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Almyra Hotel Cyprus

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Following our review of Anassa Hotel Cyprus, we visit the Almyra Hotel in Pahos.

Located on Paphos’s beach front area, Almyra is Anassa’s cool sister with a more contemporary look and feel.

Almyra has an excellent location from which to explore Paphos and the neighbouring boutiques, restaurants and buildings of historic importance such as the castle and the house of Dionysos with its Roman mosaics.

Almyra’s 189 rooms have an understated, Mediterranean feel with light colours and contemporary furnishings. Our Kyma suite was light, airy and modern in style, opening on to a private terrace with sun loungers and direct sea views with an additional roof terrace that was ideal for sunset drinks.

While not usually keen on a buffet, Almyra’s main restaurant, Mosaics, offered a nightly assortment of Mediterranean and international flavours (depending on the specific day) that highlighted local ingredients in a chic setting and thankfully stayed clear from the all-you-can-eat style that I initially feared.

Continuing with the overall feel of the hotel, Almyra’s spa is contemporary in style without compromising on luxury or quality, with a number of treatment rooms, an outside deck for yoga, and a separate adults-only pool that looked serene.

The Almyra’s neighbour is its sister hotel, Annabelle, which is more traditional in style but with a similar theme and high service levels. Guests at either hotel can enjoy full use of all the amenities and facilities at both, and guests are sometimes known to move between the two until a favourite is found.

The UK is by far Cyprus’s biggest market and it’s easy to see why. With winters that seem to linger into spring and beyond, the knowledge that spring and autumn can bring glorious sunshine with a short plane journey is enough to get you through.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s travel concierge team to book your next holiday to Cyprus, contact us now to enquire about our Luxury travel services.

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easyJet flies to Paphos from London Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol. Flight prices start from £33.99 per person (one-way, including taxes based on two people on the same booking). Visit www.easyJet.com or call 0843 104 5000.

Anassa Hotel Cyprus – The Queen of Cyprus

Posted by Emyr Thomas

We visited Cyprus to review some of the island’s best hotels. Here we start with our favourite, the Anassa Hotel.

Undoubtedly the grande dame of the island, Anassa has a majestic position on the shore of Asprokremnos Beach, one of Cyprus’s most beautiful beaches.

The property was designed to resemble an ancient Byzantine village: white washed building with clay roof tiles and pretty duck egg blue doors and shutters are scattered around a stunning landscape with mesmerising views of the coastline.

A traditional Cypriot church and a central square where, in peak season, a weekly Cyprus fair is held with traditional music, food and dancing, add to Anassa’s connection to the country’s history and offer a taste of its culture for visitors more inclined to relaxing around Anassa’s three outdoor pools.

For those who prefer to immerse in the local traditions and landscape, Anassa offers daily activities such as a jeep safari to the surrounding Akamas peninsula, a visit to a Byzantine monastery or a boat trip to view the regal sunset.

Anassa features a total of 176 rooms, all of which have a balcony or terrace, many with private pools or Jacuzzis. Our junior suite was located on the quiet side of Anassa’s village, where you found yourself stopping to smell the plants and flowers of the manicured gardens.

A spacious room with a large bathroom, sitting area and walk-in wardrobe, the highlight was sitting on the terrace with an aperitif watching the sun set behind the mountains while trying to hide the occasional longing glance at the private pool of the suite below.

Anassa’s three restaurants mean that you could spend a week here without getting bored of the food, but we found ourselves at Basiliko on each night of our visit – the hotel’s gourmet restaurant focuses on Asian flavours set in a stone cavern that feels hidden away from the rest of the hotel.

The Thalassa Spa focuses on all things organic and holistic whilst also offering the QMS Medicosmetics range of treatments and products. My holistic jasmine and olive treatment including an invigorating full body scrub followed by a massage that both hydrated and healed.

Translating to Queen in English, long may Anassa reign over Cyprus.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s travel concierge team to book your next trip to Cyprus, contact us now to enquire about our Luxury travel services.

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The Best Luxury Hotels in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

London is one of the greatest cities in the world, with fantastic luxury hotels to match its reputation. Emyr Thomas shares his thoughts on the best luxury hotels in London.

The Connaught, Mayfair

The Connaught, sitting neatly on the corner of Mount Street in Mayfair, combines its splendour with impeccable service and traditional English grandeur. The style of the hotel is a restrained glamour and elegance with fantastic restaurant and bar offerings.

Hélène Darroze at The Connaught has 2 Michelin stars, offering fine French haute cuisine, while its two bars, the glamorous Connaught Bar situated towards the back of the hotel with its art deco flare and the warm, homely Coburg Bar with its heavy fabrics and open fire, are both excellent places to enjoy a martini in London and features in our choice of the best bars in London.

Claridge’s, Mayfair

Claridge’s is perhaps best known for its popularity amongst royalty, dignitaries and the glitterati. It is also a shining example of the grace of art deco with its beautifully crafted interior and fin de siècle elegance.

Whether you are taking afternoon tea in The Foyer, dining in Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s or sipping on champagne in Claridge’s Bar, you will marvel at the flawless style and service.

The Corinthia Hotel, near Embankment

The Corinthia hotel is the ultimate destination for those looking for luxury, style and relaxation. You will find it located just off from Trafalgar Square and even at first glimpse it radiates glamour.

As you enter the hotel you will become aware of the striking chandelier crafted out of Baccarat crystal dangling above you, which sets the tone for one of the best luxury hotels in London.

The rooms are large and stylish, there are two very good restaurants, a lovely bar, The Bassoon Bar, where the bar stretches out from a piano, and possibly the best spa in London.

The ESPA, cascading three floors beneath the hotel, is as luxurious as you could imagine – it is encased in black Italian marble and offers an equally impressive range of treatments. The Corinthia is our pick for one of the best luxury hotels in London.

The Langham, Fitzrovia

The Langham is conveniently placed just off the fanfare of Oxford Street, where the style of the hotel is grand with stylish flourishes throughout.

The dining options are also notable, with Roux at the Landau and the beautiful yet creative afternoon tea in the Palm Court. There is also Artesian pictured above, a cocktail bar serving a fabulous selection of drinks.

The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner

This five star hotel on the edge of Hyde Park is a brilliant example of traditional elegance. Decorated throughout in a refined style that is reminiscent of a long forgotten era, the rooms are decorated with drapes, delicate flourishes and muted colours.

The restaurant, Apsley’s, is a stunning Venetian-style dining room complete with glass roof and plush upholstery, serving up light Italian food worthy of its Michelin star.

The Dorchester, Mayfair

The Dorchester exudes traditional glamour and a quintessential British elegance, and it is easy to see why it is so popular. The style is unmistakably thirties’ glamour with a modern twist.

The bedrooms delight with their mixture of delicate floral touches and traditional British grace. The Dorchester has three top quality restaurants including China Tang, The Grill at the Dorchester, and the 3 Michelin Starred Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester.

Four Seasons Park Lane

The Four Seasons Park Lane re-opened in 2011 after a full transformation. The rooftop spa has spectacular views of London, and the restaurant, Amaranto, offers Italian-inspired food with international flavours and a dark, sexy bar area.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel at St Pancras International Station is an architectural marvel, standing ceremoniously with a sweeping driveway set back from Euston Road in London’s King’s cross area.

The London hotel features 245 guest rooms split between two buildings – 207 rooms are located in a new annexe and 38 beautifully restored suites are found in the original building. The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel oozes history from every corner, which is its biggest asset.

The Bulgari Hotel, Knightsbridge

The newly opened Bulgari Hotel in the middle of Knightsbridge has a lavish and sumptuous feel with a decadent blend of marble and silver throughout. The Bulgari has one of London’s best luxury cinemas, seating forty-seven in pure luxury.

The Bulgari Spa is also worth a visit, most notably the beautiful swimming pool and eleven treatment rooms.

Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair

Brown’s Hotel is a traditional British Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, but holds a modern, stylish bar on the ground floor. The Donovan Bar is cool, stylish, intimate and a haven for fashionistas.

The walls are adorned with Terence Donovan’s iconic black and white prints, which adds a contemporary twist to the history of the surroundings. Brown’s Hotel also offers contemporary British dining in the form of Hix Mayfair from Mark Hix.

Mandarin Oriental London, Knightsbridge

The Mandarin Oriental has a prime address in Knightsbridge with views over Hyde Park and with Harrods and Harvey Nichols moments away. The hotel features restaurants from two superstar chefs, with Bar Boulud from the US’s Daniel Boulud and our own Heston Blumenthal.

Avoid the waitlists for his Fat Duck restaurant in Bray and try his special cooking techniques in the heart of London.

The Savoy, Covent Garden

The Savoy is an institution on London’s hotel scene and caused quite a scene when it re-emerged a couple of years ago with a new look. The American Bar is a huge draw for visitors, but walk to the rear of the hotel where you’ll fine the grand Beaufort Bar, which has live singers on certain nights.

Cafe Royal, Piccadilly

Café Royal opened its doors on 3rd December 2012, but its official full opening occurs in the summer of 2013, the culmination of a four-year transformation of a former London grand dame.

The stunning hotel retains the heritage of the original building with its imposing staircase and opulent design features.

There are currently 159 rooms and suites (including six historic suites), a restaurant under the direction of Andrew Turner, 2 bars (including the spectacular Grill Room), soon to be followed by a private members’ club (with its own more formal restaurant) and a holistic well-being centre.

The Best Luxury Hotels in London by Bon Vivant

At Bon Vivant we have excellent relationships with the best luxury hotels in London, with access to preferential rates and additional complimentary benefits. If you are thinking of visiting London, contact us now to enquire about our London travel services to help plan your perfect trip.

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St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – A Gothic Masterpiece in London

Posted by Emyr Thomas

The most dramatic of entrances leads to a lobby of mammoth proportions but which manages to refrain from feeling too cavernous.

The London hotel features 245 guest rooms split between two buildings – 207 rooms are located in a new annexe and 38 beautifully restored suites are found in the original building.

The Chambers, as the suites are called, come with a private club with complimentary refreshments, a butler service and, above all, the opportunity to stay in the original Victorian masterpiece.

Our junior suite had a wonderfully high ceiling, giving the sense of a much bigger space than the room’s actual dimensions, with a stunning dramatic mirror as the centrepiece.

The room looked directly on to St Pancras station, which, while creating a sense of literary romance, also had the downside of waking up to the sound of the train announcer at an early hour. Not for the light sleeper, perhaps, but certainly for those who love to watch the world go by.

For those who need to venture to Europe on the Eurostar, guests staying in The Chambers can bypass the queues and head straight from the hotel to the platform, saving precious time.

What makes a hotel special for me is its ability to welcome both tourists and locals under one roof, and the public areas at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel achieve just that.

The Booking Office bar buzzes with the local after work crowd and The Gilbert Scott, Marcus Wareing’s British brasserie and wonderful cocktail bar, plays host to London’s fashionable and in-the-know set.

In the hotel’s basement you’ll find a lovely spa with a Moroccan-style pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and six treatment rooms.

The St Pancras Renaissance Hotel oozes history from every corner, which is its biggest asset.

Whether you want to walk the wide Victorian corridors, marvel at the Gothic architecture or pose on the staircase where the Spice Girls told us to ‘zig-a-zig-ah’, visit the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel to watch the world, both old and new, pass by.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s London concierge team to plan your next trip to London, please contact us now. Sign up to our blog to receive our hotel reviews direct to your inbox:

Read our guide to London’s hotels on The London Guide on our website.

Le Portetta Hotel, Courchevel 1650

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Emyr Thomas visits Le Portetta Hotel in Courchevel 1650. (Click to Tweet)

Courchevel is one of the most popular alpine ski resorts, renowned for its glitz and glamour. But don’t let that fool you – the resort is not all style over substance as Courchevel has some of the best skiing in Europe.

Courchevel’s high altitude ensures that the slopes are covered in snow all season, and much of the ski terrain is above the tree line resulting in glorious views of the tops of the Alps, as we found out on a recent trip in mid-March where perfect snow was matched with stunning blue skies and dazzling sunlight.

Courchevel is large enough that it caters to a variety of clients: If you are looking for fur clad ski bunnies and their admirers sipping from magnums of champagne, Michelin starred dinners with extensive wine lists, and high-end shopping boutiques, then Courchevel 1850 is the place to go.

A little further down the mountain with more of a homely vibe is Courchevel 1650, with a pleasant mix of more accessible restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes along a main street that cater to the rental apartments and a handful of hotels.

Courchevel 1650 is home to Le Portetta, which occupies a prime position on the piste next to the gondola. Skiing on and skiing off could not be easier. The hotel is built in a traditional chalet style with its distinctive peaked roof line and balconies with hand-carved wooden rails.

Le Portetta was acquired by new owners in 2008 (who also own the fabulous Lime Wood Hotel and The Pig in the New Forest), who brought the interiors up to date and created a welcoming, homely and family friendly hotel.

The main areas of the hotel are full of comfortable sofas and wing-back chairs around a roaring fire and a wall of windows overlooking the snowy slopes. These are perfect nooks to unwind and warm up in after a day of skiing, or to curl up with a book while others brave the cold outside.

Even though the hotel is sleek and polished, it is aimed at families and strikes a good balance between being luxurious yet laid back enough where three generations can sit down to a long dinner together without worrying about being too proper.

The children’s ski school is immediately in front of the hotel, which allows parents to perch on their balconies (with a glass or two of wine) while keeping an eye on the progress of their young ones in the distance.

The hotel has three main dining areas: The more formal restaurant serves a hearty breakfast (with wonderful bread), a full lunch and a gourmet dinner. Service is formal but friendly, the wine list very French and the food reflects local produce. Highlights included locally caught lake fish and a cheeseboard of some of France’s finest and most pungent cheeses.

There is a more informal brassiere serving food all day for those not wanting to waste too much time between ski sessions. The menu in the brasserie is simpler – pizzas, burgers, pastas and grilled meats dominate.

Lastly, weather permitting, for the perfect lunch or après-ski experience, Le Portetta has a large sun terrace spilling out into the slope, where the brasserie menu is served.

To ease your sore muscles after a day on the slopes, head to Le Portetta’s spa with its large relaxation room, steam room and sauna. For someone keen on the snow plough technique, the rosemary scented massage was an absolute treat. Unfortunately, the spa does not have a pool or hot tub, which would be a welcome addition.

Le Portetta is as polished as the glitzier properties higher up the mountain, but it offers a more relaxed haven where families can unwind together without compromising on quality. Service was familiar, friendly and personal throughout.

Le Portetta is an excellent hotel for those who value quality and service on the slopes, yet want to feel at ease in bringing their families for a fun vacation.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s travel concierge team to book your next ski trip, contact us now to enquire about our Luxury travel services.

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Sofitel Legend Hotel Santa Clara Cartagena

Posted by Vilma

Vilma Darling visits the Hotel Santa Clara in Cartagena de Indias in Columbia.

The Convent of Santa Clara inside Cartagena’s walled city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea was built in 1621. To this day it remains an important historic landmark with guides pointing to the former convent during the city’s tour.

But in the 21st century, the Santa Clara is no longer famous for the devoted nuns who spend their days isolated from the rest of the world praying for salvation – it is the home of the Sofitel Legend Hotel Santa Clara, known as one of the most luxurious and desirable places to stay in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

The hotel opened its doors in 1995 after four years of rebuilding and restoration works during which an abandoned and almost ruined building had been converted into a glamorous hotel bursting with extravagance, history and magical stories.

I arrived at Hotel Santa Clara in a taxi (pick-up truck to be exact) from Mompox, a town whose old centre, like Cartagena’s, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Covered in dust, tired and hungry after a six hour journey on mostly unpaved roads, I stepped into what looked and smelled like paradise on Earth.

Every employee at the Sofitel Hotel Santa Clara was dressed in white and was very, very beautiful. Exotic tropical trees and plants in the courtyard and colonial style fans were shielding the guests from the sun and equatorial heat.

Where once was Clarisas’ vegetable garden, now stood the biggest outdoor swimming pool in Cartagena’s historical centre where lots of glamorous people were sunbathing and drinking cocktails.

The original tiny windows in the wall through which the nuns were whispering their confessions and communicating with the outside world remain to this day, as does the 17th century well and a former chapel.

I could write about the beauty of the view from my balcony, the comfort of the bed, the quality of the spa services and the pleasure of the hot shower (this, it turned out, is a luxury in Cartagena), but the real charm of the hotel is its history, anecdotes and stories; and the way the colonial, republican and the modern eras are blended into one unique experience.

The Santa Clara Convent served as a monastery for 240 years and was witness to invasions and sieges, scandals, natural disasters and is the origin of many legends.

The house of probably the most famous Colombian of all times (Pablo Escobar excluded) – writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez is next door. The crypts of Santa Clara inspired the great author to write one of his brilliant novels, “Of Love and Other Demons”.

The writer, who worked as a journalist in Cartagena, apparently visited the burial crypts of Santa Clara when workers were removing the remains.

In the book’s preface he claims that when the stone had been shattered by the pickaxe, ‘hair the intense colour of the copper spilled out of the crypt’… but I wouldn’t want to spoil the pleasure of reading that story if you haven’t done so.

Nowadays visitors can steal a look into the crypt almost at any time – it is located in the middle of a beautiful colonial style bar that serves excellent Mojitos. But if the crypts and mysterious remains are a bit morbid for you, the hotel offers a calming experience at a very modern and romantic restaurant called ’1621′.

That year in the same place, the nuns’ dining room was built – today the restaurant is far from a modest dining experience, where Caribbean delicacies are fused with Old World influences by Head Chef Isabelle Alexandre.

On the night of my stay at Hotel Santa Clara a glamorous and unusual dinner was taking place in the former chapel – huge red ribbons were hanging under the ceiling, waiters served food and drink dressed as monks and Gregorian chants entertained the lucky guests.

Another big dinner was taking place outside by the swimming pool under the stars and the light of candles.

When I wanted to enjoy the views of Cartagena and the breeze from the sea, I just had to step through its front door, walk a few minutes and get onto the defensive wall to admire the beauty and pleasures of this charming city or just get lost in the narrow streets of the old town and thank fate I wasn’t born during the days of inquisition and slavery.

In colonial times Cartagena was one of the most important Spanish ports and a key gateway to South America. Conquistadors and slaves were coming in; gold, coffee and other continents’ treasures were sailing out.

It was sieged by pirates numerous times, most famously by Sir Francis Drake, who captured the city. The Englishman not only got the ransom of millions of pesos for not burning it down, but also helped himself to some jewellery, the city’s bells and artillery pieces.

Cartagena’s churches, squares, monasteries and houses are soaked in history, its weather is perfect for enjoying the sunshine and its restaurants and cafes are best for Caribbean music and cuisine.

There aren’t that many places in this world where a toucan steals your croissant from the breakfast table, Cuban cigars are smoked on the terraces, excellent Ceviche and Mojitos are served on every corner and horse-drawn carriages transport people dressed in white from one gorgeous part of town to another….So if you want to immerse yourself in history and luxury – the Sofitel Legend Hotel Santa Clara is the place to have it all.

Address: Hotel Santa Clara, Cra 8 No. 39-29, Calle del Torno, Barrio San Diego, Cartagena – Colombia
Phone: +57 (5) 650 4700

Rooms: 122 rooms, from £260 per night

Climate: Average high of 32ºC (88.6ºF) and an average low of 25ºC (77ºC) throughout the year and a 90% humidity.

If you would like Bon Vivant’s travel concierge team to book your next bespoke trip to Cartagena or any other destination across the globe, contact us now to enquire about our services.

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Tsala Treetop Lodge – A Luxurious South African Lodge

Posted by Frances

A luxury resort in a beautiful, indigenous forest on the coast of South Africa, Tsala Treetop Lodge sits at the start of the Garden Route (between Plettenberg and Kynsna) and is the perfect setting to begin an African adventure.

It proudly boasts a small number of boutique treetop rooms and suites where the stunning interiors come a close second only to the 360 degree views of the forest around.

The Afro-Indian design is sumptuous and sophisticated and the dark wood and tactile, heavy textiles sit wonderfully amidst the treetops around them. A small resort of only 10 suites (sleep two guests) and 6 villas (sleep four guests), each is totally surrounded and secluded by its own canopy in the forest.

Guests navigate the resort along tree-top walkways linking the welcome reception, the suites and the restaurants with al fresco dining.

Our villa was the perfect luxury hide-away: Tsala is very grown-up camping indeed. The deck which leads to the villa is home to the guests’ own infinity pool, apparently running out into the forest.

A strange but marvellous feeling to bathe in, these pools are totally suspended above the ground and look directly into the habitat of the monkeys and beautiful native birds.

The suite comprises of a lounge, bedroom, bathroom and al fresco shower room, all of which face the forest, and all offer spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows from which to enjoy the view.

The lounge also opens to a sun-facing terrace so at all times in your Tsala suite you feel connected to the habitat. It’s from the bathroom that we spot our first monkeys, and during an outside shower they curiously appear to be watching from the branches.

Tsala’s restaurant served up an excellent dinner, and when you learn that herbs, fruits and vegetables are all sourced from Tsala’s beautifully rich gardens, you begin to understand the attention to detail that has created this wonderful restaurant.

Guests sit amongst modern, African interiors overlooking the gardens and a spectacular sunset throughout dinner. Make sure you save time for a digestif next to the log fire outside too – blankets are provided and the excellent wine and drinks list make for the perfect end to a pretty wonderful evening.

Tsala Treetop Lodge welcomes children over the age of ten only, and with a serious wine cellar and very proud sommeliers, this resort provides a sophisticated Jungle experience. An absolute treat, the views, the staff and the atmosphere make Tsala Treetop Lodge a very special place indeed.

If you would like your own travel expert to plan your next South African adventure, contact our travel concierge service now.

The Lakeside Hotel – A Weekend in the Lake District (With a Visit to L’Enclume)

Posted by Emyr Thomas

Location, location, location, so the saying goes; one that could not be more appropriate for the Lakeside Hotel, situated on the southern shores of Lake Windermere with direct access to the lakes.

Privately owned and managed, the hotel is very much your traditional English hotel of oak panels, heavy fabrics and floral displays, retaining the character of the original 17^th century coaching inn, with open fires adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere.

While the design of the 76 bedrooms is on the old-fashioned side of traditional and could do with an update, many have glorious views of the lake, some with terraces, and after all, there is only one real reason for your visit: The Lakes.

The Lakeside Hotel is an excellent base from which to explore the surrounding terrain with a variety of walking routes, while being on the shores of Lake Windermere offers the chance to take a rowing or motored boat trip along the lakes.

To help with the recovery, The Health & Leisure Spa, which is open only to hotel guests, has a 17m pool, a steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi (which could be a few degrees warmer) and a fully equipped gym.

There are several dining options available – the formal Lakeview Restaurant with its nod to fine dining, the more casual John Ruskin’s Brasserie with its chic, contemporary décor and the Conservatory where you can gorge on your afternoon tea and lake side views in equal measure.

The Lakeside Hotel also caters to the business traveller, including the recent addition of the Windermere Suite, which can host up to 100 delegates in a separate building with its own grounds and breakout lounge.

While The Lakes may be the draw for many, The Lakeside Hotel is also conveniently positioned to explore the sublime 17 course tasting menu at the 2 Michelin starred L’Enclume, a short taxi ride away in the pretty village of Cartmel.

Whether your weekends are driven by your desire to explore stunning English countryside or by experiencing a fabulous feast at one of the country’s finest restaurants, The Lakeside Hotel has the location for both.

The Lakeside Hotel has rooms available from £139 per night on a bed and breakfast basis for a minimum two nights’ stay. Alternatively, they are offering four nights for the price of three at £298 per person on a bed and breakfast basis. To book, call the Lakeside Hotel on 015395 30001, visit the Lakeside Hotel website or contact your concierge at Bon Vivant.

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Hotel Pentelikon Athens, Greece

Posted by Bon Vivant

Hotel Pentelikon reviewed by travel writer/photographer Heidi Fuller-love

A cool breeze ripples over the pool and the palm fronds clatter like bamboo chimes in the breeze as my butler brings me a fruit cocktail decked with fresh pineapple and melon. It’s the last day of my three day rest cure at Hotel Pentelikon and – oh! - I so don’t want to leave.

Casting around for a base for visiting Athens, whilst staying away from the town centre’s hustle and bustle, Hotel Pentelikon situated in the chic suburb of Kifisia, framed by the mighty Penteli mountains, seemed like the ideal choice.

On arrival from the airport to the town centre, I stopped off for a leisurely stroll around the narrow café and shop lined cobbled streets of Monastiraki. After browsing eclectic boutiques like Athenas sandals where they’ve been making beautifully tooled leather sandals for the rich and famous (including Jackie Onassis and the Beatles) for decades, or Yiannis Samouelian’s shop selling handmade Cretan lyra and other traditional Greek instruments – I hopped in a cab once more and took the 15 minute ride to Hotel Pentelikon.

Along shady tree-lined avenues, dotted with boutiques selling designer jewellery and exclusive products for lovingly pampered bodies, I reach Hotel Pentelikon and what a contrast – just a fifteen minute ride away from the Parthenon, this laid-back hotel set in its own estate is a world away from smog and clamour of Athens’ busy streets.

Sitting near the top of a hill surrounded by verdant gardens, Pentelikon’s 101 rooms and suites get wonderful breezes from the forested slopes of the Penteli mountains. Rising just behind the hotel, these steep hillsides famed for providing the marble that built the Acropolis, gave the hotel its name.

The big charm of Pentelikon – and you’re hit by it as soon as the footman ushers you through the canopied doorway and into the reception area with its dramatic sweeping, Scarlet O’Hara-style flight of stairs - is that it’s a family run hotel – and that’s something that’s increasingly rare these days.

As I lazed in the shade, admiring the hotel’s reflection in the glittering pool and eating my lunch – a Greek salad mix of sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumber and onion drizzled with olive oil, and crumbly chunks of feta cheese – Harry Vardis the Pentelikon’s personable proprietor came out to chat.

Owner of a chain of restaurants in Australia, the Greek-born entrepreneur was on a visit to his homeland twenty years ago when he spotted the 1930s property buried in weeds – it was love at first sight. Moving back to his birthplace twenty years ago he renovated, then opened, Hotel Pentelikon, one of only a handful of 5 star hotels within striking distance of Greece’s historic capital.

Maintaining a lot of that old style glamour, whilst packing in plenty of modern comforts, the refurbished hotel has sweeping staircases, marble floors and impossibly high ceilings – and with his Australian background in the hospitality industry Mr Vardis ensures that service, just like in the good old days, is attentive, too.

When it come to sleeping space, Pentelikon has a plethora of rooms with sizes and styles to suit all budgets, but if you’re looking for extra space it’s probably best to choose one of the suites.

Housed in a Premier suite I had a vast bedroom, bathroom with marble tub and a living room big enough for dance classes. The style of the hotel – true to its 1930s roots - is slightly fussy: all Empire-style claw footed chairs and gate legged tables, and four poster beds. Lots of dark woods and huge swathes of curtains, and busy patterned wall hangings lend a cosy ambiance whose slight stuffiness is happily counteracted by all that space.

Hot and frazzled from the airport, I spent the following afternoon in the spa, where Viki, the Indian therapist, gave me an Intuitive Body Massage, kneading and pumping my body with sweet-scented Babor products, releasing all the knots and kinks in my travel-stressed body and leaving me feeling floatingly serene.

After a long day sightseeing in Athens on day three, I flaked out by the pool until nightfall. Reluctantly eschewing the romantically glimmering candlelight and soft throb of chill out music at the Pool bar that evening, I had dinner in the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Vardis (pictured above).

The only hotel restaurant in Greece to have received a Michelin star for eight years running, Vardis serves Mediterranean cuisine with-a-twist, paired with wines from a list as long as a – very long – arm.

A piano tinkled in the corner and I wished I’d worn my ballgown as I was led through the ballroom-size restaurant sparkling with a thousand lights bouncing off the crystal chandeliers and onto white linen tablecloths and silver cutlery. Nobody paid attention to my sartorial style, however, and I was soon savouring snippets of caramelised lamb, soupcons of crayfish soup flavoured with basil and other sapid delights on the ten-course tasting menu.

And the next day I woke early and wandered out to the pool, where palm fronds clattered like bamboo chimed in the breeze. It was the last day of my three day rest cure and – oh! - I so didn’t want to leave….

Pentelikon Hotel and Suites is a member of Great Hotels of the World Premium Collection. Rooms from £139. For more information or to book, please visit http://www.ghotw.com/pentelikon-hotel-suites or call 020 7380 3658.

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The Best Luxury Hotels in Paris

Posted by Emyr Thomas

With the Eurostar leaving from central London, a weekend trip to Paris has never been easier. Emyr Thomas offers a selection of the best luxury hotels in Paris.

Hotel Plaza Athenee

With its red geraniums and signature red awnings, the Plaza Athénée blooms with elegance and glamour on the beautiful avenue Montaigne. On entering the lobby, you are immediately aware of a discrete, stylish operation, oozing with charm from every corner with a team of friendly, dedicated and highly professional staff, pre-empting your every whim.

The 146 rooms and 45 suites are sumptuously decorated in either Art Deco, Regency or Louis XVI style, expertly combining traditional opulence with up to the minute modern touches.

Legendary French chef, the multi Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse, oversees every aspect of the hotel’s dining options, and Le Bar au Plaza Athénée remains one of the most chic and hip bars in Paris. Click to read our review of the Plaza Athenee Paris, one of the very best luxury hotels in Paris.

L’Hotel

Nestled in the heart of Paris’ Left Bank, amidst the cultural riches, bohemian soul and high fashion of St Germain-des-Pres, sits L’Hotel Paris. The gorgeous building had stunning views of the gallery-peppered Rue de Beaux Arts from our 6th floor junior suite, with heavy curtains, velvet carpets and custom-made lavish furnishing taking us on a journey back in time, like we were part of the Belle Époque.

It is a wonderful combination of luxury and cosiness, miles away from large, soulless luxury hotels and located in what is most likely the most Parisian of Paris quarters. Click for our full review of L’Hotel in Paris.

Le Bristol

Le Bristol is a beautiful hotel that exudes old world charm with a feeling of space and serenity. The rooms are decorated in a traditional style with chintz and silk curtains to match the chairs, crystal chandeliers and Persian carpets.

Le Bristol’s crowning jewel is its culinary offerings: Those with time and calories to spare are invited for a gastronomic feast at the three Michelin starred ‘Epicure’ from chef Eric Frechon, where the dining room is formal but inviting with views of the inner courtyard, with a 19th century marble fireplace and large French doors leading out into the trellised garden.

There is also the less formal but still impressive ‘114 Faubourg’, which opened in 2009, where the surroundings of the restaurant are playful with a buzz of an upscale brasserie in the air. Read our full review of Le Bristol.

Le Meurice

Steeped in history since it first opened its doors in 1835, Le Meurice majestically holds court on the Rue de Rivoli with the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries, one of Paris’s most striking parks, directly opposite.

The 18th-century architecture, modern design touches and the latest in contemporary comfort and elegance create a truly resplendent modern palace hotel. The 160 rooms and suites are elegant, classic and luxurious in the style of Louis XVI, while the suites feature huge walk-in wardrobes and exquisite marble bathrooms, complete with Penhaligon’s products.

Le Meurice is regal, glamorous and charming, expertly showing how a grand hotel can be anything but stuffy, making it a real contender for one of the best luxury hotels in Paris. Click to read our review of Le Meurice.

Other hotels which are well-regarded but still on our list to visit soon to see if they could be one of the best luxury hotels in Paris include the Four Seasons George V, the Mandarin Oriental and the Shangri-La.

If you would like your own personal concierge to help with booking your weekend getaway to Paris, email us now about our membership rates, which include special rates and complimentary amenities at luxury hotels worldwide.