Ayada is a brand-new award-winning luxury resort in the Maldives, featuring seafront and water villas with their own private pool and terrace overlooking tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean. With superb amenities and impeccable service this 150,000 square metre island is a true paradise.

Guests can enjoy seven outlets offering world-class cuisine, an extensive spa, an array of water sports, and scuba diving centre which includes interaction with a variety of fish and marine life in the swim reef.

Ayada’s 3,500 square metre AySpa, which is managed by spa consultants ESPA, was designed by leading spa experts and unites the nurturing effects of water with earth’s elements. Along with its breathtaking treatment villas, a private Hammam, a variety of saunas, steam baths and spa showers, the Spa features relaxation lounges and a health bar to complete this private sanctuary of calm and tranquillity.

ayadamaldives.com

La Mamounia in  Marrakech, Morocco has been elected as The Top Spa in the World and has also received the gong for Best Hotel Spa in Africa, Middle East & Indian Ocean putting La Mamounia on the map as THE destination spa.

The Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ Spa Awards are based on readers’ votes on criteria including spa facilities, individual approach, ambience/design, body and facial treatments, amenities and products, exercise programmes, cuisine, as well as quality of service and staff.

Denys Courtier of La Mamounia commented, “We are of course very happy and proud of such recognition from this prestigious publication.  Marianne Nielsen, Director of Spa & Leisure, and her Team have done a fabulous job since the opening.  This will also help position Morocco and La Mamounia as a professional and quality Spa destination on a par with Asia and The Indian Ocean”.

Inspired by an intoxicating blend of Moroccan and Eastern culture, the 27,000 sq foot La Mamounia Spa beautifully fuses the traditional with the very modern.  Over 80 treatments are offered ranging from traditional Moroccan Hammam treatments with marocMaroc to a full line of face and body treatments by Shiseido; manicures and pedicures by La Ric and hair styling by Jean Michel Faretra Paris

Additionally, The Pavillion at La Mamounia overlooks twenty acres of its famous gardens and houses two fully equipped fitness studios with aerobics, pilates, spinning and yoga classes; a weights and cardio room; two ozone treated swimming pools (indoor and outdoor); two clay tennis courts and table tennis tables for guests to enjoy at their leisure.

La Mamounia, Marrakech’s iconic hotel reopened its doors on 29^th September 2009 following a three year restoration project led by internationally acclaimed interior designer, Jacques Garcia.  This legendary hotel which has hosted the who’s who of international royalty, politicians, celebrities and the jet set, has expanded with 136 stylish guest rooms, 71 suites including seven Signature Suites and three riads each with three bedrooms, private terraces, Moroccan salons and private swimming pool

Rates from 6,000 MAD (£456) in a Hivernage Classic Room, per room per night, excluding daily tax 50 MAD (£4).

For further information, please call Mason Rose on +44 (0)20 7201 8050

I am surrounded by friends and family dramatically giving up their vices for Lent–sugar, alcohol, bad relationships, etc. Living in London, surrounded by temptation, I am having difficulty staving off my vices. Who doesn’t enjoy a fabulous glass of red after a long day? So, I have decided to indulge in a new setting that condones a healthy (yet luxurious) lifestyle in order to jump-start my Lent sacrifice.

I am pondering Shanti Maurice, an award winning resort known for having one of the largest spas in the Indian Ocean. Located around a beautiful horseshoe coral sand cove on the largely untouched south coast of Mauritius, Shanti Maurice  offers a unique range of therapies, featuring the ancient regimes of Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta combined with the latest international wellness regimes that include Hydrotherapy, Cocoons, Body Polishes, Fusion Massage and Watsu treatments. Their spa therapists work with nutritionists, personal trainers, Yoga masters and Ayurvedic physicians to encourage optimum health, mental wellbeing, revitalised senses, positive dietary changes and spiritual awakening.  Aside from all of this rejuvenation, I can go swimming with Dolphins! Yes, I think I have found my ideal “health retreat”. I may not return until Easter. After such clean living, would I even want a glass of wine?

If you want a video tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T50WTVtA4BA

After enduring the cold and grey of London for several weeks, I am in search of (to borrow a phrase) the fly and flop.  Tantalized by the upcoming Easter holiday, I am determined to find the ideal destination– the antithesis of old Blighty’s winter climate.  I have whittled it down to three contenders with three different vibes:  the Seychelles, Vietnam, and Mozambique.

The Seychelles.  Pristine,  unpopulated beaches.  Situated on the southwest coast of Mahe is the Maia Luxury Resort & Spa, a sanctuary dedicated to restoration, pure indulgence and the rejuvenation of all five senses–exactly what I am looking for. Of course, Maia’s private butler service is a big selling point, attending to your every need or whim, from unpacking  you on arrival and serving a decadent dinner in your villa to looking after your kids. Each villa boasts spectacular views of the ocean, a stocked bar, flat screen TV, iPod station, air-conditioning.  Since I will be seen in a bikini, I will have to take advantage of their highly trained staff who offer yoga, self-Shiatsu and Qi Gong sessions. Then, I could retire to the resort’s Spa by La Prairie–we all need a bit of skin-deep therapy. If you have kids, it is good to know that Maia Luxury Resort & Spa offers the VIK ‘Very Important Kids’ program, keeping children entertained with a diverse range of activities and menus that suit their tastes. Since I am, of course, ‘VIP’, I appreciate such programs ; )   http://www.maia.com.sc/

For a different kind of indulgence, the stunning Nam Hai in Vietnam is calling my name. The ALL villa resort, located on a 1 km stretch of a white sand beach, successfully combines the unique and gracious culture of central Vietnam with innovative design, state-of-the-art technology, first class recreational facilities and discreet yet impeccable service. Every villa enjoys a serene beach front location with private gardens and outdoor showers whilst the pool villas are equipped with private butlers to ensure every wish is fulfilled. I think I will have to indulge in a pool villa with a butler. If I am going on vacation, I must take advantage of all luxuries!  Nam Hai’s excellent facilities include a gorgeous spa, two gourmet restaurants, three swimming pools and a Colin Montgomerie-designed 18-hole golf course, which is beautiful, but I am not much of a golfer.

If lounging around is too boring for your significant other, there are a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites nearby: Hoi An, an ancient trading port known for its rustic charm, bustling market and historic buildings; Hue, which was home to the most powerful of emperors and Vietnam’s political capital until 1945;  and MySon, some of Vietnam’s oldest monuments – set deep in the jungle. www.thenamhai.com

For something more exotic, I am contemplating Mozambique, a beautiful country with a 2,500km-long coastline, which has some of the finest beaches and best diving in Africa. The chic boutique hotel, Azura , sits off the coast of Mozambique on Benguerra Island, within the Bazaruto Marine National Park. The look of the Azura is spare, clean, natural and coloured in soothing creams and marines, with an African twist. Although I may feel like I am “on television”, I may reserve the spacious, glass-enclosed bedroom with an enormous bathroom with a tub for two, indoor and outdoor showers, a veranda and a thatched saga by the beach in which to lie and drink cocktails.  You won’t feel guilty while you are lapping up luxury. Guest contributions of $10 a night, into the hotel’s Rainbow Fund, have helped to fund a school serving 450 children, a clinic which brings in a doctor from the mainland once a week, business training for local suppliers, and employment training for local villagers.  I do love a guilt-free holiday!  http://www.azura-retreats.com/

The small, but elegant Hotel Bellevue features striking interior design and sensational views.

Hotel Bellevue is a luxury boutique hotel situated on a spectacular cliff, 30 meters above Miramare Bay within walking distance of the UNESCO Old City of Dubrovnik. Proclaimed as one of Europe’s coolest new hotels by the UK’s Sunday Times, Hotel Bellevue is chic in style, boasting magnificent panoramic sea views with a sexy Mediterranean ambience.

hotel-bellevue.hr

VILA VITA Parc is a 5 Star resort that sits on over fifty acres in Portugal’s southernmost province, the Algarve, a genuine paradise destination. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, VILA VITA Parc is nestled among lush gardens on Portugal‘s world-famous cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. With its year round temperate climate, guests can enjoy stunning natural beauty and gourmet dining complemented by fine wines to breathtaking beaches and world renowned golf courses. Nearby, guests can explore places of interest such as the medieval fortresses of Silves and Sagres, the School of Navigation built by Prince Henry the Navigator, where Columbus was educated, as well as Europe’s most westerly coastline, or guests can indulge in the VILA VITA Vital Spa which utilizes a holistic approach for its personalized therapies and relaxing treatments.

vilavitaparc.com

Opened in June 2010, Royal Mansour Marrakech has redefined the gold standard of luxury hotels, offering an extraordinary array of spacious, opulent riads in the heart of one of the world’s most exotic cities. Having employed hundreds of artisans to work on the construction of the hotel, much of Royal Mansour is entirely handmade. The ground-breaking, distinctive and ingenious design is exemplified by a labyrinthine series of underground tunnels to each of the 53 riads. They are accessed only by staff, thus guaranteeing the utmost privacy, discretion and seclusion satisfying even the most high profile of guests. The luxurious riads have a private roof terrace with Bedouin tent, open fire and plunge pool for guests’ private enjoyment.

Aside from the hotel’s uniquely designed bars, Royal Mansour boasts 3 gourmet restaurants supervised by 3 Star Michelin Chef, Yannick Alleno, the award-winning chef of Le Meurice in Paris. Guests wanting more than the dining experience can indulge in The Royal Mansour Spa, a true paradise, guaranteeing a unique and relaxing spa experience.

royalmansour.com

La Mamounia, Marrakech’s iconic hotel located in the heart of the imperial city, opened its doors in September 2009 after an extensive three year restoration by internationally acclaimed designer, Jacques Garcia, combining quintessential Moroccan style and ambiance with the latest technology. The legendary hotel has hosted a who’s who of international celebrities, royalty, politicians and jet-set due to its renowned traditional Moroccan hospitality and superior accommodation. La Mamounia’s famous historical gardens provide an enchanting oasis from the city, impressing visitors with its exceptional and lush flora. Guests can also enjoy a wealth of gastronomic dining options directed by Michelin Star chefs, Jean-Pierre Vigato and Alfonso Laccarino, or indulge in the hotel’s Spa by Shiseido and marocMaroc, relaxing and rejuvenating in the opulent 2,500 sq.m spa facilities.

mamounia.com

The stunning Nam Hai all villa resort, located on a 1 km stretch of pristine white sand beach, successfully combines the unique and gracious culture of Central Vietnam with innovative design, state-of-the-art technology, first class recreational facilities and discreet yet impeccable service. The Nam Hai boasts sixty one-bedroom villas as well as forty one-to-five bedroom pool villas. Every villa enjoys a serene beach front location with private gardens and outdoor showers whilst the pool villas are equipped with private butlers to ensure every wish is fulfilled. Excellent facilities include a luxury spa, two gourmet restaurants, three swimming pools and a Colin Montgomerie-designed 18-hole golf course.

For those interested in culture, guests have the choice of a number of nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Hoi An, an ancient trading port known for its rustic charm, bustling market and historic buildings; Hue, which was home to the most powerful of emperors and Vietnam’s political capital until 1945;  and My Son, some of Vietnam’s oldest monuments – set deep in the jungle.

www.thenamhaihoian.com

The elegant St. James’s Hotel and Club, part of the luxury Althoff Hotel Collection, has been known for providing the highest standards of hospitality and service since it first opened its doors as a gentlemen’s chamber for the English aristocracy. The secret of this intimate luxury 5 star Victorian townhouse hotel lies partly in its unrivalled location in a quiet cul-de-sac in central London, providing the perfect base for shopping, sightseeing, culture (theatre, arts) as well as business meetings or events.

After an extensive renovation and re-design by Anne Maria Jagdfeld, the hotel re-opened in autumn 2008 with stylish, sleek, contemporary yet elegant interiors finished with handmade silk wallpaper, black lacquered furniture, handcrafted Murano glass chandeliers and polished natural stones in the bathroom. The magnificent penthouse suites and rooms boast some of the best terraces in London. The Rosenstein Art Collection, featuring Impressionist, Expressionist and Cubist work from all over Europe, decorates the public spaces and guest rooms. The hotel’s restaurant, Seven Park Place, was recently awarded a coveted Michelin Star for its exquisite cuisine by Chef William Drabble.

stjamesclubandhotel.co.uk