Unique luxury destinations
Apr 8, 2014, 10:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 19
Unique luxury destinations
Fellow travelers,
Which destinations do you consider to be unique, once in a life time luxury experiences?
I'm looking for places similar to desert resorts (Qasr al Sarab, UAE), mid-ocean overwater bungallows (Four Seasons, Bora Bora) and jungle resorts (Sabi Sands, South Africa).
Any good ideas?
Thank you!
Which destinations do you consider to be unique, once in a life time luxury experiences?
I'm looking for places similar to desert resorts (Qasr al Sarab, UAE), mid-ocean overwater bungallows (Four Seasons, Bora Bora) and jungle resorts (Sabi Sands, South Africa).
Any good ideas?
Thank you!
Apr 8, 2014, 1:36 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I don't like to think of anything as once in a lifetime, as I always want to return to the places I love.
I dream of Amanikan, as well as Soneva private reserves and retreats.
I dream of Amanikan, as well as Soneva private reserves and retreats.
Last edited by MikeFromTokyo; Apr 8, 2014 at 1:41 pm
Apr 8, 2014, 2:11 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
I just got back from Bali... I figured it would be a once in a lifetime event (it's really far away) so splurged for the Amans... and it was worth every penny. It is a remarkable investment in an amazing experience that I shared with my wife.
So I third (or fourth) the Amans... I'm looking for my next Aman experience
FDW
So I third (or fourth) the Amans... I'm looking for my next Aman experience
FDW
!
Apr 8, 2014, 6:18 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 208
As well as the Amans (!! sorry Quitecontrary!) I would add Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, Villa Feltrinelli and Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef. Combination of the hard product combined with the locations made those 3 standouts for me if looking for "once in a lifetime" memories (though I'd happily go back to any one of them and expect I surely will!).
Apr 8, 2014, 7:29 pm
#12
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,844
To me, the dream vacation way to see Ngorongoro Crater would be a luxury tented camp inside the crater itself rather than up on the rim. It would allow getting out there both before and after most other safari vehicles.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Apr 8, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Apr 8, 2014, 7:46 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I generally do not consider Aman and other truly high-end hotel groups as chains.
Another unique property I will add is Rayavadee in Krabi, Thailand. The Phranang Villas (Especailly #404) are very special. It is best to go slightly outside of the high season to avoid problems of crowding on the beach - and the property is not for people who insist on private beaches. Service and F&B could be more consistent, but has the potential to be very good. The Thai food at Krua Phranang is fantastic.
Last edited by MikeFromTokyo; Apr 8, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Apr 9, 2014, 12:51 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OSL
Posts: 2,145
OK, then something which has never been mentioned here in this forum: Hotel Union Öye, Norway, not far from the beautiful Geirangerfjord.
http://www.unionoye.no
The hotel is not luxury in terms of offering 5 star service, 24h room service etc., but it is definitely a very special place to stay. I was there once for a wedding, where the couple had reserved the complete hotel. Just magic.
http://www.unionoye.no
The 27 rooms, all of which are individually furnished with carefully selected antiques, are named after notables who have stayed here: Kaiser Wilhelm, King Oscar, Queen Maud and Princess Victoria; the authors Karen Blixen, Knut Hamsun and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; the composer Edvard Grieg, playwright Henrik Ibsen and the explorer Roald Amundsen, to mention but a few.
The hotel’s three floors are each living museums. Around noon you can peer into unoccupied rooms, finding much to fascinate you – except of course a telephone or TV.
The hotel’s three floors are each living museums. Around noon you can peer into unoccupied rooms, finding much to fascinate you – except of course a telephone or TV.
Apr 9, 2014, 2:02 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: UA GS>1K>Nothing; DL DM 2MM; AS 75K>Nothing>MVP
Posts: 9,341