Before any treatments are performed, your spa pleasure begins with SpaHalekulani’s exclusive gentle foot pounding ritual. Your feet are first wrapped in fragrant, steaming towels, gently tapped with Polynesian bamboo (“ton ton” pounders), and finished with a light scent-ual misting.

The maile (pronounced my-lee) vine is their signature fragrance and is used in many of the products used in their treatments.

Each luxury spa treatment room is a spa suite, equipped with private steam showers. There is also a couples suite for couples treatments, with a Japanese-style furo tub.

Their SpaHalekulani Bridal Suite has two treatment beds, as well as an adjoining room for hair, manicure and pedicure stations. The day that I toured the spa, they were preparing for a bride and her attendants. They were all getting some type of treatment, as well as spa cuisine delivered to the suite. There is also an outdoor private lanai for those in between treatments.

Regular guests also can enjoy a private (lanai) spa terrace, separated by foliage, also allowing a view of Gray’s Beach known by the Hawaiians for its healing “Kawehewehe” waters.

They offer a Samoan massage that uses smooth stones wrapped in mulberry bark, and toning, revitalizing noni juice and a Signature spa treatment Polynesian Steam Therapy, inspired by Tongan traditions. After a gentle tapping-style massage to loosen the upper chest and back, this treatment envelops you in your own humidifying steam tent made of kapa cloth.

While your feet are pampered with reflexology, you inhale the lemony vapors of lemongrass, said to have antiseptic and skin-healing properties, along with earthy mists of kava root, said to ease anxiety and instill a profound calm, and eucalyptus to let you breath easy.

SpaHalekulani was developed by Sylvia Sepielli, operator of SPAd, (Sylvia Planning and Design). She has also overseen projects at The Mauna Lani Spa, on the Big Island, and Mii Amo at the Enchantment in Sedona, AZ as well as many spas in Japan & Asia.

SpaHalekulani was the first spa to fully explore the healing traditions of Hawaii’s diverse cultures, especially those from the Pacific Islands such as Samoa, Tonga and Tahiti. The Polynesian ambiance is abound – with sliding Japanese doors to the sandal-wood-scented massage beds.

Ménage a Trois Cocktail – Tryst

If you’re feeling a little frisky and want to try an expensive cocktail, why not order a Ménage a Trois cocktail at Tryst at the 5 Diamond Award-winning Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

This sexy cocktail, served at the Wynn Hotel Tryst nightclub, is made with Cristal Rosé, Hennessy Ellipse and Grand Marnier Cent-cinquantenaire. In addition, 23-karat gold flakes and liquid gold syrup decorate this decadent cocktail.

For $3,000 you can sip this drink through a golden straw studded with a 9-point diamond — yours to keep of course. Are you ready for a Ménage a Trois ? Try one at Tryst nightclub at Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

If you prefer to return to the Medieval Age, then the Excalibur Grand Hotel may be your hotel of choice. It is also another huge hotel located in the famous Las Vegas Strip.

The Excalibur Grand Hotel, is located in southwest of Las Vegas, just next to Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard. The beautiful building looks like a real medieval castle.

Is a very good option specially if you are traveling with children, they will have a lot of fun here with its Tournament of Kings, and Fantasy Faire midway.

The hotel has 4,008 rooms,and you can find a room here from $50 per night a very good price comparing with other hotels along the strip. Also has a few restaurants and a very good buffet restaurant,see my restaurant tip for more info.

With a castle exterior, the hotel features a casino with slot machines, table games, keno, poker, and a race and sports book.

The Tournament of Kings dinner show features invading armies, jousting knights, and dining sans utensils. Other live entertainment includes stage shows and comic performances.

Excalibur’s Castle Walk is a promenade above the casino that features a variety of shops and street vendors. The Excalibur Midway features games and a video arcade. The hotel also features a beauty salon, two swimming pools, a manmade mountain, waterfalls, and two waterslides.

The Royal Treatment Spa and Fitness Center offers massages, facials, tanning beds, an exercise facility, and separate pools and saunas for men and women.

Dining options include the Roundtable Buffet, The Steakhouse at Camelot, Sir Galahad’s Pub & Prime Rib House, Regale Italian Eatery, the 24-hour Sherwood Forest Cafe, and the Village Food Court. Also, Dick’s Last Resort is now open at Excalibur

Excalibur Hotel and Casino is located on the Las Vegas Strip, only two miles from McCarran International Airport.

Trump SoHo New York

The luxurious Trump SoHo in New York City is celebrating its 1 year anniversary on April 9th.

To show their appreciation, Trump SoHo is offering a suite upgrade deal to its guests.

The art-centric SoHo has been likened to romantic Paris, with its charming New York boutiques, outdoor cafes and cobblestone streets.

SoHo continues to allure both business and pleasure travelers with the recent addition of several new luxury hotel options, in addition to fine dining, art and shopping options.

Trump SoHo New York is offering guests another wonderful reason to visit.

If you book a stay during April on the hotel’s birthday (Saturday, April 9), use the special code APRIL9 and receive a complimentary upgrade to a one-bedroom suite!

Guests will enjoy 682 square feet of luxury living space plus breathtaking views of SoHo from its tallest building!

In addition, all guests will receive the Trump SoHo Shopping Card for exclusive discounts at chic boutiques and big name designers like DKNY and Longchamp. Très magnifique!

Bookings for this Trump SoHo anniversary deal opens at 12 AM on April 9 and will close at midnight. Please visit www.trumpsohohotel.com

Stateline Fire Lookout is hard to find but well worth the effort. To reach the lookout, don’t waste time looking for signs.

Once you reach the facility that straddles the California/Nevada border is definitely the best high-elevation vantage point (7,017 feet) on Lake Tahoe’s north shore.

Once you reach the top, you will enjoy spectacular vistas of Crystal Bay and Brockway beaches, along with the entire Tahoe basin and its watershed.

It’s a fairly easy hike to the top.   A short fifteen minute hike from the fire road will lead you to the historic Stateline Point Lookout.

There are a a variety of interpretive signs along a  self-guided interpretive trail, that explain some interesting history about Lake Tahoe and the local region. One story details how California stole the Brockway Hotsprings down below from Nevada in a shady “resurvey” land grab.

Another interesting fact is that up to the early 1900’s, scenic Lake Tahoe was once called “Bigler Lake”.

If you’d just like to relax and enjoy a quiet picnic, there are several strategically placed picnic tables amongst the area.

Directions:
To get there , take SR 28 (Tahoe Blvd.) from Incline toward California on the north shore. Just before you reach the California border in Crystal Bay, there’s a road off to the right named Beowawie Road. Take this road to Tuscarora Road, then right on Lake View.

Park near the gate on the fire road but of course don’t block the gate.

Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore – Robinson Suite

We first reported last year about the new luxury Fullerton Bay Hotel. This ultra-luxurious hotel has quickly become known for its incredible views of the spectacular Singapore city skyline and Marina Bay.

There are five ethnic-themed suites plus the Presidential Suite located on the top three levels of the Fullerton Bay Hotel. These luxury suites provide its guests with completely unobstructed vistas.

The six exclusive suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, are a tribute to the hotel’s historical location while also reaffirming the its dedication to uphold Singapore’s rich heritage and diverse culture.

Each of the stunning suites at the Fullerton Bay Hotel is well adorned with unique artwork and antiques, signature fabrics and decorative items that embody their distinctive themes alongside contemporary pieces.

At its prime waterfront location at Marina Bay, the chic Fullerton Bay Hotel exudes a classical and elegant atmosphere as captures the true heritage and modernity of Singapore.

Do you dream of taking a luxury vacation with endless amenities and the highest level of concierge services? Let The Life of Luxury be your one-stop travel service. We offer incredible travel packages at wonderful rates. Experience a VIP lifestyle and enjoy a memorable experience that will last a lifetime.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Earth Day is celebrated this year on April 22. The luxury Grand Velas Riviera Maya is offering an ideal, green escape hotel package now through the end of the year.

Located in Mexico, the luxurious Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort is Green Globe-certified.

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suites and spa resort located five minutes from Playa del Carmen, is the latest and most sophisticated iteration of the ultra-luxury, all-inclusive resort experience.

Each of the resort’s 491 suites offer more than 1,000 square-feet of living space.

The resort’s new Green Escape Package provides travelers the chance to see and learn about the property’s natural cenotes (fresh water sinkholes), plus plant a mangrove tree in their name in the resort’s lush jungle area.

Resort guests will also receive a certificate with the tree coordinates so they can watch it grow from home on Google Earth.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s all-inclusive rate includes suite accommodations, a la carte dining at a choice of five gourmet restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hr in-suite service, access to fitness center with personal trainer, activities for adults and kids, round-trip airport transfers, taxes, gratuities, and more.

Green Escape Package rates in a Master Suite start at $493 per person per night based on double occupancy through April 30th and $439 per person per night from May 1 –Dec. 19th.

The children from 4-16 years are $99 per child per night (Jan 3 – Apr 30, 2011) and $75 per child per night (May 1 – Dec 19, 2011).

A three-night minimum stay is required.

For additional information and reservations, please visit www.grandvelas.com or call 1-866-230-7221

Windsor Knot cocktail

Recognized as one of Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2011 World’s Best Hotels, the luxury The London NYC hotel in New York City is offering all the luxuries the royal wedding has to offer.

Located at 151 West 54th St., between 6th & 7th Ave, The London NYC hotel is offering its guest the chance to be treated like royalty and celebrate extravagantly, right in the heart of New York City.

The “Royal Engagement” package from The London NYC hotel consists of a luxurious combination of exquisite service, and creating intimate and lasting memories.

To start with, enjoy an elegant and spacious London suite where, upon your arrival, you are welcomed with a traditional English Garden bouquet.

Later that evening, the luxury hotel will enhance the romance by offering an assortment of exotic fruits and chocolate truffles, accompanied by a half bottle of champagne, delivered to your room.

Your private celebration continues when a traditional English breakfast for two arrives in the morning, a culinary feast from the incomparable team of Gordon Ramsay.

If you are like most people who got overlooked and didn’t receive your invitation to the royal wedding, indulge yourself with the “Royal Engagement” package at The London NYC.

This incredible night of excitement can be yours beginning at $579.

As a tribute to upcoming royal wedding on April 29th, the brilliant mixologists at the The London Bar have come up with a specialty cocktail, dubbed the Windsor Knot, that consists of a brilliant combination of fruit and the rich taste of Chambord with Pimms, topped off with prosecco and garnished with a mint leaf. Price is just $20.

Windsor Knot
½ oz. Pimms
½ oz. Chambord
Apple, cucumber and orange soaked in Pimms
Prosecco
Mint leaf

Directions: Combine fruit, Pimms and Chambord in a flute. Top off with prosecco and garnish with mint leaf.

For additional information on The London NYC “Royal Engagement” package, please visit www.thelondonnyc.com

Doge’s Palace and Campanile, Venice – Smithsonian Journeys

The name Smithsonian is widely known for “Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery,” which is the core of Smithsonian Journeys and its more than 150 expert-led international and domestic tours featuring exclusive access and unforgettable experiences.

Smithsonian Journeys has just announced its exciting line of all-inclusive, value cruises to the Mediterranean for 2012, which include international airfare.

If you have always wanted to explore the world, look into the awesome travel itineraries from Smithsonian Journeys. Their tours bring both culture and local sightseeing together in a seamless manner.

Courtesy of: Southlaketahoe.com

Vex Nightclub offers the hottest club scene in all of Lake Tahoe. Vex is located at Harrah’s and is Lake Tahoe’s largest and wildest nightclub.

The nightclub features the VEX girls, who perform musically choreographed topless routines on a series of bridges and platforms above the large crowds.

Vex Nightclub is open both Friday and Saturday nights and features twenty of the hottest female and male entertainers found anywhere.

The dancers also perform on five platforms located throughout the room, providing patrons up close views that they will never forget.

The music is pulsating and exhilarating, and the nightclub is lit up by an incredible, state-of-the-art lighting system.

The well trained and experienced aerial performers put on quite a show. They gracefully move above the crowd’s heads using a series of silks and rings.

Courtesy of: Vex Nightclub

For a more luxury experience, try one of the 31 VEX VIP bottle service booths, where you will receive a custom and exclusive services all night long by the VEX cocktail staff.

For a special party of a larger size, Vex Nightclub can host up to 200 people in their reserved stage VIP booth where you enjoy the best views in the house.

For additional information or to make a VIP reservation, contact:

Vex Nightclub
Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
15 Hwy 50
Stateline, NV 89449
(775) 586-6705

The Mirage Resort and Casino volcano – Las Vegas

Love is in the air in Las Vegas – the “Entertainment Capital of the World!”

Have ever dreamed of becoming a celebrity? If you haven’t quite reached that goal, now’s your chance to at least live like a famous celebrity.

Through the end of April … enjoy a true, “rich and famous” lifestyle with The Mirage LOVE Starts Here Mega Package.

For a mind-blowing $41,000, you can indulge your passion and your partner for an incredible week of ultimate luxury, pampering and decadence.

This amazing offer has it all and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. From transportation in a Rolls Royce, lavish high roller suites, assisting a Vegas headliner on stage and even  igniting the world famous Mirage Volcano, this package is sure to impress and provide bragging rights for years to come!

· Roll like royalty with Rolls Royce transportation to The Mirage and gated entrance to ensure private arrival ($1,000 value)

· Stay five nights at The Villas at The Mirage with exclusive 24-hour butler service, private backyard with a pool, hot tub and putting green ($25,000 value)

· Enjoy an ultimate crystallized celebration with Bling H2O, Moet & Chandon bubbly and a six-course Decadent Degustation Menu in a private villa ($2,000 value)

· Treat yourself to a private makeover session with Hollywood style guru and celebrity colorist Kim Vo. Surround yourself with serenity while relaxing with a massage and facial. Get glamorous  for the evening ahead with a manicure, pedicure and make-up session ($2,500 value)

· Watch the night owls flutter by from your private table with bottle service at JET Nightclub ($2,500 value)

· See what the performers see with a backstage tour of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil ($2,000 value)

· Live the liquid dream and be a dolphin trainer for a day at Siegfried and Roy’s Dolphin Habitat ($2,000 value)

· Be in charge of the button and launch the activation of The Mirage Volcano ($500 value)

· Step out of the shadows and into the limelight as the assistant at Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert ($2,500 value)

· If you  have your scuba certification, get beneath the surface at The Mirage Lobby Aquarium located directly behind the front desk and become an aquarium scuba aquarist for a day ($1,000 value)

· Bring your entourage to experience the lavish life in a Penthouse Suite for an additional $400 per night

Don’t wait, the “LOVE Starts Here” package at The Mirage is only available to book through April 30.