Nicaragua – Volcano Boarding – Travel Article from New York Times
In an article posted by the New York Times, reporter Laura Siciliano-Rosen chronicles her time spent in Leon, Nicaragua. During her stay, she is introduced to the exhilirating sport of volcano boarding. Standing atop an ominous live volcano, she describes the experience of hurtling down the 1600 foot slope of Cerro Negro Volcano at speeds of up to 50 mph on merely plywood reinforced with metal rails on the bottom and sides. Natives of the land are familiar with this activity, but this craze has sprawled out and attracted backpacking adventure-seekers from all corners of the world.
Information is provided on tours, lodging, and rates for this adventure. Follow the link for this very interesting read.
Article: Travel.NYTimes
See more images of Volcano Boarding after the jump.
Hospes Maricel – Mallorca, Spain
Located in the Spanish island of Mallorca, the Hospes Maricel is a stately home constructed of the finest natural materials intending to make your stay there as pleasurable as possible. A regular day in the five-star establishment starts with a gourmet treat for the palate, voted in 2004 as ‘The Best Breakfast In The World’, and it also features a cocktail bar set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. Other features include the Bodyna Spa and Wellness Centre, which includes an impressive infinity swimming pool, a covered swimming pool, a sauna, steam rooms, a gym and rooms for pilates and relaxation. A new complex was added to the hotel last summer, where it was developed in a ‘countryside’ environment, and features three new buildings connected with each other and with the prime building, and two new buildings with 22 deluxe rooms and suites including a private terrace and plunge pool.
For more info: Hospes Maricel
The Lamborghini Academy
You’re probably already familiar with Lamborghini’s Gallardo and Murcielago. What you may not be familiar with it how to drive them with the prowess of a professional. Enter the Lamborghini Academy. Start off at the track academy and learn the basics of safely maneuvering while testing the limits of the Gallardo LP560-4. Completion of the track academy earns you the right to pilot the incredible 6.5 V-12 powered Murcielago LP 640 in their advanced academy, which is devoted entirely to perfecting and honing one’s racing skills using sophisticated telemetry and driving techniques. The winter academy throws it all out the window and involves mastery of the permanent all-wheel drive in extreme weather conditions. With such a variety of courses, cars, and driving styles, the Academy is sure to be worth every Euro. Lamborghini ownership is not necessary, and track days are scheduled through November.
More images after the jump.
Hotel Missoni Edinburgh
Developed as a joint venture between the Missoni fashion house and the Rezidor Hotel Group, the luxury Hotel Missoni will be opening in Edinburgh, UK in late 2009. Architects Allan Murray Architects and interior designer Matteo Thun have taken Missoni’s signature design elements from the fashion house, including their bold colors, zig-zag lines, and timeless style to make this 5-star luxury hotel unmistakable. Color schemes and fabrics for the interiors of the 129 rooms and 7 suites follow a black, white and silver theme that match the locations mood and functional areas. Other amenities of the luxury hotel include a lounge, rooftop restaurant, ballroom, five conference rooms, spa area, and a outdoor swimming pool.
Check out more images after the jump:
FYI- There are some great interior shots here.
Kemang Icon Hotel in Jakarta
One of Jakarta’s first truly boutique hotels, Kemang Icon by Alila is a slinky shrine to city-style luxury. Its 12 unique suites share space with a boutique shopping mall, a renowned Thann Sanctuary spa, and a rooftop restaurant, all fashioned in onyx, granite and metal and encased in shimmering panels of glass. The 12 gadget-packed suites are all individually designed by gifted modernist architect Sardjono Sani, and, although some shy couples may baulk at the ‘open concept’ bathrooms (no doors or walls to separate them from the rest of the suite), still more will love the numerous art deco pieces, the snug Ploh bedspreads, and the chic modern interplay of granite, metal, onyx and glass. With such good looks and dedicated service, the prime location in Jarkarta’s hip Kemang district, the individually designed suites with minimalist art deco style and the sweeping city views from the rooftop infinity pool, Kemang Icon is the right hotel choice in Jakarta. Visit the Kemang Icon site for more info.
More images after the jump.
Singita – Luxury African Game Reserve
Singita is a group of luxury African game reserves with locations in South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Signita, means a place of miracles, and it offers extensive packages such as true wilderness experiences and horseback safaris. One of their packages is a 4-night safari that includes horse riding and game viewing in Tanzania’s Singita Grumeti Reserves. These horseback safaris are available throughout the year except for certain months due to wet season. The guided tours includes two nights at flagship lodge Singita Sasakwa, the only member of Relais and Chateaux in East Africa, as well as two nights at Singita Faru Faru. As you can tell from the following images below, these luxury game reserves are equipped with all the luxury amenities you’d find in other luxury hotels. Visit their site for more info.
More images after the jump.
Eagle’s Nest – Luxury Private Resort in New Zealand
The Eagle’s Nest luxury private resort is located above the Bay of Islands in New Zealand. “It’s been hailed as one of the top 100 resorts in the world and among the top 12 in design by Dealer magazine. It also won the World Travel Award as New Zealand’s leading resort in 2005.” Eagle’s Nest sits on a 75 acre estate atop its own private ridge-line offering spectacular views of the Bay of Islands. It is known for its dolphin and whale watching, its secluded beaches, lush native bush walks, and historic attractions. For the more adventurous, sea kayaking, para-sailing, sky diving, water skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling are all available. As for lodging, rooms start at $1800 a night. But one of the rooms called the Rahimoana, is a four-bedroom work of art that goes for $37,000 per night. Renting the Rahimoana includes the use of a Porsche, personal chef and trainer. If you’re ever interested in such a resort, make sure to visit the Eagle’s Nest website.
More images after the jump.
The Joule Hotel
The Joule in Dallas is a 129 room, 10-story tower luxury hotel that has an elegant ambiance and contemporary design by New York based studio, Tihany Design. The inspiration of the hotel comes from the Jules Verne novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. The Joule’s guestrooms are “invitingly sleek, with high-end finishes, inventive decor and original furniture designs that maximize the use of space. The deep blue-, grey-, and burgundy-toned rooms feature iconic black and white photographs of downtown Dallas in its social, architectural and artistic light, specially commissioned for the hotel.” For more info visit Starwood Hotels.
Wittistanbul Hotel by Autoban
If you have plans visiting Istanbul in the near future make sure to consider a stay at the Wittistanbul Hotel. This boutique hotel has 15 rooms with 4 panoramic suites all with living room, bedroom, and kitchen designed by the folks at Autoban. The recent completion of this interior project provides the room with different layering (wood or iron) and Autoban furniture. Check out the hotel’s site and Autoban’s site for more details.
Ace Hotel – Palm Springs, CA
According to the creative minds behind urban hotel chain, Ace Hotels, you don’t need an extravagant budget to create a beautiful and unusual bedroom.
Ace, founded in 1999 in Seattle by a group of friends, eschews expensive designer furnishings in favor of vintage and industrial objects with local flavor. The hotels have attracted a growing clientele of artistic types short on cash and egalitarians with money to spare. In 2007 the chain expanded into Portland, Ore.; this February a branch will open in Palm Springs, CA, and in March, Ace Hotel NY will open at 20 West 29th Street (Broadway).
For their latest installment in Palm Springs, founders Alex Calderwood and Robin Standefer, have incorporated the surrounding Southwestern influences and captured an ambiance distinct to the desert city. Take a look more of what Ace Hotel, Palm Springs has to offer after the jump.
Images: WHS
