Ciragan Palace Kempinski

Istanbul, Turkey is a mystical place, rich in both history and culture. Istanbul is unique as the only city in the world that connects two continents.

The Bosphorus Strait connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara and lies right in the middle of Istanbul – an ancient city well known as an exotic hub of Eastern and Western culture.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski is Istanbul’s only imperial palace and the hotel is the perfect location for an accommodation for travelers who desire to explore this beautiful body of water and immerse themselves in true Turkish culture.

As a way to experience the Bosphorus at its best, visitors can enjoy a dinner cruise, a romantic and elegant way to see some of Istanbul’s historical and contemporary landmarks, opulent Ottoman palaces and structures; and a ferry ride on the Turkish Maritime Lines (TML) where you can step off at Andalou Kavagi, a unique little village known for its delicious fish restaurants.

If you want a personal touch, Ciragan’s well-trained concierge offers customized itineraries for guests who want a unique, personal adventure.

Don’t miss the chance to walk along the path of a prince or princess up to the ruins of the Byzantine Castle fortress to see spectacular views of the strait that joins the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara.

A stay at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski is not complete without the exploration of both shores of the Bosphorus on a cruise. Starting at the Ciragan Palace, the boat will take you along the European side of Istanbul, and you will see the Ortakoy neighborhood, a trendy area that can also be explored by foot as it is only a five minute walk from the hotel.

Ortakoy, once literally “the village in the middle,” is now amongst Istanbul’s coolest and most artsy neighborhoods with trendy boutiques, plenty of outdoor cafés and bistros, and crowds of young, sophisticated locals and visitors.

As you pass the Ortakoy area, take in the majestic view of the Bosphorus Bridge which connects the two continents. As the boat turns towards the Asian shores, be sure to admire the particular architectural style of this area characterized by wooden mansions and marble palaces.

A top attractions is the Beylerbeyi Palace (which means “Lord of Lords” in Turkish), located in the Beylerbeyi neighborhood of Istanbul. An Imperial Ottoman summer residence built in the 1860s, it is now situated immediately north of the 1973 Bosphorus Bridge.

After a full day out enjoying the water, lift up your feet and be treated like royalty. Lounge on the balcony of any of Ciragan’s 313 rooms, 80 percent of which overlook the Bosphorus, ensuring a glorious view.

To learn more or book a reservation, please contact us at:

Swissôtel The Stamford -F1 race

As the 2012 Formu​la-1 Race schedule is underway, for an ideal view during the only night race in the world, consider the Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore.

Enjoy an unrivaled race experience with Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts in Singapore this year. A stay at one of Southeast Asia’s tallest hotels, Swissôtel The Stamford provides an incredible bird’s eye view of the F1 race at Turn 9 of the popular street circuit. A motor-racing enthusiast dream!

Stay at the Swissôtel The Stamford in Singapore between September 21-23 and take in the atmosphere within the comfort of the private balconies or conveniently access the trackside within walking distance of the hotel.

Swissôtel The Stamford offers 1,261 well-appointed rooms. Rates begin at S$1,250 per night, not inclusive of service charge and taxes, with a minimum booking of three nights’ stay.

Swissôtel The Stamford is located just five minutes away from Clarke Quay, the leading entertainment and dining hub in Singapore, Swissôtel Merchant Court is well-positioned to access the race as well as nightly festivities along the Singapore River.

For additional  information, visit http://www.swissotel.com/merchantcourt

It appears there finally is a plan for the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) cruise liner after all.

The Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship was originally launched way back in 1967. The luxury QE2 ship began service in 1969 and since has made over 26 round-the-world voyages.

The QE2 was purchased in 2007 by Istithmar, which is large investment company that’s owned by the government of Dubai. The estimated purchase price for the luxury ship was £64 million or about $100 million US.

It was announced that Dubai is moving toward turning Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise liner into a floating hotel.

Since the purchase, the future plans of the QE2 were up in the air. Initially, the goal was to completely overhaul the ship and turn it into a luxury hotel. Those plans were shelved due to the global recession which really hit hard Dubai’s economy.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Istithmar stated that the company became aware visitors to Dubai desired to see the QE2 remain in its originally look. Due to that, there are no major changes expected. He was quoted, “QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today.”

Since the Queen Elizabeth 2 arrived at Port Rashid, it quickly became the emirate’s hottest tourist attraction. It’s expected to take about 18 months for the conversion to be completed. When done, the QE2 will become a luxurious, 300-room floating hotel!

According to Bloomberg, Istithmar is currently in talks with three hoteliers, including Jumeirah Group, to manage the property.

The Resort at Squaw Creek

Located in picturesque Squaw Valley near Lake Tahoe, the luxurious Resort at Squaw Creek is a AAA Four-Diamond resort situated at base of Squaw Valley USA, proud home of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Resort at Squaw Creek is truly a world-class facility, offering all the latest, modern amenities. This luxury alpine resort provides the ideal spot to experience everything the scenic Lake Tahoe area has to offer.

The Resort at Squaw Creek has long been recognized as a top Lake Tahoe destination by both visitors and the travel industry. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has ranked the Resort at Squaw Creek as one of the top 50 ski hotels in North America, in addition to being one of the top 150 U. S. mainland resorts.

As you enter the resort’s dramatic, open lobby, you’ll notice the gorgeous architecture and a beautiful cascading waterfall through large windows that provide stunning views of the 195 hillside acres beneath the mammoth peaks of nearby Squaw Valley. The resort’s attention to detail is evident everywhere. The friendly and professional Resort at Squaw Creek staff provide an overall superior service.

Resort at Squaw Creek – The Life of Luxury

Resort guests will find 405 luxurious accommodations that range from deluxe rooms to bi-level penthouses – all offering stunning views of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Many rooms are nestled up against the trees, offering a relaxing feeling of being up in the mountains alone.

The decor of these luxury rooms is superior, one of the nicest you’ll find in the Lake Tahoe area. Key amenities include: remote-controlled LCD flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, “Deep Powder” pillow-top beds, hair dryers and robes, coffee makers, Pay-Per-View movies and video games and much more!

Squaw Valley – The Life of Luxury

Located near the world famous Squaw Valley USA ski resort, you can enjoy some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the world. Squaw Valley USA has a base elevation of 6,200 feet, providing six mountain peaks that range in elevation from 7,550 to 9,050 feet. The Resort at Squaw Creek has an exclusive on-property chair lift during the winter, offering hotel guests ski-in/ski-out access to Squaw Valley USA’s world-class ski terrain.

Definitely a winter mecca for snow lovers who come to Lake Tahoe, but there is plenty to do here year-round, which makes it a place of world-class recreation. For golfers, you are in luck. Designed by Robert Trent, this 18-hole championship golf course is both challenging and magnificent. The golf course is surrounded by protected wetlands and the towering granite peaks of Squaw Valley.

Resort at Squaw Creek Golf Course

Additional recreational opportunities await such as horseback riding, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, tennis and swimming. During winter, The Resort at Squaw Creek also offers X-country tracks, snow shoe tracks, dog sledding, and even fly fishing.

If you love the water, enjoy the resort’s three outdoor swimming pools, outdoor hot tubs and the world-class luxury spa – The Spa at Squaw Creek. Relax and The Spa at Squaw Creek is north Lake Tahoe’s largest and most luxurious spa facility.

Why go elsewhere for a memorable fine dining experience. You’ll find several restaurants on the property, featuring Six Peaks Grille which offers a unique dining experience with distinctive regional cuisine featuring the freshest produce, seafood and steaks, with spectacular mountain and valley views. Sandy’s Pub is the perfect gathering place for families and friends. Try delicious appetizers and mouth watering meals all served in a mountain-style sports bar atmosphere.

With a full bar, enjoy a wide selection of wine, microbrews, and cocktails. Sandy’s Pub also provides big screen TV’s playing the latest sports game or ski movie. For a casual meal, consider quaint Sweet Potatoes Deli that provides gourmet coffees, light breakfasts, deli sandwiches, salads and homemade soups.

The Resort at Squaw Creek also has its own boutique shopping promenade. Just steps from your room, stroll amongst the stores and find designer fashions, jewelry, fine art, sporting equipment, and kids clothing.

Squaw Valley in Lake Tahoe is a breathtaking and beautiful place. The Resort at Squaw Creek has everything you need to enjoy a relaxing vacation or simply a weekend getaway. For luxury amenities, elegant ambiance and award-winning services …. The Resort at Squaw Creek is your only choice!

For more information on The Resort at Squaw Creek, please visit www.squawcreek.com

400 Squaw Creek Road
P.O. Box 3333
Olympic Valley, California 96146
Phone: 530-583-6300

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Located in the Dominican Republic, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is eco-friendly boutique hotel.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge can be found perched at the base of the Dominican Republic’s southwestern Sierra Barahuco Mountains between two rushing rivers

This ecological wonder provides an unique opportunity for families to bond and develop long-lasting memories in a remote luxury, boutique hotel with a strong focus on the environment.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge offers 12 rooms, making it the ultimate retreat for those wanting a discrete getaway in an absolutely breathtaking, indigenous Caribbean setting.

Found between three peaks in the midst of the Dominican rainforest with views of the sea, the Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge property offers trails for trekking or mountain biking, an impressive zip-line course, glimpses into the region’s wildlife, and the organic Tanama Eco Spa. Guests can also venture to the nearby Barahona, an authentic Dominican town on a pristine stretch of virgin coastline, for a day of beachside fun. Whether enticed by a relaxing massage set to the jungles soothing sound or a thrilling adventure on the 1093-yard zip-line course, the lodge offers activities for travelers of all ages and experience levels.

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge

Between May 1 and October 31, 2012, you’ll receive a 20% savings on its “Family Fun Adventure” package. This exiting four-day, three-night package includes:

– Canopy Tour – Families can explore the lush jungle from above on a thrilling guided ride along zip-line cables that extend between ten platforms.
– Horseback Riding – Families can enjoy an exciting horseback ride through the awe-inspiring landscape.
– Relaxing Massages – Each parent can take a break to enjoy a ritual infused thirty-minute massage in the Spa’s pristine jungle setting.
– Tour of the Cachote Village – A culturally inspiring enclave of 50 residents perched in the cloud forest of the eastern Bahoruco Mountains.
– Gourmet Picnic –Families can connect in a beachfront setting over a delectable picnic basket prepared by the chef.

Rates are based on families of four and include three nights in a deluxe room and round-trip transfers from the airport in Santo Domingo to Casa Bonita. Rates start at $1,425. Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is accessible from major American gateway airports.

For additional information, please visit www.casabonitadr.com or call (800) 961-5133.

The Big Island is the farthest south, the youngest, and the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also the only one with three active volcanoes — Mauna Loa, Hualalai and Kilauea, which is the world’s most active volcano. It erupts continually, spewing out lava both night and day, and adding 500 feet to the coastline each year. An amazing sight to see.

Arriving at the secluded green paradise, called “Kona Village”, you feel you have reached a truly, tropical oasis. At Kona Village, you sleep in a palm-thatched hut call a hale (“HAH-lay”). Some of these hales (the more expensive) look out at their flawless lagoon; others (less expensive) overlook 5 ponds that are fringed with water birds and filled with tilapia nests. (Tilapia dig out small craters with their fins, which they protect fiercely).

Kona Village is blissfully quiet. During the day, you hear nothing but the cooing of zebra doves in rustling coconut palms. At night, you hear gentle wind. In the morning, you will be awakened by a joyful chorus of tropical birds.

The marine life is magnificent. The snorkeling is the equal of any place on earth. There are 12 species of healthy coral, 75 species of reef fish, moray eels, octopus, and manta rays.

If you do not watch your feet as you walk along the beach, you will trip over a huge green sea turtle, toasting on the hot sand to raise its body temperature. These gentle giants grow to 3½ feet, and can weigh up to 400 pounds. They lay their eggs on the French Frigate Shoals in the northernmost Hawaiian Islands in the summer, then come down to the Kona Coast to feast on seaweed in the winter.

These turtles will swim right underneath you, but don’t be tempted to help them out by scraping seaweed off their shells. If you do, you will be depriving some reef fish of its dinner. Turtles periodically will float lazily by the reef, so that yellow butterfly fish can come to vacuum off their backs. Humpback whales spend their summers in Alaska getting fat, and then come to Hawaii from November to May to mate. There are masses of them, and they are full of fun; the locals call the ocean at this time of the year “whale soup.” Gaze at the horizon, and within 10 minutes you will see at least one whale spout and then breach. One surfaced 100 yards from Cynthia’s kayak with a loud, “PAAAAH.”

There is an excellent beach crew on hand to organize your water activities. All are knowledgeable naturalists. Kayaks, wind surfers and snorkeling equipment are all free.

Boats go out daily for humpback whale and spinner dolphin spotting, and for scuba diving and snorkeling. In actual fact, the snorkeling off the beach cannot be beat, and you will see the humpbacks without going out in a boat.

Do go out in the spotter boat, however, in order to get a close look at the spinner dolphins. They will come right up to the boat, because they just love to play in the wake. All dolphins jump in the air; Pacific spinners jump, and then twirl around and around before splashing back. We counted 5 spins for one acrobatic fellow, and a little baby showed promise with 3 rotations.

You will also be able to eavesdrop on whale conversations from the boat, using a device called a hydrophone. Their eerie songs are occasionally used on the sound track of horror movies.

Twice a week they have a luau dinner at Kona Village, with traditional Hawaiian fare and entertainment. Guests can see a pig placed in the imu, or pit, with hot rocks and banana leaves, at 1 p.m. and then watch it taken out, roasted to perfection, at 6 p.m.

One night a week there is a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) barbecue, with entertainers who sing songs and tell stories about the olden days when the paniolo drove their cattle down to the beach and then into the ocean and swam their cows out to be lifted by cranes with huge straps which were put under the cows who were lifted onto the waiting ocean freighters. There is live Hawaiian music on the terrace almost every night. You will hear the famous “slack string” guitar: a guitar with the lowest E string tuned down to G and the other strings turned to a G chord. The sound is mellow and resonant and haunting.

One of the best petroglyph sites in Hawaii is right at the village. These rock carvings date back about 900 years. The ancient Hawaiians had no written language, so the priests would record important events by carving them into smooth lava. You will see many images of triangular shaped sails, which record journeys; images of men fishing; dots, which were probably ancient calendars; turtles and another animals.

Amazingly, there is a petroglyph of Captain Cook and his men, tied up in a sort of chain gang. Cook was killed in 1779, at a spot a half hour’s drive south of Kona Village. There is also a petroglyph depicting two other foreigners, Davis and Young, one American and one British. These two sailors, survivors of the slaughter of their shipmates, became advisors to King Kamehameha the first, the “George Washington “ of Hawaii, and helped him to conquer all the rival chiefs and unite the islands in 1795.

Kona Village is centrally located, so it is an excellent jump-off spot to see the rest of the island. We drove across the north side of the island one afternoon through the lush rolling fields of Parker Ranch (one of the largest cattle ranches in the U.S. at 350 square miles) to spectacular Waipio Valley which can be reached only on foot or by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The valley ends at the coast where the beaches are dramatic black sand. You can hire horses in the valley, ride to and gallop on these stunning beaches.

Swinton Park Hotel

From the second you enter Swinton Park Hotel, you will understand why it holds the White Rose Award for Hotel of the Year 2009.

This luxury castle hotel sits in 200 acres of landscaped parkland in the Yorkshire Dales, and has played host to many country house parties of legendary style and grandeur.

The castle dates from the late 1600’s with subsequent alterations by the Danby and Cunliffe-Lister families, combining both Regency and Victorian Gothic style and architecture.

Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought Swinton Park in 1880, having amassed a fortune in the Bradford wollen mills. His great-great-great grandson, Mark (the current Baron of Masham), now owns the hotel and surrounding 20,000 acre estate with his wife Felicity.

Lavishly furnished with family portraits and antiques, the hotel combines all the traditional warmth and hospitality of a stately home with every creature comfort that a contemporary hotel could provide.

Relax and absorb the timeless elegance of a quintessentially English country house. Enjoy traditional afternoon tea in the luxurious drawing room with its warming log fire where attentive staff will serve you delicious food. The hotel holds the Tea Guild Award of Excellence 2009 and boasts its very own blend.

It’s not just popping in for afternoon tea. Swinton Park offers thirty bedrooms, each individually designed, drawing inspiration from the nearby dales, castle, abbeys and towns.

Sweeping views over the surrounding gardens, parkland and gatehouse are in abundance.

Enjoy exclusive use of The Spa; an oasis of calm. Relax in the Jacuzzi pool, relaxation zone, or sit for a while in the sauna. The Treatment Rooms offer face, body, beauty and complementary therapy treatments. Individual treatments, day spa and spa accommodation packages are available throughout the year.

Try your hand in the Cookery School with celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager, using the freshest ingredients from the hotels own walled garden and surrounding countryside.

Recent Awards & Accolades:
Hotel of the year 2009, White Rose Awards
Sustainable Tourism Award 2009 (Highly Commended), White Rose Awards
Green Business Award 2009, Yorkshire Rural Awards
Tea Guild Award of Excellence 2009
Green Tourism Business Scheme 2008
Top Ten Cookery Schools 2008, Sunday Times
Taste of Yorkshire 2007, White Rose Awards
Top Ten European Castle Hotel 2007, Trip Advisor
Outstanding Customer Service Award 2006, White Rose Award
50 Most Romantic Hotels 2006, The Independent

Hotel of the Year 2004, Excellence in England Awards
Swinton Park Hotel
Masham, Ripon
North Yorkshire, HG4 4JH
Tel: 01765 680900
http://www.swintonpark.com

Written by: Ellen Dean

In a city as resolutely classical as Vienna, even the Bauhaus facade of the Levante Parliament hotel stands out as something stylistically extraordinary. Equally surprising is what’s inside — a contemporary take on the era’s obsession with monochrome and geometric forms that’s just as striking as the typical clean-lined design hotel, and a good deal more livable.

The 74-room Levante Parliament hotel opened several years ago in a 1908 Biedermeier building. Natural stone, dark wood, glass and chrome — with a dab of bright colors is used for the modern architecture interior.

One improvement comes in the area of materials, what seems like miles of marble, glass, and exotic woods. Accents in orange and copious black-and-white photo prints break up the Levante’s minimalism, and the rooms are filled with inviting creature comforts, from down duvets and plush towels to the sort of high-tech gadgetry that’s quickly becoming indispensable — you don’t know you need underfloor heating or speakers in the bathroom until you try going without them for a while.

There’s a restaurant named after the glass sculptor Ioan Nemtol, the creator of many of the orange glass pieces you see around the place, and there’s an arrangement with the Palais Auersperg next door for events and conference space. The Parliament building, sensibly enough, is right next door, and the historic city center is just to the east, making most everything in this compact and walkable city easily accessible.

The hotel could also serve as an art gallery. Everywhere you look, there are glass works by Romanian artist Ioan Nemtoi (he also co-designed the hotel’s Nemtoi restaurant), or photographs by Viennese photographer Curt Themessl. All of the art is for sale.

The Levante Parliament
Auerspergstrasse 9
Vienna, Austria

When one thinks of the truest luxury hotel chains in the world – the Ritz-Carlton is often tops on anybody’s list.

Ritz-Carlton just opened up two more luxury hotels in Okinawa, Japan and Montreal, Canada, to add to its impressive list of global properties.

The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa will pioneer luxury hospitality on tropical island of Okinawa, Japan. The Okinawan concept of hospitality or “gusuku,” which translates as “castle” or “guest house,” has been carefully reflected throughout the property to give it a welcoming sense of place.

The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa features 97 modern guestrooms and two suites each have balconies or terraces to enjoy the sweeping panoramic views that overlook the East China Sea and the Kise Country Club.

For ultimate pampering, The Ritz-Carlton, Okinawa offers guests The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA, in its own separate enclave. The Ritz-Carlton Spa by ESPA combines the essence of ancient and modern Chinese, Indian, European and Balinese spa cultures.

The Spa by ESPA features four treatment rooms, four dry treatment rooms, outdoor Cabanas offering Shiatsu or Thai massage. Guests can also enjoy the Heat Experience (Steam Sauna, Jacuzzi hot tubs, Stone Sauna with weathered coral tiles).

Bringing the glory back to The Grande Dame of Sherbrooke Street in Montreal, Canada, the iconic Ritz-Carlton, Montreal hotel has reopened after completing an extensive $200 million restoration that truly meshes the latest luxury amenities along with the splendor of the past.

The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal’s building facade was carefully preserved and restored, public spaces were renovated and upgraded, and the guestrooms were redesigned to feature the very best in luxury and comfort. The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal now has 98 rooms and 31 suites. The 4,700-square-foot Royal Suite is the largest hotel suite in Montreal.

In addition, the luxury Ritz-Carlton, Montreal hotel guestrooms feature high-tech amenities, such as thermostats that intuitively remember a guest’s temperature preferences upon check-in, and motion sensors that activate lights when guests enter a dark room.

Hotel guests can dine at acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud’s restaurant, Maison Boulud, in the 130-seat dining room, the 46-seat year-round greenhouse, or on the new terrace on Sherbrooke Street.

Ladera Resort

The legendary St. Lucia hotel – Ladera Resort, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The luxury resort plans to introduce five new connecting luxury one-bedroom Hilltop Dream suites on Paradise Ridge in October of this year.

Ladera Resort has long been associated as one of the best luxury hotels in the world, and is often recognized with major top hotel awards

Ladera Resort on St. Lucia is a haven for celebrities, honeymooners and trendsetters. With the ideal location, Ladera is located on a forested ridge rising 1,100 feet above the sea, perched above the port town of Soufrière.

Since its opening twenty years ago, Ladera Resort pioneered the unique open-air design concept that offers guests a three-walled guest suite that remains the signature design of Ladera. The Ladera design has caught on as it’s become the island style, now de rigueur at resorts throughout Saint Lucia.

The new Hilltop Dream Suites at Ladera Resort will feature locally-woven textiles and custom hardwood furniture crafted on site at Ladera, such as elegant Colonial four-poster king beds. The en-suite bath areas will be equipped with water-efficient Kohler fixtures.

The luxurious Ladera Resort also features many luxury amenities to pampers its hotel guests – new fitness room, outfitted with state-of-the-art workout equipment, and a yoga studio. The Ti Kai Posé Spa, which now incorporates more natural, organic treatments, will offer new outdoor Couples Massages on Paradise Ridge, a completely private retreat area of the resort which overlooks the Caribbean Sea and Pitons.

The Table Bay Hotel

In Cape Town, South Africa – The Table Bay Hotel celebrates its 15 year anniversary this month. The luxury hotel opened back in 1997 and has been an icon for travelers ever since.

You can find The Table Bay hotel in the shadows of majestic Table Mountain. The Table Bay is a Sun International property in Cape Town and is truly an architectural masterpiece that combines Victorian style with maritime design elements.

The luxury Table Bay hotel first opened in May 1997 by South Africa’s President Nelson Mandela. In his speech, President Mandela recognized and described the Table Bay hotel as a “major asset to South Africa’s national tourism infrastructure.”

As it turns out, Mr. Mandela was rather prophetic as within 18 shorts months after opening, The Table Bay hotel achieved membership into the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World, perfectly positioning it as a luxurious port-of-call for modern travelers.

The luxurious Cape Town has also received numerous accolades for its quality service, luxury accommodations, and fine cuisine. The Table Bay Hotel is annually featured in the Conde Nast Traveler “Readers Choice Awards” as well as other prestigious national and international publications.

Located on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The Table Bay hotel embodies all the tradition, grace and elegance befitting a five-star property while still maintaining its own unique nautical character.