A Luxury Travel Blog

You’ve probably heard of some of the ridiculous demands made by celebrities and musicians, but have you ever wondered what the most unusual requests ever made by guests in luxury hotels are?  Well, look no further! As part of their “91 days of summer promotion”, Great Hotels of the World has revealed some of the funniest guest requests ever made at their member hotels around the world. From requesting a bath full of ice to bungee jumping off the top of the building, some of these requests you will be able to relate to, whereas others are just plain ridiculous.You can view the list here.

Also as part of the “91 days of summer” promotion, you can pick up some exclusive tips on how to make the most of your summer and be inspired by some mouth-wateringly delicious summer recipes.

The travel agency Luxum Travel has launched a new luxury hotels search engine. Dluxehotels.com, created by a team with long experience in the tourism and new technologies industry, is born with two clear objectives: to develop the best selection of luxury hotels in the world and to facilitate online bookings without renouncing the guarantee of a trusted travel agency. This web site allows real-time booking of 4 or 5 stars hotels that have been carefully selected for their charm, their avant-garde design and singular architectural forms, their excellent service service or idyllic location. The hotels are classified by feature in order to facilitate the search to those looking for a hotel with golf course, with spa or a business hotel.

Congratulations to the winners of our popular Hyatt competition which ran throughout last month.  Irene, John, Kay, Kendal and Spencer will each enjoy a night at a Hyatt hotel of their choosing.  An email is on its way to each of the winners.  In the meantime, keep reading… we have plans for one or two similar competitions in the not too distant future.

While many remain doubtful about the merits of Twitter (I myself was in that camp before I ‘got’ it), one or two travel companies out there are showing how it can be used to great effect.  One great example is Hyatt Hotels & Resorts with their @HyattConcierge Twitter account with which they claim to offer 24/7 assistance with any travel questions and requests before, during and after your stay.  The approach has garnered positive coverage from USA Today and various industry publications, and ought to prove a big hit with Hyatt’s more tech-savvy customers.

Marriott Rewards members will receive a free night certificate after they stay three times this summer at one of the program’s 3,000 participating hotels. Members need to register between 12th May and 30th June 2009 and stays must take place between 1st June and 31st August 2009. The free night certificate must then be used by 31st December 2009, at a participating Marriott hotel.

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has launched a global initiative in support of UNICEF’s immunization and malaria programs for vulnerable children in developing countries. A brand package called “We Invite You to Linger” will offer guests a complimentary night stay for every two, three or four night reservation at a hotel or resort within The Luxury Collection brand around the world. For every package booked, The Luxury Collection hotel will make a US$1 donation per room night to support UNICEF’s life-saving immunization programs and its work on the prevention and treatment of malaria - the largest single cause of death among African children under five years of age. The Luxury Collection includes 70 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries including The Laguna Resort, Nusa Dua, Bali; Hotel Danieli, Venice; Hotel Imperial, Vienna; Patios de Cafayate, Argentina; SLS at Beverly Hills and Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki.

A Luxury Travel Blog has teamed up with Hyatt Hotels to offer you a great chance to win one of 5 nights in any Hyatt hotel worldwide.  All you have to do to win is comment on the posts within this blog.  The five readers with the most approved comments during May 2009 will each receive a free night at a Hyatt hotel of their choosing… anywhere in the world.  (Naturally, comments need to be of a certain quality, otherwise they won’t be approved.)  So… what are you waiting for?  Have a browse of the blog - there’s literally thouands of blog entries which you can discuss - and comment away!

Condé Nast Traveler’s May “Hot List” issue is the magazine’s annual guide to the newest and hottest hotels, restaurants, spas, and nightclubs opened all over the world in the past year. The editors scour the globe to check out hundreds of new properties to produce this list of exciting new establishments destined to become instant classics. The 2009 Hot List features 140 new hotels and resorts, 50 new restaurants, 35 new nightclubs, and 50 new spas.

The hotel findings range in size from a three-pavilion hideaway outside of Sydney to a 2,034-room high-rise on the Vegas Strip, and in price from $89 at a Palm Springs hot spot to $2,050 for a sprawling safari tent in northern Botswana. The 140 hotels and resorts on this year’s Hot List span 53 countries and include new-to-the-list destinations Israel, Mongolia, Peru, Slovenia, and Zimbabwe.

You can find this year’s list by clicking here.

United Mileage Plus members earn double miles when staying at participating Hyatt hotels in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific between 15th March and 15th June 2009. You must mention the offer code UA309 when booking and provide your Mileage Plus membership number at check-in.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts - known for its nine distinctive hotel brands - has revealed that it is set to open its 1,000th hotel in 2009.  Among the brands, W Hotels is one that plans to triple in size in the next three years, opening 13 properties this year in markets that include Barcelona, Bali, Doha and Santiago, as well as Atlanta, South Beach, Hollywood and Washington D.C. Meanwhile, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is undergoing a $4 billion revitalisation program, expecting to open a further 18 hotels in places such as New York City; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Istanbul, Turkey; Prague, Czech Republic; and Qiandao, China. Both Aloft and St. Regis are also expanding rapidly.  Recession… what recession?!

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.

Now your nights at Hyatt are even more rewarding. Earn up to 20,000 bonus points at any Hyatt worldwide between now and 30th April 2009, and watch your bonus points add up to 20,000! You can redeem your 20,000 points to enjoy free nights with no blackout dates and upgrades at extraordinary Hyatt properties worldwide. Go here to register.

Start planning your winter vacation now and treat your family or someone special to all the charm Hyatt’s resorts have to offer. Enjoy a free night (based upon a minimum length of stay), a 1–category room upgrade and full American breakfast for 2 daily when you book the Three for Free package. Stay between 1st January and 31st March 2009.

From early next year, the entire portfolio of hotels with Kiwi Collection (2,100 in total) will be available for online booking to visitors of Forbes Traveler.  Speaking of the partnership, Kiwi Collection CEO Erik Haugen has said:

This is a great fit. Forbes Traveler and Kiwi Collection are completely focused on providing luxury travelers with trusted advice. Our sole purpose is to help people achieve their ultimate travel experience and get the best possible room, rate and service during their stay. Not only is it a great match for us but, more importantly, for our customers.

The Great Hotels Organisation has officially launched the Special Hotels of the World 2009 Exclusive Travel Collection Directory. The latest edition includes a hand-picked selection of over 50 of the world’s best hotels that offer something special or unique to the discerning traveller. The new coffee-table style directory features breathtaking photography, hotel facts and tips on restaurants, spas and local attractions.  Special Hotels of the World also provides consumers a luxury travel advisor service online. This includes 24/7 live chat where clients can discuss their travel needs in real time with an advisor.

design hotels around the world are giving you more time and space this winter. Enjoy a free night or a guaranteed upgrade to a larger room. Follow the link for further details and to discover which hotels are participating in the offers. The promotion is running from 29th November 2008 until 29th March 2009.  And if you really like your room, you can ‘Buy the Look’ from mydeco.