A Luxury Travel Blog

A Vegas-style gambling experience is Hungary bound. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hungary, a stylish and modern world-class resort, will open in 2012, close to Vienna, Austria, Bratislava, Slovakia and Budapest. Amenities will include a pool and deck for lounging and entertainment, a Rock Spa for relaxing and detoxing, and a Rock Shop, where guests can check out Hard Rock’s authentic rock ‘n’ roll gear and merchandise. Signature restaurants and bars, a convention center, concert venue, nightclub, and high-end retail shopping will be among the many highlights for guests of this one-of-a-kind resort.

These days, restaurant menus are so descriptive they read like fine literature. And with all the scrumptious-sounding descriptions of foams, emulsions, purées and reductions, it’s tempting to bathe in the dishes rather than eat them.  Actually… now you can!

Order up a treatment from the new Apothecary Menu at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai’s Spa, and both your body and spirit will benefit from Hawaii’s freshest local ingredients. When you book a wrap or scrub at The Spa, which has just undergone a $7 million facelift, a Spa Concierge will create a custom blend just for you. Featuring more than twenty Hawaiian ingredients, the Apothecary Menu takes its inspiration from the Big Island’s long tradition of healing with natural elements. Your custom blend will be based on physical characteristics, scent preferences and overall needs for well-being.

Need some exfoliation? Try crushed macadamia nuts, coconut or volcanic pumice. Craving a detoxification? Kona – a green, deep sea clay – should do the trick. Ready to be soothed? (And really, who isn’t?) Your custom blend might include essential oils of juniper, birch, rosemary, lavender, Vitamin E and grape seed.

America’s tallest building – Sears Tower in Chicago – will get a $350 million facelift and a new luxury hotel. The 110-story structure, soon to be re-named Willis Tower, will see almost half of its stories (50, to be precise) occupied by the new hotel which will be powered by the building’s new high-power wind turbines and solar panels. With the green agenda evidently in place, the building will be designed to meet LEED Gold certification, will be replacing 16,000 windows to make it more energy efficient, and will feature an indoor garden as well as sky gardens at various levels. An exact date for the opening of the hotel is yet to be specified but it could be up to five years off.

Bringing the heritage, the beauty and the romance of Italy to the fine dining scene in Hong Kong, Chef Stefano Poli, the new Executive Chef at The Luxe Manor’s signature Italian restaurant Aspasia, has created a tasting menu of Venetian delights that bring the flavours of the country to life. A native of Venice himself, Chef Poli is not just an expert in the Italian culinary arts, but in the way that Italian people approach the importance of food in their culture and the way it brings friends and family together. In July and August 2009, diners will have the unrivalled experience of treating themselves to a truly Italian fine dining experience at Aspasia with an authentic and inspiring Venetian Menu.

Intimate, romantic and steeped in Italian culinary traditions developed over centuries, Venetian cooking places an emphasis on bringing out the natural flavours of fresh seafood, paired with simple yet delicate vegetables; the finest cuts of meat served with sauces that highlight its tenderness and texture; and creative blends of fruits, vegetables and pastries in mouth-watering desserts. Dishes like Cod Fish Mantecato with Cannellini Bean Soup, Carnaroli Risotto with Black Ink Baby Squid and Red Prawn Prosecco Foam, Calf Liver Alla Veneziana with Braised Onion and Polenta Cake and Classic Fried Pumpkin Puff with Pumpkin Chantilly and Grappa di Saassicaia present Venetian cooking personified. This four-course meal, with the sommelier’s suggested Italian wine pairings optional, is a treat for all senses.

In addition to dining on sumptuous Italian fare, guests will receive a special fancy dress mask to enhance the mood of the evening and inspire creativity and conversation!

Michael Saxon lives in Penang, Malaysia where he is the General Manager of one of the Far East’s most prestigious and historic hotels – the Eastern & Oriental.  Happily married to his Malaysian wife, Beatrice, with whom he has two beautiful daughters, and working in the job of his dreams, he exudes the quiet charm that goes with being truly content with life. Michael has also written his autobiography, Chef’s Tales, and regularly blogs on Michael Saxon’s Musings at http://chefstales.wordpress.com

What is it that you do exactly?

I’m currently the General Manager of both the Eastern & Oriental Hotel and the Lone Pine Hotel in Penang, Malaysia. I run both hotels and I am responsible for their financial results as well as their day-to-day operation.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I mostly love being the General Manager of the Eastern & Oriental Hotel, as it’s one of the premier and most prestigious hotels in Asia. It’s 123 years old this year and my position makes me very proud to be given the honour of being its main ambassador and caretaker.

What would you say are the three best places you’ve ever stayed?

I have been involved in the hospitality industry for over 30 years and counting. During this time I have worked in nine different countries and visited many more. Every country has something special that you can absorb and remember with a warm heart, if you look hard enough and you enjoy life in general. Having said that, the Bahamas, Thailand and Hong Kong were great places to live and work. Last, but certainly not least, Malaysia is my most favourite place which is the reason why I have been here for well over 16 years…..so far.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

When I was working in the Bahamas, a few friends and I rented a sea plane, the small propeller type that lands on the sea. The pilot flew us to a remote and secluded tiny island and dropped us off so we could enjoy a very private barbecue. It really was a tiny island with a pink tinged, fine sand beach! We spent the whole day there with a sunset-to-midnight barbecue; it was unbelievable. It was so untouched you really did have the feeling that you were the only people who had ever been on this particular island and beach. We sat round a camp fire waiting for the plane to come, it was pitch black and you could see every single star that lit up the sky. The only worry was if the pilot forgot about us and did not come back!!

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I have cooked for, met or bumped into many heads of state, celebrities and politicians over the years, to name just a few: Glenda Jackson, Charles Bronson, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Mr. T, Dustin Hoffman, Stevie Wonder, The Aga Khan, Prince Philip, Margaret Thatcher, the then President Suharto of Indonesia, the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, Rick Stein, The Sultan of Brunei, Merv Griffin, Duran Duran, Donald Trump, Steven Segal and Madonna.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I would like to take Beatrice, my wife and my two beautiful daughters, Alycia and Jessica, to an island resort that has a large swimming pool, a clean beach and landscaped gardens so I can spend some quality time alone with them.

Many thanks for your time and these insights into your life running the E&O Hotel.  We wish you all the success in the world and good luck with the new edition of your autobiography.

This interview was conducted in person by Kay McMahon of BritishExpat.com

I know it’s a little difficult to believe, but ”Luxury yachts offer pirate hunting cruises” is a headline currently emanating from the Ananova news site. Shiver m’ timbers… is this serious?!  Here’s the full article:

Luxury ocean liners in Russia are offering pirate hunting cruises aboard armed private yachts off the Somali coast.

Wealthy punters pay £3,500 per day to patrol the most dangerous waters in the world hoping to be attacked by raiders.

When attacked, they retaliate with grenade launchers, machine guns and rocket launchers, reports Austrian business paper Wirtschaftsblatt.

Passengers, who can pay an extra £5 a day for an AK-47 machine gun and £7 for 100 rounds of ammo, are also protected by a squad of ex special forces troops.

The yachts travel from Djibouti in Somalia to Mombasa in Kenya.

The ships deliberately cruise close to the coast at a speed of just five nautical miles in an attempt to attract the interest of pirates.

“They are worse than the pirates,” said Russian yachtsman Vladimir Mironov. “At least the pirates have the decency to take hostages, these people are just paying to commit murder,” he continued.

Link to the Wirtschaftsblatt is here but my Austrian isn’t good enough to even find the relevant article, let alone provide a translation.  Perhaps someone reading could help with that?

The Preferred Hotel Group will welcome 13 new members to its portfolio next month, from the stunning Natal Ocean Club on the picturesque coast of Cabo Sao Roque in Brazil, due to open early 2010, to the majestic Leela Palace on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur.  In Barcelona, Casanova by Rafael Hotels has been inspired by the city’s Gaudi architecture, formerly an 18th Century limestone residence, it is now a chic haven for those looking for elegant accommodation in this cosmopolitan city.  For something further afield, Legends Resort Villas Moorea in French Polynesia has just joined Preferred Boutique – spread across 17 breathtaking acres, the 46 villas, with private decking and Jacuzzi pool, offer guests a slice of paradise. Or for the ultimate in glitz and glamour head to Hotel Zaza Houston in Texas where you’ll be welcomed by delightfully indulgent surroundings and hi style creature comforts.

Celebrity chef and owner of The Fat Duck and The Hinds Head at Bray, Berkshire, Heston Blumenthal, is to join forces with Mandarin Oriental. Together they will create a new restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London, to open in the Autumn of 2010.  Blumenthal’s first restaurant to open outside of the village of Bray will feature the chef’s inimitable style of culinary alchemy with a menu heavily influenced by his ongoing research and discovery of historic British gastronomy.  Seating 140 guests, it will serve lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. The kitchen will be headed by Ashley Palmer Watts who has worked with Blumenthal at The Fat Duck for nine years in the capacity of Group Executive Chef.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago will unveil The Terrace at Trump later today; it is the property’s much-anticipated outdoor venue located on the 16th Floor. This chic, outdoor oasis will showcase a dramatic vista of the Chicago skyline, including the historic Wrigley Clock Tower and Tribune Building, as well a picturesque view of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. In emphasizing the superior service and modern American fare for which Executive Chef Frank Brunacci has been lauded, The Terrace at Trump will offer a specially created menu served alongside a variety of boutique wines and hand-crafted cocktails.

Experience southern splendour with a getaway that combines American history with gourmet cuisine. Begin your holiday with wine and hors d’oeuvres at Monmouth Plantation, Mississippi, while learning the history of the Antebellum Home, before dining under 17th Century chandeliers with the signature southern ‘Mint Julep’. Learn more about Mississippi’s history with a carriage tour of the historic downtown area and then take a hot air balloon ride over the city, before unwinding back at the hotel with a massage.

It’s probably fair to say that good quality internet access is nowadays widely considered as an absolute necessity rather than just a luxury. And so it’s interesting to learn that Trump International has chosen Ruckus Wireless to supply advanced Smart Wi-Fi products and technology for the four-star Trump International Beach Resort, a contemporary oceanfront resort located in Sunny Isles Beach, Miami, Florida. The new technology takes advantage of recent breakthroughs in Wi-Fi development, pioneered by Ruckus Wireless, that constantly form and route Wi-Fi transmissions only where they are needed over the best performing signal paths to deliver more consistent performance at range. The new Wi-Fi infrastructure covers the entire multi-acre property, including over 500,000 square feet of hotel space with 390 guest rooms and 22,000 square feet of conference space as well as beachfront, administrative offices, restaurants, retail shops, bar/lounge areas, lobby, pools and parking structures.

To co-incide with the Wimbledon tennis championship which began yesterday, Park Plaza Hotels has come up with a limited edition, tennis-themed cocktail menu.

Four cocktails pay homage to the famous grass courts at SW19 and some of the finest players to hold aloft the trophy at the All England Club.  Celebrating the winner of the most ladies’ singles titles, the Martini Navratilova is a strawberry flavoured martini made from frambroise liqueur, fresh strawberry and vodka, topped with cream. The Mai Tie Break is an uplifting blend of Bacardi, lemon, strawberries and sparkling wine, guaranteed to re-energise spectators hoping for a fifth set epic match to rival last year’s Federer-Nadal men’s singles final. The refreshing Wimbledon Iced Tea – a mix of Bacardi, gin, vodka, tequila and Cointreau, shaken with lime and topped with sparkling wine – echoes the sophisticated splendour of a summer afternoon in the sun (or rain) at Wimbledon. And with images of some of the hottest sportspeople in the world set to invade television screens over the next fortnight, cool yourself down with a Sex on the Court cocktail, a cheeky blend of peach schnapps, vodka and cranberry and orange juices.

All cocktails cost £6.95 and are available at Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes in Baker Street, Park Plaza County Hall, Park Plaza Victoria London and Park Plaza Riverbank on Albert Embankment for the duration of the Championships. Ingredients may vary slightly depending on location and the cocktails may be subject to availability.

A UK pensioner, who recently won a huge sum of money in the Euro Million rollover lottery draw, has expressed his long-held wish to visit Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.  And the Brazilian Tourist Board Embratur has seized upon this opportunity to outline the five top things to do in Rio on a millionaire’s budget. Here are their suggestions:

Two-night stay at the Penthouse Suite, Copacabana Palace

Located right on Rio’s Copacabana beach, the Copacabana Palace Hotel is the most renowned hotel in Rio de Janeiro and has welcomed the rich and famous since 1923. On arrival you be welcome to your room with chocolate-dipped strawberries, a basket of fresh fruit and 1/4 bottle of Veuve Clicquot. You will be staying in the stunning penthouse suite, with a king-size bed, decorated with works of art and fine French fabrics and the benefit of a private pool and butler on tap to cater for your every wish. Total cost: £3050.

A night at the Fasano Hotel Lancôme Beauty Centre

At the glamorous boutique Fasano Hotel Brian’s wife Joan could relax in style at the beautiful Fasano Lancôme Beauty Centre with a deep cleansing massage or a rejuvenating facial. Total cost: £200 per night.

Private island escape for two at Angra dos Reis

Angra dos Reis is a paradise for sea and rainforest lovers, half-an-hour away from Rio by helicopter. It is the dream destination for those looking for deserted pristine beaches, untouched rainforest, picturesque colonial towns and an exclusive escape away from the crowds. The trip will include private guided tours, accommodation in luxury hotels and no private trip would be without a private yacht and helicopter. Total cost: £14,600.

Shopping trip to São Conrado Mall

Spend a day in this exclusive mall where A list celebrities when visiting Rio come to shop. You can wander the malls in search of designer brands like Calvin Klein and Armani to fabulous one off pieces by up and coming Brazilian designers.

A meal for two at the Antiquarius Gero Restaurant

Dine in one of Rio’s most famous restaurants, Antiquarius Gero, where you can sample Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine in a beautiful setting in Rio stylish area of Ipanema. It is an absolute must for the rich and famous visiting Rio.

This summer, join The London West Hollywood in celebrating the one year anniversary of its Gordon Ramsay restaurant. Toast the fine cuisine of Michelin award-winning Chef Gordon Ramsay from the heart of LA in West Hollywood with an offer that grants you an indulgent four-course dinner, accommodation in a spacious suite, complimentary internet, and access to their spectacular rooftop pool and deck. For the month of June, all dinner guests enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne to celebrate their one year anniversary.

Hotel Londra Palace in Venice has just completed an extensive restoration project which sees the preservation of its historical essence and the careful balance between tradition and modernity. The design concept centres very much on the careful use of light, making the most of the wonderful spaces within the hotel – from the Gallery Wine Bar, Ristorante Do Leoni, the Piano Bar to the lounge-library.

Azura in Mozambique is unveiling new suites, including an ultra-luxurious Presidential villa. This private residence offers its own beachfront location and amazing views towards Bazaruto Dune, an infinity edged swimming pool spanning the front of the villa, private kitchen with personal chef, massive bathroom with freeform bath, outdoor showers, dining area with feature star-shaped roof, wine bar and more.