While it seems like all the months of 2020 have blurred into one, we’re dreaming of a time when we can once again visit all the beautiful destinations this planet has to offer. To (virtually) satiate your wanderlust, we’ve put together some of the world’s most breath-taking hotels to inspire your next holiday… whenever that may be.
The Roseate Ganges, Rishikesh
Set in the breath-taking foothills of the Himalayas of Rishikesh, the Roseate Ganges is an awe-inspiring, yet serene luxury retreat that’s perfect those looking for a total escape from daily life. The hotel has 16 rustic-minimalist cottages set on the Ganges waterway, each one with picturesque views of the holy waters below.
The hotel was designed to inspire and rejuvenate and offers a suite of wellness activities including river rafting, spiritual hiking, bespoke beach therapies, yoga and meditation. Guests can also visit the nearby Rajaji National Wildlife Park to reconnect with mother nature, away from all the truly exhausting pandemic news.
La Sultana Oualidia
The La Sultana Oualidia, which was once a Moorish fortress, is now a 12-room luxury hideaway overlooking a tranquil saltwater lagoon on the edge of the Atlantic ocean. The hotel is located on a protected ecological site, which is often visited by a wide variety of exotic birds, including pink flamingos.
As part of its commitment to preserving its natural environment, hotel staff pick litter around the lagoon every Monday and also upcycle water bottles into plant pots that now house over 30 different palm species in the gardens.
Glenapp Castle, Scotland
This gorgeous hotel offers 17 luxury bedrooms nestled on the Ayrshire coast in Scotland. This handsome castle hotel is hidden away on 110 acres of beautiful Scottish countryside embraced by stunning views and never-ending coastlines.
The hotel offers a Hebridean Sea Safari which gives guests the unique opportunity to explore the wildlife of the Scottish isles. A professional crew (and a private chef) will take you on a voyage to remote islands, coastal castles and charming inns. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some dolphins, milk whales and seals. After a long safari day, guests can retire in a luxury glamping tent atop the Ailsa Craig, a beautiful wildlife sanctuary which is home to over 40,000 birds.
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort, Maldives
There is nowhere in the world more luxurious than the Maldives, but the Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort is a hotel that takes sustainable-luxury to new heights. The resort is set amidst 18 hectares of the lush tropical Gaafu Alifu Atoll and offers 122 water villas. It even has two luxury Aqua Villas that have underwater bedrooms giving a unique glimpse of the aquatic wildlife in the Maldives.
The hotel also offers plenty of wellness activities embracing sleep, sport, food and spa, each one capitalising on the beauty of its natural surroundings. The Pullman Maldives offers sunrise yoga sessions, aqua fitness, aerial yoga, and the signature Raaveriya Workout led by Global Wellness Coach Sarah Hoey.
The Harper, Norfolk UK
The Harper Hotel is one of the UK’s newest boutique hotels and marries all the quintessential charms of a countryside retreat with a touch of contemporary style. The hotel is located in Langham’s old glass blowing factory and reinterprets these historical features with an array of charming yet unstuffy design details. If you’re still looking for your next stylish weekend getaway, then we highly recommend checking out The Harper.
As the world starts to open up again, for many of us it’s time to explore our options and also how comfortable we are feeling about travelling. Far-flung destinations may well be taking a back seat for the rest of 2020 but we have our sights set on some closer-to-home destinations. Off-season Lech in Austria is just the reset we need, especially if we get to bed down at the stunning, family-run Post Lech.
In fact, my last international trip was to experience the tail end of ski season in Lech and, if that had been my last chance to travel abroad, I’d have done pretty well for myself. A scenic drive from Innsbruck airport will take you into glamorous ski territory, past picturesque wooden-clad chalets and children who have tamed the slopes more than I ever will. It’s a sight that many non-winter-sports types will have never experienced and that’s a real shame as this region has so much to offer those of us who don’t want to hurl ourselves down mountains.
When spring arrives, the blinding white of the slopes subsides and melts away to reveal the verdant rolling landscapes. Ski trails become hiking routes and you can take the ultimate comfort food Käsespätzle out on the patio to build up your energy to inhale all that fresh air. Summer in the Austrian alps will reaffirm your love of travel and with wide open space to explore and incredible service from hotels and restaurants alike, you can relax into the experience.
We stayed at the cosy-but-glorious Post Lech hotel, which re-opened for Summer 2020 at the end of June. Part of the Relais & Châteaux collection, the hotel is run by the Moosbrugger family and the familial atmosphere extends to the hotel staff and returning guests. While clearly an opulent place to stay, the decor and homely touches make you feel like a guest in a very lucky friend’s place. There may be exquisite locavore courses being served in the twinkling dining room by night but, come morning, the revisiting family’s dog will be snoozing under the breakfast table.
The low-key luxury is evident in the stunning rooms and suites. Each one is unique and exquisitely decorated. There’s no bland high-end interior design here. We are told that a local craftsman comes by one week every year to touch up all the hand-painted details across the rooms. Nothing is more charming than a five-star property that leans into the skills of its area.
Talking about skilled local people, the team that head up the spa are second to none. From an early morning swim in the outdoor heated pool, through to yoga classes and then a sauna, steam and indoor/outdoor relaxation spot, you could spend an entire day unwinding any tension before you’ve met the masters. But you’d be missing out. Working with luxuriously efficient products like the Swiss CellCosmet, the specialists will cocoon you in waterbaths that may induce sleep or serenade you with the most relaxing facial that I’ve ever experienced.
Outside the warm embrace of the Post Lech is a delightful town, just waiting to be discovered. Even without the ski, you can après in bars – from charming to rowdy. We enjoyed sampling neighbouring hotel, the Gotthard‘s, local beer, Omes – named after the nearby mountain – and Austrian wine at the quirky Kristiania Hotel. Then we should probably talk about Hotel Aurelio‘s sun filled terrace, modern art collection and mascot llamas.
Up the mountains, in addition to summertime hikes and views that will take your breath away, is the very special James Turrell SkySpace. Best visited at sunrise or sunset, the visual effect of this artwork is surreal and otherworldly and the surrounding landscape just as awe-inspiring. Lech is an unexpected off-season treat, we urge you to check it out for yourself.
To book your stay at the Post Lech visit postlech.com and find out more things to do in Lech at LechZuers.com . To explore more of the Vorarlberg region, follow @visitvorarlberg.
Travel has undeniably been one of the hardest-hit communities during the pandemic crisis. Now that we’re finally seeing the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel — and with the UK announcing the list of ‘air bridge countries’ in Europe and beyond — here’s a roundup of all #TeamCoco’s favourite hotels that have reopened their doors this month, safer and better than ever.
Don’t be fooled, this isn’t some lush tropical oasis in the middle of Bali, but instead the Jurema Terrace at The Mandrake London. From its famous glasshouse-inspired courtyard to the lavish jewel colours and golds swirling throughout its interiors; the Mandrake offers an artistic escape from the city beyond the walls — and escaping is just where it starts. The journey begins at the reception and you’ll definitely be feeling a sense of creative wonder right up until the minute you leave. Undoubtedly, The Mandrake offers a multi-sensory experience unlike anything else on the scene, and the great news is – it reopened its doors this month.
This handsome boutique hotel has certainly inspired some last-minute staycations this summer. The Dixon may have been named after its Edwardian Architect, but everything else about it is as contemporary as it gets. Part of The Autograph Collection, the Dixon occupies a former Magistrate’s Court and has a unique aesthetic that blends old and new. Think wood panelled interiors, contemporary art, and a stunning entrance hall. With 193 rooms, a stunning restaurant, and the wealth of Southbank’s cultural scene within reach, we’ll soon be booking our staycations at The Dixon too.
The Treehouse Hotel London — ‘little brother’ of 1 Hotels, — reopened on 4th July and is the perfect spot to book your next staycation. This sustainable gem is now offering a new wellness programme and revamped safety and hygiene measures which include Liberty-print face masks, created by Sheila Wright Akinsete. The hotel’s eclectic rooftop bar, The Nest, has also reopened its spacious terrace, and is the perfect Friday night spot for some socially-distanced cocktails while watching the sun set over London. Not to mention, the Cali-Mexican restaurant Madera and ground floor coffee shop Backyard have also reopened their doors, equipped with new al fresco and in-app ordering systems too.
Maslina Resort is a brand-new Relais & Chateaux property that combines luxe living with impeccable eco-credentials. The hotel is set to open in August and has already been selected to become a member of eco and sustainable tourism company, Green Pearls.
Maslina is located on the idyllic Maslina bay in Hvar Croatia and boasts a suite of mindful and holistic activities. From the kitchen’s locally-sourced Michelin-star menu to the hotel’s ‘garden-to-skin’ beauty ethos, everything at the Maslina Resort brings you closer to nature, which is exactly the kind of luxury escape we’re dreaming about to beat the lockdown blues.
The palatial Anantara Villa Padierna reopened its doors in the beginning of July, and we already can’t wait to hop on a plane to Spain. To celebrate its reopening, the hotel has launched a wanderlust-inducing three-night package which includes a three night-stay in a Junior suite, a 60-minute massage, flamenco lessons, and a traditional tapas dinner in Marbella old town.
The Anantara Villa Padierna Palace was designed by renowned British architect Ed Gilbert in 2003. Each luxury room in the breath-taking hotel was individually designed. Over 1,200 priceless works of art are displayed all over the property which also has a large swimming pool surrounded by manicured gardens, so you can lounge like a true Spanish princess.
This stunning 17-bedroom Relais & Chateaux hotel is nestled in Scotland’s majestic Ayrshire coast. The castle features boasts 110 acres of picturesque Scottish countryside, perfect for long walks with plenty of physical distancing.
There are plenty of activities to lose yourself in at Glenapp Castle including perfume making, archery, clay pigeon shooting, and even tank driving. The highlight is the bespoke Hebridean Safari, which takes guests on a four night adventure getting up close and personal with Sottish wildlife. The hotel is reopening tomorrow (15 July) equipped with a new ‘Stay Safe’ policy to ensure that guests can rest assured that they can enjoy their stay in Glenapp Castle safely.
The Roseate London is a handsome mid-century Grade-II listed townhouse that reopened on the 6th of July. The hotel — which was originally built in 1842 — has been restored to its original Victorian style featuring classic furnishings and oil paintings originally created in a bygone era. The hotel is just a short walk away from Hyde Park, which makes it the ideal spot for a sunny walk and some afternoon tea at the Hyde Restaurant, which is probably the perfect place to splash out for a post-lockdown treat.
Grand Hotel Dei Dogi, The Dedica Anthology, is a noble Venetian palace that exudes old world luxury. While the hotel is just twenty minutes from St. Mark’s square, it is an intimate oasis covered with private gardens, opulently decorated rooms, and plenty of grandeur.
The hotel’s new contemporary La Voga bar is also the perfect spot to indulge in a bit of local cuisine and enjoy a cocktail canalside. The hotel features 64 luxurious suites boasting high ceilings and garden views, offering a curated palazzo experience that’s certainly fit for royalty.
The Longevity Cegonha Country Club reopened on the 4th of July and is the perfect place destress, relax and get back in touch with nature. The hotel is offering a ‘Feel De-Stressed and Rebalanced Package’ which includes guided meditation, healing therapy, balance therapy, massages, reiki and even a floatation session. How soon can we book a flight to Portugal?
Located in the Quinta do Lago, the Magnolia Hotel is a mid-century paradise that is absolutely brimming with personality. The hotel opened in the beginning of July and even launched the Algarve’s only poolside open-air cinema, perfect for sipping Pina Coladas and spending an afternoon soaked in the sun.
Sleep is always on the agenda. Luxury hotels around the world compete for the most opulent turndown services for guests to have the perfect dreamy slumber. We have rounded up the top five services from historic castles to London hideaways and cruises on the world’s most famous waterways…
Castell Son Claret, Mallorca
Castell Son Claret is an ultra-luxury hotel, on the beautiful Island of Mallorca in the Balearics. The hotel merges pure nature, relaxing luxury and culinary delights. It is no wonder that it is a member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World.’ The former 19th century castle, meticulously renovated in 2013 by the Kühne family welcomes guests to a unique experience. Surrounded by lavish gardens, the 41 rooms and suites are of contemporary design, many featuring terraces and their own garden or a private pool.
On arrival, guests are met with homemade ‘tostas’ of butter bread with dates and dried apricots, all washed down with homemade lemon and orange marmalade made fresh from produce in the gardens. Whilst at dinner, (the hotel is home to the only two Michelin Star restaurant in the Balearic Islands, named Zaranda) the hotel will turn down the beds in the sumptuous suites and leave different homemade pastries that change on a daily basis. Guests can snuggle down with a traditional Mallorcan Ensaimada by chef, Fernando P. Arellano, made with Mallorcan Black pork lard ‘Saïm de porc negre’, a chocolate and praline cupcake, a Castell lemon and Mallorcan olive oil cupcake or a crispy Castell butter cookie. Sweet dreams!
The Strand Cruise operates luxury river cruises between Bagan and Mandalay on the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar. Airy and plush, the famed Strand Suites feature a king bed, floor-to-ceiling windows with a separate private balcony from which to sit gaze at the river and landscapes during the journey. Guests can relax in total intimacy at the sitting area complete with sofa, armchair and low table or sit at the desk and journal about the once in a lifetime journey. Each evening, a different turn down gift appears in each of the ship’s 25 cabins that reflects the experiences passengers have had during the day. The service allows guests to reflect on what they have seen and to dream of what they will encounter the following day. Turn down gifts placed on the beds include a Strand Lacquer box – produced in the ancient lacquer workshops in Bagan, handmade wicker Slippers, a sand or water painting and a traditional Longyi worn by Myanmar people, which passengers will have learnt how to tie during a demonstration that day.
The five-star Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese offers guests an exclusive sleep menu for the ultimate rest and relaxation while staying at the new, chic hotel in the heart of the romantic city. Guests can choose a range of pillows to suit the way they sleep and even the positions they sleep in. This includes the Reverie Douceur; a natural square pillow, with its fluffy, cosy comfort which is ideal for those who sleep on their stomach, or the Reverie Contact; a natural but firmer pillow which is advised for those who sleep on their back.
The hotel also offers a Room Mist which is signature scented product; an elegant French blend of citrus and white sandalwood for a sense of warmth, to enhance the fresh, crisp design of the bedrooms and suites. The scent can be requested before bed, for the ultimate slumber. For that extra element of TLC, Sofitel Rome has a selection of indulgent baths to choose from, ranging from therapeutic bath salts, soothing fragrances and bath bombs, to natural sea sponges and scented candles. Guests can also order from the hotel’s reading selection, to fully wind down between calming baths and a dreamy night’s sleep, whilst lying beneath the subtly lit Baroque-inspired ceiling frescoes which create the illusion of an open sky. A sleep service like no other.
The Corinthia Hotel London is right in the bustling and busy heart of the capital, on the corner of Northumberland Avenue and Whitehall Place. The hotel is home to 283 bedrooms, 52 of which are suites and seven that are extravagant penthouses. Contrary to its central location, the hotel creates an oasis of calm and tranquility. The opulent Garden Suites overlooking the beautifully manicured courtyard are testament to this and are a true botanical haven in which to unwind in the city. All beds at the hotel are turned down each night and each guest is given a lavender bag for a soothing night’s sleep as well as a William Curley chocolate for those midnight feast cravings!
At this sumptuous Thai resort on Phuket’s western coast, guests can laze the days away at the beach, then return to the dreamiest sleep. The ‘Slumber Guru’ service at Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa is a calming ritual that begins with a candlelit milk bath, where guests can sip herbal tea or Italian hot chocolate in the tub. Post-soak, there’s a soothing massage with lavender or ylang-ylang essential oil. Sleep awaits in a bed made with the guests’ personal pillow selection, misted with a relaxing spray. A lavender silk eye mask is left by the bed by staff as well as ear plugs to drown out any unwanted noise, for the perfect night’s sleep and sensational dreams.
With its azure waters, picturesque water villas, and white sandy beaches — the Maldives is ever-present in our wanderlust-inducing fantasies, and with good reason. If you are planning to tick this dream destination off your bucket-list, we highly recommend checking into the Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa. Because if you’re splashing out to visit the Maldives, then it might as well be at this dream destination’s most luxurious resort.
Located amidst the sheltered waters of the southernmost atoll in the at Addu Atoll, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is simply a cut above the rest. So much so, that it operates on its own timezone.(It’s one hour behind Male – which means that you gain an extra hour of sunshine!) Once you dock at the Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa, you are immediately transported into an otherworldly landscape of tropical villas, ocean-facing swings, and the soothing sounds of the sea. Soon, it becomes exceedingly clear that you have entered a paradise in a world of its own.
The Water Villas of our dreams
After the cursory welcome coconut, and a quick buggy ride through Maldive’s iconic timber walkways, we entered our luxury water villa. Build on stilts on the resort’s breathtaking azure waters, these 166 sqm. villas are the very definition of secluded luxury.. If you’ve ever had an imagined image of the Maldives in your head, it was probably exactly this; but at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, the reality is even better. Think natural wood interiors, a seductively comfortable king-sized bed, and a bathroom that’s bigger than a Victorian semi-detcahed. The Water Villas are exactly what our travel dreams are made of. Glass partitions allow of unobstructed views of the Indian Ocean, where you can jump in for a quick swim straight out from your own private deck. Enjoy some in-room dining on your veranda, and lounge on a hammock-directly suspended from the sea. Have a soak in your oversized oval bath tub, or better yet shower outdoors. Trust us, there is nothing more liberating than showering completely uninhibited, underneath the Maldivian sunshine.
A Culinary Journey of the Maldives and beyond
At Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, every experience is tailor made to each guest. The resort has three restaurants, and each one has its own distinct personality. Dr.Ali’s Restaurant and Bar, was named after Maldive’s most legendary doctor. Dr.Ali was a treasure trove of tales taken from his adventures across East Asia and the Middle East, and Dr.Ali’s Restaurant and Bar pays homage to the many authentic flavours and recipes he encountered on his journeys. Javvu Restaurant is the hotel’s main restaurant and is located right beside the pool. This is where we enjoyed plenty of casual sun-soaked lunches during our stay, as well as a fruity cocktail (or five) at M Lounge during sunset. Named after the Dhivehi word meaning “the edge”, Fashala Restaurant and lounge is located at the northern edge of the island, and features breathtaking views of the ocean. The Mediterranean inspired menu is made up of only the freshest local produce both from land-and sea.
A Bespoke gastronomic experience with Dine by Design
If you’re looking for a truly bespoke culinary experience — try the Shangri-La’s Dine by Design. Fancy having lunch on the equator? A barbecue in your villa? Or maybe even a dinner in the Chef’s garden? Then let the Shangri-La’s expert chefs create an unforgettable dining experience just for you. We tried their new farm-to-table dining experience, which began with picking our choice of island grown ingredients from the chef’s garden, followed by a visit to the neighbouring town of Meedhu. After a warm welcome from the villagers, the local farmers took us around to their own farms, and picked some fresh and showed us the many different educational, cultural, and environmental clean up that Nalafehi Meedhu, a local NGO, implemented to transform the life of the villagers.
A Traditional take on Wellness
If you’re looking for some pampering during your stay — explore the resort’s secured spa sanctuary. Hidden amidst large banyan trees and tropical shrubbery, CHI has eleven spacious treatment villas, two meditation pavilions, and a yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean. Waking up before the crack of dawn, we cycled to the Spa for some sunrise yoga followed by a Kandu Boli Ritual massage. This traditional treatment is a soothing body and face massage, where coconut oil is rubbed on you with a hot cowrie shell, which was once considered a treasure during ancient marine trading times.
Discovering the Island’s unique biodiversity
We’re all about travelling consciously, and is with everything else in this excellent resort, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa puts in every effort to protect the island’s own unique biodiversity. At the Eco-Centre, marine biologists take guests on nature trails, while dive-masters guide diving enthusiasts across the Addu Attol’s best kept snorkel gardens. After doing our part for the environment and planting some coral in the resort’s coral farm; We went on a snorkelling excursion just a 30 minute boat ride away from the island, and swam amongst incredible aquatic wildlife and coral — even spotting some sea turtles along the way.
An Unforgettable Sailing Expedition
From jungle treks and golf to coral planting and sea-bobbing, here’s plenty to do at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa. While it may seem counter-intuitive, we highly recommend venturing away from the resort’s many luxuries — and jumping onboard a Yacht for a sunset cruise like no other. After popping a few bottles of champagne, climb atop the roof and take in the stunning candy coloured skies, as your captain sails you around the wonderfully biodiverse waters of the Addu Atoll. During our brief expedition out to sea — we were greeted by large and friendly groups of flipper dolphins, racing with our boat’s bow, and showing off with some pretty impressive flips. It was absolutely incredible — a once in a lifetime moment that can only be found at Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa.
For many dogs and dog-owners, lockdown has brought on a new level of bonding. Countless pups all over the world have been going on 25 walks a day, derailing zoom meetings, and getting about 300% more belly rubs than usual.
While you may be enjoying all the quality time with man’s best friend, it’s equally important to dream of better days ahead. This is why we’ve rounded up some of the cosiest dog-friendly hideaways in the UK, so you and your four-legged friend can dream of #TeamCocopup approved places to roam free.
Ellenborough Park in The Cotswolds
Ellenborough Park is a stunning countryside retreat with 13 dog-friendly rooms and is one of the Cotswolds’ finest hotels. The hotel sits on a stunning 90 acres of beautiful British countryside, including the famous Cotswolds Way, which are perfect for long walks filled with wildflowers, hill forts, and stunning beech woodlands.
If you’re looking to add a bit more culture to your retreat, the hotel is located within close distance to Cheltenham and Bath, where there are plenty of dog-friendly local museums for your pups to explore too.
A stay at Ellenborough Park begin from £189 a night on a bed and breakfast basis. Dog-owners will be required to pay a £25 housekeeping charge. www.ellenboroughpark.com.
The Roseate Villa Bath
The Roseate Villa in Bath offers 21 unique and beautiful rooms and is located just a few minutes stroll away from Bath’s historical Abbey and Pulteney Bridge. This stylish boutique hotel also has its own doggy mascot, a border terrier called Muttley, who has plenty of recommendations for dog-friendly activities nearby.
Some of Muttley’s top tips include Henrietta park, or the Lennet and Avon cancel. To add to the hotel’s pet-friendly credentials, it also offers ‘woof’ boxes filled with treats from Lily’s Kitchen and a tennis ball to play with in Henrietta Park.
A stay at The Roseate Villa Bath begin from £169 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. www.roseatehotel.com.
Glenapp Castle, Scotland
Glenapp Castle is a handsome 17-bedroom castle hotel located in the Ayrshire Coast of Scotland. It also has 36 acres of majestic Scottish countryside, perfect for long walkies with your pooch. This luxury estate has two dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor with easy access to the gardens outside. Dogs can take a swim in the glen, participate in star-gazing activities, and go on plenty of hiking trails too.
Stays in one of Glenapp Castle’s Garden View Suites begins from £415. www.glenappcastle.com.
Marrakech is an aesthetic dream but there is so much more to this magical city than meets the eye. Like with any passionate love affair, our first encounter with the red city undoubtedly impactful.
We spent an enriching few days exploring every corner of the city, from the mosaic walls of the Bahia Palace to the labyrinthine alleys of the souks; and then ventured out to explore the lesser-known landscapes of the Atlas Mountains to see a side of Morocco unknown to most travellers.
We stayed in two stunning hotels, Le Farnatchi and La Sultana Marrakech– each one offering a new kind of safe haven away from organised chaos of the city. Our girl Hannah Tan-Gillies gives you your daily dose of wanderlust with a visual diary of her luxurious #CocoCouples trips to Marrakech, because hey, we all need a little escapism these days.
We might be confined to barracks for the foreseeable, but we know #TeamCoco won’t be the only ones already curating a list of where we’ll be escaping to once this is all over.
While far-flung destinations are always high on our lust list, the reality is that the tourism industry closer to home will also need a big hand to get back on its feet post-lockdown and given we will ALL be in need of some well-earned R&R after all the drama, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite UK wellness breaks to look forward to for some serious relaxation.
1. Lifehouse Spa
Lying less than 90 minutes from London means Essex’s Lifehouse Spa is a dream spot for a post-work escape; oh how we yearn for those heady days of knocking off early on a Friday night and rocking up at a hotel in time for dinner. Make the most of a weekend away with the Your Health, Your Way package (from £319 per person, available through www.SpaBreaks.com). Guests can choose from a targeted menu, access to fitness classes and with full use of the soothing spa facilities from 10am on day of arrival until 6pm on day of departure there’s no excuse not to make full use of the hydrotherapy pool, relaxation rooms, plunge pool, experience showers and sauna and steam rooms.
2. The Headland
Newquay previously have been synonymous with that post-GCSE party crowd, but it may well lure a new clientele with the opening of The Aqua Club, a new multi-million pound leisure complex at The Headland. With commanding views out to to sea, the Club boasts six pools, a sun terrace and a new restaurant, The Deck. Head outside for a sunset spa with its two pools enjoying views of the Atlantic and The Deck offering a place for guests to enjoy a bite to eat. The use of natural stone allows the building to blend into its environment as much as possible, while a living roof and additional plantings help to minimise the visual impact of the building as well as providing a natural habitat for the flora and fauna around the peninsula.
An overnight stay at The Headland costs from £150 per room. Contact Pride of Britain Hotels on 0800 089 3929.
Nothing beats a bracing coastal walk for blowing away the cobwebs and at County Durham’s Seaham Hall there’s no shortage of dramatic coastline to explore. The Georgian country house features 21 beautiful suites and a whopping 44,000 sq ft of spa. Accessed via a subterranean walkway, it includes indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, Zen Garden complete with hydrotherapy pool, an Asian herbal sanarium, salt sauna… the list goes one. Drawing influence from Far Eastern healing and wellness rituals, some of its newest therapies include ishga touch therapy, combining the natural, healing properties of seaweed with an advanced, ancient ‘touch’ technique for those affected by anxiety, depression, phobias, exhaustion and stress; so undoubtedly something we could all do with post-lockdown. Last year it also introduced a range of alternative therapies that focus on the key tenets of rebalancing life, improving sleep quality, de-stressing and promoting relaxation, such as hypnotherapy and Mind Calm.
A stay costs from £195 (two sharing), for one night in a Junior Suite, full English breakfast and use of the spa facilities. Currently they are accepting bookings for departure after August 1st. Call Seaham Hall on 0191 516 1400.
If you’ve ever dreamt of swanning around a country estate pretending to be the Lord or Lady of the manor (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t), The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Buckinghamshire, might be a fair bet. Beautifully situated in the former manor home of the third Duke of Marlborough on 150 acres of formal gardens and parklands originally designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, the location is pretty spectacular. The mansion is steeped in history, but the world-class Sisley Spa is the brand’s largest in the UK and offers advanced and scientific treatments in a seriously luxurious spa setting.
Created by award-winning interior designers Dennis Irvine Studio, the spa combines striking design elements with world-class facilities including two thermal areas (one female-only) with vitality pools, saunas, steam rooms and hammam facilities, a VIP suite equipped with private vitality pool, juniper sauna, amethyst steam room and hammam, and a 16-metre indoor swimming pool. It’s the perfect countryside escape.
Nestled in the Dorset village of Evershot, the award-winning Grade II listed Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Spa is surrounded by miles of glorious countryside that inspired Thomas Hardy, with many connections to the literary great. A quintessentially idyllic escape for the ultimate luxury staycation, it not only has a boutique spa but hosts a calendar of wellness activities throughout the year. Guests can book in to a Mindfulness Workshop (11th September or 4th December) giving an insight to mindfulness with Verity Woodgate, whose programme, Zenna (www.zenna.me), was created to help businesses develop healthy workplace environments. They also offer an overnight spa experience available year round, summer art lectures from renowned historian Jennie Spiers and hiking experiences taking in the Jurassic Coast.
Art lectures £30 each. Mindfulness Workshop days £75 per person. Spa offering from £364 per night, based on two people sharing a Classic Room.
The mental benefits of immersing yourself in countryside can’t be ignored and few locations in the UK are as magical at the New Forest, with its verdant greenery and wild ponies. The legendary Lime Wood is introducing new retreats for 2020 with renowned nutritionist Amelia Freer and fitness guru Matt Roberts. Amelia will be hosting her first three-day retreats, focusing on whole body wellbeing, deep relaxation and empowering health through knowledge. Designed to help participants to slow down, find sanctuary and balance, nourish the body and mind, and create a bespoke plan for long-term positive wellbeing, the programme includes talks, interactive workshops, yoga classes and cooking demonstrations. It’s a rare opportunity to personally connect with Amelia herself, while her day workshops including Eating for Health and Batch Cooking offer a more affordable insight.
Matt Roberts’ three-day retreats have been designed to support personal training and wellbeing goals, seeing guests head into the New Forest National Park with group hikes and runs as well as activities in the rooftop gym and studio. Both packages – the Body Reboot Retreat and the Body Rebalance Retreat – include two nights at Lime Wood, all meals, training sessions, two Bamford treatments and use of the Herb House Spa from £1890 per person.
Amelia Freer retreat from £1650 per person (single occupancy). Day workshops from £175. Dates TBC.
AS WINTER FATIGUE SETS IN, IN A MAJOR WAY, YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF DREAMING OF BETTER AND MORE RELAXING DAYS. HOW NICE WOULD IT BE TO HAVE THAT UBER RELAXING MASSAGE, OR PERHAPS TO GIVE YOUR TRESSES THE NEW LIFE THAT IT NEEDS.
IF LIKE US, YOU’RE IN SERIOUS NEED OF SOME PAMPERING – HELP IS AT HAND! ONCE THE GLOOMY, DARK WINTER IS OVER AND YOU’RE OFF TO YOUR HOLIDAY WITH THE FAMILY, YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO INCLUDE A GOOD MASSAGE AS A PART OF YOUR ITINERARY. WHEN YOU CAN’T ALWAYS ENJOY THAT TYPE OF LUXURY TREATMENT, DON’T MISS OUT ON THAT CHANCE NOW THAT IT’S RIGHT AT THE TIP OF YOUR FINGERS.
TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR JOURNEY, BELOW IS A COUNTDOWN OF #TEAMCOCO’S TOP PICKS FOR THE MOST LUST-WORTHY SPA EXPERIENCES FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THIS LIST IS CURATED FROM ONE OF THE BEST TRAVEL RESOURCES THAT YOU CAN TRUST, SO YOU’RE GUARANTEED THAT THESE ARE AS TRUE AS IT COULD BE.
EVEN IF THEY SEEM A LITTLE OUT OF REACH, OUR STUNNING SELECTION WILL NO DOUBT INSPIRE YOU TO INDULGE YOUR SENSES THIS NEW YEAR.
CHECK-OUT OUR TOP-PICKS BELOW!
When you hear of the Intercontinental chain of hotels and resorts in the world, one of the very first things that come to mind is luxury. This, you’re promised too, in their Bora Bora resort.
Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa are known for being one of the best resorts in Bora Bora. Their spa is the only spa in the entire country that drives fresh seawater from 3,000 feet below the surface to use as healing waters for treatments such as, hydro-massage baths, pearl rain massages, and a ‘water journey’ treatment. With this natural source, you’re guaranteed a fresh and purely healing experience, without all unnecessary chemicals.
This includes deep-relaxing jacuzzies and cold seawater pools with massaging jets. Enjoy massages and beauty treatments with Tahitian oils in treatment rooms located in the overwater villas with glass floors whilst watching fish swimming below. How amazing would it be to have a massage with a view! This isn’t something that you can wake up to, every day of your life. It’s a perfect treat too, post-pandemic as of writing, to ease yourself of all those anxiety and stress that you may have accumulated.
Hotel Ofutei in Tomonoura Onsen, Hiroshima, offers sea views from both private-use and open-air hot spring baths. Enjoy clear sunlight and sea breeze mornings whilst bathing in the luxury roof-top open-air baths overlooking the calm sea of Tomonoura. Alternatively, the private open-air baths enable guests to soak in hot waters overlooking the Seto Inland Sea in piece whilst soothing and relaxing the mind and body. visithiroshima.net/
Energizing Tokyo at the Palace Hotel, Tokyo
Palace Hotel Tokyo is getting into the spirit of wellness in line with the Olympic and Paralympic games 2020. The hotel has set up a wellness getaway that comes replete with an a la carte menu of fitness pursuits to refresh the body and mind and allow visitors to experience the city in a very active healthy way. Guests can choose from a range of treatments from zen meditation, Japanese tea ceremony experience, Japanese seitai acupressure, massages and more.
Detox at Osmosis Day Spa, Sonoma County, California
With five secluded acres of creekside property, Osmosis Day Spa is extensively landscaped with five distinct Japanese garden areas. Owner Michael Stusser was inspired by spas he discovered in Japan for soothing pain, calming nerves, cleansing and brightening skin. Experience a restorative treatment overlooking the meditative gardens and bathe in a mix of fine cedar shavings, rice bran and plant enzymes where temperatures reach up to 48 degrees. To help cool you during the experience an attendant applies cold cloths and offers sips of ice water.
Lazy You Spa at C Lazy U Ranch, Granby, Colorado
C Lazy U Ranch is a luxurious dude ranch offering an upmarket yet authentic wild western experience. The spa is set within beautiful log cabins next to Willow Creek, surrounded by acres of untouched land. Its signature treatment is the Cowboy Copper Tub Soak where guests can relax in a bathtub and enjoy incredible views of the Continental Divide mountain range, in complete peace and tranquillity.
The Lodge at Edgewood, South Lake Tahoe, California Located on the shores of South Lake Tahoe, The Lodge at Edgewood is home to 154 luxury rooms and suites each boasting their own fireplace and private deck or terrace. Nestled in a private area on the second floor of the Lodge is the Spa at Edgewood Tahoe—an 8,500 sq. ft. space that offers guests uninterrupted serenity amongst a peaceful and inviting atmosphere. With a stunning streamlined design aesthetic influenced by the innate beauty of the area’s natural surroundings, the Spa at Edgewood inspires relaxation, rejuvenation and inner balance. tahoesouth.com
Majorelle Spa and Salon at Hotel Californian, Santa Barbara, California
Majorelle is an intimate spa comprising four treatment rooms, a courtyard and a circular-columned waiting area inside the stunning Martin Lawrence Bullard-designed Hotel Californian. This dazzling spa offers a comprehensive menu of treatments, from aromatherapy and skincare rituals to couples’ packages and massages. The interiors are inspired by the Moorish cities of Spain and Morocco, while one-of-a-kind spa treatments can be tailored to your personal needs.
The Scandinave Spa, Whistler
For long-haul travellers, skiers and snowboarders the Scandinave Spa hydrotherapy offer an effective way of releasing tensions in both the mind and body. The cycle of hot-cold-relax is proven to both energize and rest the body, improving blood circulation and activating the lymphatic system to help detoxification. Hot cycles take place in eucalyptus steam rooms, outdoor hot baths, Finnish wood-burning saunas or dry saunas. The spa also hosts a Nordic waterfall, rain showers and cold plunges, after taking a plunge to relax beside an outdoor firepit, in one of the solariums.
Vibrant Salon and Spa Fredericton
In Canada, New Brunswick is a must-visit. Fredericton, in particular, has all the sights for you to delight in.Especially if you’re one who enjoys outdoor activities, there’s always something for you to indulge in, with the best views that nature can offer. This is Canada, after all. From hiking to mountain climbing, kayaking, and whale watching, there’s something for you to get busy with, in every day of your journey.
Taking a break from all the nature activities, you deserve to give yourself that pampering, too. Vibrant Hair Salon Fredericton, your full-service beauty bar and spa, is a must-visit.
In Vibrant Hair Salon, they have a commitment to love their guests and community. When you walk into Vibrant, the goal is to make you feel at home, feel comfortable, and leave everything else behind. We guarantee you leave with amazing hair and a smile. If it’s hair care, makeup, laser hair removal, waxing, gel polish manicure, gel polish pedicure, nail art, eyelash extensions, facials, hydra-facials, lash lifts and more, an enjoyable and relaxing atmosphere for you in this beauty bar is guaranteed.
Takeaway
You deserve that treat from time-to-time. After working long hours day and night, when you travel, don’t just immerse yourself in the culture or in the lifestyle of the locals. As you get busy with touring your destination, you may also want to cap the day off with a good spa. From massages to a salon service, give yourself that tender loving care that you so deserve. Plus, how often is it that you can say that you’ve actually visited some of the best spas in the world? When you’re there, don’t miss out on that once in a lifetime opportunity.
If you’ve never considered a botanical safari, then there is a very special corner of the Cape just waiting to change your mind about flowers. More specifically Fynbos, the flowering plant endemic to this southernmost tip of South Africa. Both the smallest and richest of the world’s six Floral Kingdoms, there is more biodiversity here than the Amazon rainforest.
Set between the mountains and sea, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is made up of 2,500 hillside hectares blanketed by this native shrub – a thriving ecosystem of which 70% of species grow nowhere else on earth. This is also the only lodge in South Africa where you can spot the “Marine Big Five” – great white sharks, southern right whales, seals, penguins, and dolphins where two oceans collide down in Walker Bay.
Luxury Meets Conservation in a Botanical Paradise
What started as a humble bed and breakfast, has since grown into two boutique lodges, that now make up one particularly special hotel. While Grootbos cocoons its guests in nothing but five-star luxury, the reserve’s primary focus is to protect, nurture and restore the indigenous and endangered landscape on which it sits – something the custodians of the reserve the Lutzeyer family, have worked towards since acquiring the property in 1991.
Here, among the flowering Fynbos and gnarled milkwood forests, guests are encouraged to immerse themselves in nature, with specialist guides eager to share their knowledge of this biodiverse wonderland.
As soon as we arrive, we sit down with a specialist guide to work out what activities we’d like to do during our stay – from responsibly whale watching tours to shark diving at Gansbaai and coastal guided walking safaris.
While the focus is on the experiential, no detail has been overlooked when it comes to the rooms. Ours is part of the Garden Lodge – one of 11 free-standing suites set among the bush, through ancient forest and greenery alive with the hum of wildlife.
An unassuming stone exterior hides our expansive suite – with a lounge and wood-burner for a cosy Scandi feel and a selection of books to keep even the most fervent naturalist happy. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors open onto a private deck with sun loungers – a haven surrounded by the chorus of the Fynbos. Picture windows frame the view from a plush oversized bed, out over the dense Fynbos and down to the windswept sands of Walker Bay. In the bathroom, a free-standing soaking tub sits in a corner window, so close to the uninterrupted nature around you you’d swear you were bathing al fresco.
The separate Forest Lodge offers a further equally luxurious 16 suites, with open fires and two with private pools – all sequestered away within the Milkwood forest and offering similarly stunning views, the only difference the slightly more sleek feel to the common spaces. There are also two private villas which include a personal chef and guide, perfect for families or groups of friends.
Indulge in Nature’s Symphony: Sunset Delights at Garden Lodge
Sunset at the Garden Lodge is a real event – guests congregating around the freeform pool with a gin and tonic (mixed with a sprig of rosemary from the herb garden) as the sun sinks in an amber flash. We sit down to a candlelit dinner on the verandah – surrounded by the nighttime sounds of the bush and the occasional quacking of the Cape River Frog. Our host Princess expertly guides us through the locally sourced four-course menu – from the mussels which come from nearby Gansbaai to the freshest herbs and vegetables grown here on the reserve. Even the honey for our ice cream is produced here – made from the rare Erica Irregularis its deep floral flavour is one to be savoured, as it can be found nowhere else.
Aside from the thoughtful staff, this intimate hotel feels all the more special thanks to the presence of the charming owner Michael Lutzeyer, who flits between tables checking up on guests.
Generously insisting that we have a bottle of one of his favourite wines ‘The Last Syrah’ with our dinner (a limited edition bought from a friend at the Cape Winemakers Guild, an association of South Africa’s finest winemakers) – Michael kindly offers to take us out on a 4×4 botanical safari in the morning.
This is how we find ourselves up before breakfast – racing off across the patchwork of trails in one of the open-topped Landrovers. I’ve never considered myself to be interested in flowers, but Michael’s depth of knowledge and passion for this unique floral kingdom is infectious – he’s also great fun.
Exploring the Flora of the Cape with Grootbos
In the UK, he explains, there are 1,550 species of flora. Compare that to the Cape – where there are 9,500 (6,500 of which are endemic) and you start to see the significance of this region. Six new species were even discovered right here on the reserve, he tells us with a proud smile.
This is botany brought to life – with fascinating stories centred around the fynbos. From how a sunbird’s beak fits perfectly into a flower, or how the fires that ravage this land are crucial for its survival – with some plants depending on this heat to for their seeds to germinate. Every few minutes we pull to a stop, Michael having spotted something minuscule in the bushes, each with a story to tell.
We’re also able to take a guided tour of the organic farm and horticultural college – all part of Grootbos’ work to both conserve the critically endangered fynbos, as well as transform the lives of local communities.
The Sustainable Legacy of Grootbos Foundation
Established in 2003, the Grootbos Foundation has turned the reserve into a world leader in progressive luxury tourism. Every action they take, explains Michael, should benefit the community, or have a positive impact on the environment – from the fresh fruit you eat at breakfast to the recycled candles in your room.
Initially run as an agricultural training program teaching farming, beekeeping, and animal husbandry, the Growing The Future organic farm has since expanded to provide career guidance and internships focused on entrepreneurship. The farm itself is run as a commercial enterprise with all goods produced here sold back to the Grootbos Lodge and kitchen – the income providing funding for further Grootbos Foundation Projects. Even the lodge’s water supply is run as a self-sustaining business by the Foundation, with a solar-powered pump and reusable glass bottles eliminating tons of plastic waste.
At the Green Futures Indigenous Nursery, we see Grootbos’ approach to conservation in action – from chatting with one of the resident ecological researchers to the Green Futures students tending the on-site nursery – working towards the accredited courses offered by the Horticultural and Life Skills College.
Returning to the reserve in time for breakfast, we find a spread of homegrown fruits, jams and marmalades, salmon blinis and cheese from local dairies. That’s in addition to a hot a la carte menu, from which I choose the Grootbos Farm Benedict – two impossibly orange yolked eggs on a bed of spinach and micro-herbs – all from the reserve. Eaten on the sunny terrace surrounded by morning birdsong, it is quite simply bliss.
After breakfast, Michelle who runs the on-site stables (with 19 gleaming ponies and horses for all levels) takes me for a gallop high up in the hills on a black horse called Flame. The hills around us thrum with life, buzzing with birds and insects, flowers flashing past flame’s pricked ears in a haze of purple.
It’s then I realise I’m looking at this landscape afresh – with a sense of wonder for each element that creates this ecosystem. From the fynbos to the bees, chickens and vegetable gardens, Grootbos is protecting not just plants, but the people that call this place home – holistically and sustainably, this is surely the future of eco-conscious luxury travel.
I know I’ll never look at flowers the same way again.
