For centuries, the otherworldly allure of the Amalfi Coast has captivated artists and composers to the extent that this enchanted peninsula overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in southern Italy has become known as Costa Divina (or Divine Coast). And like all things divine, the vistas become ever more dramatic the higher you climb.

Built into the mountain high above the Gulf of Salerno, the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel traces its roots to the 13th century, when Christian ascetics settled into a cliffside cave. In the succeeding centuries, the site has been an abbey and a convent, a nautical institute and a 19th-century grand hotel that attracted upper-class travelers making their grand tour through Europe.

Designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1997, the Amalfi Coast thrives on tourism, yet the shoulder seasons from April to June and September and October offer an escape from the crowds and a more temperate climate for hiking and meditative walks. For years, monks marshaled their mules up the mountain to the convent.

Today, guests of Anantara Convento di Amalfi ascend from Amalfi Drive via a glass elevator to a cliffside terrace bursting with bougainvillea and the fragrance of the local lemon, sfusato Amalfitano. Far below, yachts and speedboats crisscross the water, painting the impossibly blue sea with the white streaks of their wake.

Signature experiences

The Sanskrit word anantara means “without end,” which is in keeping with Anantara’s mantra that “Life is a journey.” The Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel offers numerous signature experiences, such as sailing excursions to Positano and Capri and sunset cruises with cocktails and canapes. Helicopter and driving tours are available to Ravello and the Greek ruins of Paestum as well as Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Closer to home, the hotel offers hikes to La Valle dei Mulini and Path of the Gods.

According to the hotel’s general manager, Giacomo Sarnataro, many guests find it difficult to leave the property, which is understandable given the landscaped gardens and pathways that lead to a cliffside infinity pool and an alfresco TechnoGym fitness club with panoramic views. To access the beach club at Lido Degli Artisti, guests take a five-minute boat ride along the coast to a private cove. 

Equally tempting is a Spice Spoons cooking class with chef Claudio Lanuto, who teaches guests the art of cannelloni, or how to make authentic mozzarella or convento limoncello. I chose a pizza class under the tutelage of Gino Sorbillo, whose pizzerias have earned him the title Ambassador of Italian Pizza. One of Sorbillo’s acolytes taught me how to knead the dough correctly and to toss it into the air (without mishap), then how to eat it like an Italian (which every New Yorker knows, as well). 

One of Anantara’s signature experiences is Dining by Design, which offers guests the opportunity for private dining with a butler in an exceptional locale such as the 13th-century cloisters or a candlelit dinner along the Monks’ Walk. 

Equally indulgent, the breakfast buffet at Dei Cappuccini is a reminder that the Mediterranean diet is a misnomer and more like a feast. That said, it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as gluttony while eating in Italy. For those Calvinists seeking post-prandial atonement, there are approximately 200 steps leading down into the town of Amalfi, where gelaterias beckon like sirens.

Gelato in hand and the monks in mind, I climbed the steps back to the hotel, where two chaise longues and a Jacuzzi called to me from the terrace of my suite. With vaulted ceilings and tiled floors, and toiletries by Acqua di Parma, the hotel’s rooms and suites are furnished with an ecclesiastical elegance befitting modern-day pilgrims who worship along the Amalfi Coast. Divinity has never seemed so attainable. 

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That’s the case at the Splendido, a Belmond Hotel, which has more than 120 years of history behind it and is among the most famous luxury hotels in the world. With its unchanging presence above the northern Italian seaside town of Portofino, it inspires awe from the casual visitor and love from its fiercely loyal clientele.

This year the hotel undertook part of a multiphase renovation, including of its swimming pool, restaurant and its Baronessa Suite. The plan was, as the hotel put it, to “seamlessly blend tradition with design”; Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, which oversaw the direction, took inspiration from tradition, local materials, native plants and “Ligurian coastal villa living.”

Let’s start with the refurbished pool, which is an absolute triumph. New tile work mirrors the blue-green colors of the sea, and when the water is still it perfectly reflects the sky and the pool deck’s jaunty, striped umbrellas. Since it’s an infinity-edge pool, guests can swim right up to the side for one of the best views in Italy.

Up on the next terrace is the newly done Splendido Grill restaurant, with hand-painted, green-and-white tile inspired by Albissola ceramics; a stone floor; comfortable seating; and a retractable sunshade. Not surprisingly, the menu shines when it comes to seafood, although the grill offerings are impressive. Everything is served on china with designs inspired by local nature.

Far from being ultramodern or sleek, the Splendido revels in its cozy feel. In the small lobby, black-and-white stone floors and potted plants give way to the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open up to the view. The cocktail bar around the corner is a study in intimacy. There are flowers everywhere: Dripping from every balcony, on little flower pots on the terrazzo tables, in giant urns in the lobby.

I didn’t see the refurbished suite (it was this summer in Europe, so naturally it was occupied), but the suite I looked at is in keeping with the Splendido vibe: soft, romantic, a little sweet, a little old-fashioned. Think flowers, chandeliers, wainscotting, a soaking tub clad in white marble and wood. Little details count: A tea set on the table includes Ginori 1735 porcelain teacups in an Oriente Italiano pattern.

Back for more 

Like the Splendido’s clientele, I had fallen under its spell years ago (by the way, as Davide Bertolino, the hotel’s public relations manager tells me, it’s the SPLEN-dee-doh, never the Splen-DEE-doh). On my first visit 20 years ago, I walked the paths behind Portofino’s town, climbing higher and higher until I accidentally came to the Splendido’s side road. On the second trip, I had lunch on the terrace. I left Portofino later that afternoon on the Silver Shadow, but somehow my heart stayed behind.

And I hadn’t been back until this summer, when a business trip took me to Genoa. I got off the plane, went to my hotel, changed my clothes and hired a taxi to propel me to Portofino posthaste.

The driver left me in Portofino’s Piazza della Liberta, and I strolled down to the harbor where the late afternoon sun was bouncing off the deep-blue waters and reflecting the warm tones of the buildings and the brilliant white of the yachts. As of yore, I found the path behind the Loro Piana and hiked up to the Splendido.

I arrived somewhat sweaty — maybe I was more fit 20 years ago? And the first thing I did was to head to La Terrazza Bar and order a Negroni.

Picturesque perch 

Admiring the view with a Negroni and doing nothing is an excellent way to spend your time at the Splendido, but there’s also a tennis court, the Jardin des Reves spa area and a shuttle service down to Splendido Mare, the sister property in town, where guests can shop or have lunch and a gelato at one of the harborside restaurants. Guests can rent the resort’s Chris-Craft motorboat, and it also keeps a private sun deck at the Bagni Fiore beach in nearby Paraggi. There are countless other activities in the region.

But for me, I was happy to enjoy La Terrazza, breathing deeply and letting my cares slide away as the boats zipped in and out of the harbor and the sun slowly set behind Castello Brown. 

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“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,” said Fordham, citing impact from wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, as well as the looming threat of escalating tensions between China and Taiwan.

And while Fordham acknowledged that the last 30 years 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. 

“We need to be prepared for an extended period of geopolitical disruption,” warned Fordham. 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 the tipping point,” she explained, labeling this critical juncture an “inflection point” instead.

“Inflection point is meant to convey a sense of the multiple possibilities,” said Fordham. “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.”

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 whitepaper indicating that younger consumers — specifically those age 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 physical 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,” said Lau. “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 the evening’s final speaker, James Wallman, CEO of the World Experience Organization.

Wallman heralded the start of what he called the “experience revolution,” describing 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,” said Wallman. “And I think the experience revolution will transform quality of life. Just as our forefathers and foremothers, 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.”

The 22nd edition of ILTM Cannes, held this year from Dec. 4 to 7, is the largest ever in the event’s history, with more than 2,100 buyers and 2,100 exhibitors in attendance. 

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It’s a lofty claim, but as I sat on the terrace of the property’s Unik The Kitchen rooftop restaurant, a plate of perfectly seared scallops atop a parsnip puree in front of me and the lights of Cancun’s Hotel Zone twinkling across the water, it certainly felt valid.

What constitutes the pinnacle of luxury all-inclusive may be subjective, but at the 125-room Impression Isla Mujeres, which I visited in early November as part of a media trip, the benchmark translates into a blend of boutique, bespoke hospitality with all the bells and whistles of a high-end, all-inclusive concept.

Opened earlier this year, the Impression Isla Mujeres is the second all-inclusive to debut as part of the adults-only Impression by Secrets brand, originally launched by Hyatt Hotels Corp. as a Secrets Resorts & Spas offshoot.

It’s also the first Impression to be built without free-flow access to a larger, neighboring sister all-inclusive within Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection portfolio.

The result is a secluded and intimate feel, enhanced all the more by the fact that the only way to access Isla Mujeres, a five-mile-long sliver of an island roughly 25 miles off the coast of Cancun, is by boat. The Impression Isla Mujeres makes the most of this fact by offering guests complimentary roundtrip boat transfers, via either the resort’s catamaran or speedboat, direct to the property’s private dock. 

While poor weather thwarted my own private boat arrival, and I was rerouted by ferry to the island, the skies and sea were tranquil for my departure. Checkout day is always a bit bittersweet but getting to hop aboard a speedboat as part of the process certainly helped take away some of the sting. 

Also adding to the resort’s boutique cachet is its high-end design, which seamlessly combines Mediterranean-inspired architecture — think whitewashed stone arches and cascading steps reminiscent of Santorini — with traditional Mexican materials and locally crafted decorative elements. 

In the guestrooms details abound, from aesthetic features like a textured accent wall and intricately woven art to more practical additions like automatic window shades that close at the touch of a button and convenient bulk-size bath amenities from cult-favorite perfume brand Le Labo. 

In my own Signature Junior Suite King Ocean Front accommodation, the standout element was the exceptionally private balcony space. Outfitted with a hot tub and cozy built-in couch, the crowning touch was a woven hammock, which offered an ideal perch from which to gaze out at the turquoise waters of Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

Also notable is the fact that exploration beyond the resort gates is not only an option here but is encouraged. The Impression Isla Mujeres has a fleet of electric bicycles at the ready, with a complimentary morning bike tour available daily, stopping at various landmarks across the island, including a local cemetery.

Many complimentary, on-site activities — including yoga, stretching and crafting sessions — are also offered throughout the day.

These boutique-style features, however, are enhanced by a vast array of more traditional all-inclusive staples available on site. Despite a more compact footprint, the Impression Isla Mujeres is home to multiple pools; a full-service spa; a stretch of private, man-made beach; a four-story waterslide; and seven restaurants and five bars, making it nearly impossible to sample every option and experience over the course of a weekend stay.

For guests who want all the choice associated with an all-inclusive without sacrificing a more intimate and luxe setting, Impression Isla Mujeres strikes the right balance.

A high-end haven in the making

Isla Mujeres may boast proximity to one of Mexico’s top tourist hot spots, but the island still retains a reputation of being somewhat off the beaten path.

According to Alex Zozaya, former CEO of Apple Leisure Group and owner of the Impression Isla Mujeres, the destination has the opportunity to develop into a premier luxury market. During a chat with media, Zozaya likened Isla Mujeres’ potential to that of Formentera, a Spanish island located just south of Ibiza.

“Ibiza is the Cancun of Europe, but Formentera is pristine, beautiful and super high-end,” said Zozaya, adding that Isla Mujeres, “with good product,” could achieve the same level of prestige.

The debut of the Impression Isla Mujeres, which commands one of the highest nightly rates on the island, has certainly given the destination a jump-start. And more projects are in the pipeline, with Zozaya citing a nearby development under construction that’s expected to join Marriott International’s Luxury Collection.

“We’re changing the tourism in Isla Mujeres,” said Zozaya. “We’re seeing nicer restaurants and nicer beach clubs, and so, I think it’s the start of something.” 

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The answer is that the line, which relaunched this month in Europe after shutting down in early 2022, will eventually offer a variety of exclusive A&K excursions.

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group had less than a year to hire staff, build itineraries and secure tours after acquiring the assets of the collapsed Crystal Cruises last summer. That left the cruise line scrambling to secure excursions that other lines had booked years ahead of time.

But with the first of the reborn brand’s two ships now back in operation and the second launching Sept. 1 from Athens, the seeds are being planted to offer excursions designed by A&K, said Jacqueline Barney, senior vice president of global marketing.

However, it will take until 2025 for those luxury excursions to fully flower. In 2024, some Crystal excursions will be curated by A&K, and in 2025 the company will have excursions designed by A&K specifically for Crystal voyages. For now, Crystal excursions will be typical of what a guest can expect from a luxury line, said Barney.

The eventual goal is to provide exclusive events and experiences that Barney described as “super mind-blowing.” The excursions will be aimed at helping people cross experiences off their bucket lists, Barney said, and will be available across the globe. For example, a world cruise could include overland trips that take guests off the ship for several days to climb Machu Picchu or visit the Galapagos, she said.

A goal is also to offer new, one-of-a-kind experiences each year, adding a sense of exclusivity to the Crystal cruise product. While A&K currently provides excursions for other cruise lines, Crystal will offer a range of A&K experiences that will be exclusive to the line, she said.

Crystal also hopes to provide what Barney called “tailor-made” individualized tours driven by the wants of individual guests. Barney said there is no timeline for that product, although the line is aiming for 2025.

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You have to look for the nuances. 

That’s the idea with the Seabourn Pursuit, the second of Seabourn’s expedition ships, which was delivered to the line July 31 at the T. Mariotti shipyard here. The first is the Seabourn Venture, which rolled out of T. Mariotti last year with the same deck plan, design and expedition mission. As far as the cabins, the public spaces, the ice-class hull — the ships are the same. 

The Pursuit has that intimate feel that comes with a small ship of 264 passengers. There are several gathering places in which to eat, drink and chat over the day’s adventures, from the top deck Constellation Lounge on Deck 9 forward, above the bridge, to the cozy, wood-paneled Exploration Lounge on the main deck. The main Restaurant is big enough to seat all passengers at once.

When the weather is fine, guests may gravitate to outdoor spaces, such as the hot tubs and infinity-style pool on the ship’s aft that provide wake views; up above at the Sky Bar; or out front on the bow.

The primary difference between the Pursuit and the Venture is the art, which Adam Tihany, the ship’s designer, said varies “significantly.” There are more than 700 pieces onboard the Pursuit, and Tihany said that for each ship, he and Seabourn worked with different art consultants with different sensibilities.

The ships will also differ in their sailing regions. Both will operate in Antarctica during the winter, but when the Venture heads back to the Arctic, the Pursuit will follow an easterly track to the South Pacific and the Kimberley region of Australia. Perhaps to reflect this, a giant panel that greets Pursuit guests at the entrance to the Explorers Lounge is a colorful, tropical-hued abstract depiction of a volcano, palm fronds and rolling hills.

Seabourn’s new president

A big difference at the handover ceremony was the new boss at Seabourn: Natalya Leahy took over as president in March from Josh Leibowitz, who had presided over the Venture delivery.

Walking the ship in a navy suit dress, Seabourn lapel pin and a broad smile, Leahy couldn’t help but telegraph excitement about her first delivery. At Holland America Line Group, which oversaw Seabourn at the time, Leahy was part of the team that dreamed up the expedition ships. One of her “proudest achievements” so far in her tenure, she said, was the Pursuit’s delivery.

“The vision was not to change Seabourn but to take Seabourn to the next level,” she said. “Bring it into the expedition space.” 

Leahy pointed out later that Seabourn had been doing expedition-style cruising for several years before the Venture and Pursuit were sketched out and commissioned. Guests appreciate “life-enriching experiences and creating connection with the world,” she said. Inspired by that, it started looking for ships “that enable that capability to go even deeper, even closer, and get this experience for our guests.”

By “bringing ultraluxury into the expedition space,” she said, Seabourn has made expedition cruising accessible to that segment of travelers without asking them “to compromise anything in their way of travel.” 

In a brief twist, the Pursuit is doing a series of more traditional cruise itineraries in the Mediterranean before it begins its expedition program in the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica this fall.

But the ships are clearly designed for more extreme elements. The Pursuit has a raft of 24 Zodiacs lashed to the top deck; wispy, water-vapor fireplaces in some lounges; heated gear lockers in the cabins; and spaces given over to technical and educational, ahem, pursuits. One of those is the Bow Lounge, where passengers can view screens of nautical charts, ship position and video of scenery and wildlife as they make their way to and from the viewing deck on the bow.

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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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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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Based in Marylebone, The Landmark London is adjacent to Marylebone train station and a mere five minute walk from Baker Street tube station. It has been a hotel on my bucket list for several years and so I was super excited to stay there for the night, to try out the afternoon tea, the dinner as well as the breakfast. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Rupert who swiftly took my bags and showed me the way to the reception.

The entranceway was grand with a marble flooring and a statement table with an array of orchids sitting on top. After checking in with the friendly staff at reception, I was shown to my suite by one of the staff members whilst my luggage was also making its way up to the first floor.

Rooms

The five star hotel has 300 rooms including 51 suites, based over six floors and there are four rooms to pick from including a superior room, a deluxe room, an executive room and an executive family room.

The generous superior rooms boast a classic style mixed with contemporary, giving you a cosy but luxe experience. It has a queen size bed with an Italian marble bathroom along with some White Company toiletries.

A deluxe room features a king size bed with a classic seating area along with a sleek marble bathroom, while the executive room boasts a sofa, desk and a generous seating area.

All of the rooms vary in price and also vary depending on when visiting, but on average the superior room is available for £400 a night.

In terms of suites, there are six available including the Marylebone family studio, the Marylebone suite, the atrium suite, the landmark suite, the great central suite and the presidential suite.

I checked into the Marylebone suite which was extremely luxurious, featuring an elegant and huge bedroom area with frosted French doors separating it from the large cosy lounge.

The room features gorgeous patterned carpet and cream wallpaper, along with a sofa, armchair and desk in the living room. It also had its own lobby area with a console table, perfect for storing shoes and suitcases.

Amenities included a Nespresso machine along with an array of coffees, teas and hot chocolates as well as two smart televisions which gave you information about the hotel, room service and the ability to watch YouTube or television.

The king size bed was dressed with crisp white linen and four two comfortable pillows, and it was the comfiest bed I had ever slept in. 

In the gorgeous marble bathroom, there were two sinks, a walk-in shower as well as a deep bath, which was packed full of Molton Brown toiletries.

A walk-in wardrobe could also be found inside the sink area of the bathroom with two white bathrobes to enjoy the complimentary access to the spa. 

The suite also offered room service, laundry service and a concierge service, which was all detailed in the information book on the desk.

This room felt so cosy and homely and was extremely comfortable to stay in for the night due to its classic and elegant styling. It was spotless too, with not a single mark on the cream curtains or light blue carpet.

What’s more, the suite looked over the central atrium where I could see the tall palm trees and greenhouse-like roof which let in lots of light.

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Again, prices vary on the Marylebone suite but it is one of the more luxurious rooms at the hotel, costing around £800 per night.

While this may seem expensive, other London hotels such as The Ritz London can go for up to £2,000 a night while The Dorchester costs £1,900 a night on average for a suite.

Dining

There are several dining options at The Landmark London and you don’t have to be a resident to visit them, unless it’s the weekend when certain rules apply, including resident only guests at the breakfast buffet.

I’ve always wanted to try the afternoon tea at this hotel as it is located in the Winter Garden restaurant, located under the palm trees, giving you an al fresco dining experience, indoors.

The Winter Garden is absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by houseplants, cosy lighting all set under a magnificent glass roofed atrium and the afternoon tea was something like I’ve never tried before.

Due to visiting close to Valentine’s Day, the menu was based around the occasion. From delicious sandwiches including organic egg mayonnaise with black truffle and chives to coronation chicken on walnut bread.

My waiter, Helmi, was absolutely amazing and catered to my dietary requirements by letting me choose the sandwiches which I liked the look of the most.

I also found it unusual that the sandwiches were almost unlimited, with staff members carrying around trays of extra fresh sandwiches for the guests which is really rare.

The scones melted in the mouth and you had the option of a variety of different jams which I’ve never seen before at afternoon teas. This included strawberry, raspberry, rhubarb redcurrant and vanilla, marmalade and apricot.

The dessert options included a strawberry and white chocolate macaron, a raspberry and ginger jam tart, a salted pistachio choux pastry along with a mango and passionfruit tart, but these options do change depending on when you visit the restaurant.

I’ve been to quite a few afternoon teas throughout the years, including a visit to The Ritz London, and I can confidently say that this topped them all, and I would highly recommend. Prices start at £65 per person, but do vary depending on if you have an alcoholic beverage or not.

For dinner options, you can either eat in the Winter Garden restaurant or head downstairs to the Great Central Pub by Matt Fletcher which offered a more relaxed dining experience.

There were a number of pub classics to pick from but I decided to go for the pan roasted chicken breast which came with creamed savoy cabbage, carrots and a bacon and mushroom sauce.

The chicken melted in my mouth and the sauce was absolutely delicious. I also had a couple of cocktails from the menu which were divine, including an orange, pineapple and almond syrup beverage.

Sides included hand cut chips with rosemary salt, buttered tenderstem broccoli and a chard with rocket and spinach salad. Pudding options included a classic Eton mess, chocolate nut sundae, lemon brulee tart and a British cheese board.

This pub, which is open to the public, was extremely affordable considering the location of it. With a beef burger meal costing £15 and a pudding at £6, I will definitely be revisiting it.

The hotel is also home to The Mirror Bar which operates on a walk-in policy basis and services a huge array of alcoholic drinks. Inside the bar was intimate, and it had various stylish seating areas which felt extremely luxe.

The breakfast buffet was also amazing, with a trolley packed full of continental options as well as porridge, fresh fruit and toast.

You could also get a freshly cooked breakfast too, including a traditional English dish or buttermilk pancakes. The yoghurts were so easy and the Danish pastries were so fresh and melted in the mouth.

Overlooking the Winter Garden, the Garden Terrace is another gorgeous lounge area, ideal for a coffee, drink or a light meal. I went for a hot chocolate which was so creamy and thick, although for £7 a drink, I did expect it to be nice.

Amenities

Residents can also escape the busy London streets and retreat to the spa inside the hotel, where you can have a swim or indulge in a variety of body treatments.

It features an array of facilities and treatments for relaxation, exercise and pure enjoyment. From facials to massages, the list of treatments is endless.

However, the treatments were extremely pricey, with a 50 minute aromatic massage available for £115 which I did think was quite expensive but located in London, I’m sure there are pricier places.

There is a hair and beauty salon open to guests and non residents too, offering colour treatments, blow drys and haircuts as well as nail treatments.

Overall thoughts

I absolutely loved this night away and the hotel staff were extremely friendly and accommodating, which often makes the stay much more enjoyable.

Everything about the stay was exquisite, from the afternoon tea to the room to the breakfast buffet. The rooms are expensive, but for London and the quality stay you’re getting, I think it’s extremely worth it if you fancy a treat.

Many of the residents staying there had been gifted the stay from family members which they absolutely loved.

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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. 

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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