A Luxury Travel Blog

W Retreat-Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia, will open in the Summer of 2010. An all-villa beachfront resort that will be a sublime architectural tribute to Maenam Beach on Samui Island’s pristine northern coastline, W Koh Samui will offer an “escape within an escape”. Located adjacent to W Koh Samui will be The Residences at W Retreat-Koh Samui, featuring 17 secluded beachfront villas ranging from three to five bedrooms and from 1,000 to 2,752 square metres. Each residence will offer a modern, cool style with local touches and full access to the benefits, services and amenities of W Retreat-Koh Samui.

Allamanda at Anse Galet is a luxury development at Cap Estate, the northernmost tip of the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, with spectacular views across the adjacent St. Lucia Golf Club to the south, and over the Atlantic Ocean to neighbouring Martinique to the north. The development consists of three villas, ten townhouses and eight apartments, with residents enjoying access to a private cove with jetty, two communal swimming pools, and close proximity to a world-class marina and a vast array of restaurants and bars.

The properties are available freehold and purchasing in St. Lucia is currently one of the most rewarding investment opportunities in the Caribbean, with an excellent return on investment on buy-to-let properties. The Cap Estate area in particular is at the centre of the real estate boom, boasting some of the most spectacular views, with rolling hills, a championship golf course and miles of gorgeous coastline.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. plans to open a new St. Regis hotel in Bermuda, marking a debut for the St Regis brand on the exclusive island. Scheduled to open in 2013, The St. Regis Bermuda and The Residences at The St. Regis Bermuda will be located in the heart of downtown Hamilton, Bermuda’s picturesque seaside capital and bustling international business hub. The first major luxury hotel to open in downtown Hamilton in more than 50 years, The St. Regis Bermuda will feature approximately 140 exquisitely appointed guest rooms and suites, approximately 80 exclusive, serviced residences, a Remède Spa, signature restaurant, a wine bar, library, and a rooftop conservatory.

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.

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.

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.

The Fairmont Pacific Rim is scheduled to open in 2010 and is in Coal Harbour, boarded by Gastown on the east, the financial district on the south and the Burrard Inlet to the north. The hotel will include 415 rooms and 200 residential condos with an unrivalled location adjacent to the Vancouver Conference Centre expansion.

Located along the scenic Jimbaran coast, Raffles Resort Amartha will feature a resort comprising approximately 85 villas and 25 Raffles Residences for private ownership. Occupying a sprawling 11 hectares, Raffles Resort Amartha is built to resemble a Water Palace, with inspiration drawn from classical Javanese-Hindu architecture and style, characterised by open spaces, water features and walled couryards on rising terraces. The resort is just minutes away from Bali’s international airport, Denpasar.

Raffles Resort Marrakech will comprise 150 luxurious rooms and suites, and 36 luxury villas. In addition, the resort will offer three exquisite dining options, state-of-the-art conference and meeting facilities, and the signature RafflesAmrita Spa. The resort will enjoy an exceptional location, just one kilometre away from the old city of Medina, well-known for its ancient monuments dating back to the 12th Century.

JW Marriott Residences Loreto is a remarkable collection of 201 luxury, whole-ownership, beachfront condominium homes that offer the best of two worlds; the warm hospitality, fascinating culture and rich heritage of old world Mexico, but with the unsurpassed elegance and refinement of today’s modern world. Watch the video to learn more.

 

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Beautiful by nature: the Turks & Caicos Islands
• A new Mexican resort and residences: Nizuc
• Passionately designed jewellery from Loree Rodkin
• Designed for New York’s long term visitor: Bristol Plaza

In a world where your personal space is only getting smaller, it’s nice to know there’s a place where your world will only get bigger. Ke Kailani’s exclusive 65-acres on Hawaii’s Big Island provide the perfect setting for their airy and luxurious villas, as well as some of the last remaining oceanfront home sites on the Kohala Coast.  And if all that lush open space – including the spectacular infinity pool at their dramatic Kaiola Grotto – isn’t room enough, explore the rest of the 3200-acre Mauna Lani Resort for privileged access to its luxurious amenities.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Luxury hits the beach at sunny.org
• The dazzling Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta
• Luxury motor yachts from Ferretti Yachts
• Luxury for the select view, from Seaside Properties Group

RockResorts International, LLC is going to expand its luxury property collection to the heart of the Northeast with the addition of The Mansfield Inn at Stowe. Nestled in the woods of Stowe, The Mansfield Inn at Stowe will have a number of residences to be sold to third party purchasers.  The property will also offer a number of luxury tented accommodations designed to allow guests to experience a rustic, outdoors experience with all of the finest amenities for which the RockResorts brand is known.  Other property highlights will include a three-meal restaurant with a fine dining element; 6,000 square foot spa including six stand alone spa-themed cabins; two paddle tennis courts; warming hut and outdoor heated pool and hot tubs.  The Mansfield Inn at Stowe is scheduled to open for the 2010/2011 ski season. 

See these delightful apartments and penthouses in Tenerife, courtesy of Abama Luxury Residences. Prices start from €635,000.

Land is such a premium in certain parts of the world, and New York City is no exception so I found it this Flickr collection of rooftops of the rich and famous in NYC quite interesting.   Some show a suprising amount of green space, whilst others exhibit contemporary designs. Have a browse and see how some of the other half live!