Top European City Escapes
Il Duomo, Florence
Refresh and re-set with a few days away at city hotel in Europe where the rules may have changed but the service is better than ever.
Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa
“When you wander along Rue Washington, you suddenly come across the glorious, gorgeous, sensational, extraordinary Monsieur George.. a twinkling fantasy of a bohemian rhapsody in deepest, darkest green.” Anouska Hempel on her latest masterpiece Monsieur George Hôtel & Spa which opened in Paris in March 2020 just a few days before lockdown. Shining like a precious jewel within the crown of modern hospitality, its 46 rooms and 3 suites are more refined than some of the finest residences in Paris with their sumptuous silks and marble mirrors. The worldly splendour continues into Galanga, the Asian fusion restaurant-bar. Monsieur George is a handsome, modern hotel, a welcome and stunning addition to the 8th arrondissement in Paris just a hop and a skip from the glowing lights of the Champs-Élysées.
Rates from £267 per night. www.monsieurgeorge.com
AX The Saint John
It’s no exaggeration to say that AX The Saint John is the finest boutique hotel in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. Once upon a time it was a merchant’s home and shop and now it has been transformed into a 20-room hotel where luxury and style meet high-tech, perfect for the discerning traveller. In the heart of Valletta, this hideaway is in the ideal spot to explore the walled city founded in the 1500s by the Knights of St. John and the first planned city in Europe.
Rates at AX The Saint John from £142 per night.
J.K.Place Roma
No one does it better than J.K. Place whether you’re in Paris, Rome or Capri. Small and perfectly formed, the philosophy at all of them is to feel at home as soon as you arrive. J.K.Place Roma is immersed in local life (there is a daily market just outside), and is a short walk from the Spanish Steps in an authentic, bustling neighbourhood. The 30 rooms and suites all have massive beds with the J.K. Place bespoke bed linen as well as Carrera marble bathrooms and complimentary soft drink minibars. Signature J.K. cocktails and snacks are served throughout the day at the J.K.Café Bar, a relaxing spot after a day of shopping and exploring in the Eternal City.
Rates at J.K. Place Roma from £400 per night. www.jkroma.com
11 Cadogan Gardens
My favourite hotel in London, 11 Cadogan Gardens boasts one of the best positions tucked behind Sloane Street in the heart of Chelsea. Spread across several buildings, this Relais and Chateaux property has a discreet entrance, with just a flag making its presence known. The rooms aren’t massive, nor are the marble bathrooms, but they are luxurious, perfectly formed and immaculate with an excellent team of staff to match. Hans’ Bar and Grill serves cosmopolitan all-day dining and serves the best scrambled egg brunch in town. It’s easy to miss (though essential not to) as its entrance is hidden amongst the artisanal shops and food suppliers of Pavilion Road.
Rates at 11 Cadogan Gardens from £290 per night. www.11cadogangardens.com
Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni No. 1
This medieval tower from the 1200s has been transformed into an historical boutique hotel in the best shopping street in Florence. The stunning views across Florence from the terrace are breath-taking and the central location just a few steps from Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and the train station is unbeatable. The personal service is matched by the luxury of the Renaissance rooms and suites which provide travellers with all the sophistication and elegance befitting the hotel’s historic location.
Rates at Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni No. 1 from £218 per night. www.tornabuoni1.com
Only You Boutique Hotel, Madrid
Expect arched windows, Juliet balconies, Chesterfield sofas and oversized lamps at the 125-room Only You Boutique Hotel in the heart of Madrid where old-world glamour meets modern luxury. This 19th-century palace has been lovingly restored and and transformed into a designer boutique hotel by Designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán who has used his signature style throughout the building creating a modern elegance both in the public spaces and boutique hotel rooms. Sitting between two of the most trendy areas in Madrid, Chueca and Salesas Only You Boutique Hotel is the perfect place to stay if you like to be close to the action. After a day’s street pounding or a long night out head to the Thai Room Wellness Centre for a relaxing Asian massage.
www.onlyyouhotels.com
TRAVEL NEWS
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