Travel guru Juliet Kinsman of Bouteco shares her favourite getaways across the globe

When it comes to travel, Juliet Kinsman knows her stuff.

As a leading UK creative, Juliet helped create Mr & Mrs Smith, the collection of the world’s most stylish hotels, which recently won its second Condé Nast Traveller Readers Award for Favourite Travel Website.

Having helped build the brand, Juliet is now a renowned hotel expert, writing for national newspapers and magazines about boutique travel. She also has her very own site Bouteco, a social enterprise celebrating stories of sustainability from hip hotels with a heart.

Juliet and the team help readers find the luxury and boutique hotels making a positive change to their communities and the wider world.

Now she shares some of her favourite home and away haunts

Best global getaway for five-star R&R?

For me, true luxury is staying in a hotel that isn't only beautifully designed but is a force for good both socially and environmentally. A recent spell in Indonesia was especially spiritually uplifting and I was impressed by the forward-thinking eco escapes such as Bambu Indah in Ubud and Suarga Padang Padang in Bali. I loved experiencing the most incredible wild-fitness spa and surfing adventure at Nihi Island on Sumba. You earn those spa treatments by hiking across this undeveloped island's dramatic west coast through farmland and villages.

Sun or ski?

As a freelance writer, I'd always choose sun, sea, and sand over slalom-ing on snow - I'm terrified of breaking something and not being able to write. Also, who could complain about swapping their London desk for a sun-lounger on a powder-soft white beach in Mauritius whenever possible? It always feels a privilege to decamp to tropical places for a workation so that I have a view of palm trees and deep-blue sea beyond my laptop.

Best piece of travel advice?

I'd urge everyone to read a book set in that destination — I read Keynes: The Return of the Master by Robert Skidelsky while staying at Tilton House in East Sussex. This was the very home John Meynard Keynes used to live in, and also the Skidelskys. I would also advise skipping the cornflakes and croissants and be more adventurous at breakfast to truly taste your travels. Starting your day with exotic new flavours such as coconutty Sri Lankan curries or spicy Mexican chipotle chilaquiles immerses you in the local culture from the get-go.

Always in your carry-on bag?

A 50ml pump of Botánico Vida's Omega Oil. Organic, sustainable skincare with rich in sacha inchi extracts from the Peruvian Amazon, it’s great for nourishing dry skin, perfect for the plane and on holiday. And supporting this product helps counter deforestation in South America.

Top of your bucket list?

I've been lucky enough to have recently ticked off a River Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan in Egypt with Sanctuary Retreats. My dreams now are to experience the Original FX Mayr Health Center on Lake Wörthersee in Austria. This is where the iconic gut-health-boosting Mayr cure originates from – it’s one of the ultimate spa retreats.