This unique boutique hotel is set within a 17th-century palace in the medieval fortified city of Mdina, the old capital of Malta. This central Mediterranean archipelago in between Sicily and the North African coast is known for rich historic sites and idyllic beaches. The Xara Palace is the only hotel perched on centuries-old bastions, surrounded by stunning baroque architecture. 

The 17 luxury rooms and suites have been meticulously and sensitively restored to reflect its former noble standing. The interiors are decked out in antique furniture, paintings, Parisian fabrics and king size beds. And all the rooms afford stunning views of the Maltese countryside. 

In 2022, the hotel aims to give back with a range of innovative sustainability practices and guest experiences in a bid to become more conscious while encouraging others to do the same. Its new aquaponics system sees 40 per cent of the hotel’s on-site kitchen waste fed to insects, which are then fed to fish.

The nutrient-rich fish waste is used in a hydroponic system to grow quality ingredients which are incorporated in the menu of The de Mondion, the hotel’s one-Michelin-starred restaurant. This system helps to keep greenhouse gases in the food chain and out of the atmosphere, and contributes towards the hotel’s farm-to fork approach. At The de Mondion, diners can tuck into refined dishes such as Mediterranean red prawn with taco, fennel and dashi or local red snapper with shitake and lardo.

Find out more: The Xara Palace

Glenapp Castle is tucked away on the breath-taking Ayrshire coast, Scotland. The 21-bedroom luxurious Relais & Chateaux hotel is surrounded by lush woodlands. The Earl of Orkney, the founder of the estate, was an avid collector of trees and plant life.

In May 2021, the property launched its brand new castle penthouse apartment called The Endeavour by converting the hotel’s entire top floor into a luxurious space with four bedrooms and five bathrooms. There’s also a media room, library and games room, sauna, beauty and treatment room. The Endeavour has its own kitchen and private dining room for up to 16 guests, complete with a full butler service and private chef. Guests can book the whole floor of The Endeavour from £2,750 (S$4,400) in the winter months (November to March) and £3,950 (S$6,300) in the summer months (April to October).

Glenapp launched its new The Azalea Restaurant in May this year. Located within the Castle’s picturesque Walled Gardens is the original Victorian Mackenzie and Moncur Victorian Glasshouse, built in the late 1800s. There are five different areas for intimate dining: The Atrium is the heart of the Glasshouse; The May Stock Room is light, spacious with a botanical theme; The Fruit Room features fig and peach trees; The Vine Room houses 100-year-old vines that still produce grapes; and The Pond Room has a small pond for goldfish. Menu-wise, dishes incorporate herbs and vegetables like curry plants, the marigold leaves and rhubarb grown in the gardens, along with other local Scottish produce. Cocktails in the atrium bar room also use ingredients from the gardens. 

For wellness buffs, Glenapp Castle is also organising a wellness retreat from 18 to 20 November. Digital detox programmes and yoga within the castle’s gardens are complemented by outdoor activities to reconnect with nature from foraging to forest bathing. Guests will enjoy a unique experience which includes guided meditation, mindfulness techniques, and a stroll into the estate’s woodland areas, to help them detach from their busy lives.

Find out more: Glenapp Castle

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Situated on the banks of Lake Geneva, Beau-Rivage Palace is only about 10 minutes away from the centre of Lausanne. The hotel’s sprawling garden, splendid terrace, and harbour-side atmosphere form an oasis of calm.  Since 1861, Beau-Rivage Palace has received many royal families and famous celebrities. It was recently awarded Hotel of the Year 2023 by Gault et Millau.

The hotel also draws gourmands with its range of dining experiences. Anne-Sophie Pic’s two-Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant ASP takes pride of place here. Enjoy an exquisite meal of fresh local ingredients like fera fish and crayfish from the lake, paired with a wine list featuring over 3000 wines. The hotel’s cellar brimming with 75,000 bottles is one of the largest in Europe.

Other dining options include Miyako Lausanne, a traditional Japanese restaurant serving sushi and sashimi, as well as Café Beau-Rivage, an elegant brasserie with a terrace overlooking Lake Geneva and the alps. On 1 October, the brasserie celebrates ‘Swisstainable Veggie Day’which offers guests the chance to try a 100 per cent vegetarian menu featuring fresh local products. 

The hotel also zeroes in many sustainable initiatives. It boasts beautiful gardens with a variety of plants, herbs, and several beehives. Guests can enjoy homemade honey and garden-fresh herbs in Chef Anne-Sophie Pic’s menu. Since the start of 2022, 100 per cent of the hotel’s electricity comes from renewable hydropower. Guests can also rent electric bikes to discover the city and tackle Lausanne’s hills.

Finally some relaxation, the Cinq Mondes spa offers plush treatment rooms, a Suite de Felicite with hammam and private garden, and an indoor and outdoor pool.

Find out more: Beau-Rivage Palace

Built in 1736, Schloss Leopoldskron, about 2 km from Salzburg’s Old Town, is framed by manicured gardens and majestic views of the mountains and the 11th century Hohensalzburg fortress in a distance. 

Prince Archbishop of Salzburg,  Leopold Anton Freiherr von Firmian Leopold, deeded the Schloss (palace) over to his nephew, Count Laktanz Firmian, who happened to be one of the first sponsors of Leopold Mozart and his son, Wolfgang Amadeus. Scenes from The Sound of Music movie were filmed on site, and the Salzburg Festival was founded there. 

This hotel’s rooms are located in an annex of the Leopoldskron Palace which is privately owned and not accessible to the public. Guests can however enjoy free access to the palace, the Max Reinhardt Library, and the chapel. The property is divided in two buildings: the Meierhof (55 rooms) and the Palace (12 suites) and two town houses. Among the many modern amenities are free wifi, mini bar, Dyson Supersonic hairdyer and Dyson fans. 

Breakfast buffet is served in the Palace’s grand breakfast room. If the weather is pleasant, guests can have their breakfast on the balcony. Drinks and cakes are available at Meierhof Café which boasts a terrace with views of the garden and small lake. You can easily stroll to the lake to soak in the surroundings. There are jogging and cycling trails too, and bikes are available for guests to use. Besides a fitness centre, there’s free access to a public pool and miniature golf course next to the hotel complex. 

Schloss Leopoldskron also hosts the Salzburg Global Seminar, an international non-profit organisation whose mission is to inspire current and future leaders to shape a better world.

Find out more: Schloss Leopoldskron

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