India’s finest stays, expertly curated

Gourmet Dining & Mixology

01/06/2026

Before the first rain: why booking a monsoon retreat in Kerala now is the sharpest luxury move

Discover why Kerala’s monsoon season is considered the most effective time for luxury Ayurveda retreats, with quieter resorts, specialised karkidaka chikitsa programmes, and practical tips for planning a romantic wellness escape.

The sommelier as storyteller: how wine service reveals the soul of a five-star hotel

Sustainability & Green Standards

29/05/2026

The sommelier as storyteller: how wine service reveals the soul of a five-star hotel

Net-zero and five stars: the design choices that reconcile luxury with accountability

27/05/2026

Net-zero and five stars: the design choices that reconcile luxury with accountability

India's three-way hotel race: why Taj, Oberoi and ITC are betting on opposite futures

Fine Dining & Bar Concepts

20/05/2026

India's three-way hotel race: why Taj, Oberoi and ITC are betting on opposite futures

Zero-proof bars and listening lounges: the five-star hotel bar is being reinvented

22/05/2026

Zero-proof bars and listening lounges: the five-star hotel bar is being reinvented

Spotlight

Hotel Raphael reopens on the 16e: what Paris gains when a seventh-floor rooftop comes back

Butler & Concierge Services

28/04/2026

Hotel Raphael reopens on the 16e: what Paris gains when a seventh-floor rooftop comes back

Hotel Raphael Paris is scheduled to reopen in 2026 after a major renovation. Discover what the makeover means for couples, from quiet suites and the rooftop terrace to booking tips, location and how it now fits among the best luxury hotels in Paris.

by Hector Marlow

The butler who runs Mumbai's best suite: notes from the invisible craft

03/05/2026

The butler who runs Mumbai's best suite: notes from the invisible craft

A precise guide to hotel butler service in India, from Mumbai suites to riverfront retreats, with practical advice for demanding five star travellers.

by Gaspard Fontenay

India's luxury pipeline just shifted the map: Fairmont Agra, Taj Ayodhya, Leela Sikkim

Historic Palaces & Heritage Stays

27/04/2026

India's luxury pipeline just shifted the map: Fairmont Agra, Taj Ayodhya, Leela Sikkim

India’s luxury hotel map is shifting fast, with Fairmont Agra, Taj Ayodhya and Leela Palace Sikkim leading a new wave of five star openings beyond the usual Delhi–Mumbai–Jaipur circuit.

by Nikolai Armitage

Heritage hotels Rajasthan: who restored what, who faked it, and where the craft survived

08/05/2026

Heritage hotels Rajasthan: who restored what, who faked it, and where the craft survived

A practical guide to authentic heritage hotels in Rajasthan: how to tell real palaces from themed builds, which suites to book at icons like Umaid Bhawan and Rambagh, and how restorations by Taj, Oberoi and HRH shaped today’s royal stays.

What 'best luxury hotels in Udaipur' leaves out: the lake-view suites, the quiet cuts, the palace nobody writes about

Urban Landmark Hotels

Fine Dining & Bar Concepts

07/05/2026

What 'best luxury hotels in Udaipur' leaves out: the lake-view suites, the quiet cuts, the palace nobody writes about

A detailed guide to the best luxury hotels in Udaipur, comparing Taj Lake Palace, Oberoi Udaivilas, The Leela Palace, Raffles Udaipur, RAAS Devigarh, and Shiv Niwas Palace with practical booking tips for couples and wedding groups.

by Maeve O'Donoghue

When the restaurant outranks the hotel: F&B is now the signature, not the side dish

24/04/2026

When the restaurant outranks the hotel: F&B is now the signature, not the side dish

Discover how luxury hotel restaurants, from Michelin starred dining rooms to rooftop bars and refined breakfasts, now define the character of a five star stay for discerning travellers.

How 5 star hotels in Delhi really compare: the insider cuts on service, suites and the table

Urban Landmark Hotels

04/05/2026

How 5 star hotels in Delhi really compare: the insider cuts on service, suites and the table

A precise, insider guide to the best 5 star hotels in Delhi, comparing Taj, Oberoi, Imperial, Leela, Aerocity options, locations, service culture and booking tips.

Hushpitality is the new opulence: why 2026's loudest five-star rooms are the quiet ones

23/04/2026

Hushpitality is the new opulence: why 2026's loudest five-star rooms are the quiet ones

Discover how quiet luxury hotels in 2026 are redefining five-star travel with hushpitality, soundproof design, and wellness-focused stays, plus practical tips to book genuine serenity.

by Hector Marlow

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai re-opens the drawing board: inside a full-scale 2026 rethink

22/04/2026

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai re-opens the drawing board: inside a full-scale 2026 rethink

Inside the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai renovation: a phased enhancement of 1,608 rooms, lounges and dining venues that keeps one 355m tower open while the other is refurbished, starting April 2024.

Mountain & Lakeside Retreats

Where India's elite flees the April heat: the quiet case for hill-station grand dames

21/04/2026

Where India's elite flees the April heat: the quiet case for hill-station grand dames

A practical guide to classic luxury hill station hotels in India, from Shimla and Mussoorie to Darjeeling and Ooty, with tips on room choices, pricing, wellness facilities and when to book for May and June.

Burj Al Arab goes dark: what an 18-month restoration says about luxury at the top

20/04/2026

Burj Al Arab goes dark: what an 18-month restoration says about luxury at the top

Burj Al Arab will close for an 18‑month renovation from early 2025 to October 2026. Discover what the redesign by Tristan Auer means, key dates, guest options and where to stay in Dubai instead.

Elegant five star hotels in Istanbul’s old town for a refined stay

Smart Room & Hotel Tech

14/04/2026

Elegant five star hotels in Istanbul’s old town for a refined stay

An elegant guide to five star hotels in Istanbul’s old town, covering rooms, suites, spas, rooftops, dining, rates, and booking tips for discerning travelers.

by Thibaut Rochefort

Refined stays at five star hotels in Rome city centre

Smart Room & Hotel Tech

13/04/2026

Refined stays at five star hotels in Rome city centre

Plan an elegant stay at five star hotels in Rome city centre, with insights on suites, dining, service, and how to book the perfect panoramic room.

Elegant five star hotels in Singapore city center for a refined urban escape

13/04/2026

Elegant five star hotels in Singapore city center for a refined urban escape

A refined guide to five star hotels in Singapore city center, from Marina Bay Sands to Orchard Road, with advice on rooms, views, amenities, and booking tips.

How five star hotel loyalty programs elevate every stay for discerning travelers

Learn how five star hotel loyalty programs, from Marriott Bonvoy to Hilton Honors, turn luxury stays into richer rewards, upgrades, and elite status benefits.

by Hector Marlow

What you should expect to pay for a five star hotel stay

What you should expect to pay for a five star hotel stay

Understand what you should expect to pay for a five star hotel, how prices vary worldwide, and how to secure better value on luxury stays.

by Lina Al-Masri

Refined manners at five star hotels: etiquette and dress code for an elegant stay

Smart Room & Hotel Tech

Housekeeping & Room Stylists

Refined manners at five star hotels: etiquette and dress code for an elegant stay

Learn refined five star hotel etiquette and dress code rules for lobbies, restaurants, spa, and pool, and elevate your next luxury hotel stay with confidence.

by Gaspard Fontenay

What truly defines a five star hotel rating for modern travelers

What truly defines a five star hotel rating for modern travelers

Understand what truly defines a five star hotel rating, from rooms and amenities to service, classification systems, and how to choose the right luxury stay.

by Nikolai Armitage

Five star hotels for business travel that elevate every work trip

Five star hotels for business travel that elevate every work trip

A practical, elegant guide to five star hotels for business travel, covering brands, loyalty points, amenities, meetings, and how to choose the right property.

Housekeeping & Room Stylists

Elegant five star hotels with airport shuttle for seamless arrivals