When a spa resort is frequented by the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Penélope Cruz and Britney Spears you know it must be something special.
Como Shambhala is an A-list haven to be found on a mile-long stretch of beach on the private island of Parrot Cay (yes, private island - and the likes of Bruce Willis and Donna Karan love it so much they bought houses there), which is part of the Northern Caribbean's Turks and Caicos islands. Start your celeb-worthy luxe retreat with the wind in your hair as a yacht takes you to the hotel from nearby Providenciales and then settle into your room before starting you holistic holiday. We'd recommended a beachside villa for total luxury, which even comes with a private heated plunge pool.
The only truly taxing part of your break will be deciding which of the menu of amazing treatments to enjoy. The majority of the therapies are Asian-inspired and use Indian Ayurvedic techniques, which aim to restore the body's natural equilibrium. We recommend the spa's signature treatment, the Como Shambhala Bath, which is a purifying and exfoliating sea salt scrub followed by a revitalising bath and massage. Or enjoy the Abhyanga Package - a herbal steam and oil treatment that includes a head and body massage to improve circulation and release impurities.
Don't worry, island life gets no more frenetic come nightfall - enjoy relaxed poolside dining in Lotus (known for freshly grilled seafood that will blow you away - the local fish, mahi-mahi, is very popular), or opt for more formal dining in Terrace, which boasts beach and sunset views to die for.
Inside info
If you're after something different, book yourself a yoga or Pilates retreat. The next one starts on April 22 and is a six- night retreat with sisters Andrea and Christina Curry. It costs Dh18,000 but includes all meals, accommodation, massages and treatments and four-and-a-half hours of yoga classes a day.
Details
Rooms from Dh1,600-a-night. Call +1 649 946 7788 or visit parrotcay.como.bz
More global hangouts
Oukan 71, Berlin, Germany
This ultra-chic boutique in Berlin is a Japanese concept, which combines a shop where you can pick up Scandinavian and Japanese designs, with an art gallery and a tea room. The concept was born when Tokyo Fashion Week was cancelled due to the 2010 earthquake and a group of 40 Japanese designers were looking for somewhere to showcase their work. The store lived on and you'll find an ever-changing selection of goods across two floors, as well as a cool spot to meet friends in the Tea Bar, which serves up healthy vegetarian, pescitarian, vegan and raw dishes.
Call + 49 30 2062 6700 or visit oukan71.com
Hotel Lola, New York, USA
Head to this incredibly sleek hotel in the hipster-cool Gramercy Park neighbourhood of NYC. In the stylish hub of the Big Apple and featuring fashion photography on its walls, this is the new fash pack favourite, and we can totally imagine Blair and Serena sipping on a few cocktails in the hotel's luxe eponymous bar. The glossy space is full of accents of sleek chrome and splashes of purple velvet, giving it both an edgy and luxurious feel. Plus, the furniture and lighting are all fittingly high-design (the renovation it took to re-launch this spot last December, cost a cool Dh55 million after all).
Call +1 212 689 1900 or visit hotellolanyc.com
