It’s peak road-trip season and sun and scenic routes are on our minds, so this week we’ve been California scheming. Take the infamous Highway 1 for its vertiginous coastal views, then hotfoot it inland to wine country. Luxury boutique hotel the Farmhouse Inn in Sonoma County (Napa Valley’s chilled-out contender) awaits with its sip-worthy wining [...]
Bali’s nicknamed the island of love, and this week we’re setting the scene with L Hotel Seminyak. When the sunset views on the rooftop terrace and waterfall table for two get a bit too much, step out the door to sample Petitenget’s divine boutiques and lychee martinis. Style: Luxe, lively, lovely Setting: Seminyak’s style strip [...]
This month, the intrepid Smith team of style-seeking hotel hunters began its global trek in canal-crossed Amsterdam, home to a trio of reinvented Dutch stunners: a modern aristocrat named Sir Albert (originally a diamond factory), the fantastical Andaz Amsterdam (formerly a library) and modernist masterpiece Conservatorium (the one-time Sweelinck Conservatory of Music). Then, we headed [...]
Just like Cole Porter, we love the City of Light in the springtime… and we love boutique hotels in Paris. Hotel Sezz is the perfect place to enjoy the season: the fin-de-siècle façade gives way to industrial-chic interiors in couture-inspired colours (check out those Valentino-red carpets), and the Seine-side location makes for optimum sightseeing. Style: [...]
Looking for boutique hotels in London but want to escape the bustle of the city? Go west: in riverside Richmond, the Bingham is a smart townhouse with stylish rooms, excellent food and a verdant lawn that leads down to the Thames… (All photos by Rachel Juarez-Carr.) Tweet
We were doubtful of its existence, but spring has finally made its stateside appearance. And all these blooms have us craving a weekend at the glam hotel St Regis Washington DC, in one of the most glorious spots to stop and Instagram the flowers this time of year. Style Old-world wow Setting Steps from the Obamas [...]
This week we’re prescribing a hearty dose of lavish Latin living as a post-winter pick-me-up: snugly situated on the southwest corner of London’s Hyde Park is the irresistibly Italian Baglioni Hotel… Style: Daring decadence Setting: Parkside palatial Why this week? Spring is officially here but many of us are still stuck in the wintry doldrums. [...]
We’re gleefully celebrating Spring’s arrival with a globe-spanning host of new hotels this month. We kicked off our world tour in the Windy City, where Ian Schrager’s sleek Public Chicago hotel has impressive Lake Michigan views, a glittering crowd invariably gathered in the bar, and some elegant guest rooms big enough to throw a party [...]
Ever fancied yourself as lord or lady of the manor? As soon as you cross the drawbridge over the moat at aristocratic Château de Bagnols hotel in Beaujolais, you’ll feel as though your palace-dwelling dreams have come true… Style Five-star aristocrat Setting Cultivated Beaujolais Why this week? Once spring sunshine arrives, the French countryside’s ripe [...]
Fancy whetting the wanderlust in your life? Then get hinting on our cheeky new Facebook app, guaranteed to galvanise your partner, posse or pals into travel action… If you’re hankering to be whisked away somewhere Smithy, just drop a hotel-hopping hint on Facebook and let Smith’s witty new app play Cupid. You can choose any [...]
