Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
Indescribably elegant and impossibly stately, Villa d’Este is a towering, glowing monument to the Good Life that seems to rise from the waters of Lake Como. The landscaped gardens are truly unique, while the whole pool-floating-in-a-lake thing is mad and ingenious all at once. They’re famous for their punchy negronis, too, which should be sipped on the lake-side terrace at sunset, sun-kissed and contented.
The Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy
A 15th Century Palazzo in one of the finest spots on the Grand Canal, The Gritti is an exquisite ode to Venetian luxury and craftsmanship, dotted with antiques, frescoes and rococo details. It is princely, enveloping, and full of charm and grace. An eternal classic.
Grand Hotel a Villa Feltrinelli, Lake Garda, Italy
A dusty pink Castillo on the shores of Lake Garda, Villa Feltrinelli feels more like a gorgeous private home than a luxury hotel. It sits there on the shores of the lake like a sumptuous wedding cake, and is filled to the brim with antique furniture, sumptuous design and decadent touches. Wondrous.
Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine, Valladolid, Castilla y Léon, Spain
Wine runs through this unique boutique hotel like lifeblood, soothing and caressing as it does so. The vineyards of the Ribera del Duero region stretch all around the central building, whose golden stones date back to the 12th century. Inside, however, there is modernity and ingenuity at every turn — not least in the kitchens of two-Michelin-starred chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, or in the inspired ‘vinotherapy’ treatments of the on-site spa.
Badrutt’s Palace, St Moritz, Switzerland
Towering above the frozen lake up in oofy St Moritz, the decadent Badrutt’s Palace keeps the spirit of the Jet Set alive and well. The Palace is a place of endless fun, friendship and character — this, after all, was the spot where where arch playboy Gunter Sachs would base himself during the winters (with a piece of bullet proof glass installed in his room for a particularly spicy party trick), and where a giant elephant was once paraded into the ballroom for a 50th birthday celebration. A glittering jewel.
Istoria, Santorini, Greece
Istoria is sometimes said to be the world’s most Instagrammable hotel — but don’t let that put you off. A striking work of art as much as a lodging, it is a cool, white, organic, modernist place on the fashionable Greek island’s calmer south-east coast. Once owned by an eccentric and wealthy Greek widow, it is a place alive with tales and a certain mystique — hence its name, which translates to ‘Story’ in English.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani, Venice, Italy
An impeccably appointed and historic hotel with incredible views across the Venetian Lagoon, Cipriani is set in sumptuous grounds which stand apart from the hodge-podge maze of Venice proper. This gorgeous, Bellini-scented, Murano glass-drenched spot is located on the eastern tip of Giudecca island, and overlooks the grandeur of St Mark’s Square.
Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Perched high above the day-tripping rabble down on the glittering coast, this crow’s nest of a hotel is formed from a striking, handsome 17th century former monastery. The winding terraced gardens are quite magical, with an infinity pool that hangs lazily above the ocean.
Deplar Farm, Iceland
Situated on the wonderfully named Troll Peninsula, Deplar Farm is a grass-roofed adventure destination of considerable charm. Harmoniously sewn into the sweeping green valley around it, this former sheep ranch is now one of the best places for wild salmon fishing and heli-skiing in the world — and combines chic luxury with splendid isolation.
Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville
Princely by name and princely by nature, the historic Hotel Alfonso XIII is fringed by palm trees and drenched in old-fashioned opulence — much of the original 1920s decor remains, including marble floors, crystal chandeliers and wooden lifts.