Menu
Home Blog Page 15

The Best UK Cities To Own A Dog

Editorial Team
-
0
The Best UK Cities To Own A Dog

The UK is home to around 13.5 million pet dogs, with 36% of all households owning at least one. That makes it one of the most dog-dense countries in Europe, yet the experience of owning one varies wildly depending on where you live. In one city you might have three parks within walking distance, a vet around the corner and a local pub that keeps biscuits behind the bar. In another, you could be driving 20 minutes to find somewhere your dog can run off-lead, paying well over the odds for a routine consultation and fielding dirty looks every time you try to bring them inside for a pint.

The gap has widened in recent years. The Competition and Markets Authority found that vet fees have risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation, with standard consultations now ranging from around £35 in Birmingham to upwards of £70 in parts of London. Rental markets in many cities remain hostile to dog owners. And while the culture around dogs in pubs and restaurants has shifted enormously over the past decade, some places have embraced it faster than others.

All of which means the city you choose, or already find yourself in, has a real impact on the quality of life you and your dog share. Here are five that get the balance right.

Edinburgh

Scotland’s capital has a structural advantage that most English cities cannot match. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 grants walkers and their dogs the right to roam across most of the countryside, provided the dog is kept under proper control. In practice, this means the city’s boundaries blur into open hills, coastline and woodland without the “Private, Keep Out” signs that dog owners south of the border encounter so often.

Within the city itself, 49% of Edinburgh is green space, the highest proportion of any major UK city according to a study by First Mile. The 650-acre Holyrood Park, with its climb up Arthur’s Seat, feels more like the Highlands than a capital city. Inverleith Park and The Meadows cover the everyday walks, and the 13-mile Water of Leith Walkway connects much of it together, running from the edge of the Pentland Hills all the way down to Leith. Portobello Beach adds a coastal dimension for dogs who prefer saltwater to grass.

A 2025 study by Accor rated Edinburgh 8.9 out of 10 for dog-friendly dining, the highest of any UK city in their analysis. Gastropubs like The Scran & Scallie and The Palmerston treat dogs as standard. For those moments when sentimentality strikes, there’s always Greyfriars Bobby’s statue to remind you that Edinburgh has been a dog city for well over a century.

Liverpool

Liverpool might not be the first city that springs to mind for dog owners, but the numbers tell a convincing story. In the same Accor study, Liverpool ranked as the overall most dog-friendly city in the UK with a combined score of 7.11, taking top marks for quality of veterinary care at 8.1 out of 10. That vet provision matters more than people tend to realise, and Liverpool’s consultation fees sit comfortably at the affordable end of the national spectrum.

The city’s green spaces do serious work. Sefton Park, a Grade I listed 235-acre Victorian park, has lakes, woodland and a palm house that makes you forget you are in a city at all. Croxteth Country Park adds 500 acres of countryside on the city’s edge, while the Otterspool Promenade offers a flat riverside path that suits older dogs or anyone after a walk without the gradient.

For a coastal fix, Crosby Beach is a 15-minute drive north; dogs are welcome year-round with no seasonal restrictions, and the three-kilometre stretch of sand around Antony Gormley’s iron figures is one of the more memorable walks on Merseyside.

Liverpool’s pub culture has embraced dogs without reservation. Lark Lane, the strip of independent bars and restaurants running alongside Sefton Park, functions as a dog-walking pitstop with a drinks licence. Venues like Mowgli on Bold Street, Duke Street Market and The Bookbinder all welcome four-legged visitors. The cost of living makes a tangible difference here too. 

According to estimates from Pets4Homes, a medium-sized dog in the UK now costs between £1,900 and £3,000 a year to keep, and being in a city where rent, food and vet bills sit below the national average provides genuine breathing room. Pet insurance premiums tend to be lower outside London and the South East as well, which is worth factoring into the monthly budget.

Brighton

If Edinburgh is the city where dogs have the freedom to roam, Brighton is the city where dogs have a social life. It has more dog meet-up groups per capita than anywhere else in the UK, with dedicated gatherings for pugs, terriers, sausage dogs and a catch-all group for everything in between. It would not be unusual for your cockapoo to have more weekend plans than you do.

The beach is the obvious draw. Miles of seafront let dogs run off-lead for most of the year, with the South Downs National Park rising directly behind the city for longer walks when pebbles lose their appeal. Preston Park, Stanmer Park and Queen’s Park cover the everyday routine, while Devil’s Dyke on the Downs offers one of the best viewpoints in southern England with a dog-friendly pub at the top.

Brighton’s food and drink scene treats dogs as default rather than exception. From the North Laines to Hove, you would struggle to find a pub without a water bowl by the door. The Farm Tavern in Hove has earned a reputation for serving complimentary roast dinners to visiting dogs, and Dishoom Permit Room on East Street welcomes them inside. The city’s progressive, community-minded character extends to its whole approach to animals, which is why Brighton consistently lands at or near the top of every dog-friendly city ranking published in the UK.

Bristol

Bristol combines the green credentials of a market town with the infrastructure of a proper city.

According to Visit Bristol, the city has over 400 parks and green spaces, an astonishing number for its size, anchored by the 850-acre Ashton Court Estate just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Leigh Woods, Brandon Hill, St George Park and the Blaise Castle Estate all offer varied terrain, from woodland scrambles to wide-open fields. The harbourside provides a flat, scenic loop that suits dogs of any age or energy level.

The independent pub and cafe scene has enthusiastically adopted a dogs-welcome policy. The Tobacco Factory in Southville, Mud Dock on the harbourside and The Grain Barge, a floating pub moored in the harbour, all treat dog owners as regulars rather than exceptions. Racks in Clifton keeps a selection of treats behind the bar for visiting hounds.

Vet provision is competitive, with prices sitting well below London and the South East. The city’s relatively compact layout helps on a daily basis; most Bristol dog owners can reach a significant green space within a ten-minute walk, which is the kind of everyday convenience that makes the biggest difference over the long run. The surrounding Somerset and Gloucestershire countryside is there for weekend adventures when the city parks start to feel too familiar.

Bath

Bath is a compact city, and for dog owners that works in its favour. You are never more than a few minutes from open countryside, and the hills surrounding the Georgian terraces provide some of the most scenic dog walks in the south of England.

The Skyline Walk, a six-mile National Trust route circling the city along the ridgeline, offers panoramic views over Bath and the Avon Valley without a stretch of pavement in sight. Alexandra Park, Bathwick Meadow and the towpath along the Kennet & Avon Canal cover the everyday walks, while Prior Park Landscape Garden welcomes dogs on leads past the Palladian Bridge and through its sweeping valley grounds.

The city’s pub scene has caught up with its dog-owning population. The Marlborough Tavern, The Hare & Hounds and The Hop Pole all welcome dogs, and several of Bath’s independent cafes keep water bowls and treats as standard. Victoria Park, which sweeps around the foot of the Royal Crescent, is an unlikely but excellent spot for an off-lead run with Georgian architecture as the backdrop.

Bath also benefits from proximity to wider walking country. The Cotswolds, Mendip Hills and the Somerset Levels are all within easy reach for day trips, and the Two Tunnels Greenway provides a traffic-free cycling and walking route that dogs love. On the practical side, the city has a decent spread of vet practices, and while it is not the cheapest place to live, it avoids the premiums of London, where vet consultations alone can run close to double what you would pay elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Choosing where to live with a dog is not all about which city has the most Instagram-friendly park. The practical stuff, vet costs, rental policies on pets, access to off-lead space within walking distance of your front door, matters far more in the day-to-day reality of ownership than any ranking can fully capture.

12 Space Saving Solutions For Small Bedrooms

Editorial Team
-
0
12 Space Saving Solutions For Small Bedrooms

Ah, the small bedroom – a place where dreams are made and space is scarce. As homes get smaller, many of us are searching for small bedroom ideas that make the most out of our compact space. 

If you’re one of the many who struggle to find enough room in your pint-sized boudoir, fear not; there are plenty of ways to maximise space without compromising on style. Here are 12 ingenious space-saving solutions for small bedrooms.

Foot-of-the-Bed Storage: The Unsung Hero

Why let that valuable real estate at the foot of your bed go to waste? Utilise it by adding a stylish storage bench or trunk that doubles as seating. Not only does it provide extra space for blankets, shoes, or whatever else you can stuff in there, but it also gives your bedroom a polished, well-thought-out look. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to sit while contemplating what to wear!

Wall-Mounted Desks: A Study in Space Saving

In a small bedroom, every inch counts. That’s why wall-mounted desks are an excellent alternative to traditional desks that take up valuable floor space. Simply fold them up when not in use and voila! You’ve now got yourself a makeshift dance floor – or, you know, just more room to move around.

Floating Shelves: Defying Gravity

Who needs floor space when you’ve got walls? Floating shelves are a fantastic way to store books, knick-knacks, and other essentials without cluttering up your bedroom. Plus, they give the illusion of a larger room by, again, drawing the eye upwards (imagine these combined with tall cabinets – you’d never take your eyes off the ceiling!). Just be sure to secure them properly – nobody wants a midnight book avalanche.

Read: How to make your bedroom more aesthetically pleasing on a budget

A Storage Headboard: Head Bangingly Clever

A storage headboard is a clever way to add extra storage to your bedroom without sacrificing valuable floor space. Look for one with cubbies, shelves or drawers to keep all of your essentials within arm’s reach. We’re fans of bookcase headboards too; they not only look aesthetically pleasing, but you’re more likely to read before you go to sleep if a book is within arms reach. And if you didn’t know, reading a book before bed helps you sleep better. 

Under-Bed Storage: The Hidden Treasure Trove

Why let dust bunnies have all the fun under your bed? Make the most of this often-overlooked space by investing in under-bed storage containers or a bed frame with built-in drawers. It’s the perfect hideaway for seasonal clothing, extra bedding, or that collection of vintage Beanie Babies you just can’t part with.

Read: 8 ways to organise a small bedroom

Bespoke Corner Solutions: The Space Optimiser

Corner spaces in bedrooms are notoriously difficult to utilise effectively. This is where bespoke bedroom furniture comes in, as opting for fitted bedrooms can help tie everything together. Unlike off-the-shelf options, custom-made corner wardrobes can be tailored to fit snugly into those awkward angles, making use of every centimetre.

Consider clever internal fittings such as pull-out shoe racks and built-in jewellery drawers when planning your space. Though fitted wardrobes represent a larger initial investment, they offer unparalleled space efficiency—perfect for anyone looking to maximise a small bedroom.

Read: 8 corner wardrobe ideas to maximise bedroom storage

Tall & Long Cabinets: Embrace Vertical Space

We all know when it comes to maximising space in your bedroom, custom-made fitted wardrobes can be a gamechanger, especially if your bedroom has awkward nooks and crannies. 

However, if you can’t quite afford those much coveted custom fitted wardrobes for your home, there are plenty of other storage solutions available. Consider tall and thin cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling and can fit neatly by the side of your window. Not only do they give you more storage space, but tall cabinets also draw the eye upward, making the room feel bigger.

Pendant & Sconce lighting: A Bright Idea

Wave goodbye to bulky bedside lamps and say hello to pendant lighting! By hanging chic pendant lights from the ceiling, you’ll free up precious nightstand space and create an airy, uncluttered vibe. Similarly mounting a sconce can free up space either side of the bed. 

Ottoman Stools: The Multi-Tasking Marvels

Ottoman stools are the superheroes of the furniture world. Not only do they provide additional seating, but they also come with hidden storage compartments for all those miscellaneous items that seem to multiply overnight. With their sleek design and practicality, ottoman stools are the perfect addition to any small bedroom. 

Mirror With Built-In Storage: Reflections Of Genius

A mirror is a must-have in any bedroom, but why settle for plain old looking glass when you can have one with built-in storage? These clever contraptions combine the best of both worlds, providing a spot to check your reflection and stash your belongings.

A wall mounted mirror with built in storage like this one from SONGMICS looks the part, too. It’s like having a Marie Kondo hiding behind your mirror, ready to store your stuff at a moment’s notice. Moreover, the mirror will reflect light and visually expand the space. What’s not to love?

Design by IDEAL image © Songmics via Amazon

Vertical Planters: Greenery Gone Wild

Bring the outdoors in with vertical planters that take up minimal space while adding a touch of nature to your bedroom. Not only do they look fabulous, but they also create a calming atmosphere and can help you sleep better.

Indeed, as reported by Heathline, plants can “reduce sleep latency (the time it takes you to fall asleep)” and “improve sleep integrity by reducing the number of micro-awakening events (the number of times you come out of deep sleep during the night)”.

Moreover, it can reduce cortisol concentrations. Combined, these all add up too a more restful night’s sleep.

Read: 4 IDEAL plants to place in your bedroom

The Catch-All-Basket: Chaos & Clutter Management

The bedroom is often the messiest room in the house. Yesterday’s clothes, multiple outfit changes in the morning, and getting ready in a rush means that mess often accumulates, especially when we find ourselves busy with other things. Consider a catch-all basket for your bedroom; a place where you can collect your clutter in a moment and make tidying easier later on.

The Bottom Line

So, there you have it – eleven space-saving solutions that will transform your small bedroom into a stylish, clutter-free sanctuary. With a little creativity and some clever furniture choices, you’ll be well on your way to becoming the Marie Kondo of compact living. Happy organising!

The Best Places In The World For Luxury Real Estate Investment

Editorial Team
-
0
The Best Places In The World For Luxury Real Estate Investment

Making the step up from having vested interests in the UK housing market to being a global luxury real estate investor can be daunting. Suddenly those rungs on the premium property ladder are feeling pretty slippery underfoot, and more than just a little heavy on the wallet, too.

Whether planning for retirement or simply plotting an escape from these shores, you’ve got to speculate to accumulate, as the experts say, and if you’ve got the capital available to back your ambitions up, you might even find the world of luxury real estate investment is a very lucrative one indeed. 

This shouldn’t just be a case of spinning the globe and seeing where your finger lands. You might as well be spinning a roulette wheel with all your money on red. Instead, to make sure you’re in the black, here are some of the best places in the world for luxury real estate investment.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is a city on a seemingly unstoppable upward trajectory. In Resonance’s annual ranking of the World’s Best Cities, ‘The Six’ (as one famous resident has nicknamed Toronto) ranked 17th, with experts praising its exponential growth, culturally, financially and in terms of size. It’s the fastest growing in all of North America, and is predicted to be the continent’s third largest in the not too distant future.

What’s more, Toronto has the ninth highest number of Global 500 head offices in the world, encouraged by fast growing real estate wealth. Luxury real estate auctions are particularly big business here, driving prices up by increasing that sense of exclusivity and scarcity in premium property listings in the city.  

All of this makes it an incredible place to invest in luxury property; there are young, aspirational folk living here with big money to spend. Will you join them?

Dubai, UAE

They don’t call it the City of Gold for nothing. In just a few years Dubai has grown spectacularly from a sleepy Gulf port to a global business hub and icon of ostentatious luxury and wealth the world over. 

Dubai’s rapid expansion is symbolised by its skyline, with the current record breaking collection of towers unrecognisable from the same view just twenty years ago. Incredibly, the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, has only been standing for just 15 years. 

This breakneck redevelopment is epitomsed by ambitious players in the space like Binghatti, who recently broke ground on Mercedes-Benz Places Binghatti City, a Dh30 billion “city within a city” comprising 12 skyscrapers and over 13,000 residences in the Meydan district.

This of course spells something of an opportunity for luxury real estate investors, as property in Dubai is ultra-modern and as technological advanced as it comes. What’s more, with a transient working population, the city offers much higher rental yields than many more mature, established real estate markets. Investment properties in the Middle East never looked so lucrative.

There are also new visa laws concerning residency and property ownership in the country that are more favourable to foreigners. Do check out these useful tips for expats moving to Dubai for more on that.

Manchester, UK

Whilst London is the obvious choice for a premium property investment on terra firma, it’s in Manchester that we think the luxury real estate market presents more lucrative opportunities.

Let us explain why.

Manchester is predicted to have huge property price growth across the next five years. On the whole, property prices will increase by an average of 6.2% across the UK over by 2027, with some high-performing regions such as the North West set to witness a growth of as much as 11.7%, where key cities like Manchester stand out as some of the best places to invest in UK property.

There are also high levels of employment and capital growth in the city, spurred on by regeneration projects like the development at St Johns, a new Manchester city-centre neighbourhood that will create a number of new homes, workplaces, and leisure and shopping attractions. All of this means a luxury property purchase here makes a whole lot of sense, and could well see a significant return on investment.

Alternatively, another predicted upcoming investment hotspot is Birmingham, with average yields set to grow by 8% in some areas of the city following the construction of HS2 and, consequently, some London commuters choosing to leave the Big Smoke for Brummagem.

Read: 5 IDEAL reasons to buy property in Manchester

Fortaleza, Brazil

For luxury beachfront property investment, Brazil’s Fortaleza ranks as one of the top five in the world, according to the Global Property Survey, as reported on by Forbes.

Brazil is one of the world’s largest economies, and growing fast. The capital of the country’s Ceará state in the northeast, Fortaleza is one of the largest urban centres in South America, in terms of both size and population. Considering it’s also a beach town, with long stretches of golden sands and surf, it’s no surprise that luxury properties here are in high demand, bolstered by that exquisite mix of a prime location on the coast and big-city amenities further inland.

With recent increases in the number of international flights into Fortaleza, tourism is booming here, with so much to see and do in the city. Combine this with the fact that Brazil’s middle class has been growing at a confident, consistent rate of 1% per year, and it seems like luxury property investment here makes perfect sense in terms of ROI. 

Singapore

Singapore is consistently named as the world’s most expensive city, and there is serious money in the Lion City.

In fact, low taxes, continued stability, capital preservation, and a universally-praised response to global challenges have made Singapore a more attractive place to invest than ever before. The luxury property market has shown remarkable resilience, with Q1 2025 data revealing a sharp 44.6% quarter-on-quarter rebound in transaction values for private homes priced above $5 million in the Core Central Region, reaching $1.37 billion.

The number of luxury transactions climbed significantly to 143 units in Q1 2025 – up 43% from the previous quarter and representing the highest quarterly sales volume since Q4 2023. The super luxury segment is particularly strong, with 17 condominium units selling for over $10 million in the first quarter alone. One standout transaction was a Park Nova unit that sold for $38.888 million at $6,593 per square foot – the second-highest price per square foot ever recorded in Singapore. We await 2026’s stats.

With Singapore ranking 11th in the world in terms of millionaire density, and the luxury market showing such robust performance even amid global economic uncertainties, the purchase of a luxury property here continues to be a wise investment indeed. The market’s strength in 2025 suggests this momentum will continue well into the future. Might 2026 be the year you move to Singapore?

Antalya, Turkey

We’re finishing up in Antalya, Turkey’s premier coastal destination and a luxury real estate hotspot that continues to attract significant international investment despite broader market challenges.

Recent market data from 2025 shows Antalya’s remarkable resilience and growth. The city saw home sales surge by 19.8% year-on-year to 77,512 units in 2024, capturing more than 5% of Turkey’s entire property market. What’s particularly compelling for international investors is that Antalya accounts for an impressive 34.6% of all foreign property purchases in Turkey – second only to Istanbul.

While Turkey’s property market faces the challenge of high inflation (with nominal price increases of around 30% masking real value declines), Antalya offers decent rental yields ranging from 3.46% to 8.17%, with a city average of 5.73%. This makes it an attractive option for investors seeking rental income from Turkey’s booming tourism sector.

The city benefits from its unique position as the gateway to Turkey’s stunning Turquoise Coast, combining year-round sunshine, pristine beaches, and a growing infrastructure that continues to attract both tourists and permanent residents. With Turkey’s revised investment thresholds for residency and citizenship still drawing international buyers despite recent increases, Antalya remains one of the most accessible entry points into the Turkish luxury property market.

If you’re keen to read more about that, then check out these 7 reasons investors are buying property in Antalya.

*Anything written by IDEAL Magazine is not intended to constitute financial advice. Always consult with an independent financial advisor or expert before making an investment or any personal finance decisions.*

48 Hours In Bilbao: A Weekend Guide To The Basque Country’s Cultural Capital

Travel Team
-
0
48 Hours In Bilbao: A Weekend Guide To The Basque Country’s Cultural Capital

Until 1997, Bilbao was best known as an industrial port city; proud, Basque to its bones, but not somewhere that featured on many tourist itineraries. Then Frank Gehry built the Guggenheim on the banks of the Nervión River, and the city’s trajectory shifted overnight. 

The so-called ‘Guggenheim Effect’ became shorthand in urban planning for what a single building can do to a city’s fortunes, and nearly three decades on, Bilbao has made good on that early promise. The museum district hums with investment, but walk ten minutes into the Casco Viejo and you’ll find pintxo bars that haven’t changed their recipes in decades, medieval lanes where every other doorway leads to a tiny bar, and a food culture that rivals anywhere in Europe for quality and value.

This is a city that speaks its mind in Euskera, one of Europe’s most ancient languages, serves wine by pouring it from great heights, and considers a proper lunch incomplete without at least three courses. Barcelona and Madrid battle tourist hordes; Bilbao offers a more intimate urban experience where you’re more likely to rub shoulders with locals at the morning market than fellow visitors.

The compact city centre means everything is walkable or a short metro ride away, and the Bay of Biscay’s beaches and the verdant Basque mountains both lie within 30 minutes. Two days provides enough time to gorge on pintxos, gawp at world-class art, and understand why Bilbaóns are so fiercely proud of their transformed city.

Day 1

Morning: Gehry, Gooseneck Barnacles & The Casco Viejo

Begin your Bilbao weekender at Café Iruña, a Moorish-inspired institution on Jardines de Albia that’s been caffeinating locals since 1903. Their café con leche arrives in elegant china; elderly gents debate politics over copies of El Correo at the next table. The ornate tiled interior, complete with carved wooden ceiling and stained glass, provides the perfect backdrop for planning your day. Order a pintxo de tortilla; their Spanish omelette, served at room temperature as tradition demands, sets the bar high for everything that follows. Note that Café Iruña opens at 9am on weekdays but 11am on weekends.

A 15-minute riverside stroll brings you to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Frank Gehry’s game-changing masterpiece that sparked the city’s renaissance. Arrive for the 10am opening to beat the crowds and catch morning light dancing off the titanium curves. The building itself is the star, but the collection holds its own with works by Koons, Kapoor, and Serra.

Don’t miss Richard Serra’s ‘The Matter of Time’; walking through these towering steel spirals feels like navigating a rust-coloured dreamscape, and the temptation to yell into the echoes and crevices is impossible to resist, even for adults. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays except in summer and on select holidays).

Afternoon: The Market & The Old Town

Exit the Guggenheim and walk 15-20 minutes along the river (or take the tram two stops) to reach the Mercado de la Ribera, Europe’s largest covered market by floor space. This art deco behemoth houses over 60 stalls where fishmongers hawk everything from percebes (gooseneck barnacles) to massive tuna heads. The upper floor has been converted into a gourmet food court where traditional meets contemporary; grab a txuleta (aged beef) sandwich from one stall and wash it down with txakoli (sparkling Basque wine) from another. Note that the market closes Monday and Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday.

Cross back over the river via the Campo Volantin footbridge (another Calatrava creation that locals love to hate) and plunge into the Casco Viejo, Bilbao’s atmospheric old town. These seven medieval streets, Las Siete Calles, have anchored the city since the 14th century. Start at Plaza Nueva, a neoclassical square ringed by pintxo bars, then lose yourself in the narrow lanes where every other doorway seems to lead to a tiny bar or ancient shop.

The Cathedral of Santiago deserves a quick visit for its Gothic cloister, but the real attraction is street life. Watch txikiteo in action: the Basque tradition of bar-hopping with small glasses of wine, never staying too long in one place.

Evening: Pintxo Crawl

As evening approaches, position yourself for Bilbao’s greatest ritual: the pintxo crawl. Most visitors stick to the Casco Viejo, but cross the river to the Diputación area in the Ensanche district and you’ll be richly rewarded. El Globo’s txangurro gratinado (spider crab gratin) is the essential Bilbao pintxo: brown crab meat and béchamel piled onto crusty bread and gratinéed until golden.

El txangurro gratinado (crab gratin pintxo)

Next door, La Viña del Ensanche has been run by the same family since 1927 and serves some of the city’s finest jamón ibérico, sliced on a vintage 1907 Berkel. For a full rundown of where to eat and how to navigate the ritual, our guide to the best pintxos in Bilbao covers the city’s four key neighbourhoods for txikiteo.

For a sit-down dinner (if you still have room), book ahead at Mina, chef Álvaro Garrido’s Michelin-starred restaurant which recently relocated from its original riverside spot to larger premises in the Indautxu neighbourhood. The tasting menu changes with the seasons but always showcases Basque ingredients with subtle Asian influences. The sake selection might seem incongruous until you taste how perfectly it pairs with local seafood.

End your night at Café Bar Bilbao back on Plaza Nueva, where the tiles haven’t changed since 1911 and the atmosphere gets increasingly animated as the night wears on.

Day 2

Morning: Art, Coffee & A View

Beat the crowds with a 9am visit to the Museo de Bellas Artes, Bilbao’s other world-class art museum that somehow flies under the tourist radar. The museum is currently partially open (with free admission) during the major Foster + Partners expansion project, Agravitas, with the full reopening scheduled for June 2026. What’s accessible is well worth the visit; the Basque art section proves particularly fascinating, revealing how isolated this culture remained from mainstream Spanish movements.

Exit through the lovely Doña Casilda Park and head to nearby Café Arrese in Abando district for a bit of Basque breakfast. This traditional pastelería has been perfecting its recipes since 1852; their butter croissants and Carolina pastries provide the perfect sugar rush for the day ahead. 

From here, it’s a short walk north through the museum district to the Funicular de Artxanda, which departs from behind the Guggenheim. This three-minute ride whisks you 770 feet above the city to a park where the panorama encompasses everything from the Guggenheim’s titanium curves to the Bay of Biscay. The contrast between green mountains and urban sprawl helps explain why Bilbaóns seem so content; they’ve got the best of both worlds.

Afternoon: Beach, Bridge & Football

Descend and take the metro (the stations themselves are architectural gems designed by Norman Foster) to Getxo, a seaside suburb about 30 minutes north. The Puente Bizkaia transporter bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site, still ferries cars and pedestrians across the river mouth in a hanging gondola. Take the lift to the top walkway for vertigo-inducing views, then stroll along the waterfront promenade to Ereaga beach. For lunch, Las Arenas beach offers several chiringuitos (beach bars) serving fresh seafood with sand between your toes.

Return to central Bilbao for a pilgrimage to San Mamés Stadium, home of Athletic Bilbao. Even non-football fans should appreciate this club’s unique philosophy: they only field players born or raised in the Basque Country, yet have never been relegated from Spain’s top division in over a century of competition, holding their own against the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona with a fraction of the budget.

If football doesn’t appeal, the nearby Azkuna Zentroa offers an alternative cultural fix. Philippe Starck transformed this former wine warehouse into a civic centre that defies categorisation. The 43 unique columns supporting the building each tell a different story, and inside you’ll find everything from a cinema to a rooftop swimming pool with a glass bottom.

Evening: Modern Basque Finale

For your farewell dinner, end your 48 hours where locals do, at a traditional asador (grill house) in the old town. Try Kasko for excellent grilled meats; order the chuletón (ribeye) for two, cooked over vine cuttings, and toast your weekend away in Bilbao with a glass (or two) of Rioja.

Beyond Bilbao: Extending Your Stay

If two days isn’t enough (and it won’t be), the Basque Country rewards a longer stay. San Sebastián is less than 90 minutes east by bus, with its own legendary pintxo scene concentrated along the old town’s narrow streets. Break the journey at the fishing village of Getaria, birthplace of Balenciaga and home to Elkano, one of the world’s great seafood restaurants, where whole turbot is grilled over charcoal just metres from the harbour. 

Head south and you’re in the Rioja wine region within an hour, tasting Tempranillo among centuries-old bodegas. North, the French Basque coast from Biarritz to Saint-Jean-de-Luz offers a different character entirely: softer light, Art Deco seafronts and Basque culture with a Gallic accent. All of it is easily combined into a longer trip, whether self-driven or through small group tours of Spain that connect the region’s highlights without the logistical headaches.

Where To Stay In Bilbao

We stayed at the Meliá, which overlooks Doña Casilda Park. Designed by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta as a tribute to Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida, the building is a bold slab of Bilbao red that fits right in among the Gehrys and Calatravas. Its location, a short walk from both the Guggenheim and the Casco Viejo, made it an ideal base for covering the city on foot. Rooms on the upper floors face the park and the mountains beyond, and the breakfast buffet leans heavily on local produce: Idiazábal cheese, Basque cider, cured meats from the region.

Melia Bilbao

For a front-row seat to the Guggenheim, The Artist Grand Hotel of Art (formerly Gran Hotel Domine) sits directly opposite the museum in a building designed by Javier Mariscal, with Philippe Starck bathtubs and a rooftop terrace looking straight across at Gehry’s titanium curves. In the Casco Viejo, Hotel Tayko occupies a 1924 building with exposed brick and industrial-chic interiors; its restaurant is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Martín Berasategui, which alone justifies the booking.

Budget-conscious visitors should look at the Ensanche district, where mid-range options sit within easy walking distance of both the old town and the museum quarter.

The Bottom Line

Forty-eight hours in Bilbao reveals a city that’s mastered reinvention without forgetting its roots. From the Guggenheim’s titanium waves to the Casco Viejo’s medieval lanes, from cutting-edge cuisine to traditional txikiteo, the city offers a masterclass in how industrial heritage and contemporary culture can coexist and thrive. Don’t be surprised if you’re already planning your return before you’ve even reached the airport, which, in true Bilbao style, is conveniently located just twenty minutes from the city centre.

We’re off to the Spanish capital next, for a taste of Madrid’s most iconic local dishes. Care to join us?

5 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying An Engagement Ring

Editorial Team
-
0
5 Things Nobody Tells You About Buying An Engagement Ring

You’ve spent weeks researching the 4Cs. You know your cut grades from your clarity charts, you’ve agonised over carat weight versus face-up size, and you can explain the difference between eye-clean and flawless to anyone who’ll listen. All of that matters. The centre stone is the main event, of course. But here’s what most buying guides skip entirely: a poorly constructed setting can take an exceptional diamond and make it look ordinary. The setting is the part of the ring most buyers barely consider, and it accounts for at least half of the visual result.

The best ring makers approach settings with the same obsessive precision they bring to stone selection, building every element of a ring around a single goal: making the whole piece work together rather than relying on one stone to carry the load. These are the principles behind that approach, and almost none of them are common knowledge.

The Whole Ring Should Sparkle, Not Just The Centre Stone

When you picture a ring catching the light from across a room, you’re not imagining one bright stone surrounded by dull metal. You’re imagining something that radiates light as a complete piece. That means the stones in the setting need to match the centre diamond in colour and quality.

This gets overlooked more often than you’d think. A centre diamond with exceptional whiteness surrounded by slightly warmer or lower-quality side stones creates visible contrast, and not the good kind. The centre looks brilliant; everything around it looks like an afterthought. Rather than amplifying the main stone, the setting undermines it. What could have been an extraordinary ring ends up looking like a good diamond dropped into something off the shelf.

When the stones are properly matched, light moves across the entire piece without interruption. The ring reads as one unified object rather than a collection of mismatched parts.

Read: The new rules of proposing in 2026

How Proportions Can Make Or Break A Setting

The relationship between the size of the side stones and the centre stone is something most buyers never consciously consider when buying an engagement ring, and it’s one of the most powerful variables in how the finished ring looks.

Side stones that are too large pull the eye outward and make the main diamond look smaller than it is. Too small, and they fail to add anything to the overall brilliance. When the proportions are right, the side stones do exactly what they should: draw the eye toward the centre while adding their own light. The centre stone looks larger and more prominent, not because it changed, but because everything around it is working in its favour.

This extends to the overall geometry of the setting: angles, depth, the relationship between the head and the band. Master diamond setter Vanessa Nicole considers this the most overlooked element of ring design, the idea that every proportion needs to be calibrated so the finished ring functions as a single coherent object rather than an assembly of individual components.

Stone Spacing Matters As Much As The Stones Themselves

Here’s a detail that separates an exceptional setting from an average one, and it’s almost invisible until you know to look for it. The central loose diamond and the other diamongs in a setting should sit so close together they’re practically touching. Not near each other. Almost touching.

When stones are spaced with visible gaps between them, those gaps read as darkness. Instead of a continuous sweep of brilliance across a halo or a pavé band, the eye picks up bright, dark, bright, dark. The sparkle fragments. The ring loses its sense of depth.

There’s a practical dimension too. Gaps between stones are exactly where soap residue, hand lotion and the general grime of daily life accumulate. A ring with widely spaced stones dulls faster and more noticeably than one where the stones sit tight. What looked bright in the jeweller’s case starts looking flat after a few months of real wear. Most people don’t think about maintenance when they’re choosing a ring, but the way a setting is built determines how much upkeep it needs. Tighter placement means less cleaning, less buildup, and a ring that holds its look for longer without professional intervention.

Tight stone placement takes genuine precision, more time, and more skill, which is exactly why it isn’t the default at most price points.

How Your Choice Of Metal Changes The Way A Diamond Looks

The metal you choose for the band and setting isn’t just an aesthetic preference. It directly affects how your diamond appears. A diamond with a slight warm tint can look noticeably more yellow when set in white gold or platinum, because the cool metal highlights the warmth by contrast. That same stone set in yellow gold looks cleaner, because the warm tones blend rather than clash. It works the other way too. A colourless diamond in a yellow gold setting can pick up warmth from the metal around it, particularly if the prongs are gold rather than white-tipped.

This is one of the reasons why the best setters think about metal and stone as a pairing rather than separate decisions. The choice of metal should follow the stone, not the other way around. A ring where metal and diamond are working together looks more expensive and more considered than one where they’ve been chosen independently, regardless of what was actually spent.

Read: 8 quirky and unique ways to personalise your engagement ring

Why Prong Shape Matters More Than You Think

The prongs holding your centre stone in place do more than secure the diamond. They either help it sparkle or work against it, and the difference comes down to shape and positioning.

A prong sculpted to follow the natural facets of the diamond, shaped into a sleek claw that flows with the stone’s geometry, essentially disappears. Your eye goes straight to the diamond. A prong that’s simply bent over into a rounded blob sits on top of the stone like a small cap, drawing attention to itself and blocking light in the process. The angle at which a prong meets the facet determines how much light passes through freely and how much gets interrupted.

Height matters too. Prongs that sit too high catch on fabric and hair, but they also lift away from the stone in a way that breaks the line between metal and diamond. A prong that hugs close creates a cleaner, more seamless look. The diamond appears more secure, more intentional, and better set.

Look at all of a ring’s prongs together. They should be even, symmetrical and consistent. Unevenness is one of the clearest signs that the setting work was rushed. If you’re buying in person, ask to see the ring under magnification before committing. Prong work that looks fine to the naked eye can reveal all sorts of inconsistencies under a loupe, and those inconsistencies only become more visible over time as the metal wears.

The Bottom Line

The 4Cs are the right starting point when buying the ideal engagement ring, and understanding them matters. But they describe the diamond in isolation. The ring that actually stops someone mid-sentence is the result of everything working together: stone, setting, proportion, placement. Looking beyond the centre stone and paying attention to how a ring is built, not just what’s in it, is the difference between something that sparkles and something worth staring at.

How To Create A Japanese Onsen-Style Bath At Home

Editorial Team
-
0
How To Create A Japanese Onsen-Style Bath At Home

In Japan, the onsen is more than a bath. It is a ritual of stillness, built around mineral-rich thermal water, natural materials, and the deliberate removal of everything unnecessary. Whether found carved into a mountainside in Kyushu or tucked behind a wooden screen in a Kyoto ryokan, the onsen tradition centres on one idea: that bathing, done well, is a form of healing. Soaking in heated water improves blood circulation, eases muscle tension, and lowers cortisol levels. The effects on sleep and mental clarity are well documented.

A recent survey found that 67 percent of tourists visiting Japan are interested in experiencing an onsen, which speaks to how powerfully the concept resonates even for those encountering it for the first time.

The good news is that you do not need to book a flight to access those benefits. With thoughtful design choices and the right materials, it is entirely possible to bring the essence of an onsen into your home, whether you have a garden, a spare room, or simply a bathroom due an upgrade.

Start With The Principles, Not The Products

The temptation with any bathroom renovation is to lead with fixtures and fittings. But the onsen tradition works the other way around. It begins with philosophy.

The Japanese concept of ma refers to negative space, the emptiness between objects that gives a room its sense of calm. In an onsen-style bathroom, every element earns its place. There are no decorative towel racks, no cluttered shelves of half-used products, no visual noise. The room breathes.

Before choosing a single tile, think about what you want to feel when you enter the space. Warmth. Enclosure. Quiet. These sensations should guide every decision that follows, from layout to lighting to the temperature of the water itself.

Choose Your Space

An onsen-style bathing area works in more settings than you might expect. If you have a garden, a sheltered corner with good drainage and access to plumbing is ideal, particularly if it can be naturally screened from neighbours with bamboo fencing or a living wall of evergreen planting. For those in a flat or terraced house, converting an existing bathroom is the most practical route, and even a modest-sized room can feel genuinely transformative with the right approach.

Whichever route you take, consult a professional to optimise your heating systems early in the process. An onsen-style tub uses significantly more water than a standard bath, and you will need a boiler and pipework capable of delivering a steady supply of hot water at the right temperature.

Getting this infrastructure right from the outset saves time and money further down the line, and it is the kind of detail that separates a genuinely restorative bathing space from one that simply looks the part.

The Tub Is Everything

In a traditional onsen, bathers sit with water up to their shoulders. This deep immersion is central to the experience, and it is the single most important element to get right at home. Standard Western bathtubs are too shallow and too long for the purpose. What you want is a deep soaking tub, ideally one that allows you to sit upright with the water reaching your collarbone.

The gold standard is Hinoki wood, the Japanese cypress prized for its gentle, forest-like fragrance and natural resistance to moisture. Hinoki tubs are expensive and require careful maintenance, but the sensory experience they deliver is extraordinary. If budget or practicality is a concern, stone composite tubs and high-quality acrylic soaking tubs can achieve a similar depth and silhouette at a lower price point. A freestanding oval or circular shape works best, both for comfort and for the visual simplicity that defines the onsen aesthetic.

Natural Materials & Muted Tones

An onsen draws its beauty from the landscape around it. Indoors, you can echo this by choosing materials that feel connected to the natural world. Stone tiles in slate grey or warm sand tones create a grounding base. Pebble-style shower trays or accent strips of river stone add texture underfoot without cluttering the visual field. Wood, whether used for a bath surround, a low stool, or simple shelving, brings warmth and a faintly medicinal scent when it meets steam.

Avoid anything glossy, bright, or synthetic. The palette should be drawn from earth and water: grey, cream, moss green, charcoal, and the soft amber of untreated timber. If you are tiling walls, consider large-format tiles with minimal grouting to keep lines clean and surfaces calm.

Lighting & Atmosphere

Harsh overhead lighting will undo all your good work. In an onsen, light tends to be low, warm, and indirect. Recessed downlights on a dimmer switch are the simplest solution. Wall-mounted fixtures that cast light upward or downward, rather than into the eyes, help create a sense of enclosure and softness. If you have the budget, consider LED strips concealed beneath a floating vanity or behind a bath surround for a gentle glow that pools at floor level.

Candlelight is an obvious addition, and a good one. A few unscented candles on a stone tray beside the tub bring a flicker of movement to an otherwise still room. For outdoor onsens, low-level garden lighting and string lanterns can create a similar warmth without competing with the night sky.

The Washing Ritual

One detail that often gets overlooked in Western interpretations of the onsen is the washing station. In Japan, bathers wash thoroughly before entering the tub, as the bath itself is for soaking, not for cleaning. Recreating this at home means installing a hand-held shower head at a low height, ideally with a wooden stool and a small drainage area beside the tub.

This separation of washing and soaking is not just tradition for its own sake. It keeps your bathwater cleaner for longer, allows you to use the same water for a deeper, more meditative soak, and reinforces the idea that entering the tub is a distinct, intentional act.

Sensory Details That Matter

The difference between a nice bathroom and a space that genuinely changes how you feel often comes down to a handful of small, considered touches. A single living plant, such as a fern or a small bamboo, introduces organic life without demanding attention. A recirculating water feature, even a modest tabletop version, fills the room with the sound of flowing water, which has a measurable calming effect on the nervous system.

Scent matters too; Hinoki essential oil, yuzu, or cedarwood can be diffused gently or added to bathwater. Keep products to a minimum and store them out of sight. The visual absence of clutter is itself a form of relaxation.

Building An Outdoor Onsen

If you have the space and the budget, an outdoor onsen is the ultimate version of this project. Start by choosing a sheltered, private area with good drainage. Lay a timber deck or natural stone platform as the base, and position your soaking tub as the focal point. Surround it with planting that evokes a Japanese garden: ornamental grasses, ferns, moss-covered stones, and a Japanese maple if your climate allows it. Gravel or raked white sand between planted areas reinforces the Zen aesthetic.

Privacy is essential. Bamboo screens, slatted timber fencing, or a combination of both will shield the space from neighbouring views while allowing air and dappled light through. The goal is to feel enclosed by nature, not by walls.

The Bottom Line

Creating a Japanese onsen-style bath at home is less about expensive products and more about a shift in thinking. Strip the space back. Choose natural materials. Prioritise depth, warmth, and quiet.

Secure stillness. When you sit in a tub of hot water in a room with nothing to distract you, the effect on body and mind is immediate and cumulative. The onsen teaches us that the most restorative spaces are often the simplest, and that healing begins with the decision to slow down.

The Way To A More Meaningful Life: Are You Living Your Eulogy?

Editorial Team
-
0
The Way To A More Meaningful Life: Are You Living Your Eulogy?
Ideal for living with a renewed sense of poise and purpose…

With the Night Manager’s second season concluded and our old DVD of The Wire scratched and stuttering, we’ve recently been binge watching the affable and slightly unrealistic Netflix drama Sweet Magnolias.

In the episode If Thou Wilt, Remember, which brings the idea of funerals, death, and the celebration of life to the fore, one line that particularly stuck with us was; “You know, my, uh, papa used to say, “Live your eulogy“”.

Sure, we may do things to proactively prepare for our death. We contemplate life insurance, we write our will, and generally, euphemistically, we get our affairs in order. Some of us even plan our own funerals. But one thing that many of us don’t do is write our own eulogy, let alone live it.

Writing your own eulogy may sound a little morbid, but we shouldn’t shrink away from thinking about our legacy. According to The New York Times best seller Hero on a Mission – as reported by Inc – if you want to live a more meaningful life, then you should start by writing your own personal paean.

Many philosophers argue that by living a life of purpose and meaning, we can bring about feelings of happiness and satisfaction. Doing so helps us navigate our experiences with intention, connects us with others, offers a sense of fulfilment, and ultimately enriches our existence. However, in the grand theatre of life, we’re often more busy chasing promotions, not pondering posthumous praise and wondering about the impact we had on the planet.

Yet, imagine if we lived for our eulogies instead? Picture your best friend standing up at your memorial, recounting tales of your legendary kindness, your infectious laughter, or your uncanny ability to find the best parking spots when you invited your friends out for a day trip. Now that’s a legacy worth striving for!

Living your eulogy means prioritising the things that truly matter – love, relationships, the planet – whatever matters to you.

What Would Your Eulogy Say Right Now?

Ask yourself what your eulogy might read like. We can tell you one thing; no one wants theirs to read “broke the office record for most emails sent in a day” or “once binge-watched an entire HBO series in single sitting” (yep, it was The Wire).

A not-so-flattering legacy as the overzealous email sender or a champion couch potato really makes you think. Better to live the eulogy that you want to be remembered by… 

An Epiphany Moment

People who have written their own obituaries often describe it as an epiphany moment. One woman who attended an obituary workshop in America – an incarnation of the “death positivity” movement which believes having open, honest conversations about death & dying is the cornerstone of a healthy society – told the Guardian that despite being only thirty, writing her own obituary had been an epiphany.

This is because, it made her feel that she hadn’t achieved enough in her life. “It was like, wow, I really need to get my shit together,” she says.

Indeed, for many, writing their own obituary or eulogy can be a wake up call – you could get run over by a bus tomorrow, after all.

Reasons To Live Your Eulogy

The concept of living your eulogy is tied closely to the idea of defining and pursuing a meaningful life. Some other reasons on why you should consider living your eulogy include…

Clarity of Purpose: Writing a eulogy is inherently introspective. It helps one identify and articulate what they value most in life, leading to a better understanding of one’s purpose and life goals. By determining the kind of person you want to be remembered as, you gain a clear understanding of your purpose and the values that align with that purpose.

Guided Decision Making & Evaluation of Actions: When faced with choices or challenges, thinking about how you want to be remembered can guide your decisions and actions. A self-written eulogy sets a benchmark for evaluating one’s actions. If an action does not contribute to the vision articulated in the eulogy, it might be reconsidered.

Focusing on the Big Picture & What Matters: Living your eulogy can help you disregard distractions and less important matters, and instead focus your energy on what truly matters to you. This exercise allows people to step back from the day-to-day tasks and focus on what truly matters in the long term, helping them make decisions that are aligned with these long-term goals and values.

Motivation and Determination: Remembering your end goals can serve as a source of motivation during difficult times.

Living Your Legacy: A self-written eulogy is an opportunity to consider the kind of legacy one wants to leave behind. This can be a powerful motivator for pursuing meaningful work and relationships. Living in way that aligns with your desired eulogy ensures that you leave behind a legacy that you are proud of.

Living Authentically: Writing one’s eulogy can create a roadmap for living a life that is true to one’s values and beliefs, leading to an authentic existence. Following your values and goals can bring a deep sense of fulfillment, as you would be living a life that is true to you.

Living Your Eulogy & The Gravestone Exercise 

Living your eulogy is closely associated with Stephen R. Covey’s gravestone exercise. The gravestone exercise asks individuals to envision what they’d like their epitaph to convey after they’ve passed, rather than what they’d like their life insurance policy to contain. 

The idea is to reflect on your own mortality by imagining what you would like your tombstone or gravestone to say about you after you’ve passed away. And it’s not just a thought exercise, either; a growing number of people are taking practical steps in this direction, working with forward-thinking firms like Exit Here London funeral directors to plan services that actually reflect who they were and how they lived. This helps to clarify what is most important to you in your lifespan and what kind of person you want to be remembered as.

People often find that this exercise brings clarity to their personal and professional goals, as it often highlights the discrepancy between their current path and the path that leads towards the legacy they want to leave behind. Doing the gravestone exercise can help you avoid being ‘dead serious’ about the wrong things in life.

Now, both these exercises are not to put you in an early existential crisis, but rather to give you much-needed perspective. Indeed, this introspective exercise is a reminder of life’s brevity, prompting one to live in accordance with their ultimate goals and values

Like the gravestone exercise, living your eulogy essentially means aligning your daily actions, decisions and relationships with the legacy you wish to leave behind, serving as a reminder to continuously strive towards becoming the version of ourselves we’d like to be remembered as.

It’s important to note that the idea isn’t to obsess over death, but rather to use the inevitability of death as a catalyst to live a meaningful and fulfilling life now, whether you’re embarking on an academic journey at university or settling down into a peaceful retirement.

As the saying goes, “The trouble is, you think you have time.” Understanding that our time is limited can inspire us to make the most of the present.

The Bottom Line

Writing your eulogy can provide you with a kind of ‘how to live’ guide, a personal constitution you can refer back to in times of doubt or crisis. It’s a way of checking in with yourself and making sure you are living the life they truly want to live. 

So, go ahead and fast forward to your own funeral. It’s a bit macabre, yes, but it’s also a sober reminder to prioritise the living part your life.

If you still find the idea of writing your own eulogy a little morbid, consider framing your eulogy as creating a goal (or goals) and working backwards from it; reverse engineering your life, so to speak.

Once you’ve laid out how you want to be remembered, it’s a lot easier to be intentional about what you do with your life!

9 Useful Tips For Expats Moving To Dubai

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
-
0
9 Useful Tips For Expats Moving To Dubai

Ideal for those looking to settle in seamlessly…

So, you’re moving to the City of Gold, also known as the Sand Paradise and sometimes called the Gulf Tiger? When you reel off those glamorous, intoxicating nicknames, upping sticks to Dubai sounds swell. Care to sneak us along in your suitcase?

But it’s not all massive buildings, swanky restaurants and several zeros added to your bank balance with each connection you make. Instead, you’ll find Dubai a city of dichotomy. Though there’s convenience and comfort to be found in spades here, it’s also a place capable of delivering a pretty massive culture shock to first-timers, with extreme weather and a new set of customs to get acclimatised to.

We’re here to help you settle in. Covering everything from how to rent a car in Dubai to the finest food in the city-state, here are 9 useful tips for expats moving to Dubai, IDEAL for those looking to settle in seamlessly.

Respect The Local Culture & Customs

Before you dive into the logistics of your move to Dubai, it’s crucial to understand and respect the emirate’s cultural and religious customs. As a Muslim country, the UAE observes Islamic traditions, and while Dubai is known for being one of the most progressive cities in the Middle East, certain social norms should be followed.

Dress codes are generally conservative, particularly in public spaces like malls, markets, and government buildings. While beachwear is perfectly acceptable at the beach or pool, it’s important to dress modestly elsewhere. For women, this means covering shoulders and knees, while men should avoid going shirtless outside of beach areas.

During Ramadan in Dubai, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is prohibited, even for non-Muslims. Many restaurants will be closed during the day, though some will offer discrete dining areas for non-fasting individuals. The holy month brings a unique atmosphere to the city, with shorter working hours and lively evening festivities that are worth experiencing.

Public displays of affection should be kept to a minimum. While UAE law was reformed in 2020 to decriminalise cohabitation for unmarried couples, discretion remains important, and shared cultural norms around modesty in public still very much apply. Additionally, be mindful that taking photographs of people without their permission is illegal, as is using offensive gestures or language in public.

Understanding these cultural nuances will not only help you avoid any inadvertent faux pas but will also enrich your experience of living in this fascinating city where tradition meets modernity.

Deciding On An Area To Live

Should you be heading to Dubai without a place secured, eager to see which neighbourhood feels right for you, then firstly, may we compliment you on your forward-thinking? We agree, it’s best to get a lay of the land first, before settling on somewhere to live, as each area offers something different, whether you’re a family seeking somewhere peaceful, or a young professional out on your own and wanting a more stimulating experience.

Whilst we wouldn’t want to state the obvious, Downtown Dubai has loads going on, with some seriously high-end shopping and dining options. It’s busy, bustling and full of energy, and where the most famous landmarks, such as the towering Burj Khalifa, are located.

As such, it’s perfectly suited to those young professionals we mentioned earlier. That said, it’s going to cost you, with a one bedroom apartment in Downtown Dubai coming in at around AED 10,000 to 15,000 per month (roughly £2,100 to £3,100). For families, you should also be aware that there are no schools downtown, though there are great transport links to several provided.

The most expensive areas in Dubai to own a property (and that’s saying something) are Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills and Dubai Marina. Speaking of which, should you be moving to Dubai as a young couple, and still want to be amongst the action but with a little more elbow room, Dubai Marina is where it’s at.

For something more affordable, Mirdif is still pretty centrally located, with several schools, a park, tennis courts and a shopping mall, and is popular with expats. Be warned that rush hour traffic in and out of Mirdif can be pretty frustrating, though connectivity should improve when the new Blue Line metro extension reaches the area (expected 2029). For expat families who are looking to spread out a little more, Arabian Ranches is the perfect choice.

Transport Smarts

Navigating your way around the City of Gold can be a thrilling experience, but it’s also essential to understand the various modes of transport available to you. Dubai boasts a well-structured and efficient transport system, making it easy for expats to get around.

Dubai Metro

The Dubai Metro is a state-of-the-art, driverless, fully automated rail system that is clean, fast, and efficient. It serves major tourist attractions, business hubs, and residential areas across two operational lines: the Red Line, which runs along Sheikh Zayed Road through the heart of the city (all the way out to Expo City Dubai), and the Green Line, which circles the Creek in Deira and Bur Dubai. 

A third line, the Blue Line, is currently under construction and expected to open in 2029. The metro operates from 5am to midnight Monday to Thursday and Saturday, from 5am to 1am on Fridays, and from 8am to midnight on Sundays. Do note that operating hours are sometimes extended during public holidays and major celebrations.

Taxis

Taxis are abundant, metered, and reasonably priced in Dubai. They can be hailed down on the street, booked online, or through various taxi booking apps. Dubai taxis are regulated by the government, and all drivers are professional and courteous. Be aware that during peak hours, finding a taxi might be a bit challenging.

Buses

Dubai’s bus network is extensive, serving over 140 routes across the city. The buses are modern, air-conditioned, and equipped with facilities for people with disabilities. They’re a cost-effective way to travel, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Trams

The Dubai Tram operates in the Marina and JBR area, providing connectivity to the Dubai Metro and the Palm Monorail. Trams run at intervals of roughly 8 to 10 minutes during peak hours, and it’s a convenient way to travel around these areas.

Car Rentals

If you prefer the freedom of driving, car rentals are widely available. However, keep in mind that traffic in Dubai can be heavy, especially during rush hours, and parking can be a challenge in busy areas. Also, remember that in the UAE, driving is on the right-hand side of the road. Should you choose to rent here, remember that the steering wheel will be on the left side of the car!

Bicycles

For short distances, consider renting a bicycle. Dubai has been increasingly promoting cycling, with dedicated cycling paths in specific areas of the city.

Abra (Water Taxi)

For a more traditional mode of transport, try the Abra, a type of water taxi found in Dubai. It’s a fun, inexpensive way to cross the Dubai Creek and offers a fantastic view of the city’s skyline.

Climate Cautious

The famous Dubai heat is certainly not to be underestimated. Temperatures routinely break the 40°C barrier in the sprawling summer months (from May to September) and don’t dip much below the mid twenties for the rest of the year. Indeed, don’t be surprised if the heat is pushing 50°C at times.

Although there’s some serious air-con going on indoors in Dubai, do be aware that this can lull you into a false sense of security. When you step outside or enter a vehicle, even for a second, you’ll feel that heat. If you’re heading out to enjoy the beach or one of Dubai’s famous water parks, do so early, before the midday sun bears down, stay hydrated and apply strong sunscreen, particularly between 10am and 4pm when the UV strength is considerably higher.

Work Smarts

Should you be travelling to Dubai with the intention of finding a job once you arrive, then be aware that any foreign national will need to secure an employment visa and Emirates ID, typically arranged through your sponsoring employer, in order to work legally.

Nearly all of those intending to work in Dubai will have already secured a job, and their company will have arranged the necessary work permit and residency visa on their behalf. That said, you can enter on a tourist visa and then look for work. The standard visa-on-arrival for UK passport holders grants a 30-day stay, though 60-day and 90-day visit visas are also available depending on your nationality and application route.

To assist your company with your work permit application, you’ll need a valid passport with at least six months until expiry, copies of your work contract, a medical fitness certificate, proof of qualifications and education, and the trade licence of the company you’re working for.

Starting A Business

Should you be arriving with the intention of setting up shop, Dubai has become considerably more welcoming for foreign entrepreneurs in recent years. Following major reforms to the UAE Commercial Companies Law in 2021, 100% foreign ownership is now permitted across the vast majority of mainland business sectors, meaning you no longer need a local sponsor holding a 51% stake as was previously required. 

As Rosemont Partners expert corporate services recommend, a handful of strategic industries (banking, telecom, and a few others) still require local partnership, but for most expats, this is no longer a hurdle. Free zones remain another popular option, offering tax incentives and streamlined setup processes.

Read: Your complete guide to Dubai’s best desert adventures

Cleaning & Laundry

Dubai has a fully appointed housekeeping industry, with the majority of expat households hiring the services of a housekeeper, cleaner, cook, security guard and more for the duration of their time in the city. If you’re not familiar with this level of help, it may feel strange at first, but if you’re paying fair wages and treating your housekeeper with the maximum levels of respect, then the arrangement works well for all parties.

Where once your landlord would pass on a recommendation for housekeepers or provide one with the property, now expats tend to use apps to find home help around the home. The justmop.com app is the preferred platform for many.

Feed Me

Like all things in Dubai, restaurant prices here are sky-high. If you’ve money to burn on foie gras topped with gold leaf and caviar, then be our guest. Actually, don’t; you sound expensive to host.

If you’re up for something more authentic, head out of the malls and onto the road. Around Old Dubai you can find cheaper restaurants with loads of traditional, family style food on offer. While Dubai doesn’t have a street scene as such, if you head to Al Rigga Street, you’ll find amazing Arabic shawarma, manakeesh and sweet treats like luqaimat to titillate your taste buds.

For groceries, some of the most ubiquitous, reliable stores include Spinneys, Al Maya Supermarket and, believe it or not, Waitrose. However, for ease, many online supermarkets operate in Dubai, delivering groceries, toiletries and everything you need right to your front door. Many expats avail themselves of such a service to avoid the blistering heat endured walking between shops.

Read: Where to eat on the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

Learn Some Arabic

Though English is widely spoken in Dubai, and is the preferred tongue for doing business as well as being ever present in the tourism sector, if you’re to get under the skin of the city, it’s best to learn some Arabic.

In Dubai, the Emirati dialect of Arabic is spoken, but a more standard Arabic will be understood everywhere. To learn most efficiently, there are several language centres in Dubai, with the Headway Institute, The Arabic Language Centre, and the Iqraa Arabic Learning Centre being the three most highly regarded.

Exciting times await in the City Of Gold! We hope you settle in smoothly and without a hitch.

15 Of The Best Things To Do In Montego Bay, Jamaica

Editorial Team
-
0
15 Of The Best Things To Do In Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, affectionately known as MoBay, is not just the capital of Saint James Parish but also the bustling epicentre of Jamaica’s tourism industry. With its vibrant culture, balmy climate, and postcard-perfect beaches, it’s no wonder that this Caribbean gem is a magnet for holidaymakers from around the globe. 

If you’re planning a holiday to this tropical paradise, here’s a curated list of the top things to do in arguably Jamaica’s most beloved tourist highlight, Montego Bay.

Sun, Sea & Serenity On Doctor’s Cave Beach

No trip to (or list about!) Montego Bay is complete without a day spent at Doctor’s Cave Beach. This world-renowned beach is famed for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and nearly 300 metres of immaculate white sand. The beach got its name from a physician who donated his beach property to form a swimming club; the cave was destroyed by a hurricane in 1932, but the club persists. 

It’s the perfect spot for swimming, snorkelling, or simply soaking up the sun. The water is believed to have curative powers, so take a dip and perhaps leave feeling rejuvenated.

Take A Day Trip To 9 Mile Reggae Land

Deep in the mountains of Saint Ann Parish, the tiny village of Nine Mile is where reggae legend Bob Marley was born on 6 February 1945 and where he was laid to rest in 1981. The drive from Montego Bay takes around an hour and a half, winding through lush farming communities and rolling hills that offer some of the most stunning scenery on the island.

The site, known as 9 Mile Reggae Land, is still owned and operated by the Marley family. Rastafarian guides lead you through Marley’s childhood home, now a museum filled with photographs, memorabilia, and personal artefacts. You’ll see Mt Zion Rock, the meditation spot referenced in his song Talking Blues, before visiting the marble mausoleum where he is buried alongside his guitar. There’s also an on-site restaurant serving traditional Jamaican food and live reggae to round off the visit.

It’s a pilgrimage that any music fan will find moving, and a window into the rural Jamaica that shaped one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

Rafting On The Martha Brae River

For a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle, consider a rafting trip on the Martha Brae River. Glide down this serene waterway on a 30-foot bamboo raft, steered by a skilled local raftsman. The journey is both peaceful and picturesque, with lush greenery lining the banks and the gentle sounds of nature providing a soothing soundtrack. It’s an idyllic way to spend a few hours, and you can even stop for a swim along the way.

Zip Lining Through The Canopy

For the adventure seekers, zip lining through the lush canopy of Montego Bay’s forests is a must. Several companies offer zip line tours that will have you soaring above the treetops, providing a unique perspective of the island’s stunning landscapes. It’s an exhilarating way to experience the natural beauty of Jamaica while getting an adrenaline rush.

Explore The Rose Hall Great House

Dive into Jamaica’s colonial history with a visit to the Rose Hall Great House. This restored plantation house dates back to the 18th century and is steeped in legend, notably that of the White Witch of Rose Hall, Annee Palmer. 

Take a guided tour to learn about the estate’s past, the grandeur of its Georgian architecture, and the chilling tales of its former mistress. For the brave at heart, there are night tours available that focus on the ghostly lore associated with the house.

Sample The Local Cuisine

Jamaican cuisine is a delectable fusion of flavours influenced by various cultures, including African, Indian, and British. In Montego Bay, you’ll find an array of dining options to suit every palate. Be sure to try local specialities like jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish (the national dish), and bammy (a traditional cassava flatbread). For an authentic experience, visit the ‘Hip Strip’ on Gloucester Avenue, where eateries range from casual street food stands to upscale restaurants.

Indeed, Montego Bay’s dining scene is as diverse as its culture. Here’s a condensed list of top dining spots in the city:

  • The Pelican Grill: A staple for traditional Jamaican dishes, this family-owned spot on the ‘Hip Strip’ is perfect for a taste of local classics like ackee and saltfish.
  • Scotchies: The go-to place for authentic jerk chicken and pork, Scotchies offers a true taste of Jamaica with its smoky, spicy flavours and laid-back vibe.
  • Marguerites Seafood by the Sea: For an upscale dining experience, Marguerites serves fresh, locally-sourced seafood with a Caribbean twist, complemented by stunning ocean views.
  • The HouseBoat Grill: Dine on a moored boat in the Marine Park, enjoying a menu of international dishes with Jamaican flair in a unique setting.
  • Juici Patties: For a quick, budget-friendly bite, grab a traditional Jamaican patty – a flaky pastry filled with spiced meat or vegetables – from this popular fast-food chain.
  • Pier 1: Known for its seafood and Jamaican dishes, Pier 1 offers a casual dining experience with beautiful bay views, especially at sunset.
  • Sugar Mill: Located at the Half Moon resort, this fine dining restaurant offers a modern take on Jamaican cuisine set in a historic sugar plantation.

These spots range from casual to fine dining, ensuring that every meal in Montego Bay is as memorable as the city’s sunsets.

Trudy Ann Palmer from Getty Images via Canva

Take A Catamaran Cruise

Set sail on a catamaran cruise to experience the beauty of Montego Bay from the water. These cruises often include stops for snorkelling in the coral reefs and sometimes even a sunset option for a romantic evening on the sea. With the wind in your sails and the sun setting on the horizon, it’s the perfect way to end a day in paradise.

Visit The Montego Bay Marine Park

Nature lovers will appreciate the Montego Bay Marine Park, Jamaica’s first national marine park. It encompasses protected swimming areas, snorkelling trails, and sections of the island’s stunning coral reefs. The park is dedicated to preserving the local marine life, so it’s a great place to learn about conservation efforts while enjoying the natural beauty of the underwater world.

Shopping At The Local Markets

Montego Bay is a regular port of call for Caribbean cruises, and the local markets are often the first stop for visitors looking to take a piece of Jamaica home.

The Harbour Street Craft & Cultural Village is a bustling marketplace where you can find handcrafted items, artwork, and more. It’s not only a chance to pick up unique mementos but also to interact with local artisans and learn about the island’s rich cultural heritage.

Dive Into Dunn’s River Falls

While not located in Montego Bay itself, Dunn’s River Falls is one of Jamaica’s most famous natural attractions and well worth the day trip. Situated in Ocho Rios, a scenic drive from Montego Bay, these terraced waterfalls cascade 180 feet down into the sea. Join hands with fellow travellers in a human chain as you ascend the natural stone staircase, guided by experienced locals. The refreshing pools along the way provide perfect spots to take a dip and enjoy the lush, tropical surroundings.

Photo by Alexander John on Unsplash

Enjoy A Night Of Reggae At Margaritaville

After the sun sets, the Hip Strip comes alive with the pulsating sounds of reggae music. Margaritaville Montego Bay is a nightlife hotspot where you can experience the vibrant party scene that Jamaica is famous for. With its lively atmosphere, themed parties, and beachfront location, it’s the ideal place to dance the night away to some authentic Jamaican beats.

Visit The Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery & Garden

Escape to the tranquillity of the Ahhh…Ras Natango Gallery and Garden, nestled in the hills overlooking Montego Bay. This family-run attraction is part art gallery, part botanical garden, and offers a peaceful retreat from the more tourist-heavy areas. The gallery showcases the work of local artists, while the gardens are a haven for endemic plants and birds. It’s a cultural and ecological treasure that provides a unique view of Jamaica’s artistic and natural beauty.

Go Horseback Riding On The Beach

For a truly magical experience, horseback riding along the shores of Montego Bay is a must-do. Several local stables offer guided tours that take you from scenic trails to the beach and even into the shallow waters of the Caribbean Sea. It’s suitable for riders of all levels, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of the tropical breeze and the gentle rhythm of a horse’s gait as you explore the coastline.

Experience The Luminous Lagoon

Just east of Montego Bay, near the town of Falmouth, lies the Luminous Lagoon, a natural wonder that is one of the few places in the world where you can witness bioluminescence. 

After sunset, take a boat tour on the lagoon and marvel as the water glows with a blue light, caused by microorganisms that emit a phosphorescent glow when disturbed. Swimming in the lagoon is a surreal experience, as every movement creates an eerie, beautiful light show in the water.

Tee Off At White Witch Golf Course

Golf enthusiasts will relish the opportunity to play a round at the White Witch Golf Course, named after the infamous character from the Rose Hall Great House. The course is renowned for its challenging layout and stunning, panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea. With 18 holes spread across 200 acres of beautiful greenery, it’s a golfer’s paradise that combines sport with spectacular natural scenery. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a casual player, a day on the greens here is sure to be a highlight of your Montego Bay adventure.

The Bottom Line

Montego Bay is a destination that promises a blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. Whether you’re basking on the sun-drenched beaches, exploring historic sites, or indulging in the local fare, MoBay offers an array of experiences that cater to all types of travellers. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and prepare for an unforgettable Jamaican holiday

The Best Restaurants Near London Paddington

Joseph Gann
-
0
The Best Restaurants Near London Paddington
Ideal if you’re near Paddington Station and need some good grub…

Last updated February 2026

Any time food and Paddington are mentioned in the same sentence, marmalade sandwiches of course come to mind, and even more so with that Yorkshire parkin, chicken liver parfait and marmalade version that was on Great British Menu a couple of years back. Yum.

Apologies, we’ve already digressed just one paragraph in…

But today, we’re talking about London not Peru Paddington, and the best places to eat near the station, which is, incidentally, the city’s sixth busiest by entries and exits.

Paddington Station, with its impressive arch-shaped train shed and wrought iron ribs, as designed by the legendary civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and architect Sir Matthew Digby Wyatt, has been a significant transport hub since its inception in 1854. 

It serves as the grand terminus for the Great Western Railway and has evolved as the centuries have progressed to suit London’s ever changing needs, from serving as the destination for Queen Victoria’s first ever train trip all the way to its Edwardian roof being lovingly restored in 2010. 

Beyond the station, the wider area of Paddington is also famous for St Mary’s Hospital, where Nobel Prize winner Sir Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, its Lindo Wing the birthplace of various members of British royalty, including Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte.

Anyway, whether you’re royalty, resident or a roving daytripper, you’re going to need something to eat in this part of town. We’ve done the hard work, enduring delicious bites and bold flavours, all in the name of service to you, dear reader, and this guide on where to eat near London Paddington: the best restaurants near London Paddington.

Pearl Liang, Sheldon Square

Ideal for Cantonese seafood and dim sum in oddly opulent surrounds… 

For those seeking a menu with its steely gaze firmly focused on a single country’s cuisine, then Pearl Liang, housed in a major canal-adjacent commercial development known as The Basin, might just see them right. 

This upscale restaurant offers a wide range of Chinese dishes from across the country’s eight regions, though Cantonese classics, seafood and dim sum take centre stage on an elegantly crafted menu. Interestingly, dim sum is also served for dinner here, if a very specific craving hits you at a very specific time. 

Should you succumb, go for the set of eight for a very reasonable £12.50, the king crab meat dumpling the highlight, its load lightened by whipped egg white. Throw in an extra order of a few cheung fun, the barbequed pork version as good as we’ve had anywhere in London. 

Though the restaurant’s innocuous position amongst high rises and retail projects could be just about anywhere in the world, the dining room employs every trick to have you transported East; defined by visual motifs of cherry blossom, bamboo, and opulent koi-pond water features, the last of whose insistent trickling had this diner needing more bathroom breaks than a man of his age should be taking during a meal. Perhaps it was the provision of free-flowing, deliciously bitter jasmine tea…

Anyway, for a sophisticated dim sum experience that aims to challenge the dominance of the always reliable Royal China Club restaurant group in the city, Pearl Liang is certainly a good shout should be looking for somewhere to eat near London Paddington. 

Website: pearlliang.co.uk

Address: 8 Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, London W2 6EZ

Lurra, Seymour Place

Ideal for robust flavours from the Basque region…

Design by IDEAL image via Lurra Instagram

There’s a lot to like about Lurra. To start, it boasts a bright, calming dining room, refined in design with one glass wall overlooking a gorgeous courtyard dining area. Shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Interior Design Award in 2015, it’s undeniably a gorgeous space to spend time in.

It’s the food, though, that is the main draw. The menu here draws on the Basque region of Spain, meaning that you can expect some seriously robust flavours on your plate. Famed for their whole roasted turbot long before Brat were doing their thing out east, as well as the signature steaks, check out our full write-up of Lurra here. Yep, this one is definitely one of the best places to dine near London Paddington.

Address: 9 Seymour Pl, London W1H 5BA

Website: lurra.co.uk

Kol, Seymour Street

Ideal for Michelin-starred Mexican food using fresh and foraged British ingredients…

You’ll have to head a little further (7 minutes by car or a 20 on foot) away from Paddington Station for a truly world class dining experience, all the way to Marylebone’s Kol.

Santiago Lastra, the head chef and co-owner of the restaurant, certainly has some pedigree, having, with chef Rene Redzepi, masterminded Noma’s critically acclaimed Mexican iteration back in 2017.

Here, his vision of celebrating the finest British ingredients using both traditional Mexican cooking techniques and a fair few modern flourishes is executed flawlessly. Or rather, it feels flawless now; in reality, the restaurant’s opening was a rocky one, with successive lockdowns preventing Kol from getting off the ground as smoothly as it deserved.

Rest assured, the restaurant has well and truly hit its stride, winning a Michelin star a year after opening and ranking #49 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants List in 2025.

What does make sense is the concept here, with ingredients traditionally so closely intertwined with Mexican food culture here substituted out for their broadly British equivalents. So, that’s an innovative pistachio puree replacing avocado, sea buckthorn bringing the acidity for Kol’s now iconic langoustine tacos, and a dairy farmer in Kent producing Oaxacan-style cheese for the restaurant.

All this wouldn’t matter if the food wasn’t as downright delicious as its inspiration across the Atlantic, but the recent main event here, of lamb barbacoa, freshly made tortillas and a selection of intricately composed condiments, was as straightforwardly satisfying as you’ll find in any restaurant with designs on the top awards in the culinary world.

With a fascinating wine list that draws on some of the unsung heroes of Central and Eastern Europe, Kol is already one of London’s top tier dining experiences. We can’t wait to see where they go next.

Read: 5 of our favourite Georgian wines

Website: kolrestaurant.com

Address: Lower Ground Floor, 9 Seymour St, London W1H 7BA

The Heron, Norfolk Crescent

Ideal for no nonsense, flavour forward Thai food in a British pub setting…

Long before ‘nu-Thai’ became so ubiquitous in the capital that you couldn’t move without getting prik kee noo in your eye, Paddington pub The Heron was quietly pounding out some of the finest Thai food this side the Chao Phraya river, all from the humble kitchens of the pub’s basement.

At Thai Zapp (meaning ‘delicious’ in the North Eastern dialect of Thai) you won’t find som tam salads made with heritage celeriac, but instead, Thai food as you’d find it on the streets of Bangkok; pad Thai, green curry, tom yum, green papaya and all. Because sometimes, that’s what you really want from a Thai restaurant, isn’t it?

Address: Norfolk Cres, Tyburnia, London W2 2DN

Website: theheronpaddington.com

Normah’s, Queensway Market 

Ideal for authentic Malaysian home cooking in an unassuming setting…

Okay, Normah’s isn’t strictly ‘near’ London Paddington, but it’s too good not to mention. Or, indeed, walk an extra few hundred yards for…

Tucked away in the eclectic Queensway Market, Normah’s is – sorry, was – the definition of a hidden gem. Founded by Normah Abd Hamid, this intimate Malaysian restaurant has become one of London’s worst-kept secrets, drawing in devoted regulars and curious first-timers alike with its authentic, home-style cooking. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9pm (closed Sundays and Mondays), it’s worth planning ahead to catch their limited service hours.

The space itself is charmingly basic – a few simple wooden tables surrounded by the market’s motley collection of phone repair shops, hairdressers and, curiously, a shop selling ‘Russian films’. But you’re not here for the decor. You’re here for Normah’s roti canai with beef rendang (just shy of a tenner), which many consider the best in London – yep, better than that guy -, its buttery, flaky layers perfect for scooping up the rich meat that’s been simmered for four hours with galangal, ginger, turmeric and coconut milk until all the flavours have homogenised into something truly alluring.

The curry laksa here is a revelation – thicker and more richly spiced than versions you’ll find elsewhere in London, with plump king prawns and springy noodles swimming in its aromatic depths. The assam pedas seabass, meanwhile, is a masterclass in balanced heat and sourness, the whole fish bathed in a vibrant red sauce that starts tangy before developing into a complex, throat-tickling spiciness. Heads up; also ruins your white shirt if even a flicker gets there. No, really; heads up. Look where you’re putting your spoon.

Don’t miss the fried chicken wings, which come with a crust so crisp it practically shatters, protecting impossibly juicy meat within. Wash it all down with a glass of rose-pink bandung or a frothy teh tarik (both £4), pulled to perfection.

Address: Queensway Market, 23-25 Queensway, London W2 4QJ, United Kingdom

Website: normahs.co.uk

Satay House, Edgware Road 

Ideal for time-honoured Malaysian cuisine in elegant surroundings…

A Paddington institution since 1973, Satay House represents the old guard of Malaysian dining in London. Founded by Jaafar A. Shawal and his wife Zaharah Hashim, who previously ran one of Malaysia’s first fine-dining establishments in Kuala Lumpur, it’s now helmed by their daughter Fatizah, who maintains their exacting standards while gently modernising the offering. They keep generous hours, serving lunch from 12-4pm and dinner from 5:30-10pm daily.

Fried garlic chicken
roti

The dining room, split across two levels, balances traditional touches with contemporary design – think grey and orange-red walls embedded with hibiscus motifs, the national flower of Malaysia. The ground floor offers a buzzy, casual atmosphere, while the basement provides a more intimate setting for date nights or private gatherings.

Their namesake satay skewers are exemplary – char-grilled chicken or lamb marinated in spices and herbs, served with a rich peanut sauce that you’ll want to bottle and take home. But it’s dishes like the sambal tumis udang petai – prawns and ‘stinky beans’ (here’s a tip; drink the water these sator beans have been boiled in, for its health-giving properties) in spicy sambal, clocking in at just shy of £20 – that really showcase the kitchen’s prowess. The beef rendang here is properly dry and nutty, while the kari laksa achieves that elusive balance of richness and complexity without becoming overwhelming.

Address: 13 Sale Pl, Tyburnia, London W2 1PX 

Website: satayhouse.com

Ranoush Juice, Edgware Road 

Ideal for satisfying Lebanese fare and fresh juices around the clock…

Despite its name suggesting a simple juice bar, Ranoush Juice on Edgware Road is a comprehensive Lebanese restaurant that happens to do excellent fresh juices. Part of the venerable Maroush group, this smaller outpost maintains the high standards of its parent company while offering a more casual, drop-in friendly atmosphere. It’s a godsend for night owls, staying open until 3am daily and opening bright and early at 7am.

The menu is extensive, ranging from mezze classics to grilled meats and fresh fruit cocktails. Their hommos beiruty adds a kick of heat to the classic chickpea puree, while the mouhamara – a spiced nut mix with olive oil – offers an addictive combination of crunch and heat. The mixed shawarma platters are exemplary, whether wrapped in flatbread or served with vermicelli rice.

Address: 43 Edgware Rd, Tyburnia, London W2 2JE 

Website: maroush.com

Read: The best restaurants in Belgravia, London

The Victoria, Strathearn Place

Ideal for old-school, wood and leather clad pub dining…

For something a little more homely, The Victoria is a classic British pub that has been serving Paddington locals and visitors since the 1830s. A winner of Fuller’s Pub of the Year in both 2007 and 2009, the menu features freshly cooked, straightforward dishes that just feel right in the old school setting – think leather Chesterfield armchairs rendered in royal green overlooking the fireplace and portraits of British gents in bowler hats on the wall… Yep, it’s that kind of place, and if smoking was still allowed inside pubs here, we’d be pulling out a pipe right about now.

The Sunday roast here isn’t half bad, with a generous serving of sirloin from Owton’s family butchers and all the trimmings (including cauliflower cheese – rejoice!) clocking in at an eminently reasonable £20. 

Should you be heading here during the week, The Victoria also hosts regular events, including quiz nights and live music performances, making it a lively spot to spend an evening.

Website: victoriapaddington.co.uk

Address:  10A Strathearn Pl, Paddington, London W2 2NH

Read: 7 of the best Sunday roasts in South London

Azmar, Edgware Road 

Ideal for hearty Kurdish and Middle Eastern grills…

This Edgware Road establishment specialises in Kurdish and Middle Eastern cuisine, with a particular focus on charcoal-grilled meats and traditional stews. Open daily from noon until 11pm, it’s a reliable choice for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant’s interior is simple but welcoming, with the focal point being the open grill where skilled chefs prepare an array of kebabs and mixed grills.

Their menu strength lies in its grilled offerings – the Azmar Special Kebab (lamb kofta) comes in at £14 with salad, while the impressive mixed grill for four (£60) offers an excellent introduction to their range. The lamb kuzi, featuring tender meat slow-cooked until it falls off the bone, is a house speciality worth seeking out (£19).

Address: 442a Edgware Rd, London W2 1EG 

Instagram: @azmarrestaurant

Patogh, Edgware Road

Ideal for intimate Persian dining and exceptional bread…

Hidden away on Crawford Place just off Edgware Road, this tiny Persian restaurant has become something of a cult favourite among those seeking authentic Iranian cuisine. Opening daily from noon to 11pm, it maintains consistent hours for both lunch and dinner crowds. The downstairs dining room is snug – you’ll likely be rubbing elbows with fellow diners – but that’s part of its charm, creating an atmosphere that feels more Tehran than London.

The star attraction here is undoubtedly their ‘big special bread’ (£5.50) – a vast oval of freshly baked flatbread, crisp in places, pillowy in others, and generously scattered with sesame seeds. It’s the perfect vehicle for their selection of charcoal-grilled kebabs (starting from £12.90), which come in various states of ‘juiciness’ (opt for ‘juicy’ – you won’t regret it).

Address: 8 Crawford Pl, London W1H 5NE

Website: patoghlondon.com

Paramount Lebanese Kitchen, London Street

Ideal for some of London’s finest Lebanese food…

Images by Paramount Lebanese Kitchen & Design by IDEAL

The restaurant formerly known as Ya Hala’ (not to be confused with the equally fine Yalla Yalla), Paramount Lebanese Kitchen’s newly renovated Paddington outpost boasts a large central charcoal grill. It’s here that flatbreads get well acquainted with some smoke and the restaurant’s signature kebabs drip their fat and juices with abandon, causing flames to lick up the wall and illuminate the dining room. 

It’s quite the spectacle, but arguably the most joy at Paramount is found in the most simple of dishes – the fattoush salad here is as good as we’ve had, with the cucumber, lettuce and radish roughly portioned, just as it should be, rather than being diced too finely. The adorning pitta is fried to order, as it should be. The hummus is also excellent, roughly hewn and viciously, vigorously perfumed with minced garlic. It’s a funky old thing.

A spicy and sweet mint tea seals the deal. Be warned that Paramount is reliably rammed – do book in advance if you’re keen to swan in and secure a table.

Address: 26 London St, Tyburnia, London W2 1HH, United Kingdom

Website: paramountfinefoods.com

Diwan Dimas, Edgware Road 

Ideal for Syrian sweets and the best knefeh in London…

We end satisfying our sweet tooth, at Diwan Dimas. This Edgware Road establishment is nothing short of paradise. Opening its doors from 11am to 11:30pm daily, it’s perfect for both mid-morning sweet cravings and post-dinner desserts. Specialising in traditional Damascus-style pastries and desserts, Diwan Dimas has earned a reputation for serving some of London’s finest Middle Eastern sweets.

Their baklava selection is comprehensive, with boxes starting from £17.50 for 250g, ranging from traditional pistachio-filled varieties to more unusual creations. Their knefeh (£17.50 per kilo) draws the crowds, made the traditional way with a base of soft goat’s cheese topped with crisp, shredded filo pastry and doused in fragrant syrup. Other highlights include their mamoul (£23 per kilo) – shortbread-like cookies filled with dates, pistachios, or walnuts – and fresh warbat (£19.50 per kilo).

Address: 121 Edgware Rd, Tyburnia, London W2 2HX 

7 Must See Places On Your Tour Of Namibia, Southwest Africa

Vicky Clifford Sanghad
-
0
7 Must See Places On Your Tour Of Namibia, Southwest Africa

If you’re planning an African safari in the not-too-distant future then we’re sure you’ve balked at the prices and been warned of the potential for heaving crowds, both. Indeed, the most popular African safari locations, such as Botswana and South Africa, certainly have a reputation for being on the steeper side. 

But it’s neighbouring Namibia where we’re focusing today, which is reasonable, less populated, and generally a superb choice for an affordable African safari holiday. Right now, the Pound is strong against both the Namibian Dollar and South African Rand, which are used simultaneously and interchangeably in the country, and this makes the country a relatively cheap option for travel.

Namibia’s dry season and consequently, the best time to visit, is from roughly May to October, and it’s during this time you’ll see the most wildlife, with the sky clear and visibility high. Temperatures during this time are also more manageable; in fact, it gets pretty chilly at night! Rainy season is a different wildebeest, and sees huge bird migration and plenty of newborns. For visitors, from November to April, the heat and humidity can get unbearable.

Most travellers from London fly to South Africa’s Johannesburg and transit to Windhoek, Namibia’s capital. Alternatively, you can change at Frankfurt; Namibia used to be a German colony and connections between the two countries remain. 

Anyway, enough of the need-to-know spiel, you’re here to talk about safari destinations. With that in mind and without further ado, here are 7 must see places on your tour of Namibia, Southwest Africa.

Namib-Naukluft Park

We had to start here, as the vast majority of Namibia safari holidays do, in Africa’s largest game park and the fourth largest of its kind in the world.

If it’s diversity of landscape you’re after, then in Namib-Naukluft you’ll find some of the most varied, sprawling and magnificent scenery in the world. Indeed, the park boasts a desert, mountain range, lagoon and sand dunes, and is the premier destination in the country for geographic intrigue. A particular highlight is the red dunes of Sossusvlei; rolling, mysterious and spectacular.

Because the terrain is primarily arid and unforgiving, Namib-Naukluft isn’t the best place for wildlife spotting in Namibia. Though plenty of lizards, such as gecko, sidewinder snakes and chameleons, live here, they’re tough to spot. You’ll have more luck spying puku antelope and springbok, but the real appeal of Namib-Naukluft is that dramatic scenery. 

Namib-Naukluft Park’s Sesriem entry point (which is close to Sossusvlei) is a four hour drive west from Namibia’s capital, Windhoek. Most tour packages will provide airport pick up, at Hosea Kutako International Airport, in a 4×4, and with required road and entry permits already in place.

Etosha National Park

You said you were in Namibia to see animals, right? Etosha National Park, in the north of the country, is your place. Regarded as one the continent’s great national parks for sheer diversity of wildlife, it takes its name from the Etosha salt pan, an 80 mile dry lakebed and focal point of the park.

The park is home to the key mammal groups safaris are famous for. Expect to see (if you’re lucky, of course; this is the wild, after all) lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs, zebras and so much more throughout the year, primarily in the dry season between May and October.

For big cats, in particular, Kalkheuwel and Chudop are popular spots. For the largest collection of animals in one place, including elephants and zebras, you’ll want to arrange your visit to focus on watering holes, where mammals, birds and reptiles congregate. The Okondeka, Ombika, Nebrowni and Moringa watering holes are highlights.

Perhaps the biggest draw of all is the endangered black rhinoceros, found around the watering holes of Etosha National Park and considered to be the best place in the world to spot them. Because the park is vast, be sure to arrange an excursion with one of the several Namibia tour packages on offer catering to the area, whose expertise gives you a much greater chance of seeing four of the big five who call the national park home.

The drive from Windhoek to Etosha National Park takes around six hours heading north, but views of Namibia are spectacular on the way. 

Skeleton Coast National Park

For those seeking a truly unique and hauntingly beautiful experience, Skeleton Coast National Park is an unmissable destination. Located in the north-western part of Namibia, this park stretches along the Atlantic Ocean and is renowned for its eerie shipwrecks, dense fog, and desolate landscapes. The name itself evokes a sense of mystery and adventure, derived from the numerous shipwrecks that litter the coast, remnants of vessels that met their fate in the treacherous waters.

The park is divided into two sections: the southern part, which is accessible to the public, and the northern part, which requires a special permit or guided tour. The southern section offers stunning vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, vast sand dunes, and the chance to see Cape fur seals at Cape Cross Seal Reserve, one of the largest colonies in the world.

In the northern section, the landscape becomes even more dramatic and remote. Here, you can explore the Hoarusib and Hoanib rivers, which are home to desert-adapted elephants, lions, and other wildlife. The Skeleton Coast is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, with species such as flamingos, pelicans, and cormorants frequently spotted along the shoreline.

A visit to Skeleton Coast National Park is not just about the wildlife; it’s about experiencing one of the most surreal and starkly beautiful places on Earth. The combination of the roaring Atlantic waves, the endless desert, and the ghostly shipwrecks creates an atmosphere that is both haunting and captivating.

To reach Skeleton Coast National Park, most visitors fly into Windhoek and then take a charter flight to one of the airstrips within the park. Alternatively, a self-drive adventure is possible, but be prepared for challenging terrain and ensure you have a well-equipped 4×4 vehicle.

The Zambezi Region (Caprivi Strip)

If it’s untapped and unexplored you’re after, in Namibia’s north eastern pocket is the Caprivi Strip, a sprawling, desolate place, in the best possible way.

Bordered by Botswana, Angola and Zambia, the strip is rich in resources and wildlife equally. 300 miles long but just 20 miles wide, the Caprivi Strip boasts several unfenced safari camps and has only recently gained popularity as a tourist destination. As such, it’s gorgeously untroubled by modern infrastructure and development. Expect to encounter hippos, elephants and lions in groups, enjoying the abundant water.

Largely, visitors are here on a self-drive basis, rather than being chauffeured by a tour, and a visit to the Caprivi Strip represents an adventure, for sure. But that’s what you’re here for right?

The Caprivi Strip is an 11 hour drive northeast from Windhoek, and many travellers choose to break up their trip with a stay in or near Etosha National Park, which is halfway between the two. Alternatively, you – or your tour operator – could organise a chartered flight from Windhoek to Rundu, which is the gateway to Namibia’s North East, and should set you back around £300. The onward drive to the Caprivi Strip takes around four hours. 

Damaraland

The extremities of Damaraland, in Namibia’s North West, are what will first strike you; barren, scorched desert which sprawls further than the eye can see, the country’s highest mountain Brandberg, and harsh, harsh heat. 

Don’t let such inhospitable, ultra-rugged terrain put you off; there’s plenty of wildlife to spot on safari excursions here, with desert elephants and black rhinos the must-see duo. You’ll also have the chance to encounter mountain zebras and giraffes.

The Desert Rhino Camp is the best way to spot the magnificent, endangered black rhinos (and you’ll be contributing to their conservation) but it comes at a cost; more than £500 per person, per night. For something more affordable (although you’re admittedly less guaranteed to engage with the rhinos) many visitors head for the Palmwag area, which has camping and offers excursions to nearby water to spot the mammals. 

Another huge draw of Damaraland is the San Bushmen rock art at Twyfelfontein, one of the oldest and most substantial collections of its kind in the world. Just fascinating.

Most visitors book a seat on a charter flight from Windhoek to Damaraland, with Scenic Air or Wilderness Air, which should set you back around £300.

Waterberg Plateau

Most visitors to Namibia make a beeline for Etosha and skip straight past one of the country’s most rewarding stops. That’s a mistake. The Waterberg Plateau, a colossal sandstone tabletop rising 200 metres above the surrounding plains, sits about three and a half hours north of Windhoek and works brilliantly as a stopover en route to Etosha or the Caprivi Strip.

The plateau’s sheer cliff faces made it a natural fortress, and the Namibian government took full advantage; since 1972, endangered species have been relocated here for protection, turning the park into a conservation stronghold. Both black and white rhino roam the top, alongside buffalo, roan and sable antelope, giraffe and wild dog. It’s also home to the highest concentration of leopard in Namibia, though you’ll need serious luck and a guided game drive (self-driving on the plateau isn’t permitted) to spot one.

Birders will find plenty to get excited about, with more than 200 species recorded here, including Verreaux’s eagles and the only breeding colony of Cape vultures in the country. Nine unguided hiking trails wind along the plateau’s base, while ranger-led walks take you up top for views across the Kalahari. The AfriCat Foundation at nearby Okonjima rehabilitates cheetahs and leopards and offers safari activities that double as conservation education.

Waterberg Plateau is around a three and a half hour drive from Windhoek, or roughly four hours south of Etosha. Charter flights to a nearby airstrip are also available if you’d rather skip the road.

Fish River Canyon

Head south, far south, and you’ll reach the kind of landscape that genuinely stops you in your tracks. Fish River Canyon is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world, stretching 160 kilometres long, 27 kilometres wide and plunging to depths of 550 metres. It sits within the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park in Namibia’s remote south, and it looks like it belongs on another planet.

For serious hikers, the multi-day Fish River Canyon Trail is the main event. The 85 kilometre route takes four to five days, descending into the canyon floor and following the winding riverbed south to the Ai-Ais Hot Springs, where thermal pools offer what might be the most earned soak of your life. It’s regarded as one of Africa’s toughest long-distance walks; a medical certificate is required, permits are limited to around 30 hikers per day, and the trail is closed from October to April due to extreme heat.

If five days of desert hiking isn’t your thing, the viewpoints along the canyon rim are worth the trip alone. The main viewpoint near Hobas offers staggering panoramas, particularly at sunrise and sunset, when the rock faces glow amber and copper. Shorter guided walks and nature drives from nearby lodges give you a taste of the canyon without the blisters. Wildlife is sparse but hardy; klipspringers, baboons, kudu and the occasional mountain zebra inhabit the area. This isn’t a safari destination in the traditional sense; it’s about raw, stark, humbling geography at its most dramatic.

Fish River Canyon is around an eight hour drive south from Windhoek, making it a commitment. Most visitors fold it into a wider southern Namibia loop taking in Keetmanshoop and the Quiver Tree Forest.

If you still haven’t satisfied your safari curiosity, then on the other side of the continent sits Tanzania, another superb spot for wildlife spotting, and our pick for 2024’s best safari destination, and still just as an intriguing a prospect in 2026. We’ll see you on the savannah?

The Best Michelin-Starred Thai Restaurants In Bangkok

Joseph Gann
-
0
The Best Michelin-Starred Thai Restaurants In Bangkok

Last updated February 2026

Firstly, let’s address the Thai elephant in the room with a cheery ‘’sawadee krap’’ and an acknowledgement; Bangkok could give you the meal of your life on just about any street corner or down any soi, all for the cost of a Snickers bar back home. 

But in such a sophisticated city – and cuisine – chock-full of decadence and deliciousness, it would be rude not to consider the fine dining side of things from time to time, with a whole host of world class restaurants here offering a truly Thai take on haute cuisine that’s elegant yet playful, precise but intuitive.

With 19 Thai restaurants in the city earning starred status in the latest Bangkok Michelin Guide, the options for eating out at the finer end of the spectrum can be overwhelming.

Well, we’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to, ascending the Scoville Scale and feeling the breath of the wok on our necks, to bring you these; the best Thai fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants in Bangkok.

Samrub Samrub Thai 

Ideal for meticulously researched, creatively composed modern Thai dining…

Is this intimate, counter-only, impossible to book restaurant/private kitchen the best Thai restaurant/private kitchen in the world? Whatever you want to call it and whichever superlatives you wish to throw at Samrub Samrub Thai, it is seriously good and worthy of all of them.

The master at the stoves of this compact, counter-dining affair is chef Prin Polsuk, who has some serious pedigree in the world of Thai fine dining, having been the head chef at Nahm in London when it won its Michelin star, the first Thai restaurant in the world to have been bestowed with the honour. 

He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of his country’s cuisine, and at Samrub, he seems to have his heart set on expanding it even further, with the dishes here sourced from a veritable vault of historic scripts, tomes and chapters.

The results, whether in the buttery, tender-as-you-like grilled beef dressed in delicate Satay-like sauce or intricately stuffed sweetcorn, filled with minced chicken and baby corn then reconstructed, are nothing short of spectacular. Oh, and you’re allowed to ask for seconds!

That generous sentiment exemplifies the family-style nature of this brilliant restaurant, with Polsuk’s wife Mint running the front of house operations and chef Prin working the counter, doling out shots of homemade banana liquor and soliloquies on the history of some of the dishes he’s just set in front of you. Often, their young son will join diners too, crawling across the counter and generally charming everyone in his wake!

In short, Samrub may well be the world’s best Thai restaurant…

Address: 39/11 Yommarat Alley, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

Website: samrubsamrubthai.com

Sorn

Ideal for trying Thailand’s hottest, most difficult to secure reservation…

Or, is it? And speaking of impossible to book, chef Supaksorn Jongsiri’s love letter to the farmers, fishermen and producers of Southern Thailand is reportedly the most coveted reservation in the Kingdom, and it’s easy to see why.

The first Thai restaurant in the world to gain 3 Michelin stars (Thailand’s first to hold this title), and proudly, resolutely ‘Southern’ to their soul, Sorn is another restaurant laying claim to the title of the world’s best Thai restaurant.

Though it’s only been open for seven years, this place has been the talk of the town – no, country – for nearly as long. Proudly sourcing ‘99.9%’ of their ingredients from the south, and supporting countless farmers and fishermen in the process, as well as cooking most of the food in clay pots, you’d be forgiven for thinking this traditional ethos wouldn’t translate into a 22 course tasting menu of fine dining. 

You’d be wrong; this, quite simply, is some of the finest Thai food out there, period. You’ll have to run over hot coals to get a table, but if you’re lucky enough to do so, it’s worth burning your feet for. And mouth; the food is spicy, and all the better for it. Than hai im, na khrap!

Read: Where to eat Southern Thai food in Bangkok

Address: 56, Sukhumvit 26 Soi Ari, Klongton Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110

Website: sornfinesouthern.com

Baan Tepa

Ideal for familiar Thai dishes delivered in surprising, highly innovative ways…

Even before chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam became the world’s first Thai female chef to be awarded two Michelin Stars, she was a famous face across the country, having emerged victorious on the inaugural season of Top Chef Thailand. 

It’s an immense credit to the chef’s skills and vision that those two massive accolades don’t even prepare you for the culinary journey at her pioneering restaurant Baan Tepa. Close to the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bang Kapi, you get a sense of anticipation building as you enter the restaurant, which is housed in an elegant villa that’s owned by Chef Tam’s grandmother, Lady Suwaree Debhakam. The space still retains many of its original features, along with its warming, welcoming spirit. Out back, there’s a large garden which feeds the kitchen’s inventive dishes with its living library of organic flowers, herbs and spices.

Yep, there’s a sense that this meal will nourish the soul as well as invigorate the senses, and so it turns out; despite plenty of ‘cheffy’ flourishes and ultra-modern tekkers, there’s a familial, grounding narrative running through the 9 (and then some) course tasting menu.

Expect on-the-surface familiar dishes that come with a surprise or two, such as the ‘Fishtake’ – a play on the beloved Thai fish cake, here featuring giant Trevally fish and Shiitake mushrooms (we won’t spoil the surprise), or the whimsically named ‘Crab Crab Crab!’, which showcase the chef’s talent for blending familiar ingredients in creative ways. Again, we won’t spoil the surprise.

Later on, the highlight ‘Anatomy of a River Prawn’ dish shows off an enormous specimen sourced from Ayutthaya, blessed with a massive pool of its smoked head juices, and served with arguably the best nahm jim seafood we’ve ever tasted. It’s this anchoring of ultra-modern technique with recognisable, faithfully delivered elements that makes Baan Tepa so captivating. Those two Michelin stars, we think, are richly deserved.

Address: 561 Ramkhamhaeng Rd, Hua Mak, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok 10240, Thailand 

Website: baantepabkk.com

Nahm

Ideal for a taste of one of the world’s most influential Thai restaurants…

Aussie chef and Thai food oracle David Thompson’s Nahm earned a Michelin star, a first for Thai cooking, when in its previous incarnation in London, and the Bangkok version rightly followed suit in Michelin’s inaugural Bangkok guide at the end of 2017.

Though Nahm London closed due to the lack of quality fresh Thai ingredients in the capital, and the compromise that forced on the cooking, there’s no danger of the produce being found wanting at the Bangkok rendition.

Here, the premium ingredients used shine through, whether that’s the wagyu beef used in the enthusiastically seasoned stir fry, the peppery wild ginger deployed across the menu, or the freshly pressed coconut cream that defines this luxurious style of Thai cooking.

Though David Thompson has since moved on (more of that in a moment), the iconic restaurant remains in very capable hands, with revered chef Pim Techamuanvivit now in the (very) hot seat, keeping the flavours bold, robust and refined, but giving the dishes her own spin, recalling childhood memories of special meals and the joy of sharing with family.

Should you be keen to sample the complexity of the Nahm kitchen but for a fraction of the price of the normal dining experience here, then the khanom jin lunch deal is a steal. 

For 1’200 baht – equivalent to 25 quid-ish – you get canapes loaded with wild prawn and white crab meat and delivered in the most graceful style, followed by coil of khanom jin (lightly fermented rice noodles) and an accompanying sauce, dressing or curry, the latter of which features blue swimmer crab, and is something of a signature here. Finish with desserts that utilise that just-pressed coconut cream, and you’ve got yourself a truly indulgent meal for under £30.

Address: 27 S Sathon Rd, Thung Maha Mek, Sathon, Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Website: comohotels.com

Aksorn

Ideal for sampling the latest fine dining venture from the ‘Godfather of Thai food’…

No writer worth their Red Boat fish sauce could faithfully pen a paean to fine dining in The Kingdom without mentioning chef David Thompson. And whilst we realise you’re already acquainted with him from the brief mention above, at Aksorn, the acclaimed Aussie oracle on all things Thai food seems to have found his most succinct expression yet on what makes the cuisine so profoundly delicious.

Here (fittingly housed in an old bookstore) the chef combs through historic recipe books – mainly from a defining period in Thai culinary history between 1940 and 1970 when the cuisine was going through seismic changes of modernisation and cross-cultural influence – to source inspiration for Aksorn’s dishes, with some menu items unheard of outside of this very special kitchen on Charoen Krung Road. 

All that said, it’s often the most simple dishes that land the knockout blow. On a previous visit, stir fried sugar snap peas were sweet and smoky, managing to straddle a freshness and umami-heft brilliantly. They wore their stir fry sauce as you might the lightest linen jacket – so good.

And as with any David Thompson restaurant, a procession of superb desserts pick up star billing. The man sure does have a sweet tooth; not that we’re complaining when the coconut cream is this luxurious, the jasmine candle’s perfume just the right amount of pervasive, and the sweet/salty balance familiar to any Thai sweet lover so intricately poised.

With a regularly changing menu reflecting a different era, recipe book or chef, we can’t wait to see where Aksorn goes next.

Address: The Original Store, Aksorn 1266 charoen krung rd 5th Floor, Central:, 1266 Charoen Krung Rd, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Website: aksornbkk.com

Methavalai Sorndaeng

Ideal for Royal Thai food done right…

For properly old school, refined and regal Thai fine dining, with all the bells, whistles, pomp and ceremony of the Royal courts of The Kingdom as a backdrop to your evening, you can’t do much better than Methavalai Sorndaeng, a Phra Nakhon institution still going strong after six decades.

It’s a real special occasion sort of place for Thai folk of a certain age, and you’ll see old married couples, suited, booted and moonlight-silver haired, enjoying timeless preparations of dishes like rich red curry of duck and pineapple, or intricate tartlets of diced potato, carrot and sweetcorn, that still somehow manages to come up tasting decidedly Thai.

The gold embroidered furniture and crooner louchely leaning on a grand old piano to serenade the dining room only serve to emphasise the vibe here. Resign yourself to its charms; it’s irresistible. 

For all these opulent associations with royalty and glamour, Methavalai Sorndaeng is an eminently affordable Michelin-starred experience, with larger dishes rarely pushing past the 500 THB mark (around £12) and many considerably cheaper. With very drinkable wine served simply – just choose between red or white, and always by the glass – the value for money here is striking.

Oh go on then, we’ll stay for just one more song…

*Sadly, Methavalai Sorndaeng lost its star in the 2024 Thailand Michelin Guide, and didn’t regain it in the 2025 version. In fact, they’ve been unceremoniously culled from the red book entirely on latest inspection. Oh well; they’re always stars in our eyes.*

Address: 78/2 Ratchadamnoen Ave, Wat Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Website: methavalaisorndaeng

Bo.lan

Ideal for a truly exceptional Thai tasting menu experience…

Thai food aficionados were devastated when, at the height of the COVID crisis, Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan Jones announced they were closing Bo.lan after more than a decade of defining contemporary Thai restaurant food, citing the financial toll of the pandemic as a major driver in their decision.

But in the greatest comeback since Lee Zii Jia’s remarkable win at the Thailand Open in 2022, Bo.lan is back, bookable and – whisper it – better than ever. And there’s more excellent news; in the latest Bangkok Michelin Guide (announced in late November 2025), Bo.lan has won back its Michelin star, marking a triumphant return to starred status after nearly four years.

For a fixed price of 4’800 THB, guests can once again enjoy the zero-waste, zero-compromise cooking of these two very talented chefs, running Thursday through Monday. 

The setting remains delightfully unchanged – a warming timberclad converted home (the swimming pool on the way to the loos always feels tempting after a few Nonthaburi meads) set back from the unrelenting intensity of Sukhumvit Road, adorned with traditional Thai decorations that set the perfect scene for what’s to come.

A recent visit, some seven years on from our last meal there, found the kitchen on song and in perfect harmony. Bo.lan is still one of the best culinary-focused evenings you can have in the Thai capital. Wholesome, nourishing, at times even educational without being annoying, the cooking is homely but precise, refined without being ‘elevated’, and always, always delicious, 

Highlights from the most recent Kingdom-spanning menu included a Southern style curry of Tankun chicken, clams and cashews, all murky depth and assertive complexity, and a funky black Khorat beef stir-fried in shrimp paste relish. Even the rice options show a deep respect for the primary product, with both organic Gaba rice from Sri Saket and jasmine rice 105 from Yasothorn the star around which the six or seven sharing dishes orbit.

Their signature drinks programme also maintains a distinctly local character, featuring house-infused ya dong (traditional Thai herbal liquor) and Thai cremant rubbing shoulders with more Old World selections.

There’s a well-orchestrated but pleasingly casual sense of flow to the evening, too, transitioning you through the restaurant’s different spaces just when you might be feeling restless. Things start in a separate lounge with a welcome drink, and petit fours (free flowing, generous and endless) are served back in that lounge at the end of the meal.

It’s a meal bookended by booziness, too: It starts with honey mead made in Thailand and ends with a complementary shot of the ya dong, proffered as you make your way for the door, leaving a taste of something special lingering long after Bangkok’s signature humidity has once again begun to stick to your shirt.

With opening hours still tight, some forward planning is required to land a table. If you’re not able to get a seat, then all is not lost; Bo.lan’s more casual sister restaurant Err is just around the corner, close to Thong Lor BTS station. All the Err signatures are here; expect whole crispy chicken skin, the finest grilled naem this side of Nakhon Phanom, and cute as you like pickled garlic cloves. Yes!

Website: bolan.co.th

Address: 24 Sukhumvit 53 Alley, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Potong

Ideal for a progressive menu of Thai-Chinese fare from one of Asia’s hottest chefs…

At this restaurant, family and building legacy hangs proudly in the air. It can be tasted in the fermentation jars and felt on every plate of Chef Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij’s incredible tasting menu of innovative Thai-Chinese cuisine, of which there are a whopping 20 dishes. Instead of keeping you here, check out our full restaurant review of Potong. Be prepared to have your appetite teased and tempted!

It’s been a busy couple of years for chef Pam, who was named World’s Best Female Chef 2025 by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the first Thai woman to receive the honour, capping a period that has also seen Potong climb to No.13 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Her second restaurant, Khao San Sek, is now fully up and running just a five minute walk from Potong, offering a more approachable, build-your-own format built around Thailand’s five essential ingredients: fish sauce, palm sugar, chilli, rice and coconut. It’s already earned a place on the Michelin Guide Thailand 2026 as a MICHELIN Selected restaurant. A third venture, Ra-u, a Thai grill house at Siam Paragon, is also in the works.

Now, after all that fine dining here are our picks of the best street food in Bangkok for those keen to get in touch with the other side of Bangkok fine dining.

The Quintessential Luxury Weekend In London

Editorial Team
-
0
The Quintessential Luxury Weekend In London
Ideal for an indulgent 48 hours in the Big Smoke…

Anyone longing for a luxurious minibreak should look no further than London. The city is famed for its high-end shopping options and the finest of dining experiences, and is synonymous throughout the world with the very idea of luxury.

Indeed, a weekend in England’s capital offers a chance to live like royalty, even if just for a few days. Here’s a curated guide on how to spend the ultimate indulgent weekend in the British capital; our quintessential luxury weekend in London.

Friday: Arrival, Accommodation & Shopping

Begin your most opulent of London weekends by checking in to one of the city’s premier luxury hotels. London’s luxury accommodation options range from timeless classics like The Savoy and The Ritz to contemporary offerings such as Shangri-La The Shard, each with their own distinctive character but all offering world-class service. These hotels set the tone for a weekend of extravagance and provide the perfect launchpad from which to indulge.

Or, for those who prefer a little more space and independence, luxury apartments in central London offer a stylish alternative, with all the comforts of home in the heart of the city. Many come with full kitchens, private balconies and concierge services, making them ideal for couples or small groups looking to spread out in style.

Once you’re settled in, head out for some high-end retail therapy. Though the TfL is efficient and agreeable, this is a luxury weekend, so consider chauffeur services to take you shopping in style. Head to Bond Street, New and Old, which is London’s luxury mainstay and where global luxury brands like Cartier, Tiffany, Gucci, Burberry, Dior and Chanel all rub shoulders. 

Then, it’s onwards to Selfridges and Liberty London – you can’t leave London without purchasing a luxurious silk scarf from Liberty as a souvenir.

Next, to Knightsbridge, home to an array of exclusive boutiques and designer stores, including the world-renowned Harrods and Harvey Nicols. Don’t forget to pick up an outfit for the evening while you’re there!

Once you’ve changed into your new (no doubt designer) clobber, start the evening with a pre-dinner tipple at Dukes; their martinis are legendary; so much so that they’ve now been exported to New York. One will be quite enough, trust us. 

Watered but not fed, it’s time for a gastronomic adventure at a Michelin-starred restaurant. Choosing a restaurant for dinner is certainly tricky here, as London is home to a whopping 87 Michelin-starred restaurants, but some of our favourites include KOL, Ikoyi and Clove Club. Do be prepared to book a month or two in advance to secure a table at these hottest-tickets-in-town.

For a fancy meal with a decidedly British twist, consider Lyles, Dinner by Heston or the Dining Room at the Goring. Or, for a more laid-back experience, then The Harwood Arms is the only Michelin-starred pub in London. Decisions, decisions.

Saturday: More Culinary Delights & Cultural Exploration

London loves brunch, so it would only be right to indulge in this in-between meal. Start your Saturday morning with a splurge at one of the more fancy brunch spots in town.

Sketch’s The Parlour is a popular spot for brunch and is also one of the quirkiest venues in London. Housed in a Grade II listed townhouse designed by English Architect James Wyatt in 1779, Sketch boasts a rich history that includes serving as the headquarters of the Royal Institute of British Architects and as Christian Dior’s London atelier.  

Alternatively, The Chiltern Firehouse is popular with celebrities and you may even spot a Royal there nursing some scrambled eggs and a Bloody Mary. 

Personally, we just love The Wolseley for a leisurely though luxury brunch. This iconic all-day cafe-restaurant in London’s most expensive part of town offers an upmarket take on the Full English. 

Walk off your brunch by immersing yourself in London’s rich cultural scene all afternoon. Visit the National Gallery or the Tate Britain, both housing impressive collections of artwork from around the globe. These iconic galleries offer a serene escape from the bustling city and provide an opportunity to appreciate masterpieces from renowned artists.  

That brunch may start to feel like a distant memory after an overload of culture. So, it’s back to the hotel for a leisurely change before a prix-fixe dinner and a show.

Indeed, you can’t come to London without dressing up and going to the West End for a spectacular theatre performance. From classic plays at the Royal National Theatre to dazzling musicals in Leicester Square, London’s theatre scene is vibrant and diverse. 

Post-theatre, unwind at a prestigious bar such as The Connaught Bar or The American Bar at The Savoy, both known for their world-class cocktails and refined ambience. 

Read: How to make the most out of your trip to London

Sunday: Leisurely Exploration

Spend your Sunday morning in bed with room service. There is, after all, nothing more luxurious than breakfast in bed. Then it’s time to call your driver so you can be chauffeured around the city and take in iconic sights like Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, and the London Eye. A luxury car service not only provides comfort and convenience but also adds a touch of glamour to your sightseeing experience.

Of course, no luxury London weekend would be complete without the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea. Here’s our pick of some of the most opulent afternoon teas in London: 

The Ritz: Head to the Ritz for a Michelin-starred afternoon tea experience at one of London’s most revered fine dining institutions. 

Arguably one of the best afternoon teas in London, the experience comes with a selection of 18 premium loose leaf teas and freshly made cakes, scones and sandwiches from their Michelin starred kitchen, all enjoyed under the glittering chandeliers of this most famous London establishment. 

The Savoy: Regularly voted as one of London’s very best, the afternoon tea experience at the Savoy will amaze you even before any tea has passed your lips. This is because it all goes down in the world-famous hotel’s Thames Foyer, a glass domed atrium that boasts incredible natural light and a convivial spirit to match it. In the centre of the room, a pianist sets the elegant yet playful tone beautifully.

Sketch: If you didn’t make it to Sketch for brunch, then consider it for afternoon tea. Indeed, afternoon tea instead. Indeed, this very British tradition at Sketch is a deeply luxurious affair. Here you’ll be waited on hand and foot by a tea specialist and your champagne will be dramatically long poured for show and spectacle. Oh, there’s also a caviar man on hand to serve, well, caviar to you. 

The afternoon tea at Sketch is unlimited, meaning you can request as many savoury sandwiches and sweet pastries as you can manage – come hungry.

Conclude your weekend with a leisurely stroll through one of London’s beautiful parks. Hyde Park or Regent’s Park are perfect spots to relax, reflect on your weekend, and perhaps start pondering over your next luxury getaway – how about Iceland?

Can we come with you next time?

The Surprising Things Staining Your Teeth & What Actually Works To Fix It

Editorial Team
-
0
The Surprising Things Staining Your Teeth & What Actually Works To Fix It

You already know that coffee, red wine and curry powder can leave their mark on your enamel. We’ve covered the usual suspects before, and the advice remains sound: rinse, brush and watch your tannin intake. But what about the things that fly under the radar? The products and habits you assume are helping your teeth – or at least doing no harm – that are, in fact, gradually dulling your smile.

From the mouthwash beside your sink to the swimming pool you use every week, there’s a whole category of staining culprits that rarely get the attention they deserve. With the help of Londonderry dentist Claire Hughes, here are the genuinely surprising things discolouring your teeth – and an honest look at what the science says about fixing the damage.

Mouthwash

This is the big one. The product you’re using specifically to improve your oral health could be the very thing turning your teeth brown.

Prescription mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine gluconate – commonly given after dental procedures or to treat gum disease – are well-documented stainers. The leading theory is that chlorhexidine binds to dietary chromogens (colour compounds found in tea, coffee and wine), leaving brownish deposits along the gumline. A Cochrane review of 51 randomised controlled trials involving over 5,000 participants confirmed that use beyond four weeks leads to significant staining and tartar build-up. In the UK, chlorhexidine mouthwash is licensed for a maximum of 30 days for this reason.

Over-the-counter mouthwashes containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) can produce a similar effect. The CPC kills bacteria, which then decompose and reattach to the tooth surface as brown residue – around 3% of regular users are thought to be affected. And if your mouthwash contains a coloured dye, those pigments can leave their own mark on enamel too.

White Wine

Red wine’s reputation as a stainer is well established, but its paler sibling tends to escape blame entirely. That’s a mistake.

White wine is actually more acidic than red, and that acidity etches the enamel surface, creating tiny pockets where colour compounds from other foods and drinks can settle. A study from NYU College of Dentistry, reported in the British Dental Journal, found that teeth soaked in white wine and then exposed to black tea developed significantly darker stains than teeth soaked in water first. If your evening involves a glass of sauvignon blanc followed by a cuppa, that combination could be doing more damage than you’d think.

Balsamic Vinegar

Your lunchtime salad might be working against your beautiful, bright, white smile. Balsamic vinegar combines dark pigmentation with a sticky, acidic consistency that clings to enamel long after you’ve finished eating. The acid weakens the surface while the pigments settle into the roughened texture it leaves behind. Crunchy lettuce or raw vegetables can help scrub away residue as you eat, and rinsing with water afterwards is a sensible precaution.

Swimming Pools

Regular swimmers may have noticed a brownish tinge developing on their teeth and assumed it was down to diet. Far more likely, it’s the pool.

Chlorinated water that’s either too alkaline or too acidic can cause what dentists call swimmer’s calculus – a yellowing or browning brought about by chemical deposits and the accelerated breakdown of salivary proteins. A Spanish study of 404 subjects found that 60.2% of competitive swimmers showed dental staining, compared with just 12.9% of non-swimming sportspeople, even though all pools met standard sanitisation guidelines. If you swim frequently, brushing before you get in and rinsing with fresh water afterwards are both habits worth building in.

Vaping

E-cigarettes are often positioned as a cleaner alternative to smoking, and for tar-related staining, that’s broadly true. But vaping creates its own problems. Nicotine turns yellow when exposed to oxygen, producing gradual discolouration over months. Propylene glycol – a common carrier in vape liquids – dries out the mouth, reducing the saliva that naturally rinses staining compounds away. And coloured vape liquids can deposit pigment on teeth in the same way a brightly coloured sweet would.

Iron Supplements & Certain Medications

If you take a daily iron supplement – particularly in liquid form – you may be staining your teeth a dark brown or even greenish-black. Iron adheres to the pits and fissures in enamel, and dentists consider these stains particularly stubborn. Using a straw for liquid supplements, swallowing tablets whole and rinsing your mouth immediately afterwards can all help.

Tetracycline-class antibiotics (including minocycline and doxycycline) can bind to calcium during tooth development, creating permanent discolouration – primarily a risk for children under eight and during pregnancy, though long-term minocycline use in adults affects 3–6% of patients. Antihistamines and some blood pressure medications contribute indirectly by drying out the mouth.

Too Much Fluoride

Excessive fluoride exposure during childhood – from swallowing toothpaste, overuse of supplements or high-fluoride drinking water – can cause dental fluorosis, which shows up as white spots, brown patches or pitting on the enamel. This is a form of intrinsic staining, sitting beneath the tooth surface where standard whitening toothpaste can’t reach it. Worth bearing in mind if you have young children who tend to eat their toothpaste rather than spit it out.

What Does & Doesn’t Work To Fix It

In the UK, teeth whitening is cosmetic and isn’t available on the NHS, so you’ll need to go private. Professional in-office whitening using high-concentration hydrogen peroxide remains the most effective option, typically lightening teeth by several shades in a single session and lasting up to three years. Costs generally range from £200 to £600. 

Dentist-prescribed at-home kits using custom trays are a more affordable middle ground, with clinical evidence suggesting comparable long-term results. OTC whitening strips can lighten teeth by a shade or two, though a systematic review noted that the overall evidence for their effectiveness remains limited.

As for trending alternatives, the American Dental Association states there is insufficient evidence to support activated charcoal toothpaste for whitening – and research shows it can increase enamel roughness, potentially making teeth more vulnerable to staining. Purple toothpaste creates a temporary optical illusion using blue pigment but produces no actual colour change. Oil pulling has no documented whitening effect whatsoever. When it comes to brightening your smile, there’s no shortcut around peroxide-based chemistry.

The Bottom Line

The pattern across all these surprising stainers is the same: acid weakens enamel, and weakened enamel absorbs colour. Whether that acid comes from white wine, balsamic vinegar, pool chemicals or the propylene glycol in your vape, the result is enamel that’s more porous and more susceptible to discolouration. Drinking water between acidic exposures, waiting at least 30 minutes before brushing and keeping up with regular dental check-ups are the simplest defences you have. 

As for getting the brightness back, skip the charcoal and the social media fads – a conversation with your dentist remains the most reliable route to results that actually last.

Hushpitality: 7 Places to Find Stillness & Privacy On Your Next Trip

Editorial Team
-
0
Hushpitality: 7 Places to Find Stillness & Privacy On Your Next Trip

For years, the default holiday mode has been accumulation. More cities, more restaurants, more photos to prove you were having a good time. But something has turned, and the travel industry has noticed. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report found that 56% of global travellers now cite ‘rest and recharge’ as their primary reason for going anywhere, ahead of sightseeing, culture or food. They have even coined a word for it: ‘hushpitality’. 

In reaction, hotels and resorts are increasingly redesigning their offering around stillness, sensory reduction and digital restraint, catering to a generation of travellers who have finally acknowledged that doom-scrolling poolside is not a wellness retreat.

With 53% of those surveyed expressing interest in attending a silent retreat, 28% planning to seek more solitary moments even on group trips, and more than one in four business travellers deliberately carving out alone time during work trips, the demand is real and the options are expanding fast. Here are seven of the best, from full monastic silence to destinations where the landscape does the work for you.

Eremito, Umbria, Italy

Two hours north of Rome, on the edge of 3,000 hectares of protected forest, a medieval hermitage has been rebuilt from ruin into one of the most unusual hotels in Europe. Eremito has no Wi-Fi, no phone signal and no television. Its stone-walled rooms, the ‘celluzze’, measure around nine square metres each. You sleep on hemp sheets. Dinner is vegetarian, candlelit and eaten in total silence, Gregorian chant in the background and local wine flowing freely.

The whole place was conceived by Marcello Murzilli, a former fashion designer who previously created the celebrated Hotelito Desconocido on Mexico’s Pacific coast and spent five years rebuilding the original ruin, incorporating its original stones. Around 70% of guests arrive alone, according to the Michelin Guide, and the property is now part of the Marriott Bonvoy collection via Design Hotels, which tells you how far this concept has drifted from the fringes. There is an underground heated pool, a stone steam room, and morning yoga overlooking the valley. 

Rates from around €230 per night, all meals included. Perugia airport is 90 minutes away; Rome and Florence both around two hours by car or train.

Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand

On Koh Samui’s less-developed southern coast, about 30 minutes from Chaweng and a world away from it, Kamalaya occupies a hillside above Laem Set Beach. At its heart is a cave that Buddhist monks used for meditation for centuries, and the property has been built outward from that premise. There are 76 rooms and villas, over 100 wellness practitioners and 19 structured programmes ranging from detox to sleep enhancement.

Where Eremito strips back to almost nothing, Kamalaya wraps stillness in comfort: Qi Gong at sunrise, plant-based food with serious thought behind it, and a cave that has been a place of contemplation for longer than most European countries have existed. The name means ‘Lotus Realm’ in Sanskrit, which gives you a sense of the register. 

Repeat guests are so common the resort offers 10-15% off accommodation for stays booked 60 days ahead, and the longevity-focused treatments at its new Longevity House are pulling in a crowd who might previously have gone to a Swiss clinic. 

Direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Read: Where to stay on Koh Samui, Thailand

Gangtey Lodge, Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan

Twelve rooms. A glacial valley. Black-necked cranes migrating overhead from Tibet. Gangtey Lodge sits above Bhutan’s Phobjikha Valley, minutes from the 17th-century Gangteng Monastery, and the whole experience is built around the country’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness.

Guests can join monks for morning blessings and meditation, visit local farming families to help milk cows and make cheese, or simply sit on the terrace with a hot apple cider and watch the valley do nothing whatsoever. Log fires, roll-top baths, underfloor heating, and a Bhutanese set menu served by candlelight in a stone woodshed. The lodge also runs dedicated wellness retreats hosted by international practitioners, though the valley itself, a protected reserve largely untouched by the outside world, is arguably treatment enough. 

Getting there requires a flight to Paro followed by a four-to-five-hour mountain drive, which is itself part of the point.

Mii amo, Sedona, Arizona

Sedona’s red-rock country has been attracting people looking to recalibrate for decades, and Mii amo, set within Boynton Canyon on one of the area’s energy vortexes, is the most polished version of that impulse. With just 23 casitas, it runs all-inclusive ‘Journeys’ of three, four, seven or ten nights, each co-designed with a personal guide.

The spa has 26 treatment rooms, there is a Crystal Grotto for daily meditation, and the signature restaurant Hummingbird sources from its own chef’s garden. It has been a regular fixture on Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best list for over a decade, earning a place in their Hall of Fame. It is emphatically not cheap, with rates starting around $1,400 per night all-inclusive, but repeat bookings suggest the price is not the deterrent you might expect. Two hours from Phoenix.

Gaia House, Devon, England

At the other end of the spectrum, and the budget, Gaia House has been running silent meditation retreats in the Devon countryside for decades. Guests follow a code of noble silence, spending their days in contemplative practice with very little imposed structure. No spa, no wellness consultants, no attempt at luxury. Instead, the South Devon hills do the work.

It is, in many ways, the original hushpitality venue, long before anyone thought to coin the term, and if you want to test whether extended silence is for you before committing to Umbria or Bhutan, a weekend here is a sensible and affordable way to find out. Retreats are often donation-based. About an hour from Exeter. The best wellness retreats in England are increasingly following Gaia House’s lead.

The Alentejo Coast, Portugal

No retreat, no programme, no structured silence. Just the emptiest stretch of developed Atlantic coastline in Western Europe. The Alentejo, running south from Lisbon to the Algarve border, has managed to remain largely undeveloped where its neighbour has not, and the result is whitewashed fishing villages, enormous beaches and a pace of life that does the decompressing for you.

The Alentejo Coast
The Alentejo Coast

Rota Vicentina’s network of coastal walking trails connects the whole region on foot, and the accommodation runs from simple guesthouses to the occasional design-forward eco-lodge. The seafood is superb and absurdly cheap by northern European standards, and in low season you can walk for an hour along the coast without seeing another person. It is hushpitality without the branding, and arguably the better for it.

For somewhere to stay that matches the spirit of the place, Herdade da Matinha is a farmstead turned 35-room country hotel in the Serra do Cercal, about 10km from the coast. Restored from shepherds’ cottages and cattle barns, every wall hung with paintings by the owner, Alfredo, who is also the chef. Three pools, no televisions in the rooms, and the Rota Vicentina running past the front door. Nearby beaches at Malhao and Aivados are wild and largely empty. It is hushpitality without the branding, and arguably the better for it.

Rural Ryokan, Japan

Japan has been doing this for centuries; the West is catching up. The traditional ryokan, with its tatami floors, communal onsen baths and multi-course kaiseki dinners, has always been structured around restraint and consideration for fellow guests. In rural areas, particularly around the mountains of Tohoku or the hot-spring towns south of Kyoto, that restraint is the entire experience.

Rural Ryokan

You eat in your room. You bathe in near-silence. The futon is laid out while you are at dinner, and cleared before you wake. Some contemporary ryokan have started incorporating noise-cancellation technology into their architecture, but the ethos was already there. It was already considered good manners.

Prices vary enormously across the ryokan world, from around ¥15,000 per night for a simple mountain inn to several times that for a high-end property with private onsen, but even the budget end offers a level of considered hospitality that most Western hotels charge a fortune to approximate.

We love Nishimuraya Honkan, in the hot-spring town of Kinosaki in the volcanic mountains of Hyogo Prefecture, is among the finest examples: a 165-year-old, seventh-generation ryokan with 29 tatami rooms overlooking a Japanese garden, in-room kaiseki dinners, and a pass to the town’s seven public baths, which guests visit on foot in yukata and wooden geta along the willow-lined Otani River. It is a member of Relais & Chateaux and listed in both the Lonely Planet and the Michelin Guide. Two hours 40 minutes by limited express from Osaka.

Staying Secure On The Move

There is an obvious tension in any holiday built around disconnection: you still need to book transfers, check flight times and navigate unfamiliar cities, often on public Wi-Fi that is about as secure as a postcard. A free VPN download before you leave is the simplest way to keep your data private on shared connections, encrypting your browsing so that login credentials stay protected even on dodgy hotel or airport networks. Finally, make sure to download offline maps before you go. The places most worth visiting for stillness tend to be the ones with the worst signal.

The Bottom Line

Hushpitality is a silly word for a sensible idea. The Global Wellness Institute projects 17% annual growth in wellness tourism through 2027, and the silent end of that market is expanding fastest. But you do not need to book a formal retreat to benefit. A ryokan in Tohoku, a guesthouse on the Alentejo coast, or even just a hotel that has bothered to think about soundproofing will get you most of the way there. The principle is the same whether you are spending €230 a night in Umbria or walking the Rota Vicentina for the price of a bifana: give your brain the space it has been asking for. 

If you want to go further, our guide to the best yoga & wellness retreats around the world has plenty of options. Just leave the itinerary at home.

1...141516...394Page 15 of 394

Company

WHO we are
SAY HELLO
ADVERTISING

Read More

Ideal
Travel
Food & Drink
Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Social

We’re an online destination, IDEAL for your daily dose of all things lifestyle, from travel to wellbeing and everything in between.

Copyright © 2026 IDEAL Magazine