Black Friday + Cyber Monday Travel Offers

October 31st, 2023

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Assouline and Island Outpost to Launch ‘JAMAICA VIBES’ Book in August 2023

July 25th, 2023

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Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye Announces New Package to Celebrate 70 Years of James Bond

July 25th, 2023

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Cheating Summer Reading

July 25th, 2023

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Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye Announces New Package in Celebration of 60 Years of James Bond

October 7th, 2022

Ian Fleming’s GoldenEye Announces New Package in Celebration of 60 Years of James Bond

2022 marks the 60^th year of Bond—James Bond. What better place to celebrate than GoldenEye, the lush Jamaican hideaway where Ian Fleming wrote all fourteen 007 novels? Travelers who book a minimum four-night stay from September 28-December 19 will unlock 30 percent off accommodations, among other perks. Go to the source of Fleming’s literary inspiration by booking the five-bedroom villa that the author built and resided in as he penned classics like Casino Royale and Live and Let Die.

As a guest of GoldenEye, you’ll celebrate 60 years of Bond in killer style. A complimentary arrival cocktail will set the tone, followed by a bottle of Bollinger Champagne and a flask of Blackwell rum in the room. When you’re not lounging on the golden sounds or strolling the gardens where Fleming sought inspiration, enjoy complimentary use of the tennis court, non-motorized water sports, and the fitness course. Starting from $575 per night; booking is subject to availability, blackout dates apply (November 24-28, December 20-January 3, 2023); services and tax not included; valid for new bookings only, not combinable with other promotions.

The 60^th Anniversary package is one of GoldenEye’s many offers for this year. Others include License to Chill, an exclusive promotion that gives guests US$500 to put toward dining during five-night minimum stays. Booking is subject to availability; blackout dates apply (April 13-18, July 1-4, November 24-28, 2022); travel window: January 4, 2022 to December 19, 2022; Booking window: now to December 14, 2022.

There’s also the Hut Life offer, where you can reserve four nights for the price of three (or seven nights for the price of five) in a  Beach Hut—owner Chris Blackwell’s preferred accommodation—some of which have private verandas, outdoor showers, and claw foot tubs set amid lush gardens. Booking is subject to availability; blackout dates apply (April 13-18, July 1-4, November 24-28, 2022); Travel window: January 4, 2022 to December 19, 2022; Booking window: now to December 15, 2022; Valid in Beach Hut category.

To experience the diversity of Jamaica, consider the Two-Post Outpost package, which includes three-night minimum stays at both GoldenEye and Strawberry Hill, another property in the Island Outpost portfolio, set in the heart of Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. At GoldenEye, enjoy a guided coral reef snorkeling excursion and a rum and brown sugar scrub included. During the 2.5-hour drive to Strawberry Hill, you’ll motor through Jurassic Park-like scenery and steep roads with bends tighter than a hairpin, passing jerk shacks with names like “Pon di Road Nyammings” that cling tightly to the mountainside. Once you’ve arrived at the 12-room cottage hotel, unwind with a signature in-room spa treatment, complete with views over the city of Kingston and beyond. Minimum length of stay: 3 nights per property for Goldeneye & Strawberry Hill, 6 nights in total. Subject to blackout dates (April 13-18, July 1-4, November 24-28, 2022); Cannot be combined with any other promotion; Travel window: January 4, 2022 to December 19, 2022; Booking window: now to December 13, 2022

About GoldenEye

Once the Jamaica home of renowned author Ian Fleming, GoldenEye was developed by Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell, and opened as a resort in 2011.  GoldenEye is home to private beaches, secret coves, a seawater lagoon and The Fleming Villa (where all 14 James Bond books were written). There are four dining options (The Gazebo, Bizot Bar, Shabeen and the Bamboo Bar), a newly expanded FieldSpa and accommodations that include Beach and Lagoon Villas, Lagoon Cottages, Beach Huts and an ocean front villa. GoldenEye is located 20 minutes east of Ocho Rios. It’s 90-minutes by car from Montego Bay Airport and an eight-minute drive from Ian Fleming International (private aviation only).

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5 Favorite Indulgent Accommodations Around the Globe

August 2nd, 2022

A room with a view is always nice. But the world’s most indulgent accommodations go beyond sweeping vistas to offer sumptuous interiors, next-level service, and a dash of the unexpected—from a romantic open-air treehouse in Kruger National Park to a butler-serviced private riad in Marrakech complete with lavish rooftop terrace and home cinema. Take a peek inside:

Grand Riad at Royal Mansour

A four-bedroom oasis spread across three floors, this “medina within a medina” offers palatial-style design, private butler service, and a terracotta roof terrace inlaid with mosaics and offering sweeping views of the Atlas Mountain. Interiors are a vision of stucco lace, heavy drapery, Murano chandeliers, and a riotous mix of colorful wallpaper and precious stones. The ground floor opens onto a private garden with a retractable roof, while a cast iron elevator whisks you to the floors above, where each of the bedrooms has dressing rooms and private bathrooms. Other spaces include a dining room with billiards, a library for artful lounging, a neoclassical-style dining room, and the roof terrace with a plunge pool, Bedouin tent, and hammam.

Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi

A Robinson Crusoe fantasy come to life, the Private Reserve at Gili Lankanfushi is the world’s largest overwater villa, stretching across the Indian Ocean in multi-level tiers. Guests spend their days lounging by the infinity-edge pool and in the overwater catamaran nets; working out in the air-conditioned gym; pampering themselves with treatments at the private couples’ spa (complete with a steam room and indoor/outdoor treatment rooms); and sliding down the top-deck waterslide into turquoise waters. By night, enjoy movie screenings at the private cinema, and retire in the guestrooms (of which there are two en suite master bedrooms and a guest suite), which have doors that open to the breathtaking scenery. Other perks of the Private Reserve include a fully-equipped kitchen and the option to curate your own wine selection from the 400-label cellar.

Ian Fleming Villa at GoldenEye

Situated within the GoldenEye resort, this villa is tucked away in a private garden, where it’s hidden by tall trees and tropical foliage. It’s here that acclaimed British novelist Ian Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond books, inspired by the lush scenery and the three-bedroom villa he designed to his own specifications. A dedicated butler is on hand to make your every wish a reality, while a chef can whip up Jamaican specialties and martinis (shaken, never stirred) to be enjoyed in outdoor settings like a sunken garden or on the private beach, where there’s a grill built into the side of a rocky cliff. Each of the villa’s three bedrooms has its own tropical garden area with a clawfoot tub and a garden shower, setting the scene for relaxation en plein air. There are also two private stand-alone one-bedroom cottages on site for larger groups or families.

Producer Suite at The Chatwal New York

Guests of the Producer Suite will feel they’ve traveled back in time to New York’s heyday. Designed by French architect Thierry Despont, the expansive suite harks back to the city’s Art Deco past with its bold colors, geometric shapes, and a spiral staircase that spans two floors, leading to a panoramic roof terrace with views spanning over west 44th street and Manhattan’s skyline. Stretch out on a lounger enjoying the vistas of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and order room service for the ultimate New York power lunch. Butler services ensures you won’t have to lift a finger.

andBeyond Ngala Treehouse

It’s impossible not to feel a sense of child-like wonder as you sleep under the stars at the Ngala Treehouse, surrounded by the wilds of Kruger National Park. The four-floor treehouse offers the ultimate thrill—of being one with nature—while drifting off to the sights and sounds of the forest, far from the distraction of civilization. Enjoy sundowner drinks and a starlit dinner picnic on the upper deck, then retire to the elevated sleep-out platform for sleeping outdoors under a retractable screen (there’s also a covered and weatherproof space should you want to move indoors). And just because you’re off the grid doesn’t mean you have to go without the conveniences of a hot shower or a flushing toilet. Talk about the best of both worlds!

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Chris Blackwell Launches Blackwell Rum x Charbonnel et Walker Truffles

November 22nd, 2021

Two Celebrated Names Collaborate & Create The Perfect Pairing Of Rich Dark Chocolate And Smooth Island Flavor

On November 21, 2021, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and hotelier Chris Blackwell will launch his latest collaboration, Blackwell Rum Truffles, which decadently combines his smooth Jamaican Gold Blackwell Rum with the chocolate of Britain’s first and finest chocolatiers, Charbonnel et Walker.  Each delectable truffle has a velvety golden rum-filled center wrapped in their legendary rich and silky dark chocolate and topped with vermicelli chocolate sprinkles. Available to order on BlackwellRum.com and CharbonnelChocolates.com, each package of 9 truffles is $28.00.

Blackwell Rum Truffles are elegantly presented in the chocolatier’s signature style – a luxurious handmade gold box.  Tucked under the box lid is an exclusive playlist, accessible via a QR code, curated by music industry pioneer and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell himself.  A transportive experience filled with the spirit of Jamaica awaits while savoring Blackwell Rum Dark Chocolate Truffles paired to this selection of relaxing island sounds.

The Black Gold Blackwell Rum used in these dark chocolate truffles has a traditional dark rum character with a light butter-gold body, soft notes of vanilla, caramel and toasted marshmallow, and a natural spice finish. The rum is encased in dark couverture chocolate composed of 70% cocoa solids, with its rich flavor complementing the warm, spiced palette of the spirit.

The partnership was inspired by the island of Jamaica where both Blackwell and Charbonnel et Walker Chairman Galvin Weston have strong roots and a family heritage.

Influential entrepreneur and record producer Chris Blackwell hails from one of the longest producing rum families on Jamaica. He founded Island Records in 1959, introducing the world to Millie, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, U2, Robert Palmer and Cat Stevens. Before there was music, there was rum. Returning to his roots, Chris created an exceptional dark Jamaican rum based on an original family recipe. It’s his special way of celebrating Jamaica’s unique and limitless energy.

With a royal warrant and celebrated patronage, Charbonnel et Walker, established in 1875, are known for fine chocolates and truffles. Mme Charbonnel, trained with the decadent and experiential chocolate houses of Paris, brought her exquisite and flamboyant techniques to London and to Mrs. Walker. Together, they opened their first store on Bond Street, offering the finest chocolates and sweet delicacies, all presented in beautiful gift boxes mostly hand made by Mrs. Walker. Exclusively a dark chocolate house only until the late 1970’s, the dark chocolate of Charbonnel et Walker is known for its rich, deep flavor with fine, silky couverture. Today, Charbonnel et Walker chocolates are still hand-made to the traditional recipes of Madame Charbonnel and sold from their shop on Bond Street and other London locations, as well as online.

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What’s New at Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

October 11th, 2021

A new restaurant, experiences, and flight route make Cap Juluca a must this winter

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla will reopen for the 2021/22 season on October 22 with a new Peruvian restaurant, the only one on the island; two new guest experiences; special programming for Thanksgiving and festive season; and a new direct flight from Miami launching on December 11 with American Airlines.

New Restaurant: Uchu

Taking inspiration from Belmond’s collection of properties in Peru, Uchu, named after the Quechuan word for spice, will feature a menu of contemporary Peruvian cuisine inspired by three of the country’s regions: the coast, the jungle, and the highlands. The restaurant will offer a casual chic seafront dining option by day with a lunch menu based on local seafood, including ceviche, Anguillan crab cakes, and Quinoa Poke. As the sun fades, Uchu will transform into a stylishly elegant lounge complemented with live DJ entertainment.

Highlights on the menu will include Pollo Pachamanquero traditionally prepared in a clay pot; Lomo Saltado, a traditional stir fry; and a Red Snapper Patarashca, originating from Peru’s Amazon region. Don’t miss the Raspadilla Cart – a traditional shaved ice maker offering a cool treat in the afternoon sun – or the Ceviche Bar serving up the freshest seafood. Surrounded by natural wooden tones, lush tropical flora, and the sparkling emerald infinity pool, Uchu seamlessly blends Peru’s culinary diversity with Anguilla’s connection to the sea. The launch rounds out Cap Juluca’s extensive food and beverage options with four restaurants, also including traditional Caribbean at Pimms, Italian in partnership with Cipriani at Cip’s by Cipriani, and the casual beachside Cap Shack, the property’s vintage food truck.

Pisco is at the heart of the new signature cocktail menu. Complemented with fruits and herbs native to Peru, such as lemongrass, cape gooseberry, and eucalyptus, refreshing twists on the classic piscolada and ginger vanilla mojitos will be served – mirroring Uchu’s regional experience. A favorite will be the chicha morada sours, served as popsicles for a fun, contemporary twist on the classic drink originating in the Andean regions. A variety of Peruvian wines and artisanal beers will also be available.

Island Experiences

Cap Juluca is launching two new experiences this season. Honoring Anguilla’s reverence of the sea, Belmond guests can join local third-generation Anguillan fisherman Shawn Romney to learn about the importance fishing has for the local community. Using a traditional yo-yo reel, they will head over to the eastern point of Maundays Bay, a favorite local fishing spot for decades, and cast a line searching for a yellowtail snapper, blue runner, or parrotfish before taking the fresh catch back to Uchu for a private ceviche lunch. The two-hour fishing experience is offered complimentary for up to four guests at a time, excluding the ceviche lunch.

Set off in the property’s sea blue vintage Volkswagen van to explore the island’s 33 beaches. Guided by a Belmond Villa Host, no detail is overlooked for a perfect beach day, outfitted with beach chairs, towels, a cooler stocked with refreshing water, lemonade and frozen fruits, and a polaroid camera to capture candid shots from the day. A gourmet picnic lunch will be set up filled with a la carte menu items such as a smoked salmon poke bowl or lobster sandwich. As the sun sets, guests can opt for a champagne toast and sunset cruise back to Maundays Bay. The experience starts at $800 plus service fees for two people; additional $500 for the optional sunset cruise, depending on available boat.

These two new offers further enhance a robust variety of experiences on property. A playground for water activities, guests can also venture on an offshore trip to the tiny chain of uninhabited islands of Prickly Pear Cays, acquire an open water dive certification, or take part in windsurfing, water skiing, or snorkeling off the coast. As the sun rises, avid bird watchers can join local conservationist Jackie Cestero on a morning walk around Cove Pond, a nesting habitat for over forty species of tropical birds – from the green-throated Carib to the Antillean Bullfinch. Guests looking for a little relaxation can spend the afternoon at the Arawak Spa villa, located just 30 steps away from the water’s edge, featuring a private swimming pool, fitness center, three all-suite treatment villas and private relaxation terraces that overlook the Caribbean Sea. Treatments incorporate local and organic ingredients, including Anguillan salt, balsam bush, clay, and even a touch of Mount Gay rum.

Celebrate by the Sea

A white winter takes on new meaning in Anguilla. Skip the below freezing temperatures and head south for miles of white sand beaches and balmy 80 degrees days. The festive season in Anguilla is centered around great food and family fun, savoring mouth-watering coconut tarts and rum cakes or decorating the native, white flowered five-finger bush. Cap Juluca will host a roster of daily programming for couples and families alike, including wine tastings, sunset sails, tennis lessons, rum tastings, salt-scrub-making classes, an iron man swim along Maundays Bay, and more. For some extra yuletide spirit, there will be a choir performance, Carol of the Bells, on December 24 and a kids gift opening along with eggnog and s’mores on Christmas Day. Then, raise a glass to the new year island-style at the all-white New Year’s Gala – filled with a four-course dinner menu, live music, dancing, and fireworks over the sea.

Private Pool Villas

Cap Juluca’s three- and five-bedroom villas offer optimal seclusion for family and friends traveling this winter. The multi-story pool villas include a full kitchen with a dining atrium for private meals, direct beach access, and a personal freshwater swimming pool. Guests can spread out with 5,540 square feet of space – nestled in a private area of the property’s beachfront. 24/7 villa host service is on hand to assist with arranging group activities from a sunset cruise to tennis lessons, assist with dinner reservations, and share local insight into island experiences.

How To Get There

The trip is made even easier this winter with American Airlines launching a new direct route from Miami to Anguilla on December 11, 2021. This will be the only direct flight from a U.S. destination to the island. There are also flights from major U.S. cities into Anguilla with connection through San Juan. Travelers can also fly into St. Martin and take a 25-minute boat ride to Anguilla. Those arriving via private jet can also fly directly into Anguilla’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA).

Entry Requirements: Visitors to Anguilla who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, must be fully vaccinated (last dose or only dose 21 days prior to arrival) to be granted entry to Anguilla. Visitors must also fill out an application form prior to scheduled travel, including the desired time frame of stay, proof of health insurance, and a negative PCR test within three to five days before arrival. Upon arrival in Anguilla, a PCR test will be administered, and travelers will be asked to remain within the resort until receipt of the negative test result (results are usually received within 6 to 12 hours of testing). Once guests have received the negative rt-PCR test result, they can leave the resort and explore the island at will. There is a cost of $200 per person to cover the testing fees. For more information, please visit https://escape.ivisitanguilla.com/.

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12 destinations looking toward a more sustainable future of travel

January 18th, 2021

As the travel industry looks ahead, brands are preparing for how to promote a responsible recovery to Covid-19. Luxury travel advisor network Virtuoso, with over 20,000 advisors and 2,000 travel brands in more than 50 countries, is focusing on a ‘conscious comeback’ as hotels reopen in new and innovative ways. CREST (Center for Responsible Travel) and six other global nonprofit organizations have banded together to form the Future of Tourism Coalition with the belief that travelers will demand a more sustainable tourism marketplace. As people look for ways to reduce their footprint, work more responsibly with travel companies, travel to more sustainable communities and better understand the communities they interact with, we have rounded up leading destinations who are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future – and how travelers can get involved.

If you want to invest in local communities…

Napa Valley, CA

Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a nonprofit trade association leading the wine region since 1944, has partnered with UNCF to create a new scholarship program for people of color to pursue college degrees in subjects ranging from grape growing, winemaking, marketing, business and more, investing $1 million into the program. Each year over the next five years, NVV will invest $200,000 in scholarships and will encourage its members to bolster the scholarship program with donations to help even more students and to ensure the effort extends beyond five years.

Trancoso, Brazil

UXUA recruits and trains locals with little to no prior experience in hospitality. Owner Wilbert Das has invested in providing language training and university tuition reimbursement as well as one-on-one mentorship for those who need help in certain subjects that might have prevented them from completing secondary education. Despite classes being one-hour bus ride each way, three staff members completed their degrees in 2019, with 10 currently enrolled. Under the name of U-2020 initiative, the goal is to have 20 staff (out of 85) to complete or enroll in a university program by end-of-year 2020. UXUA also offers life coaching, including financial planning. As a result, 35 employees have bought land in the past six years.

Peru

Belmond helped found the Q’omer Wasicha Project in 2015 to promote organic vegetable management and cultivation in local communities as well as fair trade practices. Several communities in the Cusco region are now trained in the production of vegetables and herbs; the sustainable greenhouses allow the harvest of organic crops that would not usually survive the high altitudes of the Andes, including tomatoes, squash and zucchini.

East Africa

In collaboration with Africa Foundation, andBeyond offers a Conservation Lesson program for both children and adults living in communities close to wildlife areas. Through the initiative, over 1,600 students in East Africa were able to visit andBeyond’s properties, learning firsthand about the wildlife conservation that takes place so close to their home – partaking in game drives with rangers, swimming with dolphins and witnessing turtles hatch. For many, this is the first time in their life they have been exposed to fauna in a meaningful way. These conservation lessons and interactions with andBeyond guides have been a turning point in many participants’ lives; instilling the passion and knowledge of wildlife conservation and community development in them and playing a major part in influencing their careers.

Botswana

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge has worked with the nearby community village of Xaxaba Island to ensure potable drinking water for the community. Previously unavailable, Belmond donated a Jojo water tank, a leading solution in South Africa to provide safe water, as well as a bowser water tank to ensure a clean water source. Water is then regularly transported from the lodge to the village. Belmond has also assisted with providing medical assistance to the community through mobile clinics. Guests also have the opportunity to visit the neighboring Nxhoga village to learn more about the Khotla from the elders, the meeting and administration system, the cultural relevance of basket weaving and the importance of the fishing industry, witnessing how fishing nets are made.

Myanmar

Dr Hla Tun has been the onboard doctor for Belmond Road to Mandalay, which has been traveling along the Ayeyarwady River since 2004. In addition to his service for guests, Dr. Tun disembarks the river cruise three days per week to lead Belmond’s free health clinic that launched in 2011 as a free service to locals as well as patients who travel for miles on foot to receive medical attention.

If combatting climate change is your passion…

Antarctica

Just 200 years after the first man stepped foot on Antarctica, PONANT is launching the first electric luxury polar ship in 2021. It will be able to cut through ice floe up to seven feet thick – meaning it can reach rarely visited places like Peter I Island, where fewer people have visited than have set foot on the moon. It will operate with a mix of liquified natural gas (the cleanest fuel on the market) and electric battery (zero emission and can operate for up to eight hours at a time). Le Commandant-Charcot will be fitted with the latest technology for minimizing environmental impact, as well as a scientific laboratory for conducting operational oceanography missions and research. Under the supervision of naturalist guides and onboard scientists, guests will be able to participate in the research and experiments during sailings, including helping set up a research station on an ice floe; deploying an Argos transmitter, a satellite-based system which collects and shares environmental data; and taking water samples.

Costa Rica

In the 1970s and 80s, Costa Rica had one of the highest rates of deforestation in Latin America, but it has since reversed that trend and embraced reforestation. This was largely because of the government’s commitment to the cause, making it illegal in 1996 to chop down trees without approval from authorities. They also launched PES, a program that pays farmers to protect watersheds, conserve biodiversity, or capture carbon dioxide. This has positively impacted tourism. According to the tourism board, over 60% of visitors site nature as a reason for coming. The national parks and protected areas cover over a quarter of the country’s land. Nayara Resorts is committed to the cause. Their newest property, Nayara Tented Camp, sits on a hillside that was completely deforested by farmers over 50 years ago. Nayara hired a reforestation expert to rebuild the rainforest – which began with the planting of 40,000 indigenous trees.

Jamaica

Chris Blackwell’s Oracabessa Foundation is restoring the coral reef as a means to bring back marine life. In recent years, through the Foundation’s efforts, the Bay saw an increase of fish presence by 1,800 percent. Because of its success, the template is being replicated in other fish sanctuaries across Jamaica. New this year, Blackwell’s hotel GoldenEye in partnership with the Oracabessa Foundation opened a new dive shop that is open to locals as well as guests, offering coral planting opportunities, with profits going back into the foundation.

Maldives

Coral bleaching from factors like climate change and El Niño has led to the death of 60-90% of the Maldivian reefs. As the only luxury property that is located both on the beach and on a coral reef, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi offers guests the chance to adopt a coral frame ($175 USD per frame) during their stay. The coral frames are built using broken coral fragments found on local reefs, which are then rehabilitated in the property’s coral nursery and left to grow and regain their health.

If you want to save endangered animals…

Iguassu Falls, Brazil

When Belmond took over the Hotel das Cataratas in 2007, it not only invested in the hotel itself, but in the surrounding Iguassu National Park. The company committed 4 million Brazilian Reals to help update the park’s electricity supply, redesign the old park entrance and build a bicycle path from the gate to the hotel. It also donated 1.4 million Brazilian Reals towards the Projeto Onças do Iguaçu (Jaguars of Iguassu Project) to help preserve the last of the area’s jaguars. Ten years ago the population of these big cats was in sharp decline. The Jaguars of Iguassu Project installed night vision cameras around the park and used tracking devices fitted onto captured and released animals to study their behaviors and devise programs to improve their survival and breeding rates. Since the Jaguars of Iguassu Project began the number of jaguars has increased from around 9 to at least 28 (census of 2019). After exploring the national park, guests can stop by the hotel’s boutique and purchase a stuffed jaguar where a portion of the proceeds continue to support the project.

South Africa

Pangolins are mini (and adorable) dinosaur-like mammals. While not commonly known in the U.S., these native African anteaters are covered in keratin scales, which are highly valuable to poachers, making them the most trafficked mammal in the world. The species used to roam freely in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, but have been locally extinct for decades. Private groups at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve can have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these elusive creatures with andBeyond’s Pangolin Conservation Experience and assist in replacing tags and monitoring behavior.

If you want to lead by example…

Gregory Miller is a leader in responsible tourism, an expert in public-private partnerships and a trained environmental scientist who believes in working globally, acting locally, and protecting our precious natural and cultural resources. Greg joined CREST as Executive Director in 2019, bringing to the organization a global track record of high-impact results in sustainable travel and recreation, biodiversity conservation, and policy development. He is also a founder of the newly formed Future of Tourism Coalition, as well as the Outdoor Alliance, National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance, and Parks in Peril program.

Joss Kent joined andBeyond in January 2012 and brought with him a passion for working with local communities and preserving land and wildlife. He came to andBeyond after several years as CEO of Abercrombie & Kent. Starting his career as a game ranger, Joss has gone on to champion leading sustainability and community initiatives including Ocean Without Border and Rhinos Without Border and continuing a partnership with the Africa Foundation to work with local communities to fill their needs, from building schools to creating water filtration systems.

Cindy Pawlcyn is the chef behind Mustards Grill, a Napa Valley landmark for more than 30 years. She opened the restaurant when the region was still largely pasture, with few restaurants and even fewer chefs (none whom were women!). Then, at 28 years old, Pawlcyn was also among the first to plant an organic garden outside her restaurant. Today, Mustards is still a Napa favorite, and has served more than one million pork chops – her signature dish.

Charity Cheruiyot was the first female safari ranger in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Having grown up in a small village as a member of the Kalenjin tribe, Charity paved her own way to a future in the bush. She now is a favorite ranger among guests of andBeyond Bateleur Camp, teaching the brand’s values of care of the land, wildlife, and people.

Wilbert Das, the former creative director at Diesel, founded UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa in Trancoso, Brazil. Today, Wilbert’s life in Trancoso extends far beyond the (unmarked) entrance of UXUA. As the town’s “unofficial mayor,” he is steadfast in his support of the community and proves that eco-conscious efforts and a propensity for high design are not mutually exclusive.

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top hotel accommodations around the world

September 22nd, 2020

From an experiential work of art in London to the nearly 20,000-square-foot hotel-within-a-hotel in Marrakech, these top suites, villas and standalone accommodations offer the best in amenities, design and privacy around the world.

TOP SUITES

A one-bedroom sculpture, a baby grand piano, the former residence of the last High King of Ireland – there is no stone left unturned in these top suites.

ROOM at The Beaumont

The Beaumont in London is home to Turner Prize-winner Antony Gormley’s inhabitable sculpture called ROOM. Designed as an experiential work of art, the exterior takes the shape of a three-story crouching man made of stainless-steel – an answer to the City of Westminster’s requirement that new buildings contain public art. The one-bedroom suite is a dark space entirely clad in fumed-oak, featuring only a single, all-white bed and can be taken to pitch black darkness and silence at the flip of a switch. The heavily insulated walls create an extremely quiet inside, free from the sounds of the city, and there is a window high up where guests can see the night sky but no surrounding buildings as Gormley wanted views to be unencumbered. There is nothing in the room other than the bed – no TV, minibar, artwork or telephone – so there are no distractions.

Tokyo Suite at Park Hyatt Tokyo

50 floors above Tokyo’s restless streets, Park Hyatt Tokyo’s residence-like Tokyo Suite has floor-to-ceiling views of the city’s skyline from almost every room, with Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji, peaking up in the distance. Decorated with the aura of a private apartment, this 2,368-square-foot accommodation is adorned with a Miao headdress and washi lanterns by Isamu Noguchi, designer and creator of The Noguchi Museum in New York. From the baby grand piano in the living room to the library collection of 1,000 books on the arts, this suite is a quiet and comfortable escape from bustle below.

Eden Suite at La Réserve Eden au Lac

Located on the third floor of La Réserve Eden au Lac, the Eden Suite debuted earlier this year as part of two-year restoration project helmed by Philippe Starck. The Eden Suite features glass walls separating the living area from the bathroom with natural light pouring in from the large windows and four balconies with charming ironwork. As the only luxury hotel on Lac Zurich, the suite offers sweeping views to allow guests to admire the boats and the Alps in the distance. Taking inspiration from the location, Starck wanted to give guests the feeling of being on a yacht. He lent his signature contemporary touch with neutral tones and sleek metal accents, while honoring the building’s historical elements. Quirky nautical touches include wooden oars, paintings of sailboats and room numbers printed as if they were on a racing sail.

Brian Boru Suite at Dromoland Castle

Named for one of the last High Kings of Ireland and member of the O’Brien family who founded the Castle in the 16^th century, the Brian Boru Suite at Dromoland Castle has a bedroom and sitting room overlooking the property’s lake. The bedroom’s canopy bed, sparkling chandelier, and separate dressing room evoke the Castle’s royal heritage, activities like falconry and pony and trap rides celebrate its history and the 18-hole golf course with a flood-lit driving range embrace modern technology.

TOP STANDALONE ACCOMMODATIONS

For those looking for extra privacy and added space, these standalone accommodations – villas, casas and riads – offer private entrances, plenty of outdoor space and even their own dedicated staff.

Grand Riad at Royal Mansour

Of Royal Mansour’s 53 individual three-story accommodations, the four-bedroom Grand Riad is the undisputed crown jewel. Referred to as the “hotel within the hotel,” the nearly 20,000-square-foot residence features a private library, two swimming pools with built-in water current, a cinema, hammam, gym, multiple dining and living rooms, and a glass-enclosed split-level terrace with a retractable roof. With a private resort entrance, the Grand Riad feels more like a private home than a hotel. No detail is overlooked thanks in large part to a dedicated staff that includes a chef, watchman, housekeepers, and butlers.

Casa do Lago at UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa

UXUA just launched a new casa, Casa do Lago, where not a single tree was cut to create the new accommodation. The house reimagines an old fisherman home and its colonial Brazilian style with reclaimed materials, such as wood sourced from an abandoned plantation, and a modern eye. Wilbert Das, founder of UXUA and former creative director of Diesel, filled the casa with Brazilian art, antiques, and custom pieces from the UXUA DAS furniture collection. The defining feature of this casa is a lake surrounded by rainforest and preserved with modern technology to be sustainable and healthy. The mineral-rich water is home to rare fish species and is a perfect place to swim. The casa is just a short walk from the historic Quadrado of Trancoso but feels like its own tropical universe, celebrating indoor/outdoor living.

Stella Maris at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Out of the 121 villas, Stella Maris is a standout option at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – accessible only by traditional dhoni boat. The nearly 6,000-square-feet duplex accommodation features an infinity pool, overwater hammocks with direct access to the ocean, and a BBQ station that is available for private chef service. The ‘smart villa’ (with every light, aircon, and curtain controlled from one central iPad) is stocked with still and sparkling water produced at the property’s onsite bottling plant. Laid-back island style is juxtaposed with modern design elements – from a sleek spiral staircase to a bathroom decked out in black-and-white stripes from head to toe. With an ambiance inspired by the Maldivian night sky, the layout offers stargazing opportunities from various points around the villa, allowing guests to spot both northern and southern hemisphere constellations from a different spot every night.

Fleming Villa at GoldenEye

Channel Ian Fleming in celebration of the 25th James Bond movie, No Time to Die, in the aptly named, five-bedroom Fleming Villa at GoldenEye in Jamaica, where he penned all 14 James Bond novels. Today, his writing desk still remains. The main bedroom looks onto his sunken garden, where he entertained the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and Prime Minister Sir Anthony Eden. Guests have access to his private beach and can snorkel in his beloved reef. The grounds also feature a private screening room in what was Fleming’s former garage.

andBeyond Ngala Treehouse at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp

Three miles away from the nearest lodge and 39 feet in the air is the new andBeyond Ngala Treehouse. The completely private, four-level accommodation – surrounded by nothing but the South African bush – opened in February 2020 as a new accommodation at andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge and andBeyond Ngala Tented Camp. Fully solar-powered, the treehouse has a rooftop deck with an outdoor bed and lounge for al fresco sundowners and dinner for two, an indoor bedroom, and a full bathroom with an outdoor shower – all with uninterrupted views of the bush below. Couples pack up just what they need for the night and are escorted on a game drive to the treehouse for an unforgettable sleepover, complete with a stocked bar and jars of midnight snacks. Surrounded by a thorn boma fence and just a phone call away from the dedicated treehouse attendant, travelers can feel safe in this otherwise intimidating setting.

Palazzo Vendramin at Belmond Hotel Cipriani

Separated from the main hotel by an ancient courtyard and flowered walkway, Belmond Hotel Cipriani’s Palazzo Vendramin is housed in a 15th-century former palace with views overlooking Venice’s St. Mark’s Square. When booking the new Exclusive Places offer, the 16-room-and-suite palace offers complete seclusion for groups with a separate entrance and private dock along with 24-hour concierge service and daily a la carte breakfast. The top suite, the Dogressa Suite, offers views over both St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace via floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the sitting room. Build out a fulsome itinerary with private experiences including a sailing aboard Belmond’s Edipo Re, a meticulously restored, 16-meter vintage 1960s sailboat to explore the lagoon; or a mixology masterclass with beloved head barman Walter Bolzonella.

COMING SOON!

We’re looking ahead to exciting debuts in 2020 including the largest penthouse suite in Washington D.C. overseen by Clodagh as well as a new boutique hotel in Palm Beach with a private 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace.

Penthouse Suite at The Dupont Circle

The pièce de resistance of the largescale, top-to-bottom renovation at The Dupont Circle hotel in Washington, DC is the Penthouse Suite, designed by Clodagh. Debuting this month, it can be booked two ways: as a one-bedroom or two-bedroom. When expanded into two-bedrooms, the suite is one of the largest in the city at 1,980 square feet. The heated outdoor terrace, which overlooks Dupont Circle and has views of the Washington Monument, also adds an additional 590 square feet. For the ultimate private experience: guests can also book the entire penthouse floor with its 12 suites and private elevator. Many also featured heated terraces, and all have been completely redesigned by Bernie Gallagher, the Chairman of the Doyle Collection who is very invested in the design of each property, imbuing them all with a unique sense of style and place.

Park Suite at White Elephant Palm Beach

White Elephant Palm Beach, sister hotel to the White Elephant on Nantucket, will open on November 4, 2020 with 32 rooms and suites. Ideal for friends and multi-generational families, the 3,000-square-foot penthouse Park Suite is a three-bedroom that can be expanded into four, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and spacious living room. With views of Bradley Park, the penthouse includes a 1,200-square-foot rooftop terrace for entertaining. Other decorative accents such as bronze elephant door knockers, bold patterned throw pillows, rattan ceiling light fixtures, and black and white striped side tables are sprinkled throughout.

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