Regular visitors to Las Vegas know the Bellagio Hotel is one of the finest luxury resorts in the entire city. This past New Year’s Eve the Bellagio was made even better with the grand opening of the Hyde Bellagio, the most anticipated new nightclub from world renowned lifestyle developer SBE. The Hyde brand from SBE combines unparalleled style and sophistication with energetic nightlife to create one of the most spectacular environments. The Hyde Bellagio will continue that tradition in grand style.

By day Hyde Bellagio is an exclusive lounge well fitted for the classic and sophisticated Bellagio name. At 10 o’clock every evening the Hyde nightlife experience begins, operating until 1 AM during the week and very late on weekends. Hyde Bellagio is certain to become one of the most important nightlife destinations on the Vegas strip as the only nightlife venue that seamlessly combines indoor and outdoor spaces for a very unique experience. At night one of the most memorable aspects of the venue is when the famous Bellagio fountains go off in what feels like just outside the club.

The nightclub features 10,000 sq. ft. of space with total capacity of 714 guests, including 40 VIP tables. Drinks include a wide selection of cocktails, classic Hyde creations, and a selection of more than 1,500 bottles of Bellagio’s award-winning wine. Guests will enjoy music from the most dynamic DJs and live performers in a space that includes gorgeous wood floors, four grand chandeliers, upscale artwork and design elements, and luxurious natural leather sofas.

Hyde Bellagio even offers two exclusive spaces known as the Upper Living Room and the Private Study. Both rooms provide their own unique and distinguished atmosphere perfect for groups of friends, wedding parties, and smaller corporate groups. The Private Study is perhaps the more intriguing of the two spaces with its gorgeous wooden walls and bookshelves filled with plenty of items for sale, including books and candles.

Hyde Bellagio Las Vegas
http://hydebellagio.com/

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Restaurant Background
New York’s E. 57th St. is home to the Four Seasons Hotel and its famed L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant. The restaurant was opened in September 2006, after a 2-year quest by owner Ty Warner to bring founding Chef Joel Robuchon and his world-class French cuisine to New York City. Since its opening, L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon at Four Seasons has been the recipient of numerous accolades and awards including a 2-star rating in the 2011 Michelin Guide, a 3-star rating from the New York Times, the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant of 2007, and designation as a top 10 New York restaurant in the Zagat Restaurant Survey for 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Chef Joel Robuchon is known the world over for creations made only from the freshest and best ingredients: creations that feature cutting-edge creativity, minimalist presentation, and his signature “clockwork precision.” Every Robuchon dish is designed to provide exceptional quality and flavour without being ostentatious and excessive. Critics have raved about his La Caille Farcie de Foie Gras et Caramélisée and L’Agneau en Carré Doré a la Fleur de Thym.

The interior at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon was designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the famous French designer responsible for creating the original L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon style. Rochon commiserated with architect I.M.Pei to make sure the restaurant blended beautifully with the existing hotel in both style and design. The combination is a space with a casual feel and a minimalistic decor, accented with bright colours. The tables are arranged in a U-shape to create a theatrical feel in which guests become the audience watching a culinary “performance” put on by kitchen staff.

Restaurant Experience
During our dinner our waiter felt more like a friend than an employee of the restaurant. Throughout the meal he began to be an integral part of the experience, often checking in with us and conversing about our newest dishes.

The restaurant’s sommelier has assembled an international collection of more than 550 wines for guests to choose from, each one offering a unique compliment to the food it is paired with. This is where our waiter really became essential. He was able to make wine recommendations personalized for both of our personal wine preferences, taking into consideration what flavors of food we would be experiencing on our palettes.

We enjoyed the highly recommended tasting menu. It runs $190 for 9 courses of pure indulgence; also available is a wine pairing for each course for $95. Each course is like a work of art. The angel in you doesn’t want to ruin the beautifully designed dish, and the devil in you is dying to taste the first bite. We had the best seat in the house at the bar, overlooking the chefs creating their masterpieces. This wasn’t your typical bar seat, as it surrounded a culinary display rather than a section of spirits. The bar only seats about 15 or so people, so make sure you request this seat when you make your reservation (this is ideal for a party of 2).

The pastry chef, Salvatore Martone, adds his own creative flair to top off an exceptionally exquisite meal. Guests will be thrilled from start to finish regardless of their menu choices.

Second to the food is the impressive, yet intimate atmosphere of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon. With a total seating capacity of just 46 guests, you’ll find it to be a very personal dining experience, surrounded by energy of other delighted customers. The restaurant is only open until 10:15 PM and reservations are highly recommended.

- Current Tasting Menu With Paired Wine -

LE CAVIAR

Delicate Chilled White Asparagus Gaspacho With Caviar

Macon-milly-lamartine, Les Heritiers Du Comte Lafon, 2009

LE HAMACHI

Hamachi Sashimi With Minty Guacamole, Citrus Dressing

France, Premières Côtes De Bordeaux, Château Reynon 2009

LA LANGOUSTINE

Crispy Langoustine Papillote With Basil Pesto

France, Loire Valley, Sancerre “le Rochoy” Domaine Laporte, 2009

LE FOIE GRAS

Seared Foie Gras And Kumquat Compote, “pain Dépices”

Riesling Grand Cru ”schlossberg” Domaine Paul Blank, 2007

LE BAR 

Roasted Sea Bass, Lightly Sautéed Vegetables, Barigoule Jus

Usa, Chardonnay, Hanzell Vineyards, Sonoma Valley, 2009

LE CANARD

Long Island Caramelized Duck Breast With Spices And Nuts, Zucchini Nipitella

France, Burgundy, Savigny Lavieres, Domaine Tollot- Beaut 2008

LE BOEUF 

Seared Wagyu Hanger Steak with Micro Spinach And Fresh Wasabi

Châteauneuf-du-pape, Maison Tardieu-laurent, 2008

***

LE CHEESECAKE

Cranberry And Mascarpone Cheesecake

LE CHOCOLAT

Chocolate Cream, Bitter Chocolate Sorbet And Oreo Cookies

Canada, Riesling Icewine, Peller Estates, Niagara Peninsula, 2006

LE CAFÉ – LE THÉ

Et sa Friandise

Espresso Coffee Served with Nougat

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Our panel of travel experts has chosen the top luxury travel brands of 2012 within each respective category. We call this list the LUXList.  And our winners are…

The 2012 LUXList

1. Domestic Airline: Virgin America
Virgin America’s inflight experience continues to be unparalleled by the competition.

2. International Airline: United Airlines
The merger with Continental Airlines is complete, and now provides one of the most complete global route networks in the world.

3. Hotel Company: Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood has had strong growth in new and existing markets within 2011, and continues in 2012 with its luxury brands including St. Regis, W Hotels, Le Méridien, Westin, and the properties within The Luxury Collection.

4. Rental Car Company: Hertz
In a industry with lots of choice, and highly drive by price Hertz themselves with it’s customer service and Hertz #1 Club rewards program.

5. Luxury Travel Reward Card: Platinum Card® from American Express
Lots of travel reward cards promise exclusive access, but the Platinum Card® from American Express delivers allowing you to bypass arrival lines at most U.S. airports when returning from intentional travel, and free access for 3 at airport lounges around the world.

6. Fractional Ownership Network: Timbers Resorts
Timbers Resorts now has 12 properties in their collection luxury boutique resorts. Each one uniquely positioned and engrained within the culture and community of its destination.

7. Vacation Club: Exclusive Resorts
The 10-year-old vacation club has reinvented how luxury travelers view vacation home ownership. Members have access to properties in 40 of the most desired luxury destinations throughout the world.

8. Luggage: Tumi
Tumi continues to design the world’s most attractive and practical luggage for frequent travelers.

9. Travel Accessories: Bose
Bose’s recent additions of their SoundLink wireless mobile speaker & OE2 headphones make Bose an even better companion while traveling.

10. Rookie of the Year: Inspirato
Inspirato, the new travel club already has an impressive 40 destinations within its portfolio. In their first year they have become the fastest growing club in the world.

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3. St. Regis Announces Partnership with Bentley Motors

St. Regis, one of the premier names in the Starwood Hotels & Resorts family has announced a new partnership with luxury auto maker Bentley Motors. The partnership will also include hotel properties that are part of Starwood’s The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts division.

According to the announcement the hotels will be using Bentley vehicles both for house fleets and special driving programs aimed at residents and hotel guests. Bentley represents the ultimate in luxury vehicles combining unparalleled style and quality, making their cars the perfect match for the unrivalled luxury found at St. Regis and The Luxury Collection.

Last fall the St. Regis Rome and St. Regis Florence hosted a joint Italian driving tour aimed at current Bentley owners and hotel guests. This month Austrian guests will enjoy the Springtime Bentley Grand Tour as they drive from Vienna to Salzburg in classic vehicles like the signature Bentley Continental Flying Spur. The Flying Spur features a hand-crafted leather interior, plenty of natural wood, and the latest technology including Sirius satellite radio, iPod interface, adaptive cruise control, and zoned climate control. Most importantly however, all Bentley vehicles are known for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail.

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Carnegie Hall, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park – 3 landmarks that define one of the world’s most exciting cities; but the Big Apple is also home to the Four Seasons Hotel New York, a luxury hotel property well loved by discriminating travelers from all over the world. Towering 52 stories above E. 57th St., the majestic Four Seasons overlooks Central Park to the north and the heart of Manhattan’s theatre district to the south.

Opened in 1993, the Four Seasons New York is a combination of subtle Art Deco and stylish sophistication from the heart and soul of architect I.M. Pei. The minute you walk into the Four Seasons, the hustle and bustle of the city streets will be forgotten. It is just what you would expect and more from a 5-star hotel catering to modern tastes. From your entrance into its lobby, to the footsteps into your room, you will be treated to an atmosphere of elegance, class, and luxury. Throughout your stay you will be waited on by an attentive staff trained to meet your every need, while still being unobtrusive; this is the magic of the Four Seasons experience.

The hotel’s accommodations consist of 368 rooms and suites. Signature amenities in all rooms include marble bathrooms, leather upholstered furniture, and an overall design theme that is light and open. Some rooms and suites have views of The Park, while others display views of the city skyline. However, the more affluent suites have views of both, including the Royal suite, which takes up the entire 32nd floor of the hotel.

The rooms are spacious and encourage indulgent relaxation. After a long day of shopping, dining, or catching the latest Broadway play, it’s nice to have a sanctuary to return too. A deep oversized tub and glass-enclosed shower are the focal points of the bathroom, and just outside of it is foyer changing area where you can hang your clothes and decide on which outfit you’re going to adorn to the next cocktail hour.

While at the Four Seasons guests enjoy amenities including down pillows and duvets, Internet access, newspaper with breakfast, and boarding pass printouts available 24 hours a day. The hotel also offers a 24-hour, fully equipped fitness center, luxury spa facility, and nightly turndown service.

For your dining pleasure you absolutely must have dinner at the acclaimed L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon restaurant. Owner Ty Warner spent 2 years trying to convince world-class chef Joel Robuchon to bring his culinary expertise to New York, and it finally paid off in 2006. The restaurant is one of the most respected in all of Manhattan.

The Four Seasons Hotel New York is billed as the perfect respite after a hectic day in New York City. With its warm atmosphere, elegant styling, and attentive service, it is a hotel that more than lives up to its reputation.

Nightly rates start at just under $900.

Four Seasons Hotel New York
57 East 57th Street
New York, New York 10022
http://www.fourseasons.com/newyork/

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If you’re looking for a resort in Steamboat Springs with small town charm and big time hospitality, One Steamboat Place is your place to call home. This resort is located in the heart of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, at the foot of Mt. Werner. Located steps from the gondola, you have immediate access to the ski slopes during the winter season. During the spring and summer you have access to golf at a nearby course designed by 16-time PGA winner, Tom Weiskopf.

The property exudes the Steamboat Springs lifestyle with contemporary mountain-lodge finishes. Inside each residence, reclaimed timber, weathered metals, unique art, and design adorned throw pillows combine to create a rich and colorful ode to the Old West. The centerpiece of the entire resort is The Gathering Room. The room has a breathtaking chandelier, fireplace, and floor to ceiling windows. Employees at One Steamboat Place are tastefully dressed in denim, giving the resort an authentic western feel that fits with their friendly and accommodating attitude.

Investment Opportunities
One Steamboat Place is a luxury residential development, with 80 units offering full or part ownership to interested individuals. Full ownership investments are listed at $3.05 million and $3.15 million for 2,500 and 3,500 sq. ft. options, respectively. Those interested in partial ownership can choose an 1/8 share or a 1/12 share.

The 1/8 share can be had at a cost of $580,000 for a 4-bedroom unit. The 1/12 share includes a 3-bedroom unit at a cost of $350,000. In addition to the physical residence, owners are also getting access to a private 530-acre lake, as well as membership in The Outfitter’s Center and Catamount Ranch and Club. The resort is also offering a limited number of people who aren’t residential owners membership into The Summit Club at One Steamboat Place. This membership allows access to the luxury services, amenities, and facilities typically only enjoyed by owners. The membership fee is $65,000.

Ownership Benefits
The resort is ski-in ski-out and offers convenient ski valet. The ski locker room is one of the nicest in the country. It is the little things that are impressive, such as the available chapstick, sunblock, and mountain maps. While world-class skiing tends to be the biggest draw to Steamboat Springs, the warm weather months have plenty to offer as well. One Steamboat Place residents can enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities including kayaking, horseback riding, fly-fishing, mountaineering, hiking, bike riding, and more. This small town is a nature lover’s paradise, complete with fresh mountain air and views that are absolutely stunning.

As a part of Timbers Resorts, owners can swap their planned vacation days for credits that will allow a stay of equal length at any one of the other properties in the Timbers Resorts collection. This allows for a great opportunity to see some of the other wonderful destinations serviced by Timbers Resorts, all centered around skiing, golf, and other outdoor recreational activities.

Imagine a relaxing day on the slopes followed by cocktails, your very own chef serving dinner in your home, and an evening spent in the heated pool or Jacuzzi. All this, and more, is available when you become an owner at One Steamboat Place.

The Truffle Pig Restaurant
One of the hottest new restaurants in all of Steamboat Springs is Truffle Pig. The restaurant is conveniently located in the same complex as the One Steamboat Place resort. The menu is always kept up to date with the freshest in-season foods, including free-range game, meats, and seafood. However, just as you may expect from the name, their truffle items on the menu are their most popular and available year around.

The Truffle Pig offers all meals throughout the day. Breakfast items can be had within their market. Lunch and dinner are served in their stylish, intimate, yet rustic dining room. If you’re just getting off the mountain after a big day of skiing, the restaurant also offers an Après Ski Menu from 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM.

One Steamboat Place
http://www.onesteamboatplace.com/
2250 Après Ski Way
Steamboat Springs, CO
80487

LUX Tip: If you stay at One Steamboat Place, check out their daily après-ski, right beside The Gathering Room, with complimentary food and drink. We highly recommend the hot chocolate with marshmallows. It’s the perfect indulgence after a long day on the mountain.

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In addition to being America’s wine country, the Napa Valley is stunningly beautiful with her rolling hills, fertile green fields, and awe-inspiring mountain peaks. And there’s no better way to see the Napa Valley region than high in the sky with Napa Valley Balloons.

The Birds-Eye View

If the Napa Valley is awe-inspiring when viewed from the ground, imagine seeing it as the birds see it. Napa Valley Balloons has been providing the birds-eye view since 1980; that’s more than 30 years of aerial tours provided by FAA-certified pilots with a combined safety record that’s simply the best in the business. Moreover, Napa Valley Balloons boasts thousands of satisfied customers including celebrities like Chelsea Clinton and Peter Greenberg. The company has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show, the Food Channel, the Today Show, and more.

The Tour

Guests arrive to the Napa Valley Balloons centre in the pre-dawn hours, where they’ll enjoy a light snack of coffee, tea, juice, fruits, and pastries. Each group is briefed by their pilot and then taken to the launch site as their balloon is being prepared. You will be amazed as the burners roar, the fans hum, and your colourful and impressive balloon comes to life. And as you board, you will be aided by a professional and fully trained staff dedicated to your safety and comfort.

Once in the air the sound of silence may be the most exhilarating sensation of all. It’s one thing to fly on a jet but something completely different to float in silence. For the next hour your pilot and tour guide will show you all the best the Napa Valley has to offer. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to take pictures and ask questions in an intimate setting of between two and 16 passengers.

At the conclusion of your pilot will return you’ll be invited to join other guests at the post flight breakfast at Domaine Chandon’s Etoile restaurant. It is the perfect way to cap off a spectacular tour and set the stage for the remainder of your day in the Napa Valley.

Rates are $220 per person. For more details, or to book a trip visit their website.

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At the center of Octavius Tower is a brand-new interactive app for guests accessible through any mobile browser. With the use of a smart phone, tablet, or any other mobile device with connectivity guests will be able to access most of the services available at the hotel. They’ll be able to contact the concierge to make dinner reservation, request assistance from housekeeping, order room service, and communicate with the transportation, valet, butler, and bell services. In addition they will be eligible to receive special offers not available to guests of the other towers.

In a room, guests of the Octavius Tower will also be treated with a multi-format media hub centred on a 42-inch HD flat screen television. The technology of the media hub is such that it automatically detects when a device is connected to it and implements the necessary software needed to use that device. Once the device is disconnected the center automatically reverts back to television mode without the need for any programming or switching by the guest. Media hubs are compatible with all Apple devices as well as most other smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Guests can surf the Internet, check email, watch videos, and even conduct presentations while connected.

Outside the technology guests are sure to appreciate some of the other amenities provided by Octavius Tower. They have their own private entrance and lobby area as well as direct access to the pool and hotel gardens. And of course, just like all guests of Caesars Palace, those staying in Octavius Tower will be treated to the finest luxury accommodations that the world’s most discriminating travelers demand.

Octavius Luxury Villas

The Octavius luxury Villas located within the Octavius Tower average 8,800 square-feet and have design inspiration from France, Greece or Spain. Each villa is named after a Roman emperor who lived within the region. The names of the villas are the following: Claudius, Constantine and Marcus Aurelius.

The villas include beautiful finishes such as imported marble floors; a private elevator; hand-painted wall murals and ceiling designs; wood and stone archways and casings; a billiard room; a plush home entertainment theatre; whirlpool bathtubs in the master and guest baths; steam mist showers in all bathrooms; fully integrated audio visual systems with televisions in most rooms and custom contemporary artwork.

In addition to the luxurious amenities inside the villas they also feature outside amenities including a private terrace, a spa tub, fire pit, a dining area, and more.

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Here is a collection of what we thought were the best restaurants on the island of Bora Bora.

Bon Appétit!

Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges at the St. Regis Hotel

The St. Regis name is one of the most respected in all the travel industry. When you stay at one of their hotels you expect the finest in everything, including dining. You will not be disappointed at St. Regis Bora Bora, thanks to their exclusive Lagoon Restaurant by Jean-Georges, one of 17 restaurants operated by the world-famous chef. The Lagoon is aptly named due to the fact that it’s perched out over the water on a platform suspended over wooden stilts driven deep into the soil below. Outside its floor-to-ceiling windows is the incredibly lush and beautiful Mount Otemanu, as much a feast for the eyes as the Lagoon’s menu is for the palate.

That menu is highlighted by an attention to chef Vongerichten’s Thai-French style. Very few other chefs in the world attempt such a combination that includes things like a spiced chicken dish, accented with a unique caramel-coconut sauce; or perhaps shrimp wrapped in bacon and served with avocado. Former New York chef, Romuald Feger, heads up the staff at the Lagoon, but Vongerichten pays a visit every couple of months to check on things and introduce new menu items.

http://www.stregisborabora.com/lagoon

La Villa Mahana

If exclusivity is what excites your senses, you can’t get more exclusive than the 6-table La Villa Mahana restaurant. This place is so difficult to get into that you’ll have to make reservations at least one month in advance. Even at that, it can be difficult to get a table during the peak travel season. With that said, it is worth the wait to experience the culinary delights of Corsica’s Damien Rinaldi Dovio. Mr. Dovio is the owner and chef whose penchant for intimate dining is matched only by the frequency with which he changes his menu. A dinner at La Villa Mahana is unlike anything else you’ll experience in Bora Bora.

The restaurant’s menu typically features a wonderful blend of French and Asian flavors. Chef Dovio serves dishes ranging from mahi-mahi to filet mignon, all with his unique flair and unusual flavor combinations. If you’re the type of person who loves intricate and complex flavors, La Villa Mahana is for you. To go along with the great food, you’ll enjoy a stylish and sophisticated décor centering on the artwork of Garrick Yrondi. La Villa Mahana combines the best elements of Polynesia, France, and the Mediterranean into a single, delightful package

http://www.villamahana.com/

The Arii Moana at Four Seasons

Polynesian and French cuisine fills out a temptingly exquisite menu at the Arii Moana at Four Seasons. You’ll be amazed at the culinary delights that await you with fresh seafood, an extraordinary wine list, and decadent desserts. Their lobster and shrimp risotto is some of the best you’ll find anywhere, pairs perfectly with a distinguished wine, and is completed by a chocolate volcano cake. An explosion of flavors awaits you in a casual dining experience with seating for 56 indoors and an additional 40 outside.

In addition to the great food, Arii Moana offers a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere that epitomizes romance. In the distance you’ll see Mount Otemanu rising up from the edge of the horizon. Still closer is a peaceful and tranquil lagoon with crystal-clear waters. At Arii Moana you’ll experience world-class dining and the most subtle and sophisticated environment perfectly suited to your stay at the Four Seasons. It is the perfect way to end a perfect day in paradise.

http://www.fourseasons.com/borabora/dining/arii_moana/

Bloody Mary’s

What do you get when you cross an American restaurateur with beautiful French Polynesian surroundings? You get Bloody Mary’s, a rustic barbecue pit and steakhouse owned by a man with an equally rustic name, Dexter Hewitt. The first thing you’ll notice upon entering is the floor made of nothing but fine white sand. Next, you’ll undoubtedly notice the butcher-block tables, palm tree stools, bamboo stalks, and tasteful collection of colored lights and ceiling fans. Most of all, you’ll notice the attentive and professional staff which is highly motivated to serve you; Mr. Hewitt shares his profits with his workers, and they are well trained.

For lunch, Bloody Mary’s features typical American food, including burgers and salads, as well as the old UK standby, fish and chips. When it’s time for dinner, the lunch menu is rolled away in favor of grilled steak and fish. If you like American-style barbecue, you’ll enjoy Bloody Mary’s as a welcome relief from the predominantly French-style dining on Bora Bora. As for the restaurant’s bar, it is a piece of art wonderfully crafted using a native lychee tree. The bar is open all day, offering a variety of wines, beers, and mixed drinks.

http://bloodymarys.com/

La Suite at the Sofitel Hotel

La Suite is one of the newest restaurants in Bora Bora, having just been opened in 2011. It is owned and operated by classically trained pastry chef Nicolas Falcoz, a native of the French Alps, who began cooking with his grandmother at a very young age. Mr. Falcoz has been a Bora Bora mainstay since his arrival in 2000, having worked at the legendary Hotel Bora Bora before opening his own beachside restaurant in 2006. As for La Suite, the new challenge it presents was immediately fruitful, becoming the dining destination of choice within just a few weeks of its opening.

La Suite offers a beachside setting on a private island that is owned exclusively by the hotel. The restaurant’s menu is an interesting blend of native and French influences, combining some unusual pairings of texture and flavor. It’s been called by some critics French savoir-faire because of the ease by which Falcoz has adapted to local and regional ingredients. The chic and trendy atmosphere only adds to the total experience, which is unique by any stretch of the imagination. If you like modern elegance combined with interesting food, you definitely need to book a reservation at La Suite.

http://www.restaurantlasuitebora.com/

La Bounty

Italian and French cuisines are what you’ll find at La Bounty, a restaurant so casual you might even encounter the owner’s cat wandering the grounds. La Bounty is known for its authentic Italian pizza, which can be enjoyed as a meal or just an appetizer. Other Italian offerings include tagliatelle, spaghetti, and a variety of other pastas, with a wide selection of sauces. You’ll enjoy traditional Alfredo and Neapolitan sauces, along with seafood, blue cheese, and carbonara. The French portion of the restaurant’s menu includes a variety of steaks and fish. As with most French recipes, rich and flavorful sauces abound.

La Bounty’s casual atmosphere and easy menu make it the perfect venue for families vacationing on Bora Bora. The restaurant even offers a delicious dessert menu, complete with ice cream sundaes. The atmosphere is delightful, the menu varied enough to satisfy any taste, and the prices are very reasonable for the island.

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If you’re like most people, you’ve dreamed of a vacation home in a favorite destination. Perhaps it’s a beach side home in St. Barth’s, a luxury downtown apartment in Manhattan, or even a sun drenched villa in Los Cabos. Unfortunately, for many it’s not practical to own 2 homes, especially when you consider the financial investment of maintenance and upkeep on a property you only visit a few weeks per year.

If this sounds like you, then you should consider Elite Destination Homes. Elite Destination Homes is a property management company with an incredible portfolio of luxury destination homes. It was founded in 2005 by world traveler and real estate investor Bill Bisanz as a means of providing fractional ownership opportunities and home rentals for discriminating travellers who desire the very best. The company’s 65-property portfolio currently includes beachfront villas, cozy mountain retreats, and up-scale European apartments.

Fractional Ownership with Elite

Fractional ownership is sometimes confused with time-sharing, yet they are 2 completely different models. In the time-sharing model a condominium is owned by the time-sharing group, which then recruits as many as 50 or more different “owners” who all have access to the property once or twice per year. In a fractional ownership model all of the participants actually own the home together. Furthermore, with fractional ownership, the number of participates in each home is significantly less. In the case of Elite Destination Homes, there are typically no more than 6 owners per property.

Each owner has access to the property throughout the year, with scheduling handled by the Elite staff. During periods when none of the owners will be in the home, Elite will do its best to fill it with temporary renters, thus providing income for all of the owners. Elite takes care of all the cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, leaving owners with the opportunity and satisfaction of owning a piece of a destination home without the care that comes with it.

Additional Benefits 

Elite Homes wants all of its owners to enjoy the best possible experience, which is why they include some extra benefits. For starters, Elite never includes properties in its portfolio are not considered top-of-the-line and worthy of the Elite name. All current properties are valued between $2.5 million and $5 million. Secondly, Elite only adds portfolio homes found in the most sought after destinations. There are currently 65 homes in the portfolio; Elite hopes to have that number well over 100 in the near future.

During a recent visit to the Steamboat Springs Cimarron Chalet property, it became very apparent that the quality of the homes and the location are driving factors when properties are brought into the Elite portfolio. The home had free wireless internet, a DVD player, welcome snacks, and other amenities that made the stay feel like a home away from home. The home in Steamboat Springs also had appropriate amenities for its location, with a pick-up and drop -ff shuttle to the local ski resort, as well as a hot tub on the deck that was perfect for apres ski.

As far as your ownership use is concerned, each homeowner is typically allocated 10 weeks of use per year. You can also use some of your time at any one of the other destination homes in the network. Imagine spending 6 weeks in your Hawaiian Paradise during the winter, then enjoying 4 weeks during the summer in Paris. With Elite you are not only a part owner in your property, you are part of an exclusive and select group of owners all participating together in the Elite program.

Finally, you’ll be happy to know that each city has a concierge dedicated to making sure your every need is met. They will help arrange your reservation, air travel, and rental car, as well as be at your service during your stay to arrange for local tours, tee times, dining and entertainment reservations, and even sitters for your children. Elite is a full-service luxury company, dedicated to travelers who expect the best.

elitedestinationhomes.com

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