MORROCAN ALLÉNOAs part of Chef Alléno’s special menu, guests can experience Morroccan flair with tea-pouring ceremonies with a tea master, henna handpainting, culinary demonstrations of ancient Berber bread-making, and traditional dishes such as slow-cooked tagines of lamb and chicken.

Royal Mansour MarrakechThis exquiste hotel is rich with traditional heritage and Moroccan-inspired furnish-ings. Those looking for a unique culinary experience will be pleased to hear it will be hosting its second Moroccan Culinary Week from March 7-11, following the success of their inaugral culinary week last year. Chef Yannick Alléno (whose restaurants have won three Michelin stars) and his team will showcase the gastronomic and cultural diversity of the Kingdom’s regions, celebrating the many wonderful flavours of Morocco. The blue patio and restaurants will be transformed into a magical Moroccan pavillion where guests can enjoy refreshments. www.royalmansour.com

Giardino AsconaA contemporary Mediterranean-style hotel, with classic touches, nestled in lush parkland close to Lago Maggiore, the Giardino Ascona o!ers 72 luxurious rooms and suites with exclusive designer furnishings and decorative elements in warm earthy tones. It’s a soulful retreat where guests unwind amongst lavender, broom, mimosa, lemon and olive trees that thrive in the luscious gardens. The outdoor pools and sun loungers add to the sophisticated, beautiful setting. For exceptional fine dining, Ecco Ascona is a multi-award-winning restaurant with two Michelin stars.www.giardino-ascona.ch

171la femme170 la femme

Savoir Vivre

Rome Cavalieri The Eternal City is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Rome Cavalieri is set high above the historic city, o!ering stunning panoramic views amidst 15 acres of enchanting greenery. And it’s just three kilometres from the Vatican City and five kilometres from the picturesque city centre.

Rome’s multi-award-winning resort is home to some incredible works of art, including rare sculptures, paintings and interiors. It boasts the prestigious Grand Spa Club with two glittering outdoor pools, an indoor pool and separate children’s pool. It also has a three Michelin star restaurant, La Pergola by Heinz, which is the perfect place to dine under the stars.www.romecavalieri.com

Regnum Carya Golf & Spa ResortSet along the Mediterranean coastline in the town of Belek within Antalya, is Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.

The stunning hotel is spread across an impressive 1,000,000 square metres, combining the rousing blue of the sea with the lush green of the surrounding pine forests and golf courses. The resort’s four secluded and spacious villas

are breathtaking, all with private pools and gardens. The sophisticated resort houses two internationally recognised golf courses, an organic spa, three FIFA standard football pitches, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, four à la carte

restaurants and an adventure park. Regnum has also signed a partnership with Land of Legends theme park, a Rixos investment, which further adds to a wide variety of fun-filled family o!ers.

www.regnumhotels.com

Corinthia Hotel PragueCorinthia Hotel in Prague is a modern upscale busi-ness and leisure hotel with a luxurious top floor spa. It’s situated less than five minutes away from Prague city centre. The hotel is a landmark in itself, and crowns one of Prague’s seven hills, o!ering breath-taking panoramic views across the city. There are 539 air-conditioned rooms, including 66 executive rooms, 145 business rooms and 22 suites. Must-try restaurants include Rickshaw Oriental and The Grill.www.corinthia.com/en/hotels/prague

172 la femme 173la femme

Savoir Vivre

Hotel Café Royal’s Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre One of London’s best known and oldest hotels, Hotel Café Royal began as its name indicates, as a cafe, known throughout London for its magnificent wine cellar and sumptuous decor.And now the hotel is introducing London’s first aquatic healing retreat at Hotel Café Royal to accompany the existing hydrotherapy treatments available at the spa, and is the ultimate treat in holistic therapy. Relax and reconnect with yourself by focusing on your mind, body and soul.

Leading the retreat is Steve Karle, a pioneer in aquatic bodywork therapies and a leading aquatic practitioner. At the spa’s private Watsu pool, guests will be taken on a transformational holistic path. Karle’s art of healing is based on listening to the natural movement of the body whilst floating passively on water.www.hotelcaferoyal.com

175la femme174 la femme

Savoir Vivre

CHIC ARCHITECTThe refurbishment of the Beau-Rivage property has been overseen by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon and internationally famous interior designer Leila Corbett Elwes. The new bathrooms are up to 40 sqm (almost as big as most hotel rooms), with hammam style showers. Elwes has added period touches with lamps, trinkets and unique objets d’art in each room.

Beau-Rivage GenéveThe iconic hotel Beau-Rivage Genéve celebrates 150 years with the launch of its new rooftop suites and duplexes fit for a royal stay. The luxurious rooms resemble modern, spacious lofts. There’s an added touch of old soul; history meets modernity, with the help of the meticulous work of renowned architect Pierre-Yves Rochon. Period lamps, trinkets and old paintings decorate each room, which are all equipped with the lat-est technology. The rooms include terraces with Jacuzzis, bathrooms with hammam showers and walk-in closets. Also, the hotel’s Michelin-starred French restaurant, Le Chat-Botté, will please guests with culinary sophistication. www.beau-rivage.ch

One & Only Cape TownNestled within a natural amphitheatre shaped by the vertical cli!s of Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head sits Cape Town in all of its coastal glory. Here, commanding an enviable spot in the city’s fashionable Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is One&Only Cape Town, overlooking the marina with panoramic views of Table Mountain.

One&Only Spa is Cape Town’s most comprehensive spa, situated on its own 1,000m" private island in the midst of the resort – an oasis of calm in the heart of a bustling city.

For food, the celebrated cuisine of local chef Reuben Ri!el marries Cape Malay traditions and flavours with Dutch and British flair, whilst global-fusion master Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa’s first African restaurant dazzles with his signature Japanese-Peruvian cuisine.www.oneandonlyresorts.com

176 la femme 177la femme

Savoir Vivre

TravelEssentials

Velaa Private IslandThis is an ultra-exclusive boutique hideaway. The private retreat is an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture

and contemporary luxury. Its name means “Turtle Island”, after generations of sea turtles that have flocked to nest and hatch there. The resort design borrows from this theme with turtle motifs and the colours and

patterns of turtle shell pervading the property. Designed by Czech architect Petr Kolar, it is built using local materials. The interior is stylish and contemporary and the resort comprises of 43 private villas, houses and

residences, including four-bedroom residences. While 18 of the 43 are built over water, the romantic pool residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity. For the epicurean, Velaa

Private Island boasts an extraordinary culinary experience with an extensive wine cellar. Velaa Golf Academy by Olazabal is a golfing experience like no other.

www.velaaprivateisland.com

179la femme178 la femme

Savoir Vivre

Charlotte Olympia Monstera Clutch, Dhs4,200

Fendi Selleria Strap You, Dhs5,708

Karl Lagerfeld ‘Fly with Karl’ Passport holder, POR

Lancôme Absolutely Rôse Cushion Blush, Dhs154