Festive Afternoon Teas in London

Luxury, as the travel industry now defines it, is no longer about gold-plated faucets or bellhops who memorise your dog’s name (though, to be clear, hotels still absolutely do this). It’s about ease, serenity, and the sense that someone has anticipated your needs before you’ve had a chance to articulate them. That’s why The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025 list has become something like fashion month for the hospitality world: a global scoreboard of who’s doing luxury with intelligence and who’s simply doing it with chandeliers. Rosewood Hong Kong, which takes the No.1 spot this year, is a masterclass in contemporary Asian hospitality—sleek, quiet, obsessive about detail, and very good at making guests feel like the protagonists in a film directed by someone with a fondness for marble and natural light. Meanwhile, London continues its run as the city that can’t stop winning at hospitality. Claridge’s, Raffles at The OWO, The Connaught, and The Emory all landed on the list, as if the capital collectively decided it would monopolise the top hotel experience in every possible architectural style. Even beyond the M25, the much-Instagrammed Estelle Manor secured a place, confirming that countryside luxury is no longer about floral bedspreads but about moody lighting, discreet wellness programs, and the knowledge that someone will bring you a flawless martini no matter how far you venture from London. As always, this year’s list reflects more than rankings—it tells us where luxury is headed, and whose lobby you’ll see all over your feed next month. In a city where skyscrapers gleam like polished jewellery, Rosewood still manages to feel singular - anchored by its minimalist design language, its emphasis on spaciousness (rooms start at 53 sq.m., which is basically a penthouse in Hong Kong terms), and a level of service calibrated to make even the most seasoned traveller pause and say, “Oh… they really thought of everything.” 2. Four Seasons Bangkok Set along the Chao Phraya River, this Four Seasons property feels more like a waterside resort than a city hotel - and that’s precisely the point. With 299 contemporary rooms that unfold in soothing neutrals, it’s designed for decompression. The brand, which also secured the Ferrari Trento Most Admired Hotel Group Award, leans into a relaxed, luminous style here that Bangkok didn’t know it needed until it arrived. 3. Capella Bangkok Bangkok Capella Bangkok is what you book when you want Bangkok without the… Bangkok. Its 101 river-facing rooms are built around light, space, and serenity, each designed to function as a cocoon against the city’s buzz. The Capella Culturists elevate the stay further - essentially concierges with anthropology degrees, they orchestrate bespoke itineraries that make the city feel both intimate and newly discovered. 4. Passalacqua Lake Como The world’s most photographed lake gets yet another showstopper in Passalacqua, an 18th-century villa once home to Pope Innocent XI. With only 24 individually styled rooms - each dripping in historical detail - the hotel reads like a love letter to Italian craftsmanship. It returns this year as both The Best Hotel in Europe and Best Boutique Hotel , a deserved accolade for a place that makes Como’s already romantic landscape feel cinematic. 5. Raffles Singapore Singapore Raffles Singapore isn’t just a hotel; it’s a mood, a genre, maybe even a belief system. Opened in 1899 and still maintaining its pristine white façade, iconic Sikh doormen, and famously attentive butler service, it’s one of the few properties where you can genuinely time travel without leaving the lobby. The Singapore Sling was invented here, of course, but its charm isn’t nostalgic, it’s enduring. 26. Hotel Il Pellicano, Porto Ercole 27. Hôtel du Couvent, Nice 28. Soneva Fushi, Maldives 29. The Connaught, London 30. La Mamounia, Marrakech 31. Raffles London at The OWO, London 32. The Emory, London 33. Maroma, Riviera Maya 34. The Calile, Brisbane 35. The Lana, Dubai 36. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Monaco 37. Janu Tokyo, Tokyo 38. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai 39. One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit 40. Singita – Kruger National Park, Kruger National Park 41. Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Hong Kong 42. Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles 43. The Mark, New York 44. Las Ventanas al Paraíso, Los Cabos 45. The Tokyo Edition Toranomon, Tokyo 46. Hotel The Mitsui, Kyoto 47. Estelle Manor, Witney 48. Grand Park Hotel Rovinj, Rovinj 49. Hotel Sacher Vienna, Vienna 50. Mandapa, Bali

Christmas gifting used to be about practicality - a jumper, a watch, something that could survive the January sales. But in 2025, luxury has shifted. It’s no longer just about what’s expensive; it’s about what feels intentional . A well-chosen gift says: I’ve been paying attention. I know what makes you light up. It’s the same reason we linger over Diptyque candles we don’t need and save Loewe soap packaging like art - because good taste is, in itself, an experience. This year’s Goldfoil Edit isn’t about mass gifting or performative generosity. It’s a love letter to detail - the scent of a room when a candle’s just been lit, the way a handbag ages with you, the quiet thrill of something wrapped too beautifully to open. From tech disguised as jewellery to skincare that borders on alchemy, these are the gifts that define what luxury means now: personal, sensual, and quietly unforgettable. For When Budget Doesn’t Enter the Conversation For the person who considers more than enough a lifestyle choice. They’ve outgrown wish lists and can already afford what they want - which makes gifting them a creative act. Here’s how to impress someone who’s seen it all. For the Beauty Devotee Their bathroom shelf is better curated than most boutiques. They talk about peptides like some people talk about politics. Give them something worthy of their 10-step ritual. For the Jet-Setter For the one who treats airports like extensions of their wardrobe. Their luggage rolls smoother than your Wi-Fi, and their travel photos could double as campaign shots. For the Host There’s always one person who makes entertaining look easy - the table’s set, the music’s perfect, and the martinis come with conversation. These gifts honour the art of making it all look effortless. Luxury, this season, is less about perfection and more about feeling seen . It’s the perfume that recalls a place you’ve never been, the candle that turns your flat into a film set, the skincare you don’t technically need but can’t stop thinking about. Whether you’re spoiling someone else or indulging yourself - and let’s be honest, it’ll be both. These are the things worth wrapping slowly and opening even slower.

There is a stillness to the Maasai Mara that feels almost cinematic. The light drifts slowly across the plains, and everything seems to move in rhythm with it. At the newly opened Paradise Plains , a boutique safari camp from The Wilder Group, that sense of calm is part of the experience. Set in the quieter Musiara region of the reserve, Paradise Plains offers space to breathe and an uninterrupted connection to the landscape. Elephant herds often graze within view of the infinity pool, while lions from the Marsh Pride are known to wander nearby. The Mara River, which borders the camp, brings with it a chorus of bird calls and the sound of hippos moving through the water. The camp’s nine suites balance old-world charm with contemporary restraint. Locally made tents blend into the terrain with soft tones of sand and stone. Inside, traditional East African design meets subtle luxury through natural linen, antique kilims, and copper bathtubs positioned to face the open plains. Every detail feels intentional, designed to frame the wilderness rather than distract from it. Life at Paradise Plains follows the rhythm of the day. Mornings begin with coffee on a private deck as the sun rises over the savannah. Afternoons are spent on game drives or by the pool, watching the wildlife pass. Evenings end beside the campfire with a glass of South African wine and the sounds of the bush settling into night. Meals, designed by chef Riaan Coetzee, are served in the dining tent or under the stars. The menus focus on simple, seasonal flavours prepared with care. Guests can also take part in sundowners on the plains or a private lantern-lit dinner in the bush. A yoga deck overlooks the Mara River, a small spa offers treatments inspired by the landscape, and a curated boutique features handmade pieces from local artisans. Yet the real appeal of Paradise Plains is its atmosphere of quiet and openness. The camp operates in partnership with the local Maasai community and the Narok County Government. Most of the team come from nearby villages, and a share of the camp’s income directly supports local families. This collaboration gives Paradise Plains a purpose beyond hospitality, creating a model of tourism that benefits both people and place. Paradise Plains feels less like an escape and more like an immersion. It is a space for slow mornings, unhurried conversations, and a renewed connection to nature.

The House of Suntory has announced a new collaboration between its Hibiki Japanese Whisky and painter Hiroshi Senju , known for his large-scale waterfall works exhibited at institutions including the V&A and The Met. Launching this week in the UK, the project explores the shared craftsmanship behind whisky-making and fine art. Senju has created bespoke designs for the collector’s edition boxes of Hibiki 21-Year-Old and Hibiki 30-Year-Old , drawing on his ongoing fascination with nature and the movement of water. His design, titled Waterfall on Colours “Hibiki” , features ten shades of purple inspired by the Kokimurasaki gradient, a tone that symbolises both rarity and refinement in Japanese culture. Each bottle is presented as a keepsake. The Hibiki 30-Year-Old arrives in a traditional byōbu-style case with folding panels that echo the rhythm of Senju’s paintings. The 21-Year-Old pairs the same imagery with Hibiki’s balanced flavour profile, bringing a visual expression to the whisky’s sense of harmony. The collaboration reflects how two disciplines, blending and painting, share an understanding of time and precision. Senju’s process involves letting pigments flow freely across marble powder and water, while Hibiki’s master blenders work with whiskies from Yamazaki, Hakushu and Chita distilleries to create depth through restraint. Both whiskies are available in limited quantities at Harrods , Berry Brothers & Rudd and The Whisky Shop .

In the heart of Riyadh, one of Saudi Arabia’s most historic landmarks is preparing for a new life. The Red Palace, once the home of Crown Prince Saud, later King Saud, will reopen in 2026 as an ultra-luxury hotel under the vision of Boutique Group , the Saudi hospitality collective dedicated to transforming royal residences into extraordinary cultural destinations. Built in 1943, The Red Palace was once the stage for royal receptions, state banquets, and the quiet diplomacy that defined Saudi Arabia’s modern emergence. Its striking red façade and Art Deco flourishes made it a bold statement of progress at a time when the Kingdom was stepping confidently onto the world stage. Behind its grand symmetry lay a distinct blend of influences: European formality softened by the light and geometry of traditional Saudi architecture. The restoration by Aedas and interior designer Tristan Auer pays homage to this cosmopolitan legacy while shaping the Palace for a new generation of global travellers. Auer’s vision weaves together the textures of the past with the intimacy of modern design, creating spaces that retain the building’s royal gravitas but invite quiet reflection. With just seventy rooms and suites, The Red Palace has been conceived as a true boutique property, where privacy and personalisation are central to the experience. Guests will have access to salons, dining rooms, and gardens once reserved for Saudi royalty. Every detail of the transformation has been guided by a sense of reverence for the building’s heritage and a desire to revive the spirit of hospitality that defined King Saud’s era. The hotel’s spa is designed as an immersive sanctuary, featuring private spa suites with saunas, steam rooms, and treatment areas. Inspired by the customs of royal welcome, the rituals will incorporate Saudi ingredients such as incense, rose, and oud. These sensory elements link the guest experience to the country’s long-standing traditions of generosity and beauty. Dining at The Red Palace will bridge past and present, with menus that celebrate traditional Saudi cuisine alongside international culinary influences. The intention is to create a destination that feels as resonant for locals as it does for travellers, reflecting the original role of the Palace as a gathering place for dialogue and celebration. For Boutique Group , which operates under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, The Red Palace marks another step in its mission to preserve cultural heritage while defining a new standard of luxury. More than a hotel, it represents the convergence of history, architecture, and contemporary design. When it opens in 2026, The Red Palace will once again stand as a meeting point between worlds, a testament to how heritage can evolve without losing its soul.

On a surprisingly warm November evening, I stepped into the Everyman Broadgate cinema, welcomed by the team behind LUNA Omakase , London’s highest and most intimate dining experience. We gathered for the premiere of LUNA: The Art of Twelve , a short film that explores the beauty and philosophy behind this extraordinary omakase restaurant. Before that night, I hadn’t thought much about how spiritual sushi could be. How precious a single cut of fish might become, or how intentional the process of choosing each ingredient truly is. The film, and the people who brought it to life, made me see it differently. Executive Chef Leo Tanyag explained that “the art of twelve” represents both the twelve seats and twelve courses that define LUNA’s Sosaku-style Edomae Omakase. The concept follows the phases of the moon. Because water makes up most of the human body, the menu is alive, constantly shifting to match the lunar cycle. Some nights call for earthier seasonings, others for lighter and more delicate touches. The food changes with the moon, feeding the body what it needs most at that moment. Perched high above the city on the ninth floor of 100 Liverpool Street, LUNA Omakase is not just another sushi counter. The space feels almost suspended in the sky, where every detail, from the architecture to the plating, seems to be in quiet conversation with the surroundings. The dining room seats exactly twelve guests, a deliberate choice that echoes the twelve lunar phases inspiring the experience. The film mirrors this sense of stillness and focus. Directed with the same restraint that defines LUNA itself, it takes us into the creative worlds of Oms Rocha , the Mexico City–based artist behind LUNA’s interiors, and Chef Tanyag. Rocha’s twelve circular paintings, each representing a moon phase, line the restaurant’s walls and bring a celestial calm to the space. Watching Rocha layer gold over grey in his studio while Tanyag in London prepares the day’s catch feels like observing two artists orbiting the same idea of balance and precision. After the screening, when asked whether they inspired each other’s work, both Rocha and Tanyag smiled. The connection was clear. Their shared sense of peace and rhythm - one expressed on canvas, the other through food - tells a story that feels both ancient and new. To mark the occasion, Rocha unveiled Luna Gold Premiere , a new artwork inspired by his original series for the restaurant. It’s now being auctioned alongside a private twelve-seat LUNA Omakase experience worth more than £5,000. All proceeds will go to The Felix Project , a London charity fighting food waste and hunger. The auction, which opened at £500, runs until 14 November, a fitting reflection of LUNA’s cycle of creation, renewal and giving back. For those of you willing to take part in the auction and wanting to donate to this amazing cause, you can follow this link . For Markus Thesleff , founder of the Thesleff Group (which also includes Los Mochis and Viajante87), the project represents something deeper than fine dining. “ LUNA: The Art of Twelve is a cinematic reflection of the dialogue between art and cuisine,” he said. “It’s about harmony, and how creativity, craftsmanship and emotion can come together to create something timeless.” After the screening, guests were invited next door to Los Mochis for an afterparty that brought LUNA’s philosophy to life. Between the music, the cocktails and the fusion of Mexican and Japanese flavours, the evening captured what LUNA calls La Familia - a sense of community rooted in generosity and shared experience. Standing by the window, looking out over the city skyline, it was easy to see how everything connects: the moon, the art, the food, the people. LUNA: The Art of Twelve isn’t just a film about a restaurant. It’s a meditation on rhythm, renewal and the quiet pursuit of beauty in everything we create. Should you find yourself craving a taste of the moon’s rhythm, book your experience at LUNA Omakase .