A Luxury Travel Blog

Make a big impression at the sizzling Bel Age Hotel – located just off the Sunset Strip amid the vibrant atmosphere of West Hollywood. Put on your hippest outfit, and stroll through their chic lobby, rubbing elbows with Hollywood’s up-and-coming. This is the place to be seen. Sit pretty in the comfort of their high-backed sofas and armchairs, or negotiate a power deal with the help of their wireless internet connection. The world of entertainment and the hottest scenes on the Strip are just a few steps away. Relax and book the perfect trip now, with exclusive rates starting from just $179.

As the only online travel auction of its kind, top luxury hotels such as Montage Laguna Beach Hotel (Laguna, CA), Princeville Resort (Kauai, HI), Park Hyatt Sydney (Australia), Hotel Guanahani & Spa (St Barts), Badrutt’s Palace (St. Moritz, Switzerland) as well as travel icons such as Continental Airlines have all donated packages to this year’s Trips for Cancer campaign.  Set to go live tomorrow, auction participants can “make a donation, take a vacation” by bidding on the various luxury travel packages.  All proceeds of the campaign will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The Trips for Cancer idea began with Stacy Small of Elite Travel International.  The cause is near and dear to her heart as she is dedicating this year’s campaign to her mother, a two-time breast cancer survivor and to her father, who passed away from cancer in 2006.  Please spread the word and help a great cause.

Those of you that followed the latest UK Celebrity Big Brother will surely have heard about the racial controversy stirred up by the not-so-bright, big-mouthed Jade Goody.  She made verbal attacks on the Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty which had India - and the Indian government - up in arms.  Well now she’s checked into Le Meridien in New Delhi and is on a 4-day visit to try to make amends. Tongue-in-cheek advertisements that were placed in British newspapers asking Goody to visit India and see its people for herself obviously had the desired effect.

The 2007 Cricket World Cup Series is just around the corner, and will be held in the beautiful Caribbean in April 2007. But getting between islands to watch your team will be a challenge. The big jets don’t do the inter-island hops. Can you imagine flying from island to island in tiny little planes to get from one stadium to the next? Can you imagine the long lines, the delays, the cancelled flights the lost luggage? Have a look at Celebrity Cruise Line’s Galaxy cruise ship which can take you and your family from island to island, game to game, in sheer luxury.

The first couple to honeymoon in space will be George and Loretta Whitesides.  They are both 100 Virgin Galactic ‘Founders’ which means they have paid in full to be among the first to fly on Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic Spaceline. A website to mark the occasion has been set up at SpaceLove.org - it will document the preparation and lead-up to their honeymoon flight.

Whether you love to golf, garden, explore or simply pamper yourself The Brehon, Killarney has the perfect getaway break for you this Spring. Why not relax and unwind in the elegant Brehon having tested your skills on one of Kerry’s many highly esteemed golf courses. Or treat yourself to a well-earned massage in the Angsana Spa having explored the hidden reaches of Killarney’s National Park with our experienced guide. The Brehon Special Interest Packages for 2007 include everything from equestrian breaks to a ‘Design your Dream Garden’ package.  See their website for further details.

Starting 1st March 2007, Royal Caribbean International will become the first cruise line to eliminate all trans-fats from its menu, after a successful test of trans-fat-free cooking oil on the Navigator of the Seas late last year. A fat-free menu will be available on all RCL ships by the end of the year.

Short commercial for “one of the most comfortable seats in the sky, with 50 inches between seats…”

Some of you may have seen The Queen, a film that recently hit cinema screens worldwide. Whilst much of it was filmed in Scotland, a fair portion too was filmed at Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire, just outside London.  You can’t stay at Brockett Hall, but you can dine there. Visit Auberge du Lac for more information. If you’re wanting to spend the night, there’s always Melbourne Lodge which is the former stables of the Brocket Hall estate.

Suite name: The Presidential Suite
Resort: Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole
Size of accommodation: 3300 sq ft
Cost per night: $4250
Who’s stayed there? Captains of industry, Hollywood actors, and political dignitaries
What makes it special? Ideally located along the slopes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, the Presidential Suite offers the height of alpine luxury through a combination of stunning interiors-contemporary western wood, leather and stone accented decor, world renowned original artwork on the walls (including Joan Miro, Grant Wood, Giacometti)-and dazzling views of The famed Teton Mountains, best enjoyed from the suite’s expansive furnished terrace or many balconies.

Located on the Resort’s eighth floor, the prestigious Presidential Suite provides a stylish setting for living, working and gracious entertaining with panoramic views of Rendezvous Mountain and the adjacent ski hill. This beautifully appointed suite may be enjoyed as a one-, two- or three-bedroom unit. The Presidential Suite features include: a spacious living area with gas fireplace adjacent to a full dining room that seats up to eight guests, a butler’s pantry with separate access when catering services are required, and a den that allows for a private office or reading room.

In addition,  a large terrace leads off the living area, and private balconies lead off each bedroom. Additional amenities include a stereo system, three direct dial dual-line telephones, high-speed Internet access, an in-room safe, a refrigerator with optional private bar menu, a built-in work area and oversized closet. The also suite offers one full master bathroom with each bedroom that includes dual vanities, separate deep soaking tub, glass-enclosed shower and separate WC with telephone; a guest powder room is located off the living area.

Inspiring video footage from the best tour operator to Asia as voted by Travel Weekly magazine: Globus.

New lunch and dinner menus at the private island resort of Guana Island showcase pistachio-crusted goat cheese over mesclun, West Indian chicken roti with mango chutney and poached pear with raspberry sauce. And for those really looking to indulge, the spa and yoga centre menus have also been updated with soothing treatments such as the Brown Sugar Scrub and Dead Sea Black Mud Wrap.

There’s a special event in New York tomorrow which will feature the $200 million overhaul of Club World. As you may know, British Airways set the industry benchmark with the launch of the first flat bed for business customers in 2000. The new Club World flat bed will go some way towards re-establishing BA’s position as market leader and is 25% wider while offering more privacy, greater comfort, and more storage.

Some additional highlights about the new British Airways Club World include:

• The new cabin interior was created in conjunction with Tyler Brule’s Winkreative agency.
• Flat beds are designed by the airline’s in-house design team, together with international design consultants, Tangerine.
• British Airways is re-configuring their aircraft to increase Club World capacity by eight percent, moving from 38 to 52 seats on some of the Boeing 747 aircrafts.
• Premium class (Club World and First Class) represents 20 percent of British Airways’ capacity. Last year, premium class grew over eight percent.
• British Airways flies more beds to more destinations than any other airline. There are over 5,000 Club World beds to 72 destinations.

The new cabin interior features a new lighting scheme and a softer colour palette of neutral warm grays, navy and blue to create a relaxing and stylish environment. Thicker pale taupe quilts, new linen and pillow fabrics in the traditional Osborne and Little damask design complete the understated look.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Cruise France’s canals with French Country Waterways
• Tour Brooklyn Brewery and tingle those taste buds
• Sunset sail a schooner in New York with Sail-NYC
• Handmade leather luggage from Uppercase Ltd.

The Freddies are the Oscars equivalent of frequent flier programmes, named after Sir Freddie Laker. You can recognise your favourite airline, hotel and credit card company by casting your vote… but you’ll have to be quick: voting ends on the 28th February 2007. The winners will be announced in a ceremony held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA on 26th April 2007.

Disney have added a honeymoon registry to their website. Couples can fashion their ideal Disney honeymoon from fun, adventurous, relaxing, luxurious and exotic experiences. Browse a sample registry catalogue to find out what’s available. You can even register so that friends and family can make a donation towards your honeymoon as a wedding gift.