A Luxury Travel Blog

Perched 70 metres above sea level on the cliffs of Bali’s southernmost peninsula, Banyan Tree Ungasan will be located near the sacred site of Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. The resort is designed to offer absolute privacy and seclusion but is just 25 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and the thriving beaches of Kuta, Seminyak and Sanur. The resort’s location offers unrestricted panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and a pristine white-sand beach sits at the foot of the cliff top resort.

The new property will boast 73 spacious pool villas all set in their own lush landscaped garden with outdoor showers, and will be complemented by the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa offering guests an extensive range of natural holistic massages, beauty and body treatments.

Guests will be able to take their pick from three restaurants. Ju-Ma-Na restaurant, which means ‘white pearl’ in Arabic, overlooking the Indian Ocean, will offer gourmet menus. Tamarind, set in the tranquil surroundings of the Banyan Tree Spa will serve a variety of organic dishes, and Bambu will present popular international and local specialties.

My name is Claes Bohlin and I am the owner and founder of Bohline Exclusive Villas which are a luxury villa rental company. I run this company together with my girlfriend Cecilia Lilja and we both have a burning desire for travels. Our main goal with the company is to offer our clients the best vacation ever while staying at a villa on a special destination. We have chosen to keep this company small because we like to offer the client a very personal service.

What is it that you do exactly?

I run the company Bohline Exclusive Villas and offer my clients the right villa for the right occasion. I also sell luxury services to the client as a supplement to the villa stay. When a client contacts me, I will take the time to listen to my client’s needs. Every client has very different needs and it’s very important to understand the client and what he wants during his vacation. Every little detail has to be right; the stay at the villa is important but it’s very important that the client will enjoy the activities and restaurants which he could visit on the destination.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Travel, travel, travel. To be able to travel very often in this job is a benefit which I love the most. I think my girlfriend agrees with that. I also like to arrange these amazing vacations for my clients and to see the results of a satisfied traveller when the client is back home and very pleased with everything. When the client says that the vacation was a memory for life, I’ll say mission completed.

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

This question is very hard because every destination is so different from one another. But first of all I have to say the Maldives. The Maldives was like a dream; I couldn’t imagine it could be so wonderful like it was when me and my girlfriend got off the little seaplane and got welcomed by the staff of the resort. The water had an amazing colour - it’s almost hard to desribe. The feeling of being so alone in the world and yet totally relaxed was great! If you like to relax and enjoy diving, this is the place for you to visit.

My second favourite place has to be St. Martin in the Caribbean. It was here I rented my first villa ever. This place has it all. If you love to go out for dinner to a gastronomic restaurant you will not be disappointed. The island has so many restaurants to choose from. Here you will find French and Italian cuisine. The island is also very famous for the low-flying aircraft which can be seen at Maho beach.

My third destination of choice has to be Bali because it has a wonderful nature if you visit the whole island. I would not recommend staying at the touristy parts like the big Kuta beach for example, but I recommend taking a cab and going for a visit around the whole island to see the small villages and local theatres. You are also able to watch the dophins in the sunrise at Lovina beach in the north. There is something magical about Bali.

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

This was an easy question for me. The restaurant was called La Gaiac and it was located on the island of St. Martin. Me and my family got seated on a rooftop which had about five different dinner tables. They played some classical music on the roof while we decided to have their tasting menu. The menu consisted of dishes like foie gras, lobster and many more delicious dishes. The service was excellent from the staff and the feeling of being seated on this rooftop and having this superb food together with your family was a memorable visit.

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

Most of our clients are rich but maybe not famous. They are often well educated, earn a good salary and love to travel to explore the world. If we have any celebrities as a client, we will do our best to keep their vacation with us as discrete as possible. This is very important for us. The celebrity wouldn’t have to think about whether the press will find out where they are going to vacation. By renting a villa you always seek privacy and a secluded destination to be sure that you could be relaxed during your vacation.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I often travel to ordinary places to enjoy the sun but I love to visit places like Tibet, the Inca Trail and Antarctica. These special destinations have something to offer me. To go there with my camera and take some wonderful footage would be my next goal. Every destination has something very special to offer - that’s why I love to travel and have the chance to provide my clients with the perfect tailormade vacation!

Thank you, Claes. We wish you continued success at Bohline Exclusive Villas.

There are few places on earth that are as romantic and steeped in mystical spirituality as Bali. Known to some as The Morning of the World, and to many as The Island of the Gods, it is no small wonder that literally thousands of couples pledge or renew their wedding vows in Bali. And there are few more romantic, luxurious, more private and convenient wedding venues than the five villas that make up the beachfront Pantai Lima estate on the island’s west coast.

This exclusive estate of super luxury villas built right on the Bali beachfront at Pererenan, an unspoiled fishing community, a short drive north of Seminyak, Bali’s centre of sophisticated shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Each of the five luxury villas – Waringin, Melissa, Sound of the Sea, Ambra, and Mary – is individually architecturally-designed and completely different from one another. Four of the five villas are more than large enough to cater for a memorable multi-course wedding banquet for 60 guests, or as many as 200 to enjoy canapés, cocktails and Champagne. And the Villa Mary grounds are so spacious that as many as 250 can comfortably enjoy a sit-down dinner.

The much loved luxury Orient Express resort of Jimbaran Puri is set to open 22 new luxury pool villas next month. Each spacious villa will have its own swimming pool, and hard wood deck where spa treatments can be enjoyed. All villas are set amidst a traditional Balinese garden courtyard, with separate bed and living rooms, and personal, unobtrusive butler service. Villa guests will enjoy all of the facilities that are provided at the hotel. The villas are an exceptional choice for those seeking the luxury of space, privacy, style and comfort in a property on Bali’s beachfront.

Still not yet decided where to go this year?  Maybe luxury travel specialists ITC Classics will give you some inspiration.  Here’s a selection of ideas from their January Sale:

Indian Ocean

Diva, Maldives

Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5, plus book more than 45 days in advance and receive an extra 10% discount. Valid until 31 July 2009 (excluding 10th-15th April). You will stay in a Junior Suite on a Half Board basis from £2,590 per person. Price includes economy flights and seaplane transfers.
Saving £1,960 per couple.

Caribbean

Royal by Rex Resorts, St Lucia

Stay 10 nights and only pay for 7. In addition receive a complimentary spa treatment during your holiday.
Valid until 30th April 2009.  You’ll stay in a Deluxe Suite on a room only basis from £1,730 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers. Saving £640 per couple.

Blue Waters, Antigua

Receive 30% off accommodation in the Cove Suites.  Valid until 18th December 2009. Enjoy 7 nights at Blue Waters in a Cove Suite on a bed & breakfast basis from £1,570 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers. Saving £1,100 per couple.

Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5. In addition, book by 31st January 2009 and receive complimentary half board. Valid until 12th March 2009. Enjoy a Garden View Room on a bed & breakfast basis from £2,450 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers. Saving £1,860 per couple.

Middle East

One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

Stay 5 nights and only pay for 4 plus receive complimentary dine around.  Valid until 13th February 2009.
Relax in a Palace Deluxe Room on a bed & breakfast basis from £1,345 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers. Saving £1,135 per couple.

Far East

Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand

Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5. Valid until 31st March 2009.  You’ll be treated to a Pool Villa on a room only basis from £2,369 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers.  Saving £1,620 per couple.

Karma Kandara, Bali

Stay 7 nights and only pay for 5. Valid until 31st March 2009. Indulge in a 2 Bedroom Pool Residence on a room only basis from £2,420 per person. Price includes economy flights and private transfers.  Saving £1,360 per couple.

Terms and conditions apply. All offers are subject to availability.

Situated at Pererenan, a largely deserted stretch of beach 25 minutes by car from Bali’s sophisticated and cosmopolitan shopping, dining and clubbing, the new Pantai Lima estate comprises five luxurious beachfront villas and 70 staff to wait on your every need.

Each villa has been uniquely created by French designers Gaelle Echene and Charles Pelletier, with considerable personal input from the owners. Four villas are 5-bedroom, one has six bedrooms, and many of the bedrooms offer stunning ocean views since all five villas are right on the water’s edge, sharing 170 metres of largely deserted beachfront.  Bedrooms have 37 inch liquid crystal TV displays, and Bose DVD players and sound systems. Another great touch are iPod docks in each villa which connect with speakers in every room and in the gardens.

The estate is about 25 minutes by car from Seminyak, Bali’s centre of sophisticated shopping, dining and nightlife. The world-famous Nirwana Golf Course is just 4 km to the north-west.

Located along the scenic Jimbaran coast, Raffles Resort Amartha will feature a resort comprising approximately 85 villas and 25 Raffles Residences for private ownership. Occupying a sprawling 11 hectares, Raffles Resort Amartha is built to resemble a Water Palace, with inspiration drawn from classical Javanese-Hindu architecture and style, characterised by open spaces, water features and walled couryards on rising terraces. The resort is just minutes away from Bali’s international airport, Denpasar.

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!

If you are looking for something different from your next luxury vacation, then spare a thought for the world’s only interactive elephant experience.  The Elephant Safari Park Lodge in Bali opens on 1st March 2008, and gives its guests the opportunity to live among 27 endangered, indigenous Sumatran elephants and, by doing so, to learn about all aspects of their behaviour.  The lodge has 25 air-conditioned rooms with LCD televisions and WiFi, a safari-themed spa, a wedding gazebo, a bar/lounge and a restaurant.  Introductory offers include transfers to and from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) which is just over an hour away in Denpasar. Go for the Taro Suite - it comes with a private butler.

Suite name: Dalem Jiwo Suite
Resort: Amanjiwo, Central Java
Size of accommodation: 1,300 sq m
Cost per night: £1,278 per night (Rates are subject to 10% service charge and 11% government tax. Rates include airport transfer.)
What makes it special? Amanjiwo is set in the countryside of Central Java with clear views of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world. Amanjiwo has 35 suites, 34 of which encircle the main building and offer both interior and exterior living areas.

Amanjiwo is set in the countryside of Central Java with clear views of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the world. Amanjiwo has 35 suites, 34 of which encircle the main building and offer both interior and exterior living areas.

Entry to each suite is by sliding glass door that provides a light filled living and sleeping area. The king size bed is positioned in the centre of the suite beneath the high ceiling and doomed rooftop. The bathroom has twin vanities, a dressing area, shower, and leads to a small courtyard revealing an outdoor sunken bath.

The Dalem Jiwo is set in a discreet compound ensuring the utmost in peace, privacy and luxury. The Dalem Jiwo two bedroom suite is a discreet compound, complete with a private entrance, a classically styled rotunda and surrounding terrace with two separately walled bedrooms. Each bedroom has stone steps descending to the suite’s private 15 meters pool finished in a green Javanese stone known as Hijau danau and is surrounded by rice terraces. The Dalem Jiwo butler, always on call, has separate quarters in the compound.

Concierge.com, the online home for inspired travel from Conde Nast has posted its picks for the third annual World’s Sexiest Beaches list.  Beaches are both on and off the beaten path and are chosen for their beauty, buzz factor and overall steamy appeal.  Here’s their top ten:

1. Caprera Island, Sardinia, Italy
2. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil 
3. Cousine Island, Seychelles 
4. Playa de los Lances, Tarifa, Spain
5. Pink Sand Beach, Harbour Island, Bahamas 
6. Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia
7. South Beach, Miami, Florida 
8. Pigeon Point Beach, Antigua 
9. Bodrum, Turkey 
10. Santa Maria Beach, Ilha do Sal, Cape Verde

Tanya Schliff is founder of DirectoryofHotels.com, a unique hotel guide focusing on global travel.  She started the site because she found that, when researching her own travels, there were very few resources that gave her direct access to the hotel for questions and reservations. She favours independent travel rather than using booking agents or travel agents and believes that travellers benefit greatly from having direct contact with the hotel they have chosen.

What is it that you do exactly?

As Founder and Editor, I write reviews and report on “all things” travel for our blog, TravelerWIRE and our monthly newsletter, answer questions from our readers and am constantly researching new and exciting places of interest.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I am not going to lie, traveling is a blast and I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I do. In addition, I get great pleasure from having the creative freedom to write about, promote and support the hotelier, especially bringing light to the small to medium properties.

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

It is very difficult to pick just three, as every travel affair will always have a place close to my heart.

Four Seasons Bali at Sayan and Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia - I had the pleasure of staying at both properties in Bali, they are each different experiences and not to be missed. Jimbaran Bay brings traditional old world charm, cool breezes, sprawling grounds, rocky peninsula and gorgeous views of the vast blue sea.  The villas are over 2000 square feet, comprised of three thatched roofs including an outdoor living area, the abode with a king-sized canopy mosquito-net bed, sandstone floors, indoor/outdoor shower and each with a private plunge pool. Sayan is situated close to Ubud, an artist´s colony in hills, and is structured with modern lines.  The entryway is stunning, and infinity edged lotus pond overlooks the Ayung river and surrounding rice fields. Again the villas, are striking with a modern Balinese twist, outdoor dining area, deep soaking tubs, separate dressing areas, private outdoor plunge pools.  No stone left unturned.

Maroma Resort & Spa, Mayan Riviera, Mexico  - a secluded oceanfront resort and spa where everyone calls you by name.  One sip of there house margarita, scented with anise, and you won’t want to leave. My favorite experience was the Temazcal where I endured an extraordinary ancient Mayan rebirthing ceremony (reminiscent of a North American Indian sweat lodge) where super heated lava rocks doused with herb-infused water create an intoxicating and healing experience.

Il Pelicano, Porto Ercole, Italy - a stylish and exclusive retreat with an outstanding restaurant and wine cellar and an equally profound and intimate bar. Surrounded by centuries old olive trees and situated above the Mediterranean Sea with a path that leads down to a heated seawater pool and beyond a sunbathing rock platform by the sea.  The property was awarded the “Purple Lily” by Relais & Chateaux and exudes old Hollywood glamour filled with romantic history.

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

I have had the pleasure of dining at some wonderful places, but this little restaurant in the medieval village of Capalbio, Le Mura, was something special. Delivering a surreal and intimate dining experience, Le Mura’s hosts, a husband and wife team, where Roberta cooks and Gerry guides you through local history in their cozy home, formerly the castle bakery.  There is no menu at Le Mura, only four tables each night and everything is fresh and made to order. Even as the only guests that night, our experience lasted no less than 5 hours. If you are lucky, like I was, Roberta took me into the kitchen where I threw on a chef’s cap and she taught me her recipes for the evening. All local delights and masterful creations like wild boar, rabbit and freshly made pasta. Magical! Guests have included the likes of Mario Batali.

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

Living so close to Los Angeles, where my husband is a native, it is not difficult to bump into celebs from Madonna at L’Orangerie, Paris Hilton at Peninsula Beverly Hills to Gwyneth Paltrow at Esperanza Resort.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I have always dreamed of hunting the winter white truffle in Piemonte, Italy.

Thanks, Tanya. Le Mura sounds like a fascinating little find… how did you get to hear about it?

Romina Cambiasso is General Manager of Las Balsas in Patagonia, Argentina. Born in Buenos Aires, she majored in Tourism and has extensive experience in the industry, including posts at Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, The Aryaduta Jakarta and Iguazu Grand Hotel Resort & Casino, among others, prior to moving to Las Balsas.

What is it that you do exactly?

I manage a Relais & Chateaux in Patagonia. It´s an incredible property of only 15 rooms by the lake in the middle of a forest, surrounded by mountains. I´ve been working here for 8 years. Since last year I’ve been living between Villa La Angostura and Buenos Aires. In BA we have our sales & marketing office.

Normally when I’m at the hotel I wake up not very early in the morning and the first thing I do is call my assistant to find out if there is anything urgent to take care of. After that phone call, I have “mate” with my husband, who happens to be the executive chef, and then go straight to my office where I drink my first decaf of the day with the papers. Then it depends on the needs but as being in charge of everything in a small hotel I do always have meetings to attend, lunches with guests, discuss the day’s work with staff and late in the evenings I assist to my regular political meeting. I’m at the board of a political party in my small town. When I’m in Buenos Aires I go to the office very early in the morning and do presentations to potential clients.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

To be honest I enjoy many things. But to name two I would say: to make my guests’ stay as special and unforgettable as I know it is and to train young people to be ready for their future as potential leaders. Most of all to let them understand what is important in serving other people. Of course it is very exhausting because it takes much more time and energy but the result is amazing and when people tell me what great team I have I know is because of that.

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

Fernando de Noronha - a small island in Northeast Brazil. The sunsets and deep blue sea are so romantic… I love scuba diving and this is one of the best places ever!!! And it was part of my honeymoon…

Paris - I just simply love it… everything there is great… classy and
beautiful. Whenever I can I go there.

Perito Moreno Glacier - an enchanting place. It is where I met my husband. Incredibly energetic…

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

That’s a tough question… Pablo, my husband is an incredible chef, so creative; and we enjoy eating very much… his food is my favourite. But I would say in 2003 on our honeymoon we went to a small restaurant that belongs to a famous photographer in Pipa (Brazil) called Beijupira. We were alone and we took the tasting menu. Everything was delicious and the ambiance was so romantic with candles and everything. It was the warmest night. When we took our credit card to pay, the waiter who was really kind told us that they did not accept credit cards… we started laughing because we thought we did not have enough cash to pay the bill. Fortunately, everything was solved but we offered to drive our waiter back to his house because our cash was not enough for the tip!!!!!!!

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

We welcome a lot of rich and famous guests because the hotel is very exclusive and private due to its location. Queen Beatrice of Holland, Princess Maxima and Prince William of Holland, Sir John Major, Jaques Laffitte, to name a few. They choose to come here because they feel safe and comfortable. It is like being at home… and last year in our International Congress in Monaco, we were with Princess Stephanie and Prince Albert. 

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would say Israel & Egypt. The first one for a religious matter and the second one is because of its culture. South Africa for the safaris and the south of Italy because my family comes from there.   

Thanks, Romina.

Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced its second project in Bali: a brand-new luxury resort condominium within dense rainforest on the Bukit Peninsula. Currently under development, it will be called the Outrigger Panorama Bali Resort & Spa and the group will own 35 of the proposed 170 units. The newly opened Bvlgari Resort and other resorts operated by Alila, Angsana and Banyan Tree will be close neighbours. The Outrigger O-CE-N Resort in Legian, Bali is also being managed by Outrigger and is due to open later this year.

Suite name: Presidential Villa
Resort: Maya Ubud Resort & Spa, Bali, Indonesia
Size of accommodation: 360 sq m
Cost per night: 11,000 RP. (approx. $1200)
What makes it special? Beautiful scenery of river valley and private pool.

Leisurely spread throughout hillside gardens, between a steep river valley and gently swaying fields of rice, Bali’s award-winning Maya Ubud Resort & Spa is a masterpiece of contemporary wonder and ethnic chic. Natural colours and local materials have been blended to harmonise with the environment; three exceptional restaurants offer specialties from around the world; and the delightful accommodation includes individual Balinese-style villas, many of which boast private pools.   

Shaded by verdant jungle foliage, the enchanting Spa at Maya offers exotic and invigorating treatments in calm seclusion, its thatched pavilions overhanging the fast flowing Petanu River as it carves its way through the valley below. 

Favoured by honeymooners and holiday makers alike, Maya Ubud is an ideal choice for those looking for luxurious facilities in a special piece of untouched Bali; a wedding destination or a romantic hideaway, where guests can experience peace and tranquillity in beautiful surroundings with personalised service and excellent food.

Tahnya Butterfield is ‘Head Honcho’ for Style Clinic by Astin Brown Inc., having previously worked in the hotel industry, human resources and organisational development consulting. She is a relentless collector of successful talent who immerse themselves in generating dynamite bespoke luxury shopping tours, style guides and precision personalised itineraries.

What is it that you do exactly?

My days are surrounded by laughter, good music and by about 4pm the urge for an equally good glass of wine.  Some of my time is spent trailing intrepid stylists and shoppers around the world - email and Skype keeps me on their shopping and lifestyle heels to find the best places for shopping and culture devotees to shop, curl up and be indulged. I enjoy pouring over the generosity of luxury travel and fashion writers to help unearth treasures for our itineraries. I feed my market information to the gorgeous Wendy Tomlins who develops and hots up our group and personalized itineraries. Teasing and introducing the travel trade and those who search for the best in bespoke travel planning is my job too.  I dedicate time for Blue Sky planning and keep up the daily actions to expand and grow the business.  I also look for opportunities to develop and facilitate style clinics to help support the campaign “Stopping Violence Against Women, In Pakistan”.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love discovering new, known and unknown places to shop, eat and be spoilt. My radar is always on.  I enjoy hearing people compliment what we do, receiving unsolicited feedback that we have created an experience that they never though about before. Knowing that the experience we dream up then go on to create will be logged in someone’s memory and every photograph taken or note written will be a trigger and story that will be shared and revisited.

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

1. The Four Seasons Sydney with full frontal penthouse view of The Harbour Bridge and Opera House on New Years Eve is like cracking magic.
2. I rarely revisit resorts and normally steer clear of  destination resorts. I am definitely a switcher but I have done two repeat 4 Night stays in 2006 with my beautiful family at JW Marriott Resort, Phuket, Thailand. The rooms are gloriously large, spotlessly clean and maintained like no other given that it gets plenty of family traffic. The Children’s Club is organized with loads of well planned activities for all age groups. The restaurants are sumptuous and score above average. We particularly like the sense of space, you never get the feeling of full occupancy. This resort makes place for families, gen X ,Y and boomers. There is the dreamy SPA and it offers one of the best cocktail lists I have seen in a long while.
3. The Presidential Suite - the Maya Ubud Spa and Resort, Ubud Bali - magnificent. A sumptuous bungalow, an over-the-top sized pool and staff who spoil you. If only all that was my home!

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

I would say dining alone in QANTAS first class - like a star studded celebrity sipping bubbles by the bottle.  Never has a twelve hour flight passed so quickly!

More recently the most overlooked experience was drowning a glass of red wine without realising that at $26US it was the cost of a good bottle of Chianti. Somewhere posh in Boston my sister took me.

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

The US President Bill Clinton sat next to my table at the celeb-frequented Manta Ray, Cowpers Wharf, Woolloomooloo when he was last in Sydney. I did notice that he didn’t bring attention to himself with his small security entourage, he has a great contagious laugh, would not be described as tall and appears to be a fan of plaid shirts and chino’s aka middle American’s fixation with Ralph Lauren’s uniform.

I was in Chicago - looking for the freeway exit to the airport, running late as usual and trying to find out where to return my hire car. In front of me was a yellow Ferrari slowing the pace of the building traffic. People were hanging out of their car windows trying to get an autograph, waving and horning - for who, I wondered. As the traffic slowed Michael Jordan reached out to passing cars with his autograph, and all the while I stuck behind him, with no escape!

Martha Stewart. Up close and personal at a Barnes and Noble book signing for her latest Homekeeping Handbook and more recently at Art Basel Miami Beach viewing a wealth of contemporary art.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would like to learn how to pack just one pair of shoes. And learn how to say ‘no’ to buying more because, even though every country and every city have shoe ‘must have’s’ they can be a curse when you are trying to jam other shopping in the suitcase.

Every flight I look down the gangway of the passengers coming toward me. I sit fingers crossed hoping that someone with lingering body odour, excess gas, cold or cough is not sitting next to me. I wish for passenger screening for these pariahs.

I want to click my fingers and just be there!

I want the above, and to stay with my family and friends at Bali Villa Sungai  or a villa from the collection, then sneak off for a few days with my husband to the new Bulgari Hotel Bali sitting on the hilltop of Uttawata.

Thanks, Tahnya. And may all your future flights be free of smelly fellow passengers!