These two got engaged on a Kenyan safari, so we’re sure the honeymoon will be equally as cool and unique. Here are our picks for the Royal Honeymoon.
CARIBBEAN
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
The private isle is the ultimate place to hide away from the cameras and unwind after all of the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding.
Royal Treatment: Rent out the COMO Shambhala Cottage for a night of Champagne, spa treatments, and candlelit dining.
Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Let loose after escaping to the beautiful Mexican Riviera hotel and test tequilas recommended by the resident tequila sommelier.
Royal Treatment: With Mayasutra, newlyweds can get intimate with a Moonlight Tantric Yoga class and a couples massage instruction session followed by 30 minutes of “alone time”.
Geejam, Jamaica
No stranger to celebrities, the luxury property was originally a residential recording studio where the likes of No Doubt and Amy Winehouse laid down some tracks.
Royal Treatment: Stay at the amazing Sanwood villa designed by British architect Anthony Wade in the 60s and relax in the private pool or bask in the Jamaican sun and take in the views on the sun deck.
GoldenEye, Jamaica
Next to the man in line for the throne, James Bond might be the most enviable Brit we know, so vacationing at this Jamaican hideaway where Fleming penned all the Bond books would be quite fitting.
Royal Treatment: Stay in the Fleming Villa for a private beach and the spirit of James Bond lingering in the air and compelling the swilling of shaken-not-stirred martinis.
The Caves, Jamaica
Dodge the paparazzi at the romantic Caribbean resort where couple feeling like a dip can leap off a cliff for a private swim.
Royal Treatment: It doesn’t get much more private than a candlelit dinner for two in a hidden cave looking out on the water.
Strawberry Hill, Jamaica
Following in his parents’ footsteps, William would love to vacation at this mountain resort where, besides Charles and Diana, the guests list boasts Mick Jagger and Bob Marley.
Royal Treatment: Get away from the photographers 3,100 feet above sea level and take in the sweeping views from the Blue Mountains.
Jakes, Jamaica
Kick off those shoes and lose the fancy cap; this charming seaside resort is the perfect antidote to structured courtly life.
Royal Treatment: Enjoy a private yoga session by starlight and listen to the waves.
NANTUCKET
White Elephant, Nantucket
What’s more fitting for English newlyweds than a trip to New England? This harborside Nantucket hotel is a classic (and classy) spot for postnuptial bonding.
Royal Treatment: Only on Nantucket (at Brant Point Grill) does a Bloody Mary come equipped with lobster.
THAILAND
Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa, Chiang Rai, Thailand
The luxurious Thai resort is tucked away in the beautiful Golden Triangle, away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
Royal Treatment: Take a romantic ride atop an elephant – sure beats a limo!
Anantara Phuket Villas, Phuket, Thailand
After the long awaited ‘I do,’ couples can celebrate the occasion with a wide selection of live entertainment – including a seven-piece band at this Thai property.
Royal Treatment: Hidden in the mangroves, the lavish villas have a 355 ft. sq. private pool, outdoor showers, and a terrazzo tub built to accommodate two (and only two).
MALDIVES
Anantara Dhigu Resort & Spa and Anantara Veli Resort & Spa, Maldives
These romantic spots embody what a honeymoon should be – nothing but sun, water, sand, and a newlywed couple pampered and sunkissed.
Royal Treatment: Answer to only your whims on a private a romantic island getaway with Anantara Dhigu, Veli, Naladhu, and the soon-to-be, Anantara Kihavah Villas opening in early 2011. The best part about Anantara in the Maldives is that at whatever resort couples choose to stay, free transfer is available between islands to enjoy the benefits of all.
Cocoa Island, Maldives
The private island resort in the South Male Atoll is just over 1000 feet long and is surrounded by pristine, turquoise water.
Royal Treatment: Honeymooners get a complimentary sunset cruise with vino and an antipasti plate.
SOUTH ASIABhutan
Uma Paro,
No tabloid photographers here; the remote mountain lodge is a great spot from which to explore Bhutan’s monasteries and temples and get spiritually in tune before returning to palace life.
Royal Treatment: After trekking through the country by bike or raft, couples can be pampered in the COMO Shambhala Retreat.
INDONESIA
Uma Ubud, Bali
The luxurious retreat set in the tangled jungle is perfect for the couple that likes an exotic locale without giving up modern comforts.
Royal Treatment: The COMO Suite allows guests to have spa treatments in private in its private treatment area.
High Seas
Crystal Cruises
Couples can sail away on a luxurious cruise to spots around the globe – no need to pick just one. Romantic “must-sees” include Rome, Mykonos, and Casablanca, to name a few.
Royal Treatment: Enjoy a Couples Massage in the Feng-Shui inspired Crystal Spa or cozy up in the back row of the Hollywood Movie Theater and watch a first-run movie while sipping champagne.
The Rubin Museum of Art is hosting the exhibit, Gateway to Himalayan Art, through January of 2012. Make a point to visit and take in the simple beauty of traditional pieces from the remote villages of Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, Northern India, China, and Mongolia. Don’t miss the 3D installation that shows the detailed six-stage process of Nepalese metal casting in lost wax technique.
If you can’t get enough, then visit the Kumaon, Sikkim, or Ladakh regions of the North Indian Himalayas with a Shakti village experience. Plan a customized walking tour with visits to local temples and monasteries, a lecture from a village goba (chief), or just take in the view of the inspiring twin peaks of the Nanda Devi!
Recent reports detail President Obama’s busy schedule preparing for his upcoming trip to India. Outside of delegation meetings and state dinners (will there be any crashers this go-round?), we have compiled a few things the President shouldn’t miss!
Need a quick pick-me-up between appearances?
President Obama will be in Mumbai November 6 and 7. May we recommend, Mr. President, visiting the ESPA Spa at The Leela Kempinski Mumbai as a spot for an instant pick-me-up after a day of demanding meetings. For the United States’ top executive, the Executive Stress Tonic treatment is suggested. An hour and a half of back, neck, shoulder, hand, arm, and scalp massage will relieve tension caused by hours hunched over a desk and long periods of time spend on a plane.
Looking to unwind after a jam-packed schedule (diplomatic, or otherwise)?
Park Hyatt Goa will instantly relieve stress and offers the perfect place to get a Presidential tan. A true escape, the resort was designed to replicate ancient Indian villages and is set amid 45 acres of lush beachfront gardens. The property is divided into five courtyards, each distinctive in theme, architecture, and landscape, creating a series of individual guestroom clusters within the resort, set apart from one another by lagoons, tropical gardens, bridges, and interconnected with cobbled village streets. The Sereno Spa offers daily yoga and meditation classes designed to reconnect the body and mind – something every leader and fellow traveler can appreciate. Sessions are designed to improve energy and creativity, steadiness of mind, improve breathing and lung capacity, and relieve fatigue in the eyes. As a final addendum, Park Hyatt Goa is also home to India’s largest swimming pool with water slides!
Escape the election fever…
After recent mid-term elections, the President might be feeling the urge to truly disconnect for a few days. Shakti’s Kumaon village experience in Uttarakhand provides the chance to take in the stunning mountain scenery and rich culture of the remote, unspoiled, and undiscovered North Indian state. Take in staggering views that include the snow-tipped twin peaks of Nanda Devi, India’s second highest mountain. Guests take daily walks through the forests of grey pine, cedar, and rhododendron, and overnight in village homes that have been gently retouched to include Western creature comforts. The nearby four-room retreat, 360˚Leti, is a true escape perched at an impressive 8,000 feet. It lives up to its name, with 360° panoramic views and floor-to-ceiling glass windows. There is no Internet, no cell coverage, and only solar power — a real opportunity to unplug. A 90-minute trek along a narrow trail to the hotel takes guests past waterfalls, brooks, and terraced hills lined with rice paddies and rows of wheat.
Appeal to the activists…
To increase those ever-important approval ratings, it’s crucial to reach out to a cross-section of interests. A trip to Sikkim with Shakti offers a sure-fire boost. This tiny, Northeastern India state finds itself sandwiched between friendly neighbors Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet, and is the least populous and second smallest in all of India. Sikkim is culturally and topographically not unlike its neighbors and the only state in India to share an open border with China (very global). Sikkim also offers a dose of natural beauty sure to perk up environmentalist curiosity. With over 4,000 plant species and 450 exotic orchids, virgin rhododendron forests, indigenous birds, 650 kinds of butterflies and endangered species like red pandas, snow leopards, and blue yaks, it’s as far from Pennsylvania Avenue as you can get. Catch views of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the world’s third highest mountain, while passing fluttering Buddhist prayer flags on the trail to Rinchenpong Monastery. Explore this remote but enchanted land, learning about the region’s religious history and present day Buddhist and Hindu cultures as you go.
To experience a Presidential quick-trip…
As a traveling world leader, schedules rarely allow time for extended stays anywhere outside the Oval Office. Crystal Cruises’ 2011 World Cruise line up features two itineraries next March that visit India, with two overland excursions full of adventure and sightseeing. The Ajanta & Ellora Caves excursion explores the wonders of ancient India, following part of the Silk Road with stops at the famous Buddhist caves at Ajanta and the magnificent carved rock temples of Ellora, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. For the classicist, the Journey to the Fabled Taj Mahal excursion offers an overview tour of Delhi’s highlights, sunrise and sunset visits to the Taj Mahal, and a visit to Agra Fort. The two excursions can help split the 23-day Asia cruise, and provide your own version of Obama’s upcoming Asia tour!
There are so many wonderful travel destinations in the East – but sometimes the only thing holding you back is that inconvenient (and expensive!) airfare ticket. But now it’s time to grab your passport because now through the end of the year Etihad Airways is offering up to 40 percent off fares to popular travel hubs, including: Bangkok, Kuala Lumpar, Frankfurt, Munich and London.
Where to go? Qasr Al Sarab Resort by Anantara in the Lima Desert, Metropolitan Bangkok in Thailand or Uma Paro in Bhutan are all now much more reachable with this great offer. Plus, there’s no rush, travel is valid through March of 2011.
AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape…AMPR ticker tape… AMPR ticker tape…
Hot off the press…
AUGUST 2010
Here is our monthly news in tweetable form.
New and Notable
Hotel Parq Central
- Up up and away for #BalloonFestival! #HotelParqCentral opens on 9/23/10. Rates starting at $179/night including breakfast and other treats.
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas
- #AnantaraBophut in Koh Samui, #Thailand will be getting an upgrade! And we have the pics (http://bit.ly/cSwDte) to prove it!
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Take a chance, maybe step outside your comfort zone and depart on a journey of self-discovery. Although it can be scary to deal with all of those little problems that always seem to arise, like a lost passport or mortifyingly funny language barriers, solo travel is our favorite way to experience the world. Skip the inevitable fight over dinner or directions and treat yourself to an individual adventure. Of course you will want to make sure where you are going is safe, and that the people are friendly and helpful. Travel + Leisure have put together a helpful guide of the best countries to travel solo in.
Number 9 on the list is Switzerland, a beautiful and tranquil place for a vacation. The Swiss Rail allows for easy traveling around the country, especially if you are in the mood for a picturesque hike in the mountains. Interlaken is the perfect base for a weekend trip to the countryside with its beautiful lakes and mountain ranges. A really great hiking root is an easy one hour hike from Grütschalp to Mürren that follows the railway and offers stunning views of the Lauterbrunnen valley. It is the perfect way to see the country without breaking a sweat!
Coming in at number 3 on the list is Bhutan. This is one of the most peaceful destinations in the world, and also one of the most expensive due to its policy of charging visitors a minimum of $200 a day to stay. However this means that there are far less of those pesky tourists! Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan also offers scenic and dramatic views that are perfect for a day of hiking. One particularly intriguing hike is the Tiger’s Nest High Pass Day Trek. Experience the ancient beauty of Bhutan and the Tiger’s Nest monastery on this 7-8 hours day hike through the Himalayas! Or just walking around the charming villages is also perfectly acceptable for those who are less inclined to long hikes on vacation.
So… pack your bags, and get ready to conquer the world!
The high season for weddings has begun! Below find a round-up of honeymoon packages to suit all kinds of couples, from the couple who wants to just do nothing together to the couple that wants to do everything together.
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.
Is it just me or is everyone getting engaged? Perhaps you love birds took advantage of Valentine’s Day falling on a long weekend this year. Congratulations if you are one of the lucky few we have spotted around town recently betrothed. Now let the planning begin! To help, here are few suggestions of locales to have the perfect destination wedding.
CARIBBEAN
Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
Getting married at a private island resort in the Caribbean is a fantastic kick-off to a new life. Parrot Cay offers two beachfront setting for wedding ceremonies – a boardwalk aisle that leads to an unspoiled beach, or the beachfront of a private villa available for rent. Parrot Cay also insists that stress need not be a part of the preparations; all weddings include the dedication of a planner to assist with all preparations, including reserving the dates, food and beverage details, music and entertainment, photography, and any other service requested. Parrot Cay can accommodate small, intimate weddings, or can be bought out for larger weddings (up to 120 guests).
Rosewood Mayakobá, Mexico
Weddings at Rosewood Mayakobá are all about choices – choose stunning outdoor venues like the white sand beach or the Plaza with views of the resort, lagoon, and tropical jungle. Three different restaurants are available to cater. Retreat to the privacy of a private plunge pool after the ceremony, or come down a day early with the wedding party and receive treatments at the resort’s spa, Sense, which is its own private island.
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Picture a countryside trek, the soft tramp of feet on earth, and the quiet rustling of stately pines. Tune-in to nature’s soundtrack in 2010 as Uma Paro expands its Adventure Retreat series to include a new ultra-relaxing itinerary – Bhutan & the Bumdra Monastery Camp (May 17—24 and November 1—13). Guests will spend the seven-night trip immersed in the Himalaya’s Buddhist culture, culminating in an overnight campout high above the Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Looking for more of an adrenaline rush? Dabble in all your favorite outdoor extracurriculars with the Multi-Activity Adventure in the Kingdom of Bhutan (July 6—13 and August 31—September 6) featuring rafting, biking, archery, camping, and fly-fishing.
Die-hard nature lover? Book the Flowers & Monasteries of Central & Western Bhutan (July 6—13 and August 31—September 6) trek to catch a glimpse of the Bhutanese conservation efforts: some 770 species of birds, 50 species of rhododendron, and a dazzling selection of medicinal plants and orchids dot the landscape.
There is truly an adventure for everyone – from shopaholics and photographers, to festival-goers and hardcore-hikers. Check out the eight other available retreats here.
Note: Rates for the adventure retreats range from $3,197—$5,260 for single occupancy. Group size minimum is 3, maximum is 12. All rates include seven, ten, or twelve nights of accommodation at a combination of Uma Paro and other tourist standard hotels or camps previously set up for trekking adventures.
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)