Humin

17/08/2022

Between historic quarter The Rocks and the ferry-flocked Circular Quay, towering five-star Four Seasons Hotel Sydney has grand public areas and commands some of the best views in town. (Gazing over Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge never gets dull!) Decor in the 531 contemporary rooms and suites radiates quality, with generous windows that let the Instagram-friendly views do the talking. Sydney’s largest heated outdoor hotel pool and on-site Endota Spa will leave you feeling refreshed, with Australian-inspired, all-natural treatments, a sauna, steam room, whirlpool bath, and gym.

17/08/2022

What if you could actually visit the Garden of Eden? And what if it was surrounded by vineyards, historic Cape Dutch farm buildings, and a formal French-style potager garden, where you could pick your own strawberries and fragrant herbs? At Babylonstoren, in the Drakenstein Valley, 33 miles northeast of Cape Town, the mythical garden comes to life. Founded in 1690, the 590-acre compound is modeled on the farms that supplied the ships making their way around the Cape of Good Hope en route to India. The cottages and suites are minimalist but stylish. You won’t find a grand lobby or an obsequious concierge here, but the staff, most of whom are wearing T-shirts, aprons, or khakis, combine a genuine eagerness to help with a high level of knowledge about the farm and its long history. Stay long enough and eventually—after a visit to the on-site bakery, the winery, the cheesemaker, the butcher, and the farm-tank-style swimming pool—you may forget that you’re staying at a hotel.

17/08/2022

The pretty Georgian manor house, all honeyed Bath stone, sits at the end of an avenue of sky-high beech and lime trees, surrounded by gardens like a Jane Austen film set. On the grounds there’s a personable cottage for weekending families, a world-class equestrian center, and a serious cooking school. But you don’t have to whip up your own supper. Chef Hywel Jones plates up exquisite food in his eponymous restaurant. That in itself is a reason to stay. So are the roaring fires, the paneled libraries, the canopied four-poster beds, and the moody oil paintings. A purposeful drive in recent years to make the place feel less formal has resulted in a cheery bounce in the staff's step, a raising of chatter levels to almost a hum in the evenings, and a relaxed atmosphere where you can wear your robe down to the ESPA spa and back again without feeling like a terrible slob. Eagle-eyed guests will spot the curious Greek elements dotted around—the urns in the bathroom, the Acropolis paintings in the dining room, the Hellenic motif on the plates. This country retreat feels resonant and rooted, delightfully British to the core.

12/08/2022

This grand Louisville landmark was designed to impress when it opened in 1923, with its Georgian Revival facade, hand-painted coffered ceilings, mahogany furnishings, and Botticino limestone floors. (Befitting such pomp and circumstance, David Lloyd George, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, was the first person to sign the guest register.) The 293 guest rooms and suites feature thoughtful touches, such as equestrian prints and racing-themed throw blankets. But to truly get a taste of Derby City, you’ll need to order a Hot Brown: The open-faced turkey sandwich, topped with bacon and Mornay sauce, debuted here in 1926.

12/08/2022

Housed in an 18th-century mansion surrounded by lavender and cypress trees, this Relais & Chateaux property is a draw for both its proximity to Aix-en-Provence (it's a 15-minute walk to Cours Mirabeau) and countryside seclusion. The 23 rooms and suites have either a private garden of views of the sprawling grounds, and each one is outfitted in toile, cream, and crimson Louis XV furnishings. The outdoor pool is, of course, a highlight, as is the on-site wine cellar and spa. Head to the restaurant for a seasonal menu that pairs Provençale, French, and Mediterranean dishes with Bordeaux, Burgundy, and local wines—all served on the terrace during the summer.

12/08/2022

To book a stay at this impeccably designed escape, guests must send an inquiry through the website—a sign of just how exclusive the hotel is. The reward is an extremely private getaway with a relaxing natural, neutral design. A 1950s-era beach motel was transformed into this serene escape, which opened in April 2017. The hotel is a study in high-design restraint—which is clear after setting one foot inside its almost hidden entrance. Guests enter into a courtyard that looks out onto the ocean, which leads to a beautiful garden. Follow the path to a deck made from ipe wood that overlooks Carbon Beach and Malibu Pier.

31/07/2022

Walking into the W’s first Middle Eastern outpost is like entering a never-ending party: Chill-out music plays in the sleek lobby (even at 8 a.m.), and the handsome staff from Mexico, New Zealand, Tanzania, and Russia, among other countries, hand each arriving guest a mocktail. The hotel’s Sisley Paris Spa and restaurants (there's Papermoon Milan and Peruvian spot COYA) are attracting expats and locals eager for a more global experience. The 442 rooms are filled with curves: rounded frames for the desks and bed platforms, arabesques on walls and curtains, and circular chairs positioned to take in the seafront or the evolving skyline of starchitect skyscrapers. Business travelers will appreciate the convenient location in the West Bay financial district, the attentive service, and the lap pool with resistance current.

31/07/2022

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is a grandiose, glistening example of Middle Eastern opulence. Case in point: the Ritz-Carlton Suite, which clocks in at 1,356 square feet, has a stylish four-poster bed, spacious powder room, full marble bathroom with a soaking tub, a color therapy shower, separate living and dining areas, a kitchen, and two terraces overlooking the Grand Canal. The 21,500-square-foot Bedouin spa, a short ride from the hotel, is a standalone oasis with a private beach, 16 treatment rooms, plunge pools, saunas, and a plethora of luxurious treatments. Families can make use of Ritz Kids, available daily for children ages four to 12. Those keen on visiting the mosque and learning more about the cultural landmark can catch the hotel shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes.

31/07/2022

31/07/2022