Smith Travel BlogTravel tales and hotel news from the boutique hotel experts at Mr & Mrs Smith

With the Southern Hemisphere winter well and truly underway, at Smith HQ in Melbourne we’re feeling sodden, sniffly and in serious need of some sunshine. As luck would have it, our frosty months coincide with Fiji’s mild dry season – so pack a suitcase full of swimmers and make haste for Pacific paradise, Royal Davui Island [...]

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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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

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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 [...]

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Send a cheeky hotel-hopping hint

Thursday, March 7th, 2013

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 [...]

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This month, we explored the edenic eastern Algarve from our temporary home at quirky country house Fazenda Nova; after that, we lounged by the pool at Corsican beauty La Signoria. Once we managed to tear ourselves away from the sun, we were northward bound, off to hang out with a host of cool locals at [...]

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Longing to live the high life? Ascend from the world of mere mortals to Spicers Peak Lodge, a summit-set haven in rustic Queensland’s Scenic Rim. Within easy reach of Brisbane, this mountain retreat offers gourmet dining, outdoor pursuits, spa pampering and vineyard-hopping in Australia’s Granite Belt wine region. Style Luxe modern chalet Setting Peak plateau Why this [...]

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Faena Hotel, Buenos Aires: hotel of the week

Friday, February 15th, 2013

As St Valentine briefly flitted in and out this week, we were reminded that one day dedicated to romance simply isn’t enough. So, why not extend the affair at a spot designed with passion in mind – luxury boutique Faena Hotel in sultry Buenos Aires? Style Seeing red Setting Waterfront Puerto Madero Why this week? Even if you came through [...]

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Escape the ennui of the everyday with a dose of the extraordinary at Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa in Chiang Rai. Perched in the jungle hills of northern Thailand, the hotel boasts gorgeous views of the Mekong River, Myanmar and Laos, and an elephant camp on its doorstep. Style Northern Thai splendour Setting Three-country crossroads Why [...]

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