Opening Today...

Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection’s new country house hotel opens its stylish doors TODAY. Take a sneak peak inside ...more 

Romantic Riads

The Sanssouci Collection's three boutique hotels, located centrally in the historic medina of Marrackech, are individual riads that offer an authentic Moroccan experience. TLTB loves that each is as different and unique as the next yet all share a common goal of providing guests with bespoke service, quality and luxury. The three riads are located within walking distance of each other enabling guests to take advantage of the city and the roof terraces, facilities and restaurants at each riad.

Each of the three riads has features that TLTB readers will appreciate. Dar Les Cigognes (11 rooms and suites) was originally a wealthy merchant's house and dates back to the 16th century. Each room is individually designed to reflect the regions, periods and culture of Morocco. Riad Kaïss (9 rooms & suites) features a shaded roof terrace pool (a relief in the midday sun). Le Nid des Cigognes (4 rooms and suites) can be hired out privately and includes a cinema room and the rooftop terrace can be set up to allow guests to sleep out under the Moroccan stars . CA

Luxury Link: http://www.sanssoucicollection.com/

Just back from ...

Just back from New Zealand and not put off by high winds, our golfing correspondent says Kauri Cliffs is still one of the planet's most beautiful golf courses and challenge-wise, deserves its position in the world's top 100. More on Kauri Cliffs in our October Ezine. HD

.... an extravagant hotel package

Is this the world's most expensive hotel suite? The Taj Boston is offering a $US6 million stay in its top suite. Now we know Taj hotels are good but what makes any suite, even this Presidential one, worth a cool six mil? Well there are a few added extras...

The biggie is that a new theatre at the swankie Boston Conservatory will be named after you. As the building's namesake, you'll naturally get to attend grand-opening events and several opening performances and you'll receive two lifetime tickets to all the Conservatory performances. You'll also be in on the ribbon cutting ceremony - Hell, you should be holding the scissors.

If you name above the names in lights isn't enough, as part of the package your stay in the Presidential Suite with 24 hour butler service (we should think so too) also includes private round-trip jet transportation for two from Boston to anywhere in the world. There'll be a limo service on tap during your stay but you probably won't need it because you'll also get a new Jaguar XJ and the promise of lifetime valet parking at the Taj. Then there are the little trinkets such as Tiffany champagne flutes (plus Crystal champagne), an engraved Christofle sterling silver platter to take home.

For those on a budget the hotel also has a $US4 million package where your name will be on the main stage Theater Auditorium (not the whole theatre, pauper) but you still get all the above perks.

The packages are only available the weekend of October 15 to 17, so hurry. Anyone who seriously wants to book this should get a flunkie to contact Claude Dubois at Taj Boston. DS

Luxury Link: http://www.tajhotels.com/

Is this the ultimate place to tee-off?

Just one of the experiences on offer at the new ultra-luxurious Matakauri Lodge in New Zealand. A review will be in our October Ezine.

Flight Status

After a nightmare previous journey (don't ask) on a airline that will remain nameless it was a huge relief to board  Emirates business class to London and sip Bollinger, relax and receive excellent service. This really is the only way to travel! More flight and airline reports coming soon. SB

http://www.emirates.com/

TLTB Loves ... Exploration

Grab the binoculars and compass as Orion will be taking guests on a modern-day exploration of Antarctica. Spend New Year's Eve or early 2011 crossing the Antarctic Circle before heading to Cape Denison and a visit to Douglas Mawson's historic huts, built for the 1911-1914 Australian Antarctic Expedition; or explore the Ross Sea Region including Scott and Shackleton's bases surviving from the 'Heroic Era' or Antarctic exploration. These historic sites reveal a period of great human adventure, exploration, research and survival and examples of clothing, food, sleds and ropes - literally frozen in time. The cruises will voyage further south than the South Magnetic Pole.

The purpose built expedition ship Orion will provide the 100 guests with the technology, safety and important features such as retractable sonar and ice strengthen hull (all sounds good to us) as well as the things TLTB readers have come to expect on Luxury Cruises. SB

Luxury Link: http://www.orionexpeditions.com/
 

Collect a first edition

Waikiki Edition, the first hotel from the brand created by Bill Marriott (Marriott Hotels) and hotel design guru Ian Schrager  ,who brought us hotels such as  Sanderson, now looks set for an early October opening.  We've had no sneak peeks as yet but The Luxury Travel Bible likes the sound of a lobby bar hidden behind a secret passage and a night spot called Crazybox. We also like the free Wi-Fi promised and the specially programmed iPods (with suitably cool sounds no doubt). The hotel-must-have- of-the-moment,  iPads, will also be available for guests.  Next up after Wakiki is Mexico City then Barcelona, Istanbul  and Bangkok, additions to Edition you might say. We'll keep you in the loop.

The Big Screen sails on…

The whole world wants bigger screens. Last month we  noted that  P&O Cruises  had installed a mega-screen on its latest ship Pacific Pearl, which debuts in December. It seems The Luxury Travel Bible weren’t the only ones who like the idea because due to what it claims is customer demand P&O now intends to install a giant entertainment screen on its Sydney-based superliner Pacific Jewel this November.

Stretching four metres tall and seven metres wide, the Big Screen will be positioned above Pacific Jewel’s pool deck  to entertain the ship’s 1950 passengers. What happened to just reading a paperback poolside?

Art at Anantara

Calling all budding Warhols. Anantara Maldives will be hosting international artist and designer, Christopher Hogan as their Artist in Residence. Australian born Hogan will be sharing his knowledge and offering his guidance to Anantara guests at his exclusive art classes. The Luxury Travel Bible loves Hogan's ethos of drawing inspiration from nature and culture (of which there plenty at the Anantara resorts). We also love the idea of being able to take home a 'masterpiece' as a holiday souvenir. SB

Art classes start at Anantara Maldives, 12th September - 12th December. Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from the 15th December, 2010 - 27th January, 2011 and at Anantara Phuket Villas, Thailand from the 29th January, 2011 - 19th March, 2011.

Luxury Link: http://www.anantara.com/, http://www.luxurytravelbible.com/

Q&A Sir Richard Branson

British-born Branson is the man behind the multi-billion dollar brand Virgin (as if you didn't know). He talks to The Luxury Travel Bible and shares his Expert Opinion and reveals his favourite private travel moments. Click here to view

Perfect pools overlooking the Med

For a century, the iconic Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat on the French Côte D'Azur has provided a legendary retreat for tycoons, aristocrats, film stars, politicians, artists and writers. Now the grand dame has been updated with eight new deluxe pool suites in a new waterfront extension designed by architect Luc Svetchine. They are billed as the first pool suites in France and the interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon (who is always good at 'grand') is sleek and all white, featuring paintings by the famous contemporary artist Elisabeth Stein, reproductions of artwork by Matisse and custom designed white marble furniture. The private pools look over the Mediterranean. We like. HD

Luxury Link: http://www.lhw.com/

 

 

A Man and his elephant

We adore this picture of Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa's Director of Elephants, John Roberts and one of his charges at the lush jungle retreat's on-site Elephant Camp. Since 2003, thanks to John's passion and dedication, Anantara Golden Triangle's Elephant Camp has successfully rescued 32 elephants, accompanied by their entire mahout family. On most days guests can find John taking the babies of the herd down to the river for their ritual bathing antics. Devon (England) - born John has come a long way.

Luxury link:: http://www.anantara.com/, http://www.luxurytravelbible.com/