A Luxury Travel Blog

Looming over the whole of Barcelona with its cool glass facade and steel beams is the uber modern and ultra luxe five-star property that is Hotel Arts Barcelona. Managed by The Ritz-Carlton Company, Hotel Arts is the grande dame of Barcelona and one that luxury seekers should simply not overlook.

Located just steps away from Barcelona’s haven in summertime, Barceloneta Beach, Hotel Arts Barcelona offers sweeping views of the Mediterranean to one side and the bustling metropolis to the other. Upon arrival, it’s clear that Hotel Arts Barcelona prides itself in its impeccable service, with greeters ready to hold the elevator for you and guide you in the right direction. An impressive display of flower arrangements, which are changed out daily, coupled with a strikingly gorgeous chandelier front and center in the lobby, Hotel Arts is none-other than a free-standing piece of art.

With 483 guest rooms, including 32 Club Rooms, 44 Executive Suites and 28 luxurious apartments, accommodations at Hotel Arts are all decadently furnished with dark woods, modern touches and large windows with panoramic vistas. For an unforgettable retreat, the greatest gem is The Club. Club Level accommodations have access to the magnificent El Club, which is warranted by keyed-access only. With five exquisite food and beverage presentations throughout the day, guests can enjoy the privacy of their own lounge with complimentary high-speed internet access, decadent furnishings and plush sofas with access to the friendliest concierge staff around.

Furthering the indulgence that can be had at this luxurious hotel are award-winning restaurants, a Spa by Six Senses, a rooftop pool and a state-of-the-art fitness facility, which all complete this luxurious retreat. Guests should not miss the epicurean delight that is Enoteca, a gastronomic restaurant awarded with one Michelin Star.

Whether you’re mingling amongst elite business travelers or an A-list celeb, Hotel Arts Barcelona will have you feeling nothing but incredibly posh and utterly important.

Vianni Busquets is a romance travel writer for examiner.com.

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This post has nothing to do with travel but, since it’s almost the weekend, it’s time for something a little different!  This year we will experience four unusual dates:1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11 and 11/11/11.  Now then… take the last two digits of the year you were born and add the age that you will be this year. Tell me if you don’t get the answer “111″…!

The French Riviera has long been one of the most sought after destinations for those seeking the warm sun and azure waters of the Mediterranean. Since the mid 19th Century the region, when the region was ‘discovered’ by the Victorians, the French Riviera has been a playground of the rich and famous.

Cannes

Cannes, with the most glamorous of annual events, the Cannes Film Festival oozes that special French chic and sophistication and whilst a villa within walking distance of La Croisette can be found, many prefer to rent a luxury villa in La Californie, somewhat quieter and with an air of sophistication. Here the luxury villas to rent are a mix of the old ‘Belle Époque’ properties and stunning contemporary properties fitted in glass and chrome to make the best of panoramic sea views.

Cap d’Antibes

When Queen Victoria’s son began to visit Juan les Pins for his annual break the little peninsula of the Cap d’Antibes was little know. However, this peace and tranquillity of this small peace of land, coupled with it’s proximity to the white sandy beaches quickly led to this becoming a favourite location of the jet set. Beautiful luxury villas were built, many with direct access to the beaches and the sea. The Cap d’Antibes continues to welcome celebrity visitors year after year and is definitely one of the most requested areas for those seeking to rent a luxury villa for their summer break.

St Jean Cap Ferrat

Further along the coast and with it’s proximity to Monaco, St Jean Cap Ferrat has long been one of the most exclusive areas of the French Riviera. Up until the end of the 19th Century, this small peninsula was considered wild and untamed and somewhere for the sheep to graze. However in 1895, King Leopold of Belgium recognised the potential of Cap Ferrat and began buying what the locals considered was ‘useless land’. The rest, as they say is history and the many beautiful villas, many of which we still know today were constructed. Cap Ferrat was also home to a zoo recently closed and is the ideal location for a more tranquil break on the French Riviera.

St Tropez

Of course one can never talk about luxury villa rentals on the French Riviera without including St Tropez, made famous by Brigitte Bardot in the 1960s. This small, Provencal fishing village is still frequented by celebrities each year with the long sandy beaches and private beach clubs buzzing during the summer season. Arriving in St Tropez during the high season can be difficult and many choose to travel by helicopter. Many of the luxury villa rentals in St Tropez come equipped with their own helipad for just such an occasion.

Hills above Cannes – Mougins, St Paul de Vence

For those seeking a quieter retreat, then the hills above Cannes offer the ideal solution. Mougins is the home of gastronomy on the French Riviera and the pretty old town is dotted with restaurants offering the finest in French cuisine. Mougins is also famed for its art galleries, the perfect place to stroll after a delicious lunch. St Paul de Vence is also a hub of art and design on the French Riviera and the luxury villas up here in the hills offer unending views across the French Riviera and the Mediterranean.

So, after the main five areas for luxury villa rental on the French Riviera, where are some of those more discreet locations, away from the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera? Noted for its port and all the super yachts which are moored there then Antibes should feature, although the luxury villas to rent are found further along the cost in Juan les Pins. Villefranche sur Mer and Cap d’Ail, further along the coast and close to Monaco offer the height of luxury with contemporary cliff top villas. Again, offering easy access to Monaco and on into Italy Eze sur Mer is a pretty village and offers an excellent choice of luxury rental villas.

It is safe to say that the French Riviera offers some of the most celebrated towns and villages for those looking for a luxury villa rental. There is the choice of beautifully restored olive mills, Belle Époque properties and state of the art contemporary homes. This jewel of Europe is long set to continue as a key destination for those seeking to rent a luxury villa.

Andy Butler is the Online Marketing Manager at Burger Davis, a luxury vacation rental company in the South of France.

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“All roads lead to Rome” and all cruises lead to Barcelona harbour.

Three new Cruise lines have decided to tie up their vessels at the Barcelona harbor for 2011; “Liberty of the Seas” Royal Caribbean, “Epic” Norwegian Cruise Line and “Carnival Magic” Carnival. Collectively they will attract 2.5 million passengers per year to the Catalonian capital – Barcelona.

Barcelona harbour ranks as the first in Europe and fourth in the world, due to the 2.347 million passengers it received in 2010. US research reveals that Mediterranean cruises come in third position in the reservation rankings, just behind the Caribbean and Mexican destinations. Barcelona has also reached the 20th position on the United States citizens’ priorities.

Oscar Goni is the Managing Director at Luxury Trips Spain.

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Just in case any of you are visiting Bangkok in the next few weeks, here are a few suggestions of what’s on at some of Bangkok’s top eateries.

The Déjà Vu restaurant in the Pullman Bangkok King Power are running “A Taste of Caviar” special from 18th to 30th January 2011. Enjoy Champagne and caviar at this special event. The set caviar menu includes, among other things, sea urchin and caviar Martini on shaved citrus ice, Osetra caviar on blinis, poached sole rolled with a soft salmon farce and caviar cream. For dessert lovers there’s “Strawberry caviar spheres of intense flavor, with a soft and delicate texture on a chocolate crunch”. So, if you love caviar, don’t miss out.

Why not dine aboard one of the Bangkok Marriott’s beautifully restored antique barges, the Manohra and the Manohra Moon? You can enjoy a “Silver Menu” of seven courses of gourmet Thai food or a nine-course “Gold Menu”. The menus, which change weekly, offer a choice of four sets in each category. The dinner cruise leaves the resort’s pier every night at 7.30pm.

The trendy Bed Supperclub is combining gourmet dining with a Thai classical dance show from now until early March 2011 (date unspecified). Lie back on one of the restaurant’s big white beds and enjoy special performances of Thai classical dance with a contemporary twist.

Free Aussie Steak! From 21st to 31st January 2011, steak lovers have a chance to eat free at the Sofitel Bangkok Silom’s V9 restaurant. You can choose your cut of best quality Australian beef, including tenderloin, T-bone, rib eye and prime rib and if you can guess the weight correctly then you don’t have to pay! (They allow a margin of error of plus or minus 3 grams).

Celebrate the Chinese New Year in style at the Landmark’s Sui Sian Chinese Restaurant on 3rd and 4th February 2011. To welcome in the Year of the Rabbit, you can enjoy an all-you-can-eat dim sum buffet lunch (11am-3pm). As well as dim sum, there are also soups, noodles, Peking Duck, desserts, and more. Each table will be provided with ang-pao (sweet golden oranges) and lucky money. Kung Hei Fat Choi!

Beirut, Lebanon has long been known as the “Paris of the Middle East”. Certainly, the bloody civil war that raged there from 1975 until 1989 took a toll on the city, but the residents and leaders are taking an aggressive approach to not only rebuilding, but also making it better than it was before.

Beirut is the capital and largest city of the small country of Lebanon with over 2 million people, and it is located on a small headland that juts into the Mediterranean Sea. Because of its size and location, Beirut has always been the tourism and commercial hub of the country, boasting lodging options in all price ranges and types. Discerning travelers will enjoy exploring some of the more luxurious properties located around the city.

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut, Lebanon

The Four Seasons Hotels are synonymous with luxury, and the one in Beirut, Lebanon is no exception. This one soars above the city at the edge of the sea, and offers stunning 360 degree views of the city and beautiful sunsets over the Mediterranean at the rooftop pool where all the VIPs hang out. Rich in sophistication, the hotel provides friendly and attentive personal service.
The hotel has a number of different sized rooms and suites, including City View Suites, which are located in a tower with a sail on top, and have been decorated by a famous interior designer. Rooms include designer touches like suede headboards, desks with elliptical shapes, a wall of windows and furnished terraces to afford guests panoramic courtyard views, city views, or sea views of the Mediterranean Sea. Each guest room or suite also has at least one marble bath, complete with a glass walled shower, deep soaking tub, and separated toilet in a private alcove.

Steps from the marina, downtown, and historical sites and nightlife, there is also an expansive spa with lots of varied salon treatments available. There is also a rooftop pool and terrace on the 26th floor.

InterContinental Mountain Resort Spa Beirut, Lebanon

2000 meters up Mount Lebanon in Beirut, Lebanon is the InterContinental Mountain Resort Spa Mzaar. This Beirut hotel is unique and family friendly, with awesome views of the city and the sea. Best of all, it is only an hour drive, so you can ski in the morning and be on the beach the same afternoon. The hotel is a Five Star ski destination, year round, and provides lots of leisure activities like bowling, hiking, swimming, and riding snowmobiles and ATVs. If lazy activities are more your style, hit the spa to relax and rejuvenate.

Guest rooms are luxuriously appointed and there all restaurants that cater to lovers of all types of international foods. Le Refuge Restaurant offers Alpine specialties like fondue and raclettes, along with melted chocolate and fresh fruits for dessert. Les Airelles offers classical and traditional French specialties. Authentic Italian food can be found at La Tavola, along with a rustic setting and full glass wall overlooking the terrace.

The hotel is close to the Casino du Liban and archeological sites. There are leisure activities like live entertainment, a cinema, boutiques, an arcade and kid’s fun center inside, in addition to the indoor heated pool, sauna, and fitness center. The hotel also boasts a complete business center open daily.

Le Gray Hotel Beirut, Lebanon

Those who like the newest and trendiest of everything will love Le Gray Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. Le Gray is newly built and designed by a famous architect and an interior designer, and no two rooms are the same. The décor is fresh and inviting with an ultra-modern feel. There is a spacious and modern health club and spa and designer boutiques within the hotel.

Ideally located in the historic city center, it overlooks Mount Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea, but is within walking distance to restaurants, nightlife, museums, and archaeological sites.

A number of restaurants are located in the hotel, including a café with an outdoor terrace at street level. Up on top of the building, you’ll find Indigo, with its glass wine cellar and great menu, as well as Bar 360° which is a Martini-lover’s heaven offering live entertainment and views of the city. The Pool Lounge overlooks the funky purple lighting of the rooftop swimming pool and the sea, offering great views whether seated indoors or outside.

Denise Gabbard is an SEO specialist and writer at Beirutshortstay.com

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Luxury travel means different things to different people, but can normally be boiled down to two main factors: hedonism and exclusivity. People perceive luxury to be an indulgence, something that they would not ordinarily do, but which brings them great delight. To some this may be sipping cocktails on a speedboat in Sydney Harbour, to others it might simply be buying the more expensive ice cream for dinner as a treat. To me, it is isolation and beauty, a place where I am free to marvel at the spectacle of our planet in peace.

Malta is no secret (few places on Earth are), but this did not stop me from confusing it with all the locations beginning with ‘M’ along the Costa del Sol, before asking ‘Where’s that?’ A consultation with Google Maps showed me it is a tiny archipelago which sits between Sicily and Tunisia, barely visible amid the vast Mediterranean Sea. The main island boasts more history than you can shake a guidebook at, with no fewer than nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a capital city, Valletta, which is overflowing with architectural splendour.

Understandably, many people return from Malta with photographs of churches, palaces and forts, or stories about the nightlife in Paceville, where Malta’s greatest concentration of hotels and bars can be found. Fewer talk about Gozo, the second largest island in the archipelago, recognisable by its rural, scenic landscape and tranquil demeanour, as well as the startling Azure Window. Fewer still mention Comino, the smallest of Malta’s islands, which only eight people call home, and where I hoped I could find my own slice of luxury…

Gazing into the shimmering cyan of Comino’s Blue Lagoon, I let my mind ponder how the water could be such a colour, and yet so transparent. I was dangling my feet in the same body of liquid which washes upon the shores of Northern Africa; isn’t that an amazing concept? Depending on your luck, you may have to share the lagoon with a swarm of other tourists, or you might be quite alone. On this occasion, I found myself sifting the fine sand of the seabed between my toes in relative solitude, a few other figures scattered around the water’s perimeter. The sun’s heat was just strong enough to feel its replenishing presence, while the gentle lapping motion of the waves made the lagoon’s only sound.

A short walk away, I stood gaping at St. Mary’s Tower, a stout stone block standing in isolation on a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. How on earth did someone manage to build this in 1618, before machines, engines and industrialisation? The tower looks like it has always been there, like it was formed at the same time as the cliff on which it stands, unwavering in a steady, cool breeze. Turning to face the expansive sapphire sea, I became acutely aware of my isolation, and the temptation to sit down with a book was too great to resist. Would anybody notice, I wondered, if I dozed here and missed my flight home? Indeed, I had found luxury.

Kirk Shackleton is a content writer for MyMaltaInfo.com, your local travel guide to Malta.

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With beautiful natural features and classic European architecture, Monaco is the perfect setting for the glamour and excitement of Formula One racing.  Style and sophistication, private jets, incredible helicopter transfers, fine dining and seventy eight laps of high speed racing – this is the perfect destination for jet-setting this spring.

This prestigious sporting event involves over one hundred and fifty miles of street track racing; it’s considered one of the most demanding in the world and a dangerous place to race.  In fact, if it were not already a Grand Prix circuit, it wouldn’t be allowed to be added to the schedule for health and safety reasons!  The 2011 Monaco Grand Prix is bound to be more dramatic than ever, with Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren constantly improving in the racing world.

The best (and some may say, the only) way to experience the Monaco Grand Prix is by staying at the Fairmont – one of Monaco’s finest hotels!  This 5-star hotel  literally sits on the famous hair-pin bend of the track and is one of Europe’s largest hotels.  With panoramic Mediterranean views from the outstanding restaurant, contemporary interiors and a first-class Spa, the Fairmont Hotel is a spectacular place to stay. It’s also the ideal spot for roof terrace viewing and sipping champagne!  Monaco radiates with style; if you can bring yourself to leave the racetrack or the Fairmont’s fabulous pool area, enjoy a glass of Provencal wine in the harbour – a great spot to people watch.  As night falls, head to the wonderful Casino of Monte Carlo.  The casino opened in 1863 and ever since Monaco has become an established destination famous for gambling and leisure.  The casino is worth a visit for the architecture alone.

Monaco is one of the world’s most stunning and exciting destinations – and its Grand Prix a must-see event for any car enthusiast!

Naomi Whiteley works for the UK-based boutique tour operator Grand Tourist.

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America’s only floating chapel has surely got to be a contender for the world’s most unique church.  It can currently be found in Sarasota, Florida, and offers Weddings on Water to anyone looking for a ceremony that’s a little different.

Shown below is footage of the chapel from one of its previous locations, St. Petersburg, FL.

Looking to go somewhere special this Valentines?  Then take a look at this list of the top 15 romantic Valentines hotels, as decreed by Tripadvisor. Bar a token entry for Bodrum in Turkey, they’re all in Europe, which seems a little odd, but perhaps subscribers from other parts of the world, are given a different list depending on their own locations.

1. Whitley Hall Hotel, Sheffield, England
2. Hotel Palazzo Barbarigo Sul Canal Grande, Venice, Italy
3. Strozzi Palace Boutique Suites, Gloucestershire, England
4. Villa Cicolina, Montepulciano, Italy
5. Hotel Villa Marstall, Heidelberg, Germany
6. Prestonfield, Edinburgh, Scotland
7. Hotel Montanus, Bruges, Belgium
8. Apostrophe Hotel, Paris, France
9. Hotel Gotisches Haus, Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
10. Kilronan Castle Hotel & Spa, Roscommon, Ireland
11. Kirini Suites & Spa, Santorini, Greece
12. Hidden Hotel, Paris, France
13. Ardanaiseig Hotel by Loch Awe, Kilchrenan, Scotland
14. Buddha-Bar Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
15. El Vino Hotel, Bodrum, Turkey

Val d’Isère renowned as one of the most luxurious ski resorts in the Alps. Having just returned from the resort, I can see why it is so popular.

I stayed at Le Chardon Mountain Lodges in Val d’Isère; a brilliant location set in a truly picture postcard setting high above the main town. The transfer is long (approximately 3 hours from Geneva airport) but once you arrive all that is forgotten. You are made to feel most welcomed with cosy slippers being provided along with a glass of chilled Champagne and the most wonderful canapés.

The food is amazing – scrumptious 5 course dinners each evening along with breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea which is also included during your stay. Each lodge has breathtaking views overlooking the valleys which are all completely covered in snow! They also have the option of a ski in / ski out right from your lodge… perfect! With over 300km of marked runs and unlimited off piste skiing, the resort is ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all levels (including complete beginners such as myself!)

The centre of Val d’Isère is only a short drive or walk away and is a typical ski resort offering restaurants, bars and shops. It is a lovely, cosy resort which has retained its historic and traditional village feel.

My trip to Le Chardon was inspirational and I would definitely recommend staying there this ski season.

Naomi Whiteley works for the UK-based boutique tour operator Grand Tourist.

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If you’ve never sat on an elephant, here is your chance: The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort and Spa features elephants as its main attraction. So pack your garment bags, and hop on board to explore the surrounding bamboo jungle of Thailand while sitting on one of these magnificent creatures.

The Royal Thai Government established the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre to act as a central body for the conservation of elephants and the communities that depend on them for their livelihood. By supporting Anantara’s efforts, the government demonstrates its commitment to elephant protection.

The resort sits on a ridge overlooking the hills of Myanmar and Laos, where visitors can take an elephant driving class. You won’t be a skilled mahout–who can guide his elephant through its working day with approximately 70 soft commands, light touches behind the ear and years of understanding between master and elephant–but you can certainly learn basic commands that will allow you to command and communicate with your elephant.

A trek through the surrounding rainforest will give you a glimpse of several different habitats, from thick bamboo to flood plains, along with many species of birds and small mammals. You also can simply enjoy observing the elephants as they engage in bathing routines or roam about the Elephant Camp–or partake in a rousing game of elephant polo.

Each room of the resort features beautifully detailed Thai décor, with a view of elephants grazing in the distance and the sounds of gentle birdsong over the Mekong and Ruak rivers. Anantara’s signature oversized terrazzo bathtubs, Thai textiles, teak furniture and artwork from local artisans provide a feeling of luxury and serenity within the walls of each suite. You’ll also enjoy fine dining of northern Thai and international cuisine. There’s even an on-site cooking school where you can learn to duplicate authentic Lanna dishes–along with the world-renowned Anantara Spa, where you can relax and rejuvenate after a long day of elephant riding.

If you’re seeking a wedding destination, the resort offers a unique experience, as couples can begin their ceremony to the rhythm of a traditional drum in a choreographed elephant procession–and complete the ceremony by riding into the sunset on the back of an elephant. Whether you’d like a stylish indoor wedding or an intimate outdoor environment, Anantara provides a luxurious, one-of-a-kind setting for your wedding and honeymoon.

It’s easy enough to get to the resort, with Chiang Rai Mae Fah Luang International Airport located 70 km from the resort and serviced by Thai Airways, Air Asia, 1-2-3 Go and SGA Air. Limousine services to the resort are available by calling +66-0-5378-4084. For the true royal treatment, take advantage of the resort’s Royal Arrival package, which includes a limousine ride to the Mekong River, where you will board a longtail boat before making the final trek to the resort by elephant.

Combining a luxury experience with the magnificence of nature, Anantara Resort provides an unforgettable experience for adventure travelers.

Hannah Hamilton is the owner of JetSetGarmentBags.com.

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Remember Elounda Solfez Villas which I reviewed just over a year ago?  Well, now’s your chance to stay there, too! Participate in the “Go Solfez” campaign and you could win a 7 night stay in an Elounda Solfez three bedroom villa, for 6 people. All you have to do is subscribe to their brand new newsletter (first issue, 1st February 1st 2011) here, and enter the competition.

The winner will receive a 7 night stay for him or her and another 5 people, whether they be friends or family, in a three bedroom Elounda Solfez Villa. The subscription deadline is 31st January 2011. Black-out dates are from 16th July to 31st August 2011.

Andrew Dunn is the Founder of Scott Dunn which he started as a luxury ski company in 1986 and which has since become a tailor-made tour operator of luxury holidays around the world.

What is it that you do exactly?

If I’m not going to our London office, I’m up by 6.45am and drive my children to school. I’m usually in the office for 8.30am to look at emails and catch up with my PA to run through the appointments for the week ahead, answer letters and sign off any paperwork. I tend to travel a lot, developing our relationships with overseas suppliers. We are presently developing more Scott Dunn Children’s Clubs and OurSpace (a complete management solution for five star resorts who value professional childcare). Another aspect of my work is meeting with key suppliers such as British Airways and hotel groups. I also handle all key relationships with partners such as Mercedes Benz and Laurent-Perrier. At the end of day, I review the days’ sales figures, then after supper clear down emails and plan for the following day.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Overseeing the entire Scott Dunn experience and product offering. I’ve always been passionate about the details and ensuring our guests have the very best holiday. I’m now spending time looking after our loyalty programmes as our repeat business is phenomenal.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

I love skiing and I have wonderful holidays in Chalet Artemis in St Anton – the wellness area there is to die for. Africa is my second passion and the tranquillity and endless plains of the Masai Mara and Serengeti never ceases to amaze me. With a planet of six billion people it is just astounding how alone we can feel in Africa; there is something magical and godly about the place. I recently visited the Maldives for the first time and it is the consummate bucket and spade experience of the very highest order and truly sublime.

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

I’ve been lucky to have eaten at a few chefs tables over time but the most memorable was sharing a joint 40th with friends at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze; however, we did walk out of there after countless delicious courses feeling twice the size.

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

The answer is yes, but the one thing you should know about Scott Dunn is that we never talk about our guests.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

Peru is very high up on the wishlist. I’ve yet to see Machu Picchu – which is incredible given the length of time we’ve had a Latin America programme.

Thank you for taking part in our interview series, Andrew, and well done for not ‘tripping up’ with the penultimate question!

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An island smack dab in the middle of the English Channel and just off the coast of France – how can you beat that combination for a luxurious and relaxing getaway?

Jersey (Channel Islands) is a luxury travellers dream. After living in Jersey for nearly 4 years and travelling to various parts of the world, I can safely say that Jersey is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. Its mix of French culture and British charm wrapped around the slower pace of island life, make this a destination of choice for every taste.

Most people, who head to Jersey for a visit, stay in the town centre of St. Helier. If you’re out for the nightlife, then town is the place to be. For us luxury seekers, I think its St. Brelade’s Bay all the way.

About a 20 minute drive from town and only 10 minutes away from the airport, this part of the island is small but so beautiful in both winter and summer. The area is calm, the beaches are some of the cleanest in Europe and you are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to eat,
drink and sleep.

One of the nicest hotels in this area, and in the island in general, is the L’Horizon Hotel & Spa. An elegant hotel that boasts sea view rooms, a full-service spa and The Grill restaurant (that’s been awarded two AA Rosettes).

The view from the L’Horizon can’t be beat. When I stayed here this past September I realized that you really do get the best of both worlds here – tranquil surroundings and beautiful views. It was one of the most peaceful and relaxing stays I’ve ever had in a hotel.

With the soft golden sand, crystal clear waters and clean, fresh air around the Bay, it has an almost Mediterranean feel. Yet, the hotel itself is definitely British in style, being built in 1850 by George Hicks, a Colonel in the Bengal Army, the interior is pure elegance, full of space and light.

The area around the L’Horizon is full of choice cuisine for all taste buds. Restaurants in Jersey are top notch with having a contemporary British style with an obvious French influence. Being by the sea helps get all of the fresh fish and seafood which are to die for.

The spa culture in Jersey is plentiful and at the L’Horizon you can treat yourself to a dip in the indoor heated salt-water swimming pool any time of year with a view of the sea. If you want to treat yourself, two treatment rooms, a Jacuzzi and a sauna are for the taking.

Getting luxurious in Jersey is all about getting out of town and taking in the scenery – whether it’s the beach or the beautiful landscape.

St. Brelade’s Bay is just the spot to take it all in – enjoying good food, beautiful beaches, luxurious accommodation and genuine hospitality is right at your fingertips. Check it out today – trust me, you won’t be sorry!

Miriam Berger is the blogger behind Travelling Starfish – a travel blog with an expat edge.

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Is this the world’s most dangerous luxury hotel right now?  Meet the Golf Hotel in Abidjan which is currently home to Alassane Ouattara, the new President of the Ivory Coast (unless you’re speaking to supporters of the incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, that is).  The resort’s website claims the hotel has 306 “nicely decorated” rooms but newspaper reports paint a different picture – a picture that sounds more akin to a warzone. According to the New York Times, the lobby is littered with armed men of various origins – private security guards, rebel soldiers from the north of the country and international troops – and the hotel is surrounded by United Nations tents. By the sounds of it, this isn’t one to add to your wishlist just yet.

Is this the world’s most dangerous luxury hotel?  Or are there stronger contenders?  Please post a comment to let us know.