A Luxury Travel Blog

Oakwood celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with an array of exciting celebration campaigns centered on the theme of trust. One of these golden anniversary campaigns include the “50 Nights in 50 Months” contest, where visitors to the specially designed Oakwood Asia Pacific microsite can stand a chance to win 50 nights to be used in Oakwood properties across Asia, over 50 months. All that needs to be done on this microsite is to send an e-postcard to friends, describing the meaning of trust. Each additional e-postcard sent earns an additional chance to win the grand prize. The winner will live the luxe life at Oakwood’s luxurious serviced apartment brands, including the premium Oakwood Premier, designed to cater to the finest of tastes – Oakwood Premier Prestige Bangalore features a functional helipad and AZOK, the popular modern Indian roof-top restaurant by Vineet Bhatia, the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, is housed in Oakwood Premier Mumbai.

The Palace Wing of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai is currently being restored following the events of 2008 and Taj has launched a microsite to keep customers informed of progress. In the next few months Taj will be reopening the Rooms and Grand Suites of the heritage wing in a phased manner. The microsite talks about the renowned restaurants that are already fully operational. It also showcases the rich history of Taj, its heritage, royalty, art and architecture ) and encourages people to share their special memories of Taj on the site.

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?

Méribel – 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.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Treat yourself at Le Meurice
• Seeing is believing at Shompole
• Delve into Visit Florida Luxury Insider
• Explore the South Pacific with Turquoise

Daunt Books, the travel specialists, has launched an online resource for discerning travellers. Mimicking the unique design of the shops where the books are arranged by country, the user can browse the careful selection of guides, non-fiction and fiction which have all been personally recommended and reviewed by the knowledgeable staff. Whether you’re looking for a guide to the most luxurious hotel or a well-written and engaging piece of non-fiction that really explains the history of the place, this online boutique will certainly point you in the right direction.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Tailormade tours of India from Dominion Travel
• For your luxe travel needs: Elite Destinations Direct
• Save on theme parks with Orlando Attractions
• Check out Suite 116 at Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

A true travel connoisseur, CEO and Founder Drew Patterson brings more than a decade of experience to Jetsetter, the private sales site that helps leisure travellers discover and purchase some of the world’s best vacations.

An industry pioneer, Patterson was part of the founding team at Kayak.com where, during his five-year tenure as Vice President of Marketing, he played an integral role in reshaping the online travel landscape by evolving the distribution model and initializing the concept of “search”.  Prior to that, Patterson cut his teeth as Director of Distribution and Revenue Management at Starwood Hotels, where he forged new distribution channels with online travel agents, including Expedia and Travelocity.

Patterson received his Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University before earning his Masters in Business from Columbia Business School.  He resides in New York City.

What is it that you do exactly?

No two days are the same for me. I might start the day building partnerships with suppliers on the inventory side or marketing partners that might get Jetsetter in front of new customers on the audience side. Then, I might have a meeting with our engineering team to talk about new functionality or the marketing team to talk about new products. Jetsetter is growing fast, so I spend a lot of time these days reviewing resumes. In my downtime, I surf the web to see what competitors are doing, what the media is saying about the travel space, and what consumers are talking about in Twitter or Facebook. Finally, I pour over the numbers, making sure the business is on track to beat expectations and communicate progress to our investors.

What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I really love working with the team I’ve built here at Jetsetter. We have a really smart, experienced, hard working team. But, I also look for people with personality and we spend a lot of time laughing which is what makes me excited to go to work each day.

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

Casas Brancas, Búzios, Brazil: There is just something magical about Buzios which is a very relaxed and charming destination. Casas Brancas is more than just a beautiful boutique hotel. The people who run the hotel are incredibly warm and hospitable.

The Hotel Gritti Palace encompasses charm and history along the Grand Canal in Venice. I was traveling with a group of friends for art opening and the stars just aligned to create a memorable vacation: great friends, fantastic dinners, spectacular art, no crowds. Perfetto!

After several weeks traveling through India, The Westin Singapore was exactly what the doctor ordered. I can still remember how good it felt to take a hot shower; sleep in a big, comfy bed; and eat a Western-style breakfast.

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

My brother’s friend interned at Per Se, arguably the best restaurant in the US. As a thank you from the restaurant, he was invited to bring friends for a complimentary dinner. This was more than a dinner, it was a six-hour tour through the most amazing ingredients and flavors I’ve ever experienced or will ever experience. In addition to the usual tasting menu, the kitchen prepared about 18 other courses. Food was ethereal. Service unimaginable.

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

I am not the guy who notices celebrities. But, I was in LA and checked into celeb magnet Chateau Marmont alongside Jarvier Bardem (before he started dating Penelope Cruz unfortunately). We went to dinner at Nobu that night and were seated next to Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

What currently ranks highest on your travel wishlist?

I would like to go to Alaska before it melts.

Thank you, Drew.  That’s been a great insight. And even if you read the most pessimistic reports, I think you’ll find you’ve still got ample time to ’see Alaska before it melts’.  Afterall, it is home to more than half the world’s glaciers.

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Exclusive excellence from Royal Villas Europe
• Just over 1hr from Geneva Airport: Chalet Chocolat
• Luxury and iconic wines from Penfolds
• South America’s first luxury camp: Patagonia Camp

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Craving for Travel: Celebrating Life’s Moments
• Check out the luxury spas portfolio from Johansens
• Rollable travel shoes (!) from Spare Pear
• Boutique chic from Villa Elena, Sicily

A weekly pick of luxury travel links for your perusal…

• Virgin Holidays and Hip Hotels: vhiphotels.co.uk
• Swedish gourmet traditions from Grythyttan
• An idyllic farmhouse in North Cornwall
• Paradise in Goa from The Leela Kempinski Goa

There’s a new website just launched called The Luxury Travel Bible. Created by a team led by respected Australian travel editor Hilary Doling, the website is aimed at a sophisticated audience who is looking to make informed choices. The site includes destination articles, hotel reports, news, views and a wealth of other behind-the-scenes information and first-hand accounts from the people designing and creating some of the most luxurious hotels and resorts in the world.

Outrigger Hotels and Resorts in Asia has launched a dedicated website for its two resorts in Phuket. OutriggerPhuket.com makes it easy for holidaymakers to exchange information and comments about the two resorts on social media sites as well as get detailed information, browse photo galleries, and book latest offers from the two resorts. To celebrate the launch of the site, two promotions have been launched. Both can be booked on the site.

Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort, which opened in April 2009, is offering a “Discover Your Romance” package starting at THB 6,600 per night for a Serenity Room. Guests who stay a minimum two nights receive a full breakfast in the beachfront restaurant, a 60-minute spa treatment at the resort’s Navasana Well-Being Centre, and roundtrip airport transfers by private limousine. The rate is per night and subject to 18.7% service charge and government taxes. The offer is valid until 31st December 2010. Click here.

Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas, which opened in December 2009 near Bang Tao beach in Phuket, is offering a 229 square meter two-bedroom villa at THB 6,000, a 457 square meter three-bedroom pool villa for THB 9,000, and a 604 square meter four-bedroom pool villa is available from THB 13,000. Rates are subject to 18.7% service charge and government taxes The offer is valid until 31st March 2011.

The magical Northern Lights have bewitched humans since time began. Now you can create your own Aurora Borealis, against a fairytale Norwegian backdrop at Visit Norway.  Paint the sky above a dramatic northern Norwegian coastal landscape with your mouse, or use your astrological constellation, in a palette of colour reflecting your mood, to create your own Aurora Borealis. Your personal Northern Lights display will be saved for you to share with your friends via Twitter, Facebook or email.

A new luxury travel website has recently been launched by the passionate duo, Mr. & Mrs. Crystal, who have extensively researched the most hip, trendy and charming hotels, restaurants, bars and beach clubs in Europe. The result is a personal travel concierge service with exclusive recommendations and tips for 27 luxury destinations, which you may want to use for your next holiday.  Recognising that travellers feel inundated with information, Travel Hedonism differentiates from other websites by providing a selective handful of reliable tips. In addition to easily navigating to a particular destination, users can also choose one or more “vibes” such as “romance”, “hip” or “foodie heaven” and Travel Hedonism will suggest luxury hotspots and tips which match the user’s preferred theme.

I’ve talked previously about innovative ways the travel industry is embracing Twitter and one of the latest comes courtesy of Lufthansa. With MySkyStatus they are allowing users to update their Twitter (or Facebook) accounts with their whereabouts whilst in flight.  While you’re in the air, MySkyStatus automatically sends altitude, location, departure and arrival updates.  And the service isn’t just limited to Lufthansa – it can be used for any commercial airline. The idea has lots of potential (with the ability to update loved ones of your progress) and it’ll no doubt prove a big coup for Lufthansa to have got there first.

As I’m sure you are aware, there are a number of flight comparison sites out there.  You would think they would all essentially do the same job, but they do have notable differences.  Many airline tariffs – particularly those of the budget airlines – are complicated by extra charges. This makes it very difficult for comparisons to be made, particularly since different travellers have different requirements.

The moral of the story?  Try out a few comparison sites – and even visit the websites of the airlines themselves (and sign up to their newsletters). You would think it does but a flight comparison site does not, unfortunately, negate the need to shop around for the best price.

Tell us what sites you use and why.  What are your tips for finding the best fares?