Holidays to the Middle East

Darren Gough, Raffles Resort, Canouan Island, Grenadines
     THEM Taking a break from a busy cricket schedule, Darren Gough enjoyed the quality time he had with his sons at the luxurious Raffles Resort, Canouan Island. Designed like an amphitheatre on its own private 300-acres of land, it provided an opportunity for both relaxation and exploration, with a range of restaurants to suit demanding younger guests. The International Trump Golf Course and signature Raffles Amrita Spa were an added bonus for grownups but it was the day out on the catamaran that provided the real highpoint.
     Captain Phil was the real star of our trip. The hotel organised an expedition to the Tobago Cays on Phil’s catamaran and we set off one morning full of excitement, our snorkels and masks at the ready. The Cays are one of the world’s great dive sites and an extravaganza for fish fanatics. “They just love sausages”, Phil said as we moored on the edge of the reef. “I can’t tell you why, but sausage is the stuff round here”.
     The boys jumped into the blue water with bags of sausage and were soon surrounded by shoals of brightly- coloured fish, eating out of their hands. Later I joined them and we swam with some sea turtles as they flew through the water. Perfect.

…AND US Kenyan beach houses provide just as much elegance and style for a fraction of the price. Beach houses start from around £20 per person per night. The Palm House is a blissful retreat designed around an open courtyard. The living and dining areas look onto the court-yard and another small side garden.
     It is spacious, yet compact with 3 double bedrooms and one twin, all ensuite with private balconies.
     Enjoy a number of watersports or snorkel on the nearby coral reefs. The Palm House (sleeping eight and costing £195 per night) includes a chef in the price but you’ll have to pay for the food bought on top.
     This is unlikely to exactly break the bank when fresh lobster can be bought for around £7 a kilo!

Richard E Grant - Petit St Vincent, the Grenadines
     THEM Richard E Grant loved the seclusion and peace of Petit St Vincent, a private hideaway in the Caribbean. The owners, Haze and Lynn Richardson, have no check-in, no phones and a flag system for room service (raise the red flag to be left alone, raise the yellow when you want service!) so the accent here is on complete relaxation and privacy.
     The Richardson’s organised a BBQ on the beach for Richard and his family as a little something extra to remember their holiday by and this turned out to be a huge hit.
     Lobster BBQ on the beach and time to talk, sleep, read and sloth about to the stereophonics of the sea.

…AND US Fish always tastes better by the water and what lobster is to the Grenadines, the humble sardine is to Portugal. Grilled sardines and salad served next to a beach is hard to beat.
     Our favourite lunch spot is Antonios on the beach at Porto da Mos, near Lagos. It’s excellent for sardines, and a large plate costs under £7.
     For villa privacy we recommend the Casa Velha, a large family home converted into a discreet guesthouse with sublime views from the cliffs above Porto do Mos.

Trinny & Susannah - Island Hideaway, Dhonakulhi Island, Maldives
     THEM Fashion team Trinny and Susannah chose beachside chic at the Island Hideaway Resort in the Maldives, which is set on its own crescent-shaped island with lush vegetation and long blond beaches protected by a reef.
     Much has been done here to preserve its pristine natural state and this, combined with the flawless service that comes with a private butler, made the holiday extra special.

     Susannah Constantine - Dhonakulhi Island is flawless. I defy anyone to find more beautiful sandy beaches with clearer water. Trinny Woodhall - The wonderful Sanat [our private butler] arranged a BBQ for us at the end of our beach.
     We walked there at sunset to find a table and chairs set out. We hunkered down on old logs sipping cocktails while the children played – a memorable moment for all of us.

…AND US Having someone else do the domestic chores is what being on holiday is all about but you don’t have to pay Maldives prices to get perfect exotic beaches and someone picking up after you.

     Porto Sani Village, Halkidiki, on mainland Greece, is a familyowned and privately developed hideaway set on a 1000-acre ecological reserve. Located beside the Sani Marina, the exclusive, luxurious suite-hotel offers plenty of facilities while maintaining the feel of a private club with pristine lagoon-style pools and a private sandy beach.
     Trinny and Susannah would definitely approve of the Pret a Porta-designed beige kaftans the staff wear and the fact they change outfits several times a day.

Piers Morgan - Ritz- Carlton Bahrain Villas & Spa
     THEM The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Villas & Spa is a bit of an Arabian secret. The discreet beachfront villas are spread across 20-acres of landscaped gardens and each has its own private garden, exotic Asian interiors and state-of-the-art gizmos, including a 42in plasma TV screen.
     A personal lifestyle butler is also on hand to provide anything you, or your children, might need. It was the best villa I have ever stayed in. If you are looking for a week, or even just a weekend, that gives you great weather all year round, a fabulous beach and a villa to die for, and a butler like Samsul, then the Ritz Carlton Resort Bahrain is just absolutely perfect.
     It’s the lifestyle butler that makes this such a special place – my boys quickly fell in love with Samsul. They particularly liked the little button you pressed on the phone at any time of day or night to summon the butler.
     “Hi Samsul”, went one 8am conversation. “It’s Stanley. Please could we have a football, Wedding Crashers, and some Coke. Thanks”. Ten minutes later, there it all was.

…AND US Tigmi, a small boutique hotel located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains not far from Marrakech, has just eight suites and feels more like a private house than a hotel.
     Wherever you look there are private terraces and staff ready to serve you with the minimum of fuss – food, drink and massage can be had whenever and wherever you want.
     The manager will also organise horse riding excursions or 4WD adventures into the desert (overnighting in a Bedouin tent), as well as sorties, with a private guide, into Marrakech.

Jennie Bond - Sayad, the Seafood restaurant at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
     THEM Ex-BBC Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond was used to grand palaces but even she was blown away by The Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.
     It stands on a 1.3km stretch of white sand and whisks guests back to old Arabia, with cascading waterfalls in landscaped gardens and 114 bubbling domes covered in mosaic glass tiles.
     This hotel is reputedly the most expensive ever built but what stood out for Jennie above everything else was experiencing a meal at the hotel’s top restaurant, Sayad. My daughter Emma and I had what I still believe was one of the best meals I’ve had anywhere in the world. Even before our crab starters arrived we were treated to an array of the mouth-watering dips; then a tasty morsel of fish terrine – all exquisitely presented. Our main courses – lobster for Emma and turbot for me - were simply superb.
     And, although we declined dessert, we were given a silver tray surrounded by a mist of dry ice with two ice-cold chocolates and raspberries. Divine!

…AND US If you’re seeking a top culinary experience without breaking the bank, you can book a gourmet weekend that includes lunch at Gordon Ramsay’s latest London sensation, Maze.
     Stay round the corner from Claridges at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square from £335 per room per night and you can walk directly from the hotel into Ramsay’s newest outpost.
     Guests can stay at the hotel and experience a 6 course set menu lunch at Maze from just £42.50pp (excluding beverages and service).

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