Travelling as a gay couple isn’t always about whether somewhere is technically safe. After years of travelling through Asia, the Middle East, the Maldives and beyond, we’ve found the more interesting question is whether you actually feel welcome. From king beds and couples massages to Mr & Mrs amenities, hotel imagery and the tiny details that make you feel seen, this is our experience of what LGBTQ+ travel really feels like on the ground.

Water villas might be the ultimate Maldives fantasy, but are they actually worth the premium? After staying at more than 30 resorts across the Maldives, we look at what first-time visitors often miss, from privacy and space to snorkelling, location, weather and why a beach villa might suit you better than you think.

What does choosing a luxury hotel brand actually tell you about the stay ahead? After nearly 20 years working around travel and staying at hundreds of hotels, we still think the answer is more complicated than most travellers realise. From Four Seasons and Amanpuri to Viceroy Bali, Velaa, NIHI Rote and Ceylon Tea Trails, we explore what big hotel brands genuinely do well, where independents can create something harder to replicate, and why expensive does not always mean luxurious. We look at the value of consistency, service standards and having a major operation behind you when things go wrong, alongside the personality, owner obsession and unexpected hospitality that can make independent hotels unforgettable. Because when every hotel promises luxury, the real question is not which name sits above the door. It is whether the place is actually right for you.

In this NIHI Rote review, we explore one of Indonesia’s most exciting new luxury resorts, set on the remote shores of Bo’a Beach. From its 21 private pool villas and world-class surf to its locally rooted Hospitality Academy, we look beyond the beautiful setting to understand what staying at NIHI Rote actually feels like. Discover the design, food, service, experiences and practical details, along with who the resort is best suited to and whether the journey to Rote Island is worth it.

The Maldives is one of the most dreamed-about destinations in the world, but also one of the easiest to misunderstand. From the outside, it can look like a screensaver with room service. But when you choose well, it gives you something rare: permission to fully switch off.

Bhutan began for Matt as a photograph on a wall. Years later, he and Wahyu found themselves living there. This is the story of the dream, the reality, and the space between the two.