Author Archive for Michael

Bora Bora: Traveling to the French Polynesian Islands on Air Tahiti Nui

If you plan to visit the French Polynesian Islands, and Bora Bora in particular, your options to travel from the United States are fairly limited. Within the continental United States the only flights available are on Air Tahiti Nui, and they depart from Los Angeles. The flights depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and arrive in Papeete, Tahiti, Faa’a’s International airport (PPT).

The opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world doesn’t necessarily come cheap. A round-trip ticket starts at $965 during low travels seasons and $1,161 during peak seasons.

The flight to Tahiti is just over 8 hours, and onboard you will find that Air Tahiti Nui is not your run-of-the-mill airline. Air Tahiti Nui is a real treat. The first thing you’ll notice when you board is the well maintained, clean interiors. Pillows and blankets are provided on your seat as your arrive. Also provided is a package of goods to ensure you have a comfortable flight, including an eye mask, socks, stickers to indicate if you do or don’t want to be distributed while you’re sleeping, if they are serving food, ear plugs, and more. When boarding the plane they even play traditional Tahitian music to set the mood.

Four Seasons Walt Disney World to Open in 2014

It’s no secret that Orlando-based Walt Disney World Resort is among the top five most visited resort destinations in the world. It’s also no secret that Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, based in Toronto, Canada, is one of the premier names in luxury holiday accommodations. So imagine what Orlando visitors will be treated to when the new Four Seasons Walt Disney World opens in 2014.

Four Seasons has reached a deal to develop a luxury resort in Orlando on land acquired from Disney in 2008. Four Seasons will retain a 30% interest in the project which will be financed by some US$190 million provided by Grupo Financiero Inbursa of Mexico City. The luxury hotel chain will operate the new resort rather than leaving it to Disney operators.

Four Seasons Walt Disney World has been designed to include 444 total rooms including 90 private residences, 40 club units, a full spa with 18 treatment rooms, three swimming pools, and a rooftop restaurant with spectacular views of the Magic Kingdom. If all of the architectural plans are fully realized it will be the largest Four Seasons resort in the world. It will also include the adjacent Osprey Ridge golf course; an existing course which Four Seasons pledges to fully renovate.

Genting Plans $3B Miami Mega Resort

Malaysian hotel operator, Genting Group, is one step closer to realizing the fulfillment of its plans to build a brand-new resort and casino complex in Miami, Florida. Genting recently announced the purchase of the last remaining mortgage debt on Miami’s Omni Center at a price tag of USD $161 million. The Omni Center is a mixed-use property already divided into retail, hotel, and commercial space. It will become part of a 14 acre complex at the edge of the Biscayne Bay.

When the complex is finally finished it will consist of a convention centre, residential buildings, and four hotels. One of the buildings will even have a rooftop lagoon. The first phase of the project is the Resorts World Miami hotel, which will open its doors in the fall of next year. The entire project is being designed by the Arquitectonica architectural firm with a total budget of USD $3 billion.

Jetsetter Launches Vacation Rental Homes

Among the many accommodation options afforded the world’s luxury travellers are the dedicated vacation homes offered by tourist companies. Yet researching and booking one of these homes can be a time-consuming hassle that travellers don’t need. That’s why Jetsetter, a leading online platform dedicated to helping luxury travellers book their trips, is proud to launch a brand-new service focused squarely on vacation homes. Company officials say that Jetsetter does all of the research and legwork for you, then presents you with only the finest homes for rent around the world.

Currently the collection features more than 200 homes that have been inspected, curated, and photographed for Jetsetter members. Jetsetter curators have even travelled the world to personally inspect and hand select all of the homes added to the collection. They also negotiated special rates for just Jetsetter members. When it comes time to search and book, you’ll have access to all the information from the curator along with photos – and even 360° photographic tours. By the time you get ready to select the home of your choice, you’ll be confident that you have all the necessary information.

Jetsetter is once again leading the way in bringing new innovation to the luxury travel sector. You can bet they’ll continue adding homes to their collection and negotiating great rates for their members. Whether you’re looking for a vacation home in the Caribbean, France or Italy, Mexico, or the American West Coast, Jet setter has it covered.

Guangzhou, China Hilton Opens

Visitors to Guangzhou, China now have a new luxury hotel option with the opening of the brand new Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe. The hotel, operating under the Hilton Hotels & Resorts brand, is the first of two being opened by Hilton in the south-eastern Chinese city. It is conveniently located close to the airport and only a few steps away from the city’s East Railway Station.

The site for the Hilton Guangzhou Tianhe was chosen as a way to meet the needs of international business travelers in the region. The city is one of China’s most advanced manufacturing cities, playing host to businessmen and women from around the world. With just over 500 luxury rooms and suites, the new hotel brings the strength of the Hilton name and reputation to Southern China. Luxury is the key word describing the hotel and its rooms, especially the Presidential Suite which is one of the largest in the city.

Bellagio Showcases Newly Remodeled Rooms

Five-diamond distinction is the calling card of Bellagio Las Vegas, a premier resort in one of the world’s premier destinations. That distinction has been taken one step further with the unveiling of the hotel’s newly remodeled guest rooms.

The design group at MGM Resorts International provided the talent to inspire three new color schemes with palettes corresponding to individual design concepts. Guests staying in Resort King Rooms will have choices of indigo and silver or green tea and plum. In the Resort Queen rooms guests will enjoy a butterscotch and amber palette. In Lakeview rooms all three motifs are available.

The new room designs feature the utmost in elegance and tasteful decoration right – down to the botanical accents created exclusively for the Bellagio. Each room has been designed to provide a contemporary feel combined with unparalleled luxury; the centerpiece of the space being a dresser and wardrobe that are more than simply furniture. Made with eucalyptus and natural stone, the pieces capture the imagination when you first enter the room. Inside you’ll find a fully stocked mini-bar, snacks, multimedia connections, and eight drawers with plenty of space to accommodate your stay.

Spokane’s Davenport Hotel Gives Another Reason to Visit

The historic Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane, Washington has been a favorite destination for businessmen and luxury hotel connoisseurs ever since its opening in the early 1900s. But today the hotel has given us another reason to visit; a reason that has everything to do with protecting the environment. Earlier this year the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the hotel’s famous tower LEED Gold certification for meeting green standards. It is the only hotel in the state of Washington, and only one of 33 in the entire world, to be awarded LEED Gold certification.

This achievement is nothing new for the Davenport, a world-class luxury hotel that has been leading the world for decades. When it was built the Davenport was as luxurious as the world’s finest ocean liners. And since those early years, the owners have kept the hotel at the forefront of the hospitality industry. If you’ve never visited the Davenport, it certainly belongs on your list of “must see” properties.

Aria Resort at City Center – Best Bachelor & Bachelorette Party Destination

In the heart of Las Vegas there is a unique energy; an energy that pulsates through the streets and invites guests from all over the world to let go and become a part of everything that makes this city what it is. At the center of that energy is the Aria Resort at City Center. Built in the architectural style of the grandest of towers, the Aria pierces the Nevada sky and gives guests the most stunning views of one of the world’s most famous skylines.

Many people choose Las Vegas as their Bachelor & Bachelorette destination. If you’re looking for a luxury spin on a Bachelor or Bachelorette weekend then look no further than Aria Resort at City Center.

The resort features more than 4,000 guest rooms that provide the most lavish accommodations seen anywhere in Vegas. Whether you’re in a standard room or one of the hotels 568 suites, you’ll be treated to a visual feast with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of both the mountains and the city. In fact, the hotel is designed to provide corner windows in every guest room. Out in the corridors you’ll to be treated to plenty of natural light and more glass-surrounded open areas with additional views.

Mix at Mandalay Bay Offers More than Spectacular Views of the Las Vegas Strip

Imagine sitting at a table in a giant champagne glass, complete with bubbles, dining on exquisite gourmet food atop one of the most luxurious hotels in Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay. That’s exactly what you get with Mix, the latest 3-star restaurant from the world-famous chef Mr. Alain Ducasse.

Mix is a contemporary bridge of American and French cuisine served in an exquisite environment of fantasy and elegance. From the extraordinary chandelier featuring more than 14,000 hand blown glass bubbles, to the 500 additional bubbles over the mezzanine, you’ll what it’s like to be a fine French champagne.

Following in that theme, the restaurant features more than 2,000 types of wine coming from approximately 1,100 different vineyards. So important is the wine selection at Mix that the wine shelves were designed to hold 5,000 bottles. The restaurant features 52 dining room tables, 16 patio tables, and a special chefs table which accommodates groups of up to 14 guests. Between the restaurant and lounge, total guest capacity is nearly 600.

Sony Bloggie Touch HD Camera a great travel companion

Sony welcomes you to the world of digital video recording with their MHS-TS10 Bloggie Touch HD Camera. On a recent trip we tested out the Sony Bloggie Touch HD Camera. We were most impressed with how compact, yet easy the video and still camera was to use, making it a pleasure to capture those memorable moments.

The Bloggie offers 4 GB of built-in storage capacity for up to two full hours of HD video. With lower quality video and still pictures that storage space translates into even more opportunities. One of the best features of the camera was being easily able to share the video experiences with friends or family by uploading files that are already optimized for Internet use. In fact, the Sony Bloggie is so easy to use that it makes you want to take it everywhere.