Montenegro
Back in the 1970s, Montenegro, on the Adriatic coast, was basking in the glory of being the favourite destination of that era’s elite few. They were seduced by the untouched beaches and stunning inland scenery of lofty mountains, dramatic lakes and medieval cities.
The upmarket resort of Sveti Stefan was particularly popular, with Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren frequent visitors. But Montenegro’s popularity waned following the outbreaks of unrest in the early 1990s.
Now it is once again attracting the world’s glitterati, with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) identifying it as the fastest growing holiday destination in the world.
Sveti Stefan is to regain its former splendour with a little help from chic Amanresorts (amanresorts.com), who took it over in 2007. It is due to reopen next month following a major regeneration project.
Aman Sveti Stefan will incorporate both the historic 15th-century Sveti and also Villa Milocer, a graceful royal summer house built in 1934. Based on the mainland and linked to Sveti by a narrow isthmus, this first phase of the project has six luxury suites and is already open to the public. Fronted by pink sandy beaches, it is built on 32 hectares of woodland and has views over the bay.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico in the Caribbean may have attracted some of the hippest sunseekers at its peak, but nowadays it is the tiny island of Vieques, six miles off its southeastern coast that is calling the cool hunters in. Once a training base for the US Navy, it is currently undergoing a rebirth as one of the Caribbean’s hippest islands.
It still remains largely unspoilt and has managed to keep mass tourism at bay. Deserted beaches, an emphasis on eco-tourism and incredible bioluminescent waters (night-time swimming is an awe-inspiring activity) make this a perfect escape. The Hix Island House (hixislandhouse.com), a Modernist eco lodge designed by architect John Hix, has up to now been the place to stay on the island.
Giving it a run for its money, however, is the new W Resort, due to open this October, and the first W in the Caribbean (whotels.com). Designed by the Rockwell Group, the hotel will feature two seaside spa pavilions, open-air ‘living room’ areas and sleek villas designed by interior designer Patricia Urquiola. ‘We want W Vieques to be a luxurious interpretation of inhabiting the wilderness,’ says Diego Gronda, creative director of Rockwell.
With rumours of Thompson Hotels, the American luxury boutique chain, also looking to open its first resort on the island in 2010, it’s time to start booking.
Beirut
Once known as the Paris of the East, Beirut was firmly on the beautiful people’s party circuit in the 1960s, with the likes of Ava Gardner and Marilyn Monroe hitting the cocktail bars, casinos and sunkissed beaches and lapping up the cosmopolitan, laissez-faire attitude of the city.
Now, with The New York Times naming it as their No 1 destination to visit in 2009, and two major top-end hotel openings, it looks poised to reclaim its title. The Le Gray, due to open in July, is a contemporary offering in the historic Le Solidare area, from Gordon Campbell Gray, owner of One Aldwych in London, who calls it his ‘sexiest design yet’.
There’s a restaurant and amber-coloured pool on the roof as well as a piano bar housed under a huge glass dome that changes colour. The bar also features a refrigerated wall displaying violet peppermint cream chocolates that co-ordinate with the violet bar chairs.
The Four Seasons Beirut (fourseasons.com), meanwhile, is due to open this autumn.
British Airways flies to Montenegro, Puerto Rico and Beirut. Book a flight on ba.com now.
