4 of the hottest new hotels

The Jaffa

Tel Aviv, Israel

The lowdown A dramatic monastery conversion inTel Aviv’s liveliest neighbourhood.

Best for Retreating from the bustling city.

Jaffa, an ancient port out of which modern day Tel Aviv grew, is one of Israel’s most talked about cultural hotspots. Buzzy local food and art scenes have flourished, solidifying the area as a tourist magnet.

New hotel in town The Jaffa seamlessly blends the city’s past and present, offering striking modern design against the backdrop of this 19th-century former monastery and hospital.

The project was overseen by starchitect John Pawson, who’s given the historic architecture space to breathe with simple furniture, including his own designs for B&B Italia. The outdoor pool is the current place to be seen in Tel Aviv, but most impressive of all is The Chapel bar – a magni cent space with cathedral ceiling and candy-coloured seating.

Book itDouble rooms from £470.

1898 The POsT

Ghent, Belgium

The lowdown A bewitching boutique hotel in a grand old post office building.

Best for Dark and moody interiors that nod to the 19th century.

Ghent probably isn’t top of your city break list, but we think we might just be able to change that. Firstly, the city is a culture lover’s nirvana, packed with fairytale architecture, winding canals and enough museums to tire out even the keenest of culture vultures. And then there is boutique hotel 1898 The Post.

Situated in what was once a particularly grand post office, the 19th- century building is littered with Gothic accents that complement the fabulously shadowy interiors.

This hotel has the dark decor trend nailed and should whet your appetite for recreating the look at home. You’ll find crushed velvet furniture set against blackened walls, oil portraits that peer down from gilt frames and details that celebrate the hotel’s history, such as vintage glass ink pots.

The Cobbler bar provides afternoon tea and post-dinner nightcaps but for something heartier, the local gourmet scene has plenty to offer.

Book itDouble rooms from £146.

PRana by atzaRo

Indonesia

The lowdown Indonesian shipbuilding meets blissed-out Ibizan design

Best for A once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

What do you get when you combine an agri-tourism retreat with a traditional Southeast Asian Phinisi yacht? The answer is Prana, an ivory-painted cruising ship decked out with Atzaró’s signature pared-back interiors.

On board you’ll find all the amenities of a five-star hotel – a fine dining restaurant, luxurious spa, spacious decks lined with king-size daybeds, and even an open-air cinema. There are just nine suites kitted out with vintage fabrics and handcrafted furniture, most of which were sourced from artisans in Indonesia and Ibiza.

Prana sails along some of Indonesia’s most unspoilt coast, visiting forgotten isles, volcanic landscapes and serene turquoise diving spots. When the evening winds down and it’s time for dinner, picture Asian-fusion dishes served alfresco on white sandy beaches while the yacht moors nearby.

Forget what you thought you knew about cruises; this is the stuff of holiday dreams.

Book itDouble suites start from £1,200.

Domaine Des etangs

Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

The lowdown A remote medieval castle with sleek modern interiors.

Best for An authentic taste of the French art of living.

Tucked away in a sleepy corner in southwestern France, Domaine des Etangs is a sprawling medieval estate that has been turned into an uber-luxury country retreat. Once the holiday home of a wealthy French industrialist, the chateau was converted by his daughter into a bastion of Gallic good living where the principles of style, food and relaxation reign supreme.

Interiors are a study in classic-modern elegance; think leather and marble furniture by Hermès, a liberal smattering of contemporary art and a palette that throws splashes of vivid colour against the castle’s stone and timber walls.

The most glamorous suites are in the main building, but, for those looking to live out a rural French escape fantasy, the grounds are dotted with a series of enchanting cottages.

There’s plenty at the Domaine to while away the days, so whether it be rowing on the lake, an indulgent day in the spa or dining at the Michelin-starred Dyades restaurant, you’d really need never leave...

Book itDouble rooms from £356.