if you had begun staying in luxury hotels sooner than you did
Jan 6, 2022, 1:45 pm
#31
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EuropeanPete, did you do chain hotels in mid 90s instead of peninsula, mandarin oriental, aman?
"The Oriental Bangkok under Kurt" - he retired may 31 2009
i did include this, due to posts from Pausanias and obscure2k, and a few other regulars here >
a major part of why i said aman starting in the 90s is the destinations. other than aman, i would have been focused on destinations, and luxury/etc did exist. assuming i was too late at that point for CIGA etc. my mention of aman did not have anything to do with ownership of aman, nor anything to do with other luxury hotel companies.
pstm91, i suspect you could have chosen to spend some on luxury hotels after you were "14 or 15" - looking back, would you have? or was it otherwise enjoyably spent?
i would change [almost all] of my spending. specifically re luxury travel i did: skip most, possibly do more of a few, definitely do every aman. now due to budget i will only do 1 aman (giri)
feltrinelli only opened in 2001 after i believe a quite long renovation by bob burns after he sold regent to four seasons
as i later clarified, my question was only about starting earlier in one's life
i did not spend much time deciding on: "if you had begun" to indicate that
"The Oriental Bangkok under Kurt" - he retired may 31 2009
i did include this, due to posts from Pausanias and obscure2k, and a few other regulars here >
of course certain countries / areas as well, for example some great comments about FS damascus here
perhaps doing luxury photographic african safaris earlier in their development, or buying out luxury hunting safaris then not hunting
i also recall for example Pausanias talking about hotel bora bora (became aman) before area was developed
soneva fushi maldives opening in 1995 might be similar in terms of being before development
caribbean and to a lesser extent hawaii are similar, dont recall development history
perhaps doing luxury photographic african safaris earlier in their development, or buying out luxury hunting safaris then not hunting
i also recall for example Pausanias talking about hotel bora bora (became aman) before area was developed
soneva fushi maldives opening in 1995 might be similar in terms of being before development
caribbean and to a lesser extent hawaii are similar, dont recall development history
pstm91, i suspect you could have chosen to spend some on luxury hotels after you were "14 or 15" - looking back, would you have? or was it otherwise enjoyably spent?
i would change [almost all] of my spending. specifically re luxury travel i did: skip most, possibly do more of a few, definitely do every aman. now due to budget i will only do 1 aman (giri)
feltrinelli only opened in 2001 after i believe a quite long renovation by bob burns after he sold regent to four seasons
as i later clarified, my question was only about starting earlier in one's life
i did not spend much time deciding on: "if you had begun" to indicate that
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jan 14, 2022 at 9:23 pm
Jan 6, 2022, 2:41 pm
#32
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I was in my teens in the mid 90s and so while I was lucky to travel the world with my commercial airline pilot father, it was more Intercontinentals and Marriotts than Amans.
Jan 6, 2022, 2:54 pm
#33
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I was in Phuket in 1987, staying at The Phuket Yacht Club which was, at the time, the best option. It was here that I heard from a member of staff they were building 'a resort for millionaires'. I did a spot of research and discovered Amanpuri. We went the first year it opened and knew, straight away, that this was a game-changer. It was so good that we returned there the following December.
I used to love Ciga Hotels and stayed in all the Venice properties, plus Sardinia etc etc.
I am not surprised that everyone is revelling in nostalia here, as the current crop of hotels/resorts tends to remind me that the golden age of hospitality is probably over.
I used to love Ciga Hotels and stayed in all the Venice properties, plus Sardinia etc etc.
I am not surprised that everyone is revelling in nostalia here, as the current crop of hotels/resorts tends to remind me that the golden age of hospitality is probably over.
Jan 7, 2022, 2:08 am
#35
Join Date: Apr 2017
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pstm91, i suspect you could have chosen to spend some on luxury hotels after you were "14 or 15" - looking back, would you have? or was it otherwise enjoyably spent?
i would change most of my spending. specifically re luxury travel i did: skip most, possibly do more of a few, definitely do every aman. now due to budget i will only do 1 aman (giri)
feltrinelli only opened in 2001 after i believe a quite long renovation by bob burns after he sold regent to four seasons
as i later clarified, my question was only about starting earlier in one's life
i did not spend much time deciding on: "if you had begun" to indicate that
I wouldn't change anything about my past trips though, and I definitely do not think something needs to be luxurious to be memorable. Quite the opposite actually - I've had many memorable trips staying in hostels; probably just as many as luxury stays. I think I got a better sense of the local culture and certainly had more genuine interactions with locals during those hostel stays versus staying in a luxury hotel. Both styles of trips have value and I appreciate them both. As I get older, I have a greater need for privacy and the finer things in life, hence the transition to more higher-end stays.
Jan 7, 2022, 10:04 am
#36
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the regulars here who prefer aman, safaris, and private islands might agree with me re limitations of "luxury hotel" as a term of art
that type of travel, which places an importance on destination, was probably what i had in mind, as i actually think about it more
but i was also remembering many posts here, from many long-time regulars, along these lines >
ciga sold to ITT / starwood in mid 1990s
aman, regent, rosewood, RC sold in 1990s
rosewood managed Lanesborough '92 to '02
hotel-online.com/News/PR2002_2nd/May02_Lanesborough.html
hotelnewsresource.com/article1700.html
st regis '02 to '13 then oetker from '14 (to '24?)
while Lanesborough ownership hasn't changed
that type of travel, which places an importance on destination, was probably what i had in mind, as i actually think about it more
but i was also remembering many posts here, from many long-time regulars, along these lines >
aman, regent, rosewood, RC sold in 1990s
rosewood managed Lanesborough '92 to '02
hotel-online.com/News/PR2002_2nd/May02_Lanesborough.html
hotelnewsresource.com/article1700.html
st regis '02 to '13 then oetker from '14 (to '24?)
while Lanesborough ownership hasn't changed
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jan 14, 2022 at 9:21 pm
Jan 7, 2022, 7:33 pm
#37
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Looking back I wish that I made a greater effort to post reviews and give positive feedback when I found a great hotel team. I have always said thank you, but now I make a concerted effort to share my amazing experiences via Tripadvisor and with friends and colleagues, and the hotel management team, to support their work.
I also wish I had appreciated how transitory and medium term some hotel flags terms are held. The Lanesborough under Rosewood was spectacular but its changed two or three flags since then. Thankfully, its better now than it has been in decades.
My experience has lead me to the hotel being the driving force of where to stay. For me, its the hotel experience and the service which decide where we go.
I also wish I had appreciated how transitory and medium term some hotel flags terms are held. The Lanesborough under Rosewood was spectacular but its changed two or three flags since then. Thankfully, its better now than it has been in decades.
My experience has lead me to the hotel being the driving force of where to stay. For me, its the hotel experience and the service which decide where we go.
Jan 26, 2022, 9:43 am
#38
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Sorry, but I hated CIGA properties and still actively try to avoid any of their former hotels. IME they follow the objectionable policy of refusing to permit check in before their official check in time even when it's obvious that the hotel isn't full and rooms are available and ready. It's obnoxious when one arrives at 2 pm after a long tiring trip and is told to come back at 3 pm, and then of course at 3, there's a very long line. This SOP also leads to concern about luggage (depending on what's in my hand luggage, I don't like to leave it with bell staff) and then long delays in having it delivered to the room. It's silly to pretend that all rooms magically just become clean at the stated check in time.
Jan 26, 2022, 9:59 am
#39
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Was this under CIGA? Really? Having stayed in all of the ex-Ciga properties, I never experienced this once. Cala di Volpe? Under Ciga, this was one of the best resorts in the world, including very personalised service and superb food. Once Starwood took over, it was then that I began to have problems - awful service, bad food, etc. You surprise me.
Apr 5, 2022, 11:01 pm
#40
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Without wanting to take this thread off topic, I wonder what the answers would look like to similar musings in 40 years in terms of answers of places of exceptional beauty and peace which aren't what they used to be (not quite the OP's question, but that seems to be where the conversation went). Maybe a good alternative thread, though not one for this "Luxury" forum where unfortunately I think the amenities and service expected to be categorised as such mean only a tiny part of the world is eligible.
When I think to places that have that special unspoiled beauty even now and some hotels or lodges with truly intimate experiences, I think to the Marquesas, the Tuamotos, Northern Mozamique (once the Islamists chill out), the countryside of Zimbabwe, cabins on the shores of lake Baikal or pre-Bensley tents on Khovsgol, the remaining beauty spots of the Caribbean (e.g. Tobago Cays), maybe Belize, Holbox in Mexico (perhaps this is borderline), Uepi private island in the Solomons...
When I think to places that have that special unspoiled beauty even now and some hotels or lodges with truly intimate experiences, I think to the Marquesas, the Tuamotos, Northern Mozamique (once the Islamists chill out), the countryside of Zimbabwe, cabins on the shores of lake Baikal or pre-Bensley tents on Khovsgol, the remaining beauty spots of the Caribbean (e.g. Tobago Cays), maybe Belize, Holbox in Mexico (perhaps this is borderline), Uepi private island in the Solomons...
Apr 6, 2022, 12:53 pm
#41
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I really enjoyed Capella Ubud, but it was a relatively short stay - the design/style/whole theme thing might grate if you're staying longer. It's one of those 'best taken in small doses' things. If I make it out to Shinta Mani Wild at some point, curious how, if at all, that would flip because you wouldn't really travel all that way for a short stay.
Apr 7, 2022, 3:32 am
#42
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I really enjoyed Capella Ubud, but it was a relatively short stay - the design/style/whole theme thing might grate if you're staying longer. It's one of those 'best taken in small doses' things. If I make it out to Shinta Mani Wild at some point, curious how, if at all, that would flip because you wouldn't really travel all that way for a short stay.
absolutely hated the toilet though.and to stay on topic
: I very much wish I had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Bora Bora back when it was open
Apr 7, 2022, 7:41 am
#43
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current / upcoming , see photos in WSJ links >
two (aman) Hotel Bora Bora bungalows being turned into 1BR rental (in great location?)
wsj.com/story/how-a-nostalgic-bora-bora-inspired-the-islands-most-exclusive-stay-8bd5648b
wsj.com/articles/bora-boras-exclusive-new-hotel-11643979072
coquicoqui.com/borabora
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co...4d-151.7654797
wsj.com/story/how-a-nostalgic-bora-bora-inspired-the-islands-most-exclusive-stay-8bd5648b
wsj.com/articles/bora-boras-exclusive-new-hotel-11643979072
coquicoqui.com/borabora
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co...4d-151.7654797
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Apr 8, 2022 at 8:33 am
Apr 7, 2022, 11:07 am
#44
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Thats a very fair take I spent a night at the Capella late last year and did initially thought of the design to be rather fun, but the novelty sure wore off after just a few hours absolutely hated the toilet though.
and to stay on topic: I very much wish I had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Bora Bora back when it was open
absolutely hated the toilet though.and to stay on topic
: I very much wish I had the opportunity to stay at the Hotel Bora Bora back when it was openThe day bed was very nice though.
On topic - okay here's one - I'd have loved to stay at what are now hotels but before they were even hotels! The Lake Palace, Rambagh, Umaid Bhawan, Falaknuma just from India alone. Would probably have to be cushty with the then Nizams/Kings/Emperors etc though!
And THEN to transport yourself back to more recent times to stay there as a hotel - and compare!
Apr 7, 2022, 1:10 pm
#45
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IIRC aman opened umaid, then presumably owner was not especially interested in Tuttle design, or cost to make it similar to amanbagh. at the time aman no longer had more 'historical' style properties. and not lease like aman venice where investor pays for everything.
2000s (umaid) and 1990s were really not that long ago
i should have said "paying for" luxury hotels rather than "staying in"
thought there might be some replies re luxury hotel nostalgia
umaid and india generally perfect example of not 'regular' hotels
similar with ryokans (with lots of variation) in japan
2000s (umaid) and 1990s were really not that long ago
i should have said "paying for" luxury hotels rather than "staying in"
thought there might be some replies re luxury hotel nostalgia
umaid and india generally perfect example of not 'regular' hotels
similar with ryokans (with lots of variation) in japan
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 28, 2022 at 12:25 pm