Fridae

Britain has long enjoyed a reputation for extravagance and superiority - consider the Saville Row suit, the Royal Family, the Burberry trench, and of course the Beckhams. Leading the way in the world of luxury well-being, this issue celebrates the sheer diversity of total indulgence in Britain: fabulous hotels, star spa treatments, designer shopping, great food and luxury tour operator. Like the sound of it? Go on and indulge yourself in Britain.

GOOD LIVING @ MILLENNIUM HOTELS

There is no shortage of top-class accommodation to complement your urban pampering in London. Enjoy good living at one of the Millennium Hotels and have the very best of London on your doorstep.

EXCLUSIVE RATES FOR FRIDAE READERS
Fridae members enjoy exclusive rates from Millennium Hotels in the heart of Kensington, in Knightsbridge and in Mayfair. So, if you are planning to be in London anytime from now till the fabulous January sales, there's nowhere else you want to stay but the Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington, Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington, Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge and Millennium Hotel London Mayfair. You will enjoy rates up to 66% off standard rates*.

Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington - �75 (�85)
Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington - �75 (�85)
Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge - �89 (�99)
Millennium Hotel London Mayfair - �89 (�99)
Prices are valid from now till 10 Jan 05**, prices in brackets are valid from 11 Jan till 31 Jan 05.

* Rates quoted are on per room night basis and exclude VAT. Normal rates at this time: Millennium Bailey's & Gloucester Hotel London Kensington �213; Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge and Mayfair �230 and �275, respectively.
** Excludes 29 Dec 04 - 01 Jan 05.

What's more, with each booking made, you will automatically qualify for one lucky draw chance, to win great weekend stays at our Millennium Hotels in London. There will be four weekend-stay prizes to be won. Don't miss out!

To book, simply go to Good Living @ Millennium Hotels.

IN KENSINGTON
Stay at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington or the "townhouse" Millennium Bailey's Hotel London Kensington; ideal for the stores and boutiques on High Street Kensington and at Queensway or Notting Hill - second-hand heaven for books, records and antiques including the unique Portobello Road antique market.

IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE
You'll find the stylish Millennium Hotel London Knightsbridge on fashionable Sloane Street - designer stores including Gucci and Louis Vuitton are neighbours, while a very short walk brings you to Harvey Nichols and Harrods. After shopping, enjoy lunch or tea in the hotel, at Tangerine Caf� Bar or cocktails and dinner in the elegant surroundings of MJU Restaurant & Cocktail Bar.

IN MAYFAIR
The Millennium Hotel London Mayfair is in an historic location on Grosvenor Square. It is ideal for shopping trips along Oxford Street (so many famous names, including Selfridges and the massive Marks & Spencer) and the exclusive shops and arcades of Piccadilly and Bond Street leading to Regent Street. Enjoy a true taste of Britain in Brian Turner's restaurant or "Shogun" housed within our hotel premises.

Terms & Conditions
Rooms are subject to availability. When you book at any of our Millennium Hotels in London, as stated above, you will automatically qualify to participate in our lucky draw, with one lucky draw chance per booking. There are 4 prizes of 2-night weekend breaks for 2 (bed and breakfast), to be won (excluding air-ticket and transfers) - one each from the four Millennium hotels in London, named above, respectively. Prizes are valid till 30 June 2005. Cancellation of a confirmed booking will invalidate qualification to the draw.

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A SPA FOR A STAR
Discover the joys and benefits of hitting the spa, and restore your equilibrium at any time of the day. It's pure pampering pleasure, if only you can do this everyday.

Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire
Recently voted the Best Spa by the high-flying Britons, Ragdale Hall has a mix of traditional hospitality and cutting-edge treatments. Beauty treatments and exercise classes ride the latest trends. Check out the new yoqua classes (yoga in the indoor pool) and the chocolate coffee and almond fondue. 2-night full-board breaks from �224. www.ragdalehall.co.uk.

The Refinery, London
This new urban retreat in Mayfair, the City and Harrods, bills itself as "London's first one-stop grooming and spa experience exclusively for men." Besides massages, facials, scrubs and rubs, the Refinery offers advanced spa treatments whose gadgets range from a dry flotation tank to a Vichy shower bed. The wildly popular Synchronised Massage is a must-try at �120, or gets the 15-minute Pit Stop massages or facials at �22. www.the-refinery.com.

Champneys City Point, London
In a city renowned for its private clubs, Champneys is perhaps London's clubbiest spa. Exclusive, expensive, elegant - Champneys caters to cool and connected Londoners who don't come just to exercise. Whatever your purpose, Champneys CityPoint is the perfect place to restore your equilibrium at any time of the day. Here you can relax in total tranquillity, where you can be revitalized with one of the many spa treatments available or where you can swim in the fabulous pool, use the awe-inspiring gymnasium, play a game of squash or simply 'chill out' in the darkened relaxation room with an aquarium. Spa Day from �100; Luxury Day from �260 which includes full body massage, facial, lunch, manicure or pedicure, and aqua jet treatment. www.healthfarms.co.uk.

BEST OF LONDON SHOPPING
It's a fact that if you are tired of shopping in London, you are tired of shopping. Its retail landscape truly reflects the city: sprawling, hard to pin down, alternately proper and profane, and above all tolerant - freewheeling enough to accommodate everyone's tastes.

One-stop shopping
Though it's hard to resist popping into Harrods, even if only for the food halls, the chic money has moved down the block to Harvey Nichols. It's small enough to be manageable, but big enough to boast a vast assortment of clothes. After an incredible revitalization, Selfridges has sprung to life, full of experimental artwork and the best designers. Watch out for their new Superbrands concept, a true revolution in retail for men.

It's a man's world
At the book-lined Library, old-fashioned library cards replace conventional tags and even the receipts carry out the biblioth�que theme. The concept may be old guard, but the stock is strictly avant-garde. At Ozwald Boateng, even the smallest items reflect the designer's skill with colour. In Covent Garden, both Hope & Glory and Duffer of St. George are known for their twisted preppy classics shirts with amusing details and quirky trucker hats.

All-Stars
These designers represent London's world-class style at its eccentric, individualistic best. Vivienne Westwood is indisputably the high priestess of English couture, with an affection for renegade classics. Pringle has undergone a startling renovation, with its pink-and-black argyle now set to rival Burberry's beige plaid. In just a year, Alexander McQueen has become the Midas of menswear. In his new menswear collection on sale in Jan 05, he has taken the drenched colours of India to make a catwalk show of vests and military tailoring.

BEST NEW RESTAURANTS
Here we are not just giving you the best, but the finest new dining rooms in Britain.

Paris, Birmingham
Expect seductively gentlemen's-clubby interior with appropriately old fashioned, and impeccable service to match. The food is sophisticated yet robust modern French. This is the place to cap off a major shopping spree - Harvey Nicks and Selfridges are just a credit card's throw away. About �35 for two courses without wine. 109-111 Wharfside St, The Mailbox

Yauatcha, London
Sample superior dim sum with a deluxe twist in the downstairs restaurant, and artistically honed cakes and pastries upstairs. This is a new swanky Chinese restaurant combining slick styling with bare brick and twinkling ceiling. Perfect for dim sum dollies! About �25 without wine. 5 Broadwick St.

Ottolenghi, London
Its Mediterranean menu changes throughout the day: organic chickpea and butternut salad is a lunchtime favourite, while hache of beef and lamb, stir-fried with foie gras, keeps the crowds returning at dinnertime. Crisp, white walls serve as the perfect backdrop for the tempting selection of breads, cakes and ready-prepared dishes. This is the place to go if you appreciate exceptionally good food. About �20 for two courses without wine. 287 Upper St, Islington

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See Britain in style
Britain is a wonderful country to explore no matter how you do it. If you prefer to travel luxuriously, then exploring reaches an altogether more sublime level.

By road
There's nothing quite like motoring along Cornwall and Devon's country lanes at the wheel of a classic car such as the 'E-Type' Jaguar. Cornwall Classic Car Hire (www.cornwallclassiccarhire.co.uk) knows best and can set you off on the right road. If you prefer to sit back and be driven, there are a number of chauffeur-drive companies. Your chauffeur can provide both the picnic hamper and the chilled champagne, so all you need to do is enjoy yourself. www.chauffeurtours.com.

By sea
Cruising is synonymous with luxury and, in Scotland's Highlands and Islands, no vessel is better known than the Hebridean Princess. Relax on a ship that is small enough to recreate the feel of a country house party. She will bring you to remote locations where only private launches normally moor and you'll explore beautiful gardens, atmospheric castles, thriving towns and deserted beaches. www.hebridean.co.uk.

By air
By making use of a rented helicopter you could have lunch in Southern England and play golf in Northern Scotland at noon. Atlas Helicopters and Rotary Aviation offer point-to-point air travel, allowing you to fit more into your day. For something different, you could take off from water and see the lochs and glens of Scotland from a seaplane. Operated by Captain David Wes, Loch Lomond Seaplanes' choice of flights starts at �110pp.

By rail
The British Pullman harks back to the golden age of rail travel when a journey was all about being pampered and cosseted. Built as 'Palaces on Wheels,' the trains offer superb cuisine, elegant d�cor and an attentive crew. Day excursions are also available to historic cities such as Bath, Cambridge and York. www.luxury-trains.co.uk.

WIN A LONDON BREAK
In line with this issue's theme, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels give you a chance to win a fabulous London break inclusive of air-ticket and 5-day stay at Millennium Gloucester Hotel. Feel relaxed amidst the elegant furnishings and enjoy returning to the comfort and luxury of the superb surroundings after exploring London, one of the world's finest gay cities.

Register in the VisitBritain Club from now until 31 Jan 2005 to enter the draw. You will get up-to-date information on what's happening and loads of travel tips. So Enter now!

Conditions apply. Air-ticket is based on departure from Singapore. Prizes are subject to availability; and are non-transferable, non-redeemable for cash and non-extendable. VisitBritain reserves the rights to adjust, alter or amend conditions at any time without prior notice.

TOPMAN VOUCHER: THE WINNER
Congratulations to Gary who has won a Topman voucher worth $200 courtesy of VisitBritain. Enjoy your shopping at one of the best London's high street fashion brands.

VisitBritain would like to thank all of you who have entered the competition by registering our VisitBritain Club. You will receive information on what's up and coming in Britain to help you to plan your next visit.