TRAVEL NOTES
Get a perfect beach body in St Lucia
The plush resort of Cotton Bay Village on the Caribbean island of St Lucia has launched a series of “diva boot camps” for ladies to get in shape in beautiful surroundings. The week long courses aimed at solo travellers or small groups of friends include tailored nutritional and exercise plans, personal trainers, spa treatments, classes and sightseeing excursions. 18-25 Apr and 23-30 May, from $2,950 per person. Call 0208 874 9900 or visit www.cottonbayvillage.com.
Ritz-Carlton opens in Shanghai
Just in time for the Shanghai Expo, the massive world fair that kicks off in the Chinese city on 1 May, the Ritz-Carlton is opening its second Shanghai hotel at the end of the month, the Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. With architecture inspired by the Chinese Art Deco aesthetic that flourished in the city in the 1930s, it’s one of the most luxurious and stylish hotels yet to open in China’s boom town. For more information, visit www.ritzcarlton.com.
The Big Apple’s most stylish hotel
Hats off to the team behind the stunning redesign of New York’s The Mark Hotel, an icon of luxury and cool in the Mad Men heartland, Madison Avenue. We love the black and white-striped floor of the lobby, cow-hide pattern sofas in the ultra-cool bar, and the old-fashioned chic of the restaurant, which is overseen by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Don Draper would surely approve. For more information, see www.themarkhotel.com.