Tag: Travel

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2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards Winners Announced

10th November 2018, AYANA Resort & Spa, Bali, Indonesia was the venue of the prestigious black-tie event celebrating the 12th anniversary of the World Luxury Hotel Awards. Over 360 guests flew in from around the world to attend the event, which awarded the world’s finest hotels for their luxury offerings and exceptional service delivery.

Set across 90-hectares along Jimbaran’s golden mile, AYANA Resort and Spa, BALI, is a world-class destination resort. As the property approaches its 22nd birthday this November, the privately-owned resort holds more fame than ever. AYANA is recognized for prolific sunset and ocean views, as well as offering a choice of five-star accommodation and facilities, coupled with the genuinely warm Balinese hospitality that has put AYANA on the map. Over the years, AYANA has received many top-shelf accolades including Luxury Honeymoon Resort Global Winner for the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2017.

Participants from over 100 countries sipped on cocktails after being welcomed on the red carpet. During the cocktail’s guests enjoyed Jegog instrumental background music followed by Okokan and Kecak dancing. Jegog is a form of gamelan music indigenous to Bali, played on instruments made from bamboo, and the Kecak Dance is a form of Balinese Hindu dance and music drama that was developed in the 1930s, but that was not all as the guests where welcomed to the gala dinner by the Panyembrama Dance, which is a traditional Balinese welcome dance followed by Gus Teja who is a maestro of the flute.

After Prof. Dr. I Gede Pitana Msc. delivered his keynote speech, the incredibly entertaining Masters of Ceremonies, twins Maria and Elizabeth Rahajeng, who are TV hosts for E! News Asia, guided the audience through a dazzling awards ceremony where awards were presented to luxury hotels and resorts in over 100 categories on a Country, Regional, Continent and Global basis.

Special congratulations go to the inspirational Gaia Retreat & Spa, who received the 2018 Global Hotel of the Year Award. Founded in 2005, Gregg Cave, Ruth Kalnin, Olivia Newton-John and Warwick Evans, affectionately known as G.R.O.W, set out as a close-knit team to realise a shared dream, offering the highest of standards and service excellence, true to the World Luxury Hotel Awards overall winner criteria. Gregg Cave, Co-Owner and General Manager of Gaia Retreat & Spa proudly collected the award on stage.

Gaia Retreat & Spa- Australia

Mr Gregg Cave

The prestigious Chairman’s Award is the decision of the Owner and CEO of World Luxury Hotel Awards, Brandon Lourens. This year Imrhim Inad, Director of Sales, attended the ceremony and was privileged enough to collect the award on behalf of the Velaa Private Island Resort in Maldives. This boutique private hideaway can only be described as “beyond luxury”.

Further Global awards went to Vacala Bay Resort in Fiji who received both Luxury Contemporary Villa and Eco/Green Villa Award; Lamaraz Arts Hotel in Algeria received the Luxury New Hotel Award; Valamar All you can Holiday in Croatia received Luxury Hotel Group Award; Tintswalo Atlantic in South Africa received Luxury Beach Lodge Award and Okinawa Spa Resort EXES in Japan received Luxury Honeymoon Hotel Award just to mention a few.

The much sought-after World Luxury Hotel Awards trophy was presented to winners on stage. Thereafter, the proud winners were given an opportunity for one-on-one personalised video interviews to speak about their achievement with the media.

Okinawa Spa Resort EXES in Japan

There was not a dull moment as the diners were spoiled by AYANA Resorts Executive Chef, Patrick Callarec and his team, who wowed guests with Balinese inspired 6-course meal. The food was elegantly plated and paired with the finest of wines supplied by Bali Indah and Sababay. The room was in awe as the incredibly plated food was served all at once to the entire ballroom. The fact that the food was on par with any fine dining restaurant made it even more impressive.

UNIQUE Rooftop Bar & Restaurant was the venue for the after party where guests danced to the sounds of Martin Denev, the resident DJ from Rock Bar and were entertained by Sasha on vocals.

“We congratulate all our winners for the 2018 Award Year, who through their tireless efforts and endless passion to elevate their guests experience, have received this honour tonight. True luxury is not easily attained, it takes a team of highly efficient and dedicated staff willing to go the extra mile and stop at nothing to ensure that every guest feels cared for and no challenged not solved. This is the definition of luxury, this is what makes the winners shine at the World Luxury Hotel Awards event”. Says, Michael Hunter-Smith, Group Marketing Director for the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

“The 2019 World Luxury Hotel Awards will take place on Saturday, 12th October 2019 at Arctic Circle, Finland. The event will be hosted by Arctic TreeHouse Hotel and the gala venue SantaPark is an ideal location just before Christmas in the home town of Santa Claus. The magical Finnish Lapland is a bucket list experience and attendees can look forward to a winter wonderland, beautiful natural landscape wilderness, reindeer safaris, the phenomenon of the Northern lights, and of course Santa Claus” said Michael,“Applications to host the event in 2020 are now officially open”.

An event of this calibre would not be possible without our much-cherished sponsors France 24, Copenhagen Traveller, Caviar Spoon, Destination Golf, Santé Magazine, Singapore Brides and Spa & Wellness International who we thank for their continued support over the years. Thanks, is also extended to Bali Indah Beverindo, Captain Morgan, Coca Cola, Dewata Primi Lestari, Dolomia, Two Island Wine, Heineken Light, Kita Satu Bali, Strongbow, Global Seafood, Frizzante, Classic Fine Foods, Valrhona, Revolt and ABV Media Asia who were the sponsors here in Bali.

Please see our video of this prestigious event.

Everyone who attended the event was blown away by the professionalism of every person who works at AYANA Resort & Spa. Congratulations!

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TIME Oak Hotel & Suites, a truly magical experience…

TIME Oak Hotel & Suites is centrally located in Dubai, and within close proximity to the Mall of the Emirates. We received a warm welcome from staff members and were also greeted by the General Manager. We stayed in a spacious 3-bedroom suite which had its own kitchen and a big lounge area. We also had a great view from our terrace looking out on Dubai’s high-rise buildings and bustling streets.

The café at reception had the most delicious pastries and treats and we were also given a whole platter of sweets and snacks upon our arrival. Their attention to detail was great, the rooms and public areas were always very clean, and housekeeping regularly restocked our rooms.
The swimming pool was perfect, there was also a jacuzzi and a pool bar. The staff were very attentive and greeted us by name. The travel desk was a big help, they helped us book all our excursions and gave us great recommendations.

Breakfast was delicious, the chef made me an omelette, pancakes and waffles with cream every morning. The waiters were very friendly, and the Restaurant Manager also asked all the guests if they were happy with the service.
The hotel really made our stay personal, from the welcoming and throughout our stay the staff greeted us by name. They also arranged airport transfers for us which was very kind.

I would definitely recommend this hotel to travellers, it is well located and provides excellent service to its guests.

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards representative.

To visit this beautiful hotel click on the link below

www.timehotels.ae

 

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A beach escape on Dubai’s Arabian Coast…

The Movenpick Hotel Jumeirah Beach is located in Dubai’s lively seaside district called Jumeirah Beach residence, footsteps away from the warm Arabian ocean. The street is filled with award winning restaurants, shops and some of the best bars in the world.
What an ideal location, we were able to walk everywhere, the Dubai Marina Mall is the perfect place for shopping. In the marina was countless yachts which offered dinner cruises and tours.


We stayed in two executive rooms located on the 22nd floor of the hotel, overlooking the beautiful Jumeirah Beach. We were welcomed in our room with a display of homemade chocolates and a great bottle of wine. The duty manager personally escorted us to our rooms and showed us their facilities. We had exclusive access to the hotel’s executive lounge which offered complimentary high tea and evening drinks daily.


Breakfast was delicious, we had a special breakfast in the executive lounge every morning which was private, and we could sit outside with a great view of the beach. The staff greeted us by name and were very friendly and helpful.The swimming pool was great, and the barman made the tastiest cocktails. There was also a staff member who provided us with towels and umbrellas on the beach which was very convenient.

There are also a variety of restaurants to choose from and they have their own pizzeria, so you can order homemade pizza any time of the day.
In the lobby there was a café that offered ice cream and delicious coffee, there was also a souvenir shop which had the most beautiful gifts to purchase.
This hotel is one of the best addresses to stay in Dubai and will guarantee and unforgettable stay full of entertainment.

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards representative.

To visit this beautiful hotel click on the link below

www.movenpick.com/en/middle-east/uae/dubai/hotel-dubai-jumeirah-beach/overview/

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Natural Simplicity – A Lover’s Paradise…

We arrived at Kilindi Zanzibar on a beautiful sunny day, as we looked over our new home for the next few days we noticed the resort is in the center of lush tropical gardens. Scattered among the beautiful gardens are a series of white-domed Pavilions. We where checked into a Kilindi luxury pavilion. The Pavilions have their very own private plunge pool, and possess a separate but extraordinary ‘rainfall’ shower room. These same showers provide not only a spectacular view to the Ocean but the liberating sensation of being ‘at one with nature’.

 

Kilindi achieves the perfect marriage between Scandinavian minimalism and the dramatic architectural overtones of Middle Eastern heritage, whilst encouraging an open, ‘back-to-nature’ ambiance throughout.

We really enjoyed the exceptional food throughout our stay and not to forget the delicious cocktails.

Thank you to all the staff who were so welcoming and especially Adam and Kim, Lucas and Julius – you made our stay perfect.

Our experience at Kilindi was magical and as close to paradise as you can get; we would recommend Kilindi to anyone looking to enjoy nature and luxury in a tropical paradise.

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To book this beautiful hotel click the link below

www.elewanacollection.com/kilindi-zanzibar/kilindi-zanzibar-at-a-glance

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Escape to the heart of Dubai…

Nassima Royal Hotel is located in the heart of Dubai, very close to many of Dubai’s top attractions. There are also many shops and restaurants within walking distance, including the Dubai Metro.

What an unforgettable stay, the architecture of the hotel is beautiful, and the service was exceptional throughout our stay.

We stayed in two executive rooms on the 45th floor which had amazing views of Dubai. The rooms were spacious, each had a big bath overlooking Dubai. The amenities in the room were great and they provided the most comfortable bath robes and towels.

The swimming pool was one of the best I’ve ever seen, it overlooks the Persian Gulf and many high-rise buildings. The pool bar had the most delicious cocktails and pizzas and the lounge chairs were very comfortable.

There were numerous restaurants and bars in the hotel which had a big variety of food. The breakfast was delicious, the chef made the best eggs benedict I’ve ever had. The staff were friendly and gave world class service.

The concierge staff were very knowledgeable and assisted us with booking our restaurants and excursions. For our transportation they offered us their hotel car which was so comfortable and stylish.

This hotel is definitely on my list of top hotels in Dubai and is a must visit hotel when in the city. Truly great hospitality.

Reviewed By Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

To book follow the link below

nassimaroyalhotel.com

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W Amsterdam – The Jewel of Amsterdam

What can one say about Amsterdam in the summertime… it is a place like no other. Warm days, cool evenings, bustling streets, hundreds of bicycles zipping past in amongst the cars and people, yet everything runs like clockwork. The city is modern yet the buildings that remain are historic, giving you that all-round “I’m in Europe” feeling. It is a truly magical destination. In the heart of Amsterdam city lies the W Amsterdam, and its story is one to behold.

Split across two unique buildings, a former telephone exchange building and an old bank, W Amsterdam is an intriguing design mix of heritage and contemporary style. This hotel holds back on nothing. It is a funky, modern, upmarket establishment that boasts an elegant restaurant, a stunning bar known as the W Lounge with a rooftop pool, super cool styled rooms and of course, the best in service excellence. We stayed in stunning rooms overlooking the canals which was a real treat to watch the boats go by as the sun set, and one of our favourite features of the rooms, apart from the hip and unique artwork in each, is the Marshall Bluetooth speaker set on the headrest… awesome, we have our own music at a touch!

Dining at The Duchess for breakfast each morning was a delight. The perfectly optioned a-la-carte menu is accompanied by a wonderous selection of pastries, juices and smoothies and gets your body ready for an energetic day walking the streets of Amsterdam. Although dining at a restaurant is always a great experience, the W Amsterdam offers something quirky in terms of its in-room dining, and nothing like what you would think you are going receive when ordering room service from a five star hotel. Instead of the usual silver domed plate and large trolley, room service is offered like a take away, delivered on a tray in a branded brown paper bag; you can simply sit on your bed in front of the TV eating your food out of paper boxes. We absolutely loved this feature of this hotel, as small as it may seem to some, it was a highlight for us! And of course, the food was absolutely fabulous as well.

The AWAY Spa simply had to make our schedule. I have always loved the look of this spa from its photos, however experiencing it is something quite extraordinary. Deep down in what was the old bank vault lies luxury, relaxation, sophistication and a very much required time-out. Lighting in this spa is everything; candles dancing in the slight breeze lead you down long and dark stair cases, yellow lighting in the hot tubs and pools make you feel as though you are swimming in liquid gold, and of course well-placed fireplaces add to the ambiance of the AWAY Spa at the W Amsterdam. The original vault doors are still in place as well as one of the gold smelting pots, now an ice water dip tub.

On 14 July 2018 at the World Luxury Spa Awards gala celebration, a week before our visit, this magnificent property took away, amongst other awards, the Best Unique Experience Spa award globally and upon arrival it was not hard to see why. The reception, X-bar (drinks and light snacks), Beauty Bar and hair salon are enough to entice your senses into what lies ahead, but finally getting down into that wet area is sublime, an experience like no other. Floating in the lap pool one can see oneself in the low placed mirror ceiling above whilst you can hear the music gently playing under the water.

Our stay at this phenomenal hotel will not soon be forgotten, and anyone visiting Amsterdam could safely pick this hotel as their accommodation preference and we can personally guarantee you will not be let down.

Reviewed by Joanna Evans- World Luxury Spa Awards Executive Manager

To view more of this beautiful hotel click the link below

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/amswh-w-amsterdam/

 

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Mid-week relaxation in Copenhagens Absalon Hotel

After a highly successful yet demanding working weekend, I was blessed to be whisked off for some mid-week relaxation and exploration in Copenhagen, staying at the Absalon Hotel.

The hotel is very stylish and modern yet still holds the charm of yesteryear; we had a warm welcome that helped us to easily find our way to the hidden elevator which is cleverly disguised as bookshelves! We found ourselves on the top floor in the most gorgeous, colourful, spacious and comfortable room, with fabulous views of the surrounding city.

Absalon Hotel is perfectly located for taking a short walk to the fabulous Tivoli Gardens which is a hub of activity including an amusement park, entertainment, beautiful gardens and more, in the heart of the city. In fact we could even see the heart-stopping “Golden Tower” ride of Tivoli from our hotel window! For areas a bit further afield there are plenty of bicycles available for hire from the hotel as cycling is a popular and fun way to experience this intriguing city.

After a busy day of sight-seeing there was nothing better than returning to our room at the Absalon Hotel, sinking into the comfort of that wonderful bed with such perfect pillows is still fresh in my memory. Breakfast was another pleasure to enjoy – an extensive Continental Breakfast buffet with great coffee, juices and plenty of choices of breads, pastries, cheeses, meats and more.

The staff were all friendly and engaging and truly made our stay all the more memorable, thank you, especially to those who took some time to chat during our visit and really went out of their way make us feel at home.

To book or view more of this fantastic hotel click the link below

Welcome to Absalon Hotel

Reviewed By Linda Cooper- World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

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A once in a lifetime experience in the bustling city of Bangkok…

The InterContinental Bangkok hotel is in the centre of Bangkok and public transport makes everything easily accessible. There are several shopping malls within walking distance of the striking hotel.

The lobby was beautiful, there was a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the staff were all professionally dressed and friendly. Check in was smooth and we were offered a complimentary welcome drink in their lounge area.

We stayed in a double Grande Deluxe room which had a great view of Bangkok. The bed was extremely comfortable, and the shower was wonderfully spacious.

View from our room

The swimming pool was on the 37th floor overlooking all the tall buildings of Bangkok. This was a great experience! There was also a pool bar with a wide selection of fresh juices and smoothies that can be enjoyed in the pool.

Breakfast was delicious, there was a huge selection of food, from Indian to Asian. The staff were attentive and knew me by name which made my stay more personal.

The hotel was gracious enough to send a delicious dessert up to my room on the night of my birthday which I really appreciated. Throughout my stay the staff also addressed me by name which made me feel so special.

InterContinental Bangkok is situated perfectly in the middle of the city and they provide excellent service, within a beautiful luxury hotel. I would recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Bangkok.

To book this exquisite hotel follow the link to their website –bangkok.intercontinental.com

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens- World Luxury Hotel Awards representative

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Relaxation and wonderful Thai hospitality at the Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas…

The Grand Mercure Phuket Patong Resort & Villas is situated in the centre of the busy town of Patong in Phuket. The hotel is within walking distance of the beach,shops and restaurants.

We received a Thai purple drink and a filled pastry with purple icing on top as a welcome treat and a cold towel to fight off the heat. We felt very welcome and all the staff were friendly.

We stayed two nights in a one-bedroom pool villa, which was gorgeous! A beautiful bath and a big lounge area. Our private splash pool was so great, and the pool chair was very comfortable.

There is a high tea lounge for VIP guests which offers complimentary beverages and snacks every day from 11:00am to 17:00pm which was delicious.

The swimming pool was heated and there were many poolside chairs available.  Most of the ground floor pool facing rooms are adjacent to the swimming pool so guests can just jump in from their terrace. The pool bar had daily specials on their cocktails which guests can enjoy on the chairs inside the pool.

The buffet breakfast was delicious, there was an Asian corner as well as an assortment of Indian and western food.

There was even sushi for breakfast and also a stand where you could make your own iced coffee or chocolate milk which was great.

Our entire stay including the amazing staff made our trip unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone who plans on visiting Phuket.

To book this magnificent property or get more details follow the link below

http://grandmercurephuketpatong.com

 

Reviewed by Kayla Lourens – World Luxury Hotel Awards Representative

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Hotel TWENTY EIGHT brings innovation, comfort and fun to the luxury hotel concept.

 As you enter the hotel lobby you are met with bright colours, contemporary art and elegant décor . The hotel staff dress in funky but relaxed uniforms that compliment the hotels unique style.

The lobby, lounge, bar and reception are open 24-hours a day and the lobby is perfect for meeting other travellers over a drink, or opening your laptop and catching up on work. This is a hip and happening space with flair.

Located on 260 Stadionplein, Oud Zuid of Amsterdam. The metro station is located 300 meters from the hotel and the tram is located just opposite the hotel. This makes site seeing in Amsterdam a breeze, as all the major tourist attractions like Museum Square, Vondelpark and the City Centre are merely a short tram ride away.

The hotel offers comfortable design apartments combined with the service and facilities of a luxury hotel. All the apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, a living room with a spacious seating area and a luxurious bathroom equipped with a rain shower. The rooms also feature climate control, a flat-screen TV and high-speed WiFi. The rooms are beautifully decorated with great attention to detail and a touch of Dutch heritage.

The property also offers an on-site restaurant, a sauna and fitness facilities as well as underground parking.

The level of service, apartments and hotel facilities make Hotel TWENTY EIGHT the perfect choice for business and leisure guests, both for short and long term stays.

Guests have the option to cook in their own apartment as well as make use of the self-service laundry room. This is exceptionally helpful for travellers that have been on the road for a while and want to relax and recuperate with privacy. Hotel TWENTY EIGHT feels like your home away from home.

When you do feel like going out for a meal the on site restaurant the Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal is a must. This modern restaurant offers delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire family. Walking through the restaurant doors, the walls are decorated with vintage portraits of previous Olympic Games.

The staff are friendly, attentive and extremely helpful with anything that guests require. This is extremely helpful for foreigners visiting Amsterdam for the first time.

Hotel TWENTY EIGHT made my trip to Amsterdam exceptional and I would recommend this property to any traveller.

To book this hotel click here www.twentyeight.nl

Michelle Snyman – Brand Manager of Word Luxury Hotel Awards

Missing Amsterdam already!