This behemoth white structure curves along the Adriatic coast and is just 100 metres from a quiet pebble beach and a short walk from the fragrant Mediterranean forest – in fact, stay in one of its 248 rooms, and you’re guaranteed a view of the peacock-blue sea. But this isn’t a nature retreat that should scare off those who love bustle, the luxury hotel is only two hours drive from Zagreb and 10 minutes walk from the picturesque town of Rovinj, which you’ll want to visit again and again thanks to its memorable seaside restaurants, cute boutiques and beautiful historical streets. Plus, if you’re there for a few days, you’ll definitely want to take the hotel’s half-day tour through the 3,000-year-old city of Pula and wander through its Roman amphitheatre before stopping off at a vineyard and olive oil grove in Vodnjan, where, yes, you will be able to sample the products (private half-day tour with tasting from Dh920 per person if travelling in a pair).
Or, if you’d rather just chill in the beautifully modern hotel, you could relax in the 1,000m-sq outdoor seawater pool, or shop in the hotel’s new boutique, which sells crafts produced by some of Croatia’s coolest designers. Alternatively, you can enjoy a meal in the local produce-driven, slow-food bistro, On. And we’ll definitely be booking into the wellness spa, where the scent of locally grown rosemary and lavender, and the view out over the protected Zlatni forest, will mean you feel at one with nature, yet sans
all that ouch-I-stepped-on-a-pine-cone nonsense.
Inside info
If you’re going to such a romantic location you might as well go all-out and book their lovey-dovey package, Love Is… The deal includes two nights in a superior room, breakfast served in your room daily, bubbles on arrival, access to the flotation room and relax zone, one facial or body treatment for both her and him, one dinner in the L restaurant with dessert served in your room and the possibility of a late check-out; and all for just Dh2,100.
Details
www.lonehotel.com | +385 52 632 000
Pasha, Chennai
This classic club in the sleek and beautiful Park Hotel is known as the spot to see and be seen in Tamil Nadu’s capital. The Persian-style decor means rich jewel tones, lush fabrics and dashes of sequins and the location in Chennai’s leading design hotel, which is littered with kitsch-cool vintage posters and furniture, means a chic crowd and plenty of celeb-spotting – an insider told us Kollywood star Trisha loves it there – and the rosta of DJs means there’s great music on tap every night. So, yes, if you want to party with the stars in Chennai, this is your best bet.
601, Anna Salai, Chennai | +91 44 4267 6000
Tokyo Baby Café, Omotesando
The brainchild of Japanese design prodigy Oki Sato, this lovely café is unique in that only pregnant women or parents with kids under seven are allowed in. The light blue decor is almost ethereal, there’s a blend of normal-sized furniture, whimsical giant couches and tiny baby-sized furniture, plus there are playrooms, changing rooms, books and toys galore. Even the food menu features some entry-level soft dishes for little ones, and the most popular drink is the Original maternity herb tea.
Jingumae 4-5-12-B1, Shibuya-ku | tokyobabycafe.com
