Staying In

Read Vigil by George Saunders

American writer George Saunders gathered a legion of fans over three decades with his experimental short stories – scooping up plenty of prizes en route. And in 2017 when his first full-length novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, hit the shelves, it was to immediate acclaim, topping bestseller charts and impressing the prestigious Booker Prize panel, beating out Paul Auster, Ali Smith and Mohsin Hamid to top the podium. That novel spins a tale of familial love and loss from a kernel of truth: that President Lincoln, upon the untimely death of his 11-year-old son, Willie, would visit Georgetown Cemetery, enter his crypt, hold the boy’s body, and weep. Almost a decade later, Saunders’ next novel, Vigil, out today, revisits the afterlife idea, this time at the bedside of an unapologetic oil company CEO in the twilight hours of his life. Hardback, £18.99

Going Out

Book This New French Riviera Retreat

Surrenne – the members and hotel guests-only wellbeing club at The Emory in Knightsbridge – has launched an exclusive series of retreats, and C&TH was lucky to be among its first eight guests. Taking place over three days at The Maybourne Riviera (a slick glass palace perched high on the cliffs above Roquebrune-Cap-Martin), each retreat will be themed and accompanied by an expert in their field. Up next is the Spring Equinox (20-24 March), centred around inner transformation and accompanied by astrologer and meditation teacher Belinda Matwali, and the Anti-Inflammatory Reset (17^-21 April), guided by Ross J Barr. Designed to ground, recharge, and regenerate, days are a fine-tuned mix of movement (Lagree, yoga, hiking), spa treatments (have the sculpting and draining massage, cue butt cheeks on fire), rituals (sound baths, cacao ceremonies, bedtime infrared yoga), sea swims, ice baths, breathwork and the best food, the anti-inflammatory menus designed by Rosemary Ferguson. surrenne.com

Property Of The Day

Explore Paris through the sun-glassed eyes of Karl Lagerfeld. Located on a discreet street in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the former private office (and occasional sleeping spot) of the famed fashion designer is now available to rent. Go full Lagerfeld with a tailor-made itinerary that highlights all of his favourite spots – from coffee at Café de Flore and flowers at Lachaume to lunch at La Maison du Caviar and a stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Available for €2000 per night. highstay.com

Little Luxury

Chantecaille has launched its new Flamingo Collection, which sees five percent of each piece sold going towards Amazon Conservation Team’s efforts to protect the American flamingos on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It includes the Dawn Eye Trio eyeshadow palette, which contains three shades inspired by the lush feathers of flamingos. £70, spacenk.com

Competition Time

Win a two-night stay at Foxhills Club & Resort for a weekend getaway packed with golfing and plenty of spa relaxation. Enter here

Psssst…

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has announced French chef Arnaud Donckele will be taking over from Raymond Blanc as new culinary director when the hotel reopens after a big refurb. Having won 10 Michelin stars across his restaurants, it sounds like he’s up to the job.

Whatever You Do, Don’t

Miss our silent auction, running in partnership with Farms For City Children. Bids start from just £20, and you could win a bumper prize that includes a three-course dinner at The Trafalgar pub in Chelsea, two tickets to Chelsea Arts Festival, champagne, comedy show tickets and a chef’s tasting menu at STK Steakhouse. Find out more here and place your bid here.