By Amira Hashish
The evolution of hotels into lifestyle brands is reaching new heights with a flurry of fashion lines stemming from our favourite holiday haunts. From grand dames collaborating with rising designers to boutique guesthouses curating their own collections, hotel merchandise has never been so coveted. Some pieces make a statement with logos on proud display, others take a more subtle approach. The fashion set can’t get enough with the likes of Olivia Palermo regularly spotted in Emporio Sirenuse and Kate Moss wearing ISSIMO loafers. Here are some of the collections that will brighten up your wardrobe…
Palm Heights x Bode
The Cayman Islands’ first all-suite boutique hotel is rippling through the travel world for all the right reasons. Founder and creative director Gabriella Khalil has made it her mission to blend considered design, food, art, culture and wellness. The hotel champions collaboration and that extends to its merchandise. A standout piece is a terry cloth beach jacket by rising menswear designer Emily Bode; striped towels used throughout the property have been repurposed to create the retro style coverall. Cotton hoodies, beach bags and slides are also part of the hotel’s in-house range, palmheights.store.
Sunset Tower x Sporty & Rich
Hotelier Jeff Klein reinvented the landmark Hollywood hotel a little over a decade ago. He is all about the understated and elegant look with an edge. Design highlights include a dark and moody bar and a pool area with the signature LA vista. There are pink leather semi-circular booths and sofas covered in fabric that Klein designed himself. Meanwhile, Sporty & Rich defines itself as a wellbeing label with simple yet thoughtfully made products that emphasise longevity. Its founder Emily Oberg, who has reinvented streetwear, has long loved Sunset Tower so the collaboration came naturally. Subtly co-branded tracksuits, t-shirts, and accessories in lavender, chocolate, heather grey and cream are the epitome of laid-back luxe, sportyandrich.com.
Palazzo Avino x The Pink Closet
Palazzo Avino is a pink palace of dreams in Ravello on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Once a 12th century private villa for an Italian noble family, it is now one of the most spectacular hotels in the Mediterranean. The hotel’s owner Mariella Avino has conceived what can only be described as the walk-in wardrobe of dreams in The Pink Closet. Less a shop, more an experience, it is a beautiful curation of clothing and jewellery. Its own sleepwear and lipstick line is a lovely reminder of this fabulously fanciful destination, thepinkcloset.com.
Nobu Ibiza Bay x LOVE BRAND & Co.
On the shores of Talamanca Bay, Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay blends chilled out holiday vibes with a healthy balance of fun and Japanese fusion cuisine. The hotel has teamed up with LOVE BRAND & Co. to create shorts and shirts that embody its spirit. The summer lifestyle brand is rooted in travel. Founders Oliver and Rose have been chasing the sun together since they met in 2010. With family ties to the Bahamas, the couple have spent the last decade soaking up island life and creating their collection. The Sea Weave print and colours are inspired by the Posidonia seagrass meadows in Ibiza. It is all for a good cause with a percentage of sales going to the conservation fund Ibizan Preservation to help protect the threatened seagrass meadows, lovebrand.com.
Il Pellicano x ISSIMO
To say that the owner and artistic director of legendary Pellicano hotel group Marie-Louise Sciò is one of Italy’s tastemakers would be an understatement. Her boutique hotel on the Argentario Coast of Tuscany is the region’s most fashionable retreat. So it’s not surprising that she launched her own concept store, e-commerce and lifestyle platform called ISSIMO. As well as the hotel’s logo sweatshirt and t-shirt you will find a trove of fashion, beauty and home gifts by Il Pellicano’s collaborators and friends, issimoissimo.com.
Ritz Paris x FRAME
Sometimes the best pairings are the most unexpected. The iconic Parisian hotel has teamed up with denim brand Frame for its first foray into the world of fashion and the results are sublime. Each of the 22 pieces in the capsule collection is crafted from luxury materials and designed to evoke the sense of place the famed hotel has established. Instagram has gone wild for the double act and it has firmly put the Ritz on the map for the next generation of travellers, frame-store.com.
Eden Rock St Barths x PatBO
Brazilian brand PatBo makes swimwear with sass. Founder and creative director Patricia Bonaldi began her career by opening a multi-brand store in her hometown of Uberlândia. Soon after, she started receiving requests to design her own pieces and so PatBo was born. Her capsule collection for Eden Rock comprises a gloriously feminine range of beachwear and nightwear paying homage to the hotel’s glamorous sunbeds and sea views, patbo.com.
Emporio Sirenuse
Carla Sersale of Le Sirenuse (featured in our Insider’s Guide to Positano) and her niece Viola Parrocchetti have been beavering away on Emporio Sirenuse since 2013. Their carefully curated collection of beachwear, resort wear, design and lifestyle items are favoured amongst the glitterati. Let’s just say the Le Sirenuse straw bag is a must for any Amalfi-goer worth their salt. MATCHESFASHION and Net-A-Porter stock the collection too. The Emporio works directly with small, family-owned enterprises in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, using a network of talented artisans, many of them selected personally by Viola during the six years she spent living in India, emporiosirenuse.com.
Follow @thedesigneditor and @clubrapport for more travel inspiration.
Top 5 Valentine’s Day Meal Kits
If donning your glad rags and visiting a fine dining establishment isn’t quite making your heart skip a beat this Valentine’s Day, we’ve got just the (meal) ticket for you!
Since the start of the pandemic, restaurants up and down the country have been mastering the art of the meal kit with options for at-home dining now bigger, better and more delicious than ever. So whether you’re spending it with your partner or getting the gals round for the night, take your pick from our list of the top 5 tasty meal kits for the ultimate Valentine’s evening in…
Ding Dong Dim Sum
If you want to enjoy delicious dumplings from the comfort of your own home then opt for a delicious feast from Ding Dong Dim Sum. Each box includes dumplings, gyoza, sui mai, bao buns, sticky rice, salad and dips all packaged up and ready to be cooked in the super easy biodegradable steamer provided! All you need to bring to the party is a saucepan, some boiling water and a big appetite! We recommend the mouthwatering Veggie Patch for Two featuring mixed wild mushroom gyoza and spicy tofu and vegetable dumplings.
Borough Market Recipe Boxes
Bring the charm of Borough Market straight to your door with one of their fresh and tasty recipe boxes. Featuring the finest ingredients, customers can choose from starters and mains that rival restaurant quality. From globe artichokes with lemon herb butter to seared beef with asparagus stir fry and confit duck leg tacos, each delectable dish is packed full of indulgent tastes and flavours for an extra special night in.
Bocca Di Lupo
For an Italian feast you won’t forget in a hurry head on over to Bocca Di Lupo. Created especially for Valentine’s Day, the San Valentino Feast for 2 is a gastronomic tour of the world’s most romantic country. Expect creamy burrata, lobster risotto, suckling pig porchetta and ganache filled chocolate profiteroles, all washed down with a refreshing pomegranate martini. As you can see, it’s not called a feast for nothing!
Arabica
If your taste buds are craving some middle eastern spice then the Vegan Feast from Arabica is sure to fit the bill. The vibrant flavour-fest of seasonal, restaurant quality, plant based meze combines exotic flavour combinations and gentle spicing techniques to really bring the vegetables to life. Each freshly prepared meal kit also includes an Arabica music playlist to enhance the at home experience!
Hawksmoor at Home
If steak is the way to your heart then Hawksmoor at Home has you covered. We recommend the indulgent Fillet 2 Course Box which includes prime fillets of beef, ultimate oven chips, creamed spinach, garlic mushrooms, peppercorn sauce and sticky toffee pudding to finish. You also have the option to upgrade your box to include sour cherry negronis or a delicious bottle of Rioja. Hawksmoor at Home kits also come complete with a How to Cook the Perfect Steak guide and a QR code link to masterclass videos with Executive Chef, Matt Brown.
The Top 5 Resorts for Non-Skiers
When it comes to group getaways there’s no denying that a ski holiday is one of the most idyllic options for friends and families alike. And while for the most part, the opportunity to hit the slopes every day is a dream come true, there will often be at least one member of the group that’s just along for the après!
So, if the slopes are a snow-go from you, we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 resorts and their alternative activities that are perfect for non-skiers…
Zermatt
As well as a plethora of famous mountain restaurants and a selection of quaint shops and boutiques, there are some very interesting options on offer for non-skiers in Zermatt.
What to do…
For glacial views as far as the eye can see jump on the Gornergrat Railway. The cogwheel railway takes you up from the village to 3,100 metres above sea level. Take in the constant view of the famous Matterhorn as you ride through idyllic forests to reach the ultimate panoramic view.
If something a little closer to sea level is more to your taste there’s the Matterhorn Museum or perhaps a romantic stroll through the Hinterdorf, the oldest part of the village of Zermatt.
Finally, no non-skiers trip to Zermatt is complete without a trip to Vernissage. Home to an art gallery, lounge bar, club and cinema, a trip to Vernissage is an unforgettable experience that touches all the senses.
Where to stay…
One of the foremost chalets in the Alps, Chalet Marmottière is home to a host of spectacular features including a huge indoor swimming pool, bowling alley, cinema room and wine cellar. Marmottière is also the perfect place to relax and unwind after an activity filled day with a hot tub, jacuzzi, steam room, hammam and sauna to enjoy. This true pinnacle of luxury will leave you wanting for nothing.
Chamonix
Despite being known as the extreme sports capital of the world, there are still lots of alternative ways to fill your time in Chamonix.
What to do…
If you’re after a taste of high altitude then Aiguille du Midi, the highest cable car in France is a must. Billed as Chamonix’s number one tourist attraction, it’s the ultimate answer to drinking in the panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the Chamonix Valley as a non-skier.
If culture is what you crave then a trip to Musée Alpin is a must. Housed in a former palace dating back to the early 20th century, the museum tells the rich and fascinating history of the French Alps through prints, photography, rock crystals, costumes and ancient artefacts.
For a tipple or two there’s no better spot then ChaChaCha. Join one of their regular wine tasting events or take a seat on the terrace and share a glass of wine with friends in the warmer months. Don’t forget to pick up a bottle of your favourite vino from the shop on your way out!
Where to stay…
Situated within walking distance of Chamonix town, Chalet Couttet is the perfect spot to soak up uninterrupted views of Mont Blanc. The luxury self-catering option comes complete with a private garden, heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, wellness suite, five bedrooms and an enormous open plan living space.
Courchevel
It may well be known as the world’s ski capital but Courchevel also has a whole lot more to offer than just slopes and ski runs.
What to do…
If fine dining is your thing then you’re in the right place. Courchevel is the ski resort with most Michelin starred restaurants, so there will be no shortage of impeccable cuisine on offer. Head to Michelin-starred Le 1947 for a taste of Executive Chef Yannick Alléno’s gastronomic genius, paying tribute to the natural treasures of the mountains.
Shopping lovers can also rejoice as Courchevel’s snow-covered streets are home to over 40 designer stores. You’ll find Chanel, Dior, Gucci and more as well as some of the finest jewellers in town for those extra special vacation gifts.
For something slightly more adrenalin fuelled, Courchevel also offers a host of non-ski snow activities. Become the ‘musher’ of your own huskies on a sledge drawn ride or test your skills on a skidoo at one of the organised snowmobile tours.
Where to stay…
Sleeping up to 16 guests, Chalet Tahoe is a six-floor spectacle that will truly take your breath away. As well as being in strolling distance of the centre of Courchevel 1850, the chalet is home to an indoor swimming pool, giant jacuzzi, private gym, massage room, cinema and your very own bar.
St. Moritz
Hailed as one of the most exclusive ski resorts in the Alps, St. Moritz has a lot to offer. As well as Michelin starred restaurants and designer boutiques, why not try these activities on for size.
What to do…
For food and drink enthusiasts a visit to Glattfelder is a must. And while coffee and caviar may seem like an extraordinary combination, both can be sampled, tasted and taken home at this quaint, somewhat hidden shop in the centre of St. Moritz village.
If a day at the races appeals to your nature then round up the troops and head to White Turf, a unique, exclusive event with exciting horse racing, gourmet catering, live music and inspiring art exhibitions. Soak up the winter sunshine on the frozen lake among the stunningly beautiful, snow-capped mountains of St. Moritz.
Finally, check in to Badrutt’s Palace Wellness spa for some restorative royal pampering. Take in the spectacular views from the indoor infinity pool then restore and renew with a luxurious massage treatment.
Where to stay…
The aforementioned Badrutt’s Palace Hotel of course! Situated amidst breathtakingly beautiful and unspoiled scenery, the Palace has long been hailed as a landmark in the centre of St. Moritz. Offering stunning lake views, discreet service and traditional elegance, it’s no wonder the hotel has been a favourite of celebrities and royals alike since its opening in 1896.
Lech
The poster child of Austrain ski resorts, Lech offers all you would expect from a luxury alpine village. For non-skiers, its picturesque beauty can be enjoyed in many different ways.
What to do…
Take in the pretty chocolate box style village of Lech on a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride. Listen to the distant roar of the Lech River and feel the tingle of the cool mountain air as you enjoy the unforgettable panoramic views.
Trade skiing for skating by heading to the open-air rink in Zürs. Enjoy the crisp winter air whilst gliding along to great music with a warming punch in hand. For a romantic twist, head to the rink on Wednesday evenings for candlelit skating beneath the starry sky.
There’s no better way for non-skiers to enjoy the stunning scenery than a winter hiking trail. The 40 kilometre plus network of trails around Lech Zürs take you through a unique winter landscape with many picturesque staging points along the way to take a well-earned rest.
Where to stay…
The Balegia Penthouse is a stunning self-catered apartment located inside a luxury residence. Each of the four bedrooms has wonderful en suite shower rooms while the luxurious living space offers the perfect relaxation space after a long day of activities.