La Bandita, Tuscany, France

This isn’t so much a hotel as a cool pad that belongs to the friend of a friend. Those once-removed friends are John Voigtmann, the former manager of the Strokes and Christina Aguilera, and Ondine Cohane, upmarket-magazine writer. Four years ago, fed up with the fast lane, they decided to pool their travel experience and create a bolt hole where guests can really loosen their stays. Its romantically rustic, with air con and plenty of attitude and has beautiful views over the Val d’Orcia nature reserve.

The view from La Bandita