Did You Know? GoldenEye Hotel and Resort

What's the connection between Jamaica, Island Records, James Bond, and GoldenEye Hotel and Resort? 

James Bond is famous for his travels to exotic and luxurious locales. That's no surprise, given that the man who dreamed him up worked for British Naval Intelligence during WWII. It was during his service that Fleming was sent to Jamaica to investigate U-Boat activities in the Caribbean. Fleming fell in love with the tropical island and vowed to return as soon as he could. The name of the naval operation he was working on? GoldenEye. Fleming bought property in the village of Oracabessa Bay (which means Golden Head) and built his dream home after the war ended. There was James Bond born out of Fleming's no-doubt brain. 

It took Island Records founder Chris Blackwell to turn Fleming's home into a luxury hotel. Blackwell bought the property in 1976. He has since expanded the property into a 52-acre world-class property. 

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For Sale: St. Barth's Estate, Former Home of a Wild and Crazy Guy

Want to sleep in Steve Martin's bed?  Now you can, as long as you have a lot of cash to throw around.   

St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty has announced Villa Au Soleil as a listing for sale.  Owned by comedian Steve Martin, Villa Au Soleil has garnered many accolades for its ambiance, spectacular pool, lush gardens and 270 degree views.

What will you get if you purchase The Jerk's old digs?

-A secluded Balinese-style gazebo set amidst lush tropical gardens; a true sanctuary with a lily pond.

-A state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen, a poolside barbeque shelter, a traditional dining room and multiple terraced dining areas; foodies and aspiring chefs are inspired to cook in and enjoy.

-A bird’s eye view of St. Barth’s notorious little runway with the small planes taking off and landing.

-Expansive outdoor living spaces that include a spectacular infinity pool, a multi-level sun deck and a patio.

-A private hot tub on the Master Bedroom’s terrace.

If you'd rather rent before plunking down the asking price, that can be arranged as well.  But act quickly, Tom Smyth, Co-owner and Real Estate contact for the US Market, who is handling the sale, reports that the interest from buyers is very high. For questions regarding the sale of Villa Au Soleil, Tom Smyth can be reached by phone at (508)-570-4481 or via email at tom.smyth@sothebysrealty.com. Those interested in renting the villa should contact reservations@stbarth.com.
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Great Golf Offers

We have nearly 4,000 four-and-five star hotels in our collection, and many of those hotels are duffer's paradise.  Here's just a few of the great golfing rates we've seen lately:

View additional rates, details, & more photos of Fairmont Hamilton Princess >>

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Take advantage of the hotel's Best Rate Guaranteed. You'll get an Oceanview Guestroom With 1 King Or 2 Queen Bds. The ocean views are easily accessible via the room's balcony.

View additional rates, details, and more photos of The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island >>

Wynn Las Vegas has the Amex Complimentary Golf Package. Receive the Best Available Room Rate and a complimentary round of golf With Each Consecutive Two Nights Stayates Are. Restricted To American Express Cardmembers. Tee times must be arranged with the preferred golf club desk.
 

View additional rates, details, and more photos of Wynn Las Vegas >>

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Good-Bye Room Service?

No more cheeseburgers in the wee hours of the morning? No more breakfast in bed? That's the terrible future suggested by a recent Crain's New York Business news item picked up by Gawker. According to the Crain's piece, written by Lisa Fickenscher, Gotham's largest hotel, the New York Hilton Midtown, will discontinue room service in August. The hotel cited rising costs and declining popularity for the move.

The Hilton isn't the first hotel in the chain to get rid of room service, the Hilton Hawaiian Village (pictured left)eliminated room service in October 2012.

Guests won't go hungry though, the hotel will open a cafeteria style restaurant called Herb n'Kitchen where guests can grab a meal.

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Sponsored Feature: Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc

It's time to start planning the summer break you deserve. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. welcomes summer by offering up to 25% off at over 60 resorts in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and French Polynesia. Whether you're dreaming of a tranquil mountain retreat, or the beaches of a luxurious oceanfront resort, Starwood has a dynamic portfolio of resorts perfect for a summer getaway.

The award-winning resorts that are offering discounts and packages to help travelers save and unwind this summer include:

• Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina: Take in views of the marina or spend a day with the family at SeaWorld or The San Diego Zoo. Rates up to 40% off, or $129 per night.

• The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood, Florida: From a private beachfront cabana, sit and watch the surf and take in the spectacular views of the blue Atlantic Ocean. Rates up to 30% off, or $149 per night.

 
• The Royal Hawaiian, Oahu, Hawaii: From the comfort of your private beach chaise lounge and umbrella set, enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and world-famous Diamond Head, while soaking up the Hawaiian sun. The “Pink Lady of the Pacific,” is completely renovated and offering rates up to 20% off, or $330 per night.

 
• The Phoenician, Scottsdale, Arizona: Beat the desert heat with a trip to the luxurious spa, or sit poolside with a cold drink in a private cabana. Rates up to 25% off, or $149 per night.

Experience the best of the season when you book by June 16 for travel through September 30, 2013. Click here to view more participating resorts and to book your summer getaway.

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Grosvenor House London Gets a Christie's Sneak Peek

Guests at Grosvenor House London are in for a special treat. Legendary auction house Christie's and the luxury hotel have allied to provide guests with a special exhibition. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor reports:

From Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, guests at Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel, and members of the public can attend a special preview of The Collection of Arthur and Charlotte Vershbow, one of the world’s preeminent books collections, before it goes to auction this fall. The preview will be open daily from 10am – 5pm.

More of Jena Tessa Fox's article on the Grosvenor House London and Christie's Collaboration >>

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Image of the Day: Rixos Premium Belek

Rixos Premium Belek stretches over 405,000 m² of Calabrian Pine and pistachio tree forests with an exclusive kilometer-long sandy beach extending one hundred meters inland.

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Fairmont Hotels Embrace Art

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts have long been known for luxurious accommodations and stellar service.  Now, as our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor reports, the luxury hotel group has undertaken an art initiviative at its U.A.E. properties. 

Writer Jena Tessa Fox writes:

The art@fairmont, which will be rolled out this year across the UAE, will give guests an opportunity to interact with regionally-relevant artists and understand the cultural relevance of art through specially-designed lectures and workshops, local gallery tours and guest experiences.

The initiative comes in the wake of a brand survey that found 55 percent of travelers are interested in engaging with local artists one-to-one during their stay. According to the Farimont survey of travelers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt, culture factors influenced 73 percent of respondents when deciding where to travel next.

Discover more about Fairmont and art in the U.A.E. >>

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Rooftop Bars for Everyone!

There are few summer pleasures that top rooftop dining. The fresh breeze, the blue sky. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, has the scoop on the many rooftop spaces that are part of the Four Seasons collection.

Drinks just taste better outside, don't you agree? Now that rooftop season is officially in swing (yay!), Four Seasons has revealed some of its hottest spots to sip and savor amid the skylines.

The dec Rooftop Bar + Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago (A Four Seasons Hotel) sits 12 stories above Magnificent Mile. Hand-crafted cocktails and small bites rule the menu here, while a color-changing LED waved wall puts the final notes on the outdoor experience.

Four Seasons Hotel Beirut has opened The Roof, Lebanon's highest rooftop lounge at 390 feet above the sea. Guests can enjoy tapas and drinks poolside, with wraparound views of Beirut's downtown skyline, mountains and the Med.

Discover more Four Seasons Rooftop Spots >>

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Savor the Sights of Florence at Hotel Continentale's Rooftop Bar

The only thing better than being in Florence? Being on a rooftop in Florence.  Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, has a peek at Hotel Continentale's rooftop bar, La Terazza. Jena Tessa Fox writes:

Perched on top of a 13th century medieval tower, Florentine architect Michele Bonan reinterpreted the glamour of the 1950s Italian film and fashion scene in his re-design of La Terazza. With the addition of an open fireplace and heated benches the Continentale’s rooftop terrace La Terrazza will be open to welcome guests all year round.

To coincide with the re-launch of La Terrazza, the Continentale has been working with some of Florence’s best mixologists to develop a new drinks menu. Featuring signature Italian cocktails such as the Negroni – a blend of gin, vermouth rosso and Campari – and new interpretations of the Vesper Martini (made famous by fictional spy James Bond), La Terrazza has something for everyone.

More about La Terraza >>

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