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KNOWLEDGE.
PASSION. ACCESS.
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The Hotels Issue
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November
2009
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Welcome to the Semi-Annual Hotels Issue.
You know there is nothing that makes me more excited than to see, and
visit, a new luxury hotel or resort. With so many recently opened and
more to come in the next few months, it's hard to fit them all, or even
the best, into one issue, but I'll try to give you a sampling of 50 or
so here. If one appeals to you, but it's in the wrong location, let me
know; I'll bet I can find you something equally wonderful in your ideal
destination. But frankly, most of these properties are destinations in
their own right.
In all cases, these are luxury properties that have either just opened,
or have undergone an extensive renovation of the entire property. In
most cases, you'll read about them here, before you see them featured
in the travel mags - which means, you can discover them before the
masses, too! Just give me a call, and "consider it done!"
Roger
Kershaw
416-786-5449
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North America
New York city's iconic Pierre Hotel reopened June
1 after a $100 million renovation that gave the historic property new
guestrooms and bath interiors and reconfigured the first-floor public
areas to accommodate a new restaurant and lobby lounge. The new and
improved Pierre has 140 guest rooms and 49 suites with personal
terraces, ideal for entertaining. The hotel also has a new watering
hole: Two E, which offers classic cocktails, a coffee bar and light
meals from executive chef Stephane Becht.
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South America
Las Casitas del Colca is a luxury hotel
set in the peace and serenity of the Colca Canyon in Southern
Peru, one of the most visually stunning destinations in the
world. An Orient-Express luxury hotel, Las Casitas del
Colca boasts twenty individual casitas offering supreme
privacy and exclusivity and an opportunity to experience the beauty of
the Andes. Spend time in harmony with the Colca Canyon, its
nature and community, complete with the freedom to do as
much or as little as you wish in style and luxury. And I should
know - I was just there!
Five other new hotels in Chile
and Argentina ...>
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Europe
It's called Rough Luxe. Half rough, half luxury.
A little bit of luxury in a rough part of London. A little bit of rough
in a luxurious London. This Grade II listed home was transformed by
internationally acclaimed designer Rabih Hage and is connected to The
Mews contemporary art gallery in the courtyard behind the hotel. Guests
at a Rough Luxe hotel might share a bathroom or have a small room or a
small shower cubicle, but the luxury is in the choice of the wine, the
bed linen, the art on the walls and the people looking after you.
16 more new hotels in Europe,
from Ireland to Istanbul...>
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Asia
Sublime style on the banks of Hồ Tây Lake in
Hanoi. The new InterContinental Westlake Hanoi overlooks the
800-year-old Golden Lotus Pagoda on Hanoi's largest lake. The historic
city centre is within a 10-minute ride, as is a wide range of shopping
and cultural venues. The hotel is just 40 minutes by taxi from Noi Bai
International Airport. Three great restaurants (Saigon, Café du Lac,
and Milan) offer around-the-world cuisine
Eleven others, across the
continent, here ... >
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Africa
Smack dab in the heart of the medina and stretching over
five acres in the heart of Marrakech the Naoura Barrieres is a
sumptuous haven oozing French chic and Moroccan history. The complex of
private ryads and suites stretches over five acres; the ryads boast
their own swimming pools, terraces, and kitchens. As it's part of the
Lucien Barrière group, there's an outpost of the famous Fouquet's
Restaurant at the hotel. The U Spa Barrière has two authentic hammams
(think black soap exfoliation and rhassoul clay wrapping) and eight
treatment rooms.
A half dozen other new
treats in Morroco and South Africa ...>
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Australia
Enjoy a stay at a resort already hailed as Australia's
most environmentally responsible tourist destination. Set amid the
stunning scenery of the rugged Greater Blue Mountain World Heritage
Area, the resort is built around a fully restored homestead and nestles
within its own private conservation and nature reserve. Wolgan
Valley Resort & Spa has been designed and built with
sustainable materials and run with optimum energy efficiency throughout
in order to conserve the beautiful natural environment in which it is
set. Recreating the rustic style of the Federation Period, the resort's
buildings offer a range of unique spaces in which to enjoy quiet
moments with a good book, a drink or catch up on the events of the day
with friends.
See what else is new in New
Zealand and Australia here ...>
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Four
Seasons:
The Story of a Business Philosophy
by Isadore Sharp
Just finished this new book, and if you're as interested in hotels as I
am, you might enjoy giving it a read, too. Building a five-star
hotel brand requires fanatical attention to detail and employees
willing to do everything in their power to please. Anyone who has
ever spent serious money for a room will appreciate the myriad staples
that started as gleams in Sharp's eye: nonsmoking floors, fitness
centers, little shampoo bottles, and more. Available from Amazon.ca
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