With your next vacation or pampering experience in mind, we’ve curated a list of the finest new and exclusive hotels around the world, to suit every lifestyle.
Hotel: Bulgari Hotel & Resorts Dubai
Location: Dubai, UAE
Vibe: In a city where everything is taller, shinier and bigger than what came before, it’s refreshing to find a new hotel complex that combines 21st-century luxury with old-school glamour. Designed by Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel architects, the resort has the feel of a Mediterranean village, and is located on an island just two minutes’ walk across a bridge to the mainland.
Highlights: There are spas, and then there’s the 1,700-sq. m spa at Bulgari Resort, which boasts a hammam, indoor swimming pool, beauty salon and hairdressing salon. Accommodation is varied, with 173 private apartments and 15 private mansions, while the exclusive La Spiaggia private beach club and Il Ristorante Niko Romito, ensure you eat, drink and play in style.
Best for: Sunseekers who like the buzz of urban life.
Travel tip: To catch a glimpse of the old Dubai, take a stroll along Dubai Creek. Here, you’ll find ships from all over Asia, authentic souks and traditional restaurants. Take an ‘abra’, or water taxi, across to the other bank, too.
Jumeirah Bay Island, Jumeirah 2, Dubai
Hotel: Belmond Cadogan Hotel
Location: London
Vibe: The British capital may be Western Europe’s biggest city, but in pockets it still has the feel of a village – albeit an unusually stylish one. The Belmond Cadogan is located in one such area. Placed between artistic Chelsea and the upmarket retail hub of Knightsbridge, you’ll find neighbourhood shops and cafes, just a short stroll from some of the world’s most famous designer stores.
Highlights: This is London at its most charming. Traditional in feel without being stuffy, the Belmond Cadogan offers accommodation that goes from cosy double rooms to outstanding speciality suites. If you feel the need for nature, guests have access to the private Cadogan Place Gardens, which offer a green sanctuary in the centre of the city.
Best for: Urban explorers with a taste for tranquility.
Travel tip: Head to the top end of King’s Road, the ‘high street’ of Chelsea. From the quintessentially English department store, Peter Jones, to the challenging art of the Saatchi Gallery, it’s the perfect place for an afternoon ramble.
Belmond Cadogan Hotel, 75 Sloane St, Chelsea, London SW1X 9SG
Hotel: Six Senses Krabey Island
Location: Krabey Island, Cambodia
Vibe: If you were looking for a visual definition of ‘tropical paradise’, this would be it. Located on a private island off the south coast of Cambodia, the spacious resort offers unique facilities, sleek modernist architecture, and the peace every weary traveller craves.
Highlights: Set over 12 hectares, the resort has 40 pool villas, a fitness centre, spa and two restaurants, both serving local Khmer cuisine. And for those who like a pre-dinner tipple, we’d recommend a cocktail or cold beer in the sunset bar. Views don’t get much better.
Best for: Peace-seekers with a taste for the tropical.
Travel tip: While the temptation to lounge is strong, there are plenty of activities to get you going, from watersports to cooking classes, meaning you can work up an appetite during the day and then eat like a king after.
Koh Krabey Island, Ream Commune, Preah Sihanouk Province, 18000 P.O. Box 9553
Cambodia
Hotel: Mandarin Oriental, Jumeira
Location: Jumeirah Beach, Dubai
Vibe: Whether you’re in town for business or pleasure, this is a hotel for people who like to have a seriously good time. Modern, super-luxurious and boasting every amenity you can think of, it also enjoys expansive views of Dubai’s iconic skyline and the Arabian Gulf.
Highlights: Located at the beach nearest to downtown Dubai, this Mandarin Oriental has six restaurants that go from Portuguese tapas tavern to a Japanese steakhouse. Accommodation is equally as varied, with rooms and suites of every size – including the Royal Suite with a rooftop terrace, gym and dining room for eight.
Best for: Adrenaline junkies and the super-connected.
Travel tip: Just 15 minutes’ drive from downtown, you’re right in the heart of the action. If you need some retail therapy, head for the Mall of Dubai, before taking to the indoor slopes at Ski Dubai.
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 1, PO Box 62092, Dubai
Hotel: Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Location: Paris, France
Vibe: Originally built as a private mansion for the Counts of Crillon in 1758, this neoclassical gem was converted into a hotel in 1909. Located on the Place de la Concorde, the hotel was closed for renovation in 2013, and now it opens its door once more. It remains a symbol of timeless refinement in the city of light.
Highlights: This is French hospitality at its most classic – an irresistible mix of 18th-century design with a very modern take on service. To relax, you can indulge yourself at Sense, A Rosewood Spa, before joining a wine-tasting session with sommelier Xavier Thuizat. The refined food offering comes courtesy of chef Christopher Hache and can be enjoyed in the L’Ecrin restaurant or the hotel’s private dining room.
Best for: Francophiles and wine lovers.
Travel tip: You’re in the centre of old Paris, but there’s nothing better on a warm afternoon than exploring St Germain on the other bank of the Seine, once the haunt of artists, writers and intellectuals – and still a charming neighbourhood today.
10, Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France
Need a haven to keep you focused on your business trip? Looking for a sanctuary on your city break? Contact our travel specialists for the low-down on these and other luxury hotels, to lift you out of the rat-race: Quintessentially Travel: +44 (0)20 7022 6560 or [email protected]
