Why boutique hotels matter more than ever…

Something is brewing in Hampshire, spring 2026 sees one of the most-awaited pub openings of the year.

The UK hotel and B&B scene is have a makeover and it’s less about design and more about the experience and community. Here are some top new boutique hotel, luxury B&B and pub openings to look out for in 2026.

How long can travel journalism survive when commercial partnerships dictate whose voice is allowed to be heard?

Are we design hotels for the grid or for people who stay in the them? Hotels need to refocus their efforts and design on the experience not the photo.

My current favourite products that I can’t travel without.

Design and authenticity matter in the world’s finest boutique hotels. Each hotel here honours its heritage through architecture, art and local connection, inviting you to experience luxury that tells a genuine story including Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany.

Travellers are turning their back on Air BNB and here’s why.. Something has shifted. Travellers who once booked an Airbnb without thinking twice now find themselves heading back to hotels, guesthouses and well-run B&Bs. The spark that made Airbnb exciting in its early days has dulled. What was once a refreshing alternative feels, for many, like more work, more risk, and less value than a boutique hotel, B&B, or larger hotel stay.

Where to shop, where to eat and where to stay in London. Start in Shoreditch and head west to Notting Hill. You need many trips to London to visit and explore each neighbourhood so this is my pick for a two-night stay in the city.

Europe has all sorts of spots to wander around, from busy streets to quiet riversides and coastal paths. You can explore towns, try the food, or just veer off the main route to see how things really work. 

Travelling from the far north down to warmer landscapes gives a trip an atmosphere that’s hard to plan and even harder to forget. The Arctic feels like the world stripped back to its basics, whereas Morocco’s trails or the Dolomites’ ridges bring colour, noise, and stories that have been told for centuries. 

Florence knows how to do Christmas. By late November the city feels alive again. Lights stretch across the piazzas, music drifts from street corners and the smell of warm panettone follows you through the narrow lanes. Walk over the Arno and the bridges sparkle with illuminations.

Finding the moments that matter often comes down to noticing the experiences that stick, rather than ticking off a long list of destinations. Some moments happen over a meal, some in a rush of adrenaline, and some in quiet streets or stretches of coastline. This guide highlights different types of experiences: food, thrill-seeking, culture, outdoor spaces, and coastal downtime, so travellers can discover what resonates most with them. Each section gives a clear picture of what to expect.

Once a builder’s merchants, now a stunning restaurant with eight rooms. The Merchant’s Yard in Tideswell in the heart of the Peak District is a little hidden gem. The eight rooms all on the ground floor are large and luxurious with the attention to detail usually reserved for boutique hotels.

Coastlines have a way of shaping a holiday without ever demanding it. Some stretch wide with quiet sands, others rise sharply with cliffs that keep the sea just out of reach. From Cornwall to Patmos, and beyond, each offers its own pace and character.

Planning a luxury escape to a remote corner of the world works best when the focus stays on what you want from the place rather than the idea of a “bucket-list” trip. Some travellers seek quiet days in wide-open landscapes; others lean towards wildlife encounters or a slower rhythm on the water. 

Hot new hotel openings including the stunning Tarabel Lisbon. With just nine rooms this little gem will set your heart on fire…

Wellbeing and holistic travel are reshaping the luxury hotel experience, creating retreats that rejuvenate mind, body and spirit. These hotels understand that true luxury means slowing down, restoring balance and connecting with nature—all without sacrificing comfort.

The latest boutique hotel to open in Lisbon has been three years in the making. Read on to find out if it’s worth the wait.

Influencers walk into hotels today with a level of access that used to be reserved for journalists, repeat guests or senior travel buyers. Some arrive with small followings, some with large ones, but their treatment is often the same. Welcome drinks. Room upgrades.