10 unique hotel gifts that set i-escape stays apart

‘Tis the season of giving, but here at i-escape, we like to spread the joy and gift year-round. That’s why when you book a stay through us, you receive an extra special something during your stay. Each of our handpicked hotels and hideaways offer an i-escape gift – from a welcome drink to a free guided tour – and each one is a generous touch of hospitality that helps make your stay so much more memorable. Here are 10 especially unique hotel gifts that would make our wishlist.

1 Novecento Boutique Hotel, Italy

There’s more to Venice than snaking canals and grand piazzas. The islands that surround the city are a must-see, each one with a signature trade: lacework in Burano, vineyards in Mazzorbo, and glasswork in Murano. Reserve a room at Novecento Boutique Hotel through i-escape and you’ll get to visit the glass factory and see the glassmaking process, all free of charge including the scenic boat trip there and back.

Then you get to return to one of Venice’s best boutique hotels. Family-run and decorated in objects from their travels, Novecento breaks from the mould of gilded Venetian design and stuffy service. Instead, guests are welcomed like old friends and the staff couldn’t do more for you. What a gem.

Rooms from £213 per night

2  Hameau Albert 1er, France

Other than the prime piste-side Chamonix location, alpine-chic rooms and indoor/outdoor spa, the big draw to Hameau Albert 1er is the food. Namely, the Michelin-starred food at Restaurant Albert 1er. The dishes are a masterclass in French cuisine and a celebration of regional produce, from locally foraged porcini to Alsace venison and fish from Lake Geneva.

Excellence doesn’t come cheap – it’s a splurge to dine here but well worth saving for. And when you reserve a room through i-escape, you’ll head home with a book filled with recipes from the gourmet restaurant for you to (attempt to) recreate in your own kitchen. So save your friends the slideshow and brag about your trip through the medium of fine dining instead.

Rooms from £181 per night

3 Chumbe Island Coral Park, Tanzania

On tiny Chumbe Island, off the coast of Zanzibar, days are spent snorkelling in the colourful coral park, walking through the forest to find hermit crabs on their way to the coast, or snoozing in hammocks to the sound of the sea. When evening rolls around, a mouth-watering spread of Zanzibari cuisine is laid out in the dining room; think curries, fish cakes and sustainable seafood with a fusion of fragrant spices running throughout.

The spices are fundamental here, as that’s what Zanzibar is famous for: the ‘spice islands’ are deservedly proud of their cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and more. And you’ll walk away from a stay at Chumbe with more than just sand in your toes and salt in your hair; you’ll be gifted a handmade bag packed with an assortment of spices, which we think is the perfect souvenir from this simple yet spectacular retreat.

Rooms from £392 per night (full board)

4  Old Capital Bike Inn, Thailand

Bangkok bustles from dawn til dusk, but this boutique B&B in the heart of the historic quarter is a sanctuary of calm and comfort. There are 10 unique rooms, a little tearoom, and a fleet of vintage bicycles that are free to borrow. Cycling is a great way to explore the sprawling city and, as the name suggests, Old Capital Bike Inn is the place to stay if you want to see the sights on two wheels.

Three evenings a week, a group of guests and a knowledgeable guide leave the B&B for a bike tour around the old town. Routes include the Grand Palace and Wat Pho lit up in twinkling lights, hidden neighbourhoods, temples, and a taster of Bangkok’s nightlife. It’s a great way to explore the city while getting to know other guests, and you won’t have to spend a penny. Just make sure you reserve a spot in advance – it’s popular!

Rooms from £80 per night

5  Playa Escondida, Mexico

Playa Escondida is the barefoot-living idyll: a clutch of colourful casitas hidden away in dense tropical jungle on the edge of a private sandy bay. It’s perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, with candlelit dinners, spellbinding sunsets and other activities that dreams are made of.

Like riding horses along empty stretches of golden sand. All i-escape guests are offered a trail ride for two through scenic jungle pathways, led by an experienced guide who’ll point out exotic wildlife as you go. You’ll emerge from the thick foliage onto a near-deserted beach where you can gallop freely beside the shoreline. It’s so astoundingly beautiful – your dreams may not live up to reality.

Rooms from £173 per night

6  La Siesta Hoi An Resort, Vietnam

The UNESCO-listed city of Hoi An is steeped in history, making it a brilliant place to experience Vietnamese tradition and culture. One thing it’s known for are the beautiful decorative lanterns that hang all over the city, a custom thought to have been introduced by Chinese and Japanese migrants in the 14th century. You’ll see the colourful, often hand-painted lanterns adorning market stalls, doorways, restaurants, even on the water.

La Siesta Hoi An Resort sits on the fringes of the city, beside a temple where villagers celebrate lantern festivals throughout the year. As an i-escape guest, you’ll get your own traditional silk lantern to take away with you, as well as a refreshing local tea to enjoy during your stay – take it in your spacious suite, in the lush gardens, or beside one of four pools; the choice is yours.

Rooms from £124 per night

7  Kozmo Hotel, Hungary

Kozmo Hotel is Budapest’s most stylish stay and oozes design appeal everywhere you look: elegant rooms in muted tones, two sophisticated restaurants, a low-lit lobby, a bar stocked with fizz and a serene subterranean spa with a heated pool, a Jacuzzi pool, sauna and treatment rooms.

We all know city breaks can be non-stop, causing achy feet and restless minds, so the onsite spa is a treat to return to. It’s so luxurious that it costs extra just to access – but you’ll get in for free for the whole duration of your stay by booking through us. So put the money you’ve saved towards one of their pampering treatments and relax into sweet, sweet smugness.

Rooms from £146 per night

8  Mawella Hideaways, Sri Lanka

We love this pair of fisherman’s cottages near Tangalle, and not only for the pristine stretch of coast that lies beyond the garden gate. The Mawella Hideaways are idyllic for couples and families alike who are looking for escapism – without sacrificing their creature comforts.

Stylish sitting rooms, four-poster beds, wrap-around verandahs, sandy lawns and fully-equipped kitchens: all designed so you feel at home. What you may not have at home is the friendly staff, there to clean, shop, and even cook for you, so you can relax to the max. Book through us and you’ll not only get a chef for free for the length of your stay, you’ll also get a slap-up Sri Lankan meal on your first night. How’s that for a warm welcome?

Cottages from £79 per night

9  Riad Jaaneman, Morocco

Timeless and tranquil, Riad Jaaneman ticks a lot of our boxes for a Marrakech hotel. It has 5 suites, each one unique in design with superb attention to detail, a roof terrace for sun lounging, a cooling pool shrouded in tropical plants, and tasty food should you choose to dine in.

As with most places in Morocco, mains here tend to consist of tagines; fragrant stews of melt-in-your-mouth meat, dried fruits and delicate spices, cooked and presented in conical clay pots. Chances are you’ll eat your body weight in the stuff during your stay but if you’ve not hit your limit by the time you leave, you’ll proudly walk away with your own pot and ras-el hanout spices (a traditional Moroccan blend) to recreate the magic at home.

Rooms from £192 per night

10  Kumarakom Lake Resort, India

As lakeside settings go, Kumarakom Lake Resort may just take the top prize. Lake Vembanad provides a quieter alternative to Kerala’s increasingly busy backwaters. From Kumarakom’s waterfront restaurant, pool and cottages enclosed in coconut groves, the lake’s waters stretch out to the horizon, interrupted only by distant palms and the occasional boat sailing by.

The west-facing position means golden hour here is something to behold. That’s why they run a sunset cruise on the lake every evening; guests are invited to mingle on board the long wooden boat as live classical music accompanies the sun’s final performance for the day. The views are priceless – as is the experience when you book through us.

Rooms from £257 per night

Information correct at time of publication, but may change over time; please check when booking.