Capella Hotels first came to my notice when they used to operate the Capella Pedregal resort in Cabo, Mexico. Capella is a small chain (which also incorporates the Patina brand) across mainly the Far East and Maldives and as soon as I saw the tented experience becoming featured at Capella Ubud I knew it was somewhere I wanted to visit.

There is the saying “Location, location, location” that I often use in hotel reviews or blog posts, and I think One Aldwych has to be one of the best examples of why that phrase can be so important. The hotel is so easily accessible, this trip we took the train and it was a very short taxi ride from King’s Cross station, and would equally be very easy by underground (the Tube) too had there not been a strike on the day we arrived.

As much as I love to revisit favourite five star hotels when in London, I also like to try out new properties and locations too. L’Oscar had come onto my radar a while back (it’s been open for just over three years now) but we had to cancel a trip last summer due to Covid, and (almost a year to day) were able to reschedule it.

Having been to Santorini before, we knew we would want to stay again at Oia, and after investigating a few options decided to book the Andronis Boutique Hotel, more on this in a separate review.

Recognised as the most exclusive beach resort in Brazil, Ponta dos Ganchos is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio. The bungalows are carefully distributed throughout the resort on a private peninsula surrounded by two working fishing villages and an emerald sea. Privacy and comfort assures guests a unique stay.

Having had to cancel a trip to Positano in Italy at short notice due to the change in Covid-19 travel restrictions, we decided to look for somewhere within the UK and opted for a two-centre short break between Gleneagles and The Fife Arms (you can read my full review on The Gleneagles Hotel here).

Having stayed at other Constance hotels in the past, I was aware of Ephelia on Mahé but to be honest had discounted before in favour of the Leading Hotels of the World sister, Constance Lemuria on Praslin.

For this trip, our first long-haul since Covid, we picked the Seychelles both because they allowed international visitors without too restrictive travelling/entry restrictions and by being able to fly direct from London with British Airways meant we could take advantage of the Seychelles being one of the UK approved quarantine-free travel corridors

Our stay, booked through Leading Hotels of the World, was quite a last minute booking having had to cancel Le Sirenuse in Positano (Amalfi Coast, Italy) due to changes in Italian legislation regarding Covid-testing for UK arrivals. I had accumulated a number of points through the Leaders Club membership, so paid cash for the first night then booked a couple of extra nights using points.

I’ve loved this hotel ever since it opened, it was a game-changer in terms of the standard of hotels at Heathrow, not least because of the direct connection to the Terminal 5 building. I love everything about airports and travel, so being able to stay so close in such nice surroundings and, with the runway views if you’re lucky enough to be located in the outward facing parts of the hotel, this makes for a fantastic stay.

We had such a wonderful hotel experience here - as well as this summarised review I also plan to post another blog detailing and contrasting with our stay at the other LHW property we visited on the same trip, the equally impressive Hotel Villa Dubrovnik.

Having not long been in Madrid for a long weekend, staying at the Gran Hotel Inglés (which was fantastic too), I wanted to try somewhere different to write up another hotel review on my website.⁣ In the heart of Madrid behind its Elizabethan-style façade, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques boasts a modern design and facilities with grand architectural splendour.

Walking round Bruges that time we spotted the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce right on the canal, after we remembered this was used in the Colin Farrell dark comedy film from 2008, In Bruges. We said that whenever we came back to Bruges, ideally visiting in winter for a change from summer, we would stay at this boutique hotel.

Tresanton is a small, ultra luxe boutique hotel in a cluster of traditional Cornish houses overlooking the sea. You will get a flavour from the hotel website but this is so elegantly designed and presented, with excellent unassuming service.

Located in the heart of Argentina’s premier wine growing region, just south of Mendoza, The Vines Resort & Spa is surrounded by 1,500 acres of private vineyard estates. I was first attracted to it through its membership of Leading Hotels of the World, and it did not disappoint. It’s in a great location, fairly easily accessible and has just the best views towards the Andes mountains.

Having stayed in the city on our last trip, this time we were looking for an alternative. I initially, as I invariably do, check out which Leading Hotels of the World properties there are in any location, soon spotting this Kempinski property located on an island just minutes away from Piazza San Marco by complimentary boat.

The location here is just exceptional - we got a direct water taxi from the airport right to the hotel doorstep (this transfer option isn’t cheap, but it’s an amazing way to arrive into Venice). The Baglioni Hotel Luna is apparently the oldest hotel in Venice, being housed in a 12th-Century Palazzo.

The main purpose of this trip was really to stay (again) in the incredible Belgian city of Bruges, but with British Airways changing connecting flight times a few months before our visit we decided to travel the night before to Brussels and stay over before travelling onto Bruges the following day.

I was looking for an island experience after having done cities in Japan and the Train Suite Shiki-Shima - I always initially look at LHW (Leading Hotels of the World) but thereafter I look at SLH (Small Luxury Hotels). I soon spotted this resort and liked the look of it.

Having booked to go to Palm Springs in February for Modernism Week, we were looking for somewhere to visit around California/Nevada before flying home from LAX airport in Los Angeles.