Travel
Originally published on Monday, 15th October 2012
TRAVEL SUPPLEMENT AUTUMN
There’s been a lot going on in the travel world since our last supplement. Hotels have gone ultra-decadent: from underwater nightclubs, spa rooms and a cinema on the beach in The Maldives to a Luna & Curious vending machine at St Martin’s Lane, it’s not just the rooms and pools that need to impress. On the flipside, there’s been a spike in “back-to-basics-chic” holidaying – read: the glamping phenomena (posh tents, sleeping alfresco on top of luxe hotels), plush tree houses and festivals on boats (SS. Coachella – it’s not for us). And finally, from next month, there will be seat allocation on EasyJet. Hooray to that.
BREATHE: Okinawa
Neon flashes, skyscrapers and businessmen-crammed trains are common images associated with Japan. Yet Okinawa, the country’s sub-tropical southern cluster of islands, is distant – figuratively and literally – from the bustle of Tokyo (it’s closer to the Philippines than to the capital). Base yourself on the calm island of Taketomi – the new Hoshino Resort is authentic yet luxurious – known for its pristine beaches and white star sand. From there you can boat it to Ishigake for beef sashimi, snorkel the coral reef off Tokashiki, try Okinawan donuts (filled with red bean paste instead of jam) at Makishi market in capital Naha, and eat plenty of pineapples (there are hundreds of farms). It’s also the birthplace of Mr Miyagi, FYI.
Hoshino Resort, Taketomi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, 907-1101 Villa suites from £430
DESIGN: Marrakech
The beach-glam Miami stalwart has found another home – in a medina. The Delano Marrakech, designed by Jacques Garcia, is opulent-meets-exoticism – all lush velvet, precious marble and hand-carved wood. Not to mention three pools (rooftop included, with views of the Red City and Atlas mountains) and a Moroccan hammam with a subterranean pool and limestone treatments. Make sure to visit YSL’s Jardin Majorelle, and, if you want to venture away from the hotel’s food offerings (Italian, Japanese on the roof, and a soon-to-open French baroque restaurant) then head to Le Tobsil for an authentic, palatial-like feast.
Delano Marrakech, Angle Av. Echouhada et Rue Des Temples, Marrakech, MO 40000 Rooms from £198
SKI: Zermatt
To get to The Omnia, an all-American, architectural mountain lodge, guests must access an elevator – which rises up through rocks – to reach the lobby, which sits a cool 1600m above sea level. From here it’s easy access to the slopes of the Swiss Alps, but at the hotel, it’s really all about the après-ski. Rooms are spacious, modern and functional in design (with great views), and there’s a Japanese cedar bath, outdoor jacuzzi and indoor/outdoor pool. There’s also The Cavern, a man-made, granite-and-glass cave that floats on a sea of water and acts doubly as a cinema and club. Who said anything about skiing?
The Omnia, Auf dem Fels, 3920 Zermatt Rooms from 350 CHF (minimum stay of 7 nights)
US of A: Philadelphia
Election fever has got us thinking about less-frequented places in the US. Philadelphia, which has long lived in NY’s shadow, is an east coast cool alternative. Now, it even has style-conscious accommodation in the form of Hotel Monaco, housed in the historic Lafayette Building. It’s fun: interiors are eclectic and bright, the rooftop bar is partitioned by steel garage doors and the Red Owl Tavern serves up hearty food and whisky cocktails. Bikes are even provided to guests and there are kites in all rooms. While Liberty Bell and the Rodin Museum are must-sees, also wander to upmarket Rittenhouse Square or go to Fairmount Park (with bike and kite). Or, make like the city’s hipsters and head to the new pizza museum for a slice of Philly’s finest.
Hotel Monaco Philadelphia, 433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 Rooms from $210
FEELING HOT: Jamaica
When in Jamaica, it’s got to be the Island Outpost properties (owned by Chris Blackwell of Island Records and, formerly, Ian Fleming). Strawberry Hill is a mountain-top retreat and The Caves are an idyllic hotspot (Naomi Campbell’s a fan), but we’re loving the newest property, GoldenEye, and its laid-back Caribbean tone. Go all out and book the Fleming Villa (it sleeps 10): it comes complete with private pool, beach and outdoor clawfoot bathtub (and staff). Cottages and suites are also available, dotted around The Lagoon and Fleming and Low Cay beaches. There are activities a-plenty (yoga, snorkelling, paddle boarding), freshwater pools, a spa, and two restaurants – one is traditionally Jamaican, the other is in a tree.
GoldenEye, Oracabessa Bay, St Mary Suites from $670
PARTY: Amsterdam
Get your dance on at the Amsterdam Dance Event (think WMC but colder). It’s one of the biggest festivals in the world, with a huge conference and parties to match (800 artists across 75 clubs). Highlights: Carl Cox presents Global 500, Cocoon Showcase, Cr2 at Bungalow 8, Gravity at Melkweg (pictured), and of course, All Gone Pete Tong – we missed the closings, you see. We say go with all your friends and book out the Canal House for some off-duty R&R.
Amsterdam Dance Event, October 17 – 21 Canal House, Keizersgracht 148, 1015 CX Rooms from €250
CITY BREAK: Toronto
There’s a single reason why Toronto is on our travel hit list: the battle of the big boys. First up is the Four Seasons. After an extensive refurb, the hotel now boasts the largest spa in the city (two storeys, with a relaxation pool), Café Boulud and dbar, as well as new-and-improved rooms (including mirror-hidden TVs in the bathrooms). Then, there’s the Ritz-Carlton, which just made it onto Condé Nast Traveller’s 2012 hotlist (the classic grand dame never fails). And lastly, there’s the recent opening of Soho House Toronto (pictured). Though there aren’t any guest rooms available yet, we’re holding out. In the meantime, we’ll be at the Pretzel Bell Bar sipping on Canadian Rockies.
Four Seasons, 60 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4W 0A4, rooms from $560 The Ritz-Carlton, 181 Wellington Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3G7, rooms from $495 Soho House Toronto, Bishop's Building, 192 Adelaide Street West, M5H 0A4
EUROSTAR: Disneyland Paris
Those in the fashion biz will know that Disney is in (LFW and Minnie Mouse, Harrods’ and Barneys’ Xmas displays). If you’re going to miss Barneys’ haute couture Christmas Electric Parade (think Daisy Duck in Dolce), see the real deal in Paris instead – it’s the 20th anniversary after all. Stay at Hotel Santa Fe, modelled on a Route 66 motel, all neon and margaritas (very du jour). Alternatively, go for the day and then jump on the train to the Hotel Particulier Montmartre. You’ll find us on loop on It’s A Small World.
Hotel Particulier Montmartre, Pavillon D, 23 Avenue Junot, Paris, 75018 Rooms from £292
