Athens is having a moment, and this fresh new opening is a big one for 2026. Here rooftop terraces and Acropolis views are a standard rather than exception.
Elsewhere, the journey has become just as considered as the destination with a new generation of smart luggage trackers. Back in London, Marylebone continues its reign as the capital’s most effortless postcode, with the arrival of a new-wave bistro for those “in the know.” And then, of course, there’s what to wear. This season’s standout collaboration and your new summer wardrobe. Consider this your pre summer check list: where to check in, what to carry, where to book, and how to dress for a summer that is about to unfold.
BOOK THIS LANDMARK NEW HOTEL Conrad Athens The Ilisian
Athens is becoming a more and more popular destination each year; no longer seen only as a landing spot for onward trips to the Greek islands, but a city well worth visiting in its own right. Now there’s a new hotel making headlines: Conrad Athens The Ilisian opened on 23 April 2026, marking a new era for an iconic city landmark. Formerly the Hilton – the first international five-star hotel in the city and a place that every Athenian has multiple memories of – a four-year renovation has seen the building transformed into a new space featuring the 278-room Conrad Athens, as well as Conrad Residences, Waldorf Astoria Residences and a private members’ club. It’s also home to the city’s largest outdoor swimming pool (originally part of the Hilton too – ask any Athenian about this pool and the memories will come flooding back), plus numerous restaurants and bars. Guests are greeted by 620-square-metre façades sculpted by Greek artist Yannis Moralis, while AvroKO have preserved and elevated the building’s 1960s mid-century interior design, pairing it with artworks from Greek ateliers, and there’s a boutique store curated by Andria Mitsakos of Anthologist. This hotel won’t just go down in history, it’s already part of it. Katie Silcox
BUY THIS NEW SUMMER COLLECTION Endless Day by Maebe
We’ve got summer on our mind after previewing the new collection by Maebe. Named ‘Endless Day’, this is a series of fun, floaty and wearable fabrics crafted into lightweight trouser-blazer co-ords, maxi dresses to be styled multiple ways, polos, and oversized shirts. Launching in two waves, Chapter I was just introduced, and Chapter II will be available from 31 May 2026. Founder Molly-Mae Hague has paid attention to the details too, using satin trims, embroidery and shimmer-in-the-sun buttons to complete the looks, and the 31-piece collection is designed to be accessible, available in UK sizes 4 – 20 and priced between £40 and £140. Ideal for summer evenings in Greece or long hot days in Marrakech, these pieces are set to become summer packing staples for years to come. Katie Silcox
TRACK YOUR LUGGAGE WITH THIS July x CaseSafe
The days of staring hopelessly at the baggage carousel, or panic-buying an emergency toothbrush and a questionable last-minute bikini, are officially over. July luggage and CaseSafe have collaborated, introducing a built-in tracking system that finally tackles one of travel’s oldest headaches: lost luggage. Marking a clever leap forward in smart travel, CaseSafe is seamlessly integrated into the suitcase’s TSA-approved lock, combining Apple-certified tracking technology with July’s signature hard-shell design, meaning there’s no need for external tags or clunky add-ons, just a sleek, all-in-one solution. Connected to networks like Apple’s Find My, travellers can locate their suitcase in real time, securely and privately, with the tracking tech embedded safely inside the case rather than dangling off it. Now, your suitcase is no longer on its own adventure… and neither is your holiday wardrobe.
BUY THIS COLLAB Gap x Victoria Beckham collection
Gap is back with another collaboration, this time teaming up with Victoria Beckham for a multi-season partnership that begins with a sharply edited, 38-piece collection of classics reimagined through her polished lens. For those familiar with Beckham’s aesthetic, the signatures are all there: clean lines, high-waisted denim and tailored trousers, oversized black sunglasses, and a quietly commanding sense of ease. What makes this drop feel particularly compelling, however, is how seamlessly it translates her refined, directional style into Gap’s all-American vernacular – denim, khaki, fleece and crisp shirting, sculptural proportions, structure and the subtlest flicker of her VB red stitching The result is a modern capsule from trench coats cut to swish just so, jeans that strike the perfect balance between slouch and precision, and wardrobe “building blocks” that echo Beckham’s own off-duty uniform while remaining entirely wearable for real life. It’s a new kind of everyday dressing for the fashion-literate woman, a distinct sense of grown-up cool.
FEAST AT THIS BUZZY NEW BISTRO Bêrūt Bistro
It isn’t easy to find restaurants in Marylebone that serve up delicious food at a price point that isn’t prohibitive. Step forward Bêrūt Bistro, which delivers excellent mezze in a warm, intimate setting with a vibrant, buzzy atmosphere. When we visited, it was packed – everyone wants a slice of its spicy, garlic-infused hummus and tender chicken tawouk. Diners sit round the bar or at cosy tables that quickly fill with plates of crispy, golden falafel, crunchy, colourful fattoush salads and smoky chargrilled lamb koftes. The menu is focused on sharing; this is somewhere that prides itself on conviviality and good times. Dishes are comforting and generous, but never bloating. Berut also operates a BYOB policy, which makes it feels even more like a neighbourhood local that you wish you had nearby. Ella Alexander.
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Lead image: Maebe
