City Slickers
Short breaks don’t come better than a stay at a chic city hotel with shops, cafés and restaurants. Where to go for great design, food and shopping
Dar Kawa, Marrakech
One of my favourite places to stay in Marrakech, Dar Kawa is unique and can only be booked direct. This four-room house or 'Dar' is a hard-to-find design jewel in the heart of the medina, a little off the beaten track and one of the oldest houses in the medina. Each of the four rooms has its own understated elegant style with designer owner Valérie’s signature towels and bed linens adding to the feeling of incidental luxury. The bathrooms are small but perfect with a palette of soft grey tiles, shiny chrome taps and fragrant organic Nectarome products. The food, created by Saïda who has been here for 20 years, is hearty, organic and delicious; some of the best vegetarian food you'll find in the Red City. There's a shaded dining area on the rooftop (the perfect breakfast place, a light lunch or a spot of yoga), but if it's a bit chilly you can eat in the courtyard or by the fire in the sitting room. Longstanding Manager Abdelhadi appears as if by magic when you need him and disappears when you don't: the service is slick and discreet. Many of the things you see in the house have been commissioned and designed by Valérie herself so don't be disappointed if you can't find these lovely items in the souks or shops in Marrakech. It was love at first sight for me and there’s no better place to take over for a special birthday celebration with family or friends.
Rates from £150
No.15 Great Pulteney, Bath
A reinvented family-friendly and dog-friendly boutique hotel in a glorious Georgian listed building, set on one of Bath’s grandest streets. The Guest brothers take pride in carefully curating and redesigning their properties and No.15 is no exception; expect vivid artwork, leather chairs and sparkly chandeliers. The 37 rooms are spacious and luxurious featuring dolls houses as the coffee station and Crossley record players. Children will love the treat pantry and Instax cameras, which are free to use. The restaurant has a small but great menu and picnics can be made to go for trips to nearby Henrietta Park and the bar has a serious selection of beers, wines, soft drinks and a cocktail menu full of flavour. Bespoke therapies for the weary traveller can be booked in one of the soothing spa treatment rooms where they use eco-luxury products formulated and blended in Britain by Pinks Boutique, or perhaps you might like to head to the Copper Room and enjoy spa time together in a beautiful round copper bath for two? A great choice for Christmas shopping; Bath Christmas market runs from 24th November to the 11th December.
Rates from £174
L’Hotellerie Easy Suites, Palermo
This B&B is in a beautifully converted 16th-century property in the heart of historic Palermo, Sicily. The rooms and suites are built within the 9th-century Arabian walls and are individually designed featuring a creative blend of original details and contemporary style complemented by furnishings and furniture that reflect the spirit Palermo.
On the one side it overlooks the sea near Porta Felice and on the other lies the historic district of Kalsa, once home to Emir’s citadel. After a day of culture in a city that Goethe called ‘the most beautiful place in the world’ why not head to the terrace and take a dip in the pool before discovering some of the many great restaurants nearby. During December, in the streets of Palermo there are a lot of fairs and Christmas markets where you can buy typical Sicilian products, taste traditional food and surround yourself with the magic of this celebration.
Rates from £156 per night
Georgian House Hotel, London
Picturesque Pimlico is home to this elegant Grade-II listed house that is overflowing with quintessential Victorian charm. The bedrooms are split over four floors, upstairs offers period grandeur and concealed in the lower ground floor, accessed through a bookcase, are a fun collection of wizard-themed enchanted chambers and family suites. Created to conjure a mysterious and magical feel, each room features faux castle details including stone walls, archways, trunks, cauldrons and four-poster beds whilst burning stoves, cauldrons in fireplaces and tapestries complete the wizardry look. A magical place to stay in central London. Georgian House is proud to work with charities that help those with learning or physical disabilities find employment and are green small business certified.
Rates from £142
Solar do Castelo, Lisbon
Ancient meets modern at Solar do Castelo, the only hotel within St. George's Castle walls in Lisbon. The 20 individually decorated contemporary bedrooms feature stone walls, pale woods, heavy bricks and heavy fabrics complemented by all the mod cons. The doors of this small palace, once the former kitchens of the Royal Palace, open onto the patio where you’ll find the castle peacocks in full splendour. The streets of the Castle Village are so narrow residents keep their flowerpots and bird cages dotted around the streets, adding to the charm of the area which is now almost car-free. The charming inner courtyard and garden has a medieval cistern and there are great views over the city. A romantic stay in a romantic city. Visit before Christmas and head to Wonderland Lisboa located in Eduardo VII Park in the centre of Lisbon. It features a Christmas Market, a Ferris wheel with 360º views from heated cabins, and an ice-skating rink.
Rates from £195
The Rookery, London
Only a short distance from St Paul's Cathedral this period city escape is full of character and pretty bedrooms that have antique beds, open fires and rolltop baths with original brass and copper plumbing. Rook's Nest is the fabulous two-storey Penthouse Suite with views over St Paul’s and the Old Bailey. The bedroom is dominated by a hand-painted, four-poster bed and there’s a huge Victorian bathing machine in one corner of the room. A staircase leads you upstairs to a sitting room under the 40ft spire. There’s no restaurant but there are plenty in the area. If you’re looking for a place to stay that’s more private club than a hotel The Rookery is a perfect choice. Christmas by the river at London Bridge is a short walk away and is set against stunning views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, offering wooden huts selling original and handmade gifts, and plenty of delicious snacks.
Rates from £282
Casa Howard, Florence
One of the best places to stay in the heart of Florence with a personalised concierge. Much more than a guest house Casa Howard is a unique place to stay with the warmth of a private home and the service of a 5-star hotel. This historical residence is in one of the best locations of Florence, walking distance of the train station, the galleries and the best cafés and restaurants in the city. Each of the 10 rooms is individually designed with a different theme, one exotic, another romantic, traditional or contemporary. There’s a family suite and friends can book connecting rooms. Make the most of the concierge here so you can live like a local during your stay in this magical Renaissance city.
Rates from £180
www.casahoward.com