... a new luxury suite ... always

There is a lot happening in Sydney right now: - the Park Hyatt soon to be re-opened, a new five-star, The Darling opening Friday  - but for today we're celebrating the new Terrace Suites at Sheraton on the Park. The "opening of these suites marks the culmination of a $40 million renovation at Sheraton on the Park." says Mr Sean Hunt, Regional Vice President for Starwood Pacific Hotels and Managing Director of Sheraton on the Park.  Covering up to 120 square metres, they are designed with loft apartments in mind. Views are of the Sydney skyline and nearby Hyde Park. The colour scheme is what we like to call 'Barista browns' - cafe colours like warm mocha carpets and deep chocolate and biscuit for the leather lounges, with a little lightness in the silvery-green walls. Then of course thereare the beds (hotels' just love their signature beds) in this case luxurious King-size Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds. In the bathroom you'll find a big bath tub and Bvlgari toiletries. Access to the Sheraton Club Lounge is part of the deal.  MT

Luxury Links: www.sheraton.com/ , www.starwoodhotels.com/

... sweet treats

Those with a sweet tooth are rejoicing that the new Pudding Parlour at London's athenaeum hotel is now open. The Luxury Travel Bible attended the opening (to coincide with British Baking Week) and tested the delectable delights on offer.

Each month the menu will feature a ʻPudding Of The Monthʼ by Great British Bake Off winner Edd Kimber.  'The Boy Who Bakes' was on hand at the opening to demonstrate how he made October's featured pudding, the delicious 'Plum Almondine'. The lovely Edd revealed some of the upcoming featured puddings and TLTB particularly likes the sound of December's Traditional Home Made Mince Pies (a Kimber family recipe).

The menu will also feature puddings ranging from Macaroons to chocolate truffles to Champagne jellies  by the hotel's head pastry chef Marion.

So, forget cocktails bars and head to the pudding parlour instead for a post-theatre or late night treat.

The Pudding Parlour at the athenaeum will be open Monday - Friday from 8.00pm -11.00pm and Saturday from 9.00pm - 11.00pm.£10 per visit, £15 including a glass of Pudding Wine. SB


Luxury Link: http://www.athenaeumhotel.com/ www.theboywhobakes.co.uk

... from the mouths of babes - Virgin Galactic

We're loving this quote from a Richard Branson employee's kid  during  the Big R's trip to Christchurch New Zealand (20 October). Branson was in town to cheer up his troops, help the earthquake-beleagurered city - oh and go on to see the final of the Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Sunday.

''The most gruelling thing was the staff's kids questions,'' Branson told press. ''They were budding journalists in there.''  Yes, such as Daniel Trenberth, 11, whose father Dave is a Pacific Blue training manager, who asked Branson if he was entitled to staff travel on Virgin Galactic.

''He said he was thinking about it,'' Daniel said.

TLTB says, "And what about using Virgin frequent flyer points Richard"?

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

... a great Aussie Travel App

New travel App, AUSTRALIA: Where to Go has just launched on the Apple iTunes store and we just had to share with TLTB readers.

This App is the definitive guide to the best places and authentic experiences Down Under. Want to go snorkelling off tropical islands, dine at Sydney's hottest spots, muster cattle in the outback, see native animals, enjoy deserted beaches, discover centuries-old Aboriginal rock art or watch some of Australia's finest actors on stage? It's all detailed on this App and TLTB readers will be pleased to know that there is plenty of luxury content.

Sue Gough Henly has condensed all that Australia has to offer and created a visually rich (there are more than 2500 photos and videos) app that gives the insider low-down on how to explore Australia like a local, whether visiting for just a few weeks or have lived there a few years.

TLTB loves how user friendly AUSTRALIA: Where to Go is with content filtered by criteria such as outback, on the water, wildlife, family, luxury, urban, eco and sorted by name, distance, price and state. It also features maps and directions and direct links to Wikipedia, State Tourism or Parks Department websites (whichever is most useful to the user). MT

Click here to read more about the App on iTunes.

... being a cowboy

Deep down, The Luxury Travel Bible thinks everyone wants to be a cowboy (or at least spend some time with one).

But there is no need to venture too far into the Wild, Wild West as The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana  is offering a more luxurious cowboy adventure.

With over 20 outdoor activities to try out ranch staff felt guests were overlooking the simple art of relaxation. 'Cowboy Kipping' or 'Napping', as it is known on the ranch, has joined the line-up of Autumn activities, giving guests the opportunity to kick-back in rugged terrain, just like the Lone Ranger.

Six hammocks across riverside and mountain locations are all newly equipped with soft pillows, warm blankets and all offer up-close viewing points for local wildlife and the golden Autumnal foliage. Guests can either hike to the napping spots or be driven out by one of the onsite ranch hands for some quiet contemplation.

For the full cowboy experience guests can saddle-up and horseback ride through the throughout the 6,600 acre ranch, learn fly fishing at Rock Creek and try their hand at a spot of clay pigeon shooting. MT

Luxury Link: www.TheRanchatRockCreek.com

... Little LUXE for Little Luxies

LUXE City Guides, known for their short, sharp and snappy reviews,  has launched a brand new series aimed at families. Little LUXE gives all the information you need for travelling with children. The first pocket sized book in the series will be Little LUXE Hong Kong. Little LUXE guides are written by resident editors with families for fellow luxury traveller families.

LUXE has partnered with Little Steps Asia, an online resource giving  parents guidance on what to do, buy, and discover in Asia, to create a guide that will keep the kids happy and therefore their parents. CA

Little LUXE Hong Kong is now available in stores and online at www.luxecityguides.com  Little LUXE Singapore will be available from November.

... arriving in style

The Luxury Travel Bible loves to arrive (and depart) in style and that is exactly what happens at MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa in The Seychelles.

The luxury resort has recently launched its own helipad and have also purchased an amphibian boat, 'Sealegs'.  The helipad allows guest to arrive in just 10 minutes from other resorts nearby and also explore the area on scenic flights. The resort has teamed up with Zil Air, a newly launched helicopter company in the Seychelles who can arrange stylish flights for guests.

'Sealegs' gives guests the opportunity to keep their feet dry when arriving at the resort  from their yachts which can be moored off the resort's beach. 'Sealegs' can also take guests on days trips to visit other islands and secluded beaches.

MAIA Luxury Resort & Spa has 30 private villas including 3 Ocean View Villas and 8 Ocean Front Villas. A Leading Hotels of the World property it is set on a 30 acre private peninsula on the southwest coast of the main island of Mahé. SB

Luxury Link:  www.maia.com.sc

... a memory in a bottle

It is amazing how a scent can bring back memories of travel. The smell of sunscreen, flowers or a local cuisine can instantly transport one back to a favourite location or holiday. That is why we love Molton Brown's new perfume range.

The 'Navigations through Scent' Collection's five unique fragrances can instantly trigger a memory of a place, location, time or setting. Jennifer Jambon, Molton Brown's Principle Perfumer spent a year researching each of the destinations and discovering scent ingredients which can powerfully evoke emotions. (The Luxury Travel Bible has tried them all and they really do!)

The range starts in the Ancient World and birthplace of fragrance, Egypt, China and Indonesia. It then journeys to England for trade and then travels to the New World in Canada. Each fragrance contains a lead ingredient from the country it is named after.

IUNU (Egypt) has Egyptian white jasmine as its lead ingredient for 'elegant opulence', the floral-musky LIJIANG (China) conjures images of silk and tea and SINGOSARI (Indonesia) takes inspiration from spices and patchouli. APULDRE (England) leads with juniper berries so it is no wonder images of gin and tonics on green lawns are created. Finally, ROGART (Canada) features fir balsam and maple to recreate the feeling of feeling warm inside, with cold weather outside.

Not only would these luxury fragrances make a stylish, special gift for anyone who loves travel they are striking unisex scents for anyone who loves perfume. After a 'journey through scent' TLTB has decided that our favourite is either Singosari or Apuldure.

Navigations Through Scent are available at Harrods. 

Luxury Links: www.moltonbrown.co.uk , www.harrods.com