Opening in 2016: The Luxury All-Inclusive Pen Resort Hotel Curacao

There is a new luxury hotel development in the works in Curacao, an island in the southern Caribbean Sea, off the Venezuelan coast. Set to open in 2016, the future Pen Resort Hotel will be developed on 23,000 square meters of oceanfront property in a unique beachfront location not far from the capital Willemstad near the four star Avila Beach Hotel.

The Pen Resort Hotel will be a luxury all-inclusive resort:

Pictured is the Avila Beach Hotel >>

Deals and Steals at La Samanna in St. Martin, French West Indies

We at Five Star Alliance know that our travelers are in search of luxurious accommodations at the best prices available, so we go above and beyond to find the best promotional packages and specials to ensure you get the most from your hotel experience. We’re thrilled to introduce our newest blog series where we’ll be featuring luxury hotels that offer you more than just room-only rates. Whether you’re traveling on business or pleasure, we certainly have something for you. Be sure to check in with us often to get the inside scoop on the best deals and packages available at luxury hotels all over the world!

Today’s feature is La Samanna in St. Martin, French West Indies. This stunning boutique resort is located along the exclusive Baie Longue in the Caribbean. La Samanna is consistently ranked among the region’s top 10 retreats, and it features 83 stunning oceanfront guest rooms perfect for a honeymoon, romantic getaway, or a family vacation. Facilities include the Caribbean’s most celebrated wine cellar, phenomenal dining options, an indoor/outdoor spa, and a stunning infinity pool. Still not sold? Then check out a few of the following deals which are certainly too good to pass up!

Suite Dreams

From May 1st – December 21st, this package allows guests to enjoy a luxurious suite at a discounted rate of 25% off the regular rate. This package includes luxurious accommodations in a 1 bedroom suite, daily buffet breakfast, and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that a minimum of five nights stay is required, the offer is applicable to one bedroom suites only, rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offers or packages.

Island Discovery

This package is perfect for folks looking for an adventure and an opportunity to really get to know the island. This package includes a mid-size car rental for four days, one round-trip airport transfer, daily buffet breakfast, and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. The guest will be responsible for gas, tax, insurance and any damages (if any occur). La Samanna must make the car rental booking and provide clients credit card information for incidentals. Car rental rates for the additional days of stay will be given at prevailing rates, and there's a maximum four guests per vehicle.

Family Getaway

Take your family on a once in a lifetime ultimately relaxing escape this summer. This package is available from May 1st – December 21st and it includes accommodations in a luxurious 2 bedroom suite which has a comfortable living room and a full kitchen. Also, enjoy daily buffet breakfast and access to all of the facilities of La Samanna Resort including the state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis courts, business center, and unlimited use of all non-motorized water sports. Please note that rates are exclusive of tax, resort fee and gratuities, subject to availability, and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. This offer is applicable to two bedroom suites only.

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Villa San Michele

We understand that no one aims to come in second place; there is no recognition for mediocrity. We at Five Star Alliance understand better than anyone the importance of offering the most luxurious resorts in the world, so we notice what’s going on in the industry, and it matters to us, because it matters to you. We work hard to offer you the best in the industry, and we’d like to welcome you to our second blog series where we feature the best and most luxurious resorts in the world. But don’t take our word for it. These resorts have been recognized as the best in the business and have made the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012.

The Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012 is the eighth of their annual lists, and the hotels chosen by their team of editors and experts are the best for service, food, location, rooms, leisure facilities, ambiance and design.

The Villa San Michele is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for service. This luxury hotel was a 15th century monastery which was converted into one of Europe’s most charming luxury hotels. Its located only a few minutes from the center of Florence, and it is surrounded by its own gardens and woodlands of the Fiesole hills. The Villa San Michele goes above and beyond to ensure that its guests are comfortable and have everything they need for a lavish and enjoyable stay.

Check rates, availability, photos and more at the Villa San Michele here!

No Man Is an Island, But the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Is

Everyone loves a beach resort, and the shallow waters of the Maldives make it possible to find a truly singular experience. Because the oceans are uniquely calm, resorts like the Waldorf Astoria have built out entire bungalows just above the lapping waves. From your residence, you'll have a truly panoramic view of the surrounding waters. Among a series of already outstanding resorts, the Waldorf Astoria Maldives sets itself apart even from that distinguished crowd. I'd hate to turn this into an apotheosis of the Waldorf, but it's hard not to exalt the virtues of a resort that is its own island. The seclusion of having your own bungalow on a private island is truly unmatched.

When a resort is an island, it is doubly important that it has the luxurious facilities to accommodate your every desire. While fine dining and a top-notch spa are the unmistakable call signs of any luxury resort, the Waldorf Astoria has taken them to another level. Their world-class Modun Spa is organized around the concept of a winding journey towards self-discovery and holistic rejuvenation with the spa facilities laid out along a twisting path that leads you through a natural progression of treatment. Dine on incredibly sumptuous cuisine either at one of the many restaurants and bars or bring that very same experience to the comfort and privacy of your own villa. Children are cared for in the Kids' Club, leaving the adults free to experience the unmatched luxury. If I wanted the experience of the unmistakable Maldivian bungalow, I would be remiss if I didn't seriously consider the Waldorf Astoria Maldives as my destination of choice.

Kids Rock at the Sunset Marquis

The Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas is a private, Mediterranean-style, all-suite luxury hotel located in West Hollywood. It provides guests with luxurious accommodations and an opportunity to escape the craziness of LA and enjoy its five acres of lush gardens, ponds, waterfalls, brick paths, and tropical foliage. Accommodations range from 100 junior and 1 bedroom suites to 52 detached, private villas with private patios. Along with its bar, restaurant, spa, 2 pool areas, and private cabanas, the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas also goes above and beyond for its young travelers. Upon arrival, kids receive a black or pink backpack with a nametag attached. Inside it there’s a ‘Kids Rock’ pink or black t-shirt, crayons, a Sunset Marquis passport for coloring, a Hollywood themed mad lib, and a scavenger hunt on the property. Whether you’re a rock star looking for an escape or a family looking for an adventurous vacation, the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas certainly has something to offer you!

James Royal Palm To Open Fall 2012

When the James Royal Palm introduces itself at cocktail parties, I imagine it sidles up coolly, shaken martini in hand. "Palm, James Palm," it says, and then promptly films a movie set in its own hotel. The James Royal Palm could very well be the set for the most British of secret agents, though he will have to wait until the fall of this year to park his Aston Martin when the hotel opens to much fanfare. Miami beach is the perfect setting for the kind of adventure in high society that Bond inevitably finds himself in although, despite having Royal in the name, there's no casino at the James Royal Palm. You will find everything else there, from two swimming pools with a poolside bar to a full-service spa and gym. The James Royal Palm reimagines the original Royal Palm Hotel, paying tribute by preserving some of the original architecture, including the lobby compass rose and green glass front desk. Lil' James, who is releasing his debut rap album this year (not really), provides great children's amenities for the younger folks in your party. Reservations are currently available starting in the fall at the James' own website, and keep an eye for them on Five Star Alliance soon.

Photo via WSJ/Rottet Studio

Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh Is A Sleek Retreat

Sharm El Sheikh is a name that's synonymous with alliteration. When you put it together with the Four Seasons to make a five-star luxury hotel, it loses some of its linguistic harmony but becomes synonymous with instead with affluence. The Four Seasons resort in Sharm El Sheikh takes the shows the best side of the seaside with breathtaking views of the Red Sea from its sandy shores. An outdoor pool with island bar serves the adults while the children have their very own pool with, presumably, fewer alcoholic drinks floating in the middle of it. Dining is split between two very fine restaurants that serve the flavors of the Mediterranean: Lebanese, Moroccan, and Italian. A spa facility with open massage areas, four tennis courts, and an underwater park complete the trifecta of outdoor amenities.

Indoors, the rooms and suites of the Four Seasons are exactly what you'd expect from one of the core brands of the luxury world. Many rooms have views of the Red Sea and its twelve suites even have private plunge pools. Just an hour from Cairo and only 15 minutes from the international airport, this resort may be a retreat, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to get to. Having a stress-free trip to the hotel is the first step on the journey of relaxation afforded you by a stay at the Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh, and its importance should not be underestimated. This is a resort that comes highly recommended and still manages to live up to those expectations.

Condé Nast Traveler Hot List 2012: Raffles Praslin Seychelles

Conde Nast Traveler, purveyor of fine hotel reviews and travel advice, has just released its 2012 edition of the Hot List, a list of hotels that are setting the hotel world aflame with fresh designs and new concepts, or maybe just a solid new look at classic luxury. 41 reporters embedded themselves anonymously in hotels across the globe to review their targets. What results is a list of 121 hotels around the world that are so on fire they should be put on your watch list, just in case they end up burning down.

There's not a lot that needs to be said about the Raffles Praslin Seychelles. It pretty much speaks for itself. A supreme level of personal service abounds at the 86 villas, all with butlers and private plunge pools. The Seychelles couldn't be much more idyllic, with sandy beaches and azure oceans almost fading into the background you become so used to their astounding beauty. The Raffles Praslin's spa is also not to be scoffed at. 12 treatment pavilions allows your vitalizing treatment to come with a free helping of fresh sea air. Open windows and private deck space are almost a guarantee, even in rooms where you might not expect it. All in all, at the Raffles Praslin is exactly how I would want to spend my summer.

Your Luxury Summer Travel Guide: Incredible Hotel Pools All Over the World

Swimming, fishing, hiking, sun bathing, and kayaking are just a few of the various activities to partake in during the incoming summer months. We’ve combine luxury hotels with exciting activities to give you the ultimate summer luxury travel guide perfect for folks looking for an adventure, a weekend away, or just an opportunity to take advantage of the beautiful weather! Check in with us often for a few ideas on where the summer should take you!

Memorial Day Weekend starts tomorrow, and with that comes the opening and beginning of pool season! Certain luxury hotels have absolutely stunning pools perfect for catching some rays and relaxation, and a few of our favorites include the Setai in Miami Beach, the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Marina Bay Sands Singapore. The Setai is an intimate oceanfront resort in the heart of South Beach, Florida, and it has not 1, not 2, but 3 beautiful pools each set at a different temperature to accommodate the wide range of guests’ needs. The Bellagio in Las Vegas has 5 beautiful pools with massages available along the poolside, a pool bar, and beautiful statues and flowers surrounding the area. The Marina Bay Sands Singapore infinity pool is located in the Sands SkyPark, and it offers simply stunning views of the city that’s absolutely unparalleled. Be sure to check out these incredible pool options for a phenomenal and relaxing holiday!

Need more? Check out our top luxury hotel pool album on Facebook and board on Pinterest for even more ideas on where to make a splash next!

Image of the Setai

Alila Villas Uluwatu Receives the China Gold Tourism Award

A big congratulations goes out to the Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia for receiving the ‘Most Popular Overseas Hotel’ in the 7th annual China Tourism 2012 Gold List Awards. This luxury hotel is situated on an elevated plateau that meets with limestone cliffs that sweep down to the ocean. It is the perfect place to re-discover the joy of pure relaxation in a spacious and comfortable environment with a personal butler to assist you with whatever it is you may need. Indulge all of your senses in the traditional fine dining restaurants, the clifftop pool and bar, or in the spa. Frederic Simon, CEO of Alila Hotels and Resorts says, "we are honoured to be recognized for our distinction in the hospitality industry for the first designed & built EarthCheck certified luxury resort in Bali. It is the ultimate achievement to be awarded such an accolade, especially as it is voted by our guests and travel partners." We certainly agree and feel that the Alila Villas Uluwatu deserves to be added to every luxury traveler’s bucket list!