This month, we’re dreaming of far-flung destinations where sun, sea, and culture come together. We begin with Key West, an island off the coast of Florida at the southernmost point of the US, known for its natural beauty, excellent diving, and distinctive Victorian-era architecture. We then move on to a riverside retreat in Vietnam on the edge of the UNESCO-listed city of Hue, followed by Santa Monica and La Rochelle on the French coast
Pine Trees Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland
Spread across a 32-room Victorian mansion and a six-room coach house, Pine Trees Hotel is a charming country house retreat surrounded by 10 acres of secluded gardens. The rooms — particularly those facing the garden — layer Highland romance with contemporary comfort. Think deep soaking tubs, wool throws, and windows framing drifting pines. Downstairs, Fauna Restaurant leans into Scotland’s larder with finesse, from locally sourced venison to delicately handled seafood that feels both rustic and refined. While the interiors take a fresh, polished approach to English country style — neutrals lifted by accents of salmon pink and fern green — it’s the restaurant and Flora Bar that make the strongest impression. Low-lit and cocooning, Flora is all curved banquettes in rich green fabrics, botanical motifs, and brushed brass detailing. After dinner, it’s the sort of place where a Scottish whisky stretches into the night.
Ella's Cottages, Florida, USA
This retreat is all about slowing down and easing into island time. The quintessential bohemian stay on Key West, Ella’s Cottages is brightly decorated and full of colour, yet cosy and laid-back. There’s a secluded courtyard pool set among lush, landscaped gardens, making you feel tucked away—more like you’re staying in the privacy and comfort of a friend’s villa.
Weathered clapboard and louvred shutters add character and charm, while breezes carry the scent of sea salt and gardenia. Inside, vintage rattan meets crisp linen and a kitchen scaled for lingering breakfasts. Mornings belong to the porch swing; nights to the hum of cicadas, with the sky ever changing in light and warmth. This is a place that draws returning guests who feel instantly at home.
Winslow’s Bungalows, Florida, United States
On the beautiful island of Key West, off the southern coast of Florida, Winslow’s Bungalows feels more like a home from home than a traditional hotel. Located in Old Town, the rooms are spread across a number of self-contained bungalows, accessed via lawned laneways that lead up to your porch. It feels more like navigating a local neighbourhood as you make your way back from exploring the beaches and natural beauty of this stunning destination. There are views of the Basilica of St Mary Star of the Sea, one of the oldest Catholic parishes in Florida, dating back to the early 1900s and notable for its distinctive stone-built Victorian façade — well worth a visit. Afterwards, the pretty pool, surrounded by white-painted bungalows, calls for lazy afternoons. There’s also plenty to explore nearby, from visits to the former home of Ernest Hemingway — with its famous six-toed cats — to swimming with sea turtles at Dry Tortugas National Park, just a boat ride away.
Ridley House, Florida, United States
Another new Key West address in the collection is Ridley House, which sees the transformation of a historic building on the island, dating to circa 1884, reborn as a boutique retreat. Originally owned by a naturalist who discovered the Ridley sea turtle, the hotel retains its heritage, with a white-painted clapboard exterior and coffee-hued wooden floors. It is the quintessential stay in this corner of the world, with wooden shutters, picket fences, porches with rocking chairs, and painted gables — just as you’d imagine. The all-white interiors are grown-up yet relaxed, featuring walls lined with bookshelves in dark wood, alongside smart upholstered furniture and statement pieces in rattan. Afternoons call for the daily Cypress Sangria Soirée, served poolside under the shade of fringed parasols, where guests gather and mingle, bringing the place to life.
Lighthouse Hotel, Florida, USA
As far as location goes, it couldn’t be better than Lighthouse Hotel, which sits opposite the storied Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West and just a five-minute walk from Duval Street in the heart of Old Town. Lined with bars and restaurants, the street runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
This historic inn has coastal-chic rooms featuring white timber panelling, rattan headboards, and punchy pops of colour in coral and teal, with some opening directly onto the pool area. The leafy courtyard is the social heart—filled with striped loungers and swaying palms—where guests gather to exchange stories from the day. By late afternoon, the bar hums with gentle chatter as guests sip frozen margaritas and rum punches. Check into the Hemingway Suite if you can; it comes with a wraparound balcony and a soaking tub.
Azerai Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam
Azerai Ke Ga Bay is a tranquil beachfront resort set along a quiet stretch of Vietnam’s southern coast. Surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the East Sea, it offers a peaceful escape from busy city life. The resort blends modern comfort with natural beauty, featuring elegant villas, a large infinity pool, and direct beach access. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood, spa treatments, and outdoor activities such as cycling or kayaking. Its calm atmosphere makes it ideal for relaxation, romantic getaways, or simply unwinding to the gentle sound of waves rolling onto the shore.
Azerai La Residence, Hue, Vietnam
Central Vietnam remains relatively off the beaten track, offering a chance to follow the daily lives of locals and experience culture unfiltered by tourism. Azerai La Residence in Huế City, set on the banks of the Perfume River between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, is a serene escape in one of the most historically significant places in Vietnam. As the imperial capital of the last ruling dynasty, Huế’s vast citadel and palace complex have earned it UNESCO status. After days spent delving into the depths of this fascinating city and its history, Azerai awaits as a heavenly contrast of calm. Swim long, lazy laps in the 40-metre saltwater pool, or book a treatment in the extensive spa before tucking into artfully presented plates at its fine-dining restaurant, Le Parfum.
Maison des Ambassadeurs, La Rochelle, France
Maison des Ambassadeurs stands out less for flashy amenities and more for its captivating narrative, centred on the story of diplomat-writer Albert Bodard. Rooms and common areas feel like curated “stops” on a journey, with subtle references to travel, cultural exchange, and hosting. The Bodard Bar, for example, is designed like a private salon where conversations unfold, rather than a typical hotel bar. Another differentiator is the contrast between the historic 18th-century structure and the restrained, contemporary interiors. Instead of leaning heavily into coastal clichés, the design adopts a muted, almost introspective palette that feels more literary.
Maison Twenty Seven, Santa Monica, USA
This boutique hotel occupies a restored villa dating to circa 1927—a rare example of Moorish-influenced Mediterranean Revival architecture, defined by stucco walls, wrought-iron detailing, arched corridors, and courtyard gardens that form the hotel’s core. Rooms are residential in character rather than conventional hotel layouts, with many configured as studios or suites featuring kitchenettes and layered, tactile interiors. The design leans into a soft, nostalgic California-Mediterranean language—terracotta tones, striped awnings, patterned tiles, and sun-washed plaster—balanced by discreet contemporary updates in lighting and furnishings.
Circulation is deliberately open-air, with pathways and terraces connecting spaces rather than enclosed corridors, reinforcing its villa-like, lived-in atmosphere just blocks from the Santa Monica coast.
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