Break out the bubble bath and slip into a tub big enough for two. Here are five stylish retreats with bathrooms worth staying in for.
Keemala resort in Phuket, Thailand
Claw-footed antiques, breeze-kissed showers and sweeping jungle views: When it comes to en-suite pampering, hotels have stepped up their game with seductive, spa-worthy boudoirs. Break out the bubble bath and slip into a tub big enough for two: Travel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have hand-picked five stylish retreats with bathrooms worth staying in for.
Amankora, Bhutan
Dotted around remote mountains from rustic Paro to Bumthang, these five exclusive lodges are for Himalayan explorers who shudder at the mention of a tent or yak-hair blanket. Journey across Bhutan’s cloud-crowned peaks in boutique hotel bliss: Each vast, opulent room has its own bukhari wood-burning stove and terrazzo-clad bath. Amankora offers untouchable tranquillity, plunging valley views and a smug sense that you’re the only person you’ll ever meet who’s had this unique experience.
Smith extra: A 60-min complimentary massage
Il Salviatino, Florence, Italy
High in the hills over Florence, this 15th-century villa has been ravishingly updated with opulent designer style. Restored fresco ceilings, imposing fireplaces and plump chesterfields lend the grand interiors — oak floors, silver candelabra and fresh orchids — a cosy, comforting feel. All bathrooms have LED-lit rain showers with seats; some have elaborately carved stone tubs. For total indulgence book the Ojetti Suite, a luxe hideaway with a dramatic sun room and spectacular Tuscan views from the Jacuzzi bath.
Smith extra: A can of Tuscan extra-virgin olive oil by Fattoria I Veroni
Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia
Treading lightly on scrub-covered dunes above the sea, this exquisite designer haven is as stylish as it is isolated. Calming and contemporary interiors, sleek lounging areas and seasonally changing menus make this the last bastion of hedonism before the vast emptiness stretching out to Antarctica. Kitted out with freestanding tubs and fireplaces, bathrooms embrace the outdoors: Expect sweeping views of the island’s unspoilt wilderness through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Smith extra: A private wine-cellar dining experience for two
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, US
Strung along a rocky-ridged cliff, these recycled-redwood cabins and cottages offer a taste of romantic seclusion at the Pacific’s edge. There are three heated infinity pools in the grounds, and Sierra Mar — a ranch-style restaurant with sweeping views of the mountains and ocean — dishes up a daily changing menu of fresh Californian fare. We love the Pacific Suite’s private terrace overlooking Big Sur and stainless-steel tub perfect for taking in the sunset.
Smith extra: US$50 towards lunch at Sierra Mar
Keemala, Phuket, Thailand
Quirky and cool, these Phuket pool villas resemble birds’ nests, seedpods and thatched hobbit holes. They’re all ingeniously designed, with glass walls and canvas-covered hideaways to make the most of startling sea-and-forest vistas. The bathrooms have a glamorous indoor-outdoor feel, with enormous wood-framed mirrors, extravagant fittings and stone-hewn baths with a view. Savour the resort’s holistic philosophy, which promises healing spa rituals, home-grown cuisine and an eco-friendly ethos.
Smith extra: A 90-minute Harmonising Massage for two in the spa
Mr & Mrs Smith offers the best rates, as well as a little something extra on arrival at every hotel. To book, call the Smith24 team toll-free on 800-905-326, or visit mrandmrssmith.com