SELECT COLLECTION TRAVEL BLOG

HOTEL CHECK UAE/DUBAI, part 6, Banyan Tree Al Wadi

2012-01-20T16:13:00.004+01:00

MAGICAL DESERT EXPERIENCE WITH OWN POOL.

Absolutely amazing and unique – tented pool villas among desert sands. We stayed 3 nights in an Al Khaimah Tented Pool Villa. A place to luxuriate in total privacy and peace.

We ordered room service every day to lunch by the pool and enjoy it in utmost privacy. This privilege was not too expensive – prices much like Stockholm. Espresso, water and tea are free every day, and they had a nice selection in the mini bar to enjoy. The terrace was a great place to be, open and sunny.

The rooms are very spacious with wooden floors. There is a huge bathroom with separate shower and a roomy bath tub. It also has two wardrobes and two washbasins and you get a bathrobe and slippers.

Altogether there are 101 pool-villas among the desert dunes: the 158 sqm Al Rimal Deluxe Pool Villas with traditional mud brick architecture, and the 253 sqm tented pool villas (Al Khaimah & Al Sahari), in the style of Bedouin tents. Our favourite was our own Bedouin-style Al Khaimah Tented Pool Villa. Just 20 mins away from the desert resort, the beach club offers 32 Beachfront pool villas also emulating the nomadic tents of Bedouin tribes.

DINING
The desert resort has two restaurants. The Asian restaurant Saffron was our favorite. The Arabic restaurant Al Waha offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also organize a lovely barbeque at your villa or out in the desert.

BEACH
The beach is not too far away. The Banyan Tree Beach Club is about 20 minutes by car, and the shuttle is free for the guests. The pool villas at the beach are smaller but have the same design from outside and a small plunge pool.

FACILITIES
At the main building the resort offers a lovely and very spacious Banyan Tree Spa. We had a 3 hour spa treatment (called Egyptian Beauty), a truly luxurious experience. The Rainforest experience gives you a sensational walk through a series of showers and different saunas.
Other facilities include equipped gym, aerobics & yoga rooms. Activities include horse riding, camel safaris, bike trails, archery, and learning adventures at the Kids Club.

LOCATION
Wadi Khadeja in a 60 ha nature reserve.

WHO SHOULD STAY
Great for couples and smaller families who want to relax in serene ambience. The Al Sahari Tented Pool Villa can take 2 adults + 3 smaller children. Al Rimal Deluxe Pool Villas are smaller but you can get interconnecting rooms.

HOW TO GET TO BANYAN TREE AL WADI
45 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport; 2 hours from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

SUMMARY
After a few days in the city of Dubai this is a great place to go to just relax, enjoy the spa and some of the activities. It´s a magical place out in the desert.

HOTEL CHECKS DUBAI, part 5, Atlantis The Palm

2012-01-16T11:21:00.002+01:00

FOR KIDS AND GROWNUP KIDS.
Atlantis the Palm is a place for kids and adults who still feel like kids. The hotel had 3000 adults and over 1000 kids in house when we were there. The lobby overflowed with energy, people everywhere and kids running around exuberantly.

Who to stay
This is a great property for families who are looking for a “Disney” like experience. Or for couples who are really playful and like fantasy style resorts.

Facilities
The facilities are good. There are many great restaurants including Nobu and the steak restaurant Seafire. We had dinner in Seafire and were surprised that the quality was so high with the dishes so nicely presented, despite the popularity of the complex. The meal was expensive, however. More expensive to dine in Atlantis than at One&Only The Palm, for example.

Rooms & Imperial Club
The towers house 1373 rooms & 166 suites. Imperial Club rooms are located on the 11th to 15th floor of the East Tower, offering upgraded hotel room amenities as well as access to a dedicated lounge on the 12th floor. The Imperial Club lounge is pleasant with a nice view. Here you are offered a substantial snack buffet and drinks throughout the day. People who buy the Imperial Club also get many other advantages including:

• Complimentary kids club (other guests get 1 only 1 day free)
• Access to wet areas of the spa (other guests only if they book a treatment)
• Rush – the club for teens. Free access.
(other guests pay 25 dirhams in the evening, but free during the day for all teens)

You should know
The aquarium is stunning with thousands of fish to admire. The water park is exciting but be aware that most attractions in Aquaventure require that you are 1.2 meters high. It is important for families to have the right expectations.

The room to lust after has a glass wall extending your visual space into the underwater world.

NOTE: In blog style the these are informal snapshots taken with mobile phone

HOTEL CHECKS DUBAI, part 4, One&Only The Palm

2012-01-08T11:15:00.003+01:00

SUPERB CLASS IN DUBAI.

A haven of luxury and style, One&Only The Palm is an intimate low rise resort with real class at the edge of The Palm island. The clientele is very upmarket, but it is not stiff or snobbish. We loved this quiet and relaxing place. It has beautiful pool areas, and the beach area is nice with plenty of space for the guests.

The food was outstanding. We loved the concept in the main restaurant where each dish is prepared in three different ways. So for example there are three shrimp starters cooked in an Asian, Middle Eastern or Western way etc. Amusing and brilliant. The breakfast buffet is fantastic, not over the top but with great quality products and plenty of choice.

Who should stay
This place is for top luxury clients who want the best in Dubai without any of the overwhelming, over-the-top luxury that Dubai can proffer. This is low key and stylish with finesse and European elegance and Arabian accents. It is also a place for top luxury families who do not want a large resort with kids clubs and water parks. When we stayed there, 34 kids were in house and by no means did they compromise the experience.

Location
On the edge of the palm leaf. 15 minutes by car to Royal Mirage. The surrounding area is not particularly inspiring. But when inside the resort you only see beautiful views. A transfer by boat to One&Only Royal Mirage is available a few times a day according to a fixed schedule.

Facilities
Great gym, hair salon, spa and nail spa. 3 restaurants, big pool area with sun loungers both shaded and in the sun. For guests who want to splurge they can rent an air conditioned cabana for the day by the pool. The cabanas have a living room with minibar, bathroom and indoor and outdoor shower. The approximate cost is EUR 500 for the day.

You should know
Only slow WIFI is included in the rate and only one person per room number can be connected at the same time. For quicker access one has to pay. The sand in the water on the beach can be a bit too fine.

Summary
A stylish and intimate 5 star resort for classy people who want to enjoy the best in life with like minded travellers.

NOTE: In blog style these are our own informal mobile phone snapshots

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO THE MALDIVES, part 3, Soneva Fushi

2011-12-21T14:33:00.023+01:00

PARADISE BAREFOOT CONTINUED
Now we visit the little sister of Soneva Fushi: much loved Soneva Gili.

On Soneva Fushi all the villas are on the beach, hidden away in the jungle, but on Soneva Gili they are all on stilts over their own lagoon, so it is a completely different setting.

Another beautiful flight to get there. This time we followed the pilot’s example and left our shoes in the luggage. After a quick boat ride we arrived barefoot at Soneva Gili and checked into our Villa Suite on one of the jetties.

Like Fushi, they are all in local wood and natural materials, enormous villas with lots and lots of space and a large sitting area. Here you have an amazing lazy view of the underwater world. Your private deck has cargo nets where you can lie and look down at the marine life.

Soneva Gili does not have its house reef close to the villas, as experienced at Fushi, and the lagoon floor is mostly covered with sand. However this attracts some new and very beautiful creatures. Plenty of blacktip reef sharks are seen everywhere, from your villa, from the lunch restaurant and whilst snorkeling. Big stingrays and eagle rays are also found in abundance around this area as well as many different kinds of puffer fish. Here you never really need to snorkel, you can just lie in the cargo net and the fish will come to you.

Smaller than Fushi, this place is primarily about relaxation. You are more or less forced to relax and enjoy yourself. The fact that neither you nor the staff wear shoes brings you closer to everything – not just to nature but to the staff. The relationship you have with them becomes very natural and fluid. When you meet the general managers walking around, they too are in their light linen clothes, bare feet, and at least give the illusion of being utterly relaxed as well. It is an amazing feeling to sit casually dressed with your feet in the sand, eating gourmet food and having the choice from an extensive wine list with mostly organic wines.

The resort offers 45 overwater villas including 8 water residences, 7 Crusoe residences and the Private Reserve including two master suites and guest room. The Crusoe accommodations and private reserve are indeed very private as they stand alone in the Indian Ocean reached only by boat. Guests get private rowing boats but can also use the shuttle.

Other facilities include an overwater spa, freshwater pool, gym, tennis, PADI dive centre with a purpose built dive boat – a typical Maldivian Dhoni.

AIRPORT & TRANSPORTATION
Soneva Fushi is a scenic seaplane flight of around 35 minutes from Male’ International Airport. Soneva Gili is 20 minutes by speedboat.

FLASH BACK – QATAR TO MALE’
A perfect start. Qatar airways business class delivered us fresh and ready, with plenty of leg room, Lanson vintage champagne and good choices in food.

At Male’ airport the pampering continued. Whisked off to a private lounge we could order special CDs for our room and book spa treatments, refreshed by hibiscus iced tea. Then we were lead to a light propeller plane for a stunning scenic ride. 45 minutes and a couple of stops later…. The pilot stepped out of the plane barefoot…

See our last blog on Soneva Fushi…

IN A COCONUTSHELL
The Maldives is paradise on earth, and this is how you should spend your time in paradise: relaxed and calm, with your feet in soft, white sand…

The sand was whiter then we dreamed of, the ocean even more beautiful and full of life then we imagined and, what is more, during 10 nights at Fushi and Gili we have been more relaxed than for a very, very long time.

NOTE: In blog style, these are our own informal snapshots. For the hotel's own images see our Select Collection website.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO THE MALDIVES, part 2, Soneva Fushi

2011-12-21T12:47:00.013+01:00

PARADISE BAREFOOT:FUSHI.
The pilot steps out of the plane and whispers: You will love it here. She is barefoot: how appropriate for a trip in barefoot luxury. At the tiny floating Soneva Fushi International Airport, the first thing our Mr Friday does is collect our shoes: No news no shoes. “No shoes” makes your holiday start on the right foot – totally carefree. Jetlag pours off us in the soft sand amidst absolutely breathtaking beauty.

Our home is a villa suite with private pool, hidden in the jungle with a pathway leading down to the beach.

The villa is massive, almost 600 sqm with large saltwater pool and huge outdoor bathroom area. On the inside you have everything you need, from makeup mirrors, different sitting areas, espresso machine and lots and lots of space.

This is basically what Mr. Crusoe would have built if he had more time and a flair for luxury. All of the water is purified on site, no water flown in from Europe. Everything here is focused on balance and sustainability.

Our high expectations of beauty and space wildly exceeded, it is time for another high expectation, the food. So we took our bikes (all guests get bikes) to the main restaurant. Here, now and every lunch time we were pampered with sushi and sashimi, along with plates of mixed salmon, tuna, snapper and reef fish caught a few hours before.

Our favourite lunch

Beachside sand-in-toes dining

The resort has three restaurants. The rest of the food followed the same theme, as locally produced as possible (even mushrooms) – and absolutely wonderful, enjoyed in beautiful and casual settings.

The delicatessen room

Wicked desserts

There are 65 villas, each just a few steps from your own stretch of white sandy beach. A Six Senses Spa provides beauty and body treatments, steam rooms and sauna. Tennis junkies relax – there are tennis courts too. And for those who come for the underwater magic, a dive centre with latest high-tech diving equipment, offering PADI certification within a week. And naturally, there is snorkeling.

Soneva Fushi has a beautiful and very rich house reef: turtles, rays, triggerfish are quite common snorkeling sights. While diving, schools of eagle rays, moray eels, clown fish and other beautiful marine life are all around you in a fantastic abundance.

We snapped this image just off our beach.

And so a week went by in barefoot paradise. Our next stop will be Soneva Gili…

Note: In blog style these are our own spontatneous snapshots. For images by Soneva Fushi see our website.

HOTEL CHECKS DUBAI, part 3, Madinat Jumeirah

2011-11-23T11:16:00.002+01:00

KID'S PARADISE

MADINAT JUMEIRAH is a large resort with three separate hotels all interconnected by water canals with boat shuttles. The outdoor area is beautifully landscaped and must be a paradise world for children.

The hotel was completely full but we managed to see a Deluxe Room in Al Qasr (The Palace); it is 55 sqm, with balcony, and can take two extra beds. They have lots of connecting rooms but will not confirm that you get one until check in. Al Qasr and The Palace each have 292 rooms.

We also saw one of the 29 summer houses that create the elite area Dar Al Masyaf. The summer houses hold 9 to 11 rooms. Each has a welcome lobby area with a butler. Every evening they have happy hour with complimentary drinks. Three summer houses (27-33 rooms) share one pool area. The Gulf Summer houses are the closest to the beach and these buildings house 11 rooms. The rooms in the summer houses start at a generous 60-65 sqm.

View over to the famous Burj al Arab.

Who should stay?

Families who are looking for a big resort with lots of facilities including the Wadi water park for children, watersports, and 44 restaurants and bars. Forty-four places to choose from, offering different cuisines and exotic drinks!

Facilities

The water park is great. For smaller children this water park is probably more suitable then Aquaventure at Atlantis. On site you find a souk with 75 shops and Talise Spa melding traditional ideas with international techniques; health club with trainers; hair salon. Watersports include windsurfing, sailing, diving and banana boat. Free wifi in the lobby. Free cable internet in the rooms.

Summary

Not a boutique hotel. A huge 5 star resort with two big hotels and summer houses. The guests have a great experience, with plenty to do on site, including a waterpark that also suits smaller children.

Note: In blog style we have used our own informal snapshots by mobile phone.

HOTEL CHECKS DUBAI, part 2, The Ritz-Carlton

2011-10-20T11:17:00.021+02:00

CLASSIC INTIMACY ON THE BEACH
Serene in the heart of the Dubai Marina, The Ritz-Carlton is a more intimate resort with only 138 rooms. Amidst its landscaped gardens, the hotel feels quiet and calm in a warm and positive way. The sandy beach and clear water are beautiful - possibly the nicest beach feeling in Dubai.

We arrived into a splendid lobby that is very classic and traditional. A harpist and violinist added to the sense of harmony, even at midday.

The rooms are traditional five star, with nice classic bathrooms.

Floors 5 & 6 are the club floors.

The Deluxe rooms on the club floors are the same as the other deluxe rooms. The only differences are:

• Access to club lounge
• Nespresso machine
• DVD player

The room categories are:

• Deluxe Room
• Deluxe Room Club Floor
• Executive Suite
• Club Suite (Executive suite on the club floor)
• On top of that they have 2 premium suites.

Facilities
Four dining options include Italian and a Bedouin tent by the Gulf serving Arabic cuisine. There is also a Spa with sauna, steam room, hair and beauty salon, gym, four tennis courts, two squash courts, kid's club, and of course the pool area with three swimming pools including a swim-up bar and a children's pool.

Who should stay?
We recommend the Ritz-Carlton to couples and families who want a quieter and smaller resort, really nice beach and good outdoor pool area. The facilities are 5 star - not Dubai-style "six star" yet, but things will change with an ongoing construction project.

Location
On the water just by the JBR Walk which is a fantastic location. When you walk straight out of the hotel, in front of you are many restaurants, cafes, shops and so on. This is a big advantage for most holiday-makers.

You should know
The hotel is constructing another wing so the hotel will go from 138 rooms to 301 rooms. The other wing will be completed June 2012. Once it is completed all the old rooms will be refurbished bringing up the deluxe standard of the hotel.

Though construction is going on, it does not seem like a problem. The heavy work is already done and there is not much noise or disturbance at all. The construction area is walled off.

Summary
We really like the location of this hotel. It is a big advantage to be able to step out of the door and have all the dining and other options. The beach is nice and the hotel is very traditional and classic. A solid product which will be truly great once the new wing is ready in June 2012.

Note: In usual blog style, our images are our own informal mobile phone snapshots taken during our visit.

HOTEL CHECKS DUBAI, part 1, One&Only Royal Mirage

2011-10-20T11:12:00.016+02:00

DUBAI. The city that reaches for the sky - always bigger and better, full of fantasy and excitement. But still a place to relax in the sun. We paid a visit to the Big Apple of the Middle East to check out our favourite properties and keep in touch with our special contacts at the hotels. Our first stop was our top seller One&Only Royal Mirage.

O&O Royal Mirage

With its Arabian Nights touches of arches, domes and courtyards, this hotel is a contrast to the skyscrapers of Dubai - it is low rise and extends through huge gardens, lush lawns and immaculate flower beds. It is a large resort consisting of 3 hotels, The Palace, Residence & Spa, Arabian Court.

We stayed in the Palace. We had a Superior Suite which is the second room category - a generous size and perfect for a couple who wants more space and a separate living room. Definitely to be recommended.

A new jetty and lounge have opened which is the best place for a sundowner drink, with a trendy atmosphere, music, fire and so on. From this jetty there is also a boat shuttle to One&Only The Palm which leaves a few times a day.

Who should stay
We recommend The Palace or Arabian Court for families and The Residence for couples. The atmosphere both in The Palace and Arabian Court is exuberant, with people and children enjoying themselves. This was most apparent around the pool and in the breakfast restaurants. Obviously this is really relaxing for families, who don't have to feel their kids are an intrusion.

Location
On the water just by the bridge leading to The Palm. 20 minutes by car to Dubai Mall, 10 minutes to Mall of the Emirates, 10 minutes to Atlantis The Palm, 10 minutes to The Walk.

Facilities
Nice outdoor pool area with green lawns, lots of palm trees. Spa, fitness centre, 4 swimming pools, tennis courts, Kids Club, watersports.

You should know
No WIFI in the hotel. For guests staying at The Palace - you can use the gym in The Residence which is bigger than the one at The Palace.

Wrap-up
A big 5 star resort perfect for families. The fantastic thing is that all Select clients get a very special treatment. The sales department personally checks all the rooms prior to arrival for our guests to make sure there is a welcome card and so on.

Pool and bar area

Superior suite in the Palace

The Residence

Courtyard

Note: Pictures are informal snaphots by Select Collection during our stay

HOTEL CHECK MALDIVES, part 1, One&Only Reethi Rah

2011-10-19T11:55:00.021+02:00

It is the one and only REETHI RAH - so loved that guests often try to book holidays years in advance.

Arriving at Male to check out both old and new resorts in the Maldives, our first stop was this wonderful resort, so loved by our top luxury clients. We did not even have to identify ourselves to the Reethi Rah team waiting in arrivals, they simply whisked us away to the waiting yacht. Easily the most special vessel in the harbour! High gloss mahogany and cream leather interiors, Espa products, cold towels, drinks and the attentive crew makes for a very comfortable 70 minute ride to the island. There is a sunbathing deck should the weather permit, although it is overcast and drizzling when we arrived, but still very warm.

A huge entourage awaits on the jetty for a welcome to paradise, including the Resort Manager: Warm greetings are exchanged between staff and arrivals: Happy Anniversary! Welcome back! Welcome to Reethi Rah! ‐ all very personal and sincere. A great first impression, despite the jet lag, and we have not even set foot on the island!

Embarking on a site inspection with Stephen, the Sales Executive, the sun appears by magic! We visit the dive centre, children’s club, spa, dining outlets, boutique, and finally when we arrive at our Beach Villa I am blown away…. The design is stunning ‐ high ceilings, dark Balinese woods, the sense of space and privacy is overwhelming. Outside there is dining space, sunloungers, a hammock and your own section of the beach. Totally secluded from neighbouring units; villas are at least 12 metres part.

We have had many clients deliberating about spending the extra on a villa with pool. You will not feel too deprived if you opt for just the beach villa. The feeling of the sand on your feet, proximity to the ocean and the total privacy is so special. The villa interior decoration is the same for all categories, with the overwater and additional bedroom options alternatively depending on the guest requirement.

The food is outstanding. We dined at Reethi, the main restaurant and experienced the Maldivian Buffet (weekly, Saturdays presently) which was varied, beautifully presented and of excellent quality. There is also the atmospheric Fanditha, for Middle Eastern influenced cuisine and Tapasake for Japanese which is exceptional quality, easily comparable to the finest London Japenese restaurants, although expensive.

Breakfast at Reethi, buffet or a la carte is an extravaganza, and the service all around the resort is impeccable. The GM and Resort Manager were ever present and approachable.

There is entertainment 6 nights per week with a resident band in the bar, traditional Bodu Beru dancing on Saturdays performed by some of the Maldivian resort staff. A truly fabulous top luxury resort. Dress up and be outgoing, or stay low key in your own piece of paradise at your villa.

For more relaxation - the spa provides natural healing therapies, Vitality Pools, Crystal Steam rooms, sauna, Lifestyle Showers, fitness centre and beauty salon. There are also 2 swimming pools, simulated grass tennis courts, motorized and non-motorized water sports, dive centre.

Dive Sites:

One can snorkel off the beach - but diving is the way to see the real underwater magic. From shallow reef dives to deep‐sea wrecks and shark dives, the Reethi Rah Dive Centre offers 29 different dives appealing to a variety of skill levels and areas of interest.

How to get to Reethi Rah:

70 minutes by luxury yacht from Male' International Airport

Final comment:

We simply loved it!

SNAPSHOTS OF SOME NEW RESORTS BELOW - WAIT AND SEE WHICH MAKE OUR NEW SELECT COLLECTION 2012-2014

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MYKONOS, part 2, Mykonos Grace

2011-10-05T09:28:00.014+02:00

GLORIOUSLY GREECE & GRACE
You have to book far ahead for this chic boutique hotel located just north of trendy Mykonos town. With days still warm at the end of September, we found Mykonos Grace was a romantic spot for couples to relax in stunning surroundings. Yet in only 5 minutes, the hotel shuttle gets you down town to where it all happens.

We stayed in a deluxe room with plunge pool (most rooms at Mykonos Grace have plunge pools). The room was small but chic, and the view from the big furnished terrace was amazing (room 51). This is a blue and white world – gloriously Greece.

From the hotel you have only 2 minutes walk down to the sandy beach (ask in the reception for towels). Here you find several tavernas that serve typical Greek food.

The Restaurant in the Mykonos Grace also serves really delicious and exclusive food. The breakfast is a la carte so everything is very fresh.

We were really impressed with the exclusive dining that Mykonos had to offer – it’s hard to find anything better in the whole of Greece. Just to mention two of them.

Gola: Here you have a lounge atmosphere feeling with a nice view overlooking of Mykonos. The Mediterranean food is just fabulous. Gola is located between Hotel Grace and the Town.

Interni Ristorante: This deluxe Italian Restaurant is one of the 10 best restaurants in Greece. Interni is located in the heart of Mykonos Town. Your nightlife in Mykonos can easily start from here. And go on till dawn...

Interni fresh lobsters

Both restaurants are perfect for our top luxury Select Collection clients.

Back to the hotel. It also offers a big shared swimming pool and relaxing terrace with generous sunbeds and breathtaking view.

You even get wonderful views from the library - a big library with huge balcony where you can take a drink or just relax..

The hotel also has a small spa and a small small gym – with two people training it would feel really cramped!

We did try treatments at the spa and were really impressed. Though the spa is quite small, the steam room had plenty of space and it was pleasant to relax there before the treatment.

We really like Mykonos Grace and found the staff very friendly. Starting from the first moment when we were offered champagne at reception...

HOW TO GET TO MYKONOS GRACE
15 minutes by car from Mykonos International Airport. Complimentary minibus transfer

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO SANTORINI, part 1, Vedema Resort

2011-08-30T13:28:00.012+02:00

REAL GREECE IN STYLE
The real Greece on the touristy island of Santorini? Yes…we found it at Vedema Resort in the picturesque island village of Megalachori.

Vedema blends into the surrounding village, built with the same clean lines and chic simplicity. The village is not crowded with restaurants and tourists and gives a sense of how the local people live. You can find a few tavernas there including Raki across the road from Vedema, where you eat deliciously.

The hotel is charming and well equipped with luxury amenities, offering Jacuzzis on the balcony or terrace of 15 spacious suites (one suite has a plunge pool). Terraces and windows open for views and fresh air, giving guests a sense of living in Megalachori.

The hotel has a small pool area where you also find the breakfast and lunch restaurant and a very pleasant bar. Vedema also offers the exclusive Vinsanto Mediterranean restaurant, a 15th century wine cellar where you can taste wines from the surrounding area, and a small spa area. The resort has no kids club but they can organize some activities during the day for the little ones. The staff at Vedema is absolutely great.

We stayed in an Aegean Suite that has a nice cozy living room with sofa area, TV, fridge and dining table. In the bedroom you find one more TV. The room between bedroom and bathroom has two wardrobes and a desk. Outside on the balcony there is an outdoor Jacuzzi, sunbeds, a big table and a great view over the village.

The bathroom has one shower and a small bath tub. You get bathrobe, slippers and toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion etc.)

The resort is not located at the beach but 10 minutes by car or hotel shuttle takes you to the beach where they have an exclusive area with 40 sunbeds (free for Vedema guests) and a small restaurant and bar.

The beach has beautiful black lava sand.

Fira village is about 15 minutes from the hotel, by free shuttle or hire car and here you find a wide choice of restaurants, shops and bars. The hotel provides free transfers during the day. We enjoyed the action in Fira but loved coming home to our genuine Santorini village with its intimate views. For those seeking spectacular views, Select offers various hotels on Santorini including Vedema’s sister hotel Mystique, clinging to a clifftop in trendy Oia.

Santorini is a small island and it´s easy to get around. It is a very romantic and charming destination, and like so many guests we know we will return...

View down over Fira

HOW TO GET TO VEDEMA
15 minutes by car from Fira Airport

Note: Images are informal snapshots by the Select team on location

WE JUST BEEN TO CRETE, part 5, Elounda Gulf Villas

2011-08-17T10:52:00.014+02:00

Like our own Mediterranean home. In our villa we had total privacy, stunning sea views, own infinity pool, chic open plan kitchen,and even our own spa area with sauna and Jacuzzi. At the same time Elounda Gulf Villas offers service of a rare kind. The owner Anna and her staff make you feel like friends and not just guests.

The small boutique resort is picturesquely landscaped down the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Mirabello and distant mountains of Eastern Crete. There are 18 villas with private pools and 10 suites built closer to the main infinity pool – a quiet and beautiful area. We stayed in one of the Spa Villas – the Presidential, and also had some nights in a three-bedroom Aegean Villa.

The Presidential villas and the Royal Spa villa are the top category – recently enjoyed by Jodie Foster, who left a happy message in their guest book.

This is definitely a hideaway. The resort is half an hour walk or 7 euro taxi ride from the wide choice of tavernas and restaurants in Elounda village, but you do not actually need to leave the premises. The resort restaurant is excellent though the choice is not vast. Breakfast is included. Bread, cheese, marmalade and cold cuts are placed on your table and you order hot items a la carte (extra charge). If you are very oriented to your own diet and private eating, the open plan kitchen is a joy and a blessing, fringing a stylish lounge and dining area. And of course there is also ample dining space on the terrace with its mesmerizing views. Each accommodation is individually decorated, very tasteful and homely.

A small beach lies some 500 metres down the hill – but with a private pool area of such class, we had no longing for the beach. In fact we could hardly bear to leave the resort…

More snapshots of our Presidential villa below:

HOW TO GET TO ELOUNDA GULF VILLAS

1 hour by car from Heraklion International Airport.

Private pool area of our Aegean 3-bedroom villa

NOTE: These are our own informal snapshots taken during our visit. See also our web page at www.selectcollection.com on Elounda Gulf Villas.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO KOH SAMUI, Banyan Tree Samui

2011-08-11T16:44:00.020+02:00

TIP TOP LUXURY ON KOH SAMUI
Quality par excellence. These are possibly the best pool villas we have have ever stayed in. They spent a fortune on the villas (1 million USD per villa) and the quality and details are stunning. All sport GENEROUS private pools and each also has an outside whirlpool.

The location of the villas is magnificent, perched on the hillside, which slopes down to the secluded white sandy beach.

This is a perfect spot for top luxury clients with or without children; they offer kids club etc so for top luxury families this is the place to be. Adult delights include The Rainforest hydrotherapy Spa and the Saffron restaurant for signature Thai cuisine.

All in all there are 78 of the remarkable villas.

If you want to be on top of the world stay in the highest located villa with amazing and endless ocean views, a true love nest with infinity edge pool and outdoor glassed sala area.

HOW TO GET TO BANYAN TREE SAMUI
19 km drive from Samui International Airport.

Overlooking the sapphire waters of scenic Lamai Bay, the resort is nestled in a series of cascading terraces on a private hill cove in the south-eastern coast of Koh Samui.

Note: The images were spontaneously shot with a mobile phone camera during our visit. The top image was of our extensive private infinity pool, and the second image was of the main infinity view with its stunning views of turquoise sea. The beach (last image) has the pristine sand you expect in paradise...

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO CRETE part 4, Elounda Peninsula

2011-07-26T13:19:00.025+02:00

ELOUNDA PENINSULA ALL-SUITE HOTEL is the Pride and Joy of the Kokotos family – who also built Elounda Mare (described in a previous blog). Architect Spyros Kokotos & CEO Eliana Kokotos helped to launch Elounda area as Crete’s luxury mile with Elounda Mare and its romantic pool bungalows. Next to be built was nearby Porto Elounda with large shared pools, more activities and easier prices - appealing to families. Then in the mid 1990s Elounda SA Resorts launched their most luxurious resort – Elounda Peninsula All-Suite.

It is all suite accommodation, all with pools. It was more urban in feel than Elounda Mare with its gardens and hideaway bungalows and attracted moneyed people who felt most comfortable with everything brand new and contemporary. The intention was to draw people who wanted to be seen. But it ended up being even more of a hideaway than Elounda Mare – albeit without the maze of paths in flowery gardens. A really attractive breakfast room with view over the water is hardly used. People like to dine in suite. Guests seem to have a habit of moving in to this home from home and can stay months. Husband jet-sets on business and wife and kids bury themselves in the Peninsula and its luxuries.

The property has only 66 suites. Five-star pampering and friendly personal service is what it is all about.

WHERE TO STAY

The presidential suites along the waterfront are appealing, all with sizable waterfront pools and private sea access. From stone platforms with sunbeds above the sea a ladder drops into the waves slapping on rocks or offers access to the beach with a less adventurous descent.

Décor is attractive with blue and green giving a fresh spring and water feel. Built on different levels – the dining area looks down on the lounge and its huge windows, light and views. There are also spacious junior suites with pools on the beach front.

The top accommodation we saw was the Royal Grande Suite. This is vast, with contemporary modern feel of uncomplicated space and hi tech features: lift (elevator), hammam, sauna, indoor pool with tropical garden – as well as the large outdoor pool and terrace. The living room brings church like awe with its very high roof and tall windows – and tall chimney. The dining room with long table is on a higher level and looks dizzingly down on the lounge. The nice surprise was the indoor pool with tropical banana palms – the other surprise was the body’s guard’s room with separate entrance - a teeny hideout. Or maybe the twin loos en suite with the master bedroom?

The Peninsula Palace is a vast waterfront hotel suite combining a “Royal Grand Suite” and the “Peninsula Residence”.

The lead-in type – “Collection” suites (1, 2 and 3 bedrooms) – also have fresh blue and green décor. Built on two levels with bedroom upstairs – all have sea view looking down and over the presidential and other suites. And they all have pools in front with tall walls to give privacy - very cosy and compact compared with the Presidential.

Facilities shared by all three Elounda SA Resorts include: the vast Six Senses spa with stunning crystal glass features; an ample kid's area, dive club, tennis courts, two yachts for charter, 9-hole golf course, and a couple of Greek Orthodox chapels and designer shopping centres. There is also a super high tech conference facility for 5000 people.

Altogether there are 7 restaurants between 3 resorts, and 5 bars. One of the choices is gourmet restaurant “Calypso”, formerly under French Michelin-Star Chef Jacques Le Divellec - now under Eric Maio Italo French Chef. Further the hotel is walking distance from a plethora of tavernas along Elounda harbour and village beachfront.

Beach at sister hotel - Each of the three Elounda sister hotels has a sandy beach

View across to Elounda Peninsula from Elounda Mare (sister hotel)

Dining area of a presidential suite at Elounda Peninsula

HOW TO GET TO ELOUNDA PENINSULA ALL-SUITE
1 hour by car from Heraklion International Airport. Helicopter transfers possible.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Crete, part 3, Blue Palace

2011-06-19T22:18:00.002+02:00

PURE BLUE LUXURY
This is a blue and dazzling world. By the iconic arches and infinity pool, the terraces of Blue Palace stretch out with sofas and endless sunbeds. Distinguishing, memorable. The international set chill out here in serenity induced by views. Communing with laptops via wifi – which is free on the terraces and by Arsenali bar.

Way down below is the turquoise sea – very rich and startling turquoise. Like a dollop in the blue you see the hump of Spinalonga island and muse upon mysteries. It is hard to tear yourself away from the terraces. But there is so much to do …

Firstly you must enjoy your own pool. More than half of the rooms have pools. Here you enjoy blissful privacy, sun and views…from early in the morning.

Or you could take the funicular down to the sea. Startlingly beautiful turquoise sea because the water laps onto white pebbles. Wooden walkways on the beach keep your feet comfortably off the stones and there are plenty of sunbeds with towel service. You enter the water from a bathing pier.

Mesmerizing to hear the water lapping, and stare across at Spinalonga with its castle that once protected an ancient city at nearby Elounda. And another castle built by the Venetians when they ruled Crete in the 1500s. Much later the island became a leper colony and even later won fame in Victoria Hislop’s bestseller “The Island”.

By the beach is yet another infinity pool. Nearby is the resort's thalassotherapy spa, beach restaurant, and Greek taverna. The main restaurant is way up to the top on the funicular, above the lobby. The gourmet restaurant is half way up the slope…

And then – you can dine at Plaka just 5 or 10 minutes walk along the road.

This is a really pleasant little fishing village, also built in natural stone, where in no time at all we met a man with a guitar once played by Jimmy Page; and were treated to raki, the pure and fiery colourless liquid they make locally all over Crete. “Come back and have a party…play the guitar,” he urged.

Fresh fish and Greek traditional fare are nicely presented along the Plaka waterfront in simple but chic restaurants that have kept a traditional feel. Not too many pizza signs in Plaka. Plenty of all that and whatever you want to eat in Elounda, 4km away.

Elounda is a lively tourist town with a pretty harbor full of painted fishing boats. Some call it the St Tropez of Crete. Lots of five star hotels on the fringes. Designer shops. Others that sell copies. Curio shops and even more restaurants competing to urge you in. Some very reasonable prices these days…

But it is a joy to return to the serenity and beauty of our hotel. Now it is evening. We have new “designer” sunglasses. New panama hats. And we head for the wonderful terraces.

On a warm starry night you sit or lie out there and stare at the sky. Or retire to the Turkish nooks that line the bar area. They are intimate and magically lit with lanterns. Perfect spots for your wifi and evening mail.

Magical evening on the terrace

But now it is time to retire, because morning in the superior bungalow with pool is simply wonderful, with sunlight streaming in and the terrace golden. We don’t want to sleep it away.

Superior Bungalow pool luxury

Bungalow accommodations are side by side in blocks with natural stone walls dividing the terraces – classic stonework is one of the signatures of the famous architect who created Blue Palace 10 years ago. Our party had two interleading superior bungalow rooms – each a generous size of 40sqm. We shared a pool and our terraces were connected by double doors, making a spacious terrace that was hard to leave. Other rooms in our block did not have shared pools, but they were smaller.

Décor is very comfortable and classical with some sunbleached earthy colours, and marble bathrooms with bathtub and shower cabinet. In the South Wing built a few years later there are also bungalow rooms – of a similar size but with more contemporary features.

We were shown over a few rooms to see how the other half lived. Mediterranean maisonettes had a bright feel – with and without pools (higher category than our bungalow).

Junior suite

Royal Blue Villa - many a celebrity has had this view from their pool

Villas are few and prized by those who can afford them – among which are some famous names. Top of the line with best position is the Royal Blue Villa. The only things blue there are the infinity pool meeting the sky and some intricate tiles. Otherwise it is mostly white with white drapes on the four poster bed and pristine white lounge.

All in all there are 251 rooms, suites and private villas, 142 with private pools. All have terraces or balconies. With only delightful Plaka as a neighbor, Blue Palace has a magnificent position tiered down the slope with a backdrop of unspoilt mountains. Most rooms have great sea views.

Service is a good standard, and friendly. The omelet lady at breakfast looked a little somber but when we returned the next day to order one of her Mediterranean omelets full of chopped tomato and herbs her face broke into a blush of pleasure – so happy to be liked. Car valet service excellent… (we had a hire car which was very neat and handy).

For kids there is a private kids club, kids pool, kids menus and babysitting service. Other facilities include tennis, gym and water sports.

With a paper from the excellent concierge service at Blue Palace in hand we visited some interesting spots. We could have taken boat trips to Spinalonga and other islands, had picnics. Bathed romantically among rose petals. Or headed off for the hills. More about that later…

HOW TO GET TO BLUE PALACE
1 hour by car from Heraklion International Airport. Helicopter transfers possible as the resort has a helipad.

SNAPSHOTS

Trendy traditional restaurant in Agios Nikolaos - 12 km from Blue Palace

Pacifae restaurant on mythical "The Lake"

Buying sunglasses - familiar design

Back at the beach - sparkling blue and white

Plaka - old stone fishing village offers dining and a teeny bit of shopping

Traditional fishing boats in the harbour at Elounda

An ancient olive in the hills behind

And an Orthodox church - with flower garden

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO CRETE, part 2, Elounda Mare

2011-06-08T20:05:00.049+02:00

SECRETS OF ELOUNDA MARE
Bungalows with private pools, lost in beautiful gardens among a labyrinth of paths and stone walls. Rocks and flowers creating a hidden world along a turquoise sea. The main building of this boutique hotel lies behind with bar, restaurant and further tasteful and distinctive accommodation.

“I got lost”, is something guests often say after turning up at reception at Elounda Mare.

“Good”, says Hotel Manager Harry Maranghides. “That means you are learning our secrets.”

Winding paths lead along the water, and under the arches of trees. You find two more rustic restaurants in the gardens and by the sea, a dainty chapel, and a small shopping gallery with designer boutiques. There is also a sandy private beach on the property and other secluded sunbathing spots on stone platforms by the turquoise water.

Secluded Beach and Yacht Club restaurant

Further restaurants and facilities lie at two sister hotels a walk or free shuttle ride away, including an extensive Six Senses spa, 9-hole golf course and kid’s club. Altogether there are 7 restaurants apart from the plethora of restaurants in Elounda town.

Elounda Mare is much loved by couples (40% repeaters), and a favourite destination for wedding anniversaries. The mood in the main building at Elounda Mare is smart and dress codes prevail. We had to pass by the main restaurant with its elegantly dressed clientele as we left for a meal sortie in Elounda. The maitre d’s face showed plain relief when we asked him the way to the lobby and he realized he didn’t have to tell us that jeans and T-shirts would not do at dinner.

Large seawater pool and main building with bar and main restaurant

Lunch is more casual. Hotel Manager Harry Maranghides went so far as to take off his jacket and tie when he lead us to lunch at the Yacht Club, just to make a younger member of our party feel at ease. Classy - but friendly and not stuffy - that is Elounda Mare.

It was May and we didn’t see any children. But children are welcome and families can make good use of the facilities at Porto Elounda – a family hotel also owned by the Kokotos family.

ROOMS

There are 36 bungalows with one, two or three bedrooms hidden away in the gardens and 46 rooms and suites in the main building. Our favourite was our very own Superior Bungalow – with heated seawater pool and perfect sea view. Lounge and two bedrooms en suite all had views of the pool and the sea. The master bedroom sported a Jacuzzi bath, rain shower with all sorts of adventurous water surprises, 2 separate toilets adjoining the main bathroom (toilet also in the second bathroom).

Lashings of marble in our bungalow bathrooms

The pool and patio felt so intimate and so perfect. Our own olive tree, green grass, glistening water, a round wooden table…and not two but six wooden sunbeds. On top of that a view of the sea, glistening, dancing and skittering blue. A yacht was anchored just in front. Over Mirabello Bay lay the mountains, bathed in the orange light of the setting sun, rugged and alluring. In the mornings hazy ...

Our pool was heated making possible early morning refreshers and moonlight swims.

Deluxe bungalows have pools too and the same facilities as superior bungalows. The only difference is that the superior have better views of the sea and better position generally. We (number 2) were one minute from of the breakfast room and our views were perfect.

Minoan Royalty suites are the top category – with pools of course – but even closer to the sea, and more space and features. The one we looked over had its own stairs down to the sea, and fireplaces dating back to the days Elounda Mare stayed open in the winter. Others have own gym and sauna.

The interior of all rooms has a similar charm. Typical Cretan cottage style with rippled white walls, warm colours in woven mats, cloths and tapestries. Black and white etchings elegantly framed and placed. All uplifted by woodwork that is perfectly finished, with curved edges and artistic flair.

In the main building we liked the views from a one-bedroom suite on the top floor. Two balconies and the same attractive Cretan decor.

Still, for the best of Elounda Mare's hideaway feel - we insist you take a bungalow...

Welcome to our hideaway - superior bungalow no. 2

Paths and gardens by turquoise sea

The stone walkway - with secluded bathing spots

Magic of moonlit night emerges - from our terrace

Arches, flowers and natural stone - maze where you find your bungalow

View from a one-bedroom suite looking over the gardens to Elounda Peninsula

Serene, homely, delicious breakfast - combination a la carte & buffet

We enjoyed a perfect vegetarian meal with Harry at the Yacht Club restaurant overlooking the private beach - under an ancient Carob tree. Behind is the real Greek Orthodox church built by architect owner Mr Kokotos. Over the years Spyros Kokotos has designed some 40 hotels in Greece.

“Mr Kokotos builds a chapel in each hotel,” says Harry. These authentic Orthodox chapels are used for weddings and christenings – “small weddings” with “only 100-150 guests”. (Average Greek wedding is 500 people.) Grandchildren of Mrs Eliana Kokotos (CEO) have been christened in these chapels. It is popular with British guests in particular to have a civil marriage at Elounda Mare, dress up, take photos, have cocktails and dinner.

The Yacht Club restaurant is open lunchtimes only usually but has theme evenings in the summer – sophisticated, but with the simple charm of a beach taverna. The Old Mill gourmet restaurant hidden in the gardens opens twice a week.

Crete has a way with vegetables - reaching perfection at the Yacht Club

Death by chocolate - melting wonder at the Yacht Club

Harry and Alona Johnson-Ferguson say goodbye at the reception

HOW TO GET TO ELOUNDA MARE

50 minutes by car from Heraklion International Airport. Helicopter transfer available

Note: Snaphots during our stay by Select team and Aleah Stanbridge. Click for larger versions

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO CRETE, part 1, Daios Cove

2011-05-24T10:05:00.050+02:00

NATURAL & SOPHISTICATED CRETE
Brand new resort, with luxury accommodation and cutting edge design, yet close to nature. Diaos Cove gives stunning views and truly Mediterranean feel. Like a medieval Cretan city it is crafted out of natural stone on a steep hillside. You look down to the brilliant turquoise cove and over to a wild rocky hill beyond.

This fantastic architectural creation took 3 years to finish. With 300 units including 39 villas and 169 pools, Diaos Cove is cleverly built with spaces between units to ensure that most rooms have great water views.

Way below lies sensational turquoise water, sandy beach packed with sunbeds, a watersports station and a Greek taverna. Two funiculars with glass cabins offer great views as you slide up and down between restaurants, terraces, bars, spa and reception and various levels of accommodation.

At night the resort is very romantic with lights everywhere.

There are 3 restaurants and 3 bars – a tapas and champagne bar soon to be added. Dine around has recently been introduced so that on half board you can also enjoy the a la carte restaurants where items on a set menu are included in HB; alternatively you can choose to order a-la-carte items, and the Half Board meal allowance amount of 25€ per person (children 15€) will be deducted from the total bill.

The most magical dining is out of doors, while the indoor dining space is intended for cold or rainy weather. We were there in mid May – so warm shawls and jackets were essential in the evening on the terrace. We didn’t try the buffet (except at breakfast) but ate at the Greek taverna and Ocean Club – delicious fusion Italian cuisine. The breakfast buffet was extensive with fresh orange juice, plenty of hot dishes and an omelet station. Café latte was included if you wished – and plenty of quite sweet muffins and other naughty or bubbly things. Greek yoghurt of course...

Only about 30%-40% of guests are families; it feels peaceful – not like a summer camp. The resort features kids club and kids menus, and a children’s pool by the main infinity pool.

All pools are seawater, except for the pool in the spa which is freshwater, with the added attraction of underwater windows through which you can look out and see the view.

The spa by Germaine de Cappucini offers hydromassage, hammams, sauna, Technogym, really expert Swedish style massage and Mediterranean wraps and peeling. Sophisticated adventure and aromatherapy showers adda lot of fun, after which you can spruce up with a blow dry at the hair salon (advance booking).

Harmonious, private, not flashy or overdone, Diaos Cove is a low key, relaxed, and enjoyable resort that offers quiet, tasteful décor and pampering and privacy in the villas and suites (red-level service). This service also implies free hot drinks most of the day and free cocktails in the evening.

Good news is that in all accommodation you get free wifi - as it should be. In a few rooms it might be a little blocked by the mountains but ours was fast and perfect.

And the best accommodation?

Pool accommodation of course. Especially if you are in hideaway mood and want to hang with your dearest beloveds.

Villa pool area - delicious privacy

For the lower budget, we liked the deluxe room ocean view. No pool in the one we inspected, but the balcony of this room was nicely furnished with sofa, table and chairs, and had delicious views of the crystalline cove below. The room (42 sqm) includes a sofa and proper marble bathroom with separate bath tub and shower, like the suites.

This deluxe room could be connected to a one-bedroom suite with private pool (65sqm) creating over 100 sqm of ample accommodation for a family of 6.

Terrace of a one-bedroom suite

On the waterfront there are a number of villas with staggering views of that wonderful water. We looked around a one-bedroom villa on the waterfront built on two levels with bedroom downstairs. It was 100 sqm with a mini infinity pool carrying its brilliant turquoise over to the water of the cove, and a small garden courtyard. A charming feature was that it had access not just at lounge level but below to a path along the rocky seafront lined with scarlet mzems. Though a villa it felt very compact (pix below).

Also on the waterfront we looked over a 2-bedroom waterfront villa (125 sqm) that was very generous with its terraces and pool area – ideal for sociable people who would like to invite in people from other rooms.

Terrace of two-bedroom villa waterfront

The waterfront views at Daios Cove are entrancing. Still there is a wonderful feeling of freedom and privacy in two and three-bedroom hillside villas - perfect for a getaway. Spread far and high they are reached by a healthy walk or golf carts that whizz around the paved roads. Our favourite was our very own hillside wellness villa number 543.

From here the views took in not only the aquamarine cove but beyond to the ocean and the white cubes of Agios Nikolaos. Around us we could see the wild mountains and enjoy a longer day of sunshine around our pool. We were surrounded by thick patches of oregano, mint and basil, which perfumed the air.

Highlight was to order lunch at the villa. It arrived very quickly and was presented on a white cloth by our pool, in bowls with silver lids, by a pleasant and efficient team. Enjoyed in sun with perfect views.

Inside our villa included lounge with view, a Finnish sauna, Technogym treadmill, big round bath, two bedrooms with marble bathrooms including showers and bath, plus an outdoor shower with view. Views views views – everywhere.

From bed the morning dawned soft over the sea. On rising the pool glistened and the sea grew brighter and brighter till it sung with colour and the glorious feel of Crete.

The charm is you are far from anywhere, which adds intimacy to the resort. The natural stone melds into the surroundings with its rich brown and copper tones, and creates a harmonious simplicity uplifted by the views, the greenery around the villas and the brilliant crimson bougainvillea that has begun growing.

Not too far though to Agios Nikolaos (7km) – a pleasant and authentic Greek town with shopping and a long and looping waterfront where chic locals sit on sofas, sip coffee, raki or wine and use wifi. It also boasts “The Lake” – small but mythically deep and connected with underwater caves and tunnels. Here are the main tourist restaurants – we ate very well at Pacificae facing the mysterious lake and at more traditional but chic Kristoffer on the harbor front. Taxi ride to Agios Nik from Daios Cove costs 12 euro for 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Another attraction near Daios Cove (turnoff just before Agios Nikolaos) is the traditional mountain village of Kritsi and its nearby Byzantine church and archaeological site. The ancient church was unfortunately closed when we were there, but we looked into the town church with all its icons, ate stuffed tomatoes and peppers under vines ….and browsed among hand-made lace table cloths and olive carvings.

HOW TO GET TO DIAOS COVE

1 hour by car from Heraklion International Airport. Transfer cost 90 euro/car/way

MORE IMAGES OF DIAOS COVE

Deluxe rooms with pools:

One-bedroom suites/villas:

Two-bedroom suites & villas:

Above: Fingertip room technology - ease and romance

Public areas:

Terrace at lobby level - one of endless terraces with views

Reception - like everything else with a view

Main building

Lobby

... and a welcome waiting for you in your villa

Note: For our travel blog Select uses own snaphots as a rule, often mobile phone shots. In this case we have used many of our own shots again, but include also some lovely images by Binah Creative Arts and by Diaos Cove.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO THAILAND, part 9, Soneva Kiri

2011-05-01T14:23:00.000+02:00

DIAL ONE…
Soneva Kiri is tip top luxury embraced by stunning nature and warm and nourishing hospitality. You are a Six Senses VVIP from the moment you step off the plane in Bangkok – and so were we…

Met at the jet bridge and whizzed off in a buggy to the domestic terminal, we were saved a long walk and much hassle – they deposited us at the diplomatic line for passport control, and then helped us get to the Thai Airways lounge. Here we waited for departure to Soneva Kiri airport.

This rustic airport lies on a neighbouring island – like everything at Soneva Kiri a balance between wild nature and sophistication. This is barefoot luxury - literally; they steal your shoes at the airport.

A short boat ride takes you to the resort on the island of Koh Kood, where you are welcomed by your Mr or Mrs Friday.

It’s not long before you realize why guests to Soneva Kiri come back year after year – and fly straight in without a stopover en route.

Soneva Kiri is a destination in itself where the cares of the world and the postmodern age are forgotten. Here you are pampered by friendly staff and your own Mr or Mrs Friday (butler). You are given your own cell phone for the stay and all you have to do is dial 1. The staff don’t seem to know the answer “no”.

On top of that comes the beauty, natural harmony and amazing food. The beach is stunning and the water clear sparkling turquoise. There are three restaurants that serve only the freshest and highest quality food – covering everything from hamburgers to elaborate dishes.

Breakfast is an opportunity to have exactly what you want – health or indulgence. Compile your own smoothies from mashed berries and fruit. Indulge in a separate deli area with the best in cold cuts, imported cheeses and homemade bakery items. Or order any hot dish you want.

It’s a case of “order from your mind”. Or you could find out what is on the chef’s mind with a menu of 10 dishes – from Japanese gyoza to egg Benedict, shrimp omelettes with tofu or wheat grass shots. There is new menu every morning.

We highly recommend that you take full board. It costs less and you eat a la carte in any restaurant. Apart from the restaurants there is the Big Thing – dining in a tree top – or at Khun Benz in the village. She used to run a hole in the wall diner in Bangkok which gained a reputation as one of the city’s best, so Sonu, owner of Six Senses, worked really hard to persuade her to set up shop on the island.

One morning at breakfast, when our Ms Friday asked us (as usual) what we felt like doing today, we told her we wanted to try Khun Benz’s famed food.

And so later she accompanied us for an authentic Thai experience dining in the village. Khun Benz oversees/does all the cooking and is happy to chat to guests. We also had a good chance to chat more to our Ms Friday, who is not your Robinson Crusoe type really – she has a degree from an American university.

The island of Koh Kood is Thailand’s third largest – so there is plenty of space to explore. Your rustic villa is likewise very spacious and very private, with its own pool. You feel miles from anywhere but in minutes you can arrive somewhere – every villa has its own buggy.

Our hill villa (snapshots above) was intimately embraced by rainforest. And the villa was huge with four different buildings and pool area.

The beach villas are our personal favourites. A little more compact, these villas offer glimpses of the sparkling turquoise sea (below). And a close-to-nature bathroom...

For larger families there are residences with four, five and six bedrooms. And all of course have private pools.

Some have their own spa pavilion (as above)...

Of course Six Senses has a magnificent Spa Village too.

Technology is there at Soneva Kiri to make life easy, but it is unobtrusive, leaving a light footprint. You don’t have any TV channels – but you can watch films on your TV. It is inventively hidden away in a suitcase.

The pleasure of the simple things in life and sophisticated ways of keeping it simply perfect…

HOW TO GET TO SONEVA KIRI
1 hr by private plane from Bangkok to Soneva Kiri airport (flights 3 times/day), 5 minutes by speedboat to the resort

Small luxurious private plane

Slide to private pool

Dressing room of a Beach Villa

P.S. Our recommendation: Stay 7 days in a beach villa - and take full board...

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO CYPRUS, part 2, Almyra

2011-04-21T10:53:00.019+02:00

FRIENDLY SEAFRONT HAVEN
Almyra gazes over the Mediterranean and the fishing harbor of Paphos (Pafos), facing the sunset. Just one little sign marks “almyra” at the entrance to Poseidenos Avenue. And already you know it is modest and tasteful.

A Design Hotel, Almyra is unpretentious yet stylish, with those little features that show a designer was here making all this simplicity. Almyra is all about straight lines and Mediterranean flat roofs, comfort, oodles of light and blue sea views…

Friendly and hospitable to children, the hotel offers endless connecting rooms, kid’s menus, kid’s clubs and so on. But it also has enclaves for adults only. Next door lies sister hotel Annabelle, and between them they offer 8 restaurants. Close by are many more restaurants in the town and on the beachfront, as well as cafes and bars. Plus shops of course, with rather low prices. And then others with not such low prices…

Both hotels lie in gardens that stretch down to the beach walkway with their own beach restaurants and views over the blue bay and the castle, walking distance from the famous archaeological sites of Paphos.

A pleasant walking promenade lies between Almyra and the sea, leading round the bay to the port, castle and ruins. Almyra fronts a small sandy beach, nestled between rocks. But it has all the pools you need (four). Annabelle also has pretty lagoon pools and waterfalls.

The Almyra pool area lies on the beachfront. The main pool has a dark floor so it retains solar energy. All the swimming pools are heated at the moment except for the Infinity pool (SPA outdoor pool). This is a serene place for adult's only, with a view over the blue bay. The spa also has an indoor pool open for parents with small kids during the winter until 15:00 or when weather is chilly in spring and autumn till 13:00.

"The spa has an adults-only concept," explains hotel operations manager Michael V. Papaioannou. "But when the weather is not so good and kids are not so comfortable in the main outdoor pool we allow them to use the heated indoor pool at the Spa at certain times. But again this depends on weather conditions..."

The spa is also the place to get wonderful massages and other treatments - or have your hair done.

The top suites at Almyra are Kyma. We found our Kyma suite a perfect spot for listening to the sound of the waves or staring out to sea. Mesmerizing. The Kyma suite has a sofa just inside the wide glass frontage, well placed for sea gazing, and opens onto a small verandah with more seating, and a grass terrace with your own two sunbeds and parasols. Though you can’t see the path just below, you can sometimes hear voices above the sound of the waves.

The other special thing about a Kyma suite is the flat rooftop patio. You have your own patio for each suite, lying side by side with other private sitting areas on the rooftop. From there the view goes across the bay to the Paphos castle. Kyma suites can take one extra bed, or can interconnect to suit larger families.

If you don’t want kids as neighbours, you will enjoy an Atheon room – in a block of adults-only rooms (see our snapshot). Or if you do have young children, a Superior Seaview room offers 28 sqm of space and can interconnect with another room. There is no balcony - instead the balcony space is incorporated into the room.

Then again, for familes wanting private outdoor space you have a choice of a terrace room or a verandah room (28 sqm including the balcony).

To delight families there are loads of connecting rooms for family intimacy but always on request. All room types except Veranda Sea View and Aethon rooms interconnect. You might connect a terrace room with a junior suite for example.

The junior suite has a sofa bed and can accommodate a child in the extra bed and also a baby cot – in a total of 35 sqm. One-bedroom suites are 55 sqm including a separate lounge. The two-bedroom suite has most space – 73 sqm.

Wi-fi is complimentary at Almyra – good news for those who find it difficult to pay for something that these days seems as natural as air.

But don’t get stuck. We do recommend you go out and see the mosaics of the Unesco archaeological site. Even if just to see the flowers popping up between the ancient stones…

Paphos is an outpost of ancient Greece and Rome. Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty is said to have come out of the waters off Paphos – various spots on the coast claim her birth happened there. But more concrete is the Unesco site House of Mosaics, with the ruined villas of various noblemen spread out among grass and flowers, surviving as fallen columns, mazes of broken walls, and very beautiful mosaics. Albeit damaged by time the site is under constant renovation and reconstruction. In addition there are three museums in Paphos telling ancient tales.

Almyra was the first of the Thanos family hotels built in avant garde minimalist style. Next Thanos hotel was Annabelle, which moved out of minimalism to a more classical hotel style.

Annabelle was an immediate success and to date 80% of its guests are repeaters. So Thanos went a step further in the classical direction. They built Anassa – on its own beach a 40 minutes to one-hour drive over the mountains, beside the Akamas peninsula nature reserve. Not just classical but UBERclassical and luxurious. See our earlier blog.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO CYPRUS, part 1, Anassa

2011-04-08T18:14:00.010+02:00

Cyprus, land of Aphrodite, goddess of love…and Anassa the most beautiful hotel on the island. Built like a Mediterranean village among gardens and pools sloping down to a long sandy beach, but inside more like a palace. It is an astounding piece of art. Classical motifs are mixed with cloisters, fountains, domes and cupolas and even a real Byzantine church is part of the hotel. Here they have wedding ceremonies (multi-denominational)…

The beach is amazing. Cinnamon sands stretch up to the mountainous Akamas peninsula nature reserve. Sunbeds lie beside a wooden walkway on the beach, perfect spot for us to enjoy spring sun and beach service.

More sunbeds surround the outdoor pools – one heated and much loved by children as it is near the kids club. There is also a sizable indoor pool in the spa.

This was the Thanos family’s spring party weekend. Thanos owns three hotels on Cyprus. All delightful – but Anassa is their “queen”.

The grand hotel with its gleaming marble floors and bathrooms offers exquisite suites, many with private pools. We were given a tour of the top suites, including the popular Adonis and Aphrodite honeymoon suites with jacuzzi on the balcony overlooking the ocean and beach. In the images below you can see our very own Select Adonis (Max from marketing) in the Adonis suite.

Aphrodite suite is a mirror image of Adonis - but on the sunset side, with beautiful beach views.

We were also shown the celebrity villa Alexandros – a very private haven with its own entrance, a decent sized pool and two bedrooms upstairs. Some celebrities might choose to hide away there in solitary splendour, but other world names are happy to wander along the beach with their children. Anassa does give that kind of serene privacy.

High up on the same level as Adonis and Aphrodite we also saw the presidential Anax suite – with a long more formal dining table – and two bedrooms with balconies with perfect views.

Then still high up, but one level down, we saw a panoramic junior suite and a two-bedroom suite that you can occupy as a one bedroom suite or extend to a three bedroom suite. Connecting doors on the balcony are much appreciated by families who take adjoining suites – as the kids find it easy to play together.

This year we stayed in a garden studio suite - creamy white, light and Mediterranean in feel. Our balcony had morning sun, a pleasant place to be with a V-shaded view of the deep blue sea. By the time the sun gets too hot you are in the shade. The garden suites have a peaceful village style setting along winding paths – and all have at least a partial seaview. A few minutes’ walk to the main building – or a quick buggy ride.

Last year our studio suite in the main building had an extra large terrace with fabulous view of the sea, which saw the sun in the earlier part of the morning. In the high summer at 40 degrees, the shade on the terrace is divine. The suites facing the mountain, sea and infinity pool offer balconies perfect for sundowners.

We had a weekend of lavish meals. So much seafood, imaginative salads, Italian specialities, melt-in-mouth desserts in extraordinary displays of tempting food passion…and extensive breakfasts including champagne among olive trees.
After a sit-down dinner in the ballroom, we let hair loose at a disco, music pulsing under the cupola.

Polis Ioannou, the Director of Sales and Marketing was careful to point out this event was an exception.

Anassa is usually a place of supreme tranquility. Here you can get rid of energy and stress with squash, tennis, sailing, windsurfing, swimming, walking, hiking, mountain biking…or just dissolve it all at the Thalasso spa with saltwater jets and massages. Or dream on the terrace amid endless views, enfolded in soft arm chairs, float in the heated pool, or recline on the beach on a sunbed, served with whatever you wish to drink…

Snapshots below include various cocktail parties, gala dinner and the disco.

It was thumping under the dome at the spring launch...

But usually it is a place of utmost peace.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 15, Heritage Le Telfair

2011-04-05T17:28:00.001+02:00

REFASHIONING OLD ELEGANCE...
In a fresh focus on the southern coast, Heritage Le Telfair has been totally refurbished, offering 158 guest rooms and suites, with butler service to all suites. Meanwhile Heritage Golf & Spa Resort featured in our golf brochure has become Heritage Awali, adjoining Le Telfair on the same former sugar plantation in Domain Bel Ombre.

These golf resorts lie between a sandy beach, turquoise lagoon and the green expanses of the Heritage golf course, framed by mountains. Nearby is a private nature reserve with rainforest and dry bush, to be introduced into the Heritage Le Telfair experience. Also new to the experience is the Seven Colours Spa, concentrating on Mauritian and African elements, with a full programme to inspire better living. (Former spa was run by Six Senses.)

As you step into the lobby of Heritage Le Telfair Spa & Golf Resort you feel freshness, and fantasy. It is built like a plantation house of yesteryear, using old and burnished floorboards. But the carved wooden walls, painted pure white, are too perfect to be old.

You look down at the perfect symmetry of a fountain and water canal, to the lagoon, encircled by coral reef. Adjoining is a lobby lounge of new chic contemporary furniture – borrowing from an age of grace.

The main restaurant, with a fresh Mauritian chic, is Annabellas. Beside the beach is the pavilion style Pan Asian restaurant Gin’ja,offering fine dining in the evening, with an informal lunch experience extended to some small (spindly) tables laid out on the sand.

We had lunch at Gin’ja twice. The first time on a tour with Air Mauritius we were presented with a very exciting starter – a long plank (5 metres?) strewn with every imaginable kind of sushi, taking advantage of the fresh seafood of Mauritius.

Further there is a fine dining restaurant up by the golf course (5 minutes). This elegant old-style Le Château de Bel Ombre restaurant spills out to tables under an ancient tree, with golf course views. Down at the seaside by the swimming pool is bar Palmier. Further restaurants are available at Heritage Awali.

A new beach club lies just over the river from Heritage Le Telfair: snorkeling, waterskiing and various other watersports included, but supplement for scuba diving, catamaran sailing, kitesurfing etc.

The rooms have an elegant traditional feel with dark timber floors and fresh pale colours.

VILLAS VALRICHE
We also inspected one of the new roomy villas right on the Heritage golf course – Villas Valriche. Nice fresh feel, big barbecues by private pools – with three or four bedrooms. 5 minutes to the beach club at Heritage Le Telfair by golf buggy.

Breakfast included at posh Le Château restaurant nearby.

The golf club also has a restaurant – plus there are restaurants at both Heritage resorts on the shore. The whole area feels very new and open still. One can see the sea in the distance, but the gardens need time and water. Free internet and daily cleaning and concierge service.

Our snapshots below are of a 3-bedroom villa at Valriche.

Fully equipped kitchen below interleads with a spacious lounge and dining room with plenty of space for a big family.

Pool of the 3-bedroom villa shown below has comfy sunbeds and a very ample barbecue to please meat eaters who like poolside grilling.

HOW TO GET TO HERITAGE LE TELFAIR & VILLAS VALRICHE
45 minutes by car from Mauritius International Airport.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 14, The Residence

2011-04-01T11:41:00.001+02:00

Distinctive and elegant, built along a dazzling white beach and turquoise lagoon, The Residence lingers long in the memory. Most of all for the purity of colour and the friendliness of the people who work there.

The design and architecture hark back to plantation houses from 100 years ago, but with plenty of contemporary liberty. In the Residence, what might once have been dark and ponderous in the old sugar plantation days is instead rather light and white. White walls, white drapes round the bed in the Colonial Oceanfront suite, white sofas.

Everywhere there are small attractive items of furniture and art. As for contemporary – note the laptop in the Colonial Oceanfront Suite next to our charming hostess Mary Joyce.

The light and spacious bathroom of the Colonial Oceanfront suite combines old and new in delightful way.

Not all rooms have drapes. Most are without including the attractive ocean front room (balcony with stunning view and room shown below.

Rooms are built in crescents along the beach, all with sea view at the hoop of the crescent, garden view along the sides, and ocean front at the ends with lovely views the radiant lagoon. There are 163 rooms and suites in all.

The resort has three restaurants. Exception to the white and bright theme is the main restaurant which has darker timbers in its plantation nostalgia. Up the beach is the elegant Plantation Restaurant, and there is another beach restaurant.

We enjoyed a fabulous lunch.

The menu:

Amuse Bouche

—

Heart of palm salad with lemongrass

Flavoured shrimp skewer

—

Panfried ruby snapper fish fillet

Crunchy vegetables & saffron sauce

—

Banana milkshake with cocoa sherbet

It didn’t just taste good, it looked too good to eat. Like an art work. So we had to photograph it to make it last.

Should add a codicil. The Residence is remembered not only for the friendly people, long white beach, and dazzling pure colours, but for the food…

While the kids will no doubt remember the kids club and all the watersports...

HOW TO GET TO THE RESIDENCE

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport, 15 minutes by helicopter.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 13, Belle Mare Plage

2011-03-26T10:33:00.001+01:00

GOLF, ENDLESS BEACH & LOTS TO DO...
For the whole family. Constance Belle Mare Plage has a wonderful setting on a long dazzling white beach. The fringing lagoon within the sheltering coral reef is a heady turquoise and the depth seemed perfect for bathing. On our recent visit to Mauritius we saw 20 hotels, and this lagoon seemed the most popular for actual swimming.

Belle Mare Plage is quite a big resort (235 rooms and 20 villas), so there is a sense of buzz and action. Here you have a choice of 4 pools with sunloungers, 7 restaurants, shopping arcade, plenty of watersports of course and TWO 18-hole golf courses. Green fees included.

A shuttle goes every hour to and from luxurious sister hotel Constance Le Prince Maurice via the golf courses.

For those who want to get away to delicious privacy we suggest the villas at Belle Mare Plage. On a recent hotel inspection we were shown an attractive two-bedroom villa with pool, elegant bedrooms, roomy lounge with plenty of sofa space, and a small kitchenette. That little item is for the butler that comes with the villa.

View of the pool from upstairs bedroom in our snapshot below:

We also saw a deluxe suite with lounge and bedroom. Bedroom shown below. This suite can be connected to a prestige room.

After that we ate a lunch at the beach restaurant, with a view of the brilliant turquoise lagoon and white beach. Perfect food and paradise feeling in the balmy breeze...

Belle Mare Plage has of course a spa offering massage and body and beauty treatments, fitness centre with many activities and, most important for a family resort – a kid’s club with pool.

HOW TO GET TO BELLE MARE PLAGE

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 12, One&Only Le Saint Géran

2011-03-22T20:35:00.001+01:00

This resort epitomizes grand old Mauritian style and hospitality. All the perfect details are there. From the turquoise lagoon, to the park with thousands of palm trees, and white beach sweeping round the peninsula. From high quality furnishings, to the hotel’s famed service and friendliness. And its Michelin-starred dining…

Guests get hooked on this style, and for the faithful nothing else will do.

For all its posh reputation, the hotel feels relaxed. Maybe it’s all that space. We enjoyed the pool bar lunch restaurant, with its combination of fine dining dishes and snack favourites on the same menu.

There are also two fine dining restaurants, one further along the beach. One is under Alain Ducasse and the other under Vineet Bhatia, both Michelin-starred chefs.

Sportiness is part of the hotel’s fame. It has a tennis club, plenty of watersports (free waterskiing) and a dive centre. Naturally fitness rooms and a spa, where we noted relax beds had a lovely view.

Evening entertainment is another part of the St Geran holiday experience. Just the mood that many guests feel marks a holiday.

The resort offers 162 suites all with terraces or balconies facing the sea. We saw a couple of rooms. Despite some new refurbishments they did feel (intentionally) old style.

Room 402

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 11, Royal Palm

2011-03-20T11:16:00.001+01:00

ROYAL FROM TOP TO TOE...
In its picture postcard setting, Royal Palm radiates ease, elegance and prestige. But first the arrival takes the breath away. You swing off the road from Grand Bay and there it is. A perfect avenue of palms, leading up to the entrance flanked by royal guards in turbans.

Though a compact property with rooms in a long three storey block facing the beach, Royal Palm feels spacious and serene.

The lagoon is a glistening pastel turquoise, and the beach is soft pale golden sand, lined with palms and sunbeds. It is beautiful though not very long, with an area devoted to the best in watersports. On the beach were some guards (as the sheltered lagoon has a lot of boat traffic, they need to keep the beach free of waterborne intruders).

Preventing paparazzi might be useful because of the celebrities that stay here, among others who can afford Royal Palm’s special style and impeccable service. Loyal guests come back again and again for their holidays, to their "home from home".

Dining is strictly a la carte and innovative cuisine even on halfboard. In addition to the main restaurant with wide verandah and views, there is the exquisite Natureaty…

On our recent visit to Royal Palm we saw two rooms – a senior suite and appropriately a royal suite. Most delicious about the royal suite was the pool with its infinity edge, open pavilion and view over the beach (above). The royal suite has two bedrooms and a large lounge. One of the bedrooms has its own hammam!

The senior suite also has a very generous lounge space – so much so that the sofa set seems far away in the corner. Items like a “creatively old” desk and sideboard were interesting and stylish. The bedroom breathes luxury with its lighting, perfect linen and contrast of white and mahogany. Guest toilet in addition to the separate toilet en suite. For families, another suite can become connecting, by closing an outer door to the porch. Neat way to take away the spooky feeling of a connecting door to strangers.

Spacious lounge in senior suite

Bedroom senior suite

The spa is impressive, built in 2007, with 18 light white treatment rooms, and a lush courtyard with pools. One couple’s treatment room has a hammam attached, and another has a sauna. Nails makeup and hair are all taken care of. There are three fitness rooms with different kinds of machines, all very up to date.

Pools at the spa

Watersports

HOW TO GET TO ROYAL PALM

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport, 20 min by helicopter

TURKISH AIRLINES FIRST CLASS TESTED

2011-03-17T10:05:00.035+01:00

For an interim period Turskish Airlines is offering a First Class Cabin on the Boeing 777 aircraft on lease from Jet Airways. These planes mainly operate to Bangkok and Hong Kong some days of the week.

Unfortunately the service will eventually be discontinued so we made sure to try it before it is gone. We flew on the Istanbul - Bangkok route and vice versa. And we were truly impressed by the high ambitions of this airline. Everything was not perfect but the hardware and food presentation as well as amenity kit and packaging is superior to most other airlines...

Welcome message on the huge flatscreen

The seat
The seat is a mini suite with doors that close and create a private atmosphere. We thought that would feel sort of claustrophobic, but actually we loved the feature because it makes the cabin more quiet and you can sleep undisturbed. The Suite even has a do not disturb sign.

The flat screen is 23 inches and beautifully integrated into the front wall of the suite. The walls of the suite are upholstered with crushed satin and it creates an elegant touch.

The middle pair of suites photo taken from above. The cabin layout is 1 + 2 +1 with a total of 8 suites. The pair in the middle is great for couples and the sides ones the best choice for solo travellers.

The seat is controlled from a smaller LED display screen integrated into the armrest.

Safety demo shown on the screen

A blury side view of the suite

Dinner service on Bangkok - Istanbul leg

Welcome aboard, canapees and Louis Roederer Champagne

The huge table is set, reminds me of fine restaurants, or better.

Soup with nice presentation, bowl placed on a banana leaf

Starting off with Caviar, great presentation :-)

Followed by grilled giant shrimp, sallad and Parmesan shavings. Heavenly.

Chicken skewers with basmati rice and sauteed veggies. A bit dry.

The dessert trolley arrives. Full of choices. I went for some fruit and ice cream. But there were about six choices, too stuffed to handle it.

A blury pic of the ice cream and fruits.

The final touch, tea and petit fours. An amazing dinner comes to an end.

Breakfast service on Bangkok - Istanbul leg

Bircher musli and Turkish yoghurt along with bred basket

The hot stuff, eggs, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes and sausage, I could have done without. Somehow cooked breakfast meals on airplanes has never worked for us.

The selection of cold cuts, vegetables and cheese was much better.

A generously sized fruit plate

The entire breakfast service in one picture. The dining table is huge. The pink drink is a breakfast smoothie. It was overly sweet but that is a matter of taste.

The amenities

A cut above the rest - the slippers are proper leather with a suede sole presented in a luxurious silk bag with the Turkish logo embroided. Presentation is key and Turkish seem to do it even better than the Japanese airlines.

The silk bag holding the slippers. A similar one was used for the pyjamas. Sorry no pics of the pyjamas. They are really comfortable satin style, dark blue and more luxurious than the ones I have received on LH, NH, OZ, TG and SQ.

A luxurious amenity kit. Inside the cotton bag is a leather bag packed with Bulgari amenities. I would have wished for something more creative than Bulgari, but again that is a personal opinion.

In flight magazines

The turndown service - 5 star

The seat goes completely flat with no uncomfortable cracks. They also lay out a thin mattress. But best of all they provide a real duvet with cotton sheets, two pillows of which one is full size. And note the red rose along with French chocolates. I think TK outperforms most 5-star hotels with their turndown service.

THE RETURN FLIGHT

We got to use Thai's First Class lounge in Bangkok with dining and a complimentary 60 minute full body massage. Such a great way to start a long haul flight. Above a picture of the treatment room.

Dinner service Istanbul - Bangkok

On departure the Champagne was not chilled enough. We asked for ice promptly delivered in a personal ice bucket. A sin to add ice to Champagne but at least better than drinking it lukewarm.

Wonderful table setting.

Wow, what a starter offering. Caviar, ceasar salad with shrimps and another sallad. It all tasted fantastic, ingredients were really fresh and definitely restaurant quality delivered by DO&CO Catering in Istanbul. I would say that meals out of Istanbul were better than out of Bangkok.

Followed by soup. This was a traditional Turkish soup and it was really sour and had an unpleasant taste in my opinion.

One of the main courses - white grilled fish with spinach and potatoes. It was really nice.

One of the other choices was chicken with rosemary, grilled vegetables and rice. Also nice tasting.

From the dessert trolley I selected a chocolate fondant and fresh fruit.

VERDICT

Turkish Airlines offers an amazing First Class which is definitely among the best in the world. The onboard food concept is generous and of very high quality. It is served on large plates which makes presentation lovely as well.

The drink list is not really First Class. The Champagne is sort of basic and could use an upgrade. When First Class was launched TK served Cristal for a while but that ended soon.

The suite and the seat is just perfect. One could not expect anything more, it serves all the needs.

The amenities are fantastic and a cut above most other airlines I have tried.

The only let down is the staff. They were all nice and friendly but English profiency really lacked. Also they are unused to working in Frist Class and are not interactive at all. They do their job and they try hard but they have a long way to go. Some training at Asiana would be useful.

The experience was still fantastic. I knew beforehand the issue with the staff and had leveled my expectations accordingly.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 10, new resorts

2011-03-15T12:45:00.003+01:00

URBAN INNOVATION ON MAURITIUS...
Constantly keeping an eye out for gems for our Select Collection of top resorts worldwide, we visited a few new resorts on Mauritius in February. Too early to say whether they suit our new portfolio for 2012-2014, but interesting in their innovative daring nevertheless...

Sofitel SO Mauritius

Down on the southern coast of Mauritius there is a wilder feel. The winds bring in fresh air, and the coral is alive. On a soft natural beach with colourful corals and sponges in the turquoise lagoon, you find a new highly contemporary resort – Sofitel SO Mauritius.

Indeed it is so Mauritius, and yet it is different and quite daring. Still too early to tell whether this daring will pay off. For those in love with traditional Mauritian architecture, they will miss the plantation house lobby with its tall V-shape looking through to infinity pool and lagoon. They will miss the timbers and the marble bathrooms…

Here concrete and tadelac have made contemporary shapes, in moulded bathrooms, urban design. The 92 villas/suites are like overturned split barrels, spread out village style, the colours of furnishings bold and crisp. The main swimming pool an extraordinary shape and curves round into a long arm that is a paddling pool parallel to the beach.

There are six villas on the beach (two for families) – and here the contrast between Mauritian nature and international urbanity is strongest. The concrete villa we saw had a wide red rim to the bed, and matching floral cushion, startlingly modern in fantasy. But when you step out to your plunge pool you are right there, intimately, close to the sounds of waves on the reef, a couple of metres from soft sands and casuarina trees. It feels entirely close to nature.

Our villa suite opened out into its own little curved garden with an outdoor bathtub. The sunbed was placed at the bottom of the curved garden with some view of the distant sea. At this stage, before the vegetation takes off, you could see your neighbour’s sunbed. The theme inside incorporated a wide green frame on my bed (Sofitel My Bed), in an urbane material somewhere between plastic and leather.

Matching floral pillow as nice complement. The floors were tadelac at a guess, pale and perhaps high maintenance. The bathroom had both indoor and outdoor shower, interesting design with walkin cupboard area. Our little outdoor garden was struggling a bit with the drought, as was the whole complex with its newly planted palms and flowers.

We had own butler and the checkin was done in our villa. Guest relations were eager that he made an espresso in the villa – but as this was the end of our trip rather than the beginning, we felt like getting out to explore and preferred a café latte at the bar.

Vegetable tempura, light as a feather...at the beach restaurant.

There are two restaurants – the main one and a beach restaurant on the other side of the little river. Down at the main restaurant and lobby by the beach, there is a Mauritian style shaggy roof – made from cane leaves – the new solution instead of coconut fronds. The designs of the furnishings are otherwise SO Sofitel, so bold and contemporary, quite attractive. Nice touch: When they turned down the music you could hear the crashing of waves on the reef…nature’s own symphony, watching the sunset off towards the west.

The small spa too has made its own interesting combination of old tradition and contemporary slant in its garden of “keyholes”. Enjoyed a good back massage by very professional masseur.

There are four tennis courts, bikes for loan, and a small kids club. Watersports are on offer – including a free glass bottom boat ride where we saw some bright colours after moving away from the mooring place just off the beach. All the corals on the bottom of the lagoon do limit wading possibilities, but is it heart warming to know they are alive when so threatened worldwide.

Service? Well we had a willing butler – which was great. He arranged the glass bottom boat ride and proactively requested our plane tickets to do seating etc.
There seemed to be a lot of staff, all truly Mauritian in their friendliness. But one did feel the newness still. Time will tell...

HOW TO GET TO SOFITEL SO MAURITIUS
40 minutes by car from Mauritius International Airport

Long Beach

Former Coco Beach, now Long Beach, an ambitious new urban style resort by Sun Resorts on an endless beach, to be completed by 2 April this year. The site on 3 February 2011 was still very much under construction, but we saw two mockup rooms and a 3d model of the coming new holiday destination. Definitely a place where fun is intended, centred on a piazza with shopping, dining, nightlife, and plenty of sport. Spa too on a free form lagoon…and a football field!

There will be 255 rooms in two crescents, and the contemporary urban design has allowed all a sea-view. We saw a mockup of a superior beachfront room and a family room, both with outdoor living. Colours blue, green and coral, and the simple furniture child-friendly in a matter of fact way. Family rooms have an additional room with two sofas that become beds for the kids.

Quite different from anything else on the island. But it will have palms, and they are introducing some fringed thatch roofs. At the moment the beach is still completely natural and the lagoon glittering turquoise, bounded by the coral reef that defines Mauritius. Hope they can keep it that way…

Model of the new Long Beach resort above, with its fabulous sporting facilities, piazza, spa, ornamental lagoons and views for all thanks to its innovative design.

HOW TO GET TO LONG BEACH
1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 9, Trou aux Biches

2011-03-10T10:48:00.002+01:00

NEW STOP IN PARADISE...
Trou aux Biches is the latest luxury resort from Beachcomber. With sites running out for new five star hotels in paradise, Beachcomber has transformed an existing property to get hold of nature’s gold – sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons sheltered by coral reef.

And so the old Trou aux Biches has gone, and the new five star deluxe is unfolding after 2 years of building operations. Held back by unfortunate drought, the resort has run at a fraction of occupancy since November 2010.

Launch of L’Oasis complex with reception, shops, main pool, miniclub, and four additional restaurants is set for April 4. Work will continue on some suites till 30 September during which time Beachcomber will extend half board to full board. In all there will be 333 suites and villas, and 6 restaurants.

Meanwhile all Mauritius is watching.

We visited the resort for yummy lunch on 2 February. Two restaurants surrounded by water on the verdant palm lined beachfront seemed far away from drought. The most obvious effects were seen in the vast and beautifully laid out gardens. In a few places they were more reminiscent of Palm Springs due to lack of water after a period of construction.

Fortunately they have left lots of beautiful old trees on the property - including magical banyan trees - so Trou aux Biches gardens will soon look luciously tropical.

Our favourite accommodation is usually on the beachfront. Trou aux Biches will be no exception. These are delightful accommodations all with private pools – 22 senior beachfront suites and 44 beachfront suites. Stylish villa-style buildings each house 3 suites.

From these suites you view your own plunge pool, but clever design hides your neighbour’s pool. Further you view the frothy luxuriance of palms along the beach and glints of turquoise water.

Further from the beach, 27 spacious villas will be much in demand, offering perfect privacy round your swimming pool encircled by stone walls.

Several details appeal very much – from the long bathroom you walk out to an open air bathtub, encircled by yet another stone wall. Another favourite spot will be the huge family sofa on the patio overlooking the pool. Apart from that you have a proper family living room, and a really proper kitchen. It’s not compulsory to cook there of course … you have your own butler, apart from 6 restaurants on site. 10 villas have two bedrooms (4 or 5 people) and 17 have three bedrooms (7 guests in each).

Apart from the 90 Junior Suites and 110 tropical junior suites (with outdoor showers), there are to be 40 family suites. All these suite types are all built in crescents around swimming pools, a nice way for kids to make friends and families to be able to keep an eye on the kids.

A highlight of any visit to Trou aux Biches must be the spa. You are greeted by an attractive free form pool, pointed sloping roofs, and a relax island. We saw a delightful treatment room with open sides and thatched roof. The perfect climate for that.

In the background to this big venture is a lot of support from the local community. Noone was fired from the old resort, and 400 people were kept on the payroll. More than double that will be hired. In addition Beachcomber are building a post office and a police station to help the community.

Trou aux Biches has very sheltered waters. Hence boats are a feature. It is a short ride to Grand Baie with a choice of restaurants, cafes and shops.

From the beach at Trou aux Biches we took a boat to our next stop. View of the resort as we leave on our tour with Air Mauritius...

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 8, Paradis

2011-03-07T15:08:00.003+01:00

FAMILY HAVEN...
Paradis is well named for its paradise setting on Le Morne Peninsula: beautiful white sandy beach that stretches to sister hotel Dinarobin and beyond, plenty of palms and wide turquoise lagoon, with the added attraction of the tall craggy mountain beyond.

But the final factors in choosing Paradis are the wide range of sporting activities and the family friendliness. On one side of the rooms lies the beach, on the other the golf course. The kid's club not only has Asterix village decor and its own restaurant, but will teach your kids basics of waterskiing (from age of 5) and golf (age 6-12).

Staying at Paradis, you get the added bonus of access to the restaurants at Dinarobin (8 restaurants in all), and nowadays at every restaurant there are options that can be chosen on halfboard, or courses that can be enjoyed for a supplement. You also get two spas to choose from, and two golf courses.

The spa at Paradis is a serene and attractive spot, while the spa at Dinarobin is one of the most exotic on the island, maybe the most colourful, lush and inspirational. (Image of Paradis Clarins spa above, and Dinarobin zen-inspired spa below.)

The sturdy low-rise architecture with wide balconies, and earth or sunshine colours, have become a trademark in themselves – spelling Beachcomber. So have the well-loved formulas of spacious junior and senior suites with many connecting rooms, and family suites. All of which include spacious “Beachcomber bathrooms”.

The above is the bathroom of a senior suite - certainly big enough for an extra bed or two.

Not that you can squeeze in extra beds too liberally at these five star hotels. Paradis keeps up standards and provides only top comfort. You can bring in one child into your room. Otherwise you should take a connecting or adjoining room for your children,family suite or villa.

Images above, snapped during our recent hotel inspection, show Senior suite patio and lounge, Deluxe suite lounge and Deluxe bedroom.

Paradis offers 286 suites in all, plus 13 villas. The villas used to be for celebrities, says Resort Manager Marc Hausser, but now they are very popular with families. So you need to book 9 months ahead.

The Beachomber-Paradis formula is working well and 42% of customers are regulars. October 2010 was the best in the history of the hotel. December was up 15% and January 22%. Resort Manager Marc Hausser told us that healthy finances enabled investments, e.g. in desalination to try to become self sufficient in water supply.

HOW TO GET TO PARADIS
1 hour 30 minutes by car or 20 minutes by helicopter

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 7, Four Seasons at Anahita

2011-03-04T17:19:00.003+01:00

DELICIOUS TROPICAL HIDEAWAY...
Four Seasons at Anahita is an island unto itself of tropical beauty, pleasant faces, and intuitive service. Mauritian people are friendly and thoughtful by nature. But here they seem especially so. This is due to careful policies to keep staff happy, we were told by everyone we asked for the secret formula.

The site chosen for Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita made many on the island raise eyebrows when construction began. Though on a beautiful sheltered lagoon, it lacked the usual paradise beach - but not for long. Human ingenuity has created sandy beaches around a private island, paved banks, running pools and a deliciously tropical feel. Though it is definitely Four Seasons, it is also very Mauritian. Because of the staff, the food, and the exquisite villas with private gardens you feel close to mother earth and the spirit of the island.

There are a total of 133 villas and residences (latter with one or two bedrooms). Most of the villas are along the beaches of the island or facing the lagoon mangroves. A big team of golf buggies wends along the curving roads between villas and over the bridge.

Even the garden villas are luxurious hideaways hard to leave. Garden category here doesn’t mean absence of something better, it means colourful tropical garden and pristine private plunge pool with romantic double sunbed. It means a huge sofa on the patio where you can gaze at a small lake and a hill covered with banana palms. It means a table for dining outside, and an outdoor warming oven. Inside you are enfolded in warm but earthy colour, and all the usual comforts. Dressing room is ample. The inside shower faces the back garden and outdoor shower.

On our first morning we dashed out happily to look at the new day rising over our pool. A wind smashed the door closed. We had no choice but to walk barefoot to the main building through a shower of summer rain, where the first person found was the usher at breakfast. She was amused in a mild sweet way. Fortunately we were in Four Seasons dressing gowns and a new key was found quickly.

So now we returned to breakfast early. Even though it was raining, it was a spiritual experience thanks to the tones of Vivaldi, the warm service, open windows and a perfect choice of things to eat. Happiness included fresh pastries from a separate glass room, tropical fruit, and a table in a nook that jutted into an ornamental pool. The warm rain drummed on the pool, fish could be seen swimming past, yellow coconuts ripened on an islet. And then of course the sun came.

There are four restaurants altogether, one at the golf course, the French restaurant (where we ate breakfast), a 2nd Asian restaurant poolside and beachside, and Aquapazza, Italian restaurant over the canal, reached by bridge. Ate at the pool & beach restaurant in the balmy evening with Melinda from the sales department (below).

All perfect. Then at Aquapazza, a stylish place with bar looking over the channel (meal snapped below).

The spa is also on the island, with treatment rooms overwater with views of mangroves. The waiting area is a platform with water views.

Several bridges cross the water including a mini Bridge of Sighs, with upmarket shops. The golf course designed by Ernie Els, Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita, is an 18-hole, par-72 championship course with large fairways.

So who loves Four Seasons at Anahita?
We do! Definitely a resort for golfers and families, and others wanting delicious privacy, tropical charm and Four Seasons Mauritian-style food and service.

HOW TO GET TO FOUR SEASONS RESORT MAURITIUS AT ANAHITA
40 minutes by car, 15 minutes by helicopter from Mauritius International Airport

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 6, Le Prince Maurice

2011-03-03T16:59:00.002+01:00

TREASURED MAURITIAN CHIC...
On a peninsula jutting into a big lagoon, the resort is surrounded by white sand beaches lined with palms. Its heart is an attractive lobby with view over serene pool and pale turquoise lagoon, surrounded by the quaint and shaggy roofs of restaurants and bars. Quality, style and romance are the keywords at Le Prince Maurice, with carefully chosen furnishings, antiques and objet d’art.

This intimate resort is remarkably peaceful. No buzz, no loud music. No sense of crowds. Except for the starlings and sparrows that chatter so much at breakfast time.

The beaches sweep in curves and round points. Very well attended with sunbeds, fresh towels and water – and romantically lined with palms. The lagoon is shallow but further out there is a floating platform from which swimming is easier. In the balmy air of evening it was a very quiet and romantic place.

The resort is actually quite small – only 89 suites of which most are spacious junior suites (70 sqm) each graced with patio featuring a sofa, table and chairs. Some of the junior suites have a fantastic position, facing the fish reserve or on poles in the lagoon – and four of them are on a private beach. We had the good fortune to have one of those. Our suite opened onto the grass that lead down to a sand, lagoon and our own sunbeds.

Nine senior suites or villas (130 sqm) have prime beachfront positions luxuriating in private pools and another three are over water (without pools). We saw the Princely suite, comprising senior suite, and junior suite. This is definitely a place you might place your Royalty. Not that it is so grand – it is just stylish and comfortable. And it has a lobby like a miniature Mauritian resort opening in typical way out to the (private) infinity pool. The beach is fairly private, with bushes to divide it somewhat from the continuing hotel beach. But it is lovely white sand with pale turquoise lagoon, just as it should be in Mauritius.

We visited Le Prince Maurice twice on our last tour. Once on the Air Mauritius fam for a hotel inspection, and again for two nights in February.

Dining was splendid. First night we dined at the main restaurant with front row seats viewing beach and lagoon, very content with magical life. The next dinner was even more special.

Walking out of the main building onto a path, past suites on stilts over the lagoon, we came to a board walk lit here and there with lanterns. The board walk crosses an island, continues over mangroves and water, turns the corner through the dark and …. Suddenly there you are at the floating restaurant. A small number of pontoons float there, magically lit…

Here you dine well, with a sense of being far away on an adventure.

Lunch was at Constance Belle Mare Plage on the brilliant white beach and deep turquoise lagoon – only 15-20 minutes by hourly shuttle via the golf course.

On the bus we met a Frenchman who has been to Mauritius 6 times. He is delighted with Prince Maurice. He stays there and takes a shuttle to Belle Mare Plage to play on one of its two golf courses. You can also dine at one of the 7 restaurants at Belle Mare Plage using the shuttle option.

Both resorts have spas of course. And watersports…naturally.

HOW TO GET TO LE PRINCE MAURICE

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport or 15 minutes by helicopter

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 5, Shanti Maurice

2011-02-25T10:00:00.011+01:00

FREE FEEL OF THE SOUTH...
New branding and a new experience. Previously it was the destination spa Shanti Ananda (presented in Select Collection Spa), now it is Shanti Maurice and offers watersports, a kids club and a Mauritian experience! Yet never letting go of its origins as a destination spa…the resort maintains a rich feeling of peace and harmony. It is a wonderful soothing place to be.

New ideas have come. First and best night of our most recent Mauritius tour (31 Jan-10 Feb) was at the beachside Fish and Rhum Shack, a rustic restaurant that the resort now opens a few times a week. At this spot the coral reef is close in, so the sound of crashing waves harmonizes with the traditional Sega music of a Mauritian band. Meanwhile the stars shine, a bonfire burns, and the air is full of ozone and the smell of grilling fish and seafood. Slender Creole girls do their traditional dance, the Sega, among us and the old sun-scorched tables in the sand. Now and then they invite us to join, and to enjoy the wild, free feeling of dancing in the sand on a tropical night.

The general manager spoke of his other ideas. All hinges on a sense of place. This is not just a luxury hotel where you forget your other life on beach and spa. This is where you discover Mauritius. Hear their music, meet the people.

The Southern coast is less developed – there is more space. The hotel is close to the black river gorge national park for example – where trekking is available.

The spa continues to be a major drawcard. Indeed, this is a delightful place of running water and lush growth. And we can vouch for expert massage. We will even go so far as to say this was the best and longest half hour back massage of an entire life. The masseur was intuitive to a degree never encountered. You merely think "please move higher, to the left", and he does.

We also had a good experience of the Ayuvedic doctor. Earlier while taking a photo climbing stairs, one of us fell and suffered a deep cut. The Ayurvedic doctor attended to it and gave good advice early that day and later in the evening.

Certainly an atmosphere of calm pervades the resort. The accommodation is spread out along the beach, with four junior suites to a building. We had a ground floor suite with access straight onto the beach at the farthest spot.

The suites are spacious (81 sqm) and quality feels good in every way – pleasant décor, marble floors, gigantic marble bathroom with separate shower and toilet, and outdoor shower in a small private garden.

There are also 12 luxury villas and 3 two-bedroom suite villas with private pools.

The lagoon is shallow with basalt boulders at one end. Pale turquoise. The beach a pleasant sandy gold. Behind the resort are green hills.

The evening is magical, facing the sunset. The shallow lagoon is a mirror of rose tints, with silhouettes of palms. In the warm air you can find a sunbed and lie facing the richly stirring tropical beauty.

Apart from the occasional Fish & Rhum Shack, there are 2 restaurants. We ate breakfast in one on day 2 – the all-day dining.

All the staff seemed pleasant and happy. A nice touch was to be offered a late breakfast on the beach when we came straight from the airport and the Air Mauritius tired and early breakfast.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 4, Le Touessrok

2011-02-22T09:25:00.014+01:00

ISLAND HOLIDAY FEELING...
Le Touessrok is built on a sandy peninsula lined with palms and extends onto an offshore islet ringed by beach and lagoon, so suites are all ocean front or beachfront. The island experience is extended to two more islands offshore, one with the spectacular Le Touessrok championship golf course, and the other an exclusive Crusoe island. You escape by the resort’s private boat to Ilot Mangénie for beach and dining.

Le Touessrok is a romantic resort, with its palms, pools and fringing sands. It is also a resort with a bit of fun – nightly entertainment. We saw dragon dancing on a platform by the pool celebrating Chinese new year. For guests who like to retire before 1130 pm, rooms away from the dancing and shows should be requested as one of our party was disturbed by the dance music. In my junior suite on Franjipani island, I heard nothing except some happy English people going “home” afterwards.

Complimentary snorkeling, canoes, pedalboats and ulimited waterskiing and windsurfing are offered. Scuba and catamaran sailing offered for a supplement. And of course there is golf on the island golf course designed by Bernard Langher.

Backing up the sporty life is a free fitness centre, four tennis courts and a jogging track. For relaxation, the Givenchy spa is an elegant retreat with a motto “Beauty is no longer a ploy used in the art of seduction, it is the very essence of charm...” For dressing up and looking good, true to the resort’s sociable nature, you have a busy hair salon too.

And of course there is a kids club. This one has its own pizza oven and kiddie restaurant.

Franjipani island is joined with the public areas by two bridges. This is where we had our suite.

We loved our split level Junior suite in Franjipani wing with its high quality floors and furnishings and bright touches of colour. The desk, instead of facing the wall, lay on the higher level dividing bathroom from bedroom and mini lounge area. Sitting down at the desk (to do makeup in the lit makeup mirror) or working, you looked out through the glass doors onto the balcony, palms and beach. What a romantic view.

The bathroom was roomy with its own symmetry – central bath, a vanity on each side, and separate shower and toilet hidden behind two glass doors at the back. So well hidden one should add, that they took some finding.

Later on during a hotel inspection we saw other suites including the ocean suite. This has a separate living and dining area, and the special feature of two balconies coming off the master bedroom. It has direct beach access.

One of the nice surprises was the deluxe room in the Coral wing (not on one of the islets but on the beach of the mainland). Very fresh and tastefully bright, also on two levels like a mini junior suite, with balcony with view over beach and lagoon. (The Hibiscus wing is suggested for families and I gather is not for the deluxe honeymoon customers.)

Altogether there are 125 junior suites, 6 ocean suites and 68 deluxe rooms.
There are also three private villas. We saw one which was very spacious, with a happy holiday feeling for all its exclusivity. Comes with a butler and a kitchenette (his preserve).

Images of an ocean suite below.

The hotel offers 5 restaurants and 3 bars. We joined other guests at the manager’s cocktail party under the palms by the beach. There is nothing quite like a tropical evening when balmy breezes blow ozone off the water and coconut fronds rustle.

HOW TO GET TO LE TOUESSEROK
50 minutes by car from Mauritius International Airport.

One of the three villas with private pools

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO SANTORINI, part 1, Santorini Grace

2011-01-28T16:28:00.010+01:00

Like a postcard, breathing myths and magic. One of the famed Grace hotels clings on the edge of the ancient sunken volcano of Santorini, looking over soft blue waters and islands. Though Santorini is one of the world’s most noted destinations, up here on the edge of the caldera you are on your own.

This is a serene, romantic and intimate hotel. From the infinity pool you have views to die for, yet there is almost no one there. That is because most rooms have their own plunge pool. Not just any plunge pool, but a pool with a mesmerizing view. Our accommodation had chairs by our pool – larger suites have sunbeds. We blissed out on sunbeds by the infinity pool, surrounded by sky and sea.

Grace Santorini is so totally right for the Greek islands. There is a style and simplicity that charms, with its bright white walls and the blue of sea and sky repeated like a theme in the décor.

This is luxury with a delicate and authentic touch. There are 20 deluxe rooms and suites, white and fresh in feel with loving touches of candles and fruit, large bathrooms and luxurious amenities.

Service, for which the hotel has won high fame, has the same delicate and authentic touch. The management couple Martina and Joseph are pleasant, accessible and very hands on.

You can dine al fresco poolside or in an intimate restaurant. We found the food excellent and not exorbitant. There is a pool bar, as well as a small gym.

There is also a choice of restaurants in the little town of Fira. We took a beautiful walk along the top of the caldera. With narrow paved streets, Fira clings to the cliffside with stupendous views, charming white houses and blue windows and doors. This little Cycladic town also offers stylish boutiques, blue domed churches, museums and monasteries. Fira is also the place to take your partying.

Note: Grace Santorini is a perfect romantic hideaway for couples on honeymoon or second honeymoon. Not for children or the infirm as there are too many steps up and down. From the road where the hotel car drops you off, you have about 5 or 10 minutes stepping to do to get to the hotel front door. But it’s worth every step and more…and of course, they help you get to paradise with your luggage.

HOW TO GET TO GRACE SANTORINI
15 minutes by car from Santorini International Airport

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 3, Dinarobin

2011-01-20T10:16:00.004+01:00

TROPICAL CHARM DELUXE

There is a sense of joy at Dinarobin, a feeling of light and water, to complement its tropical charm. Waterways, huge pool and fountains sparkle among lush palms at this very stylish resort. The airy lobby creates a good start to your holiday. Here you check in seated, enjoying a drink.

In a beautiful location on the island of Mauritius, Dinarobin lies at the foot of Le Morne Mountain with the Paradis golf course beside it. And the Indian Ocean is as it should be in tropical paradise. Clear blue and turquoise. At low tide the reef is very close to the beach, but only 20 to 30m away you can lie in the shallow lagoon and see pretty butterfly fish through the clear water. Watersports (a full range of different activities) are available next door at Paradis, most included in the rate.

That means the beach at Dinarobin is all the more peaceful. It is a natural sandy beach with seashells and little bits of coral adding to the charm. Since there are private pools for every house block – this attracts guests to stay in their semi-private space, leaving just us and a few others on the beach, enjoying the silence.

We stayed in a Junior Suite on the second floor with a huge balcony and sunset view. The rooms are spacious and light and the bathrooms are huge.

There are a total of 172 suites all with terrace or balcony. The junior suites (65 sqm) are priced differently depending on closeness to the beach, amenities and club facilities. More space and perfect position come with the Club Senior Beach Front suites (115 sqm). For families with 2 or 3 children space can be extended by booking “family suites” (2 connecting junior suites) or taking the top of the line Club Luxury Family Suite Beach Front.

We ate at all four restaurants at Dinarobin, buffet restaurant, Italian restaurant, French restaurant and a beach restaurant that is open for lunch. On the beach you eat contentedly with your feet in the sand. All the restaurants are excellent, and service faultless and very personal. The half board is valid for all restaurants, with a supplement at the French. Here, where we ate an amazing nine courses, you tell the chef your preferences and a menu is composed with a theme to suit you. The atmosphere in the Italian restaurant was particularly pleasant, and the antipasta unforgettable. What a huge table of nibbles BEFORE you even reach the starter. Another couple stood there with a tray looking bemused.“Where do you start?” he asked. An additional four restaurants at Paradis add to the quandary of what to choose when and where…

The spa by Clarins is famous for its beauty and excellent treatments. Master of Shiatsu Wesley has been flown round the world by guests when they suddenly find they cannot live on without him. One can understand why. At the Select Collection spa in Stockholm we too flew Wesley in for the grand opening in May 2010.

Guests at Dinarobin are a mix of nationalities with a good sprinkling of French, Italian, German and English. Though there are loads of kids enjoying the private pools, kid’s club, kid’s pool and watersports next door, the resort remains serene.

Dinarobin offers all the sophistication of a 5-star deluxe resort, but it does not overdo it. The mood is easy going. Service is available when you need it. And if you don’t, they sense you should be left alone. Masters of the personal touch…

HOW TO GET TO DINAROBIN
1 hour 30 minutes by car or 20 minutes by helicopter from Mauritius International Airport

Serenity on the beach (above) - guests enjoying themselves at the pools (below) or doing watersports at Paradis. (Or playing golf.)

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 2, The Residence

2011-01-15T17:02:00.004+01:00

CHIC AND ON THE BEACH

Uberchic. It’s hard to imagine anything more chic than The Residence. As you step into the lobby you are bowled over by the awesome height of the angled ceiling – and the brilliant white walls.

Then as you step out again you are stunned by the beauty of the beach. It too is brilliant white, washed by the warm turquoise water of the lagoon. It seems to go on forever.

The design of The Residence was inspired by the Mauritian Colonial plantation houses of a century ago, yet very contemporary in style. Though there are 163 rooms, three restaurants and the Carita Spa it does not feel like a big hotel. It feels somehow intimate, strung along the beach.

The suites are very attractive, and all offer ocean views. We stayed in an ocean front room – really to be recommended if you don’t have a budget for a suite. (There are several categories below the ocean front room, which are further from the sea.) What we most loved about our room was the balcony, with its view of the sea. Every time we went into our room we gravitated straight to the balcony, a place to drink some Jägermeister, taking in the atmosphere of this truly wonderful spot.

One nice touch for a couple on holiday who don’t want to do any tidying, is that you don’t have to. You can just sling your suitcases and the ruffle of clothes into the walk-in cupboard. That the rest of the room is tidied for you goes without saying.

The beach is hypnotic. It was hard to pull yourself away from the mesmerizing turquoise lagoon and white sands, so fortunately at The Residence you are able to eat on the beach at lunchtime. You could eat anything from pizza to lobster. And all day long they came past bringing cold towels, iced lollies (popsicles), fruit and other refreshments. So why move?

Well of course, you move when sunburnt and ready for a shower and a drink on your own balcony. And at 6pm every day we joined other guests at the open air lounge beside the pool to listen to jazz and drink the best gin and tonics ever created. Time also to chat to other guests, unwinding after a hard day on the beach.

The atmosphere at The Residence is beautifully relaxed for all its marvellous chic. Not at all stuck up. The service is out of this world, and staff take a genuine interest in everyone, remembering the children of returning guests and asking after them.

It’s certainly a great place for families. The Kid’s Club is something special, built like a plantation house, and kids can eat all three meals there. Apparently it is so good that parents have to drag their kids out of it so they can have some time with them.

Another winner for the hotel is the pool area – 2000 sqm. The spa is nice with different treatment rooms, gym, sauna etc and open for everyone even if you have not booked a treatment. Activities include scuba diving (of course), undersea walk and horse riding, as well as complimentary snorkelling, waterskiing, windsurfing, hobicats, kayaks, glass bottom boat, three tennis courts, fitness equipment and internet salon.

Last and certainly not least, the food. Delicious with a capital D. Apart from the excellent half board you could eat a la carte for a reasonable supplement, clearly marked on the menu.

HOW TO GET TO THE RESIDENCE

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport or 15 minutes by helicopter.

View from the lobby

Our ocean front room

Bright morning over the pool and lagoon

Paradise lagoon and beach

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO MAURITIUS, part 1, Royal Palm

2011-01-11T14:22:00.000+01:00

STYLE WITH WARMTH

Mauritius is one of our most beloved destinations, warm in every sense, with radiant waters and welcoming people. Mauritian style is hospitable and gracious, with extraordinary fusion cuisine and romantic elegance rooted in the Colonial past. Friendly to children yet perfect for honeymooners. And plenty to do for sporty souls, along with indulgence for all.

Follow us on a recent journey to some favourite spots…

PERFECTION IN PARADISE: ROYAL PALM

Royal Palm oozes luxury, and complete and utter serenity. The service is there if you want it – and they leave you in peace if you don’t. It’s called perfect service…

Relaxing on the white beach we saw a remarkable sight, which epitomises Royal Palm. A bellman in red suit and white gloves was delivering something to a family on a silver tray – snorkelling gear for the kid.

Every detail at Royal Palm is in place. Everything in its 84 suites is of finest quality. We had a Junior Suite on the first floor with beautiful ocean view and the beds were the most comfortable we had ever slept in. As for the food … We could only wonder why they had not been awarded any Michelin Stars.

On half pension one is offered a choice of three starters, three main courses and three deserts. If you do not fancy anything from the set menu you can choose from the a la carte at no extra charge. Then you also have a chance to eat at Natureaty for a supplement. In fact we were so pleased with the food at the main restaurant we did not even try the other restaurant.

Breakfast was nothing other than “absolutely fabulous”. Eggs and hot food were a la carte and when it came to pastries, fruits, cereals etc you just pointed at what you wanted and someone served you on a plate.

The Spa by Clarins is a special place and the treatments top quality.

It seems a very adult hotel. In fact there are kids there (happy kids) but seen rather than heard. The kid’s club is excellent. That may be the secret of the silence – or just the spell cast by the palms.

Royal Palm is serene but absolutely not stuffy. It is relaxed. At lunch you will see a couple in slops and shorts next to women full of perfume and jewellery. Everything goes. In the evenings it gets a little more formal, but never starched up to the collar. A man can wear a polo T-shirt for example instead of a tie but should wear long trousers.

Perhaps too low key for those who think glamour is glitter? But to us, it was perfect elegance … A home away from home. No wonder it is full of guests who have been there before.

Our Junior suite, home away from home

Romantic and serene, under the palms

We took it really easy. But there were endless things we could have done - from free tennis, squash, waterskiing, windsurfing and kayaks to snorkelling on coral reefs. Scuba diving, cruising and speedboat rides also possible for extra charge.

HOW TO GET TO ROYAL PALM

1 hour by car from Mauritius International Airport, 20 minutes by helicopter.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Bali, part 6, Kayumanis Ubud

2011-01-10T15:49:00.019+01:00

AMID ARTISTS & JUNGLE - YOUR OWN VILLA

On the holy river Ayung, among jade green jungles and rice fields, Kayumanis Ubud at Sayan is a small collection of villas with one, two and three bedrooms. Within easy reach of the art and culture of Ubud.

As with most Balinese villa living, accommodation has two distinct areas – the bedroom (indoor), and open air bathroom/ living /dining area and plunge pool. Our villa was modern, yet rustic with an individual and informal feel.

Closer to the river, the restaurant and main pool have great views set against the backdrop of the jungle. There is a shuttle service to Ubud, where you eat, shop and experience the talents of the immensely gifted local artistic community.

Kayumanis also offers villas at Jimbaran or Nusa Dua. We highly recommend a combination to experience the rare charms of Ubud up in the hills, and the different beach settings, Nusa Dua with its long sandy beach, international hotels and exclusive shopping malls, or Jimbaran with its coconut grove, market, fishing village and seafood restaurants. At each Kayumanis resort guests have a restaurant and in-villa dining available on the property as well as a spa offering signature treatments. Each guest is assigned a butler.

Kaymanis villas offer a personal, more private concept, and are perhaps not for those who favour the buzz of large international hotels.

HOW TO GET TO KAYUMANIS

Kayumanis Ubud is 40 minutes by car from Bali International Airport, Kayumanis Jimbaran is 10 minutes, and Kayumanis Nusa Dua is 15 minutes from the airport.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Bali, part 5, The Legian

2011-01-08T17:21:00.013+01:00

YOUR SPACE ON LEGIAN BEACH

An all-suite property set in tropical gardens, THE LEGIAN is located on a quiet white sandy beach, yet close enough to shopping and high life if you want some contrast.

Originally constructed as an apartment hotel, all room categories are very spacious. For example lead-in Studio Suite(s) are a generous 99 sqm. Design is modern, with traditional dark wood flooring and all mod cons (ipods, espresso machine etc.).

Categories include the aforementioned Studio Suites, Deluxe Suites (110 sqm), Two-bedroomed Suites (155 sqm), The Beach House (secluded one bedroom residence), and the designer Seminyak, Sunset and Legian Suites.

The Legian has a great location, opposite trendy Ku de Ta. Reasonably priced luxury for honeymooners. Also suitable for families – there is babysitting, and very useful well-stocked pantries in the suites.

Plus – excellent value and loads of space for weddings. Some very discerning guests who hosted their wedding here, told us they were very happy with the event and its organisation. So it’s a good consideration for those with stricter budget.

HOW TO GET TO THE LEGIAN

25 minutes by car from Bali International Airport.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Bali, part 4, Bulgari

2011-01-06T18:11:00.003+01:00

BALINESE STYLE LUXURY AT LAND'S END

Bulgari Resort gives a dramatic impression. It has a wonderful location in Uluwatu, with a stunning reception area made from hand-hewn exotic stone. And the sunsets are spectacular.

A village theme prevails at the resort, with 59 villas between 300 and 500 sqm in size combining indoor bedroom, (huge) bathroom and closet area, and outdoor living space with infinity edge plunge pools. Interiors are rich, dark mahogany, very elegant.

But beware of the monkeys! They can be very cheeky, indeed the resort changed the fridges (located in the outdoor living area) because they could actually open the original models!

Bulgari is a good choice for young, affluent Europeans who set store by indigenous culture. Set apart by its design and interiors, Bulgari is very evidently Bali. Another plus is that it has a private beach club, reached via funicular. It is not possible to swim in the sea, but this is still a lovely spot for lunch and sunbathing and should be experienced.

Fine dining at the Italian restaurant is excellent, in a very stylish and romantic setting. Indonesian cuisine also available at Sangkar, which we preferred to in-villa food.

At night the resort looks stunning, with hundreds of hurricane lamps twinkling, adding to the sense of tranquillity and romance.

Special mention must go to the Spa, which is an antique Joglo house (transported piece by piece from central Java) and commanding views overlooking the Indian Ocean. Would recommend pre-booking.

Main pool Bulgari

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Bali, part 3, Alila Villas Uluwatu

2011-01-04T12:40:00.000+01:00

HIGH STYLE ON BALI

Alila Villas Uluwatu is a very modern eco-resort, housing spacious villas in a dramatic setting perched high above the sea at Uluwatu.

Uluwatu means “rock at the land’s end”. It is not possible to swim in the sea here, as currents are very strong. But the scenery is absolutely stunning. The main 50 metre cliff edge pool area is a great hang out area, with cabanas and ample sunbathing space. Or you might well prefer to linger around your private pool - the pools in each villa are pretty big.

The 84 pool villas are all about private space. Villas (from 294 sqm to 3000 sqm) are all similarly appointed (think ultra modern décor) with one, two or three bedrooms. The open-plan design, unique flat lava rock roofs and bamboo ceiling allow the gentle sea breeze to flow in freely, while from the bed to the bathtub, every view is open to the outdoors.

Luxurious amenities include indoor and outdoor rain shower and jet shower, Ploh bed linens, and separate His and Hers bathroom amenities. But perhaps best of all is your your private pool and cabana looking out toward the Indian Ocean.

The famous Uluwatu Temple is close by. Here there are daily dance performances at 6pm. Half or full day trips can be organised beyond Uluwatu for guests wishing to soak up Balinese culture.

This is likely spot for the trendy set who go for modernism over clutter. Overall, super stylish. During peak period, this could be the place to be seen!

HOW TO GET TO ALILA VILLAS ULUWATU

30 minutes by car from Bali International Airport

Main Pool and in villa, Alila

Next post, Bulgari, also in a stunning location nearby.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO BALI, part 2, Aman Resorts

2010-12-27T16:38:00.010+01:00

BALINESE ENCHANTMENT FOR AMAN LOVERS

Bali is good news for “Amanoholics”. Here Aman Resorts creates its own Balinese flavour in three different settings, offering beach, tropical adventure, and access to the rich culture of the island. Amanusa overlooking a white beach close to Nusa Dua, Amandari among jade green hills and artist colonies, and Amankila on a verdant hilltop with backdrop of ocean and active volcano, close to villages where ancient ways continue…

We made an enchanted journey between resorts, and thoroughly recommend experiencing more than one, all luxurious and culturally in tune. Here is a quick run-down.

Amankila

It is impossible not to be blown away by Amankila! Located in East Bali, an area steeped in local tradition, near the village of Mangiss. It’s perched on a cliff, with a striking three level main pool with expansive ocean views.

Yes, there are a lot of steps and raised walkways around the resort connecting accommodations and amenities, which might be a consideration for some. But it’s absolutely worth the exercise to walk around this exquisite property with its 34 free-standing suites.

Beautifully appointed with thatched alang alang roofs, Garden and Ocean suites do not have pools but are still highly recommended. If a pool is a necessity, Pool suites, Kilasari suite, Indrakila suite and Amankila suite all have private pools. Pool suites can connect with garden suites.

Spa and beauty treatments are available in your suite or at the Massage Pavilion. We recommend a massage outdoors at the Coconut Grove, with the beach and beach club just beyond. It is quiet a walk down from the accommodation, and the hotel car can transport you back.

Dining is superb – from breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea to dinner – all excellent with wide choice of Eastern and Western cuisine.

Many activities can be arranged – trekking, mountain biking, tennis, cookery classes, elephant riding, horse riding, white water rafting – if you can tear yourself away from Amankila.

Special mention must go to the great staff at Amankila. They all seem genuinely happy to be there, from Management to housekeeping. Service is absolutely faultless.

So all in all Amankila is one of our top favourite resorts on Bali, without question!

HOW TO GET TO AMANKILA
60 minutes by car from Bali International Airport

Amanusa

Serene, private and luxurious in an understated way. Close enough to the chic shops and restaurants of Nusa Dua, but far enough away from the more ordinary hotels for it to feel really special.

Only 5 minutes transfer takes you to a pristine beach with private beach club, private bales and casual restaurant. The sand is whiter than white! This beach can be booked exclusively for dinner, highly recommended, so our advice is to think ahead and prebook.

All 35 thatched suites feature romantic four posters, sunken baths and spacious outdoor living festooned with tropical flowers. Linked with the public areas by elevated walkways.

An array of treatments including Balinese massage can be arranged in villa. Golf, tennis, snorkelling, scuba, diving kayaking, fishing all possible at this wonderful property.

HOW TO GET TO AMANUSA
30 minutes by car from Bali International Airport

Amandari

The drive off the main road to Amandari in the village of Kedewatan. makes you wonder what to expect – the road, not owned by the hotel, is a bit basic. But when you reach the property, you know you have arrived somewhere special!

Local school children perform a traditional dance daily and were there waiting to greet us. Understated yet perfect, the architecture owes much to Balinese Hindu spiritual traditions. Absolute serenity…

Villas are very spacious and create an immediate feeling of relaxation and privacy, with the echoing sounds of the jungle strangely comforting.

Coconut wood and teak are used throughout the Village, Valley and Pool Suite categories – some overlook Ayung River Gorge and paddy fields. All comprise a lush garden courtyard and living area with outdoor sunken bath (walled for privacy but open air).

Single-storey or duplex suites: the duplexes have a four-poster bed on a mezzanine level while the single-storey suites offer a king-size bed; the single-storey suites were our favourite, but for families you need a duplex. Altogether there are 33 thatched suites.

Pool Suites feature private plunge pools of an excellent size. You would hardly need to venture to the main pool. Except perhaps to hear the the gamelan players performing from the music pavilion behind the pool – for extra peace of mind.

A staffed 3 bedroom villa lies at the far end of the resort. The hotel car can transport guests to/from the main amenities as the pathway is not ideal.

The Spa at the hotel is excellent. So is the dining, but it is also tempting to try the many casual and fine dining options in and around Ubud.

There is much to do from the hotel – trekking, cycling and rafting, and the shops, galleries, studios of Ubud with jewellery, art and crafts are close at hand. There is a complimentary hotel shuttle during the day making sorties into Ubud easy. The surroundings of Ubud feature small villages that for centuries have been devoted to wood carving, pottery, silver jewellery, silk batiks and endless crafts.

Amandari Pool Suite

HOW TO GET AMANDARI
90 minutes by car from Bali International Airport

Amandari

Amandari

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Bali, part 1, Four Seasons Resorts

2010-12-22T10:17:00.002+01:00

ART, TEMPLES, RAINFOREST & BEACHES
Bali is the perfect destination for more than a beach experience. With rice terraces and volcanos, the island is seductively tropical, enhanced by its ancient and fascinating culture. Bali’s peaceful inhabitants are almost all Hindus of a special Balinese variety. Spirituality runs seamlessly into everyday life – and temples and shrines create magic everywhere. So does art…

The highly cultivated people are masters of dance and Balinese theatre, painting, batik, silverwork, woodwork and stone work to the degree that the island is like a gigantic art gallery – and crafts and inspired Balinese fashion are for sale everywhere. So a holiday in Bali can also be an extraordinary shopping experience.

After a week on Bali visiting our hand-picked hotels, we suggest you stay at more than one of our very special hotels to enhance the overall Bali experience. And to savour Balinese style and superb luxury in different settings.

FOUR SEASONS SAYAN

For those interested in culture and the lush beauty of the hills, Ubud is a must. Up here is a very special atmosphere with the music of the sacred Ayung river, the exuberant green of jungle and rice terraces, and the tinkle of temple bells on festive days. It is also the scene of many tropical adventure activities, and features several art galleries

Arriving to Four Seasons Sayan is dramatic, almost extraterrestrial! You cross a long bridge leading to a lily pond that rests on top of the main building housing the front desk(s), bar, restaurant and suites (lead-in category).

The situation on the sacred River Ayung, amongst the rice fields, is really atmospheric, creating a real sense of calm. On Bali they say that the rice fields give off a gas that makes you serene and happy.

The villa accommodations, each with its own plunge pool, are dotted around the hillside and river (buggy transport around the resort). Decor is traditional, featuring custom made furnishings from Bali and Java and specially selected art. There are 60 accommodations in total, many suitable options for families (and of course the usual Four Seasons amenities for children – baby sitting, special activities etc.).

The two-level main pool follows the serpentine shape of the river below, and is a great place to relax in between experiencing the local culture of Ubud and the surrounding villages and the array of outdoor activities (on site walking trails, cycling, white water rafting).

There are dining options at Ayung Terrace and it’s wine cellar (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), in-villa dining and the Riverside Café (until 6pm).

A complimentary shuttle operates to Ubud from morning until early even (outside if these times, a resort car can transport guests for an additional charge).

All the comforts, facilities and services one expects from Four Seasons. This is a great choice for families and couples alike.

HOW TO GET THERE
90 minutes by car from Bali International Airport.

FOUR SEASONS JIMBARAN

A very warm Balinese welcome meets you at Four Seasons Jimbaran. The front desk/concierge captures the spirit in an open air Balinese pavilion, and from there you are taken by buggy to your villa.

The villas are traditional décor, with enclosed bedroom and bathroom, outdoor living room with ceiling fan, fridge, dining table, small plunge pool and sun beds on your terrace. The outdoor living area is very pleasant to relax in even if the rains arrive! Butler service for in-villa dining and breakfast is perfectly executed. Many attractions can be visited from the property.

Deluxe one bedroom villa ocean view villa, Four Seasons Jimbaran

PJ’s bar / restaurant on the beach is a great place to unwind. A DJ plays mellow music each evening, fantastic for enjoying cocktails. The more casual Taman Wantilan restaurant, although normally Italian cuisine, has nightly themes. We experienced the Balinese buffet and night market (typical island goods – batik, jewellery on sale).

Approximately 5 minutes buggy ride from the main resort are the Private Residence rentals (2, 3 or 4 bedroom options). These exclusive properties are very spacious offering total privacy. Large gardens / pool. Julia Roberts and family stayed here during filming of the recent movie Eat, Pray, Love! Absolutely recommended for clients looking for a villa, but with the benefits of the hotel amenities close by and exceptional service.

The spa was closed during our visit, but treatments can be taken in villa whilst this is ongoing.

The resort lies on a long curved beach. The water can be rough at high tide, but it is a very pleasant place to walk, offering some small restaurants serving seafood. Or you can lie by the pool, which appears to be right on that beautiful beach thanks to its infinity edge.

We liked the property very much - typical Four Seasons luxury but paying homage to Bali and its uniqueness.

HOW TO GET THERE
Four Seasons Jimbaran is located approx 25 minutes from Bali International Airport. You can actually see some aircraft from the accommodations, but noise was not an issue during our stay.

VIP ARRIVAL
Select-style arrival on Bali is luxury from the first moment, as we have the very best of partners on the ground. We were met at Passport control and assisted with luggage and Tourist Visa. In the main arrival hall, Driver and Butler were waiting. Hot towels and cold water awaited us in a luxury vehicle, to refresh after a long flight. En-route, the Butler provided an introduction to the island, and briefed us on our special schedule. Also a detailed information pack is presented with very useful tips and guidelines for Bali (not just standard, but really valid insider info!).

The same Butler and Driver are normally assigned for duration, if you are taking day trips - highly recommended. Afternoon luxury tented High Teas overlooking rice fields, private beach days on remote islands, ancient temples and tea with a prince in his palace are just some of the many possibilities!

The Butler anticipates all your needs, and makes suggestions for places he feels will suit you. We can warmly recommend our butler I Nyoman Senada who was a perfect host and really informative.

Art everywhere. Our butler introduced us to sights like Kerta Gosa Royal Courts of Justice.

Art everywhere. Image below from Kerta Gosa Royal Courts of Justice

CLIMATE
The climate is tropical, and temperature does not vary much staying around 28 – 30 degrees centigrade throughout the year. The rainy seasons November - April can bring thunder storms and increased humidity often reaching 95% but days can still be sunny and pleasant. The dry season brings cool breezes at night, and allows for sunny less humid days.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Phuket, part 8, JW Marriott Phuket

2010-12-20T16:28:00.000+01:00

MAURITIUS IN THAILAND…

Our Mauritius-style Thai resort! JW Marriott Phuket is warmly hospitable to children, reminding us of the legendary Mauritian hospitality extended to little people. But adults too may never ever want to leave the premises.

JW Marriott Phuket offers everything you need for your tropical holiday. Apart from a good beach, three pools and plenty of watersports, you have a choice of restaurants, boutiques, cafés, playrooms and hangouts for small kids and teenagers. One of the cafes is open 24 hours – just like city life, should you miss it. There is a gym and a marvelous spa. You can take tennis lessons with a high ranking professional and enjoy water sports. It is also a popular place to host conferences and meetings.

On top of that it has an attractive Thai ambience, with classic Thai décor, rich green foliage, palm trees.

But if you really want to leave the premises, JW Marriott also offers a wide range of excursions.
All rooms are spacious and elegant, currently being modernized to offer all the modern techniques possible and TV with flat screens.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Phuket, part 7, Le Meridien Khao Lak

2010-12-18T12:31:00.015+01:00

GOOD VALUE LUXURY ON PARADISE BEACH

On one of Thailand’s most beautiful beaches, with 13 km of broad white sands and palm trees, we checked out Le Meridien Khao Lak Beach & Spa Resort. This is one of our tips for good value luxury, and a favourite with families. The resort offers spacious rooms, suites and villas, some with private pools and own gardens. And there is plenty of life and fun here, with a choice of 7 restaurants and bars, health and beauty spa, tennis, watersports – along with and Thai boxing, rainforest tours and biking.

While great for children with its kid’s club, kid’s menus, and delightful kid’s pool with slides, it’s also fine if you don’t want to be disturbed by children. That is because there is always somewhere quiet to go on this huge property including an adult pool area and your spacious room (40 sqm), suite (80-160 sqm) or villa (80-660 sqm) with private outdoor living. They try to accommodate the families with young kids in a family wing.

The biggest delight for the kids is also beloved by adults. It’s the hotel’s baby elephant. We fell totally in love with this elephantine baby when it coiled its trunk around our arms – and kissed us.

HOW TO GET THERE
1 hour by car from Phuket International Airport.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Phuket, part 6, Sarojin

2010-12-15T08:16:00.000+01:00

FANTASY AND ROMANCE

Stretching through lush gardens to one of the best beaches in Thailand, the Sarojin is an adult’s only resort with spacious suites. It is a sanctuary for complete privacy, undisturbed romance and – yes – adventure.

Your fantasy is the only thing that can limit your experiences at the Sarojin. Together with your very own “imagineer”, you can conjure up delicious surprises for your beloved (and yourself), from meals in magical settings to expeditions into the jungle. You might even arrange your wedding on elephant back.

Lying in one of Thailand’s most exciting natural settings, the Sarojin makes full use of the nature reserve on Khao Lak to give you adventure with a real tropical flavour. We took a boat ride on “Little Amazon”, an enchanting waterway among the mangroves. We were met by the surprise of a table in the rainforest, set with gourmet snacks and champagne glasses soon to be bubbling with golden liquid.

Next morning our breakfast was also a surprise. Director of Sales Paul Counihan lead us mysteriously along the white sands of the fabulous Khao Lak beach for about 10 minutes, till we arrived at a table set under a beautiful tree hung with flowers. Or you can have a meal by the waterfall or under the ficus tree. At the Sarojin they are proud of being magic-makers and creating astounding personal experiences for couples. So of course they also have "ordinary" things like watersports.

Meals were amazing – not just for the surroundings but for freshness and flavour. One restaurant lies right on the beach. The other, called the Wine Cellar, not only has a wide array of wines but is also the scene for breakfast. In between these restaurants you find a gorgeous 25 meter infinity pool with Jacuzzi and 3 shaded pool pavilions. No worry about kids running past.

Privacy is the keynote. Designed in a contemporary Asian style, there are 56 Guest Residences in seven double storey buildings within the expansive tropical gardens. We had our own garden and sala for relaxation, enfolded within the cozy privacy of a wall. The décor is contemporary, clean and stylish – not a thing out of place. Perfection is what it is all about.

Perfection and fantasy.

Here is the lantern we lit as we made a wish and sent it floating high into the sky. Till it became as small as a wishing star...

HOW TO GET THERE
1 hour’s comfortable transfer in one of the Sarojin’s luxury cars from Phuket International Airport.

POST SCRIPT
The hotel welcomes children aged 12 and above.

Wishes coming true - and tropical adventure...

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Phuket, part 5, Six Senses Sanctuary Phuket

2010-12-13T08:21:00.034+01:00

SPA LUXURY AND SHAPING A BETTER FUTURE

Another world, far from everyday life. As we stepped into Six Senses Sanctuary Phuket, we were enveloped in a rare atmosphere of peace and calm. Everyone is barefoot or in slippers, and dressed in off-white Thai fishermen’s gowns, wrapped in serenity.

This is the only resort on Naka Yai island, set among coconut groves and white beaches, 5 minutes by speedboat from the bustle of Phuket marina. It’s hard to believe that the magic of a Destination Spa can work so fast. But it does, since everyone here shares a quest for well-being…

First thing is the ritual. Just off the pier you are asked to strike a gong and make a wish. You will do this again when you leave, hopefully a richer person in spirit and in health.

Welcome message sets the tone of natural perfection

As you enter the resort you are met by a doctor. He discusses your medical history and state of mind, and finds out what you want to achieve at the Destination Spa. Depending on what you require, you may have a medical examination. Sleeping and eating disorder, overweight and stress are all common problems treated at the Destination Spa. Other goals are fitness or getting in balance. There are several Spa therapists and they offer everything from Six Senses signature massages and beauty treatments to Reiki, crystal therapy, hypnotherapy, nutrition, life transformation and other healing treatments.

But wellness through sport and activity is looked after too. The resort also offers free activities such as kayaking, yoga, Hobi-cat, windsurfing, mountain biking, two gyms...

Jungle Gym

The Jungle Gym is truly eco, in Six Senses style. And it harks back to childhood fun and careless playfulness. The “weights” for lifting are stones of different shapes and sizes. An obstacle course of tree trunks and branches gets you hopping and skipping and using energy without even realizing it. There are various paths strewn with different size pebbles to work on pressure points (natural reflexology) as you meditate or gaze around at the beauty.

Natural reflexology

Meanwhile you have your own little kingdom – your villa or suite villa. All 61 units are spacious (from 450 sqm) with private pools. As in all Six Senses properties they are stylish and eco friendly. In the bedroom you have aircon – otherwise you luxuriate outside and enjoy sun or stars and balmy breezes on your terrace, by your own pool, in privacy. It is only the location that varies; hillside, beach front or beach view.

There are three restaurants close to the beach. One is called “dining at the point”, a very pleasant and private spot on the Island. The food is designed to order but there is also a normal menu with three choices of starter, main course and dessert. The food consists of organic vegetable and fresh fish and is both tasty and healthy. (Rumour has it they will introduce a little meat soon for relentless carnivores.)

Fabulous organic gardens

Of course, some of us are meant to be losing weight and they are not going to forget that when it comes to mealtimes. Some are even gaining weight. An interesting dining finesse is that you have your choice – dining in solitary silence, or sitting at the speaker’s table and being sociable.

There is also a relaxing public pool area around the organically shaped lap pool, a library and a tea room.

Sanctuary pool

Your private transport

Beyond the resort the island beckons with lush jungle, fishing village and coconut plantation. And when tired of exploring on your bike you can constructively do a cooking lesson, so that you will not fall back on bad old eating habits through lack of knowledge on how to cook both delicious and healthy meals.

At the bottom line, this is not just a place to feel better, it is a place to enjoy getting to feel better, surrounded by nature, serenity and warm and friendly staff. The service and expertise at Six Senses Sanctuary Phuket is the final touch that makes top luxury…
With their help you have a good chance of staying on top of the world too…

Your own pool and your own kingdom

NOTE: Naka Yai Island is located off the north-east east shore of Phuket with views over Phang Nga Bay, 25 minutes by car and speedboat from Phuket International Airport.

WE HAVE JUST BEEN TO: Phuket, part 4, Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi

2010-12-10T08:02:00.042+01:00

OUR PARADISE ON YAO NOI

As far as you can get from mass tourism, but only 40 minutes by speedboat from Phuket. After a spectacular boat ride, pampered with snacks and surrounded by astounding seascapes, we arrived at our very own jungle hideaway.

On a lush green island ringed by warm sea, Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi offers luxury, style and intimacy, as close to nature as you want to be. The 56 rustic thatched villas with private infinity pools demonstrate true Six Senses eco sensibility. Our bedroom has air-conditioning but changes a few degrees in tune with the night temperatures. Meanwhile we never lose sight of nature.

At night the shades are drawn to leave a wide open view in the middle of the huge windows. So as we open our eyes, we see the magical morning in shades of blue and gold over sea and sculpted islands – without even leaving the bed.

Views first made famous by 007

Our private pool deck is built on a slope, so here we also have sensational views of Phang Nga Bay, dotted with limestone pillars, as seen in the James Bond film “Man with the Golden Gun”. Perfect setting for check mate – a chessboard on the terrace in your private open pavilion. And plenty of outdoor space to lounge or dine.

Some villas are built right by the sea, while others are hidden in the rainforest. All are lavishly luxurious in eco style and deliciously private, from 154 sqm (80 sqm internal, 56 sqm external with an 18 sqm swimming pool).

And in no way is it drab eco. Along with all the fringy thatch, sun-kissed wood and earthen tones, Yao Noi has splashes of colour in the décor, sizzling oranges and reds that bring fire into the earth element. The bar is delightfully colourful and cozy, and the restaurant is also alive with brilliant fiery tones. Here we ate delicious meals, and lobster to remember. There is also a second restaurant in high season and a wine cellar.

The holistic spa is another Six Senses phenomenon. The manager showed us round and gave us a taste of various herbs growing in abundance – talking of their uses in food or for medicinal purposes. A massage left us totally reborn. Sheltered in the jungle is a yoga and meditation area with a view of the sea. Other activities on offer include gym, watersports, diving, sailing to nearby limestone islands and rock climbing.

On the first day this 9.6-hectare (24-acre) jungle resort may seem huge and it can be hard to orientate – but making use of a little eco-friendly golf cart or bicycle you will quickly get to know it – and “make it yours”. For those who like getting out, the island is mostly jungle and rubber plantation but does have a friendly village you can visit.

After one day we felt as if we had been there a week. In the words of our private butler:
“Look at this place. Isn’t it amazing? I am so lucky I work here…”

Staff and management at Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi are very friendly and interested in who you are. The whole place has a warm, relaxed, rustic and yet classy feel! Green chic at its best…

Wonderful staff

Perfect details

HOW TO GET THERE
Transfer from Phuket International Airport to the harbour takes approx 20 minutes. A speedboat will be waiting to take you to the Island of Yao Noi, and 40 minutes later you will arrive in paradise! You can also take a helicopter from the airport (approx 15 min).

Treat with eco perfection

Tropical flowers - exotic and natural feel