A lot has happened since I wrote a list of the best places I’ve stayed, so I thought I’d give the list a bit of a refresh and maybe a bit of inspo for your next getaway.

Kimpton Clocktower, Manchester

Perfect for a luxurious shopping trip, a weekend with friends or a big old gay party on Canal Street, the Kimpton Clocktower is one of the best hotels in Manchester and certainly the best I’ve stayed at.

Tucked away by Oxford Road station, it’s a bit of a walk in to town, but don’t let that put you off. The stunning 19th century building, lavishly refurbished in 2016 and still looking fabulous is worth it.

Expect high ceilings, big beds and amazing food at The Refuge restaurant. I can still taste the Vimto red cabbage which, sadly, doesn’t seem to be on their menu anymore.

From £250 per room per night via hotels.com. Or, if you like free stuff, read this.

Northern Lights Village, Levi

If seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list, I cannot recommend Levi in Finnish Lapland highly enough.

Levi is one of the few places we’ve visited more than once, and for good reason. The perfect winter destination with guaranteed snow, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and, if you’re lucky, northern lights.

Definitely one of the sexiest places I’ve ever stayed, the heated glass cabin oozed style and glamour but was also comfy and cosy and an incredible way to experience the northern lights. There’s an excellent restaurant and bar on site as well as various winter activities to enjoy during the day.

From £450 per room per night, DB&B based on 2 sharing via hotels.com.

Southern Lakes Resort, Whitehorse

The frozen north west province of Yukon, Canada might only be the fifth furthest place from home that we’ve ever been but it felt like a million miles.

On another of our icy adventures, we stayed in a lakeside log cabin in the Canadian wilderness for 3 nights. The rustic cabins are warm and cosy but you’ll need to bundle up for the short walk to the restaurant and bar, serving hearty meals with a European twist.

If the sky plays ball (it didn’t for us), you could see the northern lights and can also enjoy other activities such as husky sled rides, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

From £250 per cabin per night, DB&B based on 2 sharing via hotels.com.

Intercontinental Le Grand, Paris

Ok, so I’ve kept this one on from my last list in 2021, but it’s so good, it deserves

Located in the Opera district of Paris, the hotel is very grand and opulent, which isn’t to everyone’s taste, but it works so well. Because of the age of the building, there’s a lot of categories of rooms and I would recommend avoiding the cheapest rooms as they’re very small. But who comes to Paris to sit in their hotel room? The rooms have been refurbished since my visit, so there’s one excuse to go back!

The best thing about this hotel is its club lounge. Free flowing champagne and gourmet food served all day long. Breakfast, afternoon tea and evening hot buffet? Yes, please! I could have sat in the club lounge all day, it’s like a high end, refined, all inclusive.

From £335 per room per night, Room Only based on 2 sharing via hotels.com. Or, if you like free stuff, read this.

Ikos Resorts, Greece

Another (kind of) rollover from my original list, although I can include 2 more Ikos properties since Olivia in 2021.

I didn’t review Ikos Dassia in 2022, but there is a review of Ikos Oceania here.

All of the resorts are beautifully elegant, all pale colours and plush fabrics, you feel instantly relaxed as soon as you arrive and the waiter takes your cocktail order.

Ikos resorts are all about food and drink and whilst there is a buffet restaurant, there’s also a choice of a la carte options covering Asian, Italian, Greek and French cuisine each with menus crafted by Michelin star chefs. Ikos take all inclusive to the highest level. Don’t be confused by the prices on the menu (Greek law), go head and order that bottle of champagne.

Across our 3 Ikos stays (to date, we will try them all!), we’ve booked entry level rooms at Olivia up to a Deluxe Junior Suite with private garden at Oceania. All have been fantastic. There’s a reason Ikos resorts are voted the best all inclusive in the world – you have to try them out!

From £350 per room per night, all inclusive based on 2 sharing via hotels.com.

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