A Luxury Travel Blog

There have been dramatic scenes at The Peninsula Manila today, situated in the Makati financial district.  The hotel was stormed by rebel members of the Philippines military who had broken out of court where they were on trial for a mutiny in 2003. Armed guards have been posted on stairways from the hotel’s lobby, protecting a command centre that was established on a second-floor function room where demands were made for President Gloria Arroyo to resign. 310 out of the hote’s 497 rooms were occupied before the drama began to unfold, and around 200 guests led the inevitable massive check-out, lining up in the reception area with hastily packed bags. The hotel was later stormed and the soldiers arrested. A statement on the hotel’s website reads:

The occupation of the Peninsula Manila by a group of anti-government rebels has ended, and the rebels have left the hotel. The matter is now being dealt with by the relevant Philippine authorities.

Hotel guests are currently being accommodated at neighbouring hotels. The Peninsula Manila takes the safety of its guests, patrons and staff extremely seriously, considering it to be of paramount importance, and the hotel will continue to liaise and work closely with the Philippine authorities.

The Peninsula Manila is now closed until further notice.

Spare a thought for Ryan Montano and his wife-to-be. They were due to get married and hold an evening reception at the hotel, but had to move to a nearby hotel.

Elite Traveler Magazine has announced the launch of its second publication: Eos Class Magazine on behalf of Eos Airlines. With only 48 guests on board each flight, Eos has elevated the experience of international travel to a new level. Each of its 757s is outfitted with 48 personal suites that provide each guest 21 square feet of personal space and a 6′6″ fully flat bed. With 44 flights every week between New York and London and the best on-time performance of any transatlantic airline, Eos has developed a loyal and extremely affluent clientele. Eos Class will be their personal magazine, published quarterly. See www.elitetraveler.com/eos.html to download the full Eos Class Magazine Media Kit.

It’s around this time of year that both Condé Nast and Travel+Leisure publish their annual awards (see CondéNast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2007 and Travel+Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2007). Among other categories, both awards churn out a top 100 hotels/resorts list and I’m often intrigued by the distinct lack of repetition between the two top 100 lists.  This year only 37 hotels and resorts are common to both lists.  I thought it would be interesting to collate the two lists, so I’ve taken those 37 and rather crudely added the two scores together and divided by two, to produce A Luxury Travel Blog’s ‘best of the best’!  The results are rather interesting: Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is by far the best represented in the list with 12 of its hotels featured, followed by The Peninsula with 4. Also worthy of a mention is Oberoi Hotels & Resorts with 3, but all of those 3 notably feature within the top 6. Here’s the final list:

1. Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India 99.6 (CN); 94.36 (T+L); score: 96.98
2. Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa 95.7 (CN); 94.3 (T+L); score: 95.0
3. Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, India 97.3 (CN); 92.56 (T+L); score: 94.93
4. The Oriental, Bangkok, Thailand 95.4 (CN); 94.23 = 94.815
5. Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest 96.3 (CN); 92.15 (T+L); score: 94.225
6. Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur, India 95.9 (CN); 92.5 (T+L); score: 94.2
7. Mombo and Little Mombo Camps, Botswana 96.3 (CN); 92.08 (T+L); score: 94.19
8. Four Seasons George V, Paris, France 97.1 (CN); 91.05 (T+L); score: 94.075
9. The Peninsula, Hong Kong, China 97.5 (CN); 90.37 (T+L); score: 93.935
10. The Peninsula, Bangkok, Thailand 95.1 (CN); 92.41 (T+L); score: 93.755
11. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Island 94.1 (CN); 92.65 (T+L); score: 93.375
12. Milestone Hotel, London, England 93.3 (CN); 93.06 (T+L); score: 93.18
13. Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa 94.7 (CN); 91.52 (T+L); score: 93.11
14. Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa 96.8 (CN); 89.23 (T+L); score: 93.015
15. Le Sirenuse, Positano, Italy 94.6 (CN); 91.18 (T+L); score: 92.89
16. Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, Maui 96.0 (CN); 89.72 (T+L); score: 92.86
17. Huka Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand 95.9 (CN); 89.38 (T+L); score: 92.64
18. Il San Pietro di Positano, Positano, Italy 96.2 (CN); 88.82 (T+L); score: 92.51
19. Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza, Cairo 93.0 (CN); 92.00 (T+L); score: 92.5
20. Four Seasons, Amman, Jordan 93.9 (CN); 90.95 (T+L); score: 92.425
21. Four Seasons, Prague, Czech Republic 93.6 (CN); 91.07 (T+L); score: 92.355
22. Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, Germany 96.3 (CN); 88.17 (T+L); score: 92.235
23. One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico 95.9 (CN); 88.32 (T+L); score: 92.11
24. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island, SC, USA 93.5 (CN); 90.07 (T+L); score: 91.785
25. The Peninsula, Chicago, Illinois 95.1 (CN); 88.38 (T+L); score: 91.74
26. Four Seasons, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 93.6 (CN); 89.50 (T+L); score: 91.55
27. Four Seasons, Buenos Aires, Argentina 92.8 (CN); 90.12 (T+L); score: 91.46
28. Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand 94.6 (CN); 88.28 (T+L); score: 91.44
29. The Peninsula, Beverly Hills, California 92.8 (CN); 89.99 (T+L); score: 91.395
30. Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, California 93.9 (CN); 88.37 (T+L); score: 91.135
31. Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Bali 93.3 (CN); 88.83 (T+L); score: 91.065
32. Auberge Saint-Antoine, Quebec, Canada 93.6 (CN); 88.52 (T+L); score: 91.06
33. Four Seasons Lodge At Koele, Lanai, Hawaii 92.6 (CN); 89.29 (T+L); score: 90.945
34. Hotel Villa Cipriani, Asolo, Italy 93.3 (CN); 88.27 (T+L); score: 90.785
35. Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Scotland 93.3 (CN); 88.18 (T+L); score: 90.74
36. Eden Rock, St. Barths, France 92.7 (CN); 88.70 (T+L); score: 90.7
37. Four Seasons, Chicago, Illinois 93.2 (CN); 88.03 (T+L); score: 90.615

Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort and Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort have been recognized as two of the world’s top resorts in the 20th annual Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards, which appear in the November issue, ranked Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort 14th among Mexico Resorts and Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort, located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, 10th among resorts in Central and South America.

From abcNews:

Linda Landers and her husband, Jim, wanted to see the world but didn’t have time to plan a complicated route hopping from one continent to another.

Then Linda learned about a $70,000 per person private jet trip that would allow the Arkansas couple to see nine countries in 23 days.

They booked immediately.

“It was such good value for what you got,” Landers said, “even though it was a terribly expensive trip.”

The Landers are members of an elite travel club that indulges in lavish vacations that go well beyond first class.

Read the rest of the article here.

In addition to the Crystal Award winners at the 2007 Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards, there’s a multitude of addtional winners sorted by both country and category. Among the categories, one of particular interest to this blog is the luxury category.  Perhaps it is due to Spa Finder’s readership, but all the winners are all from the USA:

• Bellagio, Nevada
• Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida
• Cal-a-Vie, California
• ESPA at Acqualina, Florida
• The Greenhouse, Texas
• The Mayflower Inn & Spa, Connecticut
• Montage Laguna Beach, California
• Sea Island, Georgia
• Spa Palazzo at Boca Raton Resort & Club, Florida
• Ventana Inn and Spa, California

The key winners from this year’s Spa Finder Readers’ Choice Awards are recognised by ‘Crystal Awards’. These are the crème de la crème of the innumerable winners, limited to just one from each continent. The five (there aren’t many to choose from in Antarctica!) to shine through this year are as follows:

• Favorite Spa of Africa: Four Seasons Resort Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
• Favorite Spa of Asia: Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
• Favorite Spa of Australia: Spa Chakra Hayman, Australia
• Favorite Spa of Europe: Fonteverde Natural Spa Resort, Tuscany, Italy
• Favorite Spa of North America: Miraval Life in Balance, Tucson, Arizona, USA
• Favorite Spa of South America: Kurotel Longevity Center and Spa, Brazil

Congratulations to these very select band of winners.

Banyan Tree has a new shopping site at Banyan Tree Gallery. It features Banyan Tree products and promises an engaging experience for online shoppers. Features include the ability to search, detailed descriptions, dedicated sections for ‘best sellers’ and ‘what’s new’, and up-to-date information on promotion and specials. The Banyan Tree Gallery collection ranges from signature spa products used at award-winning Banyan Tree hotels, resorts and spas, to Asian-style home furnishings, cottage crafts and objets d’art.

Starting today, Hotel Victor in Miami will be hosting a Spa Happy Hour event every Wednesday at the Spa V Lounge from 5pm to 9pm.  During this time, guests can rejuvenate and recharge their batteries by indulging in petit spa treatments while sipping Champagne and tasting delicious food from Vix Restaurant. Here’s the Spa V Happy Hour menu:

20-Minute Spa Treatments, $40:

* Neck and Shoulder Massage: Melts away stress and muscle pain
* Blackberry Addict: Eases tension in the hand, wrist and arm muscles.
* Petit Visage: Customized to suit your individual skin needs.
* High Heels Relief: Relieves pain and promotes blood circulation in the lower leg and feet muscles.
* Poitrine: French treatment of the décolleté, incorporates gentle exfoliation, soothing lymphatic drainage massage and firming mask on that delicate area of the body that is often forgotten.
* Quickie Pedi: You will walk on air in no time.

Spa V Extras
Special Guest: Andres Bustillo, MD, FACS*
Botox Injections: 
  Single Area $300 (Coming Soon)
  Full Face:   $550 (Coming Soon)

Botox Special: Share the price of one Full Face Botox with two or three friends

CHANEL Make Up Application and Consultation

For the world class business traveller who is looking for comfort, privacy and convenience, the Naumi luxury hotel is an elegant abode nestled within Singapore’s Central Business District. This 40-room haven functions more like a personal condo than a regular hotel. Its rooms come equipped with a 50-inch plasma TV, espresso machines, a kitchenette and a bath menu that includes skincare brands such as Molton Brown, Dr. Hauschka and Decleor. Access to the 6th floor is restricted to women only, and ladies can enjoy a full range of Aesop skincare products and the hottest fashion magazines.

Canadian travel agency Helen Thompson Travel is partnering with a culinary travel host to offer luxury gastronomic adventures to an elite clientele of food and wine enthusiasts, with the first two excursions planned to southern Italy and northern Spain in Spring 2008. Relish Culinary Tours, based in Toronto, specializes in providing privately escorted small-group adventures for foodies interested in travelling the world in search of celebrated Michelin-starred restaurants and world renowned wineries as well as treasured local eateries you wouldn’t find in a guide book - all while taking in the iconic sights and idyllic landscapes that Europe has to offer. The price for these inaugural 10-day trips starts at CAD $8,500 per person and includes luxurious accommodations, meals and cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, guides and travel within the countries. Airfare to Rome or Barcelona is not included.

I’ve mentioned underwater hotels on A Luxury Travel Blog before, but I think - until now - Jules Undersea Lodge has escaped the radar. It’s an underwater research base which has opened itself to the public. Featured in ‘Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous’, a stay here will set you back $475 per person per night, including gourmet dinner and breakfast.  What’s rather unique about the property is that you have to scuba dive to get there!

Are there tough times ahead for the luxury travel industry?

Luxury consumers’ feeling of confidence tanked in the third quarter as measured by Unity Marketing’s Luxury Consumption Index. The index plummeted to 87.3 points, its lowest level since 2004, following a 4-point drop in the second quarter. The index is based upon a survey of over 1,000 luxury consumers (average income $150,200 and age 43.6 years) tracking their buying preferences and spending patterns conducted early October 2007.

Read further into the press release and a different picture emerges…

The third quarter luxury tracking survey found that spending was particularly weak in personal luxuries — especially fashion accessories, jewelry and watches — as well as in key home luxury categories, notably home decor fabrics, window and wall coverings, kitchenware and linens and bedding. But while luxury consumers spent significantly less on luxury goods, their spending on luxury experiences actually rose 11 percent.

“In the face of declining luxury consumer confidence and a cut back in spending on material goods, luxury consumers chose to indulge in experiences, notably travel, dining and spa/beauty services, that give them more meaningful gratifications than comes from buying a consumer good like a handbag. Let’s face it, a purse is only a purse, but a luxury experience is a something to remember,” Danziger says.

What do you think is the outlook for the industry in 2008?

More details are starting to emerge on the cruise ship that is reportedly sinking somewhere near King George Island (near the South Shetland Islands between Antarctica and the southernmost tip of Argentina).  The 2,400-tonner liner, MV Explorer, owned by Toronto-based Gap Adventures [site seemingly very slow at present, perhaps understandably], was built in 1969 and had 100 crew and 54 passengers on board. It has apparently hit some ice and was listing at 25°, with the captain and his first officer remaining on board, and all other passengers and crew safely evacuated on life vessels. MV Antarctic Dream, a Chilean ship in the area, has been diverted to help with the rescue. MV Explorer herself helped in the rescue of the crew of a sinking Argentinean supply vessel that had hit a rock ledge off Anvers Island in Antarctica, in 1989.

Update from the BBC:

Ms Hayes, vice-president of marketing for Toronto-based Gap Adventures, told the BBC News website: “The M/S Explorer hit a lump of ice off King George Island this morning and the impact left the vessel with a crack in the hull the size of a fist.

“All passengers and crew have been evacuated, they are all accounted for and are safe and well and have been transferred to another vessel.”