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High tea at the Burj Al Arab on glitzy Dubai's Jumeirah beach strip, is on every tourist to-do list. With celebrities like Naomi Campbell and Andre Agassi famous for frequenting the 7 star venue, it's little wonder, "When I think of luxury I think of this hotel." Says Claudia Schiffer of the city's iconic hotel.
Inside the dhow shaped building is so exclusive most local residents have never seen the interior, preferring to save such sight for a special occasion. A reservation is required to enter, or a price for the pleasure of foyer perusal. If residents have had the pleasure of dining they were probably wanting to show off Dubai's high life to visiting friends, themselves tourists at the time.
Three restaurants offer high tea, the most popular being Sahn Eddar. This is a first class lounge directly under the world's tallest atrium. Upon arrival, a smiling waiter addresses you as Sir or Ma'am and offers a refreshing glass of Moet or sparkling apple and peach. You will be seated by glass walls with panoramic views of sparkling aqua coastline and find yourself listening to a string quartet serenading diners to classical versions of pop music.
The arrival of absolute decadent afternoon tea begins with crustless cucumber finger sandwiches, pineapple and prawn h'ourderves, a beef carvery serving, followed by light sorbet, then tea selection, English style scones, whipped cream and a divine jam assortment. Yes, you read beef and sorbet mid way there - a good sign when one is required to de-sensitise one's palette, darling!
Not long into the many courses of tea and sandwiches, you will find yourself thanking the existence of the 7th Duchess of Bedford who accidently invented afternoon tea back in the 1840's. She would secretly binge on small meals to bridge the gap til dinner. When the world found out they embraced such a radical idea, and today we have the Burj al Arab to remind us of what a pleasure tea and scones really is.
Your extravagant treats continue with a mixed berry basket, French pastries, chocolates and petit fours and then more tea. A tip from me is to arrive with very empty belly and make no dinner plans, you will be too stuffed!
Whilst in the vicinity a must is to explore the interior of such an iconic building. Whereas a night's stay at the hotel will set you back a fortune, many people opt for high tea just to have a look around. The Burj Al Arab's reputation for tacky glamour precedes the hotel interior; its vibe is definitely elegance-meets-cinema-foyer. But after sussing out the entire building I have decided too much gold and Vegas casino reminiscent foyers are all part of the fun and it just wouldn't be a landmark for Dubai with any other design.
Viewing Time: If you want a sneak peek around go to a 3pm sitting of tea because between 5-6pm there is ‘viewing' time on certain levels and restaurants; Sky View for an amazing aerial over Dubai's shoreline, Swarovski Bar to see spectacular crystal elegance and the famous Fish Restaurant where diners are seated next to a fish tank wall which feels like the bottom of the ocean. Definitely worth a look in!
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Chi Spa, at Shangri La hotel in Dubai, UAE, boasts a specialty Balinese massage so authentic your therapist is likely to be direct from Bali, Indonesia.
Located amidst the hustle and bustle of Sheik Zayed Road, the Balinese treatment is only one of the 90 minute massages listed on a luxurious menu of body massages and facials.
Chi Spa prides itself on drawing inspiration from ancient Asia's healing philosophies. Therapists work with Chi energy to encapsulate an authentic approach through movement, stretching, and hydrotherapy. Sound therapy is encompassed into the relaxation technique, which is something worth expecting, as the sound of a gong circling your half naked body - although beneficial with vibrating energies, may also result in a fit of the giggles, as it did with me!
I'd had an active day, so a few hours of pampering the mind and body Balinese style was not a bad idea. I easily relaxed; let my muscles and joints be manipulated by the gentle hands of a trained therapist. Delicious essential oils worked into my body's ligaments with wonderful ritualistic steps. Music enveloped a sensation of soothing and helped transport my mind to a tropical beach in Bali.
Staff were gracious and encouraged me to take extra time before the treatment by indulging in the spa's three temperature pools, steam room, sauna and sipping from an abundance of healthy ginger tea, great for the digestive.
All facilities are available to help return to ‘the real world.' Shower, dressing gown, luxe moisturizers, shampoo and conditioners, hair dryer and comb are at the disposal of every client. I emerged completely relaxed with energy centers re-balanced and a healthier feeling from the inside.
Valet parking is available.
Alma del Pacifico, on one of Costa Rica's most beautiful stretches of beach, exudes an auto of luxury and privacy in a completely relaxed setting without pretension. The small boutique property of 20 suites reflects Costa Rica’s colorful culture, with spacious villas in a post-modern Californian style and lush tropical gardens right on an incredible stretch of oceanfront. The hotel has created a spot that works for both families and couples on a romantic getaway, with a rejuvenating spa and above-average restaurant. When the sun starts to sink, go for a stroll along the wide glassy sands, order a mojito from the bar and watch the spectacular sunset.
Each of the 20 guest villas is uniquely designed, in the distinctive bold style of architect and former owner Sherrill Broudy: a dynamic open-plan space, flooded with light, with slabs of rich colour. A high curving wooden ceiling echoes the sea and creates a soothing airy feeling, as does the private, walled terrace of each room. The walls are adorned in Sherrill's wife Charlene’s unique paintings and rugs in saturated colours, reflecting her love of the natural tropical world. The effect is warm and welcoming and very individual: the antithesis of bland hotel rooms!
There are 5 grades of villa, starting with Garden Bungalow, which although lovely, don't have sea views. We'd definitely recommend splashing out on one of the beachfront options for that instant uplifting feeling in the morning, and lounging on your private terrace in the late afternoon. Of these, Beachfront Bungalows are the smallest, though these are already huge and include 28 feet of beachfront. Beachfront Villas are even larger and the Deluxe Beachfront Villas feature a private plunge pool on their terraces.
As well as the comfortable kingsize beds (or 2 doubles) each room has a long generous couch that is also a daybed, a desk space and books and magazines to peruse. Lighting is excellent and candles are provided, too - both for atmosphere, and in case of power cuts! All rooms are superbly equipped with all kinds of thoughtful details, from fresh fruit and flowers when you arrive to complimentary snacks, coffee and soft drinks in the minibar.
Bathrooms are particularly generous (most with 2 sinks); we loved the wonderful wide curved shower area in Sherrill Broudy’s signature style, with hand-mosaiced tiles and views to a private garden. There’s air-conditioning as well as fans and blinds, bathrobes, hairdryers, umbrellas, torches for walking around the gardens at night, iPod docking stations, good wardrobe space, and a safe big enough for a laptop.
Best of all? Your view of the ocean from your private patio - a good outdoor space, with perfect views onto the surf. Here there are 2 recliners and a table, outside lights and a blind to shut out early morning light should you require it.
New to Alma del Pacifico are three larger vacation rental options, located one-and-a-half miles from the main property and perfect for families or large groups. Casa Mono Loco and Casa Mirador are both set on the ridge line with breathtaking ocean and rainforest views; they each have three bedrooms and three baths, gourmet kitchen and private infinity pools. There are also several three bedroom luxury condos, with two master suites, expansive verandahs, exotic teak floors and gourmet kitchens. Guests of the vacation rentals have full access to all hotel facilities; a car is highly recommended, or guests would feel quite stranded.
The open-air, thatched roof Pavilion Restaurant offers great views of the ocean surf crashing to shore. Generous space between tables ensures that each group feels private, and there are sweet flower arrangements throughout. A continental breakfast is included in the tariff, including freshly squeezed juice, coffee or tea, a platter of seasonal fruit, and choice of breakfast breads with butter and preserves. Other menu options (at an extra charge) include omelets, pancakes, a nice selection of a la carte items, and a Tico-style local breakfast with gallo pinto, fried plantains and tortillas. The Lunch and Dinner menus offer international and Costa Rican cuisine, with an emphasis on local and healthy ingredients that makes use of sustainable seafood and produce. Many of the fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown in the colourful gardens on-site. There’s a good selection of sandwiches, salads, pizza and pasta, hot dishes and cold options - the salads are particularly recommended. Snacks (bocas) can be eaten all day: the guacamole is excellent.
Alma del Pacifico offers the perfect setting to be as active as you want, or simply relax and do nothing. Options for activities include:
Details:
Alma del Pacifico
Playa Esterillos Este, Parrita, Puntarenas
Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica
888-960-ALMA / (506) 2778-7070
Boquete, Panama has become one of those "it" places that expats have been flocking to relocate to in recent decades. Fortunately, it is still under the radar of places such as Costa Rica and Cuenca, Ecuador; and still retains an authenticity, a low-key vibe, that keep it from simply being gringo-land in Central America. The cool mountain climate, stunning views, great hiking and coffee farming draw short-term tourists, retiring Central Americans and Western expats alike.
Two of these expats are Jane Walker and Barry Robbins from Vancouver, Canada. The couple left their home and stressful lifestyles in high-tech nearly twenty years ago, heading south to Central America yet unsure of where they would finally settle. "As we drove out of the parking lot, I just let go," Jane recalls of their exodus from North America. "The life we were leading was being left behind. I didn't know where we were going, but I knew it would be different."
After a year and a half of exploring the region, they settled in Boquete in 1996 and found six acres of land that was a defunct coffee and orange farm. There, they built La Montaña y el Valle - The Coffee Estate Inn, the first luxury inn in the Boquete area, in a mere 10 months.
The Coffee Estate Inn is exquisite and magical; you can look at the photos and videos online, but they don't prepare you for the riot of flowers and colors and scents that envelop you the second you drive through the gate. Jane and Barry have been avid gardeners all their life, using it as an escape from stresses of the job back in Canada. "We would garden just about as frantically as we worked," Barry says. "So instead of taking the enjoyment and that soul-fulfilling thing of working in the soil, it was just covering up an absence in the rest of our lives." But for the past 18 years, the couple has found their calling and turned their passion for gardening into a labor of love, creating the stunning oasis that is their inn.
"There's no 'growing season' here," Jane says. "You pick up a plant and stick it in the ground, and it simply grows. It's truly a gardener's paradise. It's right for us, right here." Luckily for the rest of us, we have the opportunity to live that paradise if only for a short while. Three very private, luxurious bungalows are the only rooms at the inn, and the couple has thought of every small detail to make the stay wonderful and memorable - right down to heated floors in the bathrooms for those chilly mountain mornings.
There are many very good reasons why VISIONTV out of Canada picked the inn for its "Recreating Eden" television series. The episode featuring Jane, Barry and their Coffee Estate Inn has been syndicated and shown on the Knowledge Network in Canada since January 2008.
The Coffee Estate Inn sits high up on a hill a few kilometers above the town of Boquete, so it is both secluded and peaceful as well as a quick, convenient drive into town as well as local hiking trails and other day trips. Jane and Barry provide loads of detailed information, both during the arrival orientation as well as in the information book left in each guest room; and they always make themselves available to answer questions or provide guests with area information. You can also take a coffee tour of the farm with Barry, who explains the process of coffee farming and roasting, along with interesting tidbits about the gardens in general and life in Panama. The tour is included in stays of three or more nights.
The Coffee Estate Inn remains a small and exclusive hotel by choice. The bright and airy bungalows face the volcano and have spectacular views. All are surrounded and separated by gardens and forest. Each bungalow has a large covered terrace, spacious living room and dining area, kitchenette, separate bedroom with ensuite bathroom, flat screen television with satellite TV and DVD, security safe and free high speed wireless Internet. Windows are screened. Each bungalow also has a fully stocked kitchenette with toaster oven, microwave, mini-fridge and of course - a personal supply of the estate's personally roasted coffee beans, never more than three days out of the roaster.
"Coffee is one of those things that just gets in your blood," says Barry. "This is the place we want to be. This is home."
Rates are $180 per night, per couple using the special internet rate; private breakfast left in the room for each morning is included.
Ecuador has a lot of history, culture, traditions and arts - and with a stay at Morenica del Rosario in one of the country's most charming cities, Cuenca, your accommodations encompass all of that.
Morenica is almost as much a heritage museum as it is a hotel. Sprinkled throughout its four floors are artifacts, handicrafts, antiques and other pieces from Ecuador's cultural timeline. Part of the pleasure of arriving into the hotel is wandering through the place taking it all in; even the stairway is filled with treasures.
This also creates some wonderful common-area spaces in which to relax, work, or socialize. In addition to the K'ipa cafe/bar on the ground level, the second floor has a beautiful, large sitting area. Around the corner is a hidden stairwell to a hideaway nook just beckoning to guests.
Another impressive thing about Morenica del Rosario is the view from the upper floor windows and rooftop terrace; its location right by the Iglesia Santo Domingo allows for stunning views of the cathedral's twin domes from on high - even more dramatic at night, when the church is lit up.
The location can't be beat; Morenica is in the midst of all that is happening in Cuenca, just steps from the main Nueva Cathedral and central plaza, along with top restaurants and shops. Guest rooms are luxurious and comfortable, each with its own unique decor. Amenities include:
Rates include breakfast, which is a fairly extensive buffet including fresh fruits and amazing fresh-squeezed juices, hot/savory items and a meat and cheese plate. Every morning there seemed to be a different local specialty also on hand.
DETAILS:
Rates $59-96, including breakfast and tax
Address: Gran Colombia 10-65 entre General Torres y Padre Aguirre
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: (593) 7 2828669