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tripstations · 5 years

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10 of the world’s best luxury hotels

By Dave Warne on Jun 15, 2019 in Accommodation, Africa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Europe, Featured, Finland, Hotels, Indonesia, Japan, North America, Oceania, Peru, Regions, Resorts, South Africa, South America, Tanzania, Western Europe, Worldwide

From luxury lodges in the middle of the Serengeti to private-pool beachfront villas, the world is jam-packed full of truly remarkable hotels. And, whether you’re after an exotic Asian getaway or adventurous Latin America retreat, here we’ve rounded up some of the world’s best luxury hotels for truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences, matched only by their just-as spectacular locations.

1. &Beyond Tengile River Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Whether taking in the river views from your private pool or spotting the Big Five on expert-led game drives, this brand-new lodge – opened in December 2018 – is a new word in sustainable luxury. With solar power and environmentally-friendly materials throughout, just nine ‘floating’ suites perch on the bend of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve’s river, with stunning forest views, personal lap pools, timber decks and al fresco showers – there’s even in-suite WiFi.

Birdwatching tours, interpretive bush walks and twice-daily game drives under the guidance of the resident rangers are all included, on which you’ll spot everything from lion and leopard to rhino and elephant in the world-famous Kruger Park that shares its unfenced border with Sabi Sands. Then, each day is culminated with an array of indulgent spa treatments before gourmet dining and expertly-mixed cocktails, enjoyed at the fireside outdoor boma.

2. Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Dramatic, modern, chic – this truly exquisite fusion of 50m cliff-top infinity pools, spectacular panoramic views and ultra-contemporary suites is one of Indonesia’s best. Why not start it all off in style with a helicopter arrival? Then, 24-hour personal butler service is enjoyed alongside complimentary yoga classes on a cliff-edge cabana, a private beach for surfing and creative spa treatments.

‘Journeys by Alila’ also offers chances to visit local fish markets and leading Balinese artists, take cooking classes with the hotel chef and enjoy sunset kecak dances at the nearby temple. Perhaps go beach-hopping from a local fishing boat for snorkelling, sunbathing and picnics before sunset dining back at the hotel with the likes of grilled octopus and roasted king prawns on offer, washed down by world-class wines and the Alila signature – gin mojito cocktails. For an extra-special occasion, opt for the cliff-hanging, open-air cabana for gorgeous ocean views as you dine.

3. Awasi Patagonia, Chile

A true South American gem, this design-led, Relais & Châteaux offering lies in the heart of Patagonia’s dramatic landscapes and world-beating glaciers. With snow-dusted mountains, remote forests and deep-blue lakes, it all feels stunningly isolated, and is a gorgeous backdrop to the luxury timber villas – of which there are just 14, all privately located with ultra-clear views of the granite spires of Torres del Paine or Lake Sarmiento.

Back inside, modernist and timber designs are reminiscent of Scandi luxury, with personal hot tubs, wood-burning stoves and cosy living rooms. Dining is, as expected, world-class, with local, ultra-fresh and seasonal ingredients served up to your exacting taste in what is truly some of Chile’s best gourmet dining. It’s made all the better with your own personal guide and vehicle to explore at your own pace – head on Torres del Paine hikes, wildlife walks, 4WD park trips and steppe horse rides with the gauchos of the local estancia, and even track pumas with the conservation team of South America’s first puma foundation.

4. L7 Luxury Lodge, Finnish Lapland, Finland

Luxury and the northern remotes of Lapland may not sound synonymous, but this lodge evades all expectations in its Scandi-luxe, rustic and utterly stylish interiors. Just seven rooms ensure a sense of romantic seclusion, with plush furnishings, timber-clad walls and polished wooden floors looking out onto snow-laden forests. And, those views are made to be explored.

Hire skis and snowshoes for free or hop on a snowmobile for thrilling experiences in the next-door national park – or come summer, hikes through the boreal forests are just as serene. Return to log-cabin cosiness for seasonal gastronomy that’s a true trip highlight, with all-inclusive, multi-course dining based on local ingredients, from open sandwiches to Lappish soups and ultra-fresh smoked salmon, in between indulgent afternoon teas. Just don’t forget to spend some time in the bubbling Jacuzzi and traditional Finnish saunas before whiling evenings by the roaring fire – before stepping out to witness, with the luck, those dazzling Northern Lights.

5. Longitude 131°, Red Centre, Australia

Burrowed amid the dunes of the Simpson Desert in Australia’s arid Red Centre, this boutique gem is the ultimate in remote luxury, with mighty Uluru a spectacular view from luxury tented cabins adorned with organic linens, bespoke furnishings and complimentary binoculars and maps. For something more rustic, bespoke ‘swag’ roll sleeping mats are offered for slumbering under the stars on your private balcony.

All adventures are included, from camel rides and Harley hires to expertly-guided walks around the base of Uluru; be sure to get up early one day to catch the sun rise before a fresh pastry breakfast at the base of the monolith. Our favourite, though, has to be a helicopter flight, for truly exceptional views. Back at base, relax with a spa treatment, take a dip in the plunge pool or enjoy an aboriginal painting workshop with a local artist. It’s all culminated with champagne sundowners and al fresco dining at private locations for indulgent four-course meals – or go one up and enjoy a private dinner atop a dune or in one of the outdoor dining pods.

6. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada

A collection of luxury, safari-style tents among a protected old-growth rainforest, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort lies on the shores of the eponymous Sound and can only be reached via a boat or sea plane ride – a rather charming constraint. Guest cabins perch in the rainforest or by the lake with indoor-outdoor showers, wood stoves and underfloor heating, while indulgences continue at the lakeside spa’s cedar-wood hot tubs and two saunas.

Then, local, gourmet and all-inclusive meals, from seared Clayoquot Salmon to freshly-caught Dungeness crab, are served among log fires and gleaming silver. Guests even toast their final evening with a multi-course, wine-paired tasting menu. It’s all done alongside an array of included adventures, from salmon fishing and kayaking trips to rainforest horse rides and lakeside hikes. That’s not forgetting paddle-boarding and surfing on deserted beaches, trail walks with a First Nations guide and watching for whales, eagles, black bears and even cougar.

7. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco, Peru

A luxe spa, 24-hour butler service and original Inca artwork are just some of the delights that await in one of Peru’s most outstanding and historic properties. Amid Cusco’s colonial splendour, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, once a convent and palace, is laced with colonial frescoes and gold-framed artwork alongside glass floors, which give a fascinating insight into the Incan foundations on which it was built. Reminders of your location continue in rooms, too, with opulent suites enriched with oxygen to help with the altitude alongside in-room bars where your discrete butlers can even mix pisco sours in a private cocktail class.

If that wasn’t enough, the world’s only fully oxygenated spa and Cusco’s first outdoor swimming pool are a wonderful antidote to chilly evenings – though you’ll want to have spent the day exploring. After Sacred Valley hikes, horse riding and mountain biking among the Incan history, look forward to fuelling up each night at the restaurant, where celebrity chef Virgilio Martinez creates delicacies like grilled alpaca and crackling pork. There’s even chances to head on guided tours of the market or enjoy cooking classes – all washed down with the hotel bar’s extensive pisco tasting menu.

8. Gora Kadan, Hakone, Japan

Once the hotel choice of Japan’s Imperial family, this ryokan hot-springs inn in the heart of Hakone National Park makes for an unforgettable luxury stay, with ultra-fragrant flowers and the bubbling of the nearby hot springs exuding a feeling of peace you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere but Japan.

Spend days sinking into an onsen hot tub among the bamboo forest, indulging in a traditional Sitatsu massage – your yukata robe to hand – and wandering the perfectly-manicured gardens. The delights continue in the sleek suites, with tatami mats, private gardens and personal soaking tubs with epic views of snow-capped Mount Fuji. Dining is impressive, too, with chef-curated classic kaiseiki cuisine served in a myriad of indulgent fish and meat courses that can be taken in the serene Kaiseiki Flower Garden.

9. &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti, Tanzania

In keeping with &Beyond’s luxe reputation, this spectacular offering doesn’t disappoint in what is truly a Serengeti experience with a difference. Sprawling decks and rim-flow swimming pools form a wonderful base from which to watch hippos in the river below as well as many other game who come to drink at the watering hole. On the banks of the famous Grumeti river, you’re also perfectly positioned to experience the annual Great Wildebeest Migration and their heart-racing river crossings.

It continues beyond the camp, too, with twice-daily expert-led game drives in specially adapted 4WD vehicles on which you’ll spot the Big Five alongside cheetah, hyena and more. There’s even the chance to head on a Serengeti balloon flight for an unforgettable view of the sweeping plains dotted with baobab trees and herds of slowly-moving elephant. Back at base, after sundowners on the deck, enjoy fireside dining in the boma with barbecue meats cooked over a traditional jiko, accompanied by the nighttime howls of the African wildlife.

10. Amansara Angkor, Cambodia

The world-famous Angkor Wat is spectacular enough, and this hotel perfectly matches its splendour as a luxury base from which to explore. With a chic and exclusive vibe, this was once the resident of King Sihanouk, and offers myriad boutique experiences, from sunrise photography over Angkor to spa treatments.

Days are spent pool lounging and enjoying private lunches in a tranquil hideaway alongside complimentary private tours of the Angkor temple complex by remorque – Cambodia’s version of the tuk tuk, as well as traditional wooden house dinners and local chef-led cooking classes. You can even get a blessing at the 12th-century Wat Athvea or head on a helicopter ride to see the lost jungle temples from above. Then, sunset cocktails aboard Amansara’s lake boat on the nearby Tonle Sap are a wonderful prelude to a roof terrace barbecue – or even a private dinner inside one of the temples, accompanied by live musicians and dance performances.

Dave Warne is Product Director at The Luxury Holiday Company. The Luxury Holiday Company offers completely bespoke holidays designed to deliver unrivalled luxury, arranged by specialists who have more than 200 years of collective travel experience.

If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.

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pinetreelodgeandcabins-blog · 6 years

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20 reasons why you NEED to visit Canada

Wow, where do we even start with this one?

When most people think of Canada, they probably think of vast peaks and sprawling glacial landscapes. That's all fine and well, but really the first thing that you need to know is that Canada is incredibly diverse and pretty huge.

How huge, you ask? Canada spans over 9 million square km and comprises 6 time zones. You're probably not going to be able to explore those 9 million sq km in one lifetime, so we've decided to help you out. Here are our top 20 reasons why you need to visit Canada as a matter of urgency.

1. Get up close and personal (but not too close!) with a Grizzly bear

If you've been to a zoo recently you may have seen one of these beautiful creatures in captivity, but nothing can prepare you for seeing a Grizzly Bear in it's natural habitat. The best place to see these magnificent beasts is in Western Canada, where you can stay at Knight Inlet Lodge. If you want to see the bears fishing for salmon, the best months to go are August to September.

2. Go whale watching

You loved Free Willy and you may have been to Sea World, but you haven't truly lived until you've seen these intelligent and beautiful mammals in the flesh. Although killer whales (also known as Orcas and Blackfish) can be found in all oceans across the planet, Canada is held to be one of the best places in the world to see Killer whales. The best part is, killer whales are highly social and often travel in close-knit family pods so you'll rarely just see one!

3. See the Northern Lights in Canada’s Yukon

©Chris Nee

Canada's Yukon province is one of the best places in the world to see Aurora Borealis. There are a number of tours you can join that will give you the best chance of catching the magical Northern Lights. There's even an aurora forecast, called the Auroracast.

4. Hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer is one of the most iconic railway journeys in the world. The railway has four principal routes:

The historically significant First Passage to the West route (Banff/Calgary to Vancouver)

The Journey to the Clouds route, which will take you on a mountain pass through the Rockies (Vancouver-Jasper)

See bald eagles, ospreys and bears on the Rainforest to Gold Rush route (Whistler-Quesnel-Jasper)

Whistler Sea to Sky Climb return day trip (North Vancouver-Whistler).

5. Explore the spectacular Rocky Mountains

Ask yourself: can you afford not to see the most iconic mountain range in the world which was formed over 55 million years ago? Yep, that's what I thought. Both the Banff and Jasper resorts are great places to stay if you're planning on exploring the Rockies.

6. Drive along the Icefield Parkway and take a ride on the Athabasca Glacier or the new Glacier Skywalk

You'll drive by the Crowfoot Glacier, Athabasca Falls and Mistaya Canyon amongst other famous sites.

7. Visit Toronto, Canada's largest city

Canada's most populous city has a lot to offer in terms of activities and culture. From the famous CN Tower to the Royal Ontario Museum, you'll never be bored.

8. Hang out at Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

Witness the pristine and inspirational scenery of Lake Louise, 'The Jewel of the Rockies'. Moraine Lake is also famous for it's natural and pristine turquoise waters which have been coloured from glacial salt.

9. Get blown away by thundering Niagara Falls

Figuratively - hopefully not literally. Although technically made up of three different waterfalls, Niagara Falls has the highest flow rate of any waterfall in the world, with over six million cubic feet of water falling over its crest every minute. Plus, it's only 75 miles from Toronto.

10. Stay in a traditional mountain lodge

Surround yourself with the Pacific Northwest by staying in a real-life mountain lodge. The lodge pictured is located on Emerald Lake in the Rockies.

11. Immerse yourself in cosmopolitan Vancouver

Awaken your cultural side with Vancouver's Art Gallery or visit the world-famous Science World. You can also visit Stanley Park, an urban temperate rainforest, Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. If you're big into food, be sure to sample the local cuisine described by many as 'Pacific Fusion'.

12. Visit Whistler for skiing in winter and amazing outdoor pursuits in summer

Whistler is best known as a winter ski resort, but like the rest of Canada there is some mind-blowing scenery to explore all year round.

13. Watch Polar Bears in Churchill

Grizzlies aren't the only bear that Canada is famous for - Polar bears are another of Canada's most famous residents. Experience this apex predator up close in Canada's arctic.

14. Relax at Vancouver Island

Had enough of exploring? Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island both have stunning (and relatively undisturbed) beaches that you can relax on. If you've got any energy left, you can still do the usual hiking, exploring and whale-watching that has come to define Canada as a holiday destination.

15. Stay in a luxury resort off the Pacific Coast

If you want to holiday in style and comfort while staying on the doorstep of the wilderness, be sure to look into staying at a luxury resort like Nimmo Bay, Sonora Resort or the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.

16. Become a Canadian wine connoisseur in British Columbia's Okanagan

Did you think Canada was all snow and glaciers? Think again. The Okanagan differs from the rest of Canada because of it's dry, sunny climate. Even Cacti grow here.

17. Take the train across Canada

Why drive when you can hop on a train from Toronto to Vancouver and watch the stunning scenery go by on one of the world's most legendary rail journeys - The Canadian!

18. Visit the French province of Québec including Montréal

Québec city isn't to be scoffed at. There's loads to do in this ancient city such as visiting Old Québec (founded in 1608), staying in the first and only ice hotel in North America (which melts and is rebuilt differently every year) and relaxing on the Terrasse Dufferin. Don't forget your French dictionary though - Montréal is the 2nd largest French-speaking city in the world.

19. Explore Atlantic Canada

Atlantic Canada has 43,000 kilometres of coastline which runs across the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. This is the part of Canada closest to the UK, but in terms of its wildlife and scenery, it couldn't be further away. Go whale watching, kayaking and warm water swimming in Atlantic Canada.

20. Visit Ottawa, the nation’s capital

Last but certainly not least, be sure to visit Canada's capital city, Ottawa. There's the Rideau Canal, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian War Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and loads more

#PinetreeLodgeandCabins #canada #cabins

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gunboatbaylodge · 7 years

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Filming in Vancouver: The Arrangement’s Season 2, Riverdale’s Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa

Christine Evangelista and Josh Henderson star on The Arrangement. Instagram.

As numerous film and TV productions continue to shoot in Vancouver, one TV series is completing production on its second season.

Meanwhile, one of the stars of a buzzed-about teen drama has been chatting about what it’s like to live in Vancouver. As if that’s not enough, his celebrity wife has been praising the city as well.

It’s all in this week’s rundown of what’s going on in Hollywood North.

To start off, Season 2 of The Arrangement wraps on Wednesday (November 1). The shooting of 10 episodes for the second season started on July 24.

Lights, camera, action, there’s that Kyle smile! Filming for season 2 has officially begun.

A post shared by The Arrangement (@the_arrangement) on Jul 25, 2017 at 4:04pm PDT

As you can see, the camera still loves these two . #TheArrangement #Season2 #PowerCouple

A post shared by The Arrangement (@the_arrangement) on Jul 26, 2017 at 12:51pm PDT

Season 1 premiered in April and aired its season final May.

A modern take on a cautionary fairy tale with a dark twist, the series follows what happens when an upcoming actress named Megan (Christine Evangelista) is offered a personal and career opportunity that sounds like a dream come true: the chance to marry A-list Hollywood action star Kyle (Josh Henderson). Who would say no to that?

Is it the contract or is it true love? • • #TheArrangement #Love #Scandal

A post shared by The Arrangement (@the_arrangement) on Aug 5, 2017 at 9:09am PDT

Well, as the maxim goes, some things can be too good to be true.

In this case, there’s a price to pay for the $ 10-million marriage contract. Kyle is involved with a secretive organization called the Institute of the Higher Mind and is closely associated with its creator Terence (Michael Vartan).

The Arrangement

By the end of the first season, Megan had her sights set on exacting revenge after the Institute kidnapped her and forced her into a brainwashing session.

Hmm, does this sound like any real-life stories out of Hollywood?

While you figure out your answer to that question, here’s Evangelista and Henderson giving a bit of tease on what to expect from Season 2.

http://ift.tt/2ykC7gI

That all said (or not said), here’s a fact about the forthcoming season: Jacob Artist (Glee) will be introduced as Wes Blaker, a young man whose charm and humour belies his dark side.

Jacob Artist

A specific Season 2 premiere date hasn’t been announced yet but will air sometime in 2018.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos

Moving on from the dark side of Hollywood to a dark take on a teen classic, Riverdale, the TV drama adaptation of Archie Comics, is in the midst of shooting its second season in Vancouver.

Production on Season 2 started on June 22 and will continue until March 21.

In the meantime, on October 5, Mark Conseulos, who plays Veronica’s father Hiram Lodge, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about what it’s like to live apart from his family in Vancouver.

Conseulos offered up some observations about the politeness of service in Vancouver.

He noted that servers at restaurants seem to count how many bites he’s had of his meal before checking in to see how it tastes. (Servers don’t do that elsewhere?)

He also finds that store clerks often ask what he has planned for the day. He said he has to make stuff up, including joking about plans to rob a store.

Kelly Ripa

More recently, his wife, TV host Kelly Ripa, appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on October 27 to talk about Consuelos and her family.

Fallon heaped praised upon Conseulos, saying “he’s crushing it!”

“He’s living his best life,” Ripa effused. ”He’s in Vancouver. He’s never looked better. He’s having the best time ever.”

Before the conversation went off into Ripa’s daughter and vocal fry, Ripa and Fallon briefly touched upon Vancouver and Canadians.

But back in July, Ripa talked about Vancouver and British Columbia at great length on her own show.

Ripa and her three kids made a trip to visit Consuelos here—and she raved about the virtues of the city and province.

On Live With Kelly and Ryan, she said she was “blown away” by her visit. She called the area “the most beautiful, pristine, unspoiled” place.

She talked about how the family spent time at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort in Tofino on Vancouver Island and their experience in the wilderness—including an encounter with a bear and Wi-Fi deprivation.

Needless to say, it’s clear that the family enjoyed their time here, including spending time in the city and doing the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver.

No filters necessary when it comes to #vancouver nights! (Ps. 10:30 pm last night)

A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 29, 2017 at 4:12pm PDT

I’ll have another, on the rocks and dirty please. ⛰ #vancouver

A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 25, 2017 at 3:24pm PDT

#squamish is not for the squeamish, but we made it to the top! Thanks for all the incredible #vancouver recommendations everyone. #lastday #fanada

A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jul 3, 2017 at 4:02pm PDT

I like to think of him as more of a full Mark. ✔️#grousegrind Ground to a pulp.

A post shared by Kelly Ripa (@kellyripa) on Jun 27, 2017 at 12:08pm PDT

As if those photos aren’t enticing enough to inspire a visit here, there’ll be plenty of other reasons as we continue to cover which stars are flying in and out of the city, and what’s going on in Vancouver’s screen scene.

Inside Vancouver Blog

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