12 Days of Hotels: The 3 Best Spa Resorts

Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, Five Star Alliance is having its own countdown featuring 12 Days of Hotels! We unfortunately don’t have a song to go along with our countdown, but we will be featuring a variety of categories. Today’s feature is 3 of the World’s Best Spa Resorts!

1. Canyon Ranch Lenox

Relax in the 100,000-square-foot spa complex where you will find everything you need for a vacation that's as active or leisurely as you like.

2. Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

Sanctuary Spa offers a comprehensive menu of treatments, with a discreet and professional staff - including two outdoor Gazebos for treatments, allowing you the chance to enjoy the natural beauty of this stunning part of the world

3. Parrot Cay

The Shambhala Spa provides one of the world's most extensive treatment lists on the pre-eminent private island, wrapped in sweeps of sand and peaceful seas.

12 Days of Hotels: The 4 Most Romantic Hotels

Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, Five Star Alliance is having its own countdown featuring 12 Days of Hotels! We unfortunately don’t have a song to go along with our countdown, but we will be featuring a variety of categories. Today’s feature is 4 of the World’s Most Romantic Hotels!

1. La Casa Que Canta

This luxury hotel in Mexico appeared in the film When A Man Loves A Woman. We think the title is very appropriate!

2. Villa d’Este

Lovers are welcomed to a celebrated standard of Old World allure and charm at the Villa d'Este, situated next to scenic Lake Como in Italy.

3. Le Sirenuse

A consistant award winner with breath taking views of Positano, Italy, an unforgettable atmosphere to reconnect together.

4. Amanjena

Take a step back in time at this 16th Century villa, with a delightful combination of Italian pageantry and modern conveniences in Morocco.

12 Days of Hotels: 5 Best Hotels & Resorts for Destination Weddings

Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, Five Star Alliance is having its own countdown featuring 12 Days of Hotels! We unfortunately don’t have a song to go along with our countdown, but we will be featuring a variety of categories. Today we’re featuring the 5 best hotels to tie the knot!

1. The Oberoi Udaivilas

Udaivilas is a luxury resort located on Udaipur's legendary Lake Pichola overlooking its beautiful island palaces and the Udaipur city palace. It is accessible by land and boat.

2. One and Only Palmilla

Considered The "Jewel Of Baja" And Located On Once the tropical hideaway for the likes of Hemingway and Harlow, the serenely private and sensually elegant One&Only Palmilla features expansive ocean-facing accommodation, each with veranda, sunbeds, and indulgent amenities.

3. Hayman Island Resort

Surrounded by idyllic coral fringed beaches and lapping the waters of the Coral Sea, on the south-western side of the island, Hayman offers 244 guest rooms, suites, penthouses and a beach villa.

4. Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa

The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa lies where earth, sea and sky meet, poised above Atlantic rollers and flanked by the majestic Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles Mountain Range in glorious Cape Town, South Africa.

5. The Point

The Point Resort is a unique, private Adirondack estate where you are free to enjoy your special time in splendid circumstances. It's a vibrant and exclusive house party, an elegant hideaway, the essence of rustic splendor, luxury and whimsy amid Adirondack Mountain wilderness.

12 Days of Hotels: 7 Best Honeymoon Resorts

Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, Five Star Alliance is having its own countdown featuring 12 Days of Hotels! We unfortunately don’t have a song to go along with our countdown, but we will be featuring a variety of categories. Today we’re featuring the 7 best and most romantic honeymoon resorts!

1. Burj Al Arab

This all-suite hotel reflects the finest that the world has to offer for the newlywed couple trying to escape from the world.

2. Hotel de Crillon

Even if you and your spouse did not fall in love in Paris, you will fall in love with Paris while gandering at the Tour Eiffel from your room at the Hotel de Crillon.

3. Hayman Island Resort

With the largest swimming pool in the Southern Hemisphere, the resort is surrounded by idyllic coral fringed beaches in tropical elegance.

4. Peter Island Resort

The resort's self-contained luxury villas are unmatched in creating an idyllic pasture for you, your spouse, and wedded bliss.

5. Villa San Michele

Only a few minutes from the center of Florence, Villa San Michele is a sanctuary of peace and unsurpassed beauty designed to indulge newlyweds.

6. The Tides Riviera Maya

This adults-only resort features exclusive villas, stunning spa, and seven-miles of white-sand beach.

7. Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort

You are in the middle of nowhere at Ponta dos Ganchos and it delivers the dream: idyllic landscapes of emerald sea and forest.

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The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #2 Charleston Place

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #2 spot is Charleston Place which is located in the heart of the historic district on renowned King Street. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Evokes the feeling of a grand 17th century residence from the Italian marble lobby with its signature Georgian Open Arm staircase and 12-foot crystal chandelier

- A total of 22,000 square feet of meeting space within the hotel, including the Grand Ballroom (14,000+ square feet), ten more function rooms, six hospitality suites, the Grand Hall, and several other outdoor courtyards

- The spa features a stunning horizon edged swimming pool

- The hotel's spa was voted the "Best City Hotel Spa in North America" by Travel & Leisure Magazine

- Hotel can provide beach accessories and picnics to ensure a pleasant stress free day

- Golfers can select from more than 21 courses

Explore photos, availability, and rates at Charleston Place here >>

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The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #4 Auberge Du Soleil

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #4 spot is the Auberge Du Soleil which is located just off the Silverado Trail, outside of Rutherford, overlooking Napa Valley. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- All accommodations at Auberge du Soleil feature Mediterranean-inspired decor with original contemporary art

- Auberge du Soleil began as a restaurant created by visionary restaurateur Claude Rouas

- Maintained its legacy as a culinary destination, where innovative menus inspired by the bounty of Napa Valley are paired with wine in ways that delight and inspire longtime devotees

- Auberge Spa occupies a 7,000 square feet stucco building, overlooking the Napa Valley

- Napa winery tours can be arranged in advance

Explore photos, availability, and rates at Auberge Du Soleil here >>

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12 Days of Hotels: 9 Best Resorts on Private Islands

Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, Five Star Alliance is having its own countdown featuring 12 Days of Hotels! We unfortunately don’t have a song to go along with our countdown, but we will be featuring a variety of categories. Today’s feature is 9 Best Resorts on Private Islands!

1. Peter Island Resort

At Peter Island there are more staff members than guests, with only 52 rooms and 1,200 acres of lush, mountainous terrain and 5 private beaches.

2. Cocoa Island Maldives

At Cocoa Island, indulge in nature's bequest, from dust-white sand between idle toes, to a warm blue sea that turns blush-pink with the falling light.

3. Parrot Cay Turks and Caicos

Parrot Cay Turks and Caicos has established itself as the northern Caribbean's pre-eminent private island, wrapped in sweeps of sand and peaceful seas featuring the region's best spa and haute cuisine.

4. Waterford Castle

One of the leading luxury hotels in Ireland which boasts superb 4 star hotel facilities, you can enjoy the 18 hole Championship Golf Course in Waterford, or choose to stay in one of the Castle Gardens holiday homes.

5. San Clemente Palace

An exclusive 5-star Luxury Hotel, with a unique location in Venice; the ideal destination for week-ends and holidays for partners and families, to celebrate weddings and private occasions, or to organize Meetings and International Events.

6. Amanpulo

Surrounded by turquoise waters and a coral reef three hundred meters from the shore, the resort provides a variety of watersports - especially diving!

7. The Wakaya Club and Spa

This serene retreat in Fiji offers gracious living, sophisticated, international cuisine and unparalleled leisure opportunities - including some of the finest scuba diving and snorkeling, available just minutes away from your accommodations - in one of the most secluded and pristine corners of the South Pacific.

8. Pangkor Laut Resort

Pangkor Laut is a privately owned island located three miles off the West Coast of Malaysia along the Straits of Malacca.

9. Naladhu Resort

The perfect moment begins with the perfect setting. A private tropical island. Powder-white sands. The beauty of the Maldives. Naladhu. Free-flowing spaces. A symphony of rolling waves and rustling palms. The feel of warm, turquoise-blue lagoon waters and exotic Indian spice rubs.

The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #8 Don CeSar Beach Resort

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #8 spot is the Don CeSar Beach Resort which is a beach front resort that’s located on the island of St. Pete Beach in Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Features 277 newly renovated guestrooms including 2 penthouses and 40 suites

- Seven-and-a-half miles of beaches

- Two beachside pools

- Kids program with counselors overseeing the activities, allowing parents to rejuvenate at the Pink Palace

- After the sun goes down, romantic lighting sets the ambiance for the new whirlpool accented with a mosaic of tiffany glass, and surrounded by a lush garden and overlooking the Gulf shores

- Famous for their ocean front sunset couples massages in tiki huts on the beach

- 6,349-yard (5,777 m) golf course features narrow, palm-lined fairways, tightly manicured greens and Gulf breezes

Explore photos, availability, and rates at Don CeSar Beach Resort here >>

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The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #12 Le Palais de la Mediterranee

In the last month of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 30 Luxury Hotels and Resorts worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore a few of the absolute best and most luxurious hotels in the world for your future travels!

Coming in the #12 spot is the Le Palais de la Mediterranee which is situated in the most prestigious location in Nice - the Promenade des Anglais, Le Palais de la Mediterranee is perfectly placed for visitors wishing to explore the many charms of the city known as the gateway to the French Riviera. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- Overlooking the Baie des Anges and the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, the hotel is only a short distance from the famed Cote d'Azur and the cool majesty of the French Alps

- The third floor is the heart of the hotel with a beautifully conceived indoor/outdoor pool, gastronomic restaurant, fitness rooms, cosy lounge and a sun terrace with stunning views

- Mediterranean cuisine is at its finest in Philippe Thomas's signature restaurant Le Padouk

- A spectacular heated pool surrounded by parasols and loungers overlooking the Baie des Anges

- A multifunctional casino and concert hall hosting various concerts

- All of the rooms that have balconies and are facing the sea

- Room 901 has a particularly wonderful view and a full size terrace

- Executive rooms come with a choice of sea view or city view, from a private terrace

Explore photos, availability, and rates at Le Palais de la Mediterranee here >>

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The Top 15 Luxury Hotel Destinations in 2012: #14 Marrakech, Morocco

In the final days of 2012, Five Star Alliance is counting down the Top 15 Luxury Hotels and Resort Destinations Worldwide, as decided by you, our luxury travelers! Be sure to check in with us daily to keep up with our countdown and explore some of our most popular destinations!

As of today, Five Star Alliance features 17 hotels in Marrakech!

What makes our guests love this Moroccan city?

- Hotels like Jnane Tamsna embrace elements of the traditional Moroccan style and color, allowing guest to immerse themselves in the culture.

- L Mansion Marrakech features only 10 suites and a 4 bedroom villa, providing an intimate feeling and features beautiful fountains and lush rose and bougainvillea coppices.

- Luxury hotels located in 5 acre parks such as the Dar Ayniwen Villa Hotel allow visitors to escape and unwind in a peaceful and beautiful setting.

- Phenomenal food in various luxury hotel restaurants featuring lamb, couscous, dates, coconut fudge cakes, and much more.

- Luxury villas offer private pools and dedicated outdoor areas at the Palais Namaskar. This luxury hotel is also designed to resemble a palace making all visitors feel like royalty.

Check out all the best luxury hotels and resorts in Marrakech >>