Newly inaugurated, The Landmark Spa, located in the Landmark London Hotel, announces the launch of a range of Ayurvedic treatments to extend their luxury spa treatment offerings.
The Landmark Spa, located in the Landmark London Hotel, announces the launch of a range of Ayurvedic treatments to extend their luxury spa treatment offerings.
Based on traditional Indian medicinal therapies, Ayurvedic treatments are simultaneously relaxing and revitalizing. The Landmark Spa therapists have undertaken specialist training to perform these treatments. The Ayurvedic Spa treatments utilises a holistic approach, begins with a personal consultation, and tailors each therapy to the needs of the individual, accounting for factors such as lifestyle and diet.
The Landmark Spa has added six Ayurvedic therapies to their comprehensive treatment menu:
- ESPA Purva Karma Four-Hand Massage: a welcoming foot ritual followed by body exfoliation and facial cleanse. Two therapists then work in synchrony for the ultimate tension-releasing and rebalancing massage. This treatment combines the use of hot stones with fragrant oils and finishes with an Indian head massage. £260
- ESPA Ama Releasing Abyanga: Beginning with a welcoming foot ritual, the body is then exfoliated with a salt and oil scrub followed by a gentle facial cleanse. After a warm shower, relax with a Marma point massage concentrating on vital energy centres of the face and body. The ritual concludes with a deeply relaxing head massage. £170
- ESPA Balinese Massage: A soothing and indulgent massage, warm aromatherapy oils are poured onto the centre of the body and massaged into the skin using long, stretching, sweeping movements for deep relaxation. £130
- ESPA Shirobyhanga: A compact treatment, this calming yet energizing scalp-massage will increase circulation and an improved feeling of wellbeing. £62
- ESPA Padabyanga: A deeply relaxing foot and lower leg treatment to revitalize tired muscles, it uses a specific blend of warm oils, this treatment begins with a foot bathing and exfoliation, followed by a deeply therapeutic Marma point massage to the feet. £75
- ESPA Shirodara: Traditionally the process of running a fine stream of warm oils on to the forehead and through the scalp, this treatment helps ease stress. A wonderfully relaxing therapy to be used in conjunction with other Ayurvedic treatments. £30
The Landmark London’s luxury lifestyle Spa and Health Club offers a tranquil urban escape with a full range of exceptional massage and body care therapies. As well as the new Ayurvedic treatments, the Spa offers full-body, neck and shoulder relief, hot stone, deep tissue and reflexology. Incorporating The Landmark Health Club, the Spa is complete with state-of-the-art fitness facilities, sanarium, steam rooms and new chlorine-free 15-metre pool.
Bookings for treatments can be made by phone:
Landmark Spa 020 7631 8010
Filed under Luxury Brands by 
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty (DGSIR) recently participated in the 5th Annual Sotheby’s International Realty® Leadership Forum. This dynamic, three-day event provided a unique opportunity for a number of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty’s key executives, department heads and managers to network and share best practices with the top brokers, owners and managers of other firms affiliated with Sotheby’s International Realty.
“The annual Leadership Forum provides a great value to our firm,” said Patricia Petersen, president and CEO of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. “It offers the opportunity to share ideas and experiences with an outstanding group of professionals from all over the world, including how we can position ourselves for success as market conditions improve.”
Accompanying Patricia Petersen to the Leadership Forum were Chief Operating Officer and Vice President Tom Calabrese, Sr. Vice President Marketing and Technology James P. Retz, Sr. Vice President and Regional Manager Angela Anderson, Chief Financial Officer Bob McDermott, Finance Manager William Manning, Sr. Vice President and Regional Manager Carol Tintle, Vice President Upper Tier Marketing Program Barbara Candee, Marketing Director Abby Sheeline and Vice President Technology Susan Poli.
Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, which has offices in communities along the North Shore of Long Island, offers exclusive Sotheby’s International Realty marketing, advertising and referral services designed to attract well-qualified buyers to the firm’s property listings. In addition, the firm and its clients benefit from an association with the Sotheby’s auction house, which promotes real estate referral opportunities with auction house clientele.
“The Leadership Forum represents a unique opportunity for Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates to gather and share their collective insights and experiences,” said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. “This year’s conference included presentations on revenue growth strategies and the effective use of social media.”
For more information, visit www.danielgale.com.
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Steven M. Kamali today announces the unprecedented expansion of his company, a full-service firm providing real estate, trend, development, operations, and branding counsel to the hospitality, restaurant, and nightlife industries. Kamali is the driving force behind some of the most successful venues in New York City and beyond, including Surf Lodge in Montauk and Smyth Tribeca, A Thompson Hotel; and this quarter, will triple the size of his staff and finalize numerous exciting projects—including full overhauls of dining concepts for both the Paramount and Carlton hotels.
“We’re doing better than ever,” said Kamali. “While others have chosen to scale back or lay low during the recession, we’re seizing every opportunity—and creating new ones—by leveraging our expertise, stellar track record, and enthusiastic eye for trends.”
RECENT SUCCESSES
Kamali began his career pinpointing real estate for New York City restaurateurs, and has brokered some of the most buzzed-about properties in the West Village, Meatpacking District, and Chelsea over the last 10 years. He continues to expand on that success, with more than 16 deals signed in the last year—including a two-story Bagatelle restaurant that will open later this year in a former Rockefeller townhouse on 54th Street, and white-hot gastro-lounge Avenue on Tenth Avenue.
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Steven Kamali Hospitality is working closely with EMM Group to identify and develop a new restaurant and entertainment venues throughout Manhattan and beyond. At the same time, the company is expanding its consultancy arm, helping clients create successful dining and nightlife concepts through guidance on locale, branding, menus, chef selection, legal matters, trends, and more—effectively mitigating risks and ensuring success for investors. The firm has recently been retained to overhaul food-and-beverage operations for two of the largest hotel companies in the United States. The first project, for Highgate Hotels, includes re-imagining the Paramount Hotel’s 10,000 square-foot restaurant space, which was once perennial hotspot Diamond Horseshoe. Steven Kamali Hospitality has also been appointed by Hersha Hospitality to help create food-and-beverage concepts for the New York City properties in its growing Independent Hotel Collection. Two Independent hotels are currently under construction in Manhattan: one at 48th Street and Lexington Avenue, and the other at Fourth Avenue and 13th Street.
Also this winter, Steven Kamali Hospitality will help integrate a new food-and-beverage operator into the Carlton Hotel on Madison Avenue—including a revamp of the restaurant concept and room service.
THE NEW TEAM
This quarter, Steven Kamali Hospitality will move into a new office: a 3,000 square-foot space in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District that will serve as home base for the newly expanded team. The firm welcomes nine new hires—including associates charged with expanding clientele in Miami, New York, and the Hamptons; and a food and beverage consultant who was previously a partner and head writer for AlwaysHungry.com who will bring an inventive approach to sales and marketing, social media, and branding.
“Each team member’s unique talents and perspectives will help us to continue to approach consulting and brokerage in a completely different way—acting as a full-service, start-to-finish partner for our clients,” said Kamali.
Filed under Luxury Boutique Hotels by
Inn on the Lake Hotel Marks the First Canadian Property for Upscale Hotel Membership Collection
Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE:CHH) is pleased to announce the addition of its first member hotel in Canada for the company’s Ascend Collection—the Inn on the Lake hotel of Fall River, Nova Scotia. Ascend Collection is an elite network of Historic, Unique and Boutique hotels across the United States and the Caribbean.
“With the addition of our first Canadian property for Ascend Collection, we look forward to growing this membership program even further internationally,” said Kevin Lewis, president of upscale and extended stay brands for Choice Hotels International. “The growth and development of Ascend Collection so far has been unparalleled and we’re sure to see great things from it in the future.”
Ascend Collection answers the desires of a growing number of consumers seeking unique and authentic travel experiences. As a member of Ascend Collection, the Inn on the Lake hotel now has access to the international resources of a lodging powerhouse like Choice Hotels, while maintaining its local presence and individual charm. Inn on the Lake now offers guests points towards free nights, flights and other rewards through the company’s Choice Privileges rewards program, plus easy booking and a powerful online presence at http://www.ChoiceHotels.com.
“We’re excited to bring Ascend Collection to Canada, and Inn on the Lake is a perfect example of the kind of distinctive, high-service property the collection was created for,” says Tim Oldfield, managing director for Choice Hotels Canada.
Through March 31, 2010, Inn on the Lake rates start at $119 per night. A local favorite, the award-winning 39-room Inn on the Lake, as Ascend Collection hotel, offers the intimacy of a four-star country inn. A 10-minute drive from Stanfield International Airport, the Inn on the Lake is set on four acres of rolling parklands and white-sand beaches on Lake Thomas. Exteriors feature French country architectural design, providing the ambiance of a rural retreat at the edge of the city.
“Inn on the Lake truly represents the high caliber of lodging options that we’ve worked to include in Ascend Collection since its launch early last year,” said Stacy Ragland, vice president of Ascend Collection for Choice Hotels International. “We’re thrilled to be able to offer our Ascend Collection guests a new international option and hope to add even more in the future.”
The Inn on the Lake, an Ascend Collection hotel, offers well-appointed guestrooms and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Accommodation features include free Wi-Fi, plush bedding and elegant dark-wood furnishings. The full-service Encore restaurant is a favorite among area food lovers, serving up creative cuisine enhanced by fresh local ingredients. The restaurant opens onto a covered deck for seasonal alfresco dining. Oliver’s lounge has the cozy feel of an Old English pub.
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Saturday, December 5th – tour the newly completed Carlyle Residences and meet celebrity resident Larry King.
A development of The Elad Group, The Carlyle Residences is the last luxury hi-rise to be built on the Wilshire Corridor. “We’re delighted The Carlyle is now 100% complete,” says Tom Elliot COO of Elad Properties West. “The timing is perfect given the slight upswing in the super luxury real estate market.”
Data from the Multiple Listing Service shows that the number of properties sold in Los Angeles County is up 10% year to date over 2008 while properties over $3 million are down slightly from 2008.
According to Valerie Fitzgerald, Exclusive Sales Agent at The Carlyle, “This event marks the total completion of an extraordinarily luxurious addition to the Wilshire Corridor. Buyers are looking for convenience and amenities, and The Carlyle over-delivers.”
Celebrity residents like Larry King have chosen The Carlyle for it’s complete privacy, prominent location in the Wilshire Corridor’s “Golden Mile,” and luxurious amenities including private elevators for each residence, a grand lobby, common spaces and a private dining room with furnishings in collaboration with Fendi Casa, Sports Club LA-designed health spa with lap pool, lush landscaping, as well as a wine cave, concierge services, valet and doorman.
The Carlyle is located at 10776 Wilshire Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. For more information, call 310.209.0000 or visit The Carlyle Residences website.
About The Carlyle
Located at the center of the Wilshire Corridor’s “Golden Mile,” The Carlyle Residences is a 24-story crescent-shaped luxury condominium tower with 78 private luxury residences ranging in size from 2,700-5,000 square feet, each with its own private elevator entrance. The Carlyle offers residences 24-hour white glove concierge modeled after a luxury hotel, and amenities including a fitness center designed by The Sports Club L.A., a private wine cellar and dining room, club room, a custom designed Chihuly glass sculpture and furnishings by Fendi Casa, as well a separate staff quarter units. Learn more at www.carlyleonwilshire.com or watch The Carlyle videos on YouTube.
About Elad Properties
New York-based Elad Properties, owners and developers of The Carlyle, is one of the most active luxury-residence developers in Los Angeles and is among the world’s premier real estate organizations with a distinguished portfolio of outstanding properties. Most recently, they opened Elad Properties West, headquarters to add to their portfolio valued at approximately $7.5 billion. For more information visit http://www.eladproperties.com.
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Park Place on Seagrove Beach, a luxury Gulf-front condominium development is garnering attention with its unique architecture and South Florida-inspired style. The exclusive 19 unit development debuted in 2007 and only a few units remain available for purchase. Park Place is centrally located just two miles east of Seaside and includes 200’ of pristine private beach. Architect Bill Williams of Williams-Blackstock Architects of Birmingham, Ala. designed the impressive steel and concrete construction building with classic features. Park Place was developed by Ray Fitzpatrick and Steve Chambers, the team also responsible for the popular The Village of South Walton, a condominium community adjacent to Rosemary Beach.
“Park Place offers a modern yet elegant style reminiscent of South Florida that is unique to the 30A area,” explained Tom Fitzpatrick, sales director of Park Place and Beach Properties of Florida Sales Executive. “The architecture and interior design of the condominium is at the forefront of a new trend of people seeking the luxurious living of communities like South Beach, but wanting that lifestyle here on the Gulf Coast. Park Place is for the discerning owner eager to embrace this way of life.”
Dramatic Medjool palm trees line the gated entrance of the condominium and lead to a private owner’s garage and private elevators that open to individual units. Each of the 19 gulf front units offers four bedrooms in one of five different floor plans. Interior features include generous 5’ wide foyers, travertine flooring, double tray ceilings, Siematic kitchen cabinetry, Subzero and Miele appliances, and high impact resistant Fulton glass curtain walls and sliding doors. Project amenities available are private gated beach access with beach chairs and umbrellas, a gulf front pool and spa, a spacious community room featuring the latest Precor fitness equipment, a Brunswick slate pool table, beach lockers, two poolside cabana kitchens and an outdoor Viking gas grill, and onsite personnel.
“Park Place offers a new feel and look for our area that I think we’ll be seeing more of in the coming years, especially with the new Northwest Florida – Panama City International Airport opening South Walton up to national and international visitors who are accustomed to this kind of lifestyle,” added Price Rainer, co-owner of Beach Properties of Florida. “The attention to detail is outstanding and the location can’t be beat. Park Place is a great opportunity for a buyer looking for exclusive Gulf front living with a sophisticated style.”
For additional information regarding Park Place on Seagrove, please visit www.parkplace-seagrove.com.
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Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., has introduced a virtual tour of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.
Now, future residents and travelers can visit The St. Regis Bal Harbour Virtual Tour* for a unique preview inside the St. Regis lifestyle. Scheduled for completion in 2011, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is situated on an expansive stretch of white sand beach at the northern tip of Miami Beach across the street from the famous Bal Harbour Shops.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world, is taking the lead role in the success of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort through its ownership, development supervision, and later, management, of what will set the tone for twenty-first century luxury living in South Florida and for the St. Regis portfolio as well.
“We are delighted to offer the first presentation of what is considered one of the most highly-anticipated developments in the Southeast,” says Keith Fordsman, Vice President of Development for Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc. “The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort truly comes alive in this virtual tour, seamlessly blending state-of-the-art technology with beautiful renderings of the plan design concepts, created by our award-winning project and design team, Yabu Pushelberg and Sieger Suarez Architectural Partners.”
The tour begins with a journey through the point of arrival surrounded by manicured landscape. Viewers are then taken through the lobby of The Residences of The St. Regis Bal Harbour before moving to a pool and condo hotel living spaces that include a kitchen, bedroom, dining room, living room and balcony – or “outdoor living room.” Other highlights include panoramic oceanfront views from every angle as well as an inside look of The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort’s collection of amenities, including the lounge bar, wine room, Remède® Spa, outdoor restaurant and ballroom.
Current design plans for The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort include 268 ultra-luxurious residences, 37 condo-hotel suites, 183 hotel rooms and 24 fractional suites. Highlights include signature butler service, a 12,000-square-foot Remède® Spa and serene gardens with multiple pools, water features and sculptures. More information is available by calling 305-993-6000 or visiting online at www.StRegisBalHarbour.com
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Paris is inundated with luxury hotels, many of them extremely expensive. But there are some superb luxury boutique hotels, which are off the beaten track and far less expensive. The Four Seasons could hardly be considered a boutique hotel, although it is in the luxury class, with private terraces looking out across Paris; 17th-century tapestries, lovingly restored; and a spirit that lives on in thoroughly reborn, highly advanced spaces, the Four Seasons George V Paris is a beautiful tasteful hotel.
But the area surrounding the Champs Elysees is full of smaller boutique hotels offering perhaps not the over-exaggerated elegance and price of the four seasons, but luxury nonetheless.
Explore the area to the east and west of the Champs Elysees and you will discover a wealth of almost unheard of hotels that do not need to advertise in the traditional ways. Look for small signs, and discreet window notes, but expect to be turned away during the busier seasons. These smaller luxury boutique hotels in Paris are almost always over booked except out-of-season.
The George V could hardly be considered a luxury boutique hotel in Paris
Filed under Luxury Boutique Hotels, luxury travel by
The cover story of Better Homes & Gardens' November issue is an 11-page photo/story featuring Thanksgiving at the home of Kendall-Jackson executive chef Justin Wangler.
The idea is that Thanksgiving can be simple and economical–in keeping with the times–yet be just as wonderful as in the best of days. Wangler, who is executive chef for the Kendall-Jackson Winery in Santa Rosa, demonstrates how he creates an easy Thanksgiving meal–much of it prepared in advance–for his friends and family at his home. The article features 10 recipes and turkey preparation tips, as well as wine pairing suggestions with Kendall-Jackson's Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling wines.
It also directs readers to www.kj.com/bhg for special offers on the featured wines and video demonstrations of techniques described in the story. "The purpose of this menu is to give those hosting Thanksgiving the gift of time," Wangler says. "Life should have a balance of work and play. The same goes for this holiday. Get out of the kitchen and enjoy your company. That's what you'll remember most."
Recipes include pumpkin corn bread, chardonnay-glazed carrots, a "make-ahead" Thanksgiving turkey, savory butternut squash dressing, pear and arugula salad, sweet potatoes with toasted pecans, pan-roasted Brussels sprouts, spiced cranberry sauce, "Priscilla's Persimmon and Pomegranate Salad," pecan cranberry tart, and sweet buttermilk ice cream.
Filed under Gourmet Foods by
Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott”) (NYSE:MAR) today announced third quarter 2009 pre-tax impairment charges of approximately $760 million associated with its timeshare segment. The charges largely relate to the company’s plans to reduce prices and development at luxury fractional and residential resorts to accelerate cash flow. “The decisions we announced today were made to enable us to drive long-term cash flow and profitability in our timeshare business,” said Arne Sorenson, Marriott’s president and chief operating officer.
Specifically, the company is recording impairment charges of approximately $295 million associated with five luxury residential projects, $300 million associated with its nine North American luxury fractional projects, $95 million related to one North American timeshare project, $55 million related to the four projects in its European timeshare and fractional business, and $15 million associated with two Asia Pacific timeshare resorts. The $760 million of impairment charges are non-cash except for approximately $25 million expected to be funded in 2009 and $20 million expected to be funded in 2010 or 2011.
The cash amounts were previously included in the company’s spending forecasts. Demand for the timeshare segment’s luxury residential products was soft in 2008 and weakened further in 2009. Given this economic environment, Marriott expects to reduce residential prices, convert certain proposed projects to other uses, and sell some undeveloped land. Going forward, while Marriott expects to continue to license and manage luxury residential projects developed by others as part of its lodging business, it does not expect its timeshare segment to pursue new Marriott-funded residential development projects.
Similar to luxury residential products, demand for luxury fractional units remains constrained by the weak economy and the significant supply of luxury residential real estate on the market. As a result, the company has decided to reduce prices of existing fractional units to accelerate sales and cash flow, prompting the third quarter charge. The company will sell a portion of its fractional inventory as part of the new portfolio membership program in Ritz-Carlton Destination Club (“RCDC”). Portfolio memberships provide luxury travelers the flexibility and opportunity to visit different luxury destinations. Initial customer response to the new portfolio membership offering has been favorable and is expected to show improved revenues as the economy recovers.
The company also continues to sell fractional interests to customers who seek an ownership interest in a specific luxury destination property. For the segment’s traditional U.S. timeshare business, recent successful marketing promotions included volume discounts and other purchase incentives. The company expects to continue targeted short-term promotions. At the same time, the company has enhanced returns by lowering overhead, streamlining sales and marketing efforts and deferring introduction of new projects and development phases. Despite the difficult business environment, only one U.S. timeshare project is incurring a charge for the 2009 third quarter, largely attributable to its high development costs coupled with lower demand than originally anticipated.
Outside the U.S., the company’s four European timeshare and fractional resorts continue to experience low demand. As a result, the company plans to continue promotional pricing and marketing incentives, while reducing overhead to accelerate sales and cash flow. The company is currently not pursuing additional development in Europe. In Asia, impairment charges for the third quarter are attributable to only two timeshare resorts which experienced project scope changes and high development costs. Mr. Sorenson added, “Today’s announcement reflects the significant decline in demand for luxury residential real estate over the last year. It also reflects the relative strength and deeper market of the traditional timeshare business which, while impacted by the weak economy, has proved to be more resilient. For all aspects of this business, our goal remains to drive cash flow. We expect the timeshare segment to produce positive cash flow in 2009, higher levels of cash flow in 2010, and improving profitability.”
These impairment charges will be included in the company’s reported third quarter 2009 results which will be disclosed on October 8, 2009. While the company is still in the process of closing its books for the third quarter, which ended September 11, 2009, the company expects that reported third quarter 2009 comparable systemwide revenue per available room (“REVPAR”) in North America declined by approximately 19 percent from the prior year quarter, reflecting better than anticipated leisure business. The company’s outlook for the third quarter 2009, disclosed on July 16, 2009, assumed third quarter North American comparable systemwide REVPAR could decline 20 to 23 percent. Note: The statements in this press release about the company’s plans for developing, marketing and pricing its timeshare segment products and properties, expected future Timeshare segment cash flow and profitability, and the expected decline in 2009 third quarter RevPAR are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws, and are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including the depth and duration of the current economic slowdown and softness in financial markets; supply and demand changes for vacation ownership and residential properties, final verification and compilation of revenue information from our individual lodging properties, and other risk factors identified in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q; which could cause the company’s plans to change.
These statements are made as of the date of this press release, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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