McQueen to be honoured in New York

The 'enfant terrible' of British fashion is set to be honoured in New York. Between May 4 and July 31 the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York will be celebrating the work of the late Alexander McQueen. One hundred pieces from McQueen's 19 year career will be showcased in the landmark exhibition 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty'. This event will no doubt prove a must for all fashionistas in New York this season.

This fashion event deserves a stylish stay. Guests of The Lowell hotel (Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow are known to have stayed there) can take advantage of the 'Alexander McQueen' package which will give an A-list worthy, fashionable experience including priority admission to the exhibition (we know The Luxury Travel Bible's readers don't like to wait in lines).

The 'Alexander McQueen' package at The Lowell Hotel includes priority admission two tickets to The Metropolitan's seminal "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" exhibition, one night in a Deluxe King Room, and continental breakfast. Based on two sharing.

www.metmuseum.org/, www.lowellhotel.com

"Ask Ali" joins Etihad

From May 1 Etihad Airways will feature cultural ambassador Ali Al Saloom as the host for its new in-flight television program about life in Abu Dhabi. "Welcome to Abu Dhabi with Ask Ali" will showcase the UAE capital as Ali visits attractions and sights. He will also inform passengers about the area's rich heritage and culture.

Ali will be  an entertaining edition to the in-flight line up who has become well known and liked for his witty and friendly presenting style. Ali says of his new role as in-flight entertainment, "I am honoured to have been chosen to present this new and exciting program that will be viewed by thousands of Etihad passengers flying to Abu Dhabi and beyond from around the world".  www.etihad.ae

A new luxury hotel in the snow

We're not sure whether it is the relaxation rooms with private hot tubs on outside decks or the spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains and the lake but something about Hilton Hotels & Resorts new property in Queenstown New Zealand has taken our fancy. Hilton Queenstown is on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, a champagne cork toss from the millionaire mansions of Kelvin Heights and the award-winning Jacksons Landing golf course. The hotel is part of a 'village' complex which also includes restaurants and bars and the trendy new four star Kawarau Hotel also managed by Hilton. We predict the new offering will give other luxury hotels in the region, including our favourite five star Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa and The Rees , a run for their money in the luxury hotel stakes. Opening on May 17 just in time for the Southern hemisphere ski season the hotel is just under fifteen drive minutes out of town (or a water taxi transfer from the private jetty) and five minutes from the turn off to The Remarkables ski slopes. The Luxury Travel Bible loves the stone fireplaces bordered on each side by floor to ceiling windows with watery views and the large size of even the regular rooms. There is also a 25-metre heated indoor lap pool. Best of all is the eforea spa; the hotel is one of the first in the group's portfolio to get a Hilton-run spa and it is a lavish one, with 10 treatment rooms. The General Manager of the whole 'village' is the elegant Marlene Poynder, a woman who knows her spas and who was such a success as GM of Park Hyatt hotel in Sydney. HD  www.hilton.com

Aman founder to be awarded

The Luxury Travel Bible will be there in Shanghai cheering the loudest when the formidable Adrian Zecha, founder and chairman of one of the world's most luxurious travel brands, Aman resorts is presented with a lifetime achievement award at ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) Asia 2011. The award ceremony will take place at the close of ILTM Asia's Ultratravel Forum on Monday 13 June at 5pm in the Shanghai Theatre, Portman Ritz-Carlton. Zecha changed the face of luxury resorts and inspired a whole generation of entrepreneurs to give us the very best in luxury, yet Amanresorts still only has 23 properties and fewer than 900 rooms worldwide, TLTB loves Amanresorts staff-to-guest ratio of six to one. The first Amanresort, Amanpuri (Place of Peace) was founded in 1987 in Thailand by Indonesian born Zecha,at a time when the concept of small boutique resorts was still in its infancy. Then followed resorts such as Amanpulo in the Philippines and the more recent Amanfayun in China - and the rest is luxury legend.

Now in its fifth year, ILTM Asia invites a select group of those offering definitive luxury experiences and prestigious luxury travel products in the Asia Pacific region to meet with 400 of the most discerning buyers of luxury travel and a handful of editors of worldwide luxury magazines and websites (including TLTB of course).

www.iltm.com

A sunny summer spot for a cocktail

The Terrace at the Jumeirah Lowndes hotel will re-open on the 15 April offering a peaceful and secluded outdoor space for all day al fresco drinks and dining. 

This year The Terrace will also feature a Pommery champagne bar. A menu of summer cocktails will be available including the signature ʻTerrace Breeze cocktail, a blend of mango juice, Tanquery gin, Smirnoff vodka, orange juice and grenadine - sounds perfect for a balmy London evening. A menu offering dishes ranging from Rock Oysters to simple summer salads to indulgent desserts will suit all tastes and dining occasions. 

The Terrace has re-opened just in time for a certain wedding that is happening in London at the end of the month (you may have heard about it). To celebrate The Terrace will be decked out with Royal Wedding themed décor and a ʻBest of British alfresco menu will be served. Toast Wills and Kate with either a chilled glass of bubbles from The Pommery Champagne Bar or a ʻRoyal Weddingʼ cocktail which has been specially designed to reflect the red, white and blue colours of the Union Jack. SB

The Terrace at the Jumeirah Lowndes re-opens for the British summer on 15th April 2011. All day dining will be available 11:00am - 10.00pm (Monday - Saturday) and 11:00am - 7:00pm on Sunday. 

Luxury Link: www.jumeirah.com

Small Luxury Hotels of the World's 20th Anniversary

The Luxury Travel Bible attended a lovely (and delicious) lunch for Small Luxury Hotels of the World's 20th Anniversary today in London. It was great to hear from Paul Kerr and chat with hoteliers from around the world. Plus, they gave us a fantastic gift to take home - did we share? No way!

Read Paul Kerr, CEO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World Expert Opion - http://bit.ly/fPmiGm

Planting a Legacy

The Dorchester's 80th Anniversary celebrations have kicked off in an environmentally aware fashion. Throughout 2011, in collaboration with international charity Trees for Cities, the hotel will be planting 80 new 'Future Great Trees' in London. Fifteen trees will be planted in Mayfair and St. James's to form 'The Dorchester Anniversary Walk'. A further 65 trees will be planted across London in areas to be identified by Trees for Cities. Perhaps one day these trees will be one day rival the listed plane tree that has marked the entrance to the hotel since it opened its doors in 1931 and that was named as one of the Great Trees of London in 1997.
Over the next few months the hotel will unveil more 80th Anniversary celebrations including on its official birthday (18 April 2011) a commemorative 1930's cocktail called ' Dorchester of London' . Sounds perfect to to toast the hotel with.

The hotel's official anniversary website features many images from its glittering history and past guests including Louis Armstrong, Aristotle Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor and The Beatles.
www.thedorchester.com/celebrate www.treesforcities.org