Posts Tagged ‘Beach Destinations’

By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

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By Dian Hasan | December 4, 2009

Mexico has been developing its modern tourism for a good few decades, securely placing itself as among the world’s most formidable travel destinations. The lessons Mexico has learned from the inception of building cookie-cutter highrise hotels with little character in Cancun and Acapulco, in the 1960s and 1970s, has now evolved into a new approach.

Hotels, and notably the resorts, that are more eco-oriented, place-specific, with a more distinctive cultural and design statement. The end result are hotels that are generally low-rise, have fewer rooms, and blend in with their immediate environment.

Riviera Maya, a resort development south of Cancun, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast is one case in point. And the chic Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya exemplifies this new breed of hotels impeccably.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | October 20, 2009

Not bad for a day's catch. Photo: Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures

For the seasoned Bali visitor who yearns to explore all the Isle of Gods has to offer (even an extended vacation will never suffice) and anyone who is intrigued by unique travel experience, with some fishing thrown in, here’s a Safari Camp like no other.

Join Cyrus Boyum and Michael Owen, two American adventurers and fishing aficionados for a safari camp to Grajagan, East Java, for some serious Ulua fishing. For the novice, Ulua is Giant Trevally. All fishing trips depart from Bali.Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures. And while in the area you can always go surfing at the world-famous G-Land.

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By Dian Hasan | October 17, 2009

Philippe Starck is France’s bad boy of architecture and design, and when he gets to work with hotels as a design medium, he’s built himself a reputation to always bring on the “Wow Factor”. Together with New York hotelier Ian Schrager, the duo single-handedly coined the term “Boutique Design Hotel”, when they put Morgan, Royalton and Hudson in the design spotlight in the 1980s.

Staying true to his roots after all these years, and working in the sexy beachfront location in Rio de Janeiro, you can expect nothing but cutting edge. Hotel Fasano is his latest baby.

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By Dian Hasan | October 15, 2009

When a hotel takes on the name of mankind’s first couple, you know it would call for something exceptional. And Adam & Eve does not disappoint in the Wow Department! Delivering it with aplomb, on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast.

Set amid lush pine forest, 40 kilometers from Antalya, Turkey, the luxurious Adam and Eve Hotel is the quintessential lifestyle destination hotel. Read the rest of this entry »

When you simply want to escape, unwind and experience the finer things in life, there is no better place hideaway than Bedarra Island. Australia’s most exclusive resort, an indulgent tropical private haven lying off the coast of Cairns in tropical Queensland.

At Bedarra, guests can do as they wish when they wish. Here, a maximum of just 32 guests are accommodated in 16 secluded Villas, each hidden in the rainforest, only minutes from the beach. Superbly appointed, each have a separate living area, spacious bathroom and king size bed. On the balcony, guests can relax in a hammock and contemplate the beauty and calm of this elegant retreat.

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Environmentalist Steve Hill (left) and Managing Director Marc Aeberhard (right)

Seychelles — October 14 2009 - Over the past 11 years, Frégate Island Private has proven itself to be one of the hotel industry’s foremost entities in ecological reform. This past September, Frégate Island Private crossed yet another milestone when it planted the 100,000th tree in its endemic hardwood program. This major step is yet another achievement for Frégate’s reforestation efforts. In addition to the endemic hardwood program, Frégate Island Private plants two trees for every guest who arrives at the resort. This is one of the many facets of a concerted effort to become a carbon neutral enterprise.

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A line up of Dhows sailing in perfect sync, Tanzania. Photo: flickr member Eric Leffrogue

Pemba Island has been separated from the mainland and Zanzibar for decades, leaving an untouched and pristine island of great beauty and fertility. The mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons is scattered with the ruins of mosques and tombs mostly reclaimed by the forest – sites that date back to Arab domination when Pemba Isalnd was seized by the Sultan of Muscat (Oman) in the 17th century. He loved the Spice Islands and established his court in Zanzibar and ruled Muscat from there.

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Pangkor Laut Resort is an ultra luxe resort that’s attracted the world’s celebrities and A-listers. The late Pavarrotti helped inaugurate it with an Operatic on its official opening day. Voted as best romantic hotel, best spa, best hotel in Malaysia – Pangkor Island Resort is the ideal romantic getaway.

This hotel on stilts was fashioned after Malay floating villages where fishermen live. For a truly outer-worldly experience, book yourself any treatment from the Spa. The Spa is situated in one of the over-the-water Villas. Close your eyes, it will just be you and the ocean, and the aroma of frangipani, lavender and jasmine wafting through the air. Pure Bliss!

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By Dian Hasan | October 3, 2009

Peponi Hotel, a small family-run hotel on the unspoiled Swahili island of Lamu just off Kenya’s coast.

Sitting at the entrance of the Shela channel that runs between Manda and Lamu Islands, to the south of the hotel lies a 12km stretch of beach open to the full force of the Indian Ocean. Traditional Arab Dhow sail boats still ply the waters, as they have for hundreds of years. The sight of these boats leaving the harbor at dusk, with their sails’ silhouette against the sunset is simply magnificent. To the north is Lamu town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sits in a time warp, where the streets are just wide enough for a fully laden donkey to pass, the perfect place to explore Swahili culture and the town’s rich history as a spice trade hub.

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