TRAVEL NOTES
Grand boutique hotel in Quito Old Town
Ecuador is South America’s hot new destination for the luxury traveller – and has the prices to go with. Old Town Quito now boasts a hotel in the vein of a mini-Ritz: Casa Gangotena, a newly restored historic mansion overlooking the cobbled Plaza San Francisco, with 31 rooms that combine history and contemporary cool with impressive sensitivity. From $460 per night. www.casagangotena.com or call + 593 2400 8000
Bulgarian villa: Hamptons chic meets rustic cosiness
The march of intelligent luxury travel has now reached the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria. Villa Gella, a seriously fabulous party pad 90 minutes from Plovdiv, boasts six double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, fireplace and mountain views. Added luxuries are an indoor swimming pool, steam room and ice skating rink. 7 nights from €9,000. Price includes half board and chef. www.villagella.com
New Maldives resort and mega-spa
The Maldives never gets old, in part because of a permanent flux of new openings. One of the most exciting is Ayada, a brand new luxury 112 villa resort on Maguhdhuvaa Island in the unspoilt Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. The resort’s spa, opening in November, is the talk of the islands: it offers the only private hammam in the Maldives and is one of the largest at 3,500 sq. From £588 per night, incl half board. www.ayadamaldives.com