Where to stay: the spring/summer edit 2025

Lighter skies have brightened our collective mood and we want to spread the joy. Enter our pick of stays that are new to Mr & Mrs Smith or sit right in the mid-year seasonal sweet spot: let us send you on a bucolic British break, to an Italian isle you may not have explored yet, to the milder climes of the Arctic Circle or to sun-kissed yet serene Asia.

So, lower your shades and read on to find out where to stay during 2025’s brightest spell.

PANTELLERIA, ITALY

There are times when Italian isle Pantelleria seems furious at you, billowing smoke through cracks in its rocky surface; but it’s just letting off steam the way volcanic islands do. It’s rather amenable really, thanks to hot springs, lunar terrain and an environment where crops thrive, making Pantelleria a gastro hotspot. Further proof of its softer side: Goddess of Love Venus used to hang by its — roughly — heart-shaped lake.

PARCO DEI SESI

If zingy caperberries perk you up, May to August is the ideal time for visiting Pantelleria, and the right place is Parco Dei Sesi. The agriturismo rises from the nutrient-rich bedrock of a 5,000-year-old archaeological park, the just-right environment for growing capers and olives, crops the owners cultivate with centuries-old farming methods. Alongside lava contortions and back-to-the-land graft, there’s culture too: radical, digital-art pioneer Filippo Panseca once lived here, and he’s honoured with a museum. It’s a feast in many ways, with generous helpings of spa healing, sundowner drinks on the rooftop, and plunges into the sea.

SIKELIA LUXURY RETREAT

Dammusi are stone residences built to withstand Pantelleria’s heat. Within these sit Sikelia Luxury Retreat’s suites, which look different these days: burnished, with bold artwork and slick styling. We also doubt farmers of old were having their chakras balanced in the spa or ate Instagrammable Italian-Arabic cuisine, but otherwise pleasures here are as they have been through the ages; slathering on healing mud and baking on the rock, watching the sun set over North Africa’s coast with a sweet passito wine, and heading out on the hotel’s fishing boat (albeit with chef-prepared sushi for lunch).

DENVER, USA

The capital of Colorado and gateway to the Rockies, Denver — the Mile High City — is on the up in summer (although, with 300 days of sun a year, summer’s always on here), skipping from one party to the next: Cinco de Mayo, PrideFest, the Juneteenth Music Festival… But in quieter moments, there are 19th-century enclaves to explore, a thrilling arts scene and the very great outdoors calling.

THE CRAWFORD HOTEL

Convenience first draws you to The Crawford Hotel — step off the Amtrak at Denver Union Station and you’re right there. But this railway hotel (more Golden Age than on-the-go), has the pull to keep you in place, not least with free welcome cocktails and daily ice-cream from nearby Milkbox Ice Creamery. You’ll feel the buzz from the city’s LoDo (Lower Downtown) ‘hood, Coors Field and the Museum of Contemporary Art are close by, and you’ll jump into the fray with discounts at local businesses provided by the hotel, and a shuttle that can to take you to Red Rocks Stadium. Trains head into the mountains too — trust us, there’s no better place to station yourself.

LOFOTEN, NORWAY

Surf’s up! In, um, the Arctic Circle. The weather may not always be mellow, but the alabaster beaches and colour-saturated waters in the Lofoten archipelago rival some in countries with warmer climes. Summer’s midnight sun means you can play for longer too — wildlife is active, hiking and climbing aren’t hampered by snow, and locals are as eager as you are to make lighter days count.

NUSFJORD VILLAGE & RESORT

Heed the call of the sea and summer in a Norwegian fisherman’s cabin (or rorbu) that looks like a dollhouse next to soaring peaks. At Nusfjord Village you needn’t haul in nets of skrei fish (it’s served in cool New Nordic style in the restaurant), and you’ll bunk up with your crewmate in comfort — one rorbu even sits on its own island. These days the hooks here are a vibrant arts and crafts community (the former salt room is now a gallery), a spa designed by the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, and fathoms of fresh-air activities by land and sea.

HENNINGSVAER BRYGGEHOTELL

Angling for more coastal living? A few island hops away from Nusfjord, Henningsvaer Bryggehotell is tempting bait for those who love chunky knitwear and wistful sea-gazing. It’s another fishing village whose cabins have been repurposed into elegant crashpads, reeling you in with its Vestfjord views and the chef’s ability to turn kelp and seaweed into the most photogenic plant-based dishes. But you’re also released into the wild for thrilling RIB safaris, mountain hikes and sojourns to the cultural centres Trevarefabrikken and KaviarFactory. Dangle the opportunity to stay in front of us and we’ll bite.

MIAMI, USA

Springtime in the Florida outpost sees the mercury start to climb, but there’s a window to visit before sultry summer sets in, while the city’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and Miami Fashion Week bring a sociable buzz to May. Roll back the roof on your convertible and polish your Wayfarers — we’re setting our satnav for the city to explore Miami’s cultural side.

THE MOORE MIAMI

It may be the Design District’s only hotel, but The Moore Miami is so much more than a place to lay your head. Its lifeblood is a members’ club which, as a hotel guest, you have access to, opening the door to dining and drinking spots (including a speakeasy, billiards and karaoke room), a co-working space and a crowning art gallery with rotating exhibitions. Retro curves bring mid-century-inspired elegance to spacious rooms and suites. And before you explore the sculptures, murals and installations of your Design District setting, wander the corridors to check out The Moore’s extensive art collection.

THE ROVER MIAMI

To the south in Little Havana, Cuban beats provide the pulse for sojourns at Calle Ocho stay The Rover Miami. With just 10 mid-century-modern rooms and suites, primed for bed and breakfast, this boutique basecamp is all about immersing yourself in Miami’s hispanic culture and living like a local: wander Little Havana, dip into dimly lit bars for Cuba Libres, and linger over long lunches at the neighbourhood’s starred eateries.

GREECE

Summer in Greece? Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. But there’s a reason Greece and its countless islands have been high-season stalwarts for decades, frequented by everyone from Jackie O to SJP. With yet another haul of openings ready for the new season and old favourites dusting off the winter, this year is no different…

LAGUNA COAST RESORT

Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic isles, which encircle the magical mound of Delos. It made a name for itself with its potatoes, proudly roasted in restaurant kitchens all over the Greek islands; its Graviera cheese is also a notable export. You can fly there from Athens or sail across on an island-hopping itinerary form neighbouring landmasses Paros and Antiparos. New to the island this year, on the edge of Naxos’ flamingo-graced wetlands, is Laguna Coast Resort, which has a laudable sustainability ethos, since it’s run by wildlife-regeneration pioneers. Their aim? To coax guests away from screens and out into nature, whether to the surf, the bird observatory or its alfresco art installations.

MONOLITHOI

The islands get much of the tourist footfall, but the Greek mainland shouldn’t be overlooked, least of all the vaguely hand-shaped peninsulas that form the Peloponnese. The wildest of these is the Mani, once the home of polyglot Patrick Leigh Fermor. Near the mountain village of Pigi, Monolithoi is a pair of three-bedroom villas linked by a garden on a sleepy hillside. Both stone sanctuaries have a swimming pool and a ground-floor bedroom with direct access (get ready to call shotgun). The team arrives to prepare breakfast for you every morning, and can assist with excursion needs as well.

CAPE SOUNIO

The Athenian Riviera was one of the most glamorous holiday hotspots in Europe back in its mid-century heyday. Helping to revive it in recent years are new outposts from One&Only, which restored the VIP-loved Asteria Hotel to its former glory, and 91 Athens Riviera, which managed to make glamping suitable for the jet-set. For antiquity-seekers, things don’t get much better than Cape Sounio, in the shadow of the Temple of Poseidon. The resort is in a pine forest near the ruins, with two beaches at the edge of the Aegean, and seven restaurants and bars to keep you busy.

SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

Snow-capped mountains, quaint wooden chalets and cow-grazed meadows dotted with edelweiss: perhaps not your typical Italian summer scene, but head north of the pasta peninsula and that’s exactly what you’ll find. Though popular with winter’s ski crowd, South Tyrol’s lesser-known summer charms put an Alpine spin on la dolce vita, with its leafy hiking trails, crystal-clear lakes and hearty mountain fare.

MIRAMONTI BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Perched 1,230 metres above sea level, Miramonti Boutique Hotel has the kind of views that inspire a divine sense of perspective — and it knows how to make the most of them, too. That’s why almost everything here (the beds, balconies, pool…) faces the mountains, in all their saw-toothed glory. It’s incredibly cinematic, which is probably why director Lewis Gilbert chose the hotel’s surrounds to stage Roger Moore’s stunts in 1970s classic The Spy Who Loved Me. Inside, those rugged scenes give way to Bond-worthy sophistication: Scandi-style interiors, a sprawling spa, and a trio of dining outlets all licensed to thrill.

COMO ALPINA DOLOMITES

Honouring the region’s deep connection to nature, Como Alpina Dolomites translates the Singapore-based brand’s signature slickness to the meadows of South Tyrol’s Alpe di Siusi. Here, you can expect a holistic Como Shambhala spa, where treatments are given a regional spin, and good-for-you Asian cuisine. But what makes this stay feel particularly at home are assets such as a peak-gazing, indoor-outdoor pool, cosy contemporary bedrooms (each with a balcony), and interiors that pay tribute to the Alpine skies’ shifting blue hues — a delightful contrast to the summer’s vivid wildflower displays.

VIETNAM

Due to the third instalment of a certain cult television show, Thailand is getting a lot of attention at the moment. So skip the crowds and choose Vietnam instead, whose long, skinny outline makes it perfect for a tour from north to south, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

THE ANAM MUI NE

The coastal province of Binh Thuan is east of Ho Chin Minh City on Vietnam’s tropical south-easterly shores, with its immaculate beaches encouraging a rise in tourism lately (previously, fish sauce was the biggest industry around here). The capital Phan Thiết is a port city with colourful boats in the harbour, outdoor markets and, naturally, lots of seafood restaurants. The region is also home to mountain temples and archaeological sites. At The Anam Mui Ne hotel, a grand colonial building is graced with pottery made by Cham craftspeople and oil paintings by local artists, and a palm-lined pool leads the way to the beach.

NAMIA RIVER RETREAT

Hoi An is the sort of dreamy backpacker destination that makes you wish you could go on another gap year. The UNESCO-protected centre of this ancient trading port is immaculately preserved, with monthly lantern festivals, a river to sail down, markets at which to stockpile ceramics, and tailor shops in case you need a fresh pair of fisherman’s pants made. Namia River Retreat is a wellness haven promising a break from modern life — bedtime yoga, herbal hammams, bike rides at dawn — but no-one’s keeping you hostage if you’d rather drift downriver to Hoi An for a Saigon beer or seven.

UNITED KINGDOM

We know the weather’s a gamble, but look past those potentially pesky clouds and you’ll see the UK’s slithers of sun bring with them an enticing summer scene. Whether you’re hiking national park peaks, paddling along the coast or rolling into quaint pubs — lured by the promise of a pint (or three) — it isn’t hard to see why holidaymakers ignore the odds and come anyway.

RESTARIES

Live out your away-from-it-all countryside dreams at Restaries, a Suffolk hideaway idyllically set between town, trees and sea. Housed on the fittingly named Paradise Farm, each of its standalone cottages comes equipped with a kitted-out kitchen and private terrace, but when the sunshine peers through, you’ll likely be found petting the resident Kunekune pigs, pygmy goats and shaggy trio of Blacknose sheep, or perhaps frolicking in the organic gardens and greenhouse-style pool. From the wellness barn to considered indie brands used to decorate, Restaries is laser-focused on the feelgood.

SALTMOORE

Whitby’s a traditional ‘beach huts and ice-cream’ summer haunt, but turn inland towards the moors and you’ll find something that steps off the promenaded path — Saltmoore hotel is an altogether wilder prospect run by Love Island alum Montana Brown. It’s hard not to be attracted by its decor of sultry silks and nature-led hues, but you’ll also fall for its brisk, effective mental-health boosts that come from wild swimming off Sandsend Beach, wellie-clad hikes and even surfing. Softer soothing can be found in the crowd-pleasing spa, through ice baths, cryotherapy chamber sessions, spells in a Himalayan-salt sauna and bespoke massages.

HOLM

Nicholas Balfe is a raved-about, Brixton-hailing restaurateur, but he’s packed up his pans and made for Somerset to open Holm, a palate-pleasing retreat in sleepy South Petherton village. Road-trippers bound for the Cornish coast stop at this former bank to try lauded seasonal menus, served under the old vaults and crafted using zero-kilometre ingredients, showcasing the region’s bounty. Stay a while longer and you can experience the artfully adorned bedrooms and deep-soaking tubs too; come spring, a nature-immersed agenda of wild-garlic forages and Jurassic Coast adventures awaits.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Two new headline hotel openings have pulled our focus firmly over to Melbourne, whose autumnal culture circuit always counters the cooler weather with an exciting calendar of events, whether inside or out. These include citywide music festivals and intimate speakeasy gigs, cutting-edge exhibitions and art pop-ups, and acclaimed stage shows in the East End. Meanwhile, in the Yarra Valley, truffle hunts and vineyard tours coax you out of town.

MELBOURNE PLACE

When word got out about the calibre of design firms and dining options involved in Melbourne Place, there was an understandable buzz around the new redbrick, 16-storey hotel in the city’s CBD. Happily, the brains behind the operation have delivered on the hype. Huge circular windows peep out over the skyline from its rooftop bar, Mid-Air, while the menu at ground-floor Iberian restaurant Marmelo is the talk of the town. Below ground, debonair cocktail den Mr Mills makes a more than welcome addition to the city’s laneways.

1 HOTEL MELBOURNE

Like a 10-storey optical illusion crowned with exotic plants, 1 Hotel Melbourne’s eye-catching glass edifice looms over the Docklands on a curve of the Yarra River. Following in the footsteps of its sister hotels in San Francisco, Brooklyn and beyond, this sustainably-minded stay promises plenty of opportunities for healthy eating, exercise and mindfulness, with e-bikes to borrow, ultra-seasonal dishes in its forward-thinking restaurant and a Bamford spa to do nothing but drift away in.

FRANCE

Ah, the French summer — it’s a thing you know instinctively. It’s bier blondes in the afternoon sun. It’s photographs of Birkin and Bardot. It’s baguettes slathered in Brie, eaten with salt in your hair and sand on your feet. But what it’s not, is all about the Côte d’Azur. For this is the year to cast your net far and wide, exploring some of France’s other (and equally glorious) coastlines, from oyster-capital Brittany to surf-favourite Aquitaine.

LE NESSAY

You’d be hard pushed to find a seaside hotel more charming than Le Nessay. Surrounded by coastal pines, this turreted château is the sole occupant of a peninsula in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, a quaint coastal town in northeast Brittany. From its perch, the hotel surveys a yacht-filled bay and two sandy beaches — Salinette and Béchet — which are lined with wooden bathing huts. A vision of coastal glamour, n’est-ce pas? And yet, for all its pedigree, Le Nessay is as fresh as a Breton breeze; thanks to a refurbishment that has elevated the interiors and added a bijou spa, sea-gazing bar and region-championing restaurant.

70 HECTARES & L’OCÉAN

50 Shades of Green. That would be our title for a tale set at 70 Hectares & l’Océan, camouflaged among a coastal forest in the Landes department, right by Seignosse’s beaches and minutes from surf hub Hossegor. On arrival you’ll see the hotel’s timber exterior, painted forest green, and from there shades of vert keep coming: seafoam tiles in the outdoor pool, sage wall-panelling in rooms and a mossy hue for tables in the restaurant, where Asian-fusion reigns supreme. The colour suits the place perfectly, given the hotel’s embrace of the outdoors and a SoCal-esque lifestyle: guests spend their days surfing, hiking and kicking back at nearby beach club (and sister property) La Cabane des Estagnots.

LA MISSION HÔTEL & SPA

Looking for something completely different? Then say hello to La Mission on the tiny island of Île d’Yeu, in the Bay of Biscay, off France’s Atlantic coast. Laid out like a cloister, with rooms arranged around a pool and century-old plane tree, this is a gloriously offbeat stay that eludes easy categorisation — which is entirely appropriate for a building that has been a barracks, school, parish hall and cinema in the past. Its historic rooms now sport modern interiors in fresh coastal hues and a retro-styled restaurant puts the ocean’s bounty on your plate, while delightful quirks abound, from a mid-century rooftop sunbathing area to a crêpe-slinging food truck parked by the pool.

MENORCA, SPAIN

Menorca is having a moment right now, which is unsurprising when you consider its 300 days of annual sunshine, unspoilt white-sand beaches and bucketloads of Balearic charm. Add to that megalithic monuments, creative Catalan cuisine and a centuries-old tradition of lively seasonal fiestas, and you’ve all the ingredients of a feel-good summer hit.

SANTA PONSA FONTENILLE

A stay at Santa Ponsa Fontenille is sprinkled with a double dose of Menorcan charm. While the 18th-century finca has plenty to keep you busy through the summer months — Moorish gardens, a dreamy spa, garden-grown dining and Arabian Nights-style interiors — guests are also granted access to the nearby Torre Vella Fontenille, a former watchtower set in 200 hectares of head-turning farmland stretching out to the coast. Spend your days poolside, soaking up the sun amid fragrant orange, lemon or pomegranate trees; or cool off at the spa, where you’ll find an additional splash-about spot dramatically carved into an underground cistern.

ONTARIO, CANADA

Named after the region’s glittering waters, vast Ontario is a natural playground of national parks, glassine lakes and world-wonder Niagara Falls. Flora and fauna are at their peak in springtime, with roaming moose and black bears, and cherry blossom peppering the landscape; come summer, bon vivants flock to wineries and the province’s capital for lively events including the Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto Jazz Festival and Pride Toronto.

THE SCOTSMAN HOTEL

The Scotsman Hotel may take inspiration from across the pond, but it’s deeply rooted in its Canadian locale; set on the shores of Lake Ontario, close to bucket-list sight Niagara Falls, with Toronto’s summertime festivities a day-trip away. From spring onwards, Mother Nature puts on one hell of a show and the hotel’s savvy concierge can orchestrate accompanying entertainment: riverboat trips, winery tours and wholesome cooking classes. The weather’s balmy, but you’ll find further warmth in the hotel’s selection of Scotch.

MERRILL HOUSE

Merrill House is a Gothic redbrick beacon that burns bright on Prince Edward County’s lakeside shores. Like your avant-garde hosts who have a collection of period costumes, you can also try on many hats: be a wellness warrior in the outdoor barrel-sauna, a gourmand over a Gallic tasting menu, an oenophile at wine tastings, or a (design) lover in the individually styled bedrooms. This heritage hotel delivers on substance, too, with its raft of sustainability initiatives and avid support of local community and arts projects — cheers to that over a fireside craft cider.

ST LUCIA, CARIBBEAN

High season tails off in St Lucia after Easter, but there are still a couple of months before cooler climes return. Take advantage of the low-season quiet to hike through rainforest, visit sulphurous, geothermal springs and lean into palm-shaded downtime at one of this windward isle’s famed, turquoise-sea-lapped beaches.

EAST WINDS

An air of reinvention has been swirling around Piton-crowned St Lucia for a while as its popularity has grown — but at all-inclusive East Winds, easy-breezy nostalgia is in colourful Caribbean abundance, and we’re here for it. This couples-centric retreat is a study in low-tempo beach living: whitewashed garden cottages give way to a palm-studded shoreline on Labrelotte Bay, while a pool and swim-up bar, yoga pavilion and garden-set spa bring variety to the art of relaxation. And then there are the sunsets…

CALIFORNIA, USA

Spending summer in California is a classic for a reason. Slow the pace and sidestep Big Sur, turn off Route One and take a pitstop in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Beaches draw in wave-shredders and book readers alike; inland, Monterey’s vineyards continue to make a name for themselves and farmers’ markets bring the freshest fare.

STILWELL HOTEL

The Central Coast may not bask in the same spotlight as California’s headline cities, but its laidback charms — windswept cypress trees, powdery beaches, indie boutiques — make California dreaming come true. In Carmel-by-the-Sea, the storybook setting spills over into Stilwell Hotel through warm contemporary interiors and coastal artwork. Modern water fountains add an ASMR-inducing soundtrack, while flickering firepits warm a patchwork of outdoor courtyards for sundowners, seasonal salads and flamed-licked pizzas. Nearby, Pebble Beach Golf Links on 17-Mile Drive offers plenty of chances to perfect (or completely botch) a putt.

SPAIN

As the temperature picks up in Spain, so does the tempo. Public party season kicks off in spring: pack your polka-dots and castanets for Seville’s Feria de Abril, a week-long fiesta with flamenco dancing and free-flowing sherry. As the city starts to sizzle like a plate of gambas al ajillo, hit the coast like a local for breeze-kissed dining and sea dips.

OKU ANDALUSIA

Retreat from (or to) the sun at Oku Andalusia, an all-frills resort set on the Costa del Sol that’s just the ticket for the whole family. Flopping next to the Bali-inspired pool is part of the stay’s allure, with its beach-club vibe and siesta-calling cabanas, but you might want to dip your toe into more than just the saltwater: round-the-clock entertainment comes in the form of sunrise meditations, rounds of padel, beach bonfires and DJ sets. If you can pry yourself away from the sunloungers or will yourself to leave the spa, this is the start of the season when you might spy orcas on boat trips.

TAYKO SEVILLA

Perched between landscaped gardens and the Guadalquivir River, Tayko Sevilla is a bright and airy retreat from the city’s heat, offering coolness in both temperature and design. The surrounding cobblestone streets come to life with traditional festivities in springtime, but you’ll have them (mostly) to yourself in summer as locals flock to the coast. Seek out shade in Seville Cathedral, under Moorish archways and in leafy courtyards, then relish balmy evenings at an outdoor concert or with an aperitivo by Tayko’s alfresco pool.

SWEDEN

Sweden may evoke images of snow and fur-laden locals, but during the warmer months, this Scandi hub sheds its layers. Think coastal forays and traditional midsummer celebrations, temperatures that teeter on the fresher side of sultry and a clutch of new openings from Stockholm to the south-east.

STOCKHOLM STADSHOTELL

Stockholm is a city that woos whatever the weather, and with its array of islands there’s no shortage of refreshing spots to discover come spring. Turning heads for the season is Stockholm Stadshotell, an artfully designed stay in the centre of Södermalm. This is a district that locals — the kind that make you want to reassess your outfit — still call home, meaning in-the-know bars are on every corner. The hotel has styled itself as a living room for the city, so you’ll feel equally welcome, especially when the tradition of fika (coffee and cake) is honoured.

THE ARK AT ERIKSBERG

Sustainability is woven into the tapestry of Swedish culture, and The Ark at Eriksberg encapsulates the country’s Earth-kind approach with style. Rising like a ship from the grounds of Blekinge County’s verdant nature reserve, its angular building was dreamt up by local architect Oskar Årevall and merges harmoniously with the surroundings, so as not to disturb the wild residents, which include eagles, bison and deer. Forest bathing, hiking, safaris and canoeing are some of the warm-weather pursuits, and when you’re not enjoying traditional tasting menus, you can watch animals graze from a respectful distance.

MARYHILL ESTATE

There’s been a flurry of interest in Sweden’s Skåne County lately, courtesy of the reinvented Maryhill Estate hotel. The original building has lived many lives, passing through the hands of governor August Anderberg and ‘sugar king’ confectioner Carl Tranchell, to name a few; today its members’ club and deftly designed rooms still draw a refined crowd. Maryhill offers contemporary comfort with throwback grandeur year-round, but comes into its own in the warmer months when outdoor pools are surrounded by dry-martini-sipping sunbathers, games courts welcome friendly competition and a close-to-the-coast setting allows for sandy sojourns.

TURKEY

When somewhere is nicknamed ‘the Turquoise Coast’, you can assume it’ll be pleasant. In the case of the Turkish Riviera — the official name for the coastline running from Izmir to Antalya — ‘pleasant’ doesn’t quite cut it. Revered since antiquity, the region contains world wonders, was admired by Mark Antony and has birthed titans of Greek history. The charm of its seaside villages, crystal waters and sandy beaches remains undimmed by time.

AHAMA

Opening in June, Ahama is spread across a forest-fringed bay in Fethiye, a relatively undeveloped stretch of the Turkish Riviera. The peaceful locale clearly made a big impression on the owners, who’ve given the hotel a meditative, minimalist character, with rooms and cabanas of jute, wood and stone tucked between the bay’s rare Liquidambar trees. Wellness is writ large here, with sunrise yoga, shamanic rituals, guided meditations and qi gong classes. But Ahama’s no ascetic, with several seductive bars and a trio of restaurants, including a Mexican-Mediterranean option on the beach and a seafood specialist with a terrace that runs right along the water’s edge.

OKU BODRUM

Opening this July, Oku Bodrum has yet to reveal all of its secrets. So let’s start with what we do know: the hotel has taken up a prime position on the Bodrum Peninsula’s northern shore, with forested hills on one side and the sparkling Aegean on the other. The look is earthy and minimalist, with plenty of wood, wicker, hessian and slate-toned fabrics in the rooms, which have either a balcony or terrace looking out to sea. There’s an embarrassment of outdoor spaces to lounge, drink and dine in, including three restaurants, alfresco bars, shaded cabanas and even a private jetty, from which you can hop aboard a boat to explore hidden lagoons or nearby islands. We can’t say any more, but let’s be honest — need we?

With spring and summer’s holidays sorted, why not plan the rest of your year in travel with our Where To Stay in 2025 guide