Eva Berg suggests four getaways to revitalise the senses and put a spring in your step…
LECH, AUSTRIA
Nothing lifts the mood more than piles of powdery white snow; it never fails to bring out the inner child in even the grumpiest grouch. I love skiing in Austria, closely followed by Norway, and there are more and more luxurious design-led hotels and chalet concepts sprouting up in this area of Vorarlberg.
One of the most exclusive but low key resorts is Lech, frequented by European royalty. Lech is a perfect spot for a romantic three-day break of snowy action and cosy relaxing nights. It was Princess Diana’s favourite ski resort, where Prince Harry and Prince William learned to ski. It is also one of Europe’s best resorts for plenty of natural snow, up to eleven metres per year. One of the coolest lodge hotels is the Berghotel Biberkopf, part of the beautifully designed pepper-collection of hotels, lodges and luxury chalets. It’s surrounded by endless snowy slopes and dramatic mountain views. Guests can book private ski lessons or indulge in romantic sleigh rides, rough and tumble tobogganing, snowshoe hikes and even heli-skiing.
The hotel decor is contemporary alpine and very cosy; the sublime views are of sweeping valleys and idyllic Sound of Music villages. The hotel has a great spa with a huge variety of sauna experiences (Finnish, herbal and organic) and an excellent massage menu. There’s also an award-winning restaurant and a more casual bistro to indulge in barbecue specialities and fondues. www.peppercollection.com
TENERIFE, SPAIN
Whether it’s one of the girl’s birthdays, celebrating a divorce or just time to get together for a chin wag, Bahia Del Duque allows you to be completely cosseted in one place with a vast variety of gourmet experiences and a huge new spa with incredible outdoor thalassotherapy facilities.
It feels like a slightly surreal old world Dali-esque hillside village. The staff are decked out in 19th-century national dress, and amusingly when I first arrived, I thought I had wandered onto the set of Pirates in the Caribbean. The rooms are old but elegant with views out to the sea and Duque beach. However, the newer sassier villas are perfect for a four-girl getaway with private pools, breakfast delivered and 24-hour butler services.
The huge, labyrinthine resort has eight restaurants from Italian, beach, Spanish and Japanese and there are also several wine and cocktail bars which you can saunter to in heels and without the hassle of taxis or Google maps. Even though I found the place a little odd when I first arrived, by the end of my trip it had really grown on me. It is vast but calm without being pretentious and a no brainer if you want a couple of luxurious, hassle-free days of sun, sea, spa, catch-up chats and Paloma margaritas in your private pool. www.thetaishotels.com
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Want to really shake off the winter cobwebs? With Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Tapair all flying to the Portuguese capital (a mere two and a half hour flight) this is a perfect three-day trip. Stay at the newly opened Almalusa Alfama boutique hotel located in the historical centre of the city in a beautifully restored 12th-century building with views of the Tagus river. Rooms are pretty and the hotel’s Delfina café serves a delicious brunch.
You want to stay in Lisbon at night so you can cruise the numerous buzzing rooftop bars and experience Portugese cuisine in cute restaurants like Trinca, a secret little place on a residential street frequented by locals, where you can try Portuguese, South American and Japanese small plates.
However, during the day, head up north along the silver coast to Ericeira or Sinatra just a short 20-minute drive (the hotel concierge can organise a surf day package and experience). Ericeira is a laid back fishing village with dramatic cliffs, golden beaches and some of the best surf schools along the coast. It is now mainly populated with big wave chasers of all nationalities. You will find gnarly old fishermen sitting next to sun bleached surf nerds sipping milky galãos in the wooden beach cafés. If you want to really immerse yourself in the surf world checkout Aethos, a hotel that is all about surf culture and recharging the spirit. www.almalusahotels.com
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
Trendy hotels in Manhattan are tripping over themselves to be the sharpest on the block, but I find some of these newbies are trying too hard and are all “fur coat and no knickers” as my grandmother used to say. Irish-owned The Fitzpatrick Manhattan may be an older hotel but with its recent refurb, it is a classic haven with comfortable quiet rooms, a great bar and location, close to Central Park and 5th Avenue. Dine at the surreal and huge Buddakan Restaurant, 75 9th Avenue, made up of several opulent rooms with jaw dropping interiors – think 16th-century Paris meets Dune-like Asia. On the menu is excellent pan-Asian cuisine and most importantly, the desserts are dazzling.
Take a walk from Chelsea market on the beautiful Midline (preferably at dusk) so you can peek into the lives and apartments of the local residents (no one seems to do the curtain thing). Do not go up the Empire State Building, instead view it from Summit One Vanderbilt, an immersive experience of art, glass reflective technology and acrophobia-inducing heights then sit down and de-dizzy with a dirty martini at Summit Bar. For some silliness head to The Museum of Ice Cream, not exactly a museum, more of a flavour tasting for those sweet of tooth; it provides a perfect photo backdrop for those who need to be Insta-licious.
No New York trip would be complete without the iconic afternoon tea at The Plaza – they even have an Eloise High Tea (remember Kay Thompson’s delightful book Eloise at The Plaza?). Wear your finest tea dress and chunky heels while delicately nibbling on mandarin orange eclairs and savouring a dainty cup of lavender Oolong tea. www.fitzpatrickhotels.com