A Private Escape In Portugal

A luxury private escape in Portugal: The Forte At The Oitavos, 20 minutes west of Lisbon. Photo credit: The Oitavos.

Living or traveling in Portugal? If you’re dreaming of a luxury getaway, there’s The Forte, a private escape at The Oitavos, a luxury hotel which is located 20 minutes west of Lisbon.

Boasting stunning views of the West Atlantic coastline, this five-star hotel was built in the heart of the secluded The Oitavos Dunes golf course in Portugal’s Sintra-Cascais National Park.

This luxury private escape was designed to blend with the surrounding Portuguese landscape of natural pines and sand dunes on the Estoril Atlantic coast.

The Forte is a 120 square metre suite featuring a king-sized bedroom, living room; fully-equipped kitchen; private outdoor sea water swimming pool; sun deck, and personal butler.

Guests staying at The Forte at The Oitavos will be given:

One round of golf per person, per day at The Oitavos Dunes;
One meal at one of the hotel’s restaurants – Ipsylon Lounge or Verbasco;
Use of a private golf cart throughout the stay so they may explore the property and surroundings;
Access to all The Oitavos facilities ( spa, equestrian centre, health and racket club);
High-speed Internet access;
Choice of breakfast served daily at The Forte or at the hotel and
Access to a private air strip nearby.

For more info, go to www.theoitavos.com/theforte/.

Hotel Design: UK

From Hotel Photo: London: Terrace Sky Lounge, Mint Hotel Tower of London. Photo credit: Mint Hotel.

Karen Orson wrote this guest post about Old English vs. Cool Britannia, the varying styles of hotel design in Great Britain. A seasoned traveler of the UK and Ireland, she has stayed in more hotels in her lifetime than homes and now enjoys a less hectic lifestyle in Devon with Highcliffe House.

Great Britain is steeped in history yet relentlessly looks forward, the Olympic Games heralding an exciting new era, where the hospitality industry is fast becoming one of the country’s principle breadwinners.

From Yorkshire Dales Breaks: The Coniston Hotel. Photo credit: The Coniston Hotel.

The rich narrative of British life is reflected in the look – and feel – of the nation’s hotels. Many towns and cities – especially those at the seaside like Blackpool – are packed with tiny guesthouses and B&B’s, all unique – in terms of decor and quality, but independently run by proud owners; looking and feeling like a private home.

Heading out of the cities and into the suburbs, hotel design can turn towards genericism and mass markets. Near motorways, along commuter belts and close to airports lie larger, minimally decorated properties, catering to consistency and convenience.

From Red Carpet Concierge: Athenaeum Hotel & Apartments, London. Photo credit: The Athenaeum.

But for every grey, concreted hotel, there is a more traditional property too. Such hotels are representative of Great Britain’s cross section of architectural trends, traversing centuries of style and feeling.

Many hotels are designed to emulate the grace and elegance of an English stately home; London’s Grosvenor House Hotel captures the essence of an elegant London home, whereas Gleneagles Resort in Scotland is a country retreat, offering grandiose dining, palatial bedrooms and a myriad of activities to pique the interest of all kinds of guests. The Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire is set within a stunningly restored Georgian Mansion, amidst an estate resembling the rolling ‘green and pleasant land’ of English countryside.

From A James Bond Holiday: St. Ermin’s Hotel, London. Photo credit: St. Ermin’s Hotel.

It’s not all Tudor beams and apple orchards though. As the industry becomes more competitive, hotel design looks forward as well, with new builds looking more modern, unique and trendy, in an ever-present campaign to the ‘best of’. Shangri-La’s new opening at The Shard at London Bridge is one recent example; across town, the concrete tower of the Hilton at Park Lane reminds us that modernism is now decades old.

Many hotels blend different elements of design; Crazy Bear operate several country house properties with bling-bling-boudoir-esque design, whereas London’s famous Berners Hotel will be given a boutique repositioning this year, courtesy of EDITION Hotels, in conjunction with hotel designer Ian Schrager. The future is very exciting indeed.

London 2012 showcased just how diverse the United Kingdom is in terms of cultural make up, and the same applies to the way the nation’s hotels look – and feel. With the British public reflecting disparate tastes, and overseas visitors demanding the same, national trends in hotel design are difficult to pin down; by no means a bad thing, as the choice out there is phenomenal.

See more Hotel Design.

Hotel Photo: Chalet

Living room at the Chamois Lodge, a boutique chalet in the Trois Vallées resort of St Martin de Belleville, France. Photo credit: The Alpine Club.

Mountain hotels and boutique chalets can be the perfect places to get away.

If you’re heading to France, in the Trois Vallées resort of St Martin de Belleville, The Alpine Club runs beautiful boutique chalets including this fully catered one, Chamois Lodge.

Bedroom + Terrace Views, Chamois Lodge. Photo credits: The Alpine Club.

Chamois Lodge. Photo credit: The Alpine Club.

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5 Top Hotels In Thailand

Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort. Photo credits: Intercontinental Hotels Group – Thailand.

Sasha O’Shea wrote this guest post about 5 top hotels in Thailand.

Each year, travelers flock to Thailand to experience the unforgettable beaches, landscapes, cuisine and culture that make it a truly unique destination. Thailand’s towns and cities are overflowing with activities, restaurants, entertainment and accommodation aimed at providing foreign visitors with a true sense of the Thai experience.

With so many amazing places to stay all over Thailand, choosing your accommodation can be daunting, browsing through hundreds of websites and reviews, trying to find the perfect place. Check out my top five hotel picks in Thailand to get you started:

Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort, Hua Hin

With incredible traditional Thai decor and unsurpassed service, the luxury, beachfront Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort (above) is not to be missed if you’re traveling to Hua Hin.

The resort offers a day spa, pool, fitness centre, and even a grocery shopping service. There are three restaurants to choose from and a cocktail lounge with swim-up bar, as well as 24hr room service. You’ll find it difficult to leave the hotel with so many creature comforts at your doorstep.

Secret Garden, Chiang Mai

The award-winning Secret Garden in Chiang Mai is a charming and luxurious resort-style hotel, a peaceful oasis 12km north of Thailand’s second largest city.

With private bungalows, massage, pool, barbeques and other facilities, the Secret Garden finds the perfect balance between a social stay and a secluded retreat.

The resort encircles a beautiful garden, lush with native vegetation. The Secret Garden combines luxury with a true sense that you’re tucked away in the heart of the Thai rainforest. This family-owned resort has a warmth to it that will make it difficult to leave.

Oriental Residence, Bangkok

For those who enjoy a sprawling cityscape, look no further than the Oriental Residence in the heart of Bangkok. Everything about this hotel is luxurious and elegant. The location is ideal for city stays, right in the centre of the city’s business and embassy district on the tree-lined Wireless Road.

The service is truly five-star, with attentive staff always available to see that guests’ needs are met swiftly. There is a state-of-the-art fitness centre, fine dining, a recreation room and even a limo service. Rooms are exquisite and with two- and three-bedroom suites also available, it’s the perfect accommodation to house the whole family in luxury.

Sandalwood Luxury Villas, Koh Samui

If your travels take you out to Koh Samui, then the hillside Sandalwood Luxury Villas is the ideal place to call home. With traditional Thai decor accenting the unique luxury of each villa, nothing is left to be desired. Pools, spas, fine dining, private balconies, breathtaking views – Sandalwood is the perfect way to spend your Koh Samui downtime. They even offer tours and Thai cooking classes.

Rising Sun Residence, Phuket

Rising Sun sees to a private and pampered stay in private villas, easily accessed from the centre of Phuket but hidden away from the throngs of tourists. Perched on a hill, guests face beautiful views of Chalong Bay to accompany them as they enjoy shared or private pools, Jacuzzi and fully-equipped kitchen facilities.

There are small villas for a romantic getaway and larger villas available for those with family in tow. The staff are passionate and service is warm, friendly and always available.

If relaxing in the sun with incredible views and a secluded space of your own sounds like your kind of holiday then Rising Sun is for you.

Wherever it is that your Thailand travels take you, you’d be mad not to try the crème de la crème of Thai accommodation, and for the best deals ask your travel agent about Thailand holiday packages. After all, holidays should be all about sitting back, relaxing and letting your cares melt away in luxury and comfort.

The Story Of Luggage

Packing for trips, do you ever wonder about the history of travel luggage?

We’re curious about how luggage design has evolved so we fancy this fun infographic The Evolution of Luggage by Expedia.com.au.

Hotel Photo: Inn

The White Swan Inn. Photo credit: The White Swan Inn.

Looking for room at an English inn? In the historic market town of Pickering, you may find it at The White Swan Inn, a 16th century coaching inn.

Surrounded by rolling countryside and on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, The White Swan Inn has 21 bedrooms with their own bathrooms, flat screen TV and DVD player.

Find out more at The White Swan Inn site.

See more Hotel Photos.

Chicago’s Boutique Hotels

The Chicago Theatre on State Street. Photo credit: Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau.

Lizz Riggs wrote this guest post about Chicago’s boutique hotels. She is the editor of Chicagotraveler.com, a travel site dedicated to all the best things to do and places to stay in Chicago.

Chicago, aka Windy City, is a travel destination year-round.

When its cold outside, Chicago turns into a winter wonderland full of glistening lights, ice skating and holiday cheer. During the summer months, travelers are out on the water and exploring all the city’s different neighborhoods.

Chicago vacations are filled with seeing all the best sights, visiting the top attractions and eating some of the best food you’ll ever get your hands on. When you’re trying to find the perfect hotel for your vacation, it’s important to stay near all the things you’ll want to do, without sacrificing the space and comfort you need for a good night’s sleep.

Chicago’s Millennium Park – Cloud Gate “The Bean.” Photo credit: Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture.

Chicago’s boutique hotels offer a luxurious and homey feeling in such a big city. Even though the city streets below you are buzzing with action from dawn ‘til dusk, these hotels treat every guest to a great night’s sleep so that they’re well-rested and ready for a full day of exploring the city. They offer the best of both worlds, convenience to the top attractions and a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. There’s no better way to vacation in Chicago! Some of the top boutique hotels in Chicago really stand out to others though.

The Ivy Hotel really gives guests an exclusive feeling. Travelers barely know any other guests are in the building because there are only 5 rooms on each of the 13/14 floors in this downtown Chicago hotel. In addition to the luxury, sleek décor, the hotel offers tons of freebees to make staying there even more alluring, like free high speed Internet and use of the nearby fitness center. It’s hard to make time for use of it though, because the hotel is also nearby other top Chicago attractions like the Ohio Street Beach, Hancock Observatory and Magnificent Mile.

One of the newer Loop hotels is the JW Marriott Chicago, which combines luxurious boutique charm with all the modern upgrades. The hotel is centrally located so guests can enjoy everything from Chicago museums to outdoor activities in the nearby parks with just a short walk from their room. From the crystal chandelier and the grand staircase in the lobby to the fabulous onsite spa, the JW Marriott defines luxury in the Loop.

Chicago is a city filled with history, even though the majority of the architectural feats are fairly modern since they were rebuilt and Chicago became the Second City. Still, the buildings in downtown Chicago attract architecture and history lovers from all over, and The Silversmith Hotel & Suites provides luxury and history in one. The hotel was originally built in 1897, and the rooms feature tall ceilings and classic fixtures that are often preferred over the modern décor that many nearby hotels present. While the hotel is historic, it is in no way dated though. They still offer plenty of great features, like free wireless Internet, business amenities and a 24-hour fitness center.