A Luxury Travel Blog

Just two weeks after The Luxury Travel Bible issued a press release with its top 10 sexiest hotels in the world for Valentine’s, I’ve been sent an email by Tripadvisor with their own top 10 sexy hotels.  Perhaps not surprisingly, there aren’t many that are common to both lists.   Here are the two lists:

Top 10 Sexiest Hotels in the World from The Luxury Travel Bible

Andaz San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
Crazy Bear Hotel, Beaconsfield, UK
Fleming House, Goldeneye, Jamaica
Hotel Amour, Paris, France
Hotel Sezz, Paris, France
Maison Moschino, Milan
Night New York, New York, USA
The Library Hotel, New York, USA
The Palms, Las Vegas, USA
The Seven Hotel, Paris, France

Top 10 Sexy Hotels from Tripadvisor

Palmer House South Beach, Miami Beach, USA
Iron Horse Hotel, Milwaukee, USA
ME Madrid Reina Victoria, Madrid, Spain
Night Hotel, New York City, USA
Le Meridien Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
W Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA
Axel Hotel Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Buddha-Bar Hotel, Prague, Czech Republic
Gansevoort Turks + Caicos, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
be Manos, Brussels, Belgium

Congratulations to Night New York, the one hotel to make both lists.

Tripadvisor have emailed me with their “top 10 sultry island escapes”. What do you think of their selection? Any notable omissions?

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
2. Bali, Indonesia
3. Anguilla
4. Phuket, Thailand
5. Santorini, Greece
6. St. Lucia
7. Ischia, Italy
8. Formentera, Spain
9. Fiji
10. Seychelles

According to an email just received at A Luxury Travel Blog HQ from Tripadvisor, the top 10 spa destinations are as follows:

1. Sedona, AZ, USA
2. Bath, United Kingdom
3. Reykjavik, Iceland
4. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
5. Ubud, Indonesia
6. Playa Mujeres, Mexico
7. Oia, Greece
8. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
9. Santa Fe, NM, USA
10. Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica

Would you broadly agree with their list or do you think it has some notable omissions?

If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation rental, look no further than these truly startling vacation homes. Taking luxury to the next level, these luxury vacation rentals each bring something new to the table that will fulfill even the most discerning tastes.

Summer dreams and water fun

Villa with Swim-Up Bar: The beachfront Villa Avalon in Turks and Caicos
is not only the ideal beach villa in the Caribbean, it’s fully outfitted for
relaxing beach living. Each of the 4 bedrooms opens out onto a private
terrace and the pool deck. You can walk out onto a Turtle Cove beach and
snorkel out into Smith’s Reef. The pool curves around the deck and has a
swim-up bar with bar stools just below the surface. Enjoy alfresco dining
and cocktail swilling under the Caribbean palapa bar.

Koh Samui Villa with Waterslide: Not content to be just a pool villa, Lulu
is has an amusement park waterslide cascading from the 3rd-floor balcony
78 meters down to the pool. The Koh Samui Villa Lulu also offers comfortable
living areas, a games room for family entertaining and a staff attending to
catering, cleaning and maintenance throughout your stay.

St. Martin Villa with 3 Pools: What’s the fun of just one pool? The luxury
Villa d’Art has outdoor terraces with three pools, one for the main villa, a
private pool for the master bedroom and a pool in the outdoor bar area.
The St. Martin Villa has a tennis court and is just minutes from the sugary
Caribbean beaches.

Beach fun for family and friends

Nantucket Villa with Private Beach: This waterfront beach villa is perfect for family vacations in Nantucket, outfitted with private access to your own beach, a tennis court, gym, pool and pool house. It’s a dream house decorated with classic New England elegance that welcomes in the whole family.

Resort in a Villa in Bahamas: Hidden away on a secluded beach in Grand Bahama, the Nandana Private Resort brings a luxury resort to your own private home. Enjoy gourmet cuisine for each meal, an on-site masseuse, 120’ infinity pool, Jacuzzi, Jet Skis, ATVs, and 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, beach volleyball course, full staff, courtesy private yacht Lioness for sport-fishing and snorkeling, a private airplane all just for you, your friends and family.

Villas that are luxe and then some

Castle with Heli Pad: The Trident Castle is one of the largest private vacation homes in Caribbean and is ideal for a destination wedding in Jamaica. The luxury castle built by Hotelier and Architect Earl Levy has a ballroom, banquet hall, two living rooms, romantic courtyard, full-time staff of eight, a pool, private chapel and personal helicopter pad.

Modern Villa with Private Chef and Wine Cellar: A fully-staffed Johannesburg villa which comes with a Cordon Bleu private chef, chauffeured Mercedes Benz Vito, maid and butler service, on-call physician and a masseuse. In addition to the five-star service, the Johannesburg villa includes a home gym with sauna, a grand home cinema, infinity pool and a deluxe wine cellar stocked with South African wines and cigar humidor with Havanas and Cohibas.

Verbier Chalet with Spa: The ski chalet Spa Blanche comes with its own private Spa for the perfect way to unwind after a long day of the Swiss ski slopes. The chalet Spa Blanche has a luxurysSpa with Jacuzzi, sauna, hammam and therapy treatment room as well as a Swimspa H2X with a therapy pool and poolside bar.

Ollivier Jacq is Founder of Paradizo.

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

There’s something magical about islands.  The isolation… the privacy… wonderful beaches and complete solitude.  According to Tripadvisor, the world’s top 10 island escapes are:

1. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
2. Cook Islands
3. Mykonos, Greece
4. Maldives
5. Cyprus
6. Boracay, Philippines
7. Ko Lanta, Thailand
8. Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
9. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
10. Mana Island, Fiji

Are there any that you think should have made the list, but didn’t?  Please share with us by clicking on the comments.

Amanyara is located deep within a 5,000-acre nature and wildlife reserve called Northwest Point, on the island of Providenciales. The Aman hotel chain provides some of the best luxury resorts as well as the most expensive in the world.

Amanyara looks incredibly spacious, yet it gives you complete privacy depending on whether you are here on a romantic vacation or just to get away from the bustle of everyday life. The aesthetics of Amanyara imitates the Asian-inspired minimalistic look, with a lot of polished teak, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors and many cushy daybeds and alfresco lounging spots. The whole architecture of Amanyara is just spectacular and very exquisite. It’s easy to forget you are in a resort at all as it feels more like you are in zen heaven!

Architect Jean-Michel Gathy tried hard to create the resort keeping in line with its natural surroundings. Instead of trimmed lawns, palm trees, and fluorescents-bright flowers is a chalky, hardscrabble landscape of cacti, Serenoa, and scrub. The seacoast is mostly iron-shore, a rough combination of lava and pitted limestone. He compensated for the harshness by creating a series of calming, reflective ponds and importing stone, wood and other materials from Indonesia and other countries.

Replicating the resort on a more intimate scale are the Turks and Caicos luxury Villas. Each Villa has three, four or five bedrooms, an infinity-edged swimming pool, living and dining pavilion, an outdoor dining sala, kitchen, personal cook and housekeeper. The villas are totally private and the environment is so calm and quiet that you can’t help but relax. No surprise then that its name ‘Amanyara’ is the Sanskrit word for ‘peaceful place’.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is launching a new exclusive brand for high-end travellers; Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Phulay Bay in Krabi, Thailand, will be the first property to open in spring 2009. The philosophy behind the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio is to create idyllic retreats where guests can escape into an exclusive leisure experience. It offers guests a new interpretation of local lifestyle and culture. The architecture respects the environment of each destination and the suites and villas are integrated in it, furthermore local culture and history are reflected in the design. So a private exquisite atmosphere is created where guests can experience relaxed comfort and an intuitive individual service. Future locations will include The United Arab Emirates, Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos and Costa Rica.

Before starting Original Travel Tom Barber was a journalist for GQ and then freelance for the Evening Standard, Independent, Tatler and Brides.  He went on two or three ‘honeymoons’ a year for Brides, and in 2003  set up OT with two friends – Nick Newbury, who was in corporate finance, and Alastair Poulain, a venture capitalist.  They started by offering what  they call Big Short Breaks – tailormade long weekends with an adventurous slant for busy professionals, and after a year or so  they had so much demand for longer haul destinations that  they expanded the team and the portfolio to include pretty much everywhere that  they know and love around the world. The addition in 2008 of  their Original Kids trips for funky families completes the OT picture.

What is it that  you do exactly?

I basically oversee marketing and product development at OT. For a small company we have a pretty large portfolio of trips, so maintaining up to date firsthand knowledge of our destinations is crucial. We try to offer original (funnily enough!) places that might have that element of ‘boastability’ so you can tell your friends you’ve been somewhere you know they won’t have. For the more ‘conventional’ destinations, we’re always looking at how we can improve the experience and offer new regions. I spend my days coordinating this ongoing process.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The creativity, from coming up with new concepts and destinations, to promoting them through our award-winning website or brochures. Also, however cheesy it sounds, it’s also immensely satisfying receiving a gushing feedback email from a client who has got back from an amazing trip.

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

Everyone likes something a bit different, and so the most important task our team of consultants have is judging which places and activities would best suit the client. We have around a 70% repeat and referral rate, so in most cases we have a great understanding of what will work. Things like barefoot luxury and solitude float my boat, and so for  two of my favourites I’d probably say Soneva Fushi in the Maldives for the Robinson Crusoe feel, and Private Camp at Wolwedans in Namibia for the remoteness – the camp is two miles away from the rest of the lodge and there’s so little light pollution you can see stars at the horizon. For sheer ‘hotel as destination’ luxury, I recently stayed at the Four Seasons in Budapest which was immaculate. Fantastic location, great rooms and wonderful service. Highly recommended.

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

A few years back I was staying on the island of Anguilla in the Caribbean, which prides itself on fantastic food. There’s a tiny island in the middle of a bay called Scilly Cay, and you have to wave across to the waiters, who come and pick you up in a boat. The walls are all inlaid with conch shells and there’s one thing on the menu – lobster in a curry sauce. You choose you lobster in the kitchen, and 10 minutes later it’s on your plate. Wash it down with a cold Carib beer, and then snorkel around the entire island/restaurant in the afternoon. Very special.

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

Most hotels are pretty good at being discreet about who is staying with them at any time, even though they are presumably desperate to tell the world! I – literally – bumped into Richard Gere while staying at Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands a few years back, and wouldn’t have known he was there otherwise. None more exciting than that, I’m afraid, but we’ve sent everyone from supermodels to royalty away on Original Travel trips.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

One of the very few downsides of this industry is that you are constantly surrounded by people talking about wonderful places, and seeing incredible photography of intriguing destinations. It’s all very tempting. Still top of my wishlist from the Original Travel destinations that I haven’t been to is the Skeleton Coast in Namibia which I missed last time I was there. The trip involves flying in light aircraft into the incredible wilderness along the coast, occasionally landing on the beach to inspect a shipwreck (hence the name Skeleton Coast) and seal colonies, before meeting the fascinating Himba tribespeople. Still trying to work out how I can justify going even though 4 other people from the office have done the trip!

Thank you, Tom. I’m sure you’ll work out a way to find that justification somehow!

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.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Beautiful by nature: the Turks & Caicos Islands
• A new Mexican resort and residences: Nizuc
• Passionately designed jewellery from Loree Rodkin
• Designed for New York’s long term visitor: Bristol Plaza

A promotional video for the Turks and Caicos.

• Nisbet Plantation Beach Club – Newcastle Beach, Nevis
• Jamaica Inn – Ochos Rios, Jamaica
• Excellence Riviera Cancun – Puerto Morelos, Mexico
• Galley Bay Resort – St John’s, Antigua
• East Winds Inn – Gros Islet, St. Lucia
• The Caves – Negril, Jamaica
• Villa Renaissance – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
• La Casa Que Canta – Zihuatanejo, Mexico
• Pompano Beach Club – Southampton, Bermuda
• Cozumel Palace – Cozumel, Mexico

Come back tomorrow for  the best in South America!

The 14th World Travel Awards, held at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa on the island of Providenciales,  has finally concluded. It’s the second year running that the ceremony has been held at the Turks & Caicos islands. Notable winners this year included Marriott Hotels Resorts & Suites (World’s Leading Hotel Brand),  Burj Al Arab (World’s Leading Hotel), Jumeirah (World’s Leading Luxury Hotel Brand) and the Maldives Tourism Promotion Board was honoured with an award for World’s Most Romantic Destination. A full list of winners will no doubt soon be published at http://www.worldtravelawards.com

In an article published today, Forbes gives the nod to South Africa, Mexico and a number of other destinations, saying they offer affordable opportunities to get some winter sun.   In true Forbes online style, they provide us with a list:

• Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico
  One-bedroom suites start at $265 per night
• The Reef Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas
  Rooms start at $340 per night
• The Regent Bal Harbour, Bal Harbour, Florida, USA
  Bay-view rooms from $475 per night between 2nd January and 30th April 2008
• Sonoran Spa Resort, Puerto Peñasco, Mexico (what… no website???!!)
  Rates start at $278 per night,  but look out for  3 nights for price of 2 offers
• Four Seasons Nevis, Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
  50% off regular rates
• “Highlights Of South Africa” Package from VSA Vacations
  9-day trip runs at $1999, including airfare
• Colony Club Hotel, Platinum Coast, Barbados
  Book by 15th December 2007  and rooms start at $539 per night
• Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba, Eagle Beach, Aruba
• Ocean Club Resort, Turks and Caicos, West Indies
  Offers such as ’stay six nights, get the seventh free’ available, but see what  deal you can negotiate

The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, located on the world-renowned 12-mile Grace Bay Beach, offers a special Palm d’Or Package designed for those who relish a Caribbean escape and yearn for sun, sand and gourmet indulgence. The Regent Palms’ package features a 4-day / 3-night stay in a Luxury Room, One or Two Bedroom Oceanfront or Oceanview Suite; one dinner for two in the resort’s signature restaurant, Parallel23; entrance to the fitness centre and tennis court, lit for night play; non-motorized watersports; buffet breakfast daily; a deluxe welcome amenity and roundtrip airport transfers.   Package rates start at $1,125 for a Luxury Room through until 19th December 2007. Rates are based on double occupancy and include room tax and service charge.

Ritz-Carlton is launching a new brand, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, to cater for those who prefer more unusual destinations. The first such resort within the brand will be Molasses Reef in the Turks & Caicos Islands, scheduled to open in 2008 with 125 suites, 60 villas starting from $2.6 million, two restaurants and a spa. Over 50% of Phase I has been sold and just 13 villas currently remain.