The Leading Hotels of the World annual directory for 2010 was released worldwide this week. There are 13 new Leading Hotels in the handsome hardcover volume which showcases more than 450 members in over 80 countries across the globe. They are as follows:
A ‘skateboard/punk rocker’ in his youth, David Sutcliffe is now one of three partners who run a small travel agency in Harrogate, England called Traveltalk. Specialising in luxury, tailor-made and adventure travel, Traveltalk was created 25 years ago by David’s colleague, Christine Thompson. After much hard work establishing the company in the area they developed a large core client base and are now, according to David, the leading agency in Yorkshire.
What is it that you do exactly?
My primary task is to be there for our clients, whether it be dealing with a new enquiry or ensuring that their travel plans run smoothly. Beyond that I do the administration tasks necessary to make sure that the agency runs smoothly, allowing the other members of staff to concentrate on dealing with their clients.
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
I’m a self-confessed travel geek, so I enjoy all aspects of the industry. I love reading the magazines, watching the travel channels and talking to clients about my favourite destinations, but most of all I love having the opportunity to visit places I wouldn’t otherwise be able to. I’ve seen parts of the globe that most people never will and I’m very grateful to be in such a position.
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Savute Under Canvas, Botswana – I stayed at 4 of the &Beyond properties in this amazing country, but this was the highlight for me. Staying in a tent whilst outside you could hear lions and hyenas close by was an experience that will stay with me forever. It was also the first time I’d seen a leopard on safari.
Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow – We arrived late into Moscow and didn’t get a real impression until the following morning when I looked out of my bedroom window across the Moscow River to St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square and the Kremlin. Whilst Moscow might not be as pretty as St Petersburg, you get a real feeling of being somewhere special, somewhere important.
Four Seasons Sayan, Bali – After a long journey this was a real sight for sore eyes. Beautifully set in the Ayung river valley near Ubud, this was the perfect place to relax.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
If you ever find yourself in Ibiza you must visit the Cardamom Club in Santa Eulalia. Superb Indian cuisine in a wonderful setting – chicken jalfrezi with a cold beer, outdoors under a canopy of trees on a Mediterranean evening……paradise!
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
We do have a few high profile clients, but best to respect their privacy. I’ve been shouted at by the late Hughie Green in a hotel in Edinburgh if that counts, but it was a case of mistaken identity, he apologised and even bought me a drink. I’ve also met Iggy Pop and John Peel. Oops, almost forgot… I am currently in an awkward relationship triangle with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Carmen Electra…
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
This changes on an almost daily basis, but at the moment I would love to see Norway, preferably on a Hurtigruten cruise. The scenery looks like it would literally awesome.
Thank you, David. I can heartily recommend Norway – it’s been 20 years since I was there but I still have fond recollections of the scenery.
The picturesque Town Hall Square of the medieval city of Tallinn is once more hosting the annual Christmas Market with its 64 wooden stalls. During the 40 day period from 29th November 2009 until 7th January 2010, visitors may stroll through this amazing festive scene.
Felt hats, buckwheat pillows, wooden bowls and artefacts, wickerwork, beautiful hand-sewn quilts, ceramics and glassware, sea-grass animals as well as home-made candles are offered among others at the Christmas Market as well as typical culinary Estonian delights like pork, sauerkraut, blood sausages, hot soups, gingerbread, marzipan, honey, nuts and sweets. Christmas performances with choirs, dance groups, poets and musicians round of the abundant programme.
Check out this amateur video for an idea of the atmosphere you can expect:
White Line Hotels, recently launched by Iain Ainsworth (formerly of Design Hotels), offers a unique and inspirational collection of personally recommended international hotels. Each hotel has been defined by the individual owners, and characterised by the exceptional creative design and style. Acting as a curator, Iain seeks to bring these hotels together, which all have a strong spirit of location and where the soul of the place can be seen, touched, felt and sensed.
The White Line Hotels Y(our) collection currently includes ten inspirational international hotels, including: the Hotel Omm (in Barcelona) the Greulich Hotel (in Zurich), Lesic Dimitri Palace (in Croatia) and Krafft Hotel (in Basel) with more recommended hotels continually being featured and added to the portfolio.
White Line Hotels has been fashioned and created to attract the True Believers, people who search for the most unusual and the most inspirational places to stay: establishing and creating an exciting new culture, a new scene and an entire new community.
Following the first phase of a significant renovation to the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces, the iconic Hotel National in Moscow has joined The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts, a glittering ensemble of more than 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts. Built in 1903 by famed Russian architect Alexander Ivanov, the hotel has been an historic landmark for more than a century, in a magnificent location overlooking the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square in the very heart of Moscow’s historical, cultural and business centre.
A Vegas-style gambling experience is Hungary bound. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hungary, a stylish and modern world-class resort, will open in 2012, close to Vienna, Austria, Bratislava, Slovakia and Budapest. Amenities will include a pool and deck for lounging and entertainment, a Rock Spa for relaxing and detoxing, and a Rock Shop, where guests can check out Hard Rock’s authentic rock ‘n’ roll gear and merchandise. Signature restaurants and bars, a convention center, concert venue, nightclub, and high-end retail shopping will be among the many highlights for guests of this one-of-a-kind resort.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is set to open its first hotel in Russia in 2012. It will be a 400-room hotel occupying the top floors of a 42-storey building in Moscow’s Park Huaming Business Centre in Moscow – a new major multi-purpose development. Next to the Russian Botanic Garden, Northeast District, on Vilgelma Pika Street, the hotel will be only 10 kilometres from Red Square and 25 kilometres from the international airport.
Guestrooms will have a minimum size of 40 square metres and each room will have a view of the Chinese landscapes at the Park Huaming Business Centre or views of the Russian Botanic Garden. The hotel will also have a Chinese and Russian restaurant, an indoor swimming pool and health club, a 1,200-square-metre grand ballroom, a 700-square-metre auditorium and a wide range of function rooms suited for events of all sizes.
Take time out and enjoy a seven-day yoga and meditation holiday at the picturesque baroque style Castle Hotel in Szirák, just an hour outside of Budapest. This stunning castle hotel is surrounded by five acres of pristine evergreen forest and is the perfect location to relax and restore body and mind with daily yoga classes taught by internationally renowned masters, as well as meditation, massage and other pampering treatments. All classes are conducted in English and are suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced levels and guests will immerse themselves in this ancient discipline to rediscover their inner harmony, as well as listen to lectures from the masters. Guests also receive a complimentary traditional Hungarian foot massage and a Thai massage during their stay.
A day trip to Dobogókõ is included, a stunning village that is said to be an important place for ‘Chakra’ energy and is often mentioned alongside other important places such as the Pyramids of Giza and Machu Picchu. The Dalai Lama is said to have visited this location to meditate and the day’s yoga class and mediation sessions will take place here. There is also the opportunity to discover the local area and to visit a nearby farm where guests can enjoy activities such as horse riding, horse and cart rides, feeding of the animals and can even have a go at milking the cows, if they wish!
The castle which has been converted into a beautiful hotel was originally built in 1684 and now offers guests four suites furnished in period style, four double rooms in the main building and 17 rooms in the wins. Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courses, riding stables, sauna, solarium and indoor archery room and bowling room.
The price is from €1,310 per person (or €1,580 based on single occupancy in a double room) and includes return transfer from Budapest airport or hotel in Budapest, six nights accommodation with breakfast and either lunch or dinner (three courses), daily yoga and meditation sessions, two massages and the farm visit, plus use of all the fantastic facilities.
I’ve just received a note from The Rocco Forte Collection informing me that The Augustine Prague opens today. It can be found in the Malá Strana district of the city close to Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Garden and the famous Charles Bridge. It has 101 rooms including 16 suites, all offering views over the courtyards, the monastery chapel or Prague Castle, a glass-covered courtyard restaurant, a 17th Century cellar bar complete with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the more modern Tom’s Bar. The hotel is running a 3 for 2 promotion until the end of the month.
Our latest interview is with Suzanne Aaronson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Suzanne’s Files, a leading quality lifestyle resource. Suzanne’s Files provides expert picks on under-the-radar getaways, hidden gems, wow services, truly unique gifts, lifetime experiences, and niche experts around the world.
What is it that you do exactly?
Everyday is different – that’s for sure! Throughout everyday there is a mix of our insiders, people I meet, things I read that help keep me and our team well informed about special finds all over the world. My days are mixed with business meetings and “checking things out” time. The mix is perfect for me!
What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Everyone I know, almost everyone I meet is interested in Suzanne’s Files – super flattering. People are so curious how they can tap the ever-growing site; the way it can help them navigate through the noise out there- the clutter. The time-saving benefits they get from the e-Newsletters; the insight and personal voice is like a friend would tell you!
What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?
Little Kulala Lodge, Namibia: an intimate desert retreat on a private Namibian wilderness reserve. It felt like Fred Flintstone’s house meets chic stylish. A real wow when you can sleep under the stars on your rooftop.
St. Regis in Singapore: imagine the most well serviced and most eclectically designed city hotel – now multiply by 2!
Cap Estel, Eze, Cote D’Azur, France: exactly what the Med should be. Surrounded by the sparkling sea, provided with great sporty activities on property.
What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?
Hmmm… that’s a fun question! So, I’d have to say when I was 16 years old, out to dinner in New York at a great Indian restaurant and I saw Bill Cosby (whom I grew up watching of course and adored). I walked over to him and said hi and asked if I could have a hug. He hugged me tight!
Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?
I like to keep celebrities’ anonymity as there are quite a few that tap me for my suggestions of wonderful experiences to have, places to visit and go… I’ll share one non-work related story which is that years ago Christy Turlington entered the same elevator I was in in NYC. She turned to me and complimented my jacket – which I had designed myself from an old military jacket I bought in a Washington DC thrift store. I felt very stylish to say the least…
What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?
No question – these places: Atacama Desert in Chile, Mozambique, Madagascar, Wild Fitness bootcamp in Kenya, Croatian Coast, Tokyo….and I’d like to learn how to video document to better share my perceptions and finds via the web.
Thank you, Suzanne, for a great interview. And apologies on me having to be chased to get it published… it’s been a busy time here at A Luxury Travel Blog!
The Rocco Forte Collection’s newest property, The Augustine in Prague is taking bookings for 14th May onwards 2009. Created from a set of seven buildings, including the 13th Century St Thomas’s Monastery, The Augustine’s beautiful historic features have been restored and crafted into the hotel’s design. Located in the picturesque Malá Strana district, the 101-bedroom property, including 16 suites, boasts magnificent views of Prague Castle, St Thomas’s Church and monastery courtyard. Completing this invigorating mix is a serene spa and hamam, cutting edge gym, the choice of two original bars and The Monastery restaurant.
The Polish city of Krakow, too often overlooked by travellers, has been recognised as one of the world’s top five cities by readers of Wanderlust magazine. The self-styled magazine “for people with a passion for travel” placed Krakow fourth place in its list of favourite cities for 2009 and described it as a “bargain destination”. The other cities to make the top five were Antigua in Guatemala, Kyoto in Japan, the US city of Boston and the Cuban capital of Havana.
The trend towards luxury train travel appears to be increasing for travellers who enjoy a relaxing time watching the world go by in sumptuous surroundings, whilst also knowing exactly how their budget is being spent (being that many such journeys include most meals and drinks). And travellers should be pleased to know that short European breaks are now an option with the ultra-luxury holiday train The Danube Express.
The launch of the Bohemian Short Break adventure – a 5-day fully escorted trip from Budapest to Brussels – means that those with a penchant for luxury rail travel can enjoy a scenic voyage through the changing landscapes of the heart of Europe. The break begins with two nights in Budapest before joining the Danube Express at Budapest Nyugati station, where passengers will begin with a Champagne reception for the journey through Europe to Brussels, via Vienna, Prague and Carlsbad. Arriving in Brussels at the end of the holiday, guests will say farewell to the Danube Express to board the Eurostar for journey’s end – London St Pancras.
The Danube Express offers the Bohemian Short Break from £1,890 per person, including two nights’ half board hotel accommodation in Budapest, two nights’ full board with wine, beer and soft drinks onboard the Danube Express, outbound BA flight London-Budapest, Eurostar Brussels-London in Leisure Select, transfers, full sightseeing programme and the services of a Tour Manager. The trip departs 2nd September 2009.
Andrea Wren is a freelance journalist and owner of Wren Elite Travel.
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!
Next year, Princess Cruises will sail its biggest ever fleet in Europe. The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will sail eight 14-night Mediterranean cruises and three 7-night cruises to Iberia and Scandinavia; the 3,110-passenger Crown Princess will travel around the British Isles and sail further afield to Iceland and the Norwegian Fjords; the newest superliner, Ruby Princess, will operate its first summer season with 12-night fly-cruises in the Mediterranean; and finally, the 2007-launched Emerald Princess, will run 13 10-night cruises in the Baltic Sea.
The Leading Hotels of the World annual directory for 2010 was released worldwide this week. There are 13 new Leading Hotels in the handsome hardcover volume which showcases more than 450 members in over 80 countries across the globe. They are as follows:
A ‘skateboard/punk rocker’ in his youth, David Sutcliffe is now one of three partners who run a small travel agency in Harrogate, England called 
Following the first phase of a significant renovation to the hotel’s guest rooms and public spaces, the iconic 
Take time out and enjoy 
I’ve just received a note from 
Our latest interview is with Suzanne Aaronson, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of 
The trend towards luxury train travel appears to be increasing for travellers who enjoy a relaxing time watching the world go by in sumptuous surroundings, whilst also knowing exactly how their budget is being spent (being that many such journeys include most meals and drinks). And travellers should be pleased to know that short European breaks are now an option with the ultra-luxury holiday train 
Before starting 
Next year, 
A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…