A Luxury Travel Blog
Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:57:54 +0000
New for 2009, Hotel L’Avenida, Mallorca’s chic eight-bedroom boutique hotel in the heart of Soller on the island’s North West coast, is introducing a ‘Flavours of Mallorca’ cookery and foodie weekend throughout February, March and October 2009. The cookery weekends, based at the converted, century old Modernist style private mansion in the heart of the town, [...]
New for 2009, Hotel L’Avenida, Mallorca’s chic eight-bedroom boutique hotel in the heart of Soller on the island’s North West coast, is introducing a ‘Flavours of Mallorca’ cookery and foodie weekend throughout February, March and October 2009.
The cookery weekends, based at the converted, century old Modernist style private mansion in the heart of the town, will be run by local chef Benet Vicens, who is the owner of the popular restaurant Bens d’Avall, in the neighbouring town of Deia. During the three-day course, Benet will introduce guests to a wide range of Mallorcan produce, showing them how to use ingredients such as locally caught seafood and lamb from the surrounding Tramuntana Mountains, in a variety of contemporary and innovative dishes.
The ‘Flavours of Mallorca’ cookery weekend costs €1485 per person (approx £1,240 per person) and includes three night’s accommodation based on two people sharing a double room, continental breakfast, all tuition, food and wine relating to the demonstrations (excluding mini bar consumption), gala dinner on Friday night, return airport transfers, transfers to the bodega and the bodega tour. For the cookery weekends to take place, a minimum of six and maximum of 16 people are required. Spa treatments cost from €40 per person.
Raffles Resort Marrakech, Morocco
Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:10:27 +0000
Raffles Resort Marrakech will comprise 150 luxurious rooms and suites, and 36 luxury villas. In addition, the resort will offer three exquisite dining options, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, and the signature RafflesAmrita Spa. The resort will enjoy an exceptional location, just one kilometre away from the old city of Medina, well-known for its ancient monuments dating [...]
Raffles Resort Marrakech will comprise 150 luxurious rooms and suites, and 36 luxury villas. In addition, the resort will offer three exquisite dining options, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, and the signature RafflesAmrita Spa. The resort will enjoy an exceptional location, just one kilometre away from the old city of Medina, well-known for its ancient monuments dating back to the 12th Century.
New to Rhodes: Port Royal Villas & Spa, Afandou
Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:07:53 +0000
The luxury five-star Port Royal Villas & Spa will be new on the scene in Rhodes in 2009. It is located on the Blue Flag-awarded sand beach of Kolymbia in Afandou on the island’s east coast. The 185 rooms include four suites with private pools and a presidential suite with private pool. The hotel also has three [...]
The luxury five-star Port Royal Villas & Spa will be new on the scene in Rhodes in 2009. It is located on the Blue Flag-awarded sand beach of Kolymbia in Afandou on the island’s east coast. The 185 rooms include four suites with private pools and a presidential suite with private pool. The hotel also has three restaurants, three bars, two outdoor swimming pools and one indoor heated swimming pool.
Valentines Day beckons
Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:43:27 +0000
January is traditionally a popular time for bookings in the travel industry. People have a little time to spend with family and friends over Christmas and New Year and, if they haven’t already, they start making plans. One of the first peak periods is Valentines and this year it falls on a weekend (Valentines Day [...]
January is traditionally a popular time for bookings in the travel industry. People have a little time to spend with family and friends over Christmas and New Year and, if they haven’t already, they start making plans. One of the first peak periods is Valentines and this year it falls on a weekend (Valentines Day is the Saturday). If you’re thinking of going away - or even if you’re just going out for a meal - have you booked anything yet? If so, where? If not, what are you planning? Please share by clicking on the comments.
Dusit International’s first foray into Africa
Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:43:20 +0000
Dusit International is officially opening the Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo today. The Cairo hotel is the company’s first property on the African continent, and brings it a step closer to the Europe. It is strategically located in the New Cairo district known as the “Land of Gold”. The area is resplendent with waterfalls, brand tree-lined streets [...]
Dusit International is officially opening the Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo today. The Cairo hotel is the company’s first property on the African continent, and brings it a step closer to the Europe. It is strategically located in the New Cairo district known as the “Land of Gold”. The area is resplendent with waterfalls, brand tree-lined streets and sparkling lakes and stream. A mere 20 minutes from Cairo International Airport it is linked by bridge to Giza and the Pyramids. Dusit Thani LakeView Cairo offers 203 luxury rooms and suites, Dusit Club Lounge, Dusit Gourmet Lounge and Bar, Thai and Mediterranean culinary experiences. The Grand Ballroom is a magnificent 1,536 square meter fully-equipped setting for up to 1,000 guests. The 10 meeting rooms are supported by a common business centre and pre-function terrace. The hotel’s banqueting delivers an unmatched catering service par excellence. Impeccable facilities include a large swimming pool, 15 cabanas for day use, fitness centre, 6 tennis and 2 squash courts, kid’s club plus spa and wellness centre as well as a unique multi unit shopping Bazaar, retail shops and bank.
Luxury travel trends for 2009?
Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:52:12 +0000
Happy New Year! Wow… is that 2008 over already? How time has flown! We now look forward to another year at a time when the financial climate remains seemingly uncertain. What can we expect for the luxury travel industry this year, do you think? Will it be a difficult year? And what will be the new [...]
Happy New Year! Wow… is that 2008 over already? How time has flown! We now look forward to another year at a time when the financial climate remains seemingly uncertain. What can we expect for the luxury travel industry this year, do you think? Will it be a difficult year? And what will be the new luxury travel trends of 2009? Your comments, please!
The world’s leading honeymoon destination in 2008 has been…
Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:43:14 +0000
…St. Lucia, according to the 2008 World Travel Awards. The beautiful Caribbean island’s spectacular rainforests, world famous Pitons, sparkling turquoise waters, friendly Caribbean vibe and soft, sandy beaches as well as their world class resorts, makes it a perfect choice for romantic honeymoons. Honeymooners can’t fail to sink blissfully into married life engulfed in the [...]
…St. Lucia, according to the 2008 World Travel Awards. The beautiful Caribbean island’s spectacular rainforests, world famous Pitons, sparkling turquoise waters, friendly Caribbean vibe and soft, sandy beaches as well as their world class resorts, makes it a perfect choice for romantic honeymoons. Honeymooners can’t fail to sink blissfully into married life engulfed in the romantic ambiance of St. Lucia. The extraordinary twin Pitons, the bubbling Sulphur Springs, dramatic scenery and miles upon miles of lush tropical rainforest, set the perfect scene for couples in love.
Where would you say is the place to honeymoon in 2009 going to be? Click on the comments and let us know!
The new Raffles Tianjin, China
Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:53:45 +0000
Located at the top of Tianjin Centre, Raffles Tianjin sits right in the heart of the city, at the junction of Nanjing Road and Guiyang Road - in Heping District, the city’s most important business and retail district. As the city’s first penthouse hotel, Raffles Tianjin will preside over the city, occupying the top 32nd [...]
Located at the top of Tianjin Centre, Raffles Tianjin sits right in the heart of the city, at the junction of Nanjing Road and Guiyang Road - in Heping District, the city’s most important business and retail district. As the city’s first penthouse hotel, Raffles Tianjin will preside over the city, occupying the top 32nd to 45th floors of Tianjin Centre’s West Tower. Scheduled to open in 2009, residents can look forward to 116 spacious, elegantly appointed rooms and suites with commanding views of the city. It is approximately 2 hours from Beijing.
Scottish Snowdrop Festival
Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:07:26 +0000
In a bid to banish the post-Christmas blues, VisitScotland is launching The Scottish Snowdrop Festival in a blaze of white. Visitors are invited to blow away the cobwebs by visiting 46 gardens across the country, some of which open exclusively for the event. Participating properties range from majestic castles and classic country estates to woodland [...]
In a bid to banish the post-Christmas blues, VisitScotland is launching The Scottish Snowdrop Festival in a blaze of white. Visitors are invited to blow away the cobwebs by visiting 46 gardens across the country, some of which open exclusively for the event. Participating properties range from majestic castles and classic country estates to woodland walks and walled gardens. Running from 1st February to 16th March, the festival is ideal for those with New Year’s resolutions to be more active in 2009. It is part of VisitScotland’s Winter White campaign which showcases opportunities for visitors to make the most of the season. 46 gardens are participating in the festival including:
Newly saved for the nation by Prince Charles, this 18th century Palladian mansion was designed by architect brothers John and Robert Adam. The house is set within 2000 acres of scenic Ayrshire countryside.
Torosay Castle & Gardens, Isle of Mull
Italianate terraced garden with fine statuary, mature trees, varied collection of tender shrubs and many old varieties of spring bulbs offset with panoramic views.
Castle Kennedy & Gardens, Dumfries & Galloway
Enjoy the beautiful woodland and loch-side walks or a car safari amongst the enchanting carpets of snowdrops and early spring flowers. Set amidst one of Scotland’s oldest gardens, including a ruined castle, walled garden and a charming tearoom.
Broughton House Garden, Dumfries & Galloway
The garden of artist EA Hornel, a charming informal and secret garden showing snowdrops at their spring best.
Kate Moss heads for medical spa resort in Thailand
Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:06:08 +0000
2008 has obviously been a bit much for Kate Moss. She’s said to be heading off to Thailand today for a 7-day detox holiday in Thailand, with her daughter and boyfriend Jamie Hince. According to a source: The spa she’s booked into is one of the strictest and most stringent in the world. She won’t be cut [...]
2008 has obviously been a bit much for Kate Moss. She’s said to be heading off to Thailand today for a 7-day detox holiday in Thailand, with her daughter and boyfriend Jamie Hince. According to a source:
The spa she’s booked into is one of the strictest and most stringent in the world. She won’t be cut any slack because of her A-list status. She’s not even allowed to take her mobile phone. She’s in the hotel’s top suite, overlooking the sea.
Does anyone reading this know which resort she’s going to?
Afric-ahhhhh! New luxury in the Seychelles
Thu, 25 Dec 2008 22:30:48 +0000
Get ready for the opening of the fabulous Four Seasons Resort Seychelles next month. Consisting of stilt-raised treehouse villas perched on a hillside, this accommodation looks really special. Not only will you enjoy beautiful sea views, but you’ll also have the luxury of private plunge pools, outdoor showers and your own wooden verandah where you can [...]
Get ready for the opening of the fabulous Four Seasons Resort Seychelles next month. Consisting of stilt-raised treehouse villas perched on a hillside, this accommodation looks really special. Not only will you enjoy beautiful sea views, but you’ll also have the luxury of private plunge pools, outdoor showers and your own wooden verandah where you can just relax and enjoy tropical birdsong and the surrounding scents of cinnamon trees and frangipani.
Merry Christmas!
Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:01:57 +0000
Just a quick note to wish all readers of A Luxury Travel Blog a very merry Christmas. Put your feet up… pull a cracker or two… and enjoy that Christmas dinner! Don’t expect too many posts from me today, but do check back over the festive period as there’ll be lots more to come in [...]
Just a quick note to wish all readers of A Luxury Travel Blog a very merry Christmas. Put your feet up… pull a cracker or two… and enjoy that Christmas dinner! Don’t expect too many posts from me today, but do check back over the festive period as there’ll be lots more to come in the run up to 2009.
Paying less for luxury in the UK
Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:56:52 +0000
I’m pleased to be able to announce that we’ve converted our long-established UK hotel site into a UK hotel comparison service. Currently the site is able to search availability with Active Hotels, LateRooms and Superbreak (with more being added as I type) and return the best price. Sometimes there is little difference but every now and [...]
I’m pleased to be able to announce that we’ve converted our long-established UK hotel site into a UK hotel comparison service. Currently the site is able to search availability with Active Hotels, LateRooms and Superbreak (with more being added as I type) and return the best price. Sometimes there is little difference but every now and then it throws back some fantastic savings. For example, a double room for the nights of 13th, 14th and 15th February (Valentines weekend) at The Goring in Belgravia would set you back £1304 if you booked it through LateRooms but £775.08 if you went via Superbreak - a massive saving of over £500! To add insult to injury, the LateRooms booking is on a room only basis, and the Superbreak one includes breakfast.
You might think that certain sites are consistently cheaper than others, but this does not appear to be the case. For example, for the same period and requirements, LateRooms comfortably beats Superbreak for a stay at the five star De Vere Grand Harbour in Southampton (£423 versus £463).
The moral of the story: using a comparison service can save you a small fortune… enough in some cases to allow you to stay an additional night!
Who has the best ecard this Christmas?
Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:23:53 +0000
I just received a Christmas ecard from Sofitel. This comes on the back of numerous others I seem to have been sent this year. Many are just HTML emails or emails with attachments, but some are a little more fancy such as this one from Beachcomber Hotels. What’s been your favourite luxury travel ecard this [...]
I just received a Christmas ecard from Sofitel. This comes on the back of numerous others I seem to have been sent this year. Many are just HTML emails or emails with attachments, but some are a little more fancy such as this one from Beachcomber Hotels. What’s been your favourite luxury travel ecard this year?
Three for free with Hyatt
Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:48:52 +0000
Start planning your winter vacation now and treat your family or someone special to all the charm Hyatt’s resorts have to offer. Enjoy a free night (based upon a minimum length of stay), a 1–category room upgrade and full American breakfast for 2 daily when you book the Three for Free package. Stay between 1st January and [...]
Start planning your winter vacation now and treat your family or someone special to all the charm Hyatt’s resorts have to offer. Enjoy a free night (based upon a minimum length of stay), a 1–category room upgrade and full American breakfast for 2 daily when you book the Three for Free package. Stay between 1st January and 31st March 2009.
15% off at The Osprey at Beaver Creek, Colorado
Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:45:07 +0000
Opening its doors this month, The Osprey at Beaver Creek is the closest ski-in/ski-out hotel to a ski lift in North America. This winter enjoy the mountain ambiance and contemporary furnishings at The Osprey at Beaver Creek. Rates start at $336 per night. Pricing is valid for travel January 4, 2009 - February 11, 2009. [...]
Opening its doors this month, The Osprey at Beaver Creek is the closest ski-in/ski-out hotel to a ski lift in North America. This winter enjoy the mountain ambiance and contemporary furnishings at The Osprey at Beaver Creek. Rates start at $336 per night. Pricing is valid for travel January 4, 2009 - February 11, 2009. Rates are subject to restrictions, availability, and blackouts.
A bumper year for tourism in the UK?
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:42:09 +0000
While many people have financial concerns about the year ahead, it could just be that it’ll be a great year for those working in the UK tourism industry. With the pound weaker than ever against the euro, not only is it more prohibitive for UK holidaymakers to travel overseas, but the UK is also particularly [...]
While many people have financial concerns about the year ahead, it could just be that it’ll be a great year for those working in the UK tourism industry. With the pound weaker than ever against the euro, not only is it more prohibitive for UK holidaymakers to travel overseas, but the UK is also particularly attractive to overseas visitors. Could this be a bumper year for tourism in the UK despite the doom and gloom with the economy?
The world’s leading hotel suite?
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:31:44 +0000
As a city home to some of the world’s most famous hospitality and landmark hotels, Dubai is known as one of the world’s premier travel destinations; a reputation which has recently been validated after the city was named the World’s Leading Travel Destination and The Monarch Dubai’s Monarch Suite, named the World’s Leading Suite at [...]
As a city home to some of the world’s most famous hospitality and landmark hotels, Dubai is known as one of the world’s premier travel destinations; a reputation which has recently been validated after the city was named the World’s Leading Travel Destination and The Monarch Dubai’s Monarch Suite, named the World’s Leading Suite at the World Travel Awards. It is the hotel’s crowning glory and an enigmatic symbol of exclusive Arabian service and luxury. Based on the 32nd and 33rd floor, it offers over 1,130 square metres of state of-the-art technology with an artistic blend of contemporary design and flashes of Arabian décor.
This regal setting comprises of two Majlis, a dining room, private movie theatre and library, fitness centre, three en suite bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchenette and a lavish outdoor area with a private terrace, pool, steam room and sauna. Set within elaborate archways is the dining area featuring a stunning satin-draped table and hand-made crystal glassware. A personal butler attends up to 12 guests with a selection of gourmet menus, transforming every meal into a royal banquet.
Grand Arabian doors sweep open to receive guests into the first of two Majlis, which incorporate deep rich colours, and are both furnished with traditionally textured upholstery and offer magnificent views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Overlooking Dubai’s iconic landmarks, the terrace and pool offer guests an all-encompassing outdoor relaxation area, and takes on a sparkling city ambience in the evening that sets the scene for an entertaining night under the Arabian stars. Wow!
LEGOLAND is heading for Asia
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 02:17:01 +0000
LEGOLAND® California’s parent company, Merlin Entertainments, is building on its title of world’s second largest visitor attraction operator with an agreement to build a sixth LEGOLAND park in East Asia. LEGOLAND Malaysia in Iskandar will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions. It will be similar to the company’s four other hugely popular [...]
LEGOLAND® California’s parent company, Merlin Entertainments, is building on its title of world’s second largest visitor attraction operator with an agreement to build a sixth LEGOLAND park in East Asia. LEGOLAND Malaysia in Iskandar will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions. It will be similar to the company’s four other hugely popular and successful LEGOLAND Resorts and will follow LEGOLAND Dubailand was announced earlier this year and is scheduled to open in 2011.
Kiwi Collection teams up with Forbes Traveler
Fri, 19 Dec 2008 01:46:13 +0000
From early next year, the entire portfolio of hotels with Kiwi Collection (2,100 in total) will be available for online booking to visitors of Forbes Traveler. Speaking of the partnership, Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen has said: This is a great fit. Forbes Traveler and Kiwi Collection are completely focused on providing luxury travelers with trusted advice. [...]
From early next year, the entire portfolio of hotels with Kiwi Collection (2,100 in total) will be available for online booking to visitors of Forbes Traveler. Speaking of the partnership, Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen has said:
This is a great fit. Forbes Traveler and Kiwi Collection are completely focused on providing luxury travelers with trusted advice. Our sole purpose is to help people achieve their ultimate travel experience and get the best possible room, rate and service during their stay. Not only is it a great match for us but, more importantly, for our customers.
