Unlock Editor’s Digest for free
FT editor Roula Khalaf selects her favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
A Franco-Egyptian jewel in the Red Sea
El Gouna, north of Hurghada, is one of Egypt’s least family-friendly holiday spots. But Cairons (and in-the-know travelers) flock to their second homes here: it’s one of the best kitesurfing spots in the region, as well as the place to eat tiradito and Lebanese mezze at budding nightspots. Its hotels run the gamut: but the standout for 2025 is La Maison Bleue, an El Gouna stalwart that has undergone a total renovation.
First opened in 2011, a 13-suite villa designed by French-Egyptian architect Olivier Sednaoui, with interiors by the late great interior designer Amr Khalil and gardens by French landscape designer Louis Benech. La Maison Bleue truly feels like a vacation home, albeit a truly luxurious one. “Madness” isn’t too far off the mark according to the descriptors, given the colorful tile columns, oculus windows, and façade painted a pale gray-blue that’s more Provencal than Pharaonic. There is a wild mix of decorative arts eras, ranging from Byzantine to Ottoman to Art Deco. The suites have balconies overlooking the small lagoon and the hotel’s private beach and, beyond, the sea; Its enormous dimensions are softened by framed suzanis, portraits and prints, and ornate Egyptian crystal chandeliers and sconces. The spa, equally spacious, has a hammam and just two treatment rooms.
Chef Vincent Guillou, who has set up vegetable gardens and a greenhouse (the latter houses a chef’s table for light vegetarian lunches), specializes in the kind of Francophile refinement you’d expect, but he’s also koshary if it’s local and La Baja Fidelity is more your thing. There’s nothing stuffy here; The predominant atmosphere, possibly thanks to the sheer generosity of the space, is one of intimate tranquility. But if it’s still too crowded for you, the hotel’s vintage motorboat and four-room yacht are ready to take you to Shadwan or Tawila, semi-deserted coastal islands, to live a castaway’s dream for a day.
The new and luxurious stay in Labuan Bajo
Fifteen years ago, Laubuan Bajo was a small and rather ramshackle town, known primarily as the gateway to the Komodo archipelago. In 2024, its streets, now largely free of potholes, are home to boutiques and eco-lodges, taquerias and artisanal coffee shops. New to town is Ta’aktana, whose suites and villas stretch photogenically across 40 acres of jungle hillside to a private beach.
Suites are a minimum of 69 square meters and the seven overwater villas (Ta’aktana is the only resort in central Indonesia to offer them) measure 185 square meters with equally generous wraparound terraces. A full spa, an Olympic-sized pool and five restaurants complete the picture; But the resort’s ace in the pocket could be its access to the communities of the remote Manggarai villages in the center of the island, where textile production and ritual dances continue as they have for centuries.
Beach, blanket, bingo.
Laguna Beach is the ideal coastal city in Southern California, famous for both its urban and natural attractions. Do pristine coastal trails and designated marine parks outnumber art galleries, or vice versa? It’s hard to say; But one thing Laguna Beach hasn’t had many on its historic boardwalk is cool hotels. Fresh off a multimillion-dollar renovation, Casa Loma sings in style thanks to the efforts of Venice Beach-based design firm Electric Bowery.
For inspiration, designers looked to Laguna Beach’s history as an artistic haven and bastion of surf culture. The handmade tables and headboards owe their sinuous shapes to the tradition of shaping surfboards; the bedding comes from Italy and the organic cotton robes from Guatemala, with an overall effect that is strongly reminiscent of beachy boho. They seem to have thought of everything, from Casa Loma Radio, the dedicated radio station (turn on that Tivoli Model One in your room and listen), to the tapestries, murals and directional signs commissioned from the Texas-based muralist and text artist. Joe Swec. Plus, balconies overlooking the Pacific and beach club-style service throughout.