There are holidays where you come home needing another holiday.

And then there are holidays like this. The kind where, within twenty-four hours, everyone has found their rhythm. Everyone is happy. Breakfast somehow lasts longer. You stop checking the time. You breathe differently.

That was our experience at Iberostar Kantaoui Bay @kantaoui_bay_hotel

in Tunisia.

As a family of five, space is everything. The rooms were genuinely enormous, giving us room to spread out rather than feeling like we were living on top of one another.

The beach sits right on the hotel's doorstep, the sea was beautifully calm, and even in January we spent our days outside. When we fancied a change, the indoor pool was peaceful, warm and every bit as inviting.

The food was brilliant too. One of those rare all-inclusive hotels where everyone found something they genuinely looked forward to eating.

But what stayed with me wasn't the food or the facilities.

It was the feeling. The way the hotel seemed to ask less of us.

As mothers, we often spend holidays carrying exactly the same invisible mental load we carry at home, just in a different location.

The very best family hotels don't simply entertain children. They create an environment where parents can finally exhale too. That's what Iberostar Kantaoui Bay did for us.

And perhaps the biggest compliment I can give it? Every time we've mentioned booking another holiday since, one of the children has asked, "Can we go back to Tunisia?"

For me, that says everything.

📍 Iberostar Kantaoui Bay, Tunisia

@freedomfamilytravel

There are places where you go to see the mountains, and then there are places where the mountains become part of everyday life.

Ferienparadies Natterer See belongs firmly in the second category.

Set around its own bathing lake on a sunny plateau above Innsbruck, this family-run holiday resort combines camping, glamping, cabins, mobile homes, apartments, restaurants, and a remarkable range of outdoor activities in one sprawling Alpine setting. The resort is only 7 kilometres from Innsbruck, but once you're by the lake, the city feels pleasantly distant.

The property has been run by the Giner family since 1930, giving it more than nine decades of history. What began as a traditional family business has grown into a modern holiday destination with 15 hectares of grounds, 180 pitches, and 56 accommodation units.

And while the scale is impressive, the lake is still the heart of the experience.

This is a place for swimming before breakfast, hiking in the mountains after lunch, and watching the light change across the water in the evening.

A lush jungle, ray of light and the sound of birds - all you need to unwind. Thank you @sola.srilanka for a wonderful stay! Though close to the sea and Ahangama town, this intimate boutique hotel sits in a spacious, private jungle that makes it easy to slow down. You simply just want to stay.

📍Ahangama, Sri Lanka

In collaboration with @sola.srilanka

Experience & content by @malingrette

Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts.
Street food vendors serve generations-old recipes beneath gleaming skyscrapers. Motorbikes weave through busy intersections while the city's iconic skyline lights up the night. It is energetic, vibrant, and constantly moving.

Yet tucked away beside the lush greenery of Bukit Nanas and the iconic KL Tower, Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park offers something entirely different: a chance to step away from the city's intensity and experience a calmer side of Malaysia's capital.

Not complete silence, but a sense of balance that feels worlds away from the bright lights and fast pace beyond its doors.

Since opening in 2024, the hotel has quickly established itself as one of Kuala Lumpur's most distinctive lifestyle properties, combining thoughtful neighbourhood-inspired design, standout dining experiences, and breathtaking city views in a setting that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Discover Kuala Lumpur's Vibrant Neighbourhood

Hotel Indigo Kuala Lumpur on the Park is deeply connected to the story of Bukit Nanas, one of the city's most fascinating neighbourhoods.

There is a particular kind of Amalfi Coast fantasy that has little to do with checking into a conventional hotel.

It's finding an old stone house above the sea, wandering through a garden filled with lemon and olive trees, taking your breakfast slowly, and spending the afternoon with nowhere you need to be.

That is the feeling at Ma' C'a Casa Privata, also known as Ca' P'a Casa Privata.

The property sits in Praiano, between Positano and Amalfi, in a former fisherman's ruin that was carefully restored into a remarkably intimate retreat. There are only seven rooms, spread across the main villa and a separate garden suite, so the experience feels much closer to staying in a private coastal home than a traditional hotel.

The setting does much of the work. The house sits above a private stretch of rocky shoreline, while more than 5,000 square metres of gardens descend toward the Mediterranean. There are lawns, organic fruit and vegetable gardens, a pool, terraces, and secluded places to sit with a book or a glass of wine.

It is the sort of place where the view becomes part of your daily routine.

Located on the coastal edge of Sinharaja – an ancient rainforest that holds historical significance – you’ll find @sama.retreats. Once a vibrant fishing and stone-quarrying village, this area has evolved into a unique sanctuary. Sama Retreats spans 10 acres of a thriving ecosystem, where diverse plant life, abundant wildlife, and nesting sea turtles coexist in harmony.

📍Kosgoda, Sri Lanka

In collaboration with @sama.retreats

Experience & content by @malingrette

Location 

Kosgoda, Sri Lanka

Right in the heart of downtown Denver, just steps from the Denver Performing Arts Complex, there is a gem of a hotel that carries the memories of its unique history into the present, gracefully paired alongside luxurious modern-day amenities. You’ll find it nestled just blocks from well-known destinations frequented by travelers like Larimer Square, the 16th Street Mall, and the Denver Convention Center. Housed in the old offices of the Denver Tramway Company, Hotel Teatro proudly claims the title of “Denver’s First Boutique Hotel” and with a brick exterior complimented by beautifully carved terracotta accents, this place gives you the feeling that you may be walking into another time entirely.

Drop your keys with the valet and enter your weekend escape. The lobby itself is nothing short of opulence, adorned with elaborate chandeliers hanging from an intricately-carved ceiling. Torch-like wall sconces mounted on original Tennessee and Vermont marble walls frame an elegant central staircase. Throughout the hotel, you can find mementos from the past such as a vintage brass U.S. Mail chute, an unopened safe from the original building, and historical photos.

There are places that impress you – and then there are places you feel.
The Boutique Hotel Forstinger in Schärding is unmistakably the latter.
Tucked into the pastel-colored baroque old town, right on the Unterer Stadtplatz, this exceptional boutique hotel is not just a place to stay – it’s a place where history, atmosphere and genuine hospitality come together in a way that feels effortlessly refined.

There’s a quiet kind of luxury at @kurulubay — nothing loud or overdone, just space and a strong connection to nature. It feels like stepping into a slower version of time, watching the light shift across the lagoon and hearing the soft sounds of birds unfolding around it. Long relaxed meals at their Michelin Key-awarded restaurant, watching fishermen pass by in the distance, yoga and spa treatments. It’s not about doing much, just being in it.

📍Koggala, Sri Lanka

In collaboration with @kurulubay

Experience & content by @malingrette

What makes @alpinaalpendorf so unique is not only its location directly beside the gondola in Alpendorf, but also the history behind it. The Schwarz family, now already leading the hotel in the third generation, played an important role in shaping tourism in the region and significantly contributed to the development of skiing tourism and the gondola infrastructure in St. Johann im Pongau. You can truly feel this deep connection to the mountains throughout the entire experience.

One of our absolute highlights: the stunning sky pool and swimming area, already open from 8 AM in the morning and even available for late night wellness until 9:30 PM. Watching the sunset over the mountains from the warm water was simply unforgettable.

The culinary experience perfectly completes the stay: a rich breakfast buffet in the morning, delicious afternoon cake, and an elegant five-course dinner in the evening.

Families will absolutely love this place. From spacious family rooms and dedicated children’s and youth areas to the huge outdoor playground directly below the hotel — everything is designed with families in mind. There are also indoor and outdoor tennis courts, countless activities nearby and endless opportunities for adventure.

And the location could not be better: step outside the hotel and the gondola station is literally right there — perfect not only for skiing in winter, but also for beautiful summer hiking experiences.

Around the area you’ll find so many amazing activities:

• the breathtaking Liechtensteinklamm

• llama hiking

• archery

• climbing adventures in Geisterberg & JODY’s Baumparcours

• scenic mountain hikes of around 2–2.5 hours

• and endless alpine nature all around.

A place where wellness, family time, mountain lifestyle and Austrian hospitality come together beautifully.

#alpinaalpendorf #stjohannimpongau #visitaustria #austrianalps #familyhotel #wellnesshotel #luxurytravel #mountainescape #salzburgerland #hotelreview #familytravel #wanderlust #travelaustria #spaescape #luxuryhospitality 

High above the iconic cliffs of Santorini, Villa Bordeaux Santorini offers a rare combination of privacy, luxury, and uninterrupted caldera views. With only four exclusive suites and panoramic views over the Aegean Sea, the volcano, and Santorini’s famous sunsets, Villa Bordeaux creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and unforgettable.

Cape Cod is full of charming places to stay, but if you're looking for something with a little more personality, @freebirdcapecod is one to add to your list. 🌿✨

This retro-inspired motor lodge blends vintage charm with modern comfort, creating a laid-back atmosphere that's perfect for a Cape Cod getaway. Think colorful design, cozy outdoor spaces, a refreshing pool, fire pits, and a location that's just minutes from beaches, Hyannis, and the ferries to Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

It's the kind of place where you can spend the day exploring the Cape and come back to relax under the stars.

Would you stay here? 👇

📍 Freebird Motor Lodge | West Yarmouth, Cape Cod

There are luxury hotel and then there are luxury hotels where you can simply be yourself.

No dress code mindset. No showing off. No feeling that you have to impress anyone.

Just arriving, taking a deep breath, and feeling at home from the very first moment.

That is exactly what I experienced at @derboeglerhof in Alpbach.

Nestled in Austria's most beautiful flower village, surrounded by mountain meadows and breathtaking Alpine scenery, the Böglerhof combines five-star comfort with something far more valuable: genuine warmth.

The Duftner family has created a place where luxury feels effortless. Where hospitality comes naturally. Where even the next generation is actively involved in the hotel and guests are welcomed like friends rather than customers.

I loved the contrast between the two spa worlds: the Family Spa, surrounded by beautiful gardens, with the perfectly heated indoor and outdoor pool, mountain views and a relaxed pool bar serving excellent wines, refreshing Spritzes, cocktails, ice cream, and sorbets. And the Adults-Only Spa, where panoramic saunas, a natural swimming pond, a heated pool and spectacular views create the perfect place to switch off.

Add exceptional cuisine, outstanding service, beautiful hiking trails, the included Alpbach Card and some of the most stunning scenery in Tyrol and you have a place that's hard to leave.

Not surprisingly, excellence is reflected in numerous awards. The @derboeglerhof is recognized among Austria's leading wellness retreats, while the historic Fuggerstube has been awarded three Gault Millau toques and is recommended by the Michelin Guide. Yet despite all these accolades, what makes this place truly special is how wonderfully down to earth it remains 

Because true luxury isn't about being impressed.

It's about feeling comfortable enough to simply be yourself.

Right in the heart of Karlovy Vary, Art Deco WOLKER is part of the wider @astoriahotelmedicalspa—a concept that brings together three unique stays in one destination.

From the elegant Art Deco residence to the modern rooms in the main hotel, and the creatively designed family apartments with urban graffiti touches—each space has its own character while staying seamlessly connected.

Guests can enjoy full board dining, access to the spa and medical treatments, and unwind throughout the day in the cozy tea and coffee lounge.

A perfect blend of design, comfort, and wellness—right in the center of it all. ✨


Art Deco WOLKER by Astoria Hotel & Medical Spa, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic
- In collaboration with @astoriahotelmedicalspa
- Content & experience by Jasmin I @_emma.ete_

It's easy to see why so many visitors fall in love with Aruba. White-sand beaches, warm trade winds, and impossibly blue water make it one of the Caribbean's most dependable escapes.

What isn't always easy is finding a hotel that feels connected to the island rather than simply sitting on it.

Boardwalk Boutique Hotel Aruba does exactly that.

Set on a former coconut plantation just a short walk from Palm Beach, this adults-only retreat replaces towering hotel blocks with colorful private casitas surrounded by lush tropical gardens. With only 49 standalone casitas, the atmosphere is wonderfully intimate. Staff greet you by name, hammocks sway beneath the palms, and every path seems to lead to another quiet corner.

It feels less like checking into a resort and more like borrowing a beautiful Caribbean home for a few days.

One thing I've been learning lately is that the best trips aren't always about doing more, they're about feeling more present while you're there.

My stay @Fairmontatx was the perfect reminder of that.

The rooftop pool quickly became one of my favorite spots in the city. Sitting high above downtown with incredible skyline views, it's the kind of place where a couple of hours can turn into an entire afternoon without you realizing it.

When I wasn't by the pool, I spent time at the spa experiencing the Ammortal Chamber a wellness and recovery experience designed to help your body and mind reset. Between the red light therapy, meditation, and recovery-focused technology, it felt like hitting a reset button after a busy season of work, travel, and building dreams.

From the rooftop views to the wellness amenities, this stay was the perfect balance of adventure and recovery.

Austin always brings the energy. The Fairmont Austin gave me a place to slow down long enough to enjoy it.

📍 Austin, Texas
🏨 Fairmont Austin

I'm pretty sure I found the prettiest boutique hotel on Cape Cod. ✨

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to the beautiful @uncommonercapecod.

From beautifully designed rooms and waterfront views to handcrafted cocktails at Gypsy Sol, morning coffee at Café Arcana, and weekend wellness classes, every detail makes this boutique stay feel like a destination in itself.

Save this one for your next Cape Cod getaway. 🌿

Osaka is often introduced as Japan’s food capital.

A city of neon-lit streets.
Late-night ramen runs.
Takoyaki stalls.
Dotonbori chaos.
And endless shopping districts that somehow stay busy at all hours.

It’s loud.
Fast.
Electric.

And then there’s Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel—a hotel that quite literally rises above all of it.

Occupying floors 38 to 57 of Abeno Harukas, one of Japan’s tallest skyscrapers, this five-star hotel offers something surprisingly rare in Osaka:

space, silence, and some of the most breathtaking skyline views in the entire country.

And once you check in, you quickly realize the biggest luxury here isn’t just the room.

It’s perspective.

During my trip to Guatemala, I worked with Terra Guatemala, a French-speaking travel agency specialized in tailor-made journeys throughout Guatemala. The agency also offers trips across other Central American destinations, but their real expertise lies here: providing a seamless, personalized and high-end travel experience.

There is only one place in the Netherlands where you can wake up, step onto your balcony with a fresh cup of coffee, and watch giraffes gracefully wander across the savannah while rhinos roam in the distance. At Safari Hotel Beekse Bergen, this extraordinary experience becomes part of everyday life.

Combining the comfort of a luxury hotel with the excitement of an African safari, the hotel offers a unique escape where wildlife, relaxation, and hospitality come together. From unforgettable animal encounters to great dining and family-friendly facilities, a stay here feels like a journey far beyond the borders of the Netherlands.