A Luxury Travel Blog

These days it seems it’s not enough to offer just a few drinks and snacks in a hotel minibar.   Hotels are going a step further, offering all manner of items from bikinis (W Retreat & Spa, Maldives) to gourmet dog biscuits (The Loews Hotel, Denver).  

But perhaps one of the most unusual items you’ll ever find is an oxygen cannister!   Rooms at the Banyan Tree Ringha can be up to 10,500 feet above sea level and so the minibars come with a cannister containing almost 10 litres of lung-boosting freshness.

What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever come across in a hotel minibar?

The world-renowned St Kitts Music Festival is one of the most diversified music shows in the Caribbean, attracting legends including Shaggy, Shaka Khan, Busta Rhymes, Kool & The Gang and Wyclef Jean in its 13 year history. At this year’s festival, from 25th-27th June 2009, the fabulous KC and the Sunshine Band will be entertaining the crowds. Also performing is Stephen Marley, Bob’s second son and a member of the celebrated Marley sibling group The Melody Makers since the age of seven. Now 34, Stephen has won more Grammys than any other reggae artist in history.

Perched 70 metres above sea level on the cliffs of Bali’s southernmost peninsula, Banyan Tree Ungasan will be located near the sacred site of Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. The resort is designed to offer absolute privacy and seclusion but is just 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and the thriving beaches of Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur. The resort’s location offers unrestricted panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and a pristine white-sand beach sits at the foot of the cliff top resort.

The new property will boast 73 spacious pool villas all set in their own lush landscaped garden with outdoor showers, and will be complemented by the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa offering guests an extensive range of natural holistic massages, beauty and body treatments.

Guests will be able to take their pick from three restaurants. Ju-Ma-Na restaurant, which means ‘white pearl’ in Arabic, overlooking the Indian Ocean, will offer gourmet menus. Tamarind, set in the tranquil surroundings of the Banyan Tree Spa will serve a variety of organic dishes, and Bambu will present popular international and local specialties.

Have you seen the new Nikon D5000?   It comes with a unique 2.7″ LCD vari-angle monitor which makes it easy to take pictures from any angle, 12.3 megapixels and EXPEED image processing system for high definition images.   It also offers Live View with four AF modes and enhanced creativity with HD movie function for high impact movie clips.   This is by no means a top-level DSLR but it could prove a worthwhile first stepping-stone for someone wanting to upgrade from a compact. If you’re looking for something with a few more features, take a look at the D90.

The travel agency Luxum Travel has launched a new luxury hotels search engine. Dluxehotels.com, created by a team with long experience in the tourism and new technologies industry, is born with two clear objectives: to develop the best selection of luxury hotels in the world and to facilitate online bookings without renouncing the guarantee of a trusted travel agency. This web site allows real-time booking of 4 or 5 stars hotels that have been carefully selected for their charm, their avant-garde design and singular architectural forms, their excellent service service or idyllic location. The hotels are classified by feature in order to facilitate the search to those looking for a hotel with golf course, with spa or a business hotel.

Whistler is so cool this summer, it’s sizzling!    Take a look at  the amusements and get a preview to the 2010 Winter Olympics with a peek at some of the hottest activities, including everything from Summer skiing and the  greatest mountain biking trails to fishing, canoeing and hiking. And Pan Pacific Whistler’s two hotels are offering great value on Summer accommodations with rates starting as low as CAD$199, which includes a CAD$100 credit towards spa treatments or  dining at one of seven village restaurants.

A new follower of A Luxury Travel Blog on Twitter caught my eye this morning. Mangia  (Twitter account, @Mangia_Inc) is an online service where you can order food from your stadium seat  by cell phone and have it brought straight to you.   Sheeesh… and they wonder why they have an obesity problem in the United States!    This is surely laziness on a par with drive-thrus.   And yes, I understand the argument that you might not want to miss ‘the game’ but, in my experience of football (soccer) matches, you’re usually still able to watch whilst queueing at these places. Half-time and other stoppages would also allow for you lift your sorry  behind out of your seat and actually walk the few yards to the nearest outlet within the stadium. Interesting idea, though, and I wish them well with it.   A little worryingly, perhaps, I suspect there probably is the demand in the US.   The service currently only applies to the Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah (home of the Major League Soccer team Real Salt Lake), but there are plans to take it to other stadia.

Sad news is emerging of a suicide attack on a luxury hotel in Pakistan. The landmark Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar in the north-west of Pakistan was stormed by gunmen from a truck which gained access through the hotel gates before it exploded.   Early reports say that 11 people have been killed and at least 52 injured.

The results of the World Airport Awards from Skytrax are out. Congratulations go to Incheon International Airport in Seoul which beat last year’s winner (Hong Kong International Airport) into second place.   The top 10 were as follows:

1. Incheon International Airport
2. Hong Kong International Airport
3. Singapore Changi
4. Zürich
5. München
6. Kansai
7. Kuala Lumpur
8. Amsterdam
9. Centrair Nagoya
10. Auckland

What is your favourite airport in the world and why?

Microsoft are making another attempt at conquering the search engine arena, this time with Bing.   Although the search results seem generally good (this blog is in the top 10 for a search for ‘luxury travel’ so I could be a little biased!), I am left thinking that they needed to offer something better still to make a significant impression on Google’s dominance.   I don’t personally buy into the ‘decision engine’ nonsense that they talk about (in fact, I find that terminology a little irritating!) and I’m not convinced that a pretty background is what users want.

Anyway… now they have unveiled Bing Travel.   You may recall that last year  Microsoft bought Farecast and Bing Travel looks to be a combination of this technology and editorial from MSN Travel.   It’s a little early to give any well-researched feedback at this early but it looks to be a good facility, if a little cluttered and US-centric.   What do you think?

On the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls there is a natural pool known as Devil’s Pool, right next to the 1,708 metre drop. If you were visiting, would you dare to take a leap of faith into the pool?   Take a look at the video before answering!

This afternoon we went to the Liverpool Empire Theatre to see the acrobatic production, Le Grand Cirque Fantazie.  It  was billed as  one of the most exciting shows  we will ever see, and we certainly weren’t disappointed. Le Grand Cirque has had sold-out shows all over the world and has played to over 10 million people, smashing box office records on the way.

These incredible acrobatic performers come from over 15 countries,  and together produced a spectacle which quite simply took our breath away.   As a family, we were highly entertained, sitting open-jawed at the  incredible talent put before us, with incredible demonstrations of strength, flexibility and raw talent.   I can’t imagine many shows that could entertain all ages in  such a  way.

Not only were the performances incredible, but it was also very funny thanks to the clown-like  host and ringmaster, Salvador Salangsang, who punctuated the show with  some entertaining  interludes as the acrobats were no doubt preparing backstage.  Parts of his repertoire  involved crowd participation  but one highlight was where he climbed into an enormous balloon – at first just his head and then, moments later, his whole body, with his head popping out.   As time ticked on, the balloon deflated and he emerged, having seemingly changed his costume  so that he was wearing  an Everton shirt; to keep both sides of Merseyside sweet, though,  he soon revealed a Liverpool shirt underneath!

The whole  performance got a huge ‘thumbs up’ from us, both from the ‘grown-ups’ and our young boys. If Le Grand Cirque is coming to a place near you, make sure you go and see them in action.   You’re sure to love it.   For an idea of the kind of things you might see, watch the following video:

South Cumbrian restaurant L’enclume has teamed up with some of the world’s top Champagne houses, including Bollinger, Pol Roger, Louis Roederer, Laurent Perrier and Deutz, to bring you a fantastic value-for-money luxury Champagne & Gourmet break. On arrival a bottle of Champagne of your choice awaits you, and to follow an 8 course dinner served in L’enclume’s chic dining room with an overnight stay in one of our gorgeous rooms – all for just £249.00 per couple per night. This offer runs Sunday to Thursday throughout June and July 2009 (excluding 15th and 16th July) and is based on two people sharing.  It is subject to availability on a first come first served basis.

W Hotels has revealed that the new W Barcelona will open on 1st October 2009. The hotel’s  soaring architecture and iconic design  are the work of the  world-renowned architect Ricardo Bofill.  It rises above the city’s  stunning waterfront  and will have  473 inviting rooms featuring celebrated comforts such as the signature W bed, fully wired technology, fabulous entertainment system, delightful Munchie Box and Whatever/Whenever ® service to make all other wishes come true.

To commemorate  World Environmental Day, on 5th June 2009, Luxury Properties Europe – a specialist in both sales and long and short-term rentals – is launching environmental guidelines to stimulate their worldwide clientele’s awareness. In each and every  one of their  properties located in France, Italy, Switzerland or Greece, there is an Environmental Guide with 8 daily tips for eco-friendly home improvements.

Take time out and enjoy a seven-day yoga and meditation holiday at the picturesque baroque style Castle Hotel in Szirák, just an hour outside of Budapest. This stunning castle hotel is surrounded by five acres of pristine evergreen forest and is the perfect location to relax and restore body and mind with daily yoga classes taught by internationally renowned masters, as well as meditation, massage and other pampering treatments. All classes are conducted in English and are suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced levels and guests will immerse themselves in this ancient discipline to rediscover their inner harmony, as well as listen to lectures from the masters. Guests also receive a complimentary traditional Hungarian foot massage and a Thai massage during their stay.

A day trip to Dobogókõ is included, a stunning village that is said to be an important place for ‘Chakra’ energy and is often mentioned alongside other important places such as the Pyramids of Giza and Machu Picchu. The Dalai Lama is said to have visited this location to meditate and the day’s yoga class and mediation sessions will take place here. There is also the opportunity to discover the local area and to visit a nearby farm where guests can enjoy activities such as horse riding, horse and cart rides, feeding of the animals and can even have a go at milking the cows, if they wish!

The castle which has been converted into a beautiful hotel was originally built in 1684 and now offers guests four suites furnished in period style, four double rooms in the main building and 17 rooms in the wins. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courses, riding stables, sauna, solarium and indoor archery room and bowling room.

The price is from €1,310 per person (or €1,580 based on single occupancy in a double room) and includes return transfer from Budapest airport or hotel in Budapest, six nights accommodation with breakfast and either lunch or dinner (three courses), daily yoga and meditation sessions, two massages and the farm visit, plus use of all the fantastic facilities.