DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON
DEPARTURES TRAVEL ON THE RADAR 18 LAND OF PLENTY ITALIAN WHIRL Il Bel Paese’s famed hospitality is undergoing a renaissance of its own. SOMETIMES DECADENT, sometimes dominant, Venice is the beating heart of the Italian high life. Located in the contemporary art district, Arsenale, Ca’ di Dio (vretreats.com), a rejuvenated 66-key sanctuary, epitomises both this city’s glorious past and a new spirit, with the palatial surrounds (some of which date back to the 13th century) imbued with contemporary touches and all mod cons, including an intimate spa and a trio of charming gastro outlets. Heading south to Tuscany, Casa Ojalá (casaojala.it), at the Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, offers an entirely new experience – an adaptable cabin ensconced in nature that allows guests to go off grid completely. Via a series Scaling rocky desert terrain on a morning hike Negev Desert – is the fabled region’s first five-star oasis. Conceived around a zerowaste target (the hotel even produces its own drinking water), pride of place is writ large here: the suites and pool villas were built with and inspired by native rocks and pigments, and are accented with pieces by local artisans, while the culinary programme is informed of levers and pulleys, the configuration of the nautically inspired cylindrical structure, designed by Italian architect Beatrice Bonzanigo, can be adjusted to suit the whim of the occupant to best enjoy the gorgeous scenery of a Tuscan vineyard. Small is also beautiful in Milan, where Vico Milano (vicomilano. com), a seven-bedroom boutique hotel in the heart of the city – built on the site where the legendary Legnano racing bikes were once made – is an ultra-chic residence in what is now one of Milan’s most fashionable neighbourhoods. For more accommodation away from the hustle and bustle, Borgo Santandrea (borgosantandrea.it) in Amalfi is a consummate coastal treasure, perched 90 metres above sea level, but with easy access to the beach, should one want to wander down from the hotel’s scenic terraces and picturesque gardens. La dolce vita, indeed. – John McNamara From left: a common area at Borgo Santandrea; Casa Ojalá at Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco by ingredients from the resort’s own gardens or nearby kibbutzim. Extracurriculars include mindful hikes and camel treks across meandering desert trails, or excursions to Petra, the Dead Sea or Mount Karkom – each an eye-opening experience best crowned by a locally inspired treatment at the signature spa. sixsenses.com – Claudia Whiteus Wildlife Spotting SNOW LEOPARDS IN LADAKH The forthcoming LungMār in India’s far north will allow guests to trace the elusive snow leopard while staying in hi-tech tents entirely off the grid. Focused on making a positive impact in the local community, 95 per cent of staff are local and all the kit – from fine wool blankets to the earth-sheltered sauna – are made by local craftsmen. snowleopardcamp.com – Brian Noone CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © SIX SENSES, LARRY BEHZAD, LUCA MISEROCCHI, ENZO RANDO PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE BEFORE BOOKING TRAVEL OR DEPARTING ON ANY TRIP
COUNTER CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: SIM CANETTY-CLARKE (2), © WILDHIVE AT CALLOW HALL, © GLENEAGLES TOWN HOUSE, © BEAVERBROOK TOWN HOUSE TALK OF THE TOWN HOUSES A pair of storied UK retreats are debuting evocative urban sister properties. Here’s how they stack up. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION INTERIOR MOTIVES ON THE MENU GETTING ACTIVE BONUS REEL From top: Keythorpe Hall’s rustic interior; cuisine at Keythorpe Hall is informed by ingredients from the hotel’s own gardens; a firelit lounge at Wildhive at Callow Hall GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE, EDINBURGH ESTATES OF MIND The Perthshire resort’s new members’ club is housed in a historic edifice on St Andrews Square Maximalist, Georgian-inspired fittings across 33 guest rooms, a chandeliered lounge and co-working snug Lazy lunches, three-course dinners, and locally inspired cocktails and wines in the scenic rooftop bar Yoga or spinning sessions at the wellness area, which also boasts a cryotherapy chamber and infrared sauna The social calendar, from games nights to wine tastings, and boozy weekend brunches scored by live music, gleneagles.com/townhouse INTO THE WOODS Country-house hotels with a deep sense of place are blossoming in Britain. THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE is among the most saturated of hospitality landscapes, and yet there remain many corners ripe for discovery. Take Wildhive at Callow Hall (wildhive. uk) in Derbyshire, where the 15-bed Victorian manse has been entirely made over and joined by charming cabins and treehouses – as well as a spa – in the 14ha grounds. In relatively unloved Leicestershire, meanwhile, Keythorpe Hall (keythorpehall.co.uk) is a passion project that has been lovingly restored with sustainability in mind over many years, turning the grand estate into a welcoming, idiosyncratic retreat with beautiful gardens and a locavore restaurant developed by chef Nurdin Topham, formerly of NUR in Hong Kong after a decade at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Up in Scotland, Cameron House (cameronhouse.co.uk) is larger-than-life baronial seat that has been refurbished with exceptional care. Set amid the splendour of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park with 360-degree views, the 140-room hostelry features design by Scottish stars Timorous Beasties and Johnstons of Elgin as well as an expansive spa, on-site 18-hole championship golf course and an unsurpassed array of outdoor pursuits, from kayaking to falconry. – BN BEAVERBROOK TOWN HOUSE, LONDON The urban sequel to the Surrey Hills estate resides in a pair of Georgian town houses overlooking Cadogan Gardens Each of the 14 colourful, vintage-style suites pay homage to different historic London theatres Sushi and robata specialities at the Fuji Grill, which is adorned with rare 19th-century Japanese woodblock prints An exercise class with partner studio KXU – or a bout of retail therapy in boutiqueladen Chelsea High-concept libations at Sir Frank’s Bar, an Art Deco space filled with whimsical period artefacts, beaverbrooktownhouse.co.uk – CW DEPARTURES 19
