Northern Ireland’s reputation for spa therapies gets a lemongrass shot in the arm with the opening of the refurbished Slieve Donard (028 4372 1066, www.hastingshotels.com), in Newcastle, Co Down, on September 14. It’ll be one of the biggest spas in the whole of Ireland — 35,000 square feet — and lush, too, with sea views, minimalist decor and E’Spa treatments. See you for a tri-doshic tea between ayurvedics.
Branching out
Spas are devising ever more innovative and intriguing ways to let their clients get back in touch with nature, but Le Canonnier (www.beachcomber-hotels.com), in Mauritius, has just upped the serenity stakes. Its new five-room spa is entwined in a centuries-old banyan tree. Careful with that incense burner.
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Rum do
“A mai tai, sir?” says the barman at the Merchant Hotel, Belfast. “That’ll be £750.” Hell’s teeth. “Unlike other expensive cocktails that use gimmicks, our price is because of the ingredients,” says the hotel. “Our potation manager uses Wray & Nephew 17-year-old rum. Two people have ordered one already. We’re up for the Guinness record for the world’s most expensive drink, and we’ll hold a big bash if we get it.” Will there be free mai tais? “No.”
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Designer barbie
Who employs a full team of architects, builders and designers to make... a barbecue? You guessed it: Sandy Lane, Barbados (www.sandylane.com). The 16ft-grill will be fired up in a couple of weeks. Get in there before Michael Winner pinches all the lobsters.
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Bunny hunt
Neofile doesn’t make a habit of smoking a pipe in a whirlpool bath filled with naked women, but if the story demands it... the first Playboy club in 25 years opens at The Palms (www.palms.com), in Las Vegas, next month, and to go with it they’re launching the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa: 9,000 square feet of pop-up plasma TVs, 8ft circular rotating beds and Hef-selected Playboy artwork. The cost? A Hef-ty $30,000 a night — scantily clad bunnies not supplied.