Magical makeovers for the world’s great hotels

This year will see starry, big-budget refurbishments at some of the world’s greatest hotels. In 2020, Jack’s Camp marked its 25th anniversary and was supposed to celebrate with a new look, which was postponed – until this month. The refurb, which was overseen by owner and founder Ralph Bousfield, whose father pioneered safaris into the Makgadikgadi Pans more than half a century ago, remains faithful to its 1940s style, with an Alice in Wonderland- like sensibility and double the number of tents (all still in the signature green, stuffed full of antiques and luxuriant textiles, and with private plunge pools).

From the savannah of Botswana to the snow-dusted Engadin Valley, where the Badrutt’s Palace in St Moritz has just reopened its doors with 40 newly revamped rooms by New York design studio Champalimaud. While features are distinctly 21st-century (5G network coverage and Dyson air purifiers, for example), the style remains resolutely classique: custom-made furniture from Italy, new leather headboards with embroidery detailing flowers from the region, and a palette of creams and blues

inspired by the surrounding scenery.

Completing the line-up is a city slicker: Madrid’s refurbished Ritz is finally accepting reservations from March 15 after many delays. The Mandarin Oriental Ritz will include: five restaurants and bars, overseen by chef Quique Dacosta; a subterranean spa with a swimming pool (and more); and a ballroom with views over the Prado Museum. The Palm Court will also see its glass-domed roof reinstated after more than 80 years.

Blue sky thinking: the Ritz in Madrid