Aman Resorts and Amanpuri: 20 years of beauty

Twenty years ago Aman created its flagship resort Amanpuri on a cream beach in a mature coconut grove on the island of Phuket. So began a journey of exploration, determination and sheer passion, dedicated to extending the 'family' to lands where the mind has often 'wondered', in order to create experiences in contemporary comfort, where the sum of the parts determine a nourished, enriched, and rejuvenated whole. The evolution of Aman's genesis continues to flourish with 18 individual and uniquely sculpted resorts, nestled in remarkably beautiful places, from sunrise to sunset.

Amanresort never focused on being the biggest. They prefer to think small. Intimate. Involving. Different. Amanresorts responds to a contemporary lifestyle. That’s what they offer – a lifestyle experience, without limitations. www.amanresorts.com

Amanpuri, is the first born to the Aman family. It opened in 1988 on Thailand’s jade green island of Phuket, where nature and culture harmoniously merge, yielding a pure tranquillity where less means more and luxury is found in graciousness. It is a ‘place of peace’ amongst coconut palms which leads to a private crescent beach touching brilliant turquoise sea. Amanpuri embodies the inner spirit of the Thai culture while allowing nature to reign supreme. The natural beauty combined with sincere warmth and a genuine soul allows for complete rejuvenation.

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Amanpuri's web site: www.amanresorts.com/home.aspx?id=584

Hotel Cipriani: A Venetian Affair

Even if Carnival came to its end, there is always a good excuse to visit Venice. The city has always been a centre for architecture, the fine arts and the world's most exquisite crafts. The history of La Serenissima is a story best told by the lives of two of its' most well known citizens; Marco Polo, the merchant and explorer of the 13th century; and Giacomo Casanova, the seducer and lover of 18th century Venice. One used his mastery to explore the world and trade in the most precious goods, thus creating a great wealth. Whilst the other one worshipped all that is beautiful and romantic. Together, these two forces of industry and art have over many centuries created a truly magical city.

Having found the perfect hotel guarantees your pleasant and beautiful stay in Venice. It was in 1956 when Giuseppe Cipriani presented his project for a new hotel to his partners. His idea was to build a small palazzo very near to St. Mark Square, but at the same time distant enough to maintain privacy. The result was an amazing palazzo in the Giudecca island in Venice. Created to provide the very best of Venetian hospitality, Hotel Cipriani incorporates the most luxurious accommodation, the best service and the finest cuisine in an atmosphere of calm and seclusion.

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Hotel Cipriani offers a wide choice of suites and rooms, with views of the gardens, the lagoon, and St. Mark's Square. Palazzo Vendramin and the connecting Palazzetto are two 15th century buildings linked to the Hotel Cipriani. For the guests of these two palazzi, a private butler service is available.

The Hotel operates a free boat service to and from its private landing stage at St. Mark Square. Furthermore, the harbour of the hotel has docking facilities for yachts and boats up to 70 feet. In the hotel you can also find the Casanova Beauty & Wellness Centre where you can try the world’s most exclusive beauty treatments. The beauty centre is named after the legendary lover who once held clandestine trysts in the gardens of the Hotel Cipriani .

Cipriani-style food is simple, fresh and perfectly prepared: pasta and pastries are made in the hotel daily, as well as the breakfast croissants. Indeed a cuisine that meets international standards of excellence. The chef, Renato Piccolotto works in the hotel since 1970. His philosophy is to offer his guests authentic Venetian dishes in which the flavour of the ingredients is given pride of place. I do recommend the Ravioli filled with Eggplant and Mozzarella with Tomato and Fresh Oregano Sauce, and the Roast Rack of Lamb in a Crust of Herbs.

Julia Roberts, Martin Scorsese, Uma Thurman, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, and Donatella Versace are some of the people that stayed in the Hotel Cipriani.

Hotel Cipriani is an experience that few should miss. Just few hotels can match the splendour of this hotel.

© Orient-Express Hotels

Principe di Savoia: La Dolce Vita a Milano

Some days after Milano Fashion Week. A great occasion for talking about a great hotel in Milano, the Hotel Principe di Savoia. Three months ago I had to go to Milan for the presentation of a new line a brand was going to launch. I decited to stay in Principe di Savoia, as it was very near the place I had to go for my work. Member of The Leading Hotels of the World, right in the Piazza della Repubblica, the largest plazza of the city, this hotel indeed satisfied my expectations. With a very high standard of services and facilities, you will not leave this hotel unsatisfied. Since 1927 when the hotel opened its doors, until today, Principe di Savoia continues the tradition of being considered as one of the best and most luxurious hotels in Milan.

The hotel offers a variety of choices for dining-in experiences. Breakfast as well as afternoon tea and an à la carte menu are available all day at the Lobby Lounge. Indeed a very elegant café for some pastries and traditional English tea, as well as à la carte all-day dining. It has wonderful hand painted decorations, and windown overlooking the beautiful garden.

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You can also have a coffee or a drink at the Giardino d'Inverno, an elegant and exclusive place in the hotel. Decorated in a baroque style, with coloured glass dome ceiling, during the evening il Giardino becomes a relaxing piano bar.

The hotel has very good italian restaurant, the Acanto. One of the nights we stayed in, we had dinner there. And we really loved the food and the atmosphere the restaurant offers. As the decoration is concerned, the room is lighted by some amazing Murano chandeliers. The director of the restaurant explained that they were designed by Celeste Dell'Anna exclusively for the hotel, using as inspiration the great masters of the 1900s.

Fabrizio Cadei, the executive chef, has really prepared a fabulous menu. For starters I do recommend the duck fois gras terrine with pistachios, and the tagliolini pasta with langoustine ragout. The risottos are also fantastic. For the main course, I found the confit veal breast just delicious. For the fish eaters, there is an interesting selection of fish. For the dessert, as I love tiramisu, I ordered the trilogy of tiramisu…simply a dream! You just have to try it...it is all about a dining experience.
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The rooms and the suites are spacious and very elegantly decorated, mainly with silk or wooden panels, featuring a 19th century Lombard style. In the one I stayed, they bedroom and the sitting area were divided with curtained doors.

On the top floor of the hotel, you can enjoy Club 10 Fitness and Beauty Centre with its breathtaking view of the city. There is a really big pool area, gymnasium, and a beauty treatment area. After a long day, you will surely enjoy a thai massage. The best is the make up and hairdresser service. You are ready to go out in an amazing way.

Apart from the fully equiped business centre the hotel has, the tours and excursion services, it also offers complimentary service in a limousine to the centre of the city. This is indeed a very convenient service.

Some of the very famous clients of the hotel were Gabriele d’Annunzio, the Duke of Windsor, Gloria Swanson, Charlie Chaplin, Josephine Baker, Eva Peron, Aristotle Onassis, Aga Khan and Maria Callas. Now a days the Hotel Principi di Savoia is still a place where the international elite of business and leisure meet in an atmosphere of class and sophisticated style.

Let yourself go...Live your own Dolce Vita!

Hotel Westin: Luxury in the heart of Paris

When visiting Paris for a fashion show, an exhibition, or simply for a couple of days brake, the hotel Westin is one of the best options. Very near to the Louvre Museum, the city of Paris is at your doorstep. Located in the first Arrondissement, the hotel is just a few steps from the Place Vendôme, Place de la Concorde and the elegant Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, with its myriad of fashion boutiques.

The hotel opened its doors in April 1878 as Hotel Continental. It was designed by Charles Garnier's nephew Henri Blondel and it was celebrated as the most exclusive property of its kind, and regarded as a national treasure of France's Second Empire. It occupied the full block that was the former premises of the Ministry of Finance. The Hôtel Continental remained the largest and most luxurious hotel in Paris for decades. The Russian Grand Dukes as well as many other royals and celebrities habitually stayed there. A product of the age of Napoleon III, a period of splendour and grandeur, the hotel is a perfect embodiment of the desire to build a French capital of elegance and refinement. Today, the Hotel Westin Paris continues to embody this spirit and its charm.

The Hotel Westin Paris includes 438 rooms and suites which are very elegantly decorated with precious fabrics, sophisticated cream and blue colours, crystal chandeliers, marble bathrooms, and of course the Westin Exclusive of 'Heavenly Beds'.

In the evening, I highly recommend you try the traditional brasserie style cuisine in Le First, the hotel's restaurant. Designed by Jacques Garcia, spectacularly dreamed-up by Patrick Juhel, one of the Meilleurs Ouvrier de France. The setting is really beautiful, decorated with luxurious velvet and silk materials. After your dinner, you can have a drink in the selective environmet of the "Bar des Tuileries". The perfect place where you can sip cocktails, lounge in armchair comfort, and delight in the live piano bar ambiance.

Whatever you do, you have to go and see the salons with their impressive second empire-style frescos. The spectacular 19th-century Salon Impérial with its ceiling ornate mirrors and chandeliers; the Salon Napoléon with rococo ornamentation, striking friezes, and glittering chandeliers; The Salon Aiglon with the magnificent gilded pillars decorated in gold leaf to the ceiling where they meet intricate frescos and golden sculptured angels. Last year I was invited to a fashion show that took place in the Salon Napoleon, and I can tell you that it was a dream.

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If you had to imagine a luxurious Parisian hotel, this would probably be it. What ever your needs are, I am sure Hotel Westin will manage to satisfy you...Featuring an elegant decor and a warm hospitality, you will be welcomed for an unforgettable vacation.