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Published: 12:00am, 19 Feb 2002

Cool club: Following in the footsteps of the Ice Hotel in Lapland is the Icecotheque in Quebec City, Canada. Weather permitting, arguably the world's coolest club will operate throughout March on the terrace of the popular Maurice Nightclub. The walls comprise almost 23,000 kilograms of ice blocks, the bar and all furniture have been carved out of ice and the 1,280-square-foot dance floor is dusted with snow. Perch atop ice stools draped in furs and drink out of ice glasses - a frozen fountain at the bar streams with vodka. At 575 Grande-Allee East. Tel: (1418) 647 2000; www.mauricenightclub.com

Bangkok bargain: Farrington Travel is offering a three-day weekend package to Bangkok for between $2,099 and $2,699 which includes return economy flights on Thai International and two nights (plus daily breakfast) at any of five hotels including the Peninsula Bangkok (www.peninsula.com) and Grand Hyatt Erawan (bangkok.hyatt.com). Round-trip transfers can be tacked on for an extra $300. Departing Fridays on March 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Call 2808 2828 or visit www.amextravel.com.hk for details.

Overseas etiquette: Despite the dull, computer manual-style cover and a misleading title hinting at online decorum, AllEtiquette.com is a compelling read. Written by Canadian manners consultant Fredrica Cere Kussin, the book outlines the correct ways to behave when doing business abroad as well as general office protocol.

Divided up into continents, the clearly written guide covers subjects such as greetings (in Arab Africa: 'Women do not shake hands . . . acknowledge them with a nod'); corporate gifts (in North America: 'Flowers in an even number are appropriate'); gestures to avoid (in Australia and New Zealand: 'Never place an empty glass upside down with a thump - it will signify a challenge to a drinking or fighting match'); and global gratuities (Japan: unnecessary; US: 15-20 per cent).

The sections on general social mores are equally revealing. According to Kussin, you should never butter a whole bread roll at once, rather break off and butter one piece at a time; you should attend at least one ballet a year ('The more cultivated you are, the more interesting you will be'); and you should shout bravo! for male opera singers but always brava! for female. Available online for US$35.95 or HK$280 at www.alletiquette.com.

New in New York: In a seemingly saturated field, five-star hoteliers have to go to great lengths to stand out from the crowd. The new Ritz-Carlton Battery Park, perched on Manhattan's southernmost waterfront area, is escalating the idea of service in a bid to do just that. Too tired to fill a tub? Bath butlers bearing sweet-smelling elixirs can be summoned to run you a customised bath. Parched palate? A water sommelier will help you pick the correct H20 for your condition. Tech-angst? Technology butlers are on hand to soothe your tech-frazzled brow.

If they don't interest you, how about rooms boasting feather beds dressed in Frette linens, DVD surround-sound theatre systems, Bose CD players (plus access to a well-stocked DVD and CD library) and high-power telescopes (in rooms overlooking the harbour)?

Interiors are what the executives are calling 'next generation Ritz-Carlton' - all light woods, pale palettes and more contemporary than the chintzy dark wood RC decors of late. And in keeping with the new scheme, original art by more than 100 New York-based artists adorn the rooms and common areas. Worth a visit, even if you're not planning a stay, is the trendy bar Rise with an outdoor waterfront terrace overlooking the Statue of Liberty and the soon-to-be-opened Skyscraper Museum at lobby level (Two West Street, New York, NY10004. Tel: (1212) 344 0800)

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