The Connaught, Mayfair, London
Nestled in the heart of Mayfair, one of the wealthiest districts in London, it’s no wonder The Connaught is the epitome of English luxury.
A favourite with the Queen, the late French President Charles de Gaulle and Princess Diana, the hotel, which dates back to 1897, is uber stylish, but certainly not stuffy.
Think Downton Abbey in the centre of the capital where the well-heeled can kick off their brogues and relax in their Burberry trench coats – there’s one of those hanging in every elegant room, by the way, just in case you fancy going out in the rain. And if you’re as taken with your classic trench as I was, you can even buy one to take home, along with the designer umbrella that’s provided throughout your stay.
This is a five-star hotel that runs like a stately home with old-fashioned British standards. There are butlers, two-Michelin-starred French chef Hélène Darroze and discreet staff to attend to my every whim.
But it’s hard to know what to ask for first. I’m too busy checking out my elegant suite – complete with huge king-size bed and separate living room – and deciding what to watch on the TV at the end of my bath, while I use my Asprey products.
To be honest, the luxury started the moment I stepped out of Heathrow Airport and was picked up and swept along in a chauffeur-driven Mercedes sent by the hotel. This attention to detail is part of the service The Connaught offers, along with packing and unpacking, crisp, ironed sheets and antique furniture that wouldn’t look out of place at Buckingham Palace.
Perhaps that’s why it’s no surprise to discover the hotel, which was originally opened as the Prince of Saxe Coburg, was renamed after Queen Victoria’s third son, Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught.
That accounts for the restrained elegance and understated opulence – there are 28 paintings by English artist Graham Sutherland in the lobby, and the hotel has undergone a £70 million (Dh436 million) refurbishment and houses the UK’s only Aman Spa.
I hop down there for a massage to revive my jet-lagged body, and take a dip in the indoor pool. I come back rejuvenated – my muscles are practically molten, my therapist did such a good job – and starving.
So I head down to the exquisite bistro-style French restaurant, Espelette, for ‘supper’ as the Brits call anything after 7pm. Dinner is ‘tea’ and eaten at 5pm, but afternoon tea is any time after lunch until tea time and a grand affair here, almost an institution, taken in the conservatory.
It consists of finger sandwiches – egg, cucumber and coronation chicken, with the crusts cut off, of course – and light scones (to pronounce it correctly, it rhymes with bronze) with jam and cream, and dainty little cakes on a traditional cake stand.
It all looks too good to eat when I indulge the next day, but tonight I tuck into melt-in-your-mouth seabass with vegetables that still have a bite, and all of their flavour. The food here is excellent. Breakfast the next day is a global choice, and I opt for a Bento box brimming with Japanese delicacies – miso soup, rice and fish.
Sadly I don’t have time to try out the state-of-the-art gym as I’ve arranged a quick tour of the city, going past The Connaught’s sister hotels, Claridge’s and The Berkeley, before devouring my scrumptious afternoon tea.
Then I’m given a treat – a tour of The Apartment perched on top of the 121-room hotel. It’s a haven of blue hues and luxury furnishings with contemporary as well as modern art, and limited-edition books, all designed by the late Irish architect David Collins (who also designed The Wolsley) to create a des res with the wow factor. “Can I stay here next time?” I ask, adding it to my hotel bucket list.
But walking out on to Carlos Place with my suitcase, I’m whistling. I’ve had an amazing stay in a hotel steeped in tradition with a twist of modern chic. I can’t wait to return.
Why we love it Regularly reviewed as the best hotel in London, The Connaught is ‘hip with history.’
Rooms start at Dh2,800 a night.
Find out more www.the-connaught.co.uk.
Raffles, Singapore
From the moment you walk into Raffles, you feel as though you’re staying somewhere very special and definitely exclusive. 125 years old, the hotel was renovated a few years ago but retains its colonial charm. Marble floors and colonnades combined with teak wood evoke a feeling of calm. Rooms are lavishly appointed without being fussy.
Why we love it Its incredible sense of history – everyone from Rudyard Kipling to Alfred Hitchcock has stayed here – plus the wonderful service, which is second to none.
Rooms start at Dh3,176 a night.
Find out more www.raffles.com/singapore.
The Dorchester, London
With its fabulous location overlooking Hyde Park and close to Piccadilly, The Dorchester remains one of the best hotels in London. Royalty and rock stars alike flock here, but everyone is given the same exquisite service. The stylish art deco-style bathrooms boast Italian marble, and rooms are spacious and comfortable.
Why we love it Despite its opulent good looks, The Dorchester is one of the most welcoming luxury hotels in the capital, and the stunning spa and hair salon is well worth booking into.
Rooms start at Dh2,164 a night.
Find out more www.dorchestercollection.com.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India
Probably one of the world’s most romantic luxury hotels, with a fantastic location just 600m from that great monument to love, the Taj Mahal, which you can see from all rooms. Rooms have Burma teak flooring and marble bathrooms, and the spa offers therapies inspired by ancient Indian traditions. Pure indulgence.
Why we love it If you’re after a room with a view, these ones are hard to beat.
Rooms start at Dh1,603 a night.
Find out more www.oberoihotels.com/oberoi_amarvilas.
Al Bandar, Muscat, Oman
Inspired by old Muscat, with ornate balconies, rooms are designed to evoke the spirit of Oman in a contemporary setting.
Why we love it It is extremely luxurious without being pretentious and the views of the Gulf of Oman are outstanding.
Rooms start at Dh900 a night.
Find out more www.shangri-la.com/muscat.
Jade Mountain, St Lucia
Set in a tropical paradise with private infinity pools offering views of the spectacular volcanic peaks of the Pitons, this is one of the most exceptional resorts in the Caribbean. Expect sweeping spaces that merge into the natural surroundings, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and some serious pampering.
Why we love it Jade Mountain’s stunning architecture celebrates its incredible surroundings, so you feel as though you’re part of the island, guaranteeing that your stay is unforgettable.
Rooms start at Dh5,840 a night.
Find out more www.jademountain.com
The Fairmont Washington DC, Georgetown, US
This is without doubt one of the best hotels in the US capital, within easy reach of all the city’s main sights. Inside you’ll find a magnificent garden courtyard (popular for weddings), and rooms offering rich fabric and the most comfortable beds we’ve ever slept in.
Why we love it Stay on the Fairmont Gold floor and not only are you treated to exquisite, instinctive personal service, complimentary breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres, but there’s a limo available to take you anywhere you choose, including a not-to-be-missed night-time tour of the city’s national monuments.
Rooms start at Dh2,200 a night.
Find out more www.fairmont.com/washington
The Peninsula, Hong Kong
Hotels don’t come much more glamorous than The Pen, known as the ‘Grande Dame of the Far East’. The hotel boasts its own fleet of 14 Rolls-Royce Phantoms, ready to collect guests from the airport, and a helipad from where you can take tours of this extraordinary city. Rooms are chic and modern and incredibly comfortable. Stay in a suite and you’ll have panoramic views of Hong Kong harbour.
Why we love it Exceptional service, incredible afternoon tea and a pool with astonishing views of the city skyline.
Rooms start at Dh1,931 a night.
Find out more www.hongkong.peninsula.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai
Arabic design, five swimming pools surrounded by lush gardens and a fabulous location, this is one of the finest hotels in the Gulf. Suites have Mediterranean-inspired decor and private balconies.
Why we love it The attention to detail at the Ritz-Carlton is extraordinary, including rose-petal-strewn fountains. It’s also home to fabulous restaurants including Amaseena, where you can eat under the stars in tents, enjoying the sea breeze and the sound of the waves.
Rooms start at Dh2,650 a night.
Find out more www.ritzcarlton.com.
Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, Australia
If you like the idea of getting closer to nature but don’t want to rough it, this is the hotel for you. Located in 16 acres of Daintree rainforest in Queensland, Australia, just north of Cairns, this world-acclaimed resort has just 15 boutique Bayans (Rainforest Houses) with jacuzzis on the verandas. The spa offers Aboriginal-inspired treatments and massages.
Why we love it What could be more fun than staying in a luxurious tree house with your own private jacuzzi? This hotel appeals to the giant kid in all of us – but it’s also a sophisticated, relaxing, grown-up hideaway, which makes it a big hit with A-listers confident they’re far away from the eyes of the paparazzi.
Rooms start at Dh1,238 a night.
Find out more www.daintree-ecolodge.com.au.
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