“But the truth is that the longer I have lived, and the shorter my future, the less pursuing [of happiness] I have done. The point is, in my case, happiness seemed a thing that could not be pursued, only realized and chosen.” —Niall Williams, from her article “Is Anyone Happy Anymore?“, December 21, 2019 To […]
As multigenerational travel continues to trend, families want to visit destinations where there are activities to satisfy everyone from toddlers to grandparents. A recent study by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation reported that Gen Z influences $600 billion of family spending, playing a pivotal role in the decision to take family trips. What […]
The post Beyond LEGOLAND®: why Carlsbad, California is the ultimate destination for the whole family appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
I usually create my New Year’s Eve posts with new images each year but I’ve been very busy this so this one is a culmination of photos from the last few years. Seems fitting to look back as we end one decade and begin a new one. Happy New Year!
Ring out wild bells to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
– Alfred, Lord Tennyson
In the 21st century, life for many has taken on a pace that sometimes feels too busy and far too fast. We are increasingly exposed to vast amounts of information, and although beneficial, this can lead to a sense of overwhelm. Current trends towards ‘digital detox’ and ‘slow living’ are indicators of a growing need […]
The post Time travel, slow travel and other African adventures appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
Sitting on a beautiful 21-kilometer long, 400-meter wide island off the northern coast of Yucatan is the stunning Cancun. It is a luxury resort built with gorgeous tourist infrastructure. Cancun is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Mexico, charming the hearts of more than four million tourists every year. What would you love about Cancun? You’ll have tons of fun things to enjoy, white-sand beaches that will surely take your breath away, large coral reefs to see, and beautiful weather that will make you want to stay forever. If you’re planning to visit Cancun soon, you should not waste the opportunity to see all that it has to offer.
You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to see this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day trips to Chichen Itza are one of the most popular tours since it is one of Mexico’s largest and best-restored archaeological sites. It was settled by the Mayans more than 1000 years ago, and it includes various Chac-Mool statues and important buildings like the pyramid El Castillo. You can even join a tour accompanied by a private archaeologist. You’ll have to wake up as early as 5 am, but you’ll have a chance to explore the place before it opens to other tourists. You’ll want to stay in a hotel that is near major pick up points for tours and such. You might have a hard time searching for the best area to stay in Cancun since almost all of them are good choices. Choose one that has the amenities you prefer, and can cater to all your travel needs.
One of the places you must try in Cancun is its underwater museum. It was set up in 2009 when the Cancun National Marine Park was damaged by a storm. This attraction’s main goal is the art of conservation. The sculptures are the focus of this art collection, and they are a delight to explore. There are more than 500 must-see sculptures that are spread across two lovely underwater galleries. They have been put together by six artists from Mexico and Britain. If you’re not into diving, you can still access the Cancun Underwater Museum through glass-bottom boats.
When you say “Cancun”, one of the things that first come to mind is the exquisite Isla Mujeres (Island of Women). It’s a magnificent island located about 13 kilometers from the mainland. It’s widely popular with surfers for the large waves on its east coast. Meanwhile, divers are enraptured by the abundant marine life around the coral reefs of Garrafon Natural Reef Park. Beach goers who prefer a less hectic pace love Isla Mujeres too due to the limited traffic.
Cancun is nothing short of a paradise here on Earth. If you’re planning your next vacation, you should definitely keep Cancun in mind. Don’t forget these three wonderful destinations, so you can get the most out of your visit.
Eastern Sanskrit Mandala engraved upon Turquoise mother of pearl elevates this rose gold Longines DolceVita limited edition into a realm of rare handicrafts
The post The Exquisite Splendour of Aishwarya’s Longines DolceVita Elegance Celebration appeared first on LUXUO.
Blending seamlessly into the natural landscape, these luxury houses are an architectural phenomenon, kicking revolutionary design up a notch.
The post The World’s Most Spectacular Houses Hidden in Plain Sight appeared first on LUXUO.
On December 26, just a few days ago, TSLL celebrated its 10th anniversary. It seems impossible to have imagined all that has transpired in these 10 years, but what is even more mind-boggling is that more than 3,500 posts have been published, shared, commented upon and reveal not only my own journey, but TSLL readers’ […]
Sneaking in before the New Year is our salute to watchmaking’s best and brightest moments in the year that was
The post On Newsstands WOW Festive 2019 appeared first on LUXUO.
The most famous and celebrated popular festival in Brazil, Carnival has become, over the centuries, one of the major cultural events, annually drawing thousands of revelers to different cities. The whole country transforms itself in the carnival season, with endless possibilities of fun from North to South, including numerous street carnival blocks and groups in […]
The post Many different carnivals in Brazil: 7 destinations to listen to the sound of nature appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
With the holiday season here, it also means New Year is shortly following. For most people, if not all, it only seems like yesterday that they were celebrating the New Year of 2019. The year has gone by so fast, and it just shows how busy everyone has been, working and getting on with their […]
The post Start your New Year with a luxurious halal holiday appeared first on A Luxury Travel Blog.
The January/February 2020 issue of Veranda arrived just before Christmas and it definitely felt like a present. The entire issue is devoted to Paris and the pièce de résistance is the Paris pied-à-terre of interior designer Micky Hurley and his family. The apartment is located in the same 17th-century hôtel particulier that had been overhauled 20 years ago by designers Joseph Achkar and Michel Charrière. I figured this out by the stairwell as I was researching the duo. Since Hurley also deals with antiques, it’s filled the perfect pieces for each room without making it look like a museum. I wasn’t familiar with Micky Hurley before but I can’t wait to see more from this talented designer.
To read more and find full credits, pick up the January/February 2020 issue of Veranda or click here.
Photos by Dylan Thomas and via Instagram.
I love writing a yearly retrospective on trips we’ve had and hotels we’ve stayed in. This year has been quite different owing to discovering my pregnancy in January and having Oscar in July we kept fairly close to home.
City Slickers
1. Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva
With 180 years of history Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues Geneva is the first luxury hotel in Geneva and as soon as walked through the doors, I was blown away by the utter glamour of the place and the incredible floral displays.
Our room was sheer classic luxury with a view of Lake Geneva and a gorgeous marble bathroom.
The hotels two restaurants were easily our favourite of the trip and we enjoyed a romantic Michelin-starred dinner at the Italian restaurant Il Lago as well as lunch on the rooftop at sushi restaurant, Izumi. But what really set this hotel apart for me, was the incredible attention to detail from the handmade chocolate egg in our room, to a mock up magazine cover featuring me! As well as a swan at breakfast celebrating my pregnancy… it truly was an extra special stay. 
2. Ett Hem, Stockholm
A true home away from home in the centre of Stockholm, Mr S and I loved Ett Hem and the unique proposition of being more like a home than a hotel. With only 12 rooms, this utterly intimate boutique hotel was a personal as can be but with an stunning design aesthetic of understated Scandi-chic.
You could take a seat anywhere in the cosy lounge and a friendly member of staff would bring along a glass of wine or a mug hot chocolate with a slice of cake of the day!
An absolute highlight was breakfast, all made freshly by the chef and then bought to you as you relax in the conservatory over looking the the garden. 
4. Soho House Berlin
You don’t get much cooler than Soho House, and Soho House Berlin was no exception! We loved staying there for our friend’s 40th birthday! We absolutely loved the bar and restaurant, and our room (with a library!) was just insane. One day I need to go back in summer and try the rooftop pool!
4. The Lowry, Manchester
After Christmas, Mr S, Oscar and I packed up our bags to visit friends and to stay at The Lowry, the best hotel in Manchester.
A modern hotel filled with art, it’s also a special place for us as it’s the first hotel that we ever stayed in together!
A Sea View
5. Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Sicily
Our hotel of choice for our babymoon (aka our final fling before the baby was born) was Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina, Sicily. A stunning historical property with extensive gardens, a view of Mount Etna and the Bay of Taormina, it had that special feel of Italian glamor. 
Perhaps the most stunning element was the hotel’s pool surrounded by flowers and with gorgeous views… and its own ice cream stand.
We also fell in love with the hotel’s restaurant where we ate a few times, whilst enjoying the incredible ambiance. Another great thing about the hotel was that it felt like two hotels in one as there was a free shuttle to Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea, the sister property on the beach. By dining on the half board programme, we were able to take advantage of meals at both.
6. Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay hotel will alway be special to me now as it’s where we took Oscar on his first holiday! I absolutely loved the stylish white hotel that was also rustic and natural in feel and it was a perfect child friendly option. 
The hotel pools were beautiful and there was a super cool adult pool and a fun and friendly family pool near a kids club.
At a Nobu-branded hotel, you just know the food is going to be good and we loved the signature Nobu restaurant, as well as Chambao which served Mediterranean food with Balearic specials.
7. The Atlantic, Jersey
My only group press trip of the year saw me return to the Atlantic Hotel for the Eat Jersey food festival. This hotel is delightfully retro and incredibly friendly, I felt well and truly welcomed back with open arms and it was amazing to sample the food from the eat Eat Jersey festival back in the environs of the hotel restaurant.
UK Country Breaks
8. Soho Farmhouse, Cotswolds, UK
I’ve been to Soho Farmhouse and enjoyed the comfort of their spacious cabin several times now but this time was even better as I got to show Oscar my favourite hotel! 
Our little man got to see horses and ducks for the first time, while Mr S and I enjoyed the restaurants and relaxing walks around the grounds. Our stay there was a bit different to our usual cocktails in the pool but I loved it so much. 
9. Babington House, Somerset
I loved my country escape to Babington House on a girls getaway, sister property of Soho Farmhouse. We had a lovely few days of eating all the food, exploring the grounds and having some spa time in the rustic, cosy chic country house. 
10. Lucknam Park, Bath
I had another fun country escape on a second girls getaway and visited gorgeous country house, Lucknam Park in Bath for the first time.
Those are my favourite hotels of the year. Which one appeals to you most?
The post My Top Ten Hotels of 2019 appeared first on SilverSpoon London.
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When I found out my Azamara Cruise through South East Asia was departing from Singapore, I knew which luxury hotel I wanted to stay at. The iconic Marina Bay Sands is one of the most recognizable hotels in the world, and was recently featured in the 2018 hit movie Crazy Rich Asians.
With over 2,500 rooms and suites, along with an infinity pool, observation deck, shopping mall, gardens, restaurants and more, the size of this property is absolutely staggering. It honestly feels more like it’s own city than a hotel! I was absolutely blown away and only wish I had stayed for more than 2 nights.
As I mentioned above, the Marina Bay Sands has a thousands of hotel rooms. You have to bear that in mind when you go to check in, as there’s almost always a line but it moves quickly. They have everything down to a science. The atrium is massively impressive, and lined with restaurants, a bar and a few shops.
I had the pleasure of staying in a Deluxe King Garden View room which overlooked the famous Gardens by the Bay. I could soak in the gorgeous views of the gardens from my floor-to-ceiling windows. My king bed was beyond comfortable and I enjoyed the blackout curtains which helped me recover from jet lag and get a restful night’s sleep. I had plenty of space, with a lounger near my bed, along with an executive writing desk.
In my room, I was greeted with a delicious tray of macarons and a welcome letter; I always love these little touches!
The bathroom was very spacious with a huge walk-in, glass enclosed shower. You can expect luxury bath products, as well as a microfibre and Terry bathrobe.
My room included 24-hour room service, complimentary high speed wifi, and entry to the award-winning Banyan Tree Fitness Club. It’s important to note that if you book your room directly with Marina Bay Sands, you will get early access to their incredible Infinity Pool on the 57th floor!
Speaking of the Infinity Pool, I was so beyond excited to see this in person. Marina Bay Sands has the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool that looks out onto the glittering skyline of Singapore. The view absolutely did not disappoint! If you’re wanting photos without the crowds, I’d recommend getting there as early as possible. However, this pool is exclusive to hotel guests which is nice.
You’ll find that there are 3 sections up here: an adults-only area, a family-friendly section, and a dedicated children’s pool. I love that there’s a balance between adults enjoying this pool as well as families! Their luxurious poolside loungers are so comfortable and you can order drinks and food throughout the day. The view is both incredible during the day and at night so be sure to see it at both times.
If lounging by the rooftop pool with a glass of champagne in hand isn’t relaxing enough, then you definitely need to visit the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa at Marina Bay Sands. On my first full day in Singapore, I headed straight to the spa to ease my muscles and tensions after a long flight from the States.
At Banyan Tree, you can escape to a world of tranquility thanks to their calm surroundings and expert staff. Set on the 55th floor, the interiors are inspired by an Oriental water garden. Their spa menu offers a range of full body massages, holistic treatments, as well as calming baths and facials. The massages are based on evolving techniques that have passed through the hands of many generations in Asia. Every person who has a treatment here is treated to a complimentary 30-minute “Calm Time” which involves a foot bath, refreshments, and, of course, relaxation.
I opted for a traditional Balinese massage. This is a medium to strong massage (always give your preference) and my therapist applied deep thumb and palm pressure to fix my aches and pains from traveling. This definitely helps with muscle tensions, uplifting your senses and leaves you feeling fully invigorated. My massage was 60 minutes long, which is the perfect amount of time!
Marina Bay Sands has no shortage of food & beverage outlets. There are more than 80 restaurants, offering local and international cuisines, both in the hotel itself and the larger Marina Bay Sands complex. This includes several dining venues led by celebrity chefs: Adrift by David Myers, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by Gordon Ramsay, Bistro and Oyster Bar by Daniel Boulud, and Long Chim by David Thompson, in addition to two Michelin starred restaurants, Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda and CUT by Wolfgang Puck. Of course, it was impossible to try everything during my stay, but the dinners I had – at the Lavo Italian restaurant and Spago restaurant, both located on the rooftop – were excellent.
We enjoyed a buffet breakfast every morning at Adrift Restaurant which was located in the lobby area of the 2nd tower. This restaurant serves delicious, Asian-inspired dishes.
You can unwind over cocktails and light bites any time at the 24-hour Renku Bar & Lounge!
Shopaholics will rejoice in the rows of luxury retailers at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands®, which houses the largest collection of coveted designer boutiques in Asia. Complementing the retail space are delectable dining option as well.
As you can see, it is very easy to stay at the Marina Bay Sands and never leave the property thanks to their incredible range of dining and entertainment! Whether you’re traveling alone, with a partner, or your entire family, there is something for everyone at this luxurious hotel.
