Savvy travellers who prefer small, discreet boutique hotels and restaurants over massive resorts usually have Relais & Chateaux on their speed dial. I’m a huge fan of their properties- especially the Charlotte Inn in Martha’s Vineyard, Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons and the hotel Bel-Air’s restaurant. If you want to experience a bit of the Relais & Chateaux world, pop into the new Maison Relais & Chateaux boutique in London’s Knightsbridge neighbourhood, which looks more like a chic home, as it has sofas, bookshelves and a kitchen. At Maison Relais & Chateaux, visitors can pick up information about Relais & Chateaux properties, and also make reservations at the hotels and restaurants. Looking for a gift? Then buy a holiday voucher towards a R&C holiday. There’s also a Maison in New York, which has a mini-theatre and gourmet kitchen.10 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London, SW3 1NQ. Phone: 0845 601 9937.