Amilla
Amilla
Maldives
Why we love Amilla
Amilla has that extra special something above and beyond the idyllic island location and warm hospitality. Here guests enjoy not only a 5-star resort but an independently owned Maldivian retreat. Service is exceptional yet personal and the surroundings, dining and accommodation are all exquisite. Each of the 67 private villas offer a stylish haven with a beach or overwater setting and private pool. Or why not push the boat out and stay in one of the Residences for the ultimate private island playground experience.
Wining and dining at Amilla is a delight, with an exciting array of gorgeous eateries and different cuisines, not to mention the most jaw dropping island scenery as a backdrop. The spa is out of this world and the variety of guest experiences on offer is so impressive, from snorkelling and scuba to sunset cruises and even secluded beachside glamping in the exclusive beachside bubble tent.
Good to know
- Amilla is one of the most spacious 5-star resorts in the Maldives – offering some of the largest multi-bedroom accommodation in the country, perfect for family/friends and multigenerational bookings.
- The resort is nestled in the Baa Atoll, a UNESCO World Bioshere Reserve, a short seaplane ride from Male, and under 10 minutes to the world famous Hanifaru Bay.
- Amilla Maldives named ‘Responsible Hospitality Partner of the Year 2024’ by Forbes Travel Guide & is a valued member of the SLH Considerate Collection & a member of The Conscious Travel Foundation.
Cobblers Cove
Cobblers Cove
Barbados
Why we love Cobblers Cove
A charming boutique hotel since the 1960’s and owned by the same family ever since, the delightfully intimate Cobblers Cove is quite simply a gorgeous place to stay. Beautifully positioned on the west coast of Barbados this powder pink walled 1940’s mansion has been declared by Forbes as the best overall hotel for Barbados in 2024 and we could not agree more. Combining a quintessentially English style with a laidback Caribbean vibe this is understated luxury at its finest, with a glorious setting and a lush tropical island welcome.
With luxurious guest suites, a restaurant often lauded as the best on the island and an array of leisure pursuits to both relax and thrill, this is Caribbean living at its best.
Swim with turtles, enjoy a leisurely picnic, horse ride along the beach, laze by the pool or simply enjoy the sun-drenched atmosphere whilst kicking back with a rum punch.
What makes Cobblers Cove even more special are its team of people, offering impeccable service and a warm friendly charm so it’s no wonder guests return to the hotel time and time again.
Good to know
- Laid back Speightstown, with many colourful beach cafes and rum shacks, is a mere 10-minute stroll.
- The vibe is small, personal, and friendly, with some of the best food on the island.
- Ensure you make time to enjoy a “Cobblers Cooler” or two, along with some of their signature cocktails using aged Caribbean rums
Octola Private Wilderness
Octola Private Wilderness
Arctic Circle, Finland
Why we love Octola
Hidden deep within 700 hectares of untouched Finnish Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle, Octola Private Wilderness is one of the world’s most exclusive retreat concepts. Designed for absolute privacy and full buyout stays, it is a place where seclusion, thoughtful design and immersive nature come together in effortless harmony. The exact location remains intentionally undisclosed, preserving the sense of discovery that defines every stay.
Life at Octola is shaped by the seasons with each bringing its own extraordinary rhythm. Winter reveals a snow-covered wonderland, with Northern Lights dancing overhead and days filled with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, husky encounters, ice swimming, and private sauna rituals. As the seasons shift, summer and autumn unveil a softer side of the wilderness, defined by the Midnight Sun, forest foraging, nature walks, and crystal-clear air — among the cleanest on earth.
With over 75 curated experiences available year-round, every stay at Octola is entirely bespoke, shaped by nature, seasonality, and the wishes of each guest.
Octola Private Wilderness is home to two distinct retreats — Octola I and Octola II — each offering the same philosophy of discreet luxury, exceptional service and complete privacy.
Octola I, the original lodge, is designed for both grand gatherings and intimate escapes. A striking 10-bedroom Lodge is available for exclusive use, complemented by a two-bedroom Super Suite Villa and a one-bedroom Glass Igloo Suite that opens directly onto the surrounding wilderness. Octola Spa and Health Clinic, the first private spa in the Arctic, is also available to guests at dedicated times. Natural materials, warm contemporary interiors and private saunas create spaces that feel quietly refined and deeply connected to the landscape.
For those seeking even greater seclusion, the new Octola II sits apart within its own private setting. Comprising a five-bedroom Ultra Lodge and a two-bedroom Super Suite Villa, Octola II offers enhanced privacy, generous living spaces, and an in-house spa — all just 20 minutes from Rovaniemi Airport.
Across both locations, a dedicated team — including private chefs and wilderness guides — ensures every detail is considered, allowing guests to experience Lapland at its most authentic, ensuring an experience that is as effortless as it is unforgettable.
Good to know
- Rovaniemi International Airport is just 20 minutes – you can even arrive by snowmobile
- With zero light pollution, this is a great place to see the Northern Lights (Sep – Nov and Feb – Mar are especially good months)
- With over 75 activities on offer and 8 seasons within the year, Finnish Lapland is not just a Winter destination
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Round Hill Hotel & Villas
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Why we love Round Hill
For every hot new hotel that generates the buzz and pushes the boundaries of luxury, there’s an exceptional, long-established property that set the standards to begin with. Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica is one of those original icons – the epitome of Caribbean charm, warmth and discretion, combined with uber-chic luxury, elegance and service.
Set in 110 acres of lush tropical gardens overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this legendary resort, beloved of celebrities, families and couples alike, tumbles down the hillside to a perfect crescent of white sandy beach. Featuring a range of world-class dining, an award-winning spa and the much-loved kids club, the accommodation is an impressive collection of 36 Ralph Lauren-designed boutique beachfront rooms in the Pineapple House, as well as 26 unique, privately-owned villas, spread across the hillside.
Elegant and stylish, with an indefinable atmosphere, Round Hill is truly special because of its people, many of whom have been here for more than 20 years and who extend the legendary Round Hill welcome that brings guest back time and time again.
Good to know
- 30 minutes road transfer from Montego Bay airport
- Timeless elegance, the vibe at Round Hill is low-key luxury and laidback charm
- Just a one hour flight from Florida, can be easily combined with Miami (and rest of East Coast USA)