Paul Johnson, Author at A Luxury Travel Blog - Page 40 of 367 : A Luxury Travel Blog

Special feature: Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK

By Paul Johnson on Feb 11, 2015 in Accommodation, Europe, Family Travel, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Special Features, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Just before Christmas we decided to have a short getaway in North Yorkshire, staying at the Ox Pasture Hall Hotel, a small country hotel just a few miles out of Scarborough. Not only was this my first time in this part of the country – despite it being only about 3 hours’ drive from home […]

Photograph of the week: Bandos Island in the Maldives

By Paul Johnson on Feb 11, 2015 in Asia, Maldives, Regions

This image is from Bandos Island in the Maldives. The idea was to create an image that showed a simple yet traditional element of the Maldives, but which also captured the beauty and diversity of the marine life beneath the surface. It also shows a very different view of the Maldives, not the obvious white […]

Suite of the week: Villa Hibiscus at the BodyHoliday Resort, St. Lucia

By Paul Johnson on Feb 09, 2015 in Accommodation, Caribbean, Regions, Resorts, Saint Lucia, Suite of the Week

Suite name: Villa Hibiscus Location: BodyHoliday Resort, St. Lucia Cost per night: from $3,200 per night What makes it special: Sentence): Villa Hibiscus is a beautiful, secluded, colonial style house with infinity edge pool and a unique view on the Caribbean Sea that can accommodate up to 10 people; just a 2 minute walk from the award winning BodyHoliday Resort […]

Recipe of the week: Prawns ceviche

By Paul Johnson on Feb 06, 2015 in Central America, Costa Rica, Food and Drink, Regions, South America, Travel Miscellany

This is a simple, fresh and flavourful dish, traditional in Central and South American cuisine. A light dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, as a party hors d’oeuvres or as an afternoon snack. Shrimp is quickly cooked, finished with fresh lime and orange juice, spiked with a dash of ginger and jalapeño− you […]

Tokyo: tourism, temples and… toilets!

By Paul Johnson on Feb 06, 2015 in Asia, Attractions, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Japan, Regions, Travel Miscellany

The toilet seat in my hotel bathroom lifts as I approach it. It’s warm when I sit down, and it flushes itself once I’ve finished. The lid even closes by itself afterwards should I forget. Yet, despite all this self-automation, I am not exaggerating when I say there are 15 different buttons to control the […]

Short stay: Palais Namaskar, Marrakech, Morocco

By Paul Johnson on Feb 05, 2015 in Accommodation, Africa, Business Travel, Featured, Hotels, Morocco, Regions, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel

You may have already read the post ‘3 unique yet luxurious experiences in Marrakech‘ which details a handful of the opportunites that came about as a result of attending PURE Life Experiences, a great event that caters specifically for many of the smaller operators within the luxury travel industry. During my time at the conference, […]

Photograph of the week: Koh Ngai sunrise

By Paul Johnson on Feb 04, 2015 in Asia, Regions, Thailand

The small scattered islands of southern Thailand’s Trang and Satun Provinces offer spectacular sunrises and sunsets almost year round. In this photo, taken from luxurious Koh Ngai Island at low tide, a vibrant sunrise bursts out behind a nearby limestone karst island, radiating glowing golden rays across a calm Andaman Sea. Thank you to Lash […]

3 unique yet luxurious experiences in Marrakech

By Paul Johnson on Feb 03, 2015 in Accommodation, Africa, Attractions, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Morocco, Regions, Travel Miscellany

When attending PURE Life Experiences in Marrakech last year, I knew I’d be in for some pleasant surprises. My last visit to the city had been 25 years ago and I was aware there had been many changes, particularly with respect to Marrakech’s luxury offering and with the introduction of a number of high end […]

Suite of the week: The Royal Penthouse, Corinthia Hotel London, UK

By Paul Johnson on Feb 02, 2015 in Accommodation, Europe, Hotels, Regions, Suite of the Week, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Suite name: The Royal Penthouse, Corinthia Hotel London Location: London, UK Size of accommodation: 395 sq m Cost per night: £18,000 + VAT per night What makes it special: The panoramic view of London and the walk-in wine cellar. Standing on the roof terrace, taking in the unique 180-degree panoramic view of London, residents may believe they are monarchs of […]

What’s it like to fly business class with ANA (All Nippon Airways)?

By Paul Johnson on Jan 29, 2015 in Air Travel, Asia, Business Travel, Featured, Food and Drink, Japan, Regions, Singapore, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

ANA (All Nippon Airways) is the largest airline in Japan, a member of Star Alliance, and ranked one of the top 10 airlines in the world. It is one of less than 10 airlines worldwide to currently hold Sytrax’s 5-star rating and has a fleet of more than 230 aircraft, with a coverage of over […]

Photograph of the week: Concord Point lighthouse on Independence Day

By Paul Johnson on Jan 28, 2015 in Attractions, Going Out, Maryland, North America, Regions, USA

Concord Point lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in Maryland that the public is allowed to access, sits bayside in the city Havre de Grace, Maryland. Historic Havre de Grace is a great place for tourists and locals alike to experience authentic Maryland seafood, boating, fishing and events throughout the year. This photo was taken over Independence […]

Two treasures in Bali, Island of the Gods

By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2015 in Accommodation, Asia, Family Travel, Going Out, Honeymoons, Indonesia, Leisure Travel, Regions, Resorts, Restaurants, Speciality Travel

If you’re looking for somewhere to truly relax, then spare a thought for Bali and the luxurious accommodation on offer from Tjendana Villas – a collection of six unique properties, all finished to a high standard. Among the group is The Club Villas in the heart of Seminyak, combining Balinese living with modern touches, and […]

London for less with Corinthia Hotels

By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2015 in Accommodation, Bars, Europe, Going Out, Hotels, Regions, Restaurants, Special Offers & Packages, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe

If you’re considering a break in England’s capital city any time soon, check out the luxurious Corinthia Hotel London where you can enjoy three nights for the price of just two thanks to the Corinthia Hotels Annual Sale. To take advantage, though, you must book before 27th February 2015. UPDATE (16th Feb 2015): Corinthia have […]

Recipe of the week: Beef fillet with chocolate, port, fig and Brussels sprouts

By Paul Johnson on Jan 16, 2015 in Caribbean, Food and Drink, Regions, Saint Lucia, Travel Miscellany

If the title for this recipe catches your attenion, then read on… dark chocolate and beef make a perfectly good match; with the sweet fig and earthy sprouts, these are definitely ideal seasonal ingredients. This winter dish makes a fabulous holiday meal… give it a try and tell us what you think! Ingredients 4 190g […]

Heading for Tokyo and Singapore… your recommendations, please!

By Paul Johnson on Jan 15, 2015 in Accommodation, Air Travel, Asia, Attractions, Bars, Business Travel, Featured, Food and Drink, Going Out, Hotels, Japan, Leisure Travel, Regions, Restaurants, Singapore, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany

Next week I shall be travelling to Tokyo and Singapore courtesy of ANA – All Nippon Airways. I’m really looking forward to the trip as it’ll be my first time in each of these destinations. I’ve done a fair bit of reseach, gathering ideas on what to see and do, but obviously I’d like to […]

Photograph of the week: View over the Ecrins

By Paul Johnson on Jan 14, 2015 in Europe, France, Regions, Western Europe

This viewpoint over the dramatic Ecrins mountains in the Southern French Alps was discovered by a fixer for a film company tasked with finding a unique, dramatic and romantic end shot with easy to access for a film crew, after a spontaneous running challenge with a friend from the top of a ski lift in […]

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