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Tennis Academy Review - The Standard

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:16:21 GMT

The Standard explains why Château Lou Casteou is the ultimate luxury stay for tennis lovers.

Set on the edge of a pine-tree filled national park near Fréjus, just inland from France’s Cote d’Azur, an hour’s drive from Nice airport, Lou Caste is owned and run by tennis-loving Morag and Chris, this is the dream trip for tennis players who love the sport’s accompanying socials as much as they get off on a sweetly-struck cross-court forehand, and for those who want luxurious, homely accommodation (en-suite bedrooms, pool, terraces, lounges, sea and mountain views) rather than pack-em-all-in-inclusives.

For the five-day stay, around 20 players descend on the chateau for morning and afternoon sessions, lunches on the poolside terrace, dressed-up aperitif hour and family-style dinners set in the various vast rooms. If you’re lucky to book in on the April session (there are only a few of these holidays a year here, and spaces sell out fast), it also includes a day trip to the Monte-Carlo tennis masters, one of the ATP Tour’s most spectacular tournaments where the sport’s elite battle it out on the red clay with the Mediterranean shimmering in the background. We were lucky enough to see Djokovic, Sinner and Medvedev — all three in this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals — in one impressive sitting.

Back at the hard courts at the charming Golf and Tennis club of Valescure near the chateau (they’re hoping to add some clay courts by next summer, for lovers of the red stuff), the tennis might not be of the same level, but the group’s enthusiasm is equal. Coaching is headed up by James Rose, former director of tennis at La Manga Tennis Academy, and David Tropes, head coach at Valescure.

The five hours of tennis a day might sound daunting to anyone who plays irregularly, but it flies by in a flurry of drills, games and mini competitions. The schedule is loose too, allowing people to skip some sessions for guided coastal walks, trips to St Tropez, Fréjus or Saint Raphael, or even an afternoon lazing by the sleek pool. With everyone else at tennis, including owners Morag and Chris, you’ll largely be lounging in total peace.

There are a variety of levels, from post-beginner to strong club players learning all aspects of the game: from taking the ball early on the approach shot to knifing slice backhands and gaining extra power on the serve with wrist snap to moving more effectively as a doubles pair. The biggest take-away was that the most crucial thing in tennis is choosing the right shot at the right time. Universally, we left feeling more confident with our shots and tactics and more comfortable lasting out on a sun-beaten court for longer than a five-set Wimbledon final.

The tennis is only a part of this dreamy experience though: the breakfast, lunches and dinners put on by the visiting Italian chef couple Matteo and Silvia were the perfect mix of gourmet and homemade. French pastries, fruit, omelettes and strong coffee fuelled you in the morning, lunches of poached salmon, salads and pastas sustained you through the day (a glass or two of Provençal rose helped rather than hindered some people’s games) and big evening feasts with fine wines were a boisterous release, often ending up with a midnight pool competition in the games room downstairs.

This article originally feat ured in The Standard ( click here to read )

Let's Salsa at Lou Casteou

morag.mclarenbaxter@yahoo.co.uk (Morag Mclaren) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 17:07:34 GMT

Kensington and Chelsea reports Château Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ retreat combines all the rhythm of Strictly Come Dancing with good exercise, great company and delicious food.

A snippet of the review -

"Have you ever marvelled at the swan-like performances magically served up by celebrity dancers on Strictly Come Dancing only two or three weeks after having initially dribbled about like headless chickens? Practice makes perfect and dance is no different. I know we’ve all wanted to trip the light fantastic and impress our partners, family, onlookers or even just our own selves but above hubristic recognition is the universally accepted fact that dance is a joyous and uplifting activity. One hour of salsa dancing is guaranteed to release all the right endorphins to combat stress most effectively and boost your mood and senses.

Now what if you could learn to salsa or improve your skills at a gorgeous luxurious holiday retreat in Cote d’Azur with lessons from top professionals, complementary fitness classes to keep you in good shape and the experience further embellished by the most exquisite food and drink in the South of France and an extra dollop of a bunch of lovely people who share the passion for dance but also know how to have a lot of fun.

The heady mix of sun, fun, food and dance is the Salsa retreat at Château Lou Casteou, an hour’s drive away from Nice and forty-five minutes from Cannes. It is an immaculately luxurious home-away-from-home run by the lovely couple of Morag and Chris. They offer innovatively packaged experiences variously also focused on tennis and fitness along. Dances covered during the salsa retreat include Cross body salsa, Cuban salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, Chacha, Semba, Merengue, Regaetton, and Funaná!

Once bitten, most visitors can’t wait to get back, year on year, to the sheer pleasure of the communal experience at Lou Casteou. It is a destination accommodation with a lovely swimming pool, ensuite bedrooms, wondrous terraces, cosy lounges, and glorious surroundings that boast both sea and mountain views. The charm and grandeur of the property coupled with the owners’ hands-on approach has transformed it into a multi-purpose building which is even available for ‘Shoot & Stay’ rentals with Simon Cowell having used it as the X-Factor ‘Judges’ home in one of the earlier series as well as weddings and special events."

To read the full article on Kensington and Chelsea Review click here.

Romance at Lou Casteou

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:56:06 GMT

Lou Casteou's charm and character made it the perfect location for filming France TV's stunning period drama 'Romance'.

Romance - a six part period set series starring Olga Kurylenko and Pierre Deladonchamps was filmed at Lou Casteou.

It tells the story of the meeting of two people who never should have met. A passionate love story that twists the hands of fate and changes lives. A trip through time, both terrifying and wonderful.

Find out more about Lou Casteou as a film, TV or photoshoot location.

Let's Salsa 8–11 Oct 2020

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:52:34 GMT

Join us for a four day luxury, gastronomical Latin and Afro Dance event. Your stay will include accommodation in the stunning château in en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views. Set in the beautiful French Côte d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea, dances taught include Salsa, Kizomba, Semba, Bachata, Cuban Salsa, ChaCha, Merengue, Regaetton, AfroBeat.

Three nights', all-inclusive, luxury château accommodation in en-suite rooms with sea or mountain views

Gourmet cuisine, three course dinners with excellent wines

Champagne reception and evening cocktails by the pool

Six hours of daily fitness and dance classes outside and in safely ventilated rooms

Themed latin dance parties in the evening

Daily stretching, fitness sessions, latino aerobics, boxercise and tennis workshop

Transfers from Nice Airport or from St Raphael train station. Fast train access (TGV) via Paris.

Places are limited so please register your interest ASAP to guarantee a place.

Riviera Retreat

Sat, 23 May 2020 14:28:42 GMT

When it comes to finding a place to stay, France is a visitor’s paradise with lots of choice. France Today Magazine rates Lou Casteou as Highly Recommended in their diverse accommodation picks.

Indulge in some fabulous R&R at this stunning property just 35 minutes from Cannes. An exquisite turn-of-the-century château that
has been tastefully and luxuriously restored to blend traditional design with contemporary touches. Coming up in 2017 you could be
ne-tuning your backhand at the Tennis Academy, getting into the groove at the Let’s Salsa retreats, or just indulging in some pampering
Côte d’Azur-style with the Body Tonic break.

This article originally feat ured in France Today

Феникс из Валескюр

Fri, 22 May 2020 20:59:59 GMT

Замок Lou Casteou элегантно вписывается в спокойный холмистый ландшафт Валескюра рядом с горами Эстерель. Его архитектонический грандиозный внешний вид отражается в духозахватывающей внутренней декорации: каждый предмет медели — ода ремесленному искусству прошлых лет.
– Cassandra Tanti, Riviera Times.

„Было сложно поверить, что все здание было разрушено. С другой стороны, я увидела красивый лестничный пролет и потрясающие полукруглые окна. Шарм этого замка не оспорим. Это большой проект, но это место нужно было спасать“.

Замок Lou Casteou был построен в 1904 году лордом William Amherst, британским консервативным членом правительства, прославившийся, прежде всего, как коллекционер книг, манускриптовм античной мебели и других предметов искусства. Лорд Amherst известен, кроме того, своей огромной коллекцией египетских архилогических находок, которые он копил, что позже разожгло страсть к египтологии в Howard Car-ter, англичанине, позже обнаружившем гробницу Тутанхамона. Лорд погиб трагическим образом два года после своей летней резиденции на юге Франции.

Ссоры внутри семьи Velay, полушившей в наследство замок, привели к тому, что 30 лет спустя здании было оставлено без присмотра и здесь иногда ночевали бездомные. В один унылый январский день в 2006 году агент по недвижимости из Канн показал дом предпринимателю из Лондона Morag McLaren Baxter. „У нас с собой были фонарики, так как в доме не было электричества“, вспоминает Morag. „Повсюду висели огромные паутины, а на полу лежали скелеты голубей. Было сложно поверить, что все здание было разрушено. С другой стороны, я увидела красивый лестничный пролет и потрясающие полукруглые окна. Шарм этого замка не оспорим. Это большой проект, но это место нужно было спасать“.

С помощью небольшой команды местных мастеров Morag и ее мужу Chris удалось вернуть замку Lou Casteou его прежний вид. Были спасены несколько антиквариатов лорда Amherst, среди которых фонтан на внутреннем дворе.

Lou Casteou до реставрации

Сегодня в доме находятся 12 классически мебелированных люкс-номеров, в каждом из которых есть вид на бухту Сен-Тропе или на красные горы Эстерель. Кроме того, во владении есть пять больших приемных с дубовым паркетом и камином, а внутренний двор предлагает пространство для ужинов и культурных мероприятий. Также на территории замка есть кинотеатр и игровая комната, профессиональная кухня, в которой можно приготовить блюда на 200 гостей, и расположившийся между оливковыми деревьями и соснами бассейн.

Наряду со свадьбами и корпоративными мероприятиями замок находится в расположении частных лиц, как ,например, для курса для гурманов с известнейшим шеф-поваром, творческие семинары по написанию песен или семинары по исскуству, для фитнесс-путешествий с походами в горы Эстерель или как академия тениса. Замок может полностью взят в аренду частным лицом: как отличное место для отдыха с семьей или друзьями.

Семья Baxters вернула замку не только прежний внешний вид, который впечатлил бы и самого лорда Amherst, но и пошли дальше, предоставив общественности это место во всем его великолепии.

Эта статья была первоначально опубликована в Riviera Times.

Der Phönix von Valescure

Fri, 22 May 2020 20:48:46 GMT

Elegant schmiegt sich das Château Lou Casteou in die ruhige Hügellandschaft
von Valescure in den Ausläufern des Estérel-Gebirges. Sein architektonisch
grandioses Äußeres spiegelt sich in der atemberaubenden Innendekoration wider;
jedes Möbelstück ist eine Ode an die Handwerkskunst vergangener Zeiten.
– Cassandra Tanti, Riviera Times.

„Es war niederschmetternd festzustellen, dass das ganze Anwesen zerstört worden war. Andererseits sah ich den wunderschönen Treppenaufgang und die traumhaften halbrunden Fenster. Der Charme dieses Châteaus war unbestreitbar. Ein enormes Projekt – aber dieser Ort musste einfach gerettet werden.“

Das Château Lou Casteou wurde 1904 von Lord William Amherst erbaut, einem britischen konservativen Parlamentsmitglied, der vor allem als Sammler seltener Bücher, Manuskripte, antiker Möbel und anderer Kunstwerke in Erinnerung geblieben ist. Lord Amherst ist außerdem bekannt für die umfangreiche Kollektion ägyptischer Fundstücke, die er anhäufte, und diese wiederum entfachten eine Leidenschaft für Ägyptologie in Howard Carter, jenem Engländer, der später das Grab von König Tutanchamun entdeckte. Tragischerweise starb der Lord bereits zwei Jahre nach Vollendung seiner Sommerresidenz in Südfrankreich.

Zwistigkeiten innerhalb der Familie Velay, die das Anwesen anschließend erwarb, sorgten dafür, dass das zauberhafte Gebäude später 30 Jahre lang sich selbst überlassen war, bewohnt nur gelegentlich von Obdachlosen. Eines trostlosen Januartags im Jahr 2006 dann zeigte ein Immobilienagent aus Cannes der Londoner Geschäftsfrau Morag McLaren Baxter das Haus. „Wir hatten Taschenlampen dabei, denn es gab dort keinen Strom“ , erinnert sich Morag. „Überall hingen riesige Spinnweben, und Taubenskelette lagen auf dem Boden. Es war niederschmetternd festzustellen, dass das ganze Anwesen zerstört worden war. Andererseits sah ich den wunderschönen Treppenaufgang und die traumhaften halbrunden Fenster. Der Charme dieses Châteaus war unbestreitbar. Ein enormes Projekt – aber dieser Ort musste einfach gerettet werden.“

Mit der Hilfe einer kleinen Armada lokaler Handwerker gelang es Morag und ihrem Mann Chris, Château Lou Casteou seinen alten Glanz wiederzugeben. Einige der Antiquitäten von Lord Amherst konnten gerettet werden, darunter der historische Springbrunnen im Innenhof.

LOU CASTEOU VOR DER RENOVIERUNG

Heute befinden sich zwölf klassisch möblierte Luxus-Suiten in dem Haus, jeweils mit Bad und fantastischem Blick über die Bucht von Saint-Tropez oder das rote Estérel-Gebirge. Darüber hinaus verfügt das Anwesen über fünf große Empfangssäle mit Eichenparkett und Kamin, und der Innenhof bietet Raum für stimmungsvolle Abendessen und kultivierte Veranstaltungen. Es gibt außerdem ein Heimkino und Spielzimmer, eine Profiküche, in der bis zu 200 Gäste bekocht werden können, und nicht zuletzt einen traumhaft zwischen Olivenbäumen und Schirmpinien gelegenen Swimming Pool.

Neben Hochzeiten und Firmen-Veranstaltungen steht das Château auch Privatpersonen für besondere Events zu Verfügung, etwa für einen mehrtägigen Gourmet-Kurs mit einem bekannten Chefkoch, für Kreativ-Seminare zum Liederschreiben oder Kunst-Workshops, für Fitness-Urlaub mit Trekking im Estérel und als Tennis-Akademie. Es kann auch komplett privat gemietet werden: als perfekter Erholungsort für Familie und Freunde.

Die Baxters haben das Château Lou Casteou nicht nur zurück in einen Zustand versetzt, der auch Lord Amherst begeistert hätte, sondern sind einen Schritt weitergegangen, indem sie es der Öffentlichkeit in seiner ganzen Pracht zur Verfügung stellen.

Dieser Artikel wurde ursprünglich in der Riviera Times veröffentlicht

The Phoenix of Valescure

Fri, 22 May 2020 20:32:51 GMT

Château Lou Casteou sits elegantly amidst the quiet hills of Valescure, its architectural grandeur matched only by the stunning interior décor, each piece of furniture an ode to the exquisite craftsmen of a bygone era. By Cassandra Tanti of the Riviera Times.

"It was devastating when we realised the whole place had been vandalized, yet there stood this beautiful big staircase and these amazing arched windows. The château’s charm was indisputable. The project was so overwhelming, but the place needed to be rescued.”

Château Lou Casteou was built in 1904 by Lord William Amherst, a British conservative member of parliament who is chiefly remembered as a collector of rare books, manuscripts, antique furniture and other works of art. Lord Amherst is also famous for the large Egyptian collection he amassed; antiquities that ignited a passion for Egyptology in Howard Carter, the Englishman who later uncovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen. Sadly, Lord Amherst passed away just two years after his summer home was completed.

Family feuding among the property’s next owners, the Velays, meant that this enchanting mansion was left to disarray for 30 long years, occupied only by a group of itinerant squatters. Then, one dreary January day in 2006, London entrepreneur Morag McLaren Baxter toured the property with a real estate agent from Cannes. “We only had torches because there was no electricity,” remembers Morag. “There were enormous cob webs everywhere and pigeon skeletons scattered all over the floor. It was devastating when we realised the whole place had been vandalized, yet there stood this beautiful big staircase and these amazing arched windows. The château’s charm was indisputable. The project was so overwhelming, but the place needed to be rescued.”

Aided by a small army of local artisans, Morag and her husband Chris managed to restore Château Lou Casteou to its former glory. Some of Lord Amherst’s stunning antique pieces were saved, including a delightful fountain in the courtyard.

LOU CASTEOU PRE-RENOVATION

Today, 12 luxury suites are all furnished in traditional style, each with ensuite bathroom and spectacular views over the Bay of St. Tropez or the captivating Esterel mountains. Five large reception rooms boast beautiful oak parquet floors and traditional fireplaces; the cloisters provide for atmospheric dinners and sophisticated entertaining. There’s a home cinema and games room, professional kitchen that can cater up to 200 guests, and a swimming pool beautifully situated amongst the olives and pine parasol trees.

In addition to hosting weddings and corporate events, the château is open to individuals for refined activities: a week-long gastronomic experience hosted by a celebrity chef; a culture retreat with song writing classes and art workshops; fitness holidays with treks to the Esterel; and a tennis academy. It is also available for private hire: the perfect getaway for family and friends.

The Baxter’s have not only managed to rebuild Château Lou Casteou to an estate that Lord Amherst would be proud of, they have gone one step further by offering it, in all its splendour, to be enjoyed by all.

This article originally feat ured in the Riviera Times

Review of Body Tonic Retreat at Lou Casteou

Wed, 20 May 2020 18:57:24 GMT

Mark Hodson, editor of 101 Holidays, gives his verdict on Lou Casteou's Body Tonic luxury retreat.

I peeled off the boxing gloves, poured some ice-cold water over my head and checked the time. It was 11.30am and we were 90 minutes into our morning exercise session with another two hours to go before lunch. My legs were getting wobbly and I was sweating buckets. “Keep going and drink plenty of water,” barked the trainer, “Big Dave” Higgins. The temperature was 35ºC.

This was not a bootcamp, but an exclusive five-day fitness retreat on the French Riviera. Body Tonic is held in a beautifully-restored chateau, Lou Casteou, set in picturesque grounds between Fréjus and Saint-Raphaël. The aim is to combine hard-core exercise with gourmet food, party nights and Latin American dancing. And it has developed quite a cult following.

The day had started calmly. I threw open the shutters of my room overlooking the infinity pool and padded downstairs for a delicious breakfast buffet, chatting with the ten other guests. One eye on the time, of course, because the fitness regime started at 10am with stretching beside the pool, followed by Boxercise, HIIT training and then a swim before lunch and a well-deserved glass of rose.

The afternoon was a little more sedate. A two-hour coastal hike followed by a salsa class, fancy-dress dinner, then an attempt to dance the Charleston.

Does this sound like your kind of holiday? If so, here’s what to expect.

The château

Lou Casteou is exquisite, lovingly restored and decorated by its owner, Morag McLaren Baxter, who organises half a dozen retreats each year. This is not like staying at a hotel, but more like being a pampered guest at a well-appointed villa. The house was air-conditioned, giving welcome respite from the heatwave that was tearing through France.

The exercise

Though undeniably tough, the exercise was varied and always injected with a healthy dollop of fun, whether it was body blast, Latino aerobics or TRX and battle ropes. Every session was optional, though most guests stuck to the programme. “Big Dave”, an experienced and charismatic personal trainer, inspired us all to test our own limits. He was assisted by Dan Tegg, an enthusiastic professional tennis and fitness coach.

The activities
It would have been tempting to spend the afternoons lazing beside the pool, but every day there were different activities on offer. There was mountain biking, a tennis workshop held at a local club with the head coach and that scenic coastal trek. Dotted throughout the five days were various dance classes including merengue, Angolan Kizomba, Cuban salsa and Semba de Roda. These are taught by two experienced dance tutors, John Hylton and Christian Jean Francois. On the dance floor, I was well outside my comfort zone, but there was a lot of laughter and my partners were very patient.

The food

Oh yes, the food. When you’re pushing your body to its limits, you don’t just need a lot of food, you want to be rewarded with delicious healthy fare, and that’s what you get here. The menu was both imaginative and comforting, prepared by an expert local chef. A typical lunch buffet might feature sea bass fillets, risotto and several salads, plus a dessert, cheese and biscuits and coffee. Each evening we were served a three-course dinner; a typical menu was aubergine tart with honey and pine nuts followed by sea bass with mango, and lemon meringue tart. It was all superb.

The guests
Body Tonic is aimed at all ages and levels of fitness but, judging by my experience, the typical guest is a high-achieving professional, aged 40 to 60, well-travelled, cultured. The majority are female. Because the group is small and the experience is intense, we quickly bonded and became a tight-knit little community. This was aided by the plentiful supply of alcohol. We had a lot of fun.

The verdict

Although not cheap, the Body Tonic retreat does represent good value for money. Everything is included from the moment you are collected from the airport, and the quality is first class throughout. And it works: I returned home feeling fit, healthy and energetic, and inspired to work harder at my own fitness regime. I’m not surprised that so many guests return time and again.

The first photograph is by Lou Casteou; the rest are all by the author. ©Mark Hodson

This article originally feat ured in 101holidays.co.uk

Fun, Frivolity and Fast Footwork

Mon, 18 May 2020 17:47:49 GMT

Lifestyle magazine reports Château Lou Casteou’s ‘Let’s Salsa’ retreat combines all the rhythm and sparkle of Strictly Come Dancing with good exercise, great company and delicious food.

Hidden in the Côte d’Azur’s idyllic Esterel Mountains and just minutes from the sea, the elegantly furnished château is a luxurious haven, perfect for a few days away and a chance to take to the dance floor.

The ‘Let’s Salsa’ programme is designed to cater for both new dancers and those with experience aiming to improve their skills. During the four-day retreat, the classes cover dance disciplines from all over the world, offering guests the chance to try their hands (and feet) at Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha, Kizomba, West Coast Swing and fun Reggaeton! Dance classes are also interspersed with a variety of fitness activities selected to enhance dance fitness and core strength, balance and posture. The classes are led by a team of experienced fitness instructors and award-winning professional dancers, keen to pass on their passion for dance and music.

Delicious and healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served around the pool or in the historic cloisters. After energetic workouts and dancing, there is a welcome chance to relax, socialise and enjoy the stunning château and views.

The talented chef, Jimmy Karl, who also specialises in delicious coconut milk mojitos, also provides sumptuous meals that are made from locally sourced ingredients. Aperitifs are served nightly by the pool with a fun dance session before dinner. After being wined and dined , guests can try out their new moves at a local Salsa club and during candlelit evening parties at the
château.

The warm and friendly atmosphere at Lou Casteou is the perfect setting for this retreat. It is a luxurious and welcoming sanctuary where guests are encouraged and supported by their teachers and one another, improving their dance skills and forming friendships at the same time.

This article originally feat ured in thelifemagazine s.com

Lou Casteou Ranked Best Fitness Retreat in France

Tue, 12 May 2020 17:20:43 GMT

About Time Magazine ranked Château Lou Casteou's Body Tonic Retreat 'best in France' in their top picks for fitness holidays.

The Lowdown:

Held in the beautiful French Riviera countryside the fitness retreat at Lou Casteou provides guests with a balance of energetic and fun training, dance classes, stunning coastal and mountain treks, balanced meals and château accommodation.

What to Expect:

Body Tonic is designed to appeal to all ages and levels of fitness, whether seeking to improve strength and well-being or kick start a healthy regime. The fitness program is led by David Higgins and Dan Tegg. David is a charismatic and enthusiastic personal trainer with years of experience, while Dan is a highly skilled tennis and performance fitness coach. Fitness classes include stretching, core and kettlebells, boxercise, TRX strengthening and toning exercises, cardio blast, circuit training, water aerobics, legs, bums and tums classes and a relaxing massage. The programme also includes kayaking and treks along the stunning coastal routes.

This article originally feat ured on About Time Magazine

A Different Approach to Health and Fitness

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 13:17:22 GMT

Most of what you read right now on health pages is designed to counter excess, but the prescribed antidotes of fasting and frugality are sure to lower the spirits as summer finally arrives. The omnipresent exercise advice to get ‘beach ready’ tends to feel short-lived and instil dread rather than inspiration. If you're thinking about a very different approach to the road to health and fitness – dancing – in particular, joyful dancing (well, all dancing is joyful) then Lou Casteou delivers the perfect Salsa dance retreat.

Château Lou Casteou is a perfect spot for a “Salsa Retreat.” Five minutes from the Med in the South of France. Built by Lord Amherst at the very beginning of the 20th century it has a decidedly local Provencal style (its name means “château” in the local Provencal dialect). The only thing out of character is the tower – the noble lord was fond of stargazing.

He was also one of a number of wealthy aristocrats who chose to winter in the South of France for the climate. He himself declared: “Here the air is simply perfect, warm and at the same time a tonic.” The house he built was not only gracious and altogether lovely but it had all the mod cons of the day. There was heating even in the servants’ bedrooms!

But then it went into decline. Morag McLaren Baxter bought the house when it was pretty much a ruin and has restored it with much loving care, keeping as much of the original as possible and repairing rather than replacing wherever possible. The result is a setting that is romantic, elegant and tranquil and the atmosphere is house party rather than hotel. In fact, Simon Cowell selected it as his “judge’s house” on the X Factor in 2011 (well, you can’t have everything). So, the perfect place for a boot camp then.

But, of course, this is no ordinary boot camp. It’s a salsa boot camp and it really does make for a party atmosphere. On the first night there’s a champagne reception during which you learn Kizomba and, after dinner, more Kizomba and Kudero. These are all dances on a Latin beat with the emphasis on mobile hips and syncopated footwork. During the afternoon there's stretching by the pool, followed by a Swiss Ball class, Merengue and the first Salsa class. There is definitely a party atmosphere – but there’s also no slouching here.

As well as daily Salsa and Cha Cha classes, there is Bachata, Charleston, West Coast Swing, Lindy Hop – and that’s just the dancing. There are, too, coastal treks and tennis workshops, circuits and stretching, a table tennis tournament and a beach party. On the last night ther's a dinner and a party (and more dancing, obviously) in the cloisters. The rest of the time, weather permitting, meals are outside by the pool and there is even time to get in it for an occasional swim.

The retreats run for four days. Everything is included in the price (all drinks, food, excursions and classes, and even transfers from Nice Airport). The classes are split into three levels from absolute beginners to experienced dancers, so no need to worry if you’ve never danced before.

The food (and wine) flows freely so, though you’re doing an awful lot of exercise, any hope of weight loss lies solely with your ability to resist temptation. A rather different kind of retreat then, but quite a lot of fun.

This article originally feat ured on The Arbuturian

The Fit Crowd: Body Tonic Retreat Review

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 18:22:20 GMT

Overseas fitness bootcamps were amongst the most popular summer travel trends of 2019. The Executive Magazine visited the French Riviera’s most high end health experience, Body Tonic, to find out more.

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most obsessive image junky of them all?

The answer may surprise you as, even in the age of millennial social media addiction, in the UK it’s financially successful men aged 30-45 that care more about their image than any other demographic. They just don’t want anyone to know this.

Naturally, The Executive Magazine investigated further.

Studies have shown that, contrary to how successful 30-45 year old men in business like to present themselves as secure and confident beings, they are actually the group that secretly looks at their own reflection more than any other, and who are most likely to believe that personal presentation is “critical to career success”. It’s with good reason, too, as it’s proven that the healthier we are the more we earn, and the more career progression we have – bonuses and promotions are the reward for that healthy glow.

Because of this they’re also the people spending more on luxury fitness travel than any other, so The Executive Magazine headed off to the South of France to see why getting out of town to get into shape is more effective.

Body Tonic is the luxury fitness retreat hosted at Château Lou Casteou, located in a green and pleasant nook on the Côte d’Azur.

Just a short transfer from Nice, the stunning château looks out across the crystal blue waters of the Mediterranean on one side and the stunning Esteral mountains the other, with the original 1904 features lovingly recreated by the owner and entrepreneur behind its successful restoration, Morag McLaren Baxter.

If the idea of working out hard in shaded courtyards, sculpted gardens and ornate French hallways sounds like a somewhat unusual fitness experience, then that’s exactly what it is, but McLaren Baxter’s vision has created a place perfect for recalibrating and recharging your personal health.

Fitness consultations start in advance of travel, so by the time The Executive Magazine team arrive the personalised plan is ready, alongside individual menus from the outstanding full time chef.

Over welcome drinks we meet the fitness team, led by the knowledgable and hard-pushing David Higgins. We are also introduced to the dozen or so other people on the retreat, who are also seeking big results, as well as time to enjoy the glorious weather and surroundings.

It’s then into lunch, and a chance to review our personal programmes. It’s noticeable how much time and effort have gone into making this count for each person’s goals and needs, but also how cleverly crafted the activities are to make it as enjoyable and motivating as possible.

Despite the spectacular location, the programmes rely mainly on equipment you’ll find in any gym, or simple activity you can easily recreate outdoors in your local park. The mixture of personal and group workouts also provides options to keep things interesting.

And then so starts a five day programme that is pitched quite carefully at being hardcore enough to see real results.

Highlights included kettle bell classes in the footsteps of the mountains, boxing classes in the courtyard garden, and hikes to the beach, where we took out kayaks across the sometimes choppy bay. Evenings were kept fresh and moving through the inspired idea of including an excellent salsa teacher within the fit team.

It would be remiss to also not focus on the sensational food served across the week, with a first class team delivering fresh local food in a series of highly creative menus, providing the protein and energy needed to maximise results, but never at the forfeiture of taste.

However, this kind of break is about quality of experience and results, and Body Tonic excels here. Significant weight loss, muscle mass and definition, and cardio improvements were all achieved in the timeframe – with enough time spent with understanding why these occurred, to ensure programmes could be taken home to create long term change.

Body Tonic is a leader in European sunshine luxury fitness breaks for a reason, and whether you’re seeking a life changing fitness experience, or a chance to press the reset button on your health we couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

This article originally feat ured on The Executive Magazine

10 Reasons to have a Château Wedding at Lou Casteou

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 12:40:28 GMT

If saying ‘I Do’ in a historic French Château sounds like your idea of wedding heaven, feast your eyes on Lou Casteou – a dreamy château villa set within the Esterel mountains in the Côte d’Azur. This 20th Century château lies between the sun-soaked spots of Cannes and St Tropez in the French Riviera, just 30 minutes from Nice airport. So it’s no wonder it’s a popular choice for weddings.

Tempted to hold your ceremony in this French retreat? Lou Casteou's owner – Morag McLaren Baxter – shares 10 reasons to say ‘Yes’ in the grounds of this French château.

1. It’s a unique and special venue (and is a little bit famous)…

Lou Casteou was built in 1904 by Lord Amherst and was recently rennovated in a way that allows the venue to offer luxury and sophistication while still retaining its historic architectural charm. So think oak floors, chandeliers, marble surfaces and stunning original fireplaces. And if you think you recognise the setting, it might be because Simon Cowell used Lou Casteou as his judges’ house in X Factor last year. (That’s how nice it is).

2. The climate and surroundings of the Côte d’Azur are a sight to behold

We recommend holding your wedding at Lou Casteou in Spring or early Autumn when the climate is at its most beautiful. There are also fewer tourists in Spring and Autumn, plus you can get cheaper air fares. Alfresco wedding? Of course. This is a venue where it’s just begging for you to hold your wedding ceremony outside.

3. The team will create the perfect wedding setting

Outside in the gardens, in the romantic historic cloisters, or even in the elegant indoor period reception rooms overlooking the swimming pool. It’s entirely up to the bride and groom where they hold their wedding ceremony. Once you’ve chosen, the château events team will provide atmospheric lighting, candles and lamps, along with quality sound systems so everything is perfect for your big day. The team are all English speaking too and offer a full wedding planner service, so stress levels will be kept to an absolute minimum.

4. You can dine on delicious Provençal cuisine

While the villa is a self-catered venue if you hire it out to stay, the Lou Casteou team have a team of expert French chefs on hand who can provide high standards of catering on site to suit all tastes and budgets for your big day. French local wines, produce and ingredients are key to the dining scene at Lou Casteou. So you can look forward to a wedding breakfast of fine Provencal dishes with all dietary needs taken into account. Bon apétit.

5. It offers a luxurious dining setting inside and out

The château has two dining options for weddings. Inside, you can dine the elegant tower reception rooms which fit 100 wedding guests and offer beautiful pool views. Or if you want to go al fresco, you can dine in the historic sheltered cloisters and dine under the stars.

6. It’s BYO!

If you fancy yourself as a bit of a wine aficionado, the excellent news for you and your groom is you can purchase your own wines with no corkage charge, which is great for helping you stay within your wedding budget.

7. You can save on flower decorations

If you’re a minimalist bride, there’s no need to spend a fortune on decorations or flowers, as the Provençal countryside is so naturally beautiful, you can let your surroundings do the talking. Of course, if you do want to splash out on floral decorations, you absolutely can.

8. It’s all yours

Importantly, if you hire out Lou Casteou for your big day, there’s no sharing of the venue with other guests meaning your ceremony and wedding celebrations are intimate and private, for the bridal party only. The way it should be.

9. You can relax…

If you feel like you need to zone out a bit before your big day, the château is home to a heated infinity pool where brides and grooms-to-be can relax prior to (and after) their special day. What’s more, the team at Lou Casteou can organise hairdressers, masseuses and make-up artists to prepare the bridal party for the big day.

10. It’s a beautiful and romantic place to stay

This article oriinally feat ured on The Travel Journo