Home  |   Hotels, Air & Car  |   Browse Hotels Worldwide  |   The Perfect 10  |  

Archive for April, 2007

h1

Perfect Escapes Announces Top International Luxury Hotels

Monday, April 30th, 2007

Big happenings here at Perfect Escapes. We have just launched our complete list of international luxury hotels. Every hotel on our site has been put through the ringer and come out sparkling clean and deemed worthy to be a true 4- or 5-star hotel. With selections ranging from the far corners of the world, we have most of your bases covered. We have scoured the globe to bring you the best of the best: from the luxury resorts of the Maldives to the beautiful coast of Mexico, from luxury accommodations on the Champs Elysees in Paris to the reborn luxury retreats in Phuket Thailand, and from the variety of deluxe hotels in London to the luxury high-rises of cosmopolitan Lima. Our list of properties now covers almost 90 countries.

To make things even better, we’ve also launched a new interactive map for your navigation pleasures. Let us know what you think about the map, or any of our new properties. There are still some bugs and all of our hotel photos will be up soon so even though some of the hotels on the site might not have all of their information, they are still worthy of being included and have passed our intensive rating system.

Here are just a small sampling of our new favorites from around the globe:

Soneva Fushi Resort and Spa

Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa - Maldives

The first “Robinson Crusoe” style hideaway in the Maldives, is set on the privately owned, uninhibited, tropical paradise island of Kunfunadhoo.

Each villa has the luxuries found in the best hotels. However, whilst offering all these modern day facilities, the utmost care has been given to make the resort environment-friendly, and to reflect the dream of a Robinson Crusoe experience. Thus, the hairdryer is hidden in the drawer of a coconut wood desk; the minibar, safe, and quadraphonic hi-fi are concealed behind rattan; the TV and DVD are delivered in a water hyacinth basket.

Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara

Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara - Vietnam

Visiting this 300 acre island in idyllic Ninh Van Bay, the feeling of tranquillity is not an illusion. Accessible only by boat, the site of the Evason Hideaway on dramatic Ninh Van Bay is quite unique, taking full advantage of the setting. Impressive rock formations, the coral reef, white sand beach, a playful stream and the towering mountains behind, all add to the sense of being luxuriously at one with nature.

Featuring 52 airy villas, you can choose between one nestled into the lush hillside, on the beach, or among dramatic rocky outcrops. Each with their own panoramic views of the either the sea.

El Careyes Beach Resort, Puerto Vallarta

El Careyes Beach Resort - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Surrounded by a lavish sub-tropical rainforest nestled in a secluded cove on the Pacific Ocean, El Careyes Beach Resort exudes a spirit of tranquility and easy elegance.

Reminiscent of a quiet Mediterranean village, the resort remains true to the architecture of the Costa Careyes, boasting a bold palette of terracotta tones that blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature’’s azures and greens. Passing through the stone archway entrance and on to the signature free form pool with commanding breathtaking views of the Pacific, one can truly experience the feeling of having arrived in a place like no other.

Le Saint Sulpice, Montreal Quebec

Le Saint Sulpice - Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The all new Le Saint-Sulpice can cater to your every need. This full service hotel has every amenity imaginable from fine dining to a luxurious fitness center. There are 108 spacious suites from 550 to 1500 square feet - many with a fireplace. There are vast terrace suites overlooking the sunny courtyard

The S Le Restaurant sets a new standard of cuisine in Old Montreal. Chef Edwin Haelewyck has assembled a delectable menu hallmarked by its variety and creativity.

Hotel Emiliano Sao Paolo Brazil

Hotel Emiliano - Sao Paolo, Brazil

Ranked #1 by Trip Advisor reviewers for Sao Paolo out of 206 hotels, a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World, and on the Conde Nast Hot List, the Hotel Emiliano offers a new concept in hospitality with an exclusive and luxurious product. It offers guests a pleasant and contemporary ambience. Hotel Emiliano’s restaurant blends top class contemporary style with sofisticated cuisine and provides its guests with an unforgetable home away from home experience.

Banyan Tree Seychelles

Banyan Tree Seychelles - Mahe, Seychelles

Nestled in Intendance Bay with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, one of the world’s most beautiful talcum powder beaches, swaying palm trees and lush tropical forest, Banyan Tree Seychelles provides a rare taste of paradise. For the very best of Seychellois architecture, its 54 stunning pool villas combine contemporary, colonial and ”plantation” décor; from high sloping ceilings, airy verandas and louvered doors to ethnic woven textiles. The eclectic villa interiors provide a true sense of place - allowing you to experience Banyan Tree’s signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality in Seychellois style.

h1

Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations

Friday, April 27th, 2007

These days, with technology giving us visibility into the far regions of the globe and destination research is just a click away, the old Las Vegas or Hawaii honeymoon is giving way to a bit more exotic and unique vacations. Jessica Dickler at CNNMoney writes, “according to travel experts, Costa Rica and Belize are two of the most “up and coming” honeymoon destinations right now.” Here is the list of the top 10 honeymoon destinations according to CNNMoney. So start planning for the ultimate trip of a lifetime after you take the big plunge on your wedding day. You deserve that break.

1) Costa Rica

Four Seasons Costa Rica
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Costa Rica is a great spot for active couples. It’s well known for its zip line tours, which send visitors swinging through the forest’s treetop canopy via a cable and a harness - not to mention the great surfing.

2) Turks and Caicos

Amanyara Turks and Caicos
Amanyara

Just a short flight from Miami, Turks and Caicos is relatively unspoiled by travelers. Beaches are uncrowded and the coral reefs are undisturbed. But outside the resort’s activities, there’s not much to do on these islands and if it rains, you could get very bored.

3) Croatia

Croatia has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful spots in Europe, but the booming tourist industry was interrupted by war in the early 1990s. Now tourists are rushing back to enjoy the country’s long stretch of Adriatic coast.

4) Bora Bora

Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort and Spa
Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort

The islands of French Polynesia are the epitome of a tropical paradise, and Bora Bora has been the honeymoon destination for decades. Overwater bungalows, which are situated on stilts over a lagoon, are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts. And the incredible views and privacy are unparalleled.

5) Thailand

Tongsa Bay Thailand
The Tongsai Bay

Thailand is also for its beaches, most notably on the Island of Phuket. There you can choose from one of the many luxury resorts that hug the coast, where there’s not much to do besides relax.

6) New Zealand

Kauri Cliffs New Zealand
Kauri Cliffs

Not many places in the world offer such stunning scenery at every vista, every turn in the highway, and every rising peak. Complementing the stunning landscapes are any outdoor activity imaginable as well as some of the friendliest people around.

7) Mauritius

One and Only Kanahura Resort
One and Only Kanahura Resort

While in Mauritius, it’s hard to go wrong with one of the two One & Only resorts on the east coast. One & Only Le Saint Geran is on 60 acres on the Belle Mare peninsula, near the site of Le Saint Geran shipwreck. (Rates start at around $900.)

8 ) Scotland

Kingsbrae Arms and Chateaux
Kingsbrae Arms Relais and Chateaux

If countryside and castles are your idea of romance, then Scotland might be a perfect honeymoon destination.

9) Marrakesh, Morocco

Kasbah du Toubkal, Marrakesh Morocco
The Kasbah du Toubkal

Honeymooners who really want an offbeat excursion should consider Marrakesh, in southwestern Morocco, which is set against the Atlas Mountains.

10) St. Lucia

Ladera Resort St. Lucia
Ladera Resort

Even though it’s only a three-hour fight from Miami, St. Lucia feels very far away. It’s been a trendy destination for a while, but the island has yet to be over run by travelers; in fact, bananas are still a bigger business on the island than tourism and the resorts exploit the serenity of the surroundings.

h1

Perfect Escapes Latest Perfect 10 Luxury Hotel Offers

Thursday, April 26th, 2007

Out latest Perfect 10 newsletter was sent, featuring 10 of our best luxury hotel offers for hotels from all over the United States, from New York to San Francisco. These emails are sent out 2 times a month. Here is a sample of the Perfect 10 but you can sign up yourself as well.

Palace Hotel San Francisco

Taste of Luxury - from $269 per night
Palace Hotel, San Francisco

Savor daily breakfast, a stellar rate, plus an exclusive room upgrade for Perfect Escapes members.

Gramercy Park Hotel New York

Drive In: Parking + Breakfast – from $545 per night
Gramercy Park Hotel, New York City

Leave your car with the valet and take the hotel’s chauffeured Mercedes on your Big Apple adventures.

Westin Market Street San Francisco

Complimentary Third Night – from $219 per night
The Westin San Francisco Market Street

Stay 2 nights in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa district and get your third night FREE, plus a room upgrade.

Check out the rest of the Perfect 10 and sign up to receive the next one so you can find out about the best deals on luxury hotels before anyone else.

h1

Perfect Escapes Announces Top U.S. Luxury Hotels

Wednesday, April 25th, 2007

Perfect Escapes Luxury Hotels

Top U.S. Luxury Hotels Selected by Perfect Escapes

Travel Site’s People-Based Process Brings Meaning to “Luxury”

Perfect Escapes, the online expert in luxury hotels and great deals on luxury travel, today announced its top luxury hotels in the United States. This definitive collection of 762 hotels represents only the top 1.5 percent of all hotels in the U.S. From the best boutique hotel on the California Coast, to New York’s most premier properties, Perfect Escapes offers a comprehensive collection of the nation’s upscale hotels.

“We’re proud to feature such an elite group of properties,” said Eric Jeck, CEO of Perfect Escapes. “Our editorial team hand-selects only hotels that are guaranteed to be 4- and 5-star by even the most discerning standards.”

Perfect Escapes’ travel experts personally evaluate each hotel to guarantee its quality. Other travel sites take a checklist approach to judging hotels, often using amenity and service descriptions supplied by hotel staff. They may also charge hotels a fee to be included on their sites. Perfect Escapes accepts zero compensation from hotels for inclusion on its site. Instead, Perfect Escapes evaluates hotels on more than services and amenities by considering attributes such as guest feedback, service levels, and the character of the property.

“Until now, a listing of upscale hotels like this one has been unavailable to luxury travelers because ‘luxury’ is such a diluted term,” said Alex Zesch, Director of Interactive Marketing with The Benjamin and Affinia Hotels, two luxury brands with deluxe properties in New York and Chicago. “Perfect Escapes uses a very selective process that guarantees every featured property offers a truly luxurious experience.”

Perfect Escapes will soon represent the best luxury experiences worldwide, with the addition of close to 1,500 deluxe international properties.

Social Bookmarks:
h1

The Rise of Destination Clubs - Got $400,000 to spare?

Tuesday, April 24th, 2007

Solstice Collection Destination Clubs

Luxury travel isn’t just limited to fancy hotels, high-end restaurants, the best shopping, and the most exclusive beaches. These days, if you have the money to spend, you can afford to trump even the highest of high-end and reserve time in some of the most fantastic homes all over the world. ForbesTraveler published an article about the rise of these Destination Clubs, but at Perfect Escapes, we also give you direct ways to find out more information from the top of the business - the Helium Report.

Perfect Escapes has partnered with the experts at Helium Report to offer our members free access to Helium’s popular Decision Guide to Destination Clubs.

If – like many frequent guests of luxury hotels – you have considered the benefits of high-end destination club membership as an alternative to owning a vacation property, you can’t afford to miss this opportunity. This 50-page report compares the benefits of all 24 destination clubs listed below, and provides the answers you need to make a smart decision. Helium analysts interview club executives, speak with members, and compare the different options.

The Decision Guide to Destination Clubs explains the risks and rewards of membership. Learn more about member-to-home ratios, holiday reservations, definitions of key terms, and how destination clubs can actually be cheaper than staying in a luxury hotel. An invaluable resource, the guide also includes 175 questions you need to ask before joining any destination club.

You can find information on the following Destination Clubs in the Helium Report:

Ultra-Luxury Destination Clubs
• Yellowstone Club World
• Ciel
• Solstice
• My Global Playground

Luxury Destination Clubs
• Premier Destinations
• Exclusive Resorts
• M Private Residences
• The Hideaways Club
• The Oyster Circle
• Quintess, The Leading Residences of the World
• Crescendo
• The LUSSO Collection
• Private Escapes Pinnacle
• The Markers
• Portofino Club
• Ultimate Resort
• Private Escapes Platinum
• BelleHavens

Premium Destination Clubs
• Portofino Club (Signature)
• Private Escapes Premiere
• High Country Club
• Fly Fishing Destinations

Below is an abstract of the Forbes Traveler artcle - The Rise of Destination Clubs:

“As family travel has grown in popularity, so have destination clubs, which offer affluent vacationers a relatively new way to travel. The major selling point: destination clubs offer both the space and privacy of private homes as well as all the services that come with staying at a luxury resort.

Unlike fractional residences or timeshares, destination clubs for the most part do not give members an ownership stake in real estate (though there are a couple of exceptions to this rule, including BelleHavens.). Rather, the typical destination club is structured more like a country club, with members on average paying anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000 in the form of a membership deposit (usually 80% refundable), and annual dues that range from around $15,000 to $30,000 on top of that. This sizeable investment allows the use of whatever properties the club owns for a set number of days in a year, with locations from the Bahamas to Tuscany. Clubs typically offer concierge services such as stocking the fridge, housecleaning and helping with travel arrangements.

The industry was launched in 1998, with a company called Private Retreats that is no longer in existence (more on that later). Now there are more than 20 clubs, according to industry consulting firm Helium Report. The largest club by far is Exclusive Resorts — chaired by America Online co-founder Steve Case — which boasts about 2,500 members and more than 300 properties, for about a 65 percent share of the destination club market. The membership fee to join Exclusive Resorts is $475,000, and annual dues are $27,500. The second-largest club, Ultimate Resorts, has 775 members and 105 homes in 26 locations (membership deposit $215,000; annual dues $22,000).

There are a handful of clubs that focus on travelers with a particular interest, such as fly-fishing or golf. And there are some super-luxury clubs with a very limited membership and only a handful of homes. One example: Solstice, with 9 homes (plus one under construction) with an average value of $6 million, and a membership of deposit of $875,000 plus annual dues of $42,000.”

Social Bookmarks: