12 ttg_lux_spy-desire-pulse 27/2/09 17:20 Page 12
spy
Recession-proof celebs are still jet-setting around
the world – April Hutchinson checks out the hotels
they’re checking into
Top hotel openings draw
the big names, and jazz
singer Jamie Cullum
and model-author
girlfriend Sophie Dahl
headed to the opening of
the St Regis Resort Bali.
Coldplay are
set to perform
and stay at
Emirates Palace (above) in Abu Dhabi on
March 28 – the band will be making their
first UAE appearance and will follow the
trail of Justin Timberlake, Shakira,
Christina Aguilera and Elton John,
who have all performed and stayed at
pulse GENEVA
Emirates Palace in the past year. Back in
the UK, the Culloden Estate & Spa, a Geneva is just a business capital, specialising in cuisine outside Britain, making the Mandarin
countryside retreat outside Belfast, was grey men in grey suits who shake hands and sign Oriental the ideal place from which to explore
the comfy home to The Killers during papers, right? Look again, says Mark Lewis the city and the jewels of the lake beyond.
their recent gig. And popstar-of-the- With the Easter snow still providing fine
minute Lady GaGa is a fan of the newly
H
ere at the mouth of the Rhone and the corner of skiing opportunities at Chamonix in France,
refurbished Horseguards Parade Lake Geneva, is a city that exudes an unfussy Charmey in Switzerland and Courmayeur in
hotel in London, for which luxuriousness, borrowing a little something from Italy – all within two hours’ drive – Geneva
upcoming British fashion French chic, Italian style and German capability to provide makes the perfect jumping off location or
designer Aimee a suitably sumptuous short break destination. winding down point to add to the beginning
McWilliams has created The Mandarin Oriental, on the banks of the Rhone, or end of an Alpine ski trip.
a “capsule haute epitomises this lavish sophistication, bringing its Asian And don’t forget the option of wine-tasting
couture” collection. service ethos to the heart of old Europe. The hotel’s trips among the Unesco Lavaux vineyards
But our most exciting Spy spot has leisure bookings have risen to 50% of the total in 2008, up along Lake Geneva. Not immediately thought
to be David Beckham – currently from 40% in 2007, a sign that discerning travellers have of as a wine-making region, southern
‘in residence’ in the Royal Suite at begun to regard the Swiss city as a classy urban retreat. Switzerland is only a lake’s breadth from
the Hotel Principe di Savoia in And that concept forms the heart of the newly northern France, and is responsible for a
Milan. Hotel Lutetia in Paris’s refurbished hotel’s strategy. The suites, including the number of surprisingly good quality wines,
Saint-Germain-des-Pres district flagship Oriental suite with its view over Lake Geneva and excelling in Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
is a favourite with presidential wife the snow-tipped Alps in the background, are an aesthete’s
Carla Bruni, while husband dream. The spa offers everything you would expect from How to book it: British Airways offers return
Nicholas Sarkozy is a fan of Le a five-star retreat, while the French restaurant and the bar flights from Gatwick to Geneva from £80
Telfair in Mauritius, a resort with its huge range of cocktails make the hotel an (including taxes). Tel: 0844 493 0787,
ba.com
hotel also checked out by excellent option for an evening in. Rates at Mandarin Oriental, Geneva from
tennis star Rafael Nadal. Rasoi, the new signature Indian restaurant, must be £263 per night B&B. Tel: 00800 2828 3838,
among the best European examples of south-Asian
mandarinoriental.com/geneva
desire by paul revel
1
La Prairie is now stocked in Swiss’s new first-class suites. Its cellular eye contour cream is perfect for long-haul
beauty therapy (from £80, laprairie.com).
2
Anne Semonin Express Radiance ice cubes are a refreshing post
flight pick-me-up (£39 for eight, annesemonin.com). The brand is popping up all over the place, from ultra-trendy
Murano in Paris to Sani resort in Greece.
3
Asprey’s classy Purple Water range is an apt partner for the Maybourne
group (The Connaught, The Berkeley, Claridges).
4
We love the fragrant neroli and grapefruit
bodywash from all-natural British brand Ren (£13.75, renskincare.com). Its products feature in divine
designer hotel One Aldwych
5
Molton Brown is a global hotel favourite. The ‘his’ and ‘hers’ Globe
Trekker 10-item kits in Italian leather bags (£77.30,
moltonbrown.co.uk) make gorgeous travel gifts
1
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in the know
spring 09
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