Destinations

We arrived in Iceland to find that there was a storm warning (which we chose to ignore). However, the next day, we woke up to a couple of distressing emails; activities we had planned for the weekend were all cancelled due to the storm!

Inhabiting a ritzy building on the iconic René-Lévesque Boulevard in downtown Montreal,Fairmont The Queen Elizabethhas all the trappings of a luxury hotel. Walk into the lobby and you’ll immediately spot an extensive artisanal market — where guests can watch pastry chefs craft perfectly shaped croissants—andQuébécfine dining restaurant Rosélys. Three floors up, the five-star ambiance continues at Nacarat Terrace, where the 9-to-5 crowd gathers for happy hour drinks on one of the only alfresco patios downtown.

Five-star service doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. There’s nothing quite like spending the night at a five-star hotel — the sheets are a little softer, the decor a bit more grand, and the service more refined. However, high-end accommodations typically come at substantial costs, charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for a single night. Moreover, some properties around the world offer luxurious five-star experiences at surprisingly low rates.

At Marram, travelers seeking a relaxing retreat will find soothing yoga and nature strolls in place of blaring music and booze-fueled nights.

When it comes to running hotels, men have traditionally ruled. However, a new generation of female entrepreneurs is shaking things up — changing the face of the industry.