Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

In bed

Text Richard Bence,
Tabitha Lasley

The ultimate hotels for the discerning traveller who wants a truly special place to sleep in style

Cotswolds88 Hotel UNITED KINGDOM

Kemps Lane, Painswick, Gloucestershire, tel. , cotswolds88hotel.com

Cotswolds88 gives
country-house style
a very modern twist Perched on a hill in the heart of the chocolate-box Cotswold village of Painswick (the Queen of the Cotswolds, apparently), Cotswolds88 is only 40 minutes drive from Bristol. This is the chosen countryside hang-out of Kate Moss and Liz Hurley and, judging by the abundance of Range Rovers and BMWs growling in the car park, there seems to be rather a lot of cash floating around these parts. The views from the front lawn are magnificent and the handsome Palladian façade suggests a traditional country house hotel interior, but inside it’s a very different kettle of fish. Expect bold black-and-white patterned wallpaper, bright yellow leather seats and funky wall lights in the bar, while upstairs there’s a Leigh Bowery-inspired room. There are even armchairs here that used to belong to Kylie Minogue! Children aren’t allowed in the restaurant (a destination in itself, complete with two stuffed magpies above the main table), which uses predominantly organic ingredients. Rooms from £170 (€215) with breakfast. RB

Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace BELGIUM

8 Prinsenhof, Bruges, , www.kempinski-bruges.com

You’ll feel like royalty in the
Dukes’ Palace Cut off from the rest of the world by severed trade routes in the 17th century, Bruges has made a virtue out of necessity. This prolonged period of stasis has resulted in the perfectly preserved medieval streets and quaint gabled buildings for which it is famous. And in a city so steeped in history, it’s fitting that the first five-star hotel here should be housed in the turreted castle that was once home to the Dukes of Burgundy. While there are plenty of nods to its 15th-century incarnation around – rich red Flemish stripes on the walls and reproductions of Philip the Good’s portrait above the beds – what the hotel really excels at is thoroughly modern comfort. For which read big marble bathrooms stocked with Molton Brown goodies, a subterranean spa with a hammam and swimming pool, and huge beds with deep, pillow-top mattresses. Rooms from €285 per night. TL

In the news

Staying Cool

If you love style and design, expect excellent customer service and are looking for a place to stay that’s as individual as you are, you’ll love Staying Cool. Recently opened in Birmingham’s iconic 1960s Rotunda building, it has all the frills of a boutique hotel (king size bed, luxurious linen, fluffy robes, aromatherapy spa products) but with bang up-to-date technology – Apple computer, flat-screen TV, iPod dock, free wi-fi and an espresso maker to die for. All this is exquisitely arranged in sustainability minded, fully serviced apartments, ranging from ‘mini’ to penthouse, no two of which are the same. Rates from £110 per night. Staying Cool, The Rotunda, Bullring, tel. , www.stayingcool.com

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