A Luxury Travel Blog » New Mexico

Top 10 unusual vacation rentals

Paul Johnson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:42:32 +0000

Looking for something a little bit different and not just another hotel? Perhaps Tripadvisor’s list of the top 10 unusual vacation rentals will tempt you…

1. Unique Hilltop Windmill Rental, Odemira, Portugal
2. Hawaii Volcano Genuine Treehouse, Volcano, HI
3. My Sedona Place – Unique Dome Home, Sedona, AZ
4. SUITABLE DIGS…cool green lodgings, Santa Fe, NM
5. 1926 C&O Caboose, Natural Bridge, VA
6. Chalet Tropical Crazy Cottages, Las Galeras, Dominican Republic
7. The White Elephant Floating Inn, Boston, MA
8. ModernCottage, Garden Bay, Canada
9. Anna Maria Island Private Tropical Garden Home, Holmes Beach, FL
10. 18′x86′ Houseboat for Weekend Rentals, Knoxville, TN

Which one gets your vote?

Top 10 unusual vacation rentals is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Top 10 spa destinations

Paul Johnson — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:10:44 +0000

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?

Top 10 spa destinations is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Interview with Aaron Ritoper, Vice President of Business Development at fly.com

Paul Johnson — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 20:46:35 +0000

Formerly with Skyscanner, Aaron Ritoper is the Vice President of Business Development at Fly.com, a website which scours major airlines, international carriers and online travel sites, and helps people easily sort and refine results by criteria such as number of stops and departure times and traveller class.

What is it that you do exactly?

I’m in charge of developing the Fly.com business across Europe. This means I manage our all commercial relationships, ensure we achieve our targets, and communicate across markets to spread the word on Fly.com (sharing the latest flight deal insights). Travelzoo travel producers are very knowledgeable, so I spend time with them to review the latest bargains.

On the technology side, the flight search experience is constantly developing, and hours are spent with the team to build the flight search product of the future.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

It’s not every day that you get the chance to build a global brand with the talent and resources of a company like Travelzoo. I love the challenge and the reward that we see as people discover how much better Fly.com is at finding cheap flights compared to legacy websites.

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

M�ribel – Is fantastic place for a ski vacation. The last time we went �hors-piste� with a ski guide, and when he handed out avalanche beacons and put a snow shovel in his backpack that definitely made a lasting impression.

Iceland – Seeing the Northern lights was definitely high on my list. I stayed out in the countryside outside of Reykjavik and around midnight green oscillating light filled the sky.

Hawaii – A wonderful place for a family vacation, we stayed at the Grand Hilton in Waikoloa and found it very family friendly. The dolphin pool in particular was a big hit.

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

Probably the time I ate barbequed buffalo on an Indian reservation in New Mexico. They had the whole animal roasting on a spit and there were demonstrations of traditional dances with rhythmic music – it was very festive!

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

I’m constantly on airplanes so I’ve run across quite a few celebrities along the way. Within the travel world, I enjoyed speaking with Stelios Haji-Ioannou not too long ago just before my easyJet flight from London to Nice, France. I happened to be one of the first people on the plane, so tipped off the flight attendant that an important guest would be following me.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

It’s about time for a surfing trip, so I’m hoping to spend some time in Biarritz, France soon.

Many thanks, Aaron. Having experienced the Northern Lights in Greenland myself, I can understand how that might be up there as one of your highlights.

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

Interview with Aaron Ritoper, Vice President of Business Development at fly.com is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Luxury golf package from the Inn and Spa at Loretto

Paul Johnson — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 21:40:13 +0000

The Inn and Spa at Loretto, a 134-room boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Fé, is beckoning golfers to come bask in the mild early summer sun and enjoy a golf excursion with their Golf Getaway Package. � The packages includes one night’s lodging, two rounds of golf (with cart) at the Black Mesa Golf Club and complimentary breakfast for two at the Inn’s restaurant. � Black Mesa Golf Club, which Golf Digest described as “Southwest architecture of the highest order”, is located on the Santa Clara Pueblo just north of Santa Fé. The course was also listed as one of the “Top Ten Courses You Can Play” by Golf Magazine. For more information, or to book a golf getaway package, call 800-727-5531 or visit the Inn’s website. � Prices begin at $379 per room, per night through until October 2008.

Luxury golf package from the Inn and Spa at Loretto is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa

Paul Johnson — Sun, 18 May 2008 22:50:57 +0000

On the banks of the Rio Grande within the ancient lands of the Native American Pueblo of Santa Ana, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa offers luxurious amenities and beautiful natural surroundings with an ideal year-round climate. Just 20 minutes from Albuquerque and 40 minutes from historic Santa Fé.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Picture Perfect Package from Eldorado Hotel & Spa

Paul Johnson — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:32:47 +0000

Here’s another of those packages where you wonder if it’s truly just for media consumption rather than with the expectation of a likely buyer. � Eldorado Hotel & Spa is offering a Picture Perfect Package for $100,000. � Whilst that might sound a lot for a 3-night stay, the reason is that the guests are escorted through Santa Fé’s top galleries with a view to selecting a piece of artwork up to the value of $85,000. They say you’ll also get to meet the artist at a private dinner at the hotel’s Old House restaurant. � The package also includes accommodation in the Presidential Suite, first-class airfares for two, daily breakfast in bed and daily spa treatments. �

Picture Perfect Package from Eldorado Hotel & Spa is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, near Santa Fé

Paul Johnson — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 08:37:05 +0000

Experience a place of remarkable beauty and rich, cultural history where sunsets paint the mountains and warm breezes stir the imagination, at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa.

Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, near Santa Fé is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

5th Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights

Paul Johnson — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:39:50 +0000

Today marks the start of New Mexico’s 5th Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights festival, a 3-day event packed with entertainment in a beautiful Red River setting. � Oh, and some great chili of course. � For �just $35 you’ll get entry in to all concerts and the CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) �cook-off, plus a commemorative event mug! � See the site for further details.

5th Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

‘Hop on a Hog’ at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, New Mexico

Paul Johnson — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:32:31 +0000

Inspired by the new movie ‘Wild Hogs‘ starring John Travolta et al, the Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fé, New Mexico, is offering an extravagant �’Hop on a Hog’ package. As well as three nights deluxe accommodation, dinner for two at the award-winning The Old House Restaurant and – wait for it – a Harley Davidson so you can ride home. � The package price is $18,888, of which approximately $17,000 is the Harley. The offer is available until 31st October 2007.

‘Hop on a Hog’ at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, New Mexico is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Spa and ski packages at Bishop’s Lodge, Santa Fe

Paul Johnson — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 11:30:06 +0000

The �luxury ski and spa resort Bishop’s Lodge, in northern New Mexico, is offering �packages for spa-goers and ski enthusiasts, or a package for guests that want to sample both. Located in a forest valley in the mountains, the hotel has an award-winning spa and offers plenty of opportunities for enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area with miles of trails for hiking and horse riding. Prices start from $399 per night for the spa-only package based on two sharing, from $289 per night for the skiing-only package, and from $499 for both, including all taxes, gratuities, and resort fees.

Spa and ski packages at Bishop’s Lodge, Santa Fe is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

America’s Top 10 Most Romantic Inns of 2007

Paul Johnson — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 22:20:54 +0000

Take note if you’re yet to book a stay for Valentines. We’re still only in January, but the the “Top 10 Most Romantic Inns of 2007″ as chosen by the guidebook publisher, American Historic Inns, Inc, has been revealed as follows:

Adobe & Pines Inn – Taos, NM
McMillan Inn – Savannah, GA
Magnolia Mansion – New Orleans, LA
Glasbern Country Inn – Fogelsville, PA
Blair Hill Inn at Moosehead Lake – Greenville, ME
Candlelight Inn – Napa, CA
The Place At Cayou Cove – Deer Harbor, WA
Rivertown Inn – Stillwater, MN
Historic Jacob Hill Inn – Providence, RI
1795 Acorn Inn – Canandaigua, NY

America’s Top 10 Most Romantic Inns of 2007 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

12th Annual Roswell International UFO Festival

Paul Johnson — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:10:20 +0000

The 12th Annual Roswell International UFO Festival begins next week, running from 30th June to 3rd July 2006. This is an event which will attract thousands of people from all corners of the globe, all seeking the truth on what happened back in the summer of 1947. Is it really true that a UFO with aliens on board crashed and was recovered by the United States military? � Go along and maybe you’ll find out!

12th Annual Roswell International UFO Festival is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

New Hilton Worldwide Resorts in the United States

Paul Johnson — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 10:38:15 +0000

Hilton Worldwide Resorts will open three new resorts in the US during the next 12 months. Florida’s Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort and Missouri’s �Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing �will both open this summer, while Hilton Santa Fe North Buffalo Thunder Resort � in New Mexico’s Rio Grande valley is not expected until the Spring of 2007. This will bring the total number of Hilton Worldwide Resorts in the US to 19.

New Hilton Worldwide Resorts in the United States is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Taos Winter Wine Festival

Paul Johnson — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 21:58:58 +0000

There’s still time to grab tickets for the Taos Winter Wine Festival, held in New Mexico’s best ski country, Taos. � The 20th annual festival takes place from 18th to 28th January 2006. Winemaker dinners, vertical and blind tastings, seminars and panels fill the schedule, but you’ll be able to squeeze in time on the slopes, too. Held at Taos Ski Valley; events are $35-$125. Register by calling (505) 776-2291, ext. 1427 or visit the website.

Taos Winter Wine Festival is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog