A Luxury Travel Blog

Kevin May is editor of Travolution, an industry-focussed magazine for online travel and division of Reed Business Information.  It consists of a blog, e-news service and a physical magazine, and is a leader in its field with an advisory board that comprises some of the biggest names in the travel industry.

What is it that you do exactly?

I am responsible for all editorial content on Travolution, including our magazine, website and blog. I also produce our fortnightly podcast, The Purple Pod, and organise our conferences and other events as well as oversee the Travolution Awards. It’s a busy job!

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The most rewarding aspect of editing Travolution is being able to track and analyse such a wonderfully diverse and innovative industry as travel and its use of the web. Equally, as a journalist at heart, when we set the record straight or uncover a scoop still gives me an incredible buzz. I’m very lucky to work with some fantastic writers and reporters.

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

Hanoi: easily the most fascinating city I have ever visited. My wife and I stayed there during a seven-month jaunt around Asia in 2000. We were mesmerised by the colour and smells, the French and traditional Vietnamese quarters, and - whether it exists in reality or not is another question - a sense of proud nationhood. A remarkable capital in a remarkable country.

Varanasi (Benares): This central Indian city is an assault on the senses and consciousness. Despite it being a place where many people come to die (simply because of its proximity to the holy Ganges river), life abounds everywhere. The customs associated with death, while perhaps alien and odd to some westerners, are seen as life affirming to Hindus, giving it the feeling of being a place where people actually come to celebrate life. My wife was also taken very ill here so I have the utmost respect for Indian medical staff forced to work in, er, challenging conditions.

Lake Toba, Sumatra: The most beautiful place I have had the pleasure of visiting. Once a sunken caldera (super-volcano), currently a giant lake, Toba has incredible feature, plant life and a real feeling of isolation. There are few places on earth that have had such a dramatic physical history and the laid-back attitude of the people is in absolute tune with the environment around them. An almost perfect location on many levels.

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

I spent four days practically marooned on a slow boat travelling across the Tonle Sap lake in Cambodia. I ate rice every meal as - being a strict vegetarian - the boiled ’something’ didn’t appeal and there was absolutely nothing else to eat. After finally arriving in Siem Reap, I ate almost everything I could on the menu at the guesthouse - mounds of vegetables, a huge omelette, slice after slice of bread, any fruit I could get my hands on, cereal, yoghurt… everything. It might not sound like a feast for a king, but it tasted so good.

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

I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful and talented people through work or when travelling, although I have a tendency to steer away from so-called celebrities, even when given the opportunity. In fact, most of the “richest” people I’ve met are probably those that have created a fantastic business and subsequently reaped the rewards for their innovation and passion for travel and the Web.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I am currently at that stage, with a young family, where I am yearning to return to places I have visited previously, primarily - though not guaranteed at all (!!) - in the vain hope of sharing the experiences I had. I hope to return to Angkor Wat in Cambodia one day and also trek the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal (a three-week hike). Egypt, Mexico, Peru and New Zealand would also make my current wishlist.

Unfortunately the overseas trips of a business magazine editor these days consist primarily of enjoying the inside of some very nice hotel conference suites. A shame really…

Thank you, Kevin. And keep up the good work at Travolution!

$251 per person will buy you the Nick Faldo Golf Package from Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa, Siem Reap. It includes 2 nights accommodation in a superior room, airport transfers, and a round of golf (caddy included) on the new Nick Faldo golf course close to Angkor Wat.  This leaves you with ample remaining time to visit a temple or two in this UNESCO World Heritage site. And if one of you couldn’t care less about golf, you can substitute your round for a half-day spa package - just to ensure everyone’s happy!  The offer runs until the end of September 2008.

Excellently located in the heart of Siem Reap, Hôtel de la Paix has 107 spacious rooms, including 9 Duplex Spa Suites with private terraces and oversized soaking tubs, and 5 Courtyard Garden Suites with large outdoor bathtubs on private garden terraces. The hotel is brought to you by the same people that were behind Bangkok’s Bed Supperclub so fashionable touches are to be expected.

It has emerged today that Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal and Colony Capital will pay $3.9 billion to buy Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc. in order to expand upon an international luxury chain. Last year, Colony Capital bought the hotel business of Raffles Holdings for $859 million, gaining several historic hotels in Asia including Singapore’s landmark Raffles Hotel, Cambodia’s Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap, and the Swissotel brand. Alwaleed’s hotel-related investments already include the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the George V Hotel and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.

Amansara, formerly the guest villa of King Norodom Sihanouk, is a 24-suite resort, with the addition of 12 pool suites and a 25m lap pool. A spa, with private treatment and relaxation rooms, is joining the existing facilities 15th January, 2006. Situated in Siem Reap only 10 minutes from the entrance to Angkor, this private garden compound offers a home base for travellers seeking to explore the culture and history of Cambodia.