Greece is a country of outstanding natural beauty – and the Halkidiki peninsula is one of the jewels in its crown. Idyllic weather, sun kissed beaches, stunning scenery and enough activities to satisfy even the most demanding traveller, it’s an ideal location. It’s here that you’ll find Sani Resort, a family-owned resort stretching across 1,000 [...]
A luxury holiday in Mauritius – The Residence
Mauritius is a small island nation located in the Indian Ocean, roughly 900 kilometers east of Madagascar. It’s an island of stunning natural beauty – its coast is lined by glorious white beaches and clear, turquoise water whilst its interior features mountains, volcanoes and lush forests. Mauritius is inhabited by descendants of African, Indian and [...]
SHA: A sanctuary like no other
Sanctuary: “a place of refuge or asylum” Looking at the sweeping views afforded by the rooftop pool of the Sha Wellness Clinic, this is the first descriptive noun that came to my mind. Just a short 15-minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Benidorm, a Spanish seaside town that welcomes 7 million sunbathers a [...]
velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Robinson Crusoe Inn, Valparaiso
The Robinson Crusoe Inn is situated in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso (‘Valpo’), approximately 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The inn is perched on a hillside in the rustic neighbourhood of Cerro Bellavista and boasts a truly breathtaking view of the city, the port and Valparaiso’s harbour. The inn’s rather ramshackle exterior forms a [...]
Undersea holiday in paradise
Fancy a stay in an undersea resort amidst coral reefs? That will soon be possible when the Poseidon Undersea Resort opens in Fiji in early-2010. It will be the world’s first seafloor resort and will feature three accommodation types: undersea suites, overwater villas and island bungalows. The undersea suites are located on the seabed, 40 feet under [...]
velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Mine Boutique Hotel, Buenos Aires
Mine Boutique Hotel is located in the vibrant neighbourhood of Palermo Soho in Buenos Aires. This design hotel’s ample use of wood, stone and glass, and brightly coloured walls provides for a cheery ambiance. The rooms are adequately sized (though the bathroom was small-ish) and have a cosy feel. There’s a café (which doubles as [...]
velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Bopha Angkor
Bopha Angkor is a gorgeous hotel in Siem Reap, a small town in Cambodia that is the perfect base to explore the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat. The hotel is in a quiet part of town yet it is only a few minutes’ walk away from the main attractions such as the Old Market, Pub [...]
velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Hotel Indigo, Puerto Natales
Hotel Indigo is situated in the small town of Puerto Natales in the Chilean part of Patagonia. The town is famous as the gateway to the stunning Torres del Paine National Park and the breathtaking fjords, glaciers and mountains in the area. This boutique hotel is exquisitely designed by a local Chilean architect and features [...]
velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Sofitel Motu Bora Bora
The new velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature is a series of reviews of hotels and resorts I’ve stayed at. They’re being featured on this blog because… well, they’re amazing (for a variety of reasons) and scored well on the jaw-dropping scale. The very first ‘Stayed There’ feature is Sofitel Motu Bora Bora. This small-scale resort [...]








