Kagehitokiri

perhaps a thread for properties that are independent rather than under a brand and or management company ?

there has certainly always been a substantial amount of discussion of such properties here, but a dedicated thread may encourage more, when not limited to specific destinations, nor limited to certain types of properties.

one use of thread could be posting brief comments recommending for/against properties after visits.

the idea would be to avoid any properties (except in terms of comparing an independent property to such properties) under a brand and or management companies

said it better than i could >

KatW

Skeptical of the non-profit status of R&C and SLH. Agnostic on the utility of such a thread.

Kagehitokiri

(without a general thread) can be kind of difficult to have general discussion that includes any location, cities and outside cities, beaches and not beaches, ultra high end (most expensive) and relatively inexpensive.

when one is not posting a trip report thread, can be less easy to post comments, especially brief. relatively few properties, out of all luxury hotels in the world, have their 'own' thread here. Relais & Chateaux discussion here is mostly in numerous europe threads, but it is not limited to europe.

some topics/areas such as africa have threads along the lines of 'most luxurious' but that does not cover everything. every location cannot have a property which is among very top. and top is small portion of good.

can always use more discussion of independent properties besides 'usual suspect' brands everyone knows.

Relais & Chateaux properties have extremely dramatic variation in type of property and quality.

KatW

Yikes. Agnostic = wait and see.

obscure2k

Would this family-owned consortium meet the criteria?
The Oetker Collection is managed by the Oetker family.

The Oetker Collection includes eight hotels:

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Cap d'Antibes
Le Château Saint Martin & Spa, Vence
Hôtel Le Bristol Paris, Paris
Brenners Park Hotel & Spa, Baden Baden
Palais Namaskar, Marrakesh
L'Apogée Courchevel, Courchevel
Fregate Island Private, Secychelles
Eden Rock St Barths, Saint Barthélemy

Kagehitokiri

4 owned by oetker family >
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Le Château Saint Martin & Spa
Hôtel Le Bristol Paris
Brenners Park Hotel & Spa

in 2012 they began to manage others, now 5
Namaskar was dropped somewhat recently
just noticed Lanesborough owned by abu dhabi

scented

Excellent thread, Kage!

I just dined at Palais Coburg's 2 starred Silvio Nickol restaurant and had a good look at the property. Quite nice, although the public areas are, in one word, frightful and the lobby reminiscent of an upscale airline lounge. Who on earth came up with that idea to blend the 19th century palais with that much glass? The restaurant interiors are, well... eclectic. Food and service were solid, although with a few mishaps. That would be another post I guess if someone is going there soon.

Palais Coburg could be an option if one can avoid public areas. With just 34 keys however I would change the service 'sur mesure' and avoid a dedicated Concierge desk and just try to meet the guests and take it from there. Looks out of place in current configuration.

Kagehitokiri

already a brief report!
cant recall if uggboy posted many photos of public areas last month
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...l#post28031183
seems to have some guest-only areas, which are always nice
(some here like club lounges, like RC, to have guest-only area)

scented

Correct -- in fact you need a key to reach their fine dining restaurant.

ridefar

Safari properties included or excluded?

How about properties like Awasi? (3 properties; well 2 and one opening soon.)

Lapostelle? Fogo Island Inn?

QPRfan

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Kagehitokiri

definitely any and all types of properties included

3 awasi are same owner, iguazu did get financed

Larkin

I think this is a great idea. So many of us are traveling in very different places and would like the luxury forum recommendations even if no true luxury property exists. For example I am right now at Nick's Cove in Northern California - about 2 hours from my home in San Francisco for the weekend. We love this place as a weekend getaway on Tomales Bay. But not an Aman, Four Seasons, or true luxury. But definitely great for this area! Currently watching a glorious sunset in the making and listening to the waves lapping under the deck of our private cottage on the bay! Sipping wine and enjoying oysters! A different kind of luxury!

chinmoylad

Peninsula have 10 but I don't think they'd be fit for this thread.

Good idea for the thread though - keen to see some of the interesting places from Africa and South America in particular.

QPRfan

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