Recently, we posted information about an historic Coral Gables estate that came with its own private island.  Those of us without an island retreat of our own have several opportunities to rent a private island getaway for an amazing vacation.  There are island options for many travel budgets, including of course, the unlimited budget of the super-affluent voyager.  Virgin Airlines owner Sir Richard Branson’s famous Necker Island, a 74 acre paradise in the British Virgin Islands, can be rented for $47,000 a night for up to 28 guests.  If that sounds a little steep, there are certain times when you can rent rooms in one of the island’s six guest houses starting at $23,500 a week (still more than a little steep for me). 

Amenities on the island include two freshwater pools and Jacuzzi, tennis courts, water sports, fishing, spa and everything that can be expected on the ultimate idyllic island paradise.

Having just spent several days at The Boca Raton Resort & Club, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to write about this luxurious facility.  Like most luxury resorts, The Boca Raton Resort & Club offered a variety of amenities and services that highlighted the overall experience. From the magnificent Spa Pallazo – a rejuvenating and tranquil haven – to the state of the art fitness center, there was no shortage of pleasurable activities. 

People staying at a resort are there for one of two reasons:  business or pleasure. Either way, when a day of hard work or an afternoon of golf ends, one retreats back to the comfort of the guestroom.  It’s a great feeling to walk in and see a freshly made bed and neatly folded bath linens; knowing all the while you did nothing to assist with the pristine condition of the room.  Often times though, it’s the little details that complete the opulent experience.  In the case of The Boca Raton Resort & Club, the turn down service was one of these details.  I misspoke…it was the “treats” that were left when the service was completed.  Each evening there was a delectable piece of chocolate or delightful key lime cookies waiting atop the untouched bed.  Who knew that such small tokens were capable of making such a big difference?

Blending a rich history with contemporary appeal, The Clarence is a boutique hotel in Dublin, Ireland that has all of the ingredients needed to create a unique luxury experience.  The fact that it is owned by Bono and The Edge of U2 only further adds to the appeal and injects The Clarence with A-list allure.  Originally built in 1852, the 50-room hotel was purchased by the Irish rockers in 1992 and transformed into an elegantly modern escape that still maintains its unpretentious charm.  With so much to offer, including its ideal location in the center of Dublin on the River Liffey, individually designed rooms and suites, relaxing spa, and popular Octagon Bar, it would be hard for anyone to check-out of The Clarence saying “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

Vacations can be stressful.  From organizing, to travelling, seeing the sites, planning excursions, time is lost to enjoy the one thing that is the purpose of many voyages — relaxing.  Lucky for the luxury traveler, Longitude 180 is helping to change that.  The boutique agency, located in Toronto, caters to busy professionals and offers luxury travel to premium destinations as a break from the hectic schedule.  What makes Longitude 180 unique is that they mix desirable destinations such as the beaches of Bora Bora or the wilderness of Australia with a relaxing itinerary meant to “rejuvenate” and “re-connect”.  Tours of exotic environments are accompanied by events such as oceanside yoga in the morning and/or nightly meditation.  With tranquil voyages like these, rejuvenation is a given and you may re-connect with someone very important…yourself.

It is the largest metropolis in the United States, a global center of commerce and finance, and a city filled with amazing luxury homes.  An extraordinary place that constantly has the watchful eyes of the media and the world’s citizens gazing upon it, New York City receives even more attention than usual on New Year’s Eve. The Big Apple is one of the globe’s top destinations for the annual celebration, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to the famous ball drop. This year, the luxurious Peninsula New York is offering two special packages for those who wish to bound through the merriment in style. For $2,008 (get it?!) you can experience the “New Year’s Eve Gala Package” that includes a one-night stay in a Grand Luxe Room, a five-course dinner for two and a spot on the dance floor at The Peninsula’s New Year’s Gala.

Those longing to see to see the Waterford Crystal ball descend the flagpole atop One Times Square may opt for The Peninsula’s “Ball Drop Spectacular” package. This includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe Suite, private in-room dinner for two, and private escort from the hotel’s prime Midtown Manhattan location to a VIP viewing area in Times Square; where you can see the ball drop and then join in a festive rendition of Auld Lang Syne. Just don’t forget to bring your complimentary bottle of champagne provided by the hotel.

For more info on the New Year’s celebration in New York, check out the official site of Times Square.

Today is All Hallows Eve eve, the final day we have to prepare ourselves for the intense horror of Halloween.  By “intense horror” I mean costume parties and trick-or-treaters.  While I’m not big on Halloween, I do agree that this time of year is great for enjoying scary stories and movies. There’s something about a howling, crisp fall wind blowing dead brown leaves down a lonely street that lends itself to the fantastic and the frightening.

I watched 1408 the other day- a rather underwhelming film that didn’t live up to the promise of the Steven King short story. Another King adaptation that, in my opinion, could never be considered underwhelming is one of the greatest horror movies of all time…The Shining. While Kubrick’s classic was filmed at the Timberline Lodge on the south side of Mount Hood in Oregon, King’s original inspiration came from the elegant Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.  The historic hotel was built in 1909 and has hosted numerous notable guests.

The Stanley is a grand getaway in a spectacular setting and provides a wide range of accommodation, including the luxurious Overlook Villas.  Be warned, however, that staff and registered guests may not be the only ones inhabiting The Stanley on your stay. The hotel is famous for its numerous tales of strange sightings and occurrences. The ghost of F.O. Stanley himself, the hotel’s builder and namesake who died in 1940, has been seen lingering in the lobby, billiard room and at the bar (sounds like my kind of spirit).  The Stanley offers an up-close look at its haunted history during daily ghost tours. And of course, I highly recommend a viewing of The Shining at least once during your stay…it plays in a continuous loop on the guest room TVs.

The dried, crumpled brown leaves littering my front yard must be a signal that fall is here.  In stark contrast to my unsightly yard is the breathtaking fall foliage of New England.  Numerous people travel to the area to take in the beauty of the region this time of year. Of course they envision breathing in the crisp autumn air while hiking, then drinking hot chocolate in their quaint cottage inside a 17,000 pound restored helicopter that simulates flying over the countryside.  Well, maybe the helicopter bit isn’t part of the normal fall in New England scenarios, but it is only one of many themed cottages at Winvian in Litchfield Hills, Connecticut.  In addition to the helicopter, guests can enjoy an unconventional stay in one of 18 cottages, including a tree house, greenhouse, library, log cabin, and artist bungalow. 

The Winvian is perfect for those who wish to enjoy 113 acres of New England beauty in a far from standard way.  They are currently offering a “Fall Getaway Escape” that includes a chilled bottle of champagne waiting in your unique cottage upon arrival, as well as a spa gift certificate. Check out all the details here.

The lush Daintree Rainforest in Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia provides the setting for the equally spectacular Daintree EcoLodge.  The Daintree Rainforest is the oldest living rainforest on Earth (yes, even older than that one in South America that magically sends books and DVDs to your home or workplace), and hosts the largest range of plants and animals on the planet.  The 15 villas of the EcoLodge allow you to connect with nature and pamper yourself at the same time.  The spa furthers the pampering with what they call a “mind, body and soul experience” set in a natural environment.

The EcoLodge also embraces local culture, and allows guests to experience it as well.  An abundance of Aboriginal art is on display and Aboriginal influenced cuisine is served up in the Julaymba Restaurant.  An indigenous rainforest walk is an experience to remember.  Visitors are invited to explore the surroundings with an Aboriginal guide who can provide incredible insight into all aspects of rainforest life.

If it looks like a suitcase, rolls like a suitcase, and stores things like a suitcase, it must be a suitcase…unless it’s a HENK.  The genesis of this innovative suit- er, “personal carrier” came in the dead of winter, after Dutchman Henk van de Meene was forced to drag his luggage through a snowy New York City.  He designed his personal carrier and with the help of frog design, perfected his creation.  The HENK is remarkably strong and has a carbon-fiber exterior similar to the cockpit of a Formula 1 racecar.  It has far too many features to be listed here, but they include wheels and storage spaces that appear at the push of a button, a special briefcase compartment, and an anti-theft cable that you can attach to your person (because who needs the headache of having their $33,000 piece of luggage stolen?).

The limited edition HENK with purple leather interior shown here is available exclusively at 20ltd.com- only five were created.  Finally, something worthy of holding my dirty t-shirts, toiletries and complimentary hotel towels as I return from vacation.  Those towels (and glasses, hangers and ice buckets) are complimentary, right?

Parts of Athens are ancient and in ruins…but of course, when it comes to the capital of Greece, that’s a good thing.  Though Athens has evolved into a modern metropolis, tourists are, and will forever be drawn to the city’s amazing historical landmarks.  The AVA Hotel puts travelers right in the middle of that history.  It is a boutique 24-room luxury hotel in the Plaka area, at the base of the Acropolis hill and steps from the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus and other monuments.  The “rooms” are actually referred to as apartments and suites, and are beautifully appointed, all with balconies and many with fantastic views.  Perfect for an evening bottle of wine while gazing upon the illuminated Acropolis- Dionysus would be proud.

The AVA definitely provides a new and exciting way to experience some old and exciting things.