A Luxury Travel Blog

In the next few days the Lucien Barrière Group will open the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière in Paris, France. Situated right at the heart of the Triangle d’or, at the corner of the avenue des Champs-Elysées and Avenue George V, next to Fouquet’s, the legendary restaurant, the Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière is an integral part of the capital’s world of fashion, luxury and culture.  It has 107 rooms and suites, countless touches that foresee each and every taste and desire, and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

Offering amazing views of the New York Skyline, the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel & Conference Center has completed a $17 million renovation. All 427-newly renovated guestrooms feature the signature Sheraton Sweet SleeperTM Bed, which boasts a multi-layered, lavishly plush custom-designed bed, sumptuous feather down pillows, crisp cotton sheets and a signature blanket and duvet. Other branded offerings include spacious work desks with ergonomic chairs, walk-in showers and coffee and tea service.

Reserve Boston’s Nine Zero Hotel, the latest addition to the Kimpton Collection, between now and March 2007 and receive 15% off the best available rate. Centrally located on Tremont Street, just steps away from the Boston Common, the Financial District, Faneuil Hall, and many other key attractions in the city, Nine Zero is the perfect destination for business and leisure travelers.

Explore the history and heritages of Indonesia, a young nation founded on ancient traditions.

Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa is located in Palm Beach County Florida, north of West Palm Beach. It has a private 1500 ft beach and a brand new full service 7500 sq. ft. spa. Watch the video to learn more.

Devi Garh Fort Palace, a luxury hotel in India, is reportedly going to be the venue for the marriage of Elizabeth Hurley and boyfriend Arun Nayar in February 2007. Expect a lavish affair, possibly involving camels, elephants and an exchange of vows on a mandap (a flower-decked platform). A manager at the hotel is believed to have said:

Everything has been shrouded in secrecy but the staff have all been briefed and we are having a series of meetings next week. Arun Nayar proposed to Liz at the poolside at Devi Garh on November 4 last year and since then they have been intent on a wedding here.

With winter well and truly on the way, maybe now’s the time to book your next cruise.

Featuring dozens of elaborately carved pumpkins, the Pumpkin Fest at Fearrington consists of Spooky Storytime at McIntyre’s, a kids’ hay bale maze and great live music. It will be held from 6pm-8pm on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th of October.

Experience an all-night Halloween adventure at Vancouver Aquarium after everyone has gone home. Join them to explore the Aquarium in search of aquatic animals and then curl up in your sleeping bag in front of the majestic beluga whales in their Arctic Canada underwater viewing gallery. Minimum age 6 years. Cost is $100 per person and includes an evening snack and a light breakfast.

Milliken Creek Inn and Spa, the 12-room Napa Valley hotel on the banks of the Napa River combines luxurious accommodations and a fabulous day of relaxing for a decadent new winter “Ooh and Ahh” spa package. Stay in a Milliken Room with a king size bed and be pampered with a 75-minute Milliken massage and feel tension melt away in this elegant oasis. The package cost $399 a night and is valid on week days from 1st November 2006 through until 28th February 2007, subject to availability.

Check out the Golfers Package at Hotel Santa Barbara!  For a package rate of just $289 (based on double occupancy), you will enjoy a one night stay in a Queen Room and 18 holes of golf at the Glen Annie Golf Club, a championship golf course situated in the rolling foothills of scenic Santa Barbara, for two. Continental breakfast is also included. The package is valid until May 2007 but applies to midweek stays only.

St Regis San Francisco by The 7th Art.

The new Blackberry Pearl from T-Mobile is the successor to the enormously popular Blackberry 7100 which owed much of its success to its high-speed remote email access. Lighter than a RAZR, this new breed of phone is one of the slimmest and sleekest you’re likely to come across. Those upgrading might be fearful of the absence of a traditional QWERTY keyboard but I’m assured this isn’t much of a hurdle to get accustomed to. This feature-rich, quad-band smartphone uses a SureType keyboard, with two letter options per key, but with the letters themselves still laid out in the standard QWERTY keyboard fashion.

Anantara Resort Palm Jumeirah is one of two prestigious new Dubai properties added to the Anantara family, set to open in early 2007. The property, while featuring cutting edge contemporary architectural forms and design, will incorporate Anantara’s signature look and feel and impeccable service to ensure the maximum in luxury for its guests. The resort will also offer Dubai residents and guests distinctive, luxury long-stay accommodation in its serviced apartments, which also feature Anantara’s unique sense of design and immaculate service.

Greenhill The Lodge is offering a unique personal encounter with the wines and people of Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand. As part of their ‘Behind the Label’ wine experience, you will get to meet the personalities behind some of the regions award-winning wines. The package includes two nights at Greenhill and use of all its facilities, pre dinner drinks and canapés each evening, four course dinner, breakfast and complimentary Hastings Golf Club green fees subject to course availability, all for NZD $1,845 per person for a King Suite. Available until 31st March 2007.

This one’s courtesy of Glasgow-born Craig Ferguson, current host of The Late Late Show.

I was sitting in first class and the stewardess asked, “Warm nuts?” and I said, “No, I’m just happy to be in first class.”