Is Ascari the most exclusive driving club in the world?
Ermmm… YES!
The luxury Ascari Race Resort is nestled in the heart of southern Spain’s Andalusian Mountains (about an hour’s drive from the pomp and extravagance of Puerta Banus). Thanks to its geographical seclusion and protection from prying paparazzi, this is somewhere where the world’s wealthiest car enthusiasts and celebrities mingle and drive 360 days of the year.
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When it comes to Luxury Spa Breaks in the UK you really can’t afford to miss out on the highly acclaimed Chewton Glen. Situated just 10 minutes walk from the sea (and some beautiful sandy beaches), the luxury spa is nestled at the tip of the New Forest (Hampshire) in the South East of England.
We recently visited the Spa and discovered a level of relaxation that we have never experienced before. After some time debating between ourselves why Chewton Glen felt so different to many other spas that we’ve visited we came to the conclusion that their secret lies in their unique combination of premium quality at every turn, and incredibly friendly and down to earth staff who have clearly mastered the art of communication!
As you enter the regal gates and navigate the sweeping drive with beautifully mowed lawns either side of you it’s unmistakable that you have reached one of England’s finest spa retreats. You arrive directly at the front porch where you are greeted by porters all keen to allow you to relax as soon as you get out of the car. There’s a very different feel about this place from the outset; no arrogance, pompousness… more like a family all wanting to ensure every part of your stay is a memorable one…
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Set in the heart of London’s exclusive Mayfair district is the rather delightful Dorchester Hotel. This hotel is 5 stars all the way and is adorned with beautiful furnishings and incredibly polite staff. After a delightful cocktail at the bar we were taken to our table in the highly renowned Alain Ducasse restaurant which had been designed by Patrick Jouin.
Let’s spend a second on the design… it’s beautiful! Taking inspiration from Hyde Park opposite, Jouin has created an atmosphere that can only be described as tranquil. Using a mixture of greens, browns and creams combined with some extraordinary shapes, the entire restaurant oozes sophistication and class from the moment you enter its domain. The restaurant itself offers three areas of private dining, one of which is a truly ingenious centre stage within a fibre optic curtain that changes colour… it has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
Now to the service… as you’d expect with French dining the staff are incredibly professional and courteous. Not for one moment will your glass be left empty or your taste buds craving, the entire experience is just one of those things that has to be experienced to be enjoyed.
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Our final part of the journey took us to Essaouira, a beautiful city on the west coast that combined charming French influences and a relaxed, magical vibe about the place … and the finest seafood we had ever eaten!
Travelling from the mountains to Essaouira is simple. You basically have two options: a grand taxi (costing around £100 – one way), which takes you directly there or a local cab to Marrakech and then a direct air-conditioned bus (about £15 each - return journey). We would definitely recommend the latter as the coaches are comfortable and the saving is very tempting leaving you more available budget to spend on Moroccan goodies. Look to travel with Supratours or the other bus company located just round the corner called CTM. Unfortunately you can’t pre-book tickets with either company so if you can’t get on the preferred Supratours bus, which actually charges a slightly cheaper fare then try CTM as they both run at slightly different times.
We arrived in Essaouira and as with most seaside places we immediately realised the vibe was ten times more relaxed than in Marrakech. We arrived at the luxury Madada Mogador found at an intimate address hidden within the ancient walls of the city, which offered one of the finest views across the beach and harbour. The popular Le Cinq (After Five) restaurant owned by the same people is a few doors down and offers some rather stylish dining.
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Our next stop was the stunning Kasbah Du Toubkal which totally lived up to its reputation and far more. Situated in the heart of the Atlas Mountains and just 60km from Marrakech you can understand why this place is the preferred retreat for many celebs looking for a bit of tranquillity away from the paparazzi.
The resort is now responsible for a bustling community of Berbers and has created over 100 jobs for the local community – from muleteers to chefs, mountain guides and waiters. The resort is managed entirely by the locals and its magical charm is impeccable – it’s clear that your comfort is their highest priority. The location is one of the finest that you’ll find in the Atlas Mountains!
Our apartment was in fact the luxury ‘Garden Suite’ with a 20m panoramic viewing platform overlooking the mountain range itself. The suite had a fitted kitchen including washing machine, two large dining areas, and a spacious lounging area with log burner for those colder evenings. The apartment was kitted out with some Bose iPod speakers, board games and heaps of books to keep you entertained in the evenings and in fact the entire suite was geared up for trekkers whatever the weather and every minor detail had been thought about carefully to ensure a comfortable stay.
(Our Bedroom View!)
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