TRAVEL NOTES
Marrakesh’s home of luxury reopensOne of Morocco’s most famous hotels, La Mamounia in Marrakech, will be reopening its doors this week after a three year restoration project. The place has hosted all manner of royalty, celebrities and jet setters over the years, having established a reputation for opulent, colonial-style luxury and glamour. As well as four restaurants, an extensive spa with a traditional Moroccan hammam, a fitness centre, tennis courts and swimming pools, there are 136 rooms, 71 suites and three private riads with their own pools and Moroccan salons. For more information visit www.mamounia.com
New spa at West Country jewel
The Bath Priory is a magnificently cosy, welcoming country house-style hotel in the Somerset spa town, with a charming restaurant overseen by two Michelin star chef Michael Caines. It now also has a top level spa of its own, with four new treatment rooms, an indoor swimming pool sauna, elliptical steam pod and a brand new fitness suite. There’s a wide range of treatments and packages available, including treatments for mothers to be and others tailored for wedding couples in preparation for the big day.
Visit www.thebathpriory.co.uk for more information.
Eco opulence comes to Borneo’s riviera
Borneo is becoming one of the most exciting, up-and-coming luxury travel destinations in South East Asia, and in November it will be gaining a further boost with the opening of the Kudat Riviera villa estate resort in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. It’s a natural world paradise, with miles of untarnished white beaches, secluded coves, undulating hills and valleys, and the resort’s 29 villa estates match exotic opulence with eco-friendliness and sustainability. Visit www.kudatriviera.com for more information.
Bargain autumn deals for cultural Europe
British Airways is giving culture fans the chance to get nearer the artistic action this autumn. The Scottish Festival of Storytelling (23 Oct-1 Nov) will mark Robbie Burns’ 250 birthday, and BA is offering three nights at Frederick House in Edinburgh, plus return flights from Gatwick, for £196 per person. The Budapest Autumn Festival (9-18 Oct) includes music, dance and exhibitions, and visitors can travel there with BA, with three nights at the Domina Inn Fiesta hotel, for £273 per person. There are also offers to take in Rome’s Astrum 2009 Astronomy and Instrument exhibition and Jersey’s Tennerfest. Visit www.ba.com/lates for more information.