Luxury Hotels
Our guide to the most luxurious hotels, bars and restaurants
Inject a little luxury into your life and splash out on a getaway that goes all out to spoil you rotten.
Whether you’re swinging through the doors of the Waldorf Astoria in NYC, living out an Arabian Nights fantasy in a sexy Moroccan restaurant or striking a pose in a chic Italian café bar, you’ll feel every inch part of the international jetset. So if you’re looking for the crème de la crème, check out our sensational selection. It’s hip. It’s hot. And it’s oh so happening. Mwah!
Marrakech - Where to stay, Riad Lotus Perle
World famous writers. Debonair movie stars. Catwalk-fabulous fashionistas – they’ve all strutted their stuff in Marrakech. A jetset fave, it’s a great circus of a city that’ll hypnotise you faster than a snake charmer’s flute. And when it comes to somewhere to stay, the Riad Lotus Perle is, quite simply, it. A seriously chic boutique hotel, it sparkles with the glam-tastic gorgeousness of Art Deco. Swing open the door, and behold a monochromatic masterpiece splashed with jazzy swirls of colour. See your reflection beamed back at you in polished mirrors and glistening chrome. Then go check out your own private pocket of decadence.
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There are five rooms altogether and their names alone give a cheeky wink to what you can expect on the luxury scale – Coco Chanel, Cartier, Gatsby. Plus each one’s kitted out with eye-popping extras, like a Bang and Olufsen multimedia system. Pretty impressive stuff, eh? Combine this with the traditional charm of a riad – the ever-present hammam, lofty arches, airy corridors – throw in an intimate Moroccan restaurant and crown with a fabulous rooftop terrace. And you have all the ingredients for an Art Deco delight, just footsteps away from the city’s sensational square. It’s ab-fab alright.
Marrakech - Where to eat - Le Tobsil
Sit back and watch in wide-eyed wonder as a seemingly endless procession of dishes are paraded out to you at Le Tobsil, one of the city’s most famous restaurants. It’s a really intimate affair - all tinkling fountains, low candlelit tables and plump cushions – wrapped in a gorgeous old town house deep inside the medina. Guests are seated on two levels around an enchanting courtyard, and you can tuck in to your meal to the soft strumming of gnawa musicians. As you’d expect, the food is just as divine as the setting – exotic salads, flaky pastilla, wonderful tagines and melt-in-your-mouth couscous all battle for your attention. You’ll feel like all your Christmases have come at once.
Where to drink - Le Comptoir
Quaff a cocktail or two in hip hangout Le Comptoir. Visiting film stars and fashionistas can’t get enough of the place, whose décor is as rich as the people who drink here. It serves food as well, but if you’ve done battle with a big meal earlier on then order some Moroccan-style tapas and graze throughout the night. Get there for 11pm and you’ll see the grand entrance of the belly dancers balancing great trays of candles on their heads. Now that’s not a sight you’ll see every day.
Crete - Where to stay, Blue Palace Resort & Spa
Tatler. Conde Nast Traveler. The Times. They all speak volumes about the Blue Palace. It’s in a class of its own. And palace by name, palace by nature. It’s all grand archways. To-die-for décor. And a world-class service that any royal would be impressed with. If you’re looking for the ultimate hotel escape – this exquisite hotel just oozes luxury with a capital ‘L’. Sitting slap bang on Crete’s mythical shores, this place is chic, sumptuous and oh so very sexy. With real star quality, you could say it’s the Audrey Hepburn of hotels. You’ll certainly feel like Hollywood royalty here.
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Sink into a plump al fresco sofa and soak up the jaw-dropping eye candy that’s the twinkling turquoise Med. Dine like a king at one of five gorgeous eateries including the L’Orangerie, which is as atmospheric as a fairytale. And stretch out in the 39 square metres of your room, complete with a lavishly furnished veranda that gazes out to sea. Come and let this right royal gem outshine all your expectations.
Crete - Where to eat - Peninsula All Suite Hotel
It’s no wonder exclusive Elounda is a firm fave of cosmopolitan celebs, Prime Ministers and even the odd royal. The food here is fit for a king. Don’t pass up the opportunity to dine in sassy style at the Peninsula All Suite Hotel. Not only has it bagged the best drop-dead gorgeous views in Crete, but you’ll also get to tuck into some seriously tasty dishes created by famous French chef Jacques Le Divellec – a name that carries no less than two Michelin stars. And if you’re celebrating something special, book an intimate dinner in the Kellari wine cellar, laced with over 900 impressive labels.
Where to drink - Friends
If you’re seeking a chic night time retreat where everybody knows your name, it has to be Friends. At the heart of historic Elounda, this atmospheric taverna blends traditional charm and contemporary cool as effortlessly as one of its cocktails - shaken to perfection by Dimitris, of course. With people often spilling out onto the square, this five star bar is popular with everyone from everywhere. It’s most definitely the place to chill out on a hot summer’s afternoon or to party the night away. It could be the oodles of yummy nibbles keeping you here, but on second thoughts, its infectious spirit has a lot to answer for.
Sorrento - Where to stay, The Grand Hotel Ambasciatori
Italy is a nation that doesn’t do things by halves. And this chic little number is no exception to the rule. Rising above the bay of Naples, it’s got the kind of views that inspire poets - the setting alone is enough to charm the Gucci socks off you. But, step inside to be truly bowled over. It’s all Oriental rugs, marble staircases and crystal chandeliers. It’s eye-poppingly exquisite to say the least.
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The Grand Hotel Ambasciatori is as delightful as the Italian day is long. In fact, it’s easy to see why people return year after year to this corner of old Sorrento. One stay, and you will have begun a life-long love affair with this cliff-top jewel - watching the fireball sunset as you eat a delicate langoustine filled pasta will do it for you every time.
Sorrento - Where to eat - L’Antica Trattoria
Close your eyes. Picture an intimate Italian restaurant draped in vines. A maze of interlocking rooms. A cosy candlelit terrace. The 200-year old L’antica Trattoria is a dining dream come true. Put your culinary desires in the safe hands of the talented chefs and watch through the glass kitchen doors as tempting taste sensations are flambéed into life. Tuck into plates of homemade ravioli, artfully layered with succulent seafood. Feast on delicate lemon delizia. Or, if you find you’re a little overwhelmed by all the choice, send your tastebuds into overdrive and try a bit of everything. Plump for a menu degustazione, a list of tasters, with up to seven small dishes. Then wash it all down with the finest of wines. Salute.
Where to drink - Bar Fauno
From Argentina to Australia, Poland to Portugal, everybody loves to people watch. But, without a doubt, the Italians do it best. And if there’s anywhere in Sorrento to see and be seen, it’s Bar Fauno. Morning, noon and night, locals and tourists alike line up at this piazza-side bar for a prime posing spot. And, of course, in the land of labels, showing yourself off is all about the clothes. In the summer, warm coastal breezes brush bare shoulders. While in the winter it’s cashmere coats all the way. So, make like the Italians. Don a pair of this season’s over-sized shades and pull up a pew. Watch the world go by over a breakfast cappuccino. Celeb spot as you sip a crisp white wine at lunch. Or in the evening, as the piazza comes to life, do pre-dinner drinks the Italian way. Put on your gladrags. Order a cool cocktail. And, make sure all eyes are on you.
Majorca - Where to stay, Hotel Bon Sol, Illetas
Hotel Bon Sol could’ve written the book on warm hospitality. It’s a family-run hotel where the guests always come first. They’ve worked hard to create a real home-from-home atmosphere and the friendly yet discreet service never fails to impress at this luxurious holiday hideaway. Then there’s the wonderful setting - high up on a hillside with spectacular views out to sea. Down below you’ve got your own private sandy cove and a sprawling swimming pool. How about that for luxury?
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Moving inside, the place is decked out in warm colours and packed full of opportunities to kick back and relax. Whether you’re putting your feet up in the richly-decorated lounge or tucking into a hearty feast in the gorgeous restaurant, you can be sure it won’t get any more stressful than that. It’s no wonder guests say that arriving at the Bon Sol is like going home.
Majorca - Where to eat - Casa Fernando, Palma
If you’re looking for fresh fish, there’s only one name you need to know- Casa Fernando. It serves possibly the best fish on the whole island and still goes about things in the traditional way. Here you don’t pick your meal from a menu, but from a large water tank holding the day’s catch. Whether you want something new or traditional, there’s plenty to choose from. Lobster. Sea Bass. Baby sardines. Whatever you go for, it’ll be grilled to perfection. But there’s one final thing that makes Casa Fernando stand head and shoulders above the rest. If there’s no totally fresh fish, they won’t serve anything at all. The keep up the quality or they don’t work. It’s as simple as that. How’s that for a recommendation?
Where to drink - Atlantico Bar, Palma
Deep in the heart of the city is a honky tonk gem that dares to be different. Bucking the trend of house music and contemporary style, the Atlantico bar’s got its feet firmly lodged in the past. It’s out with thumping beats and in with sharp guitar licks. There’s no glitterballs dangling from the ceiling here, it’s retro furnishing all the way. But this doesn’t mean that the place is wall to wall burned-out rockers. This place attracts a real mish-mash of characters. Whiskey sippin’ blasts-from-the-past perch on bar stools, while in-the-know hipsters gyrate to the sounds of the Stones. When it comes to drinks, there are cocktails galore, but it’s best to get in the spirit of the place. So put on your best Keith Richards drawl and order two fingers of Tennessee’s finest. We know, it’s only rock and roll, but you’ll like it.
New York - Where to stay, Waldorf Astoria, Manhattan
From Jay-Z to JFK, anyone who’s anyone has stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. It’s the true embodiment of luxury and style with a fabulous Park Avenue zip code. It’s the perfect base for getting about Manhattan - you’re within walking distance of Central Park and the bustling boutiques of Fifth Avenue. From the outside to the inside, the recent 300 million dollar refurbishment is on display for all to see. The dazzling Art Deco foyer. The city block-size kitchen. The jaw-dropping ballroom. There’s no wonder it’s first choice with the rich and famous.
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But there’s so much more. Head to one of the world class restaurants and sample a Waldorf salad on home turf. Sip apple Martinis in the Starlight Club and marvel at the retractable roof. Then retire to your stylish room that simply oozes New York glitz and glamour. So add your name alongside Frank Sinatra and enjoy your stay at this magical hotel.
New York - Where to eat - Gordon Ramsay at the London
Since the beginning of November, the foodies of New York have been buzzing about one man - Gordon Ramsay. Scotland’s potty-mouthed chef has left the drizzle of the UK and opened his first restaurant in the Big Apple, Gordon Ramsay at the London. It offers two very different dining experiences under one roof. First is the formal fine dining, offering his trademark exquisite cuisine. Here you can sample things like braised Pacific halibut with Romaine hearts, or sea scallops and Salardaise potatoes. On the flip side is the more casual dining and bar experience, based on the small plate concept of Mr Ramsay’s latest British restaurant, Maze. As the New York eatery is just finding its feet, Gordon himself is working in the kitchen until he’s satisfied his quest for perfection. So unless you want to feel his wrath, don’t ask for egg and chips.
Where to drink - PM Lounge, Meat Packing District
Step off the streets of New York and escape from the ordinary. This Haitian-inspired bar is tucked away in the oh-so-trendy meat packing district and is the place to be. Although the door policy makes Studio 54 seem like an Essex disco, it’s well worth the wait. Beyond the velvet rope lies a cathedral-esque bar dreamt up by former Donna Karan designer Robert McKinley. Bare brick walls mingle with palm trees, creating an urban Tropicana. Chunky New York house provides the soundtrack and shakes the dance floor like an LA earthquake. Over in the booths an abundance of celebrities huddle in corners with their entourage. We’re not talking Z-list reality stars. It’s strictly A-list. You’ll see Kanye West whispering in Prince’s ear, while Leonardo DiCaprio props up the bar. So slide up next to him and order yourself a ginger Cosmo. Grab your drink, put on your best pout, then dance in the PM way into the AM.
