BELMOND COAPACABANA PALACE (RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL)
When it opened a century ago, in a modest neighborhood of fishermen’s cabins, Rio de Janeiro was concentrated in the Centro and the Castelo and the mansions of Santa Teresa. But in the post-war period a new era of leisure was born, when Coco Chanel became chic the tan. Designed by architect Joseph Gire, the hotel adopted the art deco lines typical of the French Riviera. The Parisian dancer Mistinguett was present at its opening and suddenly all eyes were on the new hotel and its brilliant beach. A hundred years later it remains a symbol of Rio in a rich classic style (since 1989 it is part of Belmond): chandeliers, kilometers of marble and fine woods… a haven of luxury in the middle of the city’s eternal party. Chef Ken Hom is at the helm of pan-Asian Mee (a Michelin star), though our favorite is Cipriani’s Italian.
There is a tennis court on the roof and hotel staff serve guests on the beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, towels and sun cream. Carmen Miranda, Marlene Dietrich, Paul McCartney, Lady Di and Nelson Mandela passed through here, Brazilian President Washington Luis was shot by his lover in 1928, Ava Gardner threw a room after her breakup with Frank Sinatra, and Orson Welles threw something into the pool (couch, desk?) during a fight. with Dolores del Rio (from €573). –Stanley Stewart
Meadowood Napa Valley, St. Helens.Paul Lang
MEADOWOOD NAPA VALLEY (SAINT HELENI, USA)
There are many wonderful accommodations in Napa Valley, but Meadowood has been the true heart of this area for 60 years. Simply put, it’s pure Napa: from its 36 rooms and suites, designed by internationally renowned local architect Howard Bracken, to its striking wine center, which focuses on the best vineyards in the region, and its spa, which capitalizes on this land’s long heritage as a wellness destination. The rooms and suites have a farmhouse feel chic: No clean rustic lines or white and neutral tones, but the wood paneling and high ceiling beams convey that rustic yet elegant energy. Cottages and suites have private verandas and while they have an open, airy layout, fireplaces, soaking tubs, window seats and comfortable sofas give everything a cozy feel. The spa is the real strong point of this place and you can’t miss it: The space is relaxing, dimly lit with a huge fireplace and large sofas in the entrance. The atmosphere is warm and represents the aesthetic of the resort very well (rather than being a minimalist and antiseptic annex, as is sometimes the case), with lots of neutral colors and dark greys, olive tones and organic materials.
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In terms of restaurants, we have the Terrace Café, open and open only for resort guests and club members, which serves light and local dishes. At the Forum, open all day, you can find an excellent bowl of ceviche and quinoa. The menu is seasonally inspired (so it rotates), leans towards local ingredients and has excellent vegetarian options as well as, unsurprisingly, an impressive wine list. Like most places in this wildfire-prone part of the state, the landscaping relies mostly on native or drought-tolerant plants that don’t require a lot of water (to prevent wildfires, the property has sheep and goats that roam and eat the brush). .