travelintelligence
Started by Jamie Dunford Wood – one of the founders of World Reviewer – Travel Intelligence brings together a collection of the world’s finest chic, boutique and luxury hotels. Reviews of Travel Intelligence’s extensive selection of personally vetted hotels are provided by a network of professional travel writers.
Because Travel Intelligence isn’t just about swish accommodation: as well as providing engaging, objective hotel reviews, TI’s roaming ‘special agents’ also send back a wide range of top-class
travel writing. With subjects veering from finding paradise in the wilds of Patagonia to a trawl through Shakespeare’s London, they’re a series of unmissable dispatches from the globe-trotting frontline.
travelintelligence's activity
- August 2009
travelintelligence reviewed Cocoa Island in Maldives
"Christina Ong offering: great diving and sybaritic rooms on boats - makes doing a runner a breeze""
- June 2009
travelintelligence reviewed Amberley Castle in South East England, United Kingdom
"Authentically crumbling castle hotel with ambitious menus in rolling Sussex countryside""
- May 2009
- March 2009
travelintelligence reviewed Essaouira Beach in Essaouira, Morocco
by Anthony Sattin M. Frederic Damgaard first entered the walled city of Essaouira some thirty years ago, when Yusuf Islam was still called Cat Stevens and when Jimi Hendrix and a host of other sixties "scene" people were hanging out, getting …"
- December 2008
travelintelligence reviewed Palazzo Magnani Feroni in Florence, Italy
"This 11-room Feroni family palace dates from the 16th century""
- June 2008
travelintelligence reviewed Pousada Picinguaba in Ubatuba, Brazil
"A simple hideaway in tiny fishing village in a beautiful bay, surrounded by tropical forests""
- May 2008
travelintelligence reviewed Ca' Maria Adele in Venice, Italy
"Fourteen opulent and funky 'concept' rooms - a welcome addition to the meagre choice of romantic design hotels in this city""
- January 2008
travelintelligence reviewed L' Hôtel in Paris, France
Small, treasure-filled left-bank garret hotel of Oscar Wilde fame, ideal for liasons. Tres romantic, preserving some of the garret atmosphere of Wilde's day, if expensive. Opulant decoration in rooms themed to personalities. Subterranean steam room and …"
- December 2007
travelintelligence reviewed Kasbah Tamadot in Marrakech, Morocco
Branson's luxury mountain retreat. A luxurious retreat just an hour south of Marrakech. With indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and a heap of other facilities, it's a place to arrive, relax and only stir yourself several days later when it's time to go, th…"
travelintelligence reviewed Bath Priory Hotel in Bath, United Kingdom
"Quintessentially English country house, with a great value one-Michelin star restaurant""
travelintelligence reviewed Pensione La Calcina in Venice, Italy
"Lagoon views on a budget on the edge of the Giudecca""
travelintelligence reviewed Linthwaite House in Lake District, United Kingdom
"Wonderfully cosy hotel with fantastic views, set in 15 acres of woodland""
travelintelligence reviewed Ambassade in Amsterdam, Netherlands
"Attractive and intimate conversion of 17th-century canal houses""
travelintelligence reviewed Harbourmaster Hotel in Wales, United Kingdom
"Chic fisherman simplicity in a small seven-roomer on the harbour""
travelintelligence reviewed Casa Howard in Florence, Italy
"Spacious, airy, themed rooms show the same charming decor as the Roman branch""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel de Russie in Rome, Italy
"Rome's best hotel for those who appreciate the Rocco Forte discreet designer style""
travelintelligence reviewed Novecento in Venice, Italy
"Boutique hotel with Moroccan touches, Rajasthani hangings and nine individually designed rooms""
travelintelligence reviewed Londra Palace in Venice, Italy
"Good value and recently refurbished grand hotel overlooking Lagoon - best option if Gritti/Cipriani/Danieli are out of reach""
travelintelligence reviewed The Rookery in London, United Kingdom
"For high-fliers charmed by the marvellous Rook's Nest suite""
travelintelligence reviewed The Gore in London, United Kingdom
"Victorian townhouse near Hyde Park, bursting with character and quirky antiques""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Endsleigh in Plymouth, United Kingdom
"Olga Polizzi (of Tresanton fame) turns her sure hand to a little country house in Devon""
travelintelligence reviewed Punch Bowl Inn in Lake District, United Kingdom
"Charming inn, sister of the Drunken Duck, with a judicious touch of olde chintz and excellent food""
travelintelligence reviewed Locanda Orseolo in Venice, Italy
The Locanda Orseolo, containing only 15 rooms, is the result of a recent faithful restoration of a typical Venetian home, facing the Orseolo canal only steps from St. Mark's Square."
travelintelligence reviewed Villa des Orangers in Marrakech, Morocco
"Probably the best hotel in Marrakech's medina if you value character and atmosphere""
travelintelligence reviewed The Halkin Hotel in London, United Kingdom
"Luscious designer public spaces and equally luscious Armani-clad staff""
travelintelligence reviewed The Capital Hotel in London, United Kingdom
"Round the corner from Harrods; chic, friendly and efficient, with a great restaurant""
travelintelligence reviewed Hipping Hall Hotel in North West England, United Kingdom
"Elegantly updated country bolthole; has retained its old English charm""
travelintelligence reviewed C Side Spa, Cowley Manor in Gloucester, United Kingdom
Contemporary and stylish country house hotel with fabulous spa."
- November 2007
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Tresanton in West Country, United Kingdom
"Good seaside hotel for adults, RF style in pretty Cornish town""
- July 2007
travelintelligence reviewed 1864 The Sea Captain's House in Cyclades Islands, Greece
"Beautifully restored mansion, the ultimate Santorini retreat""
travelintelligence reviewed Mavida in Salzburg Province, Austria
"Sophisticated ski hotel, pared down, with a tranquil organic palette""
travelintelligence reviewed Loisaba in Kenya
"On the edge of the Laikipia plateau with views of Mt Kenya, an eco-lodge with unrivalled wildlife, 250 species birds, and the unique 'Star Beds'""
travelintelligence reviewed Kivotos Hotel in Cyclades Islands, Greece
"Whimsical and romantic, tumbling down the hill to a little pebble beach""
travelintelligence reviewed 155 Via Veneto Boutique Hotel in Rome, Italy
"Eagerly awaited new (April 1st 2007) Roman opening" "
travelintelligence reviewed Villa de Loulia in Ionian Islands, Greece
"Nine simple, elegant rooms in an 18th-century manor house in an untouched Greek village""
travelintelligence reviewed Dylan in Dublin, Ireland
"Luscious new boutique, dramatically upping the stakes in Dublin""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Langlois in Paris, France
"Wonderfully atmospheric town-house hotel of fine proportions and well-loved antiques""
travelintelligence reviewed Mnemba in Tanzania
Mnemba Island Lodge, located just off the North East Coast of Zanzibar, is a tiny dream island with the impressive accolade of being one of the most romantic and exclusive coral atoll islands in the world. "
travelintelligence reviewed Son Penya Petit Hotel in Balearic Islands, Spain
"Whitewash-and-stone hideout in harmony with its peaceful rural setting""
travelintelligence reviewed Danai Beach Resort & Villas in Macedonia, Greece
"Neo-classical villas and suites overlooking the sea""
travelintelligence reviewed One & Only Kanuhura Resort & Spa in Maldives
"Finest beach in the Maldives at this large but tasteful resort""
travelintelligence reviewed The Palms in Tanzania
The Palms Hotel is a wonderfully small (6 rooms) private lodge which provides a truly intimate and personal setting with the luxuries of some of the best hotels in the world, let alone Zanzibar. "
travelintelligence reviewed Benguerra in Mozambique
Located on Benguerra Island is the most luxurious, oldest and well-known of all the lodges in Southern Mozambique, Benguerra Lodge. Situated on the protected North West of the island, the lodge holds an exclusive and sophisticated atmosphere quite unfelt…"
travelintelligence reviewed Zanzibar Serena Inn in Zanzibar, Tanzania
One of the small luxury hotels of the world, The Serena Inn in Zanzibar Stone Town presently provides the most upmarket luxury accommodation and service in Stone Town, operated by the Serena Hotel Group and owned by the Aga Khan. "
travelintelligence reviewed Zamani Kempinski in Tanzania
The Zamani Kempinski is the newest hotel on the island and is the first of a truly world class calibre. All of the interiors has been personally designed by Philip Starke, the stylist for a few of New Yorks top hotels, and they lend the hotel an unsurpas…"
travelintelligence reviewed Soneva Gili & Six Senses Spa in Malé, Maldives
"Top water-villa resort, stilts on steroids""
travelintelligence reviewed L'Oustau de Baumanière in Avignon, France
Provencal styling in a dramatic though touristy landscape. L'Oustau's sophisticated and contemporary take on Provencal style is complimented by a very famous restaurant."
travelintelligence reviewed U Zlaté Studné ('At the Golden Wheel') in Prague, Czech Republic
"Small, friendly hotel below the castle, with a wonderful roof terrace and peaceful atmosphere""
travelintelligence reviewed Mar Hall Hotel & Aveda Spa in Scotland, United Kingdom
"Clubby, gothic manor house in a sprawling estate on the banks of the Clyde""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Le Corbusier in Marseille, France
Bright colours, rough concrete and rougher edges for design aficionados. This hotel is on the third floor of the Unité d'Habitation, designed by Le Corbusier. By booking a night or two here, guests get a look behind the brightly coloured doors punctuati…"
travelintelligence reviewed Chateau de Bagnols in Rhone-Alps, France
"British couple's by-now-famous chateau extravaganza""
travelintelligence reviewed Peninsula Bangkok Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand
"Bangkok's premier luxury hotel with state-of-the-art comfort and river views from every room""
travelintelligence reviewed Le Relais La Borie in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
"Low-key and fresh-faced resort on a very fine beach; good winds for surfers""
travelintelligence reviewed Kube Hotel in Paris, France
Smart designer sister to the Murano Urban Resort, near Gare du Nord, for those who like their fur faux and their vodka freezing."
travelintelligence reviewed Hi Hotel in Nice, France
Hi-tech, funky and hip, for those unafraid of slick postmodern interiors. An "active hotel where everything is modulable". This translates into sofas that serve as loudspeakers and "digital" guestrooms where the furniture is formed from computer screens …"
travelintelligence reviewed The Chedi Hotel in Muscat, Oman
Being constantly referred to as ‘the best boutique hotel in Oman’ could be something of a let-down when it transpires that the hotel in question is in fact the only boutique hotel in Oman. This lack of choice might concern style-conscious tra…"
travelintelligence reviewed Il Melograno in Puglia, Italy
"Elegant estate hotel, bursting with beautiful antiques, with private beach nearby""
travelintelligence reviewed Ol Malo in Kenya
"Small seductive sanctuary""
travelintelligence reviewed Soneva Fushi in Maldives
Soneva Fushi Resort on Kunfunadhoo in Baa Atoll is one of the Maldives' most upmarket retreats. I settle into my beachfront suite and a tough regimen of snorkelling, dining and the contemplation of a good novel. The food is a wonder of the reef – t…"
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Il Pellicano in Tuscany, Italy
A magnificent retreat on the Tuscan coast, the luxury hotel's central building and cottages are surrounded by centuries-old olive trees set in an extensive garden. It was originally built to commemorate the meeting of founders Michael Graham and Patsy Da…"
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel le Saint-Paul 4 **** in Rhone-Alps, France
"Charming bastide hotel just within the ramparts of the walled village""
travelintelligence reviewed The George in Rye in South East England, United Kingdom
"Newly re-opened: smart, stylish conversion of an ancient coaching inn""
travelintelligence reviewed La Residencia in Palma de Mallorca, Spain
"Gem of a hotel created from two 17th-century farmhouses""
travelintelligence reviewed Kinasi Lodge in Tanzania
Kinasi Lodge is a small and elegant choice for a luxurious stay on Mafia Island. The high standards of accommodation and service are reliably consistent at Kinasi, as it has been owner built and managed for many years, which validates the cost as being g…"
travelintelligence reviewed Mountain Village Lodge in Indonesia
Nestling in a coffee Plantation on the side of a huge lake, the Serena's Mountain Village Lodge is a reliable choice for accommodation on the outskirts of Arusha, about 15km from the town centre. "
travelintelligence reviewed Inverlochy Castle in Scotland, United Kingdom
"Magnificent Scottish retreat of few rooms in inspirational landscape""
travelintelligence reviewed U Krale Karla ('At the King Charles') in Prague, Czech Republic
"Inviting and romantic hotel, filled with historic features, on a cobbled street""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Le Palais in Prague, Czech Republic
"A lovely undiscovered Belle Epoque gem, tucked away in a quiet residential area""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel U Raka ('At the Crayfish') in Prague, Czech Republic
"Charming tranquil 'cottage' hotel in the shadow of Prague Castle""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel Josef in Prague, Czech Republic
"Thoughtful, ultra-modern designer hotel by Czech architectural star Eva Jiricna""
travelintelligence reviewed Zlatá Hvězda ('The Golden Star') in Prague, Czech Republic
"Budget option gloriously located at the top of the Royal Route, simple and charming rooms""
travelintelligence reviewed Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa in Prague, Czech Republic
"A new boutique hotel in neo-Baroque style, decadent and romantic though not for minimalists""
travelintelligence reviewed JK Place in Florence, Italy
"Boutique hotel just north of the Arno, mixing museum-like features with contemporary design""
travelintelligence reviewed St David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff, United Kingdom
"Slick and businesslike in Cardiff""
travelintelligence reviewed Prestonfield in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
"Theatrical and camply opulent, from the Witchery stable""
travelintelligence reviewed Hotel de Crillon in Paris, France
Top Paris Grand Dame, heavily decorated and marbled with a fabled dining room."
