THE JOURNAL

Swimming pool at Hotel Version Maquis Citadelle, Corsica. Photograph courtesy of Hotel Version Maquis Ciadelle
When summer comes around, most of us have a song in our hearts. And that song is usually played at about six million decibels by a live artist on a massive stage in some field somewhere. That’s right, it’s festival time. The problem is, with great highs often comes great lows. Whether you are hungover, have developed trench foot in the muddy fields of England, or you just have the blues because the fun is over, it is a universally acknowledged fact that you need to take it easy for the days that follow a weekend of cider and singing. To help you do this properly, we have found the best hotels near to the best festivals around the world which, at time of writing, still have availability for some post-festival R&R.
01. Number One Bruton
Best for Glastonbury, Somerset, 22-26 June

Exterior of Number One Bruton, Somerset. Photograph by Ms Emma Lewins, courtesy of Number One Bruton
Most people – and by that I mean British people – agree that Glastonbury is the greatest festival on Earth. The setting, the headliners, the sheer bonkersness of it all are hard to match. Alas, Worthy Farm has lain fallow these past few summers because of coronavirus. But it is back this year with Ms Billie Eilish, Mr Kendrick Lamar and Sir Paul McCartney playing the big cheese slots. With the onsite nightclubs and the hippy stone circle proving perennial attractions to the STC (that is Straight Through Crew), most people could do with being enveloped in the homely charm of Number One Bruton in the days after. The 12-bedroom hotel is 20 minutes away from the site and is all warm oaks and quarry tiles and exposed beams. The food is Michelin standard – supplied by Mr Merlin Labron-Johnson’s farm-to-table restaurant Osip, so you can eat away the blues in pleasing solitude.
What to pack
02. Soho House Chicago
Best for Lollapalooza, Chicago, 28-31 July

Rooftop pool at Soho House, Chicago. Photograph courtesy of Soho House
Lollapalooza started as a nomadic festival in 1991, but has, of late, retired to the comfort of its own place in Grant Park in the Windy City (though, the other countries have their own versions, too). The line-up this year is as eclectic as ever, ranging from Metallica through Lil Baby to Big Sean, that’s to say nothing of all the visual artists who will be there. You will, it is fair to say, be knackered afterwards. We suggest making the short trip to one of Soho House Chicago’s huge beds with their six pillows and lovely squishiness. And then laying there and groaning for a while. It helps. If you can get up, why not take a pressed juice – cucumber, lemon, celery, ginger, kale, romaine, spinach – twice a day. You could even go for a steam or yoga class in the health centre. Say after us: in with the healing breath.
What to pack
03. Miami Beach Edition
Best for Rolling Loud, Miami, 22-24 July

Exterior and Sea View of The Miami Beach Edition. Photograph courtesy The Miami Beach Edition
It is never a bad idea to go to Miami, but it’s the best idea to go during Rolling Loud. Held at the Hard Rock Stadium, it is the best showcase of hip-hop in the world and is this year being graced by Ye (FKA Mr Kanye West), Future and Kendrick Lamar (he gets around, doesn’t he?). After three days and nights of 31-degree heat, you might want to seek refuge in the gold and white-hued splendour of Mr Ian Shrager’s Edition hotel on Miami Beach. There is a pool the size of Scotland, a spa that could calm a raging bull and a range of salad to please the nutrient-starved festival goer.
What to pack
04. Hotel Tayko Bilbao
Best for Bilbao BBK Live, 7-9 July

Extra View Bedroom at Hotel Tayko Bilao, Spain. Photograph courtesy of Hotel Tayko
Bilbao BBK Live is that rare thing: a festival that is held in its own complex of specially constructed buildings, located on the slopes of Mount Cobetas in the southwest of the city. The line-up runs the gamut between LCD Soundsytem and Ms Mykki Blanco. The festival was, interestingly, founded by the Basque government. You can lay your head at the 53-room industrial-chic Hotel Tayko Bilbao. Its staff are all seemingly in their twenties so they will have sympathy for your plight. You might even decide to sweat it out in the gym or partake of some art therapy at the nearby Guggenheim. Oh, and did we mention the white-linen beds are absolutely massive?
What to pack
05. Hôtel Version Maquis Citadelle
Best for Calvi On The Rocks, Corsica, 8-12 July

Deluxe room, with terrace and Citadel view at Hôtel Version Maquis Citadelle, Corsica. Photograph courtesy of Hôtel Version Maquis Citadelle
On The Rocks has been drawing partygoers to the commune of Calvi – in the rugged heart of the French island of Corsica – for 18 summers now. It runs during the height of summer in July, and it is a hedonist’s dream – a weeklong party featuring electronic, house and techno music. There is much to love, but we especially like that people spill out straight from beach or bar to meet at the citadel for the headliners at night, then promptly get changed and disappear into the clubs until sunrise. After a weeklong party you might want to snooze a bit, so head to the southern tip of the island to Hôtel Version Maquis Citadelle, a concrete and glass paradise, shrouded in greenery with just 22 rooms and suites, and views of the Cité des Falaises, a cliff-top medieval castle. Each room has a walk-in shower – to wash away the sins – king-size beds and large terraces for sunbathing. The real draw, and what a draw it is, is the granite infinity pool with its calming views.
What to pack
06. Eichardt’s Private Hotel
Best for Snow Machine Festival, Queenstown, 7-9 September

Exterior and lake view of Eichardt’s Private Hotel, New Zealand. Photograph courtesy of Eichardt’s
At Snow Machine, you spend your days on the twin mountain ranges of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak of New Zealand’s South Island (Te Waipounamu), then your evenings tabletop dancing to your favourite DJs on the mountain-based après-ski stages. After that, if you still have any go left in you, you can head to the main stage in Queenstown, where you can see Fat Freddy’s Drop and the unfortunately named, given the setting, The Avalanches. If by this time you can still move, head straight to Eichardt’s for some deep comfort. It is an all-suite and apartment hotel and is incredibly well appointed; there are lake views, vast sofas and the most attentive staff. Hideout in the Vault Spa and let the army of therapists bring you back to life, before having some health-giving seafood chowder in Eichardt’s Bar.
What to pack
07. The Norman Tel Aviv
Best for DGTL Tel Aviv, 10 October

King Albert Suit at The Norman, Tel Aviv. Photograph by Ms Sivan Askayo, courtesy of The Norman
DGTL Tel Aviv is the Middle East outpost of the world-girdling Dutch dance music fest. Since 2017, DGTL has been bringing together techno and house fans in this part of the world. Held during Sukkot, a time of festivity, this year’s DGTL will be what is known as a “proper knees-up”. The line-up – not yet released – is never anything but expertly chosen. Trust us, we’ve been there, done that, got the headache. To soothe the sore noggin, we suggest immediately heading to The Norman, one of the coolest hotels in the city. It is all white walls, 1920s chic with a rooftop pool from which you can head for a deep tissue massage (you may need it). The Norman also happens to do some of the best sushi in the area.