Why House is run by former chef Henrietta - and it shows. Mornings begin with a generous spread of eggs (don’t miss the Sri Lankan omelette), buffalo curd, and vibrant tropical fruit. For lunch, expect comforting favourites like Caesar salad or a classic club sandwich. Come evening, the rotating dinner menu shines: think gently spiced Weligama chicken with lentils, salads, and saffron rice, or beautifully seared tuna and grilled prawns. The watermelon gazpacho and tuna sashimi starters are spot-on too. The rooms are fabulous too, stunning four poster-beds swathed in mosquito netting, sleek bathrooms,, all kitted out with perfect linens, soft cottons and local prints. The perfect colonial chic vibe. There’s more good food outside. Stop by the laid-back beach bar Shanti Shanti for a fiery traditional curry, superb seafood, or surprisingly excellent wood-fired pizza. The oceanfront setting is idyllic, the team warm and welcoming, and the pizza alone is worth the trip.

In Galle, dining options abound—try the 1920s-era British spot The Charleston for honey chicken strips or tuna bites, or just wander the 17th-century Dutch-built UNESCO Fort, tracing its walls for sweeping Indian Ocean views before exploring its charming streets. Shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences, the town blends colonial churches and architecture with modern boutiques and cafés. Prefer beach time? Slip away to Jungle Beach for a quiet swim or visit the giant turtles at Turtle Beach near Dalawella. Surf lovers should head to the Surf Shack on Dewata Beach, where instructor Lara will guide you through an hour or two in the waves before you unwind with a drink and ocean views at Cool Vibes. www.whyhousegalle.com or www.thehotelguru.com

This historic house may be only a two-minute walk from Key West’s rowdy main drag, but step beyond its picket fence and you’ll find yourself transported to a world of rocking chairs and shaded verandas, chirping cicadas and louver doors rattling against cypress clapboard. The hotel itself is stunning, blending period darkwood flooring and ‘Bahamian eyebrows’ (shutters) with contemporary whitewash, rattan, and bright, printed fabrics. But the real draw is its welcoming communal atmosphere. Each morning, you’ll head into its bright country kitchen for chats with chef Andrew Wells as he prepares pancakes, or eggs benedict with his secret key lime hollandaise. Then, after exploring Key West’s historic streets – and vivacious reefs – you’ll join the rest of the guests for glass after glass of free pre-dinner sangria by the pool. Olé. www.keywesthistoricinns.com

PHOTO CREDITS: For Ridley House (Key West), please credit: Photo credit courtesy of Key West Historic Inns.

A wild and serene sanctuary on the Alentejo-Vicentine coast, set on a 220-hectare private reserve with sweeping views of cliffs and the Atlantic. At the heart of it all is a refined, minimal yet luxurious boutique hotel, all natural tones, wooden aesthetics and clean lines. 

In the kitchen, chef Marcelo Santos leads the culinary vision. In the evenings, the menu showcases richly layered regional cuisine with dishes like scarlet shrimp (Carabineiro) rice, char-grilled octopus, and Josper-roasted entrecôte de novilho. The ingredients are local and seasonal, celebrating the bounty of both land and sea showcasing the best of local.

Don’t miss the generous breakfast: fresh eggs, delicious homemade breads, seasonal Alentejo and Algarve fruit, and local cheeses. The ingredients feel hand picked and each exudes quality, true to the hotel’s mission of linking nature with cuisine.

In season, try lunch by the pool at the Zimbro restaurant for a light fare: poke bowls (featuring Sagres fish or tofu), vibrant seasonal salads, and sushi from a bar curated by sushiman Martim Penedo.

The hotels’ rooms are a study in understated luxury — crisp linens, soft natural hues, and private terraces that open to the surrounding wilderness and sea views too. The bathrooms feel almost spa-like, in marble, all finished with handwoven textiles and gloriously scented Elemis products.

Whether you’re drawn by the food or the dramatic surroundings, Praia do Canal feels like a retreat in every sense—where nature, cuisine, and calm converge.

Outside, more good food beckons. Down by the surf, the beach bar serves grilled fish straight off the boats in nearby Portinho, crisp salads, and wood-fired flatbreads that hit the spot after a long swim. The ocean views here are cinematic, and the staff’s easy warmth makes lingering inevitable.

If you can tear yourself away, the surrounding area is ripe for exploring. Hike the Costa Vicentina trails for vast cliff-top panoramas, or wander to the lighthouse at Cabo Sardão to spot nesting storks and watch the sun dip pink into the horizon. Prefer something gentler? Tuck into oysters in Vila Nova de Milfontes, browse the little craft shops in Odeceixe, or spend a lazy afternoon on Praia da Amália’s hidden golden sands. Surf lovers are well placed too—the breaks at Praia do Malhão deliver reliable waves, and local instructors offer easy-going classes for all levels. Afterward, settle in at a beach bar for a cold drink and that endless Atlantic view.

Praia do Canal Nature Retreat 

Located just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans’ Central Business District, this gastropub-with-rooms is the antithesis to touristy Bourbon Street. Locals rather than tourists are its primary patrons, gathering in its cozy, plant-filled rooms for Cornflake-fried chicken, Cajun-spiced caviar devilled eggs, and smoked duck and andouille gumbo. Linger long enough and you may spot an outsider, suitcase in hand, wandering between the tables looking for the check-in; the distinction between hotel and eatery is purposefully blurred to create that old-fashioned coach house feel. All polished copper, locally produced artwork, and custom-made furniture in walnut, cherry and leather, the rooms themselves are more boutique-hotel in style than pub-with-beds, and come with enormous free-standing soak baths and couple-sized rainfall showers. www.coppervine.com