Yves de Contades

When did we decide that hotels should be predictable? Burgh Island sits on its own tidal island, demands black tie twice weekly, and you arrive by sea tractor. Churchill had a favourite table. Normal feels overrated. #... f.mtr.cool/selobshmrs

My dive buddy Pius at TGI Diving had the patience of a saint—cheerfully tolerant of my early-morning daze as we descended to 12 metres. The water was so clear you could barely see it. That's Maldivian magic, ... #TGIDiving #MaldivesDiving #PADIDiving

Discover the grandeur of Amygdalus Estate in Aix-en-Provence – where 16 bedrooms of refined elegance meet the timeless charm of French countryside. This luxury villa rental redefines sophistication @excellenceluxuryvill... f.mtr.cool/phcwswqtii

The sea tractor at Burgh Island: third-generation hydraulic marvel from 1969, orange steel and diesel thunder, riding high above the waves on enormous wheels. Most eccentric hotel transfer in the UK, possibly Europe. #... f.mtr.cool/xtptxjimwa

Barefoot pilots flying seaplanes over turquoise lagoons. A villa with a slide straight into the ocean. Sometimes the Maldives really does live up to its own impossible standards. #CoraCoraMaldives #LuxuryTravel #MaldivesVillas

When did private clubs become so terrified of actually being private? The Sloane Club's £multi-million refurbishment suggests someone finally remembered the point of exclusivity. #PrivateMembersClubs #LuxuryLondon f.mtr.cool/ntumdwkkza

Pro tip from Dr. Nimmo: avoid BBL treatment anywhere near your beard. Turns out high-intensity pulsed light can cause permanent hair loss. Filed under ""things I'm glad I learned beforehand."" #BBLTreatment #SkinCare #BeautyTips

From Málaga sunshine to mountain passes—Alpine's first electric fastback A390 GT captures the soul of motorsport heritage in stunning Bleu Alpine Vision. Sarah Chu discovers the "racing car in a suit." ✨ ... f.mtr.cool/iourfkugru

Installing a glass floor panel through a greenhouse roof sounds romantic until it shatters spectacularly. The Sloane Club's bar required two attempts. C'est la gravité, indeed. #BehindTheScenes #ChelseaLondon #... f.mtr.cool/sdmmiwjsos

269 PS and 430 Nm of torque from a 68kWh battery. Plus a fold-out passenger seat table perfect for laptops or a cheeky cheese toastie. The Ford E-Transit doesn't just work hard—it works smart. #FordETransit #ElectricVans #TechSpecs

From Crozes-Hermitage's granite slopes to Vacqueyras' sun-soaked plains, Rhône winemakers are redefining tradition. Discover how climate change is reshaping centuries-old craft in @DarrenMcCabe's latest #Rh... f.mtr.cool/ugwnoxwnyo

USB ports beside Victorian dial phones? The Sloane Club's renovation feels like Doctor Who designed by someone with impeccable taste and a serious budget. Utterly charming eccentricity. #BoutiqueHotels #TheSloaneClub f.mtr.cool/lnmaomosmx

Ford's Explorer comes without a three-pin plug for home charging—you pay extra for that privilege. In an electric car. I'm still processing this particular stroke of commercial genius. #ElectricCars #FordReview #LuxuryLifestyle

Discover Silver Rainbow, where Saint Barthélemy's azure waters meet unparalleled elegance. This 5-bedroom luxury villa rental in Petit Cul de Sac offers infinity pool serenity and concierge perfection. @excellencelu... f.mtr.cool/padjdilwbq

Princess Helena would be amused: her 1922 sanctuary for ex-service women now serves Pain au Suisse reimagining the club's legendary Croque Monsieur. History has a sense of humour. #PrincessHelena #CulinaryHistory #... f.mtr.cool/zqzxoljfjt

Volunteered as the ""drowning victim"" for Nic von Rupp's rescue demo in Portimão. Bobbing in the Atlantic like a half-inflated buoy wasn't on my weekend agenda, but here we are. #BehindTheScenes #Yamaha #Portimao

Set your alarm for sunrise at Burgh Island. Trust me on this. The terrace faces east, the beaches catch first light before the mainland, and you'll understand why some moments make all travel worthwhile. #LuxuryHot... f.mtr.cool/qrkunrouhz

Twin mono-scroll intercooled turbochargers paired with a 140kW electric motor. Bentley's engineers clearly believe in the ""speak softly, carry a massive powertrain"" philosophy. 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. #BentleyFlyingSpur #Supercars #HybridLuxury

The Glenlivet unveils its extraordinary 56 Year Old—just 60 bottles worldwide, paired with bespoke Fredrikson Stallard artwork. David Pearce discovers why this Somerset House dinner will feature on his 2025 highlights r... f.mtr.cool/ijlhjzwzwx

The Mermaid Pool carved into Burgh Island's rocks serves a dual purpose: natural swimming pool for guests, and the hotel's lobster larder. An admirably direct approach to restaurant logistics, non? #AgathieChri... f.mtr.cool/qoznrnuhbc