Editor's Tips - Luxury Travel Magazine Australia

Top ten lists for 2009 abound at this time of year, but a backpacker’s list is NOT the same as a list for luxury lovers. Search the web and you’ll see there is only ONE list that defines the Top Luxury Destinations for 2009 – and you’ll find it here.

 
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Antarctica is out –Galapagos Islands are in. 2009 is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of Origin of Species.  So visit the islands that inspired the theory of evolution. Private yacht charter is only way is to go.

Cruise with:
South America Travel Centre, www.satc.com.au


ARGENTINA

Qantas resumed direct flights to Buenos Aires late last year and so one of the world’s sexist cities is now back on the radar.   Lan-Chile also flies the Sydney to BA route.  You can tango the night away in Buenos Aires or pay homage to the style (if not the politics) of Eva Peron at Recoleta cemetery, go gaucho on a ranch near San Antonio de Areco, visit Iquazu Falls or go wild in Patagonia.

Stay:
Moreno Hotel, BA, www.morenobuenosaires.com
Los Sauces Casa, Patagonia, www.casalossauces.com

 
NEW ZEALAND

A tightening of the Hermes belt means that even luxury lovers like the option of holidaying near home. New Zealand has spectacular scenery, heavenly wine, and some of the world’s best designer lodges –all good incentives to visit. Now is the year to take a short break across the Tasman. The Langham, Auckland is due to open its new Chuan Spa shortly so stop off for a night before you tour.

Stay:
Huka Lodge, www.hukalodge.co.nz
Kauri Cliffs, www.kauricliffs.com


LITHUANIA

Each year, the E.U. bestows the title Capital of Culture to one or more European destinations.  This year, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is being honoured along with Linz in Austria. In 2009 Vilnius, an UNESCO heritage site, is putting on a special show with over 900 special events.  For Australians the good news is that although it's a member of the EU, Lithuania doesn't use the euro as its currency, which makes it a more affordable destination than other parts of Europe.

Stay:
Stikliai Hotel, Vilnius, www.relaischateaux.com
Radisson SAS Astorija hotel, Vilnius, www.vilnius.radissonsas.com


ENGLAND

Lovers of Blighty are taking another look at one of Australia’s  favourite destinations (just  under 1 million of us visited Britain last year).  The travel plans are inspired by the Australian dollar’s worth against the pound (currently at 46 pence at time of writing) as we hope it travels towards that magic “1 dollar buys 50 pence”. For the luxury lover there are so many options from castles and manor houses to legendary hotels and chic boutique stays. After a 100 million pound renovation the Savoy, one of London’s most iconic hotels is due to re-open this northern summer so be one of the first to check in.

Stay:
Savoy, London, www.fairmont.com/promo/savoy
The Goring, London, www.slh.com


SCOTLAND

Quote Robert Burns while drinking a 12-year old malt in front of a roaring log fire. 2009 is Homecoming Year for Scotland so the country will be celebrating in style. Sublime golf courses, decent whiskey –what’s not to like?

Stay:
Tigerlily, Edinburgh, www.tablethotels.com
Old Course Hotel &Spa, St Andrews, www.lhw.com
Pool House, Poolewe, www.poolhousehotel.com


SOUTH AFRICA

The country is gearing up for the FiIFA Soccer World Cup in 2010 with new roads and infrastructure and a whole host of new hotels  so go this year to take advantage of all this before the crowds descend. Explore the café scene in Cape Town; head for the wine country a whole pride of up-market safari lodges. Look out for the new Fairmont Zimbali opening on the coast 45 kilometres from Durban in mid-2009. For a dinner party, best head to the wild North East coast when the sardines are swimming to see thousands of seabirds, bet your safari-loving friends won’t be able to beat that.

Stay:
Mount Nelson, Cape Town, www.orient_express.com
Pezula resort Hotel & Spa, Knysna www.pezularesorthotel.com
Birkenhead House, Hermanus, www.birkenheadhouse.com 
Grand Provence, Franschoek, www.grandprovence.co.za


SPAIN

The Euro-elite have always talked about “their little place in Tuscany or flocked to the South of France, but Spain had previously been considered a little too wild for some. Not any more. Luxury seekers are heading to Spain to Bilbao, more than a port since the Guggenheim gallery arrived, to Granada and the lacy charms of the Alhambra and to Barcelona whose funky party vibe has now become sophisticated.  Even Malaga has the odd boutique hotel of choice.

Stay:
ABAC Restaurant Hotel, Barcelona, www.slh.com
Ritz Madrid, www.ritzmadrid.com
Miro Hotel, Bilbao, www.designhotels.com
 
 
QATAR

If you think the Guggenheim transformed Bilbao imagine what the world’s first major museum dedicated to Islamic art which has opened in Qatar’s capital, Doha might do. This tiered palace, designed by I.M.Pei, will be a magnet for culture vultures and could mean that Dubai and Oman (which featured on last year’s Luxury List) might well have some competition in the region, especially as Qatar airlines steps up its presence in our part of the world. The opening of the stylish W Doha last year is a sign of things to come. Relax in the hotel’s Shisha Lounge or at the Ritz Carlton built on two artificial islands near Doha Golf Course.  

Stay:
W Doha, www.starwoodhotels.com
Ritz Carlton, Doha, www.ritzcarlton.com


VIETNAM

Once upon at time Vietnam was the hot new Asian destination for intrepid backpackers before Cambodia and then Laos took its place. Now, thanks to resorts built by some serious hoteliers such as Six Senses, Vietnam has come of age and is back in the rankings as a place where luxury lovers can relax after they’ve experienced the very best of the rest of the Asian luxury circuit. Vietnam is even looking to create some serious golf courses – although there is a way to go before these can beat what is on offer in Thailand or Malaysia.

Stay:
Sofitel Metropole, Hanoi, www.sofitel.com
The Nam Hai, Hoi An, www.thenamhai.com
Six Senses Hideaway Ninh Van Bay, www.sixsenses.com


If it is hot in the world of luxury we write about it. In the next issue of Luxury Travel Magazine: the Best Luxury Destinations 2009 featured are:  Argentina, Bali, Scotland, and South Africa SUBSCRIBE NOW to be in time to receive your copy. Click here to subscribe.