The ultimate hotels for the discerning traveller who wants a truly special place to sleep in style
Ritz-Carlton BERLIN, GERMANY
3 Potsdamer Platz, Berlin tel. +49 (0) 30 33 777 6003, www.ritzcarlton.de
Arriving in the hotel, one is immediately struck by the décor – a Schinkel-inspired late Empire style designed by Peter Silling. At the desk, Martin or another impeccably groomed reception clerk takes one up to one’s room, running through the bath options (the Ritz-Carlton has a ‘bath butler’ – a dedicated staff member who will come and prepare a bath for you) before leaving you to settle into the luxuriously appointed accommodations.
For dinner, there’s the choice of the Brasserie Desbrosse, a charming French turn-of-the-century style restaurant with an open kitchen, or the Ritz-Carlton’s very own Michelin-starred restaurant Vitrum, headed by top German chef Thomas Kellerman (a special treat – you can dine in Kellerman’s kitchen on advance request).
For those in need of some more focused relaxation, there’s the La Prairie Spa/Fitness area, which offers a pool and Jacuzzi under a magnificent trompe l’oeil ceiling, as well as two saunas, state-of-the-art fitness machines and relaxation and wellbeing treatments that use specialist La Prairie products. Pure luxury from €215. JKMG
Toile Blanche FRANCE
826 chemin de le Pounchounière, 06570 Saint-Paul de Vence tel. +33 (0)4 93 32 74 21, www.toileblanche.com
Toile Blanche is one of those discoveries you want to keep to yourself. With only six rooms it’s unlikely to ever be mobbed by random holidaymakers. Toile Blanche is in an idyllic spot, privy to wonderful panoramic views from a hillside setting above the arty medieval Provençal town of St Paul de Vence. Charmingly run by the stylish Nadine and Dan Leroy (a former gallery owner), it’s refreshingly free from the stiff formalities of a five-star hotel and rather more like staying in the very chic, but calm and relaxed home of a cultured couple with impeccable taste. Rooms are beautifully furnished and throughout the hotel there are impressive artworks on display by Leroy’s father and also the couple’s sons – who run the highly regarded restaurant (a favourite with locals) during the summer months. Rooms from €185, dinner €50. BR
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The ultimate hotels for the discerning traveller who wants a truly special place to sleep in style
LUXE City Guides
Sometimes the trusty old Lonely Planet just won’t cut the mustard when it comes to astute, opinionated information for the sophisticated visitor. If you love glamour, then the Luxe City Guides are the perfect pocket-sized companions for a stylish sojourn. Want to know where the hottest terraces, rooftops and pools for the chicest sips under the stars are? Want to avoid the tourist trails and discover the more atmospheric back streets? Florence gets the Luxe treatment this month, while London, Barcelona and Berlin guides follow in June. LUXE City Guides, €6,50 each. www.luxecityguides. com
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