The restaurants, bars, coffee shops and neighbourhoods boutique hotels actually send their guests to — hand-picked, organised by city, and free of the tourist trail.
The London locals love is a city of neighbourhoods, not landmarks. Skip the crowded West End and head for the independent coffee roasters of Shoreditch, the wine bars of Soho's back streets, and the market stalls of Broadway and Maltby Street — the corners boutique hotels quietly send their guests to first.
Explore the guideThe Lisbon locals love is found up its hills, not on its postcards. Skip the tram queues for the family tascas of Alfama, the specialty-coffee roasters of Príncipe Real, and the sunset miradouros where the whole city gathers — the spots boutique hotels send their guests to first.
Explore the guideThe Paris locals love happens on the terrace of the neighbourhood café, not at the foot of the Tower. Skip the crowds for the natural-wine bars of the 11th, the covered markets of the Marais, and the corner bistros where the plat du jour is chalked on a board — the addresses boutique hotels keep for their guests.
Explore the guideThe Barcelona locals love is found away from Las Ramblas, in the plaça-side vermouth bars of Gràcia, the market stalls of Sant Antoni, and the tiny tapas counters of El Born — the neighbourhood spots boutique hotels quietly steer their guests toward.
Explore the guideThe Copenhagen locals love runs on two wheels and simple pleasures: a cardamom bun from a neighbourhood bakery, a harbour swim, a natural-wine bar in Nørrebro. Skip Nyhavn's crowds for the residential quarters where design, food and hygge actually live — the spots boutique hotels send their guests to.
Explore the guideThe Mexico City locals love is a feast of neighbourhoods: the taquerías of Roma and Condesa, the mezcalerías of the Centro, the Sunday markets and tree-lined parks of the colonias. Skip the tourist circuit for the corner stands and cantinas boutique hotels send their guests to first.
Explore the guide