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Why you should visit China, a trip to outer space without Katy Perry, and everything to know about Spain's tourism ban. We love our 83,000+ subscribers so much.

Apr 24, 2025

Hey (HAP)pers,

Welcome to this week’s edition of HAPPENINGS by Hotels Above Par—your cheeky, three-minute escape into what’s hot (and haute) in the world of travel.

We’re sporting a fresh new look and a new home on Substack, where things get a little more conversational, meaning you can actually talk to us now. Slide into our chat with your burning travel and hotel questions—our expert editors will be dishing recs and replying to your globetrotting curiosities all week long.

As for today’s read? It’s a banger, courtesy of our brilliant newsletter editor, Luke Abrahams. As always, get ready for sharp takes and some serious wanderlust. Let’s get into it (of course, right after this iconic Slim Aarons travel photo from 1969).

- Hotels Above Par CEO, Brandon Berkson

What’s Happening in the Travel World? ✈️

Europe's sunniest cities have been revealed. I do love these incessant studies. They seem to form the bulk of travel news journalism these days. Beyond their clickbait, however, they do give an interesting insight into how peeps choose where to go and when, so I should not bash them too much. Of these new deep dives, one recently ranked 46 hubs based on how many hours of sunlight they’re blessed with. To help maximize our chances of topping up on that all-important vitamin D, travel platform Omio put together a handy list of the urban hotspots that benefit from our sun's gorgeous rays most. Madrid and Athens said hello, of course, but the top spot was a real surprise. Yes, I am going to be that clickbait bitch, so if you want to find out who claimed number one, clicketh here.

ANOTHER major space event is happening. Here's what you need to know, and NO Katy Perry is not involved. Katy, just stop. Point over, Americans and the rest of the world will get a super duper celestial treat in the form of a smiley face in the night sky (I think we all need it right now, tbh). The Moon, Venus, and Saturn are expected to briefly align into a rare formation resembling a “smiley face” this week, NASA says. “Find Venus, Saturn, and the crescent moon gathered low in the east as dawn warms the morning sky,” the space agency wrote in a statement earlier this month. It all kicks off on Friday, and if like me you are a sucker for all things in the sky, you will simply love it. Find out more about what's happening in the stars here.

Everything you need to know about Spain's tourism BAN. I have banged on about this before, but it's starting to get a little serious, y'all. First things first, the country is not banning tourists entirely. They, like most European countries nowadays, are protecting their own too, as they say, "to make life easier for residents". Tourism is, of course, a beautiful thing, but it drives up prices from rents to your morning coffee, and some Spaniards are simply sick of it because they can no longer enjoy their own cities. Further restrictions also came in due to "obscene behavior" in popular spots like Malaga, Majorca and Seville, so you can't blame them for the protests. For a deep dive into where is affected, check out this handy guide. - LA

Spotlight: Why You Should Visit China Now 🔦

"You are going to China?!" Yup, that is what all my friends and family said to me before I hopped on a plane with a Frenchie to explore the Dragon Kingdom. While I was nervous about crossing the border, my anxiety quickly dissipated as all the inspectors wanted from me was a smile and my fingerprints. I also think he low-key dug my accent, but that's another story. The truth is, do not believe all the headlines. Yes, there is a tariff war, and in parts, you will find a dash of authoritarian rule the closer you get to Beijing, but beyond that, China is a breeze. The food is lush and diverse, and the landscapes are spectacular. Yes, commercialism has sacrificed the culture (blame the TV shows), and social media-led tourism is major, but underneath it all is a place of pastoral poetry and exceptional beauty. It's compelling and provides a rich and varied travel experience. Whether you hate it or love it, China sparks conversation, and that's what travel, in my book, is all about. Discuss. - LA

Playlist: ‘80s Core Lana Del Rey 🎵

So I was going through Insta reels at 3 am the other night (as you do) and I stumbled on a dance vid rocking “Summertime Sadness” to an 80s beat. I was instantly into it. A rabbit hole or two later, I stumbled on even more on YouTube, and me, being a proper 80s/90s baby, ripped them into MP3 gold. I have had it on repeat ever since. Listen to its greatness here. - LA

Meet the Hotelier: Rachel Henley from The Fife Arms 💬

In our latest edition of Meet The Hotelier, we catch up with Rachel Henley, the woman behind one of the UK's greatest stays, The Fife Arms. I am not going to give the hotel my usual grand introduction simply because I have stayed twice and I bloody love it. It's one of those rare places that just speaks for itself. Ya get me? ⬇️

Luke: Sum up your hospitality style in a sentence.

Rachel: Passionate, friendly and approachable. We strive to ensure that guests visiting feel genuine warmth when they enter the Fife Arms.

Luke: You are in the middle of nowhere. Why should time-pressed people make the effort to come up to The Fife Arms?

Rachel: Offering a unique blend of luxury, heritage and artistic expression, visiting the Fife Arms gives guests the optimum chance to relax and reconnect. Located amongst some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Scotland, the hotel’s location and experiences offer something for everyone, ensuring that their stay is both refreshing and enriching. From hiking and fishing to wild swimming, creative writing and luxury treatments - the Fife Arms has something to suit every type of traveller, no matter how they choose to unwind.

With over 14,000 artworks woven into every guest room, hallway and corner, art is at the very heart of the hotel. Filled with striking site-specific commissions from Subodh Gupta’s chandelier to a distinctive ‘Cubistoid’ style mural in the Clunie Dining Room by Guillermo Kuitca, to name a few; sharing our love of art with guests and visitors is one of our greatest joys.

Luke: What or who is grabbing your attention in the hospitality space right now? Why does it/they stand out most?

Rachel: We are particularly noticing an increase in trends linked to solo and sustainable travel, particularly in the wellness space. We often welcome repeat solo travellers, visiting the Fife Arms as somewhat of a retreat, to switch off, with no distractions. Our wellness experiences vary, from our Albamhor Treatment Rooms which use Moss of the Isles and Methode Physiodermie products, to our Wild Wellness experience which involves wild swimming and a wood-fired sauna session, focusing on how physical and mental wellness can be nurtured by connecting with nature.

Luke: Name your hospitality hero. Why has this person had such an effect on you and how have you brought that knowledge to the Fife Arms?

Rachel: My hospitality hero would be Andrew McPherson, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh. I worked closely with Andrew in my previous role at Grantley Hall and have been hugely inspired by his dedicated leadership style, guest focus and approachable demeanor.

Luke: I am biased as this is one of my favorite hotels in the world. For people who have never visited, give them one reason why The Fife is better than all the rest.

Rachel: Situated within the breathtaking Cairngorms National Park, and combining rich Scottish heritage with contemporary art, sustainability, the local community, culinary expertise and exceptional hospitality, The Fife Arms is truly a unique destination. The hotel is a true gem, filled with surprises and wonders around each corner. Every one of our 46 bedrooms and suites are individually designed, each with their own tale of Braemar. The wildly beautiful landscapes of the Cairngorms are the perfect setting for adventures by day, and guests can retreat into the warmth of Scottish hospitality as evening falls. Sipping a cocktail whilst admiring an original Picasso…its moments like this which make a stay at the Fife Arms so special.

Luke: You have over 14,000 pieces of art. Out of all them, which speaks to you most and why?

Rachel: My favorite is a piece by acclaimed Glasgow born contemporary artist, Martin Creed -‘Work No. 1094’. Creed works in an array of media and this piece is a still taken from a music video he made for his single ‘Thinking/Not Thinking’. He favours opposites and came across an Irish Wolfhound and Chihuahua when he bought a piano from their owner, finding humour in the pair and describing them as ‘a perfect sculpture’. For Creed, the visual analogy of the two dogs represented ‘thinking’, the small dog who is trying hard to be important, and ‘not thinking’, the larger clumsier dog. This piece is hung outside of Bertie’s Whisky Bar, with half of it concealed around a corner, so it’s only when you walk down the corridor and get closer, that the humorous contract is revealed.

Luke: Name five people, dead or alive, who you want to stay at The Fife Arms.

Rachel: Martin Creed, Simon Sinek, Frances Farquharson, Simon Reeve, and David Goggins. Alongside other sportspeople, David Goggins particularly inspires me, due to his drive, dedication and positive mental attitude. This September the team at the Fife Arms are gearing up to take part in the Goggins Challenge to raise money for Hospitality Action. The challenge consists of 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours… a true test of endurance!

Luke: Tell us your wildest travel story. Why does it stand out most?

Rachel: I recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, which was one of the most breathtaking, once in a lifetime experiences - it’s hard to put into words how amazing it was! I’m now preparing for my next challenge: trekking Machu Picchu and exploring the Amazon…

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