The Hôtel des Horlogers, Le Brassus
For us journalists, it is always a pleasure to visit the Vallée de Joux, and it will now also be a pleasure to spend a night there (or two, depending on the size of the Manufacture to be viewed). While the furnishing and decoration are intended to reflect the serene, rustic atmosphere of the Vallée de Joux, the high-tech equipment is resolutely on a par with the prestigious brands based in the region. The hotel’s seminar rooms can seat up to 150 people. Thirty rooms, inclduing eight junior suites, ensure a sense of peaceful comfort, reinforced by a wellness centre. With Philippe Guignard as chef, this haven of peace also acquires the aura of a gourmet stop-over which locals and regular visitors to the region will doubtless appreciate as much as those from more distant parts. Well done Audemars Piguet, for taking this excellent initiative. Further information available on
WWW.HOTEL-HORLOGERS.CH.

Bulgari Hotel, Milan
Highly praised by decoration magazines as well as international daily newspapers, the Bulgari Hotel is definitely one of the jewels in the Bulgari crown. Comfort reigns supreme and luxury surrounds you on all levels. While one of the façades dates back to the 18th century, the modern furnishing and contemporary design boldly combines black Zimbabwe marble in the bathrooms with English oakwood flooring in the room, separated only by a slender bronze line. The 4,000 sq.metre grounds make this prestigious address an oasis of greenery worthy of the adjacent Botanical Gardens, a mere stone’s throw from the Scala and the city’s fashion district. Need one add that the Bulgari Hotel is endowed with a spa that would doubtless have satisfied even the most demanding Roman emperors? To quote just two examples, of the half a million mosaic squares adorning the indoor swimming pool, 300,000 are in gold leaf; and no less than 33 different treatments are offered there, from a holistic treatment with warm stones (lasting 1 hour and 55 minutes) to another to smooth out wrinkles around the eyes (25 minutes).
WWW.BULGARIHOTELS.COM.