To get the ultimate Italian experience go and rent your own Italian palazzo or a venetian villa like the Ca’ Cerchieri Nobile. Gondola rides are still one of the most romantic things to do while you are there in Venice but nothing compares to experience Italian life by living in a luxurious private residence in Italy for a vacation.

The ultra high net worth people are foregoing the hotels and instead are renting private venetian villas or palazzos to get to know the real Venice. These palazzos or villas are not just ordinary ones. They are equipped with the most convenient and luxurious accommodations and amenities one will expect from a 5-star hotels. One of them is the Ca’ Cerchieri Nobile.

This palazzo is a 5,920 square foot palace overlooking the famed Grand Canal on the side of Dorsoduro. A week on the palazzo will cost around USD$25,000 to $35,000. The amount varies depending on the season.

Accommodations are placed on the second floor with lift, which include 3 double bedrooms, each with own bathroom, 3 living rooms, a dining room, a kitchen, 3 small bedrooms with 2 bathrooms for companions and a laundry area. Amenities are LCD flat screen monitors, sound system, a piano, broadband wireless Internet connection, satellite television, DVD players. The ground floor is where the water entrance and a garden can be found.

A housekeeping staff and butler services can be arranged if preferred. Here’s a detailed map, on satellite or hybrid version.

Photo Credit: ViewsonVenice

For the those who travels a lot and have gone through all the ritzy, luxurious, famous spots in the world each year, nothing will ever compare to the glorious feeling of discovering a new haven of idyllic atmosphere just like obvious summer destination traps without the paparazzi following your every move or squeezing your way to the overcrowded beaches.

Photo Credit: micha1968

Everyone who is anyone loves St. Tropez, however there is another one, which is dubbed as the St. Tropez of Germany. The Sylt can rival the French Riviera with its nude white sand beaches, posh shops, classy restaurants, funky bars and luxurious hotels to indulge your every passion and cravings during your vacation. The Sylt has the longest beach in the country and offers plenty of private and exclusive spaces for sunbathing and sceneries that are just to die for. It also boasts of a North Sea air, which the local myth guarantees to be good for the skin and health.

Photo Credit: HSH

The Sylt is still considered as an undiscovered vacation territory by the usual throng of travelers and tourists. However, Hotel Stadt Hamburg, the elegant small hotel in the area has been preparing itself for they already is anticipating that it will not be long when people will troop to their resort and put it on their top 10 of the most beautiful resorts in the world.

The converted 19th century house, now the Hotel Stadt Hamburg offers their commitment to the 5 C’s which makes a stay on their hotel pretty wonderful: Character, Courtesy, Calm, Charm and Cuisine. They offer plenty of amenities and activities such as water excursions, horseback riding, inline skates, bicycle rides plus they can arrange for a guest to play golf on several gold courses near the area. They also has an in-house spa called Quiara Spa which offers classic beauty treatments from Shiseido Beauty Farm, diverse types of massages from Panpuri, a state-of-the-art fitness gym and a day spa for the day guests.

 Photo Credit: HSH

For a detailed directions in getting there, go here.

China is definitely moving up. Tourists flocked their main cities in the past couple of years, especially now that the opening of the much-awaited Olympics game is just a few hours away. Their culture and traditions have been well preserved which is one of the main reason why a lot of people are fascinated with them. Hundreds of hotels were built to keep up with the progress their economy and tourism demands.

Photo Credit: Jake Ji

However, Tour companies and travel experts says that it will still take a couple of more years before these hotels and resorts can be able to rival those that are in the U.S., the Caribbean, France, Spain, etc.

By now many Olympic visitors and participants are already enjoying the comforts of the different hotels in Beijing and probably now are anxious and excited with the games. They, win or lose will want to make their stay in China as memorable and enjoyable as possible.

 
Photo Credit: china_puwa  Photo Credit: openDemocracy

The following are some of the hot spots in China that they can visit and perhaps experience China at its best. However, since it is such a huge landscape, it would take probably a month before a visitor can fully see the beauty of their country.

For the beach bums and those who love the tropics, go to Hainan. The tropical island of Hainan now has a couple of big hotels like the Ritz Carlton and Marriott to accommodate the guests. They offer scuba diving, boat rides to nearby islands and the divine fresh seafood cuisine.

For the culture aficionados, try going to the Li River and Guilin where you can experience Chinese poetry and art at its best. It is a little far from Beijing but there are Chinese calendars, silk scrolls, rice paddies, water buffalos and the like that can be seen there. Stay at Yangshou, which is one of the ancient towns there, which has now become a hotel hub.

Photo Credit: china_puwa  Photo Credit: Skype Nomad

For those who love to ride boats, go and hop in a boat ride and cruise the Yangtze River. They do have a river cruise route designed to bring the visitors down the Three Gorges to Shanghai. Experience an overnight 4-star boat ride.

There are still many places to visit and explore but do not expect too much luxury yet. The hotels are trying to keep up but not yet on par with the Western Hotels and Resorts. Although, it will not be long when they will even surpassed those that are on the top hot picks of the most discriminating travelers.

Everyone’s leaving for Beijing as 080808 is so near. If you do not want to take part on the grand celebration of athletics and sportsmanship in the busiest city this year, may I suggest you fly over to ‘bloody’ England and experience the famous English Country Getaway.

Photo Credit: Cliveden 

Live in the luxurious and legendary English country estates or Manor Houses, which served as summerhouses of the past Lords and Lady’s of the past elite and genteel English society. They have so much history and the walls of these estates/hotels were witnesses to fascinating stories of the love affairs and different family scandalous pasts.

One of them is called Cliveden, built by the second Duke of Buckingham in the 1666. He was a very notorious rake during his time and used this house to served as his hunting lodge. However, the Duke although is very fond of hunting, he primarily used Cliveden to entertain his mistresses.

Many of the members of the Royal Court often stayed there since it was a Ducal Residence. However, in 1893 an American purchased the Great Estate by the name of William Waldorf Astor. He was considered to be richest man in America during that time. England’s Queen Victoria was not happy with that especially since the house became the center of socialization of the elite American community. Many famous entertainers, socialites and politicians stayed there. It was where the famous Profumo Affair happened.  Every brit who was already an adult during the 1960’s was very much aware of this notorious and scandalous moment in their political history.

A luxurious accommodation at Cliveden will cost a guest around USD$600 -1500 a night. They have 39 spacious bedrooms, which are all beautifully designed and decorated with 17th century antiques. To those who want more privacy, they can choose to live in the notorious Spring Cottage, the center of the Profumo Scandal.

One of the main attractions of Cliveden, aside of course from the history is the Cliveden Boathouse. They have unique vintage launches that the guests can use in cruising the Thames River. They also have all the usual English entertainment and sport facilities such as tennis, squash and golf courts, snooker room, swimming pools, horseback riding, archery and shooting grounds.

What luxurious getaway is, without a Spa? They have the Pavillion Spa, a haven of serene and soothing ambience that offers holistic treatments and also served as a beauty center for the estate.

Get high on experiencing how to be greeted by a your own butler and be pampered the English way. Getting there is easy. Check out this site for more info and a detailed map of the location. If you want to take a peek on the place itself, watch this video.

If you need to get away from the city and want to play King or Queen of your own Castle for a few days, then the best way to do it is to rent the 100-yr old Singer Castle on Dark Island at St. Lawrence Seaway near the Canadian-US border.

Photo Credit: Singer Castle

Between the years of 1902 and 1904, Mr. Frederick Gilbert Bourne had instructed the best in the world of construction to build a hunting retreat for him and his family.  The castle was originally named “The Towers” and the cost was around USD$500,000.00. Italian stonecutters built the four-story castle with 28 rooms from granite. It has a tower, boathouse, dungeons, secret passageways, turrets, a two-story ice house and everything that a castle may need.

It was so called Singer Castle today because Mr. Bourne worked for a company called Clark O.N.T back in the 19th century. George Clark who during that time researched and developed the very first thread that is used for sewing machines; invited him over to perform in front of his business associated after hearing him sing. From then on, Mr. Bourne worked for the company and due to hard work and perseverance became the company’s President and Director. The company was called Singer Sewing Machine Co.

He was a self-made millionaire and also has a passion for speed and sailing. The castle’s boathouse is a must see. Back then, he commissioned several speed boat designs to which some are displayed at the Antique Boat Museum.

The Singer Castle is an architectural masterpiece. It has a huge medieval entrance leading to a large marble fireplace with armored knights standing beside it. The furnishings are quite amazing. Italian hand-carved tables and chairs, magnificent chandeliers, oak shelves, paintings can be seen inside. There were several famous personalities and dignitaries like Cornelius Vanderbilt and Vincent Astor who stayed there as Mr. Bourne’s guests.

Photo Credit: Singer Castle

Today, tours are being given out to those who fancy history and medieval castles but to those who want to stay and experience the whole Royal Court life can do so for a certain amount. However, if you fancy to have the whole island to yourself, it is being sold through Sotheby’s International Realty for USD$24.5M.

Las Ventanas Al Paraiso
San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Ventanas means window, and Paraiso means paradise. True to its name, Las Ventanas Al Paraiso is a window to Paradise. Featuring elite hospitality, redefined luxury, world-class suites and spa facilities, high-class cuisine, altogether making this exclusive desert resort a heaven-made oasis here on earth. Undoubtedly, it has gained reputation as a premier luxury destination in Latin America, as well as a top notch premier travelers’ destination worldwide.

Photo Credit: Christian Frausto Bernal

A romantic infusion of its Mediterranean-Mexican design and architecture and its modern amenities such as swimming pools, patios with a view of the sea and on rooftops, dinner al fresco, swim-up bar, pools and jacuzzi in individual suites, and facilities for stargazing.

An awardee of the coveted Conde Nast Award and the Travel & Leisure Award, Las Ventanas Al Paraiso features 61 spacious and luxurious suites, a conference room that can accommodate up to 110 guests, and of course, the internationally-acclaimed The Spa which is known or its elite line up of international spa services.

Photo Credit: heather0714

Of the many all-inclusive resorts that are scattered throughout the world Sandals is one of the most exclusive. Located in the spectacularly beautiful Caribbean Islands and situated on some of the most fabulous beaches, you will see why these luxury resorts are so popular. From the white sands to the crystal clear blue-green waters, anyone can see the ultimate beauty that is the Caribbean.

In Jamaica you will find yourself with a choice between seven individual all-inclusive Sandals resorts. Stay in beautiful Montego Bay where you will have access to hues galore between the beautiful waters and the amazing variety of flora that are characteristic of the islands. At the Sandals Negril experience the ultimate in perfection and breathtaking scenery. Or choose one of the other five luxurious Jamaican Sandals resorts.

If Saint Lucia is where you are hoping to take your nest vacation you will have a choice between three all-inclusive Sandals resorts. All offer the characteristic luxury that you have come to know Sandals for atop a luscious 210 acre massive plot of exquisite land.

The Sandals Royal Bohamian offers there guest typical Sandals luxury but with added bonus. You get two islands for the price of one. Sleep at the resort on one island and spend your days at another if that’s what you choose to do.

Finally, the Sandals Grand Antigua will offer you the ultimate in romance. Voted “World’s Most Romantic Resort” you are sure to find yourself reconnecting at this spectacular luxury resort. Any choice you make, as long as it says Sandals, will give everything you’re looking for in a dream vacation

Photo Credit: dianapermatasari

One of America’s biggest hotel corporations has announced its newest addition to their hotel family. InterContinental Hotel Group has announced that they will be building two additional world class Hotel Indigos in sunny San Antonio. The group plans to locate these hotels at the famous Alamo and San Antonio River Walk areas where guests can get a little taste of history as well as luxurious accommodations. According to sources both hotels will feature designs that reflect the character of the areas that they are in, with the Riverwalk establishment featuring bold colors and wood tones that are characteristic of classic Texas style.

The boutique style hotels are popping up all over the world with 15 North American Hotel Indigo locations all ready and many more in the development process. And the ambitious hotel group does not plan on stopping there. In the past 2 years they have acquired over $100 million dollars worth of hotel assets and according to the groups management they intend to acquire an equal amount of property in 2008. Management states that they are looking forward to the opening of San Antonio’s two newest Hotel Indigo locations as early as next year. Soon you will see these boutique style resort hotels opening up all over the place so keep your eye out for your next vacation.

Photo Credit: MichaelTyler

Top luxury hotels in the U.S. are giving their deluxe accommodations more glitz and glamour amidst the stiff competition in the hospitality business. Not only that – they make sure that they create a buzz around their presidential suite accommodations on the premise that it would not only entice celebrities, high rolling moguls and presidents to use their $30,000 a night presidential suites, but would also make the glamour of deluxe accommodations give the same effect to regular room bookings.

In Dubai, the Royal Suites at the famous Raffles Dubai costs $ 12,252 per night. Raffles Dubai recently added two new royal suites in February this year. The Four Seasons Hotel in New York invested $50 million for the hotel’s Ty Warner Penthouse which costs $30,000 a night. The Ritz-Carlton in Washington D.C. has made renovations to its luxury suites as early as last year, in anticipation of the US presidential inauguration this winter. The Setai Hotel’s $30,000 per night penthouse in Miami, Florida boasts of an infinity pool and a Steinway piano.

The Dorchester in London features an impressive 24-carat gold plate and black marble bathroom, and comes with a hairdressing room and a cinema. It costs £15,000 or about $30,000 per night, plus VAT of 17.5%.