Best Luxury City Hotel

GRAND Park Orchard has been awarded the best “Regional Luxury City Hotel, South East Asia 2018” in the recent World Luxury Hotel Awards, presented at AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali, Indonesia. 

Named the best “Luxury City Hotel” in South East Asia 2018, Grand Park Orchard has been recognised by fellow hotel owners, travellers and industry professionals around the globe for its world-class facilities and excellent service provided to guests. 

Located in the heart of Orchard Road, Grand Park Orchard is just minutes away from Singapore’s most iconic shopping and dining district. Clad in an unmissable herringbone façade, Grand Park Orchard brings its unique design aesthetic to downtown #Singapore.   


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Luxury hotel Shanghai Wonderland opens

SHANGHAI Wonderland is a luxury hotel masterfully built into the side wall of a formerly abandoned quarry in Southwestern Shanghai. Stretching 88 metres underground, the hotel was nominated as one of the architectural wonders of the world by the National Geographic Channel’s MegaStructures series due to its pioneering architectural design.

The new-build InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland combines the brand’s signature luxury with revolutionary design at a wonderfully unique location, creating an unprecedented experience. Located at Sheshan Mountain Range, this new hotel is mostly subterranean, with two floors above ground and 16 below ground, including two floors underwater. 

Individually designed to best reflect both modern elegance and the unique features of the quarry’s landscape, all 336 rooms and suites provide ample, luxury living spaces with spectacular views of waterfalls and the surrounding cliffs. 

The stunning underwater loft offers two awe-inspiring levels: the landing deck at water level houses the outdoor terrace and living room, whilst the underwater bedrooms are encased within a turquoise aquarium where guests will be surrounded by the schools of fish that swim by.

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Hotel news from around the world

THE Ritz-Carlton, Bali has been honored with a prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award. The acclaimed beachfront luxury resort in #Bali was named as the Best Family Resort in the Region at a gala event in Bali on 10th November 2018.

Established in 2006, The World Luxury Hotel Awards are the pinnacle of achievement in the high-end hotel market, offering international recognition to hotels around the globe, as voted for by guests, travelers and industry players. Over 300,000 international travelers make their selection each year.

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Hot in Havana

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts will open its new luxury hotel in #Havana on Monday, affording the most spectacular views of the capital. 

Overlooking the Malecón Broadwalk and the Bay of Havana, as well as the Tres Reyes del Morro Castle the Iberostar Grand Packard is set to become Iberostar’s flagship for quality and exclusivity in Cuba. 

Combining the building’s original architecture and the renovation of its 1911 façade, featuring innovative and exclusive lines, offering guests 321 rooms as well as luxury services and amenities.

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Joining the ranks

CALALA Island, a privately-owned Nicaraguan oasis in the Caribbean Sea, has joined the ranks of Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), the trusted and definitive collection of luxury boutique hotels worldwide.

Opened as a luxury resort in 2017, Calala Island has received numerous awards and is cited as one of the most exclusive private islands in the world, offering guests an island hideaway experience in an undiscovered part of the world with just four suites on the entire island - a feature that undoubtedly factored in during SLH's decision-making process to welcome the unique resort into its exclusive fold.


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Best luxury business hotel in Italy

THE Kolbe Hotel in Rome is a firm favourite with visitors from all around the world. Its unique combination of ancient architecture, traditions and modern trends combine to make a truly luxurious location not just for tourists but also business meetings, which is why it's been named 'Best Luxury Business Hotel - Italy' in the 2018 Brand of the Year Awards.

Situated at the foot of the Palatine Hill and close to the River Tiber, the hotel boasts stunning views that overlook the Roman Forum. It's a place where visitors can enjoy some of the most breath-taking views in the world, along with exceptional food and outstanding accommodation. Steeped in history and religious significance, it's a tranquil place that takes its name from Father Maximillian Kolbe; a man of deep faith whose name has become synonymous with courageous dignity.

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London's most prestigious address

MANDARIN Oriental Hyde Park, #London has completed the most extensive restoration in its 115-year history, designed to confirm this historic hotel’s position as one of the best in the world. Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is London’s most prestigious address. 

Only to be hit by a fire that took hold of several floors of the hotel. All guests were accounted for but it is obviously a big blow following the recent multi million pound renovation.

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Industry News . . .

GLOBAL luxury travel network Virtuoso has revealed the hotels and hoteliers nominated for its coveted Best of the Best awards this year, winners will be announced in August. All nominees are part of the industry-defining Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts program, which boasts over 1,300 hand-selected properties worldwide and more five-star hotels than any other program. Nominees for Hotel of the Year:

• Adare Manor, Limerick, Ireland
• Berkeley, London, U.K.
• Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel, St. Jean Cap Ferrat, France
• One&Only Le Saint Geran, Post de Flacq, Mauritius
• Royal Mansour Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco

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Maldives Magic

BAROS Maldives has been named the Top Luxury Hotel in the World 2018 by the world’s largest travel site, TripAdvisor, in their annual Travelers’ Choice Awards. The resort was also acclaimed as being among the Top 25 hotels in the world for service and for romance. In addition, Baros Maldives won several regional awards including Top for Romance in Maldives as well as the Top Luxury Hotel in Asia.

#Baros was one of the first island resorts in #Maldives which was opened in 1973, and continues to progress in setting the benchmark for a romantic, luxury holiday with genuine, heartfelt Maldivian hospitality.

This Maldivian-owned small, lushly landscaped, private tropical island of 75 overwater and beachside garden villas, some with pools, with white sand beaches and circled by a vibrant, colourful reef set in a turquoise lagoon, is just 25 minutes by speedboat from the Maldives International Airport.

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Three Wins for Sheraton Resort in Bali

THE Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort has been named the Country Winner for Best Luxury Rooftop Hotel at the 2017 World Luxury Hotel Awards and also bagged 2 Regional awards : Luxury Ocean View Resort and Luxury Family Resort.

The resort is located right next to Beachwalk – a luxurious shopping destination, presenting over 200 retail outlets in an open-air style and designed architecture inspired by the design of Bali’s rice paddy field. The resort is also centrally located at the heart of Pantai Kuta and just five kilometers away from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS).

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Design your own experience

WHILE the hyper-competitive Experience Economy is nothing new, it is clear that we haven’t yet seen the full impact of the Instragram effect. Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), in partnership with global trends analysts Trendwatching, has today launched a luxury trends report that looks ahead at what will be shaping the luxury boutique hotel experience in 2018.

In 2018 travellers will be looking to get their luxury hands ‘dirty’ by helping to design their own experience. 

700,000 Hours wandering hotel, brought to you by the brains behind Dar Ahlam in Morocco, will allow guests to choose its location each year. 

Guests can also get a true ‘scents’ of place at Hotel Magna Pars Suites Milano where they can choose the fragrance of their room in this old perfume factory, and at The VIEW Lugano in Switzerland where the smell is not the only choice to make in advance of a stay but the colour of their toilet paper, brand of toiletries and linens, as well as when to have their bag unpacked are all ways guests can customise their experience.

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Five star luxury in Tel Aviv

A new luxury hotel is due to open in #Israel in early 2018 and will be located at site of historic 13th century structure.

The Setai, Tel Aviv, a new five-star deluxe hotel joins The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd's prestigious collection of independent luxury hotels, will be located in the historic old Jaffa area of Tel Aviv. This will be the hospitality group's second Setai in Israel, following the recent opening of the Sea of Galilee property in May 2017, and third globally, joining The Setai, Miami Beach.

The hotel is located in the heart of the city, steps from the famous Clock Square and the city's coastline, at the historic site known as the "Kishle." It was originally constructed by the Turkish Empire to be a prison on the site of a historic Crusader fortress.

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Luxury Hiking Adventure

EXPLORING Iceland's glaciers, lava caves and remote natural wilderness just got easier with the launch of new hiking trails and an adventure package from Hotel Husafell luxury resort in West Iceland.

The highlands in West #Iceland, Husafell Nature Reserve's lava-lands, glaciers, hot springs and waterfalls will soon be easily accessible to visitors. Starting August 1, Iceland's eco-chic Hotel Husafell introduces a Luxury Hiking Adventure package including glacier ice caves, lava tubes and hiking amid unparalleled natural scenery on ten new area trails.

The new routes lead hikers along marked trails through magnificent landscapes inside Husafell Nature Reserve and feature different levels of difficulty suitable for all experience levels. Travelers can choose from escorted hikes or self-guided exploration using a new Husafell Hiking Map.

Planning a trip to West Iceland's remote natural wonders will be easier, while also providing an option for daytrips to those in nearby Reykjavik. Located twenty minutes from Langjokull Glacier, Husafell is only 90 minutes from the capital by car.

Hotel Husafell is the only 4-star resort dramatically located just steps away from Langjokull Glacier in West Iceland. Surrounded by the region's renowned attractions, Saga sites, highlands and nature inspired adventure activities, the hotel appeals to outdoor loving travelers seeking elegant surroundings. The resort-style property features 48 design-centric guestroom, gourmet restaurant with glacier views, thermal spa, golf course and marked nature trails. Fully self-sustainable, Hotel Husafell is powered by 100% clean, renewable energy produced on site.

www.hotelhusafell.com


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Hotel Ranga joins Small Luxury Hotels of the World

HOTEL Rangá, Iceland's top countryside resort, is the newest addition to Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a network of exceptional accommodations carefully selected for their individual character and consistently high standard of luxury guest experiences.

According to SLH,"The most spectacular feature of this luxury log-cabin is its location. The landscape, free of pollution and 60 miles from the capital, is one of the world's best spots to view the phenomenon of the aurora borealis. Every inch of the hotel celebrates its surroundings, from the panoramic glass windows in the gourmet restaurant to the outdoor geothermal hot tubs with views of the active Hekla volcano."

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On the beach in Santa Monica

FOUND resting on the sand of Santa Monica Bay near the historic #SantaMonica Pier and in the midst of one of Southern California’s most eclectic and desirable seaside #resort communities is Shutters on the Beach.

With 186 gracious guest rooms and 12 suites evoking a sense of comfortable luxury that one might experience in a richly appointed yet unpretentious beach home. Shutters also has a Spa, three restaurants and a luxurious pool deck which looks out to the Pacific Ocean.

Conveniently located for access the hotel is only eight miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Montana Ave, Third Street Promenade, Abbott Kinney, Main Street, Venice Beach and the Malibu Beaches are all within 20 minutes.


The celebrated world of Los Angeles sits just beyond with everything to do from studio tours to high-end shopping, La Brea Tar Pits, the world famous Getty Museum, the Kodak Theater or Disney Hall. 

www.shuttersonthebeach.com

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Picture Credit: www.shuttersonthebeach.com, Jordan Anthony 14993970@N03/5147400865 Reflection via photopin

More choice on Sicily

#SICILIAN PLACES has expands its programme of holidays with the addition of three self-catering choices. The tour operator – and sister company to Sardinian Places and Corsican Places –has a range of apartments and #villas as well as boutique, family-friendly, and luxury hotels on the island.

The new places are:

• Apartment Romantico – Modica: A one-bedroom apartment in the heart of the old Cartellone quarter with balcony views of rooftops and alleyways. Seven-night holidays are priced from £749pp based on two sharing, including flights and car hire. 

• Villa Rosita – Syracuse: A five-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa overlooking the sea on a stretch of coastline protected by the Plemmirio Marine Reserve. It has a large swimming pool, veranda, terraces, BBQ dining area, gardens and access to the sea. Seven-night holidays are priced from £644pp based on nine sharing, including flights and car hire. 

• Villa luci'd'Oro – Modica: A luxury, five-bedroom villa in a seafront position in the Marina di Modica. Facilities include a swimming pool, terrace, and a wellness area with a sauna and Jacuzzi. Seven nights from £562pp based on ten sharing, including flights and car hire. 

www.sicilianplaces.co.uk

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And your bill is …

THE MARK HOTEL in #NewYork City has unveiled what it says is the world’s most expensive hotel penthouse suite. 

The Grand Penthouse at The Mark is set over the top two floors of the hotel and has five bedrooms, a conservatory, library, a dining room that can seat 24 people, two wet bars, and a living room that can be turned into a ballroom. A private elevator takes guests to the upper level, which has a sky-lit pavilion and a rooftop terrace with views over Manhattan and Central Park.

The rate is $75,000 (£49,890) a night

‘This majestic penthouse is the ultimate residence away from home for those who truly appreciate rarified luxury; who seek a grand space that is equally equipped to lavishly entertain as it is to provide a homely private oasis with the extraordinary amenities and services the Mark Hotel offers. It is really like a castle in the sky,’ said Jacques Grange, who designed the suite.

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Irish castle back in business

NEWLY-RESTORED Ashford Castle in #Ireland has been awarded Opening of the Year (Renovation or Conversion) at the 2015 European Hospitality Awards. 

The award programme celebrates the finest hotels in Europe. 

Following a two-year restoration of the 800-year-old building in County Mayo, the five-star hotel re-opened to guests in April this year. The restoration cost was £49.24 million.

Ashford Castle, and the 350 acres in which it stands, required a complete overhaul of the infrastructure, parts of which date back to 1228, including treatment of the exterior stonework and repairs to the battlements.

Eight hundred windows were replaced and all 68 guest rooms and 14 staterooms were either re-built or restored while retaining the original features of the castle, which was once owned by Lord and Lady Ardilaun of the Guinness family.

New facilities include a 32-seat cinema, a billiard room, cigar terrace, boutique shop and tea room, museum, children’s playroom, and a conservatory which houses a spa, gym, and swimming pool. An abandoned underground tunnel has been turned into a wine cellar to be used for private parties and wine tastings.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19966030@N00/509945001">Ashford Castle - County Mayo, Ireland</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/">(license)

Live – just a little – like 007

IN #INDIA, the Taj Lake Palace Hotel on Lake Pichola (Udaipur) is offering #007 enthusiasts the chance to ‘live like Bond’ at the palace where ‘Octopussy’ was filmed.

From November 1 March 31, holidaymakers can visit #TajLakePalace to – it says here – ‘experience the adventurous life of Bond for themselves’ with a two-day Bond package.

Call me a sceptic, but I don’t think they really mean that you can live like Bond.

www.tajhotels.com

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Picture Credit:http://www.flickr.com/photos/67769030@N07/6269725754">Udaipur, Lake Palace Hotel</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)

Yours, for just £14,470 a night!

IT’S said to be largest hotel suite in #Austria, but is it also the planet’s most expensive? 

The Royal Penthouse suite at the Park Hyatt in Vienna comprises two storeys connected by an onyx stairway, four roof terraces, living and dining areas, three kitchens, four bathrooms, a gym, a family room, an office, and two bedrooms (with the possible addition of two more). It can accommodate between seven and ten people.

Park Hyatt Vienna’s director-general, Monique Dekker says: ‘The largest suite in Austria, with its unique views of Vienna and breathtaking interior, is available as an accommodation option for local and international guests, and promises to turn any stay into an unforgettable experience.’

But the bill – for most folks – will be memorable, too. Nightly rates for the suite start from … wait for it … €19,800, which in English dosh is £14,470, give or take a penny or two. But that does include breakfast and VAT!

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Picture Credit: Park Hyett Vienna