Hotel das Amoreiras
Set in one of Lisbon’s most beautiful squares, a refreshing detour from the busy streets of the city’s Príncipe Real neighbourhood, Hotel das Amoreiras feels somewhere between a classic English country retreat and a sleek Spanish townhouse. The passion project of a first-time Portuguese hotelier and his Spanish wife, the hotel has been carved out of two existing houses. These have been knocked through to create 17 rooms and two suites, and a breakfast room and bar for guests only, which opens onto a charming, tranquil courtyard garden. Amoreiras is the Portuguese word for ‘mulberry trees’, aptly referring to the trees that line the square (right) and shelter a handful of tables around a typically Lisbonese quiosque (kiosk), where locals gather day and night.
A rich green velvet covers the walls of the bar, contrasting with the flame-stitch fabric from Watts 1874 that covers the banquettes and the bar itself. Brass has been used for the skirting boards, as well as for edging on the green-lacquer tables from France and on the bespoke shelving units designed by the owner to store drinks bottles. An Octopussy poster backs the mirrored wall of the bar – a nod to Ian Fleming’s stay in Lisbon in 1941 while working for British Naval Intelligence, which inspired the creation of James Bond. Bedrooms are unfussy: white linens, studded headboards upholstered in various fabrics, and textures such as reed grass, referencing traditional Portuguese design.
From €250, B&B. hoteldasamoreiras.com
Borgo Santandrea
Hanging above its own slice of pristine beach, just close enough to Amalfi’s beautiful historic centre, while still being sheltered from the chaos of tourists, Borgo Santandrea is a rare haven on Italy’s most famous coast. The hotel is made up of a network of old and new buildings built into the rock face. These are connected via spectacular gardens that lead to terraces on different levels, housing the bar and two restaurants, overlooking the bay. From the terrace of Alici, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where breakfast is also served, Sofia Loren’s all-white villa shines next door in one direction, while the charming fishing village of Conca dei Marini draws the eye in the other.
Fittingly, the hotel’s Italian owners took a Made in Italy approach to the interiors, with the mid-century designs of Gio Ponti the main point of reference. Working with local craftspeople, they commissioned 31 geometric designs for tiles in blues and white to adorn the floors and the walls, paying homage to the ceramic-making traditions that Amalfi is known for. The open-kitchen breakfast concept sees the buffet laid out among working chefs, creating an interactive and delightfully informal atmosphere where you can ask questions and learn the cooks’ secrets. The seaside restaurant Marinella is a different kind of affair, all low lit and breezy, serving seafood and pasta. Borgo Santandrea somehow remains a well-kept secret, tucked away despite being in the most obvious of places.
From €990, B&B. borgosantandrea.it
Kotiyagala
Set in a sweet spot between the Indian Ocean and Yala National Park, Kotiyagala (which translates loosely as ‘leopard’s rock’ and is due to open this June) is elevated above the jungle canopy, minimising its environmental footprint. A curving timber boardwalk links 12 stilted, solar-powered villas (above). These come with modern four-poster beds, floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the far-reaching views, and private deck areas with freshwater infinity pools. Dining is at The Dunes restaurant, where chefs fuse Western and Sri Lankan flavours, and, during downtime, guests can book in for rejuvenating treatments at the Ayurvedic spa, or an early-morning outdoor yoga session in a peaceful glade. As you would expect in a setting that is so immersed in nature, the big draw here is the unique wildlife-centred experiences. These include bird-watching expeditions in Bundala National Park; game drives in Udawalawe National Park, renowned for its elephants; and after-dark treks in Yala accompanied by the knowledgeable in-house naturalist, equipped with pairs of night-vision goggles for spotting nocturnal creatures such as bush babies and bats. Other worthwhile trips, each a 90-minute drive away, include visiting tea plantations and hiking in Ella, exploring the historic Galle Fort and surfing at Weligama beach.
From €1,990, full board. kotiyagala.com
Duke’s East and Duke’s Camp
In safari circles, Ralph Bousfield – who, together with his late father, dreamed up off-grid Jack’s Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans in the 1990s – is legendary. His most recent creation is Duke’s Camp, on a remote island surrounded by a channel of the northern Okavango Delta; its neighbouring sister site, Duke’s East, was added last year. The former has eight canvas tents on wooden decks, the latter just four – perfect for group takeovers. Both have an old-school charm: four-poster beds with scallop-edged canopies; oriental rugs and carved wooden tables; sepia-tinted photographs in the lounge; and lavish three-course dinners served on antique silverware at a communal table under the shade of giant ebony trees.
There are lagoon vistas from the pool; gin and tonics served in crystal glasses around the firepit; and exceptional guides, who will take guests out into the private concession for game drives, bird watching and mokoro canoe excursions (water levels are highest from April to October). Those wanting an aerial view of the extraordinary landscape can take a helicopter ride to see ancient rock paintings or to visit a local community and learn about local wildlife conservation efforts.
Both from €960, all inclusive. naturalselection.travel
Langdale Chase
Though extensively refurbished, this Grade II-listed Victorian house retains its original features, such as stained-glass windows, a carved wooden stair-case and tiled fireplaces. In the rooms, earthy tones reflect views of the fells and the gardens that slope down to Lake Windermere. The most romantic of the rooms is the Boathouse, which sits over the lake and has a rooftop terrace, and a copper tub for post-hike soaks. Comfort-food classics are served in the bar, or enjoy a more formal supper in the restaurant, before watching a film in the cinema room.
From £290, B&B. langdalechase.co.uk
Eliamos
Though Kefalonia is one of the few Greek islands serviced with direct flights from the UK, until this recent opening, there was an absence of smart accommodation to rival that of blockbuster destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos. Eliamos combines the comforts of a hotel with the privacy of a villa. Built in the local honey-coloured stone, the 12 suites and villas sleep up to seven, and are scattered around lavender-scented gardens overlooking the turquoise Ionian Sea. All have hot tubs and most have their own private pools. There is access to a quiet beach and the restaurant can provide all your meals, taking the work out of dining often associated a traditional villa stay.
From £384, B&B. eliamos.com
Dunas de Formentera
A short ferry ride from Ibiza, Formentera is the smallest and most laidback of the Balearic Islands. And now it is home to the latest property by Marugal, which has a European-focused portfolio including Christian Louboutin’s Vermelho hotel in Portugal, Torralbenc in Menorca and Cap Rocat in Mallorca. What links them all is an ethos of transforming existing structures and imbuing them with an authentic sense of place. At Dunas, on sweeping, five-mile Migjorn Beach, an already established hotel has been thoughtfully revamped by the Palma-based studio Antonio Obrador (also behind nearby Gecko Hotel & Beach Club, another Marugal stay). Rooms and suites – some in the main building, others in bungalows – are connected by pathways and boardwalks that weave through the dunes. Inside, an authentic and soothing palette of plaster-and-sand tones is paired with natural materials such as jute, linen, wood and terracotta for an effortlessly breezy, barefoot vibe. The sea is within skipping distance, but there is also an infinity pool. This is ideal for a refreshing dip before lunch at the all-day restaurant, where a menu of wood-fired-oven pizzas, just-caught fish cooked over flames and the freshest Mediterranean salads always hit the spot on balmy summer days.
From €550, B&B. dunasdeformentera.com
Palazzo Luce
Art and design come alive in this contemporary overhaul of a 14th-century palazzo in the baroque centre of Lecce, deep in the heel of Italy’s boot. The unique hotel is the vision of collector Anna Maria Enselmi, who displays her artworks, furniture and finds – old and new – in the myriad rooms and communal spaces, rather like a museum. Located right behind Lecce’s grand cathedral and with views of the Roman Theatre, Palazzo Luce celebrates maximalism. Interiors feature bold colour on the walls, ceilings, fabrics and tiles – epitomised by the bright blues and reds and gold detailing of the Maria d’Enghien suite, named after the Countess of Lecce and Queen of Naples, who lived in the palazzo in the 14th century.
Here, furnishings sit under a frescoed ceiling by artist David Tremlett. In the Luce suite (right), the largest room, it is hot pink and brushed brass that dominate the scheme, toned down by the restored original terracotta flooring. Tables by Gio Ponti, red ‘Lutrario’ chairs by Carlo Mollino, sculptural vases and works on paper by fashion designer Antonio Marras combine to give it a vibrant, feminine appeal. A swim in the rooftop pool and dinner on the hotel’s beautiful terrace are highlights, alongside the chance to explore the picturesque alleys of Lecce and the nearby beaches.
From €790, B&B. palazzolucelecce.com
Grand Hotel Bellevue
A five-storey, listed Victorian townhouse in Norfolk Square, W2, has been reimagined as the residence of an aristocratic Englishman and his eccentric, globe-trotting wife by Paris-based interior architect Fabrizio Casiraghi (who cut his teeth working at Milan’s famed Dimore Studio) in his latest project for French group Lignée Hôtels. The whimsical narrative translates to calm, muted shades and bespoke dark-wood furniture in the rooms, which take their cue from boat cabins. The smallest are for solo travellers; the largest, with high ceilings and french windows, is the Grand Norfolk Suite. By way of contrast, the social spaces are painted in rich, punchy hues – from the olive breakfast room with decorative shell-shaped wall lights, to the burnt orange reception, which, with its marble fireplace and mirrored cabinets, deliberately looks more like a drawing room than somewhere to check in. The perfect place to while away an evening over cocktails is the intimate Pondicherry bar, where tapestries created in collaboration with American menswear designer Emily Bode are adorned with elephants and tigers in a nod to South East Asia. As well as the rest of the hotel, this is a transportive, cocooning respite from the continuous buzz of the capital outside.
From £200, B&B. grandhotelbellevuelondon.com
The Pig and The Village Pub, Cotswolds
After months of renovations, the Barnsley House hotel in its namesake village, four miles from Cirencester, is to reopen this September as part of The Pig collection. Once the home of the garden designer Rosemary Verey, the 17th-century manor has been known as much for its grounds as for the honey-hued house. Ornamental gardens add to The Pig’s signature potager and the already established spa is set to expand the usual Potting Shed treatment offering. The hotel also comes with its very own pub, another first for the group, which has built a loyal following based on home-grown food, inviting interiors and relaxed service – classic ingredients for a country inn.
From £225. thepighotel.com
Silversands Beach House, Grenada
At one end of forest-fringed, white-sand Portici Beach, this new Caribbean escape is the sister hotel to Silversands Grand Anse, a 10-minute drive away. Sail-like canopies provide outside shade for each deck of the modern rooms and suites, which sit high among the palm trees, or right beside the water’s edge. The hotel’s appeal lies in the low-key set-up: there is a swimming pool, a wellness room and a beachfront restaurant serving handmade pastas and local seafood. Plus, there is a complimentary shuttle that runs between the two resorts, so guests can tap into the original property’s bells-and-whistles spa and sip on island-made rums at its bar.
From €700. silversandscollection.com
