I’m a bit of a repeater when it comes to visiting places – Cornwall, Norfolk and me have had a long love affair, even the Fastnet Rock got a revisit this summer much to both our surprises! There are a number of places further afield that had me “at Hello” that I would love nothing more than to return to… But strangely I rarely return to the same hotel twice (excepting Hiltons and Starwoods the world over with business) despite staying in some incredible properties… I guess I am an inquisitive sole and always want to see something new and interesting?
Much research pays off – a guided tour of a fossil forest for Mr P
The lovely ladies Emma, Rebecca and Kelly and lovely co-host Liz at Passport Packed had another stunning idea of a travel link up – the place you can’t get out of your head. I thought I would remember my favourite hotels – staying in the right place to relax and recharge is a happy place that always stays in my head. Guess what – there’s a certain Kylie song that I can’t get out of my head as I write this… I digress.
In the never-ending search for another perfect home from home, amongst the perfectly good will always be the down-right marvellous hotels that make staying elsewhere a real challenge. These are my favourites – the places on the tip of my tongue to recommend to others as I loved them so much and you’ve guessed in – I can’t get them out of my head.
Wow factor luxury in Arabia
Qasr al Sarab – an epic location and incredible retreat
Qasr al Sarab translates to Palace of the Mirage – I am thankful it wasn’t a mirage. It confirmed suspicions that I can stare at shifting sand for as long as I can the sea all the while feeling relaxed and fascinated! I was dubious about heading 3 hours into the desert, but wow was it worth it! The most remote place I have visited but also the most stunning. We were looked after incredibly well, our room was enormous and private and everything from the spa, the camels, the food, the dunes at sunset and the falconry was superb. I think it is rare to fall for a large chain hotel in this way, but I quite happily did!
The Chedi – surpassing the brochure
The Chedi was the first place I ticked off my luxury hotel bucket list and what a great place to start. Feng shui’d to perfection this property is a stunner – everything is pristine and optimised for comfort, practicality and relaxation. The pools continue to cause me great angst in my search for other places to stay… 2 good size lap pools and then another which is a mere 100 metres – never have I left a hotel feeling so well exercised but in such gorgeous surrounds. We also particularly liked ‘happy hour’ which was much more than an hour and negated any need for much more food and drink (so British)! Muscat is a stunning city, far less developed than others in the region and beautiful to explore.
Stunning, boutique and remote
The Kinsterna – beautiful and mystical in the hills above Monemvasia
The Kinsterna – family owned and tucked away in the Peloponnese near Monemvasia, this Byzantine mansion is complete with its own olive groves and vineyard and really is a little slice of paradise and where my love affair with Greece started. Attentive staff, stunning rooms, gorgeous pool areas and an estate that is being very carefully developed with complete attention to retaining the charm and history. We are still enjoying the wine and olive oil at home and have great memories of the fantastic food, the chef’s attention to detail and enjoying the view from one of the many terraces.
The Cuckolds – private island paradise
The Inn at Cuckolds – where do I start, this place blew us away and was the highlight of our most recent trip away to Maine. I think this is the nearest I will get to the super yacht experience (unless I’m the crew) and was absolutely made by the fantastic hosts that we now count as friends. Just a mile offshore but a million miles from the rat race the Cuckolds Light is just an incredibly luxurious and relaxing place to go to do, well, nothing. To relax, reconnect and enjoy staring at the 360 degree view!
Leading lights of the UK luxury hotel scene
Cliveden House – elegant and opulent
Cliveden House – Mr P blew me away arranging a birthday mini-break to Cliveden, I was truly spoilt. The house is quite incredible and we stayed just as it was nearing the end of a massive restoration to all the rooms. Cliveden holds a special place in the political and social history of the UK and it is incredible to be able to stay in somewhere so historical yet so carefully turned into an opulent hotel. We were treated like royalty during our stay and the house staff were quite simply the best you’ll find. The surroundings are gorgeous, the food is divine and to be able to swim in an outdoor pool in March and be warm, well – that was just the cherry on top!
Chewton Glen – the great dame of UK hotels
Chewton Glen – long has the CG been our place of retreat near to home, it is just the most stunning spot in the New Forest. It is luxury yet relaxed and perfectly located just 10 minutes walk from the beach. I love visiting for lunch or supper, and I love staying even more. The house staff are wonderful and it is like being at home, only home suddenly got amazing! Don’t get me started on the food and the spa – blissful!
The trouble with writing things like this, when no holiday is planned for the rest of the year, is that more holiday needs to be planned, quickly!
What beautiful hotels! I love the idea of staying in the middle of the desert!
Lots of love,
Angie
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It is incredible – like the seaside but stunning in a different way cx
I second this – just think of all those beautiful stars!
Some absolute stunners on here. And I’m very happy to see that the Chedi gets a mention!
Polly xx | Follow Your Sunshine
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Always – I am surprised how far down the Conde Nast top Arabia hotels it is… More to investigate then… Xx
I’m seriously jealous of your Arabian adventure in the middle of the desert…so want to stay at this hotel! I would happily take the desert over the beach any day.
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
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I am sure you will be there soon enough once it gets on your list!! Like the beach only quieter!! Xx
my list is growing by the day unfortunately…I’m going home to NZ for a month in December so going to see which properties I could stay in for a night or two there! xx
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Can you new route through ab dab?!
I have been eyeing up Chewton Glen for some time now. Their treehouses look incredible!
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We were due to stay in a treehouse next month but sadly have a work diary issue… :(((((
The Chedi is a hotel I have seen twice in just a few days, I need to go to this hotel! The problem is, I don’t think I would leave that hotel!! Also, in all of the photos, it looks like you could totally slip right off of the pool and off of the building!! I’m guessing that’s absolutely not the case!! Also the Clivedon house and Chewton Glen… just wow. I need these hotels in my life and I need to experience them, thank you!! They are now on my travel bucket list. I hope you have a great weekend, Tammy
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Those are the best pools – I need to start walking along the edges for cool photos!! Hope you get to visit one soon, even for afternoon tea!!
Wow! You sure know how to travel! They all look incredible!!
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying something for the second (third, fourth) time!
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True true, is it ever as good though?!
What an amazing selection of hotels.. My post is about Dubai, and included a trip to the desert, but staying there just looks incredible. We were lucky enough to do star gazing (and Saturn spotting)! It must have been amazing to spend more than our few hours there. I’ve also been onto read your Dubai posts, and that’s why I love the link up! We’ve also been to quite a few holiday destinations twice, I think it makes it more relaxing and less rushed, and therefore more enjoyable second time around. Hope it’s the case for you too. 🙂
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Thanks Sarah – special places indeed! For some reason we didn’t look at the stars… Wish we had really!
They all sound superb and I have to agree with your last pick, Chewton Glen. While I’ve never stayed there I have spent a day in their spa on a couple of occasions. Superb! I didn’t realise it was so near the beach though. Dooh! Hopefully I might make it to some of the others one day. Who knows!
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They have wellies so you can walk to the beach even if you didn’t come prepared – I love a hotel like that! Hope you get to visit again too, and that I do as well!
Isn’t it wonderful how a great stay can completely change your perspective on a destination. Glad to see 2 from your recent trip to the States on the list!
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Absolutely true – always give somewhere a chance. The Inn at Cuckolds – right up there, incredible I must say!
I love special and unique hotels and I can see why these have stuck with you. Great post, take me with you next time.
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I will take an extra suitcase… I agree – staying somewhere like these needs to be rare to appreciate