Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

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Zagat Survey’s Top Luxury Large and Small Hotels Worldwide

May 2, 2007

For those of us who love to “live vicariously” through our “friends and families” by listening to their “detailed cave explorations in the Andes” and their “digital slideshows of over 1,000 beautiful landscapes,” Zagats has always been and always will be the epitome of sound-bite reviews. Trip Advisor might be more popular with longer reviews, but Zagat’s will always hold a warm place in my heart.

So, it was nice to see that the Zagat Survey today released the results of its 2007/2008 World’s Top Hotels, Resorts and Spas survey. The guide is based on the experiences of 21,783 frequent travelers and 1,626 professional travel agents who averaged 36.9 hotel nights per year. It includes rates and reviews of 1,287 of the best places to stay and play in the world as well as 48 leading hotel chains.

The following lists show the leading chains, hotels, resorts and spas:

Hotel Chains:

1. Amanresorts
2. Four Seasons
3. Mandarin Oriental
4. Raffles
5. St. Regis
6. Ritz-Carlton
7. Rosewood
8. Orient-Express
9. Oberoi
10. Shangri-La

Large Hotels (100+ rooms):

Peninsula Hotel Los Angeles
Peninsula, Los Angeles

1. Four Seasons George V, Paris
2. Peninsula, Chicago
3. Peninsula, Bangkok
4. Peninsula, Hong Kong
5. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
6. Four Seasons, Chicago
7. Four Seasons, Budapest
8. Mandarin Oriental, Miami
9. Peninsula, Los Angeles
10. Four Seasons, Las Vegas

Resorts (100+ rooms):

Four Seasons Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta
Four Seasons Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

1. Four Seasons/Hualalai, Hawaii
2. One & Only, Baja Peninsula, Mexico
3. Four Seasons Wailea, Hawaii
4. Four Seasons, Canadian Rockies
5. Burj Al Arab, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
6. Four Seasons Resort, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
7. Halekulani, Hawaii
8. Ritz-Carlton, Cayman Islands
9. Four Seasons Resort, Provence
10. Four Seasons, Punta Mita, Mexico

Small Hotels, Resorts & Inns (less than 100 rooms):

Amanjiwo, Borobudur, Indonesia
Amanjiwo, Borobudur, Indonesia

1. Singita, Kruger Area, South Africa
2. Amanjiwo, Borobudur, Indonesia
3. Four Seasons Tented, Golden Triangle, Thailand
4. Como Shambala, Bali
5. Four Seasons, Chiang Mai, Thailand
6. Oberoi Udaivilas, Rajasthan, India
7. Amankila, Bali
8. Gidleigh Park, Devon, U.K.
9. Four Seasons Sayan, Bali
10. Blanket Bay, Queenstown, New Zealand

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Perfect Escapes Announces Top International Luxury Hotels

April 30, 2007

Big happenings here at Perfect Escapes. We have just launched our complete list of international luxury hotels. Every hotel on our site has been put through the ringer and come out sparkling clean and deemed worthy to be a true 4- or 5-star hotel. With selections ranging from the far corners of the world, we have most of your bases covered. We have scoured the globe to bring you the best of the best: from the luxury resorts of the Maldives to the beautiful coast of Mexico, from luxury accommodations on the Champs Elysees in Paris to the reborn luxury retreats in Phuket Thailand, and from the variety of deluxe hotels in London to the luxury high-rises of cosmopolitan Lima. Our list of properties now covers almost 90 countries.

To make things even better, we’ve also launched a new interactive map for your navigation pleasures. Let us know what you think about the map, or any of our new properties. There are still some bugs and all of our hotel photos will be up soon so even though some of the hotels on the site might not have all of their information, they are still worthy of being included and have passed our intensive rating system.

Here are just a small sampling of our new favorites from around the globe:

Soneva Fushi Resort and Spa

Soneva Fushi Resort & Spa – Maldives

The first “Robinson Crusoe” style hideaway in the Maldives, is set on the privately owned, uninhibited, tropical paradise island of Kunfunadhoo.

Each villa has the luxuries found in the best hotels. However, whilst offering all these modern day facilities, the utmost care has been given to make the resort environment-friendly, and to reflect the dream of a Robinson Crusoe experience. Thus, the hairdryer is hidden in the drawer of a coconut wood desk; the minibar, safe, and quadraphonic hi-fi are concealed behind rattan; the TV and DVD are delivered in a water hyacinth basket.

Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara

Evason Hideaway at Ana Mandara – Vietnam

Visiting this 300 acre island in idyllic Ninh Van Bay, the feeling of tranquillity is not an illusion. Accessible only by boat, the site of the Evason Hideaway on dramatic Ninh Van Bay is quite unique, taking full advantage of the setting. Impressive rock formations, the coral reef, white sand beach, a playful stream and the towering mountains behind, all add to the sense of being luxuriously at one with nature.

Featuring 52 airy villas, you can choose between one nestled into the lush hillside, on the beach, or among dramatic rocky outcrops. Each with their own panoramic views of the either the sea.

El Careyes Beach Resort, Puerto Vallarta

El Careyes Beach Resort – Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Surrounded by a lavish sub-tropical rainforest nestled in a secluded cove on the Pacific Ocean, El Careyes Beach Resort exudes a spirit of tranquility and easy elegance.

Reminiscent of a quiet Mediterranean village, the resort remains true to the architecture of the Costa Careyes, boasting a bold palette of terracotta tones that blends harmoniously with the surrounding nature’’s azures and greens. Passing through the stone archway entrance and on to the signature free form pool with commanding breathtaking views of the Pacific, one can truly experience the feeling of having arrived in a place like no other.

Le Saint Sulpice, Montreal Quebec

Le Saint Sulpice – Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The all new Le Saint-Sulpice can cater to your every need. This full service hotel has every amenity imaginable from fine dining to a luxurious fitness center. There are 108 spacious suites from 550 to 1500 square feet – many with a fireplace. There are vast terrace suites overlooking the sunny courtyard

The S Le Restaurant sets a new standard of cuisine in Old Montreal. Chef Edwin Haelewyck has assembled a delectable menu hallmarked by its variety and creativity.

Hotel Emiliano Sao Paolo Brazil

Hotel Emiliano – Sao Paolo, Brazil

Ranked #1 by Trip Advisor reviewers for Sao Paolo out of 206 hotels, a member of Leading Small Hotels of the World, and on the Conde Nast Hot List, the Hotel Emiliano offers a new concept in hospitality with an exclusive and luxurious product. It offers guests a pleasant and contemporary ambience. Hotel Emiliano’s restaurant blends top class contemporary style with sofisticated cuisine and provides its guests with an unforgetable home away from home experience.

Banyan Tree Seychelles

Banyan Tree Seychelles – Mahe, Seychelles

Nestled in Intendance Bay with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean, one of the world’s most beautiful talcum powder beaches, swaying palm trees and lush tropical forest, Banyan Tree Seychelles provides a rare taste of paradise. For the very best of Seychellois architecture, its 54 stunning pool villas combine contemporary, colonial and ”plantation” décor; from high sloping ceilings, airy verandas and louvered doors to ethnic woven textiles. The eclectic villa interiors provide a true sense of place – allowing you to experience Banyan Tree’s signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality in Seychellois style.