Category: luxury

Luxury In Mallorca, Spain

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Lounge, Hotel L’Avenida.

In the town of Soller on Mallorca’s west coast, the boutique Hotel L’Avenida will reopen in February with special offers.

Ranked one of the top 25 hotels in Spain in TripAdvisor’s 2011 Travellers’ Choice Awards, the eight room hotel is a Modernist style heritage building.

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First floor suite.

Dating back to 1903, the mansion was originally designed and built by the famous Spanish architect Joan Rubio i Bellver.

The architect worked with Antonio Gaudi and many of his original features are still evident.

Eight contemporary bedrooms include four doubles and four suites.

On the second floor, the suites offer views of the surrounding Tramuntana Mountains.

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Exterior.

The tapas menu features traditional Spanish dishes like Octopus “Gallega” with aioli potatoes and pan-fried chorizo.

Aromatherapy treatments can be booked at the hotel’s wellness centre and yoga at a nearby retreat.

The hotel also offers a personalized concierge service which will arrange activities including hiking in the Tramuntana Mountains and guided vineyard and local market tours.

Images courtesy of Hotel L’Avenida.

Luxury In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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La Maison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

WelcomeBeyond.com is a fabulous global source for beautiful and unique vacation homes and boutique hotels.

The website has recently added La Maison in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to its selection of properties worldwide.

A new lodging concept, La Maison features five spacious bedrooms.

In a quiet Rio setting, the property is minutes from the beach of Ipanema and Leblon.

The five rooms have different themes: India; China, Brazil; Recamier (all continents) and Tiffany (New York).

“What we wanted to create in this amazing city is a place where guests arrive and feel at home as quickly as possible,” says Jacques owner.

Here are more scenes from La Maison:

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Images courtesy of Welcome Beyond

Luxury In Niseko, Japan

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The Rocks Niseko Resort in Japan.

A new condominium hotel development by Summit Properties, The Rocks Niseko Resort, is planned for Japan’s Niseko ski resort.

The initial phase of ‘The Rocks – Edge’ is scheduled for completion in the village of Hirafu by late 2011.

Niseko’s ski season runs from late November to early April on the slopes of 1,308-metre Mount Niseko Annupuri.

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Exterior.

The Rocks – Edge is situated in the heart of Hirafu, close to restaurants, bars, cafés and pubs.

Three-bedroom townhouses and four-bedroom penthouses will comprise this first phase of the development.

The Rocks Niseko Resort concept envisions a second ‘ski-in, ski-out’ development in the Upper Village.

Natural ecosystems, gardens, recreational spaces and architectural structures will be considered for the 4-season lifestyle resort.

Riccardo Tossani Architecture will oversee the resort’s master planning, architecture and interior design.

Natural materials (stone and wood) and indirect lighting will be used to “evoke an organic alpine feeling with moods that change with the light and the seasons.”

Tall, floor-to-ceiling windows will give panoramic views of Mount Niseko Annupuri, the volcano Mount Yotei and ski fields.

Furnishing, appliances, fixtures and fittings will be luxury brands.

Large solar panel ‘farms’ on the roofs are expected to generate electricity to offset energy costs.

Natural volcanic hot springs will generate geothermal power for heating rooms, pathways and plazas and driveways.

For more info, visit the resort site.

Images courtesy of Summit Properties

Luxury In Vail, Colorado

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The Ritz-Carlton Club in Vail, Colorado.  Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Marriott International.

The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club will open its 10th Club in Vail, Colorado.

This new club is located at the base of Vail Mountain in LionsHead Village and neighboring the banks of Gore Creek.

With two-, three- and four-bedroom residences, the club will feature Vail’s traditional Bavarian-style architecture.

The property will offer the comforts you’d expect from a timeshare along with The Ritz-Carlton personalized services and amenities.

Club luxuries will include:

  • Dedicated concierge staff such as a ski valet and ski nanny;
  • Fitness facility with a movement studio;
  • Ritz-Carlton spa services and treatment;
  • Ritz Kids program;
  • Great room with a fireplace and bar;
  • Library;
  • Outdoor heated pool and whirlpool spa;
  • Fire pit and
  • Heated underground garage with valet parking.

For more info, visit the Club site.

Luxury In Auckland, New Zealand

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Hotel DeBrett in Auckland, New Zealand.

Are you on a New Zealand mountain holiday and need a city break?

Then check out Auckland’s Hotel DeBrett which has joined the Design Hotels portfolio.

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Hotel DeBrett is just a short walk to restaurants, bars, art galleries, theaters and museums.

In the city’s fashion district, this 25-room hotel is designed and run by Michelle Deery and John Courtney.

Each guest room has an unique design featuring eclectic furniture and New Zealand art and photography.

Reinventing one of Auckland’s oldest hotels, Hotel DeBrett has kept features including open gas-burning fire, oak floorboards and exposed brick walls.

At The Kitchen restaurant, chef Mark Sycamore serves seasonal dishes using fresh local ingredients.

The drawing room offers hotel guests a retreat outfitted with board games, a record player and a selection of books and DVDs.

Guest can also access free gym access and all meeting spaces (courtyard, basement, loft suite and boardroom).

Rates at Hotel DeBrett include continental breakfast, free Internet access, free local calls and a pre-dinner drink every night.

Images courtesy of Hotel DeBrett

Luxury In Zermatt, Switzerland

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Mountain views from Chalet Zermatt Peak.

Called Zermatt’s “über-chalet”, Chalet Zermatt Peak is one of the hottest ski chalets for the 2010/2011 ski season.

Luxury ski tour operator Scott Dunn now offers Chalet Zermatt Peak for booking.

Above Zermatt village with breathtaking views of the Matterhorn, Chalet Zermatt Peak is setting a new standard in Alpine chic.

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Bedroom in Chalet Zermatt Peak.

Scott Dunn operates luxury ski chalets in the Alps.

The company specializes in tailor-made travel to Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, India & Arabia, Latin America and Oceans & Islands.

Stylish and sophisticated, Chalet Zermatt Peak features five en-suite double bedrooms.

The chalet’s open-plan living area has floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views, library, internal elevator and wine cellar.

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Spa at Chalet Zermatt Peak.

A glamorous spa offers a masseuse, sauna, steam bath, and large Jacuzzi which stretches from the wellness area onto the outside terrace.

The chalet’s fully-equipped gym has the latest cardiovascular cross trainer, cycle, vibration plate and free weights.

State-0f-the-art technology includes HD cinema screens with DVD library; B&O sound system with connections for iPod and iPhone; WiFi; Wii game console and games and flat screen TVs in all bedrooms with cable and satellite.

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Chalet Zermatt Peak by night.

The chalet staff features butler, gourmet chef, personal concierge, ski instructor/guide, chauffeur, chalet host and housekeeper.

For more info, visit the Scott Dunn site.

Images courtesy of Scott Dunn

Top 10 Luxury Mountain Retreats

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Jade Mountain, St. Lucia. Photo credit: Jade Mountain

Fancy staying at a luxury mountain retreat?  If you’re seeking the world’s best, The Luxury Travel Bible website has named the Top 10 Luxury Mountain Retreats.

Here they are:

1. Amangani, Wyoming, USA

2. Ananda in the Himalayas, India

3. Banyan Tree Ringha, China

4. Jade Mountain, The Caribbean

5. Kasbah Bab Ourika, Morocco

6. Machu Piccu Sanctuary Lodge, Peru

7. Strawberry Hill, Jamaica

8. The Lalu Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan

9. Uma Paro, Bhutan

10. Vigilius Mountain Resort, Italy

See the entire article here.

Richard Branson’s Favorite Places?

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Breakfast at Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

Planning a luxury adventure retreat?  Then think about Virgin Limited Edition which are Sir Richard Branson’s privately-owned collection of luxury retreats.

These worldwide retreats are known for their “stunning locations, magnificent surroundings and offering a sense of fun, style, luxury and exceptional personal service.”  The collection includes:

  • Necker Island in the Caribbean’s British Virgin Islands;
  • Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa;
  • Sa Terra Rotja in Mallorca;
  • The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant in London;
  • Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco;
  • The Lodge in Verbier;
  • Necker Belle, a 105 foot luxury catamaran and
  • Necker Nymph, a three man aero submarine.

If you’re traveling to South Africa, host of the World Cup 2010, Ulusaba offers daily game viewing drives in its 13, 500 hectares.  The retreat also features daily walking safaris when you can learn more about plants, wildlife and local culture.

For more info, visit VirginLimitedEdition.com.

Image courtesy of Virgin Limited Edition

New Australia Ski & Spa Package

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Fancy a ski & spa weekend  in Australia’s Snowy Mountains?  Then check out luxury boutique hotel The Denman Hotel and its Snowy Mountains Luxury Ski & Spa Weekend Escape for the coming Thredbo ski season.

The special two-night weekend escape, valid from June 11, 2010, will include:

  • accommodation in king-bedded balcony rooms with views over the mountain;
  • Saturday night gourmet dining in The Terrace Restaurant;
  • spa treatments in The Denman’s Thalgo Day Spa and;
  • two-day Kosciuszko Thredbo lift tickets and
  • a bottle of ready chilled Vueve Clicquot Ponsardin Champagne on arrival.

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Says Ed Denny, proprietor, The Denman Hotel:

“Today’s luxury traveler is looking for the personalised attention that only small properties like The Denman can offer. Our aim is to ensure that guest expectations are exceeded, not just met. This new package is recognition that there is a growing market of skiers seeking a totally indulgent weekend.”

The hotel has also partnered with Larry Adler, Australia ski and outdoor equipment specialists.  Guests can select their ski equipment, including executive skis, boards, boots and ski clothing, online or at a Sydney location before departure and it will be awaiting their arrival.

Images courtesy of The Denman Hotel.

Luxury And Conservation In Kenya

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Fancy staying at a luxury camp or lodging in Kenya?  Then you might like The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille.

The Sanctuary is four, luxury homes set on a 14,500-acre private conservancy near Mount Kenya.  It features full service butler, valet, guide and diverse activities including camel rides, game drives, community programs and fly camping.

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The Ol Lentille Conservancy is part of Naibunga Conservancy which together is the conservation areas of seven other Group Ranches in a 43,000 acre tract of northern Laikipia.  Laikipia is considered the second largest wildlife ecosystem in Kenya after Tsavo and shared with the Laikipiak Maasai of Kijabe Group Ranch.

The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille works to protect the wildlife and ecosystem, employ and work with the Maasai and promote community development.

For more info, check out the The Sanctuary site.

Images courtesy of The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille.