“The last 30 years has been the most peaceful and prosperous period in our history,” Fordham told attendees during the luxury travel trade show’s Opening Forum. “But I can say, with relatively high conviction, that we’re entering a period that is much more complex from an economic, financial, social and political perspective than we’ve ever experienced in our lifetimes.” 

Fordham cited impact from wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas as well as the looming threat of escalating China-Taiwan tensions.

And while Fordham acknowledged that the past three decades have hardly been devoid of war, she contended that the current wave of instability has the potential to be more disruptive than other conflicts in recent memory.

Moreover, 2024 is forecasted to be the “biggest election year in human history,” Fordham said, with significant elections in the U.S., Taiwan and the U.K. contributing to a broader sense of uncertainty.

“We need to be prepared for an extended period of geopolitical disruption,” Fordham said.

Despite this somber sentiment, Fordham reassured attendees that there remains reason for optimism within the luxury travel sector. 

“If I was really worried, I would call it the tipping point,” she said, labeling this juncture an “inflection point” instead.

“‘Inflection point’ is meant to convey a sense of the multiple possibilities,” Fordham said. “The world is still an amazing place, and people want to get out and see it. I wonder how many clients are making sure they take advantage of the opportunity to go see things before there are more conflicts and other factors that might curtail movement.”

The experiential shift

Future opportunities were also a focus for Opening Forum speaker Aaron Lau, founder and CEO of technology and branding firm Gusto Collective.

According to Lau, the future of luxury travel will hinge largely on a seismic shift in consumer demographics. He cited recent data from a YouGov Global white paper indicating that younger consumers, specifically those ages 18 to 34, are more likely to view travel as something that’s become more important since the pandemic.

But with younger consumers less tied to traditional luxury ideas related solely to brand or ownership of goods, travel companies will need to adapt to what Lau described as “a luxury paradigm shift.”

“New luxury, defined by Gen Z consumers, is all about meaning and expression,” Lau said. “It’s about social capital, but it’s also about storytelling. They’re looking for experiences, and there’s no better way to get that experience than luxury travel.”

Experiential travel was similarly front and center for speaker James Wallman, CEO of the World Experience Organization, who heralded the start of what he called the “experience revolution”: the current move away from materialism and toward experientialism as a “huge sociocultural inflection point.”

“The consumer revolution based on materialism transformed our standard of living over the last hundred years,” Wallman said. “And I think the experience revolution will transform quality of life. Just as our ancestors created this amazing idea with materialism and the consumer revolution that have made us so wealthy, it’s our opportunity — your opportunity — to create experientialism.” 

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In my recent experience at African Bush Camps, luxury in their Botswana camps is about impact — impact on conservation, on the community and on life experience.

From the moment I set foot in African Bush Camps’ newest facility, Khwai Lediba, I felt close to Africa. There is a simplicity in the setup and the decor that conveys a feeling of tranquility and relaxation. The luxury is subtle and shines through in the camp’s considered touches as well as the warmth of the hosts and the rangers.

Situated in the Khwai Concession next to Moremi National Park, Khwai Lediba offers an opportunity to experience a simpler life, to feel grounded and one with nature. African Bush Camps’ Botswana facilities are unfenced, which means that the wildlife comes quite literally to your doorstep (or rather, your tent opening). On my first day, an elephant was standing on the sandy path to my tent, happily chomping on some leaves. On my last day in Botswana, at the company’s Linyanti Bush Camp, a lion visited me at night; its paw prints could be found all around my tent in the morning.

The tents at Khwai Lediba and Linyanti Bush Camp strike just the right balance between authenticity and luxury. They are charmingly unpretentious and allow guests to have an immersive wilderness experience complemented by those small, luxurious touches that make a stay both comfortable and unforgettable.

As soon as I walked into my tents, I was wowed by the incredible views of the African wilderness. Lying back on my comfortable four-poster bed, I got to see elephants walking by, hear rhinos grunting in the distance and admire incredible birds until the sun set.

The sensory journey extends to the bathroom experience. At Khwai Lediba, guests have the option of both an indoor and an outdoor shower. Nothing quite beats waking up for the day by taking a refreshing shower, the cool breeze whispering against your skin as you overlook the wilderness.

Linyanti, while offering only an indoor shower, compensates with a massive window that frames the African plains, turning every bath time into a wilderness experience.

Much to do

In the safari camps, guides offered many unique ways to fill the days. Dutch, my guide at Khwai Lediba, and Chester, my guide at Linyanti, each afternoon discussed what I wanted to do the next day: game drives, helicopter flights, mokoro canoe rides, nature walks. They introduced me to the best options for the day, making the experience seamless and mind-blowing. 

It’s hard to pinpoint what my favorite wildlife experience was. Although I was terrified at the prospect of a helicopter flight, the experience was unlike one I had ever had before. Watching the waterways of the Okavango from above and admiring the elephants, it was easy to forget any nervous jitters.

I loved hearing lions contact calling on the night game drives, witnessing a cheetah devour her freshly caught kill and stumbling upon hyena cubs. I felt truly part of nature when Chester asked us to crouch and make ourselves small as an elephant walked past us on our game walk. And I can’t even begin to describe the feeling of gliding soundlessly through the water on a mokoro while seeing animals quenching their thirst by the water’s edge.

On each of these adventures, Dutch and Chester enriched the experience through their storytelling and their vast knowledge of wildlife and ecosystems — as well as their personal experiences growing up in this beautiful part of the world. 

Combating ‘green fatigue’

While “green fatigue” can sometimes grip travelers, making them feel the plight of the world on their shoulders during their vacation, the focus on sustainability at African Bush Camps feels effortless.

Even though the camps are completely off the grid and run on solar power, this doesn’t negatively affect the travel experience. Sure, WiFi might be patchy. But whereas everyone was huddled together in the common WiFi lounge on the first day to read emails or send WhatsApp messages, by the second day most of us had embraced the simplicity and peace that comes with limited connectivity.

But sustainability goes further than just being off the grid at African Bush Camps. Throughout the bush camps and lodges, the team (from the guides to the chefs and the hosts) is passionate about upholding the camps’ values. They are all inspired by their founder Beks Ndlovu’s vision of conservation, education and community empowerment. 

A place in the community

To help shape the narrative for the future of the surrounding communities, African Bush Camps is starting with the youngest residents. On one nature walk, Dutch took us to the local school, where the kids’ faces lit up when they saw him. He said that whenever he has a free day, he can be found at the school, teaching the kids about wildlife and conservation. 

“It’s important to share a love for wildlife with the kids from the time they are young,” he said. “It’s the only way to help fight human-wildlife conflict.” 

Although we spent our time at the school playing, singing and dancing with the kids, it is possible to be a lot more hands-on. African Bush Camps introduced a concept of “impact safaris” that enable travelers to get as involved as they want with the various local projects. Whether guests want to help repaint classrooms, teach English or even have their own kids spend a morning at a local school, there are many opportunities for travelers to get actively involved. 

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The property, which was previously the Vail Marriott Mountain Resort, underwent an extensive $40 million revamp and reopened as the Hythe in 2021 — and nowhere is the hotel’s transformation more evident than its sparkling lobby. 

The two-story space showcases plenty of more traditional alpine elements — including dark wood finishes, fur throws and ski memorabilia — but injects some 1970s-inspired flair in the form of low-slung furniture and a free-standing, conical fireplace. 

Comfy seating nooks and large, curved leather sofas provide room for guests to spread out, and with the hotel’s check-in desks tucked off to the side, the space succeeds in exuding that much sought-after living room-style ambience.

Throughout my three-night stay at the Hythe in June, the lobby certainly served as a prime gathering hub for guests, particularly in the late afternoon, when a pop-up bar area would open, offering complimentary tastings of spirits produced by local craft distiller 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co.

On Fridays, the lobby tastings are accompanied by a roving raclette cart as part of the Hythe’s Chasteilet Cheese Ritual. Guests are treated to a complimentary and surprisingly hearty portion of melted cheese on a bed of meat, potatoes and veggies.

Local flavor

And for those looking for more than just a sampling of locally inspired cuisine, located just above the lobby is the Hythe’s breakfast venue, Margie’s Haas, and an adjoining bar and restaurant, the Revel Lounge, where the atmosphere is cozy and convivial.

The Revel Lounge’s fare can best be described as elevated comfort food with a Colorado twist, featuring highlights like a signature Revel Raclette made with venison, smashed potatoes and cheese, bison green chili and wild game meatballs.

Despite being the last item listed on the menu, my personal favorite at the Revel Lounge was a sweet corn chowder. Infused with the perfect amount of heat thanks to some green hatch chilies, the chowder was what my server described as “a sleeper hit.”

Beyond the lobby and dining areas, however, there was still more public space to love.

I made good use of the hotel’s well-stocked grab-and-go outlet, which offered not only the usual sandwiches, salads and sodas but also an impressive array of artisanal and locally sourced snacks and beverages. The selection of health drinks, juices and kombuchas alone was dizzying.

Just outside the lobby, a beautifully landscaped patio with elevated fire pits, string lights and Adirondack chairs proved to be a popular spot to unwind in the evenings. And just beyond that, the pool emerged as a midday hot spot frequented by families with young kids.

When all that time spent at the hotel’s lobby, pool and food and beverage venues starts to wear a bit thin, guests can retreat back to their rooms for a tranquil escape from all the buzz. 

Relaxing by the fire

Anchored by a dark stone fireplace, my king room featured plenty of practical comforts, including a spacious, kitchen-like counter with a sink, coffeemaker and bar-height dining area as well as a well-lit bathroom with fresh finishes and a large shower and soaking tub. 

Much to my delight, the June temperatures in Vail dipped quite a bit at night, giving me an opportunity to make use of the electric fireplace. The hearth’s dial has a built-in timer, which ensures that the fireplace automatically turns off within a designated hour, preventing overheating.

And of course, what’s a fireplace without a rocking chair? My room had two of them, which made for an ideal spot to unwind with a glass of wine or a book. 

If there’s one thing the Hythe seems to understand well above all, it’s that there are few things as quintessentially cozy and inviting as a comfortable chair and a roaring fire. 

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I recently paid a visit to one of the latest to open its doors: the 173-room Waldorf Astoria Cancun, which debuted in November. I was a guest of the property earlier this year, a welcome respite after a weekslong stretch of travel.

I was greeted with soaring ceilings, rich furnishings and an opulent chandelier in the Waldorf’s elegant lobby. It’s that 1920s glamour that has become synonymous with Waldorf Astoria, but with a decidedly strong beach vibe thanks to the glimpse of the Caribbean Sea through the windows.

Those who are familiar with the Waldorf Astoria Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas will recognize the same attention to detail and white glove service but with ease and comfort that is still very much fitting for a laid-back beach destination like Cancun. 

Another standout experience for me was the spa. A posh playground of wellness, the sprawling, 21-cabin spa exudes tranquility, surrounded by thick tropical foliage and rimmed with groves of bamboo. I snuggled into one of the bamboo nests in the sand-colored relaxation area and awaited my treatment: the 100-minute Melipona Honey Ritual.

The experience uses honey from the Melipona beecheii, a stingless bee species specific to Yucatan. The honey of the bee is believed to have medicinal properties; it was used by the Mayan people to strengthen the immune system and heal wounds. The treatment begins with an exfoliation with honey, followed by a honey wrap, and finishes with a full body massage and a face mask with the Melipona honey. 

It left my skin feeling soft and sweet-smelling, my muscles relaxed and my memory completely washed of the previous days of travel.

I highly recommend that spa guests spend time at the outdoor relaxation pool area before or following their treatment. The whirlpools and massage jets are sublime, and the entire outdoor area is quiet and beautifully designed.

The long stretch of white-sand beach outside the Waldorf is the stuff Cancun dreams are made of. But if you’re more of a pool person like me, the infinity pool deck is shrouded in tropical foliage, creating different areas of privacy all around. Be sure to have lunch at the pool bar — the fish tacos in particular are worth writing home about. And glance out your windows at night to see the pool area all lit up.

I stayed in a Deluxe Ocean Front King Bed Guestroom, which was perfectly lovely with a stellar view, but I would recommend guests book something with a little more character. The Swim Up rooms, in particular, are something special, and the Ocean Front Swim Up Master Corner Suites are spectacular.

The restaurant, Malpeque, takes its creative direction from open fire, and all of its dishes feature some element of char, smoke or flame. It’s safe to say my dinner there was one of the best meals I’ve had in Cancun in a very long time; an outside table overlooking the pool deck and the Caribbean and a bottle of red wine took the evening to another level. Recommendations? You can’t go wrong with a nice cut of steak or some fresh seafood.

But perhaps the best part about the Waldorf Astoria Cancun for a road warrior like me? It’s less than a half-hour from the Cancun airport, a real selling point these days as road construction is causing severe highway delays in the area. 

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More specifically, it happened at Anatol, the restaurant at Las Alcobas, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in the city’s ritzy Polanco neighborhood.

Upscale hotels are a dime a dozen in world-class cities. But my favorites are the ones that give you a sense of place. Las Alcobas is a snapshot of what makes Mexico City one of the world’s best cosmopolitan centers. It’s located in one of the most coveted neighborhoods of the city, within walking distance of restaurants, parks, nightlife and shopping opportunities.

The restaurant is rooted in Mexican cooking and ingredients but brings flavors from around the world in a nice little melting pot of diversity and evolution. The rooms are elegant, sleek, and modern but rounded out with touches that are decidedly local, and its menu of curated experiences brings travelers a little bit closer to the soul of Mexico City.

Dining at Anatol

The restaurant, helmed by Chef Rodrigo del Valle, focuses on seasonal ingredients to create a menu that is rooted in Mexico but weaves in a little bit of everywhere else — kind of like Mexico City itself. My first taste was a chef-curated menu of his favorites that showcases his creativity, experimentation and time-honored Mexican traditions.

Standouts include the avocado flatbread, served with pickled avocado, a first for me but hopefully not the last. The lobster esquite was an haute take on a traditional Mexican street food, with huge chunks of lobster, a broth made with crab, Chile de arbol and corn.

On a subsequent visit I was also able to try the Anatol hamburger, where everything from the bun to the relish was made in-house.

While I did not get to try it myself, I was often tempted by the Brooklyn Sandwich, a heaping mound of homemade corned beef stuffed between rye bread and topped with melty gruyere. And lest I forget breakfast, the enmoladas deserve a round of applause.

This is all to say, you will eat very, very well at Anatol and, if you’re lucky enough to be staying at Las Alcobas, you won’t be very far from your room when the food coma hits. 

Hotel rooms: Midcentury with a local touch

Speaking of rooms, the 35 guest rooms at the hotel were all refurbished in 2020. I stayed in a Deluxe Room overlooking the Avenida Masaryk, the main artery of Polanco.

The design of the rooms is sleek and midcentury modern, with spa touches (like a marble bathroom with a soaking tub). The room was also stocked with a chest of traditional Mexican candies, which was a nice touch that helped to give the room a sense of place.

A highlight: Private tours

One of the highlights of the revamped hotel is its Curated Experiences, a collection of carefully planned, half- and full-day private tours that come complete with experienced guides, a luxury vehicle, tickets, and even restaurant reservations.

I signed up for the Birth of a New City — Burial of a Past Civilization tour, which took me around the Zocalo and into some of the most important and impressive buildings downtown. I have been to Mexico City countless times, and I saw things on this tour that I had never seen before. The five-hour tour flew by in record time.

High service standards

Las Alcobas is certainly modern-day Mexico City in design and ethos, as well as modern-day Mexico City in service.

The staff here, from the bellman up to the general manager, made us feel at home; the waitstaff at the restaurant remembered our coffee orders each morning and our preferred wines at night, and they always greeted us with the warmest smiles.

Each time I walked through the doors of Las Alcobas I felt like I was returning home. 

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Located in the city’s Mayfair district, overlooking Green Park, the eight-story property comprises 181 rooms, including 44 suites. The hotel’s top-tier suite is its one-bedroom Penthouse accommodation, which spans nearly 2,950 square feet and offers a private terrace with park views.

In line with 1 Hotels’ nature-focused design ethos, the 1 Hotel Mayfair is home to more than 200 plant species, with 1,300 individual plants located throughout the property’s public and guestroom spaces. The hotel also showcases a variety of nature-inspired art pieces, including a Patrick Nadeau-designed lobby chandelier created with air plants.

On the food and beverage front, the hotel is anchored by a ground-floor restaurant called Dovetale. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, the Dovetale restaurant and garden terrace concept specializes in European fare made with seasonal, organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Adjacent to Dovetale is a cocktail bar and lounge called Dover Yard, as well as Neighbours, a venue that serves coffee and snacks during the day and switches to an aperitif menu in the evening.

The 1 Hotel Mayfair also has a wellness area with a gym and relaxation space. A Bamford Wellness Spa with three treatment rooms is set to join the wellness mix by late August.

Rates at the 1 Hotel Mayfair start at roughly $920 per night.

1 Hotels, which now has 11 properties within its portfolio, has plans to expand further in Europe, with projects slated for Paris; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Crete also in the pipeline.

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You don’t have to travel far to escape reality and have the experience of a lifetime. Leonardslee Lakes & Garden welcomed me and my partner for a night, where we ate some of the finest food created on this planet, slept in the most decadent of rooms, and wandered the beautifully curated estate – all in less than 24 hours. 

Stay – Leonardslee House 

Set in 240 acres of private gardens, woodlands and lakes, Leonardslee House is nestled in the heart of West Sussex. It is a 19th-century Italianate hotel, that sits on top of a valley with a panoramic view of the beautiful gardens and lake below.

Built in 1855, Leonardslee house is said to be one of the most beautiful homes in the county, and it lived up to its expectation. 

The romantic Grade II listed house has 10 bespoke bedrooms, each with their own individual decor and en-suite bathrooms. We were shown to a Superior Room, with a super king-size bed and 300 threat-count bed linen to lounge around in. There was a luxurious walk-in rainfall shower and roll-top copper bath in the generously sized en-suite. 

The decor is what I would describe as a very sophisticated version of ‘Granny-chic’, and after 10 minutes in the room, I had visions of how I could recreate the glamour in my own bedroom. 

The hotel was incredibly quiet; and as we lay on the bed looking up at the intricate details of the ceiling, we could hear the soft sounds of the grand piano floating up the staircase. It was a real effort to move and get ourselves ready for dinner. 

Dine – Restaurant Interlude 

Restaurant Interlude is said to “offer a spectacular multi-course menu that changes with the seasons”, and those experiencing the dinner are “taken on a journey through [the] estate of flavours, textures and ingredients”. 

The evening began in the bar, where we enjoyed nibbles with a cocktail, before being led into the main dining area. 14 others were sitting down, and despite it being Michelin-star quality, there was an unusual air of comfort and ease within the setting. 

We didn’t know much about what we were going to eat until the plates arrived, and it was an honour to have been invited to experience an evening of 18 courses and paired wines. 

An in-depth explanation of every course wouldn’t do the ingredients or team of chef’s hard work justice, but several courses were our favourites. 

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Course number four, more creatively known as ‘Rabbit eats carrot’ was incredible. It was a signature dish that has been on the menu since the restaurant opened, and the humble carrot was transformed in several ways to create a beautiful masterpiece in your mouth. The vegetable which had been grown in Sussex had been reconstructed into a tart shell, a mousse, and biltong to name a few. 

Another mouthful of delight was the shot pheasant served with black pudding and autumn truffle, which we enjoyed as our 11th course.

When it came to desserts, dish number 15 was a spectacular taste of a warm summer’s evening; honey from one of the seven beehives on the estate combined with sunflowers and their seeds which had been grown by the garden team last summer finished with the delicate flavour of marigold from the herb garden. 

Whilst the food itself was outstanding, so was the service; from the sommelier’s interesting details to the freshly rolled napkin waiting for you after a visit to the restroom. By the end of the four hours, we left the dining room with the urge to broadcast how brilliant the whole experience was. 

Enjoy – Lakes and Gardens 

Leonardslee Lakes and Gardens reopened its doors in 2019 following a 10-year closure which saw the Garden I listed garden nearly lost forever. Luckily, it was the subject of the largest garden restoration in England, and quite possibly Europe. 

Whilst open to the public throughout the day, if you’re staying at the hotel, the lakes and gardens can be enjoyed at your leisure; be it an early morning stroll as the mist lifts, or a gentle evening walk. 

Despite it being winter with many of the plants in a state of dormancy, there was still a lot to see; from the peacock roaming outside the tea room, to the raft of ducks paddling on the lake. 

The deer park is located to the south of the estate and is around 70 acres large, with over 100 free-roaming deer to try and spot. While we didn’t get to see a deer, we did see a wallaby or three!

The Leonardslee wallabies were introduced by naturalist Sir Edmund Loder in 1889, and are believed to be Bennett’s Wallabies from Tasmania, Australia. They are winter-hardy, with a thick coat perfect for keeping them warm during the cold English winter.

And if all that wasn’t enough, perhaps a little sculptural art would pique your interest? The estate is home to Anton Smit’s sculptures in an exhibition entitled The Walk of Life. 

Book your stay 

Double bedrooms are from £293 per room and breakfast is £30pp (Friday to Monday only). Guests have all-day access to the garden on check-in and check-out day.

The tasting menu at Resturant Interlude is £160pp, without drinks. 

OFFER: Book a weekday stay Sunday to Thursday and get your second night half price. (T&C’s: Offer only available January to April. Must book over the phone. Subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.)

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Glasgow may not be the first place you’d think of visiting for an outdoor spa – especially in winter. However, the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has set out to show the rain and cold weather will not get in the way of relaxation.

Growing up near Glasgow, the hotel is one I had passed many times. However, my first experience going inside the five-star hotel took place on a particularly rainy winter’s day.

While it was cold outside, the welcome was warm and I was greeted by a number of staff members as I walked to reception. The motto of the city is ‘People Make Glasgow’ and I definitely felt this from everyone I met there.

Check in was quick and easy and I was soon headed to drop my bags in the room.

I stayed in a King Bed Premium room which was located on the top floor.

The room was compact but stylish. As well as the King sized bed, there was a large flat screen TV, sofa, dressing table and stocked mini fridge. This was complimentary in our room type but this may vary in others.

The bathroom was large with a bathtub and standalone shower. There was also a handy “Forgot It? We Got It!” note which listed all of the essentials you could borrow on request.

Upon arrival we were told the hotel has a daily social hour where guests can enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby living room – a lovely touch!

While a night could easily be spent relaxing in the room or with a drink in reception, the hotel has much more to offer.

From a private gym – featuring a Peloton bike – to a modern restaurant and bar, there is lots to keep guests busy.

Of course, there is also the spa. The indoor spa is currently being renovated but outdoor facilities, named THAW, have been put in place instead.

The Winter Spa Garden can be found in the courtyard and includes luxury saunas and a steam room.

The Scandinavian-inspired pop-up spa also features an open air hot tub for those hoping to stay warm. Bubbles can be purchased for an extra splash of luxury.

Due to extreme weather conditions on the day of my visit, I didn’t get a chance to try out the facilities.

However, I did enjoy a calming treatment – choosing a 55-minute full body massage. I felt instantly relaxed and a consultation before it started meant my needs were catered for.

After peeling myself from the spa, I headed back to the room for a quick change before it was down to the restaurant for dinner at the hotel restaurant iasg. This can be visited by guests and passers-by alike.

I started with a delicious selection of warm bread served with whipped butter.

For a main, I tucked in goat’s curd tortellini. The pasta was perfectly balanced with spiced winter squash, pumpkin seed pesto and kale. I also enjoyed a side of hearty skin-on fries.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, the restaurant also offers lots of Scottish options such as Blackened Shetland cod, Scottish venison haunch and 6oz Scottish fillet steak. 

The restaurant is also where I enjoyed breakfast where there was a self-service buffet – think eggs, sausages, toast, cereals, pastries and smoothies – as well as the option to order something different from the menu for a charge.

As well as the top-tier amenities, Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has a quiet but convenient central Glasgow location.

It is a quick 10 minute walk to the town and easily accessible from both of the main Glasgow train stations. It offers spa and overnight packages, making it the perfect place for a relaxing city break.

The THAW experience package is bed and breakfast for two people with a 55 minute treatment each. Prices start at £380 (Sunday-Thursday) and £405 (Friday to Saturday), based on two sharing. Hotel rooms start at £189 in the low season.

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From walking into the hotel, the entire process was sleek. Self check-in was available, however any questions could be answered by the 24 hour concierge. 

I decided to check myself in and quickly picked up my key cards and headed to the room.

All the rooms are equipped with everything you might need during your visit. However I opted for one of the larger rooms available for my three-night stay. 

Walking in, I was impressed with the modern decor and facilities including a moveable flat screen, mood lighting and a waterfall shower which included shower gels and shampoos. 

Yotel focuses on compact rooms but that doesn’t mean they are lacking. There were sleek hidden USB plugs, a dressing table and even a small lounge area. 

What’s more, the central Union Street location offered incredible views of the city out of two large windows.

Facilities

While not all the rooms have a lounge area, visitors don’t need to look too far for some R & R. A large lounge area can be found on the first floor which includes sofas, desk space and – one of the highlights! – a free coffee machine. Choose from a range of luxury coffees, hot chocolate or from a range of teas.

There is also a microwave and fridge available making it easy to dine in.

Feeling energetic? Head to a state-of-the-art gym fitted with everything from free weights to spin bikes. 

Fresh water machines are also found on the hotel floors.

Location

While there is plenty to enjoy inside the hotel, I wanted to explore the local area.

I made plans to visit the famous attractions as well as to take in the city.

Having not visited San Francisco before, I was unsure of the best location to pick but Yotel was central to everywhere I wanted to go.

It is a short walk from the famous Union Street which has a Westfield shopping centre and places to eat and drink. 

Walk, drive (or tram!) further and you can end up at the San Francisco pier which has more places to enjoy a bite to eat or a relaxing drink by the water – you may even spot some seals!

This is also where you can catch a boat to visit Alcatraz – the former high-security prison which had some noteworthy residents – which is mostly preserved. 

I also used San Francisco as a base to visit Yosemite. It was a long journey but you can get there and back in one day, or you can stay overnight.

I did the long journey in one day but still had a few hours to explore the national park and choose a route that stopped off a short walk back to the Yotel. 

The doors lock automatically from the outside for extra security but you can get in with your key or with the help of the security on the door. 

Rooms can be booked at Yotel.com. Rates start from $105 (around £85). Yotel has locations in cities worldwide.

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Part of Hilton’s hip Curio Collection, The Gantry calls Stratford it’ home. The East London neighbourhood shot to fame during the London 2012 Olympics but remains popular as a retail and dining district thanks to the sprawling Westfield Shopping Centre which is, quite literally, right next door.

The design-forward hotel stands out in a skyline of skyscrapers, its bronze, grated facade glinting in the sunlight. Once inside, the lobby is the same urban, chic you can expect to find in any major metropolitan hotel and stays true to the Curio brand.

Rich, colour-blocked armchairs, mid-century furniture items and photography books are dotted around the space.

Travelling business people take up several of the armchairs, tapping away at their MacBook Airs, while a few dolled-up groups wait for their taxi to a night on the sparkling streets of the capital.

The space is also shared by a pop-up branch of Colombian Coffee shop Hermanos, inviting guests to enjoy a freshly brewed cup as well as a selection of beans to take away.

Staff are welcoming and knowledgeable, even in the midst of an unexpected power cut which sent all of the hotel computers into darkness. On the night of a big event for the hotel, the timing was less than ideal, but staff remained calm and, despite a brief wait, check-in was a mostly smooth process.

The Gantry has 291 rooms split across 17-storeys, ranging from the King Gantry Room to a Gantry Suite. The hotel also offers accessible and twin rooms, as well as cots, blankets and baby baths for those travelling with tiny tots.

As you ascend the hotel, you’ll reach the top-tier rooms – they’ll likely have the best view, as well as a higher price tag. For our stay, we spent a night in the King Gantry Room which, considering it’s the hotel’s lowest tier, is pleasantly spacious.

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Industrial-style decor is mismatched with a luxe velvet chaise longue and a king-size bed with fluffy, white pillows just begging for you to sink into them. And once you are enveloped by the cloud-like bed, you might not want to leave.

The bathroom is hidden behind a sliding door, featuring a contemporary sink, stylish black and white tiled floor and a huge waterfall shower, along with a handheld head. It’s also kitted out with Grown Alchemist toiletries, including a conditioner which was a welcome perk. The only downfall of our room was that the empty body cleanser container had been filled up with water, instead of being replaced.

While The Gantry typically hosts business people and tourists to the city, for one night only, the hotel was also welcoming an array of party guests to celebrate its one-year anniversary. The party kicked off downstairs, in The Gantry’s Union Social, Lounge Bar and Terrace Space, which had been transformed for a night of festivities. Union Social offers an all-day menu featuring flavours from around the globe, and for the birthday party, things were no different.

A selection of pop-up food vendors were on hand to feed grumbling stomachs, from a full roast to rich and creamy risotto. We opted for a delicious vegetarian dim sum dish, complete with rice noodles and vegetables. Drinks were in abundance too. 

The night began with a champagne and oyster reception in the Coupe at Union Social, followed by a choice of wines, beers and cocktails created by Walter Pintus, an award-winning mixologist who has been involved in some of London’s finest institutions, including The Ritz and The Mandrake.

Music for the evening was provided by none other than DJ Fat Tony, best friend to Kate Moss, who is famed for being one of London’s most hedonistic party scene DJs before going sober 15 years ago.

As a DJ, he was a joy to spend a few hours with. Though his decks separated him from the sea of dancing revellers, Tony’s infectious energy washed over the crowd. Of course, no birthday party is complete without a cake. And for The Gantry, that meant an edible structure of the hotel itself topped with candles.

As the night drew to a close, feet aching from a disco-infused night of celebrations, we made our way back to our rooms and finally fell into bed.

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