Talia Stanton

While the rest of the Hamptons clings to its manicured hedges and country club exclusivity, Montauk operates on a completely different frequency. Known as ‘The End’, this former fishing village has evolved into the undisputed cool kid of the East End, drawing a younger, high-earning NYC crowd looking to trade blazers for bare feet. But make no mistake: barefoot doesn't mean budget. Montauk is one of the priciest summer destinations in America, and its rental market reflects that premium. Forget generic hotel rooms; the ultimate way to experience the area is by securing a sprawling, design-forward vacation home. Whether you are splitting a multi-million-dollar estate with a group of friends for a massive summer weekend, or hunting down a surf-chic beach shack just steps from the legendary break at Ditch Plains, we have scoured the inventory. Here are the absolute best Airbnbs in Montauk for an unforgettable coastal escape.

Long before Aspen became a runway for the paparazzi, the global elite were quietly retreating to Sun Valley, Idaho. Known as America's first destination ski resort, this ruggedly beautiful pocket of the Wood River Valley remains the ultimate "stealth wealth" sanctuary. Whether you are hunting for untouched winter powder on Bald Mountain or casting a summer fly-fishing line into the Big Wood River, Sun Valley delivers world-class alpine adventure without the A-list pretension. Today, the local accommodation scene is dominated by spectacular, architecturally significant private homes. Forget crowded resort lobbies; the modern luxury traveler is booking sprawling, glass-fronted estates in Ketchum, exclusive trailside chalets in Warm Springs, and secluded riverfront lodges that offer total, unbothered privacy. From modernist architectural marvels to historic Hemingway-era cabins, we have scoured the high-end inventory to curate the ultimate guide to the best Airbnbs in Sun Valley, Idaho. Ready to escape the crowds? Here is where to book.

The Blue Mountains is no longer just about a day trip to see the Three Sisters. In 2026, it is the stronghold of Australian "Eco-Luxury." This UNESCO World Heritage site is a place of dramatic sandstone cliffs, blue-tinged eucalyptus forests, and villages that feel like a slice of the English countryside dropped into the Australian bush. The trend here is "Secluded Sanctuary"—properties that offer total isolation without sacrificing a high-spec spa or a professional-grade kitchen. Whether you’re chasing the mist in Blackheath or the garden boutiques of Leura, our curated selection captures the highest-value stays in the mountains.

Niseko is undergoing a metamorphosis. While the legendary "Japow" (Japan Powder) remains the primary draw, 2026 data confirms that travelers are now flocking to the Mt. Yotei foothills for the "Green Season" reset. This has triggered an architectural arms race, resulting in a landscape of villas that look like they’ve been pulled from the pages of Architectural Digest. Whether you’re here for the world-class backcountry lines or the 2026 Gran Fondo World Championships in August, staying in a private villa offers a level of seclusion and "Hushpitality" that the resort hotels can't match. We’ve scouted the most significant properties across Hirafu, Hanazono, and Niseko Village to find the stays that define Hokkaido luxury today.

Puglia is the "heel" of Italy’s boot and the heart of its 2026 tourism surge. In an era where travelers are trading the crowded Amalfi Coast for "Quiet Luxury," Puglia offers something far more visceral: ancient olive groves, red-earth landscapes, and the world-famous Trulli. These dry-stone dwellings with their conical roofs were once humble farm shelters; today, they are some of the most sought-after luxury rentals in Europe. Whether you’re staying in the "White City" of Ostuni or the UNESCO-protected lanes of Alberobello, Puglia is about the Dolce Far Niente—the sweetness of doing nothing, but doing it in a high-spec stone villa with an infinity pool.

Skye is no longer just a destination; it is a global bucket-list pillar. In 2026, the island is seeing a massive surge in "set-jetting" as travellers flock to the otherworldly terrains of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr. But Skye is also the birthplace of a new movement in British architecture: the "Modern Bothy." Here, luxury isn't about gold leaf; it’s about floor-to-ceiling glass that frames the Cuillin mountains and thick Harris Tweed blankets by a wood-burning stove. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights in winter or hiking the Fairy Pools in summer, our curated selection puts you in the island's most architecturally significant and remote hideaways.

José Ignacio is a "Goldilocks" destination: small enough to walk across in twenty minutes, yet sophisticated enough to host the world’s elite every January. Located 40 minutes up the coast from the high-rises of Punta del Este, "The Jose" operates on a different frequency. There are no streetlights, no paved roads in the village, and a strict "slow food" ethos. In 2026, the trend has shifted toward "Chacra" (Estate) living—vast, multi-acre properties that blend the rugged Uruguayan pampas with the Atlantic surf. Whether you're here for the iconic "clericó" at La Huella or to disappear into the dunes, our selection of the best Airbnbs in José Ignacio represents the pinnacle of Southern Cone luxury.

Naoshima is where the pulse of contemporary Japan beats loudest. Once a quiet fishing community, it is now a living gallery where Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkins guard the shoreline and Tadao Ando’s concrete masterpieces are carved into the hills. In 2026, the island is undergoing a renaissance, but with hotel capacity remaining notoriously low, the savvy traveler knows that the best way to experience the "Art Island" is via its curated private rentals. We’ve scouted the most unique "Minshuku" (guesthouses) and modernist retreats across Miyanoura and Honmura to find the stays that serve as an extension of the island's galleries.

Gstaad’s famous slogan—"Come up, slow down"—has never felt more relevant. In a world of flashy, neon-lit ski resorts, Gstaad and the surrounding Saanen valley remain a masterclass in "Quiet Luxury." Here, the chalets are strictly governed by heritage laws, ensuring the iconic weathered-wood aesthetic remains untouched, while the interiors house some of the most sophisticated design on the planet. Whether you’re browsing the Loro Piana boutiques on the car-free Promenade or taking the GoldenPass train to the mirror-walled "Mirage" art installation, Gstaad is about the finer details. We’ve scouted the most exclusive properties across Saanen, Schönried, and Rougemont to find the stays that define Swiss elegance in 2026.

Bodrum is no longer just a stop on a Blue Cruise; it is the destination. In 2026, the "Bodrum Peninsula" has become synonymous with a specific kind of high-octane luxury that blends ancient olive groves with world-class marinas. The trend this season is "Secluded Modernism"—villas that utilize local stone and "Quiet Luxury" interiors to create private sanctuaries. Whether you’re here for the celebrity-filled beach clubs of Türkbükü or the sunset seafood spots in Gümüşlük, staying in a private villa is the only way to truly unlock the "Aegean Riviera" lifestyle.

Positano doesn't just have views; it has the view. This is the place where pastel-hued homes tumble down the cliffside toward a shimmering Tyrrhenian Sea, draped in bougainvillea and the scent of lemon groves. In 2026, the demand for high-end privacy has turned the "Private Villa" into the ultimate Positano status symbol. Whether you are planning a high-stakes honeymoon or a milestone anniversary, staying in a private home here offers something no five-star hotel can: the feeling that this iconic vertical landscape belongs entirely to you. We’ve climbed the stairs and scouted the terraces to bring you the most exclusive, high-basket-value villas across the Fornillo, Chiesa Nuova, and Arienzo districts.

The Las Vegas Strip in 2026 is no longer a single destination; it is a high-tech collection of micro-cities. With the Sphere officially a global landmark and the F1 Grand Prix a permanent fixture, where you stay determines whether you’re at the heart of the action or stuck in a 60-minute Uber queue. The 2026 traveler is savvy—demanding non-gaming sanctuaries, biohacking spas, and "track-view" balconies. We’ve spent the last year vetting every lobby, pool deck, and "smart-room" tablet to bring you the definitive ranking of the top 20 properties on the Boulevard. From "Quiet Luxury" icons to the high-energy mega-resorts of the South Strip, this is your 2026 roadmap to the perfect Vegas stay.Heading to a show? Check our guide to the best hotels near the Sphere for the easiest walk, or book a room with the best Sphere view rooms to see the show from your bed.For those avoiding the casino floor, see our curated list of the best non-casino hotels on the Las Vegas Strip.If you're visiting for race week, don't miss our breakdown of best F1 track-view hotels.

If you’re a homebody who loves to travel but hates leaving your creature comforts behind, a stay at Room2 offers the best of both worlds. As the UK’s first ‘hometel’ brand, it’ll take you a moment to figure out whether you’ve woken up in a luxe apartment or inner-city hotel room. There’s an emphasis on casual hospitality, geared towards common folk who feel out of place in fancy-pants establishments. The whole vibe is very relaxed, but that doesn’t mean standards aren’t high; you can expect just as much from this place as you would a five-star outpost – minus the bells and whistles.  What’s the vibe at Room2? Above all else, this is an eco-conscious hotel – and what could be more important than that? It runs on 100 percent electric and low-carbon renewable energy, with a zero-waste-to-landfill policy to top it off. The interiors represent this ethos through a lack of flash and extravagance – along with a flurry of tropical foliage to really drive home their appreciation for nature.  Your trendiest friend’s flat? That’s pretty much what they’re going for, aesthetic-wise. You’re able to take in the whole open-plan lobby and dining area from the second you enter. There’ll be a lot going on, from cocktails being slung behind the bar at Winnie’s, to all-day food being served and groups socialising in the comfy living room-style chill zones. An essence of home should be ever-present, whether you find it in the warm lighting, slow pace or homey accessories: think indoor plants, fram

Taking inspiration from the loud-and-proud exuberance of London’s West End, there’s no holding back at Broadwick Soho. It’s an independent hotel to its core – you won’t find interiors like this anywhere else, and service is like clockwork. From the moment you walk through that big pink townhouse door, and step into a lobby of pink pastels and perfectly place furnishings, like something from an elaborate doll’s house, you can sense you’re about to experience something special. And trust us – you are. What are the rooms like at Broadwick Soho? Rooms range from ‘Standard’ to ‘Deluxe’ with not a whole load setting them apart besides the square footage. The cheapest deal you’ll find is £450 a night. Every inch is highly decorative – I arrive at my fairytale-worthy bedroom with a childlike wonder. Bedside lamps shed a warm glow over the colourful space; pinks, blues, and greens make up the palette, and a floral rug and muralled wardrobe add to the enchantment of it all. Everything is in-theme, right down to the telly, surrounded by a gilded frame – ideal for watching the many, many free new releases it’s got. Things turn starkly kitsch in the bathroom, adorned with blue leopard print wallpaper, a white marble sink and crystal light fixtures, as well as very nice Ortigia toiletries. If you’re visiting with kids, the hotel can provide baby beds, highchairs, nappy bins, bottle warmers and other useful things, and there’s an on-site babysitting service available on request too.  What i

It takes time for new hotels to get the recognition they deserve, even when bringing something the city’s never seen before. While Dublin’s hotel scene almost had all the bases covered, with everything from castle-bound accommodation to trend-setting urban stays, The Chancery has swooped in to pioneer the ‘high spec, low environmental impact’ category – and it won’t take long to notice how tech-heavy The Chancery really is. Both tech and sustainability are the building blocks that the hotel was founded upon. Didn’t think the two could go hand in hand? This place is the only evidence you need to know that isn’t true. They’re showing their dedication to the cause through water recycling, preventative measures against noise pollution, reclaimed furnishings, self-generating electricity and sensors that switch off lights and heating when no one is in the room. I’d say that Green Hospitality Award was well deserved.  What’s the vibe at The Chancery? The Chancery’s intimate open-plan layout combines the lobby and bar to form one collective social space. There’s a round-the-clock commotion – of the non-disruptive kind – consisting of people conversing over cocktails and lounging on the sofas adjacent to the front desk. It strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and rousing, simultaneously encompassing the excitement of the city and a sanctuary-like escape from it.  The bar itself is an inviting all-day hangout: cafe-esque casual with a sophisticated minimalist design, jazzed up w

A hotel with a ‘History’ section on their website that’s actually worth a read? One stay at Bank Hotel will have you fully invested in its origin story, which began in 1910 when the art nouveau building served as the head office of Södra Sverige Banking. It’s since housed a succession of banks before gaining a new lease of life come the hotel’s grand opening in 2018, in a bid to turn Stockholm’s business district into more of a social hub. In keeping with this mission, the five-star institution has established itself as a firm favourite for locals and tourists to grab a libation by combining its boutique charm with late-night, award-winning cocktails. And the result? A buzzing atmosphere for guests and a sense that all those staying are honourary Stockholm socialites. Despite its aura of exclusivity, the team behind Bank Hotel want nothing more than for guests to feel at home. That much was clear from the attentiveness from staff, as well as the warm and welcoming interiors; the lobby is enveloped by mahogany panelled walls, paired with diamond pattern flooring for a timeless look. Original details of the old bank remain, from iron doors and gates to the show-stopping vault-turned-wine cellar, to remind everyone of the opulent building’s humble beginnings.The classic design continues into the sumptuous bedrooms – each made to mimic the comfort and familiarity of one's own home (or dream home, in my case). My 8th-floor room was anything but spill-proof, with cream carpets and

The London Dungeon is always an obvious choice for a day out if you need your fix of thrills and chills come Halloween, but you may get more frights than you bargained for this time round with their new and exclusive-to-2024 seasonal show: Séance. Everyone's favourite blood-chilling attraction is celebrating 50 years of horrorifying tourists and Londoners alike by subjecting visitors to its scariest show yet. Serving as a paranormal interlude to the Dungeon's usual goings-on (AKA guts spurting in the torture chamber, Jack the Ripper showing up unannouced at the Ten Bells pub and a witch making the ground shake before your very eyes), this portion of the tour will see you communicating with the other side via Ouija board... Set inside the foyer of a haunted house, expect to feel a ghostly presence as the séance-gone-wrong results in all hell breaking loose (literally). As books fly off the shelves, lights cut out and threatening messages appear on the window, prepare for the biggest shock of all as you come face to face with the spirit of Mary Ann Cotton – a notorious 19th century murderer. The show is running throughout the Halloween period and is included in the standard ticket price.  Tickets start from £26.50 for adults and £22 for children up to 15. Book ahead online for the best deals. 

Not exactly known for its subtlety, this small-yet-bold European hotel chain isn’t afraid to make a statement. Kept separate from the Islington bustle in an unassuming part of town, it almost feels like nhow Hotel has been granted its own quiet corner of London to allow room for its big personality to shine through without overshadowing any establishments in its vicinity.  Prepare for an ambush of colourful quirky decor. I’d describe the space as a perfect storm of London-themed paraphernalia, filled with fun furnishings, alongside enough muted elements to bring the whole look back down to earth. Despite the black phone box, armchairs upholstered in royal guard uniforms, LED message boards as seen on the tube and a giant modernist replica of Big Ben, the overall design does in fact maintain an edginess that stops it from feeling gaudy.  The dynamic aesthetic of this neighbourhood hotel continues throughout its 190 rooms. Regal-meets-punk seems to be the vision, with a graffiti mural of the Queen and an abstract Union Jack rug making up the room’s most eye-catching features. However, much like the lobby, the white bedding and exposed plaster ceiling provided a much-needed tone-down of the space. With plump beds to melt into, a rainfall shower and warm lighting emitted from a bowler hat lamp, it was clear to see that the injection of fun and wow-factor decoration didn’t lead to a compromise on comfort.  The hotel is well-equipped for city living; there’s rentable fold-up bikes,

Catch the news about those two massive revivals at the Bridge Theatre? Well, it’s big: Nicholas Hynter’s 2019 smash version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ (a joyously OTT take on a Shakespeare classic – complete with giant moon balls) will return to London, alongside a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s fairy-tale musical, ‘Into The Woods’. A huge deal for theatre fans, basically. The announcement has already caused quite the stir, and we reckon tickets will fly out the door for both shows. But here’s something else you might (ie definitely do) want to know: although the box office opens for these at noon on Friday Feb 28, we’ve got access to pre-sale tickets through our official theatre ticketing partner, TodayTix. So, if you want a jump on everyone else? Head here for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ tickets and here for ‘Into the Woods’ tickets, available from noon on Thursday Feb 27 – that’s a full day before the box office. This is a major event in the theatre world; if you know anything about the 2019 production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, you’ll know it’s remembered as the Bridge’s biggest and best spectacle from the theatre’s first few years of opening – ending in an iconic audience-wide rave-up with the cast. This is your chance to finally join the party! Pre-sale tickets for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and ‘Into The Woods’ are available from noon on Thursday Feb 27. Head to ticketing.timeout.com to purchase.

Has the excitement of Christmas started to dwindle? Is all you’re left with a pile of torn-up wrapping paper and a handful of blue Quality Streets? Well that’s okay: it’s sales time. And whaddya know, the London theatre world has one of its own, the cunningly named Boxing Day Theatre Sale – partnered with Time Out – which is offering tickets at exceptional prices until January 5. Which makes you the winner, basically. So brighten up these gloomy months ahead and catch some world-class West End theatre for a whole lot less, with tickets available for shows including Stranger Things: The First Shadow, The Tempest (starring Sigourney Weaver), and some of the last performances of the five-star immersive spectacular Guys & Dolls.  If you want to keep that Christmas vibe alive and see something in the next few days, then there are great deals to be had on festive shows like Horrible Christmas at Ally Pally or the Hackney Empire’s pantomime Dick Whittington & His Cat. Or you may want to look further ahead: grab an early bargain on the 101 Dalmatians musical or see Dirty Dancing when it opens at the brant new Capital Theatre in the autumn. Or, more generally, see a show at a nice price: there are more than 60 productions taking part in this promo, so if you want to see shows like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Dr Strangelove, Cirque du Soleil and Mrs Doubtfire for as little as £13, this is your chance. You might want to be speedy though, as tickets do tend to run out pretty quic

Remember a couple of weeks ago when we gave our top picks from the just-launched London Theatre Week? Well we have some more excellent news because the promotion has just been extended, with ‘Hamilton’ now joining the fray with tickets from a pretty damn reasonable £35.  But that’s not the only show to get excited about, because you can also pick up tickets to ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, ‘Wicked’, ‘The Book of Mormon’, ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Matilda’ (all from £25), as well as ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Starlight Express’ and a whole lot more from just £35. Still not enough? Okay, well you can also bag £15 tickets for shows like ‘Tina: the Tina Turner Musical’, ‘The Mousetrap’, and ‘Fawly Towers the Play’.  And don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to use your tickets – this promotion is just a purchasing period, with redemption dates going well into October (and often beyond). So, get them now, save some money, and choose a date that suits you. Easy. London Theatre Week runs until Sunday September 8 2024. To book tickets head here.   The 10 best new London theatre openings in September The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2024 and 2025. Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.