Recognised as Brazil’s most exclusive beach resort, Ponta dos Ganchos offers elegant bungalows set on a private peninsula surrounded by emerald waters and fishing villages. With exceptional privacy and comfort, it’s a truly unforgettable escape.

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.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love researching destinations — from countries I’ve visited to places I’ve yet to explore — and I often bookmark standout hotels or resorts for future trips. Having already experienced Mahé and Praslin, I was keen to discover a more off-the-beaten-path island in the Seychelles this time around.

For our first long-haul trip since Covid, we chose the Seychelles for its relaxed entry requirements and the convenience of a direct British Airways flight from London. At the time, it was also one of the UK’s approved quarantine-free travel corridors, making it an ideal choice.

Our stay — a last-minute booking through Leading Hotels of the World — came about after we had to cancel Le Sirenuse in Positano due to new Italian Covid-testing rules for UK travellers. I’d built up Leaders Club points, so paid cash for the first night and used points for the next two.

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.

After researching which countries were accessible and not requiring a quarantine on the return to the UK, we opted for our first post-lockdown trip to be Croatia (you can check out the full itinerary here). I very quickly opted for a two-centre trip, flying to Dubrovnik with British Airways first then travelling onto Hvar by ferry.

Quite a different accommodation choice for ThePrivateTraveller - this was actually chosen by “Mrs” ThePrivateTraveller as a Christmas present; but as soon as I found out about it I loved the idea; and it certainly didn’t disappoint.

After a recent long weekend in Madrid staying at the excellent Gran Hotel Inglés, I was keen to try somewhere new for another hotel review. Set in the heart of the city behind its striking Elizabethan-style façade, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques blends modern luxury with regal architectural grandeur — making it a standout choice for a refined city stay.

Tucked between rainforest and ocean on Madagascar’s wild southeast coast, Manafiafy Beach & Rainforest Lodge offers barefoot luxury, rich biodiversity, and a deeply personalised eco-travel experience.

Looking to experience Madagascar in refined, off-the-beaten-path luxury? Mandrare River Camp offers immersive wildlife, culture, and comfort in one unforgettable stay — let The Private Traveller curate your bespoke adventure.

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.

Nestled in the heart of Argentina’s premier wine region just south of Mendoza, The Vines Resort & Spa sits on 1,500 acres of private vineyards with breathtaking views of the Andes. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, it’s both accessible and utterly unforgettable.

Looking for a different experience after a previous city-centre stay in Venice, I turned to Leading Hotels of the World and quickly discovered San Clemente Palace Kempinski — a luxurious retreat set on its own private island, just minutes 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.

A luxurious escape deep in Ecuador’s cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge offers award-winning sustainability, immersive nature experiences, and refined comfort. Discover what makes this eco-lodge one of South America’s most extraordinary stays.

The original plan for this trip was a return to the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges, but when British Airways changed our connecting flight schedule, we opted to travel the night before and spend a night in Brussels. What began as a scheduling adjustment turned into the perfect opportunity for a stylish city stopover.