Even when paying firm attention to one’s health and wellness, living in a big and busy city like London means that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, overstimulated and exhausted by it all at times. I know I feel the weight of the busy streets, the crowds of tourists, the daily commute and the pollution on my physical and mental health, and a healthy lifestyle sometimes is just not enough to fight the stress we put ourselves under. 

It’s not always possible to pack our bags and escape the hustle and bustle every time we feel the need to recharge, so for me, staycations have become a way to switch off completely and try to embrace that holiday feeling while only being a tube ride away from home. You might not be able to enjoy a sea view or a plate of freshly caught fish at a beach restaurant, but you can still make the most of your time without having to travel nor take any annual leave. 

In my continuous research for a moment of calm in the city, I stumbled on a 5-star hotel that puts the art of slowing down at the core of their business. Only minutes away from Hyde Park, in the heart of Marylebone, The Prince Akatoki Hotel is a haven of relaxation in the midst of the London madness. Once you enter the doors, you are transported to a Japanese-style sanctuary that has been built around the idea of offering guests a cocoon of relaxation, where they can unwind and relax in a peaceful environment, starting from the lobby, all the way to the gym. 

The interiors are characterised by the use of natural materials like light wood and a calming colour palette throughout every area of the hotel. The 82 rooms and suites boast a minimalist aesthetic that comes with outstanding attention to detail. From the plush pillows and comfortable mattress and the rainshower filled with MALIN+GOETZ bath products to the yoga mat available in every room and the healthy drinks on offer in the minibar. It’s the small things that make the difference, after all!

At The Prince Akatoki, everything is about a good night’s sleep – and I couldn’t agree more. Nothing works as well to relieve stress than a great 8+ hour sleep. To wind down, the hotel suggests starting with the food. Tokii, the hotel’s fabulous Japanese restaurant, offers an array of delightful dishes that you can savour while sipping on a cheeky cocktail or a selection of sake. From yellowtail carpaccio and wagyu beef tartare to a classic selection of fresh sashimi, handrolls, and an indulgent miso-glazed black cod, Tokii’s cuisine is both flavourful and sophisticated. 

In the room, a selection of Japanese tea awaits you to be enjoyed while relaxing with a bubble bath – although I have to admit, I opted for a glass of sparkling sake while watching a rerun of Legally Blonde on the bathtub’s TV. The ‘floating beds’ give you a feeling of weightlessness, and the headboards are carved with designs of the dawn, which – along with the room’s deliberately low lighting – help you to wind down before going to sleep. The turndown service also includes a comfortable kimono that will be laid for you on the bed to make you feel as comfortable as possible in your home away from home, while an extensive pillow menu and soothing pillow sprays will be left on the bedside table. For children, the hotel offers warm milk and Sakura cookies to accompany bedtime stories.

After a great night’s sleep, I started my morning at The Prince Akatoki’s small but mighty gym. The sleek minimalist aesthetic distinctive of the hotel is also carried out in the wellness space, in which you’ll find last-generation TechnoGym equipment, weights and fitness balls and even a Peloton bike. After an invigorating morning sweat, it was time to go back to Tokii to enjoy a nutritious Japanese breakfast – think grilled salmon, rice and vegetables – or a traditional Western buffet with Danish pastries, fresh fruits, cheeses and cured meats and more breakfast favourites like a classic full English or a perfectly gooey omelette. 

Packing my bag to head out, I wished my 24-hour staycation could have magically transformed into a week-long wellness retreat. I guess I’ll have to make it a yearly tradition!

Book your stay, a dinner,  an omakase experience or even a sushi-making masterclass at theprinceakatokilondon.com

words by Alessia Armenise

Cornish escapes have become a form of wellness for our family, offering the perfect seaside getaway. We regularly visit Rock, so we were very excited to see what St Ives had to offer. Carbis Bay has always been at the top of my wish list, and it did not disappoint. It truly is the ultimate family-friendly staycation that doesn’t compromise on luxury. You know it’s the perfect holiday destination when you start planning your return trip before you’ve even left. We instantly fell in love with Carbis Bay and began planning our stay for our 10th wedding anniversary by our first morning.

Carbis Bay is a family-run Cornish hotel and estate overlooking one of the most beautiful bays, offering everything you could desire. With a stunning spa, pool, beach, watersports, various dining and bar options, and plenty of children’s entertainment, you truly have everything on your doorstep.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the most wonderful team who instantly made us feel welcome. Everyone was incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to make our stay amazing. With 125 acres and 36 individually furnished rooms in the main house, alongside a selection of luxury coastal properties, we were thrilled to stay in one of the stunning beach lodges. This truly is the ultimate in beachside living. With ocean-inspired interiors, a little kitchen, a stunning roof terrace with a hot tub, and a beautiful fireplace, it ticked all the boxes. However, the highlight was the beach garden. Being able to walk out onto the sand and be greeted by the fresh sea breeze was such a luxury. Cold water swims and long walks became our perfect wellness antidote. What really stood out to me was how private the beach felt despite being open to the public. During our early morning swims, we only saw one other person in the distance, and it was quiet enough to have plenty of room to kick a football around with our son in the afternoons.

Carbis Bay is perfectly situated to take advantage of all the best things St Ives has to offer. On our first day, we walked along a stunning cliff-top coastal footpath to Porthminster Café on Porthminster Beach. This acclaimed beachside restaurant has an incredible reputation for combining seafood and foraged coastal ingredients with Asian and Mediterranean influences. Sitting out on the iconic whitewashed terrace with stunning views of St Ives Bay and enjoying an incredible fish curry was the perfect way to start the holiday. St Ives is also a lovely coastal town that feels a little more grown-up and sophisticated than Rock. Known for its art, there are lots of lovely art galleries and stunning interior shops, as well as a gorgeous little bookstore where we bought our son a lovely local Cornish story to read at bedtime. One of the highlights of St Ives (and something our three-year-old son absolutely loved) was taking a boat trip out to Seal Island to see the Atlantic Grey Seals. A boat trip always feels like a non-negotiable for my Cornish holidays, but seal sightings felt like a very special bonus.

Holidays with a toddler can always feel a little different when following a routine, but Carbis Bay was perfect for this, and the beach lodge even more so. From the perfect location for morning trips to St Ives to the incredible array of restaurants for yummy lunches to the most insane ice cream parlour and incredible cocktails, we were able to do fun things as a family while also enjoying some much-needed quality time together. After lunch, while our little one was sleeping, we could take full advantage of all the lodge had to offer. We enjoyed sitting on the terrace, having a glass (or two) of champagne and ice cream while overlooking the sea, relaxing in the hot tub, and reading on the deck chairs in the garden. It was wonderful to be able to fully relax and enjoy the holiday while keeping to a routine.

In the evenings, there are so many perfect options, from cosy nights in with in-room dining, pizza on the beach, and takeaways, to fine dining options at Walters On The Beach and The Ugly Butterfly. On our first night, feeling a little tired from the drive, we took our little one for his supper at one of the beach clubs so he could enjoy a pizza while we had a delicious cocktail in the sun overlooking the sea. That evening, after our son’s bedtime, we had a cosy night in with pizza on the deck, watching the sunset, followed by an episode of Clarkson’s Farm by the fire. On the second evening, however, we decided to get a babysitter, which is organised in-house, so we could have a romantic evening at Michelin-starred chef Adam Handling’s The Ugly Butterfly. Known for his tasting menus and focus on sustainability, his menu offers an incredible array of local and luxury British food inspired by Cornwall. With the most spectacular views and a knowledgeable team, we had a lovely evening with incredible food. There is also a big focus on their cocktails, which utilise food waste, and the creative team has crafted some truly special and memorable drinks. The Roseland Vesper, inspired by the coastline and local ingredients, uses waste lemons from the kitchen and rosemary picked from the gardens, topped with “lemon air.” This Vesper immediately became my new favourite drink.

You can’t talk about Carbis Bay without mentioning their spa, with its stunning infinity pool offering the most sensational view. The spa is the perfect retreat for a little relaxation, allowing you to indulge in a facial, massage, or manicure to fully restore balance and leave feeling totally refreshed. Since having my little one, a little time away for myself in the spa has become an essential part of any holiday, as it’s a moment of calm that really resets me so I can go back to my family being my best self.

I truly loved our stay at Carbis Bay. It is the perfect getaway in the UK, offering a laid-back yet luxurious beach experience. With fresh sea air, cold water swims, boat trips, amazing food, and long walks on the beach, we really soaked it all up and felt so grateful for this little slice of heaven. Perfect for families with children and a divine place for a romantic couples’ retreat, Carbis Bay is ideal for every type of staycation, and I cannot wait to go back.

words by Louise af Petersens