A Luxury Travel Blog

Per Aquum is launching its first destination spa, Sould Maldives, early next year. The property will be located in the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, in the southern Maldives.  The resort, dedicated to health and nutrition, will span two islands and offer up to 38 villas on land and over water. It will offer a range of services including traditional holistic and contemporary spa therapies from around the world, nutritional planning and assessment.

Karma Resorts’ second property, Karma Samui on the idyllic Koh Samui, Thailand recently celebrated its second year of operation with a stylish, beach-themed party on its golden sands. Over 100 guests were treated to a night of exquisite, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine created by executive chef Stefano Leone, accompanied by flowing champagne and fireworks. Music to accompany the evening was provided by the resident DJ from Bangkok’s renowned Sukhothai Hotel.

The birthday celebrations were attended by resort staff and guests; dignitaries from Koh Samui and Bangkok; friends of the resort; and familiar faces including England rugby star Dan Scarborough, visiting the resort for his honeymoon. A number of the Karma Resorts team involved in the construction of the property also returned for the celebration, including design and construction manager, Richard Manser, and his family.

A unique combination of luxury, space and privacy, Karma Samui is nestled in a serene cove and offers 36 exclusive villas constructed in the style of a village, all boasting magnificent sea views. Elements of traditional Thai and contemporary design merge to create a perfect harmony of East meets West, providing the highest standards of service and resort facilities including a Chakra Spa. Karma Samui embraces the concept of choice, offering bespoke experiences and lifestyle options to suit every requirement.

The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has launched a new treatment - a caviar collagen facial. Available from 19th August to 30th November 2008, and priced at HK$1,400 this 75-minute facial is designed to rejuvenate tone and texture while leaving skin with a more youthful glow and softer feel. Guests booking their facial before 5 p.m. may choose the extra-luxurious option of the caviar collagen facial followed by a hair blow dry in the Mandarin Salon with a glass of Champagne for an additional HK$200.

Benefits of the caviar collagen facial include instant firming effects, reinforcement of the skin’s natural defence system and gentle soothing of irritated skin. To ensure the benefits continue, guests are given a moisture serum to take home and apply for the following seven days. For best results, an intensive five-week programme is recommended.

The W Retreat & Spa – Maldives has launched a special James Bond promotion allowing you to live like the famous double agent; flirt with adventure by day and your Bond Girl by night. The 5 nights package includes the following adrenaline filled experiences:

Begin your mission surveying the island on your 1 hour private speed boat hire. Riding the azure waters, you can spot the chic architecture encompassing the island, as well as the blinding white silhouette of the Away Spa. These are obvious targets for those wanting access to your exclusive getaway.

• SeaBob Lessons – Straight from the set of “Die Another Day”, this “water rocket” is a cross between a Jet Ski and body board and can propel you over and underneath the water at speeds of 20kmh. Get enough practice and the bad guys will never be able to catch up.

• Night Snorkeling – Late night quest? You can scout the underwater world with your night snorkeling excursion. Suit up and see what comes  out after the sun sets and the stars light the sky. The thousands of fauna and corals found in the North Ari atoll are the most abundant in the Maldives.

• Parasailing – For your eyes only! Fly high and get a surreal view of the island and the Indian Ocean. Even though this could take your mind off the adventure, you will still get a rush gliding through the air.

• Kite Surfing - Ride the waves and learn to fly across water. Private kite surfing lessons will give you the skills to help maneuver in any situation; a pseudo “License to Kite Surf” if you will.

• Take your Bond Girl her for a martini at 15BELOW, one of the only true nightclubs in the Maldives. There you can tell the W’s mixologists which one of the 90 vodkas you prefer. The resident DJ will spin groove beats for those brave enough to let their guard down.

The award-winning W Retreat & Spa – Maldives features everything a modern Bond would demand; style, access and sleek retreats with private plunge pools, plasma screen televisions, DVD/CD players, indoor/outdoor showers, BOSE speakers, the W Signature bed, a wine fridge and more. The James Bond package includes 5 nights’ accommodations, 1 hour private speed boat rental, SeaBob lessons, night snorkeling, Parasailing, Kite Surfing lessons and 2 martinis at 15BELOW. Rates start from US$900 per night, per couple in a Beach Oasis.

An all-villa luxury boutique resort called The Princess d’Annam Resort and Spa has been launched Ke Ga, close to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, two months later than previously planned. The 57-villa and two-bedroom beachfront home resort is to offer four swimming pools and 21 plunge pools, along with a five-star restaurant fusing Vietnamese and French cuisine. A special feature is the Princess Spa, which has separate wings for men and women.

All eyes are on Beijing right now, for obvious reasons, and today I stumbled upon a blog post which caught my eye.  The Chinese are renowned for eating pretty much anything, and so it was interesting to be able to see pictures of a market offering everything from starfish grilled in shark oil to scorpion brochettes.  I’m fascinated with tasting different things - particularly items I’ve never previously tried - but I think with one or two of these I might have to politely decline.  For the full ensemble, with pictures, see Brain Goodbye.

In case you missed it, take a moment to marvel at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Unfortunately the Olympic committee doesn’t allow footage to be re-produced, but you can enjoy this series of still images put together in a video.

Beijing’s newest hotel opens today, fractionally late for the Olympics but still able to take advantage of the spectacle. The Opposite House has 99 generous rooms (reputedly among the largest in Beijing) and was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. This new boutique hotel has a Mediterranean restaurant and one that specialises in North Asian cuisine, as well as two bars, a café and a facility for private dining.

This week Forbes Traveler has run a feature entitled “10 Gorgeous Glaciers“. It caught my eye not only because of the beautiful pictures but also because I have a particular interest in this subject. Few of you will know this, but my PhD was in glaciology.  Alas, Greenland - where I worked - doesn’t get a look-in; instead, the following make the shortlist:

• Biafo Glacier, Pakistan
• Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
• Glacier Bay, Alaska
• Furtwängler Glacier, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
• Pasterze Glacier, Austria
• Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland
• Yulong Glacier, China
• Fox and Franz Josef, New Zealand
• Athabasca Glacier, Canada
• Antarctica

Just an 8-minute walk from KLCC, Hotel Maya offers services and facilities beyond compare. Enjoy space, comfort and breathtaking views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Indulge yourself in the various eateries serving local and international cuisine. Step into Anggun Spa and be captivated by its serene ambience and the skills of its friendly masseurs.

The 610-room Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai - which last month hosted the Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM) - is currently underoing a major $40m refurbishment of all its rooms. The new rooms will boast a contemporary décor with Asian influences including modern Chinese artwork, and include the 500 sq m Ritz-Carlton Suite.

Situated in Lankanfinolhu, just 15 minutes from Male International Airport, lies The Haven, facing the majestic emerald backdrop of the Indian Ocean.  This 62 room resort entirely built over water is your ideal honeymoon retreat. The 40 Water Villas, 16 Haven Villas with Jacuzzi, 4 Have Suites and 2 Ocean Suites with private swimming pool, kitchen and in-room dining offer sheer comfort. Each bungalow is exquisitely furnished with contemporary decor, equipped with plasma TV with satellite channels, air-conditioning, spacious balcony, etc. The terrace features a deck with day bed clustered with cushions, a private bath and easy stairs into the lagoon.

Joseph Amissah is the founder of Blue Cube Aviation and decided to set up the company to meet the growing demand for International private jet travel, for clients seeking an alternative form of transportation other than commercial airlines. Recently, the company has seen a sharp rise in the number of charter request due to the increasing number of clients wishing to escape the inconvenience of flight delays, and the hassle factor of increased security checks. They want to fly direct, do their business, and be back at the earliest opportunity. Blue Cube Aviation’s service allows them this possibility.

What is it that you do exactly?

At present I am busy setting up our European offices in Monaco, Istanbul, Marbella and Moscow, which will come under the umbrella of our UK Head Office located in Pinewood Film Studios. My time is also spent planning the various International launches where we will be promoting Blue Cube Aviation and its services.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I have always had a passion for aviation ever since I was a child. Simply being involved in the industry brings me the most satisfaction. Especially as my father was a senior manager for a state owned airline. I see it as kind of continuing a family tradition, which I hope that one day, one of my sons will take on from me.  I love being able to visit the hangar, and could quite easily spend the whole day just walking around the aircraft that are in Blue Cube Aviation fleet.

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

Stockholm - I lived there for approximately 3 years, and loved every moment. I found the Swedes to be very warm and friendly. I try to get back out there as often as I can. Can highly recommend the Nordic Light Hotel.

Miami -  Wow… what a city!!! Stayed at the Mondrian Hotel which was just pure luxury!

Tokyo - Spent one glorious week in Tokyo a few years ago, and have it at the top of my ‘places to visit again’ list. Such a vibrant city.

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

As I have a home in the South of Spain (Marbella), I guess that I am spoilt when it comes to fantastic fresh seafood. There is a great beach restaurant (chiringuito) located in Marbella called Victors Beach where my fiancé and I usually spend our Saturday afternoons. It’s great because it’s located right on the beach, where on a clear day you actually get to see the peaks of the Atlas mountains in Morocco in the far distance.  The restaurant is always full of locals, which adds to the atmosphere.

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

It’s hard to be involved in the private jet industry and not come into contact with the rich and famous! It’s almost like an occupational hazard :-) With our UK office located in Pinewood Film Studios, we are responsible for making travel arrangements for a number of A-List UK and US celebrities. The important thing is not to get star struck, and focus on getting them to their destination with the minimum amount of fuss as possible.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

Other than another trip out to Tokyo, I really want to visit the Huvafen Fushi resort out in the Maldives. That for me is the epitome of paradise on earth.

Thank you, Joseph. And good luck with getting Blue Cube Aviation on the map.