Soaking up History

We’re all suckers for a bit of exclusivity. And the Gainsborough Bath Spa, set in the heart of Bath’s Unesco-listed old town, is winning in that department as it’s the only hotel in Britain with access to ancient mineral-enriched thermal waters. The designers made three trips to ancient sites in Italy to ensure the spa is faithful to the town’s Roman history. “Do as the Romans do” by bathing in pools of ancient healing water at different temperatures before indulging in a therapeutic ritual. If you’re more Mr Darcy than Julius Caesar, the hotel is also the perfect place to enact a Georgian fantasy—guest rooms are housed in heritage buildings around the central spa. Enjoy breakfast in bed with fabulous views over the town’s neoclassical architecture and the quintessentially English countryside. Looking to splash out? The hotel’s best rooms even have healing waters in the bathroom taps. www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

Secret garden

marrakech Once a hip hang-out for Europe’s wild set, Marrakech now has more five-star hotels than you can shake a shisha pipe at. The Mandarin Oriental has just joined the fray with its first African resort, set amid lush gardens and richly scented fig and olive trees. There are 54 luxurious villas with views over the Atlas Mountains, and interiors are modern sleek meets Moroccan beauty. There are three restaurants—we like Mes’lalla, which serves up punchy Moroccan cuisine with a contemporary twist—and a vast spa with a treatment list as long as your leg. This place oozes money, glamour and indulgence—staff outnumber guests five to one so you’ll have your pick of therpist, waiter and private butler. mandarinoriental.com/marrakech