Historic hotels perfect for honeymoons

The 153-year-old legend of the French Riviera, Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc remains the inimitable crown jewel of the Côte D’azur

Hidden away at the southernmost tip of Cap d’Antibes, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, part of the prestigious Oetker Collection, has been the setting for deeply glamorous tête-à-têtes and soirées over the past 153 years, playing host to the great and the good in the worlds of art, film, literature, politics, fashion and, of course, royalty. Past guests include the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, and many more. The true Grand Dame of the Cote d’Azur remains beloved the world over by generations of families who return year after year.

Days at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc are best spent relaxing by the iconic saltwater infinity pool - that was dynamited out of basalt rock above the bay in 1914 - or, in one of the hotel’s private seaside cabanas, that have been part of the mythical Riviera experience since the 1930s.

This year, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc reopened its doors for the 2023 season to 46 reimagined suites, as well as a delectable new Italian restaurant, Giovanni’s - set under a verdant pergola in the shade of maritime pines - as well as an ultra-chic, new Dior Spa. United by a shared spirit and vision of discreet and authentic luxury, Dior and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc came together to unveil the multi-faceted Dior Spa Eden-Roc, which combines extreme refinement with warm simplicity.

To find out more, visit www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/hotel-du-cap-eden-roc 

Enjoy Scottish fine dining and endless country pursuits at the iconic hotel and estate in the rolling hills of Perthshire

Since opening its doors in June 1924, Gleneagles has been one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates. From hosting legendary parties for the stars of stage and screen, welcoming the biggest names in fashion and design, to historic meetings for innovators and big thinkers, the hotel has been the place to see and be seen for almost a century. A place where guests walk in the footsteps of a roll call of modern history’s greatest names; from presidents and prime ministers to princes and princesses, Gleneagles unites the majestic proportions and timeless elegance of the quintessential British stately home with the comfort and luxury of the world’s finest hospitality.

This glorious playground offers the ultimate in-country pursuits, with over 50 activities to choose from. For those seeking a touch of pampering, The Spa at Gleneagles is Scotland’s leading wellness destination, with innovative treatments containing healing botanicals from the Scottish landscape, as well as being the first country hotel in the UK to open a Dr Barbara Sturm skin clinic. Guests also have the country’s finest dining at their fingertips, with Restaurant Andrew Fairlie (Scotland’s only two Michelin Star restaurant), The Strathearn – a classic modern Scottish fine dining restaurant inspired by the golden age of railway travel – the 1920s-inspired American Bar and the glamorous Century Bar catering to guests’ every whim from sunrise to sundown.

To find out more, visit www.gleneagles.com

Paris’s first palace hotel, Le Bristol Paris remains a bastion of elegance, excellence, and innovation in the city of lights

When in Paris, there is truly nowhere more quintessentially Parisian to stay than Oetker Collection’s city legend, Le Bristol Paris – the first hotel in France to be awarded ‘Palace’ status when the classification was invented. With a glittering past guest list that includes Hollywood and fashion icons, glamour is enmeshed in the hotel’s DNA. From resident Burmese cat, Socrate, resplendent in his bespoke Goyard collar, to its location on the ultra-chic Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré (amidst Hermès, Givenchy, and Saint Laurent’s flagship boutiques), Le Bristol exudes Parisian joie de vivre at every turn.

The hotel is an exceptional setting best known for its outstanding dining tradition; its picturesque rooftop swimming pool; and its lush, 13,000ft² courtyard garden. A rare jewel in the heart of Paris – a place to drink and dine amidst fresh greenery and fragrant roses, shaded beneath white parasols – Le Jardin Français lures in-the-know locals and curious visitors to enjoy nature's splendour, creating a tranquil retreat in the heart of Paris. Stepping into Le Bristol’s main majestic atrium, one is whisked through plush corridors into chic rooms and suites, with many offering views of the Eiffel Tower and other famous landmarks. For art and food enthusiasts alike, guests can stay in the elegantly designed Azur Terrace Suite, spectacularly redecorated with creative direction by Vallauris, France-based artist, Agnès Sandahl, or feast on home-made pasta straight from the newly opened Pasta L’Atelier.

To find out more, visit www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris

The Westbury, Dublin, unveils spectacular transformation including new exclusive suite

The Westbury Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, renowned for its central location, refined luxury, and true Irish hospitality, has unveiled a spectacular transformation following an €8 million investment into its fifth and sixth floors. The newly designed suite levels are home to 18 Signature Suites, two of which feature expansive outdoor terraces, along with the PV Doyle Suite – the reimagined exclusive suite in honour of The Doyle Collection’s Founder, P.V. Doyle, an internationally regarded businessman and entrepreneur who opened his first hotel almost 70 years ago. The PV Doyle Suite is adorned with an impressive collection of artworks from Ireland’s most celebrated artists, such as Sol Y Sombra, a tapestry by renowned 20th century Irish artist, Louis Le Brocquy, which welcomes guests as they enter the suite. The Westbury was designed to bring a distinctive Art Deco, mid-century sophistication to the city of Dublin, with public spaces exuding glamour and conviviality but each room and suite offering calm, serene and unparalleled comfort. 

To find out more, visit www.doylecollection.com/hotels/the-westbury-hotel