01 January 08

Features

Chic Peaks

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COWSHED
HOLLAND PARK, WEST LONDON AND SOMERSET (PLUS OTHER BRANCHES IN CORNWALL, EDINBURGH, LONDON AND NEW YORK CITY)

Scott
Part of the Soho House empire, this cute little day spa can be found on arguably one of London’s loveliest residential streets. There’s an organic deli, an awesome butcher and the perennially popular Julie’s restaurant and bar just a stone’s throw away. The place itself is all very homely, like a posh sitting room, with TVs, freshly baked cakes and a circle of comfy chairs. Sit back in one of these and enjoy one of the best foot massages this writer has ever experienced. A word to the wise though – the upstairs “salon” is an oestrogen zone, full of women catching up over tea and cakes. Either bring an iPod or be ready to talk soft furnishings and good schools.
Cowshed Clarendon Cross, 119 Portland Road, London, tel: +44 (0)20 7078 1944

Juliet
Darling of every style-savvy sybarite, Babington’s spa is fast-becoming a household name among dedicated followers of spa fashions. From its cheeky Horny Cow and Lazy Cow labels on body goodies, to the offer of a frothy cappuccino while having your claws or hooves polished, these allwhite salon-style spa environments are anything but clinical or corporate. And fellas, thankfully each armchair station has its own telly so you might even catch the match while you show off your metrosexuality.
Babington House, Babington nr Frome, Somerset, tel: +44 (0)1373 812 266, www.cowshedonline.com

MAVIDA BALANCE HOTEL & SPA
11 KIRCHENWEG, ZELL AM SEE

Scott
You’re in the mountains, in Austria, and you’re not snowboarding. I know, it doesn’t really compute, does it? But the sharp design, fine food and stylish spa at this hip mountain hideaway will help banish all boarding thoughts for the duration of your visit. If you really need to get active, whisk her down the mountain to the frozen lake (in winter) for some ice skating, or indulge in a private Pilates lesson together in one of the exercise studios. A word of warning though – the sight of you heaving, straining and swearing may not exactly be the dashing image you’re aiming for on this potentially romantic short break!

Juliet
Set in rolling Alpine splendour and enhanced by the freshest mountain air, this minimal-but-cosy design hotel offers fitness thrills and dynamic spa delights. As well as pampering, pummeling, steaming and stretching, there’s golf, hiking and biking. As for yearround skiing, this also means plenty of après-ski. Ask any barfly in town, there’s nowhere better to soak it up than in Mavida’s lounge bar, where slick cocktails and live music reign supreme.
Doubles from €250, including breakfast and spa facilities. Tel: +43 (0)65 425 410, www.mavida.at