All Entries Tagged With: "Beach"

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Continues Global Growth with Debut of St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences

Miami Beach is a vibrant destination full of energy and excitement that attracts international travellers from all over the world. Now those travellers have a new destination in the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Residences. Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced the grand opening of the world-class resort on January 20, making note of the fact that its opening marks a tripling of the global St. Regis portfolio over the last five years.

At the heart of the resort is a culture of art, design, and world-class fashion. Throughout the property guests will be treated to splendid art works from Santiago Rubino, Candida Hofer, and Sawada Hirotoshi. Rubino, a Miami Beach native, was commissioned to create a mural, which stands as the centrepiece of the hotel’s bar and lounge. The hotel’s interior design, which is largely the work of world-class design firm Yabu Pushelberg, makes use of Movinque wood from West Africa, Chinese God Flower Stone, and plenty of granite from Starwood’s private quarry.

The property offers 245 private residences as well as a resort boasting 243 luxurious guest rooms and suites. Both the residences and guest rooms come with breathtaking ocean views, spacious balconies, and the signature St. Regis Butler service. The property consists of three 27-story towers, with floor to ceiling glass, overlooking the ocean and the sprawling white sand beaches of Miami.

Hilton Puerto Vallarta to Open in 2012

Hilton Hotels is headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico according to a recently released statement from Hilton Worldwide. The company announced it has signed an agreement with Grupo Hotelero Santa Fe to develop and operate the popular tourist destination’s first Hilton resort. The new property is scheduled to open in mid-2012.

Not only will the new hotel be conveniently located just a few minutes from Puerto Vallarta’s airport and cruise ship terminal, but it will also offer the same luxurious hotel experience Hilton Hotels & Resorts is known for worldwide. The hotel will feature nearly 260 world-class rooms as well as honeymoon suites and executive accommodations. Rooms will feature modern décor, elegant design, plenty of amenities, and an atmosphere designed around comfort and relaxation.

Aulani Disney Resort – The Luxury Hawaiian Getaway

Always known for its first-class accommodations and entertainment venues, Disney opened its latest resort hotel on the island of Oahu, Hawaii to much fanfare and customer anticipation. The first guests arrived the last week of August to enjoy a combination of Disney quality and the gorgeous island atmosphere of Hawaii; an atmosphere that provides an unforgettable holiday getaway for people of all ages.

The Aulani Disney Resort sits on 21 gorgeous acres of waterfront space just 30 minutes from Waikiki. Guests can spend their days soaking up the sun, relaxing in a Disney spa, touring the island with official Disney excursions, and having fun in the resort’s swimming pools. Yet the hotel’s most unique feature is its storytelling theme, which plays off the ancient Hawaiian tradition of carrying on indigenous history through storytelling. And as an added bonus, just like Disney has scattered “hidden Mickey’s” all over its resorts in Orlando, they’ve also hidden an unknown number of Menehune statues for guests to try and find.

Bora Bora: Visiting Paradise at The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

The St. Regis brand is well known around the world for their exquisite service. The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, a Starwood category 7 hotel, is no exception. Set in the tropical paradise that is French Polynesia, it all begins with your arrival.

Upon arriving at the small, open-air Bora Bora Airport you will be met by a courteous and attentive greeter from St. Regis who will welcome you with a smile and conduct you to your boat transfer. From there you’ll enjoy a mesmerizing boat ride across crystal blue waters to The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort. Along the way you will be awestruck by the scenery surrounding you; it’s the only place in the world that looks better in person than on a postcard.

Experience Tropical Paradise Off the Coast of Tanzania at Essque Zalu Zanzibar

Off the coast of Tanzania, in the beautiful Indian Ocean, lies the tropical island paradise of Zanzibar. Sitting gracefully at the north end of Zanzibar is the beautiful Essque Zalu Zanzibar, a world-class resort offering a luxury experience of a lifetime. Guests will enjoy an atmosphere of natural wonders, African mystery, and deep rooted legends. Explore the streets of Swahili, learn about the local people and their culture, and let your senses run while among the areas of many spice plantations.

The Essque Zalu Zanzibar is located in the extreme northern region of Nungwi, in an area known for its exquisite diving opportunities. Guests have access to the region through Stone Town on Zanzibar’s east coast. You may choose between a 20 minute flight from Dar es Salaam to the airport at Stone Town, or a ferry which makes the same trip in about 50 minutes. From Stone Town you’re a mere 50-minute car ride from the resort.

The resort offers 40 suites and 9 villas all designed to captivate you in a world of unparalleled luxury. The suites all include gorgeous views of either the turquoise-blue waters of the Indian Ocean or the resort’s lush, tropical gardens. You’ll find the ambience to be very tasteful with a combination of local materials, indigenous artwork, and traditional Makuti roofing. The resort’s villas are a bit larger than the suites and come in three-bedroom or four-bedroom options. The villas all boast a private pool, kitchen, and private terrace or balcony. Villa guests are also free to enjoy in-room massages and dining options.

Starwood’s First All-Inclusive Resort: New Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal

Latin America continues to be the target of an aggressive development campaign from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., as evidenced by the announcement of its first all-inclusive resort in a Costa Rica. The new Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal, a renovation of what was previously the Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort, is already under way and should be completed by the end of the year. All of the hotel’s 406 rooms and public areas will get a complete makeover. In addition, Starwood plans to open three more Latin American hotels in 2011.

The exclusive Westin Resort & Spa experience begins for guests as soon as they enter the resort’s lobby. They are greeted with the brand’s Sensory Welcome which strives to create an awakening of sight, sound, smell and taste that will soothe and relax. Gentle music plays in the background while the eyes feast on beautiful botanicals and exquisite mood lighting. Subtle fragrance fragrances permeate the air, evoking a calm and peaceful feeling which is perfectly complemented by Westin’s subtle but captivating White Tea.

Now Open: Balcones del Atlántico – Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

RockResorts welcomes you to the Dominican Republic and the newest luxury hotel in its family, the Balcones del Atlántico Las Terrenas. Set near the small and quaint fishing village of Las Terrenas, the property has all the charm and warmth you would expect from the Dominican Republic combined with the elegance and luxury RockResorts is known for. Just opened a few months ago, the Balcones del Atlántico includes all the Caribbean has to offer with its white sand beach, crystal-clear water, and views to die for. The resort is located at the north end of the Samaná Peninsula which is accessible through direct flights from several U.S. cities including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, and a Philadelphia.

This newest of Caribbean resorts offers 86 well-appointed villa suites, each with two or three bedrooms. The natural Caribbean environment provides the design theme, which is both comfortable and stylish. For an extra special touch of luxury the hotel offers a Penthouse Villa that includes a private, rooftop plunge pool and 4000 ft.² of space to comfortably accommodate up to seven guests. All of the suites enjoy private terraces and kitchen facilities.

For your relaxation the Balcones del Atlántico offers you a RockResort spa providing well-being treatments and the highest level of relaxation and comfort. You’ll also enjoy a beachside bar and restaurant, gourmet deli, and two beautiful swimming pools. One of the pools even offers a swim-up bar for your poolside refreshment. And if you would prefer to go into town for local dining and shopping, it is just minutes away.

Hilton Opens Pattaya Beachfront Resort in Pattaya, Thailand

The Hilton has opened a floating hotel in Pattaya, Thailand. Hilton Pattaya is a beachfront resort that overlooks the Gulf of Thailand and is located approximately 90 minutes southeast of Bangkok. The hotel is located at the complex that has Southeast Asia’s largest beachfront shopping and entertainment facility including more than 200 shops and restaurants and 10-screen cinema. Guests who stay at the Hilton Pattaya have exclusive access to the complex through the ground floor.

This luxury hotel has 302 elegant guest rooms and suites located on floors 19 – 33 of the hotel. Suites offer floor to ceiling windows. All rooms offer mesmerizing ocean views from private balconies. Rooms are stylishly decorated, and have spacious bathrooms with rain showers and bathtubs. Other facilities include separate living and dining areas. Many suites also include bathtubs on the balconies.

Relax on an Island within an Island at W Hotel’s Newest: W Retreat Koh Samui in Thailand

Starwood’s W Hotels has just opened its newest location, ‘W Retreat Koh Samui’ in Thailand. The hotel is located on a heaven like island. This beautiful hotel has all the great features and amenities, but this time it comes with 75 beachfront villas. Each villa has its own unique location and a private pool.

Some great features of W Retreat Koh Samui are The W Library that contains books, magazines and DVD’s and can be accessed at any time of the day or night, the AWAY Spa, SWEAT fitness Center and The WAVE that has water sports and activity center right under the sun. Koh Samui has a one of a kind Whatever/Whenever Service that gives guests a great opportunity to have fun and fulfill their desire anywhere anytime.

The rooms include a outdoor rain shower, sun lounges, and custom made furnishings and connecting rooms. In room entertainment includes Yamaha Sound system, 46” Samsung LCD TV, and a 22” LCD TV in bathroom and DVD/CD Player.

The Big Island Hawaii: The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

Our last hotel spotlight is on The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows. The Mauna Lani is situated on the Kohala Coast on acres of gorgeous Hawaiian land. The hotel can best be described as classic luxury. It has maintained its clean look and feel over time; not over done or understated, The Mani Lani boasts its tropical elegance through its open-air hotel architecture, lush gardens, and sandy beaches on the property’s oceanfront.

The experience at The Mani Lani extends from the cushioned lounge chairs poolside to the turndown service guests receive each night. Every guest room has a lanai, and the hotel is constructed so that each room captures as much ocean view available. The interior of the hotel is highlighted by plants and ponds, which are inhabited by baby sea turtles and fish.

If you’re one that prefers more seclusion from other hotel guests, the bungalows are only a short walk away. Each bungalow has its own private beachfront and driveway access, providing a truly exclusive experience. With 4,000 square feet of living space in each bungalow, more than a few people can stay comfortably in them.

A lot of the activities at The Mauna Lani are free of charge and the kids program focuses on exploration of the natural grounds. With so many sea creatures and ancient petroglyphs close by, the family will never run out of things to see and do. For those that want to relax, there is a spa that features a Vichy shower and natural lava sauna and also a fitness center.