If you are feeling frazzled and in need of a some quality time with your other half, the Algarve can be an ideal option for a luxury break. Whether you want a relaxing spa resort or a country retreat, this is the ideal place to take it easy in total luxury. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide but our shortlist of top resorts should make the decision easier.

Vilalara Thalassa Resort – the luxury spa option

The Vilalara Thalassa Resort is a peaceful haven set on Praia das Gaivotas cliff located between Albufeira and Portimão. Ideal for couples looking for a relaxing escape, this luxury resort features one of the five best Thalassotherapy and Spa Centres in the world. Here you can indulge in a range of treatments designed to improve health and wellbeing using natural derivatives from the Atlantic Ocean.

The resort’s contemporary suites are ideal for couples, each with stunning views of the pool, gardens or sea. These suites feature a private terrace or balcony, ideal for spending chilled evenings together over a bottle of wine. Alternatively, for a completely luxurious break, splash out a bit more cash for an Emotion or Spa suite, both of which are very spacious, with added features such as extra-large terraces with a Jacuzzi or day bed, as well as extra little touches to make your break truly special.

During the evenings, enjoy romantic and intimate meals as the sun sets over sea. Both restaurants offer a range of gourmet dishes, inspired by Portuguese cuisine with an emphasis on local, quality produce. The B&G restaurant is ideal for more formal meals, whilst the Terrace Grill is great for lively summer barbecues and live music.

The Lake Spa Resort – the scenic option

Elegance exudes from this luxury five star resort that offers a variety of facilities and comfortable accommodation. Situated in Vilamoura, close to the beach and marina, you are ideally placed to enjoy all that this area offers. Alternatively, take it easy and soak up the sun beside the pool or enjoy a cocktail on the terrace at the Africa inspired lobby bar, Zanzibar.

Enjoy some quality time as couple whilst enjoying some pampering at the spa or head to one of the three restaurants, each with a distinct style and range of cuisine, including Oriental, Seafood and Mediterranean inspired dishes. For fine dining head to Fusion where the Orient and Mediterranean blend producing creative and exciting meals, alternatively discover the fresh tastes of locally caught grilled fish and meat, perfect for delicious relaxed lunch time destination.

The rooms and suites with their exceptional views are best suited for couples. Accommodation reflects the high standard elegance created throughout the rest of the resort. The peaceful rooms decorated in restful neutral shades provide a sanctuary. Guests have a choice of garden, resort or ocean view rooms, and whichever you opt for, you will not be disappointed.

Monte Rei Country Club – the countryside option

The Monte Rei Country Club resort is set in over 1000 acres of countryside between the Serra do Caldeirão mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, and yet has a very low building density. The vast amount of space, peace and privacy leaves you feeling as if you are in your very own personal paradise.

The beautiful one bedroom villas are well suited to couples. These luxury properties are inspired by traditional Portuguese architecture and are situated in O Miradouro Village-  a secure community of exclusive luxury villas. Veranda houses the village’s amenities and facilities. Here you can find a restaurant and bar, plus tennis courts, fully equipped gymnasium and swimming pools. There are also spa facilities and a beauty salon.

There are also more facilities located elsewhere within the resort including three other restaurants offering fine dining at Vistas Restaurant, alternatively enjoy informal dining at both Monte Rei Grill and Academy Café.

Pine Cliffs Resort – the affordable luxury option

Fine service and a spectacular cliff top setting are part of what makes Pine Cliffs Resort very special. The golden sandy beaches and stunning landscapes are perfect for romantic evening walks.

Although there are a number of accommodation choices for guests staying at the resort from townhouses to apartments, the Sheraton Algarve Hotel is the most sumptuous option for a romantic getaway. Rooms are contemporary yet the charming, with Portuguese inspired decoration featuring flat screen satellite television and Luxury Collection toiletries.

Conrad Algarve – the big budget option

High end technology, impeccable standards and contemporary design combine to create the luxurious Conrad Algarve Hotel. Although a pricey option, this is the one for couples looking to celebrate a special occasion.

The hotel prides itself on excellent customer service and from the moment you check in, you will feel like a VIP. If you are celebrating, make sure you mention it and the hotel staff will strive to make it a as a special as possible. All guest rooms and suites are equally impressive, offering facilities including WiFi, Nespresso coffee machine and bathtubs with built in TV for truly indulgent bath times. Push the boat out and book the Roof Garden Suite- the private entrance and exclusive access to the spa via a bridge, as well as the infinity pool in the living room, will ensure you have a completely decadent break.

The excellent standards continue with the hotel facilities. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean dishes prepared by Michelin starred chef Heinz Beck in the hotel’s flagship fine dining restaurant Gusto. The lively restaurant features a spacious terrace for al fresco dining. Continue long into the evening, and soak up the glamour at Lago Lounge, where you can enjoy cocktails and champagne on the terrace overlooking the hotel’s gardens and pool.

Michael Reilly 

Our annual snapshot of the 100 women with the most impact are top politicians and CEOs, activist billionaires and celebrities who matter. In roughly equal measure you’ll find next gen entrepreneurs and media mavens, technologists and leaders in philanthropy — all ranked by dollars, media momentum and impact (see full methodologyhere).

We’ve selected women that go beyond the traditional taxonomy of the power elite (political and economic might). These change-agents are actually shifting our very idea of clout and authority and, in the process, transforming the world in fresh and exhilarating ways.

This year the list features nine heads of state who run nations with a combined GDP of $11.8 trillion — including the No. 1 Power Woman, German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The 24 corporate CEOs control $893 billion in annual revenues, and 16 of the women here founded their own companies, including two of the three new billionaires to the list, Tory Burch and Spanx’sSara Blakely. Speaking of, this year’s class has 14 billionaires valued in excess of $82 billion.

R

Here, a quick peek at Power Women 2013:

Newcomers: Among the 15 newcomers on this year’s list are South Korean President Park Guen-hye (No. 11); Lockheed Martin LMT -0.47% CEOMarillyn Hewson (No. 34); CEO Tory Burch (No. 69);  Spanx founder Sara Blakely (No. 90) andBaidu BIDU -3.98% CFO Jennifer Li (No. 98).

Old friends: At this 10th edition, attention must be paid to the 15 who appeared on the inaugural list in 2004 and are still here today:  Oprah Winfrey(No. 13), of course. Ditto for Hillary Clinton (No. 5). But there’s also  Christine Lagarde (No. 7),  Sonia Gandhi (No. 9), Indra Nooyi (No. 10), Helen Clark(No. 21), Nancy Pelosi (No. 22), Anne Sweeney (No. 24), Amy Pascal (No. 36), Queen Elizabeth II (No. 40), Abigail Johnson (No. 60),  Ho Ching (No. 64),Diane Sawyer (No. 73), J.K. Rowling (No. 93) andGreta Van Susteren (No. 97).

She’s No. 1: Chancellor Merkel has made the list eight times out of the past ten years — seven times as No. 1.

She’s the first: Forty percent  of the women on the list are “female firsts,” such as African head of state (Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf), billionaire to sign The Giving Pledge (Sara Blakeley), and CEO at IBM (Ginni Rometty). Even more impressive are a the women who are multiple “firsts,” such as Judith Rodin, first president of an Ivy League and of the Rockefeller Foundation. And Hillary Clinton. (For a full report, see here.)

Hillary stays on: Clinton’s CV is chock full of firsts: The only first lady to become a U.S. senator turned viable presidential candidate turned secretary of state. Now a private citizen, she continues to be one of the most watched and listened-to women on the planet. All bets on that she will be the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and the free world’s presumptive next leader. She’s done little to quiet the chatter, including hitting the speaking circuit last month at an estimated $200,000 fee per event and inking a reported $14 million book deal.

Where are the women in tech? Right here.Tech takes a second turn as a category on the Power Women list. Five tech women made the top 25 this year, including Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg (No. 6), Rometty (No. 12) and HP’s Meg Whitman (No. 15). There are 16 tech women in total, including also Susan Wojcicki, SVP of ads at Google (No. 30) and Sun Yafang, chair of Huawei Technologies (No. 77).

The rising tide of female entrepreneurs: A remarkable number of women are founders or owners of their own enterprises, not a few of whose eponymous companies are synonymous with high fashion. Consider Miuccia Prada (No. 58), Zara founder Rosalia Mera (No. 66), Tory Burch (No. 69) andDiane von Furstenberg (No. 74). Other self-made self-starters include Oprah Winfrey (No. 13),  Arianna Huffington (No. 56), Chinese real estate tycoonZhang Xin (No. 50), and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, India’s first biotech entrepreneur (No. 85).

The new celebrity role models: Sure, they’re famous but they deserve special attention for their outside work, be it ambassadors for meaningful causes or as business owners. Oprah founded both Harpo Productions and The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Joining the efforts of the U.N. are Angelina Jolie (No. 37), Shakira (No. 52), and Gisele Bundchen (No. 95). Beyonce (No. 17) rules the House of Dereon and Sofia Vergara (No. 38) co-owns LatinWE.

Businesswomen are booming in Asia: The whole region makes a strong showing, from China and Singapore to New Zealand and Thailand. Entrepreneurship is on the rise: see Zhang Xin (No. 50) , Sun Yafang (No. 77) and Solina Chau (No. 80). And Asian region women are showing their political might, from newcomer Park Geun-hye, the South Korean president (No. 11) and Burmese dissident and parliamentarian Aung San Suu Kyi (No. 29) to Australian PM Julia Gillard (No. 28) and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (No. 31).

Healing, feeding and educating the world: If they’re not topping corporations or state, the women on our list are heads of major nonprofits and NGOs and they wield as large budgets and impact millions, from Melinda Gates (No. 3) and IMF chief Christine Lagarde (No. 7) to Director-General of World Health Organization Margaret Chan (No. 33), World Food Programme Executive Director Ertharin Cousin (No. 49) and Harvard University’s Drew Gilpin Faust (No. 43).

http://www.forbes.com

Caroline Howard

Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

Shoppers look at clothing and accessories at a Chloe shop in Shanghai. Particularly disappointing has been Chloe, whose founder Gaby Aghion pioneered the concept of luxury pret-a-porter, or ready-to-wear, in the 1950s, becoming the first company to sell high fashion off the rack instead of tailored to individual customers.

For luxury-goods maker Richemont (CFR), clothing and bags are going out of fashion.

Enlarge image

Visitors stop to inspect display cases at the Cartier, a unit of Cie. Financiere Richemont SA, booth during the first day of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) watch fair in Geneva. Photographer: Valentin Flauraud/Bloomberg

While Richemont last week reported a 30 percent gain in annual profit as shoppers spent more on its Cartier jewelry and IWC watches, leather goods and fashion brands such as Lancel and Chloe have struggled. Earnings at Richemont’s so-called soft luxury unit fell by more than half in the last fiscal year.

Chairman Johann Rupert last week said Richemont (CFR)should have been quicker to get rid of brands that disappoint. Yesterday, the Geneva-based company announced thedeparture of Marty Wikstrom, the head of the fashion and accessories business -- which accounts for less than a fifth of the company’s 10 billion euros ($12.9 billion) in revenue.

“The fashion and leather goods piece of Richemont, as opposed to the watch and jewelry business, doesn’t quite cut it in many ways,” said Rahul Sharma, managing director of consultant Neev Capital.

The declining fortunes of Richemont’s fashion brands and Wikstrom’s departure have fueled speculation that Richemont may sell the business, according to Jon Cox, an analyst at Kepler Cheuvreux.

“Richemont made it clear last week that they will not be quite so patient with underperforming businesses,” Cox said, estimating Lancel and British leather-goods maker Alfred Dunhill could fetch as much as 800 million euros. “Wikstrom may have left because Richemont weren’t about to put resources into expanding its soft-luxury business in a meaningful way.”

Growth Engines

Despite making Cartier and acquisitions like Van Cleef & Arpels into growth engines, after years of building up fashion and leather, Richemont’s profit from those businesses remains a fraction of the 1.1 billion euros in operating income last year at PPR (PP) SA’s Gucci (PP) brand.

The stock touched a record 92.70 Swiss francs and traded 1.3 percent lower at 91.30 francs at 2:28 p.m. in Zurich. The stock has rallied 34 percent since April 23 when the company indicated full-year net income rose more than analysts expected.

“Recent performance within key brands such as Dunhill, Lancel and Chloe has been lackluster” during the end of Richemont’s fiscal year, when rivals outperformed, said John Guy, an analyst at Berenberg in London.

Richemont’s other businesses have compensated for the fashion unit’s troubles. Its shares have more than quadrupled since Wikstrom’s appointment, while PPR stock has tripled andLVMH (MC) more than doubled.

50 Books

Any sale will probably fall to the company’s co-chief executive officers, Bernard Fornas, who formerly led the Cartier brand, and Richard Lepeu, who has also been Richemont’s chief financial officer. Rupert, the founder and controlling shareholder, last week said that in September he will start a yearlong sabbatical to travel and plow through the 50 books on his reading list.

In 2009, Richemont appointed Wikstrom, a 56-year-old former Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) executive who also managed Harrods department store. “Marty’s appointment reaffirms Richemont’s commitment to our fashion and leather goods,” Rupert said at the time.

Richemont said nothing about why Wikstrom is leaving, but thanked her for her “many contributions” and said she had helped position the business for future growth. Wikstrom has served as a member of Richemont’s non-executive board since 2005, a position she’ll retain until September. She’s departing the fashion unit immediately.

‘Great Terms’

Wikstrom is leaving “on great terms,” she said yesterday in a telephone interview. “It’s been terrific,” she said, adding that she left the business in a better state than when she had joined it. “Richemont is a fantastic company.”

Wikstrom was hired to revamp the soft luxury unit, which was struggling to turn a profit with Lancel, Dunhill, Chloe, Hong Kong fashion house Shanghai Tang, and Parisian designer Azzedine Alaia.

Particularly disappointing has been Chloe, whose founder Gaby Aghion pioneered the concept of luxury pret-a-porter, or ready-to-wear, in the 1950s, becoming the first company to sell high fashion off the rack instead of tailored to individual customers.

The label has never really recovered from the 2006 departure of Phoebe Philo, a designer who introduced hits such as $700 Paddington bags. In 2009, Richemont froze the brand’s planned store openings, then in 2011, Wikstrom named Clare Waight Keller as creative director.

Moving Backward

Chloe “seems to have moved backward since it lost” Philo, said Luca Solca, an analyst at Exane BNP Paribas in London.

Revenue at Lancel was “broadly flat” in Richemont’s most-recent fiscal year, hurt by the brand’s focus on France, the company said last week. Richemont paid about 342 million Swiss francs ($352 million) in 1997 for Lancel, which started selling accessories and luggage in the early 1900s. Last year, Wikstrom added Peter Millar LLC, a North Carolina-based sportswear maker, only the third acquisition by Richemont during her tenure.

“You don’t buy Richemont for its fashion offering,” said Mathew Menezes, an analyst at Avior Research in Johannesburg. “I wouldn’t say the fashion business has been badly run, but it has struggled.”

The business has gotten a sales boost from Net-a-Porter, a Web store for luxury goods that Richemont bought in 2010. The unit’s sales have grown faster than the rest of the company’s, convincing Richemont to start selling brands such as Cartier and Montblanc online. Net-a-Porter last year trimmed its loss by half, to 19 million euros.

‘My Baby’

Rupert told analysts at a May 16 meeting that Richemont doesn’t plan to buy any big companies. While watchmaker Panerai and jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels, which Richemont purchased in the early 2000s, have been a success, he said the company’s record on acquisitions is mixed.

“We talk about Van Cleef and about my baby Panerai, but we don’t talk about a load of rubbish that I also had a hand in buying,” Rupert said. “OK, so we haven’t always been that successful. Maybe we’ve got to cull our bad investments quicker. Not maybe, we should.”

Wikstrom was quick to point out the rubbish “may not just be in the fashion and accessories portfolio.”

 Thomas Mulier

Beyond its renowned scenery, immense cultural heritage, exceptional food and wine, Tuscany is not only one of the finest luxury destionations in the world but also a very authentic one, with a most complex offering. Tuscany has it all: wellness, relaxation SPAs, exquisit restaurants, exceptional wines, hotels - many housed within centuries old palaces or monasteries, beaches with surfing, the very best of luxury shopping (major luxury brands also also artisan, family owned business). The best months of the year to visit Tuscany are May, June up to mid July and September.

In an exclusive series, CPP-LUXURY.COM looks at 3 of Tuscany’s finest destinations:Forte dei Marmi (beach), Castel Monastero (countryside) and Florence, the capital of the region and one of world’s most beautiful cities.

Forte dei Marmi

Think Hamptons or Martha’s Vineyard in the U.S. – serene beaches, beautiful private summer homes (most of them, mansions or villas), a vast array of luxury shopping (Louis Vuitton recently opened a huge pop up store, adding to the established Prada, Valentino, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana stores) - for decades an exclusive destinations accessible only to the Italian elite and aristocracy, almost unwelcoming for ‘outsiders’ (in the past).

We reviewed PRINCPE FORTE DEI MARMI, the only true luxury hotel in Forte dei Marmi, with a most complex offering - a comtemporary new building, with the highest attention to details and all the latest facilities one would expect from a top luxury hotel - private beach with restaurant, heated outdoor poor with a beautifully manicured garden, a luxurious roof-top lounge and bar with stunning panoramic views of both the sea and the surrounding mountains and a state of the art SPA, of the highest luxury standard – with an indoor heated pool, water experience, hydrotherapy, latest positive anti-aging treatments and package etc.

SPA at PRINCIPE FORTE DEI MARMI

Castel Monastero

A former Tuscan village, with its very own piazzetta (with a working well in the middle) and a Church (holding mass every Sundays), made of several buildings, one dating back to 800 – coverted a few years ago into a luxury hotel & SPA, a destination in itself – surrounded by greenery and vineyards. Exceptional, personalized service and a separate building entirely dedicated to the SPA, make it ideal for longer stays, whether for relaxation, detox, losing weight or many seeking to balance their way of life. The SPA is very much medical oriented, an Indian doctor prescribing treatments based on Ayurvede and Western medicine.

Castel Monastero, Tuscany

Florence

It is probably the first trip which we have identified the ideal way to experience one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.

We reviewed the FOUR SEASONS FIRENZE – a unique urban ultra luxury resort, 15 minutes from downtown, with its very own lavish private park and gardens, an outdoor pool, the best Sunday Brunch in Florence and the largest luxury SPA in Florence – featuring exclusively treatments by Santa Maria Novella and cutting edge instant result anti-aging oxygen stem cell Rephase). Four Seasons’ legendary service is at its highest levels, the Florence property being among the global flagships of the chain, worldwide.

RELAIX SANTA CROCE by BAGLIONI HOTELS- for those seeking to be at the heart of the historical centre, in a heritage palazzo building – for a most intimate experience, personalized services and steps from all the major attractions.

Junior Suite with view of Santa Croce Church – Relais Santa Croce by Baglioni

VILLA SAN MICHELE by ORIENT-EXPRESS, a 20 minute car drive from Florence city centre, on a hill top in Fiesole – the most romantic setting, with almost impossible to describe panoramic views of Florence skyline – a former monastery, with lush gardens and an outdoor heated pool – probably the pool with the most spectacular view in the world!

Villa San Michele by Orient-Express, Fiesole

ST REGIS, a luxury property away from the busy downtown, yet within 10 minutes walk from the very best of luxury shopping (all major international luxury fashion, accessories and jewellery brands have impressive stores in Florece). The St Regis features the city’s largest and most impressive ballroom, ideal for the most refined and sophisticated private events, but perfectly suitable for special business events (incentives, launches of luxury products etc). Given its location and type of accommodation and services has probably the most extended and constant occupancy, during the off-season, welcoming corporate guests and events. The hotel has a tiny SPA, yet, many other features to impress: a custom Bentley available 24 hrs for hotel guests and a Butler Service for all rooms and suites.

Bottega Veneta Suite by Thomas Maier at St Regis Florence

www.cpp-luxury.com

We know they are super rich.  We also know the community of Ultra High Net Worth Families is growing - projected by Knight Frank to grow from nearly 200,000 households worldwide to 300,000 in the next decade.  We know their fortunes keep growing - in the past year by $566 billion - about the GDP of Saudi Arabia.   We know there is a wide range of estimates on how much they are worth - Wealth X says around $26 trillion and Citi Private Bank estimates $40 trillion (World GDP is about $70 trillion - so quite impressive at either number). 

Now a piece from The Huffington Post follows up on articles last year that the Super Rich have as much as $10 trillion more wealth tucked away in overseas accounts.  According to the article, referencing a new study from Tax Justice Network, an advocacy group for tax transparency, the Super Rich have an additional $21 to $32 trillion in liquid wealth in off-shore accounts.  That would mean the UHNW segment's worth would be somewhere between $47 trillion and $72 trillion.   In other words, the wealth of the 200,000 richest families in the world may be equal to the World's annual GDP.

Interestingly it's not tax avoidance that is driving money offshore according to the piece. The report notes, "It's simply the growth in the offshore money industry. This offshore wealth industry has been exploding even in a period in which we have been cutting taxes."

Doug Gollan

Elite Traveler 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is suspending Federal Excise Tax (FET) assessments of aircraft management companies under audit, while the IRS develops guidance on FET specific issues affecting private aircraft operations.

The Tax Code imposes a 7.5% FET on the amount paid for domestic air transportation services provided by aircraft charter operators and commercial airlines. FET can also be imposed by the IRS on non-commercial flight operations. Over the last several years, the IRS has aggressively audited aircraft management companies, and has claimed that the aircraft management fees paid by an owner to its aircraft management company are subject to FET, even when the aircraft is operated by the owner under FAR Part 91.

In a 2012 Chief Counsel Advice memorandum, an aircraft owner hired a management company to oversee aircraft operations, paid the management company a monthly management fee and reimbursed pilot employment and training costs. The IRS determined that the management company provided taxable transportation to the aircraft’s owner and that FET was due on the monthly management fees and pilot reimbursements. However, this new IRS position is inconsistent with prior guidance and creates confusion.

In response, representatives of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and National Air Transportation Association (NATA) met with IRS officials to request clear guidance on FET as applied to aircraft operated privately by owners using aircraft management company services.

In consideration for the concerns of NBAA and NATA, the IRS will suspend FET assessments on current audits until the IRS develops formal guidance and audit standards for both future FET liability and past activity. IRS guidance is expected to be provided within several months.

In light of the IRS’s FET activity, private aircraft owners using aircraft management company services should review their arrangements to clearly establish that, for FET purposes, the aircraft owner has possession, command and control over its aircraft and the management company is merely acting as the owner’s agent.

Gary I. Horowitz 

http://www.wileyrein.com

THE DISARMING AND EVER SO CHARMING, LORRE WHITE

Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay Infinity Pool

Make exploring Thailand a truly luxurious experience

Thailand’s stunningly beautiful scenery, unique culture and intimate hospitality attract visitors from every area of the globe, catering to those ready to dive headfirst into unknown places, explore ancient civilisations or simply relax by the white sands and cobalt waters of the many beaches. While Thailand is a staple for backpackers everywhere, the top of the list for travelling destinations, it also caters for some of the most discerning of patrons. It may be a gap year staple, but some of the most prestigious hotel chains in the world, along with exclusive independent resorts have made the country a promising prospect for an unforgettable luxury getaway. With that in mind, we have selected a few of the best to give you some idea of what you can find…

Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay, Krabi

In typical Ritz Carlton style, Phulay Bay is one of the most luxurious resorts in Thailand. Between lush jungles, blue water and a beautifully rugged shoreline begging for a day of island-hopping, the area offers unspoiled views of the scenery that has made it a global holiday destination. The resort itself enhances the area’s natural magnificence with a deep sense of peace and tranquillity, emphasized by the sheer luxury of the contemporary Thai villas. Complete with a 24-hour butler service, the resort ensures that guests can relax with each and every need met.

From cocktail bars to traditional Thai cuisine, Phulay Bay uses only the freshest ingredients in the various restaurants available, the highlight of which is undoubtedly Lae Lay. Worth a visit in itself simply for the unforgettable setting, surrounded by azure water, Lae Lay’s daily-caught seafood is flawlessly prepared and undoubtedly a culinary highlight of any visit.

For an indulgent, blissfully relaxing time out, global luxury spa ESPA has a home at Phulay Bay. With the soft rhythm of the Andaman Sea just within earshot, the treatments on offer enhance the prevalent sense of tranquillity, soothing all the senses into deep calm with massages and bespoke aromatherapies. Along with treatments, the resort offers candlelight yoga, a uniquely serene experience.

For those that want to do more than relax, there are a host of activities, from kayaking between the local islands to trekking through the jungle on the back of an elephant. Nearby Hong Island is one of the area’s best-kept secrets, you can go swimming in the lagoon at Koh Hong, view the great sights in Phang-Nga Bay, as well as exploration of intricate cave systems, it offers plenty for even the most active of visitors.

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Lae Lay Seafood Grill at Ritz Carton Phulay Bay

Soneva Kiri

Soneva Kiri Treetop Dining

The Grotto at Rayavadee Resort

Rayavadee Resort

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi

Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood

Soneva pride themselves on creating uniquely memorable experiences and, between greeting the sunrise with a luxury breakfast in the resorts tree pod dining area and a picnic beside the magnificent Klong Chao waterfall, their Koh Kood resort is just that. The array of activities on offer is impressive, both cultural and sporting. Koh Chang National Park offers two-dozen dive sites down to 30 metres though much of the more colourful coral thrives closer to the surface, around 12 metres, while Ao Salad village offers an intimate glimpse into the everyday lives of the locals.

Despite the experiences, dining takes centre-stage at Soneva Kiri, the aforementioned tree-top dining being one of the highlights. 12 metres up, the waiter arrives by trapeze to serve gourmet dishes in a style to be found nowhere else. While impressive, that is just the beginning of the culinary delights on offer. Dinner at Benz, situated in the midst of a mangrove swamp, is just as memorable, while those with a sweet tooth can sample the local honey and indulge in their chocolate factory daydreams in Soneva Kiri’s chilled chocolate room, packed with chocolate truffles, lollipops and cacao cocktails. To round it off, also on offer is a selection of sixty different ice creams to take the heat out of the day.

Not to be outdone by the food, the twenty-nine villas at Soneva Kiri are all vast and luxurious. In a style at once minimalist yet with all the amenities you could want, the villas blend in perfectly to the surrounding landscape. Each is embraced by a private pool and faces either the glorious sunrise or strikingly multi-hued sunset. With electric buggies to ferry guests to other areas, they provide the ease and simplicity for a perfect retreat from the world.

Rayavadee, Krabi

The Ritz Carlton is not the only luxury retreat at Krabi and Rayavadee is just as special. Accessible only by sea due to the surrounding limestone cliffs, guests arrive at the resort after a short, exhilarating speedboat trip from Krabi pier, creating a sense of fantastic isolation and journey into the undiscovered.

The resort itself boasts nearly 100 enchanting two-story pavilions and 4 luxurious private villas spread over 26 acres of coconut groves and tropical gardens and bordered by three beaches. The award-winning architecture blends with its natural surroundings to create a unique atmosphere reminiscent of an idyllic southern Thai village.

With a number of restaurants to choose from, there is one in particular that stands out. The Grotto is a subterranean restaurant where guests can fine among the stalactites and stalagmites of Krabi’s limestone karsts. Serving light snacks and barbeque, seating along the idyllic Phranang Beach allows a drink in the sun during the day, while at night a retreat into the grotto itself lends an air of natural grandeur to any meal.

Guests can learn a number of traditional Thai activities, including Thai cooking, flower garland weaving, fruit carving and batik painting. However for those of a more adventurous mind there is plenty to be done in the way of hiking, kayaking or diving, all in the astounding lush tropical paradise that is Krabi. Most magnificent however are the elephants, which guests can ride through a guided exploration of the local jungle and get up close and personal with one of the world’s most majestic and intelligent animals.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai

Between the unsurpassed service you would expect at any branch of the world-famous Mandarin Oriental and the immersive experience the resort offers in Thailand’s Lanna culture, Dhara Dhevi easily rivals its revered Bangkok namesake. Located close to one of Thailand’s most fascinating cities, the resort is not just luxurious but is an architectural gem, influenced heavily by the local culture, both contemporary and ancient, a theme reflected eminently in the accommodation.

Converted from authentic Northern Thai rice barns, exteriors maintain their unique Lanna style while interiors enjoy a spacious, modern design with accommodation spread over two floors. The décor of the ground-floor living space incorporates traditional rustic elements such as bamboo, silk and hill tribe textiles, whereas upstairs features crafted wooden beams and sliding shutters as well as a peanut-shaped spa bath in the inviting bathroom. An outdoor terrace off the king bedroom is furnished with a small table and sun-loungers. Several of the villas are clustered around a private cottage garden through which a small brook flows, the perfect place to relax in the early evening.

The culinary offerings of the resort are as varied as they are exquisite, with everything from evening meals to Sunday brunch, bistro dining to casual poolside snacks on offer. Farang Ses, one of the most acclaimed French restaurants in Thailand offers traditional continental cuisine in a grand Lanna buildings which features elegantly sculpted chandeliers and enormous teak pillars clad in sheets of beaten copper relief. Named after the prosperous Chinese province famed for black tea, Fujian specialises in authentic Cantonese and contemporary Chinese cuisine and is particularly famed for its dim sum lunches. Finally, for more local fare, Le Grand Lanna lives up to its name with both northern Lanna and classic Thai dishes, complemented each evening by traditional music and dance.

Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi

Four Seasons Golden Triangle, Chiang Mai

While a tented camp may seem to be more along the lines of the backpackers that swarm through Thailand each year, Four Seasons resorts are not known for their lack of luxury. While the accommodation on offer is indeed tents, this is not camping and though the quiet solitude and open air allow guests to get back to nature, they can do so in the utmost comfort and style. With stunning views and handcrafted furniture, they are as far away from everyday camping as guests feel from the world.

Elephants may be a major attraction throughout Thailand, with many resorts allowing visitors to see or even ride them, yet atFour Season Golden Triangle the gentle giants take centre stage. As well as riding them, guests can take on Mahout training, learning how to act around the elephants to put them at ease and give commands to drive them, a skill that can be practiced in abundance in a variety of jungle and mountain treks.

After a hard day of Elephant steering, what better way to relax than a traditional Thai massage, nestle amongst the bamboo? Along with innovative treatments created with local ingredients, including mountain botanicals and local warming spices, the Camp’s spa provides a holistic healing experience to soothe the aches and pains of an arduous mountain trek.

Between the luxuriously bedecked ‘tents’, indulgent spa and activities from elephant riding to traditional cookery courses, Four Seasons Golden Triangle is more than a few steps up from usual thoughts of camping.

Imagine Las Vegas casino owner Steve Wynn’s horror when, seven years ago, he accidentally put his elbow through Picasso’s painting Le Rêve (The Dream), just as he was about to sell it for an eye-popping $139m.

The painting is one of a series of sensuous portraits of the artist’s young mistress Marie-Thérèse Walter, painted in 1932 during their torrid affair. Such works are among the most desirable by Picasso and the price would have set a new high for the artist – but with the painting punctured, the buyer, billionaire hedge fund mogul Steve Cohen, called off the deal.

Now, after a skillful repair, the sale has finally gone through, but this time for $150m, setting a new record for Picasso as well as being the highest price any American collector has ever paid for a work of art. This was a private sale, and at auction records are also being shattered: last year in New York, Edvard Munch’s The Scream made almost $120m.

While much of the world is mired in economic gloom, the art market – which regularly sees multi-million prices set for paintings and sculpture – seems to be living in a parallel universe. Le Rêve just one example of how values are spiralling upwards, driven by new money, newly emerged economies, speculation and a fashion for art that overlaps with lifestyle choices and the luxury goods industry.

The seemingly gravity-defying art market also reflects the nature of wealth today. The sheer amount of money in private hands allows billionaires – and there are, at the last count according to Forbes, 1,426 of them spread throughout the world – to indulge in a highly competitive sport to bag the best artworks. And after all, if you can spend nearly $1bn on a yacht, as the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is supposed to have spent on his floating palace Eclipse, another few millions for a trophy picture is not that much.

And while you can build another yacht, you can’t get a top Manet, Cézanne or Raphael made for you – you have to vie with other collectors when one appears on the market.

A changing picture

This is a market which has, over the last 25 years, seen a massive growth in size. According to art economist Dr Clare McAndrew, in a report published in 2012, about $27.2bn worth of art was sold through dealers and auction houses in 1990. By 2007, at the peak of the last boom, this figure had almost tripled, to $65.8bn. In 2012, according to her latest findings, it was still worth a stunning $56bn, despite shrinking slightly compared to the previous year.

As well as expanding, the business of selling art has been profoundly modified by the arrival of new economies. This is now a global market, no longer dominated by the US and Europe and by American and European artists. Just two years ago, in the grip of sometimes extravagant spending on art in mainland China – and probably aided by some optimistic reporting – China leapfrogged into the top position, with the highest total in this field. While it has now fallen back to the number two slot, China and Hong Kong still represent 25% of art sales, with only the US ahead, with 33%.

Works of art have been sold in China at levels that used to be reserved for the top Western names. For instance an 11th century calligraphy scroll by Huang Tingjian sold recently for a stunning $63.8m in Beijing.

The fashion for private and indeed state-sponsored museums has also been driving the top end of the market - Gulf states, particularly Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, have been eagerly acquiring works of art for ambitious museum programmes. The Qatari royal family, notably Sheikha Mayassa Al Thani, daughter of the Emir, has been extremely active, and is thought to be the biggest buyer in the world today. What does she buy? Mainly modern and contemporary art, and Qatar is generally thought to have paid the highest price ever for an artwork – $250m in 2011 for Cézanne’s The Card Players.

Disparity in fortunes

Buying art, for many of today’s newly wealthy, also gives access to a glamorous lifestyle. There is an endless round of art fairs, biennales, auctions and events all over the world to attend, where galleries and auction houses put on the most glittering parties. Fashion magazines, luxury goods and watch companies pile in, as well as banks, who are increasingly watching art as a new asset class. In some countries such as China or India, art buying is considered first and foremost for investment, rather than for passion or as a hobby.

The flip side of all this is polarisation, with a small crust of very rich people driving the market, pushing up prices for a handful of ’blue-chip’ artists and enriching a few big galleries and a few auction houses. Further down the scale, however, the middle and lower ends of the market are far less buoyant. So while the overall picture seems rosy, in fact it disguises increasing disparity in fortunes.

Particularly in the mid-market, some galleries are closing, and many are having a hard time. The London gallery Hotel, despite its high reputation as a cutting-edge space, went into liquidation last year. More recently, gallerists Nicole Klagsbrun in New York and Jérôme de Noirmont have started to work differently and have abandoned their showrooms.

Art, sadly, seems to have become much more of a rich man’s game. And while the appetite for big names such as Picasso and works like Le Rêve seems unquenchable for the moment, things are not necessarily so dreamy for younger and lesser-known artists.

 Georgina Adam

http://www.bbc.com