I always think one of the tricks to being a successful entrepreneur is to find something you are passionate about and enjoy doing in your spare time …because believe me you are going have to. James and Tamara found the art of weekends away in boutique hotels (and writing about them) was their thing…My husband and I have often landed in a  Mr & Mrs Smith recommendation that oozes quirkiness rather than necessarily the 5* element, which is in my mind counts for much more!  Any man can look up a list of 5* hotels but finding a hotel that feels like you have just stumbled upon the best kept secret in London or elsewhere are what Mr& Mrs Smith are all about…note to husband… although he is remarkably well trained.  Over to Tamara…. When we started Mr & Mrs Smith, we travelled almost every week searching for hotels across the UK and Ireland. Sadly I don’t get away as much as we would like anymore. We have two small children so we definitely travel less – although in my son’s first year he did travel to New York, Spain, France and the Caribbean… including a visit to the newly opened Jade Mountain , which was spectacular.

I travel for both business and pleasure. At the moment, James and I are in New York, at our recently-opened offices. Working in the travel industry means you can’t ever really getaway without automatically thinking about work, even when you’re on the most beautiful private island. We’re always thinking about whether a hotel is right for our collection, or learning new service do’s and don’ts. Sadly, being super-critical is a hazard of the job! We often find ourselves asking for lights to be dimmed, or for music to be turned down; sometimes a small change can make a huge difference to your experience.  There are so many factors that we take into account when we’re deciding whether a hotel should go into the Smith collection: service, decor, atmosphere, location and of course a certain indefinable something that really makes the hotel stand out. One of my favourites is Blakes  in London. It’s discreet, small and seductively designed by Anouska Hempel. It’s incredibly romantic too: that’s why I married James there. JK Place  in Florence is one of my all-time favourites. Designed by Michele Bonan, it’s super-stylish and feels like a private home rather than a hotel. Mollies  in Auckland is the most romantic place. It’s incredibly personal, like being in a private home, and I adore the feminine styling with forests of candles and lavish floral arrangements all over the place. The hotel’s proprietor Frances Wilson sits at the Steinway piano every evening, providing the accompaniment to the hotel’s famous pre-dinner drinks soirée and a student from Wilson’s own Auckland Opera School usually sings an aria. It makes a stay at this bohemian hideaway something you won’t soon forget.

My favourite destination overseas is Spain which is my home from home as I grew up there, so I keep going back – feel so comfortable and there is a lot of nostalgia, but also lots I want to discover. James and I had our second wedding at Ca’s Xorc  in Mallorca. It’s so varied: from the rural olive groves and tranquil villages to its cosmopolitan capital featuring stylish boutiques and white-cube galleries as well as the beautiful beaches for both party people and peace-seekers.

 My ultimate holiday spot is the nearby hilltop village of Deià, with its literary credentials and atmosphere of careless elegance, it epitomizes Mallorquin glamour – the original boho chic destination.

Our best trip ever….? We both agree that our honeymoon in South Africa and Zambia tops the list. We stayed in the most amazing safari lodges, like Royal Malewane and saw incredible wildlife – it was a once in a lifetime experience.

….New Urban Hotel? Crosby Street in New York City, has caused quite a stir. The innovative British hotel duo behind the Firmdale Group take their quirky-but-elegant, colourful style to Manhattan. It’s dripping in Kit Kemp’s special blend of inspired fabrics, textured wallcoverings and colourful artworks. Each room offers a different mix of patterns and colours, and combines just the right balance of character and comfort. I love the details, such as the Miller Harris perfume that was designed specially for Firmdale. There’s a great restaurant that looks onto a courtyard garden, a buzzy bar and a private screening room with Poltrona Frau leather armchairs. It’s a fabulous, feminine destination hotel.

And finally ….Places on the wishlist….. I’ve heard great things about Laos, since our team has been off researching for our new South East Asia book last year. Satri House  in Luang Prabang really appeals to me. It was built as a residence for a branch of the Lao royal family in the 1900s. It’s had extensive renovation and looks like it’s once again fit for the aristocracy: the original house somehow manages to be intimate yet striking and grand all at once.

Now we are working on a new Italy book for September 2011, so maybe I’ll get a chance to visit soon!