NEW ESPA at D-Hotel, Maris, Turkey ESPA has opened its newest spa at the beautiful D-Hotel Maris, set on a hillside in the Datca Peninsula nature preserve in Turkey. Famous for having the third highest concentration level of oxygen in the world, the Datca Peninsula is said to have natural healing properties that date back to the 12th Century BC and was once a sacred place of pilgrimage to the legendary Aphrodite of Knidos.

The peaceful enclave is surrounded by pine forests, natural private beaches, small islands, and volcanic mountains with spectacular views of both the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. The hotel’s design combines the exotic elements of the East with the modernity of the West, and this is reflected throughout the ESPA spa at D-Hotel Maris.

An essential part of any trip to Turkey, the opulent world-class Hammam has private individual scrub rooms and a relaxation – a central feature of this ESPA spa. The natural healing properties of the surrounding area, coupled with ESPA Signature Treatments, seven spa rooms, private spa suite, and heat experiences (including a vitality pool, contemporary indoor pool, sauna, steam room and relaxation lounge) put this ESPA spa in a league of its own.

The spa is set in the resort gardens and has been designed to the highest standards. From the moment you enter the spa, nature welcomes you through a variety of different materials that blend in perfect harmony. Natural, uniquely textured warm brown Serpegiante stone, warm woods, and linear designed partitions are interspersed with furnishings in textured, neutral colors. The beautifully marbled Bianco Perlino natural stone features throughout the upper level of the spa. It extends into the pools creating a streamline spacious indoor relaxation space which is light and breezy.

Large floor-to-ceiling windows from poolside to the outdoor relaxation terrace give an indoor/outdoor feeling. Teak, known for its resistance to sea air, can be found throughout the spa and custom-made umbrellas shade the sumptuous outdoor furnishings. The shining bronze natural wall coverings, woven especially for the spa, complete the spirit of the space.

ESPA Hammam rituals include a warming steam prior to the following treatments.

• The Indulgence Hammam Ritual is a total body experience that caresses the skin and revitalizes the body.
• The Softening Body Ritual is an invigorating treatment scrub that cleanses the skin prior to a massage and the Revitalizing Body Scrub, a deep cleansing full body scrub.

The Signature Treatments at ESPA at D-Hotel Maris include the Sea Salt & Oil Scrub with Aegean Sea Shell Massage, the Purva Karma Four Handed Massage, and the Active Hydration Facial.

At the end of every treatment, guests are invited to relax on the huge sun deck offering combined views of crystal clear waters and volcanic mountain ranges and enables guests to breathe in one of the world’s most natural cures, a high concentration of oxygen. With a moisture rate of zero, the weather at the Datca Peninsula is also known to aid rheumatism, poor circulation, cardiac problems, and asthma.

D-Hotel Maris has 200 luxurious and elegantly appointed rooms, all with exceptional mountain or sea views and most Deluxe rooms featuring a bathtub on the balcony. In addition, the Presidential Suite with has a roof sauna and the Exclusive Villa has its own private Hammam. There are four gourmet restaurants and seven cocktail or wine bars from which to choose. Transfers to the hotel are available through the hotel’s chauffer limousines, private helicopter or luxury seaplane.

Rooms start from; €360 per night for the Deluxe sea view room, including breakfast and taxes and non residential guests are able to use the hotels facilities from their yachts.

In addition to the permanent collection of artwork and sculpture adorning Le Pavillon des Lettres, the literary-themed hotel, located just off Paris’ Champs Elysées, has launched an ongoing art series that will showcase collections of original artwork on a rotating basis.

The first installation features the photographs of local Parisian photographer, Blaise Lavigne, and can be viewed (and purchased) from now through June 10. The artwork is dotted among the hotel’s public spaces, seamlessly blending with the décor.

Lavigne’s exhibit, entitled Correspondences, features 25 stunning portraits of readers – a perfect complement to the literary atmosphere of Le Pavillon des Lettres. Like all of his work, Lavigne’s images play on light and form, creating a sense of fragility and dream-like elegance.

Following Lavigne’s exhibit, Le Pavillon des Lettres will feature Jean-Daniel Henry’s photography collection, “Les portraits dans le Noir” (portraits in the dark) from September 6 through December 31.

For more information about Le Pavillon des Lettres, visit www.pavillondeslettres.com or call 33 (01) 49 24 26 26.

For more information about Lavigne’s work visit www.blaiselavigne.com.

About Le Pavillon des Lettres

Opened in November 2010, the boutique luxury hotel combines arts, literature and fine design, with each of its 26 rooms devoted to a letter of the alphabet and an international writer corresponding to that letter. Think H for Hugo or B for Baudelaire. Text from the corresponding author’s book, poem or play is painted above the bed and a hard copy of the piece can be found on the nightstand, right next to the iPad in each room – loaded with international bestsellers and playlists from jazz to classical and beyond. The two top floor penthouse suites offer sweeping views of the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais.

The Wauwinet, White Elephant

Celebrate Nantucket Island’s rich literary past, present, and future at the island’s first Nantucket Book Festival, June 15 – 17. The weekend’s celebration will include panel discussions, readings for adults and children, pig roast at Cisco Brewery, and opportunities to meet notable authors in person, plus much more.

A handful of local Nantucket authors will be participating including Elin Handbrand, whose books are ideal beach reads, Nancy Thayer, author of 21 novels with her latest Heat Wave due out in June, and Nathaniel Philbrick, New York Times bestselling author of seagoing books.

Stroll down Broad Street and pop into Nantucket Bookworms to buy a book for your literary-themed weekend. (May we suggest Moby Dick?). Rest your head at The Wauwinet or at the White Elephant, both which offer cozy libraries – perfect for leafing through your new book, with a complimentary glass of port of sherry in hand.

To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com.

For more information about the Nantucket Book Festival, click here.

Forget the Hallmark card or the flowers and take Mom away for a real treat. We’ve put together some suggestions for a Mother’s Day she won’t soon forget.

Where: One&Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico

What: Get Mom a weekend of spa treatments in paradise.

When: Mother’s Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: Mothers and daughters can unwind in the privacy of a double Spa villa at the ESPA spa complete with private garden, rain showers, outdoor Mexican daybeds, and whirlpool baths to relax in after a treatment. Special for the weekend are Mother-Daughter Soul-to-Soul moments ($640 for two) that include a Mother-Daughter yoga or salsa experience, an ESPA age-defying radiance facial or intensive facial, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation area, or the Enduring Memory Mother’s Day Experience ($355) with a two-hour holistic body ritual, an in-villa 30-minute experience including a foot ritual, bath, and relaxation time, a spa lunch, and full use of the heat experience and relaxation areas. And all of this with her now favorite child.

Where: Inn on the Alameda, Santa Fe, New Mexico

What: Show Mom how much you care by sending her to the welcoming Inn on the Alameda for a weekend of adult-only relaxation.

When: Mothers Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: With the Please Your Parents Package, Mom and Dad can enjoy a weekend away from the kids in Deluxe Accommodations at the Inn, including the Inn’s signature continental breakfast, afternoon wine hour, and one box of yummy bizcochitos, the official New Mexico state cookie.

Rate: Nightly rate is $220 plus tax per room per night. With a regular rate of $270 plus tax, this package has $50 nightly savings and applies to the Inn’s Deluxe Rooms only. The stay must include Mother’s Day, Sunday May 13, 2012, but there is no minimum night stay requirement. The offer is subject to hotel availability.

Where: The Peninsula Spa, New York

What: An amazing ESPA “Spa-Cation” without leaving the island

When: Perfect for the week before or after Mother’s Day

Why Mom will love it: Play hooky and take your mama out! Without hopping on planes trains, or automobiles, have a spa-cation right in the city. You and mom can indulge in a 60-minute treatment, a special lunch, and complimentary use of the pool and fitness center. It’s available Monday-Thursday for $285 per person.

Where: White Elephant and Brant Point Grill, Nantucket, Massachusetts

What: Breakfast in bed is a nice gesture, but we bet Mom will enjoy the “Best Brunch on the Island” even more!

When: Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 13, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Why Mom will love it: From the Benedict Burger to the make-your-own Bloody Mary bar, a Sparkling Station for mimosas, and a brand new tapas station, this brunch is complete with all of Mom’s favorites.

Rate: Brant Point Grill’s Mother’s Day Brunch is $55 for adults, $25 for kids ages 6-12 and $5 for kids ages 3-5. Combine your brunch with a stay at White Elephant and enjoy special Hot Dates Cool Rates, starting at $195 per night.

Where: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Avon, Colorado

What: Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies, this luxury chateau-style resort features many amenities, including the 30,000 square-foot Allegria Spa, with a full-service fitness center, slopeside pool and hot tubs. This world-class spa is offering the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package, an exceptional package for moms to unwind on their special day.

When: Mothers Day, Sunday, May 13, 2012.

Why Mom will love it: Spoil Mom with an extra luxurious spa escape with the “Her Day, Her Way Mother’s Day” package that includes a 50-minute Swedish Massage; choice of one of three select treatments (25 minute Sweet Lavender Body Scrub, 30 minute Custom Facial or Express Manicure & Pedicure); champagne; take-home spa gift; and access to Aqua Sanitas, the health club, the pools and hot tubs.

Where: Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

What: Max and relax with Mom for a stress-free weekend away

When: Mothers Day Weekend

Why Mom will love it: Stress is a fact of life for mothers and daughters alike, which is why Parrot Cay has designed a Stress Management Wellness Package to target and relieve sources of tension and worry. Professional consultants will take things down a few notches with deep relaxing therapies, enlightening outdoor pursuits, and smart tips to put some of the carefree “island life” of Turks & Caicos into the home routine. Let the experienced personal fitness trainers convert pent-up stress into a productive mother-daughter workout, and follow it up with mind- and body-balancing yoga and meditation.

The effortlessly chic fashion line, Haute Hippie, and the highly-lauded Jamaica hotspot GoldenEye Hotel announce their collaboration and the creation of a new “All Things Gold” clothing collection. Inspired by Island Outpost’s flagship property and the simply stunning north coast of Jamaica where the hotel is located, the Haute Hippie designs will launch in time for Resort 2012.

The laid-back rocker-chic designs of Haute Hippie founder Trish Wescoat Pound are in perfect harmony with the simple, iconic Jamaica-style glamour that Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris Blackwell has nurtured at the recently re-opened hotel.  Their shared affinity for a relaxed approach to high style has resulted in this special “All Things Gold” collection, which will feature the vintage-inspired, yet modern vibe that both brands embody.

“So much of what inspires us is drawn from the places we travel and the music we listen to. The partnership with Chris Blackwell and GoldenEye is a true meeting of the minds – a sharing of aesthetics, tastes and influences,” said Trish Wescoat Pound, founder of Haute Hippie.

The “All Things Gold” Resort 2012 collection will be available later this year at Haute Hippie stores. The collection will also be carried on-site at GoldenEye and at its sister property Strawberry Hill Hotel, Spa & Gardens, which is set high among the Blue Mountains and offers breath-taking views over the city of Kingston below.

Haute Hippie draws from a myriad of cultures, genres, people and places, and embraces the lifestyle for which they design.  More than just a line of beautiful clothes, Haute Hippie is an expression of a collective conscious, a common mindset and a shared worldview.  It’s no wonder Wescoat Pound was inspired by Jamaica and GoldenEye following her recent wedding at the property. The hotel and its lush surroundings are steeped in old-Hollywood history – after all, it is the former home of author Ian Fleming and the location where he penned all 14 James Bond novels – yet thoroughly infused with the vibrant spirit of this most unique island. Set along the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, GoldenEye successfully pays homage to its rich heritage while offering contemporary luxury with an authentic Jamaican feel with brand new beach- and lagoon-front Cottages and Suites, swimming pools, and dining options.

About Haute Hippie

Founded by designer Trish Wescoat Pound, Haute Hippie is the expression of a love affair with clothing.  From boy shorts to ball gowns, each piece in the Haute Hippie collection is inspired and designed by people who are passionate about the clothing they create.  Haute Hippie embodies the spirit of the global nomad – blending vintage, urban chic and other cultural influences from around the world. The Haute Hippie woman is as comfortable exploring the jungles of Peru as she is the streets of New York; a true citizen of the world – comfortable in her own skin and free from the need to conform to trends. A believer in the democratization of fashion without compromising luxury, Trish infuses Haute Hippie with the same carefree – yet sophisticated – aesthetic that characterizes every aspect of her life. Founded in 2008, Haute Hippie is sold in over 100 stores across the United States and more than 40 countries worldwide.

About GoldenEye Hotel

GoldenEye overlooks the Caribbean Sea in the quiet village of Oracabessa Bay on Jamaica’s north coast. Built by the novelist Ian Fleming as his Jamaican retreat, GoldenEye is where Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels. Today, GoldenEye is an award-winning Island Outpost hotel. It is owned by Chris Blackwell, the Jamaica-raised founder of Island Records. Though built in 1949, GoldenEye reopened in 2010, following a two-year renovation. The hotel now encompasses Fleming’s original villa, three villas built by Blackwell, plus nine new Beach Cottages, two new Lagoon Cottages and six new Lagoon Suites. GoldenEye is sited on 52 stunning acres and is home to secret coves, breathtaking private beaches, tropical forests and a singular lagoon. Two new restaurants—The Gazebo and Bizot Bar—serve quintessential Jamaica-style cooking and signature cocktails mixed with Blackwell Fine Jamaica Rum. The FieldSpa is the home base for the fitness and activities program. Treatments are given by the water, in-your-own-room, or at a cottage named Royal Palm, at the lagoon-edge where open-to-the air treatment rooms are a sanctuary for massage, salt scrubs, skin brightening facials, herbal wraps, and energy work. A pioneer in a variety of green initiatives, GoldenEye supports the Oracabessa Foundation, which educates and encourages sustainable development within the community.

Workshops and classes will be held at Bartlett’s Farm, Nantucket’s oldest and largest family farm. The Festival is offering an amazing array of classes with experiences including:

• Silence in Symmetry: Learn hidden techniques of movement and breathing that will create the dynamic stillness that ancient yogis claimed was our original nature.
• Yoga for Athletes: Understand various styles of yoga asana and pranayama for sport-specific performance and longevity.
• The Secret to Radiant Health, Ayurveda: Learn the difference between Ayurvdea and modern medicine and how they complement each other.
• Reclaim Your Life Force: Combine an all-levels vinyasa flow class and various pranayama exercises to awaken the inner body and clear the mind.

For a complete schedule of activities, click here.

In between channeling your chakras, unwind at Nantucket Island Resorts for the weekend, which includes the new Inn at the White Elephant Village opening mid-June. Round out your weekend of wellness with a rejuvenating treatment at Wauwinet’s Spa by the Sea or the White Elephant Spa.

Day and full weekend passes are available starting at $125 per day. For more information, tickets, and a full schedule, visit www.nantucketyogafestival.com/.

To book overnight accommodations, visit www.nantucketislandresorts.com. Rates start at $450 per night.

Recently, Tesla expanded their line to include the Model X, a new all-wheel-drive SUV that boasts the performance of a sports car. The most impressive and unique aspect of the vehicle is it’s “falcon wing” doors, which open up instead of out – almost reminiscent of angel wings. Production of the first consumer-ready Model X vehicles won’t begin until late 2013 but its initial debut was met with enthusiasm. Although La Réserve has no plans as of yet to introduce the new addition to their fleet, you can still go for a spin in one of their five roadsters.

Rates for the two-night offer begin at 1,850 (about $2,294) for a Superior Room; day rates start at 790 CHF (about $984).

Guinot’s new Gel Douche Soleil to the rescue! This NEW shower gel, made especially for bathing after sun exposure, is here just in time for Spring and Summer 2012. Sun, salt, and chlorine dry the skin, while sunscreens leave minerals behind. This shower gel has been formulated to dissolve sunscreen residues and UV filters while neutralizing the effects of chlorine and salt water. While all things relating to a day at the beach or pool tend to cause skin dehydration, so, too, do many ordinary soaps and cleansers. This after-sun superstar has Jojoba Oil to moisturize and soften, preventing dehydration and making it gentle enough for sunburned skin.

TO USE:Lather with Gel Douche Soleil in the shower to wash away sunscreens, salt, and chlorine.

Gel Douche Soleil comes in a 300ml bottle priced at $30.  Guinot products are carried in over 1,000 spas and salons within the US.  To locate a spa, visit www.GuinotUSA.com.

Crystal Cruises is surely doing their part to help make the world a better place. It all started in January 2011, when they introduced the “You Care, We Care” voluntourism program where guests and crew can be directly involved in worthwhile causes in the destinations they visit, including opportunities such as assisting with poverty relief, education, cultural preservation, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and more. In May, Arun Gandhi joins guests aboard Crystal Symphony for a Iberian Peninsula sailing.

Few names in world history evoke such powerful images of integrity, courage, social harmony, and – perhaps most of all – hope. Arun Gandhi carries within himself the same guiding principles as his grandfather, the legendary peace-maker and spiritual leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi. A speaker of international acclaim, Gandhi has spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities, and corporate and civic organizations. His unique talents and cross-cultural experiences have brought him before governmental, social, and educational audiences in countries all over the world. Arun is a cultural treasure, offering firsthand insights into one of history’s most influential leaders.

From May 9 – 21, 2012, join Gandhi aboard Crystal Symphony’s  ”Iberian Journey“ sailing from Barcelona to London, with calls in Mallorca/Palma de Mallorca, Valencia, and Málaga, Spain; Tangiers, Morocco; Lisbon and Oporto/Leixoes, Portugal; and Bordeaux, France. You too can help make the world a better place!

Spring is here – time to start planning your summer travels! Check Vietnam off your bucket list, with many international air carriers now servicing select U.S. gateways with only one stop, Vietnam is now closer than you think. Check out Anantara’s first property in the country, Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, located four hours outside of Ho Chi Minh City, for a visit to the rolling sand dunes and quaint fishing villages on the South China Sea coast.

The newly transformed Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa features 89 luxurious rooms, suites, and villas, five restaurants and bars, and fully-equipped fitness facilities. Located 120 miles from Ho Chi Minh City on the Southeast corner of Vietnam on the South China Sea, the resort offers a secluded escape in this coastal fishing village with a tropical landscape. The hotel’s design reflects its time and place in traditional Vietnamese style. Spectacular views of lush gardens, the infinity-edged swimming pool, freshwater lagoon, and the sea make this resort exceptionally peaceful and picturesque.

Known for its experiential approach to hospitality, Anantara offers guests opportunities to delve into the local culture both at the property and on excursions. Vietnamese culture is threaded throughout, from the locally-grown dragon fruit incorporated into spa treatments at the Anantara Spa to guests picking fresh vanilla from a local plantation to use in the resort’s cooking classes. Anantara’s signature private “Dining By Design” concept includes dinner for two prepared by a private chef on a traditional Thung fishing boat. During the day, guests can bask on pristine beaches lined with towering, desert-like sand dunes or venture out for a morning snorkel or sail. Golf lovers can practice their swings at the exclusive nearby Sea Links Golf and Country Club or at the Ocean Dunes Golf Club, named one of the “Best 500 Golf Holes in the World” by Golf Magazine.

The resort’s various dining options offer authentic Vietnamese cuisine as well as international favorites. Highlights include fresh seafood specialties, signature cocktails in locally-crafted Cham pottery mugs, and cool refreshments at the swim-up bar. At night, the bar evolves into a poolside torch-lit terrace complete with live entertainment.  Bespoke opportunities abound in the form of a degustation menu in the chic Wine Room, whose menus expertly pair fine wines with specialty cheeses and charcuteries.

Anantara is offering a special Mui Ne Discovery Package that provides a 20% discount on accommodation in either a Deluxe Room or Pool Villa. Rates begin at $184 for a single and $159 for a double, before taxes and service charges, and include daily buffet breakfast for two, complimentary in-room cable Internet access and public area WiFi, and a half-day tour of Mui Ne. A minimum two-night stay is required (three-night stay in March and April). All rates are subject to 5% service charge and applicable 10% government tax. Offer valid through December 25, 2012.