Kamalaya, Koh Samui

This Thai retreat on the island of Koh Samui is known for it’s comfortable, luxurious approach to wellbeing. From their special sleep clinics to yoga classes on the beach, their delicious thai inspired but extremely healthy menu to their beachfront bungalows, Kamalaya shows how to spa in style. www.kamalaya.com

The Farm at San Benito

Fans of a total cleanse like to head to the Philippines Farm at San Benito. Nestled in the jungle, this small resort of cabanas and villas focuses on cleanses – fasts, juice diets and more. The sort of place that people come back from looking 10 years younger (and 10lbs lighter,) it’s a must visit on our list for 2013. www.thefarmatsanbenito.com

The Viva Mayr Clinic, Austria

For a clinical, doctor lead approach to cleansing, it doesn’t get much more thorough than the Mayr Clinic in Austria. Nestled on the shores of Austria’s Lake Worthesee, patients here follow the Mayr ‘Cure’ a week or longer approach to a full overhaul of our digestive systems. Fasting, carefully controlled meals and rigorous Austrian spa techniques (brushing, saunas, hot and cold baths, infusions and the like) not to mention dips in the freezing cold yet extremely invigorating fresh water lake all leave Mayr disciples feeling shiny and new. www.viva-mayr.com/en.html

Treepod dining at Soneva Kiri Koh Kood, Thailand

Got a head for heights? Book Treepod Dining at the heavenly Soneva Kiri and be seated in a bamboo pod winched up to six metres in the air so you can gaze down on the rainforest and waves below while an acrobatic waiter serves your meal via a zip line.

Dress code Soneva Kiri’s motto is ‘no news, no shoes’, so think casual – sundresses, shorts and sandals are perfectly acceptable.

Top table Seriously, you can’t beat star gazing from your private pod nestled high in the jungle’s canopy. 

Dress code International urban chic (linens, neutrals) with a colonial flourish (blazer, shiny shoes)

Top table All tables come with jaw-dropping vistas, but window seats offer pole-position, especially the more copious corner spots. Book ahead for intimate booth tables adjacent to the bar or one of the private dining pods lining the open kitchen.

Underwater dining at Anantara Kihavah’s, Maldives 

The Sea restaurant at this boutique oasis of luxury ocean facing villas in the impeccable Maldives excels in seasonal five-course lunches and four-course dinner menus, all served in glass-walled splendour three metres below the waves.

Dress code Crisp linen for him; billowing silk for her.

Top table Book a window seat in Sea for oceanic submersion without getting wet. Fish will float dreamily past as you dine on lobster lunches and degustation dinners, paired with the sommelier’s choice of 6,500 bottles of wine.

Dinner on the Mekong at An Lam Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

French-Vietnamese cuisine is served on tables overlooking Mekong river life in this Saigon boutique hotel that steps back in time. In it’s open air Tram dining room, Vietnamese lanterns typify the hotel’s fusion of French and Vietnamese elements whilst boats float dreamily by. There are comfy rattan chairs with big cushions to sink into, perfect for long romantic dinners. (Start with gỏi cuốn, rice-paper rolls, and move on to succulent duck magret).

Dress code Cool and Continental: think a shift dress and Chanel references (pearls, ballet flats) for her; chinos, linen and cologne for him.

Top table Bag one of the three tables along the river in the ‘Luc Binh corner’ overlooking the water and the Buddhist temple surrounded by palm trees on the other side of the river bank. (Lucky Smith members get first-dibs on one of these tables each evening).

Country Splendor at Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons, Oxfordshire UK 

Celebrated chef Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is the grandest, oldest house in a small, secluded Oxfordshire village whilst his two-Michelin-starred restaurant serves a deservedly celebrated menu of modern French dishes. If you’re going all-out (and while you’re here, why not?) go for the nine-course Menu Découverte; if you’ve a smaller appetite, there are five, six, and seven course tasting menus, too. Think english country chic meets delicious french cuisine and you’ll get the drift.

Dress code Très élégant.

Top table Every table’s good, but the conservatory’s views of the gardens make it a top choice. Tables for two predominate; if you’re dining as a group, request the long table in the restaurant’s semi-private La Bourgogne room (for up to 12 guests).

Stunning sea views at Cape La Gala, Sorrento, Italy

Perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, the main restaurant at five start Capo La Gala sits above the pool, with various seating areas dotted around the hotel, inside and out, including one down by the beach. Crisp navy tablecloths stand out against the white Panton chairs, and there are stacks of stripey blue and white cushions. It has a Michelin star to its name, so expect fine flavour combinations, such as tuna steak in herb pastry with caponata and candied tomatoes and ravioli with caciotta cheese and marjoram.

Dress code Pucci and Prada, worn with a tan.

Top table By the windows in the main restaurant, with views straight out to sea.

View details for all hotels on www.mrandmrssmith.com

First stop: Shopping. Three shops next to each other: Incredible, Irresistible, and Eligible. Wonderful finds – decorative pieces, from the region, all displayed beautifully. An eccentric, eclectic collection. Things that would take years to collect and find are all here. I love the giant tortoise shell to display in my living room, and the Thai tribal necklaces displayed – so sculptural.

We traveled up the river by boat to meet our friends for drinks – the river is the fastest way to travel, as the city is congested, and is a wonderful way to see aspects of the city – the high rise buildings beside local vegetable markets along the river’s banks.

Drinks followed at the Arun Residence, a boutique hotel and restaurant on the river overlooking Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn. I took this picture at sunset from the patio, it was definitely the chic scene of Bangkok as the evening went on.

A private dinner followed at the Siam Society, featuring a former Chef from the Imperial Palace who prepared an incredible feast ‘it was as colorful and artfully displayed as it was delicious. She folded rice in banana leaves to resemble birds in their nest.

Following dinner, guests were privileged to witness a traditional dance and theatre performance put on by children from the distinguished Baan Yim Khon Academy, known for their great example in education.

The following morning we enjoyed breakfast at our hotel, the Mandarin Oriental, followed by a massage at their spa seen here directly across the river. Then back to the airport – a quick but rich 24 hours.

Incredible

116/4 Sukhumvit Soi 23

+66 2 02 260 9690

Baan Yim Khon Academy

+66 2 02 460 1948