Michael Edwards, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog : A Luxury Travel Blog

Langkawi, Malaysia: 10 reasons to visit

By Michael Edwards on Jan 07, 2020 in Accommodation, Adventure Travel, Air Travel, Asia, Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Going Out, Hotels, Malaysia, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel

Bathing in the warm aquamarine Andaman Sea, Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 Malaysian islands just shy of the border with Thailand. White sand beaches backed by dense rain forests provide a base for relaxing holidays. But Langkawi is also a base for adrenaline infused adventures too. The Oriental Village The Oriental Village is an […]

Short stay: Paschoe House, Devon, UK

By Michael Edwards on Dec 21, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Michelin inspectors are keeping a close eye on Paschoe House’s stratospheric rise into foodie heaven. Since its opening in August 2017, Paschoe House has been on a soaring trajectory, awarded 5 stars by the AA for its discrete luxury and on the verge of a third AA rosette for its imaginative cuisine. It’s a phoenix […]

Short stay: Hartwell House Hotel and Spa, Aylesbury, UK

By Michael Edwards on Dec 14, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Hartwell House Hotel and Spa has some history. When Louis XVlll was exiled from France after the French Revolution, he rented this stately home, in 90 acres of Buckinghamshire parkland, at £500 a year, for his family and courtiers. Eventually, in the Hartwell House library, Louis signed the document for his restoration to the French […]

Langkawi, Malaysia: adventure, luxury and relaxation

By Michael Edwards on Dec 13, 2019 in Accommodation, Air Travel, Asia, Attractions, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Malaysia, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

Langkawi, on the west coast of Malaysia, is an idyllic archipelago of 101 islands sun-bathing in the warmth of the Andaman Sea. It can be an action-packed, high adrenaline destination with jet-skis and zip wires. For nature lovers, it is one of the most bio-diverse environments on the planet. And for those who just wish […]

Danube highlights: an A-ROSA DONNA river cruise

By Michael Edwards on Oct 26, 2019 in Austria, Cruises & Boat Travel, Eastern Europe, Europe, Food and Drink, Hungary, Regions, Slovakia, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

A long horizontal crimson-red rose, decorating the A-ROSA DONNA’s white hull, informs us that we have found our 100 cabin river cruiser at Engelshartzell, Austria. The 118-metre ship will be our home for the next five nights for a cruise that takes us on a dramatic section of the Danube through Vienna and out to […]

Short stay: Palais Amani, Fez, Morocco

By Michael Edwards on Oct 03, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Morocco, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel

Amani means desire or wish in Arabic. The Palais Amani gives guests the chance to fulfil their dreams of living at the heart of Fez’s ancient and authentic Medina. For guests the Palais Amani, with its opulent Arabian-Andalusian style, is their home for a few precious days, as they savour an imperial city of colours […]

7 reasons to visit Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK

By Michael Edwards on Sep 30, 2019 in Accommodation, Attractions, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Often called “The Jewel of the North”, Harrogate attracts visitors for its urban charms, stunning gardens and its position as a Gateway to the Dales. It is close to Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as the UNESCO world heritage site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. Within easy travelling […]

Short stay: Fairmont St Andrews, Scotland, UK

By Michael Edwards on Aug 19, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

St Andrews is the spiritual home of golf pulling in players from afar. Hosting a final qualifier for the British Open, the Sam Torrance and Kittocks Course provide a challenging course for serious golfers. Scottish hospitality blends with top notch American-style service at Fairmont St Andrews to provide far more than just golf. The welcome […]

Short stay: Country Living St. George Hotel, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK

By Michael Edwards on Aug 15, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Every room looks as if it’s been tastefully curated for a magazine shoot – which is no surprise as Country Living Magazine is bringing country chic to urban stays in what was orginally a grand Edwardian mansion. A rambling Grade 2 listed building was the perfect candidate for a classy makeover that name-checks Regency taste […]

Short Stay: Absalon Hotel, Vesterbro, Copenhagen, Denmark

By Michael Edwards on Jul 12, 2019 in Accommodation, Denmark, Europe, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

The Absalon Hotel is just a three minute walk from Copenhagen Central Station in the upcoming Vesterbro district. It is a great base for seeing Copenhagen and beyond. Vesterbro, a haven for foodies and lovers of quirky boutiques and design stores, is steaming ahead with classy gentrification. But the Absalon’s recent sophisticated revamp has edged […]

Short stay: Domaine de Perches, Gaillac, France

By Michael Edwards on Jun 30, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, France, Hotels, Regions, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

At Domaine de Perches you are guests of Alain and Howard for the ultimate French country house escape, staying at a welcoming boutique hotel. Alain and Howard have breathed new life into a 17th century oatmeal-coloured wine château. Even Grand Designs’ Kevin McCloud would be in awe at the scope of their project. Six years […]

Short stay: Longevity Cegonha Country Club, Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal

By Michael Edwards on Jun 27, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Food and Drink, Health & Safety, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Portugal, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, Western Europe

Join a Pilates class, take the shuttle to Vilamoura’s marina, opt for a personal training session and then spend time in the relaxation room before dinner. All this plus a staff as warm and welcoming as the Algarve sun. There’s a luxurious freedom to life at Longevity Cegonha Country Club (LCCC). Many guests are taking […]

The Isle of Wight: 7 reasons to sail across

By Michael Edwards on Jun 10, 2019 in Accommodation, Attractions, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

The short voyage across the Solent, sometimes as little as 22 minutes, makes a visit to the Isle of Wight an adventure. Not only are crossings fast, they are very frequent too. You are embarking on a mini-cruise when you take Wightlink from Lymington, Portsmouth or Southampton to the Isle of Wight. Although the ferry […]

5 luxurious Marrakech riads

By Michael Edwards on May 18, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Hotels, Morocco, Regions

For travellers looking for an authentic Marrakech experience it is hard to beat a Riad. That’s a traditional Moroccan house within the historic walls of the Medina. Riad translates from Arabic as garden. Tall airy houses, often three storeys, are based around an internal cooling garden made up of a plunge pool, trees climbing up […]

Short stay: Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Worcester, UK

By Michael Edwards on May 14, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, United Kingdom, Western Europe

A mere decade ago, the Benedictine nuns of Stanbrook Abbey were wearing grooves into the floor of their chapel as they knelt to pray, as they had since the 19th century. Then, seeking further peace and seclusion, the nuns relocated to Waas in North Yorkshire. Once the Pope had agreed to deconsecrate Stanbrook Abbey it […]

Short stay: Hilton at St. George’s Park, Burton-upon-Trent, UK

By Michael Edwards on May 10, 2019 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, United Kingdom, Western Europe

If you ever feel a touch of nostalgia for England’s 1966 World Cup win, sense the drama when you see that picture of Gazza with a tear in his eye and know that Harry Kane does more than just advertise razors, then a visit to the Hilton at St George’s Park is a must. It […]

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