Kagehitokiri

did you meet GM? if still JP Alfonso, ex amangiri, some good comments here

btw re saxon, owner opened his game reserve (and mandela residence) to public

mumum17

Yes, did meet JP. on several occasions
The hard product is one of the best I have experienced and the soft product ranked as one of the best as well. It was my favorite vacation thus far this year (and that says alot as we loved Mukul, St Regis Bahia in PR) and definitely a couple of levels above Amanyara (least favorite out of the group). JP met us on arrival (we took advantage of their private plane, as they have their own airstrip), during our stay, and on departure.

I don't usually write reviews (leave it to the experts ), but here is my short assessment:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post28587689

FlyerEC

Aug / Sep :


Wales

LON
Connaught
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat ' Saisons , OX , England
Halkin

Forgot potentially :
Oct

Chiangmai


Penang ?
E & O

KL ?
MOKL

Beijing ?


Nov / Dec :


Returning to RC Kyoto & Nemu

Jan / Feb

Galla / Wella
Tea Trails

March
Polynesia M . S . Marina
Papeete
Intercontinental pre & post cruise , no luxury hotel here ??

The Brando ?

NZ Pre & post cruise

Auckland , etcetera
Deciding / working on itinerary

bhrubin

I warn you now about the InterContinental Tahiti property. We'd never return. We had a horrible 1 night transit stay on arrival (before heading to the StR BB). The reason everyone picks it is due to it being closer than the LM Tahiti to the airport. We'd stay at the LM next time. There is no luxury hotel in Tahiti...so you're stuck. Unless you care to take the ferry (or or super quick flight) over to Moorea, perhaps, but not particularly convenient.

My TripAdvisor review:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...y_Islands.html

There seem to be plenty of positive reviews...from people who don't get out much, it seems. Rooms poorly maintained, power outages are common, and the air con doesn't work well even with power. Management was non-existent for our stay, and was a disgrace even in response to our stay.

Consider yourself warned!

KatW

Sunday we fly to Cabo for a week at Las Ventanas al Paraiso. Been looking forward to this respite. Its luxe accolades are sung uniformly so I am tres interested to learn if it is all it's cracked up to be. We're in an oceanview one-bedroom villa with private pool, plus we have booked a beach cabana for most days. Arranged through the Ourisman group which also booked transfers and an afternoon shopping trip.

In September we are leaf peeping in the Eastern Townships of Quebec at Manoir Hovey.

callmedtop

Very much looking forward to your review of Las Ventanas! We were this close to booking it for our mini-moon (a term I hate).

FlyerEC

My goodness
AC. , hmm ..

Thanks once again , bhrubin

Will switch & let my cruisemates know too

Was it around in ' 71 ?
May have stayed then .. I recall staying at one where the balconies were not secure & made moving from room to room easier , unless one fell to the gardens below , short drop

bhrubin

We stayed in a suite there many Thanksgivings ago and really enjoyed our stay. Our biggest issues were F/B being occasionally not up to par and outrageously pricey...and the hotel allowing guests to reserve seats by the pool. Your cabana should eliminate the saved seats issue entirely. And I'd like to think the F/B issues were temporary.

My hubby says their spa is one of the most amazing he's ever seen. Up there with Amanjiwo and Montage Laguna Beach.

We've always had in mind to return and stay in the one bedroom villa with private pool, so we envy your stay--and absolutely look forward to hearing how your stay goes. Hope it's fabulous!

(We also enjoyed dinners at Esperanza and especially One&Only Palmilla. My husband also enjoyed his dinners on another trip at the Pedregal Resort. If you decide to get off-property...)

KatW

The spa at Esperanza is the best of any I've experienced. Utterly superb.

Our 2015 Pedregal visit, in retrospect, was semi disappointing. Breakfast was grand; dinner fine but not great.

bhrubin

Next weekend:

The Nines, Portland
The Allison Inn & Spa,Willamette Valley (total solar eclipse viewing!)

KatW

Will do.

HKTraveler

Sep
- Intercon Osaka

Oct
- Silk Road but nothing luxurious

Nov
- Intercon Osaka
- Sumihei Ryokan
- Hoshinoya Kyoto

2018
Dec
- Shangrila Sydney
- Arajilla Retreat, Lord Howe Island

Feb
- Hotel del Parque, Guayaquil
- MV Origin, Galapagos
- Explora Valle Sagrado
- Belmond Miraflores Park

May
- Shiki Shima Train? Submitted application but who knows if I will get a spot

luxtrvlwrks

Were you in a non-renovated room?

In August 2016 we stayed one night on arrival, and used a room for the day upon departure. I had reserved a renovated room both times and didn't have any issues with maintenance, odors, or power. The service was not great, but it's not a five star hotel - and frankly FP isn't know for service.

chinmoylad

September - Phuket. Staying at Villa Layan by The Hideaways Club: http://www.thehideawaysclub.com/prop...ic/villa-layan

Kagehitokiri

wonder if they might add 'brando suite' to IC tahiti/moorea

nice, good luck

another train: Deluxe Suite A is rear car with window
cruisetrain-sevenstars.com/guest-suite/deluxe-suites/
(can combine with tenkunomori.net - 3 / 5 villas)

interesting belmond has colca canyon property again