A Luxury Travel Blog

CC Africa –  a company that established a reputation for luxury lodges and safaris across Africa – has grown beyond its African borders – with expansion into India and Latin America –  and changed its name accordingly. From now on, CC Africa becomes &BEYOND.

Next year, Princess Cruises will sail its biggest ever fleet in Europe.   The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will sail eight 14-night Mediterranean cruises and three 7-night cruises to Iberia and Scandinavia; the 3,110-passenger Crown Princess will travel around the British Isles and  sail further afield to Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords; the newest superliner, Ruby Princess, will  operate  its first summer season  with 12-night fly-cruises in the Mediterranean; and finally, the 2007-launched Emerald Princess, will run 13 10-night cruises in the Baltic Sea.

We are currently on our way back from a relaxing stay on the beautiful island of  Crete, the largest of the Greek islands.   Come back over the next week for special features on the blog, detailing some of  the wonderful places we’ve stayed.

Ideally located in the heart of Zurich, across from the Congress Centre and steps from the Lake, Park Hyatt Zurich  is introducing  YogaAway for those who want to start off their morning invigorated or for those who need to recuperate at the end of a long day. YogaAway’s approach is unique – designed to offer accessible, easy-to-use programs in the privacy of the hotel’s suites. In the luxurious suites of Park Hyatt Zurich, guests may use a specially designed yoga mat, three DVDs with various exercises, a Martin Case produced Music CD and the book “Emotional Yoga” from Bija Bennett. The YogaAway program offers 45-minute yoga routines, available in three categories – The Workout: Feeling Great Again; Stress Reduction: Feeling at Home; and Finding Focus: Feeling Clarity of Mind.

The award-winning SALA Phuket Resort and Spa has introduced three new and exciting private dining concepts, providing the ultimate intimacy for guests. Guests can choose from a selection of “grazing” platters and BBQs at a variety of idyllic dining locations.

Dine under the stars on the romantic restaurant rooftop with stunning views of the sea and beyond. After dinner guests can sink into the oversized day beds below listening to chill out music whilst enjoying the eclectic range of wines and cocktails.

For those who like to dine al fresco, the resort offers a choice of locations including the moonlight gazebos, located by the quiet still of the beach, or under the canopy of the lawned coconut grove.

For complete escapism guests can dine in the privacy of their own villa where a romantic setting will be delicately arranged, followed by a sumptuous banquet prepared and served by the culinary team of Thai chefs. LA-born chef Jan Hollister serves an acclaimed mix of international brasserie style comfort food, delectable Thai dishes and succulent local seafood and grills.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Take a flight of fancy with Eastern Safaris
• The rustic-chic yoga resort of Amansala
• The finest chateau hotel in France?   Check out Bagnols!
• Find more… in Singapore

The Inn at St. Botolph is a new hotel opening in Boston’s historic Back Bay next month – a sister hotel to the already established XV Beacon in the same part of the city, a hotel that has been widely regarded as the best in Boston (it was by T+L Magazine, at least). The Inn at St. Botolph will have contemporary interiors and suites with Queen size 4-poster beds, bay windows  and original works of art, all oozing traditional styling and comfort thanks to the input of designer Celeste Cooper.   Grand Opening rates at the hotel  start from $189 (or $199, depending on which part of your site you look at!).

Wear a bib for this video – you’ll be drooling. Jordi Panisello, executive pastry chef at the St. Regis Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, is one of the U.S.’s top 10 pastry chefs.

‘Sundowners’ at a remote tropical beach location conjurers up visions of sipping exotic island cocktails fanned with warm breezes and enjoying spectacular ocean sunsets. But all too often, reality doesn’t match the dream, with watered down cocktails of varying quality and poor service to boot. Recognising  the shortcomings in this area,  Krabi’s Layana Resort  & Spa has taken the plunge and engaged the services of professional mixologists, the Flow Cocktail Company. Flow, with an impressive background of consulting success at some of the most well-known and respected 5-star hotels in South East Asia, was started by brothers Ben-David and Dannie Sorum. Dannie took  Layana’s whole bar team through a structured and comprehensive training programme starting with full beverage knowledge, cocktails from classic to modern day mixology, bar tending skills and procedures, and rounding off with bar manners and service efficiency. The results are apparently  impressive – why not drop by to judge for yourself when you’re next in the area?

Disconnect from your daily routine with the  Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma – the first multi-niche Gourmet Inclusive hotel designed on the foundation of exceptional cuisine, luxurious all-Jacuzzi suites boasting awe-inspiring views.

The  Legendale Hotel Beijing is the newest member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts collection of luxury properties, which now features more than 185 of the world’s most desirable destinations and newly discovered havens. Occupying a prime position in the heart of the city, the 390-room hotel is ideally located to make the most of both old and new Beijing. Adjoining 79 opulent serviced apartments as well as 126 private residential apartments, the property is a short walk from world-class shopping precincts such as Wangfujing and Oriental Plaza. In pleasant contrast, the Legendale Hotel is surrounded by some of Beijing’s best preserved hutong alleyways, brimming with color and activity. A number of China’s most significant landmarks and historical sites are within walking distance of the hotel, including Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Drum and Bell Towers.

Standing majestically in 12 lush acres of grounds, The Beverly Hills Hotel is the glamorous Pink Palace of Los Angeles legend.   Royalty, world leaders and luminaries have all enjoyed its second-to-none service and graces its glitzy rooms, hideaway bungalows, Polo Lounge bar and restaurant, spa by La Prairie, tennis courts offering lessons with a former Wimbledon champion, as well as its famous pool. Now you too can enjoy all this with the “Holiday in Beverly Hills” package available in November and December 2008 where a Superior Guestroom goes for just $385 (single or double occupancy).

Giorgio Armani’s yacht, Mariu, is a 210-foot long and when not in use he rents it out with a price tag of €180,000 per week.   The boat has an owner’s suite plus 5 guest double bed cabins, and comes with a captain plus crew of 10. Capable of speeds up to 17.5 knots, it has a cruising speed of 15 knots.   In the words of Armani himself:

Mariu is my very first boat and also my last – you only do one in a lifetime.

A natural world of indescribable beauty melds with authentic South Pacific culture. Four Seasons comes to Bora Bora. Discover what local residents think about living in paradise.

Pimalai Resort & Spa, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, has received the “Best Spa” award at the 19th TTG (Travel Trade Gazette) Annual Travel Awards 2008.  A pioneer of deluxe hospitality on the of Lanta in Krabi province, Pimalai Resort and Spa’s magnificent beach property is set on 25 hectares of lush tropical land with direct access to 900 metres of quiet, white-sand beach. It boasts superb accommodation, including Deluxe rooms, Suites and Pool Villas, eight restaurants & bars, conference facilities, a Gold Palm Dive centre and a wide range of recreational facilities.

Making his Las Vegas debut, nationally acclaimed chef Ludovic “Ludo” Lefebvre arrives at The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino  to helm the newest creation by the team behind TAO New York and Las Vegas. LAVO, Latin for “to bathe or cleanse,” is inspired by ancient Mediterranean bathhouses with a menu that highlights the best of the region’s cuisine. Chef Ludo’s signature gastronomy celebrates the flavours of France, Italy and Spain as well as other Mediterranean classics. The innovative menu is further enhanced by the restaurant’s striking design, by AvroKo. Since opening on 13th September 2008, LAVO has quickly become a favourite spot for celebrities, Las Vegas locals and travellers alike.