Stephanie Gavan

Jan 15, 2025 | mrandmrssmith.com | Stephanie Gavan

Switzerland and Wales may not make for likely bedfellows, but for Grant Maunder — native Welshman and ‘accidental’ hotelier — the two nations have quite a bit in common. There’s the shared red and white of their flags, their equally green and mountainous terrain, and their clusters of charming towns and villages, which, in an age of information, still feel somewhat under-the-radar.

Jan 8, 2025 | mrandmrssmith.com | Stephanie Gavan

Bedtime? Fuhgeddaboudit! New York’s best hotel bars will awaken your inner night owl with their decadent concoctions, atmospheric interiors and boogie-beckoning soundtracks. Whether you’re seeking a dimly lit drink or a champagne-fuelled knees-up, these Empire State sipping spots are worth staying up for. FOR LOW-LIT DATE NIGHTS…When young American traveller Harry Pickering was cut off from the family funds while in Italy, Venetian barkeep Giuseppe Cipriani lent him thousands of lire.

Dec 20, 2024 | mrandmrssmith.com | Stephanie Gavan

Among the rose-hued labyrinth of Marrakech’s Medina, El Fenn is a name that everybody knows: the Belgian women I share a taxi with from the airport, who coo enviously when I tell them where I’ll be checking in; the djellaba-draped old man who directs me to the hotel’s main entrance down a dusty backstreet.

Dec 9, 2024 | mrandmrssmith.com | Stephanie Gavan

‘Before Marrakech, everything was black,’ fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent once said. ‘This city taught me colour.’ After spending a weekend break here, you’ll understand exactly what he meant. The Red City is a riot of the senses with its serpentine alleyways, bustling souks, dramatic light and ancient architecture.

Nov 19, 2024 | mrandmrssmith.com | Stephanie Gavan

The minute Halloween hangs up its witch’s hat, it’s time to get the tinsel out. At least, that’s what the Danes seem to think. Denmark continuously ranks high on world happiness lists thanks to its good work-life balance, clever urban planning and strong sense of social cohesion. But after spending many seasonal sabbaticals in Copenhagen, I think I’ve found another reason for that distinctly Danish cheeriness: a two-month festive period.