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In much the same way that I wanted, as a little girl, to grow up and wear Chanel, I wanted to grow up and holiday at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. It seemed impossibly glamorous, almost a members-only club, where you had to be beautiful, but also rich and famous and cerebral, to be allowed to frolic by its swimming pool, the jewel in the crown of the French Riviera. So the first time I went, I felt very much like an outsider, a voyeur, pretending as if it was no big deal that I was (finally) here too, sipping lemonade in my flip-flops and trying desperately not to appear too excited. But it was difficult to contain: everything slowed down and took on a movie-like magic. People swimming in the ocean and playing tennis with their coaches; hats and kaftans blowing in the breeze; children sitting quietly with their colourful ice creams.
When I returned in autumn 2021, a few days after the Chanel show at Paris Fashion Week, a year-and-some after the trauma and heartbreak of the year that was, I was even more excited than my first time, but didn’t try to hide it. And the glorious part was that all the glamorous and beautiful people around me were just as excited – in fact, I’d use the word overjoyed – to be back out there, so grateful to be in one of their favourite spots in the entire world, to wander again through those ancient pine trees and drink rosé from lunchtime until it was time to switch to red. The Caesar salad was the best I’d ever eaten, so was the chocolate mousse. The staff, incredibly chic in their white trousers and striped shirts during the day, changed for dinner, as did the guests. In this still-shiny new world, even the old glimmered as if it had peeled off its rustiness. The sun radiated its gold on the Mediterranean, and it in turn sparkled.
We always encourage travellers to get out and explore the destinations they’re visiting, but the truth is, some hotels – such as the ones on our Gold List – are worlds unto themselves and deserve to be savoured. These are classic, exceptional places with soul, infused with the spirit, history and energy of their locales. This year, for the first time, editors of all seven issues of Condé Nast Traveller, from the UK to the USA, Spain, Italy, India, the Middle East and China, voted for our all-time favourite hotels across the world. This list is one you will want to keep. Like a Chanel handbag, some things never go out of style.
Download the January/February 2022 issue of Condé Nast Traveller now, or subscribe to get your trial offer for only £1 a month + FREE home delivery + FREE instant access to the digital edition
