A Luxury Travel Blog

Arguably as enjoyable as time on the slopes, après ski is an essential part of a luxury mountain getaway. Park City, Utah features après options of every nature, from sophisticated lounges to lively social hot spots. Here are five unique ways to unwind after a day on the slopes in Park City:

High West Distillery

The ski-in High West Distillery & Saloon, located at the bottom of Park City Mountain Resort’s Quittin’ Time ski run and a block from Main Street, is a hub of live music, friendly strangers and unique cocktails. Signature drinks are made with the house-distilled, award-winning High West Whiskey and 7000’ Vodka, spirits that extend to the saloon’s fine dining menu as well. The whiskey-infused fondue is a can’t-miss gourmet treat.

Silver Star Café

This hidden gem is tucked away from the base of Park City Mountain Resort at the mid-mountain Silver Star community, a collection of newly constructed condos and restored silver mining buildings, including the Sundance Institute headquarters. Located at the base of Silver Star chairlift, the Silver Star Café features an outdoor plaza with lounge seating, live music through the “Park City Limits” series, locally brewed Wasatch Beer and homemade alpine fare.

Mountain Terrace at St. Regis

At least once during a stay in Park City, take the funicular from Deer Valley Resort’s base to the Mountain Terrace at St. Regis Deer Valley for the sunset Champagne sabering, light gourmet fare and some quality time with friends around the Garden of Fire, an impressive outdoor fire pit that truly lives up to its name.

The Farm at Canyons Resort

Located between the base of the Orange Bubble Lift and the Red Pine Gondola, this slope-side hot spot features a locally inspired menu and enviable proximity to the Canyons Resort ski beach. Starting in late February, you can complete your evening with the Saturday Spring Concert Series, a free outdoor concert hosted on the Canyons Resort plaza.

Adolph’s Swiss Restaurant

Adolph’s pays homage to Park City’s heyday as a ski racing town, complete with old racing paraphernalia on the walls and autographed photos of everyone from Bob Theobold (father of aerial skiing and regular at the bar), to Bode Miller, who stops in now and again. Chef Adolph Imboden, a Swiss ski racer who started Adolph’s in 1974, still dons his apron to make hearty alpine fare like elk medallions and classic Wienerschnitzel. The lighter après menu boasts The Perfect Burger (it’s pretty darn close) and Swiss style raclette.

For other après staples in Park City, try the No Name Saloon on Main Street and Cena at Deer Valley Resort.

Tracie Heffernan is the Communications Director at Resorts West.

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The breathtaking Yorkshire Dales offer visitors an unforgettable holiday, short break or weekend away from the stresses and strains of daily life. Surrounded on all sides by stunning countryside, fantastic views and warm, welcoming people there is a vast choice of luxury accommodation available and below we have picked out a selection to tempt you:

The Wensleydale Heifer is a fabulous boutique hotel set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park, between the towns of Hawes and Leyburn. It has an award winning restaurant serving the finest seasonal local produce and mouthwatering seafood dishes. Residents can enjoy the sumptuous luxury of four poster beds, en-suite facilities and absolute comfort in one of the unique character rooms or junior suite. Take advantage of the Whisky Club room which offers a wide range of pre-dinner or after-dinner drinks to relax and unwind you before experiencing the best nights’ sleep ever! After enjoying a wonderfully satisfying breakfast there are numerous places to explore and experience the clean fresh air and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.

The Bothy offers a stunning, romantic retreat for two in the secluded valley of West Burton in Wensleydale. Fully equipped to the highest standard, the self catering property has a log burning stove, double en-suite bedroom with views across the pretty garden and a woodland walk leading down to the river. There is plenty to see and do in the area and some lovely walks leading to Bolton Castle and Aysgarth Falls are right on the doorstep. Nearby restaurants and traditional pubs offer fine cuisine from locally sourced produce, and local breweries supply a wide range of real ales and beers. Within easy reach are several of the dales market towns where fresh meats, vegetables and home made produce can be purchased to take home and cook on the barbecue whilst relaxing in your enclosed garden with a well deserved glass of wine!

Best Western Ripon Spa Hotel is conveniently situated at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales and is surrounded by a wealth of historic houses and places of interest. The stunning hotel is decorated to a high standard and offers all modern conveniences in its 40 en-suite rooms. The beautiful Edwardian building stands out amidst perfectly landscaped gardens and provides a peaceful haven for visitors.

Thornton Lodge 5* Bed & Breakfast is a beautiful period building set in the stunning surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Accommodation is on a truly luxurious scale and offers fully en- suite rooms, four poster beds and even a large family suite. The lodge gardens are a wildlife haven and with all this on the doorstep it may prove very difficult to venture out and explore the rest of the area, or maybe that might take a few visits! The views across the dales are breathtaking and the situation is idyllic for that relaxing break or touring holiday to discover all that the north of England has to offer.

For your next UK holiday, come and try this wonderful region – you will not be disappointed.

John Shimeld is Managing Director at Stayin the Yorkshire Dales.

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Spain is known for its fantastic nightlife: staying out late, eating tapas, going to clubs and bars, socializing with friends until the early hours of the morning. Stores and businesses may close at a normal hour, but the rest of the city comes alive with an energetic vibe late at night. It doesn’t matter whether a tapas bar is situated on a large, busy road or a tiny, hidden cobblestone street, around 10 p.m. the crowds start pouring in and restaurants will be filled with a gentle rumble of voices and laughter for the rest of the night.

The nightlife in Spain is unlike any other and there are certain unique elements that make it an exciting and unforgettable experience.

Tapas

There are many theories to how tapas were created. Stories range from people placing food across the top of their drink to keep the fruit fly out, to a time when King Alfonso X visited a small inn in the Cadiz province of Southern Spain. Legend states that when the king ordered a glass of sherry the innkeeper placed a slice of ham over the drink to keep the gusty Cadiz winds from blowing anything into the glass. Once he finished, King Alfonso X ordered another drink, but this time he specifically asked for a tapa (or “cover”) to come with it.

Although there may not be agreement on the origin of tapas, we can all agree on one thing: tapas are delicious. They can consist of almost any kind of food: fish, vegetables, bread, meat, cheese, olives… What makes tapas unique is their size, which is about a quarter of a regular meal size. Ranging between 2€ and 5€, these small meals are perfect to share over drinks with friends.

Music and flamenco

A night out in Spain isn’t complete without little music and flamenco. Whether you are walking down the street at night or standing in a tapas bar with friends, you will always hear Spanish guitar and singing in the distance. Flamenco music and dancing also makes the nightlife in Spain so unique and full of life. There are plenty of incredible professional performances to see, but sometimes the best experiences with flamenco are in a more traditional setting: a crowded bar, eating tapas, drinking and spending time with friends. Squeeze your way to the front of the stage and witness an unforgettable display of passion and creativity.

Socializing

One of the greatest elements of the Spanish culture is the socialization. At night, many Spaniards go out to tapas bars with friends, family or co-workers. Sitting down and enjoying the night with others, rather than spending it hunched over a computer and working, is usually a priority in Spain. This healthy disconnect allows for the liveliness and spontaneity that is evident throughout Southern Spain. People talk, people listen, people laugh while savoring delicious tapas, tinto de verano and enjoying each other’s company. Another exciting element of Spanish nightlife is clubbing. On the weekends it is normal for some Spaniards to go to the clubs and discotheques around 2 or 3 a.m. and stay until 7 in the morning! What makes Spain unique is that some of the “nightlife” ends when other people are just starting their day.

Lindsey O’Connor is Chief Editor at Andalucia Inside.

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This November saw the unveiling of a new eco jungle-lodge in Peru’s Tambopata National Reserve. Hacienda Concepcion is the second property under the byInkaterra name, the sister brand to pioneering Peruvian ecotourism company Inkaterra Hotels. byInkaterra launched in 2010 to offer travellers to Peru a more immersive, guesthouse-style experience of the country, without compromising on the renowned quality of Inkaterra’s signature expert guiding or authentic Peruvian hospitality. The first lodge, El MaPi, a 48-room, contemporary designed hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo, opened last summer.

New lodge Hacienda Concepcion, located downriver from Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, boasts a guesthouse-style central lodge constructed of natural materials with 8 double rooms, a spacious bar and restaurant and views into the surrounding jungle. Evenings are punctuated by the sounds of the rainforest, with trails around the lodge illuminated by oil lanterns and candles. One of the first guests through the door was Mick Jagger, who booked the entire complex for his family on his recent tour of the country. Guests at Hacienda Concepcion can enjoy authentic Peruvian dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients and complimentary Pisco Sour cocktails at sundown. A shady pathway through rubber and cocoa trees leads to 7 individual cabanas built in the local tribal style set around a natural lake which attracts colourful exotic birds and many reptiles. IN line with Inkaterra’s reputation for conservation and investment in the local natural economy, the lodge is 100% carbon neutral and guests can undertake numerous discovery excursions into the rainforest to observe fauna, wildlife and indulge in twilight walks to spot fireflies, tarantulas, snakes and bushbabies, amongst others. There are also canoe trips down the nearby Madre de Dios river to track caiman and capybara as well as visits to the original Fitzcarrald shipwreck which inspired film director Werner Herzog’s award-winning movie “Fitzcarraldo”.

A 3 day/2 night package starts from $280 per person sharing a double room. Rate is on a full-board basis and includes round trip transportation by land and river, excursions to the canopy walkway, Inkaterra butterfly house and a trip to Lake Sandoval.

From the Monte Carlo casino to the five-star hotels on the Croisette, when it comes to luxury, the French Riviera has a lot to offer. Over 10 million tourists visit the Côte d’Azur for a holiday in the sun every year, but very few are lucky enough to experience the grandiose lifestyle that makes it so desirable. Here are five tips that will ensure you make the most of your luxury holiday in the South of France.

Timing is everything

There is one month in the year when everyone on the Riviera steps up their game to welcome the world’s glitterati—May. The Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix are two of the most globally publicised events, making the area the place to be for a couple of weeks. The best restaurants and nightlife venues migrate to short-term locations on the coast, giving visitors the opportunity to taste food prepared by top chefs and dance to mixes by hot DJs. Heaven’s Floor in Cannes and Amber Lounge in Monaco are among the most select clubs, and Alain Ducasse’s Electrolux Agora pop-up restaurant created a huge buzz last year.

Location, location, location

Although quite small, the Côte d’Azur offers a lot of variety when it comes to choosing where to stay, and there is a location for every type of holiday you can wish for. If you enjoy 24-hour activity and don’t feel like driving too much, book a hotel or a penthouse apartment on the Croisette in Cannes, or on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. Both the Carlton and the Negresco are registered historic monuments due to their beautiful architecture, and the Palais de la Méditerranée offers a terrace with a great sea view. All three hotels also have a selection of restaurants and bars accessible to the public. If what you’re looking for is a quiet haven away from the crowds, look along the cliff roads between Nice and Monaco. The area is home to some of the prettiest towns, including Villefranche, St Jean Cap Ferrat, Beaulieu and Eze, all full of sumptuous villas, more intimate than a hotel yet close to the beaches and other amenities. And for a real feel of Provence, go further inland; Grasse and its surroundings offer a choice of authentic village houses that will give you a taste of the history and traditions that made the Riviera what it is today.

Maximise the private beach experience

Beaches on the Côte d’Azur can get very crowded, so sometimes there is no better satisfaction than having one all to yourself for a day. A few restaurants in the Cannes area allow you to book private events for special occasions. La Guérite, on the Lérins Islands, offers a shuttle boat service to and from Cannes, and can take care of the whole organisation of your party, leaving you free to relax and enjoy the peacefulness of the islands with a panoramic view of Cannes.

See it from above

Spoiling yourself with a helicopter tour over the French Riviera is something you will never regret. From the azure of the Mediterranean to the majestic peaks of the Alps, the view is absolutely breathtaking. Various providers advertise transfers from Nice to St Tropez in less than half an hour, probably the most worthwhile trip as it would take you over the Esterel Mountains, its pine trees and red rocks— the natural jewel of the Riviera.

You ought to rent a yacht

There is a reason the area between Antibes and Juan les Pins is called Baie des Milliardaires (Billionaires’ Bay). The most luxurious way to enjoy the French Riviera is from the water. There you can appreciate the weather, the sea and the view, all from the quiet intimacy of your boat. To rent a yacht, you will need your passport and a deposit of about 50% of the total amount. There are a variety of sizes and charter durations available but Alexander J. Coles, senior charter broker at Moody Yachts France, recommends booking as far in advance as possible, as most summer charters are booked four to five months ahead. Taking the time to make your selection in advance will prove worth it, because with the perfect yacht, your trip will take on a completely different dimension.

Melodie Michel is Marketing Manager at Riviera Rental Guide.

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Please let me get some adjectives out of the way before I go on to give you a more factual report of staying at The Pavilions in Phuket. Amazing, wonderful, fun, incredible, entertaining, educational, friendly, interesting, luxurious, impeccable, beautiful, spacious, different, comfortable, exciting, relaxing. Are you getting the gist of it yet?

The Pavilions is a 5-star boutique hotel that’s a member of the Relais & Châteaux association of luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants worldwide. It has 48 private pool villas with ocean views or hillside panoramas. It’s built on a steep hillside but there’s no problem in getting around. They have plenty of electric buggies (just phone guest services and ask for one) and for the newer hillside villas there’s even a cable car which you can summon at the press of a button. The cable car isn’t anything scary, it’s just a walk-in-walk-out cabin that takes you up or down to wherever you want to go.

We found it a great advantage to be on higher ground at The Pavilions rather than a sea-level resort, because we benefited from the cool sea breezes despite the tropical humidity lower down. The ambient temperature was so comfortable we didn’t even bother with the air conditioner most of the time, even though it was a fairly hot time of year in Phuket. If you’re a beach person, don’t worry because The Pavilions offers a free shuttle service to and from their own private beach just five minutes’ drive away. You can enjoy the best of both worlds this way.

We had an ocean view villa and even though we had the opportunity to look around the other Pavilions properties, which included penthouses, three-bedroom villas and very stylish newer villas, I liked ‘our’ place the best. I don’t want to tell you that Villa 9 is the very best because I’d prefer to keep that as an insider secret.

The Pavilions is primarily a resort for couples. It’s about romance and passion. Children aren’t allowed. (Yippee!)

Passion lies at the heart of what The Pavilions offers. Perhaps you’re passionate about art, music, dance or adventure. There really is something for everyone here. You can create your own perfume with guidance from a Master, ride on an elephant, have a chocolate spa treatment, learn yoga, indulge in body painting, or even learn about primordial sound meditation. The resort has Masters in all of these activities.

Have you ever snorted chocolate? Apparently it’s legal. Master chocolatier Laurent Bernard fed us with some wonderful chocolates, which he’d made himself, and then invited us to try sniffing chocolate. Now that sounds weird, doesn’t it? What you do is to put a little bit of cocoa powder blended with another flavour, such as raspberry or ginger, onto a special gadget that fires it up both nostrils (sniff hard for the full experience!) and having sniffed it, you can taste the chocolate. It was fun but also demonstrates how much your sense of smell is related to your sense of taste. Magnifique!

The food at The Pavilions was always excellent. And I didn’t complain about the fact that they had Champagne on the breakfast menu. Ooh, such decadence. I loved it! I hadn’t realised before how a glass of fizz along with the Eggs Benedict could set you up for the day. Chef Alec Lomas, a Californian and an honours graduate of Vancouver’s Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, is very interested in organic foods. That’s his passion. There’s some controversy around whether organics are better for you and if they really taste better. I won’t go into that argument here. Suffice to say that I ate and enjoyed more food at The Pavilions than I normally would when visiting any restaurant.

The 360° Bar at the top of the hill is a wonderful place. As the name implies, it offers a panoramic view of the hills and valleys of the island of Phuket to the north, east and south and of the sea to the west – which makes it the perfect place to view the glorious sunsets over the Andaman Sea. What the name doesn’t reveal is that you can also order delicious bar meals and tapas from the kitchen and grill, as well as some of the most sensational cocktails around. Both of us loved the Hex Appeal, flavoured with a fiery blend of kaffir lime and chilli. We also tried tequila shooters with chocolate. Hmm, I’ll try just about anything once. As was the case throughout the resort, the staff were very friendly as well as being efficient. They were fun people to be around and this added to the ambience.

The main restaurant is housed in The Pavilions’ Plantation Club. This is perhaps the true heart of the resort as it also houses a colonial-style bar – with complimentary English-style high tea every afternoon – and a library where you can borrow books, CDs and DVDs to enjoy in your villa, or surf the Web (although you can do that in your villa too – there’s free WiFi in all of them). The dining room has views over the hills of central Phuket and Layan Bay. The large floor-to-ceiling windows are actually French windows and can be drawn fully back, so diners don’t have to choose between outdoor and indoor seating – they can have the benefits of both at the same time!

The Plantation Club also has an outdoor stage, located in easy view of both the restaurant dining room and the terrace below, and this was the setting for some amazing entertainment in the evenings too. On the evening of our first full day there, two Chinese drummers held all of us diners enthralled by a dazzling performance of perfectly synchronised rhythms. They were then joined by a Chinese orchestra who serenaded us beautifully through dinner. I’d expected the drummers would be men, but to my slight surprise one of them was a very talented young lady, Cheryl, who for me was the star of the show. You can see her below – she’s in blue, between Tat-Leong Sweeting (PR guru for The Pavilions, in green) and Jean-Christophe Nager (General Manager of The Pavilions).

Afterwards, two Cantonese opera singers sang a famous duet, “The Parting Song of Love”, between a Chinese princess and a warrior from a barbarian state who had rescued her from drowning. The couple fell in love and married, but the princess was forced to leave her husband after the Emperor threatened war with the barbarian state if she did not return to China. Sad, but very beautiful – as were the elaborate costumes and make-up, which we were told took two-and-a-half hours to put on.

We also watched and listened to some flamenco performers – two dancers and a guitarist – the following evening and that was a lot of fun too. A big cultural contrast from the previous evening’s entertainment, but every bit as enthralling!

It was particularly good to be able to have the opportunity to meet and talk with these entertainers after they’d done their performances. And, of course, the entertainment is all linked to the Passions programme, so you can be taught by them too if music and dance are passions of yours.

There are several ways to enjoy Passions at The Pavilions, by joining one of the pre-arranged Passions weekends, or by arranging a corporate event, or even by arranging your own bespoke Passions programme according to your interests.

You can read more about the Passions programme on The Pavilions’ website:
http://www.thepavilionsresorts.com/phuket-passions/

Just in time for fashion season this September, Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize is delighted to announce the launch of their new limited edition cocktail menu, to honour the 5 shortlisted designers for the 2011 Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize.  The prize was launched last year to aid up-and-coming designers getting their foot on the notoriously competitive fashion ladder. This year, cocktails have been fashioned to reflect the five designers’ work and will be available exclusively at those Dorchester Collection hotels located in the world’s fashion capitals: London, Paris and Milan. These hotel bars are hugely popular places to drink during the upcoming fashion weeks.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is a place of staggering beauty and endless outdoor adventure. World-class downhill and cross country skiing. Snowshoeing. Trail riding. River tubing. Kayaking. Hot air ballooning. Hiking to hidden hot springs, swimming in sunlit alpine lakes. Golf, hunting, parasailing, fly fishing, snowmobiling. And the list goes on. All of it takes place within an Eden-like realm of towering mountains, deep wilderness and wide open plains. The air in Jackson Hole is sweet and dry as Champagne, the snowfall is positively epic, and Class-1 trout streams beribbon the valley floor. Heaven, as they say, on earth.

And yet this wild wonderland is just as stylish and sophisticated and as anywhere in the world – Jackson Holers don’t see much point in putting up walls between nature and culture. In downtown Jackson, top-notch dining, theatre, art, dance and music happily coexist with cowboy boots, wagon rides, antler archways, and a beloved ice cream store called “Moo’s.”
Jackson Hole, no stranger to luxury, is a place where movie stars and ranch hands raise a glass together around the sushi bar one night, and the campfire the next. You can rent a cabin in the woods as easily as a ranch complete with stable and horses, or a grand mountain estate. Options abound.

The Four Seasons, right in the middle of Teton Village, is pure, unadulterated ski-in, ski-out indulgence for the sporting set. The restaurant and bar are fantastic, of course, and the Four Seasons’ legendary, superlative service is manifest at every turn. Sleek, modern western décor, a sumptuous spa and a year-round, heated outdoor pool make The Four Seasons a very popular choice, with a loyal guest list.

Amangani – the renowned Aman Resorts retreat – sits perched on a butte high above the valley, with panoramic views and an atmophere of quiet, gorgeous serenity. A triumph of modern design, everything at Amangani is of superb quality, from the linens on the beds to the art on the walls. Amangani’s zen-like spa and beauty salon are legendary, as is the long, heated infinity pool which reflects the sky and the mountains. Spacious suites and contemporary villas can be rented for weeks at a time.

If you plan on visiting for more than a couple of days – and it would take a month in both summer and winter to really “do” Jackson Hole – the best way is with a private rental house of your own. From there you can go anywhere, and come back home at the end of the day. There are reputable property management companies that can find you the house of your dreams, stock it with food, flowers and lift tickets, arrange everything from dinner reservations to heli-skiing lessons… and even turn down the beds at night.

Since fall, winter, spring and summer are all stunning in Jackson Hole – and since every season brings its own unique outdoor adventures – there’s no time like the present to visit.

Betsy Stevenson is a Partner at The Clear Creek Group.

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With a name like One&Only, you really can’t afford to have too many properties in your portfolio, and true to the name, this luxury hotel brand feature just seven luxury spa hotels worldwide.

Dubai is the only place in the world to boast two One&Only resorts; the distinctive Royal Mirage featuring three separate accommodation wings (The Palace, Arabian Court & the Residence & Spa) and The Palm located close to the Atlantis Resort. Having visited the former I can vouch for its elegance and understated, tasteful luxury. This is a very fine place to stay, not too stuffy – it’s unmistakeably classy but not in an inaccessible way. The lawns and grounds are immaculate, the pool areas beckon you in, and the Arabian styled guest rooms are lavish in just the right measure.

The Palm is a relatively new offering, and is clearly visible across the water from the Beach Bar & Grill located at the Royal Mirage. When I visited it was in was in the final throws of completion awaiting a soft opening, but 12 months on from that its flourishing with rave reviews. No surprises there.

Leaving the Middle East for the Indian Ocean (as many honeymooners do for an ideal twin centre holiday) you will find a One&Only presence at both Mauritius and the Maldives.  One&Only Maldives at Reethi Rah is one of the best loved of all of their resorts, and a true favourite on dedicated luxury hotel review sites like Been, as well as Tripadvisor. Located in the North Male Atoll this multi award winning all-villa resort symbolises casual elegance to a tee. An international tennis academy, modern Japanese sushi restaurant and minimum villa size of 135 square metres are just a few of the things you can expect to enjoy whilst here.

Their highly coveted offering in Mauritius is equally as impressive, the slightly larger, French styled Le Saint Géran which features 175 rooms and suites set in a 60 acre site on the east coast of the island. A dedicated kite surfing centre, an Alain Ducasse acclaimed 3 Michelin starred restaurant, and a Gary Player designed golf course are key elements of this fine escape.

That leaves three hotels to tell you about, the newest of which I shall leave until last.  If anyone has seen the movie Casino Royale, you will have also seen the One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas which was featured for filming of this hugely successful British film.  An outstanding address in the Bahamas, Ocean Club is set on perfectly manicured grounds which overlook the stunning golden sand beach and sparkling Atlantic Ocean from an enviable position. Bond checks into an Ocean View Suite here, but he spends too much time playing poker and not enough time exploring the Balinese spa concept, pools and water sports of this luxury retreat.

A resort that should rank highly on anybody’s list of  ’must visits’ is Palmilla at Los Cabos in Mexico. All the charm and attraction of Mexico combined with the ambiance of an O&O resort makes for an intriguing combination. Highlights here include the Charlie Trotter restaurant C and the Jack Nicklaus designed golf course which features breath taking ocean vistas and no less than 27 holes. There’s also a romantic chapel for weddings and events.

The portfolio is completed in South Africa at One&Only Cape Town, a marvellous city hotel graced by Gordon Ramsay’s Maze Restaurant and the largest rooms and suites to be found in the ‘Mother City’. All rooms look out to the harbour and Table Mountain and guests must try to take a trip to the Spa Island for a massage with a difference. By night you can sample some of the finest wines of the country in the 5,000 bottle Wine Loft which acts as a Sommelier led walk in wine list for guests dining at Maze.

To summise, each of One&Only’s seven hotels are uniquely different, embodying facets of the culture of their location, whilst being underpinned by seemingly effortless service, tasteful decor and resounding helping of style with substance.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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Penang has a reputation for being a food lover’s paradise. Really? I’ve looked hard but very rarely seen it, and that’s despite being a nomadic gourmet who likes to try all kinds of new things. I’m always on the lookout for exceptional places which provide an oasis from the usual fare. And I have just found one!

I’m delighted to share my good fortune with you, our luxury travel readers. It’s That Little Wine Bar in George Town, Penang. The wine bar is tucked down a side-street a little way out from the old town, so it’s unlikely you’ll find this place unless you go looking for it. Of course, once you know where to look, it’s very easy to find and only a short taxi ride from any George Town hotel.

This European-style boutique wine bar and lounge provides excellent wines and delicious food in a very comfortable and relaxed environment. It’s a relatively new place and is run by Louise, front of house, and Chef Tommes, who together with their very able and friendly staff have created a congenial atmosphere in which to enjoy good food and wine. The wine bar is consistently receiving great reviews on Trip Advisor, which was another reason why I was so keen to try the place.

After being greeted at the door by Louise and seated inside at a large comfortable table, we started off with a friendly conversation about wine. Louise is an enthusiast and an expert and we are certainly enthusiastic about wine too. We like a nice crisp dry white wine (perhaps typically a New World Sauvignon Blanc). Louise asked our opinions on Chardonnay and we said that we had gone off it some time ago when over-oaked, flabby Australian and Californian Chardonnays had become so prevalent everywhere. She suggested we could try a Chardonnay which would maybe entice us back to the grape. We were very willing to try.

We were impressed! The wine was excellent and definitely not over-oaked, crisp and dry, and we now think Chardonnay may well make a comeback, just as Louise predicts. The wine in question was Austrian, a Chardonnay from Claus Preisinger’s biodynamic vineyard. (I wasn’t sure what biodynamic farming was, so I looked it up. Apparently it’s similar to organic farming, but goes one stage further by actively replenishing the soil’s fertility.)

Rather than order a more formal three-course meal each, we expressed an interest in trying things by sharing our plates. Louise and Tommes were happy to oblige us. We started with mushroom soup, which was described as being a light soup, and it certainly made a change from the mushroom cappuccino which seems to have become so popular. The soup was light, in as much as it was a clear broth rather than a creamed soup, but it was bursting with flavour and had plenty of mushrooms in it and a subtle taste of Parmesan and herbs. I spotted about five different kinds of mushrooms in there, including slices of those big eryngii mushrooms and plenty of enoki too. It was really very good.

Next we tried the seared tuna, with black and white sesame seeds, which was absolutely delicious. It came beautifully presented, with little jasmine flowers, which apparently are edible. Lovely! The tuna was placed atop thin, thin disks of daikon radish, which added an interesting complexity, and a ginger-based sauce. We were supposed to be sharing but I must confess I rather took the lion’s share of this one.

Next up came black cod, beautifully cooked, with Pommery sauce, which was a fairly delicate mushroom sauce. We loved it. It was accompanied by cauliflower purée and vegetables, and the pea sprouts round the edges perfectly set it off. The flavours were subtle and the fish was fantastically moist. This was truly fish cookery at its absolute best.

By this time, we had moved on to red wine – a 2004 Madiran. Ooh! Seriously good with so many flavours going on in there. The Madiran vineyard’s been producing wine since the fourth century BC, so they’ve had plenty of time to perfect it.

Then we had a superb piece of crusted beef tenderloin, with Mushrooms Royale, special mash and a red wine sauce. It was so perfectly cooked, I can hardly do justice to it with words. Chef Tommes, as well as being amiable and informative, is one of the most talented chefs whose food we’ve had the privilege to eat.

For dessert we had filo apple parcels with macadamia ice-cream and whipped cream. It was gorgeous with a nice hint of cinnamon in the apples, and despite it being pastry, ice cream, and whipped cream, it was surprisingly very light.

If this has whetted your appetite you can find That Little Wine Bar’s menu online, as well as their extensive and fascinating wine list. In addition to their usual menu, they also hold regular wine tastings, food and wine pairings, and fine dining events. There are also two private dining rooms, each with their own private balconies, for parties of 10-12 people. The private dining rooms offer a more extensive and refined bistro menu.

We had a wonderful evening and I’d recommend this place to any luxury traveller who is looking for something a bit more special than the usual culinary offerings of Penang.

So, next time you’re in Penang and looking for something delightfully different, head on over to That Little Wine Bar. You’re in for a gourmet treat!

1. Club 55 – the classic place to sip Champagne and enjoy a long lunch.

2. Brigitte Bardot exhibition – visit from 23rd June to 31st October 2011.

3. Nikki Beach – perfect to people watch and lounge in the sun.

4. & 5. Wine tours – visit Chateau Minuty vineyard in the harbour for an aperitif, watch the yachts come into moor, then head to its’ sister restaurant Grand Joseph for dinner in one of St Tropez hot spot restaurants.

6. Marineland – great fun for all the family, try swimming with the dolphins or a VIP dinner and evening show.

7. Hire a boat – arrive at the beach in style or just to avoid the traffic.

8. Visit the ‘Le Musée de l’Annonciade‘  - a collection of avant garde paintings ranging from the 1890 to 1950.

9. Le Lagon – perfect for a lazy lunch,  try their signature salad: king prawns, pink grapefruit and avocado – it is stunning.

10. St Tropez market – soak up the local atmosphere every Tuesday and Saturday morning.

Ceri Tinley is the Co-Founder and MD of Consensio Holidays.

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I was sent down to London recently on a two day conference and tasked with finding a reasonably priced hotel close to where I was working and also finding somewhere to eat at night that wouldn’t break the bank.

After several fruitless online searches I reserved a room at a small B&B by the name of Regency Hotel located at Nottingham Place just a stone’s throw from Baker Street and the shops and bars of Marylebone High Street. It proved to be a good little find.

I was in the territory of Holmes and Watson, but thankfully there were no hounds on this particular visit.

An immaculate collection of three storey townhouses lined the street and the Regency occupied one of these. Whilst certainly not being what you’d call luxurious, the hotel provided me with a clean, comfortable and soundly located base for me to attend my conferences whilst offering a bounty of choice in terms of places to dine at night.

Now, when you are dining alone you don’t always fancy doing anything too flouncy. I didn’t want to go into a restaurant with couples and sit at a table by myself to eat. I told myself I wanted a nice pint of real ale and a hearty meal to accompany. But first I needed to check out some of the pubs and build up my appetite.

First port of call was dropping in at the Prince Regent, a pub that I could tell from the outside I’d like just by looking at it. Its hanging baskets and dark panel beamed exterior opened onto a smallish pub with ’snug’ and old style ladies ‘opium room’. A good start, I thought.

After sampling the London Pride I quizzed a local on good places to dine expecting him to come back with the nearby Italian restaurant or Indian across the road that I’d spied on the walk from the hotel. Far from it. ‘Head to The Gunmakers‘ I was told, because ‘the food there is amazing’ and with that ringing endorsement I finished my drink and wandered back outside.

Next stop was The Marylebone, a slightly more upmarket pub but this time busier and frequented by young professionals who’d just finished their working day. A nice environment for a quick drink and I walked on, taking a detour up a side street to look in the window of a deli whose aromas had grabbed my attention.

Glancing across the road I spotted The Gunmakers, it was fate! So I headed over there to find a cosy pub with original features, a good range of ales, wines and spirits and live cricket being screened on the televisions. I was in hogs heaven.

The menu seemed to revel in London charm, featuring such delights as pie and mash with ‘liquor’, and beer battered cod with ‘real English chips’. I plumped for the homemade burger and when it arrived it not only looked amazing but the flavours were sensational, a beautiful blend of spices, herbs and succulent beef. I don’t do burgers often, but when I do, this is what they should taste like.

Simple pleasures are what define us as Englishmen and women. Now, you might read through this and think, ‘hang on, you’ve done a blog about going to London, staying in a B&B, going to a few pubs and having a burger’ and you’d be right. Well yes, that’s exactly what I’ve done… but remember this, luxury comes in all different shapes and sizes, and can often creep up on you when you least expect it.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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No matter where you live in the northern hemisphere, it’s hard get away from summer’s annoying — and at times downright oppressive — heat and humidity. As a former resident of Charleston, South Carolina, I can attest to the crankiness that takes over in June and lasts until late September, when daily life becomes a sprint from one air-conditioned space to another.

Fortunately for us in the Southeast, we had an easy respite in nearby Asheville, North Carolina, a fun and funky town nestled in the heart of the Smoky Mountains. From outdoor hikes to spa forays, dips in cool creeks to whitewater trips on Class Four rapids, a retreat to this cool clime was unarguably built in to nearly everyone’s hot weather schedule. And although Asheville has always been on Southerner’s collective summer radar, only in the last several decades has the rest of the country—and indeed the world—discovered the quaint region, resulting in a boon of new luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and an eyebrow-raising dining scene that is quickly finding its way onto “best of” lists from coast to coast.

So when it comes time to escape Mother Nature’s wrath, head for the mountains around Asheville, and check out these five cool sights and scenes.

Art to start

It’s hard to miss the giant purple bus zooming around the city, as well as the obviously riotous time going on inside it. LaZoom offers over-the-top tours mixing history with vaudeville, thrills with theater. New this summer, the company will run art tours around the city, paying visits to dozens of galleries in the River Arts District and West Asheville. Led by local artists, the two-and-a-half hour tours feature live music on board, food and drink, and discounts on purchases at any of the studio stops.

Settle in

Grab a room at the 1913 Grove Park Inn, an Arts and Craft-style icon with a 40,000-square-foot subterranean spa, a 110-year-old golf course, dual world-class restaurants, and unparalleled mountain views. A retreat for presidents and princes, celebrities and sports stars, the spa offers equal parts solace and energy, from long massages to hot soaks to aromatherapy treatments.

Take a drive

Should you be fortunate enough to have a room at one of the decadent resorts around Asheville, inquire as to the possibility of renting a convertible— the Grove Park offers up BMWs for guests — and take a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the planet’s most beautiful spots. If you’re feeling hearty, park near one of the dozens of trailheads and take a picnic lunch on top of a soaring peak, in a gorge crisscrossed with tranquil creeks, or under a tree in a sprawling field of wildflowers.

Eat, drink, and be merry

With the burgeoning reputation of Asheville as a world-class destination, the restaurant industry has responded with a host of new places to indulge your gourmet tendencies. Some of the newest are Curate — Catalonia-style tapas paired with sangria made tableside; Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro, which offers up some truly scintillating entrees alongside a dizzying array of tequilas, rums, and hand-crafted cocktails; and The Magnetic Field, where dinner and a show takes on a whole new meaning with all-original plays as well as poetry slams, storytelling nights, comedy, and live music.

Get an altitude adjustment

Imagine three hours of zip-lining across valley floors and lush forests and rappelling down hundred-foot cliffs. Now imagine doing it at night. For the ultimate taste of adventure, book an excursion with one of the half-dozen outfitters scattered around Asheville, the perfect complement to a vacation of high living.

Peter Rerig is a Senior Writer for Vacations.com.

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Courchevel 1850 has long been the St Tropez of the French Alps; this high altitude resort ensures a long snow sure season and is the most famous of all the resorts within the vast Three Valleys ski area. However it isn’t just the skiing which has turned this into a world renowned resort – the shopping, bars and restaurants are first class.

Lunch on the piste reaches a whole different level with Le Cap Horn, located by the Altiport, which serves seafood and Asian dishes and has a DJ on the terrace. Le Chalet de Pierres to be found on the side of the piste is famous for its alfresco lunches and has puddings to die for. However if you have to look at the prices you can’t afford it!

Skiing for all levels can be found in and around Courchevel 1850. The Saulire area is the largest and busiest and can be reached from the centre of 1850 by way of a cluster of gondolas and a cable-car, the wide pistes returning to resort are ideal for beginners. When you reach the peak of Saulire you can either ski down into Méribel and onwards to the Val Thorens valley. For those more experienced skiers the black Les Suisses is fabulous first thing, more challenging are the Courchevel Couloirs, three narrow corridors of snow between the rocks: Emile Allais, Grand Couloir, and Sous le Téléphérique. The Col de la Loze area can be easily reached and takes you towards La Tania which has gently wooded slopes perfect for bad weather.

Apres ski is a must on any ski trip but here the choice of drink in this resort is Champagne and specialist Vodka for the Russian visitors. The most popular destinations post ski are Le Jump Bar and Le Milk; however a favourite for later on is Les Caves de Courchevel.

If you like Michelin starred restaurants then you can pick from either Le Chabichou which serves inventive regional cuisine in a traditionally-decorated, family friendly atmosphere or Le Bateau Ivre which can be found in the Hotel Pomme de Pin which has inspirational cooking in an elegant atmosphere.

Ceri Tinley is the Co-Founder and MD of Consensio Holidays.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

With the Olympics coming to London next year there will be thousands more visitors than usual in an already busy city throughout the Summer. As well as the sports fans, competitors and accompanying family and friends, there will also be dignitaries, government officials, leaders of industry and a host of VIPs who will want to enjoy the spirit of the games.

London is a beautiful city in Summer: the green spaces come alive with activities and events and the tended gardens, particularly Kew and Hampton Court Palace, are at their best. As well as the parks and gardens, the architecture of the city is a real highlight, which ranges from Romanesque and Georgian splendour to contemporary structures such as 30 St Mary Axe. More commonly known as ‘The Gherkin’, it was created by Sir Norman Foster’s award-winning team of architects and is renowned for its distinct silhouette.

To get the most out of visiting a major city such as London, New York or Paris it’s necessary to know what’s going on, plan, and book a long time in advance. Having lived in London for years, I’ve put together a list of things I can recommend as perfect diversions if you’re in the city next year.

1. Tea at The Ritz

The epitome of all that is quintessentially English, afternoon tea at The Ritz is a must. Served in the Palm Court of the Ritz Hotel you can choose from several varieties of tea and a mouth watering menu of finger sandwiches, fruit scones with preserves and clotted cream, followed by cakes and pastries. The Ritz does insist on formal dress in the public areas of the hotel. Denim and sports shoes are strictly forbidden and they recommend booking up to 12 weeks in advance in the high season.

2. Les Trois Garcons

This little known restaurant is an undiscovered gem in Shoreditch. Located in a converted public house on Club Row the owners have put together something that is quite unique in its almost surreal opulence. Dine from a fine menu while being observed by stuffed tigers in tiaras and crowned gorillas. The service offers everything you would expect from any of the best restaurants in any city. Previous diners include Madonna and Donatella Versace, so who knows who might drop in.

3. The London Eye

For an unrivalled opportunity to gaze out over London, a ride on the London Eye is something nobody should miss. There is a Champagne experience where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly as your capsule makes its way over the city. But if you’re after a really special occasion, you can book a private capsule, which includes Pommery Brut Royal Champagne and priority boarding pass as well as a guide to point out all the sights.

An interesting alternative to the Eye is The Monument to the Great Fire of London. Located near the point where the Great Fire started, the Doric column stands 202 feet tall. It was built by Sir Christopher Wren in 1677 and has 311 steps to climb. As you climb the cantilevered steps looking down is truly terrifying given the claustrophobic nature of such a confined space, but once you reach the top you stand under an urn of golden fire and can see all of London’s most famous landmarks and the Thames.

4. Tate Modern/Tate Britain

The Tate Modern occupies the former Bankside Power Station on the south bank of the Thames. Designed by Herzog & de Meuron (who won the contract by opting to keep the iconic central chimney on the north wall), the gallery receives 4.7 million visitors a year and hosts exhibitions of the best international modern art. Tate Britain, formerly know simply as the Tate Gallery, houses British art from 1500 to today. As well as exhibiting art from galleries the world over the world, it also owns pieces by some of the most famous artists ever to have worked, including Dali, Picasso, Matisse and Mondrian. The gallery also plays host to the Whitbread Prize for Modern Art each year.

5. Claridge’s

Synonymous with the zenith of quality hotels; Claridge’s not only offers luxury accommodation and the finest dining, but also offers to show you how to emulate its style and grace. Claridge’s staff give master classes in building bouquets, mixing the perfect Pimms and cocktails, as well as cooking grouse pie and canapés. So while you stay in its fabulously styled art deco rooms and eat in one of Gordon Ramsay’s dining rooms, you can learn a few tips, which will allow you to bring some of Claridge’s style to your own home.

6. River Cruises

Many of London’s most prized buildings were built to be viewed from the river as much as from the land, so taking a cruise will give a delightful perspective that people on tour buses or seeing the city by foot rarely get to enjoy. If you travel beyond the city limits you sail through some of the most picturesque countryside England has to offer. Heading westward you’ll glide past Kew Royal Botanic Gardens to the port side with Syon Park to starboard, a little further on and you’ll see Hampton Court Palace, former home to Henry VIII, then past Bushy Park. If you have time you could go as far as Windsor, past Egham with the Polish War Memorial and Runnymede which saw the signing of the Magna Carter. Once in Windsor a visit to England’s oldest continuously inhabited castle is not to be missed.

7. Sanderson’s Agua Spa

Located on Berners Street, Agua is a 10,000 square foot luxury spa in the heart of London. It provides an oasis of peace and tranquillity in one of the most vibrant cities in the world. There is a dizzying array of treatments available, both ancient and modern to allow you to take some time for yourself. There are fourteen treatment rooms, a chill-out zone and meditation area. The miles of floor-to-ceiling curtains lend a cloud-like feel to the whole environment.

8. Nightclubs and Bars

If you’re in the mood for going out, London offers some of the best nightclubs in Europe. If you’re looking for a big night out there’s Fabric and Ministry Of Sound, two clubs that have become so successful as labels it’s almost possible to forget they were ever clubs at all. If, on the other hand you’re looking for something a little quieter, a little more exclusive, then there are clubs like Annabel’s and China White. Annabel’s is so exclusive that they forego having any frontage so it may be a little difficult to find. China White is well known as a haunt of the celebrities; with a capacity of just 500 they are currently inviting applications for membership.

Luke McCormick is Channel Editor at WEXAS.

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An island of guilty pleasures, Grand Cayman is one of the most luxurious destinations in the Caribbean. The option to effortlessly explore many of the island’s natural and manmade treasures is the very thing which makes Grand Cayman a seductive place to visit. Known for its delectable cuisine, the island lures some of the best chefs in the world, making it a foodie’s playground for international fare and seafood dishes. Safe and friendly, the popular “seven-mile” stretch of shoreline is flanked with a mix of ritzy hotels, fabulous restaurants, and a fun nightlife scene. Whether you are swimming with stingrays, or soaking in the sun at the posh Ritz Carlton, the experiences of the Cayman Islands will not disappoint.

Dining at La Dolce Vita

One of the best dining experiences on Grand Cayman is at a restaurant in Georgetown (on North Street) called La Dolce Vita. Among the many lavish places to dine, this Italian restaurant, owned by a family from the Piemonte region, stood out. The gnocchi were utterly tender, melt-in-your-mouth good, and the calamari and caprese salad superb.

Visit the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

This beautiful wilderness preserve (approx. 60 acres) offers a scenic trail through wetland, cactus thicket, orchids and bromeliads, buttonwood swamp and patches of mahogany trees. While exploring the park, visitors may encounter possible sightings of the anole lizard, chickatees, the endangered blue iguana (the last blue iguana in the world), and a variety of bird life species. The Floral Colour Garden, traditional Cayman home and lake are all worth strolling to during you visit.

Taking in the Night Scene

In the evenings, after the sun withdraws its streaming rays from the pearly shores, hit the lively streets and head to Decker’s Grille and Lounge. This open-air bar plays a rhythmic mix of salsa, reggae, and French creole music. The blood orange mojitos are divine and the bartenders, friendly and informative. The most attractive part of this sultry lounge is the great crowd and its proximity to most hotels on Seven-Mile beach.

Petting Stingrays

Although it may be cliché to do this, I recommend the experience because it is sublime. Petting eight-foot stingrays, while standing on the edge of a natural sandbar in the middle of the clear Caribbean Sea, is one of those truly memorable travel moments. As one of Cayman’s biggest attractions, private tours to Stingray City can be easily arranged at any luxury hotel on the island.

Have a Picnic on Owen Island

Easily one of the most stunning beaches in the Caribbean, Owen Island, is the perfect place to have a picnic. The island’s soft, white sand and blue lagoon whisks away any lingering stress from your demanding lifestyle at home. If you plan a day trip to Little Cayman (which I strongly recommend) you can go by rowboat (Owen Island is approx. 590 ft. off the shores of Little Cayman) and have your lunch at a secluded spot under swaying, fringed palm trees.

Maria Russo is the Editor-in-Chief at Memoirs of a Travel & Food Addict.

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