The brand new Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA, ESPA Life is the second ESPA Life to open, joining the flagship ESPA Life at Corinthia in London as a leading voice in the next generation of spa.

Set within the hotel’s 850-acre Perthshire estate, the spa offers a new approach to health and wellbeing whose experts seek to address the pressures and stresses of modern lifestyles. The award-winning spa is home to a hand-picked team of alternative health and fitness specialists, offering treatments and personal programs with one simple aim: to help guests feel their best, inside and out.

Spa professionals, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, osteopaths, herbalists, and personal trainers are all on hand. The highly-qualified and experienced team is led by a skilled naturopathic practitioner known as the ‘Gatekeeper’ who meets with each guest for a private consultation. The Gatekeeper recommends programs or treatments tailored to the specific needs of the individual. Personal lifestyle programs can be crafted to help guests meet individual goals or complementary and alternative therapies can be booked à la carte.

Special Launch Offer
From now until March 31, 2012, the spa will be offering ‘Taste of ESPA Life’ to introduce the new wellness concept. The offer includes breakfast and a private consultation with a Gatekeeper for each person. The Gatekeeper will address each client’s lifestyle concerns and create a customized spa experience, including one spa or
fitness treatment, suited to each person’s needs.
Rates: From £315 (approximately $500) based on two people sharing a classic room. Offer valid Sunday to Thursday until March 31.

Image courtesy of http://www.airlinesanddestinations.com.

Sydney, Australia, already voted one of the Top 10 Most Beautiful Cities at Night by TripAdvisor, becomes even more stunning this spring (or shall we say fall?). From May 25-June 11, Sydney Harbor will once again transform for Vivid Sydney, the largest celebration of light, music, and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere. For these 17 days, the Sydney Opera House sails will be illuminated by more than 50 light-art sculptures and large-scale installations and projections.

Catch the best views of the event at the newly redesigned Park Hyatt Sydney in the Rocks District, reopening in February. With its incredible views of the Sydney Harbor, you can have the best seat in the house in your own room!

The festival will also feature contemporary music performances at Vivid LIVE at the Sydney Opera House; international creative-industry conferences; and the new Vivid Ideas Exchange, a hub for creative ideas, discussion, and debate at the Museum of Contemporary Art. For more information on Vivid Sydney, visit www.vividsydney.com

For more information on Park Hyatt Sydney, click here.

The coast of the South China Sea and its glorious beaches, picturesque peaks and rolling dunes is calling! Named after the Mui Ne fishing village, Anantara’s first Vietnamese property, Anantara Mui Ne Resort & Spa, is set to open this fall.

Only two hours northeast of Ho Chi Minh City, Mui Ne is a budding destination, new to the scene since 1995, when thousands flocked to the beaches to watch the solar eclipse.

The resort will evoke the traditional charm of a coastal village and will be comprised of 89 rooms, suites and villas, either set within lush tropical gardens or featuring views of the sea or lagoon.

ESPA Life at Corinthia | Opening June 2011, London

ESPA Life at Corinthia spreads over four floors and boasts 3300 square meters.  ESPA Life, the spa brand’s newest spa concept, will offer fully integrative lifestyle solutions and luxury spa treatments.   Gender-specific heat experiences include relaxation areas with lounges and sleep pods, while the  thermal floor has an amphitheatre sauna and marble heated lounges.

Signature Treatments | The spa offers various treatment menus including ‘Rush Hour’, ‘Day Spa’, specific male and female treatment options, and the ESPA Life wellness menu offers complementary and alternative therapies as well as fitness and rehabilitation.

http://www.corinthia.com/en/London/ESPA-Life-at-Corinthia/

ESPA at The Istanbul EDITION | Opened May 2011

Occupying three floors, this 19,400 sq foot spa offers separate male and female hammam experiences with private scrub rooms, a snow cabin, a lavish mirrored glass tile swimming pool with brown fiberglass walls, as well as ten treatment rooms and a private spa suite.

Signature Treatment | The Turkish Indulgence is an invigorating body ritual that begins in the Hammam with warming steam followed by a stimulating body scrub using a traditional kese mitt and olive soap. A body mask of Oshadi Clay or restorative Marine Mud is then smoothed onto the skin and wrapped in linens, all followed by an aromatherapy massage.

The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, Hong Kong | Opened March 29, 2011

This 9,247 sq feet spa is the world’s highest spa, located on the 116^th floor of the newly opened Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.  The spa has floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city and Victoria Harbor from many of the nine treatment rooms, the two couples’ suites, and the eight relaxation lounges, as well as the indoor swimming pool with LED screen ceiling and outdoor whirlpool.

Signature Treatment | The Lava Shell Body Treatment uses heated lava shells to soothe tired feet prior to an indulgent full body massage using warmed aromatic oils and deep therapeutic strokes to melt away muscle stress.

Were you just saying to yourself: ‘If only Anantara had a city hotel in addition to its amazing hidden getaways?’ Of course you were!

Well, your prayers have been answered.

Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, just opened this March, is Anantara’s first urban hotel and the perfect home base from which to explore all the street food, shopping, and nightlife eastern City of Angels has to offer. Located in the heart of the business and entertainment district, it’s convenient for every type of traveler. The two 37-floor towers of 425 chic rooms and suites range from 430 to 1,302-square-feet, with balconies overlooking either the Bangkok cityscape or Chao Phraya River.

Anantara’s new Meetings by Design program offers three flexible, state-of-the-art meeting venues and planning help from the hotel’s conference and events service team. Trying to stimulate those creative juices? Recharge between meetings at the hotel’s tennis court, fully equipped fitness center, or hit some digital balls in the Nintendo Wii game room. Be sure to take a dip in one of Bangkok’s longest hotel pools or enjoy a holistic spa treatment at the Senses spa.

Rates: Anantara Bangkok Sathorn is offering a special promotion of 3 nights for the price of 2 for stays from now till May 31.  Deluxe room rates begin at 2,600THB (approx. $86) before applicable tax and service charge.

Set on the western arm of Low Cay Beach, this new hot spot is named for Jean-François Bizot, the journalist, musical taste-maker, and founder of Paris-based world music radio station, Radio Nova. Bizot was a great friend of Island Outpost owner Chris Blackwell and was a frequent guest at GoldenEye.

In honor of the bar’s namesake, Radio Nova will be broadcasting the party live from noon to 6pm. Live interviews with Jamaican and world music stars (such as Grace Jones) will run throughout the event. But wait, will it be in French or English? The answer is: both. Moderator extraordinaire, Paul Holdengraber, Director of Public Programs at the New York Public Library, will be the bilingual host with the most.

Admission is free to guests of GoldenEye, and for non-guests tickets go for US$100. To stay at GoldenEye or to reserve tickets call 876-622-9007 or email goldeneye@cwjamaica.com

But, if getting down to Jamaica isn’t in the stars for you, simply recreate the party at home…

Step 1: Tune into novaplanet.com for the broadcast

Step 2: Turn up the heat and invite some friends over

Step 3: Make a big batch of rum punch

Step 4 (Optional): Fill your apartment with sand and palm trees

So, an early spring it will be.”

Punxsatawney Phil has spoken.   To the delight of those tired of the seemingly permanent snow masses accumulating on their streets, the official word is an early spring.  Luckily enough, spring sees the reopening of two of southern France’s most beloved gems.  Rumor has it, Phil’s already packing his bags!

March ushers a new season for Hotel Crillon le Brave.  And, for the first two months, the hotel is offering 50% off room rates in March and April*.  Take advantage of one of its week-long cooking programs, Truffle & Wine weekends or Provençal Family Adventure. Sitting atop a hill in Provence, the charming hotel is made up of seven beautifully restored stone houses dating from the 16th and 17th centuries – all linked by bridges, cobblestone walkways, and hidden courtyards.  Embodying the region’s famous southern fare, Crillon le Brave’s restaurant serves up local dishes such as gigot d’agneau (leg of lamb) and filet de rougets (fresh wild sea bass).

Then head southeast to Saint-Tropez to La Réserve Ramatuelle, reopening in April.  The cliffside hotel has some of the best views of the Mediterranean; the entire sea-facing exterior is made up of floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize exposure and fill rooms with natural light.  (Goodbye darkness before 5 PM!)  The star is the 1,000 square-meter spa.  Here enjoy an exclusive La Mer treatment (the iconic beauty company designed a series of treatments specially for the hotel) or participate in its signature slimming-sculpting six-day program – the perfect ending after eating till your heart’s content in Provence.

Thanks, Phil!

*This offer is valid for room-only and cannot be applied to any packages and/or programs.

Phang Nga Bay

Sitting at the edge of the picturesque peninsula on the Phang Nga Bay, the new property will have 129 rooms with panoramic views of the cape, the surrounding turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, and the bay’s dramatic limestone islands.  Just 20 minutes from Phuket International Airport, the hotel will be the perfect place to rejuvenate with a short break or indulge in a long stay.  Guests will be able to take a dip in the 328 foot pool or soak up the sun on the private beach.  They will also have the use of the resort group’s signature COMO Shambhala Retreat and its yoga studio, as well as the resort’s two restaurants.

Just like its sister properties, the newest addition to the COMO collection will offer tailor-made experiences.  Guests will be able to easily explore the striking islands of Phang Nga Bay, and golf enthusiasts can take advantage of several courses around the island.  The waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, and hikers will be able to explore the island’s lush rainforests.

The opening of the Yamu property will mark the group’s second hotel in Thailand, joining the Metropolitan Bangkok.  This expansion of COMO’s portfolio will enable the luxury resort group to showcase both sides of Thailand – the lively, vibrancy of the city, and the serene paradise of its secluded beaches.

COMO Hotels and Resorts was founded by Christina Ong and is known for its handpicked, intimate, and individually tailored properties, including The Halkin in London, two Metropolitan hotels in London and Bangkok, Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, Cocoa Island in the Maldives, two Uma experience resorts in Bali and Bhutan, and COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, which is managed with its sister brand in wellness.  Each property embodies COMO’s clean sense of style and spirit of wellness, while reflecting the atmosphere of its surroundings.

Ian Fleming International Airport

Jamaica opened its first international airport in February, 1947. At the time Montego Bay Airport (today known as Sangster International) was the lively hub for island-hopping glitterati. Now, a month shy of that airport’s 64^th anniversary, the best-loved bolt hole of the Caribbean will receive its third international airport with the launch of Ian Fleming International. The airport will be officially opened by Prime Minister Bruce Golding with a 4pm launch event on January 12^th, and will be attended by Fleming’s nieces, Lucy and Kate, as well as Island Outpost founder and music mogul, Chris Blackwell.

The airport formerly known as Boscobel Aerodrome has been updated and expanded to accommodate private jets and other small commercial aircraft. It has also received a fitting name change – Ian Fleming was not only a fixture of the area (his Jamaica home is the idyllic GoldenEye Hotel & Resort) but he also helped put Jamaica on the map during the glamorous 50s and 60s. He and good friend Noel Coward would host everyone from heads of state to Hollywood royalty between his own estate and Coward’s nearby cliff-top home, Firefly.

Providing quick and easy access to Jamaica’s beautiful North Coast, the launch of Ian Fleming International means that the phrase “Let’s pop down to GoldenEye for lunch and a swim,” is no longer simply wishful thinking! The airport will be able to park six international aircraft with a maximum wingspan of 55 feet (16.8 meters) and maximum length of 65 feet (20 meters), plus three small domestic planes. Also available will be JetA1 and AvGas fuel. Initially, international flights will be limited to private aircraft, with a domestic shuttle service between Jamaica’s other airports set to launch at a future date.

Lionel Densham Aerodrome

For guests wishing to fly to Jakes, Lionel Densham Aerodrome is a new private airstrip located 10 minutes away from the resort. Exclusively for Jakes guests, it is the first aerodrome in Jamaica to be wholly owned by a resort property, to be used as an amenity for guests. The grass-surfaced strip is 2,300 feet long (701 meters) and is ideal for single-engine light aircraft. Four- and six-seater Cessnas will be available to transfer guests between Jakes and other Island Outpost properties, as well as to and from the main airports at Montego Bay and Kingston.

All flights will be private charters and part of a VIP package, which will include a complimentary bottle of champagne and spa treatments. But with rates starting at US$275/night for VIP flight and stay packages, this luxe add-on won’t break the bank! Reservations can be booked through Jakes, or Island Outpost’s central reservations. Guests wishing to land their own planes at Lionel Densham should request permission prior to their stay.

The eponymous airstrip pays homage to Jamaica’s first aviator, Lionel Densham – the great uncle of Jakes’ owner Jason Henzell. He was a local eccentric who first came to Jamaica in 1929 while navigating a yacht for some wealthy Americans. When the stock market crashed, so did the yachting job, and Lionel returned to Jamaica with his only sibling, Basil. Lionel was the first person living in Jamaica to own his own plane, but was perhaps a little more famous for his eccentricities. When a friend stopped to find out if he was having engine trouble he said:  ”Oh no old boy, just frying an egg,”  and sure enough that is just what he was doing, with his frying pan balanced precariously on his engine block.

Shakti offers private, guided walking tours through three distinct regions of the Indian Himalayas

Travelers to India know well the guidebook “circuit” of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, and Mumbai, staying in familiar five-star hotels and barreling from one destination to the other by car or train.  What is missing from these itineraries is a chance to comfortably see the most remote and staggeringly beautiful Himalayan region of India’s North.  It’s now possible to do that with Shakti, which offers transformative village-to-village walking experiences in three distinct awe-inspiring regions: Sikkim, Kumaon, and Ladakh. Guests overnight in village houses that have been adapted for Western comforts, sleeping under Egyptian cotton sheets, wrapped in cozy wool throws, and enjoying delicious, freshly prepared meals from a personal chef.  While all the modern conveniences are in place, the real luxury is in the very simplicity of these experiences and the chance to engage with the homeowners, monks, and other village locals. Take advantage of the opportunity to unplug from the technological matrix and relish the downtime to read and meditate.

The expertly guided journeys, tailored to the individual or group, are offered in:

Sikkim: breathtaking virgin forests aflutter with prayer flags, colorful monasteries, and the hulking presence of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain.  Orchids, anyone?  Sikkim is home to over 400 species.  4-night stays start at $1,880 per person, based on two to three adults.    

October 1 – April 30

Kumaon: stunning views that include the snow-tipped twin peaks of Nanda Devi, India’s second highest mountain.  Walk through forests of grey pine, cedar, and rhododendron, and pass through villages and by small shrines to Hindu gods.  3-night stays start at $1,245 per person, based on two to three adults.                          

October 1 – April 30

Ladakh: known as ‘Little Tibet,’ a bastion of Buddhist calm amidst a dramatic moon-like landscape. Stay in village houses, camp out under stars, learn local customs, and experience Himalayan mountain life up close and first hand. 7-night stays start at $3,535 per person, based on two to three adults.

May 15 – September 30

Rafting through the Shayok River valley is also available as a three-day, two-night camping expedition that can be added on to the Ladakh village experience (August – September only).

Prices for the Shakti village experiences are inclusive of all taxes, accommodations, meals and beverages, activities, English-speaking, well-educated local guides, porters, a private chef, and vehicles when necessary. Prices depend upon the specific itinerary and number of travelers in the group; flights are not included. 

Additionally, Shakti runs a four-room hotel, Shakti 360˚ Leti, at 8,000 feet in the Kumaoni foothills surrounded by rhododendron forests, soaring vistas and snow-capped peaks.  The region is so remote that guests must hike the final 90-minutes to reach the hotel.  Shakti 360˚ Leti is available to guests from October 1 – April 30.  There is no Internet, no cell coverage, and only solar power — a real opportunity to unplug and reconnect with nature.  A minimum stay of three nights is required for Shakti 360˚ Leti, and a 3-night, 4-day package starts at $1,825 per adult, based on double occupancy. Rates include accommodations, all meals and beverages, activities, English-speaking guide and porters, and all taxes, and return transfers between Shakti Kumaon Village Experience and Shakti 360˚ Leti. Flights are not included.

See more of India with Shakti’s sister company, Banyan Tours & Travels, that can arrange onward travel throughout the rest of India and Sri Lanka, with their expert consultants and travel specialists making every effort to customize the itinerary to a traveler’s specific interests.

Founded by visionary and seasoned traveler, Mr. Jamshyd Sethna, Shakti was created from Sethna’s passion to share his beloved Himalayas with travelers looking for authenticity within luxury. With his love for nature and the mountains, Sethna created an experience far beyond the luxury hotel circuit, finally making it possible for travelers to venture into unexplored territory in total comfort. He is also the owner and founder of Banyan Tours & Travels.