ADVERTORIAL • February 2019

European luxury: the hotels for every season

Whether you’re punting the Amstel river in spring or curling up by a Swiss fire for the winter, Ritz Carlton, St Regis and W Hotels will have you sheltered in style, no matter the season. Here, we take you through six of its most luxe-offerings in the cities ready to impress seasoned, and seasonal, wanderers alike

For spring

Where: W Amsterdam
Why: The best place to lay your head as tulip season blossoms in the Dutch capital is undoubtedly W Amsterdam. Formed of two exquisite buildings (a converted bank and ex-telephone exchange), the former is now the site of 66 stylish rooms and the hotel’s gorgeous boutique spa, where visitors can enjoy a variety of relaxing treatments and full access to a stone-cut, heated pool. The latter, true to its origins, serves as a connection point for people from all over the world, this time with 172 rooms and some of the most captivating springtime views available in Amsterdam. The ultimate luxury? Try one of the bank or exchange buildings swish suites, filled with outdoor hot tubs, fashionable fittings and up to 184sqm worth of space.

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For late spring/early summer:

Where: St Regis Rome
Why: Situated beside the great Piazza della Repubblica, high-ceilinged and draped in luxurious Rubelli fabrics, the mighty St Regis Rome is a palace worthy of an emperor. Dating back to 1894, this grand bolthole is the home of the artful Caelum lounge & bar – an indulgent space of curated artefacts where Murano chandelier crystals catch the firelight and hand-crafted mosaics embellish the marble floors beneath your feet. Then, when you’re ready to explore the city (the home of perfectly balmy temperatures as summer moves in), just step outside the doorway and into the shadows of Rome’s most famous landmarks.

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For summer

Where: St Regis Florence
Why: The St Regis in Florence has enjoyed over a century of acclamation; one peek inside and you’ll understand why. Each of its rooms offers a stunning view of the surrounding hillsides, while each – finished in Medici, Florentine or Renaissance styles – features its own bespoke interior complete with coffered ceilings and Italian frescos. After you’ve finished gazing, we recommend heading to the hotel’s Winter Garden Bar, ordering a glass of wine and toasting the Tuscan sun as it sets beyond the summer vineyards to the East.

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For autumn

Where: Ritz Carlton, Istanbul
Why: Turkey’s largest city carefully walks the line between traditional and modern, and it’s a balance that the Ritz Carlton Istanbul has been careful to emulate in its lauded design aesthetic. The stunning Istanbul branch blends Ottoman patterns with an à la mode colour-scheme and designer furniture to create unparalleled opulence in this Queen of Cities. Guests can soak up the ambience inside or out with a selection of suites privy to exceptional Bosphorus views beyond. Perfect for an autumn city break – when the city opens the institution doors that remained closed in summer – finish a day sightseeing with a trip to the Atelier Real Food restaurant, featuring farm-to-table dishes and a showcase cellar stacked with 150 local and international wines.

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For late autumn/early winter

Where: Ritz Carlton Hotel De La Paix, Geneva
Why: As the cold season sets in, the ‘Peace Capital’ is at its most magical. Lights glow from cottage windows and snow forms on the bank of Lake Geneva. Ritz Carlton’s Hotel De La Paix has been placed with these spectacles in mind, boasting a Mount Blanc backdrop and just a stone’s throw from Lake Geneva’s edge. Dating back to 1865, it places amongst the city’s oldest and most celebrated five star hotels, helped by the recent, no-expense-spared redesign of its rooms and suites. For a warm winter’s treat, you need venture no further than the lobby to find the Philippe Pascoet Chocolate Shop selling delicious morsels dreamt up by the famous chocolatier himself.

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For winter

Where: W Verbier
Why: The W Verbier’s high-altitude, highly alluring winter lodge provides guests with gyms, an Away Spa and immediate access to over 400km of skiing and hiking terrain. The proof’s in the silverware – it was voted Switzerland’s ‘Best Ski Hotel, 2016’ and the ‘World’s Best Ski Hotel, 2016’ at the highly reputed World Ski Awards. Here, at a whopping 1,531 metres, you can enjoy six restaurants and bars adorned with an alpine touch, plus 300sqm of event space, all year round. And with access to the ski slopes from its very doorstep, remember to bring an appetite for adventure.

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This article has been tagged Advertorial, Hotels