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Luxury Resort Hotels Tips
Luxury Resort Hotel Highlights
A luxury resort hotel should be in a beautiful setting, but the property itself should also be stunning. All the five-star (and plus) amenities you expect from a luxury property, such as fine dining, excellent service and a world-class spa are de rigueur. Whether you choose an all-inclusive luxury resort, a spa resort or a mountain resort, your options are many. Look to Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler and other luxury magazines for their favorites.
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Sanctuary of the Banyan Tree
The banyan is a unique tree among trees. As the tree grows, it develops aerial roots that hang to the ground from branches supporting the massive canopy. Ancient merchants and traders conducted business beneath a banyan tree to guarantee success. People gathered in the shade of banyan trees to relax and socialize. Robinson Crusoe made his home in a banyan tree in the classic novel by Daniel Defoe. The banyan tree is sacred in many parts of the world.
The Banyan Tree Bangkok luxury spa resort echoes the beauty and sanctuary of the sacred banyan tree. The all-suite Banyan Tree Bangkok, a member of Leading Hotels of the World, wraps guests in a cocoon of comfort and pleasure. In ancient Hindu mythology the banyan was believed be a wish-fulfilling divine tree. Fulfilling wishes at the Banyan Tree Bangkok is no myth. Warm Thai hospitality makes every guest feel like a VIP.
Located in the central business district of Bangkok, the hotel is a serene haven amid the hustle and bustle of this busy city. The Banyan Tree Club offers executive travelers luxury business travel facilities and services complemented by rejuvenating and exclusive award-winning spa facilities and special complimentary touches like a neck and shoulder massage and beverages and canapés. Dining is also an art at Banyan Tree. Vertigo Restaurant offers barbecued seafood specialties and breath-taking views from 61 stories above Bangkok. Rom Sai features a ground-level lush garden setting. And, for a gourmet feast, sample the Banyan Tree’s signature Thai-inspired saffron. When it is time to rest, escape reality in the privacy of a gracious teakwood walled suite and sensuous bath. Warning: it is difficult to leave this sanctuary for the senses.
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Bangkok, Thailand Luxury Resort Hotel: Banyan Tree Bangkok
Banyan Tree properties are always highly regarded and the Banyan Tree Bangkokis no exception. Located in the heart of Bangkok’s business and embassy district, you have easy access to downtown shopping and attractions. However, once inside the doors of the resort, you’ll feel as though you have escaped from the rest of the world.
Dining Vertigo, aptly named, is 61 floors above the streets of Bangkok. The open-air rooftop spot is breathtaking. Try BBQ items such as red mullet en papillote with thyme or grilled oysters with parmesan cheese.
Spa Banyan Tree Spa draws on Asian traditions that date back centuries. Massage treatments are based on evolving techniques that have passed through the hands of many generations. Health and beauty remedies make use of aromatic oils, herbs and spices with ancient healing powers. For an over-the-top day, try the seven-hour “Banyan Day,” which includes various treatments and spa lunch.
Deluxe Touch Stay in a Spa suite, where perks include your own spa treatment room, so you can enjoy your favorite treatments in your own suite. You have a choice of bath salts, scrubs, essential oils and scented incense. A daily deluxe fruit basket and chocolates at bedtime are also included.
Leave the icy chill of winter or stifling summer heat for a temperate and lush tropical island where sunlight sparkles like diamond across the water. The sand on the beach warms toes and the gentle rolling waves and surrounding beauty warm the soul. It must be paradise. It must be Hawaii.
Amid this tropical paradise in Honolulu is another paradise for travelers. Halekulani five-star luxury resort has been saying “Aloha” to guests since it opened just before the turn of the 20th century. It is a member of Leading Hotels of the World and is cited as one of the world’s best hotels on the Condé Nast Gold List and Travel & Leisure 500 World’s Best List.
In Hawaiian, Halekulani means “house befitting heaven” and guests soon discover this translation is true. From spacious guest rooms with a private lanai overlooking Diamond Head or Waikiki Beach to the Vera Wang romantic suite to the 4,000+ square foot Royal Suite, Halekulani hotel is decorated in soft sunset hues that complement the tropical greens and blues of the Pacific Ocean. No details are spared. Fresh fruit and chocolates are waiting. Bathrooms are sumptuous retreats featuring more than 15 personalized amenities. If you must stay in touch with the outside world, there are flat screen televisions, DVD/CD entertainment centers and wireless Internet access. Dine at La Mer, the only AAA five-diamond restaurant in Hawaii. Surrender to a rejuvenating massage at the spa or simply revel in being in paradise at the Halekulani.
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Southern Thailand Luxury Resort Hotel: Rayavadee
Rayavadeeis located on Krabi's secluded Phra Nang headland in Southern Thailand and accessible only by boat. It is 15 minutes from Krabi town or a two-hour drive from Phuket. Krabi is a magical place of towering limestone cliffs, rich green vegetation, white sandy beaches and inviting offshore islands surrounded by the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. The resort is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World.
Dining Walk down to the Phra Nang Beach and enjoy dinner by the sea at Krua Phra Nang. Traditional Thai food features fresh lobster, squid and assorted fish.
Spa Rayavadee Spa offers an extensive range of treatments, from facials, exfoliating body scrubs, body boosters, massages, hands and feet spa programs and hair treatments.
Deluxe Touch Stay in a hydro-pool pavilion, where you’ll have your own fresh-water hydro-pool situated in a spectacular enclosed tropical garden with umbrella-shaded dining table and private BBQ terrace.
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Sprawling almost 1,800 miles along the Queensland coast, it is the only living thing that can be seen from space. For those who love life below the sea, it is the ultimate snorkeling and diving paradise. There are many ways to experience the Great Barrier Reef with day trips by boat or seaplane from Queensland . However, the best way to experience the wonder of the reef is to stay and play there in a private paradise.
Hayman is a luxury resort destination on a private island in the Great Barrier Reef. Adventure and tranquility go hand-in-hand at the Hayman. Surrounding Coral Sea waters are a constantly changing kaleidoscope of wonder and color with more than 1,500 species of fish, six of seven species of giant sea turtles in the world and whale migrations. It’s easy to experience the Great Barrier Reef from below and above with Hayman snorkeling, diving, sailing, sea kayaks, seaplanes and helicopter tours. Lush gardens and lagoons are sanctuaries for a myriad of bird species. Complimentary self-guided art and garden tours, wine tastings, kitchen tours and culinary classes are but a few of the almost endless resort activities. The Spa Chakra Hayman is certified as a Leading Spa of the World. Dine indoors or al fresco at a variety of international cuisine and Australian specialties. Hernando’s Hideaway is a special retreat for children up to age 12, offering parents some child-free time for grown-up activities.
When it’s time to rest, the five-star luxury resort accommodates single travelers, couples and families with a choice of spacious guest rooms, suites, penthouses and a private villa. One visit to paradise is never enough and it is easy to see why accolades from around the world continue to praise Hayman. A member of Leading Hotel of the World, the resort tops prominent award lists including the Condé Nast Gold List, Travel & Leisure Top 100 Hotels, Elite Traveler Pure Decadence List and Travel Channel features.
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United States Luxury Resort Hotel: The Halekulani
The Halekulani, located on a gorgeous Waikiki beach, has gone through a few changes over its 100-year-old history, but luxury is still its middle name. Featured on the 2007 Condé Nast Traveler Gold List, basic amenities include access to local attractions, but you’ll probably never want to leave the property.
After 100 years in this prime beachfront spot, the hotel has grown to 455 rooms, but it still manages to feel like the most intimate, peaceful hotel on the island. There's an excellent spa offering lavender-orchid body wraps and hibiscus-infused scalp massage and a special Vera Wang–designed honeymoon suite. Those are some of the top-notch features, but even basic amenities are pretty lavish. For instance, all Halekulani guests have VIP access to some of Honolulu's top cultural attractions, like the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra and Shangri La, the Doris Duke estate. And everyone has access to the attentive service, the beach and the superb swimming pool with mosaic tiles showcasing an enormous orchid. The rooms, all outfitted in soothing blue and cream tones, have large lanais for taking in the ocean view. Be sure to pick up the wonderful body products scented with maile, a fragrant Hawaiian vine, at the on-site spa boutique.
Dining La Mer is Hawaii’s only Five Diamond restaurant that features neoclassic French cuisine. Indigenous ingredients are used in dishes inspired by flavors from the south of France. Of course, the stunning view doesn’t hurt either.
Spa SpaHalekulani uses the healing cultures of the Pacific Islands and uses an exclusive line of bath and body products, inspired by the land and sea of Polynesia. Maile, SpaHalekulani's signature scent, was created with respect to the rich culture of Hawaii. Historically, it has been used by royalty and today, many wear use it for special occasions.
Deluxe Touch Why not stay in the amazing Vera Wang suite? The one-bedroom suite, more than 2,000 square feet in size, was designed by Wang. It includes a selection of Vera Wang beauty products, private butler service, a signature cocktail menu designed by Dale DeGroff and Vera Wang and “Vera’s favorites” movie library. Try the 24-hour private fine dining services, with meals served en-suite or on the oceanfront private lanai, all served on exclusive Vera Wang china and tableware.
Located on the Phranang Cape southeast of Phuket, far away from daily doldrums lies a stunning seaside Thailand province called Krabi. It is a land of jungle-carpeted cliffs, lush rain forests, secluded grottos and white sandy beaches framed by swaying coconut tree and sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea .
Tucked into this landscape is a magical luxury beach resort, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World luxury collection of 5-star resorts. It is simply called Rayavadee. Translated, Rayavadee means “Land of a Princess.” According to ancient legend, a beautiful Hindu princess and her maidens were sailing off the Krabi when a ferocious storm tossed their vessel into the land. The shipwrecked royal princess took shelter in a cave that stands on today’s Rayavadee Phra Nang Beach. Ravayadee is a resort befitting royalty. And, in honor of the princess, each month a procession of staff and guests leave small tokens of flowers and trinkets at an altar inside that cave.
Rayavadee is best described as spectacular, serene and secluded. Blending seamlessly with its environment, the resort takes great pride in its commitment to eco-friendly development and awareness. Deluxe guest pavilions and private villas are tucked among lush tropical paths with private gardens and lotus and fish-filled lagoons. Since Rayavadee is limited to 98 deluxe pavilion-style guestrooms and six villas and the resort can only be reached by its private motorboat, guests are assured of the highest levels of privacy, pleasure and personalized pampering. It might be tempting to hibernate in the haven of serenity and comfort of the pavilions and villas, but there is much more to savor at Rayavadee. The Rayavadee Spa rejuvenates guests with a menu of traditional Thai and contemporary international massages and treatments. The well-stocked library invites hours of relaxation with an extensive collection of reading material, DVDs and CDs. Four diverse dining venues are a sensory culinary experience. For active travelers, the sun, sand and sea offer plenty of diversions including: snorkeling, diving, kayaking, sailing, fishing and mountain or rainforest treks. Not-to be missed at Rayavadee: a seaside barbeque at Grotto Beach; watching sunset paint its daily masterpiece from the Rai Talay Terrace; a romantic moonlight stroll and a candlelight dinner on your private lanai. Isn’t it time to escape the real world and experience Rayavadee?
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Australia Luxury Resort Hotel: The Hayman
The Hayman is Australia's most celebrated private island destination, beautifully situated in the magnificent Great Barrier Reef and presenting an array of unique and memorable resort and Reef experiences.
Surrounded by coral-fringed beaches and waters of the Coral Sea on the southwestern side of the island, Hayman offers 228 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and a beach villa. The accommodations, restaurants, guest service areas, marine facilities and operational plan were created to blend in with the natural beauty of the surroundings. No part of the resort is higher than four stories and shady ponds and gentle waterfalls thread their way among beautiful gardens, spacious walkways and open air lanais.
A Hayman team member will greet you on arrival at Great Barrier Reef Airport and arranges for the transfer of guest luggage from flights to the connecting launch, seaplane and helicopter transfers to Hayman. On arrival at Hayman, the luggage will be delivered directly to the guest room, suite, villa or penthouse.
Dining La Fontaine, with Louis XVI furnishings, Waterford crystal chandeliers and a magnificent central limestone fountain makes for a gorgeous dining setting. Modern European cuisine is served, using local and international produce. The La Fontaine wine cellar offers more 750 vintages from the world's premier vineyards. Make sure to try the weekly Chef’s Table, when you can go behind the scenes into the main kitchen for a six-course banquet with matching wines and includes a visit to the La Fontaine wine cellar and chocolate room.
Spa Spa Chakra Hayman is part of Guerlain-Spa Chakra Alliance - a luxury spa network created by Spa Chakra Inc. and Guerlain Paris. It has received a number of prestigious awards, including the UK Conde Nast Readers' Spa Awards in 2007. The spa offers an exclusive selection of personally-tailored beauty and well-being programs designed to restore wellness and balance.
Deluxe Touch Instead of flying to the island, take the one-hour luxury launch from the mainland. Hayman operates a fleet of white cruisers, beautifully appointed and provide a unique start and finale to your vacation. During the launch crossing of the Whitsunday Passage from Great Barrier Reef Airport to Hayman, refreshments are served and all check-in formalities are completed enabling guests to be personally escorted to their room directly upon arrival at the island.
Details Hayman Great Barrier Reef Queensland 4801 Australia Tel: 61-7 4940 1234
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Bermuda Luxury Resort Hotel: The Reefs
The Reefs, open since 1947, has just 65 guest rooms and suites, including seven cottages with outdoor jacuzzis and an infinity pool. It made Forbes Traveler “World's Very Best Hotels and Resorts” list in 2007, but that’s just one of many accolades the property has received. The Reefs has the highest repeat visitor rates of all the luxury hotels on Bermuda and many credit the outstanding staff and service for this.
Dining Coconuts, according to Frommers, is described as such: “no finer or more romantic spot in Bermuda for an alfresco sunset dinner than this beach terrace.” Palm trees grow up through the floor and poke out through the roof. You can have dinner on the beach, too. Dinner is served beneath the stars, complete with tiki torches and the rhythm of the waves. Wherever you dine, you can get the “water menu,” with bottled water from New York, France, Scotland, Italy and Fiji.
Spa La Serena specializes in Thai massage. Beyond massage, La Serena offers a full menu of luxury spa services ranging from reflexology to facials. Pedicures and manicures use paraffin wax and Gehwol products, known internationally for their herbal ingredients.
Deluxe Touch Stay in one of the Point Suites (680 sq. ft.), located at the tip of the property jutting out over the ocean with stunning views. There’s an attached sitting room opening onto a patio with a private hot tub. Bathrooms include a large jacuzzi and separate rainwater showers.
