8 Luxury Trips You May Not Know About
As your trusted travel advisor, it’s important that I read industry periodicals regularly to stay informed about new hotels, undiscovered destination knowledge, and the like. It’s a very big part of why you connect with me when you are seeking an interesting travel experience, right? One of the must reads for me is my Agent at Home magazine. A recent article particularly intrigued me about luxury hotels and experiences in destinations that you may have not even considered yet for your vacation. “Getting in the Loop of Luxury” was written by Harvey Chipkin, Brian Major, Theresa Norton, and Joe Pike. So, let’s dig in!
Antigua
Tropical islands are great for sitting on a beach and sipping your drinks while looking out on clear blue water and beaches with sugar white sand. Count on that with Antigua! It has an abundance of all-inclusive resorts and hotels with fine dining options on site. One such undiscovered hotel is Hodges Bay Resort & Spa by Elegant Hotels. It recently opened in 2018 with a very contemporary feel. It’s stunning and is an ideal place for affluent Millennials who are “looking for accommodations on the cutting edge.” A fun excursion is to take a boat ride to the Gunpowder House & Suites for lunch. What a view!
Learn more about Antigua by clicking HERE.
Croatia
This is a country that has it all: Beautiful parks and coastline, waterfalls, ancient palaces, and the wonderful Adriatic Sea. Imagine taking a tour called “Truffle Hunter for a Day”, including lunch and wine tasting. Fun! There’s a town called Pula which has lots of ancient Roman buildings, and even the world’s sixth largest amphitheater. The Croatian Tourist board reports that lux hotels are opening there on a regular basis. Easily combined with a trip to Italy, the country is different from the usual glitzy, particularly in the northern region of Istria. This area is relatively unknown to Americans, and it’s truly stunning. The Grand Park Hotel in Rovinj is already being considered the best hotel in Croatia. Also consider the island of Hvar and choose the Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel.
Learn more about Croatia HERE.
Jamaica
You may know that there are lots of all-inclusive resort choices in Jamaica, many considered to be luxurious. There is a diverse group of new resorts to choose from now, too. On Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, the stylish 120-room S Hotel Jamaica has become a contemporary hot spot. Infusing modern Jamaican culture with the “sophistication of an urban hotel and the laid-back style of a beach resort”, says the owner Chris Issa.
Opened in December 2018 is the adults- only, all-inclusive Excellence Oyster Bay in the Trelawny district. The two miles of secluded white-sand beach should wow you, accompanying the full-service spa, suite accommodations, and a superb selection of upscale restaurants and bars. But the thing I love most about Jamaica are the people! Visit www.oneloverewards.com to learn more about Jamaica.
Korea
This beautiful country has an ancient and well-preserved distinctive culture that is combined with “rapid modernization, advanced science and technology, and a thriving gastronomy scene with 26 Michelin-starred restaurants.” You have the Four Seasons and Park Hyatt in Seoul, and another Park Hyatt in Busan. There is a KTX bullet train that links most cities.
Gyeongju is the heart of the country and is a former ancient imperial capital with “landscaped temples and gardens, as well as archeological sites. You will want a full ten days to explore fully. Check out this article by CNN about the 50 most beautiful places to visit in South Korea. Click HERE.
Malta
South of Italy in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea lies Malta, which in the past five years or so has seen a dramatic increase of North American visitors. Most of these are seeking luxury experiences, because the cost for such accommodations is less than in many other parts of Europe. Enjoy top rated hotels like the Corinth Palace Hotel and Spa, the island’s leading hotel for the 11th time. They plan a new spa this fall, which will be the final phase of their full refurbishment.
Malta is also home to the “highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. the country also has Michelin-star chefs, vineyards and farm-to-table restaurants. Learn more about Malta HERE.
Puerto Rico
Virtually all the luxury resorts have reopened since the hurricane, all better than ever after the renovations. Puerto Rico is a great destination, and remember no passport is required since it’s a US territory. The lux hotels include the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, the El San Juan Hotel, the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (I love the lobby here!), the Hotel El Convento, the Caribe Hilton, La Concha Resort, and O:LV Fifty Five.
Future developments in the works are Four Seasons Cayo Largo, JW Marriott in Dorado, and the Ritz-Carlton in San Juan. You may also enjoy beautiful villas here that provide a more intimate and private setting. Additionally, enjoy the many golf courses, spas and varied adventure excursions during your vacation in Puerto Rico. The destination truly has something for everyone. Here’s more information.
Qatar
When you think of Qatar, think Dubai, Las Vegas or Macau. Located on the Persian Gulf across the bay from Dubai, the destination has some interesting cultural differences that you will want to familiarize yourself with prior to the visit. Alcohol is regulated quite vigorously, for example, and there is no kissing in public family places. But the resort selection is superb, making it a wonderful place for a wellness retreat. Some favorites include the Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, or the W Doha. This is a very authentic place and is considered to be “up-and-coming” by Americans and Europeans.
Turkey
Having already visited the country last year, I can assure you that this country will welcome you with wonderful food, amazing historical and cultural sites, and comfortable lodging. It will begin at the brand-new airport. Turkey is home to palace hotels, unique experiences like hot air ballooning over the hoodoos in Cappadoccia, opulent spas across the country, a thriving wine industry, and even yacht-lined marinas.
Bodrum is one such place, with amazing restaurants and gullets to rent for a few nights on the sea. Here are a few of the luxury resorts in turkey: Raffles in Istanbul, the Ciragan Palace Kempinsky in Istanbul, Mandarin Oriental Bodrum, Bodrum Edition, Argos in Cappadocia and Alavya in Alccati on the Aegean Sea.
Here’s more about TURKEY.
Enjoy your vacation, and as always, reach out if I can be of assistance.