Villas by the day

Fliers who take advantage of the cheaper midweek fares offered by low-cost airlines will be able to book a villa by the day, as opposed to a hotel. The Affair Group has villas in France, Spain and Portugal which can be booked for short breaks, as well as set weekly periods. Prices start at £55 per villa a day.

· Affair Group (020-7381 8519, frenchaffair.com). Sample price: Le Grand Moulin, a 17th-century stone house 30 minutes from Bordeaux airport (flights by bmibaby and FlyBE) costs £125 a day for nine sharing.

Windemere makeover

The Waterhead Hotel on Lake Windemere is being transformed into the first four-star, townhouse-style hotel in the Lake District. The twee decor has been replaced with contemporary furnishings, flat-screen TVs, DVDs and the Bay Restaurant will serve local produce and beers. It is due to reopen on April 19.

· The Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria (015394 32566, elh.co.uk/hotels/water) from £78pp B&B (midweek), £83pp (weekend).

Luxury in the medina

Jonathan Wix, who created the Scotsman in Edinburgh and 42 The Calls in Leeds, has opened a luxury riad in the medina in Marrakech. Riad Farnatchi has five suites, a sun terrace with a pool and a hamman.

· A suite at the Riad Farnatchi (00 212 4438 4910, riadfarnatchi.com) costs from 2,950 dirham (£180) per night.