A Luxury Travel Blog

Israel is not a large country. You can drive from its northern border to its southern tip in less than 10 hours. From east to west it will take you less than two. But this small territory contains an unimaginable wealth of natural landscapes, historical treasures and a rich cultural heritage – many of which have yet to be explored.

For those wanting to venture off the beaten track, the Israel Government Tourist Office is launching Israel, Hidden Gems – a collection of fascinating journeys steeped in history and culture that will allow people to discover some of the country’s most inspirational and unexplored experiences.  It will  show Israel from a different perspective and allow holidaymakers to become truly involved in the country’s past, present and future. From luxury hideaways, culinary trails and desert spas to archaeological wonders and ancient holy sites, Israel offers something for every traveller.

Israel’s Hidden Gems will be detailed in a dedicated brochure that will be available to order on the IGTO website.

At the Propeller Island City Lodge in Berlin, there’s a bed with a difference. Their “flying” bed can be found in one of the hotel’s many themed rooms.   The king size wooden bed is in fact suspended from the roof but a floor with a 15-degree incline helps to complete the illusion, as does other furniture in the room which has been specially adapted to take the slope  into account. On the ceiling are painted the words ‘Distorted Room’. Other rooms at the hotel are similarly unusual, with beds ‘under the floorboards’, coffin beds and a bed surrounded by mirrored kaleidoscope walls.

The Park Hotel Group has  ’soft opened’ their  latest property – Park Hotel Clarke Quay – in Singapore. Distinctive by its striking red-tiled roof and towers with spires, the 10-storey hotel can be found on the historic Singapore River,  exuding classic colonial architecture reminiscent of Singapore in the early 1800s.

Its 336 rooms and suites are designed with a view of the Singapore River, offering the comforts of modern living. For dining and entertainment, Brizo Restaurant & Bar raises the bar with its seafood offerings cooked in both Western and Asian styles.   The hotel also has a swimming pool complete with pool bar, gym facilities and Spa Park Asia, offering an outdoor spa experience.

Get ready for an incredible summer solstice display at the Tirolean Zugspitz Arena  in Austria  next month. On 20th June 2009, when dusk settles, over 8,000 fires will be lit  on the  rock faces of Zugspitze, Grubigstein, Sonnenspitze and Marienberg creating a spectacular display at an altitude of more than 200 metres. Preparations for the event are already underway with  700 kilo bags filled with rapeseed oil or sawdust anchored into the rock at high altitudes ready to be lit.   The event stems from an ancient Alpine tradition  that dates back to the  14th Century when summer solstice fires were burned on St. John’s Eve on the mountain peaks to symbolize the sun and to ward off demons.

Marrakech is to get a new 204-room hotel which will welcome its first guests in 2011. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech is Rezidor’s third hotel under development in Morocco, following in the footsteps of the Radisson Resorts which will open in Tangier and Saïdia. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Marrakech be a unique 5 star city resort geared for both business and leisure travellers, with  two restaurants, a bar,  almost 1,000 square metres of conference and meeting space, a swimming pool and a destination spa with a Moroccan hammam. It will be  located within Carré Eden, an exclusive development which includes  80 luxury apartments, a shopping mall and entertainment facilities. Carré Eden can be found in the Guéliz district, a well-established commercial and residential area of Marrakech known for its trendy shops, fashionable bars and clubs.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has launched a global initiative in support of UNICEF’s immunization and malaria programs for vulnerable children in developing countries.  A brand package called “We Invite You to Linger”  will offer  guests a complimentary night stay for every two, three or four night reservation at a hotel or resort within The Luxury Collection brand around the world. For every package booked, The Luxury Collection hotel will make a US$1 donation per room night to support UNICEF’s life-saving immunization programs and its work on the prevention and treatment of malaria – the largest single cause of death among African children under five years of age. The Luxury Collection includes 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries including The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills and Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki.

After 80 years and more than 70 hotels providing legendary service, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. has raised the bar again with the unveiling of a new way to enjoy an inspiring vacation lifestyle: The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. An evolution of The Ritz-Carlton Club, this equity-based private membership program offers two choices – either a Home Club Membership (identical to the successful fractional ownership offering) which provides use of a titled residence at a property they can return to throughout the year, or a deeded, Portfolio Membership which affords the opportunity to discover a wide variety of premier destinations and accommodations.

Six Senses Spas has officially signed a partnership agreement to operate a world-class spa at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat. Set amongst Oman’s Hajjar Mountains and adjacent to the property’s palatial grounds, the spa boasts spectacular ocean and mountain views. The Six Senses Spa, with an area of more than 3,500 square metres,  will be  set over two floors and will include 16 treatment rooms, gentlemen and ladies private facilities and a Ladies Only Club featuring a private beach accessible only from the club. It will also feature a private gym, relaxation spaces and temperature controlled swimming pool plus a combination of wet, dry and hammam treatment rooms.

Amongst the special features  will be  cave treatment rooms, a meditation cave room and couples treatment rooms with colour and sound therapy bath tubs. The public areas of the spa include a yoga pavilion, consultation rooms and a beach club for spa guests, which will be separate from the hotel and ladies club. A general relaxation area features regular and majalis style seating. Also included are communal spaces for manicure and pedicure, a fresh juice bar and more private areas such as sound pods in which guests can cocoon themselves with music and lighting.

The Six Senses Spa at Al Bustan Palace Intercontinental Muscat Oman is expected to officially open by mid 2011.

Traditional Moroccan architectural style and sophisticated contemporary design will merge seamlessly at the new Raffles Taghazout.   The resort,  just 40 minutes from Agadir International Airport,  will reflect the rich culture, heritage and artistry of Morocco as well as the ambience of cultured luxury that distinguishes Raffles hotels and resorts around the globe. Superbly located on the pristine Atlantic coast with sweeping beachfront views of the azure waters, the resort will open in 2010 and will feature about 165 luxuriously appointed guest room villas as well as 60 Raffles Residences for private ownership.

Be it leisurely enjoyment or sporting pursuits, residents at Raffles Taghazout will enjoy a myriad of options. For those seeking a pampered spa experience, Raffles Amrita Spa, a signature component of all Raffles hotels and resorts, will provide a sanctuary of tranquillity and privacy. The resort also offers a diverse range of dining options, shopping at a traditional souk, tennis courts, a fitness centre and pool, as well as beach club access. And golf enthusiasts can look forward to playing 18 holes on a course designed by award-winning golf course architect David Kidd.

W Hotels  has marked  its entry into the Middle East with the opening of the highly-anticipated W Doha Hotel & Residences.  This new hotel merges  traditional Arabian imagery with the contemporary cool design of the W brand with a hotel lobby that combines water features, ceiling-suspended seating and modern hand-blown hanging lanterns. Symmetrical designs, clean lines and innovative lighting create private, tranquil areas within the sweeping, dramatic public spaces.

Perhaps the highlight is the 15th floor Extreme Wow suite (W’s take on the traditional Presidential Suite) which offers breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea, private massage and meeting rooms, full-size pool table and wet bar, stunning saltwater aquarium stocked with exotic sea life, and luxurious oversized bathroom.

W Doha has 291 guest rooms, 31 suites, and 154 W branded Residences. There are  three stylish bars, various lounges (including a poolside lounge) and  three signature restaurants, including modern cuisine at Spice Market and Market by Jean-Georges, both concepts created by three star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, complemented by the sophisticated fare of La Maison du Caviar. The signature Bliss ® Spa can now also be enjoyed in the Middle East for the first time.

Mount Airy Casino Resort at Mount Pocono, PA has officially re-opened Mount Airy Golf Club which had been temporarily closed for two seasons due to construction of the new casino resort. The course features spectacular vistas on more than 6,000 yards of challenging yet beautiful terrain featuring rolling, tree-lined fairways and multiple ponds, lakes, and streams. The 18-hole golf course features ten holes that are touched by water and over 90 sand traps.  It  is appropriate for all skill levels, but will pose challenges for both novices and veterans, with an emphasis on club selection.

Course rates are $47 for weekdays and $55 for weekends. The course also has a special twilight rate of $37 after 4 p.m. All rates include a golf cart.