The ELEGANT HIDEAWAYS
by Jake Hamilton, editor of i-escape, the original hip travel specialist
ANEMOMILOS BOUTIQUE HOTEL Folegandros, Greece
Tiny Folegandros matches its glitzy neighbour Santorini for Insta backdrops, but is a fraction of the price and largely free of crowds. It’s also home to this beautiful clifftop hideaway. The chic rooms all have balcony views over the glimmering Aegean and you are steps away from the ridiculously pretty village of Hora – one of the most magical spots in Greece. Doubles from £202, B&B; i-escape.com/anemomilos-boutique-hotel
AREIAS DO SEIXO Povoa de Penafirme, Portugal
I love everything about Areias do Seixo. It’s an hour’s drive north of Lisbon and facilities include a sleek pool, organic restaurant and an Ayurvedic spa. The eye-catching details win you over – a rope swing at reception, hovering log fires and a secret pathway leading to a stunning coastline. It’s eco-savvy, too, so all boxes ticked. Doubles from £276, B&B; i-escape.com/areias-do-seixo
ABODE AHANGHAMA Sri Lanka
My favourite secret escape in Sri Lanka is this new hotel near the laidback surfer town of Ahangama, on the south coast. With just four lovely rooms and friendly five-star service, it’s ridiculously good value for money. The vibe is all bohemian interiors and languid tropical landscapes, yet what makes it special are the added benefits you expect from a much larger hotel – a great pool, manicured gardens and a five-star spa. Doubles from £71, B&B; i-escape.com/abode-ahangama
BIEN LOIN D’ICI Nîmes,France
This dreamy bolthole may be just 1O minutes from Nîmes but it feels like an otherworldly paradise, which is handy, given that it’s named after Baudelaire’s enchanting poem. The spell grows as you walk around the garden, bursting with flowers and golden dragonflies. At the centre, an infinity pool awaits with a curtained cabana for privacy; beyond are three wooden lodges with terraces, private hot tubs and saunas. You’ll love the little French flourishes: breakfast brought to your door, a pool bar stocked with local wines and even an acoustic guitar in your room for moonlit serenades. Lodges from £193, B&B; i-escape.com/bien-loin-dici