Best Resort in the American West for Weddings: Don’t Want to Risk A Rainy Wedding Day?
January 27, 2009 by Si Si for TravelBig
Filed under Hot Destinations, International Dining, Luxury Hotels, Vacations
The InterContinental Montelucia Sees, On Average, a Mere Five Inches of Rain a Year!
By Si Si Penaloza
I’m a hopeless dreamer at heart - a lover of travel, history and romance. And if all three come wrapped up in the perfect climate rather than the pages of a Nicholas Sparks novel, then the formula is damn near faultless as far as I’m concerned. Which makes the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa our perfect winter wedding destination, since it combines all three elements.
Perched at the base of Camelback Mountain, Montelucia merges perfectly into the environment like an inverted mirage. Heavy Spanish antique doors and olive wood furniture give an authentic vibe, and walking along the pathways at night, with their hypnotic lighting scheme, is almost a religious experience. Geometric blocks of light, shade and architecture create stunning vistas and windows into the oasis. There’s real beauty in the simplicity - think Goya’s studio meets Penelope Cruz’s bedroom. As the sun begins to dip, the dunes become luminous, looking laser-cut, precise and perfect.
Imagine arriving at your wedding stress-free and energized. Let the dilligent staff do the planning and you’ll enjoy a relaxing day filled with wonder, beauty, and magic. Montelucia can customize the occasion to accommodate any special needs or individual wishes of the wedding couple and include a choice of romantic ceremony locations on the property.
What could be better than exchanging your vows with sensual Andalusia style? Whether you want your Arizona wedding to be a private affair or a full desert cultural experience, Montelucia will make sure your wedding is an perfectly executed occasion.
As Arizona’s only luxury resort with a private wedding chapel, Castillo Lucena, Montelucia offers an ideal atmosphere for the perfect social gala or wedding celebration, accommodating from 10 to more than 1000 guests. Brides and their bridal party can prepare for the event in their very own intimate bridal preparation room - playfully named Isabella’s Parlour -offering privacy and direct access to Castillo Lucena. The Groom and his best man can rehearse vows and speeches in a parallel holding room, Ferdinand’s cellar, which happens to be one of our favorite spaces on the property. Some of Montelucia’s finer vintages are kept in this room, which is adorned with an impressive antique door from the ancestral birthplace of King Ferdinand of Spain.
With more than 27,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, including the astounding 9,216 square-foot Grand Andalusian Ballroom, 4,650 square-foot Junior Ballroom and 16 separate meeting rooms, the resort easily caters to wedding both intimate and grand. Capitalizing on the enjoyable year-round weather is 70,000 square feet of event space in seven outdoor venues. Innovative catered food and beverage service is available for all events.
Montelucia staff are committed to making sure that your unique personality and individuality are expressed for your wedding. From the elegantly catered dinner, to the joyous ‘I-dos’, and the final farewells, Montelucia offers an event your guests will cherish. Your wedding album will capture countless shades of a brilliant Paradise Valley sunset—a spectacular setting to begin a new life together.
InterContinental Montelucia: The New Crown Jewel of Scottsdale
January 27, 2009 by Si Si for TravelBig
Filed under Hot Destinations, International Dining, Luxury Hotels, Top Chefs, Vacations
Sun-Kissed Resort Offers Relaxed, Luxurious Paradise
By Si Si Penaloza
Whatever happens, we’ll always have… Montelucia. The first US-based resort for the venerable and global InterContinental brand is a valentine to the art of the amorous - guaranteed to melt the heart of all who visit. It is a also an impressive accomplishment in the hospitality industry’s art of the big gesture. It contains enough piazzas, campaniles and cupolas, stone-clad walkways and quiet cloisters to keep you and your partner in a state of wonder and mutual lust for at least a week. But it’s no dusty outpost, either. It comes alive at night - great music, art and a lively bar scene. The total absence of cars throws me back to another time, where it was throngs of people, rather than cars, that were the dominant kinetic force. A river of pretty bridesmaids flowed past in their summer best, flirting with the boys, chatting. The smell of wood-fired meats from Prado and the aroma of fresh waffle cones from Crave combine to give a heady atmosphere of barely suppressed excitement.
The brand new InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa is nestled beautifully in the foothills of spectacular Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona. The property features 293 guest rooms as well as 34 posh privately-owned villas on 34 acres of lush desert landscape. The resort also offers 24-hour concierge service, six restaurants and venues, the 31,000 square foot Joya spa, multiple shopping areas, an art gallery, a wedding venue and multiple ballrooms, five pools and other luxuries for use by resort guests. Sunsets are exceptional and framed by rugged mountains, palm trees and shimmering water.
One of the most goose-bumpy moments for a seasoned world traveler is the feeling that you are discovering something truly unique - that you’ve stumbled on a well-kept secret. Montelucia, and especially the Joya Spa, felt like that to me: it’s a picture-book place, with colour-washed buildings and detailed architecture. There are beautiful gardens to walk in and Crave Cafe at the entrance which serves fantastic coffee; you could sit there all day and watch the comings and goings from the open air courtyard “lobby”. The courtyard itself is quite chic - lots of cozy places to gather - but it maintains a historical feel, thanks to all the cobbled alleyways and courtyards. You need time to wander and allow yourself to get lost.
Prado, the resort’s signature restaurant, offers wood-fired grilling with a Spanish accent. Within Prado is Mbar, featuring tequila, tapas and temptation in an ambiance perfect for socializing. Kasbah Restaurant and Bar entices guests with a sparkling pool and showcases a Rum Bar that prepares unique poolside cocktails and offers a variety of flavorful pomme frite from around the world. Another poolside option is Oasis Pavilion, a fun place to relax and enjoy items on a tasty poolside menu featuring handmade empanadas. Crave Cafe offers gourmet coffee, gelato, chocolate, wine, and everything you crave.
Montelucia’s Prado will surprise business travelers who often encounter lackluster hotel restaurants or have permanently written off hotel food. Named for the Madrid museum, the restaurant features an Andalusia-inspired menu. The Montelucia resort as a whole captures the more soulful side of Spain and features the ambiance of the southern region of Andalusia, where culture is vibrant and flavors distinctly alive. Prado and the adjacent Mbar focus on fresh drinks and a cultural atmosphere that promises to impress. A venue where food enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs can dine in luxury, enjoying signature dishes and regional cocktails while overlooking the majestic Camelback Mountain.
Chef Claudio Urciuoli couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic spot. The restaurant at this luxe new resort offers an elegant interior that screams relax. The kitchen sources many artisanal products: half the meats on the menu have private labels. Urciuoli samples the sublime ingredients with more of his supremely confident, creative constructions: divine lamb cathedrals, cured sausages over seared artichoke. Hotel food has gone through a renaissance, clearly, at Prado, which offers so many culinary wonders. Dining at Prado proved an extraordinary event.
Joya Spa, the jewel of the resort, is an expansive Moroccan-inspired 31,000 square foot spa, with 5,200 square feet of outdoor space. The spa houses 19 treatment rooms including five opulently over-sized treatment suites with terraces, king size daybeds, dual treatment tables, fireplaces, flat-screen televisions, outdoor and indoor showers, in-suite bathrooms with sunken tubs and direct poolside access. Joya Spa is the first in Arizona to offer a Hammam and Hammam-inspired therapies and treatments. Joya also includes a Wellness Program, the Joya Salon, a fashion-forward luxury boutique, Joya Bazaar, multiple lounges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, juice bar, and Joya Terrace restaurant at Joya’s rooftop pool. The six unique restaurants and venues will more than satisfy any desire. Enjoy a night of a million stars, a stupendous landscape of reddish dunes and mountains.
On my last evening at Montelucia, I took in the energetic vibe of MBar. I wondered if my friend’s girlfriend was going too far. She was dancing free form and barefoot in a clingy summer dress that left little to the imagination. The lively crowd was going wild. There was spontaneous close-harmony singing, a LOT of grilled meat, and toasts in whichever fiery local spirit you chose. The waiters smiled indulgently as they kept the vino flowing. After all, they know all about Prado’s powers of seduction.
4949 E. Lincoln Drive
Corner of Lincoln and Tatum boulevards
Paradise Valley , Arizona
85253
Tel: 888 627 3010 (toll-free)
Tel: 480 627 3200
montelucia.info@ihg.com
montelucia.reservations@ihg.com
Two Seasons Hotel Boracay: From East to West, The Perfect Place for a Rendevous in Paradise
January 23, 2009 by Si Si for TravelBig
Filed under Award-Winning Hotels, Boutique Hotels, Hot Destinations, Vacations
Meet Me at the Two Seasons Sky Bar for a Patron Cocktail
Take Over-Extended Manhattan Exec A, who loves spending her holidays slowly parboiling in SPF 8 by the sea. Take one long-distance Laguna Beach Boyfriend B, who can do that almost all year round and prefers a frenzied holiday of soft adventure. Put them together to decide their first winter getaway. Let’s gloss over the inglorious argument and move on to the glorious compromise: the gorgeous new Two Seasons Boracay.
With its convulsive and rugged coastline - a thousand islands spraying from it like a meteor trail - The Philippine Islands offer a dizzying combination of history and sun-drenched beaches. The jewel in this archipelago crown is certainly Boracay, with its unrivaled Pacific setting. The Two Seasons is located in the heart of the more upscale Station 1, far from the island’s bustling charming side streets.
Yes, there are other beaches where you can stretch out in golden, bone warming heat and swim in healing saltwater sea that feels as sweet as a baby’s kiss. There may even be bars with the same sexy Polynesian architecture, delicious Patron Mojitos and captivating views as The Two Seasons Bar Lo. But there’s nowhere else you can spend a lazy afternoon and watch your boyfriend play EVERY water sport under the sun: para-sailing, scuba diving, kite sailing, snorkeling, jet ski, wake boarding etc… all the the relaxed atmosphere of The Two Seasons prime time spot on the beach. Hey, you got points for going sailing that day…
The Two Seasons is built on exceptional client care and guest relations. The management has paid close consideration to the guest-to-staff ratio. You’ll find yourself hard pressed waiting for any service longer than five minutes - weather it’s a second cocktail or house keeping attention. The staff is friendly, upbeat and professional - unlike service in the rowdier hotels in the down trade Station 3.
Sip a cocktail at the bar, then dip into the crystalline, body temperature waters for the full Two Seasons experience. Explore nearby coves and whisper-silent private inlets, from where the gentlest of swims unveils a jaw-dropping view of the island’s landscape. Venture up to the Two Seasons’ vibrant SkyBar for the best panoramic Mai Tai-hued sunsets in the Pacific.
You need a devil-may-care attitude and a crate of St Tropez not to feel self-conscious in Miami Beach, but in Boracay there’s no such thing as judgmental. If you can afford to be there you’ve earned it and the cabana boys dispense towels and sunbeds on a first-come-first-served basis to everyone regardless of how many entries in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame they have.
It’s 6 AM. The ocean is a mirror, perfectly reflecting the sun rising over the Sulu Sea. The white, palm-fringed beach stretches out of sight and I shift contentedly in my cabana. I marvel at the palate of rosy natural hues and warm tones that grace this unique property. I was given a set of nail polishes when I was 14. In varying shades of coral, they were named after exotic island destinations: Bora Bora, Boracay and St. Barts. Boracay was the pinkest and prettiest of them all and in my mind became synonymous with glamour.
Our routine of morning swims and days spent reading and chatting by the pool makes the week fly by. Suntanned and happy, I think I’ve proven the merit in my method of choosing holiday destinations. Bora Bora and St. Barts are calling …
Yes, The Two Seasons delivers above and beyond in the most vital categories - prime beach location, gracious hospitality, beautifully appointed suites, cabana massages and great amenities. But how to satisfy that ravenous water-logged, sun-kissed hunger? Is the Two Seasons kitchen up to snuff? The short answer is, most definitely.
The traditional pan-fried fish breakfast is a perfect ten - crunch, spicy and aromatic. Savory prawns are plump, gorgeous and simply fabulous. My dinner entree of roast pork so perfectly cooked and the flavors so well married that I considered suggesting the dish be renamed, “Sexy Loins.” It was seriously awesome. The pork was infused with a grilled and smoky flavor. What a dish.
A Two Seasons highlight not to be missed is the out-of-this-world massage treatments by senior therapist Miss Flor. She is a one-stop passport to bliss and a great asset to this stunning new hotel.
AIR TRAVEL > Tips for Families Traveling By Plane
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Hot Destinations
If you’re planning a family vacation that will take you far from home then you should take special care to plan ahead. Traveling by plane with your family and children, especially younger ones, needs to be well organized to make it an enjoyable rather than a stressful experience. From the entertainment of the kids to planning the minimum amount of interruptions or delays, just a bit more thought needs to be involved.
One built-in benefit of air travel is that older children should be easily entertained by the experience of flight. Smaller children, with more needs and shorter attention spans, will require some creativity to keep engaged. Most important to consider is that anything that you may want to have on hand must be compliant with current rules and regulations of both the individual airline and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA).
Details about rules and regulations can be found on the web. It will be very important to check the airline restrictions before you pack so that you can include toys, food items and anything else you might need to satisfy the children and keep them busy.
Also, because smaller children are creatures of habit, flight schedules and stop-overs may need to be considered and any deviation from the childrens’ routine can cause quite a challenge - as any parent can attest. A potential problem for families, can be whether you want to bring children on a crowded flight. Its possible to only fly on less populated flights so that the kids have more room to move (and fewer people to disrupt). One trick is to choose off-peak times and dates for your air travel, if possible.
With a bit of extra planning and perhaps a few extra items taken into consideration, traveling by air with your family is still the absolute best way to get where you want to go.
LODGING > Cheap Hotel Ideas
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Cheap Hotels
Who doesn’t love to go on vacation to a sunny destination? Even with the economic downturn, people are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. Good thing that the tour operators are responding with competitive pricing on trips and vacations.
Competition among the airlines and hotels are driving down the cost of rooms and flights. People today are traveling for fun and also for work so competition is helping to reduce the cost of travel.
Economical hotels are now available at virtually every destination. People often have an unfair perception that cheaper hotels don’t offer clean and bright rooms. But cheaper hotels are still decent hotels with quality service and reasonable, clean amenities. Cheaper hotels are just more friendly on the pocket. With cheaper hotel bills, there will be extra cash that can be used for shopping or for sampling foreign cuisine.
With Internet accessibility at our fingertips, finding cheaper hotel options in different cities has never been easier. Search engines like Google will easily provide lists of all the cheap hotels in various parts of the world at a glance. One can choose accommodations based on needs, weather or budget.
During certain seasons, the most expensive hotels even discount rooms to ensure they maintain a certain occupancy. Take some extra time when you’re booking to find a discounted hotel room and try to check user reviews to set your mind at ease about the hotel and its service
Your travel agent will also be a good source for information about cheaper hotels. They often have arrangements with hotels that give a special discount to visitors booking hotels through specific travel agents. Various airlines, too, have associations with cheap hotels. Travel websites will always present hotels of various price-points to help you book your vacation within your budget.
VACATIONS > 5 Cheap Beach Vacation Tips
If you are not fussy about which beach to spend your vacation on - provided the sun is shining and the drinks are cold - here are some tips for finding great deals to jet-a-way from the cold winter months.
Beach Home Caretaker
House sitting for a beach house sounds too good to be true but these arrangements are available with a little bit of research. Maybe you will have to water the plants or bring in the mail but you will get to stay in a beautiful beach-side house. These caretaking opportunities can be found online or even better refered through friends.
Visit Friends in Hot Destinations
There’s nothing better than having friends in interesting places. Even better if they live near a beach. Now is the time to take them up on their invitation and where possible, you should encourage your more adventurous friends to move to nice beaches and invite you to stay with them!!
Experiment With a New Beach
Many lakes around North America can be picturesque and without a heavy price-tag. The Great Lakes for example, and the upper peninsula of Michigan in particular, boasts value-minded motels on or near a beach. The summer is the most popular destination time for travelers but great deals can be found in the fall when the days are still warm and the water is warmest temperature.
Find a Travel Buddy
The best way to ensure a great vacation and maintain a strict budget is to find a travel buddy. This can be a good friend or even an acquaintance but sharing a room can mean reducing your overall cost by almost half.
CRUISES > Caribbean Cruise Guide
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Cruises, Hot Destinations
The Caribbean is one of the most popular destinations for cruise lovers from around the world. Here are some ideas organized by geographic region of the Caribbean:
Eastern Caribbean: Sun, Crystal Blue Waters , White Sand and Big Beautiful Blue Skies
One of the favorite destinations in the Eastern Caribbean is St Maarten. Known for its great shopping, St Maarten was first spotted by Christopher Columbus in 1493. It wasn’t until 1648 that the French and Dutch divided the island and these groups have lived as neighbors ever since. St. Maarten is governed by The Netherlands Antilles and the French West Indies governs St. Martin. Considered to be the smallest shared island in the world, the beaches are among the best in the Caribbean.
Western Caribbean Cruises: Adventure Among Ancient Ruins
Explore a number of cultures and countries in the Western Caribbean with a cruise through the blue Caribbean waters. With Mexico nearby you can also visit the coastal cities with stops in Key West and New Orleans.
Southern Caribbean Cruises: Young Travelers Looking for Adventure.
Cruises through the Southern Caribbean are considered to be tailored for singles. Activities are programmed for young adults and are designed as ice breakers between like-minded strangers. Snorkeling and diving trips are popular here because of the crystal blue waters and abundance of coral.
With the popularity of the Southern Caribbean ports, these small towns are now thriving centers of commerce. There are some great shore excursions available and with varying topographies and adventure trips through rain forests.
The Southern islands are a bit farther and slightly less accessible than the Eastern or Western islands. If you sail from America, you may need to account for a slightly longer trip. Another option would be to fly to Puerto Rico, Barbados or Aruba and catch a Southern Caribbean cruise from there.
DESTINATIONS > Caribbean Travel All-Inclusive Resorts
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Hot Destinations
The Caribbean Islands are one of the most popular destinations for people from all over the world. For this reason, those traveling on a budget find the all-inclusive resorts to be a great choice. With everything you need at your fingertips and your meals and entertainment included, you never have to worry leaving the resort.
All-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean cater to different interests and lifestyles. In fact, with ‘clothing optional’ resorts, its important to book in advance and understand to whom the resort is catering to. In some cases, the resort is perfect for couples and with other properties, families are best suited. Alternatively, if you are trying to meet someone special, singles-only resorts offer a casual and relaxed atmosphere for singles looking for like-minded people on vacation.
Its important to know that different properties offer different rates and packages. Extra fees sometimes apply for services and accommodations. Gratuities are typically not included but this is something that can be researched in advanced. Reputable resorts often have websites or travel agencies can provide information to help with your booking or early questions. Meals are almost always included in all-inclusive packages but often only two meals per day are included. All your questions should be investigated prior to booking any vacation.
The Caribbean Islands are made up of thousands of islands with different cultures and histories. No matter your lifestyle or vacation needs there are many options to suit your needs.
TRAIN TRAVEL > Helpful Tips
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Train Travel
The train is a wonderful way to travel and to reach your destination. No other transportation offers the type of relaxation and scenery that a train offers and in many cases, the service can be as high end as any first class plane ticket.
You can travel in comfort and see more of the country if you choose to travel by train. For longer trips, sleeping quarters are available on special train cars. These are comfortable enough to rest for hours at a time and economical enough to save money on plane tickets, leaving some cash in your pocket to spend after you reach your destination.
Its always a good idea to plan well in advance and book your seats as early as you can. Many people don’t consider the train as their first choice for travel so booking is usually quite easy. Nevertheless, plan ahead and book seats to give you piece of mind and let you focus on planning the rest of your trip.
You may find these tips helpful if you choose to travel by train:
a) Pack some food and drinks. You’ll find the refreshments car to be expensive and the choices limited. Bringing your own snacks means you’ll have what you want and not be worried about carrying cash or change.
b) Bring your own pillows and blankets. Trains will often provide blankets, but if you are concerned about comfort or cleanliness it is always better to bring your own from home.
c) Pack light. There are not always porters or carts available to help with your luggage, so you just might end up carrying it all by yourself.
d) Bring cash. Unfortunately, there are no ATM machines on trains, and some are not able to process credit cards. Another reason to bring cash is for snacks and tips. Having cash on you will come in very handy when buying snacks from the food cart, as well as tipping porters upon disembarking the train. You simply cannot go wrong by bringing cash with you.
e) Try to exercise while traveling on the train. Some simple stretching exercises will go a long way in increasing your blood flow, and making you a lot more comfortable during a long trip.
These tips will help to ensure a pleasant trip and a memorable vacation!
RENTAL CARS > Tips For Choosing a Rental Car Company
January 2, 2009 by Josh
Filed under Rental Cars
Traveling to a new city can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time and having a rental car can help you take in more sites and see more of the city. Whether you’re traveling to a popular local destination like Miami Beach, Florida, or a quieter destination like Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, there are many car rental companies that will help you to explore the city and have freedom to come and go as you please.
With so many rental agencies to choose from, its important to spend a few minutes reviewing some of the options before making up your mind. Its certainly better to leave money in your budget for your trip rather than spend more than you have to on the rental car. Car companies are forced to adjust their rates with the economy and even SUV’s and vans have come down in price, making family travel more affordable in recent months.
Once you’ve decided which car suits your’s or your family’s needs you can then decide whether other options are required. Pick-up and drop-off service is a handy service offered by the larger companies and sometimes they will even deliver vehicles to the hotel or provide transportation to and/or from the airport. Also remember that in order to rent a car you must often be at least 21 years old (sometimes the minimum age is 25). A valid driver’s license is required as is a major credit card for security purposes. Sometimes, the companies will charge a deposit to the card so make sure you have room on your card for this fee - or talk directly with the car company to ensure you are prepared.
If you are on vacation you should review the other accessories that are available. GPS systems are becoming more and more common and if you’re exploring a new city or even a quieter landscape there is no downside to having a GPS provided it suits your budget. Also, if you’re traveling with children be sure to book a car seat in advance as most agencies have limited number of child restraint seats to rent out and also ensure the car you’ve chosen is compatible and easy to help your child into or out of.
Try to make a list of your car rental requirements when you are booking your trip. A little advance planning can ensure that you get the right car for your needs and also the right accessories to make for a safe and easy vacation.
