I tend to not choose (on a general basis) to support countries that do not have open and free attitudes towards woman and "gay people." I understand your point regarding "If straight people can kiss in public, I feel it is our human right as gay people do so, as well," but my litmus test is how such groups (residents) are treated in the aforementioned countries. If a "gay person" cannot be part of government (for example) or openly and freely "gay" within that society (same goes, for woman and Jews), I tend not to support that country with my tourist dollars.

Yes, this is a generalized statement, but something that I believe in. One of the many reasons, I refuse (on a general basis, not saying it would absolutely never happen) to fly on Emirates, or Qatar or Saudia etc. And, yes, those choices often "suck" since KLM is no match for Emirates.

As an aside, I love Egypt; but it's been a very long time for me (1990s). I'm planning on returning soon, just haven't gotten around to it. But, it is highly unlikely I'll ever visit any of the emirate states. Other Muslim countries, perhaps, but not on the top of my list.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/luxur...re-london.html >
for 26 rooms could be worse? especially if good occupancy.

Kiefer Sutherland recently got "carried away" at / from chiltern firehouse, being semi-carried to car and then into Firmdale's Covent Garden Hotel, where he was staying (couldnt get room at Chiltern?) on jun 26 > http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...Firehouse.html

he was also at Chiltern a month prior, on may 31 > http://www.justjared.com/2014/06/01/...ern-firehouse/

i wonder if he stayed at Firmdale's Covent Garden Hotel while filming latest season/series of 24 in london

upcoming RC - reserve ubud (60 villas) and langkawi (90 rooms and 42 villas)

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/marr...accommodation/
54 pool villas, 2 pool spa suites, 7 plunge pool suites
spa has indoor pool in addition to outdoor heated pool
(MO bodrum is same, with indoor spa pool in addition to main pool)

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http://www.fourseasons.com/goldentri...perer_package/
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http://www.andrewharper.com/hotels/t...insula-chicago
harper mentions this as benefit for peninsula chicago >
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speaking of dress codes, i just noticed this in london

savoy >

as of nov 2013 ritz might be less strict than savoy >

http://www.theritzlondon.com/Dinner-Restaurant.html

compared to >

http://www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/savoygrill/

Raymond Bickson, CEO and MD of Taj, quits and returns to the US. Watch this space....

Watching!

Any speculation as to why?

Still trying to find out. Could be one of several things - didn't get on with the new head of Taj, Mistry, or maybe due to ongoing health problem, or just sick of Indian politics!

Stafford London and Kempinski end management agreement

http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...-management-ag

The Merrion Dublin Has a New Penthouse

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/20..._New_Penthouse

http://articles.economictimes.indiat...aymond-bickson
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auberge has gotten another FS exec - Randolph Weisz
left FS in 2009 after they bungled his contract/firing

I am interested in identifying very high-end, not golf-focused resorts in Canada and the U.S. Similar to Twin Farms, The Point and Blackberry Farms. Don't have to be all inclusive. For travel planning. Thanks!

extremely few (if any) unfortunately.

there are actually some threads on this kind of thing. (pointing out they exist, not telling you to search.)

why US/CA? nowhere else at the moment? (in terms of specific recommendations.)

Yes, well, all my inquiries seem to be met with the notion that threads exist already and my request is redundant. Yes, I have looked and there is some discussion of Twin Farms and The Point, very little on Blackberry and not much else. I was hoping to gather together in one place resorts of that ilk.

U.S. and Canada because my husband is not a graceful traveler and neither of us have any interest in Asia. If there's anything great in the Burgundy region of France, that would appeal. We will be there next summer.

We enjoyed Twin Farms immensely, have The Point on our radar and someday will do Blackberry. We also loved the Lodge at Koele (although it's a much larger establishment).

In Montana, there is Triple Creek Ranch and the Ranch at Paws Up, both which are Virtuoso properties.

In BC, there is Clayoquot and Sonora and while not quite a resort there is a small hotel called the Wickaninish Inn in Tofino which is right on the beach facing the Pacific. Nice for a long weekend getaway especially in the Fall as the Fall storms roll through....

Of course, there is Whistler which does have golf but is not golf-centric -- lots of outdoors activities to do from hiking, cycling, zip-lining, etc and great food options. The Sunday Farmers Market from mid-June to mid-October is great.

Then there is Amangani and Amangiri. Perhaps Wheatleigh and Blantyre as well as Winvian, plus all the seaside inns (Chanler, etc) in New England may work as well.

Inn at Palmetto Bluff, or Montage Laguna Beach -- I may have gone off track a bit but thought this may help. Whether these are resorts is likely another thread. Whether these belong in the Luxury Hotels forum is another thread altogether. Hope this helps

I live here in Burgundy and am happy to help. But here it's more about high end dining than hotel properties. You can spend a lot more on a meal than a room. But staying in a castle can be fun for a night or two. We recently did a stay/dinner package at Ch�teau de Gilly which was rather nice. I paid a few extra euro for a suite. It's the opposite of modern of course, but still comfortable and quite interesting. http://www.grandesetapes.com/en/cast...gilly-burgundy

You can look at the R&C property list. We did Bernard Loiseau in Saulieu and had an amazing dinner, but stayed in a nice, but ordinary room relative to most of the hotels in this forum.

Probably the best restaurant here is http://www.lameloise.fr/ and they also have a hotel onsite. I've not stayed there, but the dining is world class.