A Luxury Travel Blog

Inspiring Impressionism comes to Seattle Art Museum to show the works of Manet, Degas, Cezanne and more. The historic Mayflower Park Hotel paints a warm welcome for guests who want to see the exhibit and not have to stand in line with the Brushes and Berets Impressionism Package. The package includes a classic or deluxe guestroom at the Mayflower Park Hotel, VIP exhibit tickets for two as well as complimentary valet parking. Rates start at $225 for a classic guestroom, and $245 for a deluxe room. The package is available from 19th June to 21st September 2008.

The Frontier Power Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held next week.  From 6th to 8th June 2008 launches and fly-ins will take place at the Coshocton County Fairgrounds located at 707 Kenilworth Avenue in Coshocton.  Admission, entertainment and parking are free. For more information about the Frontier Power Hot Air Balloon Festival contact the Coshocton County Chamber of Commerce.

Milan’s grandest hotel since 1927, the Principe di Savoia dominates Piazza della Repubblica, just north of the city’s historic centre. The hotel is a favourite with business people, the fashion industry and heads of state.  Why not try their Deluxe Spa Package 2008? From rates starting at 570 euros, you can enjoy luxury accommodation in a Deluxe Room, an aromatic candle and multi-vitaminic fruit drink in the room upon arrival, a beauty treatment in the Hotel’s Club 10 Fitness & Beauty Centre and an in-room wellness breakfast.

Reserve a table at the The Inn at Langley’s restaurant and be prepared to experience culinary nirvana and discover for yourself why it consistently receives a ZAGAT rating of Extraordinary. The comfortable dining room features a massive double-hearth fireplace, wrought iron light fixtures, and more than a whiff of Frank Lloyd Wright. The beautifully crafted dining tables were made by local woodworker David Gray who spent an average of 25 hours on each piece. Chef Matt Costello, who is also the General Manager of The Inn at Langley, is relaxed and enthusiastic as he talks to dinner guests about his passion for fresh, local, seasonal food. Then he gets down to business. Ingredients have been prepped and Matt works alone in his well-appointed (and well-used) kitchen preparing every plate of every course himself.

One & Only moments are yours to treasure.

Don’t miss this opportunity to go on a tour of Apethorpe Hall, an exceptional grade I listed property set in a picturesque corner of Northamptonshire. One of the finest Jacobean houses in the country, Apethorpe Hall is steeped in history and it has played host to Queen Elizabeth I, King James I and King Charles I.  Following the completion of a 4 million repair and restoration programme undertaken by English Heritage, join their group of specialists as they talk you through the history and significance of this stunning property. The special tours are taking place on Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout June, July and August. Tickets are £7.50 per adult and pre-booking is essential on 0870 333 1183.

Bring Antarctica’s beauty home from a special photographic cruise of Antarctica, South Georgia and the Falklands. From the 19th November professional photographer Richard Harker joins the experts on the ‘Minerva ‘ for a 21-day journey to help aspiring photographers capture intimate images of this ultimate travel frontier. One-on-one sessions, on-board workshops and informative lectures provide every photographer, from point-and-shoot to professional, with the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques. Antarctica’s stunning landscapes and teeming wildlife offer countless opportunities: majestic blue icebergs glimmering in calm clear waters, camera-friendly penguins and midnight Austral sunsets that hover endlessly on the horizon, painting rainbow hues on dramatic polar skies. Book with A&K by 31st May 2008 and save £350 per person on the special photographic cruise.

The Kempinski Hotel Group expects to open a hotel in Bahrain City Centre by the second half of next year. Once finished, Kempinski Hotel, Bahrain City Centre will add a further 200 rooms, including 40 suites, to the hospitality facilities available in the kingdom.

Have a look at Belize’s Victoria House at Ambergris Caye. Here you can choose from a beachfront casita or a villa with an infinity pool, all set in the grounds of a gorgeous colonial house.  All the rooms are beautifully designed, with handcrafted mahogany beds and walk-in showers.  Stay five nights between 8th July and 20th November 2008 and get a sixth night free.

If you want to combine a good night out with a good night in, then London’s latest hotel group may have the perfect answer. Guest Hotels have launched the world’s first arts club hotels – five London hotels dedicated to the contemporary arts scene. Guests will be treated to an eclectic mix of performance arts before climbing the stairs for good  night’s sleep in luxury surroundings. The idea is the brainchild of British entrepreneur Johnny Sandelson who said: “Until now, hotels have used art as decoration. We are reversing that concept by allowing artists to use our hotels as their showcase.” There are five hotels in the group including the iconic Blakes in Kensington. All guests are automatically enrolled into The Concierge Club which promises access to the best of London’s emerging artists with shows inside the hotels and through partnerships with organisations such as The Tate and the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

Summer sunshine is finally on its way to offer you the best summer ever. As a couple or a family, whether you plan an active-packed holiday or you just want to put your feet up, take advantage of the special offers from Hôtels Barrière to enjoy the summer holidays at their best. The sun beds are waiting… see their site for the special offers.

A video of the Maldives for those of you looking for a little inspiration, featuring overwater bungalows, beautiful beaches, watersports and more.

Time is running out on Global Traveler’s Silent Auction. Don’t let the gavel fall before you bid on this year’s wide array of travel goods and services. With everything from 1,000,000 Priority Club Points to two round-trip business class tickets on Alitalia from any of its US gateways to Italy – among many other great prizes – up for grabs, you don’t want to miss out on a bargain!  All the auctions will go to the highest bidder come 30th May 2008. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Learn more about private jet membership with Sentient
• In Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park: Gora Kadan
• Tucked away in California’s Carmel Valley is Bernadus Lodge
• Scotland’s finest hotels and restaurants from Luxury Scotland

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, one of San Diego’s most celebrated attractions has partnered with the city’s hippest new hotel and nightlife offering The Ivy Hotel for a special summer hotel package.  Priced from $999 on weekdays and $1049 on weekends, The Summer Trifecta package includes a one-night stay in a superior guestroom with welcome glass of Champagne; admission for two to Ivy Hotel’s Envy Nightclub; passes for two to Del Mar’s ultra-exclusive Turf Club; transportation to and from the racetrack; stylish Havaianas flip flops for two; and cool-as-ever binoculars to help guests pick their winning ponies.

A longstanding New York tradition of summer rooftop relaxation will soon return to The Kitano New York with the hotel’s special rooftop barbecue packages. With its breathtaking backdrop of the Empire State, MetLife and Chrysler buildings, and the historic Murray Hill area of New York, The Kitano New York’s outdoor rooftop space offers one of the most sought after views in the city. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2008, The Kitano is offering two barbecue meal options for summer entertaining, the “Rooftop Barbecue Burgers” and the “Rooftop Manhattan Clam Bake.” The “Rooftop Barbecue Burgers” menu features a selection of items including Certified Black Angus beef burgers, lamb chops and roasted corn on the cob, while the “Rooftop Manhattan Clam Bake” offers items such as fresh littleneck clams, Blue Point oysters and whole Maine lobster. Both barbecue packages also offer a variety of salads and sides, condiments and a choice of beverages, including alcoholic beverages such as bottled beer and red and white sangria. The barbecue package rates begin at $75 per person, with a minimum of 25 guests, and include food and beverage costs.