Make a reservation at Amangiri

With its  incredible location and architecture the first US Aman resort  Amangiri is one of the best in the world..Meaning ‘peaceful mountain’ Amangiri is located in the southwest region of the USA also known as the Four Corners, where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet. Boasting one of the most dramatic landscapes in the USA with deep canyons and towering plateaus, the region has been home for centuries to the native Navajo and Hopi tribes yet is sparsely populated and presents the raw landscape for which the American Southwest has become famous. 

 The resort is on a 243-hectare (600-acre) expanse of wilderness in Canyon Point, Southern Utah, close to the border with Arizona. It is tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views over colourful, stratified rock towards the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Architecturally, the resort has been ver well designed to blend into the landscape with natural hues, materials and textures a feature of the design. The structures are commanding and in proportion with the scale of the natural surroundings, yet provide an intimate setting from which to view and appreciate the landscape. Arrival to the resort is via a winding road that descends into the valley and leads to the central Pavilion.  Within the Pavilion is the Living Room, Gallery, Library, Dining Room, Private Dining Room and Cellar.

Amangiri is built around the one of the most attractive swimming pools in the world, which embraces a dramatic stone escarpment. The amazing swimming pool is set within a sunken courtyard framed by the Pavilions and rock escarpment. It wraps around the rock to finish with a hot tub that sits at the base of a rock wall. The pool’s lounging terrace features king-sized day beds and sun-loungers. Two accommodation wings lead from the Pavilion into the desert: 16 suites are located within the Desert Wing and another 18 suites together located within the Mesa Wing. Design finishes of the suites include white stone floors and concrete walls that echo the natural stone of the surrounding landscape. The furniture features rawhide, natural timbers and fittings in blackened steel, while light-coloured cushions and soft throws add warmth.

These Mesa suites offer a panoramic view of the surrounding mesas which look particularly spectacular at sunset when they are bathed in hues of gold and rose. The desert suites enjoy uninterrupted views of the surrounding dunes and plateaus. Staying in Amangiri is a lifetime experience..One of the must see places before you die!!

Make a reservation at Amangiri

Le Bain is the cool all-black bar/swimming pool with naked girls and guys and the roof top space on top of The Standard Hotel. The roof top with synthetic grass and old school lawn furniture with 360 degrees lower Manhattan and Hudson River views,  is a  wonderful place to spend an afternoon.

The club opens at noon each day for cocktails and light fare, but in the evening the open door policy ends.. In order to enter  you better be on the list..

Located on a quiet hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, La Réserve Ramatuelle is part spa, part hotel,  minutes away from St. Tropez.  Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte its seven guest rooms, 16 suites, 1,000 square meter spa and other facilities are seamlessly integrated into La Réserve’s private domain, a gorgeous pine-covered land.  The spacious rooms range from 50 to 100 square meters, and each is equipped with a private terrace or garden offering views over the Provencal landscape below. A lounge, bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine provide for gastronomic needs, and a private chef is available to prepare meals and cater parties.

The true heart of La Réserve, however, is its enormous spa, which includes 13 treatment cabins, an indoor pool with jet lane, a fitness studio, steam bath, sauna and solarium.  Under the direction of a doctor who specializes in longevity, a multi-disciplinary team of beauty, health and fitness experts have created an all-natural strategy for energizing guests’ “youth capital” by combating the effects of time.

Hoshinoya Kyoto is nestled among the mountains and rivers in beautiful Arashiyama region of Kyoto City, a traditional vacation area dating back to the Heian era (794-1185).

Upon boarding a boat from the famed Togetsukyo Bridge, among Arashiyama’s natural scenery with a fifteen-minute journey up the Oigawa River you arrive to the ryokan resort. It is said that these private waterfront residences once served as the personal dwelling and library of famed shipping merchant Ryoi Suminokura (1554-1614). Here you can take pleasure in the same ambiance of seclusion and the sophistication of Kyoto culture.
The resort inherited traditional Japanese architecture and offers a variety of opportunities to experience Japan like the self enlightenment through morning zen meditation in Buddhist temple, or Monko, a Japanese incense ceremony..

The resorts has 25 spacious rooms mixed the traditional Japanese architecture with Kyoto”"s craftsmanship and contemporary touch. All guest rooms spread out along the riverside, providing a gorgeous view of the river and mountains with trees that change colors by season.! For an authentic Japanese experience with modern comfort…

Cappadocia is formed at the centre of a once volcanic region; millions of years ago, two large volcanoes erupted with such force that in some places the once molten lava, was up to 100m thick. Over time, wind and weather have sculpted the Cappadocian landscape, forming the pinnacles and peaks now known as ‘fairy chimneys’. Serinn House and intimate hotel, is located in  Cappadocia”s  most beautiful district, with magnificent views of the town and surrounding mountains.

The intimate house has just five guest rooms, each individually designed by architect Rifat Ergor to reflect the beauty of the natural caves while maintaining a very modern sensibility. You can enjoy the breakfast  that includes fresh-brewed coffee and homemade bread, scones, biscuits, cakes and pie, served on the terrace, overlooking Cappadocia’s stunning mountain landscape. At The Serinn, modern technology and comfort are seamlessly integrated with traditional Turkish hospitality in timeless caves.

Make a reservation at Palafitte

Palafitte is unique because it is the only five star hotel in Europe built on water, located on the lake of Neuchâtel.

The Hôtel Palafitte was built as a temporary structure for Expo 02, a Swiss exhibition that took place in 2002. It was financed by the Sandoz Family Foundation and designed by architect Kurt Hoffman. The goal was to create a state-of-the-art, 21st Century hotel using “sustainable architecture” that would allow the hotel’s components to be rebuilt or recycled after Expo.02. In the end, the hotel was such a hit that the Swiss government granted permission for it to stay open despite laws that normally forbid structures over public lakes.
Besides having an aquatic setting, the Hôtel Palafitte makes use of environmentally friendly features such as solar panels for hot water and electricity, heating with biogas from kitchen waste, and rainwater collection for toilet flushing.

The Palafitte has  forty luxury pavilions with breathtaking views of the lake and the Alps, twenty four of them are built directly on the lake. Each pavilion is 68m2 and is equipped with private terrace, with direct access to the lake. The ‘Le Colvert’ restaurant invites you on a marvelous culinary journey whilst ‘Le Bar’ is an elegant and cosy area where intimate conversations take over in a magic atmosphere around the fire.
For a Maldive-type experience on a Swiss lake…

Make a reservation at Palafitte

Make a reservation at Sirenuse

Le Sirenuse, a luxurious 18th-century Villa is in Positano on the Italian Amalfi Coast. The hotel  opened in 1951, when the Sersale family decided to turn their summer house in Positano into a small elegant . Fifty years later the hotel has 62 rooms with all the comforts of a five star luxury hotel without losing the atmosphere of a family home. The Sersale family still owns and manages the hotel with that special touch.
Sirenuse is on top of a  hillside over the town of Positano overlooking the blue sea and the Island of the Sirens
Most rooms have their own balcony or terrace, decorated in a subtle, comfortable style with antiques collected over the years by the family. Plants, flowers, tiles, white walls and big windows give the hotel a wonderfully bright and natural feeling,  From the terrace, or the swimming pool the town of Positano and the harbour are breathtaking.

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Make a reservation at JK Capri

Almost opposite the former Hotel Grotte Bleue, is located the JK Capri, once called Hotel Continental, managed by Giuseppe Maldacena 13th. The first plant of the Hotel Continental was a private house named Villa Bovaro, which was built before 1878 and turned into a hotel before 1885

The hotel is situated in the island of Capri, near the Marina Grande, the main harbor. It is reachable from Naples harbor by hydrofoil in about 45 minutes.In the late ‘80s, during the renovation works carried out at the Hotel Métropole, which has been renamed Hotel Palatium since that period, some important fragments and archaeological finds dating back to the Roman time were found. In fact the building is located on some Roman cisterns and on the first stretch of a road taking to the harbor, always dating back to the Roman period, which lies just below the hotel.

The JK Capri features interiors by Michele Bonan classic, urbane,  in soft pastels and patterned wallpapers. Some rooms have small balconies facing the sea,.

JK Place is one of the only hotels in Capri that’s right on the ocean, on a cliff overlooking the harbor.

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Make a reservation at Villa d”‘Este

Set on the shores of Lake Como, Villa d’Este was built in 1568 as the summer residence of Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio. The property has 25 acres of gardens, whose statues and landscape have been photographed for centuries. The design of the lower part of the gardens is from the Renaissance period. The two most outstanding landmarks are the 500 year old plane tree and the 16th century Mosaic with its Nympheum

The favourite playground of an Empress, an English queen and aristocrats,  it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1873.

Continuously renovated and updated, today  the legendary resort has  152 rooms, all different in decor.  The main house built in 1568 and known as the Cardinal’s building counts 125 rooms while the trompe l’oeil masterpiece known as the Queen’s Pavilion, inaugurated in 1860 has 27 rooms. In 1873 the two Villas combined into one property became Villa d’EsteVilla Malakoff and Villa Cima are available for short term tenancies with services ranging from housekeeping to full private butler and chef service.

A beautiful 18-hole golf  course  winds its way through chestnut, ash and pine trees sheltering golfers even from the intense summer heat.

Make a reservation at Villa d”‘Este

Make a reservation at Katikies

Perched on the Caldera cliffs, 300 feet above the azure waters of the Aegean, Katikies The Hotel in Oia Santorini had many great characteristics. Awe inspiring Caldera views, beautiful  Santorini sunsets and perfectly manicured pink bougainvilleas provide the magnificent backdrop for this hotel that spills down the cliffs of the magical Caldera.

With a history as spectacular as its free form fantasy architectural formation of stairs, bridges, cubist cottages, infinity pools and Caldera views, Katikies rooms  are both pristine and welcoming where magical private terraces hover over the most unforgettable of views. Infinity pools with caldera views that continue down into the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. Cascading down the rim of the Caldera, each of the 27 Santorini rooms and Oia suites provide luxury accommodation and personalized hotel services. If you are on honeymoon, stay in the particular Honeymoon suite with white curtains billowing seductively with sweet sea breezes for a great romance.

Make a reservation at Katikies

Make a reservation at La Residence

La Residence lies at the heart of a private 30-acre working farm, complete with vineyards, plum orchards, a dam and fragrant manicured gardens.The majestic mountains that surround the idyllic Franschhoek Valley, where this private hotel is and provide great views in every direction. La Residence  provides not only  luxurious accommodation but also fine dining and an all-round sensory indulgence.

Designed like a French Country Château Space each of the eleven vast suite is complemented by a palatial en-suite bathroom and mountain and vineyard views . Large bedrooms and bathrooms open onto generous sunny balconies and verandas, which offer the perfect place to relax, admire the view, .  Each of the suites decorated different from an exotic Tibetan  with oriental antiques and hand-painted screens to French boudoirs with Provencal antiques and mirrored dressers. The fabrics throughout the hotel and rooms include superlative silks and textures, handpicked to match each interior. The dining and living areas resemble an elegant manor hall. Communal areas lead onto country terraces where roses and fountains make for serene summer evenings

If you are planning a perfect wedding, La Residence with its  courtyard,  and breath-taking mountain views, is the perfect venue for it.

Make a reservation at La Residence

Make a reservation at Cap Estel

Cap Estel is located  in Eze,at the heart of the Côte d’azur on a private peninsula of about 5 acres between Nice and Monte Carlo. Sheltered from eyes Cap Estel is more like a  “private mansion with a guest-house ” combining luxury and a congenial atmosphere. Being in a 5-acre park, Cap Estel’s terraced gardens with their Mediterranean trees  and its private beach facing the blue waters of Mediterranean have long been a real oasis for the guests. Its fascinating pool and its jacuzzi melt into the infinity of the deep blue sea..

Cap Estel was founded by Frank Harris, an Irish journalist and his close friend Oscar Wilde, at the turn of the 19th Century, when they decided to turn a pig farm into a high class ‘resort’.

Steeped in history this stunning hotel has passed from the famous Russian Stroganoff family, to Greek ship owners and even a racing car driver,  before finally falling into the loving hands of its current owners, whose finishing touches to the property were finalized in early 2009 . Over the years Greta Garbo, The Beatles, Sir Laurence Olivier, and Robert de Niro have been guests of Cap Estel.

Cap Estel has  14 suites and 4 guest-rooms shared out in the estate’s 4 different sites : le Cap, la Mer, la Corniche et le Parc which are glamorous and contemporary  The light and open view of the sea and gardens serve as common denominators for all the rooms. Under the supervision of the Chef Nicolas Vie, “la table du Cap Estel” offers a range of Mediterranean dishes with emphasis on quality of the products and their enhancement.

Don’t leave without having a massage in a private gazebo on the property’s private beach.

Make a reservation at Cap Estel

Make a reservation at 12apostles

The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa stands at the edge of the world …on the most elegant beach of Cape Town, the Camps Bay with its beautiful golden beaches. .. On one side of the hotel lie the  majestic mountains, on the other, the sun sets on whales, playful dolphins, and crashing Atlantic rollers. And all around, you can walk the wilderness trails of the Table Mountain National Park.

When the Dutch settlers arrived in Cape Town in 1652, the Twelve Apostles Mountains behind the hotel were covered in forests and were home to lions, leopard and antelope. For most of the 19th Century, this area was undeveloped, serving as a hunting ground for Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of The Cape. In 1929, Jack van Breda designed a handsome house  with two big white frontal gables and a thatched roof, which changed hands during the years. Up until 1995, what is now The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa was a gabled house that was captivating because it stood so alone. In March 2002, the hotel becomes part of The Red Carnation Hotel Collection who re-named it The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa.

When choosing one of the 55 deluxe guest rooms and 15 luxurious suites, the hardest part is deciding whether to overlook the mountains or the sea. Whichever direction you face, the views are stunning. The rooms are light, airy, peaceful and are an eclectic mix of contemporary African style, classic European comfort. Cool colors and rich fabrics bring elegance and wilderness serenity.
Skilled craftsmen, from the local area provide a number of the more unusual items, such as mud chandeliers made from recycled clay as well as candy stripe wool carpets to emphasize the relaxed beach feel of Cape Town. Walls are adorned with impressive art purchased from local artists and antique houses round the world. The extensive grounds, already boasting a superb selection of sculptures, have become a showcase for the work of the most talented local artists.
Do not leave without dining in hotels Azure restaurant with its magnificent sea views of the Atlantic Ocean, which has great food too.

Make a reservation at 12apostles

Galleria is in the historical Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II , in the heart of the city, between Piazza Duomo with the cathedral and Piazza della Scala, the temple of music and Opera.
All the seven suites designed by  E.Mocchetti. are different by size, and each one has been individually arranged, personalized and dedicated to a famous musician of La Scala Opera.  Almost all the rooms have a splendid view of the Galleria with a stunning panorama. Under the control of the Italian Institute of Arts, all rooms has been renovated maintaining the antiques and precious decorations. Galleria has an exclusive ambiance that recreates a home-like atmosphere through unique services tailored to meet your needs and desires. In every room, there are the most exclusive of accessories: from the best Italian coffee machines to the most sought after books.

Galleria offers an enormous choice of exclusive services to its guests. Every desire can be fulfilled and every need can be satisfied even before reaching this extraordinary place. Inside this veritable ‘House of Luxury’ every single visitor is cared for by a personal butler, not only fluent in their language but who also acts as ultra efficient personal assistant. You can book through your butler the best possible events and restaurants in Milan. Wouldn’t it be great during Fashion or Design week?

Make a reservation at Villa Massa

In the heart of Tuscany,Villa La Massa is a fascinating Medici dwelling of the 16th century on the outskirts of Florence.

The 16th Century sits on the banks of the Arno River, on 20 acres full of lemon trees and olive groves that surround the property.  Villa La Massa is within  22 acres of gardens that surround it, full of paths that lead  to the Arno River and from which you can only see the beautiful panorama of the Chianti Rufina hills that surround it.  

Two Villas dating back to the days of the Medici (16th century): the Noble Villa (Villa Nobile), the Old Mill (Vecchio Mulino) and the more recent little Villa (Villino) are the highlights of Villa La Massa which, from an ancient dwelling of the aristocracy, was turned into a hotel in 1948. The hotel offers its guests 37 rooms, all different from one another, and all recently refurbished in the traditional Florentine style. The spacious and airy rooms are decorated with antique furniture, fabrics woven at the historic Florentine textile mills, wrought iron and woodwork from the famous old-time Florence cabinet makers. Most have windows framing the beautiful Tuscan landscape.

Under the direction of Executive Chef Andrea Quagliarella, menus include both Tuscan regional and Mediterranean specialities The sommeliers have chosen 300 labels among those best representing the Italian wine culture, with a special focus on Tuscan wines. A limited number of precious olive oil bottles is produced every year from the olive groves that surround the property.

Make a reservation at Villa Massa

Founded in 1864 as the Imperial and Royal Austrian Museum of Art and Industry, the MAK has pursued a continued commitment to combining practice and theory, art and industry, production and reproduction. The School of Applied Arts, originally an outgrowth of the Museum, was later developed into an independent institution, known today as the University of Applied Arts.
With an extraordinary collection of applied and contemporary art, the MAK serves a dual purpose as a conservator of significant art objects and as a center for the scientific research of art with a special emphasis on its production, preservation, and reorientation. The MAK regards itself as a laboratory of artistic production and a research center of social awareness. The powerful ideas created here today will serve as models for tomorrow.

Photos: Gerald Zugmann/MAK

Located in the Ritz Hotel, L’Espadon restaurant promises some of the city’s best traditional dining. Michel Roth creates his innovative cuisine with head sommelier Jean Claude Ruet to marry food and wine. Specialties include mosaic of sea bass with mustard seeds and frisson of chocolate and mandarin oranges. Perfect service and a premium wine list complete the overall experience. Choose chefs tasting menu with wine paring for a fine french traditional food expereince in Paris.