St Tropez France
Celebrity visitors: Kelly Brook, Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Paris Hilton, P.Diddy, Hugh Grant and Jemima Khan

A trip to the South of France wouldn’t be complete without swinging by the legendary seaside town of St Tropez. A hot destination since Brigitte Bardot’s crowd discovered it in the 60s, it’s still THE place to be on the Riviera. Amble along the harbour to gawk at the mega yachts, or parade on the beach. People watching here is a legitimate sport and glamour is the number one rule.
Mingle with celebrities at the ‘Plage de la Voile Rouge’, at the appropriately named VIP nightclub or trawling the Place des Lices market. Make like a movie star and retreat to the hills in an authentic 18th-century castle. The Chateau de la Messadiere has fantastic views, a beautiful pool and romantic rooms far from prying eyes. It’s trés, trés exclusive!

Don’t miss: The glorious ‘study in chocolate’ dessert: everything from chocolate sorbet to parfait and mousse. Amazing!
Find out more at www.messardiere.com/

 

St Barts French West Indies
Celebrity visitors: Uma Thurman, Kirsten Dunst, Mick Jagger, P.Diddy

St Barts has quite rightly been dubbed the ‘St Tropez of the Caribbean’. The tiny eight square mile island is all about glamour and sophistication in a tropical setting. The safest and coolest of the French West Indies, there’s fine French cuisine, glorious beaches aplenty and extremely elegant shopping for designer goodies in Gustavia, the island’s capital.
Stop off at Nikki Beach to party, or retire to the swanky Guanahani hotel, a real hotspot for models with the likes of David Yurman and Victoria’s Secret setting up photo shoots here. The pretty pastel gingerbread cottages are picture perfect, just like regular Kate Moss.

Don’t miss: Rum ‘Planteur’ cocktails on the beach
Find out more at www.leguanahani.com/

 

Palm Springs USA
Celebrity visitors: Elvis, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, George Clooney

The glitterati have been using Palm Springs as a bolthole since the swinging 50s when it was the playground of choice for Sinatra and his Bratpack. The desert oasis below the Santa Rosa Mountains is a couple of hours drive from LA and is oozing with spas for the tired celebrity in need of TLC.
To sample the hot springs and go holistic, head to the Two Bunch Palms resort, once Al Capone’s hideaway and now a staple with the former cast of Friends, Robin Williams, Barbra Streisand, Mel Gibson and Donna Karan. Who knows who you’ll bump into in the bubbles?

Don’t miss: ‘Orbitinis’ cocktails at the Orbit In, a 50s inspired motel that’s too cool for school. Find out more at www.orbitin.com or www.twobunchpalms.com and www.palmspringsusa.com.

 

Monaco
Celebrity visitors: Matt Damon, Claudia Schiffer, Ronan Keating

Monaco might be a tiny principality but it’s become synonymous with glitz and glamour over the years. And so it should! This tax haven is a ‘rendezvous’ for the rich and famous, and James Bond types. Discover the ‘rock’ where the fairytale palace sits: pastel-coloured houses and swaying palm trees glow against the sparkling Mediterranean below.
Lunch at Castleroc for the tastiest local delicacies, such as sea bream in foie gras sauce, grilled gambas in orange or fluffy flaming Grand Marnier soufflés. At night, mingle with the upper crust at the beautiful, if OTT, casino. Check into the Columbus hotel, owned by Formula 1 hero, racing driver David Coulthard. The Riviera Chic Hotel comes with edgy designer interiors, views and is a handy stone’s throw away from Monaco’s helipad.

Don’t miss: A spa session at the swish Thermes and ‘finding Nemo’ at the impressive Oceanographic Museum.
Find out more at www.columbushotels.com/ and www.visitmonaco.com.

 

Miami USA
Celebrity visitors: Jennifer Lopez, Colin Farrell, Will Smith, Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan

All the celebrities rave about Miami, Will Smith sang about it, Jennifer Lopez called it the “steamiest, sexiest city in America”. And she’s right, Miami is hot. The vibrant multi-cultural city has it all: a sunny tropical setting, wild nightlife, culture and fantastic beaches.
Make a beeline for South Beach, the heart of the historic Art Deco district, there’s plenty to do and see. Cruise the beach, go out for a bite to eat at the starry Tantra or pop by the legendary Delano Hotel. Stay in the ultra hip Sagamore hotel where Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirsten Dunst and Adrian Brody like to stay. Downtown, the classy Mandarin Oriental was the first choice of the ‘TomKat’ lovers. Find out more at www.sagamorehotel.com or
www.mandarinoriental.com/miami

 

Los Cabos Mexico
Celebrity visitors: Gwyneth Paltrow, Goldie Hawn, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Aniston

Wedged between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez, this Hollywood hideaway has been a hotspot for the A-list since the 1940s. The towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo couldn’t be more different, a party city and a historical town, but the stretch between them is home to sleek and stylish resorts catering for the rich and famous.
Push the boat out and stay at Las Ventanas, where Gwyneth Paltrow reportedly spent her honeymoon. The plush beachside resort is all about sleek service, attention to detail and very chic interiors.

Don’t miss: The bean-shaped pool with a view and lunch at the Ceviche bar. Brad Pitt loves it. Find out more at www.lasventanas.com

 

Hua Hin Thailand
Celebrity visitors: Liz Hurley, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell

Just three hours drive south from Bangkok, Hua Hin, on the Gulf of Siam has been hot property since the King built his secondary residence there in 1926. Best known for its many spa resorts, it’s become the place for detoxing stars seeking some serious pampering.
Check into the strict super spa Chiva Som like Kate Moss and Liz Hurley do when they need to get back in shape, or, for a more relaxed atmosphere, try the beautiful Evason where Keanu Reeves and Naomi Campbell have been known to chill out.

Don’t miss: The Elephant Polo Cup in September at the Anantara Resort and Spa
Find out more at www.sixsenses.com or www.chivasom.com

 

Dubai UAE
Celebrity visitors: David and Victoria Beckham, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Robbie Williams

‘The City of Gold’ is positively sparkling with star kudos. A thriving metropolis risen from the sand, the hub of the Middle East is a blend of modern architecture, cutting edge design and age old traditions. With beautiful beaches, opulent hotels and mega malls, there’s something for everyone from Hollywood royalty to footballers’ wives.
Stop by the Deira City Centre mall where 300 shops are spread over 1.2 million square feet or take a stroll through the fragrant Spice Souk. Book a table at the ‘One and Only Royal Mirage’s Arabian Court’ rooftop bar for amazing views before retiring to the hotel’s Residence & Spa: a lush oasis in pure exotic Arabian style. If you have an unlimited budget, treat yourself to a ‘bling’ suite at the world famous sail-shaped Burj Al Arab.

Don’t miss: An American Beauty moment in a rose petal bath at the Ritz Carlton
Find out more at www.oneandonlyresorts.com, www.burj-al-arab.com; www.ritzcarlton.com

 

Banff Canada
Celebrity visitors: Alec Baldwin, Anthony Hopkins, Robin Williams, Elle Macpherson

Escape to the Canadian Rockies’ latest resort of choice: Banff. There’s hiking, biking or fishing in the summer months, and of course skiing in the winter. A beautiful spot, Banff National Park is now a World Heritage site. But fear not, essentials are there: a Louis Vuitton shop and sportswear stores where a certain Catherine Zeta-Jones charged £3,500 to her card!
Get a room at the most chic place in town: the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. A Scottish baronial style castle dating back to 1888; everyone from Glenn Close to Minnie Driver, Rod Stewart, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Russell Crowe have stopped off here.

Don’t miss: Rocky mountain cuisine at the Buffalo Mountain Lodge (www.crmr.com).
Find out more at www.travelalberta.com and www.fairmont.com/banffsprings

 

Anguilla Caribbean
Celebrity visitors: Courtney Cox, Kate Winslet, Janet Jackson

Known as ‘tranquillity wrapped in blue’, Anguilla is without a doubt home to the Caribbean’s most dazzling white beaches. Quiet and unassuming, this is a hideout for the more low-key celebrity. Kate Winslet even tied the knot here, far away from the prying paparazzi.
A few restaurants, rundown houses and the odd freely roaming goat give Anguilla a certain ‘shabby chic’ charm. However, there are more than enough luxurious resorts dotted along the turquoise waters to pick from. Cap Juluca is the hot favourite with the likes of Courtney Cox stopping by on her honeymoon, Drew Barrymore, Sharon Stone and Arnold Schwarzenegger choosing to relax in the manicured Moorish style resort.

Don’t miss: A trip to Scilly Cay for a fresh lobster lunch.
For more information visit www.lhw.com and www.anguilla-vacation.com