Capturing her travels through a nostalgic 35mm lens, Robyn Davis (otherwise known as @rozzad to her Instagram followers) is somewhat of an escape artist – with plenty of hotel-honing magic tricks up her stylish sleeve. Using her impeccable eye for the little details, as well as the big picture, Robyn delves into her film archives and sheds light on the ingredients for a perfect boutique hotel stay…
As a serial hotel hopper...
I’ve quietly crafted a wish-list of hotel must-haves over the years. Some of these can be found in unassuming corridors, whilst others show up before you’ve even checked in. The ultimate hotel stay might have all of them, but in reality, I just need one or two to convert me into a lifetime guest.
First on my list — the room key.
Small but mighty, the room key is often overlooked, with weightless key cards favoured over the traditional, clunkier option. For me, a chic room key forms a big part of first impressions. There is something very Alice in Wonderland about opening your door with a tasselled door key. Hotel rooms are your home away from home, and I’m a firm believer that all stays should start with unlocking your adopted front door with an actual key.
Naturally, I have my favourites; a vintage-inspired haven in Saint-Tropez favours a stylish brass tag, then a historic hideout in Italy’s walled city of Urbino once presented me with a mediaeval room key that required two hands to carry it — memorable if nothing else.
There is also great poetry in a well-stocked honesty bar.
Honesty bars feel a little naughty and a lot of fun. I adore honesty bars for quiet rooftops that need no fanfare, or for moodily-lit corridors that encourage a delicious nightcap. Honesty bars shouldn’t stop at drinks either — I’ve enjoyed many a midnight cookie in my time. Even better if there is a beautiful book to scribble down your orders in; a romantic reminder of good (read: slightly hazy) times.
Next on my list?
Not a thing, but a feeling. I love a front desk team with an opinion, from the best beach to the hidden bar that you won’t find on Google. A hotel team that knows their neighbourhood is worth its weight in gold; destination cheerleaders with encyclopaedic knowledge. Stuck for dinner reservations ahead of your stay? No problem. Unsure of where to track down the best coffee in Manhattan? They’ve got it covered. I have fond memories of a stay at a hilltop hotel in Provence, where a very patient concierge sketched a map of the local villages, pencilling a route that would prove fruitful for my photo-taking. Spoiler alert: it was. The same appreciation for a hotel’s location should exist in subtle nods throughout any stay — I love spotting honey from a local beekeeper on the breakfast table, or a collaboration with an artist from the community on the walls.
Steering away from the sentimental and into the souvenir; never underestimate the power of beautiful hotel stationery.
Even better, a desk with a pre-stamped envelope and headed notepaper. Favourite friends of mine receive holiday correspondence, and the remaining hotel stationery finds a home tucked in between the pages of my coffee table books. The same magic can be applied to departure gifts. Once slightly corporate flavoured, these check-out mementos have been reimagined by smart hoteliers. Boxes of hand-baked shortbread, a carton of freshly laid eggs from the hen house, a packet of seeds from the estate gardens. These gifts needn’t be expensive, but considerate enough that you spend the entire journey home talking about them.
Undeniably, all of the above have one thing in common — a level of care. Unwavering thoughtfulness that doesn’t disappear after check-in. And this will always make a good hotel great.
P.S. if I am lucky enough to have a bathtub in my room, dedicated bubble bath products (Castello di Reschio has delicious bath salts) will always win brownie points from me…
Share this article
Latest stories
Where to stay: hotels that are destinations in their own right
From a Japanese island retreat to a Danish coastal hideaway, these seven hotels offer distinctive ways to experience their surroundings. Each brings its own perspective on design, wellbeing and a sense of place, whether in the mountains, by the sea or among the landscapes of the Mediterranean. Helenekilde Badehotel, Denmark
Celebrating five years of the Considerate Collection
What does it mean to travel considerately? It might be a centuries-old farmhouse given a second lease of life in Transylvania; a Venetian landmark carefully restored with a heating and cooling system that uses lagoon water; or an island kitchen serving a plant-based feast made with seaweed gathered just offshore.
Making tracks: a train journey taking in six European cultural capitals
It’s official – inter-railing is back, as travellers increasingly swap flights for the speed and ease of Europe’s rail network. Think zippy connections, city-centre arrivals, and stress-free border crossings: train travel is one of the fastest, most convenient, and still sustainable ways to explore the continent. Get ready for a
Independent Minds: Sheila Kyarisiima, The Pinnacle Kigali
High above Kigali on Rebero Hill, The Pinnacle offers sweeping views across the city, bringing contemporary luxury together with a strong sense of place. What began as a private family retreat has evolved into a destination that celebrates Rwanda’s culture, creativity and community. Here its founder, Sheila Kyarisiima, shares the
