Holidays in Devon are simple, wholesome and old-fashioned. A trip here mixes two of life’s loveliest pleasures: delicious food and the great outdoors. Most visitors are drawn to the magnificent beaches on the north and south coasts, but inland has its appeal, too: Dartmoor and Exmoor are vast rocky plateaux offering solitude and big skies,…
CitizenM, an uber-cool showroom of ultra-modern Dutch styling and facilities, contrives to make travellers feel at home with relaxed living and dining spaces. With a futuristic design, enthusiastic staff, good business facilities and excellent value for money, the hotel offers a good balance of work, rest and play. The swirling red staircase, like a fairground…
It would be a cheap shot to say Yorkshire is England’s best county simply because it’s the largest. The latter is obviously true but what makes it such a cracking place to spend a weekend (preferably longer) is the variety. Take the scenery; not one but two National Parks: the sheep-and-dry-stone-wall-dotted Dales and the wild…
York surprises first-time visitors by the compact size of its city centre. Most attractions are walkable, and many of its streets are car-free. As a happy result of this close-packed layout, there’s a good range of hotels – in size, style and price – within the centre. For once, it’s not just the swanky places that have…
Grab a generous waffle towel and head to the eastern end of the Lower Lake located in 400 acres of secluded Hampshire landscape where the water is deep and clear, flanked by majestic trees and a wide, grassy shore line. A wildly wonderful spot to enjoy a civilised dip in nature that feels remote…
Hyde park is to London what Central Park is to New York – a giant green space of prime city-centre land bordered by some of the best hotels in London. It’s also a no-brainer to choose to base yourself near here, especially during the warmer months, because what could be more pleasant than a morning…
Our final morning was spent on the Isle of Canna, where the harbour’s community shop sold essentials, local art and postcards, while a one-room “museum” told the island’s story and was well stocked with maps and suggestions for walks. The only staffed business seemed to be the delightful Café Canna, overlooking the picturesque harbour, which…
Amsterdam is a village that has burst its seams, and life at its core brings its choicest attractions up close. Look out from your room over the bustle of the Dam or a dreamy canal; lounge beside a rooftop pool viewing historic gables; or hip-hop it within a beat of the red-light district. Feel layers…
Along with its position at the very bottom of the continent – only Hobart beats it for southerly latitude and Southern Ocean chill – Melbourne might have been purpose built to challenge accepted notions of Australian city life. It can seem topographically bland, prone to capricious cold and hot snaps, and, if blessed by a…
Australia’s east coast is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches – from family-centric swimming areas to enclosed ocean rock pools – but we all know it takes (a little) more than a bucket and spade to have a harmonious family holiday. The following properties range from ‘fair dinkum’ outback destinations for little…
It wasn’t until the 1920s that ‘the season’ on the French Riviera, including in Cannes, began to switch from winter to summer. Prior to that, the great, good and wealthy had repaired there from autumn onwards, to escape the dismal climes of northern Europe. They then left in summer, for the sun was deemed too…
Close your eyes and imagine a place where senses intertwine, where nature’s symphony sings harmoniously, and where history dances with Hollywood dreams. Welcome to Wicklow, Ireland, a magical destination that offers a journey like no other. Here, I explored with my sense of hearing, where the melodic chirping of birds fills the air in the…
With a flashy glass exterior, wraparound harbour views, and its very own champagne bar, this newly built hotel has brought style to Darling Harbour. The lobby, bathed in the natural light that streams through soaring, glass windows, has a gentle colour palette of ochre and blue – a nod to Australia’s indigenous heritage. Guests staying…
From Roman times to the present day, visitors have flocked to Bath to bathe in its natural thermal waters. The city was recently given a second UNESCO World Heritage Site listing for being part of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, a “transnational” inscription covering 11 historic spa towns in seven countries. Most visitors to…
Few thrills match the excitement of waking up in a new city, especially when you’ve only to step out the door to start exploring. And Edinburgh is blessed with an impressive choice of hotels, all within walking distance of the best this beautiful city has to offer. Fancy old-school glamour in a flagship hotel? Or…
More than 60 years ago the International Festival’s founders set out to bring art, culture, colour and prosperity to a gritty and grey post-war Edinburgh. Now there are seven festivals in August, including the Fringe, Book and Comedy Festivals. Every year Edinburghers fall in love with it all over again as Auld Reekie becomes, quite literally,…
A top spa hotel means different things to different people. Some might want a quiet rural retreat with comfort food and gentle woodland walks. Others might prefer a rooftop sauna, cocktails around the pool and a hard-core gym. While others might be tempted by Michelin-starred dining and the very latest high-performance facials. Yorkshire’s best spa…
What to consider when booking a London hotel? Location, price and – does it have a pool? Yes, because, what makes hotels in London even better? Hotels in London with a swimming pool. If you’ve been schlepping around the capital all day your tired limbs will appreciate the healing power of water and, if you’re…
As soon as you step into The Oberoi Marrakech, you are transported into a world of luxury and sensory indulgence. From the moment you set foot on the property, every sense is heightened, and you are enveloped in an experience unlike any other. Sight The first thing that strikes you about this whimsical palace is…
Summer’s high humidity is best avoided on the Lower Mississippi; the upper section and tributaries of the river are ideal from July through September. With only short sharp showers in its wet season (November to March) Hawaii is a year-round cruise destination. The Atlantic hurricane season normally runs from June through November. The Pacific hurricane…