Gorgeous knitwear, chocolate leather accessories and keep-out-the-cold shoes and boots that will make the upcoming winter something to look forward to.

Available at Kew Online

The sleek Elysia is a four cabin Ferretti 780 and can be yours for a week for £42,000.

From unpacking your bags, the crew will cater to your every whim, including getting you into private beach clubs in St Tropez summon a personal shopper to plunder the stores of Nice or fix up reservations at the best restaurants in Cannes.

Book through Elegant Resorts

The Desert Island Resort & Spa opens in November on a private island off Abu Dhabi, the Diamond Experience will have you polished with Diamond dust until your skin shines, and a facial incuding gem therapy.

Three night weekend break in a Beach Vill at the Desert Island Resort & Spa from £1,269pp including flights from Destinology.

Find out more at Sanctuare
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Let The Emperor’s Butlers guide you through the magnificent Forbidden City, where the splendid painted decoration on the royal architectural wonders, the grand and deluxe halls with their surprisingly sumptuous treasures will fill you with wonder.

Enjoy the unique chance to uncover Chinese cuisine’s mystery by learning the story behind each dish as well as its concept. The special Free Emperor set menu dinner at the restaurant Shi will tickle your palate with delectably superb fusion cuisine creatively prepared by pre-eminent Chinese chef John Hao.

Get a feel of Beijing’s cosmopolitan life by getting free access to The Emperor’s fashion and art events hosted at the rooftop bar “YIN”.

Until June 30th 2008, the Emperor Hotel is offering an opening package including the following:

• Free daily local newspaper
• 4hrs on-call room valet service
• Complimentary broadband and wireless internet
• The special The Emperor` set menu dinner at the Restaurant “SHI”
• Complimentary in-room mini bar
• One free entry ticket per person to the Forbidden City, including a guided tour
• Free long distance call for 3 minutes
• Access to The Emperor’s art and fashion events

Book the offer at Design Hotels

Andaz welcomes guests with fresh, uncomplicated and more personalised service.

Focusing on the brand ethos of “casual luxury,” these innovations are at the heart of what makes Andaz different.

“Andaz was the result of extensive research, which told us that both travellers and developers are looking for a high quality, boutique-inspired hotel experience that is casual and relaxed, yet characterized by consistently great service,” says Mark Hoplamazian, president and chief executive officer of Global Hyatt Corporation.

“Andaz is an eco-conscious brand, with an authentic and stylish product reflective of local culture, and a service model that is highly personal and uncomplicated.”

The Andaz hallmark is literally ‘personal style.’ This sense of personality is evident throughout the hotel and guest services are introduced to develop stronger guest/staff relations. This philosophy allows guests to define their own hotel experience and live it with the same freedoms they have at home.

Creating a more personalised one-to-one experience, an “Andaz Team Member” welcomes guests into a non-traditional, designed-focused living space that is more like a home than a hotel.

There are No front desks at check-in.

There are No separate concierge desks or a receptionist.

Instead there is one contact - a dedicated “Andaz Team Member,” recognising and responding to guests’ personal tastes, requests and preferences.

A flexible and simplified method is applied as guests are checked-in via Tablet PC`s, either en route to the guest room, or upon arrival.

All members of staff are guest serving, and without title, from general manager to waiter.

Pricing is uncomplicated, transparent and uniform:

Inclusive in the room rate are traditional ‘extras’ such as breakfast, Internet, healthy mini-bar items, local telephone calls, laundry and pressing, blockbuster movies.

Rates begin at £395 for single occupancy and £415 for double occupancy.

Imaginative living space concepts, such as The Living Room at Andaz Liverpool Street, London, replace the traditional lobby.

Andaz is eco-conscious. In London, toilets use 80% less water, computer controlled boiler reduces 25% fuel use, intelligent lighting systems used in guest rooms, eco-printers used throughout, fair trade purchasing policy implemented and wherever possible food and beverage to be sourced locally.

Unexpected detail exists around the building. Historic architecture sits alongside modern design.

The Andaz Studio is London’s latest private dining experience. Guests choose menu combinations from any of the hotels five restaurants, which specialise in sushi, fine dining and seafood to bistro or hearty pub fare. With a private entrance and dynamic open kitchen, the Andaz Studio concept is residential in design and service and unique to the Square Mile.

Andaz develops and integrates cultural and design accents from its location. The hotel’s personality, as much as product, is tailored towards each guest’s preference.
Cultural activities at Andaz Liverpool Street, London include:

Bespoke monthly East End Contemporary Art tours from the hotel. Local and hard to find galleries and studios are uncovered by guides who are practicing artists.

Local characters and personalities have submitted iPod play lists. The individuals have been selected for local relevance over celebrity such as the local “policeman,” “lawyer,” “banker,” “publican,” “fashion designer,” “artist,” “architect,” “hairdresser.” The selections appear on loan iPods from the Living Room.

The hotel is a lynch pin between corporate and creative East London. Regular comedy (Sabotage) and literary (B-Club) events have played host to the likes of Stephen Merchant, Stuart Lee, Will Self, Nick Hornby and Alexi Sayle. A new art collection is developing along guest corridors. Works by local, up-and-coming artists include Petro Chrisostomou and Martina Schmuecker and curated by local art collective Exhibit-K.

Local luminaries have come together to apply East End relevant quotations to the spaces of Andaz London under the title of “Eastern Thinking”. Contributors include Peter Newman, Jonny Woo, Barber Osgerby, Mother, Danny Sangra, Joe Hunter, Jason Bruges, Joss McKinley and Hannah Martin.

The term ‘Cosmeceuticals’ describes these advanced formulas. Cosmetics with the background of pharmacuetical companies. Here are the pick of the crop…

Dr Brandt Laser Peel

Dr Brandt’s Laser-A-Peel has already found fans amongst age-defying stars like Madonna.

Glycolic acid removes dead cells, whilst anti-oxidants like green and white tea keep the skin soothed, soft and supple.

Dr Brandt 3 step Laser-A-Peel Kit
£75 from Space NK

Zelens by Dr Marko Lens

Zelens Skin Science products are developed by cosmetic surgeon Dr Marko Lens.

A potent serum of anti-oxidants provides protection against all types of damaging free radicals. The formulation of natural antioxidants helps to prevent and repair visible signs of premature skin ageing, delivered in a drip-feed system.

Zelens Radical Defense System
£110 from zelens.com

Touch up your winter sun strap lines with Mac Face & Body Foundation, and try the Smart Bra from La Senza, with detachable straps that will suit asymetrics hung whichever side.

Steer clear of big brooches with this new look, a little too Gladiator I think.

His replacement, Alessandra Facchinetti, the 35-year-old who also stood in for Tom Ford at Gucci for a spell, has vowed her creations for the brand would not bear a marked contrast to the sophisticated elegance the fashion house is famous for.

“I am a part of the changes, but I won’t lose Valentino’s DNA,” she said on the eve of the runway show. “He is famous for chic and elegant clothes, bows, spots, lace and ruffles.”

And the talented designer remained true to her word, sending out pleated cocktail dresses with rose corsages and Valentino-favoured red, ruffle-adorned silk creations past an A list audience that included Hollywood actress Winona Ryder and rapper Kanye West.

Meanwhile at Stella McCartney, Sir Paul’s girl presented a medieval-inspired collection in a colour palette of silvers and charcoals, featuring faux coat-of-arm print details. Fabrics including felt and wool formed the basis of cardigans, coats and cloaks, while chiffon and silk creations in autumnal hues were prominent in the eveningwear section, ranging from long, flowing gowns to thigh-skimming smock-style dresses.

In contrast to Stella’s relaxed tailoring, Yves Saint Laurent played it sharp - with a colour scheme of block metallics to match.