Katy Perry has begun legal proceedings against an Australian publication for falsely accusing her of cheating on husband Russell Brand. New Weekly magazine implied that the singer, who married Brand in India last year[1], has developed a “very close relationship” with her record producer Benny Blanco. In the feature, a friend of Perry claimed to see her kissing Blanco when they were recording ‘California Gurls’ in the studio. She also accused them of spending time alone in Perry’s hotel room during the Grammy Awards. The star’s legal claim reads: “By reason of the publication of the article the plaintiff has been gravely injured in her reputation and feelings [and] has suffered distress, embarrassment and humiliation.” A spokesperson from publishing company ACP Magazines told The Daily Telegraph that they have “not been served with any claim” yet. It was rumoured that the lawsuit would prevent Perry from performing at the Logie Awards on Sunday night[2] as it is hosted by NW‘s sister publication TV Week, but organisers have insisted that she will still open the event. Be first to get the latest entertainment news from Digital Spy on Twitter[3] and Facebook[4]. References ^ who married Brand in India last year (www.digitalspy.co.uk) ^ performing at the Logie Awards on Sunday night (www.digitalspy.co.uk) ^ Twitter (twitter.com) ^ Facebook (www.facebook.com) All - Digital Spy - Entertainment and Media News

Guests staying at Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts can now enjoy an added day of golf on the “Unlimited Golf Getaway Package”. The package includes overnight room, two days of unlimited golf including cart on the 18-hole Championship golf course, a bucket of range balls and $ 20 dining credit. Guests also have complimentary spa privileges including use of the indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, steam room and fitness center. Package prices start at $ 195 per person, per night, double occupancy, excluding taxes, Sunday – Thursday, through June 12, 2011. For information and reservations, please guest can book online or call 800-272-6935 and mention “Free Golf Offer”. Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club is now a partner with Stash Hotel Rewards®, an innovative hotel rewards program that enables travelers to quickly earn free nights at distinctive, independent hotels without blackouts or expiration date restrictions. Guests of Cranwell Resort can now earn points toward free nights each time they stay at Cranwell or any of the more than 120 distinctive hotels in over 80 cities that participate in StashRewards. Guests can easily sign up for a free account at www.stashrewards.com where they will also learn about exclusive travel deals for members. Cranwell is located just two and one-half hours from New York City and Boston in the historic New England village of Lenox, Massachusetts. This award winning resort features 96 distinctive guest rooms and suites, an 18-hole Championship golf course set on 380 hilltop acres, and is home to one of the largest resort Spas in the Northeast. With three restaurants and spacious banquet rooms, Cranwell also hosts numerous year-round conferences, weddings and social events. The resort is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ brand and is also a long time member of Historic Hotels of America, which preserves the authenticity of over 200 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and inns. The resort is listed in Zagat’s “Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas” and some of their many recognitions include SpaFinder Readers’ Choice Award for one of “Best Spa Resorts for Golf” and the Wine Spectator Magazine Award for Excellence. Hotel Profile: Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

Luxury Travel Magazine interviews Carlos Costanzo, Chief Butler of The St. Regis Bali Resort, for his best insider tips. Why should travelers visit your destination and your hotel right now? What is new and exciting? The St. Regis Bali Resort is by far the most luxurious hotel on the Island. A balance between nature and delicate accents of exclusivity is found carefully laced throughout our entire Resort, resulting in sheer bliss to our guest’s experience. The St. Regis effect overtakes your senses from the moment you alight from your air craft and step onto this magical land. I have an entire team employed to make sure our Bespoke Service retains its legendary status on this Island. What unique experiences and special access can you provide to your guests outside the hotel to make their visit most memorable? An example of what we can provide is, if a guest is booked outside our Hotel for dinner or an event, our staff will be regularly checking into their journey to the venue, ensuring as well that the establishment’s management is personally awaiting their arrival to escort them to their designated table. I am known to ring ahead to the owners in order to ensure an outstanding and memorable experience. We do work alongside the most exclusive service providers on the Island – all that we recommend must be premium class. Our La Boutique is an example of what we would like our guests to be surrounded by – simply the best! What are the most worthwhile sights and activities at your destination? Bali is a land of lush forests, tropical climate, and pristine beaches touched by the warm Indian Ocean. Volcanoes tower over the island landscape, rising above clouds and rice fields to form intricate patterns on the hillsides. The St. Regis Bali Resort is just a drive away from the Ubud Art Village, a prominent center for fine arts, dance and music that allures art collectors. For a more spiritual experience, journey to the Pura Besakih Temple, the largest of the island’s 11,000 Hindu temples. A personal St. Regis Butler or the resort concierge will be happy to direct guests to all destinations, provide a car transport, or to make special arrangements for activities such as watching dolphins at dawn, diving or snorkeling. What are the top restaurants? When a guest is asking for recommendations, I would tend to carefully consider their requirements, likes and dislikes before sending them off to the horizon. More often than not, we would recommend a restaurant based on the choice of menu, dietary restrictions and ambiance of the establishment. The best restaurants always manifest itself with sheer customer satisfaction, a mere reflection of their reputation on this Island. The one dining experience that can never be overlooked, if I may say so myself, is Kayuputi at The St. Regis Bali resort which is Asian infused Haute Cuisine that takes your senses to the third dimension. Which unique shops and boutiques do you recommend? Recommendations would be processed solely based on the guest’s individual needs. Guests tend to categorize amongst fine art, furniture and specific carvings. Have new technologies affected how guests can interact with you? We have an E-Butler address set up, so guests can make orders from their iPad or iPhone from wherever they are situated within our resort. I have had guests call me over to their villas with a simple e-mail so that I can pick up a prescription or make arrangements for their evening. Our resort offers wireless connection, and I find the guests interacting with me while they are relaxing at any area of the hotel. What are some idiosyncrasies about your destination that visitors should know? Do you have any Do’s and Don’ts for travelers? A traveler should always be aware of the culture they are about to experience. One should be mindful of the rituals and beliefs practiced here in Bali. If a visitor is going to a mall or shopping complex, be aware of where you stand and when you walk as the Balinese have a dedicated practice of placing ‘offerings’ on the floor, most often found close to an entrance of a shop. Bali is an Island of gentle, spiritual and kind souls and travelers should learn to integrate with the culture here. What are some of the best requests you have fulfilled? Arranging a surprise last minute check out within half an hour which involved full packing, airport transfer and aircraft confirmation ready for departure (it does help if you bring your own jet). Being a hopeless Latin romantic, surprise and romantic events are my favorites. I get a warm feeling through me each time the guests tries to fight back tears of joy. Best requests are those that are flawlessly executed – period! What are some in-room surprises you can provide? We have changed a villa into a fantasy pink surprise birthday dinner in less than two hours as the guest went out to buy curios at the local shops. Hundreds of balloons and wild and exclusive flower creations were placed all throughout the villa. An endless vision of electric candles lit up the villa, giving it the effect that you can only find in a film set! It took the birthday girl 20 minutes before she stopped crying and could express her joy in words. It was a moment that reconfirmed why we are here and why we are rumored to be the best. Can you give us advice for tipping the Concierge for services rendered? I often get asked the same question three times over in relation to tipping standards. I recommend guests to consider the service’s worth, instead of the local currency value. If one of my staff has moved mountains for a surprise event and in turn had to change it all at the eleventh hour to something completely different and still managed to produce a flawless and magical experience – this should certainly reflect their gratuity. The entire world tips, it’s not just an American gesture, and this is a practice that has evolved over the years. A tip is a gesture of gratitude and authentic appreciation for a job well done. Hotel Profile: The St. Regis Bali Resort[1] References ^ The St. Regis Bali Resort (www.luxurytravelmagazine.com) Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

Condé Nast Traveler USA has named Matakauri Lodge as one of the world’s 124 top new hotels on the Hot List 2011. This comes hot on the heels of Condé Nast Traveller, UK!. Matakauri Lodge is the only New Zealand hotel to make the list. Every hotel in this list won its place the old-fashioned way - by earning it. After scrutinizing nearly a thousand of the hotels that opened worldwide over the past year, Condé Nast selected each one, anonymously, of course - trying out the beds, testing the staff, tasting the food. Finally, 124 properties ultimately won them over. Spanning 43 countries and six continents, this year’s Hot Hotels are an eclectic group, from tree houses to farmhouses. Despite the diversity, the hotels share a common standard in their artful blend of high style and a strong sense of place. “The hotels and resorts considered for the Hot List are evaluated according to five exacting criteria (service, design, location, comfort and value for the money) and have to be deemed superlative” says Klara Glowczewska, Editor in Chief. After an extensive makeover, Matakauri, positioned along milky-blue Lake Wakatipu, less than six miles from the center of Queenstown, has commanding views of the Big Three-the Remarkables, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak-without a single man-made development sullying the splendor. The lodge maximizes its scenic surroundings with a number of gorgeous viewing platforms: a large infinity pool (though it is rarely warm enough for swimming), a pretty courtyard with a massive outdoor fireplace next to the dining and lounge area, and the accommodations themselves. Warmly designed in burnt orange and russet colors against white walls and stone elements, the two simple-yet-cozy suites and eight outlying cottages have a beachy feel, with daybeds in the suites, a freestanding tub in front of massive windows. Perhaps only an artist like Picasso could compete with nature on this scale-and in fact he does: Look for the plates and vase by the master in the main lounge as well as works by well-known New Zealand photographers and painters throughout the property. Staff are attentive and helpful, and while the dining is elegant, those with hearty appetites may want to skip the artfully presented but tiny-portioned ménu dégustation. Which room to book: The decor is similar throughout, but the spaces flow more easily in the deluxe suites-Nos. 2 through 9-than in other rooms, where the layout feels slightly forced. “Matakauri Lodge is a special place and our family are thrilled that we have opened to such unanimous acceptance from our guests. Being recognized by both Condé Nast Traveler USA, and Condé Nast Traveller UK as one of the world’s hottest hotels is absolutely a great honor for the whole lodge team.” says Managing Director Jay Robertson. Most recently Matakauri Lodge won a place on the Condé Nast Traveller, UK Hot List 2011. Condé Nast Traveler, USA named The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs as the No. 1 Lodge/Resort in Australia + Pacific on the 2011 Gold List, The World’s Best Places to Stay, and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers was recognized by Condé Nast Traveller, UK on the Gold List 2011, Best of the Best for Food. “X-factor Chef Dale Gartland makes excellent use of local produce, including seafood and New Zealand lamb and beef. The wine list is excellent.” Owned and developed by New Yorkers Josie and Julian Robertson, Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown on the South Island is the sister property to The Lodge at Kauri Cliffs, Matauri Bay and The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Hawke’s Bay on the North Island. All are members of the exclusive and prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection. Hotel Profile: Matakauri Lodge Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

The big Passover questions are the same every year, and easy enough to answer, starting with “Why is this night different from all others?” Little questions, though, sometimes arise that can stump even the experts. Like, what to do about the quinoa situation? Quinoa (pronounced ki-NO-uh or KEEN-wah) is a grainlike South American crop newly popular among health-conscious North Americans. In the last decade, observant Jews have welcomed it with something like the thrill of seeing a new face at the Passover table after several thousand years of conversation with matzo and potatoes. Tasty, gluten-free, protein-rich — and, by many accounts, kosher for Seders lacking in carbohydrate variety — it has become a staple of Passover cookbooks. Gourmet magazine hailed it in 2008 as the new “belle of the Passover ball.” If only life were so simple. As with most matters under the purview of Jewish law — from how to turn on the lights during the Sabbath, to what kind of cough syrup is certified kosher — a debate has emerged among rabbinical experts about quinoa’s bona fides as a kosher alternative to leavened-grain products like bread. And this has led to confusion and concern in many Passover kitchens around the country on the eve of the holiday, which begins on Monday evening. “I went to hear two rabbis discussing the quinoa situation at my synagogue last week,” said Arlene J. Mathes-Scharf, a food scientist in Sharon, Mass., who specializes in kosher food and operates a popular consumer Web site, Kashrut.com. (Kashrut is the Hebrew word for kosher dietary law.) “They had basically the same information, but they came to opposite conclusions,” Ms. Mathes-Scharf said. “Typical.” Her hot line has received hundreds of “anxious inquiries” on the topic, Ms. Mathes-Scharf said. At Pomegranate, a large kosher grocery in the heavily Orthodox Midwood section of Brooklyn, customers had more questions than guidance. “They’re asking me 20 times a day, ‘What is the ruling?’ ” Gabe Boxer, the store’s general manager, said last week. “Look, we have ‘certified kosher for Passover’ quinoa — that’s what it says on the label,” he said, picking up a package and reading the fine print. “So it’s certified, as far as I know.” There are two camps on quinoa: rabbis who say it is fine, and those who regard it as suspect. But both agree that its suitability for Passover depends on how the crop is harvested and shipped. A definitive answer is not likely to be reached until a rabbi can be dispatched to a remote mountain region of Bolivia to inspect certain quinoa operations, said Rabbi Sholem Fishbane, director of the kosher supervision service of the Chicago Rabbinical Council. The council is one of several kashrut certification groups involved in the quinoa debate, which was brewing for years before it broke into the open in February with conflicting opinions issued by various rabbinical experts, he said. “We’d like to get someone up there to inspect the operations, but it’s a four-day trek into the wilderness,” Rabbi Fishbane said. “Until we can get someone there, we’re going to have to make the best decisions we can with the information we have.” Quinoa was unknown in the Middle East at the time of the Bible’s account of the Jews’ escape from Egypt, when their hurried flight left them no time to wait for their bread to rise. And since it was not part of their diet, it is not on the list of leavened grains forbidden to be eaten during Passover. For that reason, one of the nation’s leading kashrut certification companies, Star-K of Baltimore, issued an opinion in 1997 that quinoa was kosher for Passover. At the time, the crop was grown mainly in Bolivia and was just beginning to gain popularity in the United States. Increasing demand here for quinoa — which can be boiled or otherwise prepared in a variety of ricelike dishes — has driven up the price, persuading many farmers who grew wheat, corn or barley in Bolivia and Peru to plant quinoa as well, said Rabbi Menachem Genack, director of the kosher department of the New York-based Orthodox Union, the world’s largest kashrut certification agency. And there is the potential rub, Rabbi Genack explained. Some inspectors have found traces of wheat, and other grains susceptible to leavening in the cooking process, mixed in with quinoa shipped by some farmers, he said. “They may be using the same equipment or bags to harvest a field of quinoa, and a field of something else,” he said. “Things easily get mixed up.” The Orthodox Union has not certified quinoa kosher for Passover, leaving the decision to consumers and their rabbis. “We recommend that you inspect any product carefully before using it,” the rabbi said. Under Jewish law, violating Passover dietary law is a serious offense, referred to by the Hebrew word “karet,” which means to be cut off from one’s soul. Rabbi Fishbane of the Chicago Rabbinical Council voiced the more quinoa-friendly opinion, posted late last month on the council’s Web site. It says quinoa is proper for Passover if imported from Bolivia by companies that handle the crop exclusively. (The Web site suggests certain brands.) Rabbi Fishbane also recommends that consumers inspect quinoa for foreign matter. Jesse Blonder, director of the Center for Kosher Culinary Arts in Brooklyn, which advertises itself as the only professional kosher cooking school outside Israel, said he found the popularity of quinoa at Passover interesting from a psychological viewpoint. “When you’re eating this stuff, you know, it tastes different from everything you’ve always had for Passover — different enough that you feel, like, maybe you shouldn’t be doing it,” Mr. Blonder said. “For some people, that makes it taste better.” NYT > Dining & Wine

It seems the world is all a-buzz with the upcoming royal nuptials in England, and several members of The Leading Hotels of the World are joining in the celebrations with a number of packages and festivities. In London, Dukes, has created a Spencer House Package in honor of the occasion. Spencer House – the ancestral home of Prince William’s mother, Diana, Princess of Wales – was built between 1756 and 1766 for John, the first Earl Spencer, who desired an impressive address to bolster his city status. Available for Saturday night stays, the offer includes overnight accommodation, English breakfast for two, and two tickets to the Spencer House. With rates starting at GBP 280 per night, the package is valid year-round except August. Booking code is PY. At One Aldwych, guests arriving on April 29 can enjoy the Modern Royal Romance Package. Priced from GBP 495 per night, single or double occupancy, it includes accommodation, a bottle of Champagne upon arrival, a welcome gift (in the form of a mini wedding cake), English breakfast daily, a picnic hamper to take along for watching the Royal Procession, and a three-course gala dinner in Axis Restaurant on April 29. The hotel’s private Screening Room will broadcast the ceremony, giving guests the best view of the wedding service. (Booking code PZ.) Executive Chef Tony Fleming has also devised a Royal Wedding-inspired menu to be served in Axis from April through mid-May, based on Royal Wedding menus of the past. His will include Ballotine of Duck with Cumberland Sauce, served at Queen Victoria’s wedding to Prince Albert in 1840, and Bombe Glacée Princess Elizabeth, served at the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in 1947. The Ritz London has created the Monarchy & Matrimony program priced from GBP 1,460, for arrivals on April 28 or 29, which includes two nights’ accommodation in a Louis XVI-inspired room; flowers, fresh fruit and a bottle of Champagne in-room on arrival; Royal Wedding Brunch in The Ritz Restaurant, with live coverage of the Royal Wedding throughout the day; a limited-edition commemorative gift; and English breakfast each morning. (Booking code is SC.) Visitors can also opt for just the Royal Wedding Brunch on April 29. Themed food stations will offer a wide selection of hot and cold dishes, and screens streaming live coverage of the wedding will be displayed throughout the room. Priced from GBP 150 per person, the brunch includes a glass of Champagne, a souvenir menu, and a limited-edition keepsake with the initials of the Royal couple and their wedding date. At The Milestone Hotel in London, guests staying for two nights can pay tribute to the occasion late into the year by taking advantage of the Live Like Royalty offer from April 15 until December 22, 2011. Priced from GBP 250 per night, single or double occupancy, the offer includes a welcome drink, mineral water and fresh flowers; full English breakfast daily; Royal Afternoon Tea including a glass of Champagne one day; two tickets to the Queen’s Gallery and Royal Mews; butler service; and use of the health club. (Booking code is S12.) Until June 9, 2011, Rocco Forte’s Brown’s Hotel is offering the Royal Wedding Celebration Suite Package, which includes accommodation in a suite; transfer from the airport to the hotel; welcome bottle of Champagne and an Asprey leather gift; English breakfast in HIX at The Albemarle or in-suite; Royal Afternoon Tea for two; private appointment at Asprey, the Royal jewelers, with a bespoke tour of the store and workshops; tailor-made ‘Royal points of interest’ map of Royal London, created by the Concierge; commemorative Royal Wedding mug; and a leather photo album to record the memories of your stay. Depending on the suite category selected, the package is priced from GBP 870 per night, excluding VAT. A two-night stay is required. (Booking code is PT.) For those not wishing to stay the night, the hotel is serving a Royal Wedding brunch in HIX at the Albemarle, and in the Donovan Bar where the Royal Wedding will also be screened. And to show there are no hard feelings left from the Revolution, over in the US, on April 29, Trump International Beach Resort in Miami, Florida will launch its ongoing Royal Package for couples in search of their own, grand location to exchange vows. Rates start at USD 398 per night, and include complimentary room upgrade upon booking; wedding consultation and tour with the resort’s weddings director; afternoon English tea or Miami-style Mojitos poolside for two; private chauffeured car to the Shops at Bal Harbour and a meeting with Neiman Marcus’s couture stylist; registry planning; manicure at the Aquanox Spa featuring limited edition nail lacquer “No More Waity, Katie,” a bottle of which is given as a take-home gift. A two-night minimum stay is required. Booking code is PB. Please note: All programs/packages listed above are subject to availability. Discounts and special offers cannot be combined. Not applicable to previous bookings. Not applicable to group bookings. Local taxes and service charges are additional. Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

Dept. of culture April 15, 2011 3:16 pm One Management founder Scott Lipps is our man on the ground at Indio, California’s Coachella festival. Below, his latest transmission. “The Kings of Leon guys, like guitarist Matthew Followill, chilling at the house next door. Life is good on the water.” “My buddy and all-around rock star, Ben Shulman (Rebecca Minkoff’s business partner, and designer of her men’s line), and his pal Danny Masterson, live it up for the camera.” “One Management’s Amanda Booth, ready to rock ‘n’ roll. Always the toothpick after dinner—always.” “Jack Osbourne and I stormed the Filter magazine party. The tattoo says it all…” Scott Lipps blogs his adventures at Pop Lipps. You can also follow him at @ScottLipps.   tags: Ben Shulman, Coachella, Danny Masterson, Kings of Leon, Matthew Followill, One Management, Rebecca Minkoff, Scott Lipps Style File

OceanAdventures announced that their ship, the M.V. Eclipse, is offering a “SPECIAL PREVIEW” of their new 2012 itineraries this June. Guests will not only have the opportunity to be the first to experience these fantastic new itineraries, but they will also receive a special discounted price. Two departures are offered: June 4 – 11 (Itinerary with Genovesa) and June 11 – 18 (Itinerary with Española). Travelers have the chance to join either of the departures or be some of the very few in the world to experience a special, extended two week Galapagos experience. During these 15 days, the M.V. Eclipse will be visiting the one and only bird havens of Genovesa (Tower) and Española Islands as well as the infamous Floreana, where the history of past residents remains a suspenseful mystery. They will also visit Dragon Hill, North Seymour and Plazas Islands where the elusive land iguanas can be seen. Guests will also have the opportunity to visit the pristine Western Region of Isabela and Fernandina Islands and some will also be able to experience a brand new site: Albemarle Point, where the largest marine iguanas of the Galapagos reside. They will also visit Punta Pitt, the only site in Galapagos where one has the opportunity to see all three species of boobies and both species of frigates, and much, much more! For guests who can join the M.V. Eclipse on these very special outings, they are offering a $ 400 USD discount per person and also including the $ 200 USD Fuel Surcharge, that’s a $ 600 USD discount per person. Travelers who would like to go for the entire two weeks will receive a $ 1,000 USD discount per person and they will still receive the Fuel Surcharge discount as well — that’s a $ 1,200 USD discount per person. There are limited spaces available and these new itineraries will not be repeated until January 28, 2012. Guests on these departures will be the only ones this year that will be able to experience the new 2012 itineraries at such a great price. More information and contact details: OCEANADVENTURES S.A. M/V Eclipse Galapagos Expeditions Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) announced that eight of its premier hotels and resorts have earned spots on this year’s Condé Nast Traveler HOT List, more than any other hotel group. Flying the flags of Starwood’s luxury, contemporary lifestyle and upper-upscale brands, the hotels that earned spots on the prestigious list include nearly all new St. Regis and W Hotels that opened in 2010, two Luxury Collection hotels in Europe and South America, and a Westin resort in Greece. Additionally, the May 2011 HOT List issue featured The St. Regis Lhasa Resort on its cover. This year’s Condé Nast Traveler HOT List consists of 124 hotels and resorts in both familiar and emerging destinations, selected by the magazine’s editorial staff based on style, service, technology and sense of place. The eight Starwood hotels recognized on this year’s list include: St. Regis Lhasa Resort, Lhasa, Tibet (pictured above)St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico W Hotel, Austin, Texas W Retreat Koh Samui, Thailand W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, Puerto Rico Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa, a Luxury Collection Resort, Peru The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, Costa Navarino, Greece Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Greece Additionally, AWAY(R) Spa at the newly opened W Retreat Koh Samui and the Remède Spa at the St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort were included on the magazine’s “HOT Spas” list. Two New St. Regis Resorts Make the Hot List Two recently opened St. Regis resorts earned a spot on the Condé Nast Traveler 2011 HOT list. TheSt. Regis Lhasa Resort, which is featured on the cover of the issue, opened in December 2010 as the first St. Regis resort in China and the first international luxury hotel in Tibet. Located on the “Roof of the World” at 3,680 meters above sea level, the resort features 150 beautifully adorned oversized rooms as well as a wide range of world-class restaurants, bars, and an exclusive Iridium Spa. The St. Regis Bahia Beach opened in November 2010 and introduces St. Regis’ legacy of bespoke service and luxurious amenities to the Caribbean. Nestled between the Espiritu River and the El Yunque Rainforest, the resort is a certified Gold Audubon Signature Sanctuary and features a two mile stretch of private beach, 139 lavish rooms and suites, and remarkable signature amenities. The resort also presents a Reméde Spa, which is listed as a “HOT Spa” in this year’s HOT List issue. The 10,000 square-foot Remède Spa at The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort offers seven private treatment cabanas, an herbal bar and a spa menu featuring techniques and ingredients that pay homage to the region’s unique rituals and natural surroundings. W Retreat Koh Samui pool villa Industry Innovator W Hotels Earns Three Spots on List W Hotels had three of its new hotels - including two new W Retreats - named to the Condé Nast Traveler 2011 HOT list. W Austin, which opened in December 2010, is located in the heart of Austin’s 2nd Street District and connected to the ACL Live at The Moody Theater music and performance venue that serves as the new home of the iconic Austin City Limits television show. Designed by Andersson-Wise Architects and emerging designer Heather Plimmer of Stratus Properties, the hotel also features TraceSM, offering conscious cuisine sourced by an on-property Forager; AWAY(R) Spa, to detox and refuel in seven stylish treatment rooms; and WET, a rooftop lap pool surrounded by seven exclusive cabanas. W Retreat Koh Samui, the first W Retreat in Southeast Asia, opened in November 2010. An ‘island within an island’ and a haven from the everyday resort, W Koh Samui is an all-villa beachfront retreat, designed by MAPS Design Studio and interior design by Thailand-based design firm P49Deesign. Highlights include the W Lounge (W’s take on the traditional hotel lobby); WooBar with a 270-degree view of the Gulf of Thailand; and two restaurants: The Kitchen Table and Namu. The Retreat also features AWAY(R) Spa, a 2011 Condé Nast Traveler “HOT Spa” and the first spa in Asia to offer Thaimazcal treatments, which are based on Mexican tribal rituals but use local Thai ingredients. W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island, the first W Retreat in the Caribbean, opened in April 2010, eight miles off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. Designed by Spanish-born Patricia Urquiola of Milan-based Studio Urquiola, W Vieques boasts 157 stylish guestrooms and suites with private patios and balconies offering unparalleled views of soft sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Other highlights include miX on The Beach by Chef Alain Ducasse; AWAY(R) Spa; Paradise Edge, a lush garden sanctuary; Fire Pit, an outdoor space that merges nature and style; and W Hotels The Store, the W brand’s stylish take on the traditional hotel gift shop. Guests of the Retreat are able to relax at the private W Welcome Lounge in Antonio Rivera Rodríguez Airport upon arriving to Vieques Island. Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa - Kiri Bar Two Landmark Luxury Collection Resorts are Named to the HOT List Also featured on the 2011 “HOT List” are Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa, a Luxury Collection Resort, which debuted in Peru, and The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort in Costa Navarino, Greece. The first LEED-certified hotel in Peru, Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa, which opened in June 2010, is situated in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, offering a quiet, luxurious retreat and an array of modern amenities while fully embracing the region’s natural surroundings. In addition to its 128 luxuriously appointed guestrooms and suites, each with mesmerizing views of the Andes and the Vilcanota River, the resort’s features a full-service spa, two heated swimming pools and a private train station that facilitates trips to the iconic hilltop city of Machu Picchu. Miami-based Arquitectonica led the resort’s architectural concept to create an overall design that blends seamlessly with the hotel’s location. Located amidst lush olive groves in the Messinia region on Greece’s southwest Peloponnese coast, The Romanos was the first hotel to open in the new luxury destination of Costa Navarino this past June. The sumptuous resort features 321 luxurious rooms and suites, including 121 with individual infinity pools. Almost all rooms offer spacious furnished terraces with beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea. For the ultimate in luxurious experience, the resort’s 660 square meter beachfront Royal Villa Koroni features a private infinity pool, a secluded barbeque area, a spa treatment suite with steam room and private fitness facilities. The Romanos also offers an array of culinary delights, including a destination restaurant featuring ethnic and indigenous cuisine based on local organic ingredients, a Greek restaurant complete with a well-stocked wine cellar, extensive lounge areas and a lobby bar. Costa Navarino beach Westin’s Mediterranean Seaside Resort Listed as one of Greece’s Hot Hotels The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino debuted on Greece’s scenic west coast in Summer 2010. With 445 guest rooms and suites, including 123 with private infinity pools, the resort offers breathtaking views of the Ionian Sea and an atmosphere of tranquility and renewal. The Westin’s low-rise villa clusters were inspired by old Messinian mansions and incorporate natural stone and local design elements to create a motif that is in perfect harmony with the virgin sandy beach and pristine hillside landscape. Amenities include four restaurants serving a range of international cuisines; several pools and lounges; the Anazoe Spa at Navarino Dunes offering an exceptional menu of specialty treatments based on ancient health and beauty practices; and the Dunes Golf Course, Greece’s first signature, 18-hole championship golf course. Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles

The boutique hotel c/o The Maidstone, in East Hampton, New York, is getting ready for summer 2011, offering guests a unique slice of relaxed luxury surrounded by vibrant arts and culture. Since the debut of the revitalized historical destination in 2009, Swedish born Proud Owner Jenny Ljungberg has been delighting guests with her signature “Scandinavian cozy’ aesthetic. This summer c/o The Maidstone is hosting a must-see photography exhibition, a Swedish summer crawfish party, a brand new in-hotel boutique, and delicious slow food summer cuisine from The Living Room in the hotel’s beautiful backyard. With colorful Scandinavian-inspired sophistication and Ljungberg’s dedication to preserving nature, c/o The Maidstone is a pioneer eco-friendly hotel, incorporating important sustainable practices with social responsibility. Each of the nineteen guest rooms is specifically designed to pay homage to famous Scandinavian cultural icons and historical figures. Rooms are filled with eclectic found antique objects, revealing a perfect blend of modern American and Scandinavian design sensibilities. The hotel’s refreshing interior design and exceptional amenities offer luxurious comfort, from the latest technology to complimentary yoga classes and vintage bicycle services. Celebrating the rich arts and culture of Long Island’s east end is an integral element to c/o The Maidstone. This summer in conjunction with Aperture and the non-profit b.a.l.m., an unforgettable Warhol photography exhibition by internationally renowned photographer David Gamble will take place in the Cozy Lounge on June 5, 2011. After the death of cultural icon Andy Warhol in 1987, David Gamble was given the coveted assignment by Sotheby’s, of photographing the artist’s New York apartment exactly as it was left. After eight days of immersing himself in the private dwellings of the prominent pop artist, the Gamble images are part controversial, part voyeuristic and iconic in their own right. The Hamptons is in for a treat, as fourteen of Gamble’s legendary photographs from this series will be exhibited in the hotel. In addition to the in-house exhibition, c/o The Maidstone will maintain strong cultural partnerships with Guild Hall and the Hampton’s International Film Festival with exciting events throughout the year. For delicious, summery fare, the hotel’s slow food restaurant and lounge, The Living Room, is a fine dining culinary destination for local foodies and hotel guests alike. Renowned Executive Chef James Carpenter is ramping up the inventive seasonal summer cuisine with the celebrated Swedish sous chef Bjorn Erickson. Keeping with c/o The Maidstone’s dedication to green living and the restaurant’s slow food philosophy, the wine cellar offers incredible eco-friendly wines along with the best output from Long Island’s own vineyards. Food enthusiasts cannot afford to miss the hotel’s signature summer bash-the Swedish summer crayfish party. This high-summer annual event, adds States-side twists to the classic Swedish celebration with a week long, upscale outdoor soirée of delectable crayfish dishes, Swedish drinking songs and a relaxed party vibe. To add to all the excitement a brand new boutique, The Swede Shop, is opening at c/o The Maidstone, offering an eclectic array of haberdashery, hard-to-find accessories and handcrafted jewelry. Handmade signature c/o The Maidstone clogs and Palmgrens bags (the leather purveyor to the Swedish royal family), are just two Swede Shop-only items. Purchased in 2008 by Sweden’s c/o Hotels, c/o The Maidstone hotel is tailored to the guest who appreciates sophisticated design, gourmet dining, and personalized service. The hotel’s restaurant, The Living Room, and its Cozy Lounge are leading proponents of the slow food movement. The experience is enhanced by one of the East End’s most substantial wine cellars. Hotel Profile: c/o The Maidstone Luxury Travel Magazine News & Articles