WHERE TO GO IN 2023
Hotel Guru Lulu Townsend rounds up her recommendations of where to go in 2023.
The Grosvenor, UK
The Grosvenor has taken on a new lease of life under new ownership and has undergone a stunning renovation. Choose between rooms with a traditional feel or opt for one of the more bright and colourful rooms all of which have large beds with plump pillows, crisp white bed linen and underfloor heating in the en-suite bathrooms. Dog-friendly rooms are in the garden rooms at the back of the hotel as is the Hayloft the hotel's honeymoon suite. The Market Room Restaurant takes its name from the 19th-century Stockbridge Market with a menu that features some favourites including crab linguini, minute steak with fries and sticky toffee pudding with a great wine list to choose from. This countryside hotel is popular with those who love country pursuits and is surrounded by some of the best fishing in the UK, thanks to the River Test.
Rates from £178
RAAS Devigarh, India
Devigarh is a majestic, magical, 18th-century palace near Udaipur sitting high up on the hill overlooking the local village just 20 minutes from Udaipur. Each suite is unique and modern, some feature hand-painted traditional Udaipur paintings, murals and frescoes. Marble is used in abundance throughout the hotel, especially in the large en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers and large baths, some with stunning views. Take time to explore, wander around and find the mirrored room and stunning viewpoints with plenty of stone stairs leading to hidden corners. Make sure you book a treatment in the spa which boasts India's only pink Himalayan salt sauna; the therapists are highly trained and experienced. The dining menu is extensive and organic and includes Indian, Thai, Italian and International dishes, but if there's anything you’re after, speak to the chef, he can conjure up pretty much anything! This is a luxury hideaway for romance, and celebrations but it's also a great place for solo travellers just to be and soak up the energy, views, peace and quiet. If you’re thinking of a trip to Rajasthan and travelling around, think again, I did exactly that in 2021 and if I were to do it again I would come straight here and stay for the week.
Rates from £185 plus 18% tax
Voya Boutique Hotel, Cuba
VOYA is your home away from home in Havana. This restored Cuban mansion is a place where laidback luxury meets Cuban culture. An oasis of calm in the heart of the city this 10-room hotel is much more than a room for the night; the house is decorated with soothing colour palettes and ultra-chic furniture, with plenty of little luxuries including fresh flowers, turndown service (which seems to be a rarity these days) and room service. Enjoy all-day dining at Brasserie 255, designer cocktails at the palm-fringed Secret Garden bar or relax in the outdoor jacuzzi spa. Many would call this extraordinary hospitality but here it’s simply known as the art of living.
Rates from £130 per night
Hotel Pomalo, Croatia
Brand, spanking new this little gem is an unspoilt paradise on Vis surrounded by the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Vis is the farthest inhabited island off the Croatian mainland and was closed to the public for 30 years making it one of the most beautiful places to visit. Crisp white sheets, fluffy down pillows and towels, organic local bath products and delicious breakfast make your stay in one of the nine rooms exceptional. Hop on one of the complimentary bicycles and explore the island, spend a day at Stiniva, Europe’s most beautiful beach, or head out to sea and visit the various caves. Come the evening enjoy a cocktail on the terrace whilst watching the sun go down.
Rates from €200 open June to September
Casa Rosa Villa, Portugal
Casa Rosa Villa is a renovated 1950s mansion in the heart of Olhão in the Algarve. Nine charming en-suite rooms boast luxury linens and rain showers, and there's a living/dining room, courtyard with plunge pool and spacious terraces. East of Faro is an unexplored area of the Algarve; Olhão is off the track beaten by the English and German market and is very Portuguese. It’s also home to beautiful islands just a short ferry ride away from the marina with white sandy beaches and fun beach bars and restaurants.
Rates from EUR 115 per night
Dar Kawa, Morocco
This four-room house or 'Dar' is a hard-to-find design jewel and is one of the oldest houses in the medina. Each of the four rooms has its own understated elegant style with designer owner Valérie’s signature towels and bed linens adding to the feeling of incidental luxury. The bathrooms are small but perfectly formed with a palette of soft grey tiles, shiny chrome taps and fragrant organic Nectarome products. The food, created by Saïda who has been here for 20 years, is hearty, organic and delicious; some of the best vegetarian food you'll find in the Red City. There's a shaded dining area on the rooftop (the perfect place for breakfast, a light lunch or a spot of yoga), but if it's a bit chilly you can eat in the courtyard or by the fire in the sitting room. Many of the things you see in the house have been commissioned and designed by Valérie herself so be prepared to be disappointed when it comes to shopping as you can't find these lovely items in the souks or shops in Marrakech. There’s no better place to take over for a special birthday celebration with family or friends and it’s the perfect choice for solo travellers.
Rates from £150
Princess Royal, London
Part of the Cubitt House group The Princess Royal has four rooms named after Princess Royal's inspired by the pub's Victorian heritage, with plenty of original features still intact. This gem opened in 2022 in the heart of leafy Notting Hill, London with award-winning chef Ben Tish leading the way in the kitchen with a mouth-watering Mediterranean menu. Relaxed and stylish this is the place to come for breakfast, lunch or supper. Expect big and seriously comfy beds, bold colours, rolltop baths, large walk-in showers and stunning interiors. Personal touches and attention to detail include100 Acres products, in-room treatments, and Roberts radios.
Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant with its two outdoor terraces, serves a selection of sharing plates, influenced by the flavours of the Mediterranean but using local British produce where possible.
Rates from £250 per night excluding breakfast
Bakwa Lodge, Mauritius
Are you after a boho-chic laid-back vibe on the beach? A place to chill, a holiday full of lazy days, laughter and lemonade in the sun? This charming beachfront lodge on Rodrigues Island is just a short flight from Mauritius. With just six suites and one villa (sleeps up to 8), Bakwa Lodge is an exclusive retreat perfect for families or couples who want to escape the everyday. There are activities galore and dinners are included in the price.
Rates from £250
Alla Selva, Italy
This spacious and beautifully restored private villa in Le Marche sleeps up to eight people across four large double bedrooms (2 en-suite). Alla Selva, with its saltwater swimming pool and outdoor terrace, is a wonderfully peaceful place to be, tucked away surrounded by private gardens in the depths of the Italian countryside. This holiday villa was created as a home, not a rental and is furnished with an eclectic mix of period furniture collected by the owners from across Europe. The rooms are spacious and the sofas as soft as the downy pillows on the comfy beds. The kitchen is fully fitted as any home would be and if you want Italian meals prepared in advance ready for your arrival, no problem! A week’s stay at Alla Selva is rural, relaxed and low-key, ideal for a holiday with family or friends where you can enjoy the Italian way of life and experience il dolce far niente.
Rates from £2100 per week
Reclaim Your Self, Worldwide
One of the best retreat companies there is. Reclaim Your Self was ahead of the game when it started offering retreats back in 2005. As a result, they create world class global retreats that actively improve your wellbeing and help you connect to who you are at your very best. Their adventures and yoga retreats span 20 different countries and to date they have over 2000 happy retreaters; more than 15 years of experience and wisdom they know what works. Their inspirational retreats combine dynamic yoga or food and culture experiences with healthy, thoughtfully prepared vegetarian food and lots of adventures in some breathtaking locations including India, Iceland, South Africa, Sweden, Japan, Panama or even the Galapagos Islands!
Relais Casamassima, Italy
Full of charm and warmth Relais Casamassima is what the Italians call an 'agriturismo' (a working farm) but it's far more than that...it really feels like a small boutique hotel. There are just five enchanting en-suite rooms. Four of these are suites, each spacious, all with a working fireplace, some with a private terrace or living room. The owner, Anna, has restored this countryside home into an elegant, yet relaxed hideaway - somewhere you can escape from it all. There's no restaurant but in addition to breakfast, light lunches and dinners (using products from the farm) can be arranged if you let Anna know at the beginning of the day. The views from the pool and some of the terraces stretch across the Umbrian hills, vineyards and olive groves to the medieval city of Perugia, only 15 minutes away. Relax and enjoy the pool and the garden or borrow a book from the library which has a wide selection of international titles including many on fashion, an industry Anna worked in for 20 years.
Rates from EUR 160 per night
relaiscasamassima.it
Lakes by YOO, UK
A seriously impressive development by the lakes in the Cotswolds which welcomes all ages and dogs by prior arrangement. What started off as a shared vision between celebrated designer Philippe Starck and property developer John Hitchcox has now become a modern, secluded lakeside retreat. Luxury lodges, apartments and cabins can be rented for a night, a week or for as long as you like as they’re self-catering and serviced. Think luxury hotel, beautiful design, great service but the freedom to cook your own meals and enjoy a luxury lifestyle in the privacy of your own space. The estate covers 850 acres and is filled with cycling routes, meadows, smaller lakes, play areas and a spa complete with indoor pool, gym and treatment rooms. There’s plenty to do for all ages including zip wire, Go Ape, canoeing, paddle boarding, archery, clay pigeon shooting and so much more. There are several lakes on the estate too; Huntsman’s is stocked with trout for game fishing and Warren’s Cross has a beach area and a large meadow. Swimming in the lakes is encouraged during the summer months but not permitted between October and March. The list of treatments in the spa is extensive and includes facials by Bamford, massages and a choice of holistic therapies. The spa star of the show is Alison, Holistic Therapist and exceptional Reflexologist who has magic hands and amazing energy. Private chefs can be arranged, food can be delivered, and you can cycle to pick up fresh eggs yourself from the chicken coup. If you can’t be bothered to cook, are after a great cappuccino or want a relaxed lunch or supper then head to Elsa’s the estate’s café/restaurant with its log fires and views of Marley Lake.
Rates from £225 per night
