A tale of two travellers: which hotel suits you best?

What kind of traveller are you? The answer to this question might tell you more about yourself than you think… Whether you like to socialise surrounded by friends or escape on a peaceful retreat, finding a hotel that reflects your personal style – somewhere you can return to time and again – is one of life’s true joys. With an increasing number of new international destinations across multiple iconic brands, the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio offers travellers more choice than anyone else.

In this spirit of exploration, Condé Nast Traveller hand-picked four standout locations from the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and invited two pairs of creative minds with contrasting perspectives to experience their perfect hotel stay. In a new two-part series of short films, entitled A Tale of Two Travellers, we follow these well-travelled individuals, each representing a different globetrotting archetype, as they embark on a 24-hour stay at a Marriott Bonvoy hotel. In our first film, DJ Basil Alhadi’s sociable Dubai stay is contrasted with the restorative calm of writer and photographer Emma Hoareau’s Grecian getaway. The second sees acclaimed chef Joseph Denison Carey enjoy a much-needed staycation in his hometown of London while communications expert Paula Nata takes a whirlwind work trip to Barcelona.

After settling into their hotel of choice, our travellers tried incredible bespoke experiences and enticing environments. From personal training sessions and cooking classes to the simple pleasures of good food and a supremely comfortable bed, each stay was tailored in line with their traveller profile. Here’s how they got on.

Basil Alhadi: the Social Butterfly

Also known by his moniker DJ Karrouhat, Basil Alhadi is well-versed in Dubai’s legendary social scene. Whether he’s spinning floor-filling tunes at the city’s hottest parties or simply relaxing in the sun, Alhadi makes W Dubai – Mina Seyahi his home away from home. “Dubai is the city where I feel most like myself,” Alhadi says. “It makes me feel present and connected to now.” Located on the picturesque waterfront overlooking Palm Jumeirah, the hotel captures the essence of Dubai’s unique cultural fusion. As a multi-disciplinary artist, he has worked across the music, fashion and film industries, resulting in a global network of friends and collaborators. With numerous hangout spots, including the WET Deck pool and rooftop sushi bar, Attiko, W Dubai is ideal for social butterflies like Alhadi and all lovers of good food, music and conversation.

Perfect hotel: W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, Dubai

Emma Hoareau: the Soulful Explorer

For Emma Hoareau, a photographer and beauty writer with her finger firmly on the pulse, a getaway to Greece’s Ionian coast is an ultimate treat. Offering not only golden-hour light but a golden opportunity to reconnect with herself and explore a new culture, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino, provides a total escape from the daily grind. From soaking up the serenity on her private seafront terrace to hiking clifftop trails to secluded beaches and learning to cook traditional local delicacies, Hoareau managed to pack a wealth of new cultural experiences into her 24-hour stay. As well as putting her skincare expertise into practice at the Anazoe Spa, Hoareau was able to focus on nourishing her mind, body and soul. “It can be hard for me to wind down when I’m in London,” she says, “but this holiday proved that anything is possible.”

Perfect hotel: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino, Greece

Joseph Denison Carey: the Relaxation Seeker

There’s something deeply satisfying about a staycation. Treating yourself to a hotel experience without travelling thousands of miles can be a true luxury in itself. As a chef, Joseph Denison Carey is no stranger to gruelling schedules. Between TV appearances, shooting recipe tutorials and cooking for dozens at his burgeoning Bread + Butter Supper Club, he is certainly deserving of a relaxing mini-break in his hometown of London. The Westin London City offers an oasis of refined spaces in the middle of London’s financial district, as well as a wealth of wellness-focused amenities. “Staying at a hotel that prioritises wellness allowed me to incorporate it into my stay,” says Denison Carey. After sweating it out on a bespoke personal training session and sampling the cuisine at Hythe + Seek, he checked out feeling ready to jump head-first back into his busy schedule.

Perfect hotel: The Westin London City, UK

Paula Nata: the Digital Nomad

Being a digital nomad means creating a productive workspace in whichever location you find yourself. For Paula Nata, founder of All About Management (one of Spain’s leading communications agencies) this means frequently shuttling back and forth between Barcelona and Madrid. Checking into Barcelona’s Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection, Nata was immediately immersed in a unique location in which she could create a remote office full of character and style. Inhabiting the neoclassical former headquarters of the Cotton Textile Foundation, the hotel is steeped in history and contains spaces designed to highlight its heritage. For Nata, the hotel offered a perfect base for meetings and conference calls, with moments of relaxation and exploration in between. “Hosting clients for meetings here is a dream,” she says. “They’re always impressed by the location.” With a world-class concierge service and even an on-site tailor, Cotton House offered a remote working experience as smooth as silk.

Perfect Hotel: Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection, Barcelona

Watch the videos to see highlights of our travellers’ tailor-made stays and then take our quiz to find out which of the four traveller types and Marriott Bonvoy hotels best fits your personality.

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