We’ve all dreamed of jetting off to a glamorous retreat and doing as the A-listers do, right? We don’t blame you. Channel your inner Hollywood star and book yourselves a stay at one of these amazing celeb-owned stays for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway. From refined London hotels to palatial Moroccan fortresses, these spectacular escapes are truly something else…
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Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco – Sir Richard Branson
Situated in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, Sir Richard Branson’s Kasbah Tamadot is about as sumptuous as a private hideaway can get. Buying the property after spotting it on a ballooning expedition (how else do you go house-hunting?), the mogul has embraced the romance of the local region, ensuring each one of the hotel’s 28 rooms are individually decorated to reflect Morocco’s beautifully distinct culture – think exotic furnishings and antiques. It all makes for a truly spectacular stay.
From cooking courses and mountain-trekking to excursions to the brilliant nearby regions, there are plenty of fabulous experiences to be had here. But if you’re looking to just relax, there’s also a Hammam-style spa and palm-fringed pool to check out. Round everything out by watching the sun set over the dramatic landscape cocktail-in-hand at Kasbah Tamadot’s Kanoun Restaurant before feasting on mouthwatering Moroccan cuisine – oh, it’s a hard life.
Cypress Inn, USA – Doris Day
Can’t fathom going on holiday without your fur-baby? Neither could Doris Day. Jointly owned by the famous silver screen icon, Cypress Inn in California’s enchanting Carmel-by-the-Sea has to be one of the world’s most pet-friendly stays. An elegant boutique inn just moments from postcard-perfect Carmel Beach (where dogs can fun free), it’s utterly idyllic.
Decked out in rich Mediterranean tones and plush furnishings, the hotel’s charming rooms also feature romantic touches like fireplaces and exposed beams – very cosy. Get out with your beloved pet or just the two of you and explore the region’s acclaimed shopping-and-dining scene after breakfast at the inn’s beloved Terry’s Lounge for a getaway that’s too marvellous for words.
Gwinganna Health Retreat, Australia – Hugh Jackman
If you’re looking for a celeb-inspired escape a little closer to home, check into Hugh Jackman’s eco-luxe Gwinganna Health Retreat. Tucked away in the pristine Gold Coast hinterland, the wellness-focused retreat is perfect for couples wanting to refresh their minds and bodies (no wonder the Logan star looks so… healthy).
An acclaimed spa, health-focused cuisine and activities like meditation and yoga are all part of a stay here, making Gwinganna one of Australia’s top wellness destinations. The accommodation options alone are enough to make you feel totally relaxed – from the aptly named Meditation Suites to the secluded Billabong Villas with their own steam room. Return to the hustle and bustle? Namaste here forever.
Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize – Francis Ford Coppola
Unlike his most famous films, Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge is anything but gritty. Hidden away in the lush jungle of Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, this dreamy escape is where 20 thatched-roof cabanas, villas and cottages look out over banana palms and tumbling waterfalls. This is the place to chill out in a hammock with an ice-cold mojito.
Spend your stay horse-riding, exploring the majestic Myan ruins, hiking through orchid-dotted jungle and swimming in the lodge’s freshwater infinity pool to really live it up. And don’t miss a pamper session at the Waterfall Spa, enjoying excellent fare at Blancaneaux’s two restaurants and toasting the occasion at the funky Jaguar Bar.
11 Cadogan Gardens, England – Elizabeth Hurley
Known for its fantastic city-central location and true sense of English sophistication, Elizabeth Hurley’s 11 Cadogan Gardens is all class. Situated in London’s cherished Chelsea, the red-brick boutique hotel is full of character – expect elegant individually decorated suites and rooms adorned with four-poster beds, oil paintings and grand chandeliers.
Downstairs, you’ll find a mood-lit cocktail bar (time for a G&T, anyone?) and a stylish bar and grill. Before you check-out, indulge in a traditional British pastime and treat yourselves to afternoon tea and Champagne in the drawing room. And, of course, pick yourselves up a souvenir or three at nearby shopping hotspots like Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Helpful links:Kasbah Tamadot // Cypress Inn // Gwinganna Health Retreat // Blancaneaux Lodge // 11 Cadogan GardensCadogan Gardens
Looking for romantic accommodation? Find plenty of inspiration here…
Images sourced via: www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/blancaneaux-lodge, www.cypress-inn.com/, www.11cadogangardens.com/
