal

Pousada PalÁcio de Estoi, Portugal Pousada de Lisboa Praça do Comércio, Portugal

Vault KarakĂ–y, the house hotel, Turkey Londa Beach Hotel, Cyprus Hotel Goldgasse, Austria

Hotel Lilla Roberts, Finland (Pre-Opening hotel)

Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa, Germany

Ketschauer Hof, Germany

BoHo Prague Hotel, Czech Republic

Hotel Tannenhof, Austria pallas Athena Boutique Hotel, Greece

Agalia Luxury Suites, Greece

Santorini Secret Boutique Hotel, Greece

La Coluccia Hotel, sardinia, Italy

La Peschiera, Italy

Castello de Vicarello, Italy

Hotel Regency, Italy

Boheme Hotel, Greece

Casa del Mar, Greece

Romeo Hotel, Italy

Miramonti Boutique Hotel, Italy

Castello Boutique Hotel, Greece

To book visit slh.com 7

NEWS

Le Barthelemy, St barts (Pre-Opening hotel)

By-Spring Villa, China

Sireeampan Boutique Resort & Spa, Thailand

The H Resort Beau Vallon Beach, Seychelles

Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, Thailand

Lijiang’s Patio Resort, China

Movich Casa de Alferez, Colombia

Campo Bahia, Brazil

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Langdale by Amaya, Sri Lanka

Hunas Falls by Amaya, Sri Lanka

Eden Clubhouse, China

Signature by Amaya, Sri Lanka The Tokyo Station Hotel, Japan

Shan Yi Li Qing Wang Fu Boutique Hotel, China

Imperial Springs International Summit, China

Akyra Manor, Thailand

Keemala, Thailand (Pre-Opening hotel)

Tai Residence, China (Pre-Opening hotel)

Villa Borobudur, Indonesia

Greenhill Lodge, New Zealand Hotel Vagabond, Singapore

The Dudley Boutique Hotel, Australia

To book visit slh.com 9

SECOND HONEYMOON

MEMORIES & MILESTONES C O N S I D E R I N G W H E R E T O C E L E B R AT E Y O U R W E D D I N G A N N I V E R S A R Y ?

L E T T H E T R A D I T I O N A L M I L E S T O N E S B E T H E I N S P I R AT I O N F O R Y O U R SECOND HONE YMOON.

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3rd ANNIVERSARY – LEATHER

35th ANNIVERSARY – CORAL

Canfora has been making elegant made-to-measure leather sandals in its tiny shop on the island of Capri since 1946. Clients have included glamorous icons such as Princess Margaret, Grace Kelly and Jackie Kennedy, so why not treat yourselves to a pair? They’re perfect for strolling around the chic cliff top hideaway of J.K. Place Capri – a gleaming white villa of 22 rooms replete with spa, trendy bar and restaurant overlooking the Bay of Naples.

The azure waters of the Malindi and Watamu Marine Parks off the coast of Kenya allow for perfect views of coral kingdoms.

Glass-bottomed boats glide over gardens of brain coral, fan coral and sponges, the reef teeming with multi-coloured fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish and triggerfish. Diamonds Dream of Africa, an Indo-Arab styled beach retreat set within manicured gardens, is close to the marine parks. The hotel can organize a glass-bottomed boat trip, or even scuba diving, for up close and personal marine life encounters.

13th ANNIVERSARY – LACE

40th ANNIVERSARY – RUBY

Bruges is famous for its number of lace collectors who display and sell delicate handmade and antique lace in their cosy and cluttered shops. Peruse the collars, runners and shawls before meandering through the city’s picturesque streets and along the canal. In the heart of Bruges is Hotel d’Orangerie, a 15th century former convent that teems with old world charm, characterized by antiques, paintings, chandeliers and an oak-panelled dining room.

In the heart of Burgundy’s Grand Cru wine region, where viticulture is the lifeblood, sits Château de Gilly. A former French residence of Cistercian monks, it is a gleaming white edifice set within perfect parkland. The restaurant, Le Clos Prieur, is located in the original 14th century wine cellar, where rib-vaulted ceilings, stone pillars and candlelight create an enchanting atmosphere. Toast your ruby anniversary with one of 14,100 bottles and 165 brands of wine that are aged in the Château’s cellars.

15th ANNIVERSARY – CRYSTAL

45th ANNIVERSARY – SAPPHIRE

The view of Venice from the Centurion Palace is as vivid and romantic as a Canaletto masterpiece – a canal peppered with boats. Dine on fine Italian cuisine on the canal-side terrace while the sun glows golden as it sets. Take a waterbus over to Murano to see the renowned glass blowing that has been part of Venetian life since 1291.

You can buy knick-knacks, jewellery or even a kaleidoscopic chandelier to commemorate your big day.

It may be a case of look but don’t touch when visiting the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London in the UK, but here are some of the oldest examples of blue sapphires in the world.

The Imperial State Crown, remade for the coronation of King George VI, is set with over 3,000 gems including the 104 carat Stuart Sapphire. Stay in the refined surroundings of No.11 Cadogan Gardens, an historic townhouse in the chic enclave of Chelsea.

To book visit slh.com

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Centurion Palace Diamonds Dream of Africa J.K. Place Capri No.11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel d’Orangerie Château de Gilly

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SECOND HONEYMOON

MEMORIES & MILESTONES C O N S I D E R I N G W H E R E T O C E L E B R AT E Y O U R W E D D I N G A N N I V E R S A R Y ?

L E T T H E T R A D I T I O N A L M I L E S T O N E S B E T H E I N S P I R AT I O N F O R Y O U R SECOND HONE YMOON.

1st ANNIVERSARY – PAPER

15th ANNIVERSARY – CRYSTAL

Capture the character of your paper anniversary in beautiful brushstrokes with a calligraphy class at the non-profit China Cultural Centre in Beijing, China. Conducted in English, the class will introduce you to The Four Treasures of the Study – the ink brush, ink, paper (made of rice and bamboo) and ink stone – and your finished work will be fit for a frame. At the water-themed design hotel, The Emperor Qianmen, in central Beijing, all the rooms are named after Chinese characters relating to water and the property features a stunning roof top pool.

Why not mark this occasion by scuba diving the ‘Crystal Sanctuary’ off of Panglao Island in the Philippines? Swim amid schools of jackfish, batfish and barracudas on a stunning reef of hard and soft corals. Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa has a dive master who can certify you from a range of Padi diving courses before introducing you to this extraordinary underwater world. The resort itself lies on an unspoiled beach in Bohol with 15 thatched villas and an infinity pool that appears to melt into the azure sea.

4th ANNIVERSARY – FLOWERS

25th ANNIVERSARY – SILVER

Founded in 1859 and recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Singapore Botanic Gardens blossomed under a series of Kew-trained botanists and became a 74-hectare tropical botanical institute of international renown. Stroll hand-in-hand through the National Orchid Garden where you can admire over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of vivid orchids. The Scarlet Singapore is a 19th century townhouse with flamboyant interiors in the historic heart of Singapore. With its relaxing outdoor Jacuzzi and thrilling cityscape views, this is the perfect place to toast four years of married bliss – particularly if you choose the Passion Suite!

Make your own silver memento at Chez Monique in Ubud, Bali. At the family-run workshop, expert silversmiths will be on hand for design inspiration and to help you shape, solder, engrave and polish your silverwork. You may even find ideas for a design motif at L Hotel Seminyak Bali, where intricately hand-carved wooden panels and metal fretwork balance the strikingly contemporary furniture. Here, every guest is assigned a personal butler on arrival and the hotel features a lively rooftop restaurant and bar for under-the-stars dining.

9th ANNIVERSARY – POTTERY If you’ve ever had an inclination to try your hand at a pottery wheel, then celebrate your ninth anniversary on the Indonesian island of Bali. Ketapang Estate can organize a two-hour pottery class with local craftsmen at a clay workshop that produces traditional Balinese pottery for international clients. Retreat to the estate with your self-made souvenir and relax in one of seven villas and Javanese joglo houses in a secluded beachfront setting.

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35th ANNIVERSARY – CORAL Vahine Island is the ultimate castaway experience.

Set within a turquoise lagoon in French Polynesia, the 23-acre, beach fringed island features just nine guest bungalows. Vahine Island has two private coral gardens teeming with kaleidoscopic marine life, such as red mullet, eagle rays, parrotfish and red octopus. The resort can organize a private guided snorkelling tour or take you by motorized pirogue to a remote island on the coral reef for a picnic lunch. From there, you can take your snorkels and explore the lemon-yellow corals in perfect privacy.

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Wild orchids near The Scarlet Singapore The Emperor Qianmen Scuba diving at Eskaya Beach Resort & Spa Pottery at Ketapang Estate L Hotel Seminyak Bali Guided snorkelling tour from Vahine Island

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SECOND HONEYMOON

MEMORIES & MILESTONES C O N S I D E R I N G W H E R E T O C E L E B R AT E Y O U R W E D D I N G A N N I V E R S A R Y ?

L E T T H E T R A D I T I O N A L M I L E S T O N E S B E T H E I N S P I R AT I O N F O R Y O U R SECOND HONE YMOON.

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4th ANNIVERSARY – FLOWERS

25th ANNIVERSARY – SILVER

Arrive in style on Vancouver Island in Canada by floatplane (or ferry from downtown Vancouver) and then head to the botanical wonderland of Butchart Gardens. Set in an old quarry, this flamboyant floral display was begun by Jennie Butchart in 1904. Each season offers a riot of colour and fragrance, and you can dine in the original Butchart residence. Return to Vancouver to stay at the Georgian Court Hotel, a stylish and supremely comfortable boutique retreat in the heart of downtown.

Be captivated by the silver screen: the Alamo Drafthouse cinema in Austin, Texas has a unique approach to presenting cinema that has garnered accolades from directors Quentin Tarantino and Richard Linklater and actor Elijah Wood.

The cinema serves food and beer during the film, and the schedule includes nostalgia-inducing revivals, audience participation shows and movie marathons. Stay at the historic Hotel Ella in the heart of Austin, formerly a grand private mansion and now a chic 47-room hotel. Toast your anniversary with a signature cocktail in the Parlor Bar – perhaps an Ella’s Egg Nog or Goodall’s Old Fashioned.

7th ANNIVERSARY – WOOD

35th ANNIVERSARY – CORAL

The romantic O:live Boutique Hotel in Puerto Rico pays homage to the Mediterranean by capturing aesthetic essences of Morocco, Spain, Italy and France. All the Old Provençal and Tuscan furniture here is made from 100-year old restored woods sourced from curators of fine historical design. It’s not all antique however: the see-through showers are very modern indeed, as are the technological conveniences. Also, guests have access to a members-only rooftop with bar, Jacuzzis, plunge pool and views over the fashionable district of Condado.

The island of Antigua has 365 beaches and is almost completely encircled by a well-preserved wall of iridescent coral reef. The crystal clear Caribbean waters make the coral especially easy to appreciate and The Inn at English Harbour – which occupies 19 acres of land with a powder-soft beach – is an idyllic base from which to snorkel. If you can part from the cool, colonial grandeur of the hotel, consider a romantic evening onboard Yacht Xenia – the hotel will organize a private candlelit dinner of lobster and Champagne.

10th ANNIVERSARY – TIN

45th ANNIVERSARY – SAPPHIRE

At Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada a steel drum band can serenade you as you savour exotic Creole fare.

These sun-kissed sounds set the tempo for indulgent beachfront living: the 8-acre property has a prime position on Grand Anse Beach amid lemon, almond and sea-grape trees, and the spa makes full use of the bounty of the Isle of Spice (nutmeg, Aloe Vera and ocean seaweed are a few of the ingredients used in treatments).

Here, you can truly relax and celebrate your first decade of marriage in style.

It may be a case of look but don’t touch when visiting the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London in the UK, but here are some of the oldest examples of blue sapphires in the world.

The Imperial State Crown, remade for the coronation of King George VI, is set with over 3,000 gems including the 104 carat Stuart Sapphire. Stay in the refined surroundings of No.11 Cadogan Gardens, an historic townhouse in the chic enclave of Chelsea.

To book visit slh.com

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Coral reef, The Inn at English Harbour Butchart Gardens, Georgian Court Hotel Spice Island Beach Resort O:live Boutique Hotel No.11 Cadogan Gardens Hotel Ella

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JEWELLERY

A TRUE GEM FOR THE ULTIMATE ADORNMENT, YOU’VE GOT TO DIG DEEP. NATURE’S REWARD IS A KALEIDOSCOPE OF RARE CRYSTALS TO CHOOSE FROM.

DIAMONDS The diamond district of Antwerp in Belgium is where 85% of the world’s rough diamonds change hands. It’s renowned for its volume of guaranteed, conflict-free diamonds and also the ‘Antwerp cut’ – a term that denotes the artistry of the local cutters. You can appraise the cut, clarity, carats and colour of the gems and then celebrate your purchase in the intimate Bronze Bar at De Witte Lelie (The White Lily). This contemporary boutique hotel is set within a trio of 17th century gabled white buildings a short walk from the Diamantenzentrum (diamond centre).

De Witte Lelie

Pink Star Diamond The Pink Star Diamond, mined in South Africa in 1999, is a ‘fancy vivid pink’ weighing a whopping 59.6 carats. Sold by Sotherby’s for more than any other gem ever sold, it’s yours if you’ve got a cool $85million to spare! If you’d rather save the cash but enjoy the country, a visit to Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl is a must.

This truly stunning retreat is set in the Cape Winelands. It makes the perfect base therefore, to discover the region’s very best Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Grande Roche Hotel

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To book visit slh.com 17

JEWELLERY

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MUSGRAVITE

ALEXANDRITE

Musgravite is an exceedingly rare stone named after the Musgrave Range of Southern Australia where it was first discovered in 1967. A member of the taaffeite family, its hue ranges from greenish-grey to purple. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries where musgravite is now found. Signature by Amaya is a boutique villa resort, wrapped up in peaceful gardens on the shores of Kandalama Lake. It is well-placed for exploring one of Sri Lanka's most important cultural sites: the Royal Rock Temple complex.

Named in honour of Tsar Alexander II of Russia, alexandrite was first discovered in Russia’s Ural Mountains in 1834. The gem can shift from red to green in different light – these being the principal colours of old Imperial Russia, it became the national stone of that era. Today, you might be lucky enough to chance upon the gems in antique Russian jewellery. After perusing the jewel shops of St Petersburg, head to Alexander House Boutique Hotel, a family-run hotel on the edge of the Kryukov Canal. Here you’ll find whimsical city-themed bedrooms and wholesome Russian cuisine.

Signature by Amaya

Alexander House Boutique Hotel

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TAAFFEITE

TANZANITE

Sri Lanka is also one of only two countries to produce taaffeite (the other being Tanzania). It’s been found as a colourless gem mineral, but also in shades of lavender, mauve and violet. It’s also an unusually hard collector’s stone that can be set in various types of jewellery. The contemporary Shinagawa Beach hotel on the south coast provides guests with a personal butler who can help to source gems, either by accompanying the guest to the gem shop or arranging for a gem supplier to visit the hotel. The butlers can even elaborate on the spiritual and healing powers of each of the stones.

Tanzanite is a deliciously deep blue to violet gem found only in the foothills of Mount Kilamanjaro in northern Tanzania. It was Tiffany’s that proposed the name tanzanite shortly after the gem’s discovery, before introducing it to the world. Off the coast of Tanzania on the luscious island of Zanzibar is the barefoot sanctuary of Diamonds Star of the East.

Each of its 11 enchanting villas is named after a diamond and its Spherique Boutique sells tanzanite in a myriad of jewellery settings.

Shinagawa Beach

Diamonds Star of the East

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D E S T I N AT I O N : D O M I N I C A N R E P U B L I C

UNDER THE RADAR OFTEN LOST IN THE SHADOW OF O T H E R C A R I B B E A N D E S T I N AT I O N S , THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MAKES UP FOR IN BEAUT Y AND HOTEL S O P H I S T I C AT I O N W H AT I T L A C K S I N P R O F I L E , S AY S C H R I S L E A D B E AT E R

‘Big’ often equates to ‘well known’, and there can be little doubt that the Dominican Republic is big. Along with its next-door neighbour Haiti, it sits on what is the second largest island in the Caribbean, smaller only than Cuba.

It is a vast space, a country which boasts 800 miles of coastline, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the region – from the forested peaks of Los Haitises National Park in the northeast to the mangrove swamps and lush treelines of Jaragua National Park in the southwest. It also has one of the Caribbean’s most intriguing capitals; Santo Domingo crowns the south coast as an enclave of Hispanic architecture and rich colonial history.

However, as a holiday destination, the Dominican Republic is still rather unappreciated – far less so, certainly, than celebrated ‘local’ siblings such as Barbados, Antigua, Grenada and St Lucia. And yet, look closely, and luxurious pockets of accommodation shine out from its giant map. Some of them are located in the resort heartland of Punta Cana in the southeast – but others lie in unpublicised parts of what is a destination waiting to be discovered.

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To book visit slh.com

THE NORTH Puerto Plata, on the country’s sugar-white Amber Coast, is framed by the Cordillera Central mountain range, the island’s answer to the Alps. Casa Colonial Beach & Spa is a colonialstyle mansion nestled amid whispering gardens on the cusp of a private beach. Each one of its 50 contemporary-styled rooms is a suite, and its Bagua Spa favours local ingredients – such as indigenous honey – in its treatments. There are two restaurants, including Lucia, with its epic mangrove jungle views – but the crowning glory is undoubtedly the rooftop infinity pool.

Casa Colonial Beach & Spa

THE NORTH EAST The Samana Peninsula has a wild, untamed beauty, with coconut groves and tropical forests veined with waterfalls.

The Bannister Hotel sits in a gloriously remote position on its south edge, across Samana Bay from Los Haitises National Park.

The exclusive residential development that surrounds this 48room idyll has a spa, gym, tennis courts and a marina where you can hire a yacht and chart your own course. Alternatively, relax by the colossal infinity pool or at the first Café Del Mar in the Americas.

Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences is a neighbour to The Bannister Hotel in that it waits on the same verdant peninsula – albeit on the north coast. Here is a lovely collection of casitas, villas and suites – 25 rooms in total – swaddled by warm waters and flanked by green mountains. The clever architectural design, incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows, makes the most of this photogenic context. Stay between January and March and you may spot humpback whales as they swim offshore.

The Bannister Hotel marina

Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences

THE SOUTH EAST Punta Cana is the Dominican Republic’s main holiday hotspot and the Sivory Punta Cana Boutique Hotel, a 55-room retreat, is one of its jewels. Like other properties in the area, views of the Caribbean Sea are part of the appeal – but the focus here is on indulgence. All suites have personal plunge pools or Jacuzzis, and there is a spa for soul-soothing treatments. Three restaurants serve Mediterranean, Asian and French fare and the formidable wine cellar stretches to over 8,000 bottles.

Sivory Punta Cana Boutique Hotel

THE SOUTH

Casas del XVI

The Dominican Republic delivers more than just beach.

Its capital Santo Domingo was founded in 1496, and was the first European-built city in the New World.

Casas del XVI celebrates this heritage – a discreet boutique hotel whose mere eight rooms are slotted into three wonderfully restored 16th century houses in Santo Domingo’s Unesco-listed ‘Colonial Zone’. Each casa has butler service, while Dominican art adorns the walls of what is a property awash with character.

THE SOUTH WEST Arguably the most out-lying portion of the Dominican Republic, the southwest rewards those who flit beyond the capital. Casa Bonita – an aptly named ‘beautiful house’ south of Barahona – is a family-owned lodge of 12 rooms, cocooned in tropical foliage. A case of luxury in the wild, it features an infinity pool, spa, and a restaurant which revels in Caribbean fusion fare. Jaragua National Park, where flamingos flock, is within day-trip reach.

Casa Bonita

Chris Leadbeater is a British travel journalist who writes regularly for publications including the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and National Geographic Traveller.

To book visit slh.com 21

W E E K E N D S AW AY

ON YOUR MARK, JET SET, GO! WHEN TIME IS SHORT BUT YOU STILL WANT TO TRAVEL, CHOOSE A DESTINATION THAT REALLY PACKS A PUNCH. YOUR SLH HOTEL CAN ADVISE ON CUISINE, CULTURE, SHOPPING AND MORE.

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PORTUGAL Tuk Tuks

Sintra

Urban room

Bastardo bistro

STAY At the Internacional Design Hotel on Rossio Square in the heart of historic Lisbon, just 15 minutes from Lisbon airport.

STYLE Bold design is the hotel’s signature, with four themes captured across 55 rooms: Tribal, Pop, Zen and Urban.

You may notice that each floor has its own fragrance.

FOOD The hotel’s Bastardo bistro celebrates Portuguese cuisine influenced by centuries of discovery. The neighbourhoods of Bairro Alto and Chiado – known for their buzzing restaurants and bars – are just 5 minutes’ walk away.

ENTERTAINMENT GoCar Lisbon is a small, self-drive yellow car with a storytelling GPS so you can

Avenida da Liberdade

STAY At Hotel da Estrela, in the affluent Estrela district, 15 minutes from Lisbon airport.

STYLE A former palace and then subsequently a school, the 19-room hotel fuses cheerful vintage school furniture and contemporary interiors within the heritage building.

FOOD The Cantina da Estrela serves modern comfort food and traditional family recipes. After the meal, you decide what price to pay from within a price range.

ENTERTAINMENT Jump on the classic No.28 tram that passes near the hotel.

Originally commissioned in the 1930s, the tram takes an undulating route through Estrela, Baixa, Graça and Alfama and Estrela to São Jorge Lisbon Castle.

CULTURE The magnificent Basilica da Estrela is one of Lisbon’s hidden gems. There are breathtaking city views from the roof terrace.

SHOP Visit the iconic Campo de Ourique food market for a variety of Portuguese treats including codfish ‘à Brás’ and famous sweets and pastries made in convents.

explore the city by yourself.

Private guides often use Tuk Tuks – motorcycles for four.

CULTURE Take the No.28 tram to São Jorge Castle for breathtaking city views or visit Sintra, a heritage city that is 45 minutes away. Pastéis de Belém – located in another splendidly historic neighbourhood – sells arguably the best cakes in the world.

SHOP LX Factory is a renovated industrial complex with design stores and pop up shops; Feira da Ladra is a twice-weekly flea market and Avenida da Liberdade, known for its luxury brands, is considered the Champs-Élysées of Lisbon.

Alexandre Martins, Owner

Hotel da Estrela

Acre tram Lisbon

Portuguese pastries

Basilica da Estrela

Modern comfort food

Maria Moreira, Marketing Manager

To book visit slh.com 23

W E E K E N D S AW AY

K E N YA STAY At Hemingways Nairobi in Kenya’s capital, overlooking the Ngong Hills, 40 minutes from Nairobi airport.

STYLE A 45-room plantation style property with a private butler dedicated to every guest.

FOOD Hemingways’ Brasserie serves European classics using local produce and has a Josper oven, an indoor barbecue for chargrilling meat to perfection. The classic British afternoon tea is a sumptuous treat.

ENTERTAINMENT Located just 20 minutes from the hotel, Nairobi has the only national park in the world located on the edge of

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a city. There you can visit and feed giraffes and orphaned elephants.

CULTURE Find out about Kenyan culture at the Karen Blixen Museum (the former home of the Danish author of ‘Out of Africa’).

Visit Bomas of Kenya for daily performances by traditional dancers in a homestead environment.

SHOP The Galleria Mall, Karen Crossroads and the Junction Mall are within 15 minutes drive of the hotel – your personal butler can offer you tailored shopping advice.

Wycliffe Shavanga, Head Butler

To book visit slh.com

Hemingways Nairobi

Nairobi National Park

Karen Blixen Museum

GERMANY STAY At Alpenhof Murnau, in the Murnau Nature Reserve in the heart of beautiful Bavaria, 50 minutes from Munich’s airport.

STYLE A 71-room traditional Alpine chalet with a large spa featuring a sequence of saunas and steam rooms and two swimming pools.

nature reserve – and around the lakes of Staffelsee, Riegsee and Froschsee.

Alpenhof Murnau Murnauer Reiter restaurant

CULTURE Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter lived in what is now the Münterhaus Museum. Royal castles Linderhof, Neuschwanstein, Hohenschwangau are nearby.

Neuschwanstein castle

FOOD The Murnauer Reiter restaurant has a revised daily menu of fine Bavarian cuisine and boasts a cellar of 900 wines from the world’s best vineyards.

ENTERTAINMENT Hike and cycle through the Murnauer Moos – at 32 km² it is Central Europe’s largest

Valldemossa

SHOP Visit the village of GarmischPartenkirchen to buy Bavarian dirndl dresses and culinary specialities. Try Hax’n (leg of pork) or Kaiserschmarr’n (pancake dessert) in the local restaurants.

Dirndl dress

Anja Junghans, Sales & Marketing Manager

Deia

Murnauer Moos

S PA I N STAY At Cap Rocat, a former military fortress overlooking the bay of Palma in Mallorca, 15 minutes from Palma airport.

La Seu Cathedral

STYLE An adults-only boutique hotel with 25 individually-designed rooms and suites and a saltwater infinity pool on one of the fortress walls.

FOOD Award-winning Mediterranean gastronomy at The Fortress or alfresco Mallorcan firewood oven and grill at The Sea Club on the waterfront.

Cap Rocat

ENTERTAINMENT Golf, sailing, deep-sea fishing, horse-riding, diving, yoga, pilates and an extensive hotel spa menu. Private boat access directly from the hotel beach.

CULTURE Visit Palma’s old town, just 20 minutes away and La Seu, the Gothic cathedral. Wander through Valldemossa, Deia and Soller – three small, picturesque villages located on a hilltop.

SHOP Meander through Passeig des Born or Jaime III in Palma’s old town. For clothes, furniture and accessories, Rialto Living is the go-to glamorous lifestyle store and café. The Cap Rocat boutique sells local almonds and honey, clothes and the Cap Rocat perfume.

Antonia Rullan, Manager

To book visit slh.com 25

W E E K E N D S AW AY

ON YOUR MARK, JET SET, GO! WHEN TIME IS SHORT BUT YOU STILL WANT TO TRAVEL, CHOOSE A DESTINATION THAT REALLY PACKS A PUNCH. YOUR SLH HOTEL CAN ADVISE ON CUISINE, CULTURE, SHOPPING AND MORE.

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VIETNAM Princess D’Ân Nam Resort & Spa

Dining on the beach

Ke Ga Lighthouse

STAY At Princess D’Ân Nam Resort & Spa overlooking Ke Ga Bay – a scenic 3-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh’s airport through rice paddies, dragon fruit orchards and saltpans (a chauffeur can be arranged).

ENTERTAINMENT Go fishing with a local fisherman, or try a Vietnamese cooking class. The hotel spa favours Asia’s special ingredients: think cloves, coconut oil, aloe vera and ylang ylang.

STYLE A blend of French colonial style and modern Oriental imagery in an all-villa resort with four palatial-sized pools.

CULTURE Join an excursion to Takou Mountain to visit the biggest reclining Buddha statue in Vietnam; or visit the Ke Ga Lighthouse, an historic relic in Binh Thuan.

FOOD French gastronomical fare in the restaurant or Asian specialities beside the infinity pool; have a private seafood BBQ for two on the beach.

Fishing

SHOP The hotel’s gift shop sells exquisite silk clothing, delicate lacquerware and a special ‘Saigon 1880’ Monopoly game.

Wessel Z. Krauss, General Manager

Vietnamese cooking

Luxury brands

CHINA STAY At Hotel Éclat Beijing, located in a glass and steel pyramid within the sleek Parkview Green development in Beijing’s business district.

STYLE This all-suite boutique hotel is fanatical about art: works by Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and Chen Wenling adorn the walls.

FOOD Also tucked within Parkview Green is Alfie’s Beijing, a chic dining and bar concept by Alfred Dunhill and Hotel Éclat Beijing. British classics are served in a gentleman’s club atmosphere.

ENTERTAINMENT The hotel is home to the largest private Dali collection in China and hotel art tours are available upon request.

Dali collection Tiananmen Square

CULTURE Visit the Fordidden City, the most complete imperial palace in China, Tiananmen Square and The Temple of Heaven, all within a short distance of the hotel. Explore the hutongs of the Shichahai area by rickshaw.

Rickshaw

SHOP Parkview Green is one of China’s finest shopping experiences, featuring a wide selection of luxury brands from around the world.

Michelle Cheng, Marketing Communications Manager Hotel Éclat Beijing

To book visit slh.com 27

W E E K E N D S AW AY

HONG KONG STAY At Lanson Place Hotel in a quiet enclave of Hong Kong’s dynamic Causeway Bay district, also known as the city’s hipster area.

Lanson Place Hotel

STYLE Set within a 19th century Parisian styled edifice, each of the elegant home-fromhome apartments here features a kitchenette.

Shopping centre

Street food in Hong Kong

Tin Hau Temple

FOOD The Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter is a floating seafood restaurant made up of traditional wooden boats in which each group of guests dines exclusively.

Causeway Bay is scattered with street food delicacies such as curried fish balls and ‘gai dan jaai’ a sweet waffle of golden egg shapes.

ENTERTAINMENT Lan Kwai Fong is home to the usual haunts, but try the sleek Chocolate Bar for karaoke or Yiu Wa Street near Times Square for a huge selection of bars serving spirits and cocktails.

CULTURE The Noon Day Gun is a salute fired by Jardine Matheson everyday at noon from the waterfront in Causeway Bay. In the same district, visit the Tin Hau Temple built in the 18th century and dedicated to the goddess of the sea.

SHOP For luxury, try Lee Garden, Times Square and Fashion Walk; for local shopping experiences visit the Island Beverly Centre and Laforet.

Stella Chow, Director of Marketing and Sales

Lan Kwai Fong

THAILAND STAY At Maduzi Hotel Bangkok, a restful retreat in the centre of the city’s trendy Sukhumvit district.

STYLE A sophisticated, youthful boutique hotel with a distinctly Thai ambience and a strict privacy policy – each guest is identified by a secret code name.

FOOD The Maduzi restaurant – with Japanese chef Yuya Okudo at the helm – serves fine southern French cuisine such as smoked foie gras or oven roasted French quail.

ENTERTAINMENT Long Table is a Thai fusion restaurant/bar next to the hotel

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and located on the 25th floor.

Sip a drink during the ‘Sun Downer’ happy hour and admire the Bangkok skyline.

Maduzi Hotel Bangkok

CULTURE Take the ‘Thonburi Food and Art Walk’ that weaves past street food stands and stops at the 100-year old Artist House where you can watch a traditional Thai puppet show.

SHOP For local products and crafts, try K-Village – it has a themed market every weekend, from food to fashion. Or, the Train Night Market Ratchada is a good place to find little souvenirs.

Ayaka Sato, Director of Marketing

Maduzi restaurant

Thai puppet show

Market souvenirs

Bangkok

SINGAPORE Naumi infinity pool

STAY At Naumi, in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District.

STYLE An urban cocoon where everything is state-of-the-art and impeccably designed.

The rooftop infinity pool has panoramic views of skyscrapers.

or roll the dice at the Marina Bay Sands or Resorts World Sentosa casinos.

CULTURE The Chinatown Heritage Centre replicates the homes of 1950’s Chinatown residents. The Cat Museum features three floors of cat paraphernalia and real, resident cats.

Singapore Flyer

Chinatown Heritage Centre Naumi

FOOD Table by Rang Mahal serves delectable Indian cuisine from different regions of India.

ENTERTAINMENT Jump aboard the Singapore Flyer, a 165-metre observation wheel that offers epic city views

Royal Sky Park Golf Course

SHOP Raffles City is the go-to mall, ChanHampe for local art, and Fondry Store for unique objects, textiles and more.

Belda Chen, Corporate Marketing Manager

Indian cuisine

Guishan Island

TA I WA N STAY At Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi in Wufongqi Designated Scenic area renowned for its hot springs and 50 minutes from Taipei City.

Open-air spa

Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi

Mikado pheasant

get green-fingered at Sanxing’s organic farm – the model village teaches how to best appreciate mother earth with traditional and organic farming methods.

STYLE Set amid perfect landscaped gardens, the hotel features Japanese minimalist interiors with futon or western bedrooms, and a spa with several hot springs and an infinity pool.

CULTURE Visit Wufengqi Falls, a 100m cascade; Mount Taiping, known for its subtropical rainforest, fragrant camphor trees and Mikado pheasants; and Guishan Island, where seabed mineral springs attract playful dolphins.

FOOD Japanese, Chinese, Western and local Lanyan cuisines are all on offer in the hotel’s two restaurants, using fresh ingredients from local farms and fish caught that day.

SHOP Luodong Night Market and Yi-Lan Night Market sell a myriad of snack specialities from the region, including savory fried pastries, oyster crepes and fermented stinky tofu.

ENTERTAINMENT Take a swing at the local 18-hole Royal Sky Park Golf Course or

Jenny Yang, Public Relations Executive

To book visit slh.com 29

PICNICS / FOOD

FRESH PERSPECTIVE

A G L O R I O U S , N AT U R A L S E T T I N G I S T H E S PE C I A L I NG R E DI E N T F OR A T R U LY MEMORABLE LUNCH. LET YOUR HOTEL P A C K A P I C N I C A N D S H O W Y O U T H E WA Y. Las Alamandas Resort, a tropical hideaway on the Mexican Riviera, has long been a magnet for trendsetters: four private beaches, vibrantly coloured villas and a hip rooftop bar are all part of its appeal. A gourmet picnic lunch of Ceviche Alamandas (fresh shrimp, fish and octopus in lime juice), quesadillas and fruit will be waiting for you at a special location on the beach. To arrive in style, Las Alamandas can arrange for you to horseback ride from the hotel along the beach.

Nestled amid the undulating hills and tea plantations of Pahang in Malaysia, the Cameron Highlands Resort is a majestic colonial house replete with teak furniture, sumptuous silk fabrics and a four-poster bed in every room. Take a tour of the BOH Tea Gardens, enjoy a tea tasting with a specialist and then picnic on crudités and dips, sandwiches and strawberries in a secluded spot surrounded by lush tea bushes. A personal butler will be on hand, ready to refill your champagne glass.

Located near the famous night markets of Chiang Mai in Thailand, 137 Pillars House is an immaculately restored 19th century teak wood building, now a serene 30-suite hotel.

One of its signatures is the exotic picnic experience: the day’s excursion into the verdant countryside outside the city of Chiang Mai includes an opportunity to trek by elephant and visit a hill tribe village to learn about their customs. A lunch of fresh sandwiches and salads, savoury tartlets, fruits and cake is served beside a natural waterfall.

The British are particularly good at food hampers, and at Danesfield House Hotel and Spa in the Thames Valley they fill them with gourmet goodies galore: think confit duck leg salad, a charcuterie selection and poached

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English asparagus, with cheese, biscuits and chutney to follow. Settle into the perfect spot beside the koi fishpond amid the historic mansion’s 65-acre parkland, or hop on a private Edwardian boat for a tranquil river cruise during lunch.

Captain your own motorboat for two hours on Lake Zürich in Switzerland, leaving directly from the hotel Eden au Lac – an elegant, neo-baroque building right on the water’s edge. Waiting for you onboard will be a traditional picnic basket of rustic baguettes, Swiss meats and cheeses, salads and champagne all beautifully prepared by the hotel’s chef. So romantic is the ‘Eden by Boat’ experience, that it has been known to prompt several marriage proposals.

The Zanzibar Serena Inn, located on the tropical spice island of Zanzibar, offers guests an idyllic seafront retreat within the bustling, cultural hub of Stone Town. The hotel also runs the Mangapwani Serena Beach Club, a private beach hideaway just 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel. Tuck into a seafood barbecue followed

by Swahili specialities and a feast of tropical fruits, after which you can loll on a day bed under a palm-thatched parasol.

At La Sultana Oualidia, an impressive Moorish fort on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, you will travel to your ‘Private Experience’ by boat across the lagoon, accompanied by your waiter. On arrival at a secluded beach, comfortable cushions, towels and wide brimmed hats will be laid out for you on the powder soft sand. From a wicker basket your waiter will produce salads, grilled fish and lobster followed by homemade apple pie – all of which you can slowly savour as the light changes from dazzling orange to blushing rose.

La Sultana Oualidia, Morocco

To book visit slh.com 31

SERVICE

CONSIDER IT DONE I T ’ S T H E L I T T L E T H I N G S T H AT C O U N T, A N D T H E T E A M AT E V E R Y S L H P R O P E RT Y C O N S P I R E S T O G O A B O V E A N D B E Y O N D A G U E S T ’ S E X P E C T AT I O N S . S T A F F M E M B E R S T E L L U S S O M E O F T H E M O M E N T S W H E N T H E Y H AV E D O N E S O , A N D W H AT I T I S T H AT D R I V E S T H E I R I N S T I N C T F O R IMPECCABLE SERVICE.

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Hotel Lord Byron, Rome, Italy

Personal Touch

Personal Touch

On the day after each guests’ arrival, I go and meet them to check that they’re comfortable and find out whether they have any particular requests. Two first time guests to The Sandpiper expressed an interest in going to Oistins Fish Fry (a collection of open air stalls for grilled and fried fish in Barbados). I offered to take them there on my day off. Ironically, some weeks after their departure I found out they were SLH inspectors.

A guest left their reading glasses at the theatre and had already checked out. I walked to the theatre, took a photo of the glasses, emailed the guest to ensure it was the right pair and sent them express delivery. I also assisted a guest with the transportation planning of her wedding. On my day off, I accompanied the guest from the hotel to the church, waited until the ceremony was over and helped guide all the wedding guests to the buses.

Job Satisfaction

Job Satisfaction

Successfully delivering all the service standards and going beyond the expectations of our guests.

It really makes my day when I’m able to help a guest with something they think isn’t possible, like last minute tickets or restaurant reservations.

Skill set

Skill set

Being fair minded, patient and strong in handling day-to-day activities. Having good product knowledge and an eye for detail.

Friendliness, knowledge and a willingness to get to know the city you work in.

Yvette Clarke

Vanessa Torruellas

Head Housekeeper at THE SANDPIPER, Barbados Started 2007

Chief Concierge, THE IROQUOIS, New York, USA Started January 2011

Personal Touch

Personal Touch

Once I was walking past the bar terrace and overheard a guest mention a specific gin-based cocktail that she had tried in Dubai and had loved.

I took the liberty of calling the hotel and speaking to the bar manager, convincing him to share the recipe with me. The bar manager obliged and we surprised the guest the following evening with her favourite cocktail. The couple have since become our regular guests.

A guest got very sick and I drove her in my car to the hospital. I stayed with her for four hours until she had finished all her medical tests and brought her back to the hotel. She was so grateful, she flew me to New York for two weeks and showed me all the iconic sights of the city.

Job Satisfaction

A guest’s happiness: to know that the guests feel that the hotel is like their own home.

Job Satisfaction

When I see a smile of appreciation and satisfaction on our guests’ faces.

Skill set

Skill set

A positive attitude, patience and flexibility, the ability to talk to anyone and having a good network.

A passion for excellence, a keen eye for detail, creativity, humility and team spirit.

Bakar Effendi (Fendy)

José Diogo

Personal Butler, THE SANCHAYA, Bintan Island, Indonesia Started January 2014

Deputy Head Concierge, PALÁCIO ESTORIL HOTEL, GOLF & SPA, Estoril, Portugal Started 11th May 1964

To book visit slh.com 33

MINDFUL / WELLNESS

1. HOLISTIC

2. VIBRATION

3. NATURE

Rosapetra Spa Resort in Cortina, Italy has three concepts of wellness at its core: physical, aesthetics and sensory.

By targeting the whole person – a holistic approach – harmony between body and soul is achieved. The Hatma Essenza Massage takes place on a specially designed couch and will have you feeling like you’re floating in warm oil. The effects are to de-stress, promote good sleep and discover a calmer body and mind.

Inspired by traditional Tibetan medicine born over 3,900 years ago, a Tibetan Sound Massage harnesses the powerful vibration of singing bowls.

The bowls are placed on the body and struck, sending energy into cells to promote healing from within. Rockliffe Hall is the only spa in the UK to offer the treatment, which, combined with the application of therapeutic oils along specific acupressure points, eliminates toxins, reduces anxiety and encourages sleep.

Feel connected to the earth by combining an outdoor activity and spa treatment. At the Viceroy Bali – a stunning mountain retreat in Indonesia – the session begins with yoga, cycling, or trekking in dramatic scenery and is followed by a Balinese massage and scrub, yoghurt body mask and flower bath. For a unique experience, hike Batur volcano at dawn for a view of Mount Agung (Bali’s highest mountain) as the sun rises.

RELEASE YOU In this frantic, hyper-connected world, it ’s important to take time to pause and train your at tention to the moment. As mindful techniques are increasingly being interwoven into traditional spa practices, we look at ten ways to be conscious and healthy.

4. SOUL FOOD Healthy eating is an integral part of wellness. At Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda – an eco-friendly hotel overlooking Lake Garda in Italy – the food focus is on seasonal, local produce using extra virgin olive oil produced on Lefay farms in Lake Garda and Tuscany. The restaurant, Le Grande Limonaia, has a detoxifying menu called ‘The Lightness of Being’ with energy releasing dishes that won’t compromise on sun-blushed Mediterranean flavours.

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5. TEMAZCAL

6. BALANCE

7. NATUROPATHY

The traditional Mexican sweat vault, temazcal, recreates a womb-like environment and is a legacy of Aztec culture. At Blue Diamond Riviera Maya on the Mexican Caribbean beach of Playa del Carmen, the ritual takes place in a round volcanic stone structure below ground level and is overseen by a shaman. The darkness, silence and heat from a fireplace promote physical healing and relaxation and encourage reflection and introspection. It’s a total disconnection from the matrix.

Situated on a small tropical island near Phuket in Thailand, The Racha is an idyllic and remote beachfront sanctuary. The Mind and Body Retreat programme is a fusion of clean and healthy cuisine, spa sessions and customized yoga – elements that combine to support internal balance.

Guests are invited to a personalized yoga consultation to determine the right practice of yoga, from vigorous power yoga to the energizing Vinyasa flow in which movement is synchronized to the breath.

At the Maikiki Spa in the Anticavilla Hotel in Mexico the emphasis is on therapies that heal and protect the body naturally by activating the immune system. The craniosacral therapy includes a massage that adds pressure to connective tissues surrounding organs to locate and normalize imbalances in the system.

Deep inhalations and exhalations during the therapy help focus your mind on the moment.

UR POTENTIAL 8. HOT SPRINGS

9. REIKI

10. BESPOKE

For an authentic local experience that soothes mind and body, thermal springs are a hot trend. Geo-thermally warmed waters bubble up from the earth’s core with a wealth of minerals that are said to have healing powers. At By-Spring Villa Chongqing, a boutique hideaway surrounded by centuries-old hot springs in Chongqing, China, your private villa has its own hot spring pool and 24 hour butler service.

An energy balancing technique achieved by the laying on of hands, Reiki lightens emotions, boosts the immune system, relieves pain, and reduces stress. At Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali – a beachfront sanctuary dedicated to imparting the healing practices of the region – Reiki Master Savitri Talahatu offers sessions for guests and a healthy and soulful life back home. The wellness-orientated retreat has visiting guest practitioners for breathwork practice, yoga, meditation, and nutrition.

At the Injidup Spa Retreat in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, the spa treatments are tailored to suit the individual.

Here, a private consultation at the beginning of the appointment determines the best form of therapy for the guest. The Herbal Fusion, for example, is a customized massage with herbal heat compresses – it’s a potent holistic massage formula that promises to release energy blockages.

The retreat also offers yoga and meditation classes.

At Quisisana Palace – a grand, boutique hotel in Karlovy Vary, the Czech Republic’s most famous spa town – the hotel offers a traditional drinking cure prescribed by a doctor as part of a 14-day package.

To book visit slh.com 35

HOBBIES

Boutique Hotel Villa am Ruhrufer Golf & Spa

Nordic walking from Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama

HIDDEN TALENTS WHY NOT E XPLORE A NE W I N T E R E S T O N H O L I D AY, Cooking lessons at Villa Mangiacane

MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE, AND BRING HOME A HOBBY? M ANY S L H P R OP E RT I E S C A N H E L P YO U E X PA N D B OT H YO U R HORIZONS AND YOUR S K I L L S E T.

William Shakespeares home near The Arden Hotel

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Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe

GOLF At Golf-Club Heilbronn-Hohenlohe, a 27-hole course in southwestern Germany, the ‘Golf in Balance’ academy promises high-speed cameras and an ultrasonic and radar system to help the Pros on hand evaluate your performance. Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe, an 18th century castle hotel, is conveniently located next door.

Boutique Hotel Villa am Ruhrufer Golf & Spa in Düsseldorf offers free shuttles to two private 18-hole golf courses with stunning views – at the Kosaido International Golf Club the 10th tee marks the highest point in the city.

Hone your golf skills in the Spanish sun at Villa Padierna Palace Hotel in Marbella – there are three on-site courses and a Michael Campbell Golf Academy, the flagship academy of the 2005 US Open Champion.

At Quinta das Lágrimas Palace in Portugal the golf academy features a 9-hole pitch & putt course and driving range. The tuition specialises in the short game, leaving time for lengthy lunches in the historical hotel’s seasonally inspired restaurant.

In France, Domaine de Manville features ecoresponsible fairways on its 18-hole golf course embedded in the rocky landscape of the Alpilles in Provence. Here, head coach Stéphane Mourgue specialises in a mental approach to the sport.

Not far from Windsor in the UK, Stoke Park is a stately mansion and parkland with a classic 27-hole championship golf course. The indoor, state-of-theart Swing Studio means you can brush up on your game whatever the weather.

Domaine de Manville

To book visit slh.com 37

HOBBIES

Organic produce from Kasbah Agafay Hotel

Hot air ballooning with The Greenway Hotel and Spa

NEW SKILLS The Kasbah Agafay Hotel and Spa just outside of Marrakech has all sorts of activities up its sleeve. Learn to ride Arab-Barbe horses through the countryside accompanied by an experienced guide; turn your hand to Moroccan cuisine by cooking chicken with pickled lemon and olives or vegetable tagine using organic produce from the garden that you’ve picked; or, ride the desert hills surrounding the Kasbah by camel.

Begin your cooking class in Tuscany by selecting herbs in the garden of Villa Mangiacane with the hotel’s chef. You will learn an array of techniques that will help in the preparation of a range of dishes, not only those chosen seasonally for the lesson.

Prepare a meal of Tuscan bread soup, handmade tortellini served with wild boar ragout, and marscapone semifreddo for dessert.

Then, sit down to savour it.

Concoct your own scent in Tel Aviv at Zielinski & Rozen Perfumerie. Using their vast array of notes including vanilla, lemongrass, jasmine and grapefruit, you can layer the perfect personalised perfume, in addition to oils, soaps, creams and candles. The Norman Tel Aviv – a boutique hotel that fuses 1920’s grandeur with contemporary elegance – will accompany guests on the scent making experience, as part of a tour of Jaffa’s flea markets.

The Norman

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ACTIVE Soar over Britain’s stunning Cotswold countryside in a serene hot air balloon, glass of Champagne in hand.

The Greenway Hotel and Spa – a charming Elizabethan manor house hotel – is near to several launch sites, making it easy for you to experience the high life.

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, the modern Wellnesshotel Golf Panorama will lend you sticks and a pulse monitor for some Nordic walking in the Thurgau countryside near Lake Constance in Switzerland. The hotel’s 2,000 sq metres spa with two pools, a Finnish sauna, and steam bath will soothe away any strain.

Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs sits pretty on the private island of Cavallo off the coast of Corsica. From this beach hideaway, guests can scuba dive the sea that surrounds them. A diving expert will help you explore shipwrecks and granite monoliths in the company of kaleidoscopic shoals of fish.

Scuba diving with Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs

ART & CULTURE The Kokkedal Castle Copenhagen has an Art Package that includes admission to two of Denmarks most celebrated institutions: The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, with its breathtaking panoramic views of Sweden across the Sound, and the Karen Blixen Museum, the ‘Out of Africa’ author’s home. Both are easily reached from this spectacular Dutch Renaissance castle hotel.

For opera and ballet enthusiasts, Milan’s Teatro all Scala is perhaps the ultimate venue. Built in 1778, the home of Rossini, Bellini and Verdi still has superb acoustics. The Gray, a glamorous boutique hotel only 4 minutes walk from the theatre, offers an Opera Package that includes the best seats in the house.

Theatre buffs are often drawn to Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare. Visit the poet and playwright’s home and see his work in action at the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Arden Hotel has an enviable position directly opposite the theatres and many of the sleekly designed rooms have River Avon views.

Le Choiseul, situated on the River Loire in France, has a favoured royal residence on its doorstep. The hotel occupies three houses from the 16th and 18th centuries at the foot of the ramparts of Château d’Amboise, a florid castle seized by Charles VII of France in 1434. The hotel offers a package that includes tickets to Château du Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, and Château d’Amboise, where the Renaissance Man is buried.

Opera package from The Gray

To book visit slh.com 39

HOBBIES

Smiths Beach Resort

Eden Clubhouse

HIDDEN TALENTS WHY NOT E XPLORE A NE W I N T E R E S T O N H O L I D AY, Pimalai Resort & Spa

MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE, AND BRING HOME A HOBBY? M ANY S L H P R OP E RT I E S C A N H E L P YO U E X PA N D B OT H YO U R HORIZONS AND YOUR S K I L L S E T.

Villa Borobudur

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GOLF The Club Saujana Resort in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia is conveniently nestled alongside the Saujana Golf & Country Club and its two testing 18-hole championship courses.

Whether beginner or advanced, you can brush up your game at the Golf Academy with one of the three pros on hand.

The rugged Palm Course is carved out of an oil palm plantation, while the Bunga Raya Course features wide expanses of water and undulating greenery.

The Imperial Springs International Summit has a breath-taking setting of waterways, gently rolling hills, streams, valleys and sharp ridge lines. The 27-hole, par-72 course designed by Colin Montgomerie winds its way around the property, taking full advantage of the site while minimizing any interference from the streams and foliage. Driverless, remotecontrolled electric golf carts are available, allowing your caddy to fully focus on your needs. Relax in the Halfway House with 360-degree views of this glorious course.

The Santiburi Samui Golf Club is the only championship 18-hole golf course on the island of Samui in Thailand – a course of rolling hills and valleys peppered with coconut trees, streams, and waterfalls. Lessons are available in various packages to suit personal golf goals and time limitations.

Guests who stay at Bo Phut Resort and Spa – a 7-acre beachfront property located nearby – benefit from special green fees.

The Club Saujana Resort

The Imperial Springs International Summit

To book visit slh.com 41

HOBBIES

Berkeley River Lodge

Gardening near Thorngrove Manor Hotel

NEW SKILLS Why not immerse yourself in local Indonesian culture and create your own souvenir? Villa Borobudur is nestled amid the mountains, villages, rice paddies and temples of central Java – an ethereal landscape that inspires the local artists. Take a painting or sculpture lesson under the artists’ direction; learn the art of batik (colouring material with natural dye and layered wax) and janur (palm leaf braiding) and then take home your own handiwork.

Turn your hand to delectable Thai cooking under the expert guidance of a chef at Pimalai Resort & Spa on the stunning island of Koh Lanta in Thailand. You will learn the power and subtleties of Thai herbs and spices such as lemongrass, ginger and galangal and then prepare some of Thailand’s most adored dishes: think spicy green papaya salad, spicy prawn soup and green curry. You will be given an official cooking certificate and then seated to savour what you’ve cooked during the class.

Fans of fishing can cast a line into the rivers surrounding one of the last true wilderness areas on earth, Berkeley River Lodge on Australia’s north Kimberley coast. Here, twenty villas are perched 65-metres high on a sand dune with majestic 180-degree views. You can helicopter to remote river areas for a chance to chase an array of species, including queenfish, blue nose salmon, mangrove jack and even the elusive barramundi.

Green-fingered guests of Thorngrove Manor Hotel near Adelaide in South Australia will have an opportunity to get gardening at Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens during their Autumn and Spring Blitzes. All budding horticulturalists will be invited to join the Mount Lofty team for weeding, mulching and planting before a barbecue lunch. Afterwards, retreat to this unique castle-inspired hotel – replete with towers, turrets and flamboyant interiors – for a well-deserved rest.

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Villa Borobudur

ACTIVE Catch some waves with a surfing lesson in Western Australia.

Margaret River and Yallingup have great ocean surf and the local surfing schools’ fully accredited coaches will have you up and at it in no time. Smiths Beach Resort is the perfect place to unwind afterwards, in one of its gourmet restaurants or with a private barbecue on the patio of your room.

Thailand’s Hua Hin is renowned for its shallow water, wide sandy beaches and wind – a vital combination for kitesurfing.

The elegant Cape Nidhra Hotel can recommend the best schools to teach you how to fly sky high. The hotel is situated between a golden beach and verdant valleys – other activities such as kayaking, elephant trekking and mountain biking are all on its doorstep.

Take your instructor to task with a Thai boxing lesson at Keemala, an enchanting woodland sanctuary on Phuket Island. Though physically challenging, the highly disciplined practice is steeped in tradition and mutual respect between combatants. With wellness at its core, the hotel also offers yoga, pilates, tai chi and meditation classes and the cooking is organic.

Surfing school near Smiths Beach Resort

ART & CULTURE Art and sculpture enthusiasts will enjoy staying in the gallery of art that is San Want Residences Taipei. The hotel is adorned with original artworks throughout, including paintings and sculptures by contemporary Taiwanese artists. Visit the National Palace Museum in the city for an insight into 10,0000 years of Chinese history from the Neolithic age to the Qing Dynasty.

Situated amid a network of canals, the 1,300-year old town of Wuzhen is one of China’s most revered historical sites and is characterized by ancient bridges, stone pathways and delicate traditional buildings. Eden Clubhouse is a 36-room hotel nestled in quiet gardens with a private lake.

It’s the perfect base from which to visit a Shadow Play – theatre using handmade semi-transparent puppets that cast shadows on a screen. It’s a highly expressive form of folk art that came into being during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.)

San Want Residences

To book visit slh.com 43

HOBBIES

HIDDEN TALENTS

Tiamo Resort

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WHY NOT E XPLORE A NE W I N T E R E S T O N H O L I D AY, MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE, AND BRING HOME A HOBBY? M ANY S L H P R O P E RT I E S P R O M I S E TO E X PA N D B OT H YO U R HORIZONS AND YOUR S K I L L S E T.

GOLF For golf enthusiasts, the Mukul Beach Golf & Spa is conveniently nestled between a stunning beach on Nicaragua’s Emerald Coast and a David McLay Kidd 18-hole golf course. Perfect your swing at the eco-friendly course under the watchful eye of an instructor – and a video camera.

Your lesson will be emailed to you, to be watched in the serenity of your beach villa or perhaps beside your private swimming pool.

Refine your game at the Royal Isabela in Puerto Rico, a resort that spans 426 acres of verdant land with luxury casitas perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The resort’s 18-hole oceanfront Golf Links has a dedicated Academy; lessons take place on the putting green and driving range, as well as on the native grasses, natural sand dunes and deep canyons of the course itself.

Mukul Beach Golf & Spa

Mukul Beach Golf & Spa

Royal Isabela

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HOBBIES

Southbridge Napa Valley

NEW SKILLS Learn to reel in a big fish in the Pacific Ocean waters of one of Mexico’s prime fishing destinations. La Casa Que Canta, an impressive, architecturally tiered hotel, clings to the cliffs of Zihuatanejo Bay and has expansive ocean views. The resident skippers here – descendants from generations of fishermen – are highly skilled in catching marlin, yellow fin tuna, dorado and sailfish. Five to fifteen miles off shore you can practice a conservationist catch-and-release procedure, or take your catch back to the hotel and have it prepared and served to you.

At Trout Point Lodge at Nova Scotia, Canada, all budding astronomers will have a chance to use state-of-the-art telescopes through which to view constellations, meteor showers and even glimpses of the aurora borealis.

Surrounded by a woodland wilderness, Trout Point is one of the best places in North America for astronomical observations. The eco-lodge’s resident astronomer will explain the ancient makeup of our galaxy and solar system using a laser pointer from a star gazing platform.

Trout Point Lodge

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ACTIVE Why not tour the glorious Napa Valley, America’s premier wine region, on two wheels?

Southbridge Napa Valley, a 21-room boutique hotel that sits pretty amid vineyards at the entrance to downtown St Helena, can point you in the direction of the bicycle hire shop. Spend the day cruising the Silverado Trail, a scenic 29–mile route lined with incredible wineries.

Then, savour three Michelin-starred cuisine at Southbridge’s sister property, just a mile and a half away.

Set like a jewel on South Andros Island in the Bahamas, Tiamo Resort is a secluded haven with just ten eco-friendly beachfront cottages.

Explore the turquoise Caribbean waters between Andros and Nassau with the resort’s resident PADI dive master – novice divers can pass their PADI levels at the resort. Here, the world’s third largest reef runs parallel to the island for 140 miles giving all divers incredible opportunities for encounters with marine life.

Fishing, water skiing and wakeboarding are all on offer, with instructors on hand.

Tiamo Resort

Refinery Hotel New York

ART & CULTURE Opera, music and ballet buffs will be spoiled for choice at the Lincoln Center in New York, home to the Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic and New York City Ballet – the 16.3-acre complex in Manhattan is the world’s largest presenter of performing arts.

The Refinery Hotel New York is a chic base in the fashion district from which to explore the city. A former milliners and tearoom, its décor is a now a fusion of vintage and contemporary styles with the air of an atelier.

To book visit slh.com 47

GOURMET

BEYOND THE ACCOLADES AND AWARDS, FOUR EXCEPTIONAL CHEFS EXPLAIN WHAT INSPIRES AND PROPELS THEM TO ACHIEVE CULINARY GREATNESS.

From a young age, I enjoyed pleasing people and I found I could do this through food. I have a huge passion for food and the job gives me creative fulfilment. My cooking style is a bit of everything: classic British and French with modern techniques, but I’m not afraid to use influences from around the world if it enhances a particular dish.

My grandmother inspired me – she was a great cook and I still remember the smells of her traditional cuisine inside our house.

Her cooking was so simple. In fact, the produce came from our garden. My style is ‘creative Mediterranean’. I combine innovative techniques with our local Campania cuisine and use the tastiest and freshest local produce.

The local ingredients that I call upon depend on the seasons.

We’ve just been picking wild garlic, and the next thing will be blackberries from the woods surrounding the hotel. The meat I use is all sourced from the South East of England, with the fish being sourced mostly from the South coast.

The main ingredients of my recipes are: the unique buffalo mozzarella of Campania, provolone del Monaco from Vico Equense, the world famous Gragnano pasta, cherry tomatoes from Vesuvio, fresh fish from the Sorrento coast, lamb of the Monti Lattari area, and fresh vegetables and citrus from our garden.

The awards are always a pleasure to receive for the whole team. As far as feeling the pressure goes, no one and nothing puts more pressure on me than myself! Food is continuously moving forward and you can’t afford to keep still.

I am very proud to have won 1 Michelin star at L’Accanto, 2 Gambero Rosso forks, 1 L’Espresso Guide hat and the 2008 Chicco d’Oro. I’m now going after a second and third star.

My ambition has no limit.

My favourite dish we serve at the moment is new season asparagus from a local farm with a slow cooked egg yolk in hazelnut butter. It’s served with a Sauvignon Blanc and shallot jelly and various toasted seeds and grains. It has everything you would want in a dish!

My signature dish is called Emotions of the Sea, inspired by a boat trip along the Sorrento coast. The ingredients are shrimps, squid, tuna, swordfish, sea bass, mussels, vegetables and sauce bouillabaisse.

Phil Dixon, Executive Chef, Mulberry Restaurant Langshott Manor, UK 3 AA Rosette

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Vincenzo Guarino, Executive Chef, L’Accanto Grand Hotel Angiolieri, Italy 1 Michelin Star

I helped in my father’s restaurant when I was 14; at 16, I started my official training 1,000km from home. I wanted to do it so much, and it was a real adventure. I developed a passion for food and for working with people from different backgrounds.

The basis of my cuisine is French gastronomy, but I fuse it with produce from Switzerland, Germany and even Asia. I create opportunities to taste and combine flavours that you would never expect. However, I believe that a good menu should reflect the region, and we have very high quality produce in Switzerland.

I love to use whitefish from Lake Zürich – it’s versatile and works well in hot and cold dishes. In addition, we use turbot, sea bass and sea bream caught in the wild in France.

My team and I are very passionate about what we are doing, so it feels natural for us to maintain the standards we have set.

Of course, we always want to get better.

The motto of our restaurant is ‘Fish – Our Passion’. Our signature dish is for 2 people: Seabass baked in salt crust, served with a herb butter sauce and side dishes of mixed vegetables, potatoes, rice or spinach.

I started my training in a top quality restaurant in Bavaria when I was just 15. Three years later I met a young French chef at another restaurant, and when he returned to France, he offered me a job as an apprentice chef. I took that job in Lyon 15 years ago, and I haven’t left France since.

French cuisine has always held a magical attraction for me.

My kitchen is modern and very much focused on the Mediterranean Sea. My cooking is by no means molecular – I like to use fresh fish and meat of the highest quality and I particularly like to use plenty of vegetables.

As for the pressure, you get used to it. In fact, a representative from the Michelin Guide was testing me only yesterday. You can easily lose your star if you are not careful. On their last visit here, they took away the stars of six restaurants – that generates fear.

There are many ingredients I like to cook with: pumpkin flowers, red mullet, strawberries from Carros and beets from Nice.

Above all, I aim to satisfy all the guests.

A few of our favourite dishes are Lamb Tagine and Golden Sweetbread Tart. However, we want to keep our freedom and not to be known for a classic dish.

Pierre Meyer, Executive Chef Ambassador à L’Opéra, Switzerland The Golden Fish and 13 Gault Millau points

Axel Wagner, Executive Chef Château Eza, France 1 Michelin Star

To book visit slh.com 49

GOURMET

BEYOND THE ACCOLADES AND AWARDS, FOUR EXCEPTIONAL CHEFS EXPLAIN WHAT INSPIRES AND PROPELS THEM TO ACHIEVE CULINARY GREATNESS.

My grandmother was from Scandinavia and always cooked.

She and I were very close, so I was her small student. It was a lot of traditional baking and dishes that she had learnt from her mother over decades.

The memories of my childhood give me inspiration for developing cutting edge ideas and also creating new dishes.

It’s about finding the finest ingredients possible and producing amazing flavours.

A popular ingredient in New York City at the moment is ramps.

I use local ramps that are coming into season. These are wild leeks and they are foraged by our guy Evan who will pick them and give them to us on the same day.

Being honored for your team’s excellence is always a fantastic feeling! Beyond the awards, the pressure comes from my own standards and my drive to succeed. Everyday I am pushing to gain better ratings. It’s in my nature.

A favourite dish of mine to prepare is Cherry Ripe. It’s a foie gras dish flavoured with cherry, chocolate and coconut.

I tried taking it off the menu and all the clients were screaming because they couldn’t eat it anymore!

Shaun Hergatt, Executive Chef, Juni, Hotel Chandler 1 Michelin Star

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From a young age, I enjoyed pleasing people and I found I could do this through food. I have a huge passion for food and the job gives me creative fulfilment. My cooking style is a bit of everything: classic British and French with modern techniques, but I’m not afraid to use influences from around the world if it enhances a particular dish.

The local ingredients that I call upon depend on the seasons.

We’ve just been picking wild garlic and the next thing will be blackberries from the woods surrounding the hotel. The meat I use is all sourced from the South East of England, with the fish being sourced mostly from the South coast.

The awards are always a pleasure to receive for the whole team. As far as feeling the pressure goes, no one and nothing puts more pressure on me than myself! Food is continuously moving forward and you can’t afford to keep still.

My favourite dish we serve at the moment is new season asparagus from a local farm with a slow cooked egg yolk in hazelnut butter. It’s served with a Sauvignon Blanc and shallot jelly and various toasted seeds and grains. It has everything you would want in a spring dish!

Phil Dixon, Executive Head Chef Mulberry Restaurant, Langshott Manor 3 AA Rosette

I got into this field on a whim. I went to a culinary arts program in high school and the teacher noticed I had talent. I took to it like a duck to water and really enjoyed playing with my food.

I would say that my style has its roots in French cooking but I have learned to be very whimsical in my thought processes in developing a menu. I like to think outside the box and have a local perspective with a worldly reach in regards to culinary creativity.

One of the local ingredients I tend to favour most is grits.

When you mention the word “grits” there isn’t a person in the room who doesn’t think of the South. Carolina Gold Rice would be a close second.

These days there are so many outlets that judge your work and the pressure is constant. If you truly love your craft and continuously hone it, then those pressures take the back burner.

You will never please everyone, but that should never stop you from trying.

Our signature item at the restaurant is antelope. It’s the one item I took with me from Texas and it has been well received ever since. We change the preparation each time we write a new menu.

Marc Collins, Head Chef Circa 1886, Wentworth Mansion AAA 4 Diamond

I was a dish washer in a restaurant on weekends when I was 14.

When I saw the chefs in the kitchen and the thrill of the job I knew it was what I wanted to do. I cook to make people happy.

It’s special to be a contributor to first dates, business meetings, birthdays, weddings and anniversaries.

I use local ingredients mixed with the best quality produce.

My style is fusion – I combine Asian, French, European, Peruvian and Italian kitchen influences, but always with respect for the main ingredient.

Chilli, ginger, lemongrass, tomatoes and rice are some of our staple ingredients. One of our local farmers, Pak Owen, is a pioneer for organic vegetables, micro greens and herbs. He’s the only one that grows some of these things in Bali. He likes to experiment and tries to grow whatever we suggest – straight from farm to plate.

My team and I aim to achieve more than the day before. I learn new techniques and ingredients from local people and convert them to European standards. The goal is to put Ubud on the map as a culinary destination.

Our signature dish here is Duck Ravioli with foie gras, truffles and homemade pasta. We won an award last year with this dish and it’s a favourite of the customers – and mine!

Nic Vanderbeeken, CasCades Restaurant Viceroy Bali, Indonesia Hello Bali Chef Wars, 2014, 3rd Winner Miele Guide 2011/12, Indonesia’s Top Five Restaurants

To book visit slh.com 51

GOURMET

BEYOND THE ACCOLADES AND AWARDS, FOUR EXCEPTIONAL CHEFS EXPLAIN WHAT INSPIRES AND PROPELS THEM TO ACHIEVE CULINARY GREATNESS.

I was driven to the culinary arts by the intensity and artistic culture. Everything works in unison at an elevated pressure, so it’s about focus. We also get to express ourselves in the ingredients and presentation – no aspect goes without thought and detail.

I pull my style from the moment – cooking with the foods in season that are available. I then pull inspiration from everywhere: other restaurants I’ve eaten at, something I read about, a dish from my past or something one of the other chefs brings to the kitchen.

Our area is covered in snow 7 months of the year, so we are beholden to the limits of our local farms. We love the tomatoes of Winterset farms and the greens from Cakebread Ranch, both in Wyoming. Regionally, we use Snake River Farms in Idaho for our beef and pork and Shepherd’s Goat Dairy in Utah.

We do feel the pressure to evolve – to keep moving forward instead of stagnating. We are constantly looking for new ingredients and techniques that further our vision.

We have a signature steak – our wagyu beef tenderloin – and we are continually evolving dishes that highlight this steak.

At the moment, we are serving it with a bone marrow crust, pommes Anna and a bordelaise vinaigrette.

Arthur Jeffries, Executive Chef, Wild Sage Grill Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, Jackson, WY, USA AAA Four-Diamond

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When I was 8 years old I wanted to give my mom a little help. I was raised in Boston, Massachusetts and after school I would go to a small restaurant and ask the cook to jot down a couple of recipes simple enough for me to make. Soon, I started adding my own twist, reading recipes from old chefs such as Escoffier, Cavalcanti and De Medici.

My style is innovating the classic and traditional, giving the dish a new dimension by playing with the textures without going too far. Molecular gastronomy is also something that I am very passionate about, having worked with Albert and Ferrán Adriá for a short period of time.

Being on a tropical island, I have a wide array of foodstuffs to work with and I tend to lean on fruits – mangos, pineapple, tamarind, coconut – to complement the excellent local fish, seafood and meats. I’m committed to keeping the guests coming back for new and exciting dishes.

I love to work with game, wild birds such as quail, guinea fowl and pheasant. One of the dishes that has brought a lot of attention to my work is de-boned Quail filled with thymed lobster meat over sundried tomato-asparagus risotto and veal jus.

Giovanni Astronomo, Executive Chef, Sivory Punta Cana Boutique Hotel, Dominican Republic AAA Four-Diamond

I got into this field on a whim. I went to a culinary arts program in high school and the teacher noticed I had talent. I took to it like a duck to water and really enjoyed playing with my food.

My grandmother was from Scandinavia and always cooked.

She and I were very close, so I was her small student. It was a lot of traditional baking and dishes that she had learnt from her mother over decades.

I would say that my style has its roots in French cooking but I have learned to be very whimsical in my thought processes in developing a menu. I like to think outside the box and have a local perspective with a worldly reach in regards to culinary creativity.

The memories of my childhood give me inspiration for developing cutting edge ideas and also creating new dishes.

It’s about finding the finest ingredients possible and producing amazing flavours.

One of the local ingredients I tend to favour most is grits.

When you mention the word “grits” there isn’t a person in the room who doesn’t think of the South. Carolina Gold Rice would be a close second.

A popular ingredient in New York City at the moment is ramps.

I use local ramps that are coming into season. These are wild leeks and they are foraged by our guy Evan who will pick them and give them to us on the same day.

These days there are so many outlets that judge your work and the pressure is constant. If you truly love your craft and continuously hone it, then those pressures take the back burner.

You will never please everyone, but that should never stop you from trying.

Being honored for your team’s excellence is always a fantastic feeling! Beyond the awards, the pressure comes from my own standards and my drive to succeed. Everyday I am pushing to gain better ratings. It’s in my nature.

Our signature item at the restaurant is antelope. It’s the one item I took with me from Texas and it has been well received ever since. We change the preparation each time we write a new menu.

A favourite dish of mine to prepare is Cherry Ripe. It’s a foie gras dish flavoured with cherry, chocolate and coconut.

I tried taking it off the menu and all the clients were screaming because they couldn’t eat it anymore!

Shaun Hergatt, Executive Chef, Juni, Hotel Chandler 1 Michelin Star

Marc Collins, Executive Chef, Circa 1886, Wentworth Mansion AAA four-Diamond

To book visit slh.com 53

D E S T I N AT I O N : J A P A N

LAND OF THE RISING SUN B E C A P T I VAT E D B Y T H E C U LT U R E , C U S TO M S A N D C O U RT E S I E S OF J A PA N – A C O U N T RY W H E R E EACH REGION HA S ITS OWN AURA, AS DISTINCT A S THE SEA SONS.

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RYUKYU ISLANDS Yakushima is a mysterious island situated off the southern coast of Kyushu that is renowned for its ancient cedar trees and 2,000m high mountains. Sankara Hotel & Spa Yakushima is a stylish, secluded retreat known for its spa herbal heat treatments. Further south, in Okinawa Prefecture, is Miyakojima Island – a perfect beach paradise. Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda is an all-suite resort on a powder soft sandy beach; The Shigira – the sister resort – has ten spectacular villas each with a private pool.

Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda

UNZEN The spa town of Unzen attracts city dwellers looking for calm and serenity – they hike through Japan’s oldest national park, Unzen-Amakusa, and view the lava dome of Mt. Fugen-dake (this volcano last erupted in 1990). Unzen Kanko Hotel is a characterful 1930’s property that has three hot spring baths in which to relax: a family bath, a sulphur spring bath and an open air bath. Just remember to ask about bathing etiquette!

TOKYO Though very little of Old Tokyo remains, the Imperial Palace and the Meiji Shrine are two serene oases that evoke Tokyo’s grand history. The Tokyo Station Hotel is moments from the Imperial Palace. The station building has been a feature of the city skyline for over 100 years and was recently renovated to include a hotel that fuses vintage glamour with 21st century luxury. Be sure to have sushi in Tokyo – nigiri sushi was invented here in 1824.

Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland

KOBE Kobe was one of the first Japanese ports to open to international trade in 1868 and its cosmopolitan flair is attributed to that early foreign introduction. The sleek Hotel La Suite Kobe Harborland enjoys a prime position on the waterfront, in the shopping district of Harborland. All rooms have ocean view terraces, and you can try the famed Kobe beef in either of its gourmet restaurants.

Todai-ji Temple

NARA Japan’s first permanent capital (established 710), Nara is steeped in the history of samurai, Shinto and Buddhism. Located in a deer park, the Todai-ji Temple houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue – a major attraction in Japan. Noborioji Hotel Nara is within walking distance of the statue, and with just 12 rooms, it offers understated elegance and impeccable service.

LAKE BIWA Japan’s largest freshwater lake lies close to the ancient capital of Kyoto and has long been eulogised in Japanese poetry and literature. L’Hotel du Lac is a modern villa set within a 13-hectare estate on the lakeshore. The views change dramatically with the seasons, as does the Modern French cuisine. A dedicated shochu bar provides over 100 varieties of the Japanese spirit.

L’Hotel du Lac

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D E S T I N AT I O N : F L O R I D A

LAND OF FLOWERS IT IS A G I V E N TH AT FA M I L I E S W I L L WA N T TO DO T H E TH E M E PAR K S W I TH TH E KI D S , BUT WIT H T H E W OR L D ’S M O S T BIO - DI V E RS E N AT UR A L HA BI TAT B UM PI NG U P AG AI NS T AN IN T E RN AT IONAL LY AC KNOW L E D G E D U R BAN A RT S C E N E , ‘L A F LOR I DA’ – OR L AND OF F LOWE RS – PR OV E S TO BE FAR M OR E TH AN JU S T A S U N- DR E NC H E D FAI R G R O U ND , S AYS C AR OL I NE LOF TS

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Wynwood Walls, Miami

PALM BEACH Palm Beach is home to exquisite mansions, historic landmarks, buzzing beaches and secluded coves. Nestled two blocks away from renowned shopper’s paradise, Worth Street, The Chesterfield Hotel delivers an architectural nod to the Gilded Age, a central location and The Leopard Lounge, one of the hottest nightlife spots on the isle. Sun seekers can wile away the hours poolside, while historians and art lovers must visit Atlantic Coast industrialist Henry Flagler’s former residence, now the Flagler Museum. Golf enthusiasts can soak up Atlantic Ocean vistas from the legendary PGA fairway.

Palm Beach

FORT LAUDERDALE

Millionaires’ Row

Midway down the Florida shoreline and resting on picturesque intracoastal waterways is the city of Fort Lauderdale. A onetime party town reputation has been supplanted by a tranquil melee of dreamy gondola rides through calm canals and balmy beachfront dining. The Pillars Hotel offers a private ‘whistle stop’ for water taxis that can whisk you away on an amphibious tour of quaint Las Olas Boulevard, historical districts and the mansions and yachts dotting Millionaires’ Row. Experience the iconic Everglades Airboat Safari (day or night) at the nearby Sawgrass Recreation Park or simply enjoy the highlife by chartering the resident 51ft luxury yacht.

SOUTH BEACH Sophisticated nightspots that cater to a devoted nocturnal elite are only a fraction of the excitement that this, Florida’s most visited metropolis, has to offer: ‘Bienvenidos a Miami’, The Magic City.

A tourist favourite, South Beach, is sometimes referred to as the American Riviera and plays home to an eclectic mix of vibrant young things, sartorial Svengalis and A-list celebrities; a major entertainment destination filled with nightclubs, restaurants and boutiques. The Betsy South Beach, which houses the city’s only fully outdoor spa, is at its heart. The hotel is the sole surviving example of Florida Georgian architecture on Ocean Drive, but you only have to step outside to marvel at the surrounding Art Deco nirvana. The city boasts the highest concentration of Art Deco in the world, with over 800 structures of historical significance.

The Bestsy

Visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an ornate villa surrounded by 50 acres of land comprising manicured Italian Renaissance style gardens as well as untouched native jungle overlooking Biscayne Bay. Or experience the ‘Artwalk’ through the Wynwood Art District, home to over 70 galleries, museums and art collections. Don’t miss the riot of colour that is the Wynwood Walls: the neighbourhood’s many warehouse buildings have become giant canvases for some of the greatest street artists in the world. If you prefer to simply dip your toe into the burgeoning Miami art scene, then head to the Vintro Hotel & Kitchen, a stylish Art Deco retreat near the beach that features a rooftop plunge pool and pop-up gallery displaying limited edition artwork.

Vintro Hotel & Kitchen

KEY WEST Extending from the southernmost tip of the United States, Key West is closer to Cuba than it is to Miami and this is evidenced by the vibrancy and verve of this distinctive island. Base yourself at the Santa Maria Suites Resort, a contemporary bolthole with the Atlantic Ocean on its doorstep. Walking tours are the best way to see the island’s intriguing architecture, courtyards and gardens.

Duval Street is one of the most energetic strips of shops, cafés and bars in all the land and home to Sloppy Joe’s, Hemingway’s favourite hangout. For the more ecologically minded, Key West’s coral reefs, undeveloped forested areas and proximity to the arid Tortugas National Park and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary offers unparalleled natural biodiversity. History buffs will enjoy visiting Fort Jefferson (built to protect one of the most strategic deep-water anchorages in North America), the Historic Old Town and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where the American author lived and wrote for over ten years.

Sloppy Joe’s, Key West

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POOLS

SITTING PRETTY THERE’S NOTHING LIKE SLIPPING INTO A STUNNING POOL TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR HOLIDAY HAS TRULY BEGUN. WE LOOK AT SIX SLH SWIMMING POOLS THAT WILL HAVE YOU DRINKING IN THE VIEW.

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ROOF TOP For a fabulous view of Barcelona’s skyline, take a dip in the outdoor pool at Hotel Claris. Occupying the Palau Vedruna, this former palace dates back to the nineteenth century but has since been completely renovated to house this chic and contemporary boutique hotel. Featuring its own museum of Egyptian artefacts and paintings, it’s also perfectly placed for discovering Barcelona’s Gaudi buildings, Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.

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POOLS RIVER For something really unique, glide through the swimming pool ‘river’ that meanders for 250 metres through the exotic tropical gardens of Angkor Village Resort. The traditional Kymer-style hotel near the renowned Angkor temples of Cambodia has guest cottages with patios that have direct access to the river. Float under delicate wooden bridges before relaxing on your patio daybed.

TWO IS A TREAT Tanjong Jara Resort, a 17-hectare property styled on an ancient royal palace and situated on Peninsular Malaysia, has two delicious pools to choose from. The freeform pool is set within splendid gardens near the Teratai Terrace and the Nelayan pool has mesmerising views over the glittering South China Sea. For further immersion, the Anjung Suite has an outdoor bath set in its own private garden.

PRIVATE The honeymoon suite at Fragrant Nature Hotel & Resort Kollam gives couples the opportunity to languish in their own private swimming pool while gazing on serene Lake Mala in Kerala, India. The resort’s natural setting amid towering palms and gardens and its eco-friendly building materials are very much in balance with its village locale. Indulge in a sunset backwater cruise on the lake, courtesy of the resort’s traditional boat.

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INFINITY From azure and sapphire to cobalt, the spectrum of colours blue will dazzle you on the private coral island of Velassaru Maldives. Slip into the resort’s fabulous infinity pool and admire the illusion of water melting into sand and sea. A number of the villas and bungalows have their own private pools but the Water Suite ups the ante: the expansive terrace has its own infinity pool, with a thatched gazebo, poolside dining area and an outdoor rain shower.

LAGOON Luxuriate in the lagoon pool at Twinpalms Phuket surrounded by a modern day Garden of Eden, just minutes from Surin Beach in Thailand. 15 guest rooms have immediate access to the lushly landscaped pool via a private terrace. Beyond, tropical gardens reveal a separate 50m-lap pool, while the hotel’s Residences each feature a personal plunge pool in either a private garden or on the roof.

To book visit slh.com 61

POOLS

SITTING PRETTY THERE’S NOTHING LIKE SLIPPING INTO A STUNNING POOL TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR HOLIDAY HAS TRULY BEGUN. WE LOOK AT SIX SLH SWIMMING POOLS THAT WILL HAVE YOU DRINKING IN THE VIEW.

62

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ROOF TOP The super stylish Hotel Habita Monterrey in northern Mexico has two open-air infinity pools with 360-degree views of both the city and the Sierra Madre Mountains. Naturally, the pool bar with epic vistas has become a magnet for fashionable locals. At Hotel El Convento – a 350-year old former Carmelite convent in Puerto Rico - you can luxuriate in the rooftop plunge pool and Jacuzzi with San Juan Bay stretching into the distance.

Hotel El Convento

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POOLS EXOTIC Get back to nature at The Lodge at Pico Bonito, a rainforest eco-lodge on the Caribbean coast of Honduras.

The cobalt blue pool is set amid 400 acres of tropical wilderness teeming with 420 species of birds, tropical amphibians and exotic mammals such as monkeys, tyras and jaguars. Take off on an early morning hiking adventure to hear a cacophony of sounds as the jungle awakes. Then, chill out in the pool for a languid afternoon.

PALM FRINGED Tall, swaying palm trees surround the glittering pool at Campo Bahia Resort on Brazil’s beautiful Bahia coastline. Take a dip and gaze out at the Atlantic.

Choose from a string of grand villas to stay in – by the beach, or perhaps nestled in the landscaped gardens. All of them have been designed using local craftsmanship and with respect to the natural environment. Sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling are all on the doorstep. Kick off your shoes, and fully commit to barefoot luxury.

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CANALS Waterways stretch between the two main pools of Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences in the tropical paradise of the Dominican Republic. The canals themselves are dotted with private cabana daybeds that virtually hover above the water, giving the guests that hire them the opportunity to loll in those exclusive pools alone. There is a natural flow through the canals to both main pools on either side – one designated solely for adults and the other for parents and children.

INFINITY Slip into the large, curved pool at The Bannister Hotel, also in the Dominican Republic. From that vantage point, the water will appear to melt into the sea of Samana Bay. This boutique marina hotel can arrange for you to take part in a number of thrilling activities, including fishing tournaments, sailing regattas and (from January to March) whale watching. You can even horse-ride up through a thick forest of palms to the El Limon Waterfall – a 40m high cascade that falls into a deep pool of water.

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D E S T I N AT I O N : A R G E N T I N A

A COUNTRY FOR ALL SEASONS FALL IN LOVE WITH THE M ANY D R A M AT I C F A C E S O F A R G E N T I N A , S O U T H A M E R I C A’ S M O S T S E D U C T I V E N AT I O N , S AY S C H A R L O T T E METHVEN

They say that at any given time in Argentina you can experience all four seasons just by moving around the country, such is the cultural and topographical diversity of South America’s second largest country. Brazil may be the continent’s biggest land mass, but Argentina is undeniably its romantic jewel.

It is an intoxicating blend of the European and the exotic. Here, in an oasis of beautiful tanned people at the bottom of the world, there is a reverence for fine food and wine and beautiful architecture. It’s hard to think of another country that offers such extremes: from the elegant cafes of its sophisticated capital, Buenos Aires, to the grassy plains of the nearby Pampas; from the tropical rainforests of the north, to the snow-capped peaks of Patagonia in the south; from the lush vineyards of the Mendoza wine country to, finally, at its southernmost point, the glaciers and penguins of Tierra del Fuego, where Argentina meets Antarctica. It’s a country where you will find some of the world’s finest football and steak, complicated and colourful politics, horse-riding gauchos and the beautiful, melancholic national dance known as the tango – and these are just a few of Argentina’s many contributions to the world.

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BUENOS AIRES Buenos Aires is often referred to as the ‘Paris of the South’ and it’s easy to see why. Elegant apartment blocks on wide Haussmannstyle boulevards are draped in fragrant jacaranda and Porteños (as Buenos Aires’ stylish locals are known) while away the hours enjoying coffee and conversation at old-fashioned cafés that occupy most street corners (La Biela on Quintana in Recoleta is quintessential).

There’s an air of nostalgia about the city; people fall quickly, madly in love and move here on a whim. But as well as embracing a bygone era, it is also forward-looking, with a thriving modern arts scene and a bustling business centre, based around the old warehouses of Puerto Madero. Shopping here is world-class (the Patio Bullrich shopping mall in chic Recoleta is particularly good); and, while “parrilla” steak restaurants will always be the main culinary draw, it is now possible to eat as eclectically here as one does in London or New York, with Japanese restaurants being particularly abundant.

CasaSur Art Hotel is a boutique hotel on Callao, one of the finest avenues in the most Parisian of BA’s ‘barrios’, the Recoleta district. It is in this neighbourhood that Evita Peron was buried (in the spookily beautiful Recoleta Cemetery) and where Prince Charles once danced the tango. The CasaSur has a modern and sophisticated ambience, with a restaurant that serves Spanish tapas and Indian food, alongside delicious Argentine fare. Ask about their complimentary city tour, exclusively for guests.

Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa, Ushuaia

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D E S T I N AT I O N : A R G E N T I N A

MENDOZA The vineyards of Mendoza – the name of the city and province at the centre of Argentina’s wine country – are some of the best in the world. Many a visitor has stopped here on what was meant to be a countrywide tour and been so seduced that they never made it any further. Fringed by the livid red backdrop of the Andes and set in the desertlike centre of the country, this region is a go-to destination for oenophiles and feels like the real heart of Argentina. Entre Cielos is just 15 minutes from Mendoza airport, but feels miles away from it all. Sleek and modern, it boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, a spa and hammam, outdoor pool and a wine cellar bursting with the finest Malbecs. Horseriding, hot air ballooning and white water rafting are just a few of the thrills on offer, but the must-do is a tour of the Entre Cielos vineyards, where some sensational regional wines can be sampled.

VILLA LA ANGOSTURA A dreamy village with an Alpine feel in mountainous Patagonia, VLA is where the Buenos Aires smart set retreat to embrace nature and recover from city life. A better kept secret than nearby Bariloche – and arguably even more stunning – VLA is where the rugged Andes Mountains meet the Nahuel Huapi Lake. In the winter months, it’s a go-to destination for skiers and snowboarders, with some of the finest slopes in South America. The rest of the year, hiking, fly-fishing, horse riding and mountain biking take centre stage. The Correntoso Lake & River Hotel is the perfect base for an adventurous holiday, perched on the edge of the Nahuel Huapi. It offers 360-degree lake and mountain views, 47 luxurious, tastefully appointed rooms with a cosy chalet feel, a restaurant that combines Patagonian and Mediterranean flavours and a top-notch spa in which to soothe tired limbs.

USHUAIA Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, really is the end of the earth. Situated in the province of Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago at the bottom of Argentina, the next stop from here is Antarctica. For anyone who really wants to get away from it all, this is the place to come. You’ll encounter a particular stillness punctuated only – if you happen to be here at the right time – by the cracking sound of a melting nearby glacier. Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa is built from lenga wood and stone, in keeping with the local architectural style of southern Argentina. Rooms are serene and neutral with balconies and decks offering breathtaking views over the Beagle Channel. Sailing tours can be organised, for the chance to glimpse sea lions and penguins, and various species of sea birds, condors and eagles.

There’s also a spa, an indoor-outdoor swimming pool and a restaurant serving delicious Patagonian cuisine.

Charlotte Methven is a regular contributor to the Mail on Sunday’s YOU magazine and also writes for Condé Nast Traveller and Harper’s Bazaar.

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Correntoso Lake & River Hotel

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D E S T I N AT I O N : N E W Z E A L A N D

SCREEN IDOL WITH ITS TREMENDOUS L A N D S C A PE S , M A OR I H E R I TA G E , SUPERB FOOD AND WINE AND LOVE OF ALL THINGS OUTDOORS, NEW ZEALAND MAKES AN IDEAL C H O I C E F O R A N E X H I L A R AT I N G H O L I D AY. N I G E L T I S D A L L OFFERS TOP TIPS ON HOW TO PL AN THE P E R F E C T T R I P.

As the marketing gurus put it, New Zealand has good brand image. We’ve all seen those spectacular Lord of the Rings films, admired the country’s ultra-successful sports teams and discovered its intense wines and life-boosting manuka honey. Traversing The Land of the Long White Cloud, as it’s known by Maoris, is easy – just follow these simple steps and you’ll have an unforgettable experience.

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Blanket Bay

Firstly, New Zealand is all about enjoying nature. Here you really can find totally deserted beaches, drive along blissfully quiet roads and hike on well-marked trails through mountains of surpassing grandeur. That means bracing yourself for the wild and getting active. Skydiving, river rafting, mountain biking, bungy-jumping – if you’ve ever had an inkling to try it, this is undoubtedly the place to do it.

Bay of Many Coves

Secondly, there’s more to travelling here than merely getting from A to B – it’s part of your big adventure. This doesn’t just mean taking scenic drives and flights in small planes – you can also travel the length of the country by rail, not to mention hopping aboard ferries, boats, helicopters, seaplanes and following cycle trails. Try as many modes of transport as you can – you won’t regret it.

Thirdly, devote some time and budget to a little fine wining and dining.

The Kiwis are blessed with abundant produce that is invariably fresh and often organic, and their chefs are eager globetrotters who cherry-pick from the world’s culinary concepts to create delectable fare.

SLH hotels are full of character and set in magnificent scenery with excellent cuisine, a wide choice of activities and a warm welcome. And that’s the real secret of New Zealand’s enduring appeal – it’s a big place that always feels small and friendly.

NORTH ISLAND

Solitaire Lodge

Set high up on a peninsula in the Bay of Islands, the 75-acre estate of Eagles Nest near Russell is a must for anyone who likes a sensational sea view, modern architecture and laid back indoor/outdoor living.

There are just five villas, four of which have their own infinity pool and you can enjoy a full gourmet kitchen or even call in a personal chef.

Rotorua is famous for its extraordinary geothermal landscapes. It is also a good place to learn about Maori culture and do some trout fishing.

20 minutes’ drive east, Solitaire Lodge rests on a private peninsula overlooking Lake Tarawera with ten suites, a spa and a restaurant serving contemporary New Zealand cuisine.

With its Mediterranean climate, thriving food and wine scene and the delightful Art Deco architecture of Napier, Hawke’s Bay can’t be missed. Built in 1897, Greenhill Lodge is a magisterial villa that makes an inviting base for exploring. It has just five suites, in addition to a breakfast terrace, billiards room, swimming pool and mature gardens.

SOUTH ISLAND Reached by taking a 30-minute water taxi ride from Picton, the gateway to the super scenic Marlborough Sounds, Bay of Many Coves is a great choice for active families. It features one, two and three bedroom apartments, a pool, spa and the sophisticated Foredeck restaurant. Have an adventure kayaking the coves and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, fur seals and orca whales.

Perfectly placed for exploring the Marlborough wine region, Lake Timara Lodge is a tranquil, child free bolthole near Blenheim with just four rooms decorated in a summery, country house style. Treats include 25 acres of magnificent gardens with English-style lawns and woodland walks, a modern European restaurant and a private vineyard.

The George

Located in the heart of Christchurch, South Island’s largest city, The George is a 53 room contemporary hotel decorated with modern art from some of New Zealand’s finest artists. The style is calm and elegant and there are two restaurants to savour – the much-lauded, minimalist Pescatore and the relaxed 50 Bistro with an outdoor terrace.

Peace, fine living and majestic landscapes are the chief draws at Blanket Bay, a 13 room, five-star lodge 45 miles north of Queenstown. Set at the northern end of Lake Wakatipu, the style is rustic luxe with an abundant use of stone and wood, while activities range from hiking, riding and mountain biking to scenic flights by plane or helicopter.

Opened in 1866 in the centre of this lively alpine resort, Eichardt’s Private Hotel has five suites with majestic views across Lake Wakatipu or to the surrounding mountains, plus four two-bedroom lakefront apartments.

Sophisticated interiors with fireplaces and a tapas bar make this a smart place to stay while enjoying the adventurous activities that have made Queenstown world-famous.

Eagles Nest

Nigel Tisdall writes on travel for The Telegraph and Marie Claire UK

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ISLANDS

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Measuring just 200 metres by 150 metres, Kandolhu Island is a petite and perfectly formed idyll in the Maldives with a house reef teeming with technicolour fish. 30 villas are situated either over the water or on the beach and feature traditional Maldivian architecture with sleek and chic interiors.

WOW FACTOR

Hop aboard a Maldivian dhoni to scuba dive – by day or night – amid turtles, parrotfish and reef sharks.

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Part of the Cook Islands archipelago, Aitutaki island is renowned for its clear, turquoise central lagoon. Pacific Resort Aitutaki makes the most of its extraordinary natural assets: each of the 27 thatched beachfront bungalows, villas and suites have luminescent lagoon views from their private decks.

WOW FACTOR

Every Wednesday is Island Night. Guests dine on South Pacific cuisine as local Aitutaki songs and dances are performed in traditional coconut frond costumes.

THE PERFECT 10

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Thailand’s Koh Phangan has long had a hippie heart, but comfort-seeking travellers will find much to rave about at Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa, an eco-chic hideaway on a small private beach. Thai cooking classes, Thai boxing classes and coconut petanque are just some of its distinctive offerings.

WOW FACTOR

The enormous free form swimming pool, with its own central island and 30ft waterfall.

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Situated in the Philippines’ Palawan archipelago – a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – Pangulasian Island Resort is a private island resort with it all: a 750m sugar-white powder beach, 42 Filipino-style villas and an infinity pool. Indulge in the spa’s Filipino hilot healing massage or scuba dive with the PADI Resort Centre.

WOW FACTOR

For sensational views and tropical bird spotting (think Palawan hornbill or whitevented shama) take the 30-minute nature trail through the forest to the island’s peak.

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Located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Pangkor Laut Resort occupies a secluded 300-acre private island of tropical jungle, pristine beaches and rocky outcrops.

Each wooden villa has a unique setting, many with outdoor bathtubs to languish in.

WOW FACTOR

Soak up the sunset on a teakwood Oriental junk cruise or discover the thrill of sailing on the Straits of Malacca in the resort’s private sports sailing yacht.

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With its dedicated ecological principles, Baros Maldives has, for 40 years, remained an unblemished pearl within the string of the Maldives’ 1,190 coral islands. Sandstone and timber villas are embedded within an exquisitely maintained tropical botanical garden.

WOW FACTOR

Get involved in the island’s coral gardening programme, by collecting fragile coral fragments and attaching them to specially designed coral tables – you can even sponsor one and have your name attached.

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Gaya Island occupies 15 km² of dense, virgin tropical forest off the coast of Borneo in the South China Sea. Here, Gaya Island Resort has claimed a golden beach on the island with rainforest, mangrove and coral reef on its doorstep. 121 stand-alone hillside villas feature traditional Sabahan architecture.

WOW FACTOR

Catch your own fish and have it cooked for you in the resort’s rooftop restaurant, Fisherman’s Cove, or indulge in a fusion of Malaysian, Korean, Japanese and Western cuisine in Feast Village.

SLH’S TOP EXOTIC ISLANDS: WHERE TRANSLUCENT WATER, SOFT SAND BEACHES AND COCONUT PALMS COME AS STANDARD.

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The exquisite private island of Velassaru Maldives is photogenic from every angle.

Villas of thatch, stone and teak are nestled amid palms on the white sand beach or hover deliciously over the turquoise lagoon.

The spa features ten overwater pavilions on stilts, where treatment ingredients include essences of tropical fruit.

WOW FACTOR

Glide through the water in a dhoni to the feeding grounds of Maldivian dolphins and watch as they tail the vessel and leap above the waves.

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Vahine Island is a 23-acre private island embedded in Tahiti’s Tahaa lagoon that channels the Robinson Crusoe fantasy. There are just nine beachfront and overwater bungalows with swaying hammocks to lounge on as you gaze across at Bora Bora.

WOW FACTOR

The Tané Bar is a fine example of Polynesian artistry in the use of volcanic stones from Tahaa, ironwood, coconut trunks and bamboo. Sip the signature Vahine fresh fruit cocktail flavoured with local vanilla.

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Mauritius is a name synonymous with tropical island luxury and lively activities. The grand Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort – styled in the vein of colonial sugar plantation houses – is ideal for families and those looking for a challenging round of golf or to chill out at a cool beach club.

WOW FACTOR

The resort is situated in Domaine de Bel Ombre, a 2,500-hectare tourism development that includes a huge nature reserve offering rich wildlife experiences for hiking and biking enthusiasts.

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SAILING

AN AEGEAN ODYSSEY THE GREEK AR CHIPEL AGOS FORM AN U N R I VA L L E D P A R A D I S E F O R I S L A N D HOPPING BY FERRY OR FA STER C AT A M A R A N . M A R C D U B I N A D V I S E S H O W B E S T T O N AV I G AT E T H E M .

THE CYCLADES

Florina

Thessaloniki

Kastoria

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Kozani

GREEK ISLANDS

Corfu

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Lefkas

Skiathos

Ithaca ATHENS 3

Kefalonia 1

Zakynthos

Start your odyssey on Mykonos, where we have 11 hotels to choose from.

This quintessential cobalt-sea-andsugar cube-house Greek island attracts assorted style mavens from all over the world. A granite anomaly in a mostly limestone country, its celebrated beaches are of fine blonde sand. Take a day-trip to Delos islet, where vivid mosaics hide amidst ruins of the main religious centre of the ancient Aegean.

Set high above Megali Ammos beach, a walk away from the town, you’ll find romantic Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge.

Think gorgeous sunsets, extravagant cocktails by the infinity pool, intimate and stylish suites. Hotel Belvedere, meanwhile, in Mykonos town’s calm yet convenient Róhari district has fine inhouse dining (Matsuhisa Japanese) and minimalist, mostly white décor. Petasos Beach Resort & Spa, between Platys Gialos and Psarou beaches, offers pastelaccented rooms and a thalassotherapy spa.

From Mykonos, daily ferries ply down to the island of Ios. Ios is blessed with a superb choice of beautiful beaches. Most famous is the ever-popular Mylopotas Beach, which seems to stretch on forever. There are cafés and watersports to enjoy too.

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Stay at Agalia Luxury Suites on the island's west coast for trend-setting style in Tzamaria. Or stay at Liostasi Ios Hotel & Spa, a sleek boutique hotel with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. Another catamaran brings you to Santorini. Arriving by sea, you best appreciate the spectacular, multicoloured palisades of this volcano island, created by a cataclysmic prehistoric eruption (life beforehand is presented in the unmissable Museum of Prehistoric Thera). Once atop the cliffs, ogle the sunset over the submerged caldera with its several islets. Volcanic soil engenders red or black sand beaches, excellent wine (visit a winery), and endemic vegetables like famous yellow split peas and white aubergines. With 14 hotels on Santorini, the choice really is yours!

In Oia, Santorini’s prime sunset-watching venue, Canaves Oia Hotel has all-white, sculpted rooms around a big cliff-edge pool, while adjacent suites each have private plunge pools, one of them with a river design. Alternatively, pamper yourself in the chic spa of Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites in Fira, though be aware that it faces east towards the sunrise, not towards the caldera. For caldera views from suites, check into couples-only Sun Rocks in quieter Firostefani village.

CRETE

Skala

From Santorini a daily catamaran goes to Iraklion, Crete. Introduce yourself to the island’s long past at Iraklion’s revamped archaeological museum, the world’s greatest collection of Minoan artefacts, and then visit excavated Minoan towns and palaces nearby.

More intact, though, are Crete’s recent periods of Venetian and Ottoman domination, visible in the atmospheric old quarters of Rethymno and Hania.

The island is a foodie paradise; lovers of unusual wild vegetables, stuffed turnovers and pork in every conceivable form, washed down by the local firewater raki, will be delighted.

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Lemnos Lesbos

Sporades Evia

Top accommodation clusters around easterly Agios Nikolaos, where St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas enjoys a privileged location on the Gulf

Andros 2

Kea Mykonos 1

En route to Iraklio, the adults-only Castello Boutique Resort & Spa in Sissi is set within tropical gardens and features a freshwater pool with fibre-optical effects. Further west in Rethymno, Rimondi Boutique Hotel is ensconced within the Renaissance Venetian architecture of the Old Town, and has suites with arches and exposed stone pointing, and offers breakfast by the focal courtyard pool.

Patmos

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Poros

of Mirabello, which fully lives up to its Italianate tag; experience excellent food and huge suites with private pools. Nearby Minos Beach Art Hotel has unique waterside bungalows and an in-house dive centre. Just north of here sits Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites.

It has 18 private villas each with their own infinity pools and 10 stylish suites.

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Naxos Kos

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Ios 14 2

Santorini Rhodes

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Crete

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From Crete you can take a slow ferry from Sitia to Rhodes. Rhodes Old Town is the largest fortified medieval ensemble in Greece and justifiably a UNESCO heritage site: a Byzantine, Crusader and Ottoman melange of warm-toned sandstone assembled as massive fortifications, mosques, churches and humbler dwellings.

Ancient Lindos acropolis, halfway along the beach-garlanded southeast coast, is stunning, while frescoed chapels hide in peaceful interior villages.

In Rhodes new town – but three paces from the old – the all-suite Rodos Park Suites & Spa Hotel is a sophisticated urban hideaway offering a tropical massage using lava shells in its spa, while adults-only Lindos Blu has a modern and minimalist aesthetic and is dramatically perched on a hillside above Vlyha cove.

A morning catamaran takes you to Kos, where Roman ruins enliven the main town, a forested mountain range looms overhead, and more superb beaches await (one with a popular shoreline hot spring).

Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa at Lambi is characterised by oak-floored suites and a sumptuous spa, and is within cycling distance of the town of Kos. A final, mid-morning catamaran passage gets you to sacred Patmos, redolent of the biblical Book of Revelations, supposedly written here

by John the Theologian (as Greeks call John the Evangelist). Intimate Petra Hotel & Suites has knockout views over Grikou bay’s topography.

Marc Dubin, a web-based travel journalist for The Daily Telegraph, is an expert on Greece and its islands and has written for every major guidebook publisher.

He lives on the Greek island of Samos.

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WINTER SPORTS

THRILLS & CHILLS ON YOUR NEXT WINTER ADVENTURE TO THE SLOPES, TRY GOING OFF-PISTE BY ADDING A DIFFERENT DIMENSION TO YOUR SKI HOLIDAY. WHETHER YOU WANT TO UP THE ANTE OR REALLY RELAX, THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO IN ADDITION TO DOWNHILL SKIING.

VELOGEMEL The no-brakes snowbike, or Velogemel – a wooden frame with two runners steered by front handlebars – was invented in Grindelwald, Switzerland in 1911. Once used as a method of transport, it’s now spotted on the slopes as a winter sport.

Grindelwald holds a World Championship every February and you can rent a Velogemel and join the race. Hotel Caprice is located in nearby Wengen, where the Alpine scenery is spectacular and the village chocolate-box pretty. Happily, most of the 20 chic hotel rooms are south facing with glorious views of the mountains.

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CROSS COUNTRY Europe’s biggest cross-country ski trail system, Dolomiti NordicSki, covers over 1,300km of tracks that connect 13 resorts across South Tyrol, East Tyrol, Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia. There are trails of varying levels of difficulty and only a single ski pass is needed. The Alpin Royal in Italy’s Ahrntal Valley is just a few minutes from Kronplatz – a world-class ski resort – where 300km of these cross-country ski runs run through. The alpine lodge is typically South Tyrolean in its natural wood décor and hearty culinary specialities – perfect fuel for your cross-country adventure.

HELISKIING

CRESTA RUN

Verbier is the main resort in Switzerland’s largest ski region, Les 4 Vallées, and is famous for its premier off-piste areas. For even better access to back-country skiing that promises knee-deep powder and thrilling views, go by helicopter with a guide to one of four drop off points. You will be rewarded with challenging terrain and perfect turns in virgin snow. Stay at Cordée des Alpes, a traditional timber mountain lodge in Verbier. This fashionable hotel and spa channels a bygone era of Alpine exploration: spot the authentic canvas rucksack, wooden ice axe and leather boots used by climbers over 100 years ago.

The legendary Cresta Run – a natural ice skeleton racing toboggan track – was first used in the 1884-1885 season and today sees over thirty races every winter. Located in St Moritz, Switzerland and originally built by British officers, the races still retain a British atmosphere, with announcements in English and several riders appearing in vintage sports clothing. Advanced riders can reach up to 140km/h, but there is also a training school for beginners. St Moritz is a glossy resort with a high fur coat count and The Crystal Hotel is one of the town’s gems: a refined, yet cosy hotel, with a peaceful spa and a highly regarded Mediterranean restaurant.

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EVENING SPORTS

RUSSIAN SLEDGING

Glamorous Kitzbühel in Austria attracts society skiers from around the world, drawn by the vast terrain and lively après ski. When night falls, the sport doesn’t stop: from night skiing on illuminated slopes to moonlit ski touring with an expert Alpine guide, there’s still plenty to do in the dark. Sledging, curling and cross-country trails are all floodlit, while the Schwarzsee provides a rink for romantic ice-skating by moonlight. Warm up afterwards in the extensive spa at the Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel, a contemporary resort situated on the edge of Kitzbühel in the centre of the Eichenheim golf course.

Spain’s Sierra Nevada – the second highest mountain range in Europe – offers skiers the chance to glance at the sparkling Mediterranean as they plough through powder snow. The resort’s Mirlo Blanco recreation area has another trick up its sleeve: Russian Sledging. This roller-sled on rails can accommodate two and can reach up to 40km/hr over a drop of 550m. El Lodge Ski & Spa Resort is a stunning chalet built entirely in Finnish wood, with impeccable interiors and exceptional cuisine. Jutting out over the piste, it’s conveniently ski-in, ski-out and can be booked in its entirety.

ICE CLIMBING

SKI TOURING

Zermatt is one of the most enchanting ski resort villages in the world and is almost completely surrounded by the Pennine Alp mountains (including Switzerland’s highest peak, the Monte Rosa). Climbing over the ice of frozen waterfalls and rock walls, you can reach otherwise inaccessible areas with an experienced mountain guide. Fitness, no fear, and climbing knowledge are all required; otherwise an artificial ice tower in the village is perfect for novices. The all-suite Hotel Firefly is one of the coolest places to stay in town, with sophisticated décor, private kitchens in each suite, and a glass-roofed pool in the spa.

Unlike cross-country skiing on largely flat terrain, ski touring takes you ‘skinning’ up the mountain, sometimes for hours, before you ski down in remote and often dramatic places. The skins of synthetic fur stop you from slipping backwards and touring skis have bindings that can be flexible and solid to allow you to walk and ski. Ski tours in Gstaad in Switzerland might include a challenging 5-hour ascent, but the enchanting scenery will soon distract you. Recover your strength at Le Grand Bellevue, a distinguished Gstaad institution that has been successfully revamped: chic furnishings, a huge spa and Michelin-starred dining await.

TOBOGGANING

SNOWSHOEING

Age and size are irrelevant when tobogganing – it’s fearlessness that counts. Obergurgl-Hochgurgl in Austria, renowned for its impeccable ski slopes, offers a 3km long natural toboggan run from the top station of the gondola down to the valley floor below. Try a romantic floodlit night toboggan ride – open once a week – followed by a stop at a picturesque mountain inn. Stay in the delightfully traditional-looking alpine lodge Art & Relax Hotel Bergwelt, directly connected to the ski slopes. With unexpected modern, stylish interiors this chic chalet retreat has a panoramic restaurant, a spa with the highest pool in the Alps, and a welcoming bar with a blazing fire.

Pad gently over the snow’s crust with a pair of lightweight snowshoes and you’ll soon realize why show-shoeing has become one of the most popular winter recreational activities.

The pretty town of Bankso is located in one of Bulgaria’s top ski resorts, an area of great natural beauty. ‘Bulgaria Walking’ organise guided tours (for varying abilities) across the slopes, meadows and ancient pine forests of the Pirin Mountains’ wilderness. Premier Luxury Mountain Resort in Bankso, is a sumptuously designed, modern hotel. Located within walking distance of the ski lifts, the hotel offers VIP ski passes so that guests can avoid queues.

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TANDEM PARAGLIDING Why not enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Grossarl Valley in the Austrian Alps? Glide weightlessly through the air with a professional tandem paragliding pilot from Fly Tandem.

No experience is necessary and your pilot can even perform acrobatic tricks on request! Stay at the Grossarler Hof, a chalet-style hotel with a cocooning ambience, where timber rooms are balanced with sleek interiors for a rustic chic look. The hotel can organize a ‘Hike and Fly’ experience, in which guests hike up the mountain in order to fly down.

PISTE BASHING If you’ve ever stood transfixed as the piste basher plows its way uphill, now is your chance to get behind the wheel. Whitetracks can organize for an instructor to take you on a circuit in the chichi resort of Courchevel 1850 in France. You will push and groom the snow on the 1.2km track, where high bends, embankments and bumps will allow you to put the snow cat through its paces.

The Hôtel Le Strato is a supremely glamorous mountain refuge with an enviable ski-in, ski-out position at the foot of the Cospillot piste. Elegant with quirky, colourful design touches throughout, the hotel has its own exclusive skis developed by Rossignol, only available to guests.

DOG SLEDDING A unique way to see the sights of Mègeve in France is on a sled being pulled by dogs with expert musher Bruno Cornali at the helm. Meet the friendly Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian huskies, and then set off on a thrilling hour-long journey through the alpine scenery with Mont Blanc looming in the distance. You can even learn how to drive the sleigh and instruct the dogs yourself. Le M de Megève is a mere 100m from the Chamois ski lifts, offering access to 445km of ski area. The authentic chalet blends Savoyard tradition with contemporary style and features a bar that specialises in hot cocktails to warm you up.

To book visit slh.com 79

WINTER SPORTS

THRILLS & CHILLS ON YOUR NEXT WINTER ADVENTURE TO THE SLOPES, TRY GOING OFF-PISTE BY ADDING A DIFFERENT DIMENSION TO YOUR SKI HOLIDAY. WHETHER YOU WANT TO UP THE ANTE OR REALLY RELAX, THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO IN ADDITION TO DOWNHILL SKIING.

CROSS COUNTRY Come winter, the pretty New England region of the USA turns Narnia-esque with the meadows, rolling hills, covered bridges and red barns coated in snow and cold.

The Okemo Mountain Resort in Vermont rises above the town of Ludlow with 120 trails (including a vertical drop of 2,200ft) and over 650 acres of skiable terrain. But the family-run resort has a soft spot for Nordic Skiing: the dedicated Nordic Centre features 22km of traditional Nordic track trails that wind through peaceful scenery along the Black River. Private or group cross-country instruction will help get you on your way. Castle Hill Resort and Spa, a 20th century listed mansion, offers transportation for the 5-minute drive to the ski resort. The hotel is steeped in historic grandeur, with an elegant staircase, Tiffany light fittings and decorative woodwork throughout.

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DOG SLEDDING

SNOW HORSE-RIDING

Jackson Hole in Wyoming, USA is synonymous with skiing.

The statistics should appeal to avid snow buffs: 116 named trails, 2,500 acres of ski terrain and a 4,139ft vertical drop.

For thrills of a different kind, why not try dog sledding with a professional dog musher? At Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours, you will traverse the spectacular wilderness areas at top speed with a selection of their 170 authentic Alaskan racing sled dogs. Expect to see deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and bald eagles as you race through the landscape. Stay at the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, a chic sanctuary that channels a rugged Old West saloon style, replete with roaring fires and leather armchairs. The restaurant, Wild Sage, has garnered several awards for its creative local cuisine.

Bariloche, in the heart of the Patagonian Andes, is the go-to area for Argentine skiers. At Cerro Cathedral Alta Patagonia, 37 lifts deposit skiers on 1,200 hectares of on and off-piste terrain. Horses are another of Argentina’s assets, so why not combine snow and equestrian pursuits?

The Correntoso Lake & River Hotel can organize for mountain horses to take you through the forest to Belvedere Hill Viewpoint. From there you will look out over a frozen landscape, with views of mountains, Correntoso Lake and Nahuel Huapi Lake. The hotel itself has a breathtaking setting on the lakeshore of the latter, with floor to ceiling windows in the rooms that showcase the scenery.

ICE CLIMBING

GLACIER TREKKING

Located in northern New York State, the Lake Placid region of the Adirondack Mountains has hosted the Winter Olympics twice – in 1932 and 1980. Skiers come to Whiteface Mountain for the 86 runs and 283 acres of downhill ski terrain, but you can also explore vertically by ‘picking’ through the ice-filled chimneys, crevices and cliffs throughout the region. Experts can take on a challenging 1,000ft climb up a sheer ice wall, or beginners can take lessons with a licensed Adirondack guide. If you’ve still got the energy, borrow some snow shoes and head across the lake on the doorstep of the charming Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa. The property – which features several lodges nestled amid 8 acres of gardens – also has two ice rinks in front of The Cottage Café, so you can skate and then sip on a hot chocolate.

Just a few kilometres from the city of Ushuaia, in Argentina’s remote Tierra del Fuego province, lies the spectacular Martial Glacier. The receding cirque glacier clings to the Fuegian Andes at 1,050m above sea level and is the most important source of fresh water in Ushuaia. There are just two ski slopes offering very easy runs, so the most exciting way to tackle the glacier is by foot. Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa is the only resort located on the beaches of the Beagle Channel. The hotel organises treks of medium difficulty that offer the best vantage points of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world and the channel below.

To book visit slh.com 81

UNESCO

PA S T PE R F E C T SINCE 1972, UNESCO (THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION) HAS BEEN TASKED WITH PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ADMIRE. SOME OF THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES OFFER SLH PROPERTIES A FRONT ROW SEAT.

SITE

Cultural Landscape of Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorca, Spain

SIGNIFICANCE

This tricky agricultural terrain on a sheersided mountain range has been workable for over 1,000 years thanks to a system of terraces, cobbled roads and a water network – an interchange of Muslim and Christian cultures and nature.

STAY

At Gran Hotel Son Net, a 17th century estate located at the foot of the rugged Serra Tramuntana mountains. Book a private meal for up to 8 people in the hotel’s new Treehouse – fixed around the bough of an ancient pine tree, it’s the ideal viewing platform.

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Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, Croatia

SIGNIFICANCE

Diocletian’s Palace was built in the late 3rd and early 4th centuries and its ruins are now spread throughout the beating heart of Split. The Roman Emperor spared no expense and the palace complex covers 31,000 sq metres.

STAY

At Hotel Vestibul Palace, located within the palace ruins, between the emperor’s chambers and a place reserved for the gods. Modern interiors, including handcrafted furniture, are interwoven with original Roman walls to dramatic effect.

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Historic Centre of Oporto, Portugal

SIGNIFICANCE

Named Portus, or port, by the Romans, Oporto has a 2,000-year history occupying the hillsides overlooking the mouth of the Douro River. Urban development from the Roman, Medieval and Almadas periods is interwoven with stunning architecture from all the succeeding epochs.

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At Carmo’s Boutique Hotel, 45 minutes outside of Porto in Ponte de Lima – the oldest town in Portugal. Try the Cleopatra bathing ritual in the spa and soak in 100% pure goat’s milk, glass of Champagne in hand.

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The Historic Centre (Chora), Patmos, Greece

SIGNIFICANCE

St John the Theologian is reputed to have written both his Gospel and the Apocalypse on the island of Patmos. Chora, a village built around the Monastery of St John, is one of the few settlements in Greece to have consistently evolved since the 12th century.

STAY

At Petra Hotel & Suites, in the quaint fishing village of Grikos. Rooms and suites here are designed to represent a miniature Greek village, replete with whitewashed walls and contemporary interiors.

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Medina of Marrakech, Morocco

SIGNIFICANCE

Founded in 1070-1072 by the Almoravids, Marrakech was a major political, economic and cultural centre of the western Muslim world.

The 700-hectare Medina is an ancient habitat – a labyrinth of lanes, houses and souks – that includes the Imperial Kasbah quarter and the iconic Koutoubia Mosque.

STAY

At La Sultana Marrakech, an elegant riad (traditional Moroccan house) within walking distance of the Red City’s star attractions.

The hotel offers an ‘Urban Safari’ of the historical Kasbah district and old Medina, including Jemaa El Fna Square, the Saadian Tombs, the Royal Palaces and the Bahia Palace.

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Archaeological Area of Agrigento, Sicily, Italy

SIGNIFICANCE

Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, Agrigento prospered as one of the leading cities in the Mediterranean region. Today, fields and orchards are studded with well-preserved Doric columns that once dominated the ancient town.

STAY

At Hotel Villa Athena, that boasts picture-perfect views of the magnificent Temple of Concordia. Walk to the site first thing in the morning before the crowds arrive, and later that night – on your room’s balcony – admire the temple illuminated in all its glory.

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UNESCO

PA S T PE R F E C T SINCE 1972, UNESCO (THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION) HAS BEEN TASKED WITH PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ADMIRE. SOME OF THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES OFFER SLH PROPERTIES A FRONT ROW SEAT.

SITE

Melaka, Historic City of the Straits of Malacca, Malaysia

SIGNIFICANCE

A multicultural trading town for the Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures and three successive European colonial powers, Melaka (or Malacca) prospered as a port for 500 years. This is characterised by the architecture, culture and townscape that reflects a heady mix of influences.

STAY

At The Majestic Malacca, a 1920’s riverside mansion that echoes the history of the region with porcelain flooring, teakwood fittings, art and antiques. Stroll through the city’s 600-year-old pathways, red brick Dutch colonial buildings and narrow old shop houses.

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Town of Luang Prabang, Laos

SIGNIFICANCE

Set at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan River in a lush, mountainous region, Luang Prabang was a religious and royal capital and strategic location on the Silk Route. The town represents a fusion of traditional architecture and colonial buildings: here, wooden structures and brick houses stand alongside intricate pagodas.

STAY

At The Luang Say Residence, a sequence of pavilions set within 14,000sqm of tropical gardens in Luang Prabang where the host house recreates the colonial aura. Meander through the heritage town’s alleys and markets, listen to chanting prayers or discreetly call in to a temple.

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Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Sri Lanka

SIGNIFICANCE

Founded by the Portuguese in 1588 and further developed by the Dutch and English over the next three centuries, Galle is the best example of a European built fortified city in South and South East Asia.

STAY

At Tamarind Hill, an aristocratic manor house dating back to 1764 at which all guests have a private butler. Circuit the majestic walls of the Galle Fort and make your way up to the historic clock tower for the best vantage point of the fort.

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The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India

SIGNIFICANCE

An astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century that expresses the skills and cosmological concepts of the court of prince Jai Singh II. Monumental examples of masonry allow observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye.

STAY

At The Raj Palace. Built in 1727, it served as the residence of a former Maharajah and has been restored to its original opulence. Visit the Jantar Mantar and tell the time with the sundial before exploring the rest of the historic ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur.

SITE

Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

SIGNIFICANCE

A Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, the city – once hidden in jungle – is one of the principal shrines of Buddhism. A cutting from a fig tree of Buddha brought here in the 3rd century BC has flourished into the Bodhi tree at the centre of the site.

STAY

At Ulagalla Resort, a former chieftain mansion set on a sprawling 58-acre estate dotted with 20 eco-villas. The Bodhi tree – Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya – is 28km from the resort and is worshipped by throngs of devotees who come from all corners of the country.

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Great Barrier Reef, Australia

SIGNIFICANCE

This is the largest collection of coral reefs in the world: 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. The Great Barrier Reef also provides a habitat for the sea cow and large green turtle that are threatened with extinction.

STAY

At Bloomfield Lodge, a luxury eco-lodge tucked away within the UNESCO protected Wet Tropics of Queensland and on the shores of the Great Barrier Reef. Ensconce yourself in natural beauty: take a guided rainforest walk or spend an unforgettable day snorkelling the enchanting reef.

To book visit slh.com 85

UNESCO

PA S T PE R F E C T SINCE 1972, UNESCO (THE UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANISATION) HAS BEEN TASKED WITH PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL AND NATURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ADMIRE. SOME OF THE WORLD HERITAGE SITES OFFER SLH PROPERTIES A FRONT ROW SEAT.

SITE

Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala

SIGNIFICANCE

Founded in the early 16th century as the capital, Antigua Guatemala was built 1,530m above sea level but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. The capital relocated to a safer location (which became Guatemala City), but some residents remained in the town, now characterised by both the ruins and surviving Spanish Baroque influenced architecture.

STAY

At El Convento Boutique Hotel, a delightful colonial style sanctuary that has many of the town’s landmarks on its doorstep, including the abandoned Capuchinas Convent and the San Jose Cathedral.

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Colonial City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

SIGNIFICANCE

Santo Domingo was the first European settlement of the New World after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. It is the site of the first cathedral, hospital, customs house and university in the Americas and the starting point for the spread of European culture and conquest over the rest of the continent.

STAY

At Casas del XVI, a collection of beautifully restored houses built in the 16th century that feature original heirloom art and modern conveniences. Located in the Old Town, the hotel is close to the Cathedral of Santa Mariá la Menor, the first cathedral in the New World.

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The Historic Centre of Mexico City, Mexico

SIGNIFICANCE

Densely populated Mexico City was built in the 16th century by the Spanish on the ruins of Tenochtitlan, the old Aztec capital. The city has five Aztec temples, the largest cathedral on the continent and an array of grand buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries.

STAY

At Downtown, one of the oldest residences in the historic city centre, that effortlessly blends 17th century colonial grandeur with an edgy, industrial aesthetic. Just a block from the hotel you will find several landmarks, including the enormous Metropolitan Cathedral and the Aztec temple, the Templo Mayor.

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Statue of Liberty, USA

SIGNIFICANCE

Gifted by France to America on the centenary of American independence in 1886, this iconic symbol of liberty was sculpted by Frédéric Bartholdi and used steel framework by Gustave Eiffel. It stands on Liberty Island at the entrance of New York harbour and is a masterpiece of colossal statuary.

STAY

At The Inn at Irving Place, two elegant brownstone townhouses built in 1834 in the heart of Manhattan’s Gramercy Park. Period features include Tiffany lamps and antiques, floral rugs and fireplaces and a Victorian style tearoom for a decadent afternoon treat.

SITE

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

SIGNIFICANCE

Isolated in the Pacific Ocean 1,000km off the Ecuadorian coast, this unique cluster of 19 islands and the surrounding marine reserve are considered a ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. The development of unusual wildlife, such as marine iguanas and giant tortoises, inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution after he visited in 1835.

STAY

At Pikaia Lodge, an eco-friendly retreat perched on the crater of an extinct volcano on the Galápagos Island of Santa Cruz. Beyond having the most exquisite mountain, forest and sea views, the hotel offers land and sea tours (on a private yacht) to spot sea lions and lava lizards – and has its own giant tortoise reserve.

SITE Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, Barbados

SIGNIFICANCE

This fortified port town had a pivotal role in the expansion of the British colonies in the Americas and was vital for international trade; it is also a fine example of British colonial architecture between the 17th and the 19th centuries. The Barbados Garrison was used as a base for amphibious command and control and is thought to be the most authentic British garrison of that period in the world.

STAY

At Coral Reef Club, a family-owned, beachfront resort of enchanting cottages, villas and suites that are embedded in 12 acres of tropical gardens. Watch the Changing of the Sentry or have a theatrical dinner in a 1751 setting at the Garrison. The hotel can arrange transportation (a 20 minute journey) and any tours to visit both Bridgetown and its Garrison.

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PETS

PUPPY LOVE

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W I T H S O M A N Y PE T- F R I E N DLY S L H HOT E L S , T H E R E ’ S NO N E E D T O L E AV E Y O U R H O U N D AT H O M E . Y O U ’ L L B E S U R P R I S E D B Y J U S T H O W P A M P E R E D Y O U R D O G O R C AT C O U L D B E .

KRISTIANIA LECH, AUSTRIA

THE RAITHWAITE ESTATE, UK

THE HOTEL An exquisitely decorated Alpine retreat with the feel of a private residence.

THE HOTEL A countryside estate of hotels and cottages set amid 100 acres of private gardens and woodland.

PET ROOM Special beds, KL dog towels, a blanket, bowls and a good night treat. Not to mention a KL dog tag with the hotel’s number, Bow-ow Box (pet first aid kit), toy and bottles and a welcome letter from Bruno and Gustav, the hotel dog ambassadors. There are pet friendly rooms throughout the hotel.

PET PAMPERING Dog grooming and onsite training can be arranged easily.

PET MENU A special menu offers a selection of freshly prepared meals. (The signature dish is noodles and tuna, a favourite of the two hotel dogs). Pets can eat in the bar or partake in an Arabian styled picnic in the snow... much more fun for them!

WALKIES Gertrud Schneider, hotel owner says “My tip for excellent exercise with pets is cross country skiing, Lech spring water is provided for long winter sessions. Snow shoeing and winter hiking are also just wonderful. Our concierge, Domenico has many ideas on how to entertain our pet guests and will also recommend which restaurants are pet friendly.”

PET ROOM Fido can stay with you in your room – furnished with bed and bowl – or he can check into his own accommodation in the Dog Lodge.

PET PAMPERING A dedicated Dog Spa with intensive treatments: think bubbling aromatherapy massage, a Dead Sea mud bath and Thalasso therapy. Sheila, an award-winning groomer, can take care of haircuts, shampoos and paw pad treatments – all finished off with a fragrance spritz.

PET MENU The ‘Dogs Delight’ in-room dining menu features treats and main meals such as liver cakes and cookies, chicken casserole and poached salmon.

WALKIES Roam the Yorkshire Moors or stroll 5 minutes down the driveway to the beach.

A dog walking service is available.

To book visit slh.com 89

PETS

THE ARCH LONDON, UK

HOTEL TANNENHOF, AUSTRIA

THE HOTEL Set in a Georgian townhouse on a quiet street behind Marble Arch, this chic hotel is a fusion of English heritage and cutting-edge style.

THE HOTEL A seven-suite Alpine hotel in St Anton, characterized by roaring fireplaces, Tyrolean wood and cosy fabrics.

PET ROOM A fur-lined dog bed, a dog toy, a box of organic liver, alfalfa and turmeric treats and a gentle fur cleanser by Aesop in the bathroom.

PET ROOM A soft dog bed, toys and a stylish water bowl engraved with the hotel’s name.

PET PAMPERING The concierge can book a session at the Pet Spa in Chelsea, where your pet can indulge in a blueberry & vanilla facial, pet pedicure and shimmer spray sparkle treatment.

PET MENU The leather-bound Pets’ Menu offers a choice of chicken & rice, salmon and broccoli or a vegetarian option. Dinner can be taken in the Martini Lounge, where staff will pour still or sparkling water into a dog bowl for refreshment.

WALKIES The 350-acre Hyde Park is mere moments away. Hotel staff members are happy to take the leash if you have other plans in the city.

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PET PAMPERING The ‘Dog Package’ includes three hours training on site with renowned dog coach Peter Oberhollenzer, an expert in dog and cat psychology. Learn to communicate with your canine for deeper levels of harmonious co-existence.

PET MENU The chef can be briefed with your pets’ preferences for a fresh daily meal.

WALKIES Several local hiking trails wind through the mountains. The hotel offers a dog sitter for one day as part of the package.

VIP, VERY IMPORTANT PET SLH asked 13,570 Club Members worldwide about travelling with their pets. 6.9% revealed that they like to take their pets on holiday whenever they can, and 14.9% would pay to have their pets pampered in a hotel. But what luxuries would Club Members most like their pet to be offered?

Judging by the responses, nothing’s too much for our canine and feline friends.

GOURMET Pata Negra Ham Caviar Filet mignon Bollinger champagne

AMENITIES

NIMB HOTEL, DENMARK THE HOTEL A Moorish-styled white palace located in the whimsical Tivoli Gardens in the heart of Copenhagen.

PET ROOM In-room goodies include a welcome hamper with a toy and doggie bags, a dog bed, a ‘Do Not Disturb/Dog Sleeping’ card, a water bowl with fresh mineral water and a tasty turndown treat.

PET PAMPERING A grooming service is available on site – courtesy of Copenhagen’s best dog groomers – and the hotel highly recommends a nearby pet store for any additional goodies.

Electric blanket Toothbrush Shampoo Cushioned window seat

SPA Blueberry facials Pedicures Hydrotherapy Massage

PLAYTIME Collar charms Pet playroom Swimming pool Automatic ball thrower

PET MENU The hotel will buy your pet’s preferred brand and the chef is always on hand for special requests.

WALKIES The concierge can dog sit or take your hound for a spin. Alternatively, the hotel provides you with a map of nearby parks and walks.

To book visit slh.com 91

DRIVING

LIFE IN THE SLOW LANE T H E B E S T WA Y F R O M A T O B I S N O T A L WAY S T H E Q U I C K E S T. E U R O P E A N R OAD TRIPS ARE THERE TO BE RELISHED, SO DR OP DOWN A GEAR.

COAST TO COAST – FRANCE Brittany and Provence are the coastal bookends of this route that dips into past eras. Poised on a cliff top of Brittany’s Côte du Granit Rose is L’Agapa Hôtel & Spa, an imposing edifice of granite and glass infused with the spirit of the Art Deco age. Minimalist and monochromatic interiors and Michelin-starred fare make this a chic seaside stay.

ENROUTE Make a pit stop at the new Porsche Experience Centre in Le Mans.

Here, Porsche fans can take cars to task on the track.

The clock winds back several centuries on arrival at Château d’Artigny, a Belle Époque castle near Tours. This 18th century palatial mansion in the heart of the Loire Valley is encircled by 65 acres of immaculate French gardens and parkland.

ENROUTE For the ultimate view of Vieux Lyon, take the funicular up the hill of Fourvière to the Basilica and Roman amphitheatre.

A former Provençal farmhouse built in 1850 on the estate of Cassagne Castle, the Auberge de Cassagne & Spa retains a rustic charm. Exposed beams, floral fabrics and roaring fires set the bucolic scene, just 5km from the bustle of Avignon.

ENROUTE Peruse the Provençal markets at Bonnieux, L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, Lourmarin, Gargas, Gordes and Goult for fresh local produce, arts and crafts.

So enchanting is the view of Montagne Sainte-Victoire from the terrace of Le Pigonnet, that artist Paul Cézanne couldn’t resist setting up his easel to paint it. This 18th century manor house is a peaceful and elegant retreat, just minutes from Aix-en-Provence.

ENROUTE Park the car and take the 15-minute ferry to Porquerolles Island, a national park where only bicycles are used. It hosts a jazz festival every summer in July.

The French Riviera has long delivered glamour and romance in spades, and the Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa is among its most alluring assets. Embedded in flame-red cliffs near the Corniche d’Or, this stylish sanctuary has its own private beach and promises panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

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L’Agapa Hôtel & Spa Porsche Experience Centre, Le Mans Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa

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DRIVING

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WATER CULTURE – GERMANY The romantic river valleys of the Rhine are studded with vineyards, castles, and medieval towns waiting to be explored. Château de I’lle is a castle situated near Strasbourg on a tree-lined bend of the Ill River (a western tributary of the Rhine). Transformed into a hotel in 1994, it features turrets, towers and half-timbered houses in the typical Alsatian style.

ENROUTE Germany’s largest national park, the Black Forest, is cuckoo clock country – detour to Schonach or Triberg to visit shops and factories dedicated to these whimsical souvenirs.

In the spa town of Baden-Baden, Belle Epoque has taken up residence in a 19th century villa replete with a sweeping staircase, manicured garden, and fountain.

From here, you can walk to the thermal baths of Friedrichsbad and Caracalla within minutes.

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ENROUTE The baroque-styled Karlsruhe Palace houses the Baden State Museum, one of the most active cultural history museums in Germany.

Heidelberg Suites Boutique Hotel occupies a prime position on the banks of the River Neckar (an eastern tributary of the Rhine). So desirable are the interiors by Italian architect and designer Michele Bönan that all the furnishings are available to buy. If you do venture outside, the hotel lends its bicycles for easy exploration.

ENROUTE Get a different perspective on the famous ruins of Heidelberg Castle by taking a scenic helicopter ride or booking a river excursion on the Rhein-Neckar passenger ship.

The Hotel im Wasserturm in Cologne is a one-of-a-kind hotel experience set within a 35m high, 19th century water tower. Refashioned as a modern 78-room hotel

by French designer Andrée Putnam, it offers birds-eye views of the city.

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Château de I’lle Heidelberg Castle Vinci, Italy Grand Hotel Parker’s

REGION RIVALRY – ITALY Italian regions are like siblings in a big family – their DNA is the same, but their characters can vary wildly. And so it is with Italian hotels. In the vibrant coastal town of Viareggio in Tuscany, Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte changes personality with every floor (and there are five): 18th century Paris, Art Deco, Colonial, Empire and Modern. What all rooms have in common, however, are views over either the Apuan Alps or the Tyrrhenian Sea. ENROUTE Visit the town of Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo da Vinci.

The museum dedicated to the Renaissance master showcases his mechanical, scientific and engineering inventions.

Oozing sophistication in the heart of elegant Florence is J.K. Place Firenze, a discreet 20-bedroom townhouse hotel.

Even discerning Florentines can’t resist an aperitif in the glamorous J.K. Lounge that opens onto the piazza.

ENROUTE Stop at the small medieval town of San Gimignano, renowned for its skyline of 14 tower-houses.

By virtue of its setting on a Siena hilltop, Castello di Velona’s height allows for expansive views of undulating Val d’Orcia.

Built from the ruins of an 11th century fortress, this luxurious castle features a spa (using mineral volcanic hot springs) and a winery.

ENROUTE The Royal Palace of Caserta, constructed for the Bourbon Kings of Naples, is the largest royal residence in the world.

After roaming amid its 47,000m² of grounds, have lunch at Le Colonne, a one Michelin-starred restaurant nearby.

In the Campania region, there’s a touch of nobility about Grand Hotel Parker’s – each floor offers a different style, from Charles X and Louis XIV to Empire. Live the high life on the roof terrace: the restaurant and decadent cigar bar have majestic views of the Bay of Naples.

ENROUTE See the extraordinarily well-preserved ruins of Pompeii, a city buried by the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.

Historically a magnet for those on the Grand Tour, the Grand Hotel Cocumella has an enviable guestbook: signatures include Hans Christian Anderson and the Duke of Wellington.

In addition to luxuriating in the tranquil rooms, terraces and gardens, you can parade along the Amalfi Coast aboard Vera, the hotel’s magnificent tall ship first launched in 1880.

To book visit slh.com 95

F A M I LY

BOND. FAMILY BOND. EXPERIENCES ARE MORE INTENSE EN MASSE. WHY NOT MAKE YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY AN ACTION ADVENTURE FOR ALL THE FAMILY?

HONDURAS

PHILIPPINES

JUNGLE TREKKING & SNORKELLING Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime with an early morning bird hike, a night hike through the jungle, whitewater rafting and snorkelling the world’s second longest barrier reef.

STAY At The Lodge at Pico Bonito, a secluded eco-lodge in the magnificent Honduran rainforest – 400 acres of tropical wilderness. The extremely comfortable cabins are built in stone and native pine and are scattered among old cacao groves.

KIDS CAN Take a private tour of The Lodge’s butterfly farm that breeds over 40 species of tropical butterflies. They can also enjoy the hotel’s own iguana farm and serpentarium.

GROWN-UPS CAN Take a boat trip through the tropical lagoons of a manatee refuge before returning for a gourmet meal with a local twist at the open-air restaurant.

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SAILING & QUAD BIKING Hop on a 4-seater Hobie Cat to glide through the waters surrounding Cagraray Island in the Philippines; on the island itself, motor to the Eco-Energy Park on quad bikes and roar up the hill for a rewarding view of the active Mayon Volcano.

STAY At Misibis Bay, the 5-hectare resort on Cagraray Island.

This exclusive hideaway has a collection of spacious contemporary villas that can easily accommodate families.

Try a private beach barbecue of fresh seafood and local Filipino cuisine.

KIDS CAN Fly through the air hanging from a 200m or 450m zip wire at the Eco-Energy Park.

GROWN-UPS CAN Rent Segways to explore the expansive resort or scuba dive to see whale sharks and a shipwreck.

MONGOLIA

GREECE

MINGLING WITH MONGOLIAN NOMADS Learn about the lives and traditions of Mongolian nomads in the Gorki-Terelj National Park – a wilderness of hot springs, forested mountains and meadows of edelweiss. You will visit a ger (yurt) belonging to a nomadic family, try Mongolian milk tea and dried curd, and milk cows.

STAY At the Terelj Hotel, located 70km north of Ulanbataar, in the heart of the Gorki-Terelj National Park. This supremely comfortable yet remote retreat features a luxury spa with the largest heated indoor pool in Mongolia.

KIDS CAN Take a 30-minute dog sleigh ride on the Terelj River on a small handmade passenger sleigh with an experienced guide (from October to March).

GROWN-UPS CAN Explore the park by two-humped Bactrian camel or horse ride with a local horseman.

DIVING & SAILING Seize the day on a yacht cruise, take the opportunity to explore the renowned beaches of Halkidiki and visit Mount Athos a place where the history of Byzantine times unfold before your eyes; Ammouliani Island and Vourvourou. If you so fancy, enjoy a family diving adventure in the emerald crystal clear waters of Halkidiki.

STAY At Eagles Palace, a beautiful beach hotel and spa on the Mount Athos peninsula wonderfully secluded, surrounded by lush gardens of olive and palm trees, overlooking a sparkling blue sea above its own private sandy beach.

KIDS CAN Swim in the kids’ pool and enjoy themselves at the Explorers Club specially designed for kids. Get to know the waters with a variety of watersport and diving adventures under the guidance of certified professionals.

GROWN-UPS CAN Set off on a dreamy sunset cruise, have a candlelight dinner on the beach under the stars or have a relaxing couples massage.

To book visit slh.com 97

FOOD

FOOD FOR THOUGHT THE WAY TO A COUNTRY’S HEART IS THROUGH ITS STOMACH. PREPARE YOUR PALATE FOR SOME OF THE EXTRAORDINARY DELICACIES LOCAL TO SLH HOTELS.

The lamprey – a three-eyed, eel-like animal with a round mouth sucker that lives in the water – was a much-desired dish of medieval gastronomy. Today, only Latvians have maintained a taste for lampreys. Hotel Bergs in Riga is a chic designer hotel in the city’s cultural quarter with a locally inspired haute cuisine menu – here, lamprey is served as a terrine.

If you develop a penchant for slippery creatures, then head to Eastbourne in the UK for a lunch of jellied eels on Seaside Road. You can stay at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne – a palatial waterfront edifice with delightfully florid interior décor steeped in the Victorian era.

Adored as a domesticated pet in the West, the guinea pig is a staple dish on menus in Peru. Peruvians smear cuy (pronounced ‘kwee’) with salt and garlic, cook them whole and eat them with their hands. The chefs at the Royal Park Hotel can, upon request, prepare cuy in a gourmet style for their guests. The hotel, located in an exclusive residential neighbourhood of Lima, has a European flavour: a fusion of classic décor and contemporary art, with a stunning rooftop pool.

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The Okinawa Islands of Japan are known for their lush, tropical looks and are less well known for the sukugarasu that’s eaten there. Made from fried rabbitfish that’s been preserved in salt (‘suku’ means fry, ‘garasu’ means food preserved in salt), the 2-3cm fishes are placed on top of shima tofu and eaten whole. The Shigira Bayside Suite Allamanda on Miyakojima Island is an all-suite resort on a powdersoft sandy beach that boasts a private pool for each of its suites. Okinawan ingredients that you may find on the menu here include goya (bitter melon), umi budo (a type of seaweed) and Okinawan tofu.

China offers a myriad of unusual snacks and one of the more intriguing examples is a pidan, or century egg. The duck, quail or chicken egg is cured in clay and salt for a number of months – this turns the egg white into a dark jelly with a grey-green yolk that produces an aroma of ammonia. The restaurant at the Sheng He Club in Nantong features the century egg on its menu, though they specialise in dishes using fresh ingredients sourced from the local market. This elegant 20room hotel, styled with accents from the Ming and Qing dynasties, is situated on the Haohe River – an ancient moat. The picturesque Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort & Spa serves the century egg with a special yellow yolk. Hangzhou is particularly known for Longjing tea – pan-roasted green tea – and the hotel has infused several of its dishes with this ingredient.

The night markets of Taipei City – of which there are over 100 – are widely considered to be the best in the world. Street food takes centre stage at the lively Liaoning Night Market and one of its most desirable dishes is stinky tofu – fermented bean curd that possesses a powerful reek. It’s best to eat it al fresco and then stroll back to the Hotel Quote Taipei, a sleek and modern 68-room property designed with a masculine palette. The hotel’s 24-hour lounge is perfect for a nightcap after the night market.

Surströmming is a sour and fermented Baltic herring that’s a speciality of northern Sweden (and is so foul-smelling it’s been banned by major airlines).

Ett Hem is a former private residence in Stockholm that still feels like a private home: 12 rooms are uniquely designed and the atmosphere is intimate and relaxed. Surströmming is not on the menu at Ett Hem – guests are served fresh, local dishes in the kitchen – but Sturehof restaurant is a mere 10-minutes walk away and serves the stinking fish on the third Thursday in August every year.

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Head down to Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa in Bedfordshire, UK this Easter for fun for all the family! http://www.slh.com/hotels/luton-hoo-hotel/

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Park Hotel Mignon & Spa in Merano, Italy has the spa of our dreams!

Take the signature Mignon Luxury Facial with gold and caviar followed by a sauna and a body cooling session with glacier ice to feel truly invigorated. http://www.slh.com/hotels/park-hotel-mignon-spa/

Small Luxury Hotels @SLHLuxuryHotels - Feb 15 Book a stay at Magna Pars Suits Milano in #Milan #Italy & enjoy its brand new renovation bit.ly/1vhUbOM

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Small Luxury Hotels @SLHLuxuryHotels - Feb 20 The Salzburg Easter Festival - Stay at Jagdgut Wachtelhof in Hinterhal Maria Alm, Austria bit.ly/1C1Ys9O

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Stay at either Pavillon De La Reine & Spa or H么tel du Petit Moulin Paris and borrow their brand new bikes for a cyle round the city!

Cycling is the best way to discover Le Marais, the historical part of Paris where these two hotels are located. http://www.slh.com/destinations/europe/france/paris/

Small Luxury Hotels @SLHLuxuryHotels - Apr 19 #TravelInspiration @aquabluhotel in Lambi, Kos #Greec

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Food Starts with really amazing mozzarella @HotelRegency @SLHLuxuryHotels #Florence #Italy

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#TravelInspiration Shinagawa Beach in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka http://www.slh.com/hotels/shinagawa-beach

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Dinner plans? Serene Pavillions in Wadduwa #SriLanka #nofilter #dinner #photooftheday #picoftheday #luxurytravel #luxuryvacation #holiday #travel #vacation www.slh.com/hotels/serene-pavillions/

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A stylish urban sanc centre, The George comfortable place to For a spot of advent eye view of the sea

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Return to the hotel f restaurant, Peascat

Afternoon tea Nordic style at The Luxe Manor in Hong Kong, China To celebrate the arrival of spring, The Luxe Manor’s restaurant FINDS is collaborating with classic Danish design brand GreenGate to offer ultimate spring pleasure to afternoon tea lovers. http://www.slh.com/hotels/the-luxe-manor-hotel/

Small Luxury Hotels of the World added 7 new photos April 21 at 3:00pm

China still on your bucket list?

Stay at Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort & Spa, a tranquil spa resort in Hangzhou, the city referred to as ‘Heaven on Earth’. http://www.slh.com/hot.../hangzhou-rose-garden-resort-and-spa/

smallluxuryhotels 3 weeks ago

Enjoy the view at The Marmara Bodrum in #Bodrum #Turkey #view #sea #hotelview #photooftheday #picoftheday #travelinspiration #travel #luxurytravel #vacation www.slh.com/hotels/the-marmara-bodrumhotel/

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Small Luxury Hotels @SLHLuxuryHotels - Jan 15 One to add to the bucket list...

The Fortress in Galle #SriLanka bit.ly/1oxYwvH

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It’s always nice to be welcomed like I was home. Thank u Sam @the_lux_manor!

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#TravelInspiration Pins de la Brume Hotel in Hangzhou, China

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ctuary with e Hotel Chr o stay in N ture arrange and mountains

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Experience contemporary design in the award-winning Naumi Hotel themed suite at the Naumi Hotels in Singapore’s Central http://www.slh.com/hotels/naumi-hotel-singapore/ 4,424 people reached

Small Luxury Hotels of the World added 5 new photos July 1 at 3:00pm

Another new hotel in China to add to the collection - By-Spring Villa in Chongqing, a major city in Southwest China.

Here you’ll find collections of luxury villas that blend classical architecture with contemporary style. Built around Chongqing’s mineral-rich hot springs this is a hotel tailor-made for tranquil escapes.

Take advantage of their round the clock butler service!... See More

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#SLHSpotlight Concierge of the week: Hotel Shangri-La in Santa Monica, California, USA. Don’t just take our word for it that Head Concierge, Sonny Vallcent, is a concierge extraordinaire, he’s being featured in next month’s Culture & Travel magazine with his very own recommendations for visitors to Los Angeles.

He provides guests with not just the usual sights, but those that are not to be missed! http://www.slh.com/hotels/shangri-la-santa-monica/

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Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge in Barahona, Dominican Republic Http://www.slh.com/hotels/casa-bonita-hotel/

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World added 4 new photos April 27 at 3:00pm

Set in the culturally fascinating Spanish colonial town of Guatemala, surrounded by brightly painted buildings, re the volcanoes of Agua, Acatenango and Fuego, El Conv Hotel Antigua Guatemala is a tranquil colonial-style prop atmosphere. #TopTip Go on a day trip outside the town to visit the quie and climb one of the area’s volcanoes. http://www.slh.com/hotels/el-convento-boutique-hotel/

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ANTIGUA ARGENTINA

The Inn at English Harbour CasaSur Art Hotel Entre Cielos Correntoso Lake & River Hotel Los Cauquenes Resort & Spa Thorngrove Manor Berkeley River Lodge Bloomfield Lodge – Beautifully Remote The Dudley Boutique Hotel Injidup Spa Retreat Smiths Beach Resort Woodbridge on the Derwent Grossarler Hof Jagdgut Wachtelhof Grand Tirolia Kitzbühel Kristiania Lech Art and Relax Hotel Bergwelt Hotel Goldgasse Hotel Tannenhof Altstadt Vienna Das Tyrol Tiamo Resort Coral Reef Club The Sandpiper De Witte Lelie Hotel de Orangerie Hotel de Tuilerieën The Pand Hotel Ka'ana Boutique Resort and Spa Campo Bahia Resort Katitche Point Greathouse Premier Luxury Mountain Resort Angkor Village Resort Trout Point Lodge of Nova Scotia Georgian Court Hotel Bella Luce Hotel, Restaurant and Spa The Atlantic Hotel Cours et Pavillons Hotel Éclat Beijing Tai Residence (Pre-opening hotel) The Emperor Qianmen By-Spring Villa Imperial Springs International Summit Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort & Spa Pins De La Brume Hotel Lijiang’s Patio Resort Sheng He Club Tengchong Hot Spring Spa Resort Shan Yi Li Qing Wang Fu Boutique Hotel Eden Clubhouse Hotel La Sagrada Familia (Pre-opening hotel) Movich Casa del Alfrez Movich Hotel Cartagena de Indias Pacific Resort Aitutaki Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens Azul Ocean Club Nantipa Beach Resort Rancho Pacifico Boutique Hotel Alhambra Hotel Vestibul Palace Columbia Beach Resort Londa Beach Hotel BoHo Prague Hotel Quisisana Palace Kokkedal Castle Copenhagen Nimb Hotel Casa Bonita Casa Colonial Beach & Spa Sivory Punta Cana Boutique Hotel Sublime Samana Hotel & Residences The Bannister Hotel Casas Del XVI Harbour Village Beach Club Pikaia Lodge The Bath Priory Hotel Dormy House Hotel The Greenway Hotel and Spa The Chester Grosvenor Rockliffe Hall The Grand Hotel Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club

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English Harbour Buenos Aires Mendoza Neuquen Ushuaia Adelaide Berkeley River Cairns Daylesford Margaret River Margaret River Tasmania Grossarl Hinterthal Kitzbühel Lech Am Arlberg Obergurgl Salzburg St. Anton am Arlberg Vienna Vienna South Andros Island St James St James Antwerp Bruges Bruges Bruges San Ignacio Santo André Virgin Gorda Bansko Siem Reap East Kemptville Vancouver Guernsey Jersey Beijing Beijing Beijing Beijing Chongqing Guangzhou Hangzhou Hangzhou Lijiang Nantong Tengchong Tianjin Wuzhen Cali Cali Cartagena de Indias Aitutaki La Fortuna Playa Azul Santa Teresa Uvita de Osa Lošinj Island Split Limassol Limassol Prague Karlovy Vary Kokkedal Copenhagen Barahona Puerto Plata Punta Cana Samana Samana Santo Domingo Bonaire Galapagos Islands Bath Broadway Cheltenham Chester Darlington Eastbourne Forest Row

www.slh.com/englishharbour www.slh.com/casasur www.slh.com/entrecielos www.slh.com/correntoso www.slh.com/cauquenes www.slh.com/thorngrove www.slh.com/berkeleyriver www.slh.com/bloomfield www.slh.com/dudley www.slh.com/injidupretreat www.slh.com/smithsbeach www.slh.com/woodbridge www.slh.com/grossarler www.slh.com/wachtelhof www.slh.com/grandtirolia www.slh.com/kristiania www.slh.com/bergwelt www.slh.com/goldgasse www.slh.com/tannenhof www.slh.com/altstadt www.slh.com/dastyrol www.slh.com/tiamo www.slh.com/coralreef www.slh.com/sandpiper www.slh.com/dewittelelie www.slh.com/orangerie www.slh.com/tuilerieen www.slh.com/thepand www.slh.com/kaanabelize www.slh.com/campobahia www.slh.com/katitche www.slh.com/premiermountainresort www.slh.com/angkorvillage www.slh.com/troutpoint www.slh.com/georgiancourt www.slh.com/bellaluce www.slh.com/atlantic www.slh.com/courspavillons www.slh.com/eclatbeijing www.slh.com/tairesidence www.slh.com/emperorqianmen www.slh.com/byspring www.slh.com/imperialsprings www.slh.com/rosegarden www.slh.com/brume www.slh.com/lijiangspatio www.slh.com/shengheclub www.slh.com/tengchong www.slh.com/qingwangfu www.slh.com/edenclubhouse www.slh.com/sagradafamilia www.slh.com/casadelalferez www.slh.com/cartagenadeindias www.slh.com/pacificresort www.slh.com/nayara www.slh.com/azulocean www.slh.com/nantipa www.slh.com/ranchopacifico www.slh.com/boutique-hotel-alhambra www.slh.com/vestibul www.slh.com/columbiapissouri www.slh.com/londa www.slh.com/boho www.slh.com/quisisanapalace www.slh.com/kokkedal www.slh.com/nimb www.slh.com/casabonita www.slh.com/colonial www.slh.com/sivory www.slh.com/samana www.slh.com/bannisterhotel www.slh.com/casasdelxvi www.slh.com/harbourvillage www.slh.com/pikaia www.slh.com/thebathpriory www.slh.com/dormyhouse www.slh.com/greenway www.slh.com/chestergrosvenor www.slh.com/rockliffehall www.slh.com/grandeastbourne www.slh.com/ashdown

AUSTRALIA

AUSTRIA

BAHAMAS BARBADOS BELGIUM

BELIZE BRAZIL BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS BULGARIA CAMBODIA CANADA CHANNEL ISLANDS CHINA

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CROATIA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

DUTCH CARIBBEAN ECUADOR ENGLAND

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Tylney Hall Brockencote Hall Hotel Langshott Manor Stapleford Park Dukes London Flemings Mayfair No.11 Cadogan Gardens St James's Hotel and Club The Ampersand Hotel The Arch London The Capital Hotel & Apartments The Laslett Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa Danesfield House Hotel & Spa Leopold Hotel Stoke Park The Arden Hotel The Nare Hotel Alexander House Hotel & Utopia Spa Lords of The Manor Hotel The Raithwaite Estate Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel Pädaste Manor Hotel Telegraaf Hotel Haven Hotel Lilla Roberts Le Pigonnet Miramar Boutique Hotel Le Choiseul Auberge de Cassagne & Spa Hôtel Le Cep La Chartreuse du Val Saint Esprit Hôtel & Spa des Pêcheurs Les Sources de Caudalie Le Grand Hôtel Cannes Château d'Isenbourg Hôtel Le Strato Château Eza Château de Fère Les Bories & Spa Hôtel Belles-Rives Hôtel Juana Domaine de Manville Domaine des Etangs Le M de Megève Château des Vigiers Château d'Artigny Hôtel la Pérouse Château de l'Ile Banke Hôtel Hôtel de Vendôme Hôtel du Petit Moulin Hôtel Maison Souquet Hôtel Relais Christine Hôtel San Régis Hôtel Square L'Hôtel Hôtel Le Bellechasse Saint-Germain Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa Le Pavillon des Lettres Les Jardins de la Villa L'Agapa Hôtel & Spa Château la Chenevière Grand Barrail Château Hotel & Spa Le Vallon de Valrugues & Spa Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa Les Etangs de Corot Château de Gilly Vahine Island Belle Epoque Hotel im Wasserturm Ketschauer Hof Schlosshotel Kronberg Wald & Schlosshotel Friedrichsruhe Heidelberg Suites Boutique Hotel Hotel Die Hirschgasse Heidelberg Parkhotel Adler Boutique Hotel Villa am Ruhrufer Golf & Spa Alpenhof Murnau Schwarzer Adler Estate Hotel Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort & Spa

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Hook Kidderminster Langshott Leicestershire London London London London London London London London Luton Marlow Sheffield Stoke Poges, near Windsor Stratford-Upon-Avon Truro Turners Hill Upper Slaughter Whitby Windermere Muhu Island Tallinn Helsinki Helsinki Aix en Provence Ajaccio, Corsica Amboise Avignon Beaune Bethune Bonifacio, Corsica Bordeaux Cannes Colmar-Rouffach Courchevel 1850 Eze Village Fere-en-Tardenois Gordes-en-Provence Juan Les Pins Juan Les Pins Les Baux de Provence Massignac Megève Bergerac Montbazon Nice Ostwald Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Paris Perros-Guirec Port-En-Bessin Saint-Emilion Saint-Remy-de-Provence Théoule-sur-Mer Versailles Vougeot-Gilly Les Citeaux Tahaa Baden Baden Cologne Deidesheim Frankfurt am Mein Friedrichsruhe-Zweiflingen Heidelberg Heidelberg Hinterzarten Mülheim an der Ruhr Murnau am Staffelsee Vogtsburg – Oberbergen Wangels

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Aristi Mountain Resort Pallas Athena Boutique Hotel Theoxenia Palace & House Suites Castello Boutique Resort & Spa Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites Minos Beach Art Hotel Rimondi Boutique Hotel St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas Thalatta Seaside Hotel Eagles Palace Agalia Luxury Suites Liostasi Ios Hotel & Spa Porto Kea Suites Aqua Blu Boutique Hotel & Spa Lindos Blu Archipelagos Hotel Bill & Coo Suites and Lounge Boheme Hotel Casa del Mar Mykonos De.light Boutique Hotel Hotel Belvedere Mykonos Ammos Hotel Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort Ostraco Suites Petasos Beach Resort & Spa Pietra e Mare Hotel Finikas Hotel Petra Hotel & Suites Rodos Park Suites & Spa Hotel Santorini Secret Suites & Spa Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites Canaves Oia Hotel Canaves Oia Suites Carpe Diem Suites & Spa Chromata Cosmopolitan Suites Gold Suites Notos Therme & Spa On The Rocks San Antonio Sun Rocks Cape Sounio Exclusive Resort Hotel Nikopolis Thessaloniki The Excelsior Hotel Porto Zante Villas & Spa Spice Island El Convento Boutique Hotel The Lodge at Pico Bonito Lanson Place Hotel Hotel Pravo Hong Kong The Luxe Manor The Raj Palace The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa Fragrant Nature Hotel and Resort Kollam Ketapang Estate L Hotel Seminyak Bali Spa Village Resort Tembok Bali Svarga Residence (Pre-opening hotel) Viceroy Bali The Sanchaya Villa Borobudur Dunraven Arms Hotel Hayfield Manor Brooks Hotel The Norman Tel Aviv Hotel Villa Athena Albergo al Sole Miramonti Boutique Hotel Villa Le Maschere La Peschiera Relais Villa d'Amelia Aquapetra Resort & Spa Relais San Lorenzo CastaDiva Resort & Spa I Portici Hotel Bologna Villa Armena J.K. Place Capri Punta Tragara Hotel La Coluccia Byblos Art Hotel Villa AmistĂ Rosapetra Spa Resort

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Aristi Zagori Athens Athens Crete Crete Crete Crete Crete Evia Halkidiki Ios Ios Kea Kos Lindos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Mykonos Naxos Patmos Rhodes Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Santorini Sounio Thessaloniki Thessaloniki Zakynthos St. George's Antigua Guatemala Atlantida Causeway Bay Kowloon Kowloon Jaipur Kashmir Kerala Bali Bali Bali Bali Bali Bintan Borobudur Adare Cork Dublin Tel Aviv Agrigento (Sicily) Asolo (Treviso) Avelengo (Merano) Barberino di Mugello (Florence) Bari (Puglia) Benevello (Piedmont) Benevento Bergamo Alta Blevio (Lake Como) Bologna Buonconvento (Tuscany) Capri Capri Conca Verde (Sardinia) Corrubbio (Near Verona) Cortina d'Ampezzo

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