Passport to the stars

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30
Apr 12

Magical Mauritius: Shanti Maurice

This week I’m exploring another peaceful celebrity hideaway in the Indian Ocean, the beautiful fantasy-land that is Mauritius. Famous faces seen on the island include royalty – Prince Harry and Princess Caroline, celebrities – Kylie Minogue, Russell Brand, Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes and Catherine Deneuve, and sports personalities Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher and Zinedine Zidane to name just a few. It’s not difficult to see why the A-list adore this island with its other-worldly beauty, spellbinding sense of spirituality and stunning five-star hotels – it certainly didn’t take me long to fall head-over-heels in love with the place. Here’s a snapshot of my time at the wonderful Shanti Maurice.

Quite possibly the prettiest swimming pool I have ever seen.

The Lowdown The first thing that struck me on my arrival at Shanti Maurice was what a special place it was. Sitting in a plum position on the South coast with a travel brochure beautiful beach surrounded by 35 acres of colourful tropical gardens, it was impossible not to be immediately won over. The hotel originally started life as an Ayurvedic spa retreat and has evolved over the years to become a tres chic luxury boutique where the spa experience now comes with a delicious side order of sunshine and champagne. The 61 oceanfront villas and suites are dotted around the resort and are kitted out in cool, comfortable shades of cream with local hardwood furnishings and cavernous spa bathrooms. The 17 villas also come with their own private pools affording celebrity guests like Thandi Newton and Liz Hurley the utmost privacy.

Plenty of Wow-factor at the two-bedroom villas with private pool

Then there’s the rest of the hotel, which I have to say, had me swooning at every turn. At its centre is a shimmering slate infinity pool (where I found myself spending every spare moment swimming like a contented Koi carp around its pretty fish fountains and floating gardens). Fanning out from this focal point are a series of handsome thatched pavilions which house the reception and lounge area and two wonderful restaurants; Stars and Pebbles. There’s also a cracking kid’s club on site (although it’s tucked away so you never hear a peep) and,of course, the star of the show, the Nira Spa.

The Highlights

My experience of the Nira Spa went well beyond the usual holiday massage and without veering into dodgy “Eat, Pray, Love” territory, I really did find it to be a truly inspirational experience. The Nira Spa is the biggest (and arguably the best) spa in the Indian Ocean and takes the holistic approach to health and well-being to a whole new level. I eased myself in with my first ever Qi Gong class where we performed a series of gentle movements in the spa gardens while the sun set over swaying fields of sugarcane and magical mountain vistas. Sheer bliss.

The Nira Spa Yoga Pavilion

After such a lovely start, I dedicated the next day to the full Shanti experience with a morning yoga class, steam, sauna and swim (there’s another beautiful serene pool within the spa grounds) followed by a healthy lunch. Physical needs attended to, it was now time to see to my spiritual side with a consultation with the the resident Ayurvedic doctor.

I didn’t know much Ayurvedic philosophies beforehand and wasn’t entirely sure what to expect – and I certainly didn’t anticipate bursting into tears halfway through the appointment! Cringe. Thankfully though this it turned out to be a perfectly normal and fairly common reaction. Ayurveda is all about treating the mind, body and soul and although my Glaswegian sensibilities initially rallied against it, after getting over my intense sense of embarrassment, it actually felt pretty amazing to get it all out and reflect on my seriously-neglected spiritual side. I left my consultation feeling intensely uplifted and by the time I had finished my sixty-minute Africology massage I had reached a Zen-like state of tranquillity. For a few days at least, life felt a little bit less complicated.

The relaxation pavilion at the Nira Spa which is surrounded by a pretty lily pond which is most probably filled with the tears of guests!

The wonderful thing about Shanti Maurice though is that you can dip in and out of the whole wellness thing as and when you like. Another not-to-be-missed, and slightly naughtier, option is the the twice-weekly Fish and Rhum Shack, where a remote stretch of beach is transformed with tiki torches and driftwood furniture into a hedonistic sea-side hangout. On the menu is a selection of ridiculously large lobster, giant prawns and juicy organic meats, all of which can be washed down with a rum punch while the wild Indian Ocean crashes in the background and a squillion million stars shimmer above.

The Fish and Rhum Shack - Not to be missed

There are plenty of hotels around the world that have fabulous facilities, stunning views and sublime service but it’s a pretty rare thing to find one that has character to match, a hotel where you just can’t imagine being anywhere else. Luckily for me this was one of them.

Star Style

Long-haul flights, air-conditioning, blazing sunshine and ice-cold air-conditioning all conspire to reek havoc on my skin so to prevent dry patches, I like to use a super-moisturiser on top of my regular skincare products. Always in my in-flight bag (and Emma Watson’s apparently) is Comfort Zone’s Hydramemory 24h Cream Gel.

www.comfortzoneskincare.com

£30 50ml

Go There Shanti Maurice, Mauritius: Tel: +230 603 7200; www.shantimaurice.com; Junior Suites start from €555, including breakfast and 15% VAT, per room per night. Air Mauritius flies non-stop from Heathrow to Mauritius 5 times per week. Call 0207-434-4375 for more information or visit www.airmauritius.com. HolidayExtras.com offers Meet and Greet car parking at London Heathrow from just £66.20 for 8 days. To book visit to www.holidayextras.com or call 0800 1313 777.

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05
Apr 12

The Maldives: Hollywood’s Favourite Hideaway

Next stop, the Maldives. After three non-stop days and nights in Dubai it was time to leave the Middle Eastern metropolis for the swaying palm trees and tranquillity of this most beautiful of island nations. I had been to the Maldives before with my husband to celebrate our first anniversary – the Maldives is of course one of the world’s most popular honeymoon destinations for A-list lovers – Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon, and Fergie and Josh Duhamel have all jetted in Male before slinking off across the bright blue waters of the Indian Ocean to the seclusion of private islands, far from the prying eyes of the Paparazzi – but this time I’m here with my friend, Shelley so would these private isles turn out to be blissful or boring with only the bright blue sea and each other for company…

The Velassaru, Maldives

The Lowdown

The answer was no, it wasn’t boring in the least! Shades on, wind in our hair, turquoise seas twinkling all around us, our arrival at the Velassaru Resort on the back of a gleaming white speedboat couldn’t have been more glamorous. Just a four-hour flight down from Dubai and a thrilling twenty-five minute whirl across the Indian Ocean and we were setting foot on our own little slice of island paradise. Despite our adrenaline-filled arrival as soon as we stepped onto the chic sun-weathered pier and felt the warm afternoon sun on our back, it was time to relax. Cold towels and cocktails were on hand, as were warm smiles and friendly chat, and after a seamless check-in it was apparent that this little resort had more to offer than just being another romantic bolthole.

Beach Perfect

Swaying palm trees, shimmering silver-white sands and picture perfect coral reef cradled a sleek infinity pool, restaurants, bars, a library and spa. We had seven different room types to choose from; some on the beach, some with private gardens and some stilted over the sea. A Water Villa was our haven. As the name suggests, it’s built hovering over the sea, a wooden walkway curling across glimmering fish-filled water leading to the door. But that wasn’t the only means of entry, as soon as we set our bags down it was time for a Wonder Woman-style quick change into our bikinis and we were off down our private snorkel staircase for a quick dip before the sun went down.

Back in the room, the overall feel was spacious and simple with bright flashes of Missoni-esque brilliant orange and cobalt blue adding an edge to the decor. Under its cavernous thatched roof, there were comfy sofas, a vast bed, a dressing room and bar area so we never felt we were crowding each other. Sliding doors revealed a monster-big bathroom with a tub big enough for two (although we didn’t test that theory!) while a vast wall of window could be manoeuvred open to reveal a huge deck and the real star of the show – an uninterrupted view of the iridescent Indian Ocean.

The Highlights

It only takes around twenty minutes to walk (or swim) around the island but despite its diminutive size its delights were many. Our days were spent swimming (of course) or lolling on the beach amused by loved-up couples snapping photos of themselves – I’m not sure what it is about the Maldives that makes the ladies want to posed provocatively in the sand but it provided much hilarity, particularly the one bikini-clad woman who wrapped herself around a tree like a kind of weird sexy adder. Afternoons were spent trying out the hotel’s many watersports – the Velassaru has a resident Marine Biologist to point you to all the best spots and put names to all pretty fishes.

And when that all got too much for us, it was time to sample the Velassaru Spa. Here, the design has been kept simple, almost sparse in fact, with the main focus being on the perfect panorama its over-water location affords. The treatments though were far from basic with the therapists intuitively kneading every bump and lump from bodies during our sixty-minute Balinese massage, with every last trace of tension disappearing as we blissed out post-treatment in the sauna, steam room and outdoor whirlpool.

There was a lot to like about the drinking and dining options too. With five restaurants to choose from and two very hip bars we were spoiled for choice. Vela is the main all-day restaurant, and serves an immense international buffet with food so good we were required to do a couple of extra laps around the island to work off the excess calories. Stand-out moments included dinner at Sands, the hotel’s very swish beachside restaurant, and the private dinner on the beach under a star-lit sky with our own personal (and very personable) chef attending to our every culinary wish. And let’s not forget the quite brilliant Basil Mojitos! What better way to end the day than with the sand between your toes, a cocktail in hand and your best friend by your side.

So yes, there is no denying it is all very romantic and the Velassaru may attract newly-married models and soon-to-be-engaged songstresses (Sarah Harding was proposed to here) but long lies, lazy lunches and lying on a beautiful beach aren’t just restricted to just loved-up couples and we thought that for a girlie break the Velassaru made quite a splash.

Star Style

To avoid coming home with frizzed-out holiday hair, make sure to treat your tresses. My favourite is Bumble and Bumble’s Deeep, a fruity-fragranced hair hero! B&B recommend using it once a week but I find it’s perfect to use every day on holiday.

£20.50 for 5oz

Go There

Emirates Tours (020 7590 1485 ) offers a 7 night honeymoon package to Velassaru, Maldives from £3,015 per person. Based on two people staying 7 nights for the price of 5 in a Water Suite with breakfast daily. It includes return Economy Class flights on award-winning Emirates, plus meet and greet and return speedboat transfers in the Maldives. Honeymoon couples also receive complimentary candlelit dinner, bottle of wine in room and a fruit basket on arrival. Valid for travel 1 May – 30 June 2012. Supplements apply for other travel periods.

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05
Mar 12

An Arabian Adventure

As difficult as it was to leave the cosseted confines of the gorgeous Desert Palm, we only had three days to enjoy our girlie break in Dubai so after sailing across the city, scaling skyscrapers, hitting the shops and sampling the spa, we just had time for one last adventure – and as it was also BF’s birthday it had to be something special.

There really has to be a very good reason for setting your alarm clock for 3am whilst on holiday but the prospect of seeing the sun rise over the desert sands from the vantage point of a hot air balloon has got to be one of them – and I think you’d agree it makes a pretty good start to any birthday. So following a measly four hours sleep, we rose, put on some sensible shoes for the first time in two days and headed over to a Dubai car park for our early morning pick-up.

It’s wasn’t long before an A-Team style van pulled up and a stocky bearded man in a red jumpsuit leapt out and (with far more energy than four in the morning should afford anyone) introduced himself as Captain Attila – “like the Hun”, he added cheerfully. Suitably amused, we hopped in and joined the other dozen or so day-trippers who were seizing the opportunity to snooze on the hour long drive to the isolated sands just north of Al Ain.

It was still pitch black when we arrived, the only light cast coming from the two other vehicles that had joined us from Oman and Abu Dhabi. But as the sun started to break over the horizon tingeing the indigo star-filled sky with streaks of pink and peach, we could see in the distance a team of maybe a dozen or so men energetically pushing, pulling, unfolding and positioning the mass of material and large laundry basket that was soon to be our aircraft.

The realisation that we were about to glide across the desert suspended by what was essentially a flimsy layer of fabric and an oversized hamper started to dawn – was a terrifying plummet towards the dusty earth really the gift I wanted to give my pal for her birthday? Surely such a thing could end what had so far been a beautiful friendship? Thankfully though, Captain Attila inspired confidence, rounding up his twenty-two passengers from nine different nations while barking out a safety briefing and deftly overseeing the fiery inflation of our balloon. If the birthday girl was nervous she was hiding it well so I tried to do the same.

Moments later, as the cherry-red sun is started to burst across the distant dunes, the balloon’s magnificently rotund form filled our eyes and the basket tipped towards its upright position ready to go. Attila, who had clearly had some kettling training in the past, ordered us to climb aboard (climb being the operative word – a maxi dress is not suitable attire as one of the passengers soon learned) and before we knew it, we were off.

We were a cheerful bunch of passengers, made up of groups of friends, loved-up honeymooners and intrepid solo travellers. Everyone was happy and for the first few minutes the basket was full of excited chatter and the sound of camera shutters. There was no scary swaying or ominous lurches, instead we ascended dreamily, smoothly and surprisingly quickly. We soon passed a thousand feet, and then two thousand when suddenly everyone seemed to realise that our aircraft was made of wicker, and tried to take a step inwards. There was of course no where to go and as we swept upwards past the height of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, to our hovering altitude of three thousand feet, the friendly chatter that had previously filled the air was replaced by nervous smiles, lame jokes, yoga-like breathing exercises and then ultimately silence.

This was the scariest part of the ride. Everyone may well be smiling in this picture but believe me behind the mask there was nothing but butt-clenching fear. It was incredibly beautiful though, it wasn’t just the height that made my heart race, the sandy sea of burnt amber, coral and orange below was truly phenomenal.

My favourite part of the journey though was definitely the descent and landing, which turned out to be as close to a magic carpet ride as you can get. After drifting down to a less wee-inducing level, we swept across the endless undulating dunes passing the occasional Sheikh’s palace and Bedouin tribe, startling stray gazelles before one taking one final lunge across a huge herd of wild camels and coming into land with an almighty (and super-exciting) bump.

And as if that wasn’t enough excitement for one day, we soon realised that we had a celebrity in our midst, well certainly a future celebrity anyway. In the front left corner of the group balloon photo you can see a young guy called Lyrican. Turns out he lives just up the road from me in Manchester and is one of the UK’s up-and-coming rap stars, opening for the likes of Jay-Z , Eminem and 50 Cent on their UK arena tours. He was out in Abu Dhabi to film this music video -

So there we go, a birthday trip with Star Style from start to finish and one that had left us as exhausted as an eight-year-old after a day a Disney. We’d certainly packed in the delights of Dubai and now it was time for our next, and sure-to-be more relaxing stopover in the Maldives.

Arabian Adventures offers Hot Air Balloon Rides in Dubai from AED 995 per person (£175 per person). The operator can also arrange a host of other memorable experiences such as Dubai desert safaris. For further information and reservations visit www.arabian-adventures.com or call +971 4 303 4888 .

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14
Feb 12

Dubai’s Chicest Boutique Hotel: The Desert Palm

Well the snow has finally arrived (boo!), so it seems like the perfect time to chase away those winter blues with a visit to a warmer corner of the world. This week I’ve sought out some much needed sunshine with a girlie break to the sparkling city of Dubai. Along with Prague, Tom Cruise chose this Arabian Gulf city as one of the filming location for his latest flick, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, and it’s easy to see why. Not only is there plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun and shop till you drop, but there’s also a wealth of chic places to eat, cool spots for cocktails and some seriously super-luxe hotels. Eager to discover the best that the city had to offer I checked-in for some fabulous off-the-radar rest and relaxation at the city’s chicest boutique hotel, the Desert Palm.

At more than 160 stories, the Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world

The Lowdown

My stay at the oasis-like Desert Palm Dubai had me cooing with delight from the moment we were picked up from the airport by a chauffeur driven car decked-out with iced-towels, Voss water and deep leather seats. Even though I knew beforehand that the Desert Palm was home to a world-class polo club as well as an haute hotel, it still came as a something of a surprise to pull up to its frangipani-filled gardens and vast green fields peppered with show-ponies. Far from the madness of the metropolis, while still being close enough to be able to see the cityscape twinkling in the distance, it was obvious why camera-shy celebrities, royalty and visiting Emirati choose the Desert Palm for as their Dubai hideaway.

The hotel was not at all what I expected in this city of superlatives; Dubai boasts the world’s biggest shopping mall, the world’s tallest fountain, as well as the world’s highest bar, highest restaurant and highest swimming pool. All of these are housed in the world’s tallest building – the Burj Khalifa which Tom Cruise was brave/mad enough to jump off in his recent flick and they can be reached via the world’s highest elevator. In a city that clearly likes to show-off, it wasn’t unreasonable for me to expect a lot of big city bling and over-the-top ostentation. Not so at the Desert Palm though, instead of showy affectations the hotel has opted for low-key luxe in the form of sleek creamy-coloured marble floors, shiny dark woods, and tactile furnishings which cleverly highlights its collection of perfectly-positioned artworks and equine sculpture.

First impressions had left me suitably impressed but after a seven-hour night flight and a four-hour leap forward in time we were in dire need of a big bed and a wee sleep. Our room, a Palm Suite, was as swish as the rest of the hotel and surprisingly spacious – spacious enough in fact for two ladies with 50kg of luggage between them to not fight over wardrobe space. And we needn’t have worried about sharing a bed too as it was enormous enough for us both to sprawl out without ever risking waking the other. Along with these winning features, our room also had a stunning spa bathroom with monsoon shower and plenty of REN amenities, a baffling array of technology and view over the open-plan lobby and pretty green polo fields.

The Highlights

For a small hotel its highlights are many. Days can be spent lounging by the temperature controlled infinity pool – warmed in winter and chilled in summer for optimum swim conditions – walking or jogging around the perfectly manicured grounds, horsing around at the resident riding school or simply sitting on the terrace watching polo whilst indulging in a spot of cream tea. Tucked away on the lower level of the main building there’s also the wonderful LIME Spa which managed to lure us away from all ground-level activities for a whole afternoon with its wonderful massage treatments and hot and cold therapy rooms and showers.

It’s when the sun goes down that the Desert Palm really comes into its own though. The hotel’s fantastic foodie credentials and buzzing bar pull in an eclectic crowd of trendy expats, in-the-know out of towners and local urban prince and princesses. We booked into Rare, which as the name suggests features a menu of rare meats and prized game, and despite our best efforts to show some restraint ended up nearly bursting out of our frocks after sampling some of the finest steaks we’d ever had the pleasure to try. Although our room was within waddling distance we couldn’t resist the warm ambiance and cool vibe of the terrace and ordered up some champagne and shisha at Red Bar. With the city glittering in the distance, the smell of fruity tobacco in the air, and the prospect of three more days at the Desert Palm ahead of us, we agreed that we were experiencing the dreamiest of Arabian adventures.

Outdoor dining at Rare

Champagne and Shisha on the Terrace

Star Style

Make a confident and stylish entrance to any hotel lobby with this gorgeous trolley case. Luxury Italian luggage label Brics have teamed up with Missoni to create this limited edition travel candy which will make you the envy of all other guests. Available from www.caseluggage.com

Go There

Emirates Tours www.emiratestours.co.uk offers a 3 night package to Desert Palm, Dubai www.desertpalm.com from £695 per person. Based on two people staying 3 nights in a Palm Deluxe Room with breakfast daily. It includes return Emirates Economy Class flights from London Gatwick and return private car transfers. Valid for travel from 1st July to 15th September 2012.

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03
Feb 12

Celebrating Chinese New Year in London

If I could have transported myself to any place in the world last week, that place would have been Hong Kong. I would have spent my days soaking up the city’s spectacular Chinese New Year celebrations with a wander around Victoria Park, where I would have fill my arms with fresh flowers and maybe a picked up a miniature orange tree for good luck. I would have stopped by the Man Mo Temple for a reading with Harmung, my favourite HK fortune teller, and would have feasted on some sublime Cantonese food before watching the fabulous flash, bang of the New Year fireworks display from my brother’s roof terrace in Happy Valley.

Alas, I was not to return to my beloved Hong Kong for this year’s festivites, some 6000 miles and a packed work schedule had seen to that. So, when an invitation from Cathay Pacific arrived in my inbox to attend the Chinese New Year celebrations in Trafalgar Square, I was on the train quicker than you could say “Kung Hei Fat Choi”.

This year is, of course, the Year of the Dragon and is traditionally thought to be a prosperous year, a year when magical, unexpected things can happen. The dragon is a powerful, strong and wise animal and these traits that are said to bring good luck.

The celebrations began with an early morning parade featuring floats, dance troupes and performers winding their way through the tightly-packed streets of Chinatown. Beneath the strings of lucky red lanterns that lined the route, thousands upon thousands of people joined in the fun. Fierce looking Money Gods wandered through the crowds, children delighted in throwing tiny “snap” firecrackers and being the Year of the Dragon street-sellers proffered the fiery creatures in every form imaginable from paper to inflatable to furry.

Next up, it was over to Trafalgar Square to join Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, and a host of Chinese dignitaries for an afternoon extravaganza of Chinese culture. Dancing, operas, acrobats, and martial arts were all on the menu but it was the Lion Dance that I was most excited about. The Chen brothers were performing and I had been reliably informed that they were the best lion dancers I would ever see – and they didn’t disappoint! After a cheeky introductory dance, the incredibly dexterous duo leapt up onto some ridiculously small raised platforms where, to the delight of the crowd, they proceeded to jump, spring and soar between pedestals in a jaw-dropping display of strength and agility.

After this visual feast it was time for a culinary one so we carried on our New Year celebrations with a dim sum banquet at Imperial China, a renowned restaurant over on Lisle Street in Chinatown. Being good Chinese hosts, Cathay Pacific had filled our table with more food than we could ever possibly eat. Favourite dim sum dishes including shui mai (prawn and pork dumplings) and har gua (prawn dumplings) were offered up alongside “lucky” dishes like spring rolls which are thought to resemble gold bars and therefore bring good luck. Ho ho sik! (very very delicious!)

So, I’m happy to say that even though I couldn’t make it to Hong Kong at least I managed to roar into the Year of the Dragon in fine style. Here’s hoping the rest of the year is as happy and prosperous for all of us! Kung Hei Fat Choi!

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26
Jan 12

Time out at the Titanic Spa

Eager to keep-up with my new keep-fit philosophy to eat blueberry pancakes, learn to not humiliate myself at Zumba, and to spa as often as possible, I decided to keep my January motivation going with a bit of guilt-free pampering – much better than calorie-counting and carrot sticks. Sadly, I don’t have the fabulous Canyon Ranch on my doorstep but what I do have, less than an hour away from me, tucked away on the edge of the Pennines in the pretty little mill town of Huddersfield, is one of the UK’s leading eco-friendly retreats, The Titanic Spa.

Upon at arrival at the handsome old mill, the elegant lobby was brimming with well-to-do ladies swanning around in cosy chocolate-coloured bathrobes. Happily, and much to the relief of my spa-shy husband, there were a few men bobbing about too, hairy legs unashamedly on show. I had a quick nose to see if I could spot any celebrities – the cast of Corrie and North-West WAGs are known to regularly stop by – but today it seems to be mostly couples and mother and daughter teams cashing in on their Christmas presents. After quickly checking-in to our massive apartment (which could easily accommodate up to eight people), we threw on our bathrobes and rushed down to the soak up the spa facilities before our treatments. There was much to choose from but we opted to start our spa journey with a swim in the salt-regulated pool, filled from a natural spring a hundred metres below the building.

Post-swim, cobwebs blown away and once again bedecked in our superbly-soft bathrobes, we slipped over to the other side of the spa for our treatments. Unlike the pool area which is bursting with natural light, the treatment area is a serene sanctuary of subdued lighting, squishy seating areas and luxuriant rooms. The Titanic’s environmentally-friendly stance means that they only use skincare companies that share a similar ethos; Decleor, Elemis and Carita all make the cut, but we opted for to try the 100% natural and organic Pinks Boutique range. Now, I don’t want to cause any unnecessary envy but the treatments were wonderful. We were greeted by two genuinely warm, friendly and as it turned out extremely talented therapists who led us to the VIP suite. Here we blissed out for an hour, me with a heavenly facial that combined the perfect amount of head, neck and shoulder massage with aromatic face creams and a mask, and hubby with a massage of such skill that he slid off the table like a ribbon at the end of the session.

That would have been enough for the most slavish of sybarites but it seemed even more delicious spa treats lay in wait. So after a quick break over some champagne and chocolates it was time to tackle the Titanic’s signature Heat and Ice Experience. Here, we melted any lingering stresses as we moved between the penetrating heat of the Crystal steam room to the cooling Experience Shower, on to the Herbal Infusion hammam to a shriek-inducing cool down under an ice-cold bucket of water. Brrr… On we went to the sauna, saunarium, and aromatherapy room via the chilled plunge pool (which I wasn’t brave enough for but my part-penguin husband loved) to end our day in the Egyptian Mud Chamber.

We drew mud love hearts on each other (not really)

Stepping into our private hammam we were presented with what looked to be a bowl of ice-cream scoops and told to apply the various organic muds to our bodies. Each “scoop” worked on a different area with a white moisturising face mud, a clay-coloured body mud and a black exfoliating scrub mud for the legs. So there we were, in a steaming room, stripped bare, and rubbing sweet-smelling sludge on each – not your average Monday afternoon. After we had gotten over the hilarity of the situation, we did manage to relaxed into our intense twenty minute steam session. Whoa! it was hot (not in that way) and just when we thought we couldn’t take much more we were saved from collapsing in a naked muddy heap by a tropical rain shower bursting from the ceiling. Sweet relief and I have to say, I don’t think my skin has ever been left so soft following a treatment.

All that was left to do was change into some clothes and stop by the Titanic bistro. This was my one and only niggle, as after enjoying a flawless spa day it was a real shame that the food just didn’t live up to the same high standards. The menu items may well be all natural, organic and locally-sourced, with consideration given to vegetarians and vegans, but unfortunately it was also rather uninspired and lacking in flavour. The dining area itself is pleasant enough but it’s probably not a good idea to have an open show kitchen when microwaving is your main mode of culinary operations.

Apart from that one let down though, the Titanic Spa is fabulous and I would highly recommend it. The staff are as good as you would find in any five-star London Grande Dame, the spa and treatments exquisite and the apartments comfortable and relaxing.

Titanic Spa, Huddersfield: Tel 0845 410 3333; www.titanicspa.com ; Overnight Spa packages available for £109pp

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16
Jan 12

Detoxing Celebrity-style at the Canyon Ranch Miami

It would be fair to say that after three back-to-back trips in less than a month, followed by a Christmas and New Year feasting frenzy, I could now happily weigh-in alongside a team of Russian shot-putters and am a prime candidate for gout, in fact if I carry on at this rate I will have no feet by February. So, something has to be done and I’ve come to the shocking conclusion that I am going to have to eat less and move more. And where better to start this radical new regime than at the Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, Hollywood’s favourite wellness retreat.

Now, I do love a trip to the spa but I’ve never really felt the urge to use my holiday time to detox. It just doesn’t sound much … fun really, but with a guest list that includes Shakira, Eva Longoria, Terri Hatcher, January Jones, as well as Jason Statham and Gerard Butler (spas aren’t just for the ladies any more!), the Canyon Ranch promised to be more than your average health spa. There may be 230 classes a week, resident doctors, nutritionist and physiotherapists, and a lofty keep-fit philosophy but there are also lashings and lashings of luxury and a fair amount of fun.

On arrival, I was pleased to see that the lobby was definitely more Kenzo than Tenko, showcasing original Art Deco features of the original Carillon Hotel alongside the upscale elegant designs of New York architect David Rockwell. The rooms too were plush, inviting and surprisingly large – even by American standards – each with vast living rooms and kitchens, spacious spa-style bathrooms and broad balconies overlooking the ocean.

So far, so good. And after a good night’s sleep in my jumbo bed I’m up and at ‘em. The Canyon Ranch does have a reputation for taking a serious approach to health and fitness though so I fully expected warm cabbage-water and wheatgrass for breakfast but no, instead – and much to my delight – I’m presented with a plentiful plate of organic blueberry pancakes, coming in at less than 300 calories, including the syrup! So this is how those celebs manage to stay so skinnylicious! Here’s the recipe if you want to try it out yourself (you really should). And if you love this recipe as much as I do, you can find more here

Whole-Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes with Fruit

Ingredients
1/2 cup bread flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup cane sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoon aluminum free baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
1/4-1/2 cup 2% milk
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup berries or chopped fruit (Blueberries and bananas work well in this recipe.)
12 tablespoons pure maple syrup Instructions1. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. In a medium bowl combine remaining wet ingredients and mix well. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
2. Lightly coat a griddle or large sauté pan with canola oil. Place on burner over medium heat until hot. Portion approximately 3 tablespoons batter on griddle and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon berries or chopped fruit. Cover fruit with 1 additional tablespoon batter and cook until bubbles form. Flip and cook other side to golden brown.
3. Serve 3 pancakes topped with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.Serving Information
Makes 6 (3-pancake) servings, each containing approximately: 365 calories, 70 gm. carbohydrate, 6 gm. fat, 54 mg.cholesterol, 10 gm. protein, 469 mg. sodium, 4 gm. fibre.

Loving the idea that eating healthily could taste so good (this Canyon Ranch even allows alcohol, unlike its sister resorts in Tuscon and Lenox, but, of course, here the cocktails are organic, the beer biodynamic and the red wine green) I’m now convinced the keep-fit side of things will be a breeze too.

I bypassed the enormous indoor rock climbing wall, the spectacular state-of-the-art gym overlooking the ocean, and the four swimming pools and instead opted for my first ever Zumba class. Zumba was invented in Miami and claims to be an easy-to-follow, Latin inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness party. Sounds fun right? I thought so. I like a party and, although the only time I really dance is on nights-out when copious amounts of alcohol seem only to serve to enhance my natural dancing ability, I felt sure I could hold my own. Not so. My first ever Zumba turned out to be a somewhat humiliating experience as within moments I came to the sudden, stark and sober realisation that – I can’t dance! While the rest of the class, including a couple of nip-tucked octogenarians, pranced around the room in a series of highly-coordinated hip-shaking movements, I found myself flailing about like a mad jellyfish, facing the wrong way (more than once) and gasping for air like a guppy. Strangely though, I loved it and by the end of the sessions I was caught up in the feverish good fun of it all and happily ran around the room high-fiving strangers.

There was only one thing to remedy this sudden outburst of American-like enthusiasm and that was to head to the spa for some calm downtime. A 70,000 sq.ft shimmering, mosaic-covered sanctuary awaited me. Two floors of gently-lit sumptuous rooms, tropical “experiential” showers, pools of healing waters, thermal cabins, soaking tubs, laconiums, and an igloo (yes, really) made for a fabulous A-list experience. The massage too (just about) lived up to its $240 price tag with a hundred minutes of pounding, pressing and pulling inspired by ancient techniques used on Thai warriors.

Needless to say, as I enter into 2012 I believe that these celebrities have got the right idea and from now on I will be stuffing myself with pancakes, embarrassing myself at Zumba and all-day spa-ing wherever possible. Who’s with me?

Canyon Ranch Hotel and Spa, Miami Beach: Tel 305-514-7000; http://www.canyonranch.com/miamibeach/; From $400

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02
Jan 12

New Year’s Eve at The Setai Miami

Well, we may tightening our belts and pinching our pennies over here in the UK but it seems that the shimmering beachside city of Miami may have missed the memo about the worldwide economic downturn. Over in South Beach, the limos are lined up and the champagne is chilling for the inevitable influx of super-celebrities ready to hit the famous New Year’s Eve party scene – Lady Gaga, P-Diddy, J-Zee and Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Owen Wilson are amongst a huge list of stars that have chosen Miami as the place to “bring in the bells” over the last few years. And the hottest ticket for 2012? The Midnight in Marrakech Ball at The Setai.

The Lowdown Even without a glamorous party on the go, The Setai is one seriously alluring place to be. The gorgeous, design-conscious hotel may have been open for six years now but it still has the heady buzz of a brand new opening so I was thrilled to make it my first stop on my pre-Christmas tour of Miami. Celebrity sightings at The Setai, where the enormous rooms can easily accommodate an extensive entourage, are too numerous to mention. Most recently the X-Factor USA judges, contestants and crew took over the hotel, laying down tracks in the Lenny Kravitz designed recording studio like Jay-Z and Chris Brown before them. Simon Cowell, of course, bagged the best room – in fact he won’t stay anywhere else in Miami – checking into the incredible four-bedroom Penthouse suite complete with rooftop lap pool, Jacuzzis-a-go-go, Baby Grand piano and a wine cellar.

If you can’t afford to drop $30,000 a night from your Prada wallet then there are another 86 ultra-chic suites to choose from. All have spectacular floor-to-ceiling windows affording views of the city or beach (or both if you’re lucky) and come with designer beds and threads, deep black granite bathtubs, rain showers, Asprey amenities, 50” TVs, Bose sound systems and Illy coffee makers. And the little touches – I love the little touches – each guest is also provided with a gorgeous raffia beach bag, sandals and sarongs. Fabulous.

The Highlights

The Setai is a knock-out of a hotel. From the minute you walk through the splendid Art Deco exterior, of what was once the Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel, you’re met with an entirely different South Beach experience. There are no ice-cream colours and squidgy furnishings here, instead The Setai has opted for a cool Asian aesthetic and has totally nailed it. A soothing palette of polished woods, honey-coloured stone floors and perfectly positioned artworks are offset with flashes of oatmeal and orange – including a stunning display of 500 amber-like roses.

It says a lot about a hotel when you just don’t want to leave, even with a city as spectacular as Miami on your doorstep, but there was nothing else for it. After a morning spent meandering around the hotel’s tropical gardens and flitting between the three temperature-controlled swimming pools, it was time for a Mediterranean inspired lunch at The Setai Pool and Beach Bar. Thankfully the food lived up to my now incredibly high expectations (as did the cocktails) and come three o’clock I had to practically be wheeled to my spa appointment.

The spa at The Setai, which carries through the same serene South East Asian vibe, overlooks South Beach and is an intimate, peaceful and stylish space. I booked in for the Ila Kundalini Back Massage which involves working on the spine to unblock the build-up of negative energy caused by stress. Now, I’m not sure if my Chakras were cleansed or any other kind of inner magic replenished but I did fall asleep within five minutes and felt wonderful when I was gently awakened from my slumber an hour later. The perfect pick-up before a night on the town.

Star Style

The ladies of Miami take their swimwear very seriously indeed so, apart from needing that all important NYE party dress, you’ll be wanting some stylish swimwear. ReallyRee over on the Hello! blog, Attempts at a Stylish Life, put me on to a beautiful beachwear collection from Paolita. If you’ve got the body and the confidence, this gorgeous silver swimsuit from their Spring/Summer ’12 collection is sure to make an impact.

Luxur One Piece £140 Paolita.co.uk

The Setai; Tel (305) 520 6000; http://www.setai.com/; Rates from US$550

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23
Dec 11

Christmas Shopping in Miami

What do you mean it’s Christmas on Sunday? Not this Sunday? Oh dear… Ten days on from my last post and I still don’t have a tree, or tinsel, or a turkey for that matter. Thankfully, it’s not all “Bah Humbug” in the Cobaj household as I did manage to pick up a couple of presents during my trip to Miami last week – and oh what fun it was! They do Christmas shopping differently in Miami; you don’t have to deal with angry elbow-and-umbrella-wielding consumers, sideways sleet or slippery sidewalks – oops I mean pavements – instead things happen at a much more civilised pace. Here, the temperature is set to summer time all year round and if you haven’t already sent your personal shopper out to garner your gifts, you can take a leisurely stroll down through the city’s chic boutiques with the sun shining on your SPF-covered face and spring in your perfectly toned step. It’s no wonder the rich and famous choose Miami as a favourite festive destination.

Bal Harbour

Bal Harbour is without a doubt one of the swankiest malls in the world and pulls in more revenue per square foot than any other retail space in the United States – beating even New York and Rodeo Drive! Think all-out glamour darling, it’s all about luxury; expect high-end fashion houses, jaw-droppingly beautiful jewellers and gorgeous art galleries. This is the place where J-Lo comes to stock up on engagement rings, Beyonce and Jay-Z like to stop by for a spot of lunch at Carpaccio’s and Kelly Rowland comes Christmas shopping.

Gee Beauty

My favourite shop at Bal Harbour – partly because it was the only one I could afford but also because of the lovely welcoming staff – was the swish little Gee Beauty salon. Inside its sleek all-white interior it houses a modern make-up and skincare studio that offers Oxygen facials and expert eye-brow threading alongside highly covetable cosmetics and skincare ranges.

My favourite product, and the one that I hope Santa will be leaving under my non-existent tree, was the exquisitely scented and incredibly nourishing Rodin Body Oil £68

C Madeleine’s

C Madeleine’s is one of Miami’s best kept shopping secrets. This 10,000 square feet boutique is located off the usual tourist trail on an unremarkable stretch of Biscayne Bay and houses one of the best collections of vintage clothing in the US. It would be a huge understatement to call it a simply a vintage store as it’s so much more than that – it’s a homage to fashion, a magnificent museum of clothing. The shop’s namesake and marvellous curator, Madeleine, personally scours the world for the highest quality pieces so prices aren’t exactly a bargain but even if you can’t afford to spend $6500 on a Dior two-piece it’s still worth whiling away an afternoon amid the extraordinary styles and trends of the last century. Take a stroll through the decades from Downton Abbey flapper dresses to 1950s Grace Kelly-esqu gowns to “I Dream of Jeanie” Kaftans to Eighties Helmut Lang power suits.

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12
Dec 11

Picture Perfect Prague: The Mandarin Oriental

I’ve been so busy jetting around the world these last few weeks (don’t hate me) that I’ve not had time to think about the fast-approaching festivities. So far, I’ve not sent any cards, bought any presents, or put up the tree – not good! I need to start channelling some serious Christmas spirit soon or before I know it the Big Day will be here and I’ll be twinkle-less, tinsel-less, trying to whip up a dinner out of tins of tuna, while wrapping garage-bought gifts in tinfoil. So where might be the perfect place to put me in the mood for forthcoming festive season? Why Prague of course. Home to cobbled streets and horse-drawn carts, awe-inspiring architecture and charming castles; during winter there will certainly be snow and throughout December there’s a beautiful Christmas market. Prague’s picture-perfect appearance also makes it the ideal backdrop for a Hollywood blockbuster and films like Amadeus, The Chronicles of Narnia, Casino Royale, and most recently the new Tom Cruise movie, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, have all been shot in the city.

The Lowdown

Whether it’s for work or pleasure, when the A-list are in town then their hotel of choice is inevitably the gorgeous Mandarin Oriental. Discreetly located at the end of a quiet lane in the elegant Mala Strana district, the 99-room property is squirreled away from prying eyes yet still close to the action. Sitting in the shadow of Prague castle and just a few minute walk from the Charles Bridge and the Vltava River it offers the perfect celebrity hideaway.

Kevin Spacey and John Malkovich are two superstar guests that have been reported in the press, Katie Holmes and little Suri were spotted playing in the nearby park, and Wayne and Colleen Rooney chose the MO as the location for their make-it or break-it holiday last year. Loads more stars have stopped by but secret entrances and private suites far from prying eyes have prevented them from being papped and the tight-lipped concierge was giving nothing away!

From the street, an understated (and easily-missed) archway leads to a honey-coloured terrace surrounded by the smooth white walls of what was once a 14^th cloisters. Inside, the warm and intimate lobby area portrays the kind of timeless elegance the Mandarin Oriental group does so well – think luxe-y contemporary design blended seamlessly with period features, smartly-clad staff, and a cool orderly vibe.

Each room has its own unique features, some have vaulted ceilings, some have sweeping arches, and all have beautifully polished antique parquet floors, tactile furnishings, and enormous comfy beds draped in navy silks. The standard rooms are a bit on the squeezy side but I had the pleasure of staying in a Junior Suite which boasted a separate living room with big wide windows and views over the cobbled streets of Mala Strana. Understated luxury was the order of the day and the lovely limestone bathrooms were packed with lavish touches like highly-covetable range of Aromatherapy Associates amenities, duvet-like robes and a tub so deep it called out for a Hollywood-style bubble bath. The star treatment continued come bedtime with a turndown service that included lavender-scented pillow mists on the bedside table. All that was left to do was to order some (pricey but delicious) room-service and retire to my cloud-like bed. Heaven.

The Highlights

I was so looking forward to sampling the delights of the spa. I’d been for a massage at the Mandarin Oriental Macau years ago and still felt relaxed just thinking about it, so expectations were high. I wasn’t disappointed. Although the feel of the spa was still distinctly Mandarin, the design cleverly embraces the spa’s unique history as a former Renaissance chapel; walking through the hotel’s secret passage feels like stumbling into a private museum. Beautifully preserved pieces of history dotted the corridor and, once inside, glass walkways hover above ancient church ruins and fantastic original frescos decorate the walls. A bright spacious lounge awaited, complete with screened relaxation areas and tea lounges, and infused with a sense of monastic calm. The sense of serenity continued through to the treatment rooms where my therapist, Andrea, skillfully kneaded my sightseeing-weary body into blissful submission.

Other highlights include Essensia, the hotel’s restaurant. I only made it down for a superb breakfast (with the best smoothies ever) but the dinner menu was a mouth-watering selection of local Czech dishes and Asian cuisine that I was sorry to have missed. Chic bar, Barego, is the place for people-watching, celebrity-spotting and mixes a mean cocktail.

Star Style

Danni Minogue is said to adore the Aromatherapy Associates range used by the Mandarin Oriental Spas and I have to agree – they’re lush. I absolutely fell in love with their heavily (and heavenly) scented products. Try the fabulous De-Stress Muscle Rub £20 for 150ml for an in-house rub down.

Magical Mauritius: Shanti Maurice

The Maldives: Hollywood’s Favourite Hideaway

An Arabian Adventure

Dubai’s Chicest Boutique Hotel: The Desert Palm

Celebrating Chinese New Year in London

Time out at the Titanic Spa

Detoxing Celebrity-style at the Canyon Ranch Miami

New Year’s Eve at The Setai Miami

Christmas Shopping in Miami

Picture Perfect Prague: The Mandarin Oriental

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