Travel

Travel

Suite Dreams at Hotel Byblos St Tropez

Laura Gonzalez Laura reshapes Riviera luxury through inspired design

The Hotel Byblos in St Tropez has been the last word in exceptional style ever since, playing host to a galaxy of stellar names, including Jack Nicholson, Grace Jones, Clint Eastwood and Cher. Mick and Bianca Jagger even spent their honeymoon at the Byblos, in the process promoting the hotel’s unrivalled chic ambience to a world avidly following the couple’s every move.

Its history dates back to 65 years, when two men were chatting on the terrace of a restaurant in Byblos, an area in the north of Beirut. One of them, Jean-Prosper Gay-Para, revealed to the other that he was smitten with Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress.

That very night, he resolved to build an impossibly stylish hotel as a tribute to her. He told his companion of his desire to construct, “A palace worthy of A Thousand and One Nights, unique in its kind, from one side of the Mediterranean to the other.”

The Suite Deluxe blends vibrant Saint-Tropez spirit with bold 1970s-inspired touches and handcrafted details. Spacious and stylish, it offers a private retreat with garden views and a warm,…

Travel

That Four Letter Word

Outstanding luxury golf resorts in Europe

As preparations are under way for the first major championship of the year at Augusta in the US, the season in Europe is emerging from its winter hiatus. Time spent outdoors with loved ones, or in a profoundly green space, can be soul balm. Golf fanatic and mother of two, Juliet Taylor Foster, explores some […]

Travel

Bab Samhan Hotel

Luxury Collection Hotels arrives in Diriyah

Nestled in the heart of historic Diriyah, Bab Samhan is the first luxury hotel opening in the ancient capital of Saudi Arabia, Diriyah. This is a city freighted with history. Every corner of this breath–taking destination could whisper a fascinating story to you. The remnants of the old city, which is made almost entirely of adobe […]

Travel

Naturhotel Forsthofgut – Salzburg

A fairy-tale castle turned into a wellbeing centre of excellence

If you think that the only reason to visit Salzburg is Mozart, think again. For the wellness devotee, SalzburgerLand is a bonanza of luxury alpine spas, and arguably the jewel in the crown is the multi-award winning Naturhotel Forsthofgut. The Naturhotel Forsthofgut is the lovechild of the ultimate spa hotel and a modern fairy-tale castle. […]

Travel

Italy in September

No crowds, no screaming kids and still plenty of sun

Going anywhere in Italy in the height of summer feels like wrestling your way into a lifeboat when a cruise ship is sinking. Hordes of tourists everywhere, fistfights for the last table in a restaurant and hour-long queues to visit museums and churches. September however is peaceful, with plenty of availability and an explosion of […]

Travel

Porto Zante Villas & Spa

In the footsteps of Olympians

With the Paris Olympics round the corner, the luxury resort of Porto Zante Villas & Spa on Zakynthos Island is inviting guests to a unique experience exploring the western coast of the Peloponnese and visiting Ancient Olympia on their own private yacht. With much better beaches – and access to them – than Mykonos and, if you […]

Culture, Travel

Summer festivals in the Alps

Highlights of an inspiring summer

The Alps have become as popular in summer as they are in winter. And it is not only nature and sports lovers flocking to the jaw-dropping European mountain range but also those passionate about the arts. All kinds of cultural festivals take place in the region; classical music, jazz, cinema and much more. Here we […]

Travel

Svølvaer – Lofoten Islands

Brutal Arctic beauty

Svølvaer is located in the Lofoten Islands, an archipelago in Norway, 700km north of the Arctic Circle. It is famous for its arresting fjord landscapes, Northern Lights and postcard-pretty villages-turned resorts, known as Rorbuer. I am staying at Svølvar, on the island of Austvågøya. I am staying at the resort, Svinøya Rorbuer. My host, Ragnar […]

Travel

A summer of sport in Kitzbühel

Outdoor pursuits in the heart of the Tyrol

Although most people associated Kitzbühel with skiing, this beautiful medieval town in the Tyrol is as exciting in summer as it is in winter. Amidst its stunning alpine backdrop, Kitzbühel bustles with all kinds of outdoor activities, that allow visitors to feeling invigorated by sport amidst the natural beauty of the area. Here we bring […]

Travel

Aberturret Estate House

Scottish hospitality at its best

Nestled deep within the picturesque heart of rural Perthshire near the town of Crieff, and just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, stands the newly opened Aberturret Estate House. Blessed with a secluded location on the Glenturret estate, it was once the Dower House of Clan Murray, one of the great families in Scottish history, who […]

Travel

Amilla Resort Maldives

Luxury, conservation and sustainability in paradise

Amilla Maldives is a luxury resort developed on a natural island, nestled within the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. On arrival, I was welcomed by General Manager, Narelle McDougal, for whom conservation, sustainability and accessibility are top priorities. “I’ve been in hospitality all my professional life and it always annoyed me […]

Travel

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

World class golfing in the Indian Ocean

Situated at the base of Le Morne mountain in the south-western tip of Mauritius, Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is one of the finest luxury hotels in the island, and perfect for those looking for not just first class golf facilities, but also beachfront luxury and a choice of outstanding dining. Mauritius, with its […]