Boutique hotels in Europe, pop-up rooftops in the sun, eco-friendly experiences and family holidays to Mauritius, we round-up what’s new in the world of travel this summer
URSO opens in Madrid
August sees the opening of Madrid’s first boutique hotel with five stars. URSO, which is set in a palatial 19th century building, combines neo-classical elegance with fresh and stylish interiors throughout its 78 bedrooms and suites. The sister hotel of Cap Rocat (Majorca) and Torralbenc (Menorca), URSO share’s the two hotel’s ethos of understated luxury, which is reflected throughout the hotel. Interiors are sleek, taking on an art deco style, with contemporary touches. A spa adds an extra element of luxury that you don’t always find in a boutique hotel, while room service comes from nearby restaurants, bakeries and delis. URSO is located between the chi-chi neighbourhood of Chambery, the trendy Chueca district and the up-and-coming Tribunal area, with Madrid’s art galleries, boutiques and food markets all within easy reach. Stays at Urso start from €200 on a B&B basis in an Urso Double Room and from €570 for a B&B basis in the Urso Terrace Suite, including breakfast and based on two people sharing. hotelurso.com
Raffles Istanbul opens
Raffles Istanbul opens in September on the European side of the city overlooking the magical Bosphorus and within lively Beşiktaş, piped as the next-generation Bazaar – the area has become a hotspot for fashion, food and the arts. And Raffles’ latest outpost promises to embody this creative spirit of the city, to be cutting-edge, eclectic and energetic. Its interiors nod towards Turkish culture, featuring a mix of specially-commissioned paintings, sculpture and photography by local artists, along with the luxurious look you’d expect from the hotel group. Further embracing the art scene in Istanbul is the hotel’s Art Concierge, which will take clients special tours, to galleries and exhibitions that they might otherwise not have access to. Rates start from €600 per night for a Raffles Room. raffles.com
Aisling Micro Hotel’s two properties let you see two sides to Santorini
Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa’s Night Beach rooftop bar
Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa has opened its Night Beach rooftop bar and terrace for a second summer. During the day there will be outdoor spa treatments and fitness classes on the terrace and in the evening the hotel’s Royale Suite will spill out onto a lovely alfresco bar to create a VIP Champagne, Cognac and cigar tasting area. There is a special tapas menu on offer and a DJ will be playing summery tunes. Guests can also have lunch on the rooftop terrace and every Tuesday evening there will be a special pop-up pampering station dedicated to the hotel’s female guests and offering manicures, hand massages or express makeovers, enjoyed with a cocktail. ghbordeaux.com
Dual stays in Santorini
Split your time between Santorini’s buzzy, lively tourist scene and its more traditional villages by staying at Aisling Micro Hotel’s two properties. The first is in Oia, where two luxurious suites sit between blue-domed churches and pretty white houses on a cliff, and are well-located to wander around the island, tasting great seafood and swimming in the Aegean Sea. Next, move on to Imerovigli (a transition made seamless by the team moving all your luggage for you) where another spacious suite sits in a quiet town, close to Fira and it’s foodie hotspots, shops and nightlife. Both suites adopt Santorini’s iconic white interiors and have their own Jacuzzis on balconies with sea views. aquavistahotels.com
AndBeyond’s new look Kichwa Tembo
New-look tents in Masai Mara
AndBeyond’s Kichwa Tembo tented camp has been in the Masai Mara since the eighties so it was about due a new look and next month it opens with a just that. A pod of 28 luxurious tents sit in elevated positions overlooking the Mara, great forests or the Sabaringo River and in almost complete wilderness. The new tents immerse themselves in their surroundings and environment, using local timber, textiles and accessories, with a muted, safari colour palette and vibrant tribal pieces. The feel is understated luxury. This extends through to the food offerings, which include barbecues outside in the bush with traditional African entertainment. Around the camp you’ll see monkeys, warthogs and plenty of birds, while game drives take you further afield to find lesser-spotted animals. It’s also worth noting that there’s a WildChild programme for kids. The new camp opens on 1st July and starts from £200 per person, per night, including accommodation, three meals daily, teas and coffees, two safari activities per day, and transfers to and from the lodge airstrip. andBeyond.com
Journeys of Change programme in Cambodia
When Rory and Melita Hunter set up Cambodia’s first private island resort Song Saa in 2005 they wanted to conserve the values of the Koh Rong Archipelago and its people. After all, it was them that inspired the Hunters to create Song Saa in the first place. So along with the luxury hotel, they formed the Song Saa Foundation, an initiative that works to develop sustainable solutions, protect marine life and improve the living standards of the local population. Now the foundation has launched Journeys of Change programmes, supported by Song Saa resort and with the aim of giving tourists the chance to experience its work. Four-day philanthropic tours between June and October will see guests work with conservationists around the archipelago while staying at the private island resort on untouched pristine beaches surrounded by coconut palms and coral reefs. And 100% of the profits from the trips will go to support the Song Saa Foundation. The vision behind these Journeys is to go beyond existing socially conscious and luxury travel experiences in Cambodia to offer something that is completely transformational for both locals and visitors. songsaa.com
Domaine de Manville, Provence
French farmhouse chic in Provence
What was once a working farm in the Alpilles National Regional Park in Provence is now Domaine de Manville, a beautiful French country hotel set in a 100-acre estate and overlooked by the picturesque UNESCO town of Les Baux-de-Provence. Three charming farm buildings wrap around a courtyard shaded by magnificent ancient plane trees, inside them, 30 rooms and suites take on a typical Provençal style, created by local designer Annie Zéau. A mix of French furniture, antiques and natural materials give the rooms an effortlessly chic look. The chef has worked at Michelin-starred Chez Bru at Eygalières, and with molecular gastronomy pioneers Ferran Adrià (of El Bulli) and Mark Veyrat. Each morning he explores the markets to create a delicious, seasonal menu that changes daily. Guests can enjoy intimate dinners in the restaurant, more laid back dining in the bistro or under the shade of the trees. Picnics can also be arranged. A large spa has two lines of products: Beauty By Clinica Ivo Pitanguy (created by renowned Brazilian doctor Ivo Pitanguy and only available in a handful of spas internationally) and a house a range specially made in France for Domaine de Manville, using local products – pine and olive oil, with the gentle fragrance of verbena and jasmine. There’s a private cinema, a 3km health trail, an 18-hole golf course, personal trainer, yoga and electric and mountain bikes to borrow, perfect for exploring the nearby vineyards and olive oil press. Domaine de Manville is a member of Small Luxury Hotels and opens in July, rates will start from €275 per room per night. domainedemanville.fr
Rugbytots at The Residence Mauritius
This summer, The Residence Mauritius is launching complimentary rugby lessons by coaches Rugbytots. From 10 –23 August 2014, children between two and seven will have the opportunity to learn rugby skills on the beach under the expert tuition of Rugbytots founder Max Webb. They’ll have fun sessions that introduce basic skills such as running with the ball, catching, kicking and passing. The classes will run alongside the hotel’s Planter’s Kids’ Club, which keeps children entertained with cooking lessons, watersports and arts and crafts. Meanwhile, parents can kick back five-star hotel.
Special Offer – complimentary room for two children – saving up to £2,220 per family
Seven nights at The Residence Mauritius in August 2014, starts from £4,399 based on a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children under 12) in two Colonial Garden View Rooms including daily breakfast and dinner, international flights, private transfers and Rugbytots classes for children aged 2-7 years old (turquoiseholidays.co.uk; 01494 678400)
theresidence.com/mauritius