Susan d’Arcy
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You have to feel for them. Those poor luxury hoteliers, who’ve spent years planning and building sensational new properties, with ever more ridiculous pools and spas and cocktail lists and “dining experiences”, then, just when they’re due to open . . . wallop! The world implodes and nobody can afford a luxury anything any more.
So, what to do? Simple. Go discount crazy.
The only way to persuade people to take a chance on an untried, untested (and sometimes unfinished) hotel these days is to offer such seductive introductory rates - sometimes as much as 50% off - that they get a week of real decadence for the price of a bedsit in Bognor. Almost.
Here are the 10 most tempting deals at some of the world’s hottest new hotels.
MIAMI
The fashionistas’ fave winter-sun destination became even more enticing with the arrival of the Mondrian (00 800 4969 1780, www.mondrian-miami.com ) on South Beach this month. Created by the Dutch design master Marcel Wanders, it has a lavishly OTT theme - Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Which explains the “floating” black staircase, the oversized fairy-tale furniture in the lobby and the mildly bonkers pool, set in labyrinthine gardens with “kissing corners”.
The most fantastical bit at the moment, though, is the room rate - from £128 until February 28, when it rockets up to £325. Flights from Heathrow to Miami start at £350 with Virgin Atlantic (0870 380 2007, www.virgin-atlantic.com ) and British Airways (0844 493 0787, www.ba.com ).
MEXICO
The Yucatan peninsula has had a considerable revival since its recent rebirth as the Mayan Riviera. Its newest resort, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba (00 800 300 200 00, www.banyantree.com ), will have “Mexi-Zen” villas (a Mexico-meets-Asia fusion), a Greg Norman-designed golf course, a 2km private beach and a cracking spa (the therapists train for 500 hours before laying hands on paying customers).
It doesn’t open until March 1, but book before February 15 and you can nab the opening rate of £540, B&B, for stays until December 17. Oh, how you’d laugh if you waited until February 16, when the same room will cost £1,160. There are no direct flights: with American Airlines (020 7365 0777, www.americanairlines.co.uk ), services via Dallas start at £550. Or book a package with Exsus (020 7292 5050, www.exsus.com ) or Scott Dunn (020 8682 5030, www.scottdunn.com ).
PHUKET
The six-star Six Senses (00 66 76 371 418, www.sixsenses.com ) hotel group opened its first destination spa on a teeny bouquet of rainforest off the east coast of Phuket in October. The villas have plush plunge pools, gorgeous gazeboed bathrooms and edible landscaped gardens; while the vast holistic wellness complex houses four spas, offering everything from ayurvedic head rubs to zenned-out body scrubs.
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You should also add www.villarosatuscany.com to this list. Found above the beautiful Lima Valley near Bagni Di Lucca.
Sleeps 9, large pool and estate access from around £299 per week. An hour from Pisa Airport, 35 minutes from Lucca and Abetone ski resort.
Sarah Smith, London, UK