Eden Rock
What's so special?
If you are rich and famous, you've probably visited Eden Rock this seriously luxurious Caribbean hotel has played host to everyone from Greta Garbo toMick Jagger. But you don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy it.
How they rate it
The hotel "resembles a tumbling seaside shanty, huddled on a rocky outcrop just across from Nikki Beach. Only this shanty has a restaurant run by Jean-Georges Vongerichtem," says The Sunday Times. There are 34 rooms and suites one villa has a private art gallery, another a fully equipped recording studio.
"My favourite," says Kate Simon in The Independent, "is the Howard Hughes Loft Suite the vast bachelor pad, clad in wood, has three terraces, a home cinema, two bathrooms with copper walls, and a wealth of amusing detail referencing the recluse's love of aviation, such as the cute wooden propeller on the bookcase."
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The menu
The whole island is renowned for its food, with most ingredients (except the fish, obviously) flown in from France. Examples of the dishes on offer at Eden Rock include porcini crusted salmon or beef tenderloin with gingered mushrooms, says Fred Mawer inThe Daily Telegraph.
The cost
Prices start from £648 a night. For more,see edenrockhotel.com,or call 00 590 590 297 999.
Cheval Blanc
What's so special?
St Barth's is one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands, attracting the world's super-rich yet retaining a sense of laid-back style. Cheval Blanc is a grand old hotel that has welcomed many famous faces over the years.Now it has reopened following an extensive makeover and is ready to impress again.
How they rate it
"The low-built hotel sits on the perfect arc of Flamands beach," says Vassi Chamberlain in Cond Nast Traveller. "At first glance, nothing has changed, particularly the hotel's heart and soul, the staff. They were always young, charming and professional, only now they're dressed in cute seersucker uniforms."
There is a range of rooms and suites on the beach and bungalows set in the garden at the back. "All have huge modern bathrooms, and the beds are fluffy and cosy." In short, the hotel is as good as it always was it has just refreshed its look. "The old lady of St Barth's has had a little work done, but she still reigns supreme."
The menu
There are two restaurants the food "has always been excellent, and the perfect balance remains unchanged".
The cost
Prices from £557 per night. Call 00 590 590 27 61 81, or visit stbarthisledefrance.chevalblanc.com.
Where the cruise experts are sailing to this year
"Ask well-travelled cruise experts what their favourite destination is and many will say the South Pacific because of its overwhelming beauty," says Sara Macefield in The Times. Windstar Cruises is offering year-round voyages to Tahiti from May, going through the Society and Tuamotu islands. One highlight of the trip is the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Tahitian dinner on a private island. An 11-night package costs from £3,398 per person, including flights (windstarcruises.com).
P&O's new behemoth, Britannia, is launched in March. "At 3,600 passengers, she is the largest ship yet built for the UK market, and will be a haven for foodies, with a cookery school developed by chef James Martin (pictured) and culinary stars including Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar," says Macefield. A 14-night round-trip of the Mediterranean, sailing from Southampton, costs from £1,929pp (pocruises.com).
If nature is more your thing, then "get under the skin of some of the planet's most fascinating natural and man-made attractions" with Seabourn, says Macefield. The cruise firm has linked with Unesco to offer excursions to more than 160 World Heritage Sites. "From destinations as far afield as Halong Bay, Mumbai or Reykjavik, to the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal, Seabourn has created collections of World Heritage Tours." A 14-night sailing to Thailand and Vietnam from Singapore costs from £5,519pp, not including flights (seabourn.com).
