A Luxury Travel Blog

A few days ago, I explained how you could stay at The Venetian in Las Vegas for just $99.  This time it’s Miami’s turn, with an opening offer (despite the hotel in question having opened 3 months ago!) from Gansevoort South. No further details are given in the promotional email that details the offer, other than the accompanying message of “reservations based on availability”, so contact the hotel for further details.  Apparently hotel guests also get a 15% discount at the hotel’s Philippe Chow restaurant, and a 25% discount at the hotels’ Cutler salon during its opening month. 

The British tycoon Richard Branson has set his sights on “the most environmentally-friendly resort on the globe” on a small island located off the the island of Virgin Gorda in the Caribbean.  Mosquito Island, as it is known, consists of little more than scrub and some run-down buildings at present, but Branson has a vision for an eco-friendly resort with 20 villas and a beachfront restaurant, all powered by wind and solar energy generated on the island.  Read more at Yahoo! News.

The JW Marriott New Orleans is welcoming out-of-towners to New Orleans for the annual ESSENCE Music Festival taking place Fourth of July weekend at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The festival features three full days of world class music, accompanied by daytime festival activities, featuring free and open-to-the-public ESSENCE Empowerment Seminars, non-profit community organization exhibits, food booths showcasing world renowned New Orleans cuisine, a book fair, author signings, celebrity meet-and-greets, sponsor exhibits, the Essence Boutique, as well as the popular ESSENCE Marketplace, which offers a unique collection of fine arts and crafts for sale throughout the weekend.

A stellar lineup of performers to include Rihanna, Kanye West, Chris Rock, Patti Labelle and many other top artists throughout the three-day music extravaganza are sure to set the city ablaze. Hosted by Jonathan Slocumb, this world-class musical event is not to be missed and concludes Sunday, July 6 with an afternoon of gospel music performances.

Let the JW Marriott turn a weekend away into a memorable New Orleans getaway, with upscale New Orleans hotel accommodations that include plush new bedding, high-speed Internet access and three phones. Relax and dine at Shula’s: America’s Steak House after long days spent at the festival, and linger over cocktails at the chic Shula’s Lounge before retreating to private spaces for the night, and discover the soulful side of New Orleans.

The Argentinian skiing resort of Bariloche is about to put itself further on to the luxury map. Hyatt are said to be opening a hotel there - a resort famous for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, as well of course for its chocolate.  With hotels already in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, this will be Hyatt’s third hotel in Argentina.

In the Masai Mara, the migration is beginning. The first zebras - precursors of two million wildebeest - have started to pick their way across the Mara River, a sign that the 2008 migration will be starting early. Olonana is perhaps the Mara’s leading luxury camp and is ideally positioned on the edge of the Masai Mara Game Reserve. Guests can follow the migration at will, with easy daytime access into the reserve. As the camp is positioned outside the park itself, guests can also take night drives, game walks and interact with local Maasai communities. The camp itself has 14 tented pavilions each with two queen-sized beds, en suites with twin basins and showers, a personal valet and large private viewing decks overlooking a hippo filled Mara River.

Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa, located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is offering travelers a 40% discount on suite accommodations and a 25% discount on golf from 1st July to 10th October 2008.  The resort’s off-season deal is available at $306 a night for a one bedroom suite and $496 a night for a two-bedroom suite, both with full kitchens, living and dining areas and views of Cabo’s iconic Land’s End Rock.  The discounted greens fee at the Robert Trent Jones II designed Cabo Real golf course, one of the premier courses in Los Cabos known as the “Pebble Beach of Mexico,” is only $135 for each 18-hole round. The fee includes half shared cart for one round of golf (with a laser range finder), bottle water, use of driving range and practice balls and club service.

A serene luxury spa retreat dedicated to pure relaxation is opening in Northern Thailand. Veranda Chiang Mai is sister to the chic and highly successful Veranda Resort Hua Hin, which has become a favourite getaway for Bangkok’s trendsetters. Terraced gardens, water features including a dramatic infinity-edged hillside swimming pool and feng shui landscaping create a zen-like symphony of natural balance and harmony amid this superb example of contemporary Asian design. The new boutique hideaway nestles in hills on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, the ancient northern capital renowned for its rich culture, traditional crafts and a wealth of tourist attractions including the famous Night Bazaar, a zoo and ‘night safari’, championship golf courses and elephant jungle treks. Accommodation conists of 56 Valley Deluxe open-plan rooms overlooking the valley, 6 Jacuzzi Pavilions with sunken spa Jacuzzis, 6 Rice Terrace Pavilions overlooking rice terraces with private plunge pools, and an exclusive Presidential Pool Villa with two bedrooms, living room with piano, pantry and dining area, private study, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.

Offers don’t get much better than this. Bag a room at The Venetian in Las Vegas from only $99 with the promo code EVTMP08. But be quick… today is the last day to take advantage of this fantastic deal.

As one of the most luxurious hotel and golf resorts in the world, the five-star Adare Manor offers 62 bedrooms in an elegantly appointed manor house, as well as 11 Clubhouse bedrooms, 22 two- and four-bedroom townhouses adjacent to the Clubhouse and 46 three-bedroom villas. In addition to golf, this community resort offers a variety of fine dining options, an elegant spa, and outstanding fishing on the Maigue. Other activities and amenities include cycling, archery, hiking, shooting sports, and an equestrian centre.

Do you enjoy over-the-top pampering at a luxurious spa? Or is your idea of a perfect way to start the day facing the sunrise in a lion pose? Whether you want to wind down with a massage or warm up in a sauna, you can enjoy exceptional savings throughout Florida with these special offers for American Express® Cardmembers. With spas that range from the height of indulgence to isles of tranquility, Florida has something likely to suit the most avid spa aficionado. You can enjoy it all for less with these special savings exclusively for American Express Cardmembers.

Seattle’s Hotel Ändra has joined forces with Hästens of Sweden to offer the ultimate sleep experience. Hästens beds are unique in both their construction and the quality of sleep they offer. Hand-crafted in Sweden since the 1800s, Hästens beds offer only the finest natural materials - cotton, genuine horsehair, flax and pure new wool - which readily adapt to your body’s shape and provide one of the most relaxing and revitalising night’s sleep of your life. And Hotel Ändra is currently one of only three hotels in the United States that is providing this unique sleep experience. Information about the beds is provided in each guest room.  There’s also a Hästens is downtown Seattle, just a short walk away from the hotel.

Escape winter’s chill and explore tropical waters on a Trans-Atlantic or Panama Canal cruise with Crystal and receive a free one-category upgrade to a verandah stateroom. Embark on one of their 10- or 11-day cruises conveniently beginning or ending in Miami. Delight in the luxury of Crystal Serenity and all of her exclusive amenities including golf clinics featuring Taylormade equipment, complimentary keyboard lessons with Yamaha and up to seven evening dining options including Nobu Matsuhisa’s cuisine at Silk Road and The Sushi Bar.

Travelzoo has some great rates for the Westin New York at Times Square until September 2008.  Rooms that normally go for more than $300 a night can be grabbed for just $199 on select dates.  You can even upgrade to a Deluxe Room for only a further $20.  Click here for more details.

Now is the perfect time to get away and play in the warm sunshine of summer in British Columbia. With their prime location in the heart of the Fraser Valley, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa offers guests a number of activities to celebrate this time of the year. Their hot springs pools are the ideal spot to enjoy the summer weather and take in the breathtaking vistas. With packages including golf, water park passes and more, you’re sure to find exactly the right escape.  Here’s a selection of what’s available:

Get Wet package from $499:

• Two nights accommodations in the East Tower
• Breakfast each morning in The Lakeside Café
• In-room pizza and movie one evening
• Unlimited family fun in our five hot springs pools
• Passes for four to nearby Bridal Falls Water Park
• Bumper boat rides at the Resort Marina
• Based on 2 adults and 2 children 16 and under
• Available midweek June 17 – August 28, 2008

Kids Night Out package from $199:

• One night in a West Wing Guestroom
• In-room movie
• Ice cream and pop
• Breakfast in The Lakeside Café
• Available for up to 4 guests per room – maximum of 2 adults
• Available June 15 – July 31, 2008

Two Nights, Two Courses Golf package from $598:

• Two nights accommodations
• Breakfast each morning
• Nine holes at The Harrison Resort Course
• 18 holes at Sandpiper Golf Club
• Available June 2 – September 28, 2008