Category: Where to Stay

Grand Hotel Bellevue, Gstaad: the egalitarian among peers

Comfy luxury at the centre of Gstaad village Conveniently positioned at the end of the main shopping street is the totally remodelled/reinvetned Bellevue, which was acquired mere months before we visited it by a Swiss family. Daniel Koetser is the proud managing director/co-owner along with his wife and father-in-law. Share
Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva

The imposing building overlooking the lake is easy to spot and we have visited the bar on a number of occasions. Our home for the night is a suite on the newly renovated 6th floor, with far reaching views over the water and the surrounding mountain peaks, as well as […]
Capri, Palazzo Style

From the quirky to the urban cool, to the ‘beyond star’ luxury, we travelled down the Amalfi coast to finish our trip, fittingly enough at the Capri Palace hotel. There are many hotels in the world called ‘palace’ and the word has a cliched overtone to it, but there is […]

The true Moroccan paradise: Dar Ayniwen

If you are searching for a true Moroccan paradise, then you will find it at Dar Ayniwen. With its spectacular labyrinthine gardens, unrivaled service and outstandingly delicious restaurant, staying here is a moment of sheer, unadulterated bliss. Share
Memories in Marrakech: Riad AnaYela

Tucked away on an inconspicuous alleyway, Riad AnaYela opens up onto plush sanctuary from the manic medina. Minimalist Moorish architecture in typical Riad style is effortlessly beautiful, with all rooms looking inwards onto the charming courtyard and pool. The pool, heated in the winter, is an unusual feature but adds […]
Wales for the Adventurous ‘Oldie’

Ah, Wales! The Welsh countryside is as rugged as it is spectacular, as enchanting as it is foreboding, as calming as it is exciting. Such seemingly contradictory qualities can often exist in one place, as locals, poets and tourists alike – and writers and readers of The Valleys as well […]

Hotel Review: The stars of Madrid – Hotel Orfila

Located in a side street near the fashionable Salamanca district in Madrid, Hotel Orfila welcomes you into an oasis of calm as you step off those sunny Spanish streets. The initial impression is an intensely sweet and refreshing smell exuding from the bouquet of blooming flowers that grace the […]
Boutique Style: The EastWest Hotel Geneva

I adore boutique hotels because they ooze personalization and character. Stepping into the EastWest Hotel in Geneva confirmed these expectations and a thrill of joy, mingled with curiosity momentarily passed through me. Share
Jade Mountain Review

Jade Mountain – the name itself has a certain totemic awe. After ascending from the ebon-wood reception, Jade Mountain first looms in front of you like a sun-gold monolith, a gigantic carved stone structure that, one might imagine, stands testament to humanity’s fervour and passion. As you rise up on […]

Beyond Indulgence: Fowl Cay

Somewhere in the middle of the long Exuma chain of islands lies a hidden jewel – a fifty acre sandbank lush with greenery named Fowl Cay. If you have ever dreamed of losing yourself on a totally private and unexplored island, you would first need to locate Staniel Cay, which […]