Stay 90 feet above the Peruvian Amazon

Posted by Staff in Luxury Monday, Peru, Travel News

For more than 30 years, Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica has served as the innovator and remained the only true luxury rainforest lodge in the Peruvian Amazon. Bringing a thrilling new experience to guests, Inkaterra has constructed a Canopy Tree House perched 90 feet above the rainforest floor which provides a new sky-high perspective to the 29,000-acre private reserve it currently protects.

Meant to complement a stay in one of Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica’s existing 35 cabañas, the Canopy Tree House is outfitted with two single beds, wash basin, limited electricity and a portable toilet. Its walls are created out of wood and removable mesh screens to provide natural light and 360-degree vistas of the surrounding flora and fauna. During the day, orchids, hummingbirds, toucans, monkeys and other wildlife are a mere arm’s length away; while at dusk, nocturnal species come to life and provide for exciting evening excursions and stargazing along Inkaterra’s hanging 1,130-foot-long Canopy Walkway.

Guests staying in the Canopy Tree house can rely on a dedicated Canopy Butler to arrange and oversee all excursions and special requests. The butler is at-hand on a nearby tower and is reachable by walkie-talkie.

A stay in the Canopy Tree House includes lodge transfers; sundowners with chilled sparkling wine or Pisco Sours; a Canopy Bar stocked with water, soft drinks and beer; light dinner and breakfast; a private bilingual interpreter/guide; and binoculars and flashlights for excursions along the Canopy Walkway and the recently added Anaconda Walk. If sleeping in the middle of the nocturnal action becomes too much to handle, guests can descend to pre-arranged ground-level accommodations. Rates start at US$300 per person per night (double occupancy), and are applied as a supplement to the regular program rates.

For more information, visit www.inkaterra.com

Sublime tranquility in Oia

Posted by Staff in Greece, Luxury Monday

Clinging to the cliffs of the magical Greek isle of Santorini, the Katikies Hotel is a white refuge hanging above the deep blue Aegean Sea.

Although this five star hotel is known for it’s stunning views and fabulous service, some guests are surprised at how simple the rooms are considering the high-price…but what you pay for here is location, location, location. The hotel is located in the picturesque town of Oia…which is the posterchild of Greece with it’s white buildings, cobalt blue domed roofs and windmills…even if you have never heard of the place I guarantee you have seen a picture of it.

The maze of steps that connect all the hotel’s rooms and common areas are what makes the place so magical…with the added benefit of a involuntary workout. An especially breathtaking part of the hotel is the main infinity pool, which hangs off a cliff and offers completely unobstructed views of the sea. 

Each room has it’s own private terrace where your complimentary breakfast is served each morning…but seclusion does not end in your room, as the Katikies is full of secret nooks where you can feel as if you are the only guest on the island, making this the ultimate destination for romance. 

So if you are looking for dream-like serenity in a white cloud…Katikies is your answer…katikies.com

Your own Moroccan palace

Posted by Staff in Luxury Monday, Morocco

When visiting the entrancing city of Marrakech you are faced with the decision to stay in either a hotel or riad (former mansion turned into a B&B)…if you are looking to relax your stay away poolside with a cocktail in hand, I would go the hotel route…but if you are longing to experience the real Marrakech, definitely stay in a riad.

Once that decision is made then you are faced with the painstaking task of picking which riad you want out of the hundreds Marrakesh has to offer.  Luckily you have me to guide you to the perfect one…Amirat al Jamal.

Set right in the heart of the medina (oldest part of the city), next to the cities most famous landmark, the bustling plaza Jemma el Fna, Amriat Al Jamal is found down a nondescript alleyway.  At first you will be cursing me and wondering why I took you down this dirt floored alley full of stray cats…but don’t judge this alley by its grunge…this area is actually home to some of the cities most stylish residents like Richard Branson.  At the end of the rustic (to put it nicely) alley you will happen upon the riad’s door and once inside you will be in a completely different world, one that is decadent yet authentically Moroccan.

The riad’s Californian owner, Peggy Ward Engh, and her adopted Berber family, instantly make you feel at home with a greeting of mint tea. After being memorized by the beautiful courtyard, more magic waits in Amirat’s five unique guestrooms, each decorated in a different style and full of antiques. 

Once you are ready to venture out of your newly found palace-home, Peggy helps you organize your day and gives expert advice on how to navigate the streets of the medina…and best of all she reveals the secrets to expert Moroccan-style bargaining. Peggy and her staff can also arrange amazing day trips…and if you have the time, they can even organize spending the night with a Berber tribe who live in the Sahara.

At the end of a long day of haggling with vendors, Amirat is the perfect place to relax as the riad has an actual pool in the center courtyard…not one of these bathtub-sized “dipping pools” that most riads have.  There are also two terraces on the roof to rest in…and make sure to have dinner one night on the roof; the view of the Koutoubia Mosque’s Minaret is breathtaking. 

Although Amirat offers super luxurious accommodations, the rooms are in the “affordable luxury” category with prices starting at $200. For more information visit amirataljamal.com

Utah Welcomes Skiers With Multiple Personalities…Part I

Posted by Staff in Luxury Monday, Utah

I spent last week discovering Northern Utah’s ski country…what amazed me the most was the vast differences each resort had to offer and how close all the mountains are to each other and the Salt Lake City Airport (all resorts are 30 to 60 minutes from the airport). I found that each mountain really lent itself to a particular kind of visitor…

THE LUXE LOVING SNOWBUNNY: 

If you are a Luxe Loving Snowbunny, head on over to Park City, home of the famed Sundance Film Festival…this great ski town spews luxury, offers great shopping, a bustling nightlife…while keeping it’s small-snowy-mountain-town flair.

For the skier/snowboarder there are three great resorts to choose from: Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons. Since all the mountains are close to the city, mountain hopping is easy and staying in a condo in town offers the most versatility…but for some, staying in a condo means giving up hotel amenities. 

Club Lespri offers a convenient solution to this dilemma through their chic clubhouse which features a private restaurant, high-tech gym, bar and spa…only available to people who rent a condo/home from the Club.  Lespri represents properties all over Park City and the clubhouse is conveniently located downtown…and please do not leave without checking out their restaurant Cellars, hands-down the best food Utah has to offer. More info at ClubLespri.com