WINTER WONDERLAND
WHITEPOD If an away-from-it-all break is what you need, they dont come more off the beaten track than Whitepod, a cluster of hi-tech tents with nothing more than a spectacular mountain range for company.
 Located in the heart of the Swiss Alps above the skiing resort of Villars in the Vaud Canton, the resort consists of five igloo-shaped pods pitched on raised wooden platforms around a traditional Alpine chalet. Guests are met at Geneva Airport and taken to Villars, a journey of about an hour and a half, with the last leg of the journey on snowshoes or skis. Luggage arrives separately by skidoo. Whitepod guests can look forward to traditional food prepared by the resident chef, skiing expeditions led by experienced mountain guides, and a peaceful nights sleep in their very own white pod, heated by a wood burning stove and insulated with the latest technology with huge windows facing the bed offering jaw-dropping views to wake up to. Plus... how cool is this? Your very own iPod for entertainment. Breaks are all inclusive and cost approximately £240 per person per night with a minimum stay of two nights. Contact Sofia de Meye: +44 (0)7787 515 406 Email: sofia@whitepod.com CLOSER TO HOME DAKOTA When your hotel room boasts an extra large bed, 32 plasma screen TV, plus a twist on the traditional mini bar - a small larder with drinks and food - theres no reason to set foot outside, even if youre in one the UKs smartest cities. Just outside Nottingham, the Dakota Hotel makes for a chic winter escape. A huge open fireplace creates a warm and cosy atmosphere in the lounge with its leather and suede sofas and chairs. The hotels bar and grill is a must for guests and in-the-know locals alike with a vibrant atmosphere and fab selection of cocktails. Rooms are stylishly kitted out in a smart mix of wood and leather, with bathrooms featuring walk-in showers and specialised Dakota branded toiletries. All this and Nottinghams historic city centre is just a few miles away, offering a choice of sophisticated entertainment and culture. Prices start at £79.50 per night, per room. Winter warmer packages include a glass of mulled wine on arrival plus breakfast. Call 0870 442 2727 or visit www.dakotahotels.co.uk ENGLISH TRADITION
THE CONNAUGHT If elegance, refinery and exclusivitey are your thing, head for Mayfair and one of the worlds most celebrated hotels. Everything about The Connaught speaks quintessential English and youll be rubbing shoulders with foreign royalty, American society, landed gentry and distinguished actors. The day rooms are warmed by open fires and business meetings are banned in the interests of tranquility. Each of the 92 bedrooms is designed in an English country style, furnished with antiques and fine fabrics. Levels of service are impeccable with a head count of three members of staff to every guest. Outside of the hotel and two of Londons prettiest squares - Berkeley Grosvenor Squares with dozens of antiques shops and churches are a stroll away. The Connaught. Carlos Place, Mayfair, London W1k 2AL. Tel: 020 7499 7070. www.the-connaught.com NEW YORK COOL SOHO HOUSE New Yorks achingly cool Meatpacking District is home to Soho House, one of Manhattans funkiest hotels.
 With guest rooms called Playpen, Playroom, Playhouse and Playground you know this place is all about pampering, and the lavish bathrooms with stand alone baths and walk-in showers are geared up for just that. The exposed brick walls of the former warehouse have been retained and complemented with a luxurious layer of furnishings and fittings, which include crystal chandeliers, cut velvet and quirky furnishings. Soho House even has its own cosy cinema with leather armchairs that can be hired privately to watch your cherished Brief Encounter DVD. Soho House New York. 29-35 9th Avenue, New York Tel: (212) 627 9800. www.sohohouse.com ROMANTIC GETAWAY
HOTEL BEL-AMI Nothing beats the romance of Paris for a Valentines break, and Hotel Bel-Ami will provide the perfect bolt-hole.
 This historic hotel is built on what was once the west wing of the Abbey St Germain and is in the Paris suburb famed for attracting artists and intellectuals and, more recently, fashion houses including Christian Dior and Emporio Armani. All rooms and suites are styled to a level of understated, minimalist chic with all the mod cons you need for a luxury stopover. The Cantine breakfast room is in the basement in what was once a jazz club. Nice. Hotel Bel-Ami. 7-11 Rue St. Benoît, Saint Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris. Tel: (33) 1 42 61 5353 Visit www.hotel-bel-ami.com | 
