Daily Pampering: Luxury villa properties in Anguilla from $30,000 a week

by Melanie Nayer on

Picture it: You’re relaxing in the Caribbean, overlooking the idylllic white sand beaches and breathtaking cliffs in the distance. You suddenly have an urge for conch fritters and a Hurricane, and thanks to the $30,000 a week you just spent on your private villa in Anguilla, you won’t have to go far to get it.

Two brand new luxury villa properties, Ani Villas, opened in Anguilla offering guests the feeling of a “private island” experience, with all the luxe amenities of a world-class all-inclusive resort.

The Villas, designed by the award-winning architect Lee Skolnick, are decorated in dramatic contemporary style and feature three master bedrooms and two twin guest rooms. They can be rented together as The Estate, a 25,000 square foot compound or individually (five night minimum); and come with an extensive list of high-end amenities including:

  • Dedicated personal staff
  • Complimentary rental car
  • Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
  • House wines, provisions purchasing and more.

Want it? You can have it. Ani Villas in Anguilla are available from $30,000 a week if you book before December 1, 2010. High season rates go as high $40,000 for the week.

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Daily Pampering: Luxury travel shopping experience in Milan

by Melanie Nayer on

What do you get for the fashionista who has everything? A luxury travel trip to Milan to explore high-end boutiques along Via Montenapoleone and attend two exclusive trunk shows with industry leaders Valentino, Stella McCartney, Dior, and more.

The luxury travel package, worth more than $13,000, is offered by Pure Entertainment Group and includes everything from a suite at The Four Season Hotel Milan, a private tour of the city, dinner at the exclusive Dolce & Gabbana Gold restaurant and a complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne upon arrival.

What’s a luxury shopping experience without a new pair of shoes? Absolutely nothing. While you’re here, grab a new pair of stilettos and hit the catwalk in style.

This ultimate pampering package includes:

  • 4-night stay in a Junior Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Milano
  • Daily full breakfast
  • Welcome amenities with complimentary bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and fresh flowers
  • 2 Exclusive Trunk Shows at the boutiques of your choice on Via Montenapoleone with catering and champagne. Luxe designers include Valentino, Dior, Stella McCartney, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, and Armani.
  • Exclusive discussion with some of Milan’s fashion designers
  • Preferred shopping privileges in Milan’s most exclusive boutiques
  • 1 gourmet dinner at Michelin-Starred restaurant Cracco Peck (alcohol not included)
  • Private guided tour of Milan (3 hours)
  • 1 dinner at Dolce & Gabbana Gold restaurant (alcohol not included)
  • Personalized airport welcome with limousine transfer to/from hotel

The price for this shopping package starts at $13,075/4 nights and is available through May 15, 2011

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Forbes Travel Guide announces annual four- and five-star hotel, spa, restaurant winners

by Melanie Nayer on

The star-rating for hotels, spas, and restaurants is similar to the Academy Awards for Hollywood. If Oscar is the type prize, a five-star rating for a hotel can be called “Oscar.” Luxury properties waited with bated breath for today’s announcement from Forbes Travel Guide: the list of Four-Star and Five-Star award winners for the 2011 Forbes Travel Guide.

The list, unveiled today, announced two hotels, two restaurants, and two spas winning a coveted fifth star. The list has defined the industry’s highest standards of excellence in hospitality for more than 50 years.

The five-star winner restaurants are both in New York City (Daniel and Eleven Madison Park); the two new five-star hotels include Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong, and Falling Rock at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, in Farmington, Pennsylvania; and the two new five-star spas are The Spa at The Grand Del Mar, in San Diego, and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, in Las Vegas.

Forbes Travel Guide’s ratings are based on objective evaluations of more than 500 attributes. This year’s additions bring the total number of Forbes Five-Star hotels to 54. Among the 54 Five-Star hotels, six are in New York City, the most of any city in the U.S. There are five Five-Star hotels in Hong Kong, and two in Macau, where ratings were established for the first time in 2009. Forbes Travel Guide expects to further expand its rating system to include properties in additional international destinations in 2011.

The complete list of Forbes Travel Guide Star award winners can be found here.

Controversy over development near Victoria Falls

by Sean McLachlan on


Environmentalists are complaining that the tour company Shearwater Adventures has violated national and international law by expanding their luxury resort into the rainforest near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Shearwater has constructed a new restaurant, bar, kitchen, and information center next to the public entrance to the World Heritage Site. A lawyer for Shearwater insists the development is a legal replacement of earlier structures that had fallen into disrepair and that none of the new buildings go outside the area already reserved for facilities. Opponents to the construction contend that the buildings are on a much larger scale than the previous ones and are forbidden by a 2007 moratorium. This was put in place after UNESCO threaten to rescind Victoria Falls’ World Heritage status after a local businessman tried to build a hotel and golf course in the World Heritage zone.

Without being on the ground it’s hard to say if who’s telling the truth here. Last week The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe ordered that no new construction take place. It is now running the site along with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which used to have sole authority. The government is currently trying to decide which body will run the Falls.

As this shakeup is going on, conservationists say Shearwater is planning a giant $6 million development next to the VIP entrance to the Falls. This will include a complex of buildings close enough to the Falls to threaten its World Heritage status. There’s also worry about the development’s location only a few yards from the Zambezi River.

[Photo courtesy user colmdc via Gadling’s flickr pool]

Daily Pampering: The Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite in South Africa

by Melanie Nayer on

When you’re one of the most revered men in the world, your own suite at one of the top luxury hotels in the world is just part of the package that comes along with being you. In the spirit of sharing and world peace, however, this particular suite named after Nelson Mandela is available to the general public.

The intimate Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas & Spa, located in Johannesburg, South Africa, features the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite as its top tier accommodation. The 400-square-meter suite is located on the second level of the hotel, with access via a private elevator and/or staircase. The suite is decorated with sophisticated African flair, and consists of two inner-suites, a guest powder room, an open plan lounge and dining room, a fully equipped kitchen (with its own butler’s entrance).

Guests of the Platinum Suite are afforded complimentary round-trip airport transfer via a Mercedes sedan, and VIP assistance on arrival, including meet-and-greet at the airport via the diplomatic channel around passport control. In the suite, guests are treated to Champagne on a nightly basis, complimentary minibar with soft drinks, waters and a selection of beers, replenished daily. If that’s not enough, a housekeeper and butler are on hand to cater to your every whim.

The cost of this peaceful palance? Rates start at ZAR 35,000 per night – approximately $5,103 USD.

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