Where Sports Illustrated Models Stayed in Australia

The 2012 Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Issue was shot in the land down under, and we were certainly curious to find out which luxury hotel the models and their team of beauty experts chose as their home away from home. Before heading to the Great Barrier Reef and Palm Cove, the group made a stop in the beautiful capital, Sydney.

According to HotelChatter, the models checked into the Shangri-La Sydney and later into the Shangri-La Hotel the Marina Cairns. The Shangri-La Sydney is ideally located between the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge, offering some of the most spectacular views of the harbor. The Shangri-La Hotel the Marina Cairns is centrally located in Cairns, just a 3 minute walk to the Pier shopping center, restaurants, and bars. It has 255 spacious guest rooms and suites, offering breathtaking views of the Marlin Marina, Trinity Bay, rainforest gardens, or the beautiful hotel pool.

Check out these hotels and other luxury properties in Australia to find your perfect fit!

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: The Sandy Lane Hotel

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 Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for rooms. This luxury hotel is located in a mahogany grove overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The Sandy Lane Hotel has 112 luxurious rooms, each with a large private verandah, plasma wide screen television, DVD/CD player, stereo, private bar, personal in-room safe, and a convenient telephone system. With 9 tennis courts, 3 golf courses, and special child programs, this luxury hotel has something for everyone. Traveling with a large group or your extended family? Consider staying in the 5-bedroom villa which is set in its own gardens and has a team of staff ready to serve your every desire.

Check rates, availability, photos and more of the Sandy Lane Hotel here!

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: The One and Only Ocean Club

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 One and Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for ambience and design. This Versailles inspired luxury hotel is located just 20 miles from the Nassau International Airport and enjoys an entire mile of private beach. Its residential-style villas are perfect for families, and the service is out of this world. This luxury resort has a 3 to 1 staff-guest ratio, and its personal butler service is extended to all guests. The Mandara Spa is in the Balinese style and offers private treatment villas, baths, and gardens. All accommodations feature a private balcony or terrace, and the guest rooms are styled with a classic colonial architecture.

If that isn’t enough to send you packing, consider this: The One and Only Ocean Club was the site at which several scenes of Casino Royale were shot!

Space-ious Suites: Wanderlust Hotel Is Now Out of This World

This post by HotelChatter is a little bit outside of the classic sense of a luxury hotel, but it's just too fun not to spotlight.  They recently got to take a look at the new space suite at the Wanderlust Hotel in Singapore, a Design Hotel that features whimsical suite designs, from treehouses to typewriters to space.  The room greets you with such highlights as a ceiling-high rocket ship, space-age bubble chairs, and a nightsky motif.

If you're looking for a way to take a trip back to the imagination of your childhood, when you could stare up into the darkness of the ceiling above and see straight through it into the far reaches of the galaxy, then the space suite will be happy to oblige you.  It's unabashedly silly and exists precisely for those of us who wish we could be 10 again, and that's the precisely the beauty of it.  In a room like this, it's easy to shed the pretenses of adulthood, pull out your crayons, and color all over the wall (note: don't do this!).  You might, however, taking your actual children along with your inner one; I bet they'd get along quite well.

If whimsy fits your fancy, then check out the Wanderlust Hotel, or if you're looking for something a little more classical luxury and just want to pay a visit to this fine suite -- we have it on good authority that if you ask nicely, you might be able to have a look-see -- check out any of our hotels in Singapore.

Photo via HotelChatter.

Newly Redesigned Four Seasons Miami

The Four Seasons Miami underwent a bit of a makeover this past fall, and its updated room designs, new restaurant, and pool terrace have proven to be quite a hit with the Miami visitors. The new rooms feature one of two new color schemes; red and slate, and gray and blue, and aside from vibrant colors, the hotel boasts new furnishings and fabrics, giving this hotel a phenomenal upgrade.

The new restaurant, Edge Steak & Bar replaces a more traditional steakhouse and embraces the concept of lighter, healthier fare. Menu options include ‘steak lite,’ a variety of seafood, sandwiches, and salads. This restaurant also offers a unique dessert concept, ‘Dessert Tapas,’ which are smaller portions for $4 that satisfy your craving and keep you from regret. Edge Steak & Bar will also be serving an incredible Sunday brunch from 11:30am – 3:00pm, and it will feature various serving stations as well as hand-spun cotton candy!

Still need a little convincing? Consider this: The Four Seasons Miami has 3 beautiful outdoor pools with plush daybeds and a poolside butler, so start packing your bags and get ready for the ultimate relaxation in Miami!

The New Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort Set to Open in 2014.

I go to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida quite often. As a seasoned traveler and travel writer, many people ask me why I would even bother visiting a place that many feel is... less challenging. It's a good question, I always say, and it is true that trekking across East Africa while trying to remember how to negotiate a bus fare in Swahili makes for a good adventure and an even better story. Nonetheless, sometimes I don't want to work when I travel, rather I prefer the ease of a place that takes that burdenaway, and just let's me relax and enjoy. That place, often as not, is Walt Disney World.

Yet while Disney offers a fine selection of on-site hotels to choose from, the latest announcement got me all in a tizzy. Amazingly, a world-renowned luxury hotel brand was given permission to open up its own property among the Mouse House's best, and just steps away from the theme parks. Ladies and gentelmen, I present to you: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World!!!

No, that is not a mistake! The one and only Four Seasons brand is bringing their unique luxury to Walt Disney World, allowing my perfect, relaxing stays to get that much better. Not only will I have the wonder of Disney Magic, but also the luxuriousness of the Four Seasons. Opening in 2014, the new property will be spacious at 444 rooms, with all the amenities like golfing, spas, and fine dining that they're known for. Plus, being on-site at Disney World allows easy access to all four theme parks and Downtown Disney with the comfort and speed of Disney's transportation network. Oh yeah, and if that isn't enough, you get to stay late in Disney parks as part of the on-site Extra Magic Hours privileges! Of course, with the plush Four Seasons rooms to come home to, coming back for a nap just got a little more inviting.

So look for the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World as it opens in 2014. Be sure to book ahead, as the place will certainly fill up fast. And look for me when you get there. I'll probably be relaxing by the pool, daydreaming about that bumpy ride on potholed roads in Tanzania, and darn glad that I'm somewhere a little less challenging.

The New Four Seasons Resort Disney World will include:

• Several dining venues including a rooftop restaurant with Magic Kingdom views
• 14,000 square foot (1,300 square metre) spa with 18 treatment rooms and fitness center
• Three pools and a “lazy river”
• Sports facilities including tennis courts, basketball court and climbing wall
• Two recreational centres for children, teens and families
• Approximately 37,750 square feet (3,500 square metres) of meeting and event space plus a business centre.

From the Four Seasons press release: "The development will encompass the existing Tom Fazio-designed Osprey Ridge 18-hole championship golf course, which will be renovated and subsequently managed by Four Seasons. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort is an enclave located within the Golden Oak residential community, created and master-planned by Disney."

The May Fair Hotel has Availability for London Olympics!

The majority of luxury hotels in London have been sold out for the 2012 Summer Olympics, but a few have luckily been able to release some rooms back into the system! Check out the following 5-star hotel that currently has availability for various dates ranging from July 27th – August 12th. Be sure to make your reservations as soon as possible; these availabilities won’t last long!

The May Fair Hotel has between 5 to 10 of each room type available. These rooms are subject to 20% Government Tax, and there is a minimum of 3 nights stay required. These are full prepay rates that are non-cancellable.

The May Fair Hotel is a luxury 5-star hotel centrally located in the most fashionable area of Mayfair. It is a 1 minute walk to the Green Park Tube Station and a 3 minute walk to Piccadilly Circus. All of the rooms are a generous size with the standard king room starting at 350 square feet, making the May Fair Hotel’s rooms some of the largest in London. A few key features of this hotel are that it offers complimentary wireless internet access, a private theater, and a luxurious spa.

The May Fair Hotel currently has the following room types available:

Queen

King Superior

Twin Superior

King Deluxe

Family Room with 2 Queen Beds

Studio Suite

Please be advised that rates and availability are subject to change prior to making a reservation. Make your reservations today to ensure that you’ll be in the heart of the action for the 2012 Summer Olympics!

Special Rates at the Peninsula New York!

The Peninsula New York is offering a few special rates and packages perfect for brides-to-be, families, business travelers, and folks looking to get the best value from their luxurious stay. The Peninsula New York is centrally located on Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, in the heart of New York City’s shopping, business, and cultural neighborhood. It’s a 23 story, 1905 landmark building that offers 185 rooms and 54 suites all of which combine modern accents with world class elegance.

All of the rooms are designed to fit the needs of business travelers and come equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The newest edition to this luxury hotel is the Peninsula Spa, a 35,000 square feet facility including 12 treatment rooms, glass-enclosed pool, fitness center, and outdoor sun deck. The bars and restaurants at the Peninsula New York draw in an extensive crowd, and the Salon de Ning Rooftop Bar & Terrace is a popular spot that offers sweeping views of New York City.

Whether you’re planning a wedding, a family vacation, a business trip, or a weekend getaway, the Peninsula New York certainly has the perfect package for you!

Stylish Bridal Package

This is the perfect package for a bride-to-be shopping for her wedding dress and seeking a personalized experience. Enjoy a relaxing stay at the Peninsula New York and a day and a half of shopping in the ‘bridal fashion capital of the world’ with a renowned bridal stylist, Julie Sabatino. This package includes accommodations for two people for two nights, one and a half days shopping with Julie Sabatino in a private sedan, a welcome cupcake and a ‘Bridal Shopping Tote by the Stylish Bride,’ one bottle of champagne to enjoy at the Salon de Ning rooftop bar, and two 60-minute massages at the Peninsula Spa.

This offer is valid through December 31st, 2012, and the following terms and conditions apply. This package is subject to availability and must be confirmed with the hotel. Hotel reserves the right to offer alternative value-added benefit should the request not be available. Rates are seasonal and subject to service charge and local government tax, per room per night, and based on single or double occupancy. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions and is not valid for groups. Advance reservations are required and black-out dates may apply. In case of dispute, the hotel reserves the right to make the final decision. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

Family Retreat Package

The family retreat includes complimentary dining for children 10 years and younger, from the kid’s menu at Fives Restaurant and room service, daily continental breakfast for two adults, one complimentary movie through the hotel’s in-room entertainment system, and child-friendly welcome amenity and Peninsula robe and slippers.

This offer is valid from January 1st, 2012 until March 31st, 2012. Valid only for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday arrival, the rate is subject to availability and black-out dates may apply. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions and is not valid for groups. In case of any dispute, the hotel reserves the right to make the final decision. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

More Time Package

This package allows you to stay 2 nights, and enjoy a complimentary third night!

This offer is valid from January 1st, 2012 until March 31st, 2012 and requires a minimum stay of 3 consecutive nights. Rates are subject to service charge and local government tax, per room per night, and based on single or double occupancy. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions and is not valid for groups. Advance reservations are required and black-out dates may apply. In case of dispute, the hotel reserves the right to make the final decision. Additional terms and conditions may apply.

Be sure to check out the Peninsula New York and enter your dates of travel to view rates and availability!

Changing Their Tune: Whistler Expands Its Post-Olympic Offerings

As our friends over at Travel Agent Central report, Whistler is one of this year's most popular wintertime destinations, and that's in part because they've greatly expanded to the attractions that skyrocketed Whistler to international fame following the Winter Olympics.  New this year, you can live the experience of a professional bobsledder, even taking a turn on the last third of the Olympic course.  Reaching speeds of up 84 mph with a professional driver, of course, you'll get to experience the thrill of Olympic bobsled for yourself without the years of exacting and dangerous practice.  The biathlon course has added 43 miles of ski trails, and you can even try your hand at the shooting range.  Coming off the third snowiest November on record, there's plenty of powder to go around, so tourists and ski bums alike can enjoy the thrill of cutting through a fresh course.  Check out Whistler Sport Legacies for more information on the best winter activities.

If you're looking to warm up to a cup of hot cocoa after a day on the slopes, there are plenty of great luxury options in Whistler. Four Seasons, Westin, and Fairmont all have local outposts, and the Pan Pacific Whistler offers a Mountainside resort as well as in the Village Centre.  

Impending Opening: Trump Tower Towers over Toronto on the 31st

The grand opening of a new Trump Tower is certainly something to be excited about, and hopefully with the business mogul taking a tumble out of the presidential race, he'll have time to focus on unveiling the newest five-star hotel in his ever-growing collection.  Set to open on the 31st of January, now is the time to book the earliest rooms in this now-dominant feature of the Toronto skyline.  Each of the 261 rooms and suites features an elegant, cosmopolitan style and many look out over Lake Ontario.  

Ever looking to accommodate the businessmen among us, Trump's tower offers two full floors of meeting space and conference rooms to host your next big event.  Two additional floors house the nearby spa and wellness facility that dwarfs most others in the city.  If you're at all daunted by its comprehensive spa experience, never fear because the Spa Attache will be there to highlight the most revitalizing treatments.  Once you're done relaxing, head on down to the elegant signature restaurant led by an award-winning chef or the sleek, modern bar with signature cocktails that please both the traditionalist and the more adventurous imbiber.  You can even acquire kiddie cocktails and coloring books for the more youthful members of your party.

Reservations are available now, so make sure to check out Toronto's newest property, the Trump International Hotel and Tower Toronto the next time you're passing through.