A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…
Scheduled to open in late 2007 on Scrub Island, Mainsail Resort, Marina & Spa is the first luxury resort development in the British Virgin Islands in more than 15 years and will be fully equipped with ocean view suites, villas and residences, a world class spa, marina, restaurants, retail shops, amphitheatre, nature trails, and an astronomy observatory.
The editors at ShermansTravel.com have sorted through the ever-increasing number of Valentine’s Day travel promotions and picked their five best Valentine’s getaway deals… including one for singles!
For further details on the packages, see their romantic deals page.
At Cruise Critic, they’re interested in cruise lines and ships that are playing against type - and against conventional wisdom: big ships in exotic destinations and small ships in more well-trodden ones. Making their top 5 list for 2007 are:
A new vacation club from Marriott, which shares its facilities with the St. Kitt’s Resort and the Royal Beach Casino, has opened in the West Indies with one quarter of its proposed 88 villas. The villas have either 2 or 3 bedrooms, king beds and oversized soaking tub, full kitchens, and separate living and dining areas. Prices starts at $17,500 per deeded week.
Remember the $100,000 Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas Valentines package I told you about a short while back? If you thought that was extravagant, think again:
10-Day vacation of a lifetime priced at $425,000; now that’s amore! Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love - the love of your life, the love of family, the love of true friends. Flowers and candy are always “safe” expressions of feelings but are often considered a bit cliché. Looking to truly captivate your loved one’s heart this Valentine’s Day? Villas of Distinction, a leader in the luxury villa vacations market, has created the ultimate valentine travel package taking the “wow factor” as well as the level of privacy to new heights. The “My Distinctive Valentine” Package - priced at $425,000 - is designed for couples who choose to enjoy alone time or those who wish to share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with friends and family - up to 10 people total.
So what do you get for your money? Well… private jet travel from New York to St. Martin on the renowned Citation X, 7 days on the 140ft. Martha Ann luxury yacht and 3 nights on Richard Branson’s Necker Island for starters.
Caneel Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands is hosting the Hot Type Author Series next week, from 27th-31st January 2007. Adam Gopnik, known for work at the New Yorker and the novels Paris to the Moon and The King in the Window, will host a series of private dinners where guests will have the exclusive opportunity to discuss his past works, his adventures in Paris, and his most recent book, Through the Children’s Gate: A Home in New York, a copy of which guests will get to keep.
Guests reserving Half Moon’s luxurious Royal Villas this winter can receive up to $1400 in resort credit when they book Half Moon’s Winter Escape package. With the Winter Escape, guests who book a minimum of 5 nights will receive a resort credit of $1000 for a 5-bedroom villa, $1200 for a 6-bedroom villa and $1400 for a 7-bedroom villa. The package also includes daily breakfast as well as round-trip airport transfers in Montego Bay. The credit is applicable for restaurants, activities and other services at the resort and the package is valid for stays until 15th April 2007 (excluding 14th-22nd February).
Confirmation is in that a joint venture agreement has been made between Baha Mar Resorts Ltd. and a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment to develop one of the largest destination resorts in the Caribbean, Baha Mar. Located in Nassau, Baha Mar will include hotels under Starwood’s W, St. Regis, Westin and Sheraton brands. This is a huge coup for the Bahamas since it is expected that the development will “directly and indirectly sustain over 7,000 jobs, generate more than $4.7 billion in incremental tax revenues, and contribute $11.2 billion to The Bahamas’ Gross Domestic Product over the next 20 years”.
The Japanese-style residence that goes by the name of Stargroves Villa, on the island of Mustique in the Grenadines, is in fact owned by Mick Jagger. The 6-bedroomed beachfront property offers wonderful views of scattered islands for a typically weekly sum of $16,000. Now you can truly can get satisfaction by relaxing like a rock star…!
Michael Winfield, President and CEO of Cambridge Beaches and the Frascati Hotel Company, the organization that owns Cambridge Beaches and other assets, which makes him responsible for the overall success of both companies.
What is it that you do exactly?
My daily objective is to position Cambridge Beaches as an inimitable resort getaway to upscale and aspiring vacationers who can appreciate old-world style, romance and privacy. To successfully deliver these objectives, I must ensure that the elements of service, physical amenities and infrastructure meet and exceed the expectations of incoming guests. I am Chairman of the Bermuda Hotel Association, Co-Chairman of the Bermuda Alliance for Tourism and Chairman of the BAT Airline Committee, all of which assists me in my daily objectives.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I like variety. I like to push the envelope, challenge my team and provoke imagination, quality, consistence and delivery. I am creative and like to develop new ideas or conceive new ways to improve Cambridge Beaches on a daily basis. I relish guest feedback and enjoy trying to get Bermuda and Cambridge Beaches front of mind. I also enjoy counseling and pushing for better performance, better results and superior guest satisfaction.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
The Safari Lodges run by CC Africa are magical as nature provides the very best and worst on the same page. The magnificent continent, animals and staff, who just want to please, and the physical amenities make you feel comfortable, safe and exclusive.
My favorite business hotel is the Four Seasons in London, UK. They make a full-on effort to please and their observatory rooms are amazing. The hotel is one of the best managed and the people fall over themselves making you feel at home.
One of my favorite leisure destinations is Eden Rock in St. Barts. The island offers a European–sophisticated style, is a lot of fun and the food is excellent. For me, it encompasses all the necessities with a laid-back atmosphere that really works.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
It doesn’t get any better than the private island dining experience here at Cambridge Beaches. My wife and I thoroughly enjoy the entire evening, from the gentle lapping of the waves to the golden moon-beams, the swishing of the palm trees and just being in the atmosphere with that special person is so romantic. The butler is discreet, popping and pouring champagne and then takes his exit only to return for the next course. Everything is surreal, your sense of taste is heightened, the colors look brighter and the night is so very quiet. We usually end the evening with coffee and liqueur and then a private shuttle in and around the beaches at Cambridge. There is nothing quite like this out there and yet, it’s a simple, elegant pleasure that lasts forever.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
As a past Minister in the Government of Bermuda, I had the opportunity to meet many world leaders. Cambridge Beaches is fortunate in welcoming many famous people from both the political and Hollywood side to even those from royalty. My career has afforded me the pleasure of meeting prime ministers, presidents, princes and film stars. What is most interesting is that the Hollywood-types, royals and politicians all covet the same things: privacy, comfort, pampering and the ability to do nothing. Isn’t that what we all want?
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
I yearn to visit India, for an incredible opportunity to witness a tiger safari, and/or to chase leopards in Africa. My wife and I are hoping to visit French Polynesia in the near future. Of course, China is on my list and I want to spend more time enjoying the spas of the world, specifically the spas of Austria, Germany and the Far East.
Thanks, Michael. Having honeymooned with CC Africa a few years ago, I can heartily endorse your recommendation of the company.
InterContinental Hotels Group is investing a total of $95 million to upgrade, expand and renovate their hotels throughtout Latin America and the Caribbean. Renovations that began in 2005 cover a total of 22 properties and will be completed by the end of 2007. IHG is the second largest hotel operator in Latin America.
Trisha Johnson is President of Aegean Sails which offers high end yacht (gulet) charter services in the Aegean Sea (Greece and Turkey). Trisha previously worked in tourism in the 1980s, but spent several years in the relocation business working with New York corporations, before getting back into travel in 2000.
What is it that you do exactly?
I specialize in the beautiful hand made wooden yachts called gulets in the Aegean/Mediterranean. They cruise the Turkey coast, which they name the Blue Voyage, and the nearby Greek Islands. I am now just setting up to offer Croatia also. A typical day in my business starts early in the morning as my business is centered in Turkey, and Turkey is seven hours ahead of New York. Because we own and operate our own gulet, there are various issues which need to be dealt with, and so I correspond with Captain Yilmaz, captain of the Piccolo and a partner in my business.
I then respond to the requests which have come in for information on possible trips. People are looking for help in all aspects of their trip to Turkey, and I take great pleasure in helping them all I can. I have worked up a network of experts in the area, so although I may not book many of these aspects myself, I can always put them in touch with someone who can help them. It is great fun explaining to them the many advantages of a gulet holiday and talking to them about the many ports of call. Some people want more time on land, some people more time on the water. They might be interested in the fascinating history of the area, or they may be more inclined towards diving or water sports. Each itinerary is based on that particular group, and putting it together, is one of the best parts of my day. People are always happy when they are planning their vacation, so we can’t help but to have fun working on it together.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
A large part of my job is marketing and devising the needed materials to help us reach out in many directions. This is all the creative part of the business and I get a lot of pleasure out of, especially when it all comes together. I have a great team of talented people that I work with, who have all been to Turkey and enjoyed the Piccolo, so they all give enthusiastically of their best. And then, all of a sudden, along comes a request like yours, which is a lot of fun to respond to.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
I travel too much to remember 3 best places, but from recent trips my husband and I enjoy a tiny little hotel in Negril, Jamaica called “Idleawhile“. There are only a handful of rooms decorated beautifully in true Caribbean style. There is a bar and restaurant right on the beach but the best thing for me is that I can walk from my room, through a tropical garden, straight onto the beach. No large foyers for me. The owners of this hotel own one of the largest hotels a little further down the beach, where you have access to all the facilities, e.g. gyms, tennis, etc.
Another spot we loved to stay recently was the Sheraton Hotel in Antalya, Turkey. It is right on the sea looking out to the Taurus mountains which ring the sea to the right of the hotel. We were given a suite room with terrace and lots of glass to enjoy the view. Watching the sun come up over the mountains which seem to touch the sea was truly spectacular.
We have just returned from a two week trip to Australia where we spent one week in Noosa, Queensland. There were a group of us, so we rented a wonderfully relaxing house on Witta Circle within walking distance to the town. We had our own beach on the river, a pool, an open, well-decorated house with spacious bedrooms and great bathrooms. The laughing kookaburras (birds) delighted us each morning, and there was always a beautiful bird song going on around us. We could walk to the sweeping, sandy Noosa beach and have iced coffees Aussie style on the way home.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
My recent dining experience was La Vida right on Hastings St., the main street of Noosa, Queensland. The atmosphere was upmarket, it was busy with happy diners and offered delicious cuisine. I love oysters, and here they were particularly tasty. My main course was a twice roasted duck over a kumara mash which I followed with a truly downunder dessert of pavlova with cream and passion fruit. Yum! Writing this makes me wish I could dine there again soon.
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
While we were in Sydney, some promoter had paid $6m for Paris Hilton to appear and identify with some Down Under beer. How this woman, who I can’t figure out does what, gets paid to do this, is anyone’s guess!!! One night she donned a black wig and had her own night on the town.
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
A return trip to Australia to relax in Cairns and visit more of the outback.
Thanks, Trisha. Your gulets look fabulous - I shall be following your progress with interest.
Book at stay at The Westin Aruba Resort before 23rd February and your 5th night is free! Relax and refresh on a magnificent beach amidst sparkling blue water and soft sand beaches. Discover the ideal blend of Caribbean warmth and Las-Vegas-style excitement at this new resort from Westin.
It’s not a publication I can claim to read often but an article in the Jamaica Gleaner caught my eye today. Recent discussions by tourism industry officials at the Strawberry Hill Hotel and Spa concluded that the way forward for Jamaica is to set out to be the best. This, according to Adam Stewart, the 25-year-old CEO of Sandals Resorts International, has been the basis of Sandals’ 20% growth in the last year. Jamaica projects about 1.2 million visitors in 2007, about 100,000 more than last year.
The famous luxury retailer Neiman Marcus is selling a space trip in their catalogue that includes the opportunity to experience weightlessness along with a spectacular view of Earth. Their space charter for you and five of your best friends will set you back $1.76 million! The fee includes training, medical assessments and a ride on the Virgin Galactic spaceship. There’s even an after-party at Necker Island (Sir Richard Branson’s 74-acre private island retreat in the Caribbean) thrown in.
