Autumn is multi-planning season for our travels: some of us are plotting skiing trips, others visits to hot parts of the world; some might be dreaming of safaris while still others may simply be seeking the most painless way to do a business trip. It is in the spirit of all the above that I’ve put together the selection on these pages... bon voyage

HILL OF DREAMS

To a Londoner, Bagshot in Surrey is not a likely destination for a relaxing/romantic break, being in the midst of the commuter belt. Yet the owners of Pennyhill Park, a manor house hotel built in 1849, and isolated by its parkland and golf course from the sprawl, have done a magnificent job in creating a retreat that feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. The service is efficient but wonderfully unpretentious (unlike many hotels which have staff who think they’re either snootier or cooler-than-thou), rooms are chic and classical and the food is well-sourced and delicious. But Pennyhill’s trump card is its spa, which is a match for anything in the UK, with a vast pool, extensive heated outdoor hydrotherapy area, long treatment menu and a generally relaxed vibe. A new chef is also planning to take the food to an even higher level. Perfect for a quick autumn break. www.pennyhillpark.co.uk

URBAN PAMPERING

London’s day spas have moved up a level thanks to the opening of the spectacular Amida Spa at the Harbour Club in Chelsea. The Harbour Club, beloved of the millionaire/celeb set, has famously fussy members and the spa has raised the game with a range of treatments aimed squarely at the harried urban warrior with too much money and too little time. Ladies swear by the cellulite therapy, and the men’s reviving treatments are quite transformational. www.harbourclub.co.uk

PRIVATE LIVING

Private hot tubs and outdoor rainforest showers are so 2007; what the true luxury hunter is seeking now is outdoor bathtubs, so you have the best excuse to be al fresco in the buff. Combine that with mesmerising views, a spa with twoperson cottages, and the tranquillity of the most exclusive part of the island, and you have compelling reasons to visit The Tongsai Bay hotel on Koh Samui, in Thailand. Just don’t forget to put your clothes back on when you leave. www.tongsaibay.co.th

SAFARI STYLE

Safaris and children have never mixed: the official line is that pre-school kids are too young to enjoy the full experience, though I suspect it’s just because they’d make a tasty bite-sized snack for any passing lion. South Africa’s Shamwari, already renowned among the world’s top game reserves for being a malaria-free zone, has now introduced a brilliant programme for your smallest ones that includes a visit to its Born Free Foundation Animal Rescue and Education Centre – all very Dr Dolittle and certain to delight them. Meanwhile Shamwari’s luxury safari experience remains among the very best. www.shamwari.com