Khao Yai

Composed of one of Asia’s largest intact monsoon forests, Khao Yai lies two hours north east of Bangkok along the lush Sankamphaeng Mountain Range and is Thailand’s third largest national reserve. Towering trees with tangled, sprawling roots are home to over 200 species of birds, most notably the imposing hornbills, and the thick forest houses gibbons, tigers, Malayan sun bears, Asiatic black bears, deer and a couple hundred elephants. Hiking, kayaking, rafting and night safaris are all on the menu at Khao Yai, where your camera should definitely have a well-deserved place in your backpack.

Mu Koh Surin

One for the water babies, Mu Koh Surin’s immaculate white beaches and turquoise water are straight off a typically tempting Thai postcard. About 60km from the coast of Phang Nga in the Andaman Sea, the park is comprised of five islands and boasts one of the best diving sites in the whole country, Richelieu Rock, with sea turtles, puffer fish, parrot fish, hermit crabs and hundreds more. Stay for a night to squeeze in as much water time as possible and for the real paradise island experience.

Doi Inthanon

Named after Thailand’s highest mountain which the national park encompasses, Doi Inthanon is in Chiang Mai and the peak’s three waterfalls are as popular attractions as the mountain itself. Scale the 47km road to the top that winds through terraced rice fields, small Hmong and Karen tribe villages and stunning valleys and catch a breath-taking view from the top. One of the last habitats of the Asiatic black bear and the Assamese, as well as countless species of monkeys, birds and orchids, the park is well worth stopping by to try and catch a glimpse of some of the world’s rarest flora and fauna.

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Location:

Set in rural Gozo, just minutes from the island’s largest city Victoria and the dramatic coastline, the Kempinski is the ideal hideaway, whilst remaining within easy and convenient distance from all the local amenities and attractions, and only about 90 minutes from Malta airport by water taxi.

Your Room:

Each of the Kempinski hotel’s 122 rooms and suites are decorated in a chic Mediterranean style, from the cool marble of the floor to the honey coloured limestone in the bathroom. In this private haven, warm woods blend harmoniously with touches of terracotta, creating a relaxed yet elegant ambiance that remains completely in tune with nature. It goes without saying that all bedrooms are equipped with all the mod-cons you would expect from a modern luxury hotel such as the Kempinski, with air-conditioning, television, mini-bar, tea and coffee making facilities and your own private balcony on which to take in the blissfully tranquil surroundings. The Kempinski also offers apartment residences, ideal for those staying longer periods, or who prefer the intimacy and freedom of self-catering. The residences come complete with kitchen, air-conditioning, under floor heating, and hydro-massage baths, all in a comfortingly homely environment in keeping with the hotel’s style.

Why we like it:

The Kempinski is at the time secluded enough for you to feel like you’ve managed to get away from it all, whilst at the same time having all the local amenities, attractions and sights nearby, meaning you’ll have the best of both worlds. If you’re in need of a time-out from the frenetic pace of city life, the Kempinski’s spa, with its choice of Ayruvedic massages and therapies, exfoliating body scrubs and oriental Hammam will put you on the path to total relaxation. There is a great choice of bars; we love the atmospheric La Caverna wine bar, which offers a typical ‘Italian Enoteca’ ambiance and great antipasti platters. If you prefer to enjoy your aperitif outdoors, take a seat at the pool bar, where the long dusky evenings provide the perfect backdrop to a pre-diner drink. Speaking of the pool, the Kempinski’s is a particularly attractive one, lined with palm trees and exotic plants that provide a cool shade during the day. The rooms are particularly comfortable and generously spacious, and we love the fact that each one comes with a private balcony. The perfect get-away for a luxurious holiday retreat.

Look a little further under the skin of this fascinating country and you’ll find it’s challenging pre-conceptions, and surprising those who set foot on its soil (in the best possible way). Doing things differently is refreshing, and far more interesting than following the crowd.

It’s with this theory in mind that we’ve come up with Israel 3s, our new platform where we’re delving into the seductive world of contemporary, creative, Israeli culture, taking a look at what makes this country tick, and the movers and shakers behind the scenes from artists, to celebrated culinary masters. Take a look at our new video features and articles as we uncover what we think is one of the hippest places in the world right now.

Location

No place is too far from the other on the small-but-perfectly-formed island of Malta and the Xara Palace is only a fifteen minute drive from Malta’s international airport and twenty minutes from the beautiful capital of Valletta. In the quiet, narrow streets of country’s old political centre, the Xara is a couple of minutes’ leisurely stroll from the walled city’s main attraction of St. Paul’s Cathedral, minutes from the tree-lined cosmopolitan boulevards of Rabat awaiting outside city walls and a short ten-minute drive or bus-hop to a beach of your choice.

Your room

The Xara Palace’s 17 rooms are singularly designed, adorned with select period pieces and antique furniture, and four of which have their own Jacuzzi on a private terrace – a definite way to amplify your enjoyment of the countryside views, we like to think. Furnishings and fabrics, imported from Paris, are in soft neutral tones to compliment the golden sandstone walls both inside and outside the hotel; the interior is made up of wide arced hallways floored with polished marble and dotted with gold-framed paintings. Palazzo chic at its very best.

Why we like it

We do appreciate when a hotel’s ambience reflects its location and the Xara Palace does just that with great ease. Emulating its ancient surroundings and culture, the Xara Palace’s original local paintings, baroque furniture and picturesque internal courtyards make it authentically and atmospherically Maltese. It also doesn’t hurt that the award-winning restaurant de Mondion is one of Malta’s best, known for its modern take on Mediterranean fare and served on a terrace looking out over the island – not a bad way to spend a starry night.

Location

The Verdura Golf and Spa Resort is nestled on the south coast of Sicily near the seaside town of Sciacca. Set over 230 hectares of stunning landscape, it boasts 1.8 kilometres of coastline, which means you can walk down from you room to the beautiful pebble beach leading right to the water.

Your Room

There are just 203 rooms in this vast resort, giving guests a true sense of space and privacy. All rooms have private terraces with uninterrupted views of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The presidential suite features three private terraces, a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi, as well as an internal courtyard with outdoor seating. Ever care has been taken to increase the comfort of guests in these gorgeous suites with little details like a beach bag, private dining menu and extra storage adding to the experience.

Why We Like It

Places that cater for adults as well as little ones are always a favourite here at Black Tomato. With a world-class golf course and spa, the resort well and truly has the big kids covered. But, children will be just as charmed by the multitude of activities on offer in the two aged kids clubs. Young’uns will learn a welcome dance, have a cake party, go on treasure hunts, enjoy tennis aerobics and golf clinics, play with clay and learn to make pizza. While their older siblings can join in touch rugby, beach tennis, ping pong, darts and volleyball. Or relax in the cinema, take a cooking class or join in at the teenager’s cocktail and beach parties.

Location

The Ranch at Rock Creek is right in the heart of South-western Montana, just a short drive from international airports and near the historic mining town of Philipsburg. Guests can also organise private air travel or drive from nearby Missoula or Butte.

Your Room

Guests will have the luxury of choosing from three different sleeping options when staying at The Ranch at Rock Creek. For those looking for a little privacy there are twelve luxurious private homes that are still within comfortable walking distance of the Lodge. Or, you can stay in the Granite Lodge itself in one of the gorgeous iconic Western rooms designed to emulate themes, such as a great old railroad hotel from the turn of the century. If you want to really experience the gorgeous natural surroundings, however, you we can always arrange glamping in a luxurious canvas cabin located just yards from Rock Creek if you want to really immerse in nature and lie under the stars.

Why We Like It

The best way to our heart is through our stomach and there are a number of special dining events at The Ranch on a weekly basis. Feel like a Dutch oven dinner on the flagstone, or a rodeo bison burger barbeque or even a whole tasting menu in the Dining Room of the Granite Lodge – you guessed it, they’ve got it covered. Plus, the Silver Dollar Saloon is perhaps the best place, ever, to live-out your Wild Wild West fantasies. Sit down for an after dinner drink in the bar or get the ball rolling in the four-lane bowling alley; the Saloon offers a variety of games – including karaoke – for everyone to enjoy.

Location

Touchdown at LAX and in less than 30 minutes you will be settling into the very heart of Beverly Hills. Conveniently placed for a jaunt around LA’s Golden Triangle, the fabled Rodeo Drive is also on hand for a much needed dose of retail therapy.

Your Room

Plush cream carpets, billowing silk curtains and four poster beds – the Beverly Hills Hotel has rooms perfect for padding around in. You have the choice of staying either in one of the super luxe bedrooms or opt for a spacious suite with an alfresco patio or balcony offering stunning views across the LA landscape. Follow one of the winding paths within the hotel grounds and you’ll discover the hotel’s pink bungalows, tucked out of sight in the lush gardens. If you’re looking for ultimate privacy and a touch of Hollywood decadence then the bungalows are where to rest your head.

Why we like it

Imbued with Hollywood glamour, the hotel has become part of the Beverly Hills landscape and is so suffused by the history of Hollywood that it has become a veritable attraction in its own right. We love the classic 1950’s style that whisks you back to the Golden Age of Hollywood’s hills. To recoup after the transatlantic flight head to the hotel’s pool where you’ll be offered cooling towels, pastel-shade sorbets and, of course, a cleaning service for your sunglasses. The Fountain Coffee Room, with its sweeping counter, funky banana leaf wallpaper and famous soda fountain creates a quintessential Happy Days feeling, and offers an array of 1950′s delicacies including coke floats, shakes and gourmet coffees. Once the sun has set order a cocktail at Bar Nineteen12, named in honour of the year the hotel opened its doors. With live music as your soundtrack and Beverly Hills as your backdrop, this is as quintessentially Hollywood as it gets.