Your own Personal Shopper

Kelly Lundberg is an award winning personal shopper for influential businessmen and women and has styled for glamorous events such as the BRIT Awards and Grammys. Originally from Scotland, she has established Divine, a successful personal styling business in Dubai.

When planning your Luxury Holidays, having a personal shopper can be a great way to see the best of the best - but here's some pearly words of wisdom straight from the horses mouth (which is a bad phrase as Kelly is an extremely attractive girl!)

Describe a typical work day?
This is hard as there is nothing typical in my week. I can have up to 3 personal shopping sessions in one day lasting 3-4 hours and on Saturdays the shops are open until midnight! It is so much fun showing my clients the best shopping places Dubai has to offer.
In the evening at least once a week there is an event on in Dubai that is fashion related. A launch of a new collection, new store opening or a Middle East exclusive! It's a great excuse to get dressed up!

So, if you're planning on taking any Dubai Holidays, why not give Kelly a call?

What is unique about the shopping experience in Dubai?
Apart from the fact you can shop long after the sun has gone down, there is just so much to choose from. From boutiques to maze-like malls, from high-end to high street, there really is something to suit every taste and budget. It is centrally located and there is usually an activity to keep everyone in the family happy from skiing to skating, cinema to cool eateries.

Tell us more about affordable shopping in Dubai?
The best time to find bargains is during Dubai Summer Surprises (15 June – 31 July 2012) and Dubai Shopping Festival (20 Jan – 20 Feb 2012). I would definitely say jewellery is a good buy here and diamonds and gold in particular. Rugs are too, just be careful to negotiate a good shipping rate if you make a big purchase like that as it can add a considerable amount to the overall bill.

Bambah is a new vintage store just opened on Jumeirah Road, Garderobe sells some fabulous pre-loved goodies from Chanel handbags, YSL dresses to Jimmy Choo shoes and some of the items have never been worn! If you are looking for tailors, Mohan is excellent for making stylish-western style suits, he will even come to your hotel (Kelly will be able to put you in contact with him).

There is also my Dubai Shopping Secrets APP on iTunes which has all the best places to find bargains and it will give you the exact directions.

Happy shopping!

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

Give something back to the Maldives

We're always delighted to hear of any of our travel partners who are going that extra mile for the environment, and the latest one to score extra ecological points for the world is the Indian Ocean paradise that is Beach House Maldives, A Waldorf Astoria Resort.

The Beach House is a superb island hideaway that attracts those wishing for luxurious Maldives holidays away from the rat race, or simply some time to reflect and unwind, enjoying first class service and accommodation in awe-inspiringly beautiful surroundings.

But enough of the jaw-dropping resort itself…

Guests visiting the island are now being offered the chance to take part in an extensive reef regeneration project, which is seeking to right the wrongs done to the environment by negative human intervention over the years.

Each person is being given the opportunity to sponsor the replanting of precious coral in the resort's protected lagoon by marine biologists. This careful procedure involves the transplantation of damaged but still living coral to Manafaru Island's Haa Alifu atoll to allow it to regenerate and flourish, repopulating the area with coral and maintaining the local ecological marine system for many years to come.

Named ‘Adopt a Coral Reef', the project aims to educate visitors about local marine life and how fragile and important the coral system really is, highlighting it as being a crucial feeding and breeding ground for so many different types of marine life as well as protecting the shoreline and offering a natural barrier against the sea levels rises that we are warned will start to occur in future years.

With many sponsorships being taken out by those romantic souls who are enjoying their honeymoon, supporting the scheme is proving to be ever-popular, and allows guests to really feel that they are giving something back to these beautiful Maldivian islands.

Its always nice to read about hotels getting involved with environmental projects - and due to the make up of the Maldives there does seem to be more of an emphasis on this as a best practice kind of approach is adopted to preserve everything that is wonderful about these harmonic islands.

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

Superior Luxury Boutique Hotels in South Africa

Experience the reality of holidaying and give a sense of comfort to your business or pleasure trips with luxury boutique hotels in South Africa. Choose the best deals according to your preferences and get luxury tailor made holidays this season. Vacationing in South Africa is among the most inspiring luxury holidays, since country exhibits amazing visitor's the attractions, which is surely not to be missed will leave you exhilarated. During your visit you can enjoy several unique destinations in South Africa including Cape Town, the Savannah's and magnificent shorelines, all these incredible locations should be experienced to fully appreciate South African travelling.

While on luxury holidays the delight of boutique hotels will add comfort to your stay, luxury villas in South Africa are also available for the more discerning traveller. Some of the locations mentioned below for luxury South Africa boutique hotels are:

Singita Sabi Sand:
Known for its excellent amenities and world class accommodation facilities, this boutique hotel offers the sense of privacy and ultimate safari luxury with exotic views of greenery adjoining the hotel. Décor and ambience of Singita Sabi Sand is ravishing and marvellous with standard accommodation services. Hotel provides unique settings and décor with accommodation of 24 guests in unsurpassed air conditioned suites. Amenities include private pool service, en suite bathroom, fireplace, inside and outside shower, overstretched private pool deck. Gym and health spa facilities are available while Singita shop offers fine art, craft jewellery and exclusive cloth range.

Fundo Lagoon:
If you are looking for best boutique hotel South Africa there are plenty, Fundo Lagoon is perfect for travellers with exquisite choice. Hotel is perfectly situated on remote and magnificent beach of South Western side of Pemba, which exhibit 18 rooms with aesthetic oceanic views. Rooms are well equipped with large double or twin beds, mosquito nets, ceiling and standing fans and seating area. Hotel is spacious and airy with sea views. Amenities include breakfast, lunch and dinner with variety of choices in international standard.

Alfajiri Villas:
One of the finest retreats on South African coast, Alfajiri Villa ensures blend of privacy and luxurious amenities. Sheltered on coral cliffs, resort provides bright and airy Caribbean style bedroom and romantic turret suite. Large verandas with comfortable hand carved sofas, infinity pool sits on cliff edges. Concept of resort is really fascinating with best meals are served including local sand branded alcohol.

Little Governor's Camp:
Little Governor comprises of award winning authentic safari camps and lodges. Clients benefit from this incredible location with best amenities to die for. Tourists can experience hot air balloon safari at sunrise with 17 luxurious tent rooms to serve the purpose of tourists all around the world.

Opt for luxury holidays in South Africa for an experience unlike any other with the finest boutique hotels to serve and provide you the best holidaying experience.

About the Author

Quintessentially Travel offers luxury South Africa holidays including the luxurious stay at the luxury boutique hotels in South Africa. Visit the site QuintessentiallyTravel.com and consult with expert to discuss your luxury holidays plans and make your holiday remarkable.

Maradiva Wins Again at the World Travel Awards

Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa has scooped two awards at the World Travel Awards 2011 (Indian Ocean Sector), having been voted both the Indian Ocean's and Mauritius' leading hotel during a glittering, red carpet gala ceremony at Egypt Hall at Soho Square in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on 16th September. Maradiva previously won Mauritius Leading Resort in both 2009 and 2010, and picked up the World Leading Island resort in 2010.

It is also widely acclaimed in the wider travel industry by luxury holidays specialist tour operators including Destinology who have a company policy of visiting their recommended hotels and reporting he findings through their websites and social media channels.

Heralded by The Wall Street Journal as the ‘travel industry's equivalent to the Oscars', The
World Travel Awards aim to encourage excellence in every sector of global travel and
tourism. The poll this year was extraordinarily high with 213,000 industry professionals
casting their votes for what they consider to be the very best travel, tourism and hospitality
products and services internationally.

The highly experienced team at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa include general manager
Francis B Longueve, whose resumé spans management roles at top hotels around the
globe, including the prestigious Hotel De Crillon, in Paris.

The luxury holiday resort which overlooks the peaceful, turquoise lagoon of Tamarin Bay, has 65 private villa settings set in 27 acres of lush gardens, complete with private plunge pools and open dining terraces. Fronted by a 750 metre white sand beach, the resort which is a
member of the Leading Hotels of The World boasts a diversity of cuisines using the freshest
produce, excellent children's facilities and a wide range of luxurious spa treatments and
healing therapies.

Established in 1993 by the Founder and President Graham E Cooke to acknowledge and
celebrate excellence in all sectors of the industry, the World Travel Awards is recognised
and respected worldwide as the definitive hallmark of excellence. Summing up the
philosophy behind the WTA search for excellence, Mr Cooke said: "It's about selecting the
exceptional from the also-rans, the superstars from the plodders; whose track records are
poured over by their peers worldwide, who wish that even a sprinkle of this quantifiable
magic would rub off on them, their products and employees."

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

Maldives Fishing Challenge

The Maldives Game Fishing Challenge has been launched for the first time this year by the MGFA and momentum is building rapidly among the passionate fishing community in the Maldives. As one of the main professions in the Maldives and a very popular leisure activity I couldn't think of anywhere more perfect to host a big game fishing challenge.

For any keen fishermen who are planning a Maldives holiday, this sounds like the perfect pastime, although the other half may not quite share your enthusiasm!

The competition takes place between the 10th and 12th of November in the pristine waters around the North & South Male and Vaavu Atolls, perfect for open water fishing like this and up to 80 anglers from the Maldives and other worldwide destinations will compete.

I imagine that the competition will be quite fierce; with the anglers commenting on whose catch is the biggest, healthiest and likely to taste the best! The most sought after catch will include Marlin, Sailfish and Wahoo as well as the more unfortunate named yet delicious Yellow Fin and Dog Tooth Tuna.

Despite fishermen's love of catching the best fish in the Maldivian waters and taking it home for the family to feast on, the Maldives Game Fishing Challenge is following the rules of ‘Tag & Release' so the fish will be released back into the sea after being caught and judged.

As well as the actual fishing events, over the three day period there will also be many other events and celebrations on land for anglers, families and spectators. The grand finale of the competition will be an awards ceremony and dinner, held at a local luxury island resort.

So for any avid anglers out there who haven't had a family holiday yet this year why not book a trip to the Maldives this winter and partake in a spot of competitive fishing while you're there. With an average temperature in excess of 28 degrees and a whole host of luxury resorts with fantastic accommodation and world class food to choose from you can't go far wrong. What's more, the kids will enjoy the great facilities at many of the Maldives luxury resorts and hotels which often include children's clubs, organised activities and dedicated children's menus.

Finally, good luck to all competitors' and may the best catch win!

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

Top Luxury Boutique Hotels World-Wide

Whether you're traveling on business or pleasure, you can spend your luxury holidays at the top luxury boutique hotels in the world. The following are some of the top luxury boutique hotels.

Canyon Ranch Hotel & Spa, Miami

This is an award-winning hotel and spa located in the beautiful Miami, Florida. This modern-chic hotel has an assortment of amenities ranging from wellness spa to fine dining. The hotel accommodations are phenomenal, to say the least. Amenities include HDTV systems with integrated Internet, Bose Wave Radio, Miele and KitchenAid appliances and even granite counters. The hotel rooms are spacious, ranging from 720 - 1200 sq. feet. All rooms have panoramic views. One and two bedroom suites are available.

The Address Downtown, Dubai

If you're looking for luxury boutique hotels, Dubai has plenty. The Address Downtown in Dubai is the perfect hotel for travelers with exquisite taste. They have a spa, business lounge and even a library. If you're traveling on business or planning a conference, they have spacious Avant-garde meeting and event facilities. This luxury hotel has an enormous pool & fountain-scape, a spa and hair salon. If you're traveling on a holiday with the family, the hotel has a Qix club for children.

The hotel is located at the Downtown area this is one 5-star hotel you don't want to miss out on.

Soneva Fushi by Six Senses, Maldives

Soneva Fushi by Six Senses literally fulfills all senses. Spending the night at Soneva Fushi by Six Senses is like spending a moment in paradise. The hotel provides breath-taking views. They also have an organic garden called the 'Ever Soneva So Celestial' Observatory. The hotel has a holistic spa and access to leisure activities. The hotel also provides access to cultural excursions to villages close by and snorkeling excursions. The hotel accommodations are luxurious, the bathroom expands out into a private garden. The hotel is a stones throw away from private swimming pools.

Hotel Arts, Barcelona

Hotel Arts, Barcelona is an elegant hotel with spacious rooms. All rooms offer excellent views of the city and the sea. All rooms come fully-equipped with Bang & Olufsen audio-visual systems and large bathrooms with hydro-show cabins and a separate bath tub. The hotel has 28 elegant apartments with gorgeous interior. All guests who stay at Hotel Arts, Barcelona receive personalized bespoke service.

About the Author

Get best deals on luxury holidays to the popular destinations in the world. Stay in luxury boutique hotels and enjoy luxury and comfort you have never experienced before. Visit QuintessentiallyTravel.com for more detail.

Destinations to visit during your trip to the Caribbean and Mexico

Whether you're traveling to Mexico or the Caribbean; luxury holidays are an extraordinary experience. The only drawback about visiting those two wonderful destinations is the moment your holiday ends and you have to travel back home.

Luxury Holidays Caribbean

The Caribbean offers soft rolling waves, unspoiled beaches, blue skies and water clear as crystal. Once you step foot on the rich Caribbean soil, it's like a dream and when you wake up, you're in paradise. It offers gentle breezes and exotic adventures.

Activities in the Caribbean include jet skiing, windsurfing and scuba diving. Best of all, these outdoor activities are open all year round. So whether you travel in September or April, the weather is perfect.

Luxury beach holidays

Do you find yourself daydreaming about luxury beach holidays? Well, now you can finally plan an all inclusive luxury beach holiday. There are several luxury hotel accommodations to choose from that are walking distance to the beach. The only problem with luxury beach holidays is actually choosing a location because there are so many to choose from.

Turks & Caicos holidays

Turks & Caicos holidays are known as a beautiful island situated in the southeast of Mayaguana in the Bahamas. Turks & Caicos luxury holidays offer a tranquil and slow-pace environment. The architecture includes 18th and 19th century colonial buildings. Its unspoiled beaches are beautiful to spend the day.

Sightseeing in Turks & Caicos Islands is amazing. When you visit this paradise island you won't want to leave before visiting Providenciales, known as the Turks and Caicos' main urban centre. When you're not at the beach, you can go horse-riding along the luscious white sand at Grace Bay Beach.

Then take a nice boat ride from Salt Cay to watch the humpback whales. Turks & Caicos also provides tourist delicious French cuisine. You can enjoy seafood at popular waterfront eateries in Cockburn Town. There is also mouthwatering fresh fried fish at a popular beachfront diner located in North Caicos.

Mexico Luxury Holidays

A luxury Mexico vacation not only offers stellar accommodations, it has the most gorgeous beaches on the planet. It is very rich in culture and it offers delicious food at local restaurants.

One of the main reasons why so many people choose to go to Mexico on their holiday is because of the beaches. There are luxury resorts and beach towns in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. Mexico is also rich in history. Their magnificent ruins date back 2000 years.

About the Author

Relax your mood with Luxury holidays with a stay in the most popular hotels and resorts. Whether you are planning for luxury holidays Morocco or luxury holidays Caribbean Quintessentiallytravel offers a wide range of luxury tailor made holidays to let you experience the luxury throughout. Visit www.quintessentiallytravel.com for more details.

Most Recommended Tailor Made Far East Holidays Destinations

There is nothing more enjoyable than going on a long luxury holiday in the Far East. Whether you're travelling with family or friends, the Far East offers an assortment of places to see and to visit. Enjoy the best that the Far East has to offer, everything from their unique natural landscape to the lavish luxury to take pleasure in, you can get all this and more by planning bespoke Far East holidays. The following are popular Tailor made Far East holidays destination to consider:

Beijing
Beijing, the home of the 2008 Olympic Games, is one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. In addition to staying at luxury boutique hotels, Beijing offers a host of holiday attractions such as Beihai Park and Forbidden City. So, whether it's fine dining or the theatre, Beijing is the perfect example of luxury holidays.

Bangkok
Luxury holidays wouldn't be complete without a visit to Bangkok. Bangkok offers two main centres: Modern Bangkok and Rattanakosin both are large metropolitan areas. Bangkok offers an array of city attractions including ancient palaces and historical sites. The city is home to many shopping areas, museums, and an even greater nightlife.

Thailand
Whether you like to bask in the sun on Thailand's expensive beaches or hike the mountains near Mae Hong Son, luxury holidays in Thailand are considered the ultimate luxury vacation. It's no wonder why Thailand has become one of the most loved travel destinations on the globe.Thailand also offers entertainment, bars, restaurants, galleries, museums and much more.

Hong Kong
Hong Kong, located in southern China, is considered one of the world's most populated cities in China. It is an electrifying and fast paced city. In a way, Hong Kong is reminiscent of Times Square in New York City. Hong Kong has shopping, entertainment, exquisite Chinese cuisine, bars and city attractions for the entire family.

To make the most of your luxury Far East holidays, it is recommended to consult a bespoke travel and tour provider. They provide tailor made far east holidays and also help you book luxury boutique hotels in your holiday destination of choice. Search the web to find the best holiday provider and make your holiday better than you ever imagined possible!

About the Author

Enjoy luxury holidays in the Far East zone and stay in the best luxury hotel. Quintessentially Travel is a renowned travel maker that is known to provide luxury tailor made holidays anywhere in the world. Consult us to get tailor made Far East holidays to get a vacation as good as you have imagined. To make your luxury holidays visit: QuintessentiallyTravel.com.

Beaches as seen on the big screen

As the rain has vigorously descended onto Bolton in the past two days we can't help but wish we were lying on a far away beach, sipping cocktails and enjoying glorious August sunshine.

this perfect holiday daydream could be a reality and I have highlighted some of the best and most famous beaches from Hollywood movies to inspire your holiday dreams.

With hundreds of Hollywood blockbusters being filmed on glittering beaches there's more than enough choice, whether you want a short-haul trip to Greece or a lavish holiday to Maldives or Mauritius.

The beach at Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island, Thailand was the setting of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie ‘The Beach'. This spectacular beach is surrounded by karst limestone cliffs and sparkling white sand with shallow blue waters and colourful coral. Popular with snorkelers this beach is very natural and visually stunning. Its rural location often attracts campers who stay overnight and gather early to watch the sun rise. If a Thai adventure sounds appealing, Phi Phi Island is a paradise to enjoy after visiting the bustling city of Bangkok. The Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort & Spa is a perfect tropical paradise for a heavenly holiday.

In the Caribbean, Petit Tabac Beach is famous for its appearance in The Pirates of the Caribbean films, under the watchful eye of Captain Jack Sparrow. Located in St Vincent and the Grenadines this beach is highly protected and uninhabited. The beach has no facilities for water sports and fishing boats are not permitted, creating the feeling that this is the most deserted island in the world. A day trip here can be arranged by boat and it's a perfect place to relax and explore this private island and special beach. Palm Island in St Vincent & The Grenadines is a perfect base from which to visit Petit Tabac, and the five star resort is serene and most beautiful.

The Abba-based move Mamma Mia, filmed in Greece, features a dramatic rocky beach on the island of Skopelos. Despite not being suitable for swimming, the landscape and cliff edges give spectacular views and the secluded spot is ideal for a romantic picnic.

Despite its unfortunate name, Devil's Beach in Fiji is another special gem that was filmed in The Blue Lagoon. The beach and shimmering lagoon are portrayed beautifully and highlight the natural palm trees, shallow coral reefs and dazzling waves.

The final beautiful beach to mention appeared in the tearjerker Marley & Me. Hollywood Beach in Florida stretches for over 2 miles along the coast strewn with soft white sand and sun loungers. This popular beach is busy all year round and has an abundance of water sports, beach activities and local restaurants and cafes to keep visitors occupied.

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

Sightseeing and Excursions on Luxury Holidays in Bali

A paradisiac island in an idyllic location - that is how most tourists envision Bali and of course they are undoubtedly right to perceive it as such. There is an eminent magic to discover in Bali that will fill all the check boxes of your to do list of what it takes to have a magnificent holiday on a tropical island. The stunning dream like beaches of Bali are its most attractive feature, people travel far and long to see the beautiful tall palms; the lovely rice terraces, mountains and ancient temples in the northern hills that hold a particular charm of their own. With so many appealing places to explore, luxury holidays in Bali is ideal for those with a passion for majestic beauty, fun, charm and love.

Check out the available sightseeing and excursions in Bali to find out all about what might be your next dream destination, plan luxury Indonesia holidays this year for an exotic getaway.

Volcanoes and Handicraft Tour with traditional Balinese Cultural Show
Dance is the major part of Balinese culture and on your luxury holidays to Bali you will see the tantalizing Borang and Kris dances at street level. You can also enjoy the elephant cave and "Kintamani" after the show, which is perched dramatically on top of the crater rim of mount Batur Volcano. View various handicraft villages of Bali along with batik factory and pick up handmade fabrics on your luxury holidays Bali.

Fascinating Balinese Markets
Throng with buyers all over the world, Balinese markets are popular for handicrafts, from hand- craved wooden sculptures to colourful silk textiles. A blend of Balinese culture and spirituality can be found in the numerous temples scattered throughout the island. These offer a chance to marvel at the Balinese architectural splendor and see a slice of Balinese life. You can also visit the spas that are popular in Bali and no tourist visiting this beautiful island should miss the experience of a mesmerizing Balinese massage.

Exclusive Hideaways & Culture during Luxury Holidays in Bali
Known as the most romantic place in Indonesia, Bali is the most romantic hideaway in Asia. Book your luxury honeymoon Bali holidays to enjoy the exciting nightlife and sporting enclaves if you and your spouse are surfers, divers and snorkelers. A scenic patchwork of lush green hills and mountains, pretty rice fields and the view of volcanoes give an ultimate and unique landscape to Bali. Make your honeymoon in Bali if you want an unsurpassable adventure and a luxury getaway this is the best destination of choice.

The best way to enjoy a holiday in Bali is to consult a travel and tour provider. They arrange luxury tailor made holidays and also help you book luxury boutique hotels in Bali. Search online to find the best holiday maker and turn your ordinary holidays to Bali into a luxurious trip that you'll remember forever.

About the Author

Exclusive luxury holidays Bali by Quintessentially Travel that will let you explore the most appealing holiday destinations in Bali with comfort & luxury. Choose from the most mesmerizing Luxury Indonesia holidays. If you are planning a romantic tour to Bali, then best deals on Luxury honeymoon Bali are also available.

Must Visit Destinations in Thailand to Enjoy Luxury Holidays

Often cited as the golden land, Thailand is one of the most sought after travel destination in Southeast Asia that is not only rich in geographic diversity but also in culture and history. The country offers a certain kind of luster, be it the green rice fields, the rare kindness of the locals, beautiful white sandy beaches or the warm atmosphere that's unlike any other. Thailand has almost everything a tourist could ask for and that is why it is considered as one of the hottest destination to visit that has so much to offer to all tourists alike. To make the most of your luxury holidays Thailand, you can also customize them and get ultimate fun getaway. Some places you shouldn't miss out on while you are on your luxury holidays to Thailand are:

Ayutthaya City

The capital of the Siamese empire, Ayutthaya City is home to some of the most fascinating ancient temples. To get the utmost pleasure and extreme adventure choose to wonder around this fascinating city on foot or by riding on a bicycles.

Bangkok
A place that requires absolutely no introduction, Bangkok is a must on your tailor made Far East holidays. Being one of the most popular places to visit in Thailand, Bangkok is a beloved holiday destination by many, that is sure to add class and charm to your trip to Thailand. This exotic destination is famous for myriad tourist attractions ranging from marvelous temples, glinting palaces to high-end shopping malls and a pulsating nightlife, this beautiful place promises an unforgettable holidaying experience.

Phuket
A must in luxury Asia holidays, Phuket has long been one of Thailand's favored destination. An ideal place for honeymooners, beach lovers, and holiday seekers with a verity of romantic resorts, luxury boutique hotels, beach bungalows and private villas, Phuket has the best and most picturesque landscapes, stunning tropical sunsets and warm blue sea.

Pattaya
Well known as a sea-side destination, Pattaya comes among major tourist places in Thailand. This fascinating place has so many attractions and wonderment's that one just can't get enough of.

Plan a luxury holiday to Thailand this year to explore the locations mentioned above and more. Search online to get best luxury tailor made holidays and make your Thailand holidays complete and memorable.

About the Author

Is Thailand your next travel destination? Make your holiday even more luxurious and comfortable this year by booking luxury holidays Thailand through a renowned holiday maker. Quintessentially Travel is known to provide luxury holidays in Thailand or anywhere in the world. Let them provide the exclusive benefits on your holiday this year so that you can enjoy at the max. To make your holiday visit: QuintessentiallyTravel.com.

Maldives Trip - The findings - Part Three

I'd like to conclude my Maldives hotel reviews with this final part of the installment.

Lily Beach

Lily Beach is a resort I have previously stayed at on my own luxury holiday so I know how good the all inclusive is (in my opinion this is the best all inclusive on offer in the Maldives as mini bar is included).  The beach family villas here are brilliant as they interconnect from the inside so parents can keep the door open or closed as they wish and both rooms are together in one block, very safe even for young children.  The water villas here have a definite wow factor, great size and the glass floor on the entrance to the villa gives a great impression from the moment you step inside.  The food on offer here is brilliant, a wide variety and you can order a la carte mains from a menu if you wish.  I also know from my own stay that you can order wine by the bottle at meal times rather than by the glass so it feels like a high end all inclusive resort. 

Verdict: Great island for young people and families to enjoy a fun filled Maldives Holiday.  The key attraction here is the lagoon they have where snorkellers can walk straight into the lagoon with no need to swim far out.  This also makes it very safe for children who wish to snorkel too.

Diva

Large island with great concept that on HB you dine in any one of the islands 7 restaurants.  Plenty to do for families and teenagers so I would say this is a great place especially for families with older children.  Good room product with plenty of space for children to share the rooms with adults.

Verdict: An island with a definite buzz about it and lots going on!

Constance Halaveli

It is top end luxury but with a more relaxed feel than somewhere like Reethi Rah.  Beautiful villas, very private with your own pool secluded by trees and your own little gated pathway leading to the beach.  It has a nice wide stretch of beach also.  We had lunch here and instantly felt the high level of service on offer and the food was fantastic! The double storey villas are perfect for families, very spacious and a separate sleeping area for children so the parents have privacy.  The pools in all of the villas were a decent size, an actual pool rather than a plunge pool! This island has a brilliant kids club and kids programme.

Verdict: Overall, this island is perfect for high end customers who want the same level of service and room standard as somewhere like Reethi Rah but with a more relaxed feel to it.  I would not hesitate to recommend this resort to a discerning client, they would not be disappointed.

Constance Moofushi

Rustic Maldivian style with a nice relaxed feel.  Fantastic stretch of beach by one of the jetty's to the water villa's, giving the island a nice open feel to it.  There are only 2 dining options but the main restaurant did have plenty of choice and the themes are varied.  Good standard of service in the main restaurant also given that it is an all inclusive (e.g staff carrying your plates for you etc on your way back from the buffet). At night, this resort had a nice atmosphere and the main bar area was quite lively, this would definitely be suitable for younger couples.

Verdict: A good all inclusive with plenty of drink choices in the main bar, cocktails etc are included.  

Anantara Veli / Anantara Dhigu & Naladhu

I really liked this concept of the 3 islands together, it gives clients plenty of options for dining etc as Anantara clients can go between the 2 (Anantara clients can't go to Naladhu).  There is a Dhoni service around the islands making it easy for clients to get between the resorts.  The resort operates a dine around system so for clients who don't want to feel so isolated on a Maldives holiday this would be the perfect solution as they can get off the island and visit the other as and when they wish.  I thought it was a good room product for the price you pay.

Verdict: Naladhu certainly warrants being a top Maldivian resort, the Beach Suites are fantastic and each beach suite has their own loungers on the beach with parasol and waiter service provided.  If you have the budget for Naladhu then you really would get the best of both worlds – the privacy and feeling of being exclusive with the option to be able to visit the busier Anantara resorts if you wish.  We had lunch here and the quality and standard was on a par with the other top level Maldivian resorts we visited.  These resorts also have a resident surfer and one side of the island has the bay for surfing and gets the waves for this.

Taj Exotica

"This resort had a great feeling about it from the moment we arrived.  Top level service from the moment we stepped off the boat.  The island itself is only 800m long and a very high ratio of staff per client and you certainly got the impression that the staff couldn't do enough for you.  The service we experienced here was certainly one of the best, if not the best in the Maldives.  We stayed in Water Villas and these were large in size although a little dark in the décor.  The resort has a great feeling around it and at night drinks are served at the sunset bar with candles lit.  We ate in the Deep End restaurant which has won best restaurant in the Maldives for the past 2 years running, it was obvious why.  The food here was amazing. Breakfast is a la carte which is something that you would expect of a resort of this calibre."

Verdict: Being the closest resort to Male you do get aircraft flying ahead but in my opinion this really wasn't an issue, it was actually quite interesting to see! I really liked this resort, the standard of service really was excellent. 

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays

 

What's a Dubai Holiday All About?

My aim is to try and help dissolve the myth that the Middle East is somehow unstable and really sell it to you as a perfect holiday destination for a wide range of holidaymakers.

Unless you've read a lot about the destination beforehand, you might think Dubai is a slightly strange choice of destination for a luxury holiday.

Of course, Dubai holidays are already popular place owing in no small part to the vast plethora of top class hotels and world class attractions like the Burj Khalifa, Aquaventure, Ski Dubai and array of championship golf courses, beaches and all the top brand shops and luxury air conditioned malls you could shake a stick at.

The thought that the Middle East is unstable, dangerous or even confrontational may be true of some countries, but this notion is not applicable to Dubai or any of the UAE. Not in my opinion, not from my experience. The people are friendly and hospitable and politically they tend to sit on fairly middle ground. That makes for a nice environment where you can feel confident and safe.

The weather is hot. There is no getting away from that. We're talking 40 degrees plus in the summer months and well above 30 degrees for most of the year. This hot climate will suit some but not others, and doesn't always lend itself amazingly well to action packed days – as you'll quickly tire in the weather if you are anything like me!  That said, for sun worshippers and reliable sunshine whilst abroad, you will struggle to find anywhere to touch Dubai.  

If you happen to be a family of four with two children then you've come to the right place. Two of the world's best water parks can be found here, namely Aquaventure at Atlantis the Palm and Wild Wadi Waterpark – both of them open to the public and located at the Palm and Jumeirah Beach respectively. Your young ones will spend hours of fun here whilst you either join in (some of the water rapids are very adult orientated and not for the faint hearted) or lie back on your sun lounger (depending on how young your little ones are of course!)

The lure is massive for couples without children too. Excursions are wide and varied, including 4x4 dune bashing in the desert, shopping in the traditional souks for bargain gifts or treading the marble floors of malls featuring Gucci, Prada et al. You can enjoy the brilliant Ski Dubai or take a trip to the summit of the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa and look down on massive sky scrapers. You could even visit during the Dubai Gold Cup or Rugby Sevens or coincide your visit with one of Dubai's international festivals.

Are you persuaded yet?

OK, I'll continue a little longer. The new city monorail is a great way to get around the city in case you've heard the traffic is a nightmare and you can't be bothered to rent a car. No need! The monorail really is worth using, its super speedy and super modern and whoever you are travelling with is sure to be impressed – and its very presence makes everywhere in Dubai accessible.

You've probably heard that some of the greatest hotels are located in this dazzling beach city. The Burj al Arab is Dubai's jewel in the crown, with honourable mentions for intimate boutique resorts like Madinat Jumeirah and One&Only Royal Mirage who sit alongside family favourites like Jumeirah Beach Hotel and business traveller's favourite, Grosvenor House.
If you're looking for a flexible travel destination then Dubai has it covered in spades.

About the Author

Hello, pleased to meet you.

I am an experienced travel writer with a broad background principally covering luxury long haul destinations. I hope my posts on here will be of interest to you: Luxury Holidays, Maldives Holidays, Dubai Holidays