Room check: SkyCity Grand Hotel, Auckland

Read article : Room check: SkyCity Grand Hotel, Auckland

Price?

$1929 a night.

A taxi from the airport costs? This was the ultimate stay-cation - so no taxi required. We simply drove the 3.3km from home to the hotel then got the super-friendly and efficient valet staff to park the car.

Check-in experience? Perfectly acceptable but given we were staying in the Presidential Suite, I think I subconsciously had an idea we would be carried to our room on a golden throne cooled by a dozen maidens waving palm leaves. This wasn't the case.

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Room? Gasp. This room really put the "President" in Presidential Suite. God knows how many square metres it was but you needed keen eyesight to see from one end to the other. It was faster to ring one's wife than try and yell out or walk to them and a few trips from the bed to the mini-bar took care of a week of going to the gym. I also liked the Cezanne-esque (and delicious) apples on the table and the "master" power switch next to the bed that in one flick killed all 300 or so lights in the entire suite. At the 2014 World Travel Awards, back in October, the Presidential Suite was voted the Leading Hotel Suite in New Zealand.

What's so good about this place? Hmm, where to start? Okay, here we go: The original Karl Maughan was a great sight upon entering the room, the 21st-storey view of downtown Auckland, the harbour and Harbour Bridge a close second. The Roman infinity bath, the seven-nozzle shower (six horizontal heads and a rainforest nozzle above), the three TVs, the nightclub-quality sound system and the Californian (perfectly square) bed were also pretty good.

What's in the neighbourhood? Well, pretty much everything that Auckland has to offer (except Piha, Rainbow's End and the Golden Dawn Tavern) are a 21-floor lift ride and couple of minutes walk away. The wealth of quality local restaurants are a special highlight - but of course, there are bars, shops and even, I'm told, a casino within metres of the hotel's front door.

Photos: SkyCity Grand Hotel's Presidential Suite

The suite's marble-filled bathroom is home to a Roman infinity bath and seven-nozzle shower. Photo / Supplied
Bathroom? Two words. Huge. Marble. I've already mentioned the Roman infinity bath but what I didn't say is that it's constantly overflowing and reheating itself. Total. Dream. Oh and that shower - you actually come out feeling like you've had a full body massage. Heaven.

Food and drink? After the obligatory couple of glasses of champagne watching the sun set over the Waitakeres from our chaise lounge, we ended up eating at Sean Connolly's Gusto - conveniently located right next to the bottom of the lift. Hotel restaurants don't get much better than this - delicious, fun and surprisingly good value. Breakfast the next morning was room service eggs bene - which were delicious but slightly cool. One small oddity was the fact the kitchenette didn't have a sink - meaning the coffee machine (and kettle) had to be filled in a bathroom.

The bed? The bed and linen were exquisite, as you'd expect.

Noise? I love the fact that the duty manager actually told us to be as loud as we liked because everything (including the curtains) was sound-proofed. Two-person parties are never going to be high on noise control's priority list but with our iPhone plugged into the superb multi-room sound-system we gave it a very good nudge.

Room service? Very helpful and knowledgeable - which it really had to be. The room is so state-of-the-art that it took about 20 minutes just to show us how all the electronics- and bath and shower - worked. We did have one tiny hiccup though, when no adaptor for the iPod dock for my iPhone 5 could be found - fortunately my wife's phone worked a treat.

Exercise facilities? Seriously, why would anyone leave a room like this for any reason, let alone to go out and do exercise? I'm sure the gym and pool are amazing but frankly you're here to indulge yourself not sit on a bloody rowing machine. And anyway, this room encourages plenty of physical activity - being such a hike from one end to the other.

Perfect for? Absolutely blowing a loved one's mind. Oh and the small apartment-sized walk-in-wardrobe is perfect for any global pop megastar (or anyone who wants to feel like one).

Would I return? Any time. Any day.

CHECKLIST
SkyCity Grand Hotel is at 90 Federal Street, Auckland Central. Phone: 09 363 7000.

Star-studded Santorini, the perfect honeymoon destination

Read article : Star-studded Santorini, the perfect honeymoon destination

Angelina Jolie reportedly bought a house with her ex-husband Brad Pitt on the island after falling in love with Santorini during the filming of Tomb Raider. Justin Bieber recorded a music video there recently. Even the Kardashians took a break from swanning around LA to jet across the Atlantic and film an episode of their reality television show on the island.

So what better honeymoon destination could you ask for if you are looking for a mix of glamour and relaxation after months of stressful wedding preparation? And that's exactly where my wife and I went, to take a break from reality and pretend we could afford to live it up like Brad and Angelina on a volcanic caldera in the Aegean Sea.

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Getting to Santorini, or even Greece for that matter, during the off-season is not straightforward. There are no daily direct flights to Athens and a stopover is necessary along the way. So to break up the air travel we decided to stay four nights in the Greek capital to take in the sites and sounds the historic city.

We checked into the five-star Royal Olympic Hotel which is one of the most luxurious and central hotels in Athens. The hotel lobby alone is a masterclass in stately opulence. Large replica statues of Greek goddesses nestle in between classic leather sofas and giant vases. If it is a business trip destination you're after, the hotel has 18 recently refurbished meeting rooms and each is renovated according to a theme nodding to the city's rich history.

You are doing yourself a disservice if you don't book into one of the hotel's panoramic rooms at the front of the building. Luxurious double rooms feature electronic curtains which can be drawn with the flick of a switch to reveal spectacular views of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Arch of Hadrian. Even more awe-inspiring are the views of the pinnacle of Greek architect - the Acropolis - from the Royal Olympic Hotel's rooftop garden restaurant. The view is only enhanced by the massive spread laid on by staff for the buffet breakfast, which features local delicacies and international favourites.

The rooftop restaurant is the perfect setting for a candle-lit dinner where you can tuck into high-end Greek dishes as the floodlit Acropolis looms over on the hotel. The hotel also has a pool bar and lounge which are the perfect settings for cocktails when the city heat gets too much.

Of course, the Acropolis should not only be enjoyed from the distance and a trek up the historic hilltop is an essential pilgrimage for any tourist. Signing up to one of the local tours is a good idea as the level of signage on the ancient citadel is limited.

Another must-see site is the Panathenaic Stadium, which is less than 15 minutes' walk from the hotel. The stadium is built entirely of marble and was the setting of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

The city is full of restaurants and cafes where a well-earned beer and local tapas can be devoured to break up the sightseeing. Every corner of the Plaka area of the city serves up fresh salads, fish and meats which can be washed down with a cold Mythos beer. The streets leading to Syntagma Square are also littered with restaurants of all price ranges. Fashion bargains are available a short walk from the square at the Monastiraki flea market, but, as always, beware of pickpockets. After four nights in Athens, we took the 30-minute flight to Santorini where we were collected from the airport by a representative from the Athina Luxury Suites company. After a short drive we arrived at the boutique clifftop resort in Santorini's capital Fira.

The first thing you notice in Fira are the steps. There are hundreds of them, winding up and down between the hotels and guesthouses sitting on the caldera cliff face. The second thing you notice is the donkey dung. Due to the lack of access for cars, donkeys are used as taxis for tourists and transport for construction workers.

Athina Luxury Suites is a small family-run business but the resort rolls out the sort of luxury you would expect from an international hotel company. Athina's staff (with particular mention going to key members Sarah, Lulu and Christopher, and of course the boss Panos) go above and beyond to ensure you are enjoying your stay. If you're looking for guidance on restaurants or attractions, the Athina staff won't steer you wrong.

For the first three nights we stayed in the honeymoon suite, which not only has a private jacuzzi on the balcony but also a steam room in the bedroom. A complementary bottle of Champagne sitting in an ice bucket was popped soon after our arrival.

After three nights in the honeymoon suite we were promoted to the royal suite. This luxury suite is a two-bedroom, three-bathroom villa, complete with marble staircase and heated balcony jacuzzi big enough to fit 10 people. There are three flat screen televisions, a full-size marble statue of the Greek goddess Athena, and enough room to host a dinner party for a dozen guests.

Fresh breakfast is served on the balcony every morning and the choices are endless. You can also have lunch or drinks by the pool in the evenings to watch the sunsets.

Santorini is not cheap and the average price of dinner is not far off what you might pay in Dublin. Seafood is the local speciality but most restaurants also serve up traditional Greek favourites such as souvlaki and gyros. On the main square there are some great little restaurants with plenty of outdoor seating. Ellinikon is worth checking out for the seabream alone. There are also some lively fast-food joints.

A little further up the road, the recently renovated Kokkalo provides a modern Greek twist on the typical US steakhouse restaurant. Falafel Land, which is tucked behind the square, is also a hidden gem for ideally-priced grub. Outside Fira, Mario's fish restaurant, which is located near the airport, served up the best meal of the trip.

Nightlife doesn't end after dinner in Fira, it only gets started. In early April, the party scene was only kicking off but there was a smattering of nightclubs and pubs luring in tourists with offers of cheap cocktails. The most popular is the Two Brothers Bar, where punters are offered free shots if they allow the barmen to whack them over the head with a stick. They give you a helmet to wear but they don't hold back when they hit you. Still, a free shot is a free shot. Locally brewed craft beer Crazy Donkey is difficult to find but if you do come across it, you should definitely try a bottle.

To really see Santorini, you need to rent a car. The island is small but public transport isn't great and most sights are only 20 minutes' drive away. You can zip around the coastal roads taking in views of the cliffs and the other volcanic islands sitting in the Aegean Sea.

It is worth driving south to Akrotiri to see the archaeological site of the first city on the island which dates back to 3,000BC. The nearby red beach is also worth a look. There's also a tomato factory museum if that's your thing.

The most northern tip of the island is the town of Oia where holidaymakers gather every evening to watch the bright red Greek sun disappear into the Aegean Sea. An all-day boat tour - drink and barbecue included - are also a popular way to see the island's spectacular coastline. With the sun beating down from the heavens there really is no better way to see Santorini. The catamaran cruises also end by harbouring in Oia to watch the sunset.

A week is the perfect amount of time to spend on this beautiful island, giving you a chance to lie on the beach or by the pool, as well as see the many sights. All in all, Santorini is the perfect honeymoon destination.

Top attractions

Sunset in Oia

Take an all-day catamaran cruise to Santorini’s most northern town, Oia, or drive, and find a perch along the historic walls to watch a spectacular sunset on the Aegean Sea.

Panathenaic Stadium

The first modern Olympic stadium can sometimes be overlooked by tourists but the sheer vastness of the entirely marble sports ground and its fascinating museum make it a must-see.

Getting there

Philip stayed in:

Royal Olympic Hotel

This five-star hotel is in the centre of Athens and a short walk from all the main attractions. Rooms range from around €180 per night for an executive room, to €625 for a suite. Athenian panorama rooms start from €345 per night.

www.royalolympic.com

Athina Luxury Suites

This five-star boutique hotel is on the caldera cliff-face in Santorini’s capital Fira.

Summer rates for junior suites start from €427 per night. The honeymoon suite is €769 per night and the royal suite costs around €1,282 during peak season.

www.athinasuites.com

The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair - five star luxury in the heart of London

Read article : The Westbury Hotel, Mayfair - five star luxury in the heart of London

A Mayfair Staycation – The Westbury Hotel:

If only…

There are parts of London, like Mayfair, where most of us can only aspire to live.  Even if you shop on Bond Street and take tea at Sketch, actually living in Mayfair is out of reach for most Londoners.  So, why not live the dream and staycation at The Westbury Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, just around the corner from many of London’s designer boutiques.  Perfectly located for those who want to indulge in some top-end shopping, The Westbury is a classic five-star hotel with features that put it above many of the luxury hotel offering in London.

As London’s first 5-star American hotel, you might expect a few difference – the Westbury London was opened in 1955, the sister hotel of the original Westbury in New York City.  The design still has an American luxury feel to it, with lots of dark wood and mirrors, larger than average London hotel rooms and marble lined ensuite bathrooms with tubs.

I was lucky enough to be offered an upgrade to a Corner Suite for my stay – something the same size as a London flat, with a living room complete with dining table to seat four and a large bedroom.  Enough wardrobe space to encourage me to shop until I dropped and a stunning bathroom with a second powder room.

I didn’t really want to leave.  At all.

Especially as the hotel had thoughtfully provided a bottle of wine, water, fresh fruit, a platter of cold meats, cheeses and pickles and a truly tempting plate of macarons and petits fours.

The wine obviously needed to be tried and you should never eat on an empty stomach.  Most of the cheese and cold meats vanished…

And I can never resist a macaron or two.

My room came equipped with a Nespresso machine and pods.  There wasn’t a kettle that I could see, though that may have been simply down to lack of looking on my part.  I did, however, have a personal butler on call who I am sure would have obliged had I wanted tea, champagne or even caviar.  And the Westbury offers a full room service from all three of their restaurants so if I hadn’t had a table already reserved at Tsukiji, the small but perfectly formed Japanese restaurant, I’d have indulged myself and just stayed in the room all evening.  More of that experience in a separate post – there is far too much to cover to include details here.  And, I’ve already tried the Polo Bar (and been back a couple of times).  That leaves Alyn Williams at the Westbury – the hotel’s Michelin star fine dining restaurant – which I definitely want to try.

I was particularly impressed by the toiletries in the bathroom of the suite.  Asprey’s Purple Water is probably my favourite of the luxury toiletries provided by hotels.  With classic and restrained packaging, it’s something of a special secret.  I love the light, citrussy scent and am always impressed by the overall quality of the products.

Turn down arrived promptly at 6pm and provided a comprehensive service, drawing the floor to ceiling curtains and packing away the decor cushions and throws.  And, my guest for dinner turned up early enough to enjoy a glass of wine with me before we went downstairs.

There is something altogether luxurious about having dinner and just having to take the lift upstairs afterward.  I slept like a baby in the large bed.  Beautiful white cotton bed linen, fluffy pillows and a soft yet firm mattress all conspired to ensure the perfect night’s sleep.

Breakfast is served in the dining room used by Alyn Williams in the evenings.  It’s a large and comfortable space with contemporary touches.  There are neat pots of cereals, fruits, and yoghurts to one side.  But, of course, it’s the a la carte breakfast that I look forward to when I am staying in a hotel.

Here there’s a good range of teas and coffees brought to you by waiter service, together with individual baskets of breakfast pastries so you don’t have to search out the last pain au chocolat!

The cooked breakfast was immaculate – I have to admit that since I was alone, I ordered a full English with eggs, just to check they were properly prepared.  Of course they were.

After I’d eaten more than enough for the whole day I went back to my suite to pack up and (regretfully) go home.

But not without doing more than a little window shopping on my walk back to Green Park tube.

The Westbury is discrete and quiet.  Tucked away off New Bond Street, it is somewhere I’d recommend to anyone wanting to stay in central London.  Good size rooms, immaculate service and a level of comfort that is well above average combine to make this a great base.  Suites like the one I stayed in would be perfect for a small family or for someone wanting to use the hotel as a base for business as the sitting room can be completely zoned off from the bedroom.

But, if you simply want the best of London’s shops on your doorstep I’d look no further than The Westbury.

Thinking of visiting London?  Why not pin this post for later

The Westbury Hotel

37 Conduit Street,
Mayfair,
London,
W1S 2YF,
United Kingdom

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‘Fairytale’ Irish castle ranked in 25 best travel experiences in the world

Read article : ‘Fairytale’ Irish castle ranked in 25 best travel experiences in the world

A “fairytale” experience at Ashford Castle has been listed as one of the 25 best travel experiences in the world.

The listing was compiled by US travel advisor Chad Clark, who is aiming to certify travel “experiences” to create an annual list similar to what the Michelin Guide is for restaurants.

“You have the Forbes Travel Guide for hotel star ratings and Michelin for restaurants and Golf Magazine for the Top 100 courses, but there is nothing like that for experiences and that’s what everyone is looking for today,” he says. The ‘Certified 25’ is the “first of its kind in the travel industry”, he says, and the aim is to create an annual list of the best travel experiences around the world.

Experiences - and “experiential travel” - are the current buzzwords travel industry. For the ultimate travel bragging rights, it’s no longer enough to book a luxury hotel room in the five-star hotel with the best views of whatever piazza you happen to be in. Now it’s about “making memories through experiences”, according to travel advisors. Travellers want to actually do, see or learn something while on a trip, as opposed to lazing by the pool. It’s no surprise that the trend is particularly evident in the luxury travel market with wildlife safaris, Arctic cruises and active travel with learning experiences, such as photography courses, all on the increase.

Airbnb is also building on this momentum with its “experiences” section, where travellers can link up with locals in cities around the world. Other similar initiatives include Cool Cousin, which is soon to launch in Dublin. The Cool Cousin app provides a profile of locals who you can select according to your interests. You then receive their map of their city ,which is loaded with at least 25 of their favourite places, from restaurants to shops, as well as personalised advice.

Despite all the interest in the area, Clark believes it is hard to find the “best in class” experiences – there is no gathering of five-star experiences, which is where his “Certified 25” come in. The winners of the first annual listing were announced at the Virtuoso Travel Symposium in Las Vegas earlier this week. Virtuoso is a consortium of luxury and specialist travel advisors and agents and many of Clark’s listings are affiliates of the network, which has about 1,700 affiliates around the world.

Clark owns the Phoenix-based Chad Clark Travel Ventures. To create the Certified 25, he surveyed luxury travel industry suppliers and other travel experts, who submitted their best experiences from around the world. The winners were “chosen on their own merits of how cool the experience actually is”, he says. Reader beware however – money is no object when it comes to Clark’s definition of a “cool” experience.

A private showing of The Quiet Man in the 32-seat cinema at Ashford Castle is included in its fairytale experience – with Champagne and popcorn of course

Ireland’s sole listing is the “Ashford Castle Fairytale experience”. It includes private chauffeur transfers from the airport; two nights in a Stateroom; afternoon tea in the Connaught Room; falconry; a private showing of The Quiet Man in the 32-seat cinema at the hotel, with Champagne and popcorn of course; dinners in the Dungeon and George V restaurants; wine tasting; and meeting the estate’s Irish Wolfhounds. The price of your fairytale? From €4,350 in low season to €6,350 in high season.

General manager Niall Rochford says the castle is “privileged to represent Ireland and Irish tourism internationally as the only Irish property to be included in this inaugural list”. He describes Clark as someone “who has himself carved a career as a highly regarded and influential travel expert worldwide”.

“Our Fairytale Castle Experience offers guests the chance to experience the magic of Ashford Castle, offering the utmost in modern luxury and five-star hospitality in the unique setting of this historic castle.”

In Sydney, Clark’s list recommends you contact husband and wife team Jamie and Alex, aka Local Eyes Sydney, to give you the quintessential Sydney experience. This involves starting your day with early morning yoga or surfing on the beach before breakfast, National Park bush and beach walks. Jamie and Alex bring guests to their home for lunch and drinks before sailing to see Sydney Harbour’s icons up close from their classic cruiser, Iluka. The nine-hour “quintessential” experience will set you back €4,183 for two people, more than what most of us will spend on a 10-day trip Down Under. (Price comparison note: Flights from Dublin to Sydney average at €1,100 per person.)

For those with even deeper pockets (or a second home to sell) who also have an ethical travel conscience, safari company Singita offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania.

Grumeti Black Rhino Project, learning about their anti-poaching unit and local enterprise development" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189875!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> A six-night safari with Singita Safaris in Tanzania includes working with Grumeti Black Rhino Project, learning about their anti-poaching unit and local enterprise development

The experience includes learning about their wildlife re-introduction efforts, through the Grumeti Black Rhino Project; working with their anti-poaching unit first-hand; learning about their new canine law enforcement unit as well as their fund of local enterprise development. As for the cost…take a deep breath. The six-night experience costs €6,305 per person, which might not seem too wild for a luxury six-night safari experience. However, there is also a compulsory contribution of €42,500 ($50,000) per booking to support Singita’s conservation programmes. It is based on a minimum of two people and the maximum group size is six.

You might be glad to find out that the list also includes more affordable items to enhance your travel experience wherever it may be, such as the Kickstarter crowd-funded G-RO Smart Carry-on luggage.

features USB ports and a powerful battery, lightweight design, and a patented larger wheel making it easier to wheel on all terrain" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189874!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> G-RO Smart Carry-on luggage (from €380) features USB ports and a powerful battery, lightweight design, and a patented larger wheel making it easier to wheel on all terrain

The bag (from €380, g-ro.com) features smart technology such as USB ports and a powerful battery, slick lightweight design, as well as a patented larger wheel concept that means a bag that is easier to wheel on all terrain - from cobbled streets to airport walkways.

Photography company Flyographer (flytographer.com) also features. The company, founded in 2013, links travelers with professional photographers in more than 130 destinations so you can abandon your selfie stick and instead use a professional photographer to capture your holiday snaps…for a fee of €210-€550 depending on the number of locations and length of the session.

Other immersive experiences include a volcano adventure with Four Seasons Hualalai; Mongolia’s Golden Eagle Festival with Nomadic Expeditions; an overnight Yurt stay at Platte Canyon with Brush Creek Ranch Luxury Collection; and a banquet on a remote section of the Great Wall of China with conservationist William Londesay.

See the full list below, or for more details, chadclarksertified.com

Top 25 Travel Experiences in the World (for those with very deep pockets)

Cong, Ireland: Ashford Castle’s Fairytale Experience includes a “luxurious stay in a medieval Irish castle where guests are invited to take part in authentic Irish activities throughout the castle and its picturesque grounds”.

London, UK:Travel company Noteworthy - who create “unforgettable Exquisite British Experiences” - allow clients behind-the-scenes access to the “Changing of the Guards” and the opportunity to photograph the event.

London, UK: The Beaumont Hotel in London offers a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room. For Clark, this is (thankfully) only part of the luxury offering at the Beaumont, which adding personal touches to all client stays.

ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189870!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> The Beaumont Hotel in London offers a ‘do-it-yourself’ ice cream sundae with 300 potential permutations in the resort’s Colony Grill Room

Bhutan:Amankora Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural safari involves walks through ancient rhododendron forests watching black necked cranes, soaking in a hot stone bath; interacting with novice monks and dining in a rustic stone potato shed.

Wyoming, US: Platte Canyon Overnight Camp at Brush Creek Ranch is a luxurious camping experience that includes private outdoor activities, gourmet meals around an open fire, a large yurt and two traditional teepees with large decks located over the North Platte River.

New York, US:Chatwal Hotel guests can enjoy insider access to Broadway from the landmark building once home to the oldest theatrical club in the US. Guests have the opportunity to be part of the cast of a Broadway show.

Italy:Rosa Alpina Hotel bring guests on a journey through the Dolomite Mountains where guests hike in luxury from “hut to hut” while enjoying the gourmet food and wines.

Colorado, US:Limited “only by the imagination”, Colorado’s Dunton Hot Springs offers customizable experiences that are specifically tailored for each guest’s interests, including cattle driving, and horse riding.

Flytographer:Flytographer connects travelers with vetted local photographers for short, candid vacation shoots in over 200 cities around the world, providing both an authentic travel experience and unforgettable souvenirs.

Hawaii, US:The Four Seasons Hotel Hualalai offers a volcano with a private helicopter journey over the big island, a trip to a Rainforest Cottage Hideaway where you can hike, swim, explore the area around the volcano.

New York, US: The Greenwich Hotel offers a fully complimentary minibar in all rooms. This includes v “vintage favorite goodies” reminiscent of childhood combined with trendy new snacks with all-natural, vegan and gluten-free options. By the way, this is a mini-bar with a difference. Alcohol is excluded.

Utah, US: A stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City offers beautiful snow-covered views of the largest ski and snowboard resort in the US. Don’t forget to take their signature vanilla mint chapstick on all adventures, according to Clark.

G-RO Luggage: G-RO luggage is specifically designed to accompany on-the-go travelers whether they are traveling around the block or around the globe.

China: With Imperial Tours, guests travel by helicopter over the Great Wall of China, landing at an isolated tower for a gourmet banquet with conservationist William Lindesay, who helped draft the law protecting wall.

France: Indulge in a progressive Parisian culinary journey at Le Bristol Paris, where they experience the French Art de Vivre, a decadent breakfast, a tailor made picnic and dinner at Michelin three-star restaurant, Epicure.

France:A meal at Les Prés d’Eugénie-Michel Guerard is described as capturing “the essence of French luxury, style, grace and elegance in a sumptuous setting”.

Ecuador: Metropolitan Touring offer a nighttime walk through the forest in search of nocturnal amphibians and insects, ending with a surprise (well, it was meant to be a surprise) picnic.

Minaret Station, New Zealand:Travel company Minaret Station bring clients on a helicopter tour of the Southern Alps in New Zealand before touching down in a deserted alpine meadow. Then it’s time to enjoy a gourmet spread of lobster pulled fresh from the sea, Minaret Station-sourced beef and lamb and award-winning New Zealand wines.

Mongolia: Watch Kazakh hunters at the Golden Eagle Festival in the remote Altai Mountains as these skilled hunters and their highly-trained eagles compete for the top prize. Nomadic Expeditions arrange this experience.

Amalfi Coast, Italy: Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea. Start with a boat trip to your private candlelit dinner overlooking the ocean.

Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea." height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189871!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> On the Amalfi Coast in Italy, the Hotel Palazzo Avino’s “Sea of Love” dining experience aims to suspend guests between land and sea.

Peru:Experience the mystical beauty of Peru’s Lake Titicaca, the cradle of Andean civilization, through visits to a traditional community on the island of Taquile and hiking ancient trails surrounded by stunning snow-capped mountain landscapes.

Tanzania:Singita safari company offer behind-the-scenes insight into the work of the Anti-Poaching Unit in the Serengeti.

Singita Safaris offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania – once you make a $50,000 ‘donation’ to their wildlife preservation work" height="348" src="https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.3189876!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg" width="620" /> Singita Safaris offers a behind-the-scenes stay in their lodge and Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania – once you make a $50,000 ‘donation’ to their wildlife preservation work

India:Guests of the Ultimate Traveling Camp at Thiskey enjoy a day “on top of the world” where they are immersed in the region’s unique rituals and have the opportunity to try their hand at archery, raft down the Indus River and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Australia: True North conducts adventure-cruises in Australia’s stunning Kimberley region, with daily off-ship activities, some via the ship’s onboard helicopter.

Australia:Tour Sydney with husband and wife team Jamie and Alex (aka Local Eyes Sydney) who invite guests to their home for lunch and onboard their classic cruiser, Iluka to sail up close to Sydney Harbor’s icons. The tour also includes a native bush walk and opportunities to surf, stroll or perform yoga at the world famous Manly Beach.

See you in our City of Dreams | Food and Leisure, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star

Read article : See you in our City of Dreams | Food and Leisure, Lifestyle Features, The Philippine Star

The City of Dreams complex, which includes the Nobu Hotel, Crown Towers and Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, is set to expand Manila’s entertainment dreamscape with a grand opening on Feb. 2.

DiCaprio.

De Niro.

Scorsese.

They all want in.

What do they want “in” on?

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

MANILA, Philippines - City of Dreams, the mega-complex of hotels, casinos and restaurants set to light up yet another area of Manila Bay with its official launch on Feb. 2.

The big question: Will Nobu owner Robert De Niro, Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese and heartthrob actor Leonardo DiCaprio actually be coming to Manila for that launch?

Charisse Chuidian, City of Dreams VP for Public Relations, tells us about a just-released local TV ad featuring the three Hollywood players capering about in a casino, with the tagline: “They all want in.” And a series of billboards outside the complex seems to hint as much. But, close to opening day, Chuidian and other City of Dreams bigwigs are keeping mum. What with Pope Francis visiting Manila this week, and final touches being completed at the 6.2-hectare City of Dreams (COD), this is probably not the time to go celebrity crazy.

Still, getting a glimpse of the three hotels making up City of Dreams — Hyatt, Nobu Hotel and Crown Towers — is enough of a glittering experience, even without the Hollywood glitz. Over a very fine lunch at Cantonese restaurant Crystal Dragon, Chuidian says that with 940 rooms available, a two-level casino open, and a bevy of excellent new restaurants (Nobu among them), City of Dreams looks to expand Manila’s entertainment dreamscape quite a bit more.

In a complex developed by Australian billionaire James Packer and Lawrence Ho (son of Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho) through Melco Crown Enterprises, the P37-billion City of Dreams is yet another jewel in the burgeoning Entertainment City lining Manila Bay. But, while the flavor of City of Dreams is international, the staff uniforms are perhaps the most visible reflection of Filipino creativity: exquisitely designed by Rajo Laurel, Dennis Lustico and Vania Romoff. 

They got gaming

The integrated casino resort — located auspiciously close to the “Fortune Egg,” the City of Dreams’ dome-shaped architectural landmark — is a gamer’s paradise, with 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot machines and 1,700 electronic table games for both VIP high rollers and mass-market players alike.

If gaming’s not your thing, entertainment options include Dreamplay, Dreamworks Studio’s first interactive play space complete with movie mascots (you can leave kids there, if you sign a waiver; for adults, the rate is cheaper); Pangaea and Chaos, two trendy nightclubs run by the Michael Alt Marina Bay Sands group; a shopping arcade featuring luxury brands like Roberto Cavalli, Rolex and Cesare Paciotti; and eateries like the signature Red Ginger, a pan-Southeast Asian haven of comfort food offering delicious takes on beef rendangand nasi goreng, Erwin’s Gastrobar, O Kitchen, Ruby Jack’s Steakhouse & Bar, Apu Filipino Cuisine, and a Godiva Chocolate Café.

Hyatt City of dreams: all-day dining and aqua suites

Among City of Dreams’ three hotels, the Hyatt is the most affordable, with come-ons like a 24-hour buffet and Aqua Suite with shower area large enough to fit a family of four.

“You can hold meetings in there,” says Jose Badelles, Hyatt COD’s marketing communications manager, and though he’s joking, it’s actually true.

If you don’t require a room-sized shower, you can choose between a Twin or 36-sq.m. King room, which will serve as a very comfortable base from which you can access food outlets like The Café, a midnight buffet (all you can eat for P1,088) with five stations offering fresh seafood, fried and grilled items that are fired up only upon ordering.

“We have an a-la-minute concept, so you won’t see huge mounds of food but it’s all cooked fresh,” says Stijn Van Leeuwen, The Café’s food and beverage manager. “Customers can specify the doneness of their steak, for example, so there’s a very good interaction between the chefs and our customers.”

The Hyatt’s facilities include a Franck Provost salon, fitness center and outdoor pool, to which guests aren’t limited. Meaning, Hyatt guests can swim in the Nobu Hotel pool, and vice versa — a nice perk on top of everything else.

Game of crowns

Kevin Sim, chief operating officer of City of Dreams, welcomes us into the Crown Tower lobby, and we’re already seeing double. That’s because they’ve hired nine sets of twins to serve as lobby girls. “We’re different,” Sim explains, as the two ladies wearing pillbox hats gamely pose for pictures.

Double the casino space, too, as Crown offers two floors of betting options, including gaming tables, slot machines, electronic games and VIP rooms.

Crown Towers offers a unique experience for high rollers as well: the luxury of parking your helicopter at the Tower One helipad, literally checking in at the eighth floor and having a personal butler escort you directly to the casino tables. Talk about an inside straight!

Then there is that eye-popping “six-star hotel” claim. Whether such a category actually exists or not — most international hotel accrediting agencies claim it does not, though the term has been bandied around by plenty of casino complexes — the Crown Tower certainly fulfills every requirement of a topnotch five-star hotel.

The personal butlering service at Crown Towers is another thing that sets it apart. According to general manager Brett Hickey, the 80 rooms, suites and villas in Tower One are for Signature Club members only — you must be invited to stay there.

But what perks: all Tower Suites guests are assigned one of 48 personal butlers who will attend to their every need — whether it’s personal shopping, laundry requests, transportation, or getting room service from Nobu or any of the other restaurants in City of Dreams. Hickey describes a request last New Year’s Eve: a guest wanted to watch the fireworks display from the helipad level of Tower One. Not only was the wish granted, but with a bucket of chilled Champagne and canapés on standby. The butler service is as personal as you want it — and the same butler will be assigned to you, 24/7, for the duration of your stay.

Each of the rooms, suites and seven lavish villas of Tower Suites offer high-speed Internet access, JBL docking stations, flat-screen smart TVs and a gallery of luxury bathroom amenities. (Those staying in villas can choose from amenity brands such as Hermes, Acqua di Parma, L’Occitane, Salvatore Ferragamo, Chopard and Bulgari.)

With two towers and 254 rooms, the Crown has exclusive facilities as well, such as a private swimming pool (Crown guests may explore all the City of Dreams pools, but the Crown pool is restricted only to guests and members. Want to double your relaxation? Crown guests can enjoy the freeform pool with a welcome kit of Evian spritzer, smoothie and complimentary use of Christian Dior sunglasses.)

Such luxury does not come cheaply, as a three-bedroom Premier Suite at Crown Towers can run from P60,000 a night to P340,000 for the bi-level, 548-sq.m. Presidential Suite.

For your culinary needs, the Crown caters to rarefied tastes: The Tasting Room is a French haute cuisine resto where Basque chef William Mahi offers special six-course degustation and wine-pairing menus (including popular favorites like the 52-degree egg with truffle, 36-hour marinated salmon and aged Wagyu beef); across the way you will find Crystal Dragon, where Malaysian chef Bong Choi offers a heavenly dim sum trio (Four Seasons, minced duck with black pepper and minced pork spinach dumplings), stir-fried prawns with butter and crispy egg floss, and oven-baked marinated codfish with five spices.

If it’s understated, trendy & chic, it must be Nobu

One of the City of Dreams’ major coups is scoring the first Nobu Hotel in Asia, second only to the Las Vegas original.

The City of Dreams outpost continues what general manager Marlon Hirsh calls “the unique Nobu hospitality — understated, chic and trendy” being the main buzzwords that define the Nobu experience.

Inspired by boutique hotels and a Japanese bamboo motif, the lobby boasts the very first Nobu teahouse in the world, featuring hand-tied Ikaati teabags and a refined array of pastries. Plush shagreen elevators take you up to one of the 321 rooms, which induce an immediate Zen mindset with the shadow-style calligraphy on the walls (and the “o” in Nobu) signifying a free flow of energy. Other unique touches are the getaslippers and minibars, stocked with the Nobu sake and Matsuhisa wine that’s only found at 32 Nobu restaurants around the world.

Hirsh says Nobu co-owner Robert De Niro is very hands-on: “He sits on each piece of furniture and gives us his comments,” but again, no word on whether the legendary actor will be attending the grand opening.

At the Nobu restaurant, which is the largest in the world, breakfasts and other dishes on the menu have been “Nobu-fied” (or Filipinized, depending on your perspective), with Wagyu tapsilog, Sakana (Japanese fish) sisig, and paella on offer. Executive chef Zach Hillberry is the man responsible for the merry fusion, saying that these were the dishes he liked upon arrival in the Philippines, and that he included paella as a nod to our Spanish colonial history.

Of course, signature dishes such as Rock Shrimp Creamy Spicy, Toro Tartar with Caviar, and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño are available to local diners, and “every meal at Nobu is meant to be a kaisekiexperience,” Hillberry says.

The bespoke philosophy of the hotel extends to the spa, where the signature Nobu Rakuen treatment includes yoga exercises to help client and therapist breathe together as one, followed by a relaxing massage with bamboo rollers.

No wonder the Nobu Hotel was fully booked during the holiday season, and is currently at 75 percent occupancy, with a clientele comprised of locals and Chinese from Taiwan and Mainland China. Many, it seems, are seeking that unique brand of Nobu hospitality found only in this corner of the world.

* * *

To reserve at Crown Towers, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila or Nobu Hotel, call 800-8080 or book through the City of Dreams website: www.cityofdreams.com.ph/.

The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

Read article : The 23 Most Romantic Hotels in the Caribbean

With infinity pools overlooking the water, canopied beds ideal for cuddling, and elegant spas for couples' massages, many Caribbean hotels were designed for romantic escapes. But of course, some are better than others for vacationing with a significant other, so we set out to find the best of the best. After visiting hundreds (and hundreds) of hotels throughout St. Lucia, Aruba, Barbados, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and dozens more Caribbean destinations, we compared and evaluated each breathtaking property. Take a look at the most romantic hotels in the Caribbean, and get inspired!

1. 

   Romantic? Undoubtedly. Unique? Absolutely. Expensive? For sure. Through an innovative, open fourth wall, each of Jade's 29 enormous suites overlooks the sea from its canopied bed, raised whirlpool tub, and (in all but the entry-level category) private infinity pool. Getting to Jade Mountain can be tedious, even nauseating, but its organic cuisine, doting service, unwavering silence (no TVs, radios, or children), and extraordinary design make the long journey worthwhile.

2. 

   Interiors here are designed by fashion icon Oscar de la Renta, and the 30 rooms feature comfortable four-poster beds with crisp, white Frette linens and unique wicker canopies. Bathrooms have coral floors, deep hot tubs, large stand-up glass showers, and toiletries from L'Occitane -- about as good as it gets in the D.R. The best part: the nightly turndown includes a drawn bath with floating red flower petals and tea lights. Tortuga Bay's luxury Six Senses Spa is one of the D.R.'s best.

3. 

   This unique luxury resort in St. Lucia is made up of 32 one- and two-bedroom villas, each carefully carved into the surrounding hillside overlooking the island’s iconic twin Pitons. The treehouse-style villas -- which have missing fourth walls, and in most cases, private plunge pools -- are a main draw, as are the spectacular views and lush grounds. The resort also features some fabulous amenities, such as an infinity lagoon pool, a gorgeous open-air restaurant and bar, a (tiny) open-air fitness center, and a lovely spa with a multi-level series of small outdoor mineral pools. All of this comes at a price, but Ladera is still significantly cheaper than the ultra-glam Jade Mountain (rates are often around half as much). Ladera is within close range of several of the island’s best tourist destinations -- notable cocoa plantations are within walking distance, the pristine white sands of Jalousie beach are a short drive away, and tourist hot spots like the volcano and Tet-Paul nature trails are both nearby.

4. 

   This 23-room luxury boutique hotel is a Balinese-inspired paradise in Curacao where the details make the difference -- hand-carved teakwood pieces, gift bags left on the beds, and candles lit all around the property are just a few examples. The highlights of the resort are the elegant rooms and villas, some with private pools, the excellent fine-dining restaurant, and a lovely (though man-made) stretch of tranquil beach. This is the top luxury resort on Curacao, without contest.

5. 

   One of Jamaica's most romantic escape (for adults only), the Caves' 11 unique, private cottages and suites are tucked along lush garden paths and dramatic seaside cliffs (there's no beach) carved with steep stairways down to the water and into incredible grottos.. A top-shelf bar, an Aveda spa, free cooking classes, and intimate, incredibly attentive service make it Jamaica's best all-inclusive. High-quality food celebrates local ingredients, and the scene is laid-back and bohemian -- suited to travelers who appreciate outdoor showers and artful decor in favor of conventional luxury.

6. 

   This luxury all-inclusive resort is one of the most elegant and well-regarded hotels on the island, with 64 posh suites dotting a quarter mile of beachfront. Spice Island is a serene oasis amidst the bustling Grand Anse beach area, with clean lines, and a polished, upscale vibe that still maintains the laid-back charm of the Caribbean. The resort includes two restaurants, a beautiful spa, and a variety of activities, but peace and relaxation are also easy to find. The nice pool area is quiet and private, yet the beach -- though beautiful and clean -- is shared by locals and guests of nearby resorts.

7. 

   Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, this 1,000-acre resort on a private island is the definition of tranquility. With an incredible infinity-edge pool, world-renowned COMO Shambhala Spa, waterfront Balinese-style villas, doting service, and more than three miles of pristine beaches, it's easily one of the most luxurious and romantic options in the Caribbean. But hefty price tags put it out of reach for many, and the rare level of privacy comes as the cost of convenience -- a boat commute is required to reach any nightlife or shopping.

8. 

   This luxurious Viceroy is truly a stunner. It has arguably the best location on St. Lucia, right in between the Pitons, St. Lucia's famous volcanic spires, and on a beautiful white-sand beach. Its 79 rooms are minimalistic, chic, and mostly white, and all come with private plunge pools, butlers, and 24-hour room service; the larger villas and cottages offer living rooms and huge bathrooms (some with outdoor showers and hot tubs). Features include a family-friendly pool, fitness center, tennis courts, and free water sports. The romantic tree-house spa is one of the island's best. The resort's restaurants and bars are pricey, but all-inclusive rates are available to help guests keep costs in check. Unlike Ladera and Jade Mountain, the other two St. Lucia properties on this list, Sugar Beach does allows children, but it tries to ensure peace and quiet for couples, as well, and opened an adult-only beach in spring 2016. 

9. 

   The Geejam is made up of only five private, high-tech cottages on the lush (rainy) foothills of Port Antonio. The setting is gorgeous, the service is extraordinary, and one of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches is only 10 minutes away. Quiet seclusion it has; a pool, spa facilities, and direct beach access it does not.

10. 

    This adults-only luxury resort offers just two room types: deluxe rooms on the second floor, and slightly larger junior suites on the lower level with access to the beach. Sprawling across 11 acres on the west coast of Barbados, the property is situated closer to the waterfront than others in the area, due to it being built before legislation forced future resorts to build further inland. The pink Colonial-style property is romantic, and offers two restaurants and bars, as well as free afternoon tea on the terrace. Because there are only 72 rooms, the beach never feels crowded. Excellent amenities include an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and free non-motorized water sports. But all this comes at a price -- room and restaurant prices are some of the steepest in Barbados.

11. 

    One of Barbados' most exclusive resorts, The House is the definition of luxury. Located on the ritzy west coast, the adult-only property doesn’t even have a sign out front on the road. The property is secluded and private, with manicured gardens, koi ponds, and a chic lounge area. The rooms are spacious and contemporary with upscale amenities including a massage jet shower and a free bottle of rum punch. Thoughtful freebies include welcome drinks, champagne breakfast, and jet lag revival massages. There is no spa on-site -- surprising for a hotel of this caliber.

12. 

    This is called One&Only for good reason -- there’s nothing quite like it on Paradise Island, or anywhere in the Bahamas for that matter. The 106 rooms and suites, split into two sections, are luxurious, though those in the newer Crescent Wing are a bit more modern and stylish. Guests have access to the amenities at the Atlantis but the advantage of being removed from the crowds. Expansive manicured grounds have two outdoor pools, a romantic garden and statuary modeled after Versailles (a dream for weddings), and the endless stretch of white-sand beach and turquoise waves. Health and wellness nuts are spoilt for choice with daily yoga, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, an indoor/outdoorfitness center, and a Balinese-style spa with private villas. After a day in the sun, guests return to the room to find champagne and strawberries waiting, and many choose to begin their evening with sunset drinks at Jean-Georges' Dune restaurant.

13. 

    Rosewood Tucker's Point's obvious lures aside -- four pools, a private beach, a championship golf club, a tranquil spa, four restaurants, and spacious rooms featuring million-dollar views -- it’s the fine-tuned details that make this 200-acre property truly spectacular. For example, in the library just behind the lobby, old photos of Bermudian cricket matches, cabinets filled with china, and an antique Oriental rug feel like a swanky 1920s living room frozen in time. Rosewood is easily one of Bermuda’s top luxury resorts, but the rates are also higher here than anywhere else on the island. But perfection (or near-perfection) has its price, and at Tucker’s Point, it’s well worth it.

14. 

    Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas. However, some of the villas feature outdated decor and worn furnishings that seem inconsistent with the resort's high nightly rates.

15. 

    If you ever wondered where the stars might go for R&R, look no further than the minimalist Le Sereno, a chic five-pearl boutique hotel reserved for travelers seeking all-around luxury. The simple, elegant interiors by famed designer Christian Liaigre are matched by top-notch amenities and lovely views of the ocean, and the option of in-room (or oceanfront) spa treatments as well as 24-hour room service makes for a truly pampering experience. The hotel’s restaurant, while tasty, is quite pricey -- even for fancy St. Barth's -- and the semi-private beach is not as pretty or wide as the island’s numerous other strips of sand. The hotel is best for couples who don’t mind paying a little extra and renting a car to reach the secluded romance of this hillside hotel.

16. 

    This luxury boutique is heavy on style and refinement, with British Colonial design and 28 huge multi-room suites (they start at 1,080 square feet) featuring kitchens, terraces, and high-end bathrooms. Property highlights include a lovely, tranquil pool, personal beachfront service, a small but spectacular spa, and one of the Providenciales’ most romantic dinner spots. However, its remote location on the point of the beautiful, 12-mile Grace Bay beach -- while peaceful and quiet -- makes it necessary for guests to rely on expensive taxis or car rentals to explore the island.

17. 

    The Caribbean Club is a luxury boutique hotel located on Grand Cayman’s famous Seven Mile Beach. The 37 spacious suites and villas are individually owned and exquisitely decorated, and all have full kitchens, balconies with ocean views, and marble bathrooms with separate whirlpool tubs and rainfall showers. The Club has one of the nicest stretches of beach along the Seven Mile coast with white sand, turquoise water, and calm waves. The beach and pool areas are not crowded, allowing for a quiet and serene tropical getaway. The restaurant here is one of the best on the island, but note that there is no spa.

18. 

    Easily the most luxurious resort in St. Martin, the 55-acre La Samanna resort brings tranquility to an otherwise tourist-filled island. Featuring two beautiful pools, an extensive wine cellar, a yoga and Pilates studio, a European-style spa, and the island's most pristine beach, this 81-room, eight-villa retreat is hard to beat. The vibe is about as fancy as it gets for St. Martin, so of course everything -- from the nightly rates to the dinners and spa treatments -- comes at a sky-high cost.

19. 

    Decked out in signature pink, the 112-room Sandy Lane is the creme de la creme of Barbados -- indeed, it's one of the most luxurious resorts in the world -- known for unparalleled service and distinct touches. Guest amenities run rampant; perhaps the most noteworthy is access to the super exclusive Green Monkey golf course with a separate apparel line that can only be purchased after completion. A Rolls Royce Phantom, top-notch spa, outstanding restaurants, and celebrity sightings are just a few aspects that set the elegant Palladian-style hotel apart from the rest. This is a very special place, for those who can afford it.

20. 

    Sandals is the epitome of a couples-only Caribbean mega-resort. With 11 restaurants, 373 luxurious rooms, and six pools, it's expansive, if not a bit overwhelming. You could easily get lost in the 27 acres of meticulously groomed gardens and along the pathwayswinding between buildings. The Sandals brand is evident at every turn, and the experience can feel generic, pre-packaged, and lacking in authenticity. However, this popular upscale all-inclusive with elegant rooms is definitely dedicated to creating memorable, romantic getaways. (Just be prepared to share yours with a few hundred other couples.)

21. 

    The relaxed, tranquil environment of this adults-only boutique resort is a major part of its appeal. This isn't Antigua's fanciest property, but it doesn't need to be: Simple Caribbean style (think: thatched roofs, stone, and rattan), a truly gorgeous beach, and all-inclusive food that's better than average for the island make for a winning combo. Water sports are also included in the rate, but the ocean here can get a bit rough so guests shouldn't count on being able to swim in it every day.

22. 

    The Bucuti is a romantic, adults-only resort at the southern end of Eagle Beach. This intimate, 104-room property has 14 acres of beach, and the main activity here involves lingering on the sand under shaded palapas; there's also a chic infinity edge pool. Rooms are stylish and have higher-end amenities such as iHome systems, charging docks, and built-in TVs in the bathroom mirrors. A free breakfast buffet is served daily, and dining is a highlight -- including five-course menus at the intimate gourmet spot, Carte Blanche -- and plenty more restaurants are within walking distance. The resort sees a high percentage of repeat visitors, so book early.

23. 

    This charming all-inclusive boutique resort, situated on a bluff overlooking the sea, features 57 separate cottage-style rooms painted in Caribbean pinks and blues. The rooms have a rustic style featuring exposed wood beams, and some have private plunge pools. It is a posh adults-only property catering to couples, wedding parties, and honeymooners -- but it offers a much more intimate atmosphere than massive couples-only resorts like Sandals.