Latest news with #coastalescape
The Sun
08-07-2025
- The Sun
I live in the UK's new Riviera with white sand beaches, celebrities and hidden holiday homes only visible from the sea
WHITE sand beaches, crystal clear sea, colourful waterside houses - it sounds like we're talking about the Mediterranean, not Scotland. Nicola Meekin lives in Argyll and owns a luxurious couples' retreat called Stormhouse, which is the perfect escape on what she calls the "new Riviera." 9 9 Nicola told Sun Travel: "The west coast of Scotland offers the same drama in terms of landscape as the Riviera because it's so rugged and wild. "We also have white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and islands dotted around the coastline. "It's obviously not as glitzy and flashy and commercialised as the Riviera, but it's more, I'd say intimate luxury, and much quieter." Nicola and her partner Jim Milligan took advantage of the incredible scenery when building two luxury and exclusive holiday homes called Stormhouse. The houses are so private that you can't even see them from the road - they're only viewable from the sea. Nicola told us: "You can't see them from anywhere else, they sit on the hillside and look out to sea over Castle Stalker and the island of Lismore. "We wanted Stormhouse to blend in with the landscape and have a luxurious feel about them and still be open to the elements." Stormhouse is a beautiful coastal escape, and for anyone wanting to take advantage of the white sands and crystal blue waters, Nicola has insider recommendations like Tralee and Cuil Bay. She added: "I recently took a day trip to Ardnamurchan which is a remote peninsula west of where Stormhouse is and it's absolutely stunning. "There's a beautiful beach called Sanna Bay which is heaven on earth, it's white sands and literally turquoise waters." Scotland's Cheapest & Most Expensive Coastal Towns 9 9 She continued: "When I went out, it was a gorgeous day, I drove right out west with my dog , walked down to the beach and I was the only one there, it was like being in the Caribbean." Another spot Nicola recommends is towards Mallaig, which is famous for the Harry Potter train viaduct, where there are the ' Silver Sands Morar ', a series of white sand beaches. As for when to head to the new Riviera, Nicola reveals there's a good reason to avoid the height of summer. She added: "The weather has been better in April and May in the past few years, and that's also pre-midges, if people are worried about them as well." While most escape to the Riviera for the hot weather, Nicola thinks that Scotland is better for those who don't like the extreme heat. She said: "It's super, super hot in Europe during certain months and we're not getting those conditions here. "But everything else you can get in Scotland, it's becoming really well known for its good produce, so you can eat out really well here. "We've got great seafood. We've got really high end accommodation now, so you don't have to go to the Riviera for that either." The Riviera is known for having idyllic towns with colourful waterfront houses and western Scotland has those in spades. 9 9 The nearby islands of Iona and Mull are popular stops with incredible views. Prince William and Kate Middleton were recently seen there, too. They're not the only celebrities who love the area, Nicola, who used to run a local cafe tells us that lots of A-listers are fans of the area. Nicola said: "One of the regulars was Tilda Swinton, she used to pop in. So did Maggie Smith and Judi Dench they've been seen around, and came into the cafe, so did James McAvoy and Anne-Marie Duff." The Killers even dropped by last year after a gig in Glasgow. After studying and going travelling, Nicola has been living in Argyll with Jim since 2004 and insists they wouldn't move anywhere else. She told us: "We love it here, and we don't go on holiday an awful lot either. When we do, we love a city break because we're so rural - but after a few days, I've had enough." 9 9 Stormhouse consists of two houses, the North and South House. Both are very similar being the same size and shape with the South House being more open plan and the North House having a separate bedroom. The houses are surrounded by floor to ceiling windows so visitors can get the incredible views wherever they are. Each comes with a hot tub which Nicola said is the most popular with guests as it's sheltered on the deck so guests can sit out whatever the weather. As for when is the best time to enjoy Stormhouse, Nicola revealed any time of year can be special. Nicola added: "Sometimes it's best to be there when there's a storm because it's quite dramatic to watch all the rain come in from the west, but you'll be nice and safe in your wee bubble. "The springtime is lovely too and you can swim outside of Stormhouse too, wild swimming is very popular here. "At high tide, you can swim out to the castle, I did it once, and it's amazing, but freezing, I had to wear a wetsuit." To book and find out more about Stormhouse, head to the website. Plus, the best Scottish islands from one man who's explored over 100 of them. 9
Arab News
11-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Baheej to open new wellness resort on Yanbu coastline
Baheej, Saudi Arabia's emerging destination developer and a joint venture between ASFAR, the Saudi Tourism Investment Company and a Public Investment Fund company with the Tamimi-AWN Alliance, has announced the fourth component of its transformative Yanbu Waterfront Project: a 34-room boutique wellness resort that brings together ancestral wellness wisdom and contemporary design inspired by the region's seafaring heritage. Nestled on the tranquil shores of Yanbu, this intimate sanctuary will feature private sea-view cabanas, immersive wellness programming, and a signature spa designed as an architectural homage to the pearl, once a precious treasure of Yanbu and a symbol of renewal and serenity. Norah Al-Tamimi, CEO of Baheej, said: 'This project is a reflection of Baheej's vision to enrich Saudi destinations with meaning, not just infrastructure. Our wellness resort is more than a place to stay — it's an experience crafted around the values of balance, beauty, and belonging. We believe it will become a new symbol of Yanbu's evolving identity as a serene coastal escape.' Envisioned as a journey and offering guests opportunities to reconnect with self and place, Baheej is developing the resort with curated experiences that include meditation at sunrise, movement rituals inspired by coastal rhythms, and wellness treatments rooted in Arabic healing traditions and native ingredients. 'The design, developed by Spectrum Architecture, draws deeply from the soul of Yanbu,' said Stefano Lopez, senior director at Baheej. 'It reinterprets the poetry of seafaring traditions and the calm resilience of the sea into a space of reflection, comfort, and transformation.' Lopez also noted that the official brand of the resort will be revealed later this year, hinting at its distinctive Saudi character. 'We want to create a brand that resonates with our domestic travelers — one that brings generations of Saudi heritage and wellness practices to the forefront of contemporary hospitality,' he said. This launch marks a further step in Baheej's mission to transform Yanbu into the gateway to the Red Sea Riviera — a new destination narrative that fuses nature, culture, and community. The wellness resort joins a growing collection of destination-defining assets developed by Baheej in Yanbu, including Cloud 7 Lifestyle hotel by Kerten Hospitality, Kaynuna Beach Escape and the upcoming Jaba Tour Center and Diving Club.
The Sun
16-05-2025
- The Sun
I visited an off-the-radar paradise island off the French coast – and flights from UK cost just £40 return
PICTURE yourself cycling through salt marshes in the afternoon sun, dipping your toes in the Atlantic, and gobbling up seafood, caught right off the shores you were wandering earlier. This is Ile de Re, a little slice of paradise just off the west coast of France where rustic fortresses overlook long stretches of sandy beach. 5 5 5 I was visiting for a long weekend in search of a lazy, coastal escape where I could spend relaxed afternoons sipping on wine or wandering through quiet streets littered with cafes. And that's exactly what I found here. Time seems to slow down in Ile de Re, probably because, unlike the bustling streets of Paris or the crowded beaches of Nice, it is still not high on Brits' radars. This small island is, in fact, where the French holiday, so you won't find many other UK tourists roaming around the port town of Saint Martin or strolling along the shores of La Patache. Palatial furniture I checked into Hotel de Toiras, which was in the heart of the action in Saint Martin de Re. The elegant property, with most accommodating staff, is everything you'd expect from a little French hotel. Each of the charming rooms is decorated with palatial furniture — think beautifully-upholstered armchairs, delicate lamps and intricate iron headboards. The best rooms are those with a sea view. Ask for one when you book and you will be soaking up perfect views of the harbour each morning. If you're after something a little less formal, head to Villa Clarisse, set a little further back from the waterfront. Explore The Channel Islands The villa combines modern luxury with the charm of an 18th-century mansion. It's the kind of place you spend your mornings lazing by the large outdoor pool, reading a book and having freshly baked baguettes alongside your lunch. There's also an on-site spa that utilises unusual ingredients such as sunflower pollen in its heavenly treatments. The island was calling out to be explored so on my first day I rented an e-bike and set off to explore — following some of the 100km of paths that wind along the coast. Make your way to historic Les Baleines lighthouse, sat at the northern tip of the island — it takes around an hour to cycle there from Saint Martin. You don't need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). The lighthouse, which dates back to 1849, towers 57 metres high and visitors can climb its 257 steps. If you have the energy to do so, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Atlantic. You don't need to worry about working up too much of a sweat because luckily the climate stays mild here, even during summer (temperatures hover between 20C and 25C). Of course, you will still need fuel for all of that pedalling and this French escape is not short of excellent options for foodies. Ile de Re is famous for its oysters. You can pick up a tray of them from the many restaurants that surround the harbour or one of the casual seaside shacks — where you can wash them down with a glass of very nice white wine for no more than about €5 (£4.30). If you're looking for the best of the best, though, La Cabane Oceane, in La Flotte, is undoubtedly the place to head. The oyster hut has its own farm on the island, meaning you'll be eating the freshest shelled fish, shucked there and then, which you can devour on high wooden bars overlooking the sun-kissed ocean. I'd recommend eating them natural, or dressed with a simple squirt of lemon if you want to taste them in their purest form. After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. If oysters aren't your thing, there's plenty of other fresh fish to be enjoyed. George's restaurant at Hotel Le Toiras is a foodie spot in its own right. It was here that I tucked into the most delicious three-course dinner with a view that's as delectable as the food. 5 5 The white fish of the day with risotto, accompanied by the creamiest sauce and squid ink, was to die for. There's plenty of meat on the menu, too, if that's what you're after — including a veal fillet mignon and mashed potatoes, that is the restaurant's piece de resistance. After stuffing my face, all I needed to do was roll up to my bedroom, where the sound of the ocean lulled me peacefully off to sleep. A holiday doesn't get more relaxing than this.
