A Luxury Travel Blog

It’s that time of year once again when Travel+Leisure releases its World’s Best Awards. I haven’t had time to study them in detail just yet, but have noted that Singita Sabi Sand at Kruger has taken top spot in the World’s Best Hotels section, up one place from last year. Second is Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India, up from 11th place last year, and Fairmont Mara Safari Club in Kenya’s Masai Mara makes one of the most impressive climbs to third place (up from 48th spot in 2007).

The third of 3 videos from Taj.

The second in a series of 3 videos from Taj. Come back tomorrow for the next one.

The first in a series of 3 videos from Taj. Come back tomorrow for the next one.

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!

MSNBC has run an article on luxury lodges with an ecological oritentation. With the help of Forbes Traveler, they cite the follow places as their picks for 2008:

• Black Rock Lodge, Belize
• The Lodge at Sun Ranch, Montana
• Savute Under Canvas, Botswana
• Arenas del Mar, Costa Rica
• Baghvan, India
• Centro Ecológico Sian Ka’an (CESiaK), Mexico
• Ranweli Holiday Village, Sri Lanka
• EcoCamp Patagonia, Chile
• Nimmo Bay, British Columbia, Canada
• Avalon Coastal Retreat, Australia

India’s ‘hot on the rails’ newest luxury train not only provides exquisite on-board luxury for its guests, but it will cater for those who like to keep fit on holiday as well as at home. The Golden Chariot boasts a fully equipped gymnasium to keep up on the step-machine, as well as an Ayurveda Spa with two massage rooms for an out of this world rejuvenation experience. Every twin- or double-bedded cabin is equipped with Wi-Fi, LCD television, DVD with 6 satellite channels, wardrobe, vanity/writing desk and private bathroom with luxurious amenities and accessories. There is even a conference facility for business travellers.

The luxury train has been named after the dynasties that ruled Karnataka and the famous Stone Chariot in Hampi. It voyages through Bangalore and Mysore, visiting Srirangapatna and Mysore Palace, then the Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) continuing to the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site of Halebidu in Hampi. It then proceeds to the triangular heritage site of Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole, and finally the Golden Beaches of Goa before ending in Bangalore.

Luxury UK Asia travel operator TransIndus have added The Golden Chariot to their current portfolio, with a sample trip costing from £1,994 per person sharing, for 7 nights full board on The Golden Chariot, 2 nights B&B at the Taj Residency hotel in Bangalore, return flights to Bangalore on British Airways, and assisted airport transfers.

Andrea Wren is a freelance journalist and owner of Luxury Worldwide Tours.

• Layana Resort and Spa - Ko Lanta, Thailand
• Shangri-La Hotel - Singapore
• Conrad Maldives Rangali Island - Rangali Island, Maldives
• Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel - Ko Samui, Thailand
• Oriental Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand
• Lebua at State Tower - Bangkok, Thailand
• Oberoi Amarvilas - Agra, India
• Kurumba Maldives - North Male Atoll, Maldives
• Royal Park Hotel - Tokyo, Japan
• Park Hotel Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan

Come back tomorrow for the best in the South Pacific!

CC Africa’s and Taj Safaris‘ first jungle safari lodge in India, Mahua Kothi, is one of the first of just three hotels in India to be awarded prestigious Relais & Châteaux membership – and this after only one year of operation. Adjacent to Bandhavgarh National Park, the Lodge consists of 12 luxurious kutiyas (jungle suites) and offers excellent game viewing, including the renowned tiger.

iExplore, named the Best Adventure Travel Website by Forbes Magazine and Travel + Leisure, has announced a list of top 10 world travel destinations as determined by purchases made by adventure and experiential travellers.  Egypt retains its number one spot, but South Africa jumps to the number 2 spot (from 19th position the year before). Argentina and Italy fell to 21st and 26th positions respectively, having previously been in the top 10. Here’s their current top 10, with the previous year’s ranking in brackets:

1. Egypt (#1)
2. South Africa (#19)
3. China (#6)
4. Antarctica (#2)
5. Peru (#4)
6. Galapagos (#17)
7. Thailand (#5)
8. Costa Rica (#11)
9. Tanzania (#8)
10. India (#14)

Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Panna have won the ‘Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Parks’ award, a national award given by the Government of India’s Ministry of Tourism. Why not have an unforgettable break and explore the timeless magic of Madhya Pradesh’s jungles, known as the Tiger State of India and also where the inspiration for the much-loved story of Mowgli, of The Jungle Book fame, comes from. Learn more at mptourism.com

At the moment, Marriott International has some 25 hotels in China, but it’s been suggested by the chairman J.W. Marriott that that figure could rise to 100 in “five to six years”.  No longer is the company focussing on the big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, but instead they’re looking to expand to the smaller cities such as Wuxi and Wuhan.  The company is also said to be planning to triple its number of hotels in India by 2010.

According to a new survery carried out by HRG, Moscow has the most expensive hotels in the world for the second year running, with an average room rate of almost $500 a night - some distance ahead of second-placed New York with an average rate of $360. Mumbai, which doesn’t quite make the top 10, has seen the most marked increase in rates - a 30% rise to just under $300 in only 6 months.  Of course, these are just average rates; it would be interesting to note the differences occurring specifically at the luxury end of the market but sadly this doesn’t appear to be detailed.