La Chapelle Saint-Martin couldn’t be more charmingly Gallic if it tried, and yet it’s close enough to home in minutes travelled to feel as though one could whisk someone away here for a memorable date night. Tempted? You should be.

Within the very heart of Jaipur’s relentless pace and dynamism, there exists an oasis of calm and sophistication: The Raj Palace, one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s most iconic properties, and a property where time stands still, noise fades into the distance and chaos dissipates the moment one steps through the door.

This is the last in a short, unplanned series of articles about trying to find the Greek islands I actually liked enough to return to. Amorgos was the final stop, and with its bombastic mountainside monastery and vast sea views, I had a suspicion that I’d saved the most interesting for last.

Off The Map Travel curates immersive, foraging-led Nordic journeys where the landscape dictates your day, your menu, and how you connect to a place that still feels raw, alive and a little magical. When it comes to food-driven escapism, I simply couldn’t wish for more. 

There is a particular alchemy to a truly great boutique hotel, one that transcends aesthetic posturing and instead settles into something far more instinctive. At The Falstaff in Canterbury, its charm reveals itself quietly, unfolding through layers of history, texture, and thoughtful design.

An ambitious project that’s set to bring cutting-edge approaches to wellness to a burgeoning luxury sector in Central Europe, Sparrow Hills aims to exceed all expectations in most unexpected ways. To say that it achieves this would be a hell of an understatement.

Le Vieux Logis doesn’t attempt to overwhelm you on arrival. It reveals itself gradually: a collection of historic buildings arranged around a central maison and farmhouse, blessed with the confidence of somewhere that has been doing what it does best for a very long time.

If there is such a thing as the archetypal Dordogne fairytale fortress, then Château de la Treyne might just be it. The place does not so much introduce itself as unfurl, with spectacular views, swoon-worthy suites and some of the region’s most captivating gastronomic flights of fancy.

Forget beige hotel rooms with polite wallpaper. Host Unusual offers accommodations that tear up the rulebook, immerse guests in almost unimaginable ways and, frankly, make the world a much more exciting, alluring and vibrant place to uncover.

Rixos Marina – a landmark hotel on the breathlessly impressive Abu Dhabi Corniche – achieves the gold standard, matching incredibly spacious rooms, architectural bombast and a plethora of top-notch amenities with unbelievably brilliant human resources. I absolutely loved it.

For those wanting to dial up the romance and make some enduring memories, nothing sets hearts a-fluttering like a getaway to locations that offer breathless escapism as standard. Discover eight utterly stunning Valentine’s Day retreats for couples to celebrate love’s great adventure.

In order to look forward to a brand new year, it’s never a bad idea to look back at the year that just passed. If UN Tourism’s latest World Tourism Barometer is to be believed, 2025 was a year of decisively packed suitcases — something we can certainly get behind.