Home and away

When is a hotel not a hotel? When it is an unhotel. A home that is let when the owner is away. Home and away. Take this stunning Georgian townhouse in Thurloe Square in London. On trend interior design, fabulous position, great art, floors of stunning rooms and style, style and even more style. You can live the owners life for a few days. pretend it's all yours before you head on your way. All the advantages of a hotel including the bottles of shampoo to steal but in a property that is quirky, luxe, exclusive and delicious. Thurloe Square via onefinestay.

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Monaci delle terre nere

I need to get my arse to Italy. It is SO beautiful and kind of embarrassing to be half Italian and not really having ever visited the freaking country (except once when I was 4). We heard about this home turned hotel in Sicily, Monaci delle terre nere, from the folks of Welcome Beyond and it's quintessential Italian - rustic and full of history (check out the old wine press!). The building is of historic importance and used to be owned by monks. It is set on the slopes of Mt. Etna looking over the Mediterranean. It is part of an 40-acre organic farm where we grow different varieties of fruit. We also have a vineyard and an organic vegetable garden for the guests. The restoration took about three years. We used only local materials and as little chemicals as possible and are about to get an eco-tourist certification. There are six rooms. We eventually plan to have 12 after having restored the three old stone buildings by the vineyard and the wine cellar. But this will take a little while.

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La Bandita

"Ever wish you had a friend with a stylish house on a beautiful hillside in Tuscany, one who knows the best local restaurants, towns and vineyards? Well now you do."

With a tag line like that you know have found the perfect holiday getaway. La Bandita is the creation of music executive John Voigtmann who had the crazy idea of ditching the big city and the celebrities and with his wife restore a derelict Tuscan farmhouse. It's relaxed, comfortable, modern yet rustic, stylish and no fuss. Sheep wander past the perfect pool, views go on forever and I wouldn't be surprised if lunch continued on till dinner. Down a long bumpy road is a slice of Italian heaven. The best things in life are always off the beaten track.

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Reader's home - Shirley's not-your-average B&B

We received an email from Shirley who wanted to share her home with us: I am an artist but my husband and I are semi retired and just opened a Bed and Breakfast between Montreal and Ottawa in L'Orignal about 1.5 years ago. We bought a house that was unoccupied for more then 2 years and completely renovated it and I got all my artistic juices going to pretend I am an interior designer LOL ….. But we are both quite happy with the result and so far our guests are very taken by its ambiance too. I love that it's not your traditional granny-decorated B&B - and it's close to Ottawa so book me a room Shirley!

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Castello di Vicarello

"At Castello di Vicarello history lives on each path, in each stone and every wall sings a song of the ancient past."

Crowning a hilltop amidst olive groves in southern Tuscany is a fairy tale castle come to life. But this castello is no dream. It's a rustic luxe retreat that will sweep you up in its history, embrace you in its family's arms and spoil you rotten with its quirky luxury. Aurora and Carlo Baccheschi Berti have restored the ruins of the twelfth century castle over many years and now play host to lucky guests who have the choice of seven luxury villas and suites. Rooms are filled with exquisite antiques and furniture and artifacts from the family's life in Indonesia. As for the gardens and views. Sigh. A truly once in a life time experience. One day. One day I will go.

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