February 7th, 2011
“He surveyed his surroundings carefully and found that there was no shadow around,
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.
January 13th, 2011
2011 has started with a bang for COMO Hotels and Resorts. The leading luxury hotel group announced the addition of a NEW member to its collection of eight five-star properties. Set to open September 2012, the new resort will be located in Phuket, Thailand on the Northeast coast of the verdant Yamu peninsula.
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.
January 5th, 2011
Island Outpost has the sexiest solution to shaking off the winter chill, with two new airport openings that will make it more glamorous – and easier than ever – to flit in, out and about Jamaica. In conjunction with Island Outpost’s Jakes in Treasure Beach, Lionel Densham Aerodrome opened on December 16th with an event hosted by Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding; and Ian Fleming International Airport, Jamaica’s third international entry point, is set to launch on January 12th, just 10 minutes away from the newly-reopened GoldenEye Hotel & Resort in Oracabessa.
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 64th 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 12th, 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.
December 2nd, 2010
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.
November 18th, 2010
On November 10th the little sister to Parisian favorite, Pavillon de la Reine, opened its doors to guests. A classic Haussman townhouse in the 8th arrondissement, the boutique hotel, Le Pavillon des Lettres, features 26 rooms – each devoted to a letter of the alphabet and an international writer corresponding to that letter. Shakespeare, Baudelaire and Rousseau are among the authors whose quotes are elegantly scrawled on the walls en Français. For English translations, boot up the room’s dedicated iPad, which is stocked with international bestsellers and daily newspapers, as well as jazz and classical music. A treat awaits bookworms that prefer the feel of paper betwixt their fingers, with the hotel’s cozy library (complete with an Honesty Bar) that is stocked with the works of all 26 featured authors, and more.
Just in time for the holiday season, the hotel’s opening rates start at €300 through February 28, 2011[1] and include breakfast, complimentary Champagne from 6 -8pm, and a special gift of a caddy of the “2000 ans d’écriture” tea from the exclusive French tea house, Le Thé des Écrivains. It is a green tea, flavored with cinnamon and honey, accompanied by cardamom pods and cinnamon sticks[2].
And if Paris’ quintessential charm isn’t enough, here are some reasons to visit now (as if one ever needs a reason to visit Paris…)
- The Marché du Noel is set up along Champs Elysée from November 19-December 28
- Swan Lake is playing at the Opéra-Bastille from November 29- January 5
- Antiquity Rediscovered is the new exhibit at the Louvre from December 3-February 14
- The state-regulated winter “soldes” are from January 12-February 15
- Madame Butterfly is playing at the Opéra-Bastille from January 16-February 14
Click here to place a reservation, or dial +33 (0)1 49 24 26 26 to reach the hotel directly.
For further information, or to request high res images, please contact Sarah Winters or Lauren Wintemberg at Alice Marshall Public Relations on 212.861.4031 or sarah@alicemarshall.com | lauren@alicemarshall.com
[1] Blackout dates apply: December 29
th – January 2
nd
[2] Recommended preparation of “2000 ans d’écriture” tea: Sprinkle a pinch of tea; add a few grains of cardamom to enhance and some cinnamon bark for color’s sake. Let it boil for a few minutes and add sugar. Seep through and serve.
November 15th, 2010
Anantara Bophut Resort & Spa has exciting changes in the air! Formerly Anantara Koh Samui, the new name isn’t the only thing new going on. In January, the resort will have 20 additional executive suites and villas available for guests seeking a little R&R along the Gulf of Thailand.
The new suites will be spread among a new three-story villa with panoramic views not too far from the five new, intimate Pool Villas and new one- and two-bedroom Beach Villas. Decisions, decisions!
November 4th, 2010
Hotel Parq Central is new to Albuquerque’s EDo neighborhood, and what better way to get to know the neighbors than with a special pre-Grand Opening promotion that’s bound to have all vying to meet the new kid on the block.
From now until November 19, all New Mexico residents (must present a NM ID) are eligible for exclusive rates starting at $139. Plan a quick weekend getaway to check out the very newest and coolest hotel in the city and the property’s distinct setting in on the historic Santa Fe Hospital site. The building is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and designers worked to blend the original grand staircase and 1920s windowpanes with modern elements for perfect blend of contemporary comfort and historic elegance.
The rooftop Apothecary Lounge features a mouthwatering small plate menu paired with exceptional wine and 1920’s themed cocktails and has sweeping city views. Prohibition-era liquor prescriptions are on display as a fun decoupage embellishment and an old coffin carrier serves as a cocktail table as a clever nod to the past.
To book your weekend getaway, call 505 242 0040 for details and reservations.
October 22nd, 2010
Image from: egmcartech.com
Race enthusiasts and coaster junkies alike can rev their engines and start the countdown to the new Ferrari World Abu Dhabi opening next week on Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates.
The two-million-square-foot indoor park will be home to the fastest roller coaster in the world (with speeds up to 149 miles per hour) and a water ride with a Ferrari 599 V12 engine. VROOM!
In fitting with the auto theme, the park is also located next to the Yas Marina Circuit racetrack, which his home to the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November.
Spend the night at Desert Island Resort &Spa by Anantara on the Sir Bani Yas Island. The resort is set in the middle of a wildlife reserve and is home to thousands of animals and birds. It’s an ideal spot to unwind after an adrenaline-infused day.
For those looking to add another adventure to their Abu Dhabi trip, check out Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the Liwa Desert for an out-of-city experience. Set ninety minutes outside Abu Dhabi International Airport in the middle of the expansive desert known as the Empty Quarter, guests can explore the legendary ochre sand dunes by camel or on foot.
September 23rd, 2010
In remote and barely accessible regions of Thailand, Laos, Burma, and China, indigenous peoples have been living without the influence of microwavable dinners, iPods, and cell phones for millennia, instead perpetuating a simpler way of life with traditions and ancient practices rooted in their cultures for thousands of years. With the tick of the clock, these tribes are slowly disappearing and their rich oral histories and veritable life knowledge is slipping by the wayside. (more…)
September 8th, 2010
Hotel Parq Central in Albuquerque is now taking reservations for accommodations starting September 30. The opening is just in time for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and provides a perfect fall getaway experience. The Apothecary Rooftop Lounge is the very best spot in town to see the balloons during the dramatic morning ascensions.
Hotel Parq Central is nestled in an historic neighborhood at the gateway to downtown Albuquerque. The building was constructed in 1926 and is registered on the National Register of Historic Places. It is truly a special spot and not to be missed on upcoming visits!
Regular balloons didn’t seem grand enough for this opening, so we called in the big guns. Hundreds of hot air balloons (over 600) will dot the sky the week of October 2 – 9 for the largest balloon festival in the world. It is also the most photographed event in the world!
Don’t forget your camera!