New to Five Star Alliance: Paradisus Playa del Carmen Carmen La Perla

Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla is a hotel for adults only, and one of the most luxurious hotels in Riviera Maya. The hotel combines a prestigious Caribbean setting with world-class facilities, including Royal Service, the ultimate in spa treatments, a relaxed ambience, and flexible meeting spaces with state-of-the-art equipment.

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New to Five Star Alliance: The Alexandra Resort Turks and Caicos

The Alexandra Turks and Caicos is the newest addition to the Five Star Alliance. The luxury resort is located directly on Grace Bay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

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Focus on Cuzco

Cuzco, Peru is the historic land of the Inca Empire. Known for its location near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range, Cuzco is the top spot from which to explore Machu Picchu. Here's a few of the views in and around Cuzco that  we like. 

Hotel Rio Sagrado (left) is set on the banks of the rushing Urubamba River, and is built from natural materials to resemble an authentic Andean village. Situated at a lower altitude than nearby Cuzco, Hotel Rio Sagrado in Urubamba provides the perfect environment in which to relax and acclimatise, and an ideal base to explore the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa (right)   features 128 elegantly designed rooms and suites with mesmerizing views of the Andes and the Vilcanota river. The hotel specializes in exclusive adventure tourism experiences and innovative dining, all in the historical and cultural surroundings of the Incas. 

Hotel Monasterio del Cusco (right) was built as a monastery in 1592, Hotel Monasterio retains the charm and ambience that has existed for centuries whilst boasting a reputation as one of the world's finest hotels. Located high in the Andes, more than 3000 metres above sea level, the hotel is close to Cuzco's historic town square. 

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (left) offers creative fusion cuisine with the lush views of the Urubamba River and the surrounding mountains Guests can dine in the glass-walled restaurant, or head to the terraces for outdoor dining. Close to the Machu Picchu, Inkaterra exists on 12 serene acres of natural paradise.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge by Orient-Express is the only hotel located adjacent to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. It is 112 km from the city of Cuzco (a 3½ hour train journey), 2,350 meters above sea level. Offering luxury accommodation, and simply composed Peruvian cuisine with delightful little touches, Machu Picchu Sanctuary lodge is the place to relax and unwind in the shadow of the Lost City.

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Focus on Matakauri Lodge

Matakauri Lodge offers eleven luxurious suites and villas, each with private terraces looking out to a dramatic Queenstown lakeside, with mountain views.  

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Red Carnation Acquires the Historic Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle will be soon be seeing red.  Our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, has reported that Red Carnation Hotels has taken over the historic property. Ashford Castle is the former estate of the Guinness family. It dates back to 1228 and is set on the shores of Lough Corrib, Ireland's second largest lake, in the picturesque village of Cong. Jena Tessa Fox reports that:

Red Carnation Hotels' Managing Director Jonathan Raggett said that the team was looking forward to working with Ashford's General Manager Niall Rochford and to growing the workforce with local talent. "We will be working with local suppliers and partners on a refurbishment program that will restore this illustrious hotel to its former glory, and build on the fine reputation that the hotel already enjoys," Raggett said.

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New to Five Star Alliance: Hotel St Barth Isle de France

Hotel St Barth Isle de France is located on one of the loveliest beaches of St Barthélemy, Flamands Beach, just 5 minutes by car from the airport and the main town Gustavia.

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New to Five Star Alliance: Travaasa Austin

Travaasa Austin thinks of itself as Texas's most active destination resort and spa. The luxury resort takes pride in offering its guests a compelling menu of inclusive guided adventures, culinary classes, cultural encounters, healing spa treatments, and fitness and wellness workshops, all located in a Zen-like preserve for the soul.

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Burj Al Arab Goes for the Gold iPad

Think a gold credit card is impressive? Not anymore. Burj Al Arab, the super-luxury hotel in Dubai, has introduced the latest status symbol for luxury travelers: The gold iPad.

Guest at Burj Al Arab often arrive one of the world’s largest chauffeur-driven fleets of Rolls Royce’s or by a dedicated helicopter transfer service. After check-in, the 24-karat iPad, which is worth approximately $10,000, is yours to play the world's most expensive game of Angry Birds on. Or, guests can use the virtual concierge program that comes loaded on the gadget to take advantage of the hotel's many bespoke services. The hotel introduced a similar amenity back in October 2012, with a 24-carat rose gold iPad that was designed as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness month program. 

Sadly, the iPad, much like a room key, has to be returned to the front desk upon check-out. Although you can purchase your own in the hotel's boutique, along with a gold iPad minii and a gold iPhone5.

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Movie Star Suites at Leading Hotels

Nobody can make you a star, but you can check in to a hotel that will make you feel like you are one. Our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor, has the rundown on sleeping in star spots. Here's an excerpt:

Did you miss out on Cannes this year? We hear The Leading Hotels of the World is offering travelers a chance to live the celeb life at some movie-star themed suites around the world. Here are the top picks:

An ardent fan of the town of Portofino, actress Ava Gardner often chose to spend her holidays there. In 1952, she stayed at Hotel Splendido, during the filming of The Barefoot Contessa, co-starring Humphrey Bogart and Edmond O’Brien. In homage to Ms. Gardner, sister hotel Splendido Mare dedicated a suite to her. Stretching across the entire top floor of the hotel, the Ava Gardner Suite offers a magnificent terrace with incomparable views of the harbor, promontory and Castello Brown, which are also fully visible from the bed and the sitting room. The 603-square-foot terrace is adorned with a huge, potted lemon tree and flowering Mediterranean plants. The expansive bedroom is incredibly well lit thanks to two generous windows that highlight the soft pastel tones of the walls, fabrics and furniture. A large door connects to the sun-filled sitting room, which boasts an almost wall-to-wall window. When open, this joins the sitting room and terrace, creating one magnificent space— half indoors and half outdoors. No doubt Ms. Gardner would feel blissfully at home here!

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New to Five Star Alliance: The Dunloe

The Dunloe is a beautiful luxury hotel, overlooking the famous Gap of Dunloe, set on its own 64 acre estate leading to the ruins of the 12th century castle and River Laune.

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