Cast in an almost exclusively black-and-white
palette, the calm interiors of this upscale,
award-winning boutique hotel function as
a kind of visual rehab – perfect for those
who are quietly reflecting on time spent
surveying Iceland’s otherworldly natural
landscapes – or maybe you hit that famously
buzzing Reykjavik bar scene a little too hard
last night? No one could blame you, given
101’
s handy, central location. Rooms have
generously sized roll-top baths or walk-in
showers, and even the entry-level ones
have underfloor heating, toiletries by Aveda,
bedlinen by Quagliotti, free Wi-Fi and a
Bose SoundDock for your iPod. There’s
an in-house art gallery, and the restaurant
serves a mixture of modern Icelandic and
international dishes. Both it and the bar are
cool enough to be frequented by plenty of
locals as well as guests so, even if you’re not
staying here, drop in for a taste of life in black
and white.
Book at hotels.easyJet.com
La Sultana
Marrakech
|
Palatial luxury
|
From €261
the fascinating city
of Marrakech is full of fabulous hotels, but
few blend opulence and tradition better than La Sultana. An easy
10-
minute walk to the medina of Djamaa El Fna and close to
the Ville Nouvelle, it provides a calm base from which to navigate
the souks.
Five separate
riads
(
courtyard houses), connected by a series
of labyrinthine corridors and hidden stairways, each reflect a
different Moroccan style, ranging from lavish palatial décor with
eye-popping
zellige
(
hand-cut tiles), carved plaster and painted
ceilings, to minimal, white marble patios and turquoise pools. As
romantic escapes go, this ranks up at the top.
Many of the 28 bedrooms have fireplaces and all have gorgeous
tadelakt
(
traditional plaster) bathrooms that are scattered with
rose petals in the evenings.
During your stay, take breakfast and mint tea on the panoramic
roof terrace with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains as backdrop,
or come up for a traditional tagine or other local speciality
followed by cocktails in the evening. Make time for the spa – the
angel’s skin
gommage
(
scrub) in the hammam is one of the best
in town and a snip at 400MAD (€36). There’s also a pool, hanging
gardens and library for guests to enjoy.
Book at hotels.easyJet.com
101
Hotel
Reykjavik
|
Monochrome haven
|
From €192
WORDS
TARA STEVENS, SOPHY GRIMSHAW
H O T E L
R E V I E W S
01
Enjoy exploring the
labyrinth of corridors and
stairways
02
Be sure to take advantage
of some of the best spa
treatments in town
01
02
Five separate riads each reflect a
different Moroccan style, ranging from
lavish to minimal
1 0 5
V I E W P O I N T S
