Art with altitude

The Luxury Travel Bible loves a little culture with its carved turns. So we recommend anyone heading to Niseko this ski season book into the newly redesigned The Green Leaf Niseko Village which re-opens in December 2010. The Green Leaf's transformation under the wing of YTL Hotels follows the theme of 'embracing art.' So all 200 guestrooms feature original artworks by Japanese artist Soichiro Tomioka (1922-1994), known for his winter landscapes. In addition art installations by Emi Shiratori will be used throughout the hotel. Tomioka was exhibited at MOMA, NY as well as other international galleries. Sapporo-based Emi Shiratori will be the hotel's artist‐in‐residence her murals grace the Green Leaf lobby entrance and the façade of the Spa.

If you need any other good reasons to stay at The Green Leaf we have two more, a ski valet and a traditional Japanese onsen to relax in after a hard day on the slopes.

For further information in Australia contact YTL Hotels & Resorts on toll free 1800 667731, globalhotels@bigpond.com or internationally visit www.ytlhotels.com Ski packages are available from http://www.SkiJapan.com

Fois Gras Fantasy

Our favourite roving gourmand, Mark Rose (Chief Executive, The Rees, NZ) attended the  world famous James Beard Foundation Fois Gras and Friend's dinner in New York last week. He reports on this and other NY hot spots: 'Managed 10 courses of Foie Gras in NY – ate the same course twice at Jean Gorge because it was so good! But the absolute best was at Daniel where I had fresh grouse with Foie Gras – sensational!! (amongst my best 5 courses ever). "  We trust this man's palate, so go there.
And then he went to London.. more following.

A resort that know how to Blush for a good cause

Congratulations to Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa which for the entire month of october has been ablaze in fuscia in support of Global Illumination, a initiative designed to put the spotlight on breast cancer. "We join world famous monuments, landmarks and buildings and illuminate in pink as a symbol of hope to empower and enlighten millions of women everywhere" said Ron Sedon the resort's GM. The Luxury Travel Bible hopes you're in the pink all year Cable Beach Club. 

Luxury link: www.cablebeachclub.com

Santa Paws is coming to town

Now we've seen it all. This gets our vote for wackiest Christmas promotion to come across our desk to date...

Kimpton hotels will be hosting 'Santa Paws' and are inviting their pet guests and local four-legged friends to come along for a festive afternoon and pose for photos with Santa, enjoy treats and play with toys in the hotel lobby. Human companies are also invited to join in the fun and photograph their pets with Santa (wouldn't that make a perfect Christmas card!). As well as being a fun afternoon Santa Paws is also an opportunity for Kimpton hotels to partner with local animal organizations across the United States.

Are we going along?... Our California correspondent is grooming her Chihuahua as we speak... SB

Santa Paws will be available at participating Kimpton hotels from 2pm to 4pm in hotel lobbies on December 11 and 12. Owners will need to bring their own cameras to photograph their pet in Santa's lap. Santa Paws is free and open to the public. http://www.kimpton.com/

Expert Opinion: Jay Martens

Jay Martens is one of our favourite people in the travel business. He is the consummate professional but The Luxury Travel Bible also loves his passion and enthusiasm for travel. His company Lucioles has a truly innovative approach, which is why his latest enterprise Blossom Japan looks set to be one of the best travel trade shows that the luxury market has seen. Click here to view.

Top Ten Chocolate Hotels

'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.' This famous movie quote doesn't quite ring true here. We've made sure that when our The Luxury Travel Bible readers choose a hotel, they're in for a real treat. And what better way to indulge your romantic tastes than at a hotel where the food of love - chocolate - is always the menu. Here's our pick of 10 luxe hotels where your cocoa-filled dreams are guaranteed to come true! Click here to view.

Designer style with our safety

Designer Charlotte Ronson is bringing fashion to the bedroom and is sexing up the mini-bar, with three uniquely designed condom wrappers. These "sexessories" will available for a limited time in the mini-bars at all Thompson Hotels to promote safer sex. Known for her modern designs Ronson is teaming chic design with her signature heart shaped logo to visually portray femineity in condom manufacturer Proper Attire's packaging. Ronson says she wants to channel the "the take charge, modern woman, attitude of my collection, I want young women to bring confidence to all aspects of their lives."

A pack of three condoms are on sale for $5.99 with the proceeds from the sale going to leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate Planned Parenthood

The hip Naumi Hotel in Singapore also has complimentary condoms by the bed. Do we sense a trend here? SB

Luxury link: http://www.thompsonhotels.com/, http://www.naumihotel.com/, http://www.slh.com/