Waldorf Astoria Ithaafushi

Maldives

Bask on your overwater deck or hide away in lush green surrounds – the choice is yours in this Maldives retreat, but outstanding dining, full of variety, is obligatory. The first time you lay eyes on the show of Maldivian atolls that punctuate the Indian Ocean is always going to...read more

36 on the Quay

Hampshire, England

Another spot that often gets overlooked (at least on the food front), Hampshire has a few places that should make you think again before heading further west or east. One of them, 36 on the Quay, sits at the water’s edge in the fishing village of Emsworth. This grade-II listed...read more

Annabelle

Cyprus

The ripple of the Mediterranean Sea, the rustle of palms and the clinking of glasses provide the backdrop to stays at this Cypriot stalwart. In the island’s south-west – a quick hop from Paphos – Annabelle (part of the Thanos group) is etched into the address books of regulars. Featuring...read more

Crown Towers Sydney

There’s no mistaking Crown Towers. The British-designed twist of steel and silver shoots over a quarter of a kilometre into Sydney’s skyline, making it the city’s tallest skyscraper. Naturally, that means views: great panoramas of the harbour, bridge, opera house and bay, all from the comfort of contemporary, stylish bedrooms...read more

The Bull & Last

London, England

For all of its metropolis credentials, London is also abundant in green spaces compared with many cities, and Hampstead Heath – all 320 hectares of it – is the prime example of an oasis amid the urban landscape. On one edge of this city-countryside, there’s the listed Kenwood House, with...read more

Punta Caliza

Mexico

A laidback island retreat in Mexico makes the most of balmy waters, with private pools for every suite, the Caribbean on one side, a lagoon on the other and protected flora, fauna and wildlife all around North of the Yucatán Peninsula, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, lies...read more

Bearslake Inn

Devon, England

The Devon market towns of Okehampton and Tavistock have forever been the gateways to great yomps on Dartmoor and in this 13th-century, Grade II-listed pub with six rooms (four of them dog friendly), they’ve got the perfect hikers and bikers retreat handily located between them. The thatched – naturally –...read more

Iniala Beach House

Thailand

Those with a keen eye for design will appreciate the eclectic, playful group of beach villas on the Phang Nga coastline of Thailand, an ideal spot to explore lagoons, caves and cultural highlights Futuristic eclecticism meets retro-leaning tropical modernism at this unique and playful plot on Thailand’s Phang Nga coast...read more

Hotel Del Len

Italy

In this alpine concerto of oak, pine and sustainability, reclaimed wood sings from the walls, floors and ceilings, from which clever book-nooks, tables, stools and cabinets organically emerge. Even placemats are a round of trunk, thinned into a topographical ring for your room-service mug. Its 22 rooms offer chalet sophistication...read more