Your Questions Answered: Hotels in the Maldives Perfect for Family Travel

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: What hotels in the Maldives do you recommend for a family traveling with kids?

Answer: A few hotels in the Maldives that we’d recommend for families traveling with kids are below:

Dusit Thani Maldives - Children’s play area and club facility.

One and Only Maldives at Reethi Rah - KidsOnly is free for all children from 2-11 years and provides world-class benefits including exciting and imaginative daily fun programs, age-appropriate activities, facilities and amenities, over twelve hours a day. Babysitters are available 24 hours a day for those under 2.

Anantara Veli Resort and Spa - Open for children from the ages of 3 to 12, the Dhoni Kids Club keeps our youngest guests entertained during their holidays with an action-packed program featuring a variety of beach and outdoor activities, creative crafts and games that are fun, educational and culturally enriching.

LUX Maldives - PLAY offers children between the ages of 3 and 12 an opportunity to explore the many wonders and delights of island living. Supervised by a highly trained and enthusiastic team, kids are exposed to the nature and culture of the island's incredible surrounds, as well as a range of high-energy sports and outdoor activities. From art classes and treasure hunts to engaging and educational Teddy Tennis lessons, PLAY is everything your kids could hope for on an island vacation.

Four Seasons Kuda Huraa Maldives - Kids For All Seasons Kudamas Club, an organized program of fun activities

The Gili Lankanfushi Maldives - Baby sitting service is available.

Waldorf Astoria Maldives - Children are VIPs at the Waldorf Astoria Kids' Club. Their own little paradise has a private pool, games room, a bungee trampoline for older children and adults and an extensive tailor-made program of activities for their entertainment. Fun and discovery never end.

Kanuhura - The Kids Club offers imaginative fun for kids (2 to 11 years old).

To view availability, rates, and to make a reservation, simply visit this website and enter your dates of travel!

12 Days of Hotels: The 1 Best Beach Resort

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 the 1 Best Beach Resorts!

1. Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru

Maldives has some of the best beaches in the entire world, and this luxury hotel is surrounded by dazzling white talc sand and the bluest of waters teeming with an astonishing abundance of soft corals and fish sparkling in brilliant colors.

The Top 30 Hotels in 2012: #24 Viceroy Bali

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 #24 spot is the Viceroy Bali which is located only 5 minutes outside of the heartland of Bali. Here are a few fun facts about this luxury hotel:

- 25 luxurious villas in the highlands of Ubud.

- All the villas are luxurious with private pools and spectacular views over Petanu River gorge and tropical forests.

- The decor of each villa is sumptuous, all have marble floors, luxurious furnishings, top quality beds with fine thread count linen, spacious marble bathroom with separate shower, bath, twin vanities, all have air conditioning, ceiling fans, 42' LCD satellite television, DVD player, espresso coffee machine and more.

- CasCades is a fine dining restaurant overlooking the spectacular vista of the Valley with its award winning French Cuisine and extensive wine cellar.

- Balanced on the hill slope overlooking the spectacular Petanu River Gorge with its unrivalled views, The Lembah Spa offers treatments developed by Swiss professionals to combine the best of the West, with Balinese natural treatments.

Explore photos, availability, and rates at the Viceroy Bali here >>

Be sure to enter our Romantic Getaway sweepstakes to be entered to win a roundtrip flight for 2 as well as a 5 night stay at this property! Visit our Facebook page to enter!

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New Luxury Hotels Opening in 2012: W Bangkok

We at Five Star Alliance are all about the best and most luxurious hotels. We certainly keep up with the happenings in the luxury travel world and take pride in bringing our clients the latest luxury travel news. Keep up with our newest blog series where we’ll be featuring luxury hotels opening in 2012 to stay on top of the trends and make your reservations at the newest hotspots.

The W Bangkok is opening next week on December 7th, 2012! This luxury hotel’s structure mixes the old with the new and will have 407 rooms spread out in the 31-story glass tower and 100 year old heritage building that was the former Russian Embassy. Located in the city’s prestigious Embassy Row, this luxury hotel will be the hottest hotel in Bangkok offering ample opportunities to take advantage of shopping, fine dining, and nightlife. Be sure to check out this luxury hotel and other W properties around the world for a truly luxurious and sensational experience!

Your Questions Answered: Rate Description for SALA Samui

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: I saw the following rates information when I am trying to reserve 3 nights for Sala Samui from 23-26 Mar 2013 for Deluxe Balcony.

Honeymoon Transfer Bf X2 Wine Dinner X2 Spa - Deluxe Balcony With Complimentary Wi-fi (wireless Internet) 47 Sqm King Or Twin Beds Balcony With Daybed Open Bath

Could you please explain what is included in this reservation? Is the nighly rate inclusive of taxes?

Answer: The rate includes the following and it is strictly available for honeymooners only:

Round Trip Private Transfers from/to Samui International Airport

Succulent SALA Seafood Splendor: A beautiful romantic candlelight Dinner for two which includes SALA Seafood Mixed Grill and a bottle of house wine.

- A Complimentary SALA Spa Package for 2 persons with complimentary Herbal Steam 30 Minutes.

- A Selection of Spa Service 60 Minutes

1. Massage Selection: Swedish / Asian Combination / Soothing Aroma / Traditional Thai

2.Body Scrub Selection: Sesame Herbal / Salt Glow / Asian Herbal

3.Facial Treatment Selection: Thai Herbal

- Free use of Gym & Fitness

- Free use of wireless/internet

To make a reservation for this room type, simply visit this website, enter your dates of travel, select the room type, and fill in the booking form. Tax is not included and is an additional THB 4880.70, which is viewable on the booking form. Please be advised that rates and availability are subject to change prior to making a reservation.

Fun Fact Friday! Break a Sweat at the Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai

Let’s face it; working out while traveling in hotel gyms that are outdated and cramped is pretty unappealing. Finding the energy to work out at all is a feat, and to get through a workout in a hotel gym is truly an accomplishment I have yet to cross off my list. Luckily, a few luxury hotels sympathize with our struggles and have created a work out environment that some may find hard to leave!

The Kerry Hotel Pudong Shanghai has extensive facilities covering 6,000 square meters over 3 floors, making it the largest gym in China. The gym features more than 80 weight machines and cardio equipment as well as an ‘Iron Man’ zone with training tools for triathletes. The best part of this stunning facility is that it sports panoramic views of Century Park, allowing gym goers to enjoy a beautiful view while breaking a sweat!

Check out photos, availability, and rates here!

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Questions Answered: Hotel in Bali for Family of 3

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: Could you please advice me. I'm traveling to Indonesia with a stop over in Bali for two nights. With me is my wife and 5-year old daughter. We'd like to stay at a really nice hotel - but one that would allow kids. As it's our 10 year wedding anniversary I want to make it special. Could you please help me and point out any hotel that would be suitable?

Answer: We would recommend the Four Seasons Sayan Bali which has a maximum occupancy of 3 for the majority of its room types. This hotel also has a Children's Program featuring Balinese dance performances, resort garden tours and yoga classes. To explore availability, rates, and photos, visit this website and enter your dates of travel. To make a reservation, select a room type and fill in the booking form. Be sure to add 'traveling with 5 year old child and 2 adults' to the special request field so the hotel can properly prepare for your arrival. Please be advised that the rates, availability, as well as the extra person charges are subject to change depending on the hotel’s policies.

Your Questions Answered: Hotel that Can Accommodate 3 Adults in Bangkok

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: Can you recommend a hotel in Bangkok that would be able to accommodate 3 adults?

Answer: The Four Seasons Bangkok has rooms available that have a maximum occupancy of 3, so these would be able to accommodate 3 adults. Please be advised that an extra person charge may apply depending on the hotel's policy. To view the room types and rates, simply visit this website and enter your dates of travel. The rooms that can accommodate 3 will say 'Maximum Occ 3' in the room description. Please be advised that the rates and availability are subject to change depending on the hotel’s policies.

Your Questions Answered: Room type at Sokha Angkor Resort Siem Reap for Family of 3

We at Five Star Alliance work tirelessly to ensure we bring you the best luxury hotels selection and information regarding amenities, location, and highlights so you are confident that the hotel you choose will exceed your expectations and serve your needs. Sometimes, however, you are left with a few questions that go unanswered, and that’s why we’re here. Be sure to explore our new blog series ‘Your Questions Answered’ to find answers to real questions submitted to us by our clients regarding traveling with kids, pets, the best beach hotels, and much more.

Question: We would like to stay at Sokha Angkor Resort Siem Reap from October 27th – 29th, 2012. We’re traveling with our 9 year old daughter. Can you tell us which room types would be able to have an extra bed added, and whether there would be any extra person charges?

Answer: The Club Suite at Sokha Angkor Resort Siem Reap would be able to have an extra bed added to it for an additional charge of $37 per night. This room type is currently available for $210 per night. To make a reservation for this room type, simply visit this website, enter your dates of travel, select the room type, and fill in the booking form. Please be sure to fill in the Special Request field stating 'traveling with 9 year old child require rollaway bed added to room' so the hotel can properly prepare for your arrival.

Please be advised that the rates, availability, and extra person charges are subject to change without notice.

Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2012: Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi

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 Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi is featured on the Gold List 2012: Best for leisure facilities. This luxury hotel is located on the island of Yao Noi, midway between Phuket and Krabi. The natural vegetation and landscaping provide an intimate and private setting between its elevated 54 villas. Each villa has its own infinity pool, sundeck, and a staff member who is available to serve on you hand and foot. A few key highlights include several fine dining restaurants with a well-stocked wine cellar, access to a private beach with beach amenities, customized bicycle tours, a Thai cooking class, and much more. Explore photos, rates, and availability here >>