The Layover:
Bored on board
'Raw-dogging', the practice of avoiding entertainment on long-haul flights, has become a major trend in 2024 – and, as Zack Cahill observes, it might not be such a bad idea.
Zack Cahill
Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury
Mauritius
With some places, all you have to do is look at a photo and be transported. Our visit...
Beyond words
Marrakech, Morocco
Firm friends through their overlapping adventures in publishing, a group of high-flying female writers and editors have masterminded...
Trusting your gut
Lake Wörthersee, Austria
Seeking a health tune-up and relief from anxiety, Zack Cahill takes on an esoteric treatment regime, stringent calorie...
Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas
Mauritius
First impressions count. Whether a warm welcome by a doorman in a bowler hat or a disinterested grunt...
The Layover:
Petty gripes from villa 5
Content with being discontent, Zack Cahill outlines some of the many things he doesn't enjoy about luxury hotels in the latest edition of The Layover – from iPad-controlled rooms to 'deconstructed' teas.
Six Senses Douro Valley
Samodães, Portugal
In our years of writing about hotels, Six Senses has been a bit of a white whale. The...
Artsy Cascais
Cascais, Portugal
A charming fishing town on the outskirts of Lisbon, Cascais is an essential stop for the in-the-know traveller....
The Layover:
Livin’ la vida Lohan
For the latest instalment of The Layover, Zack Cahill contemplates Netflix’s Irish Wish (and the Lohanaissance), while being...
The Layover:
Let’s not be friends
If every you've considered trying to befriend one of the world's last remaining uncontacted peoples, you might want to think twice.
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Lisbon, Portugal
Built in 1959, the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon was the city’s first true luxury hotel. It offers...
The Layover:
Panic in aisle 13
Ever wondered what brings out your inner anxious flyer? So has Zack Cahill, who returns to The Layover,...
The Layover:
Love is in the air
Following up on his initial column for OutThere, Zack Cahill returns to The Layover, a new and not...
The Layover:
The Mile Cry Club
In his new column for The Experientialist – The Layover – Zack Cahill discusses just what makes the perfect in-flight movie... and why we should cherish these films in the day and age of streaming services.
Puente Romano Beach Resort
Marbella, Spain
With southern Spain’s famous Costa del Sol being somewhat of a hit-and-miss at times, it pays to do...
Nayara Gardens
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Between the world’s longest jungle zip-line and trips to local waterfalls, there’s an amazing amount of thrills to...
Nantipa – A Tico Beach Experience
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Young, fun and blessed with a postcard-worthy beach, this laidback luxury hotel in Santa Teresa is worth going...
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Essentially established as the ultimate go-to option for thermal tourism in Costa Rica, Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa...
Reaching a settlement
Cape Town, South Africa
Majestic though Cape Town’s setting may be, it’s the townships that will most likely make a first impression...
The artist’s hand
Florence, Italy
Returning to Florence for a lesson in how many of the city’s (and therefore, the world’s) most revered...
Domaine des Etangs
Massignac, France
It’s not that you’ll need an excuse for a stay at Domaine des Etangs, the art-filled, fairytale Chateau...
Made with love
Massignac, France
Dreading a future in which artificial intelligence will overtake human ingenuity in the world of art, Zack Cahill...
Villa Cora
Florence, Italy
Historic yet forward-looking, the immaculately furnished Villa Cora in Florence is a solid choice for travellers looking to...
Inter city
Oakland, California, USA
No longer overshadowed by its storied neighbour across San Francisco Bay, Oakland has harnessed its proud traditions of...
Kimpton St Honoré Paris
Paris, France
The international hospitality standards and cosmopolitan vibe of the Kimpton St Honoré Paris offer a unique escape from...
Island time
Madeira, Portugal
In search of some winter sun, Zack Cahill ‘discovers’ the wild and somewhat quirky nature of the Portuguese...
Savoy Palace
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
If size counts, the super-luxe, super-sized contemporary gem that is the Savoy Palace Hotel pushes the boundaries of...
Quinta da Serra
Madeira, Portugal
Located 800 meters above sea level in the Camara de Lobos area of Madeira, the pink-hued resort and...
Socalco Nature Calheta
Madeira, Portugal
Reconnection is the theme at the characterful Madeira place to stay that is at one with nature in...
Leeu Estates
Franschhoek, South Africa
On the slopes of the Dassenberg mountains in Franschhoek, at the heart of the South African winelands, Leeu...
The Pavilions Bali
Bali, Indonesia
Far-flung resorts are – or at least should be – fundamentally about romance. The best of them are...
Lelewatu Resort
Sumba, Indonesia
If you’re looking for adventure with a large slice of luxury on the far flung island of Sumba,...
Brookdale Estate
Paarl, South Africa
They say that the pearl is a queen of gems and a gem of queens, a fitting way...
Avalon Hotel & Bungalows
Palm Springs, California, USA
The infamous Californian desert oasis and getaway has a long reputation for escapism, especially for the rich and...
Mandalay Bay
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
So if you’re planning to go big in Vegas, where do you stay? The glistening, gold, fun-centric MGM...
The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Bali, Indonesia
Bali has a long reputation for beachside luxury, but the opulent temple to escapism that is Apurva Kempinski...
A path to happiness
Laugavegur Trail, Iceland
Along Iceland’s Laugavegur Trail, the accommodation is sparse and basic and the tracks themselves are tough, but it’s...
The power of dreams
Sumba, Indonesia
On the lesser-visited Indonesian island of Sumba, Zack Cahill finds a perfect paradise at the Lelewatu Resort –...
The taste of success
Paarl and Franschhoek, South Africa
Wannabe wine-buff Zack Cahill embarks on a voyage of discovery through South Africa’s glorious winelands and finds that...
Treehouse London
London, United Kingdom
The Treehouse London is a contemporary hotel set among iconic, old buildings at the very heart of central...
It’s the climb
Railay, Thailand
Zack Cahill gets a dopamine hit with every lift, scaling the sacred walls of Railay. Stepping off the...
Schloss Elmau
Bavarian Alps, Germany
A short half-hour drive from Innsbruck, nestled at the foot of the majestic Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau sits...
David Ankli
Budapest, Hungary
David Ankli is a storyteller at heart, organising perhaps the most informative and exciting tours of Budapest travellers...
Viel the love
Bavaria, Germany
On a mission to put his fondness for alcoholidays behind him, Zack Cahill goes on a rock-star yoga...
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
Mauritius
Paradise in name and reality, we could go on forever about the wonderful Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort &...
Shanjei Malraj Perumal
Galle, Sri Lanka
Zack Cahill meets up with experience leader Shanjei Malraj Perumal in Galle, Sri Lanka, to talk about life...
The other China
Taipei, Taiwan
Intrigued by Taiwan’s growing reputation for being overlooked and underrated, Zack Cahill sets out to see it for...
Desert modern
Palm Springs, California, USA
Zach Cahill makes his way to the Californian desert town of Palm Springs, which he comes to think...
Puro Hotel Palma
Mallorca, Spain
This elegant 18th-century townhouse positions itself as a ‘well-being oasis’ and the narrow, pedestrianised street it sits on...
Fosshotel
Reykjavik, Iceland
Even in a town as walkable and easy to get around as Reykjavik, Iceland’s largest hotel, the stylish...