spectacle through sensation | AZULIK, tulum

location. Paphos, Cyprus
photography. Nikolai Rubanov on Unsplash

Winter in Cyprus doesn’t look like winter anywhere else. The island trades frost for a cool, 24-degree Celsius crystalline light; the kind that sharpens the sea into shades of silver and makes quiet beaches and slow lunches seem cinematic. It’s a time when the country reveals a different kind of luxury: unhurried days, uninterrupted horizons and the pleasure of discovering culture and coastline without the summer crowds. In winter, the island feels like a secret worth keeping.

location. AMARA Spa seawater pool

What To Do

There’s no better place to feel this dreamy pace than in Paphos. Begin in the Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where vivid Roman mosaics, once part of luxurious villas, are astonishingly well preserved. Wandering through the House of Dionysus or the Odeon amphitheater, you get a real sense of how sophisticated this ancient port city once was. Continue to the Tombs of the Kings, a sprawling necropolis carved into limestone. Despite the name, it wasn’t royalty buried here but rather high-ranking officials, yet the Doric-style columns and echoing chambers make it one of Cyprus’s most impressive archaeological experiences.

location. Paphos, Cyprus
photography. Nikolai Rubanov on Unsplash

When you’ve had your fill of antiquity, stroll down the lively harbour lined with bars, boats and sea-facing cafés, or browse the Old Town Market, where vendors sell everything from handmade ceramics to loukoumi sweets, fragrant local herbs and popular evil eye jewellery. Nearby, the newly revitalised Municipal Market Hall blends traditional artisans with sleek concept stores. The coastal promenade is perfect for sunset walks, while the nearby fishing villages like Latchi or Geroskipou offer authentic tavernas serving grilled octopus, fresh halloumi and local wines.

location. Nikosia, Cyprus
photography. Nikolai Rubanov on Unsplash

Where to Stay 

For travellers seeking the island’s most refined escape, AMARA stands as a modern sanctuary on Cyprus’s south coast: sleek, architectural and designed to make you feel as though you own the horizon. The 207 rooms and suites all face the sea, their clean lines and minimalist palettes enhanced by panoramic, 180-degree vistas of deep blue.

The design, an elegant collaboration between SB Architects, David Rockwell Studio and Wilson & Associates, feels both sculptural and serene. Travertine, marble and patinated metals meet sky-wide windows, bathing the interiors in light and blurring the threshold between indoors and out. Inspired by Amarantos, the mythic ‘everlasting flower’, the hotel channels a sense of perennial bloom.

Outside, the signature infinity pool forms the heart of the resort, a plane of water that dissolves into the Mediterranean. Lined with loungers and framed by manicured gardens, it becomes an all-day destination from sunrise and sunset.

location. AMARA

For deeper relaxation, the AMARA Spa extends the hotel’s philosophy of balance and beauty. Its seawater adults-only infinity pool seems to merge with the horizon, while treatment suites, thermal areas and nurturing rituals draw on both modern wellness and Cyprus’s ancient bathing traditions. The spa therapists are very serious about their profession and make sure all your knots are taken care of with a sports like massage.

Located just outside of Limassol, with beaches, cultural sites and cosmopolitan energy on its doorstep, AMARA offers a rare combination: complete serenity and effortless access to the island’s attractions. 

Perched two kilometers northwest of Paphos Harbor, overlooking the pristine sands of Coral Bay, Elysium is a five-star sanctuary where ancient history meets contemporary luxury. Its grand architecture, palatial colonnades and cascading waterfalls pay homage to the nearby Tombs of the Kings, creating a setting of quiet reverence.

location. Sandy Cove, Elysium

The hotel offers 250 rooms and suites ranging from Deluxe Bedrooms to Royal Garden Villas, many with private pools and terraces that frame uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean. Interiors balance modern comforts with Cypriot heritage, incorporating natural wood, marble and traditional design accents.

Guests can unwind in the adults-only infinity pool or swim laps in the heated indoor pool, while the lush, landscaped gardens provide manicured pathways shaded by palms. The spa delivers a comprehensive wellness experience, offering private treatments, hydrotherapy and dedicated relaxation areas that harness the serenity of the surrounding gardens, making Elysium ideal for a restorative getaway.

location. The library at Elysium

Where to Eat

Cyprus’ southwestern coast offers a culinary landscape as inviting as its sea‑blanched shores and Nautica bistro in Limassol is a delicious entry point. Located by the water’s edge, the restaurant serves breezy Mediterranean fare with a contemporary twist: think fresh grilled fish, vibrant salads, local wines and simple, elegant flavours served in a casual airy setting that captures the island’s relaxed pace.

location. Nautica Bistro

White furnishings, timber pergolas and climbing vines create a sun-soaked atmosphere, perfect for leisurely lunches or casual dinners. With seating for 130 outdoors, the bistro allows diners to soak in the sea breeze and coastal views. The focus on fresh, local ingredients ensures each dish bursts with flavour, from grilled chicken skewers to feta cheese with pesto. Open daily during the summer months, Nautica is an ideal stop for those seeking a scenic experience by the water.

Dinner at Ristorante Locatelli is an experience that feels both intimate and extravagant. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli, the restaurant brings Italian dining to Cyprus with a focus on seasonality and uncompromising flavour. The atmosphere is softly lit, allowing the delicate handmade pastas and rich risottos to take centre stage.

Chef Giorgio Locatelli

What elevates the experience even further is the White Truffle Briefing, a rare culinary moment led by Locatelli himself alongside truffle expert Carlo Caporicci. Before dinner begins, guests are guided through the origins and rituals of the world’s most coveted ingredient. The briefing unfolds like a sensory masterclass: the earthy perfume of Alba truffles, the explanation of harvesting traditions and insights into how best to pair them. It sets the stage for the dishes that follow, many of which arrive crowned with paper-thin shavings of the season’s finest white truffle. By the time dessert arrives, the evening feels like a journey through Italian craftsmanship elevated by two masters who bring authenticity and a touch of theatre to every plate.

Mediterraneo Restaurant offers a relaxed seaside dining experience that blends Mediterranean flavours with the nonchalant-ness of Cyprus. With sweeping views of the coast and a dining room that opens onto lush gardens and palm-shaded terraces, the eatery serves fresh, seafood-focused dishes alongside colourful seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs and local olive oil.

location. Mediterraneo Restaurant

Expect dishes that celebrate the island’s culinary heritage: freshly caught fish simply grilled, mezze plates of halloumi and local cheeses and rustic bread served with olive tapenades. The ambience, natural stone walls and soft Mediterranean light filtering through pergolas evoke the island’s history and landscape. Whether you dine under a canopy of stars or during the golden hour, Mediterraneo delivers a sensory snapshot of Cyprus.

words. Meehika Barua

When in New York, a stroll through Central Park will tweak your collective memory function into motion: the cinematic views and iconic landmarks surrounding the wild expanses of nature reference so many films, photographs and artworks that we all know. If you venture to the corner of East 77^th Street and Madison Avenue, you’ll stumble on an icon in its own right: The Mark Hotel. This institution exists in a category entirely of its own: place where the mythology of New York, design and a curated sense of luxury intersect with cultural precision. It’s the beating heart of Madison Avenue, and has served as a discreet playground for fashion, design and culture for decades. Today, The Mark Hotel has been reimagined for a new era, without ever losing its innate sense of glamour.

The striking building gives an old-world first immediate impression: as a 1920s neo-Italian Renaissance landmark, designed by Schwartz & Gross, it’s has long been part of the Upper East Side’s architectural fabric. As you pass through its doors, the world of The Mark instantly transports you into another realm. The transformation was spearheaded by legendary French interior designer Jacques Grange. With a brilliant feeling of luxury – in the best way we can think of – the design turns heritage into a contemporary demonstration of precision. Black and white striped marble floors set the tone: graphic, unmistakable and now synonymous with the hotel’s aesthetic: a perfect balance of minimalism and luxury, oozing confidence without excess.

Grange’s vision channels a feeling of understated refinement. The lobby feels spectacular yet intimate and the rooms and suites open up small worlds that offer a quiet, considered elegance. Throughout the hotel, curated objets d’art, sourced in collaboration with Parisian antiquaire Pierre Passebon, offer delicate visual highlights. There are works by Ron Arad, Vladimir Kagan, Mattia Bonetti, Eric Schmitt and Karl Lagerfeld woven seamlessly into the interiors. The most striking feature is how this carefully curated feeling of understatement meets a brilliant pampering of the senses. The suites look out onto a spectacular skyline, giving you the feeling of being truly at the heart of Manhattan, with panoramas across The Upper East side, Central Park and Midtown.

The rooms offer character with an undeniable sense of luxury. There are six room categories, nine suite categories, six specialty suites and a singular penthouse: a vast but curated selection. Guest rooms are beautifully accommodating and open, while suites are expansive and bold. The Italian marble that adorns the bathrooms gives an almost regal feeling to the design, and deep soaking tubs and separate showers are delectably oversized. To pamper all the senses, Frederic Malle’s Jurassic Flower provides an extra titillating sensory detail, underlining the hotel’s attention to detail.

If real lavish luxury is what you’re looking for, you’re at the right place: The Mark Penthouse – the largest hotel penthouse in the United States – spans across two floors, with an additional rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park. You’re in the very heights of Manhattan here, with a feeling of magnanimous luxury.

Food and drink at The Mark are another step towards a luscious Manhattan experience. The Mark Restaurant by Jean-Georges is a cornerstone of the hotel’s social life, oozing style with its boudoir vibes, running through from breakfast through to late night dinners. With chef Pierre Schutz at the helm, the menu delivers refined European classics elevated by Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s signature touch. It’s at The Mark Bar that you’ll be able to indulge in the house cocktails, with the space designed by French artist Guy de Rougemont. Topped off with furniture by Vladimir Kagan, this is glamour that does everything but try too hard: a foray into pleasure without pretense.

One thing is apparent as soon as you walk into The Mark: it’s all about the experience. Luxury here is important, yes, but there’s character in every aspect of the stay, from the staff and their immaculate sense of attention to the small details which are playful, personal and deeply New York. The Mark offers seasonal new features and entices with constant additions to its panoply of experiences: guests can picnic in Central Park with a gourmet spread curated by Jean-Georges, cruise the harbour of the city that never sleeps aboard the hotel’s 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat or shop at Bergdorf Goodman via private pedicab.

And of course, there’s one highlight for which The Mark has become famous: on the first Monday in May, the fashion industry arrives in New York, and the hotel has become a seasonal favourite for crowds of stars, editors, stylists and guests as they arrive and prepare in the city. The red-carpet departures have become as anticipated as the event itself: a sacred ritual and high-fashion spectacle played out on Madison Avenue.

When you’re in a city so inherently defined by reinvention, The Mark remains singularly consistent in its vision. Deeply rooted in the New York culture, lavish and unmistakably full of character, this is a hotel that allows you to travel in many ways: through time, emotions, spaces and rooms, humbly reminding New York, and the world, what true luxury looks like.

Read more about The Mark Hotel here.

words. Patrick Clark
images. Courtesy of The Mark Hotel

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine.
As evening settles over the vineyards, the estate
reveals itself as a quietly luminous presence,
where landscape, history and hospitality
merge in perfect harmony.
abadia-retuerta.com

Nestled in a valley of pine groves two hours north of Madrid is arguably one of the best hotels in Spain. Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is one of only five hotels in the country to hold three international Michelin Keys, the Guide’s highest ranking for hotel accommodation. But on the slopes beyond the beautifully restored 12th-century monastery, more magic is being made. This is home to one of the most prestigious vineyards in the region, with its own Protected Designation of Origin no less.

It’s hard to imagine that the impressive chapel, which Stella del Carmen Banderas (daughter of Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith) chose for her recent wedding, was once used for nothing more than storing grain. By 1988, when the Sandoz group bought the seed company that owned the land, the Romanesque abbey was derelict, and the vineyards surrounding it had, over the preceding decades, been dug up and used for other crops. Yet the Swiss pharmaceutical firm recognised that there was something precious hidden in the terroir: a legacy of wine making that could be traced back to the monks who toiled over it centuries before.

And so, a new winery was built in 1996. In less than three decades, and using only 54 small plots, Abadía Retuerta has achieved global acclaim, from its Selección Especial 2001 vintage winning the ‘World’s Best Red Wine’ trophy at the International Wine Challenge to ranking number eight on The World’s 50 Best Vineyards list in 2024. This is even more astonishing considering the winery has never received the official appellation of Ribera del Duero (not to be confused with Portugal’s Douro) – normally a deal breaker when it comes to international distribution.

Read the feature now in Schön! alive 3, available in print and in our online shop.

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine.
As evening settles over the vineyards, the estate
reveals itself as a quietly luminous presence,
where landscape, history and hospitality
merge in perfect harmony.
abadia-retuerta.com

left
Sala de Barricas.
Rows of ageing barrels rest in the cool stillness
of the wine cellar, where time, patience
and terroir quietly shape each vintage.
right
Reserva Histórica 1996.
Presented in its original wooden cases,
this landmark vintage reflects the depth
of craftsmanship and patience behind
one of the estate’s most celebrated wines.

left
Santuario Wellness & Spa.
Hidden beneath the old stables, the spa is shaped
by light and silence, offering a serene retreat where
wine and wellbeing are closely intertwined.Outdoor pool.
A secluded spot to unwind,
set between terroir and sky

Schön! alive  3, now available in print and in our online shop and at Amazon
Download your eBook.

words. Huma Humayun
images. Courtesy of Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine