Situated five metres below sea level, Ithaa is an underwater restaurant in the Maldives, surrounded by a coral reef at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island in Rangalifinolhu. It has a 270-degree tranlucent acrylic roof, giving diners an incredible view of their submarine surroundings. The menu offers a Maldavian-Western fusion with the cost of a meal there typically being in the $150-$250 price range.
For more information, see their YouTube video:
The Ritz Restaurant presents a new series of summer menus featuring some of the London’s finest cuisine from Executive Chef John Williams and his team. Indulge in a three course Lunch du Jour Menu (which changes daily) for £36. You may choose to treat yourself to a range of aperitifs on offer from the Champagne and white wine trolley, or with the especially selected wines by the glass designed to accompany the Menu du Jour dishes.
In the evening, a three course Dinner du Jour Menu is £45, and a four course Dinner Menu at £65 are available from Sundays to Thursdays. Dinner and Dancing on Fridays and Saturdays provide another unique and memorable experience at £85 per person.
Visit http://www.theritzlondon.com/restaurant/menu.asp to view their new summer menus. For reservations please call The Ritz Restaurant on +44 (0)20 7493 8181.
One of the most famous hotels in Tenerife, The Gran Hotel Bahía del Duque has finally launched their new Luxury Villas, decorated by the famous Spanish designer Pascua Ortega. The 40 new villas include all the necessary “must haves”, private infinity pool, tropical garden, concierge, butler services, a la carte aromatherapy baths, state of the art Bang & Olufsen music equipment and the opportunity to dine in Las Aguas one of the most prestigious restaurants in Tenerife, run by Salvador Gallego holder of a Michelin Star.
Forget about rising oil prices and airline costs, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico offers guests a 50% savings with money for shopping and spa visits during their stay. Guests can enjoy the $250 credit per suite at the boutique or Grand Velas Spa. For one all-inclusive price, the resort also features luxurious ocean-view accommodations, a la carte dining at three gourmet restaurants, 24-hour in-suite service, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, unlimited premium brands throughout the hotel, a guided hydrotherapy circuit, nightly entertainment at the lobby bar, and more. Through October 31st, the Grand Credit is available to guests booking a minimum of three nights in a parlor or master suite for $317 USD per person per night, based on double occupancy. Children 12 and under are $98 per night.
Aqua Cancun has a special 4-day package available, called ‘Savory Indulgence’. Enter the promo code PROMFB0006 and for a package price of $1605 you could be enjoying a Deluxe Ocean Front Suite, airport transfers, two welcome cocktails and a tequila or wine tasting, buffet breakfast, a menu tasting, a three-course meal at their on-site celebrity restaurant and 50 minutes of yoga or a 50-minute massage. The offer is based on double occupancy and available through until 20th December 2008.
A few days ago, I explained how you could stay at The Venetian in Las Vegas for just $99. This time it’s Miami’s turn, with an opening offer (despite the hotel in question having opened 3 months ago!) from Gansevoort South. No further details are given in the promotional email that details the offer, other than the accompanying message of “reservations based on availability”, so contact the hotel for further details. Apparently hotel guests also get a 15% discount at the hotel’s Philippe Chow restaurant, and a 25% discount at the hotels’ Cutler salon during its opening month.
As one of the most luxurious hotel and golf resorts in the world, the five-star Adare Manor offers 62 bedrooms in an elegantly appointed manor house, as well as 11 Clubhouse bedrooms, 22 two- and four-bedroom townhouses adjacent to the Clubhouse and 46 three-bedroom villas. In addition to golf, this community resort offers a variety of fine dining options, an elegant spa, and outstanding fishing on the Maigue. Other activities and amenities include cycling, archery, hiking, shooting sports, and an equestrian centre.
Enjoy a relaxing break in The Mount Somerset, a beautiful Regency house hotel, and prepare yourselves for the culinary delight ahead with a 7-course gourmet taster menu for all you ‘foodies’. To find out about the range of breaks available, visit their website.
There is a very short distance from garden to table for Drake diners this growing season. Every square foot of sunny soil in the backyard is brimming with bushels of herbs, edible flowers, heirloom tomatoes, chili plants, radishes and greens. Nothing beats the flavour of home-grown herbs, fruit and veggies and the pleasure of handpicking produce and putting it straight to your lips. Come and enjoy Drake’s garden to table dining all spring, summer and well into the harvest season.
Topaz, the new restaurant in the heart of Istanbul is the city’s latest place to be and to be seen while it indulges its guests culinarily and visually. The atmosphere of the restaurant as well as the subtle décor designed by Koray Ozgen reflects the calming and relaxation effects of the Topaz stone. It is therefore, the perfect backdrop for lunch or dinner after the hustle and bustle of the city. With a breathtaking view of the Bosphorus and its unique floor to ceiling glass windows, Topaz offers changing renowned guest chefs who indulge their guests with a unique menu, combining traditional Ottoman recipes with modern day Mediterranean influences. Topaz’s cuisine in combination with one of the most extensive wine cellars to be found in Istanbul makes it one of the most exciting new restaurants in the city.
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…
Reserve a table at the The Inn at Langley’s restaurant and be prepared to experience culinary nirvana and discover for yourself why it consistently receives a ZAGAT rating of Extraordinary. The comfortable dining room features a massive double-hearth fireplace, wrought iron light fixtures, and more than a whiff of Frank Lloyd Wright. The beautifully crafted dining tables were made by local woodworker David Gray who spent an average of 25 hours on each piece. Chef Matt Costello, who is also the General Manager of The Inn at Langley, is relaxed and enthusiastic as he talks to dinner guests about his passion for fresh, local, seasonal food. Then he gets down to business. Ingredients have been prepped and Matt works alone in his well-appointed (and well-used) kitchen preparing every plate of every course himself.
Ken and Ruth Hunt are celebrating ten years as owners of historic Combe House at Gittisham (UK). Combe House is one of Devon’s finest country estates, and under Ruth and Ken’s stewardship it has garnered a well-deserved reputation for excellence and generous hospitality; the 2008 Enjoy England Silver Award for Small Hotel of the Year is the most recent of their long list of accolades. Fresh, delicious, locally sourced food from the kitchen of Master Chef of Great Britain, Hadleigh Barrett, and an extensive wine list and friendly service make dining here a pleasure. Listed as one of the most romantic hotels in Great Britain, Combe House exudes a warmth and tranquillity to be treasured.
Set within the city’s dramatic Isla Verde district and completely redesigned, El San Juan Hotel & Casino is the place to see and be seen. From the scintillating pool complex to the glamourous nightlife and the island’s most beautiful beach, this is one of the most electrifying destinations in all of the Caribbean. Also yours to enjoy is a sophisticated collection of tempting restaurants. Spring getaways start from $149.
Key West’s The Reach Resort has undergone a $37 million makeover. Home to the area’s only private beach, just 7 miles from North America’s only living coral reef, the resort now has more of a boutique feel thanks to the design touches of Looney & Associates. It has also opened an outpost of New York’s popular Strip House restaurant. If you’re looking for a Spring getaway, then you might like to give this one some consideration as prices start from as little as $149 per night.