Meaning “home” in Swedish, this cosy and stylish hotel owned by
Jeannette Mix (and designed by one of my design heroes, Ilse
Crawford) really does feel like a home away from home. With no
“back of house” to speak of, the hotel flows as it would if you
lived there. The conversion of a former arts and crafts building,
Ett Hem is built for cosying up by a crackling fire, reading books
and eating a variety of sweet Swedish pastries.

This impeccably styled boutique hotel in the heart of
Marrakech has a rooftop pool and terrace which gives way to
hypnotic views of the city. Each room is individual in its design
with vibrant jewel-coloured walls, retro 1960s and 1970s furniture,
Moroccan art, rugs and other beautiful bits and pieces. It’s a
relaxing place to spend a few days with good food.

For me, this hotel is the definition of glamour. Harbouring
sentimental memories – we went there the night after we got engaged
to celebrate and watch the sunset – there’s an air of romance about
Le Sirenuse (rose-tinted glasses or otherwise). A great place for
an aperitivo, people watching and gazing at the popularised bay of
Positano on the Amalfi
Coast.

Botswana has
a very special place in my heart. Sitting on the back of an open
vehicle looking for animals is my favourite sort of holiday; I find
it really restorative to spend so much time in silence, staring at
nature, waiting to see the twitch of a lion’s ear through the long
grass. Jack’s Camp is richly decorated, full of colour (unusual for
a safari camp) and finished in Arabian style. The desert
landscape – in its glorious shades of ochre and sienna – is the
epitome of natural beauty.

This hotel is set in Robertson Valley in the winelands just a
few hours outside of Cape
Town. Although I am a little biased – Studio Ashby did the
interiors – the project ensure that refurbishment were completed by
100% African makers, artisans and designers. A very special spot,
it’s full of stories and memories from a time when I was lucky
enough to go back to my homeland regularly and soak up some
contemporary African art and design in the process.

I’m itching to go and stay here! La Granja looks so peaceful and paired back – something I could never do because I like “stuff” too much. Full of texture, light and shadow with simple, natural materials and minimal furniture La Granja seems to be the spot to relax and unwind for a few days. I’ve heard the food is fantastic, too.

This place is very dear to me, it’s the first time Charlie and I
went on holiday together. We had such a precious week exploring
Puglia
and sampling the best
Italianfood in surroundings ranging from caves to hillsides.
Beach adjacent, the design of the hotel is playful and fun and it
run by loveliest staff – in all, Masseria is a great option for an
intimate escape.

This hotel is a real “once in a lifetime” spot. Located on a
private island in Indonesia,
the Misool Eco Resort ticks a lot of boxes: quiet, luxurious and
eco-aligned. The tranquility that comes with exchanging your alarm
clock for the lilting sound of waves lapping on the shores will
leave you wondering how you can make this is a more than once in a
lifetime destination.

Charlie proposed to me here and it will forever be the most
magical place on earth. Formerly a 17th-century monastery,
Monastero Santa Rosa is a luxurious five-star hotel, surrounded by
tiered gardens. In other words, total heaven. It also has the best
spa I’ve ever been to with products from my favourite perfumer
Santa Maria Novella; we had a massage using a candle of scented
aromatic essential oils which was indescribably good.

This South African hotel is owned by former Elle Decoration Editor Karen Roos, who unsurprisingly has an impeccable eye for design and detail. The Cape Dutch house and surrounding buildings form the nucleus of the estate but the contemporary restaurant and wine-tasting room is the main draw. The surrounding gardens – conceived by French architect Patrice Taravella – heave with fresh fruit and veg (more than 300 varieties of edible plants grown) which also appear on the kitchen’s ever-changing menu.