A black Maybach 57 rolls down the Strip ferrying another big dreamer. The luxury sedan passes the glittering gambling palaces and heads north to the Sahara Hotel & Casino, an aging, down-on-its-luck landmark that hardly seems fit for this well-heeled passenger. Except that he’s the owner.

“Wait until you see this place,” says Sam Nazarian, a 32-year-old real-estate entrepreneur and nightclub impresario from a wealthy Beverly Hills family. Over the past few years he’s injected new buzz into the Hollywood club scene and now intends to resurrect the forlorn Sahara with the same kind of cool.

The odds, as they say, are against him. Mr. Nazarian has never run a casino, and he is entering the business in a downturn that’s fleecing existing casinos and snuffing out new ones. Gambling revenues are down. Room rates are falling. Some companies have filed for bankruptcy protection and others are poised to.

But Mr. Nazarian, a tall, husky bachelor in a dark suit capped by a baby face, says his hotel and casino will have an edge over competitors. It will serve a market that he says has been priced out of Vegas: the young party crowd that’s dropped a fortune at his Los Angeles clubs and restaurants.

“There is an alienation of the high-energy, youthful crowd,” says Mr. Nazarian as he strides through the Sahara’s lobby, where he has already spent about $2 million in furnishings and décor.

Mr. Nazarian might be just another Vegas mark but for this: Where he goes, celebrities and moneyed youth tend to follow. His current slate of Hollywood-area hot spots — Area, Hyde, Foxtail, S Bar, Katsuya — draws such names as Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan. Full article

Photo courtesy of: Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa

The Tidepools Restaurant is set among koi-filled lagoons with a backdrop of waterfalls, at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. The restaurant has a reputation for fresh fish, seafood specialties and rich flavored char-broiled steak and prime rib.

Tidepools Restaurant provides a distinctive open-air setting in Polynesian hale or thatched roof huts. Savor fresh Pacific Rim style cuisine gazing over the lush grounds and the azure Pacific Ocean.

A consistent winner of the prestigious Hale ‘Aina award, Tidepools draws repeat guests who rave about the fresh island fish and steak options including oven-roasted ono crusted with banana and macadamia nuts, seared opah topped with blue crab and lobster, or garlic and peppercorn rubbed prime rib.

Salads feature fresh island-greens and the desserts are luscious. Don’t miss this delightful experience.

Tidepools Restaurant
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road,
Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
808-240-6456
Visit their web site

Hulopoe Beach Park on Lanai is a wondrous part of this little island. Hulupoe is located on the south east coast of Lanai and is not that far from the Manele Bay boat landing, which is just below the luxurious Manele Bay Hotel Lanai Hawaii.

The Hulopoe Beach Park has a relatively steep shoreline, making it an ideal swimming spot. This lovely beach is also carpeted in beautiful golden sand.

Body boarding and surfing are several of the popular activities, along with snorkeling. Snorkeling is especially popular, due to the high number and variety of tropical fish that live in the area’s coral filled crystal waters. Of course for those who are a bit more adventurous, off-shore diving excursions are available.

The warm Pacific waters surrounding the park are also home to a thriving marine reserve. Because of this, fishing is restricted to only a simple hook and line from the shore. Due to the presence of this marine safe house.

The Hulopoe waters are also alive with stingrays and jellyfish. Swimmers should always be aware of their surroundings and not panic if they do happen to cross paths with one of these two potentailly dangerous species.

Lanai’s Hulopoe Beach is one of the few places you can legally camp and experience a memorable night under the clear, Pacific night sky. The park itself is equipped with restrooms that have both showers and running water. In addition, there are several picnic tables and barbecue sites distributed around the park’s six camp sites.

Camping permits are issued by the Lanai Company (the owners) and many times not valid for more than seven days.

Visitors to Hulopoe Beach also have access to shaded picnic areas, barbeque sites, and falls directly at the doorstep of the The Manele Bay Hotel and the Lodge at Koele.

Hulupoe Beach is a must for vacationers of Lanie. Who can resist the allure of the soft, white sands, 70 degree waters, and the intricate tide pools that populate this scenic area.

Hulupoe is truly one of Hawaii’s best beaches.

Anara Spa is located in the luxurious Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in tropical Kauai, Hawaii. Since 1991, the spa has pampered guests with world-class treatments that blend traditional Hawaiian customs with nature’s soothing powers.

Anara Spa’s multi-million dollar expansion and renovation added five elegant open-air hale (thatched roof bungalows), each hale features its own exclusive lava rock shower and steam grotto.

Two hale are designed specifically for couples treatments. An open-air Vichy treatment room for soothing hydrotherapy was also added along with two lava rock botanical baths, a relaxation room, and an open-air hale for fitness classes, yoga, and personal training.

Existing treatment rooms, each opening to their own private garden, were completely renovated adding native koa wood cabinetry.

The well appointed fitness center, open 24/7, was expanded by 900 square feet allowing for additional cardio and strength equipment.

At Anara Spa you can choose from an array of innovative treatments rooted in Hawaiian healing traditions for a spa experience like no other.

Anara Spa
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road, Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
Tel: +1 808 742 1234

Diamond Head is Hawaii’s most famous landmark. Known in Hawaiian as Le’ahi, so named by Hi’laka, the sister of the fire god Pele, because the summit supposedly resembles the forehead (lae) of the yellowfin tuna fish (‘ahi). It wasn’t until the late 1700′s, when western traders thought they had found diamonds on the slope of the crater, that they began to call it Diamond Head.

But before you head to the Diamond Head State Monument to dig for diamonds, you should know that (to the disappointment of the western explorers and traders) the so-called diamonds were merely calcite crystals, worthless to mine.

The must-do at the Diamond Head State Monument is the short hike through old military bunkers. (Bring water and a flashlight.) The historical trail to the summit is an easy 1.4 mile hike that climbs an elevation of 560 feet and ends with sweeping views of the Honolulu area.

There are handrails, plenty of places to rest, and places of interest, so allow 1.5 to 2 hours for a leisurely round-trip hike. Also, bring a flashlight because portions of this trail go through long, dark tunnels. Amazingly, some locals and visitors jog up and down Diamond Head for exercise.

To get to the access road to the trail, follow Kalakaua Avenue to Kapiolani Park. Go north on Diamond Head Avenue to 18th Avenue.

East England is full of unexpected pleasures and Lindisfarne is no exception.

Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, is located 12km to the south of Berwick-upon-Tweed

Lindisfarne is connected to the mainland of Northumberland by a causeway.

Walking into Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas is like stepping back into ancient Rome in its heyday but with every modern convenience.

Caesars Palace is Las Vegas. Period. Caesars Palace replicates the vibrance and decadence for which the Romans are remembered.

It is the original themed hotel and casino and the service and quality they provide has always been at the top. Located in the center of all the action Caesars Palace will overwhelm you with its size and its grandeur.

From gambling to upscale shopping in the Forums to dining in some of the finest restaurants in Vegas, this hotel has it all. Although it is located on the strip, except for visiting some of the shows at various hotels, you may never have to leave this hotel during your entire stay.

The amenity list is too long to list but here are a few highlights.

You can relax in their stress melting spa, have your hair done in their salon, watch one of your favorite performers at the Colosseum, shop ’til you drop in one of their 120 upscale shops, play golf at either Cascata Golf or Rio Secco.

You can also dance or socialize at one of their many clubs, or swim in one of their gigantic pools.

The new Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, formerly the Hyatt Regency Kauai, is a luxurious 602-room resort recognized by the most respected travel publications as one of top tropical resorts anywhere in the world.

Located on 50 ocean front acres, the Hawaii resort on Kauai is elegant, yet casual and captures the classic, timeless beauty of the islands. Its architecture is reminiscent of Hawaii during the 1920s and ’30s, creating a romantic sense of place that evokes an emotional connection with the land and its people.

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is thoughtfully built into a hillside overlooking beautiful Keoneloa Bay, blending into the lush mantle of rolling green mountains, and sloping gently to the Pacific and five acres of man-made lagoons that blend with a white sand beach.

The award-winning ANARA Spa recently completed a multi-million dollar expansion and renovation. The project added five new elegant open-air hale (thatched roof bungalows). Each hale now features its own exclusive lava rock shower and steam grotto.

Each of Anara’s personalized spa services embrace elements of traditional Hawaiian healing to release your mind from stress, promote optimum health in your body, and achieve lightness in your spirit, enabling a profound sense of harmony, or lokahi.

The recently renovated guest rooms offer a spacious 600 square feet and each room includes: a private lanai, a separate seating area, elegant Hawaiian style furnishings, air conditioning and ceiling fans, double marble sinks in each bathroom and expected amenities such as remote control color TV with cable reception, in-room safe, high speed internet access, and three telephones including one portable phone.

Close to 70 percent of the rooms provide an ocean or partial ocean view. The remainders are lagoon, garden and mountain views.

Within the resort are six restaurants and lounges, including two of Kauai’s finest dining establishments—Tidepools and Dondero’s. Stevenson’s Library, a favorite gathering place for cocktails and pupus (appetizers) offers fun atmosphere and nightly entertainment.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa
1571 Poipu Road,
Koloa, Hawaii, USA 96756
Visit their web site

What is the life of luxury? Could it be owning your own private jet with a pilot ready at a moment’s notice to whisk you away to your favorite Caribbean Island?

Or, could it be spending $37,200 a night for a room?  That’s right. $37,200 per night.

According to Forbes, the most expensive hotel room in the world is the Penthouse Suite at Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France.

So, what do you get for a year’s salary? A private entrance, four bedrooms, plasma TV, open bar, a Jacuzzi, and the most important amenity of all — bragging rights.

For more information, or to book, you can directly contact Hotel Martinez.

Via Bellagio at the Bellagio Las Vegas is one of the most elite shopping streets in the city.

Here, high-end retailers, such as Hermes, Tiffany and Co., Chanel, Dior, Yves St. Laurent, and Giorgio Armani compete for shoppers’ attention.

Via Bellagio, the shopping arcade at the Bellagio hotel-casino, is luxury at its finest. To call it expensive would be an understatement — you could plunk down a year’s salary in less than an hour, no matter what you make. But if you’re looking to do some high-end shopping (or just observe it), the Bellagio is the place to go.

Tiffany & Co. also features the designs of Elsa Peretti, with fashionable pens that cost no more than their equivalent elsewhere (unless purchased in 18-carat gold), sterling silver baby accessories, frames and paperweights. Designer Paloma Picasso’s jewelry also is featured.

Hermes is the perfect stop if you’re looking for finely made silk scarves, ties and suits. Chanel has a great handbag collection. Moschino, Giorgio Armani and Prada will keep your wardrobe up-to-date with the latest styles from the runway.

The shops are on the second level, at the entrance — a refreshing change for those used to hotel shops stuck in the back of the building. Definitely worth a stop — if for nothing else than the time-honored tradition of window-shopping!

The Bauer Il Palazzo in Venice, Italy was awarded one of the world’s ten best romantic hotels by Five Star Alliance.

An intimate boutique hotel within the heart of Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is a truly authentic, Venetian-style palazzo overlooking Venice’s Grand Canal. More like a sophisticated home than a hotel, it is both elegant and luxurious.

Bauer Il Palazzo, with its stunning Gothic facade, reflects Venetian opulence at its best, with lavish decor and furnishings designed for the ultimate in comfort for visitors to Venice.

Benefiting from the most spectacular vantage point in Venice, Bauer Il Palazzo is conveniently located just steps from St Mark’s Square, and is close to Venice’s finest shops, museums and sights.

With its own private boat dock on the Grand Canal, guests arriving at Bauer Il Palazzo are greeted by the hotel’s sumptuous lobby, decorated in wood paneling and antique veneered Venetian panels, a lasting impression that is reflected in the unique decor and attention to detail in each of the hotel’s guest rooms and suites.

Experience the real Venice in the most elegant, romantic, private Venetian palazzo at Bauer Il Palazzo. Full article