Acquired in summer 2009, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas is a former Four Seasons, and now the 14th Sandals Resort in the Caribbean. Expanding on the company’s Luxury Included® concept, it is the first Sandals Resort to offer a Greg Norman-designed golf course, world-class marina and professionally-trained butlers in all 183 beachfront rooms and suites.

It is set on one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful Out Islands, offers gourmet dining in a choice of five à la carte restaurants, land and watersports including six Har-tru tennis courts all lit for night play, airport transfers and gratuities. An exclusive 16,000 sq. ft. Red Lane® Spa is also available to guests, featuring 17 treatment rooms and premier services that embrace the best of the Caribbean region.

In addition to the grand opening, guests travelling to the new resort can currently save up to 35% on travel dates throughout 2010.

Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas debuts! is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Victoria Beckham offered £25 million to design hotel? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Flying hotels… the future of luxury travel? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Pink dolphins, hidden caves and beautiful waterfalls line this coast making it truly unique to Thailand. This area is remote and untouched, perfect for those who are looking the Thailand of 30 years ago. But for those who are looking to excape in luxury Aava Resort and Spa offer exclusive accommodation on a secluded waterfront location.

Famous for it Southern Thai cuisine, which is unlike any other, the bays in Greater Khanom Area are a fantastic place to try new and delicious dishes.

Tong Ching and Sichon Bay are two of the beautiful beaches that can be found along this coast. Tong Ching Bay is a true hideaway, featuring only one quiet resort, a large white sand beach and beautiful oversized rock formations and Sichon Bay is a beautiful step into a Thai fishing village, filled with culture and tranquillity.

So close yet so far: Thailand’s hidden gems is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Its 176 guest rooms and eight unique suites all feature the iconic Westin Heavenly Bed and a 32 inch High Definition flatscreen TV. In addition, in-room, high-speed Internet access, dual line cordless telephones and an ergonomic work space offer business travellers convenience and productivity in an ultra-comfortable setting.

Additional amenities include an indoor heated pool, 24-hour business centre, a gym, valet parking and The Apron, offering guests contemporary Pacific Northwest cuisine in the dining room or intimate lounge.

Open for Winter Games: The Westin Wall Centre, Vancouver Airport is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Celebrity Springbreak, a website recently launched by Campus Escapes, is offering luxury travel experiences to young travelers. College students have only four spring breaks in their college life; these experiences should be something to remember and talk about for years. Celebrity Springbreak provides young guests with lodging in villas of remarkable architecture, and a top level of service that includes private chef, housekeeping, luxury transportation, and VIP entertainment. Prices start at $1250 per person for 7 days.

Luxury Spring Break for college students is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The honour comes a few months after Crystal Cruises was voted “Best Large-Ship Cruise Line” by readers of the same magazine, as well as earning the “World’s Best Large-Ship Line” by the readers of Travel + Leisure.

Crystal Cruises continues to pull in the praise is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hundreds rescued at Machu Picchu is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Built on 25 acres of ocean-side property, the resort will include a luxury spa featuring a wide array of Asian treatments that soothe the mind, body, and soul. For those wanting to relax poolside, there will be two salt-water infinity pools overlooking the Caribbean Sea along with a Beach Club that offers another form of respite in the bar and cigar lounge — the club also consists of a food and beverage outlet and area for teenagers. The resort has 24-hour room service, a Fitness Centre, helipad, and commercial shopping area. For those seeking a more active holiday there is golf practice facility, sports centre with tennis courts, and equestrian centre.

The Cliffs Ocean Resort, Dominican Republic is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

We have purchased a luxury riverside apartment on the edge of the Lake District and accessible also to the Yorkshire Dales (both National Parks).  It is in the town of Kendal, meaning that you get all the amenities of a small market town (restaurants, bars, shops, etc.) but that you also have beautiful scenery – some of the UK’s finest – within easy reach.

As you can imagine, it’s been a busy time for us.  Not only have we been dealing with finance, solicitors, etc. but we’ve also had to think ahead with regards to equipping the property.  This week we bought outdoor furniture as the apartment as a decked balcony overlooking the River Kent and out towards Kendal Castle, now in ruins but once home to Henry VIII’s sixth wife, Catherine Parr.  We’ve also purchased two sofas from Laura Ashley for the living area, a solid oak dining table and hope to order more furniture before the week is out.  Thankfully the kitchen already comes equipped with brand new oven, hob, fridge, freezer and microwave, all built in, so we don’t have to source these items.  The next job will be beds and then curtains, I think.  We need to get the property looking complete, even if we still need to buy miscellaneous items such as cutlery, etc. in order that we can take photographs for the website that I’m also working on.  As you can see, it’s busy times but we’ll try not to let A Luxury Travel Blog fall by the wayside too much!

Kendal Cottages: self-catering / vacation rental accommodation in the UK is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Tivoli Victoria is the first property in the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts chain which has been purpose built from the ground up. The hotel opened to the public in March 2009 and has already notched up numerous important awards. Last week it was the winner of the Portuguese Tourism Board award in the category of Best New Private Project and in September 2009 it won the award for Best Real Estate Project in the category of Tourism, at the “SIL National Real Estate Awards 2009″.

Inspired by concepts of timelessness and style, the hotel has been designed to meet the needs of the most demanding of guests in the golf, leisure and meetings and events segments. It also enjoys a privileged location in Vilamoura overlooking the Victoria Golf Course.

And if that wasn’t already enough, it also has an Elements Spa by Banyan Tree, a Spa concept based on pure luxury in the best oriental tradition. Covering approximately 1,200 sq m the spa has an indoor treatment pool (vitality pool) with a panoramic view over the sea. The extensive facilities include sauna, Jacuzzi, hydro-massage, seven treatment rooms and relaxation areas, all decorated in a style of true Asian luxury. In order to ensure the quality of service, all therapists are fully trained at the Banyan Tree Spas in Thailand and most are Thai nationality.

The best hotel in Europe for relaxation? is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

As an incentive, the resort is offering Special Introductory Rates until the end of February 2010. For a limited time, room rates start at $149 a night or $288 a night with breakfast for two and a single round of golf at the all new PGA TOUR Tournament Players Club (TPC) San Antonio. (The regular room rate starts at $249.) The resort is also offering special Valentine’s Day and Super Bowl packages with dining and spa options.

JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

2009 was a busy year with the launch of Kenzi Menara Palace, Marrakech, the latest 5 star resort and spa in the Kenzi Group. Opened in March, The Kenzi Menara Palace offers 236 luxury rooms including a Royal Suite in 12 acres of landscaped gardens and is situated in the Red City. Just 2 miles from Marrakech International Airport, it overlooks the Atlas Mountains in a peaceful location from which to visit Marrakech’s major attractions including the atmospheric Jamaa El Fna Square, the colonial quarter of Gueliz and several renowned golf courses.

Premium Signature from Kenzi Hotels in Morocco is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Hidden deep in the bush, Makanyane’s hide overlooks a waterhole – a favourite place for the ‘Big Five’ to drink – and offers incomparable views over the vast African plains. Beds can be made up on the upper deck of the hide, offering guests the chance to soak up the incredible ambience of the bush at night. Hot and cold drinks, meals and snacks, binoculars, lanterns, torches and spotlights are all provided and guests also have the reassurance of constant contact with the lodge via radio communication – alternatively a guide will stay on at guests’ request. The experience of sleeping under the enormous African sky, even for those used to camping in the bush, is simply unforgettable.

For less intrepid guests, Makanyane’s eight secluded glass-walled suites are furnished with rich African textures and sumptuous fabrics and feature uninterrupted views of the tranquil Marico River and surrounding landscape. Makanyane also offers a handful of rustic day-time hides, which have been carefully positioned in idyllic locations on the lodge’s private land, enabling guests an ever-changing view of animals grazing nearby and moving across the vast plains.

Just a 3.5 hour drive or a 45 minute flight from Johannesburg, Makanyane Safari Lodge is ideally situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within the 75,000 hectare Madikwe Game Reserve – home to the ‘Big Five’ as well as a myriad of other animal and bird species.

Rooms start from £365 per person per night, all inclusive and based on two sharing.

Sleep under the stars at Makanyane Safari Lodge, South Africa is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

With exotic touches that open a window into the life of the island’s original Chinese merchant settlers, and occupying an enviable beachfront position just north of Chaweng Beach, the resort’s exotic location is just a convenient 6 kilometres from Samui International Airport. Anantara Lawana offers total immersion in scenic tranquility and leisurely luxury, whilst the hustle and bustle of Chaweng town’s shopping and nightlife scene is just a stone’s throw away for those who prefer to explore the heart of the island’s action.

Anantara Lawana Resort & Spa, Koh Samui is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Koichi, whose company Design Studio SPIN has created some of Asia’s most iconic bars and restaurants, combined comfort with modern Asian decor for relaxed all-day dining at Damar Terrace. His trademark style is reflected in the combination of traditional materials, motifs and colors, set off by cutting-edge lighting and clean modern lines softened by tranquil lotus ponds.

The restaurant’s menu has also been relaunched to feature more ‘small bite’ options and European dishes, to add to the range of Asian favorites.

Damar Terrace, Ayana Resort and Spa Bali is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The Autograph Collection – Marriott’s newest brand is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

The company’s eventful history began with its founding, all those years ago, by Swissair and Nestlé. The company assembled its initial portfolio of hotels by acquiring Hotel Le Président in Geneva and signing management contracts for Hotel Drake in New York, Bellevue Palace in Berne and Hotel Internationalin Zurich.

Today Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts is a distinctive group of deluxe hotels for discerning business and leisure travellers, combining the renowned Swiss touch with a fresh, contemporary and modern design.

Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts turns 30 is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

Arrive in your De Luxe Junior Suite to find that the butler has the Champagne on ice to start your evening in style. Follow that with cocktails and a delicious dinner for 2 in Brunello. On returning to your room, you will find the scented candles lit, the music turned on and the bed strewn with rose petals…

The following day after a hearty breakfast you may use their Jaguar courtesy car and chauffeur to do a spot of shopping in Knightsbridge before returning home, relaxed and refreshed.

The package is valid on 14th February 2010 and includes:

• Accommodation in a Deluxe Junior Suite
• English breakfast for 2 people
• Bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne and Chocolates in the room on arrival
• Bouquet of Flowers in the room on arrival
• 3 Course Valentine Dinner for two in Brunello Restaurant
(beverages not included)
• Romantic Turndown with scented candles, music and rose petals on bed
• Complimentary unlimited blockbuster movies on demand
• Complimentary use of Jaguar within a 1.5 mile radius of the hotel
(subject to availability)
• Butler service
• Entrance to The Baglioni Spa, use of the gym and steam room

There is a 2 night minimum stay and a package rate of £380 per night for two people.

Valentine’s at the Baglioni Hotel London is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog

In 1985 Simon and Joe Simpson became the first people to ascend to the summit of Siula Grande via the almost vertical west face – however it was their descent which was to pass into mountaineering legend… 25 years later, Simon is leading a group to a small peak above the Siula Grande base camp, to outline the path where Joe crawled to safety, as well as passing on other experiences from this dramatic tale.

Organised by World Expeditions, the active holiday specialist renowned for working with expert leaders, it took less than two months to fill the trip to its maximum limit and, enthused by the phenomenal response, Simon has agreed to lead a second departure. However, this will be the absolute final opportunity to join him as he revisits this stunning region, as he has indicated that he will not be leading this trip in 2011 or beyond.

Join Simon at the Adventure Travel Live 2010 (Saturday 30th January 2010, 1pm), to find out more about his recent mountaineering adventures and the exclusive trek in Peru’s Huayuash region he is leading with World Expeditions.

The Peruvian Andes are home to some of the most spectacular mountains in the world, with steep granite peaks rising above icy ridges and twisted glaciers. Huayhuash Circuit Trek is a superb trek on its own and having the opportunity to experience it with Simon will only add to this unique experience.

The Huayhuash Circuit Trek with Simon Yates will run 4th – 22nd September 2010 (fully booked), and 25th September – 13th October 2010. Cost is £1,790 per person including all accommodation, internal transport, meals and fees. Joining in Lima. Places are limited.

Re-live ‘Touching The Void’ with the man who cut the rope is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog