Jumeirah Vittaveli, Maldives

Having opened in December 2011 Jumeirah Vittaveli is already gathering outstanding reviews and it’s little wonder with the Beach Villa lead-in room types spanning an interior of a whopping 184 sq m. It’s space, comfort and luxury all the way as each villa comes with its own private L-shaped swimming pool with furnished sun deck, fully stocked wine cellar, exclusive stretch of beach, massage and dining Sala and a host of in-room gadgets like the Apple media centre and BOSE sound system with iPod and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. Deep breaths…

Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa, Abu Dhabi

Due to open at the end of May is the latest offering from Anantara who brought Qasr al Sarab and Desert Islands Resort & Spa to prominence in the Abu Dhabi desert. Eastern Mangroves will be an inspired Arabian and Colonial styled fusion hotel of 224 rooms and suites across five levels. The hotel forms part of an integrated hotel, marina, retail and residential zone known as the Eastern Mangroves district which is set away from the city life of central Abu Dhabi and its Corniche. Here you’ll find invigorating spa, expansive infinity pool, retail shops and an intimate Thai restaurant serving the finest Asian cuisine.

Anantara Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa, Indonesia

The brilliantly named Impossible Beach is the destination for this stunning new spa resort with cliff’s edge infinity pool and modern hillside moored penthouses with floor to ceiling glass windows. A secret cave is available for private dining experiences and despite the classic luxury concept, a kids club will sway those travelling with families looking for a deeply romantic, spiritual escape. From guided elephant trekking excursions to sunset temple tours and diving and water sports to Indonesian cookery classes, guests have a wide range of activities should they wish to venture away from the pool or spa.

Kempinski, Seychelles

Set to open on 1st March is this new Indian Ocean offering from the group responsible for the lavish Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi. Located on Mahe around 30 minutes from the international airport, Kempinski will boast a long stretch of white sand beach, a casino, spa with five treatment rooms and a host of leisure facilities including a kids club to tempt families. Business facilities will include banqueting and conference rooms for up to 200 delegates – and a total of 144 sea view rooms and suites, including an opulent Presidential Suite.

Niyama, Maldives

The newest addition by Per Aquum who brought us Huvafen Fushi Maldives and Desert Palm Dubai are set to open this exciting double island luxury retreat at the end of February. It’s certainly going to be special; unwind with a treatment at their signature Lime Spa and utilise the services of your own personal Thakuru (butler)- included for all room types. Expect luxury outdoor bathrooms, resort wide Wi-Fi and the piece de resistance – Niyama LIVE – a floating restaurant above the water and below it the very first underwater nightclub in the Maldives which will play host to emerging international DJ’s and musical artistes.

Jumeirah Port Soller, Majorca

With its anticipated opening this spring, Jumeirah’s portfolio hits Spain for the very first time with this luxury Cliffside resort surrounded by traditional pine forests on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. Guarded by the UNESCO Heritage Tramuntana mountain range, the resort is designed to sensitively blend into the environment with each of the eleven buildings being no taller than three storeys high. World class service will enhance the experience for every guest, the Talise branded Spa will offer a wealth of treatments and 5 restaurants all with perfect sea views will provide the perfect indulgence.

Gaya Island Resort, Borneo

No less than 40 acres make up the Gaya Island Resort, Borneo’s newest addition expected to open in April 2012. Location wise it’s a dream, where a combination of coral reef, golden beach and lush rainforest makes the destination triply enticing – visuals of this island paradise are simply breathtaking. Hill Villas and Two Bedroom Suites form the accommodation in clusters to the expected high specification and when you factor in the integrated spa village and fine Malaysian dining into the equation you begin to realise this is quite some proposition.

Jumeirah Creekside, Dubai

Jumeirah’s portfolio expands further still with the creation of this contemporary 5 star business hotel in the heart of Old Town of Dubai. Key highlights include its signature rooftop bar and lounge where you can gaze out over the Creek and golf club as well as a choice of 8 bars and restaurants. If you are visiting here on business then no less than 23 conference rooms are available to book as well as a contemporary ballroom accommodating up to 1000 people.

Viceroy, Maldives

The prestigious Viceroy hotel chain plan to open their latest luxury resort in the Maldives on the 2nd April, and this will be located on the 17 acre island of Vagaru accessible by seaplane from Male in around 1 hour. Epic bungalows at 192sqm are the lead-in room types, featuring oversized plunge pool, secluded garden, private sundeck with chaise longue and a luxurious living area. The resort is fully Wi-Fi compatible and a range of water sports and PADI diving trips as well as a luxury spa and boutique must be taken advantage of.

Nurai, Abu Dhabi

A sparkling new concept resort by the Per Aquum group, Nurai defines the height of style and elegance and will be situated on a 130,000sqm private island to the north east of Abu Dhabi city. Comprising of glass walled private waterside residences – each seaside estate will include a concealed beach rooftop garden with spa pool, infinity swimming pool, indoor reflecting pools, concealed service quarters, entertainment patios, outdoor dining areas, chef and show kitchens and outdoor showers. Nurai is reached in 5 minutes by helicopter from Abu Dhabi airport. Expected to open late 2012 or early 2013.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

Top 10 new luxury hotels for 2012 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Croatia

We’re seeing a real rise in bookings for Croatia, and this must be due in no small part to the emerging presence of impressive design hotels like the dramatic Monte Mulini in Rovinj and the stunning Hotel Bellevue in Dubrovnik. I visited Pula many years ago when it was part of Yugoslavia, and you could see the potential back then. With the charming Miramare Bay, miles of stunning beaches and bays and the azure blue of the Adriatic as your companion, you’ll find Croatia an accessible delight with underrated fishing waters.

Jordan

Jordan’s appeal is historical, mystical and timeless. But the chance to float in the Dead Sea won’t always be available – the sea is evaporating at a rapid rate. Petra however is going nowhere – and its mere presence is a living example of the miracles man can achieve. Carved by the Nabotean people some time in the 6th Century BC, this amazing walled city within a city on the slopes of Mount Hor has to be seen to be believed – and is rightly attributed the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Vietnam

Heading East, Vietnam has made giant strides to re-invent its appeal to holiday makers. This is a beautiful country of glorious natural beauty – scenic countryside, quiet beach retreats and rustic towns all with exquisite cuisine and charming locals. To experience the ‘real’ Vietnam you can pick up a bicycle in quieter less commercial resorts like Hoi An and explore on two wheels – the best and easiest way to get around. Don’t forget to take a kayak trip through the Mekong Delta or the mangrove forests of Halong Bay to really connect with the Vietnamese way of life.

Beirut

Who would have thought just a few years ago that Beirut would take pride of place on this list? The town centre of this Lebanese capital city is completely re-built whilst the downtown area still oozes charm with Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman influences highly prevalent. Locals and tourists are passionate about horse racing which is popular on Sundays at the race track (gambling permitted and international currency can be exchanged) and a trip out to Raouche to see the landmark sea moored Pigeon Rocks and sample the cliff side cafes serving international and local cuisine is recommended.

Prague

Holidaymakers are slowly realising that there’s much more to Prague than just a stag do hotspot. In fact, Prague is better suited to cultural breaks– prices are not as cheap as they were 5 years ago, meaning the destination has evolved. The sight of the breathtaking, gothic Charles Bridge is an iconic one, and crossing this over to the Jewish Quarter will unite you with authentic pavement cafes, art displays, cobbled streets and shops with unique character. A trip to the Franz Kafka literature museum just a stone’s throw from the bridge is well worth the experience, whilst another nearby museum catering for more ‘nocturnal’ activities is recommended for those not easily offended!

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

Top 5 up and coming destinations is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Argentina

This trip really had it all – lots of outdoor activities, a taste of local culture, and plenty of variety. From boat rides and polo lessons in Buenos Aires, to horseback riding on the pampas, to hiking the Perito Moreno glacier, to zip-lining through the rainforest at Iguazu Falls, Argentina’s opportunities for light adventure are practically limitless. It’s also a very family-focused culture that welcomes kids even at a black-tie New Year’s gala. I would say this is still our all-time favorite family trip.

2. African Safari

There was a time when kids weren’t allowed on most safaris, but that has changed. Not only is it safe (with sensible precautions), it’s an adventure your family will never forget. We’ve gone on safari twice – they were enchanting but very different experiences. In Tanzania, we followed the animals in our mobile tented camps, and had the same guide the whole time, which was great for continuity. In Botswana, we stayed in established lodges, and did safaris by boat and elephant-back. In both places, we were far removed from the usual distractions, and we got to see exotic animals in the wild – a thrill which never gets old.

3. London

Medieval castles, spooky dungeons, vast gardens, high tea and royal guards – London may be the word’s best city for a family holiday. There’s something here to capture everyone’s imagination. My daughter, a budding artist and journalist, loves the National Gallery and British Museum, while my sons and husband are fascinated by Churchill – I’ll never forget their excitement at visiting Parliament and the Imperial War Rooms. But the thing we all like most is exploring the diverse neighborhoods, quiet lanes, and sprawling parks of this cosmopolitan capital.

4. Greek Islands

We’re big fans of boating holidays – you unpack only once, start each day somewhere new, live in swimsuits and coverups, and have time to really bond as a family. Some of our best boating trips have been Greek Island cruises, filled with variety and simple pleasures like swimming, snorkeling and exploring caves. Best of all, we had knowledgeable, capable captains and kid-friendly crews who not only took care of but anticipated our every need. Talk about relaxing!

5. China

There are few places better than China for broadening your kids’ cultural experiences (and your own). Everything is fascinatingly different here, from the toys to the cuisine – and it all seems designed to delight and entertain kids. To make the most of it, avoid Westernized tourist options and instead plan interactive activities that let them explore the local culture, like dumpling-making lessons, calligraphy classes, or putting on traditional costumes and makeup at the Beijing Opera. My kids loved everything about this trip: the junk-boat cruises, the acrobatics shows, and especially the terracotta warriors in Xi’an!

Katrina Garnett is the Founder of My Little Swans.

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

The top 5 luxury travel destinations for families is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

1. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo – Chiyoda, Japan
2. Hotel Imperial Vienna – Vienna, Austria
3. Hotel Palacio de la Magdalena – Soto del Barco, Spain
4. La Casa del Rector – Almagro, Spain
5. The Grand Del Mar – San Diego, California, USA
6. Antuquelen Hosteria Patagonica – Villa La Angostura, Argentina
7. Ritz-Carlton Osaka – Osaka, Japan
8. The Dorchester – London, United Kingdom
9. Rockliffe Hall – Hurworth-on-Tees, United Kingdom
10. The St. Regis Bali Resort – Nusa Dua, Indonesia
11. The Langham, Melbourne – Melbourne, Australia
12. The Ritz-Carlton, Berlin – Berlin, Germany
13. Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel – Governorate of Muscat, Oman
14. Quinta de San Amaro – Meano, Spain
15. The Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, County Wicklow – Enniskerry, Ireland
16. Ritz-Carlton Tokyo – Minato, Japan
17. Grosvenor House Dubai – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
18. Mandarin Oriental, Munich – Munich, Germany
19. Alchymist Grand Hotel and Spa – Prague, Czech Republic
20. Grand America Hotel – Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
21. Elysian Hotel Chicago – Chicago, Illinois, USA
22. Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel – Velden, Austria
23. Sandy Lane Hotel – Saint James, Barbados
24. Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski – Dresden, Germany
25. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok – Bangkok, Thailand

The United States, Spain, Germany and Japan are the most represented nations on the list, each with three hotels included.  Ritz-Carlton lead the way among the hotel brands with five hotels appearing in the list.

The top 25 luxury hotels in the world is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

An abundance of honours were handed out at the do, with arguably the top award of the night going to Jumeirah, who received the esteemed World Excellence in Service award, as well as Etihad Airways, who went home with the gong for World’s Leading Airline award for the third time in three years.

Although there are so many new contenders in the All Suite Hotel category, the lavish Burj Al Arab proudly received this accolade, and not for the first time either – Burj has taken home this award on a massive seven occasions in the category’s 13 years! The hotel was also proud to receive the overall award for World’s Leading Hotel – again for the seventh year in a row!

Mardan Palace in Turkey won the World’s Leading Luxury Resort prize, while Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa took home the award for the World’s Leading Family Resort, and One&Only The Palm in Dubai was named as the World’s Leading New Resort.

The island of Jamaica was the winner of the World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination award, which has been traditionally won by a Caribbean isle since 2001, but is the first time that Jamaica has been awarded the prize. Previous years have seen this category won by Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados and most abundantly of late, St Lucia.

The World’s Leading Eco Resort & Spa award went to the delightful Thai resort of Soneva Kiri by Six Senses, while the World’s Leading Eco-Lodge award was presented to South Africa’s Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Dwyka Tented Lodge. Trou Aux Biches in Mauritius, which re-opened its doors towards the end of 2010 after a full refit, won the award for World’s Leading Beach Destination.

It was a wonderful night for the travel industry, and we are very pleased that so many of our airline, tourist board and hotel friends were rewarded for their services to travel during 2011.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

World Travel Awards – The Grand Final is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Jiu Zhai Gou

Jiu Zhai Gou is epic! It wouldn’t be an overstatement if I say it is a real wonderland hidden in a holy valley. Jiu Zhai Gou is famous not just for one part; instead it’s its whole package that makes it stand out: its lakes, gushing waterfalls, forests and its rich cultural heritage. Even the fresh air is filled with special ‘Jiu Zhai Gou branded’ scent. It is said the hundreds of colourful lakes were formed in ice age when the calcium carbonate was left to sediment. When the climate warmed up, the calcium carbonate ‘came back to life’ and attached to other substances in the water. That’s how the various colours were created over the past thousands years.

Jiu Zhai Gou has been a sacred place in Tibetan people’s heart; you would probably understand why when you face the masterpiece of nature. As the valley is carefully protected, all the tourist cultural programmes are held just outside the valley. When I was there, I saw the Tibetan dance and singing show, dressed up in their ethnic clothes, and tasted the famous butter tea (the butter is made from yak milk) and roasted lamb … overall it was a great experience. In terms of how to get there, you can fly from Chengdu (the capital city of Si Chuan Province) for about 30-40 minutes and then switch to a bus for another half an hour. Or, if you don’t get car sick, you can just take a bus from Chengdu to get there directly, but it’s about 10 hours on the bus, quite a long journey. Another heads-up: the latitude is quite high, so please do bring a warm coat even if it’s summer time.

Bifeng of Panda Protection and Research Centre

Ah, of course, it’s my personal must see – lots of pandas (16 in total). The centre is in Ya An, a small city about 2 hours drive from Chengdu. The centre is for giant panda research and breeding, but also opens to public to have a look at the giants pandas living in a luxury lifestyle: air-conditioned room, independent water supply system, playing ground and the bathrooms! But in order to survive in tough conditions after they are returned to nature, there’s a special training area that simulates wild nature conditions. A tip for you is that you need to book a ticket in advance as it’s quite popular. There are some nice tea houses outside the centre where you can have a taste of the authentic Chinese tea culture if you have time.

The spicy food

I have to say the Chinese food in the UK is always greasy and sweet. The food in China is amazing, but when it comes to Si Chuan, you’d better prepare yourself for some heart-burn as the food there is very spicy; but the local people can’t live without their chili! You’d better always check the spicy level before you order any dish, and always remind yourself of the different spicy levels: when the locals say it’s moderate, it might be hot for you; when they say it’s light, then it might be medium hot for you. Or just tell the chef ‘no chili please’. A must try is the hot-pot. Basically you have a pot filled with your chosen sauce (don’t get overwhelmed by the wide choice of different sauce flavours), and then you can order meat or vegetables, throw the meat/vegetables in the pot, wait till it cooked, and then you are ready to pick them up to your small bowl! I am still so proud of myself trying the medium spicy hotpot and I loved it!

James Baddiley is Founder & CEO of Chillisauce Ltd.

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

A tour to the Giant Panda’s hometown: Si Chuan, China is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Visitors to Hong Kong can join locals at one of the pre-holiday flower markets in Hong Kong in search of the perfect bloom to bring good luck in the coming year. In return, you’ll be treated to a riot of colour and aromas. One of the most popular is in Victoria Park; this is one of the largest in Hong Kong and is open from the 17th January 2012 until the 22nd, with the best time to beat the crowds being between 6pm – 9pm.

One of the ‘must see’ events of the celebrations takes place on 23rd January 2012, the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade. The parade starts from 8pm until 9.30pm featuring illuminated floats accompanied by spectacular international and local performing groups and it’s free to watch. Experience this carnival atmosphere as festive crowds lining the route around Tsim Sha Tsui watch the colourful parade pass by with Victoria Harbour serving as a stunning backdrop to this magical evening. Then at midnight on the 23rd visit the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple to witness the locals rushing through the gates to be the first plant incense to receive good luck!

Then on New Year’s Day the 24th January 2012 at 8pm experience the fantastic Lunar New Year fireworks display traditionally used to scare bad spirits away. For some of the best views head over to Wan Chai near the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre or the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui. The spectacular backdrop of city lights, harbour and surrounding mountains makes this a must see event.

For those who enjoy a flutter the races the Chinese New Year Race Day on the 25th January 2012 is a must see event. Join local sports fans hoping to kick off the New Year with a winner and head to Sha Tin racecourse. There will also be an array of festive programmes staged at the Sha Tin racecourse designed to bring prosperity and good fortune to racing fans.

Hong Kong welcomes the Year of the Dragon! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Thanks to improvements in the road networks, the resort is accessible in around 3 hours by car from Bangkok International Airport making it a viable destination for a multi centre break twinned with the capital – and it’s a place gradually garnering more interest for those looking longingly towards luxury holidays. That includes me!

Over the years, some top class hotels have appeared in Hua Hin, leading resorts include the Aleenta, Evason and Six Senses in Pranburi and the Hilton, Anantara and Dusit Thani situated a little closer to the town. You’ll be in safe hands with a stay at any of these prestigious 5* establishments.

Hua Hin is a quiet and peaceful place to visit – not somewhere to come to if you’re looking for raucous nightlife or street parties. But you will find a good resort centre with varied shops and multi-national restaurants, as well as the famed Royal Hua Hin Golf Course which was one of the first built in Thailand originally for the king and his family to use. If you want to navigate further afield, you could use the famous old railway station which is said to represent one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in Thailand.

The main beach in Hua Hin stretches for around 5km and is popular with kite boarders and of course, sun bathers. However, if you’re prepared to adventure a little deeper you might stumble across two neighbouring beaches on the road out to Khao Tao – these being Hat Sat Noi and Hat Sai Yai, well worth the discovery – not that Hua Hin beach is overcrowded.

Elephant camps are also numerous in Hua Hin and taking a trip on the back of one these docile creatures is always recommended, you’ll meander through rainforest and bamboo plantations, discovering some of Thailand’s hidden scenic beauty. Tours are bookable via hotels but also widely advertised in the resort centre.

An ambitious International Film Festival is scheduled for the end of January here too, where around 30 films from across the Far East will be shown and industry experts will be flown in to attend the screenings, there’s even rumours of A-list celebrity attendees, although these are as yet unconfirmed.

The best time to visit Hua Hin for warmer weather is between March and May and I for one will be putting this destination on my wish list, I’ve heard so many good reports from colleagues that it would be a shame to miss out.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

The seaside resort of Hua Hin, Thailand is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Whilst the city’s charm is evident for everyone to see, the juxtaposition of the modern and the traditional makes for a difficult landscape to navigate; and new company AtYourSide aims to make this task more manageable. The idea of the company is that one only really gets to see the true essence of a city through a native’s eyes. Each client is assigned a personal assistant, who acts as an interpreter as well as a tour guide, steering you across this fascinating city.

AtYourSide Shanghai has created a number of specialist tours to cater for a variety of different requirements: whether your interests lie in the history, culture or the retail aspects of the city there is a package which supplies a different perspective of Shanghai.

The day-long Shopping Experience, for example, starts at a ‘replica’ market where you’ll be able to find imitations of designer clothes and accessories; then the tour will travel to a tailor market where you’ll be able to commission your own design; next stop is The Shanghai French Concession, whose tree-lines avenues and Tudor mansions still retain a Parisian air from its life as a foreign concession between 1849 and 1946. The tour ends with a relaxing Chinese foot massage.

This is a perfect example of where AtYourSide excels; putting the historical, cultural, leisure and entertainment features of Shanghai life alongside one-another and, in doing so, uncovering the very essence of a what is quickly becoming one of the planet’s most diverse and interesting cities.

See the true essence of Shanghai with AtYourSide is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

To help parents find an appropriate resort; here are 5 luxurious, family friendly holiday destinations all providing extensive programmes and facilities for children:

1. Sandy Lane, Barbados

Well known as one of the most prestigious family holiday destinations in the Caribbean, Sandy Lane boasts a fleet of Rolls Royce Phantoms and truly stunning 5 star seafront suites. The resort is very child friendly; their ‘Treehouse Club’ provides a complimentary, onsite programme of activities for kids of all ages.

2. Atlantis The Palm, Dubai

This spectacular looking, 6 star resort features its own monorail system, an Aquaventure theme water park, a music stadium featuring performances from internationally renowned artists and 20,000ft of retail space. The provisions for children and parents are exceptional and include: a 24 hour in-room babysitting program; a Kids Club for children aged 3 to 12 and ‘Club Rush’ for teenagers featuring a Mocktail bar, chill out lounge and internet café.

3. Sani Beach Club, Greece

This elegant and luxurious, beachfront hotel offers the perfect location for parents to unwind and relax on beautiful white sand beaches. The resort is baby, toddler and child friendly, and takes pride in the fact that its crèche and kids club is run by a leading childcare specialist to Ofsted standards. Teenagers will enjoy activities including: classes in hip-hop, dancing and DJing.

4. Jumby Bay, Antigua

A favourite getaway destination for multimillionaires, Jumby Bay is set on a 300 acre private Caribbean Island. Following a recent £18 million refurbishment, the resort re-opened with 18 new suites finished to an incredibly high standard. Baby friendly facilities include: portable cribs; baby monitors and in-room baby proofing service. The island itself is a wonderful environment for children to explore the surrounding wildlife and the resort provides extensive activities to support their exploration.

5. Laguna Beach Resort, Thailand

Finally this stunning family friendly holiday resort in Phuket, Thailand goes the extra mile in providing activities for children and teenagers. It has achieved three top 10 awards by the family holiday specialists ‘Holidays with Kids’ in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The resort’s water park features a 50 metre water slide, scuba pool and Jacuzzi. Their kids club provides daily activities for children aged 4 to 12, whilst recreational activities such as diving, tennis, archery and a fully equipped games room will keep teenagers busy.

Mark Bishop is Managing Director of Pagel Holidays.

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

The 5 most luxurious family friendly holiday resorts is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Milan

Stylish and refined, this chic city is the perfect destination for cultural
connoisseurs, with its elegant opera houses and theatres. The fashionable Corso Como precinct is a great place to be seen enjoying a pre-performance aperitivo, and if you want to rub shoulders with the cultural elite, La Scala will provide an opulent setting in which to enjoy a bit of Puccini or Verdi. The Milanese are among the best-dressed in Europe, so be sure to wear your finest couture if you want to fit right in.

London

Theatre devotees are spoilt for choice in England’s capital, from blockbuster shows in the vibrant and bustling West End to Elizabethan drama brought to life at The Globe, or charming summer spectacles at the Regent’s Park open-air theatre. Why not take a tour of Theatreland, taking in the impressive Victorian facades while absorbing the history of these cherished playhouses in the heart of central London.

New York

Every theatre aficionado dreams of the bright lights of Broadway, and in reality, New York is unlikely to disappoint. With a dazzling spectrum of shows, from the sparkle and pizzazz of smash-hit musicals to off-broadway plays in intimate venues to underground productions in ramshackle hideaways, there’s a rich selection for all tastes. Restaurant Row provides countless options for pre- and post-show refreshment, or sample the world-class fare at one of Times Square’s many diners.

Moscow

Moscow’s bustling metropolis provides an abundance of enticing options for theatre-buffs, but none more tempting than the Bolshoi ballet. The sumptuous gilt-finished auditorium is the perfect setting for the works of the great Russian composers, with its astounding acoustic clarity and expansive neo-classical interior. The city boasts a wealth of highbrow arts activity, including the Academic Orchestra at the Moscow Conservatory and bohemian experimental performance at the Helikon Opera theatre.

Melbourne

Victoria’s capital has much to offer theatre-wise, from the art deco playhouses of the Theatre District to the progressive cultural nucleus of the Arts Precinct on the Southbank of the Yarra River. The former is home to some of the city’s most beautiful Victorian buildings, whereas the latter is characterised by iconic modern architecture, punctuated with neon tubing, honeycomb mesh and bold designs. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more classical, head to the Royal Botanical Gardens for Shakespeare under the stars during the summer months.

Salzburg

The city of Mozart is bursting with cultural delights, including some of the finest arts festivals in the world. For standard cultural fare, head to the Salzburg County Theatre, but for something out-of-the-ordinary, try the Salzburger Marionettentheater for enchanting puppet performances of opera and Shakespeare or the Kleine Theatre for some cult cabaret.

Tokyo

Tokyo’s performing arts scene is scattered across the capital, but with so many unique theatre traditions, you’ll need plenty of time to experience it all. There’s the tiny fringe theatres hidden among the winding streets of Shimokitazawa, OperaCity in Hatsudai or jazz and comedy at Setagaya-ku’s Carrot Tower. Don’t miss the extravagant beauty of traditional Kabuki theatre, an elaborate and colourful visual feast accompanied by Japanese instruments. The grandest Kabuki theatre, Kabuki-Za, reopens in 2013.

Athens

The birthplace of drama, this lively capital is ideal for anyone interested in classical theatre. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is one of the earliest preserved theatres and it continues to be used as a venue for performance. A spot of Sophocles or Euripides in this stunning setting is an absolute must for arts lovers, but if regional revelry is more your thing, visit the Dora Stratou Garden Theatre for some traditional folk entertainment.

Paris

The City of Lights offers an eclectic mix of theatre from the conventional to the avant-garde. With some of the most iconic theatres in the world — the Opera Bastille, La Comedie-Francaise and even the Moulin Rouge — there’s a wealth of choice that will whet any cultural appetite. The Theatre des Bouffes du Nord is an exquisite gem of a theatre near Gare du Nord station, frequently offering English plays.

Mumbai

Often referred to as the entertainment capital of India, Mumbai is a cosmopolitan blend of contemporary art and culture. The Prithvi Theatre is an intimate venue belonging to one of the most influential Bollywood families, and it’s the perfect place to grab an Irish coffee and scope out the local culturati. For a truly unforgettable experience, head to the Horniman Circle Garden for open-air plays and concerts in English, Gujarati and Marathi.

Simon Hagger is CEO at Show and Stay.

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

Top 10 cities for theatre lovers is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Mauritius

A colleague of mine has recently returned from Mauritius, where she hired a car and saw most of the country’s key highlights like Chamarel, Port Louis and Ile aux Cerfs. She commented that ‘off the beaten track bays, beaches, coral reefs and coves suddenly felt all the more accessible due to the veritable small scale of the island. Also, the prices quoted to have a personal driver on top of your car hire is not astronomical; around 20 Euros per day on top of your hire charge’. Kayak through mangroves, ramble through tropical jungle or hire a bicycle and explore the orchards and stunning gardens of Domaine de l’Etoile, this really is a nature lover’s paradise.  Of course, beach dwellers will love it here, but there’s so much more than meets the eye, you can even walk with the lions at Casela Nature Park.

Thailand

Ah, Thailand… what a country. So many opportunities from its bustling capital to the sleepy and idyllic Bang Tao Bay. Frenetic adventure or quiet contemplation are equally achievable holidays in Thailand. Want to experience the buzz of Bangkok twinned with an island paradise? Head to Koh Chang. Fancy Thailand but not Bangkok? Fly into Phuket and discover Southern Thailand instead. Choices here include the picturesque Similan Islands where they filmed The Man with the Golden Gun. Or you could catch a boat from Krabi to Phi Phi Island, home to indigenous monkeys and the hidden bay as featured in the movie, The Beach. If you do only do one thing, don’t miss an elephant trek in this exhilarating destination where the hospitality fits perfectly for an extra special honeymoon.

Malaysia

Malaysia is an ideal multi centre honeymoon choice, with the modern city of Kuala Lumpur being your first port of call – well worth staying for a couple of nights. Animal lovers will adore the Orang-utan sanctuaries at Kota Kinabalu, whilst foodies will love the renowned cuisine of Penang. In general, Malay dishes emphasise flavour and spice in equal measure, so if you’re a fan of curries or seafood, you’ll love what you find here. For beach lovers, the unfeasibly beautiful bay at Redang Island is recommended (as is the majestic private island of Pangkor Laut) or for ramblers how about the winding tea plantations at Cameron Highlands? Malaysia can also be done on an extreme budget too, check out the beachside huts at the Perhentian Islands for a real rustic honeymoon experience.

Bahamas

The Bahamas represent a sound choice for a honeymoon – but there’s no getting away from the fact that you will need a decent sized budget.  We’d recommend honeymooners stay away from the numerous family orientated resorts and lean towards somewhere like the terrific One&Only Ocean Club, which was used for filing of Casino Royale. After all, if it’s good enough for James Bond! Snorkelling, diving and fishing are popular pursuits and can of course be done in tandem making them doubly appealing for couples. The well known Straw Market is worth a visit for a unique shopping experience where plenty of goods can be found.  One final tip, make sure you take advantage of the chance to swim with dolphins in the Bahamas, you’ll regret it if you don’t.

Barbados

Calling honeymooners after beach glamour with a feel good vibe from the friendly locals. Find placid golden beaches by day and that alluring, tranquil Caribbean Sea. Groove to the funky beats of Holetown where colourful locals ensure evenings are always memorable. Regular fish fry nights take place on the beaches where you’ll also find some affordable 3* hotels offering a good standard of accommodation if travelling on a budget. If you are looking for somewhere chic and stylish, choose The House and even if you aren’t staying here, make sure you book a table to dine at Daphne’s, one of the culinary dining highlights of the island. Barbados is not particularly cheap when you are out there but as a Caribbean honeymoon choice it certainly is not the most expensive. The locals love their sport, especially cricket, and you can enjoy activities on the beach as well as spa treatments with the cool Caribbean breeze and melting sunsets to enhance your one time romantic getaway.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

More top tips on 6 honeymoon destinations is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

For those who tick the second box, LUX* Island Resorts launches this month at three hotels on Mauritius, one in the Maldives and one on Ile de La Réunion. The new brand, which replaces Naïade Resorts Ltd, represents the complete re-launch of the company and the culmination of an intensive twelve months of painstaking preparation and rehearsal.

CEO Paul Jones, a passionate hotelier and travel industry expert, was previously a key member of the team responsible for launching the highly aspirational One&Only brand. When he took over the fading Naïade Resorts group in late 2010, he and his management team saw an opportunity to create something truly unique in its place. They recognised that luxury itself had undergone a sea change: no longer synonymous with excess and bling, true luxury has become simpler, fresher and more individual.

Inspired by this change, it was agreed that rather than offering the standard sun, sea and sand 5-star vacation, LUX* Island Resorts would be defined by an experience that had been entirely and radically re-conceptualised.

The manifestation of this change is Island Light, the signature concept that will run at all LUX* Island Resorts. Adopting a name which is Latin for light, the new brand is dedicated to staging a lighter, brighter and less complicated holiday experience. Jones compares the concept to a musical production, where each resort is a theatre and its staff is the cast producing a show-stopping performance every day.

At its core is the commitment to doing the ordinary extraordinarily. Freshly-roasted organic coffee, retro-styled ice-cream parlours, on-the-beach film screenings, pop-up restaurants, integrated wellness & spa programmes, honesty bars and libraries of cool magazines are individually tempting, but it is the cumulative impact of these and a whole raft of other carefully choreographed Island Light experiences – underpinned by truly incredible service – which adds up to an exhilarating change of direction within the ’sea of sameness’ that most resorts offer.

LUX* recognises that it is the audience – the guests – who count most and Jones is confident that this new brand of simpler, more relaxed and more individual luxury – underpinned with truly incredible service – will have wide appeal: “I have spent 35 years designing, building, operating and managing resorts in exotic destinations around the world”, says Jones, “this project has presented me with an opportunity to contribute all that knowledge and insight. We are doing more than simply changing the name of the Company or putting a new brand on our hotels. Island Light is the summation of many different ingredients, which when experienced as a whole are a very powerful alternative to the usual island resort holiday. LUX* has determined its purpose as ‘Helping People Celebrate Life’ and that is what every
member of our team is committed to and has pledged to deliver”.

LUX* Island Resorts launching in the Indian Ocean is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Yet dancefloors – whether above or below water – and the DJs charged to fill them, are increasingly being seen as a vital component to tourism in the country. Whether for providing a spot of mellow entertainment, a party atmosphere for beach-side bashes, or a soundtrack to a more jovial flailing of limbs at resorts around the country, hospitality groups are looking to disc-spinners as a means to differentiate themselves from the competition.

A number of the country’s resorts are therefore looking to host upcoming and established global DJs at their properties for special events and launches, and in some cases, even putting together their very own spin-off soundtrack albums for guests. One such property looking to offer its own take on clubbing in the Maldives is the W Retreat and Spa in North Ari Atoll.

Since the property opened five years ago, W has offered its guests the chance to take advantage of its on-site nightclub known as 15BELOW, a feature the company claims it pioneered in the country not only to provide a different take on “after-dinner” entertainment, but also to attempt to offer a destination for emerging DJs to perform.

A spokesperson for the group says it is not however looking to compete with the world’s major dance-floor destinations, but rather trying to create different experiences to those usually associated with a vacation in the country.

“The Maldives offers visitors a very different experience to Ibiza,” adds a spokesperson for the W Retreat and Spa Maldives. “I don’t believe that guests are travelling to the Maldives just to see a particular DJ, but they are choosing to stay at W Retreat & Spa [in the] Maldives because they are able to connect with our brand and the experience that they have usually had at one of our other W Hotels.”

As part of the company’s aim to try and bring up and coming, as well as established DJs to the Maldives, W properties around the world are serving as the exclusive venues for the DJ Lab Global tour, which will see a number of new faces in dance music set to play several gigs over the next year.

The first DJ to perform at the W Retreat and Spa in the Maldives as part of this tour will be Angus Wong, the resident disc spinner at W’s Hong Kong hotel.

Between January 21 to January 25 2012, Wong – who started the monthly Gay Tea Dance at Tivo event back in Hong Kong – will look to provide the resort’s guests with a memorable soundtrack during their stay.

Wong is among five acts selected by W Hotels Global Music Director Michaelangelo L’Acqua to be part of the DJ Lab tour that plans to bring performers to a number of the company’s worldwide properties.

These acts include New York-based Lincoln Madley (aka DJ Bouji), the Parisian duo Miaou Mix, consisting of Noemi Sunshine Ferst and Judith Dju from Tête d’Affiche in Paris, London-based Daniel Avery, known as Stopmakingme, and Eiko of Tokyo.

The DJ Lab tour, a collaboration with the Burn energy drink brand, has already seen these acts being taken to Ibiza to meet with respected DJs like Arthur Baker, Cassius and Mode F for a spot of Balearic mentoring ahead of their performances.

Yet W, part of the Starwood Hotels brand, is not alone in trying to associate its Maldives property with big and emerging names in dance music.  Properties like the Huvafen Fushi resort in North Male’ Atoll have themselves in recent years been part of an ongoing collaboration with DJs such as Charles Shillings.

With a CV boasting performances at venues such as Lotus in New York and Le Café d’Anvers in Belgium, Shillings has become something of a fixture in the Maldives, playing at a number of properties to holidaymakers looking for a good boogey or something a touch cooler.

Huvafen Fushi has also played host back in 2010 to record producer Poet Name Life  for a one off performance to support the launch of his solo album “Songs for Girls” – as well as presumably getting a nice holiday to boot.  Poet Name Life has counted the Black Eyed Peas amongst his collaborators for better or worse.

The idea of providing purpose built nightclubs at resorts in the Maldives – a luxury or burden not often afforded to local people themselves, despite the relative popularity of dance events and performances of local dance styles like Bodu-Beru – appears to be gaining traction in the country.

Resort group Naiade also provides an on-site night club for guests to enjoy as part of the leisure activities available at its Diva property in the form of the Musik venue.

According to the company, the club provides dance-floor fillers of numerous genres including rock, salsa and techno until the early hours.

With the anticipated opening in January 2012 of its Niyama resort, the Per Aquum company, which also operates Huvafen Fushi in the country, plans to introduce its own underwater nightclub to the Maldives to try and entice guests alongside a host of other features.

Neil Merrett is Sales and Marketing Director at Dhonisaurus.

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

Taking stock of a Maldives club scene is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Maldives

Much has been said about the beauty of the Maldives and it’s true that by air, the islands offer a truly dramatic sight, so if you can, choose a seaplane transfer to get the most impressive views. An underwater camera is also recommended as you really shouldn’t pass up the chance to go snorkelling and discover the coral and marine life indigenous to these islands.  Finally, remember that diverse shopping and fast paced nightlife is not really what you’ll find in the Maldives. And it will help if you are partial to seafood.

Seychelles

Praslin and Mahe house the bulk of the luxury hotels in the Seychelles, but if you are after even more exclusivity, you could choose a one hotel island like North, Denis, Desroches or Fregate. Photographers will love the slightly more diverse scenery they will find here, with more ‘greenery’ than in the Maldives, and therefore a larger presence of land based wildlife like tropical birds. Of all of the Indian Ocean islands, Seychelles is possibly the most expensive – so it could be worth negotiating a rate for a half board stay to get the best value on your honeymoon.

Dubai

I’d principally recommend Dubai as an ideal twin centre honeymoon destination.  It’s a great ‘doing’ city where diversity is the key, such is the scope of attractions on offer. You could look to stay between 3 -4 nights and combine a stay here with a longer stay at one of the Indian Ocean islands or head even further afield to Thailand or Malaysia. Take in large scale shopping malls and traditional souks between hotel based spa treatments or relaxing on Jumeirah Beach or the Palm. Remember city attractions like Ski Dubai or head out to the desert and ride on the dunes in a 4×4 vehicle.

St Lucia

The Caribbean has to take pride of place in any top 5 honeymoon locations, so I’ve gone with St Lucia, but I could have easily chosen many of the islands here. The beautiful Piton Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for romance. It’s important to note that some hotels on St Lucia feature ‘open’ guest rooms or bathrooms – these are wonderful  if you are seeking authentic luxury but not so great if you can’t stand insects. So this is worth bearing in mind when choosing your hotel.

South Africa

My final entry is something of a wild card. Cape Town (the home of Table Mountain and Camps Bay) needs to be on your itinerary for a few days at least, but after that is where your options really do become a challenge. Find the accessible Winelands where you can enjoy tours and tasting, or witness the thrill of the chase with lions and elephants on safari at Sabi Sands or Kruger. Bring binoculars! If travelling between May and December you might catch a glimpse of the Southern Right whale migrating from the Antarctic to the Cape Coast in Hermanus, whilst trekking and brown trout fishing are popular near the Drakensberg Mountains.

Carole Booth is Commercial Director at Destinology.

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

Top travel tips for 5 fantastic honeymoon destinations is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The winner of the contest, which is open to US residents and runs until 10th January 2012, will stay in the luxury vacation rental of their choice, with up to 10 friends.   The three properties that he or she will get to choose from are Villa Les Rizieres in Bali, Punto de Vista in Costa Rica, and Villa Ferreira in Tuscany, Italy – all three of which are stunning in their own right.

Full terms and conditions of the competition can be found on the FlipKey website. Good luck!

To be notified of other great travel competitions, sign up at Travel Competitions.

Win a week’s stay in a luxury vacation rental is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Now personally, gimmicks aside, I think a serene swimming experience depends a lot on the surroundings, so in this post I have picked out 5 incredible hotel swimming pools with simply breathtaking views to help with your relaxation.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

so, this is the pool for you. The massive infinity pool at the luxurious Marina Bay Sands hotel in Singapore sits atop the roof on a platform 55 storeys above the city. From here you can see for miles and you will feel like you are literally about to swim off the edge of the building. Enjoy!

Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

If you like a more natural sort of beauty when you swim, the Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania might be just what you are looking for. Whilst the pool itself may not be as astounding as others you could mention (although each villa does have it’s own private infinity pool), the view over the Singita Grumeti reserves is second to none. Where else could you relax in your own pool (1:03 in the video) with a genuine opportunity to see wild game wonder past?

Banyan Tree, Mahe, Seychelles

This has to be about as opulent as swimming can get. The Seychelles are world renowned as a picture of paradise and if you have the money where better to spend your time off than in your private infinity pool on the edge of the island with expansive views over the golden sands and crystal clear ocean?

Villa D’Este, Lake Como, Italy

Villa D’este in Italy is about as exclusive as a hotel gets really, certainly worth checking out in more detail if you are so inclined. But it’s the swimming pool that interests me – literally floating in Lake Como this simple but exquisite pool has 360 degree views and the stunning hills surrounding the lake, as well as of the fabulous Renaissance building that is the Villa D’este of course.

Ubud Hanging Gardens, Bali

I have saved the best till last: I honestly can’t think of anything more beautiful than the view from one of the private infinity pools at the Hanging Gardens in Bali. This private resort is nestled in the Bali rainforest and offers it’s guests the unique chance to relax in luxury whilst watching tropical birds and wild monkeys in their natural habitat, not to mention the presence of an ancient temple in clear view from your sunbed.

Tim Roberts is Owner of BirminghamAirportParking.

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

5 luxury swimming pools with a view is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Since the tourism industry rose up in the Maldives from the 1970’s onwards, the country – a nation that prides itself upon being strictly Islamic, having outlawed any other forms of worship – has garnered a reputation as a high-end tourist destination with visitors separated from the everyday public on exclusive island resorts.

It is perhaps this one island-one resort concept that has helped create a certain mystique regarding the destination around the world. Yet under the current government, the country’s Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture has vowed to push ahead in developing mid-market tourism, trying to entice middle-income visitors from Europe and Asia with the prospect of more independent travel. But what could such a change mean to perceptions of the country as an exclusive holiday option?

Tourism heads in the country have stressed in recent years that any market diversification should not come at the expense of the high-end luxury the country is often associated with. Yet it remains to be seen how viable diversification in the Maldives may be in reality.

Privately, a travel writer with years of experience in the Maldives and associated with one of the world’s most popular guide book publishers recently told me that he believed encouraging more independent travel outside of resorts was a doomed enterprise and unlikely to pay off. Yet despite this pessimism, major groups like Radisson have pledged to establish sizeable city hotels on inhabited islands such as Hulhumale’, which is situated near to the national capital of Male’. A number of more traditional guest houses have also sprung up.

In such a socially conservative country, where the seemingly trivial matters of alcohol, pork or even a bikini are strictly outlawed on inhabited islands, will tourist demand be sufficient to merit establishing a meaningful hotel industry outside of the prosperous resort model?

Diversification in the country may ultimately take many forms, with local and foreign developers submitting various proposals to garner wider tourist appeal. These plans include an entirely man-made floating golf complex, along with more modest attempts to pioneer true eco-resort experiences. The country has also garnered international headlines of late regarding a so-called “Island of Blondes” concept that is actively being pursued by Lithuanian enterprise Olialia.

The blonde island, presented this year at the Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier (MIPIM) real estate trade show in Cannes, is intended to be staffed by platinum haired workers – with the possible assistance of head scarves and wigs. Promising to serve as a entertainment and holiday destination where even former blondes like Rod Stewart could potentially be invited to perform, the island’s business plan has principally been approved by tourism authorities in the country and is awaiting development. But do such developments threaten or in fact boost the Maldives reputation as an exclusive destination?

With many resorts offering ’six-star’ service – an unofficial grading often set by hospitality companies themselves – defining luxury in the Maldives has always been something of a personal preference. In reality, resorts of various quality, budget and activities, some for families, some for couples and some a little more club 18–30 in their appeal, are all there to be discovered.

So while various services such as safari boats and guests houses aim to provide a more everyday Maldives experience, perhaps for many people, it is the notion of secluded mystery that remains central to the country’s tourism appeal.

Neil Merrett is Sales and Marketing Director at Dhonisaurus.

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

Defining true luxury in the Maldives is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Peninsula Excelsior, which is located in Coleman Street, Clarke Quay, is primarily a business hotel. Spokeswoman Corina Teo explained that in these days of economic recession, many businesses are cutting back on the business travel expenses of their executives. Thus the Peninsula Excelsior is offering a different kind of service. Companies can save money by accommodating their executives in a premium room in a four-star hotel and yet the executives still have a better room and facilities than they would in a basic five-star room.

Despite billing itself as being mainly for business travellers, the Peninsula Excelsior has a lot to offer for luxury tourists too. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to many of Singapore’s best attractions. You have the night-life of the waterfront area, Clarke’s Quay and Robertson Quay where there are lots of restaurants to try, the Raffles City shopping centre is only a stone’s throw away, and St Andrew’s Cathedral is virtually on your doorstep. I don’t usually get excited about cathedrals, but this one is so pristine, so beautiful, and so strange, sited as it is in this space-age cityscape that it almost seems like something from a computer fantasy game. (It’s even better if you get a room on a high floor overlooking the Marina Bay. The Premier Club rooms are on the 19th floor and upwards!) It’s also only a five-minute taxi ride to the Marina Bay Sands casino, Chinatown and the posh shops in Orchard Road, ten minutes to the Universal Studios Theme Park and the Resorts World Sentosa casino, and only 20 minutes’ drive away from the airport.

The rooms are clean and newly refurbished. The hotel recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. The process is not yet totally complete but they expect to finish in the first quarter of 2012. Our room on the 19th floor had already been done with new furniture, attractive soft furnishings, large flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a good-sized well-stocked mini-bar, a generously proportioned safe and a large, comfortable bed which we estimated as being at least 6′6″ wide. Broadband Internet access is free, as is the daily shoe shine service, and laundry facilities are discounted by 20 per cent.

One of the main benefits of staying Premier Club class at the Peninsula Excelsior is that you get access to the Sky Lounge on the 22nd floor – from the beginning of your stay to the end, as you get to check in and out there too. Much more comfortable than queueing in reception. I wrote about the Sky Lounge before and am still of the opinion that the view from up there is possibly the best you could find in all of Singapore.

In addition to the spectacular view of Marina Bay (including a clear view of the Marina Bay Sands Skypark, which offers what is considered to be one of the most amazing swimming pools in the world), the Peninsula Excelsior Sky Lounge also has a clear view of the many events staged in this central area of Singapore city. It’s in a prime location to watch the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix every September. If your need for speed is of a more aquatic nature, there’s F1H₂O – the Nations Cup for power boat racing – which is being held in Marina Bay this month (19-20 November 2011). In addition to their usual room stays, the Peninsula Excelsior is also offering daytime packages for guests to watch the action from the Sky Lounge whilst enjoying food and beverages.

It seems there is nearly always something going on here. As with many other hotels, the Peninsula Excelsior enjoys high occupancy levels (they were recently running at 100% occupancy!) so you need to book reasonably early to avoid disappointment. However, you can’t book too far ahead for some of these events, as the government imposes a charge on those hotels which have the privileged vantage points. And the hotels need to know what the service levy is before they can set their room rates. The levy goes towards providing the infrastructure required to stage these events.

Even if your stay doesn’t coincide with a specific event, you can enjoy a nightly light show from the Marina Bay Sands complex. Lights and lasers change the colours of the various architectural features of Marina Bay. It really is a space-age scene and one almost expects to see flying cars and space ships going about their business. Given Singapore’s rate of innovation, perhaps we will see that in a few years time.

The Sky Lounge’s facilities include a complimentary buffet breakfast with eggs cooked to order (you can choose to breakfast in Coleman’s on the fifth floor along with the standard-class guests if you prefer), sundowner drinks with canapés, free WiFi, freeflow tea and coffee all day, and newspapers and magazines. If you need to conduct business, a private meeting room’s available – two hours of complimentary usage per room per stay, subject to availability. Smoking is not permitted in the Sky Lounge, but there is an area set aside for the human chimneys outside on the balcony. I was pleased to note that there is a disabled-accessible toilet in the Sky Lounge and stuck my head around the door for a look. It’s clean, spacious, and fully equipped with grab rails.

There is also a menu for snacks and meals beyond the complimentary offerings. We spent a leisurely evening over a four-course dinner, and couldn’t have wished for more congenial surroundings to eat it in. As for the food itself, the cream of mushroom soup was a tasty affair made with proper mushrooms and cream, with an added herby dimension – far more satisfying than the cappuccino soups that seem to be ubiquitous just now. The Caesar salad was good, with fresh Cos lettuce leaves, crisp bacon, and even crisper croutons. And the main course – a rib-eye steak – was done perfectly medium-rare as ordered, and came with a pepper sauce that was pleasantly piquant rather than bland or overly fierce, as well as gratin potatoes Dauphinoises (which we chose rather than fries) and mixed vegetables. The Tiger beer we ordered to wash it all down with was perfectly chilled, and everything we needed was brought to us by staff that were friendly, polite and eager to please.

If you’re feeling guilty about over-indulging – or if you’re already fit and want to keep that way – the hotel has a gym, a sauna and not one but two swimming pools!

So if you want “simple luxury”, try staying in a Premier Club room in the Peninsula Excelsior rather than a standard room in a five-star. You’ll get a lot more bang for your buck.

Special feature: Premier Club at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel, Singapore is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

We were invited to dinner at their new Mosaic restaurant. The Mosaic was launched in August 2011, and is positioned to become the city’s leading all-day dining restaurant. And you know what? I think they can do it. It’s a superb place; vibrant and very comfortable. The décor is elegant and the interior reflects the “sense of place” and local culture, that of the Peranakan (also known as the Straits Chinese). It was clear that the designers had paid close attention to detail. From the silk hangings on the walls, the Chinese-style woodwork and fretwork in glass screening off the private dining rooms, and the light-shades made of the pewter for which Malaysia is famous, the restaurant oozed style but in a relaxed rather than an ostentatious way.

Well, it was certainly a nice place to be and to admire the surroundings, but what about the food? It was delicious. Absolutely delicious. It was also fun because they have a variety of live cooking stations so you can interact with the chefs while they’re cooking your meal individually for you. Of course you can just order something and have it brought to your table, but I enjoy talking to chefs about their work and creations.

They have all the cooking stations and variety of food one would expect from a restaurant in a five-star hotel offering international cuisine – local (in this case, Malaysian), Indian, Japanese, seafood, salads, Western, and desserts. What I didn’t expect, although I’ve seen it become more popular in the Far East recently, was that they also had a Middle Eastern section. Their hummus was to die for and the babaghanoush likewise, as were the marinated Kalamata olives. Such complexity of flavours in what are essentially fairly simple dishes. I don’t remember tasting anything better anywhere else before. (And I’ve been around quite a bit.)

If you like Middle Eastern food, then don’t miss this place. Actually, if you like Indian food, then don’t miss this place. Do you like oysters? They serve the best. Sushi and sashimi? Perhaps a medium-rare rib-eye steak cooked to order? Don’t miss this place. If you care about the quality of food you eat, then don’t… I guess I’ve made my point by now.

The restaurant also has a good wine list, which includes a variety of wines to suit most budgets. The staff are very friendly and efficient too. I often think that the staff can make or break a place. I really liked the people at the Mosaic. There are some places where you get the impression that it’s not just a job for them and they actively enjoy being there. The Mosaic was one of these places. They were all cheerful and knowledgeable, and happy to talk about what they were doing and show off their skills.

The Mosaic is open 24 hours a day and features live cooking stations including grill, wok, noodle, tandoor, and more. It’s situated in central Kuala Lumpur near to the KLCC complex and has a great view of the beautiful KLCC Park. If you’re planning a visit to KL, then don’t forget to put this restaurant on your travel wish list.

You can visit their website for more details of the menu, dress code (smart casual), and for reservations.

Special feature: Mosaic, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog