Travel
Barefoot Romantic Luxury in the Maldives
Whether you are looking to reignite your love, celebrate a special Valentine's day, or simply want to enjoy barefoot luxury with your partner; this little Robinson Crusoe island of Gili Lankanfushi is the perfect place to reconnect and create beautiful memories.
With the sun on my face and the sound of gentle waves hitting the shore, I glance at my husband of nine years, who is casually sipping on a warm cup of ginger tea. I feel totally at peace. For the last week, we’ve spent time reconnecting with one another on one of the Maldives most enchanting and beautiful Islands, Gili Lankanfushi.
The unspoiled island is located in the North Malé atoll, which is...
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La Dolce Vita in Sicilia: The 5-star ADLER Spa Resort
19th January 2023
On a Saturday evening in serene Sicily, my pulse is racing at a rate of knots as sweat trickles down my face and the temperature continues to rise. I feel like I'm sweltering away in a furnace; an exuberant man wafts a towel in front of me as chill-out tunes play in the background. Taking deep breaths as the towel is swung around frenetically to whip my heart rate even higher in searing heat, I know that I am indeed fast approaching boiling point.But just like that, I suddenly feel reinvigorated as I'm presented with a handful of ice cubes that I press against my neck to cool off. I'd been experiencing 'Aufguss', a multi-sensory wellness ritual in which an ‘Aufgussmeister’ douses infused water onto hot stones, circulating fragrant air in a panoramic sauna at the idyllic new Adler Spa Resort Sicilia.
Featuring Luxury City Breaks: Copenhagen
11th January 2023
With a mere 48 hours at my disposal in the heart of Denmark's capital, I was determined to optimise every moment while simultaneously indulging in a tranquil weekend escape from the bustling rhythm of London life. This endeavour might sound like an insurmountable challenge, yet the solution was conveniently at hand: Nimb Hotel, a castle-like haven that seemed to materialise from a dream. Upon our arrival after a short Friday evening flight, the affable Peter greeted us with a warm smile, exuding a genuine eagerness to enhance our entire sojourn. The service we encountered was flawless, a manifestation of the Danish ethos - embracing the essence of hygge with an added touch of romantic allure. Nimb Hotel epitomises the essence of Scandinavian opulence. Housing a mere 38 guest chambers, this castle stands as a sanctuary of serenity, positioned gracefully behind the majestic Tivoli Gardens. Notably, Nimb's patrons enjoy complimentary access to these gardens, the world's third-oldest operating amusement park. The castle itself is a harmonious fusion of resplendent Moorish architecture and chic Scandinavian design, a perfect union of grandeur and contemporary elegance. Beyond providing lavish accommodations, the fanciful Nimb Hotel curates an array of artistic and cultural experiences within its premises. These offerings encompass garden soirées, wine tastings, as well as rooftop opera and jazz concerts.
Our lifestyle expert reviews The Xara Palace, Relais &...
10th January 2023
Mdina (pronounced ehm-dee-nuh) is also known as The Silent City, and we experienced this first-hand. We walked through the Vilhena gate that leads into the fortified city, amidst the crowds of tourists who are queueing to see the city dungeons and the horse-drawn carriages with drivers shouting out offers for a ride. Once night time falls, all the noise and activity melts away to reveal an almost eerie, mystical ambience within the air as the whole place goes quiet. Built like a traditional Arabic medina, our footsteps echo as we make our way down the labyrinth of interconnected paths until we reach a towering stone palazzo. The Xara Palace is a 17th century five-star Relais & Châteaux property—the only hotel inside the walls of the Mdina—and the former home of a noble family. A sign at the entrance reads: “The Maltese nobility assembles within the walls of this ancient palazzo in order to elect its committee of privileges.” The baroque building stands proudly at the end of a small slope, just a short walk from the main gates. Upon entering the hotel doors, we’re welcomed with a glass of bubbly and invited to take a seat in the lounge. From the ornate church doors towering over us at the end of the hallway to the exquisite furniture full of dark wood and brick reds, there’s an air of sophistication that oozes from every nook and cranny of the palace.
A Luxury Scottish Escape: High-end in the Highlands
6th January 2023
Given that good weather in Scotland is never guaranteed, there’s a lot to be said for leaning into the dark nights and visiting in winter. For one, this is the time of year you’re most likely to experience the magical aurora borealis, and as the only Dark Sky Park in the UK, Galloway Forest is a great location for stargazing. January is also peak mussel and scallop season, delicacies for which Scotland is world-renowned. And where better to enjoy the finest malt whiskies by a roaring fire? Scots certainly know how to make the most of the longer nights and, having recovered from their Hogmanay celebrations, turn their attention to Burns’ Night at the end of January. Nowhere does so in greater style than The Fife Arms, a relatively new addition to the Scottish luxury hotel scene in its current incarnation. Nestled in the spectacular grandeur of the Caringorms just 15 minutes from Balmoral, the landmark Braemar hotel was comprehensively renovated by a team of architects, artisans and artists in 2018. Each of the 46 bedrooms is dedicated to a local place, person or event, meticulously researched and decorated to tell the story of the area. If their Hogmanay was anything to go by – at which Dame Judy Dench was spotted carousing at the piano with Sharleen Spiteri of Texas fame – Burns’ Night will be an extravagant affair.
Inspiring Destinations That Captivated Literary Greats
15th December 2022
For many, travel is an integral part of life, offering a chance to escape the mundane and seek out new adventures. Reading, too, can serve as a wonderful source of inspiration; stoking our imaginations and allowing us to envision experiences beyond the scope of everyday life. Here at The Sybarite, we're passionate about connecting interests in arts and culture with tangible experiences that one can cherish and remember for all time. Below, we explore some of the greatest destinations that have inspired literary masters, from the hotels and resorts where they stayed to the cities and landscapes that inspired their work. Whether you're a lover of literature or simply looking for some travel inspiration, these destinations are sure to captivate and inspire you.
The World’s Best Hotel Suites for Rest and Relaxation
17th November 2022
Whether you're on the lookout for an escape to a private island or a sanctuary in the city - just away from the hustle and bustle of people and traffic - read on to see what our contributor Ollie Poole has to share about our edit of places to get away from it all. Our suggestions below have been carefully curated to give you the pick of the crop when it comes to choosing somewhere to hole up for a few days to a couple of weeks. If you're keen to kick off the year right, take a break between hectic work projects, or ignore a barrage of social invites, these suites at some of The Sybarite's favourite hotel properties across the globe will cater to your every need.
Autumn in the English Countryside’s Burleigh Court Manor
13th November 2022
On the onset of Autumn, all the leaves are aglow on the drive into historic Burleigh Court. The air is crisp with the promise of winter, and the hotel itself, covered in flaming Virginia creeper, looks like it’s been lit from within. The 18th-century Cotswold-stone manor house is set on a steep hill that provides sprawling views of the golden valley below. Enter and you’ll find a cosy two-seater bar to your left, with accents of deep wood and fur, where the sun streams in through a window onto a display of colourful bottles making it look like stained glass. Follow the sound of soft jazz from a record player, and you’ll arrive at the lounge, where the woodland themed wallpaper, comfortable sofas and copies of Tatler and The Field make for a chic reading spot. You could while away your time here reading, and forget that you were in the bustle of London just a few hours ago, but we recommend first exploring the lawns. The hotel is nestled in four acres of gardens, where you may see the Burleigh bees buzzing away in their beehives, grey oyster mushrooms growing off deadwood, and purple sage adding even more colour to the autumn surroundings.
Review of Family Luxury in the Autumn Sun: Parga Beach Resort
3rd November 2022
The balance between a fun-filled, family holiday and a relaxing, luxury resort is often quite hard to find... but our luxury lifestyle expert, Kerene Barefield, has found the perfect, child-friendly place to whiz away to on the off-season! Having decided to treat the family to a little autumn sun, I booked five nights at Parga Beach Resort on the idyllic west coast of Greece - and I was not disappointed! After booking an early flight from London and dragging the kids out of bed at 3:45am; we arrived at Preveza airport by nine o’clock GMT. Greeted by our friendly chauffeur from the resort, he drove us along the beautiful coastline for a 45 minute journey to the hotel. On arrival we received a very warm welcome from Katerina and her team, and were shown promptly to our room. The extensive grounds of the hotel are stunning, all the rooms and suites are scattered between vibrantly blooming flora and centuries old olive trees. The smell of jasmine fills the air as we walk through the lush and plentiful grounds; it is hard to comprehend that there are over a hundred beautiful rooms hidden away in this captivating Greek resort
Meet Emlyn Brown, Global VP of Wellbeing at Accor
1st November 2022
Join The Sybarite as we chat with Accor’s Global Vice President of Wellbeing, Emlyn Brown, about how the group is elevating the scope and depth of their guest experiences. And with an interest in luxury at an all-time high, it makes sense that wellbeing is an important aspect of the product offering; one that encompasses not only subtle enhancements such as improving noise control but more obvious ones, like in-room fitness, for instance. Read more to learn what you can expect from an Accor stay and how the hotel group is growing with new offerings.
Review of Relax at Minos Beach
25th October 2022
Beach holidays can be very undifferentiated. It could easily be filled with endless sun-bed reading and tick-box buffet food. Minos Beach Art Hotel in Crete offers a unique, inspiring experience on the other hand. Culture plays an important role in this 5-star resort. The hotel opened in 1963 but you will struggle to find any remote hint of the 60s anywhere on its grounds. The hotel is constantly renovating and if anything, the resemblance is more towards Tate Modern galleries rather than a retro Greek resort. The hotel is a member of Design Hotels and you feel it's most deserving the moment you step into the lobby. There's Giorgos Gyparakis' 1-sec art installation by the reception wall with intricate waveforms highlighting the increasing digitalisation of society.
Travel Like Targaryen Royalty: House of the Dragon...
24th October 2022
Amongst the machiavellian scheming, dragon-riding and the occasional appearance of feet, one of the most cinematic aspects of House of the Dragon is the programme's beautiful filming locations. Before they become tourist hotspots, make sure to visit the locations and stand in the same path as some of your favourite actors, we're talking about you Matt Smith. Also, a lot of them are in the UK, and car friendly!
Featuring Our Luxury Lifestyle Expert reviews Hilton Lake Como
10th October 2022
Lake Como has always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to visit. For centuries it’s been famed for its dramatic setting, fairy-tale villages and international high-profile visitors, with many movies, including ‘Casino Royale’, ‘Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones’, and ‘A Month by the Lake’ filmed there. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity to enjoy the city for a few days, I jumped at the chance, inviting a close friend to share the experience.