Award-winning Asian hospitality brand, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts marks its entry into North America with Banyan Tree Mayakoba, located on Mexico’s pristine Riviera Maya, amidst the exclusive and ecologically-sensitive Mayakoba development.

From February 2009, Banyan Tree Mayakoba will introduce the first branded exclusive all-pool villa resort and Banyan Tree Spa to the area, offering the brand’s authentic Asian gentility, sensuality and luxury accommodations to the Americas market. Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués in Acapulco will complement the Mayakoba resort when it opens in June 2009, as Banyan Tree’s second property in the Western Hemisphere.

Banyan Tree is redefining the Mexico hospitality market with the allure of experiential, personable products and services. Guests will be spoiled in their all-pool villas, with 132 to choose from, with in-villa pools starting from 30 square meters. The masterfully designed villa categories include three-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villas, two-bedroom Sunset Beach-Lagoon Pool Villas and Sunrise Lagoon Pool Villas, and Spa Pool Villas. The villas also feature outdoor terraces and select villas offer outdoor heated jet-pools or sunken baths, massage beds, and steam rooms.

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Banyan Tree’s First Resort in Mexico - The Banyan Tree Mayakoba

One of the perfect skiing spot in Europe is at Klosters Ski Resort in Switzerland. His Royal Highness Prince Charles along with his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry love to go skiing and snowboarding there each time they crave to glide down the Swiss slope. The popular resort even named the main cable car, “Prince of Wales”.

However, if you want to stay in a hotel, you only have very few choices and the usual thing to do there is to rent luxury Chalets. One of the best chalets out there is the Chalet Eugenia.

The reason that the place is so appealing to the rich and famous who love to stay low key is the privacy it offers, plus the fact that it has the perfect location inside the village. While it was built in such a way that it is sort of secluded and it has acres of open space before reaching the neighboring chalets, it will also only take you a few minutes to reach the main business street in the area.

Chalet Eugenia is a perfect place for a family or small group of friends. There are enough sleeping accommodations for 12 people.  Each suite has its own balcony so every guest has the chance to see the impressive views of the surroundings. The chalet is fully equipped with the luxury must-have facilities such sauna, steam room, ski room, wine cellar, grand piano to name a few.

One major perk is that the Chalet comes with 6 staff to give every guest the pampering they need during a vacation plus a chauffeur driven limousine service whenever you need to hop to another place.

 Enjoy skiing at one of the best skiing spot in the world and have the royal pampering you richly deserve.

Photo Credit: Exposay, SkiSolutions,  BlueBookSki

Hotel near Klosters Ski Resort in Switzerland

One stunning photo from Jade Mountain in St. Lucia made me tingle with excitement.  The moment you stepped in the area, you immediately realized that the image you saw from the Internet did not give any justice to the beauty and majesty of the resort.  It is clearly, the most romantic place in the Caribbean.  I have fallen in love with it.

Jade Mountain gave a new meaning to the phrase, “A Room with a View”.  Have you stayed in a room without seeing the fourth wall? This was decided by the resort’s architect/owner, Nick Troubetzkoy, so that guests will have the chance to absorb the wonders of nature from their very own suite, specifically the Pitons.  The majestic view of the mountain peaks along with the different hues of the sky depending on the time of the day reflecting on the clear aquamarine blue color of the shimmering water from the Caribbean Sea.

All of the 24 suites in Jade Mountain were created differently.  They call it sanctuaries and appropriately so.  From the shape and form of the room to the furniture and fixture; nothing was repeated except for three items.  One is that they all have an infinity pool.  Second, all of them lacked a fourth wall.  Lastly, all of them feature 15th feet high ceilings.  The architect was able to create a unique environment for every single suite thereby giving guests a different experience each time they visit the resort.

You won’t see a lot of guest stepping out from their rooms.  Why would anyone do so, when they can have everything without leaving their sanctuaries?  Although, if you are so into your techno-gadgets, sad to inform you that the resort was created to remove you from the toxic world of mobile phones, television, radios, etc.  However, if you need to use the Internet, they will allow it but you need to go to the reception for that service.

Words are not enough to describe the beauty that the Jade Mountain offers, so I chose images that would best reflect the amazing experience that every person in the world should have.

By the way, the stunning architectural design and the wonders of nature are not the only advantages of the resort.  The very efficient staff that they have will guarantee that your stay will not only be luxurious but the most relaxing as well. Reserve your own sanctuary now.

Photo Credit: Jade Mountain

Who said hunting is so primitive?  Well, not anymore. Today, everything can be arranged and so there are plenty of so called luxury hunting lodges that are available to the rich and filthy rich. One of them is the Glenroy Hunting Lodge in New Zealand.

This time partners or wives who are not really into the shooting game but want to tag along can very well do so.  The words, “hunting in style” is no longer limited to the kind of gun you are carrying or the clothes you are wearing. It also pertains to the total deluxe hunting experience you will have while having a great shooting game.

At Glenroy Hunting Lodge, a guest can bring in 11 people to enjoy a good hunting game.  Although most hunters prefer to leave their family safe at home, this world class lodge is fully equipped for the whole family. It has all the key amenities that a luxury vacation requires such as spa, pool, barbecue area, bar and your own personal chef.

However, no matter how fully equipped the house you are staying, hunters undoubtedly will ask what kind of shooting game will they be expecting. Glenroy offers a wide variety of trophy hunts for a game stretching for 7 days at most. They have Wild Goat, Red Stag, Chamois, Wapiti, Fallow Deer, Ram, Bison, and Tahr for the main game while each guest will be given free hunting game for smaller animals such as rabbit and hares.

International hunters who prefer to use their own sporting firearms can get their license the moment they touch down at the airports for a small fee. The nearest international airports to Glenroy are those in Auckland and Christchurch.

The best thing about Glenroy Hunting Lodge is that it is being operated by one of the world’s most experienced hunter, Jim Hunter. He was awarded International Professional Hunter of the Year and has joined many international hunting games in different parts of the world. He will make sure that it will be safe, challenging and full of fun.

Photo Credit: Glenroy

When you think of bright sunny days filled with state-of- the-art facilities and superb service, plus a challenging golf course with a rejuvenating spa, then The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona will absolutely satisfy your cravings for luxury vacation.

The Phoenician has so many things to offer to everyone. There are 454 elegantly designed guest rooms which are about 600 sq ft each, 12 luxury suites ranging from 1,200 up to 4,000 sq ft can be found from the main building.

However, if you prefer privacy, you may find the Canyon Suites better equipped for that purpose.  Each suite is beautifully designed and strategically located as to avoid other guests. Back in 1940s cosmetic tycoon Elizabeth Arden built a first class exclusive Spa for the rich and famous on the very spot where Canyon Suites is now standing.  Just like back in those days, the Canyon Suites today pamper their guests with everything they want and need.

Golf addicts will have a time of their life in there.  You can play at three different golf courses, the Desert, the Canyon and the Oasis.

After a game of golf, you can relax and have someone pamper you with soothing massages and beauty treatments that will rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. They do have efficient and well-trained staff to the various European and Eastern treatments.

If you want to bring the kids and they are not into golf, don’t fret because there are so much activities in store for them to enjoy such as parachute play, sand sculpture, puppet shows, water slide, basketball, soccer, and many more.  They would not be bored while you putt and swing over to the three courses. By the way, the resort has pools with 165 foot water slide and manmade waterfalls. That alone will be the highlight of your kids’ vacation.

Another thing, if somebody from your family is an art lover, The Phoenician has a $25 million worth of art and antiquities which include tapestries, sculptures, paintings, furniture and even pre-historic fossils.

This 250 acre resort is under the management of Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Plan your Arizona vacation and make your reservation online.

Every single jetsetter around the world knew the beauty of Bali in Indonesia and there is no better way to experience it by staying at Amandari.

This was the hotel that helped boost tourism in Bali.  Amandari’s unique design captured by international photographers drew the fabulous, the frontrunners and the filthy rich to this small island.

While Architect Peter Muller received many accolades because of his stunning work in Amandari, the magic did not stop with its physical structure. The service that the staff are giving to the guests are superb. Take for example the way their maintain the grass of the garden. The normal way is to use a lawnmower, however, they felt that the noise from the machine will just disturbed their guests; they opted to do them by hand.

They rarely say no to any of the request coming from the guests. Service at Amadari is impeccable.

The resort offers different activities to suit each customer’s preference. If you want to do some water sport activity, they have plenty. If you feel you just want a more laidback vacation and just read a novel, then they have a library loaded with interesting books.

But, what makes it more interesting aside from the first class concierge services?

Amandari has stand-alone huge suites.  Each suite has around 1,100 to 1,600 square feet lot area with marble floors, four poster beds, private courtyard and a stunning spa-like bathroom.  You might just get lucky and be placed on a suite with your very own pool. Talk about privacy. With a suite like that, who wants to go out and mingle?

By the way, if you cannot last a weekend with a round of golf, don’t despair because the island has three different golf courses which are around an hour’s away from Amandari. One of them was designed by former British Open champion Greg Norman and another one which was uniquely designed over an extinct volcano.

This Balinese Village-like designed hotel and resort has captivated many travelers worldwide and by just looking at the images here will undoubtedly make you plan your next vacation in Amandari. You can view the rates and the availability here.

When you talk about Maldives, a picture of breathtaking scenic views of an island always comes to my mind.  The Soneva Gili Resort there even makes me want to have my own magic wand so that I can easily whisk myself to the island each time I want to get a breather.

Soneva Gil resort is located in the biggest lagoon in Maldives.  There is plenty of space to get romantic and breathe in the wonders of nature.  Just imagine staying in villas built in over the water.  They do not only have the stand-alone villas, they also offer uniquely designed over-the-water huge residences which can only be reached by boat.  This would only mean total privacy while enjoying nature in open air structures.

If you are into water sports, they got plenty to offer, such as diving, windsurfing, snorkeling, canoeing and hobicat sailing.  However, if you are on your honeymoon and wanted to be left alone during your whole stay there, it can be arranged. They have a very discreet and helpful staff to make your stay as private as possible.

For those who want royal pampering with holistic treatment along with various types of therapies, they have the Six Senses Spa.  Some activities are duly assisted by medical professionals.

Going there is not that difficult even if the resort is quite secluded.  From the International Airport at Male (capital of Maldives), you only need to wait for 20 minutes of speedboat ride to reach the resort. Even if it is a one hour ride, I would not mind at all. Senova Gili is one of the best places on earth.

Photo Credit: Six Senses

Do you have plans to go skiing this winter season? You better arrange everything this early so you can choose the best accommodation there is and what better way to try your new pair of skis by going to St. Moritz Resort and rent The Chesa Albertini.

St. Moritz is the heart of the Swiss elite. Name any celebrity on the British entertainment A-list or even the members of the Royal family who loves to go skiing and I will not be surprised if they put St. Moritz on top of their favorite ski destination.

When you plan to go to such a beautiful place, it is only fitting you stay at one of the best private residences in that area. The Chesa Albertini is strategically located near St. Moritz. It was built back in 1665 and owned by the same family for the last 350 years. The renovation of the stunning mansion took about 12 years. It may have a long history but do not expect it to be an old fashioned type of establishment. It was refurbished under the supervision of one of the leading contemporary designers in Zurich, Hannes B. It is a combination of the best of both worlds, the unique old designs with contemporary furniture and fixtures.

It can accommodate 16 guests and it comes with personal gourmet catering, chauffeur, household staff that will make your stay there pleasurable beyond words.

Expect to shell out around US$50,000 to $92,000 for a one-week stay at Chesa Albertini. If you want the best then you are expected to pay a certain price. I believe every penny is worth the Swiss experience.

Photo Credit: DescentUK

When you want to unwind to a place where you can play a good round of golf while your wife is rejuvenating in a spa and your kids immersed at various activities created just for them, look no further, plan your next vacation at the Gleneagles Golf Resort in Scotland.

Golf enthusiasts will have a time of their life in playing not one but three different golf courses in Gleneagles. The premier golf resort has the King’s Course, the Queen’s Course and the PGA Centenary Course, which they are proud to announce, will be the venue of the 40th Ryder Cup in 2014.

If you are just starting to play the game or you want to share your passion with your kid, Gleneagles has a World Class Golf Academy. They offer lessons for beginners, intermediate and those who just want to perfect their swing.

While the resort offers the best in the game of golf, it also offers the best accommodation and impeccable services for those who also expect luxury and pampering. They do have a 5-star hotel, which has 232 guest bedrooms with some rooms designed to satisfy guests with certain preference and requirements.

To those who felt that staying in a hotel is so public, do not despair; your Scottish holiday will still be luxurious with Glenmor Village. It is located within the resort and has luxury homes, which is available via a program called Seasonal Ownership. Basically, for a one-time fee, an owner can stay on one luxury home, stay at the same time each year until 2058 plus a free access on all of the amenities that Gleneagles Resort has.

If you want a change of pace and rest your clubs for a while, then why not try other activities like shooting, tennis, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, and a whole lot more.

You can check the rates and availability of the place at this site, click here.

Photo Credit: Gleneagles

When you want to take a breather and is aiming for seclusion, simplicity and stunning surroundings, the Emerald Lake Lodge is the best place to do it.  It is located at the Yoho National Park in Canada. Majestic mountain views and breathtaking lakeside scenario could only mean, Emerald Lake Lodge offers nature at its very best.

The Emerald Lake was discovered back in 1882 when a railroad was being constructed around the area and so by 1902, the original lodge was built and since then, the said Lodge expanded and there were a lot of improvement and enhancement made not only on the lodge itself but also to the roads leading to it.

By 1986, it has become an exclusive luxury destination may it be for vacation or business purposes.

It has been a perfect setting for those who want a laidback, quiet vacation.  The Lodge management intentionally did not place televisions and internet portals in the rooms as to preserve the kind of serene surroundings the Lodge offers. However, to those who cannot do without them, guests can still access them on the Game Room on the Main Lodge.

The good thing about Emerald Lake Lodge is that it is beautiful all year round, may it be summer or winter.  You can do several activities such as white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, hiking, and rock climbing during summer while you can enjoy x-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, snowmobiling, waterfall ice climbing, toboganning, ice skating, ice fishing and dog sledding during winter.

This amazing place is only 2 and half hours away from Calgary International Airport.  Take a look at this map for graphic details and for rates and special packages, click this link to view them.

Photo Credit: crmr