St. Helena, California

There are a lot of excellent places to stay in Napa Valley, but Meadowood has been the veritable heart of this region for over 60 years, and it shows. In a nutshell, it feels marvelously, authentically, singularly Napa—from its 36 guest rooms and suites designed by locally based, globally renowned architect Howard Bracken, to its impressive wine center spotlighting the area’s best vineyards, and a spa that taps into the area’s centuries-old legacy as a wellness destination. The guest rooms and suites have a sort of chic barn feel. They aren’t at all rustic–clean lines, a sea of white and neutrals–but the wainscoting and high, beamed ceilings do give fancy farmhouse energy. Cottages and suites all have private porches, and though they are open-planned and airy, the fireplaces, soaking tubs, window seats and comfy sofas keep things cozy. The spa is a real highlight and should not be missed. The space is soothing—low-lit with a big fireplace and deep sofas in the entry area. The vibe is welcoming and a true continuation of the resort’s aesthetic (rather than some minimalist, antiseptic annex, which is often the case), with lots of neutrals and dark grays, olive-hued tones, and organic materials. As far as restaurants go, there’s the Terrace Café—alfresco and open only to guests of the resort and club members—that serves light, local fare. While I was there, I had an excellent ceviche-and-quinoa bowl at the all-day spot Forum. The menu is seasonally inspired (so menu items rotate), leans locally sourced, and has excellent vegetarian options as well as, not surprisingly, a stellar wine list. Like most places in this wildfire-prone part of the state, landscaping on-site is kept to mostly native or drought-tolerant plants that don’t require a huge amount of water (to help prevent fires, the property has sheep and goats to eat the growth). In the wake of the Glass Fire, the property has replanted 2,300 trees and has additional reforestation efforts planned. The resort leans into sourcing locally (wine, food, spa ingredients) and hiring locally. As such, the staff is warm, helpful, and knowledgeable. The quality of service is high but not so formal and fussy—it may be Napa, but this is, after all, California. —Rebecca Misner

New Zealand’s reputation as a home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine through more than in New Zealand’s one-of-a-kind glamping experiences. Picture lying under the stars in isolated mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with Alpine views, these experiences redefine nature connection while still being encased in luxury comfort.

The following selection is the very best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, each property selected for its potential to deliver that perfect blend of backcountry excitement and high-end amenity that visitors desire.

New Zealand’s reputation as a home to truly exceptional luxury experiences is well known, but nowhere does this shine through more than in New Zealand’s one-of-a-kind glamping experiences. Picture lying under the stars in isolated mountain stations, or relaxing in wood-burning hot tubs with Alpine views, these experiences redefine nature connection while still being encased in luxury comfort.

The following selection is the very best compilation of New Zealand’s glamping experience, each property selected for its potential to deliver that perfect blend of backcountry excitement and high-end amenity that visitors desire.

North Island

Heartwood Hollow: Earth house magic in Bay of Plenty

Just 20 minutes from the city of Tauranga, Heartwood Hollow offers something unique, a magical earth house situated within a picturesque hillside surrounded by old native bush. The path begins on a winding cobblestone path to an arched timber entrance and a massive, rounded entrance. In this hobbit-like stay, discover luxury comforts, a king-size bed shrouded in luxurious linens, a lovely kitchen made of recycled Totara, and a large ensuite full of artisan detail throughout.

Every aspect attests to imaginative and careful craftsmanship, ranging from hand-cut wood beams, right down to the curve of the windows that overlook the woods beyond. Warmly lit by a hissing wood fire stove and filled with amber light that spills in, the hollow affords opulent comfort in every inch. Outside the hollow, two identical outdoor bath tubs stand facing stargazing out into New Zealand’s crystal-clear night sky.

Wild Canvas: Luxury tent experience in Te Kūiti

Located in the beautiful Te Kūiti, Wild Canvas’s Pōhutukawa stay is a luxury tented retreat. The most distinguishing feature of the experience is the spectacular 360-degree view, picture soaking in a perfectly heated spa while watching the sun go down over the rolling hills. The tent’s design is one that fuses luxury furnishings with the brilliance of the outdoors in creating spaces that are intimate in character but expansive in vision.

The Pōhutukawa tent is a family-friendly stay, and that is why it is ideal for luxury family vacations or group vacations in search of something unique from the typical, stock standard luxury accommodation.

South Island

Braided Point: Canterbury’s best-kept secret

Located on a high-country cattle station, just a 1.5-hour drive north of Christchurch, Braided Point sits on top of a rock outcrop formed when glaciers receded. The Rakaia River winds through the landscape, which means that the view is constantly shifting, with braided channels that create an ever-changing scene that is different every time from the last visit.

Braided Point is made up of two unique luxury pods connected by an outdoor kitchen without a cover; one of the large pods has a cozy living space, and another pod features luxurious bathroom facilities. It offers indoor-outdoor living with guests remaining connected to the rest of the world while enjoying luxurious comfort.

SkyScape: Twizel’s stargazing heaven

Just a 15-minute drive south of Twizel on Omahau Hill Station, SkyScape offers architect-designed, low-environmental footprint accommodation set among the hillside of the stunning Mackenzie Country. Relaxation and tranquillity are guaranteed in this haven aimed at creating a feeling of bond between earth and sky.

Each of these accommodations features inset floors and natural building materials that have you feeling in touch with the earth itself, with the glass ceiling and walls of the bedroom providing stunning views of the Mackenzie basin and heavens above. Better still is relaxing under the stars in a super-size outdoor bath, with a view across the open country.

SkyScape is totally off-grid, solar-powered, and perfect for digital detox in a sustainable environment. Located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, clear nights provide centre-stage seating to one of the world’s most starry vistas, making this a moment to recall and move away from city life.

Skylark Cabin: Mackenzie Basin

Located at the base of the Ben Ohau Range south of Twizel, Skylark Cabin is a reimagining of boutique luxury living in New Zealand’s legendary Mackenzie Country. Perfect for couples or newlyweds seeking their own secluded hideaway, this award-winning micro house accommodates two in thoughtfully crafted spaces that optimise comfort and harmony with the environment.

What is special to the experience is the effortless combining of architectural refinement and Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve’s untamed natural beauty. The architecture of the cabins combines alpine restraint and contemporary luxury to create living spaces that are small in footprint but boundless in their openness to the great mountain ranges and extraterrestrial tussock grasslands that surround them.

Furnished with a personal hot tub and telescope to observe the stars, Skylark Cabin makes a night’s stay an active experience of New Zealand’s most extreme high country.

Whare Kea Chalet: Elevated Alpine luxury

Whare Kea Chalet is an alpine luxury retreat in one of New Zealand’s most exclusive locations. Located 1,750 metres (5,700 feet) high on the Albert Burn Saddle of the north face of Dragonfly Peak, getting to this mountain haven is a breathtaking 15-minute scenic helicopter journey, a treat in itself.

This exclusive alpine resort fluctuates throughout the seasons. For half of the year, the area becomes a winter paradise, and is an ideal location for ski-touring or heli-skiing expeditions. Summer offers guests the opportunity to partake in some trekking, stargazing, or simply relaxing, a high-altitude luxury experience in full.

Planning your luxury glamping adventure

These phenomenal retreats are doorways to life-altering adventures that redefine luxury and nature. Each residence is unique: river views and wildlife watching at Braided Point, mountain helicopter access at Whare Kea, earth house magic at Heartwood Hollow, and luxury family choice at Wild Canvas. We at Aroha Luxury new Zealand Tours specialise in privately guided and completely bespoke itineraries, so if luxury glamping in New Zealand is your passion, call on us.

These havens are true to the highest expectations of most discerning travellers while still facilitating real experiences with the country’s breathtaking vistas. The secret to choosing the ultimate experience is knowing what kind of luxury appeals to you, the older-world image of high-country stations, the architectural wonder of earth houses, the adrenaline rush of helicopter-serviced alpine chalets, or the straightforward perfection of glass pods against starlit skies.

A traditional 18th-century pub with rooms, The Pilsley Inn is part of the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. It falls under the Chatsworth Escapes brand which includes the previously-reviewed – and newly-crowned AA Hotel of the Year – The Cavendish at Baslow.

Formerly known as The Devonshire Inn, The Pilsley Inn takes centre stage in the sleepy village of Pilsley, offering a homely retreat that is utterly local and yet also quietly luxurious. Read on to learn more about what you can expect if you’re considering staying in this Peak District haven yourself.

The welcome

Our arrival was somewhat unconventional – we had just completed the Nine Edges Endurance Challenge, a gruelling run of more than 4 hours across the Peak District. We rolled into Pilsley weary, muddy and not at our most glamourous. Yet there were no raised eyebrows – having announced our presence in the pub, we were warmly greeted and personally shown to the Farmhouse annexe at the rear. That simple act — of being guided rather than pointed — immediately spoke volumes. A genuine and personal welcome with the kind of friendliness that holds a village pub together.

The room

Our base for the night was a room named Hill Top. Found on the first floor of the annexe, it is richly decorated in a style that feels both stately and snug in equal meaure. The magnificent four-poster takes the centre stage, but it’s a room large enough to house a luxurious lounge area, writing desk and other furniture.

Through the sash windows, the village comes into view – a series of neat stone cottages and, almost too perfectly, a traditional red phone box. It’s a pictured postcard scene that I’d imagine would delight the inn’s many American guests, though it charmed us every bit as much.

The bathroom

The generously-proportioned en en suite bathroom includes a deep bath and a separate shower, with gowns provided.

A shower is normally all we need but, on this occasion, after a day of hauling ourselves across the Derbyshire edges, the bath won us over.

The toiletries were characteristically Chatsworth: elegant and indulgent – think sweet basil and citrus wash or jasmine and wild pear lotion – yet practical, too.

The facilities

At its heart, Pilsley remains a village pub. A curved wooden bar is at the heart of the interior, complemented by some old beams, light-coloured walls and exposed stonework, to create an unstuffy and inviting ambience. The pub provides guests with a sense of being woven into village life, even if only for a few nights.

We had dinner there on our second night, enjoying the atmosphere of the roaring log fire and the low chatter of other happy guests.

The menu draws on Chatsworth’s estate produce and the pub’s own immaculate kitchen garden and features traditional British pub fare, but with some modern touches.

Appealing to those looking for classic comfort food alongside a few more contemporary dishes, you’ll find everything from smoked salmon, horseradish crème fraiche, crispy capers and brown bread, to calamari and miso mayonnaise among the starters.

For my main, I had the delicious roast Chatsworth farm beef rump, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables and gravy, whilst my wife enjoyed her Chatsworth Farm beef burger with a bacon and tomato relish, brie, brioche bun, chips and salad.

We felt we’d burned off enough calories that weekend that we could afford to share a seasonal crumble rich in damsons and served with ice cream.

Breakfast is also taken in the pub, with the same focus on quality local ingredients. From a full Derbyshire plate to lighter options, everything is freshly prepared to give you a proper start to the day.

The location

Pilsley is a quintessential Peak District village, with gritstone cottages and country lanes. Chatsworth House and Gardens is less than two miles away – a pleasant walk through the estate (beautiful at this time of year with the autumnal colours) – while the Chatsworth Farm Shop is practically on the doorstep.

Chatsworth is well worth a visit, even if you’ve been before, since it continually refreshes its offering with a rolling programme of exhibitions and events. During our visit, a flower exhibition took centre stage with exhibits throughout the house.

Beyond the stately home and its grounds, other parts of Derbyshire beckon: Bakewell (10 minutes) with its pudding and market, and Buxton (30 minutes) with its Georgian architecture. The city of Sheffield, just over the border into South Yorkshire, is also just over half an hour’s drive away.

Pilsley may be small, but its very well positioned for access to the Peak District and its surroundings.

Other nice touches

It is often the small gestures that make the largest impression. Fresh milk in the fridge downstairs -far more civilised than fiddling with UHT pots. Complimentary Chatsworth-branded Belgian chocolate biscuits on arrival and a tea tray stocked with care rather than indifference. These touches, albeit small, shape the stay into something more memorable than the sum of its parts.

The cost

A night in Hill Top, which is categorised as a Farmhouse Four Poster room, starts at around £260 per night including breakfast, when booked at an advance saver rate.

The best bit

For us, after our exertions at the Nine Edges, things that you might normally take for granted became luxuries. Both the bed and the bath were divine. The former was supremely comfortable and the latter soothed away every ache and strain. To rest and recharge so completely, in such a setting, was nothing short of heavenly.

The final verdict

The Pilsley Inn takes the character of an 18th-century village pub and elevates it with Chatsworth’s polish, producing a place where you can eat well, sleep deeply, and wake to a view that feels unchanged in decades.

Our stay was restorative in every sense, and carrying home a bag of farm shop treats extended the experience a little further. For anyone seeking a luxury that combines tradition with contemporary amenities, Pilsley delivers beautifully.

Disclosure: Our stay was sponsored by The Pilsley Inn.

Elite status with a hotel chain can make travel much more comfortable, but you don’t necessarily need elite status to unlock extra perks during your next hotel stay.

After all, select credit card holders can get elitelike perks by booking through programs such as American Express’ Fine Hotels + Resorts program, Capital One’s Premier Collection and Lifestyle Collection, and Citi’s Hotel Collection and The Reserve (formerly Luxury Collection).

Likewise, Chase features a selection of luxury hotels called The Edit by Chase Travel℠.

Booking one of Chase’s The Edit properties can provide travelers with valuable perks. Plus, we’ve found that prices are pretty comparable when booking directly with the hotel versus via Chase Travel.

Let’s discuss the benefits of booking through this platform.

What is The Edit by Chase Travel?

The Edit by Chase Travel offers select Chase cardholders elitelike benefits at more than 1,000 hotels, resorts, lodges and spas worldwide. The premium properties bookable through The Edit program are a mix of branded and independent lodgings.

To make a reservation through the program, you must have a participating card.

Which cards are eligible for The Edit by Chase Travel bookings?

You must have one of the following cards to make a booking through The Edit by Chase Travel:

The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The Edit by Chase Travel benefits and perks

The price when booking through The Edit by Chase Travel is usually the same as when booking directly, but sometimes it can be higher or lower depending on the property. The perks you receive when you book through the program and use your eligible Chase card to purchase your stay may offset any price difference. With every The Edit booking, you receive:

• Daily breakfast for two
• A special benefit worth up to $100 (unique to each property but often includes a lunch or dinner for two, a spa treatment, golf green fee waivers, a welcome gift or airport transfers)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi at properties that offer Wi-Fi
• A room upgrade at select properties (when available)
• Early check-in and late checkout at select properties (when available)

As you might expect, the daily breakfast and special benefits vary in quality and value. Although Chase provides various examples of the special benefit, most properties offer a $50 or $100 credit to use during your stay.

The Edit statement credit for Sapphire Reserve and Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders

Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders currently receive up to a $500 annual statement credit (up to $250 biannually) for prepaid The Edit bookings of two nights or more.

To use the credit, simply pay with your eligible Sapphire card at checkout on The Edit by Chase Travel. This credit could fully cover (or cover a portion of) a weekend getaway or staycation.

Note that Sapphire Reserve cardholders who applied before June 23 will not receive access to the new The Edit statement credit until Oct. 26.

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, The Edit credit will be even more flexible. Cardholders will automatically get a credit of up to $250 for each prepaid The Edit booking (of two nights or more), up to $500 annually. Instead of waiting to take advantage of your The Edit statement credit once between January and June and then once more between July and December, you’ll be able to use the full allotment at your leisure instead of biannually.

Related: Chase boosts Sapphire Reserve hotel perks with new and improved credits

For use in 2026, consumer and business Sapphire cardholders will receive an additional $250 statement credit for select prepaid Chase Travel hotel bookings (of two nights or more) with the following brands:

• IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Minor Hotels
• Montage Hotels & Resorts
• Omni Hotels & Resorts
• Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts
• Pendry Hotels & Resorts
• Virgin Hotels

If you’ve never used The Edit by Chase Travel and are a Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholder, this credit can be a good way to try out a new hotel or return to an old favorite. The credit generally takes six to eight weeks to post to your account, but many TPG staffers have seen it post much faster.

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve statement credits: What they are and how to use them

How to book The Edit by Chase Travel

To book through The Edit, log in to Chase Travel. To start a search, enter your destination, dates and number of guests in the search boxes at the top of the page.

Once you find a hotel you like, click on it to see all the benefits you will receive with The Edit. Here, you can see the listed benefits that are standard with The Edit properties. Then, you will select the room type you want.

Once you get to the payment page, you can pay with cash, points or a combo of the two. When you pay with your Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, you will earn 8 points per dollar spent.

To book your stay, you must use your eligible Chase card. While you can opt to pay later (aka at the hotel), you must prepay in order to use your Sapphire Reserve The Edit credit.

Some of The Edit properties may have cancellation policies, so be sure to double-check when booking. Also note that the price you see may not show additional hotel charges, such as resort fees. Take the time to understand what types of fees the hotel might impose before you book.

Finally, carefully read the details of specific benefits at the property you book. Some complimentary breakfast perks are limited to certain restaurants or subject to a maximum dollar amount. Additionally, some of these may be temporarily unavailable.

Related: What’s the difference between Chase’s The Edit properties and Points Boost?

Will I earn elite status or loyalty benefits?

Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardholders who book through The Edit may have their hotel loyalty benefits honored. You may be eligible to earn elite night credits and receive benefits associated with your elite status.

When searching for hotels, it will be noted if the property is eligible for loyalty benefits. For example, when looking at the Thompson Central Park New York, this property states it is “World of Hyatt eligible.”

Related: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review: Luxury perks coupled with valuable rewards

Is The Edit by Chase Travel worth it?

The Edit by Chase Travel resembles Amex’s Fine Hotels + Resorts program, but when you book with Fine Hotels + Resorts, your late checkout is guaranteed and the experience credit is often more valuable because it covers more options.

Other card-related hotel programs include Capital One’s Lifestyle Collection and Amex’s The Hotel Collection. However, when compared with The Edit by Chase Travel, the benefits from these programs aren’t as extensive or valuable. They do offer the opportunity to book some less expensive hotels, though.

Finally, booking directly will usually provide more rate options, including AAA, AARP and corporate rates. When booking directly, you can also click through a cash-back portal and know with more certainty that you’ll get elite nights and benefits (if that matters to you). If you already get breakfast included as a brand amenity or elite benefit, it may make sense to book directly, especially if you can do so at a lower rate.

Booking through The Edit by Chase Travel is generally worth it. However, we recommend comparing other booking options when planning a trip to ensure you get the best value and benefits for your stay.

When to use The Edit by Chase Travel

Even if the rates aren’t the lowest, booking through a program like The Edit by Chase Travel can be a good idea in some instances.

Short stays

One of the most significant selling points of The Edit by Chase Travel is the property credit. However, most properties provide this benefit per stay, not per night. So, the shorter your stay, the better value this represents.

As such, it may be worth booking a property linked to The Edit for only one night at the beginning or end of your trip to squeeze the most value out of this perk.

Boutique and nonchain hotels

Booking through The Edit can give you elitelike benefits at nonchain hotels. Some luxury hotels aren’t part of a hotel loyalty program, so booking through The Edit by Chase Travel can be an excellent way to get more benefits and recognition.

Someone else is paying

If your company or a client is paying for your stay, it may not matter how you book. So, you may be able to book through The Edit by Chase Travel, even if it isn’t the least expensive option, so you can benefit from the program’s perks when traveling for business.

Travelers without elite status

Booking through The Edit by Chase Travel provides many of the same perks as elite status. Booking through The Edit can provide more value when you’re staying at a brand for which you don’t have top-tier elite status. The breakfast benefit alone is enough to offset any difference in rates at some properties.

Bottom line

Using your hard-earned points for hotel stays can be a great way to keep money in your pocket. That said, using points may not be the best option — or an option at all — in some cases. Not to mention, for some trips, you might want elitelike perks even though you don’t have elite status. In these cases, it may make sense to book your hotel stay through a program like The Edit by Chase Travel.

Related: Enjoy luxury perks at our favorite hotels that are part of The Edit by Chase Travel

Bab Al Shams reveals herself slowly, her sandstone exterior—an ode to traditional Emirati forts—half-hidden by spindly date palms and sand dunes. In a city that so often leans into excess, the grande dame of Dubai’s desert resorts works her magic with restraint. This is the place we come to get away from it all—the resort’s much-photographed infinity pool, which drops off into a vast sandy expanse in a paradox of elemental opposites, is the draw for many. For me, it’s the quiet, which is all-enveloping and absolute. The resort comes into its own as the sun sets, the silhouettes of sand dunes framed in pinks and mauves, bamboo torches flickering along the perimeter, and lanterns creating a play of light and shadow in outdoor passageways.

Fresh off a 10-month, no-holds-barred renovation, with new bragging rights as the first property in the Rare Finds Hotels & Resorts collection by the Kerzner group (Atlantis, One&Only). The exterior remains largely unchanged, but interiors have been transformed by a deft hand, the gilded ornamentalism that characterizes the country’s Arabesque-inspired resorts forsaken for a lighter touch. In my terrace garden room, instead of dark woods and heavy upholstery, nods to tradition come in delicate mother-of-pearl detailing on arched mirrors, brass studs on cupboard doors, and majlis-style seating in a corner nook. Teal accents flit from headboards and furniture piping to diamond-shaped mosaic tiles in the rain shower.

The hotel is unassuming, but not devoid of spectacle. At Al Hadheerah, a colossal open-air restaurant, nightly performances accompany the Arabian classic dishes: a belly dancer, whirling dervish, musicians, singers and even a re-enactment of a Bedouin caravan with camels and horses crisscrossing a bordering desert plateau. More sedate meals are served at the Mediterranean-inspired Zala or Pan-Asian Anwā, a prime sunset spot. —S.D.

New Zealand’s reputation as one of the best destinations in the world to view the night sky is well established. From sleeping under the stars in a glass pod at the Lindis, a billion-star dining experience at Mt Cook Lakeside retreat, experiencing a Wanaka starset on a private lake cruise, to a starlight soak at Atarangi lodge, hosted by Moana Skies. These stargazing experiences are not only memory makers, but will provoke deeper thought about our place in the universe, all while coated in luxury comfort.

NZ is globally renowned for dark sky reserves and sanctuaries in both the South and North islands. Each of the stargazing locations and experiences we will be mentioning has its own charm and beauty, topped with luxury features. The following is your guide to the best of New Zealand’s stargazing experiences.

Moana Skies Kaikōura

One of the finest stargazing spots is Kaikōura, which is now one of the best locations in New Zealand’s largest dark sky sanctuary. In an isolated corner of the South Island, where it is difficult to detect any light pollution, the recently gazetted Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary is an ideal location to stargaze and shoot astrophotos.

Moana Skies is a luxury high-end tour operator offering several extraordinary stargazing experiences. Their private tour is an entirely individual stargazing experience, where guests are taught to operate telescopes by an expert guide. Imagine yourself surrounded by the sky’s radiant stars, constellations, and other heavenly delights when night approaches. The experience cannot be avoided by someone eager to enjoy slow luxury travel.

The Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve

Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve surrounds the stunning Lake Tekapo, said to be one of the world’s largest dark sky reserves. The Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve has some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the world, so, if you are a night sky lover, this is the perfect destination to witness the splendour of the stars.

Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve offers perfect viewing conditions all year round with its high altitude, arid climate, and minimal light pollution. Tekapo Star Gazing provides an exclusive stargazing and hot pool experience where you can relax under the stars. This experience is not only a chance to relax under the night sky, but you can even make use of the state-of-the-art telescopes provided to view planets, galaxies and shooting stars; an indulgent choice that is not to be missed!

Lake Tekapo: Silver River Stargazing

Being Tekapo’s highest-rated small-group stargazing activity, Silver River Stargazing is more intimate in nature. What makes Silver River quite special is that their guides are truly passionate about opening up the universe to you, and their dedication to maintaining small group tours is unwavering, so that every stargazer can make the most of the incredible experience. Experience a private tour, on private land, hosted by enthusiastic expert guides who unveil the wonders of the Southern Hemisphere sky, and watch the night sky come alive on this adventure under some of the best skies on planet earth.

Moana Skies & Ata Rangi Lodge starlight soak

A starlight soak is the most lavish way to relish the skies above, and defines a new approach to stargazing.  This starlight soak is a truly luxurious stargazing experience, hosted by the breathtaking Ata Rangi Lodge, organised by Moana Skies. Picture sipping on a glass of wine or rich hot chocolate and relaxing in a perfectly heated spa beneath some of the cleanest skies on Earth. Your personal Moana Skies guide will turn the night sky into your own personal planetarium.

For those who think luxury and adventure go hand in hand, this is stargazing. It is the ultimate private indulgence for couples or small groups seeking something very special because it is relaxed, romantically charged, and simply unforgettable. This experience certainly speaks for itself: gentle spa waters, crisp mountain air, and the starry Milky Way unite to create an extraordinary experience.

Mount Cook: Pukaki Observatory at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

With their Billion Star Dining experience, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat provides something truly unique for those looking for the ultimate luxury stargazing experience. This isn’t stargazing; it’s an all-senses affair that starts with a fine dining experience, where creative and fresh cuisine paves the way for a night to be savoured.

Professional guides will introduce you to the night sky and the wonderful experience that awaits you while enjoying a welcome drink in their wine cellar before your arrival at the stars. With its rollaway roof and precision 9-inch reflector telescope, the observatory itself is a work of art.

There is a stunning view of the universe within the confines of the walls of the observatory since the roof opens up. Star clusters twinkling, the mysterious nebula, and distant planets are all seen in exquisite detail. You can even see the Aurora Australis tinting the southern sky in ethereal greens and purples on those enchanted nights when the atmosphere is just right.

Wanaka: Stargazing in Southern Alps

The Southern Alps are famous for their extremely dark skies, and they stage some spectacular light shows. Wanaka offers excellent stargazing where you learn about stars, identify constellations, and if you’re lucky on the night, see the Aurora Australis dancing across the horizon.

Wānaka is sufficiently far south to be able to photograph the Aurora Australis (southern lights) occasionally, and spring and autumn are the best times for southern lights photography. The area offers excellent astrophotography sessions and stargazing tours that take full advantage of the clear night sky of the Southern Alps.

Adventure Wanaka’s private boat stargazing

Experience the unblemished beauty of Lake Wānaka and the starry night from the sundeck of Adventure Wanaka’s specially designed, small, and cozy boat. An individually tailored charter experience that isolates you from the crowds and onto the quiet water, where the night sky is reflected exactly and in perfect, mirror-like conditions. This isn’t your ordinary stargazing adventure.

Stargazing really becomes a breathtaking and memorable experience when you’re floating serenely out on Lake Wānaka’s tranquil waters, bounded by the dramatic silhouettes of the Southern Alps, with nothing but the soothing lake water and a remarkable canopy of stars above.

The Lindis: Luxury stargazing in Central Otago

The Lindis offers a unique experience in one of New Zealand’s wildest and most remote landscapes, elevating stargazing to new heights. Under Lindi’s signature stargazing experience, your personal guide will take you to a private location in the valley where your stargazing experience begins. The Lindis also offer the most immersive stargazing experience, sleeping under the stars in a glass pod, where you can cozy up with a loved one and see the starry night dance to you while you drift off to sleep in luxury comfort.

With your own telescope, you can have a peek at some beautiful planets and deep-sky objects. The Lindis is very special year round, allowing you to sit under some of the darkest skies in the world.

GoodHeavens: Great Barrier Island (Aotea)

With the title of an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Great Barrier Island, only 90 kilometres by plane or ferry from Auckland, is a prestigious site in astronomical history. You will land on Aotea, or the Great Barrier Island, where stars twinkle bright. The reality that this island is nearly entirely free from light pollution, with pristine surroundings that make it so extraordinary for stargazing. The image below was taken by James Rua, highlighting the truly magical experience hosted by GoodHeavens.

As the number one-rated stargazing tour business on the island, Good Heavens, hosts intimate and cozy stargazing tours amongst the sand dunes, where they will teach you how to use constellations and stars for navigation, chat about Maori and European myths all while comfortably rugged up in the comfort of blankets and a hot drink.

Twinkle Dark Sky Tours: Stewart Island/Rakiura

Dark Sky International accredited Stewart Island/Rakiura in 2019. This secluded sanctuary, located in the deep south of New Zealand, has some of the optimum viewing conditions for the Aurora Australis, or the enchanting southern lights.

The locals truly do care to keep the night sky and environment intact, and Rakiura National Park holds about 85% of Stewart Island. Since 2017, technical readings for sky quality on Stewart Island have been 21.51 and 21.93 mac/arc sec2, so you will be able to see stars like never before.

Twinkle Dark Sky Tours offers a chance to see the details of the moon’s craters and some of the most enchanting spots in our solar system. Experience a truly memorable stargazing experience with Twinkle Dark Sky Tours in one of the most remote and pristine Dark Sky sanctuaries in New Zealand.

Stargaze your way through New Zealand with Aroha

Stargaze your way through New Zealand with Aroha New Zealand Tours. New Zealand dark sky reserves are great locations for reflecting on where we fit in the scheme of things. There is a character unique to each location and something special that each one has to offer. Stewart Island provides you with unbridled wilderness, but the Lindis is restraint and decadence. The Mackenzie Basin provides you with alpine beauty on a colossal scale, but Kaikōura contains huge mountain scenery with an incredible coast.

For centuries, the night sky has mesmerised humans, and these unique spots throughout Aotearoa still have new generations of visitors and locals spellbound, so come with a sense of wonder and prepare to be amazed. By yourself under the stars on a remote island getaway or gazing up at the world’s largest dark sky reserve, New Zealand night skies will blow your mind about the universe.

Luxury travel to Machu Picchu isn’t about themed suites, pillow menus, or gilt everything. The luxury is the hush, the quiet. The kind of quiet that feels heavy and so very expensive. It’s the mist that whispers secrets. The low, thrumming energy of the Apus, the mountain gods, holding the place in a permanent, dizzying embrace. Your luxuries? They’re simple. The weight of a well-made blanket. The deep, earthy taste of a Peruvian wine. The profound understanding that you are a very small, very lucky guest in a very old lodge.

Machu Picchu is a destination without parallel. Being perched high in the Andes, it remains part enigma, part pilgrimage, and an equal part spectacle. For more discriminating travelers who require the allure of authenticity along with A-level extravagance, the experience of getting to the ruins is almost as important as the ruins themselves. Selecting where to stay on your Machu Picchu pilgrimage is never merely a question of logistics; it’s much about strategy. Your hotel dictates the emotions rising in you when those gates open at dawn and add to your recollections of the landscape late into the night.

What follows isn’t a brochure but the reality of five of the destination’s most outstanding hotels. They embody luxury in different languages: there’s one that speaks softly of prestige on the threshold of the citadel, another that crushes you under orchids and cloud forest, and another that weaves together Andean ritual and modern elegance. Together, they make up a star system of alternatives, each deserving of being explored.

NOTE: In the famed and not-too-distant Sacred Valley are even more 5-star hideouts. These getaways are serene, indulgent, and worth their own story later. 

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge: The citadel’s secret guardian

Proximity is the ultimate luxury of Sanctuary Lodge, sitting quite literally at the gates of Machu Picchu. When everyone else lines up at 4 a.m. below in the foothill town of Aguas Calientes, you’re already there. Step outside your room, and within minutes you’re inside the ruins before the rush of tour buses arrives. That privilege of experiencing a silent, almost private Machu Picchu is worth more than any spa treatment or infinity pool.

Inside, the property embraces understatement. It’s not gilded excess but polished restraint. Two restaurants serve Peruvian and international cuisine featuring fresh, locally sourced mountain ingredients. There’s a sense of occasion in sipping coca tea while mist rolls over the peaks. The lodge’s garden feels like an antechamber to history, while orchids and hummingbirds rehearse the spectacle about to unfold before you.

Though this tapestry is stunning, a few threads are loose. Take, for instance, not having a view of the ruins from your room or possibly hearing the occasional rumble of shuttle buses. Nonetheless, the trade-off remains invaluable for those craving intimacy with Machu Picchu, whether witnessing the breaking sun over the citadel at dawn or enjoying supreme silence in the late afternoon after the crowds have gone. If money’s not a question (Belmond is the most expensive hotel in Peru), rest assured that you’ll never sleep this close to the “Lost City of the Incas.” 

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel: Cloud-forest elegance

What Sanctuary Lodge offers in proximity, Inkaterra Pueblo gives you in immersion. Tucked away on 12 acres of private cloud forest, this property feels less like a hotel and more like a living Andean village. Stone paths wind through gardens flush with all types of the area’s hundreds of species of orchids. As waterfalls tumble through mossy groves, you’ll also be surrounded by more than a couple hundred bird species, from the dazzling Cock of the Rock to darting hummingbirds orbiting your breakfast table.

Rather than rooms, your accommodations here are individual casitas. These whitewashed adobe sanctuaries, shaded under terra-cotta roofs, are furnished with handwoven blankets. Plunge pools hidden behind ferns come with some of these retreats, while fireplaces and other luxuries come with others.

Inkaterra’s design respects Andean traditions while never compromising on modern indulgence. Spa treatments draw on eucalyptus and natural botanicals, merging Western comfort with Incan herbal wisdom.

The real theater, though, is outside your door. Jungle paths veined with orchids pull you into their slow rhythm, while a thatched-roof café offers cacao so fresh it still carries the rainforest on its breath. Inkaterra is a getaway that rewards curiosity over consumption. Indeed, this place resists consumption. It exists to protect. Inkaterra isn’t selling you paradise, and it’s safeguarding it, one guest at a time. 

Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel: Andean rituals wrapped in modern luxury

At Sumaq Machu Picchu, modern design bows to ancient memory, two worlds balancing on a knife’s edge. The architecture is crisp, controlled – yet everywhere, the Andes hum through carved motifs and ceremonial rhythms. The polished lines whisper cosmopolitan calm, while every detail hums with Indigenous lore. Even the way a cup of coca tea is offered feels almost liturgical. To be clear, service here isn’t service at all; it’s devotion disguised in white linen.

At Sumaq, culture isn’t wallpaper background – it’s the point. Ceviche isn’t just served; it’s performed, knives flashing like ritual blades. Pisco Sours come with lessons, not straws. And when you’re ready, the shamans will fold you into ceremonies older than memory. Even the spa hums with the old ways, with coca leaves, river stones, earth still warm. This isn’t a detour from Machu Picchu. It’s its living heartbeat. For visitors seeking a deep experience beyond tourism, Sumaq luxury is memory. It’s indulgence wrapped in ritual.

Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel: Riverside respite

Casa del Sol won’t compete with the palatial lodges above. It sits low and quiet at the river’s edge, closer to the spray than the spotlight. It doesn’t need to be grand. It clings to the Vilcanota River’s edge, small and steady, its balconies misted with spray. Inside: handwoven cloth, warm wood, nothing screaming for your attention. In a town of spectacle, it offers something rarer: quiet that feels like belonging.

Travelers awake to the whispers of the river, enjoy the freshest trout for lunch, and watch evening mist roll off from the peaks across the horizon. For people who define luxury not by glitter but by the actual experience in a particular place, Casa del Sol provides just that. Rather than attempting to dazzle, it provides you with the feeling of being perfectly grounded.

El MaPi: Urban cool in the Andes

At least one hotel proves that Machu Picchu luxury doesn’t have to go the traditional or ritual route. El MaPi ushers in a bit of urban style to the town of Aguas Calientes, the jumping-off point to any Machu Picchu experience. This modern hotel capitalizes on its clean lines and modern palettes to appeal to the traveler seeking efficiency and comfort as well as captivating style.

Its rooms are sleek and keenly cut, with smart lighting systems, organic toiletries, and beds that entice marathon sleep after a full day of exploration. The hotel’s bar perpetually buzzes with craft cocktails, while the hotel’s restaurant dishes up Andean ingredients to international aplomb. It seems almost alive in a way many hushed luxury establishments fail.

No, El MaPi isn’t a place for seclusion; it’s a place for connectivity. This hotel offers a crisp alternative for those who demand contemporary design and urban energy wherever they wander …even in the age-old Andes. 

The takeaway

Machu Picchu luxury comes in different registers. While some will revel in walking through the ruins before daybreak without the hordes of clamoring tourists. Others define the experience in terms of connecting with biodiversity, Andean ritual, or just sitting back with some wine as river mist licks the valley. Each of these five hotels offers its own focus, whether proximity, nature, ritual, intimacy, or design.

So, it’s not about which is the “best,” but which aligns with your rhythm. Do you crave silence and seclusion? Or do you seek cultural depth that lingers after the trip? Perhaps you prefer modern sleekness to spiritual ritual. In fact, your choice says a lot about you yourself more than what it says about the hotel itself.

Bells, whistles, and chandeliers notwithstanding, luxury here is more about what you value when the mountain calls. Machu Picchu will forever hold a place on most people’s bucket list, but your experience here weighs a lot on the place you stay.

This means you should take the time and plan well since the memory of the hotel will forever be attached to dawn at Sanctuary Lodge’s garden, the call of a bird at Inkaterra, a shaman’s blessing in Sumaq, an evening of divine tranquility at Casa del Sol, or a cocktail or two at El MaPi among newly found friends. Discover unique travel experiences in Peru’s sacred valley and let your choice of stay shape the story you’ll carry home.

The Galapagos Islands, an extraordinary archipelago located 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, offer access to some of the most remarkable wildlife and pristine environments on Earth. Unlike typical cruise destinations, a Galapagos cruise invites travelers to discover a collection of unspoiled, mostly uninhabited islands that are home to species found nowhere else. These voyages, however, are far from traditional. The ships are small, often accommodating as few as 16 passengers, ensuring an intimate experience. Forget water parks, Broadway-style shows, or casinos. These cruises focus solely on the natural world—providing an up-close, environmentally responsible way to witness everything from the islands’ iconic giant tortoises to playful sea lions. On board, you’ll find kayaks, paddleboards, and scuba equipment, with most itineraries featuring active excursions that can include kayaking alongside marine life, snorkeling with sea lions, and hiking through volcanic landscapes. The goal is to offer guests a connection to nature that is both immersive and relaxing.

All travelers are accompanied by certified National Park guides, ensuring expert-led, informative journeys through these largely undeveloped lands. The region is famous for its biodiversity and the unique behaviors of its wildlife, making the Galapagos a once-in-a-lifetime destination for many. Cruises to this remote region usually span about a week, covering various islands and their respective ecosystems. Whether you’re looking for a luxury cruise or an adventure-packed itinerary, there’s a Galapagos cruise for every type of traveler.

FAQ:

Best Galapagos cruise for wildlife lovers

Celebrity Cruises’ Galapagos itineraries offer a unique and luxurious experience that is perfect for wildlife lovers. The Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Xploration, both small, eco-conscious ships, are designed to navigate the remote and pristine areas of the Galapagos Islands, providing access to places that larger vessels simply can’t reach. This smaller scale allows for more intimate and undisturbed wildlife encounters. Onboard, expert naturalist guides with deep knowledge of the islands’ ecosystems lead informative excursions that enhance the experience, ensuring that guests not only witness the region’s iconic species, like giant tortoises and blue-footed boobies, but also understand their ecological importance.

Celebrity’s focus on sustainability is evident in its design; the Celebrity Flora, for example, is equipped with a dynamic positioning system that helps protect delicate marine habitats, and all excursions are structured to minimize human impact on the environment. Guests can also enjoy water-based activities like snorkeling and kayaking, getting up close to the abundant marine life, including sea lions, penguins, and marine turtles, in their natural habitats. The cruise’s commitment to environmental responsibility extends to its gourmet dining, which features locally sourced ingredients that support sustainable fishing practices. Furthermore, Celebrity works closely with conservation organizations such as the Charles Darwin Foundation to promote sustainable tourism and preserve the fragile ecosystems of the islands. Overall, Celebrity Cruises offers wildlife enthusiasts a perfect blend of luxury, adventure, and eco-conscious exploration, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty and diversity of the Galapagos while contributing to the preservation of its unique ecosystems.

Best affordable Galapagos cruise

For travelers craving the wild majesty of the Galapagos without the luxury price tag, Nature Galapagos & Ecuador delivers an authentic, expertly curated experience that doesn’t compromise on adventure. Specializing in small-ship and land-based tours, their budget-class cruises—aboard intimate yachts like the New Flamingo and Merak—offer access to remote islands, expert bilingual naturalist guides, and daily excursions that bring you face-to-face with marine iguanas and Galapagos tortoises. Accommodations are simple but comfortable, with snorkeling gear, meals, and inter-island logistics seamlessly included. A typical budget option sails for about $3,000 for a four‑ to five‑night cruise, while the more comprehensive eight‑day itineraries often come in around $7,000 per person. For those wanting to keep their feet on solid ground, land-based itineraries blend boutique hotels with day trips to uninhabited islands, offering flexibility and savings. With a strong commitment to conservation and community, Nature Galapagos crafts trips that feel deeply local, refreshingly affordable, and entirely unforgettable.

Whatever your preference, there’s a Galapagos Islands cruise for you. For those who want to travel in style, the ships of luxury cruise line Ecoventura meet expectations—and then some.

Courtesy Ecoventura

Best luxury Galapagos cruise

Ecoventura offers one of the most luxurious—and family-friendly cruises—in the Galapagos. Each of its three expedition yachts—the Origin, Theory, and Evolve—can accommodate 20 guests across 10 staterooms. These seven-night all-inclusive voyages make environmental responsibility a priority, encouraging guests to join the effort to help preserve this delicate area. Children six and up are welcome on board. Some staterooms connect to create spacious family suites, and two are designed to accommodate three guests each. Kids menus, children’s activities, and a kids club are also available. For adults, there’s a fitness center, jacuzzi, cooking demonstrations, and group cooking classes. You’ll also find kayaks, standup paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and zodiacs on board. On shore, naturalists lead daily two-hour nature walks, visiting lava fields, scenic cliffs, and secluded beaches. Replenish yourself at the onboard restaurant which serves a breakfast buffet, afternoon tea, and multi-course lunch and dinner menus.

Best Galapagos cruise for adventure seekers

Uncruise’s Galapagos island cruise will take you to seven islands over the course of a week on board La Pinta, a 48-passenger yacht boasting floor-to-ceiling windows, a sundeck, a fitness center, and a hot tub. This isn’t the newest or most luxurious ship sailing the Galapagos, but it’s comfortable and has been recently refurbished. It also comes with everything you need to make the most of your Galapagos adventure—including kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, scuba equipment, and a glass-bottom boat. This is a Galapagos cruise where nature and wildlife take center stage: Hike Dragon Hill on Isla Santa Cruz while looking for iguanas and flamingos, paddleboard alongside sea lions at Isla Floreana, or enjoy a stroll along a secluded white-sand beach. This small cruise operator prides itself on cruises that don’t feel like cruises. If you think cruising isn’t your thing, Uncruise might change your mind.

Best Galapagos cruises for solo travelers

Join a small group of future friends on the Reina Silvia Voyager, G Adventures’ newest catamaran that’s custom-built for sailing the Galapagos. This vessel began sailing in 2022, and two of its 10 cabins are designed for solo travelers. These solo cabins are no tiny hideaways. Each comes with a queen-sized bed, desk, and a large picture window to frame your Galapagos view. A 10-day itinerary starts and ends in Quito, taking guests on a journey through the Central and East Islands to look for sea lions, iguanas, and a seemingly endless variety of birds. Go kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, or paddleboarding—or kick back and relax on the spacious sundeck while enjoying some of the most unspoiled views in the world. There’s a chef on board to ensure you never go hungry, a hot tub to soothe sore muscles, lots of spaces for socializing when you want to, and a bar that’s perfect for sunset cocktails.

Best small ship Galapagos cruise

Avalon Waterways may be better known for its European river cruises, but it also sails the Galapagos Islands. The Treasure of the Galapagos is a gorgeous small ship, carrying a maximum of 16 guests. And while there’s no long list of restaurants onboard, there are creative, locally inspired menus featuring seasonal ingredients and lots of vegetarian options. You’ll also find daily natural history lectures, a team of multilingual naturalists, floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, and a plunge pool.

If you have family members who are keen on science and nature, then the science center on board the Hurtigruten Expedition’s MS Santa Cruz II will be sure to delight.

Courtesy Santa Cruz II

Best Galapagos cruises for families

There may be no better way to get your kid interested in science and history than a Galapagos Islands cruise on board Hurtigruten Expedition’s MS Santa Cruz II. The ship operates a Citizen Science Program, enlisting guests to help with completing research projects. There’s also a science center on board and a slate of lectures and expert-led discussions. The HX In Darwin’s Footsteps itinerary follows the famous evolutionary biologist’s journey through the Galapagos. Walk along a beach Darwin visited in 1835, see the giant tortoises, which have a lifespan of over 100 years, that may have greeted him nearby, and visit the Charles Darwin Research Station, which helps care for endangered baby tortoises. Only about 15,000 Galapagos tortoises remain in existence, and there really is no better place to learn about them or the endangerment of wildlife. While there’s no specific kids programming, children six and up are welcome onboard the MS Santa Cruz II.

Best Galapagos cruise for lifelong learners

If you grew up reading National Geographic magazine, you’ll want to hop on board the National Geographic Gemini. The ships sails the Galapagos as part of a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, two legendary names in exploration. National Geographic experts lead these journeys and they’re often joined by National Geographic photographers. Kids can join the National Geographic Global Explorers program, a hands-on experience designed to teach them about geographic exploration and scientific research. The National Geographic Gemini can accommodate up to 48 passengers in 27 guest suites. More than a dozen suites come with private balconies, one of which is large enough to accommodate a private hot tub. (Don’t fret if that suite is already booked, there’s a whirlpool hot tub on the sundeck that’s open to all guests.) You’ll also find a well-stocked library, a well-stocked bar, and meals made with locally sourced ingredients on board.

Silversea offers both polar-class expedition ships and ocean liners that sail to more than 900 destinations across all seven continents.

Fiippo Vinardi/Silversea Cruises

Best Galapagos cruise for foodies

If you want to learn about Ecuadorian cuisine while sailing the Galapagos, Silversea may be the cruise line for you. Silversea is a luxury cruise line known for its next-level onboard dining programs. Learn all about the local cuisine from the ship’s executive chef while feasting on locally sourced meat and produce—you can try Ecuadorian cheese aged in lava tubes and even make ceviche during a hands-on cooking demonstration. The Silver Dawn’s onboard restaurants serve a mix of international, traditional, and modern Ecuadorian food, and vegans and vegetarians aren’t afterthoughts here. Each Silversea suite comes with the service of a butler; most have private teak verandas as well. Silversea’s Silver Dawn is one of the largest ships sailing the Galapagos Islands, but these voyages regularly sell out, so be sure to book early.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

Finding good-quality holiday accommodation for a large gathering is charming in theory, but logistically fraught in practice. Throw in guests travelling from Cumbria, Northumberland and Surrey for a milestone birthday celebration and the search becomes more challenging still. Wressle Grange Farmhouse, available through Premier Cottages, answered the brief: a beautiful period house that sleeps up to 14 across three floors, with ample indoor and outdoor space for a more intimate celebration rather than passing like ships in hotel corridors.

The welcome

Access was the no-drama, modern-country kind: a lockbox code sent ahead of our arrival and a straightforward self-check-in. But the stay was certainly not impersonal since, within an hour of our arrival, owner Claire came to say hello in person, swapping a few practicalities for local tips and giving us insights into the history of their former home. A small gesture but one that leaves you feeling that the owners care and are on hand if you need.

The property

Our arrival brings us in through the rear of the farmhouse and our gaze is immediately drawn to the kitchen with its sociable central island, polished worktops, and an abundance of modern appliances — from two dishwashers (surprisingly useful for group stays) to an electric hand blender.

From the rustic-but-modern kitchen you can spill into the formal dining room that seats up to 14.

This space is perfect for a celebratory dinner and we enjoyed using it for a special birthday meal during our stay.

Alternatively, from the kitchen you can drift through the informal dining area into a light-filled conservatory lounge.

With a large corner sofa and several double sofas – plus a suspended egg chair in the corner – you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to relax.

For cosy evenings in, there’s also a snug with another TV and wood burner.

Beyond that, a games room with a pool table adds a touch of friendly competitiveness to any gathering.

A downstairs bathroom and utility room beyond it completes the ground floor. Of course, nobody really goes away to do their laundry, but it’s a handy facility to have nonetheless.

Upstairs on the first floor, the master bedroom, Brooke, has a super-king and its own en suite.

It it flanked by three further doubles – Vesci, Hedge and Lane End.

Vesci is adorned with dusty pink décor and furnishings and a resident hobby horse.

Hedge has a fun tractor theme depicted on the curtains and the cushions, appropriately pictured here with a tractor passing the window.

Lane End, meanwhile, is a contemporary, compact double room with wonderful views over the farmland at the rear of the property.

These rooms share a large family bathroom that benefits from underfloor heating, with both a bath and wetroom-style shower – and even a chaise longue.

Toiletries are provided in all the bathrooms.

The top floor has two further en suites and a compact twin-bedded room.

Fleet is light and airy and has a king size bed; its en suite looks out over the arable farmland.

Oat has a double bed, a few more splashes of colour, and a mirror image of Fleet’s en suite bathroom.

Sandwiched between them is Paddock, accessed via a sliding door – a compact twin, better suited to children.

Super-fast fibre broadband is enjoyed throughout the property — even on the uppermost floor. And with seven bedrooms, there’s never a feeling of over-crowding because the house offers multiple shared spaces, both inside and out, where guests can spread out.

The facilities

Whilst I’ve already mentioned the games room, I haven’t really touched on the abundance of outdoor space and the additional facilities it offers.

Firstly, there’s the outdoor hot tub – perfect for soothing tired limbs and excellent on an evening with a tipple and a sky of stars.

And it doesn’t stop there. There’s an outside table that seats 14 for al fresco dining, a fire pit and patio for marshmallow roasts,

There’s a manicured garden at the front, a lawn with goals at each end, an outdoor table tennis table, and a tarmacked area popular with pedal tractors and small bikes. Furthermore, planning permission has just been granted for two brand new padel courts.

All of this makes the farmhouse versatile: it’s a party house, a family escape, and a practical base for exploring the East Riding.

The location

Wressle is a tiny, appealingly sleepy village on the eastern bank of the River Derwent, roughly three miles north-west of Howden. It feels gloriously rural yet not stranded — the narrow lanes and open fields are part of the charm.

Howden itself is close by and pleasantly bigger than you might expect: a market town with a remarkable ecclesiastical centre. Howden Minster was once one of the most significant churches in the north and the town also played a role in Britain’s early airship story — the R100 was built in the area, a local episode of industrial ambition that you can follow on a small heritage trail.

Regular readers will know that we like to incorporate a parkrun on our travels. The nearest to Wressle is a flat course at West Park in Goole where two of our party, myself included, were pleased to pick up all-time parkrun PBs.

If running is not your thing, Selby and York are both within easy reach for a day trip. York’s cultural and culinary riches are just a 40 minute drive away.

Among York’s many attractions is, of course, York Minster which now proudly displays a statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Other nice touches

Wressle Grange scores heavily on welcoming detail. A generous welcome hamper awaited us, full to the brim with local produce — Yorkshire Tea, Howden Coffee, locally produced honey (from bees kept on the farm), Yorkshire Pasta Company products, rapeseed oil with Great Taste recognition, marshmallows with roasting sticks, and fresh milk in the fridge.

Another lovely touch was a cake and card for the birthday girl in our party.

Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome to stay at the farmhouse, so long as they remain on the ground floor and keep off the furniture. Even they were kindly recognised with the provision of bowls, blankets, poo bags and Wagg treats.

And let’s not forget that guests are even provided with gowns – something that’s not usually expected with self-catering, but a luxury that is particularly handy if you are venturing to or from the outdoor hot tub.

The cost

Weekend breaks (three nights, Friday–Monday) are typically in the region of £2,850–£3,250, and a full week around £4,200 . There’s also currently an offer of 10% off for all remaining stays at the farmhouse this year.

The best bit

For us, the house’s greatest strength is sociability. There are many shared spaces to enjoy together, whether it’s gathering around the kitchen island as dinner is prepared or roasting marshmallows at the outdoor firepit. In short: you are together, but not crowded; sociable, yet private when needed.

The final verdict

Wressle Grange Farmhouse is exactly what its publicity promises: a large, three-storey house set in sprawling fields with views that extend for miles . It’s a country house for the 21st century, with period features combined with plenty of modern extras. The balance of location, facilities and thoughtful hospitality makes it one of those properties that feels like a proper treat rather than just a convenient place to sleep.

Dislcosure: Our stay was courtesy of Wressle Grange and sponsored by Premier Cottages. Premier Cottages’ collection features almost 1,000 four- and five-star self-catering cottages across the UK.