Today it’s hot, hot, hot in New York, and all we can think about is diving into a pool.  While we’ll have to settle for the A/C, luckily TripAdvisor’s put together their top picks for the most amazing hotel pools in the world for us to dream about.  Among the top ten is COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali.  What we wouldn’t give for a dip there right now!

For the laidback couple: beach time

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Rosewood Mayakoba  knows that running around town to pick up save the dates, sample wedding cakes and find the perfect dress is hard work, even with the help of a great wedding planner or maid of honor so the five-night “Honeymoon Mayan Romance” package begins with top-shelf tequila upon arrival, and is all about chilling out. Take a Tantric Yoga class and enjoy a Moonlight Massage for two on your suite terrace. Glory in your private plunge pool and butler and end the day in an Aroma Bath with champagne and chocolate. You’ll also get a Couple’s Massage instruction session with 30 minutes of “alone time.” Let stress slip away at this gorgeous resort, nestled between the Yucatán jungle and Caribbean Sea that marries high design with serious luxury. Rates start at $1152 per night.

Visit www.rosewoodmayakoba.com or 888-ROSEWOOD for more details.

Maldives

At Naladhu, the Island Romance package begins before you even reach the property. A speedboat will meet you as you leave the airport to take you directly to this Maldivian island resort. A House Master will lead you to your private house, where Champagne cocktails and fruit are waiting. Spend the day by the pool or snorkeling in the reef then relax with a complimentary coconut milk bath for two. As if that wasn’t enough, chocolate cake to share is included!  Nightly rates for the Island Romance package begin at $1,475 per night with a four-night minimum (rate excludes service charge and Maldivian government bed tax).

 For the stress-crazed couple: inner peace

 Bali

Begin your journey together in Bali’s spiritual heartland, at the COMO Shambhala Estate, with a Wellness Program tailored to your needs. Give your marriage the brightest possible beginning by learning how to stress-battling techniques based on the philosophies of Yoga, Chi Kung and Tai Chi. Then let the experts in holistic healthcare go to work using massage, acupuncture, Ayurvedic therapy and hydrotherapy (using water from the Estate’s sacred, mineral-rich spring). Rates begin at $2,100 for a three night Stress Management program in a Garden Room. Visit http://www.cse.como.bz/rates-2010 for more details.

Turks & Caicos

Stay at Parrot Cay and simply ‘be’ as a couple in one of the few pristine places in the Caribbean: a 1,000-acre private island where the spacious, teak-filled bedrooms spill out onto a mile of powder soft beach. Recover from the pre-wedding jitters with complimentary extras like Pilates and yoga classes and use of windsurf boards and catamarans. A seven-night Parrot Cay Honeymoon also includes 60-minute couples massage, a candlelit dinner in the COMO Shambhala Cottage and a bottle of champagne on arrival. (BONUS: The COMO Shambhala Stress Management program is available here as well!) Rates start at $6,012 per couple.

For the classic couple: New England whimsy

 Nantucket, Massachusetts

The Wauwinet, a natural, stunning waterfront setting in Nantucket, is perfect for the couple that doesn’t want to go stray too far from home. Newlyweds can stay at one of the Wauwinet’s charming garden cottages, just slightly removed from the main buildings. Arrive at the hotel via the Wauwinet Lady, the hotel’s private charter, then indulge in couples treatments at The Spa by the Sea. With Nantucket Island Resort’s Hot Dates, Cool Rates promotion, rates at the Wauwinet start at $225 for 2010.

For the foodie couple: Southwest seasoning

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Stay at the Inn on the Alameda and explore our oldest capital city’s culinary and cultural delights for your honeymoon. With the Taste the City Different package, couples can take a three-hour walking tour around beautiful and historic Santa Fe with a chef guide to introduce you to the city’s most unique dining destinations. The next day, see who’s got better mincing skills with a cooking class and lunch to follow. When you’ve had your fill, the hotel’s Kiva fireplaces, triple-sheeted beds, and afternoon wine and cheese will be waiting. Don’t forget to bring home those authentic Southwestern recipes ‘por dos.’ Rates begin at $675 for a three-night package.

 For the adventurous couple: exotic escapades

Bhutan

Honeymoon in the largely unspoiled kingdom of Bhutan, and participate in adventurous activities that include rafting, archery, camping and fly-fishing at Uma Paro. Then hit the road with biking and trekking courses that visit local monasteries and villages for a slice of culture.  And don’t forget, the Bhutanese measure their wealth in Gross National Happiness, so the joy of recently married duos will certainly spike that statistic! Stay in a Como Suite and you’ll have a stunning 180 degree view of the Paro Valley. Rates start at $595 per night.

 Chiang Saen, Thailand

High in the rolling hills of Thailand’s north, Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa  is the perfect locale for the adventurous honeymooners to hang their hats before setting off for an unforgettable adventure.  Never a dull moment at the resort, couples can learn to ride, bathe, and feed Thai Asian elephants at the on-site elephant camp.  Choose the Mahout Discovery package for a three-day intensive mahout training course and learn all the sublties of elephant driving, or partake on a tri-country expedition on the Mekong through northern Thailand, Laos, and Burma, with the Three Country Discovery package.  Nightly rates for the Mahout Discovery package begin at $480 for a Deluxe Room, double occupancy, and at $682 for a Deluxe Room, double occupancy, for the Three Country Discovery package. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. Please refer to the package links for details.

For the couple who wants it all: beach, adventure, culture

Changlang Beach, Trang, Thailand

Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa in Thailand will satisfy the couple looking for an unforgettably full cultural experience. Try pretty much every water sport imaginable, from sailing, snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, waterskiing, to even swimming with sea cows! Need something to hang beside the marriage certificate? Get scuba-certified on site with the resorts 5-star PADI scuba diving center. And you both can learn how to prepare a full Thai meal with staff-led cooking classes.  More creative couples can partake in the art of Kae-Sa-Luk, Thai fruit and vegetable carving.  Book your stay online 40 days in advance between now and December 20, and receive 20% off and daily breakfast buffet for two with the Early Bird Bonus special package. Nightly rates begin at $270 for a Deluxe Garden Terrace room.

Pasty complexion, dark eye circles, and permanent frown lines (ugh): the treacherous side effects of a long, cold winter. But there’s hope for renewal! Get the luster back in that lackluster skin with some serious springtime spa savings at COMO Hotels and Resorts.

Hop on a short flight to Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos for the weekend, and take advantage of 25% off all packages, including the Sun and Seclusion, Parrot Cay Honeymoon, Dr. Perricone, COMO Shambhala Experience, Wellness programs (including the famed Aryuvedic and Stress Management), and the resort’s newest packages, Babymoon and Romantic Runaway. Offering is available now through September 8 for all room categories including Private Residences.

In need of a more intensive, extended getaway? It’s COMO to the rescue once again! Book it to Bali for one of the select three-, five-, or seven-night wellness program packages at the COMO Shambhala Estate. Enjoy up to 20% off through the end of May, with discounts of 20% off Bespoke Programs and 15% off Stress Management, Get Fit, Cleansing, and Rejuvenation programs.

Who can resist a dark chocolate bunny or a colorful row of marshmallow peeps? Escape from the Jelly Belly and those sugary Easter basket temptations by stealing away to COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali for a wholesome, healthful, three-night retreat. Guests will enjoy complimentary nutritious breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and Easter Brunch (excluding some beverages).

Then achieve total health with a holistic Wellness Consultation and 60-minute massage (your choice of treatment!). Feeling rejuvenated, set out for Ubud to explore Bali’s rich Hindu culture and dramatic landscape.

Rates start from $1,440 for a Garden Room (subject to 21% government tax and service charge), valid from March 26-April 7 and must include a stay over April 2. Package is also available in a 5-to-7-night program.

Package includes:
- Three nights of accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Easter Brunch
- Wellness Consultation
- 60-minute massage
- Return airport transfers
- One-time drop off and pick up service to sister property in Ubud
- Personal assistant services
- Participation in daily schedule of Estate’s Easter activities
- Use of steam room, sauna, and 25-meter lap pool

A quick kudos to all spas awarded honors in SpaFinder’s 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards, including the following spas that we are proud to work with.  Congratulations!

Make a New Year’s resolution that’s easy to keep: achieve total health in mind, body, and spirit by booking an invigorating yoga retreat with COMO Hotels and Resorts.

Choose between the On Top of the World yoga and meditation retreat at Uma Paro in Bhutan, January 9 – 15, 2010, or Yoga in Balance at Parrot Cay in Turks and Caicos, February 28 – March 6, 2010.

Meditate with top Australian yogi Judy Krupp as she returns for her third encore at Uma Paro. Or join Parrot Cay’s yoga specialist, Andrea Curry, and her sister, Christina, the COMO Shambhala Estate’s resident instructor, for a combined inspiring and nurturing approach to teaching at the Turks and Caicos resort. Guests of the retreats are encouraged to overcome physical and mental barriers to promote balance, energy, and relaxation.

Prices for Uma Paro start at $3,227 single occupancy and include the following:

• Six-nights of accommodation
• Up to 21 hours of yoga and meditation instruction
• Return airport transfers
• Daily breakfast and lunch (beverages not included)
• Two dinners – one welcome and one farewell (beverages not included)
• Cultural excursions to Bhutan’s oldest temple Kyichu Lhakhang, a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse, the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest), and Uma Paro’s majestic government and monastic center the Rinpung Dzong

Prices for Parrot Cay start at $6,617 single occupancy, $9,605 double occupancy and include the following:

• Six-nights of accommodation in a Garden Room
• Five days of yoga and meditation instruction
• Round-trip airport transfers (for commercially scheduled flights only)
• Daily American breakfast, lunch, and dinner (beverages not included)

There’s a new chill to the wind, with autumn just around the corner, but you can still work up a sweat with these three heart-pumping fitness programs from Crystal Cruises, Anantara Resorts & Spas and COMO Hotels.

Crystal Cruises: Illustrating its commitment to offering innovative wellness programs, luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is introducing Nordic Walking, fitness walking with lightweight poles, aboard its ships. Through an exclusive new partnership with LEKI USA, a leading manufacturer of skiing, trekking and Nordic Walking Poles, Crystal continues to break new ground in fitness options at sea. Specifically designed to engage the entire body, the Nordic Walking poles will be available complimentarily to guests aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity this October. Nordic Walking Poles specialist Rick Deutsch will be on board Crystal Serenity’s October 8 cruise from Athens to Venice, and Crystal Sympony’s October 19 cruise from New York to Montreal to teach the opening classes and train the ships’ fitness instructors, who will lead demonstrations on following voyages.

Anantara Madives: Surf’s up dude! Hang ten and conquer the wild waves with the Anantara Madives’ 5-star service ‘Ticket to Ride’ program. Anantara Resorts & Spas has partnered with the award winning Australian company Tropic Surf to offer an unforgettable experience for all – from beginners, to intermediate and advanced surfers. Your surf-pass entitles you to quite the package: two dhoni boat transfers per day to your designated surfing area, as well as expert guides, board valet, surf reports, movie and information nights, and more. The lessons are intimate, too – only eight surfers are permitted to book the program at any one time to ensure personal, one-on-one coaching and safe, un-crowded seas. Make sure to book in advance to save. Depending on which program you choose, costs can range from $175-$990 for prepaid bookings prior to your arrival, and from $195-$1,120 for payments at the resort.

COMO Hotels: COMO Hotels’ exclusive, luxurious, and life-changing yoga retreats are taught by top yogis in unbelievable settings. Judy Krupp, who led a retreat at Uma Paro in July, was the returning guru this year, joined by newcomers Elena Brower and Sarah Powers. The workshops provide nearly five hours of daily practice with the masters and are held at COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, Parrot Cay in Bali, and Uma Paro in Bhutan. Students at all levels have unparalleled access to these yoga rock stars, as well as to the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat spas. The weeklong programs include six nights accommodation, most meals, and airport transfers. Single occupancy rates start at $5,681 at Parrot Cay, $3,515 at The Estate, $4,668 at Uma Paro; and double occupancy rates begin at $8,669 at Parrot Cay, and $7,056 at Uma Paro. All three properties offer daily yoga classes, as do most other COMO Hotels including Cocoa Island in the Maldives, and Uma Ubud, also in Bali. Daily Pilates classes are also offered at COMO Shambhala Estate and Parrot Cay.

These wellness retreats aim to give us what we need to feel like our best selves, whether it’s a boost or a true paradigm shift.  None of them are simply ‘spa packages.’ All are hosted by beautiful resorts, from Mexico to the Caribbean, France to Switzerland, and Bhutan to Bali.

Summertime Yoga Retreats – Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico

Where: Fly to Cancún and drive 40 minutes down the Riviera Maya to the 1,700-acre enclave of Mayakobá.

When: Four long weekends this summer: June 18-21; July 16-29; August 20-24; September 27-30.

Details: Morning and evening yoga classes, led by TJ Jackson, who has also studied Ayurvedic medicine in India, in the Sense spa.  The spa is on its own private island within the resort.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast, a spa treatment, a session in the Temazcal, a Neo-Vedic Astrology reading, and a tour of a mystic Mayan temple inside a cenote.

This One’s For You If: You want to deepen your practice, refresh your senses, and have plenty of time between downward dogs to sit by the pool.

Cost: Nightly rates are $650 for single occupancy and $850 for double occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 888-ROSEWOOD to book

Stress Management Programs – COMO Shambhala Retreat, Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

Where: Fly to Providenciales in Turks & Caicos and boat over to the 1,000-acre private island of Parrot Cay.

When: Three, five, and seven-night programs, available whenever you are.

Details: A pre-arrival consultation and on-site guides tailor a program, using spa treatments, yoga, and other disciplines, to counteract all that stress has wrought: instability, fatigue and disrupted sleep cycles.  Consultation, treatments, and classes, as well as all meals and airport transfers are included.

This One’s For You If: You will give up control (just this once) to experts who will help pry the Blackberry away, slough off a few layers of stress, empty out your mind, rebuild balance, and make sure you’re sun-kissed on the flight home.

Cost: Rates start from $2,862 per package for single occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 649 946 7788 to book

Six-Day Spa Program – La Réserve Ramatuelle, South of France

Where: A just-opened hotel in the Mediterranean hills, just outside of Saint-Tropez.

When: Six nights, anytime between now and November, when the hotel closes for the winter.

Details: The all-inclusive program includes a consultation with the on-site ‘spa doctor,’ a complete physical examination, and a personal nutritional plan.  While they do take a body mass index (yikes), this one’s also high on the pleasure index: guests receive a minimum of four spa treatments daily.  And no less a brand than La Mer supplies the products.

This One’s For You If: You want to be slathered in Crème de la Mer as your waist is whittled – this is how French women don’t get fat.

Cost: Price upon request.

More details here, and call +33 4 94 44 94 44 to book

Signature Experience – Victoria-Jungfrau Grand Hotel & Spa, Switzerland

Where: A grande dame resort in the middle of the Bernese Alps of Switzerland.

When: Five nights, whenever you’re ready.

Details: The Signature Experience helps you take full advantage of the 60,000-square foot wellness wing, which includes just about anything you can dream up – light therapy saunas, a loveable Tai Chi master, an outdoor saltwater Jacuzzi.  The program includes ESPA treatments galore, such as a two-hour joint-release massage and an advanced firming facial, as well as daily breakfast, daily dinner at the renowned restaurants (with spa menus, naturally), and accommodations in the modern, meditative spa suites.

This One’s For You If: You find mountains therapeutic and want to see what Old School hospitality is really about – this hotel defines it.  You’d also like the option of staying in a bathrobe for five days straight.

Cost: 3575 CHF (about $3,340) for single occupancy, and 7150 CHF (about $6,675) for double occupancy (rates based on the Junior Bel Air Suite).  Includes VAT taxes.

More details here, and call +41 33 828 28 28 to book

On Top of the World Yoga Retreat with Judy Krupp – Uma Paro, Bhutan

Where: A luxe hotel in Paro Valley in the happiness-obsessed, Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan.

When: July 12-18 (six nights).

Details: Led by Judy Krupp, who founded The Yoga Room in Sydney, Australia, there will be 21 hours of instruction, with active asana in the mornings and restorative poses, pranayama, and meditation in the afternoon.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast and lunch, welcome and farewell dinners, cultural excursions (including Tiger’s Nest monastery), a 90-minute traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath and massage, and round-trip airport transfers.  Uma Paro can take care of visas and travel details for you.

This One’s For You If: You want to explore the Himalayas as well as your own inner landscape.  Or you want to quit smoking – cigarettes are verboten in Bhutan.

Cost: Program rates start at $4,668 for single occupancy and $7,056 for double occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

More details here, and call 975 8 271597 to book

Insight Yoga Retreat – COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali

Where: A sublimely beautiful, holistic retreat in the hills outside of Ubud (and an hour’s drive from Denpasar, Bali’s international airport).

When: December 10-16 (six nights).

Details: Led by California-based Sarah Powers, who has taught yoga for over 20 years, guests will have five hours of yoga instruction in the Yin and Yang practices per day.  Includes accommodation, daily breakfast and brunch on yoga days (December 11-15), welcome and farewell dinners, the services of a personal assistant, and return airport transfer.

This One’s For You If: You don’t want to sound like a cliché, but Eat, Pray, Love really did strike a chord with you.

Cost: Program rates start at $3,515 for single occupancy.  Includes tax and service charges.

**The COMO Shambhala Estate offers the option of staying at nearby Uma Ubud (single occupancy starting at $3,135, car transfers included) and participating in the retreat as a non-resident ($1,210 daily yoga classes only).

More details here, and call 62 361 978 888 to book

The Peninsula Spa by ESPA, New York

Where: A wellness aerie at the top of The Peninsula New York (just off Fifth Avenue, a few blocks down from Central Park).

When: How about today?

Details: The new ESPA spa offers weekday specials, which include treatments as well as full use of the exercise facilities, pool, sun terrace, sauna, steam room, and Asian Tea Lounge.  The “Weekday Spa Experience” includes a 60-minute intensive facial, a 60-minute holistic massage, and a spa lunch; the “Weekday Spa Ceremony” is simply two hours of deep tissue massaging.  Where else in New York can you get a facial after you swim, sun, and steam in 24-karat gold? Just bring your newspaper and bikini.

This One’s For You If: You can’t fathom taking a real vacation, but can justify playing hooky for the sake of your well-being.

Cost: The “Experience” is $420 and the “Ceremony” is $400.

More details here, and call 212 903 3910 to book

COMO Hotels’ exclusive, luxurious, and life-changing yoga retreats are taught by top yogis in unbelievable settings.  Returning gurus this year include the dynamic married duo Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman, and Australian yoga expert Judy Krupp. Newcomers joining the A-list roster are Elena Brower and Sarah Powers.

These intimate workshops provide nearly five hours of daily practice with the masters and are held at COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos, and Uma Paro in Bhutan.  Students at all levels have unparalleled access to these yoga rock stars, as well as to the renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat spas.  The weeklong programs include six nights accommodation, most meals, and airport transfer. Single occupancy rates start at $5,681 at Parrot Cay, $3,515 at The Estate, $4,668 at Uma Paro; and double occupancy rates begin at $8,669 at Parrot Cay, and $7,056 at Uma Paro.

2009 Retreats:

APRIL 19-25 at Parrot Cay – Moving from Conflict towards Peace with Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman

JULY 12-18 at Uma Paro – On Top of the World Yoga and Meditation with Judy Krupp

OCT 25-31 at  Parrot Cay – Heal & Fortify: Body and Soul with Elena Brower

DEC 10-16 at COMO Shambhala Estate – Insight Yoga in Beautiful Bali with Sarah Powers

And the yogis are …

Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman

Rodney and Colleen, who were married in December 2006 have been practicing together for years. Together they created the Gaiam Yoga Club. Rodney was a co-founder (and former owner/director) of Piedmont Yoga Studio in Oakland, California, and Colleen opened the hip Yoga Shanti studio in Sag Harbor, NY, in 1999.

Judy Krupp
Krupp runs workshops in Australia and all over the world. She has over 20 years of experience as a teacher and is founder of The Yoga Room, based on Sydney’s North Shore. What makes Krupp unique is her relaxed style and likeable humor. Her teaching reflects her original training in the Iyengar system and work as a myotherapy body therapist.

Elena Brower
Brower is a certified Anusara teacher who opened Virayoga in New York seven years ago. She approaches her students with refreshing levity and caring attentiveness. Her celeb client list includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, and Rebecca Romijn.

Sarah Powers
The California-based Powers has been teaching yoga since 1987. Her style is a combination of a Yin sequence of long-held poses to enhance the meridian and organ systems, combined with a flow or Yang practice, influenced by Viniyoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar teachings.

Meditate in Paradise

These chic spaces are optimal for tuning out the rest of the world.  At Parrot Cay, the amenities seem almost endless on the remote, 1,000-acre island of white sand. Students can take advantage of the COMO Shambhala Retreat’s substantial facilities of holistic wellness including massage, exclusive Dr. Perricone anti-ageing facials, and Ayurvedic therapies. Along with yoga, Parrot Cay offers Pilates, a gym, tennis, a variety of watersports, and off-island excursions.

In Bali, wellness is the thing at COMO Shambhala Estate.  Unlike the conventional destination spa that usually focuses on pampering, The Estate provides a total, 360-degree experience closely tailored to each individual’s needs.  Offering comprehensive wellness programs to mend mind, body, and spirit, they employ leading specialists in contemporary holistic health and feature hands-on healing ranging from massage to Ayurvedic and water-based therapies. The Estate also works closely with a Board of Advisors, which actually includes Rodney Yee and others such as Dr. Robert Thurman and Donna Karan.

The Uma properties under the COMO name represent simplicity and relaxation within a culturally rich and stirring environment.  Uma Paro, located in the rolling hills of Bhutan, has a COMO Shambhala Retreat that offers Asian-inspired therapies and Ayurveda, and encourages guests to immerse themselves in the rich Bhutanese culture through expertly guided cultural excursions and activities.

For sustenance at all properties, enjoy the healthy – yet flavorful – organic cuisine. COMO Shambhala’s nutritionally rich dishes are recommended to all guests to maximize the benefits of their stay.

Wondering about the dress code? Check out COMO Shambhala’s Active Living Collection for ideas. The collection was designed by Amy Roberts, formerly with John Galliano and now Head of Womenswear at Mulberry.

The Fine Print…

Please find below details, as well as websites, for each retreat.

MOVING FROM CONFLICT TOWARD PEACE – Parrot Cay – 6 nights accommodation, arriving April 19 and departing 25 April – 5 hours of yoga instruction with Rodney and Colleen daily (April 20 – 24) – Full American breakfast daily – Daily lunch and dinner from a special COMO Shambhala Retreat Menu (excluding beverages) – Return airport transfers

ON TOP OF THE WORLD YOGA AND MEDITATION RETREAT - Uma Paro – 6 nights accommodation, arriving July12 and departing July 18 – 21 hours of yoga and meditation instruction from Judy Krupp Juldy 12-18 – Daily breakfast and lunch (excluding beverages) – Welcome and farewell dinners -Traditional Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath and Massage (90 min) – Four cultural excursions (including Tiger’s Nest monastery) and optional excursions on a free day – Roundtrip airport transfers

HEAL AND FORTIFY: BODY AND SOUL – Parrot Cay – 6 nights accommodation, arriving October 25 and departing October 31 – 5 hours of yoga instruction with Elena daily, October 25-30 – Full American breakfast daily – Lunch and dinner daily from special COMO Shambhala menus (excluding beverages) – Return airport transfers (for commercially scheduled flights only)

INSIGHT YOGA IN BEAUTIFUL BALI – COMO Shambhala Estate -6 nights accommodation, arriving December 10 and departing December 16 – 5 hours of yoga instruction instruction per day with Sarah Powers (December 10-16) – Daily breakfast – Daily brunch on yoga days (December 11-15) – Welcome and farewell dinner – Services 21 of a Personal Assistant – Return airport transfer

**The COMO Shambhala Estate offers the option of staying at nearby Uma Ubud (single occupancy starting at $3,135, car transfers included) and  participating in the retreat as a non-resident ($1,210 daily yoga classes only)

For more information, please visit the following websites: www.parrotcay.como.bz, www.cse.comoshambhala.bz www.uma.como.bz/paro, and www.comoshambhala.bz.

To help plant a few seeds, so to speak, we have gathered up the newest, best hotel deals for this summer.   This is our very own “Top Ten.” One suggestion from us: this is the moment to rethink spots that were always seen as prohibitively expensive.  Like Nantucket.  London.  Switzerland.  Even Parrot Cay in Turks & Caicos. 

Some of these deals have already started, so if you want to just skip spring and go straight to a summery vacation, be our guest… 

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Deal: A little something called “Hot Dates, Cool Rates” from Nantucket Island Resorts, which owns The Wauwinet, the White Elephant, the White Elephant Hotel Residences, The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, and the Jared Coffin House.

Breakdown: Specific dates throughout the high summer season have seriously low rates. 

For example:

• Jared Coffin House: Normal summer rates start at $155 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $105
• The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin: Normal summer rates start at $490 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $175 per night
• White Elephant: Normal summer rates start at $615 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $195 per night
• The Wauwinet: Normal summer rates start at $680 per night; Hot Dates rates start at $225 per night

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because Nantucket is one of the prettiest islands in our country, and it has never been more accessible than it is this year.  Once there, spend idyllic days bicycling, beach reading, and picking your own strawberries. 

Fine Print: Rates are subject to change after April 15, so keep checking the website to see the latest dates and rates.

Book here

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Deal: “Muy Sabrosa” package at the Inn on the Alameda adds not only value but culinary spice to a stay in this kooky, lovely city.

Breakdown: Package rates begin at $376 for a two-night stay and include a two-and-a-half hour cooking demo and lunch at the Santa Fe School of Cooking, a $40 gift certificate to Mucho Gusto (a cozy Mexican café next to the Inn), plus breakfast and afternoon port and cheese daily.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: To get lost in the flowers at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.  Plus, Santa Fe averages 325 days a year of blue skies and sun, and is one of only nine cities in the world to be designated a “Creative City” by UNESCO. 

Fine Print: Package is available for Sunday- Tuesday and Wednesday- Friday stays during specific dates through the year.

Get more details or call 888-984-2121 to book

Turks & Caicos

Deal: Parrot Cay’s ‘4 for 3‘ and ‘7 for 5‘ offers have just been extended through December 20, 2009.  Summer rates go down, so you can stay longer for even less. 

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at $575 this summer (rather than $775 in the winter), which means two can stay four nights and pay $1,725.  That rate includes daily breakfast, return airport transfers, and complimentary Pilates and yoga.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this resort is like rehab for the soul.  The private island spans 1,000 acres, with white sand beaches and turquoise water in every direction.  You can bone-fish, consult with the Ayurvedic doctor, or float in the pool all day. 

Fine Print: You have to play it cool when swimming next to Bruce Willis and his newly-betrothed.

Book here or call 649-946-7788

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Deal: Rosewood Mayakobá just announced a “Spring Getaway” promotion for the month of April.  Rates have been reduced by 25% for stays April 1 through 30, with no minimum stay, no advance booking requirement, and no blackout dates.   

Breakdown: Lagoon Suites are now $590/night, Deluxe Lagoon Suites are now $790/night, and Deluxe Overwater Suites are $850/night.  This rate includes daily breakfast for two (not normally included).

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this is for April, and last we checked New York still isn’t 80 degrees and sunny.  Plus, does your apartment have its own private plunge pool and butler? Thought not.

Fine Print: Must be paid in full at the time of booking, and non-refundable.  In other words:  just go.

Book here or call 888-ROSEWOOD

London, England

Deal: Now through September 6, 2009, the Metropolitan and The Halkin are offering super-low fixed U.S. dollar rates.   And we mean super-low.

Breakdown:  A “City Room” at the Met is $199/night, rather than ₤375.  A “Double Room” at The Halkin is $299/night, rather than ₤390. 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because London is less expensive than New York to visit and live in for the first time since 2002.  And with current exchange rates, it’s 25% less expensive for Americans to visit now than it was last year.  So you can see London at its greenest, sunniest, and cheapest.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.

Book the Met here and The Halkin here

English Countryside

Deal: Members of The Royal Oak Foundation get 25% off rates and breakfast at England’s three Historic House Hotels, plus a complimentary room upgrade.

Breakdown: Nightly rates begin at £160 (about $230) before the discount, so stay three nights for about $540, including the cost of Royal Oak Foundation membership.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because we don’t have many  lush gardens and lovely estates like these in the U.S.   This is a true escape from modern stressers like Blackberries, E-ZPass, and MetroCards.  Just pack that novel you’ve been trying to read.

Fine Print: Valid for stays through October 31, 2009, with certain blackout dates

Book: There are three steps to this one, but they are well-worth it.

1. Call 800-913-6565, ext. 205 to become a Royal Oak Foundation member (it’s $55 and there are many benefits).
2. On the same call, ask for the promotional code needed to receive the member discount at Historic House Hotels.
3. Reserve your stay in England.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Deal: The Victoria-Jungfrau is offering an ongoing “Internet Special” with steeply discounted rates.  This is like a Swiss sample sale.

Breakdown: While normal nightly rates for two begin at €613 (about $786), “Internet Special” rates for two begin at € 250 (about $320). 

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because this legendary resort is nestled right smack in the middle of the Swiss Alps.  Take one of the hotel’s mountain bikes, head for the hills, yell “Ricola!” at the top of your lungs, and then chill out in the 60,000-square foot spa.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay, non-refundable.

Book here 

European Cruises

Deal: Book Crystal Cruise’s “European Celebration” promotion available on most Mediterranean and Baltic cruises this summer and save up to $1,500 per person. Plus enjoy the new “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” $2,000 per couple spending credit on twelve of the Med and Baltic sailings to spend on virtually anything while on board.

Breakdown: “European Celebration” fares start at $4,245 per person for 11-day Baltic cruises $4,080 per person for 12-day Mediterranean cruises. Savings is determined by cabin category selected; on most qualifying cruises, save $1,500 per person on a penthouse suite, $1,000 per person on a verandah stateroom, and $750 per person on a deluxe stateroom.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the convenience of unpacking once and traveling to multiple ports on a single itinerary will beat couch-surfing the Travel Channel every time.

Fine Print: “All-Inclusive, As You Wish” shipboard credit cannot be used for cruise deposits or casino gambling

Book at 888-799-4625 or contact a travel agent

Last but not Least: Two Far-Flung Spots That Won’t Break the Bank

Trang, Thailand

Deal: Stay three nights for the price of two at Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa.

Breakdown: Nightly rates start at $169, so a three-night stay is $338.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because the resort is on Changlang Beach, one of the most pristine of all Thai beaches and part of the Hat Chao Mai National Park.  Dive into the waters of the Andaman Sea and rub shoulders with the sea cows, famous in this region.

Fine Print: Valid until October 31, 2009

Book here

Ubud, Bali

Deal: The “Ultimate Savings Offer” at COMO’s Uma Ubud means rates start at $195, including breakfast

Breakdown: Rates normally start at $260.

Why Should I Leave My Air-Conditioned Apartment?: Because just breathing this pure air is worth the trip.  The hotel looks out over Tjampuhan valley in the deep lush forest of the Balinese hills, where you can pick your own orchids.  We’ll resist the temptation to insert an Eat, Pray, Love reference here.

Fine Print: Two-night minimum stay and an advance booking requirement of seven days.  Must be paid in full at time of booking.  Non-refundable.  This isn’t valid from July 15- September 15, but otherwise is available until December 31, 2009.

Book here or call +62 361 972 448