Make a reservation at Longitude 131

Longitude 131° lies at the gateway of the dual World Heritage listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, next to the hallowed Australian Aboriginal site of Uluru. One of just 15 such structures at the eco-friendly boutique resort, it’s named after William Christie Gosse, the first European to climb Uluru. At Longitude 131° you will find unprecedented solitude and serenity. The  luxurious tents are a private place to rest and relax. The tents are designed to remain cool in summer and warm in winter, you have reverse cycle air-conditioning for complete control over your personal climate.  

Table 131° is an unforgettable dining experience not to be missed. Dine out on sumptuous outback fare and discover the wonders of the southern night sky. Feast on three delicious courses complemented with the finest Australian wines at our outdoor dining venue under the stars. Longitude 131° offers guided tours of these natural treasures – by camel, Harley-Davidson, or helicopter. Cool down afterward with a private meal by the pool..

Make a reservation at Longitude 131

Located on a 243-hectare expanse of wilderness in Canyon Point, Southern Utah, inside Amangiri the Aman Spa at Amangiri is a 2,322-square metre  escape from the stresses of the outside world. As guests move from space to space within the Spa, their sense of discovery and peace echoes that of moving through the rock formations and canyons within the surrounding landscape. The entrance to the Spa is reminiscent of nearby slot canyons, and opens into an intimate reception and lounge area featuring a glass tiled sky-lit reflection pool and central fireplace. Leading off the reception are consultation rooms and a walkway opening to a private courtyard that in turn leads to either individual dressing rooms or a series of pavilions.

Make a reservation at The Point

The Point Resort is a unique, private  estate in beautiful Adirondack Mountain wilderness. Built in the tradition of a Great Adirondack Camp, The Point constructed on the original site of William Avery Rockefeller’s Camp Wonundra and continues that tradition of the Great Adirondack Camp era.

The resort  features Adirondack-inspired accommodations boasting eleven distinctive guest quarters that are spread among four original buildings. Each guest room has a broad lake view and custom-made bed and contain an eclectic mixture of antiques and Adirondack furniture.

The executive chef, Mark Levy, creator of the cuisine which is served ‘en famille’: there is no menu and guests sit down together, family-style, for lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner at 8 p.m. If you prefer, you may dine in front of the fireplace in your room, or have a picnic lunch packed for you to take on a hike or canoe trip. The Point is the perfect resort for a perfect long weekend.

Make a reservation at The Point

Make a reservation at Alila Soori

Alila Villas Soori is a blissful paradise setting within the Tabanan Regency, one of Bali’s most fertile and picturesque regions, along the southwest coast of Bali. The  villas are perfectly positioned to enjoy Indian Ocean.
Multiple levels of interconnected spaces flow from the arrival courtyard right onto the beach. Designed by S SCDA Architects, Alila Villas Soori  blend contemporary Asian  architecture  with the lush surroundings of its tropical beachfront setting.  Sensitive site planning and the use of local building materials and native landscaping create a clever integration with the environment.

All the villas in this all-pool villa property were  designed to maximize views of the surrounding beach, sea and paddy fields, while still maintaining a sense of privacy and shelter. Alila Villas Soori have 15 one-bedroom Beach Villa, 15 one-bedroom Ocean Villa, 8 one-bedroom Terrace Villas as well as 9 residential villas. Each villa is accompanied by its very own private pool.

Alila Villas Soori restaurants offer choice of dining experiences, with an emphasis on the authentic preparation of produce from the Tabanan region, the rice bowl of Bali.

Make a reservation at Alila Soori

Make a reservation at Alila Uluwatu

Alila Uluwatu has a perfect location, on a clifftop plateau along the southern coastline of Bali on the Bukit Peninsula  near the renowned Uluwatu Temple. Villas integrate contemporary Bali-inspired living design with cultural richness, continuing the Alila tradition of a total destination experience that is serene, sensual, and surprisingly different.

Alila Villas Uluwatu is designed by Singapore architectural firm, WOHA and embraced the Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles using ESD measures including local materials, water conservation with soaks and rain gardens and recycling with grey water systems, using local plants from the special Bali Savannah ecosystem on the Bukit.
The design of the interiors is completely integrated with the architecture, as the design flows from inside to outside. All the materials are locally sourced.

Alila Villas Uluwatu has 84 villas which are specifically designed and constructed to follow an environmentally sustainable framework, with private pool and cabana overlooking the Indian Ocean. Walkways and bridges connect the relaxation pavilions and pools to the spacious living areas. The open-plan design, unique flat lava rock roofs and bamboo ceilings allow the gentle sea breeze to circulate throughout all rooms of the villas.

Here you re-discover the joy of pure relaxation in comfort and space, with a personal butler to take care of your every whim. Indulge all your senses – in the culinary delights of the  traditional warung-style restaurants, the spectacular clifftop pool and bar, or in the sanctuary of Spa Alila.

Make a reservation at Alila Uluwatu

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 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 Mamounia

La Mamounia as a tranquil haven in the heart of Marrakech.  Located on the edge of the walls of the old city of Marrakech, La Mamounia is named after its legendary 200-year-old gardens, originally given as an 18th century wedding gift to Prince Moulay Mamoun.  Today the gardens at La Mamounia cover almost 20 acres with an enviable variety of flora and fauna. The hotel originally opened in 1923 and since has been symbolic of traditional Moroccan hospitality and a classic example of the great age of grand hotels.�
For more than 85 years, La Mamounia has been a  destination for travelers from around the globe, including royals, heads of state, film makers, musicians, actors and fashion designers like  Sir Winston Churchill,Franklin D. Roosevelt Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Princess Caroline of Monaco Nelson Mandela, Jacques Chirac, The Rolling Stones,  Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Yves Saint Laurent.  Alfred Hitchcock chose La Mamounia as the site to film The Man Who Knew Too Much with James Stewart and Doris Day.

After years long extensive restoration  led by  interior designer, Jacques Garcia La Mamounia,  re-opened its doors in 2009.  This legendary hotel,  has expanded with 136 stylish guest rooms, 71 Suites and three Riads each with three bedrooms, private terraces, Moroccan salons and a private swimming pool.   Strong use of light and color, marble columns,  vivid fabrics, soft furnishings and colorful wood, combined with theatrical perspectives.  Two 2-Michelin Star chefs, Alfonso Iaccarino and Jean-Pierre Vigato leading two of its signature restaurants.  L’Italien by Alfonso Iaccarino features modern Italian specialties, while Le Francais by Jean-Pierre Vigato specializes in French contemporary cuisine.  In addition, the 27,000 sq ft La Mamounia Spa is a must visit place.

Wake up early and stroll in the gardens before the city starts its busy day..

Make a reservation at Mamounia

Make a reservation at Halkin

Halkin, a haute-couture Italian-style boutique hotel, owned by Singapore’s Christina Ong of Como Shambhala group.  The public spaces of The Halkin amount to little more than a small but handsome lobby and bar while the rooms get the star treatment.

The rooms design can be described as “”Milanese Zen”", rich leathers and soothing muted colors doing their best to expand the already generous space.  Each floor takes on as its theme one of the four ancient elements  but the differences are subtle enough to avoid gimmickry; all four are as unassumingly elegant as can be. The marble bathrooms are expansive, and the COMO Shambhala bath products add to the culture shock—you may have to walk outside and see the building’s Georgian facade to reassure yourself that this is indeed London.

The location, in quietly upscale Belgravia, is a perfect match for this chic yet grown-up hotel—attractive yet not too ostentatious, and providing easy access to Knightsbridge, Hyde Park and Picadilly.

Make a reservation at Halkin

The 1,000 square meter spa of Mandarin Oriental will is dedicated to relaxation and well-being.

With a conviction that surroundings have a profound influence on one’s state of mind, the Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola has conceived the Spa as an intimate and minimalist space, markedly modern in style with Oriental touches.

A soothing environment for guests to enjoy holistic treatments, the spa will feature a total of eight treatment rooms. This includes: two luxury couples’ spa suites, two oriental suites which includes a spa vitality pool and futon for traditional Thai massages and four luxurious treatment rooms, each with their own aromatherapy experience shower and a 12-meter indoor swimming pool.

Make a reservation at Setai

The Setai is an intimate, serene oceanfront resort although it is  in the heart of South Beach, at the north end of Miami’s historic Art Deco District. Its design combines the rich architectural history of the neighborhood and its cultural diversity with the International Art Deco movement, particularly its influence in Asia. Infused with natural materials, space and light, The Setai has the unmistakable imprint of legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha.

The Art Deco landmark building was originally built between 1936 – 1938 as the famed Dempsey Vanderbilt Hotel. Next to it is the 40-story glass tower.The Setai comprises two buildings, different yet built on the same foundations of superlative service and exceptional design. The  details of each guest room are exemplified by authentic jade pieces that were discovered in the antique markets of China and displayed to perfection on teak walls.  The rooms are spacious, stunning and serene. The Art Deco building is an exquisitely refurbished property that celebrates its history while embracing Asian influences. The suites in The Tower are an experience of melding of the space and vision.

There are three azure pools, each maintained at a separate temperature. At the gates of the property lie the white sand beach..The Spa at The Setai transports the traditions of the Pacific Rim to South Beach.Each suite at the spa has ocean and pool views, a private bath and steam room. Setai has also restaurant and bars for every mood:  Grill or a more formal dinner at The Restaurant,  or The Bar. They all have innovative food, exceptional wine list and great service.

Make a reservation at Setai

Make a reservation at Le Quartier Francais

Le Quartier Français (the French Quarter) is a small, privately owned hotel situated in the French Huguenot valley of Franschhoek, in the Cape Winelands .  Franschhoek is the gourmet capital of South Africa so is the Le Quartier with world known restaurants Tasting Room and Ici and its chef one of the worlds best, Margot Janse.

The owner of the hotel likes to keep things simple, but exceptional giving emphasis on ultimate luxury and romantic charm, combined with  privacy, tucked away in the centre of the village.

The hotel has different suites and rooms: The Four Quarters  feature four sumptuous generously sized suites overlooking a central courtyard and lap pool. The auberge Suites has been home of the owners converted into 2 very comfortable suites with private pools in walled gardens. The 10 luxury auberge  rooms built around a central pool and surrounded by scented white and blue gardens. Each spacious room is individually decorated and offers the comfort of home with extra little touches that make the difference.
A relaxed, café-style restaurant / street side bistro called iCi,  takes care of breakfast, lunch, casual dinners and anything in between from a glass of wine to good coffees. Do not miss to eat in Tasting Room, that is among the top 50 best restaurants in the world.

Make a reservation at Le Quartier Francais

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 Oberoi Udaivilas

Udaipur is the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar, one of the oldest surviving dynasties in the world on Lake Pichola, against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravalli Hills.  The Oberoi Udaivilas, conceived as a Mewari palace is in this tranquil setting, recreating the romance of the past and yet completely in keeping with the 21st century, The hotel is spread over an expanse of 30 acres on the banks of Lake Pichola.Rambling elegantly around courtyards and walkway, gentle rippling fountains and reflecting pools and verdant gardens, The Oberoi Udaivilas is instilled with an overall serenity.

The guestrooms are very spacious and all of them are with private terraces, large marble bathrooms with separate shower stalls and freestanding Victorian bathtubs that overlook private walled courtyards. Restaurants serve traditional Rajasthani, Indian and International cuisine. The outdoor swimming pool of the spa is the most charming place of the hotel, overlooking to the City Palace and two 17th-century island palaces on the lake – Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas. With its location, service,architecture, amenities and serenity Oberoi Udaivilas is for sure one of the greatest hotels in the world

Do not forget to make an afternoon excursion with hotels traditional rowboat on the lake Pichola.

Make a reservation at Oberoi Udaivilas

Make a reservation at Aman Delhi

Aman New Delhi is the first ‘city-based resort’  from Aman group. For the first time an Aman has elevator, TV’s in the rooms and its restaurants and spa are also open to the public. But you can feel the ‘Aman spirit’ in every aspect. Aman Delhi sits on a  six acre green properts but ata the same time is in the heart of Delhi.

Contemporary lines and modern amenities are mixed  with traditional Indian design creating spaces of tranquillity and timelessness.  Olive-hued Khareda stone lies underfoot, warmed by handmade rugs in muted earth tones and dark wood panels accentuated by discreet lighting. Traditional ‘jaali’ screens provide terraces and exteriors with serenity and mystery, while patterns of sunlight and shade onto stone walls and floors.

Designed by Australian architect Kerry Hill, Aman New Delhi houses 31 Aman Rooms and eight two-bedroom Aman Suites in a dramatic nine-storey structure, each offering its own private plunge pool – a unique feature in a multi-storey city resort. Suites are furnished with crisp white linens and woollen throws dressing king-sized beds, upholstered day-beds, and brass vases of marigolds providing a splash of colour.

Rooms and Suites are of varying sizes and configurations, each complete with sitting/dining areas, writing desks, separate dressing areas, double vanities and large bathrooms. A glass picture window separates the bathroom and bedroom areas and frames a 5 m x 5 m private plunge pool with daybed and views of the city beyond.  All rooms feature terraces with outdoor seating.  Each floor features dedicated butler service.

The Health Centre, set in a tranquil sunken courtyard, includes tennis and squash courts as well as a gym. The 50-metre pool overlooks the Pool Bar where Indian snacks and a selection of light meals are served.  There are several dining options at Aman New Delhi ranging from authentic north Indian cuisine to international fare.

Make a reservation at Aman Delhi

India is known for its well-being philosophies including yoga and Ayurvedic treatments, The Spa at Aman New Delhi offers traditional Indian healing techniques blended harmoniously with modern therapies. Featuring eight private treatment rooms, two traditional hammam steam baths and a bamboo garden relaxation area, the extensive spa features treatments for men and women, as well as a hair and beauty studio from celebrated stylist Kim Robinson.

The Health Centre, set in a tranquil sunken courtyard, includes tennis and squash courts as well as a gym staffed with professional trainers for personalised fitness guidance. The 50-metre pool overlooks the Pool Bar where Indian snacks and a selection of light meals are served..

The luxurious Udaivilas spa with its own swimming pool overlooks the lake and is a haven of serenity. Trained therapists pamper body and soul with rejuvenating treatments.

In the serenely appointed spa suites, spectacular views of Lake Pichola and the City Palace inspire the spirit whilst your body is revitalised by the healing hands of our highly skilled & trained therapists. The spa also offers the opportunity to undertake private Yoga, meditations and Pranayam sessions with the resident Yoga teacher or explore the city steeped in the romance of the oldest living dynasty in the world.

Japanese restaurant Naoki is in the new, elegant urban resort of Aman Summer Palace in Beijing, 45 minutes from Beijing city center.

Within the resort, Naoki is located adjacent to a beautiful pool,  featuring Chef Naoki Okumura’s famous French Kaiseki cuisine combining the best of French techniques with a Japanese sense of artistry. You will be amazed as the Chefs cook in front of you and design their creations. Chef Naoki utilizes the freshest ingredients rotating his menus with the transition of seasons. Our suggestion is to taste 8 to 10 offerings served individually complimented by the extensive wine menu of Aman.

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