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An ochanoma lounge at Hoshinoya Tokyo. All photos courtesy of Hoshinoya Resorts. A stay at Tokyo's first luxury ryokan did not disappoint. Fathom editor Berit Baugher checked into the city's most talked about new hotel. TOKYO – On a recent visit to Japan I checked into Hoshinoya Tokyo , one of the city's newest and most exciting hotel openings . Styled after a traditional Japanese inn , also known as a ryokan , the quiet 84- room hotel feels worlds away from the busy streets of Tokyo. Historically, ryokans are low-key affairs with minimal furnishings and services, shared bathrooms, and no heating or air conditioning. Hoshinoya Tokyo embraces the tradition of simplicity, but through an elevated and luxurious lens, differentiating it from other urban ryokans. Upon entering the hotel, I instantly felt at peace; fragrant incense filled the air and soft Japanese music played in the background. Instead of a traditional lobby , I was greeted by an attendant in a room laye...

This alluring, rustic-looking fieldstone house is a rarity, as very few farm houses dating from the mid-18th century still stand today. But what makes this house even more of a gem is that it is not tucked away in the countryside as one would expect, but rather stands on a busy street in Montreal facing condo towers . Yet many visual elements give the illusion of a rural setting, notably it is set back from the street and surrounded by vegetation and mature trees. Named the Maison Gervais -Roy after its first two owners, the building’s style is French colonial, and research documents put its construction somewhere between 1752 and 1802. Originally built square , it underwent major alterations around 1840, when it was extended on the right side and the batten-seam roof was elongated by an overhang to cover a new porch. Three dormer windows were also added to make the attic habitable. Despite these modifications, the house has kept its harmonious proportions. It was declared a cultur...

With its famous Georgian terraces , thermal spa waters , cream teas and Jane Austen – you can’t say Bath isn’t on the UK tourist trail . Its quintessentially English charms pull in visitors from around the world and it has so many historic buildings the entire city has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site . But although you might have to dodge a few tour groups, its still more than worth it to explore the sights of one of England’s most beautiful and historic cities. So here’s my guide on how to spend 48 hours in Bath. More weekend guides: Oxford, Cheltenham, Cambridge, Canterbury, Rye, Cardiff, Chester, York, Glasgow Royal Crescent , Bath" width="720" height="456" /> Curved buildings around the Royal Crescent Friday evening If you fancy splashing out, head to the city’s most desirable address at the Royal Crescent Hotel . Two 18th- century Georgian townhouses have been merged to create a five-star hotel and spa. It has lots of period features, a hidden ...

Hotel Review: After the 25th "I'm exhausted and I can't keep working these crazy hours," I decided it was time to force my husband to take a vacation, and although he was (and is) a classic workaholic, he sheepishly agreed. Knowing that I travel somewhat extensively for my job, he left the destination up to me. My choice — a magnificently restored hacienda in the Yucatan region of Mexico, known simply as Hacienda Petac. After a short flight from our home in South Florida, we began our journey via rental car to the tiny village of Petac, about 30 minutes outside the city of Merida. I should probably explain what I mean by tiny. I mean two streets, a soccer field, a basketball court, two churches of different denominations, a corn grinding factory , known locally as a tortillaria, as well as three corner stores known as tiendas. That's what I mean by small. In truth, the village of Petac exists because of the Hacienda. Consisting of roughly 170 residents, m...

Bath’s fortunes had rather faded in recent years but new developments and a faster rail link to London mean this Georgian city ’s fortunes are on the rise again A Roman city, a Georgian city or an early-Victorian reinvention? Bath is all of these and more. as the art historian James mcDonaugh observed : ‘Bath has been in the renaissance business for a long time.’ and now it’s doing it again. after a period in the westerly doldrums, this architectural gem is on the cusp of achieving permanent status as a world- class cultural destination . The reason? a synergy of happy circumstances converging upon this valley on the River avon. July witnessed the opening, right in the Georgian city centre , of the first grand hotel by a major international resort operator ; another major hotel launch is due next year, as is electrification of the Great Western Railway . The latter will reduce journey times from Londontoaboutanhour. In anticipation, festivals celebrating literature , regional foo...

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below There's something transcendent about a truly luxurious bathroom—but you don't have to go to a four-star resort to get the experience. We went to interior designer Kyle Timothy Blood , of Kyle Timothy Home in East Hampton, New York, and Eddy Doumas, owner of Worth Interiors in Vail, Colorado, for their ideas on creating a spa feeling in your own home. Soup Up Your Tub Mention the words luxury and bath, and most people's minds turn immediately to the tub. "I steer my clients toward freestanding tubs because I think they're sexier than undermounts with miles of cold countertops," says Doumas. "You can add a beautiful piece of furniture and a basket for towels to the floor space you save." Whether you prefer the romance of a claw-foot tub or the extravagance of a marble surround, make sure your tub selection has adequate length and depth for comfortable bathing. The newest programmable tubs can automatically set ...