It could be a wonderful location, an unmatched view, the pleasures of solitude or the buzz of a great city. An unforgettable holiday could mean one or all these experiences. Geetika Jain >shares some of her personal favourites.
Luxury can have a variety of aspects. In New York, for instance, my ultimate luxury is being centrally located. In Australia, it is the extravagance of solitude. In Peru, I treasured the erudite guides who hosted me. In Santorini, it was the soul-stilling views from the villa. In the African bush, proximity to wildlife trumps all other criteria. Here are some of my favourite getaways…
INKATERRA TITILAKA PERU
A bit of a tongue-twister, this 18-room glass-house is designed to let in views of the pristine blue Lake Titicaca and the spectacular sunrises and sunsets through clear, rarefied air at 14,000 feet. The setting is incredibly romantic, as are the cosy interiors with fireplaces, large sofas to snuggle in and antique candelabras light up dinner with flickering lights. A modern, wood and glass structure with every mod com acts as a perfect foil to the colourful, eye-catching textiles and upholstery inspired by the Andean folks that live in the surrounding islands. An indoor pool and spa have been added and at meal times, the chef serves exquisite Peruvian and Mediterranean cuisine. Jose Masa, the manager hosted us as though we were at his home, pulling together the guests, introducing everyone, ordering drinks, explaining the lay of the land over a large map, and personally joining some of the excursions. Carlos Suavedra, a sea captain sailed us around Titicaca’s islands, the most beautiful of which were Taquile and Uros, where entire communities live in reed homes on floating islands built entirely of reeds.
NOTE: Corner suites 301 and 302 have the best views.
www.titilaka.com, + 51 700 5100
ST REGIS NEW YORK
This 1904 Beaux Arts masterpiece is still radiant from its 2005 makeover. Favoured for its refined atmosphere and gracious service, it is a stalwart of style and hospitality from another era. Corinthian pillars and trompes l’oeil mark its impressive entrance. The 164 guest rooms and 65 suites are palatial, with canopy beds, silk walls and antique furniture. Crown mouldings and wainscoting dress the walls and the bathrooms are clad in marble.
Enjoy a dry martini at the King Cole Bar and then settle down to a meal at Chef Alain Ducasse’s restaurant, Ardour.
Delegate daily drudgeries to a waiting fleet of butlers while you explore New York’s delights. You are in the heart of some of the best shopping in the world, and an appointment with Valentino is worth keeping.
2E 55th St, 5th Avenue. +212 753 4500 starwoodhotels.com
CHONGWE RIVER HOUSE LOWER ZAMBEZI, ZAMBIA
Chongwe River House is one of the most unique of all safari lodges in Africa. Designed by Neil Rocher, also feted for the stunning Shompole lodge in Kenya, this enormous four-bedroom house, exclusive to a single group, seems to have sprouted organically from the ground. Its anthill-like structure looks as though it is built of mud, but actually is iron mesh covered in ferro. There are no doors or windows, just arched openings into rooms, with suede curtains for privacy. Clothes racks are either tree branches or coves. The bathrooms and showers are open to sky. Outside, a swimming pool and deck overlook Chongwe River, a tributary of the Zambezi. Lower Zambezi National Park is minutes way, but all manner of wildlife can be viewed up close from the deck. Here, we had our own chef, butler and guide.
Besides going on game drives and viewing leopards on night drives, owner Christian Liebenberg sailed us on the Chongwe in a canoe, where we would glide up in perfect silence to watch the elephants .
NOTE: Bag an upstairs bedroom for the best views.
www.safarihouses.com +260 62 469091
RIAD FARNATCHI MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
Marrakech has a dizzying array of exquisite riads and courtyard hotels built in traditional style using tadlekt walls, delicate Andalusian plasterwork, and carved wooden balconies dripping with vegetation. At Riad Farnatchi, two houses have been combined to create a space where every square inch is beautiful. The rooms are kitted out with Berber carpets, hand forged fire places and lanterns, the bathrooms are marble clad with Philippe Stark fittings. Leafy, overhanging balconies with views of the central courtyard and terraces that overlook Marrakech are places to enjoy couscous and tajine, read or relax, but the common spaces are the magical centrepieces of this riad, a testimony to the genius of owner Jonathan Wix. Lynne Perez the manager connected us to the city’s best guides and shopping.
Steps away, in the heart of the medina - the ancient walled city- delightful shops, food stalls and street performers vie for your attention.
NOTE: The black room with a private balcony and bathroom with a skylight are special.
www.riadfarnatchi.com, +212 44 384 912
GEORGE V FOUR SEASONS PARIS
This monument to decadence and luxury is right next to the chic Right Bank of the river and the Champs Elysees, the hotel sits amid museums, high-end shops and bijoux restaurants. The two-storey reception gallery is lined with rich 17th century tapestries and renaissance art, but what captivates everyone instantly are the dramatic flower arrangements. The 245 rooms are decked in crystal chandeliers, silk brocades, Louis XVI style reproduction pieces as well as antiques. Several private terraces overlook the city’s iconic buildings. At the restaurants food is brought on trolleys to ensure the right temperature, and at the spa 24 carat gold permeates the skin over a leisurely massage. Here is where you’d rub shoulders with celebrities and the glitterati.
31, Avenue George V, 8th district, Paris www.fourseasons.com +33 149 527000
VILLA VASILIKOS SANTORINI, GREECE
The Greek island of Santorini offers the winning combination of dramatic views and stunning folk architecture. Its sugar-cube villages tumble down a steep, volcanic face into the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. Villa Vasilikos is the largest private villa on the island, located perfectly between the villages of Imerovigli and Thira, but what makes it sing are the sweeping private views from the many terraces, balconies and rooftops.
This five bedroom villa, built on several levels with multiple living rooms and out-door spaces, deserves repeated exploration. A cosy, al fresco dining pavilion and the swimming pool form the focal points of the villa. Manager Alex Andrei expertly guided us to Santorini’s restaurants, beaches and organized a sailing excursion around the island. Chef John produced enormous quantities of his mother’s recipes; Greek salad topped with feta cheese, moussaka, fava beans and grilled lamb which we enjoyed with the local white wine.
NOTE: The large master bedroom suite on the top level is the best. Book through www.fivestargreece.com
COMO SHAMBALA ESTATE, BAGAWAN GIRI, UBUD, BALI
In the heart of Bali, with its finger firmly on the cultural pulse, is the Como Shambala Estate. Five atmospheric residences, each with four or five suites around a pool and shared lounge are built on the side of a gorge, along the river Ayung, where the jungle canopy resounds with birdsong.
Yoga is taught by renowned teachers, and the food ranges from delicious local cuisine to raw organic food rich in vitamins and living enzymes, for those focused on weight loss or detoxification. Go whitewater rafting, biking or trekking, or enjoy Bali’s cultural heritage, Ubud’s dance and theatre venues, temples, galleries and artists’ ateliers . Celebrations and religious ceremonies are an everyday occurrence here. The garden rooms, terrace suites and estate suites seem to spring organically from the forest with décor that ranges from the chic to the decadent.
NOTE: Book the royal suite at the Umabona, www.Begawangiri.cse.bz
(Geetika Jain is a freelance writer based in London)
