As much out of necessity as design – the renovation was dealt a terrible blow in 2009, when a fire razed the hotel just before it was due to open – the entirely new interiors offer a dramatic juxtaposition to the property’s surroundings, and the choice vintage furnishings – that so elegantly contrast the stark modernism of the cubic, concrete rooms.

The breathtaking accommodation, in the up-and-coming Cedofeita district of Portugal’s second city, is a spectacularly ambitious project, fusing art, literature and architecture with absorbing equal measure. As the name suggests, “tales” are at its heart. Six authors have created these narratives of the city and its architecture, which have then been “spatially distributed” and carved in bas-relief by the architects, Pedra Líquida, and the house’s owners are committed to engaging in cultural activities and promoting Porto’s creativity.

Bold and contemporary, but so obviously in touch with its history, Casa do Conto is a brave – and profoundly beauteous – rebirth of a project that was so nearly halted by disaster.

Formerly the Great Eastern, one of the original London railway hotels, the building dates back to 1884, and there’s a definite feeling of that history – even if it has been given a 21st century sheen. It’s that 21st century sheen that may put some off. Andaz is Hyatt’s “boutique” brand, but the spectre of ‘corporate business hotel’ is still most definitely there, it’s in the city – it can’t escape it. But what the Andaz does do, is use that ‘corporateness’ (yep, just made that one up) to its advantage. Sure, there’s a sheen – but it’s one that just feels luxe. The furniture and fittings in the rooms are heavy, the doors solid, and the walls thick. It’s got a weighty 5-star feel but, with their commitment to art and design, you feel less guilty about shacking up in a business hotel, in fact you positively embrace it.

Their USP is bringing the ‘small’ hotel service to a big chain. There’s no check-in desks, instead you walk straight into the “Andaz Lounge” – where drinks are free and smartly-dressed, well-mannered types check you in with iPads (oh-so modern). There’s a complimentary non-alcoholic minibar, and there’s complimentary serving of wine in the lounge come evening time. It’s quite obviously a big brand cherry-picking the best components of a stay at a truly boutique hotel, but it works. And it’s impeccable – you’d think you were in America the service is that good.

Where the Andaz really excels is in its food and drink offerings. It’s like a whopping great American resort-hotel – but a stone’s throw from Spitalfields and Hoxton. There’s exceptional Japanese at Miyako, exceptional fresh seafood at Catch, exceptional pub-grub at George, British à la carte at 1901 and a brasserie menu at Eastway. It really is exceptional. And seemingly, somewhat of a secret – only half the London-based (and East-end types at that) people I asked actually even knew the hotel existed, let alone of its ridiculously diverse food offerings. The resplendent halls and history-packed spaces that these bars and restaurants inhabit are just the icing on an already scrumptious cake.

Of course there’s high-end leisure facilities too, all the business malarkey of course, and there’s the location – it’s next door to Liverpool Street Station, and as mentioned, a stone’s throw from some of London’s hippest spots. There’s no individual designer rooms, there’s no quirky amenities and the bar isn’t a hipster graveyard – but if you want to be in the hub of all East London has to offer and you want true, true 5-star luxury – but without the faceless conveyer belt experience of big, ugly business hotels – I really don’t think London has a better alternative…

The hotel has 70 individually designed rooms but if you’re looking to score some major brownie points with the Misses there really are only two options; either of the Penthouses or one of the Salt Loft Marina rooms. We were lucky enough to bag one of the Salt Loft Marina rooms with a freestanding cooper bath at the side of the bed and complementary massage oil for added spice – ooo eeer! The rooms continue the fashionable theme with modern patterned wallpaper, pieces of art and all the home comforts you need from a hotel room. Fluffy robes, a Bose sound system, Temple spa products, rain shower, the all important under floor heating, cafeteria coffee, luxury teas and Emma Bridgewater mugs (nice touch) – a hotel with style and substance, we like.

Once you’ve taken full advantage of the room amenities we suggest you head all the way downstairs to the lobby, grab a space on the comfy chairs with a nice glass of vino from the extensive wine list – no lie it’s huge! If you are staying at the hotel it would be rude not to try out the restaurant – which is rumoured to be the best in Ipswich – serving seasonal British dishes made with local produce. The restaurant housed in the original warehouse building features exposed brick work, more art, leather booths and a central bar.

After dinner we retired to our room to find housekeeping had completed their turn down service, leaving a bottle of relaxing pillow spray for our use – we’re glutens for these luxurious added extras and the Salthouse is full of them!

Breakfast is served in the restaurant or in bed, the menu offers a good selection of dishes but we’d suggest you go all out on the Suffolk Grill or Bacon Sandwich, quite possibly the biggest we’ve seen (we’re pretty sure it contained at least a whole pig!).

If you’re looking for a short break in a chic hotel with fabulous food and attention to detail you can’t go wrong with a stay at the Salthouse Harbour. Ipswich? Who’d of thought it…

There’s blinding independent editorial, reward dollars, musings on design, culture and travel; and of course the usual high-grade service that our friends at Tablet are renowned for. But we don’t want to give you the hard sell, we genuinely do believe in what these guys have to offer, and are privileged to be able to offer you guys exclusive access; so here goes:

Just follow our exclusive invitation link, complete a few personal details, and you’re in. Have a delve, enjoy some heavyweight discounts, and don’t fret about thanking us; that’s what we’re here for…

The Standard, New York

Aigialos Hotel, Santorini

Hotel Brunelleschi, Florence

The peerless viewpoint over one of the world’s iconic skylines looks like the result of a particularly artistic freak-storm, and is not just the city’s number one room, but yet another cultural landmark for the year of the London 2012 Games. The second stage of bookings – for nights in July to December – starts from 19th of this month; it truly is the chance of a lifetime, so be quick. Very quick…

Designed with playful elegance by the American-born Parisian, Bambi Sloan, the Jura Lodge is part of the island’s famous distillery, and we recently had the privilege of being invited to spend time there; to experience the island, get under the skin of their unique range of malts, and to hopefully avoid the lodge’s other famous spirit; its supposed resident ghost.

The lodge is truly delightful and truly exclusive, there’s 5 grandly furnished bedrooms, an opulent music room, a wonderfully retro kitchen and a lounge with eye-blistering views; all for a mere £2,500 a night. With a feeling of luxury, decadence and eccentricity – yet ultimately befitting of its surroundings – Bambi Sloan’s remodelled lodge is not just a stylish country retreat, it’s also the sort of place your childhood dreams were made of; you expect there to be a secret room behind the bookcase, you expect the suit of armour to walk around after midnight… And if you’ve had enough of the local spirit, it sometimes does.

The picture windows look out over the idyllic village of Craighouse with its handful of white buildings, picturesque stoney waterfront and yesteryear way of life. We’re taken on a short tour up the island’s one road; we visit a tiny parish with an even tinier, un-manned library where locals pop in to swap books, a graveyard where a number of Knights Templar rest, and drop in on ‘Tea on the Beach’; a lonely table on the beach on which a walkie talkie peculiarly sits, a local lady waiting in a house nearby to bring tea to passers by who get in touch. It’s a remarkably beautiful island, curiously there’s native palm trees, the elegant three peaks of the Paps of Jura are omnipresent and the famous red deer (they outnumber humans on the island by some 40-1) are around every turn.

On our way to the perilous Corryvreckan Whirlpool

In fairness, the island can be just as hostile as it is beautiful, we’re taken to witness the fierce waters of the Corryvreckan Whirlpool, passing the remote lodge where Orwell wrote his iconic 1984 on the way; the writer himself having to be rescued from the whirlpool’s clutches in 1947 following an ill-fated boat trip with his son, niece and nephew. We experience the feeling of isolation the locals endure, when weather halts the island’s only ferry. We’re, of course, bombarded by wind and rain too, but once back inside the lodge, all is calm. It’s like an oasis of serenity amongst the island’s rugged charms; there’s no television, no mobile reception and a supply of high-grade single malt that even we can’t begin to decimate.

Jura Single Malt Whisky’s global ambassador Willie Tait talks us through their malts

And what about that single malt? There may be just one road, one hotel, one pub and one shop, but around the world the island’s name is synonymous with its famous whisky; just a few minutes spent with locals in the solitary watering hole and you realise its the life and soul of the island. And having spent time with the distillery’s manager, Willie Cochrane, and global ambassador Willie Tait – with all their passion and knowledge – it’s clear why it’s not just the Diurachs (the locals) who are in love with this fine liquid.

As you kick back in the lodge’s majestic antler arm chair with a ‘wee dram’, take in the resplendent views, and eye-up the classic typewriter, you begin to imagine yourself as a classic writer of Orwell’s calibre. You’re so disconnected from the real world that time begins to stand still; it’s just you, the uncompromising beauty of the island, and this truly exquisite lodge. You begin to feel that this might be the greatest place on earth…

The Zetter Townhouse, London

“Taxidermy, eclectic antiques and opulence battle for space with street art, mid-20th century retro classics and an abundance of lavish fabrics – all perfectly balanced, all perfectly outlandish.”

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The Nolitan Hotel, New York

“There’s sumptuous luxury, there’s du jour style, there’s indulgence and sophistication, and there’s the location.”

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Hotel La Maison, Champs Elysées

“Operating with a strictly monochrome simplicity, Maison Martin Margiela have bucked the trend of overly-opulent fashion hotels – think Missioni or Armani – and followed their ethos of understated and offbeat, employing style and humor over lavish statements.”

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Public Chicago

“This is Schrager for the third millennium; “anti-flash”, “anti-design” and “sick of slick”.”

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Hotel Básico, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

“Appealing to a young, style-savvy crowd, Hotel Básico is afforded the right to play with traditional hotel conventions, and in doing so, has redefined the boundaries of design hotels.”

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Photograph by Åke E:son Lindman

Nobis Hotel, Stockholm

“Each space, from the lobby to lounges, corridors to rooms has its own unique identity which ranges from the quirky to extravagant, all while being fun and relaxed in a gentle colour scheme influenced by the capital city and surroundings.”

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Photograph by Benjamin Hofer

The Proposal, Zürich

“The Proposal is not just a gallery, but possibly the most astonishingly unique b&b we can recall.”

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The House Hotel Nişantaşı

“Decadent is once more a word that springs to mind, Autoban’s trait of using rich, dark wood, elegantly-muted, earthy hues and their own custom pieces of furniture lend this chic property a wonderfully retro, yet decidedly luxurious appeal.”

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Hotel Acta Mimic Barcelona

“Barcelona’s Hotel Acta Mimic shares an unpolished vibrancy with its local surroundings, the infamously seedy, yet decidedly creative, El Raval district.”

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Lucia Nova, Valletta

“With a ‘No Hotel’ philosophy, that’s aimed at stamping out hotel clichés, Lucia Nova is property with its own very special identity.”

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Treehotel, Sweden

“Situated approximately 60 km south of the Arctic Circle, the Treehotel is a series of breathtaking tree houses, perched high in the Boreal forest.”

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W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island

“Patricia Urquiola’s vision of paradise is of bold, beautiful colours and unique materials alongside her own sensational furniture.”

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The Merlion Hotel by Tatzu Nishi, Singapore

“With its head of a lion and body of a fish, the imaginary Merlion statue has been an icon of Singapore since 1972 and the iconic figure is now ready to take centre stage in what has to be one of the most sensational hotel rooms of all time.”

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Indulgence Divine, Malta

“A home away from home for two, Indulgence Divine is a perfectly chic residence from which to explore this decidedly up-and-coming island that, whisper it, is somewhat of a secret party destination.”

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nhow Berlin, by NH Hoteles

“It says something about the unique musical proposition offered by nhow Berlin that we haven’t waxed lyrical over Rashid’s characteristically surreal dream-world, but then pictures speak a thousand words, so here you go.”

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As an island country in the tropics, it’s no surprise that Sri Lanka has phenomenal beaches, with great spots for diving as well as surfing. But so do a lot of other places. What makes Sri Lanka special is everything else. There’s something appealing about nearly every aspect of Sri Lanka, and now that the country’s long period of conflict has come to an end, more people will find themselves able to appreciate it.

Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka

Going inland, I can think of at least three reasons that would independently justify a trip to the country. The first would be the tea plantations in the central highlands. Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters of tea in the world, and the plantations — lush, picturesque — are magnificent to visit. I happen to prefer green tea, but I love learning about tea-making in airy hillside factories and trying all the different Ceylonese varieties. A few of the original planters’ bungalows have been converted into luxury hotels, making the whole experience even more atmospheric.

The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka

Secondly, there’s the “cultural triangle,” which encompasses sites of cultural and historical importance, not to mention true beauty, like the ancient ruins perched on a giant rock formation at Sigiriya and the city of Kandy. During the summer, there’s an elephant festival in Kandy that should not be missed. The relationship between humans and elephants in the subcontinent is amazing, and this is the place to see it. 

Ceylon Tea Trails Hotel, Hatton, Sri Lanka

Last House

This brings me to the third reason, which would be the wildlife. Along with elephants, you can see crocodiles, buffalo and it’s one of the only places you can still spot leopards in the wild. On my last visit earlier this year, I brought my family along. For my young kids, seeing all these animals was undoubtedly the highlight. 

The impetus for our trip was a chance to stay in a beach front home designed by the modernist architect Geoffrey Bawa, whom I have long admired. There is, however, an incredible concentration of well-designed leisure hotels in Sri Lanka, a collection probably second only to Bali. Heritance Kandalama and The Kandy House quickly come to mind. I suspect Bawa had a strong influence on the peaceful and elegant tropical architecture style that Sri Lanka has come to be known for.

Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Sri Lanka

On the whole, the country feels quite tranquil, and perhaps that’s why, as a New Yorker, it’s one of my favorite places to escape to. Many places that are relaxing are also dull, but that’s not at all the case with Sri Lanka. I could spend months there.

The Kandy House Hotel, Kandy, Sri Lanka

That’s not to say this is an ugly hotel, by any stretch of the imagination; longtime collaborator Anda Andrei delivers an effortless sophistication that evokes the spirit and style of the classic Morgans properties, whilst never over-designing a single thing. Their elegant transformation of the 285-room Chicago institution, Ambassador East, is a very different beast to its former incarnation. Whilst Phil Collins was once refused entry for not wearing a jacket – immortalised by his album ‘No Jacket Required’ – PUBLIC tenders the sort of relaxed, informal social environment that Schrager has been fashioning since he coined the term ‘Lobby Socialising’ upon opening New York’s Royalton in 1988. You see, PUBLIC offers all that consumers have grown fond of in the ’boutique’ market, but presents it in a less exclusive, much more inclusive manner; and with rates from $135, it’d seem that their dogma is not just a well-worded press release, but a real, genuine concept…

With prices starting from 35 Euros per person and the heart of downtown Lisbon at your doorstep, The Lisbonaire isn’t just an inspirational base for your city explorations, but a damn cost-effective one too; and with the world’s economy crumbling around our ears, isn’t it nice feeling when you can get a lot of creative gratification for not a lot of dollar?

Photography by Francisco Nogueira

Yes, the name of the game is “Up & Coming,” but my next choice is the ancient state of Bavaria. The Germans are well aware of its allure, but it goes under-appreciated by the rest of Europe.

Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Cultural Hideaway Hotel, Bavaria

I have a personal connection with Bavaria because as a teenager I spent some time there as an exchange student. Coming from the Paris suburbs, I was astounded by the physical beauty of the place. (I’m talking about the landscape, but the women are very pretty as well.) The Alps surge up from the foothills, and you can really feel their size in a way that’s more dramatic than the wide, gentle valleys of Austria and Switzerland. I spent the winter in the town of Füssen, and I remember afternoons of hiking, sledding and devouring box upon box of plätzchen (cookies traditionally eaten around the holidays) baked by my host mother.

Das Kranzbach Hotel Wellness Retreat, Kranzback, Bavaria

But Bavaria is a wonderful place to visit in the warmer months too. The lakes are stunning year-round, and the countryside is dotted with picturesque villages and centuries-old castles that surely have provided plenty of inspiration to the people at Disney. It is a fairytale land, a refreshing contrast to Berlin’s austerity.

Seehotel Uberfahrt Hotel, Rottach Egern, Bavaria

I love that the Bavarian people are relatively happy and laid-back. They’re German, but with a Latin, Mediterranean influence — not just the culture but the food as well, which is much more than just meat and potatoes. Even in Munich, which has a reputation as an uptight business capital, I found everyone to be smiling and jovial. I was recently there, checking in on our German partners, and was reminded of how livable the city is. I’m typically more attracted to places with a less orderly, more anti-establishment kind of feel, but I found it very appealing, in a comfortable, bourgeois sort of way.

Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Cultural Hideaway Hotel, Bavaria

Bavarians are also charmingly set in their ways. If there’s any downside to living there, this would be it. When life is comfortable, there’s nothing broken that needs fixing, no cultural renaissance or revival on the horizon. It’s not exactly a hotbed of innovation. But as a traveler, that’s something I appreciate. To visit Bavaria is not to chase after the latest hot thing — you come for the opulence and grandeur of classic hotels, a rich culture and stunning landscape.

Das Kranzbach Hotel Wellness Retreat, Kranzback, Bavaria

Along with Brazil, another country I love is Lebanon. It lies at a geographical and cultural crossroads — technically in Asia, but a stone’s throw away from Africa and Europe.  This made the Phoenicians into the greatest traders of their time over 3,000 years ago, and it’s amazing that the talent for commerce and appreciation for great food has survived in one of the most disputed regions of the world. 

But by no means have the Lebanese had it easy.  The civil war that destroyed the “Paris of the East,” as Beirut was known back then, has left a deep scar that not even the most careful reconstruction can erase. And Lebanon is flanked by two countries that remain arch-enemies, Syria and Israel. There is an underlying edginess to Lebanon and Beirut that makes people embrace life with more passion than in most places I know. The time to visit is now.

Albergo Hotel

Beirut might just be the best party city in the world (aside from maybe Jakarta, but that’s a story for another time). But unlike some other cities that are known for their nightlife, Beirut is inclusive. There’s something reminiscent of Brazil, in fact, in the way people welcome you and treat you like distant family. And I love that the Lebanese are so multilingual. They can’t finish a sentence without switching to another language; most people know and average of three. In Beirut, the party starts at midnight and doesn’t stop until sunrise, and then you get up and do it all over again. Whatever you do at night, take your hangover for a stroll on La Corniche, an open air melting pot by the Mediterranean.

B-018; Photograph courtesy of Bernard Khoury/DW5

There is an underlying edginess to Lebanon and Beirut that makes people embrace life with more passion than in most places I know…

From the sound of it you might think a few nights in Beirut would blur together, but it’s amazing how many unique experiences you can have in one city. One minute you’re in a bar underneath a parking garage (B-018), and the next, a swanky rooftop nightclub (Skybar). No matter the venue, people smile. And this is the key to what I love about the Lebanese people. They live in the moment with an open heart and mind, maybe because they know not to take the future for granted.

Skybar; Photography courtesy of Skybar

The time to visit is now…

Beirut is also quite interesting architecturally. The central part of the city was rebuilt after the war, and they’ve approached the reconstruction with a lot of deference for their multicultural heritage. Luxury shops are back and Beirut is reclaiming the top end of the clientele it lost to Dubai decades ago.  When I was last there I stayed at Le Gray, and while it was built from the ground up in a quite modern style, it fits extraordinarily well and offers great views from its central location.

Le Gray

There’s a lot to see beyond Beirut as well. You’ve got skiing, vineyards, monumental Roman ruins and beaches all within two hour drive — though I would recommend hiring a driver, since local drivers operate at a level of intensity you may not be prepared to match. 

It’s a small paradise, and it’d be your loss not to see it for yourself.

Where to go next? It’s the perennial question in my industry (that would be travel), and the answer is always changing. 

I enjoy places that are just popular enough — no longer undiscovered, but not yet overdeveloped…

And while I’ve never understood our fascination with “hot destinations” (in my opinion, many of these places could better be described as reheated), I enjoy places that are just popular enough — no longer undiscovered, but not yet overdeveloped. 

UXUA Casa Hotel Guest Room

My first pick is Brazil. Specifically, a town called Trancoso in the coastal region of Bahia. I enjoy Rio for its frenetic energy and complex geography, but for an escape, Bahia is my answer. It requires a bit more effort to get there (you must fly to Porto Seguro and then rent a car or take a taxi about 50km), but the payoff is unspoiled beaches, friendly and self-confident people, and just the right number of interesting little pousadas. Uxua Casa, owned and designed by Wibert Das, is a favorite. And just on the other side of the quadrado — the village square where everyone plays soccer each afternoon — is Jacare do Brasil, which has amazing views of the beach and probably the best location in town. Both hotels are very well done, but low-key, a combination that I admire. 

It’s hard to think of a culture that’s more sociable…

I have visited Brazil many times, but last year I was lucky enough to spend three weeks there with my family. We started in Trancoso but then rented a house in an even more remote village called Caraiva. As soon as we arrived, we were treated like family, literally eating and drinking and dancing with the locals. This could be what I love most about Brazil: it’s hard to think of a culture that’s more sociable. 

For me it’s no longer new, but it’s still fresh, and I have a hard time staying away for long.

Trancoso Houses

Jacare do Brasil

Uxua Casa Suite

Trancoso Church; São João Batistia

Fusing innovative editorial, a refreshing outlook on international accommodation and the ability for discerning travellers to find and book cutting-edge hotels all in one place; Tablet are travel pioneers where many others have followed. We’re lucky enough to have teamed up with them this month and present UP&COMING*, a series of posts that will include some of the brand’s tips for the hottest new – up and coming – global destinations.

I just came back from London, where I was looking for British writers to work on the upcoming UK version of Tablet Hotels. The site will feature the same hotels — it’s a truly global selection — but we want to develop stories with a British wit and sensibility, to help travelers get beyond their comfort zone. Next trip up for me? India!

Do you have a well rehearsed, short response to the question “What is Tablet?”, that strangers must ask you all the time?

I tell them it’s a cult. More seriously, though: Tablet is the ultimate expert-driven hotel guide, supported by a built-in online travel agency. The sauce only works if we have access to the best hotel rates, and we do. Editorially, the approach is irreverent, and we never compromise on the integrity of our hotel selection. We proved it could be done, and we have spawned some imitators — but none with the same soul, the same core values.

Design and boutique have become frustratingly overused prefixes to ‘Hotel’, when explaining Tablet to a stranger, how do you describe your selection of properties?

It’s not about grand architectural gestures or a certain style in design. The only common thread is that all of Tablet’s hotels are inspiring, because of what talented people have put into them.

It’s a fantasy that innovation can be turned into a systematic process; creativity is not mechanical, and that’s what’s fun about it.

What was your overriding goal for what Tablet should be and when did you feel you achieved that?

I wanted Tablet to be a model of integrity and innovation, and to make business sense on a global level. Innovation is a never-ending quest, so it’s difficult to ever feel a sense of finished achievement. It’s a fantasy that innovation can be turned into a systematic process; creativity is not mechanical, and that’s what’s fun about it.

You’ve lived and travelled pretty much everywhere, is there anywhere you’d never go back?

In fact my motto in general is “never go back.” Trying to duplicate an extraordinary travel experience usually just leads to disappointment, unless you’re going back for the people you’ve met.

What are the things you can never leave at home?

Music. I used to travel with a backpack full of cassettes. Today, I take something new to try out there. Our French editor recommended m83 and it became the soundtrack of my last trip. Other recent discoveries include WU LYF, Active Child and Washed Out.

And my kids are still young — leaving them at home is always the most difficult part of traveling.

To me contrast supplies the tension that creates the energy to do something with your life.

Do you have a preference for design aesthetic in hotels, or do locations dictate the style a hotel should adopt?

When it comes to hotels, I don’t really have a “type.” It’s change and contrast that make life interesting. To me contrast supplies the tension that creates the energy to do something with your life.

If you were opening your own hotel, what would be the 3 most important ingredients on your list?

- The basics, the services and amenities, must be solid.
- Something visually beautiful, whether inside or outside
- A social element that brings people together

…and the 3 things you simply wouldn’t stand for?

- Attitude — it’s called “hospitality” for a reason
- Mediocre bedding — never underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep
- Lack of originality

It’s never cool to say you’re cool.

Pop-ups, artist’s installations, designer collaborations; hotels seem to be on a never-ending mission to “out-cool” each other. Is this a good thing for the industry, or do you think they should stick to what they know best?

I am up for anything, as long as it’s genuine. It’s never cool to say you’re cool.

This month, we’re highlighting some of Tablet’s favourite new destinations. What makes a place special to you?

The energy created by the local people. Plus, I need to know that I can eat (and drink) well.

We know you don’t want to go spoiling your favourite unspoilt destinations, but if we promise to keep it just between us and, well, one or two of our readers, would you spill the beans on a few of your favourite virgin locations for us?

- The Atacama Desert in Chile
- Madagascar
- Burma/Myanmar

Welcomed with a complimentary tray of fresh nectarines and fabulous L’Artisan du Chocolat chocolates, with scent of fig and white cedar permeating throughout the suite, we were instantly relaxed. With Japanese inspired lineage, dark wood on cream, Eames chairs and smart low lighting the suite has a masculine feel to it with a hint of femininity. The subtle quirks include 1950s black & white photography of Jean Cocteau at work and the amazingly comfortable linen kimonos. Both bedrooms were cosy but with the space of a suite that wasn’t a flaw, with quality linen and simple decor a good night’s sleep was guaranteed.

A ‘Hotel Alternative’ it definitely was. No fussy reception, no bar, no communal seating and no sometimes uncomfortable banter with fellow travellers. The hotel does offer room service with breakfast and light bites and wisely they have also taken the liberty to make available a local gym and a comprehensive and handpicked local guide for spas, museums, galleries, shops and restaurants.

No.5 Maddox Street is not the place for voyeurs and scenesters, the buzz is on the streets on London’s heartland and the hotel is its secret little get-away. Equidistant between Mayfair and Soho, the location is perfect for not just a night stay, but opens it’s doors to weeks and even months. For complete seclusion, freedom and serenity in the heart of the city you may not find a better stay, a regular pied-à-terre for many of its travellers I’m sure.