Mr Jordi Clos, owner of the Derby Hotels Collection Group, is passionate about art and a great collector of art. He is also president of the Clos Archaeological Foundation (founded in 1993), and the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona (1994). In each of his hotels (Madrid, Barcelona, London and Paris), he puts emphasis on pieces from his collection to provide the place with a unique character. One can find anything from African sculptures, to jewels, contemporary paintings, works of art dating back to Ancient Egypt, India, the Greco‐Roman Empire, Papua New Guinea… He is a true art enthusiast (antique...

The two hip collections of boutique hotels join forces Epoque Hotels and Genre Hotels have agreed on a strategic alliance in which member hotels of both collections will benefit from their mutual marketing efforts. Boutique, or “genre”, hotels are enjoying popularity among travelers because they often provide quirky details and smaller prices without sacrificing plush amenities and world-class service. Genre Hotels strive to meet these expectations with stellar design, green practices and affordability for both business and leisure travelers. The same drive fuels Epoque Hotels, thus the alliance...

ABode, the four star boutique hotel group member of Epoque Hotels opens its doors to Chester this Spring 2010 with a new site offering a selection of luxury rooms and suites along with choice of fine food venues, created by Michelin-starred chef, Michael Caines. The 85 room hotel, conveniently situated adjacent to Chester’s popular ‘Roodee’ racecourse offers a stylish and contemporary base for visitors to explore the city’s unique mix of Roman ruins, Gothic grandeur of Chester Cathedral as well as fabulous boutiques nested amongst The Rows, the historic two-tier shopping galleries.  Located...

Where: Turin, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist When: April 10th –  May 23rd The Shroud of Turin (Sacra Sindone), which usually goes on display once every 25 years, is programmed to go on display again in April 2010, just 10 years after its last public viewing. It will be just the 6th time in the past hundred years that the sacred relic will be seen in public. It’s also the first time the devout, the curious and the incredulous will have the opportunity to see the Shroud since it underwent major restoration in 2002. The 4.4 × 1.1m rectangular linen cloth is believed by many to be the...

Courtesy of Hospes Palau de la Mar in Valencia, here are some useful tips on what to do in the city of Valencia: City of Arts and Science in Valencia This futuristic “city within a city” is one of the world’s most electrifying and imaginative millennium projects. The entire compound, designed as a celebration of the 21st century, looks as though it was beamed down to earth from another planet. Santiago Calatrava, who designed most of this complex, comments: ” I am proud of the fact that people can walk through and around the main buildings without paying. It is a city...