Make a reservation at Taj Lake Palace

The Taj Lake Palace is a dream hotel : A white marble palace that seems to float on the still waters of Lake Pichola located in the middle of Lake Pichola.  The palace was built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, 62nd successor to the royal dynasty of Mewar as a summer palace andafter a great renovation has trasformed to Tja hotel.  Set against the backdrop of the majestic Aravalli Mountains on one side of the lake, and lofty palaces on the other, the Taj Lake Palace spreads across a four-acre island – an almost surreal vision in marble. The Royal Butlers descendents of the original palace retainers look after all contemporary comforts and ensure that all guests are treated like Royalty.

The Palace has luxury 83 rooms including 17 suites with colored murals, ornately carved wood furniture and  Lily Pond or terrace views.  Guests can enjoy royal Mewar fare at the Lily Pond, where courtesans once welcomed royalty into the folds of the Palace. Or sail into the middle of a purple sunset for a feast on The Ganguar – a hundred and fifty year old ceremonial imperial barge that recreates the stately splendor of royal cruises with candlelight and resplendently dressed oarsmen. Dinner on the Mewar Terrace makes for an extremely scenic and romantic experience, with spectacular views of the surrounding palaces and Lake Pichola, and a lilting serenade of contemporary music. And for the eternal romantic experience, an intimate table for two floated on a pontoon in the moon kissed waters of the Pichola is a must do. Make a reservation at Taj Lake Palace

Make a reservation at Chiva-Som

Chiva-Som is a luxury health resort,  located in the Royal city of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand, 185 kilometers south of Bangkok. It combines international standards with Thai hospitality to deliver personal wellness programs in a non regimented way. Everything  focuses on a holistic approach to health that incorporates mind, body and spirit.

A secluded world  nestled within seven acres of lush tropical gardens the beachfront resort  Chiva-Som is the “Haven of Life.” With 58 stylish rooms, Thai Pavilions offer privacy with traditional charm and the Ocean View rooms and suites provide spectacular views of the Gulf of Thailand.

Focusing on greater well-being and vitality, Chiva-Som offers extensive fitness, spa and holistic health facilities to help you relax, restore and rejuvenate. They combine ancient therapies of the East with the latest Western techniques to encompass the mind, body and spirit. Personalized programs and treatments are available for everyone from weight management and stress reduction to skin rejuvenation and anti-aging regimens.But the best treatment they offer is the detox program, which you should take at least 5 days in order to feel really good. Take our word for it!

Make a reservation at Chiva-Som

Make a reservation at Amankila

Amankila is on an impressive setting, with spectacular views and seaside seclusion, to mountains and valleys rich with Bali’s diverse culture.  The fabled Mount Agung, a volcano revered as a home of the gods by the Balinese, rears 3,142m above sea level, providing a dramatic backdrop to the 34 timeless-styled-villas.

Being on the coast near the village of Manggis in East Bali, Amankila has a private beach, incredible views of the Lombok Strait and cliff-side grounds around the three-tiered pool. Surrounded by frangipani trees, the lobby affords exceptional ocean views, as well as views of the resort’s signature three-tiered pool. Down below the resort, set back from the private beach in a coconut grove, is the Beach Club which offers another pool, as well as casual dining.  The Beach Club is located at the base of the cliff, a five minutes’ walk below the main resort. The beach is ideal for surfing, boogie boards and kayaks rather than swimming.

The 34 stilted free-standing suites are tucked into the lush vegetation around the resort, and all have outstanding sea views.They reflect the lines and flow of their East Bali surroundings, in particular the royal water palace just outside Amlapura, the district capital.

Amankila is the ideal base from which to explore the cultural diversity and rich history of East Bali, a place of temples, palaces, rice paddies and ruins, of villages where crafts lost to the rest of the island are still practiced, and where religion is an intrinsic part of everyday life, seen both in colorful festivals and in simple daily offerings to the gods.

Make a reservation at Amankila

Photos: courtesy of Aman and Ozlem Avcioglu

Make a reservation at Kasbah Tamadot

Kasbah Tamadot was the former home of Luciano Tempo who purchased the property and filled it with beautiful antiques from India, Africa and the Far East.

In 1998 Richard Branson went to Morocco for circumnavigating the globe in a hot air balloon. Whilst there, his mother Liv Branson found the beautiful Kasbah and dreamed of turning it into a wonderful Moroccan retreat. Richard did not quite manage to realize his goal on that occasion, his mother eventually convinced him to purchase the property.

The refurbishment of the building was extensive, though the character and charm of the original complex of spaces have been retained and enhanced.

When Richard Branson bought Kasbah Tamadot in 1998 he also inherited Luciano’s 1000 square meter warehouse in Asni, filled to the brim with his treasures. As you wander around you see pieces of Luciano’s collection have been used to furnish the Kasbah today. Kasbah Tamadot set at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains one hour’s drive from Marrakech, Morocco, is transferred to one of the properties of Virgin Limited Edition, Richard Branson’s unique retreats.

As part of Virgin’s commitment to the community, Kasbah Tamadot approached the leaders of the local communities to offer villagers the opportunity to work at Kasbah Tamadot. Most had never worked in a hotel before, let alone spoke English, however they proudly employed and trained the local villagers in all aspects of hotel operations and English. Today Kasbah employs 100 Berber staff including the general management couple who both trained on Necker Island, one of Virgin Limited Edition properties.

Today, as the leader of the Virgin commitment group Liv Branson is spending most of her time here, working with the local Berber community leaders to improve local villagers skills.

Kasbah Tamadot has 24 rooms and suites including Luxury Berber Tented Suites Each Berber Tented Suite has its own Berber name, every one with a special meaning – Afoulky (Beauty), Addou (Wind), Amalou (Shade), Azoka (Tree), Adrar (Mountain) and Azenzer (Ray of Sun). Asounfou, the Berber word for relaxation, describes the Kasbah Tamadot spa perfectly, which incorporates the indoor pool, two treatment rooms, a sauna and a traditional Hammam and can not be missed.

Make a reservation at Kasbah Tamadot

Make a reservation at Amandari

Amandari is one of the most original resorts in the world since it is  originals among Aman resorts. It is not only designed after a Balinese village , it is in the middle of a Balinese village surrounded by the rice terraces and  the rushing water of the Ayung River. In the early morning you see villagers are passing through the pathways in front of your balcony and working in the rice fields in front of your room..During evening they use the hotels alleys to return to their houses. You feel like you are really living in a Balinese village since there are no boundaries between Amandari and the village houses..

Located 129 steps down the hill from Amandari, this statue and surrounding temple are a reminder of the deep connection that exists between the resort and the community in which it resides. Balinese believe the path
leading through Amandari – which means “peaceful spirits” – and its surrounding rice terraces are sacred ground.

The resort located adjacent to the village of Kedewatan, five minutes from the arts community of Ubud, in central Bali, Indonesia. The resort built 20 years ago as second Aman with river-stone walkways and high paras-stone walls. The  open-air lobby with towering posts of coconut wood and a cool honey-toned stone floor is designed after a village meeting place. For more than 20 years it has regularly borne witness to colorful village processions, passing through on sacred ground to the holy shrine in the valley below.

Thirty free-standing thatched suites, some with private plunge pools, are located on either side of the lobby, separated by walkways, traditional Balinese-style gateways and private gardens. Local teak and coconut wood, as well as Javanese marble and volcanic stone, is used throughout the suites, creating cool contemporary spaces with all the warmth of a true Balinese home.

Being 20 years old, the first of Amans in Bali of course is not brand new, but it has mature well, the vegetation has grown impeccable, and it is well maintained for a 20 year property.

Make a reservation at Amandari