The latest word in dirty weekends

Best place to never get dressed
Aghadoe Heights Hotel
Lakes of Killarney, Co. Kerry
Ireland
Tel: 353 64/31766
www.aghadoeheights.com
The nearby lakes and mountains of Killarney create a stunning view from Aghadoe Heights Hotel. Take a walk if you like, but you'll find the great outdoors less strenuous if you wrap up in a fluffy robe and enjoy it from your private balcony, or the new 10,000-square-foot Aveda spa. Side-by-side therapies in the couples treatment room allow for alone time, or try the signature precious stone therapy, designed to energise and rejuvenate. If you want a gold-plated getaway, book the recently completed penthouse, with private elevator access to the spa, terrace, fireplace, and jacuzzi with a view. Doubles from €250

Best place to take your sketchbook
Claremont House Hotel
13 Second Avenue
Hove, Brighton & Hove BN3 2LL
Tel: 01273 735161
www.claremonthousehotel.co.uk
Guests may find themselves sleeping with the latest hot artist at the Claremont House: The boutique hotel mounts quarterly exhibitions of works from Brighton and Hove artists in the guestrooms as well as in public spaces. Its stylish, rich colours, personal service and touches like cafétieres in the rooms recently earned the 11-bedroomed hotel a Five Diamond grading from VisitBritain for quality accommodations and service. Take a walk on the seafront to bustling Brighton Pier 25 minutes away to enjoy the rides and amusements. But you better leave one part of your artiste persona behind: the hotel is strictly non-smoking. Doubles from £125

Best place to have something on ice
The Clubhouse
74 Promenade des Sonnailles
74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc, France
Tel: +33 (0)4 50 90 96 56 or +33 (0)8 CLUBHOUSE
www.clubhouse.fr/htm/home.htm
Skiers dying for a decent cocktail are no longer left out in the cold, now that our friends at the London club and bar Milk & Honey - with its classically prepared cocktails and refined sense of style - have opened a Chamonix outpost. The Clubhouse has an art deco bar, a restaurant and a range of accommodations that make your ski retreat that much more civilised. The communal-style Bunkhouse has bunker beds (top or bottom?) starting €65 per person sharing, while the top-floor Myla Suite rents at €115 per person per night for members and has a minibar stocked with sex toys. All rooms come with Frette linen, teak-decked rainforest showers, flat-screen TVs and DVD players. You don't have to be a member to stay here, but you'll leave wanting to join the club.